Endocarditis caused by Corynebacterium sp in a dog

Mitral valve bacterial endocarditis, caused by Corynebacterium sp, was diagnosed in a dog. The bacteria had characteristics unlike those commonly recognized for most species of Corynebacterium. The primary source of bacteremia was suspected to be a pilonidal cyst of the sacrum. The dog was treated with a first-generation cephalosporin for 6 weeks, and the pilonidal cyst was surgically removed. Physical examination 1 year after initial examination revealed no abnormalities other than a cardiac murmur. On echocardiographic examination 1 year after treatment, the vegetative lesion was still present; however, chamber dimensions had returned to normal. Wall thickness and contractility remained increased.     

Bone scintigraphy as an aid in the diagnosis of occult distal tarsal bone trauma in three horses

History, physical examination, and bone scintigraphy were used to diagnose central and/or third tarsal bone trauma in 3 acutely lame horses. In all 3 cases, the results of initial radiographic examination were negative. Bone scintigraphy revealed focal, intense radioisotope uptake at the level of the distal tarsal bones in the 3 horses. Radiographs obtained 4 weeks after injury in one horse demonstrated a slab fracture of the central tarsal bone. Conservative management of the tarsal bone disease resulted in acceptable return to function in all 3 horses.     

Comparison of electrocardiograms of chickens infected with viscerotropic velogenic Newcastle disease virus and virulent avian influenza virus

Electrocardiograms of chickens infected with viscerotropic velogenic Newcastle disease virus (NDV) or virulent avian influenza virus (AIV) were characterized and compared. The ECG were monitored by radiotelemetry and were recorded twice daily before virus infection and during the course of the infection. Thirteen lead II intervals, segments, and amplitudes were measured and analyzed. The ECG of NDV-infected chickens were characterized by lengthened (P less than or equal to 0.05) ST segments and increased (P less than or equal to 0.05) P amplitudes. The ECG of AIV-infected chickens were characterized by lengthened (P less than or equal to 0.05) RS intervals, ST segments, TP intervals, and PR segments and by increased (P less than or equal to 0.05) P amplitudes. The TP intervals and PR segments of ECG of AIV-infected chickens were significantly (P less than or equal to 0.05) longer than those of NDV-infected chickens. The pronounced conduction delays indicated in the ECG of AIV-infected chickens may have diagnostic importance.     

Atomic absorption spectrophotometric determination of selenium in animal feed premix, using the vapor generation technique.

An atomic absorption spectrophotometric method, using the vapor generation technique for the determination of selenium in animal feed premixes containing 0.4-0.002% selenium, is described. After the sample was digested in perchloric acid and hydrogen peroxide and reduced with 6M HCl, 3 aliquots of sample, each containing about 0.4 mug Se, were taken for analysis by the standard addition method. Sodium borohydride pellets were used for the generation of selenium hydride. The relative standard deviation of a single determination averaged +/- 19%.     

Effects of varying zinc concentrations on quality of alfalfa for lambs

Zinc concentrations in alfalfa hay were varied using a N-Zn liquid fertilizer as a foliar applicant (.34 or .68 kg Zn/ha) or as a soil fertilizer (4.07 kg Zn/ha). Mean concentrations of Zn across five cuttings of alfalfa in 2 yr were 18, 27, 41 and 21 mg Zn/kg DM for control, low foliar, high foliar and soil treatments, respectively. Each treatment was fed in ad libitum amounts to eight crossbred wether lambs (20 to 35 kg) in 6-wk growth and intake trials, followed by 2-wk digestibility and balance trials with individual lambs. For one cutting, hays were also fed in an 81-d trial to four ram lambs (30 to 35 kg) and live weight gain and testicular development were measured. Average daily gain (ADG) and intake over 6 wk differed (P less than .01) with cutting but not with Zn treatment. Average daily gain and testes weight of ram lambs also were not affected by treatment. In the metabolism trials, Zn treatment did not alter (P greater than .05) intake or dry matter digestibility (DMD) of alfalfa, but did influence digestibility of neutral detergent fiber (NDF). Digestible NDF (%) was higher (P less than .05) for high foliar than for low foliar treatments. Apparent absorption and retention of Zn was significantly greater for control than for Zn-treated alfalfas and did not differ with cutting. Mean serum Zn concentrations for control, low and high foliar, and soil treatments were .79, .81, .78 and .75 micrograms Zn/ml, respectively, for all cuttings, with no differences due to treatment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Haemonchus spp. in sheep farmed under resource-poor conditions in South Africa--effect on haematocrit,conjunctival mucous membrane colour and body condition

A longitudinal study was conducted on the differential faecal egg counts, haematocrits and body condition scores of sheep belonging to resource-poor farmers at Rust de Winter, Gauteng province, and Kraaipan, North West Province, South Africa. The animals were scored for level of anaemia using the FAMACHA method, an assay for the clinical evaluation of anaemia caused by Haemonchus spp. Periods of higher Haemonchus egg counts occurred from October to March for sheep at Rust de Winter and from September/October to February or April for sheep at Kraaipan. Lower haematocrit values were registered during these periods as was a higher incidence of anaemic conjunctival mucous membrane colour scores compared to the period April to September. No clear relationship between the faecal egg counts and the body condition scores was evident. Although wider application of the FAMACHA system in sheep raised by resource-poor farmers should be investigated, the present study indicates that this method may certainly prove to be a valuable worm control strategy for such livestock owners.     

Indirect measurement of blood pressure as a guide to the efficacy of fluid therapy in equine shock: A case report

A case of acute circulatory failure in a horse is described. The response to intravenous fluid therapy was monitored by measurement of heart and respiratory rates, and arterial and central venous pressures. Heart rate was an unreliable guide to improved circulatory status. Central venous pressure and indirect arterial blood pressure were valuable guides to the efficacy of fluid therapy.     

Serum neopterin levels in female dogs with malignant mammary tumours

In this study, we have determined serum neopterin levels in female dogs with primary malignant mammary tumours. The study involved 50 female dogs which had a malignant mammary tumours removed surgically (32 animals with carcinoma, 12 animals with sarcoma and 6 animals with carcinosarcoma) and 10 clinically healthy female dogs. Serum neopterin levels were determined using a commercial ELISA kit. The mean neopterin levels were lower in the malignant tumour groups than in healthy animals but differences were statistically significant only in carcinoma and sarcoma groups. The decrease of neopterin levels in animals with malignant mammary tumours may suggest their decreased cellular immunity. Moreover, it might indicate that decreased activity of cellular mechanisms of the anti‐neoplastic response is one of the factors associated with the development and course of malignant mammary tumours in female dogs; however, further studies are necessary.     

玉米自交系苗期对高温胁迫的响应机制及其抗逆性

高温胁迫影响夏播玉米自交系幼苗生长、田间整齐度和制种产量,探究玉米幼苗期对温度胁迫的响应机制,有利于培育和筛选抗性优良的品种。该试验选取了浙江大学育成的耐热型和热敏感型自交系各2份,45 ℃进行高温胁迫处理,经高温处理后进行叶绿素含量、抗氧化酶活性测定,以及相关基因表达分析。结果表明,经过高温胁迫处理并恢复生长后,与耐热型自交系相比,热敏感型自交系的叶绿素a、b含量、叶绿素a/b值、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性、过氧化物酶(POD)活性、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性、抗坏血酸过氧化物酶(APX)活性、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)活性均下降,而脯氨酸含量小幅上升。利用qRT-PCR技术对脯氨酸合成途径的关键酶基因ZmP5CS、降解途径的关键酶基因ZmProDH、热激蛋白基因ZmHSP70和ZmHSP90在高温胁迫条件下的表达特性进行了分析,发现ZmP5CS、ZmHSP70和ZmHSP90明显受热胁迫诱导,并且热敏感型自交系中ZmP5CS、ZmHSP70和ZmHSP90的表达量均显著低于耐热型自交系,而ZmProDH的表达量显著高于耐热型自交系,由此说明,高温胁迫过程中脯氨酸的积累、抗氧化酶活性和热激蛋白基因表达的增强是玉米幼苗耐热性形成的响应机制。