Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to C J Murphy.
The four pinhole apertures of the constricted gekko pupil are an adaptation for decreasing the depth of field of the eye, while decreasing the total light flux to the retina. This may be useful for distance estimation at high light levels.
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Enucleation in birds requires special consideration. Two case reports are presented as examples of 2 techniques for enucleation in raptors. The first technique utilizes a transaural approach and is suitable only in owls that have extensive external ear openings. The major advantage of this technique is that it allows complete histologic examination of the globe. The second technique is a globe-collapsing procedure that is suitable for any avian species. This technique precludes complete histologic examination.
The modification of L-lactate 2-monooxygenase (lactate oxidase) with radioactively labeled fluorodinitrobenzene in 50 mM tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (Tris)-acetate, pH 6.0, resulted in complete inactivation with the incorporation of 1 mol of dinitrophenyl per catalytic site. Analysis of acid hydrolysates using high-pressure liquid chromatography and an amino acid analyzer showed that Nim-(dinitrophenyl)histidine accounted for 95% of the incorporated label. Approximately 50% of the flavin in the modified enzyme was reduced by lactate, formed a sulfite complex, and underwent a photochemical reaction with oxalate. These results suggest that each active site in lactate oxidase contains two essential histidine residues that are modified in a mutually exclusive manner.
The flying fox, Pteropus giganteus, possesses a papillated retina and was previously thought to lack a mechanism for active accommodation. An investigation of the anatomy and physiology of accommodation in this megachiropteran bat revealed that it has a well developed ciliary muscle and that it can actively accommodate through a range of at least 3.12 D. In addition, it was found that the origin of the retinoscopic reflex does not reside in the receptor layer of the retina, because the focus of the eye is invariant for small changes of angle of refraction.
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In a retrospective study, records of 931 raptors admitted to the Avian Clinic at the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine and to the Owl Rehabilitation Research Foundation were evaluated to determine the prevalence, cause, and distribution of ocular lesions. Some form of ocular lesion was identified in 135 (14.5%) birds. Of these, 90% were the result of physical injury. Collisions accounted for 33% of ocular lesions; gunshot wounds accounted for 11%. Unilateral lesions were more common than bilateral lesions, with the anterior segment being most frequently involved. Hyphema was the most common clinical finding. In a prospective study involving raptors admitted to the Avian Clinic from 1980-1982, it was found that 17 of 61 birds (28%) had some form of ocular lesion. The higher prevalence in this study was attributed to a lower proportion of juvenile cases and to increased detection of subtle lesions, especially those involving the posterior segment.
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Concurrent renal adenocarcinoma and polycythemia were diagnosed in a 19-month-old, female Rhodesian ridgeback. An unusually early presentation for this neoplasm, it is the second reported case of renal adenocarcinoma in a dog less than two years of age. Concurrent renal adenocarcinoma and polycythemia have been reported previously in four older dogs. In the dog of this report, clinical signs included brick-red mucous membranes, lethargy, a periodic systolic heart murmur, and engorged retinal vessels. A large retroperitoneal mass and pulmonary metastatic nodules were present at the time of diagnosis. Red blood cell count, packed cell volume, and hemoglobin concentration were greatly increased (12,940,000 red blood cells/microliter; 73.2%; and 26.6 g/dl, respectively). Histopathological diagnosis was renal adenocarcinoma. Polycythemia was the result of excessive erythropoietin production by the neoplasm.
A four-year-old Chinese shar pei was presented for entropion repair that had not been corrected adequately with two prior Hotz-Celsus procedures. The primary cause for the failure was the weight of the excessive, superior facial folds often found in this breed. A new technique is presented to measure and remove these folds in a stellate pattern by following natural stress lines, thus effecting surgical repair of the superior lid entropion.