Implantation study on the potential of murine epidermal stem cell differentiation

AIM: To investigate the potential of murine epidermal stem cell (ESC) differentiation after seeded in a biodegradable carrier and implanted subcutaneously into syngeneic recipient mice. METHODS: ES cells were induced in vitro to differentiate into ESCs. After stained with a fluorescent dye Hoechst 33342, these ESCs were seeded into a polyglycolic acid (PGA) net containing collagen gel, functioning as a cell carrier, and implanted subcutaneously into 129/J mice, which were syngeneic to these stem cells. RESULTS: The ESCs kept alive in the implant when observed under a fluorescent microscopy 3 weeks or longer after implantation, and could differentiate into hair follicle-like structure, glandular structure, and gave rise to additional structures displaying features resembling native dermis. No apparent rejection or severe side effects were observed at least 10 weeks post-implantation. CONCLUSION: It is feasible to use these ESCs as seed cells in the study to fabricate dermal equivalent having the potential to develop dermal appendages.     

不同光增方式和周期对蛋鸡生产性能和血液生化指标的影响

研究光增方式和光照周期对蛋鸡蛋品质和血液生化指标的影响.将20周龄海兰褐商品蛋鸡320只,随机分为8组,每组4个重复,每个重复10只鸡.试验光照周期采用渐增和骤增2种,光周期设11L13D、13L11D、15L9D、17L7D 4个水平.结果表明①不同光增方式对蛋形指数和哈氏单位有显著影响(P＜0.05),以渐增条件下较好.不同光增方式对血液生化指标没有显著影响(P＞0.05).②不同光照周期对蛋黄颜色有显著影响(P＜0.05),以15L9D处理组蛋黄颜色最好.不同光照周期对血液生化指标有一定影响,以13L11D处理组较好.     

Simulation study of the competitive ability of erect, semi-erect and prostrate cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) genotypes

Ecophysiological simulation models provide a quantitative method to predict the effects of management practices, plant characteristics and environmental factors on crop and weed growth and competition. The INTERCOM interplant competition model was parameterised, calibrated by monoculture data for three cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) genotypes that differed in growth habit, common sunflower (Helianthus annuus) and common purslane (Portulaca oleracea), and used to simulate competition of cowpea cover crops with sunflower or purslane. The simulation results were compared with observations from field competition experiments in 2003 and 2004. INTERCOM more accurately simulated actual field data for the competition of cowpea genotypes and sunflower than companion field experiments for the competition of cowpea and purslane. The validated simulation model of cowpea and sunflower at two densities was used to study the effects of cowpea growth habit on final biomass production of cowpea and sunflower. The model suggested that erect growth habit was more competitive than semi‐erect and prostrate growth habit, when cowpea genotypes were grown with sunflower. Cowpea leaf area distribution was important to higher cowpea biomass production, while cowpea height growth was important to reduce sunflower biomass. Our simulation approach is suggested as a method for crop breeders to gauge the likely success of selection for competitive crops before undertaking expensive long‐term breeding experiments.     

稻草菌糠对AA肉鸡生产性能及部分代谢激素水平的影响

本文通过选取1日龄192只健康AA肉鸡(公母各半),随机分为4组:对照组(饲喂基础日粮)、试验1组、试验2组和试验3组,各试验组分别在基础日粮中添加0.5%、1.0%和2.0%的稻草菌糠,研究其不同添加剂量对AA肉鸡生产性能和部分代谢激素水平的影响,并确定其最适添加比例。结果表明:①与对照组相比,49日龄时,试验1组体增重提高6.24%(P0.05),采食量提高6.74%(P0.01);②血清中T3、T4、胰岛素水平试验组不同程度地显著性高于对照组。上述结果说明,在基础日粮中添加0.5%的稻草菌糠对AA肉鸡的生产性能和部分代谢激素水平有较显著的改善作用。     

不同近交程度对藏獒体尺生长发育的影响

通过近交对河曲藏獒体尺生长发育影响的详细分析，发现随着近交系数的增加，体长、体高、胸围和管围都趋近于正态分布。近交系数为0．0652的藏獒，2—3月龄体长和3月龄管国有较大生长强度，2月龄体高生长强度不及近交系数0．0893组，体长、胸围和管围没有明显下降趋势。藏獒近交系数大于0.0652，除了体高生长强度外，其他体尺生长发育出现近交衰退趋势。     

Caecal disease in equids

Objective To review the breed, age, gender, clinical and laboratory findings, treatment and outcome of horses with caecal disease presented to a referral centre. Design Retrospective study of 96 cases. Procedure The breed, age, and gender of the study population were compared with the corresponding hospital population for the same period. The means (± SD) for clinical and laboratory findings were recorded for each caecal disorder. Treatment was categorised as medical or surgical, and outcome was recorded. Results Caecal diseases included impaction (40% of total cases), rupture associated with concurrent unrelated disease (13%), rupture with parturition (9%), rupture with no associated disease (5%), infarction (11%), torsion (9%), abscess or adhesion (7%), tumour (3%), and miscellaneous conditions (3%). The breed or gender of affected horses did not differ from the hospital population, although horses > 15 years were more frequently represented (P < 0.05). This age group was specifically more predisposed to caecal impaction (P < 0.05), as were Arabian, Morgan, and Appaloosa breeds (P < 0.05). In horses with caecal impaction transrectal examination was the most useful diagnostic procedure; 90% of affected horses treated medically were discharged while horses treated by typhlotomy alone, or typhlotomy and blind end ileocolostomy, had survival rates to discharge of 71% and 86%, respectively. Horses with caecal rupture associated with concurrent un-related disease showed no signs of impending rupture; all were receiving phenylbutazone, all were euthanased, and 50% had caecal ulceration at necropsy. Of horses with caecal rupture with parturition 56% had prior dystocia; in two-thirds the site of rupture was the ileocaecal junction and all were euthanased. Horses with caecal rupture with no associated disease died or were euthanased; rupture was idiopathic. Horses with caecal infarction usually had signs of abdominal pain and abdominal fluid changes consistent with peritonitis; transrectal examination was nonspecific, and typhlectomy was successful in seven of eight horses. Horses with caecal torsion had signs of severe, acute abdominal pain and typhlectomy was successful in three of five horses. Diagnosis of caecal adhesion or abscess was assisted by transrectal palpation in two of seven horses and surgical treatment was successful in two of five horses. A caecal tumour was diagnosed in three horses aged 20 years or older that presented with chronic weight loss. Other caecal diseases were uncommon. Conclusion Caecal disease is uncommon in equids but some specific features of the history and physical findings can alert the veterinarian to the possibility of caecal involvement in horses with gastrointestinal dysfunction. Medical or surgical therapy can be effective in horses where caecal rupture has not occurred.     

Epidemiological studies of pig diseases: 1. Use of French protocols for risk factor assessment to predict the health status of Australian herds

Objective To determine in Australian pig herds the accuracy of French protocols for risk factor assessment.
Procedure Data on health indicators and risk factors were collected for three syndromes, 'pre-weaning diarrhoea', 'post-weaning diarrhoea' and 'respiratory problems', using the French protocols. The protocols were used on 118 occasions in 32 Western Australian pig herds during 3 years (1988 to 1991).
Results There was a wide variation in pre-weaning performance, for example growth rate was 107 to 273 g/day (< 200 g/day in 33% of herds). Respiratory lesions at weaning were associated with poor pre-weaning performance. Post-weaning (21 days after weaning) growth rate was 114 to 408 g/day (< 250 g/day in 54% of herds). In the grower herds, 91% of herds had pneumonia, and growth rate was 439 to 625 g/day (< 550 g/day in 54% of herds). Pleurisy as well as pneumonia was associated with reduced growth rate. The risk factor most closely associated with respiratory health status was air volume per pig.
Conclusion Risk factors were most accurate at predicting the health status in post-weaning problems. A weaning weight of at least 7.9 kg and weaning age of 30 days optimised weaner performance. Stocking densities and shed designs providing at least 3 m³ air volume and 0.6 m² floor space per pig throughout the growing phase should be considered for an improved respiratory health status. Australian pig sheds often do not provide a satisfactory environment for optimum health. The technique of risk factor assessment as an aid to the maintenance of health in pig herds is applicable in Australia, but further research is necessary to determine the most important Australian risk factors.