Early eocene vertebrates from baja california: evidence for intracontinental age correlations

Newly discovered fossils support a Wasatchian (early Eocene) age for the Punta Prieta vertebrate fauna of Baja California and reveal the utility of land mammal ages on a continental scale. Dispersal scenarios for late Paleocene and early Eocene vertebrates usually invoke heterochrony for similar, but geographically separated, faunas or taxa. Such heterochrony is not supported by independent geochronologies or adequate geographic samples.     

Biting attack elicited by stimulation of the ventral midbrain tegmentum of cats

An area in the ventral midbrain tegmentum has been discovered in which electrical stimulation elicits biting attack. The midbrain sites from which attack was elicited correspond well with the zone in the midbrain tegmentum where degeneration was previously observed after lesions were made in lateral hypothalamic attack sites.     

Transvenous retrograde portography for identification and characterization of portosystemic shunts in dogs

Transvenous retrograde portography for identification and characterization of portosystemic shunts in dogs A method for transvenous retrograde portography (TRP) in dogs suspected to have a portosystemic shunt (PSS) and results in 20 dogs are described. For TRP, dogs were anesthetized and positioned in left lateral recumbency A dual-lumen balloon-tipped catheter was inserted into the right jugular vein and advanced into the azygos vein. The balloon was inflated to occlude the azygos vein, and contrast material was injected during fluoroscopic evaluation. The catheter was then positioned in the caudal vena cava just cranial to the diaphragm. The balloon was again inflated to occlude the vena cava, and contrast material was again injected. Once a shunt was identified, selective catheterization was attempted with a guide wire and angled catheter. A PSS was identified in 18 of the 20 dogs. In 10 of the 18, the shunt vessel could be selectively catheterized, allowing measurement of portal pressures while the shunt was occluded with the balloon. In 1 dog, results of TRP were normal, but subsequent exploratory celiotomy revealed a single extrahepatic PSS, which was surgically attenuated. The other dog in which results of TRP were normal did not have a macroscopic PSS. In dogs suspected to have a PSS, TRP may be a useful adjunctive diagnostic test that is less invasive than operative mesenteric vein portography and allows measurement of portal pressures before and after temporary shunt occlusion.     

中国赢得美国木制品市场份额

木材资源国际公司(WRI)是一家位于美国华盛顿州的咨询公司，提供全球木材市场的信息和研究服务。1987年以来，公司已经完成了35个国家的170余个咨询项目。WRI已经同中国木业国际网(China Wood International)共同开展了许多有关木材和木材制品的市场调研项目。我们感到高兴的是中国木业国际网已在从事这个杂志的经营，并且愿意致力于一个定期的栏目，讨论有关中国木材制品的国际贸易方面令人感兴趣的这些问题。这次讨论重点是中国在美国的市场份额持续增长的重要性。     

On the Introduction of Phytophagous Fishes into Gravity-flow Irrigation Systems in the Sudan

This paper describes gravity-flow type irrigation schemes in the Sudan and the economic and biological problems associated with the build-up of aquatic weeds. Economic problems include loss of production through water loss and biological problems and an increase in the water-associated vectors of the diseases malaria and bilharzia. The case for and possible advantage of the introduction of phytophagous fishes into the canals for aquatic weed control is discussed. Two species are suggested, the exotic Chinese grass carp and the endemic Tilapia zillii. The environmental effects of both are discussed with reference to the possibility of natural spawning in the schemes and escape into natural waters outside the schemes. The potential reduction of water-associated vectors of diseases through removal of aquatic weeds indicates a considerable social and economic advantage to their Introduction. It is concluded that experiments should continue on the introduction of grass carp whilst experiments should begin on the introduction of the alternative T. zillii, the promising potential of which is at present being ignored.     

Influence of dietary alpha-tocopherol on tocopherol concentrations in chick tissues

1. The effect of feeding alpha-tocopherol (5 to 180 micrograms/g diet) for 24 days on the concentrations of alpha-tocopherol in various chicken tissues was investigated. 2. Tissue alpha-tocopherol concentrations responded to dietary intake in the order: heart congruent to lung greater than liver greater than thigh muscle greater than brain, and in all cases the relationship between the concentrations of dietary and tissue alpha-tocopherol was highly significant (0.997 less than or equal to r less than or equal to 1). 3. Plasma alpha-tocopherol concentration appears to be a good index (r greater than or equal to 0.910, P less than 0.001) of alpha-tocopherol status of lung, liver and heart.     

Comparison of core needle biopsy and fine-needle aspiration of enlarged peripheral lymph nodes for antemortem diagnosis of enzootic bovine lymphosarcoma in cattle

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether antemortem core needle biopsy and fine-needle aspiration of enlarged peripheral lymph nodes could be used to distinguish between inflammation and lymphosarcoma in cattle. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 25 cattle with enlarged peripheral lymph nodes. PROCEDURES: Antemortem biopsies of the selected lymph nodes were performed with an 18-gauge, 12-cm core needle biopsy instrument. Fine-needle aspirates were performed with a 20-gauge, 4-cm needle. Specimens were analyzed by pathologists who were unaware of clinical findings and final necropsy findings, and specimens were categorized as reactive, neoplastic, or nondiagnostic for comparison with necropsy results. RESULTS: Sensitivity and specificity of core needle biopsy ranged from 38% to 67% and from 80% to 25%, respectively. Sensitivity of fine-needle aspiration ranged from 41% to 53%, and specificity was 100%. Predictive values for positive test results ranged from 77% to 89% for core needle biopsy and were 100% for fine-needle aspiration. Predictive values for negative test results were low for both core needle biopsy and fine-needle aspiration. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicated that core needle biopsy and fine-needle aspiration can aid in the antemortem diagnosis of bovine enzootic lymphosarcoma. Results of fine-needle aspiration of enlarged peripheral lymph nodes were more specific and more predictive for a positive test result than were results of core needle biopsy.