Search for Artificial Stellar Sources of Infrared Radiation

If extraterrestrial intelligent beings exist and have reached a high level of technical development, one by-product of their energy metabolism is likely to be the large-scale conversion of starlight into far-infrared radiation. It is proposed that a search for sources of infrared radiation should accompany the recently initiated search for interstellar radio communications.     

Consequences of sodium exclusion for the osmotic potential in the rhizosphere – Comparison of two maize cultivars differing in Na+ uptake

According to the biphasic model of growth response to salinity, growth is first reduced by a decrease in the soil osmotic potential (Ψ_o), i.e., growth reduction is an effect of salt outside rather than inside the plant, and genotypes differing in salt resistance respond identically in this first phase. However, if genotypes differ in Na⁺ uptake as it has been described for the two maize cultivars Pioneer 3906 and Across 8023, this should result in differences in Na⁺ concentrations in the rhizosphere soil solution and thus in the concentration of salt outside the plant. It was the aim of the present investigation to test this hypothesis and to investigate the effect of such potential differences in soil Ψ_o caused by Na⁺ exclusion on plant water relations. Sodium exclusion at the root surface of intact plants growing in soil was investigated by sampling soil solution from the rhizosphere of two maize cultivars (Across 8023, Pioneer 3906). Plants were grown in a model system, consisting of a root compartment separated from the bulk soil compartment by a nylon net (30 μm mesh size), which enabled independent measurements of the change of soil solution composition and soil water content with increasing distance from the root surface (nylon net). Across 8023 accumulated higher amounts of sodium in the shoot compared to the excluder (Pioneer 3906). The lower Na⁺ uptake in the excluder was partly compensated by higher K⁺ uptake. Pioneer 3906 not only excluded sodium from the shoot but also restricted sodium uptake more efficiently from roots relative to Across 8023. This was reflected by higher Na⁺ concentrations in the rhizosphere soil solution of the excluder 34 days after planting (DAP). The difference in Na⁺ concentration in rhizosphere soil solution between cultivars was neither due to differences in transpiration and thus in mass flow, nor due to differences in actual soil water content. As the lower Na⁺ uptake of the excluder (Pioneer 3906) was only partly compensated by increased uptake of K⁺, soil Ψ_o in the rhizosphere of the excluder was more negative compared to Across 8023. However, no significant negative effect of decreased soil Ψ_o on plant water relations (transpiration rate, leaf Ψ_o, leaf water potential, leaf area) could be detected. This may be explained by the fact that significant differences in soil Ψ_o between the two cultivars occurred only towards the end of the experiment (27 DAP, 34 DAP).     

Identification and stereochemical characterization of lignans in flaxseed and pumpkin seeds

Phytoestrogens of the lignan type are widely distributed in plant-derived food items and are believed to protect against hormone-dependent cancer. The richest known dietary source of lignans is flaxseed. Flaxseed has been reported to contain glycosides of secoisolariciresinol as the major lignan, together with small amounts of matairesinol, isolariciresinol, and pinoresinol. Secoisolariciresinol, but none of the other lignans, has so far been identified in pumpkin seeds. In the present study, two different methods for the hydrolysis of lignan glycosides are compared. Artifact formation and loss of lignans under acidic conditions were observed. Lariciresinol was identified by GC-MS analysis in two different types of flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L. and Linum flavum L.) and in pumpkin seeds (Cucurbita pepo L.) for the first time. Likewise, the novel lignan demethoxy-secoisolariciresinol was tentatively identified in the flaxseed samples. Stereochemical analysis by chiral HPLC of several lignans isolated from flaxseed showed that secoisolariciresinol, matairesinol, and lariciresinol consisted predominantly of one enantiomer.     

Intervertebral disc disease of the cervical and cranial thoracic vertebrae in equidae: eight cases

Intervertebral disc disease in the cervical and cranial thoracic vertebrae is unusual in horses and the majority of documented cases have been associated with infection and resulted in ataxia. The current retrospective study documents the clinical and imaging features, and outcome in eight Equidae with neck stiffness ± forelimb lameness (n = 3) or ataxia (n = 2) assessed during a 10-year period at two clinics. The Equidae (one donkey and seven horses) ranged in age from 1.5 to 12 years (median 5.5 years). The duration of clinical signs ranged from 1 to 6 months (median 1.5 months). The donkey had a depressed demeanour. All Equidae had reduced range of neck movement. The donkey and one horse showed mild and severe ataxia respectively. Two horses showed a propensity to stumble on each forelimb, one of which exhibited forelimb lameness on the lunge or ridden. Two additional horses showed lameness in hand. One horse experienced ‘neck locking’ during grazing. Radiological abnormalities were identified involving the intervertebral symphysis between the sixth cervical vertebra (C6) and C7 in four Equidae; in two horses the articulation between C7 and the first thoracic vertebra (T1) was involved. One horse had abnormalities of the intervertebral symphyses of both C7 and T1, and T1 and T2. In one horse the articulation between C2 and 3 was affected. The donkey was treated with a prolonged course of doxycycline and improved. An advanced dressage horse returned to full-function after surgical fusion of the affected intervertebral symphysis. Intervertebral disc disease is a rare cause of neck stiffness ± lameness or ataxia.     

Arsenic speciation in farmed Hungarian freshwater fish

Arsenic speciation analysis was carried out on freshwater farmed fish collected from an area with elevated groundwater arsenic concentrations in Hungary as well as from outside of the area (control samples). The arsenic species were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry on methanol extracts of the muscle tissue from the fish. Catfish (Claries gariepinus) were raised in geothermal water where the average total arsenic concentrations were 167 (contaminated sites) and 15.1 ng As mL(-1) (control); they were all fed an artificial diet containing 2880 microg As kg(-1) total arsenic, mostly present as arsenobetaine. In the catfish, the accumulated total arsenic (2510-4720 microg As kg(-1)) was found mostly in the form of arsenobetaine suggesting that uptake of arsenic was dominated by their diet. Carp (Cyprinus carpio) were cultured in surface lakes with no significant arsenic pollution and had total arsenic concentrations ranging from 62 to 363 microg As kg(-1). The arsenic species found in the carp extracts differed markedly from those in the catfish in that no arsenobetaine was detected. Most samples of carp from the investigated sites contained low concentrations of As(III) (arsenite), As(V) (arsenate), MA (methylarsonate), and DMA (dimethylarsinate), and no other compounds were detected. The four individuals from the control site, however, all contained appreciable levels of oxo-arsenosugar-glycerol and oxo-arsenosugar-phosphate. Indeed, the oxo-arsenosugar-phosphate dominated the speciation pattern for these carp contributing about 75% of the sum of species. The contrast between these two freshwater aquaculture species regarding total arsenic and arsenic species has relevant toxicological aspects in terms of food safety.     

Developing new veterinary services in milk quality: a review of a recent mastitis risk management co-development in Australia

A new veterinary service to promote ongoing, incremental improvements in the risk management of mastitis and milk quality was developed between 2005 and 2008. This was designed to enhance the relationship between the farmer and advisor, as an extension of the Countdown Downunder programme, Australia's national mastitis and milk quality programme. This service was co-developed between the Countdown Downunder programme team and a core development group of veterinarians involved with trialling the service, and farmers and social researchers. The service, known as Countdown MAX, involved advisory input at the planning stage, a written risk management plan, multiple engagements between the farm team and advisor for tracking and re-planning, and a service fee. Risk management resources (modules) were developed to be employed at the drying-off and calving periods, and during lactation. During the development and implementation phase eight veterinary practices conducted Countdown MAX consultations on 55 farms. Eighty-eight Countdown MAX modules were delivered in total, with 55% of farms completing more than one module but only 38% of modules reviewed successfully. A social research project examined the implementation of the Countdown MAX service in participating veterinary practices during the development phase. Findings of the project were that the successful uptake of a new mastitis service into a veterinary practice was enhanced through uptake by practice owners of the concept, the formation of a written practice plan, adequate communication and explanation of the new service to all staff, logistical support for the service within the practice, and transfer of mastitis expertise within the practice.     

May-Hegglin anomaly in a dog

An 8-year-old female spayed Pug dog was presented for evaluation of cutaneous lesions occurring secondary to immunosuppressive treatment of presumed immune-mediated thrombocytopenia. Abnormal hematologic findings included persistent thrombocytopenia, macrothrombocytes, and variably shaped, often fusiform, blue cytoplasmic inclusions in neutrophils. May-Hegglin anomaly (MHA) was suspected based on the morphologic appearance of platelets and neutrophils. Examination of cells by transmission electron microscopy revealed normal platelet ultrastructure; neutrophil inclusions had features similar to those reported for inclusions in human MHA. Neutrophil function was within normal limits based on flow cytometric analysis. Thrombelastography indicated a prolonged clotting time (r), and PlateletMapping showed a lack of response to 2 μM ADP compared with a moderate response in the control dog. Immunocytochemical staining of blood smears using 2 commercially available antibodies against MYH9 protein (nonmuscle myosin heavy chain II) yielded negative results. However, genomic DNA sequencing analysis of the dog's MYH9 gene identified a single point mutation, resulting in substitution of lysine for glutamine at the 1841 amino acid position; this mutation is identical to one identified in people with MHA. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an MYH9 mutation in the dog. MHA-associated macrothrombocytopenia may be mistaken for immune-mediated thrombocytopenia.