In situ measurements of organics, meteoritic material, mercury, and other elements in aerosols at 5 to 19 kilometers

In situ measurements of the chemical composition of individual aerosol particles at altitudes between 5 and 19 kilometers reveal that upper tropospheric aerosols often contained more organic material than sulfate. Although stratospheric aerosols primarily consisted of sulfuric acid and water, many also contained meteoritic material. Just above the tropopause, small amounts of mercury were found in over half of the aerosol particles that were analyzed. Overall, there was tremendous variety in aerosol composition. One measure of this diversity is that at least 45 elements were detected in aerosol particles. These results have wide implications for the complexity of aerosol sources and chemistry. They also offer possibilities for understanding the transport of atmospheric aerosols.     

The Solar Acoustic Spectrum and Eigenmode Parameters

The Global Oscillation Network Group (GONG) project estimates the frequencies, amplitudes, and linewidths of more than 250,000 acoustic resonances of the sun from data sets lasting 36 days. The frequency resolution of a single data set is 0.321 microhertz. For frequencies averaged over the azimuthal order m, the median formal error is 0.044 microhertz, and the associated median fractional error is 1.6 x 10(-5). For a 3-year data set, the fractional error is expected to be 3 x 10(-6). The GONG m-averaged frequency measurements differ from other helioseismic data sets by 0.03 to 0.08 microhertz. The differences arise from a combination of systematic errors, random errors, and possible changes in solar structure.     

Diagnostic ultrasound in veterinary practice: How safe is it?

This paper provides information on the safety of ultrasonic diagnostic procedures as currently used in veterinary practice. The known mechanisms of action are described and selected literature on biological effects of ultrasound is reviewed. Current international consensus is presented on the safety of medical ultrasound with respect to thermal effects. To date, there is no independently verified clinical evidence that the level of exposure delivered to the tissues during scanned grey-scale (‘B-mode’) imaging has any adverse effects. Lung haemorrhage has been observed in animal experiments using diagnostic exposures, but the effects have not been reported in the foetus. Equipment that uses pulsed Doppler transmits higher acoustic outputs in a stationary beam, and can produce temperature increases that may have significant biological consequences. When considering sonographic and pulsed Doppler examinations of the prenatal animal, the safety margins are small and the operator should be aware of the acoustic output of the equipment, the exposure time, and the sensitivity of target tissues.     

Use of clomipramine in the treatment of anxiety-related and obsessive-compulsive disorders in cats

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and tolerance of a treatment protocol for anxiety-related and obsessive-compulsive disorders in cats.
Design A study was undertaken to assess the clinical response in cats diagnosed with anxiety-related or obsessive-compulsive disorders to a treatment regimen that included clomipramine and behaviour modification.
Procedure The study group of 11 cats was acquired through referral. A detailed behavioural and clinical history was obtained. Presenting signs were urine spraying in seven cases, overgrooming in three and excessive vocalisation in one. Clomipramine was administered orally once daily. The mean starting dose was 0.4 mg/kg. If necessary, the dose was adjusted according to the clinical response of each cat. A behaviour modification program was designed and the owner instructed on its implementation. Cats were to continue on medication for at least 1 month after clinical signs disappeared, then medication withdrawal was to be attempted by decreasing the clomipramine dose progressively at weekly intervals while the behaviour modification program continued.
Results In all cases the presenting clinical sign was largely improved or disappeared. One cat was removed from the study by the owner. Four cats became lethargic at higher doses, but this resolved when the clomipramine dose was reduced. The average maintenance dosage was 0.3 mg/kg once daily. Clomipramine withdrawal was attempted in two cases: the behaviour returned in one case and the medication was reinstated at 0.3 mg/kg twice daily.
Conclusion Clomipramine was effective in controlling the signs of anxiety-related and obsessive-compulsive disorders in 10 of 10 assessable cases when used in combination with behaviour modification. Clomipramine was well tolerated.     

Treatment and control by vaccination of erysipelas in farmed emus (Dromaius novo-hollandiae)

Objective To study erysipelas in farmed emus and the treatment and control of the disease by vaccination.
Design A retrospective study of field outbreaks in emus and challenge experiments in mice using field and vaccine strains of the organism.
Procedure Outbreaks of the disease were described. Field strains of the organism were identified and tested by challenge experiments in mice against commercial vaccine strains.
Results Erysipelas was characterised by sudden death in yearling emus. Deaths mainly occurred during the cold wet months. Mortalities of 6 to 10% were seen within the first 7 to 10 days of an outbreak. Clinical signs were uncommon but some birds exhibited lethargy and greenish diarrhoea. Necropsy findings included marked petechial haemorrhages on the serosal surface of the large intestine in particular, pericardial effusion and congestion and mottling of the liver. Treatment consisted of individual or mass medication with procaine penicillin, reduction of stress factors such as overcrowding, and spelling and rotation of paddocks. Isolates from two field outbreaks were identified as strain 21. Complete protection was provided by a commercial strain 2b vaccine against challenge by strain 21 field isolates in mice. Annual vaccination of birds at 4 weeks and again at 8 weeks of age appeared to control further outbreaks on farms where the disease had previously occurred and vaccination appeared to protect for at least 12 months.
Conclusion Treatment of birds with antibiotics may be feasible in the face of an outbreak. However, annual vaccination of birds with an appropriate vaccine is recommended.     

Effects of residues of deltamethrin in cattle faeces on the development and survival of three species of dungbreeding insect

Objective To assess the toxicity to insects of drug residues excreted in cattle faeces following treatment with deltamethrin.
Design Bioassays were performed on one species of dung-breeding fly ( Musca vetustissima ) and two species of dung beetle ( Onthophagus binodis and Euoniticellus fulvus ).
Animals Cattle on properties near Kangaroo Valley, Canberra and Gundagai were treated with pour-on formulations of deltamethrin. Untreated animals acted as controls.
Procedures Faeces from treated and untreated cattle were inoculated with newly emerged fly larvae or fed to adults of two species of dung beetle. Percentage survival and duration of development provided measures of the toxicity of deltamethrin residues in faeces.
Results Residues of deltamethrin were excreted in concentrations sufficient to inhibit survival of larvae of M vetustissima for 1 to 2 weeks after treatment. Peak concentrations of 0.4mg deltamethrin/kg dry weight of faeces occurred 3 days after treatment and were sufficient to kill adult beetles for at least twice this period. With one of two formulations tested, there was evidence of a reduction in dung beetle fecundity and an increase in the duration of juvenile development. A model of the effect of deltamethrin on the breeding success of dung beetles in the field suggests that a single treatment, applied when most of the population is in a non-parous condition, may cause up to 75% reduction in beetle acitivity by the end of the season. Multiple treatments at 10 or 21 day intervals may drive local populations towards extinction.
Conclusion Depending on the time and frequency of treatment, the effect of deltamethrin on insects in cattle faeces may range from negligible to catastrophic.     

Mechanisms underlying Phalaris aquatica "sudden death" syndrome in sheep

Twenty outbreaks of Phalaris aquatica "sudden death" syndrome in sheep were investigated between 1981 and 1991. Four were confirmed and one was suspected, to be a cardiac disorder; 5 were confirmed and 3 were suspected, to be a polioencephalomalacic disorder; the aetiology of the remaining 7 outbreaks could not be determined. Potentially toxic levels of hydrocyanic acid (20 to 36 mg/100 g) were measured in the 3 toxic phalaris pastures tested. The measurement of potentially toxic levels of nitrate nitrogen (2920 micrograms/g) in toxic phalaris pastures by others, was noted. It is suggested that phalaris "sudden death" syndrome could have as many as 4 different underlying mechanisms, and that these might reflect the presence in the plant of a cardio-respiratory toxin, a thiaminase and amine co-substate, cyanogenic compounds, and nitrate compounds.     

Quantification of Sexual Steroid Hormones in Faeces of Iberian Wolf (Canis lupus signatus): A Non‐invasive Sex Typing Method

The determination of gender in wild animals is essential for behavioural and ecological studies, and also for conservation. The objectives of this study were (i) the determination of gender in faecal samples of Iberian wolf based on the differential concentrations of sexual steroid hormones (SSH) and (ii) to analyse the profiles of SSH in males and females (considering the gender determination carried out previously) during the non‐reproductive and reproductive periods. The quantification of androgens (testosterone, T), progestin (progesterone, P) and oestrogen (oestradiol, E) was conducted by means of enzyme immunoassay. The k‐means conglomerate analysis showed that the 59 faecal samples grouped into three different conglomerates, considering SSH levels. Groups 1 and 2 showed higher levels of T than group 3. Therefore, the faecal samples included in groups 1 and 2 (17 samples) corresponded to males and those of group 3 (42 samples) to females. The levels of T + P + E and T/P were higher in the group of males than in the group of females. The results of this study also showed that levels of T in males were higher during the reproductive period than in the non‐reproductive period. However, the concentrations of P and E turned out to be higher during the non‐reproductive season. In females, the levels of the three hormones (T, P and E) were higher during the reproductive period.     

Reproductive performance of Thoroughbred mares in the Waikato region of New Zealand: 2. Multivariable analyses and sources of variation at the mare,stallion and stud farm level

Abstract

AIM: The objective of this study was to utilise multivariable statistical methods appropriate for clustered data to identify mare-related explanatory variables that significantly affected the reproductive performance of Thoroughbred mares in the Waikato region of New Zealand. In addition, we aimed to determine the relative contribution of the mare, stallion and stud farm to reproductive performance.

METHODS: A prospective cohort study was performed involving five stud farms in the Waikato region of New Zealand during three consecutive breeding seasons (2006–2008). A total of 1,482 individual mares contributed 2007 mare years and 3,402 oestrous cycles over the three breeding seasons. Reproductive performance was measured using three parameters; (a) first-cycle pregnancy rate (FCPR), (b) end-of-season pregnancy rate (SPR), and (c) the start-of-mating to conception interval.

RESULTS: When controlled for the effects of serving stallion, stud farm and year of study the only significant mare-related variables included in the final models of FCPR, SPR and conception interval were the age of the mare and her reproductive status (classified as dry or foaling). Advancing mare age significantly reduced reproductive performance regardless of reproductive status and foaling mares had significantly poorer reproductive outcomes compared with dry mares when controlled for age. For each additional increase in year of age, the FCPR was reduced by a factor of 0.94 (95% CI=0.92–0.96) and the SPR was reduced by a factor of 0.91 (95% CI=0.88–0.93). Mares older than 14 years of age took longer to conceive after the start-of-mating compared with younger mares. The daily hazard of conception for mares 14 years and older was 0.64 (95% CI=0.47–0.83) times less than mares younger than 9 years of age. Determining the relative contribution of the mare, stallion and stud farm to the FCPR indicated that 95.9% of the variation was at the mare level, 4.1% was at the stallion level and 0% was at the stud farm level. For the SPR the variance components indicated that 92.5% of the variation was at the mare level, 6.7% was at the stallion level and 0.8% was at the stud farm level.

CONCLUSIONS: The reproductive performance of Thoroughbred mares in the Waikato region of New Zealand is influenced by two main mare-related factors; the age of the mare and her reproductive status (dry or foaling). The majority of variation in reproductive performance was associated with mare-level factors and the contribution of the stallion and stud farm was relatively minor.