Pharmacokinetics of carprofen in anaesthetized pigs: a preliminary study

ObjectiveTo investigate the pharmacokinetics of carprofen after a single intravenous (IV) dose and multiple oral doses administered to pigs undergoing electroporation of the pancreas.Study designProspective experimental study.AnimalsA group of eight female pigs weighing 31.74 ± 2.24 kg (mean ± standard deviation).MethodsCarprofen 4 mg kg^?1 was administered IV after placement of a central venous catheter during general anaesthesia with isoflurane. Blood samples were collected 30 seconds before and 5, 10, 20, 30 and 60 minutes and 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 24 hours after carprofen administration. Subsequently, the same dose of carprofen was administered orally, daily, for 6 consecutive days and blood collected at 36, 48, 60, 72, 96, 120, 144 and 168 hours after initial carprofen administration. Plasma was analysed using liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry. Standard pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by compartmental analysis of plasma concentration–time curves. Data are presented as mean ± standard error.ResultsThe initial plasma concentration of IV carprofen was estimated at 54.57 ± 3.92 μg mL^?1 and decreased to 8.26 ± 1.07 μg mL^?1 24 hours later. The plasma elimination curve showed a bi-exponential decline: a rapid distribution phase with a distribution half-life of 0.21 ± 0.03 hours and a slower elimination phase with an elimination half-life of 17.31 ± 3.78 hours. The calculated pharmacokinetic parameters were as follows: the area under the plasma concentration–time curve was 357.3 ± 16.73 μg mL^?1 hour, volume of distribution was 0.28 ± 0.07 L kg^?1 and plasma clearance rate was 0.19 ± 0.009 mL minute^?1 kg^?1. The plasma concentration of carprofen, administered orally from days 2 to 7, varied from 9.03 ± 1.87 to 11.49 ± 2.15 μg mL^?1.Conclusions and clinical relevanceCarprofen can be regarded as a long-acting non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug in pigs.     

Identifying and understanding factors influencing the uptake of new technologies on dairy farms in SW England using the theory of reasoned action

Whilst much is known of new technology adopters, little research has addressed the role of their attitudes in adoption decisions; particularly, for technologies with evident economic potential that have not been taken up by farmers. This paper presents recent research that has used a new approach which examines the role that adopters’ attitudes play in identifying the drivers of and barriers to adoption. The study was concerned with technologies for livestock farming systems in SW England, specifically oestrus detection, nitrogen supply management, and, inclusion of white clover. The adoption behaviour is analysed using the social–psychology theory of reasoned action to identify factors that affect the adoption of technologies, which are confirmed using principal components analysis. The results presented here relate to the specific adoption behaviour regarding the Milk Development Council’s recommended observation times for heat detection. The factors that affect the adoption of this technology are: cost effectiveness, improved detection and conception rates as the main drivers, whilst the threat to demean the personal knowledge and skills of a farmer in ‘knowing’ their cows is a barrier. This research shows clearly that promotion of a technology and transfer of knowledge for a farming system need to take account of the beliefs and attitudes of potential adopters.     

地下滴灌苜蓿根瘤菌的接种效应

采用绿色荧光蛋白基因(green fluorescent protein,GFP)标记的苜蓿中华根瘤菌(Sinorhizobium meliloti)XGL026菌株接种,研究大田地下滴灌条件下根瘤菌的竞争结瘤性能和对紫花苜蓿草产量和品质的影响。结果表明:对生长4年的1~3茬苜蓿通过地下滴灌滴施接种根瘤菌能显著增加1~3茬苜蓿结瘤数、根瘤重,提高占瘤率(P<0.05)。接种根瘤菌处理较未接菌常规施肥(N+P+K)和仅施磷肥(P)处理,1~3茬苜蓿平均结瘤数分别增加16.4个和21.2个,每株根瘤重增加0.029和0.033 g;在1~3茬苜蓿上的平均占瘤率为49%,最高可达78%。接种根瘤菌能显著增加1~3茬苜蓿的鲜、干草产量,较未接菌对照平均分别提高15.8%和18.9%。粗蛋白含量增加2.16%,NDF和ADF分别降低3.25%和5.00%,明显改善了苜蓿草的品质。接种根瘤菌同时施用氮肥和磷肥(XGL026+N+P)较接种根瘤菌施用磷肥(XGL026+P)处理其接种效果更佳。研究结果证明,与常规施肥P+N+K处理相比,XGL026+N+P不仅具有良好的接种效应,显著增加结瘤能力,而且提高了草产量和提升品质,减少了肥料的施用量。本研究为地下滴灌模式下应用根瘤菌接种,促进苜蓿生产的提质增效提供了科学依据。     

Parasites in pet reptiles

Exotic reptiles originating from the wild can be carriers of many different pathogens and some of them can infect humans. Reptiles imported into Slovenia from 2000 to 2005, specimens of native species taken from the wild and captive bred species were investigated. A total of 949 reptiles (55 snakes, 331 lizards and 563 turtles), belonging to 68 different species, were examined for the presence of endoparasites and ectoparasites. Twelve different groups (Nematoda (5), Trematoda (1), Acanthocephala (1), Pentastomida (1) and Protozoa (4)) of endoparasites were determined in 26 (47.3%) of 55 examined snakes. In snakes two different species of ectoparasites were also found. Among the tested lizards eighteen different groups (Nematoda (8), Cestoda (1), Trematoda (1), Acanthocephala (1), Pentastomida (1) and Protozoa (6)) of endoparasites in 252 (76.1%) of 331 examined animals were found. One Trombiculid ectoparasite was determined. In 563 of examined turtles eight different groups (Nematoda (4), Cestoda (1), Trematoda (1) and Protozoa (2)) of endoparasites were determined in 498 (88.5%) animals. In examined turtles three different species of ectoparasites were seen. The established prevalence of various parasites in reptiles used as pet animals indicates the need for examination on specific pathogens prior to introduction to owners.     

Assessment of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal community in roots and rhizosphere soils of Bt corn and their non-Bt isolines

Polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) in combination with sequencing of amplified partial 18S ribosomal DNA was used to assess the effects of transgenic Bt corn 5422Bt1 (event Bt 11) and 5422CBCL (event MON810) on the community structure of a non-target microorganism, namely the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) Glomus in corn roots and rhizosphere soils, relative to their non-Bt isolines 5422 (conventional parent) and 5422wx (conventional hybrid). AMF colonization in roots of different corn genotypes was also assessed using microscopic visualization. No adverse effect was detected on the indigenous AMF colonization of the roots of Bt hybrids 5422Bt1 and 5422CBCL. Two-way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN^®) and detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) of the DGGE data from corn roots presented differences between Bt and non-Bt corn isolines (5422Bt1 vs. 5422wx, and 5422CBCL vs. 5422wx). However, differences were also recognized between the two non-Bt corn cultivars (5422 vs. 5422wx), and between the two Bt corn lines (5422Bt1 vs. 5422CBCL) in roots. Our results suggest that corn genotypes may have a greater influence on the AMF community structure of plant roots and rhizosphere soils than other factors, such as the age of the growing plants.     

Impact of calcium chloride concentrations and storage duration on quality attributes of peach (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Prunus persica</Emphasis>)

To investigate the impact of CaCl₂ concentrations and storage duration on quality of peach (Prunus persica), a research was conducted at postharvest Laboratory, Department of Horticulture, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan during 2012–2013. The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with factorial arrangement repeated three times. The peach fruits (cv. Texas A 69) were harvested at physiological maturity stage from peach orchard, Horticulture Farm. The fruits were dipped in 0, 2 and 4% CaCl₂ solution for 10 min and transferred to cold storage having ±8–10°C with relative humidity of 80–85%. The application of CaCl₂ solution and storage duration significantly influenced the fruit quality of peach fruit. However, the application of CaCl₂ solution significantly reduced weight loss (4.98%), disease incidence (2.08%), total sugars (5.31%), TSS-Acid ratio (16.27), TSS(7.38⁰Brix) and increased the fruit firmness (2.21 kg cm^–2) titratable acidity (0.47%) and Ascorbic acid (5.35 mg/100 g) of peach fruits. The storage duration of peach fruit also significantly affected the fruit quality attributes during storage. The peach fruit stored for 30 days showed less fruit firmness (0.74 kg cm^–2) and titratable acidity (0.31%), Ascorbic acid (4.45 mg/100 g) and increased weight loss (19.74%), disease incidence (16.11%), total sugars (6.07%), TSSAcid ratio (27.62) and TSS(8.54⁰Brix) of peach fruit. Based on the findings of this study, it is concluded that the peach fruit should be treated with 4% CaCl₂ solution to retain the quality attributes for 30 days storage.     

Morpho-physiological Responses of Tomato Genotypes Under Saline Conditions

Gesunde Pflanzen - Salinity is a&nbsp;complex abiotic stress that affects physiology and biochemistry of plants and significantly reduces both crop yield and quality. Considering the global...     

Predicting the air permeability of polyester/cotton blended woven fabrics

The aim of this study was to model the air permeability of polyester cotton blended woven fabrics. Fabrics of varying construction parameters i.e. yarn linear densities and thread densities were selected and tested for air permeability, fabric areal density and fabric thickness. A total of 135 different fabric constructions were tested among which 117 were allocated for development of prediction model while the remaining were utilized for its validation. Four variables were selected as input parameters on basis of statistical analysis i.e. warp yarn linear density, weft yarn linear density, ends per 25 mm and picks per 25 mm. Response surface regression was applied on the collected data set in order to develop the prediction model of the selected variables. The model showed satisfactory predictability when applied on unseen data and yielded an absolute average error of 5.1 %. The developed model can be effectively used for prediction of air permeability of the woven fabrics.