Airborne laser scanning as a method in operational forest inventory: Status of accuracy assessments accomplished in Scandinavia

Abstract

This research reports the major evaluation results from an operational stand-based forest inventory using airborne laser scanner data carried out in Norway. This is the first operational inventory in which data from two separate districts are combined. Laser data from two forest areas of 65 and 110 km² were used to predict six biophysical stand variables used in forest planning. The predictions were based on regression equations estimated from 250 m² field training plots distributed systematically throughout the two forest areas. Test plots with a size of 0.1 ha were used for validation. The testing revealed standard deviations between ground-truth values and predicted values of 0.58–0.85 m (3.4–5.6%) for mean and dominant heights, 2.62–2.87 m² ha^?1 (9.3–14.3%) for basal area, and 18.7–25.1 m³ ha^?1 (10.8–12.8%) for stand volume. No serious bias was detected. For 10 of the 12 estimated regression models there were no significant effects of district.     

The Fluorescent Characterization and Analysis of Two Brucella Attenuated Vaccine Infecting Mouse Macrophagocyte

The experiment was conducted to discuss the difference of binding time of green fluorescent protein B.melitensis M5 (GFP-M5) and B.abortus S19 (GFP-S19) infecting the mouse macrophagocyte (RAW264.7),lysosome,endoplasmic reticulum and golgi body in the initial stage and compare the binding rate of GFP-M5,GFP-S19 with organelle in different timeline,respectively,by confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) and flow cytometry.The result showed that GFP-M5 and GFP-S19 were successfully constructed.The intracellular survival ability of Brucella M5,Brucella S19,GFP-M5 and GFP-S19 were not obvisouly affected after infecting RAW264.7.GFP-M5 and GFP-S19 could enter the macrophagocyte in 30 mins,and in 2 h the Brucella could reach lysosome,endoplasmic reticulum and golgi body.In addition,the binding time for two attenuated vaccine did not show differences in 1,2,3 and 4 h.The content of GFP⁺ cell produced by RAW264.7 infected by GFP-M5 and GFP-S19 did not show significant differences (P>0.05).Therefore,the two strains did not have significant differences in the invasion ability in the initial stage of infecting host cell.     

Effect of dexmedetomidine and xylazine followed by MK-467 on gastrointestinal microperfusion in anaesthetized horses

Objective

To compare the effects of MK-467 during isoflurane anaesthesia combined with xylazine or dexmedetomidine on global and gastrointestinal perfusion parameters.

Laser treatment of urethral defects in geldings and stallions used as the primary treatment or in combination with a temporary subischial incision: Eight cases (2003–2011)

Two geldings with haematuria and 6 stallions with haemospermia presented for evaluation between 2003 and 2011 to the Iowa State University Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center. Both geldings presented for haemorrhage at the end of urination. All stallions presented for evaluation of infertility following natural service or artificial insemination that was related to haemospermia. Urethroscopy identified a urethral defect in all 8 horses. Both geldings possessed a urethral rent. One stallion possessed a urethral varicosity while the remaining 5 possessed a urethral rent. Two geldings and 2 stallions received only laser treatment. The remaining 4 stallions received concurrent laser treatment with a temporary subischial incision (TSI) into the corpus spongiosum penis. All 6 stallions received 8 weeks of sexual rest after the completion of the surgical/laser treatment. Laser treatment alone was successful in resolving haematuria in one of 2 geldings. In the stallion group, all 4 horses with a urethral rent receiving laser treatment concurrent with a TSI resolved haemospermia. Of the remaining stallions, one with a urethral varicosity resolved clinical signs with only laser treatment and one stallion with a urethral rent received only laser treatment and haemospermia recurred. We conclude that laser treatment of a urethral rent in geldings can result in resolution of haematuria. Laser treatment used in combination with a TSI may result in improved success when compared to surgery alone. Laser treatment alone can result in resolution of a urethral varicosity.     

粉纹夜蛾培养细胞对家蚕微孢子虫的吞噬及与孢壁蛋白的关系

解明家蚕微孢子虫(Nosema bombycis,Nb)入侵宿主细胞的相关因素,有助于深入研究Nb对家蚕的侵染机制。利用激光共聚焦显微镜观察Nb孢子接种粉纹夜蛾(Trichoplusiani,Tn)培养细胞48h后孢子的分布状态和培养细胞的生长情况,并对接种Nb孢子后的Tn培养细胞培养物总蛋白进行SDS-PAGE分析,证实经0.2mol/LKOH预处理的Nb孢子可以被Tn培养细胞所吞噬。对Nb孢子孢壁蛋白的SDS-PAGE分析显示,Nb孢子经KOH预处理后,大小为80kD和12kD的孢壁蛋白带缺失或明显减弱,30kD的孢壁蛋白带丰度降低。推测KOH预处理使Nb孢子部分孢壁蛋白被分解(部分或完全)或使蛋白结构发生变化,由此影响了Nb孢子与Tn培养细胞的相互作用关系,有利于Tn培养细胞对Nb孢子的吞噬。     

Comparison of three methods for arthrodesis of the distal intertarsal and tarsometatarsal joints in horses

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of diode laser surgery (LS), surgical drilling (SD), and intraarticular sodium monoiodoacetate (MIA) as methods for fusing the distal intertarsal (DIT) and tarsometatarsal (TMT) joints in horses. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental study. ANIMALS: Adult horses (15) without radiographic signs of osteoarthritis (OA) of the DIT and TMT joints. METHODS: Group 1 (n=3) had LS performed bilaterally on DIT and TMT joints; 1 horse was evaluated for 1 week and 2 horses were evaluated for 2 weeks. Group 2 (n=6) had LS on DIT and TMT joints of 1 tarsus and MIA administration into the contralateral DIT and TMT joints and were evaluated for 6 months. Group 3 (n=6) had LS performed on DIT and TMT joints of 1 tarsus and SD of the contralateral DIT and TMT joints and were evaluated for 12 months. Postoperative comfort, lameness, radiography, microradiography, and histology scores were compared using repeated measures ANOVA, and paired or 2 sample t-tests; significance was set at P<.05. RESULTS: LS caused the least postoperative morbidity. In group 2, horses were less lame in 4 LS-treated limbs and 2 MIA-treated limbs at 6 months when compared with the contralateral limb. In group 3, horses were less lame in 5 LS-treated limbs and 1 SD-treated limb at 6 and 12 months compared with the contralateral limb. On microradiography, 11 MIA joints and 2 LS joints had bone bridging the joint at 6 months whereas 8 SD joints and 5 LS joints had bone bridging at 12 months. Significantly more joint space was bridged by bone in MIA- (51.4%) and SD (46.2%)-treated joints compared with LS joints at 6 (30.6%) and 12 (28.5%) months, respectively (P<.05). CLINICAL RELEVANCE: SD and MIA resulted in more bone bridging of the distal 2 tarsal joints, than LS. However, LS seemingly caused less pain and discomfort to horses in the immediate postoperative period; horses were generally less lame in the LS limb. More laser energy may need to be applied to these joints to promote fusion; however, it may also have beneficial effects beyond fusion. Further research on horses with OA of the distal 2 tarsal joints is needed to determine whether LS can cause soundness without facilitating bony fusion.     

Assessment of Vein Diameter and Body Surface Temperature after High-Intensity Laser Therapy (HILT) on the Tarsal Joint in Healthy Horses

The aim of the study was to assess the influence of high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) on vein diameter and on body surface temperature changes in the tarsal joint area in a group of clinically healthy racehorses. The hypothesis of the study was that HILT increases vein diameter and body surface temperature in healthy tissue. The study involved 16 Thoroughbreds being subjected to ultrasonographic examination to assess changes of diameter of the cranial branch of the medial saphenous vein and thermographic examination to indicate temperature change of the dorsal surface of the tarsal joint, just before and immediately after HILT treatment. Vein diameter and mean surface temperature of the tarsal joint significantly increased after HILT treatment. In addition, the study was the first to describe the photothermal effect of HILT in healthy horses. More studies are necessary to specify the parameters of the procedure, that is, wavelength, energy density, or time of the procedure, depending on the patient’s individual characteristics and type of tissue.     

Combined transscleral diode laser cyclophotocoagulation and Ahmed gonioimplantation in dogs with primary glaucoma: 51 cases (1996-2004)

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the combined diode laser cycloablation procedure and adjunctive Ahmed gonioimplant use in dogs with primary glaucoma. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 48 dogs, 51 eyes with primary glaucoma. PROCEDURE: Medical records from two large private clinical ophthalmology services were reviewed. Signalment, duration of glaucoma, gonioscopic evaluation, laser power and duration settings, immediate postoperative and final intraocular pressure and visual results, short and long-term visual outcome, and surgical complications were recorded. RESULTS: The age range of affected dogs was 3.0-14.0 years, with a mean age of 7.5 +/- 2.6 years. Eleven pure breeds were represented, with the most common being the American Cocker Spaniel. The sex distribution was 22 neutered males, 1 intact male, 23 spayed females, and 2 intact female dogs. The right eye was affected in 33 cases, and the left eye in 18 cases. The average total joules, which was administered with the diode laser, was 109.6 +/- 23.6 J. Immediate surgical complications included fibrin formation in the anterior chamber (15), corneal ulcers (4), hyphema (7), and focal retinal detachment (1). Long-term complications included cataract formation (8 total, 2 of which were significant, vision-threatening), elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) (6), unstable gonioimplant (1), and glaucoma recurrence (14). Additional surgeries performed on the eyes over the course of study included: intrascleral prosthesis (4), enucleation (1), resection of fibrotic scar tissue (5), and repeat laser cycloablation (8). The dogs were examined for a mean follow-up time of 17.6 months (range: 2-83 months postoperatively). Twenty-nine cases were followed greater than one year. Vision was maintained in 42/51 eyes (82%) in the immediate short-term of this study. In all cases included in the study, good control of IOP was achieved in 39/51 (76%) of eyes, and IOP was poor or uncontrolled in 12/51 (24%) of eyes. Twenty out of 41 eyes (49%) maintained fair to excellent vision six months after surgery. Twelve months postoperative observations demonstrated that 12/29 (41%) of the eyes were still visual. CONCLUSIONS: In primary glaucoma, the combined procedure of laser diode cyclophotocoagulation and Ahmed valve implant was associated with return or maintenance of vision in 42/51 eyes (82%) in the immediate short-term of this study, and a long-term IOP control in 39/51 (76%) of the cases, with 12/29 eyes (41%) visual after 12 months.     

Functional and structural assessment of retinal sheet allograft transplantation in feline hereditary retinal degeneration

Purpose  To investigate whether sheets of fetal retinal allografts can integrate into the dystrophic Abyssinian cat retina with progressive rod cone degeneration.
Methods  Fetal retinal sheets (cat gestational day 42), incubated with BDNF microspheres, were transplanted to the subretinal space of four cats at an early disease stage. Cats were studied by fundus examinations, bilateral full-field flash ERGs, and indocyanine green and fluorescein angiograms up to 4 months following surgery. E42 donor and transplanted eyes were analyzed by histology and immunohistochemistry for retinal markers.
Results  Funduscopy and angiography showed good integration of the transplants in two of four cats, including extension of host blood vessels into the transplant and some scarring in the host. In these two, transplants were found in the subretinal space with laminated areas, with photoreceptor outer segments in normal contacts with the host retinal pigment epithelium. In some areas, transplants appeared to be well-integrated within the host neural retina. Neither of these two cats showed functional improvement in ERGs. In the other two cats, only remnants of donor tissue were left. Transplants stained for all investigated cellular markers. No PKC immunoreactivity was detected in the fetal donor retina at E42, but developed in the 4-month-old grafts.
Conclusions  Fetal sheet transplants can integrate well within a degenerating cat retina and develop good lamination of photoreceptors. Functional improvement was not demonstrated by ERG in cats with well-laminated grafts. Transplants need to be further evaluated in cat host retinas with a more advanced retinal degeneration using longer follow-up times.