Synaptic transmission in the crayfish: increased release of transmitter substance by bacterial endotoxin

Bacterial endotoxin increases the frequency of miniature excitatory postsynaptic potentials, decreases facilitation, and increases the evoked excitatory postsynaptic potential without changing membrane resistance. These data indicate that endotoxin acts on the presynaptic nerve terminal by increasing the amount of transmitter substance released in response to an applied stimulus.     

EFFECT OF COTTONSEED MEAL WITH OR WITHOUT SOAPSTOCK,CANOLA MEAL,OR UREA ON SOIL FERTILITY AND GROWTH OF MARIGOLD AND REDBUD

The effects of incorporating or topdressing with cottonseed (Gossypium hirsutum L.) meal with or without soapstock, canola (Brassica rapa L.) meal, urea, or no amendment (control) were investigated using plants of marigold (Tagetes erecta L. ‘Inca II Gold’ or ‘Inca II Yellow’) and redbud (Cercis canadensis L.) in a Norge loam (fine-silty, mixed, thermic Udic Paleustolls) at Stillwater, OK in 2008 and 2009. Fertilizers were applied in May at 4.9 g?m^?2 N based on soil test results prior to the study and nitrogen (N) recommendations for turfgrass. Soil nitrate-nitrogen (NO₃-N) and phosphorus (P) increased from 2008 to 2009 in marigold plots into which cottonseed meal with soapstock was incorporated, and boron (B) increased in all marigold plots regardless of treatment. In 2009, marigolds grown in plots into which cottonseed meal was incorporated were taller than plants in other treatments except the untreated control. Marigolds in plots in which cottonseed meal was topdressed, cottonseed meal with soapstock was incorporated, or urea was topdressed grew less in height than plants in plots with cottonseed meal incorporated or control plots. Shoot dry weights of marigold plants in plots topdressed with cottonseed meal with or without soapstock, urea, or control plots were lower than those of plants in other treatments. Visual ratings of marigold plants receiving a topdress of urea or no treatment were lower than visual ratings of plants in any other treatment in July, but similar in August to those of marigold plants in plots in which cottonseed meal was topdressed. Some differences within fertilizer treatments occurred between 2008 and 2009 in redbud soil concentration of NO₃-N, calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sulfate-sulfur (SO₄-S), iron (Fe), B, and copper (Cu). Leaf P concentration differed among fertilizer treatments in 2009. Leaf and total dry weight of redbuds grown in soil incorporated with urea was greater than that of plants in any other treatment. Results indicate that cottonseed and canola meals provide N and other nutrients for growth of landscape plants. Soil incorporated cottonseed meal encouraged more growth of marigold than soil incorporated urea but less growth of redbud.     

Retrospective study of 108 foals with septic osteomyelitis

Objective   To determine the clinical characteristics, short-term outcome and future athletic performance of foals with septic osteomyelitis.
Design   Retrospective clinical study of 108 Thoroughbred foals with radiographic evidence of bone infection that were presented at the Scone Veterinary Hospital between August 1995 and December 2001. Medical records were reviewed and information concerning signalment, the clinical, laboratory and radiographic findings, treatment and outcome was obtained. Racing records were obtained and evaluated for surviving foals that had reached racing age.
Results   Mean age of foals at initial evaluation was 39 days (range 1–180 days); 21 foals had multiple radiographic bone lesions (19.4%), and 76 had concurrent septic arthritis (70.4%). The most frequently affected bones were the femur, tibia and distal phalanx. In total, 87 foals were discharged from the hospital (80.6%), 79 survived long-term to reach racing age and 52 raced (65.8%). Overall, 48% (52/108) of the foals treated for osteomyelitis raced. Foals less than 30 days of age at the time of diagnosis, critically ill foals and those with multiple bones or joints affected were significantly less likely to be discharged from hospital. Multiple septic joints, but not multiple bone involvement, had an unfavourable prognosis for racing.
Conclusions   The prognosis for survival of foals with septic osteomyelitis or osteitis is favourable. Multiple bone or joint involvement is an important short-term prognostic indicator; however, the involvement of multiple joints, but not multiple infected bones, is associated with an unfavourable prognosis for racing.     

Survival time with pacemaker implantation for dogs diagnosed with persistent atrial standstill

Objectives

To evaluate survival time in dogs with persistent atrial standstill after pacemaker implantation and to compare the survival times for cardiac-related vs. non-cardiac deaths. Secondary objectives were to evaluate the effects of breed and the presence of congestive heart failure (CHF) at the time of diagnosis on survival time.

Use of pericardial fluid pH to distinguish between idiopathic and neoplastic effusions

Pericardial effusion (PE) resulting from neoplasia usually is associated with a poor prognosis, whereas idiopathic PE frequently has a good prognosis. This study examined the utility of pH measurement to distinguish between these 2 etiologies. Dogs were classified as having idiopathic PE (n = 12) if pericarditis was diagnosed on histopathology (n = 4) or if no historical, physical, or echocardiographic evidence of recurrent PE was present for at least 6 months after pericardiocentesis (n = 8). Dogs were classified as having neoplastic PE (n = 25) if pericardial or myocardial neoplasia was detected on histopathology (n = 11) or a discrete mass associated with the right atrium, right ventricle, or the aorta was visualized on echocardiography (n = 14). Samples of PE were centrifuged and the supernatant pH was measured with a portable pH meter. The lowest pH (6.40) was found in a dog with idiopathic PE and the highest pH (7.85) was found in a dog with neoplastic PE. However, data from the 2 groups overlapped in 33 out of 37 (89%) instances, and median pH from the idiopathic and neoplastic groups was not significantly different (7.40 and 7.47, respectively; P = 0.28; difference in medians = -0.7; 95% CI, -0.26-0.06). Because of the degree of overlap, our data provide little justification for the use of pH measurement as a diagnostic test in cases of PE.     

Arterial thromboembolism in cats: acute crisis in 127 cases (1992-2001) and long-term management with low-dose aspirin in 24 cases

Records of 127 cats with arterial thromboembolism (ATE) were reviewed. Abyssinian, Birman, Ragdoll, and male cats were overrepresented. Tachypnea (91%), hypothermia (66%), and absent limb motor function (66%) were common. Of 90 cats with diagnostics performed, underlying diseases were hyperthyroidism (12), cardiomyopathy (dilated [8], unclassified [33], hypertrophic obstructive [5], hypertrophic [19]), neoplasia (6), other (4), and none (3). Common abnormalities were left atrial enlargement (93%), congestive heart failure (CHF, 44%), and arrhythmias (44%). Of cats without CHF, 89% were tachypneic. Common biochemical abnormalities were hyperglycemia, azotemia, and abnormally high serum concentrations of muscle enzymes. Of 87 cats treated for acute limb ATE, 39 (45%) survived to be discharged. Significant differences were found between survivors and nonsurvivors for temperature (P < .00001), heart rate (P = .038), serum phosphorus concentration (P = .024), motor function (P = .008), and number of limbs affected (P = .001). No significant difference was found between survivors and nonsurvivors when compared by age, respiratory rate, other biochemical analytes, or concurrent CHE A logistic regression model based on rectal temperature predicted a 50% probability of survival at 98.9 degrees F (37.2 degrees C). Median survival time (MST) for discharged cats was 117 days. Eleven cats had ATE recurrences, and 5 cats developed limb problems. Cats with CHF (MST: 77 days) had significantly shorter survival than cats without CHF (MST: 223 days; P = .016). No significant difference was found in survival or recurrence rate between cats receiving high-dose aspirin (> or = 40 mg/cat q72h) and cats receiving low-dose aspirin (5 mg/cat q72h). Adverse effects were less frequent and milder for the lower dosage.     

Supravalvular mitral stenosis in a cat

A 3-year-old, 4-kg, castrated male domestic shorthair cat presented with signs of progressive respiratory distress. Thoracic radiographs showed pulmonary edema and pleural effusion. Echocardiography revealed a perforate membrane immediately above the mitral valve that divided the left atrium into proximal and distal chambers. The left auricle was proximal to the dividing membrane and connected to the markedly enlarged proximal left atrial chamber, consistent with the diagnosis of supravalvular mitral stenosis (SMS). Position of the obstructing membrane relative to the left auricle distinguishes SMS from cor triatriatum sinister (CTS). In CTS, the left auricle is distal to the dividing membrane and connects to the distal left atrial chamber.     

Multiple exaptations leading to fish sound production

The term exaptation introduced by Stephen J. Gould and Elizabeth Vrba has been used infrequently. The high diversity of sound‐producing mechanisms in fishes highlights a recurrent use of this process in unrelated taxa. We propose that sonic evolution typically involves exaptations: in many fish taxa, sound production was acquired by the independent modification of existing structures with other functions. These structures were modified into complex effectors for courtship and agonistic sound production without major changes to their gnathostome Bauplan. Existing anatomical structures (teeth, bones, etc.) were likely first used in non‐voluntary sound production, which incidentally provided advantages and could then be selected specifically for signal production leading to the refinement of more sophisticated sonic organs. We postulate that in many if not most cases, sound‐production specializations originated in fish taxa that took advantage of incidental non‐voluntary sounds. We use different case‐studies to show that exaptation may be a key, albeit largely unrecognized, agent of major morphological and behavioural changes.     

A Novel Method for Combined Biowaste Stabilization and Production of Nitrate-Rich Liquid Fertilizer for Use in Organic Horticulture

A novel system for organic waste stabilization and reuse, combined with production of nitrate-rich liquid fertilizer was developed by manure digestion followed by volatilization of ammonia-rich gas (originating in manure extract) and its nitrification and recovery. This approach has several advantages, including biowaste stabilization and high recovery (over 60%) of manure N mainly as nitrate which is a better N form for many plants as compared to ammonium as the sole fertilizer N. Moreover, the potential utilization of different wastes as N sources in organic horticulture is possible as well as removal of suspended particles and microorganisms (including pathogens) that might otherwise clog the irrigation system and pose health risks, respectively. In a pilot-scale study, the system yielded several hundred liters of nitrate-rich (ca. 11 g N L⁻¹) liquid fertilizer using guano as substrate. In a fertilization experiment, lettuce fertigated with the nitrate-rich extract exhibited better growth and quality compared to the common organic practice of fertigation with guano extract. The resulting stabilized biowaste was estimated as “low-risk” according to current guidelines and may be used for liming or land application.