Renal ultrasonographic evaluation in the oncilla (Leopardus tigrinus).

Ultrasonography is currently used in veterinary medicine to examine the anatomy and physiology of internal organs and to establish normal standards for exotic animal species. Specifically, the kidneys may be evaluated and measured in length, width, and height. The kidneys in 33 oncilla (Leopardus tigrinus), including 20 males and 13 females, were opportunistically located, characterized, and measured by ultrasound using a 7.5-MHz linear transducer at two different zoologic facilities in S?o Paulo, Brazil. Renal volume was calculated from these linear measurements. The mean linear measurements and volume of the right and left kidneys were not significantly different.     

Recognition of the Nor98 variant of scrapie in the Swedish sheep population.

Within the framework of the active surveillance for transmissible spongiform encephalopathies in sheep in Sweden, 4 cases of the atypical form of scrapie, Nor98, were identified during 2003. Nor98 is a recently recognized and poorly understood variant of scrapie, first described in Norway. The cases were positive by the rapid test (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Immunohistochemical staining showed diffuse thin-granular staining of the cerebellar cortex. Western immunoblotting analysis of specimens of brain stem and cerebellum showed a light band of approximately 12 kDa. Typical scrapie was ruled out based on the confirmatory testing. The affected ewes were from 4 different flocks. They were between 7 and 9 years old. Two were of the ARQ/ARQ genotype, 1 ARR/ARQ, and 1 ARR/AHQ. Two ewes had shown ataxia, and the other 2 had no clinical signs. Whole-flock slaughter was applied, and testing of the flock mates did not reveal additional cases. Nor98 differs from typical scrapie in its epidemiology, frequency of genotypes of sheep affected, clinical signs, microscopic lesions, distribution of scrapie prion protein in the brain, and characteristics of the immunostaining and immunoblotting profiles.     

Evaluation of the cationic trypsinogen gene for potential mutations in miniature schnauzers with pancreatitis

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cationic trypsinogen gene in miniature schnauzers for possible mutations. Genetic mutations have been linked with hereditary pancreatitis in humans. Four miniature schnauzers were selected on the basis of a clinical history of pancreatitis. One healthy miniature schnauzer and 1 healthy mixed breed canine were enrolled as controls. DNA was extracted from these canines using a commercial kit. Primers were designed to amplify the entire canine cationic trypsinogen cDNA sequence. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed and products were purified and sequenced. All sequences were then compared. The healthy control canine, a healthy miniature schnauzer, and the 4 miniature schnauzers with pancreatitis showed identical sequences of the cationic trypsinogen gene to the published sequence. We conclude that, in contrast to humans with hereditary pancreatitis, mutations of the cationic trypsinogen gene do not play a major role in the genesis of pancreatitis in the miniature schnauzer.     

An inexpensive sedimentation chamber for the preparation of cytologic specimens of cerebrospinal fluid.

An inexpensive sedimentation chamber to obtain cytologic specimens of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is described. The device, which has a total cost of about $5.00 can be built in few minutes. The device permits the cytologic study of specimens of CSF in clinics, where because of economic constraints, a cytocentrifuge is not available. The device permits the study of the CSF cells on either air-dried or wet smears even under field conditions, and the results obtained are consistent. Also, the device permits to retrieve the cell-free fluid for its use in chemical or immunologic procedures.     

Effects of surgical implantation of temperature dataloggers on reproduction of captive striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis).

A total of 20 (14 females, six males) captive striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) with miniature temperature dataloggers implanted free in the abdominal cavity were examined for reproductive performance and pathology because of implants. Eleven of 12 female skunks reproduced successfully 45.9+/-3.7 days after surgery to remove implanted dataloggers. The pregnancy rate of 91.7% (11/12) was much higher than other captive studies and was comparable with that of wild skunks. Eight striped skunks (six males, two females) that were euthanatized and necropsied after having implants in the abdominal cavity for 5 mo showed no apparent pathology associated with the implant. Implantation of the intraperitoneal devices did not lead to complications in abdominal tissues. Neither implant nor surgery affected reproduction. We conclude that implanted dataloggers can safely be used in physiologic studies of striped skunks or possibly other small carnivores in captive or field studies.     

Adherence of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotype 1 to swine buccal epithelial cells involves fibronectin

The swine pathogen Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotype 1 was investigated for its ability to adhere to swine, rat, and human buccal epithelial cells (BEC). The highest number of bacteria adhered was to swine BEC. This binding ability was affected by heating, extreme pH, treatment with sodium dodecyl sulfate, ethylenediamine tetraacetate, or periodate, and proteolysis, suggesting that cell-surface glycoproteins participate in adherence and that adherence is based mostly on ionic interactions. Mannose and swine fibronectin may play a direct role in this interaction. Convalescent-phase serum from naturally infected pigs inhibited the adhesion. There was a correlation between bacterial pathogenicity as well as host specificity and the capacity for adherence to swine BEC. Adhesion to swine BEC provides a convenient method to study in vitro the adherence of A. pleuropneumoniae and other pathogens of the pig respiratory tract.     

大豆黄酮对荷斯坦牛乳中蛋白质和脂肪含量的影响

22头初胎荷斯坦牛,随机分成两组。试验组于预产期前10d添喂大豆黄酮(80mg/d·头),在产后3d、10d和17d采取反射乳样品,测定其中蛋白质和脂肪含量。结果显示:添加大豆黄酮后,初乳(第3天)中的蛋白质和脂肪含量较对照组分别升高30.11%(P<0.01)和18.94%(P<0.05);常乳中的蛋白质和脂肪含量比对照组略高(P>0.05)。提示:大豆黄酮对乳成分的影响主要是提高主要营养成分蛋白质和脂肪的含量,改善初乳的品质,以提供幼畜丰富的营养     

基于Web of Science的五味子研究态势分析

基于Web of Science数据库,采用文献计量学方法,分析了2001—2014年10月10日全球发表的关于五味子研究的文献类型,年度发文量,居世界前10名的国家、机构、期刊和研究方向等情况。结果表明:2001—2014年10月10日全球发表的五味子文献共695篇,文献类型以学术论文为主;论文的产出量呈逐年上升趋势,2013年发文量最高,约是2001年的9倍;中国、韩国和美国发文量居世界前3位,中国发文量最多,为453篇;中国科学院和中国医学科学院论文数量多;最有学术影响力的发文期刊是《Organic Letters》,化学、药物药理及植物科学是五味子研究的重点领域。     

两系杂交油菜早中熟组合精量直播栽培性状比较研究

开展优质核不育两系杂交油菜早中熟新组合比较试验,结果表明:2种熟期类型杂交组合间产量差异明显,中熟组合单位面积产量极显著高于早熟组合,对比分析产量构成因子,主要是平均角粒数多和千粒重重,2种熟期类型组合间株高和一次分枝数差异较小,油菜菌核病感病程度中熟组合相对较轻。因此,油菜生产不可一味选择和使用早熟类型品种或组合,不然将较难获得理想产量和生产效益。     

磷酸法竹活性炭除铬性能的研究

以磷酸法制备的不定型竹活性炭为原料,分析其脱除六价铬的过程,探讨吸附时间、温度、浓度和p H值对竹活性炭除铬性能的影响。结果表明,随着吸附时间和温度的增大,竹活性炭对K2Cr2O7溶液的吸附量不断上升;溶液起始浓度的提高,有利于活性炭对六价铬的吸附量和吸附速率的增大,且吸附速率与起始浓度成线性关系,速率方程为r=0.07835c-0.805。