Parasites observed in the proximal alimentary tract of a Przewalski's horse in China

This article reports a Przewalski's horse from the Kalamaili Nature Reserve (KNR) in China transported to our institute to determine the cause of death. The animal had been subjected to necropsy before being transported to our institute; the entire digestive tract was removed but not opened to reduce the possible loss of parasites. During examination, ascarids in the intestines and bots in the oral cavity and stomach were observed. The parasites were identified according to an identification key and enumerated. The ascarids were identified as Parascaris spp. and were associated with a volvulus, resulting in intestinal obstruction. A total of two (stomach), one (duodenum) and 106 (intestines) Parascaris spp. were counted. Bots in the digestive tract were identified as third stage larvae of Gasterophilus pecorum (G. pecorum), Gasterophilus nigricornis (G. nigricornis) and Gasterophilus nasalis (G. nasalis), which may have been associated with stomach ulcers suffered by the horse. Attached to the lining of the oral cavity and stomach were 331 and 2014, respectively, larvae of G. pecorum, while in the duodenum there were 23 third stage larvae of G. nigricornis and 20 third stage larvae of G. nasalis. Therefore, the possibility of the presence of these parasites should not be overlooked in Przewalski horses as these parasites may be responsible for severe clinical signs in infected animals.     

UNILATERAL COMPLETE OBSTRUCTION OF THE PRIMARY BRONCHUS IN TWO JUVENILE MACAWS (ARA SPP.)

Two juvenile macaws presented independently with clinical signs associated with respiratory signs that included coughing, wheezing, and increased respiratory effort and rate. Whole body radiographis were obtained from one patient, and were considered normal. Computed tomography identified unilateral complete primary bronchial obstruction in both cases. Tracheoscopy was performed in both cases and identified a partial obstruction of the syrinx in one case. Biopsy samples collected during tracheoscopy were submitted for microbial culture. Aspergillus spp. was isolated and treatment was unsuccessful for this macaw. The second case was euthanized upon diagnosis. In both cases, a complete necropsy confirmed the primary bronchial obstruction and fungal organisms were identified, consistent with Aspergillus spp. As demonstrated by these two cases, radiography and tracheoscopy do not allow for the diagnosis of primary bronchial obstruction in birds. Therefore, a computed tomography scan is recommended to accurately diagnose this condition in avian patients.     

南方滨海河网非恒定流计算模型的研究

根据广东省台山市都斛镇灌排河网的特点 ,建立了河网非恒定出流数学模型。该模型根据潮水位的变化 ,模拟河网的水位和流量变化过程。通过调节挡潮闸的运行时间和开启度 ,使该系统既能满足排涝要求 ,又能合理控制河网水位 ,使之满足农作物生长对地下水位的要求     

棕熊肠梗阻的诊断与治疗

棕熊在人工饲养条件下,受环境、食物以及与人群密切接触等诸多因素的影响,使机体的抗病能力下降,患病几率增加.主要对一例人工饲养棕熊肠梗阻的发病情况、临床症状、诊断方法和治疗措施作一介绍,以期为临床有效治疗棕熊肠梗阻提供参考.     

Expression of Sonic hedgehog pathway-related genes in kidney tissues of rats with unilateral ureteral obstruction

AIM: To investigate the role of Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway in renal interstitial fibrosis in the rats with unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). METHODS: Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly into sham operation group and UUO model group with 24 rats each. The kidneys were excised on day 3, 7, and 14, and the deposition of collagen fiber in the kidneys was detected with HE and Masson staining. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to evaluate the expression of Shh signaling pathway-related proteins, including Shh, Smo,Ptch1 and Gli1. The contents of TGF-β₁ and Shh in the kidney tissues were determined by ELISA. Real-time RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of TGF-β₁, Col I, Col III and Shh signaling-related genes.RESULTS: Fibrosis observed with HE and Masson staining was obviously increased in UUO kidneys, and aggravated as time prolonged. The contents of TGF-β₁, Col I and Col III were also increased. In addition, the expression of Shh, Smo and Gli1 was markedly increased in obstructive kidneys, and the expression of Ptch1 was decreased (P<0.01), suggesting that Shh signaling was activated. The level of Shh in UUO rats was associated with the content of TGF-β₁. CONCLUSION: Shh signaling is activated in the progress of renal interstitial fibrosis in UUO rats, and the possible mechanism triggering the fibrogenic response is that Shh signaling promotes the expression of TGF-β₁.