The effects of pre-anesthetic administration of xylazine on the cardiovascular responses to dobutamine in halothane anaesthetized horses

Studies evaluating the effects of dobutamine in horses do not consistently report increases in cardiac output despite increases in arterial blood pressure. The concurrent administration of the α₂ agonist clonidine, in people, inhibited the chronotropic effects of dobutamine and increased left ventricular stroke work ( Zimpfer et al. 1982 ). Our study was performed to determine if pre‐medication with an α₂ agonist affects the response to dobutamine in anaesthetized horses. Eleven horses were anaesthetized on four separate occasions for one of four randomly assigned treatments; (I) no xylazine, no dobutamine (II) xylazine, no dobutamine (III) no xylazine, dobutamine, and (IV) xylazine, dobutamine. Horses received 0.02 mg kg^?1 of butorphanol IV 10 minutes prior to anesthetic induction. Two minutes prior to induction, groups II and IV received 0.5 mg kg^?1 of IV xylazine. Anaesthesia was induced with 6–7 mg kg^?1 of thiopental and maintained with halothane. End‐tidal halothane concentrations were maintained between 1.1 and 1.2% in groups I and III, and 0.9–1.0% for groups II and IV. Heart rate, cardiac output, right atrial pressure, and systolic (SAP), diastolic (DAP) and mean (MAP) arterial pressure were recorded 30 minutes after beginning halothane anaesthesia (T10). Cardiac output was estimated using Lithium dilution ( Linton et al. 2000 ). Baseline measurements were repeated twice, at 5‐minute intervals (T5 and T0). At time 0 (T0), an IV infusion of either saline (100 mL hour^?1) or dobutamine (0.001 mg kg^?1 minute^?1) was started and data recorded at 5‐minute intervals for 30 minutes (T5 – T30). Stroke volume and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) were calculated. Data were analysed using repeated measures anova (p < 0.01 significant) and Newman–Keuls for multiple comparisons. Cardiac output and stroke volume increased over time in groups III and IV. Cardiac index was higher in groups III and IV than in groups I and II from T10 until completion of the study. Estimates of cardiac index at T30 for groups I–IV were 45 ± 9, 46 ± 11, 71 ± 11, and 78 ± 19 mL kg^?1 minute^?1, respectively (mean ± SD). Stroke index was higher in groups III and IV than in groups I and II from T15 to T30. Values for stroke index at T30 for groups I–IV were 0.98 ± 0.19, 1.11 ± 0.18, 1.46 ± 0.21, 1.74 ± 0.33 mL kg^?1. Heart rate decreased from T10–T30 in groups I and II. Heart rate was greater in groups I and III than in groups II and IV at T5 and T0. Values for heart rate at T0 for groups I–IV were 48 ± 5, 42 ± 5, 50 ± 4, 43 ± 4 beats minute^?1. Systolic arterial pressure, DAP and MAP were higher in groups III and IV than in groups I and II from T5 to T30. There were no differences in SVR between groups. Dobutamine at 0.001 mg kg^?1 minute^?1 increased cardiac output, blood pressure, and stroke volume. Premedication with xylazine at 0.5 mg kg^?1 did not appear to affect the response to dobutamine.     

肉鹅日粮中添加吡啶羧酸铬的观察

选90只体重相近的14日龄马岗鹅，随机分为3组，在日粮中分别添加0.0,0.2和0．4mg／kg吡啶羧酸铬(以铬计)。结果：添加吡啶羧酸铬可以显著地降低肉鹅的腹脂率，降低皮脂率．降低血清中的CHOL，使HDL—C略有提高。在环境应激(高温闷热)条件下，补铬能显著提高肉鹅的体重，但胸腿肌率、屠宰率与对照组差异不显著。     

Intra-specific DNA polymorphism in pineapple (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ananas comosus</Emphasis> (L.) Merr.) assessed by AFLP markers

Pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.) cultivars, often derived from somatic mutations, are propagated vegetatively. It has been suggested by isozyme data that there is little genetic variation among Smooth Cayenne cultivars. A thorough investigation of the genetic variation within the cultivated speciesAnanas comosus, particularly among commercial cultivars, will provide critical information needed for crop improvement and cultivar protection. One-hundred and forty-eight accessions ofA. comosus and 14 accessions of related species were evaluated with AFLP markers. The average genetic similarity ofA. comosus was 0.735 ranging from 0.549 to 0.972, suggesting a high degree of genetic variation within this species. With AFLP markers, discrete DNA fingerprints were detected for each commercial cultivar, breeding line, and intra-specific hybrid. Self-incompatibility, high levels of somatic mutation, and intraspecific hybridization may account for this high degree of variation. However, major cultivar groups of pineapple, such as Cayenne, Spanish, and Queen, could not be distinctively separated. These cultivar groups are based on morphological similarity, and the similar appearance can be caused by a few mutations that occurred on different genetic background. Our results suggest that there is abundant genetic variation within existing pineapple germplasm for selection, and discrete DNA fingerprinting patterns for commercial cultivars can be detected for cultivar protection. The genetic diversity and relationships of fourAnanas species are also discussed.     

Localizing general models based on local indices of spatial association

A general regression model for large areas may have poor statistical properties for smaller sub-regions. In this study, we test the local indicators of spatial association (LISA) in the selection of localization areas of a general regression model. We present four different LISAs: Moran’s I _i , Geary’s c _i , G _i , and G _i *. These indices show if there is a cluster of similar values in the data (Moran’s I _i and Geary’s c _i ) or if there is a cluster of positive or negative values (G _i and G _i *). The material is NFI9 (9th National Forest Inventory) sample tree (Pinus sylvestris) data from Southern Finland. LISAs were calculated from the residuals of a form height regression model, which was fitted to the original data. We detected statistically significant clustering of similar values with both global indices Moran’s I and Geary’s c. This means that local indices may show statistically significant clustering of similar values only because the surrounding of an observation happens to have high values. Therefore we use G _i *-index in selection of sub-areas. We tested the localization in three sub-areas: (1) one where the G _i *-index was positive, (2) one where the index was negative, and (3) one where the index was both positive and negative and zero. In particular, localization removed the local bias of the global model. The effect of localization on variances was minor. The effect of localization on residuals in Areas 1 and 2 correspond to a level correction of the global model. The G _i *-index (and G _i -index) seem to be useful for selecting localization areas, even though there is still need for future studies.     

影响鸡坏死性肠炎病例复制的关键因素

坏死性肠炎(necrotic enteritis,NE)是家禽中最重要的肠道疫病之一,呈世界性流行,严重危害养鸡业发展。人工复制鸡坏死性肠炎病例是研究该病发病机制及筛选有效药物的重要手段,然而在实际试验过程中,通常受实验动物、感染菌株、诱导病原等多方面因素影响而难以成功复制病例。鉴于此,现综述了影响鸡坏死性肠炎病例成功复制的关键因素,包括攻毒使用的实验动物、菌株毒素、菌株培养条件、诱导病因等,同时探讨了如何通过调整这些因素来改善人工复制鸡坏死性肠炎病例的严重程度,分析了鸡坏死性肠炎病例的病变评分系统,以期为鸡坏死性肠炎的实验室研究及综合防控提供理论基础。     

Scattered CaSO4-crystallites on needle surfaces after simulated acid rain as an indicator of nutrient leaching

Two acid rain experiments were conducted, one at Oulu using transplanted seedlings of Picea abies and Pinus sylvestris, and the other with adult pines at Kevo where test plots were designated in a natural mixed stand of Pinus sylvestris and Betula tortuosa. The acid solution was made by adding H₂SO₄ and HNO3 (vol:vol 2:1, pH adjusted to 3 and 4) to clean water.The Oulu experiment was carried out from 1986 to 1989, and Kevo from 1985 to 1989. No visible injuries related directly to the acid rain treatment could be observed after 3 yr of the experiments, but microscopic examination revealed significant changes in the structure and morphology of the needles. The conifer seedlings treated at pH 3 had significant amounts of scattered CaSO₄ crystallites and characteristic piles and bows on the needle surfaces, as detected with EDS. The number of CaSO₄ crystallites was higher on the surfaces of the spruce needles than those of the pine needles. The current needles had more crystallites than the previous year's needles.     

Microbial communities, biomass, and activities in soils as affected by freeze thaw cycles

Two Finnish agricultural soils (peat soil and loamy sand) were exposed to four freeze-thaw cycles (FTC), with a temperature change from −17.3±0.4 °C to +4.1±0.4 °C. Control cores from both soils were kept at constant temperature (+6.6±2.0 °C) without FTCs. Soil N₂O and CO₂ emissions were monitored during soil thawing, and the effects of FTCs on soil microbes were studied. N₂O emissions were extremely low in peat soil, possibly due to low soil water content. Loamy sand had high N₂O emission, with the highest emission after the second FTC. Soil freeze-thaw increased anaerobic respiration in both soil types during the first 3-4 FTCs, and this increase was higher in the peat soil. The microbial community structure and biomass analysed with lipid biomarkers (phospholipid fatty acids, 3- and 2- hydroxy fatty acids) were not affected by freezing-thawing cycles, nor was soil microbial biomass carbon (MIB-C). Molecular analysis of the microbial community structure with temperature gradient gel electrophoresis (TGGE) also showed no changes due the FTCs. These results show that freezing and thawing of boreal soils does not have a strong effect on microbial biomass or community structure.     

An Electronic Nose and Indicator Volatiles for Monitoring of the Composting Process

The aim of this research was to study whether electronic nose sensor technology (NST 3320, Applied Sensor, Sweden) can be used effectively for monitoring of the composting process. The effect of aeration on the composting process was examined using two aeration levels representing insufficient and optimal aeration for composting. An additional aim was to identify possible indicator gases in the volatile organic compound profiles of the composts by on-line FT-IR and gas chromatographic determinations. The results indicated that the electronic nose was able to distinguish between the two composter bins after 13 days of composting. Of the volatile metabolites that were identified, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) proved to be a suitable indicator compound of anaerobicity as it was only produced in considerable quantities in the insufficiently aerated composter bin.     

动物基因转移技术

Grodon首先于1980年报道,转移克隆化的外源DNA到小鼠体中,而使小鼠的所有细胞都含有外源基因。随后又有很多类似报道,被整合的外源基因,即转基因被稳定地整合到转基因动物的基因组中,并按孟德尔方式遗传。然而,转基因动物内在的潜力却首先是由Palmiter等(1982)证明的。他们发现,当转移到小鼠体内的生长激素基因表达时,明显增加了生长速度。近十年来,转基因小鼠通常都用做研究工具,很多实验室试图应用这一技术来改变家畜的基因型。到本世纪末或下世纪