Cardiovascular effects of sevoflurane in Holstein calves

Objective The purpose of this study was to determine the cardiovascular effects of sevoflurane in calves. Study design Prospective experimental study. Animals Six, healthy, 8–12‐week‐old Holstein calves weighing 80 ± 4.5 (mean ± SEM) kg were studied. Methods Anesthesia was induced by face‐mask administration of 7% sevoflurane in O₂. Calves tracheae were intubated, placed in right lateral recumbency, and maintained with 3.7% end‐tidal concentration sevoflurane for 30 minutes to allow catheterization of the auricular artery and placement of a Swan‐Ganz thermodilution catheter into the pulmonary artery. After instrumentation, administration of sevoflurane was temporarily discontinued until mean arterial pressure was > 100 mm Hg. Baseline values were recorded and the vaporizer output increased to administer 3.7% end‐tidal sevoflurane concentration. Ventilation was controlled to maintain normocapnia. The following were recorded at 5, 10, 15, 30 and 45 minutes after collection of baseline data and expressed as the mean value (± SEM): direct systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood pressures; cardiac output; mean pulmonary arterial pressure; pulmonary arterial occlusion pressure, heart rate; and pulmonary arterial temperature. Cardiac index and systemic and pulmonary vascular resistance values were calculated using standard formulae. Arterial blood gases were analyzed at baseline, and at 15 and 45 minutes. Differences from baseline values were determined using one‐way analysis of variance for repeated measures with post‐hoc differences between mean values identified using Dunnet's test (p < 0.05). Results Mean time from beginning sevoflurane administration to intubation of the trachea was 224 ± 9 seconds. The mean end‐tidal sevoflurane concentration at baseline was 0.7 (± 0.11)%. Sevoflurane anesthesia was associated with decreased arterial blood pressure at all sampling times. Mean arterial blood pressure decreased from a baseline value of 112 ± 7 mm Hg to a minimum value of 88 ± 4 mm Hg at 5 minutes. Compared with baseline, arterial pH was decreased at 15 minutes. Pulmonary arterial blood temperature was decreased at 15, 30 and 45 minutes. Arterial CO₂ tension increased from a baseline value of 43 ± 3 to 54 ± 4 mm Hg (5.7 ± 0.4 to 7.2 ± 0.3 kPa) at 15 minutes. Mean pulmonary arterial pressure was increased at 30 and 45 minutes. Pulmonary arterial occlusion pressure increased from a baseline value of 18 ± 2 to 23 ± 2 mm Hg at 45 minutes. There were no significant changes in other measured variables. All calves recovered from anesthesia uneventfully. Conclusion We conclude that sevoflurane for induction and maintenance of anesthesia was effective and reliable in these calves and that neither hypotension nor decreased cardiac output was a clinical concern. Clinical relevance Use of sevoflurane for mask induction and maintenance of anesthesia in young calves is a suitable alternative to injectable and other inhalant anesthetics.     

白足蚜小蜂对桃蚜的取食和寄生功能反应及搜寻效应

为评估白足蚜小蜂Aphelinus albipodus对桃蚜Myzus persicae的防控效果,在室内测定了白足蚜小蜂对不同发育阶段桃蚜的功能反应和搜寻效应,并对种内干扰和分摊竞争强度进行了比较。结果表明:白足蚜小蜂对不同发育阶段桃蚜的取食量和寄生量均随着蚜虫密度增加而增加,取食量和寄生功能反应均符合HollingⅡ模型。白足蚜小蜂对桃蚜的理论最大取食量2.809头,瞬时攻击率0.218,处理时间0.023 d;白足蚜小蜂对3～4日龄桃蚜寄生量最大,为47.62头,寄生瞬时攻击率0.723,处理时间0.021 d。搜寻效应均随蚜虫密度的增加而下降,且与蚜虫密度呈负相关。白足蚜小蜂个体之间存在种内干扰作用,随着自身密度增加,单头寄生率相对下降,分摊竞争强度增大,干扰效应符合Hassell-varley模型。由功能反应、种内干扰等指标可见白足蚜小蜂对桃蚜具有较好的防控作用。     

苜蓿抗寒性研究进展

在国内外大量研究成果的基础上,对苜蓿经过低温胁迫后的形态、生理生化方面的变化,苜蓿秋眠性与抗寒性的关系,现代生物技术以及辐射诱变和太空搭载在苜蓿抗寒育种中的应用进行了系统阐述,讨论了当前苜蓿抗寒性研究工作中存在的不足,并对未来的研究重点进行了展望。     

不同质地土壤玉米秸秆还田配施腐熟剂效应的研究

为研究鉴选不同质地土壤秸秆还田适宜的秸秆腐熟剂,于2017—2018年在西辽河平原灌区中壤土和砂壤土秸秆还田配施人元腐熟剂和中农绿康腐熟剂,以秸秆还田不施腐熟剂为对照,共设置6个处理,测定玉米秸秆腐解率、玉米产量、玉米根系特性和土壤化学性状,研究不同秸秆腐熟剂对玉米产量及土壤特性的影响。结果表明:不同质地土壤2种腐熟剂秸秆腐解率间无显著差异;中壤土2年各处理玉米产量及根系特性、土壤化学性状均表现为人元腐熟剂中农绿康腐熟剂秸秆还田不施腐熟剂,且中农绿康腐熟剂和人元腐熟剂显著高于秸秆还田不施腐熟剂,而2种腐熟剂处理之间无显著差异;砂壤土2年各处理玉米产量及根系特性、土壤化学性状均表现为中农绿康腐熟剂人元腐熟剂秸秆还田不施腐熟剂,且中农绿康腐熟剂显著高于人元腐熟剂和秸秆还田不施腐熟剂。2年不同质地土壤中配施腐熟剂在根系特性、土壤化学性状方面表现为砂壤土配施中农绿康腐熟剂效果优于人元腐熟剂,而中壤土配施2种腐熟剂效果无显著性差异。     

Comparison of the pharmacokinetics and thermal antinociceptive pharmacodynamics of 20 µg kg−1 buprenorphine administered sublingually or intravenously in cats

Little is known about the analgesic action of buprenorphine (BUP) in cats. Relative to man, the cat has a more alkaline oral pH, which may make this an effective route for administering BUP in this species. This study aimed to assess and compare the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of sublingual (S‐L) and IV administration of BUP. Thermal threshold (TT) was measured and blood samples were collected following IV or S‐L administration (20 µg kg^?1) of the injectable formulation. Six cats (five spayed females, one castrated male, 4.1–6.6 kg) were used. Each cat received both treatments in a randomized cross‐over study design with 1 month between experiments. Twenty‐four hours prior to each study, the lateral thorax of each of the cats was shaved, cephalic and jugular catheters placed, and oral pH measured. On the day of the study, TT was measured using a ‘thorax‐mounted’ thermal threshold‐testing device specifically developed for cats. The cats were free to move around. Skin temperature was recorded before each test, then the heater activated. When the cat responded by flinching, turning, or jumping, the stimulus was terminated and the threshold temperature was recorded. The thermal threshold cut‐off point was 55.5 °C. Three baseline thresholds were recorded before treatment with S‐L or IV (via cephalic catheter) BUP (20 µg kg^?1). Blood was withdrawn (jugular) at 1, 2, 4, 6, 10, 15, 30, 45, 60 minutes and at 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 24 hours post‐administration. TT was measured every 30 minutes?6 hours, 1–12 hours, and at 24 hours post‐administration. Plasma was immediately separated, stored at ?20.5 °C, and assayed within 4 months using a commercially available ¹²⁵I radioimmunoassay. Threshold data were analyzed using anova with a repeat factor of time. No adverse effects were noted. Pupils were dilated for up to 9 hours post‐BUP. Behavioral changes were calm euphoria. Measured oral pH was 9 in each cat. Pre‐treatment mean threshold (±SD) was 41.2 ± 0.9 °C in the S‐L group and 40.8 ± 0.85 °C in the IV group. There were no significant differences between the groups with respect to thresholds over time (p = 0.72). Thresholds were significantly increased from 30 to 360 minutes in both the groups (>44.615 °C). Peak plasma BUP (C_max) was lower (11 ± 6.7 ng mL^?1vs. 92.9 ± 107.9 ng mL^?1) and occurred later (T_max) (30 minutes vs. 1 minute) after S‐L compared to IV administration, respectively. BUP (20 µg kg^?1)‐administered S‐L or IV provided antinociception between 30 and 360 minutes after administration. Plasma levels did not correspond to TT.     

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in mainland and sub-Antarctic New Zealand sea lion (Phocarctos hookeri) populations

AIMS: To investigate the seroprevalence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in New Zealand sea lions (Phocarctos hookeri), as a potential contributor to reproductive failure.

METHODS: Archived sera were sourced from New Zealand sea lions from two recolonising mainland populations in the Otago Peninsula (n=15) and Stewart Island (n=12), as well as a declining population at Enderby Island (n=28) in the New Zealand sub-Antarctic. Sera were tested for antibodies to T. gondii using a commercially available ELISA (with samples considered positive if the sample to positive ratio was?>30%), and latex agglutination test (LAT; with titres ≥1:32 considered positive). Western blot analysis was used to validate the results of a subset of 14 samples.

RESULTS: Five samples from sea lions in mainland locations were confirmed positive for antibodies to T. gondii. Two adult females exhibited high LAT antibody titres (min 1:2048, max 1:4096) on both occasions when sampled 1 and 2 years apart, respectively. No animals from Enderby Island were seropositive.

CONCLUSIONS: Toxoplasma gondii infection is unlikely to be a major contributor to poor reproductive success in New Zealand sea lions. However, continued surveillance is pertinent to assess subclinical and clinical impacts of the parasite on these threatened populations. The commercial tests evaluated here, with further species-specific threshold refinement could provide a fast, inexpensive and reliable indicator of T. gondii exposure in New Zealand sea lions.