bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Isotope variations of throughfall, stemflow and soil water in a tropical rain forest and a rubber plantation in Xishuangbanna, SW China
Authors: Liu Wen Jie , Liu Wen Yao , Li Jin Tao , Wu Zhe Wen , Li Hong Mei
Published: December 2008

To assess the influence of vegetation structure on the isotopic composition of rainwater input during its passage through the canopy, rainfall, throughfall, stemflow and soil water were collected at a tropical seasonal rain forest (TSRF) stand and a rubber plantation (RP) stand for stable isotopic analysis during the 3 year period 2002–2004. The result clearly shows that the rainfall partitioning and the isotopic composition of throughfall, stemflow and soil water were strongly influenced by the forest canopy structure. Although the differences of overall mean isotopic composition of throughfall and stemflow between the two forests were small and not significantly different (P>0.05), greater differences were found when only light rain events (≤10 mm) were taken into consideration. During the dry season, the enriched isotopic composition and the smaller slope of the regression line of δ18O versus δD for soil water in the TSRF is not an indication that it lost significant water by evaporation, but a mixture of enriched fog drip, throughfall and stemflow. However, the soil in the RP stand showed significant evaporation. During the rainy season, the soil water for both stands did not appear to display considerable evaporation effects.
Impacts of peatland drainage on the properties of typical water flow paths determined from a digital elevation model
Authors: Korkalainen Timo , Laurén Ari , Koivusalo Harri , Kokkonen Teemu
Published: December 2008

Peatland drainage enhances tree growth, changes catchment hydrology and increases export of nutrients and suspended solids to water bodies. In this study, impacts of peatland drainage on the properties of water flow paths in terrestrial parts of catchments were assessed in terms of slope, elevation, length and soil type. Three study catchments (area 31.8–153.5 km2) were delineated using a 25 m × 25 m digital elevation model (DEM). Typical water flow paths were calculated for each catchment to characterize the mean elevation above the receiving water body as a function of distance along water flow paths. The resulting two-dimensional (2D) profile also allowed calculations of horizontally distributed properties of catchments as a function of distance to the water body. Peatland drainage decreased the length and elevation of the typical water flow path, and increased the area near water bodies. Increasing drainage from 10.7% to 55.4% of the total catchment area increased the area residing close to a water body (no farther than 25 m) from 17.1% to 60.7%. This area estimate is useful for assessing the costs of water protection, arising from restricting forestry operations in the vicinity of water bodies.
Fitting depth–discharge relationships in rivers with floodplains
Authors: Petersen-Øverleir Asgeir
Published: December 2008

A statistical method based on a simple uniform flow depth–discharge model for a two-stage main channel-floodplain river section has been developed and tested for data from four hydrometric gauging stations. The depth–discharge rating curve fitting procedure is formulated as a piecewise regression problem. A simulated annealing algorithm is used to obtain the least-squares rating curve parameters, including the main channel-floodplain change-point. Uncertainty of all parameter and discharge estimates is approximated by bootstrap techniques. The application of the methodology to field data showed an accurate agreement between the measured and the estimated depth–discharge relationships. A good agreement between the observed and estimated main channel-floodplain change-points was also achieved. Some difficulties, caused by factors such as unequal measurement error variance, infinite parameter estimates and the presence of more than two depth–discharge change points, were apparent; these are discussed.
Estimating mean monthly runoff at ungauged locations: an application to France
Authors: Sauquet Eric , Gottschalk Lars , Krasovskaia Irina
Published: December 2008

An approach for estimating mean monthly runoff at ungauged sites is presented. Special attention is paid to include effects of local features such as karst and river regulation by reservoirs. The developments introduced conform with hydrostochastic concepts in that simple physical and statistical laws are inherent in the methods used for mapping. Hence, the approach developed here is consistent with the water balance along the river network. The suggested method combines an application of empirical orthogonal functions and an adapted stochastic interpolation scheme to match the runoff data. The observation data are handled in the frame of a hydrological information system. This allows the display of results either in the form of the change in a statistical parameter along the river branches towards the basin outlet or as a map of the variation of the parameters across the basin or region space. The approach is demonstrated for France.
Pharmacokinetics of butorphanol in cats after intramuscular and buccal transmucosal administration
Authors: Wells Sean M. , Glerum Leigh E. , Papich Mark G.
Published: December 2008

Objective—To determine the pharmacokinetics of butorphanol in cats following IM and buccal transmucosal (BTM) administration, to determine the relative bioavailability of butorphanol following BTM administration, and to extrapolate a plasma concentration associated with antinociception on the basis of existing data from pharmacologic studies of butorphanol in cats.

Animals—6 healthy adult cats.

Procedures—Following IM or BTM butorphanol tartrate (0.4 mg/kg) administration to cats in a 2-way crossover trial, plasma samples were obtained from blood collected via a central venous catheter during a 9-hour period. Plasma butorphanol concentrations were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography.

Results—Data from 1 cat contained outliers and were excluded from pharmacokinetic analysis. Mean ± SD terminal half-life of butorphanol for the remaining 5 cats was 6.3 ± 2.8 hours and 5.2 ± 1.7 hours for IM and BTM administration, respectively. Peak plasma butorphanol concentrations were 132.0 and 34.4 ng/mL for IM and BTM administration, respectively. Time to maximal plasma concentration was 0.35 and 1.1 hours for IM and BTM administration, respectively. Extent of butorphanol absorption was 37.16% following BTM application. On the basis of data from extant pharmacologic studies of butorphanol in cats, mean ± SD duration of antinociception was 155 ± 130 minutes. The estimated plasma concentration corresponding to this time point was 45 ng/mL.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—In cats, IM butorphanol administration at 0.4 mg/kg maintained a plasma concentration of > 45 ng/mL for 2.7 ± 2.2 hours, whereas BTM administration at the same dose was not effective at maintaining plasma concentrations at > 45 ng/mL.
Comparison of the effects of candesartan cilexetil and enalapril maleate on right ventricular myocardial remodeling in dogs with experimentally induced pulmonary stenosis
Authors: Yamane Tsuyoshi , Fujii Yoko , Orito Kensuke , Osamura Kaori , Kanai Takao , Wakao Yoshito
Published: December 2008

Objective—To compare the effects of candesartan cilexetil and enalapril maleate on right ventricular myocardial remodeling in dogs with experimentally induced pulmonary stenosis.

Animals—24 Beagles.

Procedures—18 dogs underwent pulmonary arterial banding (PAB) to induce right ventricular pressure overload, and 6 healthy dogs underwent sham operations (thoracotomy only [sham-operated group]). Dogs that underwent PAB were allocated to receive 1 of 3 treatments (6 dogs/group): candesartan (1 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h [PABC group]), enalapril (0.5 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h [PABE group]), or no treatment (PABNT group). Administration of treatments was commenced the day prior to surgery; control dogs received no cardiac medications. Sixty days after surgery, right ventricular wall thickness was assessed echocardiographi-cally and plasma renin activity, angiotensin-converting enzyme activity, and angiotensin I and II concentrations were assessed; all dogs were euthanatized, and collagenous fiber area, cardiomyocyte diameter, and tissue angiotensin-converting enzyme and chymase-like activities in the right ventricle were evaluated.

Results—After 60 days of treatment, right ventricular wall thickness, cardiomyocyte diameter, and collagenous fiber area in the PABNT and PABE groups were significantly increased, compared with values in the PABC and sham-operated groups. Chymase-like activity was markedly greater in the PABE group than in other groups.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results indicated that treatment with candesartan but not enalapril effectively prevented myocardial remodeling in dogs with experimentally induced subacute right ventricular pressure overload.
Clinical observations, biochemical data, and postmortem and histopathologic findings in young dairy calves fed zeolite clinoptilolite binder combined with milk replacer
Authors: Step Douglas L. , Litherland Noah B. , Burciaga-Robles Luis O. , Breshears Melanie A. , Krehbiel Clinton R. , Confer Anthony W. , Fulton Robert W. , Morgan Gregor L. , Thornsberry R. Max , Fassig Samuel M.
Published: December 2008

Objective—To identify any adverse effects on health or performance in young dairy calves fed clinoptilolite mixed with milk replacer.

Animals—26 male Holstein calves (1 to 7 days old).

Procedures—Twice daily for 28 days, calves were fed milk replacer with no clinoptilolite (control group; n = 8), 0.5% clinoptilolite (low-dosage group; 9), or 2% clinoptilolite (high-dosage group; 9); each calf consumed approximately 12% of its body weight (based on the replacer solids in the milk replacer mixture)/d. For each calf, subjective health assessments, weight and rectal temperature measurements, and CBC and serum biochemical analyses were performed at intervals. All calves underwent necropsy.

Results—2 calves were euthanized during the experiment because of bronchopneumonia or enteritis. Body weight and average daily gain did not differ among treatment groups. The percentage of monocytes and serum total protein concentration in the low-dosage group were higher than values in the control and high-dosage groups. Compared with values for either clinoptilolite-treated group, BUN concentration was greater in the control group. Serum globulin concentration differed significantly among groups (2.77, 2.50, and 2.36 g/dL in the low-dosage, control, and high-dosage groups, respectively). At necropsy, gross lesions associated with clinoptilolite treatment were not detected in any of the calves.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Even under stressful conditions, clinoptilolite fed at low or high dosages did not affect the performance of dairy calves and had no negative effect on WBC count and blood metabolite concentrations and enzyme activities. Clinoptilolite ingestion was not associated with treatment-specific gross changes.
Evaluation of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae bacterins for porcine torque teno virus DNAs
Authors: Krakowka Steven , Ringler Susan S. , Arumugam Prakash , McKillen John , McIntosh Kathy , Hartunian Catherine , Hamberg Alexander , Rings Michael , Allan Gordon , Ellis John A.
Published: December 2008

Objective—To determine whether commercial Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae bacterins sold for use in swine contain porcine torque teno virus (TTV).

Sample Population—22 commercially available M hyopneumoniae bacterins.

Procedures—Direct and nested PCR assays for genogroup-specific TTV DNAs were performed on serials of M hyopneumoniae bacterins by use of published and custom-designed primer pairs at 3 laboratories in North America and Europe.

Results—Of the 22 bacterins tested by use of direct and nested PCR assays, 7 of 9 from the United States, 2 of 5 from Canada, and 4 of 8 from Europe contained genogroup 1– and genogroup 2–TTV DNAs. In some bacterins, the TTV DNAs were readily detected by use of direct PCR assays.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Analysis of these data indicated that many of the commercially available M hyopneumoniae bacterins were contaminated with TTV DNA. It is possible that some of these bacterins could inadvertently transmit porcine TTV infection to TTV-naïve swine.
Evaluation of induction of porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome in gnotobiotic pigs with negative results for porcine circovirus type 2
Authors: Krakowka Steven , Hartunian Catherine , Hamberg Alexander , Shoup David , Rings Michael , Zhang Yan , Allan Gordon , Ellis John A.
Published: December 2008

Objective—To determine whether porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome (PDNS) could be experimentally induced in gnotobiotic swine.

Sample Population—Plasma samples from 27 sows and 20 conventional weaned piglets were obtained, and 30 gnotobiotic pigs were used in experiments.

Procedures—3 experiments were conducted. Groups of 3-day-old gnotobiotic pigs were inoculated with pooled plasma samples obtained from healthy feeder pigs in a herd that was in the initial phases of an outbreak of respiratory disease; gross and histologic lesions of PDNS were detected in the inoculated pigs. In a second experiment, 2- and 3-day-old gnotobiotic pigs were inoculated with porcine reproductive respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and with PRRSV-negative tissue homogenate containing genogroup 1 torque teno virus (g1-TTV). Lesions of PDNS were detected.

Results—Pigs inoculated with pooled plasma or the combination of tissue-culture–origin PRRSV and g1-TTV tissue homogenate developed systemic hemostatic defects, bilaterally symmetric cutaneous hemorrhages, generalized edema, icterus, bilaterally symmetric renal cortical hemorrhage, dermal vasculitis with hemorrhage, and interstitial pneumonia consistent with a clinical and pathologic diagnosis of PDNS. The PRRSV RNAs and g1-TTV DNAs were detected in plasma; all pigs seroconverted to PRRSV, and all had negative results for porcine circovirus type 2 when tested by use of PCR assays.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—These data suggested that PDNS is a manifestation of disseminated intravascular coagulation in swine. For the experimental conditions reported here, combined infection with g1-TTV and PRRSV was implicated in the genesis of these lesions.
Assessment of the transformation of equine skin–derived fibroblasts to multinucleated skeletal myotubes following lentiviral-induced expression of equine myogenic differentiation 1
Authors: Fernandez-Fuente Marta , Ames Elizabeth G. , Wagner Michelle L. , Zhou Haiyan , Strom Molly , Zammit Peter S. , Mickelson James R. , Muntoni Francesco , Brown Susan C. , Piercy Richard J.
Published: December 2008

Objective—To develop a reliable method for converting cultured equine skin–derived fibroblasts into muscle cells.

Sample Population—Equine skin–derived fibroblasts.

Procedures—The equine myogenic differentiation 1 (eqMyoD) genomic sequence was obtained by use of equine bacterial artificial chromosome screening and PCR sequencing. Total mRNA was extracted from foal skeletal muscle, and eqMyoD cDNA was cloned into a plasmid vector with an internal ribosomal entry site to express bicistronic eqMyoD or enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP). Transient expression was confirmed by immunocytochemical analysis and western immunoblots in equine fibroblasts and fibroblasts from National Institutes of Health Swiss mouse embryos, prior to generation of a lentiviral vector containing the same coding sequences. Transformation of equine skin–derived cells into skeletal myotubes was examined by use of immunohistochemical analysis, western immunoblotting, and periodic acid–Schiff staining.

Results—eqMyoD mRNA consists of 960 bp and shares high homology with myogenic differentiation 1 from other mammals. Transfection confirmed the expression of a 53-kd protein with mainly nuclear localization. Lentiviral transduction was efficient, with approximately 80% of EGFP-positive cells transformed into multinucleated myotubes during 15 days, as determined by expression of the muscle-specific proteins desmin, troponin-T, and sarcomeric myosin and by cytoplasmic storage of glycogen.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Equine primary fibroblasts were transformed by lentiviral transduction of eqMyoD into fusion-competent myoblasts. This may offer a preferable alternative to primary myoblast cultures for the investigation of cellular defects associated with muscle diseases of horses, such as recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis and polysaccharide storage myopathy.
Evaluation of duration of corneal anesthesia induced with ophthalmic 0.5% proparacaine hydrochloride by use of a Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometer in clinically normal horses
Authors: Kalf Kelly L. , Utter Mary E. , Wotman Kathryn L.
Published: December 2008

Objective—To measure duration of corneal anesthesia and time and degree of maximal anesthetic effect of 0.5% proparacaine hydrochloride by use of a Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometer in horses.

Animals—10 clinically normal adult horses.

Procedures—Baseline corneal touch threshold (CTT) was measured in millimeters for 1 randomly selected eye of each horse by use of the aesthesiometer by applying the filament to the cornea at maximum length (60 mm) and decreasing in 5-mm increments until a consistent blink response was elicited. Following baseline CTT measurement, 0.2 mL of 0.5% proparacaine hydrochloride was instilled in the selected eye. The CTT was measured within 1 minute following proparacaine administration and every 5 minutes thereafter for 60 minutes. A mixed-model ANOVA with tested eye varying between subjects and measurement time varying within subject was used to test for main effects and any interaction between these factors. A contrast between means of baseline and each subsequent CTT identified the duration of corneal anesthesia as the time at which there was no difference from baseline. Maximal anesthetic effect occurred at the time with the lowest mean CTT.

Results—Duration of corneal anesthesia achieved by use of proparacaine was 25 minutes, and maximal anesthetic effect occurred within 5 minutes, although CTT never went to 0 in any horse at any time.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Duration of corneal anesthesia in horses was shorter than in dogs, and degree of maximal effect was less than in cats and dogs, most likely because of increased sensitivity of the equine cornea, compared with corneal sensitivity in those species.
Assessment of diuretic effects and changes in plasma aldosterone concentration following oral administration of a single dose of furosemide or azosemide in healthy dogs
Authors: Hori Yasutomo , Katou Akiko , Tsubaki Mizuho , Kanai Kazutaka , Nakao Ruriko , Hoshi Fumio , Itoh Naoyuki , Higuchi Sei-ichi
Published: December 2008

Objective—To determine the diuretic effects and changes in plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) following oral administration of a single dose of furosemide or azosemide in healthy dogs.

Animals—8 mixed-breed dogs.

Procedures—A single dose of furosemide (2 mg/kg), azosemide (1, 5, or 10 mg/kg), or placebo (bifidobacterium [1 mg/kg]) was administered orally (in random order at 7-day intervals) to each dog (5 treatments/dog). Urine and blood samples were collected before (2 hours after evacuation of the urinary bladder; baseline) and at intervals for 24 hours after drug treatment to assess urine volume and plasma and urine biochemical variables.

Results—Compared with baseline values, treatment with furosemide and azosemide (5 and 10 mg/kg) increased urine output for 1 to 2 hours and 2 to 4 hours, respectively. The 24-hour urine volume and urinary sodium excretion were significantly increased following furosemide and azosemide (5 and 10 mg/kg) treatments, compared with effects of pla-cebo; these increases were dose dependent for azosemide, and increases were similar for furosemide and the 5 mg/kg dose of azosemide. Compared with other treatments, 24-hour urinary potassium excretion was significantly increased with azosemide at 10 mg/kg. Azosemide (5 and 10 mg/kg) significantly increased plasma total protein concentration and decreased plasma potassium concentration, compared with baseline values. Compared with the effect of placebo, PAC was significantly increased by furosemide and the 10 mg/kg dose of azosemide.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—In healthy dogs, a moderate dose of azosemide caused sufficient diuretic action and increased PAC to a lesser extent than furosemide.
Effects of intravenous administration of caffeine on physiologic variables in exercising horses
Authors: Ferraz Guilherme C. , Teixeira-Neto Antônio R. , Mataqueiro Maria I. , Lacerda-Neto José C. , Queiroz-Neto Antonio
Published: December 2008

Objective—To investigate the effect of acute administration of caffeine on the athletic performance of Arabian horses.

Animals—12 healthy adult Arabian horses that were trained for exercise on a treadmill.

Procedures—By use of a crossover study design, horses received each of the following treatments: IV administration of caffeine (5 mg/kg) and IV administration of approximately the same volume of saline (0.9% NaCl) solution. Order of treatment was randomized, and there was a 10-day interval between treatments. Thirty minutes after treatments, horses underwent an incremental exercise test (IET) on a treadmill. Blood samples were collected 15 seconds before the end of each velocity step of the IET for determination of blood lactate, blood glucose, plasma cortisol, and plasma insulin concentrations. Heart rate and hematologic variables were also analyzed.

Results—Velocities achieved when heart rates were 180 and 200 beats/min increased significantly in caffeine-treated horses, compared with control horses. Velocities corresponding to blood lactate concentrations of 4 and 2 mmol/L decreased significantly in caffeine-treated horses, compared with control horses. In comparison between groups, insulinemia was greater in control horses and glycemia was greater in caffeine-treated horses. Plasma cortisol concentration was significantly lowered by treatment with caffeine.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—IV administration of caffeine at 5 mg/kg improved the performance of Arabian horses during intense exercise of short duration and diminished the oxidative metabolism of glucose.
Health and behavior problems in dogs and cats one week and one month after adoption from animal shelters
Authors: Lord Linda K. , Reider Linda , Herron Meghan E. , Graszak Kristy
Published: December 2008

Objective—To characterize health and behavior problems in dogs and cats 1 week and 1 month after adoption from animal shelters and identify factors associated with the likelihood that owners of adopted animals would visit a veterinarian.

Design—Cross-sectional study.

Sample Population—2,766 (1 week) and 2,545 (1 month) individuals who had adopted an animal from a shelter.

Procedures—Internet and telephone survey responses were collected 1 week and 1 month after animal adoption.

Results—Overall, 1,361 of 2,624 (51.9%) dogs and cats had health problems 1 week after adoption, and 239 of 2,312 (10.3%) had a health problem 1 month after adoption. The most common health problem for dogs and cats was respiratory tract disease. A total of 1,630 of 2,689 (60.6%) respondents had taken their animal to a veterinarian within the first week after adoption and 1,865 of 2,460 (75.8%) had within the first month after adoption. Respondents were more likely to have visited a veterinarian if they had adopted a dog versus a cat or if the animal was young (≤ 1 year old), had ≥ 1 health problem, or had adjusted moderately to extremely well to its new home within the first month after adoption. Cats had fewer behavior problems than dogs. One week after adoption, the most commonly reported behavior problem was house training for dogs and chewing, digging, or scratching at objects for cats.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results suggested that improvements can be made in the percentage of new owners who visit a veterinarian after adopting an animal from a shelter.
Clinical, clinicopathologic, and radiographic findings in dogs with aspiration pneumonia: 88 cases (2004–2006)
Authors: Kogan David A. , Johnson Lynelle R. , Jandrey Karl E. , Pollard Rachel E.
Published: December 2008

Objective—To evaluate clinical, clinicopathologic, and radiographic findings in dogs with aspiration pneumonia.

Design—Retrospective case series.

Animals—88 dogs with aspiration pneumonia.

Procedures—History, physical examination findings, and clinicopathologic data were obtained from medical records and analyzed for all 88 dogs. Thoracic radiographic findings for all dogs were reviewed to determine the type and location of pulmonary infiltrates.

Results—Aspiration pneumonia was evident at admission to the hospital in 65 (74%) dogs and developed during hospitalization in 23 (26%) dogs. Less than half of these affected dogs had high values for rectal temperature, heart rate, or respiratory rate; however, most (68%) affected dogs had increased, decreased, or adventitious lung sounds. Neutrophilia with a left shift was a common finding. Hypoalbuminemia was detected in 31 of 58 (53%) dogs. Hypoxemia and a high alveolar-arterial gradient in partial pressure of oxygen were detected in 22 of 28 (79%) dogs and 27 of 28 (96%) dogs, respectively. Among the 88 dogs, thoracic radiography revealed a predominantly alveolar infiltrate in 65 (74%) dogs and an interstitial pattern in 23 (26%) dogs; a single lung lobe was affected in 46 (52%) dogs, most commonly the right middle lung lobe (21/46 [46%] dogs).

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—In dogs, aspiration pneumonia was often associated with abnormalities in pulmonary auscultation in the absence of objective changes in physical examination findings. However, neutrophilia, hypoalbuminemia, and hypoxemia were frequently detected, and radiographic evidence of infiltrates in the right middle lung lobe was common.
Proliferative sparganosis in a dog
Authors: Drake Debora A. , Carreño Abigail D. , Blagburn Byron L. , Little Susan E. , West Misti D. , Hendrix Charles M. , Johnson Calvin M.
Published: December 2008

Case Description—A 21-month-old spayed female Border Collie was examined because of progressive right forelimb lameness, signs of pain, and subcutaneous edema. The dog lived in a fenced yard in Tampa, Fla, that contained a small area of marshy terrain.

Clinical Findings—The subcutis and intermuscular fascia contained multiple cystic cavities filled with larval cestodes (plerocercoids or spargana) and cloudy red fluid. Parasites were identified morphologically and by DNA sequence analysis as pseudophyllidean cestodes, most likely Sparganum proliferum. The dog developed a progressively worsening fever, dyspnea, mature neutrophilia, and hypoproteinemia. Septic pleuritis and peritonitis complicated the later stages of the disease.

Treatment and Outcome—Treatment with praziquantel, fenbendazole, and nitazoxanide failed to control the proliferation and dissemination of larval cestodes. The dog was euthanatized after 133 days of treatment. At necropsy, numerous parasitic tissue cysts were present in the subcutis and intermuscular fascia; these cysts were most abundant in the soft tissues of the forelimbs and cervical musculature. The pleural and peritoneal cavities contained multiple larval cestodes and were characterized by neutrophilic inflammation and secondary bacterial infection.

Clinical Relevance—Findings indicated that clinical signs associated with proliferative sparganosis in dogs may be rapidly progressive and that the condition may be refractory to antiparasitic treatment. Veterinarians should be aware of this zoonotic, water-borne agent.
Computer-controlled electrical stimulation for quantitative mapping of human cortical function
Authors: Dulay Mario F. , Murphey Dona K. , Sun Ping , David Yadin B. , Maunsell John H. R. , Beauchamp Michael S. , Yoshor Daniel
Published: December 2008

Cortical mapping with electrical stimulation (ES) in neurosurgical patients typically involves the manually controlled delivery of suprathreshold electrical current to a discrete area of the brain. Limited numbers of trials and imprecise current delivery methods increase the variability of the behavioral response and make it difficult to collect quantitative mapping data, which is especially important in research studies of human cortical function.

To overcome these limitations, the authors developed a method for computer-controlled delivery of defined electrical current to implanted intracranial electrodes. They demonstrate that stimulation can be time locked to a behavioral task to rapidly and systematically measure the detection threshold for ES in human visual cortex over many trials.

Computer-controlled ES is well suited for the systematic and quantitative study of the function of virtually any region of cerebral cortex. It may be especially useful for studying human cortical regions that are not well characterized and for verifying the presence of stimulation-evoked percepts that are difficult to objectively confirm.
Burying shunts in bone cavities to protect delicate scalp
Authors: Ellis Michael , Al-Otibi Merdas , Bray Peter , Bernstein Mark
Published: December 2008

The authors describe a simple technique for protecting at-risk scalp overlying CSF shunt hardware. Patients with brain tumors commonly undergo radiation therapy and CSF diversion. Chronic radiation-induced changes in the skin can predispose patients to skin breakdown over the prominent shunt reservoir, which may lead to subsequent contamination of the shunt hardware. The technique described reduces the risk of hardware contamination while obviating the need for revision of the entire shunt system. By reducing the profile of the CSF shunt reservoir, this technique also reduces the risk of future skin ulceration.
Reconstructive endovascular treatment of ruptured blood blister–like aneurysms of the internal carotid artery
Authors: Lee Byung-Hee , Kim Byung Moon , Park Moon Sun , Park Sung Il , Chung Eun Chul , Suh Sang Hyun , Choi Chun Sik , Won Yu Sam , Yu In Kyu
Published: December 2008

Object

Ruptured blood blister–like aneurysms (BBAs) of the internal carotid artery (ICA) are rare but carry a high rate of morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, BBAs are very difficult to treat surgically as well as endovascularly. The authors present their experience in treating BBAs with reconstructive endovascular methods.

Methods

Nine ruptured BBAs in 9 consecutive patients (2 men and 7 women; mean age 50 years, range 42–57 years) were treated using reconstructive endovascular methods between January 2006 and November 2007. Treatment methods and angiographic and clinical outcomes were retrospectively evaluated.

Results

All 9 BBAs were initially treated with stent-assisted coil (SAC) embolization. This was followed by a second stent insertion using the stent-within-a-stent (SWS) technique in 3, covered stent placement in 3, and SAC embolization alone in 3. All 3 patients who underwent SWS placement had excellent outcomes (Glasgow Outcome Scale Score 5) with complete angiographic resolution of the BBAs. There were no treatment-related complications in the SWS group. Two of the 3 patients who received covered stents had excellent outcomes (Glasgow Outcome Scale Score 5) and complete occlusion of the BBA was achieved. The remaining patient who received a covered stent died of ICA rupture during the procedure. Aneurysm regrowth without rebleeding occurred in the 3 patients who underwent SAC embolization. Two of the 3 recurrent BBAs were treated with coil embolization with a second stent insertion, and as a result these belonged to the SWS group. The other recurrent BBA was treated with a covered stent. Of the 8 surviving patients, 5 underwent SWS, and 3 underwent covered stent placement. All surviving patients had excellent outcomes during the clinical follow-up period (mean 11 months, range 4–26 months); complete BBA resolution and smooth reconstruction of the affected ICA segment was shown on follow-up angiography.

Conclusions

In the present study, the SWS and covered-stent techniques effectively prevented rebleeding and regrowth of the BBA without sacrifice of the ICA. The SWS and covered-stent techniques can be considered an alternative treatment option for BBAs in selected patients in whom ICA sacrifice is not feasible. Stent-assisted coiling alone seems insufficient to prevent BBA regrowth.
Prognostic value of histopathological findings in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage
Authors: Holling Markus , Jeibmann Astrid , Gerss Joachim , Fischer Bernhard R. , Wassmann Hansdetlef , Paulus Werner , Hasselblatt Martin , Albert Friedrich K.
Published: December 2008

Object

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) carries a severe prognosis, which is often related to the development of cerebral vasospasm. Even though several clinical and radiological predictors of vasospasm and functional outcome have been established, the prognostic value of histopathological findings remains unclear.

Methods

Histopathological findings in resected distal aneurysm walls were examined, as were the clinical and radiological factors in a series of 91 patients who had been neurosurgically treated for aneurysmal SAH. The impact of the histological, clinical, and radiological factors on the occurrence of vasospasm and functional outcome at discharge was analyzed.

Results

Histopathological findings frequently included lymphocytic infiltrates (60%), fibrosis (60%), and necrosis (50%) of the resected aneurysm wall. On univariate analysis, clinical (Hunt and Hess grade) and radiological (aneurysm size) factors as well as histopathological features—namely, lymphocytic infiltrates and necrosis of the aneurysm wall—were significantly associated with the occurrence of vasospasm. On multivariate analysis, lymphocytic infiltrates (OR 6.35, 95% CI 2.32–17.36, p = 0.0001) and aneurysm size (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.05–1.42, p = 0.009) remained the only factors predicting the development of vasospasm. A poor functional outcome at discharge was significantly associated with vasospasm, other clinical factors (Hunt and Hess grade, alcohol consumption, hyperglycemia, and elevated white blood cell count [WBC] at admission), and radiological factors (Fisher grade and aneurysm size), as well as with histopathological features (lymphocytic infiltrates [p = 0.0001] and necrosis of the aneurysm wall [p = 0.0015]). On multivariate analysis taking into account all clinical, radiological, and histological factors; vasospasm (OR 9.82, 95% CI 1.83–52.82, p = 0.008), Hunt and Hess grade (OR 5.61, 95% CI 2.29–13.74, p = 0.0001), patient age (OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.02–1.16, p = 0.0013), elevated WBC (OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.01–1.64, p = 0.04), and Fisher grade (OR 4.35, 95% CI 1.25–15.07, p = 0.015) best predicted functional outcome at discharge.

Conclusions

The demonstration of lymphocytic infiltrates in the resected aneurysm wall is of independent prognostic value for the development of vasospasm in patients with neurosurgically treated aneurysmal SAH. Thus, histopathology might complement other clinical and radiological factors in the identification of patients at risk.
Cortical calculation localization using electrostimulation
Authors: Roux Franck-Emmanuel , Boukhatem Leila , Draper Louisa , Sacko Oumar , Démonet Jean-François
Published: December 2008

Object

A naming task has been used to spare cortical areas involved in language. In the present study, a calculation task was combined with electrostimulation mapping (awake surgery) to spare cortical areas involved in calculation in patients undergoing surgery for brain lesions. The organization of language and calculation areas was analyzed in relation to these surgical data.

Methods

Twenty patients with brain lesions close to areas possibly involved in calculation (dominant parietal lobe and F2) were prospectively studied over a 4-year period. Four patients had preoperative symptoms of acalculia and therefore were not included in the brain mapping procedure.

Results

In 16 patients, direct electrostimulation caused calculation interferences in localized small cortical areas (< 2 cm2). Of the 53 calculation interferences found, 23 were independent of language areas, especially those in the inferior left parietal lobule. Various patterns of interference were observed (11 complete acalculia, 5 acalculia with wrong answers, 2 hesitations, and 5 mixed responses), although error patterns were fairly similar across angular, parietal, and frontal stimulation sites. Calculation areas in 4 patients could not be spared for oncological reasons; postoperatively, 3 of these patients showed significant acalculia symptoms. In contrast, none of the patients whose calculation areas were spared had arithmetic difficulties 1 month after surgery. Improvements in acalculia symptoms after surgery were also found in 3 of the 4 patients with preoperative calculation difficulties.

Conclusions

To limit the risk of personal and professional disturbances caused by acquired anarithmetia in patients undergoing surgery for brain tumors or epilepsy, the authors think it is necessary to use a calculation task during brain mapping, especially when operating in the dominant parietal lobe.
Characterization of Pollen Dispersion in the Neighborhood of Tokyo, Japan in the Spring of 2005 and 2006
Authors: Ishibashi Yoshinaga , Ohno Hideki , Oh-ishi Shuji , Matsuoka Takeshi , Kizaki Takako , Yoshizumi Kunio
Published: December 2008

The behavior of Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) and Japanese cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa) pollens in an urban area was examined through the measurements of the dispersion characteristics at the various sampling locations in both outdoor and indoor environments. Airborne pollens were counted continuously for three months during the Japanese cedar pollen and Japanese cypress seasons in 2005 and 2006 by the use of Durham’s pollen trap method in and around Tokyo, Japan. The dispersion of pollens at the rooftop of Kyoritsu Women’s University was observed to be at extremely high levels in 2005 compared with previously reported results during the past two decades. As for Japanese cedar pollen, the maximum level was observed as 440 counts cm-2 day-1 on 18 March 2005. Japanese cypress pollen dispersed in that area in the latter period was compared with the Japanese cedar pollen dispersions. The maximum dispersion level was observed to be 351 counts cm-2 day-1 on 7 April 2005. Total accumulated dispersions of Japanese cedar and Japanese cypress pollens were 5,552 and 1,552 counts cm-2 for the three months (Feb., Mar. and Apr.) in 2005, respectively. However, the dispersion of both pollens in 2006 was very low. The total accumulated dispersions of Japanese cedar and Japanese cypress pollens were 421 and 98 counts cm-2 for three months (Feb., Mar. and Apr.) in 2006, respectively. Moreover, the pollen deposition on a walking person in an urban area showed that the pollen counts on feet were observed to be extremely high compared with the ones on the shoulder, back and legs. These findings suggested that pollen fell on the surface of the paved road at first, rebounded to the ambient air and was deposited on the residents again. Furthermore, the regional distribution of the total pollen dispersion in the South Kanto area was characterized on 15-16 March 2005 and on 14-15 March 2006. Although the pollen levels in 2005 were much higher than in 2006, it was commonly observed that higher pollen counts existed in the outlying areas. That is, the pollen counts in an urban area were confirmed to be at a lower level. As for the indoor dispersion of pollens, two cases were evaluated. At the lobby of the main building of Kyoritsu Women’s University, the averaged ratio of the indoor to the outdoor pollen count is 4.1%. Another case was at the hospital building of a medical school. The pollen dispersion in the indoor environment was also observed to be low. It was concluded that the indoor pollen would be mainly carried from the outer environment by the movement of air.
Responses of Antioxidant Enzymes in Catfish Exposed to Liquid Crystals from E-Waste
Authors: An Ran , Li Yadong , Niu Xiaojun , Yu Hongtao
Published: December 2008

Liquid crystals (LCs) are typically elongated organic molecules with a non-uniform distribution of electrical charges leading to a dipole. LCs are widely used in displays of computers and other electronic devices. The rapid obsolescence rate of electronics results in large amounts of liquid crystal displays (LCDs) entering the environment. Data on health effects of LCs on living creatures are currently limited to some acute toxicity tests by a few major LC manufacturers. These tests concluded that the vast majority of LCs are not acutely toxic. Since the amount of LCs in electronic devices is very small, the health effects of LCs at low concentrations or doses become important. Catfish were used as the test animals in this study. Four major enzymes of the fish’s antioxidant defense system catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase (Se-GPx), and glutathione-Stransferase (GST) were chosen as biomarkers to examine effects of LCs, which were taken from obsolete laptop personal computers made in the early 1990s. The catfish were fed with food containing different contents of LCs for 40 days. Activities of the four chosen enzymes in fish livers were assayed. The results showed that there were significant inductions of CAT, SOD, and Se-GPx activities in response to the LC doses. The plots of the enzyme activities versus LC doses suggested an occurrence of oxidative stress when the dose reached about 20 μg LC/g fish·d. It was concluded that LCs can cause pollutant-induced stress to catfish at low doses. CAT, SOD and Se-GPx are effective biomarkers to give early warning on potential health effects of LCs on some aquatic lives including catfish.
Juvenile Hormone Analogues, Methoprene and Fenoxycarb Dose-Dependently Enhance Certain Enzyme Activities in the Silkworm Bombyx Mori (L)
Authors: Mamatha Devi M. , Kanji Vijaya K. , Cohly Hari H. P. , Rao M. Rajeswara
Published: December 2008

Use of Juvenile Hormone Analogues (JHA) in sericulture practices has been shown to boost good cocoon yield; their effect has been determined to be dose-dependent. We studied the impact of low doses of JHA compounds such as methoprene and fenoxycarb on selected key enzymatic activities of the silkworm Bombyx mori. Methoprene and fenoxycarb at doses of 1.0 μg and 3.0fg/larvae/48 hours showed enhancement of the 5th instar B. mori larval muscle and silkgland protease, aspartate aminotransaminase (AAT) and alanine aminotransaminase (ALAT), adenosine triphosphate synthase (ATPase) and cytochrome-c-oxidase (CCO) activity levels, indicating an upsurge in the overall oxidative metabolism of the B.mori larval tissues.
Effect of Garlic (Allium sativum) on Heavy Metal (Nickel II and ChromiumVI) Induced Alteration of Serum Lipid Profile in Male Albino Rats
Authors: Gupta Amrita Das , Das Swastika N. , Dhundasi Salim A. , Das Kusal K.
Published: December 2008

We have studied the effect of simultaneous oral treatment of aqueous garlic extract (Allium sativum) on heavy metal (nickel II and chromium VI) induced changes in serum lipid profile. Nickel sulfate and potassium dichromate treated rats showed a significant increase in serum low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (VLDL-C) and triglyceride (TG) level as well as decrease in serum high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) level. Simultaneous garlic administration with nickel sulfate showed improvement in serum LDL-C, HDL-C, VLDL-C and TG level. But in case of potassium dichromate, garlic administration did not show satisfactory improvement in lipid profile except VLDL-C and TG level. The results indicate that garlic (Allium sativum) has some beneficial effect in preventing heavy metal (nickel and chromium VI) induced alteration of lipid profile.
Electrocoagulation of Palm Oil Mill Effluent
Authors: Agustin Melissa B. , Sengpracha Waya P. , Phutdhawong Weerachai
Published: December 2008

Electrocoagulation (EC) is an electrochemical technique which has been employed in the treatment of various kinds of wastewater. In this work the potential use of EC for the treatment of palm oil mill effluent (POME) was investigated. In a laboratory scale, POME from a factory site in Chumporn Province (Thailand) was subjected to EC using aluminum as electrodes and sodium chloride as supporting electrolyte. Results show that EC can reduce the turbidity, acidity, COD, and BOD of the POME as well as some of its heavy metal contents. Phenolic compounds are also removed from the effluent. Recovery techniques were employed in the coagulated fraction and the recovered compounds was analysed for antioxidant activity by DPPH method. The isolate was found to have a moderate antioxidant activity. From this investigation, it can be concluded that EC is an efficient method for the treatment of POME.
Preparation, GIAO NMR Calculations and Acidic Properties of Some Novel 4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-one Derivatives with Their Antioxidant Activities
Authors: Yüksek Haydar , Alkan Muzaffer , Cakmak Ismail , Ocak Zafer , Bahçeci Şule , Calapoğlu Mustafa , Elmastaş Mahfuz , Kolomuç Ali , Aksu Havva
Published: December 2008

Six novel 3-alkyl(aryl)-4-(p-nitrobenzoylamino)-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5- ones (2a-f) were synthesized by the reactions of 3-alkyl(aryl)-4-amino-4,5-dihydro-1H- 1,2,4-triazol-5-ones (1a-f) with p-nitrobenzoyl chloride and characterized by elemental analyses and IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and UV spectral data. The newly synthesized compounds 2 were titrated potentiometrically with tetrabutylammonium hydroxide in four non-aqueous solvents such as acetone, isopropyl alcohol, tert-butyl alcohol and N,Ndimethylformamide, and the half-neutralization potential values and the corresponding pKa values were determined for all cases. Thus, the effects of solvents and molecular structure upon acidity were investigated. In addition, isotropic 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic shielding constants of compounds 2 were obtained by the gauge-including-atomic-orbital (GIAO) method at the B3LYP density functional level. The geometry of each compound has been optimized using the 6-311G basis set. Theoretical values were compared to the experimental data. Furthermore, these new compounds and five recently reported 3-alkyl-4-(2- furoylamino)-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-ones (3a-c,e,f) were screened for their antioxidant activities.
A Novel Soluble Tin(IV) Porphyrin Modified Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Nanohybrid With Light Harvesting Properties
Authors: Ren Dong-Mei , Guo Zheng , Du Feng , Liu Zun-Feng , Zhou Zai-Chun , Shi Xiu-Ying , Chen Yong-Sheng , Zheng Jian-Yu
Published: December 2008

A dihydroxotin(IV) porphyrin functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) nanohybrid is obtained. Solubility of the nanohybrid in organic solvents is determined by UV-Vis-NIR absorption spectroscopy. Electron absorption and fluorescence spectra investigations demonstrate that efficient electron transfer occurs within the nanohybrid at the photoexcited state and the charge-separated state of the nanohybrid is observed by transient absorption spectrum. The results illustrate that this soluble electron donor–acceptor nanohybrid might be a good candidate as a light harvesting material in molecular photoelectronic devices.
Dietary Flavonoids Sensitize HeLa Cells to Tumor Necrosis Factor-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand (TRAIL)
Authors: Szliszka Ewelina , Czuba Zenon P. , Jernas Katarzyna , Król Wojciech
Published: December 2008

TRAIL is a promising candidate for cancer therapeutics that preferentially induces apoptosis in cancer cells. The combined treatment flavonoids with TRAIL might be promising as a chemoprevention and/or new therapy against malignant tumors. We examined the cytotoxic effect of dietary flavonoids in combination with TRAIL on HeLa cells. It was found that treatment with noncytotoxic concentration of some flavonoids significantly sensititizes to TRAIL induced death in HeLa cells. Our study demonstrated that flavone, apigenin and genistein markedly augmented TRAIL mediated cytotoxicity against HeLa, whereas kaempferol and quercetin produced no effect.