Evaluation of the effects of ischemic injury and ureteral obstruction on delayed graft function in cats after renal autotransplantation

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relative importance of ischemic injury to delayed graft function (DGF) in cats. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental study. ANIMALS: Six intact female cats. METHODS: Cats had renal autograft transplantation without ureteral transection and reimplantation and a contralateral nephrectomy. Serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentrations were measured regularly and abdominal ultrasound was performed before surgery, the day after surgery and twice weekly thereafter. Ultrasound-guided renal biopsy was performed on day 7. Cats were euthanatized on day 21. Histology of the autograft, ureter, bladder, vascular anastomoses sites, and contralateral kidney were performed. Observations were compared with those from an historic group of research cats that had extravesicular ureteroneocystostomy and contralateral nephrectomy. RESULTS: Five cats completed the study. Serum creatinine and BUN concentrations increased after surgery, peaking at 3.2+/-0.8 and 77.6+/-15.9 mg/dL, respectively, 1-2 days after surgery. Serum creatinine concentration returned to the reference interval by 6 days after surgery. BUN gradually decreased in all cats but did not return to the reference interval by study end. Serum creatinine and BUN concentrations were consistently lower but not significantly so (P=.29 and .56, respectively) compared with the historic ureteroneocystostomy group. No ultrasonographic abnormalities or renal biopsy histologic abnormalities were observed. At necropsy, 1 autograft had generalized interstitial fibrosis. CONCLUSION: Harvesting the renal graft and the ischemia before revascularization causes impaired renal function after engraftment. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The process of harvesting and reimplanting the renal graft can contribute to DGF in cats, independent of ureteral obstruction.     

Assessing long term effects of compost fertilization on soil fertility and nitrogen mineralization rate

Background

Fertilization with organic waste compost can close the nutrient cycles between urban and rural environments. However, its effect on yield and soil fertility must be investigated.

Aim

This study investigated the long-term effect of compost on soil nutrient and potentially toxic elements (PTEs) concentration, nutrient budgets, and nitrogen (N) mineralization and efficiency.

Methods

After 21 years of annual compost application (100/400 kg N ha^–1 year^–1 [100BC/400BC]) alone and combined with mineral fertilization, soil was analyzed for pH, organic carbon (SOC), nutrient (total N and P, N_min, extractable CAL-P, CAL-K, and Mg), and PTE (Cu, Ni, Zn) concentrations. Yields were recorded and nutrient/PTE budgets and apparent net mineralization (ANM, only 2019) were calculated.

Results

N efficiency was the highest in maize and for mineral fertilization. Compost application led to lower N efficiencies, but increased ANM, SOC, pH, and soil N, and surpluses of N, P, and all PTEs. Higher PTE concentrations were only found in 400BC for Cu. Nutrient budgets correlated with soil nutrient concentration. A surplus of 16.1 kg P ha^–1 year^–1 and 19.5 kg K ha^–1 year^–1 resulted in 1 mg kg^–1 increase in CAL-P and CAL-K over 21 years.

Conclusion

Compost application supplies nutrients to crops with a minor risk of soil-accumulation of PTEs. However, the nutrient stoichiometry provided by compost does not match crop offtakes causing imbalances. Synchronization of compost N mineralization and plant N demand does not match and limits the yield effect. In winter wheat only 65–70% of N mineralization occurred during the growth period.     

Evaluation of an endoscopically assisted gastropexy technique in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of endoscopy in conjunction with a gastropexy technique in dogs as a potential means to aid prevention of gastric dilatation-volvulus. ANIMALS: 12 healthy adult medium- and large-breed dogs. PROCEDURES: 12 adult research dogs that had no abnormal physical examination findings each underwent an endoscopically assisted gastropexy procedure. On completion of the procedure, the dogs were euthanized and exploratory laparotomies were performed to evaluate the surgical site. Data recorded included anatomic location of the gastropexy, gastropexy length, and duration of procedure as well as any complications. RESULTS: Mean+/-SD gastropexy length was 3.3+/-0.25 cm, and mean duration of surgery was 18+/-7 minutes. In each dog, the stomach was located in its normal anatomic position and all gastropexies were sutured to the abdominal wall at the level of the pyloric antrum. The only complications during the procedure were needle bending and breakage at the time of stay suture placement. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: On the basis of these findings, it appears that endoscopically assisted gastropexy is a simple, fast, safe, and reliable method of performing a prophylactic gastropexy in dogs when undertaken by a person who is skilled in endoscopy. Such a procedure maximizes the benefits of decreased morbidity and shorter duration of anesthesia associated with minimally invasive surgery. Further clinical studies are warranted to evaluate the long-term efficacy of this procedure in dogs at risk for development of gastric dilatation-volvulus.     

Status of giant clam resources around Okinawa‐jima Island,Ryukyu Archipelago,Japan

相似文献   

Echocardiographic diagnosis of an anomaly of the tricuspid valve in a male pygmy goat.

A 3-year-old male pygmy goat was evaluated because of a grade III/V plateau pansystolic murmur that was auscultated over the tricuspid valve area and a grade II/V plateau pansystolic murmur that was auscultated over the left heart base. Echocardiography revealed a large right atrium and ventricle, an atrial septal defect, and a dysplastic tricuspid valve displaced apically into the right ventricle. Contrast echocardiography and color-flow Doppler echocardiography revealed flow from right to left through the atrial septal defect and severe tricuspid regurgitation. A diagnosis of tricuspid valve dysplasia and severe tricuspid regurgitation was made. This anomaly (Ebstein's anomaly) of the tricuspid valve should be considered in goats that have systolic, with or without diastolic, murmurs over the tricuspic valve. Two-dimensional echocardiography can confirm the diagnosis of the anomaly. The associated tricuspid regurgitation and interatrial right-to-left shunt flow can be detected and semiquantitated by use of contrast, continuous wave, and color-flow Doppler echocardiography.     

Ultrasonography as a diagnostic aid in horses with anaerobic bacterial pleuropneumonia and/or pulmonary abscessation: 27 cases (1984-1986)

The medical records of 83 horses with pleuropneumonia and/or pulmonary abscessation, in which thoracic sonography was used, were reviewed. The sonograms of these horses were reviewed retrospectively for free gas echoes within pleural or abscess fluid. Anaerobic infection was confirmed in 27 horses, and gas echoes were observed in 21 horses. There was a significant (P less than 0.001) correlation between the observation of gas echoes and anaerobic infection in horses with pleuropneumonia and/or pulmonary abscessation. A foul odor to the breath or pleural fluid was significantly (P less than 0.001) associated with anaerobic infection. Poor survival rates were associated with gas echoes or a foul odor to the breath or pleural fluid, both of which were associated with anaerobic infection. Gas echoes within pleural or abscess fluid were found to be a sensitive and specific indicator of anaerobic infection, as was a putrid odor to the breath or pleural fluid. Evaluation for gas echoes and foul odor had better predictive value than did evaluation for gas echoes or foul odor alone. Gas echoes within pleural or abscess fluid is highly suggestive of anaerobic infection. Ultrasonography should be performed repeatedly in horses with pleuropneumonia to assess the progression or resolution of pleural and parenchymal disease. The detection of gas echoes on subsequent ultrasonograms may indicate the development of anaerobic infection.     

Use of rheolytic thrombectomy in the treatment of feline distal aortic thromboembolism

The purpose of this prospective clinical trial was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a commercially available rheolytic thrombectomy system in the treatment of naturally occurring feline aortic thromboembolic disease. All 6 cats enrolled in the investigation were affected at the level of the distal aorta and had signs of the disease affecting both pelvic limbs. Cats were anesthetized and an arteriotomy was performed on 1 carotid artery to gain access to the arterial system. Selective arterial angiography was used to confirm the presence of thromboembolic disease. The thrombectomy system was advanced to the level of the thrombus using fluoroscopic guidance. Repeat angiography was used intermittently to assess progress of thromboembolus dissolution throughout the procedure. The use of the rheolytic thrombectomy system resulted in successful thrombus dissolution in 5 of 6 cats. Three of 6 cats survived to discharge. Both of these results compare favorably with conventional therapies used in the treatment of this disease. Feline distal aortic thromboembolism is a frustrating disease that warrants a guarded to poor prognosis. Rheolytic thrombectomy may provide veterinarians with an alternative therapy in the treatment of thromboembolic diseases, including feline distal aortic thromboembolism.     

Management and assessment of prognosis after gastrocnemius disruption in Thoroughbred foals: 28 cases (1993–2007)

Reasons for performing study: Few studies have evaluated the athletic prognosis of foals affected by gastrocnemius disruption. Objective: To examine the diagnosis and management of gastrocnemius disruption in Thoroughbred (TB) foals, determine short‐term survival rate and assess future racing performance. The hypothesis was that Thoroughbred foals with gastrocnemius disruption are able to perform as racehorses comparably to their age matched maternal siblings. Methods: The medical records of foals diagnosed with gastrocnemius muscle disruption were reviewed. Information on training and racing was acquired from published works and race records. Paired t tests were utilised to compare performance variables of affected racehorses to their maternal siblings in starts, earnings and earnings/start for their 2‐ and 3‐year‐old racing seasons. Fisher's exact tests were employed to determine the association between sex, limb affected, age on admission, degree of caudal reciprocal apparatus dysfunction, concurrent disease, antibiotic therapy, complications, abscess formation and likelihood of entering training or starting a race. Results: Sample size was too small to detect significant differences in performance variables between affected horses and controls. Of 28 foals, 17 (61%) presented with concomitant illness; foals without concurrent disease were more likely to achieve race training or start a race (P = 0.04); 23 (82%) were short‐term survivors defined as survival to discharge. Of these 23 survivors, 7 were aged <2 years at the time of the study. Eighty‐one percent (13/16) of the survivors that were of racing age were in training or had started a race. Conclusions: In this population, 82% of TB foals affected with gastrocnemius disruption were able to achieve training or start a race. Foals presenting for gastrocnemius disruption have a high prevalence of concurrent disease processes. Potential relevance: The assessment of athletic prognosis and treatment complications provides useful information to clinicians treating gastrocnemius muscle disruption in foals and making recommendations to clientele.     

Case-control study of factors associated with fibrinous pericarditis among horses in central Kentucky during spring 2001

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors significantly associated with an epidemic of fibrinous pericarditis during spring 2001 among horses in central Kentucky. DESIGN: Case-control study. ANIMALS: 38 horses with fibrinous pericarditis and 30 control horses examined for other reasons. PROCEDURE: A questionnaire was developed to solicit information regarding a wide range of management practices and environmental exposures from farm owners or managers. RESULTS: The following factors were found in bivariate analyses to be significantly associated with an increased risk of pericarditis: being from a farm with mares and foals affected by mare reproductive loss syndrome, exposure to Eastern tent caterpillars in or around horse pastures, younger age, shorter duration of residence in Kentucky and at the farm of current residence, being fed hay grown outside Kentucky, a lack of access to pond water, access to orchard grass for grazing, and a lack of direct contact with cattle. In multivariate logistic regression analyses, only variables related to caterpillar exposure and age were significantly associated with fibrinous pericarditis. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELVANCE: Results suggest that fibrinous pericarditis in horses may be associated with mare reproductive loss syndrome. Exposure to Eastern tent caterpillars was the greatest risk factor for development of fibrinous pericarditis. The distribution of times of diagnosis of fibrinous pericarditis was consistent with a point-source epidemic.     

Rhodococcus equi pneumonia in an adult horse

A 20‐year‐old, Thoroughbred mare in the fifth month of gestation was examined for weight loss, pyrexia and lethargy. Physical examination, ultrasonography and radiography revealed a severe abscessing pneumonia and a dead fetus. The mare did not respond to symptomatic treatment and died suddenly. Necropsy revealed multifocal pulmonary abscessation. Rhodococcus equi was isolated from the lungs, liver and kidneys. Specific immune function of the mare and presence of the virulence associated protein A (VapA) of the R. equi isolated was not determined. It is likely that immunosuppression is required for systemic R. equi infections in adult horses; however, it is unknown if VapA is necessary to produce disease in adult horses.