Antisporulant action of fungicides against Podosphaera leucotricha on apple seedlings

A number of commercial fungicides and dinitrophenolic compounds were tested for their ability to suppress further sporulation of established infections of the apple mildew fungus Podosphaera leucotricha on seedlings in the greenhouse. Although they did not kill the fungus, two organophosphorus and two benzimidazole-type compounds gave powerful suppression for at least 18 days. Other fungicides known to control apple mildew in the field had a less marked effect. Sporulation occurred on subsequent untreated growth to the same extent as on control seedlings, except where either of two substituted dinitrophenols had been used.     

A COMPARISON OF TWO-DIMENSIONAL ULTRASONOGRAPHY AND RADIOGRAPHY FOR THE DETECTION OF SMALL AMOUNTS OF FREE PERITONEAL FLUID IN THE DOG

The detection of small amounts of free peritoneal fluid in the canine patient can be a diagnostic dilemma. Ultrasonography and radiography have been advocated to detect intraabdominal fluid not detectable by physical exam. The purpose of this study was to determine the more sensitive method for detecting small amounts of free peritoneal fluid. Ultrasound examinations and radiographs were performed after increments (1 ml/lb body weight) of fluid were injected intraperitoneally. Ultrasonography detected fluid in one animal at 2 ml/lb. AH other animals had fluid detected at 3 ml/lb. With radiographs fluid could be detected with a high degree of accuracy at 4 ml/lb. The lateral view was more accurate than the ventrodorsal view in detecting fluid. The authors concluded that Ultrasonography is more sensitive than radiography and is the method of choice to detect small amounts of free peritoneal fluid.     

Effects of micro-organisms on the absorption of inorganic nutrients by plants

Micro-organisms concentrated in the rhizosphere can influence the absorption of inorganic nutrients by plants. The effects were investigated by comparing uptake of nutrients in plants grown in the presence and absence of micro-organisms in both water culture and soil. In water culture, at phosphate concentrations below about 1.0 part/million competition occurs between barley plants and a microflora of casual laboratory contaminants resulting in reduced absorption and translocation of phosphate. In the presence of micro-organisms nitrogen uptake from nitrate was increased and from ammonium ions decreased; uptake of metal from solutions of ferric, zinc and manganous salts and EDTA chelates was enhanced. The results for plants grown in specific soils confirmed that competition from micro-organisms can reduce uptake of phosphate and molybdenum by the plants. The direct effect of rhizosphere micro-organisms can be demonstrated only in special circumstances but such studies aid our understanding of plant nutrition.     

QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE THYROID IMAGING IN FELINE HYPERTHYROIDISM USING TECHNETIUM-99M AS PERTECHNETATE

Thyroid imaging using technetium-99m as pertechnetate (^99mTcO₄) was carried out in five healthy, euthyroid and 37 hyperthyroid cats using both pinhole and parallel-hole collimators. Images of greater resolution, necessary to distinguish bilateral lobe involvement, were obtained using the pinhole collimator. Per cent thyriod ^99mTcO₄ - uptake was calculated in each cat and was significanly (P < 0.001) higher in hyperthyroid compared with euthyroid cats. In the hyperthyroid cats, per cent thyroid uptake was significantly correlated with serum total thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) Concentrations. Per cent thyroid ^99mTcO₄ - uptake is increased in feline hyperthyrodism and may be calculated using a pinhole collimator alone at the time of qalitative assessment of the extent of thyroid tissue involvement.     

Intracranial Lesions in Dogs With Hemangiosarcoma

A retrospective analysis of 85 dogs with hemangiosarcoma (HSA) that underwent complete necropsy, including gross examination of the brain, was conducted. Grossly identifiable intracranial lesions were present in 17 dogs. Twelve of 85 dogs (14.2%) had brain metastases. Four of 85 dogs (4.7%) had hemorrhagic lesions and/or ischemic necrosis without identifiable tumor. One dog had a primary central nervous system tumor. Signs of intracranial disease were present in six of 85 dogs (7.1%) with HSA; four had brain metastases and two had nonneoplastic lesions. Metastases had a propensity for cerebrum and gray matter. Dogs with brain metastases had more widely disseminated disease than dogs without brain metastases (P less than 0.001). Dogs with pulmonary metastases were at greater risk for developing brain metastases than dogs without pulmonary metastases (odds ratio = 8.31). Although thoracic radiography accurately identified ten of 12 dogs (83%) with pulmonary metastases, too few cases were available to assess the applicability/accuracy of thoracic radiography in predicting the presence or absence of brain metastases in dogs with malignancy and signs of intracranial disease.     

Stocking Strategies and an Investment Analysis for Producing Penaeus setiferus as a Live Bait-Shrimp on the Texas Gulf Coast

An economic and investment analysis was performed to determine the viability of bait-shrimp farming in Texas. A single pond analysis producing 5–5.5g shrimp always had higher returns above selected cost (RASC) than producing 4–4.5g shrimp. Stocking 0.01g shrimp had a higher RASC than stocking 0.25g, 0.50g or 0.75g shrimp. In the 20 pond analysis, which accounted for marketing considerations, stocking 0.25g shrimp had the highest RASC. The investment analysis, assuming average management, was declared bankrupt by the end of the fifth year. Under "excellent" management the internal rate of return was only 11.7%. It is unlikely that bait-shrimp farming will become a viable industry in Texas in the near future.     

Sampling Shrimp Populations in Hatcheries

Abstract.– Shrimp populations were estimated with volumetric sampling techniques during different phases of hatchery operations. Factors considered which might effect precision of estimates included stage age, density and temperature. Estimates of nauplii were obtained with coefficient of variation values smaller than 3% when nauplii were concentrated in 20-L buckets and smaller than 8% when released in 13,000 L of water in larval rearing tanks. In both cases estimates were of sufficient precision to make management decisions for routine hatchery work. A technique was developed for estimating shrimp populations in larval rearing tanks with coefficient of variation values smaller than 15%. Volumetric sampling of postlarvae older than PL₄, in larval rearing tanks was highly variable due to the tendency of shrimp to congregate and attach to tank walls and bottoms. A direct relationship was observed between postlarval density and the precision of population estimates in harvest buckets. Water temperature and postlarval age did not affect precision at the densities and ages studied. These findings have important implications for commercial transactions. Industry standards utilizing coefficient of variation are recommended for larvae and postlarvae population estimates.     

The Effect of Storage on Ammonia Concentration in Canine Packed Red Blood Cells.

Objective: To determine the effect of storage on ammonia concentration in canine packed red blood cell (pRBC) units.
Design: In vitro and in vivo study.
Setting: University Veterinary Teaching Hospital.
Interventions: Ammonia concentration was measured in 7 units of canine pRBC prepared in citrate-phosphate-dextrose (CPD) and Adsol^a on Days 1 and 35 of storage. Ammonia was measured in 4 additional units of canine pRBC on Days 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35. Plasma ammonia was also determined in 5 anemic dogs receiving pRBC.
Measurements and Main Results: Ammonia concentration increased from 73 ± 15 mmol/L (mean ± SD) on Day 1 to 800 ± 275 mmpl/L on Day (p<0.001). When measured every 7 days in 4 units of canine pRBC, ammonia concentration increased from 23 ± 8 mmol/L on Day 0 to 179 ± 13 mmol/L (Day 7), 276 ± 56 mmol/L (Day 14). 383 ± 47 mmol/L (Day21), 466 ± 30 mmol/L (Day 28), and 562 ± 27 mmol/L (Day 35) (p<0.05 for all comparisons). In a preliminary study, plasma ammonia concentration measured in blood samples from 5 anemic dogs without primary liver disease immediately before and after transfusion with 5–10 ml/kg of stored pRBC remained in the normal reference range.
Conclusions: The ammonia concentration in stored canine pRBC increased markedly with time. In this preliminary study, ammonia concentrations in dogs without primary liver disease did not increase above the reference range after transfusion with pRBC.     

Cervical and Thoracic Vertebral Malformation ("Weak Neck") in Colombia Lambs

The purpose of this study is to describe a developmental defect of the caudal cervical and cranial thoracic vertebrae in 11 purebred Colombia lambs. The lambs were either affected at birth, or developed the condition within the first 18 days of age. Cervicothoracic kyphosis, with a compensatory cervical lordosis and ataxia were common; 8 lambs had abnormal head posture, characterized by inability to lift the head from the ground. One lamb had rigid head and neck, and had to move the entire body to look to the left or right. Neurological signs included ataxia, tetraparesis, diminished conscious proprioception, and increased patellar and triceps reflexes. One lamb had inspiratory stridor because of compression of the trachea in the area overlying the abnormal vertebrae (cervical vertebrae 6 [C6] and 7 [C7]). Radiographic and pathological abnormalities included malalignment and malarticulation of the caudal cervical and cranial thoracic spine, rounded cranioventral margins in the bodies of vertebrae C7 and T1, wedging of the intervertebral disc spaces between C6 and T1 vertebrae, and hypoplasia of the dens. Pathological changes in the soft tissues included hypoplasia of the cervical epaxial and hypaxial musculature, with associated focal areas of myodegeneration. Mild Wallerian axonal degeneration, compatible with a mild cord compression syndrome, was found in 3 lambs in the cervicothoracic spinal cord adjacent to the vertebral anomalies. The concentrations of copper and selenium in blood, plasma, or tissues were normal in 10 of 11 lambs. All but one of the lambs in which pedigree information was provided were genetically related. Siblings born as twins to 5 of the affected lambs were normal, but both lambs from one twin pregnancy were affected. Owners reported that breeding stock had been shared among the ranches. Because of the close familial relationships of the affected lambs, the condition is suspected to have a hereditary basis.