Splenic lymphoma in a short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus)

A 23-year-old, male short-beaked echidna ( Tachyglossus aculeatus ) housed at a North American zoo was successfully treated for flea-associated anaemia, but subsequently died. Cause of death was presumptive septicaemia secondary to splenic lymphoma. This is only the fifth case of neoplasia reported in this monotreme species, and the first from outside of Australia.     

Partially Molten Middle Crust Beneath Southern Tibet: Synthesis of Project INDEPTH Results

INDEPTH geophysical and geological observations imply that a partially molten midcrustal layer exists beneath southern Tibet. This partially molten layer has been produced by crustal thickening and behaves as a fluid on the time scale of Himalayan deformation. It is confined on the south by the structurally imbricated Indian crust underlying the Tethyan and High Himalaya and is underlain, apparently, by a stiff Indian mantle lid. The results suggest that during Neogene time the underthrusting Indian crust has acted as a plunger, displacing the molten middle crust to the north while at the same time contributing to this layer by melting and ductile flow. Viewed broadly, the Neogene evolution of the Himalaya is essentially a record of the southward extrusion of the partially molten middle crust underlying southern Tibet.     

Root absorption and translocation of 5-substituted analogs of the imidazolinone herbicide,imazapyr

In preparation for assessing quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) for root absorption and translocation of imidazolinones herbicides, 13 radiolabeled analogs of imazapyr (2-(4-isopropyl–4-methy1–5-oxo-2-imidazolin-2-yl) nicotinic acid) substituted in the 5-position of the pyridine ring were evaluated in corn (Zea mays L.) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). The compounds (10 μm) were supplied to the roots through a hydroponic solution for 8 h and, following harvest, plant tissues were either combusted to measure total uptake of radiolabeled material or were extracted for determination of the extent of degradation of the parent compound. Root absorption in both species varied by two orders of magnitude among analogs while translocation, expressed as a percentage of absorption, varied by only three- or four-fold. Few differences were observed for translocation of radioactivity from sunflower stems to leaves. Although six of the analogs were partially metabolized in corn, little metabolism of the imidazolinone analogs occurred in sunflower. These data indicate that meaningful models of root absorption and subsequent translocation to shoots may be developed for 5-substituted analogs of imazapyr, particularly when applied to sunflower.     

First record of the wood boring weevil, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pentarthrum huttoni</Emphasis>, in Austria (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

The wood boring weevil, Pentarthrum huttoni Wollaston, is reported for the first time from Austria. It was recorded from coffins in the crypt of St. Michael’s church in the centre of Vienna. Extensive tunnelling of the larvae and surface damage by the adults caused disintegration of the historically significant wooden 18^th century coffins. Beetles were also detected in rotten cardboard on the loamy soil of the crypt. Infestation by this Cossonine weevil is promoted by the very damp conditions in the crypt, a consequence of the closure of ventilation funnels in the 1940s.     

Molecular cloning of a complementary DNA encoding human macrophage-specific colony-stimulating factor (CSF-1)

Complementary DNA (cDNA) clones encoding human macrophage-specific specific colony-stimulating factor (CSF-1) were isolated. One cDNA clone codes for a mature polypeptide of 224 amino acids and a putative leader of 32 amino acids. This cDNA, which was cloned in the Okayama-Berg expression vector, specifies the synthesis of biologically active CSF-1 in COS cells, as determined by a specific radioreceptor assay, macrophage bone marrow colony formation, and antibody neutralization. Most of the cDNA isolates contain part of an intron sequence that changes the reading frame, resulting in an abrupt termination of translation; these cDNA's were inactive in COS cells. The CSF-1 appears to be encoded by a single-copy gene, but its expression results in the synthesis of several messenger RNA species, ranging in size from about 1.5 to 4.5 kilobases.     

Implementing a simulated client program: bridging the gap between theory and practice

INTRODUCTION: This paper outlines the design and implementation of an innovative communication skills training program at the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC). Based upon the body of research in human medical education reporting effective results through the use of standardized patients (SPs) for this type of training, an experiential learning laboratory using simulated clients (SCs) and patients was introduced to first-year veterinary students. METHOD: One hundred and four first-year students were assigned to 12 groups of eight or nine students plus a facilitator. Each student interacted with a simulated client and a patient while being observed by peers and a facilitator. The Calgary-Cambridge Observation Guide (CCOG) was used to guide students and facilitators with performance standards and feedback. Assessment strategies were utilized. RESULTS: Implementation of this program required extensive resources, including funding, expertise, facilitator training, time allotment in an already overburdened curriculum, and administrative and faculty support. Preliminary assessment revealed high student and facilitator satisfaction. The potential of this program for student education and assessment was recognized, and it will be expanded in years 2 and 3 of the DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) curriculum. CONCLUSIONS: Medical educators have created resources, including skills checklists and experiential learning modalities, that are highly applicable to veterinary medical education. Ongoing evaluation of the program is essential to determine whether we are meeting expectations for communication competency in veterinary medicine.     

Ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate and creatine effects on growth and plasma metabolites of nursery pigs

Four experiments were conducted to determine the effect of dietary ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate (OKG) and creatine monohydrate on growth performance and plasma metabolites of nursery pigs. In each experiment, treatments were replicated with four to five pens of four to six pigs each. Each experiment lasted from 3 to 4 wk and Phase I (1.6% Lys) and Phase II (1.3 to 1.5% Lys) diets were fed for 9 to 16 d each. In Exp. 1, pigs (4.7 kg and 15 d of age) were fed diets containing 0, .10, or .75% OKG. Daily gain during a 13-d Phase I period and ADFI during Phase I and overall (29 d) were increased (P < .10) in pigs fed .75% OKG. Gain:feed ratio was not affected (P > .10) by diet. In Exp. 2, pigs (7.1 kg and 23 d of age) were fed 0 or .50% OKG during Phase I only. During Phase I, II, and overall, ADG and ADFI were not affected (P > .10) by OKG supplementation, but gain:feed was decreased during Phase I (P < .04), Phase II (P < .08), and overall (P < .04). Plasma urea N (PUN), glucose, and NEFA concentrations were not affected (P > .10) by OKG supplementation in this experiment. In Exp. 3, pigs (5.8 kg and 20 d of age) were fed diets containing 0, .10, or .50% creatine. Creatine tended to linearly decrease ADG (P = .11) and plasma albumin (P = .12) and PUN (P < .10) concentrations in Phase II (d 12 to 26). In Exp. 4, 850 mg of OKG or 750 mg of creatine was provided daily by oral capsule to pigs 4 d before weaning to 2 d after weaning. Pigs within a litter received either no capsule or capsules containing OKG or creatine. After weaning, pigs that received no capsule before weaning received no treatment, .50% creatine, or .50% OKG in the nursery diet. Pigs that received OKG before weaning received no treatment or .50% OKG, and pigs that received creatine before weaning received no treatment or .50% creatine in the nursery diet. Pigs weighed 3.9 kg 4 d before weaning and 4.9 kg at weaning at an average age of 20 d. The OKG provided by capsule decreased ADG (P < .02) and ADFI (P < .09) during Phase II. The OKG did not affect (P > .10) plasma NEFA, glucose, or urea N concentrations. Creatine added to the nursery diet increased (P < .02) ADFI and decreased (P < .10) gain:feed during Phase II and overall. Creatine in the nursery diet also increased (P < .01) PUN, but it did not affect plasma glucose or NEFA concentrations. Creatine and OKG have variable effects on growth performance and plasma metabolites of nursery pigs.     

Preparation of (R)-2-(4-hydroxyphenoxy) propionic acid by biotransformation

With Beauveria bassiana Lu 700 as biocatalyst an ecologically beneficial process has been developed for the production of (R)-2-(4-hydroxyphenoxy) propionic acid. The fungal strain used in this process, B. bassiana Lu 700, is also a very suitable catalyst for the selective monohydroxylation of other aromatic carboxylic acids.     

The relationship of calfhood morbidity with survival after calving in 25 New York Holstein herds

The association of owner-diagnosed calfhood diseases with the length of herd life after calving was evaluated using data collected prospectively over a ten-year period in 25 New York Holstein dairy herds. Herds selected for the study were milking between 35 and 200 Holstein cows, used dairy herd improvement records, bred cows by artificial insemination unless they needed three or more services, and had regularly-scheduled herd health visits by clinicians from the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Owners recorded occurrences of dullness, respiratory disease, and scours from birth through 90 days of age for all heifer calves that lived at least 24 h and were to be kept as replacements. Milking herd life was measured as the difference between the age at first calving and the age at death or sale. Data on cows sold when the herd went out of business or still in the herd at the end of the study were censored observations. Cox's proportional hazards model was used for statistical analysis of the data. Controlling for age at first calving, study month of birth, and sire predicted difference for milk, there was no statistically significant association of calfhood morbidity with length of herd life. The estimated hazard rate ratios for leaving the milking herd and 95% confidence intervals for dullness, respiratory disease, and scours within 90 days of birth were 1.3 (0.9, 1.9), 0.9 (0.6, 1.3), and 1.0 (0.8, 1.3), respectively. Dullness was the only disease category with an estimated hazard rate ratio greater than 1, and although it was not statistically significant, may warrant evaluation in future studies of long term effects of calfhood morbidity.