Evaluation of effects of olfactory and auditory stimulation on separation anxiety by salivary cortisol measurement in dogs

Separation anxiety (SA) is a serious behavioral problem in dogs. In this study, salivary cortisol was studied to determine if the owner''s odor or voice could reduce SA in dogs. Twenty-eight dogs with SA were divided into three groups: group 1 (control), group 2 (with owner''s clothes during the separation period; SP) and group 3 (a recording of the owner''s voice was played during SP). The dog''s saliva was collected after the owner and their dog were in the experimental room for 5 min (PRE). The dog was then separated from the owner for 20 min and saliva collected four times at intervals of 5 min (SP1–4). Finally, the owner was allowed back into the room to calm the dog for 5 min, after which saliva was collected (POST). Evaluation of salivary cortisol concentrations by ELISA revealed that the ratios of SP1 concentration to PRE or POST concentrations were significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2 or 3. Additionally, the concentrations of SP1–PRE and SP1–POST among groups differed significantly. These findings indicate that the owner''s odor or voice may be helpful to managing stress in dogs with SA.     

Physiological response of one of South Africa’s premier freshwater sport angling species,the Orange-Vaal smallmouth yellowfish Labeobarbus aeneus,to catch-and-release angling

The practice of catch-and-release fishing has been widely promoted by angling fraternities as a fisheries manage- ment tool. The aim of this investigation was to determine the physiological response of Orange-Vaal smallmouth yellowfish, Labeobarbus aeneus, to catch-and-release angling in the Vaal River, South Africa. Fish were collected using standard fly-fishing techniques, anaesthetised in clove oil and blood was drawn from the caudal vein; thereafter the fish were weighed, measured, revived and released. Blood plasma was analysed for concentra- tions of glucose, cortisol and lactate to determine the effects of angling duration, fish size and water tempera- ture. Larger fish were angled for a longer duration compared with smaller fish. Levels of glucose were affected by water temperature (influenced by time of year). Plasma glucose concentrations decreased with greater angling duration. Few individuals (n = 12) showed increased plasma cortisol concentrations. In extended-capture fish (angled for >1 min), lactate concentrations increased significantly above values for rapid-capture fish (angled for >30 s). These data suggest that catch-and-release causes physiological stress to fish, but nonetheless this practice can be a valuable fisheries management tool to ensure the sustainability of fish populations. Other factors beyond the ‘angling’ time are likely to contribute to physiological disruptions in homeostasis and therefore handling and air exposure of angled fish should be included in future catch-and–release angling studies. In addition, the longer-term impact of angling on fish health should also be determined.     

Comparison of tracheal aspirates before and after high-speed treadmill exercise in racehorses

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether percentages of neutrophils in tracheal aspirate (TA) samples collected from racehorses are increased after exercise and whether interpretation of results from TA samples taken before and after exercise agree. DESIGN: Case series of 40 young Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorses in race training presented for evaluation of poor performance. PROCEDURE: TA samples were collected endoscopically from racehorses presented for poor performance 24 h before and 1 to 2 h after high speed treadmill exercise testing. Aliquots of the retrieved fluid were cytocentrifuged and smears were stained with Diff-Quik. Mean neutrophil counts were expressed as percentages of the total number of inflammatory cells counted and subsequently were categorised as either above or below an accepted cut-off of 20%. Comparisons between percentages of neutrophils before and after exercise were made. RESULTS: Percentage of neutrophils from TA samples obtained from racehorses after exercise was significantly higher than neutrophil percentages from TA samples collected from the same horse before exercise. In horses with TA specimens that were categorised as having < or = 20% neutrophils before treadmill exercise, the percentage of neutrophils in their TA specimens after exercise was, on average, significantly higher and was greater than the cut-off value of 20%. CONCLUSION: Recent strenuous exercise may change the proportion of neutrophils in lower airways of racehorses and practitioners should be aware of this when collecting and interpreting the results from TA samples. The most practical time for collection of a TA sample to obtain the most diagnostically useful information might be after a suitable washout period of at least 1 to 2 h post-exercise.     

灌木抗旱机理研究

从灌木生长性状、形态结构、细胞质膜透性、光合、渗透调节(可溶性糖、脯氨酸、甜菜碱和无机离子)、ABA和LEA蛋白变化及其与灌木抗旱性的关系方面,综述了灌木抗旱机理研究.     

TeMV与PWV侵染对西番莲代谢生理及组织微结构的影响

以西番莲品种‘台农1号’为实验材料,通过电镜扫描技术比较观测TeMV和PWV侵染与健康西番莲的叶片、幼嫩果实外果皮组织形态结构,分析测定其叶片生理生化变化,研究西番莲病毒侵染对西番莲叶片和幼嫩果实外果皮组织结构和生理生化的影响。结果表明：TeMV与PWV侵染后,西番莲植株叶片的海绵组织细胞间隙缩小,发生成团堆积状排列,栅栏组织细胞萎缩,呈不规则长条形;幼嫩果实外表皮组织中石细胞层发生严重断裂,排列松散,海绵层细胞变得松散,且发生较严重的木质化现象;叶片与幼嫩果实外表皮表面纹理粗糙、褶皱,气孔保卫细胞萎缩,气孔周围组织皱缩、粗燥;感病果实外果皮表面上的腺毛凸起无序。病毒侵染后,感病植株第1～3叶的蔗糖含量较第4～6叶的高23.11%;健康叶片则相对平衡,降低了淀粉积累、PG酶、纤维素酶与PPO酶活性,提高了感病植株第1～3叶的α-淀粉酶、GS酶与POD酶活性。西番莲受TeMV与PWV侵染后,植株叶片第1～6叶营养物质分配不平衡,相关物质的合成分解与抗氧化防御酶系统受伤害,叶片与果实组织形态结构受到不同程度的损坏,植株正常吸收功能遭到破坏。     

超级稻“三定”栽培法研究 Ⅱ.不同施肥量对超级杂交稻产量及生长生理特性的影响

2004—2005年在长沙（28°13′N）采用低肥（N 135kg/hm2、P 29.7kg/hm2、K 112.1kg/hm2）、中肥（N 180kg/hm2、P 39.6kg/hm2、K 149.4kg/hm2）、高肥（N 225kg/hm2、P 49.5kg/hm2、K 186.8kg/hm2）3种施肥水平，对超级杂交稻两优293和准两优527的产量及生长生理特性进行了比较研究。结果表明：在试验范围内不同施肥量处理间超级稻产量及有效穗、每穗粒数、结实率等产量构成差异不显著，2年平均产量以中肥处理最高，其中准两优527为9.03t/hm2，两优293为7.28t/hm2；不同年际间超级稻产量及有效穗、每穗粒数、结实率等产量构成差异显著；超级杂交稻准两优527和两优293的适宜氮肥用量为150~180kg/hm2。与准两优527比较，两优293茎秆粗壮，根系发达、根系活力强、分蘖力强、但分蘖成穗率不高，而准两优527前中期生长平稳，分蘖成穗率高，抽穗后光合产物积累多和运转率高，有利于高产形成，但不抗倒伏，生产上应适量减少氮肥施用量。     

地下滴灌对棉花生理性状及产量影响的研究

根据新疆生产建设兵团农五师90团在棉花上应用地下滴灌的实践，以膜下滴灌棉花为对照，研究分析了地下滴灌对新疆棉花生理性状及产量的影响，认为地下滴灌条件下的棉花生育期有所提前、株高较低、铃数较多、叶面积系数较大、根冠比较大、根系发达并有两个根系层，生物学产量和经济产量均比较高。     

略论朱熹“敬论”

朱熹“敬论”既继承了程颐主敬说，而又有全面的理论整合及发挥，是其整个理学思想的重要一环。朱熹由其“心是做功夫处”的心论立场出发，极力反对在心的操舍存亡的功夫论问题上预设“另有心之本体”的前提，与此相应，其主敬功夫也就不是道德本心的直接发动，而是对心的知觉意识等各种功能的控制调整，其云“敬只是此心自做主宰处”、“以敬为主而心自存”、“将个敬字收敛个身心”、都是在这个意义上说的。然朱熹主敬自有一套理路，其核心关怀在于如何解决现实人心的障蔽问题，未尝不是儒学功夫论的一种理论形态。