TWO-DIMENSIONAL ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC ANATOMY OF THE SNAKE HEART (PYTHON MOLURUS BIVITTATUS)

Two-dimensional echocardiography was performed on Burmese pythons (Python molurus bivittatus) to determine an optimal echocardiographic imaging technique for snakes and to describe the echocardiographic anatomy of the snake heart. Five snakes immobilized with tiletamine/zolazepam and maintained on isoflurane in oxygen were imaged in dorsal recumbency. The portion of the snake's body containing the heart was submerged in warm water to reduce the artifact created by air trapped between and under the scales. Imaging in sagittal planes demonstrated the caudal vena cava, sinus venous valve, right atrium, various portions of the ventricle, horizontal septum, the left aortic arch, and pulmonary artery. Transverse imaging depicted the spatial relationship of the left and right aortic arches and pulmonary artery and the horizontal septum. Basic knowledge of cardiac blood flow in the reptile was necessary to understand the echocardiographic anatomy.     

Experiences With Morphine Injected Into the Subarachnoid Space in Sheep

The effects of morphine (M), 0.1 mg/kg, administered into the lumbosacral subarachnoid space of sheep used for experimental stifle surgery, were investigated. In a pilot study, preservative-free morphine was administered to three sheep, morphine containing preservatives to two sheep, and saline (S) to one sheep. After recovery from anesthesia, all five sheep administered M displayed rear limb weakness. One sheep, which had received morphine containing preservatives, also licked and chewed incessantly at its flank and hindquarters during recovery. A group of 24 sheep was used to study the effects of morphine containing preservatives, injected intrathecally, on recovery from general anesthesia and hindlimb orthopedic surgery. Eight sheep received M, eight sheep received S, and eight sheep had a needle placed in the subarachnoid space without any injection (N). Times from end of anesthesia to standing varied greatly and did not differ significantly among groups (P=.73), with M sheep averaging 119 minutes; S sheep, 87 minutes; and N sheep, 83 minutes. One sheep administered M licked and chewed at its hindquarters during recovery. Another group of 24 sheep was used to study the effects of morphine containing preservatives, injected intrathecally, on postoperative lameness. Treatments were as described previously. Sheep were videotaped intermittently for 36 hours after surgery, and each sheep was scored as follows; 0 = not lame; 1 = slightly lame; and 2 = very lame. The average lameness scores, which did not differ significantly among groups (P=.21), were: M sheep, 1.07; S sheep, 0.81; and N sheep, 0.68. One sheep administered M displayed extensor spasms of the hindlimbs, and could not stand until several hours after surgery. We conclude that subarachnoid morphine at the dosage used produces no apparent benefit in sheep which have had stifle surgery, and in fact may cause detrimental side effects, such as hindlimb weakness, and pruritis or irritation of the hindquarters.     

Effect of heat stress on the behavioral and physiological patterns of Small-tail Han sheep housed indoors

Tropical Animal Health and Production - This study was conducted to investigate the effects of heat stress on the behavioral and physiological patterns in Small-tail Han sheep housed indoors in...     

Acid-base status and electrolyte alterations associated with diarrhea in non-suckling horses

A retrospective search of medical records of 56 adult horses with diarrhea of variable duration disclosed a variety of blood gas and electrolyte abnormalities at the time of admission. The acid-base and electrolyte disturbances were analyzed and classified according to the duration of diarrhea. In horses with acute diarrhea (duration <6 days) the most common disorder was combined anion gap metabolic acidosis and metabolic alkalosis (72%)characterized by significant hyponatremia, hypochloridemia, and hyperkalemia. The most severe acidemia was found in horses with diarrheas of intermediate duration (1–2 weeks). In this group hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis was commonly found (43%). In horses with diarrhea of long duration (>4 weeks) blood gas and electrolyte values were usually within normal limits. Although the above findings suggest differing therapeutic approaches might be based on the duration of the diarrhea, many cases differed markedly from the mean with respect to their underlying disturbances and, therefore, optimal fluid therapy should be based on the patient's blood gas and electrolyte status.     

Pathogenesis of three lesions causing lameness of the foreleg in horses

The pathogenesis of three forms of lameness of the foreleg has been presented: fracture of splint bones, strain of the check ligament of the deep flexor tendon, and avulsion fracture of the Mc3 origin of the suspensory ligament. All three lesions have been related to improper positioning of the carpus relative to fetlock rotation at and immediately afterimpact of the foot with the ground.     

Nitrogenous constituents in plasma of foals weaned at three, four or six months of age

A study was conducted to measure the nitrogenous constituents in the blood of foals weaned at 3, 4 or 6 months of age (four foals per weaning age).Jugular blood was sampled from one week prior to weaning until one month post-weaning, and was analyzed for total protein, albumin, creatinine, urea Nitrogen and free amino acid content. Results indicated that the concentrations of most of the constituents in the blood of foals were not altered by the age of weaning, however, free amino acids decreased as age at weaning increased and creatinine was significantly higher in foals weaned at 6 months of age. Plasma creatinine, lysine and methionine levels generally decreased between pre-weaning and one month post-weaning. These data establish baseline values for blood nitrogenous constituents in foals at weaning.     

无土栽培技术的发展状况及趋势

近年来无土栽培以其优质、高产、高品质的特点,深受人们的关注.介绍了国内外无土栽培的发展状况,着重介绍了国内外无土栽培的栽培方式、自动化程度、营养液的调控和管理技术,并分析了国内无土栽培存在的问题及今后的发展方向.     

高校计算机基础教学改革的探索

计算机技术是现代信息科学技术的基础,计算机技术的发展,对高校计算机基础教育也提出了新的挑战和要求。本文就计算机基础教学的现状进行了分析和探讨,并对如何提高计算机基础的教学质量进行了深入的思考。     

基于Meta分析评价秸秆覆盖对我国北方半干旱区不同生态区域小麦产量的影响

为了明确秸秆覆盖对我国北方半干旱区不同降雨量和积温条件下小麦产量的影响,利用Meta定量分析方法分析秸秆覆盖和不同秸秆覆盖量对我国北方半干旱区不同降雨量和积温条件下小麦产量的影响。以“半干旱区”、“秸秆覆盖”和“小麦产量”为关键词搜集、筛选并整理1970-2019年公开发表的相关文献,建立综合文献数据库。分析秸秆覆盖、不同秸秆覆盖量、不同年均降雨量和不同年均积温与小麦产量的关系。结果表明,秸秆覆盖可以增加北方半干旱区不同降雨量和积温区域的小麦产量,主要通过增加有效穗数使小麦平均增产12.77%;当秸秆覆盖量为6 000~9 000kg/hm ²时,小麦增产率最高,为14.49%（9.01%~20.52%,CI>95%）;当年均降雨量为200~400mm时,小麦增产率最高,为19.36%（9.86%~28.49%,CI>95%）;当年均积温为0℃~3 000℃时,小麦增产率最高,为19.56%（16.36%~22.39%,CI>95%）。此研究结果可为我国北方半干旱区不同降雨量和积温区域采用秸秆覆盖技术栽培小麦提供理论依据。     

分光光度计法测定腌肉中亚硝酸盐含量的测量不确定度分析

通过腌肉中亚硝酸盐含量的重复性测试结果,计算试验标准差,分析并计算了测试过程中系统效应产生的不确定度分量的值,达到了对腌肉中亚硝酸盐含量的测量不确定度的合理评定,并对合成标准不确定度进行了适度扩展,得出了腌肉中亚硝酸盐含量的安全扩展不确定度。