Evaluation of ionized and total serum magnesium concentrations in hyperthyroid cats

Hyperthyroidism can increase the renal excretion of magnesium and thus cause hypomagnesemia in various species. Anaerobically collected blood samples from 15 hyperthyroid and 40 normal, healthy cats were analyzed with an ion-selective electrode analyzer and a serum biochemical analyzer. There was no significant difference in ionized or total serum magnesium concentration between the 2 groups, but there was a significant difference (P = 0.004) in the ratio of ionized to total serum magnesium concentrations between the healthy cats and the hyperthyroid cats with thyroxine (T4) concentrations at or above the median. There was a significant correlation (r = 0.894, P = 0.000) between the ionized and total magnesium concentrations in the hyperthyroid cats. The hyperthyroid cats had a significantly lower (P = 0.003) total serum protein concentration than the healthy cats. A significant negative correlation (r = -0.670, P = 0.006) was detected between the ionized magnesium and logarithmically transformed total T4 concentrations in the hyperthyroid cats, which suggests that the severity of hyperthyroidism may contribute to a decrease in the ionized magnesium concentration.     

Characterisation of Pseudomonas syringae Strains Associated with a Leaf Disease of Leek in Australia

A necrotic leaf disease of leek (Allium ampeloprasum Porrum Group) is reported in Australia for the first time. The fluorescent pseudomonad consistently associated with diseased tissue was identified as Pseudomonas syringae by LOPAT tests (+,−,−,−,+), carbon utilisation, bean and lemon inoculations and fatty acid methyl ester analysis. It was confirmed as P. syringae pv. porri by pathogenicity to leeks, bulb onions, spring onions, shallots and garlic, and by genetic analysis using 16S rDNA PCR, REP, ERIC and BOX PCR, and IS50 PCR. Comparison with reference strains of pv. porri from other countries showed similarity to known strains of pv. porri. The Australian leek strains were generally uniform in their biochemical reactions although three strains tested varied in their pathogenicity to other Allium spp. and varied from published data. All Australian strains shared the same genetic profile with strains from New Zealand, France and California. However, Japanese strains from leek and onion were distinct from the Australian strains and those from New Zealand, France and California. Data strongly support the hypothesis that the pathogen is seed-borne.     

Treatment of malignant lymphoma in an African lion (Panthera leo).

A 14 yr-old male, vasectomized African lion (Panthera leo) exhibited mild weight loss despite adequate appetite. Splenomegaly was diagnosed on physical examination. On the basis of hematology and clinical pathology, malignant lymphoma with chronic lymphocytic leukemia was diagnosed. Abdominal exploratory surgery and splenectomy were performed. Histologic examination and immunohistochemistry confirmed a small cell peripheral T-cell lymphoma. Initial treatments consisted of doxorubicin and prednisone, with later addition of lomustine. The lion remained in clinical remission at 2 mo, 6 mo, and 12 mo postchemotherapy physical examinations. The lion survived 504 days from initial diagnosis. At necropsy, the only lesions consistent with lymphoma were localized epitheliotrophic infiltrates of small neoplastic T lymphocytes within the nasopharyngeal epithelium and the underlying submucosa observed on microscopic examination.     

Cancer immunotherapy for the veterinary patient.

The ability of the immune system to protect against tumor development and to attack malignant cells once they arise has been recognized for more than 50 years. Since this time, our understanding of the complex relation between the immune system and the development of cancer has increased dramatically, largely because of improvements in the tools used to study tumor immunology at the molecular level. These advances are leading to the development of increasingly sophisticated and effective immunotherapeutics for human and veterinary oncology patients; indeed, some forms of immunotherapy already have a place alongside more conventional treatment modalities, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.     

Milk composition,fatty acids profile and fat globule size of bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus,Montagu 1821) milk at early lactation

Veterinary Research Communications - Research data on milk composition in cetaceans are scattered and fragmentary. This paper analyses the gross and mineral composition, the fatty acids profile and...     

Postattenuation neurologic signs after surgical attenuation of congenital portosystemic shunts in dogs: A review

The development of postattenuation neurologic signs (PANS) is a poorly understood and potentially devastating complication after surgical attenuation of congenital portosystemic shunts in dogs. Postattenuation neurologic signs include seizures but also more subtle neurologic signs such as depression, behavioral changes, tremors, and twitching. They most commonly occur within 7 days postoperatively and are typically unrelated to hyperammonemia, hypoglycemia, or electrolyte disturbances. This narrative review summarizes the findings of 50 publications from 1988-2020 that report occurrence of PANS. While most published reports included only dogs affected by postattenuation seizures (PAS), others included dogs with any form of PANS. Overall, PANS (including PAS) affected 1.6%-27.3% of dogs, whereas incidence of PAS ranged from 0%-18.2%. The etiology of PANS remains unknown; however, several theories have been proposed. Risk factors include preoperative hepatic encephalopathy, increasing age, and possibly certain breeds and extrahepatic shunt morphology. There is increasing evidence that prophylactic antiepileptic drugs do not prevent PANS. Treatment is centered around controlling neurologic signs with antiepileptic drugs and providing supportive intensive care. The 30-day survival rate in studies that included a minimum of four dogs affected by PANS was 0%-100% (median, 50.0%) and 0%-75.0% (median, 37.5%) for those with PAS. Mortality associated with PANS was typically related to occurrence of generalized seizure activity. Prognostic factors positively associated with short-term survival included having a history of preoperative seizures and development of focal seizures only. If affected dogs survived to discharge, survival for several years was possible, and the majority of neurologic signs manifested as part of the phenomenon of PANS appeared to resolve.     

Respiratory potential in sapwood of old versus young ponderosa pine trees in the Pacific Northwest

Our primary objective was to present and test a new technique for in vitro estimation of respiration of cores taken from old trees to determine respiratory trends in sapwood. Our secondary objective was to quantify effects of tree age and stem position on respiratory potential (rate of CO2 production of woody tissue under standardized laboratory conditions). We extracted cores from one to four vertical positions in boles of +200-, +50- and +15-year-old Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex Laws. trees. Cores were divided into five segments corresponding to radial depths of inner bark; outer, middle and inner sapwood; and heartwood. Data suggested that core segment CO2 production was an indicator of its respiratory activity, and that potential artifacts caused by wounding and extraction were minimal. On a dry mass basis, respiratory potential of inner bark was 3-15 times greater than that of sapwood at all heights for all ages (P < 0.0001). Within sapwood at all heights and in all ages of trees, outer sapwood had a 30-60% higher respiratory potential than middle or inner sapwood (P < 0.005). Heartwood had only 2-10% of the respiratory potential of outer sapwood. For all ages of trees, sapwood rings produced in the same calendar year released over 50% more CO2 at treetops than at bases (P < 0.0001). When scaled to the whole-tree level on a sapwood volume basis, sapwood of younger trees had higher respiratory potential than sapwood of older trees. In contrast, the trend was reversed when using the outer-bark surface area of stems as a basis for comparing respiratory potential. The differences observed in respiratory potential calculated on a core dry mass, sapwood volume, or outer-bark surface area basis clearly demonstrate that the resulting trends within and among trees are determined by the way in which the data are expressed. Although these data are based on core segments rather than in vivo measurements, we conclude that the relative differences are probably valid even if the absolute differences are not.     

森林认证能否促进社区林业的发展

20世纪90年代初,由一些国家的企业、环境与社会方面的非政府组织和致力于提高森林经营水平与木材供应渠道透明度的人士,共同发起了森林认证行动,鼓励人们以购买通过森林认证的木材产品,也就是购买贴有认证标签、证明其产品是来自经营良好森林的木材的实际行动,来保护人类赖以生存的森林,该行动得到广泛的支持。人们已达成森林认证可促进森林的可持续经营和保证产品的市场准入的共识。 目前,森林认证,尤其是森林管理委员会(FSC)体系内的森林认证,正在全球兴起,至今已有46个国家的2368.9万hm~2森林进行了森林认证。 森林认证在我国刚刚起步,了解者甚少。随着我国加入WTO的临近,为了将我国的木材产品立足于国际市场,为了我国森林的可持续发展,森林认证工作应尽快在我国开展。可喜的是,今年已由非政府组织、木材生产企业、科研单位、政府部门、森林经营单位等成立了森林认证工作组;国家林业局已专门设立了抓森林认证工作的相应机构;中国林科院科信所也承担了森林认证的科研项目。森林认证工作在中国正式启动。 森林认证与社区林业密切相关。在森林认证的原则和标准中,在参与性上,与社区林业强调当地群众参与森林管理的主导思想一致。在原则和标准中强调了明确林地的所有权和使用权;强调了尊重包括当地社区在