Low‐Field MRI and Multislice CT for the Detection of Cerebellar (Foramen Magnum) Herniation in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels

Background

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCS) have a high prevalence of Chiari‐like malformation (CM). Herniation of the cerebellum into the foramen magnum is a key diagnostic feature for CM. Midsagittal MR images are the preferred technique for visualizing cerebellar herniation (CH).

Objective

To investigate whether CT can be used to diagnose CH.

Animals

Fifteen client‐owned CKCS dogs referred for investigation of the brain and cranial cervical spine on MRI and CT.

Methods

Two reviewers retrospectively analyzed midsagittal T1WSE and T2WSE MR images and midsagittal pre‐ and postcontrast 2D multiplanar reformatted CT images from each dog for the presence of CH. And, if present, the length (mm, CHL) of the herniation was measured. The results were analyzed statistically.

Results

There was no significant difference between the different observers and techniques for the detection of CH and measurement of CHL. Overall, the CHL was longer on the CT images.

Conclusion and Clinical Importance

Both techniques are useful for detecting CH and measuring CHL. Because CHL does not have a known direct impact on the clinical presentation of CM, CT can be used as a diagnostic tool in a routine clinical practice for CM in CKCS when MRI is not available. We emphasize that MRI is the standard screening technique in CKCS for breeding purposes to detect the presence of CM and SM and, at the current time, CT cannot replace MRI.     

Kinetics of cadmium uptake by green algae

The kinetics of cadmium uptake by Selenastrum capricornutum Printz was studied at 21 °C and 0 °C and at four different concentrations of free cadmium (10^?9, 10^?8, 10^?7 and 10^?3 M). The free cadmium concentrations in the medium were kept constant through buffering by a chelating agent (NTA). Initial uptake occurred within 10 min at both temperatures, indicating a fast process. At 21 °C, the cadmium uptake increased during the experimental sampling times from 0.12 to 50 h, whereas at 0 °C, the cadmium uptake remained constant after the first sampling time. Apparently, two different processes were involved in cadmium uptake, a first fast, probably passive process and a second slower, possibly physiological process. The cadmium uptake processes are described with a generalized metalligand complex formation model. The experimental dissociation constants for the fast (K _R,F ) and the slow process (K _R,S ) were reproducible for different experiments and they were both in the order of 5 10^?6 mol L^?1. For the slow process, the uptake- and release rate constants (k₁ and k₂) were quantified; for two experiments, the mean value for k_i was 111±28 L mol^?1 h^?1 and the mean value for k ₂ was (5.1±1.8) 10^?4 h^?1. These values were calculated using the fitted value of the cadmium uptake in the fast process.     

Effect of setting a maximum milking time,from peak lactation,on production,milking time and udder health

Abstract

AIM: To examine the effect of setting a maximum milking time, from peak lactation until drying-off, on production, duration of milking, and udder health of dairy cows.

METHODS: Forty cows were assigned in twin-pairs to be either milked until cups were removed at a milk flow-rate threshold of 0.35 kg/minute (Control), or until cups were removed at a milk flow-rate threshold of 0.35 kg/minute, or maximum time, whichever came first (MaxT). The maximum time was set by determining the milking time of the 70th percentile cow when ranked from fastest to slowest, irrespective of yield. The milking routine was typical of that practised on dairy farms in New Zealand, and involved no pre-milking preparation. The study began at peak lactation (68 (SD 7) days in milk; DIM) and continued for 26 weeks. Duration of milking and milk yield were measured for each milking. Composition of milk was determined from weekly herd tests, and milk quality from fortnightly somatic cell counts (SCC). Completeness of milking and teat condition were assessed during the study. The bacterial status of quarter milk samples was determined at the beginning and end of the study, and all treated cases of clinical mastitis recorded. ANOVA was used to examine the effect of treatment group on variables of interest.

RESULTS: Total milk, fat and protein yields during the study period did not differ between treatments. On average, 30.3% of the morning and 27.6% of the afternoon milkings of MaxT cows reached the maximum time at which cups were removed, and were therefore shortened. While the average milking time of the slowest-milking cow was longer for the Control compared with MaxT group in Weeks 1–18, the average milking time did not differ between treatments. There was no difference in overall SCC, and the incidence of clinical mastitis, or the percentage of infected quarters at drying-off, was similar for the MaxT and Control cows.

CONCLUSION: The results show that setting a maximum milking time can reduce the milking time of slower-milking cows in a herd without compromising overall herd production and udder health.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although the numbers of cows in the study were small there was no evidence of a major increase in SCC, or subclinical or clinical mastitis when a maximum milking time was set for slower-milking cows.     

Interactions among fire legacies, grazing and topography predict shrub encroachment in post-agricultural páramo

Woody encroachment in grasslands is a global phenomenon driven by complex interactions between climate, grazing and fire management. Alpine shrub encroachment is of particular concern for biological conservation because high-elevation grasslands harbor high levels of biodiversity and species endemism. Páramo grasslands of the high Andes are exceptionally high in floral diversity, but traditional agricultural practices have resulted in widespread livestock grazing and anthropogenic burning. Fire suppression has frequently been identified a driver of woody expansion in other grasslands, and conservation initiatives that aim to decrease burning and grazing in páramos may inadvertently lead to shrub encroachment. We tested whether interactions among fire and grazing legacies, topography and edaphic conditions predicted the patchy distribution of encroaching shrubs in an Ecuadorian páramo 10 years after release from burning and grazing. Interviews with land-users identified proximity to roads, footpaths and riparian areas as proxies for fire frequency and grazing pressure. A recursive partitioning model of shrub cover revealed that woody abundance was generally lower at lower elevations, especially near the access road (where fire frequency and grazing pressure were high). Within the low-elevation areas, shrub cover was highest near streams (where grazing pressure was high). These results suggest that (1) the effects of fire and grazing legacies depend on the spatial patterns of grazing, and (2) legacy effects interact with topography to help explain patchy shrub encroachment.     

Decomposition of lignin in wheat straw in a sand-dune grassland

The degradation of organic macromolecules, including lignin, in plant-derived soil organic matter, is important to the global carbon cycle. In grasslands, saprotrophic (decomposer) fungi are major decomposers of such organic material. The aim of this study was to characterise lignin degradation, particularly with respect to lignin oxidation typical of white-rot basidiomycete fungi. Lignin breakdown products, analysed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) with TMAH thermochemolysis, in initial wheat (Triticum aestivum var. Swatham) straw samples were compared with those in samples which had been buried as a “model” resource for 46 months in a sand-dune grassland at Ainsdale National Nature Reserve, Lancashire, UK.Our results showed that lignin oxidation occurred in the straw over the 46 month period, as there were general increases in the [Ac/Al]_S and [Ac/Al]_G ratios and a clear decrease in the [S/G] ratio. These data provide tentative support for the theory that white-rot basidiomycete fungi are involved in the degradation of lignin in grasslands.     

Euphorbia abyssinica latex promotes rooting of Boswellia cuttings

Traditional knowledge in northern Ethiopia points towards the root-stimulating properties of the latex found in Euphorbia abyssinica (EAG). Stem cuttings of EAG as well as cuttings of other species treated with EAG latex reportedly root easily in dry soil. This could be attributable to endogenous auxins contained in the latex. We screened EAG latex for auxins and precursor molecules using analytical LC-MS/MS, and tested the effect of EAG latex on the rooting of woody cuttings of Boswellia papyrifera, a threatened multipurpose tree. The EAG latex contained indole acetic acid (IAA) (0.06 μg/g latex), an auxin controlling apical dominance and lateral rooting, as well as IAA metabolites and conjugates. Boswellia cuttings treated with EAG latex rooted significantly sooner and showed higher survival ratios than untreated controls. EAG is widely available and its latex easy to obtain. Therefore it is a promising source of a natural plant growth regulator which may be used for improving low technology vegetative propagation of woody species in East and Northeast Africa, including the threatened Boswellia tree.