bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thermal Behaviour of High Amylose Cornstarch Studied by DSC
Authors: Liu Hongshen , Xie Fengwei , Chen Ling , Yu Long , Dean Katherine , Bateman Stuart
Published: December 2005

The thermal behaviour of high amylose cornstarches (80% amylose content) was studied by DSC using high pressure stainless steel pans in the temperature range between 0-350 °C. The number of endotherms and the enthalpy of gelatinization were found to depend on moisture content. Up to four endotherms and one exotherm were determined when the moisture content was above 40%. The meaning of each endotherm has been discussed. The enthalpy of gelatinization was calculated based on the summation of all the gelatinization endotherms and found to increase with increasing water content.
Development in the Combined Treatment of Coating and Osmotic Dehydration of Food - A Review
Authors: Khin Mya Mya , Zhou Weibiao , Perera Conrad
Published: December 2005

Osmotic dehydration is gaining considerable attention as a minimal processing method because of its advantages such as saving energy to compliment drying process, better control of flavor loss and tissue damage problems and improved retention of color and nutritional constituents. The problems of flavor loss, tissue damage, color degradation and nutritional loss are present in traditional hot air drying due to the high temperature involved. However, except for candied food, large penetration of solute into the food becomes a major problem in osmotic dehydration. The application of a coating on food prior to osmotic dehydration is a promising solution to alleviate the large solute intake problem. Edible coatings serve as a barrier to limit the penetration of solute without having an adverse effect on water removal. This paper focuses on this combined technology and its potentials. The effects of edible coatings on both water and solute mass transfer in osmotic dehydration are reviewed. Suitable coating materials and their applicable concentration range for osmotic dehydration of food are evaluated. Mathematical models describing the mass transfer in osmotically dehydrated food with coatings are also reviewed.
Thermal Sterilisation of Liquid Foods in a Sealed Container - Developing Simple Correlations to Account for Natural Convection
Authors: Chen Xiao Dong , Huang Hua-Jiang , Ghani Abdul G
Published: December 2005

In this study, two approaches to developing simple correlations have been described and analysed. The recent effective thermal diffusivity model has been benchmarked and the advantages of the approach illustrated. The uniqueness of this kind of approach has been discussed. The second approach, which is new and called the effective velocity approach, has been described and tested, against the limited data sets available. It has been demonstrated that by preserving the first order effect (i.e. the convection effect) in the heating equation, the second approach gives an opportunity to correlate with good accuracy the experimental data (whether it is generated by CFD or field measurement). Here the essential features of the natural convection driven process is captured well. The predicted circulation velocity level matches well with the previous CFD simulations for the two dimensional situations, supporting the validity of the approach. More in depth and quantitative study is required before any of these models can be used in practice.
Three-Dimensional Mathematical Modeling of Microbiological Destruction of Bacillus stearothermophilus in Conductive Baby Food Packed in Glass Container
Authors: Pinho Claudia , Cristianini Marcelo
Published: December 2005

Three-dimensional mathematical model of the heat transfer during the sterilization process of a conductive baby food packed into glass container was built using the finite element technique. The heat transfer model was experimentally validated through processes carried out in water at 121°C. Chi-square and regression lines were obtained for each set of temperatures generated by the model against experimental data. Thermal death parameters, D and z, of Bacillus stearothermophilus in baby food were determined. The results obtained for D value were 32.67, 9.31 and 1.57 minutes at 110, 115 and 121°C, respectively. The z value obtained was 8.32°C. The mass average value was also estimated and experimental processes were carried out at 110 and 115°C in order to validate the microbiological destruction model. For 110°C processes the differences between experimental and predicted results were less than 12% and for 115°C processes these differences were less than 27%.
Effects of Impeller Vane Configurations and Seed Size on Dehulling Efficiency of Sunflower Seeds Using a Centrifugal Sheller
Authors: Das Susanta Kumar , Gupta R. K.
Published: December 2005

The effect of machine parameters as well as size on dehulling performance of sunflower seeds have been studied using a centrifugal sheller Forward-curved impeller vanes made of aluminum gave highest dehulling efficiency (80.12%) than that with mild steel or rubber vanes. Large size sunflower seed (length > 10 mm) at 7.3% (d.b.) showed the higher dehulling efficiency (80.47%), minimum specific energy (7.42kJ/kg) and moderate non-recoverable kernel fraction (9.82%) using forward curved aluminum vane. However, the non-recoverable kernel fraction was found to be minimum (6.21%) with the medium size seed having average length between 8.0 and 10.0mm.
Drying of Red Pepper (Capsicum Annuum): Water Desorption and Quality
Authors: Simal Susana , Garau Carme , Femenia Antoni , Rosselló Carmen
Published: December 2005

Capsicum annuum samples were dried at different air-drying temperatures, ranging from 30 to 90ºC. Modelling of the drying curves was satisfactory when the Page model (average percentage of explained variance was 99.0 ± 0.2%) was used, whereas the Peleg model provided a less accurate simulation (average percentage of explained variance was 91± 14%). Both k and n parameters of the Pages model exhibited a clear temperature dependence. In fact, n parameter varied linearly with the temperature (r2=0.92), whereas k parameter followed an Arrhenius relationship (r2= 0.96). An activation energy value of ca 27 kJ/mol was estimated using the Page equation. Air-drying temperature influenced the final quality of the dried red pepper (paprika). According to the results, drying within the range of 50 to 75ºC, would be the optimum conditions to achieve a final product with the best colour characteristics (highest ASTA and chroma values) and also, with the highest antioxidant capacity.
The Assessment of the Temperature Uniformity in Processing Small Food Objects
Authors: Chen Xiao Dong
Published: December 2005

Conventionally, a small Biot number must be ensured to proceed with the assumption of the uniform temperature distribution within the material (being heated or cooled, or dried) of interest. In this communication, several situations are analysed, i.e. internal generation or dissipation and surface evaporation while the material being heated illustrating the above rule can be relaxed. On the other hand, when considering the surface evaporative cooling process, derivations made have shown that the criterion is in fact too generous. The study provides useful formula for justifying the assumption of uniform temperature within the small objects being processed.
Recovery of Gallic Acid with Colloidal Gas Aphrons (CGA)
Authors: Spigno Giorgia , Jauregi Paula
Published: December 2005

In the present paper the potential application of colloidal gas aphrons (CGA) to the recovery of antioxidants from wine-making waste extracts is investigated. CGA were generated by stirring a buffered solution (400 ml) of a cationic surfactant(cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, CTAB) at 8000 rpm for 10 minutes. Trials were carried out on standard solutions (2 ml) of gallic acid (GA) 200 mg/l with varying volumes of colloidal gas aphrons (20-60 ml) generated with varying concentrations of CTAB (2 and 4 mM). Influence of pH, solvent (buffered aqueous solution and ethanol), CTAB to GA molar ratio on recovery were studied. Best recovery (63%) was achieved from an aqueous solution of GA and at a CTAB to GA molar ratio of 16. Separation is mainly driven by electrostatic interactions but pH conditions are to be optimised to preserve the GA antioxidant power.
Nonlinear Monetary Policy Rules: Some New Evidence for the U.S.
Authors: Dolado Juan , Pedrero Ramón María-Dolores , Ruge-Murcia Francisco J.
Published: December 2005

This paper derives optimal monetary policy rules in setups where certainty equivalence does not hold because either central bank preferences are not quadratic, and/or the aggregate supply relation is nonlinear. Analytical results show that these features lead to sign and size asymmetries, and nonlinearities in the policy rule. Reduced-form estimates indicate that US monetary policy can be characterized by a nonlinear policy rule after 1983, but not before 1979. This finding is consistent with the view that the Fed's inflation preferences during the Volcker-Greenspan regime differ considerably from the ones during the Burns-Miller regime.
Reconstructing Technoliteracy: A Multiple Literacies Approach
Authors: Kahn Richard , Kellner Douglas
Published: December 2005

Much has been written that describes the history of the concept of ‘technological literacy’ and, more recently, a literature attempting to chart emancipatory technoliteracies has emerged over the last decade. Our article begins with a brief examination of the meanings that ‘technology’ and ‘literacy’ have received towards achieving insight into what sort of knowledge and skills ‘technoliteracy’ hails. We then summarize the broad trajectories of development in hegemonic programs of contemporary technoliteracy from their arguable origins as ‘computer literacy’ in the A Nation at Risk report of 1983 up to the present call for integration of technology across the curriculum and the standards-based approach of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 and 2004's US National Educational Technology Plan. In contradistinction, we reveal how this approach has been tacitly challenged at the global institutional level through the United Nations' Project 2000+, and theorize how this might link up with a democratic project of re-visioning education though multiple literacies. Finally, in closing, we think about what it will mean to reconstruct ‘technoliteracy’ broadly in this manner and conclude with a call for new critical pedagogies that can inform and be informed by the counterhegemonic idea of ‘multiple technoliteracies’.
Ariadne's Thread: Using Social Presence Indices to Distinguish Learning Events in Face-to-Face and ICT-Rich Settings
Authors: Baskin Colin , Henderson Michael
Published: December 2005

Drawing on ancient Greek mythology, this article traces the learning experiences of 164 pre-service education students as they make the transition from a conventional face-to-face (f-2-f) learning environment to an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) rich setting. Influenced by Social Presence Theory (Short, Williams & Christie, 1976) the aim of this article is to critically examine the social presence weightings of nine key learning events in f-2-f and online learning environments to unravel threads of connection to the knowledge construction processes of our learners. Dimensions of social presence are defined and examined, and indices are assigned to nine f-2-f and ICT learning events for purposes of comparison. The argument concludes that attributions of social presence point to clear and very discernible differences in the ‘learning choices’ and ‘patterns’ of male and female respondents. By proxy, different learning patterns also point to substantial differences in the when, where, how and why of knowledge construction for different groups of learners. This preference for differentiation and the capacity of the ICT-supported environment to meet and extend this preference at the learning interface offers a productive model for the preparation of pre-service teachers.
Distance Education and the Role of the State: A Sweden/USA Perspective
Authors: Hansson Henrik , Mihailidis Paul , Holmberg Carl
Published: December 2005

This study aims to comparatively explore the role of the state (federal policy) in distance-education initiatives in the higher education communities of Sweden and the United States. In a globalized context, education institutes now have the capabilities to provide education and educational resources more efficiently and to a wide-ranging and diverse audience. Within the education sector and distance education, the role of the state and federal policy becomes increasingly important, in terms of how distance-education platforms are developed and implemented in institutions of higher education. The first section of this article provides an overview of the United States and Sweden's current higher education and distance-education landscapes, focusing on the role of the state and federal policy with respect to the funding and overall aims of distance education. The development of distance education in Sweden is highly related to political goals and policies, the top down/domestic/‘inside’ approach. The governing body dictates the funding and policy for distance education, and implementation is left to the university body. In the United States, the landscape differs in that no one federal institution provides direct funding or unified guidelines for developing distance education, but universities are left to their own devices and capabilities for implementation. In Sweden, high ambitions and goals are set at the national level, but the educational organizations are changing only slowly. The pressures on the education organizations are high because of steadily decreasing funding and fewer and fewer staff in relation to students. In the United States, education functions primarily as a state and local responsibility. In conclusion, the article aims to exploit the differences between the two countries' role of the state (federal policy) in distance-education policy, and present a middle ground which would be most balanced for distance education, entailing some federal supervision with the allowance for a certain level of autonomy in regards to development, implementation, funding and longevity.
Building Interoperable Learning Objects Using Reduced Learning Object Metadata
Authors: Saleh Mostafa S.
Published: December 2005

The new e-learning generation depends on Semantic Web technology to produce learning objects. As the production of these components is very costly, they should be produced and registered once, and reused and adapted in the same context or in other contexts as often as possible. To produce those components, developers should use learning standards to describe these objects in order to support interoperability. IEEE Learning Object Metadata (LOM) is the most dominant standard for describing learning objects, in which 76 different elements are used to describe the different aspects of e-learning. Nonetheless, it will still be time consuming to build these learning objects. This paper introduces a model for building Global Interoperable Learning Objects (GILO) for the e-learning community. This is achieved by using a reduced set of the LOM elements, and giving a unique global ID to the learning object. This will enable software agents to query these learning object repositories, to automatically deliver the required material to the e-learning consumer.
In the Name of Environmental Education: Words and Things in the Complex Territory of Education—Environment—Development Relations
Authors: Gómez José Antonio Caride
Published: December 2005

The proclamation of the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development by the United Nations has placed education in general, and environmental education in particular, at the front of a future full of important and uncertain meanings. On the one hand, those inviting a conceptual, theoretical and praxiological revision of the education–environment–development relationship appeal to the role of education in the construction of ‘sustainability’ and lifestyles that will make it possible. On the other hand, there are those that anticipate new and different readings of the environmental educative task. They range from the questioning of its historic entity and identity (more than 30 years of initiatives, plans and programmes across the world) to the firm demand for its proposals to provide an ‘education’ that is essential for the renewal of human action and thought. The article subscribes to the latter position, arguing in favour of the necessity of an environmental education that does not contradict itself, neither in its critical-reflexive discourses nor in its emancipative practices, as a fundamental pillar of any development that aims at being ‘human’ and ‘sustainable’ from a pedagogical, ecological and social point of view.
Influence of the Globalized and Globalizing Sustainable Development Framework on National Policies Related to Environmental Education
Authors: Sauvé Lucie , Brunelle Renée , Berryman Tom
Published: December 2005

This article presents and discusses some results of the authors’ analysis of international and national institutional documents related to environmental education from the 1970s to the present day. The aim of the study is to present a critical characterization of how environmental education is conceptualized and introduced through the ongoing worldwide educational reform movement. The results presented in this article highlight the influence of the globalized and globalizing international political program for sustainable development on national educational proposals. The shift from the previous institutional discourse related to environmental education towards a more explicit economicist view of the world is discussed. The purpose of this article is to stimulate discussion about some of the foundations upon which educational policies and other national initiatives related to environmental education rest, and to introduce elements that could enrich their conceptual and ethical dimensions.
Immunologic analysis of blood samples obtained from horses and stored for twenty-four hours
Authors: Witonsky Sharon , Gogal Robert M. , Buechner-Maxwell Virginia , Ahmed S. Ansar
Published: December 2005

Objective—To determine whether immune function
can be accurately assessed in blood samples obtained
from horses and refrigerated overnight and whether a
nonradioactive lymphocyte proliferation assay can be
used to evaluate samples obtained from horses.

Sample Population—224 blood samples from 28
clinically normal adult horses.

Procedure—Heparinized blood samples were collected.
Each sample was divided into 2 equal aliquots.
One aliquot was refrigerated overnight to simulate
overnight shipping of blood samples, and the other
aliquot was evaluated on the day of blood collection.
Lymphocytes were isolated and enumerated by use
of a modified single-gradient procedure. Cell viability
and function were assessed by use of cytologic
examination, flow cytometry, and mitogen-induced
proliferation assays. Lymphocyte proliferation in
response to T- and B-cell mitogens was measured by
use of [3H]-thymidine incorporation and a nonradioactive
lymphocyte proliferation assay.

Results—Lymphocytes refrigerated for up to 24 hours
continued to be acceptable for use in immunologic
analysis on the basis that they maintained viability and
did not have significant alterations in lymphocyte subsets,
except for CD8, when compared with freshly isolated
lymphocytes. Furthermore, results for mitogeninduced
lymphocyte proliferation assays were also
comparable between fresh and refrigerated aliquots.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—The nonradioactive
lymphocyte proliferation assay is a reliable alternative
to [3H]-thymidine assay for assessing proliferation of
equine lymphocytes. Collectively, our results imply that
blood samples refrigerated and shipped overnight to a
laboratory can be used to perform cellular-immune
assays; results of those assays would enhance a clinician's
diagnostic abilities to monitor the efficacy of treatment.
(Am J Vet Res 2003;64:1003–1009)
Evaluation of fenbendazole for treatment of Giardia infection in cats concurrently infected with Cryptosporidium parvum
Authors: Keith Carey L. , Radecki Steven V. , Lappin Michael R.
Published: December 2005

Objective—To determine whether fenbendazole effectively eliminatesGiardiaorganisms from chronically infected cats that have a concurrentCryptosporidium parvuminfection.

Animals—16 clinically normal cats.

Procedure—Eight cats with chronic concurrentGiardiaandC parvuminfections received fenbendazole (50 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h) for 5 days (treatmentgroup cats). Feces from each cat were collected and processed 3 days weekly for 23 days after treatment. By use of an immunofluorescent assay for detection ofGiardia lambliacysts andC parvumoocysts, organism numbers were counted and scored. Fecal results from treatment-group cats were compared with those of 8 untreated cats withGiardiainfection but noC parvuminfection (control-group cats).

Results—Four of 8 treatment-group cats had consistently negative results forGiardiainfection after treatment. These 4 cats had consistently positive results forC parvumoocysts prior to treatment and consistently negative results after treatment. One treatment -group cat had positive results for cysts on all fecal samples, and 3 treatment-group cats had 1 to 3 negative results and then resumed shedding large numbers of cysts; each of these cats had consistently positive results forC parvumoocysts. When compared with control-group cats, treatment-group cats shed lessGiardiacysts during week 1 after treatment but not during week 2.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Administration of fenbendazole decreasesGiardiacyst shedding to less than detectable numbers in some cats. In our study, persistentC parvuminfection may have been associated with failure of fenbendazole to eliminateGiardiainfection. (Am J Vet Res2003;64:1027–1029)
Effects of a high-protein diet versus dietary supplementation with ammonium chloride on struvite crystal formation in urine of clinically normal cats
Authors: Funaba Masayuki , Yamate Takayo , Hashida Yuka , Maki Kodenta , Gotoh Ken , Kaneko Masahiro , Yamamoto Hiromi , Iriki Tsunenori , Hatano Yoshikazu , Abe Matanobu
Published: December 2005

Objective—To evaluate the effects of a high-protein diet versus dietary supplementation with ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) on struvite crystal formation in the urine of clinically normal cats by measuring the urine concentration of hydrochloric acid (HCl)-insoluble sediment, urine pH, struvite activity product (SAP), number of struvite crystals in urine, and urine volume.

Animals—23 healthy adult cats.

Procedure—Urine was fractionated by centrifugation with subsequent extraction of the sediment with 1 N HCl (study 1). Diets containing either 29% crude protein or 55% crude protein were fed to cats in a crossover trial of 3 weeks/period (study 2). Diets supplemented with either sodium chloride (NaCl) or NH4Cl were fed, by use of a 3 X 3 Latin-square design with 3 wk/period (study 3). In studies 2 and 3, urine samples were collected for the last 7 days of each period.

Results—The HCl-insoluble sediment contained Tamm-Horsfall glycoprotein (THP; study 1). The highprotein diet (study 2) and dietary supplementation with NH4Cl (study 3) resulted in a decrease in urine pH, SAP, and the number of struvite crystals in urine. However, the high-protein diet decreased urine concentrations of HCl-insoluble sediment containing THP (study 2), in contrast to the NH4Cl supplementation that increased urine volume without a significant effect on the urine concentration of the HCl-insoluble sediment (study 3).

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Our results indicate that compared with dietary supplementation with NH4Cl, the high-protein diet is preferable as a urine acidifier for the prevention of struvite crystal formation in clinically normal cats. (Am J Vet Res2003;64:1059–1064)
Macroscopic changes in the distal ends of the third metacarpal and metatarsal bones of Thoroughbred racehorses with condylar fractures
Authors: Radtke Catherine L. , Danova Nichole A. , Scollay Mary C. , Santschi Elizabeth M. , Markel Mark D. , Gómez Támara Da Costa , Muir Peter
Published: December 2005

Objective—To determine changes in the distal ends of the third metacarpal and metatarsal bones (MCIII and MTIII) of Thoroughbred racehorses that had sustained a catastrophic condylar fracture during highspeed exercise.

Sample Population—Fractured and contralateral MCIIIs and MTIIIs from 11 Thoroughbred racehorses that sustained a displaced condylar fracture during racing, both MCIIIs from 5 Thoroughbred racehorses euthanatized because of a catastrophic injury other than a condylar fracture, and both MCIIIs from 5 horses of other breeds that had not been professionally trained or raced.

Procedure—Macroscopic observations were made of the distal ends of the bones before and after digestion of the articular cartilage with NaOH.

Results—In all 11 racehorses with a displaced condylar fracture, the fracture was associated with a branching array of cracks in the condylar groove. In this region, fracture margins were smooth, and there was loss of subchondral bone. Comminution of the dorsal cortex was also seen. Parasagittal linear wear lines in the articular cartilage, erosions in the articular cartilage of the condyles, loss of the underlying subchondral bone, and cracking of condylar grooves were all more severe in the Thoroughbred racehorses than in the horses that had not been professionally trained or raced.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results suggest that condylar fractures in horses are pathologic fatigue or stress fractures that arise from a preexisting, branching array of cracks in the condylar groove of the distal end of MCIII or MTIII. (Am J Vet Res2003;64:1110–1116)
Influence of familiarity and relatedness on proximity and allogrooming in domestic cats (Felis catus)
Authors: Curtis Terry Marie , Knowles Rebecca J. , Crowell-Davis Sharon L.
Published: December 2005

Objective—To evaluate associations between relatedness
and familiarity with the affiliative behaviors of
maintaining proximity and allogrooming in cats.

Animals—28 privately owned cats in 1 colony.

Procedure—15 of the cats had 1 or more relatives present
representing 5 genealogies. Each cat was observed
in 15-minute intervals for 3.5 hours during the study. All
occurrences of allogrooming behavior were recorded. At
the onset of each 15-minute observation period and at 2-
minute intervals thereafter, the identity and location of all
cats within 1 m of the observed cat were recorded.

Results—Relatedness and familiarity was significantly
associated with the number of times a cat was within
1 m of another cat and how often a cat was groomed.
For relatives and nonrelatives that were equally familiar
to a given cat, relatives were significantly more likely to
be within 1 m and to be groomed.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Familiarity
and relatedness are significantly associated with
allogrooming and proximity of another cat. This may
be important when considering adoption of 1 or more
kittens and when adding a new cat to a household in
which other cats are present. Adopting small family
groups may result in higher rates of affiliative behavior,
stronger bonding, and lower incidence of conflict
than periodically adopting single unrelated adult cats.
(Am J Vet Res 2003;64:1151–1154)
Serum concentrations of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol and 25-hydroxycholecalciferol in clinically normal dogs and dogs with acute and chronic renal failure
Authors: Gerber Bernhard , Hässig Michael , Reusch Claudia E.
Published: December 2005

Objective—To compare serum concentrations of
1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25-[OH]2D3) and
25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-[OH]D3) in healthy
control dogs and dogs with naturally occurring
acute renal failure (ARF) and chronic renal failure
(CRF).

Animals—24 control dogs, 10 dogs with ARF, and 40
dogs with CRF.

Procedure—Serum concentrations of 1,25-(OH)2D3
were measured by use of a quantitative radioimmunoassay,
and serum concentrations of 25-
(OH)D3 were measured by use of a protein-binding
assay.

Results—Mean ± SD serum concentration of 1,25-
(OH)2D3 was 153 ± 50 pmol/L in control dogs, 75 ± 25
pmol/L in dogs with ARF, and 93 ± 67 pmol/L in dogs
with CRF. The concentration of 1,25-(OH)2D3 did not
differ significantly between dogs with ARF and those
with CRF and was in the reference range in most
dogs; however, the concentration was significantly
lower in dogs with ARF or CRF, compared with the
concentration in control dogs. Mean ± SD concentration
of 25-(OH)D3 was 267 ± 97 nmol/L in control
dogs, 130 ± 82 nmol/L in dogs with ARF, and 84 ± 60
nmol/L in dogs with CRF. The concentration of 25-
(OH)D3 was significantly lower in dogs with ARF or
CRF, compared with the concentration in control
dogs.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—The concentration
of 1,25-(OH)2D3 was within the reference
range in most dogs with renal failure. Increased
serum concentrations of parathyroid hormone indicated
a relative deficiency of 1,25-(OH)2D3. A
decrease in the serum concentration of 25-(OH)D3 in
dogs with CRF appeared to be attributable to
reduced intake and increased urinary loss. (Am J Vet Res 2003;64:1161–1166)
Changes in heart rate variability in horses during immersion in warm springwater
Authors: Kato Tomohiro , Ohmura Hajime , Hiraga Atsushi , Wada Shinya , Kuwahara Masayoshi , Tsubone Hirokazu
Published: December 2005

Objective—To determine the effects of immersion in
warm springwater (38° to 40°C) on autonomic nervous
activity in horses.

Animals—10 male Thoroughbreds.

Procedure—Electrocardiograms were recorded from
horses for 15 minutes during a warm springwater bath
after being recorded for 15 minutes during stall rest.
Variations in heart rate (HR) were evaluated from the
power spectrum in terms of low frequency (LF, 0.01 to
0.07 Hz) power and high frequency (HF, 0.07 to 0.6 Hz)
power as indices of autonomic nervous activity.

Results—Mean (±SE) HR during stall rest and immersion
in warm springwater was 31.1 ± 1.7 and 30.3 ±
1.0 beat/min, respectively. No significant difference
was found between the HR recorded during stall rest
and that recorded during immersion in warm springwater.
The HF power significantly increased from
1,361 ± 466 milliseconds2 during stall rest to 2,344 ±
720 milliseconds2 during immersion in warm springwater.
The LF power during stall rest and immersion
in warm springwater was 3,847 ± 663 and 5,120 ±
1,094 milliseconds2, respectively, and were not significantly
different from each other. Similarly, the LF:HF
ratio did not change during immersion in warm springwater.
The frequency of second-degree atrioventricular
block, which was observed in 2 horses, increased
during immersion in warm springwater, compared
with during stall rest.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Increases in
HF power indicates that the parasympathetic nervous
activity in horses increases during immersion in warm
springwater. Thus, immersion in warm springwater
may provide a means of relaxation for horses. ( Am J
Vet Res 2003;64:1482–1485)
Use of the bispectral index as a monitor of anesthetic depth in cats anesthetized with isoflurane
Authors: March Philip A. , Muir III William W.
Published: December 2005

Objective—To determine whether the prestimulation
bispectral index (BIS) value or relative change in BIS
after noxious stimulation can be used to assess the
depth of isoflurane anesthesia in cats.

Animals—17 healthy female cats.

Procedure—Electroencephalogram (EEG) patterns
and BIS values were examined in cats that received
increasing end-tidal (ET) isoflurane concentrations.
Subsequently, BIS values were determined before
and after either a noxious somatic or visceral stimulus
in cats that received ET isoflurane concentrations
ranging from 1.8% to 2.4%. Electrical stimuli of the
tail base and bladder distension to 50 cm of water
were the somatic and visceral stimuli, respectively.

Results—The resting BIS at ET isoflurane concentrations
from 1.4% to 1.9% steadily decreased concurrently
with increasing degrees of EEG suppression.
Prestimulation BIS values, however, were not related
to 1.8% to 2.4% ET isoflurane concentrations and not
useful for prediction of BIS values or hemodynamic
and movement responses after a noxious stimulus.
The poststimulation BIS value and the difference
between mean BIS values before and after stimulation
were inversely correlated with increasing ET
isoflurane concentrations. Poststimulation BIS values
> 60 were observed at ET isoflurane concentrations
greater than those associated with a movement
response after a stimulus.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—The prestimulation
BIS value has limited use in assessing anesthetic
depth in cats during isoflurane anesthesia. The
change in BIS values after a noxious somatic or visceral
stimulus was a reliable measure of anesthetic
depth and may be a useful measure of early arousal
from the hypnotic state. (Am J Vet Res 2003;64:1534–1541)
Effect of dimethyl sulfoxide in the treatment of sheep experimentally infected with Ehrlichia ruminantium
Authors: Tutt Cedric L. C. , Van Amstel Sarel R. , van der Linde Michael J. , Reyers Fred , Jacobson Linda S.
Published: December 2005

Objective—To evaluate the clinical response of sheep experimentally infected withEhrlichia ruminantiumto treatment with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO).

Animals—32 Merino crossbred sheep.

Procedure—16 sheep were infected withE ruminantium; 8 of these were treated twice daily with a 10% solution of DMSO (1 g/kg, IV) in polyionic fluid for 3 consecutive days. Treatment was initiated 2 days after the onset of clinical disease. Eight uninfected control sheep were similarly treated with DMSO. Placebo treatments (polyionic fluid administrations) were given to 8 infected and 8 uninfected sheep. Arterial and venous blood samples for blood gas and total plasma protein concentration measurements were collected daily (data from 5 days before until 6 days after onset of clinical disease were analyzed); physiologic variables and food consumption were also monitored. Gross pathologic findings and cytologic confirmation of the disease were recorded for the 16 infected sheep.

Results—Infected sheep treated with DMSO were able to maintain pulmonary gas exchange and had reduced pleural effusion and plasma protein loss, compared with infected untreated sheep that became hypoxic. Infected treated sheep developed an uncompensated metabolic acidosis. Uninfected treated sheep had reduced appetite, whereas uninfected untreated sheep maintained normal food intake.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results of DMSO treatment in sheep with experimentally induced heartwater disease indicated that administration of this agent, in combination with specific antimicrobial treatment, may be of some benefit in treatment of naturally occurring disease. (Am J Vet Res2003;64;1542–1548)
The effect of rectal temperature on perianesthetic serum concentrations of transdermally administered fentanyl in cats anesthetized with isoflurane
Authors: Pettifer Glenn R. , Hosgood Giselle
Published: December 2005

Objective—To determine whether moderate hypothermia during 4 hours of anesthesia with isoflurane substantially affects serum concentrations of transdermally administered fentanyl in the perianesthetic period in cats.

Animals—7 healthy mature cats.

Procedure—A fentanyl patch (25 µg/h) was applied to the shaved thorax 24 hours before induction of anesthesia. Anesthesia was induced at time 0. Each cat received 2 treatments in a random order. Treatments were isoflurane anesthesia with normothermia and isoflurane anesthesia with hypothermia. Cats were intubated, connected to a nonrebreathing circuit, and maintained at 1.3X minimum alveolar concentration for 4 hours. Cats in the hypothermia treatment groups were actively cooled to 35°C following the induction of anesthesia. Serum fentanyl analysis was performed at –24, –12, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, and 24 hours.

Results—Mean ± SEM serum fentanyl concentration (SFC) for the hypothermia treatment group (0.598 ± 0.3048 ng/mL) was significantly lower than the baseline concentration (1.834 ± 0.6393 ng/mL) at 1 hour. This significant reduction persisted for the duration of anesthesia for the hypothermia treatment group. Serum fentanyl concentrations returned to baseline values within 1 hour of the end of anesthesia, regardless of body temperature.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Hypothermia during inhalant anesthesia induced a significant reduction in SFC obtained with transdermal administration. The impact of this reduction in SFC on the contribution of transdermally administered fentanyl to any reduction in the need for inhalant anesthesia remains to be determined. (Am J Vet Res2003;64:1557–1561)
Evaluation of a canine D-dimer point-of-care test kit for use in samples obtained from dogs with disseminated intravascular coagulation, thromboembolic disease, and hemorrhage
Authors: Griffin Alison , Callan Mary Beth , Shofer Frances S. , Giger Urs
Published: December 2005

Objective—To evaluate a canine D-dimer point-of-care (cD-d POC) test kit for use in healthy dogs and dogs with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), thromboembolic disease (TED), and hemorrhage.

Animals—12 healthy dogs, 18 dogs with DIC, 23 dogs with TED (19 acute and 4 chronic), and 18 dogs with hemorrhage.

Procedure—The cD-d POC, canine D-dimer ELISA (cD-d ELISA), human D-dimer latex agglutination (hD-d LA), and fibrin degradation product (FDP) tests were performed on citrated plasma.

Results—All healthy dogs had negative cD-d POC test results and mean cD-d ELISA value of 0.2 U/mL. All dogs with DIC had positive cD-d POC test results and mean cD-d ELISA value of 44 U/mL. Dogs with acute TED had a mean cD-d ELISA value of 34 U/mL, and 17 of 19 had positive cD-d POC test results. Mean cD-d ELISA value in dogs with hemorrhage was 14 units/mL, and 15 of 18 had positive cD-d POC test results. The cD-d ELISA values in dogs with hemorrhage were significantly higher than those of healthy dogs but lower than those of dogs with DIC and acute TED. The cD-d POC, cD-d ELISA, and hD-d LA tests were comparable in differentiating healthy dogs from dogs with DIC, acute TED, or hemorrhage and appeared to be superior to measurement of FDPs.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—The cD-d POC test kit can be quickly and easily used and reliably detects dogs with DIC or acute TED. Positive results may also be seen in dogs with internal hemorrhage. (Am J Vet Res2003;64:1562–1569)
Use of an ELISA for detection of antibody responses in Argentine boa constrictors (Boa constrictor occidentalis)
Authors: Lock Brad A. , Green Linda G. , Jacobson Elliott R. , Klein Paul A.
Published: December 2005

Objective—To develop mouse monoclonal and rabbit polyclonal antibodies against immunoglobulin of Argentine boa constrictors and to demonstrate the ability of these reagents to detect antibody responses in boa constrictors by use of an ELISA and western blot analysis.

Animals—Two 3-year-old Argentine boa constrictors.

Procedure—Boa constrictors were immunized with 2,4-dinitrophenylated bovine serum albumin (DNP-BSA). Each snake received biweekly inoculations of 250 µg of DNP-BSA (half SC, half IP) for a total of 6 inoculations followed by monthly inoculations for 3 months. Preimmune blood samples were collected. Subsequently, blood was collected immediately prior to each booster inoculation. Anti-DNP antibodies were isolated from immune plasma samples by affinity chromatography. Affinity-purified boa anti-DNP immunoglobulin was used for production of polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies. An ELISA and western blot analysis were used to monitor immune responses, for purification of boa anti-DNP immunoglobulin, and for assessment of polyclonal and monoclonal antibody specificity.

Results—A 6-fold increase in optical density (OD405) of immune boa plasma, compared with preimmune plasma, was detected by the polyclonal antibody, and a 12- and 15-fold increase was detected by monoclonal antibodies HL1787 and HL1785, respectively, between weeks 4 and 8. Results of western blot analysis confirmed anti-DNP antibody activity in immunized boa plasma and in affinity column eluates. Polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies detected specific anti-DNP antibody responses in immunized boas.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies recognized boa constrictor immunoglobulin. These antibodies may be useful in serologic tests to determine exposure of snakes to pathogens. (Am J Vet Res2003;64:388–395)
Vaccination of ewes for prevention of vertical transmission of Neospora caninum
Authors: O'Handley R. M. , Morgan S. A. , Parker C. , Jenkins M. C. , Dubey J. P.
Published: December 2005

Objective—To evaluate the immunologic response of
a killed tachyzoite vaccine against Neospora caninum
and its effectiveness in preventing vertical transmission
of N caninum in sheep.

Animals—40 Dorset ewes seronegative for N caninum.

Procedure—Group-A ewes (n = 20) were vaccinated
on days 1 and 126 with a killed N caninum tachyzoite
preparation in a commercially available adjuvant.
Group-B ewes (n = 20) were sham vaccinated. Blood
samples were collected from ewes every 2 weeks
and a recombinant ELISA (rELISA) was used to determine
serum antibody titers against N caninum. During
pregnancy, ewes were challenged with live N caninum
tachyzoites. Precolostral serum was collected
from lambs and tested for antibodies against N caninum
by use of an indirect fluorescence antibody test
and the rELISA. Tissue specimens from stillborn
lambs or lambs that died within 2 weeks of birth were
collected and examined for N caninum antigen and
DNA by use of immunohistochemistry and polymerase
chain reaction assay, respectively.

Results—Serum antibody titers against N caninum
were significantly higher in group-A ewes, compared
with group B ewes, following vaccination. Serum antibodies
against N caninum were detected in 100%
(33/33) of group-B lambs and 75% (18/24) of group-A
lambs. In tissue specimens, N caninum DNA was
detected in 9 of 11 group-B lambs and 0 of 10 group-
A lambs. Histologically, N caninum tachyzoites were
observed in 4 group-A lambs and 3 group-B lambs.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—The killed
tachyzoite vaccine against N caninum stimulated a
humoral immune response in sheep and provided partial
protection against vertical transmission. (Am J Vet
Res 2003;64:449–452)
Evaluation of the local analgesic effect of ketamine in the palmar digital nerve block at the base of the proximal sesamoid (abaxial sesamoid block) in horses
Authors: López-Sanromán F. Javier , Cruz Jorge M. , Santos Martín , Mazzini Rubén A. , Tabanera Agustín , Tendillo Francisco J.
Published: December 2005

Objective—To evaluate the local analgesic effect of
ketamine in a palmar digital nerve block at the base of
the proximal sesamoid (abaxial sesamoid block) in
horses.

Animals—36 mature healthy Andalusian horses.

Procedure—Horses were randomly assigned to 4
groups of 9 horses each and received an abaxial
sesamoid block in a randomly chosen forelimb with 1
of the following: saline (0.9% NaCl) solution, 1% ketamine
solution, 2% ketamine solution, or 3% ketamine
solution. To determine analgesia, the radiant
heat lamp-hoof withdrawal model was used as a noxious
thermal stimulus. Before each nerve block, baseline
hoof withdrawal reflex latency (HWRL, time
between lamp illumination and withdrawal of the
hoof) was determined; after the nerve block, local
analgesic effects were determined by measuring
HWRL at 2 and 5 minutes after injection and then
every 5 minutes for a total period of 1 hour.

Results—Significant differences in HWRL were
found between baseline values and values at 2 to 15
minutes following a nerve block with ketamine.
Significant differences were found between HWRL
values at every time point from 2 to 10 minutes following
a nerve block with saline solution, compared
with 1 or 2% ketamine solution. Similarly, significant
differences were found between HWRL values at
every time point from 2 to 15 minutes following a
nerve block with saline solution, compared with 3%
ketamine solution.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Abaxial
sesamoid block with ketamine ensures adequate
analgesia in horses with an onset of action of 2 minutes
and a maximal duration of action of 15 minutes.
(Am J Vet Res 2003;64:475–478)
Effects of vaccine route and dosage on protection from rabies after intracerebral challenge in mice
Authors: Wunderli Peter S. , Dreesen David W. , Miller Timothy J. , Baer George M.
Published: December 2005

Objective—To evaluate the effect of various routes of
administration and number of doses of 3 commercially
produced rabies vaccines on serum antibody
responses and protection in mice challenged by intracerebral
injection with fixed-strain rabies virus.

Animals—2,213 mice.

Procedure—Inactivated, adjuvanted rabies vaccines
were administered to mice in either 2, 1, or 0 (control)
doses via IP, IM, and SC routes, and mice were challenged
intracerebrally with fixed-strain rabies virus.

Results—Vaccination route and dose number significantly
influenced serum antibody responses and protection
from rabies virus challenge, independent of
vaccine strain origin and mouse strain, although
mouse age significantly affected results. Extended
challenge studies revealed that IM vaccination of
mice resulted in the highest serum neutralizing antibody
responses and protection levels equivalent to IP
vaccination. Even multiple doses administered SC (a
vaccination route used in dogs) resulted in poor
serum anti-rabies neutralizing antibody responses in
mice and were far less protective than other routes.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Findings suggest
possible improvements for the current rabies
vaccine potency test in mice by using 1 dose, the IM
route, and a delayed time of challenge. These modifications
would more closely model vaccination practices
in target species and yield more accurate information
regarding primary immunogenicity of a vaccine.
(Am J Vet Med 2003;64:491–498)
Effect of humeral osteotomy on joint surface contact in canine elbow joints
Authors: Fujita Yukihiro , Schulz Kurt S. , Mason David R. , Kass Philip H. , Stover Susan M.
Published: December 2005

Objective—To determine the effect of sliding and wedge osteotomies of the humerus on the joint surface contact areas in anatomically normal elbow joints of dogs.

Sample Population—Left thoracic limbs from 5 skeletally mature mixed-breed canine cadavers.

Procedure—Joint casting was performed by placement of colored polymethylmethacrylate in the elbow joint cavity followed by loading in a materials testing system at physiologic angle and load. Joint casting was performed in unaltered specimens, after 10° medial opening wedge osteotomy, and after lateral sliding osteotomy of the proximal portion of the humerus. Computer-aided analysis of photographs of proximal radial and ulnar articular surfaces after each casting procedure was performed.

Results—The lateral sliding humeral osteotomy and 10° medial opening wedge osteotomy significantly altered joint surface contact regions of the canine elbow joint. Osteotomies resulted in a reduction in the size of the radial, ulnar, and combined radioulnar contact areas. Both osteotomies also resulted in craniolateral migration of the radial contact area and craniomedial recession of the ulnar contact area. Although the reduction in ulnar contact area with these treatments is consistent with our hypotheses, the reduction in radial contact area was not anticipated.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Humeral osteotomies alter joint surface contact areas of the canine elbow joint in vitro. Humeral osteotomies may decrease contact areas on the diseased region of the joint in dogs with elbow dysplasia; however, the overall decrease in joint surface contact area suggests that these procedures may induce focal increases in pressure that may cause iatrogenic cartilage damage when applied in vivo. (Am J Vet Res2003;64:506–511)