Improved feed intake and body weight change in sheep treated with dexamethasone at entry into pens or feedlots

Treatment with the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone sodium phosphate increased the feed intake of sheep within 24 h. A single treatment with the longer-acting compound dexamethasone trimethylacetate had a slower effect, but resulted in improved feed intake and enhanced body weight gain over a period of 7 to 14 days. Treatment was effective in sheep housed individually and in sheep penned in groups. The improvement in body weight gain disappeared 15 to 20 days after a single treatment, but in most studies treated sheep had less variability in weight change than untreated sheep at this time. A statistically significant increase in body weight gain was observed in 8 of 11 trials; in the other 3 trials, it appeared that the feed intake of the untreated sheep was already maximal. Wethers treated with dexamethasone trimethylacetate on arrival at an assembly point for live export arrived in the Middle East 23 days later with a lower mean weight loss, partly because fewer sheep lost a significant amount of weight.     

Phenylbutazone induces equine glandular gastric disease without decreasing prostaglandin E2 concentrations

In equids, phenylbutazone at high doses induces gastric disease, primarily in the glandular portion of the stomach. However, the mechanism of nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID)‐induced gastric disease in horses has yet to be determined. While phenylbutazone‐associated ulceration is often attributed to a decrease in basal gastric prostaglandins, this has not been demonstrated in the horse. Twelve horses were randomly assigned to treatment (n  = 6; 4.4 mg/kg phenylbutazone PO in 20 ml molasses q 12 hr for 7 days) or placebo (n  = 6; 20 ml molasses PO q 12 hr for 7 days) groups. Before treatment and 3 and 7 days after initiation of treatment, gastroscopy was performed and glandular gastric biopsies were collected and frozen at ?80°C. Glandular disease was assessed on a scale of 0–4. Prostaglandin E₂ concentrations in biopsies were measured using a commercially available enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. All phenylbutazone‐treated horses developed grade ≥2 glandular disease. Prostaglandin concentrations increased over time (p  = .0017), but there was no effect of treatment (p  = .49). These findings indicate that despite induction of glandular disease grade ≥2, phenylbutazone did not decrease basal glandular gastric prostaglandin E₂ concentration.     

An epizootic of bovine ephemeral fever in New South Wales in 2008 associated with long-distance dispersal of vectors

Objective To report the rapid transmission of bovine ephemeral fever ( BEF) virus from north-western New South Wales south to the Victorian border in January 2008 and to present data that suggests an uncommon meteorological event caused this rapid southward dispersal of vectors. Procedure The locations of reported clinical cases, data from sentinel herds and results from a survey of cattle in the southern affected area were examined to delineate the distribution of virus transmission. Synoptic weather charts for January 2008 were examined for meteorological conditions that may have favoured movement of vectors in a southerly direction. Results Cases of BEF and exposure to BEF virus in NSW were confirmed west of the Great Dividing Range, extending from the Queensland border to Finley, on the far North Coast and around the Hunter Valley. A low-pressure system moved south across the state on 18–19 January 2008, preceding the first cases of BEF in the south of NSW by 1–2 days. Conclusion Heavy rainfall in December 2007 provided a suitable environment for vector breeding, resulting in the initiation of and support for continuing BEF virus transmission in north-western NSW. The movement of a low-pressure system south across central western NSW in mid-January 2008 after the commencement of BEF virus transmission in the north-west of the state provided a vehicle for rapid southward movement of infected vectors.     

Agent-specific responses in the cingulate cortex during economic exchanges

Interactions with other responsive agents lie at the core of all social exchange. During a social exchange with a partner, one fundamental variable that must be computed correctly is who gets credit for a shared outcome; this assignment is crucial for deciding on an optimal level of cooperation that avoids simple exploitation. We carried out an iterated, two-person economic exchange and made simultaneous hemodynamic measurements from each player's brain. These joint measurements revealed agent-specific responses in the social domain ("me" and "not me") arranged in a systematic spatial pattern along the cingulate cortex. This systematic response pattern did not depend on metrical aspects of the exchange, and it disappeared completely in the absence of a responding partner.     

Refrigerated Storage of Red Deer Epididymal Spermatozoa in the Epididymis, Diluted and with Vitamin C Supplementation

We have approached the problem of refrigerated storage of epididymal sperm samples from red deer by comparing three options: storing the genital (testicles within the scrotum), diluting the semen in extender or diluting the semen in extender supplemented with an anti-oxidant. Twenty-nine pairs of testes were collected. Spermatozoa from one of each of the pairs were immediately recovered, and diluted to 400 × 10⁶ sperm/ml in Tris-citrate-fructose with 20% egg yolk. Control group was stored as such, and Anti-oxidant group was supplemented with 0.8 m m vitamin C. The remaining epididymides and the diluted samples were stored at 5°C and spermatozoa were analysed at 0, 24, 96 and 192 h for: motility [computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA)], acrosomal integrity, sperm viability (eosine/nigrosine staining), normal tails and chromatin status [sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA)]. In general, seminal quality decreased with storage time. Vitamin C supported progressive motility better at 24 h (median 42% vs 23% Control and 15% epididymis), reduced the incidence of tail abnormalities and protected chromatin. Storing the semen in the epididymis slowed down motility loss, but slightly increased the occurrence of tail abnormalities and viability was lower at 192 h. However, regarding chromatin status, sperm stored in the epididymis was protected similarly to those diluted in the medium supplemented with vitamin C. Although the differences between the three groups were small, there were some advantages in supplementing the extender with vitamin C. Besides, refrigerating the epididymis may be a good option when immediate processing is not available.     

Assessment of on-screen measurements, magnification, and calibration in digital radiography

Objective-To compare calibration methods for digital radiography in terms of measurement accuracy and interobserver variability. Design-Prospective study. Sample-Digital radiographic images of a 155-mm-long Steinmann pin. Procedures-Measurement of pin length on digital radiographs was determined with a 25.4-mm-diameter calibration ball and commercially available software program via 3 calibration methods (ie, no calibration, autocalibration, and manual calibration). Digital radiographs of the calibration ball and pin were obtained with each placed at various vertical heights from the table (7 heights) and horizontal distances from the center of the beam (4 distances). Measurements of pin length on digital radiographs were made by 4 observers who were blinded to the orientation of the calibration ball and pin. Results-Pin lengths obtained by each calibration method were significantly different from each other and from the true value. Manual calibration was the most accurate. There was no significant interobserver variability in measurements. There was no significant change in measurements when the calibration ball was moved horizontally, but pin length measurements changed significantly when the ball was moved vertically (away from the table) with an approximate magnification error of 1% per centimeter of distance between the calibration ball and pin. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-For digital radiography, manual calibration is recommended to achieve the most accurate measurements. Ideally, the calibration ball should be placed at the same vertical height as the object to be measured; however, if this cannot be achieved, the magnification error can be expected to be approximately 1% per centimeter of distance.