Acid–Base Changes in Canine Neonates Following Normal Birth or Dystocia

There are limited data concerning blood gas parameters in neonatal dogs. Knowledge of the normal physiology may facilitate effective therapeutic intervention and potentially reduce neonatal mortality. This study examined acid–base parameters in pups born at normal parturition (n = 27) compared with those born after obstetrical assistance or caesarean operation (n = 13) and those born following oxytocin (OXY) administration for treatment of uterine inertia (n = 11). Pups were subjected to an objective scoring method of neonatal health adapted from use in humans (the Apgar score) at birth and again at 5 and 60 min after birth. Venous blood samples were collected at 5 and 60 min after birth for evaluation of blood gas parameters. At birth, all pups had low Apgar scores and a mixed acidosis. The base excess was lowest for pups delivered after OXY administration. The Apgar score improved for all pups after 5 min of birth and there was an improvement in carbon dioxide tension, base excess and venous blood pH at 1 h, although in all pups a metabolic acidosis persisted. These data provide an important insight into neonatal physiology and the variability of blood gas parameters in pups born at normal and abnormal parturition and provide the basis for clinical decision making following dystocia.     

原生质体融合技术改良植病生防木霉菌株

以产孢量大，对苯菌灵有抗性，对潮霉素B敏感的哈茨木霉菌株T9和产孢量少，对潮霉素B有抗性，对苯菌灵敏感的康宁木霉菌株Tk7a为亲本，进行原生质体融合，筛选获得抗最高浓度杀菌剂的融合子。所有融合子的产孢量均比亲本菌株Tk7a大。融合子按照菌落形态的不同分成4组，大部分融合子的几丁质酶、葡聚糖酶和内切葡聚糖酶的活性比亲本菌株高。融合子对棉花猝倒病菌和小麦全蚀病菌的寄生能力基本等同于亲本菌株；融合子对小麦全蚀病的防效比亲本菌株稍好，其刺激麦苗根部生长的能力与亲本菌株相差不大。两个融合子根际竞争能力比亲本菌株T9强，和亲本菌株Tk7a相当。     

Magnetic Field and Plasma Observations at Mars: Initial Results of the Mars Global Surveyor Mission

The magnetometer and electron reflectometer investigation (MAG/ER) on the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft has obtained magnetic field and plasma observations throughout the near-Mars environment, from beyond the influence of Mars to just above the surface (at an altitude of approximately 100 kilometers). The solar wind interaction with Mars is in many ways similar to that at Venus and at an active comet, that is, primarily an ionospheric-atmospheric interaction. No significant planetary magnetic field of global scale has been detected to date (<2 x 10(21) Gauss-cubic centimeter), but here the discovery of multiple magnetic anomalies of small spatial scale in the crust of Mars is reported.     

栽培因素对北方粳稻产量及米质的影响——第10报不同叶龄秧苗对产量及米质的影响

通过不同秧龄秧苗对水稻生育和米质的影响试验,结果表明:插秧秧龄越大株高增高,叶龄和有效穗数增加,但千粒重有降低的趋势。3.5和4.5叶龄插秧时每穗粒数最多、产量最高。插秧秧龄大,加工品质差,外观品质变坏,但食味品质提高。     

Giardia infection in budgerigars

Budgerigars ( Melopsittacus undulatus ) from two different breeding colonies were found to have Giardia infection. Light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and in-vitro and in-vivo studies confirmed the species was G psittaci . Chicks were clinically affected and showed signs of retarded growth, dehydration and diarrhoea. The faeces of adult birds treated with metronidazole in drinking water were negative for Giardia 5 days after treatment. Megabacteria were also found in adult birds but were not treated. This study extends the known host range for Giardia in Australia to include budgerigars.     

Genetic engineering of plant volatile terpenoids: effects on a herbivore,a predator and a parasitoid

BACKGROUND: Most insect‐resistant transgenic crops employ toxins to control pests. A novel approach is to enhance the effectiveness of natural enemies by genetic engineering of the biosynthesis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Before the commercialisation of such transgenic plants can be pursued, detailed fundamental studies of their effects on herbivores and their natural enemies are necessary. The linalool/nerolidol synthase gene FaNES1 was constitutively expressed from strawberry in three Arabidopsis thaliana accessions, and the behaviour of the aphid Brevicoryne brassicae L., the parasitoid Diaeretiella rapae McIntosh and the predator Episyrphus balteatus de Geer was studied. RESULTS: Transgenic FaNES1‐expressing plants emitted (E)‐nerolidol and larger amounts of (E)‐DMNT and linalool. Brevicoryne brassicae was repelled by the transgenic lines of two of the accessions, whereas its performance was not affected. Diaeretiella rapae preferred aphid‐infested transgenic plants over aphid‐infested wild‐type plants for two of the accessions. In contrast, female E. balteatus predators did not differentiate between aphid‐infested transgenic or wild‐type plants. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the genetic engineering of plants to modify their emission of VOCs holds considerable promise for facilitating biological control of herbivores. Validation for crop plants is a necessary next step to assess the usefulness of modified volatile emission in integrated pest management. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Clinical findings in 78 suspected cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in Great Britain

The clinical findings in 59 cows with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) were compared with those in 19 cattle that were submitted as BSE suspects but not confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Both groups were also compared with a control group of 20 healthy cows. Abnormalities in behaviour, temperament, mental status and activity, neurogenic disorders of gait and hyperreactivity to touch were frequently observed in the cattle with BSE. Not every animal with BSE displayed clinical signs in all these categories, and the severity of the signs was not always useful for differentiating them from the BSE suspects that were not confirmed by pathology. The neurological examination was better than passive observations for the clinical diagnosis of BSE. Tests of the animals' responses to sudden auditory, visual and tactile stimuli were very useful for distinguishing cases of BSE from unconfirmed BSE suspects if the cases did not display signs in all the categories.     

Seasonal changes in the coat of the cat.

The coats of four cats were studied for 20 months through one winter and one summer in Australia. It was found that the outer coat and undercoat length varied from 25 mm and 12 mm in summer to 30 mm and 15 mm in winter. Follicle activity was at a maximum about February (late summer) and at a minimum in August (late winter). The peak of winter inactivity was narrow, and fell short of 100 per cent. During summer never more than 70 per cent of the outer coat hairs, and 50 per cent of the undercoat were active, indicating that despite a basic seasonal cycle, hair replacement is relatively gradual.