The coefficient of dominance is not (always) estimable with biallelic markers

The genetic relationship among individuals at one locus is characterized by nine coefficients of identity. The coefficients of inbreeding, coancestry and dominance (or fraternity) are just linear functions of them. Here, it is shown how they can be estimated using biallelic and triallelic markers using the method of moments, and comparisons are made with other methods based on molecular coancestry or molecular covariance. It is concluded that in the general case of dominance and inbreeding with biallelic markers, only the coefficients of inbreeding and coancestry can be estimated, but neither the single coefficients of identity nor the coefficient of dominance can be estimated. More than two alleles are required for a full estimation as illustrated with the triallelic situation.     

A retrospective analysis of radiation therapy for the treatment of feline vaccine‐associated sarcoma*

We retrospectively evaluated predictive prognostic factors in 73 cats with vaccine‐associated sarcoma given postsurgical curative (n = 46, most with clean margins) or coarse fractionated radiotherapy (n = 27, most with either macroscopic disease or dirty margins). The former animals displayed a median survival of 43 months and a median progression free interval (PFI) of 37 months, the latter reached a median survival of 24 months and a median PFI of 10 months. In cats undergoing coarse fractionated therapy, factors predictive of a better outcome included lack of visible mass (n = 10) as opposed to macroscopic disease (n = 17, survival: 30 versus 7 months, P = 0.025; PFI: 20 versus 4 months, P = 0.01), adjuvant chemotherapy for gross disease (n = 5/17, survival: 29 versus 5 months, P = 0.04) and a smaller number of surgeries preceding radiation therapy (coeff = 0.41, P = 0.03). The Ki67 index was not predictive for survival. We concluded that postsurgical curative and coarse fractionated radiotherapy are effective legitimate options for managing vaccine‐associated sarcomas.     

Suspected venous air embolism in three horses

Venous air embolism was suspected in 3 hospitalised horses on the basis of an inadvertently open jugular venous line. Subsequently the 3 horses developed clinical signs including cardiovascular collapse, cardiac dysrhythmia, pulmonary oedema, behavioural abnormalities and neurological signs consistent with central nervous system injury. Treatment included intranasal oxygen therapy, i.v. fluid administration and anti‐inflammatory therapy. Specific therapy aimed at treating air embolism in man is reviewed, with pertinent therapy potentially applicable to horses emphasised.     

裂区设计下分析影响欧洲菊苣产量的因素

在裂区设计下,分析影响欧洲菊苣（Cichorium intybus cv.Europ）产量的7个因素,结果表明：播种季节对株高、产量有显著性影响;播种方式对株高、茎粗、密度、盖度、产量5个指标均有显著影响。进一步通过因子分析得出欧洲菊苣产量最佳组合为撒播、密度在50～59株·m^-2、盖度为94%～100%。     

Bone strength of laying hens kept in an alternative system, compared with hens in cages and on deep-litter

1. Observations of vigorous wing movements and measurements of bone strength were compared in two experiments with birds in three different housing systems: a semi-intensive alternative system under development, a battery cage system and a deep-litter system. 2. A significant effect of housing system on the frequency of vigorous wing movements was found. The highest frequency was seen in the deep-litter system, about half this number in the alternative system, while in the battery cages they were never observed. 3. Corresponding to this a reduction in humerus strength of 9% was found in hens from the alternative system and of 45% in hens from cages, compared with deep-litter. A reduction in tibial breaking strength was also found in caged hens, when compared to deep-litter hens. 4. Keeping hens in cages thus restricts their movements, especially wing movements, to the degree that bone strength is greatly reduced. 5. This has welfare implications, for hens with low bone breaking strength risk a possibility of breakage, especially when handled and transported. When alternative systems are designed opportunities for movement in the three dimensions should be considered.     

应用单引物PCR指纹技术分析Vc-獭兔的分子遗传结构

采用1条小卫星引物M13(5’GAGGGTGGCGGTTCT3’)和2条微卫星引物(GTG)5、(GACA)4，对Vc—Ⅰ系、Vc—Ⅱ系獭兔、日本大耳白兔(JWR)和青紫蓝(QZL)4个品系各8只，总计32个个体的遗传结构进行了DNA指纹分析。结果，3条引物的扩增产物都呈现良好的多态性和稳定性；对每个品系混合DNA池进行分析，计算出了4个品系间及32个个体间的共有带率及遗传距离指数，通过聚类分析，得出各品系间和个体间欧式遗传距离，并绘制出4个品系间及各品系32个个体问的亲缘关系树状聚类图，从而初步建立了4个品系兔的SPAR指纹图谱。     

应用致敏SPA菌体提高CAV/CPV PCR检出率的研究

为消除粪便等病料中的PCR干扰物质 ,提高犬腺病毒与细小病毒 (CAV CPV)联合PCR检出率。根据免疫吸附的原理 ,应用CAV CPV高免血清致敏含A蛋白的金黄色葡萄球菌 ,制成致敏SPA菌体免疫吸附剂 ;以此免疫吸附提取粪便等病料中的CAV/CPV ,然后直接或经 3 5mol/LMgCl2 将所吸附病毒洗脱后再做PCR。结果 8份经电镜负染或HA/HI试验验证为阳性的粪便样品 ,如此处理后进行PCR检测 ,结果均为阳性 ;而直接取粪便离心后用上清进行PCR检测 ,结果均为阴性。表明该法可有效去除待检样品中的PCR干扰物质 ,提高PCR的检出率。