Prediction of Red Clover Content in Mixed Swards by Near-Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy

Because of the legume fixation capacity, their high protein content, digestibility and intake characteristics, more and more attention is paid to grassland clover content. In field experiments, clover content must often be determined, for example to quantify nitrogen flux or the best practices to manage such species (Stilmant et al., 2004). However hand sorting of clover and grass, even if accurate, is time-consuming and has a high labour cost. In comparison, accuracy of visual estimation of clover content, directly in the field, varies according to training and experience. Near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) has been proposed as a method for the rapid determination of sward botanical (Petersen et al., 1987; Pitman et al., 1991) and morphological composition (Leconte et al., 1999; Stilmant et al., 2005). This paper describes the performance of a NIRS calibration developed to characterise red clover (Trifolium pratense) content when associated to different grass species and this at different phenological stages

A new combined bodian-luxol technique for staining unmyelinated axons in semithin, resin-embedded peripheral nerves: a comparison with electron microscopy.

peer reviewedaudience: researcher, professionalQuantitation of unmyelinated fibers (UF) in peripheral nerves has classically relied upon ultrastructural morphometry. Because this method is time-consuming, it is not typically performed in routine analysis of nerve biopsies. We applied the Bodian-Luxol technique to detect unmyelinated axons by light microscopy on semithin sections from resin-embedded nerve tissue. Estimates were compared to ultrastructural counts. The staining appeared highly specific for axons. Excellent correlation was found between optic densities and the population of UF larger than 0.5 microm. The smallest profiles detected by light microscopy had a diameter close to 0.6 microm. This new technique is not a substitute for ultrastructural quantitative morphometry of UF, as very small unmyelinated axons, especially regenerating ones, can not be reliably visualized. However, it provides a valuable light microscopic method for evaluating axonal loss among UF

CT imaging of ascaris lumbricoides

A 37-year-old man was referred to the department of internal medicine for chronic fever, asthenia and loss of weight. He had no relevant medical history but reported frequent travels to Africa. Abdominal-CT study with contrast agent injection and oral digestive opacification was performed and revealed pleuroperitoneal and pericardial effusions with multiple mediastinal and mesenteric lymphadenopathies. Bronchoalveolar lavage and sputum expectoration analyses demonstrated systemic tuberculosis

Acetabular osteoid osteoma treated by percutaneous radio - frequency ablation: delayed articular cartilage damage

The authors report the case of an osteoid osteoma of the acetabular roof in a 17-year-old sportsgirl successfully treated by radiofrequency ablation, with a mid-term evidence of cartilage loss. Extra-articular access and exact positioning of the needle electrode exclude direct operative chondral damage. Intense physical activity could be an aggravating factor for the chondropathy. It is difficult to determine whether the acetabular cartilage joint was damaged only by thermo-ablation or if it had also been weakened before by the O.O. The authors caution practitioners from using this technique for para-articular lesions, especially near weight-bearing joints

Neuroimaging Biomarkers and Cognitive Function in Non-CNS Cancer and Its Treatment: Current Status and Recommendations for Future Research

Cognitive changes in patients undergoing treatment for non-central nervous system (CNS) cancers have been recognized for several decades, yet the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. Structural, functional and molecular neuroimaging has the potential to help clarify the neural bases of these cognitive abnormalities. Structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), functional MRI (fMRI), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), MR spectroscopy (MRS), and positron emission tomography (PET) have all been employed in the study of cognitive effects of cancer treatment, with most studies focusing on breast cancer and changes thought to be induced by chemotherapy. Articles in this special issue of Brain Imaging and Behavior are devoted to neuroimaging studies of cognitive changes in patients with non-CNS cancer and include comprehensive critical reviews and novel research findings. The broad conclusions that can be drawn from past studies and the present body of new research is that there are structural and functional changes associated with cancer and various treatments, particularly systemic cytotoxic chemotherapy, although some cognitive and fMRI studies have identified changes at pre-treatment baseline. Recommendations to accelerate progress include well-powered multicenter neuroimaging studies, a better standardized definition of the cognitive phenotype and extension to other cancers. A systems biology framework incorporating multimodality neuroimaging, genetics and other biomarkers will be highly informative regarding individual differences in risk and protective factors and disease- and treatment-related mechanisms. Studies of interventions targeting cognitive changes are also needed. These next steps are expected to identify novel protective strategies and facilitate a more personalized medicine for cancer patients

Letter to the Editor: MDCT features of spontaneous pneumomediatinum by Macklin effect.

Dear editor, we read with great interest the two recent case reports about pneumomediastinum: “Com-pli cated pulmonary interstitial emphysema” reported by C. Altay (JBR-BTR, 2011, 94: 84) and “Spon - taneous soccer-induced pneumo - mediastinum in a 39-year-old man” reported by K. De Smet (JBR-BTR, 2011, 346-347). We would like to widen this subject, reporting a case of massive spontaneous pneumomediastinum by Macklin effect in a 25-year-old man. High quality MDCT series, associated to scientific literature review, allow us to highlight the the CT appearance of the Macklin effect leads us to affirm the spontaneous orgin of the pneumomedia - stinum and thus permitting to be reassurin