Cerebral Blastomyces dermatitidis infection in a cat

CASE DESCRIPTION: An 8-year-old domestic shorthair cat was evaluated because of signs of depression, circling, and visual deficits. CLINICAL FINDINGS: The cat had no cutaneous lesions, and results of an ophthalmologic examination and thoracic radiography were within reference limits. Computed tomography of the brain revealed a mass lesion involving the right parietal, temporal, and occipital lobes; the mass was in broad-based contact with the skull and smoothly marginated and had strong homogenous enhancement after contrast agent administration. During craniectomy, samples of the mass were collected for cytologic and histopathologic evaluations and microbial culture. A diagnosis of Blastomyces dermatitidis-associated meningoencephalitis with secondary pyogranulomatous inflammation was made. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Amphotericin B (0.25 mg/kg [0.11 mg/lb], IV) was administered on alternate days (cumulative dose, 1.75 mg/kg [0.8 mg/lb]). To minimize the risk of nephrotoxicosis, assessments of serum biochemical variables (urea nitrogen and creatinine concentrations) and urinalyses were performed at intervals. The third dose of amphotericin B was postponed 48 hours because the cat became azotemic. The cat subsequently received fluconazole (10 mg/kg [4.5 mg/lb], PO, q 12 h) for 5.5 months. Six months after discontinuation of that treatment, the cat appeared healthy and had no signs of relapse. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Brain infection with B dermatitidis is typically associated with widespread disseminated disease. The cat of this report had no evidence of systemic disease. Blastomycosis of the CNS should be considered as a differential diagnosis for brain lesions in cats from areas in which B dermatitidis is endemic.     

EinBatrachospermum der Sektion Contorta Skuja aus Kuba

Zusammenfassung Es wird über ein Vorkommen der bisher nur aus China bekannten Süßwasser-RotalgeBatrachospermum intortum Jao 1941 an mehreren Standorten im gebirgigen Osten (Provinz Oriente) der Insel Kuba berichtet. Es dürfte sich um den ersten Nachweis der Gattung für diese Antilleninsel handeln.

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ABatrachospermum, Sect. Contorta Skuja from Cuba

Summary Batrachospermum intortum hitherto known only from China, was found on several localities in the mountainous eastern part of Cuba (Prov. Oriente). This may be the first report of the genus for this island.

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Batrachospermum Contorta Skuja

Batrachospermum intortum Jao 1941, , . ( ). .

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Ergebnisse der 1. Kubanisch-deutschen Alexander von Humboldt-Expedition 1967/68, Nr. 33.     

Süßwasser-Algenarten in Einzeldarstellung VI.Spirogyra gaterslebensis,eine neue Art der Sektion Salamacis

Summary Spirogyra gaterslebensis nov. spec.Vegetative cells 18–21 × (88,5-) 109–182 (–223,5) µm, with replicate end walls. 1 Chromatophore, making (4-) 5–6 (–8) turns, rarely 2 Chromatophores with (1,5-) 2 (–3) turns. Conjugation lateral and scalariform; tubes formed ± by both gametangia; fertile cells abruptly inflated to 41,5–52,0 (–70,0) µm in diameter. Zygospores ellipsoid 26,0–34,0–45,0 (–52,0) × 41,5–47,0–78,0 (–96,0) µm; median spore wall yellow, finely punctate, on the poles sometimes with a few wrinkles.In the GDR in a road ditch between Gatersleben and Quedlinburg with shallow, slowly running water, together withVaucheria woroniniana Heering V. debaryana Woronin andV. sessilis (Vauch.) D.C. April–Mai 1967.

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. VI.Spirogyra gaterslebensis, Salamacis

Spirogyra gaterslebensis nov. spec. : , Vaucheria woroniniana Heering,V. debaryana Woronin V. sessilis (Vauch.) D. C. 25. IV — 16. V. 1967. . .

     

Laminar sorption and swelling theory for wood and cellulose

Summary The known requirements for the sorption and swelling of wood are reviewed. These are shown to be compatible, in the case of softwoods, with the following simplified model. The fibers are continuous with either rectangular or circular cross sections and lumen of the same shape with a constant size. The fiber walls consist of concentric lamina made up of small repeating units 100 Å by 100 Å, consisting of a microcrystalline core surrounded by an amorphous sheath. All sorption and swelling occurs at the surfaces of or within the amorphous sheath. The major portion of the sorption and swelling is inter-laminar with just sufficient intra-laminar sorption and swelling to avoid laminar distortion. Calculations give the generally accepted internal sorption surface for water of about 200 square meters per gram. The portion of the total sorption that is intra-laminar varies from 5 ... 20 percent in going from wood with a specific gravity of 0.3 ... 1.0. Thickness of sorption in water molecules per sorption site vary from 6.1 ... 4.9 for inter-laminar sorption and 0.35 ... 1.35 for intra-laminar sorption in going from wood with a specific gravity of 0.3 to one of 1.0. Similar values are obtained from experimental swelling data where lumen cross sections change. Similar calculations for super swelling of wood and pulps show that laminar separations may become sufficiently great to be microscopically visible. The calculations show that bound water fiber saturation points for wood normally fall in the range of 25 ... 40 percent. Super swollen wood, chemically isolated fibers and beaten fibers may as a result of reduced restraints have fiber saturation points greater than 150 percent. The latter are attributed to dispersion or diffusion forces rather than the conventional bound water forces of hydrogen bonding for intact wood.

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Zusammenfassung Die bekannten Bedingungen für die Sorption und Quellung von Holz werden erörtert. Sie sind auf Nadelholz unter Anwendung des folgenden, vereinfachten Modells anwendbar. Die Fasern sind durchgehend und haben rechteckigen oder kreisförmigen Querschnitt, mit Zellhohlräumen gleicher Form und konstanter Größe. Die Faserwände bestehen aus konzentrisch angeordneten Schichten, die wiederum aus kleinen, sich wiederholenden 100 ×100 großen Einheiten zusammengesetzt sind; diese wiederum bestehen aus einem mikrokristallinen Kern, umgeben von einer amorphen Auflagerung. Alle Sorptions- und Quellungsvorgänge finden an der Oberfläche oder innerhalb dieser amorphen Auflagerung statt; sie spielen sich in der Hauptsache in der Schicht selbst ab (inter-laminar), jedoch findet genügend Zwischenschicht-Sorption und-Quellung (intra-laminar) statt, um Verformungen der Schichten zu vermeiden. Durch Berechnung erhält man die allgemein anerkannte Größe der inneren Sorptionsfläche für Wasser von etwa 200 m²/g. Der Anteil der intra-laminaren Sorption an der Gesamtsorption schwankt zwischen 5 und 20% bei Holz mit Rohdichten von 0.3 bis 1.0. Die Schichtdicke der sorbierten Wassermoleküle je Sorptionsstelle liegt für inter-laminare Sorption zwischen 6.1 und 4.9, und für intra-laminare Sorption zwischen 0.35 und 1.35 bei Holz mit Rohdichten zwischen 0.3 bis 1.0. Ähnliche Werte ergaben sich aus experimentell ermittelten Quellungsdaten bei Zellhohlräumen mit sich änderndem Querschnitt. Vergleichbare Berechnungen der Super-Quellung des Holzes und des Zellstoffes zeigen, daß laminare Abtrennungen so groß werden können, daß sie mikroskopisch sichtbar werden. Sie zeigen ferner, daß die Fasersättigungspunkte bei gebundenem Wasser meist zwischen 25 und 40% liegen. Extrem gequollenes Holz, chemisch herausgelöste und gemahlene Fasern können aufgrund verringerter Behinderung Fasersättigungspunkte über 150% erreichen. Diese letztere Erscheinung ist eher den Dispersions- oder Diffusionskräften zuzuschreiben als den Kräften aus Wasserstoffbrücken des gebundenen Wassers im intakten Holz.

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Paper No. 2743 of the Journal Series of the N. C. State University Agricultural Experiment Station, Raleigh, North Carolina.

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Anselme Payen award paper of the Cellulose, Wood and Fiber Div., Am. Chem. Soc. presented at their 156th National Meeting in Atlantic City, New Jersey, September, 1968.     

Prospects for increasing photosynthesis by control of photorespiration

Photorespiration in plants is defined and discussed. The possibility of increasing crop yields by controlling photorespiration, particularly by inhibiting the initial reaction, is considered.     

Heterosis and combining ability for yield and resistance to grain mold in tannin-free photoperiod-insensitive sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L) Moench] in Senegal

Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology - Increasing sorghum production per unit area in the farmer’s field by developing high yielding tannin-free and grain mold tolerant varieties in...     

Penetration of hardwoods by liquids

Summary Oven dry highly evacuated sticks of the sapwood of various hardwoods, 40 cm long by 1.0 to 1.2 cm in the radial and tangential directions, took up water to the extent of 44 to 82% of saturation by capillary flow in one minute. Heartwood sticks took up 15 to 38% of saturation in one minute. The initial rapid penetration was followed by a penetration in which the take up increase directly with the square root of elapsed time. In this range, the slope of toluene take up plots was about twice that of the water take up. This is close to the theoratical value on the basis of viscous flow control. The linear portion of the plots is followed by a curvilinear decrease in rate of take up to a final equilibrium value. Water take ups approached 100% of the theoretical values.Times to 0.99 of theoretical filling with water varied from 9 minutes for tupelo gum sapwood to 14.6 to 17.3 days for white oak heartwood. Complete filling with toluene was never attained. Diffuse porous hardwoods filled to the extent of 93.5 to 96.5% of saturation. Ring porous oaks filled to the extent of 88 to 92%, the lower values being for heartwood. Edge coating of the sapwood of yellow poplar and yellow birch with epoxy glue reduced the rate of penetration only slightly. End coating reduced the rate to a higher degree. Moisture gradients in the fiber direction for tyloses-free hardwoods were negligible at various stages of penetration, indicating that filling of the vessels was practically instantaneous. White oak heartwood gave an initial longitudinal gradient followed by a negligible gradient, indicating that longitudinal penetration is primarily through the lumen of the fibers rather than continously through the vessels. Longitudinal penetration was calculated to be 31.5 times as deep as transverse penetration in 100 minutes and 33.3 times as deep in 25 minutes for white oak heartwood. The ratios are of the same order of magnitude as for Loblolly pine. In both cases the ratios are smaller than values calculated from the fiber dimensions alone as ray cell penetration and cross grain effects tend to lower the ratios.Paper No. 3947 of the Journal Series of North Carolina State University Agricultural Experiment Station, Raleigh, N. C.