Floral development,stigma receptivity and pollen viability in eight <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nolana</Emphasis> (Solanaceae) species

Nolana L.f. is a large, diverse genus in the Solanaceae endemic to the coastal deserts of Peru and Chile. Floral development studies were conducted in eight species (Nolana adansonii, N. aticoana, N. elegans, N. humifusa, N. ivaniana, N. laxa, N. plicata, and N. rupicola) as a precursor to breeding efforts and studies of interspecific sexual compatibility. Levels of stigma receptivity and pollen viability were evaluated at different stages during flower development. Species were found to be receptive to pollination over a wide range of floral developmental stages, including stages prior to anthesis. Pollen was found to remain viable throughout the open flower period and into senescence. Floral development keys were developed which provide a visual reference correlating morphological appearance of buds and flowers of each species at each developmental stage, and their corresponding durations and levels of stigma receptivity.     

Comparison of the clinical efficacy of oral terbinafine and ketoconazole combined with cephalexin in the treatment of Malassezia dermatitis in dogs--a pilot study

The purpose of this randomized, single blinded clinical trial was to evaluate cytologically and clinically the efficacy of oral cephalexin alone and its combination with terbinafine or ketoconazole for the treatment of Malassezia dermatitis in dogs. Twenty-two client-owned dogs with Malassezia dermatitis completed the 3-week study. All received cephalexin (generic, 250 mg or 500 mg) at 22-30 mg kg(-1) twice daily. Eight dogs received terbinafine at 30 mg kg(-1) once daily and seven dogs received ketoconazole (generic, 200 mg) at 5-10 mg kg(-1) twice daily. The remaining seven dogs received cephalexin alone. At week 0 (visit 1) and week 3 (visit 2), mean yeast counts were determined from three affected areas using tape-strip cytology, a clinical index score (CIS) was assigned to the affected areas, and owners evaluated pruritus using a visual analogue scale. All groups showed reduction in mean yeast counts, CIS and pruritus. There was an 86.8%, 80.2% and 28.8% reduction in mean yeast counts from visit 1 to visit 2 for the terbinafine, ketoconazole and cephalexin-only groups, respectively. However, within treatment group comparisons a significant reduction in mean yeast count was only evident for the terbinafine (P < 0.002) and ketoconazole (P < 0.01) groups. Pruritus reduction was only significant for the terbinafine group. These preliminary results suggest that terbinafine should be further assessed for the treatment of canine Malassezia dermatitis.     

Atopy patch test reactions in high-IgE beagles to different sources and concentrations of house dust mites

Protocols for atopy patch testing (APT) were evaluated on six high-IgE dogs sensitized to house dust mites (HDM) using various concentrations and sources of HDM. Two sources of HDM were compared: Heska slurry and four concentrations of Greer HDM. Saline was used as a negative control. Patches were removed after 48 h and the sites evaluated at 0, 6, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h for erythema, macules, papules and pustules. Each sign was scored from 0 to 3 (0 = absent and 3 = severe). Total score was used for analysis. Mean total scores significantly increased for both Greer and Heska HDMs from 6 h, peaking at 48 h for G100 (100 mg mL(-1)), G300 and G668, and at 72 h for Heska and G31.25. Across all times, Heska HDM scores were significantly higher than those of G31.25 with the largest difference at 96 h. Heska scores, however, were significantly lower than those of other Greer concentrations (G100, G300 and G668) particularly at 96 h. No reactions were noted at saline sites. It is concluded that Greer-HDM at 100 mg mL(-1) is the most suitable concentration for APT in dogs because it induces reactions comparable if not higher than more concentrated HDM preparations.     

Diploid potato germplasm derived from wild and land race genetic resources

Diploid cultivated species, haploids derived from tetraploid cultivars, and their wildSolanum relatives were used to generate various diploid potato genetic stocks. These stocks have significant value in potato breeding because: 1) genetic diversity in the potato population can be kept variable with the diploid germplasm which confers genetic variation from wild and cultivated species; 2) crossability of this diploid germplasm is facilitated by the function of 2n gametes; and 3) high levels of pest resistances originating from the process of introgression of the wild and cultivated genetic resources can be used to improve the tetraploid cultivated potato genepool.     

Intradermal skin test reactivity to histamine and substance P is blunted in dogs with atopic dermatitis

Skin reactivity to intradermal injections (0.1, 0.5 and 1 nm ) of substance P (SP) was evaluated in 20 clinically normal dogs and 20 dogs with atopic dermatitis (AD). Saline and histamine were used as negative and positive controls, respectively. Wheal diameters were measured. Reactions were evaluated for erythema and induration and a subjective score, on a scale from 0 to 4+, was given. Evaluations were performed at 3, 5, 10, 15 and 30 min after the injections. Wheal diameters for histamine and SP injections were significantly smaller in dogs with AD compared with clinically normal dogs. In both groups, reactions to the various concentrations of SP were not significantly different from each other and were always smaller than histamine reactions. Erythema was not seen with SP injections. In addition, subjective scores for SP injections were significantly lower in dogs with AD compared with controls. The results of this study are similar to those reported in human medicine, where a role for SP in AD is proposed and desensitization of receptors to both SP and histamine is hypothesized. Further studies are needed to investigate the role of SP in the pathogenesis of canine AD.     

Physical, Hematological, and Biochemical Responses to Acute Intense Exercise in Polo Horses

The aim of this study was to evaluate the response of physical, hematological, and biochemical parameters after acute intense exercise in polo horses playing in an outdoor international competition. The game consisted of four periods (chukkas) and each period consisted a playing time of 7 minutes. Two matches were played everyday for a week. A total of 12 horses were examined. Each “high-goal” polo horse played one chukka a day for 4 days. Horses were clinically examined the day before the games started and then daily during the 4 days of their participation in the games. During these days, physical examination was performed and blood sample was collected at rest (T0), immediately (T1) after exercise, and after 30 minutes of exercise (T2). Blood samples were analyzed for total cell counts and for determination of creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate aminotransferase, lactate, total proteins, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus , and cortisol. Data were evaluated using two-way analysis of variance. Exercise caused significant dehydration (P < .01), mucous membranes congestion, increased heart rate (P < .001), and capillary refill time (P < .001). It also caused increased value of the following parameters: hematocrit (P < .001), red blood cells (P < .001), hemoglobin (P < .001), white blood cells (P < .05), lymphocyte (P < .001), total proteins (P < .001), creatine kinase (P < .05), LDH (P < .01), lactate (P < .001), and cortisol (P < .01), and a decrease in the platelet count (P < .001), calcium (P < .01), phosphorus (P < .001), and magnesium (P < .001). All parameters returned within or near the reference range by 30 minutes postexercise. On the basis of these observations, data were considered indicative of a good response to an acute intense exercise. Moreover statistical results obtained were typical of a mixed aerobic/anaerobic metabolic pathway that is prevailing in this sport.