Fixation of Cancellous Bone and Physeal Fractures in Dogs and Cats. A Comparison of the Use of Self-reinforced Biodegradable Devices to the Use of Metallic Devices and External Fixations

The use of self-reinforced biodegradable devices made of polyglycolide in the cancellous bone and physeal fractures of dogs and cats was compared to the use of metallic devices and external fixations on similar fractures. The series consisted of 64 dogs and 22 cats divided into 6 comparable groups. The patients in the 2 groups fixed with biodegradable devices started to use their operated limbs earlier than in the other groups. The same 2 groups also healed clinically (showed no lameness) earlier than the other groups. Radiographically there was no statistical difference between the 6 groups.On the basis of this study it may be concluded that the fixation with self-reinforced biodegradable devices is as suitable for the fixation of cancellous bone and physeal fractures of dogs and cats as the fixation with metallic devices or external fixation. This biodegradable technique has additional benefits allowing the patients to feel less pain in their operated limbs and making secondary operations to remove the devices unnecessary.     

Effects Of Potassium,Phosphorus And Nitrogen Fertilization On Endogenous Ethylene And Quality Characteristics Of Apples (Malus Domestica L.)

Factor analysis of the data from experiment one with fertilization of ‘Spartan’ apples using various levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium and their interactions showed significances between ethylene and potassium, soluble solids and potassium, acidity and phosphorus, ethylene and phosphorus, and between ethylene and nitrogen. Factor analysis of data from experiment two with twenty apple cultivars showed that maturation time and ethylene were positively associated, whereas ethylene was inversely related to acidity that is reduced during the apple fruit maturation, and soluble solids are produced during apple fruit maturation. The effects of potassium on ethylene could be through promotion of enzyme activation, promotion of protein synthesis and increased solute transport in the xylem and phloem. Production of ethylene through soluble solids could be due to increased synthesis of the amino acid cysteine that is precursor of ethylene that may be extended to synthesis of other amino acids. The decreasing concentration of malic acid during fruit maturation may be due to increasing rates of several enzymes involved in the citric acid and glyoxylate cycles that are delivering precursors to synthesis of amino acids and porphyrins. The significant relationships between soluble solids and potassium and between acidity and phosphorus may increase the synthesis of nucleic acids and improve energy supply through adenosine phosphates. The significance between ethylene and nitrogen may also increase synthesis of amino acids, proteins and enzymes. On this basis it may be concluded that the three major minerals nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are very important for apple fruit maturation because they may be involved in several biochemical processes.     

Evaluation of an oscillometric blood pressure monitor for use in anesthetized cats

OBJECTIVE: To determine accuracy of an oscillometric blood pressure monitor used over a wide range of pressures in anesthetized cats. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 6 healthy cats. PROCEDURE: 4 female cats and 2 male cats that weighed 2.7 to 4.5 kg (5.9 to 9.9 lb) and were 2 to 8 years old were anesthetized. Blood pressure was measured directly with an arterial catheter placed in the right femoral artery and indirectly from the left antebrachium by use of an oscillometric monitor. A series of diastolic arterial pressure (DAP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and systolic arterial pressure (SAP) measurements were obtained during hypotension, normotension, and hypertension. Values obtained indirectly and directly were compared. RESULTS: The oscillometric monitor was accurate for DAP and MAP throughout the entire pressure range and met the standards of the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (mean +/- SD difference from values obtained directly, < or = 5 +/- 8 mm Hg). The SAP was increasingly underestimated with increasing overall pressure; mean differences from direct measurements were -5.2, -12.1, and -17.7 mm Hg during hypo-, normo-, and hypertension, respectively. Standard deviations for SAP were all < or = 8 mm Hg. The monitor gave readings during all attempts. The direct blood pressure recording system appeared to perform well with neither under- nor overdamping. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Except for a minor underestimation of SAP during normo- and hypertension, the oscillometric monitor yielded reliable and easily obtainable blood pressure measurements in anesthetized cats.     

A comparison of the oxytetracycline preparations Aquacycline and Terramycin 100 with regard to absorption characteristics, local tissue reactions and residues following dewlap injections in calves

In an experiment with 12 calves, Aquacycline® in a 5 % (OTC-A5) and a 10 % (OTC-A10) solution, was compared with Terramycin®-100 (OTC-C) by injecting 20 mg OTC/kg bwt. of these preparations in the dewlap and monitoring serum concentrations as well as tissue reactions and residues at the site of injection. All 3 preparations resulted in oxytetracycline (OTC) serum concentrations above 0.5 µg/ml of approximately 60 h. During this period, OTC-A5 resulted in a 39 % and OTC-A10 in a 20 % larger area under the serum concentration-time curve, as compared to OTC-C (P < 0.05). The recorded tissue reaction in the form of swelling during the first week following injection of OTC-A5 averaged 72 % of that after OTC-C (P < 0.01), while the mean swelling after OTC-A10 was 81 % of the corresponding value after OTC-C (P < 0.05). The OTC residue levels at the sites of injection were lower after OTC-A5, but none of the preparations resulted in OTC residues exceeding 0.3 mg at 28 days and about 0.15 mg at 42 days after injection. The pathological changes at the site of injection were somewhat more pronounced in those calves which received OTC-C. Accordingly, these results give some support to the claims that Aquacycline® offers advantages with respect to absorption characteristics and tissue tolerance.     

Molecular Identification and Phylogenetic Grouping of Diaporthe phaseolorum and Phomopsis longicolla Isolates from Soybean

ABSTRACT Diaporthe phaseolorum and Phomopsis longicolla isolates from soybean were examined using traditional mycological characteristics and molecular methods. Cultural characteristics including types of fruiting bodies and conidia were assessed for isolates collected from soybean stems and seeds. Cultures were identified as P. longicolla, D. phaseolorum var. caulivora, D. phaseolorum var. meridionalis, or D. phaseolorum var. sojae. Molecular markers for these groups were developed and analyzed using polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphisms (PCR-RFLP) and DNA sequencing in the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and the 5.8S ribosomal DNA. The ITS(4) and ITS(5) primers amplified PCR products for all isolates studied. Gel electrophoresis of undigested PCR products and DNA sequencing produced various fragment lengths including 604 bp for P. longicolla, 602 and 603 bp for D. phaseolorum var. caulivora, 603 bp for D. phaseolorum var. meridionalis, and from 597 to 609 bp for D. phaseolorum var. sojae. Digestion of these PCR products with enzymes AluI, HhaI, MseI, RsaI, and ScrFI resulted in distinct bands for identification of P. longicolla and the varieties of D. phaseolorum I. All P. longicolla, D. phaseolorum var. caulivora, and D. phaseolorum var. meridionalis isolates were distinguished using AluI and HhaI with RsaI or ScrFI. The banding patterns of D. phaseolorum var. sojae isolates were complex and were separated into 11 subgroups after digestion with AluI, HhaI, MseI, RsaI, and ScrFI. Phylogenetic analysis of 20 isolates of D. phaseolorum and P. longicolla based on the DNA sequence of the ITS region resolved six clades termed A, B, C, D, E, and F. Clade A included all sequenced D. phaseolorum var. caulivora isolates, two from Italy and one from the United States. Isolates in clade B were exclusively associated with D. phaseolorum var. meridionalis. Clades A and B formed a well-supported monophyletic group. Isolates in clades C, D, E, and F were morphologically defined as isolates of P. longicolla, D. phaseolorum var. sojae, and Diaporthe spp. The ITS sequences similarity of seven geographically diverse P. longi-colla isolates illustrated that P. longicolla isolates have a similar genetic background, with some affiliations to some D. phaseolorum var. sojae isolates. Morphological characteristics of the isolates along with the terminal clades of the ITS phylogeny suggest that P. longicolla is an individual species, D. phaseolorum var. caulivora and D. phaseolorum var. meridionalis are varieties of D. phaseolorum, and D. phaseolorum var. sojae is either several varieties of D. phaseolorum or possibly several distinct species.     

The impact of phenology,exposure and instar susceptibility on insecticide effects on a chrysomelid beetle population

Direct topical impact of an insecticide spray on a population of a non-target leaf-eating beetle, Gastrophysa polygoni, was studied, and the relative importance of phenology, instar susceptibility and instar specific exposure was evaluated. Two insecticides, cypermethrin and dimethoate, were investigated. In the laboratory, topical toxicity to eggs, second-instar larvae and adults was recorded in dose-response experiments. The spatial distribution of larvae and eggs were measured in the field. Deposition of insecticide onto eggs, second-instar larvae and adult specimens was measured at different positions within the crop canopy by use of a dye tracer technique. A temperature-driven population model was constructed to simulate population development of all life stages in the field. The model was based on laboratory measures of growth and development at various temperatures. Mortality due to direct insecticide exposure was calculated as a function of population demography, spatial distribution of individuals, spatial deposition of the insecticide, and stage-specific susceptibility. Cypermethrin had the greatest impact, reducing population size by 19–32%. The life stages most sensitive to cypermethrin were the larval instars. As the population developed from eggs to larvae and imagines, the impact of one spraying first increased and then decreased according to the proportion of larvae in the population. Dimethoate had less effect on the population, i.e. 1·9–7·6% reduction. Dimethoate was most toxic to the egg stage, and consequently the effect on the population decreased as the proportion of eggs decreased due to hatching. The direct effect of insecticide spraying was significantly affected by all three factors investigated, i.e. phenology, life stage susceptibility and stage-specific exposure. The latter factor is composed of both spray flux at various spatial positions in the canopy and the ability of different life stages to retain spray droplets. © 1998 SCI     

Pyrethroid insecticides derived from 2,2-dimethyl-3-(3-phenoxybenzyloxy)propanal

Fourteen oxime ethers and eleven other unsaturated compounds derived from 2,2-dimethyl-3-(3-phenoxybenzyloxy)propanal were synthesised and their insecticidal activity against Musca domestica, Locusta migratoria, Dysdercus cingulatus, Aedes aegypti, Plutella xylostella, Drosophila melanogaster, Tetranychus urticae and Spodoptera littoralis tested. Structural variations including chain length, branching and unsaturation of the oxime ether O-alkyl group and substituent exchange at the carbon-carbon double bond of the unsaturated compounds were made in order to examine the structure-activity relationship. All biological activities were compared with the activity of the ether pyrethroid MTI-500.     

In vitro heparinization of canine whole blood with low molecular weight heparin (dalteparin) significantly and dose‐dependently prolongs heparinase‐modified tissue factor‐activated thromboelastography parameters and prothrombinase‐induced clotting time

Background: Low‐molecular‐weight heparin (LMWH) is being used increasingly in veterinary medicine for both treatment and prophylaxis of thromboembolic disease, but no predictable patient‐side method exists to monitor its effect. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate thromboelastography (TEG) and prothombinase‐induced clotting time (PiCT) assays for detecting hemostatic alterations following in vitro heparinization of canine whole blood with dalteparin (Fragmin). Methods: Citrated whole‐blood samples were collected from 7 clinically healthy dogs. Dalteparin was added at concentrations of 0, 0.156, 0.625, 1.25, and 2.5 U/mL of whole blood. TEG was performed using heparinase cups with tissue factor (TF, 1:50,000) and kaolin as activators. Reaction time (R), clotting time (K), angle (α), and maximum amplitude (MA) were recorded. PiCT and anti‐FXa activity were measured in plasma. Results: With TF, increasing concentrations of dalteparin significantly prolonged R and K and significantly decreased α and MA. K, α, and MA ratios were significantly different from baseline at all dalteparin concentrations and R was significantly different from baseline at concentrations of 0.625, 1.25, and 2.5 U/mL. With kaolin, only R was significantly different from baseline at dalteparin concentrations of 0.625 and 2.5 U/mL. PiCT detected dalteparin concentrations ≤ 0.625 U/mL, with a good linear correlation (r²=.96, P<.0001). Conclusion: These results suggest that TF‐activated TEG and PiCT assays should be further evaluated as promising new methods for evaluating the effect of LMWH, using doses in the recommended clinical range and prospective clinical studies.     

Synthesis and insect growth regulating activity of thiosemicarbazones of methyl 2-pyridyl ketones

Thirty-six thiosemicarbazones of methyl 2-pyridyl ketone and of some other methyl ketones were tested on Dysdercus cingulatus, Drosophila melanogaster, Locusta migratoria, Aedes aegypti, Tenebrio molitor and Musca domestica. Several derivatives were toxic, delaying or preventing ecdysis. The structure-activity relationship is discussed. The mode of action of these compounds appears to be different from that of juvenile hormones, anti-juvenile hormones, or chitin biosynthesis inhibitors.