Bone lipids of Jamaican reef fishes

1. Fourteen species from 12 different families of fish from the Jamaican coral reef environment were analyzed for bone lipid content and class. Acanthrus bahianus (Acanthuridae), the ocean surgeon, had 29.7 percent lipid (as per cent dry wt) in the neurocranium. 2. Eight species had 7.4-17.9 percent lipid in the neurocranium and include A. chirurgus, Priacanthus arenatus, Equetus acuminatus, Eupomacentrus planifrons, A. ceoruleus, Malacanthus plumeri, Haemulon flacolineatum and Pempheris schomburgki. 3. Five species had low bone oil (0.1-2.5 percent neurocranium lipid), including the chondrocranium of Urolophus jamaicensis, an elasmobranch. 4. Most fist stored more lipid in the neurocranium than in the vertebral centra. 5. Triglyceride is the major lipid class in most of these fishes with oily bones (74.1-93.7 percent as per cent lipid); cholesterol and phospholipid were two other lipid classes in the bones. 6. The average skeletal lipid (for neurocranium plus vertebral centra, as per cent total body lipid) for 13 species is 22.5 percent with a low of 5.5 percent in Sparisoma aurofrenatum and a high of 81.1 percent in Acanthurus chirurgus. 7. These data provide a basis for choice of a suitable experimental animal to study function of bone lipid. Acanthrus bahianus appears most suitable, because it has the most bone oil, is most common over Jamaican reefs and is easily obtained by trapping. (AU)

Occurrence of Phaeotabanus cajennensis (Diptera: Tabanidae) in Trinidad

The tabanid phaeotabanus cajennensis is reported from the island of Trinidad, West Indies, for the first time. (AU)

Intraosseous infusion rates: comparison of various intraosseous sites versus peripheral intravenous sites in normovolemic and hypovolemic pigs - abstract

The tibial intraosseous (IO) site is useful for vascular access in paediatric resuscitation. However, alternate IO sites need to be considered for use in patients with lower extremity and abdominal trauma, and in those requiring multiple infusions. The infusion rates were determined at tibial, medial malleolar, distal femoral and humeral IO sites and at a peripheral intravenous (IV) site in 23 normovolemic and hypovolemic anaesthetised pigs (12 - 23 kg). IO cannulation was established with 18 gauge bone marrow needles and in peripheral vessels with ww gauge teflon catheters. Hypovolemia was established by acutely bleeding 2 mi/kg. Infusion rates were determined in random order under gravity and 300/mm Hg pressure. The infusion rates obtained (table given) were significantly different (MANOVA p = 0.0001) for gravity vs 300 mm Hg. Our study suggested 1) IV access is the most efficacious infusion method for volume resuscitation; 2) IO sites differ in the infusion rates obtained; 3) IO infusions provide reasonable alternatives for short-term vascular access (AU)

Use of nacre as bone substitution biomaterial in orthopaedic surgery - abstract

For more than 20 years, orthopaedic surgery has been using mostly artificial biomaterials which are known to develop problems of intolerance in the long run. More recent biomaterials (coral, hydroxyapatite...) are too fragile to bear heavy mechanical strain. The disadvantages of bone autografts are their availability and the after effects that can appear at the donor site. The disadvantage of bone allografts is that they are vulnerable to virus contamination. The nacre of the big oyster, Pinctada maxima, possesses a three-dimensional structure and physical characteristics similar to bone. The authors present an experimental study already done in vitro and study being done in vivo on sheep. The in vitro work demonstrated the capacity of the nacre to induce bone formation by human osteoblasts. The aim of the animal experimentation (done at the CHRU of Forte de France) is to study the nacre as a bone substitute for the spongy and cortical zones of bone. It has also been used as an articular and intramedullary implant and as an osteosynthesis screw. An X-ray and histological study of bone restoration and the integration of the nacre implant has been done. The first results confirm the biocompatibility and the bioactivity of the nacre biomaterial (osteoconduction and osteogenesis). In conclusion, the nacre seems to possess the required qualities to constitute a biomaterial for future use (AU)

Kabowra flies of the Rupununi District, Guyana

This paper present some of the data obtained during three visits to the Rupununi Savannahs of Guyana in 1969 and 1970 to define the nature of the "Kabowra Fly" problem. Collections of biting flies and immature forms, from which adults were reared, were made at Lethem, Orinduik and Kato during the beginning and end of the dry season. Identification of the species found was made difficult by the lack of previuos literature on the simuliidae of the area. However, at least thirteen species have been found breeding in the nearby rivers and streams. Four species were found biting. Of these only Simulium guianense Wise could be identified with certainty. At Lethem and Manari, the most heavily populated areas, the nuisance was due to one species (near S. Incrustatum). A small species, possibly S. sanguineum was biting at Dadanawa, Orinduik, Good Hope and Kato, whilst S. guianense was also found at Orinduik, and a fourth unidentified species at Kato. It was concluded that because at least four species are involved in the problem, and since so little is known of their habits and taxonomy, any further field investigation will require the support of a detailed tazanomic study (AU)

Autogeny and polymorphism for wing length in Leptoconops becquaerti (Kieff)

Data given show that in Jamaica, Leptoconops becquaerti is polymorohic for wing length in both sexes. The polymorphism is associated with autogeny so that in a given population the smaller ** are autogenous, the larger anautogenous. The autogenous ** emerge from the pupa with ovaries already in early Stage IV of development; at 26.6 C egg maturation is completed within 24-36 hr post-emergence. The number of eggs produced autogenously in the 1st genotrophic cycle is comparable with that seen in anautogenous ** fully engorged with blood and kept under optimum conditions. Larval environment does not appear to affect the expression of autogeny by regulating the proportion of ** that produce eggs without taking blood. Instead, it appears that wing length polymorphism and autogeny are entirely under genetic control. Some observations on mating and resting behaviour in the field are described. Reasons are given for believing that human discomfort is caused almost entirely by anautogenous * L. becquaerti. (AU)

Observations on the phlebotomine sandflies of British Honduras

An account is given of the numbers of phlebotomine sandflies collected in British Honduras (a) on man, (b) in rat-baited fly-traps and (c) from resting places. Twelve species of Phlebotomus were taken on man, 11 species (including three never taken on man) were obtained in rat-baited traps, and 16 species (including three not taken on man or in fly traps) were collected from resting-places. Evidence of the geographical distribution and relative abundance of the different species is insufficient to establish which is the vector of Leishmania mexicana in British Honduras, but a comparison of the man-biting and rat-biting populations suggests P. apicalis and P. cruciatus as the probable vectors of the infection. Further investigations on the phlebotomines of British Honduras are required to discover flies with natural leptomonad infections. (AU)

Progress towards a program for the eradication of Amblyomma variegatum from the Caribbean

Amblyomma variegatum (Fabricius), the tropical bont tick, is now widely distributed in the Caribbean. Eighteen islands countries are now or were recently infested with the tick. To stop the spread of this tick to other non-infested islands and to the mainland areas of South, Central and North America, a regional eradication program has been proposed and endorsed by the respective governments on each of the Amblyomma variegatum infested islands, including the French government and CARICOM member and associate member countries. The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) was requested by CARICOM, on behalf of member and associate member governments to : develop eradication proposals: assist CARICOM member countries to maintain existing Amblyomma tick required for implementation of an eradication program: assist in the identification of funds to implement the eradication program and, if funding was obtained, coordinate the eradication campaign against this tick on all infested islands. The current distribution of the tick and the status of the proposed eradication program in the Caribbean are discussed (AU)

Eastern equine encephalitis virus infection of birds in the Caribbean

EEE virus was not recovered from any birds in the Caribbean and the immune rate was very low. Thus there is as yet no positive evidence that migrating birds participate in the spread of the virus (AU)

An investigation into anti-ketogenic bodies

Many oxidizable substances, for example glycerol and sorbitol, decrease the formation of ketone bodies in rat liver slices, but as yet little is known of the mechanism by which these compounds exert their antiketogenic action. During a survey of potential antiketogenic compounds it was found that glyco-aldehyde is known to break down initially through oxidation by aldehyde dehydrogenase to glycollate and this in turn is oxidized to glyoxylate by glycollate oxidase. Glyoxylate can form glycine by transamination or it can be oxidized to Formalin and Carbon Dioxide. Evidence was presented in this paper suggesting that glyoxylate is responsible for the apparent decrease in the formation of acetoacetate by rat liver slices when glycoaldehyde is the added substance and the decrease is due to the non-enzymic condensation of aceto-acetate and glyoxylate (AU)

Problems in bilharzia control

Bilharzia is endemic in St. Lucia. Details of the snail vector and the geographical topography are presented. Problems involved in molluscides and treatment of this disease are given (AU)

Bacteriological conditions of a Jamaican chicken hatchery

The bacteriological profile of a chicken hatchery in Jamaica was examined. The bacterial numbers in each room of the hatchery and the effect of washing with disinfectant on the bacterial population were determined. A representative number of the bacterial isolates before and after washing the hatchery was identified. The results indicate that, while washing with quaternary ammonium compounds did not affect the Gram-negative bacteria, the number of Gram-positive bacteria was significantly decreased. Bacteria of the genera Pseudomonas, Plesiomonas and Enterobacter were predominant in the post-washing flora. The water used to wash the hatchery was contaminated and therefore a possible source of contamination (AU)

The distribution of Anopheles albimanus in the Caribbean Islands

The presence of A. albimanus in the island units of the Caribbean is discussed. Field obsrevations have now established its absence from the Netherlands Leeward and Windward Islands, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, St Vincent, Barbados, St Lucia, Martinique, Dominica and St Kitts. The southernmost point of its distribution in the Island chain is established in Marie Galante at latitude 15o53' N. In the Caribbean Islands A. albimanus is limited to Guadeloupe (and Marie Galante), Montserrat, Antigua, Nevis, Virgin Islands (St Croix, St Thomas and Tortola) and the Greater Antilles (Summary)

Occurrence of Histoplasma capsulatum on the island of Trinidad, B. W. I. 1. Survey of Steatornis caripensis (Old Bird) habitats

The existence of Histoplasma capsulatum on the island of Trinidad has been established for the first time. This fungus was recovered from 4 of 24 soil specimens collected in oil bird (Steatornis caripensis) caves and from 2 soils collected in bat cave. The significance of these findings was discussed (Summary)

Cocal virus Epizootiology in Bush Bush Forest and the Nariva Swamp, Trinidad, W. I.: further studies

Three additional strains of Cocal virus were isolated in Trinidad, 1 each from a Heteromys rodent, a pool of Culex mosquitoes, and a sentinel baby mouse. Complement-fixation and neutralisation tests on 842 rodent serums provided evidence of Cocal virus infection of rodents in Bush Bush forest during the rainy seasons of 1961 and 1962. The 1961 epizootic was explosive in character and involved about 65 percent of the forest floor rodent population. Failure to isolate Cocal virus more than once each from mosquitoes and sentinel mice suggests that mosquitoes probably were not the principal agents responsible for Cocal virus transfer during epizootic periods. The single isolation from Gigantolaelaps in Trinidad is not adequate to confirm these as principal vectors. A parallel is drawn between the characteristics of the 1961 Cocal virus epizootic in small rodents and those of the livestock epizootics caused by the vesicular stomatitis viruses. (Summary)

Age structure of some mosquito populations in a savanna area in Surinam

From the beginning of January until the end of September 1973 weekly collections of adult mosquitoes were made near Powaka, an Amerindian village, located in the savanna belt of northern Surinam. Three mosquito species were abundant enough to permit regular determinations of the age structure of the populations. Some 5,500 specimens were dissected, 1,354 of Culex spissipes, 1,099 of C. mollis and 3,037 of C. portesi. C. portesi constituted a serious threat to the health of man throughout the year, whereas C. spissipes was especially dangerous during July and August.(AU)

Mosquito identification studies in a typical coastal area in Northern Surinam

Entomological studies were carried out from December 1972 until December 1973, in a typical coastal area near "Fernandesweg" to determine the composition of the culicid fauna. Thirty-five species of mosquitoes were identified in trapping and/or biting collections of adults with 12 of these species collected also as larvae; an additional 4 species were represented by larvae only. Three species have not been found previously in Surinam, namely: Culex paracrybda, C. dunni and C. zeteki

Gross and microscopic anatomy of the biliary tract of the ferret

The gross and microscopic anatomy of the biliary tract of the ferret was studied. The liver consisted of six separate lobes. The coronary ligament was not present. Histologically, it was very similar to that of man. The gall-bladder was present and was a pear-shaped sac. Its muscle coat was very thick and well developed. Hepatic ducts were multiple. Minor hepatic ducts formed three major ducts, the left, central and the right. A single common hepatic duct was not present. The cystic duct generally rose from the central duct. The bile duct was formed by the union of three major hepatic ducts. The pancreas consisted of two limbs, the left and the right. Each limb was drained by a duct which joined and formed a short main pancreatic duct. An accessory pancreatic duct extending from the duct of the left limb of the pancreas was usually present. The main pancreatic duct joined the bile duct nearly at right angles prior to the entry into the duodenum. Both ducts entered through the same osteum and coursed together. They ended in a common ampulla which opened into the major duodenal papilla situated at about 2.75 cm from the pylorus. The sphincter of Oddi was present and was very similar in disposition to that of man. The sphincter choledochus (of Boyden) was well developed. An accessory pancreatic duct was usually present. It opened into the duodenum at a minor papilla which was not prominent. The minor papilla was situated proximal and medial to the major papilla. Mast cells were not seen in the connective tissue sheaths of the liver, gall-bladder and pancreas (AU)

Epidemiological investigations following two human cases of a South American strain of Eastern Equine enchephalitis in Santa Cruz, Trinidad - abstract

In March, 1970, two human cases, one fata, of Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) occurred in Santa Cruz, Trinidad. Both cases were due to the South American strain of the virus. In addition, 3 of 5 persons on the farm where the fatal case occured, had HI and N antibodies to the virus. epidemiological investigations were undertaken in 1970 and 1971, to ascertain the vector(S) involved in the transmission; to determine whether there were any reservoir(s); and to determine the extent of human involvement. These were accomplished through the trapping and processing for virus isolations of biting diptera, small mammals and 113 wild birds. Also the testing of sera from wild animals and humans for evidence of EEE infections. The virus was not isolated from 457 mosquitos tested, nor from the processing of 18 small mammals and 113 wild birds. Sera of 4 of the birds with HI antibodies were also partially protective to sold 50 of the virus in mouse neutralization tests. None of 616 human sera had HI antibodies to EEE virus. It could be concluded that: (1) The two clinical cases became infected in the Santa Cruz Valley and not elsewhere; (2) The virus could have been introduced by a viraemic bird or a viraemic bird or a viraemic pet animal in the valley; (3) Introduction of a viraemic chick in the area should also be considered; (4) The virus is probably not endemic in the area (AU)

The pre-control studies rationale for controlling bilharzia transmission by molluscicides in Cul De Sac Valley, St. Lucia - abstract

With the overall programme of the Research and Control Department, it is hoped to control the transmission of S. mansoni by attacking the intermediate host snail, Biomphalaria glabrata. Precontrol studies indicated that the population densities of the snail were controlled by the interaction of two factors: rainfall and type of habitat. In the wet region, static water habitats are filled and the snail populations expand, but snails emigrating to running water habitats are flushed away. In period of low rainfall, static habitats dry up and the snail populations decline, but snails persist in the running water habitats and these populations expand. Furthermore, the running water populations appear to be responsible for much of the S. mansoni transmission. By applying molluscicides at the correct time, it was planned to reduce the size of the static water populations to minimize emigration to the flowing water sites and hence kept both the flowing water populations and transmission to a minimum. Preliminary snail sampling indicates some success in achieving this goal, but final proof can be obtained only from human epideiological studies (AU)