An invasive procedure for in utero fetal electrocardiology: recording of fetal electrocardiograms by applying electrodes through the uterus.

An in utero technique was developed that allows direct access to the canine fetus for experimentation. This procedure reduces the need for fetal manipulation and umbilical blood flow compromise and reduces fetal fluid loss. In pregnant bitches, uterine horns could be delivered through a ventral midline incision. By manipulating the fetal membranes, and positioning the fetuses through them, electrodes could be inserted subcutaneously in the fetuses. Electrocardiograms satisfactory for interpretation were obtained from as many as 4 fetuses in a bitch for periods up to postoperative week 3.     

Influence of ectomycorrhization and cesium/potassium ratio on uptake and localization of cesium in Norway spruce seedlings

Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) seedlings growing in a growth pouch system were used to investigate the effects of the ectomycorrhizal fungus Hebeloma crustuliniforme (Bull. ex St. Amans) Quél. and various Cs/K ratios on the uptake of (134)Cs, expressed as a percentage of the total amount of (134)Cs supplied. The amount of (134)Cs taken up by seedlings increased with increasing Cs/K ratio. At a Cs/K ratio of 0.1, uptake of (134)Cs ranged between 7.2 and 7.3% and was independent of ectomycorrhizal status, whereas at Cs/K ratios >/= 1 uptake of (134)Cs varied from 8.1 to 11.1% for ectomycorrhizal and from 10.4 to 14.4% for non-inoculated plants. Ectomycorrhizal seedlings contained a lower concentration of (134)Cs than non-inoculated seedlings. Among plant parts, the amount of (134)Cs was significantly lower in needles and lateral roots of ectomycorrhizal seedlings compared with non-inoculated seedlings. Among fungal and seedling tissues, highest X-ray net counts of (133)Cs were measured in fungal hyphae of ectomycorrhizal mantles. X-Ray net counts of (133)Cs in lateral roots of ectomycorrhizal and non-inoculated plants were similar, but 5 to 10 times higher than in main roots and needles, suggesting an accumulation of (133)Cs in lateral roots and slow translocation to other plant parts. In contrast, X-ray net counts of K indicated that K was readily mobilized from lateral roots to main roots and needles. Elemental mapping showed a relatively homogeneous distribution of (133)Cs within the root.     

Growth response of Ficus benjamina to limited soil volume and soil dilution in a skeletal soil container study

The interactive effects of rooting volume and nutrient availability in a skeletal soil medium designed to meet street tree and pavement needs were observed in a containerized experiment. Benjamin fig (Ficus benjamina L.) was grown in a stone-soil blended skeletal soil material (CU-Soil™) and compared to a loam soil. The same topsoil used as the soil component in the skeletal soil material was used as the sole component in the comparison soil-only treatment.Plants grown in the skeletal soil material had reduced leaf tissue N content and depressed growth compared with plants grown in non-diluted soil. No other mineral deficiencies were found. Leaf number, chlorophyll concentration, shoot weight, and root characteristics were all affected.Reduced growth from soil dilution could be offset by the provision of an enlarged rooting volume for root development. Large containers of skeletal soil were observed to have smaller root systems compared to equivalent net volumes of loam soil at the first two harvest dates of the study. By the end of the study, the large containers of skeletal soil were observed to have developed larger root systems compared to equivalent net volumes of loam soil; resulting in comparable leaf N levels and total plant dry matter. Plants in skeletal soil had lower shoot: root ratios at the end of the study. Investing resources to further root growth in times of nutrient shortages is a probable plant reaction as evidenced by differences in specific root length between treatments. The study allowed a method for directly partitioning the containerization effect by having equivalent amounts of soil over two volumes.     

Ultrasonographic appearance of torsion of a testicular seminoma in a cryptorchid dog

An intra-abdominal testicular tumour was diagnosed in a 10-year-old, male, cryptorchid golden retriever. Upon surgical removal, torsion of the testis was found. The histopathological diagnosis was seminoma. The ultrasound examination in this case revealed a parenchymal mass lesion. An ultrasound examination is a useful supplemental diagnostic tool for differentiation of abdominal mass lesions.     

Temporohyoid osteoarthropathy in the horse

Temporohyoid osteoarthropathy (THO) is a well‐recognised clinical entity in horses. Temporohyoid osteoarthropathy is characterised by progressive osseous proliferation of the proximal portion of the stylohyoid and petrous temporal bones, and is generally described as a disease of middle‐aged horses. More recent reports also attribute a variety of clinical syndromes in young horses to THO, requiring a diversification of approaches to confirm the diagnosis and its significance, and to guide conservative and surgical treatment options. This commentary will review the purported aetiology, clinical syndromes, available diagnostic tests and treatment options of equine THO.     

Low genetic variability in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum populations from common bean fields in Minas Gerais State,Brazil, at regional,local and micro‐scales

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, causal agent of white mould, is the most destructive and widely distributed soilborne pathogen of common bean during the autumn–winter season in Brazil. Nevertheless, little is known about the genetic structure of the pathogen population. Microsatellite (SSR) markers and mycelial compatibility groups (MCGs) were used to characterize 118 isolates collected from 20 bean fields located in the most important growing regions of Minas Gerais State (MG). Additionally, the genetic variability among 10 isolates obtained from a single sclerotium was investigated in 10 different sclerotia. Seventy SSR haplotypes and 14 MCGs were identified among the 118 isolates. The genetic differences within bean growing areas accounted for most of the genetic variation (72%). Despite the relatively high genotypic diversity, the SSR loci were at linkage disequilibrium. Moreover, 70% of the isolates were assigned to only two MCGs, and haplotypes of a given MCG were closely related. The discriminant analysis of principal components revealed five groups. There was strong genetic differentiation between isolates collected in one municipality in southern MG when compared to other regions. Common bean resistance to white mould should be assessed with representative isolates of the five genetic groups and, if possible, of the different MCGs detected in the present study. One to five haplotypes were detected among the 10 isolates obtained from a single sclerotium. Therefore, in order to ensure genetic identity of an isolate, hyphal tip or monoascosporic isolates should be used.     

Development of the population size, contribution of foreign breeds, inbreeding and degree of relationships of the entire Hanoverian scenthound population registered in the stud book of the kennel club Hirschmann e.V

The entire dog population of Hanoveranian Scenthounds registered since the foundation of the kennel club Hirschmann in the year 1894 was analysed for the development of the inbreeding and relationship coefficient and the contribution of Hanoveranian Scenthound population of foreign countries. The analyses were performed using all available pedigree information. In the history, the breeding of the Hanoveranian Scenthound was difficult because of the low number of breeding dogs which was additionally reduced during World War I and II. The mean coefficient of inbreeding of the entire German population was 6.35%. From 1950 to 1990, the mean coefficient of inbreeding increased from 8.3% to 9.7%. In the birth years from 1990 to 2002, the mean coefficient of inbreeding decreased slightly to 9.2%. The rates of inbreeding decreased since 1950. For the last 8 generations the increase of the coefficients of inbreeding per generation was 0.71%. The mean degree of relationship of the entire population was 7.17%, whereby values higher than 75% were found. Gene contributions of 8 other European stud books for the Hanoveranian Scenthound could be found in the German population. Hereby, the Austrian Hanoveranian Scenthounds had the largest impact on the German population with 24.4%. The proportion of genes from the German stud book amounted to 67%.