Heart Rate Variability in Horses Engaged in Equine-Assisted Activities

Although there has been a recent surge in using horses to treat mental and emotional human health issues, the consequences of horse-assisted interventions on the stress response of horses have not been well documented. Assessment of the autonomic nervous system and its regulation of cardiovascular function has been used as an indicator of acute and chronic stress in human beings and horses. Heart rate variability (HRV) is a noninvasive measurement that has been used to assess autonomic nervous system regulation of cardiovascular function. There is evidence to suggest that several factors including the genotype, behavior, environment, temperament, and nutritional status of the horse play a key role in the large inter-individual variations in basal HRV. The present study determined whether 24-hour HRV recordings in horses currently working in equine-assisted therapy (EAT) differ from those previously shown in Thoroughbred horses. Findings from the present study found that in contrast to previous studies in Thoroughbred horses, diurnal and nocturnal low frequency and high frequency powers were not significantly different in horses that are currently engaged in EAT. Future studies are needed to determine the short- and long-term consequences of horses participating in EAT programs. Findings from this study will provide the basis for the development of a physiological/behavioral assessment criteria to determine the consequences of EAT on the well-being of horses as well as to help EAT Centers to improve the beneficial effects of EAT in human beings.     

Expression of E‐cadherin in canine anal sac gland carcinoma and its association with survival*

The objective of this study was to determine whether an association could be demonstrated between survival and the expression of the adhesion molecule E‐cadherin by the neoplastic cells in a group of dogs with anal sac gland carcinomas (ASGCs). Archived formalin‐fixed, paraffin wax‐embedded primary tumour specimens were obtained for 36 cases of canine ASGC with known clinical management and survival data. Immunohistochemical methods were used to evaluate E‐cadherin expression by the neoplastic cells and data were evaluated for an association between E‐cadherin expression and survival. On univariate analysis, the median survival time for cases with tumours expressing E‐cadherin in more than 75% of cells was significantly greater than that for cases with tumours expressing E‐cadherin in fewer than 75% of cells (1168 versus 448 days, P = 0.0246). Both E‐cadherin expression and presence or absence of distant metastases were significantly associated with survival on multivariate analysis. This study demonstrates that expression of E‐cadherin at the cytoplasmic membrane in canine ASGCs is variable and potentially predictive of survival.     

健全质量管理体系 保证蚕种检验检疫质量

阐述了浙江省蚕种质量检验检疫站质量管理体系的构建与运行实效,对确保全省蚕种质量的作用。     

BPI指数在西杂牛经济类型划分上的应用研究

[目的]进一步提高我区西杂牛的选育水平,为培育河西肉牛新类群提供理论依据。[方法]通过采用BPI指数法,对172头西杂牛的测定分析。[结果]一岁公牛BPI指数平均为6.81±1.24、二岁公牛为7.14±1.38、三岁公牛为5.58±1.47,均达到或超过5.9的肉用型指标;一岁母牛BPI指数平均为4.45±1.07、...     

中草药添加剂对育肥猪生长性能及血液生化指标的影响

将120头胎次、日龄相近,体质量在70kg左右的＂杜×长×大＂三元杂交猪随机分为4组,空白对照组只饲喂基础饲粮,西药组添加0.02%半胱胺,其他2组分别添加1%和0.5%的中草药添加剂。结果表明：在生长性能方面,2个中药组（B、C组）、半胱胺组（D组）的日增重分别比空白对照组（A组）提高了9.89%（P〈0.05）,4.42%（P〉0.05）和1.26%（P〉0.05）,料肉比分别比对照组降低了7.07%（P〈0.05）,4.49%（P〈0.05）和3.97%（P〈0.05）;添加中草药添加剂,对猪只肝肾功能无不良影响。     

RNA干扰技术和家蚕杆状病毒表达系统在纤维素酶研究中的应用前景

植物通过光合作用产生的纤维素是地球上最丰富、最廉价的可再生资源。纤维素酶是糖苷水解酶的一种,能有效地将农作物秸杆等富含纤维素的物质水解为葡萄糖,进而发酵产生生物乙醇,从而解决农业、再生能源以及环境污染等问题。随着生物化学、分子生物学以及基因工程等多种交叉学科的快速发展,获得适合工业化的高活力的纤维素酶指日可待。RNA干扰是利用双链RNA特异性地降解相应序列的mRNA,从而特异性地阻断相应基因的表达,是后基因组时代的一种强有力的调控目的基因表达的实验工具。家蚕杆状病毒表达系统是一种快速、高效表达外源基因的技术手段,目前该系统的发展和应用已经非常成熟。本文综述了纤维素酶的特性以及近年来国内外对纤维素酶、RNA干扰和家蚕杆状病毒表达系统的研究进展,并对该两种实验技术手段在今后纤维素酶研究中的应用前景作了预测和展望。     

贵南县乡镇农业技术推广体系存在的问题及其对策建议

乡镇农业技术推广体系是实施科技兴农战略的重要力量,乡镇农业技术推广人员对于提高农民科学文化整体素质起到重要作用。笔者通过对贵南县乡镇农业技术推广现状分析,指出乡镇农业技术推广工作存在着基础设施条件差、推广经费不足、管理体制不顺、推广工作难度大、专业技术人员少、业务素质不高、农技人员待遇低等突出问题,并结合实际,有针对性地提出了搞好乡镇农业技术推广工作的对策建议。     

Phytomass estimation using eMODIS NDVI and ground data in arid rangelands of Morocco

The assessment of rangeland productivity in semi-extensively grazed arid rangelands is a prerequisite for livestock management in relation to sustainable use of pastoral resources. The objective of this study was to assess rangeland productivity based on normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) images. Data on phytomass were measured on 61 field samples in arid rangelands of Morocco, covering various rangeland categories during autumn (November) and spring (April), i.e. when phytomass is at low and high levels, respectively, for two consecutive years (2008 and 2009). Dekadal EROS Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (eMODIS) NDVI data were linearly regressed to field measurements for these four periods. Results show that phytomass values were correlated with NDVI during spring, with R² and RMSE values of 0.82 and 0.3 t ha^?1, respectively. This study indicates there is a high potential for operational use of remotely sensed data to estimate rangeland phytomass of semi-extensively grazed rangelands.     

遮荫胁迫下外源一氧化氮对高羊茅的生理调控作用

用外源一氧化氮(NO)供体硝普钠(SNP)处理遮荫胁迫下的2个高羊茅(Festuca arundinacea)品种,探讨外源NO对遮荫胁迫下其叶绿素含量、膜透性、丙二醛(MDA)含量、抗氧化酶活性及脯氨酸(Pro)含量的影响.结果表明:外源NO可以显著提高遮荫胁迫下高羊茅叶片的叶绿素含量(P＜0.05),减弱质膜相对透性的增加,减缓膜质过氧化产物MDA含量的升高,促进Pro的积累,提高超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)和过氧化氢酶(CAT)的活性(P＜0.05).遮荫胁迫下高羊茅品种踏火二号的电解质渗透率、MDA含量、CAT活性和Pro含量的变化显著(P＜0.05),NO的作用效果     

遮阴对成坪期草地早熟禾和紫羊茅生长特性的影响

以冷季型草坪草草地早熟禾(Poa pratensis)的优异(Merit)、新哥来德(Nu Glade)、肯塔基(K.B.G)3个品种和紫羊茅(Festuca rubra)的两个品种宝瑞(Boreal)、梦神(rubra),共5个品种草坪草为研究对象,在人工遮阴控制下,对其成坪期耐阴性进行了比较。试验设置的遮阴处理分别是遮阴度22%、45%、66%、83%,以不遮阴的全光照为对照(CK)。结果表明,成坪期,随着遮阴度的提高,株高先增加后降低,各品种株高值达到最高时的遮阴度有差异,草地早熟禾在遮阴度为83%时均显著低于其他处理(P0.05);宝瑞在遮阴度为22%时根长极显著高于对照(P0.01),其他品种随着遮阴度的提高根长变短;遮阴使各品种的比叶重降低;遮阴度45%以上时,叶宽都显著小于对照(P0.05);随着遮阴度提高草地早熟禾枝条干重下降,紫羊茅先增加后降低。