Spiculopteragia mathevossiani Ruchliadev, 1948 is the minor morph of Spiculopteragia spiculoptera (Gushanskaya, 1931): molecular evidence

Although Spiculopteragia spiculoptera is primarily a parasite of cervids, it can also but less often contaminate domestic livestock. Little is known about its epidemiology and its pathogenicity in domestic ruminants and other unusual cervid species. Its taxonomic status remains unclear since the hypothesis of morphological polymorphism among males has been proposed. However, accurate taxonomy is fundamental in the identification and survey of potentially pathogenic species of parasites. The second internal transcribed spacer of rDNA (ITS-2) and the mitochondrial (mt) DNA-derived ND4 gene were used to study the polymorphism hypothesis for S. spiculoptera. ND4 evolves more quickly than ITS-2 and is considered to be more discriminant in the characterization of closely related species. DNA sequences of ITS-2 and ND4 were studied in 18 individual males of morphological type spiculoptera and in 3 of morphological type of mathevossiani from Red deer (Cervus elaphus), Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and Chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra). Intraindividual ITS-2 variations were detected within and between each morphotype of Spiculopteragia but these differences did not separate the two morphs mathevossiani and spiculoptera. Similarly, although ND4 showed a high level of nucleotide substitution, the morphotypes S. mathevossiani and S. spiculoptera were clustered together. Our genetic data support the dimorphic male hypothesis for the species S. spiculoptera.     

Mandibular condylectomy and meniscectomy for the treatment of septic temporomandibular joint arthritis in a horse

OBJECTIVE: To report use of mandibular condylectomy for treatment of advanced degenerative joint disease of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) caused by sepsis. DESIGN: Clinical case report. ANIMALS: Two-year-old Noriker filly. METHODS: Computed tomography (CT) was used to confirm advanced degenerative joint disease of the left TMJ and for follow-up after mandibular condylectomy and removal of necrotic meniscus. RESULTS: Painful swelling (3 weeks duration) with drainage located just caudal to the left lateral canthus of the eye was associated with atrophy of the left masseter muscle, masticatory problems, and inappetence. There was incisor malocclusion with a 1.4 cm resting lateral mandibular deviation to the right and inability to open the mouth more than a few centimeters. Left mandibular condylectomy combined with meniscectomy and thorough debridement of the septic left TMJ resulted in resolution of clinical signs and complete return of function. Streptococcus zooepidemicus, intermediately resistant to penicillin and subsequently to enrofloxacin, was isolated from the wound. Regeneration of a mandibular "pseudocondyle" was evident on CT at 4 months. At 4 months and 1 year the filly had maximal mouth opening >10 cm and no malocclusion. CONCLUSION: Mandibular condylectomy can be used to facilitate management of septic TMJ arthritis. There was no radiologic or clinical evidence of TMJ ankylosis >1 year after meniscal removal. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Mandibular condylectomy, including meniscectomy, is an acceptable treatment option for advanced TMJ septic arthritis and allowed return of normal masticatory function.     

Relatively rapid loss of lampricide residues from fillet tissue of fish after routine treatment

The selective sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) larvicide 3-trifluoromethyl-4-nitrophenol (TFM) is currently used to control parasitic sea lampreys in tributaries to the Great Lakes basin. The concentration and persistence of TFM and its major metabolite, TFM glucuronide (TFM-glu), was determined in fillet tissue of fish after a typical stream application. Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) were exposed to a nominal concentration of 12.6 nmol/mL TFM for about 12 h during a sea lamprey control treatment of the Ford River in Michigan. Concentrations of TFM and TFM-glu were greatest in the fillet tissues during the exposure period, with greater residues in channel catfish (wet wt; mean, 6.95 nmol/g TFM; mean, 2.40 nmol/g TFM-glu) than in rainbow trout (wet wt; mean, 1.45 nmol/g TFM; mean, 0.93 nmol/g TFM-glu). After the exposure period, residues in both species decreased by 90-99% within 6-12 h and were less than the quantitation limit (<0.03 nmol/g) within 36 h.     

Volatile constituents and key odorants in leaves, buds, flowers, and fruits of Laurus nobilis L

The volatiles of fresh leaves, buds, flowers, and fruits from bay (Laurus nolilis L.) were isolated by solvent extraction and analyzed by capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Their odor quality was characterized by gas chomatography-olfactometry-mass spectrometry (HRGC-O-MS) and aroma extract dilution analysis (AEDA). In fresh bay leaves 1,8-cineole was the major component, together with alpha-terpinyl acetate, sabinene, alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, beta-elemene, alpha-terpineol, linalool, and eugenol. Besides 1,8-cineole and the pinenes, the main components in flowers were alpha-eudesmol, beta-elemene, and beta-caryophyllene, in fruits (E)-beta-ocimene and biclyclogermacrene, and in buds (E)-beta-ocimene and germacrene D. The aliphatic ocimenes and farnesenes were absent in leaves. By using HRGC-O-MS 21 odor compounds were identified in fresh leaves. Application of AEDA revealed (Z)-3-hexenal (fresh green), 1,8-cineole (eucalyptus), linalool (flowery), eugenol (clove), (E)-isoeugenol (flowery), and an unidentified compound (black pepper) with the highest flavor dilution factors. Differences between buds, flowers, fruits, and leaves with regard to the identified odor compounds are presented.     

The pharmacokinetics and antiparasitic activity of ivermectin in Hutsul and Toric horses

The aim of this study was to compare the pharmacokinetics of ivermectin and its antiparasitic activity in two horse breeds. Eight Hutsul and 14 Toric horses were administered ivermectin orally at a dose of 0.2 mg/kg body weight. Blood samples were collected for 96 hr, and faecal samples were collected one day before and on days 14 and 21 after drug administration. Ivermectin concentrations in plasma samples were determined by high‐performance liquid chromatography. Ivermectin concentration was significantly higher in Toric than in Hutsul horses 90 min after ivermectin administration and was maintained at higher level for up to 96 hr. The area under the concentration versus the time curve from 0 to the last sampling point (AUC_0→t) and the maximum plasma concentration (C_max) were significantly higher in Toric than in Hutsul horses (1792.09 ± 246.22 μg × hr/L vs. 716.99 ± 255.81 μg × hr/L and 62.72 ± 17.97 ng/ml vs. 35.34 ± 13.61 ng/ml, respectively). No parasitic eggs were found in the faecal samples collected from both groups of horses on days 14 and 21 after drug administration. The obtained results indicate that although the pharmacokinetics of ivermectin may differ significantly between horse breeds, these differences do not affect the effectiveness of therapy.     

Climate response of tree-ring width in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Larix sibirica</Emphasis> growing in the drought-stressed forest-steppe ecotone of northern Mongolia

• Introduction   

Siberian larch (Larix sibirica) has its southern distribution limit in Mongolia in an area of rapidly rising temperatures. Direct effects of climate on tree-ring formation due to drought stress or indirect effects via the control of insect herbivore populations are little studied.     

Kinematic analysis of equine masticatory movements: comparison before and after routine dental treatment

The objective of this study was to compare masticatory movements before and after dental treatment using kinematic analysis. The masticatory movements of 15 adult Warmblood horses with mild dental pathology chewing standardised hay were recorded on three consecutive days before and three times after (days 7, 21, 28) dental correction. The results of the leading mandibular tracking marker, located at the caudal edge of the inter-mandibular suture, were compared statistically. Reproducibility of measurements prior to dental treatment was excellent (P<0.05). Rostrocaudal mandibular motion was significantly reduced after dental correction (9±2mm vs. 8±2mm; P=0.046). Oscillations during the power stroke were significantly reduced after dental correction (R(2)=98.3%±0.3 vs. 98.8%±0.3; P=0.050). Although significant changes were observed in individual horses, the overall results of lateral and dorsoventral mandibular motion did not reveal significant differences. In conclusion, kinematic analysis of masticatory movements provided reproducible results and may be useful to evaluate changed movement patterns following dental correction.     

A Complementary Radiographic Projection of the Equine Maxillary Sinus

A complementary radiographic projection of the maxillary sinus, known as Wiener Schule, is not known outside of German-speaking countries as a potential complementary projection for a radiographic investigation. A cassette is held by a mechanical device parallel to the nose, with the upper margin above the eye and the head rotated 20° to the affected side. A radiographic angle for a ventral 30° lateral-dorsolateral oblique view, high kilovolt, and low milliampere techniques is recommended. The use of a grid is unnecessary. This oblique radiographic view is useful to image the orbit, the zygomatic bone, the maxillary sinus, the ventral conchal sinus, the conchofrontal sinus, the infraorbital canal, and the roots of the four caudal maxillary cheek teeth (Triadan 108-111 or 208-211). Well positioned, the nasolacrimal canal divides the maxillary sinus in two equal parts. Fluid lines and abnormalities within the named sinus can be detected, quantified, and related to the affected side. The Wiener Schule radiographic projection is a potential complementary tool for radiographic workup and control studies, especially to evaluate therapeutic progress in cases without access to computed tomography.