The Role of Recreational Motivation in the Birding Participation–Environmental Concern Relationship

Previous research has generally not found a strong relationship between participation in outdoor recreation and environmental concern. Research has suggested, however, that the motivation underlying recreation can mediate this relationship for some nature-based recreation groups. We hypothesized that the motivation underlying participation in birding mediates the participation–environmental concern relationship. We collected data via mail-back surveys from 529 American Birding Association members. Using structural modeling, we compared a direct effects model with partial and full mediation models with motivation variables as the mediators. The partial mediation model was weakly supported for two out of three motivation variables. Fit indices showed all models to have less than adequate fit. The results suggested that participation may not lead to environmental concern and that other variables, including motivation, may be more influential.     

The effect of dietary supplementation with 9-cis:12-trans and 10-trans:12-cis conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) for nine months on serum cholesterol, lymphocyte proliferation and polymorphonuclear cells function in Beagle dogs

Conjugated linoleic acids (CLA), 9-cis:11-trans and 10-trans:12-cis, have been shown to be able to modify some immune cells parameters and plasma lipids in a variety of experiment models. Since lymphocytes and polymorphonuclear cells (PMNC) have a large spectrum functions in the immune response, the knowledge in this field has to be expanded. Beagle dogs were fed a control diet or a CLA supplemented diet for nine months. Blood was collected for biochemical analysis and lymphocyte and PMNC isolation. PMNC were assayed for lysosome content, phagocytic activity and superoxide anion production. A lymphocyte proliferation capacity assay was done. The CLA fed dogs had a 34% reduction in total cholesterol (P < 0.05), 28% in LDL (P < 0.05) and 28% non-HDL-cholesterol (P < 0.05). Neither of the PMNC parameters evaluated demonstrated significant alteration. Lymphocytes from CLA group increased by 45% their mitotic capacity (P < 0.05). Our study demonstrates that CLA can successfully modify the lipid profile of dogs (monogastrics) when fed at reasonable levels, but did not significantly alter inflammatory function as would generally predicted. Further, we had some indication that CLA modulated T cell responsiveness.     

The effects of morphine on the recovery of horses from halothane anaesthesia

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of peri-operative morphine on the quality and duration of recovery from halothane anaesthesia in horses. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective randomized study. ANIMALS: Twenty-two client owned horses, ASA category I or II. METHODS: Horses undergoing elective surgical procedures were divided into two groups and paired according to procedure, body position during surgery, body mass and breed. Group M+ received morphine by intravenous injection (0.15 mg kg(-1)) before induction of anaesthesia and then by infusion (0.1 mg kg(-1) hour(-1)) during anaesthesia. Group M- received the same anaesthetic agents except that morphine was excluded. At the end of surgery, the horses were placed in a recovery box and allowed to recover without assistance. Recoveries were recorded on videotape, beginning when the anaesthetist left the recovery box, and ending when the horse stood up. Recoveries were assessed from digital video recordings by three observers, unaware of treatment. The time to first movement, attempting and attaining sternal recumbency and standing were recorded. The quality of various aspects of the recovery was assessed to produce a total recovery score; high numerical values indicate poor recoveries. The duration of anaesthesia and the total dose of morphine administered were recorded. RESULTS: The mean morphine dose (95% CI) was 147 (135-160) mg [equivalent to 0.27 (0.25-0.29) mg kg(-1)]. The recovery scores (median, 95% CI) for the M- and M+ groups were 25, 19-41 and 20, 14-26, respectively. Total score increased as duration of anaesthesia increased, independent of treatment. Untreated (M-) horses made more attempts to achieve sternal recumbency: mean number of attempts (95% CI) for M- was 4.5 (2.7-6.2) compared with 2.0 (1.4-2.6) (M+). Untreated horses made more attempts to stand (2.1, 1.6-2.6) compared with the morphine recipients (1.3, 1.1-1.5). Time to standing (in minutes) was significantly (p = 0.0146) longer for the untreated (31.3, 24.3-38.3) compared with treated animals (26.6, 20.9-32.3). The interval between the first movement in recovery to the time at standing was significantly (p < 0.001) longer for M- (14.5, 12.1-16.9 minutes) compared with M+ animals (7.4, 5.0-9.8 minutes). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Recoveries from anaesthesia in the morphine recipients were characterized by fewer attempts to attain sternal recumbency and standing, and a shorter time from the first recovery movement to the time of standing.     

Effect of sow vaccination against Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae on sow and piglet colonization and seroconversion, and pig lung lesions at slaughter

The objectives of the present study were to compare Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (Mh) colonization and serologic status on Mh vaccinated and non-vaccinated sows and to assess the effect of sow vaccination on colonization and serologic status of their piglets at weaning as well as presence of enzootic pneumonia (EP) lung lesions at slaughter. Fifty sows (25 vaccinated and 25 unvaccinated) as well as five of their piglets were included in the study. Blood samples and nasal swabs from sows at 7 weeks pre-farrowing and 1 week post-farrowing and from piglets at 3-4 weeks of age were taken. Nasal swabs and sera were tested by a nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) to detect Mh DNA and by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test to detect antibodies to the pathogen, respectively. Finally, at 23 weeks of age, pigs were sent to the slaughter where the extension of EP-compatible gross lesions was assessed. Vaccination with two doses of Mh vaccine resulted in a significantly higher (p<0.05) percentage of seropositive sows than in the non-vaccinated group at 1 week post-farrowing. On the contrary, no statistical significant differences were found in the number of nasal nPCR positive sows among different treatments (p>0.05). At 3-4 weeks of age, a significantly higher percentage (p<0.001) of seropositive piglets came from vaccinated than from non-vaccinated sows. Although the number of Mh infected piglets coming from non-vaccinated sows was higher than the one from vaccinated sows, the difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Overall, piglets from vaccinated sows had a significant lower (p<0.05) mean of EP-compatible lung lesions (1.83+/-2.8) than piglets from non-vaccinated sows (3.02+/-3.6). Under the conditions described in this study, sow vaccination did not affect sow or piglet colonization but increased the percentage of seropositive sows and piglets at weaning and reduced significantly the mean EP-compatible lung lesion scoring at slaughter.     

Serological changes observed in horses infected with Anoplocephala perfoliata after treatment with praziquantel and natural reinfection

The serological changes in two groups of horses known to be harbouring Anoplocephala perfoliata were studied; 12 were treated with 1.5 mg/kg praziquantel and 200 microg/kg ivermectin, and 14 were treated with 200 microg/kg ivermectin. Serological and faecal analyses were carried out on each animal at intervals for 758 days. The titres of antibodies specific for A perfoliata decreased from the day of treatment to day 28 in both groups, and continued to decrease in the group treated with praziquantel and ivermectin, with the first significant decrease from the other group at day 121. From day 151 to day 295 the first significant increase in antibody levels in the group treated with both drugs was observed; no A perfoliata eggs were detected in the faeces of these animals until day 295 when five of the 10 were positive.     

Lomustine for treatment of mast cell tumors in cats: 38 cases (1999-2005)

OBJECTIVE: To determine clinical activity and toxic effects of lomustine when used to treat cats with mast cell tumors (MCTs). DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 38 cats with measurable, histologically or cytologically confirmed MCTs treated with lomustine at a dosage > or = 50 mg/m(2). PROCEDURES: Medical records were reviewed to determine response to treatment and evidence of drug toxicoses. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate remission duration. RESULTS: 26 cats had cutaneous MCTs, 7 had MCTs of the mesenteric lymph nodes, 2 had gastrointestinal tract MCTs, 2 had hepatic MCTs, and 1 had MCTs involving multiple organs. Targeted lomustine dosage was 50 mg/m(2) in 22 cats and 60 mg/m(2) in 16 cats. Median administered dosage of lomustine was 56 mg/m(2) (range, 48 to 65 mg/m(2)), and median number of doses administered was 2 (range, 1 to 12). Seven cats had a complete response and 12 had a partial response, for an overall response rate of 50%. Median response duration was 168 days (range, 25 to 727 days). The most common toxicoses were neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that lomustine had activity against MCTs in cats and was well tolerated. Further, findings suggested that treatment with lomustine should be considered for cats with MCTs for which local treatment is not an option.     

What is your diagnosis? Peritoneal fluid from an Arabian horse after colic surgery

A 16-year-old castrated male Arabian horse was presented to the Purdue University Veterinary Teaching Hospital with a 4-hour history of colic. Initial examinations provided strong evidence for small intestinal obstruction. Abdominal surgery revealed a strangulating lipoma, and 25 feet of small intestine were resected. Postoperatively, the horse developed obstructive ileus due to adhesion formation, which required a second laparotomy. During and after surgery, the abdomen was lavaged with sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC). One week after the second surgery, evaluation of peritoneal fluid revealed an inflammatory exudate, with many macrophages containing amorphous to granular, pink to magenta phagocytosed material. Extracellular aggregates of the material were also observed. The material was consistent with CMC. To our knowledge, this report is the first to demonstrate the phagocytosis of CMC by peritoneal fluid macrophages.     

E-cadherin expression in canine cutaneous histiocytomas

Canine cutaneous histiocytoma is a common skin tumour of Langerhans cell origin. Langerhans cells are members of the dendritic cell family of antigen-presenting cells and are located in the epidermis. They are unique among the dendritic cell lineage in that they express high levels of the adhesion molecule E-cadherin. The expression of E-cadherin by the neoplastic Langerhans cells in 37 dogs with cutaneous histiocytoma was studied by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. In all the cases, these cells expressed E-cadherin, whereas the infiltrating lymphocytes did not.