Intravenous administration of ionophores in ruminants: effects on metabolism independent of the rumen

The effect of i.v. administration of ionophores on metabolism in ruminants was investigated in two experiments. In Exp. 1, four Angus heifers were assigned randomly to receive i.v. monensin (18 mg, n = 2) or vehicle (control, n = 2). Samples were collected from indwelling vena cava cannulas from -60 to 240 min. Concentrations of K, Mg (P less than .05) and P (P less than .10) were lower and glucose (GLU) and free fatty acids (FFA) were higher (P less than .05) in monensin-treated than in control heifers. Serum insulin (INS) initially declined and subsequently increased (P less than .05) following monensin administration. A second experiment was conducted to determine the effect of a higher dose of monensin and the effect of lasalocid on minerals and metabolites. Angus (n = 3) and Hereford (n = 3) steers were randomly assigned to treatments in two 3 x 3 latin square designs. Treatments were i.v. administration of monensin, lasalocid or vehicle (ethanol) administered on three consecutive days. Administration of monensin, but not vehicle or lasalocid, resulted in ataxia, hypernea, polyuria and anorexia for approximately 2 h. Plasma concentrations of K, P and Mg were suppressed (P less than .05) by monensin, but not by vehicle or lasalocid administration. The decrease in K was preceded by a transient increase in K 15 min after administering monensin. Concentrations of GLU and FFA increased (P less than .05) following monensin administration. Concentrations of INS were lower from 60 to 120 min and greater at 180 and 240 min compared with -60 to 0 min from monensin administration (P less than .05). These results provide first evidence of an effect of monensin on metabolism in ruminants independent of alterations in ruminal microbial metabolism.     

Secondary myelofibrosis in three dogs

Myelofibrosis was diagnosed in 3 dogs. In each dog, there was evidence of concurrent bone marrow necrosis, suggesting that the myelofibrosis was a secondary change. This suggestion was supported by a lack of dysplastic changes in hematopoietic cells. Bone marrow necrosis in 2 of the dogs may have been the result of widespread malignancy. Reversal of the myelofibrosis in 1 dog suggested that myelofibrosis is not always a terminal disorder.     

Liquid diets fed hourly to pigs weaned at 19 days of age and exposed to rotavirus (weanling diarrhea)

Five diets were tested for their capacity to promote weight gains in newly-weaned, 19-d-old, rotavirus-exposed pigs. The diets were tested under conditions designed to minimize the stress of weaning. That is, rotavirus-exposed pigs were moved at weaning to an isolation unit, caged individually and fed hourly liquid diets that were high (approximately 26%) and low in protein (approximately 11%). In all experiments, pigs experienced postweaning rotavirus-associated diarrhea and depression in rate of gain. Pigs grew faster: when fed diets high in protein (approximately 26% protein) vs low in protein (approximately 11% protein) and when fed diets containing cows' milk proteins vs proteins from soybean flour. A diet containing antibodies to rotavirus did not ameliorate the weanling diarrhea.     

Anti-Liver Membrane Protein Antibodies in Dogs With Chronic Hepatitis

Serum from 21 dogs with chronic hepatitis was evaluated for anti-liver membrane protein (anti-LMP) antibodies by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Ten of the 21 dogs had anti-LMP antibody concentrations greater than 2 SD above the mean value for the 10 healthy control dogs; titers ranged from 1:40 to greater than 1:1,600. Anti-LMP—positive dogs were not restricted by breed, had higher alanine amino transferase activity and total bilirubin concentration, and more severe liver lesions when compared with anti-LMP—negative dogs. This study provided evidence of humoral autoantibodies in dogs with chronic hepatitis, but it did not determine if the autoantibodies were primary or secondary.     

Presumed primary immune-mediated thrombocytopenia in four cats

Feline primary immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (pIMT) is a rare hematological disorder. Platelet-bound antibody assays for cats have variable specificity and sensitivity and are not widely available. Diagnosis of pIMT is made on the basis of exclusion of other identifiable causes of thrombocytopenia and the response to immunosuppressive therapy. This report describes four cats with severe thrombocytopenia and no detectable underlying disease. One cat was euthanased because of pulmonary hemorrhage, while the other cats had frequent relapses, two of these cats developed diabetes mellitus due to long-term corticosteroid therapy. In these cats IMT had a chronic course and responded poorly to therapy with prednisolone. Alternative immunomodulatory drugs may be considered in the treatment of feline IMT.     

Preference for and performance of some Australian native plants grown as hedges

Indigenous and other native plants are commonly restricted to informal or naturalistic designed landscapes. This research project investigates the use of native plants as a formal landscape element – the hedge. A multidisciplinary approach was used with distinct horticultural and social science components. The first study explored the response of 14 native and one exotic species to hedging every 4 months. Digital imaging techniques were used to measure changes in growth, density and canopy distribution. All species responded well to hedging, greatly increasing in density. Significant differences in growth rates and shoot regrowth patterns were recorded between the species. Some hedges grown from genetically diverse plant material had noticeable morphological variations and would be more suited to use as informal hedges, however growth rates were found to be a much better predictor of hedging performance than genetic uniformity. A second study explored gardeners’ (n=162) preference for these native hedges. Photomontages were created of the hedges grown in the horticultural experiment and a photo-questionnaire distributed to several groups of gardeners. The preference results showed that many gardeners did like some Australian plants used as hedges. Significant differences in preference were found between species. A principal components analysis found that factors positively affecting preference for hedges included neatness, foliage colour (green and grey), presence of flowers and the absence of visible woody stems. In general, genetically diverse hedges were slightly less preferred than genetically uniform hedges, but some genetically diverse hedges were highly preferred. Personal style preferences based on gardeners’ expressed gardening behaviour were also observed, with grey and softer hedges preferred by those participants with low-maintenance, drought tolerant or native gardens.     

Managing state energy conservation programs: the Minnesota experience

In fiscal year 1980, the Department of Energy awarded grants for state energy conservation programs that totaled more than $400 million; the proposed figure for fiscal year 1981 is almost $600 million. Many states provide additional funds to implement conservation programs. This suggests that state governments play a major role in delivering conservation services to their citizens and are key agents in the nation's conservation efforts. This article discusses the energy conservation activities and responsibilities of one state energy office, the Minnesota Energy Agency, and the obstacles and constraints it faces in delivering its services. Suggestions are presented for resolving these difficulties and for improving the efficiency with which the agency manages its programs.