Enhanced mechanical performance of CNT/Polymer composite yarns by γ-irradiation

Multiwall carbon nanotube (CNT) spun yarns were subjected to γ-irradiation in an oxygen rich environment, followed by the application of epoxy to form CNT/epoxy composite yarns with a high CNT fraction. The method for fabrication of the CNT/polymer composite yarns was presented, and the effect of γ-irradiation on the mechanical performance of the pure CNT spun yarns and their epoxy composite yarns were studied. The γ-irradiated CNT yarns were also characterized by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The results of this study have demonstrated that the γ-irradiation is an effective micro-engineering tool to improve mechanical properties of the CNT spun yarn and its epoxy composite yarn.     

Rapid PCR detection of Salmonella in horse faecal samples

A rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was developed for detecting Salmonella in faeces of horses and assessed on samples from horses admitted to a veterinary hospital. Direct detection was achieved by amplification of part of ompC after extraction of DNA from faeces using a spin column method to reduce the amount of inhibitory substances in samples. An internal positive control was included to detect false negative results. While the sensitivity of the PCR assay was less than culture when assessed on faeces inoculated with Salmonella, its sensitivity on faecal samples obtained from horses was much greater than culture. Salmonella DNA was detected in 40% of faecal samples using the PCR assay while Salmonella were cultured from only 2% of the samples. The PCR assay has potential for use in either routine diagnosis or for detection of the carrier status in animals.     

IMAGING DIAGNOSIS—AORTIC ANEURYSM AND URETERAL OBSTRUCTION SECONDARY TO UMBILICAL ARTERY ABSCESSATION IN A 5‐WEEK‐OLD FOAL

A 5‐week‐old foal was evaluated for fever and hematuria of 3 days duration. Cystoscopy localized the blood to be originating from the left ureter. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed left hydronephrosis, hydroureter, and omphaloarteritis of the left umbilical artery with abscess formation that communicated with an arterial structure. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a large aortic aneurysm within the center of the abscess. An exploratory celiotomy was performed and the infection was nonresectable. The prognosis for life was grave; therefore the colt was euthanized. Necropsy findings confirmed the antemortem diagnosis. Ultrasound and CT imaging in this case provided an accurate antemortem diagnosis.     

Effects of hyperimmune equine plasma on clinical and cellular responses in a low-dose endotoxaemia model in horses

Endotoxaemia is a major cause of equine morbidity, and plasma from horses immunised against Escherichia coli is used in its treatment. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of hyperimmune plasma on the clinical and leukocyte responses, including production and activity of TNFα, in an in vivo endotoxin challenge model. Pre-treatment with hyperimmune equine plasma had no significant effect on peak total plasma TNFα concentration (occurring 90min after the administration of 30ng/kg LPS). However, the bioavailable (unbound) TNFα measured by bioassay was significantly reduced in plasma-treated horses (1044.44±193.93pg/ml at 90min) compared to saline treated controls (1373.92±107.63pg/ml; P=0.05). Therefore, although pre-treatment with hyperimmune equine plasma did not significantly modify the clinical signs of endotoxaemia in this model, there was some evidence of reduced TNF bioactivity, which may be due to factors in the plasma which bind and reduce the activity of this cytokine.     

Suppression of root-knot nematodes in natural and agricultural soils

The potential of the invertebrate communities in agricultural and natural soils to suppress Meloidogyne incognita on coleus (Coleus blumei) was evaluated in two greenhouse experiments. Soil from adjacent natural and agricultural habitats was collected from four locations that had very different soil types (loamy sand, muck, sand and rock). Soil of each type was placed into pots, planted with coleus seedlings, inoculated with 2000 eggs of M. incognita, and arranged in a 4 × 2 factorial design. Root-knot nematodes were suppressed in natural soil compared to agricultural soil for loamy sand, sand and rock soils, but not for muck soil. Plants grew larger and had less root galling in natural soils than in agricultural soils. Free-living nematodes (bacterivores, fungivores, omnivores and predators) were monitored but did not show population patterns consistent with the suppression of root-knot nematodes observed in natural soils. Reasons for the opposite result (higher root-knot levels in natural than in agricultural soil) on muck soil are unknown, but this soil type was very different from the other soils in its unusually high organic matter content and very low levels of omnivorous and predatory nematodes. The agricultural muck in particular was unusually low in fungivorous nematodes and extremely high in levels of sodium and macronutrients. Despite the exception on the muck soil, the relative suppression of root-knot nematodes in natural compared to agricultural soils of the other three soil types (loamy sand, sand and rock) support the idea that potential for nematode suppression may be greater in natural than in agricultural soils.     

Benign masses in the pericardium of two dogs

Two miniature Schnauzer dogs were treated for pericardial masses. In one dog the mass consisted of necrotic fat that was attached to the apex of the pericardium by a pedicle. No obvious communication with the abdomen was present. The second dog had a peritoneopericardial hernia associated with a chronic cystic haematoma. In each case the mass was presumed to have arisen following congenital displacement of the omentum into the pericardium. The pericardial mass was removed and subtotal pericardectomy performed in both dogs. Recovery was complete in each case.     

FERTILIZER USE ON GRASSLAND IN ENGLAND AND WALES

The paper describes the use of fertilizers on grassland in England and Wales, as shown by surveys of fertilizer practice carried out during 1957–60.
About a third of the total consumption of N and K and almost half the total consumption of P is on grassland. Fertilizer use on leys has increased rapidly in recent years and the overall average rate of application is now of the order of 0·3 cwt N, P₂O₅ and K₂O per acre per annum; permanent grass receives about half as much P and very much less N and K than the leys.
Generally speaking, consumption of N and K per acre of grassland was higher in arable districts than in livestock-farming areas, and on dairy farms than on rearing and feeding farms. However, rearing and feeding farms received more P per acre of grass (in particular, more basic slag) than arable farms. Little farmyard manure was used on grassland in the arable districts, whereas in the dairy counties of the western half of England and in Wales it formed a substantial part of the total plant nutrients supplied to grassland, particularly on fields mown for hay.
The paper also gives information on types of fertilizers used and the timing of fertilizer applications to grassland. All but about a fifth of the nitrogen used on grassland was applied between February and April.     

Effect of acute acidemia on blood biochemical variables in healthy ponies

L-Lactic acid and D,L-lactic acid infusion in ponies resulted in metabolic acidosis with high anion gap (AG). Increased AG was explained entirely by increased blood L- and D-lactate concentrations. Hydrochloric acid infusion caused metabolic acidosis with decreased AG. Saline (NaCl) infusion caused mild metabolic acidosis, with no significant change in AG. Plasma K+ concentration was decreased by all types of infusions, with a maximum of 0.50, 0.25, 0.40, 0.50 mmol/L below baseline at the end of infusion in the L-lactic acid-, D,L-lactic acid-, HCl-, and NaCl-infused ponies, respectively. Only hydrochloric acid had a tendency to increase plasma K+ concentration. Hypophosphatemia developed in NaCl- and HCl-infused ponies, but not in the D,L-lactic acid-infused ponies. Serum inorganic phosphate concentration in L-lactic acid-infused ponies increased initially, but was significantly (P less than 0.05) lower than values in the other ponies at 4 hours after onset of infusion. In ponies, the effect of acidemia on plasma K+ and serum inorganic phosphate concentrations was similar to that reported for other species. Changes were small in magnitude and depended on the nature of the acid anion. Results indicate that large changes in plasma K+ and serum inorganic phosphate concentrations during acidosis are probably not a direct result of acidemia.     

Evaluation of d,l-ethionine as a mechanism for pancreatic islet regeneration in dogs

Objective To determine whether induction of pancreatic necrosis and islet proliferation by d,l‐ethionine has potential for treating dogs with b ‐cell insufficiency. Design Eighteen mixed breed dogs of both sexes were given d,l‐ethionine at 100 mg/kg three times weekly for 2 weeks; 6 dogs were euthanased at 2, 14 and 28 d after the last dose. Methods Clinical signs during administration and recovery were assessed. Routine biochemical analyses were performed before each ethionine dose and then once weekly. Faecal samples were examined weekly for malassimilated nutrients and blood. Blood coagulation screening tests (OSPT and APTT) were determined on four dogs after ethionine administration. Intravenous glucose tolerance tests were conducted before the first and after the last ethionine dose and then fortnightly. All dogs were necropsied and pancreas, liver, kidney and jejunum were examined microscopically. Results During ethionine administration all animals displayed vomiting, inappetence, diarrhoea (often with blood), weight loss and depression. Three dogs were euthanased prematurely due to severe illness, but those allowed to recover were eating and brighter 7 d after cessation of ethio‐nine administration. Serum concentrations of TLI, amylase and lipase increased initially, then decreased, during administration but returned to normal during recovery. Concentrations of ALT, ALP, unconjugated and conjugated bilirubin increased during administration then decreased slowly. Histological examination revealed hepatic lipidosis and necrosis, but no renal or jejunal lesions. In most dogs, faecal examination demonstrated increased undigested starch and muscle, as well as increased digested and undigested fat, during ethio‐nine administration or early during the recovery period, suggesting transient malassimilation. APTT was unchanged but OSPT was prolonged in all dogs. There was no impairment of insulin secretion or glucose intolerance and C‐peptide concentrations were unaffected. Immediately after ethionine administration there was delayed insulin degradation and by day 43 there was evidence of increased insulin sensitivity. Conclusion d,l‐ethionine administration in dogs appeared not to interfere with insulin secretion, but caused clinical signs and laboratory changes indicative of pancreatic exocrine necrosis, severe hepatobiliary disease and transient malas‐similation. Pancreatic and hepatic dysfunction was severe but clinical recovery occurred after ethionine administration ceased. The severe side‐effects observed with d,l‐ethionine should preclude its potential use for treating diabetes mellitus in dogs.