Controlling the invasive diatom Didymosphenia geminata: an ecotoxicity assessment of four potential biocides.

In 2004, an invasive mat-forming freshwater diatom, Didymosphenia geminata (didymo), was found in New Zealand causing concern with regard to potential consequences for local freshwater ecosystems. A four-stage research program was initiated to identify methods to control D. geminata. This article reports the results of Stage 2, in which four potential control compounds [Gemex™ (a chelated copper formulation), EDTA, Hydrothol®191, and Organic Interceptor™ (a pine oil formulation)] selected in Stage 1 were evaluated for their biocidal efficacy on D. geminata and effects on non-target organisms using both artificial stream and laboratory trials. Artificial stream trials evaluated the mortality rates of D. geminata and fishes to three concentrations of the four biocides, whereas laboratory toxicity trials tested the response of green alga and cladocera to a range of biocide concentrations and exposure times. In artificial stream trials, Gemex and Organic Interceptor were the most effective biocides against D. geminata for a number of measured indices; however, exposure of fishes to Organic Interceptor resulted in high mortality rates. Laboratory toxicity testing indicated that Gemex might negatively affect sensitive stream invertebrates, based on the cladoceran sensitivity at the proposed river control dose. A decision support matrix evaluated the four biocides based on nine criteria stipulated by river stakeholders (effectiveness, non-target species impacts, stalk removal, degradation profile, risks to health and safety, ease of application, neutralization potential, cost, and local regulatory requirements) and Gemex was identified as the product warranting further refinement prior to an in-river trial.

7 Gryzmish: toward an understanding of collaboration.

Nurses and physicians have a long history of conflicted relationships. The conflict is multifaceted and deeply rooted in a mesh of social, economic, and professional issues. This legacy makes collaboration very difficult, but not impossible, to achieve. The barriers imposed by history must be dismantled for nurses and physicians to forge a new relationship. This new relationship will not just happen. It requires a vision, an unswerving commitment, and a leap of faith that collaboration will dramatically improve patient care and provider satisfaction. Collaborative relationships, although positive and progressive, are not easily forged. People must examine and work on their inner feelings. Physicians and nurses need to communicate openly and address conflict directly. Role realignment causes anxiety, uncertainty, and frustration. Often it may seem easier to revert to former patterns of behavior. Dysfunctional as those may be, they offer role familiarity. Collaboration is a conscious, learned behavior that must be constantly nurtured, reinforced, and reflected on, for it holds great promise for both patients and providers.

A model for the induction of Pasteurella multocida type-A pneumonia in pigs.

A model for the induction of pneumonia caused by Pasteurella multocida type-A was developed. Anesthetized pigs were dosed intratracheally with 10(10) colony forming units of P. multocida type-A suspended in a total dose of saline based on the pig's body weight (8 mL/kg). A severe bronchopneumonia was present when the treated pigs were euthanized seven days postinfection. The mean percentage of pneumonic lesions in the treated pigs, as determined by morphometric measurement, was 14.03 +/- 7.01 (X +/- SD). In contrast, in the control pigs, the mean percentage of pneumonic lesions was 0.59 +/- 0.52. For the treated pigs during the period following induction of pneumonia, weight gain and feed intake were reduced significantly (p less than 0.05) compared to the controls. It was shown that severe pneumonia could be induced without the use of other infectious agents, which could potentially confound the experimental model.

Chlortetracycline in swine--bioavailability and pharmacokinetics in fasted and fed pigs.

Chlortetracycline hydrochloride was administered intra-arterially (11 mg/kg) and as an oral drench (33 mg/kg) to ten 21.0-31.5-kg pigs. Five of the pigs were fasted 18 h prior to dosing and five of the pigs were fed ad libitum prior to dosing. The mean volume of distribution determined by area-under-the-curve calculations for the fasted pigs (0.967 +/- 0.210 l/kg) was significantly less (P less than 0.05) than the mean volume of distribution for the fed pigs (1.39 +/- 0.31 l/kg). Mean total body clearance of the drug was also significantly less (P less than 0.05) in the fasted pigs (0.165 +/- 0.055 l/kg/h) as compared to the fed pigs (0.307 +/- 0.053 l/kg/h). The elimination constants (beta) were not found to be statistically different (P less than 0.05): 0.1811 +/- 0.0057 for the fasted pigs; 0.2260 +/- 0.0461 for the fed pigs. The bioavailability for both groups was similar; 19.12 +/- 8.3% for the fasted pigs and 17.88 +/- 5.3% for the fed pigs. In a second experiment three groups of six pigs which weighed 34.5-44.1 kg were fed a corn-soy diet ad libitum. The rations were fortified with chlortetracycline at 100, 400 or 1000 mg chlortetracycline hydrochloride/kg feed. Chlortetracycline concentrations were determined in plasma samples collected over a 6-day period. Plasma chlortetracycline concentrations reach a plateau within 24 h after initial access to the trial diets and were highly correlated with the dose of the drug consumed (r2 = 0.97).