Precision Measurement of Relative Dipole Matrix Elements in Atomic Sodium

Relative dipole matrix elements are measured by means of a new spectroscopic technique called polarization interference spectroscopy. It is a two-color two-photon nonresonant process that maps the matrix elements into the energy domain by means of quantum mechanical interference. The technique measures the relative magnitude of the reduced matrix elements, particularly those involving excited states, to accuracies that are an order of magnitude better than previously available. Also, for the first time the relative phase of the reduced matrix elements is measured. The ratio of reduced matrix elements for the transitions 3s 2S1/2 →3P 2P3/2 →5s 2S1/2 to 3s 2S1/2 →3P 2P1/2 →5s 2S1/2 in sodium is +1.0012(12). This result is in agreement with the result of +1 for J independent matrices

Reduction of capture-induced hyperthermia and respiratory depression in ungulates

When wild animals are captured they often develop capture-related side-effects that may result in morbidity and mortality. During chemical capture of wild ungulates, capture-induced hyperthermia and opioid-induced respiratory depression occur commonly. Little is known about the mechanisms of capture-induced hyperthermia, and the effects of opioid drugs on respiratory function still need to be clarified. Also, current methods of reversing opioid-induced respiratory depression are inadequate. I therefore investigated the mechanisms and patterns of capture-induced hyperthermia, by continuously measuring body temperatures of impala during different capture procedures. I also investigated the effects of opioid drugs on respiratory function and pulmonary performance by examining the changes of cardiorespiratory variables before and during opioid immobilization of goats and impala. Concurrently, I investigated whether serotonergic ligands could be used to reverse the opioid-induced respiratory depression that occurred in these animals. I found stress to be the major factor associated with capture-induced hyperthermia, with exercise playing a minor role. I also found that environmental thermal conditions and the pharmacological effects of the capture drugs played no role in inducing capture-induced hyperthermia. I found that the opioid drug etorphine, which is commonly used to chemically capture wild animals, not only causes depression in respiratory rhythm and ventilation, but also a decrease in alveolar-arterial oxygen exchange. I demonstrated that serotonergic ligands with agonist effects at 5-HT1A and 5-HT4 receptors partially reversed opioid-induced respiratory depression and hypoxia, predominantly by improving alveolar-arterial oxygen exchange, presumably by increasing pulmonary perfusion and improving ventilation perfusion ratios, but also, in some cases, by improving ventilation. I advise that to limit the morbidity and mortality associated with capture-induced hyperthermia, procedures that cause the least stress should be used and animals should be exposed to stressors for the shortest time possible. The use of anxiolytic drugs to reduce stress may also be considered. If animals are captured by chemical immobilization with opioid drugs their respiratory function should be monitored closely. Counting breaths does not adequately monitor respiratory function and methods to assess carbon dioxide and oxygen levels in arterial blood should be used. If respiratory depression occurs, efforts to reverse this depression should not focus only on improving ventilation but also should aim at improving gas exchange in the lungs. Serotonergic ligands with agonist effects at 5-HT1A and 5-HT4 receptors could be used to achieve these aims. Although some of these ligands can cause arousal in immobilized animals, if they are administered with the opioid they enhance the induction of catatonic-immobilization, and their use in a dart may not only improve knock down times, thereby minimising stress and capture-induced hyperthermia, but they may also prevent opioid-induced respiratory depression

New study : Welfare and survival of Africa’s arid mammals under threat of climate change

Dr Ned Snelling, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Anatomy and Physiology and Prof Leith Meyer, Director of the Centre for Veterinary Wildlife Studies, both from the Faculty of Veterinary Science have just published a new study on the welfare and survival of Africa’s arid-dwelling mammals under the threat of climate change. Originally published as HTML file, converted to PDF with Adobe Acrobat 9 Pro Version 9.0.0.News articles with colour photos about what's happening at the Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria.ab202

Comparison of thiafentanil-medetomidine to etorphine-medetomidine immobilisation of impalas (Aepyceros melampus)

Impalas (Aepyceros melampus) are increasingly valuable in the South African wildlife industry, and there is a greater need to chemically immobilise them, ideally with minimal risk. This study aimed to compare the times to recumbency and physiological effects of thiafentanilmedetomidine versus etorphine-medetomidine immobilisation. A combination of thiafentanil (2 mg) + medetomidine (2.2 mg) and etorphine (2 mg) + medetomidine (2.2 mg) was administered (to nine impalas; crossover design) via a dart. After darting, a stopwatch was started to record times to recumbency (time from darting until recumbent without attempts to stand). If apnoea was present, the impalas received one or more boluses of butorphanol (1:1 potent opioid dose). Data collection included arterial blood gas analysis and the number of butorphanol boluses. Two-sample t-tests were used to compare differences between combinations. The time to recumbency for thiafentanil-medetomidine was 12.2 (± 6.8) min and no different from 14.5 (± 5.2) min for etorphine-medetomidine (p = 0.426). The thiafentanilmedetomidine combination required more butorphanol boluses (median: 2; interquartile range: 2–3) compared to etorphine-medetomidine (median: 0; interquartile range: 0–1) (p = 0.001). Despite butorphanol treatment and resolution of apnoea, all impalas suffered hypoxaemia (PaO2 ± 44.0 mmHg). Thiafentanil-medetomidine did not immobilise impalas more rapidly than etorphine-medetomidine, and resulted in more apnoea that required rescue butorphanol boluses. Marked hypoxaemia resulted from both combinations, mainly because of right-to-left intrapulmonary shunting and not because of hypoventilation. Butorphanol and oxygen supplementation should be considered as essential rescue interventions for all impalas immobilised with these potent opioid combinations.The Hannover and Wuppertal Zoos, University of Hannover and the University of Pretoria, the South African Veterinary Association (SAVA) Wildlife Group and the South African Veterinary Foundation.http://www.jsava.co.za/am2017Paraclinical Science

Reports of plant-derived nanoparticles for prostate cancer therapy

Plants have demonstrated potential in providing various types of phytomedicines with chemopreventive properties that can combat prostate cancer. However, despite their promising in vitro activity, the incorporation of these phytochemicals into the market as anticancer agents has been hindered by their poor bioavailability, mainly due to their inadequate aqueous solubility, chemical instability, and unsatisfactory circulation time. To overcome these drawbacks, it has been suggested that the incorporation of phytochemicals as nanoparticles can offer a solution. The use of plant-based chemicals can also improve the biocompatibility of the formulated nanoparticles by avoiding the use of certain hazardous chemicals in the synthesis, leading to decreased toxicity in vivo. Moreover, in some cases, phytochemicals can act as targeting agents to tumour sites. This review will focus on and summarize the following points: the different types of nanoparticles that contain individual phytochemicals or plant extracts in their design with the aim of improving the bioavailability of the phytochemicals; the therapeutic evaluation of these nanoparticles against prostate cancer both in vitro and in vivo and the reported mode of action and the different types of anticancer experiments used; how the phytochemicals can also improve the targeting effects of these nanoparticles in some instances; and the potential toxicity of these nanoparticles

Prospectus, September 12, 1979

VOTE!; Arlo Guthrie is reviewed -- onstage and off; Cobras to star on TV; Bloodsucking auditions to be held next week; Real estate workshop Sat.; Join the Circle K; International rep. speaks out; Support the candidate of your choice: Vote today; Start a write-in campaign; The two faces of Arlo; Top 10 For WPCD; Classifieds; Chanute celebrates Hispanic week; \u27Pal\u27 program trying to get a start; STO will have formal Rush; Circus reservations still available; New art shop in St. Joseph; Krannert events thru 16th; Freddy is upset; Sport shortssportshortsportshortsport; Fast Freddy Contesthttps://spark.parkland.edu/prospectus_1979/1013/thumbnail.jp

Applying the Theory of Planned Behavior to Sedentariness and Stress

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of the theory of planned behavior (TPB) in the sedentary behavior (SB) of young and middle-aged U.S. adults. Relationships between SB over a six-week period were examined using socio-demographic characteristics, TPB constructs, and a stress variable. Methods: Participants (n=45, mean age=31 years, 70% female, 83% White) completed surveys that included sociodemographic information, TPB constructs, and the Weekly Stress Inventory. Participants wore an activity monitor for six weeks and completed the stress inventory once weekly over the study period. A longitudinal model was estimated to determine the relationship between TPB constructs, socio-demographic characteristics, and stress level with SB across the six weeks. Results: Activity monitors revealed participants were sedentary for approximately 11 waking hours per day (SD=1.4). Bivariate analyses indicated a small effect between subjective norms and SB. Model fit indices modestly supported TPB constructs in explaining SB (i.e., a 2.3% reduction in person-level error variance); and a modest relationship between greater stress and less SB (i.e., additional 1.4% reduction in person-level error variance). Conclusions: Results cautiously support continued exploration of the TPB in SB research. Like most behaviors, the TPB alone may not fully explain SB. Future research should continue to explore theoretical determinants of SB, expand to include other theoretical models; and include diverse populations. More research is needed to understand the relationship between SB and stress. Practitioners are encouraged to consider both SB and stress in holistic efforts to improve the health of adults

Reference intervals for selected hematology and clinical chemistry measurands in Temminck's pangolin (Smutsia temminckii)

Pangolins are the world’s most trafficked non-human mammals. A significant number of Temminck’s pangolins (Smutsia temminckii) are presented for veterinary care and rehabilitation in southern Africa. Little is known about the physiology and normal health of this species, making diagnosis and medical management difficult. This study aimed to establish reference intervals (RIs) for hematology and plasma clinical chemistry in the Temminck’s pangolin. RIs were generated according to international guidelines using samples from 27 healthy free-living (n = 18) and rehabilitated (n = 9) pangolins. Hematology was performed using the Abaxis VetScan HM5 analyzer with manual differentials; clinical chemistry was performed using heparin plasma on the Abaxis VetScan VS2 and Cobas Integra 400 Plus analyzers. Hematology RIs were: RBC 3.88–8.31 × 1012/L, HGB 73–150 g/L, HCT 26–51%, MCV 59–72 fL, MCH 15.6– 21.4 pg, MCHC 257–325 g/L, RDW 14.3–19.1%, WBC 1.80–10.71 × 109/L. Vetscan VS2 clinical chemistry RIs were: albumin 27–41 g/L, ALP 26–100 U/L, ALT 25–307 U/L, amylase 267–826 U/L, bilirubin 4–10 μmol/L, calcium 2.1–2.2 mmol/L, globulin 21–55 g/L, glucose 3.8–10.0 mmol/L, phosphate 1.3–2.6 mmol/L, potassium 3.6–5.9 mmol/L, sodium 132–140 mmol/L total protein 52–84 g/L, and urea 5.3–11.4 mmol/L. RIs for creatinine were not calculated as analytical imprecision exceeded analytical performance goals. Cobas Integra clinical chemistry RIs were: albumin 22–33 g/L, ALP 20–104 U/L, ALT 17–291 U/L, amylase 466–1,533 U/L, bilirubin 1–14 μmol/L, calcium 2.0–2.4 mmol/L, creatinine <58 μmol/L, globulin 23–49 g/L, glucose 3.6–10.1 mmol/L, phosphate 1.0–2.2 mmol/L, potassium 3.1–5.8 mmol/L, sodium 137–150 mmol/L, total protein 47–72 g/L, and urea 6.0–12.5 mmol/L. There was significant bias between the two chemistry analyzers for several measurands. Differences were found for some analytes between free-living and rehabilitated animals, probably reflecting differences in nutrition and hydration. These are the first RIs generated for Temminck’s pangolin. These results will allow veterinarians to better determine pangolin health status, formulate optimal treatment plans and increase patient survival rates in this endangered species.The South African Veterinary Foundation, the Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority of South Africa, dnata4good-UP’s Wild over Wildlife (WoW) program and Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital.https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science#am2022Companion Animal Clinical StudiesParaclinical Science