Repeat patient testing shows promise as a quality control method for veterinary hematology testing

Background

Repeat patient testing‐based quality control (RPT‐QC) is a potential method for veterinary laboratories (eg, that have a limited budget for quality commercial control material [QCM] or that wish to use material with a species‐specific matrix).

Objectives

To determine whether total error (TE_a), probability of error detection (Ped), and probability of false rejection (Pfr) similar to that achievable with QC materials can be controlled using RPT‐QC

Methods

Control limits (WBC, RBC, HGB, HCT, MCV, and PLT) for the Advia 120 (n = 23) and scil Vet ABC (n = 22) were calculated using data from normal canine specimens from a routine caseload. Specimens were measured at accession and again after 24 hours. Control limits were validated using 23 additional canine specimens tested similarly. Achievable TEa, Ped, and Pfr were investigated using the Westgard EZRules3 and compared to those achievable with commercial QCM.

Results

Theoretical performance of RPT‐QC and commercial QCM‐QC are similar for 1‐3s with both n = 1 and 1‐3s with n = 2 for all measurands and both instruments. Achievable TE_a values for RPT‐QC were close to ASVCP recommendations for most measurands; exceptions were PLT (both instruments) and WBC (scil Vet ABC).

Conclusions

Repeat patient testing‐based quality control advantages include a species‐specific matrix, low‐cost, and absence of QC material deterioration over time (since a fresh specimen is used each day). A potential disadvantage is daily access to normal canine specimens. A challenge is determining control limits, which has a subjective element. Further study is needed to confirm actual RPT‐QC performance and to determine if RPT‐QC with abnormal patient specimens is feasible.     

Effects of continuous low dose infusion of lipopolysaccharide on inflammatory responses,milk production and milk quality in dairy cows

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of continuous low dose infusion of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on inflammatory responses and milk production and quality in lactating dairy cows. Eight Holstein cows were assigned to two treatments in a cross‐over experimental design. Cows were infused intravenously either with saline solution or with saline solution containing LPS from Escherichia coli O111:B4 at a dose of 0.01 μg LPS/kg body weight for approximately 6 hr each day during a seven‐day trial. The clinical symptoms and milk production performance were observed. Milk samples were analysed for conventional components, fatty acids and amino acids. And jugular vein and mammary vein plasma samples were analysed for concentrations of cytokines and acute phase proteins. LPS infusion decreased feed intake and milk yield. An increase in body temperature was observed after LPS infusion. LPS infusion also increased plasma concentrations of interleukin‐1β, serum amyloid A, LPS‐binding protein, C‐reactive protein and haptoglobin. LPS infusion decreased the contents of some fatty acids, such as C17:1, C18:0, C18:1n9 (trans) and C18:2n6 (trans), and most amino acids except for methionine, threonine, histidine, cysteine, tyrosine and proline in the milk. The results indicated that a continued low dose infusion of LPS can induce an inflammatory response, decrease milk production and reduce milk quality.     

Effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles on the egg quality,immune response,zinc retention,and blood parameters of laying hens in the late phase of production

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO‐NPs) on the performance, egg quality, Zn retention, immunity responses, superoxide dismutase activity (SOD), egg malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and serum parameters in laying hens in the late phase of production. A total of 288 laying hens at 64 weeks of age were randomly assigned to 4 treatments with 6 replicates, and 12 birds within each group. Experimental diets included a corn‐soybean meal‐based diet (without Zn supplementation) and a basal diet supplemented with 80 mg/kg of Zn‐oxide, ZnO‐NPs, and Zn‐methionine. The results indicated that egg production and egg mass were significantly higher in the Zn‐methionine and ZnO‐NPs groups (p < .05). Also, eggshell thickness and shell strength increased in the ZnO‐NPs group as compared with the other groups (p < .05). Moreover, Zn supplementation decreased egg loss (p < .05). There were significant differences among treatments in Zn deposition in tibiotarsus, liver, pancreas, eggs, and excreta (p < .01). Antibody titre, heterophil (%(, and phytohemagglutinin (PHA) were significantly higher in birds fed with Zn‐supplemented diets (p < .05). In treatments supplemented with ZnO‐NPs and Zn‐methionine, the SOD activity in the liver, pancreas, and plasma was greater as compared with the other treatments (p < .05). The MDA content in eggs was significantly reduced in groups supplemented with Zn (p < .01). Moreover, dietary Zn supplementation significantly affected serum total protein, albumin, glucose, alkaline phosphatase activity, carbonic anhydrase activity, and Zn level (p < .05). In conclusion, this study demonstrated that dietary supplementation with ZnO‐NPs can improve the performance of laying hens. Therefore, ZnO‐NPs can enhance zinc absorption in the intestine of aged layers and can be a more suitable source of zinc than regular Zn‐oxide in diets.     

Effect of water restriction on milk yield and quality in Lacaune breed ewes

The effect of water restriction on body weight, body condition score, milk yield, and milk composition and rheological characteristics in intensively reared Lacaune ewes was evaluated. After 7 days of adaptation, the trial lasted 28 days. Thirty lactating ewes (48 ± 5 months of age; mean value ± standard deviation) at the beginning of third lactation month were divided into three groups (n = 10), corresponding to the following water restriction treatment: a group control received no drinking water restriction (W100), and two groups received water to the extent of 80% and 60% of W100 daily consumption (W80 and W60 group respectively). The effects of water restriction were assessed at the beginning of experiment (D0), at D14 and D28. The W60 group resulted in a significant decrease in body weight, body condition score, milk yield and feed consumption of hay due to the experimental treatment; whereas a marked increase in both W60 and W80 groups of milk lactose, urea, sodium, sodium chloride content and titratable acidity was observed. Rheological parameters of milk, rennet coagulation time and curd‐firming time were positively affected by water restriction treatments, with a decrease in both experimental groups of the time required for the formation of a stable and firm curd. Results highlight the importance of water consumption in dairy sheep. The scarce availability of water, significantly affecting ewes milk production, is worthy of particular attention in arid area where water stress‐resistant breeds should be considered. This study underlines that milk yield, being closely linked to the availability of water of the breeding habitat due to its high water content (about 81%), could be reached in area where water is not a limiting factor without reducing the genetic expression of the animals. Less severe water restrictions, such as 20% of daily voluntary water intake, produce no detrimental effect on milk yield.     

采后减压预处理对番木瓜果实贮藏品质及抗氧化活性的影响

以"日升"品种番木瓜果实为材料,研究了不同梯度的减压预处理(0 MPa(常压),0.025、0.050、0.075 MPa)对15℃贮藏条件下番木瓜果实品质变化和抗氧化活性的影响。结果表明:减压处理能显著延缓番木瓜果实硬度下降,延缓可溶性固形物(TSS)、抗坏血酸(VC)、类黄酮及总酚含量的变化,维持较高的超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性和抑制丙二醛的积累,有利于番木瓜果实贮藏品质和抗氧化能力的保持,而且以0.050 MPa处理的保鲜效果最为显著。     

稻麦两熟制条件下钵苗机插方式对不同类型水稻品种米质的影响

为探明钵苗机插方式在稻麦两熟地区对水稻米质性状的影响及其品种类型间差异,本文以常规粳稻、杂交籼稻和籼粳交水稻为材料,比较了钵苗机插、毯苗机插和机械直播3种种植方式在稻麦两熟制高产栽培条件下的稻米加工品质、外观品质、营养品质、蒸煮食味品质特性变化及其品种类型间差异。结果表明,钵苗机插的整精米率比毯苗机插和机械直播分别提高1.6%和4.9%(P0.05),整精米产量分别提高7.8%和25.9%(P0.05),改善了稻米加工品质;与毯苗机插和机械直播相比,钵苗机插的稻米垩白米率、垩白面积和垩白度显著增加,对稻米外观品质有不利影响,但钵苗机插精米蛋白质含量较高,有利于稻米营养品质的改良,其精米蛋白质产量分别比毯苗机插和机械直播提高8.7%和28.0%;3种种植方式相比,钵苗机插稻米蒸煮食味品质表现出一定程度的变优趋势,其中,稻米直链淀粉含量、消减值和糊化温度呈钵苗机插毯苗机插机械直播的趋势,胶稠度、峰值黏度、热浆黏度、最终黏度和崩解值呈钵苗机插毯苗机插机械直播的趋势;食味值于种植方式间无显著差异,呈籼粳交水稻和常规粳稻钵苗机插毯苗机插机械直播,杂交籼稻毯苗机插钵苗机插机械直播的趋势。由此得出,钵苗机插不仅能增加稻谷产量,还能改善部分稻米品质特征,是稻麦两熟地区实现高产高效优质协调水稻生产的潜力型机械化种植方式。     

TFSQ型高效环保组合式粮食杂质清理筛的研制

通过对振动筛理、垂直风选、旋风分离与沉降系统的研究,研制出集振动筛理、风选、旋风分离沉降、含尘气流循环再利用为一体的TFSQ型高效环保组合式粮食杂质清理筛。经应用测试和专家鉴定:该设备具有清理效率高、清理过程粉尘污染小,使用维护方便、可靠性强等优点,具有广阔的市场推广前景。     

Research Progress on Influence Factors of Mutton Quality

Meat quality means the characteristics such as appearance is related to palatability in fresh meat or manufactured meat, it includes meat color, meat structure, hardness, marbling, water holding capacity and so on.The physical characteristics of mutton quality determines the consumer acceptability of meat and there is a close relationship between chemical composition of mutton quality and nutrient substance.With the improvement of living standards, consumers are increasingly high demand for mutton.From quantitative to qualitative change, we need to continuously improve mutton quality.At present, the production of high quality animal products has become a hot topic.This paper is a summary of the effects of breed, gender, age, environment and feed nutrition on mutton quality, and aims to provide a scientific basis for improving of mutton quality with nutritional regulation measures.     

太阳能辅助闭式热源塔热泵系统冬季制热性能

热源塔热泵系统以空气为冷热源,在冬季制热时其性能会随环境温度的降低而降低。为此研发了可应用陕南地区农村建筑的太阳能辅助闭式热源塔热泵系统,试验研究了冬季工况下系统的制热性能,初步分析了太阳热能与空气热能的互补机理。研究结果表明:系统制热量范围为12.1～15.2 k W,热泵机组性能系数范围为2.3～3.5,系统能效比范围为1.5～2.4,供热温度高于41℃;冷却水温度对压缩机耗电量的影响程度大于防冻溶液温度,冷却水平均温度每升高1℃,压缩要耗电量增加98.1 W,而防冻溶液平均温度每升高1℃,压缩机耗电量减小9.5 W;太阳能辅助热源塔热泵制热模式下,热泵机组通过改变防冻溶液与空气和集热工质换热温差的方法来改变防冻溶液从空气和集热水箱中的吸热量,以实现空气热能与太阳热能的互补。建议在实际应用中应避免供热温度过高以减小压缩机耗电;在集热水箱温度较高时通过降低风机频率减小风机耗电以提高系统综合能效,但应避免风机低频率工作可能给机组安全运行带来的隐患。     

竹炭陶的制备及其气体吸附和调湿性能

基于开发和利用生物质竹炭材料,以竹炭粉、凹凸棒、硅藻土等为原料,制备竹炭陶瓷复合材料,从而避免传统炭吸附材料易碎和粉尘污染的缺点。首先,将原料通过陶瓷造粒工艺制备成直径为2~5 mm的小球;然后,在N 2气氛中1250℃下烧结为竹炭陶小球,并对其结构和吸附性能进行了研究。XRD测试结果表明,竹炭陶瓷复合材料在烧结前后并未改变竹炭陶晶体结构。原料的SEM测试结果表明,竹炭粉在微观结构上存在1μm左右的大孔,其中硅藻土的微观形貌为多孔圆盘状结构,圆盘的直径分布在20~50μm,孔道直径在0.1~1.2μm;竹炭陶的SEM测试结果表明,断面结构疏松多孔,经过复合和烧结后,仍然保持了原有的孔道结构,保障了竹炭陶的吸附性能。BET法测试结果表明,竹炭陶的比表面积达到118.54 m^2/g。吸附性能测试表明,竹炭陶对水分吸附率达到22.0%,对甲醛、氨气及硫化氢等有害气体的吸附率分别达到87.7%,94.6%和96.3%。实验结果表明,竹炭陶具有良好的吸湿和气体吸附性能,是一种良好的空气净化材料,在室内环境和水处理等方面具有广阔的应用前景。