Evaluation of Transmittance and Reflectance Pulse Oximetry in a Canine Model of Hypotension and Desaturation

Ten, anesthetized dogs were instrumented with three pulse oximeter probes; two lingual transmittance probes and one rectal reflective probe. Arterial oxygen desaturation was produced by decreasing the inspired oxygen concentration. Hypotension was produced with an infusion of nitroprusside. Simultaneous pulse oximeter readings (SpO₂) were compared to co-oximeter measured arterial saturation (SaO₂) collected over a range of SaO₂ (50–100%) and mean arterial pressures (40–100mmHg). Each of the monitors and means of evaluating SpO₂ studied provided accurate SpO₂ measurements over a range of mean arterial pressure from 40–100mmHg. All of the monitors tested tended to overestimate the SaO₂ when the arterial saturation was less than 70%.     

北京地区泌乳牛夏季鼓膜温度昼夜节律及影响因素研究

【目的】 试验旨在揭示北京地区荷斯坦泌乳牛鼓膜温度的群体特征及其随昼夜和环境温湿度指数（temperature-humidity index,THI）的变化规律,探究中度热应激下泌乳牛鼓膜温度的影响因素及其与直肠温度的关系。【方法】 2021年8月对北京地区某规模化牧场638头荷斯坦泌乳牛的鼓膜温度、直肠温度及环境温湿度进行测定,并对其进行描述性统计;对161头荷斯坦泌乳牛6 h鼓膜温度和直肠温度进行相关性分析;利用混合线性模型分析THI、测定时间、胎次、泌乳阶段和繁殖状态等因素对鼓膜温度和直肠温度的影响。【结果】 北京地区荷斯坦泌乳牛夏季鼓膜平均温度为（39.01±0.40）℃;测定时间内THI为76.11~83.18,此时泌乳牛处于中度热应激。泌乳牛鼓膜温度昼夜变化较大,昼夜节律表现为上午低、下午和傍晚均较高且在早晨和下午出现不正常峰值,鼓膜温度的变化滞后于THI变化。鼓膜温度与直肠温度呈显著正相关关系（P<0.05,r＝0.35）,且两种体温均随着THI的升高而升高,回归系数分别为0.09（P<0.05,R²=0.09）和0.10（P<0.05,R²=0.08）。测定时间和胎次对泌乳牛鼓膜温度有显著影响（P<0.05）,胎次和泌乳阶段对泌乳牛直肠温度有显著影响（P<0.05）,且THI对两部位温度的回归均显著（P<0.05）。【结论】 本研究揭示了奶牛体温的节律变化和影响因素,鼓膜温度可有效反映奶牛实时体温,可为精细化管理牛群提供理论依据。     

Oral administration of L-citrulline changes the concentrations of plasma hormones and biochemical profile in heat-exposed broilers

We examined the effects of oral administration of L-citrulline (L-Cit) on plasma metabolic hormones and biochemical profile in broilers. Food intake, water intake, and body temperature were also analyzed. After dual oral administration (20 mmol/head/administration) of L-Cit, broilers were exposed to a high ambient temperature (HT; 30 ± 1°C) chamber for 120 min. Oral administration of L-Cit reduced (p < .001) rectal temperature in broilers. Food intake was increased (p < .05) by heat stress, but it was reduced (p < .05) by L-Cit. Plasma levels of 3,5,3′-triiodothyronine, which initially increased (p < .0001) due to heat stress, were reduced (p < .01) by oral administration of L-Cit. Plasma insulin levels were increased by heat exposure (p < .01) and oral L-Cit (p < .05). Heat stress caused a decline (p < .05) in plasma thyroxine. Plasma lactic acid (p < .05) and non-esterified fatty acids (p < .01) were increased in L-Cit-treated heat-exposed broilers. In conclusion, our results suggest that oral L-Cit can modulate plasma concentrations of major metabolic hormones and reduces food intake in broilers.     

Risk factors for stillbirths in two swine farms in the south of Brazil

We evaluated stillbirth risk factors in two commercial swine farms of the Rio Grande do Sul State (south of Brazil). The study was conducted during 1 month in Farm A and during 2 months in Farm B, both during 1999. Data for all farrowings that occurred during the study period were recorded (101 for Farm A and 373 for Farm B), without interference in the farm management. In Farm A, 39% of all litters born during the period of interest had stillborn piglets and the stillborn risk for piglets was 12%. In Farm B, 25% of all litters had stillborn piglets whereas the stillborn risk was 2%. Variables considered as potential risk factors for stillbirths were: parity (1, 2–3, 4+); breed (purebred or crossbred); sow body-condition (normal or fat); use of oxytocin during parturition (yes or no); obstetric intervention through vaginal palpation (yes or no); farrowing duration (<4 or ≥4 h); mummified fetuses (yes or no); total litter size (<12 or ≥12 piglets); and litter birth weight (<11 or ≥11 kg). All stillborn piglets had their classification validated by necropsy. In multivariable logistic-regressions, the cases were the litters having at least one stillborn piglet. In Farm A, litters having at least 12 pigs and in which oxytocin was used during the parturition had 20.8-times-higher odds of stillborn occurrence. In Farm B, litters from sows having parity ≥4 had 2.2-times-higher odds of stillborn occurrence than litters from parity 2 to 3 females, litters having ≥12 pigs had 2.0-times-higher odds of a stillborn piglet than smaller litters and farrowings in which vaginal palpation was performed had 8.0-times-higher odds. Farrowing room management to minimize stillborn risk should target higher-parity females, large litters and optimization of practices of obstetric interventions.     

Physiological responses of transported goats treated with ascorbic acid during the hot-dry season

The aim of the present study was to determine the physiological responses of transported Red Sokoto goats (RSG) treated with ascorbic acid (AA). Ten RSG treated orally with ascorbic acid served as experimental subjects, while seven goats treated with sterile water served as the control. The goats were transported for 8 h. The ambient temperature and relative humidity during the study period fluctuated between 21 and 38°C and 51 and 91%, respectively, which indicated that the season was thermally stressful and did not favor transportation of goats. The rectal temperature obtained in the control goats was significantly higher (P < 0.01) than the value in the experimental goats after transportation. There was a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in eosinophil counts and an increase (P < 0.01) in neutrophil counts and neutrophil : lymphocyte ratio recorded in the control goats after transportation, which suggested that the control goats were physically and emotionally stressed. The control goats lost 11.9% of their initial liveweight, while the experimental goats lost only 1.04% after transportation. Multiple stresses, including extreme meteorological factors, acted upon the transported goats and impaired their homeostatic mechanism. In conclusion, AA administration in goats reduced the adverse effects of road transportation stress.     

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.     

直肠癌经腹会阴联合切除术后腹部腹膜外盆腔引流的应用

目的：探讨直肠癌经腹会阴联合切除后不同盆腔引流方式的应用效果。方法：对298例直肠癌经腹会阴联合切除后采用经腹部腹膜外(经腹部组)或经会阴(经会阴组)的两种不同的盆腔引流方式进行比较。结果：经腹部组的会阴部伤口一期愈合率高，感染率低，住院时间短；两组引流时间无明显差异。结论：经腹部腹膜外盆腔引流方式有更好的引流效果。     

Evaluation of Thermal Environment of Cowshed and Correlation Analysis Between Thermal Parameter and Physiological Parameter of Dairy Cows in Central Plain of Hebei

The purpose of this study was to evaluate thermal environment of cowshed in four seasons in central plain of Hebei,and analyze the correlation between the temperature parameters and physiological indexes of dairy cows.Three dairy cow houses with different building structures were selected,the thermal parameters (ambient temperature (Ta) and relative humidity (RH)) and physiological parameters (respiratory rate,rectal temperature and body surface temperature) were detected.The results showed that the Ta,RH and index of temperature and humidity (THI) changed significantly in four seasons (P<0.05),the average daily temperature in summer was the highest (28.59 ℃),and the average daily temperature in winter was the lowest (1.55 ℃).In summer,dairy cows were suffering from mild heat stress for 15.5 h every day,and from moderate heat stress for 6.0 h.In winter,dairy cows were under mild cold stress for an average of 12.0 h per day.The Ta and THI of three cowsheds in each season had no significant differece (P>0.05),except for that in winter.Compared with the cowshed with low wall or roller blind,the average Ta in the cowshed with only roof was 0.80-1.27 ℃ higher in summer and 1.36-1.84 ℃ lower in winter.In addition,the physiological parameters of dairy cows were extremely significantly higher in summer than those in other seasons (P<0.01).The respiration frequency or rectal temperature of cows among cowsheds in summer were significantly different (P<0.05),and the seasonal difference in body surface temperature was significant (P<0.05).Correlation analysis of thermal parameters and cow physiological parameters showed that the respiratory frequency,rectal temperature and body surface temperature were positively correlated with THI and Ta (P<0.05).However,there was no significant correlation between physiological parameters and RH (P>0.05).The results provided scientific basis for environment evaluation of cows,and physiological status of dairy cows were inferred according to environmental thermal parameters,which provided data for occurrence and early warning of stress.     

Effect of Heat Stress on Milk Production,Rectal Temperature,Respiratory Rate and Blood Chemistry in Holstein,Jersey and Australian Milking Zebu Cows

The effect of heat stress on changes in milk production, rectal temperature, respiratory rate and blood chemistry was evaluated in three groups of six mature Holstein, Jersey and Australian Milking Zebu (AMZ) dairy cows. These animals were subjected to a cool environment when the mean temperature-humidity index (THI) was 72+/-1.4 (dry bulb temperature of 22.2-24.4 degrees C and relative humidity of 100-60%) during the month of December. This experiment was repeated during the hotter month of July of the following year, when the mean THI was 93+/-3.1 (dry bulb temperature of 35.6-43.9 degrees C and relative humidity 95-35%). Holstein cows produced more (p <0.01) milk than AMZ and Jersey cows during the cooler months of the year and all the cows were dry during the hotter months from June until September. Heat stress increased (p<0.01) rectal temperature and respiratory rate in all three breeds. Heat stress had no effect on blood pH in Holstein and AMZ cows but lowered (p <0.01) blood pH from 7.42 to 7.34 in Jersey cows. In addition, heat stress lowered (p <0.01) blood pCO2 (kPa), bicarbonate (HCO3, mmol/L), base excess (BE, mmol/L) and plasma chloride (Cl-, mmol/L) in all three breeds. The total haemoglobin (THb, g/dl) was elevated (p <0.01) in all three breeds when they were subjected to heat stress. Heat stress increased (p<0.01) oxygen saturation (O2SAT, %) in Jersey and AMZ cows but lowered it (p <0.01) in Holstein cows. On the other hand, heat stress increased (p <0.01)pO2 (kPa) in Holstein and Jersey cows but lowered it (p <0.01) in AMZ cows. Heat stress increased (p <0.01) plasma potassium (K, mmol/L) and calcium (Ca, mmol/L) only in Holstein and Jersey cows but lowered them (p<0.01) in AMZ cows. The plasma glucose (GLU, mmol/L) increased (p<0.01) with heat stress in Holstein and AMZ cows but decreased (p <0.01) in Jersey cows. Heat stress increased (p<0.01) plasma creatinine (CR, (mol/L) but lowered (p<0.01) plasma creatinine phosphokinase (CPK, IU/L), aspartate aminotransferase (AST, IU/L) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN, mmol/L) in all three breeds. These results indicate that heat-stressed Holstein and AMZ cows were able to maintain their acid-base balance with a marginal change in their pH of 0.02 when their rectal temperatures increased by 0.47 and 0.38 degrees C, respectively. When heat stress increased the rectal temperature in Jersey cows by 0.70 degrees C, the pH decreased (p<0.01) from 7.42 to 7.34. However, even with this decrease 0.08 the pH is still within the lower physiological limit of 7.31.     

河北省舍饲绵羊的热应激评价及温湿参数与羊生理指标的相关性研究

本研究旨在评价河北省三大区域（冀北燕山、太行山区和冀中南平原）羊场夏季绵羊的热应激程度,并分析温热环境参数与绵羊个体生理指标的相关性,为改善羊舍环境提供理论依据。选择3个区域12个规模化羊场,自动检测并记录夏季羊舍的环境温度和相对湿度2个月,同时检测各场绵羊的直肠温度和呼吸频率。结果表明,冀北燕山、太行山区和冀中南平原的羊舍日均温度分别达24.3、28.5和28.7℃,温湿指数（THI）分别达72.40、79.91和79.47,冀北燕山区域绵羊正遭受轻度热应激,而太行山区和冀中南平原地区的绵羊遭受中度甚至重度热应激,可见,夏季河北省舍饲绵羊的热应激防控需要引起关注,加强夏季的防暑降温措施刻不容缓。从绵羊个体生理指标看,3个区域绵羊的直肠温度范围为39.1～39.8℃,呼吸频率为42～114次·min^-1,直肠温度与环境温度、THI之间均未表现出显著相关关系（P>0.05）,但与相对湿度间表现出显著的线性负相关关系（P<0.05,r=0.60）;呼吸频率与环境温度、THI之间表现出极显著正相关关系（P<0.01,r=0.84;P<0.01,r=0.87）,与相对湿度间未表现出显著相关关系（P>0.05）。因此,通过羊舍温湿参数和THI的测定可以推断绵羊的个体生理状况,对实际生产中舍饲羊热应激的预防及相关疾病的诊断提供依据。