藏北退化草地群落生物量与土壤养分的关系

草地退化会呈现出地上群落与土壤的同步退化,相对于地上植被的退化,土壤退化呈现一定的滞后性,为分析藏北高寒草地退化过程中的群落地上生物量与土壤养分关系,选取那曲地区不同退化程度高寒草地,对土壤养分和地上生物量进行研究。结果表明,随着退化程度的加剧,藏北地区退化草地群落地上生物量和土壤养分(除全钾外)总体上表现为降低趋势,而且步调基本一致。土壤全氮、全钾含量与土壤有机质呈显著正相关(P0.05),土壤pH与有机质含量呈显著负相关(P0.05)。草地地上生物量与土壤有机质含量呈显著正相关(P0.05),与全氮、全磷、全钾含量的相关性不显著(P0.05)。     

青藏高原不同退化梯度高寒草地植被与土壤属性分异特征

高寒草地是青藏高原生态系统的重要组成部分,草地退化严重影响区域可持续发展。目前,不同草地退化的演替过程中,土壤属性与植被特征的变化机理尚未理清。本研究以青藏高原为研究对象,整合分析(meta-analysis)不同退化梯度草地的植被群落、生产力及土壤属性特征。结果表明:不同退化梯度下,植被地上和地下生物量均降低,土壤特征均呈恶化趋势。尤其是在重度退化草地中,地上生物量、地下生物量、物种丰富度和物种均匀度较未退化草地分别显著降低了42.44%、60.64%、21.08%和8.36%,土壤含水量、有机碳、全氮和全磷同样较未退化草地分别显著下降了33.57%、45.75%、22.70%和11.23%,而土壤容重显著上升了12.12%(P0.05)。就效应比而言,植被生物量与土壤主要性质(有机碳、全氮和全磷)均呈显著正相关关系,表明草地退化过程中植被生产力与土壤性质互相影响,相较氮和磷含量,碳含量的流失非常严重。研究结果可为青藏高原地区受损草地的修复提供科学依据。     

高寒地区不同退化草地植被和土壤微生物特性及其相关性研究

以青藏高原东北缘天祝高寒地区不同退化草地为研究对象,通过野外调查及室内测定分析,研究了植被特征、微生物量特性、微生物熵及三者之间的相关性。结果表明,随着草地退化程度的加重,植被种类减少、优势种改变,植物群落高度、盖度、地上生物量显著降低(P<0.05),土壤微生物生物量碳、氮减少。草地植被地上生物量从轻度退化草地(LDG)到重度退化草地(SDG)减少了88.63%;LDG中微生物量碳、氮(218.90 mg/kg、44.32 mg/kg)均显著高于SDG(P<0.05),但中度退化草地(MDG)与SDG差异不显著;微生物熵在不同退化草地中的变化规律不明显。草地地上生物量与土壤微生物量呈显著正相关关系(P<0.05),与微生物熵呈负相关关系,其中微生物熵与微生物量碳的相关系数相对较高。     

高寒草原退化对植物群落及土壤理化性质的影响

以空间分布代替时间演替的方法,调查黄河源区玛多县高寒草原退化过程中植物群落特征和土壤理化特性的变化,探讨植物群落与土壤理化特性对退化的响应。结果表明:(1)不同退化梯度下植物优势种变化明显,从轻度退化到重度退化,草地优势种由紫花针茅和矮嵩草逐渐向杂类草转变,极度退化下变为沙生植物为主;(2)随着草地退化加剧,植物物种重要值、丰富度、多样性、均匀度以及地上生物量均呈先增加后降低的趋势,但轻度退化草地地上生物量比未退化草地高21.5%,其与不同物种在退化演替过程中的消长变化密切相关;(3)土壤有机质、全氮、全磷以及pH表现出随退化程度加剧呈显著降低(P<0.05)的趋势。土壤容重随退化程度加剧而显著增加,土壤通气孔隙度随退化程度加剧而显著降低。通过分析,草地退化首先影响土壤物理属性,进而影响草地群落物种组成,导致草地生产力明显降低。     

黄河源区建植17年栽培草地退化响应因子分析

为防止高寒地区栽培草地的退化,以黄河源区玛沁县大武滩建植17 a的单播垂穗披碱草(Elymus nutans)栽培草地为研究对象,调查栽培草地不同退化区(重度退化、中度退化、对照区)土壤养分和植物群落特征,共18个响应指标。研究结果表明:重度退化、中度退化、未退化(对照)栽培草地土壤养分含量之间差异不显著(P 0.05);未退化栽培草地垂穗披碱草、禾本科(Poaceae)、杂类草(Forbs)盖度分别与中度、重度退化之间具有极显著差异(P 0.01),中度退化区植物多样性指数最大,未退化与退化草地之间Simpson指数差异显著(P 0.05)。利用随机森林法分析不同退化指标对退化程度敏感度大小的响应,结果发现:植物群落特征禾本科盖度、生殖枝数量对退化程度响应最敏感,禾本科植物盖度小于65%以下时不能作为监测栽培草地是否发生退化的重要指标;而土壤有机质含量、全氮含量对退化程度响应不敏感,说明建植17年栽培草地的土壤理化性质已趋于稳定。故在监测调查栽培草地退化时,禾本科植物盖度可作为重要的评价依据。     

黄河源区不同退化阶段高寒草甸植被特征

研究不同退化阶段高寒草甸植被演替以及草地生产力特征,对进一步探究高寒草甸退化机制,科学评估草地状况和退化草地恢复重建具有重要意义。采用野外植被调查,对黄河源区高寒草甸未退化、轻度退化、中度退化、重度退化和极度("黑土型")退化草地的植被群落结构、物种组成及生物量等植被特征进行了研究。结果表明:黄河源区高寒草甸共有植物48种;随着高寒草地退化程度的加剧,线叶嵩草、垂穗披碱草、高原早熟禾等优势植物种呈下降趋势,黄帚橐吾、青海刺参和臭蒿等则呈上升趋势。随着高寒草地退化程度的加剧,植被群落物种优势度指数、多样性指数和丰富度指数均呈下降趋势,均匀度指数则无明显变化。将高寒草地植被划分为禾本科、莎草科、龙胆科、菊科、杂类草和毒害草六类,随着草地退化程度的加剧,禾本科、莎草科和龙胆科牧草比例显著降低,菊科和毒害草比例则显著升高。高寒草甸不同退化阶段地上生物量呈"V"形变化,轻度退化草地地上生物量最高,显著高于其他阶段。中度退化草地最低,与未退化、轻度退化和重度退化草地之间差异显著。高寒草甸地下生物量80%以上集中于表层土壤,随着高寒草地退化程度的不断加剧,地下生物量显著降低。     

青藏高原北麓河流域不同退化程度高寒草甸生产力和群落结构特征

近年来,青藏高原高寒草甸部分地区退化严重,对生态环境及牧民畜牧业生产造成了不利的影响。在草地不同退化阶段中存在着关键阶段,超过了这个阶段,极难恢复。因此,确定草地退化的关键阶段是草地可持续恢复的基础。研究样地设在青藏高原北麓河流域多年冻土区,根据植被和土壤特征选取了未退化到极度退化的5个退化梯度,探讨不同退化程度对植被地上、地下生物量以及群落中各功能群相对盖度的影响,为揭示多年冻土区高寒草甸植被退化关键阶段提供依据。结果表明:1)随着退化程度加剧,禾本科和杂草类植物相对盖度显著增加(P 0.05),而莎草科植物相对盖度则显著降低(P 0.05);2)地上生物量在轻度退化阶段无显著变化(P 0.05),中度退化阶段开始显著降低(P 0.05);3)地下生物量和地下净初级生产力均在中度退化阶段后显著降低(P 0.05),地下净初级生产力在各土壤深度比例有向深处增加的趋势;4)不同退化程度莎草科植物相对盖度和地下净初级生产力在0–10 cm土壤深度所占比例极显著正相关(P 0.01),但与10–20 cm土壤深度地下净初级生产力所占比例无显著相关(P 0.05),与20–30 cm和30–50 cm土壤深度地下净初级生产力所占比例均显著负相关(P 0.05),而杂草相对盖度和地下净初级生产力在各土壤深度所占比例则表现出与莎草科植物相反的趋势。中度退化是草地退化的关键阶段。     

黑河源区退化草地恢复过程中土壤磷养分及其调控因子

为探究不同恢复方式对退化草地土壤磷养分含量变化的影响,本研究以黑河源区的单播和混播栽培草地为研究对象,以未退化草地和极重度退化草地为对照,对草地植被特征、土壤物理性质及土壤磷养分变化规律进行分析。结果表明：栽培草地的建植显著提高了极重度退化草地植被的地上、地下生物量,且混播草地的植被多样性优于单播草地;而单播草地的土壤磷养分(全磷、有机磷、速效磷、微生物生物量磷)含量均优于混播草地。约束排序偏分析结果表明,土壤物理性质是影响土壤磷养分含量的主要因子。相关性分析结果显示,草地土壤含水量、土壤黏粒、土壤毛管孔隙度均与土壤速效磷含量显著相关。采用单播恢复的栽培草地土壤含水量、土壤黏粒、土壤毛管孔隙度均优于混播草地。综上,人工恢复是快速治理极重度退化草地的有效措施,且采用单播恢复的栽培草地在土壤磷养分恢复方面相对稳定,但尚未恢复到未退化草地的状态,后期应持续加强对栽培草地的管理。     

祁连山中段退化高寒草地土壤细菌群落分布特征

为探究祁连山中段不同退化高寒草地土壤细菌群落分布特征,采用Illumina HiSeq PE250高通量测序平台对轻度、中度和重度退化草地土壤细菌群落变化特征进行研究,并对土壤细菌群落与土壤酶活性、土壤理化因子间关系进行分析。结果表明:随着退化程度加剧,植被盖度、高度、地上生物量和多样性指数均明显降低(P<0.05);土壤理化性质和酶活性变化各异且差异显著(P<0.05)。高通量测序共得到257971条有效序列,219017条优质序列和2004个OTUs。细菌群落丰富度指数依次为轻度>中度>重度,多样性指数为轻度>重度>中度,Beta多样性分析表明各样地间差异为轻度>重度>中度。其中,放线菌门(Actinobacteria)、厚壁菌门(Firmicutes)、酸杆菌门(Acidobacteria)和变形菌门(Proteobacteria)为3种退化草地土壤的优势菌门,在轻度、中度和重度退化草地土壤中分别占77.25%、84.27%和78.66%;乳球菌属为3种退化草地土壤的优势菌属,在轻度、中度和重度退化草地土壤中分别占14.29%、38.84%和7.39%。冗余分析表明:土壤酶活性和土壤理化性质均对细菌群落的组成具有影响,其中土壤pH是影响土壤细菌群落分布的主要驱动因子。祁连山中段不同退化高寒草地土壤细菌群落的变化主要受土壤理化性质和酶活性的影响。     

坝上高原区不同退化草地土壤特征分析

为了了解河北省张北坝上草地退化情况,以张北坝上地区不同退化程度草地为研究对象,通过野外调查及室内测定分析的方法,研究了不同退化草地土壤物理、化学和微生物特征。结果表明:从土壤物理性质来看,与未退化草地相比,土壤容重在中度退化和重度退化草地显著增大(P0.05),增幅分别为28.45%、31.03%;土壤总孔隙度在中度退化和重度退化草地显著减小(P0.05),减幅分别为21.97%、23.17%;土壤含水量在中度退化和重度退化草地显著减小(P0.05),减幅分别为65.22%、63.04%;随着草地退化程度的加剧,土壤团聚体的平均重量直径和几何平均直径有减小的趋势,而分维数有增大的趋势。从土壤化学性质来看,与未退化草地相比,土壤pH值在重度退化草地显著增大(P0.05),增幅为19.13%;有机质和全氮含量在重度退化草地显著减小(P0.05),减幅分别为33.74%、28.07%;速效磷含量在中度退化和重度退化草地显著减小(P0.05),减幅分别为19.28%、25.55%;不同程度退化草地土壤速效钾含量无显著变化。从土壤微生物数量来看,随着退化程度的加剧,与未退化草地相比,土壤微生物总数在中度退化和重度退化草地显著减小(P0.05),分别减小了38.85%、67.93%。综合来看,随着退化程度的加剧,草地土壤质量发生明显恶化。     

Phase I evaluation of CCNU (lomustine) in tumor-bearing cats

1-(2-Chloroethyl)3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU) is an alkylating agent in the nitrosourea subclass. A prospective evaluation of CCNU was done to determine the maximally tolerated dosage of CCNU in tumor-bearing cats. Response data were obtained when available. Twenty-five cats were treated with CCNU at a dosage of 50-60 mg/m3 body surface area. Complete hematologic data were available for 13 cats. Neutropenia was the acute dose-limiting toxicity. The median neutrophil count at the nadir was 1,000 cells/microL (mean, 2,433 cells/microL; range, 0-9,694 cells/microL). The time of neutrophil nadir was variable, occurring 7-28 days after treatment, and counts sometimes did not return to normal for up to 14 days after the nadir. Based on these findings, a 6-week dosing interval and weekly hematologic monitoring after the 1st treatment with CCNU are recommended. The nadir of the platelet count may occur 14-21 days after treatment. The median platelet count at the nadir was 43,500 cells/microL. No gastrointestinal, renal, or hepatic toxicities were observed after a single CCNU treatment, and additional studies to evaluate the potential for cumulative toxicity should be performed. Five cats with lymphoma and 1 cat with mast cell tumor had measurable responses to CCNU. Phase II studies to evaluate antitumor activity should be completed with a dosing regimen of 50-60 mg/m3 every 6 weeks.     

Prevalence of gastric lesions in racing Alaskan sled dogs

Human and equine athletes are reported to have a high prevalence of gastric disease, and anecdotal evidence suggests a similar phenomenon applies to racing sled dogs. To investigate the prevalence of gastric disease in racing sled dogs, we conducted 2 gastroscopy studies on dogs competing in the annual Iditarod Sled Dog Race. A pilot study of dogs that were either dropped from the 2000 Iditarod Sled Dog Race because of illness or that finished the race indicated that, approximately 5 days after competing, 10 of 28 dogs (35%) had endoscopic evidence of gastric ulceration, erosion, or hemorrhage. The next year, an endoscopic study of 73 dogs participating in the 2001 Iditarod race was performed in order to evaluate a larger population of dogs. Data from 70 of these dogs could be used; 34 (48.5%) had ulceration, erosion, gastric hemorrhage, or some combination of these findings. When this group of 70 dogs was compared retrospectively to a control group of 87 dogs presented to the Texas A&M University (TAMU) Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, the Iditarod sled dogs had a significantly higher prevalence (P = .049) of gastric lesions. These findings suggest that, similar to athletes of other species, elite canine athletes have an increased prevalence of gastric disease compared to the canine population at large.     

Furosemide continuous rate infusion in the horse: evaluation of enhanced efficacy and reduced side effects

Continuous rate infusion (CRI) of furosemide in humans is considered superior to intermittent administration (IA). This study examined whether furosemide CRI, compared with IA, would increase diuretic efficacy with decreased fluid and electrolyte fluctuations and activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in the horse. Five mares were used in a crossover-design study. During a 24-hour period, each horse received a total of 3 mg/kg furosemide by either CRI (0.12 mg/kg/h preceded by a loading dose of 0.12 mg/kg IV) or IA (1 mg/kg IV q8h). There was not a statistically significant difference in urine volume over 24 hours between methods; however, urine volume was significantly greater after CRI compared with IA during the first 8 hours ([median 25th percentile, 75th percentile]: 9.6 L [8.9, 14.4] for CRI versus 5.9 L [5.3, 6.0] for IA). CRI produced a more uniform urine flow, decreased fluctuations in plasma volume, and suppressed renal concentrating ability throughout the infusion period. Potassium, Ca, and Cl excretion was greater during CRI than IA (1,133 mmol [1.110, 1,229] versus 764 mmol [709, 904], 102.7 mmol [96.0, 117.2] versus 73.3 mmol [65.0, 73.5], and 1,776 mmol [1,657, 2.378] versus 1,596 mmol [1,457, 1,767], respectively). Elimination half-lives of furosemide were 1.35 and 0.47 hours for CRI and IA, respectively. The area under the excretion rate curve was 1,285.7 and 184.2 mL x mg/mL for CRI and IA, respectively. Furosemide CRI (0.12 mg/kg/h) for 8 hours, preceded by a loading dose (0.12 mg/kg), is recommended when profound diuresis is needed acutely in horses.     

Internal Parasites and Haematological Values in Cattle Slaughtered in Buea Subdivision of Cameroon

Tropical Animal Health and Production -     

The Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Dairy Cattle in Central Kenya

The epidemiology of H. placei and of other gastrointestinal nematodes in yearling dairy cattle was examined on two farms in Kiambu District, central Kenya during each of 13 one-month periods from April 1993 to April 1994. On each farm, 32 newly weaned dairy calves were given a single dose of albendazole and then placed on experimental pastures. Twelve of the animals were designated for bi-monthly slaughter (n = 2) and analysis of worm population characteristics and 20 were designated for blood and faecal collection and for weighing. Two parasite-free tracer calves were grazed alongside the weaner calves each month throughout the study period and were also slaughtered for analysis of worm populations. Faecal egg counts, haematological and serum pepsinogen determinations, herbage larval counts, and animal live weight changes were recorded monthly. The study revealed that Haemonchus placei, Trichostrongylus axei, Cooperia spp. and Oesophagostomum radiatum were responsible for parasitic gastroenteritis and that H. placei was the predominant nematode present in the young cattle on both farms. Faecal egg counts from resident cattle and necropsy worm counts revealed that pasture larval levels were directly related to the amount of rainfall. The total worm burdens in the animals were highest during the rainy season (March–June and October–December) and lowest during the dry seasons (July–September and January–February). The very low recovery of immature larvae of H. placei from the tracer calves indicated that arrested development is not a feature of the life cycle of this parasite in central Kenya. The maintenance of the parasite population depended on continuous cycling of infection between the host and the pasture. The agroclimatic conditions of the study area were such that, in general, favourable weather conditions for the development and survival of the free-living stages of gastrointestinal nematodes existed all year round.     

Diversity of Ectoparasites in Sheep Flocks in Sa~o Paulo,Brazil

The occurrence of ectoparasites in sheep flocks is frequently reported but seldom quantified. Sheep production used to be a predominantly family activity in the state of Sa~o Paulo (Brazil), but it began to become a commercial activity in the past decade. Thus, information about the ectoparasites existing in sheep flocks has become necessary. The present data were obtained by means of questionnaires sent to all sheep breeders belonging to the `Associaça~o Paulista de Criadores de Ovinos' (ASPACO; Sa~o Paulo State Association of Sheep Breeders). Response reliability was tested by means of random visits paid to 10.6% of the respondents. Most of the properties (89.5%) reported the presence of one or more ectoparasites. Screw-worm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) was the most frequent ectoparasite (72.5%), followed by bot fly larvae (Dermatobia hominis, 45.0%), ticks (Amblyomma cajennense) and Boophilus microplus, 31.3%) and finally lice (Damalinia ovis, 13.8%). Combined infestations also occurred, the most common one being screw-worm with bot fly larvae (36.0%) followed by bot fly larvae with ticks (13.9%), screw-worm with ticks (9.3%), bot fly larvae with lice (6.9%), and ticks with lice (5.0%). The most common triple combination was screw-worm, bot fly larvae and ticks (12.8%). Breeds raised for meat or wool were attacked by bot fly larvae and ticks more often than other breeds. Lice were only absent from animals of indigenous breeds. The relationships among these ectoparasites are discussed in terms of sheep breeds, flock size, seasonality and the ectoparasitic combinations on the host.     

Chemotaxis of macrophage in inflammation

Our particular attention in this article was given to natural mediators for macrophages isolated from the sites of tissue injury. A number of chemotactic factors, which may satisfy many criteria making them acceptable as inflammatory leucocyte chemotactic factors, has been separated. Among them, our laboratory has isolated three macrophage (monocyte) chemotactic factors (MCF-a, -b and -c). Their purification, characterization and functional specificity are discussed.     

Evaluation of biohydrogenation rate of canola vs. soya bean seeds as unsaturated fatty acids sources for ruminants in situ

An experiment was conducted to study disappearance of C14 to C18 fatty acids, lag times and biohydrogenation (BH) rates of C18 fatty acids of ground soya bean and canola seeds in situ. Three ruminally fistulated Dallagh sheep were used to determine ruminal BH of unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs). Differences in the disappearance of fatty acids through the bags and lag times were observed between the oilseeds. We saw that the longer the incubation time of the oilseeds in the rumen, the lower the content of C18:2 and C18:3. Significantly higher lag times for both C18:2 and C18:3 were observed in ground canola compared to ground soya bean. BH rates of C18:2 and C18:3 fatty acids in soya bean were three times higher than those of canola. These results suggest that the fatty acid profile of fat source can affect the BH of UFAs by rumen micro‐organisms. So that UFAs of canola had higher ability to escape from ruminal BH. It seems that fatty acid profile of ruminant products is more affected by canola seed compared to soya bean seed.     

Serum biochemical values and mineral element contents of tissues in yaks

Serum biochemical values and the wet weight to dry weight ratios of tissues were determined in yaks in Shandan county of Gansu province. The liver, kidney, heart and muscle contents of seven elements in yaks were also analysed. Most serum biochemical values were similar to those of cattle, camels and sheep, but the calcium concentration was considerably above the normal range for other ruminants. The liver contained the highest concentrations of copper, manganese and cobalt and the kidney of selenium, iron and calcium.Abbreviations Alb albumin - ALT alanine aminotransferase - AST aspartate aminotransferase - BUN blood urea nitrogen - Chol cholesterol - Glob globulin - -GT -glutamyl transpeptidase - IP inorganic phosphorus - TP total protein