The mechanism of action, safety, and efficacy of IUDs were reviewed by a WHO Scientific Group in 1986. The Scientific Group concluded that the IUD should continue to be supported, in both developed and developing countries, as a safe, reliable method of fertility regulation. The newer copper-releasing devices are comparable to oral contraceptives in terms of safety and efficacy. When compared to women who use other reversible methods of contraception, IUD users have the lowest mortality resulting from deaths directly attributable to those methods or to the consequences of unwanted pregnancy. In the past decade, research has concentrated on the development of new devices that have both higher continuation rates and lower rates of expulsion and removal for bleeding abnormalities. An important recent concern has been the possible increased risk of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and subsequent tubal infertility associated with IUD use. However, it now appears that methodological problems have caused the IUD-associated risk of PID to be overestimated. The increased risk with IUDs seems to be limited to the 1st 4 months of use. No increased risk of tubal infertility has been found among IUD users in stable, monogamous sexual relationships. The use of a copper IUD after the 1st pregnancy is not associated with secondary infertility due to tubal disease. Finally, the newer copper IUDs have low rates of ectopic pregnancy.

The antitranspirants Plantco, Cloudcover, Vapor Gard and Dow X2-1337 were effective in reducing water loss from black spruce container seedlings. Clearspray and Folicote were unable to reduce moisture loss. Toxicity symptoms and abnormal bud flushing were evident in Vapor Gard treated seedlings. Surfactants failed to increase the effectiveness of Vapor Gard at lower, non-toxic concentrations.

A field experiment was conducted during the wet season in 1983/1984 and 1984-1985 at Manoko experiment station in Lembang (West Java, Indonesia), to evaluate the efficacy of some herbicides against weeds of flax (Linum usitatissimum). The dominant weeds were the grasses Eleusine indica, Panicum repens and the broadleaves Drymaria cordata and Ageratum conyzoides. Metolachlor at 1.5 kg/ha and Metolachlor + Prometryn at 1.5 kg/ha were effective in controlling E. indica. Orbencarb at concentration of 2 kg/ha and 3 kg/ha were also effective in suppressing E. indica, P. repens, D. cordata and A. conyzoides. Sethoxydim at dosages of 0.8 kg/ha and 1.0 kg/ha, and Quizalofop ethyl at 0.25 and 0.5 kg/ha was able only to suppress the grass type weeds (E. indica and P. repens). There was no serious phytotoxicity caused by any of the herbicides tested. However, there was a tendency of herbicide effect in increasing fibre production of the flax.

About 80% of E. coli strains were susceptible in vitro to Imequyl (flumequine). The compound applied twice a day in a dose of 10 mg per kg b.w. for 5-6 days was effective in the treatment and prophylaxis of colibacillosis of piglets. No side-effects were observed