The Effect of Levothyroxine Treatment on Resting Energy Expenditure of Hypothyroid Dogs

Thirty adult, client-owned dogs were diagnosed with hypothyroidism based on history, physical examination findings, hematologic and biochemical abnormalities, thyrotropin (TSH) response testing, endogenous canine thyrotropin (cTSH) concentration, or both, and total serum thryoxine concentration. All dogs received levothyroxine (L-thyroxine) at an initial dose of 22 μg/kg PO sid in either a tablet (13 dogs) or chewable form (17 dogs). Energy expenditure of each dog during apparent rest was estimated with an open-flow indirect calorimetry system by determining the rates of carbon dioxide production and oxygen consumption. Energy expenditure of apparent rest (EE) was lower in untreated hypothyroid dogs compared with reference values for EE. After treatment with L-thyroxine, EE of the hypothyroid dogs was significantly ( P < .05) higher than pretreatment values.     

6种热带亚热带豆科牧草抗寒性及营养品质比较

为了筛选华南地区适宜的优质冬季青饲料草种,本研究比较了旋扭山绿豆(Desmodium intortum)、大叶山蚂蟥(Desmodium laxiflorum)、异果山绿豆(Desmodium heterocarpum)、显脉山绿豆(Desmodium reticulatum)、糙毛假地豆(Desmodium heterocarpum var.strigosum)和柱花草(Stylosanthes guianensis)6种热带亚热带豆科牧草在广州越冬期的抗寒性及营养品质。结果表明,除柱花草外,其它5种豆科牧草均能保持青绿越冬,其中旋扭山绿豆和大叶山蚂蟥的叶绿素含量均显著高于其它牧草(P0.05)。旋扭山绿豆的净光合速率最高(P0.05),其次是大叶山蚂蟥(P0.05),因此这两种牧草具有相对较强的抗寒性;与其它牧草相比,旋扭山绿豆在冬季能保持较高的粗蛋白含量(15.99%~20.26%)(P0.05)以及较低的洗涤纤维(NDF 27.92%~30.89%、ADF 23.96%~27.06%)和缩合单宁含量(6.05~11.95mg·g~(-1))(P0.05),因而具有较高的营养价值。因此,旋扭山绿豆可以作为华南地区冬季豆科青饲料的潜在优选草种。     

华北驼绒藜雨季移栽成活率研究

本文是不同季节移栽华北驼绒藜(Ceratoides arborescens)系列研究之一。干旱区春季生态建植有补水之苦,雨季移栽表明,不需坐水或补水,成活率可高达60%,浸根可提高成活率至90%;说明雨季移栽是可行的。移栽植株数日内叶片含水量和叶绿素含量急剧下降、脯氨酸含量骤然升高,含量恢复过程则较缓慢,说明移栽使植株突然损伤,但终能恢复至正常生理状态。     

活性氧(ROS)对小鼠早期胚胎胚细胞分裂的影响

在体外CZB培养的不同时期添加过氧化氢(2.1μmol/L),发育至囊胚阶段,制作胚胎标本,观察其囊胚发育率、胚细胞数和分裂相数。结果显示:0~12 h组和0~72 h组的胚胎发育率显著低于其他几组(P<0.05),对照组、12~24 h组、24~36 h组、36~48 h组之间均差异不显著(P>0.05);各组之间的胚细胞数和分裂指数均无显著差异。说明胚胎在体外培养时,2细胞期胚胎对外源性H2O2最敏感,也最容易发生发育阻滞。但是经H2O2处理之后,度过2细胞期发育阻滞的胚胎能在以后的发育中发生补偿性生长,其胚细胞数和分裂指数都和体外正常发育的胚胎没有差异。     

Pharmacokinetics of xylazine after 2-, 4-, and 6-hr durations of continuous rate infusions in horses

Intravenous (i.v.) bolus administration of xylazine (XYL) (0.5 mg/kg) immediately followed by a continuous rate infusion (CRI) of 1 mg kg⁻¹ hr⁻¹ for 2, 4, and 6 hr produced immediate sedation, which lasted throughout the duration of the CRI. Heart rate decreased and blood pressure increased significantly (p > .05) in all horses during the first 15 min of infusion, both returned to and then remained at baseline during the duration of the infusion. Compartmental models were used to investigate the pharmacokinetics of XYL administration. Plasma concentration–time curves following bolus and CRI were best described by a one-compartment model. No differences were found between pharmacokinetic estimates of the CRIs for the fractional elimination rate constant (K_e), half-life (t_1/2e), volume of distribution (V_d), and clearance (Cl). Median and range were 0.42 (0.15–0.97)/hr, 1.68 (0.87–4.52) hr, 5.85 (2.10–19.34) L/kg, and 28.7 (19.6–39.5) ml min⁻¹ kg⁻¹, respectively. Significant differences were seen for area under the curve ( ) (p < .0002) and maximum concentration (C_max) (p < .04). This indicates that with increasing duration of infusion, XYL may not accumulate in a clinically relevant way and hence no adjustments are required in a longer XYL CRI to maintain a constant level of sedation and a rapid recovery.     

The impact of MK-467 on sedation,heart rate and arterial blood pressure after intramuscular coadministration with dexmedetomidine in conscious cats

Objective

To study the effects of MK-467, a peripheral α₂-adrenoceptor antagonist, on sedation, heart rate and blood pressure after intramuscular (IM) coadministration with 25 μg kg^?1 of dexmedetomidine in cats.

冬季羔羊舍饲育肥中应用膨润土的试验研究

在玉米秸为主的日粮中每头添加膨润土１６ｇ／ｄ和羟甲基尿素２０ｇ／ｄ进行羔羊快速育肥试验。结果表明,羔羊日增重由对照组的６５．００ｇ提高到试验组的１２０．６３ｇ,二者差异显著（Ｐ＜０．０５）。饲料转化效率提高４６．０１％。４０ｄ后羔羊瘤胃液ｐＨ值明显降低。膨润土能改善羔羊瘤胃消化代谢并促进羔羊生长。     

Characterization of an intravenous lipopolysaccharide inflammation model in calves with respect to the acute-phase response

Our objective was to develop a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) inflammation model in calves to evaluate the acute-phase response with respect to the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and acute-phase proteins, fever development and sickness behaviour. Fourteen 4-week-old male Holstein Friesian calves were included and randomly assigned to a negative control group (n = 3) and an LPS-challenged group (n = 11). The latter received an intravenous bolus injection of 0.5 μg of LPS/kg body weight. Blood collection and clinical scoring were performed at 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 5, 6, 8, 12, 18, 24, 28, 32, 48, 54 and 72 h post LPS administration (p.a.). In the LPS group, the following clinical signs were observed successively: tachypnoea (on average 18 min p.a.), decubitus (29 min p.a.), general depression (1.75 h p.a.), fever (5 h p.a.) and tachycardia (5 h p.a.). Subsequent to the recovery from respiratory distress, general depression was prominent, which deteriorated when fever increased. One animal did not survive LPS administration, whereas the other animals recovered on average within 6.1 h p.a. Moreover, the challenge significantly increased plasma concentrations of tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin 6, serum amyloid A and haptoglobin, with peaking levels at 1, 3.5, 24 and 18 h p.a., respectively. The present LPS model was practical and reproducible, caused obvious clinical signs related to endotoxemia and a marked change in the studied inflammatory mediators, making it a suitable model to study the immunomodulatory properties of drugs in future research.     

Development of a romifidine constant rate infusion with or without butorphanol for standing sedation of horses

ObjectiveTo determine constant rate infusion (CRI) protocols for romifidine (R) and romifidine combined with butorphanol (RB) resulting in constant sedation and romifidine plasma concentrations.Study designBlinded randomized crossover study.AnimalsTen adult research horses.MethodsPart I: After determining normal height of head above ground (HHAG = 100%), loading doses of romifidine (80 μg kg^?1) with butorphanol (RB: 18 μg kg^?1) or saline (R) were given intravenously (IV). Immediately afterwards, a butorphanol (RB: 25 μg kg^?1 hour^?1) or saline (R) CRI was administered for 2 hours. The HHAG was used as marker of sedation depth. Sedation was maintained for 2 hours by additional romifidine (20 μg kg^?1) whenever HHAG > 50%. The dose rate of romifidine (μg kg^?1 hour^?1) required to maintain sedation was calculated for both treatments. Part II: After loading doses, the romifidine CRIs derived from part I were administered in parallel to butorphanol (RB) or saline (R). Sedation and ataxia were evaluated periodically. Romifidine plasma concentrations were measured by HPLC-MS-MS at 0, 5, 10, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 105, and 120 minutes. Data were analyzed using paired t-test, Fisher's exact test, Wilcoxon signed rank test, and two-way anova for repeated measures (p < 0.05).ResultsThere was no significant difference in romifidine requirements (R: 30; RB: 29 μg kg^?1 hour^?1). CRI protocols leading to constant sedation were developed. Time to first additional romifidine bolus was significantly longer in RB (mean ± SD, R: 38.5 ± 13.6; RB: 50.5 ± 11.7 minutes). Constant plasma concentrations of romifidine were achieved during the second hour of CRI. Ataxia was greater when butorphanol was added.ConclusionRomifidine bolus, followed by CRI, provided constant sedation assessed by HHAG. Butorphanol was ineffective in reducing romifidine requirements in unstimulated horses, but prolonged the sedation caused by the initial romifidine bolus.Clinical relevanceBoth protocols need to be tested under clinical conditions.