ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN ULTRASOUND AND CLINICAL FINDINGS IN 87 CATS WITH URETHRAL OBSTRUCTION

Urethral obstruction is a life‐threatening form of feline lower urinary tract disease. Ultrasonographic risk factors for reobstruction have not been previously reported. Purposes of this retrospective cross‐sectional study were to describe urinary tract ultrasound findings in cats following acute urethral obstruction and determine whether ultrasound findings were associated with reobstruction. Inclusion criteria were a physical examination and history consistent with urethral obstruction, an abdominal ultrasound including a full evaluation of the urinary system within 24 h of hospitalization, and no cystocentesis prior to ultrasound examination. Medical records for included cats were reviewed and presence of azotemia, hyperkalemia, positive urine culture, and duration of hospitalization were recorded. For medically treated cats with available outcome data, presence of reobstruction was also recorded. Ultrasound images were reviewed and urinary tract characteristics were recorded. A total of 87 cats met inclusion criteria. Common ultrasound findings for the bladder included echogenic urine sediment, bladder wall thickening, pericystic effusion, hyperechoic pericystic fat, and increased urinary echoes; and for the kidneys/ureters included pyelectasia, renomegaly, perirenal effusion, hyperechoic perirenal fat, and ureteral dilation. Six‐month postdischarge outcomes were available for 61 medically treated cats and 21 of these cats had reobstruction. No findings were associated with an increased risk of reobstruction. Ultrasonographic perirenal effusion was associated with severe hyperkalemia (P = 0.009, relative risk 5.75, 95% confidence interval [1.54–21.51]). Findings supported the use of ultrasound as an adjunct for treatment planning in cats presented with urethral obstruction but not as a method for predicting risk of reobstruction.     

Expression of toll‐like receptor 2 mRNA in bronchial epithelial cells is not induced in RAO‐affected horses

Reasons for performing study: Airway inflammation in recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) is triggered by housing affected horses in stables. It has been suggested that RAO is an allergic condition, but innate immune mechanisms are also involved. Fungal products activate innate immune mechanisms through toll‐like receptor 2 (TLR2). In human airway epithelium, TLR2 activation leads to interleukin (IL)‐8 production. This pathway is negatively regulated by the zinc finger protein A20. This study was performed to enhance understanding of innate immune mechanisms in RAO. Hypothesis: TLR2 and IL‐8 mRNA are elevated in RAO during stabling compared with controls. A20 mRNA is negatively associated with the numbers of airway inflammatory cells. Objectives: To determine TLR 2 , IL‐8 and A20 mRNA expression in lungs of stabled and pastured RAO‐affected and control horses. Methods: Airway obstruction and inflammatory cell counts in bronchoalveolar lavage were measured, and TLR 2 , IL‐8 and A20 mRNA expression quantified by qRT‐PCR in 6 RAO‐affected and 6 control horses, during and after exposure to hay and straw. Results: Airway obstruction and neutrophils were increased in RAO‐affected horses during stabling. While stabling increased IL‐ 8 , TLR2 and A20 mRNA were unaffected. TLR2 and A20 were significantly correlated (r = 0.83) and A20 mRNA was negatively associated with inflammatory cells. Potential relevance: Stabling does not lead to an increase in TLR2 expression. Other molecules or processes in the TLR2 cascade might be important in fungal‐induced airway inflammation. Equine epithelial‐derived A20 may be involved in modulation of airway inflammation.     

Omega‐3 Fatty Acid Supplementation Provides an Additional Benefit to a Low‐Dust Diet in the Management of Horses with Chronic Lower Airway Inflammatory Disease

Background

Omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) may benefit humans and animals with chronic inflammatory diseases.

Hypothesis

Omega‐3 PUFA supplementation improves clinical signs, lung function, and airway inflammation in horses with recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) and inflammatory airway disease (IAD).

Animals

Eight research horses and 35 client‐owned horses.

Methods

A pilot study examined the dose of PUFA that can alter plasma PUFA composition. Then, a randomized, controlled clinical trial was performed in horses with RAO and IAD. Horses were fed a complete pelleted diet with no hay and randomly assigned to 1 of 3 daily treatments for 2 months: 30 or 60 g of the supplement or 30 g of placebo. Clinical signs, lung function, plasma PUFA composition, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cytology were evaluated. Data were expressed as median (25–75th percentiles). P < .05 was considered significant.

Results

Polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation resulted in increased plasma docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) that peaked at 4 weeks. Clinical improvement was noted in all horses involved in the clinical trial, but the group that received PUFA had greater improvement in clinical signs (cough score improved 60%), lung function (respiratory effort decreased 48%), and BALF (neutrophils decreased from 23 to 9%) when compared to placebo (cough score improved 33%, respiratory effort decreased 27%, BALF neutrophils increased from 11 to 17%; P < .05).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Feeding horses with RAO and IAD a PUFA supplement containing 1.5–3 g DHA for 2 months provides an additional benefit to low‐dust diet.     

Airway management under general anaesthesia in pigs using the LMA-ProSeal: a pilot study

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of the LMA-ProSeal for positive pressure ventilation (PPV) in the pig. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective observational study. ANIMALS: Twelve German country pigs, weighing 25-62 kg. METHOD: Lungs of pigs were mechanically ventilated under general anaesthesia using the LMA-ProSeal. The ease of insertion, number of attempts and total time until placement of the LMA-ProSeal and gastric tube were recorded. Bronchoscopy was performed to determine the position of the LMA-ProSeal and to detect signs of aspiration. Ventilation variables and the leak airway pressure (P(leak)) were measured. An arterial blood gas sample was taken to determine the adequacy of ventilation. RESULTS: The airway was secured in all pigs within 39 +/- 19 seconds (27-51). Different sizes of LMA-ProSeal were used; up to 30 kg: size 3, up to 43 kg: size 4; and above 43 kg: size 5. In all but one animal the P-LMA and gastric tube were inserted at the first attempt. In nine animals gastric fluid was drained through the gastric tube. There was no evidence of aspiration in any animal. The mean [+/-SD (95%CI)]P(leak) was 28.8 +/- 7.5 cm H(2)O (24.06-33.60) and normal ventilation was achieved in all animals. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that the airway of pigs weighing 25-62 kg can be secured safely and reliably with the sizes 3, 4 and 5 LMA-ProSeal. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Endotracheal intubation in pigs can be difficult so there is a risk of hypoxemia in the apnoeic animal. With the LMA-ProSeal the airway can be secured rapidly, safely and reliably. Use of the Standard-LMA under PPV can be associated with gas leakage into the stomach and the subsequent risk of gastric distension and regurgitation. Both the ability to drain the stomach and the high P(leak) of the LMA-ProSeal could contribute to improved protection against aspiration under PPV.     

黄土高原地区的生态建设与政策创新

生态环境建设是西部大开发的根本切入点。黄土高原地区是我国生态环境最为严峻的地区 ,目前仍有 2 9× 10 4 km2 的土地有待治理 ,任务十分艰巨。本区生态环境建设的主要阻力是生态系统脆弱、经济系统贫困、科技文化水平落后、生态建设效益滞后、投资巨大等。提出的对策是稳定落实“退田还林”补贴政策 ,完善多元化的生态建设投资体系 ,建立公平合理的资源开发政策体系 ,加强生态环境建设的科技支撑作用 ,严格控制人口的快速增长等。强调排除阻力、促进生态环境建设的关键是调整思路 ,在各项政策和措施上都有所创新 ,有所突破     

粳稻轮回选择育种方法的研究

本文探讨了光敏核不育材料应用于寒冷稻作区粳稻轮回选择育种方法。提出了轮回选择育种的基本程序，论述了粳稻轮回选择育种方法的优越性和局限性．三年选育试验表明轮回选择育种方法选育的稳定株系具有株型好、穗粒多、米质好、抗瘟性和抗寒性强等优点，其综合农艺性状明显优于现有的生产品种。     

Characteristic of Inflammatory Airway Disease in Japanese Thoroughbred Racehorses

Inflammatory airway disease (IAD) is a common cause of poor performance, interruption of training and premature retirement in racehorses. It is also reported that up to 80% of horses are affected at some point in the first years of training in UK and Australia. However, no studies with regard to the information on occurrence of IAD in Japanese Thoroughbred racehorses have been reported. To investigate the occurrence and the characteristics of IAD, epidemic research including endoscopic examination of the airway tract and trachea wash was conducted for Thoroughbred racehorses presenting coughs or poor performance which airway tract disease was suspected stalled in training facility managed by Japan Racing Association. Fifty-six out of 76 Thoroughbred racehorses (73.7%) presenting coughing or poor performance were diagnosed as IAD. Mean incidence rate of IAD was 0.3% and it has been confirmed that constant number of IAD exists in Japan. Up to 35.7% of IAD horses showed upper airway abnormalities in some extent. There was a trend for IAD horses to use wood shavings for bedding and fed hay from the ground compared with the control group. Therefore, improvement of stabling environment may aid in preventing IAD. This study demonstrated that Japanese Thoroughbred racehorses are affected by IAD likewise other countries as well as demonstrated the characteristics of IAD which may contribute to the clarification of the pathogenesis of IAD.     

Ta1小麦不同轮选世代不育株的HMW-GS组成与分析

为了给Ta1小麦轮选育种提供一定的参考．利用SDS—PAGE方法对Ta1小麦轮选群体C2、C5世代不育株及亲本的HMW—GS组成与变异进行分析。结果表明；（1）C2世代不育株的HMW-GS变异十分广泛。变异系数高速94．2％。31种亚基组合中“1，7＋8，2＋12”出现频率最高。Glu—B1位点亚基变异最丰富，有15种类型，而且产生了7、22、13＋16等亲本中不存在的亚基；Glu—D1位点优质亚基5＋10仅占18．0％，2＋12亚基仍占明显优势。（2）C5世代不育株的HMW—GS变异较亲本广泛，29种亚基组合中．杂合的“1，7＋8／14＋15，5＋10”出现频率最高（12．7％），其余皆小于7．0％；Glu—B1位点变异类型仅有9种，且多为杂合。C5世代优质亚基5＋10、14＋15出现频率提高至40．0％和32．0％，但变异系数降为80．7％，表明轮选效果明显，但C5世代群体的遗传异质性较C2世代呈下降趋势。     

轮回选择在烤烟种质创新中的应用研究

[目的]研究轮回选择在烤烟种质创新中的应用情况,为烤烟新品种的选育奠定基础。[方法]以8个不同的骨干亲本组合为母本,用其他组合对母本进行逐配,形成C1群体,调查各烤烟后代的经济性状和农艺性状,并进行方差分析。[结果]亲本组合5[(CF965×满屋香)×(云85×CF965)]烤烟烟株较高,茎围较粗,叶数较多,叶面积较大,田间农艺性状表现最优;从各项经济性状指标来看,烤烟亲本组合4[(317×SC72)×(云85×CF965)]和亲本组合7[(CF965×满屋香)×(CF965×OX414)]表现最优。[结论]通过轮回选择,有计划地在烤烟中导入优良基因,获取了新的基因型,从而达到了改良和创新种质的目的。