Risk factors influencing death prior to discharge in 302 dogs undergoing unilateral adrenalectomy for treatment of primary adrenal gland tumours

Adrenalectomies for canine adrenal tumours are associated with peri-operative morbidity and mortality. Objectives of this study included assessing the prognostic value of tumour- or surgery-related variables in predicting peri-operative mortality and overall survival in dogs undergoing adrenalectomies for primary adrenal tumours as well as pre-treatment with phenoxybenzamine on survival to discharge with pheochromocytomas specifically. A multi-institutional retrospective cohort study was performed across nine institutions. Electronic medical record searches identified 302 dogs which met the inclusion criteria. Data collected included dog-related, tumour-related, treatment-related, surgery-related, and outcome variables. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression and cox proportional hazards models were used to identify variables associated with death prior to discharge and tumour-related survival. Overall, 87% of dogs survived to discharge with a tumour-related survival time of 3.96 years. Post-operative complications were reported in 25%. Increased surgical time (p = 0.002) and pre-surgical medical treatment other than phenoxybenzamine (p = 0.024) were significantly associated with increased peri-operative mortality while ureteronephrectomy (p = 0.021), post-operative pancreatitis (p = 0.025), and post-operative aspiration pneumonia (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with decreased overall survival. Phenoxybenzamine pretreatment had no effect on peri-operative mortality. Thirty-seven of 45 (82%) dogs with pheochromocytomas not pretreated survived to discharge, and 50 of 59 (85%) dogs with pheochromocytomas pretreated with phenoxybenzamine survived to discharge (p = 0.730). This study provides information on risk factors for death prior to discharge and tumour-related survival that may help guide clinical management and owner expectations. In addition, the study findings challenge the previously reported benefit of phenoxybenzamine for pretreatment of dogs undergoing adrenalectomies for pheochromocytomas.     

Surgical correction of gastro‐oesophageal intussusception with bilateral incisional gastropexy in three dogs

Three dogs presented for evaluation of acute onset tachypnoea and dyspnoea following episodes of vomiting and/or regurgitation. Thoracic radiographs were suggestive of a gastro‐oesophageal intussusception in all three dogs; one dog also showed evidence of aspiration pneumonia. All three dogs underwent surgical correction with a bilateral incisional gastropexy. All dogs recovered from anaesthesia uneventfully and were discharged from the hospital 3 days after presentation. Persistent megaoesophagus was evident in all three dogs, and they are being chronically managed with a strict feeding regime and pro‐motility agents.     

Effects of Nitrogen Rate and Harvest Moisture Content on Physicochemical Properties and Milling Yields of Rice

Field studies were conducted from 2011 to 2013 near Stuttgart, Arkansas. The impacts of nitrogen rate (0, 45, 90, 135, and 180 kg of N/ha) and harvest moisture content (HMC) (23, 19, and 15%, wet basis) on physicochemical properties and milling yields were determined. Trends were similar for the cultivars evaluated: Cheniere, CL XL745, and Wells. Milled rice yields were only minimally impacted by either N rate or HMC level. Increasing N rate reduced kernel length and thickness of brown rice, chalkiness of brown rice and head rice, and viscosities of head rice flour, and it increased brown rice and head rice crude protein content and head rice yield (HRY). In terms of milling yields and head rice functionality, these data suggest that N rates as low as 90 kg of N/ha could be utilized, should production recommendations be changed. Significant interactions between N rate and HMC level were infrequent and were associated with the 0 kg of N/ha rate, unrealistic for rice production. Decreasing HMC from 23 to 19% reduced kernel length and thickness and increased crude protein content and chalkiness; further decreasing HMC to 15% also increased kernel fissuring and decreased HRY.     

Treatment of timber products with gaseous borate esters

Summary Several factors which influence the treatment of timber products with vapour phase preservatives such as borate esters are considered. Gas flow rate through the substrate was found to be a significant factor limiting both preservative penetration and its rate of deposition. A theoretical model of the treatment process was developed and tested experimentally to determine the influence of several factors on the retention and distribution of boric acid. Gas flow into the timber product was influenced by permeability, pressure gradient and substrate moisture content. The implications of the findings are considered with regard to the treatment of wood and wood products with gaseous reagents.The authors wish to thank the following for their financial support and interest in this research programme — Rentokil Ltd, Rhone-Poulenc/Manchem Ltd, Forestry Commission, UK and Ireland Particleboard Association (now Panel Products Association), Norbord Highland plc (formerly Highland Forest Products plc), IMPEL     

Aluminum-induced decrease in CO2 assimilation in citrus seedlings is unaccompanied by decreased activities of key enzymes involved in CO2 assimilation

'Cleopatra' tangerine (Citrus reshni Hort. ex Tanaka) seedlings were irrigated daily for 8 weeks with 1/4 strength Hoagland's nutrient solution containing 0 (control) or 2 mM aluminum (Al). Leaves from Al-treated plants had decreased CO2 assimilation and stomatal conductance, but increased intercellular CO2 concentrations compared with control leaves. On a leaf area basis, 2 mM Al increased activities of key enzymes in the Calvin cycle, including ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco), NADP-glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), phosphoribulokinase (PRK), stromal fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase), and a key enzyme in starch synthesis, ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGPase), compared with control leaves. Aluminum had no effect on cytosolic FBPase activity, but it decreased sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) activity. Aluminum had no effect on area-based concentrations of carbohydrates, glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) and fructose 6-phosphate (F6P) or the G6P:F6P ratio, but it decreased the area-based concentration of 3-phosphoglycerate (PGA). Photochemical quenching coefficient (qP) and electron transport rate through PSII were greatly reduced by Al. Non-photochemical quenching coefficient (NPQ) was less affected by Al than qP and electron transport rate through PSII. We conclude that the reduced rate of CO2 assimilation in Al-treated leaves was probably caused by a combination of factors such as reduced electron transport rate through PSII, increased closure of PSII reaction centers and increased photorespiration.     

Effect of fish meal replacement with Carinata Brassica carinata in low animal protein diets of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum) on trypsin activity,protein and amino acid digestibility and bioavailability

Replacement of >25% of fish meal (FM) with aerobically converted carinata meal (ACCM) in low (200g/kg) animal protein (reference = 200g/kg FM) diets of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss resulted in reduced growth, partly due to reduced feed consumption and protein utilization. In this study, we determined the effect of FM replacement with ACCM on trypsin activity, apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of protein, and essential amino acid (EAA) or conditionally essential amino acid (CEAA) ADCs and bioavailability. Replacement of FM did not alter protein ADCs or trypsin activity. Replacement of >25% FM reduced all EAA and CEAA ADCs except for arginine and leucine which were only reduced by 75% FM replacement. Only serum free lysine and muscle free histidine were reduced by >25% FM replacement. Muscle free lysine was only reduced by 75% FM replacement. Replacement of FM reduced EAA peak concentrations and resulted in slower release of EAAs in serum. Cumulative total EAAs in serum and muscle decreased with FM replacement. Ratios of EAAs to lysine showed that tryptophan was the most limiting EAA. However, isoleucine, leucine, methionine and phenylalanine were also inadequate for muscle synthesis for the first 9–12 hr following force‐feeding. Optimal time for protein synthesis was ≥36 hr. Although any level of FM replacement did not reduce protein ADCs and trypsin activity, replacement of ≥25% FM reduced EAA ADCs and bioavailability of lysine and histidine, which partly contributed to the observed differences in growth.     

Transmission of resistance to common scab from the diploid to the tetraploid level via 4x-2x crosses in potatoes

Summary Diploid potato clones selected for their reaction to common scab and their ability to produce 2n male gametes were used in a series of crosses to a susceptible tetraploid female parent (cv. Shepody). In addition, two tetraploid clones were also selected for their reaction to common scab and crossed with Shepody as a female parent. Results indicated that resistance to common scab can be effectively transmitted from the diploid to the tetraploid level via 4x-2x crosses. Diploid parents producing 2n pollen via either first division or second division restitution can be used to transmit scab resistance. A relatively small proportion of resistant individuals could be recovered from susceptible x susceptible crosses in both 4x-2x and 4x-4x combinations. The data support a previously developed hypothesis that scab resistance is relatively simply inherited.     

The origin of six-rowed ‘wild’ barley from the western Himalaya

Summary Plants were grown from seed of two-rowed wild barley, Hordeum spontaneum, and six-rowed brittlerachised barley. H. agriocrithon, collected in Ladakh, north-western India. Whereas the H. spontaneum remained true to type, segregation for morphological characters was observed in progeny rows grown from heads of H. agriocrithon plants. The H. agriocrithon heads also showed segregation for a biochemical character, the polypeptide pattern of the endosperm storage protein fraction (hordein). The H. agriocrithon seed therefore originated from natural hybridization between cultivated H. vulgare and weedy H. spontaneum. Crosses of H. vulgare and H. spontaneum gave progeny which resembled H. agriocrithon and showed similar hordein polypeptide segregation patterns. The results indicate that six-rowed brittle-rach ised barleys from the Himalayas have a similar origin to forms found in the Middle East, and that H. agriocrithon does not play a direct role in the evolution of barley.