Crystalluria. Observations, interpretations, and misinterpretations

Crystalluria results from oversaturation of urine with crystallogenic substance. However, oversaturation may occur as a result of in vitro as well as in vivo events. The microscopic appearance of crystals only represents a tentative identification of their composition because variable conditions associated with their formation, growth, and dissolution may alter their appearance. Definitive identification is dependent on physical methods such as optical crystallography, x-ray diffraction, and electron microscopic analysis.     

Traumatic luxation of the cubital joint (elbow) in dogs: 44 cases (1978-1988).

The medical records from 44 dogs with traumatic luxation of the cubital joint were reviewed. Closed reduction was performed in 35 dogs, and open reduction in 9 dogs. Excellent or good results were achieved in 31 of 35 dogs (88.6%) treated by closed reduction and in 5 of 9 dogs (55.6%) treated by open reduction. Collateral ligament repair, performed in 5 dogs, did not appear to affect the prognosis. Factors such as body weight and type and duration of external coaptation also did not appear to influence the outcome. Increased dysfunction associated with open reduction most likely was caused by the chronic nature of the dislocation, iatrogenic damage to the articular cartilage during reduction, or both. A good prognosis for return to normal function with minimal gait abnormality can be expected in most cases of traumatic luxation of the cubital joint treated by early closed reduction.     

Pathogenicity of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Cepae and its interaction with Pyrenochaeta terrestris on onion

Onion breeding lines known to be resistant to Pyrenochaeta terrestris showed, in several locations, root-pruning symptoms that have been usually associated with only the action of P. terrestris. Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cepae was invariably isolated from affected roots and the stem-plate area of these pink-root-resistant lines. Symptoms not commonly associated with the action of Fusarium, including darkening of dry scales of yellow bulbs and a reddening of scales of white bulbs, were noted. Controlled tests were conducted to establish (a) the pathogenicity of four isolates of F. oxysporum f. sp. cepae, (b) the reaction of onion breeding lines to inoculation at various temperatures with both the pink root and the Fusarium bulb rot organism, and (c) the pathogenic interaction of F. oxysporum f. sp. cepae with P. terrestris. The Fusarium isolates were pathogenic over a wide range of temperatures (20 to 38°C.). Host reaction to the organisms in combination depended on the level of susceptibility that was the greater to one or the other organism. Resistance to one did not markedly modify susceptibility to the other when both were present. Resistance to F. oxysporum f. sp. cepae was found in several onion lines.Horticulturist, Pathologist, and Horticulturist, respectively, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, Maryland, U.S.A.     

Genetic potential for residual feed intake and diet fed during early- to mid-gestation influences post-natal DNA methylation of imprinted genes in muscle and liver tissues in beef cattle

Discovery of epigenetic modifications associated with feed efficiency or other economically important traits would increase our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying these traits. In combination with known genetic markers, this would provide opportunity to improve genomic selection accuracy in cattle breeding programs. It would also allow cattle to be managed to improve favorable gene expression. The objective of this study was to identify variation in DNA methylation between beef cattle of differential pre-natal nutrition and divergent genetic potential for residual feed intake (RFI). Purebred Angus offspring with the genetic potential for either high (HRFI) or low (LRFI) RFI were prenatally exposed to either a restricted maternal diet of 0.5 kg/d average daily gain (ADG) or a moderate maternal diet of 0.7 kg/d ADG from 30 to 150 d of gestation. We performed DNA methylation analysis of differentially methylated regions (DMR) of imprinted genes (Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) DMR2, IGF2/H19 imprinting control region (ICR) and IGF2 receptor (IGF2R) DMR2) using post-natal samples of longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle taken from male and female calves at birth and weaning, and of LD muscle, semimembranosus (SM) muscle, and liver samples collected from steers at slaughter (17 months of age). Interestingly, for all three DMR investigated in liver, LRFI steers had higher levels of methylation than HRFI steers. In LD muscle, IGF2/H19 ICR methylation differences for heifers at birth were due to pre-natal diet, while for steers at birth they were mostly the result of genetic potential for RFI with LRFI steers again having higher levels of methylation than HRFI steers. While results from repeated measures analysis of DNA methylation in steers grouped by RFI revealed few differences, in steers grouped by diet, we found higher methylation levels of IGF2 DMR2 and IGF2R DMR2 in LD muscle of restricted diet steers at weaning and slaughter than at birth, as well as increased methylation in LD muscle of restricted diet steers compared with moderate diet steers at weaning and/or slaughter. Our results suggest that differential pre-natal nutrition, and divergent genetic potential for RFI, induces tissue- and sex-specific alterations in post-natal IGF2 and IGF2R methylation patterns and that these patterns can vary with age in Angus beef cattle.     

The importance of manual white blood cell differential counts and platelet estimates in elephant hematology: blood film review is essential

Unique features of elephant hematology are known challenges in analytical methodology like two types of monocytes typical for members of the Order Afrotheria and platelet counts of the comparatively small elephant platelet. To investigate WBC differential and platelet data generated by an impedance-based hematology analyzer without availability of validated species-specific software for recognition of elephant WBCs and platelets, compared to manual blood film review. Blood samples preserved in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) of 50 elephants (n = 35 Elephas maximus and n = 15 Loxodonta africana) were used. A Mann-Whitney test for independent samples was used to compare parameters between methods and agreement was tested using Bland-Altman bias plots. All hematological variables, including absolute numbers of heterophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils, and platelets, were significantly different (p < 0.0001) between both methods of analysis, and there was no agreement using Bland-Altman bias plots. Manual review consistently produced higher heterophil and monocyte counts as well as platelet estimates, while the automated analyzer produced higher lymphocyte, eosinophil, and basophil counts. The hematology analyzer did not properly differentiate elephant lymphocytes and monocytes, and did not accurately count elephant platelets. These findings emphasize the importance of manual blood film review as part of elephant complete blood counts in both clinical and research settings and as a basis for the development of hematological reference intervals.     

The clinical utility of the right lateral intercostal ultrasound scan technique in dogs

When performing abdominal ultrasonography in dogs, the right aspect of the liver, porta hepatis, right kidney, right adrenal gland, pancreas, and duodenum are often not fully visible from a ventral, or subcostal, approach. The right lateral intercostal plane is an alternative approach that allows evaluation of these structures. This report provides multiple case examples that demonstrate the sonographic anatomy via the right intercostal approach. Other cases are included to demonstrate indications for this approach. Animals in which the right intercostal approach may prove most useful include large- and giant-breed dogs; deep-chested dogs; dogs with gas distention of the stomach, duodenum, and colon; dogs with microhepatia; and those with abdominal effusion and pain.