Improvements in Urban Air Quality: Case Studies from New York State, USA

Air quality levels vary over regions due to meteorological factors, proximity to sources, and local conditions (i.e., topography). The Northeast USA is subjected to pollution inputs from both local sources and those from the upwind Midwest USA that are transported by prevailing meteorological patterns. With the passage of the Clean Air Act in 1970 and the establishment of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), national levels of air pollutants have declined significantly. Our study compared air quality time trends between five of the largest cities within New York State (Albany, Buffalo, New York City, Rochester, and Syracuse) and statewide means to national trends. Data were obtained from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Bureau of Air Quality Surveillance for six criteria pollutants: carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), ozone (O₃), particulate matter (PM_2.5), and lead (Pb). Regional Kendall tests found significant downward trends for each pollutant statewide from 1980 to 2007, while trends by city varied by decade and pollutant. The evaluation of historical trends of pollution in industrialized nations is useful in showing recent air quality improvements and also in the understanding what can be the result in air pollutant controls in those developing nations currently experiencing high levels of pollution.     

Preservation of common carp germ cells under hypothermic conditions: Whole tissue vs isolated cells

The aim of this study was to optimize the conditions for hypothermic storage of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) and oogonial stem cells (OSCs) of common carp Cyprinus carpio. This was conducted by storing gonadal tissue or isolated cells for 24 hr under hypothermic conditions in the first experiment and by testing two different storage media (L‐15 or DMEM supplemented with 10% FBS and 25 mM HEPES) and regular medium change (every 4 days) during two weeks of hypothermic storage in the second experiment. During the first 24 hr, isolated cells showed no decrease in viability, while cells obtained from hypothermically stored tissues displayed significantly lower viability after only 6 hr (Tukey's HSD, p < 0.01) indicating that hypothermic storage of isolated cells is superior to storing tissue pieces. The 2‐week trial demonstrated that storage media have a profound influence, while regular medium exchange does not have a positive effect on cell viability. Viability of SSCs and OSCs after two weeks was approximately 40% and 25%, respectively; however, survival of ~70% was obtained after 10 days of storage for SSCs and 7 days for OSCs. Hypothermic storage developed in this study has many practical applications during the development of surrogate broodstock technologies for common carp, but also in carp hatcheries and for the conservation of genetic resources of closely related cyprinid species.     

Pancreatitis in cats: diagnosis and management of a challenging disease

Feline pancreatitis can be a very difficult disease to diagnose and often requires a combination of clinical suspicion, appropriate physical examination findings, elevations in serum feline pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity, and changes on abdominal ultrasonography consistent with pancreatic disease. The diagnostic difficulties encountered are related to a lack of specific and readily attributable clinical signs in cats. The sensitivity and specificity of the diagnosis of pancreatitis are highest when a combination of tests is utilized; but even when such tests are employed, the diagnosis is still problematic, especially in cats with chronic pancreatitis. Therapy is symptomatic and focuses on maintaining fluid volume, controlling pain and vomiting, preventing infection, and adjusting to changes in the cat's condition as they occur.