A new ornithological record,Pechora Pipit Anthus gustavi Swinhoe,1863,from Xinjiang

On 15 September,2010,a Pechora Pipit Anthus gustavi Swinhoe was found in the Hami prefecture(41°13’N and 93°29’E,1,143 m a.s.l.),Xinjiang,during the period of a comprehensive scientific survey in Lop Nur region.The bird,which was photographed,is a new avian record for Xinjiang.The pipit reproduces in northern Eurasia,mainly in wide meadows and low hills,and can be found in open forests and nearby residential areas in the process of on migration.The species is an insectivore and is a rare migrant or vagrant in Xinjiang.The geographical distribution,character,habitat,ecological habit and subspecies of the Pechora Pipit were discussed in this paper.     

The use of an acoustic device to identify the epidural space in cattle

Twelve healthy cattle (weighing 188–835 kg) were placed in stocks and sedated with xylazine. Caudal epidural puncture was performed using an acoustic device that indicated a decrease in resistance with a change in pitch. Lidocaine was injected to verify correct needle placement by assessing needle prick stimuli applied on the left and right side of the tail root and the perineal region, and the loss of tail and anal sphincter tone. Pressure measurements were recorded during penetration of the different tissue layers and in the epidural space. A clear and sudden decrease in the pitch of the acoustic signal was audible in all 12 cattle. All cows showed clinical effects indicating successful epidural anaesthesia. The pressure in the epidural space after puncture was ?19 ± 10 mm Hg. The device may be of assistance in identifying the epidural space in cattle.     

Effects of subanesthetic doses of ketamine on hemodynamic and immunologic variables in dogs with experimentally induced endotoxemia

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of ketamine hydrochloride on hemodynamic and immunologic alterations associated with experimentally induced endotoxemia in dogs. ANIMALS: 9 mixed-breed dogs. PROCEDURES: In a crossover study, dogs were randomly allocated to receive ketamine (0.5 mg/kg, IV, followed by IV infusion at a rate of 0.12 mg/kg/h for 2.5 hours) or control solution (saline [0.9% NaCl] solution, 0.25 mL, IV, followed by IV infusion at a rate of 0.5 mL/h for 2.5 hours). Onset of infusion was time 0. At 30 minutes, lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 1 microg/kg, IV) was administered. Heart rate (HR), systolic arterial blood pressure (SAP), plasma tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha activity, and a CBC were evaluated. RESULTS: Mean SAP was significantly reduced in dogs administered ketamine or saline solution at 2 and 2.5 hours, compared with values at time 0. However, there was no significant difference between treatments. At 1, 2, and 2.5 hours, dogs administered ketamine had a significantly lower HR than dogs administered saline solution. Although plasma TNF-alpha activity significantly increased, compared with values at time 0 for both groups, ketamine-treated dogs had significantly lower peak plasma TNF-alpha activity 1.5 hours after LPS administration. All dogs had significant leukopenia and neutropenia after LPS administration, with no differences detected between ketamine and saline solution treatments. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Administration of a subanesthetic dose of ketamine had immunomodulating effects in dogs with experimentally induced endotoxemia (namely, blunting of plasma TNF-alpha activity). However, it had little effect on hemodynamic stability and no effect on WBC counts.     

Suspected albuterol toxicosis in a dog

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 6-year-old male castrated Shetland Sheepdog was evaluated because of severe hypokalemia and progressive paresis. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Physical examination revealed fever, tachypnea, mydriasis, hyperemic mucous membranes, severe forelimb paresis, and hind limb paraplegia. The dog had superficial and deep pain sensation in all 4 limbs. Forelimb spinal reflexes were considered normal, but hind limb reflexes were normal to slightly hyperreflexive. The panniculus reflex was considered to be normal, and cranial nerve reflexes were intact. A CBC revealed mild leukocytosis and erythrocytosis, and serum biochemical analysis revealed severe hypokalemia. Thoracic and abdominal imaging did not reveal relevant findings. Blood pressure and ECG findings were within reference limits. Questioning of the owner revealed possible exposure to albuterol via ingestion of medication intended for the owner's horse. Results of serum testing via immunoassay were suggestive of albuterol toxicosis. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Treatment included IV administration of an electrolyte solution and supplemental potassium chloride. The rate of potassium chloride supplementation was slowly decreased as serum potassium concentration increased. No other medical intervention was required, and the dog made a rapid and complete recovery. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Ingestion of albuterol can lead to profound physical and serum biochemical abnormalities. Appropriate historical information should be obtained to identify possible sources and routes of exposure to intoxicants. Albuterol-induced hypokalemia can be successfully managed medically.     

Influence of Mechanical-Biological Pretreatment On the Toxicity of Municipal Solid Waste

Mechanical-biologically pretreated residual waste was tested for toxicity, chemical quality and reactional behavior. Samples were taken from different composting plants at different stages of treatment. Acute toxicity was determined using Daphnia magna (crustacean) and Vibrio fischeri (luminescent bacteria), chronic toxicity was tested with Selenastrum capricomutum (green algae) and Lepidium sativum (cress). Samples were analyzed for various physico-chemical parameters and for biological parameters (respiration activity, gas-generating potential). Toxicity tests were carried out from eluates and toxicity was expressed in German regulatory G-values. The results of this study indicate that high toxicity was observed in untreated MSW samples and in samples with a short treatment period. In most cases toxicity decreased significantly when the treatment period increased and marked differences were observed in the susceptibility among the species. Toxicity varied between a G-value of 1 and 256. For some tests a good relationship was noted between toxicity and high results of conductivity, TOC, COD, BOD5 and biological tests. It was found that high toxicity can influence biological tests, resulting in longer lag-phases and thus leading to misinterpretation.     

Competitive exclusion of Yersinia enterocolitica biotype 4, serotype O:3 by Yersinia enterocolitica biotype 1A,serotype O:6,30 in tissue culture and in pigs

AIMS: To study the adhesion properties of a biotype 4, serotype O:3 (human pathogenic) strain of Yersinia enterocolitica and to determine if adhesion in vitro and colonisation in vivo can be prevented by competition with a biotype 1A, serotype O:6,30 (non-pathogenic) strain. To study interaction between Y. enterocolitica biotype 4, serotype O:3 and cultured epithelial cells using the synthetic tripeptide arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD).

METHODS: The human intestinal epithelial (HEp-2) cell line was used for in vitro studies. Inocula of Y. enterocolitica biotype 4, serotype O:3 radiolabelled using tritium were incubated with HEp-2 cells and RGD tripeptide, or with Y. enterocolitica biotype 1A, serotype O:6,30 sequentially or concurrently, then washed and lysed, and radioactivity measured to determine the effect of RGD on adhesion, and competitive exclusion of pathogenic by non-pathogenic bacteria. For in vivo studies, two groups of 5-week-old piglets (n=5/group) were sequentially inoculated orally with 5x10⁹ colony forming units (cfu) of either a non-pathogenic biotype 1A, serotype O:6,30 strain of Y. enterocolitica followed by a pathogenic biotype 4, serotype O:3 strain, or vice versa. Pigs were monitored for carriage of strains using bacterial culture and a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

RESULTS: The RGD tripeptide significantly inhibited adherence of the pathogenic Y. enterocolitica strain to cultured epithelial cells, suggesting that adhesion involved the RGD tripeptide sequence. The non-pathogenic biotype 1A, serotype O:6,30 strain of Y. enterocolitica prevented adhesion of the pathogenic strain to cells in vitro when allowed to adhere first. Pathogenic Y. enterocolitica was consistently isolated from rectal swabs from 80-100% of pigs on all sampling occasions but not from oral swabs after 14 days in pigs first inoculated with the non- pathogenic strain or at 26 days in pigs first inoculated with the pathogenic strain.

CONCLUSIONS: A non-pathogenic strain of Y. enterocolitica reduced adhesion of a human pathogenic strain in vitro but not in vivo.     

The Solar Acoustic Spectrum and Eigenmode Parameters

The Global Oscillation Network Group (GONG) project estimates the frequencies, amplitudes, and linewidths of more than 250,000 acoustic resonances of the sun from data sets lasting 36 days. The frequency resolution of a single data set is 0.321 microhertz. For frequencies averaged over the azimuthal order m, the median formal error is 0.044 microhertz, and the associated median fractional error is 1.6 x 10(-5). For a 3-year data set, the fractional error is expected to be 3 x 10(-6). The GONG m-averaged frequency measurements differ from other helioseismic data sets by 0.03 to 0.08 microhertz. The differences arise from a combination of systematic errors, random errors, and possible changes in solar structure.