The value of molecular expression of KIT and KIT ligand analysed using real‐time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry as a prognostic indicator for canine cutaneous mast cell tumours

This study investigated the correlation between KIT gene expression determined by immunohistochemistry and real‐time polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and the rate of tumour recurrence and tumour‐related deaths in dogs affected with mast cell tumour (MCT). Kaplan–Meier curves were constructed to compare tumour recurrence and tumour‐related death between patients. The log‐rank test was used to check for significant differences between curves. KIT‐I, KIT‐II and KIT‐III staining patterns were observed in 9 (11.11%), 50 (61.73%) and 22 (27.16%) tumours, respectively. Tumour recurrence rates and tumour‐related deaths were not associated with KIT staining patterns (P = 0278, P > 0.05), KIT (P = 0.289, P > 0.05) or KIT ligand (P = 0.106, P > 0.05) gene expression. Despite the lack of association between KIT staining pattern and patient survival time, the results suggest a correlation between aberrant KIT localization and increased proliferative activity of MCTs. RT‐PCR seems to be a sensible method for quantitative detection of KIT gene expression in canine MCT, although expressions levels are not correlated with prognosis.     

Accelerated induction of etorphine immobilization in blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) through the addition of hyaluronidase

ObjectiveTo study the effects of the addition of hyaluronidase (HA) to an etorphine/azaperone drug combination on induction times of immobilization.Study designExperimental part-randomized ‘blinded’ cross-over study.AnimalsEight wild managed blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus).MethodsAnimals were immobilized, on separate occasions separated by two weeks, with one of four treatments. Treatments were; ‘Control drugs (CD), etorphine 0.01 mg kg⁻¹ + azaperone at 0.1 mg kg⁻¹; treatment 1 CD + 5000IU HA; treatment 2 CD + 7500 IU HA; and treatment 3 etorphine 0.007 mg kg⁻¹ + azaperone at 0.07 mg kg⁻¹ + 7500 IU HA. Times to first effect and to immobilization (from darting to possible to approach and blindfold) were measured. anova was used to compare treatments. Results are given in means ± SD (range).ResultsFor control, and treatments 1–3 respectively, times (in minutes) to first effect were 1.58 ± 0.42 (1.02–2.10), 1.64 ± 0.42 (0.95–2.17), 1.12 ± 0.24 (0.80–1.48) and 1.60 ± 0.21 (1.13–1.88) and to immobilization were 5.38 ± 1.53 (3.82–8.07), 3.80 ± 1.14 (2.02–5.50), 3.51 ± 1.08 (2.28–5.52) and 4.46 ± 0.67 (3.30–5.40). Compared to control, time to first effect for treatment 2 was significantly shorter. Time to immobilization was significantly quicker in all three treatments containing HA than that for control.Conclusion and clinical relevanceHyaluronidase can reduce the time to immobilization when used in the immobilizing dart, and might be usefully incorporated into etorphine combinations for darting wildlife.     

Geographic Information System‐Based Analysis of the Spatial and Spatio‐Temporal Distribution of Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Golestan Province,North‐East of Iran

Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL), a vector‐borne disease, poses serious psychological as well as social and economic burden to many rural areas of Iran. The main objectives of this study were to analyse yearly spatial distribution and the possible spatial and spatio‐temporal clusters of the disease to better understand spatio‐temporal epidemiological aspects of ZCL in rural areas of an endemic province, located in north‐east of Iran. Cross‐sectional survey was performed on 2983 recorded cases during the period of 2010–2012 at village level throughout the study area. Global clustering methods including the average nearest‐neighbour distance, Moran's I, general G indices and Ripley's K‐function were applied to investigate the annual spatial distribution of the existing point patterns. Presence of spatial and spatio‐temporal clusters was investigated using the spatial and space–time scan statistics. For each year, semivariogram analysis and all global clustering methods indicated meaningful persistent spatial autocorrelation and highly clustered distribution of ZCL, respectively. Eight significant spatial clusters, mainly located in north and northeast of the province, and one space–time cluster, observed in northern part of the province and during the period of September 2010–November 2010, were detected. Comparison of the location of ZCL clusters with environmental conditions of the study area showed that 97.8% of cases in clusters were located at low altitudes below 725 m above sea level with predominantly arid and semi‐arid climates and poor socio‐economic conditions. The identified clusters highlight high‐risk areas requiring special plans and resources for more close monitoring and control of the disease.     

中国沙棘种群克隆生长的时空动态特征

中国沙棘(Hippophae rhamniodes)能通过分株的出生与死亡来调节种群的数量和结构,其极强的克隆繁殖能力在维持种群稳定性方面起了积极的作用。文章根据多年来的研究成果,分析了中国沙棘在结构动态、数量动态、生物量动态、生长格局动态等空间动态及时间动态特征,以其为沙棘的开发利用提供参考。     

指数平滑法在公路软土地基沉降预测中的应用

运用指数平滑法分析计算公路软土地基沉降量,并对下一时间段的沉降量进行预测.结合哈尔滨绕城高速公路西段软基沉降观测数据,证明了指数平滑法预测软基沉降量的实用性.     

整地方式对杉木生长和经济效益的影响

用４种不同整地方式１７ａ的试验资料，分析了整对林木各种生长的影响；用帖现方法，比较了不同整地方式的经济效益。结果表明：整地方式对杉木各种连年生长的量的影响，一般在７－１０ａ消失；对平均高，胸径和单株材积的影响，主要箐面在１０－１２ａ前，在７－１０ａ差异最大；整地对胸径的影响比对高树高和单株积的影响短１－２ａ。     

长期贮藏对马尾松种子品质的影响*

利用３个气候带５个产地的马尾松种子，采取２种贮藏方法贮藏，采种后１１ａ里对贮藏种子逐年进行品质测定。常温开放贮藏法，种子贮藏３－４ａ发芽率降到２％－０％，几乎丧失生活力；而２－４℃低温密封贮藏法，。可使北亚热带种子贮藏８ａ，中亚热带种子１０ａ以上，南亚热带种子３－４，此时，种子发芽率仍能保持在贮藏前发芽率的７０％。可供生产上继续使用。贮藏种子必须是发育正常，完全成熟的种子，为此应在最适采种期采种。     

长白落叶松稀土浸种育苗效应的研究

采用4种质量浓度稀土溶液、2种浸种时间处理长白落叶松种子并播种育苗,结果显示:不同质量浓度的稀土溶液和不同的浸种时间对长白落叶松1 a生播种苗的苗高生长量、地径生长量、主根生长量、侧根数量、成苗率均有显著促进作用,以50 mg·L~(-1)的质量浓度浸种处理4 h的效果最好;使用该质量浓度处理后,苗高生长量较对照高出7.7%,地径生长量较对照高出24.1%,主根生长量较对照高出9.5%,侧根数量较对照高出43.0%,成苗率较对照高出28%。