Double-outlet right ventricle in a 10-month-old Friesian filly

A 10-month-old Friesian filly had a presentation that was consistent with chronic left- and right-sided congestive heart failure. Clinical pathology findings included abnormal haematological and biochemical variables, abnormal blood gas values and increased serum concentration of cardiac troponin I. Echocardiography revealed cardiac chamber dilation and dextropositioning of the aorta. Radiography revealed a generally enlarged heart and pulmonary interstitial infiltration. These findings were supported at necropsy and the diagnosis of double-outlet right ventricle was confirmed. The pathological changes and physiological responses subsequent to double-outlet right ventricle have not previously been described in detail in horses. Clinical progression closely resembles that seen in humans, in whom antemortem diagnosis relies on echocardiography. In horses, complex cardiac disease presents a diagnostic challenge to the clinician. Appropriate therapy must be based on an accurate diagnosis.     

不同超排方案以及重复超排对犊牛超排效果的影响

本试验选择北京奶牛中心良种场36头9~12月龄的犊牛进行超排采卵,研究了不同超排方案以及重复超排对犊牛超排的效果。结果表明,超排方案以埋植CIDR的同时,第5天、第6天注射FSH,第7天手术采卵获得的可用卵母细胞数最多。两次重复超排对犊牛平均卵泡数和平均卵母细胞数没有显著影响,但三次超排后的平均卵泡数和平均卵母细胞数显著低于一次和二次超排。     

Imaging electron wave functions of quantized energy levels in carbon nanotubes

Carbon nanotubes provide a unique system for studying one-dimensional quantization phenomena. Scanning tunneling microscopy was used to observe the electronic wave functions that correspond to quantized energy levels in short metallic carbon nanotubes. Discrete electron waves were apparent from periodic oscillations in the differential conductance as a function of the position along the tube axis, with a period that differed from that of the atomic lattice. Wave functions could be observed for several electron states at adjacent discrete energies. The measured wavelengths are in good agreement with the calculated Fermi wavelength for armchair nanotubes.     

Reproductive efficiency of Thoroughbred and Standardbred horses in north-east Victoria

Objective To evaluate the reproductive efficiency of horse farms in north-east Victoria and identify aspects of management to be targeted for improving reproductive efficiency. Design Retrospective study. Procedure Records from seven Thoroughbred (TB) and four Standardbred (STB) studs in north-east Victoria from 1990 to 2001 were reviewed; 8813 cycles in 4455 mares were analysed. TB mares were inseminated by natural mating, whereas STB mares (89%) were artificially inseminated. Results The overall early pregnancy rate per cycle was 68.8% for TB mares and for STB mares, 68.3%. Multiple pregnancy per cycle was more frequent in TB (8.3%) than in STB (4.6%) mares (P < 0.001). Early embryonic death occurred in 7.1% of TB and 7.5% of STB pregnancies. TB mares had fewer inseminations per cycle (1.03) than STB mares (1.43) (P < 0.001). There was a significantly lower proportion of barren reproductive status within the TB than the STB mares. Pregnancy rate per cycle among stallions ranged from 48% to 79%. Conclusions On-farm pregnancy rates in both breeds were higher than previously reported and likely reflect improvements in reproductive management. The disparity between breeds in the inseminations per cycle and proportion of barren mares exposed the differing structures of the two industries, and presents a target for improving the reproductive efficiency in STBs. The difference between breeds in the multiple pregnancy rate per cycle likely reflects the higher ovulation rate of TB mares. The variability in pregnancy rate per cycle between the 22 stallions was associated with differences in individual inherent fertility and the quality of stallion management.     

Iron-based ferritin nanocore as a contrast agent

Self-assembling protein cages have been exploited as templates for nanoparticle synthesis. The ferritin molecule, a protein cage present in most living systems, stores excess soluble ferrous iron in the form of an insoluble ferric complex within its cavity. Magnetic nanocores formed by loading excess iron within an engineered ferritin from Archaeoglobus fulgidus (AfFtn-AA) were studied as a potential magnetic resonance (MR) imaging contrast agent. The self-assembly characteristics of the AfFtn-AA were investigated using dynamic light scattering technique and size exclusion chromatography. Homogeneous size distribution of the assembled nanoparticles was observed using transmission electron microscopy. The magnetic properties of iron-loaded AfFtn-AA were studied using vibrating sample magnetometry. Images obtained from a 3.0 T whole-body MRI scanner showed significant brightening of T(1) images and signal loss of T(2) images with increased concentrations of iron-loaded AfFtn-AA. The analysis of the MR image intensities showed extremely high R(2) values (5300?mM(-1)?s(-1)) for the iron-loaded AfFtn-AA confirming its potential as a T(2) contrast agent.     

Retropharyngeal lymph node infection in horses: 46 cases (1977–1992)

SUMMARY A retrospective study of 46 horses with retropharyngeal lymph node (RPLN) infection presented to the Rural Veterinary Centre between 1977 and 1992 was undertaken. Horses aged less than one year were most commonly represented (46%). Thirty-nine percent of cases had been exposed to horses with confirmed or suspected strangles (Streptococcus equi subsp equi infection) within the previous 8 weeks. Most frequent signs were unilateral or bilateral swelling of the throat region (65%), respiratory stertor/dyspnoea (35%), purulent nasal discharge (20%), inappetence and signs of depression (15%), and dysphagia (9%). All horses had a soft tissue density in the retropharyngeal region on radiographs. Rhinopharyngoscopy, ultrasonography, haematology as well as cytological and microbial analysis of material aspirated from the soft tissue swelling facilitated diagnosis in some horses. Fifteen horses (33%) were treated with procaine penicillin intramuscularly for 4 to 7 days followed by oral trimethoprim-sulphadimidine for 7 to 14 days. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were administered to 6 horses. Four required tracheostomy for severe respiratory distress. The 15 horses treated medically responded to treatment and were discharged from hospital. Three horses (6%) with mild signs received no treatment and recovered uneventfully. Twenty-eight horses (61%) underwent general anaesthesia and surgical drainage of a RPLN abscess. Nineteen received procaine penicillin G for 4 to 7 days. Four of the nine horses that did not receive antibiotic treatment after surgery required further surgical drainage 10 days to 7 weeks after the initial surgery . Limited follow-up information was available for 37 horses. Thirty-two horses were considered to have made complete recovery, 3 horses had died through misadventure and 2 had been euthanased because of chronic ill-thrift .     

Waste‐grown phototrophic bacterium supports culture of the rotifer,Brachionus rotundiformis

The present and commonly used batch culture system (BCS) as adopted by many small‐scale tropical hatcheries is beset by poor rotifer production and sudden crashes. This study aimed to produce nutritive rotifers and evaluate their performance based on the BCS by using phototrophic bacteria (PB) that can be easily and cheaply cultured from palm oil mill effluent (POME), an agro‐industrial byproduct usually discarded as waste. Brachionus rotundiformis given a sole diet of POME‐grown PB (Rhodovulum sulfidophilum) grew as well as on the commercially produced microalgae, Nannochloropsis. Production, growth rate and fecundity of rotifers fed condensed bacterial cells (bPB) and culture broth of bacteria grown in POME (cPB) were evaluated. The best performance in terms of the stated parameters was obtained for rotifers fed 200 mL of cPB in 3 L of culture water; this media sustained a mean rotifer density of 600–900 individuals mL^?1 after 3–6 days of culture. The biochemical composition of rotifers fed PB was comparable to those fed microalgae, except that the former contained more polyunsaturated fatty acids.