Organic and mechanical properties of Cervidae antlers: a review

There is a resurgence of interest in the study of deer antlers. Recent research advocates their potential for use in bone xenografts. Using this working hypothesis, we can formulate many questions: do antlers really present unique or interesting mechanical properties, and if so, which factors affect these properties? Many other issues, including tissue compatibility, could be discussed; however, this article will focus on the biomechanical features of antlers. This paper reviews some answers found within current published material, and could help determine the optimal selection of some antlers for further experimental studies and clinical trials. Some general elements like anatomy and histology of deer antlers are briefly summarised. This paper will attempt to define the fundamental differences between skeletal bone and antler bone in terms of their organic and mechanical properties. We will then compare the previously published data, which details the mechanical properties of antlers from different species of Cervidae, by reviewing several aspects such as: sex; geographical situation; morphology; hydration state; and mineral composition. Some findings emerge: mechanical properties do not vary with gender or latitude, and the most important determining factor appears to be the species, alongside morphology and use of antlers. The state of hydration and mineral composition also has an influence on the mechanical properties of Cervidae antlers.     

Determination of biogenic amines in aerobically stored beef using high-performance thin-layer chromatography densitometry

The aim of this study was to develop a high-performance thin-layer chromatography densitometry method to simultaneously evaluate levels of different biogenic amines (BAs) in beef stored aerobically at 4°C. Steaks from M. longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscles were overwrapped with polyvinyl chloride film and stored for 0, 4, 7, and 10 days. For this purpose, the solvent system and pH for the derivatization of BAs with dansyl chloride were optimized. Moreover, this method was also validated for linearity, limits of detection and quantification, precision, and recovery. As found using this method in beef samples, spermine content decreased significantly after 7 days of storage, and tyramine and cadaverine were not detected until day 10.     

Comparison of renal biopsy techniques in dogs

To evaluate adequacy of biopsy specimens obtained and safety to the patient, the standard keyhole biopsy technique (using digital immobilization of the right kidney and placement of the biopsy needle up to the capsule before obtaining a tissue sample) was compared with 9 technical modifications. Adequacy was judged by the number of intact glomeruli observed in the specimen. Detection of transected blood vessels and renal pelvis was presumed to have predictive value for postbiopsy complications of hemorrhage and hydronephrosis. Needle biopsy specimens were also obtained from left and right kidneys by use of laparoscopic visualization and were compared with those obtained by use of the standard keyhole technique. Although the standard keyhole technique yielded the highest percentage of adequate biopsy specimens, there was no statistical difference between specimens obtained by this technique and those obtained by the modified technique or by laparoscope-guided biopsy. Also, significant difference in percentage of biopsy specimens with renal pelvis was not found between specimens obtained by the standard and modified techniques. For each technique, the biopsy core length was measured and the mean value was calculated. In this study, core length did not correlate with adequacy of the biopsy specimen.     

Epidural analgesia with 0.75% bupivacaine for laparotomy in goats

Epidural nerve block with 0.75% bupivacaine (1 ml/4 kg of body weight) was performed in 17 goats tranquilized by IM administration of acetylpromazine (0.07 mg/kg). For comparison, epidural nerve block with 2% lidocaine containing 1:100,000 epinephrine (1 ml/5 kg) was performed in 7 goats. Transient signs of CNS stimulation were observed during injection of bupivacaine in 5 goats and of lidocaine in 2 goats. Analgesia of the flank was inadequate for laparotomy in 4 goats given bupivacaine (including 1 goat given a two-thirds dose) and in 2 goats given lidocaine. Analgesia for these goats was provided by local infiltration of the operative site with lidocaine. With bupivacaine, the onset of analgesia was up to 40 minutes, and the duration of analgesia was several hours; most goats were unable to stand for at least 11 hours. In comparison, epidural nerve block with lidocaine had a more rapid onset and much shorter duration. For both anesthetic drugs, despite adequate analgesia for laparotomy, response to manipulation of abdominal viscera was observed in 12 goats. Arterial blood pressure and blood gas tensions were measured in 8 goats given bupivacaine; 3 goats had mean arterial blood pressure less than 70 mm of Hg. Seven goats had normal PaCO2 but 2 goats had low PaO2; 1 goat sedated with xylazine had increased PaCO2 and hypoxemia.     

Suspected fusariomycotoxicosis in sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis): clinical and pathological findings

In 1985 and 1986, large-scale natural die-offs of sandhill cranes in Texas were attributed to fusariomycotoxicosis. These birds demonstrated a progressive loss of motor control to the neck, wings, and legs. Based on necropsy and/or histopathology of 31 cranes, the most common lesions involved skeletal muscle and included hemorrhages, granulomatous myositis, thrombosis, and vascular degeneration. Serum chemistry results revealed that levels of creatinine kinase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase were above published normals. However, only alanine aminotransferase was higher in clinically affected cranes than in normal cranes collected from the same area.     

Thoracic neoplasia in equids: 35 cases (1967-1987)

Thirty-two horses and 3 ponies had neoplasia involving the thoracic cavity. Lymphosarcoma of the thorax was found in 19 (54.2%) of the equids. The other 16 equids had metastatic adenocarcinoma (7 horses; 20%), metastatic squamous cell carcinoma (5 equids; 14.3%), metastatic hemangiosarcoma (3 equids; 8.6%) or undifferentiated sarcoma (1 horse; 2.9%). Thoracic neoplasia was diagnosed before death in 15 equids (42.9%).     

The effectiveness of the new morantel sustained-release trilaminate bolus against gastrointestinal nematode infections in cattle in their first grazing period

The efficacy of a recently developed Morantel-Sustained-Release-Trilaminate-Bolus (Paratect Flex Bolus [PFB]-Pfizer Inc.) against gastrointestinal nematode infections in cattle was assessed by monitoring faecal egg counts (EpG), herbage larval counts, serum pepsinogen levels and liveweight gains in first season calves. In two field trials (1987 and 1988), a PFB-Bolus was administered to two different groups of animals (1987: 15 calves; 1988:13 calves) at turnout (29 May 1987; 26 May 1988), control groups were included. In 1988, 13 calves received for comparison an Oxfendazole-Release-Bolus (Systamex Intervall Bolus [OXF]-Coopers Inc.). All groups were grazed on adjacent but separately fenced pastures throughout the season, until housing (27 October 1987; 15 October 1988). When compared with controls, the PFB-groups showed significantly lower EpG values and consequently, lower herbage larval counts throughout the season in both trials. From day 30 after turnout, the PFB-group had significantly lower serum pepsinogen levels, which reflects the low degree of abomasal damage in these animals. When compared to controls, the PFB-treated animals showed significantly higher weight performances. The mean weight-gain benefit of PFB-treated animals was +12.5 kg (p less than 0.05) and +21.1 kg (p less than 0.005) in 1987 and 1988, resp. No difference occurred between PFB-treated and OXF-treated calves, the latter outperformed the control animals by +21.6 kg (p less than 0.005).     

Phospholipid content of subcellular structures in skeletal muscles after halothane loading in Landrace swine in relation to mating variants and genotype

Membraneous phospholipids of subcellular structures were determined from the musculature of German Landrace pigs of the GDR, following exposure to halothane. Mating variants A (H+ male X H+ female), B (H+ male X H- female), and C (H- male X H+ female) were used for positive responders (MHS), while variants B, C, and D (H- male X H- female) were used for negative responders (MHN). Four phospholipid fractions were recorded from the muscle samples for mitochondria and microsomes (according to SR section). Differences between the MHS and MHN groups for the above fractions and without consideration of mating variants and genotype were not observed, although unambiguous responses were exhibited by all animals, either positive or negative to halothan. Significant differences with regard to the above phospholipid fractions were recordable only for variant A (MHS group) as compared to D (MHN), in other words, for the homozygous genotypes, once the above results had been rearranged within MHS and MHN along with different mating variants and genotypes. However, no unambiguous results were obtainable for the heterozygous genotypes of mating variants B and C. Possible underlying reasons are discussed in some detail. The results obtained from mating variants A and D are likely to confirm earlier findings and seem to suggest that the sarcoplasmic reticulum is the primary site of origin of susceptibility to halothane or malignant hyperthermia.