Characterization of an intravenous lipopolysaccharide inflammation model in calves with respect to the acute-phase response

Our objective was to develop a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) inflammation model in calves to evaluate the acute-phase response with respect to the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and acute-phase proteins, fever development and sickness behaviour. Fourteen 4-week-old male Holstein Friesian calves were included and randomly assigned to a negative control group (n = 3) and an LPS-challenged group (n = 11). The latter received an intravenous bolus injection of 0.5 μg of LPS/kg body weight. Blood collection and clinical scoring were performed at 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 5, 6, 8, 12, 18, 24, 28, 32, 48, 54 and 72 h post LPS administration (p.a.). In the LPS group, the following clinical signs were observed successively: tachypnoea (on average 18 min p.a.), decubitus (29 min p.a.), general depression (1.75 h p.a.), fever (5 h p.a.) and tachycardia (5 h p.a.). Subsequent to the recovery from respiratory distress, general depression was prominent, which deteriorated when fever increased. One animal did not survive LPS administration, whereas the other animals recovered on average within 6.1 h p.a. Moreover, the challenge significantly increased plasma concentrations of tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin 6, serum amyloid A and haptoglobin, with peaking levels at 1, 3.5, 24 and 18 h p.a., respectively. The present LPS model was practical and reproducible, caused obvious clinical signs related to endotoxemia and a marked change in the studied inflammatory mediators, making it a suitable model to study the immunomodulatory properties of drugs in future research.     

Risk Factors for the Development of Hypokalemia in Neonatal Diarrheic Calves

Background

Neonatal diarrheic calves have a clear negative potassium balance because of intestinal losses and decreased milk intake but in the presence of acidemia, they usually show normokalemic or hyperkalemic plasma concentrations.

Objectives

To assess whether marked hypokalemia occurs in response to the correction of acidemia and dehydration and to identify factors that are associated with this condition.

Animals

Eighty‐three calves with a clinical diagnosis of neonatal diarrhea.

Methods

Prospective cohort study. Calves were treated according to a clinical protocol using an oral electrolyte solution and commercially available packages of 8.4% sodium bicarbonate, 0.9% saline and 40% dextrose infusion solutions.

Results

The proportion of hypokalemic calves after 24 hours of treatment (19.3%) was twice as great as it was on admission to the hospital. Plasma K⁺ after 24 hours of treatment was not significantly correlated to venous blood pH values at the same time but positively correlated to venous blood pH values on admission (r = 0.51, P < .001). Base excess on admission (Odds ratio [OR] = 0.81, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.70–0.94), duration of diarrhea (OR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.05–1.80), milk intake during hospitalization (OR = 0.54, 95% CI = 0.37–0.79) and plasma sodium concentrations after 24 hours (OR = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.01–1.25) were identified to be independently associated (P < .05) with a hypokalemic state after 24 hours of treatment.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Findings of this study suggest that marked depletion of body potassium stores is evident in diarrheic calves that suffered from marked metabolic acidosis, have a low milk intake and a long history of diarrhea.     

ULTRASONOGRAPHIC EVALUATION OF ADRENAL GLAND SIZE COMPARED TO BODY WEIGHT IN NORMAL DOGS

The accepted cut‐off value for adrenal gland maximum diameter of 0.74 cm to distinguish adrenal gland enlargement in dogs regardless of body weight may not be appropriate for small to medium breed dogs. The purpose of the current retrospective study was to examine adrenal gland dimensions as a function of body weight in healthy dogs in three weight categories (< 10 kg, 10–30 kg, and > 30 kg) representing small, medium, and large breeds, respectively, to establish greater confidence in determining if adrenal gland size is abnormal. The measurements of length (sagittal plane), cranial and caudal pole thickness (sagittal and transverse planes), and caudal pole width (transverse plane) of both adrenal glands were obtained ultrasonographically in clinically healthy dogs (n = 45) with 15 dogs in each weight group. Findings support our hypothesis that adrenal gland size correlates with body weight in normal dogs, and more precise reference intervals should be created for adrenal gland size by categorizing dogs as small, medium, or large breed. The caudal pole thickness of either adrenal gland in a sagittal plane was the best dimension for evaluating adrenal gland size based on low variability, ease, and reliability in measurement.     

Effects of sex and age on behavior and weight gain in beef calves after abrupt weaning

The effects of weaning on beef calves of different ages were investigated. Forty male and 40 female calves were either weaned at 6 (W6, n = 40) or 8 (W8, n = 40) months of age. The vocalization activity and behaviors (feeding, lying and standing/walking) were observed during the first 3 days following weaning. Body weight was recorded at 6 and 8 months and 2 weeks following weaning. W6 animals vocalized more often than W8 calves and females more than males on day 1 (P < 0.05). The vocalization activity decreased at a higher rate in W8 than in W6 from days 1 to 3. On day 2, W6 calves spent less time lying and more standing/walking than W8 calves (P < 0.05). The behaviors did not differ between males and females. The average daily gain after weaning did not differ between weaning ages (P > 0.05), but W8 calves gained more from 6 to 8 months of age. In conclusion, weaning distress was more pronounced in W6 than in W8 calves. W8 calves also had a superior growth performance during 6 to 8 months of age. The effect of the calves' sex was less pronounced. Therefore, it is recommended to wean beef calves later than 6 months of age.     

文心兰茎尖离体培养研究

文心兰茎尖培养的研究，试验结果表明：文心兰茎尖在MS BA2mg／L NAA0．5mg／L培养基上，离体培养1个月后产生原球茎．改良KC基本培养较适原球茎的增殖；用BAI．5mg／L NAA0．2mg／L的激素配比，原球茎月增殖宰可达332．5％；CW可以减少原球茎褐死现象和促进原球茎的增殖：壮苗阶段，以附加NAA0．5% 10％香蕉汁的效果较好．水苔是良好的移栽基质，成活率在85．3％．     

菌根剂对桃、李、柰果实重量及病虫抗性的影响

为探索果树采用何种施肥方法 ,具较好经济效益 ,在桃、李、柰等果树上 ,选择Pt菌根剂、超大生物菌肥、肥力高和常规施用复合肥进行比较实验 ,发现Pt菌根剂具有较好经济效益。     

Underplanting oil palm with cocoa in Ghana

Mature oil palms at the Oil Palm Research Institute at Kusi, Ghana were underplanted with cocoa to study the feasibility of mixed cropping of the two crops under West African conditions. The oil palm trees used in this trial were planted in 1970 and had achieved maximum canopy formation. Three triangular spacings of the oil palms used were 8.7, 9.9 and 10.5 m. The cocoa was underplanted in June 1988 at a spacing of 2.4 m triangular using mixed hybrids. There were no significant differences in oil palm yield between plots with cocoa and the controls. There was no appreciable damage to the cocoa trees from falling palm fronds and fruits during harvesting or pruning. Cocoa seedling growth and yield were significantly better under the oil palm spaced at 9.9 or 10.5 m triangular than under oil palm space at 8.7 m triangular.     

海涂哺鸡竹与角竹春笋产出,笋株重量变化的比较研究

在海涂含盐土壤中，角竹造林后成园快，笋单产高于哺鸡竹；角竹笋期５月１４日～６月１０日，哺鸡竹为４月２９日～５月１０日，盛笋期在出笋中前期，延续约１０～１２ｄ；竹笋单株重量哺鸡竹明显大于角竹，笋株粗重期在出笋初期和中前期，比盛笋期约早３ｄ，延续时间同盛笋期。因此，宜扩大角竹造林面积，延长供笋期，多产市场淡季笋，以获得更佳的效益。