Thoracic high resolution CT using the modified VetMousetrap™ device is a feasible method for diagnosing canine idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in awake West Highland White Terriers

Canine idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic, progressive interstitial lung disease particularly prevalent in West Highland White Terriers. In the present prospective pilot study, we evaluated the feasibility of modified VetMousetrap? device in high resolution CT to detect idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in West Highland White Terriers. Twelve awake West Highland White Terriers with canine idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and 24 clinically healthy West Highland White Terriers were scanned using a helical dual slice scanner utilizing VetMousetrap? device without or with minimal chemical restraint with butorphanol. Three evaluators blindly assessed the images for image quality and the presence of canine idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis related imaging findings such as ground glass opacity and reticular opacities. Additionally, the attenuation of the lung was quantified with ImageJ software using histogram analysis of density over the lung fields. Computed tomography was successfully completed and motion artifact ranked in statistical analysis barely noticeable to mild in all dogs. The agreement between imaging findings and clinical status was very good with overall κ value 0.91 and percentage of agreement of 94%. There was also very good intraobserver (κ_range = 0.79‐0.91) and interobserver agreement (κ = 0.94). Moderate to severe ground glass opacity was present in all affected dogs. In the ImageJ analysis, a significant difference in lung attenuation between the study groups was observed. We conclude that modified VetMousetrap? device is applicable in diagnosing canine idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in awake West Highland White Terriers avoiding anesthetic risk in these often severely hypoxic patients.     

The effects of a heat treatment on the behaviour of extractives in softwood studied by FTIR spectroscopic methods

Scots pine battens were heat-treated at 100–240º C under saturated steam. Cross-sections of heat-treated battens were analysed using ATR and reflection FTIR microscopies. A typical absorption band of fats and waxes at 1740 cm^-1 was detected on the sapwood edges in the temperature range of 100–160º C, indicating that fats and waxes moved along the axial parenchyma cells to the surface of the sapwood during the heat treatment. At the elevated temperatures (above 180° C) fats and waxes disappeared from the sapwood surface and were no longer detected with FTIR spectroscopy. Resin acids were detected at temperatures between 100 and 180º C in the middle of the battens. IR spectra of these spots showed a characteristic absorption band of resin acids at 1697 cm^-1. At 200º C resin acids were not detected in the middle of the battens; however, resin acids were detected at distances of 500 and 600 mm from the midpoint of the battens and on the edges of battens. At temperatures above 200° C, resin acids had disappeared from the wood.     

Pituitary adenoma predisposition caused by germline mutations in the AIP gene

Pituitary adenomas are common in the general population, and understanding their molecular basis is of great interest. Combining chip-based technologies with genealogy data, we identified germline mutations in the aryl hydrocarbon receptor interacting protein (AIP) gene in individuals with pituitary adenoma predisposition (PAP). AIP acts in cytoplasmic retention of the latent form of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor and also has other functions. In a population-based series from Northern Finland, two AIP mutations account for 16% of all patients diagnosed with pituitary adenomas secreting growth hormone and for 40% of the subset of patients who were diagnosed when they were younger than 35 years of age. Typically, PAP patients do not display a strong family history of pituitary adenoma; thus, AIP is an example of a low-penetrance tumor susceptibility gene.     

Old soil carbon is more temperature sensitive than the young in an agricultural field

Changes in the carbon stock of soil in response to climate change would significantly affect the atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration and consequently climate. The isotopes of carbon provide a means to study the temperature sensitivities of different soil carbon fractions. Where C3 vegetation has changed for C4, soil organic matter (SOM) from the different origins have different ¹³C/¹²C ratios. Relying on this feature, we took soil samples from a control field and a field where ordinary grain (C3) vegetation was replaced by maize (C4), 5 years ago. We measured the respiration rate and the ¹³C/¹²C ratio of the CO₂ produced by the samples at different temperatures. Based on these measurements, we quantified that Q₁₀ was 3.4-3.6 for the total CO₂ production while it was 2.4-2.9 at 20 °C for the maize-derived young carbon and 3.6 for the older C3-derived carbon. Our results suggest that climatic warming will accelerate especially the decomposition of the large pool of old soil carbon in these fields.     

Fruit development in artificially self- and cross-pollinated strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa) and raspberries (Rubus idaeus)

Tunnel cultivation of berries is increasing on a global basis, and suitable management techniques are being studied for growing berry crops in a protected environment. Soil mulching and irrigation are among the techniques that significantly affect plant growth and yield. Tunnel cultivation is often limited to growing single cultivars, and little attention has been paid to the effects of growing several cultivars in the same tunnel. There are indications that crop yield and quality might benefit from cross-pollination. In this study, the effects of artificial self- and cross-pollination were studied in 15 strawberry and 6 red raspberry cultivars grown in a protected environment in a greenhouse. Four strawberry cultivars benefited from cross-pollination and one required it. In the case of raspberries, self- and cross-pollination had no effect on yield and fruit quality. In conclusion, particular berry cultivars are better suited to tunnel cultivation.     

Polycythemia in dogs with chronic hypoxic pulmonary disease

BackgroundProlonged tissue hypoxia caused by chronic pulmonary disease is commonly regarded as an important mechanism in the development of secondary polycythemia, but little clinical data are available to support this hypothesis.ObjectiveTo study the prevalence and severity of erythrocytosis accompanying chronic hypoxic pulmonary disease in dogs.AnimalsForty‐seven dogs with hypoxic chronic pulmonary disease, 27 dogs with nonhypoxic chronic pulmonary disease, and 60 healthy controls.MethodsDogs with chronic pulmonary disease and chronic hypoxemia (partial pressure of arterial oxygen [PaO₂] < 80 mm Hg on at least 2 arterial blood gas measurements a minimum of 1 month apart) were identified retrospectively from patient records. Association between arterial oxygen and red blood cell parameters was analyzed using Pearson''s correlation coefficients and multivariable linear regression analysis.ResultsRed blood cell parameters measured at the end of the hypoxemia period were within the laboratory reference range in most dogs. In chronically hypoxemic dogs, hematocrit (Hct) was increased in 4/47 (8.5%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0‐17) dogs, erythrocyte count (Erytr) was increased in 12/47 (26%; 95%CI, 13‐38) dogs and hemoglobin concentration (Hb) was increased in 3/47 (6.4%; 95%CI, 0‐14) dogs. No marked polycythemia (Hct ≥65%) was noted in any of the dogs. Red blood cell parameters were not associated with the severity of hypoxemia (correlation to PaO₂: Erytr, r = −.14; Hb, r = −.21; Hct, r = −.14; P > .05 for all).Conclusions and Clinical ImportancePolycythemia is uncommon, and usually mild if present, in dogs with chronic hypoxia caused by pulmonary disease.     

Erosion effects of air pollution on needle surfaces

A scanning electron microscope was used to study the epicuticular wax of conifer needles from forests in the San Bernardino Mountains, California, the Austrian mountains near Graz and Finnish forests under local air pollution stress combined with the northern cold climate. The purpose of the study was to compare and define the role of needle erosion as a factor in tree damage, to compare the injury types in California and European countries and to characterize and further identify the possible role of 0₃ in needle injuries. In all cases in this preliminary study, there were chronic erosion effects in slightly stressed trees. The different sites where trees were studied, ranging from slightly polluted to heavily polluted areas characterized by different pollutant types, yielded a variety of erosion types. A new injury type related to insect and 0₃ effects in experimental and field studies was described. Additional research to confirm the results is needed.