Characterisation of the kappa light chain of the brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula)

Two full length cDNA sequences encoding the kappa light chain of the Australian marsupial, Trichosurus vulpecula, the brushtail possum, were isolated from a mesenteric lymph node cDNA library. The constant regions (Ckappa) of the two light chains were identical, but the variable (Vkappa) and joining (Jkappa) regions were different. At the amino acid level, possum Ckappa was most similar to Ckappa of an American marsupial, Monodelphis domestica (75%), with similarity to eutherian Ckappa ranging from 47 to 63%. The availability of molecular data will enable the development of immunological reagents for studying immune responses and disease in marsupials, thereby aiding conservation strategies and veterinary medicine.     

Effect of metoclopramide on gastro-esophageal reflux in anesthetized dogs

Administration of morphine before anesthesia leads to gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) in over 50% of dogs during the subsequent anesthetic. This GER is clinically silent but can lead to aspiration pneumonitis, esophagitis and esophageal stricture. In this prospective clinical study we aimed to determine the effect of metoclopramide on gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) in dogs undergoing elective orthopedic surgery. Dogs were admitted to the study if they were healthy, and had no history of vomiting or dysphagia. Dogs were fasted for an average of 18.2 ± 4.3 (mean ± SD) hours prior to induction of anesthesia. Anesthesia in all dogs included acepromazine, morphine, thiopental and isoflurane in oxygen. By random allocation, half the dogs received metoclopramide (M) as an IV bolus (0.4 mg kg^–1) and then infusion (0.3 mg kg^–1hour^–1), the others received equivalent volumes of saline (S). To measure esophageal pH a sensor-tipped catheter was placed with the tip 5–7 cm cranial to the lower esophageal sphincter, and connected to a computer for continual data collection. The pH of any fluid running from the mouth or nose was measured. Gastro-esophageal reflux was defined as a decrease in esophageal pH below 4 or an increase above 7.5. Fisher's Exact test was used to test significance of differences in incidence between groups. Separate multivariable logistic regression models were created for each outcome to assess the effects of risk factors on outcome. There were seven cases of GER in 16 dogs receiving M and 8/14 in those receiving S. There were no significant differences between M and S treated dogs in age, weight, duration of anesthesia and fasting, thiopental dose or incidence of vomiting. The administration of metoclopramide at this dose did not significantly reduce the incidence of GER in these anesthetized dogs.     

Effects of pico-tesla electromagnetic field treatment on wound healing in rats

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of a pico-tesla electromagnetic field (PTEF) on healing of sutured and open skin wounds and clinicopathologic variables in rats. ANIMALS: 64 male Fischer-344 rats. PROCEDURE: An incision made in the dorsal aspect of the neck was sutured (n = 32) or left open to heal (32). In each group, 16 rats were not PTEF-treated (controls). Wound treatment consisted of exposure to a PTEF once daily. Rats in each group were euthanatized at days 2, 4, 7, and 14. Wounds were evaluated via tensiometry (sutured wounds), digital planimetry (open wounds), laser Doppler perfusion imaging, bacteriologic culture, and histologic examination. Blood samples were collected from all rats for analysis. RESULTS: At day 14, sutured wounds in PTEF-treated rats were stronger (ultimate stress) and tougher (strain energy) than were sutured wounds in control rats. Open wounds in PTEF-treated rats contracted more quickly at days 2 and 4 than did those in control rats. Compared with control wounds, histologic changes (indicative of improved healing) in sutured and open wounds in PTEF-treated rats were detected as early as day 4. Laser Doppler perfusion measurements, results of CBCs, serum biochemical analyses, and bacteriologic cultures were not different between groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Exposure to the PTEF caused no adverse effects on clinicopathologic, histologic, or bacteriologic variables tested in this study. It appears that PTEF is a safe form of adjuvant treatment for wounds and improves strength of sutured wounds and speeds contraction of open wounds.     

A comparison of the rate of recovery of 13CO2 in exhaled breath with 2H in body water following ingestion of [2H/13C]octanoic acid in a dog

The objective of this study was to assess post-gastric processing of octanoic acid (OA) by comparing the rate of recovery of 13C in breath with the rate of recovery of 2H in saliva following ingestion of [2H/13C]OA. A test meal with 100mg [13C]OA and 750 mg [2H]OA was ingested on two separate occasions by one dog. Exhaled breath and saliva samples were collected at set time points for 6h following ingestion of the test meal. Two indices were computed, half recovery time (t(1/2)) and the time of peak excretion (t(max)). Recovery of 2H in saliva was quicker than recovery of 13C in breath as determined by the difference in the indices for each isotope; 1.33 and 1.59 h for t(1/2) and t(max), respectively. These findings suggest that the post-gastric processing of OA imposes a delay on the recovery of 13C in breath in the dog, as occurs in man and in the horse.     

Natural bovine lentivirus type 1 infection in Holstein dairy cattle. II. Lymphoid tissue lesions

Bovine immunodeficiency virus (BIV) in Holstein cows was associated with morphologic evidence of lymphoid organ deficiency. Cows were subjected to normal management practices including parturition and lactation without adverse environmental stresses. During the clinical disease process there was marked weight loss and wasting with frequent and severe concurrent infections. Lymphoid follicular hyperplasia and dysplasia in lymph nodes, and hypertrophy and hyperplasia in hemal lymph nodes were characteristics of the lymphoid tissues. Atrophy of lymphoid cell compartments with depletion of lymphocytes and a lymphocytic lymphoid folliculitis were components of the lymphoid system pathology. The nodal tissue lesions resembled those observed in feline, simian, and human lentiviral disease. A functional correlation with immune system deficiency was the development of multiple bacterial infections which failed to resolve after appropriate therapy. The BIV-associated disease syndrome in dairy cows may be useful as a model system for investigation of the pathogenesis of the lymphoid organ changes that occur in humans and animals with lentiviral infection.     

An endodermal cyst: the result of a congenital intestinal malformation

A midline exploratory laparotomy on a 1-year-old, neutered male, West Highland terrier with a history of lethargy, anorexia, and intermittent vomiting revealed a cranial abdominal cyst. The lining of the excised cyst was histologically identical with that of the small intestine and may have represented an uncommon intestinal malformation.     

Assessment of the response of carrot somaclones to Pythium violae, causal agent of cavity spot

Cavity spot is a major disease of carrots, causing cavities on the surface of the root. Available commercial varieties show a range of susceptibility but no significant resistance. Seed progeny from 46 tissue culture-derived carrot ( Daucus carota ) somaclones were screened for viability, then 19 selected somaclone families were sown under glasshouse conditions, along with commercial cultivars (Bertan, Nandor, Bolero and Vita Longa) as controls. Mature roots were exposed to Pythium violae in a cavity spot bioassay to determine their response as measured by disease incidence and severity. Some somaclones formed fewer lesions than the least susceptible control cultivar, Vita Longa. Seven somaclonal families that showed a range of susceptibility were sown under field conditions and the assessment was repeated. Although there was little relationship between glasshouse and field-trial results, under field conditions one of the somaclones had a mean incidence of disease, as estimated by transformed data, of 1·9 compared with 37·9 for the most susceptible somaclone and 3·5 for Bolero, the most resistant commercial cultivar. The results indicated that significant genetic variation in susceptibility to cavity spot disease was present in the somaclones.