CathRx (Australia)

The high degree of similarity between the mouse and human genomes is demonstrated through analysis of the sequence of mouse chromosome 16 (Mmu 16), which was obtained as part of a whole-genome shotgun assembly of the mouse genome. The mouse genome is about 10% smaller than the human genome, owing to a lower repetitive DNA content. Comparison of the structure and protein-coding potential of Mmu 16 with that of the homologous segments of the human genome identifies regions of conserved synteny with human chromosomes (Hsa) 3, 8, 12, 16, 21, and 22. Gene content and order are highly conserved between Mmu 16 and the syntenic blocks of the human genome. Of the 731 predicted genes on Mmu 16, 509 align with orthologs on the corresponding portions of the human genome, 44 are likely paralogous to these genes, and 164 genes have homologs elsewhere in the human genome; there are 14 genes for which we could find no human counterpart.

OBJECTIVE: Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) has been established as an effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). Recently, several auto-CPAP devices that can detect upper airway obstructive events and provide information about residual events while patients are on CPAP have come into clinical use. The purpose of this study was to compare the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) determined by the S8 auto-CPAP device with the AHI derived by polysomnography in patients with OSAHS. METHOD: Consecutive patients with OSAHS titrated on S8 auto-CPAP were included. The correlation between AHI determined by manual scoring (AHI-PSG) and by S8 (AHIS8) during an overnight in-hospital polysomnogram with the patient on CPAP was assessed. Furthermore, the apnea index (Al) and the hypopnea index (HI) were evaluated separately. RESULTS: Seventy patients with OSAHS (94% men) were enrolled. The mean AHI on the diagnostic study was 51.9 +/- 2.4. During the titration, this device markedly suppressed the respiratory events (AHI-PSG, 4.2 +/- 0.4; AI, 1.9 +/- 0.3; HI, 2.3 +/- 0.3). On the other hand, the AHI-S8 was 9.9 +/- 0.6 (AI-S8, 2.4 +/- 0.3; HI-S8, 7.5 +/- 0.4). There was a strong correlation between the overall AHI-PSG and the AHI-S8 (r = 0.85, p < 0.001), with a stronger correlation in the apnea component AI-PSG and the AI-S8 (r = 0.93, p < 0.001), whereas there was a weaker correlation between the HI-PSG and the HI-S8 (r = 0.67, p <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Using the same airflow signals as those of the CPAP device, a strong correlation between the AHI-PSG and the AHI-S8 was observed. However, the correlation was weakened when the analysis was limited to the HI.

BackgroundPulsed-field ablation (PFA) is an emerging and promising nonthermal technology for cardiac ablation. The effective applied voltage to achieve adequate irreversible myocardial injury is not well studied. The pulsed-field strength remains independent of tissue contact; therefore, PFA is assumed to be an ablation technology, not mandating the need for tissue contact.ObjectiveDetermine the effect of applied voltage and distance to surface on depth of myocardial injury using PFA.MethodsA computational model was developed and validated based on extracted data from in vivo studies to examine the effect of different applied voltages and the impact of distance between the catheter and endocardial surface on the depth of irreversible myocardial injury using PFA.ResultsThe depth of lesions created by PFA are dose-dependent, and there is a direct correlation between applied PFA voltages and depth of irreversible myocardial injury. The minimum applied voltage of PFA required to create a lesion deeper than 1 mm is 300 volts. The catheter-tissue contact plays a pivotal role in determining lesion depth. With optimal catheter contact in the absence of trabeculation, the minimal applied energy required to achieve a 3-mm-deep lesion is 700 volts. A minor increase in the catheter-tissue distance of 1–2 mm doubles the minimum required applied voltage, increasing it to 1500 volts.ConclusionPFA is an important new technology that is proposed to be more efficacious and safer than currently used thermal ablation. Here we demonstrate the impact of dose dependence and the need for maintaining tissue contact during ablation. Pulsed-field ablation (PFA) is an emerging and promising nonthermal technology for cardiac ablation. The effective applied voltage to achieve adequate irreversible myocardial injury is not well studied. The pulsed-field strength remains independent of tissue contact; therefore, PFA is assumed to be an ablation technology, not mandating the need for tissue contact. Determine the effect of applied voltage and distance to surface on depth of myocardial injury using PFA. A computational model was developed and validated based on extracted data from in vivo studies to examine the effect of different applied voltages and the impact of distance between the catheter and endocardial surface on the depth of irreversible myocardial injury using PFA. The depth of lesions created by PFA are dose-dependent, and there is a direct correlation between applied PFA voltages and depth of irreversible myocardial injury. The minimum applied voltage of PFA required to create a lesion deeper than 1 mm is 300 volts. The catheter-tissue contact plays a pivotal role in determining lesion depth. With optimal catheter contact in the absence of trabeculation, the minimal applied energy required to achieve a 3-mm-deep lesion is 700 volts. A minor increase in the catheter-tissue distance of 1–2 mm doubles the minimum required applied voltage, increasing it to 1500 volts. PFA is an important new technology that is proposed to be more efficacious and safer than currently used thermal ablation. Here we demonstrate the impact of dose dependence and the need for maintaining tissue contact during ablation.

Melampsora medusae Thüm. and M. larici-populina Kleb. have been recorded in Australia for the first time. Their detection, spread and host range are described. M. medusae has the wider host range, but occurs mainly on Populus deltoides clones and hybrids. M. laricipopulina occurs mainly on P. nigra var. italica. Detailed descriptions are given of both rusts, and their geographic distribution listed. The possible effect of these rusts on Australian forestry is discussed, and several other rusts in Australia with known conifer aecial hosts elsewhere are listed.

Abstract Botrytis cinerea was frequently isolated from rapidly senescing or moribund tissues (stamens, calyptrae, immature berries and flowers or partly developed berries, miscellaneous leaf, stem and tendril pieces) of grapevine; the calyptrae being more heavily contaminated than the stamens in the flower bunches. There was a significant difference in the extent to which intact and injured berries were infected by the pathogen 3 weeks before harvest. Bunches infested with light‐brown apple moth ( Epiphas postvittana (Walker)) were more rapidly infected by B. cinerea . Of thecultivars tested, ‘Mataro’ was the least susceptible to predisposition wounding because the berries had a high critical turgor; however, once the berries were split, they appeared to be as susceptible to infection as the other cultivars tested. The longer the berries were exposed to surface wetness, the higher the degree of infection. A minimum temperature difference of 9°C caused a significant difference of 6‐12 h in the length of the infection period. Infection of berries occurred over a wide range of temperatures (15‐25°C).

SUMMARY Vapour components emanating from disrupted cauliflower, turnip, radish, wallflower and brown mustard tissue were assessed for their effects on the cabbage root fly (Delia brassicae). Of about 20 vapour components detected and separated by gas chromatography, six elicited sufficiently large electroantennal responses to warrant further testing, but of these only allyl isothiocyanate and hexyl acetate markedly affected the behaviour of gravid flies in an olfactometer. In wind‐tunnel tests at a wind speed of 1–2‐1‐7 m/s, the numbers of females caught was increased when allyl isothiocyanate vapour was released at 32–130 mg/h but decreased at higher evaporation rates. The only effect of hexyl acetate vapour released at 40–140 mg/h was a reduction in the numbers caught at the highest concentration. In a cabbage crop, yellow water traps fitted with allyl isothiocyanate sources, each evaporating 2–3 g/day, caught 11 times as many female and seven times as many male flies as unmodified traps during the early period of the third generation but the improvement in trap efficiency later diminished. Trap efficiency was slightly reduced when the rate of evaporation of allyl isothiocyanate from a trap was decreased from 2–3 to 0–51 g/day. On fallow ground, allyl isothiocyanate improved trap performance in catching female flies by about seven‐fold, but along a hedgerow adjacent to Brussels sprouts the improvement was barely two‐fold. Hexyl acetate did not improve the performance of traps in a cabbage crop.

A new synthetic medium was developed for the production of submerged mycelial cultures of Lentinus edodes. Glucose and ammonium chloride were the best carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively. The remaining ingredients in the medium were calcium chloride, aspartic acid, thiamine, magnesium sulphate and trace elements (Mn, Zn and Fe). The threshold level in the dry weight of mycelium was reached at an inoculum concentration of 9.9 mg/ml and was maintained through 16.5 mg/ml. The size of mycelial pellet was inversely related to the level of inoculum. Similar relationships were obtained between mycelial growth and mycelial pellet and shaking frequencies from 50–200 rpm. Optimum growth occurred at pH 4.3-4.8 and at temperatures 20–25 C. Mycelial growth in the new synthetic medium was increased five-fold by using an airlift fermentor instead of shaking. The number of days to the appearance of the first flush of sporophores was reduced by 45 da by using liquid spawn. An important difference between the ultrastructure of cells of the agar-grown filamentous hyphae and those of mycelial pellets in submerged culture is that paramural bodies were prominent in the former.

CXCL17 is a chemokine principally expressed by mucosal tissues, where it facilitates chemotaxis of monocytes, dendritic cells, and macrophages and has antimicrobial properties. CXCL17 is also implicated in the pathology of inflammatory disorders and progression of several cancers, and its expression is increased during viral infections of the lung. However, the exact role of CXCL17 in health and disease requires further investigation, and there is a need for confirmed molecular targets mediating CXCL17 functional responses. Using a range of bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET)-based assays, here we demonstrated that CXCL17 inhibited CXCR4-mediated signaling and ligand binding. Moreover, CXCL17 interacted with neuropillin-1, a VEGFR2 coreceptor. In addition, we found that CXCL17 only inhibited CXCR4 ligand binding in intact cells and demonstrated that this effect was mimicked by known glycosaminoglycan binders, surfen and protamine sulfate. Disruption of putative GAG binding domains in CXCL17 prevented CXCR4 binding. This indicated that CXCL17 inhibited CXCR4 by a mechanism of action that potentially required the presence of a glycosaminoglycan-containing accessory protein. Together, our results revealed that CXCL17 is an endogenous inhibitor of CXCR4 and represents the next step in our understanding of the function of CXCL17 and regulation of CXCR4 signaling.

A sensitive gas chromatographic method was developed for the determination of sodium fluoroacetate (Compound 1080 and 1080 poison) in baits and avian tissues. The procedure involves extraction of 1080 with acetone/water (8:1) followed by derivatization with pentafluorobenzyl bromide. Cleanup of the esterified extracts was carried out using minicolumns containing Florisil and the eluates were subsequently analyzed by electron capture gas chromatography. Bait samples were initially screened by thin-layer chromatography and identity of derivatized extracts was confirmed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.

Abstract Both sexes of Amblyseius nambourensis and A. fletcheri spp. n. are described and illustrated. Both sexes of A. largoensis (Muma) and the female of A. deleoni Muma and Denmark are redescribed (no males of the latter are known from Australia). The 4 species are closely related, but can be distinguished by several morphological features.

Abstract Amhlyseius casimiri, A. cabonus, A. sullivani and Typhlodromus armidalensis spp. n., discovered during investigations on the biological control of phytophagous mites in Australia, are described and figured. Augmented descriptions of A. fallacis (Garman), recently introduced to Australia for the biological control of tetranychid mites. A. spinigerus Chant and Baker, and A. anonymus Chant and Baker are given to facilitate comparison with the closely related A. casimiri.

Abstract When soil, casing, and water were tested for the presence of Verticillium fungicola (Preuss) Hassebrauk vaLfungicola on mushroom farms, the most common source of this pathogen was the soil. The stage of cropping at which infection occurred appeared to be important. For example, when crops of Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Imback and A. bitorquis (Quel) Sacco were infected at casing with V. fungicola var. fungicola and V. fungicola var. aleophilum Gams &amp; van Zaayen respectively, a relatively high incidence of the disease was observed, but less disease was observed when crops were infected at spawning or after second flush. Environmental control also influenced disease severity. For example, when air temperature was reduced from 20 to 14°C and relative humidity from 90 to 80% for five days, there was a reduction in disease severity compared to the control crop grown under unaltered conditions. When temperature and relative humidity were returned to the original level, disease severity remained low for the rest of the cropping period. Laboratory trials demonstrated that several isolates of V. fungicola var. fungicola and the isolate of V. fungicola var. aleophilum were tolerant of Benlate and Tecto 90. However, all the pathogenic isolates, except one of another pathogen ( Aphanocladium album (Preuss) Gams) had low EDso values 2 ppm) when treated with prochloraz. Dry bubble diseases of A. bisporus and A. bitorquis were controlled by incorporating prochloraz ‐ manganese complex (50% active ingredient (a.i.) wettable powder) in the casing at a rate of 1.5 g a.i. m ‐2 . At this concentration the levels of prochloraz ‐ derived residues in the sporophores were well below the official maximum residue limit (MRL) established for mushrooms in Australia.

Abstract The invasion of New South Wales for the first time on record by swarms of spur-throated locust, Austracris guttulosa, in 1973 and the course of the plague persisting for three seasons are described. The laboratory and field testing of chemicals was carried out as a form of operational research prior to the development of a control strategy. The subsequent control campaign in New South Wales was based on the u.l.v. aerial spraying of fenitrothion and diazinon against overwintering swarms roosting in trees. The conduct and impact of the campaign are described in relation to damage caused by the locust swarms. An economic analysis indicated net savings of $A4.3 million in crop losses for an outlay of $A0.5 million.

A mastitis control program based on teat dipping and dry cow therapy was evaluated in 35 herds over a 3 year period. The incidence of subclinical mastitis as detected by the Rapid Mastitis Test (RMT) fell from 34% to 12% quarters positive, a reduction of 65%. Clinical mastitis was reduced from 37 clinical cases per 100 cows in the first 3 month period to 12 clinical cases per 100 cows in the last 3 month period, a reduction of 68%. Variations in response to the program in the reduction of subclinical and clinical mastitis are discussed and the results compared with similar trials conducted overseas. The Modified Whiteside Test was used on bulk milk samples from the control herds and these results were significantly correlated with the prevalence of subclinical mastitis assessed by RMT individual quarters.

The use of prostaglandin F2 alpha as an abortifacient and for the treatment of certain diseases affecting the reproductive system of the bitch and queen is reviewed. Doses of 0.5 to 1.0 mg/kg PGF administered by intramuscular or subcutaneous injection at intervals of 24 or 48 h after mid-gestation appears to be a satisfactory luteolytic-- abortifacient regime for use in dogs and cats. Doses of 0.25 to 0.5 mg/kg in the bitch and 0.5 to 1.0 mg/kg PGF in the queen, at intervals of 24 or 48 h, may be used as an adjunct to the therapy of metritis, endometritis or pyometritis. A median lethal dose of 5.13 mg/kg has been derived for use of PGF in the bitch and this is thought to be similar for use of PGF in the queen. Side effects of defecation and/or vomition may be observed in the bitch and queen using routine therapeutic doses.

ABSTRACT Insecticide tolerance in the Australian sheep blowfly, Lucilia cuprina , was examined using an enzyme‐induction approach. the effects of dietary phenobarbital administration on detoxification‐enzyme activities and insecticide tolerances were measured using first and second instars. the LC50 of butacarb to blowfly larvae increased 85‐fold following phenobarbital treatment. Tolerance to diazinon and diflubenzuron also increased considerably, with LC50s 12‐ and 8‐fold higher, respectively. Tolerance to deltamethrin only increased slightly (1.4‐fold). the degrees of tolerance towards butacarb and diazinon increased with increasing concentrations of phenobarbital in the larval diet. Phenobarbital‐treated larvae showed significantly enhanced cytochrome P450 levels relative to controls. Aldrin epoxidase, P450 reductase and glutathione transferase activities were enhanced 168‐, 1.7‐ and 2.2‐fold, respectively, in treated larvae. the induced monooxygenase and glutathione transferase systems appear to equip the larvae with the ability to degrade increased amounts of various types of insecticides.

A method for measuring chlorpyrifos in fish, which combines extraction, filtration, and cleanup in one step, is described. Minced fish samples were mixed with potassium dihydrogen phosphate and disodium hydrogen phosphate, ground with anhydrous sodium sulfate, and eluted from a prepacked chromatographic column containing silica gel. The endogenous coextractives were retained by the column while chlorpyrifos was quantitatively eluted with 40 mL of 5% ether in hexane. Recoveries averaged 86.8% for unexposed fish fortified with 2-12 ppm of chlorpyrifos. The method was applied to the analysis of fish from a lagoon contaminated with chlorpyrifos by a spray treatment of a wooden bridge for termites.

Abstract A high pressure liquid chromatographic (HPLC) procedure was developed for the determination of sodium monofluoroacetate (Compound 1080). The procedure utilized an amine (NH2) bonded column for the reverse phase determination of sodium monofluoroacetate in formulation and technical samples.

Abstract A survey of resistance to malathion in Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) in New South Wales has detected 8 malathion‐resistant samples amongst 48 samples collected from storages and grain transport. Tests indicate that the resistance is specific to malathion and of the carboxyesterase type.

Abstract Tenuipalpus banksiae and T. grevilleae spp. n. are described and illustrated from the native Australian Banksia spinulosa Sm. and Grevillea sericea (Sm.) (Proteaceae).