PET/CT today and tomorrow in veterinary cancer diagnosis and monitoring: fundamentals,early results and future perspectives

Functional imaging using positron emission tomography (PET) plays an important role in the diagnosis, staging, image‐guided treatment planning and monitoring of malignant diseases. PET imaging complements conventional anatomical imaging such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The strength of CT scanning lies in its high spatial resolution, allowing for anatomical characterization of disease. PET imaging, however, moves beyond anatomy and characterizes tissue based on functions such as metabolic rate. Combined PET/CT scanners were introduced commercially in 2001 and a number of technological advancements have since occurred. Radiolabelled tracers such as ¹⁸F‐fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and ¹⁸F‐fluorothymidine (FLT) allow visualization of various metabolic processes within cancer cells. Many studies in human oncology evaluating the utility of PET/CT have demonstrated clinical benefits. Few veterinary studies have been performed, but initial studies show promise for improved detection of malignancy, more thorough staging of canine cancer and determination of early response and disease recrudescence.     

景观空间异质性对生态系统服务的影响

景观空间异质性是一个景观生态学的概念,其会对生态系统服务产生巨大影响,而生态系统服务会随着景观格局的改变而改变。景观空间异质性可划分为景观组成异质性与景观构型异质性。这两方面对生态系统服务的影响机制和内容有所不同。目前很多学者都是对“景观格局—生态系统服务对应关系,或者生态系统过程—生态系统服务对应关系”进行研究,缺乏将景观格局、生态系统过程与生态系统服务三者结合起来,并关注三者变化与相互关系的研究。关于景观异质性是通过何种途径影响生态系统服务的,目前的研究还不够深入。通过总结国内外的有关文献,简述景观空间异质性是如何通过直接和间接作用影响生态系统服务,以期为提高生态系统服务、实现可持续发展以及制定生态保护政策提供科学依据。     

Pathology and Neurotoxicity in Dogs after Repeat Dose Exposure to a Serotonin 5-HT1B Inhibitor

AZD3783, a cationic amphiphilic drug and a potent inhibitor of the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT_1B) receptor, was explored as a potential treatment for depression. To support clinical trials, repeat dose toxicity studies in rats and dogs were conducted. Here we report toxicity findings in dogs after dosing from 1 to 3 months. In the 1-month study, there were minimal neuronal vacuolation in the brain, a marked increase in liver enzymes accompanied by hepatocellular degeneration/necrosis and phospholipidosis (PLD), and PLD/cholecystitis in the gallbladder of animals dosed at 47 mg/kg/day. In the 3-month study, neurotoxicity resulted in euthanasia of one animal dosed at 30 mg/kg/day after 86 days. Extensive pathologic changes were seen in all animals in retina epithelium (inclusion bodies), brain (neuronal vacuolation, degeneration, or necrosis and nerve fiber degeneration), spinal ganglia (vacuolation, degeneration, or necrosis), as well as sciatic and optic nerves (degeneration). Pigment-laden macrophages were observed in the lung, kidney, liver, gallbladder, bone marrow, gastrointestinal tract, and lymphoid tissues. Also seen were vitrel and retinal hemorrhage in the eyes. A brain concentration and pathology study showed that the concentration of AZD3783 in the brain was approximately 4 times higher than in the plasma after 4 weeks of dosing, however, they were similar in all regions examined, and did not correlate with areas with pathologic findings. Our findings with AZD3783 in dogs have not been reported previously with other CNS compounds that effect through serotonergic pharmacology.     

退耕还林(草)工程效益监测与评估技术

根据退耕还林工程对环境的直接影响,建立了效益监测指标体系,筛选出了54个指标因子,并对工程效益的评价方法进行了探讨.退耕还林(草)工程涉及面广、规模大、投入多,其工程效益监测和评估具有重要的意义.     

草地生态系统的保护及治理对策

草地生态系统是以各种多年生草本占优势的生物群落与其环境构成的功能综合体,它是人类生存和发展的物质基础,也是人类可持续发展的重要前提.但是,由于人们不合理的利用草地,全世界的草地退化越来越严重,草地的退化不仅给生态环境造成了难以承受的压力,而且从健康、生存环境、生活质量方面给人类造成了严重的影响.笔者分析了草地生态系统的现状,并提出了草地生态系统的合理利用和保护方法及治理对策.     

Vertebrate pesticide risk assessment by indigenous communities in New Zealand

In New Zealand, the vertebrate pesticide sodium fluoroacetate (Compound 1080) is aerially applied in baits for control of the brush-tailed possum Trichosurus vulpecula (Kerr, 1792). Maori, the indigenous people of New Zealand, have raised concerns about 1080 impacts on culturally-important species. Here, we outline two steps taken to help Maori assess 1080 risk. First, field research was undertaken to determine if naturally-occurring plants utilized by a Maori community for food and medicine would take up 1080 from baits. Single baits were placed at the base of individual plants of two species, pikopiko (Asplenium bulbiferum) and karamuramu (Coprosma robusta). Plants were sampled at various times up to 56 days, and samples were analyzed for 1080 content. No 1080 was detected in any of the pikopiko samples, whereas 1080 was detected in karamuramu, at a maximum concentration of 5 ppb after seven days, and 2.5 ppb after 14 days. This concentration decreased to 0 at 28 days, indicating that 1080 was not persistent. The results of the present study suggest there is negligible risk of humans being poisoned by consuming plants that have taken up 1080 from baits. To allay community concerns that minute concentrations of 1080 might influence the medicinal properties of plants, it is suggested that a withholding period of 30 days after 1080 control operations could be adopted. Second, after further consultation we undertook a review of the scientific literature relating to 1080 impacts on additional non-target species of cultural importance to Maori. The information was presented on an interactive foodweb database that allowed the collection and presentation of a large volume of complex information about 1080 in a holistic and pictorial fashion. This database was presented to many Maori communities throughout New Zealand, and feedback was overwhelmingly positive. The database is likely to play a key role in informing these communities about 1080, and is seen as an important new tool to help these communities make their own risk assessments.     

Multidrug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates From Captive Reptiles

Pseudomonas aeruginosa represents an opportunistic pathogen for animals and humans that is often associated with high disease morbidity and, at times, mortality. Captive reptiles have been shown to be reservoirs of P. aeruginosa strains that can be sources of exposure to humans that come in contact with these animals. In this study, the prevalence of P. aeruginosa among subclinical captive reptile species and the antimicrobial sensitivity of bacterial isolates were investigated. Sixty-five oral swabs were collected from captive reptiles belonging to 15 different species in which no overt signs of disease were evident. From this group of animals, 46 (70.8%) isolates were identified as P. aeruginosa. All of the P. aeruginosa strains were shown to have a wide range of antibiotic resistance. At present, there is a paucity of data regarding the prevalence of P. aeruginosa in various reptile species; therefore, continued scientific investigations are indicated to determine the significance of P. aeruginosa infection as it relates to captive reptile species.     

石门国家森林公园风景资源质量等级评定

文章是在对广东省石门国家森林公园风景资源进行全面系统普查的基础上,依据《中国森林公园风景资源质量等级评定》(GB/T 18005-1999)标准,从风景资源质量评价、区域生态状况评价和旅游开发利用条件评价等三个方面对石门国家森林公园进行等级评定,结果表明石门国家森林公园风景质量达到一级,风景资源的资源价值和旅游价值高,评定结果可为公园的保护性开发提供科学依据和理论指导。       

外来树种对自然生态系统入侵风险评价指标体系

本指标体系是通过评价外来树种的入侵性(繁殖扩散建群能力)或外来树种的实际扩散程度及其对生态系统的影响来综合评价外来树种对自然生态系统的入侵风险.首先以回答问题的方式进行外来树种的入侵性评价或实际扩散程度评价,及其对生态系统的影响评价,然后通过综合判断表,得出外来树种的入侵风险等级,最后结合外来树种的控制难度等级给出相应的管理对策.入侵性通过植物的繁殖方式、扩散途径和适应能力等3个方面进行评价.实际扩散程度主要考虑外来树种天然更新的方式、扩散进入的植物群落类型和扩散的速度等因素.生态影响评价包括外来树种对生态系统环境因子、植物群落结构组成、当地群体遗传完整性和生态系统营养链等4方面的影响.控制难度考虑影响控制的因素、控制的方法和控制的负面影响等因素.     

农业开发项目中植物激素类农用化学品环境影响评价技术研究

随着农业开发项目的加强，植物激素类农用化学品将会广泛的应用于农业生产中，而植物激素类农用化学品使用不当会导致作物减产减收、品质下降、污染等负面效应，严重影响农业生产。本文研究建立一套完整的环境影响评价技术体系，包括评价工作程序、评价内容、评价因子、评价指标、评价标准、评价技术方法和环境影响对策等方面。旨在为农业开发项目中植物激素类农用化学品环境影响评价提供必要的技术支持。