Dynamics of putative sex pheromone components during heat periods in estrus-induced cows.

Determination of the optimal insemination time in dairy cows is vital for fertilization success and is a challenging task due to silent or weak signs of estrus shown by some cows. This can be overcome by combining several estrus detection methods, leading to higher detection rates. However, an efficient, noninvasive method for detecting estrus in cows is still needed. Chemical cues released by the cow during estrus have been proposed to have pheromonal properties and signal readiness to mate to the bull. Such cues could be used in an industrial setting to detect cows in estrus. However, no conclusive published data show temporal changes in putative sex pheromone levels during estrus. The goal of this study was to determine the temporal pattern of putative sex pheromone components during estrus and to assess the reproducibility of changes in pheromone concentration with respect to ovulation time. Two injections of the hormone PGF2α were administered over a 2-wk interval to induce and synchronize the estrous cycles of 6 Holstein cows. The precise time of ovulation was determined by means of an ultrasound technique, and estrus was determined by visual observation. Using solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry techniques, we showed that acetic and propionic acids, which have been proposed to be putative sex pheromone components in cows, were present in the headspaces of all estrous and diestrous fecal samples, whereas 1-iodoundecane was not detected by solid-phase microextraction or by solvent extraction with diethyl ether. Low levels of acids were observed until 1 d before ovulation, at which point their concentrations increased, peaking around 0.5 d before ovulation. The application of labeled synthetic standards revealed that during the peak of release, 36 ± 8 ng (average ± SD) of acetic acid and 10 ± 3 ng of propionic acid were present in 0.5-g samples of estrous-phase fecal matter compared with 19 ± 5 and 2.3 ± 1 ng of acetic and propionic acids, respectively, in the control diestrous samples. After the peak, the amounts of the compounds decreased sharply to match those of the control samples and afterward returned to the baseline readings. This decrease in the amounts of putative pheromone components was registered about 12 h before ovulation, indicating that acetic and propionic acids could be used as biomarkers for the electronic detection of ovulation.

The effect of candesartan on pentraxin-3 plasma levels as marker of endothelial dysfunction in patients with essential arterial hypertension.

BACKGROUND: In the last decades, the studies performed on the field of endothelial dysfunction confirmed the fact that the starting point of this pathology is the inflammation. Several inflammatory biomarkers had been discovered and studied, ones showing systemic inflammation, and others being more specific biomarkers and showing the local inflammation. Pentraxin-3 (PTX3) is a new inflammatory biomarker, from the same family as high-selectivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), but it is a more specific biomarker, due to its local production: the endothelial cells and not the liver like in the case of hs-CRP. AIMS: Several antihypertensive classes of drugs seem to have a positive impact on reducing the local endothelial inflammation, beyond their effect of lowering the blood pressure, so this study aims to analyze the effect of candesartan on the two inflammatory biomarkers: PTX3 and CRP, compared with other antihypertensive drugs, in hypertensive patients with endothelial dysfunction. METHODS: A total of 365 patients were included in the study: 127 hypertensive patients were under treatment with candesartan, 134 patients were under treatment with other hypotensive medication (beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, and diuretics), both groups with controlled values of blood pressure, and 104 were normotensive persons. Classical methods of assessing the endothelial function were correlated with these biochemical markers. RESULTS: The patients treated with candesartan had a significant lower value of PTX3 and hs-CRP, compared with those under treatment with other antihypertensive medication as follows: PTX3: 0.61 ± 0.49 vs 0.95 ± 1.04 ng/ml, P = 0.006 and hs-CRP: 0.19 ± 0.20 vs 0.20 ± 0.22 mg/dl, P = 0.54. CONCLUSIONS: Candesartan decreases PTX3 and hs-CRP plasma levels more powerful than other classes of antihypertensive drugs (beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, and diuretics), so we may assume that candesartan has a more potent action in reversing endothelial dysfunction and that it offers a higher vascular protection than other classes of antihypertensive drugs. We are suggesting that this new biochemical marker, PTX3, might be better and more specific marker for endothelial dysfunction, than hs-CRP.

Evaluation of patients diagnosed with essential arterial hypertension through network analysis.

BACKGROUND: Essential hypertension is a chronic pathology that causes long-term complications due to late diagnosis of patients, the inability to control the disease through medication, or due to the complexity of associated risk factors. AIMS: Our study sets out to identify specific patterns of response to arterial hypertension treatment, by taking into consideration the multiple connections between risk factors in a relevant population of hypertensive patients. METHODS: Network science is an emerging paradigm, branching over multiple aspects of physical, biological and social phenomena. One such branch, which has brought significant contributions to medical science, is the field of network medicine. To apply this methodology, we create a complex network of hypertensive patients based on their common medical conditions. Consequently, we obtain a community-based representation which pinpoints specific-and previously uncharted-patterns of hypertension development. This approach creates incentives for evaluating patient's treatment efficacy, by considering its network topological position. RESULTS: Distinct clusters of patients with common properties have emerged for each study group (group A-treated with nebivolol, group B-treated with perindopril and group C-treated with candesartan cilexetil). Therefore, our network-based clustering allows for a better treatment assessment.

Erwinia typographi sp. nov., isolated from bark beetle (Ips typographus) gut.

Gram-negative-staining bacteria that were resistant to monoterpene myrcene (7-methyl-3-methylene-1.6-octadiene, C10H16, at concentrations of up to 10 µl ml(-1) in TSB) were isolated from the gut contents of adult bark beetles Ips typographus (Coleoptera, Scolytidae). The beetles were collected from the bark of Norway spruce (Picea abies) in Lithuania. Bark beetles feed on conifers, which produce myrcene among many other defensive compounds. It has been suggested that the micro-organisms present within the beetles' guts could be involved in their resistance towards this plant defensive compound. The most resistant bacterial strains were isolated and characterized by phenotypic assays as well as fatty acid analysis, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, multilocus sequence analyses (MLSA) based on the rpoB, atpD and infB genes and DNA-DNA hybridization. Biochemical characterization indicated that the bacteria belonged to the family Enterobacteriaceae. Phylogenetic analyses of the 16S rRNA gene sequences and MLSA of the novel strains revealed that they belonged to the genus Erwinia, but represented a novel species. The dominant cellular fatty acids were C16:0 and C17:0 cyclo. The DNA G+C content was 49.1 mol%. The results obtained in this study indicated that these bacteria from the bark beetle gut represented a novel species, for which the name Erwinia typographi sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain DSM 22678T (=Y1T=LMG 25347T).

New type of Sesiidae sex pheromone identified from the hornet moth Sesia apiformis.

Two components of the female-produced sex pheromone of the hornet moth, Sesia apiformis, were identified as (3Z,13Z)-octadeca-3,13-dien-1-ol (3Z,13Z-18:OH) and (2E,13Z)-octadeca-2,13-dienal (2E,13Z-18:Al), a pheromone structure new in Sesiidae. Pooled gland extracts showed the two major compounds in a proportion of ca. 2:3, while SPME-investigations on single calling females revealed a ratio of ca. 1:7. Although the single compounds were not attractive, a 2:3 mixture proved to be highly active towards males in field tests. Small amounts of (2E,13Z)-octadecadienol (2E,13Z-18:OH) were found in the sex pheromone gland of females, however, the biological significance of the compound remains unclear. Methyl sulfide was found to readily react with 2-alkenals, providing an effective new method for the characterization of this type of compound upon GC/MS. The derivatives, 1,1,3-tris(methylthio)alkanes, are the products of the addition of methyl sulfide to the double bond and the transformation of the carbonyl group into the corresponding bis(methylthio)acetal. The mass spectra of these compounds are characterized by diagnostic signals at m/z 107 and/or m/z 121. These fragments represent the first carbon unit or the first two carbon units of the derivative, respectively. The parent signal in the spectra of thiomethyl derivatives of 2-alkenals showing no other double bonds is represented by m/z M+ - 121, formed upon loss of the first two carbon units. By employing a solution of methyl sulfide in dimethyl sulfide, the double bond positions in 2E,13Z-18:Al could be fully characterized by GC/MS.

Sex attractants for six clearwing and tineid species (Lepidoptera, Sesiidae and Tineidae) from Kazakhstan and Lithuania.

Sex attractants for 3 Sesiidae and 3 Tineidae moth species in West-Kazakhstan and Lithuania were discovered by field screening tests of (3Z,13Z)-, (3E,13Z)- and (2E,13Z)-octadecadien-1-ols and their acetates as well as of some binary mixtures of these compounds. Total amount of chemicals was 0.3 mg/dispenser. Males of Synanthedon serica were attracted by a 5:5 mixture of 3E,13Z-18:OAc and 2E,13Z-18:OAc, Chamaesphecia bibioniformis by a 9:1 mixture of 3Z,13Z-18:OAc and 3E,13Z-18:OAc, Paranthrene tabaniformis by a 1:9 mixture of 3Z,13Z-18:OH and 3E,13Z-18:OH, Tinea nonimella by a 1:9 mixture of 3E,13Z-18:OH and 2E,13Z-18:OH, Monopis monachella by a 1:9 mixture of 3Z,13Z-18:OH and 2E,13Z-18:OH, and Nemaxera betulinella by a 9:1 mixture of 2E,13Z-18:OAc and the corresponding alcohol. The periods of attraction to the traps were registered for males of S. serica and Ch. bibioniformis and were found to occur at 15-18 and 15-17 o'clock, local time, respectively.

Pheromone differences between sibling taxaDiachrysia chrysitis (linnaeus, 1758) andD. tutti (Kostrowicki, 1961) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

The noctuid sibling taxaDiachrysia chrysitis s. str. andD. tutti, of yet uncertain taxonomic status, have previously been shown to possess differences in morphology and to be attracted to different mixtures of the two presumed pheromone components (Z)-5-decenyl acetate and (Z)-7-decenyl acetate. TypicalD. tutti males (clearly broken forewing marking) are known to respond to a 2: 100 mixture of the two isomers, whereasD. chrysitis males (unbroken marking) are attracted to a 100: 10 mixture. We investigated female pheromone production and male electroantennographic (EAG) response inDiachrysia families raised in the laboratory from field-collected gravid females. Extracts of individual females from typicalD. tutti andD. chrysitis families were subjected to gas chromatography with simultaneous flame ionization and electroantennographic detection. All females produced mixtures of Z5- and Z7-10:OAc, but femaleD. chrysitis produced predominantly Z5-10:OAc and the antennae of their brothers responded more strongly to the Z5 peak than to the Z7-10:OAc peak, whereas the opposite was true forD. tutti families. The pheromone components were shown to be biosynthesized from hexadecanoic and tetradecanoic acid, respectively by Z11-desaturation followed by chain shortening, reduction, and acetylation. The EAG responses of males trapped with the typicalD. tutti andD. chrysitis blends, as well as with an intermediate blend, were investigated. Males trapped with theD. tutti mixture almost exclusively had a clearly broken wing marking and showed strongest EAG response to Z7-10:OAc. The intermediate blend and theD. chrysitis mixture gave more mixed catches, but with a prevalence of males with an unbroken (or almost unbroken) wing marking and with a higher mean response to Z5-10:OAc. Some males with typicalD. tutti EAG responses were attracted in the field to theD. chrysitis pheromone. In the flight tunnel someD. chrysitis males were attracted also to theD. tutti mixture. This indicates that cross attraction may take place between the two taxa under natural conditions.

[Sex determination in forensic odontostomatology. Methodologic revision and new procedures]. / Geschlechtsbestimmung in der forensischen Odontostomatologie. Methodologische Revision und neue Vorgehensweisen.

First of all, authors review methods used for sex determination in the forensic odontostomatology. Than they describe those more recent with special regard to the evaluation of the mandibular-canine-index (MCI). In their opinion this technique gives apparently encouraging preliminary results. They have to be confirmed by several controls in relation to operative potentiality available in their country and to the characteristics of italian population.

C18 Dienes as attractants for eighteen clearwing (Sesiidae), tineid (Tineidae), and choreutid (Choreutidae) moth species.

By screening singly and binary mixed 2,13- and 3,13-octadecadien-yl acetates and alcohols (2,13- and 3,13-18: Ac/OH)in Lithuania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and the far east of Russia, sex attractants were discovered for 12 Sesiidae, four Tineidae, and one Choreutidae moth species. Males ofSesia yezoensis andBembecia puella as well asNemapogon flavifrons were attracted by mixture ofZ3,Z13-18:Ac/OH in a ratio of 9∶1,Pyropteron sp. n. by the same mixture (ratio 1∶9),Bembecia romanovi andB. zuwandica byZ3,Z13-18:Ac andE3,Z13-18:Ac (9∶1),Synanthedon caucasicum by the same mixture in the opposite ratio (1∶9),B. scopigera by 23,213-18:Ac andE2,Z13-18:OH in a ratio 9∶1,Synasphecia triannuliformis byZ3,Z13-18:OH andE3,Z13-18:OH (9∶1),Similipepsis takizawai andArchimeessia sp. n. by E3,Z13-18:OH andE2,Z13-18:Ac (1∶1),Prochoreutis sechestediana by a mixture ofE3,Z13-18:Ac plusE2,Z13-18:OH (1∶),Microsphecia brosiformis by E3,Z13-18:Ac,Synanthedon conopiformis by the analogous alcohol,Synanthedon scoliaeformis andNemaxera betulinella byE2,Z13-18:Ac,Triaxomera fulvimitrella byZ3,Z13-18:Ac. An analogous alcohol component is essential for the attraction ofB. ichneumoniformis males. Inhibitors forB. romanovi, B. scopigera andB. zuwandica attraction were discovered. Preliminary data on attractants for six other species as well as on the diurnal rhythm of sexual activity of three species are presented. A new method for the stereoselective synthesis of 3,13-18:Ac/OH andE2,Z13-18:Ac/OH is described.