The effect of household smoking on the infestiveness of diphyllobothrium latum from fish to man

The effect of household smoking, as carried out with three commercially available smoke boxes, on the infestiveness of Diphyllo-bothrium latum was investigated. The temperature changes in fish during the smoking were measured and the effect on tapeworm larvae estimated on the basis of a lethal temperature/time exposure of 56°C/5 min. For all the boxes smoking treatments sufficient to destroy the tapeworm larvae are suggested. The obtained results confirm the conclusion, made in previous studies on other heat preparation methods of fish, that well cooked fish in which all the parts have been subjected to a 56°C/5 min. exposure is safe with regard to the risk of Diphyllobothrium latum infestation.     

The Effect of Customary Finnish Heat Preparation Methods on the Infestiveness of Diphyllobothrium Latum From Fish to Man an Experimental Treatise on the Heat Resistance of Diphyllobothrium Latum Plerocercoids,and on the Temperature Variations in Various Parts of the Pike,Perch and Burbot During Frying in Pan,Boiling, and Baking in Oven

In part A of the investigation the heat resistance of isolated Diphyllobothrium plerocercoids was determined. Treatments for 5 min/at 56°C, 10 min. at 50°C, 20 min. at 48°C, and 30 min. at 47°C were found to be lethal as indicated by cessation of spontaneous movements. The number of plerocercoids in the tests was 640.In part B the consumption of pike, perch and burbot, which are known to be most important carriers of D. latum plerocercoids, and the customary methods of preparation of these fish species in Finland are first reviewed. Then the results of 85 frying and 7 boiling experiments are described, in which the temperature change at the sites of the least temperature rise was followed. During frying in the pan the inner temperature of the fish rose to the critical 56° C limit during 10 to 20 min., depending on the size of the fish. Normal boiling and frying in an oven were found to be rather safe in this respect.In all tests fish heated to the critical temperature of the plerocercoids were organoleptically found to be ready for the table.     

The effect of low temperatures on the motility of diphyllobothrium latum plerocercoids

The effect of low temperature exposure on the motility of Diphyl-lobothrium latum plerocercoids was studied, with the particular aim of finding the exposure that immobilizes all the larvae in fish freezing. Both isolated larvae immersed in normal horse serum and larvae enclosed in pieces of muscle tissue of the size of 1 cm³ were tested. The pieces of tissue containing a larva were placed in the middle of a plastic beaker filled with densely packed minced fish flesh. In the central part of this phantom, where the plerocercoids were situated, the temperature decline was considered to take place in the same way as in the interior of a whole fish. A total of 200 isolated larvae were tested, and a temperature of −14° G was found to have a fully immobilizing effect on them. The number of plerocercoids frozen enclosed in muscular tissue was 453, and −10° G was found to immobilize them. The observed difference seems to be mainly due to the cryoprotective properties of serum.     

Isoenzymes of lactate dehydrogenase in swine. Stability during storage at different temperatures and by heat treatment

The isoenzymes of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in serum from normal pigs were studied after separation by agar gel electrophoresis with subsequent staining with a tetrazolium salt.Experiment 1. The stability of isoenzymes was investigated for 5 successive days after storage at room temperature (22°C), in the refrigerator (4°G), and once after storage for 32 days in the deep-freezer (—20°C). Greatest loss of activity was seen after storage in the refrigerator, where LDH₂ and LDH₃ lost most of its activity after 5 days. In LDH₄ and LDH₅ no loss had occurred at this time. Also at room temperature great losses were seen in LDH₂ and LDH₃. After storage in the deep-freezer an increase in LDH₃ activity was recorded.Experiment 2. Serum samples were kept in water baths for 30 min. at 50, 53, and 56°C. A simultaneous and increasing loss in activity of LDH₃, LDH₄, and LDH₅ was seen from 50° to 56°C. At 56° no activity was left in LDH₃, LDH₄, or LDH₅, and only about 15 % of the original activity was present in LDH₂. LDH₁ showed no loss at 56°, but all activity was lost at 65°.A close correlation was found between total lactate dehydrogenase and α-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase activity in both experiments.     

Enhanced inactivation of avian influenza virus at ?20°C by disinfectants supplemented with calcium chloride or other antifreeze agents

Avian influenza outbreaks have occurred during winter months, and effective disinfection of poultry premises at freezing temperatures is needed. The commercial disinfectants Virkon and Accel, supplemented with an antifreeze agent [propylene glycol (PG), methanol (MeOH), or calcium chloride (CaCl₂)], were evaluated for their effectiveness in killing avian influenza virus (AIV) at −20°C or 21°C. An AIV suspension was applied to stainless steel disks, air-dried, and covered with a disinfectant or antifreeze agent for 5 to 30 min. Virkon (2%) and Accel (6.25%) with 30% PG, 20% MeOH, or 20% CaCl₂ inactivated 6 log₁₀ AIV within 5 min at −20°C and 21°C. At these temperatures PG and MeOH alone did not kill AIV, but the 20% CaCl₂ solution alone inactivated 5 log₁₀ AIV within 10 min. The results suggested that CaCl₂ is potentially useful to enhance the effectiveness of disinfection of poultry facilities after outbreaks of AIV infection in warm and cold seasons.     

Disposition kinetics and dosage regimen of levofloxacin on concomitant administration with paracetamol in crossbred calves

The disposition kinetics of levofloxacin was investigated in six male crossbred calves following single intravenous administration, at a dose of 4 mg/kg body weight, into the jugular vein subsequent to a single intramuscular injection of paracetamol (50 mg/kg). At 1 min after the injection of levofloxacin, the concentration of levofloxacin in plasma was 17.2 ± 0.36 µg/ml, which rapidly declined to 6.39 ± 0.16 µg/ml at 10 min. The drug level above the MIC₉₀ in plasma, was detected for up to 10 h. Levofloxacin was rapidly distributed from blood to the tissue compartment as evidenced by the high values of the distribution coefficient, α (17.3 ± 1.65 /h) and the ratio of K₁₂/K₂₁ (1.83 ± 0.12). The values of AUC and Vd_area were 12.7 ± 0.12 µg.h/ml and 0.63 ± 0.01 l/kg. The high ratio of the AUC/MIC (126.9 ± 1.18) obtained in this study indicated the excellent antibacterial activity of levofloxacin in calves. The elimination half-life, MRT and total body clearance were 1.38 ± 0.01 h, 1.88 ± 0.01 h and 0.32 ± 0.003 l/kg/h, respectively. Based on the pharmacokinetic parameters, an appropriate intravenous dosage regimen for levofloxacin would be 5 mg/kg repeated at 24 h intervals when prescribed with paracetamol in calves.     

Cryopreservation of sheep red blood cells. 1. Experiments with polyvinylpyrrolidone and other protective agents

The protection of sheep erythrocytes at freezing temperatures was investigated using glycerol, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), glucose and four different types of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as cryoprotective agents. Depending on type (molecular weight) and concentration good protection was obtained with PVP, whereas glycerol, DMSO and glucose were unsatisfactory. Recovery of cells after thawing was most successful when the cells had been frozen at a concentration of 1–2 × 10⁹ cells/ml. No cells tolerated freezing at −20 °G. Best results were obtained when the cells were frozen directly in liquid nitrogen (−196°G).     

Synergistic effects of quaternary ammonium compounds and food additive grade calcium hydroxide on microbicidal activities at low temperatures

The microbicidal activities of mixtures of quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) and food additive grade calcium hydroxide (FdCa(OH)₂) were evaluated in a suspension test at −20°C using an anti-freeze agent (AFA) containing methanol, or at 1°C, with varying contact time, toward avian influenza virus (AIV), Newcastle disease virus (NDV), fowl adenovirus (FAdV), avian reovirus (ARV), Salmonella Infantis (SI) and Escherichia coli (EC). At −20°C, the mixtures could inactivate AIV and NDV within 30 min, FAdV and ARV within 5 sec, and SI and EC within 3 min, respectively. AFA did not inactivate viruses and bacteria within 30 min and 10 min, respectively. At 1°C, the mixtures inactivated FAdV and ARV within 30 sec, AIV within 10 min, and NDV within 30 min. A mixture of slaked lime (SL) and QAC could inactivate FAdV and ARV within 30 sec, but could not inactivate AIV and NDV even after 60 min at 1°C. SL could not substitute FdCa(OH)₂ in order to exert the synergistic effects with QAC. Thus, QACs microbicidal activities were maintained or enhanced by adding FdCa(OH)₂. It is hence recommended to use QACs with FdCa(OH)₂, especially in the winter season.     

Attenuated Salmonella choleraesuis-mediated RNAi targeted to conserved regions against foot-and-mouth disease virus in guinea pigs and swine

In this study, specific sequences within three genes (3D, VP4 and 2B) of the foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) genome were determined to be effective RNAi targets. These sequences are highly conserved among different serotype viruses based on sequence analysis. Small interfering RNA (siRNA)-expressing plasmids (p3D-NT19, p3D-NT56, pVP4-NT19, pVP4-NT65 and p2B-NT25) were constructed to express siRNA targeting 3D, VP4 and 2B, respectively. The antiviral potential of these siRNA for various FMDV isolates was investigated in baby hamster kidney (BHK-21) cells and suckling mice. The results show that these siRNA inhibited virus yield 10- to 300-fold for different FMDV isolates of serotype O and serotype Asia I at 48 h post infection in BHK-21 cells compared to control cells. In suckling mice, p3D-NT56 and p2B-NT25 delayed the death of mice. Twenty percent to 40% of the animals that received a single siRNA dose survived 5 days post infection with serotype O or serotype Asia I. We used an attenuated Salmonella choleraesuis (C500) vaccine strain, to carry the plasmid that expresses siRNA directed against the polymerase gene 3D (p3D-NT56) of FMDV. We used guinea pigs to evaluate the inhibitory effects of recombinant S. cho (p3D-NT56/S. cho) on FMDV infection. The results show that 80% of guinea pigs inoculated with 10⁹ CFU of p3D-NT56/S. cho and challenged 36 h later with 50 ID₅₀ of homologous FMDV were protected. We also measured the antiviral activity of p3D-NT56/S. cho in swine. The results indicate that 100% of the animals treated with 5 × 10⁹ CFU of p3D-NT56/S. cho were protected in 9 days.     

热处理对牛初乳理化性质和功能性蛋白的影响

科学控制牛初乳的加工工艺参数对初乳产品的开发与加工具有重要意义。本试验旨在探究热处理条件对初乳理化性质和功能性蛋白的影响,本研究设置7 种不同的热处理条件（55 ℃/30 min、55 ℃/60 min、60 ℃/30 min、60 ℃/60 min、63 ℃/30 min、63 ℃/60 min和72 ℃/15 s）,探究热处理后初乳理化指标、微生物菌落数和免疫球蛋白IgG以及乳铁蛋白的变化规律。结果表明,63 ℃条件下处理30 min和60 min,以及在72 ℃条件下处理15 s,出现明显的蛋白凝块;72 ℃处理15 s后显著降低初乳密度、酸度、乳蛋白、非脂固形物（SNF）、总固形物（TS）、柠檬酸、酪蛋白和尿素等理化指标;本研究所有热处理条件均显著降低菌落总数,有效控制大肠菌群和金黄色葡萄球菌数;经本研究设置的热处理后初乳中IgG水平显著降低,乳铁蛋白含量不受影响。综上考虑,建议初乳热加工温度控制在63 ℃以下,并根据生产目的针对性控制热加工参数。本研究可为牛初乳加工工艺参数控制提供详实科学数据支持。     

坡地打结垄沟集雨种植对泥沙、养分流失和紫花苜蓿草产量的影响

为寻求控制水土流失适宜坡耕地利用方式,开展如下试验:1) 采用完全随机设计,研究不同坡度(0°、5°和10°)集雨垄的径流效率和临界产流降水量;2) 采用裂区设计,坡度(5°和10°)为主区,耕作模式(传统平作、开敞垄和打结垄)为副区,研究坡地打结垄沟集雨种植对土壤水分、径流、泥沙损失、养分损失、紫花苜蓿干草产量和水分利用效率的影响。结果表明:0°、5°和10°集雨垄的临界产流降水量分别为1.55、1.33和1.00 mm,径流效率分别为88.2%、91.1%和92.7%;与传统平作相比,开敞垄和打结垄的小区径流量分别减少62.3%~67.9%和76.4%~79.9%,小区径流效率分别减少51.0%~54.5%和67.8%~68.2%;泥沙流失量分别减少95.6%~96.4%和98.4%,全氮流失量分别减少95.3%~96.2%和98.1%~98.2%,全磷流失量分别减少95.3%~96.1%和98.2%,有机质流失量分别减少94.1%~95.6%和97.8%~97.9%;开敞垄和打结垄明显增加浅层(0~60 cm)土壤剖面含水量;开敞垄和打结垄紫花苜蓿全年干草产量分别提高40.3%~50.4%和16.0%~18.7%,水分利用效率分别提高4.4~11.5 kg·hm^-2·mm^-1和2.0~5.3 kg·hm^-2·mm^-1。坡度10°的径流量、径流效率、小区泥沙流失量、全氮流失量、全磷流失量和有机质流失量分别是坡度5°的1.44、1.40、2.34、2.24、2.39和1.97倍;坡度5°的紫花苜蓿全生育期根系层(0~200 cm)土壤贮水量、紫花苜蓿全年干草产量和水分利用效率分别是坡度10°的1.05、1.28和1.41倍。开敞垄增加紫花苜蓿干草产量和水分利用效率效果最为明显,打结垄减少径流、泥沙流失和养分损失效果最为明显。     

Comparison between core temperatures measured telemetrically using the CorTemp? ingestible temperature sensor and rectal temperature in healthy Labrador retrievers

This study evaluated the CorTemp^® ingestible telemetric core body temperature sensor in dogs, to establish the relationship between rectal temperature and telemetrically measured core body temperature at rest and during exercise, and to examine the effect of sensor location in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract on measured core temperature. CorTemp^® sensors were administered orally to fasted Labrador retriever dogs and radiographs were taken to document sensor location. Core and rectal temperatures were monitored throughout the day in 6 resting dogs and during a 10-minute strenuous retrieving exercise in 6 dogs. Time required for the sensor to leave the stomach (120 to 610 min) was variable. Measured core temperature was consistently higher than rectal temperature across all GI locations but temperature differences based on GI location were not significant (P = 0.5218). Resting dogs had a core temperature that was on average 0.4°C above their rectal temperature with 95% limits of agreement (LoA) between 1.2°C and −0.5°C. Core temperature in exercising dogs was on average 0.3°C higher than their concurrent rectal temperature, with LoA of +1.6°C and −1.1°C.     

茉莉酸甲酯对匍枝筋骨草细胞生长和β-蜕皮甾酮积累的影响

匍枝筋骨草悬浮细胞中含有较高β-蜕皮甾酮,为了进一步提高其β-蜕皮甾酮含量,通过添加茉莉酸甲酯(MeJA)进行一系列试验研究。以4~10代筋骨草悬浮细胞为试验材料,测定不同处理浓度和处理时间的MeJA对细胞生长、β-蜕皮甾酮积累的影响,细胞生长量采用称量计数,β-蜕皮甾酮含量则使用高效液相进行检测。结果表明:匍枝筋骨草悬浮细胞生长曲线及β-蜕皮甾酮积累曲线符合Logistics模型。在细胞快速生长的初始期(第4天)或中期(第7天)添加不同浓度的MeJA,对细胞生长影响相对较小,生长曲线均有小高峰,分别出现在处理后第5天和第3天,干物质积累量分别达到0.60和0.62 g。而在细胞快速生长的高峰期添加MeJA,细胞生长曲线呈下降趋势,细胞鲜重和干重显著低于CK(P<0.05)。在细胞快速生长的初始期或中期添加MeJA后细胞鲜重与β-蜕皮甾酮积累量呈显著相关。在细胞快速生长的初始期或中期添加10~50 μmol·L^-1 MeJA后,细胞鲜重与CK对比表现为显著增加,其中添加50 μmol·L^-1 MeJA后细胞鲜重最佳,最高可达到35.90 g,显著高于其他处理(P<0.05)。而同样条件下β-蜕皮甾酮表现为积累量小幅增加,最高量为0.5095 mg·g^-1。添加100~200 μmol·L^-1 MeJA均会抑制细胞的生长,其中添加200 μmol·L^-1 MeJA细胞鲜重与CK相比显著下降,抑制率最高可达到38.88%。而添加100~200 μmol·L^-1 MeJA后β-蜕皮甾酮积累量表现为大幅提升,最高可达3.5315 mg·g^-1,为同期CK的14.44倍(P<0.01)。在细胞快速生长的高峰期添加10~200 μmol·L^-1 MeJA后,细胞鲜重与CK相比都表现为下降,说明在此时添加这些浓度MeJA可抑制细胞的生长,最高抑制率可达31.01%。而在细胞快速生长的高峰期添加10~50 μmol·L^-1 MeJA后,β-蜕皮甾酮积累量可在短时间内大量激增,β-蜕皮甾酮积累量最高达到1.4136 mg·g^-1,是CK的5.06倍(P<0.01)。添加100~200 μmol·L^-1 MeJA则积累量较少。在细胞快速生长的中期添加100 μmol·L^-1 MeJA条件下对细胞的刺激较小,β-蜕皮甾酮积累量最高,达到3.5315 mg·g^-1。     

Survival of thermotolerant campylobacters in water

Three bacterial strains, classified as Campylobacter jejuni biotype 1, Campylobacter coli, and NARTG (nalidixic-acid-resistant thermophilic Campylobacters), were tested for survival in water specimens kept at 4, 12, and 20°C. Five different water milieus were compared: sterile physiological saline, chlorinated tap water, dechlorinated tap water, polluted river water, and sterile filtered river water. With few exceptions, all organisms survived better at 4°C than at 12 or 20°C, regardless of the water milieu. Briefest survival was detected at 20°C; no viable Campylobacters could be demonstrated after more than 2 days at this temperature. Of the 5 waiter milieus tested, the highest mean survival time for all strains was obtained with dechlorinated tap water. In this medium, all 3 strains remained viable for 15 days at 4°C, 10 days at 12°C, and 2 days ait 20°C. Briefest survival was obtained in chlorinated tap water. Even residual amounts of Cl₂ drastically reduced the survival of all strains tested. Only small variations in viability were detected for 2 of the strains tested after sterile filtration of a water source with a dense bacterial population. The results are discussed in relation to waterborne outbreaks of campylobacteriosis.     

不同密度下越冬型黑麦产量形成的光合特性差异

为了探究寒地冬黑麦饲草群体产量形成的光合特性差异,以东农冬黑麦001为材料,采取完全随机设计,设置基本苗为225×10⁴株·hm^-2(D₁)、275×10⁴株·hm^-2(D₂)、325×10⁴株·hm^-2(D₃)、375×10⁴株·hm^-2(D₄)和425×10⁴株·hm^-2(D₅)5个密度处理,对比分析各处理主要生育阶段叶绿素含量、光合参数、叶绿素荧光参数的动态变化过程以及产量的差异。结果表明,黑麦整体叶片叶绿素相对含量在抽穗期达到最大,显著高于其他生育时期,随着密度的增高,叶绿素相对含量减少,花后叶绿素含量SPAD值下降幅度随着密度的增大而增加;各密度黑麦叶片净光合速率、气孔导度、蒸腾速率、胞间二氧化碳浓度均在开花期达到最大,显著高于其他生育时期。随着密度的增大,光合参数逐渐减小、最大光化学效率(F_v/F_m)、实际光化学效率(Φ_PSⅡ)和光化学淬灭系数(q_P)逐渐减小,而非光化学淬灭系数(q_N)呈增大的趋势。研究得出,越冬型黑麦鲜草产量与干草产量在基本苗为275×10⁴株·hm^-2时最大,随着密度的增加,黑麦生物产量逐渐降低。表明构建合理群体大小,获得较高花前光合生产能力,是获得寒地冬黑麦高产的基础。     

Disposition kinetics and urinary excretion of cefpirome after intravenous injection in buffalo calves

We investigated the disposition kinetics and urinary excretion of cefpirome in buffalo calves after a single intravenous administration of 10 mg/kg. Also, an appropriate dosage regimen was calculated. At 1 min after injection, the concentration of cefpirome in the plasma was 57.4 ± 0.72 µg/ml, which declined to 0.22 ± 0.01 µg/ml at 24 h. The cefpirome was rapidly distributed from the blood to the tissue compartment as shown by the high distribution coefficient values (8.67 ± 0.46/h), and by the drug''s rate of transfer constant from the central to the peripheral compartment, K₁₂ (4.94 ± 0.31/h). The elimination halflife and the volume of distribution were 2.14 ± 0.02 h and 0.42 ± 0.005 l/kg, respectively. Once the distribution equilibrium was reached between the tissues and plasma, the total body clearance (Cl_B) and the ratio of the drug present in the peripheral to the central compartment (T/P ratio) were 0.14 ± 0.002 l/kg/h and 1.73 ± 0.06, respectively. Based on the pharmacokinetic parameters we obtained, an appropriate intravenous cefpirome dosage regimen for treating cefpiromesensitive bacteria in buffalo calves would be 8.0 mg/kg repeated at 12 h intervals for 5 days, or until persistence of the bacterial infection occurred.     

Pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of doxycycline in ostriches (Struthio camelus) at two different dose rates

A bioavailability and pharmacokinetics study of doxycycline was carried out on 30 healthy ostriches after a single intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM) and oral dose of 15 mg/kg body weight. The plasma doxycycline concentration was determined by HPLC/UV at 0 (pretreatment), 0.08, 0.25, 0.5 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24 and 48 h after administration. The plasma concentration-time curves were examined using non-compartmental methods based on the statistical moment theory for only the higher dose. After IV administration, the elimination half-life (t_1/2β), mean residence time (MRT), volume of distribution at the steady-state (V_ss), volume of distribution (Vd_area) and total body clearance (Cl_B) were 7.67 ± 0.62 h, 6.68 ± 0.86 h, 0.86 ± 0.16 l/kg, 1.67 ± 0.52 l/kg and 2.51 ± 0.63 ml/min/kg, respectively. After IM and oral dosing, the mean peak plasma concentrations (C_max) were 1.34 ± 0.33 and 0.30 ± 0.04 µg/ml, respectively, which were achieved at a post-administration time (t_max) of 0.75 ± 0.18, 3.03 ± 0.48 h, respectively. The t_1/2β, Vd_area and Cl_B after IM administration were 25.02 ± 3.98 h, 23.99 ± 3.4 l/kg and 12.14 ± 1.71 ml/min/kg, respectively and 19.25 ± 2.53 h, 61.49 ± 7 l/kg and 40.19 ± 3.79 ml/min/kg after oral administration, respectively. The absolute bioavailability (F) of doxycycline was 5.03 and 17.52% after oral and IM administration, respectively. These results show that the dose data from other animals particularly mammals cannot be extrapolated to ostriches. Therefore, based on these results along with those reported in the literature, further studies on the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic, in vitro minimum inhibitory concentration values and clinical applications of doxycycline in ostriches are required.     

An efficient method for the sanitary vitrification of bovine oocytes in straws

Background

At present, vitrification has been widely applied to humans, mice and farm animals. To improve the efficiency of vitrification in straw, bovine oocytes were used to test a new two-step vitrification method in this study.

Results

When in vitro matured oocytes were exposed to 20% ethylene glycol (EG20) for 5 min and 40% ethylene glycol (EG40) for 30 s, followed by treatment with 30% glycerol (Gly30), Gly40 or Gly50, a volume expansion was observed in Gly30 and Gly40 but not Gly50. This indicates that the intracellular osmotic pressure after a 30 s differs between EG40 and ranged between Gly40 (approximately 5.6 mol/L) and Gly50 (approximately 7.0 mol/L). Since oocytes are in EG40 just for only a short period of time (30 s) and at a lower temperature (4°C), we hypothesize that the main function of this step in to induce dehydration. Based on these results, we omitted the EG40 step, before oocytes were pretreated in EG20 for 5 min, exposed to pre-cooled (4°C) Gly50, for 30 s, and then dipped into liquid nitrogen. After warming, 81.1% of the oocytes survived, and the surviving oocytes developed into cleavage stage embryos (63.5%) or blastocysts (20.0%) after parthenogenetic activation.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate that in a two-step vitrification procedure, the permeability effect in the second step is not necessary. It is possible that the second step is only required to provide adequate osmotic pressure to condense the intracellular concentration of CPAs to a level required for successful vitrification.     

Subcutaneous pharmacokinetics and dosage regimen of cefotaxime in buffalo calves (Bubalus bubalis)

The pharmacokinetics and dosage regimen of cefotaxime following its single subcutaneous administration (10 mg/kg) were investigated in buffalo calves. Plasma and urine samples were collected over 10 and 24 h post administration, respectively. Cefotaxime in plasma and urine was estimated by microbiological assay technique using E. coli as test organism. The pharmacokinetic profiles fitted one-compartment open model. The peak plasma levels of cefotaxime were 6.48 ± 0.52 µg/ml at 30 min and the drug was detected upto 10 h. The absorption half-life and elimination half-life were 0.173 ± 0.033 h and 1.77 ± 0.02 h, respectively. The apparent volume of distribution and total body clearance were 1.17 ± 0.10 l/kg and 0.45 ± 0.03 l/kg/h, respectively. The urinary excretion of cefotaxime in 24 h, was 5.36 ± 1.19 percent of total administrated dose. A satisfactory subcutaneous dosage regimen for cefotaxime in buffalo calves would be 13 mg/kg repeated at 12 h intervals.     

Bacteriology of washed and unwashed eggs. I. Bacterial counts of egg contents after storage

The influence of egg washing on the bacterial counts of egg contents after subsequent storage was studied. Unwashed eggs were compared to eggs subjected to industrial large-scale machine washing. The washing procedure consisted of sprinkling under pressure with a 43 °G water solution of detergent, rinsing with 47°G tap water, and drying in a stream of hot air (60–65°G). The eggs were stored at 4°C for eight weeks and at 30 °G for 12 days. At the end of the storage periods, the total bacterial count, the number of hemolytic bacteria, and the number of coli-aerogenes in the egg contents were examined. A total of slightly more than 400 eggs were used in the investigation.No coli-aerogenes bacteria were detected in any washed or unwashed eggs. For eggs, stored at 4°C, the logarithmic total bacterial counts were for washed eggs 2.07; 2.42, and for washed 2.08; 1.95 (mean and median values, respectively). The corresponding values for eggs stored at 30 °G were for unwashed eggs 1.40; 1.30, and for washed eggs, 1.62; 1.48. These differences between unwashed and washed eggs are not significant.Hemolytic bacteria were detected in 35.2 % of unwashed and in 33.0 % of washed eggs after cold storage and no significant difference was seen between the number of bacteria in these eggs (logarithmic mean values 2.43 and 2.47, respectively). Nor was any significant difference seen between the counts of the hemolytic bacteria in eggs stored at 30 °G, where these bacteria were detected in 19.6 % of unwashed and in 23.9 % of washed eggs (logarithmic mean values of number of bacteria 2.10 and 2.46, respectively). The importance of obtained results is discussed from the point of view of food hygiene with references to the relevant literature.