Comparison of the radius of curvature of the ulnar trochlear notch of Rottweilers and Greyhounds

OBJECTIVE: To compare radius of curvature along the ulnar trochlear notch of Rottweilers and Greyhounds to determine whether morphologic differences exist that may contribute to the cause and pathogenesis of fragmented coronoid process in Rottweilers. SAMPLE POPULATION: Paired elbow joints from 13 Rottweilers and 14 Greyhounds. PROCEDURE: Elbow joints were radiographically scored on the basis of severity of osteoarthritic lesions. The articular contour of each ulnar trochlear notch was digitized. The radius of curvature at defined points along the ulnar trochlear notch was compared between breeds. RESULTS: Radius of curvature of the ulnar trochlear notch was not a constant function of arc length in either breed but had a consistent characteristic appearance in both breeds. Radius of curvature was greatest at each end of the ulnar trochlear notch and had 2 peaks in the midportion of the notch in both breeds. These peaks occurred farther distally in the notch and were larger in Rottweiler ulnae than Greyhound ulnae. A significant difference in mean radius of curvature was detected between breeds at these peaks. Greyhounds had significantly greater mean radius of curvature at the end of the medial coronoid process, compared with Rottweilers. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Radius of curvature of the ulnar trochlear notch is a complex function of arc length in Rottweilers and Greyhounds. The waveform has a consistent characteristic appearance in both breeds. Although significant differences were identified between breeds, associations between these differences and cause or pathogenesis of fragmented coronoid process in Rottweilers were not apparent.     

Water-use efficiency in cork oak (Quercus suber) is modified by the interaction of water and light availabilities

We studied the interaction of light and water on water-use efficiency in cork oak (Quercus suber L.) seedlings. One-year-old cork oak seedlings were grown in pots in a factorial experiment with four light treatments (68, 50, 15 and 5% of full sunlight) and two irrigation regimes: well watered (WW) and moderate drought stress (WS). Leaf predawn water potential, which was measured at the end of each of two cycles, did not differ among the light treatments. Water-use efficiency, assessed by carbon isotope composition (delta(13)C), tended to increase with increasing irradiance. The trend was similar in the WW and WS treatments, though with lower delta(13)C in all light treatments in the WW irrigation regime. Specific leaf area increased with decreasing irradiance, and was inversely correlated with delta(13)C. Thus, changes in delta(13)C could be explained in part by light-induced modifications in leaf morphology. The relationship between stomatal conductance to water vapor and net photosynthesis on a leaf area basis confirmed that seedlings in higher irradiances maintained a higher rate of carbon uptake at a particular stomatal conductance, implying that shaded seedlings have a lower water-use efficiency that is unrelated to water availability.     

Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism Diversity in Cephalosporium maydis from Egypt

ABSTRACT Cephalosporium maydis, the causal agent of late wilt of maize, was first described in Egypt in the 1960s, where it can cause yield losses of up to 40% in susceptible plantings. We characterized 866 isolates of C. maydis collected from 14 governates in Egypt, 7 in the Nile River Delta and 7 in southern (Middle and Upper) Egypt, with amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. The four AFLP primer-pair combinations generated 68 bands, 25 of which were polymorphic, resulting in 52 clonal haplotypes that clustered the 866 isolates into four phylogenetic lineages. Three lineages were found in both the Nile River Delta and southern Egypt. Lineage IV, the most diverse group (20 haplotypes), was recovered only from governates in the Nile River Delta. In some locations, one lineage dominated (up to 98% of the isolates recovered) and, from some fields, only a single haplotype was recovered. Under field conditions in Egypt, there is no evidence that C. maydis reproduces sexually. The nonuniform geographic distribution of the pathogen lineages within the country could be due to differences in climate or in the farming system, because host material differs in susceptibility and C. maydis lineages differ in pathogenicity.     

Penetration of a topically applied nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug into local tissues and synovial fluid of dogs

OBJECTIVE: To investigate penetration of a topically applied nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) into tissues and synovial fluid. ANIMALS: 5 Greyhounds. PROCEDURE: Dogs were anesthetized and microdialysis probes placed in the dermis and gluteal muscle over each coxofemoral (hip) joint. Methylsalicylate (MeSA) was applied topically over the left hip joint. Dialysate and plasma (blood samples from the cephalic and femoral veins) were obtained during the subsequent 5 hours. Dogs were euthanatized, and tissue samples and synovial fluid were collected and analyzed for salicylic acid (SA) and MeSA by use of high-pressure liquid chromatography. RESULTS: SA and MeSA concentrations increased rapidly (< 30 minutes after application) in dialysate obtained from treated dermis. Salicylic acid also appeared in plasma within 30 minutes and reached a plateau concentration after 2 hours, although combined drug concentrations (SA plus MeSA) in plasma obtained from femoral vein samples were twice those measured in plasma obtained from the cephalic vein (SA only). Treated muscle had a progressive decrease in NSAID concentration with increasing depth (SA and MeSA), but it was significantly higher than the concentration in untreated muscle. Substantial amounts of SA and MeSA were also measured in synovial fluid of treated joints. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Topically applied NSAIDs can penetrate deeply into tissues and synovial fluid. Local concentrations higher than circulating systemic concentrations are suggestive that direct diffusion and local blood redistribution are contributing to this effect. Systemic blood concentrations may be inadequate to describe regional kinetics of topically applied drugs.     

A Buffy Coat Stimulating Effect in Serum from Cattle with Persistent Lymphocytosis

A stimulating effect on bovine buffy coat cells was demonstrated in blood samples from cattle with persistent lymphocytosis. The stimulation was a function of the serum and not the cells used. It was not altered by filtration or inactivation of the serum.     

Estimates of subprimal yields from beef carcasses as affected by USDA grades, subcutaneous fat trim level, and carcass sex class and type.

One hundred beef carcasses were selected to represent the mix of cattle slaughtered across the United States. Selection criteria included breed type (60% British/continental European, 20% Bos indicus, and 20% dairy carcasses), sex class (beef and Bos indicus: 67% steers, 33% heifers; dairy: 100% steers), USDA quality grade (4% Prime, 53% Choice, and 43% Select), USDA yield grade (10% YG 1, 43% YG 2, 40% YG 3, and 7% YG 4), and carcass weight (steers: 272.2 to 385.6 kg, heifers: 226.8 to 340.2 kg). One side of each carcass was fabricated into boneless subprimals and minor cuts following Institutional Meat Purchase Specifications. After fabrication, subprimals were trimmed progressively of fat in .64-cm increments beginning with a maximum of 2.54 cm and ending with .64 cm. Linear regression models were developed for each individual cut, including fabrication byproduct items (bone, fat trim) to estimate the percentage yield of those cuts reported by USDA Market News. Strip loin, top sirloin butt, and gooseneck rounds from heifers tended to have a higher percentage yield at the same USDA yield grade than the same cuts from steers, possibly resulting from increased fat deposition on heifers. Percentage of fat trimmed from dairy steers was 2 to 3% lower than that from other sex-class/carcass types; however, due to increased percentage of bone and less muscle, dairy steers were lower-yielding. Fat trimmed from carcasses ranged from 7.9 to 15.6% as the maximum trim level decreased from 2.54 to .64 cm.     

Influence of phospholipids on ruminal fermentation in vitro and on nutrient digestion and serum lipids in sheep

Phospholipid supplements were incubated in vitro or fed to sheep to determine how they affected ruminal fermentation, nutrient digestion and serum lipid concentration. In vitro, deoiled soybean lecithin added to hay increased (P less than .05) total VFA concentration but had no effect on fiber digestion in four of five trials. Purified phospholipid (synthetic phosphatidylethanolamine), however, had little effect on in vitro hay fermentation when tested at four levels (0, 10, 20 or 30 mg) in three separate trials. Deoiled soybean lecithin disappeared in vitro at two rates, 12.9 and .66%/h for the fast- and slow-degrading fractions, respectively. Compared with 2.4% corn oil supplements, 5.2% soybean lecithin added to sheep diets (56% concentrate) reduced (P less than .05) energy, fiber and nitrogen digestibilities. Crude lecithin reduced (P less than .05) energy digestibility more than deoiled lecithin. Both types of lecithin increased (P less than .05) serum nonesterified fatty acid concentrations but had no effect on serum glucose, cholesterol or triglyceride concentrations compared with the corn oil diet. In summary, phospholipids had different effects on ruminal fermentation, depending on their source. None had a beneficial effect on fiber digestion. Phospholipids are degraded in the rumen and inhibit digestion in a manner similar to that of the commercial fats and oils.