Acute intravascular hemolysis in the black rhinoceros: erythrocyte enzymes and metabolic intermediates

Enzymes of aerobic and anaerobic glycolysis, glutathione cycling, and nucleotide metabolism were assayed on erythrocytes from 7 healthy rhinoceroses, 2 rhinoceroses during periods of intravascular hemolysis, and 1 rhinoceros without clinical signs of illness, which was the mother of 3 offspring with intravascular hemolytic syndrome. Measurements also were made of erythrocyte concentrations of glycolytic intermediates, adenine nucleotides, and glutathione. Although comparison of results for healthy and affected rhinoceroses did not identify an enzyme abnormality as a cause for the hemolytic syndrome, the data provided information regarding the metabolic characteristics of erythrocytes from healthy rhinoceroses.     

Systems thinking and practices in the education of agriculturalists

A systems approach has been taken to a review of agricultural education programmes and as the essential theme of resultant curricula at Hawkesbury Agricultural College in Australia. The systems thinking and practices which have guided, and been shaped by, the innovations are outlined, and the rationale and framework of the major programme are described. The subsequent emphasis has been placed on effective learning for agricultural managers and their technologist advisors. It is argued that problem solving and learning are essentially the same psychological processes and that taking a systems approach to investigating problem situations provides a more useful paradigm for learning about agriculture than reductionist, discipline-based approaches. Experiential learning and autonomy in learning are seen as consistent with this and are basic features of the programmes. A conceptual framework for problem solving that incorporates soft and hard systems and scientific reductionist methodologies has been developed. A contingency approach to situation improving is emerging as a less restrictive and more realistic alternative to a normative approach to problem solving.     

Peripheral giant cell granuloma in a cat

A gingival mass excised from a cat was determined to be a peripheral giant cell granuloma. Characteristic histologic features were large numbers of multinucleated giant cells intermixed with mononuclear mesenchymal cells in a loose fibrovascular stroma. The lesion recurred twice, indicating that these non-neoplastic growths may be locally invasive.     

A retrospective study of spinal cord lesions in goats submitted to 3 veterinary diagnostic laboratories

A retrospective study of spinal cord lesions in goats was conducted to identify the range of lesions and diseases recognized and to make recommendations regarding the best tissues to examine and tests to conduct in order to maximize the likelihood of arriving at a definitive etiologic diagnosis in goats with clinical signs referable to the spinal cord. Twenty-seven goats with a spinal cord lesion were identified. The most common lesion recognized, in 13 of 27 goats, was degenerative myelopathy. Eight goats with degenerative myelopathy were diagnosed with copper deficiency. Non-suppurative inflammation due to caprine arthritis encephalitis virus, necrosis due to parasite larvae migration, and neoplasia were each diagnosed 3 times. Based on these findings, it is recommended that, in addition to careful handling and histologic examination of the spinal cord, samples of other tissues, including the brain, liver, and serum, be collected for ancillary testing if warranted.