Retrospective analysis of western Canada's veterinary profession for the period 1991 to 2007

Veterinary directories from Canada's 4 western provincial veterinary associations provided source data for compiling demographic profiles of the veterinary profession for the years 1991, 1996, 2001, and 2007. From 1991 to 2007 the number of veterinary practitioners in western Canada increased by 1197 (79%), for a net gain of 75 veterinarians/y. Of these, 786 (66%) were companion animal (CA) practitioners, 184 (15%) mixed animal (MA) practitioners, 96 (8%) food animal (FA) practitioners, and 131 (11%) were classified as "Other." The number of veterinary clinics also increased over this same period by 301 (38%), of which 266 (88%) were CA practices, 5 (2%) MA practices, and 31 (10%) FA practices. The majority of CA (75%), MA (68%), and FA (86%) practices had ≤ 2 veterinarians.     

Determination of trace volatile organic compounds in fish tissues by gas chromatography

Several volatile organic compounds associated with petroleum fuels (mainly alkylated benzenes) were extracted from spiked fish tissue samples with a stream of air, trapped on charcoal, eluted with a solvent, and analyzed by gas chromatography. These volatile compounds are among the most water-soluble components of crude oils and petroleum products, and they have been associated with tainting in fish tissues. Recoveries for these compounds were about 90% when spiked directly either onto traps or into fish tissues although naphthalene desorbed poorly from the charcoal; recoveries of this compound were about 50%. Relative standard deviations (RSD) for most recoveries of spiked samples were in the 2-10% range based on 6 samples analyzed in duplicate. However, when live fish were contaminated experimentally by adding the aromatic compounds to the aquarium water, the RSDs were higher (10-30%).     

CASE REPORT: Medical and surgical management of severe inflammation of the nictitating membrane in a Giant Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)

A 10‐year‐old male giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) presented for severe, acute swelling and protrusion of the right nictitating membrane, unresponsive to topical therapy. Excisional biopsy of the nictitating membrane and its associated lacrimal gland was elected due to necrosis and friability of the tissue. Histopathology revealed suppurative, necrotizing conjunctivitis and dacryoadenitis. Culture grew Stenotrophomonas maltophila and Enterococcus spp with extensive antibiotic resistance. Treatment with topical and systemic antibiotics based on sensitivity results was initiated. All treatments were well tolerated. Healing was uncomplicated with no recurrence of the lesion and no clinical evidence of keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Ophthalmic exams and Schirmer tear tests performed opportunistically during postoperative anesthetic procedures were unremarkable, confirming that excision of the nictitating membrane had not caused clinically significant detrimental effects. The etiology of this lesion remains undetermined, but trauma is suspected. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of nictitating membrane pathology and excision in the giant panda.     

Lipopolysaccharide binding protein in the acute phase response of experimental murine Trypanosoma brucei brucei infection

Cellular responses to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) are enhanced by LPS-binding protein (LBP). The present study investigated the acute phase response of LBP during Trypanosoma brucei brucei infection in mice. Mean plasma concentrations of LBP increased two-fold by the seventh day following infection, but decreased to intermediate levels by the 14th day. There were no significant differences in LBP concentrations of infected/antibiotic-treated and infected/untreated mice. At 35 days post-infection, the infected mice were treated with the anti-trypanosomal diminazine aceturate (Berenil^®). LBP levels of the mice then decreased to pre-infection levels within one-week. This demonstrated that LBP is an acute phase protein during murine trypanosomosis. Furthermore, opportunistic secondary bacterial infection during trypanosomosis did not seem to play an important role in the changes in plasma LBP levels. We speculate that the marked concomitant increases in plasma LBP and endotoxin-like activity following murine trypanosome infection might play an important role in the pathogenesis of trypanosomosis.     

FIJI Water,water everywhere: Global brands and democratic and social injustice

Over recent decades, the demand for bottled water has grown exponentially at the global scale. In the marketing of such products, discourses of purity and paradise have often been invoked. Marketed as a ‘Taste of Paradise’, FIJI Water has gained enormous international success as an ostensibly clean and green product. Celebrity endorsements – reaching as high as US President Barack Obama – have abounded, driven in part by the belief that the corporation is both environmentally and socially responsible. This paper describes and analyses the rise of FIJI water and critically assesses the sources and impacts of its economic success. It goes on to explore its local social and environmental impacts in the context of a country that has been subject to waves of democratic crises where the fate of the polity has been influenced by FIJI Water's actions. FIJI Water has come to assume the role of development trustee in the villages most affected by the growth in exports. The democratic crises in Fiji has given FIJI Water profound developmental influence, and this has brought both costs and benefits at the local socio‐environmental scale.     

Effect of MSW Source-Classified Collection on Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Residues from Full-Scale Incineration in China

Water, Air, & Soil Pollution - Information on tradeoffs among water quantity and quality attributes at a watershed scale is important in developing effective watershed conservation policies....     

Towards post‐neoliberalism? The comparative politico‐economic transition of New Zealand and Chile

Abstract: This paper compares the evolution of the dominant politico‐economic paradigm over the past 80 years in two ‘resource periphery’ nation states that have become ‘models’ of economic reform, New Zealand and Chile. Analysing the forces that have driven change, it traces the shared transition from a neoclassical model, through structuralist/Keynesian principles, and on to neoliberalism. The paper discusses whether the contemporary convergence around neostructural policy represents a paradigm shift or an adaptation of the neoliberal model designed to sustain free‐market principles in a form that is acceptable to electorates. The paper concludes that the broad commonalities in the transitions are remarkable and come about as a result of shared external shocks as well as similar historical insertions into the global political economy. Notwithstanding the parallels, the comparative approach reminds us of the contingent unfolding of economic paradigms across space, a point that counters arguments that assert that neoliberalism, and the globalisation to which it gives rise, create a homogenous global political economy. This comparative study is timely, as the two countries have recently signed a bilateral strategic trade partnership. This agreement indicates continued pursuit of neoliberal agendas in both countries rather than, as respective governments have heralded it, a move to foster South–South cooperation.