Assessment of a point‐of‐care cardiac troponin I test to differentiate cardiac from noncardiac causes of respiratory distress in dogs

Objectives – To (1) determine a reference interval for cardiac troponin I (cTnI) using a point‐of‐care device in normal dogs and compare the results with those published by the manufacturer and (2) determine if cTnI differs among dogs with cardiogenic and noncardiogenic respiratory distress. Design – Prospective observational study. Setting – Emergency and referral veterinary hospital. Animals – Twenty‐six clinically normal dogs and 67 dogs in respiratory distress. Interventions – All dogs underwent whole blood sampling for cTnI concentrations. Measurements and Results – Normal dogs had a median cTnI concentration of 0.03 ng/mL (range 0–0.11 ng/mL). Thirty‐six dogs were diagnosed with noncardiogenic respiratory distress with a median cTnI concentration of 0.14 ng/mL (range 0.01–4.31 ng/mL). Thirty‐one dogs were diagnosed with cardiogenic respiratory distress with a median cTnI concentration of 1.74 ng/mL (range 0.05–17.1 ng/mL). A significant difference between cTnI concentrations in normal dogs and dogs with noncardiogenic respiratory distress was not detected. Significant differences in cTnI concentrations were found between normals versus cardiogenic and cardiogenic versus noncardiogenic respiratory distress groups. Significant differences in cTnI concentrations were identified in >10 when compared with the <5 and the 5–10 years of age groups. Receiver operating curve analysis identified cTnI concentrations >1.5 ng/mL as the optimal “cut‐off point” having a sensitivity of 78% and specificity of 51.5%. The area under the receiver operating curve was 0.72. Overall test accuracy was 65%. Conclusions – cTnI concentrations were significantly increased in dogs with cardiogenic respiratory distress versus dogs with noncardiogenic respiratory distress and normal dogs. A significant difference between normal dogs and dogs with noncardiogenic causes of respiratory distress was detected. Although highly sensitive when cTnI concentrations exceed 1.5 ng/mL, the test has low specificity. Assessment of cTnI by the methodology used cannot be recommended as the sole diagnostic modality for evaluating the cause of respiratory distress in dogs.     

不同栽培模式对金盏花植株养分积累和色素含量的影响

研究在平作漫灌、垄作沟灌2种灌水方式及4 200、3 600、3 000 m3/hm 3种灌水量的不同栽培模式条件下,金盏花植株氮、磷、钾养分积累和色素含量的变化.结果表明:在相同灌水量下金盏花垄作沟灌植株积累的氮、磷、钾积累量较传统方式的少,垄作沟灌3 600 m3/hm2的氮、磷、钾积累量在垄作沟灌处理中最大,且在主要收获期色素含量较高,表明垄作沟灌有利于营养元素运送到花朵中以提高色素的含量,改善金盏花的加工品质.     

Monitoring the gravitational reflex of the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor: A novel bioassay for assessing toxic effects of acaricides

We investigated the effect of several acaricides on Varroa destructor by monitoring the rhythmic expansion of the sternum, followed by a strong flexion of the legs, initiated when the mite was placed in a dorsal side-down position, as an indication of a mite’s vitality. The pulses generated by the force of the rhythmic expansions had an average duration of 3.11 s, force (amplitude) of 73 μN, and frequency of 0.228 Hz. These parameters remained constant for the first 10 h of recording, whilst significant changes occurred after 15 h. The rhythmic sternal expansion is an indication of a Varroa mite’s gravitational reflex, or attempt to return to an upright position; this reflex is observed in all invertebrates and vertebrates. The sternal expansion can be recorded for over 20 h, or for as long as the Varroa mite remains alive, and the expansion stops as soon as the mite is placed in a normal, upright position. Proper function of the chain of proprioceptors, interneurons, motorneurons, neuromuscular junctions, and muscles of Varroa is required for the initiation and maintenance of such a behavioural motor pattern. Any deleterious effect of synthetic chemicals or natural compounds (acaricides) may have a direct effect on one or more of these links, thereby disturbing or even inhibiting the reflex. Topical application of 1.81 × 10⁻³ mg/mite of amitraz completely inhibited the gravitational reflex within 60–70 min for all mites tested. The volatile acaricides formic acid (13.83 mg), thymol crystals (250 mg), and Apiguard® (1000 mg) eliminated the reflex within 10–35 min. This bioassay, based on the gravitational reflex, could be a useful tool for accurate assessment of the acaricidal action of numerous compounds under laboratory conditions, saving money and time necessary to conduct field trials.     

模拟垄沟灌溉土壤水分入渗特性试验研究

采用土箱进行模拟垄沟灌溉入渗试验,探索垄沟灌溉条件下土壤水分的入渗特性.研究结果表明:垄沟灌溉入渗时,湿润锋水平方向与垂直方向的运移距离与入渗时间呈幂函数正相关,其垂向运移距离明显大干一般沟灌;灌水时沟中与垄坡剖面的含水率迅速增加,再分布过程中在水平向水势梯度的作用下垄上剖面的含水率也不断增加,适当减小垄宽可以减少灌溉...     

造林学与水土保持学专家侯庆春研究员

侯庆春先生，研究员。1943年出生于吉林省吉林市，1965年毕业于东北林学院林学系，同年分配到中国科学院水利部水土保持研究所工作至今。30多年来一直在黄土高原从事森林生态学和造林学方面的研究工作，研究领域涉及到黄土高原造林的诸多领域，先后对黄土高原林草地土壤水分特征及区域分布、飞机播种造林种草技术，抗旱防风集流造林技术，区域林业、小流域综合治理，低产林改造等方面进行了深入系统的研究。     

What genetics tell us about the conservation of the critically endangered Balearic Shearwater?

The Balearic shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus is one of the most critically endangered seabirds in the world. The species is endemic to the Balearic archipelago, and conservation concerns are the low number of breeding pairs, the low adult survival, and the possible hybridization with a sibling species, the morphologically smaller Yelkouan shearwater (P. yelkouan). We sampled almost the entire breeding range of the species and analyzed the genetic variation at two mitochondrial DNA regions. No genetic evidence of population decline was found. Despite the observed philopatry, we detected a weak population structure mainly due to connectivity among colonies higher than expected, but also to a Pleistocene demographic expansion. Some colonies showed a high imbalance between immigration and emigration rates, suggesting spatial heterogeneity in patch quality. Genetic evidence of maternal introgression from the sibling species was reinforced, but almost only in a peripheral colony and not followed, at least to date, by the spread of the introgressed mtDNA lineages. Morphometric differences were not correlated with mtDNA haplotypes and introgression is probably due to a secondary contact between the two species several generations ago. Overall, results suggested that the very recent demographic decline in this critically endangered species has not yet decreased its genetic variability, and connectivity found among most colonies should help to reduce species extinction risk. Spreading of introgression should be monitored, but the species is not jeopardized at the moment by genetic factors and the major conservation actions should concentrate at enhancing adult survival.     

温室黄瓜叶面积扩展与光合特性对土壤水分的响应研究

温室盆栽试验研究土壤水分对黄瓜叶面积扩展与光合特性的影响结果表明,黄瓜叶片扩展经历了指数生长(EG)、线性生长(LSG)和稳定生长(SCG)3个阶段。随土壤含水量的增加,叶面积(LA)显著增大,叶片生长速率(LGR)的最大值明显提前。叶片相对扩展速率(RER)在指数生长阶段迅速增加,但在线性生长和稳定生长阶段则逐渐减小。土壤含水量显著影响了叶片的扩展和光合特性。叶片生长进程中,叶绿素含量和净光合速率(Pn)逐渐增加,处理间差异明显,不同水分处理的叶片净光合速率日变化均表现为单峰曲线,其表观量子效率(AQY)、羧化效率(CE)具有显著差异。     

不同堆肥方式对奶牛粪便处理效果的试验研究

以奶牛粪便为原料,进行了堆肥槽、露天条垛和接种外源微生物的对比试验。结果表明:与露天条垛堆肥相比较,堆肥槽能节省50％以上土地,并可防止二次污染;露天条垛堆体温度升高至50℃比槽式堆体提前了3d;接种外源微生物制剂堆体升温至50℃比未接种的提前2～3d;本试验中各处理的种子发芽指数变化表明,牛粪经过20d堆肥处理后就对植物无毒性。     

华西雨屏区5种坡地利用方式产流产沙与养分流失特征

选择5种坡地利用方式,分别是裸地、农耕地(玉米)、荒草地、巨桉林地Ⅰ与巨桉林地Ⅱ,建立人工径流小区,对2006年6～11月各小区产流产沙及养分流失进行对比研究.结果表明:(1)5种坡地利用方式产流产沙差异显著(P＜0.05),径流深依次是裸地(250.9 mm)＞农耕地(232.9 mm)＞荒草地(175.4 mm)＞巨桉林地Ⅰ(170.5 mm)＞巨桉林地Ⅱ(141.3 mm);产沙量大小依次为:农耕地(313.63 t/km2)＞裸地(176.80 t/km2)＞荒草地(94.45 t/km2)＞巨桉林地Ⅰ(90.58 t/km2)＞巨桉林地Ⅱ(36.37 t/km2).(2)5种坡地利用方式养分流失差异显著(P＜0.05),其流失量大小顺序均为钾素＞磷素＞氮素.其中,氮素与磷素流失以水溶态为主,平均为96.16%与69.45%;钾素以颗粒态(与泥沙结合态)为主,平均为74.93%.(3)不同坡地产流产沙主要影响因素不同,裸地与农耕地受降雨影响较大,而荒草地与巨桉林地受人为干扰因素较大.(4)调整农事活动、改善经营措施与减少人为干扰对防止坡地产流产沙以及养分流失具有重要作用.     

南方红豆杉扦插繁殖技术研究——Ⅰ.基质、季节与生物措 施对扦插繁殖的影响

试验研究基质、季节和生物措施对南方红豆杉扦插生根、扦插苗生长和叶绿素含量的影响结果表明,以河沙和珍珠岩按8∶2混配苗床基质最佳,其绿苗率、生根率及成苗率分别为86 .0 %、84 .3%和81.7% ,显著高于其他3种苗床基质;其次为河沙和火烧土混配苗床基质>黄土>单一河沙苗床基质。季节和生物措施效应显示第4季度为扦插最佳时期,扦插效果显著优于其他季节,且扦插后拌种黄豆显著优于未拌种黄豆对照组