Comparison of acetate tape impression with squeezing versus skin scraping for the diagnosis of canine demodicosis

This study compared the sensitivity of acetate tape impression and skin squeezing with that of deep skin scraping for the diagnosis of demodicosis in dogs. Demodex canis was detected in 100% of acetate tape impressions obtained after skin squeezing and in 90% of deep skin scrapings. There was a significant difference (P < 0.001) between the techniques in the total number of mites detected. Acetate tape impression with skin squeezing was found to be more sensitive than deep skin scraping and is an alternative diagnostic method for canine demodicosis.     

Spontaneous pneumothorax in two cats with small airway disease

Two adult domestic shorthair cats were examined because of pneumothorax. Neither had a history of trauma, and spontaneous pneumothorax secondary to small airway disease was diagnosed. In both cats, treatment consisted of thoracocentesis for evacuation of air and administration of anti-inflammatory agents. One cat had multiple episodes of pneumothorax and eventually died; the other had only a single episode of pneumothorax. Small airway disease should be considered as a potential underlying cause in cats that develop spontaneous pneumothorax. Additionally, the potential for pneumothorax should be considered in cats with small airway disease, particularly when clinical signs suddenly become much worse.     

不同年限玉米秸秆还田对土壤微生物多样性的影响

秸秆还田是培肥地力、改良土壤的重要措施。内蒙古高原向松辽平原过渡地带春玉米区,玉米长期连作导致了耕层变薄、土壤次生盐渍化等土壤退化问题。采用田间定位试验的方法,研究连续多年(8、5、2年)秸秆旋耕还田条件下对土壤微生物的影响。结果表明,秸秆还田土壤中最丰富的细菌类型为变形菌门(Proteobac-teria),其次为放线菌门(Actinobacteria)、芽单胞菌门(Gemmatimonadetes)、拟杆菌门(Bacteroidetes);真菌类型为子囊菌门(Ascomycota)和担子菌门(Basidiomycota)。随着秸秆还田年限的增加,变形菌门和酸杆菌门(Acidobacteria)相对丰度增加、放线菌门相对丰度下降,拟杆菌门相对丰度较稳定;子囊菌门、担子菌门、接合菌门(Zygomycota)相对丰度先下降后上升,而球囊菌门(Glomeromycota)和壶菌门(Chytridiomycota)相对丰度变化规律相反;属水平上Sphingomonas、Lysobacter、Hannaella相对丰度先上升后下降,而Leptosphaeria和Mono-dictys相对丰度变化规律相反;Pseudarthrobacter、Fusarium相对丰度下降,Gaiella相对丰度较稳定;Guehomyces相对丰度增加;并且细菌和真菌相对丰度拐点均出现在秸秆还田5年后。随着秸秆还田年限的增加,土壤细菌和真菌多样性均有所降低;秸秆还田与秸秆不还田土壤的差异物种有Aquicella、Fusicolla和Spizellomyces;由此可推测,秸秆还田增加土壤氮和钾含量,减少病害;试验区连续多年的玉米秸秆还田改变了土壤微生物群落组成,玉米秸秆连续还田5年后土壤微生物多样性有下降趋势。     

A Rertrospective Analysis of Pulmonary Contusion Secondary to Motor Vehicular Accidents in 143 Dogs: 1994 - 1997

Medical records of 143 dogs with pulmonary contusion secondary to motor vehicular trauma were evaluated retrospectively to determine length of hospitalization, oxygen supplementation, and associated injuries. Therapeutic interventions, including the dose of intravenous fluid administration, the use of antibiotics, and the use of glucocorticoids were recorded. Initial thoracicradiographs were reviewed, and pulmonary contusion was graded as mild, moderate or severe. Pulmonary contusion severity was compared to use of supplemental oxygen, oxygen administration time, hospitalization time, and the presence or absence of fractures. The length of hospital stay and the survival rate was calculated.
The mean respiratory rate at admission was 55 ± 22 breaths per minute. Concurrent thoracicinjuries were common, and included pneumothorax and pleural effusion. Fifty-two percent ofdogs received oxygen supplementation for a median of 35 hours. The median hospitalization time was 48 hours. Forty (28%) dogs were treated with antibiotics for a minimum of 5 days, and forty- five (31%) were administered glucocorticoids. Two (1%) dogs developed pulmonary infection. Dogs with more severe thoracic radiographic changes on presentation were more likely to receiveoxygen, received oxygen for longer periods of time, and had a longer hospitalization time. Eighty-two percent of dogs survived to hospital discharge.     

Clinical evaluation of protein electrophoresis of cerebral spinal fluid

Protein fractions of cerebral spinal fluid samples were analyzed in an effort to find a reliable, minimally invasive and cost effective method of diagnosing cervical vertebral myelopathy. There were six separate protein fractions analyzed by electrophoresis. In this study we specifically looked for a post beta spike in horses with spinal cord compression. There was no correlation in our study between horses with a post beta spike and CVM as diagnosed by a myelogram.     

Effects of Graded Levels of Carbohydrate on Growth and Survival of Largemouth Bass, Micropterus salmoides

Excessive carbohydrates (CHO) in diets for largemouth bass (LMB), Micropterus salmoides, are suspected of accumulating glycogen in hepatocytes, which may result in liver dysfunction. This study evaluated the effect of graded levels of dietary CHO on growth, survival, and liver histology of LMB. One hundred feed‐trained advanced fingerling LMB (128.5 ± 21.5 g) were stocked into each of nine 3400 ‐ L polyethylene tanks. Tanks were randomly assigned one of three experimental diets containing different CHO levels (13, 19, or 25% of diet). The extruded diets were approximately isonitrogenous (42% crude protein) and isocaloric (3 kcal/g energy). There were three replicate tanks per dietary treatment. Bass were fed to apparent satiation twice daily for 148 d. Survival was significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) for fish fed the 13 and 19% CHO diets (89 and 90%, respectively) compared to those fed the 25% CHO diets (82%). Average harvest weight of fish fed the 13% CHO diet (380 g) was significantly greater (P ≤ 0.05) than for fish fed other diets. Average harvest weight of fish fed the 19% CHO diet (347 g) was significantly greater (P ≤ 0.05) than for fish fed the 25% CHO diet (310 g). Specific growth rates (%/d) were significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) in fish fed the 13 and 19% CHO diets than in fish fed 25% CHO diet. Feed conversion ratios for fish fed the 13 and 19% CHO diets (2.3 and 2.4, respectively) were both significantly lower (P ≤ 0.05) than in fish fed the 25% CHO diet (3.6). There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in condition factor, protein efficiency ratio, hepatosomatic index, or liver glycogen concentration among fish fed the different experimental diets. Overall, mean blood glucose levels in fish fed the 13 and 19% CHO diets (61.0 and 71.2 mg/dL, respectively) were significantly lower (P ≤ 0.05) than in fish fed the 25% CHO diet (87 mg/dL). Histopathological examination of livers from fish fed the three diets was used to score the degree of vacuolization of hepatic tissues (0 = normal, 1 = slight, 2 = mild, 3 = moderate, and 4 = severe). Regression of vacuolization scores on dietary CHO levels was statistically significant (P ≤ 0.05) and indicated a direct positive relationship between liver vacuolization and dietary CHO level (R² = 0.57). These data indicate that LMB grow faster and use feeds more efficiently when CHO are maintained at <20% of diet. CHO levels >20% negatively impacted liver histology, but a liver tissue analyses did not document glycogen accumulation.     

额济纳胡杨林土壤含水量时空变化的研究

使用管状土壤水分仪,对额济纳胡杨林、沙枣林、柽柳林以及其它不同样地的土壤含水量时空变化进行了调查研究。结果表明,大部分样地有大约20CM的干沙层,使表层土壤含水量最低;土壤剖面的30~150CM土层内,随土壤深度的增加,土壤含水量逐渐增大;沙枣林和柽柳林的土壤含水量明显高于胡杨林土壤含水量;土壤质地的变化和三种林型耗水量的差异是土壤含水量高低变化的原因;2004年5月份的土壤含水量明显高于2003年7月份的土壤含水量。