These results suggest that serum canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity concentrations are significantly elevated in dogs with intervertebral disc herniation.

The requirement of healthcare professionals to consider the whole person, including spirituality, is hampered by a lack of clarity about the nature of spirituality and spiritual care. A multidisciplinary cooperative inquiry group met during 1997 and 1998 to explore this issue. The aim of the group was to 'explore spirituality with a view to how that informs our work'. Group members understood spirituality to be a unique potential that forms an integral part of every human being. Key themes through which spirituality may be expressed are the search for meaning or purpose and a sense of connection. Outcomes of the inquiry included personal and professional development, increased recognition of spirituality and further training opportunities for other staff.

The Albian–Aptian sand fairway in the Outer Moray Firth of the United Kingdom Continental Shelf, informally referred to as the Kopervik fairway, poses considerable challenges to the explorationist, but has the potential to generate significant commercial reward. After an initial spate of activity in the mid 1970s, the Kopervik Sandstone remained largely ignored as a primary exploration target until the late 1990s, despite its excellent reservoir quality and proven charge. This renewed exploration effort led to a number of successful discoveries. As a result of this activity – and a willingness among operators along the fairway to share information – a large regional database is developing. Drawing on this, we summarize our current and historical understanding of the fairway, using existing discoveries as examples.

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OBJECTIVE To determine the ultrasonographic appearance of the major duodenal papilla (MDP) in dogs without evidence of hepatobiliary, pancreatic, or gastrointestinal tract disease. ANIMALS 40 adult client-owned dogs examined because of conditions that did not include hepatobiliary, pancreatic, or gastrointestinal tract disease. PROCEDURES Ultrasonographic examination of the MDP was performed. Each MDP was measured in 3 planes. Intraobserver reliability of measurements was determined, and associations between MDP dimensions and characteristics of the dogs were investigated. Histologic examination of longitudinal sections of the MDP was performed for 1 dog to compare the ultrasonographic and histologic appearance. RESULTS The MDP appeared as a layered structure with a hyperechoic outer layer, hypoechoic middle layer, and hyperechoic inner layer that corresponded to the duodenal serosa, duodenal muscularis, and duodenal submucosa, respectively. Layers visible during ultrasonographic examinations were consistent with layers identified histologically. Intraobserver reliability was substantial for each plane of measurement. Mean ± SD length, width, and height of the MDP were 15.2 ± 3.5 mm, 6.3 ± 1.6 mm, and 4.3 ± 1.0 mm, respectively. An increase in body weight of dogs was significantly associated with increased values for all measurements. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The ultrasonographic appearance and approximate dimensions of the MDP of dogs without evidence of hepatobiliary, pancreatic, or gastrointestinal tract disease were determined. Additional studies are needed to evaluate possible ultrasonographic lesions of the MDP in dogs with hepatobiliary, pancreatic, or intestinal diseases and to investigate clinical implications of these lesions with regard to diagnosis and prognosis.