Laparoscopic ovariectomy using sequential electrocoagulation and sharp transection of the equine mesovarium

OBJECTIVE: To describe in horses and ponies a laparoscopic ovariectomy technique facilitated by electrosurgical instrumentation. STUDY DESIGN: Elective ovariectomy was performed in 23 mares using laparoscopic electrosurgical instrumentation. ANIMALS OR SAMPLE POPULATION: Twenty-three mares (13 horses, 10 ponies), aged from 2 to 21 years and weighing 90 to 545 kg. METHODS: Food was withheld for a minimum of 12 hours. Mares were sedated with detomidine hydrochloride (0.02 to 0.03 mg/kg) or xylazine hydrochloride (0.5 to 1.0 mg/kg). Excluding the pony mares, all other mares were restrained in stocks. Portal sites in the paralumbar fossa region were desensitized with 2% mepivacaine. Abdominal insufflation was achieved through a teat cannula positioned in the ventral abdomen or a Verres-type needle placed through the paralumbar fossa. After trocar and laparoscope insertion, the ipsilateral ovary and mesovarium were identified, and the mesovarium, tubal membrane, and proper ligament were infiltrated with 2% mepivacaine. The mesovarium was coagulated using bipolar or monopolar electrosurgical forceps and transected sequentially from cranial to caudal until the ovary was completely freed and then removed. The contralateral ovary was removed in a similar fashion through the opposite paralumbar fossa. RESULTS: Bipolar and monopolar electrosurgical forceps were easy to use and provided adequate coagulation of vessels within the mesovarium. Two mares were euthanatized after the procedure for unrelated reasons. One mare had mild signs of colic 24 hours after ovariectomy. In 1 pony mare, the incision used to remove one ovary dehisced on the 5th postoperative day and was allowed to heal by second-intention. No long-term complications had occurred in 11 horses and 10 ponies, 6 to 24 months after surgery. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic ovariectomy and hemostasis of the mesovarium can be easily accomplished using electrosurgical instrumentation. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Standing laparoscopic ovariectomy, using electrosurgical instrumentation, is an effective and safe technique to provide hemostasis of the mesovarium in mares.     

Arthrodesis of the equine proximal interphalangeal joint: a biomechanical comparison of three 4.5-mm and two 5.5-mm cortical screws

OBJECTIVE--To compare the biomechanical characteristics and mode of failure of 2 parallel-screw techniques for proximal interphalangeal joint arthrodesis in horses. STUDY DESIGN--Randomized block design, blocking for horse (1-5), method of screw fixation (three 4.5-mm vs two 5.5-mm), side (left limb vs right limb), and end (front limb vs hind limb). Constructs were loaded to failure in 3-point bending in a dorsal-to-palmar (plantar) direction. SAMPLE POPULATION--Twenty limbs (10 limb pairs) from 5 equine cadavers. METHODS--A combined aiming device was used to facilitate consistent screw placement. Three parallel 4.5-mm cortical screws were placed in lag fashion in 1 limb of a pair, and 2 parallel 5.5-mm cortical screws were placed in lag fashion in the contralateral limb. Arthrodesis constructs were tested in 3-point bending in a dorsal-to-palmar (plantar) direction using a materials-testing machine. Loading rate was 19 mm/s. Maximal bending moment at failure and composite stiffness were obtained from bending moment-angular deformation curves. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and chi(2) analysis. RESULTS--There were no significant differences in bending moment (P >.05, power = 0.8 @ delta = 19%) or composite stiffness (P >.05, power = 0.8 @ delta = 19%) between the 2 fixation techniques. Higher maximal bending moment was found in front limbs than hind limbs, and front limbs with two 5.5-mm screws than hind limbs with two 5.5-mm screws. In all cases, constructs completely failed. A greater number of 4.5-mm cortical screws failed than 5.5-mm cortical screws. CONCLUSIONS-In pastern arthrodesis constructs loaded in 3-point bending, end (front limb vs hind limb) affected maximal bending moment at failure of constructs. There was no significant effect of horse, treatment, or side on maximal bending moment or stiffness. Two 5.5-mm cortical screws should provide a surgically simpler pastern arthrodesis than three 4.5-mm cortical screws while maintaining similar biomechanical characteristics. CLINICAL RELEVANCE--Three 4.5-mm screws or two 5.5-mm screws will provide similar biomechanical characteristics in bending when performing equine pastern arthrodesis.     

Adjustment of soil-surface pH and comparison with conventional fungicide treatments for control of lettuce drop (Sclerotinia minor)

The use of soil-surface applications of finely powdered calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂) to inhibit Sclerotinia minor sclerotial germination and infection at the collar region of lettuce plants is described. In the laboratory, a pH > 8·0 reduced sclerotial germination of the three S. minor isolates tested. In the glasshouse, surface applications of 2–10 t Ca(OH)₂ ha⁻¹ raised the pH of the top 1–2 cm of a duplex sandy loam soil above 8·5 for at least 8 weeks without affecting soil pH within the transplant root zone. There was a linear relationship between the rate of Ca(OH)₂ applied and disease control, with complete disease suppression at 10 t Ca(OH)₂ ha⁻¹. In field trials on two soil types (duplex sandy loam, pH 6·0; and red ferrosol, pH 6·9), a rate of 2·5 t Ca(OH)₂ ha⁻¹, maintained soil-surface pH above 8·5 for 1–3 weeks and provided up to 58% reduction in lettuce drop. Application of polyvinyl alcohol (a soil-conditioning polymer) over the Ca(OH)₂ layer appeared to reduce Ca(OH)₂ loss by wind, but did not improve retention of raised soil-surface pH or disease suppression. Ca(OH)₂ treatment gave similar disease control to the industry standard treatment of a procymidone-based fungicide seedling drench. A combined treatment of Ca(OH)₂ and fungicide drench gave greater control than either individual treatment, and equivalent control to fungicide drench and three procymidone foliar sprays, offering integrated management options. The use of soil-surface-applied Ca(OH)₂ with fungicides, rotation and drip irrigation offers an opportunity for enhanced and sustainable control of lettuce drop.     

Effect of metoclopramide on gastro-esophageal reflux in anesthetized dogs

Administration of morphine before anesthesia leads to gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) in over 50% of dogs during the subsequent anesthetic. This GER is clinically silent but can lead to aspiration pneumonitis, esophagitis and esophageal stricture. In this prospective clinical study we aimed to determine the effect of metoclopramide on gastro-esophageal reflux (GER) in dogs undergoing elective orthopedic surgery. Dogs were admitted to the study if they were healthy, and had no history of vomiting or dysphagia. Dogs were fasted for an average of 18.2 ± 4.3 (mean ± SD) hours prior to induction of anesthesia. Anesthesia in all dogs included acepromazine, morphine, thiopental and isoflurane in oxygen. By random allocation, half the dogs received metoclopramide (M) as an IV bolus (0.4 mg kg^–1) and then infusion (0.3 mg kg^–1hour^–1), the others received equivalent volumes of saline (S). To measure esophageal pH a sensor-tipped catheter was placed with the tip 5–7 cm cranial to the lower esophageal sphincter, and connected to a computer for continual data collection. The pH of any fluid running from the mouth or nose was measured. Gastro-esophageal reflux was defined as a decrease in esophageal pH below 4 or an increase above 7.5. Fisher's Exact test was used to test significance of differences in incidence between groups. Separate multivariable logistic regression models were created for each outcome to assess the effects of risk factors on outcome. There were seven cases of GER in 16 dogs receiving M and 8/14 in those receiving S. There were no significant differences between M and S treated dogs in age, weight, duration of anesthesia and fasting, thiopental dose or incidence of vomiting. The administration of metoclopramide at this dose did not significantly reduce the incidence of GER in these anesthetized dogs.     

Natural infection of a horse with Fascioloides magna.

A 25-year-old Quarterhorse mare was euthanized for a variety of medical reasons. At necropsy, 7 liver flukes, identified as Fascioloides magna, were recovered from the liver. This is the first report of F. magna in a horse.     

The process of antagonism of Sclerotium cepivorum in white rot affected onion roots by Trichoderma koningii

Trichoderma koningii (strain Tr5) grew in the epidermal mucilage of onion roots without entering healthy epidermal tissue. When placed on the epidermis of Sclerotium cepivorum -infected roots, T. koningii colonized epidermal passage cells, with little colonization of other epidermal tissues, then branched and spread throughout the root cortical tissues damaged by enzymes and toxins which diffused ahead of S. cepivorum hyphae, and impeded the path of the infection. When T. koningii colonized infected tissue, many S. cepivorum hyphae became detached at septa, cell walls dissolved and many hyphal apices burst. Contact between hyphae was not necessary for lysis to occur. T. koningii produced two endochitinases ( R _f 0·15 and 0·24) and two exo-acting chitinolytic enzymes ( R _f 0·46 and 0·62) during degradation of crabshell chitin and S. cepivorum cell walls. The R f 0·24 and 0·46 proteins were detected when T. koningii colonized S. cepivorum -infected roots and are likely to be a component of the antagonism process.     

Effect of GRAS compounds on mycelial growth, pectic enzyme activity and disease severity of postharvest pathogens on rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum)

The GRAS compounds cinnamaldehyde (at 30 ppm), acetaldehyde (at 70 ppm), benzalde-hyde (at 50 ppm) and potassium metabisulphite (at 250 ppm) either completely inhibited or significantly reduced thein vitro mycelial growth ofGliocephalotrichum microchlamydosponim,Colletotrichum gloeosporioides andBotryodiplodia theobromae, the causative fungi of brown spot, anthracnose and stem end rot, respectively, of rambutan fruits,Nephelium lappaceum. The four compounds also significantly reduced the severity of all three diseases and the activity of pectic lyase and polygalacturonase enzymes secreted by the three fungi.     

Effects of some nonionic polyoxyethylene surfactants on uptake of ethirimol and diclobutrazol from suspension formulations applied to wheat leaves

The influence of a number of commercial nonionic polyoxyethylene surfactants on the foliar penetration and movement of two systemic fungicides, ethirimol and diclobutrazol, was studied in outdoor-grown wheat plants at different growth stages and post-treatment temperatures in two consecutive growing seasons. Both fungicides were applied as ca 0·2 μl droplets of aqueous suspension formulations containing 0·5 g litre^?1 of ¹⁴C-labelled active ingredient; surfactants were added to these suspensions at concentrations ranging from 0·2-10 g litre^?1. To achieve optimum uptake of each fungicide the use of surfactants with different physicochemical properties was required. For diclobutrazol, a lipophilic compound, uptake of radiolabel was best with surfactants of low mean molar ethylene oxide (E) content (5-6) but it was necessary to use concentrations of ca 5 g litre^?1 to attain this. The surfactant threshold concentration for uptake enhancement of radiolabel from ethirimol formulations (< 2 g litre^?1) was much lower than that for diclobutrazol but surfactants with E contents > 10 induced the greatest amount of uptake. For both fungicides, surfactants with an aliphatic alcohol hydrophobe were generally more efficient in promoting their uptake than those with a nonylphenol moiety. The sorbitan-based surfactant ‘Tween 20’ proved to be an effective adjuvant only for the ethirimol formulation; the uptake enhancing properties of the block copolymer ‘Synperonic PE/F68’ were weak. Uptake performance could not be related to the spreading properties of the respective formulations on the wheat leaf surface or to differences in solubilisation of the two fungicides by the surfactants. Although surfactants could substantially increase the amount of acropetal transport of radiolabel from both fungicides, none of those tested specifically promoted it; a constant proportion of the radioactive dose absorbed by a treated leaf was usually exported away from the site of application. The results are discussed in the light of current theories about the mode of action of surfactants as spray adjuvants.     

Increasing complexity of resistance in host populations through intermating to manage rust of pearl millet

ABSTRACT Pearl millet inbreds Tift 23DB, Tift 85DB, PS748BC, and Tift 89D(2) were used to develop three categories of host mixtures (physical mixtures, random-mated populations, and mixtures of two-way and three-way crosses) representing different levels of complexity of resistance through increased heterogeneity within populations and through stacking of resistance genes within the heterogeneous populations. The potential of these mixtures to reduce rust epidemics was evaluated in the field. Area under the disease progress curves (AUDPCs) of all physical mixtures were less than the mean of the components in 1995 and were less than the mean of the components for five of the six mixtures in 1997. In 1996, AUDPCs of the physical mixtures were consistently greater than the mean of their components. AUDPCs of the random-mated mixtures and the mixtures of crosses were consistently less than the mean of the components in 1996 and 1997, with reductions ranging from 12 to 71%. Dry matter yield (DMY) of physical mixtures relative to the mean DMY of the components was inconsistent, ranging from 18% less to 50% more than the mean of the components. The random-mated populations and the mixtures of crosses yielded 18 to 40% more DMY than the mean yield of the pure stands of their components.