Pharmacokinetic adjustment of gentamicin dosing in horses with sepsis

Serum gentamicin concentrations were measured and pharmacokinetic values were calculated for 12 equine patients receiving parenteral gentamicin therapy. Horses were selected for monitoring of gentamicin pharmacokinetics if they met several criteria of high risk for gentamicin-induced toxicosis. Two blood samples were obtained, one immediately before gentamicin dosing and one at 1 hour after dosing. Gentamicin serum concentrations were analyzed and dosage adjustments were made on the basis of calculated one-compartment pharmacokinetic values. Nine of the 12 horses required dosage adjustment to optimize therapeutic concentrations. Even for horses for which there was no evidence of decreased renal function, variation in the disposition of gentamicin was substantial. Because of the larger volume of distribution in foals, an initial dosage of 3 mg/kg every 12 hours was found to best approximate target concentrations. Therefore, published standard dosages were a poor means of achieving desired peak and trough concentrations in many animals. Seemingly, for optimal treatment of horses with sepsis, gentamicin dosage adjustments based on the patient's pharmacokinetic values is required.     

兰州市生态农业旅游开发

系统分析了兰州市发展生态农业旅游的有利条件、开发现状和存在问题,提出了发展兰州市生态农业旅游的建议。     

Bragg soybeans grown on a southern coastal plain soil III. Seasonal changes in nodal Fe,Zn, and Mn concentrations

Determinate soybean [Glyclne max (L.) Merr.] has been characterized by few detailed micronutrlent partitioning studies. Knowledge of the variation in mlcronutrient concentrations with plant part, nodal position, and plant age is needed for a better understanding of plant functions. In this field study, ‘Bragg’ soybean were grown on an Aquic Paleudult soil (Series Goldsboro loamy sand). Plants were sampled at 10–14 day intervals beginning 44 days after planting (July 7) until harvest. Maximum observed Fe concentrations were 152, 276, 259, and 191 ppm for stem internodes, petioles (+ branches), leaf blades, and pods, respectively. Maximum observed Zn concentrations were 118, 91, 95, and 112 ppm for the same respective plant parts. Maximum observed Mn concentrations were 41, 73, 134, and 63 ppm for the same respective plant parts. Nodal and temporal mean concentra tlons of Fe, Zn, and Mn generally varied considerably due to plant age and nodal position, respectively, in all plant parts. These data document that for plant analysis, mean concentrations of elements in all four plant parts can vary by several fold depending upon plant age and nodal composition of the sample. Regression equations and associated response surfaces will be extremely useful in the development of accurate plant growth models which describe Fe, Zn, and Mn concentrations and translocations among parts of determinate soybean.     

新疆甜菜高产高效益优化农艺措施

采用3因素5水平二次通用旋转回归试验设计方法,选取密度、种肥量、追肥量3项对甜菜高产、高效益起关键作用的农艺措施进行量化分析,提出直播方式下的高产、高效益模型,获得了60t/hm2以上和净收益7000元/hm2以上的优化农艺措施组合方案为:密度8.42～8.34万株/hm2,种肥222～248.4kg/hm2,追肥383～408.6kg/hm2。     

Repeated grading of weed abundance and multivariate methods to improve the efficacy of on-farm weed control trials

We evaluated whether new information could be drawn from additional data collection and unconventional statistical analyses of an on-farm trial. First, we compared a conventional sampling method using a biomass estimate of weed abundance to repeated visual assessment of the percentage ground cover of weeds. The biomass was sampled once after the treatment, whereas the ground cover was repeatedly sampled once before weed control plus several occasions after weed control. Second, we contrasted the outcomes from analysis of variance ( anova ), taking samples from a single point in time with repeated measures (rm) anova and a multivariate method. As the outcomes and conclusions drawn were relatively similar, we conclude that the ground cover estimate of weed abundance was as reliable as the biomass estimate. The rm anova enabled us to follow the temporal trend in response to treatments in the most abundant species, including possible initial differences. Multivariate analysis went even further, by clearly displaying species-wise responses and treatment selectivity.     

Dystocia in beef heifers: A review of genetic and nutritional influences

Breeding beef heifers for the first time at 15 months of age has potential to increase the efficiency of the beef breeding-cow herd. An increased incidence of dystocia in heifers calving at 2 years of age, compared to mature cows, is a major reason many farmers in New Zealand have not adopted the practice. The predominant type of dystocia affecting 2-year-old heifers is feto-maternal disproportion, a condition in which the fetus is too large relative to the size of the heifer's pelvis. Reducing birthweight of the calf is a means of reducing the incidence of dystocia. Birthweight and length of gestation are determined by genotype of the calf, maternal genetic effects and environmental effects.

Bulls with low estimated breeding values for birthweight have been selected for mating heifers; however, the positive genetic correlation between birthweight and mature weight meant that the progeny of these bulls tended to be lighter at finishing, making them less desirable in the beef industry. The genotype of the dam also plays a role in determining the risk of dystocia; the maternal ability of the dam to nurture the fetus influences birth- weight, and the dam's genetic potential for growth influences the size of her pelvic area. Heavy heifers tend to produce high- birthweight calves, counteracting the reduction in the incidence of dystocia resulting from the larger pelvis in larger heifers.

Manipulating feeding level during pregnancy offers an alternative method for manipulating the birthweight of calves. Little is known about the effects of nutrition in early gestation on placental development or birthweight of calves. No differences in the birthweight of calves have been observed in response to variation in feeding in mid-pregnancy, and variable responses in birthweight and the incidence of dystocia to feeding in the third trimester of pregnancy have been reported. Differences in birthweight have not always resulted in differences in the incidence of dystocia, primarily due to differences in liveweight of the heifer also induced by feeding regimens. Variability in the incidence of dystocia in response to feeding level in the third trimester of pregnancy makes it difficult to make recommendations for the feeding of heifers at this stage of gestation. More research is needed into the effects of nutrition in early gestation on fetal and placental development in cattle.     

The use of ultrasonography in the reproductive evaluation of boars

The objective was to study the use of ultrasound as a complementary test in the breeding soundness evaluation in male pigs and study the pattern of echogenicity of the testicular parenchyma in boars of different racial groups. Twenty‐six adult boars from four different racial groups were used, 10 from the Piau breed (group 1), four from the commercial and finishing group (group 2), six Pietrain breed (group 3) and six from the Duroc breed (group 4). All animals were evaluated for breeding soundness evaluation and the ultrasound examination of the testicles. The groups of animals that were evaluated showed no difference in the main semen parameters that were evaluated, except for the sperm volume, concentration of the ejaculated sperm and the supravital staining; the lowest figures were for the animals from the Piau breed (group 1). In relation to the testicular biometrics, Duroc animals (group 4) had a greater scrotal width compared to the other groups. But when we assessed the intensity of pixels of the testicles, there was a difference between groups. The groups 2 (finishing animals), 3 (Pietrain) and 4 had no difference between themselves. Group 3 had greater pixel intensity in relation to group 1. Of the 26 animals studied, five showed an abnormality during ultrasound evaluation, like hydrocele, hyperechoic mass in the testicular parenchyma, cyst in the head of the epididymis and the presence of fluid in the head and tail of the epididymis. The various animal groups studied did not differ in the principal reproductive parameters evaluated, showing that despite the great variability of reproductive traits between breeds and within the same breed, the breeding soundness evaluation, the more complete it is, is essential for the selection of breeders and the ultrasonography of the reproductive system becomes an important addition in this examination.