Rattus Novergicus

Transmission of parasites and diseases may be one of the mechanisms for the displacement of native and endemic rodents of Madagascar (subfamily Nesomyinae) by the introduced Rattus rattus (subfamily Murinae). We studied the occurrence of trypomastigotes in rodents at several rainforest sites on the island. Examination of blood smears showed Trypanosoma lewisi-like trypomastigotes in 11.5% of the R. rattus (n = 52). Trypomastigotes differing in morphology from those of T. lewisi were detected in 4% of the endemic rodent Nesomys rufus (n = 23). In contrast to the relatively heavy infections found in R. rattus, only a few trypomastigotes were found in the infected N. rufus. Trypomastigotes were not found in other nesomyine rodents including Eliurus minor (n = 18), E. tanala (n = 15), E. grandidieri (n = 12), E. majori (n = 9) or E. webbi (n = 9). Of potential vectors of trypomastigotes, six endemic species of fleas were identified from the rodents.

The present study investigated the effect of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyx aqueous extract on the serum cholesterol, body weight and liver marker enzymes activities of normal albino rats. The aqueous extract was orally administered (100 – 800 mg/kg body weight) for 28 days to normal male albino rats. Total cholesterol, body weight, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were measured. Hibiscus sabdariffa administration significantly reduced serum cholesterol and body weight in a dose and duration dependent pattern. AST, ALP and ALT levels were significantly elevated in a dose and duration dependent pattern. The significant increase in the levels of the liver enzymes tends to suggest dysfunction in the coordinating of the liver activity. The extract ability to lower the total cholesterol level and body weight suggests its usefulness as a hypocholesterolemic and anti-obesity agent.

The present study investigated the effect of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyx aqueous extract on the serum cholesterol, body weight and liver marker enzymes activities of normal albino rats. The aqueous extract was orally administered (100 – 800 mg/kg body weight) for 28 days to normal male albino rats. Total cholesterol, body weight, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were measured. Hibiscus sabdariffa administration significantly reduced serum cholesterol and body weight in a dose and duration dependent pattern. AST, ALP and ALT levels were significantly elevated in a dose and duration dependent pattern. The significant increase in the levels of the liver enzymes tends to suggest dysfunction in the coordinating of the liver activity. The extract ability to lower the total cholesterol level and body weight suggests its usefulness as a hypocholesterolemic and anti-obesity agent.

The largest known colony of Thin-billed prions Pachyptila belcheri, a small burrow-nesting seabird, has been coexisting with introduced mammals for at least 100 years. Three of the introduced mammals at New Island, West Falkland, are potential predators of adults, eggs and chicks, namely ship rats Rattus rattus, house mice Mus musculus and feral cats Felis catus. To study their trophic interrelationships and evaluate the importance of marine food in their diets, we used a stable isotope approach, comparing δ13C and δ15N of tissue and stomach contents of trapped rats and mice, and feces of cats, all collected during the nestling period of Thin-billed prions. We found that rats in three of four areas had a diet of partly marine and terrestrial origin while one area, the Rookery tussac, was distinguished by mainly terrestrial food. We further analyzed individual consistency of diet in ship rats using stomach contents and feces (representing the last few meals) and liver and muscle tiss...

Context: Periodontitis causes pocket formation, gingival recession, and destruction of periodontal ligaments and alveolar bone. Periodontitis disturbs the attachment of periodontal ligaments to the maxillary and mandibular bones. The α-mangostin has shown role-playing in the bone remodeling process.

Aims: To evaluate the potential of α-mangostin induce the TGFβ1 titer associated with the increased mandibular bone volume on the alveolar bone remodeling of periodontitis of Rattus novergicus.

Methods: The α-mangostin used to the single administration dosage on the rat periodontitis model on the 7 and 14 days. TGF-β1 titer tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, while the X-Ray Micro-CT/Micro Computed Tomography examined the volume’s development of the mandibular bone.

Results: At the 7 days, 0.5 and 1% of α-mangostin had a better effect to increase the bone volume, and TGF-β1 titer has linearity of bone development at concentrations of 0.5 to 2%. At 14 days, 1 and 2% of α-mangostin exhibited a better effect on inducing an increase in mandibular bone volume and TGF-β1 titer. The linearity of both occurs at concentrations of 0.5 to 1%. The Micro-CT of the mandibular bone showed callus or new bone formation at the edge of each treatment group’s lesion as an indicator of bone remodeling.

Conclusions: α-Mangostin induced an increase in the TGF-β1 titer, which was in line with the rise in the volume of the mandibular bone of Rattus novergicus.

ABSTRAK Latar Belakang: Sisplatin merupakan obat antineoplastik yang paling sering digunakan. Penggunaan sisplatin dapat menyebabkan berbagai efek samping diantaranya adalah nefrotoksik. Ureum dan kreatinin merupakan biomarker yang dapat mengindikasikan adanya kerusakan ginjal. Daun kemangi (Ocimum sanctum) diketahui mempunyai kandungan antioksidan tinggi sehingga dapat berpotensi menjadi terapi herbal alternatif pencegahan kerusakan ginjal karena penggunaan sisplatin. Tujuan: Mengetahui pengaruh pemberian ekstrak etanol daun kemangi terhadap kadar ureum dan kreatinin tikus putih galur wistar (Rattus norvegicus) yang diinduksi sisplatin. Metode: Penelitian eksperimental dengan rancangan post test randomized controlled group design menggunakan 25 ekor tikus yang terbagi menjadi 5 kelompok. Kelompok 1 sebagai kontrol negatif (CMC 1%), kelompok 2 sebagai kontrol positif sisplatin (5 mg/kgBB), kelompok 3 sebagai kelompok perlakuan 1 dosis kemangi (100 mg/kgBB), kelompok 4 sebagai kelompok perlakuan 2 dosis kemangi (200 mg/kgBB), kelompok 5 sebagai kelompok perlakuan 3 dosis kemangi (300 mg/kgBB). Kelompok perlakuan 1, 2, dan 3 diberi ekstrak daun kemangi selama 10 hari secara peroral dan diinduksi dosis tunggal sisplatin hari ke-5 secara intraperitoneal. Data kadar ureum dilakukan pengujian statistik menggunakan uji One-Way Anova dilanjutkan Post-Hoc Tamhane test, sedangkan data kadar kreatinin menggunakan uji Kruskall Wallis dilanjutkan Mann-Whitney test. Hasil: Pemberian ekstrak etanol daun kemangi pada semua dosis dapat menurunkan kadar ureum dan kreatinin serum tikus yang diinduksi sisplatin 5 mg/kgBB. Rerata kadar ureum dan kreatinin pada penelitian dengan dosis 100 mg/kgBB memiliki efek penurunan terbaik yaitu ureum rata-rata 119,78 dan kreatinin rata-rata 1,775. Kesimpulan: Pemberian ekstrak etanol daun kemangi dapat menurunkan kadar ureum dan kreatinin serum pada tikus yang diinduksi sisplatin, tetapi secara statistik tidak signifikan.

... NATIVE RODENTS IN SOUTHEASTERN AUSTRALIA Sharon J. Downes,* Kathrine A. HandasydeMark A. Elgar ... Ageclasses of mam mals were defined by body weight and reproductive condition (Tanton, 1969 ... a key predator of the eggs of small birds (Major Gowing, 1994), and ...

En terapias de inmunosupresión que impliquen el uso de glucocorticoides exógenos se suelen administrar antibióticos para evitar la aparición de infecciones oportunistas. En este estudio se analizaron in vivo los efectos de antibióticos y glucocorticoides y su posible interacción utilizando kanamicina y dexametasona como representantes de ambas familias, y ratas macho de la especie Rattus norvegicus variedad Wistar como sujeto experimental.
Se crearon cuatro grupos de estudio diferenciando tratamiento con kanamicina, dexametasona, tratamiento mixto y grupo control. Los efectos se estudiaron a nivel bioquímico, microbiológico, histológico y citogenético, y se procesaron estadísticamente usando análisis de regresión múltiple. Los resultados mostraron que la dexametasona provocó un aumento del catabolismo de lípidos, proteínas y carbohidratos, reflejado en adelgazamiento, hiperglucemia, glucosuria y aumento del índice organosomático hepático y el contenido de glucógeno en hígado. El efecto inmunosupresor se observó en la disminución del bazo y atrofia del timo y el descenso del porcentaje de PALS e inmunoglobulinas. La modificación del eje hipotalámico-hipofisario-adrenal provocó la reducción de las glándulas adrenales. La kanamicina únicamente tuvo efectos microbicidas en las enterobacterias. Por último, no se registraron efectos significativos en la interacción de ambos fármacos; el estudio apoya el uso conjunto de ambos compuestos.

In immunosupression therapies which imply the use of exogenous glucocorticoids, antibiotics are usually administrated to evit the onset of opportunistic infections. In this study, effects of antibiotics and glucocorticoids and its possible interaction were analysed in vivo using kanamycin and dexamethasone as representatives of each family, and male rats from Rattus norvegicus species, Wistar variety, as an experimental subject.
Four study groups were created, differenciating treatments with kanamycin, dexamethasone, a mixed treatment and a control group. The effects were studied at biochemical, microbiological, histological and citogenetical levels, and processed using multiple regression analysis. Results showed that dexamethasone provoked an increase in catabolism of lipids, proteins and carbohydrates, reflected in weight loss, hyperglycemia, glycosuria and a rise in hepatic organosomatic index and the glycogen content in liver. Immunosuppressant effect was observed in the decrease of spleen and atrophy of the thymus and in the reduction of PALS and immunoglobulins percentage. Modification of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis provoked the decrease of the adrenal glands. Kanamycin only had microbicidal effects on the enterobacteria of microbiota. Finally, significant effects were not registered in the interaction of both drugs; the study supports the combined use of both drugs.

Trypanosoma (Herpetosoma) lewisi is a trypanosome of the sub-genus Herpetosoma (Stercoraria section), parasite of rats (Rattus rattus and Rattus norvegicus) transmitted by fleas. T. lewisi has a stringent species specificity and cannot grow in other rodents such as mice. Rats are infected principally by oral route, through contamination by flea faeces or ingestion of fleas. Trypanosoma lewisi infections in rat colonies can interfere with research protocols and fleas of wild rats are often the source of such infections. Currently, diagnosis of T. lewisi in rats is performed by microscopic observation of stained blood smears. In the course of a research project at CIRDES, a T. lewisi infection was detected in the rat colony. In this study we evaluated PCR primer sets for their ability to diagnose multiple species of trypanosomes with a single amplification. We show that the use of ITS1 sequence of ribosomal DNA provides an efficient and sensitive assay for detection and identification...

Background: Recent studies in the field of Fertomaternal Medicine show that stimulation in the uterus can support brain growth and development. If in previous studies stimulation using several types of music, this study uses human voice which aims to analyze the effect of stimulation of male and female voices on differences in the expression of Brain Derived Neutrotrophic Factor (BDNF) in cerebellum of newborn Rattus norvegicus. Methods: This type of research is true experimental with post test only control group design. Rattus norvegicus was given stimulation of men voice and women voice on 6 th day until 17 th day of pregnancy. The expression of BDNF was examined using immunohistochemistry. Results: The mean ± standard deviation of the expression of BDNF in the cerebellum is 4.20 ± 1.75 (without stimulation), 6.04 ± 1.58 (male voice stimulation), and 5.60 ± 2.43 (female voice stimulation). The results of statistical tests show that there is a significant difference on BDNF expression between the control group and the group stimulated with male voice with a significance value <0.05 of 0.045 Conclusion: Giving stimulation using the male voice during pregnancy shows a significant increase in the expression of BDNF in cerebellum of newborn Rattus norvegicus.

Removing pests from islands, and then keeping them pest free, is a common management goal. Given that goal we face a decision: how much effort should we invest in quarantine to reduce the risk of a pest arriving vs. surveillance, looking for the pest on the island with the view of eradicating it before it gets out of control. We use models of an island under threat of invasion by a pest (animal, plant or disease) and a cost minimisation approach to optimally allocate management resources between quarantine and surveillance. In the optimal allocations joint investment in both quarantine and surveillance is uncommon. Investment in quarantine is optimal if quarantine is more effective than surveillance or if large costs associated with pest impact and eradication are incurred at low pest density. Investment in quarantine is also favoured as our ability to eradicate a pest declines. Surveillance is optimal if it is considerably more cost-effective than quarantine and we can generate significant savings through early detection of the pest population. We illustrate how theses models are useful ways to examine these trade-offs by applying the model to the prevention of black rat (Rattus rattus) invasion on Barrow Island, Western Australia. Our model predicts an optimal strategy different to the management strategy currently being used on the island. We suggest that this is due to a risk-averse tendency in managers and the difficulty of estimating costs that combine management, environmental and social factors.

We compiled the first taxonomic inventory of rodents inhabiting the region from northwestern Guinea to coastal Guinea and this enabled an improved understanding of the rodent fauna of this unexplored region at the western margin of the guineo‐congolese forest block. Through standard cytogenetic and morphological analyses we described the presence of two sibling species of the genus Mastomys in West Africa. We report here the first records for Guinea of Arvicanthis ansorgei and M. mattheyi. Our data indicated an extension of the known distribution of Lemniscomys striatus to include the western region of the range of Lophuromys cf. sikapusi. A comparison between southern Senegal, southern Mali, Ivory Coast and eastern Guinea assemblages shows some differences in the rodents between eastern and western Guinea as well as with the surrounding countries. It appears that coastal Guinea could correspond to a transition zone between forest and savanna but this region appears to be ecologically highly degraded in terms of its small mammal communities. Rattus rattus is found in all sampled localities but Mus musculus is restricted to one locality where it was the dominant species of the assemblage. Our study highlights the importance of surveys of rodent biodiversity in unexplored zones.

En terapias de inmunosupresión que impliquen el uso de glucocorticoides exógenos se suelen administrar antibióticos para evitar la aparición de infecciones oportunistas. En este estudio se analizaron in vivo los efectos de antibióticos y glucocorticoides y su posible interacción utilizando kanamicina y dexametasona como representantes de ambas familias, y ratas macho de la especie Rattus norvegicus variedad Wistar como sujeto experimental.
Se crearon cuatro grupos de estudio diferenciando tratamiento con kanamicina, dexametasona, tratamiento mixto y grupo control. Los efectos se estudiaron a nivel bioquímico, microbiológico, histológico y citogenético, y se procesaron estadísticamente usando análisis de regresión múltiple. Los resultados mostraron que la dexametasona provocó un aumento del catabolismo de lípidos, proteínas y carbohidratos, reflejado en adelgazamiento, hiperglucemia, glucosuria y aumento del índice organosomático hepático y el contenido de glucógeno en hígado. El efecto inmunosupresor se observó en la disminución del bazo y atrofia del timo y el descenso del porcentaje de PALS e inmunoglobulinas. La modificación del eje hipotalámico-hipofisario-adrenal provocó la reducción de las glándulas adrenales. La kanamicina únicamente tuvo efectos microbicidas en las enterobacterias. Por último, no se registraron efectos significativos en la interacción de ambos fármacos; el estudio apoya el uso conjunto de ambos compuestos.

In immunosupression therapies which imply the use of exogenous glucocorticoids, antibiotics are usually administrated to evit the onset of opportunistic infections. In this study, effects of antibiotics and glucocorticoids and its possible interaction were analysed in vivo using kanamycin and dexamethasone as representatives of each family, and male rats from Rattus norvegicus species, Wistar variety, as an experimental subject.
Four study groups were created, differenciating treatments with kanamycin, dexamethasone, a mixed treatment and a control group. The effects were studied at biochemical, microbiological, histological and citogenetical levels, and processed using multiple regression analysis. Results showed that dexamethasone provoked an increase in catabolism of lipids, proteins and carbohydrates, reflected in weight loss, hyperglycemia, glycosuria and a rise in hepatic organosomatic index and the glycogen content in liver. Immunosuppressant effect was observed in the decrease of spleen and atrophy of the thymus and in the reduction of PALS and immunoglobulins percentage. Modification of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis provoked the decrease of the adrenal glands. Kanamycin only had microbicidal effects on the enterobacteria of microbiota. Finally, significant effects were not registered in the interaction of both drugs; the study supports the combined use of both drugs.

Rats introduced on islands can affect ecosystem structure and function by feeding on terrestrial plants and both marine and terrestrial animals. The diet and trophic position of Rattus rattus introduced on Ile de la Possession (Iles Crozet) was assessed from two sites, according to the presence or absence of a king penguin colony. We used three complementary assays: macroanalyses of