Comparison of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging for the evaluation of canine intranasal neoplasia

O bjectives : Canine intranasal neoplasia is commonly evaluated using computed tomography to indicate the diagnosis, to determine disease extent, to guide histological sampling location and to plan treatment. With the expanding use of magnetic resonance imaging in veterinary medicine, this modality has been recently applied for the same purpose. The aim of this study was to compare the features of canine intranasal neoplasia using computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.
M ethods : Twenty-one dogs with confirmed intranasal neoplasia underwent both computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. The images were reviewed retrospectively for the bony and soft tissue features of intranasal neoplasia.
R esults : Overall computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging performed very similarly. However, lysis of bones bordering the nasal cavity and mucosal thickening was found on computed tomography images more often than on magnetic resonance images. Small amounts of fluid in the nasal cavity were more often seen on magnetic resonance images. However, fluid in the frontal sinuses was seen equally well with both modalities.
C linical S ignificance : We conclude that computed tomography is satisfactory for evaluation of canine intranasal neoplasia, and no clinically relevant benefit is gained using magnetic resonance imaging for intranasal neoplasia without extent into the cranial cavity.     

Socio-Economic and Scientific Impact Created by Whitefly-Transmitted,Plant-Virus Disease Resistant Tomato Varieties in Southern India

Research carried out to assess the impact of open-pollinated Tomato leaf curl virus (ToLCV)-resistant tomatoes and hybrids on the livelihoods of resource-poor farmers in Southern India is described and discussed. Three high-yielding ToLCV-resistant tomato varieties were developed initially using conventional breeding and screening techniques involving inoculation by ToLCV-viruliferous whitefly, Bemisia tabaci. In 2003 and 2004, respectively, these varieties were released officially by the Karnataka State Seed Committee and the Indian Ministry of Agriculture through notification in the Gazette of India. From 2003 to 2005, eleven seed companies bought breeder seed of the ToLCV-resistant varieties and used them to begin breeding F₁ hybrids from them. Socio-economic studies carried out to assess the benefits obtained from growing the ToLCV-resistant varieties found that farmers could gain up to 10 times the profit by growing the ToLCV-resistant varieties compared to the pre-existing ToLCV-susceptible varieties. Adoption of ToLCV-resistant tomatoes was also associated with reduced pesticide use. Extra income from tomato sales was prioritised by farmers to pay for children's education, better nutrition and medicines. In a joint effort with the commercial seed sector in India, a promotional field day was organised in 2007. As well as the three ToLCV-resistant varieties, 62 ToLCV-resistant hybrid tomatoes were exhibited during a farmer-field day by 17 commercial seed companies and several public institutes. Tomatoes with ToLCV-resistance are now grown widely in South India and seeds of the three open-pollinated varieties have been distributed to more than 12 countries. In 2007, a conservative estimate of the financial-benefit to cost of the research ratio was already more than 837:1.     

Patient characteristics influencing the variability of distributed parameter‐based models in DCE‐CT kinetic analysis

Kinetic parameter variability may be sensitive to kinetic model choice, kinetic model implementation or patient‐specific effects. The purpose of this study was to assess their impact on the variability of dynamic contrast‐enhanced computed tomography (DCE‐CT) kinetic parameters. A total of 11 canine patients with sinonasal tumours received high signal‐to‐noise ratio, test‐double retest DCE‐CT scans. The variability for three distributed parameter (DP)‐based models was assessed by analysis of variance. Mixed‐effects modelling evaluated patient‐specific effects. Inter‐model variability (CV_inter) was comparable to or lower than intra‐model variability (CV_intra) for blood flow (CV_inter:[4–28%], CV_intra:[28–31%]), fractional vascular volume (CV_inter:[3–17%], CV_intra:[16–19%]) and permeability‐surface area product (CV_inter:[5–12%], CV_intra:[14–15%]). The kinetic models were significantly (P<0.05) impacted by patient characteristics for patient size, area underneath the curve of the artery and of the tumour. In conclusion, DP‐based models demonstrated good agreement with similar differences between models and scans. However, high variability in the kinetic parameters and their sensitivity to patient size may limit certain quantitative applications.     

Inheritance and chromosome location of leaf rust resistance in durum wheat cultivar Wollaroi

The Australian durum cultivar Wollaroi produced low leaf rust responses in the field since its release in 1993. A recombinant inbred line population was developed from a cross of Wollaroi with a susceptible landrace Bansi. Monogenic inheritance of low seedling leaf rust response against the Puccinia triticina pathotype 104-1,2,3,6,(7),(11),13 was observed. This gene was temporarily designated as LrWo. A DArT based map of Wollaroi/Bansi was used to determine the genomic location of LrWo and it was mapped in chromosome 5BS. Following enrichment of the DArT map of chromosome 5BS with SSR markers, LrWo was flanked by gwm234 (7.2 cM) and wPt-1420 (20.3 cM) distally and proximally, respectively. A previously characterised gene Lr52 was also located on the chromosome arm 5BS, proximal to gwm234. Based on genetic association with the marker gwm234 at a similar distance, we concluded that LrWo could be either Lr52 or is another allele of this locus. Based on infection type comparison the latter argument seems more plausible.     

Aspiration of barium-impregnated polyethylene spheres by a dog

This case report describes an 11-year-old Belgian Malinois dog with acute onset of cough caused by aspiration of barium-impregnated polyethylene spheres (BIPS) and pneumonia following an episode of suspected gastric dilation. Although bronchoscopic retrieval of the BIPS was largely unsuccessful, the dog recovered uneventfully, with most of the BIPS being coughed out and swallowed over a 1-month period. Aspiration of BIPS should be considered a potential complication of their administration. Furthermore, endoscopic removal of aspirated BIPS is challenging and may not be indicated because of their inert nature and possible self-clearance.     

大针茅对放牧生态系统植物群落地上生物量的调控作用

通过放牧梯度试验,研究放牧对内蒙古典型草原5种优势植物在个体、种群和群落水平上的影响,探讨大针茅(Stip grandis)对放牧生态系统植物群落地上生物量的调控作用。结果表明:个体水平,中轻度放牧对以大针茅和糙隐子草(Cleistogenes squarrosa)为代表的丛生禾草株高影响较小,对以羊草(Leymus chinensis)、黄囊苔草(Carex korshinskyi)和米氏冰草(Agropyron michnoi)为代表的根茎型禾草株高影响较大,植物株高的降低与个体地上生物量减少呈显著正相关。种群水平,大针茅种群生物量对放牧的响应迟缓,羊草、米氏冰草、糙隐子草和黄囊苔草种群生物量的减少与多度减少呈显著正相关。群落水平,大针茅的耐牧性使其成为资源重配的获益者,轻中度放牧干扰下,其地上生物量的补偿生长缓冲了放牧对群落的影响,对维持群落生产力与功能稳定性起重要的调控作用。     

玉米秸秆低温降解复合菌系的筛选

【目的】为加快北方高寒地区玉米秸秆降解速度,筛选低温条件下具有良好降解玉米秸秆的复合菌系。【方法】以富含纤维素的腐烂物为菌源,通过滤纸崩解初筛、酶活和秸秆降解率为指标复筛进行玉米秸秆降解菌系的筛选,并对其成分进行分析。【结果】从腐烂的树叶和高原锯末中筛选到两组玉米秸秆降解复合菌系1号和8号。1号和8号复合菌系在玉米秸秆培养基中,15℃培养15 d,玉米秸秆分解率分别达到30.21%和32.21%;1号复合菌系包含木霉和多种细菌,8号复合菌系含青霉和多种细菌;两组复合菌系优势细菌均为梭菌属和芽孢杆菌属菌种。【结论】筛选到的菌系在低温（15℃）实验室条件下能降解玉米秸秆,菌系主要组成是木霉、青霉、梭菌属（Clostridium sp.）、芽孢杆菌属（Bacillus sp.）和草螺菌属（Herbaspirillum sp.）的细菌。     

三株芽孢杆菌抑菌活性分析及对肉鸡舍空气微生物的影响

【目的】分析2株解淀粉芽孢杆菌（Bacillus amyloliquefaciens）和1株苏云金芽孢杆菌（Bacillus thuringiensis）的基本特性以及对大肠埃希氏菌（Escherichia.coli,CVCC1570）的抑制活性;分析3株芽孢杆菌复合制剂对肉鸡舍空气大肠杆菌和金黄色葡萄球菌的抑制作用,为改善畜舍环境提供基础数据。【方法】对3株芽孢杆菌进行形态学观察、镜检和生长曲线测定,以大肠埃希氏菌（CVCC1570）为指示菌株,采用琼脂扩散法对单一菌株的抑菌特性进行测定,筛选出适宜的抑菌浓度;利用三因子三水平的正交试验设计,筛选出最佳抑菌效果的复合芽孢杆菌组合;鸡舍喷洒试验采用单因子设计,分为3个处理组,每个处理设3个重复,分别为空白对照组,化学消毒剂阳性对照组（苯扎氯铵）,喷洒复合芽孢杆菌菌剂处理组。在肉鸡不同日龄检测鸡舍内大肠杆菌和金黄色葡萄球菌的变化规律。【结果】3株芽孢杆菌为革兰氏阳性需氧菌。芽孢杆菌SKN01和芽孢杆菌SKN02生长曲线相近,在培养2h开始进入对数生长期。芽孢杆菌SKN03生长较缓慢,进入对数生长期的时间相对较长。单一菌株对大肠埃希氏菌有效抑菌浓度均为108CFU•mL-1。经正交试验测定,3株芽孢杆菌复合菌液最佳抑菌组合为4×108 CFU•mL-1、4×108 CFU•mL-1、6×108 CFU•mL-1。最佳组合复合芽孢杆菌喷洒鸡舍,能够有效抑制大肠杆菌和金黄色葡萄球菌的生长,在肉鸡生长后期复合制剂的抑菌效果明显。【结论】3株芽孢杆菌能够有效抑制大肠埃希氏菌,同时复合菌液能够有效减少鸡舍有害微生物的数量,起到改善鸡舍环境的作用。