Cholangiocarcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Stratified Epithelial Portion of the Stomach in a Horse: A Case Report

Both cholangiocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the stomach stratified squamous epithelial portion are rarely found in equine medicine despite being more common in human beings, dogs, and cats. The objective of the present article was to report the simultaneous occurrences of these two types of neoplasias in an 11-year-old mare. Numerous firm, whitish nodules were distributed throughout the liver parenchyma and those protruding over its surface were umbilicated in their appearance. It was verified that the nodules adhered to the peritoneum and omentum, diaphragm, spleen, and stomach serosa compressed the adjacent structures. The stomach stratified squamous epithelial portion, particularly originating in the margo plicatus toward the cardia, was covered by numerous smooth, whitish spherules. Microscopic examination allowed the liver, tumor, and the abdominal implants to be identified as a cholangiocarcinoma, and the stomach neoplasia as a carcinoma of its stratified squamous epithelial portion. Considering this as an uncommon finding, although when considered individually, the presence of a cholangiocarcinoma and a squamous cell carcinoma of the stratified squamous epithelial portion of the equine stomach in the same specimen is worthy of reporting.     

Survey of pathogens in hatchery Chinook salmon with different out-migration histories through the Snake and Columbia rivers

The operation of the Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS) has negatively affected threatened and endangered salmonid populations in the Pacific Northwest. Barging Snake River spring Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha through the FCRPS is one effort to mitigate the effect of the hydrosystem on juvenile salmon out-migration. However, little is known about the occurrence and transmission of infectious agents in barged juvenile salmon relative to juvenile salmon that remain in-river to navigate to the ocean. We conducted a survey of hatchery-reared spring Chinook salmon at various points along their out-migration path as they left their natal hatcheries and either migrated in-river or were barged through the FCRPS. Salmon kidneys were screened by polymerase chain reaction for nine pathogens and one family of water molds. Eight pathogens were detected; the most prevalent were Renibacterium salmoninarum and infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus. Species in the family Saprolegniaceae were also commonly detected. Pathogen prevalence was significantly greater in fish that were barged through the FCRPS than in fish left to out-migrate in-river. These results suggest that the transmission of infectious agents to susceptible juvenile salmon occurs during the barging process. Therefore, management activities that reduce pathogen exposure during barging may increase the survival of juvenile Chinook salmon after they are released.     

Ovarian fluid pH enhances motility parameters of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) spermatozoa

All evidence to date suggest that sperm motility is the primary determinant of fertilization success in externally fertilizing fish species. Ovarian fluid, which comprises 10–30% of the total egg volume in salmonids, enhances sperm motility with respect to swimming speed, trajectory and the duration of movement. It was recently demonstrated that there is individual variability in sperm motility enhancing potential of ovarian fluid of particular females. In the present study we examined the effect of particular ovarian fluids collected from 31 females on the sperm motility parameters of one male of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) using computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA). During our experiment we also monitored the pH of ovarian fluid. We found that particular fluids differed in the ability to activate spermatozoa; sperm remained immotile in four fluids and exhibited 50–100% motility in 27 samples. The percentage of motile sperm, velocity and duration of movement positively correlated with ovarian fluid pH (r² = 0.34–0.62). These data strongly suggest that the pH of the ovarian fluid is the primary determinant of sperm motility in rainbow trout under natural conditions of fertilization.     

Urban agriculture of the future: an overview of sustainability aspects of food production in and on buildings

Innovative forms of green urban architecture aim to combine food, production, and design to produce food on a larger scale in and on buildings in urban areas. It includes rooftop gardens, rooftop greenhouses, indoor farms, and other building-related forms (defined as “ZFarming”). This study uses the framework of sustainability to understand the role of ZFarming in future urban food production and to review the major benefits and limitations. The results are based on an analysis of 96 documents published in accessible international resources. The analysis shows that ZFarming has multiple functions and produces a range of non-food and non-market goods that may have positive impacts on the urban setting. It promises environmental benefits resulting from the saving and recycling of resources and reduced food miles. Social advantages include improving community food security, the provision of educational facilities, linking consumers to food production, and serving as a design inspiration. In economic terms it provides potential public benefits and commodity outputs. However, managing ZFarming faces several challenges. For some applications, the required technologies are known but have not been used or combined in that way before; others will need entirely new materials or cultivation techniques. Further critical aspects are the problem of high investment costs, exclusionary effects, and a lack of acceptance. In conclusion, ZFarming is seen as an outside-the-box solution which has some potential in generating win–win scenarios in cities. Nevertheless, ZFarming practices are not in and of themselves sustainable and need to be managed properly.     

Identification of calcium-binding proteins in fish seminal plasma

Calcium ions play an important role in the activation of fish sperm movement. The mechanism of their binding in semen is still unknown. The goal of this study was the development of a method for identifying calcium-binding proteins in fish seminal plasma. Two methods of calcium-binding proteins detection were tested with the use of Quin2 and Stains-all dyes. The first method was useful for the identification of calcium-binding proteins of fish seminal plasma. It consisted of proteins separation using SDS–PAGE, transfer on PVDF membrane, incubation with CaCl₂, staining with Quin2 and illumination with UV light to reveal calcium-binding protein bands. Using Quin2 allowed the detection of calcium-binding proteins with low and high molecular weight. Electrophoretic species-specific profiles of calcium-binding proteins were identified in the seminal plasma of carp, whitefish, roach, brook trout, brown trout and rainbow trout. Staining of calcium-binding proteins with Quin2 is a quick and safe method, allowing the identification of calcium-binding proteins in fish semen.     

The ultrastructure of cellulose from wood

Summary Since in these studies wood is used as basic material for the isolation of cellulose the structure and the composition of this planty substance were considered in greater detail. New measurements of the fiber dimensions and the thickness of the cell wall layers of typical springwood and summerwood tracheids in combination with data obtained from literature led to a model showing the most probable distribution of cellulose, polyoses, and lignin within the cell wall. The ultrastructural composition of the wood cell wall has been deduced from the properties and the behaviour of the cell wall components. The described model will be the basis for subsequent considerations.

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Zusammenfassung Da bei diesen Untersuchungen Holz das Ausgangsmaterial zur Isolierung von Cellulose bildet, wurden die Struktur und die Zusammensetzung dieser pflanzlichen Substanz näher betrachtet. Neue Messungen der Faserdimensionen und der Dicke der einzelnen Wandschichten typischer Früh- und Spätholztracheiden in Verbindung mit Literaturwerten führten zu einem Modell, das die wahrscheinlichste Verteilung von Cellulose, Polyosen und Lignin innerhalb der Zellwand zeigt. Die ultrastrukturelle Zusammensetzung der verholzten Zellwand wurde aus den Eigenschaften und dem Verhalten der Zellwandkomponenten abgeleitet. Das beschriebene Modell wird die Grundlage für nachfolgende Betrachtungen bilden.

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Dedicated in appreciation to my esteemed teacher Prof. Dr.-Ing. Georg Jayme, on the occasion of his 70th birthday.     

Aging and fossilization of wood and its components

Summary Aging of wood begins with the cutting of a tree. The subsequent changes of the wood substance proceed very slowly and depend on environmental conditions. In a hot, dry desert climate wooden objects and cellulose textiles are preserved for several millenia, whereas their degradation is accelerated by conditions which favor the attack of microorganisms.Two conditions under which aging processes take place can be distinguished: a) aerobic conditions as prevailing in wooden buildings, sculptures etc.; b) anaerobic conditions valid for wooden items buried in the ground or submerged in water such as foundation pillars, ships etc. Submersion and underground embedding initiate the very slow process of fossilization in which the cell wall substance is transformed into highly condensed compounds (coalification) or is substituted by minerals (silicification).The various wood components are subjected to different kinds of degradation and conversion. The polysaccharides disappear with aging and seem to be more sensitive than lignin. Although more resistant, the lignin is converted chemically and its structure differs increasingly from its original state. Even extractives may survive millions of years.Academy Lecture presented at the IAWA IUFRO Wood Anatomy Symposium 1990, in Zürich, Switzerland, on 24th July 1990I wish to express my gratitude to members of my staff who have been involved in the study of ancient and fossilized wood as well as of Egyptian linen for the past 23 years: Monika Friedl, Margarete Przyklenk, Manfred Stoll, Ulrike Wegener, Maria Wenzkowski. Many thanks to the guests in my laboratory who worked in this field and whose results were included in this report: Yoon Soo Kim (Kwangju, Korea), Renzo Tomellini (Rome, Italy). And last but not least I am much indebted to several colleagues who provided me with slides or gave permission to reproduce their figures for the Academy Lecture: Takeshi Furuno (Matsue, Shimane, Japan) Dietger Grosser (Munich, FRG), John I. Hedges (Seattle, Wash., USA), Per Hoffmann (Bremerhaven, FRG), John R. Obst (Madison, Wisc., USA). Sylvia Schoske (Munich, FRG)