Potential risks,prognostic indicators,and diagnostic and treatment modalities affecting survival in dogs with presumptive aspiration pneumonia: 125 cases (2005–2008)

Objective – To evaluate a clinical population of dogs diagnosed with presumptive aspiration pneumonia (AP) and determine diagnostic and treatment modalities contributing to survival. Design – Retrospective study. Setting – A university veterinary teaching hospital in an urban setting. Animals – One hundred and twenty‐five dogs with presumed AP treated from 2005 to 2008. Interventions – None. Measurements and Main Results – Dogs with presumptive AP identified by a review of medical records had an overall survival of 81.6% (102/125). Male large‐breed dogs (mean 24.9 kg; 82/125) were overrepresented and were more likely to develop AP in this study population. Recent anesthesia had been performed in 16% (20/125), and vomiting was reported in 64% (80/125). The most common radiographic findings were a predominantly alveolar pattern (187/272, [68.8%] total lung lobes) in the right middle lung lobe (80/115, [69.6%]). A mean of 2 lung lobes were involved radiographically, and the relationship between survival and the number of lung lobes affected was statistically significant (P=0.04). Neutrophilia with a left shift was common with no significant change on consecutive daily evaluations. The mean PaO₂ was 77.7 mm Hg (SD, 17.5 mm Hg) (range, 40.7–100 mm Hg) with a median alveolar‐arterial gradient of 41.1 mm Hg (range, 8.1–81.8 mm Hg). In this study population, 37.6% (47/125) of dogs had microbial cultures performed and of these, 76.6% (36/47) were positive for growth; Escherichia coli (38.8%), Mycoplasma spp. (21.3%), Pasturella spp. (19.1%), and Staphylococcus spp. (17%) were the most common isolates in either single or multiagent infections. No treatment modality was statistically associated with increased survival. Colloid therapy was a negative prognostic indicator. Conclusions – In this study the overall prognosis for AP was good. Patients with only 1 affected lung lobe appeared more likely to survive. Supportive treatment modalities are warranted for the hospitalized patient, although no individual treatment method was found to be clearly superior to others.     

A lack of large-diameter logs and snags characterises dead wood patterns in Irish forests

Dead wood is an important component of forest ecosystems and volumes vary depending on forest age, management intensity and productivity. This is the first large-scale study to quantify dead wood in Irish forests and to compare them to forests in other locations. We measured the volume and size distribution of logs, the density and size distribution of snags and the volume of dead wood contained in stumps in Oak (Quercus spp.) and Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) forests and in Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) plantations throughout Ireland. We also assigned each log, snag and stump to one of three decay classes (intact, part-rotted and well-rotted). We found no significant difference in log volume between any of the forest types. The majority (>90%) of logs were less than 20 cm in diameter, and large logs (>40 cm diameter) were scarce. We found a relatively high density of snags in all forest types but, as in the case of logs, over 90% of snags were <20 cm DBH and large snags (>40 cm DBH) were rare. The volume of dead wood contained in stumps was significantly higher in plantations than in Oak or Ash forests as a result of thinning and harvesting. Most logs and snags were moderately decayed but, in plantations, most stumps were intact. Log volume and the size of logs and snags were considerably lower than in old-growth forests in other regions. These patterns may reflect historical use of Irish forests for coppice and timber production. Management for biodiversity should aim to accelerate dead wood accumulation to increase the frequency of large-diameter logs and snags. Although management seeking to replicate the dead wood volumes of old-growth forests is ideal, it may be unrealistic in the short term.     

Enzymatic hydrolysis of heat-induced aggregates of whey protein isolate

The effects of heat-induced denaturation and subsequent aggregation of whey protein isolate (WPI) solutions on the rate of enzymatic hydrolysis was investigated. Both heated (60 °C, 15 min; 65 °C, 5 and 15 min; 70 °C, 5 and 15 min, 75 °C, 5 and 15 min; 80 °C, 10 min) and unheated WPI solutions (100 g L(-1) protein) were incubated with a commercial proteolytic enzyme preparation, Corolase PP, until they reached a target degree of hydrolysis (DH) of 5%. WPI solutions on heating were characterized by large aggregate formation, higher viscosity, and surface hydrophobicity and hydrolyzed more rapidly (P < 0.001) than the unheated. The whey proteins exhibited differences in their susceptibility to hydrolysis. Both viscosity and surface hydrophobicity along with insolubility declined as hydrolysis progressed. However, microstructural changes observed by light and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) provided insights to suggest that aggregate size and porosity may be complementary to denaturation in promoting faster enzymatic hydrolysis. This could be clearly observed in the course of aggregate disintegration, gel network breakdown, and improved solution clarification.     

Rapid Determination of Mercury in Contaminated Soil and Plant Samples Using Portable Mercury Direct Analyzer without Sample Preparation, a Comparative Study

The objective of this study was to determine the efficiency of a portable total mercury analyzer (OhioLumex RA-915+) in comparison with traditional analytical methods, such as inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry and cold vapor atomic absorption. The quick mercury analytical procedure with the direct mercury analyzer without sample pretreatment (such as sample digestion) was optimized for a variety of environmental samples, including contaminated soil and plant samples. The efficiency was evaluated using practical parameters, such as time required for analysis, sample amount, mercury species, accuracy, and precision/reproducibility, as well as using statistical analysis. Our results demonstrate that these three instrumental methods yielded similar mercury concentration values and statistical data, while the mercury direct analyzer had the advantages of not requiring for sample digestion and only requiring a small quantity of samples for distribution of mercury in a single root, a single root hair, and sub-regions of a single leaf of plants. These factors are used to justify use of the portable direct mercury analyzer under field conditions and validation of the results.     

A Comparison of Two Collectors for Monitoring Precipitation Chemistry

Comparison of event-based precipitation collected during 1 year showed that samples from a Yankee Environmental Systems collector had significantly higher volume, higher concentrations, and higher deposition of all ions analyzed except PO₄³⁻ and NH₄⁺ compared to samples collected simultaneously with an Aerochem Metrics collector.     

Alpine flora may depend on declining frugivorous parrot for seed dispersal

Globally, bird numbers are declining, with potentially serious flow-on effects on ecosystem processes, such as seed dispersal mutualisms. However, management to maintain seed dispersal may be inappropriate if unexpected animals are the most important dispersers. Numbers of the world’s only alpine parrot, the New Zealand kea (Nestor notabilis), have declined drastically over the last 120 years after an intense period of official persecution. Today <5000 kea remain in the wild. Previously it has been assumed that like other parrots, kea would destroy most of the seeds they eat, thereby contributing little to seed dispersal. The New Zealand alpine flora is rich in fleshy-fruited species yet has a limited disperser fauna. Consequently, we investigated the relevance of kea as a seed disperser in New Zealand’s alpine ecosystems. Field-based foraging observations coupled with faecal analyses showed kea were by far the most important extant alpine avian frugivore. Kea selected more fruiting species (21 vs. 17 species), consumed more fruit, and dispersed more seeds (8137 vs. 795) than all other birds combined. Rates of seed predation by kea were extremely low, and evident in only 25% of species eaten. Kea are the only species that make frequent long-distance flights within and between mountain ranges. Hence, much of the effective long-distance dispersal of the alpine flora may be currently performed by kea. Conservation of kea is therefore important both for ensuring the survival of the species and for their role in seed-dispersal mutualisms for which there are few extant substitutes.     

Plant water requirement of ‘Hamlin’ sweet orange in cold temperature conditions

Citrus irrigation scheduling is usually based on evapotranspiration (ET) multiplied by a crop coefficient that varies throughout the year. However, ET at 10°C and less has not been investigated. Citrus acclimate to temperatures below 10°C, which affects ET, and therefore may allow irrigation scheduling to be adjusted accordingly. Three separate growth chamber experiments were conducted in complete block design with two temperature treatments and 8-one tree replications with the objective of determining water use of ‘Hamlin’ orange exposed to cold temperatures. The treatments included: full cold-acclimating temperatures, alternating 10 days cold and 3 days warm temperatures, and alternating 10 days warm and 3 days cold temperatures. Although well-watered, trees exposed to temperatures ≤10°C demonstrated lower water use compared to trees held at temperatures that promoted growth. Reduction of water use of cold-treated plants than the controls was 66, 20–57, and 14–28% during full cold-acclimating temperatures, alternating 10 days cold and 3 days warm, and alternating 10 days warm and 3 days cold temperatures, respectively. Reduced water use of cold-treated plants was due to stomatal closure, increased root resistance, and decreased leaf area. Effective irrigation scheduling based on water requirements as they change during cold-acclimating temperatures should save water while providing adequate water for yield and quality.     

Protein Composition of Seminal Plasma in Fractionated Stallion Ejaculates

Seminal plasma (SP) contains several types of compounds derived from the epididymides and accessory glands. The aim of this study was to examine the protein composition of different ejaculate fractions. Trial I: fractionated ejaculates were collected from two normal and two subfertile stallions. Samples containing pre‐sperm fluid and the first sperm‐rich jets (HIGH‐1), the main sperm‐rich portion (HIGH‐2), the jets with low sperm concentrations (LOW), and a combined whole‐ejaculate (WE) sample was centrifuged, and the SP was filtered and frozen. A part of each SP sample was stored (5°C, 24 h) with spermatozoa from HIGH‐2 and skim milk extender. Sperm motility was evaluated after storage in extender mixed with the stallion’s own SP or SP from one of the other stallions (sperm from a normal stallion stored in SP from a subfertile stallion and vice versa). Protein composition was analysed using reverse‐phase liquid chromatography (RP‐HPLC), N‐terminal sequencing and mass spectrometry. The area‐under‐the‐curve (AUC) was used for quantitative comparison of proteins within fractions. Trial II: semen samples were collected from seven stallions. Fractions with the highest (HIGH) and lowest (LOW) sperm concentrations and WE samples were examined using SDS‐PAGE and densitometry. No significant differences emerged between fractions in the AUC‐values of the Horse Seminal Protein‐1 (HSP‐1) and HSP‐2 peaks, or the peak containing HSP‐3 and HSP‐4 (HSP‐3/4). Levels of HSP‐1, HSP‐2 and HSP‐3/4 were not significantly correlated with total sperm motility, progressive sperm motility or average path velocity after storage. Significant differences between ejaculate fractions in the amount of different protein groups present in SP were not found in Trial I; but in Trial II, the proteins in the 60–70 kDa range were more abundant in LOW than in HIGH and WE, indicating that this band contained proteins derived mainly from the seminal vesicles, which produce most of the SP in LOW.     

Ileal impaction in 245 horses: 1995-2007

The objective of this study was to identify parameters that would assist in determining the probability of a successful outcome with medical management versus surgical intervention in horses with ileal impaction. Medical records of 245 horses admitted for ileal impaction were reviewed and placed into 2 groups: medical (med) and surgical (sx) treatment. Persistence of abdominal pain, gastric reflux, frequency of analgesic administration, and 1-year survival were evaluated. There were no differences in signalment, abdominal pain, or heart rate among groups; however, significantly more sx horses had peritoneal fluid abnormalities (51%) and produced gastric reflux (62%) than did med horses (38% and 15%, respectively). Eighty-nine percent of med horses required repeated analgesic administration for successful resolution. One-year survival was 91% for sx horses and 92% for med horses. Horses with ileal impaction responsive to analgesic therapy with minimal gastric reflux are likely to be managed successfully with medical treatment. Horses with persistent abdominal pain and gastric reflux are candidates for surgery.     

Genotypic characterisation and cluster analysis of Campylobacter jejuni isolates from domestic pets, human clinical cases and retail food

The genetic similarity of Campylobacter jejuni isolates from pets, compared to human clinical cases and retail food isolates collected in Ireland over 2001-2006 was investigated by cluster analysis of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) fingerprinting profiles. Comparison of the PFGE profiles of 60 pet isolates and 109 human isolates revealed that seven (4.1%) profiles were grouped in clusters including at least one human and one pet C. jejuni isolate. In total six (1.6%) of 60 pet and 310 food profiles were in clusters with at least one food and one pet C. jejuni isolate. The detection of only a small number of genetically indistinguishable isolates by PFGE profile cluster analysis from pets and from humans with enteritis in this study suggests that pets are unlikely to be an important reservoir for human campylobacteriosis in Ireland. However, genetically indistinguishable isolates were detected and C. jejuni from pets may circulate and may contribute to clinical infections in humans. In addition, contaminated food fed to pets may be a potential source of Campylobacter infection in pets, which may subsequently pose a risk to humans.