Acute onset of pulmonary necrotising arteritis in a dog with a left-to-right patent ductus arteriosus

A 12-week-old, clinically normal Chihuahua was referred for investigation for a continuous heart murmur. Cardiac evaluation revealed an anatomically and haemodynamically typical left-to-right shunting patent ductus arteriosus. The continuous wave Doppler measurement of peak ductal jet velocity of 5.6 m/s was suggestive of a normal pulmonary to systemic arterial pressure ratio. The dog returned 16 days later with right heart failure and severe pulmonary hypertension. Marked reduction in left-to-right shunting was demonstrated and the ductal jet velocity had decreased to 2.5 m/s. Immediate ductus ligation, oxygen therapy before and after the operation, and administration of hydralazine failed to reduce pulmonary hypertension, and the dog was euthanased. Histopathological examination of the lung showed pulmonary necrotising arteritis with acute and chronic arterial lesions. Chronic pulmonary vascular changes related to high flow have been associated with altered nitric oxide and endothelin responses. These changes may be responsible for the acute onset of pulmonary hypertension due to relatively minor vascular insults in some human and veterinary patients with left-to-right shunts. The potential for acute progression supports the recommendations for early ductus ligation and the prognostic importance of detecting pulmonary hypertension presurgically in patent ductus arteriosus patients.     

Characterization of cultivation effects on soil organic matter

Humus properties in various Ap horizons from field plots, that have been cultivated in long-term experiments under different management conditions, were investigated by pyrolysis-field ionization mass spectrometry (Py-FIMS) and ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy. The results of Py-FIMS were evaluated by correlation and principal component analysis from reproducible data sets of bulk soil samples and extracted humic substances, and allowed a distinct discrimination on the basis of humus quality and composition. The chemical subunits suitable for discrimination are the major plant constituents carbohydrates, lignin, and proteinaceous materials as well as their humification products. The contribution of these compound classes to soil organic matter decreased with the intensity of management. CPMAS and solution ¹³C NMR spectra of soils and humic substances demonstrated that with more intense management, both the intensities of the phenolic region (140–160 ppm) and the aromatic region (110–140 ppm) decreased. The combination of both independent methods MS and NMR, together with microbiological and biochemical data, yields the general result that intensive soil management leads to a less active humus.     

Determination of total N-nitroso compounds by chemical denitrosation using CuCl

A method for the determination of total N-nitroso compounds (NOC) by chemical denitrosation and subsequent chemiluminescence detection of evolved NO is described. Denitrosation was accomplished with CuCl in HCl at 70 degrees C. The detection limit for N-nitrosoproline (NPRO) was 1 pmol. NO formation from NPRO was linear (R(2) = 0.999) from 4 pmol to 2 nmol. Among the possible interfering compounds tested, only S-nitroso compounds contribute any significant interference. This method had several advantages over other similar methods: (1) A commercially available one-piece reaction vessel and a NO analyzer with software were used. (2) NO release occurred rapidly and was easily measured and quantified. (3) Compared to HBr or HI, CuCl was more convenient to work with and safe. (4) CuCl was suitable for samples in aqueous and most organic solvents. The application of this method to food, personal care products, and human body fluids demonstrates its utility.     

Wounding of Root or Basal Stalk Prior to Harvest Affects Pre-harvest Antioxidant Accumulation and Tobacco-specific Nitrosamine Formation during Air Curing of Burley Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.)

Wounding stresses were tested for their ability to induce an accumulation of antioxidants in harvested tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) and for the reduction of tobacco‐specific nitrosamines (TSNA) during subsequent air curing. Data indicated that root pruning of burley tobacco 1 week before harvest resulted in an increased accumulation of α‐tocopherol, chlorogenic acid and rutin, compared with untreated plants. Wounding also increased total antioxidant capacity in both green and cured tobacco. Field experiments performed over 3 years showed a consistent decrease in nitrite concentration in leaves from wounded tobacco, and the reduction in TSNA was always associated with reduced levels of nitrite. Depending on climate and curing conditions, curing resulted in significant reductions in TSNA, compared with unwounded, control plants. Thus, the results suggested that higher endogenous antioxidants present during senescence and curing of wounding‐stressed tobacco may affect the propensities of those tissues to inhibit TSNA formation by reaction with nitrite.     

Hunting behavior of a marine mammal beneath the antarctic fast Ice

The hunting behavior of a marine mammal was studied beneath the Antarctic fast ice with an animal-borne video system and data recorder. Weddell seals stalked large Antarctic cod and the smaller subice fish Pagothenia borchgrevinki, often with the under-ice surface for backlighting, which implies that vision is important for hunting. They approached to within centimeters of cod without startling the fish. Seals flushed P. borchgrevinki by blowing air into subice crevices or pursued them into the platelet ice. These observations highlight the broad range of insights that are possible with simultaneous recordings of video, audio, three-dimensional dive paths, and locomotor effort.     

A presumably exotic Phytophthora species causing dieback of Buxus sempervirens in Germany and Romania

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Roots, collars and rhizosphere soils from diseased boxwood saplings (Buxus sempervirens) from German and Romanian nurseries were shown to be colonized by...     

Dual‐role FilmArray® diagnostics for high‐impact viral diseases

In this study, we explored the potential utility of the human‐focused FilmArray® Respiratory Panel for the diagnosis of a broad range of influenza viruses of veterinary concern as compared with the standard portfolio of recommended TaqMan®‐based diagnostic tests. In addition, we discuss some potential operational advantages associated with the use of such integrated sample extraction, amplification and analysis devices in the context of a future long‐term, dual‐role strategy for the detection of emergency diseases of both human and veterinary concern.     

核心期刊简介及其评价功能分析

近年来,围绕核心期刊存与废的争论,一直是图书情报界、学术界和出版界的热门话题,引起业内人士的极大关注。核心期刊的推出缘何会造成如此大的影响？究其原因,主要是由于核心期刊功能的延伸和强化,特别是在成果认定、期刊评价方面的广泛应用,直接影响到期刊编者、作者等诸多方面的利益,因此人们会从各自不同的角度对它持有不同看法。本文分析和探讨了核心期刊概念引发的问题。