Transarterial coil embolization of patent ductus arteriosus in small dogs with 0.025-inch vascular occlusion coils: 10 cases

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is the most common congenital cardiac disease in the dog and generally leads to severe clinical signs, including left-sided congestive heart failure. Historically, definitive treatment consisted of surgical ligation; however, the use of vascular occlusion devices by minimally invasive techniques has gained popularity in veterinary medicine during the past decade. Adequate vascular access is a major limiting factor for these minimally invasive techniques, precluding their use in very small dogs. The clinical management of PDA with 0.025-in vascular occlusion coils in a minimally invasive transarterial technique in 10 dogs is described. The dogs were small (1.38 +/- 0.22 kg), were generally young (6.70 +/- 5.74 months), and had small minimal ductal diameters (1.72 +/- 0.81 mm from angiography). Vascular access was achieved, and coil deployment was attempted in all dogs with a 3F catheter uncontrolled release system. Successful occlusion, defined as no angiographic residual flow, was accomplished in 8 of 10 (80%) dogs. Successful occlusion was not achieved in 2 dogs (20%), and both dogs experienced embolization of coils into the pulmonary arterial tree. One of these dogs died during the procedure, whereas the other dog underwent a successful surgical correction. We conclude that transarterial PDA occlusion in very small dogs is possible with 0.025-in vascular occlusion coils by means of a 3F catheter system and that it represents a viable alternative to surgical ligation. The risk of pulmonary arterial embolization is higher with this uncontrolled release system, but this risk may decrease with experience.     

Red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Ireland as hosts for parasites of potential zoonotic and veterinary significance.

Intestinal washes, faecal flotations and serological examinations for antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum were used to assess the prevalence of parasites in carcases of foxes killed on roads or shot in the Dublin area and surrounding counties. The ascarids Uncinaria stenocephala and Toxocara canis were prevalent, as was the trematode Alaria alata. Taenia species, eggs of Capillaria species and sporocysts of Sarcocystis species were also found. Only one fox out of 70 examined was seropositive for N. caninum, whereas 24 of 51 were seropositive for T. gondii.     

Ethylene production as an indicator of stress conditions in hydroponically-grown strawberries

As a soilless system, hydroponics eliminates competing weeds and soil-born pests while conserving water and providing conditions that can be quickly altered to suit specific crops. However, stress-induced physiological conditions may arise within the system from factors such as mechanical injury, pests, or inconsistent nutrient flow rates that result in some plants receiving too much or too little water. Most abiotic stress conditions result in increased production of the plant hormone ethylene. High levels of ethylene inhibit growth, cause premature ripening, and induce the onset of senescence, potentially reducing the productivity of hydroponically-grown crops. In this study, we demonstrate that assessing ethylene levels from leaves of hydroponically-grown strawberry plants can be used as an early indicator of stress conditions. Our results demonstrate that there is no significant correlation between ethylene production and temperatures ranging from 15 to 37 °C or with light intensities ranging from 63 to 1500 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹. However, an increase in ethylene production tended to be positively correlated with sampling time; levels were higher during midday compared to early morning or later afternoon. The daily ethylene fluctuations under greenhouse conditions due to sampling time, light intensity, or temperature changes were not significantly high enough to indicate stress conditions. Overall, three system analyses showed altered ethylene production in plants farthest from the pump supplying the nutrient solution. This effect was interpreted to be caused by excess accumulation of nutrient solution around the plant roots, causing increased ethylene production in the leaves. Our results indicate that different watering patterns, manifested as pump pressure or drainage control, was the more difficult component to control in the design of these hydroponic systems. For example, in one system, an increase in ethylene production was measured for the position farthest from the pump, and resulted in those plants having a lower number of flowers and significantly reduced overall plant radii relative to the system average. In a separate experiment, plants from trays that had been flooded for 24 h showed a significant decrease in the plant radii and number of leaves and flowers 1 month after the flooding treatment. We conclude that system-wide ethylene measurements can be used to identify stressed plants within hydroponic systems. This type of analysis would be especially useful as an indicator of general stress conditions no matter the cause, identifying locations that may result in lower plant productivity.     

Microencapsulating properties of sodium caseinate

Emulsions were prepared with 5% (w/v) solutions of sodium caseinate (Na Cas) and soy oil at oil/protein ratios of 0.25-3.0 by homogenization at 10--50 MPa. Emulsions were spray-dried to yield powders with 20--75% oil (w/w). Emulsion oil droplet size and interfacial protein load were determined. Microencapsulation efficiency (ME), redispersion properties, and structure of the powders were analyzed. The size of emulsion oil droplets decreased with increasing homogenization pressure but was not influenced by oil/protein ratio. Emulsion protein load values were highest at low oil/protein ratios. ME of the dried emulsions was not affected by homogenization pressure but decreased from 89.2 to 18.8% when the oil/protein ratio was increased from 0.25 to 3.0, respectively. Mean particle sizes of reconstituted dried emulsions were greater than those of the original emulsions, particularly at high oil/protein ratios (>1.0), suggesting destabilization of high-oil emulsions during the spray-drying process.     

Changes in the nutrient composition of potatoes during home preparation: III. Minerals

The effect of several cooking methods on the mineral content of three major U.S. potato varieties was assessed. Significant losses of minerals in potato flesh were minimal and were unaccountably associated with the Norchip variety grown in the Red River Valley. The Irish potato was found to contribute significantly to the U.S. Recommended Dietary Allowance for copper, iron, magnesium, and phosphorus in the diet of man.     

Changes in smooth muscle contractility of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum) intestine during acclimation to altered temperature

The effects of altered water temperature in vivo on in vitro smooth muscle contractility of rainbow trout intestine were investigated. Temperature has a significant effect on receptor-mediated intestinal smooth muscle contractility in the rainbow trout. The efficacy of 5-HT, carbachol, and transmural stimulation increased with temperatures above 10°C, with an optimal increase at 15°C. There was also a modest increase in the potency of 5-HT and carbachol within 2 days of establishing trout at 20°C. By day 8, most of these changes had either stabilized or were returning to control values, suggesting that acclimation changes in membranes and enzyme activities were taking effect. However, the contractile responses to carbachol and transmural stimulation were still increasing at this time. This may imply that the muscarinic receptors are more resistant to membrane acclimation changes and may take longer to adapt. Because these experiments were controlled for handling stress and seasonal changes that affect contractility, we have been able to demonstrate some early changes in smooth muscle contractility that occur during acclimation to altered temperature.