香龙血树真菌病害的鉴定

1997-2000年在广州地区的香龙血树[Dracaena fragrans(L.)Ker-Gaw.]种植单位共调查到9种真菌病害，即：可可球二孢茎枯病，顶多毛孢叶斑病，弯孢霉灰斑病，弯孢霉褐斑病，炭疽病，拟盘多毛孢叶斑病，拟茎点霉灰斑病，拟茎点霉叶斑病和球壳孢叶枯病，其病原菌分别被鉴定为：可可球二孢（Botryodiplodia theobromaePat.)、龙血树顶多毛孢（Bartalinia dracaenaeaP.G.Xi,Z.D.JiangetP.K.Chi)，弯孢霉[Gurvularia lunata(Walker)Boedijn]、塞河弯孢霉[Curvularia senegalensis(Speg.)Subram]、围小丛壳[Glomerella cingulata(Stonem)Spauld,etSchrenk]，棒孢拟盘多毛孢[Pestalotiopsis clavispora(Atk)Stey]、龙血树拟茎点霉（phomopsis dracaenae Sahni)，龙血树生拟茎点霉（Phomop-sis dracaenicola Z.D.Jiang,P.G.XietP.K.Chi)，龙血树球壳孢（Sphaeropsis dracaenaeP.G.XietP.K.Chi)，对生产影较大的是由可可球二孢引起的茎枯病和由围小丛壳引起的叶部炭疽病。     

Evaluation of success rate of laparoscopic castration without orchidectomy in 32 mature horses

The surgical success of laparoscopic castration without orchidectomy results from avascular necrosis of the testes. However, failures and subsequent production of testosterone and stallion‐like behaviour have been previously identified. Laparoscopic castration without removal of the testes was performed in 32 horses with 2 normal descended scrotal testes between July 2006 and October 2012. The objectives of our study were to evaluate the success rate of laparoscopic castration without orchidectomy on descended testes in our population and assess complications and recovery time. Endocrine tests were performed after surgery and owners also asked to report on their horse's behaviour and ability to resume exercise. Castration was deemed successful if endocrine test results were in accordance with gelding values. Failed horses were castrated using a conventional technique and histology performed when possible. Basal testosterone levels decreased below 3 nmol/l after surgery in 30/32 cases. However, in 2 horses, stallion behaviour persisted and histological evaluation after inguinal castration showed residual viable tissue. Two horses maintained high testosterone levels after surgery associated with stallion‐like behaviour. Based on these results, 12.5% of horses (4/32 horses) failed to be considered a gelding based on either endocrine tests and/or histology. All horses, with one exception, were able to resume exercise less than a week after the procedure. Laparoscopic castration without orchidectomy appears to be a safe procedure. When assessing the success of laparoscopic castration, our total failure rate was 12.5% (4/32 horses) which is significantly higher than previously reported.     

Primary orthostatic tremor in Great Danes

Two Great Danes were presented for an investigation of 6-month histories of incessant tremor of all 4 limbs and trunk occurring only when the dogs were standing at rest. Dog 1 was a 2-year-old intact female harlequin Great Dane living in the UK, and dog 2 was a 2-year-old castrated male fawn Great Dane living in the United States. The owners described both dogs as having constant quivering of the limbs while standing, suggestive of an involuntary dance, since the age of 18 months. The intensity of the tremors was reported in both dogs to have steadily increased since onset. In dog 1, tremors were noticed to be more pronounced in the fore limbs when she was eating and more pronounced in the hind limbs when she was trying to sit. The owner of dog 1 also reported that the dog could no longer assume a position of recumbency without manual assistance because of the severity of the tremors. Intermittently, tremors were reported to involve the facial musculature of dog 2. Vaccinations were current, and the owners of both dogs did not report any previous medical history, exposure to natural or manufactured toxins, or concurrent treatment. No familial relationship was identified between these 2 dogs.     

Melatonin reduces apoptotic cells,SOD2 and HSPB1 and improves the in vitro production and quality of bovine blastocysts

Effects of adding different concentrations of melatonin (10^?7, 10^?9 and 10^?11 M) to maturation (Experiment 1; Control, IVM  + 10^?7, IVM  + 10^?9, IVM  + 10^?11) and culture media (Experiment 2; Control, IVC  + 10^?7, IVC  + 10^?9, IVC  + 10^?11) were evaluated on in vitro bovine embryonic development. The optimal concentration of melatonin (10^?9 M) from Experiments 1–2 was tested in both maturation and/or culture media of Experiment 3 (Control, IVM  + 10^?9, IVC  + 10^?9, IVM /IVC  + 10^?9). In Experiment 1, maturated oocytes from Control and IVM  + 10^?9 treatments showed increased glutathione content, mitochondrial membrane potential and percentage of Grade I blastocysts (40.6% and 43%, respectively). In Experiment 2, an increase in the percentage of Grade I blastocysts was detected in IVC  + 10^?7 (43.5%; 56.7%) and IVC  + 10^?9 (47.4%; 57.4%). Moreover, a lower number and percentage of apoptotic cells in blastocysts were observed in the IVC  + 10^?9 group compared to Control (3.8 ± 0.6; 3.6% versus 6.1 ± 0.6; 5.3%). In Experiment 3, the IVC  + 10^?9 treatment increased percentage of Grade I blastocysts with a lower number of apoptotic cells compared to IVM /IVC  + 10^?9 group (52.6%; 3.0 ± 0.5 versus 46.0%; 5.4 ± 1.0). The IVC  + 10^?9 treatment also had a higher mRNA expression of antioxidant gene (SOD 2) compared to the Control, as well as the heat shock protein (HSPB 1) compared to the IVM  + 10^?9. Reactive oxygen species production was greater in the IVM /IVC  + 10^?9 treatment group. In conclusion, the 10^?9 M concentration of melatonin and the in vitro production phase in which it is used directly affected embryonic development and quality.     

Feasibility of using rare earth elements (REEs) to mark and identify escaped farmed Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L.

A series of rare earth elements (REEs) were evaluated as potential markers in scales of Atlantic salmon 1⁺ and 0⁺ smolt by addition of these elements to the feed. Chlorides of 5 REEs were tested, alone or in combination: lanthanum (La), cerium (Ce), praseodymium (Pr), neodymium (Nd) and dysprosium (Dy). The labelled‐diets contained 125 or 250 mg REE kg^?1 feed and were administered for up to 10 weeks. Fish scales were collected and analysed by inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS) before start, 5 and 10 weeks after labelling started and finally 2 or 4 months after marking. The results demonstrated that the five tested elements were clearly incorporated into the scales of the fish fed the supplemented diets. Uptake and concentrations increased gradually during the feeding period, and no principal differences were found between the two smolt types. Combining 2 REEs in the same feed did not affect the incorporation of either of them. After a ‘dilution’‐period of 2–4 months the concentrations of all markers (except La) in the scales of the treated‐fish were still significantly higher than those of the untreated‐fish. The background concentrations of the tested markers and some other elements were also measured and found to give interesting information.     

Ketoprofen reduces the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) in dogs anaesthetized with isoflurane and fentanyl

Non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs may potentiate the opioid induced reduction in volatile anaesthetic requirements ( Gomez de Segura et al. 1998 ). This study determined the reduction in the MAC of isoflurane (ISO) produced by ketoprofen (KETO) in dogs anaesthetized with fentanyl (FENT) and ISO. Six healthy female crossbred dogs, weighing 13.5 ± 1.3 (mean ± SD) kg and aged 3.0 ± 0.9 years were studied. Approval of the study was obtained from the institutional ethics committee. Anaesthesia was induced in all dogs via a facemask with 5% ISO in 5 L minute^?1 oxygen. The dogs' trachea were intubated and lungs were ventilated to maintain normocapnia (Pe ′CO₂ 4.7–6 kPa, 35–45 mm Hg). A heating pad was used to maintain body temperature. The animals were anaesthetized four times at one week intervals with the following anaesthetic and analgesic protocols randomly administered. Study 1, MAC (ISO); Isoflurane MAC. Study 2, MAC (ISO + FENT); dogs anaesthetized with ISO received a loading dose of 30 µg kg^?1 FENT IV over 20 minutes followed by a maintenance infusion of 0.2 µg kg^?1 minute^?1 FENT. Study 3, MAC (ISO + FENT + KETO1); as study 2 plus 1 mg kg^?1 KETO. Study 4, MAC (ISO + FENT + KETO2); as study 2 plus 2 mg kg^?1 KETO. The MAC was determined in duplicate by applying a standard electrical stimulus (50 V, 50 H₂ over 60 seconds via two needles placed SC over the tarsus). The stimulus was applied 15 minutes after every step change in anesthetic concentration. The Wilcoxon test was applied to data to determine significant differences among MAC measurements. Fentanyl significantly decreased MAC (ISO) from 1.27% ± 0.02% to 0.73% ± 0.08%, a reduction of 42% (p < 0.05). Ketoprofen 1 mg kg^?1 further decreased the MAC value (although not statistically significantly) with a reduction of 47% from MAC (ISO) (0.67% ± 0.13%) and 8% from MAC (ISO + FENT). When KETO 2 mg kg^?1 was given, the reduction in MAC was 50% compared to MAC (ISO) (0.63% ± 0.08%; p < 0.05) and 14% compared to MAC (ISO + FENT) p < 0.05. Administration of KETO further reduces MAC (ISO) compared to levels observed with FENT alone. The observed reduction may have clinical advantages.     

Phytopathogenic fungi new for southern Anatolia,Turkey

Twenty-nine new records are reported from Turkey. The fungi species, including their macro-and microscopic features and distributions, are described. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting July 14, 2004.