Thrombocyte aggregation in the cat

Platelet aggregation in healthy and sick cats after adding various aggregating agents is described. Feline platelets aggregate irreversibly in response to 0.15-1.0 micrograms/ml collagen, 1 microM ADP, 0.3 IU/ml test-thrombin and 0.71 NIH/ml Topostasin. Epinephrine, ristocetin and kaolin failed to cause aggregation. The aggregation function was decreased in a cat with liver damage and icterus; in 2 cats with uremia platelet aggregation was normal. Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) (10 mg/kg iv) inhibits platelet aggregation in the presence of collagen in low concentrations; high concentrations of collagen succeeded in inducing platelet aggregation.     

The effectiveness of the combined treatment of thrombocytic hemorrhagic diathesis of dogs with prednisolone and blood transfusion in the model of an aspirin-produced thrombocytopathy

The administration of 20 mg/kg of acetylsalicylic acid in 18 clinically healthy dogs resulted in a thrombocytopathy with lengthened capillary bleeding time and irreversible aggregation inhibition. Through the set up of individual dilution series, one could conclude the proportional percentage of aggregation functional transfused thrombocytes. The capillary bleeding time was shortened after the intravenous injection of prednisolone (5 mg/kg) without measurable influence on the thrombocytes. Compared to the singular use of cortisone or blood transfusion alone, the effect on capillary bleeding time became magnified when one combined transfusion and corticosteroids. The fresh blood conserves (12 hours) were, with respect to the haemostyptical properties, superior to blood stored for 5 days. The component of aggregation-functional thrombocytes was, due to the prophylactic cortisone application prior to transfusion, not increased.     

Occupancy pattern of a long-horned beetle in a variegated forest landscape: linkages between tree quality and forest cover across spatial scales

Context

Interactions between landscape-scale processes and fine-grained habitat heterogeneity are usually invoked to explain species occupancy in fragmented landscapes. In variegated landscapes, however, organisms face continuous variation in micro-habitat features, which makes necessary to consider ecologically meaningful estimates of habitat quality at different spatial scales.

Objectives

We evaluated the spatial scales at which forest cover and tree quality make the greatest contribution to the occupancy of the long-horned beetle Microplophorus magellanicus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in a variegated forest landscape.

Methods

We used averaged data of tree quality (as derived from remote sensing estimates of the decay stage of single trees) and spatially independent pheromone-baited traps to model the occurrence probability as a function of multiple cross-scale combinations between forest cover and tree quality (with scales ranging between 50 and 400 m).

Results

Model support and performance increased monotonically with the increasing scale at which tree quality was measured. Forest cover was not significant, and did not exhibit scale-specific effects on the occurrence probability of M. magellanicus. The interactive effect between tree quality and forest cover was stronger than the independent (additive) effects of tree quality and particularly forest cover. Significant interactions included tree quality measured at spatial scales ≥200 m, but cross-scale interactions occurred only in four of the seven best-supported models.

Conclusions

M. magellanicus respond to the high-quality trees available in the landscape rather than to the amount of forest per se. Conservation of viable metapopulations of M. magellanicus should consider the quality of trees at spatial scales >200 m.

     

Implications of China's innovation policy shift: Does “indigenous” mean closed?

China's government aims to become an innovation nation and promotes the development of so-called indigenous innovation. Under this paradigm of state-encouraged innovation, however, it is unclear how domestic firms organize their innovation processes. We distinguish between two strategies in that respect: closed versus open innovation. Our findings suggest that firms with closed innovation processes collaborate in close geographic distance, rely on DUI-modes of learning, and collaborations are based on guanxi. In contrast, firms with open innovation processes collaborate over large distances and rely on STI-modes of learning that are not necessarily guanxi-based. The findings help to understand the heterogeneous nature of indigenous innovation in China.     

To pool or not to pool? Guidelines for pooling samples for use in surveillance testing of infectious diseases in aquatic animals

Samples from multiple animals may be pooled and tested to reduce costs of surveillance for infectious agents in aquatic animal populations. The primary advantage of pooling is increased population‐level coverage when prevalence is low (<10%) and the number of tests is fixed, because of increased likelihood of including target analyte from at least one infected animal in a tested pool. Important questions and a priori design considerations need to be addressed. Unfortunately, pooling recommendations in disease‐specific chapters of the 2018 OIE Aquatic Manual are incomplete and, except for amphibian chytrid fungus, are not supported by peer‐reviewed research. A systematic review identified only 12 peer‐reviewed aquatic diagnostic accuracy and surveillance studies using pooled samples. No clear patterns for pooling methods and characteristics were evident across reviewed studies, although most authors agreed there is a negative effect on detection. Therefore, our purpose was to review pooling procedures used in published aquatic infectious disease research, present evidence‐based guidelines, and provide simulated data examples for white spot syndrome virus in shrimp. A decision tree of pooling guidelines was developed for use by peer‐reviewed journals and research institutions for the design, statistical analysis and reporting of comparative accuracy studies of individual and pooled tests for surveillance purposes.     

The Innovativeness and Heterogeneity of Foreign‐Invested High‐Tech Companies in Shanghai

China has taken a foreign direct investment‐based approach toward increasing its capital and knowledge base, and developing into an innovative economy. However, little quantitative evidence exists about the factors that drive innovations of foreign‐invested enterprises (FIEs) there. This paper uses survey data from high‐technology firms in Shanghai to discuss factors affecting their innovativeness. It takes the concepts of absorptive capacity, export orientation, and innovation‐related cooperation as a starting point. It highlights how the interplay of strategies and resources affects innovativeness and heterogeneity of FIEs. The most innovative FIEs are endowed with a strong human capital base and R&D activities, which at the same time target export markets and whose cooperative partners involve firms other than their parent company. The results underline the necessity to differentiate between the different types of FIEs when examining their innovativeness.     

Complications after implantation of a modular total hip prostheses compared with fixed head prostheses

164 total hip prostheses of different manufacturers were implanted over an 8-year period. Clinical records were evaluated with a complication rate of 29.0% (42 of 145 joints) or 31.7% (39 of 123 dogs). The complications encountered in dogs that received the modular hip prosthesis (Biomécanique, Bretigny-sur-orge, France) amounted to 16.3% (15 of 92), dogs that received a fixed head prosthesis (5 different manufactures) had 39% complications (28 of 72). Although the complication rate was influenced by different surgeons (n = 5) with different system predelictions and a different learning curve it was obvious that luxations (n = 6 of 10) and stem fractures (n = 5) more often occurred with the fixed head prosthesis systems. These stem fractures might be due to implant material failure or due to improper cementation followed by fatigue material failure. Femur fracture or infection were encountered with both prosthesis systems.     

Possibilities and uses of flow cytometry in the framework of clinical diagnostics in dogs and cats

Flow cytometry has become a routine method in human medicine in the last years. Important applications in clinical diagnostics are measurement of DNA-content, cell cycle analysis, immunophenotyping of lymphocytes and cell function measurements. Flow cytometry is at present rarely applied in veterinary medicine. This article reviews basic principles of flow cytometry and demonstrates possibilities of flow cytometric analysis in oncology and diagnostics of anaemia and immunodeficiency in dogs and cats.     

Beobachtungen anläъlich des Massenauftretens der Ypsiloneule (Rhyacia = Agrotis ypsilon Rott.) im Sommer 1952 in Mitteldeutschland

Zusammenfassung Im Sommer 1952 wurden an verschiedenen Stellen in Mitteldeutschland schwere Schäden durch Erdraupen festgestellt. Die Artbestimmung ergab, daß es sich um eine Massenvermehrung der Ypsiloneule (Rhyacia ypsilon Rott.) handelte. Schäden wurden an Kartoffeln, Zuckerrüben, Mohrrüben, Mohn, Tabak, Majoran und Gladiolen beobachtet. Die Schadbilder werden genauer beschrieben. Als Ursache für das Massenauftreten wird das Zusammentreffen von zwei Generationen angenommen, von denen die eine als von überwinterten Faltern stammend angesehen werden muß. Die Massenvermehrung dürfte daher eine Folge des anormal warmen Winters 1951/52 sein. Als Parasit wurdeMacrocentrus collaris Spin. festgestellt.     

International Harmonization of Nomenclature and Diagnostic Criteria (INHAND) progress to date and future plans

The INHAND Proposal (International Harmonization of Nomenclature and Diagnostic Criteria for Lesions in Rats and Mice) has been operational since 2005. A Global Editorial Steering Committee (GESC) manages the overall objectives of the project and the development of harmonized terminology for each organ system is the responsibility of the Organ Working Groups (OWG), drawing upon experts from North America, Europe and Japan.Great progress has been made with 9 systems published to date – Respiratory, Hepatobiliary, Urinary, Central/Peripheral Nervous Systems, Male Reproductive and Mammary, Zymbals, Clitoral and Preputial Glands in Toxicologic Pathology and the Integument and Soft Tissue and Female Reproductive System in the Journal of Toxicologic Pathology as supplements and on a web site – www.goreni.org. INHAND nomenclature guides offer diagnostic criteria and guidelines for recording lesions observed in rodent toxicity and carcinogenicity studies. The guides provide representative photo-micrographs of morphologic changes, information regarding pathogenesis, and key references. During 2012, INHAND GESC representatives attended meetings with representatives of the FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), Clinical Data Interchange Standards Consortium (CDISC), and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Enterprise Vocabulary Services (EVS) to begin incorporation of INHAND terminology as preferred terminology for SEND (Standard for Exchange of Nonclinical Data) submissions to the FDA. The interest in utilizing the INHAND nomenclature, based on input from industry and government toxicologists as well as information technology specialists, suggests that there will be wide acceptance of this nomenclature. The purpose of this publication is to provide an update on the progress of INHAND.