Feline non-ocular melanoma: a retrospective study of 23 cases (1991-1999).

Non-ocular melanoma is considered to be a rare neoplasm in cats; however, more than 150 cases have been reported in the literature since 1961. The objective of this study was to characterise this tumour better by evaluating case outcome and survival data for cats with melanoma and to compare clinical and histopathological findings with those of previous reports. Twenty-three feline non-ocular melanomas were identified, the most common locations being the nose, digit and pinna. Cats with digital melanomas had survival rates similar to their canine counterparts. Histological assignation of benignity, malignancy or junctional activity was not found to be an accurate predictor of clinical behaviour. Melanoma should be considered as a differential diagnosis for cats presenting with pigmented or non-pigmented masses and histopathology is essential for definitive diagnosis, as other tumours may clinically appear quite similar. Regular follow-up examinations are recommended indefinitely for benign or malignant feline melanomas.     

兔子在澳大利亚的引进和传播

1788年,英国"第一舰队"绕过数千年发展历史为澳洲大陆带来了西方文明和创新,开创了农作物栽培、畜禽改良史上的大交流、大变革时代.当时带入5只欧洲兔,后为增加动物多样性,满足上层绅士的狩猎需求,欧洲移民陆续引进旧大陆家兔.但兔子疯狂繁殖,吃光了所到之地的牧草和幼树皮,给生态环境造成了极大危害,成为澳大利亚臭名昭著的外来...     

Seasonal variations in the immunological and physiological parameters of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas cultured in Bahía de Macapule (Sinaloa,Mexico)

Triploid Crassostrea gigas were cultured during 13 months in Nestier‐type oyster trays. The impact of environmental parameters on the physiological and immunological parameters was evaluated. Temperature, salinity and seston were recorded monthly. Seventeen oysters were sampled monthly for immunological and condition index (CI) analyses. Samples were obtained as a haemolymph lysate supernatant (HLS). Protein content was determined using the Bradford method. The activity of hydrolytic enzymes was determined using the API ZYM kit and the lysoplate assay. Seston showed different patterns throughout the cycle. Condition index showed a positive correlation with the protein content of HLS. Protein showed a negative correlation with temperature. Eleven hydrolytic enzymes were detected in samples and higher enzymatic activity corresponded to leucine arylamidase and esterase. Leucine arylamidase and lysozyme activity showed a positive correlation with temperature. Oyster mortality was 28% in our modules and 70% in the oyster farm. Oysters showed low values of CI and haemolymph protein content in summer–autumn when mortalities were observed in the culture system. This finding suggests that these stressed oysters may have insufficient energy to invest in their immune system. It appears that oyster mortality in the culture system resulted from a combination of animal overcrowding, high temperature and low salinity.     

Nutrient deficiency and hypoxia as constraints to Panicum coloratum growth in alkaline soils

Alkaline and saline–alkaline soils impose severe restrictions on plant growth. Panicum coloratum var. coloratum is a perennial C4 forage grass widely used in tropical and subtropical environments. Published information on its responses to alkaline soil conditions is scarce. The objectives of this study were (i) to characterize the effects of alkaline substrates on germination and initial growth in this species, (ii) to assess the influence of high pH in combination with reduced availability of either nutrients or oxygen and salinity, on plant growth and (iii) to evaluate some physiological traits potentially responsible for growth restrictions under alkaline soil conditions. Trials were conducted in a greenhouse. Germination and early plant survival were not affected by alkalinity. To isolate the effects of high pH, reduced nutrient and oxygen availability on growth, plants were grown either in neutral or alkaline soil, in hydroponics, in neutralized alkaline soil (with or without supplementary fertilization), or were flooded to induce hypoxia. Alkalinity effects on growth in hydroponics were milder than in soil. Growth in alkaline soil with nutrient supplement was still significantly lower (by 40%) than in neutral soil. Both alkalinity and hypoxia reduced growth non‐synergistically. These results show that studies of plant response to alkaline substrates carried out in aerated nutrient solutions can only partially address the complexity of this stress. Photosynthesis and PSII activity were among the physiological mechanisms negatively affected by alkalinity and may be partially responsible for the growth limitations observed in P. coloratum under alkaline conditions.     

Cardiopulmonary effects of buprenorphine in horses

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of buprenorphine on cardiopulmonary variables and on abdominal auscultation scores in horses. ANIMALS: 6 healthy adult horses. PROCEDURES: Horses were restrained in stocks and allocated to 2 treatments in a randomized crossover design, with 1-week intervals between each treatment. Saline (0.9% NaCl) solution was administered IV as a control, whereas buprenorphine (10 mug/kg, IV) was administered to the experimental group. Cardiopulmonary data were collected for 120 minutes after buprenorphine or saline solution administration. Abdominal auscultation scores were monitored for 2 and 12 hours after drug administration in the control and experimental groups, respectively. RESULTS: Following control treatment, horses remained calm while restrained in the stocks and no significant changes in cardiopulmonary variables were observed throughout the study. Buprenorphine administration caused excitatory phenomena (restlessness and head shaking). Heart rate, cardiac index, and arterial blood pressure were significantly increased after buprenorphine administration until the end of the observational period (120 minutes). Minimal changes were found in arterial blood gas tensions. Abdominal auscultation scores decreased significantly from baseline for 4 hours after buprenorphine administration. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Buprenorphine induced excitement and hemodynamic stimulation with minimal changes in arterial blood gas tensions. These effects may impact the clinical use of buprenorphine in horses. Further studies are indicated to investigate the effects of buprenorphine on gastrointestinal motility and fecal output.     

Azospirillum brasilense Az39 and Bradyrhizobium japonicum E109, inoculated singly or in combination,promote seed germination and early seedling growth in corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L.)

Inoculants are biological formulations that combine a stable microorganism population and various types of compounds produced and released during fermentation, such as phytohormones and plant growth regulators. Azospirillum brasilense strain Az39 and Brayrhizobium japonicum strain E109 were previously shown to produce indole 3-acetic acid (IAA), gibberellic acid (GA₃) and zeatin (Z). We tested the hypothesis that such compounds are responsible for early growth promotion in inoculated corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max L.) seedlings. Seeds were inoculated with Az39, E109, or both, and kept in a chamber at 20–30 °C under a controlled photoperiod to evaluate seed germination. To evaluate root and shoot length and dry weight, and number of nodules and percentage of nodulated seedlings, in soybean, seedlings were kept in a growth chamber for 14 days under similar photoperiod and temperature conditions. Az39 and E109, singly or in combination, showed the capacity to promote seed germination, nodule formation, and early development of corn and soybean seedlings. Both strains were able to excrete IAA, GA₃ and Z into the culture medium, at a concentration sufficient to produce morphological and physiological changes in young seed tissues.     

西瓜主要数量性状的相关性和主成分分析

西瓜是世界重要的经济作物,因此,明确西瓜主要性状之间的关系具有重要意义。以25份西瓜品种为试材,进行相关性分析和主成分分析,以期得出西瓜品质性状与产量之间的关系,为育种选择方向提供参考。结果表明:第一雌花节位与近皮可溶性固形物含量呈显著负相关;单果质量与果实长度、果实宽度、果皮厚度和小区产量呈极显著正相关;果实长度与果实宽度、果形指数、果皮厚度、小区产量呈极显著正相关;果实宽度与果皮厚度、小区产量成极显著正相关;果形指数与果皮厚度呈极显著正相关;果皮厚度与小区产量呈极显著正相关;中心可溶性固形物含量与近皮可溶性固形物含量呈极显著正相关。主成分分析结果表明,前3个主成分特征值累积贡献率达87.842 0%,应从单果质量、可溶性固形物含量、果形指数对西瓜品质、产量育种进行正向选择。     

The Effects of Biomass Density on Size Variability and Growth Performance of Juvenile Largemouth Bass,Micropterus salmoides,in a Semi‐closed Recirculating System

This study evaluated the effects of biomass density on size variability and growth performance of feed‐trained largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides, fingerlings in a semi‐closed recirculating system for 60 d. Average individual body weight and length of fingerlings were 9.04 g and 9.07 cm, respectively. Experimental biomass densities were set at 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 kg/m³. Water temperature was adjusted to approximately 25 C and dissolved oxygen concentration was maintained above saturation. Fish were fed a formulated diet (42% protein) distributed by automatic feeders for 12 h daily. During the experiment, fingerlings actively fed and presented high survival rates (96.8–95.0%) at all densities. Growth performance of fingerlings was not affected by the biomass densities tested in this study (P < 0.05). The ranges of size distributions were similar among treatments, but more fingerlings were near the average size at lower biomass densities. Based on the results of this study, largemouth bass fingerlings were tolerant of high biomass density and a gross yield of 100–125 kg/m³ may be viable for largemouth bass reared in a semi‐closed recirculating system up to 30 g in weight.