Effect of electroacupuncture on response to immobilization stress.

Forced immobilization is a simple and effective stressor which produces large increases in heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), and plasma levels of norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (EPI). This study investigated the effects of electroacupuncture on BP, HR, and plasma catecholamine levels in rats challenged with immobilization stress. Male Sprague-Dawley rats received electroacupuncture (3 Hz, 0.2 ms pulses, 20 mA) for 30 min after start of immobilization stress (180 min). Needlepoints corresponded to Shaohai (HT3) and Neiguan (PC6) on the heart and pericardium channel. BP and HR were monitored with an indwelling carotid catheter, and blood samples were taken from the jugular vein. Blood (for HPLC determination of NE and EPI), mean BP, and HR were sampled at rest and during the immobilization stress at 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 min. Electroacupuncture at HT3 and PC6 points but not at control points (TE5, LI11, and tail) significantly reduced the expected increases in BP, HR, and attenuated plasma levels of NE and EPI in response to 3 h of immobilization stress. Results provide strong evidence that electroacupuncture effectively reduces BP and HR increases and plasma catecholamine increases in rats challenged with immobilization stress.

Pupal parasitoids (Hymenoptera:Pteromalidae) of filth flies (Diptera:Muscidae, Calliphoridae) breeding in refuse and poultry and livestock manure in South Korea.

Five species of hymenopterous parasitoids were found parasitizing pupae of house flies, Musca domestica L., in poultry and livestock facilities, refuse dump sites, and garbage dumpsters: Spalangia nigroaenea Curtis, S. nigra (Latrielle), Muscidifurax raptor Girault & Sanders, Pachycrepoideus vindemiae (Rondani), and Nasonia vitripennis (Walker). Four hymenopterous parasitoids (S. nigroaenea, S. nigra, M. raptor and P. vindemiae) were recovered from the pupae of stable flies, Stomoxys calcitrans (L), and blowflies, Chrysomya megacephala (F.). Only 2 parasitic species (S. nigroaenea and P. Vindemiae) were recovered from the pupae of stable flies, Stomoxys calcitrans (L), and blowflies, Chrysomya megacephala (F.). Only 2 parasitic species (S. nigroaenea and P.vindemiae) were recovered from the pupae of blowflies, Phaenicia sericata (Meigen). S. nigroaenea was the most prevalent parasitic species recovered in caged-layer houses, beef cattle barns, refuse dumps, and garbage dumpsters. P. vindemiae was the most abundant parasitic species in swine barns.

Natural occurrence of zearalenone in rice and soybean produced in Korea.

88 rice and 75 soybean samples were collected from 8 provinces of Korea from March through September in 1988. The Fusarium mycotoxins, zearalenone was analyzed by direct competitive enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. 10.2% of rice and 9.3 % of soybean samples contained detectable zearalenone.The average levels of zearalenone of rice and soybean samples were 11.78µg/kg and 7.70µ/kg, respectively.