Analysis and dissipation of dislodgable residues of acephate,dimethoate and formetanate hydrochloride on citrus foliage

Dislodgable residues of acephate and its hydrolysis product methamidophos, dimethoate and its oxygen analogue omethoate (dimethoxon), and formetanate hydrochloride on citrus foliage were determined by gas–liquid chromatography. The use of 5% OV-101 coated on a Carbowax 20M surface-modified support (Ultra-Bond 20M) allowed the reproducible analysis of dimethoate and omethoate residues. Formetanate hydrochloride residues were analysed as the free base, without preparation of a derivative, on a column packed with 5% Apiezon N coated on 80–100 mesh Ultra-Bond 20M. The dissipation of the residues of the three pesticides applied to citrus trees was studied. Acephate and formetanate hydrochloride dissipation curves followed first-order kinetics; dimethoate residues were best characterised by two first-order kinetic processes. The half-life values were 8.2 days for acephate, undeterminably long for formetanate hydrochloride, and 2.2 days (the 1–10 days portion) and 7.0 days (the 10–49 days portion) for dimethoate.     

Unilateral inhibition of sound-induced convulsions in mice

Loud sound repeatedly presented to one ear after an initial bilateral exposure produces a lateralized inhibition of convulsibility in SJL/J mice. Inhibition of the right side does not affect the convulsible state of the left side. Processes leading to inhibition and convulsibility may develop independently within the same animal.     

Effect of declining owned-cat population on veterinary practices in Sydney

OBJECTIVES: To investigate relationships between declining owned-cat populations and cat-related clinical work and practice activities. DESIGN: Sydney practitioners were interviewed, and practice records were examined, from small animal veterinary practices (n = 56) in Sydney. Using data that covered a 4 year period, the age distribution of cats was examined and associated trends in cat-related clinical work were analysed. RESULTS: Important changes in the pet population attending veterinary practices were found, with 38.2% of respondents reporting a fall in cat desexings from 1996 to 2000. CONCLUSIONS: While economic impact could not be determined, the qualitative data demonstrated that the majority of practices in the survey were active in the promotion of cat ownership. The study provides a useful model for future investigations. To facilitate this process and to enhance principals' knowledge of their practice's population dynamics, we advocate a minimum standard of data collection that records week-by-week activities and the deaths of pets.     

Role of the chemokine eotaxin in the pathogenesis of equine sweet itch

The chemokine eotaxin is involved in the recruitment of eosinophils and T helper 2 lymphocytes in human allergic diseases, and drugs that block its activity, including eotaxin receptor (CCR3) antagonists, are being developed. The authors have recently cloned the horse ortholog of eotaxin and shown that it can induce equine eosinophil migration and activation in vitro. Moreover, eotaxin mRNA expression was upregulated in cultured horse dermal fibroblasts exposed to equine interleukin-4, suggesting a possible source of this eosinophil chemoattractant in equine skin. The results of this study show that eotaxin and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP) 1, but not MCP-2 or MCP-4, mRNA expression is upregulated in skin biopsies of sweet itch lesions when eosinophils are present, when compared with clinically normal skin from the same ponies.     

Effects of 25% propylene glycol hydrogel (Solugel) on second intention wound healing in horses

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of a commercially available 25% propylene glycol hydrogel preparation (Solugel; Johnson and Johnson Medical, North Ryde, Australia) on healing of full-thickness skin wounds on the distal aspect of the limb in horses. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental. ANIMALS: Eight Standardbred horses. METHODS: Standardized (2.5 x 2.5 cm) full-thickness skin wounds were created over the mid-dorsomedial aspect of both metacarpi in 8 horses. One wound in each horse was dressed with saline solution (0.9% NaCl) soaked gauze, and one was treated with Solugel under dry regular gauze; wounds were then bandaged with gauze-coated cotton wool and elastic adhesive bandages. Wounds were videorecorded and rebandaged twice weekly until healed. Wound healing variables were measured from the videorecordings using a computer software package and analyzed as a randomized complete block design with repeated measures. Where necessary variables were made positive for analysis; significance was set at P <.05. RESULTS: The area of the wound at the first bandage change did not vary between treated and untreated wounds. Treatment had no effect on the total rate of healing, rate of healing during the retraction phase of healing, rate of healing after the retraction phase was complete, or the amount the wounds retracted. CONCLUSIONS: Using this model of wound healing, Solugel had no effect on second intention healing of distal limb wounds in horses. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Solugel does not appear to have any beneficial effect on healing of small full-thickness skin wounds to the distal limb of horses.     

Long-term effectiveness of grain protectants and structural treatments against Liposcelis decolor (Pearman) (Psocoptera: Liposcelididae), a pest of stored products

Numerous strains of the psocid pest, Liposcelis decolor (Pearman) were collected from farms and central storages and interbred to form three representative strains from three major grain-growing states of Australia: Queensland, South Australia and New South Wales. These were tested against the grain protectants and structural treatments currently registered for use in Australia. Recently, L decolor has become an important pest of stored grain in Australia, particularly in the eastern and southern parts. There is no published information available on management of this pest and the current pest-management strategy, based predominantly on phosphine fumigation, has failed to control infestations of this pest in numerous grain storages in Australia. Alternative methods of control such as use of contact insecticides were explored in the present work to supplement phosphine fumigation to manage this new pest. From eight grain protectants tested as admixtures, only chlorpyrifos-methyl, bioresmethrin plus piperonyl butoxide, and fenitrothion were found to provide long term (3-9 months) protection against all three strains of L decolor. Chlorpyrifos-methyl gave the best protection, providing a minimum of 7.5 to a maximum of 9 months protection, depending on the strains tested. Three structural treatments, azamethiphos, azamethiphos plus carbaryl and permethrin provided long-term control (8-9 months) of all three strains of L decolor on galvanised steel surfaces, with permethrin delivering 9 months protection against all strains. However, all of these treatments failed to provide long-term control of any strains on concrete surfaces. We conclude that chlorpyrifos-methyl as a grain admixture can be incorporated into fumigation strategies to optimise the control of L decolor infestations. Structural treatments, such as permethrin can be used to support a fumigation strategy in storages made of galvanised steel.     

Emerging modalities in veterinary rehabilitation.

Many new modalities have been introduced in human and veterinary physical rehabilitation. In many instances, there is sound theory of how they may impact the physiology of various cells, tissues, or organs.This article reviews some of the modalities that have been introduced recently in human and veterinary rehabilitation. Topics include low-level laser, phototherapy, and extracorporeal shock wave treatment.     

Field test of a mathematical model for non-equilibrium transport of pesticides in soil

A model for the transport of pesticides in non-structured arable soil has been tested under field conditions. Three classes of sorption site are distinguished in the model. Sorption at class 1 sites is assumed to be at equilibrium whereas sorption at class 2 and class 3 sites is calculated using rate equations. Class 2 sites equilibrate on a time scale of days and class 3 sites equilibrate on a time scale of hundreds of days. In the model, the liquid phase is assumed to be homogeneous and completely mobile. The model was validated in two field experiments on a loamy sand soil using the herbicides cyanazine and metribuzin and using bromide ion as a tracer of liquid flow in soil. Ignoring sorption at class 3 sites resulted in large discrepancies between calculated and measured concentration profiles. Calculated concentration profiles were sensitive to the desorption rate constant for class 3 sites.