The high incidence of coronary heart disease in Finland and its probable causes

The mortality from coronary heart disease (CHD) in Finland is remarkably high; according to the vital statistics released by the World Health Organization it has for many years been the highest in the world. This, however, concerns only the male sex; in the females the mortality figures, though also relatively high, do not very markedly differ from those of many other populations. It is also noteworthy that the CHD mortality in the eastern provinces of Finland is higher than in the western provinces. In the etiology of CHD a number of risk factors have been identified. The major ones are: high serum cholesterol values, cigarette smoking, and hypertension. The presence of two or more factors greatly increases the risk. In Finland the serum cholesterol determinations have generally revealed mean values which in comparison with similar populations from other countries are remarkably high. Mean values of the magnitude of some 260 to 280 mg per 100 ml have been reported for certain population groups. These high serum cholesterol values are probably chiefly dependent on the diet. The dietary intake of saturated fats (S) is very high and that of polyunsaturated fats (P) is low. The dietary P/S ratio is exceptionally low. It may also be possible that the population of Finland is genetically unusually susceptible to hyperlipidemia and hence also to CHD. However, the evidence to support such a view is meager. Cigarette smoking, a further important risk factor, is quite common in the country, and the mean consumption of cigarettes is relatively high. Hypertension also is prevalent in Finland. This may, at least partly, be due to the very high dietary intake of salt. Thus a number of generally recognized risk factors for CHD occur in Finland in a markedly high degree. Whether they can wholly explain the unusually high mortality from CHD or whether additional yet unrecognized risk factors are also involved, is difficult to decide.     

Postdiaphragmatic disposition of the pars sympathica and major autonomic ganglia of the sheep (Ovis aries)

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Morphological study of the postdiaphragmatic distribution of the sympathetic trunk and the composition of the main autonomic ganglia and plexuses of the abdominal and pelvic cavities of the sheep are of prime importance for clinical and other experimental work. Most of the veterinary anatomical textbooks are extremely deficient in this area. A few words of explanation have occasionally been mentioned, assuming that possibly there is no significant difference in the pattern of distribution of the abdominal and pelvic autonomics from those of the ox.     

The importance of ovine arthritis in meat hygiene in New Zealand

Data obtained from faecal samples from 508 domestic cats and 481 dogs, previously found to have a high frequency of Sarcocystis spp. infections, were further examined to provide information on levels of sporocyst shedding and to ascertain the influence of host, environmental and seasonal factors on the prevalence of naturally acquired infections.

Statistical analysis of prevalence data revealed that, of the factors examined, only host age in cats exerted any apparent influence. Infections were significantly more common in cats up to, rather than over, 6 months of age.

Although they tended to be greater in dogs than cats, faecal sporocyst counts in both hosts were generally low, with the majority of infected samples containing 200 sporocysts per gram or less. In infected dogs the highest count recorded was 144,600/g with a mean of 2270/g, and in infected cats it was 11,100/g with a mean of 597/g.     

Acquired flexural deformity of the distalinterphalangeal joint in horses: Treatment by desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon: A retrospective study

Hospital records of 29 horses treated by desmotomy ofthe accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon for correction of acquired flexural deformity of the distal interphalangeal joint in one or both forelimbs were reviewed and evaluated retrospectively. Information on correction of the deformity, cosmetic appearance of the surgery site, and current use of the horses was obtained by interviews with the owners.At the time of surgery, 27 horses were less than one year old and two horses were more than one year old. Eleven months to five years after surgery, 26 horses had normal appearance of the hoof and limb, and 26 horses had acceptable cosmetic appearance of the surgery site due to no or minimal scarring. At the time of interview, all but two of the 11 horses more than three years old were in full training.It is concluded that desmotomy of the accessory ligament of the deep digital flexor tendon is an effective and cosmetically acceptable treatment for acquired flexural deformity of the distal interphalangeal joint in the horse.     

In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation of Ferric-Hyaluronate Implants for Delivery of Amikacin Sulfate to the Tarsocrural Joint of Horses

Objective— To assess the antimicrobial elution characteristics, toxicity, and antimicrobial activity of amikacin‐impregnated ferric‐hyaluronate implants (AI‐FeHAI) for amikacin delivery to the tarsocrural joint of horses. Study Design— Experimental study. Sample Population— AI‐FeHAI implants, equine cartilage, and synovium, and horses (n=6). Methods— In vitro study: Five AI‐FeHAI were placed in saline solution with daily replacement until implant degradation. Eluent was tested for amikacin concentration and bioactivity. Synovial and cartilage explants were incubated in the presence or absence of AI‐FeHAI for 72 hours and subsequently assessed for morphology, viability, and composition. Synovial explants were incubated with Staphylococcus aureus in the presence or absence of AI‐FeHAI. Spent medium was cultured daily and explants were assessed for morphology and viability after 96 hours. In vivo study: AI‐FeHAI were placed in 6 tarsocrural joints. Standard cytologic analysis and amikacin concentration (SFAC) were determined in synovia obtained regularly for 28 days thereafter. Similar analyses were conducted after a single intra‐articular injection of amikacin 6 months later. Results— In vitro study: Amikacin concentrations exceeded 16 μg/mL and inhibited S. aureus growth for 8 days. AI‐FeHAI had no effect on cartilage explants. AI‐FeHAI eliminated bacteria from synovial explants. In vitro study: After AI‐FeHAI placement, SFAC was highest (140.78+63.81 μg/mL) at first sampling time. By 24 hours SFAC was <16 μg/mL. After intra‐articular injection, SFAC was the highest (377.91 ± 40.15 μg/mL) at first sampling time. By 48 hours SFAC was <16 μg/mL. Conclusions— A single intra‐articular amikacin injection demonstrated superior pharmacokinetics than AI‐FeHAI prepared as described. Clinical Relevance— AI‐FeHAI cannot be recommended for clinical use.     

NAVICULAR BONE FRACTURE IN THE PELVIC LIMB IN TWO HORSES

The case history, radiographic and scintigraphic findings of two horses with pelvic limb navicular bone fractures are presented. In both cases the fractures were of traumatic origin. One horse had a bilateral fracture of the navicular bone, distal border, the other horse had a fracture of the proximal articular border in one pelvic limb navicular bone.     

LOW-AND HIGH-FIELD STRENGTH MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING TO EVALUATE THE BRAIN IN ONE NORMAL DOG AND TWO DOGS WITH CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM DISEASE

The brain of one control dog and two dogs with spontaneous central nervous system pathology (one hydrocephalus, one meningoencepholocoele) were examined with low- and high-field-strength magnetic resonance devices to evalute the suitability of low-field magnets for canine brain imaging. We used 0.1 T and 1.0 T magnetic resonance (MR) imagers. The best image quality was seen 1.0 T imaging due to better signal-to-noise-ratio, but both systems produced satisfactory anatomic images of the brain.