Introduction Xylazine is a veterinary sedative and widespread adulterant of illicit opioids, where it is commonly detected in combination with the potent synthetic µ opioid receptor (MOR) agonist fentanyl in fatal overdose. Methods We used whole body plethysmography to evaluate the respiratory effects of xylazine in the presence and absence of fentanyl in awake C57BL/6 mice of both sexes. We asked whether suppression of breath...

Keystone species and ecosystem engineers play critical roles in maintaining and enhancing biodiversity by modifying their environment and creating ecological niches that support a wide range of organisms. The gopher tortoise ( Gopherus polyphemus ) is a prime example in the longleaf pine sandhill ecosystems of southeastern United States. Although the gopher tortoise’s positive influence on aboveground biodiversity (especially...

Episodic ataxia type 1 (EA1) is a rare autosomal potassium channelopathy, due to mutations in KCNA1 . Patients have childhood onset of intermittent attacks of ataxia, dizziness or imbalance. In order to quantify the natural history of EA1, its effect on quality of life and in preparation for future clinical trials, we set up an international multi-centre study of EA1. We recruited thirty-three participants with EA1: twenty-thr...

7Massive fires in Indonesian peatlands in the 1990s and in eastern Russian peatlands in 2002 and last year have highlighted the need to manage forests overlying peat deposits, as well as converted peat forests and open peatlands. Peat or peaty soils, contain 65% or more of partially decayed vegetation, can burn freely or underground. They cover some 10 percent of worldwide forests and contain 25 percent of all terrestrial carb...