Toxicity in three dogs from accidental oral administration of a topical endectocide containing moxidectin and imidacloprid

Three dogs were presented with a history of oral administration of a topical endectocide containing imidacloprid and moxidectin. They were diagnosed with imidacloprid and moxidectin intoxication, having ingested doses ranging from 7.5 to 1.4 mg/kg of imidacloprid and 1.9 to 2.8 mg/kg of moxidectin. The three dogs were affected to different degrees of severity, but all displayed signs of ataxia, generalised muscle tremors, paresis, hypersalivation and disorientation. Temporary blindness occurred in two cases. The three dogs were tested for the presence of the multi-drug resistance 1 gene deletion, which can cause an increased sensitivity to the toxic effects of moxidectin, and were found to be negative. Treatment included gastrointestinal decontamination, intravenous fluid therapy and benzodiazepines to control muscle tremors. All three dogs made a complete recovery within 48 h of ingestion.     

Yolk and serum cholesterol and production traits,as affected by incorporatinga supraoptimal amount of copper in the diet of the leghorn hen

1. An experiment was conducted to investigate the possibility of lowering the yolk cholesterol of the egg by supplementing the diet with supraoptimal amounts of copper (50, 150 or 250 mg/kg) as sulphate or acetate. 2. A significant reduction in egg production and a negative effect on food conversion was found when 250 mg/kg of copper was added compared to the control (no added copper). Acetate seemed significantly less harmful in both cases. 3. A significant linear reduction was found in plasma and yolk cholesterol (20% and 14%) and in plasma and yolk triglycerides (24% and 30%) as the dietary copper content was increased from 0 to 250 mg/kg. 4. Regardless of type or quantity of copper, cholesterol and lipids were decreased linearly as birds remained longer on the treatments. A significant interaction between quantity and period showed a greater reduction at a later time. 5. If slightly lower egg production can be accepted, the addition of 250 mg/kg copper might be beneficial in reducing the cholesterol content of the yolk.     

粤西地区三种不同土壤上的热带绿肥牧草引种试验

我国热带地区具有高温多雨、雨量分布不均匀且多暴雨的特点,容易引起水土流失,土壤有机质分解快,养分淋溶流失强烈,因此热带地区的红壤和砖红壤的有机质和速效养分含量都很低。热带经济林木和果园间种绿肥覆盖作物可以保持水土,增进地力,促使主作物速生高产^[1,2],而建立牧草基地以发展畜牧业和种植绿肥是增加优质有机肥料来源的有效途径。这样才有可能增施大量有机肥料,不断提高土壤肥力,保证农林作物稳产高产。     

温室集约化生产系统对土壤质量的影响

Composite top- and subsoil samples were collected from the greenhouses in the Al-Balawneh area,Jordan,where intensive greenhouse production system（IGPS） has been practiced since 1998,to study the impact of IGPS on soil quality as measured by the chemical and biological properties to develop a sustainable production system.The study showed that IGPS led to higher electrical conductivity in top- and subsoils compared to an uncultivated soil（control）.Quality and amount of irrigation water,lack of efficient drainage,and quantity and types of applied fertilizers were major factors resulting in salt buildup.IGPS resulted in lower total N（TN） and NO₃-N in the soil compared to the control.The lower TN was due to crop uptake,microbial immobilization,volatilization,and irregular application of composted animal manure or poultry manure.In contrast,higher residual Olsen-P content was detected in both soil layers of greenhouses than in the control.Residual P was classified as very high in the topsoil layers and sufficient to high in the subsoil layers.Residual available K in the soils of greenhouses was relatively lower than that in the control and it was,however,classified as high to very high.A large increase of Cl and a considerable decrease in the bacterial count were observed in both soil layers of IGPS compared to the control treatment.Economically sustainable soil management practices need to be adopted by farmers to achieve a sustainable and profitable production.This can be accomplished through education,targeted towards the farming community in the central Jordan Valley.     

Hillslope Evolution by Bedrock Landslides

Bedrock landsliding is a dominant geomorphic process in a number of high-relief landscapes, yet is neglected in landscape evolution models. A physical model of sliding in beans is presented, in which incremental lowering of one wall simulates baselevel fall and generates slides. Frequent small slides produce irregular hillslopes, on which steep toes and head scarps persist until being cleared by infrequent large slides. These steep segments are observed on hillslopes in high-relief landscapes and have been interpreted as evidence for increases in tectonic or climatic process rates. In certain cases, they may instead reflect normal hillslope evolution by landsliding.