Changes of potassium currents in rabbit ventricle with healed myocardial infarction

AIM: To elucidate the mechanism of arrhythmia in healed myocardial infarction (HMI), and to investigate the changes of action potential duration (APD),transient outward potassium current (I_to), delayed rectifier potassium current (I_K) and inward rectifier potassium current (I_K1) of left ventricular myocytes in noninfarcted zone of HMI. METHODS: 12 rabbits were randomly assigned in two groups: HMI group (thoracotomy and ligation of the circumflex coronary); sham-operated group (thoracotomy but no conorary ligation). 3 months after operation, whole cell patch clamp technique was used to record APD, I_to, I_K and I_K1 of ventricular myocytes in non-infarcted zone. RESULTS: Membrane capacitance was larger in HMI group than that in sham-operated group. Action potential duration was lengthened significantly in HMI group and early after depolarization (EAD) appeared in HMI group. The densities of I_to, I_K,tail and I_K1 were reduced significantly in HMI group (P<0.01), from (6.72±0.42) pA/pF, (1.54±0.13) pA/pF and (25.6±2.6) pA/pF in Sham-operated group to (4.03±0.33) pA/pF, (1.14±0.11) pA/pF and (17.6±2.3) pA/pF, respectively. CONCLUSION: The reduced densities of I_to, I_K,tail and I_K1 in ventricular myocytes of non-infarcted zone in HMI are responsible for the prolongation of APD and the presentation of EAD, which play important roles in the malignant arrhythmia of HMI.     

Roles of the Kv1.2, Kv1.5, Kv2.1 potassium channels in hypoxia pulmonary vasoconstriction

AIM: To determine the role of Kv1.2, Kv1.5, Kv2.1 in the hypoxia pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV). METHODS: Male Wistar rats were divided into two groups: normoxic group and hypoxic group. The single smooth muscle cell was obtained from pulmonary artery of Wistar rats with acute enzymatic digestion method. The conventional whole-cell patch clamp technique was used to record the resting membrane potential (Em) and the potassium currents of voltage-gated potassium channel (IKv) in rat pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMC). Intracellular application of Kv1.2/Kv1.5/Kv2.1 antibodies (1∶125) was conducted through the whole-cell patch clamp system. RESULTS: ① Em of PASMC was depolarized after 24 h hypoxia compared with that of control cells . IKv of PASMC was decreased after 24 h hypoxia, . ② The mixture of Kv1.2/Kv1.5/Kv2.1 antibodies depolarized Em and inhibited IKv in PASMC from normoxic rat, whereas the mixture of Kir2.1/Kir2.3/Kir4.1 antibodies had no effects on them. ③ The mixture of Kv1.2/Kv1.5/Kv2.1 antibodies and the mixture of Kir2.1/Kir2.3/Kir4.1 antibodies had no effects on IKv and Em from rats hypoxic for 24 h. CONCLUSION: Kv1.2, Kv1.5, Kv2.1 might be oxygen sensitive potassium channels which mediated HPV.     

Survey of equine castration techniques,preferences and outcomes among Australian veterinarians

Objectives

(1) To collect the perceptions of veterinarians performing equine castrations in Australia on techniques, preferences and outcomes, (2) to investigate veterinarian use and experience with the Henderson castrating instrument and (3) to investigate potential associations between demographics, castration methods and techniques, and complications.

Design

Online survey of members of the Australian Veterinary Association’s Special Interest Group, Equine Veterinarians Australia (EVA).

Methods

A link to the survey was included in the EVA e‐newsletter and practices on the EVA website were contacted by telephone and follow‐up email. Fisher’s exact test was used to determine associations between ligation and complications. A generalised linear model with a negative binomial family was used to determine associations between count response variables and categorical independent variables.

Results

Responses were obtained from 138 veterinarians (response rate, 13.1%) who performed 5330 castrations over 12 months. Castrations were most commonly performed in the field, on anaesthetised horses, using emasculators, via an open approach and without ligation of the spermatic cord. Estimated complications after use of emasculators were swelling (25%), haemorrhage (5%) and infection (5%). The Henderson instrument was used by approximately 10% of respondents and its use for castration was associated with fewer reports of postoperative swelling compared with emasculators (P = 0.002). Rates of evisceration with the Henderson and emasculator methods were comparable (0.43% and 0.9%, respectively).

Conclusion

Castration preferences varied widely among survey participants. Reported complication types and rates were comparable to those reported previously in other countries. Perceptions that the Henderson instrument was associated with less swelling should be investigated further via a prospective controlled investigation.     

Hyperglycaemia in transition dairy cows: Effects of lactational stage and conjugated linoleic acid supplementation on glucose metabolism and turnover

Supplementing conjugated linoleic acid ( CLA ) is supposed to spare glucose due to the milk fat‐depressing effect of the trans ‐10, cis ‐12 CLA isomer, and allows repartitioning nutrients despite an energy deficiency in early lactation. However, there is still a lack of knowledge in terms of the dynamic pattern of the glucose turnover in transition dairy cows. We hypothesized that dairy cows supplemented with CLA have an altered rate of glucose turnover and insulin sensitivity during early lactation. We conducted three consecutive hyperglycaemic clamps (HGC ) in weeks ?2, +2 and +4 relative to parturition in Holstein cows supplemented daily either with 70 g of lipid‐encapsulated CLA (6.8 g trans ‐10, cis ‐12 and 6.6 g of the cis ‐9, trans ‐11 CLA isomer; CLA ; n  = 11) or with 56 g of control fat ( CON ; n  = 11). From week ?3 up to week +4 relative to parturition, milk yield and dry matter intake (DMI ) were recorded daily, while body weight (BW ) and milk composition were obtained once weekly. Blood samples were taken once weekly and every 30 min during the HGC . Plasma was analysed for concentrations of glucose, fatty acids (FFA ), beta‐hydroxybutyrate (BHB ), insulin, triglycerides and cholesterol. The CLA supplementation did not affect performance and metabolic parameters except for BHB and cholesterol. Furthermore, insulin concentrations and insulin sensitivity were affected by treatment. During the HGC in early lactation, insulin response was lower and decrease in FFA and BHB greater compared with the HGC in week ?2 although glucose target concentration achieved during the steady‐state period was similar for all three HGC . Our findings in terms of insulin and cholesterol suggest that body reserves are preserved through CLA feeding without restraining animal's performance. Furthermore, CLA effects on cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations indicated beneficial effects on hepatic lipid export contributing to an improved efficiency of prevailing metabolites in circulation.     

无缝烟夹不同针尖处理对烤后烟叶孔径的影响

为优化无缝烟夹装置设计,充分发挥无缝烟夹装烟方式的优势,对不同直径、不同形状针尖及不同方向的无缝烟夹烤后烟叶的针孔面积进行了比较研究。结果表明:不同直径烟针相比,3 mm直径无缝烟夹烤后针孔面积小于5 mm直径无缝烟夹;无缝烟夹在3 mm直径条件下,扁形针尖平行处理烤后针孔面积最小;在5 mm直径条件下,圆形针尖平行处理烤后针孔面积最小。     

The clinical features and short-term treatment outcomes of scirrhous cord: A retrospective study of 32 cases

Scirrhous cord (SC) is an uncommon complication of castration, characterised by chronic infection of the spermatic cord remnant. It is reported that surgical excision of the infected tissue is the most effective means of treatment, but there are few published studies assessing the outcomes of horses treated for SC. The aims of this retrospective study were to describe the clinical features and short-term outcomes in horses treated for SC at two equine hospitals in the UK. The clinical records of horses diagnosed with SC over a 10-year period were reviewed. A diagnosis of SC was made if the gelding presented with typical clinical signs with confirmation at surgery. Thirty-two cases of SC were identified at the two equine hospitals. The mean age at presentation was 6 years (range 2–14 years, n = 22), and the median time from castration to presentation was 29.5 days (range 20–2500 days). Mean age at castration was 4.3 years (range 6 months to 10 years, n = 10). Clinical signs included scrotal swelling, discharging wounds, hindlimb lameness and pyrexia. Five horses demonstrated hyperfibrinogenaemia (n = 8). Microbial culture isolated various bacterial species. All 32 cases were treated with surgical excision of the infected tissue and discharged from the hospitals between 1 and 10 days post-operatively. A limitation of this study is that it was a retrospective study with no long-term follow-up available. It was concluded that the results of this study confirm that SC can present at variable time points following castration, even many years later, and that a variety of bacterial species may be involved. Surgical excision of infected tissue is a successful treatment with a good short-term prognosis for survival.     

去势术对雄性中华田园犬脂代谢的影响

[目的] 研究去势术对雄性中华田园犬脂代谢的影响。[方法] 将12只年龄、体重相近的中华田园犬分为非手术组和去势组,对去势组中华田园犬进行去势手术,观察并测定术前第1天、术后第14天、术后第21天血清中甘油三酯（TG）、总胆固醇（TC）、低密度脂蛋白（LDL）、高密度脂蛋白（HDL）含量,以非手术组作为对照,分析去势术对雄性犬脂代谢的影响。[结果] 去势组与非手术组相比,血清中TG含量在第14天到第21天显著上升;血清中TC含量相比非手术组呈下降趋势;HDL第14天和第21天都低于非手术组;LDL都高于非手术组,整体呈上升趋势。[结论] 去势手术会影响雄性中华田园犬机体脂类代谢,会导致去势犬甘油三酯升高,总胆固醇和高密度脂蛋白下降,低密度脂蛋白上升。     

去势和热应激对筠连黄牛生产性能、瘤胃发酵和血液生化指标的影响

为研究去势和热应激对筠连黄牛生产性能、瘤胃发酵和血液生化指标的影响,本研究选用18头16月龄、体重相近((292.35±28.71) kg)的不同去势程度筠连黄牛(全去势FCG、半去势HCG、假手术SOG),分为3组,每组6个重复,每个重复1头牛,根据试验期间牛舍温湿度指数(THI),分为热应激期(7、8月)和非热应激期(9月),分析去势和热应激对黄牛各指标的影响。结果表明：1)与非热应激期相比,热应激期牛舍THI、肉牛呼吸频率和直肠温度均显著提高(P<0.05)。2)去势和热应激均显著提高血清热休克蛋白70、高密度脂蛋白(HDL-C)、低密度脂蛋白(LDL-C)和雌二醇浓度(P<0.05),而睾酮、甲状腺素(T4)、胰岛素和游离脂肪酸浓度显著降低(P<0.05),且除血清葡萄糖、T4和LDL-C外,去势和热应激对其他血清指标存在显著互作效应(P<0.05)。3)全去势和热应激均显著降低肉牛平均日增重(ADG),且存在显著互作效应(P<0.05)。4)热应激期,去势显著降低粗蛋白、酸性洗涤纤维和钙表观消化率以及血清总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)(P<0....     

中国沙棘子叶叶肉细胞电流全细胞记录的研究

实验得出适合膜片钳实验的耐盐木本植物中国沙棘子叶原生质体的游离条件,即取当天脱壳的子叶,放入渗透浓度为0.88 mol/L,pH为5.8,酶液的组分为10 g/LCellulase R-10、0.5 g/LPectolyase Y-23、1.5 g/LMacrozymeR-10、1 g/L Hemicellulase、1 g/L BSA、1 g/L PVP-40、2 mmol/L CaCl2、10 mmol/L Mes和5 mmol/L Vc的溶液中,在26℃、黑暗条件下,静置4 h。并且利用Multiclamp 700B放大器和Clampex 9.2软件,记录到了该原生质体质膜全细胞内向K 通道电流(-459.137 pA及-290.527 pA)和非选择性阳离子通道的外向电流(8.036 pA)。这为沙棘属木本植物细胞的电生理特性及其耐盐性机制关系的研究奠定基础。     

The maturation of the salmon GnRH system and its regulation by gonadal steroids in masu salmon

Pituitary gonadotropin (GTH) secreting cells and brain gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secreting neurons are known to be subjected to feedback control by gonadal steroid in teleosts. In masu salmon, Oncorhynchus masou, salmon GnRH (sGnRH) neurons in the ventral telencephalon (VT) and the preoptic area (POA) are involved in the control of GTH cells because sGnRH synthesis in these areas is activated with gonadal maturation. In this study, we attempted to clarify mechanisms of feedback control of sGnRH neurons by gonadal steroids. We examined the effects of 17-methyltestosterone (MT) on sGnRH synthesis in yearling and 2-year-old female fish (which were immature during experimentation in May), and the effects of castration on sGnRH synthesis in underyearling precocious male fish in August. sGnRH synthesis in the POA, but not in the VT, was increased by MT administration in 2-year-old females only, indicating higher sensitivity to MT in the preoptic sGnRH neurons. Castration increased sGnRH synthesis in the VT but not in the POA. These results suggest that sGnRH neurons in the VT and those in the POA are differentially regulated by gonadal steroids.