The pharmacokinetics and residues of clenbuterol in veal calves.

Seven female Brown Swiss calves were used to study the pharmacokinetics of clenbuterol after an effective anabolic dosage of 5 micrograms/kg of BW was given twice daily for 3 wk. Analyses of clenbuterol concentrations in different tissues was done by enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Tissue samples were taken from three calves on the last day of administration and from two more after 3.5 or 14 d of clenbuterol withdrawal. The rate of clenbuterol elimination was dependent on time and tissue. Clenbuterol concentrations in the lung dropped from a mean of 76 ng/g to a level of less than .08 ng/g after 14 d, whereas in the liver the clenbuterol concentrations decreased from 46 ng/g to .6 ng/g within 14 d of withdrawal. Highest levels were always found in the eye: 118 ng/g, 57.5 ng/g, and 15.1 ng/g after 0, 3.5, and 14 d of withdrawal, respectively. These data reveal that different compartments contribute to the elimination of clenbuterol; therefore, concentrations in urine do not follow first order kinetics. An initial rapid decline in the concentration of clenbuterol in urine with a half-life of 10 h is followed by a slower elimination with a half-life of about 2.5 d. Treatments using the anabolic dose of 5 micrograms/kg of BW require longer withdrawal times than the therapeutic dose (.8 micrograms/kg BW).     

The effects of aquaculture on bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops sp.) ranging in Shark Bay, Western Australia

The increasing presence of aquaculture in coastal waters calls for a better understanding of its environmental effects. Currently little information is available on the impact of shellfish farms on cetaceans. Here we compare long-term ranging patterns of adult female bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops sp. in Shark Bay, Western Australia) before and during full-scale pearl oyster farming operations, to determine if they were displaced. When the exact location of the oyster farm was determined, the dolphins decreased their use of that area after the farm was in place. Tracks of adult female dolphin movement near the oyster farm were compared to tracks of dolphin movement near an ecologically similar area where no oyster farm existed. Tracks near the oyster farm were less likely to enter the oyster farm itself than tracks near an ecologically similar location. This suggests that shellfish aquaculture could have a large impact on small cetaceans. The analytical techniques discussed apply broadly to aquatic and terrestrial animals.     

Differences between tight and loose cultures: a 33-nation study

With data from 33 nations, we illustrate the differences between cultures that are tight (have many strong norms and a low tolerance of deviant behavior) versus loose (have weak social norms and a high tolerance of deviant behavior). Tightness-looseness is part of a complex, loosely integrated multilevel system that comprises distal ecological and historical threats (e.g., high population density, resource scarcity, a history of territorial conflict, and disease and environmental threats), broad versus narrow socialization in societal institutions (e.g., autocracy, media regulations), the strength of everyday recurring situations, and micro-level psychological affordances (e.g., prevention self-guides, high regulatory strength, need for structure). This research advances knowledge that can foster cross-cultural understanding in a world of increasing global interdependence and has implications for modeling cultural change.     

Impact of arbuscular mycorrhiza on the St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) wilt disease induced by Colletotrichum cf. gloeosporioides

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - The importance of herbal plants is evident in the prevalent use as flavoring ingredients in food. However, meeting the growing demand for organic grown...     

Heavy metal pollutant tolerance of Azolla Pinnata

The effects of Hg, As, Pb, Cu, Cd, and Cr (1, 2, and 5 mg L^?1 each) on Azolla pinnata R. Br. were analyzed. The treatments (2 and 5 mg L^?1) of the heavy metal pollutants decreased Hill activity, chlorophyll, protein and dry wt, and increased tissue permeability over control values. The effects were most pronounced with the treatment of 5 mg L^?1. The harmful effects of the metals were, in general, found by the treatments in the order: Cd 〉 Hg 〉 Cu 〉 As 〉 Pb 〉 Cr. There was no significant change in these parameters at 1 mg L^?1 of the metals over control. Thus Azolla pinnata shows tolerance to the heavy metals tested up to 1 mg L^?1 each.     

Effects of aluminum on mineral content of mycorrhizal fungi in vitro

The influence of Al³⁺ on the mineral content of mycorrhizal fungi was studied in vitro. Amanita muscaria (L. ex Fr.) Pers. ex Hooker whose growth is reduced and Lactarius piperatus (L. ex Fr.) S.F. Gray whose growth is stimulated by Al³⁺ where chosen for the experiments. 0, 0.1, 1, and 10mM A³⁺ were added as Al₂(SO₄)₃ · 18H₂O to modified M-40 medium. Al³⁺ drastically affected the mineral contents of the mycelia of both fungi: the Al, Ca, and Na contents increased while P, Mg, and K decreased with the increasing Al³⁺ concentrations in the media. On the other hand, some important differences between the two mycelia were detected. In the mycelia of Lacterius piperatus grown on the control media, there was about twice as much Ca content and a three times lower P content than in the Amanita muscaria mycelia. The Al³⁺ content in the mycelia of Lactarius piperatus grown on 10mM Al³⁺ was six times higher than in Amanita muscaria at the same concentration.     

Einsatz bakterieller Antagonisten zur Bekämpfung von Krankheiten verursacht durch Rhizoctonia solani

Rhizoctonia solani is an important soil-borne pathogen causing diseases in numerous economically important crops. The pathogen R. solani can be responsible for relevant yield losses as well as on lettuce and potato. To develop a biocontrol strategy, two bacterial strains, Pseudomonas fluorescens L13–6-12 and Serratia plymuthica 3Re4–18 were evaluated against R. solani causing black scurf in potato and bottom rot in lettuce. The disease suppression effect of the two antagonists was tested as well as in a climate chamber and in the field during two vegetation periods. The results of the climate chamber experiments showed, that R. solani can significantly reduced the lettuce growth. The dry mass losses on lettuce and the disease severity on potato sprouts were significantly limited through bacterization. The antagonist L13–6-12 showed best disease suppression effect in climate chamber experiments on both crops. A significant lower disease severity was to observed in treatments with bacterial antagonists as well as on lettuce plants and harvested potato tubers during both vegetation periods. Also the dry mass losses on lettuce were clear reduced in treatments with bacterial antagonists, whereas only a partly limitation of yield losses on potato was to achieved. In summary, the results supported that the use of bacterial antagonists can be part of a control strategy against R. solani.     

Effect of Thermal Energy Intensity on Time and Rate of Nitrogen Accumulation by Maize (Zea mays L.)1

The effect of thermal energy intensity (TEI) on the rate of nitrogen (N) accumulation by maize from a Hamerly clay loam soil (Aerie Calciaquoll) was examined with and without supplemental irrigation. Soil- and air-TEI expressed as cumulative growing degree days (GDD) was determined from hourly temperature measurements taken within each plot at soil depths of 0.05-, 0.15-, and 0.3-m and at a height of 1.2-m above ground surface. A daily mean TEI (GDD per day) was calculated for each growth period. Estimates of time coefficient(s), k, in uni- and diphasic tanh[k(time)] functions, plotted against mean TEI for the periods; 1) planting to emergence, 2) emergence to eighth leaf, 3) eighth leaf to time(s) of maximum N accumulation rate, (t₀), 4) planting to t₀, 5) emergence to t₀, 6) first diphasic maximum accumulation rate (t₀₁) to 50 % silking, and 7) silking to second diphasic maximum accumulation rate t₀₂ showed several linear relationships. Uniphasic time coefficients were modelled as functions of air-TEI. The first diphasic time coefficient, k₁ was modelled as a function of pre- and post-emergent soil-TEI. Attempts to model k₂, the second time coefficient of the diphasic model were unsuccessful; however, this time coefficient was linearly related to TEI for the growth period ‘t₀₁, to 50 % silking’ and curvilinearly related to k₁.     

Resin-Extractable Phosphorus, Vanadium, Calcium and Magnesium as Factors in Maize (Zea mays L.) Yield

Resin extraction of soil permits evaluation of ratios of readily extracted elements and correlation of concentrations obtained with crop yield. This information provides guidance on potential genotype selection and fertility management. Two hybrids of maize ( Zea mays L.), designated 2292 and 3895, were grown annually in rotational succession on a 3.2-ha site with soybean ( Glycine max L.) and wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.). Soil samples (0–15 cm) were extracted with ion-exchange resins and extracts were analysed with inductively coupled plasma. Data were regressed against crop yield using stepwise multiple correlation methods. Each hybrid was sensitive to unique combinations of extracted chemistries. Both hybrids of maize were sensitive to the resin-extractable V : (V + P) molar ratio and potential losses of ≥ 20 % were indicated as the ratio approached 0.2. A positive response to the Mg : (Mg + Ca) resin-extractable ratio was noted for maize hybrid 2292 in each of three successive years. Changes of yield potentials associated with the Mg : (Mg + Ca) ratio for hybrid 2292 ranged from none to ≥ 20 % as the ratio ranged from 0.2 to about 0.8. The results indicate that, in the presence of large extractable concentrations of competing or inhibitory ions, different approaches to nutrient management in the form of fertilizer nutrient analysis, application, and genotype selection are needed to overcome effects of competing ions.     

Measurement of serum IgG in foals by radial immunodiffusion and automated turbidimetric immunoassay

Hypogammaglobulinemia as a result of failure of transfer of passive immunity (FTPI) is an important risk factor for infectious disease in neonatal foals. The current gold standard for determining serum immunoglobulin concentrations is radial immunodiffusion (RID). The purpose of this study was to compare immunoglobulin concentrations measured by RID with those determined by an automated turbidimetric immunoassay (TIA), which has a much shorter turnaround time. Immunoglobulin concentrations were measured by both RID and TIA in serum collected from 84 neonatal foals. Sixty-seven foals had results within the linear range for both assays. Sensitivity and specificity of TIA for diagnosis of FTPI with IgG < or = 800 mg/dL were 0.81 (95% CI 0.70-0.88) and 0.86 (95% CI 0.76-0.93) and with IgG < or = 400 mg/dL were 0.63 (95% CI 0.35-0.86) and 0.92 (95% CI 0.87-0.95), respectively. A significant linear relationship was found between IgG concentrations determined by TIA and RID (TIA = 0.9511RID + 8.4354; R2 = .59, P < .0001). The coefficients of variation for between-run and within-run precision for the TIA were 2.5 and 3%, respectively. Storage of samples from 10 foals at -20 degrees C for 10-12 months resulted in a reduction in TIA-measured serum IgG concentration of -17.6% (SD = 3.7%), indicating that long-term storage of samples at -20 degrees C should be avoided. The results of this study indicate that measurement of serum IgG by TIA can be used to evaluate foals for FTPI.