Factors affecting the career path choices of graduates at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine

The objective of this study was to describe the demographics of the Class of 2006, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, and to determine which factors influenced the graduates' career path choices. Data were collected via an on-line survey and the response rate was 95.7% (67/70). The majority (57%) of graduates were starting their veterinary career in a food animal-related (FAR) job. Two factors were significantly associated with this choice: 1) those raised in, or near, a small center (population < 10 000) were 3.4 times (P = 0.03) more likely to accept a FAR position than were those raised in a large center (> 10 000), and 2) graduates with a bachelor of science in agriculture (BSc Ag) were 4.5 times (P = 0.04) more likely to begin their career as a FAR practitioner than were those without such a degree. However, 9 of the 16 graduates having a BSc Ag had an urban upbringing.     

Encephalitis in aborted bovine fetuses associated with Bovine herpesvirus 1 infection.

Brain tissue from 12 aborted bovine fetuses submitted to the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory revealed histologic lesions that consisted of glial nodules and variable degrees of mononuclear inflammation, microhemorrhage, neuronal necrosis, and cerebral cortical cavitation. A diagnosis of Bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1) abortion had been made in all of these cases through multiple testing modalities. Brain tissue from 8 of the 12 fetuses was immunohistochemically stained with a monoclonal antibody specific to BHV-1, and, in 5 fetuses, there was positive intralesional staining of neurons, glial cells, and endothelial cells. This preliminary data suggested that herpesviral infection of brain tissue led to the described neurologic lesions. BHV-1 was then amplified from brain tissue in all 12 of the fetuses and was confirmed by partial sequencing of the thymidine kinase and glycoprotein C genes. To the authors' knowledge, neurologic lesions have not previously been described in BHV-1-infected fetuses, nor has BHV-1 previously been identified in bovine fetal brain tissue. The neurologic histopathology attributed to BHV-1 infection in these cases overlaps with the neurologic lesions produced by Neospora caninum, a common etiologic agent of bovine abortion. Therefore, when bovine fetal neurologic lesions are found, both etiologies should be considered and then distinguished by using additional diagnostic tools.     

The effects of halothane and isoflurane on cardiovascular function in dorsally recumbent horses undergoing surgery

ObjectiveTo determine the haemodynamic effects of halothane and isoflurane with spontaneous and controlled ventilation in dorsally recumbent horses undergoing elective surgery.Study designProspective randomized clinical trial.AnimalsTwenty-five adult horses, body mass 487 kg (range: 267–690).MethodsHorses undergoing elective surgery in dorsal recumbency were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups, isoflurane (I) or halothane (H) anaesthesia, each with spontaneous (SB) or controlled ventilation (IPPV). Indices of cardiac function and femoral arterial blood flow (ABF) and resistance were measured using transoesophageal and transcutaneous Doppler echocardiography, respectively. Arterial blood pressure was measured directly.ResultsFour horses assigned to receive isoflurane and spontaneous ventilation (SBI) required IPPV, leaving only three groups for analysis: SBH, IPPVH and IPPVI. Two horses were excluded from the halothane groups because dobutamine was infused to maintain arterial blood pressure. Cardiac index (CI) was significantly greater, and pre-ejection period (PEP) shorter, during isoflurane compared with halothane anaesthesia with both spontaneous (p = 0.04, p = 0.0006, respectively) or controlled ventilation (p = 0.04, p = 0.008, respectively). There was an association between CI and PaCO₂ (p = 0.04) such that CI increased by 0.45 L minute⁻¹m⁻² for every kPa increase in PaCO₂. Femoral ABF was only significantly higher during isoflurane compared with halothane anaesthesia during IPPV (p = 0.0006). There was a significant temporal decrease in CI, but not femoral arterial flow.ConclusionThe previously reported superior cardiovascular function during isoflurane compared with halothane anaesthesia was maintained in horses undergoing surgery. However, in these clinical subjects, a progressive decrease in CI, which was independent of ventilatory mode, was observed with both anaesthetic agents.Clinical relevanceCardiovascular function may deteriorate progressively in horses anaesthetized for brief (<2 hours) surgical procedures in dorsal recumbency. Although cardiovascular function is superior with isoflurane in dorsally recumbent horses, the need for IPPV may be greater.     

Components of maritime pine susceptibility to twisting rust – A path coefficient analysis

Data collected in a three-year field experiment on infection and damage by Melampsora pinitorqua on maritime pines showing contrasting growth were analysed by means of path analysis. The severity of infection in 2 year-old pines could be mainly explained by the amount of susceptible tissues (elongating shoots). In contrast, two years later, intrinsic susceptibility, i.e. expressed after inoculation, was shown to have the most important direct effect on the amount of infection. Intrinsic susceptibility could be satisfactorily assessed by artificial inoculations on excised shoots under controlled conditions. Shoot potassium and phosphorous contents were shown to have marked positive effects on susceptibility. The hypothesis of an age effect on the relative importance of different resistance mechanisms, i.e. avoidance and active resistance, in maritime pine interaction with twisting rust is discussed.     

Correlation of ultrasonographic appearance of lesions and cytologic and histologic diagnoses in splenic aspirates from dogs and cats: 32 cases (2002-2005)

OBJECTIVE: To determine the accuracy of cytologic diagnosis, compared with histologic diagnosis, in determination of disease in ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspirates of splenic lesions. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Splenic specimens from 29 dogs and 3 cats. PROCEDURES: Records were searched for dogs and cats that had undergone ultrasound-guided splenic aspiration. Criteria for inclusion were ultrasonographic identification of splenic lesions and cytologic and histologic evaluation of tissue from the same lesion. Cytologic samples were obtained by fine-needle aspiration, and histologic specimens were obtained via surgical biopsy, ultrasound-guided biopsy, or necropsy. RESULTS: Cytologic diagnoses corresponded with histologic diagnoses in 19 of 31 (61.3%) cases and differed in 5 of 31(16.1%) cases, and 1 aspirate was inadequate for evaluation. In 7 of 31 (22.6%) cases, histologic evaluation of tissue architecture was required to distinguish between reactive and neoplastic conditions. On the basis of histologic diagnosis in 14 animals with nonneoplastic conditions, the cytologic diagnosis was correct in 11 cases, not definitive in 2 cases, and incorrect in 1 case. In 17 animals with malignant neoplastic diseases, the cytologic diagnosis was correct in 8 cases, not definitive but consistent with possible neoplasia in 5 cases, and incorrect in 4 cases. Multiple similar-appearing nodules were significantly associated with malignancy, whereas single lesions were more often benign. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Ultrasound-guided aspiration of splenic lesions is a minimally invasive tool for obtaining specimens for cytologic evaluation. Although cytologic diagnoses often reflect histologic results, if missampling or incomplete sampling occurs or tissue architecture is required to distinguish between reactive and neoplastic conditions, accurate diagnosis with fine-needle aspiration may not be possible.     

Assessment of cartilage degradation effects of matrix metalloproteinase-13 in equine cartilage cocultured with synoviocytes

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-13, compared with interleukin (IL)-1alpha, on cartilage matrix molecule gene expression in a coculture system of equine cartilage explants and synoviocytes. SAMPLE POPULATION: Articular cartilage and synovium specimens harvested from femoropatellar joints of 4 horses, aged 3 to 5 years. PROCEDURES: Synoviocytes were isolated and cocultured with cartilage explants. Cultures were treated with human recombinant MMP-13 (1, 25, or 100 ng/mL) or IL-1alpha (0.01, 0.1, 1.0, or 10 ng/mL) for 96 hours, with medium exchange at 48 hours. Cartilage extracts and media were analyzed for glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content, and results were adjusted to cartilage DNA content. Quantitative PCR was performed on mRNA from cartilage (MMP-3, MMP-13, aggrecan, and collagen type IIB [COL2A1]) and synoviocytes (MMP-3 and MMP-13), and results were adjusted to 18S ribosomal subunit mRNA expression. Treatments were performed in triplicate, and the experiment was repeated 4 times. RESULTS: Cultures treated with MMP-13 or IL-1alpha had increased media GAG concentration at 48 and 96 hours. Aggrecan and COL2A1 mRNA expression were increased by application of MMP-13 or IL-1alpha. Gene expression of the catabolic mediator, MMP-3, in cartilage and synoviocytes was increased in cultures treated with MMP-13 or IL-1alpha. Expression of MMP-13 mRNA in cartilage was increased by IL-1alpha, but decreased in synoviocytes by MMP-13 treatment. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results support the use of recombinant MMP-13 in a coculture system of synoviocytes and cartilage explants for the study of osteoarthritis.