Hemodynamic effects of methylprednisolone acetate administration in cats

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanisms by which corticosteroid administration may predispose cats to congestive heart failure (CHF). ANIMALS: 12 cats receiving methylprednisolone acetate (MPA) for the treatment of dermatologic disorders. PROCEDURE: The study was conducted as a repeated-measures design. Various baseline variables were measured, after which MPA (5 mg/kg, IM) was administered. The same variables were then measured at 3 to 6 days and at 16 to 24 days after MPA administration. Evaluations included physical examination, systolic blood pressure measurement, hematologic analysis, serum biochemical analysis, thoracic radiography, echocardiography, and total body water and plasma volume determination. RESULTS: MPA resulted in a substantial increase in serum glucose concentration at 3 to 6 days after administration. Concurrently, RBC count, Hct, and hemoglobin concentration as well as serum concentrations of the major extracellular electrolytes, sodium and chloride, decreased. Plasma volume increased by 13.4% (> 40% in 3 cats), whereas total body water and body weight slightly decreased. All variables returned to baseline by 16 to 24 days after MPA administration. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These data suggest that MPA administration in cats causes plasma volume expansion as a result of an intra to extracellular fluid shift secondary to glucocorticoid-mediated extracellular hyperglycemia. This mechanism is analogous to the plasma volume expansion that accompanies uncontrolled diabetes mellitus in humans. Any cardiovascular disorders that impair the normal compensatory mechanisms for increased plasma volume may predispose cats to CHF following MPA administration.     

Complete atrioventricular block secondary to cardiac lymphoma in a dog

Third degree atrioventricular (AV) block was observed in a patient with a roughly spherical mass measuring approximately 1 × 1 × 1 cm, visible in the basilar portion of the interventricular septum on 2-dimensional transthoracic echocardiographic examination. The patient had a brief history of lethargy and episodic collapse, and the owner elected to euthanize the dog after the mass lesion was discovered. Necropsy revealed multiple masses within the interventricular septum, ventricular free walls and atrial myocardium. The final diagnosis was large cell (T-cell) lymphosarcoma.     

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.     

Choice of shrinkage parameter and prediction of genomic breeding values in elite maize breeding populations

Genomic selection (GS) is a promising alternative to marker‐assisted selection particularly for quantitative traits. In this study, we examined the prediction accuracy of genomic breeding values by using ridge regression best linear unbiased prediction in combination with fivefold cross‐validation based on empirical data of a commercial maize breeding programme. The empirical data is composed of 930 testcross progenies derived from 11 segregating families evaluated at six environments for grain yield and grain moisture. Accuracy to predict genomic breeding values was affected by the choice of the shrinkage parameter λ², by unbalanced family size, by size of the training population and to a lower extent by the number of markers. Accuracy of genomic breeding values was high suggesting that the selection gain can be improved implementing GS in elite maize breeding programmes.     

From wine to pepper: rotundone, an obscure sesquiterpene, is a potent spicy aroma compound

An obscure sesquiterpene, rotundone, has been identified as a hitherto unrecognized important aroma impact compound with a strong spicy, peppercorn aroma. Excellent correlations were observed between the concentration of rotundone and the mean 'black pepper' aroma intensity rated by sensory panels for both grape and wine samples, indicating that rotundone is a major contributor to peppery characters in Shiraz grapes and wine (and to a lesser extent in wine of other varieties). Approximately 80% of a sensory panel were very sensitive to the aroma of rotundone (aroma detection threshold levels of 16 ng/L in red wine and 8 ng/L in water). Above these concentrations, these panelists described the spiked samples as more 'peppery' and 'spicy'. However, approximately 20% of panelists could not detect this compound at the highest concentration tested (4000 ng/L), even in water. Thus, the sensory experiences of two consumers enjoying the same glass of Shiraz wine might be very different. Rotundone was found in much higher amounts in other common herbs and spices, especially black and white peppercorns, where it was present at approximately 10000 times the level found in very 'peppery' wine. Rotundone is the first compound found in black or white peppercorns that has a distinctive peppery aroma. Rotundone has an odor activity value in pepper on the order of 50000-250000 and is, on this criterion, by far the most powerful aroma compound yet found in that most important spice.     

Magnetic resonance imaging appearance of the brain and cervical spinal cord in an edema disease affected pig

A 7‐week‐old male pig was presented with signs of a central nervous system disorder. An MRI of the head and cervical spine was performed immediately after euthanasia. The MRI revealed multifocal bilaterally symmetric T2‐weighted hyperintense lesions in the brain and spinal cord, likely due to a toxic metabolic process. Histopathological examination supported the MRI findings and confirmed the diagnosis of edema disease due to Shiga‐like toxin produced by Escherichia coli. This is the first case published of the MRI findings in an edema disease affected pig.     

Exploring the Role of Management in the Coproduction of Ecosystem Services from Spanish Wooded Rangelands

The wood pastures or hardwood rangelands of the southwestern Iberian Peninsula are complex social-ecological systems created from the long-term interaction of society and the landscape. Dehesa, oak woodlands managed for grazing, cropping, and other forms of production, is the most common rangeland system and one of the most distinctive landscapes. Traditionally characterized by multifunctional low-intensity management that enhances a wide range of ecosystem services, current management has shifted from the traditional toward more intensified models. This paper assesses the coproduction of ecosystem services on dehesa properties by exploring the relationship between biophysical and sociocultural factors and dehesa management practices. Based on 42 surveys we analyze 16 quantitative indicators using multivariate techniques. The results indicate that there are four main dehesa types as defined by their characteristics and management: large heterogeneous operations with diverse products; small and homogeneous operations focused on a reduced number of products; medium-large properties focused on crop production; and midsized properties with easy public access. Management is the result of the dynamics of interacting biophysical and sociocultural factors that influence manager priorities and investments. Management decisions group around the degree of multifunctionality of the operation, the relative importance of crop production, the degree of grazing pressure in the system, and how restrictive public access policy is. We find that in the study area, interactions between all the previously mentioned elements covary consistently, generating bundles of ecosystem services associated with each of three management models based on the intensity of management.     

CLINICAL,DIAGNOSTIC, AND PATHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF 2 CASES OF METASTATIC IRIDOPHOROMA IN A VEILED CHAMELEON (CHAMAELEO CALYPTRATUS) AND A RED-BARRED DRAGON (CTENOPHORUS VADNAPPA)

Iridophores are iridescent cutaneous pigment cells found in reptiles, fish, and amphibians. Neoplasms of iridophores are rarely reported, and little is known about their behaviour, metastatic potential, and prognostic indicators. This paper reports details of the clinical course and pathological findings of metastatic iridophoroma in a veiled chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus) and red-barred dragon (Ctenophorus vadnappa). The veiled chameleon presented with a subcutaneous mass on the right lateral elbow and was diagnosed as an iridophoroma on fine needle aspiration. It was otherwise clinically normal. Within 35 days of excision, multiple secondary skin masses developed which were often non-pigmented and required microscopic examination to identify them as iridophoroma metastases. There were in total 54 days between the first detection of the primary mass and end stage, extensive cutaneous and visceral metastatic disease, and there had been no detectable primary mass during routine clinical examination 128 days prior to death. The red-barred dragon presented with a white sub-mandibular mass. While undergoing an excisional biopsy the animal expired, post-mortem examination revealed a cutaneous malignant iridophoroma with tumour cell clusters seen in pulmonary arterial vessels, suggesting that surgical handling of iridophoroma could precipitate the release of circulating tumour cell clusters. This is the first iridophoroma described in a red-barred dragon and the second report of a malignant iridophoroma in a veiled chameleon. Timely detection and careful excision of lizard iridophoroma may be an important factor in clinical outcome.     

Chemical Composition of Air, Soil and Vegetation in Forests of the Silesian Beskid Moutains, Poland

For the first time concentrations of trace nitrogenous (N) air pollutants, gaseous nitric acid (HNO₃), nitrous acid (HNO₂), ammonia (NH₃), and fine particulate nitrate (NO₃) and ammonium (NH₄), were measured in the montane forests of southern Poland. Determinations were performed in two forest locations of the Silesian Beskid Mountains in the western range of the Carpathian Mountains, and in an industrial/urban location in Karowice, Poland. The measurements performed in summer 1997 with honeycomb denuder/filter pack systems showed elevated concentrations of the studied pollutants. These findings agree with the low carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratios and the results of ¹⁵N analyses of soil and moss samples. High concentrations of N air pollutants help to explain previously determined high levels of NO₃ and NH4 deposition to Norway spruce (Picea abies Karst.) canopies in these mountains. Ambient concentrations of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and ozone (O3) were elevated and potentially phytotoxic. Deficiencies of phosphorus (P) and magnesium (Mg) in Norway spruce foliage were found while concentrations of other nutrients were normal.