Enzyme arrangement of various tissues in swine. 1. Studies of the effect of 32 hours of fasting, administration of actinomycin D, and fasting in combination with administration of actinomycin D on crude protein level, activities of GOT, GTP, fructose-1,6-diphoaphatase as well as ATPase of liver, kidneys and semitendinous muscle in newborn piglets]

The effects of sufficient milk intake as well as of 32 hours of fasting after birth, administration of actinomycin D (intraperitoneal application of 1 mg/kg five weight), and fasting in combination with actinomycin D on the development of body and liver weights, crude protein levels in homogenate and supernatant of liver, kidneys, and M. semitendinosus as well as on the activities of certain tissue enzymes were analysed with four groups of piglets (n = 4). Fasting, administration of actinomycin, and fasting in combination with actinomycin D resulted in rapid reduction in body and liver weights, while the crude protein levels in those tissues were not affected with significance. GOT and fructose-1,6-diphosphatase activities in supernatant from liver tended to decline under fasting conditions. The ATPase activity in the homogenate of the above tissues did not change in response to differentiated treatment.     

Survey of equine castration techniques,preferences and outcomes among Australian veterinarians

Objectives

(1) To collect the perceptions of veterinarians performing equine castrations in Australia on techniques, preferences and outcomes, (2) to investigate veterinarian use and experience with the Henderson castrating instrument and (3) to investigate potential associations between demographics, castration methods and techniques, and complications.

Design

Online survey of members of the Australian Veterinary Association’s Special Interest Group, Equine Veterinarians Australia (EVA).

Methods

A link to the survey was included in the EVA e‐newsletter and practices on the EVA website were contacted by telephone and follow‐up email. Fisher’s exact test was used to determine associations between ligation and complications. A generalised linear model with a negative binomial family was used to determine associations between count response variables and categorical independent variables.

Results

Responses were obtained from 138 veterinarians (response rate, 13.1%) who performed 5330 castrations over 12 months. Castrations were most commonly performed in the field, on anaesthetised horses, using emasculators, via an open approach and without ligation of the spermatic cord. Estimated complications after use of emasculators were swelling (25%), haemorrhage (5%) and infection (5%). The Henderson instrument was used by approximately 10% of respondents and its use for castration was associated with fewer reports of postoperative swelling compared with emasculators (P = 0.002). Rates of evisceration with the Henderson and emasculator methods were comparable (0.43% and 0.9%, respectively).

Conclusion

Castration preferences varied widely among survey participants. Reported complication types and rates were comparable to those reported previously in other countries. Perceptions that the Henderson instrument was associated with less swelling should be investigated further via a prospective controlled investigation.     

Equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction: current understanding and recommendations from the Australian and New Zealand Equine Endocrine Group

The purpose of this article is to provide a review of the current knowledge and opinions about the epidemiology, clinical findings (including sequelae), diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction, particularly in the Australian context. This information and the recommendations provided will assist practitioners in making informed decisions regarding the diagnosis and management of this disorder.     

Mental health in the veterinary profession: an individual or organisational focus?

The veterinary profession is experiencing a shortage of veterinarians, with attrition recognised as a substantial contributor. Research has also indicated increased levels of mental ill health and alarming suicide rates in practitioners. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the impact of eleven modifiable workplace factors on mental health outcomes, job appreciation and intention to leave the veterinary profession. The second aim was to ascertain whether workplace factors influence mental health outcomes after controlling for individual resilience. An online survey was completed by 73 practising Australian veterinarians. Unfavourable workplace factors correlated with adverse outcomes including depression, stress, reduced job appreciation and increased likelihood of leaving both the role and the profession. Workplace factors remained linked with the outcomes of job appreciation, depression and stress whilst controlling for practitioner resilience. Job appreciation was a significant predictor of intention to leave both the current role and the profession. Via multiple linear regression, two categories were identified as associated with improved psychological outcomes and job appreciation. These were workplace factors that represent breaks from workload and control or decision latitude in the workplace. Whilst resilience represents a key area for intervention, workplace factors potentially represent an easier-to-modify area for intervention.     

Investigating flow mechanisms in a forest soil by mixed‐effects modelling

Uniform and preferential flow produces typical infiltration patterns. We made three tracer experiments in a Norway spruce forest soil and qualitatively identified the dominant flow regime based on stained patterns. We analysed soil texture, fine root density and soil bulk density from preferential flow paths and the soil matrix by means of linear mixed‐effects models. These models can account for dependences in the data structure caused by hierarchical sampling and can deal with missing values. There were between 44% (topsoil) and 76% (subsoil) larger root densities in preferential flow paths than in the soil matrix. No significant differences in soil texture were detected. The bulk density was greater in the soil matrix by 0.12 g cm⁻³, which is probably because of a greater soil organic matter content of preferential flow paths. Using flow patterns and model results we identified the dominant flow mechanisms. At this study site, roots constituted the main preferential flow paths and induced macropore flow, especially in the topsoil. In the subsoil, root density decreased and inhomogeneous infiltration from preferential flow paths into the soil matrix caused unstable flow.     

Studies on the effects of intravenous administration of glucose, fructose, invertose and sorbitol on various blood constituents of blood plasma (monosaccharides, insulin, lactate, pyruvate and free fatty acids as well as glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase) in the horse

Horses were examined for the behaviour of various blood constituents prior to and following infusions of solutions of glucose, fructose, invertose, and sorbitol. Infusion of 0.5 g/kg live weight glucose to six horses was followed by half-life variation between eleven and 23 minutes. Subsequent infusion of invertose to the same animals usually caused prolongation of glucose half-life. Half-life values were between 17 and 33 minutes for fructose and between 21 and 80 minutes for glucose. Infusion of 0.5 g/kg live weight fructose to two horses was followed by half-life values between 17 and 18 minutes, while the half-life values of sugar alcohol were 16, 16, 27, and 29 minutes in four horses who had received sorbitol. Sugar or sorbitol infusion was not followed by substantive change of lactate and pyruvate concentrations in the blood or free fatty acids in the blood plasma or GOT activity. The rise of insulin in the blood plasma was differentiated. Invertose and sorbitol solutions, consequently, can be recommended for application to horses.     

Studies on the properties of acid erythrocyte phosphatase in sheep and the isoenzymes of sheep and goat acid erythrocyte phosphatase]

Ovine erythrocytic acid phosphatase showed two peaks of activity at pH 5.0 and 5.7 in acetate buffer with p-nitrophenylphosphate as substrate. The enzyme was only slightly inhibited by fluoride and L-phenylalanine, but high concentrations of urea strongly inhibited it. Activity of the enzyme was greater in goat erythrocytes than in sheep. By means of starch electrophoresis, three isoenzymes belonging to nine types were separated from the ovine enzymes, while three isoenzymes of five types were present in goats. Electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel was suitable for detecting the rapidly migrating isoenzymes.