Validation of liquid chromatographic method for assay of calcitriol and alfacalcidol in capsule formulations

The validation of a liquid chromatographic procedure suitable for the determination of calcitriol and alfacalcidol in their respective formulations labeled to contain at least 0.25 micrograms drug per unit is described. The capsule content is diluted and chromatographed in 15-20 min on silica columns (5 micron) with a mobile phase of hexane-tetrahydrofuran-methylene dichloride-isopropanol (72 + 12 + 12 + 4, v/v) with detection at 254 nm. The calibration curve is linear. Recoveries of "spikes" averaged 101% with a standard deviation of 2%. Precision was better than 1.5%.     

Effect of Pasteurella multocida and Haemophilus pleuropneumoniae toxins on swine alveolar macrophages

Supernatants were obtained from 18 hr. broth cultures of Pasteurella multocida strains D82 and D62 (serotype D, toxigenic), Kobe 6 (type D, non-toxigenic), A50 and X73 (type A, non-toxigenic), Haemophilus pleuropneumoniae serotypes 1, 5 and 6, Haemophilus sp. taxon "minor group" (2 strains) and an avirulent serotype 1 strain of H. pleuropneumoniae. The supernates were filtered, pH-neutralized and tested for cytotoxicity after incubation for 18 hours in the presence of swine alveolar macrophage monolayers. Supernatants from H. pleuropneumoniae serotypes 1, 5 and 6 were cytocidal.     

Pemphigus foliaceus of the footpads in three dogs

Severe hyperkeratinization and villous hypertrophy of the footpads were seen in 3 middle-aged dogs. Peeling, fissuring, swelling, and ulcerations were noted on the margins of severely affected pads. Pain was evident in palpation and ambulation. Lesions were compatible with the traditional diagnosis of "hard pad disease". Histopathologic findings were diagnostic for canine pemphigus foliaceus in all 3 dogs, and direct immunofluorescence in an intercellular pattern was seen in both dogs that were tested. All 3 dogs responded to immunosuppressive dosages of corticosteroids.     

Behaviour of roaster chickens towards an automatic weighing perch

1. Automatic weighing equipment was tested on a flock of 752 roaster chickens reared on litter to 10 weeks of age.

2. Mean body weights obtained automatically were lower than those obtained manually, mainly because of birds perching on the automatic weighing perch with part of their body in contact with the floor.

3. Birds observed on the weighing perch on one day of the week were 3–5 times more likely to use the perch again on the following 2 d than expected on the basis of random perch use by flock members. These birds were also more likely to be seen in the area immediately surrounding the perch than in similar areas elsewhere in the pen.