Some pharmacokinetic data of aditoprim and trimethoprim in healthy and tick-borne fever infected dwarf goats

Aditoprim (AP) is a new dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor, which is structurally related to trimethoprim (TMP). The pharmacokinetics of AP (10 mg/kg) and TMP (20 mg/kg) were assessed in healthy dwarf goats. Therapeutic efficacy against rickettsial infections was tested in tick-borne fever (TBF) infected goats. The animals were given TMP (n = 5) or AP (n = 5) by i.v. injection, and subsequently the drugs were administered orally (same groups, similar doses). Finally, both groups were infected with TBF and the i.v. experiment was repeated. Plasma concentration-time curves for both drugs followed first-order two-compartment decay. For TMP, mean t1/2 beta +/- SEM (h) was 0.84 +/- 0.06 (i.v. control) and 0.90 +/- 0.06 (i.v. infected), respectively, whereas for AP values of 8.00 +/- 0.31 (i.v. control) and 10.28 +/- 0.67 (i.v. infected) were obtained (P less than 0.05). Mean Vd beta +/- SEM values (l/kg) were 3.84 +/- 0.27 (i.v. control) and 4.07 +/- 0.85 (i.v. infected) for TMP (NS) and 7.02 +/- 0.63 vs 9.29 +/- 0.21 (P less than 0.05) for AP. After i.v. injection, rumen fluid concentrations of AP were significantly (P less than 0.05) higher and more persistent than those of TMP. For AP, the plasma and rumen fluid concentrations at 3 h were 1.20 +/- 0.06 micrograms/ml and 0.85 +/- 0.17 microgram/ml, respectively. After oral administration of TMP, Cmax in plasma was 0.12 +/- 0.01 microgram/ml and the maximum was reached after 1.2 +/- 0.16 h; systemic bioavailability (F) was 10.3% (relative to AUC i.v.). Oral treatment with AP resulted in a Cmax value of 0.21 +/- 0.02 microgram/ml with Tmax of 22.5 +/- 1.65 h and a F value of 71%. Based on WBC, serum ALP and rectal temperature responses, it was concluded that both TMP and AP were inactive against Ehrlichia phagocytophila.     

Antipyrine disposition in the dehydrated camel

In the present study the effects of water deprivation in the camel ( Camelus dromedarius ) on the pharmacokinetic profile of antipyrine were assessed. A crossover design was used. The pharmacokinetics of antipyrine in adult and young camels were compared. Antipyrine was administered intravenously to young and adult female camels when water was available ad libitum and to the adult camels after 14 days of dehydration. The elimination half-life of antipyrine in watered adult camels was 136.5 ± 16.7 min. The half-life of elimination and the mean residence time of antipyrine were significantly prolonged following dehydration. The observed effects of water deprivation were not a function of age, as the pharmacokinetic profile of antipyrine in young camels was similar to that of the adults, but more likely due to the changes in oxidative metabolic capacity of the liver as a result of a reduced general metabolism. The results of the present study also show that the intrinsic clearance of antipyrine is proportional to the camel's body weight, as previously shown for other mammalian species.     

GENESIS AND MORPHOLOGY OF SOME ALPINE PSEUDOGLEY PROFILES

Two representative Alpine pseudogley profiles from a high Alpine region in Switzerland are described. Their genesis is mainly a function of illuviation, oxidation and reduction processes, and frost action. A relationship between soil type and vegetation was not found. The higher content of silt in the topsoil can be attributed largely to sedimentation of wind-blown particles.     

Balance trials with African catfish Clarias gariepinus fed phytase-treated soybean meal-based diets

Balance trials were conducted with African catfish Clarias gariepinus to assess the effect of phytase treatment of soybean meal-based diets on growth, feed utilization and nutrient budgets. Isocaloric (20–22 kJ g⁻¹) and isonitrogenous (47–50% protein) diets were tested. In a first experiment the control diet (58% fish meal and 18% soybean meal) was compared with two diets containing 6% fish meal and 69% soybean meal, and two diets containing 29% fish meal and 41% soybean meal. One of each of these two diets had been pretreated with phytase (1000 units per kg dry diet). In the second experiment, the control diet (6% fish meal and 69% soybean meal, pretreated with 1000 units phytase kg⁻¹ dry diet) was compared with four diets that were similar in composition but supplemented with increasing amounts of phytase (15, 380, 750, 1000 units kg⁻¹ dry diet). Replacement of fish meal by soybean meal in the first experiment led to a depression in growth rate and feed utilization parameters. Results of both experiments clearly indicated a positive effect of phytase treatment, particularly on phosphorus digestibility and retention, and consequently the phosphorus conversion efficiency and the phosphorus budget. No differences in these parameters were found between addition of equal amounts of phytase by pretreatment or supplementation.     

Review of morphological and behavioural differences between reared and wild individuals: Implications for sea-ranching of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua L., and European lobster, Homarus gammarus L.

Abstract The main question which must be raised when planning to enhance natural populations through sea ranching is whether reared organisms are fit for a life in the wild, or more specifically, whether there are differences between reared and naturally resident individuals. The causes and effects of these differences are reviewed, and results from the Norwegian enhancement programme, which compared reared and wild individuals of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., Atlantic cod, Gadus morhua L., and European lobster, Homarus gammarus L., are discussed with emphasis on morphological and behavioural differences. It was concluded that exposure to an artificial rearing environment during ontogeny can affect both the phenotype and the behaviour of the reared individuals, and thereby, their potential for survival after release into the wild as well. Suggestions are made as to how to diminish observed differences, and thereby, improve the survival potential.     

Stock structure of blue threadfin Eleutheronema tetradactylum across northern Australia as inferred from stable isotopes in sagittal otolith carbonate

Abstract Stable isotopes of δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C in sagittal otolith carbonates were used to determine the stock structure of the polynemid Eleutheronema tetradactylum (Shaw) across tropical northern Australia, where this species is an important component of inshore commercial and recreational fisheries. Stable isotopes from the sagittal otolith carbonate of 470 fish from 11 discrete locations across western, northern and eastern Australia were sampled between 2007 and 2009. Analysis of these stable isotopes revealed different location‐specific signatures, indicating strong population subdivision. The significant differences in the isotopic signatures of E. tetradactylum demonstrated that there is unlikely to be substantial movement of fish between these locations. The spatial separation of these populations indicates a complex fine spatial scale stock structure across northern Australia, with at least 11 stocks or management units present. The population subdivision of E. tetradactylum was evident along expansive stretches of open beach systems and within coastal embayments with no physical barriers such as headlands. These results indicate that optimal fisheries management will require a review of the current spatial arrangements, particularly the potential for localised depletion of stocks on small spatial scales.     

INDIGENOUS SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION BY TERAS IN EASTERN SUDAN

Recent remotely sensed and socio-economic data of the Border Area in eastern Sudan indicate that indigenous soil and water conservation (ISWC) is expanding. The most elaborate technique is teras (bunded landholding) which uses earth bunds to harvest rainwater from small catchments. Most factors suggested in the literature to account for ISWC expansion do not apply to the Border Area. On the contrary, the region is characterised by precisely those factors which are commonly held to be responsible for a declining incidence of ISWC. Given the low level of ISWC returns when compared with incomes from other economic sectors and crop production techniques in the Border Area, the importance of ISWC must be understood from other merits. These include its role in livelihood diversification and risk-reduction strategies at household level. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.