Direct approach to the nasal cavity through a bone flap for the treatment of a large nasal cyst

A 21‐year‐old Warmblood mare was referred to the Equine Department, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, because of recurrent unilateral nasal discharge 3 months after partial removal of a large cyst from the left maxillary and frontal sinuses. Endoscopic, radiographic and computed tomographic examinations showed that the remnant of the cyst, which originally had extended from the left maxillary and frontal sinuses into the left nasal cavity, had expanded and was obliterating the left middle nasal meatus. A direct surgical approach to the cyst through the left nasal and maxillary bones rostral to the facial crest was chosen, which allowed evaluation and removal of the entire cyst. Endoscopic examination 3 days post operatively showed no remnants of the cyst, and the mare was discharged in good health. Re‐examination one year later showed no recurrence of the cyst.     

Expression of VEGFR and PDGFR‐α/‐β in 187 canine nasal carcinomas

Radiotherapy represents the standard of care for intranasal carcinomas. Responses to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been reported but data on expression of target receptor tyrosine kinases (rTKs) is limited. This study characterizes the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR), platelet‐derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR)‐α and PDGFR‐β in canine intranasal carcinomas. Histological samples from 187 dogs were retrieved. Immunohistochemistry was performed using commercially available antibodies. Expression of rTKs was classified into weak, moderate or intense and additionally recorded as cytoplasmic, membranous, cytoplasmic‐membranous, nuclear or stromal. VEGFR was expressed in 158 dogs with predominantly moderate expression (36.9%) and a cytoplasmic‐membranous expression pattern (70.9%). PDGFR‐α was detected in 133 with predominantly weak expression (57.9%) and cytoplasmic pattern (87.9%). PDGFR‐β was identified in 74 patients with a predominantly moderate expression (17.6%) and cytoplasmic expression pattern (63.5%). Co‐expression of rTKs was common. These results confirm expression of VEGFR, PDGFR‐α and PDGFR‐β in canine intranasal carcinomas and support the utility of TKIs.     

耕地破坏程度鉴定研究——以文昌市龙虎山水库上游耕地为例

运用定性与定量相结合的方法,并结合外业踏勘及测量结果,依据《海南省耕地破坏鉴定技术规范》(试行),对文昌市翁田镇龙马村委会坡头三、四村龙虎山水库上游旁耕地进行了破坏程度鉴定,鉴定方法和步骤可以为耕地破坏鉴定工作提供参考。研究发现:现行耕地破坏鉴定技术规范中,在耕地破坏界定对象、数量、质量、类型和恢复种植条件的鉴定上尚存在不足之处,并提出合理化建议。     

试验用Hartley豚鼠的饲养及滴鼻剂变应性鼻炎建模

为探索试验用Hartley豚鼠的饲养及建立滴鼻剂变应性鼻炎(AR)模型的有效方法,本试验采用单因素试验,考察了试验动物种类、饲养方式、卵清蛋白(OVA)致敏剂量、时间对滴鼻剂AR建模的影响,观察空白组与模型组Hartley豚鼠过敏反应症状和鼻黏膜病理切片。结果显示,就滴鼻剂的AR试验而言,Hartley豚鼠是较好的试验动物;饲料为普通小鼠饲料+莴苣叶或油麦菜;OVA为致敏剂,基础致敏浓度为0.1~0.3 mg/mL OVA,隔天腹腔注射1次,共7次;激发致敏浓度为2%,两侧鼻腔各10~30 μL,每天1次,6~9 d后与空白组相比,模型组Hartley豚鼠有明显的过敏反应症状和鼻黏膜病变。该建模方法简单经济,重现性好,可作为滴鼻剂AR建模的最佳方法。     

DOSIMETRIC IMPACT OF DAILY SETUP VARIATIONS DURING TREATMENT OF CANINE NASAL TUMORS USING INTENSITY-MODULATED RADIATION THERAPY

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) can be employed to yield precise dose distributions that tightly conform to targets and reduce high doses to normal structures by generating steep dose gradients. Because of these sharp gradients, daily setup variations may have an adverse effect on clinical outcome such that an adjacent normal structure may be overdosed and/or the target may be underdosed. This study provides a detailed analysis of the impact of daily setup variations on optimized IMRT canine nasal tumor treatment plans when variations are not accounted for due to the lack of image guidance. Setup histories of ten patients with nasal tumors previously treated using helical tomotherapy were replanned retrospectively to study the impact of daily setup variations on IMRT dose distributions. Daily setup shifts were applied to IMRT plans on a fraction-by-fraction basis. Using mattress immobilization and laser alignment, mean setup error magnitude in any single dimension was at least 2.5 mm (0–10.0 mm). With inclusions of all three translational coordinates, mean composite offset vector was 5.9±3.3 mm. Due to variations, a loss of equivalent uniform dose for target volumes of up to 5.6% was noted which corresponded to a potential loss in tumor control probability of 39.5%. Overdosing of eyes and brain was noted by increases in mean normalized total dose and highest normalized dose given to 2% of the volume. Findings suggest that successful implementation of canine nasal IMRT requires daily image guidance to ensure accurate delivery of precise IMRT distributions when non-rigid immobilization techniques are utilized. Unrecognized geographical misses may result in tumor recurrence and/or radiation toxicities to the eyes and brain.     

IMAGING DIAGNOSIS—NASAL SEPTAL AND LARYNGEAL CYST‐LIKE MALFORMATIONS IN A THOROUGHBRED WEANLING COLT DIAGNOSED USING ULTRASONOGRAPHY AND MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING

A foal was examined for abnormal upper airway noise. Endoscopically, there were narrowed nasal passages and an extralumenal mass of the cranial trachea. Using ultrasonography and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the larynx and cranial cervical trachea, irregular margins of the laryngeal cartilages and first tracheal ring containing areas consistent with fluid were identified. In MR images, a widened nasal septum was seen that contained material consistent with fluid. Postmortem examination confirmed the diagnosis of nasal septal, laryngeal, and cranial cervical tracheal cyst‐like lesions. This is a unique congenital condition, in which premortem imaging was instrumental in defining the abnormalities.     

Evaluation of combinations of paraquat plus photosystem II-inhibiting herbicides for controlling failed stands of maize (Zea mays)

Existing plants remaining in failed stands of maize must be removed prior to planting a subsequent crop, and glyphosate and glufosinate are generally ineffective because of the presence of herbicide-resistant genes in most US maize. Research was conducted at three locations in 2009 to evaluate maize control with paraquat as influenced by (1) the addition of three PSII-inhibiting herbicides, (2) maize growth stage at application with and without addition of atrazine, and (3) time of day of application with and without addition of atrazine. Delaying an application of paraquat beyond the V4 stage (four visible collars) of maize resulted in ineffective control of maize, and the addition of atrazine to paraquat improved control of older plants. A paraquat dose of at least 525 g/ha was often needed for acceptable control of maize. Of the three PSII-inhibiting herbicides evaluated, maize control was generally greater and more consistent with the addition of metribuzin or diuron to paraquat than with atrazine, even though atrazine did often improve control over paraquat alone. Applying paraquat at sunset did improve control over applications made near sunrise, but a PSII-inhibiting herbicide was still needed with paraquat to maximize control of maize. These findings demonstrate that undesirable maize plants can be effectively controlled with combinations of paraquat plus PSII-inhibiting herbicides when applied no later than the V4 stage of maize, and applications in close proximity to sunset can further improve control.     

山西生态环境破坏对可持续发展的影响及对策研究

山西地处黄土高原生态环境脆弱带 ,长期以煤炭为主的资源型经济发展加剧了生态环境的恶化。目前 ,山西是全国生态破坏最严重、环境质量最差、可持续发展能力最低的省份之一。作为中国重要的能源重化工基地之一 ,山西生态环境建设在全国占有举足轻重的地位。本文从山西生态环境破坏的现状出发 ,分析生态破坏对可持续发展的严重影响 ,提出遏制山西生态环境破坏 ,促进可持续发展的主要对策。     

Grassland Degradation, Construction and the Economic-technological Strategies of Sustainable Development of Grassland-agriculture

Natural grassland in the West of Northeastern China is located in 40° 0′ - 43° 5′ N latitude and 117° 0′ -127° 5′ Elongitude. It lies in the Lisp River Valley, the Songhua River Valley and Nen River Valley. About 130 years ago, this region had rich natural grassland resources, was numerically 26.67 millions in hectare of grasslands.Since the last stage of Qing Dynasty, the grassland has been destroyed seriously in 3 times. Up to now, this region only preserved about 2 millions in hectare of the grasslands. In addition, 3.33 millions in hectare of the grasslands have changed from primary grassland to desertification, salinizatio-nalkalinization and degeneration grasslands in the form of patches of bare soil (their simple form of a name is "3 kinds of degeneration grasslands"). This paper indicaed that in any period both grasslands destruction and its restoration were relevant to economic changes and economic systems,particularly to market economy in that time. The following agricultural economic-technological strategies have been production bases of concentrated feed crops and coarse herbage crops.     

The Role of Seawater and Saline Solutions in Treatment of Upper Respiratory Conditions

The history of saline nasal irrigation (SNI) is indeed a long one, beginning from the ancient Ayurvedic practices and gaining a foothold in the west at the beginning of the 20th century. Today, there is a growing number of papers covering the effects of SNI, from in vitro studies to randomized clinical trials and literature overviews. Based on the recommendations of most of the European and American professional associations, seawater, alone or in combination with other preparations, has its place in the treatment of numerous conditions of the upper respiratory tract (URT), primarily chronic (rhino)sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, acute URT infections and postoperative recovery. Additionally, taking into account its multiple mechanisms of action and mounting evidence from recent studies, locally applied seawater preparations may have an important role in the prevention of viral and bacterial infections of the URT. In this review we discuss results published in the past years focusing on seawater preparations and their use in clinical and everyday conditions, since such products provide the benefits of additional ions vs. saline, have an excellent safety profile and are recommended by most professional associations in the field of otorhinolaryngology.