Evaluation of metoclopramide hydrochloride as an aid for passage of a flexible endoscope into the duodenum of dogs.

The purposes of this study were to evaluate the efficacy of metoclopramide to aid passage of a flexible endoscope into the duodenum of dogs, and to determine whether the effect of metoclopramide is dependent on dose. In a randomized, blinded, complete-block design, 6 healthy dogs were anesthetized, then each was given saline solution or 1 of 4 doses of metoclopramide on different days. The ease of passage of a flexible, fiberoptic gastroscope through the pylorus was assessed independently by 3 endoscopists. Administration of metoclopramide hydrochloride at a dosage of 0.4 mg/kg of body weight, iv, made passage of a flexible endoscope into the duodenum significantly (P = 0.009) more difficult than when saline solution was administered; however, dosages of 0.1, 0.2 and 0.8 mg of metoclopramide/kg did not (P = 0.489, 0.842, and 0.092 respectively). It was concluded that metoclopramide did not facilitate, and at one dosage hindered, successful passage of a flexible endoscope into the duodenum of healthy dogs under the conditions of the study. Metoclopramide, therefore, cannot be recommended as an aid for passage of a flexible endoscope into the duodenum of dogs.     

Red and far-red light effects on a short-term behavioral response of a dinoflagellate

Cessation of movement (stop response) is used as a criterion for light reception by the dinoflagellate Gyrodinium dorsum Kofoid. Brief irradiation (2 seconds at 470 nanometers) elicits a stop response in cells any time during the 6-minute interval after removal from growth lights. This stop response is inactivated by exposure for 4 minutes to 470-nanometer light prior to stimulation. Red light (620 nanometers) reactivates this stop response, and far-red light (700 nanometers) reverses this reactivation. This red-far-red photo reversibility is taken as evidence for phytochrome involvement.     

Dermatophilosis in Australian bearded lizards.

Dermatophilosis (Dermatophilus congolensis) was diagnosed in 3 Australian bearded lizards. Each lizard died of causes associated with stress and poor adaptability, although the lesions appeared to be regressing at the time of death.