共和盆地温性草原植被退化特征分析

以克氏针茅(Stipa sareptana)、紫花针茅(S.purpurea)、青海固沙草(Orinus kokonorica)、芨芨草(Achnatherumsplendens)为优势植被的温性草原是共和盆地典型植被类型之一,由于自然环境变迁以及人为活动的影响,共和盆地以贵南县地区为中心的克氏针茅、紫花针茅、青海固沙草、芨芨草草原植被退化十分明显,2003年通过样方调查和植被数量分析的方法,对该地区的退化草地特征进行了调查和分析,结果表明:退化草地植被盖度比对照区下降30%～50%,优势植物种的禾本科和莎草科等植物逐步减少,明显增加了豆科、菊科、蔷薇科和毒草等植物。物种多样性指数下降52.47%。由于高寒植被的退化,导致了植被群落整体生态功能的下降,进一步加剧了共和盆地的生态环境恶化。     

共和盆地温性草原植被退化特征分析

以克氏针茅(Stipa sareptana)、紫花针茅(S. purpurea)、青海固沙草(Orinus kokonorica)、芨芨草(Achnatherum splendens)为优势植被的温性草原是共和盆地典型植被类型之一,由于自然环境变迁以及人为活动的影响,共和盆地以责南县地区为中心的克氏针茅、紫花针茅、青海固沙草、芨芨草草原植被退化十分明显,2003年通过样方调查和植被数量分析的方法,对该地区的退化草地特征进行了调查和分析,结果表明退化草地植被盖度比对照区下降30%～50%,优势植物种的禾本科和莎草科等植物逐步减少,明显增加了豆科、菊科、蔷薇科和毒草等植物.物种多样性指数下降52.47%.由于高寒植被的退化,导致了植被群落整体生态功能的下降,进一步加剧了共和盆地的生态环境恶化.     

黄河源区高寒草原的植被退化与土壤退化特征

近几年,黄河源区高寒草原退化沙化明显。研究了黄河源区紫花针茅高寒草原在不同退化程度下植物群落、生物量和土壤的特征,结果表明,随着高寒草原退化程度加大,植被盖度、草地质量指数和优良牧草地上生物量比例逐渐下降,草地间的相似性指数减小,植物群落多样性指数和均匀度指数呈单峰式曲线变化规律。随着退化加剧,禾草地上生物量减少显著,杂草类植物地上生物量先增加后减少,而莎草科植物地上生物量的变化不受草地退化程度的影响。高寒草原土壤表层0～20 cm的植物根系随土壤深度的增加而减少,随草地退化程度的加剧呈倒“V”型变化。高寒草原物种多样性与生物量之间呈“V”型变化规律,随着退化程度增加,物种丰富度与生产力的关系由显著正相关转变为负相关。随着高寒草原的退化程度加剧,土壤湿度、土壤有机质、速效磷、硝态氮、速效钾的含量和土壤紧实度都减小。随着高寒草原植被的退化演替,土壤退化越来越严重,贫瘠化不断加剧,到重度退化阶段,旱生沙生植物出现,呈现沙化初始景观。     

甘肃尕海湿地不同海拔草地群落组分及物种多样性研究

以青藏高原东部甘肃尕海湖西侧坡地为研究对象,在尕海湖边到坡地顶部(海拔3 485~3 650 m)内,调查了不同海拔梯度上植物群落物种组成和群落特征数据,分析不同海拔草地群落特征、物种生活型变化及人类活动的影响,以期探讨高寒湿地附近草地群落组分与物种多样性对海拔梯度和人为干扰的响应。结果表明,尕海湖西侧坡地共调查到59种被子植物,分别属于20科46属,其区系特征以温带分布为主,且植物生活型和功能型以多年生和非固氮植物为主。在不同海拔梯度上草地群落可分为早熟禾-银莲花群落、羽毛委陵菜-平车前群落、紫花针茅群落、早熟禾-菭草群落、早熟禾-嵩草群落和嵩草-莎草群落。人类活动严重影响着草地群落特征,即在人类活动较弱的区域以禾本科和莎草科为主,而在人类活动较强的区域,由早熟禾为主的高寒草原群落类型演变为羽毛委陵菜-平车前群落和紫花针茅群落。此外,物种多样性指数与海拔间存在明显的负相关,即物种丰富度、物种密度、相邻群落间共有物种数目和相似性指数随海拔升高而逐渐降低。可见,海拔和人类活动强烈影响着高寒草地群落的组成和多样性,尤其人类活动影响更为剧烈。因而,为保证高寒草地生态系统可持续发展和物种多样性的维持,应采取合理有效的保护措施,尽量减少人类活动的影响。     

大尤尔都斯高寒草原退化演替序列的划分

采用系统聚类分析法对巴音布鲁克大尤尔都斯紫花针茅(Stipapurpurea)高寒草原进行退化演替序列的划分,并对不同退化草地的植物群落结构进行比较。结果表明,随着草地退化演替程度的加剧,群落结构与主要植物种的优势地位发生明显变化,顶级植被紫花针茅的高度、盖度、密度及地上生物量均有所下降;退化演替模式为:紫花针茅+艹洽草属(Koeleria)→赖草属(Leymus)+委陵菜属(Potentilla)→苔草属(Carex)+马先蒿属(Pedicularis)→艹洽草属+委陵菜属;紫花针茅的重要值可作为划分巴音布鲁克大尤尔都斯高寒草地退化的重要指标;相同等级内各样地间相似性大,不同等级间样地相似性小。系统聚类的结果与各样地相似性比较的结果一致。     

青海湖地区紫花针茅型高寒草原群落特征变化

气候变暖促进青藏高原高寒草原分布面积逐渐增加,但有关紫花针茅(Stipa purpurea)型高寒草原生产力与物种丰富度长期变化特征及其驱动因素尚不明确。本研究连续13年观测青海湖地区高寒草地地上生物量、物种丰富度和盖度等指标,阐明了植被群落特征的长期变化规律,采用结构方程模型,解析了紫花针茅型高寒草原生产力和物种丰富度的主要影响因素。结果表明,高寒草原地上生物量和物种丰富度均呈现较强的波动上升趋势,平均鲜重和物种数分别为215.41 g·m^-2和15,高物种丰富度促进生产力增加;高寒草原群落总盖度和平均高度呈现显著增加趋势。紫花针茅型高寒草原地上生物量和总盖度分别受到年均气温和生产力的显著影响。未来增温气候情景将会显著增加青海湖地区紫花针茅型高寒草原生物量,但降雨量增加会降低物种丰富度。     

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。     

青海湖地区紫花针茅草原群落特征

 选择青海湖地区典型紫花针茅草原作为研究对象,以大量的样方调查为基础,采用等级聚类、ＴＷＩＮＳＰＡＮ（ｔｗｏ ｗａｙｉｎｄｉｃａｔｏｒｓｐｅｃｉｅｓａｎａｌｙｓｉｓ）、ＤＣＡ （ｄｅｔｒｅｎｄｅｄｃｏｒｒｅｓｐｏｎｄｅｎｃｅａｎａｌｙｓｉｓ）、ＣＣＡ （ｃａｎｏｎｉｃａｌｃｏｒｒｅｓｐｏｎｄｅｎｃｅａｎａｌｙｓｉｓ）、物种多样性,相关分析等多元数量分析方法,系统研究了紫花针茅草原的群落特征、物种多样性、群落与环境因子的关系。结果表明,所调查的紫花针茅草原是物种组成相对较简单、菊科和禾本科植物最多、北温带分布的属为主体的草原群落。青海湖地区的紫花针茅草原群落可分为４个群丛类型：紫花针茅＋ 多枝黄芪群丛,紫花针茅＋矮嵩草群丛,紫花针茅＋西北针茅群丛和紫花针茅＋川青早熟禾群丛。影响青海湖地区紫花针茅草原群丛分布的主要环境因子首先是以年均降雨量和年均温为代表的气候因子,其次是土壤水分、有机质和全氮磷钾等土壤因子。该区紫花针茅草原群丛均匀度指数和Ｓｉｍｐｓｏｎ指数的变化趋势基本一致,紫花针茅＋川青早熟禾群丛是各群丛中最高的。物种丰富度受气候和土壤因子的影响大,但Ｓｉｍｐｓｏｎ指数和均匀度指数与所调查的所有环境因子都没有显著相关性。本研究揭示了紫花针茅草原群落的内在规律,对维护青海湖地区生态系统平衡具有重要意义。     

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。     

放牧对青海湖北岸高寒草原植物群落特征的影响

基于青海湖北岸高寒草原连续3年放牧控制试验,研究了暖季和冷季放牧草地植物群落特征的变化。结果表明,暖季和冷季放牧草地群落地上生物量均随放牧强度的增加呈现下降趋势,禾本科地上生物量的变化趋势基本与群落地上生物量的一致;中度放牧对暖季放牧草地植被的影响程度高于冷季放牧草地;围栏封育区和冷季重度放牧草地的优势种均为紫花针茅(Stipapurpurea)和矮嵩草(Kobresia humilis),暖季放牧各放牧小区和冷季放牧草地轻度和中度放牧处理优势种均为紫花针茅和披针叶黄华(Thermopsis lanceolata);随放牧强度的增加,暖季放牧草地群落物种多样性指数和均匀度指数表现出先降低后增加的趋势,冷季放牧草地群落物种多样性指数和均匀度指数表现出增加的趋势,但是多样性指数在暖、冷季放牧草地均以重度放牧区最高。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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