Selected nutritional and quality analyses of tomatillos (Physalis ixocarpa)

Proximate composition, total dietary fiber and pH of tomatillos (Physalis ixocarpa) grown in Baja, California were analyzed. Moisture content averaged 92%. On a dry matter basis (DMB), tomatillos contained 11% protein, 18% fat, 13% ash and 5% total dietary fiber. On an as consumed basis (ACB), tomatillos contained 1% protein, 1.5% fat, 1% ash and 0.4% dietary fiber. Carbohydrate (CHO) content was calculated by difference resulting in an average adjusted CHO (excluding dietary fiber) of 53% on a DMB and 4% on an ACB; total CHO (including dietary fiber) was 58 and 4.8%, respectively. Average kcalorie content was calculated to be about 31 kcals/100 g. The average pH of tomatillos was 3.76.     

Influence of proprietary rooting compounds and basal internode length on the rooting of potato stem cuttings

Summary Potato stem cuttings, cv. Désitrée, were treated with a powder formulation of 4-indol-3-ylbutyric acid (IBA), a gel formulation of 1-naphthylacetic acid (NAA), or a powder formulation of NAA. Both the IBA powder and the NAA gel stimulated significantly more roots per rooted cutting than were produced by the untreated controls but the NAA gel also significantly reduced the number of root branches per rooted cutting (Table 1). Untreated cuttings of cvs. Désirée and Recond were more likely to form only roots when the basal internode was long and more likely to form only tubers when the basal internode was short (Table 2). We suggest that the number of stem cuttings forming roots would be increased if, where necessary, the cuttings were trimmed to leave a long basal internode.     

Promotion of tissue inflammation by the immune receptor Tim-3 expressed on innate immune cells

CD4+ T helper 1 (TH1) cells are important mediators of inflammation and are regulated by numerous pathways, including the negative immune receptor Tim-3. We found that Tim-3 is constitutively expressed on cells of the innate immune system in both mice and humans, and that it can synergize with Toll-like receptors. Moreover, an antibody agonist of Tim-3 acted as an adjuvant during induced immune responses, and Tim-3 ligation induced distinct signaling events in T cells and dendritic cells; the latter finding could explain the apparent divergent functions of Tim-3 in these cell types. Thus, by virtue of differential expression on innate versus adaptive immune cells, Tim-3 can either promote or terminate TH1 immunity and may be able to influence a range of inflammatory conditions.     

Field treatment of search dogs: lessons learned from the World Trade Center disaster

Objective: To provide a synthesis of information learned by the veterinary community during the care and treatment of search and rescue dogs in a large‐scale urban disaster. Summary: Disaster medicine requires several stages. The most important stage is the planning stage. To function effectively and safely in a disaster situation, a disaster response plan and prior training in disaster response are essential. The execution of a disaster plan requires coordination and communication with multiple agencies. Treatment of search and rescue dogs involves front line field care for life‐threatening emergencies, a first aid station or MASH unit in close proximity to the disaster and/or base of operations for stabilization and general medical care, and local full service veterinary hospitals for specialty and extended care. New or Unique information provided: This report is a summary of experiences gained in preparing for and implementing veterinary care in a major disaster. Medical conditions that affected search and rescue dogs and were treated by veterinary disaster responders at the World Trade Center are presented.     

Anesthetic considerations of the older equine.

This article briefly reviews physiologic changes that may occur with aging in equine patients. It summarizes anesthetic protocols and problems encountered in a group of older horses (> 20 years old) anesthetized over the previous 10 years in the teaching hospital and makes recommendations for appropriate management of these patients.     

Hypereosinophilia in a horse with intestinal lymphosarcoma.

Paraneoplastic eosinophilia is reported in dogs, cats, and humans. Hypereosinophilia (an eosinophil count greater than 1.5 x 10(9) L) is often associated with metastasis and a poor prognosis. This report describes a case of paraneoplastic hypereosinophilia in a pony. Neoplasia should be included in the differential diagnoses in a horse with eosinophilia.     

PERIPHERAL NEUROBLASTOMA IN A DOG

Primitive neuroectodermal tumors are composed of primitive neuroepithelial cells and include tumors of the central and peripheral nervous system. Neuroblastoma, medulloblastoma and retinoblastoma are examples of these rare malignant tumors that usually occur in young patients. This report describes aperipheral neuroblastoma in a 2 year old Boxer that presented with signs of renal disease and a palpable abdominal mass. The purpose of this paper is to describe the clinical presentation, imaging and immunohistological studies of this abdominal tumor in a young dog and to review the literature.     

Accidental 5-Fluorouracil Exposure in a Dog

objective: To demonstrate the range of toxicities with 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU).
Case Summary: A one-year-old male castrated Labrador Retriever presented to the University of Minnesota Veterinary Teaching Hospital Emergency Service following accidental ingestion of a 5% 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) topical antineoplastic cream. The animal presented with status epilepticus and later demonstrated additional clinical signs consistent with 5-FU toxicosis including mucositis and diarrhea, profound but transient leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia.
New Information Provided: The calculated ingested dosage was 46 mg/kg. The dog responded well to intensive therapy, recovering uneventfully.     

RADIOGRAPHIC CHANGES ASSOCIATED WITH DIGITAL, METACARPAL AND METATARSAL TUMORS, AND PODODERMATITIS IN THE DOG

Fifty-two of digital, metacarpal or metatarsal canine tumors and 48 pododermatitis lesions were reviewed retrospectively. The tumors were divided into 42 malignant neoplasms, 6 benign neoplasms and 4 non-neoplastic tumor-like growths. The distribution and radiographic changes of the lesions associated with the tumors and inflammation were compared. Pododermatitis and benign processes could not be radiographically differentiated from malignant neoplasms of the foot; however, lesions exhibiting osteolysis were more likely (p < 0.05) to be associated with malignant neoplasms.