Computed tomographic morphology of the synovial invaginations of the distal sesamoid bone of the horse

The morphological features of the distal border synovial invaginations (SI) of the distal sesamoid bone (DSB) in horses were described by the use of computed tomography (CT). Transverse CT images were obtained on 50 cadaver forefeet from 25 Warmblood horses. Dorsal and sagittal planes were reformatted. The CT images allowed the evaluation of the number, shape, depth of penetration and direction of the SI into the bone. The total number of SI was 295 (mean 5.9). The number of invaginations in a particular DSB ranged from 3 (n = 3), 4 (n = 6), 5 (n = 11), 6 (n = 12), 7 (n = 13), 8 (n = 3), 9 (n = 1) to 11 (n = 1). The shape of the SI was 'conical' (n = 118), 'linear' (n = 109), 'lollipop' (n = 38) or 'branched' (n = 30). Penetration of the SI into the DSB was 'mild' in 195 cases, 'moderate' in 67 cases and 'deep' in 33 cases. The SI ran in a 'straight', 'dorsoproximal' and 'palmaroproximal' direction in 187, 28 and 80 cases, respectively. In only six DSBs, all SI ran in the same direction. The images obtained in this study may serve as reference for the radiographic evaluation of these SI.     

Height-diameter models with random coefficients and site variables for tree species of Central Maine

Height-diameter models were developed for nine tree species common to the northeastern United States: Abies balsamea, Acer rubrum, Betula papyrifera, B. populifolia, Picea rubens, P. mariana, Pinus strobus, Populus tremuloides, and Tsuga canadensis. Stem heights and diameters were collected from 6 146 trees (between 136 and 2615 trees per species) on 50 plots within 10 structurally diverse stands that are part of a long-term silvicultural experiment in central Maine. The models were developed using both generalized nonlinear least squares (GNLS) and multi-level, mixed-effects approaches. Mixed-effects approaches were superior to GNLS, with inclusion of site covariates (tree density and basal area) accounting for some of the variability explained by the random coefficients in the full mixed-effect models. Analysis of plot-level parameter estimates suggested that differences in stand structure (even-aged vs. uneven-aged silvicultural practices) had a significant influence on the height-diameter relationships.     

Suspected citrus pulp toxicosis in dairy cattle.

Thirteen lactating dairy cows from a herd of 650 died over a 6-week period. Most animals were down in milk production at 1 milking and were found dead at the next milking. Two cows had elevated heart rate and enlarged mandibular lymph nodes. Two others had azotemia, elevated heart rate, hyperglycemia, and weight loss. Necropsy of 10 cows revealed hemorrhages on the intestinal serosa and epicardium, lymphadenopathy, interstitial nephritis, small intestinal hemorrhage, and interstitial pneumonia. Histopathology showed lymphocytic to lymphogranulomatous inflammation in the heart, spleen, kidney, lymph nodes, liver, lung, pancreas, and adrenal gland. Phlebitis was present in 2 livers. The lesions resembled those of hairy vetch toxicosis, but no vetch was being fed. Similar lesions have been reported with the feeding of citrus pulp. Citrus pulp was being fed to the lactating cows and had been added to the diet 6 weeks before the first death. The syndrome resolved with elimination of citrus pulp from the diet.     

Recent human‐induced salinity changes in Ramsar‐listed Orielton Lagoon,south‐east Tasmania,Australia: a new approach for coastal lagoon conservation and management

• 1. Many coastal lagoons in eastern Australia have changed as a result of recent human activities. However, it is often difficult to determine the extent of change and the ecological implications. A palaeoecological approach allows a quantitative assessment of how an aquatic ecosystem changes and responds to human impacts beyond what is possible with historical data or monitoring programmes.
• 2. Orielton Lagoon (south‐east Tasmania, Australia) is a Ramsar‐listed coastal wetland of international importance for conservation. This study was undertaken at the site to determine whether recent anthropogenic hydrological modifications to the lagoon had influenced its ecology, particularly salinity, and compromised its Ramsar status.
• 3. A diatom–salinity transfer function was constructed from a training data set of 96 diatom taxa from 34 sampling sites in 19 lagoons along the east coast of Tasmania.
• 4. The salinity of Orielton Lagoon has changed in response to a causeway constructed across its mouth, which has transformed the lagoon from an open marine environment to an enclosed, virtually stagnant, brackish water body.
• 5. These changes have compromised the protected coastal wetland status of Orielton Lagoon. Environmental remediation attempts have since partially restored the natural hydrology of the lagoon and it is now returning towards the state it was in prior to causeway construction.
• 6. A palaeoecological approach using diatoms was found to be successful in reconstructing recent salinity changes and investigating human impacts on Orielton Lagoon over the last 50–55 years.

Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

GM1 gangliosidosis in Portuguese water dogs: pathologic and biochemical findings

Three Portuguese water dog siblings, all females aged 5 to 7 months, were killed following a brief period of neurologic disease. Tissues were processed for light and electron microscopy and for biochemical analyses. All pups had membranous cytoplasmic inclusions in neurons throughout the brain and spinal cord. Cytoplasmic vacuoles were present in cells of many organs outside the nervous system. GM1 ganglioside in brain was markedly elevated in all three dogs, and beta-galactosidase activity was less than 10% of control values. These findings are similar to those in GM1 gangliosidosis of man and animals although the number of organs and tissues containing vacuolated cells is greater.