Interactive effects of N fertilizer source and timing of fertilization leave specific N isotopic signatures in Chinese cabbage and soil

Natural ¹⁵N abundances (δ¹⁵N) in plant and soil can be used as a powerful marker to reveal the history of N fertilization. To investigate whether N fertilizer source and timing of fertilization leave specific δ¹⁵N signals in plant tissue and soil inorganic N, Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris L. cv. Maeryok), one of the most popular vegetables in Asia, was grown in pots for 60 days with a single or split N applications of organic (composted manure; δ¹⁵N=+16.4‰) or inorganic N (urea; δ¹⁵N=−0.7‰). Seven N treatments were studied: (1) a single basal fertilization with compost or (2) urea; (3) a basal urea application followed by an additional (at 40 days after transplant, same below) compost or (4) urea application; (5) a basal compost application followed by an additional compost or (6) urea application; and (7) no N fertilization. Regardless of the time of N application, δ¹⁵N of cabbage treated with compost was higher (>+9.0‰) than that (< +1.0‰) treated with urea, reflecting the effect of isotopically different N sources. In split N fertilization, only the addition of isotopically different N sources in the middle of the growth period significantly affected the δ¹⁵N of the whole plant. Specific δ¹⁵N signals of basal N inputs were detected in outer cabbage parts formed in the early growth stage, while those of additional N inputs were detected in inner cabbage parts formed in the latter growth stage. We conclude that measurements of temporal variations in δ¹⁵N of plant parts formed in different growth stages could reveal the history of N fertilization.     

Sterile nodular panniculitis in five horses

Sterile nodular panniculitis was diagnosed in 5 horses. Physical abnormalities were predominantly limited to cutaneous changes, consisting of multiple subcutaneous nodules that had a tendency to wax and wane over time and were commonly distributed over the trunk, neck, and proximal portion of the limbs. In each horse, the diagnosis was confirmed by excisional biopsy of a nodule and by exclusion of infective causes of panniculitis on the basis of negative culture results and special stain application to skin specimens. Treatment with immunosuppressive doses of glucocorticoids was curative in 1 horse, was required on a daily or alternate-day schedule in 2 others to keep the skin clear, and had no effect on the disease in the remaining 2 horses.     

Diseases of the reptile pancreas.

A great deal of research is still needed to better understand the reptile pancreas especially with regard to diagnosis and treatment. However, vigilant clinicians and pathologists have important roles to play in expanding our knowledge base in this field, and are encouraged to share their findings through publications and presentations.     

Comparison of the Nutritional Quality of Fish Meals Made from By-products of the Alaska Fishing Industry in Diets for Pacific Threadfin (Polydactylus sexfilis)

The nutritional quality of 13 commercial fish meals (10 from pollock, two from salmon, and one from cod) made from by-products of the Alaska fish processing industry was determined in diets for the marine fish Pacific threadfin Polydactylus sexfilis . Pelleted feeds were manufactured containing these meals as complete replacement of a low-temperature processed Norwegian fish meal (control). These feeds were fed to triplicate tanks of fish at the facilities of the Oceanic Institute, Hawaii for a period of 9 wk. At the end of the trial, the final weight, feed efficiency, protein efficiency ratio and survival data were subjected to ANOVA procedures. The performance parameters of the fish fed the white fish meals (pollock and cod) were not significantly different from the control. Of the two salmon meals, one promoted good growth and efficiency and one did not. It is concluded that the nutritional quality of Alaska white (pollock and cod) fish meals is equivalent to that of the low-temperature Norwegian fish meal and are of suitable quality for inclusion in commercial feeds for Pacific threadfin.     

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy: detection and quantitation of fibrils, fibril protein (PrP) and vacuolation in brain

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) is a new disease of cattle which has considerable homology with scrapie, the archetype of the transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. Abnormal brain fibrils, called scrapie associated fibrils (SAF), are specific ultrastructural markers for these diseases. Fibril detection was compared with histopathological diagnosis in the brains of 167 cattle; 157 clinically suspect BSE and 10 clinically normal. Fibrils were detected in samples of pooled brain regions of 67/144 in which vacuolar changes of BSE were confirmed, but absent in the remaining 23 brains, in which no vacuolation was found, including those from the clinically normal cattle and 13 with alternative neuropathological diagnoses. When eight defined anatomic regions from the brains of another 22 affected cows were examined, the sensitivity of fibril detection was greater than 90% for the brain stem areas. Fibril prevalence in these areas approximated to severity of vacuolar changes. When the same defined regions from four of the affected cows were assayed for fibril protein (PrP) by western blotting, the density of immuno-labelling generally correlated with the fibril prevalence. This study confirms the specificity of fibril detection for BSE, shows that the ease of fibril detection depends on anatomic region sampled and suggests an association between PrP accumulation and vacuolar changes in certain neuroanatomic areas.     

Bandaging, endoscopy, and surgery in the emergency avian patient.

This article is divided into three parts and describes procedures used in avian medicine after initial stabilization. The first part includes the application of bandages and splints for fractures. The second part describes the use of endoscopy to examine the choana, oral cavity, trachea, and, to a lesser extent, internal organs. The last part discusses equipment required and techniques used for esophagostomy tube placement, air sac cannulation, and surgery, with approaches to the coelomic cavity and a select number of surgical procedures. This article is intended to provide the emergency animal clinician with knowledge necessary to provide basic stabilization for avian patients and knowledge of procedures that can be performed by the experienced clinician.