Novel Solventless Extraction Technique to Preserve Cannabinoid and Terpenoid Profiles of Fresh Cannabis Inflorescence

Despite its use by humans for thousands of years, the technology of cannabis usage and extraction is still evolving. Given that the primary pharmacological compounds of interest are cannabinoid and terpenoids found in greatest abundance in capitate glandular trichomes of unfertilized female inflorescences, it is surprising that older techniques of hashish making have received less technological advancement. The purpose of this study was to employ organically grown cannabis and to isolate pure trichomes from freshly picked flowers via exposure to vapor from solid CO2, commonly known as “dry ice”, followed by their isolation via sifting through a 150 µ screens while maintaining the cold chain. Biochemical analysis was undertaken on fresh flower, frozen-sifted flower by-products, treated trichomes (Kryo-Kief™), dried flower, dried sifted flower by-product and dried kief. The dry ice process successfully concentrated cannabinoid content as high as 60.7%, with corresponding concentration and preservation of monoterpenoids encountered in fresh flower that are usually lost during the conventional cannabis drying and curing process. The resulting dried sifted flower by-product after dry ice processing remains a usable commodity. This approach may be of interest to pharmaceutical companies and supplement producers pursuing cannabis-based medicine development with an eye toward full synergy of ingredients harnessing the entourage effect.

Insight into Sperm-less Conception of Virgin Mary from Reproductive Biology Perspective

How the Virgin Mary, a symbol of chastity and a lofty figure, conceived Jesus Christ has been a mystery since the beginning of the Christian era and will remain so. Just as we do not have a biological tissue sample belonging to Jesus Christ to subject to tests, we do not have any biological material which might identify the Virgin Mary as a mosaic, chimera or hermaphrodite. Although current scientific knowledge offers us the possibility that this pregnancy was an example of parthenogenesis (activation of an unfertilized female gamete to form a new individual animal or plant), the presence of the Y chromosome in Jesus complicates the matter. Thus, the present review aims to present data which to explain scientific alternatives as to how the Virgin Mary might have conceived Jesus Christ. We believe that the answer to this scientific problem may be of benefit in the treatment of infertile patients wishing to become pregnant.

Seasonal development and pathological changes associated with the parasitic nematode Philometroides sanguineus in wild crucian carp Carassius carassius (L.) in England

Pathological changes associated with the parasitic nematode Philometroides sanguineus (Rudolphi, 1819) are described for the first time from observations of infections in wild crucian carp Carassius carassius (L.) in England. The damage caused by P. sanguineus was influenced strongly by host size, parasite development and the seasonal migrations of female nematodes within host tissues. Male and unfertilized female nematodes located on the swim-bladder wall caused only minor, localized changes. In contrast, the migration of gravid female nematodes into the fins during autumn provoked an acute inflammatory response comprising neutrophils, eosinophils and lymphocytes. This was accompanied by fin distortion, swelling of the dorsal and caudal tissues, degenerative changes and localized oedema. The encapsulation of female nematodes in connective tissue throughout winter limited additional tissue damage. The emergence of gravid nematodes from the fins in spring to facilitate larval dispersal caused necrosis, hyperplasia and loss of skin integrity. This activity was again accompanied by acute inflammatory reactions. Pathological changes were more severe in crucian carp measuring less than 60 mm in length, with no signs of debilitation in larger fish. These observations suggest that any impact of P. sanguineus is strictly seasonal and may be limited to fry. Lesions caused by this parasite, only recently recorded in Britain, may represent an additional pressure upon wild crucian carp populations already threatened by hybridization, competition and habitat loss.

The transmission of Ackertia marmotae Webster, 1967 (Nematoda: Onchocercidae) of groundhogs (Marmota monax) by Ixodes cookei

Adults of Ackertia marmotae of groundhogs (Marmota monax) were located in lymphatics. Few microfilariae were recovered from blood but large numbers were in the reticular layer of the dermis, especially in skin of the ears. Microfilariae tended to accumulate in dermal tissue at feeding sites of Ixodes cookei.In laboratory-reared I. cookei maintained at 30C, microfilariae developed to the infective stage in about 1 month. First- and second-stage larvae were usually recovered from fat cells but some were also in epidermal cells. Infective larvae were found in the haemocoel and in ducts of salivary glands. Morphological changes of larvae during development are described; there is no "sausage-stage."One unfertilized female and one adult male A. marmotae were recovered from two groundhogs inoculated with infective larvae from laboratory-reared ticks. The prepatent period is estimated to be at least 1 year.Twenty-eight percent of 426 adult groundhogs examined in southern Ontario had adult worms. Microfilariae and adult worms were not found in 76 young of the year and 59 yearling animals.

A comparison of the population growth potential, in California red scale, Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell), and yellow scale, A. citrina (Croquillet) on citris

Successful biological control of A. aurantii and A. citrina has been achieved on many citrus properties in the region of Mildura. A project was undertaken to devise methods for augmenting and extending the natural control of red scale in Victoria. A, aurantii and A. citrina were compared by compiling age-specific life and fecundity tables over a range of temperature and humidities. A mathematical analysis of these data showed that the upper thermal death point was similar for both species, A. citrina multiplied more rapidly than A. aurantii over the median range of temperatures, and the threshold of population growth occurred at about 15260C for A, aurantii and 18260C for A, citrina. An earlier study of the settling behaviour of crawlers indicated that most A. aurantii crawlers settled on the upper surfaces of leaves, due to negative geotaxis, and that crawlers of A. citrina were negatively phototropic and therefore settled on the shaded under surfaces of leaves. In A. aurantii, delayed mating caused a high initial natality. This was thought to result from continuing ovulation in the unfertilized female, a postulate reinforced by the results of an examination of the developing embryos in females mated at various ages. On the basis of this study an improved approach to red scale control is proffered, namely, that attempts be made to increase the mortality of the over- wintering insects.

FURTHER NOTES ON SOME ALTERNATIVE HOSTS OF THE ORIENTAL FRUIT MOTH PARASITE, GLYPTA RUFISCUTELLARIS CRESS

In 1935, the writer published a preliminary paper on some alternative hosts of oriental fruit moth parasites, in which Glypta rufiscutellaris Cress. was recorded from an unknown leaf-tier on hawthorn in 1934. This species has since been identified by Dr. J. H. McDunnough as Epinotia sp., presumably laracana Kft. In the summer of 1935, G. rufiscutellaris was again reared from this host and an attempt was made to induce the emergents to parasitize oriental fruit moth larvae. Unfortunately, all but a single unfertilized female were destroyed by ants, but the survivor successfully parasitized newly hatched fruit moth larvae which were exposed in the cage on July 20 and 21, 12 male Glypta emerging from this material on August 19 to 25.