Effects of propofol-induced sedation on intradermal test reactions in dogs with atopic dermatitis

We compared the effect of propofol and saline control on intradermal test reactions in dogs with atopic dermatitis undergoing outpatient intradermal testing (IDT). Nineteen dogs were used in this clinical study. Patients were randomly allocated to receive either intravenous (IV) propofol or IV 0.9% saline, and IDT was performed on the right or left (randomized) lateral thorax. One investigator, unaware of the treatments, interpreted all IDT results. Injection sites were analysed using a subjective and objective method. A value of P or= 1+ on all dogs, significantly more positive sites were apparent during propofol sedation than during saline administration. In addition, the greater number of individual dogs experiencing more positive reactions >or= 1+ during propofol sedation was significant. When subjectively analysing reactions >or= 2+, the greater number of positive reactions and the greater number of dogs with more positive reactions observed during propofol treatment was not significantly different from the saline control. When analysed objectively, the greater number of positive reactions observed during propofol sedation was not significant. A greater number of dogs had higher subjective scores and larger objective measurements during propofol sedation compared with saline administration. In summary, propofol sedation was associated with an overall greater number of positive IDT reactions compared with the saline control. Although not always significant, this difference should be considered when choosing propofol for skin testing dogs with atopic dermatitis.     

Effects of topical application of a 2% solution of dorzolamide on intraocular pressure and aqueous humor flow rate in clinically normal dogs

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate effects of topical application of a 2% solution of dorzolamide on intraocular pressure (IOP) and aqueous humor flow rate in clinically normal dogs. ANIMALS: 15 Beagles. PROCEDURE: The IOP was measured in both eyes of all dogs for 3 days to determine baseline values. In a single-dose study, 50 microl of dorzolamide or control solution was applied in both eyes at 7:00 AM, and IOP was measured 7 times/d. In a multiple-dose study, dorzolamide or control solution was applied to both eyes 3 times/d for 6 days, and IOP was measured 4 times/d during treatment and for 5 days after cessation of treatment. Aqueous humor flow rate was measured for all dogs fluorophotometrically prior to treatment and during the multiple-dose study. RESULTS: In the single-dose study, dorzolamide significantly decreased IOP from 30 minutes to 6 hours after treatment. Mean decrease in IOP during this time span was 3.1 mm Hg (18.2%). Maximal decrease was detected 6 hours after treatment (3.8 mm Hg, 22.5%). In the multiple-dose study, dorzolamide decreased IOP at all time points, and maximal decrease was detected 3 hours after treatment (4.1 mm Hg, 24.3%). Mean aqueous humor flow rate decreased from 5.9 to 3.4 microl/min (43%) after treatment in the dorzolamide group. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Topical application of a 2% solution of dorzolamide significantly decreases IOP and aqueous humor flow rate in clinically normal dogs. Therefore, topical administration of dorzolamide should be considered for the medical management of dogs with glaucoma.     

Macracanthorhynchus ingens infection in a dog

A 4-month-old sexually intact female Siberian Husky was examined because of diarrhea and 4 flesh-colored annulated helminths that were recovered from the dog's feces. Infection with Macracanthorhynchus ingens was diagnosed on the basis of morphologic features of the adult parasites and ova. Spindle-shaped eggs (mean length, 91 microm; mean width; 54 microm) were obtained from the body cavity of a gravid female specimen. The dog was treated empirically with epsiprantel (5.5 mg/kg [2.5 mg/lb] of body weight) and ivermectin (250 to 500 microg/kg [114 to 227 microg/lb]), and the diarrhea resolved. Infection with this parasite has been reported in raccoons from the same geographic area. Macracanthorhynchus ingens is typically a parasite of raccoons, wolves, badgers, foxes, skunks, mink, and moles; transmission from wildlife to dogs may occur via ingestion of infected intermediate hosts (millipedes).     

Management of complicated wounds.

Most injuries, including those with significant tissue loss, can be successfully managed with proper therapy. With delayed healing, potential causes for the delay, such as sequestra, foreign bodies, and excessive motion,should be determined and treated to permit complete wound resolution.Horses have the innate ability to heal rapidly; however, minor injuries can quickly turn into complicated wounds, given the severity of the inciting trauma and the less than ideal environment in which the horses are housed.Wound management must focus on a combination of timely surgical and medical intervention to ensure the best potential outcome.     

Malignant teratoid medulloepithelioma in a llama

A lesion was identified in the eye of a juvenile llama, and preliminary clinical findings included anterior uveitis and an exudative retinal detachment suggestive of infectious disease. However, histopathologic evaluation of the enucleated globe revealed an intraocular neoplasm composed of primitive neuroepithelium forming ribbons, cords, and rosettes, heteroplastic elements including spindle cells in a loose myxomatous matrix, and islands of well-differentiated hyaline cartilage. Immunohistochemically, neoplastic cells were positive for vimentin and neuron-specific enolase. Spindle cells were multifocally positive for desmin and muscle specific actin, indicating differentiation towards myofibers. These findings are consistent with a diagnosis of malignant teratoid medulloepithelioma, an extremely rare ocular neoplasm that affects children and young animals.     

Evaluation of the Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity of Protein Hydrolysates and Peptide Fractions Derived from Colossoma macropomum and Their Effect on Ground Beef Lipid Oxidation

The objective of this study was to obtain protein hydrolysate from the mechanically separated meat of blackfin pacu to evaluate the influence by ultrafiltration in the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the peptide fractions obtained and to apply in ground beef to evaluate the lipid stability. The enzymatic hydrolysis was performed using the enzyme Protamex (pH 7.0, 60°C) for 240 min. The protein hydrolysate was fractionated by ultrafiltration. Then, the antioxidant capacity of the protein hydrolysate and the peptide fractions were evaluated in vitro by the methods of 2,2’-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline sulfonic acid) radical capture, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical-scavenging assay, reducing power, and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity. The antimicrobial activity of the samples was evaluated by disc-diffusion against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. After evaluation, the peptide fractions did not present higher bioactivities than that shown for the hydrolysate. The protein hydrolysate was applied to ground beef, where the substances reactive to thiobarbituric acid and color were evaluated during 7 days of storage at 4°C. Lipid oxidation was reduced up to 60.9% and there was no modification of the natural coloration. Thus, the protein hydrolysate can be used as an alternative source of antioxidant for the preservation of refrigerated meats.     

QTL examination of a bi-parental mapping population segregating for “short-stature” in hop (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Humulus lupulus</Emphasis> L.)

Increased labor costs and reduced labor pools for hop production necessitate the development of strategies that improve efficiency and automation of hop production. One solution for reducing labor inputs is the use of “short-trellis” hop varieties. Unfortunately, little information exists on the genetic control of this trait in hop, and there are no known molecular markers available for selection. This preliminary study was enacted to identify QTLs associated with expression of short-stature growth phenotype using SNPs identified within genome-assembled scaffolds. A bi-parental mapping population of 87 offspring was obtained from the cross, “Pioneer × 25/95/15”. Genotyping-by-sequencing was performed on parents and offspring. SNPs were identified using TASSEL v3.0 with either ‘Teamaker’ reference genome or ‘Shinsuwase’ genome. The genetic map derived from ‘Teamaker’ SNPs was far superior and was used for all further analysis. QTL analysis identified eight QTLs linked to short stature with five showing strong statistical association based upon three different statistical analyses. All eight QTLs were found on linkage group one. Evaluation of scaffolds containing SNP markers located at or surrounding QTL regions (±1 cM) identified 67 putative genes—several of which are known structural genes. A genome-wide scan of SNP markers identified an additional marker found on a scaffold containing a putative gene (Aspartyl protease family protein) known to induce dwarf characteristics in other species. Further validation of significantly associated markers on different populations is necessary prior to implementation in marker-assisted selection.     

Carbon exchange rates, chlorophyll content, and carbohydrate status of two forest tree species exposed to carbon dioxide enrichment

Seedlings of yellow-poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera L.) and white oak (Quercus alba L.) were exposed continuously to one of three CO(2) concentrations in open-top chambers under field conditions and evaluated after 24 weeks with respect to carbon exchange rates (CER), chlorophyll (Chl) content, and diurnal carbohydrate status. Increasing the CO(2) concentration from ambient to +150 or +300 microl l(-1) stimulated CER of yellow-poplar and white oak seedlings by 60 and over 35%, respectively, compared to ambient-grown seedlings. The increases in CER were not associated with a significant change in stomatal conductance and occurred despite a reduction in the amounts of Chl and accessory pigments in the leaves of plants grown in CO(2)-enriched air. Total Chl contents of yellow-poplar and white oak seedlings grown at +300 microl l(-1) were reduced by 27 and over 55%, respectively, compared with ambient-grown seedlings. Yellow-poplar and white oak seedlings grown at +300 microl l(-1) contained 72 and 67% more morning starch, respectively, than did ambient-grown plants. In contrast, yellow-poplar and white oak seedlings grown at +300 microl l(-1) contained 17 and 27% less evening sucrose, respectively, than did plants grown at ambient CO(2) concentration. Diurnal starch accumulation and the subsequent depletion of sucrose contributed to a pronounced increase in the starch/sucrose ratio of plants grown in CO(2)-enriched air. All seedlings exhibited a substantial reduction in dark respiration as CO(2) concentration increased, but the significance of this increase to the carbohydrate status and carbon economy of plants grown in CO(2)-enriched air remains unclear.     

Influence of earthworm activity on aggregate-associated carbon and nitrogen dynamics differs with agroecosystem management

Earthworms are known to be important regulators of soil structure and soil organic matter (SOM) dynamics, however, quantifying their influence on carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) stabilization in agroecosystems remains a pertinent task. We manipulated population densities of the earthworm Aporrectodea rosea in three maize-tomato cropping systems [conventional (i.e., mineral fertilizer), organic (i.e., composted manure and legume cover crop), and an intermediate low-input system (i.e., alternating years of legume cover crop and mineral fertilizer)] to examine their influence on C and N incorporation into soil aggregates. Two treatments, no-earthworm versus the addition of five A. rosea adults, were established in paired microcosms using electro-shocking. A ¹³C and ¹⁵N labeled cover crop was incorporated into the soil of the organic and low-input systems, while ¹⁵N mineral fertilizer was applied in the conventional system. Soil samples were collected during the growing season and wet-sieved to obtain three aggregate size classes: macroaggregates (>250 μm), microaggregates (53-250 μm) and silt and clay fraction (<53 μm). Macroaggregates were further separated into coarse particulate organic matter (cPOM), microaggregates and the silt and clay fraction. Total C, ¹³C, total N and ¹⁵N were measured for all fractions and the bulk soil. Significant earthworm influences were restricted to the low-input and conventional systems on the final sampling date. In the low-input system, earthworms increased the incorporation of new C into microaggregates within macroaggregates by 35% (2.8 g m⁻² increase; P=0.03), compared to the no-earthworm treatment. Within this same cropping system, earthworms increased new N in the cPOM and the silt and clay fractions within macroaggregates, by 49% (0.21 g m⁻²; P<0.01) and 38% (0.19 g m⁻²; P=0.02), respectively. In the conventional system, earthworms appeared to decrease the incorporation of new N into free microaggregates and macroaggregates by 49% (1.38 g m⁻²; P=0.04) and 41% (0.51 g m⁻²; P=0.057), respectively. These results indicate that earthworms can play an important role in C and N dynamics and that agroecosystem management greatly influences the magnitude and direction of their effect.     

Decomposition,nutrient loss and microarthropod densities in herbicide-treated grass litter in a Georgia piedmont agroecosystem

A litterbag experiment was made to investigate the influence of the herbicides atrazine, paraquat and glyphosate on several aspects of the decomposition of grass litter in a fallow field. Litter-bags containing dried Johnson grass (Sorghum halepense) leaves were dipped in herbicide solutions at recommended and 10 × recommended field application rates, placed in the field, and randomly collected every 3 weeks from July to November 1982. At the highest treatment levels of paraquat and glyphosate, the leaves showed slower weight loss, faster losses of P, Ca and Mg, and higher densities of microfloral-grazing microarthropods than untreated controls. Using a conceptual model of the decomposition subsystem, it is hypothesized that herbicide treatment altered the system by (1) promoting microbial utilization of the herbicide or additive as a carbon source; (2) increasing the importance of microarthropod grazing relative to comminution; (3) eliminating or reducing the importance of the predatory microarthropods; and (4) increasing the rate of nutrient loss from the litter via microbial and microarthropod activity. The system thus became simplified with fewer recycling loops, accelerated soluble nutrient loss, and slower decay of carbon from the leaf tissue.