Trends in natural resource use and prospects for sustainable resource management in Kenya's Arid and Semiarid Lands

This paper describes the environmental problems facing the development of Kenya's Arid and Semiarid lands (ASAL) today. The problems arise because of a rapidly declining resource base in the ASAL as a result of overexploitation and misuse, following basic land use conflicts. The extent of the overutilization or resource damage is not well known and varies a great deal from one agroecological zone to another and from resource to resource in the ASAL; those most affected include: soil, water, range, forest, livestock and wildlife. As a result of increased population growth in the ASAL, these resources are under stress. This paper argues that many of the environmental problems in the ASAL cannot be solved if the development programme does not address the needs of the people who live in the ASAL. There is a need to shift the objective of ASAL development from a preoccupation with economic growth and the idea that the ASAL should make a contribution to GNP through interregional trade and export to sustainable development that enables the communities in the ASAL to support themselves at as good a standard of living as possible. The last part of this paper outlines a strategy to promote such sustainable development.     

农村留守妇女的现状·成因与干预策略研究

研究了农村留守妇女现阶段的生存现状及其产生的因素,并且针对这些现状提出切实可行的干预措施.     

Development, advances and applications of diagnostic ultrasound in animals

Ultrasound has many industrial applications but it was first introduced as a medical diagnostic aid in the 1940s with its first veterinary application, the detection of ovine pregnancy, being reported in 1966. Since then, improvements in equipment quality combined with an increased awareness of the benefits of ultrasound as an imaging technique have led to its widespread use in the veterinary field. Recent advances in computer technology have significantly influenced equipment design and the miniaturization of transducers allows intra-operative and intra-vascular applications. Software advances have improved the ability to manipulate and process data, leading to an increased amount of information being obtained from each examination and the advent of 'remote diagnosis'. Ultrasound guided interventional techniques can now be used for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. Many of these developments have been introduced by equipment manufacturers but have found specific applications in the veterinary field. Ultrasound is currently employed in a very diverse range of situations, not just as a diagnostic tool in the routine clinical workup of a range of species, but also for disease screening, conservation projects, commercial services, herd management and clinical research.     

A pre- and post-intervention study of infection control in equine hospitals in Sweden

Background

Detection of nosocomial methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections in horses in Sweden has increased attention on infection control (IC) in equine hospitals. This study established baseline data on IC programmes within such settings, evaluated compliance with some IC procedures before and after an education intervention, and examined barriers to compliance.The study was carried out between 2008 and 2011 in four Swedish equine hospitals. Data on current IC of each hospital, purchase data on hand sanitisers and disposable gloves per patient, and direct observations of compliance with procedures were monitored pre- and post-intervention. The intervention comprised a lecture on common IC and a review of each hospital’s current procedures. For comparison, retrospective purchase data were reviewed. A questionnaire on individual compliance, experiences and opinions of IC was issued to employees.

Results

Three hospitals completed the study, while the fourth reported its IC procedures and completed the questionnaire. Actual numbers of procedures, content and level of documentation differed among the hospitals. Similarities were poor or absent IC implementation strategy, lack of active surveillance of compliance with procedures and no monitoring of such as nosocomial infections. Among the hospitals which completed the study, two reported pre-intervention observation of compliance, while all three reported post-intervention observations. The purchase data showed trends for changes over time, although not uniformly related to the intervention. One hospital demonstrated a significant post-intervention increase in compliance with glove procedures, accompanied by a non-significant post-intervention increase in purchases figures. Compliance with dress code and personal appearance was high in all three hospitals (92-100%), while compliance with hand hygiene procedures was generally poorer. Barriers to compliance cited in the questionnaire (data from four hospitals) included insufficient supplies of hygiene products, lack of readily accessible places for cleaning, insufficient knowledge and high workload.

Conclusions

Potential for easily attainable improvements in IC, such as traceability of documents, implementation strategies and surveillance of efficacy, was revealed. Attention to hand hygiene implementation and improvement of logistics appeared important. Data on purchases per patient were readily available and therefore applicable for intra-hospital surveillance of IC trends over time.     

芦荟苷对亚慢性AFB1致大鼠免疫损伤的干预作用

[目的]研究芦荟苷对AFB1诱发大鼠免疫抑制的预防作用,为芦荟的开发与利用提供试验依据。[方法]连续5周灌胃200μg/kg BW AFB1建立大鼠亚慢性AFB1免疫损伤模型,通过不同剂量(10和30 mg/kg BW)的芦荟苷进行干预,分析大鼠的体重变化、脏器指数、脾脏抗氧化能力、血清免疫球蛋白含量和炎性细胞因子的表达量,研究芦荟苷对AFB1诱发大鼠免疫损伤的化学预防作用。[结果]芦荟苷干预有效缓解了长期AFB1暴露引起的体重增长缓慢和免疫器官萎缩。AFB1模型组脾脏MDA水平显著上升,而CAT、GSH、GSH-PX和SOD水平显著下降。芦荟苷干预能够显著抑制AFB1引起的脾脏氧化应激损伤。AFB1暴露没有显著改变血清中Ig A、Ig G和Ig M含量。AFB1显著提高了促炎因子IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α和IFN-γ的表达量,而芦荟苷能不同程度降低4种促炎因子的表达,从而抑制大鼠炎症反应的发生。[结论]芦荟苷对AFB1暴露所致的大鼠免疫损伤具有明显改善作用。     

乳杆菌TZ-5对高脂饮食大鼠血脂水平的干预作用研究

[目的]筛选出具有降血脂作用的天然乳酸菌。[方法]采用传统的MRS培养分离方法,从新疆哈萨克族自制干酪中分离活性菌株,通过体内试验研究分离菌株在大鼠体内的降血脂作用。[结果]从分离出的11株菌株中筛选到1株降胆固醇乳酸菌TZ-5,经鉴定为乳杆菌(Lactobacillus)。在MRS-THIO液体培养基中TZ-5乳酸菌对胆固醇的降解率达到38.75%。用乳杆菌TZ-5灌胃高脂饮食大鼠,在不同的灌胃时期试验组大鼠血清中甘油三酯(TG)、总胆固醇(TC)、高密度脂蛋白-胆固醇(HDL-C)的含量较对照组均有所提高,其中对TC和TG含量的影响最为显著。[结论]TZ-5乳酸菌是1株具有开发前景的高效降血脂的益生菌。     

黑老虎果实提取物对小鼠腹泻模型的干预作用

为了研究黑老虎果实提取物的抗腹泻作用,从而为临床应用提供实验依据。实验首先对黑老虎果实提取物中木脂素、三萜及黄酮含量进行测定,然后对ICR小鼠进行细菌性腹泻、药物性腹泻和小肠炭末推进实验。根据实验要求,将细菌性腹泻模型小鼠和药物性腹泻模型小鼠灌胃不同药物,连续7天,除正常组外,其余小鼠于末次给药30min后分别腹腔注射大肠埃希菌溶液和灌胃番泻叶提取液,观察并记录各组小鼠腹泻情况;小肠炭末推进实验于小鼠末次给药30min后灌胃给予5%炭末,计算小肠炭末推进率 ;结果表明,黑老虎果实提取物中木脂素类、三萜类及黄酮类化合物的含量分别为44.48%、4.57%、14.02%黑老虎果实提取物各剂量组对细菌性小鼠均有较好的预防效果,其中高剂量组 （200mg/kg）最佳,与模型组呈显著差异（P＜0.01）,效果亦优于阳性药物组;提取物各剂量组均能减少番泻叶腹泻小鼠稀便数量,且与模型组呈显著差异,但对潜伏时间没影响;提取物对小鼠小肠炭末推进无明显影响 由此可知,黑老虎果实提取物对细菌性腹泻小鼠具有良好的抗腹泻作用,对药物性致腹泻作用较弱。     

人为干预对太行山坡地核桃林土壤理化性质的影响

目的 探究人为干预对山区坡地人工经济林土壤理化性质的影响,为森林土壤恢复和可持续经营提供科学依据。 方法 以太行山坡地未管理、清理灌草、清理灌草施肥这3种干预方式的核桃林为研究对象,通过野外调查和室内实验比较分析3种干预对核桃林土壤理化性质影响,并采用主成分分析法对土壤质量综合评价。 结果 (1)不同人为干预的核桃林土壤理化性质差异明显,未管理的土壤黏粒、粉粒、电导率、有机碳、全氮、全磷最高,土壤砂粒、含水量最低;清理灌草的土壤黏粒、粉粒、电导率、有机碳、全氮等较未管理显著降低(p<0.05),土壤砂粒、含水量则较未管理显著增加(p<0.05);清理灌草施肥的土壤黏粒、粉粒、电导率、含水量、全氮、全磷、全钾较清理灌草略有增加,土壤砂粒、pH、有机碳等较清理灌草略有降低。(2)各干预的核桃林土壤理化性质之间相关性显著,土壤黏粒与砂粒在均呈极显著负相关(p<0.01),土壤有机碳与全氮均呈显著(p<0.05)或极显著(p<0.01)正相关,其余土壤理化指标则在各干预、干预内部土层间呈不同程度的相关性变化。(3)各干预的核桃林土壤理化性质存在一定程度变异,土壤pH在均表现为弱变异性,土壤有机碳、全氮均表现为中等变异性,其余土壤理化指标在各干预、干预内部土层间处于弱变异性与中等变异性的动态变化。(4)3种干预核桃林土壤质量综合评价结果依次为：未管理(2.120)>清理灌草施肥(−0.820)>清理灌草(−1.258),表明未管理的核桃林土壤质量较好,清理灌草的核桃林土壤质量最差,清理灌草施肥的核桃林土壤质量改善效果不大。 结论 人为干预显著影响太行山坡地核桃林土壤理化性质并造成土壤质量差异,因此在经营核桃林时应注重人为干预的调控管理。     

Transvenous detachable coiling of patent ductus arteriosus in small dogs

ObjectiveTo report on transvenous detachable coiling in small dogs deemed ineligible for traditional transarterial patent ductus arteriosus occlusion and compare transthoracic echocardiographic and angiographic measurements to determine their equivalence.Materials and methodsA retrospective study of 35 dogs that underwent transvenous coiling of a patent ductus arteriosus. Demographic information, echocardiographic and angiographic studies, surgery reports, and follow-up evaluation of residual flow were obtained. A Bland-Altman analysis was used to compare echocardiographic and angiographic measurements of the minimal ductal diameter (Echo-MDD, Ang-MDD) and ampulla diameter (Echo-A, Ang-A).ResultsThirty-four of 35 dogs had successful deployment of a coil, with one dog undergoing occlusion with a different device after the exteriorized coil pulled through the ductus. Complete occlusion was achieved in 18 dogs within 24 h; four dogs were lost to follow-up, and the remaining 12 dogs had no residual flow or a significant reduction in shunting with normalization in cardiac chamber dimensions by a median of 99 days. Thirty percent of dogs (11/35) experienced perioperative complications of which 10 were minor complications. The analysis of 26 dogs with both echocardiographic and angiographic ductal measurements showed a −0.14 mm mean difference (95% limits of agreement −1.08 to 0.8 mm) in minimal ductal diameter and −0.68 mm mean difference (95% limits of agreement −2.73 to 1.37 mm) in ampulla diameter.ConclusionsDogs less than 3 kg deemed too small for transarterial occlusion can successfully undergo transvenous coil embolization of patent ductus arteriosus.     

2型糖尿病患者血糖波动与亚临床动脉粥样硬化的关系

目的探讨2型糖尿病患者血糖波动与亚临床动脉粥样硬化的关系。方法170例年龄35～70岁、病程在1年以内、无亚临床动脉粥样硬化的2型糖尿病患者随机分为4组,分别给予不同的药物方案治疗。定期复查空腹血糖、早餐后2h血糖、糖化血红蛋白和血管彩色超声等指标,共随访3年。结果3年结束时,4组之间血糖波动指标比较差异无显著性(P>0.05),4个血糖波动指标的分层分析显示,亚临床动脉粥样硬化发生率均随血糖波动的增加而呈升高的趋势,尚未达到统计学差异。Logistic回归分析显示,亚临床动脉粥样硬化的发生与吸烟、高血脂、高龄、腹型肥胖、早餐后2h血糖与空腹血糖差值波动有关,而不同的干预方式对亚临床动脉粥样硬化的发生有影响(P<0.001)。结论早餐后2h血糖与空腹血糖差值波动大是2型糖尿病患者亚临床动脉粥样硬化的危险因素之一,吸烟、高血脂、高龄、腹型肥胖均是2型糖尿病患者亚临床动脉粥样硬化的危险因素。