藏羊肺组织形态测量指标及其与高原低氧的关系

比较观察和测量了高原藏羊和平原小尾寒羊的肺组织结构,并就藏羊肺组织形态测量指标与高原低氧的关系进行了初步探讨。结果表明,藏羊肺组织在肺泡大小,单位面积肺泡数和细小血管数,肺泡隔的厚度,肺泡隔内弹性纤维含量和毛细血管数量,表现有一定的差异和特点,这些差异和特点正是藏羊肺组织适应高原低氧的形态学特点。     

高原藏羊肺组织学结构及特点

对青藏高原（海拔高度３０００～４２００ｍ）藏羊肺组织进行光镜下的观察表明：藏羊肺泡较小，单位面积中肺泡数量多；肺泡壁及肺泡隔较厚，肺泡隔中弹性纤维较粗；肺泡隔内毛细血管呈开放状态，管径较粗，毛细血管内红细胞数量较多，单位面积中血管数量较多。     

高原及平原地区绵羊肺组织形态学的光镜观察

对青藏高原藏羊及平原地区小尾寒羊肺组织进行光镜下的比较组织学观察。结果表明：藏羊在单位面积中的肺泡数量、肺泡隔厚度、肺泡大小及泡隔中毛细血管的充盈程度等均与平原地区小尾寒羊有不同程度的差异。     

高原牦牛肺泡组织结构的观察和比较

为了探讨高原牦牛肺泡组织结构特点与高原低氧的关系,试验采用常规组织学方法,利用光镜、透射电镜和计算机图像分析系统观测高原牦牛和平原黄牛肺泡的组织结构.结果表明:高原牦牛单位面积内肺泡数(MAN)、单个肺泡平均面积(MSAA)、单位面积内总肺泡面积(TAA)与平原黄牛相比差异均不显著(P＞0.05),但高原牦牛肺泡隔厚度...     

移居高原小尾寒羊与藏羊肺组织形态学比较研究

对移居青藏高原（海拔高度2300m左右）小尾寒头号和世居高原的藏羊（海拔高度3000-4500m)及平原地区（海拔高度50m以下）小尾寒头号肺组织进行了观察和测量，结果表明；高原地区小尾寒头号、藏羊与平原地区小尾寒羊单位面积中肺泡的数量，肺泡膈厚度及肺泡中毛细血管的充盈程度均有差异。     

藏羊与小尾寒羊心肌结构及HIF低氧因子的表达研究

为了研究藏羊与小尾寒羊在心脏组织学上的结构差异以及hif低氧适应因子在两者心脏组织中的表达含量差异。试验采用了组织学技术手段与实时荧光定量技术,研究心脏组织结构特点与心肌各个部位hif基因的相对表达含量。结果表明,藏羊心肌纤维显著发达于小尾寒羊;藏羊心肌hif显著高于小尾寒羊,在个体样本中右心hif表达量显著高于左心。因此可以推测心肌的发达程度和hif因子的高量表达对于机体适应高原环境有重大的意义。     

高原低氧环境下小尾寒羊肺组织适应性的研究

对青藏高原（海拔高度２３００ｍ左右）小毛寒羊和平原地区（海拔高度５０ｍ以下）小毽百肺组织进行光学显微镜下的比较组织学观察，结果表明：高原地区小尾寒羊单位面积中肺泡的数量、肺泡隔厚度及肺泡隔中毛细血管的充盈程度等均与平原地区小羊有差异。     

成年牦牛与黄牛肺内肺动脉结构组织和形态学比较分析

运用组织学研究方法,比较成年牦牛和平原黄牛肺动脉的结构组织和形态学差异,初步探讨成年牦牛肺动脉对低氧的适应性结构。结果表明,成年牦牛肺动脉管壁直径小于200μm时,仍含有较多的弹性纤维,在直径为50μm的肺动脉管壁中,仍存在1~2层完整的平滑肌。而成年黄牛其肺动脉管壁直径小于100μm时,其管壁中含有的弹性纤维比成年牦牛直径大小相似的肺动脉管壁中的弹性纤维少,平滑肌消失或呈月牙状分布,但外弹性膜完整。成年平原黄牛肺动脉血管中膜的MT值随管径的增加逐渐减小,成年牦牛肺动脉血管中膜MT值在管径为100~200μm时最大,然后逐渐减小。至肺门部时,其肺动脉血管中膜MT值接近相等,且差异不显著。因此,成年牦牛肺动脉含有的弹性纤维比成年平原黄牛多,该结构特点是成年牦牛在高原低氧环境下维持肺动脉较好射血功能的结构基础,此外,与成年黄牛比较可见,成年牦牛50μm直径的肺微动脉仍具有完整的平滑肌层,这一现象可能是牦牛在高原低氧环境下维持较好血流的结构基础。     

大通牦牛肺微血管的增龄性变化特点

为了阐明高原牦牛肺血管随海拔升高对高原低氧环境适应的结构学特点及发育学特点,试验采用免疫组织化学染色法对1日龄、30日龄、180日龄、成年牦牛肺血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)的分布进行了研究。结果表明:VEGF大量分布于导气部上皮的Clara细胞胞质和伴行肺动脉内皮细胞胞质内,在导气部上皮的纤毛细胞、管壁平滑肌内也有分布,VEGF在肺动脉平滑肌中的分布随着管径的减小而减少;在呼吸部上皮内没有VEGF分布,仅在肺泡壁有散在分布。而大通牦牛肺组织VEGF的灰度值随着年龄的增长表现为先降低再升高,山东黄牛肺组织VEGF的灰度值随着年龄的增长表现为逐渐升高,而相同发育阶段大通牦牛肺组织VEGF灰度值极显著高于山东黄牛肺组织VEGF灰度值。表明低氧能刺激大通牦牛肺导气部和肺动脉内的VEGF含量增加,从而对牦牛肺脏新生微血管的形成产生影响,这可能是牦牛肺脏能适应高原低氧环境的重要因素。     

模拟低压低氧环境对小鼠肺组织形态结构的影响

以肺组织显微结构、超微结构及部分血氧值为指标,以雄性昆明系小鼠为实验对象,观察了低压氧舱模拟不同海拔环境对小鼠肺组织形态结构的影响。结果表明,试验组小鼠肺泡隔厚度,肺气—血屏障算术平均厚度,动、静脉氧分压差和动、静脉血氧饱和度差均高于对照组,且差异显著(P<0.05)。这是低氧环境对小鼠肺组织造成的改变,这种改变可保证其适应低氧环境。     

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