Biochemical analysis of the articular cartilage and subchondral and trabecular bone of the metacarpophalangeal joint of horses with early osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether site-related changes in biochemical composition are present in the cartilage and subchondral and trabecular bone of the metacarpophalangeal joint of horses with early osteoarthritis. SAMPLE POPULATION: Right metacarpophalangeal joints from 59 mature warmblood horses. PROCEDURE: Biochemical data (cross-link, amino acid, DNA, and ash contents; denatured collagen and glycosaminoglycan [GAG] concentrations; bone mineral density; and mineral composition) were obtained from 2 differently loaded sites of phalanx I cartilage and subchondral and trabecular bone samples; data were compared with previously published values from nonosteoarthritic equine joints. RESULTS: Compared with findings in nonosteoarthritic joints, GAG concentration was lower in cartilage from osteoarthritic joints and there was a loss of site differences in cellularity and lysylpyridinoline (LP) cross-link content. In subchondral bone, LP cross-link content was decreased overall and there was a loss of site differences in osteoarthritic joints; ash content was higher in the osteoarthritic joints. Hydroxyproline content in trabecular bone from osteoarthritic joints was greater than that in nonosteoarthritic trabecular bone. In all 3 layers and at both sites, the linear increase of the pentosidine cross-link content with age had diminished or was not apparent in the horses with osteoarthritic joints. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In equine metacarpophalangeal joints with early osteoarthritis, distinct biochemical changes were detected in the cartilage and subchondral and trabecular bone. The dissimilarity in response of the different tissues and differences between the sites that are affected may be related to differences in biomechanical loading and transmission and dissipation of force.     

规模猪场母猪繁殖障碍综合征的病因调查

作者采用9套试剂盒，检测了7种能引起猪繁殖障碍综合征的传染病，对来自有繁殖障碍症状的305场次进行猪瘟(HC)抗原检测，并对包括这305场次在内的978个猪场(次)病例的6346份血清样品及52698份田间血清样品进行HC、猪繁殖与呼吸综合征(PRRS)、伪狂犬病(PR)、日本乙型脑炎(JE)、细小病毒感染(DPV)、猪衣原体病(Chla)、布鲁氏菌病(Bruc)等7种传染病的抗体检测。结果表明，在有繁殖障碍症状的猪场，HC抗原检出率高达61．97％，并且在不使用疫苗的情况下，PR3RS、PR、JE、Chla和PPV的抗体阳性场分别为49．42％、34．29％、12．72％、31．71％、和48．08％。HC和：PR交叉感染率达23．81％；HC和：PRRS交叉感染率为9．52％，PR和PRRS交叉感染率高达59．65％；另外JE、PPV也同HC、PR、PRRS存在部分交叉感染。不使用疫苗的田间血清样品的PRRS、PR的抗体阳性率也高。HC与PRRS．PR、Chla、JE和PPV中的一种或几种混合感染可能是引起繁殖障碍造成严重损失的主要原因。加强综合防制，优化免疫程序、把握引种关、加强生物安全措施是防制猪繁殖障碍综合征的关键。     

犬瘟热琼脂扩散试验方法的建立及初步应用

采用犬瘟热鸡胚成纤维细胞弱毒疫苗免疫绵羊制备琼脂扩散抗体，应用犬瘟热病貉肝脏（电镜检查“＋＋”以上）制备琼脂扩散抗原，建立了琼脂扩散试验方法，用于犬瘟热病死动物肝、脾脏器中病毒抗原成分的检出。检测送检病料１０份，与电镜检查结果比较，阳性符合率为８５．７％（６／７），阴性符合率为７５％（３／４），总体符合率为９０％（９／１０）。本方法特异、敏感，操作简便，易于推广应用。     

Early detection of bovine respiratory disease in young bulls using reticulo-rumen temperature boluses

The use of reticulo-rumen temperature boluses to detect bovine respiratory disease (BRD) was investigated in young bulls following their entry into a fattening unit. Twenty-four bulls received a bolus at entry and were observed for 40 days. As soon as a reticulo-rumen hyperthermia (RH) episode was detected using the bolus, clinical examination was performed by a veterinarian and then repeated every 12-24h until the end of RH episode. Fifty-two RH episodes were detected in 22 animals. High rectal temperatures (40.1±0.6°C) were observed during these episodes. BRD was diagnosed on the basis of clinical examination during 38/52 RH episodes in 21 animals (positive predictive value 73%). The onset of BRD signs always occurred after the onset of RH episodes, with a time-lag from 12 to 136 h, depending on BRD signs. Monitoring reticulo-rumen temperature permits early detection of BRD; however, clinical examination is required to confirm BRD.     

白腐菌及黑曲霉对玉米秸秆生物降解的研究

利用白腐菌5.776和黑曲霉3.3148对玉米秸秆木质纤维素进行降解,以提高反刍动物对玉米秸秆的消化利用。先对白腐菌和黑曲霉降解玉米秸秆木质纤维素的能力进行了研究,在此基础上,采用正交试验,探索白腐菌和黑曲霉混合后对玉米秸秆的降解效果。结果表明,接种比例、黑曲霉接入时间,接种比例与黑曲霉接入时间的交互作用以及发酵时间对混菌发酵降解玉米秸秆都有显著影响(P<0.05)。最佳方案为:白腐菌液体菌种和黑曲霉孢子悬浮液的接种比例为5:1,白腐菌接种2 d后再接入黑曲霉孢子悬浮液,发酵10 d,所得产物中性洗涤纤维的含量为52.07%,真蛋白为7.89%,干物质损失率为18.75%。     

Variation in free jumping technique within and among horses with little experience in show jumping

OBJECTIVE: To quantify variation in the jumping technique within and among young horses with little jumping experience, establish relationships between kinetic and kinematic variables, and identify a limited set of variables characteristic for detecting differences in jumping performance among horses. ANIMALS: Fifteen 4-year-old Dutch Warmblood horses. PROCEDURE: The horses were raised under standardized conditions and trained in accordance with a fixed protocol for a short period. Subsequently, horses were analyzed kinematically during free jumping over a fence with a height of 1.05 m. RESULTS: Within-horse variation in all variables that quantified jumping technique was smaller than variation among horses. However, some horses had less variation than others. Height of the center of gravity (CG) at the apex of the jump ranged from 1.80 to 2.01 m among horses; this variation could be explained by the variation in vertical velocity of the CG at takeoff (r, 0.78). Horses that had higher vertical velocity at takeoff left the ground and landed again farther from the fence, had shorter push-off phases for the forelimbs and hind limbs, and generated greater vertical acceleration of the CG primarily during the hind limb push-off. However, all horses cleared the fence successfully, independent of jumping technique. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Each horse had its own jumping technique. Differences among techniques were characterized by variations in the vertical velocity of the CG at takeoff. It must be determined whether jumping performance later in life can be predicted from observing free jumps of young horses.     

我国黑荆树适生区的划分及各区栽培技术要点

Based on the distribution of 64 locations in wattle natural distribution in Australia and the data collected from 61 plantations in 30 more countries, 5 important factors were selected for determining the suitable climatic requirements for the growth of wattle. The experience of plantation wattle in China for over 30 years has been summarized. According to the comparison of climate and geographic distribution of wattle in China and other countries, China is a suitable country for growing wattle. Based on the results of our investigation, a division of suitable areas for growing wattle in China was made. Key points of planting method in each area were suggested.     

中国苜蓿审定登记品种叶形态特征及变异分析

利用CI-202型叶面积仪研究29个我国审定登记苜蓿品种(Medicago sativa L.)的叶长、叶宽、叶面积、叶周长、叶长/叶宽和叶形指数。结果表明:地方苜蓿品种和育成品种在叶形态方面存在着较大的差异,前者的叶片较后者小;二者叶片形状相似;在6个指标中,叶长宽比变异最大,叶周长变异最小;地方品种的叶面积、叶长、叶周长和叶长宽比的变异系数均高于育成品种,其他2项指标则低于后者;在育成品种中,中兰1号的变异最大,甘农3号苜蓿最小;在地方品种中,蔚县苜蓿的变异最大,河西苜蓿最小;该结果将为今后培育苜蓿新品种提供理论基础。     

自卸车柔性仿生减粘技术及其应用试验

在柔性非光滑减粘脱附的自卸车模型试验基础上，通过钢链的强度试验，进行了钢链的尺寸设计，开发了二种自卸车柔性仿生减粘技术。现场应用试验结果表明，此种技术具有明显的减粘脱附效果，可使自卸车平均提高技术生产率１９．４％。现场应用亦表明，自卸车柔性内衬具有加工简单，安装方便、成本低、寿命长、易维护等工程化优点。     

Compensation for changes in hoof conformation between shoeing sessions through the adaptation of angular kinematics of the distal segments of the limbs of horses

OBJECTIVE: To determine the mechanism that enables horses to partially counteract the shift of the center of pressure under the hoof induced by changes in hoof morphology attributable to growth and wear during a shoeing interval. ANIMALS: 18 clinically sound Warmblood horses. PROCEDURES: Horses were evaluated 2 days and 8 weeks after shoeing during trotting on a track containing pressure-force measuring plates and by use of a synchronous infrared gait analysis system set at a frequency of 240 Hz. All feet were trimmed toward straight alignment of the proximal, middle, and distal phalanges and shod with standard flat shoes. Results-Temporal characteristics such as stance time and the time between heel lift and toe off (ie, breakover duration) did not change significantly as a result of shoeing interval. Protraction and retraction angles of the limbs did not change. Compensation was achieved through an increase in the dorsal angle of the metacarpohalangeal or metarsophalangeal (fetlock) joint and a concomitant decrease of the dorsal angle of the hoof wall and fetlock. There was an additional compensatory mechanism in the hind limbs during the landing phase. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Horses compensate for changes in hoof morphology that develop during an 8-week shoeing interval such that they are able to maintain their neuromuscular pattern of movement. The compensation consists of slight alterations in the angles between the distal segments of the limb. Insight into natural compensation mechanisms for hoof imbalance will aid in the understanding and treatment of pathologic conditions in horses.