Study of osteogenesis in adult sheep on a high and a low calcium ration by means of fluorescing bone markers

The rate of osteogenesis was studied in 8 non-pregnant, non-lactating Friesian dairy sheep, 3–6 years old, by means of a treatment with 3 different bone seeking agents. Four sheep were fed a low calcium ration (LCa : 1.8 g Ca/d) and four other sheep a high calcium ration (HCa : 12.7 g Ca/d). The bone markers, oxytetracycline-HCl, alizarine-complexon and demeclocycline-HCl, were administred at intervals of 6 weeks, and the sheep were killed 1 week after administration of the last marker. In undecalcified cross sections from the middle of ribs 2, 10 and 12, and from the proximal and distal parts of rib 10, the numbers of labelled osteons and the number of osteons with 1, 2 or 3 markers were counted under fluorescent microscopy.In the ribs of sheep from the LCa group, the number of labelled osteons and the quantity of labels per osteon tended to be higher than those of sheep from the HCa group. When osteogenic activity was compared in the different sites of ribs analysed, lowest osteogenic activity was observed in the proximal part of the 10th rib.The use of fluorescing markers offers the possibility of studying osteogenic activity over a certain period of time in adult sheep.     

Resistance of Capsicum species to tobacco,tomato and pepper strains of tobacco mosaic virus

A number ofCapsicum accessions including nine species were tested for resistance to TMV based on hypersensitivity. The tobacco strain MA and the tomato strain SPS, which were both isolated from tomato, and two pathogenically distinct pepper strains P 11 and P 8, were used. Of the 73Capsicum accessions tested 58 were resistant to MA and SPS, 31 were resistant to P 11 and five were resistant to P 8.Samenvatting Om verschillen in pathogeniteit tussen twee in Nederland voorkomende paprikastammen van het TMV nader vast te stellen, werd een aantalCapsicum-herkomsten, waaronder negen soorten, op resistentie getoetst. Hierbij werden de representatieve paprika-isolaten P 11 en P 8 vergeleken met de uit tomaat afkomstige isolaten MA en SPS als vertegenwoordigers van respectievelijk de tabaks- en tomatestam van het TMV. Bij het beoordelen van de symptomen duidden lokale, necrotische vlekken en afvallen van geïnoculeerde bladeren op resistentie, systemische necrosen of mozaïeksymptomen op vatbaarheid. In deze symptomen kwamen tussen de gebruikte stammen verschillen in virulentie tot uitdrukking. Er werden echter vooral verschillen in agressiviteit waargenomen met betrekking tot zowel afzonderlijke, voor resistentie uitsplitsende,Capsicum-herkomsten als het totale aantal getoetste herkomsten. Van de ruim 73 herkomsten waren er 58 resistent tegen MA en SPS, 31 daarvan tegen P 11, maar slechts vijf daarvan tegen P 8. Deze resistentie tegen P 8 werd gevonden inC. chinense.     

Evidence for the presence of the Ohio strain III of tobacco mosaic virus in tomato in The Netherlands

Samenvatting Er zijn aanwijzingen dat Nederlandse TMV-isolaten van tomaat in drie groepen kunnen worden ingedeeld naar de mate van agressiviteit op klonen van verschillende differentiërende waardplanten. De reacties van deze groepen komen overeen met die van de vier in Ohio (U.S.A.) beschreven stammen van het virus. De tweede groep wordt nauw verwant geacht met de hier niet eerder gevonden Ohio-stam III.Stationed at the Glasshouse Crops Research and Experiment Station, Naaldwijk.     

Comparison of unfractioned and low molecular weight heparin for prophylaxis of coagulopathies in 52 horses with colic: a randomised double-blind clinical trial

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Unfractioned heparin (UFH) is widely used for prophylaxis of coagulation disorders, especially in colic-affected horses. However, it is accompanied by certain side effects. OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy and side effects of unfractioned and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) in horses with colic. METHODS: The study was carried out as a randomised, double-blind, controlled clinical trial. Fifty-two horses with colic were treated subcutaneously with either UFH (heparin calcium, 150 iu/kg bwt initially, followed by 125 iu/kg bwt q. 12 h for 3 days and then 100 iu/kg bwt q. 12 h) or LMWH (dalteparin, 50 iu/kg bwt q. 24 h). All horses underwent daily physical examination including assessment of jugular veins, local reaction to heparin injections, haematological evaluation and coagulation profiles over up to 9 days. RESULTS: The type of heparin used did not affect the general behaviour and condition. There were significantly more jugular vein changes in horses treated with UFH. Packed cell volume decreased significantly within the first few days of UFH treatment, but did not change significantly in horses treated with LMWH. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and thrombin time (TT) were prolonged in horses treated with UFH but not in those treated with LMWH. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that, in comparison to UFH, LMWH has markedly fewer side effects in horses. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: Therefore, LMWH is recommended for prophylaxis of coagulation disorders in colic patients.     

Effect of furosemide on urine specific gravity and osmolality in thoroughbred racehorses

Postrace urine samples from thoroughbred horses were examined to compare osmolality and specific gravity between horses treated with furosemide and those not treated. Samples were assigned to groups in relation to reported medication (furosemide) status, race finish position, and distance of race. Urine osmolality was significantly (P <.05) lower in samples from horses treated with furosemide when compared with untreated horses. Specific gravity determinations are less precise at measuring urine osmolality at lower levels (1.01 g/ml or less). The measurement of osmolality is a superior method for determining the urine solute concentration and facilitating the regulation of furosemide.     

Soft tissue sarcomas and mast cell tumours in dogs; clinical behaviour and response to surgery

OBJECTIVE: To characterise the types of canine soft tissue sarcoma and mast cell tumour treated surgically at the University Veterinary Centre, Sydney. To evaluate the success of surgical treatment of these tumours and identify variables predictive of local recurrence and survival. To establish whether conclusions drawn from previous international studies are applicable to the University Veterinary Centre, Sydney, dog population and vice versa. DESIGN: Clinical presentation and results of surgical excision of 54 soft tissue sarcomas and 70 mast cell tumours affecting the trunk and limbs of dogs at the University Veterinary Centre, Sydney, between 1989 and 2001 were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: Cross-bred dogs and Rhodesian Ridgebacks were at significantly greater risk of developing soft tissue sarcomas, and Boxers, Australian Cattle Dogs and Staffordshire Bull Terriers were at significantly greater risk of developing mast cell tumours than other breeds. Fine needle aspiration biopsy yielded a correct diagnosis in 62.5% of soft tissue sarcomas and 96% of mast cell tumours. Local recurrence was encountered after surgical excision in 7.4% of soft tissue sarcomas and 7.3% of mast cell tumours. Metastasis occurred in 6% of soft tissue sarcomas and 12% of mast cell tumours. The most significant risk factors for local recurrence were contaminated surgical margins (soft tissue sarcomas) and histological grade (mast cell tumours). Due to the low number of animals experiencing metastasis, no conclusions could be drawn about significant risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Aggressive surgical management of soft tissue sarcomas and mast cell tumours is associated with a low incidence of local recurrence. The type, location and behaviour of mast cell tumours and soft tissue sarcomas in the population of dogs presented to the University Veterinary Centre, Sydney are similar to those reported by others.     

First cases of animal diseases published since 2000. 3. Cattle

In this third article of a series of papers listing first case reports of animal diseases published since 2000, the following seven cases of cattle diseases are discussed: AL amyloidosis. Canola oil intoxication. Disseminated intracytoplasmic neuronal vacuolation. Encephalomyelitis associated with Akabane virus infection in adult cows. Lower limb deformity: "mirror image duplication of the plantar/palmar half of the distal portion of the digit". Lupinus argenteus intoxication. Novel Propionibacterium infection. 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.