Patent ductus arteriosus in cats (Felis catus): 50 cases (2000–2015)

Objectives

To describe signalment, clinical characteristics, diagnostic, treatment, and outcome data in a large case series of cats with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).

Investigating the Needs of Agriculture Scholars: The Purdue Case

ABSTRACT

To better understand the complexity of agricultural research, two Purdue University Libraries’ faculty members conducted a series of interviews with subjects from across the College of Agriculture. Interview questions addressed research methodologies and outputs, research data management, primary information resources, and other aspects of the research cycle and the researchers’ professional lives. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using nVivo software. The results are summarized and presented here.     

Toxin metabolism potential in Richardson ground squirrels (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Spermophilus richardsonii)</Emphasis> in the context of chemical control of this pest

Richardson ground squirrels (Spermophilus richardsonii) are prominent pests on the prairies of North America. Rodenticides have been used for their control for several decades, but this pest continues to thrive. In this study we considered the possibility that this apparent lack of success in controlling this pest may be associated with systemic adaptation of Richardson ground squirrels to toxins. Accordingly, we examined the hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme system (phase I biotransformation) in Richardson ground squirrels selected from fields where rodenticides were used (exposed) and from fields where no toxins were distributed (naïve). We found that the content and activity of individual components of the CYP system including CYP, cytochrome b5, and NADPH–CYP reductase in liver microsomes were higher in exposed Richardson ground squirrels than in naïve Richardson ground squirrels. In vitro CYP-mediated activities for generic substrates representing major groups of reactions were found to be highly variable among individuals. However, systemic activity was comparable among the naïve and exposed Richardson ground squirrels. These findings indicate that Richardson ground squirrels may readily develop resistance to toxins by enhancing the functional capacity of enzymes responsible for detoxification. Therefore, it is important to carefully monitor the efficiency of toxicological methods of Richardson ground squirrels control and to revise management strategies accordingly.     

Vibrios associated with Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man, 1879) larvae from three hatcheries on the Indian southwest coast

Surveys for bacteriological analysis of larval samples to isolate the associated vibrios were carried out during 1985–1992, 2001 and 2002 in three different hatcheries located on the southwest coast of India. Vibrio isolates were examined for their species diversity, virulence based on haemolysis in prawn blood agar, lipolysis, proteolysis and chitinolysis and antibiotic sensitivity. Vibrio cholerae was the predominant species in the apparently healthy larval samples, whereas V. alginolyticus and V. vulnificus dominated during disease and morbidity. No correlation was found between the hydrolytic properties and haemolytic activity of the vibrios associated with the larvae. All isolates were resistant to erythromycin and resistance to oxytetracycline, ampicillin and streptomycin sulphate was prevalent among the larger section of the Vibrio population. This suggested that antibiotic application may not be of much use to protect the larvae from vibriosis. This is the first report on the diversity of Vibrio species associated with Macrobrachium rosenbergii larvae and their virulence characteristics based on haemolysis in prawn blood agar.     

Evaluation of Citrate-Phosphate- Dextrose-Adenine as a Storage Medium for Packed Canine Erythrocytes

Packed canine red blood cells (RBCs) stored in the anticoagulant-preservative solution citrate-phosphate-dextrose-adenine (CPDA-1) were studied at 1, 10, 20, 30, and 40 days. The extracellular concentrations of potassium and sodium, erythrocyte mean corpuscular volume, and osmotic fragility increased during storage (P less than 0.05). There was a decrease in the pH, plasma concentration of glucose, and erythrocyte concentrations of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) and adenosine-5'-triphosphate (P less than 0.05). Erythrocyte 2,3-DPG concentration decreased by 54% within the first 24 hours of storage (P less than 0.001). Posttransfusion viability (PTV) decreased from 90% on day 1 to 46% on day 40 (P less than 0.05). The PTV of the RBCs stored for 10 and 20 days complied with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standard. Although there are marked biochemical and hematologic changes in stored packed red blood cells (pRBCs), 20-day-old units may be expected to be of acceptable quality. The sharp decrease in 2,3-DPG concentration suggests a reduction in oxygen carrying capacity in erythrocytes stored as pRBCs. Hyperkalemia occurs during storage of pRBCs and does not appear to be associated with high intraerythrocytic potassium concentrations.     

Percutaneous endoscopic tube gastrostomy in dogs

Percutaneous endoscopic tube gastrostomy was performed in 10 dogs, using mushroom-tip catheters (16 to 24 F) maintained in place for 5 to 32 days. Dogs were observed daily. Although placement of the catheter was simple and quick, 3 dogs destroyed their catheters. Patency of the catheter was maintained with or without regular flushings with saline solution. Pyrexia (greater than or equal to 39.4 C) developed in 3 dogs, but the rectal temperature returned to base line within 24 hours after catheter removal. After catheter removal, all wounds healed without complication. All dogs were euthanatized. Five were examined radiographically before euthanasia to determine the fate of the mushroom tip after transection of the catheter at skin level between days 5 and 21, and 5 dogs were evaluated at postmortem examination between days 10 and 32. In all dogs, the tip was not present in the gastrointestinal tract by 96 hours after catheter transection. During postmortem examination of the 5 dogs, minimal inflammatory lesions were seen in the gastric tissue. A gastrocutaneous fistula had formed in each dog, resulting in an adhesion between the stomach and peritoneum.