Pulmonary squamous cell carcinoma with multiple digital metastases in a cat

A 14-year-old domestic shorthaired cat was presented because of swelling of the digits and lameness. A solitary lung mass was observed on thoracic radiographs. Clinical and pathological evaluation confirmed a primary pulmonary squamous cell carcinoma metastatic to a single digit on each foot. Other metastatic lesions were present in the left popliteal lymph node and in the left iliac vein.     

An evaluation of an oral formulation of moxidectin against selected anthelmintic-resistant and -susceptible strains of nematodes in lambs

The efficacy of an oral formulation of the newly developed parasiticide, moxidectin, was tested against benzimidazole-resistant Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus colubriformis, and Nematodirus spathiger, levamisole-resistant Ostertagia circumcincta, and susceptible Cooperia curticei infections in weaned lambs. Thirty-two lambs were experimentally infected with mixed doses of the above strains of nematodes. They were allocated into four treatment groups by stratified randomisation using liveweights and faecal egg counts 28 days later. One group received moxidectin at 0.2 mg/kg liveweight, one group oxfendazole at 4.5 mg/kg liveweight, one group levamisole at 7.5 mg/kg liveweight and the last group remained untreated as the control. Worm burdens in the lambs at slaughter 10 days after oral treatment confirmed the resistance status of the nematode strains used, and showed that moxidectin had a greater than 99.9% efficacy (p<0.01) against all of them. No adverse effects due to treatment with moxidectin were observed in any of the animals.     

Effects of intravenous sodium bicarbonate and sodium acetate on equine acid-base status

Changes in blood gases, pH, and plasma electrolyte concentrations in response to intravenously infused sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) and sodium acetate (NaCH₃CO₂) solutions (1.34 mEq/mL) in 5 light breed mares were investigated. Jugular venous blood samples were collected before and after completion of the infusions in 20-minute intervals for 200 minutes. Infusion of sodium bicarbonate and sodium acetate caused significant (P < .00l) increases in blood pH and bicarbonate ion concentration that persisted throughout the collection period. The elevation in blood pH and bicarbonate ion concentrations was greater (P < .01) for sodium bicarbonate than for sodium acetate immediately after the completion of the infusions but was not different (P > .05) thereafter. There were significant reductions (P < .01) in plasma-ionized calcium and potassium after infusion of both sodium bicarbonate and sodium acetate. This study found that significant metabolic alkalosis in horses and corresponding shifts in electrolyte concentrations can be induced by intravenous infusion of solutions of either sodium bicarbonate or sodium acetate, and they persist for at least 3 hours. These data show that the short-term elevation in pH and bicarbonate ion concentration is momentarily higher after infusion of sodium bicarbonate. This is likely due to the direct infusion of bicarbonate ions in the sodium bicarbonate treatment, such that further metabolism is not required to be effective. However, the longer-term alkalosis did not differ between isomolar solutions of sodium bicarbonate and sodium acetate.     

Identification of Chlamydophila pneumoniae in an emerald tree boa, Corallus caninus.

Tissues were evaluated from emerald tree boas, Corallus caninus, from a collection in which chlamydiosis was diagnosed. To determine the strain of chlamydia infecting these snakes, tissue samples from 5 frozen snakes were tested by a quantitative TaqMan polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test and a PCR sequence analysis test. Of the 22 samples tested, 9 were categorized as either positive or weakly positive with the TaqMan test, and 6 yielded an amplicon using a serial PCR test that amplified a portion of the 23S ribosomal RNA gene. A PCR product suitable for sequencing was obtained from the heart of one of the snakes. Sequence analysis showed that the snake had been infected with Chlamydophila pneumoniae. These findings show that C. pneumoniae can infect emerald tree boas, broadening the range of reptiles known to be infected by this primarily human pathogen.     

Phytotoxins from anaerobically decomposing wheat straw

Phytotoxicity was demonstrated in the aqueous extract of wheat (Triticum aestivum, L.) straw suspensions. When extracts were incubated under anaerobic conditions, the development of phytotoxicity was greater at 20°C than at 10°C. The toxic products formed during incubation depended upon the incubation medium. Acetic and butyric acids were the major toxins produced in liquid straw fermentations during the first 2 weeks. However, after that time the acids did not account for the total toxicity, suggesting formation of unidentified phytotoxins. Acetic, propionic and butyric acids were the toxins formed in sand culture. The development and accumulation of phytotoxins were favored where the sand-straw mixtures were water-saturated. The implications of these findings to wheat cultural practice is discussed.     

Soil protozoan dynamics in a shortgrass prairie

Soil Protozoa (primarily small naked amoebae and flagellates) were counted under control conditions and with stresses of nitrogen, water, or nitrogen and water under field conditions (Ecosystem Stress Area, Pawnee Site, northeastern Colorado, USA) in the summer of 1974. Protozoan populations were also measured in soil cores removed from the field and incubated under a wet-dry cycle. Protozoan numbers were higher in the top 1 cm of soil and overlying litter than at a depth of 5–6 cm in all treatments. After rainfall totaling 35 mm, the control and fertilized only treatments showed population increases with the fertilized only treatment showing the greater change. Protozoa showed marked responses to the addition of water to soil cores, with the largest numbers appearing after peak CO₂ evolution. Numbers of active (trophic) forms ranged from about 20.000. g^?1 dry soil in the control treatment under dry conditions to over 100,000. g^?1 dry soil in the irrigated plus fertilized plot. There were few (<5%) cystic (dormant) forms in all treatments contrary to earlier studies in mesic climates. A rough estimate of protozoan production is presented.     

Sea basses, Dicentrarchus labrax (Linne) and D. punctatus (Bloch) (Pisces,Serranidae), a control fish in fresh water

Dicentrarchus labrax and Dicentrarchus punctatus is able to thrive and grow in fresh water ponds. In all experiments there was successful controlling of young Tilapia aurea in the experimental ponds in comparison to the control ones. The number of young T. aurea per female and per pond was significantly lower in the experimental ponds than in control ponds. In 1973 the average number of young T. aurea per female was 80 in the experimental ponds and 287 young in the control ponds. In 1974 the average number of T. aurea young per female was 48 in the experimental ponds and 586 young in the control ponds.The growth rate of D. punctatus and D. labrax was higher in fresh water ($\text{S = 0.5‰}$) than in nature (salt water).