PRACTICAL PROBLEMS WITH VETERINARY ANAESTHESIA MACHINES

Many types of anaesthetic machines are available to practicing veterinary surgeons, ranging from the obsolescent to the most modern. To practice anaesthesia safely, veterinary surgeons should understand the functions of the machines, vaporizers, and breathing systems with which they work. In addition, veterinary surgeons should employ procedures for evaluation of their anaesthetic equipment to assure, as much as possible, safety for their patients and the personnel who use the apparatus.     

"SAFFAN", A NEW STEROID ANAESTHETIC IN VETERINARY ANAESTHESIA

“Saffan” was administered both intramuscularly and intravenously to produce surgical anaesthesia in cats. In horses, intravenous administration produced anaesthesia complicated by induction and emergence excitement which could not be abolished by acepromazine or xylazine premedication. Intravenous administration in sheep was followed by bradycardia, fall in cardiac output and hypotension. “Saffan” did not cause hyperpyrexia in susceptible Landrace pigs and appeared to prevent suxamethonium induced hyperpyrexia.     

ANATOMICAL STUDY OF CRANIAL NERVE EMERGENCE AND SKULL FORAMINA IN THE HORSE USING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING AND COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY

For accurate interpretation of magnetic resonance (MR) images of the equine brain, knowledge of the normal cross‐sectional anatomy of the brain and associated structures (such as the cranial nerves) is essential. The purpose of this prospective cadaver study was to describe and compare MRI and computed tomography (CT) anatomy of cranial nerves' origins and associated skull foramina in a sample of five horses. All horses were presented for euthanasia for reasons unrelated to the head. Heads were collected posteuthanasia and T2‐weighted MR images were obtained in the transverse, sagittal, and dorsal planes. Thin‐slice MR sequences were also acquired using transverse 3D‐CISS sequences that allowed mutliplanar reformatting. Transverse thin‐slice CT images were acquired and multiplanar reformatting was used to create comparative images. Magnetic resonance imaging consistently allowed visualization of cranial nerves II, V, VII, VIII, and XII in all horses. The cranial nerves III, IV, and VI were identifiable as a group despite difficulties in identification of individual nerves. The group of cranial nerves IX, X, and XI were identified in 4/5 horses although the region where they exited the skull was identified in all cases. The course of nerves II and V could be followed on several slices and the main divisions of cranial nerve V could be distinguished in all cases. In conclusion, CT allowed clear visualization of the skull foramina and occasionally the nerves themselves, facilitating identification of the nerves for comparison with MRI images.     

THE CAREER PATH CHOICES OF VETERINARY RADIOLOGISTS

Concerns of a shortage of board certified specialists willing to work in academia have shadowed the medical and veterinary communities for decades. As a result, a number of studies have been conducted to determine how to foster, attract, and retain specialists in academia. More recently, there has been a growing perception that it is difficult for academic institutions to hire board certified veterinary radiologists. The objective of this study was to describe the career paths (academia vs. private sector) of veterinary radiologists and to determine what factors influenced their career path decisions. A mixed mode cross‐sectional survey was used to survey ACVR radiologists and residents‐in‐training, 48% (255/529) of which responded. There was a near unidirectional movement of radiologists from academia to the private sector: 45.7% (59/129) of the respondents who began their careers in academia had switched to the private sector while only 8% (7/88) had left the private sector for academia. If a shortage of academic radiologists exists, then perhaps the issue should be framed as a problem with retention vs. recruitment. The most influential factors in the decision to leave academia were remuneration (wages and benefits), lack of interest/enjoyment in research, geographical location, and family considerations. It is salient that average salaries increased by twofold after leaving academia for the private sector.     

TOWARDS AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE MECHANISM OF ANAESTHESIA

The structural diversity of anaesthetic compounds suggests that anaesthetics do not act at a single specific receptor. However, the close correlation between the lipid solubility of anaesthetics and their potencies (Meyer-Overton rule) does imply a common mechanism: A Unitary Hypothesis. Anaesthetizing Partial E'ressure x oil/gas part. coef. varies only 2 x over a range of 70,000 in partial pressures. This suggests that a specific number of anaesthetic molecules occupy a crucial hydrophobic site in the CNS, but the MeyerOverton rule offers no mechanistic explanation for its validity. The putative site of action of anaesthetics is the synapse because the relative resistance of larger axons to anaesthetic induced depression narrows the site of hydrophobic action to synapic regions or axons with small diameter at the nerve terminal (Richards, 1981) (see Figure 1).     

重庆市科技期刊发展现状、问题及对策

在调查重庆市科技期刊发展现状的基础上，深入分析了重庆市科技期刊的基本特点，指出了重庆市科技期刊存在的问题与差距，并对此提出促进重庆市科技期刊发展的合理化建议和对策：（1）管理体制应当适应不同的科技期刊各自发展的需要，不搞一种模式。（2）学术期刊组织有创新精神的专家、学者，撰写论文反映他们最新的研究成果，突出本校、本单位的重点学科；科普类和技术类期刊直接在生产第一线，选择有创新意识、有突出成绩、有写作能力和热情的人，组成一支较稳定的写作队伍，突出专业特色。（3）科技期刊事实上面对的是生产第一线的科技工作者与热爱科学技术的民众和具有相当水准、富有研究成果的专家、学者及有丰富实践经验的科技工作者，科技期刊工作者处在这两个群体之间，应当发挥好桥梁、纽带作用。（4）努力稳定现有编辑队伍，提倡和弘扬团队精神，抓好编辑人才的继续教育，扩大刊物的影响、编辑人员的社会影响力；广泛引进人才，开展全方位的交流。     

高校德育个体性功能的理性审视

高校德育忽视个体,呈现简单化、智育化和非生命化趋势的现实表现,使我们不得不对德育的个体性功能进行理性的审视.为此形成的态度是：德育个体性功能的基本价值取向应该将学生引向希望和幸福;德育必须为学生提供一种有利于个体道德生长的价值引导环境;理想的德育个体性功能还要具备超越性的特质.     

A HISTORY OF THE EVENTS WHICH CULMINATED IN THE FIRST FACULTY OF VETERINARY SCIENCE IN AUSTRALIA

A few years ago the University did not cater for properly training the men who would have to conduct the industries of the country. During the past 7 years, however, it had established Schools of Agriculture, Education, Mining Engineering, and had made proper provision for the training of chemists and dentists. The last, and in some respects the greatest step, was the establishment of a School of Veterinary Medicine in connection with the University.*     

ON THE EFFECTS OF INHALATION OF THE FUMES OF ÆTHER ON DOGS AND CATS, AND, BY INFERENCE, ON THE HORSE; WITH THE PROBABLE UTILITY OF SUCH IN VETERINARY MEDICINE

When the great American discovery was first announced, every veterinarian must have speculated upon the applicability of the process to the lower animals. Doubtless many experiments have been made by various parties, and I have tried the setherial fumes on both dogs and cats. I placed the sulphuric aether in a Florence flask, to the neck of which a large bladder was secured. The head of the animal was then introduced into the bladder, and a spirit lamp applied to the flask. This answered very well; but Mr. Lucas has attained every result with a more simple and less fragile apparatus.     

THREE-DIMENSIONAL ULTRASONOGRAPHIC IN VITRO IMAGING OF LESIONS OF THE MENISCUS AND FEMORAL TROCHLEA IN THE EQUINE STIFLE

The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the value of three-dimensional (3D) ultrasonography for the diagnosis of equine meniscal and trochlear ridge lesions under in vitro conditions. Lesions were created in the isolated meniscus and femoral trochlea of 25 cadaver stifle joints. Cylindric, conic, and cuboid lesions were created on the trochlear ridge. Five different meniscal tear configurations were created. A total of 107 lesions of the trochlear ridge and 103 lesions of the meniscus were created. 3D ultrasonography was performed in a waterbath, using a 7.5 MHz 3D scanner. Trochlear ridge lesions were seen as either hypoechoic or anechoic breaks in continuity or as irregular notches. One-hundred and one out of the 107 trochlear lesions were visible using 2D ultrasonography whereas 104 out of the 107 lesions could be seen using the 3D Cine mode. Three lesions could not be detected by either technique. Eighty-five out of the 103 meniscal lesions were seen with 2D ultrasonography and 90 with 3D Cine mode. Radial tears and horizontal tears were the least commonly visualized 3D. The 3D Cine mode led to a small improvement in lesion detection. 3D ultrasound could be considered as an extension and refinement of the ultrasound techniques already in use and can increase the diagnostic capabilities. However, technical improvements have to be achieved before 3D ultrasound can be used in the daily practice for diagnosis of equine stifle joint disorders.     

THE USE OF99mTc RADIOAEROSOL VENTILATION AND MACROAGGREGATED ALBUMIN PERFUSION IMAGING FOR THE DETECTION OF PULMONARY EMBOLI IN THE DOG

This study was undertaken to design protocol for use of radioaerosol of technetium-99m-labeled diethylenetriaminepentacetic acid (^99mTc-DTPA) for ventilation imaging as clinical tool in the dog and to evaluate imaging characteristics in both normal dogs and dogs with simulated pulmonary embolism. Clearance of the 99mTc-DTPA radioaerosol from the lung was also evaluated. Six normal dogs were used in two phases: (1) as their own controls and (2) during pulmonary artery occlusion using Swan-Ganz catheter. Radioaerosol ventilation images were obtained and rate of clearance from normal and occluded lungs determined. Perfusion studies using technetium-99m-macroaggregated albumin (^99mTc-MAA) immediately followed. Clearance half-times (T_1/2) were found to be significantly increased (p < 0.05) in acutely occluded lungs; however, the small magnitude of this change was visually difficult to detect on the ventilation images. Good quality initial ventilation and perfusion images were obtained and provided ready evaluation of ventilation (V), perfusion (Q), and induced V/Q mismatches. A clinical case of pulmonary thromboembolic disease was also evaluated with diagnostic result, indicating that this method of V/Q scintigraphy can provide useful information in those clinical cases in which pulmonary thromboembolism is suspected.     

兽药的立体污染及防治

兽药经动物代谢后以原型或代谢产物进入环境，对环境潜在的影响已经成为国内外关注的热点。本文论述了兽药污染的来源、环境影响、环境安全评估方法以及我国兽药污染防治应加快研究的方向。     

THE USE OF ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHY IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF POOR RACING PERFORMANCE IN THE HORSE

Electrocardiograms were reocrded from 153 racehorses and 10 Olympic three-day-event horses. The horses were then grouped into those presented for routine examination, those in which there was a complaint of poor performance, those going to the Montreal Olympics, and those with upper respiratory tract abnormalities. When the ECGs of the four groups were compared on the basis of detection of abnormality, it was found that 93.2% of the poor performance group showed abnormalities of various types. The routine examination group showed 21.1% of horses with abnormal ECGs, and over half of these have been followed to the point where it can be said they raced unsuccessfully. In particular, this applied to those horses with T wave abnormalities in 4 or more leads, and to those with intraatrial block. There were significant T wave changes in 50% of the Olympic horses, and 43.7% of horses with laryngeal hemiplegia showed abnormality. While it can be concluded that T wave changes are highly significant findings in an ECG, it is also true that modification of the training programme is a way of helping trainers to get the best out of horses which might otherwise have a serious limitation of their performance potential.     

THE ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY OF A VETERINARY PREVENTIVE MEDICINE AND MANAGEMENT PROGRAM IN VICTORIAN DAIRY HERDS

SUMMERY: This paper reports the major results of a 4-year controlled study of the impact of a dairy herd health and management program on dairy farms. The aim of the project was to conduct a practical preventive medicine program which could be operated by practising field veterinarians to assess the economic value of the program. The analysis of performance involved 59 program farms which received the program and 47 surveillance farms which did not receive the program. Each group commenced with 80 farms. A comparison of indices reflecting the efficiency of production showed relative gains for program herds when compared to surveillance herds and these differences were significant for the indices of butterfat per hectare (P=.001) and butter fat per man (P=.005) but not for butterfat per cow (P=.455). The indices of financial efficiency showed significant improvements in program farms when compared with surveillance farms in the standardised change in gross margin per hectare (P=.001), per man (P=.003) and per cow (P=.007). On a mean whole-farm basis, the program gave an improvement in gross margin of 23.58, 65.56 and 90.30 per hectare in the second to fourth years respectively of the project when compared with performance in the first year. Mean intercalving intervals were significantly shorter in program than surveillance herds throughout the project (P=.013). The proportion of cows calving within 8 weeks of the start of the calving season increased from 68.5% to 74% in program herds and from 72% to 73% in surveillance herds, but there was no significant difference (P=.101) between groups in this change. The standardised change in bulk milk cell count was greater in program herds than surveillance herds, but the quarter infection prevalence of surveillance herds. which was only measured in the final year of the project, was significantly lower than the prevalence measured at the same time in program herds. It was concluded from this study that the dairy health and management program tested in this study represents a highly profitable investment for dairy farmers.     

THE EFFECT OF METHIMAZOLE ON THYROID UPTAKE OF PERTECHNETATE AND RADIOIODINE IN NORMAL CATS

Many hyperthyroid cats referred for thyroid imaging and 131I therapy are concurrently or recently receiving antithyroid medications. The effect of the antithyroid drug, methimazole, on thyroid uptake of 99mTcO4 and 123I was evaluated in 8 normal cats. Quantitative analysis was used to determine the normal percent dose uptake of 99mTcO4 and 123I, the change in thyroid:salivary ratios (T:S) of 99-TcO4 over time, and the duration of the methimazole effect on thyroid uptake of 123I. Methimazole was administered to 5 cats for 3 weeks in which a hypothyroid state was obtained; 3 cats served as non-treatment controls. 99mTcO4 and 8 and 24 hour 123I imaging was repeated after 3 weeks of methimazole therapy (time of maximum T4 suppression). Methimazole was then discontinued and 123I images and serum T4 concentrations were repeated at 1, 4, 9, 15, and 24 days post withdrawal. The percent dose uptake of 99mTcO4 increased throughout the acquisition period with maximum uptake occurring 4 hour post injection. The baseline 20 min. T:S ratio for controls and treatment cats were 0.79 +/- 0.08 and 0.81 +/- 0.05 respectively; with a peak value of 1.29 +/- 0.23 and 1.31 +/- 0.18 at 4 hours. The baseline T:S ratios were not significantly different from 20 minutes to 2 hours, however they were significantly elevated at 4 hours post injection. Baseline, 8 and 24 hour percent dose uptake of 123I were 2.1 +/- 0.42% and 7.04 +/- 1.24%, respectively. There was a significant increase in the T:S ratio in the treatment group at all time points. The 8 hour percent dose uptake of 123I at 1, 4, and 9 days post methimazole withdrawal were significantly increased and peaked at 4 days. The 24 hour uptake was significantly increased at 4 and 9 days, with peak uptake at 9 days post-methimazole withdrawal. The 123I percent dose uptake decreased to baseline values by day 15 post withdrawal. Radioiodine uptake is not inhibited by methimazole treatment in normal cats, and is significantly enhanced after recent withdrawal. This finding is supportive of a "short term rebund effect" with maximal enhanced uptake between 4 and 9 days after discontinuing antithyroid drugs. The increased uptake of 99mTcO4 may also affect the interpretation of 99mTcO4 thyroid scintigraphy for 2-3 weeks.     

A REVIEW OF TREATMENT PLANNING AND DOSE CALCULATION IN VETERINARY RADIATION ONCOLOGY

Because radiation cell killing follows Poisson statistics, radiation dose response curves for tumors and normal tissue response are sigmoidal in shape. This shape implies that small errors in delivery of radiation dose can result in large changes in the probability of normal tissue necrosis or tumor control. Thus it is important for veterinarians involved with radiation oncology to be familiar with the basic aspects of radiation physics and dose calculation as they relate to radiation therapy. In this paper, we present a review of pertinent physics and treatment planning relative to orthovoltage and cobalt irradiation. The usefulness of radiation treatment planning computers is emphasized for improving the radiation oncologist's knowledge of dose distribution and selection of the optimum treatment plan.     

CEREBRAL RESPONSES IN HORSES TO HALOTHANE AND ISOFLURANE ANAESTHESIA: EEG POWER SPECTRUM ANALYSIS AND DIFFERENCES IN ARTERIOVENOUS OXYGEN CONTENT.

In a prospective study we compared the EEG variables total amplitude (TA), 80% spectral edge frequency (SEF-80), the ratio of fractional amplitudes distributed into the BETA and DELTA frequency band (BETA/DELTA-ratio), and differences in arteriovenous oxygen content (AVD0₂), obtained from horses anaesthetized with either halothane (H; n=4) or isoflurane (I; n=4) in oxygen. All horses underwent orthopaedic procedures. After premedication with xylazine (0.88 mg/kg IV), anaesthesia was induced with diazepam (0.033 mg/kg IV) and ketamine (2.2 mg/kg IV). During anaesthesia horses were ventilated using IPPV. EEG variables and AVD0₂ were recorded at equal levels of surgical anaesthesia (stage III/1–2), as determined by clinical signs and a dominant delta activity in the EEG power spectrum. PaC0₂was kept between 35 mmHg and 45 mmHg, PaO₂above 100 mmHg, and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) was adjusted to at least 80 mmHg. The average body temperature was 35.4 ± 1.1°C (H) and 35.6 ± 0.7°C (I), respectively. In horses anaesthetized with I, TA was significantly higher (P<01) (I: 3533 ± 70 γV; H: 235.9 ± 63.4 γV), whereas SEF-80 (I: 10.7 ± 0.7 Hz; H: 12.4 ± 0.7 Hz) and BETA/DELTA-ratio (I: 035 ± 0.06; H: 0.53 ± 0.12) were significantly lower (P<01) compared with H. We also observed significantly lower (P<05) AVD02 values with I (1.5 ± 0.5 Vol%) than with H (2.0 ± 1.2 Vol%). Since a depression in cerebral activity during anaesthesia is characterized by a decrease in EEG frequency content and a concomitant increase in EEG amplitude, the authors conclude that at equal levels of surgical anaesthesia, isoflurane exerts a more pronounced depression in cerebral electrical and metabolic activity in horses.     

THE NATURE OF ENLARGED "VASCULAR CHANNELS" IN THE NAVICULAR BONE OF THE HORSE

The morphologic features of the areas along the distal margin of the navicular bone, previously termed vascular channels, and their relationship to blood vessels in this area are described. Alterations in these channels have long been considered one of the pathognomonic signs of navicular disease and suggestive of vascular change. This study of the navicular bones of 4 normal yearlings and 12 adult horses from the pathology service demonstrate that the vascular channels are lined not with blood vessels or vascular endothelium, but rather with synovial tissue displaying a normal vascular supply. The channels represent invaginations of synovial tissue from the synovial fossae into the bone and therefore are more correctly termed "synovial invaginations." The process by which this invagination occurs remains unknown.     

家蚕实用品种夏芳卵色变异的遗传特性及淘汰方法

蚕品种夏芳的卵色为黑褐带绿色,卵壳为淡黄色。在应用中出现了卵色不纯,区间和区内卵色驳杂。区间差异,其代表型变异卵色为棕褐色,蛾区内较一致;区内有差异者主要表现为正常型与果绿色的深浅对比,其中多数是后产下卵的内环少部分卵粒颜色浅,也有随机分布者。经采用后代鉴定法和杂交试验研究,结果：①同蛾区内卵色的深、浅对比差异在后代没有明显的遗传趋向,并非单一的卵色遗传因素引起;②代表型变异卵色--棕褐色由隐性基因控制,表现母性遗传,并区别于家蚕的其它母性遗传卵色,可能为一新的家蚕母性遗传卵色基因。此外,滞育性较弱容易产生生种,也是导致夏芳在整体上卵色驳杂表现的一个因素。提出淘汰变异卵、纯化品种性状的方案为：①直接在母种中选除具有变异卵的蛾区;②对表型为标准性状的母种蛾区,在蛾区半保留条件下,用同蛾区交配法进行后代鉴定,或测交法结合次代鉴定进行区别,以基因型为 / 的半蛾保种或繁育原种,淘汰基因型为 /b及b/b的蛾区。同时,注意综合选择,加强催青温度控制和饲养规范等技术措施。