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At least 577 records · Page 32Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

In vitro accumulation of tetrodotoxin in pufferfish liver tissue slices.

The liver tissue slices of pufferfish accumulate in vitro tetrodotoxin (TTX), when incubated with minimum essential medium containing TTX. In the case of Takifugu rubripes liver slices incubated at a concentration of 25 microg TTT/ml, TTX of 3.9 microg/g was first detected at 2h and increased to 15 microg/g at 48h. The TTX content accumulated was not decreased, even when the slices were further incubated without TTX for additional 48h. Another species of pufferfish T. paradalis also showed similar trend in TTX accumulation, except they accumulated higher concentration of TTX (36.4 microg/g at 48h) than T. rubripes. On the contrary, in the cases of the liver slices from parrot-bass Oplegnathus fasciatus, green ling Hexagrammos otakii and filefish Thamnaconus modestus incubated at a concentration of 25 microgTTX/ml, TTX of 3-4 microg/g was detected even at 0.5h. However, no significant change in TTX contents was recognized during the incubation for 48h. Further incubation of the filefish liver slices without TTX for additional 48h did not decrease the TTX content. It is unlikely that the liver slices of filefish as well as pufferfish rapidly excrete TTX. These results suggest that the difference in the accumulation of TTX between pufferfish and filefish livers is ascribable to the difference not in the TTX excreting ability but in the ability to take up TTX.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Environmental behavior of explosives in groundwater from the Milan Army Ammunition Plant in aquatic and wetland plant treatments. Removal, mass balances and fate in groundwater of TNT and RDX.

Phytoremediation of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) in groundwater using constructed wetlands is a potentially economical remediation alternative. To evaluate Explosives removal and fate was evaluated using hydroponic batch incubations of plant and substrate treatments with explosives-contaminated groundwater amended with [U-14C]-TNT or [U-14C]-RDX. Plants and substrates were collected from a small-scale wetland constructed for explosives removal, and groundwater originated from a local aquifer at the Milan Army Ammunition Plant. The study surveyed three aquatic, four wetland plant species and two substrates in independent incubations of 7 days with TNT and 13 days with RDX. Parent compounds and transformation products were followed using 14C and chemical (HPLC) analyses. Mass balance of water, plants, substrates and air was determined. It was demonstrated that TNT disappeared completely from groundwater incubated with plants, although growth of most plants except parrot-feather was low in groundwater amended to contain 1.6 to 3.4 mg TNT L-1. Highest specific removal rates were found in submersed plants in water star-grass and in all emergent plants except wool-grass. TNT declined less with substrates, and least in controls without plants. Radiolabel was present in all plants after incubation. Mineralization to 14CO2 was very low, and evolution into 14C-volatile organics negligible. RDX disappeared less rapidly than TNT from groundwater. Growth of submersed plants was normal, but that of emergent plants reduced in groundwater amended to contain 1.5 mg RDX L-1. Highest specific RDX removal rates were found in submersed plants in elodea, and in emergent plants in reed canary grass. RDX failed to disappear with substrates. Mineralization to 14CO2 was low, but relatively higher than in the TNT experiment. Evolution into 14C-volatile organics was negligible. Important considerations for using certain aquatic and wetland plants in constructed wetlands aimed at removing explosives from water are: (1) plant persistence at the explosives level to which it is exposed, (2) specific plant-mass based explosives removal rates, (3) plant productivity, and (4) fate of parent compounds and transformation products in water, plants, and sediments.

Environmental Pollution↗
PubMed1977

Histochemical studies on the mucins of the vertebrate tongues. XI. Histochemical analysis of mucosubstances in the lingual glands and taste buds of some birds.

The tongues of six birds were investigated histochemically to determine the distribution and nature of mucosubstances in the lingual glands and taste buds. The anterior lingual glands in sparrow, kingfisher, parrot and pigeon hawk contained only one type of cells (seromucous) elaborating a mixture of neutral mucosubstances, sialomucins and sulfomucins. The anterior lingual glands in fowl and owl contained three distinct types of cells elaborating separately neutral mucosubstances, sialomucins and sulfomucins. The posterior lingual glands in most of the birds investigated except fowl contained only seromucous cells identical to the cells in the anterior lingual glands, while in fowl two distinct cell types were identified: one elaborating sulfomucins and the other sialomucins. Taste buds were found to be restricted in the glandular areas of the tongue in all the birds and always in close association with the gland ducts. Special adenomere cavities were seen only in the tongue of sparrow.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Using rotifer population demographic parameters to assess impacts of the degradation products from trinitrotoluene phytoremediation.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the chronic lethal and sublethal aquatic toxicity effects associated with the phytoremediation of water contaminated with 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) by the wetland plant species Myriophyllum aquaticum (parrot feather). Rotifers (Brachionus calyciflorus) feeding on an algal species (Nannochloropsis spp.) were used as the aquatic test organisms. Continuous flow laboratory microcosms were used to quantify effects on rotifer populations from TNT and the primary degradation product aminodinitrotoluene (ADNT) during and after phytoremediation. Rotifer demographic parameters from life tables, including survivorship, fecundity, reproductive values, net reproductive rate, generation time, intrinsic growth rate, and life expectancy, were used as measures of treatment effects. High-performance liquid chromatography analyses were performed to determine nitroaromatic concentrations. Results from this study have revealed significant differences in rotifer demographic parameters between microcosms with elevated initial TNT concentrations. Significant differences in demographic parameters also existed between the microcosms that did and did not receive phytoremediation treatment and the control microcosms. Study results have indicated that TNT phytoremediation via artificial wetlands not only may clean up hazardous waste at munitions sites but also may encourage the growth of aquatic populations such as rotifers.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1999

A comparative study of the beta-adrenoceptors in higher song nuclei of birds.

The present study analyses the presence of beta-adrenoceptors in the main telencephalic song nuclei of the goldfinch and parakeet, species belonging to the two most important groups of birds that reproduce learned songs: oscine songbirds and parrots, respectively. Brains of both species sectioned at appropriate levels were used to perform autoradiographic saturation studies using [3H]CGP 12177 as a radioligand. The results show similar K(D)values for both species (0.1-0.3 nM) and striking differences in Bmax. Thus, beta-adrenoceptors are abundant in the telencephalic vocal control nuclei of the parakeet but not of the goldfinch. The predominance of the beta2 subtype in the song nuclei of both species is also confirmed. We conclude that these receptors could be involved in functions unique to the parakeet and therefore may contribute to the greater flexibility of the vocal system of this species. Our findings also support the possible involvement of beta-adrenoceptors in the evolution of the avian brain.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗
PubMed2002

[Severe multiorgan psittacosis in a 10-year-old boy].

UNLABELLED: Psittacosis is rare among children and severe cases appear exceptional. We describe a child with psittacosis and multiorgan involvement. CASE REPORT: T., a ten-year-old boy, was admitted for a prolonged fever associated with meningism. Laboratory tests showed an important inflammatory response, mild renal failure and coagulation disorders. On admission, the chest X-Ray and the cerebrospinal fluid were normal. He rapidly developed shock, acute abdomen, oxygenodependency, pneumonia and bilateral pleural effusion. No improvement was observed after 48 hours of cefotaxime therapy. History revealed the presence of two parrots at home. Treatment by intravenous clarithromycin was therefore initiated. Serology for Chlamydia psittaci was strongly positive. All symptoms disappeared a few days later. CONCLUSION: The case reported was particular for two reasons: severe disease with multi-organ involvement and young age of the patient. We emphasize the need to search for a history of contact with birds in any case of unexplained pneumonia.

Abdomen, Acute↗
PubMed1992

The cartilage proteoglycan deficient mutation, nanomelia, contains a DNA polymorphism in the proteoglycan core protein gene that is genetically linked to the nanomelia phenotype.

The avian mutation, nanomelia (nm), is an autosomal recessive embryonic lethal. Homozygous embryos show hypoplasia of the limbs and a parrot-like beak. Biochemical studies have associated this phenotype with the absence of the major cartilage specific proteoglycan core protein (Argraves et al., 1981). Stirpe et al. (1987) demonstrated a reduction in core protein transcripts in nanomelic embryos. Southern analyses did not detect a rearrangement of the core protein gene or a restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) in the core protein gene linked to the nanomelia mutation. These data suggest that the genetic lesion associated with the nanomelia mutation is either a subtle alteration in the core protein gene affecting the biosynthesis of core protein transcript or a defect in a regulatory gene that produces a trans-acting factor requisite for the proper expression of the core protein gene. To distinguish between these two alternative molecular mechanisms for the nanomelia mutation, experiments were conducted to demonstrate genetic linkage or non-linkage of the core protein gene to the nanomelia mutation. Using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) technology, a DNA polymorphism has been identified at the 3' end of the core protein gene. The polymorphism defines two alleles, one allele is associated with the normal core protein gene, while the other allele always segregates with the nanomelia mutation. These results suggest that the identified DNA polymorphism in the core protein gene is genetically linked to the inheritance of the nanomelic phenotype and the nanomelia mutation contains a lesion in the core protein gene.

Aggrecans↗
PubMed2001

Psittacine restraint in the examination room.

This article suggests that there is a high probability of connections between emotional and physical health in animals. Many avian veterinarians are putting these ideas into practice. Recently, several veterinary schools have invited speakers to address their students about these ideas, suggesting a positive change in attitude (Irene Pepperburg, personal communication, 2000). There has been substantial progress in the avian veterinary community's attitude towards the psychological health of these exceptionally intelligent animals. In fact, over the last 5 years, there has been a substantial increase in avian medicine's interest in the work lay parrot behaviorists are doing regarding the psychology of these fascinating birds. More significant progress in the coming years is expected.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Development of cardiac rhythms in altricial avian embryos.

Mean heart rate (MHR) was determined during incubation and in hatchlings of 14 altricial avian species to investigate (1) if there is a common developmental pattern of heart rate in altricial embryos and (2) if heart rate changes during incubation are correlated with changes in embryonic growth rate. On the basis of normalized incubation MHR increased approximately linearly in 12 of 14 species from as early as 30-40% of incubation to that of pipped embryos. The MHR of hatchlings was equal to or higher than that of pipped embryos in seven species. Passerine embryos and hatchlings maintained higher MHR in comparison to parrots of similar egg mass, which may reflect phylogenetic differences in development. Embryonic MHR increased at a higher rate while embryonic growth rates were highest during the first 40% of incubation in tit, budgerigar and crow embryos than during subsequent development when relative growth rates decreased. MHR became independent of yolk-free wet mass at a smaller fraction of hatchling mass in budgerigar and crow than in the tit, suggesting that MHR is more likely to increase continuously after 40% of incubation in small altricial species than larger species.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

The chemical structure of the pigments in Ara macao plumage.

Parrots (Psittaciformes) harbor unusually bright, non-carotenoid, feather pigments. We successfully extracted and purified a sufficient quantity of pigment from the red plumage of the Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao) for a partial chemical analysis. The extracts were analyzed by HPLC coupled with UV-VIS and mass spectroscopy before and after total hydrogenation. We found at least four pigment components. We propose a linear polyenal structure comparable with the molecules tetradecahexenal, hexadecaheptenal, octadecaoctenal and eicosanonenal.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Frugivory and seed dispersal by vertebrates in the Oriental (Indomalayan) Region.

Current knowledge of frugivory and seed dispersal by vertebrates in the Oriental Region is summarized. Some degree of frugivory has been reported for many fish and reptile species, almost half the genera of non-marine mammals and more than 40% of bird genera in the region. Highly frugivorous species, for which fruit dominates the diet for at least part of the year, occur in at least two families of reptiles, 12 families of mammals and 17 families of birds. Predation on seeds in fleshy fruits is much less widespread taxonomically: the major seed predators are colobine monkeys and rodents among the mammals, and parrots, some pigeons, and finches among the birds. Most seeds in the Oriental Region, except near its northern margins, are dispersed by vertebrate families which are endemic to the region or to the Old World. Small fruits and large, soft fruits with many small seeds are consumed by a wide range of potential seed dispersal agents, including species which thrive in small forest fragments and degraded landscapes. Larger, bigger-seeded fruits are consumed by progressively fewer dispersers, and the largest depend on a few species of mammals and birds which are highly vulnerable to hunting, fragmentation and habitat loss.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

The identity of Leishmania tarentolae Wenyon 1921.

A double clone of Trypanosoma platydactyli Catouillard, 1909, derived from a single trypomastigote from the blood of the Moorish gecko, Tarentola mauritanica, was grown in vitro. Morphogenesis of the parasites led to a stable population of promastigotes which were identical, in general morphology, ultrastructure and the electrophoretic mobility of 8 enzymes, to those cultures previously considered to be Leishmania tarentolae Wenyon, 1921. These cultures included the strain isolated from the type locality in Algeria by Parrot (1949) and later used as a laboratory model for the genus Leishmania. T. platydactyli and L. tarentolae are synonymized and the present status of saurian Leishmania parasites is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Retrospective characterization of Newcastle Disease Virus Antrim '73 in relation to other epidemics, past and present.

In November 1973 Newcastle disease suddenly appeared in Northern Ireland, where the viscerotropic disease had not been seen in 3 1/2 years and the two Irelands had been regarded as largely disease free for 30 years. It was successfully controlled with only 36 confirmed affected layer flocks, plus 10 more slaughtered as 'dangerous contacts'. Contemporary investigations failed to reveal the source of the Irish epidemic. Using archival virus samples from most of the affected flocks, RT PCR was conducted with primers selected for all six NDV genes. Phylogenetic analyses of three genes, HN, M and F, confirmed vaccine as the cause of one of the outbreaks. The other six samples were identical and closely related to previous outbreaks in the United States and western Europe initiated by infected imported Latin American parrots. The probable cause of the epidemic followed from the importation from The Netherlands of bulk feed grains contaminated with infected pigeon faeces.

HN Protein↗
PubMed2000

Uptake and phytotransformation of organophosphorus pesticides by axenically cultivated aquatic plants.

The uptake and phytotransformation of organophosphorus (OP) pesticides (malathion, demeton-S-methyl, and crufomate) was investigated in vitro using the axenically aquatic cultivated plants parrot feather (Myriophyllum aquaticum), duckweed (Spirodela oligorrhiza L.), and elodea (Elodea canadensis). The decay profile of these OP pesticides from the aqueous medium adhered to first-order kinetics. However, extent of decay and rate constants depended on both the physicochemical properties of the OP compounds and the nature of the plant species. Malathion and demeton-S-methyl exhibited similar transformation patterns in all three plants: 29-48 and 83-95% phytotransformation, respectively, when calculated by mass recovery balance during an 8-day incubation. No significant disappearance and phytotransformation of crufomate occurred in elodea over 14 days, whereas 17-24% degraded in the other plants over the same incubation period. Using enzyme extracts derived from duckweed, 15-25% of the three pesticides were transformed within 24 h of incubation, which provided evidence for the degradation of the OP compounds by an organophosphorus hydrolase (EC 3.1.8.1) or multiple enzyme systems. The results of this study showed that selected aquatic plants have the potential to accumulate and to metabolize OP compounds; it also provided knowledge for potential use in phytoremediation processes.

Biotransformation↗
PubMed2005

Isolation of Acinetobacter lwoffii from a lovebird (Agapornis roseicollis) with severe respiratory symptoms.

Although Acinetobacter lwoffii is generally considered an ubiquitous and opportunistic bacterium, this germ has been isolated from the pulmonary and abdominal air sac swabs obtained from a Lovebird (Agapornis roseicollis), which died of a severe respiratory disease. Bacteriological tests (phenotypic and genotypic) led to the identification of A. lwoffii in pure culture. All the other parrots in the breeding centre were treated orally with oxytetracycline for 14 days and 3 months later no bird showed any signs of respiratory symptoms.

Acinetobacter↗
PubMed2002

A ceratopsian dinosaur from China and the early evolution of Ceratopsia.

Ceratopsians (horned dinosaurs) represent one of the last and the most diverse radiations of non-avian dinosaurs. Although recent systematic work unanimously supports a basal division of Ceratopsia into parrot-like psittacosaurids and frilled neoceratopsians, the early evolution of the group remains poorly understood, mainly owing to its incomplete early fossil record. Here we describe a primitive ceratopsian from China. Cladistic analysis posits this new species as the most basal neoceratopsian. This new taxon demonstrates that some neoceratopsian characters evolved in a more incremental fashion than previously known and also implies mosaic evolution of characters early in ceratopsian history.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Phylogenetic analysis by 16S rDNA gene sequence comparison of avian taxa of Bisgaard and characterization and description of two new taxa of Pasteurellaceae.

AIMS: Characterization and classification of members of Pasteurellaceae isolated from birds by extended phenotypic characterization and 16S rDNA gene sequence comparison. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 95 avian isolates were subjected to extended phenotypic characterization. Thirteen bacterial strains selected from main phenotypic clusters and isolated from parrot, parakeet, budgerigar, partridge, pheasant, chicken, duck, hawk and gull were subsequently characterized by 16S rDNA gene sequencing. Eight of the sequenced strains were classified with six taxa of Bisgaard of which two (34 and 40) have not been published before, and the properties of four others (14, 22, 26 and 32) changed upon the characterization of these new isolates. Of the remaining strains, one was identified as a phenotypic variant in maltose and dextrin of Pasteurella gallinarum another as a trehalose positive variant of taxon 3 of Bisgaard. The remaining three strains sequenced were not closely related to existing taxa of Pasteurellaceae. However, they were found to belong to the Avian cluster with 92-97% 16S rDNA gene sequence similarity. CONCLUSION: The study allowed the classification of bacteria isolated from birds by the integrated use of extended phenotypic characterization and 16S rDNA gene sequence analysis. Only the application of 16S rDNA gene sequencing allows a correct identification of variant strains. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The description of new taxa within the bacterial family Pasteurellaceae will subsequently allow additional isolates of these taxa to be identified and improve the diagnosis and epidemiological understanding of bacteria causing disease in birds.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Sugars in the gut of the sandfly Phlebotomus orientalis from Dinder National Park, Eastern Sudan.

The sandfly Phlebotomus orientalis Parrot (Diptera: Psychodidae) is the vector of visceral leishmaniasis in eastern and Upper Nile regions of Sudan, where vector infection rates of over 7% have been reported. Sugars are known to be important for development of the parasite and for increasing the survival and oviposition rates of several species of sandflies. In the present study we have analysed the sugars present in the guts of individuals and groups of male and female P. orientalis and compared these with sugars from several potential local plant sources: Acacia seyal, Balanites aegyptiaca and Combretum kordofanum. The distribution of these trees in Sudan is closely correlated with that of P. orientalis. Only 20% of individually analysed female sandflies had significant amounts of sugars present suggesting that P. orientalis either digest their sugar meal quickly or do not require regular sugar meals. Interestingly, the sugars present in the males were significantly different to those found in the females, indicating that they had fed on different sugar sources. There was evidence that fruit sugars from Balanites aegyptiaca, Combretum kordofanum and aphid or coccid honeydew are utilized by male and female P. orientalis. There was evidence to indicate that female P. orientalis feeds directly on honeydew. There was no evidence to indicate that direct feeding on leaves is a typical source for the sugar meal. There was no melizitose and only a very small amount of turanose present in the male, suggesting that honeydew was not an important sugar source for males.

Animals↗