Dynamics of African swine fever virus shedding and excretion in domestic pigs infected by intramuscular inoculation and contact transmission

African swine fever virus (ASFV) is a highly virulent swine pathogen that has spread across Eastern Europe since 2007 and for which there is no effective vaccine or treatment available. The dynamics of shedding and excretion is not well known for this currently circulating ASFV strain. Therefore, susceptible pigs were exposed to pigs intramuscularly infected with the Georgia 2007/1 ASFV strain to measure those dynamics through within- and between-pen transmission scenarios. Blood, oral, nasal and rectal fluid samples were tested for the presence of ASFV by virus titration (VT) and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Serum was tested for the presence of ASFV-specific antibodies. Both intramuscular inoculation and contact transmission resulted in development of acute disease in all pigs although the experiments indicated that the pathogenesis of the disease might be different, depending on the route of infection. Infectious ASFV was first isolated in blood among the inoculated pigs by day 3, and then chronologically among the direct and indirect contact pigs, by day 10 and 13, respectively. Close to the onset of clinical signs, higher ASFV titres were found in blood compared with nasal and rectal fluid samples among all pigs. No infectious ASFV was isolated in oral fluid samples although ASFV genome copies were detected. Only one animal developed antibodies starting after 12 days post-inoculation. The results provide quantitative data on shedding and excretion of the Georgia 2007/1 ASFV strain among domestic pigs and suggest a limited potential of this isolate to cause persistent infection.     

Soil Nutrient and Fescue (Festuca spp.) Responses To Compost and Hydroseed on a Disturbed Roadside

Inadequate nutrients and poor soil quality pose challenges for turfgrass establishment on disturbed soils. Compost amendment has been shown to mitigate poor soil quality. This research was conducted to compare surface applications of compost to standard hydroseeding for improving soil chemical properties and turfgrass establishment. Plots established with either hydroseed or compost in spring 2007 were evaluated for soil pH, Mehlich-I extractable K, Mg, Zn, P, total N, organic C, and percent ground cover, fescue coverage and biomass production of tall (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and chewing's fescue [Festuca rubra L. ssp. fallax (Thuill.) Nyman]. Two years after plot establishment, the compost treatment had significantly increased Mehlich-I extractable soil P, K and Zn. Phosphorus increased 566% in the compost soil but only 17% in the hydroseeded soil. Higher percentages of ground coverage were reported in the compost than the hydroseed treatments with coverage in treatments declining from 2008 to 2009. Although the surface additions of compost initially enhanced the establishment and growth of fescue, vegetation may be limited in the long run by soil conditions in the root zone and competing broadleaf weeds.     

Parallel deficits in linear growth and mental development in low-income Mexican infants in the second year of life

OBJECTIVE: To explore anthropometric indicators and mental development in very-low-income children in the second year of life. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: Low-income areas (income <20th percentile) in semi-urban Mexico (defined as towns or cities with 2,500-50,000 inhabitants). SUBJECTS: Eight hundred and ninety-six children aged 12.5-23.5 months surveyed from September to December 2001. METHODS: Questionnaire survey and anthropometric survey of households. Multivariate regression models evaluated differences across age in anthropometry (height-for-age Z-score (HAZ) and weight-for-height Z-score) and cognitive function (Mental Development Index (MDI) of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development) while controlling for socio-economic and parental characteristics. RESULTS: There was a significant decline in HAZ and in age-adjusted MDI score across the second year of life. Although the children showed MDI scores close to the mean, normed US values at 13-14 months, the scores were significantly lower than expected in older children (P < 0.0001), even after controlling for socio-economic status and parental characteristics. At 13-14 months, only 3% of children received scores below 70 (less than minus two standard deviations), whereas by 19-20 months, almost 17% of children were performing below this level. No socio-economic or parental characteristics were significant predictors of HAZ or MDI. CONCLUSIONS: Parallel deficits are evident in both height-for-age and cognitive functioning during the second year of life in low-income Mexican infants. The consistency of these growth and development findings further stresses the need for targeted interventions to reduce the vulnerability of low-income Mexican children very early in life.     

Effects of Compost Sources and Seeding Treatments on Germination and Emergence of Four Turfgrass Species

Greenhouse pot trials were conducted to compare the effects of compost sources and planting treatments on turfgrass germination and emergence. Eight seeding treatments and 4 turfgrass types were factorially combined and replicated four times in a completely randomized block design. The seeding treatments were: 1) seed planted on surface of 2.6 cm compost overlying soil, 2) seed planted on soil surface below 0.65 cm compost, 3) seed planted on soil surface below 1.3 cm compost, 4) seed planted on soil surface below 2.6 cm compost, 5) seed planted on soil surface covered with a 2.6 cm straw mat, 6) seed planted below 1.3 cm soil, 7) seed planted below 1.3 cm of 1:1 compost:soil mix, and 8) seed planted on soil surface. Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L.), and zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.) were used as the bioassay crops. The experimental design was repeated over time using composts produced with the following feedstocks: yard waste, food waste, dairy manure, biosolids, and paper mill sludge. Emerged seedlings were counted at 11 days for tall fescue, at 3 weeks for Kentucky bluegrass and at 7 weeks for bermudagrass and zoysiagrass. There were significant (P<0.05) effects of seeding treatment x turfgrass type on germination and emergence for each compost type. All of the composts appeared to be well stabilized using routine compost laboratory testing except the biosolids compost, whose use resulted in the lowest overall germination and emergence rate. The highest rates of germination and emergence occurred in the treatments in which the seeds were planted on the surface, regardless of whether the surface was compost or soil. The lowest rate of germination and emergence occurred where the seed was placed under 2.6 cm compost, regardless of compost maturity.     

DNA and the chromosome – varied targets for chemotherapy

The nucleus of the cell serves to maintain, regulate, and replicate the critical genetic information encoded by the genome. Genomic DNA is highly associated with proteins that enable simple nuclear structures such as nucleosomes to form higher-order organisation such as chromatin fibres. The temporal association of regulatory proteins with DNA creates a dynamic environment capable of quickly responding to cellular requirements and distress. The response is often mediated through alterations in the chromatin structure, resulting in changed accessibility of specific DNA sequences that are then recognized by specific proteins. Anti-cancer drugs that target cellular DNA have been used clinically for over four decades, but it is only recently that nuclease specific drugs have been developed to not only target the DNA but also other components of the nuclear structure and its regulation. In this review, we discuss some of the new drugs aimed at primary DNA sequences, DNA secondary structures, and associated proteins, keeping in mind that these agents are not only important from a clinical perspective but also as tools for understanding the nuclear environment in normal and cancer cells.     

Pharmacokinetics and tissue concentrations of azithromycin in ball pythons (Python regius)

OBJECTIVE: To determine pharmacokinetics and tissue concentrations of azithromycin in ball pythons (Python regius) after IV or oral administration of a single dose. ANIMALS: 2 male and 5 female ball pythons. PROCEDURES: Using a crossover design, each snake was given a single dose of azithromycin (10 mg/kg) IV. After a 4-week washout period, each snake was given a single dose of azithromycin (10 mg/kg) orally. Blood samples were collected prior to dose administration and 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours after azithromycin administration. Azithromycin was quantitated by use of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. RESULTS: After IV administration, azithromycin had an apparent volume of distribution of 5.69 L/kg and a plasma clearance of 0.19 L/h/kg. Harmonic means for the terminal half-life were 17 hours following IV administration and 51 hours following oral administration. Mean residence times were 37 and 94 hours following IV and oral administration, respectively. Following oral administration, azithromycin had a peak plasma concentration (Cmax) of 1.04 microg/mL, a time to Cmax of 8.4 hours, and a prolonged mean absorption time of 57 hours. Mean oral bioavailability was 77%. Tissue concentrations ranged from 4 to 140 times the corresponding plasma concentration at 24 and 72 hours after azithromycin administration. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Azithromycin is well absorbed and tolerated by ball pythons. On the basis of plasma pharmacokinetics and tissue concentration data, we suggest an azithromycin dosage in ball pythons of 10 mg/kg, orally, every 2 to 7 days, depending upon the site of infection and susceptibil ity of the infective organism.     

Single dose pharmacokinetics of piroxicam in cats

Piroxicam (PIRO) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) recognized for its value as a chemopreventative and anti-tumor agent. Eight cats were included in this study. PIRO was administered in a single oral (p.o.) and intravenous (i.v.) dose of 0.3 mg/kg. The study was designed as a randomized complete crossover with a 2-week washout period. Serial blood samples were collected after each dose and plasma was analyzed for PIRO. Pharmacokinetic parameters of PIRO were determined using noncompartmental analysis. PIRO is well absorbed in the cat with a median bioavailability (F) of 80% (range 64-124%). The median i.v. t1/2 was 12 h (range 8.6-14 h). The median Cmax was 519 ng/mL with a corresponding Tmax of 3 h. PIRO appears to be rapidly absorbed following p.o. administration in cats with a higher Cmax and AUC than in dogs.