Atraumatic loop electrodes for electroretinography

A simple method is described for producing inexpensive, atraumatic electrodes for electroretinography. Scleral contact is obtained by a loop of ultra-lightweight stainless steel wire placed between the eye and lower lid. Recordings obtained by this method in animals are equal to those recorded with needle electrodes, and the expense and complex construction of contact lens electrodes of varying sizes is avoided. Sample recordings made with loop and needle electrodes from the same ophthalmologically normal dog are presented.     

Electrophysiological Studies of the Cutaneous Innervation of the External Genitalia of the Male Dog

The external genitalia and perineum of the male dog receive cutaneous innervation from the caudal cutaneous femoral, superficial perineal and genitofemoral nerves and the dorsal nerve of the penis. In addition the cranial and caudal iliohypogastric nerves occasionally supply the prepuce. Considerable overlaop between adjacent cutaneous areas, particularly on the prepuce, is noted and the extent of all cutaneous areas is greater and more expansive than previosly described. Only the cutaneous area of the genitofemoral nerve is reduced from earlier accounts, being restricted to the prepuce, inguinal region, and medial thigh but never supplying the scrotum.     

The fungitoxicity of substituted 2-phenylbenzofurans

Thirty-seven 2-phenylbenzofurans, variously substituted in the homocyclic rings, were synthesised and assessed for antifungal activity in laboratory tests. High activity was shown only by compounds containing a hydroxy group, though amino compounds were also fungitoxic but at a lower level. Possible mechanisms by which these substitutions impart fungitoxicity are discussed with particular reference to the partitioning properties of the molecule.     

Evaluation of Two Reagent Strips and Three Reflectance Meters For Rapid Determination of Blood Glucose Concentrations

We evaluated three reflectance meters (Accu-Chek II, Glucometer II, and Glucoscan 2000) and two reagent strips (Chemstrip bG and Glucostix) for accuracy and precision in determining blood glucose concentrations in the dog. To evaluate accuracy, we compared results of blood glucose determinations performed on 95 samples using the various strips and meters vs. the glucose concentrations obtained using the glucose-oxidase method on a Beckman Glucose Analyzer. Accuracy was evaluated statistically using least squares regression analysis. To evaluate precision, samples in various ranges of blood glucose concentration were tested repeatedly (20 times within a 1-hour period) on the same reflectance meter. Coefficient of variation (CV) was determined to evaluate reproducibility of results. Overall, there were significant correlations (P less than 0.001) between the laboratory glucose values and the blood glucose concentrations obtained with Chemstrip bG (r = 0.976), Glucostix (r = 0.904), Accu-Chek II (r = 0.986), Glucometer II (r = 0.911) and Glucoscan 2000 (r = 0.944). In the precision study, all three meters had excellent CVs in the normal range (3.6% to 4.9%). However, Accu-Chek II was found to be more precise in the hypoglycemic and hyperglycemic ranges (3.6% and 2.6%, respectively) than either Glucometer II (8.8% and 5.4%) or Glucoscan 2000 (7.8% and 8.2%). The results of this study indicate that all of the meters and reagent strips tested are highly accurate in determining blood glucose concentrations in the dog. However, both in terms of accuracy and reproducibility of results, Accu-Chek II and Chemstrip bG, gave the highest correlation coefficients and, as such, are probably of the greatest clinical value.     

Identification of canine T-lymphocyte subsets with monoclonal antibodies.

A panel of five murine monoclonal antibodies to canine T-lymphocytes were produced. Antibodies 4.78, 12.125 and 8.358 reacted with approximately 18%, 39% and 60% peripheral blood lymphocytes, respectively. Two color flow cytometric analysis showed that lymphocytes expressing 1.140, 4.78, 8.53 and 12.125 were subsets of lymphocytes expressing 8.358. The lymphocytes expressing 8.358 were negative for surface immunoglobulin. The subsets defined by 1.140, 4.78 or 8.53, 12.125 were mutually exclusive and together account for most cells expressing 8.358 in the peripheral blood, spleen, and lymph node. In the thymus, approximately 47% cells were positive for both 1.140/4.78 and 8.53/12.125. SDS-PAGE analysis of radiolabelled thymus cell lysates demonstrated that antibodies 1.140 and 4.78 immunoprecipitated a 32,35 kd heterodimer under reducing conditions and 12.125 immunoprecipitated a single 56 kd chain under reducing and non-reducing conditions. Antibodies 8.53/12.125 and 1.140/4.78 react with canine lymphocyte populations that occur in proportions similar to lymphocytes expressing CD4 and CD8 like molecules in several primate and non-primate species. The molecules recognized by 12.125 and 1.140/4.78 were similar in size and subunit composition to human CD4 and CD8.     

Hemochromatosis in Salers Cattle

Two 2-year-old Salers cattle from different herds raised on pasture were evaluated for retarded growth and diarrhea. Increase of liver enzyme activities and prolonged sulfobromophothalein (BSP) half life (T1/2) indicated liver disease with impaired liver function. Histopathologic examination of liver biopsies revealed a micronodular cirrhosis with marked deposition of hemosiderin in hepatocytes, Kupffer cells, and arterioles. Transferrin saturation (TS) and liver iron content were markedly increased, consistent with a diagnosis of hemochromatosis. Both animals were euthanatized due to deterioration in their condition. Necropsy findings included hepatomegaly and hemosiderin accumulation in the liver, lymph nodes, pancreas, spleen, thyroid, kidney, brain and other glandular tissue. Continued surveillance of the second herd (serum iron, total iron binding capacity [TIBC], unsaturated iron binding capacity [UIBC], and TS), identified a heifer as a hemochromatosis suspect in a subsequent generation. Liver biopsies from that animal revealed the same histopathologic changes as the previous 2 animals, and similar increases in liver iron content (8,700 ppm, normal range 45 to 300 ppm). The 3 affected cattle were all products of line breeding programs and shared a common ancestor. The absence of dietary iron loading in conjunction with the histopathologic and metabolic findings were consistent with a diagnosis of primary hemochromatosis. The reported disease is similar to idiopathic hemochromatosis in human beings in which there is a hereditary defect in iron metabolism.     

Relevance of soil N mineralization,total N demand of crops and efficiency of applied N for fertilizer recommendations for cereals — Theory and application

Optimal rates of N fertilizer depend mainly on three factors, (1) the total N demand of crops, (2) the amount of available N from sources other than applied N, and (3) the efficiency of fertilization in order to increase plant available N. Predictability and variability of each of these factors affect the precision of N fertilizer recommendations. In a theoretical approach the change of [crop N + extractable inorganic soil N] (CSN) in N-fertilized cereals can be ascribed to two components, firstly an N rate independent and secondly a strongly N rate dependent one. This approach fits well when applied to an actual data set of N field trials on sandy soils in Hessia, Germany. The N rate dependent change of CSN was interpreted as apparent recovery of applied N indicating the efficiency of fertilization. Apparent recovery rates of applied N varied considerably between field sites and ranged from 33 % to 96 %. The N rate independent change of CSN was dominated by N mineralization, especially during the grain filling period (range: 4 to 61 kg N ha^?1), and was significantly (p <0.001) correlated with extractable soil organic N (r = 0.65, CaCl₂ extraction; r = 0.51, EUF-technique). The total N demand of the crops varied widely within each cereal species. For barley and rye the total N demand was closely correlated with the optimal grain yield. The results suggest that in order to improve N fertilizer recommendations the prediction of the total N demand as well as the prediction of the fertilizer efficiency is badly needed. The soil N mineralization appeared to be an important N source for cereals, which was independent from the applied N rate. Soil N tests, which provide an index of mineralizable soil N, merit therefore consideration for adoption into N fertilizer recommendations for cereals.     

Intensive fattening of beef cattle by stall feeding on the Lilongwe plain,Malawi I. Type of forage and level and type of supplementation

Summary Experiments were undertaken with Malawi zebu steers over three wet seasons to investigate the effects of feeding improved forages (zero grazed) and supplements on animal performance. The forages fed were Guinea grass and pearl millet and the supplements maize: madeya (maize bran) or maize: madeya: cottonseed cake. The daily allowance of supplement was, on a DM basis, liveweight equivalent to 0·6, 1·1 or 1·5 per cent of cattle (1973, 1974). In 1975 the supplementation treatments were nil, maize: madeya or leucaena fed at 0·6 per cent liveweight. Daily gains of steers were similar with both forages except in 1975 when those fed on pearl millet grew 19 per cent faster than those on Guinea grass. The performance of steers was increased with supplementation only where forage quality declined. The significance of the results are discussed.

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Engorde Intensivo De Ganado De Carne En Confinamiento, En Los Llanos De Lilongwe, Malawi. I. Tipo De Forraje, Nivel Y Tipo De Suplementacion

Resumen Se llevaron a cabo experimentos con novillos Malawi Cebú en tres estaciones lluviosas con el propósito de investigar los efectos de la alimentación a base de pastos mejorados y suplementos, en el rendimiento de los animales. Los pastos utilizados en la alimentación fueron pasto Guinea y Pearl Millet y de suplemento maíz: madeja (salvado de trigo) o máíz: madeja: torta de algodón. La ración diaria de suplemento fué, sobre bases de MS equivalente a 0·6, 1·1 ó 1·5 por ciento del ganado (1973, 1974). En 1975 los tratamientos de suplementación fueron escasos, salvado de maíz o leucaena dados a 0.6 por ciento del peso vivo. Las ganancias diarias de los novillos fueron similares con ambos forrajes excepto en 1975, cuando aquellos alimentados con Pearl Millet crecieron 19 por ciento más rápido que los que se alimentaron con pasto Guinea. El rendimiento de los novillos aumentó con la suplementación, a medida que la calidad del forraje declinaba. Se discute el significado de los resultados.

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Engraissement Intensif De Bovins De Boucherie Par Embouche En Stabulation Dans La Plaine De Lilongwe, Au Malawi. I. Type De Fourrage, Niveau Et Type De Complementation

Résumé Des expérience ont été conduites avec des bouvillons Zébu Malawi durant trois saisons des pluies pour réchercher les effets de l'alimentation avec des fourrages améliorés (distribués à l'auge) et des compléments sur les performances des animaux.Les fourrages étaient constitués par duPanicum maximum, duPennisetum americanum et le complément par du maïs/son de maïs additionnés ou non de tourteau do coton. En 1973 et 1974, la quantité journalière de complément a été de 0,6, 1,1 et 1,5 p. 100 en M.S. du poids vif du bétail. En 1975, les complémentations ont été nulles, maïs/son de maïs ouLeucaena leucocephala à 0,6 p. 100 du poids vif. Les gains journaliers des bouvillons ont été semblables avec les deux fourrages excepté en 1975 lorsque ceux nourris avec duPennisetum ont grossi de 19 p. 100 de plus que ceux nourris sur duPanicum maximum. Les performances des bouvillons ont augmenté avec la supplémentation alors que déclinait la qualité du fourrage. La signification de ces résultats est discutée.

     

The use of the log-linear model to evaluate the effects of three herd factors on Streptococcus agalactiae mastitis occurrence in California, 1977

Epidemiologic relationships among Streptococcus agalactiae infected dairy herds and herd size, location and California Dairy Herd Improvement Association (CDHIA) participation were examined using log-linear methodology. Dairies located in five out of the six California Bureau of Animal Health veterinary districts were studied. Data sources included the Dairy Cattle Data Base, which uniquely identifies each of the 2875 dairies in California, the 1977 statewide CDHIA year-end summary report and microbiological results from a 1977 statewide survey of bulk tank milk samples. These data were merged, fitted and the best model selected using likelihood-ratio statistics. The model included all four “main effects”, the six possible “1st-order effetss” and the “2nd-order effect” due to the interaction of herd size, location and CDHIA participation. Subsequently, a logit model was used to estimate the effect of the independent herd factor variables (size, location and CDHIA participation) on the log odds of the dependent S. agalactiae variable. This model required conditioning on the three-way relationship among the independent variables.medium-sized, non-CDHIA herds in district 2 (northcentral California) showed the highest expected odds (3.37) for S. agalactiae in bulk tank milk, while small, CDHIA herds in district 3 (northcentral coastal California) produced the lowest odds (0.39).