Episioplasty for the treatment of perivulvar dermatitis or recurrent urinary tract infections in dogs with excessive perivulvar skin folds: 31 cases (1983-2000).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of episioplasty for the treatment of perivulvar dermatitis or chronic or recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI) believed to be secondary to excessive perivulvar skin folds in dogs and to document whether a causal relationship exists between the presence of chronic or recurrent UTI and excessive perivulvar skin folds in female dogs. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 31 female dogs. PROCEDURE: Medical records of dogs with vulvar dermatitis (group 1; n = 15) or UTI (group 2; 16) were reviewed for history, signalment, physical examination findings, hematologic findings, results of urine or vaginal bacteriologic culture, and results of additional diagnostic procedures. RESULTS: 14 of 15 dogs in group 1 had complete resolution of perivulvar dermatitis and associated clinical signs following episioplasty. One dog had a relapse of clinical signs and vulvar dermatitis 2 years after surgery in association with a 9-kg (1 9.8-1b) weight gain. Sixteen of 16 dogs in group 2 had complete resolution of clinical signs of UTI following episioplasty. Urine samples were obtained via cystocentesis no earlier than 1 month after surgery to confirm resolution of UTI in 13 of 16 of dogs in group 2. Mild-to-moderate incisional swelling was the only surgical complication reported for either group, with the exception of 1 dog in group 2 that had wound dehiscence. All owners were satisfied with surgical outcomes. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: All owners reported complete resolution of clinical signs for both groups of dogs. Episioplasty is an effective low morbidity treatment for perivulvar dermatitis and chronic UTI associated with excessive perivulvar skin folds.     

Chemical and flavour changes in jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) cultivar J3 during ripening

Chemical composition (titratable acidity, moisture content, crude fibre, colour, pH, soluble solids, sugars, organic acids) and flavour changes during ripening of jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus L.) cultivar J3 were evaluated. Significant (p < 0.05) changes in titratable acidity and colour was obtained, but no significant changes were found in moisture and crude fiber contents during ripening. Total soluble solids and total sugars increased significantly (p < 0.05) throughout the ripening process. Total soluble solids at the top portion of the fruit were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than middle and bottom portions of the same fruit. A high content of malic acid was found in unripe fruit (day 1). In contrast, ripened fruit (days 5 and 6) contained a high amount of citric acid. Overall, the total amount of organic acids was found to decrease from the early to later stage of ripening. A total of 23 volatile compounds were tentatively identified by GC and GC–MS. The number of peaks was observed to increase throughout the ripening process. In this study, data obtained suggest that the ripening process of jackfruit was at its optimum at day 5 after harvest.     

Candidatus Chloracidobacterium thermophilum: an aerobic phototrophic Acidobacterium

Only five bacterial phyla with members capable of chlorophyll (Chl)-based phototrophy are presently known. Metagenomic data from the phototrophic microbial mats of alkaline siliceous hot springs in Yellowstone National Park revealed the existence of a distinctive bacteriochlorophyll (BChl)-synthesizing, phototrophic bacterium. A highly enriched culture of this bacterium grew photoheterotrophically, synthesized BChls a and c under oxic conditions, and had chlorosomes and type 1 reaction centers. "Candidatus Chloracidobacterium thermophilum" is a BChl-producing member of the poorly characterized phylum Acidobacteria.     

Partially Molten Middle Crust Beneath Southern Tibet: Synthesis of Project INDEPTH Results

INDEPTH geophysical and geological observations imply that a partially molten midcrustal layer exists beneath southern Tibet. This partially molten layer has been produced by crustal thickening and behaves as a fluid on the time scale of Himalayan deformation. It is confined on the south by the structurally imbricated Indian crust underlying the Tethyan and High Himalaya and is underlain, apparently, by a stiff Indian mantle lid. The results suggest that during Neogene time the underthrusting Indian crust has acted as a plunger, displacing the molten middle crust to the north while at the same time contributing to this layer by melting and ductile flow. Viewed broadly, the Neogene evolution of the Himalaya is essentially a record of the southward extrusion of the partially molten middle crust underlying southern Tibet.     

Diagnosis and management of ureteroceles in two female dogs

Two intact female dogs were examined for refractory pollakiuria and stranguria. One of these two dogs also exhibited urinary incontinence. Ectopic ureteroceles were diagnosed via ultrasonography and cystoscopy in both dogs. Both dogs were taken to surgery for ureterocele resection and neoureterostomy, resulting in complete resolution of clinical signs. Although uncommonly reported in the veterinary literature, ectopic ureteroceles can be associated with recurrent lower urinary tract infection with and without urinary incontinence. With a correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment, prognosis for ectopic ureteroceles can be good provided there is not a concurrent significant loss of renal function.     

The mudskippers Periophthalmodon schlosseri and Boleophthalmus boddaerti can tolerate environmental NH3 concentrations of 446 and 36µM, respectively

A lipase was purified from the extract of the delipidated powder of red sea bream hepatopancreas to nar homogeneity by fractional precipitation with ammonium sulfate and sequential chromatography on first anion-exchange-, hydrophobic- and second anion-exchange columns followed by gel filtration and anion-exchange HPLC. The final enzyme preparation showed a single band with an apparent molecular mass of approx. 64 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamid e gel electrophoresis. The purified enzyme had a pH optimum in the range of pH 7.0–9.0. Using -nitrophenyl myristate or triolein as a substrate, the enzyme required the presence of sodium taurocholate or sodium cholate for its activity. No activity was observed in the presence of sodium deoxycholate. The enzyme preferentially hydrolyzed ethyl esters of polyunsaturated fatty acid, such as arachidonic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid which were resistant to porcine pancreatic lipase. These results strongly suggest that the enzyme purified from the hepatopancreas of red sea bream is homologous to mammalian bile salt-activated lipase.     

A primary extraskeletal osteogenic sarcoma arising in the spleen of a dog

This paper describes a primary extraskeletal osteogenic sarcoma arising in the spleen of an 11-year-old, male, cross-bred Terrier. Initial diagnosis was made after surgical removal of a splenic mass, at which time the liver and other abdominal viscera appeared grossly normal. However, elevations in the activities of alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase in blood taken 7 days after laparotomy suggested that hepatic metastases were developing. This was confirmed when the dog died 3.5 months after surgery, with massive hepatic metastatic involvement. There appears to be no previous report of the spleen being the primary site of such a neoplasm in the dog.