Assessment of acute injuries, exposure to environmental toxins, and five-year health surveillance of New York Police Department working dogs following the September 11, 2001, World Trade Center terrorist attack

OBJECTIVE: To determine deployment logistics of New York Police Department (NYPD) working dogs that assisted in relief efforts at the World Trade Center (WTC) site following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack; establish types and rates of related acute injuries and illnesses; identify environmental toxin exposures; and determine long-term (ie, 5-year) health effects of deployment. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. ANIMALS: 27 working dogs. PROCEDURES: Deployment logistics for the period from September 11, 2001, through May 30, 2002, were determined, and acute health disorders were identified by means of physical examination; a questionnaire; interviews with dog handlers; and toxicologic (blood and hair samples), clinicopathologic, microbiologic (nasal swab specimens submitted for Bacillus anthracis culture), and radiographic methods. Long-term health surveillance ended September 21, 2006. RESULTS: Dogs worked a total of 1,428 days (15,148 hours) at the site. Seventeen of the 27 (62.9%) dogs had health disorders during the first week. Specific conditions included fatigue (incidence rate [events/1,000 active deployment hours], 13.1), conjunctival irritation (13.1), respiratory tract problems (12.4), decreased appetite (10.8), dehydration (10), and cuts (9.3). Only minor hematologic and serum biochemical abnormalities were identified. Bacterial culture of nasal swab specimens did not yield B anthracis. Only mild and infrequent health conditions were identified during the 5-year follow-up period. None of the dogs were identified as having chronic respiratory tract disease. Six dogs died of various causes. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that acute injuries and illnesses were common among NYPD working dogs deployed to the WTC disaster site, but that longterm health complications were minimal.     

Spatial structure and nest demography reveal the influence of competition, parasitism and habitat quality on slavemaking ants and their hosts

Background  

Natural communities are structured by intra-guild competition, predation or parasitism and the abiotic environment. We studied the relative importance of these factors in two host-social parasite ecosystems in three ant communities in Europe (Bavaria) and North America (New York, West Virginia). We tested how these factors affect colony demography, life-history and the spatial pattern of colonies, using a large sample size of more than 1000 colonies. The strength of competition was measured by the distance to the nearest competitor. Distance to the closest social parasite colony was used as a measure of parasitism risk. Nest sites (i.e., sticks or acorns) are limited in these forest ecosystems and we therefore included nest site quality as an abiotic factor in the analysis. In contrast to previous studies based on local densities, we focus here on the positioning and spatial patterns and we use models to compare our predictions to random expectations.     

Suitability of satellite remote sensing data for yield estimation in northeast Germany

Precision Agriculture - Information provided by satellite data is becoming increasingly important in the field of agriculture. Estimating biomass, nitrogen content or crop yield can improve farm...     

Integrated standardization concept for Angelica botanicals using quantitative NMR

Despite numerous in vitro/vivo and phytochemical studies, the active constituents of Angelica sinensis (AS) have not been conclusively identified for the standardization to bioactive markers. Phytochemical analyses of AS extracts and fractions that demonstrate activity in a panel of in vitro bioassays, have repeatedly pointed to ligustilide as being (associated with) the active principle(s). Due to the chemical instability of ligustilide and related issues in GC/LC analyses, new methods capable of quantifying ligustilide in mixtures that do not rely on an identical reference standard are in high demand. This study demonstrates how NMR can satisfy the requirement for simultaneous, multi-target quantification and qualitative identification. First, the AS activity was concentrated into a single fraction by RP-solid-phase extraction, as confirmed by an alkaline phosphatase, (anti-)estrogenicity and cytotoxicity assay. Next, a quantitative ¹H NMR (qHNMR) method was established and validated using standard compounds and comparing processing methods. Subsequent 1D/2D NMR and qHNMR analysis led to the identification and quantification of ligustilide and other minor components in the active fraction, and to the development of quality criteria for authentic AS preparations. The absolute and relative quantities of ligustilide, six minor alkyl phthalides, and groups of phenylpropanoids, polyynes, and poly-unsaturated fatty acids were measured by a combination of qHNMR and 2D COSY. The qNMR approach enables multi-target quality control of the bioactive fraction, and enables the integrated biological and chemical standardization of AS botanicals. This methodology can potentially be transferred to other botanicals with active principles that act synergistically, or that contain closely related and/or constituents, which have not been conclusively identified as the active principles.     

Increased nitrogen-use efficiency of a short-rotation poplar plantation in elevated CO(2) concentration

We estimated nitrogen (N) use by trees of three poplar species exposed for 3 years to free air CO(2) enrichment (FACE) and determined whether the CO(2) treatment affected the future N availability of the plantation. Trees were harvested at the end of the first 3-year rotation and N concentration and content of woody tissues determined. Nitrogen uptake of fine roots and litter was measured throughout the first crop rotation. The results were related to previously published variations in soil N content during the same period. We estimated retranslocation from green leaves and processes determining N mobilization and immobilization, such as mineralization and nitrification, and N immobilization in litter and microbial biomass. In all species, elevated CO(2) concentration ([CO(2)]) significantly increased nitrogen-use efficiency (NUE; net primary productivity per unit of annual N uptake), decreased N concentration in most plant tissues, but did not significantly change cumulative N uptake by trees over the rotation. Total soil N was depleted more in elevated [CO(2)] than in ambient [CO(2)], although not significantly for all soil layers. The effect of elevated [CO(2)] was usually similar for all species, although differences among species were sometimes significant. During the first 3-year rotation, productivity of the plantation remained high in the elevated [CO(2)] treatment. However, we observed a potential reduction in N availability in response to elevated [CO(2)].     

The endophyte Enterobacter sp. FD17: a maize growth enhancer selected based on rigorous testing of plant beneficial traits and colonization characteristics

With the aim to select powerful microbial strains to be used for the enhancement of maize yield and resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses, we tested five endophytic bacterial strains previously isolated from maize roots. A range of different laboratory assays in regard to potential plant growth promotion was performed and strains were further evaluated for improving growth of five maize cultivars under axenic and natural soil conditions. Endophytic colonization was an additional component in our selection process as it is of high importance for an inoculant strain to efficiently colonize the plant environment. All strains had the potential to improve maize seedling growth under axenic conditions. Enterobacter sp. strain FD17 showed both the highest growth-promoting activity under axenic conditions as well as colonization capacity. FD17 was therefore selected for further plant tests in a net house, in which two different maize cultivars were grown in large pots until ripening and subjected to outdoor climatic conditions. Results showed that inoculation significantly increased plant biomass, number of leaves plant^?1, leaf area, and grain yield up to 39 %, 14 %, 20 %, and 42 %, respectively, as compared to the un-inoculated control. Similarly, inoculation also improved the photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) of maize plant and reduced the time needed for flowering. We also confirmed that strain FD17 is able to colonize the rhizosphere, roots and stems. Based on rigorous testing, Enterobacter sp. strain FD17 showed the highest potential to promote growth and health of maize grown under natural conditions. This study suggested that in vitro plant growth-promoting traits and potential of maize seedling growth promotion by bacterial endophytes could be used for the selection of potential inoculant strains subjected for further testing as bio-inoculant under field conditions.     

Impact of faunal complexity on microbial biomass and N turnover in field mesocosms from a spruce forest soil

In a field study using soil mesocosms in an acid spruce forest soil we investigated the effects of mesofauna and macrofauna on microbial biomass, dissolved organic matter, and N cycling. Intact soil monoliths were taken from the ground, defaunated by deep-freezing, and wrapped in nets of various mesh-sizes to control re-immigration of different faunal size-classes. The monoliths were then replanted in the field. Three treatments of mesocosms were prepared: (1) with only microbiota, (2) microbiota and mesofauna, and (3) microbiota, mesofauna, and macrofauna (= complex fauna). After 8 months of exposure the mesocosms and the unmanipulated control plots (treatment 4) were destructively sampled. We estimated microbial biomass by substrate-induced respiration and the chloroform fumigation-extraction method. N cycling was measured by monitoring microbial N mineralization, the NH _inf4 ^sup+ content, and selected amino acids and the activities of protease, urease, and deaminase. The results from the L/F layer showed that the pool of the microbial biomass was not changed by the activity of the mesofauna. However, the mesofauna and macrofauna together enhanced SIR. An increase in microbial N mineralization was only observed in treatment 3 (microbiota + complex fauna). Protease activity and NH _inf4 ^sup+ content increased in treatments 2 (microbiota + mesofauna) and 3 (microbiota + complex fauna). The complex fauna induced a soil pH increase in treatment 3 as opposed to treatment 1 and the control. This increase was presumably due to excretory NH _inf4 ^sup+ . Principal component analysis revealed that the complex fauna in treatment 3 caused a significantly higher N turnover per unit of microbial biomass.     

Habitat models and habitat connectivity analysis for butterflies and burnet moths - The example of Zygaena carniolica and Coenonympha arcania

In this paper, habitat models were used to predict potential habitat for endangered species, which is an important question in landscape and conservation planning. Based on logistic regression, we developed habitat distribution models for the burnet moth Zygaena carniolica and the nymphalid butterfly Coenonympha arcania in Northern Bavaria, Germany. The relation between adult occurrence and habitat parameters, including the influence of landscape context, was analyzed on 118 sites. Habitat connectivity analyses were carried out on the basis of (1) habitat suitability maps generated from these models and (2) dispersal data from mark recapture studies. Our results showed that (1) the presence of the burnet depended mainly on the presence of nectar plants and of nutrient-poor dry grasslands in direct vicinity, that of the nymphalid on larger areas of extensively used dry grasslands within 100 m vicinity in combination with small patches of higher shrubs and bushes. (2) Internal as well as external validation indicated the robustness and general applicability of the models. Transferability in time and space indicated their high potential relevance for applications in nature conservation, such as predicting possible effects of land use changes. (3) Habitat connectivity analyses revealed a high degree of habitat connectivity within the study area. Thus, we could show no effects of isolation or habitat size for both species.     

An immunohistochemical study of the role of matrix metalloproteinases and their tissue inhibitors in chronic mitral valvular disease (valvular endocardiosis) in dogs

While the pathogenesis of chronic valvular disease (CVD) in dogs remains unclear, alterations in the activity of specific metalloproteinase enzymes and their inhibitors within the valve stroma are suspected of having a role. This study describes the immunohistochemical distribution pattern of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) types 2, 9 and 14 and their tissue inhibitors, termed tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP), types 2 and 3, in normal canine mitral valves (MVs) (n=10) and in dogs with mild (n=7), moderate (n=14) and severe (n=9) CVD. In normal MVs, MMP-2 and -14, and TIMP-2 were expressed in isolated stromal cells. Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3 exhibited moderate intracellular and mild extracellular expression. With increasing severity of CVD, the expression of MMP-2 decreased. The number of stromal cells expressing MMP-14 increased, predominantly in the margins of the nodular lesions. Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 and -3 expression increased both intra- and extracellularly. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 was not detected in normal or diseased valves. In conclusion, CVD was characterised by alterations in the distribution and intensity of valvular MMP and TIMP expression, suggesting that depressed catabolism and the accumulation of extracellular matrix components within affected valves contributes to their structural alteration and consequent loss of function.