Surgery of hepatic cysts in a cat.

A 2-year-old female Japanese domestic cat weighing 3.6 kg was presented due to marked abdominal distention and was diagnosed as hepatic cyst. The bile acid concentration of the hepatic cyst was as low as the serum bile acid concentration. The membrane of the cysts was excised from the edge of the compressed hepatic tissue and no other surgical manipulation was performed. This surgical procedure is simple and quick compared to hepatic lobectomy, however, it is necessary to evaluate the fluid of the cyst before performing this procedure.     

Dynamics of changes in the cytological picture of vaginal smears and circulating ovarian hormones during the puerperal period in ewes]

A postparturient period is characterized by low basal secretion of adenohypophysis gonadotropins with the following appropriate changes in ovarian hormones and their response to the morphology of vaginal epithelium. In this study the dynamics of the cytological picture of vaginal swabs and ovarian hormones 17 beta-oestradiol (E2) and progesterone was investigated in the puerpery of ewes. The objective was to obtain and extend the knowledge of cytological changes in vaginal epithelium and levels of ovarian hormones of ewes after parturition and of their relationships from the first several days after lambing until the 51st day of the period of observation. Vaginal swabs for vaginal cytology were taken from nine ewes on days 1, 4, 7, 14, 17, 21, 25, 34, 42 and 51 after parturition. These swabs were fixed in ether-alcohol 1:1, stained according to the Faltínová-Zidovsky method, embedded in Canada balsam and evaluated by differentiation of cells according to Luksh (1953). Blood samples for E2 and P4 determinations were taken from the jugular vein in the same intervals as vaginal swabs. The serum was centrifuged and stored at -18 degrees C until use. E2 and P4 concentrations were determined radioimmunologically, using kits RIA-test ESTRA and RIA-test PROG from URVJT Kosice. A statistically significant decline (P < 0.05) of percentual representation of basal and parabasal cells (Fig. 1, Tab. I) on day 7 after lambing was replaced by their multiplication from day 14 reaching the values of 66.07 +/- 3.95 on day 42. A statistically significant decrease in intermediary flat cells (Fig. 2, Tab. II) was observed on days 14 (P < 0.001), 34 and 42 (P < 0.01; P < 0.001), in comparison with the first day after lambing. An evaluation of intermediary convoluted cells revealed their highest percentage on days 1 and 17 after parturition (34.65 +/- 4.77-20.62 +/- 12.57) and their decline to values in the range of 6.77 +/- 1.46-7.66 +/- 2.25 on the remaining days of the period of observation. Percent occurrence of superficial flat cells (Fig. 3, Tab. I) ranged from 3.9 +/- 1.10 to 10.63 +/- 7.23 from day 1 to day 51 after lambing. The lowest percentual representation (1.32 +/- 0.79-4.10 +/- 1.89) was recorded for superficial convoluted cells. Multiplication of the evaluated cells was observed, reaching the highest but insignificant representation (P > 0.05) on day 25 of postparturient investigation: 4.10 +/- 1.89 (Fig. 3, Tab. I). 17 beta-oestradiol (E2) concentrations were compared to the -1st day before parturition, when its values varied at the level of 2.45 +/- 0.64 nmol/l serum.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

D-Dimer Improves the Prognostic Value of Combined Clinical and Laboratory Data in Equine Gastrointestinal Colic

The discriminating ability of 15 parameters alone or in combinations, including results from analysis of plasma endotoxin, the Nycomed plasma D-Dimer test and phospholipase A₂, were analyzed to predict morbidity and mortality in equine gastrointestinal colic. Endotoxaemia was a characteristic feature of the colic horses. The problem of adequately predicting non-survivors among colic horses required several parameters to be included in the logistic model: if the “classical parameters”, (heart rate, respiratory rate, PCV, anion gap) were included in the model, addition of plasma D-dimer, phospholipase A₂, and Cl^- significantly improved the predictive value of the logistic model. Increasing heart rate and D-dimer together with decreasing chloride was a risk factor for nonsurvival. The sensitivity of this three-parameter logistic model to predict nonsurvival was 78% and specificity 77%. The Nycomed D-Dimer test is recommended as a horse-site test to predict disseminated intravascular coagulation and nonsurvival in equine colic.     

The effectiveness of the combined treatment of thrombocytic hemorrhagic diathesis of dogs with prednisolone and blood transfusion in the model of an aspirin-produced thrombocytopathy

The administration of 20 mg/kg of acetylsalicylic acid in 18 clinically healthy dogs resulted in a thrombocytopathy with lengthened capillary bleeding time and irreversible aggregation inhibition. Through the set up of individual dilution series, one could conclude the proportional percentage of aggregation functional transfused thrombocytes. The capillary bleeding time was shortened after the intravenous injection of prednisolone (5 mg/kg) without measurable influence on the thrombocytes. Compared to the singular use of cortisone or blood transfusion alone, the effect on capillary bleeding time became magnified when one combined transfusion and corticosteroids. The fresh blood conserves (12 hours) were, with respect to the haemostyptical properties, superior to blood stored for 5 days. The component of aggregation-functional thrombocytes was, due to the prophylactic cortisone application prior to transfusion, not increased.     

Synchronization of estrus in dairy goats given norgestomet and estradiol valerate at various stages of the estrous cycle.

Dairy goats were given subcutaneous implants with 3 mg of norgestomet (NOR) and IM injections of 0.625 mg of estradiol valerate and 0.375 mg of norgestomet on day 0 of the estrous cycle (estrus; NOR 0, n = 18), on postestrus day 4 (NOR 4, n = 18), or on postestrus day 11 (NOR 11, n = 15). Ear implants were removed after 9 days. Mean (+/- SE) hours from removal of ear implants to onset of estrus and proportion of goats responding were 36 +/- 3.8 and 83%, 33 +/- 4.0 and 61%, and 36 +/- 2.7 and 93% for groups NOR 0, NOR 4, and NOR 11, respectively. There were no significant differences between treatment groups in time to onset of estrus. The percentage of goats in group NOR 11 that had signs of estrus was significantly greater than the percentage of goats in group NOR 4. Of the goats in groups NOR 0, NOR 4, and NOR 11 that had signs of estrus, 53, 55, and 86%, respectively, had onset of behavioral estrus between 24 and 48 hours after implant removal. All goats that had signs of estrus had onset of behavioral estrus between 12 and 72 hours after implant removal. Mean (+/- SE) hours from removal of ear implants to time of peak concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) were 49 +/- 4.1, 49 +/- 3.8, and 49 +/- 4.0 for groups NOR 0, NOR 4, NOR 11, respectively (not different). The percentage of goats in group NOR 11 that had LH peaks was significantly greater than the percentage of goats in group NOR 4.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Isolation of calicivirus from the joint of a kitten with arthritis.

Calicivirus was isolated from the joint of a kitten that had pyrexia, upper respiratory tract disease, and severe shifting-limb lameness. Marked mononuclear inflammation was found in the synovial fluid. Calicivirus infection or live-virus vaccination previously had been associated with arthropathy, but virus had not been recovered from affected joints. Calicivirus infection should be considered as a diagnosis in kittens with fever and arthralgia, especially if there is a history of recent vaccination or upper respiratory tract disease. Lameness associated with calicivirus infection may be severe, but appears to be self-limiting and is associated with an excellent prognosis for recovery.     

Seroepidemiological survey of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infection in sheep in Japan using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunodiffusion

Sera from 1186 apparently healthy sheep in Hokkaido were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunodiffusion (ID) for the presence of antibodies against Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. ELISA-positives were 466 (39.3%) while ID-positives were 330 (27.8%). Spread of caseous lymphadenitis in sheep in Hokkaido was thus clarified. Although ID was less sensitive than ELISA in detecting the antibodies against C. pseudotuberculosis it did not give any non-specific reaction. From the results and in view of the simplicity of the test procedure, ID was found to be of practical diagnostic value. Distribution by age group of anti-C. pseudotuberculosis antibodies in 758 sheep in a herd detected by both tests showed that the ratio of positives was low in sheep aged less than 1 year, and the ratio increased significantly in those aged 1 year and continued to increase with age until it reached a plateau at the age of 4-5 years.     

Type-I hypersensitivity as a component of eosinophilic myositis (muscular sarcocystosis) in cattle

Eight bovine hearts with lesions of eosinophilic myositis (EM) and 2 bovine hearts without EM lesions were collected at slaughter. Blood samples from these 10 hearts, and the heart of a newborn calf also were collected. Histologically, Sarcocystis cruzi was identified in the 8 hearts with EM lesions and the 2 hearts without EM lesions, but not in the heart of the newborn calf. Serum was harvested from the 10 blood samples and was used in homologous, modified, passive cutaneous anaphylaxis tests. Antigen was prepared from S cruzi bradyzoites isolated from the 2 hearts without EM lesions. Serum samples from the 8 cattle with EM lesions reacted positively to S cruzi antigen. When heat-inactivated IgE in serum (56 C for 4 hours) was used, all passive cutaneous anaphylaxis responses were considered negative. Using ELISA, serum IgE concentrations from the 10 cattle with and without EM lesions were 2.2 to 9 U/ml. As determined by radial immunodiffusion, IgM concentrations were 80 to 215 mg/dl. Immunoglobulin G concentrations were 420 to 2,050 mg/dl, but most were less than or equal to 1,700 mg/dl. Immunoglobulin A concentrations were 0 to 62 mg/dl; 1 steer with EM lesions had 0 mg/dl. Double-gel immunodiffusion confirmed the presence of Sarcocystis-specific precipitating antibodies. Sera from the 10 cattle with and without EM lesions formed at least 1 precipitin band.     

Growth characteristics of spring barley and selected weeds. II. Effect of temperature and irradiance in growth chambers

As a part of a broader study, two experiments were carried out in growth chambers with three day/night temperature regimes (10/7, 20/14 and 30/21^C) studying growth characteristics of individual seedlings over a four-week period. Experiment 1 was performed with spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), Galeopsis tetrahit L., and Viola Arvensis Murray. Experiment 2, with three irradiance levels at 20/14^C, and one irradiance level at the other temperatures, was performed with spring barley, V. arvensis, Chenopodium album L., Brassica rapa L. sspoleifera (DC.) Metzger, and Stellaria media (L.) Vill. Leaf area, dry weight, relative growth rate, net assimilation rate, and net photosynthetic rate generally showed an optimum at 20/14^C. Increasing irradiance resulted in a decreased specific leaf area. Expressed as fraction of shoot dry weight, green leaves decreased and stems, flowers, and yellow leaves increased with increased time, irradiance, and temperature. At all temperatures, barley, B. rapa and G. tetrahit had the largest dry weights, but at 20/14^C. C album and S. media and at 30/21^C C. album also had large values. Differences in dry weight between species correlated more to morphological features than to assimilation rate.     

The Occurrence of Salmonella in Airline Meals

The occurrence of Salmonella in airline meals was studied in 1989-1992. Samples were collected from flight kitchens in 29 countries. The material consisted of 400 cold dishes and 1,288 hot dishes as well as salads, cheese plates and desserts. Total number of samples was 2211. Salmonella spp. were isolated from 6 samples; 1 contaminated sample was a cold dish prepared in Bangkok, 1 was a hot dish prepared in Mombasa and the remaining 4 contaminated samples were hot dishes prepared within one week in Beijing. The isolated serotypes were S. ohio, S. manchester and S. braenderup. The contaminated cold dish prepared by a flight kitchen in Bangkok was found to be connected with a Salmonella outbreak which occurred in Finland in 1990. Cold airline dishes containing food of animal origin seems to be more risky as a source of Salmonella infections among airline passengers.