Intra-specific variation of wheat grain quality in response to elevated [CO2] at two sowing times under rain-fed and irrigation treatments

In order to investigate the intra-specific variation of wheat grain quality response to elevated atmospheric CO₂ concentration (e[CO₂]), eight wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)cultivars were grown at two CO₂ concentrations ([CO₂]) (current atmospheric, 389 CO₂ μmol mol⁻¹vs. e[CO₂], FACE (Free-Air CO₂ Enrichment), 550  ±  10% CO₂ μmol mol⁻¹), at two water levels (rain-fed vs. irrigated) and at two times of sowing (TOS₁, vs. TOS₂). The TOS treatment was mainly imposed to understand whether e[CO₂] could modify the effects of timing of higher grain filling temperatures on grain quality. When plants were grown at TOS₁, TKW (thousand kernel weight), grain test weight, hardness index, P, Ca, Na and phytate were not significantly changed under e[CO₂]. On the other hand, e[CO₂] increased TKW (16%), hardness index (9%), kernel diameter (6%), test weight (2%) but decreased grain protein (10%) and grain phytate (11%) at TOS₂. In regard to grain Zn, Mn and Cu concentrations and some flour rheological properties, cultivar specific responses to e[CO₂] were observed at both sowing times. Observed genetic variability in response to e[CO₂] in terms of grain minerals and flour rheological properties could be easily incorporated into future wheat breeding programs to enable adaptation to climate change.     

SCINTIGRAPHIC EVALUATION OF SOLID-PHASE GASTRIC EMPTYING IN THE DOG

A technique for scintigraphically quantitating solid-phase gastric emptying in the dog was developed in a Beagle model. The test meal was determined to empty in a linear fashion, indicating a solid-phase label. The evaluation was performed on a group of dogs presented for gastrointestinal signs that were judged to have normal liquid barium sulfate fluoroscopic and radiographic studies. The results of this study indicate that this technique is valuable for identifying those patients with surgically correctable pyloric obstruction that exhibit normal gastric emptying of liquid barium.     

MYELOGRAPHY IN THE CAT

Metrizamide myelographic examinations were performed on five normal cats using sequential cisternal and lumbar injections at weekly intervals to determine the dose of contrast medium required, adverse effects, and quality of the myelographic study. The normal myelographic appearance in the cat is described. All spinal cords were examined histopathologically after the termination of the study, and variable mild lesions were found. Doses of 0.2 ml/kg, 0.35 ml/kg, and 0.4 ml/kg metrizantide, respectively, for lumbar, thoracolumbar, and complete spinal studies are recommended when performing lumbar injection. Recommended doses using cisternal injection for cervical, cervicothoracic, and complete spinal studies are 0.2, 0.45, and 0.5 ml/kg, respectively. Subjectively, lumbar injection produced higher-quality thoracolumbar myelograms and cisternal injection produced higher-quality cervical studies. Clinical complications during the study included one seizure following cisternal myelography and mild neurologic deficits in all cats, which resolved within 36–48 hours.     

MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING OF THE NORMAL FELINE BRAIN

The Purpose of this study was to produce an atlas of magnetic resonance images (MRI) of the feline brain and associated structures. The head of nine clinically normal cats was imaged in 2 or 3 anatomic planes and 3 sets of technical parameters resulting in T1, T2, and proton-weighted density images. Images were compared with anatomic texts, with preserved and sectioned feline cadaver heads, with preserved and sectioned feline brains, and with intact, sectioned, and disarticulated feline skulls for aid in identification of structures. Anatomic and neuroanatomic structures are identified on selected images in different planes as reference for MR morphology of the normal feline brain and related structures.     

Esophagitis Due to Pythium insidiosum Infection in Two Dogs

Chronic esophagitis due to Pythium insidiosum infection caused weight loss, dysphagia, and hypersalivation in 2 dogs from rural Tennessee. Although dog 1 presented for evaluation in December 1984 and dog 2 in October 1992, infection likely occurred during the previous summer by drinking fresh pond water containing zoospores. Hematologic testing revealed eosinophilia and hypergammaglobulinemia in one dog. An etiologic diagnosis was not made until postmortem evaluation when hyphae within necrotic and granulomatous cellular infiltrates in the esophageal wall were identified as P insidiosum by immunoperoxidase staining. Failure to culture the organism from the esophageal wall in dog 2 was attributed to refrigeration of the tissues, since refrigeration decreases the survivability of P insidiosum. J Vet Intern Med 1996;10:139–742. Copyright © 1996 by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine .     

Leucoencephalomalacia and Cerebral White Matter Vacuolar Degeneration in Two Related Labrador Retriever Puppies

Two Labrador Retriever dogs from a common dam had similar neurological deficits consisting of cortical blindness, dullness, and loss of previously learned habits. Both were examined at 5 months of age, and histopathological examination revealed leucoencephalomalacia and vacuolar degeneration of the cerebral white matter. Histopathologic findings in these 2 dogs differed from those reported previously in Labrador Retrievers with spongy degeneration of central nervous system white matter. A nonlittermate full sibling to 1 of these dogs was examined at 1.5 years of age for similar clinical signs that did not progress for the next 25 months.     

Effects of experimentally induced respiratory disease on the pharmacokinetics and tissue residues of tulathromycin in meat goats

Tulathromycin is a macrolide antibiotic commonly used for the treatment of respiratory disease in food animal species including goats. Recent research in pigs has suggested that the presence of disease could alter the pharmacokinetics of tulathromycin in animals with respiratory disease. The objectives of this study were (a) compare the plasma pharmacokinetics of tulathromycin in healthy goats as well as goats with an induced respiratory disease; and (b) to compare the tissue residue concentrations of tulathromycin marker in both groups. For this trial, disease was induced with Pasteurella multocida. Following disease induction, tulathromycin was administered. Samples of plasma were collected at various time points up to 312 hr posttreatment, when study animals were euthanized and tissue samples were collected. For PK parameters in plasma, V_z (control: 28.7 ± 11.9 ml/kg; experimental: 57.8 ± 26.6 ml/kg) was significantly higher (p = 0.0454) in the experimental group than the control group, and nonsignificant differences were noted in other parameters. Among time points significantly lower plasma concentrations were noted in the experimental group at 168 hr (p = 0.023), 216 hr (p = 0.036), 264 hr (p = 0.0017), 288 hr (p = 0.0433), and 312 hr (p = 0.0486). None of the goats had tissue residues above the US bovine limit of 5 µg/g at the end of the study. No differences were observed between muscle, liver, or fat concentrations. A significantly lower concentration (p = 0.0095) was noted in the kidneys of experimental goats when compared to the control group. These results suggest that the effect of respiratory disease on the pharmacokinetics and tissue residues appear minimal after experimental P. multocida infection, however as evidenced by the disparity in C_max, significant differences in plasma concentrations at terminal time points, as well as the differences in kidney concentrations, there is the potential for alterations in diseased versus clinical animals.     

IMAGING DIAGNOSIS—VERTEBRAL POLYOSTOTIC LYMPHOMA IN A GERIATRIC DOG

A 9‐year‐old spayed female Scottish terrier presented with an 8‐day history of progressive paraparesis. Neurological examination suggested a painful T3‐L3 myelopathy. Multifocal uniform contrast‐enhancing masses involving the vertebral bodies, pedicles, laminae, and spinous processes of two vertebrae and compressing the spinal cord were present on MRI. Fluoroscopic‐guided fine needle aspiration of one of the vertebral lesions revealed a predominantly lymphoblastic population of cells compatible with a diagnosis of lymphoma. To the authors’ knowledge, this represents the first published case of canine lymphoma with vertebral involvement, characterized with MRI.