Valvular pulmonic stenosis in bullmastiffs

Six bullmastiffs with congenital heart disease were evaluated over a three-year period. In all the cases the problem was shown to be dysplasia of the pulmonary valve. Five cases were male, one was female. All dogs available to follow-up developed signs of cardiac decompensation. Bullmastiffs must be added to the list of breeds in which valvular pulmonic stenosis is encountered frequently.     

Measurement of nitrate leaching losses from arable plots under different nitrogen input regimes

Abstract. Leaching losses of nitrate-nitrogen were measured from a set of eight hydrologically isolated plots on a clay loam soil over the period from September 1987 to February 1990. Variable drainflow recovery from the plots hampered accurate estimation of nitrate loading, but results suggest that, when inorganic nitrogen fertilizer is applied up to the recommended amount, there is little influence of the amount applied on the amount leached. We did, however, observe the following effects on nitrate leaching: leguminous green manure incorporated in autumn increased leaching of nitrate-nitrogen by 10–15 kg per hectare during the winter; autumn cultivation caused some increase in leaching compared with no cultivation in one year; some systematic variations in nitrate leaching occurred between years and between plots, but were unrelated to treatments.
From the results we conclude that green manuring does not provide sufficient nitrogen for organically grown crops on this soil but contributes significantly to nitrate leaching, and that growing spring cereals, with the land remaining in stubble as long as possible in autumn, may be the best strategy to minimize nitrate leaching.     

Land use, rainfall and erosion risk on the South Downs

Abstract. In 1989–90 over 80% of the erosion on agricultural land in the South Downs was on ploughed or cultivated surfaces prepared for spring planting of cereals. This was in contrast to the pattern in previous years when most erosion was in winter cereal fields. An unusual late winter rainfall peak was the primary cause. Periods of erosion risk associated with other land uses on the South Downs are also discussed.     

The effect of exploratory laparotomy on the serum and peritoneal haptoglobin concentrations of the pony.

Serum haptoglobin concentration was used as an indicator of the acute phase response in ponies undergoing exploratory laparotomy. Preoperative, 1 h intraoperative, 3 h, 6 h, 12 h and 24 h postoperative blood samples and 48 h postoperative peritoneal fluid samples were obtained for haptoglobin analysis. A spectrophotometric assay based on cyanmethemoglobin binding capacity (CyanBC) was used to determine haptoglobin concentrations. The preoperative reference range for serum haptoglobin concentrations in these ponies was 25-60 mg CyanBC/dL. Intraoperative and 3 h postoperative blood samples had decreased haptoglobin concentrations when compared to preoperative values. Serum haptoglobin concentrations began to rise by the 6 h postoperative sample and were generally elevated above preoperative values by the 24 h postoperative sample. Two of the ten ponies had mild signs of postoperative colic which were associated with twofold elevations in serum haptoglobin concentrations and fivefold elevations in peritoneal fluid haptoglobin concentrations.     

Salinity Effects on the Growth and Ion Contents of Some Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) and Lentil (Lens culinaris Medic.) Varieties

The effect of salinity on seed germination, plant yield parameters, and plant Na, Cl and K concentrations of chickpea and lentil varieties was studied. Results showed that in both crops percentage emergence was significantly reduced by increasing NaCl levels (0–8dSm^?1). From the plant growth studies it was found that differences existed among chickpea and lentil varieties in their response to NaCl application. In chickpea, the variety Mariye showed the comparatively lowest germination percentage and the lowest seedling shoot dry weight in response to salinity and was also among the two varieties which had the lowest relative plant height, shoot and root dry weight and grain yield at maturity. Similarly, variety DZ-10-16-2, which was the second best in germination percentage and the highest in terms of seedling shoot dry weight, also had the highest relative plant height, shoot and root dry weights, and grain yield at maturity. In lentil, however, such relationships were less pronounced. Chloride concentration (mg g^?1) in the plant parts at salt levels other than the control was about 2–5 times that of Na. K concentration in the plants was significantly reduced by increasing NaCl levels. Chickpea was generally more sensitive to NaCl salinity than lentil. While no seeds were produced at salinity levels beyond 2dSm^?1 in chickpea (no seeds were produced at this salt level in the most sensitive variety, Mariye), most lentil varieties could produce some seeds up to the highest level of NaCl application. Overall, varieties R-186 (lentil) and Mariye (chickpea) were the most sensitive of all varieties. On the other hand, lentil variety NEL-2704 and chickpea variety DZ-10-16-2 gave comparatively higher mean relative shoot and root dry weights, and grain yield, thus showing some degree of superiority over the others. The observed variations among the varieties may be useful indications for screening varieties of both crops for salt tolerance.     

Cystocentesis in dogs and cats]

The technique of cystocentesis in dogs and cats was studied. The indications and contraindications of this method are discussed, using illustrations.