The loss of genetic diversity in Dabry's sturgeon (Acipenser dabryanus,Dumeril) as revealed by DNA fingerprinting

• 1. Dabry's sturgeon, a large, long‐lived migratory fish is endemic to the Yangtze River. Over‐fishing and habitat destruction have caused large‐scale declines in natural stocks in the last two decades.
• 2. Examining patterns of genetic diversity has become an integral component of many management plans for endangered species. DNA fingerprinting was applied to detect genetic diversity in Dabry's sturgeon collected in 1958–1959, 1980–1981 and 1998–1999.
• 3. Studies on direct genetic parameters (genetic variability, hypervariable loci and heterozygosity) and indirect parameters (band‐sharing coefficient and allelic frequency) showed that the continuous decline in wild populations has caused the loss of genetic diversity in present‐day sturgeon.
• 4. The present‐day populations have the lowest genetic variability; thus, effective management is needed to preserve genetic diversity.
• 5. A conservation strategy is urgently required, comprising artificial rearing facilities coupled with breeding management plans.

Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of pico-tesla electromagnetic field treatment on wound healing in rats

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of a pico-tesla electromagnetic field (PTEF) on healing of sutured and open skin wounds and clinicopathologic variables in rats. ANIMALS: 64 male Fischer-344 rats. PROCEDURE: An incision made in the dorsal aspect of the neck was sutured (n = 32) or left open to heal (32). In each group, 16 rats were not PTEF-treated (controls). Wound treatment consisted of exposure to a PTEF once daily. Rats in each group were euthanatized at days 2, 4, 7, and 14. Wounds were evaluated via tensiometry (sutured wounds), digital planimetry (open wounds), laser Doppler perfusion imaging, bacteriologic culture, and histologic examination. Blood samples were collected from all rats for analysis. RESULTS: At day 14, sutured wounds in PTEF-treated rats were stronger (ultimate stress) and tougher (strain energy) than were sutured wounds in control rats. Open wounds in PTEF-treated rats contracted more quickly at days 2 and 4 than did those in control rats. Compared with control wounds, histologic changes (indicative of improved healing) in sutured and open wounds in PTEF-treated rats were detected as early as day 4. Laser Doppler perfusion measurements, results of CBCs, serum biochemical analyses, and bacteriologic cultures were not different between groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Exposure to the PTEF caused no adverse effects on clinicopathologic, histologic, or bacteriologic variables tested in this study. It appears that PTEF is a safe form of adjuvant treatment for wounds and improves strength of sutured wounds and speeds contraction of open wounds.     

Use of clomipramine,alprazolam, and behavior modification for treatment of storm phobia in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate use of clomipramine, alprazolam, and behavior modification for treatment of storm phobia in dogs. DESIGN: Prospective open clinical trial. ANIMALS: 40 dogs with storm phobia. PROCEDURE: Dogs received clomipramine at a dosage of 2 mg/kg (0.9 mg/lb), PO, every 12 hours for 3 months; then 1 mg/kg (0.45 mg/lb), PO, every 12 hours for 2 weeks; then 0.5 mg/kg (0.23 mg/lb), PO, every 12 hours for 2 weeks. Alprazolam was given at a dosage of 0.02 mg/kg (0.009 mg/lb), PO, as needed 1 hour before anticipated storms and every 4 hours as needed. Desensitization and counter-conditioning were conducted at home by the caregiver with an audio simulation of storm sounds that had induced a fear response during evaluation. RESULTS: 30 of the 32 dogs that completed the study had a degree of improvement, as measured by caregivers' global assessment. Two caregivers considered the storm phobia to be resolved. Panting, pacing, trembling, remaining near the caregiver, hiding, excessive salivation, destructiveness, excessive vocalization, self-trauma, and inappropriate elimination all decreased significantly during treatment. Improvement was greater during true storms (rain, thunder, and lightning) than during rain only. Response to audio simulation did not change during treatment. Four months after the study, improvement was maintained. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The combination of clomipramine, alprazolam, and behavior modification can be effective in decreasing or eliminating storm phobia. Improvement could not be evaluated by use of audio simulation of a storm.     

Privatization of Veterinary Services in Developing Countries: A Review

Increasing fiscal constraints on the government, a lackadaisical performance by public sector animal health and breeding services and pressure from donor partners have prompted the governments of various developing countries to rethink the role of the public sector in the provision of veterinary services. Various countries have started to implement, or have already implemented, privatization of some veterinary services. The results are mixed. It is established that private provision alone is not optimal, and a blend of private and public sector veterinary services is required to utilize the virtues of both.The privatization process has also begun in India. Certain state governments in India are pursuing a cost recovery approach and are encouraging private practitioners to cope with the financial constraints and to deliver broad and effective animal health and breeding services. This paper considers the global aspects of the privatization of veterinary services as well as the scenario in India, so as to gain an insight into the very complex and debatable issue of privatization of veterinary services.     

家蚕肾形卵的荧光差异显示分析

Liang等建立的mRNA的荧光差异显示法 (flourescentdifferentialdisplay,FDD)具有高效、安全、有用信息多等特点。利用这一方法在mRNA水平上探讨了肾形卵 (ki)与正常卵在初期胚胎阶段的基因表达 ,回收了差异片段 10条 ,并对其差异进行了验证。其中之一的片段序列分析表明为低分子量热激蛋白基因 (smallheatshockgene)。     

Lignin deposition and associated changes in anatomy,enzyme activity,gene expression,and ruminal degradability in stems of tall fescue at different developmental stages

Stem tissues of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) were sampled at three elongation stages and three reproductive stages. Anatomical analysis showed the deposition of guaiacyl (G) and syringyl (S) lignin during plant development and the formation of a lignified sclerenchyma ring. A dramatic increase in Klason lignin content was found from elongation stage to reproductive stage. Lignin composition analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed that S lignin content and S/G ratio increased with stem development, but contents of p-hydroxyphenyl (H) and G lignins decreased during the same period. S lignin content and S/G ratio also increased from the younger upper internode down to the older basal internode of the stem, but G and H lignin decreased in parallel. Relative O-methyltransferase activities increased during stem development and in parallel with the lignification process of stem. The pattern of enzyme activity during development varied with the choice of substrate, with highest activities seen when substrates were caffeoylaldehyde and 5-hydroxyferulic acid, and lowest activities were seen when caffeic acid and 5-hydroxyconiferyl alcohol were used as substrates. The expression of caffeic acid O-methyltransferase and cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase genes increased during the stem elongation stage and remained at high levels during the reproductive stages. The changes at anatomical, metabolic, and molecular levels during plant development were closely associated with lignification and degradability. This study provides an integrated picture of the molecular and chemical events that accompany changes in lignin deposition and ruminal degradability.     

The in vitro efficacy of a quaternary ammonia disinfectant and/or ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid-tris against commercial broiler hatchery isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Studies have indicated variations in the degree of efficacy of certain commercial disinfectants used in poultry production facilities. We used an adequate method of in vitro testing to compare the efficacy of disinfectants while testing them in conditions similar to those of the poultry facilities. BioSentry 904, ethylenediaminetetracetic acid (EDTA)-Tris, and a combination of the two were tested by this method against five field isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa at 10(3), 10(6), and 10(9) colony-forming units (CFU)/ml. At the 10(9) CFU/ml concentration, most compounds failed to achieve a total kill with a contact time of 15 min. When tested at bacterial concentrations of 10(3) CFU/ml, the combination of EDTA-Tris mixed at a 1:1 ratio with BioSentry 904 killed the bacteria upon initial contact (< or = 0.05 min). This disinfectant mixture exhibited antagonistic, indifferent, or synergetic effects when exposed to different bacterial isolates at a concentration of 10(6) CFU/ml.     

Recent increase of Marek's disease in Korea related to the virulence increase of the virus

The incidence of Marek's disease (MD), an important neoplastic disease of chickens, suddenly increased in 1997 in Korea. Most MD cases of this country were detected in chickens over 20 wk of age. Five MD viruses were isolated from field flocks in which severe MD losses had occurred, and one of the viruses was studied to compare its pathotype with the prototype JM strain. The isolate KOMD-IC induced severe depression not only in body weight but also in relative bursal weight, and the depression by KOMD-IC was more severe than that induced by JM strain. In addition, the incidence of MD tumor caused by KOMD-IC was higher than that caused by the JM strain. The protective capacity of several MD vaccines was studied against challenge with KOMD-IC. The protective levels of several MD vaccines such as herpesvirus of turkeys (HVT), HVT plus SB1, and Rispens were usually lower against challenge with KOMD-IC than those challenged with JM strain, even if the chickens vaccinated with serotype 1 were not completely protected against challenge with KOMD-IC. The above results indicate that the virulence of KOMD-IC isolated recently was increased, and the increase of MD outbreak in Korea may be related to the virulence increase of the virus. Various MD vaccine programs were applied to reduce MD loss to a broiler breeder farm where severe MD loss had occurred. Serotype 1 vaccine could dramatically decrease the mortality due to MD, and the best results were obtained from the flocks vaccinated with bivalent vaccine of Rispens and HVT.     

Dermal pharmacokinetics of the insecticide furathiocarb in rats

The pharmacokinetics of furathiocarb were studied in vivo in male Sprague-Dawley rats following dermal treatment. HPLC and post-column derivatization were used for the analysis of furathiocarb and its metabolites (carbofuran, 3-hydroxycarbofuran and 3-ketocarbofuran). Carbofuran and 3-hydroxycarbofuran were detected in plasma and urine rather than furathiocarb. 3-Ketocarbofuran, another potential metabolite, was not observed in any sample. The concentration of carbofuran was higher than that of 3-hydroxycarbofuran in plasma, but the reverse was the case in urine. The corresponding area under the plasma concentration-time curve, Tmax, and Cmax values of carbofuran and 3-hydroxycarbofuran for 1500 mg kg-1 doses were 2.4-8.0 mg equiv hml-1, 12 h and 0.1-0.4 mg equiv ml-1, respectively. T1/2 was calculated only for 3-hydroxycarbofuran (28 h). Two metabolites were excreted in a dose-dependent manner without saturation.     

胚胎期高温处理对家蚕生长发育及部分经济性状的影响

用 3 4℃、RH80 %的环境处理 2 0余个家蚕品种的己 + 2 期胚胎 ,结果表明 :高温处理对某些品种的幼虫经过、幼虫体重、全茧量、茧层量等有明显影响 ,对健康性、茧层率无明显影响 ,对丝质无实质影响 ;高温处理对家蚕生长发育和经济性状的影响纯种间存在差异 ,杂交种受影响比纯种小。因此认为 ,高温处理对家蚕生长发育、经济性状的影响不会成为伴性温敏基因和雄蚕品种利用的限制因素 ,部分不良影响可以通过常规育种手段加以解决