Subchondral cyst‐like lesions in the talus of four horses

Subchondral cyst‐like lesions (SCLs) of horses have been found in various locations, but SCLs of the talus have been reported rarely. In this report, we describe 4 horses affected with a SCL of the talus. Each SCL was identified using digital radiography, and each horse was treated by intralesional injection of triamcinolone acetonide. Case details, history, findings during clinical and radiographic examination, treatment, and outcome of each horse are discussed.     

A fatal disease outbreak in sheep associated with Salmonella enteritidis ser Havana

A disease outbreak with a mortality rate of 50% in a mob of wether lambs is described. Salmonella enteritidis ser Havana and pathogenic levels of Trichostrongylus sp. were implicated as causal agents.     

The embryo lethality of Escherichia coli isolates and its relationship to various in vitro attributes

Based on the hypothesis that bacteria with minimal embryo lethality might be good candidates for vertical transmission, 103 lactose-positive Escherichia coli isolates were collected from different broiler-related conditions (sources) and analyzed using a variety of in vitro assays: biochemical profiles, sensitivity to antimicrobials, and the presence of plasmids in the 2000- to 16,000-base pair range. The results of these assays were analyzed to determine if they were associated with, or could be used as predictors of, the degree of lethality these isolates produced in 12-day-old embryos. In addition, the in vitro assay results were analyzed to determine if there was any correlation between any particular pair of factors. On the basis of biochemical profiles, the isolates were classified into 17 different groups; however, only a limited number of biochemical reactions separated a majority of the isolates. The isolates varied considerably in the number and size of plasmids they contained and in their sensitivity to the antimicrobials evaluated. The isolates also varied in their ability to kill chicken embryos--killing from 0% to 100% of those inoculated--yet significant differences were detected in lethality based on source and biochemical profile of the isolate. In addition, a predictive model for embryo lethality was constructed and evaluated based on three characteristics of these 103 isolates, namely, their ability to ferment raffinose and sorbose and their sensitivity to gentamicin.     

Quantifying tillage translocation and deposition rates due to moldboard plowing in the Palouse region of the Pacific Northwest, USA

Most of the erosion research in the Palouse region of eastern Washington State, USA has focused on quantifying the rates and patterns of water erosion for purposes of conservation planing. Tillage translocation, however, has largely been overlooked as a significant geomorphic process on Palouse hillslopes. Tillage translocation and tillage deposition together have resulted in severe soil degradation in many steep croplands of the Palouse region. Few controlled experiments have heretofore been conducted to model these important geomorphic processes on Palouse hillslopes. The overarching purpose of this investigation, therefore, was to model tillage translocation and deposition due to moldboard plowing in the Palouse region. Soil movement by moldboard plowing was measured using 480-steel flat washers. Washers were buried in silt loam soils on convex–convex shoulder, linear-convex backslope, and linear-concave footslope landform components, and then displaced from their original burial locations by a moldboard plow pulled by a wheel tractor traveling parallel to the contour at ca. 1.0 m s⁻¹. Displaced washers were located using a metal detector, and the distance and azimuth of the resultant displacement of each washer from its original burial location was measured using compass and tape. Resultant displacement distances were then resolved into their component vectors of displacement parallel and perpendicular to the contour. A linear regression equation was developed expressing mean soil displacement distance as a function of slope gradient. Tillage translocation and deposition were modeled as diffusion-type geomorphic processes, and their rates were described in terms of the diffusion constant (k). A multivariate statistical model was developed expressing mean soil displacement distance as a function of gravimetric moisture content, soil bulk density, slope gradient, and direction of furrow slice displacement. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed a weak correlation between soil displacement and both bulk density and moisture content. Soil displacement was, however, significantly correlated with direction of furrow slice displacement. Tillage translocation rates were expressed in terms of the diffusion constant (k) and ranged from 105 to 113 kg m⁻¹ per tillage operation. Tillage deposition rates ranged from 54 to 148 kg m⁻¹ per tillage operation. With respect to tillage deposition, the diffusion constant calculated from volumetric measurements of tillage deposits equals ca. 150 kg/m. The rates of tillage translocation and deposition are not completely in balance; however, these rates do suggest that soil tillage is a significant geomorphic process on Palouse hillslopes and could account for the some of the variations in soil physical properties and crop yield potential at the hillslope and farm-field scale in the Palouse region.     

Cryopreservation of European Mouflon (Ovis Gmelini Musimon) Semen During the non-Breeding Season is Enhanced by the Use of Trehalose

The influence of trehalose on European mouflon spermatozoa cryopreservation during the non-breeding season was tested. Semen was frozen in two different extenders: (a) recommended Tris-based ram extender (CTR); (b) CTR extender supplemented with trehalose 0.147 mm (TRH). Sperm viability and acrosome integrity were assessed using propidium iodide and fluorescein isothiocynate labelled Pisum Sativum agglutinin. Trehalose significantly enhanced sperm viability after thawing compared with CTR extender (62.7% vs 51.8%; p < 0.05), whereas no differences were observed on acrosome integrity (42.9% vs 42.1%). Trehalose influence was also evidenced in the in vitro fertility test performed with sheep oocytes matured in vitro. Both fertilization rates (60.9% TRH vs 43.6% CTR; p < 0.05) and cleavage rates (58% TRH vs 39.8% CTR; p < 0.001) were higher for trehalose frozen semen compared with control extender frozen semen. A higher percentage of zygotes resulting from fertilization with trehalose cryopreserved semen presented the first cleavage earlier if compared with the group fertilized with control semen (48.7% vs 31.5%, respectively; p < 0.01). This result was confirmed by embryo kinetic development. Fertilization with trehalose cryopreserved semen leaded to an higher percentage of blastocysts (40.2% vs 27.8% CTR; p < 0.05), and enhanced in particular the number of blastocysts that developed on the day 6th of culture (28.6% vs 17% CTR; p < 0.05). Our data demonstrated that, during mouflon non-breeding season, trehalose extender enhances spermatozoa viability and its in vitro fertilizing capacity, allowing the production of an higher number of blastocysts.     

Streamflow and water well responses to earthquakes

Earthquake-induced crustal deformation and ground shaking can alter stream flow and water levels in wells through consolidation of surficial deposits, fracturing of solid rocks, aquifer deformation, and the clearing of fracture-filling material. Although local conditions affect the type and amplitude of response, a compilation of reported observations of hydrological response to earthquakes indicates that the maximum distance to which changes in stream flow and water levels in wells have been reported is related to earthquake magnitude. Detectable streamflow changes occur in areas within tens to hundreds of kilometers of the epicenter, whereas changes in groundwater levels in wells can occur hundreds to thousands of kilometers from earthquake epicenters.     

Restriction endonuclease analysis of Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo isolates from cattle

The genomes of 253 strains of Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo were examined by restriction endonuclease analysis of their DNA. The strains had been isolated from cattle at an abattoir (190), milk of agalactic cows (seven) and from aborted bovine fetuses (56). Two distinct genome types, Hardjoprajitno and Hardjobovis, were detected. The majority (91 per cent) of isolates from abattoir cattle were of the Hardjobovis type while most (76 per cent) of the isolates from clinical/pathological material were similar to Hardjoprajitno.     

COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY OF CRANIOMANDIBULAR OSTEOPATHY IN A DOG

This report describes the use of computed tomography (CT) to evaluate the tympanic bullae and angular processes of the mandible in a West Highland White Terrier with craniomandibular osteopathy. The patient presented initially for swelling of the right forelimb. The report illustrates the use of computed tomography for evaluation of craniomandibular osteopathy, initial presentation with longbone pathology, and remarkable resolution of osseous changes.     

Effect of infectious bursal disease virus vaccines on persistence and pathogenicity of modified live reovirus vaccines in chickens.

Two commercially available live reovirus vaccines, alone or in combination with two infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) vaccines, were evaluated for safety and efficacy in specific-pathogen-free leghorn chicks. Four trials were conducted to evaluate the vaccine combinations. At periodic intervals during the trials, tissues were collected and assayed for residual reovirus and examined for histological changes. Six weeks following reovirus vaccination, all treatment groups were challenged with a virulent field isolate of reovirus and sampled 1 week later for the final time. The two reovirus vaccines were safe and effective if given at 1 week of age, regardless of whether the vaccinates had been exposed to IBDV at 1 day. However, both reovirus vaccines persisted in the tendons of 1-day-old vaccinates. The effects of IBDV vaccines were generally minor and reflected by increases in the number of pre-challenge or post-challenge virus recoveries from some of the treatment groups receiving both type vaccines.