Use of transesophageal atrial pacing to provide temporary chronotropic support in a dog undergoing permanent pacemaker implantation

A 14.5-kg, 13-year-old female spayed Cocker spaniel was evaluated because of episodic hind limb weakness. Results of examination were consistent with sick sinus syndrome with intermittent second-degree atrioventricular block. Transesophageal atrial pacing was successful in providing chronotropic support during permanent pacemaker implantation. Transesophageal atrial pacing appears to be a viable option for temporary atrial pacing in dogs with hemodynamically marked bradycardia without significant atrioventricular blockade.     

Confirmation of hybrid origin in Arisaema (Araceae) using molecular markers

A population of hybrids between Arisaema triphyllum subsp. stewardsonii and A. dracontium was investigated using molecular markers to document the hybrid origin. Total genomic DNA was extracted from A. triphyllum, A. dracontium, and the hybrids, and subjected to sequence analysis of various regions of intergenic spacer and genes of chloroplast or intergenic spacer and genes of nuclear ribosome for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Clustering was performed using the unweighted pair group method with averages (UPGMA) tested by bootstrap (BS). Hybrid origin could not be easily confirmed in some regions. However, dendrograms constructed with a combined sequence analysis of A. triphyllum 26S ribosomal RNA gene [sequence identification (SI) 467] plus A. tortuosum phytochrome C-like (phyC) gene (SI 468) were very similar to dendrograms constructed from sequences of all regions. This suggests that selecting SI 467 and SI 468 would be practical to identify hybrid origins involving two parental species. Clustering of hybrids together with the female parent in most target regions suggests that, in Arisaema, cpDNA is considered maternally inherited.     

Über die Empfindlichkeit von Syrphidenlarven gegen Pflanzenschutzmittel

Zusammenfassung In einigen nach verschiedenen Methoden durchgeführten Testversuchen wird festgestellt, daß Syrphidenlarven durch eine Reihe von aphidiziden Pflanzenschußmitteln völlig oder zum Teil ausgeschaltet werden; dies gilt insbesondere für direkten Kontakt mit diesen Mitteln. Junglarven sind giftempfindlicher als Altlarven. Durch Applikation systemisch wirkender Mittel an syrphidenfreie Teile der Pflanzen kann die Mortalität dieser Blattlausfeinde beträchtlich gesenkt werden.     

Eine rationalisierte Methode zur Zucht des BuchdruckersIps typographus L. (Coleoptera,Scolytidae)

A newly developed method for rearing ofIps typographus L. is presented. This method minimizes the input of labour and improves the success of rearing.     

Simultaneous analysis of grain and grain-based products for ethylene dibromide, carbon tetrachloride, and ethylene dichloride

A method is described for the simultaneous measurement of parts per billion levels of the fumigants ethylene dibromide, carbon tetrachloride, and ethylene dichloride in grain and grain-based products. The fumigants are isolated by hexane co-distillation, separated by capillary gas chromatography, and detected with a mass spectrometer in the selected ion monitoring mode. Recoveries are greater than 90% and standard deviations are approximately 10% of the quantity measured. The method is free of interferences and its precision and accuracy are enhanced by the use of tetradeuterated ethylene dibromide and ethylene dichloride as internal standards.     

Quantifying the fine scale (1km × 1km) exposure,dose and effects of ozone: Part 2 estimating yield losses for agricultural crops

In Britain wheat is an important crop accounting for 41% of the total cereal production. In this study ozone concentrations for 1989 estimated as described in Part 1 of the paper are integrated with the estimated wheat distribution to derive a detailed estimate of the impact of ozone on wheat yields at a fine spatial scale (1km × 1km). These data provide estimates for calculating regional and national yield losses. The methodology can be applied to other crop species. Recent research on a range of crops has established relationships between the economic yield loss for certain crops, including wheat, and ozone exposure. Exposure is described as the accumulated exposure above a threshold experienced during the daylight hours (AOT). Critical AOT values are derived from yield exposure relationships which show linear reductions of yield loss with increasing ozone concentrations. This study has made use of land cover data from remotely sensed imagery at 25m resolution and nationally collected agricultural statistics for counties. These data were combined using an areal interpolation technique to provide more spatially articulate estimates of the location and intensity of wheat production. The results demonstrate the economic importance of ozone as a pollutant. Wheat yield losses attributed to ozone vary between different parts of the country but, for years when ozone levels are high, yield losses are likely to be significant in some areas.     

Increasing incomes of Malian cotton farmers: Is elimination of US subsidies the only solution?

In a WTO battle and the press the argument is often made that eliminating US cotton subsidies would have a large effect on the incomes and competitive position of farmers in developing countries. In Francophone West Africa cotton productivity has stagnated after rapid gains in the first two decades following independence (1960-1980). A farm model was constructed based on farmers’ definition of their decision-making framework which they use to respond to income and weather risks. With this model the effects on farmers of eliminating US subsidies are compared with various productivity increasing measures for cotton and sorghum in Dioila, Mali. Dioila is located in a representative cotton region producing 16% of the cotton in Mali. We include sorghum due to its importance for consumption and the observation of Malian farmers substituting cereals (sorghum and maize) for cotton as the returns to cotton have fallen in the 21st Century. In the farm model, the elasticity of transmission of a change in the world cotton price to the farm gate price is taken into account. The gains from eliminating US subsides are small. In contrast, the various technological alternatives including Bt cotton introduction, the use of higher fertilization levels for cotton, and the introduction of improved sorghum cultivars and moderate fertilization along with a marketing package all have substantially higher returns Even with substantial improvement in the mechanisms enabling farmers to benefit from the higher prices resulting from elimination of US subsidies, there are still much higher returns resulting from the various types of productivity increases.     

The present and future of withdrawal period calculations for milk in the European Union: dealing with data below the limit of quantification

The assessment of withdrawal periods for milk is affected by the occurrence of data below the lower analytical quantification limit (BLQ data) and the resulting uncertainty. The current regulatory approach for dealing with BLQ residues is simple and easy: BLQ data (and missing data) are arbitrarily reassigned a value of one‐half the LOQ before any calculation on the data with one of the three currently applicable methods. Here, we reconsider the determination of the withdrawal period of milk with data below the limit of quantification. Theoretical background on analytical limits and pharmacometric considerations will be established. Then, we analyze the uncertainty problems caused by the current approach and propose a calculation solution (maximum‐likelihood estimation handling left‐censored data) included in nonlinear mixed‐effects modeling. Finally, we illustrate this issue using a case example.     

Sudden cardiac death in a dog during Holter recording—R on T phenomenon

A 6-year-old castrated male Golden Retriever was diagnosed with severe subaortic stenosis with severe left atrial enlargement and high heart rate due to atrial fibrillation. Treatment with digoxin and diltiazem to control ventricular response rate was initiated. Ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring (Holter monitoring) was performed at the beginning of treatment and was repeated to evaluate the patient's response to drug therapy. Drug dose adjustments were made based on response to therapy as assessed by Holter monitoring. The dog experienced sudden death at home 19 days after beginning treatment while wearing the Holter monitor. Analysis of the Holter recording revealed marked increase in number and complexity of ventricular arrhythmias. A ventricular premature complex occurring on a T wave (R on T) was noted preceding the polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. This arrhythmia immediately degenerated into ventricular fibrillation followed by asystole. This case report describes the arrhythmia that preceded cardiac arrest and reviews the risk factors that could have potentiated the fatal arrhythmia in this dog.