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.     

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.     

Experimental studies with foot-and-mouth disease virus type Asia-1, responsible for the 2005 epidemic in China

This study was carried out to investigate the biological characteristics of the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) virus strain Asia-1 China/2005, which is responsible for the 2005 epidemic in China. The result showed that this strain is not host restricted, and could not only cause FMD in cattle and sheep but also in pigs by either inoculation or direct contact.     

新疆塔里木盆地两河流域野生麻资源调查

麻具有药用、轻纺、保健、造纸、制作药烟、蜜源等多种经济价值.新疆塔里木盆地两河(叶尔羌河、塔里木河)流域是野生麻(大叶白麻Poacynum hendersonii、白麻P.pictum、罗布麻Apocynum venetum)的主要产区,其中大叶白麻分布广,面积大,储量多.按有关分类方法,将野生麻资源划分为6个群系12个群丛.野生麻分布面积23.56万hm2,有麻面积18.12万hm2,其中大叶白麻占99.51%;白麻占0.49%.鲜麻总产量59.35万t,折合干麻总产量24.41万t.为更好的利用野生麻资源,在对其种类、分布、面积、生物量调查的基础上,对麻的开发前景、野生麻田的保护管理及改良培育、人工麻田的建立、科技攻关5个方面提出了建议.     

Genetic (co)variances and breeding value estimation of Gompertz growth curve parameters in Finnish Yorkshire boars, gilts and barrows.

This paper's objectives were to estimate the genetic (co)variance components of the Gompertz growth curve parameters and to evaluate the relationship of estimated breeding values (EBV) based on average daily gain (ADG) and Gompertz growth curves. Finnish Yorkshire central test station performance data was obtained from the Faba Breeding (Vantaa, Finland). The final data set included 121,488 weight records from 10,111 pigs. Heritability estimates for the Gompertz growth parameters mature weight (alpha), logarithm of mature weight to birth weight ratio (beta) and maturation rate (kappa) were 0.44, 0.55 and 0.31, respectively. Genotypic and phenotypic correlations between the growth curve parameters were high and mainly negative. The only positive relationship was found between alpha and beta. Pearson and Spearman rank correlation coefficients between EBV for ADG and daily gain calculated from Gompertz growth curves were 0.79. The Spearman rank correlation between the sire EBV for ADG and Gompertz growth curve parameter-based ADG for all sires with at least 15 progeny was 0.86. Growth curves differ significantly between individuals and this information could be utilized for selection purposes when improving growth rate in pigs.     

丰宁县森林食品资源现状及开发利用前景

随着科学技术的进步、人类生活水平的提高,天然绿色食品受到人们的青睐。森林经济植物种源丰富,其可食部分的营养价值及微量元素有的优于栽培植物,开发利用前景广阔。1989年,丰宁林业局同原北京林学院等单位联合,对丰宁森林木本植物资源进行了清查,摸清了种源分布,为合理?..