Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid from cattle with central nervous system disorders after storage for 24 hours with autologous serum

BACKGROUND: We compared the changes in cell morphology, total and differential cell counts between cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples analyzed within an hour of collection (fresh sample) and after the addition of autologous serum and storage for 24 h (stored sample) in 27 cattle with central nervous system disorders. RESULTS: There was a positive linear correlation between total and differential cell counts in the fresh and the stored samples. Cell morphology was preserved in all stored samples, except for increased vacuolization of mononuclear cells and cleaved nuclei of some small mononuclear cells. In the stored CSF samples, the total nucleated cell count and monocyte percentage were decreased (P = 0.01; P = 0.03), while the lymphocyte percentage was increased (P = 0.04). Mononuclear pleocytosis diagnosed in 20 fresh samples was cytologically confirmed in 12 of the 20 stored samples. In the remaining eight stored samples, the number of total nucleated cells was within the normal range. Neutrophilic pleocytosis was confirmed in all seven stored samples. The overall agreement rate between cytologic interpretation of the fresh and the stored CSF samples was 70 % (100 % for neutrophilic pleocytosis and 60 % for mononuclear pleocytosis). CONCLUSIONS: Adding 11 % of autologous serum to CSF samples might allow delayed analysis with a good agreement rate for CSF cytological interpretation. Caution is nonetheless warranted, as animal age, anamnesis, and neurological presentation need to be considered when interpreting stored CSF without pleocytosis. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12917-015-0502-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Fertilización de alfalfa en suelos de la región semiárida Argentina

The objetive of the present study which was carried out in the south of Córdoba is the evaluation of the response of alfalfa production to N, P and S fertilization in simple and mixes applications. The experiment consists in cross-banded applications of N, P and S at rates  of 34.5; 65 and 37.5 Kg respectively, resulting in the folIowing treatments: NPA, NP, N, P, S and Control. Dry matter production was measured in three cuts of 1 m2 portions of the pasture.  There was no statistically significant yield response to fertilization in any treatment. Further analysis showed that rainfall was very deficient in the period, possibly limiting alfalfa growth and yield response to fertilization. A very marked relation between dry matter production and soil moisture content was encountered, indicating that moisture was the limiting growth factor.Director: Ing. Agr. Elke Noellemeyer. Cátedra de Edafología, Manejo, y Conservación y Fertilidad del suelo. Facultad de Agronomía. Universidad Nacional de La Pampa

Helcococcus kunzii isolated from a sow with purulent urocystitis

Helcococcus kunzii has never been reported in veterinary medicine. The isolation of H. kunzii from a sow with purulent urocystitis is described, suggesting this organism's potential pathogenic role in swine

Global view of coal structure by scanner x analysis

The tomodensitometry technique throws a new light on materials behaviour studies . Scanner X turns out to be a powerful tool for the exploration of the internal structure of a material without any sample damaging (non-destructive technique). The molecular repartition in the material and its changes under various conditions are revealed by the accuracy and resolution of the measurements.When applied to coal, the scanner X technique gives the actual image of the sample three-dimensional structure, without the help of any physical or chemical operation. Coal is a complex mixture of mineral and organic matters, and the scanner X technique can be used to study the natural oxidation of coal at 200° C without any previous or subsequent grinding.Scanner X gives the possibility of following the possible evolution of the mineral matters (through loss of constituting water) as well as the evolution of the organic ones. Concerning Provence subbituminous A coal (Flambant), scanner X is a valuable tool for visualising the selective and differential oxidation of lithotype groups (preferential association of macérais, vitrinite, exinite and inertinite).Besides, this technique offers the possibility of following the gradual oxidation and fault formation due to water loss by visualising the preferential ways of oxidation.Moreover, the scanner X technique is an actual help for microsampling, which is the basis of reproducible studies on coal structure