A Possible Case of Neurogenic Pulmonary Edema in a Sheep following Intracranial Surgery

A 3-year-old female crossbred sheep weighing 64 kg was anaesthetized for intracranial surgery as a part of a research project. Premedication and induction of anesthesia were uneventful as well as tracheal intubation. Anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane in a 50% mixture of oxygen and air, fentanyl (5-15 µg kg-1h-1) and lidocaine (1.8 mg kg-1h-1). During anesthesia, an increased alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient was calculated on the basis of arterial blood gas analysis: inspiratory fraction of oxygen was increased and a recruitment manoeuvre was performed. After 210 minutes of anesthesia, the sheep was let recover with oxygen supplementation under monitoring of pulse-oxymetry, capnography, inspired and expired oxygen, temperature and invasive blood pressure. At tracheal extubation no signs of regurgitation or aspiration were noticed. Twenty-five minutes later, the sheep showed deterioration of neurological status and clonic seizure responsive to diazepam. After transient tachycardia, blood pressure rose acutely and sinus bradycardia followed. Severe tachypnea started in few minutes accompanied by loud respiratory noises and harsh diffuse crackles on both sides of the thorax. Foamy blood nasal exudates discharged from the nostrils. Neurogenic pulmonary edema as a sequel of increased intracranial pressure was suspected and treated with intravenous mannitol (0.5 gkg-1) and furosemide (4 mgKg-1). Hypoxemia was successfully managed with oxygen supplementation. Motor and cognitive functions improved progressively and were deemed normal within 12 hours from the episode, when arterial partial pressure of oxygen was 11.7 kPa (88 mmHg) at room air

Real topological Hochschild homology

Funding Information: Acknowledgments. The authors would like to thank the Hausdorff Research Institute for Mathematics in Bonn for their hospitality during the Junior Trimester Program in Topology in 2016. Much of the work on this paper was carried out during that program. The authors also acknowledge the support of the Danish National Research Foundation through the Centre for Symmetry and Deformation (DNRF92). The second author was supported by the Max Planck institute for Mathematics and thanks the Mittag-Leffler Institute for their hospitality. The third author was supported by the German Research Foundation Schwerpunktprogramm 1786. The fourth author was supported by Independent Research Fund Denmark’s Sapere Aude program (DFF–4002-00224) and by the Max Planck Institute for Mathematics. Publisher Copyright: © European Mathematical Society 2021 Copyright: Copyright 2021 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.Peer reviewedPostprin

From Basic Research to Application - Technology Transfer from AWI

For a responsible development of the Arctic, new remote sensing technologies and services are of great importance. Many of such innovations are based on scientific research. However, it is not trivial that they find their way into application. In order to ease this kind of transfer across the interface between academia and industry, the Alfred Wegener Institute has established a technology transfer office (TTO). The TTO takes up inventions and business ideas emerging from scientific research and supports innovators and entrepreneurs to progress them into the respective markets. The other way round, the TTO serves as the contact point for stakeholders from industry, governmental and non-governmental bodies to forward specific problems into the scientific community. Here we present two examples to illustrate the AWI technology transfer approach: 1) Planned for 2022, the German hyperspectral earth observation satellite EnMAP (Environmental Mapping and Analysis Programme) will measure the reflected radiance from the earth’s surface over a wide hyperspectral wavelength range (from visible to short wave infrared). In order to provide correct hyperspectral satellite products such as land cover (natural surfaces, urban), surface waters, surface mineralogy, hydrology (snow, moisture) etc. in a correct manner, it is necessary to normalize for the incidence and the reflection of light depending on the zenith and azimuth viewing geometries. This is performed by providing the bidirectional reflectance distribution function BRDF for different materials. Determination of BRDFs for terrestrial surfaces is very challenging especially for high latitudes due to the low solar altitude. For Arctic vegetation mapping, a specific satellite field goniometer was developed at AWI to perform such ground truthing (Buchhorn et al., 2013). The goniometer allows for mobile ground-based measurements in order to determine the BRDF for different vegetation types. It consists of an azimuth angle adjustment module mounted on a tripod with a zenith arc with sensor sled equipped with two portable spectro-radiometers, a GPS receiver, an NC-Eye camera system and a white reference panel. The goniometer was prototyped, patented and licensed to a precision mechanics manufacturer. The commercial system in this case addresses the scientific community and specialized service providers. 2) Starting with geophysical ice thickness measurements on sea-ice and using air-borne electromagnetic measuring systems (Krumpen et al. 2011) a group of AWI scientists developed specific sea-ice related services for scientific, governmental and private sector customers operating in Arctic sea-ice. Subsequently the AWI spin-off Drift & Noise Polar Services was established in 2014. The new business was developed towards near real-time remote sensing ice information products and sea-ice consultancy for safer and faster navigation through ice-covered waters. Ice charts and weather information are generated from SAR and optical imagery (e.g. Sentinel 1 and 2). Since reliable broadband data transfer channels do not exist, particularly for high latitudes, the start-up also develops appropriate data compaction and transfer protocols combined with hand-held mobile systems for nautical officers which allow for near real-time access to latest ice data onboard ship. Thus shipping companies are able to save time and fuel by adapting their route while increasing safety. Fig. 1: Portable field spectro-goniometer for EnMAP ground truthing (a). Hand-held sea-ice information system “Ice Pad” using merged optical and SAR imagery (b). References 1. M. Buchhorn, R. Petereit & B. Heim (2013) A Manual Transportable Instrument Platform for Ground-Based Spectro-Directional Observations (ManTIS) and the Resultant Hyperspectral Field Goniometer System. Sensors, 13 (12), 16105-16128, doi:10.3390/s131216105. 2. T. Krumpen, L. Rabenstein, & J. Hoelemann (2011) Quantifying Sea Ice Formation Rates in the Laptev Sea by Means of ENVISAT SAR Scenes and Airborne Ice Thickness Measurements. International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG) General Assembly, Melbourne, Australia, 29 June 2011 - 7 July 2011, hdl:10013/epic.38551

Evaluation of Paraspinal Musculature in Small Breed Dogs with and without Atlantoaxial Instability Using Computed Tomography.

OBJECTIVE  The aim of this study was to evaluate differences in paraspinal musculature between dogs with and without atlantoaxial instability (AAI) using computed tomography scans. STUDY DESIGN  Retrospective multicentre study evaluating transverse reconstructed computed tomography scans of 83 small breed dogs (34 with and 49 without AAI) for the cross-sectional paraspinal musculature area at three levels (Occiput/C1, mid-C1, mid-C2). Ratio of moments, dorsal-to-ventral muscle-area ratios (d-v-ratio) and ratios of the dorsal and ventral musculature to C2 height (d-C2-ratio and v-C2-ratio) were evaluated for differences between groups using multivariate analysis of variance (p < 0.05) taking the head-neck position into account. RESULTS  Dogs with AAI showed a significantly lower d-v-ratio at levels 2 and 3, d-C2-ratio at level 2 and ratio of moments at all levels. When head-neck positions were analysed separately, ratio of moments was significantly lower in affected dogs at level 1 and 2. Also lower was d-C2-ratio at level 2, but only in flexed positioning. The head-neck position had a significant influence on ratio of moments and d-v-ratio at all three levels and on d-C2-ratio at level 1. CONCLUSION  Significant changes in muscle area were observed only for the hypaxial muscles at the C1 level, indicating a limited role of muscular adaption in AAI patients. Our results confirm an altered ratio of moments in dogs with AAI. The head-neck position has a significant impact and should be taken into account when evaluating spinal musculature

Determination of cutoff values on computed tomography and magnetic resonance images for the diagnosis of atlantoaxial instability in small-breed dogs.

OBJECTIVE To determine cutoff values for the diagnosis of atlantoaxial instability (AAI) based on cross-sectional imaging in small-breed dogs. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective multicenter study. SAMPLE POPULATION Client-owned dogs (n = 123) and 28 cadavers. METHODS Dogs were assigned to three groups: a control group, a "potentially unstable" group, and an AAI-affected group, according to imaging findings and clinical signs. The ventral compression index (VCI), cranial translation ratio (CTR), C1-C2 overlap, C1-C2 angle, atlantoaxial distance, basion-dens interval, dens-to-axis length ratio (DALR), power ratio, and clivus canal angles were measured on CT or T2-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to define cutoff values in flexed (≥25°) and extended (<25°) head positions. RESULTS Cutoff values for the VCI of ≥0.16 in extended and ≥0.2 in flexed head positions were diagnostic for AAI (sensitivity of 100% and 100%, specificity of 94.54% and 96.67%, respectively). Cutoff values for the other measurements were defined with a lower sensitivity (75%-96%) and specificity (70%-97%). A combination of the measurements did not increase the sensitivity and specificity compared with the VCI as single measurement. CONCLUSION Cutoff values for several imaging measurements were established with good sensitivity and specificity. The VCI, defined as the ratio between the ventral and dorsal atlantodental interval, had the highest sensitivity and specificity in both head positions. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE The use of defined cutoff values allows an objective diagnosis of AAI in small-breed dogs. The decision for surgical intervention, however, should remain based on a combination of clinical and imaging findings

Radiographers’ perspectives’ on visual grading analysis as a scientific method to evaluate image quality

Introduction Radiographers routinely undertake many initiatives to balance image quality with radiation dose (optimisation). For optimisation studies to be successful image quality needs to be carefully evaluated. Purpose was to 1) discuss the strengths and limitations of a Visual Grading Analysis (VGA) method for image quality evaluation and 2) to outline the method from a radiographer's perspective. Methods A possible method for investigating and discussing the relationship between radiographic image quality parameters and the interpretation and perception of X-ray images is the VGA method. VGA has a number of advantages such as being low cost and a detailed image quality assessment, although it is limited to ensure the images convey the relevant clinical information and relate the task based radiography. Results Comparing the experience of using VGA and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) it is obviously that less papers are published on VGA (Pubmed n=1.384) compared to ROC (Pubmed n=122.686). Hereby the scientific experience of the VGA method is limited compared to the use of ROC. VGA is, however, a much newer method and it is slowly gaining more and more attention. Conclusion The success of VGA requires a number of steps to be completed, such as defining the VGA criteria, choosing the VGA method (absolute or relative), including observers, finding the best image display platforms, training observers and selecting the best statistical method for the study purpose should be thoroughly considered. Implication for practice Detailed evaluation of image quality for optimisation studies related to technical definition of image quality

Rapid phase-shift reversal on a Jamaican coral reef

Abstract Many Caribbean reefs have experienced a phase-shift in community structure, the principle features being a decline in coral cover and an increase in macroalgal biomass. However, one Jamaican reef-Dairy Bull on the north shore near Discovery Bay-is once again dominated by scleractinian corals and several key species have returned. Living coral cover at 6-8 m depth at Dairy Bull has doubled over the past 9 years and is now $54$11% by January 2004. During this time the cover of macroalgae decreased by 90%, from 45 to 6%. We speculate that long-lived colonies of Montastraea annularis may have facilitated the recovery of this reef by providing structural refugia

Severe 2010 Cold-Water Event Caused Unprecedented Mortality to Corals of the Florida Reef Tract and Reversed Previous Survivorship Patterns

Background Coral reefs are facing increasing pressure from natural and anthropogenic stressors that have already caused significant worldwide declines. In January 2010, coral reefs of Florida, United States, were impacted by an extreme cold-water anomaly that exposed corals to temperatures well below their reported thresholds (16°C), causing rapid coral mortality unprecedented in spatial extent and severity. Methodology/Principal Findings Reef surveys were conducted from Martin County to the Lower Florida Keys within weeks of the anomaly. The impacts recorded were catastrophic and exceeded those of any previous disturbances in the region. Coral mortality patterns were directly correlated to in-situ and satellite-derived cold-temperature metrics. These impacts rival, in spatial extent and intensity, the impacts of the well-publicized warm-water bleaching events around the globe. The mean percent coral mortality recorded for all species and subregions was 11.5% in the 2010 winter, compared to 0.5% recorded in the previous five summers, including years like 2005 where warm-water bleaching was prevalent. Highest mean mortality (15%–39%) was documented for inshore habitats where temperatures were \u3c11°C for prolonged periods. Increases in mortality from previous years were significant for 21 of 25 coral species, and were 1–2 orders of magnitude higher for most species. Conclusions/Significance The cold-water anomaly of January 2010 caused the worst coral mortality on record for the Florida Reef Tract, highlighting the potential catastrophic impacts that unusual but extreme climatic events can have on the persistence of coral reefs. Moreover, habitats and species most severely affected were those found in high-coral cover, inshore, shallow reef habitats previously considered the “oases” of the region, having escaped declining patterns observed for more offshore habitats. Thus, the 2010 cold-water anomaly not only caused widespread coral mortality but also reversed prior resistance and resilience patterns that will take decades to recover

Benthic pH gradients across a range of shelf sea sediment types linked to sediment characteristics and seasonal variability

This study used microelectrodes to record pH profiles in fresh shelf sea sediment cores collected across a range of different sediment types within the Celtic Sea. Spatial and temporal variability was captured during repeated measurements in 2014 and 2015. Concurrently recorded oxygen microelectrode profiles and other sedimentary parameters provide a detailed context for interpretation of the pH data. Clear differences in profiles were observed between sediment type, location and season. Notably, very steep pH gradients exist within the surface sediments (10–20 mm), where decreases greater than 0.5 pH units were observed. Steep gradients were particularly apparent in fine cohesive sediments, less so in permeable sandier matrices. We hypothesise that the gradients are likely caused by aerobic organic matter respiration close to the sediment–water interface or oxidation of reduced species at the base of the oxic zone (NH4+, Mn2+, Fe2+, S−). Statistical analysis suggests the variability in the depth of the pH minima is controlled spatially by the oxygen penetration depth, and seasonally by the input and remineralisation of deposited organic phytodetritus. Below the pH minima the observed pH remained consistently low to maximum electrode penetration (ca. 60 mm), indicating an absence of sub-oxic processes generating H+ or balanced removal processes within this layer. Thus, a climatology of sediment surface porewater pH is provided against which to examine biogeochemical processes. This enhances our understanding of benthic pH processes, particularly in the context of human impacts, seabed integrity, and future climate changes, providing vital information for modelling benthic response under future climate scenarios

IL-10 transcription is negatively regulated by BAF180, a component of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling enzyme

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling enzymes play a critical role in the development of T helper lymphocytes, including Th2 cells, and directly program chromatin structure at Th2 cytokine genes. Different versions of SWI/SNF complexes, including BAF and PBAF, have been described based on unique subunit composition. However, the relative role of BAF and PBAF in Th cell function and cytokine expression has not been reported.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Here we examine the role of the PBAF SWI/SNF complex in Th cell development and gene expression using mice deficient for a PBAF-specific component, BAF180. We find that T cell development in the thymus and lymphoid periphery is largely normal when the BAF180 gene is deleted late in thymic development. However, BAF180-deficient Th2 cells express high levels of the immunoregulatory cytokine IL-10. BAF180 binds directly to regulatory elements in the Il-10 locus but is replaced by BAF250 BAF complexes in the absence of BAF180, resulting in increased histone acetylation and CBP recruitment to the IL-10 locus.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These results demonstrate that BAF180 is a repressor of IL-10 transcription in Th2 cells and suggest that the differential recruitment of different SWI/SNF subtypes can have direct consequences on chromatin structure and gene transcription.</p