The main objective of this study was to determine the suitable site to examine the liver by transcutaenous ultrasonography and to describe the echo pattern of the hepatic parenchyma and hepatic vessels in apparently healthy dromedary camels. The study was conducted on two groups of camels; Group I consisted of forty-one camels from Sudan and Egypt with the weight range of 350-550 kg. Camels in Group II (four camels) were studied in Germany their body weight ranged 400-600 kg. Body temperature, pulse, heart and respiratory rates, blood haematology and biochemistry, hump height and circumference were determined. Sternal recumbancy was found to be the most suitable and safer position to perform all the above mentioned examinations. Mean and standard deviation of the hump height and circumference in Group I were 23.1 ± 6.1cm and 87.6 ± 35.9 cm respectively, and 38.3 ± 9.9 cm and 139.0 ± 21.7 cm, respectively in Group II. Body temperature ranged 35.8°C to 40°C (Group I) and 34.5°C to 36.4 °C (Group II); pulse rate ranged 35 to 55 beats/min (Group I) and from 30 to 45 (Group II) beats/min; respiratory rate was 10 to 22 breaths/ min (Group I) and 9 to 4 (Group II) breaths/ min. Blood parameters including total and differential (neutrophils, lymphocytes, monophiles and eosinophils) white blood cell count as well as Hb, PCV, MCV, MCH and MCHC were measured in both groups. There was no significant difference in these values in animals in both groups. Blood biochemistry including AST, ALT, ALB, BIL, TG, ALP, GGT and GLDH was also measured in both groups. There were no significant differences between these values in Group I and Group II. The liver could be ultrasonographically visualized in the area extending from the 11th to the 6th intercostal space (ICS) on the right side of the animal. The transverse process of the 2nd lumbar vertebrum was considered as a reference point. The mean distance between the RP and the dorsal and ventral liver margins was measured in both groups. The difference between these values in both groups was not significant. The parenchymal pattern of the normal camel liver consisted of numerous medium echoes homogenously distributed all over the area of the liver. Fissures were observed in the visceral liver surface in the 10th to the 7th ICS. Hepatic and portal veins could be visualized within the normal liver textures. The caudal vena cava was characterized by an oval shape in cross section and visualized in the 11th and 10th ICS. Porta hepatis was found at the same level of the point of the shoulder joint at a distance of 70.3 ± 6.3 cm and 73.2 ± 4.4 cm from it in Group I and Group II, respectively. The portal vein was best visualized in the 10th ICS with diameter and depth of 33.4 ± 7.1 mm (Group I) and 35.0 ± 5.1 mm (Group II) and 42.0 ± 1.8 mm (Group I) and 72.7 ± 4.7 mm (Group II), respectively. The thickness of the dorsal and ventral liver margins at the 10th ICS was thinner as it progressed cranially. The dorsal margin was usually thinner than the ventral margin in all intercostal spaces in both groups of camels. The whole liver length which could be ultrasonographically examined in the area from the 11th to the 6th intercostal spaces in Group I and Group II were (53.0 ± 7.1 cm) and (60.5 ± 5.7 cm), respectively. This work represents the first study on ultrasonographical examination of the liver in the one humped camel. The presented data can form base line values for future use of ultrasound in diagnosis of liver diseases in the dromedary camel. The technique is non-invasive and has the advantage that it can be applied in sitting non-tranquilized animals.

The dromedary camel has a very high economic importance in the Arabic countries. Nevertheless, there is a very little background literature on the use of ultrasound (US) and computed tomography (CT) in dromedaries in comparison to other domestic and farm animal species. Therefore, the tarsal region of six cadaver limbs, obtained from three orthopedic disease free dromedary camels, was evaluated via radiography, US and CT. The limbs were frozen and sectioned transversely, sagittaly and dorsally. The anatomic structures were identified and correlated to the analogous structures on the corresponding CT slices and US images and published in two manuscripts. Radiography was performed in both standard (0º and 90º) oblique (45º and 135º) radiographic projections. The tarsus was investigated via US in four planes (dorsal, medial, lateral and plantar) and each plane was scrutinized in four levels (calcaneal tuber, tibial malleoli, base of calcaneus and proximal head of metatarsus) in both transverse and longitudinal views. Radiography provided a good representation of the bony structures and articulations with little information on the soft tissues of the tarsus and superimposition of the tarsal bones. Ultrasonography furnished adequate delineation of the peri-articular tissues of the tarsus and was limited to the bone surface. Computed tomography provided cross sectional imaging of the dromedary tarsus without bone and soft tissue overlap and allowed visualization and differentiation of tissues in almost every situation. This work was undertaken to document the normal appearance of the dromedary camel tarsus via radiography, ultrasonography, and computed tomography which may be used as a resource for interpretation of dromedary tarsal pathology using various diagnostic imaging modalities.

The main objective of this study was to determine the suitable site to examine the liver by transcutaenous ultrasonography and to describe the echo pattern of the hepatic parenchyma and hepatic vessels in apparently healthy dromedary camels. The study was conducted on two groups of camels; Group I consisted of forty-one camels from Sudan and Egypt with the weight range of 350-550 kg. Camels in Group II (four camels) were studied in Germany their body weight ranged 400-600 kg. Body temperature, pulse, heart and respiratory rates, blood haematology and biochemistry, hump height and circumference were determined. Sternal recumbancy was found to be the most suitable and safer position to perform all the above mentioned examinations. Mean and standard deviation of the hump height and circumference in Group I were 23.1 ± 6.1cm and 87.6 ± 35.9 cm respectively, and 38.3 ± 9.9 cm and 139.0 ± 21.7 cm, respectively in Group II. Body temperature ranged 35.8°C to 40°C (Group I) and 34.5°C to 36.4 °C (Group II); pulse rate ranged 35 to 55 beats/min (Group I) and from 30 to 45 (Group II) beats/min; respiratory rate was 10 to 22 breaths/ min (Group I) and 9 to 4 (Group II) breaths/ min. Blood parameters including total and differential (neutrophils, lymphocytes, monophiles and eosinophils) white blood cell count as well as Hb, PCV, MCV, MCH and MCHC were measured in both groups. There was no significant difference in these values in animals in both groups. Blood biochemistry including AST, ALT, ALB, BIL, TG, ALP, GGT and GLDH was also measured in both groups. There were no significant differences between these values in Group I and Group II. The liver could be ultrasonographically visualized in the area extending from the 11th to the 6th intercostal space (ICS) on the right side of the animal. The transverse process of the 2nd lumbar vertebrum was considered as a reference point. The mean distance between the RP and the dorsal and ventral liver margins was measured in both groups. The difference between these values in both groups was not significant. The parenchymal pattern of the normal camel liver consisted of numerous medium echoes homogenously distributed all over the area of the liver. Fissures were observed in the visceral liver surface in the 10th to the 7th ICS. Hepatic and portal veins could be visualized within the normal liver textures. The caudal vena cava was characterized by an oval shape in cross section and visualized in the 11th and 10th ICS. Porta hepatis was found at the same level of the point of the shoulder joint at a distance of 70.3 ± 6.3 cm and 73.2 ± 4.4 cm from it in Group I and Group II, respectively. The portal vein was best visualized in the 10th ICS with diameter and depth of 33.4 ± 7.1 mm (Group I) and 35.0 ± 5.1 mm (Group II) and 42.0 ± 1.8 mm (Group I) and 72.7 ± 4.7 mm (Group II), respectively. The thickness of the dorsal and ventral liver margins at the 10th ICS was thinner as it progressed cranially. The dorsal margin was usually thinner than the ventral margin in all intercostal spaces in both groups of camels. The whole liver length which could be ultrasonographically examined in the area from the 11th to the 6th intercostal spaces in Group I and Group II were (53.0 ± 7.1 cm) and (60.5 ± 5.7 cm), respectively. This work represents the first study on ultrasonographical examination of the liver in the one humped camel. The presented data can form base line values for future use of ultrasound in diagnosis of liver diseases in the dromedary camel. The technique is non-invasive and has the advantage that it can be applied in sitting non-tranquilized animals.

The dromedary camel has a very high economic importance in the Arabic countries. Nevertheless, there is a very little background literature on the use of ultrasound (US) and computed tomography (CT) in dromedaries in comparison to other domestic and farm animal species. Therefore, the tarsal region of six cadaver limbs, obtained from three orthopedic disease free dromedary camels, was evaluated via radiography, US and CT. The limbs were frozen and sectioned transversely, sagittaly and dorsally. The anatomic structures were identified and correlated to the analogous structures on the corresponding CT slices and US images and published in two manuscripts. Radiography was performed in both standard (0º and 90º) oblique (45º and 135º) radiographic projections. The tarsus was investigated via US in four planes (dorsal, medial, lateral and plantar) and each plane was scrutinized in four levels (calcaneal tuber, tibial malleoli, base of calcaneus and proximal head of metatarsus) in both transverse and longitudinal views. Radiography provided a good representation of the bony structures and articulations with little information on the soft tissues of the tarsus and superimposition of the tarsal bones. Ultrasonography furnished adequate delineation of the peri-articular tissues of the tarsus and was limited to the bone surface. Computed tomography provided cross sectional imaging of the dromedary tarsus without bone and soft tissue overlap and allowed visualization and differentiation of tissues in almost every situation. This work was undertaken to document the normal appearance of the dromedary camel tarsus via radiography, ultrasonography, and computed tomography which may be used as a resource for interpretation of dromedary tarsal pathology using various diagnostic imaging modalities.

The one-humped or the dromedarian camel is a pseudo-ruminant mammal, well adapted to the hot and dry climates of the desert. Its ability to withstand torrid heat and extreme desiccation is of paramount importance to its survival. The studies presented in this thesis were designed to investigate and document the effect of dehydration in the presence or absence of angiotensin II (Ang II) AT1 receptor blocker (losartan) on blood constituents, electrolytes, hormones, neurotransmitters as well as liver and kidney enzymes in a subset of dehydrated camels and to compare them with hydrated camels. Additionally, we studied the response of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and revealed for the first time the cardiac storage form of BNP in the camel heart. Dehydration induced significant increments in packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cells (WBC), gamma glutamyl-transferase (GGT), serum sodium, creatinine and urea levels, and a doubling in plasma cortisol and arginine vasopressin (AVP) levels. At the same time dehydration caused significant decrease in body weights, plasma insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and its binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), and a 50% decrement in ANP and BNP levels. Moreover, dehydration with and without losartan resulted in significant changes in stress hormones and anti-oxidants in plasma, liver and kidney homogenates. Losartan on one hand enhanced the effect of dehydration resulting in significant increases in sodium, creatinine and urea levels. In addition losartan raised the  binding affinity of Ang II AT2 receptors in the small intestine with 8-fold and with 16-fold for liver AT1 receptors, indicating that Ang II AT1 and AT2 receptor binding sites were present in camel's small intestine while only AT1 receptor binding sites were found in the camel liver. One the other hand losartan resulted in significant decrease in body weights impaired the rise in anti-diuretic hormone and reduced aldosterone level. Finally, we showed that the proBNP is the storage form of BNP in the camel heart.

A freshwater mussel survey was conducted in Indian Creek, Tazewell County, Virginia, during 1996 and 1997. Fifteen species were identified, including the federally endangered <i>Epioblasma florentina walkeri<i>, <i>Villosa perpurpurea</i>, and <i>Quadrula cylindrica strigillata</i>. Population assessments and fish host identifications were completed for the tan riffleshell and purple bean populations. Host fish for <i>E. f. walkeri</i> were limited to the banded and mottled sculpin, greenside darter, redline darter, fantail darter, and snubnose darter. Fish hosts identified for <i>V. perpurpurea</i> also were the banded and mottled sculpin, greenside darter, and redline darter. Size class structure of the tan riffleshell population ranged from 19.9 to 53.3 mm, with the population estimated at nearly 700 individuals with a density of 0.015/m². Size class structure of the purple bean population ranged from 22.9 to 66.7 mm, with the population estimated at only 70 individuals with a density of 0.002/m². Host fish also were identified for <i>Dromus dromas</i> and <i>Lemiox rimosus</i>. The fantail darter was identified as a host for <i>D. dromas</i>, with the snubnose darter serving as a host for <i>L. rimosus</i>. Additional percids were implicated as hosts for both mussel species. A molecular genetic key for identifying host fishes of the upper Clinch River also was constructed. The key was constructed through the analysis of restriction fragment length polymorphisms from amplified regions of mussel DNA. Thirty-six unionid species were incorporated into the key. No host fishes were identified due to an unsolved problem with amplifying DNA from glochidia collected from wild fish. / Master of Science