Relationship Between Atmospheric Ammonia Concentration and Nitrogen Content in Terricolous Lichen (Cladonia portentosa)

Water, Air, &; Soil Pollution - To biocontrol algal bloom, a novel algicidal bacterium, Enterobacter sp. NP23, was isolated. This strain has an effective algicidal activity against Chlorella...     

Activation of the Renin-Angiotensin System in Dogs With Asymptomatic and Mildly Symptomatic Mitral Valvular Insufficiency

The renin-angiotensin system has important pathophysiologic implications in the development of congestive heart failure. The activity of the renin-angiotensin system early in the course of heart disease and heart failure in dogs was evaluated by measuring the plasma renin activity (PRA) and plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) in 18 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels with asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic mitral valvular insufficiency, and in 18 healthy Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. All dogs were unmedicated and had no other diseases. The PRA was high in the dogs with mitral valvular insufficiency (median 3.44 ng/mL/h, interquartile interval 2.59 to 8.66 ng/mL/h) compared with the controls (median 2.51 ng/mL/h, interquartile interval 1.44 to 3.58 ng/mL/h). The PAC was also higher in the dogs with mitral insufficiency (median 53 pg/mL, interquartile interval 33 to 138 pg/mL) than in the control group (median 27 pg/mL, interquartile interval 11.5 to 54 pg/mL). However, there was considerable overlap between the 2 groups in both PRA and PAC. It was concluded from these data that there is early activation of the renin-angiotensin system in some Cavalier King Charles Spaniels with mitral valvular insufficiency. Further prospective studies are needed to determine if early intervention with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors will be valuable in this group of patients.     

Changes in ionized calcium content and related clinical chemical parameters in cases of left-sided abomasal displacement

There is still uncertainty about the etiology and pathogenesis of abomasal displacement. Changes in total and ionized calcium are considered to be important pieces in the mosaic of causative factors. The present study on pre- and postoperative clinical chemical changes revealed a preoperative reduction in ionized calcium values. The reduction seemed mainly to be due to changes in the pH of blood.     

Quality Control of Compounded Crystalloid Fluids for Intravenous Delivery to Horses

Background

Periodic lack of availability and high cost of commercially produced isotonic fluids for intravenous (IV) use in horses have increasingly led to use of home‐made or commercially compound fluids by veterinarians. Data regarding the quality control and safety of compounded fluids would be of benefit to equine veterinarians.

Objectives

To compare electrolyte concentrations, sterility, and endotoxin contamination of commercially available fluids to 2 forms of compounded isotonic crystalloid fluids intended for IV use in horses.

Methods

Prospective study. Two methods of preparing compounded crystalloids formulated to replicate commercial Plasma‐Lyte A (Abbott, Chicago, IL) were compared. One formulation was prepared by a hand‐mixed method involving chlorinated drinking water commonly employed by equine practitioners, and the other was prepared by means of ingredients obtained from a commercial compounding pharmacy. The variables for comparison were electrolyte concentrations, sterility, and presence of endotoxin contamination.

Results

Electrolyte concentrations were consistent within each product but different between types of fluids (P < 0.0001). Hand‐mixed fluids had significantly more bacterial contamination compared to commercial Plasma‐Lyte A (P = 0.0014). One of the hand‐mixed fluid samples had detectable endotoxin contamination.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Chlorinated drinking water is not an acceptable source of water to compound isotonic fluids for IV administration. Equine practitioners should be aware of this risk and obtain the informed consent of their clients.     

Primary mandibular hemangiosarcoma in a bull

Disseminated pulmonary and subcutaneous-muscular hemangiosarcoma at the left hemimandible was diagnosed postmortem in a 2-year-old Jersey bull that presented with a 7-day history of facial swelling from suspected traumatic injury. Hemangiosarcoma is uncommon in cattle and has never been reported to affect the bones of the skull.     

Phosphorus availability in feed phosphates determined by regression

Due to environmental concern a lot of effort has been dedicated to improve the utilisation of phytate phosphorus (P) in cereals and seeds. Consequently, microbial phytases are added to pig diets at the expense of feed phosphates. However, there is still a need for inclusion of feed phosphate, especially in diets for young piglets and lactating sows in order to meet their P requirement. This creates a demand for feed phosphates with a high P availability. Fourteen feed phosphates, including two newly developed monocalcium phosphates (MCP), were tested in this experiment. For each source, a series of 5 diets was prepared by inclusion of increasing amounts of either MCP or MSP. These diets were offered to pigs kept in metabolism crates (6 pigs on each of the 5 diets). After 5 days adaptation, total collection of faeces and urine was performed for 7 days. P availability in each source was determined by regression of the net absorption of P on P-intake. The experiment revealed that MSP had the highest availability (79%) and the availability of all the tested phosphates varied between 50 and 79%. The new MCPs proved to be 71 and 75% available.     

Resistant starch for weaning pigs — Effect on concentration of short chain fatty acids in digesta and intestinal morphology

We investigated the effect of potato starch, a source of resistant starch (RS), in diets for newly weaned pigs on production of short chain fatty acids (SCFA) and intestinal morphology. At weaning, at 4 weeks of age, 24 pigs were divided into 3 groups and fed diets containing 0 (C), 80 (P80) or 160 (P160) g raw potato starch per kg feed for 12 days. Pigs fed P160 had the longest villi whereas pigs fed P80 had the deepest crypts. Villous height at the mid-small intestine and average daily gain were positively correlated (r = 0.59, P < 0.01). The daily gain tended to be lower (P = 0.08) for pigs fed P80 than for pigs fed C or P160. The colon weight increased in pigs fed RS which coincided with an increased crypt depth in the colon. The concentration of SCFA increased in the large intestine with increasing amount of RS. The proportion of acetic acid decreased and the proportion of butyric acid increased in pigs fed P80 and P160. The increased SCFA production, especially of butyrate, may explain the colonic growth.