Ultrasonographic evaluation of tracheal collapse in dogs

Tracheal ultrasonography was performed to measure the width of the tracheal ring shadow and to assess the clinical relevance of these measurements for identifying tracheal collapse. The first tracheal ring width (FTRW) and thoracic inlet tracheal ring width (TITRW) were measured on both expiration and inspiration. The mean of the FTRW width (129 dogs) was greater in expiration (10.97 ± 1.02 mm, p = 0.001) than that in inspiration (9.86 ± 1.03 mm). For 51 normal dogs, the mean of the TITRW width was greater in expiration (9.05 ± 1.52 mm, p = 0.001) than in inspiration (8.02 ± 1.43 mm). For 78 tracheal collapse dogs, the mean of the TITRW width was greater in expiration (15.89 ± 1.01 mm, p = 0.001) than in inspiration (14.85 ± 1.17 mm). The TITRW/FTRW ratio of the normal dogs was higher (p = 0.001) in expiration (0.81 ± 0.09) than that in inspiration (0.79 ± 0.10). When compared between the normal and tracheal collapse dogs, the TITRW/FTRW ratio was also increased (p = 0.001) both in expiration (1.54 ± 0.09) and inspiration (1.47 ± 0.08), respectively. Based on these results, the cutoff level of the TITRW/FTRW ratio was statistically analyzed according to the receiver operating characteristic curve and it could be set at 1.16 in expiration and at 1.13 in inspiration. We have demonstrated that tracheal ultrasonography is a useful technique for the evaluation of tracheal collapse and it can be a supportive tool together with the radiographic findings for making the correct diagnosis.     

Agreement Among Radiographs,Fluoroscopy and Bronchoscopy in Documentation of Airway Collapse in Dogs

Background

Airway collapse is a common finding in dogs with chronic cough, yet the diagnosis can be difficult to confirm without specialty equipment.

Hypothesis

Bronchoscopic documentation of tracheobronchial collapse will show better agreement with fluoroscopic imaging than with standard radiography.

Animals

Forty‐two dogs prospectively evaluated for chronic cough.

Methods

In this prospective study, three‐view thoracic radiographs were obtained followed by fluoroscopy during tidal respiration and fluoroscopy during induction of cough. Digital images were assessed for the presence or absence of collapse at the trachea and each lobar bronchus. Bronchoscopy was performed under general anesthesia for identification of tracheobronchial collapse at each lung segment. Agreement of imaging tests with bronchoscopy was evaluated along with sensitivity and specificity of imaging modalities as compared to bronchoscopy.

Results

Airway collapse was identified in 41/42 dogs via 1 or more testing modalities. Percent agreement between pairs of tests varied between 49 and 87% with poor–moderate agreement at most bronchial sites. Sensitivity for the detection of bronchoscopically identified collapse was highest for radiography at the trachea, left lobar bronchi, and the right middle bronchus, although specificity was relatively low. Detection of airway collapse was increased when fluoroscopy was performed after induction of cough compared to during tidal respiration.

Conclusions

Radiography and fluoroscopy are complementary imaging techniques useful in the documentation of bronchial collapse in dogs. Confirming the presence or absence of tracheal or bronchial collapse can require multiple imaging modalities as well as bronchoscopy.     

模拟酸雨对棉花子叶呼吸作用的影响——兼讨论植物在逆境胁迫下的两种胁变模式

以棉花子叶为材料研究了模拟酸雨对呼吸作用的影响。发现:棉花子叶呼吸强度与酸雨 pH 值之间呈一不规则单峰曲线关系,适度的胁迫能刺激子叶呼吸强度应激上升,过度的胁迫则抑制乃至终止呼吸作用;子叶呼吸强度与胁程之间在强酸雨(pH2.5～0.5)、中等强度酸雨(pH3.5～3.0)和低强度酸雨(pH5.0～4.0)胁迫下分别表现为负相关关系、单峰曲线关系和正相关关系;子叶呼吸强度应激上升的峰值与胁程之间呈正相关关系。呼吸强度应激上升的范围随胁程延长而缩小并移向高 pH 值,导致呼吸终止的 pH 值也是随胁程延长而移向高 pH 值,这共同说明:酸雨胁强与胁程对子叶呼吸作用的抑制具有协同加强的效应。本文还提出了植物在逆境胁迫中的两种胁变模式——生理性有序防御和机械性无序崩溃,并作了较仔细的讨论。     

LUNG LOBE COLLAPSE

The radiographic changes caused by collapse of lung lobes in pulmonary disease, pneumothorax, and pleural effusion depend on the lobar recoiling force and local pleural pressure. Differences in the tendency of normal lung lobes or regions to collapse depend on the relative surface-to-volume ratio, determined by shape and size of the region or lobe. This ratio affects the physiologic parameters of pulmonary interdependence, compliance, and collateral air flow. Pulmonary surfactant increases compliance, particularly at low volumes, maintains alveolar stability, and assists in maintaining capillary patency and preventing pulmonary edema. Its loss due to lung injury increases collapsing forces. In the presence of pneumothorax or pleural effusion, diseases that cause lobar collapse produce localized air or fluid entrapment that is a diagnostic sign of the presence of the underlying pulmonary disease.     

The prevalence of dynamic pharyngeal collapse is high in brachycephalic dogs undergoing videofluoroscopy

The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the frequency of pharyngeal collapse in a large group of brachycephalic dogs undergoing videofluoroscopic assessment of swallowing or airway diameter. We hypothesized that brachycephalic dogs would have pharyngeal collapse more frequently than dolichocephalic or mesocephalic dogs with or without airway collapse. The medical records database was searched for brachycephalic dogs undergoing videofluoroscopy of swallowing or airway diameter between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2015. A cohort of dolichocephalic/mesocephalic dogs with videofluoroscopically confirmed airway collapse was age and time matched for comparison. A control group of dolichocephalic/mesocephalic dogs that did not have documented airway collapse was also evaluated. All fluoroscopic studies were assessed by a board certified veterinary radiologist for the presence and degree of pharyngeal collapse. Results demonstrate that pharyngeal collapse was significantly more common in brachycephalic dogs (58/82; 72%) than in nonbrachycephalic dogs with (7/25; 28%) and without (2/30; 7%) airway collapse. Pharyngeal collapse is more prevalent in brachycephalic dogs undergoing videofluoroscopy than in dolichocephalic/mesocephalic dogs with or without airway collapse.     

Development of Specific PCR Primers for Identification and Detection of Rhizopycnis vagum

Rhizopycnis vagum is a recently described coelomycete known to belong to the complex of root rot pathogens contributing to vine decline of cucurbits in several parts of the world. However, the fungus has also been reported to infect tomato, and as an endophytic associate of mycorrhizal roots of wild, asymptomatic Pinus halepensis and Rosmarinus officinalis plants in Italy. To accelerate epidemiological and ecological investigations on this fungus, a PCR primer pair was developed. Primers Rv1-F and Rv1-R were designed, based on alignment of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2), which amplified a 396-bp fragment from all R. vagum isolates tested, including isolates pathogenic to melons and endophytic isolates from mycorrhizae. Specificity of the primer pair was verified both in silico (BLAST searches using each primer string as a query) and in PCR assays, where the primers failed to amplify DNA from any isolate of fungi taxonomically related to R. vagum (e.g. Massarina walkeri and Stagonospora spp.) and other vine decline and common soilborne pathogens (e.g. Monasporascus cannonballus, Acremonium cucurbitacearum, Fusarium spp. and Rhizoctonia solani). Under optimum conditions, detectable amplification of the specific sequence required 0.05 pg of target DNA. Amplification of the expected 369-bp fragment was also obtained from DNA root extracts of nearly asymptomatic Cucumis melo plants inoculated with R. vagum under greenhouse conditions.     

干旱半干旱地区采煤塌陷对沙质土壤水分特性的影响

随着西部大开发政策的实施,在干旱、半干旱地区的大规模煤炭开采活动对环境造成的影响已日渐凸现,成为亟待解决的问题。本项研究以神府—东胜煤田的补连塔矿区为研究对象,针对采煤造成的地表塌陷是否对土壤水分特性产生影响进行了研究,结果显示:研究区土壤含水量在6、7月份相对较低,在3%左右;这一时期降雨量相对较少,大气蒸发力强,又处于植物生长旺盛季节,所以土壤水分的变化对植物生长影响极为显著。对土壤容重影响较大的因子是坡面坡度及土壤层次,采煤造成土体塌陷对土壤容重影响较小。塌陷区的土壤含水量一般小于非塌陷区。这主要是因为塌陷后产生的裂缝增大了土壤蒸发面积,进一步降低了土壤水分。     

保水剂在寒旱高原黄土丘陵山区退耕还林中的应用

通过对SAP和旱露植宝两种保水剂在寒旱高原黄土丘陵山区退耕还林试验，结果表明，这两种保水剂对苗木成活率和高生长均具有明显促进作用。