Comparison of an Antimicrobial Adhesive Drape and Povidone-lodine Preoperative Skin Preparation in Dogs

The antimicrobial efficacy of an adhesive drape applied after a 1-minute alcohol scrub was compared to a povidone-iodine (PI) skin preparation technique in dogs. Each technique was applied to both sides of 15 adult anesthetized dogs on premeasured, clipped areas of skin. Skin bacteria were quantified before, immediately after, and 1 hour after skin preparation. Predominant skin bacteria were isolated by swabbing the skin. The percentages of bacterial reduction immediately after and 1 hour after skin preparation, percentages of negative culture results, cultures with more than five colony-forming units, and the frequency of skin reactions were calculated and analyzed statistically. Drape adhesion was assessed subjectively. The percentage reduction in skin bacteria was significant for both techniques and comparable to that reported in humans. The adhesive drape was significantly less effective in both the immediate and 1-hour periods. Lift occurred in 66% of drape applications but was not associated with high bacterial counts. Acute contact dermatitis was more frequent after skin preparation with PI. There was no difference between the techniques in recovery of potential skin pathogens. The authors conclude that application of this antimicrobial adhesive drape after a 1-minute alcohol scrub is not as effective in the reduction of skin bacteria in dogs as is PI preparation of the skin.     

Rhabdomyosarcoma in the Japanese medaka, Oryzia latipes (Temminck & Schlegel) and guppy, Poecilia reticulata Peters

Abstract. Three cases of skeletal muscle neoplasms occurring in two small fish species used in carcinogen tests are reported. The cases illustrated a wide range of histologic patterns, and consisted of a well-differentiated juvenile type, a well-differentiated pleomorphic type and a poorly differentiated pleomorphic type. A rhabdomyosarcoma with juvenile type features developed in the Japanese medaka, Oryzias latipes , exposed to 0·5 ml/1 of the solvent dimethylformamide. A pleomorphic type rhabdomyosarcoma occurred in one medaka and in one guppy, Poecilia reticulata , exposed to the carcinogen methylazoxymethanol acetate. These cases indicate the potential for skeletal muscle cells in medaka and guppy to become neoplastic but, because the tumours occurred at a low frequency, there may not necessarily be a chemical aetiology.     

Nutrient intake of horses in Thoroughbred and Standardbred stables

SUMMARY Twenty-five Thoroughbred (TB) and 25 Standardbred (SB) stables were visited to determine their feeding practices. The ingredients of the main feed of the day for a mature gelding of average size in full training were weighed at each stable. Nutrient content of diets was calculated using published data for the individual ingredients. Results are expressed as mean±sd. The estimated body weight of TB horses was 493±34 kg and 437±32 kg for SB horses. There was considerable variation in diet composition and nutrient intake between stables. The TB trainers fed 11.0±2.4 kg and SB trainers 11.8±2.5 kg per day. The concentrate component of the diet weighed 7.8±1.6 and 7.7±2.3 kg for TB and SB stables, respectively, and the roughage component for TB horses 3.3±1.4 and SB horses 4.1±1.4 kg per day. The digestible energy intake of horses at TB stables was 129±29 MJ per day and at SB stables 132±31 MJ per day. Crude protein intake of TB horses was 1452±363 g and SB horses 1442±338 g per day. There were differences in some feeding practices at TB and SB stables. Standardbred trainers fed more roughage than TB trainers. Standardbred trainers fed chaffed lucerne (alfalfa) and cereal hays as the major roughage, whereas TB trainers fed more hay. The major hay type fed by TB trainers was lucerne, whereas many SB trainers preferred clover hay. Both trainers fed oats as the major grain, but TB trainers fed slightly more maize (corn) than SB trainers. The SB trainers fed barley as part of the concentrate component of the diet, whereas TB trainers usually fed boiled barley and linseed oil in winter only. Although many trainers used vitamin and mineral supplements, this appeared unnecessary in many Instances, especially with respect to Iron. Calcium and NaCI supplementation was necessary for some diets. We concluded that while there was a wide range in feed intake and diet composition for both TB and SB horses, average nutrient intakes were similar to National Research Council (1989) recommendations for horses performing intense work.     

Evaluation of a simulation model for prediction of herbicide movement and persistence in soil

The movement and persistence of residues of propyzamide, linuron, isoxaben and R-40244 were measured in a sandy loam soil in field experiments prepared in spring and autumn. None of the herbicides moved to depths greater than 12 cm in the soil during the winter period, following application in autumn, and none moved more than 6 cm in the soil, following application in spring. The general order of persistence of total soil residues was isoxaben > linuron = R-40244 > propyzamide. Appropriate constants to describe the moisture and temperature dependence of degradation were derived from laboratory incubation experiments and used with measurements of the strengths of adsorption of the different herbicides by the soil, in a computer model of herbicide movement. The model, in general, gave good predictions of total soil residues, but overestimated herbicide movement, particularly in winter. Measurements of herbicide desorption from the soil at intervals, during a laboratory incubation experiment, demonstrated an apparent increase in the strength of adsorption with time. When appropriate allowance was made for these changes in adsorption in the computer model, improved predictions of the vertical distribution of the herbicide residues were obtained.     

Aspects of the selective phytotoxicity of methazole. II. Behaviour in plants following root exposure

The absorption, translocation and degradation of methazole were examined in onion, Stellaria media, Matricaria matricarioides and Veronica persica grown in culture solution. After a short period of initial rapid uptake, all four species absorbed herbicide and water in the same proportions. Translocation of herbicide to the shoots was directly proportional to transpiration, but the apparent solute concentration in the xylem was less than that in the external solution and varied between the species. A smaller percentage of the total absorbed herbicide was translocated to the shoot in V. persica, the most tolerant species. Methazole was relatively stable in M. matricariodes and was degraded slowly to 3-(3,4-dicnlorophenyl)-1-methylurea (DCPMU). It was degraded rapidly to DCPMU in the other three species and this accumulated in onion and S. media. In V. persica DCPMU was degraded further to 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl) urea (DCPU). Methazole was not an active inhibitor of photosynthesis by isolated spinach chloroplasts. Both DCPMU and DCPU inhibited photosynthesis but DCPMU was 200-times more active than DCPU. Variations in the concentrations of DCPMU in the shoots of the different species largely accounted for the variations in their response to methazole applied pre-emergence.     

Residualwirkung von Chlortriazin-Herbiziden im Boden an drei rumänischen Standorten. I. Prognose der Persistenz von Simazin und Atrazin im Boden

Residual effects of chlorotriazine herbicides in soil at three Rumanian sites. I. Prediction of the persistence of simazine and atrazine Persistence of simazine and atrazine in the top 10 cm soil was measured at three sites in Rumania with variations in climate and soil conditions. Both herbicides were applied at 1 and 3 kg ai ha^?1 to uncropped plots and to plots cropped with maize (Zea mays L.). Rates of residue decline were independent of application rate and crop cover but varied between sites. The time for 50% loss of atrazine varied from 36 to 68 days and that of simazine from 48 to 70 days. Laboratory studies were made with atrazine to characterize degradation rates under standard conditions and to measure adsorption and leaching behaviour in the different soils. Weather records for the periods of the field experiments were used in conjunction with appropriate constants derived from the laboratory results, or from data in the literature, in a computer program to simulate persistence in the field. Results from the model were in reasonable agreement with the observed soil residues although there was a tendency to overestimate rates of loss on some occasions. The results suggest that the model of persistence was sufficiently accurate for practical purposes, and that its use could preclude the need for extensive analytical measurements of residues.     

Water intake of normal children

Estimates of daily total fluid intake and of tap-water consumption of normal children were made in four dissimilar geographic areas in the United States. (Total fluid intake increased and, relatively speaking, tap-water consumption decreased, with age.) Of basic importance in fluoridation programs was the observation that even older children rarely drank as much as 500 ml (about 1 pint) of tap water daily.