Surgical management of ameloblastic fibroma in the cat

A 14-month-old spayed female domestic short-haired cat was presented for evaluation of a rostral mandibular mass diagnosed from biopsy as an ameloblastic fibroma. Radiographs of the mandible demonstrated marked osteolysis and cortical expansion. A rostral mandibulectomy was performed extending from the caudal edge of the second premolar on the right side to the caudal edge of the canine tooth on the left side. Histological evaluation of the excised mass confirmed the diagnosis of ameloblastic fibroma. Follow-up evaluation at eight months revealed normal oral function with the exception of occasional saliva soiling of the chin. The owner was satisfied with the cosmetic result.     

Measurement of ileal protein digestibility using 15N-labeled rats

After 15N-labelling over 7 days male albino rats (92-95 g live weight) received either a wheat or whole egg diet (10 animals each) for 4 days. On the following day of the experiment 5 animals each continued to receive their diets as their morning meal (group 1 whole egg, group 3 wheat) and 5 animals each after the previous feeding of a wheat diet received a 2.9 g whole egg diet (group 2) and after the previous feeding of a whole egg diet a 2.85 g wheat diet (group 4) resp. This morning meal was supplemented with chromium(III)oxide. The rats consumed their meals within 20 minutes. The animals were killed 3.5 hours after the beginning of feed intake. At that time the following relative amounts (in % of the intake) could be detected in the stomach in the sequence of groups 1 to 4: Cr2O3 = 22.5; 26.5; 57.5 and 64.2; dry matter = 25.4; 22.1; 43.2 and 38.5. The better agreement between the whole egg diet and Cr2O3 can be explained with the hydrophobic qualities of Cr2O3 and the small disposition of the Cr2O3 to decompose in combination with the whole egg diet. In the first third of the small intestines less than 1% of the intake of Cr2O3 and a maximum of 3.5% of the DM could be detected. Between 20 and 36% of the Cr2O3 and between 15 and 20% of the dry matter intake were ascertained in the small intestines as a whole; in the large intestines the values were 12-20% of the Cr2O3 and 16-23% of the DM. Endogenous 15N-secretion could be ascertained in all parts of the digestive tract. According to the method suggested by U. Bergner and H. Bergner (1982), protein digestibility in the last third of the small intestines was calculated as follows: (formula; see text) The following ileal digestibility values were calculated for crude protein: whole egg = 95.6%; whole egg (wheat previously) = 95.5%; wheat = 94.1%; wheat (whole egg previously) = 85.1%. It is a precondition for the application of this method that at the time of killing representative quotas of the diet sample to be tested can be detected both in the stomach and the large intestine so that the decrease of 15N-labelling in the ileum is actually caused by the test protein.     

Growth patterns of Angus, Hereford and shorthorn cattle. I. Comparison of inbred and noninbred lines, changes in patterns over time and effects of level of inbreeding and reproductive performance

Mature weight (A) and rate of maturing (K) were estimated for 283 Angus, 140 Hereford and 280 Shorthorn cows utilizing the asymptotic regression equation Yt=A(1-Be-Kt). The Yt was weight of the individual at age t; and B was an estimate related to early life weight changes and provided for a Y-intercept (A-B). Each breed consisted of four inbred and two noninbred lines. Regression of estimated growth curve parameters on levels of inbreeding of the individuals and of their dams and effects of early reproductive performance (EREPRO) were studied as sources of variation in addition to line differences and trends in line values over years. Considered jointly with inbreeding of the dam and with EREPRO, inbreeding of the individual was negatively related (P less than .01) to estimates of A in the three breeds and unrelated (P greater than .10) to estimates of K. Each 1% increase in inbreeding of the individual was associated with about 2 kg decrease in estimated mature weight. An increase in inbreeding of the dam of an individual was negatively related to estimates of K in Angus (P less than .01) and Shorthorns (P less than .05). Inbreeding of dams was positively related to estimates of A in the three breeds, but only in Shorthorns could the relationship be declared significant. Estimates of A were about 46 kg heavier and estimates of K about .010 less for each year an individual failed to produce a calf during her first three opportunities. In general, A values declined in all three breeds during the study. Significant changes were observed in all Hereford analyses and after inbreeding was included in the Angus analysis, while inclusion of inbreeding in the Shorthorn analysis caused the change to become unimportant. The K values increased in all three breeds during the study; however, the change could be declared significant only in Herefords.     

Endocrine regulation of fetal and postnatal meat animal growth

Evidence is discussed which indicates that nutrient partitioning between muscle and adipose tissue can be altered by growth hormone administration in meat animals. In the limited number of studies conducted with meat animals, growth rate, feed efficiency and carcass composition were improved by growth hormone administration. When insulin was administered to normally growing swine no improvement in growth performance was observed. The mechanisms by which growth hormone affects growth performance are not clear but considerable data from rodent studies exist to indicate that many of the growth promoting effects of this hormone are due to somatomedins. However, few data are available for meat animals to indicate whether the growth promoting effects of growth hormone are mediated by somatomedins. Knowledge about the mechanisms that regulate growth hormone synthesis, secretion and biological action is accumulating. It is apparent that growth hormone administration induces an insulin-resistant state in rodents and meat animals. It is not clear whether chronic growth hormone administration in meat animals induces a growth hormone resistant state. Based on the available information, manipulation of systemic hormone concentrations and(or) tissue sensitivity to hormones involved in growth and differentiation may result in means to manipulate fetal and postnatal growth and development.     

Haemodynamics, blood gas and metabolic changes after anaesthesia with chloral hydrate and magnesium sulphate in camels (Camelus dromedarius)

The effects of chloral hydrate and magnesium sulphate (1:1, 10 per cent solution) were evaluated in six healthy adult camels. A dose of 1 ml kg-1 was used. These agents produced satisfactory anaesthesia with good muscle relaxation. The changes in the electroencephalogram showed that the anaesthetic effect lasted for 45 to 60 minutes. Tachycardia and hypotension were moderate and within safe limits. Electrocardiogram studies showed ST segment elevation and primary T wave changes. The acid-base status, blood gas tensions, haemoglobin concentration, blood glucose level and the plasma concentration of total protein, sodium, potassium and chloride were not altered.     

Determination of the antigenic relationships within the Massachusetts (M41) type of infectious bronchitis virus using the hemagglutination-inhibition test

The antigenic relationships, antigenic spectrum, and immunogenicity of seven IBV-Massachusetts-41 isolates were investigated using the hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) test. HI titers equal to 32 are considered suspicious, titers lower than 32 are considered negative, and titers higher than 32 are considered positive immune responses to infectious bronchitis virus (IBV). Some isolates of Massachusetts-41 ( M41 ) were capable of inducing large quantities of antibodies in chickens following inoculation and demonstrated a wider antigenic spectrum than others. Variations in antigenic spectrum observed within M41 isolates in this study are in agreement with previous reports. This variation is of importance in selecting a proper vaccine strain for a successful immunization program for IBV.     

Effects of some clinically significant mycotoxins on the incorporation of DNA, RNA and protein precursors in cultured mammalian cells

The effects of zearalenone (F-2), ochratoxin A and T-2 toxins on the synthesis of DNA, RNA and proteins in mouse L cells were studied. F-2 toxin inhibited protein synthesis to a lesser extent than DNA and RNA synthesis, whereas ochratoxin A inhibited the synthesis of each equally. Exposure to the toxins for 24 hours relatively reduced the synthetic ability of the cells. T-2 toxin inhibited protein and DNA synthesis in parallel but RNA synthesis to a lesser extent. Enhanced incorporation of tritiated thymidine was found when L cells were exposed to 0.4 to 0.016 ng of T-2 toxin ml-1 for 24 hours.     

Pitfalls in immunofluorescence testing in dermatology. III. Pemphigus-like antibodies in the horse and direct immunofluorescence testing in equine dermatophilosis

Indirect immunofluorescence testing for pemphigus-like antibodies was performed on 79 horses: 28 horses with various nonpemphigus dermatologic diseases, 21 horses with various nondermatologic diseases, and 30 normal horses. Pemphigus-like antibodies were detected in 6 horses: 3 normal horses with titers of 1:40, 2 horses with dermatophilosis at titers of 1:10 and 1:80, and 1 horse with lymphosarcoma at a titer of 1:320. It was concluded that equine pemphigus-like antibodies are a potential source of misinterpretation and misdiagnosis in indirect immunofluorescence testing. Direct immunofluorescence testing for whole immunoglobulin, IgG, IgM, and IgA was performed on skin lesions from 2 horses with dermatophilosis. Diffuse intercellular deposition of whole immunoglobulin and IgG was found in both horses. It was concluded that equine dermatophilosis is a potential source of misinterpretation and misdiagnosis in direct immunofluorescence testing.