Cytopathological and histopathological diagnosis of canine splenic disorders

Objectives To determine (1) the common types of canine splenic disorders, and the breeds affected, that are diagnosed by cytopathological and histopathological examination in Sydney, Australia and (2) the accuracy of cytopathological examination compared with histopathological examination for the diagnosis of canine splenic disorders. Design 69 cytopathological and 51 histopathological diagnoses of canine splenic disorders presented to the Veterinary Pathology Diagnostic Services, The University of Sydney during 2006 and 2007 were tabulated and analysed; 17 cases examined both cytopathologically and histopathologically during 2001–07 were also analysed. Results The most common cytopathological diagnoses were benign disorders of growth, vascular disturbances and necrosis (29%), followed by no abnormalities detectable (28%), malignant neoplasms (20%), equivocal diagnoses (20%) and inflammatory disorders (3%). The most common breeds were Kelpie crosses and mixed breeds. The most common histopathological diagnoses were benign disorders of growth, vascular disturbances and necrosis (49%), followed by malignant neoplasms (43%) and inflammatory disorders (8%). The most common breeds were German Shepherd Dogs, Boxers and Maltese Terriers. Cytopathological and histopathological diagnoses were in complete agreement in 59% of cases, partial agreement in 29% and disagreement in 12%. Conclusion Benign disorders of growth, vascular disturbances and necrosis were the most commonly diagnosed canine splenic disorders, both cytopathologically and histopathologically. Kelpie crosses presented most frequently for cytopathological examination. German Shepherd Dogs were the most common breed diagnosed histopathologically with haemangiosarcoma. Although cytopathological and histopathological splenic examinations are complementary for diagnosis, this study has shown a high correlation for complete and partial agreement between the two.     

Green composites from maleated castor oil and jute fibres

Castor oil was converted to maleated castor oil (MACO) without any catalyst. MACO was characterized with FTIR, NMR, molecular weight and viscosity measurement. Tung oil (20 wt%) was added to MACO as reactive diluent. Non-woven jute felts were used as reinforcing material. The MACO was polymerized and crosslinked in situ during composite fabrication. The curing behavior of MACO with free radical catalyst was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The MACO/jute composites were tested for their flexural properties, impact strength and dynamic mechanical properties and compared with similar unsaturated polyester resin/jute composites. The flexural moduli of both the composites were nearly similar. The impact strength of MACO/jute composites was 42% higher than that of UPE/jute composites. The damping property of the MACO/jute composites was higher than that of UPE/jute composites over a wide range of temperature.     

Topical anaesthesia alleviates short-term pain of castration and tail docking in lambs

Objective To investigate the effect of a topical anaesthetic formulation on pain alleviation, wound healing and systemic levels of local anaesthetic actives in lambs undergoing castration and tail docking. Design Three placebo-controlled and/or randomised experiments were conducted using three groups of Merino lambs (n = 62, 68 and 19) undergoing routine castration and tail docking. Procedure Surgical castration, with either surgical or hot-iron tail docking, was performed with and without the application of topical anaesthetic (Tri-Solfen®) or placebo. The effects of this procedure were compared with those of rubber ring castration and tail docking, and of the handled but unmarked controls. Wound pain was assessed using calibrated Von-Frey monofilaments over a 4-h period, pain-related behaviour was assessed over 5 h, wound healing was assessed at 14 and 28 days, and the plasma levels of lignocaine and bupivacaine were determined. Results Rapid and up to 4 h primary hyperalgesia developed following surgical castration and tail docking in the untreated and placebo-treated lambs. It was absent in the castration wounds, and significantly reduced in the tail-docking wounds, of the treated lambs. Hot-iron docking was associated with mild and transient secondary hyperalgesia, which was abolished by the topical anaesthesia. There was a significant reduction in pain-related behaviours in treated lambs, which were not significantly different in their behaviour to the sham-operation handled controls. Plasma lignocaine and bupivacaine levels were below the toxic thresholds in all tested lambs. Conclusion Topical anaesthesia alleviates wound pain and significantly reduces pain-related behaviours in lambs undergoing surgical castration plus surgical or hot-iron tail docking, without a negative effect on wound healing or a risk of systemic toxicity.     

Climate Change During the Last Deglaciation in Antarctica

Greenland ice core records provide clear evidence of rapid changes in climate in a variety of climate indicators. In this work, rapid climate change events in the Northern and Southern hemispheres are compared on the basis of an examination of changes in atmospheric circulation developed from two ice cores. High-resolution glaciochemical series, covering the period 10,000 to 16,000 years ago, from a central Greenland ice core and a new site in east Antarctica display similar variability. These findings suggest that rapid climate change events occur more frequently in Antarctica than previously demonstrated.     

奶花芸豆种植密度与施肥量优化组合模式的研究

采用正交回归旋转组合设计，研究了密度、氮（N）、磷（P2O5）、钾（K2O）施用量对奶花芸豆产量的影响，通过田间试验测定参数，利用计算机技术对试验数据进行处理，建立了产量函数模型，经计算机模拟寻优，筛选出了产量的最佳农艺措施组合方案。在试验条件下，当奶花芸豆栽培密度为150000株／hm^2，施氮量300kg／hm^2，施磷量200kg／hm^2，施钾量45kg／hm^2组合时，产量可达到3833．4kg／hm^2。     

Evaluation of peripheral lymphocytes after weaning and vaccination for Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae

This study evaluated immune cell populations in pigs following weaning and vaccination for Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae. Piglets (n = 24) were weaned (day 0) at 16 (±1) days of age, and randomly assigned to the vaccination group (n = 16) or control group (n = 8). Complete blood cell counts, flow cytometry and serology were completed for blood samples collected on days 0 (within hours of weaning), 3, 7, 14, 30 and 60. The M. hyopneumoniae S:P ratios (sample optical density: positive control optical density) were negative in the vaccination group until days 30 and 60, when the S:P ratios were 1.3 and 1.0, respectively. Control animals remained serologically negative. The percentage of CD4⁺ T cells was less (P < 0.01) in control pigs than vaccinated pigs at day 3. In contrast, numbers of CD8⁺ and CD4⁺CD8⁺ T cells were greater (P < 0.01) in control pigs than in vaccinated pigs at days 3 and 7. After day 7, few differences in immune cell types were evident between the groups. Differences in lymphocyte populations could not be solely attributed to vaccination, due at least in part, to the confounding influence of weaning. It was difficult to distinguish the influence of vaccination from the impact of weaning on peripheral immune cell populations.