Effect of a selective glutamate antagonist on L-dopa-induced dyskinesias in drug-naive parkinsonian monkeys.

Alterations of striatal glutamate receptors are believed to be responsible, at least in part, for the pathogenesis of L-dopa-induced dyskinesias (LID). To evaluate whether co-administration of CI-1041, a novel NMDA receptor antagonist selective for the NR1A/NR2B subtype, with L-dopa might prevent the appearance of this side effect, eight de novo parkinsonian monkeys were treated chronically orally with either L-dopa alone or L-dopa plus CI-1041 (n= 4 for each group). After 4 weeks of treatment with L-dopa alone, all four animals developed moderate dyskinesias either choreic or dystonic in nature.

A new reciprocal translocation in a subfertile bull.

Three bulls of the Montbéliarde breed that exhibited fertility rates lower than 30% following more than 400 artificial inseminations were examined. Semen quality (sperm motility and morphology) from these bulls was normal. Fertilizing ability estimated from in vitro embryo production results was studied for two of them.

An unusual case of death: suffocation caused by leaves of common ivy (Hedera helix). Detection of hederacoside C, alpha-hederin, and hederagenin by LC-EI/MS-MS.

We report one fatal case of asphyxia caused by leaves of common ivy. Macroscopic examination of the corpse during the autopsy disclosed an incredible quantity of leaves of Hedera helix in the mouth and throat of the decedent. In order to rule out the possibility of poisoning by the toxic saponins contained in the plant, we have developed an efficient LC-EI/MS-MS assay of hederacoside C, alppha-hederin, and hederagenin in biological fluids and plant material.

Chromosomal abnormalities in hypoprolific boars.

Four new chromosomal rearrangements are reported in the domestic pig: 3 reciprocal translocations, rcp(4;12)(p13;q13) in a crossbred boar, rcp(1;7)(q17;q26) in a Large White purebred boar, rcp(1;6)(q17;q35) in a purebred synthetic paternal line boar, and a pericentric inversion inv(2)(p13q11) in a crossbred boar. The 1/7 reciprocal translocation and the pericentric inversion were detected in animals that had sired small litters. The effect of the 1/7 translocation was accurately determined: -4.