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Cat Hair (cat + hair)
Selected AbstractsDisrupting basolateral amygdala function impairs unconditioned freezing and avoidance in ratsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE, Issue 4 2001Almira Vazdarjanova Abstract Lesions of the lateral/basolateral amygdala nuclei (BLC) disrupt freezing behaviour in response to explicit or contextual cues (conditioned stimuli , CS) paired previously with footshock (unconditioned stimulus). This deficit in expression of defensive behaviour in response to conditioned stimuli is often interpreted as inability of lesioned rats to learn CS,US associations. However, findings of several studies indicate that BLC-lesioned rats can rapidly learn CS,US associations. Such findings suggest that lesioned rats can learn CS,US associations but are impaired in the expression of freezing behaviour. In the present study we report that both temporary inactivation (lidocaine) and permanent excitotoxic (NMDA) lesions of the BLC impair the unconditioned freezing and avoidance behaviours of rats in response to a novel fear-eliciting stimulus, a ball of cat hair. These findings suggest that the BLC influences the expression of freezing and avoidance behaviours, and/or that it potentiates rats' experience of fear. Along with prior evidence of spared memory for aversive learning after BLC lesions, these findings suggest that disrupted freezing to conditioned cues in BLC-lesioned rats does not necessarily reflect inability to form CS,US associations. [source] Niche overlap between marsupial and eutherian carnivores: does competition threaten the endangered spotted-tailed quoll?JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY, Issue 2 2008A. S. Glen Summary 1The significance of top-down regulation by carnivores is receiving increasing global recognition. As a consequence, key objectives in many programmes that seek to maintain ecosystem function now include conserving carnivores and understanding their interactions. This study examined overlap in resource use (space and diet) of introduced eutherian carnivores and an endangered marsupial carnivore, the spotted-tailed quoll Dasyurus maculatus, in eastern Australia. We also investigated mechanisms of niche partitioning and evidence for interspecific aggression. 2Dietary overlap between quolls, red foxes Vulpes vulpes and wild dogs Canis lupus ssp. was assessed by analysis of scats. Trapping, radio-tracking and direct observations were used to quantify spatial overlap between quolls, foxes, wild dogs and feral cats Felis catus. 3Dietary overlap among the carnivores was extensive. Medium-sized mammals were the most important prey for all three predators, indicating potential for exploitative interactions. However, hunting of different size classes of secondary prey and consumption by quolls of more arboreal prey than their counterparts may assist coexistence. Remains of quoll were found in two dog scats, and cat hair in another, possibly indicating intraguild predation. 4We observed extensive spatial overlap between quolls and eutherian carnivores. However, we inferred from dietary data that quolls foraged primarily in forested habitat, while canids foraged mainly in cleared habitat. 5Synthesis and applications. Our results indicate strong potential for competition between spotted-tailed quolls and eutherian carnivores, and thus a situation where control of introduced predators may be desirable, not only for the conservation of prey species but also for the protection of native carnivores. Concern over potential non-target mortality of quolls has hindered efforts to control foxes in eastern Australia using poison baits. We contend that, rather than harming quoll populations, baiting for foxes should aid the conservation of quolls and should be implemented in areas of sympatry where fox numbers are high. [source] Determination of terbinafine hydrochloride in cat hair by two chromatographic methodsBIOMEDICAL CHROMATOGRAPHY, Issue 8 2001Jernej Kuz Terbinafine hydrochloride (terbHCl) concentration on the site of infection with Microsporum canis is a very important indicator of drug effectiveness. Several chromatographic methods exist that can be used for the determination of terbHCl concentration in biological samples. A high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method and a gas chromatographic (GC) method have been compared and critically evaluated for the determination of a terbHCl levels in cat hair. The sensitivity and the linearity of the previously developed HPLC method were 0.25,ng/mL and 0.25,3000,ng/mL, respectively. The limit of quantification (LOQ) was 0.01,µg/g of terbHCl in cat hair, and reproducibility of 96.6% and recovery of 93.8% were achieved using appropriate sample pre-treatment and optimal chromatographic conditions. The sensitivity of the GC method, 25,ng/mL (LOQ 625 ppb), was much lower than that of the HPLC method. The GC method still enables determination of terbHCl in a range of concentrations in cat hair. The reproducibility of terbHCl for the cat hair samples was 95.3% and the recovery was only 70.0%. Both methods can be used for the evaluation of drug effectiveness in cats and both of them require only basic chromatographic equipment that can be found in most analytical laboratories. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] | ||||||||||