Rain, winds and haze during the Huygens probe's descent to Titan's surface.

The irreversible conversion of methane into higher hydrocarbons in Titan's stratosphere implies a surface or subsurface methane reservoir. Recent measurements from the cameras aboard the Cassini orbiter fail to see a global reservoir, but the methane and smog in Titan's atmosphere impedes the search for hydrocarbons on the surface. Here we report spectra and high-resolution images obtained by the Huygens Probe Descent Imager/Spectral Radiometer instrument in Titan's atmosphere. Although these images do not show liquid hydrocarbon pools on the surface, they do reveal the traces of once flowing liquid. Surprisingly like Earth, the brighter highland regions show complex systems draining into flat, dark lowlands. Images taken after landing are of a dry riverbed. The infrared reflectance spectrum measured for the surface is unlike any other in the Solar System; there is a red slope in the optical range that is consistent with an organic material such as tholins, and absorption from water ice is seen. However, a blue slope in the near-infrared suggests another, unknown constituent. The number density of haze particles increases by a factor of just a few from an altitude of 150 km to the surface, with no clear space below the tropopause. The methane relative humidity near the surface is 50 per cent.

Prescribing antimicrobial agents for dogs and cats via university pharmacies in Finland--patterns and quality of information.

The aim of our study was to evaluate antimicrobial use in dogs and cats in Finland. Information on veterinary prescriptions was gathered from University Pharmacies (n=17) over a one-month period, April 2001. A total of 2719 prescriptions for veterinary use were delivered, of which the majority were for dogs (70%, n=1898) and cats (14%, n=384). The most prescribed therapy group was per-oral antimicrobial agents (53%, n=1449), of which 16% (n=237) were medicines approved for humans. The most commonly used substances for dogs and cats were betalactams, 66% and 78%, respectively. The proportion of fluoroquinolones was 3-5%. The average duration of the treatment periods was 10 days with the exception of treatment of cats with macrolide-lincosamides, where the mean period was 20 days. Indication was mentioned only in 37% of the prescriptions.

Survey of condition-based prescribing of antimicrobial drugs for dogs at a veterinary teaching hospital.

A database of the prescriptions of antimicrobial drugs for the treatment of common infectious diseases in dogs at the Finnish Veterinary Teaching Hospital was searched to determine to what extent national guidelines were being followed. Twenty-two per cent of 5918 dogs were treated orally with antimicrobial drugs. The most commonly used drugs were beta-lactams (49 per cent) of which cephalexin and amoxycillin-clavulanate were most widely prescribed. The usage of fluoroquinolones was only 2.8 per cent. The prescription of antimicrobials for pyoderma was contrary to Finnish guidelines, but the use of cephalexin or amoxycillin-clavulanate as first-line drugs instead of macrolides or lincosamides or trimethoprim-sulphonamides was acceptable because of the presence of resistance by canine staphylococci. The drug most commonly used to treat acute urinary tract infections was trimethoprim-sulphonamide, in agreement with the guidelines. Antimicrobial drugs were used excessively after surgical procedures, and for treating acute gastrointestinal disturbances and small wounds and traumas.