Risk factors and clinical presentation of cats with feline idiopathic cystitis

Feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) is the most common cause of feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD). This retrospective, case-controlled study evaluated possible risk factors associated with FIC and compared different clinical presentations in 64 cats with FIC. Several risk factors known to be involved in FLUTD were identified as playing a role in FIC. Of the stressful situations considered, most did not occur with increased frequency in cats with FIC compared to controls, except for a house move. The presence of pyuria, haematuria and an increased urine protein:creatinine ratio were significantly higher in obstructed males compared with non-obstructed males. An obstruction was significantly more likely in cats with struvite crystalluria compared with cats without struvite crystalluria. These findings suggest that urethral plugs might be an important cause or contributing factor of obstruction in FIC. Episodes of FIC seem to occur mainly in susceptible cats in combination with a deficient environment.     

Immunisation of pigs with a major envelope protein sub-unit vaccine against porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) results in enhanced clinical disease following experimental challenge

Disease exacerbation was observed in pigs challenged with virulent porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) following immunisation with a recombinant GP5 sub-unit PRRSV vaccine (rGP5) produced in E. coli. Eighteen animals were divided into three experimental groups: group A were immunised twice IM with rGP5, 21 days apart; group B acted as positive controls (challenged but not immunised); and group C were negative controls. Pigs in groups A and B were challenged 21 days after the second immunisation of the group A animals. Following challenge, three pigs given rGP5 exhibited more severe clinical signs than the positive controls, including respiratory distress and progressive weight-loss. Although not statistically significant, the more severe disease exhibited by group A animals may suggest previous immunisation as a contributory factor. The mechanisms of these findings remain unclear and no association could be established between the severity of disease, non-neutralising antibody concentrations and tissue viral loads.     

Effect of solid residues from the cellulose industry on plant growth

An alternative use of solid organic and inorganic residues as fertilizers from a Kraft pulp industry was studied. Residues of inorganic nature, such as ashes, fly‐ashes, dregs, grits, as well those rich in organic matter, primary sludge and brown stock rejects, were examined for plant growth enhancement. These residues, all alkaline in nature, used in different concentrations together with soil, bark, organic soil or mixed with a nutrient solution, were tested on the growth of Monterey pine (Pinus radiata), Eucalyptus globulus, rice (Oryza sativa. cv. ‘Diamante’), and duckweed (Lemna minor) under greenhouse and in‐vitro conditions, respectively. Responses varied according to plant species, type, and waste content in combination with substrate. For Monterey pine, substrates including ash, fly‐ash, and dregs promoted growth; in Eucalyptus seedlings dregs and fly‐ash were also beneficial. Primary sludge and ash were favorable for rice growth. Duckweed increased frond number and plant biomass when grown in water containing fly‐ash and primary sludge extracts, combined with nutrient salts.     

Chemical characterization of lignin and lipid fractions in kenaf bast fibers used for manufacturing high-quality papers

The chemical composition of lignin and lipids of bast fibers from kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus) used for high-quality paper pulp production was studied. Pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) of fibers showed a lignin with a high syringyl/guaiacyl ratio (5.4) and minor amounts of p-hydroxyphenyl units. Simultaneously, sinapyl and coniferyl acetates were also identified, indicating that this lignin is partially acetylated. p-Hydroxycinnamic acids were found in only trace amounts. The main lipids identified by GC/MS of extracts from kenaf fibers were series of long-chain n-fatty acids, waxes, n-alkanes, and n-fatty alcohols. Free and esterified sterols and triterpenols, steroid hydrocarbons, and steroid and triterpenoid ketones, as well as steryl glycosides, were also found. Finally, the fate of the main constituents of kenaf fibers in alkaline pulping was also investigated.     

A comparative study of the precipitation acidity in two cities in Cantabria (Spain) with different degrees of industrialization

A study was carried out on the pH values obtained from bulk (wet and dry) precipitation samples collected simultaneously in two cities in Cantabria (Spain), Santander and Torrelavega over a period of a year. It was observed that the annual weighted average values for the pH of precipitation, 4.42 and 4.21, respectively, differ significantly although the difference is less than that existing between their pollution levels. The difference is greater when total annual H⁺ depositions are compared. The study also demonstrated the strong influence of long-range transport effect on acidity and to a lesser degree the effect of mid-range transport.     

Pectins as possible source of the copper involved in the green staining alteration of cv. Gordal table olives

The pectic and pigment compositions and Ca and Cu contents of the alcohol-insoluble solid (AIS) residues were determined in cv. Gordal olives treated with NaOH solution and kept at different constant pH values (3.5-6.5). The same controls were made in table olives presenting green staining alteration. The ratio between the various pectin fractions of the more acid pH experiment samples remained similar in fruits not showing green staining. In altered fruits, the protopectin fraction was lower, and the calcium pectate or EDTA soluble pectins were higher. Regarding the presence of Ca and Cu in the AIS, it was observed that, whereas Ca levels fell at the most acid pH values, those of Cu increased. The concentration of Ca was higher in the AIS of altered olives than in nonaltered ones. The same trend was seen for the zone with or without green staining of an altered fruit. In the case of Cu, the relationship was the opposite: a decrease in the levels of AIS Cu in fruits and zones of fruits with green staining. This result was correlated with the highest concentration of Cu-chlorophyll complexes found in such samples and suggested that pectins might act as a reservoir of Cu involved in the alteration.     

Lettuce response to organic and phosphate fertilizers and root mycorrhization

The response of lettuce to production system, organic and phosphate fertilizers and root mycorrhization, was evaluated in two pot trials with factorial treatment combination of: (i) soil type (from organic and from conventional production systems) and organic fertilizer (0, 2 and 4 t ha^?1) in the first trial; and (ii) mycorrhizal inoculation (mycorrhized and non-mycorrhized plants) and Gafsa phosphate (0, 100 and 200 kg P₂O₅ ha^?1) in the second. Lettuce growth decreased with increasing rates of the organic fertilizer because of its very high electrical conductivity (50.1 dS m^?1) and lack of maturation. However, the fertilizer harmful effects were minimized in the soil from organic production. The application of Gafsa phosphate significantly increased lettuce yield and nutrient uptake. However, for the highest rate of phosphate, mycorrhized lettuce yield decreased compared to non-mycorrhized lettuce, suggesting that high soil available P may have harmful effects on the activity of mycorrhizal fungi.     

Arginine vasopressin stimulation of prostaglandin F2 alpha release in heifers during the estrous cycle

The effect of arginine vasopressin on the stimulation of prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) release has been examined in vivo. Fifty-eight heifers received one intravenous injection of 10 IU arginine vasopressin on either Day 0 (n = 14), Day 6 (n = 12), Day 13 (n = 14) and Day 18 or 19 or 20 (Day 18-20, n = 18) after the onset of oestrus (Day 0) to determine the effect of arginine vasopressin at different times of the oestrous cycle. Frequent blood samples were taken before and after arginine vasopressin injection for the measurement of 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-PGF2 alpha (PGFM) by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Blood samples for progesterone determinations were taken 2 hr before and 24 hr after arginine vasopressin to monitor luteal function. The data show that arginine vasopressin causes an increase (P less than 0.005) in PGFM concentrations only at Day 18-20 of the cycle in 67% of the experimental heifers.     

Avascular necrosis of the femoral heads in a red panda (Ailurus fulgens fulgens): possible Legg-Calve-Perthes disease.

A 17-mo-old captive-born female red panda (Ailurus fulgens fulgens) presented with a sudden onset of lameness in its left hind leg was diagnosed radiographically as having possible severe, bilateral Legg-Calve-Perthes disease with fracture of the great trochanter of the left femur. Surgical repair of the fracture was performed using pins and a tension band wire through a lateral approach to the hip. This is the first case reported at Madrid Zoo-Aquarium, where 63 individuals have been bred over 15 yr.