Examination of the thoracic cavity and lung lobectomy by means of thoracoscopy in dogs.

The feasibility of thoracoscopy for viewing the chest cavity and performing pulmonary lobectomy was assessed in 8 mongrel dogs. Previously, selective intubation had been performed in another group of dogs (n = 8) in order to monitor respiratory physiology and assess its safety. Each hemithorax was intubated using a double-barrelled endotracheal tube with one barrel placed in the left main bronchus and the other in the bifurcation of the trachea. The thoracoscope was introduced through a cannula inserted through a 2-cm incision at the ventral third of the left 5th intercostal space. The cranial, dorsal, and caudal surfaces of the pleura, lobes of the left lung, and the mediastinum were examined. A 2nd cannula was located in the dorsal 3rd of the 5th intercostal space with a prior incision and used for the introduction of forceps to separate the viscera. To biopsy, a 3rd cannula was inserted at the dorsal third of the 8th intercostal space with a prior incision, through which a 12-mm diameter stapler was introduced. Should a lobectomy be necessary, a 4th cannula is located in the middle third of the 4th intercostal space. Excision of the left caudal pulmonary lobe was performed through the incision made for the 12-mm diameter cannula (8th intercostal space); a twisting movement facilitated removal. Thoracoscopy is a procedure that can be used in dogs and is particularly suitable for examination, collection of biopsy specimens, and even lung lobectomies.     

A comparison of the adrenal cortical response to ACTH stimulation in Angora and non-Angora goats

The adrenal cortex is believed to be implicated in the high incidence of abortion in the Angora goat. Stimulation testing with adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) was used to assess the adrenal cortical function in 5 Angora does from herds with a history of abortion and 5 non-Angora does. An acute test involving a single intramuscular (i.m.) injection of 0.25 mg of synthetic ACTH was given during anoestrus, at mid-oestrus, on day 90 and on day 120 of gestation. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein at 30 min intervals for 1 h before and 5 h after injection. Cortisol concentrations rose within 30 min and returned to baseline values within 3.5 h. Cortisol production was lower (p<0.01) in the pregnant state compared to the non-pregnant state in both groups. Production of cortisol was consistently lower (p<0.05) in the Angora does compared to the non-Angora does during anoestrus and pregnancy and marginally so at mid-oestrus. A chronic stimulation test involving once daily injections of 0.5 mg of a depot form of ACTH i.m. for 7 days commencing on day 90 of pregnancy was also conducted. Cortisol concentrations rose to reach a peak on the third day of treatment in both groups. The values then declined in the Angora does despite continued ACTH treatment, while those for the non-Angora does exhibited a second peak. During and following this treatment, two non-Angora does delivered live kids (day 95, day 120). Out of 7 Angora pregnancies, one Angora doe aborted two dead fetuses at day 116. No significant difference in the cortisol response in the acute test was detected between the animals that aborted and their respective cohorts, but the two non-Angora does that aborted had significantly lower cortisol concentrations during depot ACTH administration. Progesterone and oestradiol levels did not differ between Angora and non-Angora animals during pregnancy or on the test days. The results suggest that the steroidogenic response of the adrenal cortex to ACTH stimulation is significantly less in Angora does with a history of abortion than it is in non-Angora does and support the view that the Angora goat would make a more limited adrenal cortical response to a stressful occurrence during pregnancy.     

Detection of challenge virus in fetal tissues by nested PCR as a test of the potency of a porcine parvovirus vaccine

To estimate the potency of a porcine parvovirus (PPV) vaccine, three vaccinated and three non-vaccinated pregnant gilts were infected with PPV and the distribution of the virus was studied in the tissues of their 51 fetuses. Virus detection was attempted using haemagglutination (HA) and immunofluorescence (IF) assays, as well as by standard (single) and nested polymerase chain reactions (PCR). None of the detection methods yielded positive results when used to test for the presence of virus in suspensions of organs from the fetuses from the vaccinated gilts. However, the virus was detected in the fetuses from non-vaccinated gilts as follows: HA was positive in 14 cases out of 23 (60.8%), IF in 16/23 (69.5%), standard PCR in 12/20 (60%), and the nested PCR in 19/23 (82.6%). Although the correlation among the results of various methods of virus detection was rather close (r<0.83), the sensitivity of the nested PCR was the highest, both when testing dilutions of PPV and when analysing the fetal organs. The nested PCR therefore provides a reliable approach for studies of virus distribution in fetal organs, with special reference to potency tests on vaccines.     

Alveolar osteitis (dry socket) in a dog: a case report

Following extraction of a maxillary left first molar tooth in an eight year-old retriever, the dog re-presented five days later because of oral pain, which did not respond to analgesic therapy. The extraction site contained a foul-smelling fluid, but did not contain a clot or granulation tissue. Alveolar osteitis (dry socket) was diagnosed. The alveolus was curetted and flushed, and the dog was given cefalexine and prednisolone. The alveolus was filling with healthy granulation tissue one week later and the dog was no longer in pain.     

The fatty acid profile of subcutaneous fat and blood plasma in pruritic dogs and dogs without skin problems.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in subcutaneous fat and the relative amounts of PUFAs in plasma in two groups of dogs. Group 1 included dogs with a good skin and coat condition. Group 2 was comprised of dogs with pruritus and compatible clinical signs of atopy. The fatty acid composition of the total lipid fraction was analyzed by gas chromatography. In subcutaneous fat, the concentration of adrenic acid (22:4n-6) was lower in the group of pruritic dogs compared to dogs with healthy skin. The amount of dihomogammalinolenic acid (20:3n-6; DGLA) in plasma lipids from pruritic dogs was higher than in dogs without skin problems.     

Purification and characterization of a protease from Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotype 1, an antigen common to all the serotypes.

A high molecular-mass proteolytic enzyme of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotype 1, was purified from culture supernatants (CSN) by using DEAE-cellulose and sepharose-4B-gelatin chromatography. In 10% SDS-polyacrylamide gels copolymerized with porcine gelatin, the protease showed a single band of activity of > 200 kDa. However, minor molecular-mass proteolytic bands were observed when the protease was electrophoresed in the presence of either 5% beta-mercaptoethanol, 50 mM dithiothreitol, or 0.25 M urea. Furthermore, when the > 200-kDa purified protein was passed through a sucrose gradient, several bands with proteolytic activity were found: 62, 90, 190, and 540 kDa. The proteolytic activity was increased in the presence of calcium or zinc and was not affected after being heated at 90 degrees C for 5 min. Proteolytic activities were also observed in CSN from all A. pleuropneumoniae serotypes and biotypes. The purified protease hydrolyzed porcine IgA and IgG in vitro. In addition, by immunoblot the protease was recognized by serum of naturally infected pigs with serotypes 1 and 5, and by serum of pigs experimentally infected with serotypes 1, 2, 8, or 9. Serum of a pig vaccinated with CSN of a serotype 3 strain also recognized the protease, but not sera of pigs vaccinated with a bacterin (serotype 1). Proteins from CSN of all the serotypes, which were precipitated with 70% (NH4)2SO4, were recognized by a polyclonal antibody raised against the purified protease. Taken together these results indicate that an antigenic protease is produced in vivo by all the serotypes of A. pleuropneumoniae. The results indicate that proteases could have a role in the disease and in the immune response of pigs infected with A. pleuropneumoniae.     

Obstacles to migration constrain nest distribution of Atlantic salmon

Abstract – Programmes of habitat restoration usually assume that the targeted populations will readily colonise the newly provided habitat. However, this assumption may not always hold, and the success of restoration may be impaired if the individuals are driven to aggregate in areas of the habitat already available instead of spreading to new ones. We investigated how weirs situated along a river could drive Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) to aggregate their redds and tested whether aggregation intensified at low fish density. For this, we applied spatial point pattern analysis to a data set consisting on the distribution of salmon redds in a small river over 15 years (1992–2006). Within the habitat suitable for spawning, redds were significantly aggregated, especially in the first 15 morphodynamic units below weirs. Our results suggest that the constraint imposed by obstacles on redd distribution should be considered when conducting habitat restoration.     

Valerenic acid derivatives and valepotriates among individuals, varieties and species of Valeriana.

To investigate the variations of active compounds between species, varieties and individuals of Valeriana cultivated under the same environmental condition, the contents of valerenic acid derivatives and valepotriates in rhizomes and roots of different plant material were analysed by a HPLC method. Different species or varieties of Valeriana yielded 11.65-0.15 mg/g of valerenic acid derivatives, and 1.81-0.03 mg/g of valepotriates. The variation between individuals of one commercial cultivar of V. officinalis ranged from 12.34 to 3.01 mg/g of valerenic acid derivatives, and 3.67-0.92 mg/g of valepotriates. Individuals from self-pollinated mother plants, normal or regenerated, showed a similar variation. The variation of micropropagated plants was much less than the seed propagated plants. The ratio of mean values between valerenic acid derivatives and valepotriates was similar in all groups (3 < ratio < 8) except one group of micropropagated plants (ratio > 20).