Outline for a course in first aid for and control of small animals for use during the war emergency,

Cover title.

Effects of Crossing Saddle Coil Conductors: Electric Length X Mutual Inductance

In magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), either on human or animal studies, the main requirements for radiofrequency (RF) coils are to produce a homogeneous RF field while used as a transmitter coil and to have the best signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) while used as a receiver. Besides, they need to be easily frequency adjustable and have input impedance matching 50 Omega to several different load conditions. New theoretical and practical concepts are presented here for considerable enhancing of RF coil homogeneity for MRI experiments on small animals. To optimize field homogeneity, we have performed simulations using Blot and Savart law varying the coil`s window angle, achieving the optimum one. However, when the coil`s dimensions are the same order of the wave length and according to transmission line theory, differences in electrical length and effects of mutual inductances between adjacent strip conductors decrease both field homogeneity and SNR. The problematic interactions between strip conductors by means of mutual inductance were eliminated by inserting crossings at half electrical length, avoiding distortion on current density, thus eliminating sources of field inhomogeneity. Experimental results show that measured field maps and simulations are in good agreement. The new coil design, dubbed double-crossed saddle described here have field homogeneity and SNR superior than the linearly driven 8-rung birdcage coil. One of our major findings was that the effects of mutual inductance are more significant than differences in electrical length for this frequency and coil dimensions. In vitro images of a primate Cebus paela brain were acquired, confirming double-crossed saddle superiority. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson Part B (Magn Reson Engineering) 37B: 193-201, 2010

Acute phase proteins as markers of infectious diseases in small animals

During the acute phase response, there is an increased production and release of certain proteins known as acute phase proteins (APPs) which can be produced by hepatocytes and peripheral tissues such as C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin (Hp), alpha-1 acid glycoprotein (AGP). These proteins have been investigated as markers of various infectious diseases in small animals and the purpose of this review is to update the current knowledge about APPs in infectious diseases in dogs and cats.

Hepatobiliary diseases in small animals: a comparison of ultrasonography and multidetector-row computed tomography

Ultrasonography (US) is an essential imaging tool for identifying abnormalities of the liver parenchyma, biliary tract and vascular system. US has replaced radiography as the initial imaging procedure in screening for liver disease in small animals. There are few reports of the use of conventional and helical computed tomography (CT) to assess canine or feline parenchymal and neoplastic liver disease and biliary disorders. In human medicine the development of multidetector- row helical computed tomography (MDCT), with its superior spatial and temporal resolution, has resulted in improved detection and characterization of diffuse and focal liver lesions. The increased availability of MDCT in veterinary practice provides incentive to develop MDCT protocols for liver imaging in small animals. The purpose of this study is to assess the rule of MDCT in the characterization of hepatobiliary diseases in small animals; and to compare this method with conventional US. Candidates for this prospective study were 175 consecutive patients (dogs and cats) referred for evaluation of hepatobiliary disease. The patients underwent liver US and MDCT. Percutaneous needle biopsy was performed on all liver lesions or alterations encountered. As for gallbladder, histopatological evaluation was obtained from cholecystectomy specimens. Ultrasonographic findings in this study agreed well with those of previous reports. A protocol for dual-phase liver MDCT in small animals has been described. MDCT findings in parenchymal disorders of the liver, hepatic neoplasia and biliary disorders are here first described in dogs and cats and compared with the corresponding features in human medicine. The ability of MDCT in detection and characterization of hepatobiliary diseases in small animals is overall superior to conventional US. Ultrasonography and MDCT scanning, however, play complementary rules in the evaluation of these diseases. Many conditions have distinctive imaging features that may permit diagnosis. In most instances biopsy is required for definitive diagnosis.

Feasibility of small bowel flow rate measurement with MRI

To evaluate whether it is feasible to measure the segmental flux of small bowel content using MR phase-contrast (PC) pulse sequences.

CT myelography for diagnosis of brachial plexus avulsion in small animals

Avulsion of nerve roots of the brachial plexus can be diagnosed clinically, neurologically, radiographically and by electromyography. But like the myelography these techniques are inprecise for determination of the severity (partial or complete disruption) and the localization of the lesion. In human medicine the combination of computerized tomography with myelography shows high accuracy. Veterinary reports of experience in this field are not yet known. The aim of the present study was to demonstrate nerve root avulsions using myelography and computerized tomography. Three dogs and one cat with traumatic lesions of the brachial plexus were examined. The lesion could be seen in all patients. Thus CT-myelography results in an improved prognostic assessment of brachial plexus paralysis. Moreover, this technique could become one of the most important diagnostic methods for brachial plexus lesions involving nerve root reinsertion--neurotizations in veterinary medicine.

Protective immune responses induced by secretion of a chimeric soluble protein from a recombinant Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin vector candidate vaccine for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 in small animals.

A recombinant Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vector-based vaccine that secretes the V3 principal neutralizing epitope of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) could induce immune response to the epitope and prevent the viral infection. By using the Japanese consensus sequence of HIV-1, we successfully constructed chimeric protein secretion vectors by selecting an appropriate insertion site of a carrier protein and established the principal neutralizing determinant (PND)-peptide secretion system in BCG. The recombinant BCG (rBCG)-inoculated guinea pigs were initially screened by delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) skin reactions to the PND peptide, followed by passive transfer of the DTH by the systemic route. Further, immunization of mice with the rBCG resulted in induction of cytotoxic T lymphocytes. The guinea pig immune antisera showed elevated titers to the PND peptide and neutralized HIVMN, and administration of serum IgG from the vaccinated guinea pigs was effective in completely blocking the HIV infection in thymus/liver transplanted severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID)/hu or SCID/PBL mice. In addition, the immune serum IgG was shown to neutralize primary field isolates of HIV that match the neutralizing sequence motif by a peripheral blood mononuclear cell-based virus neutralization assay. The data support the idea that the antigen-secreting rBCG system can be used as a tool for development of HIV vaccines.

Molecular genetics of sudden cardiac death in small animals - A review

Sudden cardiac death in small animals is uncommon but often occurs due to cardiac conduction defects or myocardial diseases. Primary cardiac conduction defects are mainly caused by mutations in genes involved in impulse conduction processes (e.g., gapjunction genes and transcription factors) or repolarisation processes (e.g., ion-channel genes), whereas primary cardiomyopathies are mainly caused by defective force generation or force transmission due to gene mutations in either sarcomeric or cytoskeleton proteins. Although over 50 genes have been identified in humans directly or indirectly related to sudden cardiac death, no genetic aetiologies have been identified in small animals. Sudden cardiac deaths have been also reported in German Shepherds and Boxers. A better understanding of molecular genetic aetiologies for sudden cardiac death will be required for future study toward unveiling actiology in sudden cardiac death in small animals. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evidence in support of a role for plant-mediated proteolysis in the rumens of grazing animals

Kingston-Smith, A. H., Merry, R. J., Leemans, D. K., Thomas, Howard, Theodorou, M. K. (2005). Evidence in support of a role for plant-mediated proteolysis in the rumens of grazing animals. British Journal of Nutrition, 93(1), 73-79. Sponsorship: DEFRA / BBSRC RAE2008

Trophic role of small cetaceans and seals in Irish waters

Understanding the role of marine mammals in specific ecosystems and their interactions with fisheries involves, inter alia, an understanding of their diet and dietary requirements. In this thesis, the foraging ecology of seven marine mammal species that regularly occur in Irish waters was investigated by reconstructing diet using hard parts from digestive tracts and scats. Of the species examined, two (striped and Atlantic white-sided dolphin) can be considered offshore species or species inhabiting neritic waters, while five others usually inhabit more coastal areas (white-beaked dolphin, harbour porpoise, harbour seal and grey seal); the last species studied was the bottlenose dolphin whose population structure is more complex, with coastal and offshore populations. A total of 13,028 prey items from at least 81 different species (62 fish species, 14 cephalopods, four crustaceans, and a tunicate) were identified. 28% of the fish species were identified using bones other than otoliths, highlighting the importance of using all identifiable structures to reconstruct diet. Individually, each species of marine mammal presented a high diversity of prey taxa, but the locally abundant Trisopterus spp. were found to be the most important prey item for all species, indicating that Trisopterus spp. is probably a key species in understanding the role of these predators in Irish waters. In the coastal marine mammals, other Gadiformes species (haddock, pollack, saithe, whiting) also contributed substantially to the diet; in contrast, in pelagic or less coastal marine mammals, prey was largely comprised of planktivorous fish, such as Atlantic mackerel, horse mackerel, blue whiting, and mesopelagic prey. Striped dolphins and Atlantic white-sided dolphins are offshore small cetaceans foraging in neritic waters. Differences between the diet of striped dolphins collected in drift nets targeting tuna and stranded on Irish coasts showed a complex foraging behaviour; the diet information shows that although this dolphin forages mainly in oceanic waters it may occasionally forage on the continental shelf, feeding on available prey. The Atlantic white-sided dolphin diet showed that this species prefers to feed over the continental edge, where planktivorous fish are abundant. Some resource partitioning was found in bottlenose dolphins in Irish waters consistent with previous genetic and stable isotope analysis studies. Bottlenose dolphins in Irish waters appears to be generalist feeders consuming more than 30 prey species, however most of the diet comprised a few locally abundant species, especially gadoid fish including haddock/pollack/saithe group and Trisopterus spp., but the contribution of Atlantic hake, conger eels and the pelagic planktivorous horse mackerel were also important. Stomach content information suggests that three different feeding behaviours might occur in bottlenose dolphin populations in Irish waters; firstly a coastal behaviour, with animals feeding on prey that mainly inhabit areas close to the coast; secondly an offshore behaviour where dolphins feed on offshore species such as squid or mesopelagic fish; and a third more complex behaviour that involves movements over the continental shelf and close to the shelf edge. The other three coastal marine mammal species (harbour porpoise, harbour seal and grey seal) were found to be feeding on similar prey and competition for food resources among these sympatric species might occur. Both species of seals were found to have a high overlap (more than 80%) in their diet composition, but while grey seals feed on large fish (>110mm), harbour seals feed mostly on smaller fish (<110mm), suggesting some spatial segregation in foraging. Harbour porpoises and grey seals are potentially competing for the same food resource but some differences in prey species were found and some habitat partitioning might occur. Direct interaction (by catch) between dolphins and fisheries was detected in all species. Most of the prey found in the stomach contents from both stranded and by catch dolphins were smaller sizes than those targeted by commercial fisheries. In fact, the total annual food consumption of the species studied was found to be very small (225,160 tonnes) in comparison to fishery landings for the same area (~2 million tonnes). However, marine mammal species might be indirectly interacting with fisheries, removing forage fish. Incorporating the dietary information obtained from the four coastal species, an ECOPATH food web model was established for the Irish Sea, based on data from 2004. Five trophic levels were found, with bottlenose dolphins and grey and harbour seals occurring at the highest trophic level. A comparison with a previous model based on 1973 data suggests that while the overall Irish Sea ecosystem appears to be “maturing”, some indices indicate that the 2004 fishery was less efficient and was targeting fish at higher trophic levels than in 1973, which is reflected in the mean trophic level of the catch. Depletion or substantial decrease of some of the Irish Sea fish stocks has resulted in a significant decline in landings in this area. The integration of diet information in mass-balance models to construct ecosystem food-webs will help to understand the trophic role of these apex predators within the ecosystem.

Potential hazard to human health from exposure to fragments of lead bullets and shot in the tissues of game animals

Lead is highly toxic to animals. Humans eating game killed using lead ammunition generally avoid swallowing shot or bullets and dietary lead exposure from this source has been considered low. Recent evidence illustrates that lead bullets fragment on impact, leaving small lead particles widely distributed in game tissues. Our paper asks whether lead gunshot pellets also fragment upon impact, and whether lead derived from spent gunshot and bullets in the tissues of game animals could pose a threat to human health.

Ovarian remnant syndrome in small animals

The ovarian remnant syndrome (ORS) is an iatrogenic disorder in bitches and queens, which is characterized by recurrence of estrus following surgical spay, due to the presence of a piece of ovarian tissue within the abdominal cavity. In most cases, the remnant ovary is found in the right ovarian pedicle, due to its topographic position, deeper and more cranial than the left ovary. The main clinical signs of ORS in small animals are the heat behavior and the presence of vaginal swelling/secretion, especially in canines. The diagnosis should be performed by means of vaginal cytology when attraction of males is detected, serum estrogen and progesterone levels and/or by challenging test with GnRH or hCG administration. However, vaginal citology is the most suitable and less expensive diagnostic tool. Nowadays the treatment of choice is a new laparotomy or laparoscopy, followed by removal of the remnant ovarian tissue. The surgical treatment has more chances of success if it is performed in the diestrus (i.e., between 15 and 60 days after the detection of attraction of males). Furthermore, a careful and accurate surgical procedure aided by advanced visualization techniques during ovariohysterectomy or ovariectomy is the best way to prevent ORS in companion animals.

Effect of probiotic and prebiotic inclusion in weaned piglet diets on structure and ultra-structure of small intestine

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Edge effects and the impact of wildfires on populations of small non-volant mammals in the forest-savanna transition zone in Southern Amazonia

O efeito de borda e do fogo sobre a comunidade de pequenos mamíferos não-voadores foi investigada em uma área de transição entre Cerrado e Floresta em uma área de matriz de soja na Amazônia Oriental. Os indivíduos foram coletados em 24 transectos, dos quais 16 foram distribuídos em área sem efeito do fogo e oito distribuídos com efeito do fogo. Um total de 11 espécies foi registrado, incluindo seis roedores e cinco marsupiais. A espécie Hylaeamys megacephalus foi a mais abundante em áreas sem efeito do fogo. A abundância e riqueza de pequenos mamíferos não-voadores apresentaram uma diminuição em áreas queimadas, entretanto o efeito do fogo parece mascarar o efeito de borda nestas mesmas áreas. Em relação ao efeito de borda, sem nenhum efeito de fogo, a relação entre a abundância de pequenos mamíferos não-voadores com a distância da borda foi positiva. A relação entre a diversidade de pequenos mamíferos e efeito de borda pode ser ligada à vegetação matriz e características ecológicas de cada espécie.

Classificação morfológica e imunostoquímica em microarranjo de tecido (TMA) de linfomas não-Hodgkin em cães conforme os critérios da Histological Classification od Hematopoietic Tumors of Domestic Animals (WHO)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)