A case of feline phaeohyphomycosis due to Fonsecaea pedrosoi

The first report of a case of feline phaeohyphomycosis due to Fonsecaea pedrosoi is presented. Fonsecaea pedrosoi is an aetiologic agent of both human phaeohyphomycosis and chromoblastomycosis. In our cat, the lesion was confined to the skin and appeared as a firm swelling on the bridge of the nose. Diagnosis was based on histological examination of a cutaneous biopsy and fungal culture of a tissue sample on Sabouraud's dextrose agar. Further diagnostic tests failed to reveal an underlying immunosuppression. Two treatment cycles with itraconazole, at the oral dose of 5 mg kg-1 given twice daily, induced complete clinical remission, but relapses occurred.     

First cases of animal diseases published since 2000. 2. Cats

In this second article of a series of papers listing first case reports of animal diseases published since 2000, the following nine cases of cat diseases are discussed: Congenital spongiform change in the brain stem nuclei. Enterococcus hirae enteropathy. Focal cerebral angiomatosis. Glomus tumor. Intraocular extramedullary plasmacytoma. Lens epithelial neoplasias. Phaeohyphomycosis due to Fonsecaea pedrosoi. Pulmonary lymphomatoid granulomatosis. Systemic amyloidosis in a Devon rex. After a short introduction, the bibliographical data, the abstract of the author(s) and some additional information derived from the article are given. The article will be regularly updated adding overlooked as well as new first reports.     

Black yeast-like fungi associated with Lethargic Crab Disease (LCD) in the mangrove-land crab, Ucides cordatus (Ocypodidae)

Lethargic Crab Disease (LCD) caused extensive epizootic mortality of the mangrove land crab Ucides cordatus (Brachyura: Ocypodidae) along the Brazilian coast, mainly in the Northeastern region. The disease was named after the symptoms of slow movement of infected crabs. Causative agents were suspected to be two black yeast-like fungi of the family Herpotrichiellaceae (ascomycete order Chaetothyriales), judged by infected tissue biopsies from moribund U. cordatus. The aim of the present study is to prove that two species are involved in the disease: the recently described black yeast Exophiala cancerae, but also a less virulent, hitherto undescribed fonsecaea-like species, introduced here as the novel species Fonsecaea brasiliensis. Strains were identified by ITS rDNA sequencing, and species borderlines were established by multilocus sequencing and AFLP analysis. Fonsecaea brasiliensis proved to be closely related to the pathogenic species Cladophialophora devriesii which originally was isolated from a systemic infection in a human patient. The virulence of F. brasiliensis is lower than that of E. cancerae, as established by artificial inoculation of mangrove crabs.     

Potency test for inactivated rabies vaccine (author's transl)

Vaccination schedules and a challenge carried out in laboratory animals are necessary to test the Rabies vaccines for potency.Two main techniques, described by W.H.O., are compared:—The Habel test is a system involving a constant vaccine and a variable virus.—The N.I.H. test is the inverse system with a few major differences during the immunization phase.Although the Habel test is easier to implement, it is quite impossible to make a rigourous statistical interpretation of its results.Although it is more difficult to implement the N.I.H. test as it requires a reference vaccine and a titrated viral suspension, the statistical interpretation is simple.For a same vaccine, the variation amplitude is 1 to 250 for the Habel test and 1 to 7,6 for the N.I.H. test. The N.I.H. test is preferred to the Habel test     

Decision analysis and economic evaluation of the use of the rapid milk progesterone assay for early detection of pregnancy status of cows

The economic feasibility of the use of rapid milk progesterone assays (RMPA) for early detection of pregnancy status in cows, to reduce the cost associated with reproductive inefficiency, was evaluated by use of decision analysis techniques. A decision tree was formulated and used to compare the RMPA to the alternative of palpation per rectum alone for the determination of pregnancy status. A computer spreadsheet was used to examine the effect of manipulating the values of inputs affecting the optimal decision (ie, cost of a day a cow is not pregnant, conception rate, cost of the RMPA, test sensitivity and specificity, cost of insemination) over the range of values likely to be encountered. The sensitivity of the optimal decision was greatest to the variables for cost of a day a cow is not pregnant, conception rate, and cost of the RMPA. When the cost of a day a cow is not pregnant is +2.00 and the cost of the RMPA is +6.00, the best decision is to use the RMPA when the herd conception rate is between 20 and 77%. When the herd conception rate is 60%, the best decision is to use the RMPA as long as the cost of a day a cow is not pregnant is greater than +1.44. Indifference curves were calculated, allowing both the cost of a day a cow is not pregnant and conception rate to vary, and used to select the most economical decision. Use of the RMPA for early detection of pregnancy status is likely to be economically advantageous in most dairy operations.     

论社会主义的科学性与价值性的统一——兼评民主社会主义伦理价值观

民主社会主义认为社会主义具有“自由、平等、互助”等价值，因此，社会主义取代资本主义是人们一种道德追求，是道德力量使然，社会主义的实现，不具有历史必然性和规律性。唯物史观则认为，社会主义是科学性与价值性的统一，前者是后者的前提，规定着后者实现程度和速度，后者是前者的必然要求，并为前者提供精神动因。中国特色社会主义与民主社会主义存在原则区别，那种认为只有民主社会主义才能发展中国的论调是荒谬的。     

How to perform ovariectomy through a colpotomy

Bilateral ovariectomy of mares is performed most commonly to eliminate or diminish unwanted behaviour, create a teaser mare, sterilise a mare so that it can be registered in its breed association, or produce a recipient mare for embryo transfer. A practical technique of bilateral ovariectomy that can be easily performed without the mare sedated and without a surgical facility is ovariectomy through a colpotomy. Ovariectomy through a colpotomy is less expensive than ovariectomy using other approaches because it is performed with the mare standing, can be performed quickly and the only specialised instrument required is a chain écraseur. Complications of ovariectomy performed through a colpotomy are uncommon when the mare is correctly prepared for the procedure and when proper precautions are taken during and after the procedure.     

Survivin: a bifunctional inhibitor of apoptosis protein

Survivin is a recently discovered protein belonging to the inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) gene family. IAP molecules are characterized by both the presence of a zinc-binding fold termed the baculoviral IAP repeat and the ability to suppress apoptosis. In addition to inhibiting apoptosis, survivin is essential for proper cell division. Survivin is expressed during embryonal development but is absent in most normal, terminally differentiated tissues. Survivin is also upregulated in a variety of human cancers, and its expression in tumors is associated with a more aggressive phenotype, shorter survival times, and a decreased response to chemotherapy. The exact mechanism behind the ability of survivin to inhibit apoptosis is still unclear. Furthermore, it is not known why this protein is upregulated in cancer. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the current knowledge of survivin, including its role in cell division and its expression in normal and neoplastic tissues. Although much of the current research in this field is focused on human medicine, this area also has potential significance for veterinary species.     

Matching dogs to owners—10 years of 'Selectadog'

The purpose of this paper is to explain what the ‘Selectadog’ programme is, to emphasize some things it is not, to show what it is for and who benefits, to detail the forms that it is in, to give some indication as to how it works and to relate some of the experiences of using ‘Selectadog’ in the United Kingdom and elsewhere since 1975. ‘Selectadog’ is a programme designed to match up the characteristics of the more popular breeds of dog to the circumstances of potential owners, as identified by means of a questionnaire. Its purpose is to give guidance to people thinking about getting a dog and above all to make them think through the points they should be considering about fitting a new dog into their lives. At best and it is quite a good best, it can give the prospective owner a number of leads and a positive starting point. It also provides a good deal of free advice and information to allow the new owner to begin a prolonged period of responsible pet animal ownership, without putting them off unnecessarily.     

Acute normovolaemic haemodilution--is it a solution to reduce perioperative blood transfusions?

Haemodilution is a technique used to reduce perioperative homologous blood transfusions. Haemodilution is a poorly investigated technique in veterinary medicine. This article reviews haemodilution as a potential technique to reduce perioperative homologous blood transfusions. The history of haemodilution is briefly reviewed followed by the mathematical basis to haemodilution. The issue of critical oxygen delivery and its implications for haemodilution are discussed. The effects of haemodilution on the patient, including the effects on oxygen transport, blood flow and coagulation are discussed as well as the use of colloids, fluids and blood components in haemodilution. The success and failure of haemodilution in human clinical trials and experimental evidence is discussed. Some guidelines are given for the use of haemodilution in small animal patients in the perioperative setting. It appears in all likelihood that haemodilution has a limited application in cats and other small patients. Haemodilution is most beneficial when the initial haematocrit is high, a low haemodiluted haematocrit is achieved, the patients circulating volume is large and a large amount of blood was lost. It is important to avoid haemoconcentration during surgery as this increases red blood cell loss. Haemodilution is not a substitute for poor surgical technique and inadequate haemostasis intra-operatively. Intravascular volume should be maintained throughout the procedure.     

Endoscopy in birds

Endoscopic examination is described as a valuable diagnostic method in birds. In the introduction, reference is made to the literature on this subject. Apart from the classical approaches, alternative sites to enter the thoraco-abdominal cavity in birds are discussed. The basic equipment for endoscopy in birds is described and a new biopsy forceps which makes a secondary puncture redundant is introduced. After a discussion of the indications and complications, the value of the endoscopic examination is compared with other diagnostic methods for the diagnosis of avian tuberculosis in birds.     

中国古代文论中的“和”范畴研究

“和”是中国古代文论中的元范畴之一，它既是一种伦理道德观念和哲学方法论，同时又是一种美学原则。以和为美，主张和谐美不仅是中国文化和美学追求的目标，而且对当今世界生态环境的建构及和谐社会的创建具有深刻的现实意义。     

细胞凋亡与疾病

细胞凋亡(apoptos is)是普遍存在于人体组织细胞内的细胞死亡的形式之一,是不同于坏死的正常生理性的程序性细胞死亡。细胞抗凋亡是生物机体为了适应环境变化,维持生理平衡的一种主动的自我保护行为。凋亡或抗凋亡均是在基因控制下,多样性、偶联性、多途径的信号转导过程。它也受到内外生存因子的影响和制约,肿瘤等多种疾病均能影响细胞凋亡过程。     

一种用于远程注射器的发射装置应用介绍

如今动物园给野生动物注射药物时,依靠吹管和气枪来发射,但有时相当的不便。本实用新型涉及了一种用于远程注射器的发射装置,包括发射本体,所述发射本体包括托架、管体、端盖;所述托架上设置有支架,所述管体置于托架上,所述端盖位于支架的后侧,所述端盖的前侧设置有从后至前口径依次缩小的固定部,所述端盖的固定部向前穿过支架,管体的后端与对应口径的固定部连接;所述管体与托架在靠近前端的位置通过连接件连接。旨在为日后的应用做出贡献。     

A rapid radioimmunological evaluation of the androstenone content in boar fat

Fat from boars containing androstenone is absorbed to a piece of filter paper. The filter paper is then placed in a tube and a buffer containing antibodies against androstenone is added. Following incubation the filter paper is removed, and by measurement of the residual binding capacity for androstenone in the buffer a relative value for androstenone content in the fat is obtained.The coefficient of correlation between the results obtained by this rapid method and the ordinary radioimmunoassay was −0.95.     

A fertile female mule

The case of a female mule giving birth to a colt is documented. The karyotype of the dam is shown to be that of a mule. The colt's karyotype is also that of a mule. The sire has a donkey karyotype. Blood grouping analysis also confirmed the parentage.     

Fieldwork in a Cold Climate

It is essential that proper advanced preparation is in place before initiating a field project situated in a cold environment. Protection of the body from the wind, precipitation, and low temperatures through the use of appropriate clothing is a key to survival. Having appropriate cold-climate clothing is important, but also wearing this clothing in a manner that is most effective at maintaining a normal body temperature will help prevent both hypothermia and hyperthermia. Proper preparation includes working emergency equipment, knowledge of how to use the emergency equipment, and developing a field plan to leave with a contact. Special care must be provided to medications in a freezing environment, and there are methods that ensure that treatments can occur when needed.     

A statistical model for assessing sample size for bacterial colony selection: a case study of Escherichia coli and avian cellulitis.

A general problem for microbiologists is determining the number of phenotypically similar colonies growing on an agar plate that must be analyzed in order to be confident of identifying all of the different strains present in the sample. If a specified number of colonies is picked from a plate on which the number of unique strains of bacteria is unknown, assigning a probability of correctly identifying all of the strains present on the plate is not a simple task. With Escherichia coli of avian cellulitis origin as a case study, a statistical model was designed that would delineate sample sizes for efficient and consistent identification of all the strains of phenotypically similar bacteria in a clinical sample. This model enables the microbiologist to calculate the probability that all of the strains contained within the sample are correctly identified and to generate probability-based sample sizes for colony identification. The probability of cellulitis lesions containing a single strain of E. coli was 95.4%. If one E. coli strain is observed out of three colonies randomly selected from a future agar plate, the probability is 98.8% that only one strain is on the plate. These results are specific for this cellulitis E. coli scenario. For systems in which the number of bacterial strains per sample is variable, this model provides a quantitative means by which sample sizes can be determined.     

亚硝基血红素的制备及其在肉制品中的应用

文章研究了利用血球制备亚硝基血红素的制备方法及其作为着色剂在肉制品中的应用,实验证明其加工工艺简单,成本低,亚硝酸盐残留量低,着色效果优于亚硝酸钠、红曲红色素,是肉制品着色剂较佳选择。     

Coagulopathy in the equine critical care patient.

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a clinicopathologic syndrome resulting from a multitude of underlying causes that manifests itself clinically as hemostatic/fibrinolytic failure. There is much debate on the definition, diagnosis, and treatment of DIC, a situation that is most likely the result of the multifaceted clinical presentation of the syndrome and the fact that patient outcome is often influenced by the underlying disease process. The fact that DIC increases morbidity and mortality in critical care patients is well established, but the exact mechanism of what specifically occurs on a microvascular level is still often argued.