Influence of Training on the Biokinematics in Trotting Andalusian Horses

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of a 10-month training programme on the linear, temporal and angular characteristics of the fore and hind limbs at the trot in the Andalusian horse, using standard computer-aided videography. Sixteen male Andalusian horses were observed before and after training. Six strides were randomly selected for analysis in each horse and linear, temporal and angular parameters were calculated for fore and hind limbs. The training programme used here produced significant changes in kinematic parameters, such as shortening of stride length, and increase in swing duration and a decrease in hind limb stance percentage. No significant differences were recorded in the angular values for the forelimb joints. In trained horses, the more proximal joints of the hind limb, especially the hip and stifle, had a greater flexion while the fetlock showed a smaller extension angle. At the beginning of the swing phase, hip and stifle joints presented angles that were significantly more flexed. When the hind limbs came into contact with the ground, all the joints presented greater flexion after training.     

Potential diagnostic test for experimental and natural ovine Taenia hydatigena cysticercosis

An ion-exchange chromatographic fraction of Taenia hydatigena metacestode was evaluated for use in the immunodiagnosis of ovine cysticercosis. Analysis of the fraction by sodium dodecyl sulphate--polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed the presence of a 68 KDa protein. Antibodies against the isolated protein were detected in 7 out of 10 experimentally infected lambs. The diagnostic potential of the 68 KDa protein was further confirmed by testing sera from naturally infected post-mortem positive (PM+) and from apparently healthy groups of animals. Eighty % and 8% of animals were found positive by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the groups of PM+ and apparently non-infected lambs, respectively.     

Ultrastructural features of myenteric ganglia of adult Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus)

The ultrastructural features of the ganglia of the myenteric plexus exhibit changes according to the animal species. These myenteric ganglia in the duodenum of adult rats of the Wistar strain were characterized ultrastructurally in this work. Those ganglia were depicted as compact structures, composed of neurones and glial cells, forming a dense neuropil surrounded by a continuous basal lamina and collagen fibrils. Glial cell bodies were smaller and apparently more frequent than neuronal cell bodies, being morphologically distinguished by nuclear features. In the neuronal extensions granular and agranular synaptic vesicles of different sizes predominate, in addition to mitochondria and myelinized profiles. Gliofilaments were not observed on the glial extensions of the rats.     

Contrast radiographic findings in canine bacterial discospondylitis: a multicenter, retrospective study of 27 cases

A multicenter, retrospective study was undertaken to evaluate contrast radiographic findings in canine bacterial discospondylitis. Records and myelograms or epidurograms of 27 patients were obtained from five colleges of veterinary medicine. Fifteen cases (56%) were evaluated as having some degree of spinal cord compression. The majority (73.3%) of the cases had only soft tissue as the compressive mass. The median compression for all cases was 5% of the vertebral canal. No difference was noted for compression based on anatomical site (i.e., cervical versus thoracolumbar versus lumbosacral). No significant correlation between degree of lesion compression and clinical outcome was noted, but there was a trend toward increased mortality with greater compression. There was no correlation between the ambulatory status and the ultimate outcome. Three of the 15 (20%) cases showed vertebral subluxation. Results of this study indicate that static spinal cord compression is not a significant component of the neurological dysfunction associated with bacterial discospondylitis. Identification of vertebral subluxation in some patients may indicate a dynamic lesion that should be evaluated with stress radiography.     

Nitric oxide generation in a rat model of acute portal hypertension

OBJECTIVE: To document blood nitric oxide concentrations in the portal vein and systemic circulation in a rat model of acute portal hypertension and compare values with a control group and a sham surgical group. ANIMALS: 30 rats; 10 controls (group 1), 10 sham surgical (group 2), and 10 rats with surgically induced acute portal hypertension (group 3). PROCEDURE: Following induction of anesthesia, catheters were placed surgically in the carotid artery, jugular, and portal veins of group 2 and 3 rats and in the carotid artery and jugular vein of group 1 rats. Baseline heart and respiratory rates, rectal temperature, and vascular pressure measurements were obtained, and blood was drawn from all catheters for baseline nitric oxide (NO) concentrations. Acute portal hypertension was induced in the group 3 rats by tying a partially occluding suture around the portal vein and a 22-gauge catheter. The catheter was then removed, resulting in a repeatable degree of portal vein impingement. After catheter placement, all variables were remeasured at 15-minute intervals for 3 hours. RESULTS: Blood nitric oxide concentrations were greater in all vessels tested in group 3 than in group 2 rats. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Acute portal hypertension in this experimental model results in increased concentrations of NO in the systemic and portal circulation. On the basis of information in the rat, it is possible that increased NO concentrations may develop in dogs following surgical treatment of congenital portosystemic shunts if acute life-threatening portal hypertension develops. Increased NO concentrations may contribute to the shock syndrome that develops in these dogs.     

Plasma homocysteine, B vitamins, and amino acid concentrations in cats with cardiomyopathy and arterial thromboembolism

Arterial thromboembolism (ATE) is a common complication of cats with cardiomyopathy (CM), but little is known about the pathophysiology of ATE. In people, high plasma concentrations of homocysteine and low B vitamin concentrations are risk factors for peripheral vascular disease. In addition, low plasma arginine concentrations have been linked to endothelial dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to compare concentrations of homocysteine, B vitamins, and amino acids in plasma of normal cats to those of cats with CM and ATE. Plasma concentrations of homocysteine, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folate, and amino acids were measured in 29 healthy cats, 27 cats with CM alone, and 28 cats with both CM and ATE. No differences were found between groups in homocysteine or folate. Mean vitamin B12 concentration (mean +/- standard deviation) was lower in cats with ATE (866 +/- 367 pg/mL) and cats with CM (939 +/- 389 pg/mL) compared with healthy controls (1,650 +/- 700 pg/mL; P < .001). Mean vitamin B6 concentration was lower in cats with ATE (3,247 +/- 1.215 pmol/mL) and cats with CM (3,200 +/- 906 pmol/mL) compared with healthy control animals (4,380 +/- 1,302 pmol/mL; P = .005). Plasma arginine concentrations were lower in cats with ATE (75 +/- 33 nmol/mL) compared with cats with CM (106 +/- 25 nmol/mL) and healthy control animals (96 +/- 25 nmol/ mL; P < .001). Vitamin B12 concentration was significantly correlated with left atrial size. We interpret the results of this study to suggest that vitamin B12 and arginine may play a role in CM and ATE of cats.     

Functional urethral obstruction in 3 dogs: clinical and urethral pressure profile findings

Three dogs with dysuria and urine retention caused by excessive functional urethral resistance are described. All dogs had clinical histories and urologic signs that previously would have been classified as detrusor-urethral dyssynergia. Diagnosis of functional urinary obstruction was established by exclusion of anatomic urinary obstruction and confirmed by urethral pressure profilometry. In 2 cases, multiple pressure deflections recorded in the urethral pressure profile suggested spasm of urethral musculature, whereas in a 3rd dog, abnormally high pressures were recorded along a portion of the proximal urethra. Functional urinary obstruction was associated with prostatitis in 1 dog and with a history of urethral calculi in 1 dog, and no underlying disorder could be identified in the remaining dog. All 3 dogs improved with medical treatments that included alpha adrenergic antagonists. The etiology, diagnosis, and pharmacologic management of functional urinary obstruction are discussed.     

Pathogenic Variability of Pyricularia grisea from the High- and Mid-Elevation Zones of Bhutan

ABSTRACT Thirty isolates of P. griseacollected from rice during a blast epidemic in 1995 in the high (1,800 to 2,600 m) and middle (1,200 to 1,800 m) elevations of Bhutan and 80 isolates collected from one rice cultivar from two high- and two mid-elevation sites in 1996 were analyzed for virulence. Differential varieties were indica CO39, with five near-isogenic lines (NILs) for resistance genes in the genetic background of CO39, and japonica Lijiangxintuanheigu (LTH), with five NILs for LTH. Twelve selected Bhutanese landraces also were studied. In addition, 10 blast nurseries consisting of the NIL sets, important local landraces, and representatives of international differential groups were established in the 1996 and 1997 growing seasons in the mid- and high-elevation agroecological zones. The 110 isolates were differentiated into 53 pathotypes based on the 2 NIL sets. Thirteen isolates were avirulent on all of the NILs but were compatible with some landraces. Several isolates were able to attack one of the NILs of CO39 but not CO39. These results strongly suggest that both CO39 and LTH possess previously unidentified resistance. The landraces were not uniform in their reactions to the isolates. When a reaction index taking into account all individual plant reactions was used, isolates that had been assigned to the same pathotype could be further differentiated, indicating that the NIL sets could not completely discriminate virulences in Bhutanese P. grisea populations. In the trap nurseries, disease was always present in the middle elevations, but disease was very low during July 1996 in the high elevations and only present during August and September 1997. Almost all varietal groups were more frequently attacked in the middle than in the high elevations, indicating that the virulence spectrum is wider and the conduciveness of the environment is greater in the middle elevations. Landraces from the high elevations were most susceptible, followed by international differential groups 7 and 8. The results suggest that selection has yielded landraces with more complete and complex resistance in the more disease-conducive mid-elevation environment. At the same time, the pathogen population also possesses a wider virulence spectrum in that environment.     

Antimicrobial activity of extractives of Sarcocephalus coadunatus

The methanolic extracts and the fractions (petrol, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, butanol) obtained from the leaves, seeds, stem and root barks of Sarcocephalus coadunatus exhibited a high level of broad spectrum antibacterial activity. The activity was more pronounced in the dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and butanol fractions of the leaves; ethyl acetate and butanol fractions of the seeds; dichloromethane fractions of the stem bark and the ethyl acetate fractions of the root bark. None of the fractions showed any antifungal activity.