Turnover of Sodium and Water by Free-Living Rabbits, Oryctolagus Cuniculus

Four places in New South Wales were chosen that had a permanent water supply and vegetation with very low or very high Na content, or no surface water during the study and medium, or low to medium, Na content. Wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) were caught in those places, given 22NaCl and 3H2O by intraperitoneal injection and held for 4 to 5 h, then blood samples were taken and the rabbits were weighed, marked and released at the point of capture. After another 8 to 23 days they were recaptured and weighed, and blood samples were taken. Between the 7 or 8 values for different places and dates, mean bodyweight ranged from 937 to 1650 g, exchangeable Na from 37.37 to 50.10 mEq/kg bodyweight or 48.78 to 67.93 mEq/litre body water, Na turnover from 0.51 to 13.95 mEq/kg bodyweight daily, Na biological half-life from 2.3 to 55.0 days, total body water 677 to 777 ml/kg, water turnover 88 to 375 ml/kg daily and water half-life 1.4 to 5.6 days. Mean values are for groups of 4 to 25 rabbits. Between the 4 places, water content of vegetation ranged from 142 to 832 mg/kg fresh vegetation and, including 2 sites at one of the 4 places, Na content ranged from 0.51 to 20.98 mEq/kg fresh and 2.41 to 124.9 mEq/kg dry matter. There was a positive linear relation between Na in fresh vegetation and Na turnover rate in rabbits. The relation between water content of vegetation and water turnover in rabbits was not precise, because probably of such factors as diet selection, rain and accessibility and use of water. Lactation may have a strong effect on rabbits when water or Na is scarce, because rabbits may not ingest the faeces and urine of their young like other animals.Low rate of water turnover, especially after metabolic weight correction, demonstrated the efficiency of water conservation of rabbits and partly explained their success in dry places. Published values for other species are compared. Food items were not identified in the present work, but identification and analysis of their Na content would allow qualitative calculation of the food intake of free-living herbivores from their Na turnover.

Home Range and Activity Patterns of the Sand Goanna, Varanus gouldii (Reptilia: Varanidae)

The movements of two subspecies of the sand goanna, V. gouldii, were studied at two localities in South Australia. The estimated home ranges of individuals of V.g. rosenbergi differed considerably, the largest area being 25 times the size of the smallest. Daily activity areas varied with the season, being largest in summer and smallest in winter. There were distinct differences between the two subspecies in their activity patterns, V. g. rosenbergi being active throughout the year whereas Kg. gouldii remained underground during winter.

Gray scale ultrasonography of calcified liver metastases

Three cases of calcified liver metastases demonstrating acoustical shadowing on gray scale ultrasonography are reported. Ultrasonography may show calcified liver masses that are not readily apparent on plain film radiographs. The discovery of calcified liver metastases by ultrasound can suggest a primary site of malignancy.

Gray scale ultrasound evaluation of hepatic neoplasms: patterns and correlations

Ninety malignant hepatic neoplasms were studied by gray scale ultrasound. Four different ultrasonic patterns were observed: (a) discrete, relatively echo-free masses; (b) discrete, relatively echogenic masses; (c) totally echo-free masses; and (d) a diffuse alteration of echo architecture without discrete masses. There has been no apparent association of ultrasonic pattern with either the histologic type of neoplasm or the angiographic vascularity. Corresponding isotopic data is discussed.

Lack of genetic differentiation between domestic dogs and dingoes at a further 16 loci

Clarke, Ryan and Czuppon (1975) failed to detect electrophoretic differences between domestic dogs and dingoes at 14 loci. We have found that domestic dogs and dingoes are monomorphic for the same electrophoretic alleles at a further 15 loci, and polymorphic for the same alleles at a 30th locus.

Eccentric pericardial effusion after radiation therapy of left breast carcinoma

Pericardial damage is one of the consequences of cardiac radiation and may lead to chronic pericarditis and/or tamponade. In three patients treated with radiation for carcinoma of the left breast, the effusions were loculated on the right side of the pericardium resulting in a peculiar cardiac silhouette. The importance of recognizing this entity and possible treatment is stressed.

Interactions of oestradiol-17beta and tamoxifen in the uterus of the pregnant rat

Measurement of the uptake and retention of a radioactive post-coital antifertility agent tamioxifen, by reproductive tissues of the rat have shown that the ovary retained more radioactivity than did any other reproductive organ. Studies have also been made of the uptake and distribution of [3H]tamoxifen and [3H]oestradiol-17beta in the uterus of the pregnant rat on days 2-6 post coitum. Twenty-four hours after administration of tamoxifen, either i.v. or orally, 40-50% of the radioactivity was in the high speed pellet, 10-20% in the nuclear fraction, and 15-30% in the cytosol. An equivalent dose of [3H]oestradiol-17beta yielded distributions of 5%, 5% and 82% respectively. Fractionation of uteri from animals given 0-2 mg tamoxifen/kg on Day 2 of pregnancy followed by [3H]oestradiol 60 min before death showed little difference in total uptake of oestradiol or distribution in the subcellular fraction on Days 4,5 and 6. Although uptake of oestradiol by uterine nuclei was reduced on Day 3 by previous administration of tamoxifen on Day 2, appreciable quantities were still bound to the nuclear receptors. Treatment of ovariectomized animals with tamoxifen at doses up to 40 mug/rat (i.e. 0-2 mg/kg) led to the accumulation of oestrogen-receptor complex in the nucleus. It is concluded that the antifertility properties of tamoxifen (under the conditions of these experiments) cannot be ascribed to the suppression of uptake and binding of oestradiol by the uterus.

The plain abdominal radiograph in pneumatosis coli

The clinical features and plain film findings in 14 patients with pneumatosis coli are described. Nine had oxygen treatment. The plain radiographic appearances are analysed and their value in diagnosis is presented. It is concluded that the plain abdominal radiograph is a simple and effective way of monitoring the progress of patients undergoing oxygen therapy.

Medial deviation of the ureters secondary to psoas muscle hypertrophy

Bilateral medial deviation of mid and distal portions of the ureters can occur as a normal finding in patients with psoas muscle hypertrophy. Two groups of patients are presented, both composed of young, healthy males. In 13 patients, the distance between the ureters at the narrowest point averaged 3.7 cm. Psoas muscle hypertrophy was evident radiographically and confirmed by ultrasound. In 20 patients with normal psoas muscles, the average minimum distance between the ureters was 7.1 cm. The importance of this observation is to avoid overdiagnosis of retroperitoneal disease in this group of young, muscular men. The differential diagnosis and severe examples of this normal variant are presented.

The Use of Etorphine Hydrochloride (M99) in the Capture and Immobilization of Wild Dingoes, Canis Familiaris Dingo

Etorphine hydrochloride (M99) with acetylpromazine was tested as an immobilizing agent for captive or trapped dingoes by injections, and for free wild dingoes by darting. A dose of 0.5 mg M99 with 2.5 mg acetylpromazine immobilized dingoes rapidly, with complete analgesia, and with no apparent ill effects over a wide range of dose per unit weight, although hypothermia and tachycardia were always observed. Analgesia was sufficient for a number of physiological samples to be taken. A dose of 0.5 mg cyprenorphine hydrochloride revived the dingoes rapidly.

Neuropsychological effects of chronic asymptomatic increased lead absorption. A controlled study

Twenty-seven asymptomatic children with confirmed chronic increased lead absorption were compared with 27 matched control children for evidence of neuropsychological impairment. Evaluation of each child included a complete history, physical examination, quantitative neurological tests, and comprehensive psychological tests. There was significantly increased incidence of hyperactive behavior in the subjects with increased lead levels, but there was no significant difference in any of the quantitative test results. Uncontrolled variables, especially lead absorption in infancy and adverse environmental pressures other than lead, still leave questions about the relationship between chronic lead exposure and behavior of intelligence.

Water recycling in lactation

During lactation, female rodents, dingoes, and kangaroos consume urine and feces excreted by the young. Studies with tritiated water as a tracer for native water showed that roughly one-third of the water secreted as milk was returned to the mother. The results are cogent to studies of water balance of lactation and to current methods used for estimating milk production.

Oestradiol-17 beta uptake in vitro into the nuclei of endometrium from different regions of the human uterus

Specimens of endometrium from the vault, body and lower body regions of the same human uteri were incubated separately for 30 min in vitro in the presence of 1-6 times 10-9 M 3H-oestradiol. Uptake into the nuclei was variable but in general the vault region endometrium was least active in nuclear accumulation of the hormone, especially in secretory phase endometrium. This suggests that intra-uterine variations found in oestradiol uptake in vivo are due to regional differences in the state of the tissue itself.