bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pathogenesis studies with Australian bat lyssavirus in grey‐headed flying foxes (Pteropus poliocephalus)
Authors: MCCOLL KA , CHAMBERLAIN T , LUNT RA , NEWBERRY KM , MIDDLETON D , WESTBURY HA
Published: March 2008

ObjectiveTo examine the susceptibility of the grey‐headed flying fox (Pteropus poliocephalus) to Australian bat lyssavirus (ABL), and to provide preliminary observations on the patho‐genesis of the disease in flying foxes.

ProcedureTen flying foxes were inoculated intramuscularly with ABL, and four with a bat‐associated rabies virus. Inoculated animals were observed daily, and clinical samples collected every 9 to 14 days. Animals with abnormal clinical signs were euthanased, and samples collected for histolog‐ical, serological, virological and immunohistological examinations. At 3 months post inoculation (PI), all survivors were euthanased, and each submitted to a similar examination.

ResultsThree ABL‐inoculated flying foxes, and two rabies‐inoculated animals developed abnormal clinical signs between 15 and 24 days PI. All three ABL‐inoculated animals had histological lesions consistent with a lyssavirus infection, and lyssaviral antigen was identified in the central nervous system (CNS) of each. Virus was isolated from the brain of two affected animals. Of the rabies‐inoculated flying foxes, both had histological lesions and viral antigen in the CNS. Virus was recovered from the brain of only one. None of the five affected flying foxes developed anti‐lyssavirus antibodies, but, by 3 months PI, five of the seven ABL‐inoculated survivors, and one of the two rabies virus‐inoculated survivors, had seroconverted. The dynamics of the immune responses were quite variable.

ConclusionsThe response of flying foxes to ABL, administered by a peripheral route of inoculation, was similar to that of bats inoculated peripherally with bat‐derived rabies viruses.
Non‐surgical management of rectal tears in two mares
Authors: ALEXANDER GR , GIBSON KT
Published: March 2008

Two mares presented with life‐threatening rectal tears were successfully treated with intensive medical management. Although surgery has been regarded as mandatory for grade 3 or 4 rectal tears in the past, recent reports have indicated the value of medical management alone. The case reports presented in this article detail the use of antibiotics, flunixin meglumine, laxative diets and faecal softeners in the medical management of two mares presented with grade 3 rectal tears.
Dicoumarol toxicity in cattle associated with ingestion of silage containing sweet vernal grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum)
Authors: RUNCIMAN DJ , LEE AM , REED KFM , WALSH JR
Published: March 2008

A diagnosis of dicoumarol toxicity in a herd of Friesian cattle was made following investigation of the deaths of three mature cows and eleven yearling heifers. Affected stock had been fed wrapped, bailed silage containing approximately 90% sweet vernal grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum). Sweet vernal grass contains coumarin, which can be converted to dicoumarol, a vitamin K antagonist, through the action of moulds. Most deaths were preceded by lethargy, severe anaemia and subcutaneous and internal haemorrhage. Dicoumarol toxicosis was suspected based on clinical signs, necropsy findings and prolonged prothrombin and activated partial thromboplastin times. Dicoumarol analysis of blood from affected animals and silage confirmed the diagnosis.
Evaluation of d, l‐ethionine as a mechanism for pancreatic islet regeneration in dogs
Authors: GOVENDIR M , CANFIELD PJ , EMSLIE DR , WATSON ADJ , CHURCH DB
Published: March 2008

Objective To determine whether induction of pancreatic necrosis and islet proliferation by d, l‐ethionine has potential for treating dogs with b ‐cell insufficiency.

Design Eighteen mixed breed dogs of both sexes were given d, l‐ethionine at 100 mg/kg three times weekly for 2 weeks; 6 dogs were euthanased at 2, 14 and 28 d after the last dose.

Methods Clinical signs during administration and recovery were assessed. Routine biochemical analyses were performed before each ethionine dose and then once weekly. Faecal samples were examined weekly for malassimilated nutrients and blood. Blood coagulation screening tests (OSPT and APTT) were determined on four dogs after ethionine administration. Intravenous glucose tolerance tests were conducted before the first and after the last ethionine dose and then fortnightly. All dogs were necropsied and pancreas, liver, kidney and jejunum were examined microscopically.

Results During ethionine administration all animals displayed vomiting, inappetence, diarrhoea (often with blood), weight loss and depression. Three dogs were euthanased prematurely due to severe illness, but those allowed to recover were eating and brighter 7 d after cessation of ethio‐nine administration. Serum concentrations of TLI, amylase and lipase increased initially, then decreased, during administration but returned to normal during recovery. Concentrations of ALT, ALP, unconjugated and conjugated bilirubin increased during administration then decreased slowly. Histological examination revealed hepatic lipidosis and necrosis, but no renal or jejunal lesions. In most dogs, faecal examination demonstrated increased undigested starch and muscle, as well as increased digestedand undigested fat, during ethio‐nine administration or early during the recovery period, suggesting transient malassimilation. APTT was unchanged but OSPT was prolonged in all dogs. There was no impairment of insulin secretion or glucose intolerance and C‐peptide concentrations were unaffected. Immediately after ethionine administration there was delayed insulin degradation and by day 43 there was evidence of increased insulin sensitivity

Conclusion d, l‐ethionine administration in dogs appeared not to interfere with insulin secretion, but caused clinical signs and laboratory changes indicative of pancreatic exocrine necrosis, severe hepatobiliary disease and transient malas‐similation. Pancreatic and hepatic dysfunction was severe but clinical recovery occurred after ethionine administration ceased. The severe side‐effects observed with d, l‐ethionine should preclude its potential use for treating diabetes mellitus in dogs.
Microsporidiosis in a Gouldian finch (Erythrura [Chloebia] gouldiae)
Authors: CARLISLE MS , SNOWDEN K. , GILL J. , JONES M. , O'DONOGHUE P. , PROCIV P.
Published: March 2008

A 12‐day‐old nestling Gouldian finch (Erythrura [Chloebia] gouldiae) was presented for investigation of a mortality problem in nestling finches raised by Bengalese finch foster parents. On histological examination, large numbers of spores consistent with a microsporidian organism were present within the small intestinal mucosa. Electron microscopy and molecular studies (sequencing the 5′ end of the ssu rRNA gene) further defined the organism as Encephalitozoon hellem. Sequence homology with other eukaryotes was determined using a BLASTN search from the NCBI GenBank database. The finch isolate sequences showed greater than 99% homology with those of previously reported human and avian isolates.
Antemortem diagnosis of canine neural angiostrongylosis using ELISA
Authors: LUNN J , LEE R , MARTIN P , MALIK R
Published: March 2008

A 5‐month‐old female Kelpie developed paraparesis, hind limb ataxia and spinal hyperaesthesia 4 days after ovariohysterectomy. Neurological examination demonstrated upper motor neuron signs in the pelvic limbs with lower motor neuron signs in the tail. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis demonstrated an increased protein concentration and marked eosinophilic pleocytosis. The dog was known to have eaten rats, snails and slugs. A tentative diagnosis of neural angiostrongylosis was made and later confirmed using an ELISA based on soluble antigens obtained from larval 4 Angiostrongylus cantonensis. Antibody titres from the patient's serum and CSF were 800 and 6400, respectively. The dog was treated successfully with prednisolone. ELISA testing of serum may provide a non‐invasive means for diagnosing neural angiostrongylosis in dogs.
Suture materials: composition and applications in vetern‐ary wound repair
Authors: TAN RHH , BELL RJW , DOWLING BA , DART AJ
Published: March 2008

Suture materials play an important role in veterinary surgery by providing support for healing tissues during wound repair. As there is no single ideal suture material, clinicians must compromise on some properties when selecting a material for a specific purpose. By reviewing the characteristics of absorbable and non‐absorbable materials, general recommendations can be made on their usage in skin, fascia, viscera and other tissues.
Failure to eradicate ovine footrot associated with Dichelobacter nodosus strain A198 by repeated daily footbathing in zinc sulphate with surfactant
Authors: JELINEK PD , DEPIAZZI LJ
Published: March 2008

Objective To investigate the effect of repeated daily foot‐bathing in zinc sulphate on virulent ovine footrot associated with S1, U1 and U5 zymogram types of Dichelobacter nodosus,including the highly virulent S1 strain A198.

Design A field trial with experimentally infected sheep.

Procedure At week 0, 50 sheep were infected with D nodosus strains A198 (S1), C305 (U1), BC3993 (U5) and BC3995 (U5). At weeks 1 and 47, respectively, 169 and 235 uninfected sheep were added. At week 60, sheep were allocated to control and treatment groups each containing 220 sheep. Every 2 or 4 weeks to week 113, feet were inspected, and lesions were scored and sampled. Treatment sheep were footbathed in 15 to 18% (w/v) zinc sulphate with surfactant for 5 consecutive days (10 min per day) during week 61. During week 110, the footbathing protocol was applied again, this time to all surviving treatment and control sheep.

Results BC3993 and A198 were isolated from 57% (162 of 285) and 20% (58 of 285), respectively, of new lesions sampled between weeks 3 and 13, and 21% (57 of 271) and 50% (136 of 271) between weeks 49 and 59. Percentages of new lesions associated with C305 and BC3995 remained constant. During the initial 17 weeks after footbathing at week 61, 90% (75 of 83) and 19% (95 of 490) of lesions in treatment and control sheep, respectively, were score 4 or 5, and 94% (47 of 50) and 38% (33 of 87) of those were associated with A198.

Conclusions Repeated daily footbathing did not eradicate virulent ovine footrot because strain A198 produced deep, covert lesions that facilitated the survival of D nodosus.
Dicoumarol toxicity in neonatal calves associated with the feeding of sweet vernal(Anthoxanthum odoratum)hay
Authors: DWYER CJ , DOWNING GM , GABOR LJ
Published: March 2008

Neonatal calves from a seasonal dairy herd in North Western Tasmania were presented for veterinary care due to mortalities and bleeding from multiple orifices. Necropsy examination revealed free blood throughout the parenchymatous organs, body cavities and connective tissues. There was no history of anticoagulant exposure, however, high quantities of dicoumarol were found in samples from hay fed to recently calved cows.

No Australian cases of dicoumarol toxicity in neonatal calves have been previously documented, and dicoumarol toxicity in adult cattle would appear to be less common than in colder farming regions of the Northern Hemisphere.
Comparison of tracheal aspirates and bronchoalveolar lavage in racehorses 2. Evaluation of the diagnostic significance of neutrophil percentage
Authors: MALIKIDES N. , HUGHES KJ , HODGSON DR , HODGSON JL
Published: March 2008

Objective

To determine whether diagnosis of airway inflammation, using cut‐off percentages for neutrophils, differs when based on samples from tracheal aspirate (TA) and bron‐choalveolar lavage (BAL) collected concomitantly from the same racehorse.

Design

Retrospective case series of 48 young Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorses in race training, but showing poor performance.

Procedure

TA and BAL samples were collected from all horses 1 to 2 h after high‐speed treadmill exercise. Aliquots of the retrieved fluid were cytocentrifuged and smears stained with Diff‐Quik®. The mean percentage of neutrophils was calculated. Diagnostic cut‐off points were set at 20% for TA samples and 5% for BAL samples. Agreement in the interpretations between the two techniques was analysed.

Results

In 19 of 51 paired samples (37%) there were differences in diagnostic interpretation between TA and BAL samples. Of these, airway inflammation was indicated only by the TA sample in 13 and only by the BAL in 6.

Conclusion

TA and BAL samples give important information about different regions of the airway, but neither should be used alone for the diagnosis of inflammation of the entire lung. The limitations of these procedures mean that both samples should be collected when it is desired to cytologically evaluate the entire lower airway.
Seroprevalence of equine herpesvirus 1 in mares and foals on a large Hunter Valley stud farm in years pre‐and postvaccination
Authors: FOOTE CE , GILKERSON JR , WHALLEY JM , LOVE DN
Published: March 2008

Objective To examine the prevalence of equine herpesvirus 1 antibody in mares and foals on a large Hunter Valley Thoroughbred stud farm in New South Wales before and after the introduction of an inactivated whole virus vaccine.

Design Cross‐sectional serological surveys performed in February 1995 and 2000 to determine the prevalence of EHV‐1 antibody‐positive mares and foals. A further cross‐sectional survey was carried out in 2001 to complement the 2000 data.

Study population Two hundred and twenty‐nine mares and their foals were sampled in 1995 and 236 mares and their foals were sampled in 2000. The study population comprised all of the mares with foals at foot on this property at each sample period. Fifty mares were sampled in both studies. A further 264 mares and their foals were sampled in 2001.

Procedure A blood sample was collected from each mare and foal at the beginning of February 1995, 2000 and 2001. Each sample was tested in triplicate using an antibody‐detection ELISA that is type‐specific for EHV‐1 and EHV‐4 antibodies.

Results The prevalence of EHV‐1 antibody‐positive mares was not statistically different in 2000 compared to 1995. However, the prevalence of antibody‐positive foals was significantly lower in 2000 than in 1995. In 2001, the prevalence of antibody‐positive mares was higher than in 2000, but not different from that in 1995. The prevalence of antibody‐positive foals in 2001 was not significantly different from the prevalence observed in 1995 or that observed in 2000. However, when the three studies were compared there was a significant variation in the prevalence of EHV‐1 positive foals due to the variation between the 1995 and the 2000 data.

Conclusions Mares are the source of virus from which foals are infected early in life and following analysis of the 2001 data, the difference in the prevalence of EHV‐1 antibody‐positive foals between 1995 and 2000 was likely to be a reflection of seasonal, nutritional and management factors, rather than the result of vaccination.
Evidence that enforced sunlight exposure can cause hyperthermia in cattle ingesting low levels of ergot of rye (Claviceps purpurea), when air temperature and humidity conditions are only moderate
Authors: BOURKE CA
Published: March 2008

Objective To determine the rectal temperature response of cattle, following the oral administration of ergot of rye (Claviceps purpurea), under pen conditions of enforced sunlight compared with those of enforced shade.

Design and procedure Hereford cross steers were divided into two groups of 18. One group was dosed once, on a Monday morning, with finely ground rye grass ergots at a rate of 180 mg/kg body weight and held in the sun for 7 h each day until Friday afternoon. The other group was not dosed but was similarly held in the sun during the same period. Their rectal temperatures were measured early morning and mid afternoon, from Monday to Friday inclusive. The process was repeated for each group, but this time they were held in the shade. The four treatment options were run concurrently by conducting the experiments over 6 weeks and using 3 animals in each treatment group, each week.

Results The thermic response over all weeks, of the ergot treated, sunlight exposed cattle, was deemed greater than for the other groups, based on the following four parameters. The increase in rectal temperature between early morning and mid afternoon, the size of the mid afternoon rectal temperature rise, the difference between the maximum mid afternoon rectal temperature recorded by an animal in the sun compared with that recorded by the same animal in the shade, and finally the number of animals in a treatment group that recorded rectal temperatures > 40.00°C. The difference in the daily increase in body temperature between the ergot treated, sun exposed cattle and the ergot treated, shaded cattle, was greater than that observed between the sun exposed and shade restricted control cattle. Nine of 18 ergot treated and sun exposed cattle developed hyperthermia; no cattle in the other three groups did.

Conclusions Some sunlight exposed cattle, dosed with a low amount of ergot of rye, can experience a body temperature elevation above the normal range, even under mild ambient temperature and humidity conditions. Sunlight exposure causes an increase in body temperature in normal cattle that is probably attributable to solar radiant heat. Ergot ingestion causes an increase in body temperature in shaded cattle that is probably attributable to ambient temperature and humidity effects. This response can be increased by sun exposure and this increase is attributable to solar radiant heat effects and possibly also solar radiation. A response to radiant heat is consistent with the known physiological effects of ingested ergot alkaloids, but a response to solar radiation is not.
Modification of standard freezing media to limit capacitation and maximise motility of frozen‐thawed equine spermatozoa
Authors: SCHEMBRI MA , MAJOR DA , SUTTIE JJ , MAXWELL WMC , EVANS G
Published: March 2008

Objective To investigate cryopreservation‐induced capacitation‐like changes in equine spermatozoa frozen in three different media using chlortetracycline (CTC) fluorescence staining analysis.

Procedure Semen collected from three stallions was diluted in one of three centrifugation media and, after centrifugation and removal of supernatant, extended in corresponding freezing media containing additional egg yolk, glycerol, lactose and Equex paste. The semen was frozen in 5 mL straws and the spermatozoa assessed for motility and membrane quality after thawing.

Results Following centrifugation, spermatozoa diluted with modified Kenney's Centrifugation Medium (MKCM) displayed a higher percentage of (normal) F pattern (94.3%) compared with spermatozoa in Kenney's Centrifugation Medium (KCM) (84.9%) and Glucose‐EDTA Centrifugation Medium (GECM) (85.2%). Conversely, the percentage of spermatozoa displaying the (capacitated) B pattern was higher in the KCM (14.1%) and GECM (13.8%) than in the MKCM (5.0%). Following freezing‐thawing, there were lower percentages of spermatozoa displaying the AR (acrosome reacted) pattern in modified Kenney's Freezing Medium (MKFM) (45.6%) compared with Kenney's Freezing Medium (KFM) (61.4%) and lactose‐EDTA Freezing Medium (LEFM) (61.1%). There was a correspondingly higher percentage of spermatozoa displaying the B pattern in MKFM (52.3%) compared with KFM (37.9%) and LEFM (38.6%). There was no significant difference between the freezing media in the percentage of spermatozoa displaying the F pattern. The percentage of progressively motile spermatozoa was also influenced by the type of freezing medium (P< 0.001). Post‐thaw percentages of progressively motile spermatozoa, frozen in MKFM, KFM, and LEFM, were 31.4, 25.8 and 23.3%, respectively.

Conclusion MKFM was the preferred medium for cryopreservation of equine spermatozoa due to its superior protection against changes in motility and membrane quality compared with the other freezing media studied.
Australian veterinarians who work with horses: an analysis
Authors: HEATH TJ
Published: March 2008

Objective To define and describe the population of Australian veterinarians who work with horses.

Method Questionnaires were mailed to 866 veterinarians who had been identified as working with horses, and 87% were completed and returned. Data were entered onto an Excel spreadsheet, and analysed using the SAS System for Windows.

Results About 12% of Australia's veterinarians were doing all the veterinary work with horses, and about 3% worked exclusively (> 90%) with horses, but did more than half (58%) of the horse work. Veterinarians working with horses included more males (80%) than the veterinary population as a whole (approximately 60%). Males had an average age of 47 years, females 35. Almost all (94%) worked in private practice, with 31% being employees, 28% partners and 41% sole owners. Females were more likely to be employees than males. Males reported working 55 hours/week; females 49. More females (44%) than males (16%) had worked less than full‐time for more than a year. Males expected to work for another 12 years in full‐time equivalents, and females for 16. One quarter (24%) saw only horses, but treated 58% of total horse cases. One‐half had < 25% horses, and 29% had < 10% of horses in their caseloads. More of the older (54% of those aged > 60) than younger respondents (27% of those < 40) had grown up on farms with animals. One‐quarter (24%) decided to become a veterinarian while in primary school, and females decided at a younger age than males. Overall, younger respondents decided at a younger age than did their older counterparts. A veterinarian contributed to the decision for 21% of these veterinarians.

Conclusion In this survey, Australian veterinarians who work with horses were found to be typically male, and advanced in their careers. As these older veterinarians retire, there may not be enough veterinarians who are committed to and competent with horses to take their places.
The prevalence of lice on sheep and control practices in South Australia
Authors: JAMES PJ , RILEY MJ
Published: March 2008

Objective To assess the prevalence of infestations of lice in sheep flocks and to survey control practices for lice in South Australia

Design A total of 201 managers of sheep flocks, 75 chosen randomly from the high rainfall zone (HR), 76 from the cereal sheep zone (CS) and 50 from the pastoral zone (PA), were surveyed by telephone interview.

Procedure Interviews were conducted between May 19 and May 25, 1999, according to a set questionnaire. Information was collected on presence of lice at last shearing, control practices for lice, factors important for gaining good effect from chemical treatments, sources of information on control practices and property details. Survey results were analysed by agricultural region.

Results The apparent state prevalence of flocks infested with lice was 21%, with 13% infested in the HR, 21% in the CS and 25% in the PA. Ninety one percent of managers claimed to take precautions to prevent the introduction of lice and 91% routinely checked their flocks for lice. Seventy eight percent treated their sheep for lice annually and 85% had treated within the last 12 months. Of those treating in the last year, 69% had used a backline application, 16% had used a shower dip and 17% had used plunge dipping. Only 4% of producers used a long wool treatment. Synthetic pyrethroid (SP) based products were used by 50% of producers who used backline treatments in the preceding 12 months, compared to 42% and 8% for insect growth regulator and organophosphorous (OP) based products, respectively. Only 34% of managers identified SP‐based products as having potential resistance problems. Of those producers who used shower or plunge dips in the last 12 months, 75% used an OP based product. Rural newspapers and magazines were by far the most commonly noted source of information for the control of lice on sheep.
Pulmonic stenosis in two cats
Authors: HOPPER BJ , RICHARDSON JL , IRWIN PJ
Published: March 2008

The clinical, radiographic and echocardiographic features of two cases of pulmonic stenosis in cats are presented. A rarely reported combination of pulmonic stenosis and tricuspid valve dysplasia is described.
Use of free conjunctival grafts in horses: ten cases
Authors: ALEXANDER GR , CHESTER Z.
Published: March 2008

Absract

Objective To assess the effectiveness of free conjunctival grafts in the treatment of horses with a range of keratopathies.

Design A retrospective clinical study of ten client‐owned horses treated at Murdoch University Veterinary Hospital from May 1996 to September 2001.

Procedure The suitability of patients for the surgical procedure was assessed using a slit lamp biomicroscope and by direct and indirect ophthalmoscopy. Surgery was performed with the aid of an operating microscope, under general anaesthesia. A subpalpebral ocular lavage catheter was used for administration of topical atropine and antibiotics postopera‐tively.

Results In all ten horses the affected globe was saved. In nine of the horses vision in the eye was satisfactory 6 months after surgery, and in one horse the eye was blind. Complications included further corneal ulceration or eyelid abscessation and some loss of sutures, although these did not preclude a successful outcome.

Conclusion Free conjunctival grafts were successful in treating a range of keratopathies in the horse, and the technique offers a number of advantages over other forms of surgical intervention.
A comparison of performance of the Ovsynch treatment program between cycling and non‐cycling cows within seasonally‐calving dairy herds
Authors: SHEPHARD RW
Published: March 2008

ObjectiveTo compare performance of the Ovsynch program on reproductive performance between cycling and non cycling cows in seasonally‐calving herds.

ProcedureAn Ovsynch mating program (100 mg Gonadorelin on day 1 and day 9, 500 mg of Cloprostenol on day 7 with fixed time artificial insemination on day 10) was administered to 3,559 cows from 14 herds in Australia and New Zealand. Cycling status before planned start of mating was determined. All cows were treated and artificial insemination continued for at least 25 days after fixed time artificial insemination. Pregnancy testing was performed 75 to 100 days after fixed time artificial insemination. Multivariable modelling examined the impact of the Ovsynch program and other risk factors upon reproductive performance.

ResultsThirty percent of cows were classified as no visible oestrous (NVO). Odds of being NVO increased significantly for cows that were young, recently calved, and in low body condition. The fixed time artificial insemination conception rate was 35.7% and 33.2%, 21‐day pregnancy rate was 54.5% and 48.4% and 42‐day pregnancy rate was 69.7% and 62.6% for cycling and NVO cows respectively. Odds of pregnancy increased significantly for cows calved more than 40 days by planned start of mating, in greater body condition, and cycling, and there was a significant interaction between body condition and cycling status in both models. The return‐to‐service rates by 24‐days were 67.6% and 55.9% and by the end of the AI period were 86.9% and 81.5% for cycling and NVO cows respectively. Odds of return to service increased significantly for cows in greater condition score in both models. Odds of return were increased for cycling cows in the 24‐day multivariable model.

ConclusionThe Ovsynch program may provide a useful treatment option for NVO cows within seasonally‐calving pasture‐based dairy herds.
Synchronising oestrus with oestradiol benzoate after using a two‐dose prostaglandin treatment to synchronise luteolysis in dairy heifers
Authors: CAVALIERI J , HEPWORTH G. , FITZPATRICK LA
Published: March 2008

Objective To compare the reproductive performance and pattern of onset of oestrus in dairy heifers in which oestrous cycles were synchronised with two doses of prostaglandin (PG) F2aL and oestrus was synchronised with oestradiol benzoate (ODB).

Procedure Dairy heifers in two herds (herd A, n=192; herd B, n = 267) were treated with two doses of an analogue of PGF2aL (cloprostenol, 375 mUg, IM) 12 days apart. Heifers not detected in oestrus 48 h after the last dose of PGF2aL were either left untreated (No ODB, n=147) or treated with ODB (0.75 mg IM, n = 126). Onset of oestrus was monitored at 0, 24, 48, 80, 96 and 120 h after the last dose of PGF2aL Heifers were inseminated on detection of oestrus.

Results After the last dose of PGF2aL, oestrous detection rates at 80 h (43.5 vs 72.6%, P < 0.001), 96 h (74.1 vs 84.9%, P=0.025) and 120 h (78.2 vs 86.3%, P=0.082) were less in the No ODB compared to the ODB heifers, respectively. Conception rates (percentage pregnant that were inseminated) were greater in the No ODB compared to the ODB heifers (64.3% vs 47.6%, respectively; P=0.006), while pregnancy rates (percentage pregnant that were treated) were also greater in the No ODB compared to the ODB heifers, but differences were not significant (50.3% vs 41.1%, respectively; P = 0.068).

Conclusion Administration of ODB to heifers not in oestrus 48 h after a two‐dose PGF2aL treatment increases the percentage of heifers detected in oestrus by 80 h, 96 h and 120 h after treatment, by an estimated 29%, 11% and 8%, respectively. However, administration of ODB decreases conception rates by an estimated 17%, and may decrease pregnancy rates (estimated 9% difference). Results are consistent with the hypothesis that ODB can increase submission rates but reduce conception rates following a two dose treatment with PGF2aL.
Prognostic significance of foetal‐like tyrosine kinase 3 mutation in Egyptian children with acute leukaemia
Authors: AL‐TONBARY Y. , MANSOUR A. K. , GHAZY H. , ELGHANNAM D. M. , ABD‐ELGHAFFAR H. A.
Published: March 2008

The foetal like tyrosine kinase 3 mutation (Flt3) gene encodes a tyrosine kinase receptor that regulates proliferation and differentiation of haematopoietic stem cells. In children with acute myelogenous leukaemia (AML), internal tandem duplication of the Flt3 gene (Flt3/ITD) was previously reported and correlated to poor prognosis. Limited data are available about childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). We analysed bone marrow specimens from 55 newly diagnosed acute leukaemia cases including 30 AML and 25 ALL by genomic PCR for the presence of Flt3/ITD and correlated its presence with clinical outcome. Tandem duplication was found in 6/30(20%) AML cases: 2/8 M1, 1/8 M2, 2/6 M3, 1/6 M4 with loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in two cases. Four of the cases with duplication were males and the other two cases were females. Complete remission was achieved in 16.6% of cases with duplication vs. 45.8% in cases without duplication. Failure to achieve induction remission was noted in 50% of cases with duplication vs. 29.1% in cases without duplication. FLt3/ITD was not found in ALL cases. Lineage restriction analysis revealed that Flt3/ITD was not present in lymphocytes, suggesting a lack of stem cell involvement for this mutation. Flt3/ITD was the most significant prognostic factor as declared by multivariate analysis. Patients with Flt3/ITD appear to be refractory to primary induction therapy, and for those who achieve remission, there is a high rate of relapse and death so there may be an association between this type of mutation and patient outcome.
ICSH Guideline for worldwide point‐of‐care testing in haematology with special reference to the complete blood count
Authors: BRIGGS C. , CARTER J. , LEE S.‐H. , SANDHAUS L. , SIMON‐LOPEZ R. , VIVES CORRONS J.‐L. ,   International Council for Standardization in Haematology (ICSH)
Published: March 2008

These guidelines provide information on how to develop and manage a point‐of‐care (POCT) service so that reliable haematology results are produced regardless of where the test is performed. Many of the issues addressed here are relevant to POCT within hospitals or health centres; however, the principles are equally applicable to care in the community and doctors’ offices. Other aspects discussed in this guideline are the initiation of the service (including indications for and limitations of a POCT service), staff training, type of haematology equipment selected, the blood results, monitoring of quality, accreditation, safety and cost. Equipment selected should generate results that are comparable to those of the local reference laboratory. If a complete independent evaluation of the POCT device has not been performed, the purchaser should perform a local assessment according to the protocol in this document. A literature search should also be undertaken to find independent peer reviewed evaluations on POCT equipment. Often the ideals discussed here may not be achievable in some developing countries but long‐term training and education of POCT workers needs to be supported and constantly kept on government agendas to reach the recommendations advised here. Users should interpret these recommendations for their particular POCT needs and setting.
PEGylation of bacteriophages increases blood circulation time and reduces T‐helper type 1 immune response
Authors: Kim Kwang‐Pyo , Cha Jeong‐Dan , Jang Eun‐Hye , Klumpp Jochen , Hagens Steven , Hardt Wolf‐Dietrich , Lee Kyung‐Yeol , Loessner Martin J.
Published: March 2008

The increasing occurrence of antibiotic‐resistant pathogens is of growing concern, and must be counteracted by alternative antimicrobial treatments. Bacteriophages represent the natural enemies of bacteria. However, the strong immune response following application of phages and rapid clearance from the blood stream are hurdles which need to be overcome. Towards our goal to render phages less immunogenic and prolong blood circulation time, we have chemically modified intact bacteriophages by conjugation of the non‐immunogenic polymer monomethoxy‐polyethylene glycol (mPEG) to virus proteins. As a proof of concept, we have used two different polyvalent and strictly virulent phages of the Myoviridae, representing typical candidates for therapeutical approaches: Felix‐O1 (infects Salmonella) and A511 (infects Listeria). Loss of phage infectivity after PEGylation was found to be proportional to the degree of modification, and could be conveniently controlled by adjusting the PEG concentration. When injected into naïve mice, PEGylated phages showed a strong increase in circulation half‐life, whereas challenge of immunized mice did not reveal a significant difference. Our results suggest that the prolonged half‐life is due to decreased susceptibility to innate immunity as well as avoidance of cellular defence mechanisms. PEGylated viruses elicited significantly reduced levels of T‐helper type 1‐associated cytokine release (IFN‐γ and IL‐6), in both naïve and immunized mice. This is the first study demonstrating that PEGylation can increases survival of infective phage by delaying immune responses, and indicates that this approach can increase efficacy of bacteriophage therapy.
Sending mixed messages: gender‐based analysis and the “status of women”
Authors: Grace Joan
Published: March 2008

Sommaire: Adoptée en 1996 en tant qu'élément clé de la stratégie du gouvernement libéral fédéral visant à promouvoir l'égalité des femmes, strategie énoncée dans Ouvrant la voie au siècle prochain: le plan fédéral pour l'égalité des sexes, l'analyse basée sur le sexe a été conçue pour favoriser la formulation et l'évaluation des politiques selon une perspective qui tient compte du sexe. Ce processus est un début, mais cet article examine les limitations de l'analyse basée sur le sexe. Il soutient qu'en mélangeant les objectifs d'égalité des femmes à ceux de l'égalité entre les sexes, le Plan fédéral et l'analyse basée sur le sexe sèment la confusion chez ceux qui formulent les politiques lorsqu'il s'agit de savori comment incorporer des mesures qui tiennent compte des réalités sociales et économiques propres aux femmes. Cette confusion découle des contraintes conceptuelles et de l'étroitesse du terme «sexe», étant aggravée encore par la capacité organisationnelle limitée qu'a Srtatut de la femme canada pour mener et coordonner une solide analyse basée sur le sexe.

Abstract: Unveiled in 1996 as one of the key components of the federal Liberal government's wider strategy to promote women's equality, outlined in Setting the Stage for the Next Century: The Federal Plan for Gender Equality, gender‐based analysis was devised to facilitate the development and assessment of policies from a gender perspective. While acknowledging that weaving gender into the policy process is a beginning, this paper examines the limitations of gender‐based analysis and argues that given the intermingling of women's equality goals with gender equality, the Federal Plan and gender‐based analysis are sending mixed messages to policy developers about how to incorporate into policy‐development measures that attend to women's specific social and economic realities. These mixed messages derive from the narrowness and conceptual constraints of the term gender and are exacerbated by the limited organizational capacity of Status of Women Canada to effectively lead and coordinate substantive gender analysis.
Not anonymous: ministerial responsibility and the British accounting officers
Authors: Franks C.E.S.
Published: March 2008

Abstract: The doctrine of ministerial responsibility has three components: the collective responsibility of the cabinet; the individual responsibility of ministers; and the anonymity of the public servants. This paper examines one important exception to the doctrine of anonymity, the British accounting officers. These officers, normally the permanent secretaries (equivalent to deputy ministers), are responsible for the financial administration of departments and are held accountable for this by the Public Accounts Committee. A similar practice was proposed for Canada by the Lambert Commission but was rejected by the government, especially by the Privy Council Office. This paper argues that the pco did not adequately represent the structure or importance of the British practice of assigning direct responsibility to accounting officers and in so doing has foreclosed serious consideration of an important area of reform to the machinery of government: identification of areas of government where public servants rather than ministers should hold responsibility and accountability. As a result, Canada has lagged behind other parliamentary democracies in moving into this important area of reform. At the same time, the theory that ministers should be responsible for administration has not led to effective accountability to Parliament in Canada.

Sommaire: La doctrine de la responsabilité ministérielle a trois volets: la responsabilité collective du conseil des ministres; la responsabilité individuelle des ministres; enfin, l'anonymité des fonctionnaires. Dans cet article, on examine une exception importante à la doctrine de l'anonymité: les agents comptables britanniques. Ces agents, généralement des secrétaires permanents (équivalant aux sous‐ministres), sont chargés de l'administration financière des ministères et en sont tenus responsables par le Comité des comptes publics. Une pratique semblable, proposée pour le Canada par la Commission Lambert, a été rejetée par le gouvernement, et tout particulièrementpar le Bureau du Conseil Privé. Dans cet article, on affirme que le BCP n'a pas représenté de manière adéquate la structure ou l'importance de la pratique britannique qui revient à accorder la responsabilité directe aux agents comptables; ce faisant, il aurait empěché de considérer un élément important de la réforme du mécanisme gouvernemental, c'est‐à‐dire l'étude des domaines administratifs où la responsabilité devrait incomber aux fonctionnaires plutǒt qu'aux ministres. Par conséquent, le Canada a pris du retard par rapport aux autres démocraties pralementaires en ce qui concerne ce secteur de réforme très important. par contre, la théorie voulant que les ministres soient responsables de l'administration n'a pas créé, au Canada, une responsabilité de révision de comptes efficace au sein du Parlement.
SHORTNESS OF BREATH DURING DIALYSIS—A ROLE OF BICARBONATE IN DIALYSIS FLUID?
Authors: Latchford Karen , Cowperthwaite Jan
Published: March 2008

Occasionally dialysis patients show symptoms that indicate intolerance in the way dialysis is delivered. This paper describes two cases of transient shortness of breath during the initial treatments after starting online haemodiafiltration (HDF). Our actions to deal with these symptoms focused on reducing the bicarbonate gain during the first phase of the dialysis treatment. As the symptoms gradually disappeared we hypothesise that the bicarbonate concentration in the dialysis fluid may play an important role for the development of shortness of breath and hypoxemia during HDF treatments.
Application of Incomplete Gamma Functions to the Initialization of Fractional-Order Systems
Authors: Hartley Tom T. , Lorenzo Carl F.
Published: March 2008

This paper reviews some properties of the gamma function, particularly the incomplete gamma function and its complement, as a function of the Laplace variable s. The utility of these functions in the solution of initialization problems in fractional-order system theory is demonstrated. Several specific differential equations are presented, and their initialization responses are found for a variety of initializations. Both the time-domain and Laplace-domain solutions are obtained and compared. The complementary incomplete gamma function is shown to be essential in finding the Laplace-domain solution of a fractional-order differential equation.
Field Programmable Analog Array Implementation of Noninteger Order PIλDμ Controller
Authors: Caponetto Riccardo , Dongola Giovanni
Published: March 2008

Recently, a renewed interest has been devoted to noninteger, or fractional, order systems. This is due to the fact that they well model a lot of physical systems and can be usefully applied in the area of automatic control. On drawback, mainly faced in the area of control systems, is related to their practical realization, essentially due to their infinite dimension nature. In this paper, an analog implementation of a noninteger order PIλDμ controller by using field programmable analog array is proposed. The frequency analysis of the reported examples shows the feasibility and reliability of the proposed approach.
Demonstrating Circular Motion with a Model Satellite/Earth System
Authors: Whittaker Jeff
Published: March 2008

A number of interesting demonstrations of circular and satellite motion have been described in this journal.1–4 This paper presents a variation of a centripetal force apparatus found in G.D. Freier and F.J. Anderson's A Demonstration Handbook for Physics,5 which has been modified in order to demonstrate both centripetal force and satellite motion. Nice discussions of satellite motion may be found in a number of textbooks.6–8 The following is a description of how to construct the apparatus and some suggested experiments.
Clickers or Flashcards: Is There Really a Difference?
Authors: Lasry N.
Published: March 2008

A growing number of physics teachers are currently turning to instructional technologies such as wireless handheld response systems—colloquially called clickers. Two possible rationales may explain the growing interest in these devices. The first is the presumption that clickers are more effective instructional instruments. The second rationale is somewhat reminiscent of Martin Davis' declaration when purchasing the Oakland Athletics: “As men get older, the toys get more expensive.” Although personally motivated by both of these rationales, the effectiveness of clickers over inexpensive low-tech flashcards remains questionable. Thus, the first half of this paper presents findings of a classroom study comparing the differences in student learning between a Peer Instruction group using clickers and a Peer Instruction group using flashcards. Having assessed student learning differences, the second half of the paper describes differences in teaching effectiveness between clickers and flashcards.
Inclusion of localized forces due to turbulent boundary layer convected pressure at junctions of coplanar structural sections
Authors: Rumerman M. L.
Published: March 2008

Previous researchers showed that the concept of turbulent boundary layer (TBL) “edge forces,” which are related to the convection peak of the TBL pressure wave number spectral density, is useful and important when using a finite element model to compute the bending response to TBL excitation of a plate that has a free edge. This paper examines the applicability of more general localized forces to the junction of two distinct coplanar sections that are joined along a line transverse to the flow. A formalism is developed for introducing these forces and applying them to a structure. The approach is made plausible by using two string sections as a simple structural model and showing that the sum of the localized force response and that due to the low wave number excitation matches the separately computed response corresponding to the full wave number spectral density. These localized forces can have a noticeable effect when the connection between sections is resilient.
Contributions of talker characteristics and spatial location to auditory streaming
Authors: Allen Kachina , Carlile Simon , Alais David
Published: March 2008

To examine whether auditory streaming contributes to unmasking, intelligibility of target sentences against two competing talkers was measured using the coordinate response measure (CRM) [Bolia et al., J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 107, 1065–1066 (2007)] corpus. In the control condition, the speech reception threshold (50% correct) was measured when the target and two maskers were collocated straight ahead. Separating maskers from the target by ±30° resulted in spatial release from masking of 12dB. CRM sentences involve an identifier in the first part and two target words in the second part. In experimental conditions, masking talkers started spatially separated at ±30° but became collocated with the target before the scoring words. In one experiment, one target and two different maskers were randomly selected from a mixed-sex corpus. Significant unmasking of 4dB remained despite the absence of persistent location cues. When same-sex talkers were used as maskers and target, unmasking was reduced. These data suggest that initial separation may permit confident identification and streaming of the target and masker speech where significant differences between target and masker voice characteristics exist, but where target and masker characteristics are similar, listeners must rely more heavily on continuing spatial cues.
In vivo ultrasonic attenuation slope estimates for detecting cervical ripening in rats: Preliminary results
Authors: Bigelow Timothy A. , McFarlin Barbara L. , O’Brien William D. , Oelze Michael L.
Published: March 2008

To effectively postpone preterm birth, cervical ripening needs to be detected and delayed. As the cervix ripens, the spacing between the collagen fibers increases and fills with water, hyaluronan, decorin, and enzymes suggesting that the ultrasonic attenuation of the cervix should decrease. The decrease in ultrasonic attenuation may be detectable, leading to an effective means of detecting cervical ripening. Herein, the traditional attenuation slope-estimation algorithm based on measuring the downshift in center frequency of the ultrasonic backscattered signal with propagation depth was modified and applied to the cervix of rats. The modified algorithm was verified using computer simulations and an ex vivo tissue sample before being evaluated in in vivo animal studies. Spherically-focused f/3 transducers with 33-MHz center frequencies and with 9-mm focal lengths were used in both the simulations and experiments. The accuracy was better than 15% in the simulations, and the attenuation slope of the cervix in the ex vivo experiment was 2.6±0.6dB∕cm-MHz, which is comparable to 2.5±0.4dB∕cm-MHz measured using a through-transmission insertion loss technique. For the in vivo experiments, a statistically significant effect of ultrasonic attenuation with gestational age was not observed. The large variances in the in vivo results were most likely due to the natural variation in attenuation for biological tissue between animals.