THE USE OF INTRAPERITONEAL FLUID AS A SIMPLE TECHNIQUE FOR ENHANCING SONOGRAPHIC VISUALIZATION OF THE CANINE PANCREAS

Sonographic evaluation of the pancreas was performed in ten healthy research dogs following intraperitoneal fluid administration. Physiological saline solution was aseptically introduced into the peritoneal cavity of each dog to create an acoustic window that would facilitate sonographic delineation of normal pancreatic tissues. Abdominal ultrasound examinations were performed in all dogs before and after the production of the diagnostic hydroperitoneum. Sonograms of the pancreas and other abdominal organs were scored on the basis of image clarity by experienced and novice ultrasonographers. Statistical analysis was then used to compare the effectiveness of each preparation method. A significant difference (P < 0.05) was established between the scores from the diagnostic hydroperitoneum sonograms and the baseline scans performed without intraperitoneal fluid placement. Sonographic visualization scores for the pancreas and other abdominal organs were increased following production of the diagnostic hydroperitoneum. These results indicate that the technique of diagnostic hydroperitoneum will significantly improve ultrasonographic visualization of the pancreas, and may prove useful in the diagnosis of canine pancreatic disease.     

TECHNETIUM-99M AND IODINE-131 THYROID SCINTIGRAPHY IN NORMAL AND RADIOTHYROIDECTOMIZED COCKATIELS (NYMPHICUS HOLLANDICUS)

Thyroid scintigraphy using sodium ^99mTechnetium pertechnetate (⁹⁹TcO₄-) was performed in normal and radiothyroidectomized cockatiels ( Nymphicus hollandicus ). ¹³¹I scintigraphy was performed in the course of ablating the thyroid glands. The thyroid glands in normal birds were clearly visualized, but were not individually resolvable. Thyroid glands were not visualized in thyroid-ablated birds. With ^99mTcO₄ scans, thyroid (or other region of interest)/body count density ratios were used for comparisons of normal and thyroid-ablated birds. Normal ^99mTcO₄- thyroid/body ratios (mean +/− SD) for the dorsal and lateral views were 1.83 +/− 0.31 and 1.70 +/− 0.34 respectively. Pertechnetate thyroid/body count density ratios decreased (to 0.93 -/−0.14 and 0.88 +/− 0.12 for dorsal and lateral views respectively) after thyroid ablation, while crop/body ratios increased. ^99mTcO₄- thyroid scintigraphy, therefore, was capable of detecting hypofunctional thyroid abnormalities in ¹³¹I radiothyroidectomized cockatiels.     

Insecticidal activity of the pyrethrins and related compounds. Part XI. Relative potencies of isomeric cyano-substituted 3-phenoxybenzyl esters

The insecticidal activities to Musca domestica L. and Phaedon cochleariae Fab. of a series of 3-phenoxybenzyl pyrethroid esters with a cyano substituent at the 2-, 6-. (R)-α-, or (S)-α-position are compared with those of the unsubstituted analogues. Only an (S)-α-substituent enhances activity; others diminish or almost eliminate it. (RS)-α-mixtures are generally less active than would be predicted from the potencies of their separate constituents.     

The effectiveness of pyrethroid seed treatments against soil pests of cereals

Results are summarised of tests of seed dressings with synthetic pyrethroids against wheat bulb fly (Delia coarctata) and wireworms (Agriotes spp.).     

Antisporulant action of fungicides against Podosphaera leucotricha on apple seedlings

A number of commercial fungicides and dinitrophenolic compounds were tested for their ability to suppress further sporulation of established infections of the apple mildew fungus Podosphaera leucotricha on seedlings in the greenhouse. Although they did not kill the fungus, two organophosphorus and two benzimidazole-type compounds gave powerful suppression for at least 18 days. Other fungicides known to control apple mildew in the field had a less marked effect. Sporulation occurred on subsequent untreated growth to the same extent as on control seedlings, except where either of two substituted dinitrophenols had been used.     

A COMPARISON OF TWO-DIMENSIONAL ULTRASONOGRAPHY AND RADIOGRAPHY FOR THE DETECTION OF SMALL AMOUNTS OF FREE PERITONEAL FLUID IN THE DOG

The detection of small amounts of free peritoneal fluid in the canine patient can be a diagnostic dilemma. Ultrasonography and radiography have been advocated to detect intraabdominal fluid not detectable by physical exam. The purpose of this study was to determine the more sensitive method for detecting small amounts of free peritoneal fluid. Ultrasound examinations and radiographs were performed after increments (1 ml/lb body weight) of fluid were injected intraperitoneally. Ultrasonography detected fluid in one animal at 2 ml/lb. AH other animals had fluid detected at 3 ml/lb. With radiographs fluid could be detected with a high degree of accuracy at 4 ml/lb. The lateral view was more accurate than the ventrodorsal view in detecting fluid. The authors concluded that Ultrasonography is more sensitive than radiography and is the method of choice to detect small amounts of free peritoneal fluid.     

Effects of micro-organisms on the absorption of inorganic nutrients by plants

Micro-organisms concentrated in the rhizosphere can influence the absorption of inorganic nutrients by plants. The effects were investigated by comparing uptake of nutrients in plants grown in the presence and absence of micro-organisms in both water culture and soil. In water culture, at phosphate concentrations below about 1.0 part/million competition occurs between barley plants and a microflora of casual laboratory contaminants resulting in reduced absorption and translocation of phosphate. In the presence of micro-organisms nitrogen uptake from nitrate was increased and from ammonium ions decreased; uptake of metal from solutions of ferric, zinc and manganous salts and EDTA chelates was enhanced. The results for plants grown in specific soils confirmed that competition from micro-organisms can reduce uptake of phosphate and molybdenum by the plants. The direct effect of rhizosphere micro-organisms can be demonstrated only in special circumstances but such studies aid our understanding of plant nutrition.     

QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE THYROID IMAGING IN FELINE HYPERTHYROIDISM USING TECHNETIUM-99M AS PERTECHNETATE

Thyroid imaging using technetium-99m as pertechnetate (^99mTcO₄) was carried out in five healthy, euthyroid and 37 hyperthyroid cats using both pinhole and parallel-hole collimators. Images of greater resolution, necessary to distinguish bilateral lobe involvement, were obtained using the pinhole collimator. Per cent thyriod ^99mTcO₄ - uptake was calculated in each cat and was significanly (P < 0.001) higher in hyperthyroid compared with euthyroid cats. In the hyperthyroid cats, per cent thyroid uptake was significantly correlated with serum total thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) Concentrations. Per cent thyroid ^99mTcO₄ - uptake is increased in feline hyperthyrodism and may be calculated using a pinhole collimator alone at the time of qalitative assessment of the extent of thyroid tissue involvement.     

Intracranial Lesions in Dogs With Hemangiosarcoma

A retrospective analysis of 85 dogs with hemangiosarcoma (HSA) that underwent complete necropsy, including gross examination of the brain, was conducted. Grossly identifiable intracranial lesions were present in 17 dogs. Twelve of 85 dogs (14.2%) had brain metastases. Four of 85 dogs (4.7%) had hemorrhagic lesions and/or ischemic necrosis without identifiable tumor. One dog had a primary central nervous system tumor. Signs of intracranial disease were present in six of 85 dogs (7.1%) with HSA; four had brain metastases and two had nonneoplastic lesions. Metastases had a propensity for cerebrum and gray matter. Dogs with brain metastases had more widely disseminated disease than dogs without brain metastases (P less than 0.001). Dogs with pulmonary metastases were at greater risk for developing brain metastases than dogs without pulmonary metastases (odds ratio = 8.31). Although thoracic radiography accurately identified ten of 12 dogs (83%) with pulmonary metastases, too few cases were available to assess the applicability/accuracy of thoracic radiography in predicting the presence or absence of brain metastases in dogs with malignancy and signs of intracranial disease.