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Abnormal behavior, ranging from motor stereotypies to self-injurious behavior, has been documented in captive nonhuman primates, with risk factors including nursery rearing, single housing, and veterinary procedures. Much of this research has focused on macaque monkeys; less is known about the extent of and risk factors for abnormal behavior in baboons. Because abnormal behavior can be indicative of poor welfare, either past or present, the purpose of this study was to survey the presence of abnormal behavior in captive baboons and to identify potential risk factors for these behaviors with an aim of prevention. Subjects were 144 baboons (119 females, 25 males) aged 3–29 (median = 9.18) years temporarily singly housed for research or clinical reasons. A 15-minute focal observation was conducted on each subject using the Noldus Observer® program. Abnormal behavior was observed in 26% of the subjects, with motor stereotypy (e.g., pace, rock, swing) being the most common. Motor stereotypy was negatively associated with age when first singly housed (p < 0.005) while self-directed behavior (e.g., hair pull, self-bite) was positively associated with the lifetime number of days singly housed (p < 0.05) and the average number of blood draws per year (p < 0.05). In addition, abnormal appetitive behavior was associated with being male (p < 0.05). Although the baboons in this study exhibited relatively low levels of abnormal behavior, the risk factors for these behaviors (e.g., social restriction, routine veterinary procedures, and sex) appear to remain consistent across primate species.

Mitotane [1-(2-chlorophenyl)-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-2,2-dichloroethane, (o,p'-DDD)] is the only drug approved for the treatment for adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) and has also been used for various forms of glucocorticoid excess. Through still largely unknown mechanisms, mitotane inhibits adrenal steroid synthesis and adrenocortical cell proliferation. Mitotane increases hepatic metabolism of cortisol, and an increased replacement dose of glucocorticoids is standard of care during mitotane treatment. Recently, sunitinib, a multityrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), has been found to be rapidly metabolized by CYP3A4 during mitotane treatment, indicating clinically relevant drug interactions with mitotane. We here summarize the current evidence concerning mitotane-induced changes in hepatic monooxygenase expression, list drugs potentially affected by mitotane-related CYP3A4 induction and suggest alternatives. For example, using standard doses of macrolide antibiotics is unlikely to reach sufficient plasma levels, making fluoroquinolones in many cases a superior choice. Similarly, statins such as simvastatin are metabolized by CYP3A4, whereas others like pravastatin are not. Importantly, in the past, several clinical trials using cytotoxic drugs but also targeted therapies in ACC yielded disappointing results. This lack of antineoplastic activity may be explained in part by insufficient drug exposure owing to enhanced drug metabolism induced by mitotane. Thus, induction of CYP3A4 by mitotane needs to be considered in the design of future clinical trials in ACC.

Face-like patterns attract attention from both human and nonhuman primates. The present study explored the facial preferences in infant pigtailed macaques (Macaca nemestrina). Twenty-five subjects looked at 20 paired drawings of adult conspecific monkey faces, and their looking time was recorded. The facial features in the drawings were arranged in positions ranging from a normal to a scrambled face. The subjects looked at the normal face more than expected by chance (P < .02), suggesting a preference, whereas the distorted faces were observed randomly. The normal face may have been preferred because the eyes were in a normal position within the facial outline. Am. J. Primatol. 44:169–174, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Accurate description of chemical and physical properties form the basis of chemical research, development, and commercialization of chemistry into products. The operating conditions for the chemical process are usually quite specific and are the focus of the entire commercialization activity. With the commitment to protect the worker, the public, and the environment, new or refined methods may be needed to control chemical and physical phenomena that can occur at the extreme bounds of the processing conditions. This control is accomplished in a variety of ways, but is usually done by providing a mix of passive, active and procedural controls. Those with safety and risk assessment responsibilities in the Chemical Process Industry (CPI) identify hazards and assess risks inside these operating conditions and work diligently with their respective chemical development Teams to define the phenomena that can occur at the full operating capability of the commercial equipment. Phenomena like loss of thermal stability, and side reactions that do not occur within the desired operating conditions, may be enabled when the chemical processing conditions proceed toward the design limits of the equipment once control is lost. 18 refs.

Hair loss is common in macaque colonies. Very little is known about the relationship between psychological stress and hair loss. We initially examined alopecia and hair cortisol concentrations in 198 (89 male) rhesus macaques from three primate centers and demonstrated replicability of our previous finding that extensive alopecia (>30% hair loss) is associated with increased chronic cortisol concentrations and significantly affected by facility. A subset of these monkeys (142 of which 67 were males) were sampled twice approximately 8 months apart allowing us to examine the hypotheses that gaining hair should be associated with decreases in cortisol concentrations and vice versa. Hair loss was digitally scored using ImageJ software for the first sample. Then visual assessment was used to examine the second sample, resulting in three categories of coat condition: (i) monkeys that remained fully haired; (ii) monkeys that remained alopecic (with more than 30% hair loss); or (iii) monkeys that showed more than a 15% increase in hair. The sample size for the group that lost hair was too small to be analyzed. Consistent with our hypothesis, monkeys that gained hair showed a significant reduction in hair cortisol concentrations but this effect only held for females. Coat condition changed little across sampling periods with only 25 (11 male) monkeys showing a greater than 15% gain of hair. Twenty (7 male) monkeys remained alopecic, whereas 97 (49 males) remained fully haired. Hair cortisol was highly correlated across samples for the monkeys that retained their status (remained alopecic or retained their hair). Am. J. Primatol. 79:e22547, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Searching for and processing food are important activities of free-ranging primates. In contrast, captive primates spend little time foraging. Their food is readily available, easily obtained, and can be consumed quickly. The present study compared the use of foraging racks and a shavings substrate as two manipulations used to alter feeding behavior in nonhuman primates. Each method was tested in between two baseline periods (no racks or shavings present). Behavioral data were collected using a 30-sec scan sampling procedure for 1 hr during the feeding period. Both the rack conditions and the shavings condition decreased passive feeding behavior in the subjects. The use of racks also resulted in increased cage usage, activity, and movement, and decreased social proximity; the use of shavings resulted in decreased agonism. This study suggests that foraging racks and shavings are useful devices for environmental enrichment. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Measurement of cortisol in hair provides a chronic index of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity and has been applied to assessments of temperament (stable behavioral differences between individuals). However, the extent to which chronically high HPA axis activity relates to a correspondingly high degree of behavioral reactivity is as yet unknown. Therefore, the goal of the present experiment was to assess the relationship between hair cortisol and a reactive temperament. We administered the Human Intruder Test (HIT) twice to 145 (80 male) rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) in order to assess behavioral reactivity. The HIT presents monkeys with an unfamiliar experimenter and is composed of a Baseline phase (no intruder) followed by three experimental phases in which the orientation of the intruder changes (Profile, Stare, Back). Behavioral responses to the test were videotaped and behaviors thought to reflect a reactive response to the intruder were scored for duration. Hair samples collected within ±1 month of the first HIT session were analyzed for cortisol by enzyme immunoassay. Subjects were assigned to three groups based on hair cortisol concentration: high, intermediate, and low cortisol phenotypes. Monkeys with the high cortisol phenotype were more reactive to the presence of the intruder than those with the low cortisol phenotype: they were more aggressive, scratched more, and spent more time in the back half of the cage. Males yawned significantly more while females spent more time immobile and in the back of the cage. Overall, monkeys with higher hair cortisol demonstrated an exaggerated response to the presence of the human intruder, supporting a relationship between high levels of chronic HPA axis activity and a reactive temperament. These results indicate that high levels of HPA axis activity, which may result from either genetic variation or environmental stress, correspond with heightened behavioral responses to a stressful experience. Am. J. Primatol. 79:e22526, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

A captive breeding program is being conducted with black-footed ferrets (Mustela nigripes), an endangered species. Results of 5 years of study are reported. Simple, but specialized, nontraumatic handling techniques allowed assessment of reproductive status with minimal stress, which was important in breeding management. Black-footed ferrets are sexually mature and may successfully reproduce in their 1st year. Proestrus lasts approximately 2-3 weeks. Duration of estrus in unbred females was 32–42 days; females usually bred within 20 days. Most breeding activity occurred during April. Mean gestation length was 42.7 days (±0.7, range 42–45 days), litter size averaged 3.0 kits (±1.4, range 1–6 kits), and weaned kits/litter averaged 2.4 (±1.7, range 1–6 kits). Weaning rate of kits was 80%. Sex ratio of kits was essentially 1:1. Productivity was greatest among females ⩽3 years of age. Rapid expansion of the captive population is possible and will be important for genetic management of the species and for achieving the primary goal of the recovery program, which is to return black-footed ferrets to the wild.

Alopecia is a ubiquitous, multifaceted problem at facilities caring for captive rhesus macaques. There is a wide range of potential etiologies for the hair loss, including compromised immune function, dermatological pathologies, and environmental factors. However, few studies have examined whether various temperamental traits affect vulnerability to develop alopecia. We examined the correlation between alopecia and temperament in 101 (51M) indoor-housed rhesus macaques at four national primate centers. We utilized a cage side version of the Human Intruder test (HIT) to assess response to four conditions: no human present (Alone), human intruder standing next to the cage without making eye contact (Profile), intruder making direct eye contact (Stare) and intruder with back turned (Back). Behavior from all videos was quantified at one facility. We used generalized linear modeling to examine the relationship between behavior on the HIT and alopecia, controlling for facility, age, and sex. There was a significant negative correlation between alopecia and various behaviors associated with an inhibited or anxious temperament, including self-directed behavior (β = -0.15, P < 0.001) and freeze in the Profile period (β = -0.0092, P < 0.001), and defensive behaviors (β = -0.0094, P < 0.001) and time spent in the back of the cage in the Stare period (β = -0.0023, P = 0.015). Individuals with an inhibited or anxious temperament had less alopecia than others. Further, there were facility differences with respect to several variables on the HIT, including defensive behavior in Stare and freeze in Profile. These results suggest that temperament can influence the development of alopecia in rhesus macaques. Our results also highlight the degree to which facility differences can affect outcomes on standardized behavioral tests. Am. J. Primatol. 79:e22504, 2017. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Competition in commodity centered chemicals, in the Chemical Process Industry (CPI), has led many chemical companies to consider cost reduction in every facet of their businesses. Once the obvious fixed cost control measures are achieved, the invention, development, and commercialization of new and existing products is questioned for cost reduction opportunities. The challenge is to bring the product line to market with sufficient volume and quality at a lower cost than any competitors. Short term and long term profitability, per capita of the corporation, must continue upward or at least break-even in the low end of the chemical business cycle. Consideration of the principles of chemistry and physics early in the development and throughout the life of a chemical product can eliminate the need for instrumentation or administrative controls that add significant cost to the product over its lifetime. This paper examines opportunities to use inherent safety principles to improve lifetime cost, while reducing or eliminating hazards.

It is shown by means of IR. spectroscopic methods that nigericin and monensin have a cyclic conformation similar to that of their silver salts. Complex formation constants with sodium and potassium ions follow the selectivity order determined by EMF. measurements on liquid membranes: nigericin: K+ > Rb+ > Na+ > Cs+ > Li+; monensin: Na+ > K+ > Li+ > Rb+ > Cs+. Transport experiments show that nigericin and monensin facilitate the diffusion of potassiumions across model membranes, although in electrolytic transport experiments the permeability is not affected.

V(CO)6 disproportioniert in flussigem NH3 zwischen −30° und +20° zu [V(NH3)6] [V(CO)6]2. Auch mit Losungen von KCN bzw. NH4Cl in flussigem NH3 erfolgt Disproportionierung, wobei im ersteren Fall K4[V(CN)6] und K[V(CO)6], im letzteren Fall [V(NH3)6]Cl2 und NH4[V(CO)6] gebildet werden. Das bei diesen Reaktionen eliminierte CO wird teils gasformig freigesetzt, teils reduziert es noch unverandertes Carbonyl zu Hexacarbonylvanadat(-I), NH4[V(CO)6], unter gleichzeitiger Bildung von Harnstoff. Die einzelnen Reaktionen werden quantitativ untersucht und die Reaktionsprodukte analytisch und IR-spektroskopisch charakterisiert. V(CO)6 disproportionates in pure liquid NH3 between −30 and +20°C to [V(NH3)6] [V(CO)6]2, whereas in the presence of KCN or NH4Cl analogously K4[V(CN)6] and K[V(CO)6] or [V(NH3)6]Cl2 and NH4[V(CO)6] are formed. The eliminated CO is partially evolved in the gaseous state, and partially reducing the unreacted starting carbonyl to hexacarbonylvanadate (-I), NH4[V(CO)6], under formation of urea. The reactions are quantitatively investigated and the products characterized by analytical and IR methods.

V(CO)6 reagiert mit 1,2-Bis(diphenylphosphin)athan (DP) in Abhangigkeit von Temperatur und Molverhaltnis unter 1 Valenzdisproportionierung zu [V(DP)3][V(CO)6]2 (20°; V(CO)6: DP = 1:1), 2 CO-Substitution zur Tetracarbonylverbindung V(CO)4DP (120°; V(CO)6: DP = 1:1) und 3 CO-Substitution zur Dicarbonylverbindung V(CO)2(DP)2 (120°; V(CO)6: DP = 1:2) . In der gleichen Weise erhalt man aus V(CO)6 und 1,1,1-Tris(diphenylphosphinmethylen)-athan (TP) bei 120° das Tricarbonylderivat V(CO)3TP. Bei der Umsetzung von V(CO)4DP, V(CO)2(DP)2 und V(CO)3TP mit Bipyridyl(2,2′) (bipy), 1,10-Phenanthrolin (phen) und Tripyridyl(2,2′,2″) (tripy) bei 120° werden nicht nur die Phosphorliganden, sondern auch samtliche CO-Gruppen unter Bildung der Vanadin(O)-Komplexe V(bipy)3, V(phen)3 und V(tripy)2 substituiert. Dagegen unterliegt V(CO)4DP mit bipy und phen unterhalb 80° der Valenzdisproportionierung zu [V(bipy)3][V(CO)4DP]2 bzw. [V(phen)3][V(CO)4DP]2 unter Bildung des gemischten Tetracarbonylvanadatanions [V(CO)4DP]−. V(CO)6 reacts with 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphine)ethane (DP), depending on temperature and molar ratio under 1 disproportionation to [V(DP)3][V(CO)6]2 (20°C; V(CO)6: DP = 1:1), 2 CO substitution to the tetracarbonyl V(CO)4DP (120°; V(CO)6: DP = 1:1), and 3 CO substitution to the dicarbonyl V(CO)2(DP)2 (120°; V(CO)6: DP = 1:2) . Similarly, V(CO)6 and 1,1,1-tris(diphenylphosphinemethylene)ethane (TP) yield at 120° the tricarbonyl V(CO)3TP. The interactions of V(CO)4DP, V(CO)2(DP)2, and V(CO)3TP with bipy, phen, and tripy (2,2′,2″-tripyridyl) result in the elimination of both the phosphorus ligands and all CO groups, giving the V0 complexes V(bipy)3, V(phen)3, and V(tripy)2, respectively. Below 80°, however, V(CO)4DP disproportionates with bipy and phen to [V(bipy)3]X2 and [V(phen)3]X2, respectively with the mixed tetracarbonylvanadate anion X−=[V(CO)4DP]−.