The efficacy of alfaxalone for immersion anesthesia in koi carp (Cyprinus carpio)

ObjectiveTo characterize the physiologic and behavioral effects of a single induction dose and two maintenance doses of alfaxalone delivered by water immersion in the anesthesia of koi (Cyprinus carpio).Study designProspective, within-subject complete crossover design.AnimalsSix adult koi (Cyprinus carpio) with a median body weight of 344.5 g (range 292.0–405.0 g).MethodsKoi were immersed in water containing 10 mg L^?1 alfaxalone until immobile and then maintained with alfaxalone at either 1 or 2.5 mg L^?1 via a recirculating water system. Times for anesthetic induction and recovery periods were recorded. Physiologic and blood gas parameters were evaluated before, during and after the anesthetic trial. Response to noxious stimuli was also assessed.ResultsMedian anesthesia induction time for all fish was 5.4 minutes. Median recovery time was 11.8 and 26.4 minutes in the 1.0 and 2.5 mg L^?1 doses, respectively, which were significantly different (p = 0.04). Cessation of opercular movement occurred in 0/6 and 4/6 fish exposed to 1.0 and 2.5 mg L^?1 dose respectively. No difference was observed in median heart rate over the duration of the anesthetic events. Response to noxious stimulation was 4/6 and 0/6 in the 1.0 and 2.5 mg L^?1 doses respectively. Oxygenation and ventilation did not change during the experiment, but there was a significant decrease in blood pH along with an increase in blood lactate concentration.Conclusion and clinical relevanceAdministration of alfaxalone, via water immersion, as an induction and maintenance anesthesia agent provided rapid and reliable anesthesia of koi with no mortality. The maintenance dose of 2.5 mg L^?1 was sufficient to prevent response to noxious stimuli but was associated with a clinically relevant depression in opercular rate.     

Constitutive phenolics of Harpephyllum caffrum (Anacardiaceae) and their biological effects on human keratinocytes

Assessment of the UV protecting potential of an aqueous methanol leaf extract of Harpephyllum caffrum proved that it possesses a distinct radical scavenging effect and inhibits the production of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-6 by human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) following UV radiation. Phytochemical investigation of this extract led to isolation and structural determination of the hitherto unknown phenolics, kaempferol 3-O-(2″-sulphatogalactopyranoside), its quercetin analogue and 3-methoxyellagic acid 4-O-galactopyranoside in addition to 18 known phenolic compounds. The structures were determined by spectroscopic and conventional methods of analysis. Flavonoid sulphatoglycosides which have been rarely found in nature were major phenolic constituents of this plant, and this is the first report of the isolation of any of them from Anacardiaceae. The extract was found to diminish UV phototoxic reaction of keratinocytes. However, the isolated kaempferol sulphatogalactopyranoside did not interact with UVB triggered IL-6 production of HaCaT keratinocytes.     

Plasma concentrations of itraconazole following a single oral dose in juvenile California sea lions (Zalophus californianus)

The objective of this study was to establish a single-dose pharmacokinetic profile for orally administered itraconazole in California sea lions (Zalophus californianus). Twenty healthy rehabilitated juvenile California sea lions were included in this study. Itraconazole capsules were administered orally with food at a target dose of 5–10 mg/kg. Blood samples were collected from each animal at 0 hr and at two of the following timepoints: 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hr. Quantitative analysis of itraconazole in plasma samples was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography. An average maximum concentration of 0.22 µg/ml ± 0.11 was detected 4 hr after administration. The average concentration fell to 0.12 µg/ml ± 0.11 by 6 hr and 0.02 µg/ml ± 0.02 at 12 hr. At no point did concentrations reach 0.5 µg/ml, the concentration commonly accepted for therapeutic efficacy. While this formulation was well tolerated by the sea lions, oral absorption was poor and highly variable among individuals. These data indicate that a single oral dose of itraconazole given as a capsule at 5–10 mg/kg, under the conditions used in this study, does not achieve therapeutic plasma concentrations in California sea lions.     

Ovarian inhibition of pulsatile luteinizing hormone secretion in prepuberal holstein heifers

Fifteen prepuberal Holstein heifers were utilized to examine pulsatile luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion before and after ovariectomy. Heifers were ovariectornized at 3, 6 or 9 months of age (n=5/group) and scheduled for blood sampling at 1 week before, 1 week after and 4 weeks following ovariectomy. During each 8 hr sampling period (0600–1400 hr), blood samples (10 ml) were collected via indwelling jugular canulae at 10 min intervals. Prior to ovariectomy, mean plasma LH concentration and both number and amplitude of LH pulses per 8 hr sampling period were similar (P>.05) among age groups, and the absence of a pulsatile LH secretion profile was accompanied by a low mean LH concentration. Within 1 week after ovariectomy, both number of LH pulses and mean LH concentrations increased (P<.O1) in all age groups. Between 1 and 4 weeks after ovariectomy, both amplitude of LH pulses and mean LH concentrations increased (P<.O1) when the data from the three age groups were combined. We conclude that ovarian inhibition of pulsatile LH secretion is established by 3 months of age and is maintained through 9 months of age. In addition, the initial elevation mean plasma LH concentration is due to greater pulse frequency, while the subsequent rise in mean LH concentration reflects increased amplitude of LH pulses.     

Nonrandom processes maintain diversity in tropical forests

An ecological community's species diversity tends to erode through time as a result of stochastic extinction, competitive exclusion, and unstable host-enemy dynamics. This erosion of diversity can be prevented over the short term if recruits are highly diverse as a result of preferential recruitment of rare species or, alternatively, if rare species survive preferentially, which increases diversity as the ages of the individuals increase. Here, we present census data from seven New and Old World tropical forest dynamics plots that all show the latter pattern. Within local areas, the trees that survived were as a group more diverse than those that were recruited or those that died. The larger (and therefore on average older) survivors were more diverse within local areas than the smaller survivors. When species were rare in a local area, they had a higher survival rate than when they were common, resulting in enrichment for rare species and increasing diversity with age and size class in these complex ecosystems.     

Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae in New Zealand

Abstract

Extract

Sir:— In the recent letter from N. Inglis,(1) Inglis, N. 1984. Leptospira icterohaemorrhagia infection in deer. N.Z. vet. J., 32: 179–179. [Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar] an infection by Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae in deer is postulated on the basis of serological evidence. Results of antibody testing with other serovars of Leptospira would be most informative and would reveal cross-reactions, which are known to occur freyuently. Further, the strain of L. icterohaemorrhagiae antigen and the type of test used would be of great interest to readers. Seroconversion to L. icterohaemorrhagiae serovar copenhageni, has been well documented since 1951.(2) Kirschner, L. and Gray, W.G. 1951. Leptospirosis in New Zealand. Infection with Spirochaela in animals and man. N.Z. med. J. L. No. 278, : 342–342.  [Google Scholar]     

What is your diagnosis? Intracranial mass in a dog

Abstract: A 9‐year‐old, spayed female Chihuahua was presented for evaluation of acute, progressive neurologic disease. On physical examination the dog was depressed and laterally recumbent. The dog had marked neutrophilia with a toxic left shift and monocytosis. Using computed tomography with contrast enhancement a large intracranial mass lesion was identified in the rostral portion of the brain. The mass extended from the central thalamic region rostral to the cribiform plate and obliterated the lateral ventricles. A fine needle aspirate of the mass contained moderately pleomorphic polygonal cells with many intranuclear cytoplasmic pseudoinclusions (ICPs). The primary differential diagnosis was meningioma, based on cell morphology and the presence of ICPs. At necropsy, the mass was well‐demarcated, unencapsulated, and densely cellular. Cells were arranged in papillary projections on fibrovascular stalks, and eosinophilic ICPs and nuclear folding were frequently seen. Cavitated areas of necrosis throughout the tumor mass were filled with intact and degenerated neutrophils. The histopathologic diagnosis was malignant papillary meningioma. ICPs are not frequently observed in Wright‐stained cytologic preparations but may be found in many types of neoplasms, including meningiomas.     

Surgical excision of mycotic (Cladosporium sp.) granulomas from the mantle of a cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis).

An adult female European cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) from a public aquarium presented with an eruptive skin lesion of the dorsal mantle. Radiographs, hemolymph collection, and excisional biopsy were performed using anesthesia with ethanol 1.5-3% in seawater. Elastic and freely mobile skin permitted closure with minimal tension following wide excision around the lesions, which did not appear to penetrate deep to the underlying cuttlebone. Biopsy revealed hemocyte granulomas surrounding thin, septate, infrequently branching fungal hyphae, and culture yielded Cladosporium sp. Itraconazole was administered postoperatively in food items. The cuttlefish recovered to normal feeding and activity levels with complete surgical site healing. Two months following the procedure, the animal was found dead in exhibit. Histopathologic examination revealed multisystemic fungal infection.