Muscular architecture and VIP-like immunoreactive nerves in the gastroduodenal junction of the chicken

The muscular architecture and the distribution of nerves with vasoactive intestinal polypeptide-like (VIP-like) immunoreactivity were examined in the gastroduodenal junction of the chicken. Both the outer and the inner muscle layers (tunica muscularis) and the muscularis mucosae were examined. The inner muscle layer was divided into two parts, namely its inner and outer parts. The outer muscle layer was not present in the pyloric part but was found in the proventriculus and the duodenum. The muscle strands of the outer muscle layer ran longitudinally but were absent at the isthmus and the pylorus. Most of the outer part of the inner muscle layer was located in or close to the pyloric part. The muscle strands in the outer part connected the pyloric part with other regions, namely the craniodorsal muscle, the tendinous centres and the isthmus. The inner part of the inner muscle layer was widely distributed in the stomach. In the pyloric part, the muscle strands of this layer followed a circular or spiral course. The muscularis mucosae was not present in the caudodorsal and cranioventral muscles of the gizzard. In addition, VIP-like immunoreactive nerve fibres were predominantly distributed in the inner part of inner muscle layer of the pyloric part. These results suggest that the ventriculopyloric orifice and the pyloric part itself constrict with a sphincter-like action.Abbreviations VIP vasoactive intestinal polypeptide     

Iron content of rat serum ferritin.

The serum ferritin concentration was significantly higher in female than in male rats, reflecting higher iron stores in females than in males. The mean iron/protein ratio of serum ferritin was 0.018+/-0.008 (SD) (microg of Fe/microg of protein) in female rats and 0.011+/-0.011 in male rats, being much lower than that of liver ferritin (0.233+/-0.014 in females and 0.227+/-0.020 in males). Iron loading of rats significantly increased serum ferritin concentration, but did not influence the iron content of serum ferritin. These results indicate that rat serum ferritin contains only a small amount of iron independent of body iron stores.     

Case of calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumour in a dog

A 12-year-old male shih tzu dog was diagnosed as having a calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumour. One and a half years prior to presentation, a mass was noticed on the right mandible by the owners. Radiography revealed irregular, faintly radiopaque material within the tumour. A right hemimandibulectomy was performed, based on the clinical diagnosis of osteosarcoma. Histopathological evaluation of the mandibular mass showed that it was composed of a polyhedral odontogenic epithelial cell nest, fibrous stroma, homogeneous eosinophilic material and rounded calcifying material. The eosinophilic material was visualised by staining with Congo red, and observed under green birefringence by polarisation microscopy. Although the tumour had not recurred 12 months after surgery, the dog was euthanased because of aspiratic pharyngitis. The literature on the clinical behaviour of calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumours in dogs and cats is reviewed.     

Characteristics of Dorsal Lingual Papillae of the Bactrian Camel (Camelus bactrianus)

The morphology of dorsal lingual papillae of the Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus) was studied by using light and scanning electron microscopy. Filiform and lenticular papillae were considered as mechanical papillae but fungiform and vallate papillae were considered as gustatory papillae. Filiform papillae were distributed mostly in the anterior two-thirds region of the tongue. Each filiform papilla consisted of one primary papilla and a few smaller secondary papillae. Lenticular papillae were distributed on the torus linguae. The larger papillae were arranged in two parallel lines medially whereas the smaller papillae were laterally located. Most of the fungiform papillae were found on the lateral margins of the anterior two-thirds of the tongue. These papillae were small and round. Intra-epithelial taste buds were located on the dorsal surface of each papilla. The vallate papillae were arranged in two rows on each rim of the torus linguae. Each round- and flat-shaped vallate papilla was surrounded by a prominent gustatory groove and an annular pad. A few taste buds were observed in the lateral epithelium of the papillae. The keratinization of the covering stratified squamous epithelium of the mechanical lingual papillae was relatively thicker than those of the gustatory papillae. The lingual papillae of the Bactrian camel exhibited some different characteristics from other domestic ruminants. These morphological characteristics of the tongue of the Bactrian camel might have evolved to assist the camel in prehension and manipulating of the inorganic stiff plants that grow in its environment and therefore might relate to the feed and feeding habits of the animal.     

High-Frequency Jet Ventilation in Anesthetized, Paralyzed Dogs and Cats Via Transtracheal and and Endotracheal Tube Routes

The ability of the SAV 6 high-frequency jet ventilator to effectively ventilate three anesthetized, paralyzed cats (3.2–4.2 kg), two small dogs (7.2 and 10.0 kg), six medium-sized dogs (20.5–25.0 kg), and three large dogs (36.0–43.0 kg) via a 14-gauge (dogs) or a 16-gauge (cats) catheter placed percutaneously into the trachea via the cricothyroid membrane or into a preplaced endotracheal tube was evaluated. The lowest driving pressure within the range of 0.25 to 2.0 kg/cm² (1 kg/cm²= 14.2 psi) and the highest cycle rate within the range of 60 to 240 per minute that would generate a PaCO₂ of 30 ± 3 mm Hg were determined.
All animals could be ventilated to a PaC0₂ of 30 ± 3 mm Hg by the endotracheal tube and transtracheal route, except the largest dogs, which couid be ventilated to an average PaC0₂ of 36 mm Hg by the transtracheal route. The transtracheal route consistently required higher driving pressures and lower cycle rates than did the endotracheal tube route. Cats could be ventilated with a driving pressure of 0.25 kg/cm²; small dogs could be ventilated with 0.5 to 1.0 kg/cm₂; medium-sized dogs with 1.0 to 1.5 kg/cm²; and large dogs with 1.5 to 2.0 kg/cm².
The SAV 6 high-frequency jet ventilator can effectively ventilate cats and dogs (7.2–43.0 kg) via a transtracheal catheter and an endotracheal tube.     

Observations on commercial layers vaccinated with Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) bacterin on a multiple-age site endemically infected with MG

A commercially available inactivated Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) bacterin was administered to chickens on a multiple-age farm endemically infected with MG. A total of 3400 MG-free pullets were vaccinated with the MG bacterin at 19 weeks of age, and 4300 unvaccinated pullets served as controls. The vaccinated group became serologically positive by the rapid plate agglutination (RPA) test within 3 weeks, and the unvaccinated group became positive in 7 weeks. The hemagglutination-inhibition test responses were observed at approximately the same time as the RPA in both of the groups. Egg production and mortality through 50 weeks of age did not differ significantly between the two groups. MG was isolated from birds of the vaccinated and control groups near the termination of the study.     

Morphological Study of the Surface Structure of the Omasal Laminae in Cattle, Sheep and Goats

The mucosal relief of the omasum in cattle, sheep and goats was examined by the naked eye, stereoscopic microscope and scanning electron microscope. The mucosal relief of the omasum showed wide variations both between and within these species. Omasal papillae on the laminae varied highly in shape, i. e. conical, rounded, claw-like, wart-like, finger-like etc. They decreased gradually in size from the oral to the aboral region of the omasal lamina. Ridge-like structures and linear arrangements of the papillae were also seen on the omasal laminae of cattle and sheep. Many grooves and folds were found on the lateral surface of the omasal papillae in adult cattle and on the inter-papillar surface of the laminae of all three species. The mucosal relief of the omasum in cattle seemed to be more well-developed than those of sheep and goats. Dietary effects on the omasal mucosa were also discussed.     

Arrhythmias in newborn thoroughbred foals.

Foetal electrocardiograms (ECG) were obtained from 39 of 50 Thoroughbred foaling mares close to delivery. The 50 newborn foals were studied electrocardiographically during their adaptive period, immediately after birth. In 48 foals there were paroxysmal arrhythmias or mixed arrhythmias. The most common arrhythmias were sinus arrhythmias including wandering pacemaker (32/50) and atrial premature contraction (30/50). The others observed were atrial fibrillation (15/50), ventricular premature contraction (10/50), partial atrioventricular block (7/50), ventricular tachycardia (4/50), atrial tachycardia (3/50) and idioventricular rhythm (1/50). The duration of the arrhythmias was approximately 5 min, and in all cases the arrhythmia disappeared within 15 min of birth. From foetal ECG recordings, no indication of the likelihood of neonatal arrhythmias was detected. With the exception of 2 cases, all foals have continued to grow and develop normally. These arrhythmias are considered normal physiological processes in newborn Thoroughbred foals during the adaptive period to extra-uterine life. High vagal tone and hypoxaemia at birth are probably the main contributing factors.