Field and wind tunnel assessments of the implications of respacing and thinning for tree stability

The change in wind loading on trees due to tree spacing andwind speed was examined in the field and in the wind tunnel.The field measurements were made in small blocks of Sitka sprucerespaced 15 years previously to different stand densities. Thewind tunnel measurements were made with dynamically correct20-cm tall plastic trees. The maximum bending moment on treesshowed a linear increase with the ratio of spacing to height.Estimates suggest that at the wider spacing tree diameter hasincreased sufficiently so that trees are less likely to break.However, the increase in resistance to overturning is not asrapid as the increase in wind loading and wider spaced treeswill be more vulnerable to overturning. Wind tunnel measurementswere also carried out on a range of commercial thinning practicesand showed that the critical factor in reducing stand stabilityis the size of gap made in the forest. The mechanical and dynamiccharacteristics of trees at different spacing are presented.These show that with increasing spacing the Young's modulusof trees decreases and their damping coefficient increases.This illustrates that wide spaced trees have weaker wood thanclose spaced trees but they are less reliant on the supportof neighbouring trees. The implications of the measurementson the overall stability of stands and the implications forforest managers are discussed.     

Induced maturation and spawning of domestic and wild striped bass, Morone saxatilis (Walbaum), broodstock with implanted GnRH analogue and injected hCG

Abstract. A domestic striped bass. Morone saxatilis (Walbaum), broodstock was established by rearing fish to sexual maturity in ponds. A method was developed to reproduce the domestic females, and also wild females too immature to be successfully induced to spawn with injected human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). The fish were implanted with pellets containing 100–150μg of a synthetic analogue of mammalian gonadotropin reieasing-hormone, [D-Ala⁶- Pro⁹-NEt]-LHRH (mGnRHa), in a matrix of cholesterol (CH) and cellulose. They were implanted with one fast hormone-release (80% CH) pellet and one slow hormone-release (95% CH) pellet and allowed to mature for 1–3 days, until they entered the process of final oocyte maturation and were induced to ovulate or spawn with an hCG injection. The secondary hCG injection was found to be necessary to speed the maturation of the wild fish; they otherwise would succumb to the stresses of capture, handling and confinement before they could be spawned. The total mGnRHa dosages used ranged from 33 to 111μg mGnRHa/kg body weight, and the hCG doses were either 165 or 330 IU hCG/kg body weight. Using the combined mGnRHa implant-hCG injection technique, fry production rates were comparable to those obtained using fully mature wild females taken directly from their spawning grounds.     

Diaphragmatic rupture and biliary tract damage in a dog

A 9-month-old bitch was presented with respiratory distress 7 days after a road traffic accident. Radiographs showed a severe hydrothorax and moderate ascites. The removal of bile-stained fluid by thoracentesis reduced the dyspnoea. A diaphragmatic and a hepatic duct rupture were found and repaired at laparotomy. A biliary peritonitis and pleuritis was present. A blood bilirubin of 67 μmol/1 and elevated serum enzymes were present prior to surgery. These changes were largely reversed once the leakage was stopped.     

Endoscopy (fibreoptic) of the oesophagus and stomach in the dog with persistent regurgitation or vomiting

A flexible gastrointestinal panendoscope was used to examine 90 dogs; 29 for oesophageal and 61 for gastric investigation. Twenty-two of the oesophageal cases had changes associated with foreign body obstruction. The commonest feature was simple mucosal damage. Small numbers of strictures (5), diverticula (1) and perforations (4) were identified. The remainder of the cases were vascular rings (5) and leiomyomata (1). The 61 gastroscopies could be subdivided into the following groups: 1, no abnormalities (14); 2, chronic gastritis (16); 3, neoplasia (26); 4, others (5). Further, gastric carcinoma accounted for 36 per cent of all gastroscopic examinations. Oesophageal abnormalities were found in 13 per cent of those cases investigated for, and found to have, gastric lesions, where reflux oesophagitis (5) was the commonest lesion.     

Multi-orientation thin sectioning for the determination of 3-D morphology

A new soil thin sectioning technique which gives thin cross-sections (called sliver sections) of thin sections, is described. Optical analysis of soil thin sections and soil sliver sections, using plain, crossed polarized and circularly polarized light provides three-dimensional information on the micromorphology of clay coatings. This new technique is applied to a common type of clay plug and shows that these features consist of a stack of bowl-shaped clay coatings.     

Teratogenic effect of 5-hydroxytryptamine in mice

The subcutaneous injection of a single dose of 5-hydroxytryptamine into pregnant mice produced a large number of fetal abnormalities, mostly of the eyes, limbs, and tail; the skull and central nervous system were also sometimes affected. These effects could result from the action of the drug on placental function and blood supply.     

MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING FEATURES OF DISCOSPONDYLITIS IN DOGS

The diagnosis of discospondylitis is based mainly on diagnostic imaging and laboratory results. Herein, we describe the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in 13 dogs with confirmed discospondylitis. In total there were 17 sites of discospondylitis. Eleven (81.1%) of the dogs had spinal pain for >3 weeks and a variable degree of neurologic signs. Two dogs had spinal pain and ataxia for 4 days. Radiographs were available in nine of the dogs. In MR images there was always involvement of two adjacent vertebral endplates and the associated disk. The involved endplates and adjacent marrow were T1‐hypointense with hyperintensity in short tau inversion recovery (STIR) images in all dogs, and all dogs also had contrast enhancement of endplates and paravertebral tissues. The intervertebral disks were hyperintense in T2W and STIR images and characterized by contrast enhancement in 15 sites (88.2%). Endplate erosion was present in 15 sites (88.2%) and was associated with T2‐hypointense bone marrow adjacent to it. In two sites (11.8%) endplate erosion was not MR images or radiographically. The vertebral bone marrow in these sites was T2‐hyperintense. Epidural extension was conspicuous in postcontrast images at 15 sites (88.2%). Spinal cord compression was present at 15 sites (88.2%), and all affected dogs had neurologic signs. Subluxation was present in two sites (11.8%). MRI shows characteristic features of discospondylitis, and it allows the recognition of the exact location and extension (to the epidural space and paravertebral soft tissues) of the infection. Furthermore, MRI increases lesion conspicuity in early discospondylitis that may not be visualized by radiography.     

Development of a Free Latissimus Dorsi Muscle Flap in Cats

Anatomic and experimental evaluation of the feline latissimus dorsi muscle was performed to assess its potential use as a free muscle flap. In the anatomic study, nonselective angiography of the subscapular artery was performed in nine heparinized feline cadavers. The muscle dimensions and vascular anatomy of the dissected latissimus dorsi muscle were recorded. In the experimental study four cats underwent heterotopic transplantation of a partial latissimus dorsi flap, and three cats underwent orthotopic transplantation of a complete latissimus dorsi flap. The mean length and width of the latissimus dorsi muscle was 19.0 and 5.4 cm, respectively. The dominant vascular pedicle was the thoracodorsal artery and vein. The average length and diameter of the thoracodorsal artery was 2.7 cm and 0.6 mm, respectively. Minor vascular pedicles were provided by branches of the intercostal arteries. Numerous choke anastomoses existed between the two pedicle systems. Viability of muscle flaps based on subjective evaluation, angiography, and histopathology, was 66% and 100% in the heterotopic and orthotopic studies, respectively. Flap failure seemed to be caused by both arterial and venous thrombosis. The latissimus dorsi muscle flap met criteria required for application in microvascular reconstruction. The vascular pattern was appropriate and consistent. Donor site morbidity was low, whereas surgical accessibility was high. The muscle satisfied the physical criteria of a free flap. Long-term anastomotic patency and flap viability was shown.     

The radiological features of sixty cases of intra-nasal neoplasia in the dog

The radiographs of 60 cases of canine nasal neoplasia were reviewed. The dorso-ventral intra-oral view provided most information and the lateral view supplied supplementary detail. The most common changes were turbinate destruction rostrally and caudally, with a homogenous increase in radiopacity. Bilateral involvement was present in 38 cases. Absence (26) and thinning (7) of the vomer bone were found, as was deviation of the cartilaginous septum (11). Destruction of the maxilla or palatine bones produced radiolucencies which were superimposed on the increased radio-opacity in 17 cases.