In vivo and in vitro studies with ω-[p-¹²³I-phenyl]-pentadecanoic acid in rats.

Biodistribution, plasma clearance and urinary excretion of ω-[p-123I-phenyl]-pentadecanoic acid were investigated in rats. The affinity of this radiopharmaceutical to red blood cells and to the plasma proteins was determined in vitro. Various radioactive metabolites were analysed by paper electrophoresis both in blood and urine at various intervals after administration of the compound. Protein-binding in plasma was determined by both electrophoresis and TCA precipitation. In vitro studies showed 30% uptake by red blood cells at equilibrium (30 min post-injection). 48% of the activity in the red cells could be removed after repeated washing with saline. The maximum uptake by myocardium occurred at 1 min and the maximal heart-to-blood ratios at 3 min. Although in vitro protein-binding was high, in vivo studies showed a very rapid plasma clearance (94% in 3 min) which indicated a weak binding. The amount of free iodine in plasma was less than 1% at any time after injection, thus not presenting a background problem or unnecessary radiation dose to thyroid and whole body. The major radioactive metabolites were 123I-p-hippuric acid and 123I-p-benzoic acid. In urine 123-p-hippuric acid was excreted almost quantitatively. The metabolism was very fast, even 3 min post-injection the first metabolites could be found in the blood stream. Urinary excretion did not reach a plateu until 48 h. The total amount of radioactivity excreted was 56% within 48 h

Occurrence, distribution and abundance of cetaceans in Onslow Bay, North Carolina, USA

In this paper the occurrence, distribution and abundance of cetaceans in offshore waters of Onslow Bay, North Carolina, USA is described. Between June 2007 and June 2010 monthly aerial and shipboard line-transect surveys were conducted along ten 74km transects placed perpendicular to the shelf break. In total 42,676km of aerial trackline (218 sightings) and 5,209km of vessel trackline (100 sightings) were observed. Seven species of cetaceans were observed, but the fauna was dominated strongly by common bottlenose and Atlantic spotted dolphins. Both species were present year-round in the study area. Using photo-identification techniques, five bottlenose dolphins and one spotted dolphin were resighted during the three-year period. In general, the abundance of cetaceans in Onslow Bay was low and too few sightings were made to estimate monthly abundances for species other than bottlenose and spotted dolphins. Maximum monthly abundances of bottlenose and spotted dolphins were 4,100 (95% CI: 1,300–9,400) in May 2010 and 6,000 (95% CI: 2,500–17,400) in March 2009, respectively. Bottlenose dolphins were found throughout the study area, although they were encountered most frequently just off the shelf break. In contrast, spotted dolphins exhibited a strong preference for waters over the continental shelf and were not encountered beyond the shelf break.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Occurrence, distribution and abundance of cetaceans in Onslow Bay, North Carolina, USA

In this paper the occurrence, distribution and abundance of cetaceans in offshore waters of Onslow Bay, North Carolina, USA is described. BetweenJune 2007 and June 2010 monthly aerial and shipboard line-transect surveys were conducted along ten 74km transects placed perpendicular to the shelf break. In total 42,676km of aerial trackline (218 sightings) and 5,209km of vessel trackline (100 sightings) were observed. Seven species of cetaceans were observed, but the fauna was dominated strongly by common bottlenose and Atlantic spotted dolphins. Both species were present year-round in the study area. Using photo-identification techniques, five bottlenose dolphins and one spotted dolphin were resighted during the three-year period. In general, the abundance of cetaceans in Onslow Bay was low and too few sightings were made to estimate monthly abundances for species other than bottlenose and spotted dolphins. Maximum monthly abundances of bottlenose and spotted dolphins were 4,100 (95% CI: 1,300–9,400) in May 2010 and 6,000 (95% CI: 2,500–17,400) in March 2009, respectively. Bottlenose dolphins were found throughout the study area, although they were encountered most frequently just off the shelf break. In contrast, spotted dolphins exhibited a strong preference for waters over the continental shelf and were not encountered beyond the shelf break.<br/