Fate of low-molecular-weight organic phosphorus compounds in the P-rich and P-poor paddy soils

Continuous application of organic fertilizers can cause accumulation of organic phosphorus(P) in soil, especially in the lowmolecular-weight organic phosphorus(LMWOP) forms. This organic P pool represents a potentially important source of P for both plants and microorganisms. To understand the effect of long-term fertilization(30 years)(P-rich soil) vs. fallowing(P-poor soil) on the bioavailability and fate of LMWOP in subtropical paddy soils, we determined the sorption and mineralization of 14 C-labeled adenosine, adenosine monophosphate(AMP), adenosine diphosphate(ADP), and adenosine triphosphate(ATP) in each soil. The contents of carbon, nitrogen, and P in the P-rich soil were more than two times greater than those in the P-poor soil. The mineralization rates of the LMWOP compounds were faster in the P-rich soil compared to the P-poor soil, and followed the order AMPADPATP. Using sterilized soil, all forms of adenosine-P were strongly sorbed to the solid phase and reached saturation in a short time, with the adsorbance increasing with the number of phosphate groups. We concluded that the mineralization of LMWOP compounds was repressed slightly by sorption to the solid phase, but only in the short term. Thus, LMWOP compounds serve as readily available sources of C for microorganisms, making P available for themselves as well as for the plants. However, P accumulation and the progressive saturation of the P sorption sites in highly fertile soils may increase the potential risk of P runoff.     

Sustained-release theophylline pharmacokinetics in the cat

Theophylline was administered in a three-way crossover design study to six cats intravenously (Aminophylline USP, Invenex Laboratories, Chagrin Falls, OH) and orally as two sustained-release formulations (Slo-bid Gyrocaps (SB), William H. Rorer, Inc., Fort Washington, PA; Theo-Dur Tablets (TD), Key Pharmaceuticals, Miami, FL). Values were determined for mean residence time (SB = 19.4 +/- 3.2 h; TD = 15.8 +/- 4.8 h), mean absorption time (SB = 8.0 +/- 2.3 h; TD = 4.8 +/- 2.3 h), absolute bioavailability (SB = 82 +/- 27%; TD = 76 +/- 38%), and time to peak plasma concentrations (SB = 8 h; TD = 8 h). After normalization to a dose of 25 mg/kg, the average peak plasma concentrations were also predicted (SB = 10.5 +/- 3.4 micrograms/ml; TD = 14.3 +/- 6.7 micrograms/ml). Slo-bid was predicted to provide the least peak:trough fluctuation in theophylline concentrations. Slo-bid and Theo-Dur appear to have pharmacokinetic characteristics which, if given once-daily, would maintain plasma theophylline concentrations of 5-20 micrograms/ml in the cat.     

Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo is not a major cause of bovine abortion in Victoria

The aim of this study was to determine whether evidence could be obtained of foetal infection with Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo in aborted foetuses collected from dairy farms. Material from 197 abortions occurring over a wide area of Victoria was collected over 3 years. None of 195 foetal kidney cultures or 7 cultures from membranes was positive for leptospiral organisms. Immunogold silver staining for leptospires was performed on sections of kidneys, lungs or heart from 156 foetuses, with negative results. Evidence of transient leptospiral infection in 11 of 123 foetuses was obtained by foetal heart blood serology. Two isolates of L. interrogans serovar hardjo were obtained from the urine of milking cows. These strains were examined by restriction endonuclease analysis and both were shown to be of the genotype Hardjobovis, as have been all Australian isolates studied so far. It appears that foetal infection with serovar hardjo is not associated with any substantial proportion of bovine abortions in Victoria, in contrast to the situation in Northern Ireland. The apparent absence from Victoria of the pathogenic genotype Hardjoprajitno is a possible explanation.     

Adenocarcinoma of the extrahepatic bile duct in a cat

A scirrhous adenocarcinoma of the extrahepatic bile duct was shown by histopathological examination to be the cause of obstructive jaundice in an 11-year-old female Siamese cat. In addition to icterus, the cat's clinical signs included depression, anorexia, vomiting, constipation, weight loss and dehydration. Symptomatic therapy relieved the anorexia, constipation, dehydration and depression, but jaundice, weight loss and occasional vomiting continued during the 2-month course of illness. Serum cholesterol and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) remained elevated and serum bilirubin and serum alkaline phosphatase (SAP) values progressively increased from the cat's initial presentation to its death 2 months later. At necropsy the tumour was found to involve only the extrahepatic bile duct. Neoplasia of the extrahepatic biliary system has been reported only twice in domesticated animals (Patnaik et al., 1975; Feldman, Strafuss & Gabbert, 1976).     

The prognosis and treatment related to the gross appearance and laboratory characteristics of pathological thoracic fluids in the cat

54 cases of thoracic fluid accumulation in the cat are described. Thymic lymphosarcoma, exudative pleurisy and acquired cardiac disease were the most important causes of fluid formation. The prognosis could be correlated well with the gross appearance of the fluid and was poor except in cases yielding purulent or flocculent material.     

Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Head of the Humerus in Dogs*

Abstract— —Osteochondritis dissecans of the humeral head has been observed in twenty-two dogs. It affected eleven different breeds but was most common in the Pyrehean and Labrador. The dogs at the onset of the lameness varied in age from 1 to 8 months; eighteen were males. A particular study was made of the radiologic changes that occurred in affected joints over a period of many months. Of the eighteen unilateral cases, the majority recovered soundness in 9–12 months bur lameness has persisted in all four dogs which were bilaterally affected. Intra-articular injections of a corticosteroid proved the most effective way of alleviating the symptoms. The breed distribution, age and sex incidence, radiologic features, etiology and treatment of the condition are discussed. Résumé— —L'auteur a étudié vingt-dew chiens atteints d'ostéochondrite (osteochondritis dissecans) de la tête de I'humérus. Les sujets étudiés représentaient onze races différentes, l'affection en cause étant particulitrement fréquente chez les chiens de montagne des Pyrénées et les chiens du Labrador. L'âge des chiens au moment de la premitre attaque se situait entre 1 et 8 mois; le groupe étudié comprenait dix-huit chiens mâles. L'auteur a notamment poursuivi pendant de nombreux mois l'étude radiologique des altérations des articulations atteintes. La rnajorité des dix-huit chiens présentant une affection unilatérale ont été rétablis en 9 à 12 mois, tandis que les boiteries ont persisté dam les quatre cas d'ostéochondrite bilatérale. L'injection intra-articulaire d'un corticostéröide s'est avérée constituer le plus efficace traitement symptomatique. L'auteur examine le problème sous ses divers aspects: fréquence de l'affection suivant la race, l'âge et le sexe des sujets, caractériques radiologiques, étiologie et traitement. Zusammenfassung— —Osteochondritis dissecans des Hurneruskopfes wurde bei zweiundzwanzig Hunden beobachtet. Der Zustand trat bei elf verschiedenen Rassen ad, war aber am häufigsten beim Pyrenäenhund und beim Labradorhund. Beim Eintritt der Lahmheit waren die Hunde 1–8 Monate alt, und achtzehn Tiere waren Rüden. Besonders untersucht wurden die radiologischen Veränderungen, die wahrend einer Periode von vielen Monaten an den befallenen Gelenken auftraten. Von den achtzehn einseitigen Fällen gesundete die Mehrzahl in 9–12 Monaten, aber die Lahmheit hielt bei allen vier Hunden an, die beidseitig befallen waren. Intraartikuläre Injektionen eines Corticosteroids erwiesen sich als das wirksamste Mittel zur Behandlung der Symptome. Die Verteilung auf Rassen, Häufigkeit nach Alter und Geschlecht, radiologischen Befunde, Atiologie und Behandlung des Zustands werden besprochen.     

Cutaneous collagen nodules in a dog

A 16-month-old German short-haired pointer was examined because of the development of multiple nodules (0.5-3 cm diameter) in the skin of the head, back, sternum and limbs. The nodules were first noticed when the dog was 8 weeks of age. At no time did the animal show clinical signs of a systemic disease. Histology and electron microscopy revealed that the nodules were composed of irregular bundles of dense collagen fibres and the constituent fibrils had a distribution of diameters similar to that expected in normal skin. Immunofluorescence tests for immunoglobulin (IgG) and complement (C3) showed no deposits of these in the skin and the serum antinuclear antibody test was negative. It was concluded that the nodules were collagenous naevi.     

Diffuse cutaneous granulomatous lesions associated with acid-fast bacilli in a cat

Feline cutaneous granulomas associated with acid-fast bacilli are reviewed briefly. A case of diffuse cutaneous granulomatous lesions associated with acid-fast bacilli and the presence of acid-fast bacilli in the draining lymph nodes and liver is reported and described. The unusual clinical appearance of the skin lesions in this case and the varied clinical presentation of lesions associated with acid-fast bacilli is discussed.