In Vitro Evaluation of the Antibiotic Activity of Combinations of Ophthalmic Drugs Against Common Equine Ocular Pathogens

A subpalpebral lavage catheter is commonly used to administer medications in the treatment of infectious keratitis in horses. Drugs may mix in the subpalpebral lavage catheter, potentially affecting antimicrobial efficacy. The objective of this study was to determine the in vitro antimicrobial efficacy of combinations of commonly used ophthalmic preparations. An agar gel diffusion bioassay was used to determine the antibiotic activity of a number of antimicrobial, antifungal, mydriatic, and antiproteinase drug combinations. Drug mixtures were allowed to sit in a syringe at ambient temperatures and room lighting, for 1 (T1) and 6 hours (T2). The antibacterial efficacy was determined by measuring the zone of inhibition around wells containing the drug combinations after overnight incubation at 37°C and comparing them with the zone of inhibition around the antimicrobial alone. Combinations were tested against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptococcus zooepidemicus. There was no significant decrease in the zone of inhibition, compared with controls, for the majority of combinations tested. Significantly smaller zones of inhibition were identified for the following combinations: (1) tobramycin, cefazolin, natamycin, and serum (T1) and (2) tobramycin, cefazolin, natamycin, serum, and atropine (T1) compared with tobramycin alone; (3) ciprofloxacin, cefazolin, natamycin (T1) compared with ciprofloxacin alone; (4) triple antibiotic ophthalmic solution (TAB) and natamycin (T6); (5) TAB, natamycin, and serum (T6); and (6) TAB, natamycin, serum, and atropine (T6) compared with TAB alone. Admixture does not affect in vitro antibacterial efficacy for the majority of ophthalmic preparations, although efficacy of TAB may be decreased compared with the drug alone.     

Sources of tolerance to low soil nitrogen in some Striga resistant and quality protein maize (Zea mays L.) varieties

Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology - Low soil nitrogen (N) is one of the major abiotic stresses reducing maize yield in Africa. Twenty-five maize varieties which included quality protein...     

Clinical and pathologic responses of American crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) and fish crows (C ossifragus) to experimental West Nile virus infection

West Nile virus (WNV)-associated disease has a range of clinical manifestations among avian taxa, the reasons for which are not known. Species susceptibility varies within the avian family Corvidae, with estimated mortality rates ranging from 50 to 100%. We examined and compared virologic, immunologic, pathologic, and clinical responses in 2 corvid species, the American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) and the fish crow (C ossifragus), following experimental WNV inoculation. Unlike fish crows, which remained clinically normal throughout the study, American crows succumbed to WNV infection subsequent to dehydration, electrolyte and pH imbalances, and delayed or depressed humoral immune responses concurrent with marked, widespread virus replication. Viral titers were approximately 3,000 times greater in blood and 30,000 to 50,000 times greater in other tissues (eg, pancreas and small intestine) in American crows versus fish crows. Histologic lesion patterns and antigen deposition supported the differing clinical outcomes, with greater severity and distribution of lesions and WNV antigen in American crows. Both crow species had multiorgan necrosis and inflammation, although lesions were more frequent, severe, and widespread in American crows, in which the most commonly affected tissues were small intestine, spleen, and liver. American crows also had inflammation of vessels and nerves in multiple tissues, including heart, kidney, and the gastrointestinal tract. WNV antigen was most commonly observed within monocytes, macrophages, and other cells of the reticuloendothelial system of affected tissues. Collectively, the data support that WNV-infected American crows experience uncontrolled systemic infection leading to multiorgan failure and rapid death.     

THE PATH OF CARBON IN PHOTOSYNTHESIS. XXIX. GLASS MICROBEADS

Glass microbeads are introduced as convenient and applicable mechanical supports for hydroponics that can be released from roots to exhibit visually discernible responses. Moreover, glass microbeads refract light, effectively redistributing light toward the phylloplane. The smallest beads, <300 μm diameter, rose from neutral to ～pH 9 in water and the rise was attributable the raw materials source, sodalime glass. The largest 700 μm diameter beads were relatively stable in buffered nutrients. Photography of unobstructed roots was aided by release of microbeads from ryegrass, coleus, corn, and narcissus. Propagation of ‘Ninsei’ was undertaken in containers constructed with inflow and drainage ports. Photodocumentation of responses to indoxylglucopyranoside exhibited consistent differences as compared to controls when cultured in glass microbeads; and further investigations into increased light intensity by refraction may lead to enhanced photosynthetic efficiency.     

The Path of Carbon in Photosynthesis. XXV. Plant and Algal Growth Responses to Glycopyranosides

Substituted glycopyranosides were applied to various plant species as foliar and root treatments, with and without nutrient supplements, and growth was compared to untreated or nutrient controls. When formulated with specific fertilizers, particularly available nitrogen, methyl and ethyl glycopyranosides significantly enhanced the overall growth of vascular plants compared to controls provided with the same nutrients. In contrast, vascular plants treated with alkylglycopyranosides without nutrients showed growth equivalent to that of untreated controls. Nitrogen-supplemented alkylglycopyranosides provided as foliar applications of 100 mM, or as root treatments between 35 and 50 mM, consistently enhanced root and shoot productivity. In addition to the vascular plant species tested, the brown alga Laminaria saccharina exhibited significant growth enhancement over nutrient controls when treated with alkylglycopyranosides supplemented with nutrients, especially under low irradiance. Overall, these results indicate that growth of photosynthetic organisms is enhanced by exogenous alkylglycopyranosides supplemented with nitrogen and micronutrients, but not by alkylglycopyranosides alone.     

M-MODE AND DOPPLER ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC FINDINGS IN NORMAL FERRETS SEDATED WITH KETAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE AND MIDAZOLAM

M-mode and Doppler echocardiographic values were obtained from 30 normal adult ferrets (14 neutered females, 13 neutered males, 3 intact males) sedated with an intramuscular combination of ketamine hydrochloride and midazolam. Routine M-mode measurements of the left and right ventricle, left atrium (LA) and aorta (AO) and Doppler measurements of aortic and pulmonic outflow, and mitral inflow were recorded. The following values were calculated: LA:AO diameter, ratio of peak E: peak A wave velocity (E:A ratio) for mitral inflow, and stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO) and cardiac index (CI) for both pulmonary and aortic outflow tracts. Maximal aortic velocities (AOmax) and velocity-time integral values (AO VTI) were significantly less than corresponding pulmonary outflow tract values (PAmax, PA VTI) but there was no difference in calculated values for SV, CO or CI. Calculated CO values were in the range expected based on the size of the species. Difficulties in aligning the aortic outflow tract for Doppler imaging may make pulmonary outflow Doppler values more consistent for use in estimating volume flow in ferrets.     

施用竹炭对卷心菜叶绿素含量和荧光参数的影响

为探究人工施用竹炭对卷心菜叶绿素含量和荧光参数的影响,进而明确卷心菜的最适竹炭有机肥施用量,在田间试验条件下设置了无碳(CK)、中碳(MC)和高碳(SC)3个处理,对卷心菜莲座期和结球期的叶绿素含量及荧光参数进行测量研究.结果表明:(1)结球期的卷心菜叶绿素含量极显著高于莲座期(p0.01),且随着竹炭量的增加,两个时期的叶绿素含量变化趋势一致,从高到低依次为:MC,CK,SC.(2)结球期的卷心菜初始最小荧光Fo、初始最大荧光Fm、PSⅡ的最大光化学效率Fv/Fm,PSⅡ的潜在活性Fv/Fo、非光化学猝灭系数qN均低于莲座期,而PSⅡ实际光化学效率ΦPSⅡ、光化学猝灭系数qP高于莲座期,且随着竹炭量的增加,两个时期的这些参数均表现出一致的变化趋势,Fo和qN均呈"V"型变化,而Fm,Fv/Fm,Fv/Fo,ΦPSⅡ和qP均呈现倒"V"趋势,但对ΦPSⅡ和qP没有显著影响(p0.05).说明结球期的卷心菜光合作用高于莲座期;当竹炭量由CK增加到MC,有利于提高叶片叶绿素含量,增强光能利用率,减少植株热耗散,提高植株光合作用;但随着竹炭量进一步增加到SC,卷心菜叶片叶绿素含量降低,光能利用率减弱,热耗散增加,光合作用受到抑制,即中炭(MC)处理条件下,此卷心菜长势最优,表明中炭是该卷心菜生长的最适竹炭有机肥施用量.     

Comparison of bacteria isolated from specimens obtained by use of endoscopic guarded tracheal swabbing and percutaneous tracheal aspiration in horses

Results of bacteriologic culture of specimens obtained from 14 horses with pneumonia and from 15 horses that were clinically healthy (nonpneumonia group) were compared. Specimens were obtained by use of an endoscopic guarded tracheal swabbing method and percutaneous tracheal aspiration. The percentage of agreement between the 2 tracheal specimens for the horses of the pneumonia group was 79% for aerobic isolates and 100% for anaerobic isolates. The percentage of agreement between results of the 2 tracheal specimens for horses of the nonpneumonia group was 80% for aerobic organisms and 93% for anaerobic organisms. The endoscopic guarded swabbing method described here for obtaining specimens from the lower airways for bacteriologic culture did not always prevent contamination. Results of the study suggested that this endoscopic swabbing technique has merit and should be considered as an alternative to the tracheal aspiration method. Pseudomonas sp and any anaerobic bacteria that are isolated must be viewed as potential contaminants of the endoscopic swab specimen and may not be involved in the primary pulmonary disease.