Fluctuation of neutrophil counts around parturition in Holstein dairy cows with and without retained placenta.

Retained placenta (RP) is often diagnosed in high-yielding dairy cows and can negatively affect reproductive performances. The objective of the present study was to investigate the hematological and biochemical profile of cows with RP before and immediately after parturition, with particular emphasis on neutrophil counts, since a previous study demonstrated the presence of peripheral neutropenia in dairy cows with RP sampled a few days after parturition. Results from 12 Holstein cows affected by RP and from 17 clinically healthy controls sampled one week pre-partum, within 12h after calving and between 48 and 72h after parturition were compared between groups and over time. Compared with controls, cows with RP had lower lymphocyte counts before parturition, lower leukocyte and neutrophil counts at parturition, lower monocyte counts at all times, and higher ß-hydroxybutyrate before and after parturition. Erythroid and biochemical parameters were similar over time in both groups, whereas RP cows did not show the increase of neutrophil counts that occurs in controls at parturition. Hence, the finding of a lower neutrophil count in a routinely hemogram performed at parturition could be used as an alarm signal suggesting to monitor the affected animals. Moreover, although the underlying pathogenetic mechanism should be better investigated, the present study describes for the first time the association between altered blood leukocyte concentrations at parturition in RP compared to control cows.

catena-Poly[bis-(sulfamethoxazolium) [[trichloridocadmate(II)]-µ-chlorido] monohydrate].

In the title compound, {(C(10)H(12)N(3)O(3)S)(2)[CdCl(4)]·H(2)O}(n), the Cd(II) atom is five-coordinate with a distorted trigonal-bipyramidal geometry formed by chloride ions. The Cd atom and two of the Cl atoms lie on a mirror plane. The cation is protonated on the amino group N atom; it is not coordinated to cadmium, but is hydrogen bonded to the chlorido ligands. Each water mol-ecule bridges two chlorido ligands, generating ring motifs along the -Cd-Cl-Cd- chains. The isoxazole unit and the amide groups are linked through a pair of N-H⋯N hydrogen bonds. The crystal structure is stabilized by N-H⋯O, O-H⋯Cl, C-H⋯N, N-H⋯Cl and C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds.

Unusual cyclolanostanes from leaves of Pandanus boninensis.

Two unusual triterpenoids, (24S)-24-methyl-25,32-cyclo-5alpha-lanosta-9(11)-en-3beta-ol and (24S)-24-methyl-25,32-cyclo-cycloartane-3beta-ol, were isolated from leaves of Pandanus boninensis along with known triterpenoids and lignans. Their structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic methods and X-ray analysis.

Hydrogen-bonded supramolecular motifs in 4,4'-bipyridinium 8-hydroxy-7-iodoquinoline-5-sulfonate dihydrate.

In the title compound, C(10)H(9)N(2)(+).C(9)H(5)INO(4)S(-).2H(2)O, the 4,4'-bipyridine molecule is protonated at one of the pyridine N atoms. These moieties self-assemble into a supramolecular chain along the a axis through N-H.N hydrogen bonds. The quinolinol OH group acts as a donor with respect to a sulfonate O atom [O-H.O(sulfonate)] and acts as an acceptor with respect to a C-H group of ferron [C-H.O(hydroxy)], forming a supramolecular chain along the b axis. These two types of supramolecular chains (one type made up of bipyridine motifs and the other made up of sulfoxine motifs) interact via pi-pi stacking, generating a three-dimensional framework. These chains are further crosslinked by C-H.O hydrogen bonds and O-H.O hydrogen bonds involving water molecules.