Quantitative microanalysis of equine synovial fluid glycosaminoglycan concentration

An alcian blue precipitation method for quantifying the hyaluronic acid (HA) and sulphated glycosaminoglycan concentration (SGAG) in solutions containing both compounds was assessed. The assay was found to be rapid and reliable in solutions containing 0 to 200 mg of HA/dl and 50 to 1,000 micrograms of SGAG/dl, and was not affected by the presence of protein, hemoglobin, or methemoglobin in concentrations normally found in synovial fluid. The HA and SGAG concentrations in intercarpal synovial fluid from 13 clinically normal and 11 arthritic horses were evaluated. A relationship was not found between the concentration of HA and SGAG and any other synovial fluid variable. The SGAG concentration was found to be markedly high in several of the synovial fluid samples from arthritic horses, but did not correlate with the degree of articular cartilage erosion.     

Long bone failure after intraosseous regional perfusion

A 5-year-old Australian Stock Horse gelding was initially referred to the Charles Sturt University Veterinary Clinical Centre (CSUVCC) for assessment of a penetrating laceration over the medial splint bone (second metacarpal bone) of the left foreleg. Clinical examination failed to reveal a communication with a synovial structure, but radiographs showed a palisading bone reaction on the proximal aspect of the medial splint bone which was thought to be a characteristic of infection. Soft tissue swelling precluded access to a peripheral vein, so a decision was made to use intraosseous regional limb perfusion. This was achieved through an access portal in the lateral diaphysis of the third metacarpal bone (McIII). Subsequently, the horse developed lameness and further investigation revealed a nondisplaced longitudinal fracture of McIII propagating from the intraosseous regional perfusion access portal.     

Mandibular and sublingual sialocoeles in the dog: A retrospective evaluation of 41 cases,using the ventral approach for treatment

AIMS: To review results of the ventral approach for mandibular and sublingual sialoadenectomy for the treatment of sialocoeles associated with the mandibular and sublingual salivary glands in the dog, and to determine rates of recurrence and complication following this procedure.

METHODS: Thirty-nine dogs with 41 sialocoeles that underwent surgical intervention were retrospectively evaluated with respect to signalment, aetiology, location of sialocoeles, duration of clinical signs, treatment prior to referral, post-operative use of antibiotics and drains, complications, and recurrence.

RESULTS: The mean age at the time of surgery was 5.1 (SD 3.8) years, and duration of clinical signs 6.6 (SD 10.6) months. Long-term follow-up was available for 31 dogs; the minimum was 8 months and mean 47.7 (SD 25.8) months post-surgery. There was no recurrence of sialocoeles following the ventral approach for mandibular and sublingual sialoadenectomy. Post- operatively, 6/35 (17%) cases developed a seroma at the surgical site. No breed or sex predisposition was determined. The cause of the sialocoele was unknown in 36/41 (88%) cases.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Excellent clinical results were achieved with a low rate of complications using the ventral approach for mandibular and sublingual siaload- enectomy. The ventral approach is recommended to minimise the risk of recurrence of sialocoeles.     

Woodland vegetation and its implications for archaeological survey using LiDAR

Archaeological surveys in woodland have always been problematicand many woodlands contain an unrecorded archaeological resource.For other types of rural landscape, aerial photographs are oftenused to map archaeological features but woodland cover has alwaysimpeded such disclosure. Remote sensing methods are rapidlyevolving and are used both within forestry and archaeologicaldisciplines for a range of applications. This paper considersthe exciting application of the remote sensing technique ofairborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) to reveal archaeologicalevidence previously hidden below a woodland canopy. Our researchshows how different types of woodland canopy and understoreyvegetation greatly influence the effectiveness of the LiDARto perform these surveys. A simple, visual vegetation mappingassessment is tested and its ability to predict the potentialof the LiDAR considered. This work highlights the importanceof vegetation awareness when considering both a new LiDAR surveyfor a woodland, and when interpreting the data. Simple estimatesof LiDAR penetration of the woodland canopy and understoreyvegetation can be used to predict the effectiveness of a LiDARsurvey in disclosing archaeological evidence and aid the interpretationof results.     

The lichens of the Scottish native pinewoods

During the last 30 years, 434 epiphytic lichen taxa have beenrecorded from the native pinewoods of Scotland. Of these lichens,about 219 have been recorded from the bark, lignum or stumpsof pine (Pinus sylvestris) itself. Eighteen species are, inthe British Isles, confined to these native pinewoods, whichare themselves confined to the Scottish Highlands. A resumeis presented of the habitats and niches available to lichensin the native pinewoods, using examples of the most characteristicspecies for each. The ‘pinewood habitat’ for epiphyticlichens is by no means restricted to pine, but also includesassociated trees, shrubs and subshrubs, especially birch, rowan,holly, aspen, juniper and heather. The strong east–westvariation in the composition of the lichen flora is outlined.By comparison of species lists from pinewood stands of knownancientness with those from mature plantations distant fromthe ‘core’ pinewoods, an additional c. 60 speciescan be considered as indicative of an ecological continuityof the pinewood habitat. From this pool of c. 77 species, aNative Pinewood Index of Ecological Continuity is presentedas a useful tool for biodiversity assessments of pinewoods.     

Lipoma of the long digital extensor tendon sheath in a horse

This paper describes the occurrence of a lipoma associated with the long digital extensor tendon sheath at the level of the tarsus in a 5‐month‐old female Thoroughbred. Radiographic and ultrasonographic images were interpreted as being an atypically located lipoma. Its position and character have some similarities to lipoma arborescens, which is reported to occur in and around human joints and tendon sheaths. Surgical removal is considered to be the treatment of choice.