Acid–Base Changes in Canine Neonates Following Normal Birth or Dystocia

There are limited data concerning blood gas parameters in neonatal dogs. Knowledge of the normal physiology may facilitate effective therapeutic intervention and potentially reduce neonatal mortality. This study examined acid–base parameters in pups born at normal parturition (n = 27) compared with those born after obstetrical assistance or caesarean operation (n = 13) and those born following oxytocin (OXY) administration for treatment of uterine inertia (n = 11). Pups were subjected to an objective scoring method of neonatal health adapted from use in humans (the Apgar score) at birth and again at 5 and 60 min after birth. Venous blood samples were collected at 5 and 60 min after birth for evaluation of blood gas parameters. At birth, all pups had low Apgar scores and a mixed acidosis. The base excess was lowest for pups delivered after OXY administration. The Apgar score improved for all pups after 5 min of birth and there was an improvement in carbon dioxide tension, base excess and venous blood pH at 1 h, although in all pups a metabolic acidosis persisted. These data provide an important insight into neonatal physiology and the variability of blood gas parameters in pups born at normal and abnormal parturition and provide the basis for clinical decision making following dystocia.     

Magnetic Field and Plasma Observations at Mars: Initial Results of the Mars Global Surveyor Mission

The magnetometer and electron reflectometer investigation (MAG/ER) on the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft has obtained magnetic field and plasma observations throughout the near-Mars environment, from beyond the influence of Mars to just above the surface (at an altitude of approximately 100 kilometers). The solar wind interaction with Mars is in many ways similar to that at Venus and at an active comet, that is, primarily an ionospheric-atmospheric interaction. No significant planetary magnetic field of global scale has been detected to date (<2 x 10(21) Gauss-cubic centimeter), but here the discovery of multiple magnetic anomalies of small spatial scale in the crust of Mars is reported.     

Inflammation induced by subcutaneous turpentine inoculation of young American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis)

Turpentine-induced skin lesions in young American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) kept at 25 C were used to study inflammatory response in a reptile. Skin harvested at intervals between 4 hours and 30 days after inoculations were done had no gross changes until days 24 to 26, when superficial skin necrosis was evident. Early responses of congestion and dermal edema (4 to 8 hours) were seen by light microscopy, and these were followed by necrosis and granulocyte migration (1 to 3 days). Later, there was predominance of monocytic cells, including vacuolated macrophages (7 to 30 days). Evident at 14 days and prominent by day 30 were central dermal zones of necrotic debris surrounded by orderly palisades of vacuolated multinucleated giant cells and capillary-laden immature fibrous connective tissue. Systemic illness or visceral lesions were not observed. Controls, given inoculations of sterile saline solution, had no gross or microscopic changes.     

Giardia infection in budgerigars

Budgerigars ( Melopsittacus undulatus ) from two different breeding colonies were found to have Giardia infection. Light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and in-vitro and in-vivo studies confirmed the species was G psittaci . Chicks were clinically affected and showed signs of retarded growth, dehydration and diarrhoea. The faeces of adult birds treated with metronidazole in drinking water were negative for Giardia 5 days after treatment. Megabacteria were also found in adult birds but were not treated. This study extends the known host range for Giardia in Australia to include budgerigars.     

Follicle Dynamics and its Relation with Plasma Concentrations of Progesterone, Luteinizing Hormone and Estradiol during the Egg-Laying Cycle in Ostriches

The aims of this study were (i) to describe the changes in the volume of large ovarian follicles (diameter >3 cm) during the 48 h egg laying cycle in farmed ostriches, and (ii) to quantify factors affecting the volume of the largest measured follicle and the plasma concentrations of progesterone (P₄) and estradiol‐17β (E₂β). In eight egg‐producing birds, which all ovulated during the study period, transcutaneous ultrasound scanning and blood sampling was performed at 3 h intervals. The average volume of the total number of visualized large follicles (V_total), the largest measured follicle (V_F1), the second largest follicle (V_F2) and of all follicles smaller than F2 (V_F3–Fn) were each higher before than after oviposition. V_total, V_F2 and V_F3–Fn nearly doubled in the 24‐h period before oviposition, while V_F1 remained at an equal, rather high level until oviposition. Immediately after oviposition V_total, as well as the volume of the other follicle categories, decreased within 6 h, i.e. around the moment of ovulation. By performing statistical analysis on the basis of linear mixed‐effects modelling, we quantified that: (i) V_F1 was 13.2% higher before than after oviposition and increased with 6.5% when LH increased with 1 ng/ml; (ii) P₄ levels were 93.2% higher before than after oviposition and increased with 43.1% for every 3 h closer to oviposition; when LH and E₂β levels and V_F1 increased with 1 ng/ml, 10 pg/ml and 10 ml, respectively, P₄ increased with 116.6%, 50% and 6.1%; and (iii) E₂β levels were 35.6% higher before than after oviposition, increased with 2.7% for every 3 h closer to oviposition and increased with 14.6% when LH increased with 1 ng/ml. It is concluded that during the egg‐laying cycle in ostriches: (i) follicular mass, as estimated by the volume of visualized follicles larger than 3 cm, increases before and decreases after ovulation, and (ii) follicular dynamics and its accompanying endocrine plasma hormone profiles during the egg‐laying cycle in ostriches follow a pattern similar to that in chickens.     

Genetic engineering of plant volatile terpenoids: effects on a herbivore,a predator and a parasitoid

BACKGROUND: Most insect‐resistant transgenic crops employ toxins to control pests. A novel approach is to enhance the effectiveness of natural enemies by genetic engineering of the biosynthesis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Before the commercialisation of such transgenic plants can be pursued, detailed fundamental studies of their effects on herbivores and their natural enemies are necessary. The linalool/nerolidol synthase gene FaNES1 was constitutively expressed from strawberry in three Arabidopsis thaliana accessions, and the behaviour of the aphid Brevicoryne brassicae L., the parasitoid Diaeretiella rapae McIntosh and the predator Episyrphus balteatus de Geer was studied. RESULTS: Transgenic FaNES1‐expressing plants emitted (E)‐nerolidol and larger amounts of (E)‐DMNT and linalool. Brevicoryne brassicae was repelled by the transgenic lines of two of the accessions, whereas its performance was not affected. Diaeretiella rapae preferred aphid‐infested transgenic plants over aphid‐infested wild‐type plants for two of the accessions. In contrast, female E. balteatus predators did not differentiate between aphid‐infested transgenic or wild‐type plants. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the genetic engineering of plants to modify their emission of VOCs holds considerable promise for facilitating biological control of herbivores. Validation for crop plants is a necessary next step to assess the usefulness of modified volatile emission in integrated pest management. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Prevalence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii and intestinal parasites in stray, farm and household cats in Spain

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii was tested for in 585 cats in different regions of Spain. Sera were tested by the indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT). Specific antitoxoplasma IgG (IFAT titer>or=1/80) were found in 189 of 585 (32.3%): 117 of 317 (36.9%) stray cats, 16 of 48 (33.3%) farm cats and 56 of 220 (25.5%) household cats. The overall prevalence was significantly higher in stray groups (36.4% of 365) than in household cats (25.5% of 220), higher in adult cats (>6 months old, 36.8% of 443) than in juvenile cats (<6 months old, 13.9% of 101), and higher in male stray cats (45.3% of 128) than in female stray cats (32% of 153). Prevalence of intestinal parasites was also analysed by a routine coprological method in 382 of the 585 cats. Intestinal parasites were found in 107 faecal samples (28%): 76 of 231 (32.9%) stray cats, 14 of 48 (29.2%) farm cats and 17 of 103 (16.5%) household cats. T. gondii oocysts were not found in any faecal samples analysed. The following prevalences of other intestinal parasites were found: Toxocara cati (18.3%), Toxascaris leonina (1.3%), Ancylostoma sp. (1%), Capillaria spp. (1.3%), Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (1%), Taenia like (3.7%), Dipylidium caninum (2.6%) and Cystoisospora spp. (6.3%).     

Anaesthetic induction with alfaxalone in the ball python (Python regius): dose response and effect of injection site

Objective

To characterise the minimum dose of intramuscular alfaxalone required to facilitate intubation for mechanical ventilation, and to investigate the impact of cranial versus caudal injection on anaesthetic depth.

Detection of hypoglycin A in the seeds of sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) and box elder (A. negundo) in New Zealand; the toxin associated with cases of equine atypical myopathy

CASE HISTORY AND CLINICAL FINDINGS: During April and May 2014 four horses aged between 5 months and 9 years, located in the Canterbury, Marlborough and Southland regions, presented with a variety of clinical signs including recumbency, stiffness, lethargy, dehydration, depression, and myoglobinuria suggestive of acute muscle damage. Two horses were subjected to euthanasia and two recovered. In all cases seeds of sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus) or box elder (A. negundo) were present in the area where the horse had been grazing.

LABORATORY INVESTIGATION: The samaras (seeds) of some Acer spp. may contain hypoglycin A, that has been associated with cases of atypical myopathy in Europe and North America. To determine if hypoglycin A is present in the samaras of Acer spp. in New Zealand, samples were collected from trees throughout the country that were associated with historical and/or current cases of atypical myopathy, and analysed for hypoglycin A. Serum samples from the four cases and four unaffected horses were analysed for the presence of hypoglycin A, profiles of acylcarnitines (the definitive diagnosis for atypical myopathy) and activities of creatine kinase and aspartate aminotransferase.Markedly elevated serum activities of creatine kinase and aspartate aminotransferase, and increased concentrations of selected acylcarnitines were found in the case horses. Hypoglycin A was detected in the serum of those horses but not in the healthy controls. Hypoglycin A was detected in 10/15 samples of samaras from sycamore maple and box elder from throughout New Zealand.

DIAGNOSIS: Cases of atypical myopathy were diagnosed on properties where samaras containing hypoglycin A were also found.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Sycamore and box elder trees in New Zealand are a source of hypoglycin A associated with the development of atypical myopathy. If pastured horses present with clinical and biochemical signs of severe muscle damage then the environment should be checked for the presence of these trees. Horses should be prevented from grazing samaras from Acer spp. in the autumn.