Pharmacokinetic evaluation of ceftiofur in serum, tissue chamber fluid and bronchial secretions from healthy beef-bred calves.

Ceftiofur is a new broad spectrum cephalosporin marketed for the treatment of acute bovine respiratory disease. In this investigation ceftiofur was administered by intramuscular injection, at 24 h intervals, to healthy beef-bred calves for four days at dosages of 2.2 and 4.4 mg/kg of body weight, with 4 wk intervals between dosing regimens. Serum, tissue chamber fluid (TCF), and bronchial secretion (BS) concentrations of ceftiofur were measured by microbiological assay after the first and fourth dose of each dosing regimen. Peak serum concentrations (Cmax) of 8.8 micrograms/mL and 17.3 micrograms/mL were obtained approximately 2 h (Tmax), the time of mean peak concentration) after single injections of 2.2 mg/kg and 4.4 mg/kg, respectively. The Cmax was increased approximately twofold following multiple doses of 2.2 mg/kg (Cmax = 13.1 micrograms/mL) and 4.4 mg/kg (Cmax = 24.1 micrograms/mL). Ceftiofur accumulated slowly into TCF and peak concentrations were found to be approximately 14% of those observed in serum after the first dose and approximately 24% after multiple dosing. Concentrations of ceftiofur in BS were obtained rapidly with peak concentrations reaching 45% of the serum Cmax after the first dose. After multiple dosing the Cmax for BS was approximately 25% of the serum Cmax. This study found that both the 2.2 mg/kg and 4.4 mg/kg dosing regimens resulted in continuous serum, TCF and BS concentrations of ceftiofur that exceeded the minimal concentration required to inhibit the bacteria most frequently isolated from calves with acute bovine respiratory disease.     

A study of the basis of virulence variation of bovine rotaviruses.

Rotaviruses are enteric pathogens of cattle but sub-clinical infections are common. Virulence variation has been identified with bovine rotaviruses and some rotaviruses replicated without clinical signs in non-immune calves. The rotavirus genome is composed of eleven segments of double-stranded RNA and the fourth largest segment codes for a non-glycosylated surface protein, VP4, which has been linked with virulence. In the present study the biological basis of rotavirus virulence variation was studied in vivo and compared with the known properties of the fourth gene. Calves were inoculated orally with a virulent rotavirus or a rotavirus of low virulence which multiplied but failed to cause diarrhoea. They were taken for necropsy at intervals of 2 days after inoculation. Clinical signs, virus in faeces and the percentage of infected small intestinal epithelium were determined. Damage to the small intestine was assessed by measurement of villus heights and crypt-cell production rates. Virulence was associated with a greater level of colonization of the small intestinal epithelium, greater enterocyte damage and preferential infection of the upper small intestine. The fourth gene determines the ability of rotaviruses to spread in vitro and the finding that virulence was associated with greater colonization in vivo raises the possibility that this gene may have an important role in rotavirus virulence.     

Effects of 'Agri-SC' soil conditioner on soil structure and erodibility: some further observations

Abstract. In field and laboratory experiments the conditioner‘Agri-SC’has shown improvements in the structure of loamy sand soils in east Shropshire, UK. It resulted in statistically significant decreases in soil bulk density values and increases in soil porosity and aggregate stability. Further experiments are in progress on both loamy sand and silt loam soils.     

Follicullar Development and Embryo Recovery Following 3 versus 8 FSH Injections in Heifers

Ovarian follicular dynamics and embryo yield were studied during 2 different FSH regimens for superovulation of cattle. Twenty heifers were given intramuscular injections of FSH (total of 35 mg NIH) either once daily for 3 days (Group 3×1) or twice daily for 4 days (Group 4×2). At 72 h after the first FSH injection, each animal was injected with 0.75 mg cloprostenol. Inseminations were performed at 12 h and 24 h after the onset of heat. Transrectal ultrasonography was performed on the day of the first FSH injection, the day of cloprostenol injection, the day of insemination and finally on the day of embryo recovery (day 6 or 7 after heat). The numbers of small (2–4 mm), medium (5–9 mm) and large (>10 mm) size follicles were recorded. The total number of corpora lutea, eggs and transferable embryos were recorded on the day of embryo recovery. No differences were found between the 2 groups in either of the parameters studied (p>0.05). It can be concluded that treatment with this FSH preparation once daily for 3 days gives a folliculogenic and superovulatory response similar to a treatment regimen where it is given twice daily for 4 days.     

Weed management strategies for the control of Rottboellia cochinchinensis in maize in Trinidad

Summary. A weed management strategy for the control of Rottboellia cochinchinensis (Lour.) W.D. Clayton in maize, based on reducing the level of spikelet germination from the seedbank and reducing the intensity of weed-crop interference, was conducted over two seasons. The management practices evaluated included chemical control (atrazine, metolachlor, pendimethalin, EPTC), cultural control (straw mulch), mechanical control (inter-row cultivation) and biological control (living mulch). The results indicated that the various management practices had no effect on the growth and development of the crop but significantly affected the weed. The pendimethalin (1°5 kg a.i. ha⁻¹) and inter-row cultivation (14 and 28 days after planting) treatments gave satisfactory control of the weed in the crop over the duration of the critical period of weed competition. All other treatments were ineffective. All management practices made significant contributions to the weed seedbank, thus ensuring the predominance of the weed.     

Factors affecting the cropping potential of reinstated soils

Abstract. Comparisons of crop production on recently reinstated soil in Northumberland have shown that the reduced yield potential of such soil may not be inevitable. Storage of soil in bunds did not greatly reduce subsequent crop yields, but failure to drain the land did. Provided an effective drainage scheme was installed, arable and grass crops could be grown successfully, responding very well to additions of nitrogen fertilizer and other normal good husbandry practices. To date it seems that neither deep cultivation nor the use of grass leys were as effective in the restoration process as had been expected.     

EPW: A procedure for the functional assessment of planned wetlands

The practice of compensating wetland losses through wetland construction, restoration, or enhancement has become more commonplace; however, an appropriate method for assessing replacement of wetland function has been lacking. The Evaluation for Planned Wetlands (EPW) was developed to meet this need. It is a rapid assessment procedure which documents and highlights differences between a wetland assessment area and planned wetland based on their capacity to provide six functions: shoreline bank erosion control, sediment stabilization, water quality, wildlife, fish (tidal, non-tidal stream/river, and non-tidal pond/lake), and uniqueness/heritage. The differences between wetlands are expressed in terms of individual elements. Functional Capacity Indices, and Functional Capacity Units. The results provide information on individual design elements and measures of functional capacity which are a necessity under current regulatory programs that require tangible goals and a method for calculating planned wetland size. EPW includes functional assessment models, a procedure for using these models during the planning/mitigation process, and guidelines for functional design.     

Pyrenophora japonica occurring on barley in South Africa

A Pyrenophora teleomorph was recently found on barley stubble in South Africa. Single-ascospore isolates, mated on water agar containing sterile pieces of barley stubble, produced the teleomorph within 12 months of incubation at 15°C in the dark. Based on morphological characteristics and symptom expression on barley plants, the teleomorph is ascribed to P. japonica (anamorph Drechslera tuberosa ). This is the first report describing the occurrence of the teleomorph of D. tuberosa in South Africa.