Pyloric outflow obstruction secondary to sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis in a dog

A 6-year-old, male neutered mixed breed dog was presented emergently with a three-week history of hyporexia, vomiting, diarrhoea and weight loss. Upon examination, the patient was dull, had generalised muscle atrophy, moderate abdominal pain and a mild amount of peritoneal effusion. A fluid-filled, distended, corrugated small bowel with marked gastroparesis and moderate peritoneal effusion was noted on abdominal ultrasonography. Endoscopy revealed hyperaemic and friable mucosa and a subjectively narrowed pylorus. Emergency exploratory celiotomy was performed due to worsening patient condition and revealed thick, diffuse, fibrous adhesions of the abdominal cavity. Based on these findings, sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis (SEP) was suspected. A large mass of omentum adjacent to the greater curvature of the stomach had caused a pyloric outflow obstruction. Adhesiolysis was attempted but was unsuccessful due to the friability of the small intestines. The dog was humanely euthanased under anaesthesia. A diagnosis of SEP was confirmed via necropsy. No underlying cause was identified. This is the first known case of a pyloric outflow obstruction secondary to SEP in a dog. Although rare, this condition should be considered as a differential for dogs with signs of a pyloric outflow obstruction with concurrent ascites and abdominal pain, hyporexia, vomiting and diarrhoea.     

Electromagnetic heating in the early solar nebula and the formation of chondrules

Certain opaque inclusions within primitive meteorites exhibit textures that suggest chondrules formed during intense, short-duration radiative heating episodes in the early solar system. Experimental support for this interpretation is provided by the textures produced when chondrule-like assemblages are heated with visible laser light. Computer simulations of radiative heating provide additional evidence for the role of electromagnetic energy in heating nebular solids by offering an explanation for the size distributions of chondrules and the presence of dusty chondrule rims. Nebular lightning and magnetic reconnection flares are possible sources of electromagnetic energy for these transient heating events.     

Common loons (Gavia immer) nesting on low ph lakes in northern Wisconsin have elevated blood mercury content

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources conducted a pilot study during the summer of 1991 to determine the extent of mercury (Hg) exposure in common loons (Gavia immer) breeding in Wisconsin. Loons are at risk to elevated Hg exposure in Wisconsin because they often nest on acidified, low alkalinity lakes. Fish from these lakes bioaccumulate MeHg to a greater extent than biota from neutral pH lakes. Using nightlighting techniques, 35 adult loons were captured on 20 northern Wisconsin lakes (pH=5.0–8.7) in 1991. Blood and feather samples were collected for Hg analysis. The mean Hg content of blood cells collected from adult loons on low pH lakes (pH≤6.3) was significantly greater than the Hg content of adult loons collected on neutral/alkaline pH lakes (pH>-7.0) (F=19.87, P<0.001). There was a highly significant negative linear relationship between adult loon blood cell Hg concentrations and lake pH (r²=0.38, F=15.27, P>0.001); indicating loons nesting on low pH lakes receive greater Hg exposure than loons nesting on neutral pH lakes. The relationship was greater amongst adult males (r²=0.56) than amongst adult females (r²=0.36). Because of this documented exposure, an additional 330 loons were captured 1992-94 on 73 lakes in northern Wisconsin. The Hg exposure of adult and juvenile common loons is being quantified. Individual loons were fitted with unique color-coded leg bands, and the 1992–96 reproductive performance, apnual return rates, and nesting behavior of adult loons with the known Hg exposure is currently being assessed.     

Polytype distribution in circumstellar silicon carbide

The inferred crystallographic class of circumstellar silicon carbide based on astronomical infrared spectra is controversial. We have directly determined the polytype distribution of circumstellar SiC from transmission electron microscopy of presolar silicon carbide from the Murchison carbonaceous meteorite. Only two polytypes (of a possible several hundred) were observed: cubic 3C and hexagonal 2H silicon carbide and their intergrowths. We conclude that this structural simplicity is a direct consequence of the low pressures in circumstellar outflows and the corresponding low silicon carbide condensation temperatures.