Taurine deficiency in dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy: 12 cases (1997-2001)

OBJECTIVE: To determine signalment, history, clinical signs, blood and plasma taurine concentrations, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic findings, treatment, and outcome of dogs with low blood or plasma taurine concentrations and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 12 client-owned dogs with low blood or plasma taurine concentrations and DCM. PROCEDURE: Medical records were reviewed, and clinical data were obtained. RESULTS: All 12 dogs were being fed a commercial dry diet containing lamb meal, rice, or both as primary ingredients. Cardiac function and plasma taurine concentration improved with treatment and taurine supplementation. Seven of the 12 dogs that were still alive at the time of the study were receiving no cardiac medications except taurine. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that consumption of certain commercial diets may be associated with low blood or plasma taurine concentrations and DCM in dogs. Taurine supplementation may result in prolonged survival times in these dogs, which is not typical for dogs with DCM. Samples should be submitted for measurement of blood and plasma taurine concentrations in dogs with DCM, and taurine supplementation is recommended while results of these analyses are pending.     

Immune modulation following immunization with polyvalent vaccines in dogs

A decline in T-cell-mediated immunity and transient state of immunosuppression after immunization has been reported in dogs. Nevertheless, dogs are still routinely vaccinated with polyvalent live vaccines and severe disease does not generally occur. In order to investigate these effects on the canine immune system and to elucidate possible mechanisms we determined the following immune parameters in the blood of 33 clinically sound German shepherd dogs before and after standard vaccination with a polyvalent vaccine against distemper, parvovirus, viral hepatitis, leptospirosis, kennel cough and rabies: white and differential blood cell count, the serum concentrations and/or activities of IL-1, IL-2, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, neopterin and IgG, natural killer (NK) cell activity, bactericidal activity and complement hemolytic activity, lymphocyte proliferation test (LPT) and nitroblue tetrazolium test (NBT).Our major findings were that significant postvaccinal decreases in T-cell mitogenic response to PHA and in neutrophil function and neopterin serum concentration were accompanied by simultaneous increase in plasma IgG and hemolytic complement activity. This suggests a transient shift in the balance between cell-mediated and humoral (T(H)1/T(H)2) immunity rather than immunosuppression.These results do not imply that dogs should not receive live vaccines, as the response to vaccines just seems to create a state of altered homeostasis when immunization elicits protection by humoral and cell-mediated immunity. However, these recognized compromises of immune function should be considered and vaccines still be applied only in healthy animals and strictly according to the rules and regulations given by the manufacturer.     

Complications after implantation of a modular total hip prostheses compared with fixed head prostheses

164 total hip prostheses of different manufacturers were implanted over an 8-year period. Clinical records were evaluated with a complication rate of 29.0% (42 of 145 joints) or 31.7% (39 of 123 dogs). The complications encountered in dogs that received the modular hip prosthesis (Biomécanique, Bretigny-sur-orge, France) amounted to 16.3% (15 of 92), dogs that received a fixed head prosthesis (5 different manufactures) had 39% complications (28 of 72). Although the complication rate was influenced by different surgeons (n = 5) with different system predelictions and a different learning curve it was obvious that luxations (n = 6 of 10) and stem fractures (n = 5) more often occurred with the fixed head prosthesis systems. These stem fractures might be due to implant material failure or due to improper cementation followed by fatigue material failure. Femur fracture or infection were encountered with both prosthesis systems.     

The Eco-field Hypothesis: Toward a Cognitive Landscape

Cognition is recognized as an essential component of the living strategies of organisms and the use of cognitive approaches based on an organismic-centered-view is discussed as a strategy to aid the advancement of landscape ecology to a more independent scientific discipline. The incorporation of the theory of information, the theory of meaning and the Umwelt, and the biosemiotic models into the landscape ecology framework is described as the necessary step to create a common paradigmatic background and operational tools to develop basis for a cognitive landscape ecology. Three cognitive landscapes (neutrality-based landscape, individual-based landscape and observer-based landscape) have been described as the result of distinctive mechanisms to extract information from a cognitive matrix based on a growing literature of (bio)semiotic exchange. The eco-field hypothesis is presented as a new possibility to describe landscape processes according to an organismic-centered-view. The eco-field is defined as a spatial configuration carrier of a specific meaning perceived when a specific living function is activated. A species-specific cognitive landscape is composed of all the spatial configurations involved for all the living functions for a particular organism. Eco-field hypothesis offers a detailed vision of (habitat) environmental requirements and creates a novel conceptual bridge between niche, habitat, Umwelt and the methodological approaches of spatial ecology. Finally the eco-field hypothesis promises a new testing ground for experimental investigations in landscape ecology and in related disciplines including environmental psychology, cognitive ethology, cultural ecology, landscape aesthetics, design and planning.     

A dynamic risk assessment model (FUMAgrain) of fumonisin synthesis by Fusarium verticillioides in maize grain in Italy

Fumonisin contamination of maize grain starts in the field. Forecasting Fusarium infection and fumonisin synthesis could allow operators in the field to control contamination during the growing season and to make the best agronomic decisions for high quality yields while respecting the limits imposed by the European Union.A research project to develop a decision support system for the control of field-phase fumonisin contamination began in Italy in 2003. This paper presents a preliminary version of the engine of the decision support tool: FUMAgrain, a dynamic risk assessment model developed with data from the north of Italy. The structure of FUMAgrain is based on the pathosystem formed by maize, F. verticillioides and Ostrinia nubilalis (European Corn Borer). The elements of the pathosystem are simulated by three sub-models: (i) maize development, (ii) F. verticillioides infection and fumonisin synthesis, (iii) European Corn Borer wounding activity on maize grain. Inputs to the model are (i) planting date, (ii) hourly meteorological data including temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and rain intensity, (iii) information on the phenological development of the hybrid planted (flowering and dry-down), and (iv) information about the chemical treatment against European Corn Borer. FUMAgrain gives an initial risk alert at the end of flowering based on the meteorological conditions during this phase. A second alert follows maturation when an assessment is made from (i) maize grain moisture, (ii) European Corn Borer damage to the ear, and (iii) fumonisin synthesis risk. Following calibration and validation with data FUMAgrain demonstrated its good capability to simulate fumonisin synthesis in maize grain in Italy (calibration: R² = 0.70; validation: R² = 0.71) and its usefulness for determining the optimal harvest date while respecting grain safety levels required by the international market and limiting moisture content, hence drying costs.     

Correlation Between Serum Creatine Kinase Activities And Anorexia in Cats

There are no available biochemical analyses that will reliably identify malnourished cats or enable monitoring them during supportive alimentation. Studies in people indicate that creatine kinase (CK) activity is high in malnourished patients and may decrease in response to nutritional intervention. The purpose of this study was to determine the value of quantifying serum CK activities in anorectic cats and to assess the usefulness of this test in monitoring nutritional support in these patients. Serum CK activity was evaluated in nonanorectic cats (Group 1, n = 25), and in hospitalized, anorectic cats that received nutritional support through a nasoesophageal tube (Group 2, n = 25). Anorectic cats had a significantly higher serum CK activity (median = 2,529 U/L, range 88 to 153,000 U/L) than the control group (median = 175 U/L, range 81 to 363 U/L, P < .001). There were significant positive correlations between serum CK and both aspartate transaminase (AST) ( P < .05; r = .59) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (P < .05; r = .41) activities. Serum CK activity was significantly lower in anorectic cats after 48 hours of nutritional support than at time 0 ( P < .001) and eventually returned to normal with continued support. Serum CK activity may serve as a useful marker in assessing and monitoring nutritional status in cats.     

Canine circovirus and Canine adenovirus type 1 and 2 in dogs with parvoviral enteritis

Veterinary Research Communications - Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) is one of the most relevant pathogens associated with enteritis in dogs and is frequently reported in association with the...     

Effects of oil of cloves and citronellol, two commercially available repellents, against the webbing clothes mothTineola bisselliella Hum. (Lepidoptera: Tineidae)

Tineola bisselliella is a common pest on natural fabrics of economic importance. Two commercially available repellents for use against adult webbing clothes moths were tested for their efficacy in dual- and no-choice bioassays. Oil of cloves and citral in combination, as well as citronellol scented with oil of lavender showed promising repellent effects for 4 weeks when applied in small compartments of a wardrobe. Although the repellent efficacy was not 100% under the conditions tested, the usage of essential oils in combination with other infestation prevention techniques is discussed.

---

Zusammenfassung Die KleidermotteTineola bisselliella Hum. ist einer der wirtschaftlich bedeutenden tierischen Wollzerstörer. Auch Pelze, Felle, Polsterhaare und Federn werden von dem weit verbreiteten Kleinschmetterling aus der Familie der Tineidae befallen. In der Praxis gilt es vor allem Kleidungsstücke, die z. B. saisonbedingt für längere Zeit ungenutzt in einem Kleiderschrank aufbewahrt werden, vor dem Befall durch die Kleidermotte zu schützen. Hierfür stehen dem Verbraucher neben den konventionellen Bekämpfungsmitteln mit den Wirkstoffen Kampfer, Naphthalin und Paradichlorbenzol sowie pyrethrum- und pyrethroidhaltige Mittel auch Präparate zur Verfügung, die auf die repellierende Wirkung von ätherischen Ölen zurückgreifen. Die abstoßende Wirkung von Nelkenöl in Kombination mit Citral und von Citronellol parfümiert mit Lavendelöl auf die Falter der Kleidermotte wurde auf vergleichbare Eigenschaften untersucht. In Wahlversuchen wurden deutliche Repellent-Wirkungen der Mottenschutz-Präparate sichtbar. Die Präparate zeigten gute Wirkungen, wenn sie zum Schutz gegen den Zuflug von Kleidermotten an wollhaltigen Stoffen in kleinen Kompartimenten eines Kleiderschrankes ausgelegt waren. Auch in Zwangsversuchen hatte dieser Befund zum Teil Bestand. Bei längeren Versuchszeiten wurden allerdings verstärkt Fraßschäden durch Larven an den Wollstoffen festgestellt. Dies ist darauf zurückzuführen, daß Mottenweibchen nicht mehr in dem Maße repelliert wurden und ihre Eier an den Stoffen ablegten.

---

---

This article reports the results of research only. Mention of a proprietary product or pesticide does not constitute an endorsement or a recommendation for its use by the Federal Biological Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry or by the USDA-ARS.     

Resistance against oxidative stress in leaves of young beech trees grown in model ecosystems with different soil qualities, elevated CO2, and lachnid infestation

Summary The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the resistance of beech foliage(Fagus sylvatica) against oxidative stress was affected by soil quality, nitrogen or CO₂ fertilisation, or lachnid infestation(Phyllaphis fagi). For this purpose young beech trees were grown for four years in reconstructed calcareous or acidic forest soils in open top chambers under ambient or elevated CO₂ concentrations with two levels of nitrogen fertilisation. At harvest lachnid colonisation was observed, preferentially on leaves from trees in calcareous soil and on leaves from trees fertilised with the high nitrogen level. General leaf characteristics such as pigment concentrations, dry mass, and leaf mass ber area were not affected by the soil type, nitrogen fertilisation or CO₂ regime. Leaves colonised with lachnids displayed slightly increased leaf mass per area. When the stress resistance was challenged by exposure to paraquat — a herbicide inducing oxidative stress — leaves from trees grown on calcareous soil maintained significantly longer membrane integrity and, thus, were better protected against stress than leaves from trees on acidic soil. Other experimental variables had negligible or no effects on the resistance against oxidative stress.