Percutaneous Cementoplasty in the Palliative, Multimodal Treatment of Primary Bone Tumors of the Distal Aspect of the Radius in Four Dogs

Objective— To (1) evaluate the analgesic effect of percutaneous cementoplasty (PC) in dogs with primary bone tumor (PBT) of the distal aspect of the radius and (2) evaluate the impact on the course of disease by adding PC to a palliative, multimodal treatment protocol in these dogs.
Study Design— Prospective pilot study.
Animals— Dogs (n=4) with PBT of the distal aspect of the radius.
Methods— Tumor lesions were filled percutaneously with polymethylmethacrylate under fluoroscopic guidance. Pamidronate was administered once in a week before PC. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy were initiated 2 and 6 weeks after PC, respectively. Force plate analysis was performed immediately before 2, and 6 weeks after PC. Survival time was defined from PC to euthanasia.
Results— Two dogs had a significant increase in peak vertical force 2 weeks after PC ( P =.043) and remained free of lameness for 18 and 20 weeks, respectively. One dog had an acute relapse after an initially lame-free period of 10 days. The remaining dog failed to improve ( P =.686). Three dogs developed at least 2 complications including transient worsening of the lameness after PC, cement leakage, wound infection and suspected thromboembolism in combination with cough and anemia. Median survival was 4.8 months (range, 1–5.7 months).
Conclusions— PC in combination with pamidronate significantly improved lameness in 2 dogs; however, PC is not risk-free. Deep wound infection, intraarticular cement leakage, and venous thrombosis were the main complications.
Clinical Relevance— PC might be a useful addition to established palliative, multimodal treatment protocols in dogs with PBT; however, because of the complications encountered PC warrants further study before routine use can be considered.     

In Vitro Compaction of Germinal Vesicle Chromatin is Beneficial to Survival of Vitrified Cat Oocytes

The immature cat oocyte contains a large-sized germinal vesicle (GV) with decondensed chromatin that is highly susceptible to cryo-damage. The aim of the study was to explore an alternative to conventional cryopreservation by examining the influence of GV chromatin compaction using resveratrol (Res) exposure (a histone deacetylase enhancer) on oocyte survival during vitrification. In Experiment 1, denuded oocytes were exposed to 0, 0.5, 1.0 or 1.5 mmol/l Res for 1.5 h and then evaluated for chromatin structure or cultured to assess oocyte meiotic and developmental competence in vitro . Exposure to 1.0 or 1.5 mmol/l Res induced complete GV chromatin deacetylation and the most significant compaction. Compared to other treatments, the 1.5 mmol/l Res concentration compromised the oocyte ability to achieve metaphase II (MII) or to form a blastocyst. In Experiment 2, denuded oocytes were exposed to Res as in Experiment 1 and cultured in vitro either directly (fresh) or after vitrification. Both oocyte types then were assessed for meiotic competence, fertilizability and ability to form embryos. Vitrification exerted an overall negative influence on oocyte meiotic and developmental competence. However, ability to reach MII, achieve early first cleavage, and develop to an advanced embryo stage (8–16 cells) was improved in vitrified oocytes previously exposed to 1.0 mmol/l Res compared to all counterpart treatments. In summary, results reveal that transient epigenetic modifications associated with GV chromatin compaction induced by Res is fully reversible and beneficial to oocyte survival during vitrification. This approach has allowed the production of the first cat embryos from vitrified immature oocytes.     

Effects of chloroacetamides and phytosynthesis-inhibiting herbicides on growth and photosynthesis in sunflower (Helianthus animus L.) and Amaranthus hybridus L.

The effects of the chloroacetamide herbicides acetochlor, alachlor and propachlor and the pho-tosynthesis-inhibiting herbicides linuron, prometryn and terbutryn on sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) and atrazine-sensitive and -resistant Amaranthus hybridus L. biotypes were investigated under laboratory conditions. Sunflower tolerated all three chloroacetamides in pre-emergence applications of 1.5–5.0 kg a.i. ha^?1 in growth assays. Sunflower also survived doses of 0.5–1.0 kg a.i. ha^?1 of linuron, prometryn and terbutryn, although growth reduction and chlorosis of treated plants was observed. These three herbicides inhibited photosynthetic electron transport in in vitro Hill reaction and fluorescence assays and, with terbutryn, photosynthesis recovered upon transfer of the leaves from herbicide solutions to water. The practical significance of these results for the control of weeds in sunflower cultivation in Spain are discussed. Effets d'herbicides chloroacétamides et d'herbi-cides inhibiteurs de la photosynthèse sur la crois-sance et la photosynthèse du tournesol (Helianthus annuus L.) et de Amaranthus hybridus L. Les effets des herbicides chloroacétamides acétochlor, alachlor et propachlor ainsi que des herbicides inhibiteurs de la photosynthèse linuron, prometryne et terbutryne, ont étéétudiés sur le tournesol (Helianthus annuus L.) et sur des biotypes sensibles et résistants d'Amaranthus hybridus L. en conditions de laboratoire. La croissance du tournesol n'était affectée par au-cun des trois chloroacétamides appliqués en prélevée (1,5–5,0 kg m.a. ha^?1). Le linuron, la terbutryne et la prometryne (0,5–1,0 kg m.a. ha^?1) occasionnaient des réductions de croissance et des chloroses sur le tournesol mais les plantes survivaient. Ces trois herbicides in-hibaient le transport d'électrons photosyn-thétique observé par des mesures de fluorescence et, in vitro par la réaction de Hill. Dans le cas de la terbutryne, la photosynthèse reprenait après transfert des feuilles des solutions d'herbicides dans 1'eau. La signification pratique de ces résultats pour la lutte contre les mauvaises herbes du tournesol en Espagne est discutée. Wirkung von Chloracetamiden und Photosyn-these-hemmenden Herbiziden auf Wachstum und Photosynthese der Sonnenblume (Helianthus annuus L.) und Amaranthus hybridus L. Die Wirkung der Chloracetamid-Herbizide Acetochlor, Alachlor und Propachlor und der Photosynthese-hemmenden Herbizide Linuron, Prometryn und Terbutryn auf die Sonnenblume (Helianthus annuus L.) und Atrazin-empfindliche sowie-unempfindl Amaranthus-hybridus-Biotypen wurde unter Laborbedin-gungen untersucht. In Wachstumstests tolerierte die Sonnenblume alle 3 Chloracetamide bei Vorauflaufanwendung von 1,5 bis 5,0 kg AS ha^?1. Auch Dosen von 0,5 bis 1,0 kg AS ha^?1 von Linuron, Prometryn und Terbutryn wurden vertragen, aber der Wuchs war beeinträchtig, und Chlorosen wurden beobachtet. Diese 3 Herbizide hemmten den photosynthetischen Elektronentransport bei Versuchen zur Invitro-Hill-Reaktion und Fluoreszenz, und bei Terbutryn stellte sich die Photosynthese nach Überführen der Blätter von der Herbizidlösung auf Wasser wieder ein. Die praktische Bedeutung dieser Ergebnisse für die Unkrautbekämpfung in Sonnenblumenkulturen in Spanien wird diskutiert.     

Transmission of plum pox potyvirus in Spain1

Transmission tests were conducted in the laboratory to determine which are the aphid species responsible for the great natural spread of plum pox potyvirus (PPV) observed in the field in Spain. Woody hosts were used in these tests and different transmission techniques were compared. The aphid species tested were Myzus persicae, Aphis gossypii, A. spiraecola, A. fabae, Hyalopterus pruni and Brachycaudus prunicola. Although the transmission rates obtained were, in general, quite low, it can be stated that, except for B. prunicola (pending confirmation of results), all species tested transmitted PPV under the conditions of the trial.     

HEMATOMYELIA SECONDARY TO LUMBAR CEREBROSPINAL FLUID ACQUISITION IN A DOG

A 2-year-old male (Hungarian Vizsla) was evaluated for progressive discomfort of possible spinal origin. A minimum data base, thoracolumbar magnetic resonance (MR) imaging examination and electrophysiologic investigation were all normal. Cerebellomedullary and lumbar cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was collected. The fluid was unremarkable except for elevated total protein. Shortly, thereafter, the dog had progressive neurologic deterioration referable to a caudal lumbar spinal cord lesion. In a repeated MR examination there was a well-circumscribed intramedullary lesion at the site where lumbar CSF was collected. The signal characteristics of the lesion were compatible with subacute hemorrhage, which was confirmed to be hematomyelia at the time of successful decompressive surgery.     

Effects of inflammation-associated acute-phase response on hepatic and renal indices in the horse

Objectives To determine the effect of an acute soft tissue inflammatory response on biochemical and haematological indices of hepatic and renal function in the Thoroughbred horse.
Procedure Soft tissue inflammation was induced in four Thoroughbred horses by intramuscular injections of Freunds complete adjuvant. The horses were clinically examined and blood and urine samples were collected before and after the adjuvant injections. Biochemical and haematological indices were measured in samples collected and used to determine the onset of the acute-phase response and to assess hepatic and renal function at this time.
Results After adjuvant injection, significant increases (P< 0.01) in total white (13.1 ± 1.4 times 10⁹/L) and neutrophil (10.2 ± 1.2 times109/L) cell counts, rectal temperature (39.7 ± 0.5A°C) and various plasma protein concentrations, including fibrinogen (6.6 ± 1.2 g/L), haptoglobin (1.3 ± 0.1 g/L) and total protein (88.1 ± 2.7 g/L), indicated the induction of an acute-phase response. This corresponded with significant reductions (P< 0.01) in the plasma elimination half-lives (t½β) sodium bromo-sulphthalein (3.13 ± 0.05 to 2.82 ± 0.07 min) and sodium sulphanilate (38.29 ± 4.04 to 19.60 ± 5.68 min) and reductions in the plasma activities of aspartate aminotransferase, gluta-mate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyl transferase; the urinary creatinine clearance ratios of sodium, chloride and potassium; and the urinary gamma glutamyl transferase-to-creatinine clearance ratios. (All values mean ± SD.)
Conclusions The effects of the acute-phase response on indices of hepatic and renal function in the horse suggest that the disposition of pharmacological agents administered at this time may be altered and that indices of acute inflammation should be interpreted cautiously.     

Lactobacilli counts in crop,ileum and caecum of growing broiler chickens fed on practical diets containing whole or dehulled sweet lupin (Lupinus angustifolius) seed meal

1. Four experiments with growing broiler chickens were carried out to study the effects of the inclusion in their diets of lupin (Lupinus angustifolius ) seed meal on E. coli and lactobacilli counts in crop, ileum and caeca at 3 or 4 weeks of age. 2. Diets were formulated to contain the same amounts of metabolisable energy (12.55 MJ/kg) and protein (210 g/kg). Raw whole (heat-untreated) or dehulled sweet (low in alkaloids) lupin seed meal (400 and 320 g/kg respectively) were used to prepare the lupin-based diets, whose protein content was completed with either defatted soyabean meal or casein. 3. Final body weight and food intake of chickens fed on whole lupin seed meal diets were lower than controls, but gain: food ratios were not different. However, birds given the diet with dehulled lupin seed meal had similar body weight, food intake and gain: food values as those of controls. 4. While E. coli counts were not affected, lactobacilli numbers were consistently increased compared to controls in all intestinal sections of chickens fed on the whole or dehulled lupin-based diets, irrespective of the age of the birds or the presence of soyabean meal or casein in the diet. The lactobacilli species isolated were: Lactobacillus fermentum, L. acidophilus, L. salivarius and L. brevis 5. The results suggest that the use of whole or dehulled sweet lupin seed meal in diets for growing broilers might enhance the growth of lactic acid-fermenting bacteria in the gut.     

Verification of immunofluorescence colony-staining of Erwinia carotovora subsp. atroseptica by reisolation and immunodiffusion or PCR

In this study, the reliability and efficiency of three procedures for verification of IFC-positive colonies of Erwinia carotovora subsp. atroseptica were compared: (1) PCR amplification, (2) reisolation on a non-selective medium (trypticase soy agar) followed by direct immunodiffusion (TSA-DID), developed for isolation of target and cross-reacting bacteria, and (3) reisolation on a selective medium (crystal-violet pectate) and characterization of selected isolates with Ouchterlony double diffusion (DLCVP-ODD), developed for isolation of pectinolytic Erwinia spp. The reliability of a PCR amplification procedure for characterization of E.c. atroseptica was evaluated. Specific amplification products could be produced from DNA of all 187 European strains of the bacterium, while no amplification products were obtained from DNA of four distinctive serological groups of bacteria cross-reacting with antibodies against E.c. atroseptica , nor from DNA of randomly selected saprophytic bacteria isolated from potato peel extracts. All 60 immunofluorescent-positive target colonies from a potato peel extract with added E.c. atroseptica tested were positive by PCR compared with 68 and 72% successful determinations by TSA-DID and DLCVP-ODD, respectively. PCR enabled verification of fluorescent colonies from IFC preparations of naturally infected seed lots with an efficiency of 93%, compared with 48 and 71% successful determinations by TSA-DID and DLCVP-ODD, respectively. It is concluded that PCR is useful for routine confirmation of the identity of fluorescent colonies in IFC.