Quality control of commercially available essential oils by means of Raman spectroscopy

The essential oils of different spices and aroma plants were investigated fast and nondestructively by means of Raman spectroscopy. The main ingredients of these oils, mostly monoterpenes and phenylpropane derivatives, were identified. A hierarchical cluster analysis shows that the oils of the investigated plants cluster chemotaxonomically, which means according to their chemical composition and not according to their botanical degree of relationship. In addition, cross-sections of anise seeds were analyzed applying the Raman mapping technique to localize and investigate the distribution of the oil in situ.     

Effects of mydriatics on intraocular pressure and pupil size in the normal feline eye

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of various mydriatics (1% atropine, 1% cyclopentolate, 0.5% tropicamide, 10% phenylephrine) on intraocular pressure (IOP) and pupil size (PS) in normal cats. ANIMALS STUDIED: The mydriatics were tested in 10 adult ophthalmoscopically normal European Domestic Short-haired cats. Procedure Single-dose drug studies were divided into placebo (vehicle of phenylephrine), 10% phenylephrine, 0.5% tropicamide, 1% cyclopentolate and 1% atropine. After measurement of IOP and pupil size (PS) at 8 a.m. on the first day, one drop of the tested drug was applied to one randomly selected eye. The IOP and PS were measured for a minimum of 36 h until the pupil returned to pretest size. RESULTS: Ten per cent phenylephrine had no significant effect on IOP, and the effect on the pupil size was minimal (相似文献   

Thoracolumbar spinal arachnoid diverticula in 5 pug dogs

Clinical features, myelography, and computed tomography imaging findings as well as neurological outcome with and without surgery in 5 pug dogs with thoracolumbar arachnoid diverticula are described. Short-term prognosis after surgical therapy may not be as good as reported for other canine breeds, since immediate postsurgical deterioration is possible. Improvement of neurological deficits beyond the presurgical status may take several months.     

Feline immunodeficiency. ABCD guidelines on prevention and management

OverviewFeline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is a retrovirus closely related to human immunodeficiency virus. Most felids are susceptible to FIV, but humans are not. Feline immunodeficiency virus is endemic in domestic cat populations worldwide. The virus loses infectivity quickly outside the host and is susceptible to all disinfectants.InfectionFeline immunodeficiency virus is transmitted via bites. The risk of transmission is low in households with socially well-adapted cats. Transmission from mother to kittens may occur, especially if the queen is undergoing an acute infection. Cats with FIV are persistently infected in spite of their ability to mount antibody and cell-mediated immune responses.Disease signsInfected cats generally remain free of clinical signs for several years, and some cats never develop disease, depending on the infecting isolate. Most clinical signs are the consequence of immunodeficiency and secondary infection. Typical manifestations are chronic gingivostomatitis, chronic rhinitis, lymphadenopathy, weight loss and immune-mediated glomerulonephritis.DiagnosisPositive in-practice ELISA results obtained in a low-prevalence or low-risk population should always be confirmed by a laboratory. Western blot is the ‘gold standard’ laboratory test for FIV serology. PCR-based assays vary in performance.Disease managementCats should never be euthanased solely on the basis of an FIV-positive test result. Cats infected with FIV may live as long as uninfected cats, with appropriate management. Asymptomatic FIV-infected cats should be neutered to avoid fighting and virus transmission. Infected cats should receive regular veterinary health checks. They can be housed in the same ward as other patients, but should be kept in individual cages.Vaccination recommendationsAt present, there is no FIV vaccine commercially available in Europe. Potential benefits and risks of vaccinating FIV-infected cats should be assessed on an individual cat basis. Needles and surgical instruments used on FIV-positive cats may transmit the virus to other cats, so strict hygiene is essential.