The structure of the upper atmosphere of mars: In situ accelerometer measurements from mars global surveyor

The Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) z-axis accelerometer has obtained over 200 vertical structures of thermospheric density, temperature, and pressure, ranging from 110 to 170 kilometers, compared to only three previous such vertical structures. In November 1997, a regional dust storm in the Southern Hemisphere triggered an unexpectedly large thermospheric response at mid-northern latitudes, increasing the altitude of thermospheric pressure surfaces there by as much as 8 kilometers and indicating a strong global thermospheric response to a regional dust storm. Throughout the MGS mission, thermospheric density bulges have been detected on opposite sides of the planet near 90 degreesE and 90 degreesW, in the vicinity of maximum terrain heights. This wave 2 pattern may be caused by topographically-forced planetary waves propagating up from the lower atmosphere.     

Streptococcus suis serotypes associated with disease in weaned pigs

Streptococcus suis was recovered from 9 outbreaks of septicaemia and meningitis in weaned pigs between 1979 and 1983. Fifteen isolates from 7 outbreaks were identified as S. suis type 9, and 3 isolates from 2 outbreaks as S. suis type 2. Three further isolates of S. suis type 2 and an isolate of S. suis type 3 were recovered from cases of bronchopneumonia in weaned pigs from 4 other piggeries.     

Vetch toxicosis in cattle grazing Vicia villosa ssp dasycarpa and V benghalensis

SUMMARY The epidemiological, clinical and pathological features of a disease syndrome in adult cattle grazing woolly-pod vetch (Vicia villosa ssp dasycarpa) or popany vetch (V benghalensis) are reported. Outbreaks of toxlcosis occurred between midwinter and midsummer in 3 dairy and 6 beef herds on the north coast of New South Wales, between 1982 and 1992. Friesian, Angus, Murray Grey, Guernsey and Hereford breeds were affected. Mean morbidity and case fatality rates in affected herds were 7% (65 of 889) and 69%, respectively. Signs of pruritic dermatitis, illthrift and death were associated with an eosinophilic granulomatous inflammation of many organs, particularly involving the renal cortex, dermis, myocardium, adrenal glands, lymph nodes and hepatic portal triads.     

Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in Plasma from Dogs with Immune‐mediated Hemolytic Anemia

Background

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are part of the innate immune response and are essential in local pathogen control, but are associated with pathological inflammation, organ damage, autoimmunity, and thrombosis. Immune‐mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) is a pro‐inflammatory, prothrombotic disease associated with high mortality.

Hypothesis/Objectives

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are a feature of the inflammatory process in dogs with IMHA. The objective of the study was to evaluate plasma from dogs with IMHA for the presence of 2 indirect markers and 1 direct marker of NETs.

Animals

Healthy client‐owned dogs (56) and hospitalized dogs with IMHA (n = 35).

Methods

Prospective study. Plasma samples for all dogs were evaluated for cell‐free DNA using a fluorescence assay, histone‐DNA (hisDNA) complex using an ELISA, and citrullinated histone H3 (specific for NETosis) using Western blot. Reference intervals were generated using plasma from healthy dogs.

Results

In dogs with IMHA, cell‐free DNA concentration was above the reference interval in 17% of samples with a median (range) of 1.0 μg/mL (0.1–17.3), and hisDNA concentration was above the reference interval in 94% of samples with a median (range) of 30.7 × pooled normal plasma (PNP; 0.6–372.1). Western blot for citrullinated histone H3 identified detectable bands in 84% samples from dogs with IMHA.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

The assay for cell‐free DNA detected evidence of NETs in fewer dogs than did the other approaches. Excessive NETs appears to be a feature of IMHA in dogs and contributions to the prothrombotic state deserve further study.