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.     

粳型水稻品种特征特性及高产栽培技术

通过多个粳型水稻品种与籼型品种的对比栽培试验,分析其生物学特性,表明粳型品种分蘖力弱,有效穗少,但穗粒数多,茎秆粗壮,抗倒。粳型品种高产栽培策略是合理密植,创建最优群体结构,增加有效穗,提高结实率,及时预防稻曲病。     

优质稻钱优3301在闽清县种植表现与高产栽培技术

高产优质杂交稻新品种钱优3301系福建省农业科学院生物技术研究所与浙江省农业科学院作物与核技术利用研究所用钱江1A/闽恢3301联合培育的,2014年通过福建省农作物品种审定。2016年引入闽清县种植,平均产量达9 127.9 kg/hm~2,具有株型适中、群体整齐、综合性状好、稻米品质优等特点。总结了钱优3301在闽清县种植表现及高产栽培技术。     

淮北地区氮肥群体最高生产力水稻钾素吸收利用特征

以淮北地区有代表性的34个中熟中粳品种为试材,设置7个氮肥水平(0、150.0、187.5、225.0、262.5、300.0、337.5 kg hm~(–2)),得出各品种的最高产量,将该最高产量定义为氮肥群体最高生产力。在此基础上,明确处于顶层水平(≥10.50 t hm~(–2))、高层水平(9.75~10.50 t hm~(–2))、中层水平(9.00~9.75 t hm~(–2))和底层水平(≤9.00 t hm~(–2))水稻品种的钾素积累、分配及转运特征。结果表明,4个生产力等级水稻品种地上部植株、茎鞘和叶片的含钾率在拔节期最高;抽穗期顶层水平品种的这3个参数高于其他3个等级的品种;穗部含钾率差异不显著。随着氮肥群体生产力等级的提高,钾素总积累量增多;拔节前底层水平钾素积累量最多,两年平均为120.56 kg hm~(–2),比例占50.56%,顶层水平为最少,两年平均为108.02 kg hm~(–2),比例占35.99%;拔节至抽穗期和抽穗至成熟期顶层水平钾素阶段积累量及比例显著高于其他3个等级。移栽至拔节期,钾素积累速率为中层底层高层顶层水平,拔节后则为顶层高层中层底层水平。叶片的钾素转运量及转运率明显高于茎鞘;顶层水平叶片的钾素转运量高于其他3个等级,高层水平叶片的转运率最高;穗部增加量随生产力等级的递增而变大;抽穗到成熟期,茎鞘、叶片对穗的钾素转运贡献率表现为底层最高,中层次之,顶层最低。4个等级水稻品种籽粒生产率和百千克籽粒吸钾量差异不显著;钾素偏生产力和钾收获指数均表现为顶层高层中层底层水平。总之,氮肥群体最高生产力越高,水稻中后期植株钾素积累量及器官对钾素的吸收利用效率越显著。抽穗后保持较高的钾素吸收利用及转运效率是高产水稻品种的重要特征。