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BACKGROUND Phthorimaea operculella is a key pest of potato. The authors characterised the P. operculella olfactory system, selected the most bioactive host plant volatiles and evaluated their potential application in pest management. The electrophysiological responses of olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) housed in long sensilla trichodea of P. operculella to plant volatiles and the two main sex pheromone components were evaluated by the single-cell recording (SCR) technique. The four most SCR-active volatiles were tested in a laboratory oviposition bioassay and under storage warehouse conditions. RESULTS The sensitivity of sensilla trichodea to short-chained aldehydes and alcohols and the existence of ORNs tuned to pheromones in females were characterised. Male recordings revealed at least two types of ORN, each of which typically responded to one of the two pheromone components. Hexanal, octanal, nonanal and 1-octen-3-ol significantly disrupted the egg-laying behaviour in a dose-dependent manner. Octanal reduced the P. operculella infestation rate when used under storage conditions. CONCLUSIONS This work provides new information on the perception of plant volatiles and sex pheromones by P. operculella. Laboratory and warehouse experiments show that the use of hexanal, octanal, nonanal and 1-octen-3-ol as host recognition disruptants and/or oviposition deterrents for P. operculella control appears to be a promising strategy. © 2013 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Drosophila suzukii Matsumura, an endemic pest in southeast Asia, has invaded Europe and the U.S.A. Unlike most of its closely related sibling species, the serrated ovipositor of D. suzukii permits ovipositing in undamaged fresh fruits. In the present study, volatiles are identified from host plants that are potentially involved in D. suzukii host recognition and oviposition behaviour. It is shown that mated females are attracted to volatiles emitted from intact fruits. The antennally-active suite of compounds released from the fresh fruits is identified by gas chromatography coupled with electroantennographic detection, as well as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. In olfactometer bioassays, mated females are significantly attracted to an electroantennographically active volatile, isoamyl acetate, when tested at 10 µg of synthetic compound in a rubber septa, which has a release rate comparable to that of fresh fruits. In addition, a genomic survey shows that D. suzukii not only possesses the full repertoire of genes encoding odorant receptors activated by isoamyl acetate in D. melanogaster, but also that one of the genes, OR67a, is represented by five duplicated copies. These results indicate that D. suzukii uses olfactory cues to select oviposition sites. The identification of volatiles emitted by host fruits that attract D. suzukii may aid in the development of a selective and efficient synthetic lure for monitoring this pest. As a close relative of Drosophila melanogaster, D. suzukii provides a unique opportunity for understanding the physiological mechanisms involved in the shift of this species from use of rotten to ripe fruits for oviposition.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether nitric oxide (NO) is involved in cardiorespiratory regulation in the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS). Unilateral microinjections (50 nl) of the NO-donor, sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 40-100-200 mM), into the NTS of anaesthetized rats elicited dose-dependent apnea (7.3 +/- 2.3 sec; 28.6 +/- 5.7 sec; 35.6 +/- 6.4 sec, respectively; n = 6) and a decrease in arterial blood pressure (8.4 +/- 3.1 mmHg; 18.2 +/- 5.8 mmHg; 25.8 +/- 6.7 mmHg, respectively; n = 6). Similarly, unilateral micro-injections (50 nl) of another NO-donor, 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1, 20-40-100 mM), also induced apnea (5.1 +/- 2.4 sec; 8.7 +/- 4.3 sec; 26.3 +/- 6.4 sec, respectively; n = 6) and a decrease in arterial blood pressure (6.2 +/- 2.3 mmHg; 11.1 +/- 3.3 mmHg; 18.3 +/- 6.1 mmHg, respectively; n = 6). The SNP- and SIN-1-induced apnea and arterial blood pressure decrease were significantly (p < 0.01) blocked by a 3 min pretreatment with two calcium-channel blockers, diltiazem (0.1 mM) and cobalt (10 mM), while lower doses (diltiazem 0.01 and cobalt 1) were ineffective. Microinjections of diltiazem (0.01 mM) and cobalt (1 mM) alone did not induce any change in basal cardiorespiratory values like diltiazem (0.1 mM) and cobalt (10 mM). These data suggest that NO may be involved in NTS cardiorespiratory regulation via calcium-channel activation.

The goal of the present study was to identify sites in the medulla oblongata where metabotropic glutamate receptors are involved in regulating respiration. Unilateral microinjections (50 nl) of l -glutamate ( l -glu) (10–25–50 mM) into the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) of anaesthetized rats elicited apnea (8.6 ± 0.3 sec; 21.3 ± 3.6 sec; 66.3 ± 16.5 sec respectively; N = 6) and arterial hypotension (7.3 ± 2.4 mmHg; 10.1 ± 2.3 mmHg; 35.3 ± 7.5 mmHg respectively; N = 6). Similarly, in other rats 1-aminocyclopentane-1, 3-dicarboxylic acid (ACPD) (1–5–10 mM), a selective agonist of metabotrophic glutamate receptors, also induced apnea (22.4 ± 2.5 sec; 32.5 ± sec; 92.5 ± 1.4 sec respectively; N = 6) and arterial hypotension (12.7 ± 2.2 mmHg; 19.6 ± 4.3 mmHg; 26.5 ± 1.5 mmHg respectively; N = 6). Paired experiments showed that unilateral microinjections of l -glu (50 mM) and ACPD (1 mM) into the nucleus retroambigualis (NRA) of anaesthetized rats elicited apnea (20.2 ± 2.6 sec and 33.8 ± 3.2 sec respectively; N = 6) and arterial hypotension (15.7 ± 3.7 mmHg and 22.5 ± 4.5 mmHg respectively; N = 6). The ACPD effects on apnea and hypotension in NTS and NRA were not prevented by a 3 min pretreatment with L-AP3 (30 mM), a putative antagonist of metabotropic glutamate receptors (19.5 ± 1.4 sec; 12.3 ± 3.2 mmHg and 30.6 ± 2.9 sec; 23.4 ± 3.8 mmHg respectively; N = 6). These data suggest that metabotropic glutamate receptors are involved in NTS and NRA regulation of cardiorespiratory functions. Moreover, these findings may also indicate that at particular doses L-AP3 could be considered a partial agonist of the metabotropic glutamate receptors in the medulla oblongata in anaesthetized rats.

The present study has been carried out to determine if glycine, an allosteric modulator of NMDA receptor, is involved in the vascular effect induced by the activation of the CNS NMDA receptors.Icv NMDA (from 0.01 to 1µg/rat in the 3rd ventricle) caused a significant increase in arterial blood pressure in conscious freely moving rats. Moreover, the hypertension was associated with behavioural modifications (jumping, rearing, teething and running). Glycine pretreatment (1 and 10µg/raticv), significantly increased the NMDA hypertension. Glycine alone did not cause any arterial blood pressure modification while it induced a slight sedation. HA-966 (an antagonist of the glycine site on NMDA receptor) administration (1-10µg/raticv 5 min before glycine) significantly antagonized the glycine effects on NMDA hypertension.Alone HA-966 neither modified arterial blood pressure nor antagonized NMDA hypertension. In conclusion, our investigations confirm NMDA receptor involvement in cardiovascular function and they demonstrate thatin vivo glycine positively modulates NMDA receptors.

Mating disruption with a high density of sex pheromone dispensers is a new strategy recently developed for the control of the moth Lobesia botrana (DenisSchiffermüller) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Ecodian LB dispensers, made of low-cost biodegradable material, were formulated with 10 mg of (E,Z) -7,9-dodecadienyl acetate and placed at a rate of 1,600 dispensers per ha. Seasonal dispenser performances were studied using different methods. The female attractiveness disruption and the efficacy of the method were evaluated in the field. The release rates of field-aged Ecodian LB dispensers, measured directly by solid phase microextraction, was comparable with that of the standard monitoring lure after 50-60 d of field exposure and significantly lower beyond 60 d; however, at the end of the season, it was approximately 46 times higher than that of a calling L. botrana female. Electroantennographic recordings showed that dispensers of different field age strongly stimulated male antennae. In a wind tunnel test, dispensers elicited close-range approaches and direct source contacts irrespective of their age. In fields treated with Ecodian dispensers the attractiveness of traps lured with calling females and monitoring baits was significantly reduced. Our data suggest that Ecodian dispensers are active sources of pheromone throughout the season. The efficacy of Ecodian strategy for L. botrana control was comparable with standard mating disruption and curative insecticides.

The neurosteroid pregnenolone sulfate is known to specifically enhance NMDA-gated currents in spinal cord neurons. The response does not appear to be mediated by the glycine/NMDA modulatory site. Here we found that pregnenolone sulfate significantly increased the convulsant potency of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), but not of pentylenetetrazol (PTZ). In agreement with previous in vitro reports showing that the glutamergic NMDA receptor is also specifically modulated by steroids, our findings suggest that pregnenolone sulfate selectively activates the NMDA receptors involved in convulsions in the intact animal.

Somatostatin is a hormone produced by the hypothalamus, and is widely diffused outside the CNS. It inhibits the secretion of many glands. Recently it has been shown that somatostatin has been proposed in the treatment of phlogistic diseases of the joints by intra-articular administration. The authors show the results of a study conducted in 16 patients (athletes) with arthrosynovitis or tendinitis of the knee or of the ankle, in which somatostatin was administered (250 mg/treatment, 1 treatment/week). Somatostatin significantly reduced pain, improved movement function and decreased the effects of pain on daily activities. The treatment was very well tolerated locally and generally. In conclusion, somatostatin may be considered useful in the treatment of articular and tendineous phlogistic diseases, almost in athletes.

We investigated the effect of the polyamine spermidine (SPD) (0.01-1 microgram/rat) on hypertension induced by N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) (0.1 microgram/rat) microinjected into the latero-caudal periaqueductal gray (PAG) area of freely moving rats. Pretreatment with a low dose of SPD (0.01 microgram/rat) significantly increased NMDA-induced hypertension. On the contrary, higher doses of SPD (0.1 and 1 microgram/rat) significantly decreased NMDA-induced cardiovascular changes. SPD alone did not modify arterial blood pressure. Arcaine (1 microgram/rat), a putative antagonist at the polyamine recognition site on NMDA receptors, when microinjected into the PAG area, prevented the negative but not the positive modulatory effects of SPD on the NMDA-induced cardiovascular changes. Pretreatment with SPD did not affect cardiovascular effects induced by quisqualic acid (QUIS), a non-NMDA receptor agonist. These data, in agreement with the in vitro results, suggest that at the level of the PAG area, the polyamines also show multiple actions at NMDA receptors in vivo.

The periaqueductal gray (PAG) area may modulate cardiovascular functions and trigger several stereotyped behavioural responses through a mechanism mediated by the inteaction of l -glutamate with arginine vasopressin (AVP). Moreover, only the NMDA- but not the non-NMDA-glutamergic subtype receptors might participate in the control of these neurovegetative functions also modifying the homeostasis of the hypothalamic-neurohypophysis system. This latter effect may be due to the tight connections between the PAG area neurons to the more cephalic nuclei within the brainstem.

The present study has been carried out to determine if glycine, an allosteric modulator of NMDA receptor, is involved in the vascular effect induced by the activation of the CNS NMDA receptors.Icv NMDA (from 0.01 to 1µg/rat in the 3rd ventricle) determined a significant increase in arterial blood pressure in conscious freely moving rats. Moreover, the hypertension was associated with behavioural modifications (jumping, rearing, teething and running). Glycine pretreatment (1 and 10µg/raticv), significantly increased the NMDA hypertension. Alone glycine did not cause any arterial blood pressure modification while it induced a slight sedation. HA-966 (an antagonist of the glycine site on NMDA receptor) administration (1-10µg/raticv 5 min before glycine) significantly antagonized the glycine effects on NMDA hypertension.Alone HA-966 neither modified arterial blood pressure nor antagonized NMDA hypertension. In conclusion, our investigations confirm NMDA receptor involvement in cardiovascular function and they demonstrate that in vivo glycine positively modulates NMDA receptor.

Effects of intracerebroventricular (third ventricle) injection of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) on arterial blood pressure, on heart rate, on arginine vasopressin (AVP) and levels of catecholamines in plasma and on the behaviour of normotensive freely-moving rats have been evaluated. N-Methyl-D-aspartate significantly (P less than 0.01) increased arterial blood pressure and levels of catecholamines and AVP in plasma. With 0.1-1.0 micrograms/rat all animals presented psychomotor agitation, stereotyped movements, hyperexcitability, exophthalmus, dyspnoea, jumping, rearing and teething. The selective antagonist for NMDA receptors, 2-APV injected in the third ventricle, significantly (P less than 0.01) antagonized the hypertension, the increase in levels of catecholamines and AVP in plasma and behavioural effects. An antagonist of alpha 1 adrenergic receptors, prazosin (i.v.), an agonist of alpha 2 adrenergic receptors, clonidine (i.c.v.) and a relatively selective antagonist of V1 subtype of receptor of AVP, CGP 25838 (i.c.v. and i.v.), 15 min before NMDA, significantly (P less than 0.01) decreased the effects induced by the injections of NMDA. On the contrary, an antagonist of opiate receptors, naloxone (i.v.), 15 min before NMDA, significantly (P less than 0.01) increased the NMDA-induced modifications. Pretreatment with the antagonists at these doses, did not significantly modify the basal values of arterial blood pressure and behaviour. Only 2-APV sometimes induced ataxia, lasting about 5 min. This study points out an increase in the central sympathetic efferent activity and in release of AVP involved in the NMDA-induced cardiovascular and behavioural effects.

The synthesis of 5-[4-(omega-dialkylaminoalkoxy)phenylmethylene]- 1,3,3-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo[2.2.2]octan-6-ones 3 by reaction of some 4-(omega-dialkylaminoalkoxy)benzaldehydes with (+)-1,3,3-trimethyl-2-oxabicyclo [2.2.2]octan-6-one in the presence of sodium methoxide is described. Some aminoethers 3 showed platelet antiaggregating activity in vitro superior or comparable to that of acetylsalicylic acid, as well as weak antiarrhythmic activity in rats and moderate infiltration anesthesia in mice.

The synthesis of some N,N-disubstituted 4-amino-5,6-dihydro-3-phenyl-2H-[1]benzothiepino [5,4-b]pyran-2-ones by reaction of phenylchloroketene with a series of N,N-disubstituted (E)-4-aminomethylene-3,4-dihydro-1-benzothiepin-5(2H)-ones, followed by dehydrochlorination of the primary adducts with DBN, is described. The 4-methylphenylamino derivative showed a local anesthetic activity in mice superior to that of lidocaine and the 4-morpholino derivative showed an antiarrhythmic activity in rats comparable to that of quinidine.

Five acidic phenyl derivatives of the imidazo[1,2-b]pyridazine system were subjected to some tests in vivo in order to evaluate their biological activity. Antiinflammatory activity was studied by means of the carrageenin rat paw edema, whereas writhing induced in mice by acetic acid was used to assess analgesic activity. The irritative and ulcerogenic action on the rat gastric mucosa was examined after oral administration of larger doses. The inhibitory activity on platelet malondialdehyde production was studied in vitro. The experimental results are discussed from the point of view of structure-activity relationships and mode of action.

The local application of cobalt reversibly blocks calcium-channel conductance and therefore synaptic transmission. In this study pretreatment with a solution of cobalt (100 mM) in the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) of anaesthetized rats significantly blocked the apnea (P0.01) and arterial hypotension induced by L-glutamate (25 mM) and N-methyl-D-aspartate (0.4 mM) microinjected in the NTS. We conclude that cobalt causes these effects by acting at the postsynaptic level.

Dottarelli Roberto, Giardino Claudio, Moscetta Maria Paola, Parenti F., Sebastiani Renato, Veloci Giovanni, Vitagliano S. Perspectives dans l'environnement urbain : le cas romain. In: Les Nouvelles de l'archéologie, n°24, été 1986. pp. 53-61.

Exposure to drugs during pregnancy can alter functional development of the vascular system. The present investigation was carried out in order to evaluate the effects of prenatal and postnatal exposure to Ca2+-antagonist (diltiazem, verapamil, and nimodipine) drugs on the development of rat vasomotor reactivity. Studies were carried out on pregnant female albino rats exposed from the first day of pregnancy until weaning to diltiazem and verapamil (6 and 24 mg/kg in their drinking water ad libitum) and nimodipine (3 and 12 mg/kg in their food ad libitum). After weaning, pups were exposed until the 60th day of age to the same treatment as their mothers were. Afterwards, pups from the 60th to 90th day of age were fed with a normal diet. In 30-, 60-, and 90-day-old conscious and anaesthetized pups, we evaluated the following: 1) systolic arterial blood pressure; 2) vasomotor responses elicited by various agents: L-noradrenaline (0.1, 1, and 5 micrograms/kg IV), L-isoprenaline (0.01, 0.1, and 1 micrograms/kg IV), and acetylcholine (0.01, 0.1, and 1 micrograms/kg IV) and by sinus-carotid baroreceptor stimulation; and 3) catecholamine, acetylcholinesterase, and adenosinase plasma levels. Prenatal and postnatal exposure to Ca2+-antagonist drugs significantly (P less than .05) decreased the pressor response to sinus-carotid baroreceptor stimulation and to L-noradrenaline and increased the hypotensive responses to L-isoprenaline and acetylcholine. Moreover, this type of treatment, although it induced a significant (P less than .05) decrease of catecholamine plasma levels, did not modify the acetylcholinesterase and adenosinase plasma levels in 30- and 60-day-old rats. On the 90th day of age, the evaluated parameters were not different from those of control rats. Our results showed that exposure to Ca2+ antagonists during pregnancy and the postnatal period may alter the functional development of rat vasomotor reactivity.

The synthesis of 1,3,3-trimethyl-N-[(2-pyridyl)methyl]-2- oxabicyclo [2.2.2]octan-6-amine (II) (exo, endo mixture) starting from 1,3,3-trimethyl-N-nitro-2-oxabicyclo [2.2.2]octan-6-imine (I), as well as of a series of amides (III) derived from the above amine, is described. Some compounds (III) showed remarkable depressant and antiarrhythmic activities in rats and mice, respectively, whereas the clofibric acid amide (III e) showed an appreciable hypolipidemic activity in rats. Moreover, the above compounds usually exhibited a moderate infiltration anesthesia in mice, as well as a weak hypotensive and bradycardic activity in rats.

Abstract We investigated the possible relationship between endothelin-1 injection into the dorsolateral periaqueductal gray area and the glutamatergic system in the control of cardiovascular function. Endothelin-1 was injected into the dorsolateral periaqueductal gray area of freely moving rats at doses ranging from 0.1 to 10 pmol. Endothelin-1 increased arterial blood pressure (from 7.0±1.6 to 55.0±4.1 mm Hg, mean±SEM) in a dose-dependent manner and induced characteristic behavioral changes such as longitudinal rolling of the body (barrel-rolling). dl -2-Amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid and (5 R ,10 S )-(+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5 H -dibenzo[ d -α]cyclohepten-5,10-imine hydrogen maleate, both selective N -methyl- d -aspartate excitatory amino acid receptor antagonists, but not 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione, a non– N -methyl- d -aspartate excitatory amino acid receptor antagonist, significantly decreased endothelin-1–induced cardiovascular and behavioral changes ( P N -methyl- d -aspartate receptors, a significant influence on endothelin-1–induced cardiovascular and behavioral effects after its injection into the periaqueductal area.

We report the effects of some bisorbicillinoids isolated from biomass of the fungus Trichoderma citrinoviride on settling and feeding preference of the aphid Schizaphis graminum. Purification of the fungal metabolites was carried out by a combination of column chromatography and thin-layer chromatography using direct and reverse phases. Chemical identification was performed by spectroscopic methods including nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry. The identified bisorbicillinoids appeared to be bislongiquinolide, its 16,17-dihydro derivative, trichodimerol, and dihydrotrichodimerol. A feeding preference test with alate morphs of S. graminum was used to identify the active fractions. Among the four bisorbicillinoids, dihydrotrichodimerol and bislongiquinolide influenced aphid feeding preference, restraining specimens from settling on leaves treated with metabolites. Taste neurons sensitive to these compounds, particularly to bislongiquinolide, were located on tarsi of the S. graminum alate morphs.