Measurement of intraocular pressure in healthy anesthetized horses during hoisting

Objective

To measure intraocular pressure (IOP) in horses during hoisting after induction of anesthesia.

Freshwater eels: A symbol of the effects of global change

Temperate eels Anguilla anguilla (European eel), A. rostrata (American eel) and A. japonica (Japanese eel) are three catadromous species which have been declining since the 1970s/1980s despite their remarkable adaptive capacity. Because of their specific life cycles, which share distant oceanic spawning grounds and continental growth stage, eels are affected by five components of the global change: (a) climate change affecting larval survival and drift, (b) an increase in pollution leading to high levels of contamination exacerbated by their high lipid levels, (c) increasing fragmentation and habitat loss that reduce dramatically the amount of available habitats and induce increased spawner mortality, (d) the appearance of Anguillicola crassus a parasitic alien nematode that impairs spawning success, and (e) the impact of commercial and recreational fisheries for all life stages of eel. In this context, the rapid increases of pressures during the “Great Acceleration” have surpassed the adaptive capacity of eels. This illustrates that cumulative effects of global change can lead to the collapse of species, even in species that have amazingly high adaptive capacities.     

Do late-successional tannin-rich plant communities occurring on highly acidic soils increase the DON/DIN ratio?

Previous studies suggested that late-successional tannin-rich plant communities increase the amount of dissolved organic N (DON) relative to dissolved inorganic N (DIN) in decomposing litter. We devised an experiment to test this hypothesis by adding varying proportions of black spruce (Picea mariana) and tannin-rich Kalmia angustifolia litter to forest floor samples collected on six black spruce cutovers. An increasing proportion of Kalmia litter increased condensed tannin and total phenolic concentrations over the course of a 46-week incubation period. Mineral N concentrations did not vary among treatments in spite of much higher total N concentrations in Kalmia litter. This was more likely due to the formation of protein–tannin complexes rather than microbial immobilization of N, as indicated by the decline in available C with increasing Kalmia litter on two of the five sampling dates. There was a significant positive linear trend between the proportion of Kalmia litter and the DON/DIN ratio on one sampling date (week 13) only. Results suggest that the DON/DIN ratio is controlled by confounding factors (e.g., tannins bonding with non-extractable humus particles) and has limited value for describing ecological succession.     

Maximising growth and sawlog production from Acacia hybrid plantations in Vietnam

New Forests - Management options to optimise sawlog production from Acacia hybrid (A. mangium?×?A. auriculiformis) combining thinning and fertiliser treatments were applied at six...     

Effects of preoperative administration of ketoprofen on whole blood platelet aggregation,buccal mucosal bleeding time,and hematologic indices in dogs undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy

OBJECTIVE: To determine effects of preoperative administration of ketoprofen on whole blood platelet aggregation, buccal mucosal bleeding time, and hematologic indices in dogs after elective ovariohysterectomy. DESIGN: Randomized, masked clinical trial. ANIMALS: 22 healthy dogs. PROCEDURE: 60 minutes before induction of anesthesia, 11 dogs were given 0.9% NaCl solution (control), and 11 dogs were given ketoprofen (2 mg/kg [0.9 mg/lb], IM). Thirty minutes before induction of anesthesia, glycopyrrolate (0.01mg/kg [0.005 mg/lb]), acepromazine (0.05 mg/kg [0.02 mg/lb]), and butorphanol (0.2 mg/kg 10.09 mg/lb]) were given IM to all dogs. Anesthesia was induced with thiopental (5 to 10 mg/kg [2.3 to 4.5 mg/lb], IV) and maintained with isoflurane (1 to 3%). Ovariohysterectomy was performed and butorphanol (0.1 mg/kg [0.05 mg/lb], IV) was given 15 minutes before completion of surgery. Blood samples for measurement of variables were collected at intervals before and after surgery. RESULTS: In dogs given ketoprofen, platelet aggregation was decreased 95 +/- 10% and 80 +/- 35% (mean +/- SD) immediately after surgery and 24 hours after surgery, respectively, compared with preoperative values. At both times, mean values in dogs given ketoprofen differed significantly from those in control dogs. Significant differences between groups were not observed for mucosal bleeding time or hematologic indices. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Preoperative administration of ketoprofen inhibited platelet aggre gation but did not alter bleeding time. Ketoprofen can be given before surgery to healthy dogs undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy, provided that dogs are screened for potential bleeding problems before surgery and monitored closely after surgery.     

Emerging modalities in veterinary rehabilitation.

Many new modalities have been introduced in human and veterinary physical rehabilitation. In many instances, there is sound theory of how they may impact the physiology of various cells, tissues, or organs.This article reviews some of the modalities that have been introduced recently in human and veterinary rehabilitation. Topics include low-level laser, phototherapy, and extracorporeal shock wave treatment.     

Fate of pathogenic and nonpathogenic microorganisms during storage of liquid hog manure in Québec

Pathogenic microorganisms in manure represents a potential hazard to human and animal. Few data describing the microbiological content of liquid hog manure intended for spreading are available in the scientific literature. The objective of this project was to verify the presence and estimate the persistence of Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Yersinia enterocolitica and Cryptosporidium spp. in liquid hog manure from storages under conditions typical of commercial swine production in Québec. E. coli content of liquid hog manure taken during the spreading period in the 32 hog operations varied between 0 and 5.52 log₁₀ CFU/g with a 95% confidence interval of 3.16–4.23 log₁₀ CFU/g. Salmonella spp., Y. enterocolitica and Cryptosporidium spp. were detected in 37%, 9% and 3% samples, respectively. Under the conditions of this experiment, the predicted number of days required to obtain a 90% reduction of E. coli populations varied between 15 and 26 days, while the predicted storage period necessary to reach undetectable levels was 54–114 days. The maximal persistence of Salmonella observed in this study was 88 days. A 73-day storage time was insufficient for the elimination of Y. enterocolitica.