How to Perform Transabdominal Ultrasound-Guided Fetal Fluid Sampling in Mares

Little is known about the composition and physiology of fetal fluids in all domestic mammals in comparison with humans, where the amniotic fluid has been the focus of numerous reports. Previously, in the horse, there have been concerns regarding the safety of fetal fluid sampling and the risks to the well-being of the fetus and techniques limitations that may preclude serial assessment. The objective of this report was to describe a transabdominal ultrasound-guided technique to safely perform multiple fetal fluid collections during the last trimester of gestation in mares. Similar methodology has been described previously; however, here we described step by step how to perform fetal fluid sampling. Several illustrative images have been included to facilitate the understanding of the technique by others lacking experiences with the procedures. In addition, small modifications on the sedation protocols and sampling have been performed in the present study. Six light horse mares carrying normal singleton pregnancies (260–280 days of gestation) were sampled three times at 5- to 7-day intervals (i.e., 0, 5, and 12 days). There were no apparent complications using the protocol described here. All mares delivered normal foals uneventfully. We foresee that the publication of this report may be useful to other research laboratories interested in studying the fetal fluids in mares, as well as in specific clinical evaluations of fetal well-being in research mares.     

Macromolecular architecture in eukaryotic cells visualized by cryoelectron tomography

Electron tomography of vitrified cells is a noninvasive three-dimensional imaging technique that opens up new vistas for exploring the supramolecular organization of the cytoplasm. We applied this technique to Dictyostelium cells, focusing on the actin cytoskeleton. In actin networks reconstructed without prior removal of membranes or extraction of soluble proteins, the cross-linking of individual microfilaments, their branching angles, and membrane attachment sites can be analyzed. At a resolution of 5 to 6 nanometers, single macromolecules with distinct shapes, such as the 26S proteasome, can be identified in an unperturbed cellular environment.     

War and trees: The destruction and replanting of the urban and peri-urban forest of Sarajevo,Bosnia and Herzegovina

The early-1990s’ war in former Yugoslavia led to severe damage to the urban and peri-urban forests of Sarajevo, capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. During the Siege of Sarajevo (April 1992–March 1996), after the energy supplies to the city had been cut off, over three-quarters of all urban trees and nearly all peri-urban trees within the siege line were cut down for firewood by the desperate residents. After the war, the city trees were quickly and effectively replanted, and Sarajevo provides a useful case study of urban forest recovery. This study presents the observations and measurements, of trees that survived the war and the trees planted after the war, made in Sarajevo in May 2008. We summarize the lessons learned from the Sarajevo experience, regarding both damage and replanting, which include the close relationship between the urban tree damage and the specifics of military operations, the importance of the initial planting stock, and the advantages of collaboration between academic researchers and urban forest managers.