Comparison of alfaxalone and propofol administered as total intravenous anaesthesia for ovariohysterectomy in dogs

ObjectiveTo compare the anaesthetic and cardiopulmonary effects of alfaxalone with propofol when used for total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) during ovariohysterectomy in dogs.Study designA prospective non-blinded randomized clinical study.AnimalsFourteen healthy female crossbred bitches, aged 0.5–5 years and weight 16–42 kg.MethodsDogs were premedicated with acepromazine 0.01 mg kg^?1 and morphine 0.4 mg kg^?1. Anaesthesia was induced and maintained with either propofol or alfaxalone to effect for tracheal intubation followed by an infusion of the same agent. Dogs breathed spontaneously via a ‘circle’ circuit, with oxygen supplementation. Cardiopulmonary parameters (respiratory and heart rates, end-tidal carbon dioxide, tidal volume, and invasive blood pressures) were measured continuously and recorded at intervals related to the surgical procedure. Arterial blood samples were analysed for blood gas values. Quality of induction and recovery, and recovery times were determined. Non-parametric data were tested for significant differences between groups using the Mann–Whitney U-test and repeatedly measured data (normally distributed) for significant differences between and within groups by anova.ResultsBoth propofol and alphaxalone injection and subsequent infusions resulted in smooth, rapid induction and satisfactory maintenance of anaesthesia. Doses for induction (mean ± SD) were 5.8 ± 0.30 and 1.9 ± 0.07 mg kg^?1 and for the CRIs, 0.37 ± 0.09 and 0.11 ± 0.01 mg kg^?1 per minute for propofol and alfaxalone respectively. Median (IQR) recovery times were to sternal 45 (33–69) and 60 (46–61) and to standing 74 (69–76) and 90 (85–107) for propofol and alphaxalone respectively. Recovery quality was good. Cardiopulmonary effects did not differ between groups. Hypoventilation occurred in both groups.Conclusions and clinical relevanceFollowing premedication with acepromazine and morphine, both propofol and alphaxalone produce good quality anaesthesia adequate for ovariohysterectomy. Hypoventilation occurs suggesting a need for ventilatory support during prolonged infusion periods with either anaesthetic agent.     

Purple carrot (Daucus carota L.) polyacetylenes decrease lipopolysaccharide-induced expression of inflammatory proteins in macrophage and endothelial cells

Carrots ( Daucus carota L.) contain phytochemicals including carotenoids, phenolics, polyacetylenes, isocoumarins, and sesquiterpenes. Purple carrots also contain anthocyanins. The anti-inflammatory activity of extracts and phytochemicals from purple carrots was investigated by determining attenuation of the response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). A bioactive chromatographic fraction (Sephadex LH-20) reduced LPS inflammatory response. There was a dose-dependent reduction in nitric oxide production and mRNA of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1beta, TNF-alpha) and iNOS in macrophage cells. Protein secretions of IL-6 and TNF-alpha were reduced 77 and 66% in porcine aortic endothelial cells treated with 6.6 and 13.3 microg/mL of the LH-20 fraction, respectively. Preparative liquid chromatography resulted in a bioactive subfraction enriched in the polyacetylene compounds falcarindiol, falcarindiol 3-acetate, and falcarinol. The polyacetylenes were isolated and reduced nitric oxide production in macrophage cells by as much as 65% without cytotoxicity. These results suggest that polyacetylenes, not anthocyanins, in purple carrots are responsible for anti-inflammatory bioactivity.     

秦岭羊肚菌种质资源调查

为了探明秦岭地区羊肚菌种质资源现状,调查了秦岭野生羊肚菌分布状况,分离获得了纯培养菌株115株,鉴定为5个种,分别为粗腿羊肚菌、高羊肚菌、尖顶羊肚菌、梯棱羊肚菌和七妹羊肚菌。为秦岭羊肚菌的进一步研究和生产应用打下了基础。     

烟草秆栽培白黄侧耳配方试验

以陕西省洛南县的烟草废弃物(秸秆)为试验材料,白黄侧耳为供试菌株,进行不同配比烟草秆和棉籽壳栽培白黄侧耳比较试验。结果表明:在供试配比范围内,烟草秆所占比例减少,白黄侧耳子实体产量增加;试验配方5栽培的白黄侧耳,菌丝长势好,生物学转化率比配方6(CK)还高;子实体中烟碱含量低于国家食品农药残留标准,重金属镉、汞、铅、砷的含量远低于国家食用菌重金属含量标准。     

The effects of R-salbutamol on behavior and physiology of finishing pigs

Salbutamol has potential for use as a repartioning agent in swine. The aims of this experiment were to determine effects of salbutamol on behavior and physiology of finishing pigs. The study used 192 pigs (88.8 +/- 0.9 kg of BW) housed in groups of 6 in 32 pens and assigned to 1 of 4 treatments: 1) control-0 mg/kg of salbutamol, 2) 2R--control diet with 2 mg/kg of the pure R-enantiomer of salbutamol, 3) 4R--control diet with 4 mg/kg of pure R-salbutamol, or 4) 8RS--control diet with 8 mg/kg of a 50:50 mixture of the R- and S-enantiomers. All diets were offered ad libitum for 4 wk. Salbutamol diets were replaced with control diets 24 to 48 h before slaughter. Behavioral responses to handling during weighing were recorded immediately before assignment to the treatments (wk 0) and at weekly intervals over the next 4-wk period. Behavioral and heart rate (HR) responses to a 10-min human presence test in the home pen were measured during wk 0, wk 1, and wk 3. Heart rate responses to a 36-min transportation were recorded. One pig from each pen had blood collected 4 times: during wk 0, 2, 4, and at exsanguination. Blood was analyzed for NEFA, creatine kinase, glucose, lactate, blood urea nitrogen, ammonia, insulin, cortisol, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. Data were analyzed using PROC GLM of SAS, with pen as the experimental unit. Treatment had no effect on time spent lying laterally, overall activity, or time spent alert. Treatment had no effect on handling measures (P > 0.05) or on behavioral responses to human presence (P > 0.05), with all pigs willing to spend similar amounts of time close to and touching the human. However, during the human presence test in wk 1 and wk 3, control pigs had HR around 10 peats per minute less (P < 0.05) than pigs in the other 3 treatments. During transport, overall HR were similar across treatments (P > 0.05). However, at certain 1-min time points, control pigs had greater HR than salbutamol-treated pigs (P < 0.05). There were no treatment differences in lactate, epinephrine, or norepinephrine concentrations at any point. During wk 4, control pigs had less creatine kinase (P < 0.02) and greater blood urea nitrogen (P < 0.005) compared with pigs fed all the salbutamol treatments. The home pen behavior, handling, human presence test, and transport results indicate that salbutamol-treated pigs do not show marked differences in home pen time budgets and behavioral and HR responses to handling and transportation compared with control pigs. Thus, salbutamol did not have a negative effect on finishing pig well-being during this study.     

利用万寿菊秸杆栽培白黄侧耳的可行性研究

以陕西省商洛市万寿菊秸秆为试验材料,以白黄侧耳(Pleurotus ostreatus)为供试菌株,研究添加不同比例的万寿菊秸秆对白黄侧耳生物转化率的影响,并对白黄侧耳子实体进行安全性评测。试验结果表明,加入10%~70%的万寿菊秸秆,对白黄侧耳的生物转化率影响较小,与对照组(CK)相比差异不显著;加入90%的万寿菊秸秆时,白黄侧耳的生物转化率明显降低,与CK相比差异显著;子实体中重金属镉、汞、铅、砷的含量远低于国家食用菌重金属含量标准中的要求。结果同时表明,添加10%~70%的万寿菊秸秆虽不能提高白黄侧耳的生物转化率,但可替代部分棉籽壳,降低了生产成本,并且不会影响其安全性,所以万寿菊秸秆作为白黄侧耳的栽培原料使用是可行的。     

Growth rate and changes of the somatotropic axis in beef cattle administered exogenous bovine somatotropin beginning at two hundred, two hundred fifty, and three hundred days of age

To determine the effects of bovine somatotropin (bST) treatment beginning at 3 ages on the growth rate and components of the somatotropic axis, 40 beef cattle (200 +/- 21 d of age) were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments (10 animals/treatment). Three of the treatment groups received bST (33 mug/kg of BW) daily beginning at 200, 250, or 300 d of age until all animals reached 400 d of age; the fourth group served as controls (0 bST). Animals were housed in pens (5 animals per pen; 2 pens per treatment) and fed a diet formulated for an ADG of 1.2 kg/d. Feed intake (per pen) was measured daily, and BW was determined weekly. Blood samples (10 mL) and ultrasound measurements were collected at 200, 250, 300, 350, and 400 d of age. Serum concentrations of ST and IGF-I were determined by RIA and IGFBP-2 and -3 by ligand blot procedures. Overall, cattle gained 284.0 +/- 14.7 kg of BW with a treatment x week interaction (P < 0.01), such that during the treatment period ADG was 11.6, 8.7, and 15.8% greater (P < 0.05) in cattle treated with bST beginning at 200, 250, and 300 d, respectively, relative to controls during the same time frame. Average DMI was 13.6% less (P < 0.05) in bST-treated cattle than in controls. Increases in ADG coupled with a reduction in DMI resulted in 11.7, 14.0, and 26.4% increases (P < 0.01) in the efficiency of gain (G:F) in bST-treated cattle beginning at 200, 250, and 300 d of age, respectively, compared with contemporary controls. Backfat thickness increased (P < 0.05) over time, but the magnitude of the increase was less in the bST-treated cattle (treatment x week interaction; P < 0.05). Area of the LM increased (P < 0.05) over time but was similar across treatment groups. Serum concentrations of ST, IGF-I, and IGFBP-3 increased (P < 0.05), whereas IGFBP-2 decreased (P < 0.05) over time. The changes in the components of somatotropic axis were more pronounced in bST-treated cattle compared with controls, with the greatest magnitude of response in animals that began bST treatment at 300 d of age. In conclusion, the exogenous bST-induced growth response was greater in animals that began to receive bST administration at 300 d of age and received it for a shorter period (100 d) compared with animals that received bST beginning at 200 or 250 d of age.     

Evaluation and delivery of domestic animal health services in remote communities in the Northwest Territories: A case study of status and needs

Domestic animal health services are supplied to communities in Canada's Northwest Territories (NT) in diverse ways, including private veterinary practices in 2 of 33 communities, and by mail-order, fly-in, free clinics, and a government-coordinated lay vaccinator program in some of the other 31 communities. We evaluated delivery, needs, and potential uptake of domestic animal health services in the Sahtu Settlement Area, NT by offering free clinics for 225 dogs in 2008 and 2009; and administered questionnaires to 42 dog owners and 67 students in 2008. Owners indicated that 20% of dogs were neutered, 37% had had rabies vaccinations, and 29% had been dewormed. Physical examination of dogs demonstrated that 54% were "thin" and 4% were "emaciated." Owners and youth showed a range of attitudes toward dogs and supported improved domestic animal health services. Future services need to build on existing programs and collaborate with communities to ensure relevance, ownership, and sustainability.     

Diviner Lunar Radiometer observations of the LCROSS impact

The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Diviner instrument detected a thermal emission signature 90 seconds after the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) Centaur impact and on two subsequent orbits. The impact heated a region of 30 to 200 square meters to at least 950 kelvin, providing a sustained heat source for the sublimation of up to ~300 kilograms of water ice during the 4 minutes of LCROSS post-impact observations. Diviner visible observations constrain the mass of the sunlit ejecta column to be ~10(-6) to 10(-5) kilograms per square meter, which is consistent with LCROSS estimates used to derive the relative abundance of the ice within the regolith.