饲粮不同水平蚕沙对绵羊生长性能、屠宰性能、器官发育和血清生化指标的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮中添加不同水平蚕沙对绵羊生长性能、屠宰性能、器官发育和血清生化指标的影响。试验选用32只90日龄绵羊,随机分成4组,每组8只。各组饲粮中蚕沙水平分别为0(对照)、20%(T20)、30%(T30)、40%(T40)。预试期15 d,正试期60 d。试验结束后每组随机选取3只羊屠宰。结果表明:1)T20和T30组的平均日增重(ADG)高于对照组(P0.05),显著高于T40组(P0.05),日均采食量(ADFI)显著低于对照组(P0.05),料重比(F/G)低于对照组(P0.05),ADFI和F/G显著低于T40组(P0.05)。2)T20和T30组屠宰率与对照组无显著差异(P0.05),而显著大于T40组(P0.05);对照组与T20、T30组胴体重差异不显著(P0.05);T20、T30、T40组的眼肌面积和胴体脂肪含量值均显著大于对照组(P0.05)。3)T20组的心脏重量显著大于对照组(P0.05),T30和T40组的脾脏重量显著大于对照组(P0.05)。4)对照组血清球蛋白(GLO)含量显著小于T40组(P0.05)。试验组血清碱性磷酸酶(ALP)活性显著低于对照组(P0.05)。综合以上,饲粮中添加蚕沙能够增大绵羊ADG,提高屠宰率,降低料重比,蚕沙在饲粮中的适宜比例为20%~30%,最佳比例为20%。     

Prevalence of thermophilic Campylobacter species in Swedish dogs and characterization of C. jejuni isolates

Background

The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence of Campylobacter species in Swedish dogs, to identify the species of the Campylobacter isolates and to genotype the C. jejuni isolates. Young and healthy dogs were targeted and the sampling was performed at 11 veterinary clinics throughout Sweden from October 2011 to October 2012. Faecal swab samples were collected and sent to the laboratory at the National Veterinary Institute (SVA) for isolation of Campylobacter, speciation and genotyping.

Results

Campylobacter spp. were isolated from 67 of the 180 sampled dogs which yields an overall prevalence of 37%. The most prevalent species of Campylobacter among the participating dogs was C. upsaliensis with 52 of the 67 identified isolates. A lower prevalence was observed for C. jejuni with seven identified isolates and one isolate was identified as C. helveticus. Multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) was carried out on the seven C. jejuni isolates and all sequence types that were found are also commonly found in humans. The dogs were divided into three age groups; 1) under 12 months, 2) 12 to 23 months and 3) 24 months and older. The highest prevalence was found in the two younger age groups. Dogs shedding C. jejuni were between 3–12 months of age while dogs shedding C. upsaliensis were found in all ages.

Conclusions

The present investigation finds that Campylobacter spp. known to cause campylobacteriosis in humans are present in Swedish dogs. The results suggest an age predisposition where dogs under 2 years of age are more likely to shed Campylobacter spp. than older dogs. The most commonly isolated species was C. upsaliensis followed by C. jejuni, which was only detected in dogs up to 12 months of age. All C. jejuni isolates identified in the present study were of the same MLST types that have previously been described both in humans and in animals. The awareness of the Campylobacter risk of healthy young dogs may be an important way to reduce the transmission from dogs to infants, young children and immunocompromised adults.     

The use of a nerve stimulation test to confirm sacrococcygeal epidural needle placement in cats

ObjectiveTo determine if a nerve stimulation test (NST) could act as a monitoring technique to confirm sacrococcygeal epidural needle placement in cats.Study designProspective experimental trial in a clinical setting.AnimalsTwenty-four adult cats, scheduled for a therapeutic procedure where epidural anesthesia was indicated.MethodsUnder general anesthesia, an insulated needle was inserted through the S₃-Cd₁ intervertebral space guided by the application of a fixed electrical current (0.7 mA) until a motor response was obtained. The NST was considered positive when the epidural nerve stimulation produced a motor response of the muscles of the tail, whereas it was considered negative when no motor response was evoked. In the NST positive cases, 0.3 mL kg⁻¹ of 0.5% bupivacaine was administrated before needle withdrawal. Ten minutes after injection, epidural blockade was confirmed by the loss of perineal (anal), and pelvic limbs reflexes (patellar and withdrawal).ResultsThe use of a fixed electrical stimulation current of 0.7 mA resulted in correct prediction of sacrococcygeal epidural injection, corroborated by post bupivacaine loss of perineal and pelvic limb reflexes, in 95.8% of the cases.Conclusion and clinical relevanceThis study demonstrates the feasibility of using, in a clinical setting, an electrical stimulation test as an objective and in real-time method to confirm sacrococcygeal epidural needle placement in cats.     

兼顾面积属性与不确定性信息的样本点权重调整方法

样本点权重调整是遥感分类精度评价中样本点空间分配的关键环节。以北京市顺义区精度评价样本点为例,提出了一种兼顾面积属性与不确定性信息的样本点权重调整方法——模糊调整权重法,用于布设精度评价样本点。首先,构建用于表达不确定性信息的模糊中和指数及其权重,融合模糊中和指数权重和面积权重构建模糊调整权重,并计算各个分层的模糊调整权重结果,完成样本点特征空间分配;其次,设置不同梯度样本点集,结合平均最短距离最小化准则和空间模拟退火算法实现样本点地理空间优化布设;最后,构建权重调整效果评价指标,进行模糊调整权重效果评价,并与其他权重调整方法和未进行权重调整的布点方法进行对比分析。结果表明：顺义区不确定性大、中、小的层模糊调整权重分别为0.45、0.37、0.18,与面积权重相比,不确定性大的层权重显著增加、中层权重稍微增加、小层权重明显降低;5个不同数据集样本点权重调整的精度评价总体精度、相对精度、均方根误差和标准偏差结果分别为69.90%～73.48%、96.28%～99.82%、0.01和0.01;模糊调整权重布点方法评价效果优于面积权重、模糊中和指数权重、不确定性空间分层权重布点方法,以及空间...     

Evaluation of the performance of flow-through anodic fenton treatment in amide compound degradation

A flow-through anodic Fenton treatment (FAFT) system based on the batch AFT technology was previously developed to degrade pesticides in aqueous solution. As one of a series of benchtop and pilot-scale studies in process optimization, the goal of the reported work is to evaluate the performance of the FAFT system under various operating conditions, which is critical to bringing this technology into practical general use in the field. For this purpose, the removal efficiency of the parent pesticide and the concentration of the hydroxyl radical in FAFT were calculated on the basis of a previously developed FAFT kinetic model and used for the evaluation. N,N-Diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (DEET), an insect repellent, was used as a chemical probe. Experimental data showed that the key to a high treatment efficiency is to operate the FAFT system to achieve a maximum *OH production with a minimum input of energy and chemicals. For the anodic half-cell, the system should be operated under flow-through conditions with a self-developed optimum pH of 3.0, a relatively high flow rate, and the initial effluent recycled within 6-10 min to the FAFT system for further treatment; for the cathodic half-cell, it should have a fixed volume and be entirely replaced by another batch of cathodic solution only when the pH reaches a very high value. The delivery rate of the ferrous iron should be maintained at an electrolytic current between 0.01 and 0.02 A; the ratio of H2O2/Fe2+ should be between 5:1 and 10:1. NaCl was found to be the best electrolyte, with concentrations of 0.01-0.02 and 0.08 M in the anodic and cathodic half-cells, respectively. The FAFT system was successfully applied to degrade various model amide compounds and DEET formulations, which suggests the likelihood of extending this approach to other pesticide-containing wastewaters.     

Differences in glutamic acid and 5'-ribonucleotide contents between flesh and pulp of tomatoes and the relationship with umami taste

A difference in taste characteristics between the outer flesh and the inner pulp of tomatoes has been observed; in particular the pulp, which contains the seeds, had more umami taste. Analysis of the free amino acids and 5'-ribonucleotides in the different parts of 13 varieties of tomatoes showed that in all cases the pulp contained higher levels of glutamic acid, 5'-adenosine monophosphate (AMP), 5'-guanosine monophosphate, 5'-uridine monophosphate, and 5'-cytidine monophosphate. The mean concentration of glutamic acid in the flesh was 1.26 g/kg and that in the pulp 4.56 g/kg but in some varieties the difference between pulp and flesh was more than 6-fold. For AMP, the mean concentration in the flesh was 80 mg/kg and that in the pulp was 295 mg/kg with one variety showing an 11-fold difference between pulp and flesh. These differences in concentration of these compounds, which are known to possess umami characteristics, provide an explanation for the perceived difference in umami taste between the flesh and pulp of tomatoes.     

Evaluation of the phytoestrogenic activity of Cyclopia genistoides (honeybush) methanol extracts and relevant polyphenols

Unfermented C. genistoides methanol extracts of different harvestings and selected polyphenols were evaluated for phytoestrogenic activity by comparing binding to both ER subtypes, transactivation of an ERE-containing promoter reporter, proliferation of MCF-7-BUS and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, and binding to SHBG. The extracts from one harvesting of C. genistoides (P104) bound to both ER subtypes. All extracts transactivated ERE-containing promoter reporters via ERbeta but not via ERalpha. All extracts, except P122, caused proliferation of the estrogen-sensitive MCF-7-BUS cells. Proliferation of MCF-7-BUS cells was ER-dependent as ICI 182,780 reversed proliferation. Physiologically more relevant, extracts antagonized E2-induced MCF-7-BUS cell proliferation. Furthermore, all extracts, except P122, induced proliferation of the estrogen-insensitive MDA-MB-231 cells, suggesting that the extracts are able to induce ER-dependent and ER-independent cell proliferation. Binding to SHBG by extracts was also demonstrated. These results clearly show that C. genistoides methanol extracts display phytoestrogenic activity and act predominantly via ERbeta. HPLC and LC-MS analysis, however, suggests that the observed phytoestrogenic activity cannot be ascribed to polyphenols known to be present in other Cyclopia species.     

Adaptation and evaluation of the National Cancer Institute's Diet History Questionnaire and nutrient database for Canadian populations

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Despite assumed similarities in Canadian and US dietary habits, some differences in food availability and nutrient fortification exist. Food-frequency questionnaires designed for the USA may therefore not provide the most accurate estimates of dietary intake in Canadian populations. Hence, we undertook to evaluate and modify the National Cancer Institute's Diet History Questionnaire (DHQ) and nutrient database. METHODS: Of the foods queried on the DHQ, those most likely to differ in nutrient composition were identified. Where possible these foods were matched to comparable foods in the Canadian Nutrient File. Nutrient values were examined and modified to reflect the Canadian content of minerals (calcium, iron, zinc) and vitamins (A, C, D, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, B6, folate and B12). DHQs completed by 13 181 Alberta Cohort Study participants aged 35-69 years were analysed to estimate nutrient intakes using the original US and modified versions of the DHQ databases. Misclassification of intake for meeting the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) was determined following analysis with the US nutrient database. RESULTS: Twenty-five per cent of 2411 foods deemed most likely to differ in nutrient profile were subsequently modified for folate, 11% for vitamin D, 10% for calcium and riboflavin, and between 7 and 10% for the remaining nutrients of interest. Misclassification with respect to meeting the DRI varied but was highest for folate (7%) and vitamin A (7%) among men, and for vitamin D (7%) among women over 50 years of age. CONCLUSIOn: Errors in nutrient intake estimates owing to differences in food fortification between the USA and Canada can be reduced in Canadian populations by using nutrient databases that reflect Canadian fortification practices.