Clinical and pathologic responses of American crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) and fish crows (C ossifragus) to experimental West Nile virus infection.

West Nile virus (WNV)-associated disease has a range of clinical manifestations among avian taxa, the reasons for which are not known. Species susceptibility varies within the avian family Corvidae, with estimated mortality rates ranging from 50 to 100%. We examined and compared virologic, immunologic, pathologic, and clinical responses in 2 corvid species, the American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) and the fish crow (C ossifragus), following experimental WNV inoculation. Unlike fish crows, which remained clinically normal throughout the study, American crows succumbed to WNV infection subsequent to dehydration, electrolyte and pH imbalances, and delayed or depressed humoral immune responses concurrent with marked, widespread virus replication. Viral titers were approximately 3,000 times greater in blood and 30,000 to 50,000 times greater in other tissues (eg, pancreas and small intestine) in American crows versus fish crows. Histologic lesion patterns and antigen deposition supported the differing clinical outcomes, with greater severity and distribution of lesions and WNV antigen in American crows. Both crow species had multiorgan necrosis and inflammation, although lesions were more frequent, severe, and widespread in American crows, in which the most commonly affected tissues were small intestine, spleen, and liver. American crows also had inflammation of vessels and nerves in multiple tissues, including heart, kidney, and the gastrointestinal tract. WNV antigen was most commonly observed within monocytes, macrophages, and other cells of the reticuloendothelial system of affected tissues. Collectively, the data support that WNV-infected American crows experience uncontrolled systemic infection leading to multiorgan failure and rapid death.

Sexual predator evaluations and phrenology: considering issues of evidentiary reliability.

This article reviews six assessment procedures used for assessing the recidivism risk of previously convicted sexual offenders. The review of these procedures examines whether they comply with generally accepted ethical and practice standards. With few exceptions, most risk assessment instruments fail to comply with these standards. Currently used instruments for risk assessment continue to rely excessively on clinical judgment; and, as a result, they remain at a preliminary stage of development. Consequently, these instruments amount to experimental procedures; and, therefore, they cannot support expert testimony in a legal proceeding.

Dietary vitamin D toxicity in a household of pot-bellied pigs (Sus scrofa).

Vitamin D intoxication developed in Vietnamese Pot-Bellied Pigs (Sus scrofa) fed 2 commercially available swine rations. Pronounced hypercalcemia and a history incompatible with other causes of hypercalcemia led to confirmation of this diagnosis by plasma vitamin D metabolite analysis in 2 affected animals as compared to a control animal. Feed sample analysis suggested the diet as the likely source of toxicity.

Isolation of St. Louis encephalitis virus from a killer whale.

We report the isolation of St. Louis Encephalitis (SLE) virus from a mature male killer whale (Orcinus orca). This represents the first isolation of SLE virus from a marine mammal. The animal presented with reduced appetite, rapidly became lethargic and subsequently died. Virus-induced CPE was observed in a dolphin cell line, SP-1K (ATCC CCL 78), inoculated with brain, kidney, and lung tissues obtained at necropsy. Electron microscopy of infected SP-1K cells revealed the presence of virions having morphology and size resembling members of the Flaviviridae. Final identification as SLE virus was made by neutralization and immunofluorescence staining tests.

Tropical fish medicine. Fish cytology and hematology.

Cytology and hematology can provide valuable information during the evaluation of fish patients. Although more commonly practiced with larger species of fish, hematologic evaluation aids in the identification of diseases that have an effect on the cells in peripheral blood in the same manner as in mammalian and avian patients. Cytology provides clinical diagnostic support in the evaluation of the health status of even the smallest fish.

Dopamine blockade attenuates the natriuresis of saline loading in the adrenalectomized rat.

Dopamine blockade with the dopamine-1/dopamine-2 antagonist cis-flupenthixol (CF) attenuates sodium excretion associated with saline loading in both innervated and denervated kidneys of the rat. Blockade of adrenal dopamine-2 receptors prevents the decrease in aldosterone secretion associated with saline loading and may also be responsible for the reduction in sodium excretion induced by CF. Therefore, to determine the role of adrenal dopamine-2 receptors in the attenuated natriuresis induced by CF, the effect of CF or vehicle treatment was examined in two groups of saline-loaded rats 80 (group I) and 120 min (group II) after adrenalectomy. In both groups, CF decreased glomerular filtration rate and sodium excretion after adrenalectomy. It is concluded that dopamine blockade attenuates the natriuresis associated with sodium loading by a direct effect in the kidney.

Diagnostic cytology in avian medicine.

Diagnostic cytology in avian medicine provides a means for better disease definition in the avian patient, which allows for a more specific therapeutic regimen. It is important that cytologic specimens are from fresh sources, since cells degenerate rapidly following the death of the bird or the tissue. Cytologic evaluation is an adjunct to other diagnostic procedures. A definitive diagnosis often requires information from the clinical history, physical examination, evaluation of samples obtained from the bird, radiographs, surgical procedures, necropsy, and histopathology.

Psychoses with propranolol: a case report.

Functional and organic psychoses have been reported in association with propranolol therapy. The authors report a rare occurrence of both types of psychoses in the same individual at two different times during propranolol therapy.

Use of a multiple family group for crisis intervention.

This paper describes the ultilization of a multiple family group as a novel crisis intervention technique for the families of hospitalized burn patients following a tank car explosion. The technique combined a multiple family group with an information group model using a multidisciplinary team of liaison psychiatrist, chaplain, social worker, and psychiatric nurse consultant. A brief dicussion of the theoretical model and literature is included, as well as an assessment of the group process, the perspective of the different disciplines involved, and a follow-up report.

Coffee grounds. I. Effects of coffee grounds on ration digestibility and diuresis in cattle, on in vitro rumen fermentation, and on rat growth.

Holstein steers were used to compare rations in which coffee grounds replaced grain at rates of 0, 5, 10, or 20%. The coffee grounds analyzed (%) dry matter 91.1, protein 11.8, fat 23.1, fiber 42.5, ash .7, and caffeine .13. Digestibility coefficients for dry matter, crude protein, and energy decreased, and ether extract increased progressively as concentrations of coffee grounds in the ration were increased. There was a significant decrease in nitrogen retention and utilization when the rations contained 10 or 20% coffee grounds. Coffee grounds depressed feed intake, increased urinary output, and increased water intake (based on dry matter intake). Coffee grounds caused diuresis and renal, urethral, and bladder irritation. Adding coffee grounds up to 35% of the substrate did not depress rumen microbial fermentation, as measured by in vitro gas production. Weight gain of rats fed rations containing 22.5% untreated coffee grounds was reduced significantly. Water extraction removed some undersirable factors in coffee grounds for rats, and ether extraction removed most of them. Incremental additions of coffee oil (1, 3, or 5%) to the basal diet resulted in incremental decreases in rat weight gain.