Cytology of the pancreas.

Pancreatic fine-needle biopsy and cytologic evaluation is an important diagnostic tool that is not commonly used in veterinary medicine. This article discusses how to obtain and interpret pancreatic fine-needle biopsies. Normal pancreatic cytology, along with the potential diagnostic pitfalls, is also outlined. The cytologic features of pancreatic inflammation, hyperplasia, and neoplasia are discussed and illustrated.     

Effects of site preparation on soil properties and on morphology of Pinus sylvestris and Picea abies seedlings sown at different dates

The aims of the study are to find out the effects of site preparation on soil properties and on the morphology of three-year-old Pinus sylvestris L. and Picea abies (L.) Karst. seedlings sown at different dates along a slope with variation in soil texture, water, and fertility. Based on the hypothesis that soil texture affects soil water content, water retention capacity, and nutrient content, we studied site preparation of varying intensities: exposed C horizon, mounds (broken O/E/B horizons piled over undisturbed ground), and exposed E/B horizon. Though the growing time difference between sowings was about one month, after three growing seasons, spring-sown seedlings were larger than summer-sown seedlings. P. sylvestris seedlings were largest with mounds and smallest with exposed C horizon, but site preparation did not affect the morphology of P. abies seedlings.     

Retrospective Study of Streptokinase Administration in 46 Cats with Arterial Thromboembolism

A retrospective evaluation was performed on 46 cats with arterial thromboembolism (ATE) that were treated with streptokinase (SK). Significant heart disease was diagnosed in 45/46 cats, and 21/46 cats had congestive heart failure. Variable dosing schemes of streptokinase were administered within 1–20 hours following the onset of clinical signs (median = 5.5 hours). There was no difference between survivors (S) and non-survivors (NS), based on time of administration of SK after onset of clinical signs. Twenty-five (54%) of the cats had return of pulses within 2–24 hours of treatment. Fourteen (30%) of the cats had return of motor function between 9 hours and 6 days. Fifteen of the cats (33%) were discharged from the hospital, 18 (39%) died in the hospital, and 13 (28%) cats were euthanized due to complications or poor response to treatment. Four of 5 cats (80%) with single limb dysfunction survived to hospital discharge. Life threatening hyperkalemia was diagnosed in 16 cats (35%) after SK administration. Hyperkalemia was more likely to occur with the longer duration of SK infusion. Eleven cats (24%) developed clinical signs of bleeding following SK administration and 3 of these cats required a blood transfusion. Laboratory testing documented coagulopathy following SK administration in 11 out of 17 cats tested. Hypothermia and azotemia prior to SK administration and the development of hyperkalemia were negatively associated with survival.     

Generalised tetanus in a 2-week-old foal: use of physiotherapy to aid recovery

A 2-week-old Estonian Draft foal presented with signs of severe generalised tetanus, recumbency and inability to drink. The suspected source of infection was the umbilicus. Medical treatment was administered, including tetanus antitoxin, antimicrobial therapy and phenobarbital to control tetanic spasms. In addition, an intensive physiotherapy program was carried out during the recovery period. Techniques designed for syndromes involving upper motor neuron spasticity in humans were applied. Exercises aimed at weight-bearing and mobility were executed with the help of a walking-frame. The foal made a complete recovery. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the use of physiotherapy in the treatment of tetanus in horses.     

Individual food intake measurement of freshwater crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus Dana) juveniles

The inert marker method for individual food intake measurement of signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus Dana) juveniles (carapace length (CL) ranged from 16.5 to 25.6 mm and wet weight (WW) from 0.88 to 4.47 g) was evaluated in a series of experiments. The measurement technique was tested with two types of diet: a gelatin‐based semi‐moist diet and an agar‐based dry diet. Diets were labelled with X‐ray dense ballotini glass beads. After feeding, juveniles were X‐rayed, and the amount of ingested glass beads in the digestive track was counted from the X‐ray images. The method proved reliable only with the gelatin diet. In the ingested gelatin food, 92.80±8.55% of the glass beads originally in the food were found in comparison with 40.99±24.72% for the agar diet. Subsequently, the growth efficiency of the gelatin diet was compared with typically used raw fish diet (roach, Rutilus rutilus L.), and possible harmful effects of X‐raying on the growth and survival of the juveniles were tested on 2‐year‐old crayfish (CL 22.90±1.66 mm and WW 3.15±0.71 g). Roach‐fed juveniles grew significantly faster than the gelatin‐fed counterparts. However, the growth performance and survival of the juveniles on gelatin diet was considered good enough to allow long‐term growth experiments with individual feed intake monitoring, e.g. for studies on social behaviour of the crayfish. The results of this study confirmed that the X‐radiography technique together with a semi‐moist gelatin‐based diet makes it possible to measure individual food consumption of freshwater crayfish juveniles reared communally.     

Effects of genotype and environment on total anti-oxidant capacity and the content of sugars and acids in strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.)

Summary

Total anti-oxidant capacity (TAC) and the contents of mono- and disaccharides, and organic acids were determined in strawberry fruit from ten genotypes sampled from eight experimental sites in Norway in 2002 and 2003. The difference between genotypes was significant for all recorded traits, and it appeared possible to select for all traits in breeding programmes. On average, the Norwegian bred cultivar ‘Carmen’ had a TAC of 30.07 mmol kg^–1 fresh weight (FW), compared to 23.16 mmol kg^–1 FW in the standard cultivar ‘Korona’. TAC was negatively correlated with fruit size, rainfall and leaf surface humidity, but was positively correlated with the minimum temperature on the day prior to sampling. Mono- and di-saccharide contents were negatively correlated with both minimum and maximum temperatures, and with wind velocity. It was confirmed that the sugars:organic acids ratio was inversely related to the maximum temperature on the day before harvest, which supports anecdotal claims that strawberries grown in northern areas have, on average, better flavour.     

Overwintering,chemical variation,and genetic diversity in three vegetatively propagated lines of French tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus var. sativa)

Summary

French tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus var. sativa) has been vegetatively propagated for centuries, but variability in the vegetative lines has not been studied. Three lines of French tarragon (A – C) were studied for their overwintering capacity at the limit of survival, their essential oil content and composition, and their genetic variability. Line B had the lowest Winter survival rate, the highest biomass yield, and the lowest content of essential oils. The essential oils of line B had higher proportions of cis- and trans-ocimenes, and contained less estragole and herniarin than the essential oils of lines A and C. When genetic diversity was studied using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), all French tarragon lines clustered together, while Russian tarragon was monophyletic. Lines A and B were genetically closer to each other than line C. These results indicate that all three lines tested were genetically and biochemically different, which may have resulted from spontaneous mutations over centuries of vegetative propagation. Our results demonstrate the need to monitor and preserve the most important traits for future cultivation and use of vegetatively propagated herbs.     

Relationship between orally administered dose, surface emission rate for gamma radiation, and urine radioactivity in radioiodine-treated hyperthyroid cats

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between surface emission rate of gamma radiation and urine concentration of I131 (urine radioactivity) during the period 7 to 21 days after oral or SC administration of I131 to hyperthyroid cats. ANIMALS: 47 hyperthyroid cats administered I131 PO and 24 hyperthyroid cats administered I131 SC. PROCEDURE: A dose of I131 (1.78 to 2.04 X 10(2) MBq [4.8 to 5.5 mCi]) was administered orally. Surface emission at the skin adjacent to the thyroid gland on days 7, 10, 14, 18, and 21 and number of counts/30 s in a urine sample (1 mL, obtained via cystocentesis) on days 7, 14, and 21 after oral administration were measured. Effective half-life (T1/2E) was derived for each point. Surface emission thresholds for maximum urine radioactivity values were established. A dose of I131 (1.48 X 10(2) MBq [4.0 mCi]) was administered SC. Urine radioactivity and surface emission rates for SC administration were compared with values for oral administration. RESULTS: The T1/2E for surface emissions and urine radioactivity progressively increased toward values for physical T1/2 over time. The T1/2E for surface emissions was 2.19 to 4.70 days, and T1/2E for urine radioactivity was 2.16 to 3.67 days. Surface emission rates had a clinically useful threshold relationship to maximum urine concentrations of I131. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Surface emission rates for cats administered I131 appeared useful in determining upper limits (threshold) of urine radioactivity and are a valid method to assess the time at which cats can be discharged after I131 administration.