Stability and Biological Activity of Cyfluthrin Isomers

A GC-MS method capable of completely separating the four pairs of diastereoisomers of cyfluthrin is presented and the method used to show that isomerisation of the cyfluthrin enantiomers occurs in methanol. This methanol-induced isomerisation could also be demonstrated by bioassays using water fleas. The biological activities of the various cyfluthrin isomers contained in the commercial products cyfluthrin and beta-cyfluthrin were assayed using several strains of lepidopteran larvae including Plutella xylostella, Heliothis virescens and Spodoptera frugiperda. With the susceptible strains, the efficiencies of the isomers mixtures of cyfluthrin and beta-cyfluthrin were shown to obey the rules of additivity. However, in tests with a resistant strain of P. xylostella originating from Thailand, the ‘inactive’ isomer III acted synergistically with the active isomer IV. Resistance factors in strains of H. virescens and P. xylostella were found to be higher with cis than with trans isomers. This probably contributes to the superior action of cyfluthrin and beta-cyfluthrin against various pests of agricultural importance since the commercial products contain a high content of trans isomers (‘high trans pyrethroids’).     

Effects of a low dose infusion of racemic and S-ketamine on the nociceptive withdrawal reflex in standing ponies

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of plasma concentrations obtained by a low dose constant rate infusion (CRI) of racemic ketamine or S-ketamine on the nociceptive withdrawal reflex (NWR) in standing ponies.Study designProspective, blinded, cross-over study.AnimalsSix healthy 5-year-old Shetland ponies.MethodsPonies received either 0.6 mg kg⁻¹ racemic ketamine (group RS) or 0.3 mg kg⁻¹ S-ketamine (group S) intravenously (IV), followed by a CRI of 20 μg kg⁻¹minute⁻¹ racemic ketamine (group RS) or 10 μg kg⁻¹minute⁻¹ S-ketamine (group S) for 59 minutes. The NWR was evoked by transcutaneous electrical stimulation of a peripheral nerve before drug administration, 15 and 45 minutes after the start of the bolus injection and 15 minutes after the end of the CRI. Electromyographic responses were recorded and analysed. Arterial blood was collected before stimulation and plasma concentrations of ketamine and norketamine were measured enantioselectively using capillary electrophoresis. Ponies were video recorded and monitored to assess drug effects on behaviour, heart rate (HR), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and respiratory rate.ResultsThe NWR was significantly depressed in group RS at plasma concentrations between 20 and 25 ng mL⁻¹ of each enantiomer. In group S, no significant NWR depression could be observed; plasma concentrations of S-ketamine (9–15 ng mL⁻¹) were lower, compared to S-ketamine concentrations in group RS, although this difference was not statistically significant. Minor changes in behaviour, HR and MAP only occurred within the first 5–10 minutes after bolus drug administration in both groups.ConclusionAntinociceptive activity in standing ponies, demonstrated as a depression of the NWR, could only be detected after treatment with racemic ketamine. S-ketamine may have lacked this effect as a result of lower plasma concentrations, a more rapid metabolism or a lower potency of S-ketamine in Equidae so further investigation is necessary.     

Examination of the prevalence of skin injuries in debeaked fattened turkeys

Within the framework of a cooperative research project, turkey health as well as numerous aspects of animal welfare were examined in various intensive commercial farms with varying rearing forms. The present study demonstrates the prevalence of skin injuries concerning living animals as well as carcasses of slaughtered turkeys of both sexes. Although all turkeys were debeaked, prevalences of skin injuries at a value of 12.8% with male turkeys and 13.8% with female turkeys could be found at the age of 16 weeks. Within the scope of medically inspections skin injuries were mainly established in the head region, especially the snood as well as in the region of the back. By means of their clinical picture pecking wounds and scratch injuries could be distinguished. Skin lesion produced primary as a result of scratching the skin surface, could be enlarged by the animal itself or by conspecifics by beak pecking, especially after bleeding, in spite of debeaked upper beak. Injuries in the head region, especially of the snood, could be explained mainly as a result of pecking by conspecifics by reason of their clinical picture and were found mainly in male turkeys. Skin injuries in the region of the back, especially at the coxal tuberosity, were identified primarily as scratch marks. They were found mainly in female turkeys. A statistically significant correlation of the injury prevalence to particular husbandry parameters discussed in the literature as "predisposing" or "limiting" factors (e.g., population density, light regime or offer of employment material) could not be established in this study. At the meat inspection fresh scratching injuries at the chest and the hind legs were diagnosed most often. Especially fresh injuries of the carcass point to a misguided behaviour of the staff concerning animal handling during loading and transport which is not conform to animal welfare.     

Changes of Al and Heavy Metal Concentrations in Slovak Soils During the Last 25 Years

The objective of this study was to investigate changes of total concentrations and various extract-defined Al and heavy metal fractions in Slovak agricultural soils during the last 25 years. We compared 7 stored soil samples collected between 1966 and 1970 with samples collected in 1994 at the same sites. Seven fractions of Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn were determined with a sequential extraction procedure in all samples. Total concentrations of Cd, Zn, Mn, Ni, and Cu were lower in the 1994 samples; those of Al, Fe, Pb, and Cr were higher. Based on the initial concentrations, the average total concentration changes were: Cd(-10,3%)<Zn(-7,2%)<Mn(-4,8%)<Ni(-2,3%)<Cu(-1,4%)<Al(+2,1%)<Fe(+2,9%)<Cr(+7,4%)<Pb(+8,3%). This row is consistent with the decrease in metal mobility. The differences in salt-extractable metals showed the same pattern; however, changes were more pronounced than for total concentrations. The results suggest that decreases during the last 25 years are caused by higher leaching than deposition rates and increases vice versa. The highest increase in Cr and Pb concentrations is observed in the EDTA-extractable fraction, which mainly characterizes organically bound metals.     

Diagnostic procedures and surgical treatment of craniodorsal coxofemoral luxation in calves

OBJECTIVE: To report use of ultrasonographic examination of the coxofemoral joint, a surgical technique for repair of craniodorsal coxofemoral dislocation, and outcome. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical case reports. ANIMALS: Calves (n=4) with coxofemoral luxation. METHODS: Craniodorsal coxofemoral luxation was diagnosed by physical examination, radiographic, and ultrasonographic findings. Open surgical reduction of the femoral head was performed using a modified caudal approach. RESULTS: Craniodorsal luxation of the femoral head and the presence of an intact femoral neck were confirmed by ultrasonography. All luxations were successfully reduced and reluxation did not occur. At follow-up, 1 heifer had calved and 1 was 5 months pregnant. One calf died of bronchopneumonia 6 days after surgery. One calf had severe coxofemoral degenerative joint disease diagnosed (ultrasonography, radiography, and arthrocentesis) 3 months after surgery and confirmed by necropsy. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonography proved to be a simple and effective non-invasive technique for diagnosis of coxofemoral luxation. Immediate surgical intervention in hip dislocation in calves is necessary to avoid unnecessary trauma to subchondral structures. In calves, open instead of closed surgical reduction appears preferable because it allows access to the acetabular cavity for removal of debris. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Ultrasonography should be considered a supplementary but not an alternative to radiographic examination for diagnosis of coxofemoral luxation and for follow-up examinations after reduction.     

抑制素免疫山羊卵巢对外源性促性腺激素的反应

用重组绵羊抑制素α亚单位在不发情季节主动免疫 4 0只波尔山羊。免疫前和免疫后用马的绒毛膜促性腺激素 (eCG)或猪的卵泡刺激素 (pFSH)处理。排卵通过超声波检测 ,胚胎用非手术法回收。试验结果表明 ,抑制素主动免疫能引起山羊超数排卵。     

APPEARANCE OF THE SACROILIAC JOINT IN VENTRODORSAL RADIOGRAPHS OF THE NORMAL CANINE PELVIS

Radiology of the canine sacroiliac (SI) joint was investigated by obtaining ventrodorsal radiographs of cadaveric pelves and bone specimens (n = 40) marked with solder wire or radiopaque paint to demonstrate the orientation of the sacroiliac joint in various radiographic views. In the following retrospective radiographic study (n = 94 survey sacroiliac joint radiographs), central projections of the sacrum were noted to ease identification of the dorsal, middle and ventral joint components, whereas angled projections of the sacrum had advantages when assessing the cranial joint components. Radiographic assessment was already successful in juvenile dogs older than 5 months. Failure in tracing the outlines of the joint space of the sacroiliac joints is not consistent with alteration of the SI joint. Rather, it was felt that alterations would have assisted in identifying the contours of the SI joints because of an increase in mineralization.     

Construction and characterization of a BAC library for sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

A bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library was constructed using the sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) restorer line RHA325, which carries the restorer gene Rf1 and the Pl2-gene conferring resistance to downy mildew. High molecular weight DNA was prepared from nuclei using leaf material from two-week old seedlings. The library was constructed using the HindIII site of pBeloBAC11. The current BAC library comprises 104,736 clones. The insert size of the clones varied between 20 and 270 kb, with an average insert size of 60 kb. The whole 1.9× sunflower BAC library was spotted in duplicate on four high-density filters, each carrying 55,296 clones. The content of organellar DNA, which was estimated by colony hybridisation against the mitochondrial probe coxI and the chloroplast probe rbcL, proved to be less than 0.03 and 0.1%, respectively. BAC pools, allowing PCR-based screening, were made and used to identify positive BAC clones for the markers OP-K13_454, closely linked to the restorer gene Rf1. The PCR-based screening was verified by the results obtained for this marker by colony hybridisation.     

Kupferaufnahme aus sproßapplizierten Kupferpräparaten durch Weizenpflanzen

Copper uptake from foliar applied copper sources by wheat plants Cu uptake of young wheat plants from foliar applied Cu sources such as Cu sulfate, Cu oxide chloride, Cu EDTA, and Cu lignosulphonate was studied over periods of 48 hours. Compared to Cu oxide chloride, Cu uptake from the remaining Cu compounds was approximately 3 times higher. Additives increased the adhesion of the Cu sources and supported Cu uptake. In pot experiments with Cu deficient soil, foliar applied Cu lignosulphonate with the addition of alkylphenolpolyglycolether, urea and sucrose was the most efficient Cu source. Splitting of the total Cu amount into two doses applied in intervals of 24 hours was the most effective treatment. In this case, grain yield was 90% of that obtained in the same soil with adequate Cu supply.