SIDE LOBES AND GRATING LOBES ARTIFACTS IN ULTRASOUND IMAGING

Side lobes and grating lobes are both unwanted parts of the ultrasound beam emitted off axis that produce image artifacts due to error in positioning the returning echo. The purpose of this study was to reproduce artifacts associated with side lobes and grating lobes in vitro using different transducer types and recognize these artifacts in vivo. A phantom, composed of a water bath, a metallic wire, and a wooden tongue depressor, was imaged using a linear array, a curved linear array, a vector array, and a sector mechanical transducer. When imaging the metallic wire in a transverse plane, an echogenic artifact was constantly seen on each side of the wire, with a shape and intensity variable with the transducer type. The artifact was curvilinear and concave (linear and curved linear arrays), or curvilinear and convex (vector array and the mechanical transducer). When the tongue depressor was imaged in a longitudinal plane, the artifact was a straight line (linear array), a curved convex line(curved array), a series of convex curvilinear echo (vector array) or a small convex curvilinear echo (mechanical transducer). In vivo situations similar to the phantom experiment were investigated using clinical patients. Artifacts produced in vitro were recognized in vivo when a highly reflective object (urinary bladder wall) was imaged adjacent to an anechoic region (urine). These artifacts corresponded to the principle of secondary ultrasound lobes, and were therefore interpreted as such.     

Joint ventures in private forestry in Ireland

A study was conducted with the objective of obtaining a profile of farmers who have participated in the Farm Partnership Scheme in Ireland. This scheme is a joint venture between Coillte (The Irish Forestry Board) and farmers. Under the terms of the scheme, Coillte is responsible for the establishment, management and harvesting of the forest plantation on the farmer’s land. The farmer retains ownership of the land, receives premium payments and shares in the harvesting profits. Fifty farmers who joined the Farm Partnership Scheme between 1993–1997 were interviewed in 1999 and a detailed questionnaire was completed. Survey results indicate that the typical farm partner was male, married and aged 50 years or older. Over half of those surveyed had an off-farm job. The most popular reason for farmers opting to participate in the Farm Partnership Scheme was that they did not have sufficient time to undertake the establishment and management of a forest plantation themselves. The average size of forest established under the scheme was 23.7 ha, with Sitka spruce the most popular species planted. The average annual payment under the scheme was €8077. For 46% of those surveyed, the returns from the Farm Partnership Scheme comprised all of their farm income.     

HEPATIC ULTRASONOGRAPHIC AND PATHOLOGIC FINDINGS IN DOGS WITH CANINE SURPERFICIAL NECROLYTIC DERMATITIS

A unique, "honeycomb" pattern was found on ultrasonographic evaluation of the liver of 5 dogs with canine superficial necrolytic dermatitis (hepatocutaneous syndrome). This pattern consisted of variably-sized, hypoechoic regions measuring 0.5–1.5 cm in diameter surrounded by highly echogenic borders. Histologically, the hypoechoic regions corresponded to distinct regenerative nodules bounded by severely vacuolated (fat-laden) hepatocytes, numerous bile ductules, and a network of reticulin and fine collagen fibers representing remnants of collapsed hepatic lobules. While certain features of the architectural disruption were characteristic of cirrhosis, the lesion lacked the extensive fibrosis and reduced liver size usually associated with chronic cirrhosis. To our knowledge, this hepatic ultrasonographic pattern has only been seen with canine superficial necrolytic dermatitis. Therefore, it appears to be pathognomonic in a dog with questinable skin lesions. A liver biopsy is required to confirm the unique histopathologic features of the hepatopathy found in this syndrome.     

Residual effects of fungicidal spray programmes on apple trees

Spraying programmes for apple scab and mildew control sometimes had residual effects for one or even two years. Thus, benomyl (0.025% a.i.) and pyridinitril (0.035% a.i.) drastically reduced the subsequent incidence of cankers caused by Nectria galligena on young wood. Apple scab fruit infection, caused by Venturia inaequalis, was also less on trees on which benomyl had been used in the previous season. In the bark of such trees, toxic residues equivalent to 1 to 4 μg benomyl/g fresh wt. were detected by bioassay 7 months after spraying.     

Organophosphorus poisoning: A comparative study of the toxicity of carbophenothion to the Canada goose,the pigeon and the Japanese quail

The acute single dose oral toxicity of carbophenothion (S-4-chlorophenylthiomethyl OO-diethyl phosphorodithioate) has been determined in Canada geese (Branta canadensis), pigeons (Columba livia) and Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). At post mortem examination gross pathological changes were observed in Canada geese and pigeons and esterase levels were determined by conventional and electrophoretic methods on extracts of liver and brain from these two species. Carbophenothion residue levels were determined in liver, brain and gizzard contents from the geese and pigeons. The overall pattern of results suggests that esterase inhibition may not be the dominant factor in carbophenothion poisoning in geese. It is suggested that a brain carbophenothion residue level of 1 part/10⁶ is indicative of death by poisoning in geese.     

Eel acetylcholinesterase inhibition studies with heteroarylphosphinates

The inhibition of eel acetylcholinesterase by the 4-nitrophenyl esters of 2-furyl(methyl)-, methyl(2-thienyl)-, di-2-furyl-, and di-2-thienylphosphinic acid (I, II, III, and IV, respectively) was investigated at pH 6.90 in 0.067 M phosphate buffer (25.0°C) using stopped-flow instrumentation and automated data processing. Our evaluation of the dissociation constant, K_d, the unimolecular bonding rate constant, k₂, and the bimolecular reaction constant, k_i, are the first reported values for these constants for alkyl/heteroaryl and diheteroaryl esters of phosphinic acids. The largest k_i value (19,330 M^?1 sec^?1) was observed for the reaction of I with the enzyme. The order for the remaining three is II > IV > III. There is no direct relationship between the hydrolysis rates of the esters and their anticholinesterase activities on eel acetylcholinesterase. Likewise, there is no direct relationship between their anticholinesterase activities and the LD₅₀ values in rats.     

The efficacy of praziquantel against cestodes in cats, dogs and sheep

Praziquantel is a new type of acylated isoquinoline-pyrazine. A single, low oral or subcutaneous dose of the compound is reliably effective against all tested juvenile and adult cestodes in cats, dogs and sheep. Praziquantel is the first cestodicide which is also effective on bile duct cestodes. In cats and dogs, 5 mg praziquantel per kg is completely effective on all stages of Taenia hydatigena, T pisiformis, T ovis, T taeniaeformis, Dipylidium caninum, Mesocestoides corti, Echinococcus multilocularis and E granulosus. Because of its very wide therapeutic index praziquantel is thus particularly suited for eradication programmes, eg, echinococcosis.     

Action of fungicidal triazoles of the diclobutrazol series on ustilago maydis

Diclobutrazol [(2RS, 3RS)-1-(2, 4-dichlorophenyl)-4, 4-dimethyl-2-(1,2, 4-triazol-1-yl)pentan-3-ol] decreased the rate of growth of Ustilago maydis during the log phase. Marked changes in sterol composition were observed with a decrease in ergosterol and an increase in methyl-sterols, indicating a block in the removal of the 14-methyl group. The inhibition was of rapid onset (<4 h). Changes in other lipid constituents were minor and there was no build up of unsaturated fatty acids. The fungicidal activity resides in the (2R, 3R)-isomer, which is known to be more potent in blocking a yeast 14-demethylase enzyme than the (2S, 3S)-isomer. This relationship held in the 4-chlorophenyl homologues, which as a group were less fungicidal and less potent inhibitors than the 2, 4-dichlorophenyl compounds. The evidence presented indicates that the primary lesion caused by the fungicide was a build up of membrane sterols containing extra methyl groups; this, in combination with a loss of ergosterol, is believed to prevent proper membrane ordering and thus to cause a loss of membrane function.     

Die Bedeutung der Grannen für die Kornentwicklung III. Photosyntheseintensität der Ähren verschiedener Gersten- und Weizensorten

Zusammenfassung Die Photosyntheserate blühender Gersten- und Weizenähren verschiedener Sorten wurden gemessen. Die Sorten unterschieden sich in Vorhandensein, Form und Größe der Grannen.Die Photosyntheseleistung ist bei den stark begrannten Formen am größten, am geringsten bei den unbegrannten. Die Werte für kurzgrannige Varietäten lagen dazwischen.

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Summary The photosynthetic rate of flowering barley and wheat ears from different sorts was measured. The sorts differed in presence, form and size of awns.The intensity of photosynthesis was highest among the forms with long awns and lowest among the awnless sorts. The values of the short-awned varieties lay between them.

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Herrn Dr. Lehmann danken wir für die Unterstützung bei der Auswahl gegeigneter Formen und die Überlassung von Saatgut.     

Residue levels and cholinesterase activities in sheep poisoned experimentally with diazinon

Sheep were dosed orally with diazinon at 450 and 600 mg/kg: residues of diazinon were determined in the blood, brain, liver, kidney cortex and medulla, muscle, fat and rumen contents at intervals after dosing, and cholinesterase activities in the erythrocytes and the brain were determined at the same intervals. The relations between residues, cholinesterase activity and clinical symptoms are discussed from the points of view of their diagnostic value and the possibility of undesirable residues occurring in poisoned animals. Rough estimates of the residues of two metabolites, hydroxydiazinon and dehydro-diazinon, in one sheep are also discussed. The oxygen analogue of diazinon was not detected although it was specifically sought.