Assessment of welfare indicators in dairy farms offering pasture at differing levels

In terms of animal welfare, farming systems of dairy cows are perceived positively by consumers when compared to pigs or poultry. A main reason is that the majority of consumers associate dairy farming with pasture, which in turn they relate with benefits for animal health and welfare. However, holistic scientific assessments of the effects of pasturing on animal welfare are rare. Hence, it was the aim to study the animal welfare level in 61 German loose housing dairy farms by using the measures of the Welfare Quality® protocol for dairy cattle (WQP). Data were collected twice per farm at the end of the pasture season (July to October) and approximately 6 months later at the end of the barn season (December to April). Farms were classified based on the duration cows had access to pasture per day during the pasture season: group 1 (G1)>10 h; group 2 (G2) 6 to 10 h; group 3 (G3)<6 h and group 4 (G4) without pasture access. The average herd size was 129 Holstein-Friesian or Red-Holstein cows (range 58 to 527). In addition to WQP data, performance data were gathered from routine herd data recordings. The indicators were aggregated to criteria applying the scoring system of the WQP. G4 received lower scores at the first than at the second visit for the criterion absence of hunger, while there were no differences between visits in the other groups (P=0.58 – group×farm visit effect). All pasturing groups were scored better at the end of the pasture season than G4 for the criterion comfort around resting (P<0.01). Compared with G1 for both farm visits and G2 for the end of the barn season, G4 reached inferior scores for the criterion absence of injuries, including indicators such as hairless patches, lesions, and swellings and lameness. At both assessments G2 was scored higher than the other groups for the criterion absence of diseases (P=0.04). In conclusion, pasture access had positive effects only on selected welfare indicators, however, these effects were not maintained throughout the barn season.     

Comparison of European and US biological indicators for ethylene oxide sterilization

Summary Biological indicators (BIs) are used to monitor ethylene oxide (EO) gas sterilization processes for medical devices. Several European and United States BIs for EO sterilization were evaluated for resistance according to both United States Pharmacopeia (USP) XXI and United Kingdom's (UK) tests for D-values. US BIs areB. subtilis var. niger spores on paper strips or disc carriers while European BIs use aluminum strips, quartz sand, or cotton yarn. Numerous BIs per run and runs per lot, as well as 2–3 different lots of BIs from each manufacturer, were examined. Both British and US BIs met their respective label claims for rates of inactivation when tested against British and USP EO test parameters, respectively. However, Danish BIs, on cotton yarn or quartz sand, were not inactivated following USP specifications during the exposure dwell times tested (600 mg L^–1 EO, 54°C, 60% RH, 0–110 min). The Danish BIs will require further testing in order for us to determine if theirB. subtilis spores are unusually resistant to EO or if the spore carrier substrates protect the spores from the sterilizing gas. In conclusion, the British and American BIs for EO sterilization are equivalent in resistance despite differences in carrier substrate, recovery conditions, calculation methods for D-values, and the labeled sterilization conditions for use.     

Use of Terrestrial Invertebrates as Indicators of the Ecological Sustainability of Forest Management under the Montreal Process

Twelve nations involved in boreal or temperate forest management are committed to reporting on indicators under the Montreal Process as a mechanism for assessing progress towards sustainable forest management. For fauna, invertebrates are often considered too poorly known and diverse to include in sustainability indicator reporting. The alternative view, that no monitoring of sustainability can be considered adequate without inclusion of some invertebrate species, is espoused in this paper. The microhabitats of soil and litter, foliage and canopy, bark and branch, dead standing trees and coarse woody debris are highlighted as relevant in the context of determining the impacts of forest management on invertebrates and for selecting representative species. It is argued that a selection of those species from each of the key microhabitats that are restricted to later stages of succession should be monitored. This could be complemented by a selection of easily monitored species from a range of functional groups as a means of endeavouring to pick up adverse impacts not foreseen on the basis of present knowledge. In the longer term, habitat indices (developed from predictive models of fauna habitat) should be used to monitor the occurrence of indicator species across the broader landscape, rather than at specific sites where monitoring of species takes place. Most countries would be in a position to select indicator species and commence monitoring for some key microhabitats (e.g. soil and litter). However, further research is needed in many countries before indicator species can be selected for other key microhabitats (e.g. coarse woody debris).     

血培养中病原菌分布及药敏调查分析

目的了解血培养中病原菌的分布及药敏情况,供临床借鉴。方法对中山大学附属第三医院血培养标本中所分离到的细菌及药敏结果进行统计分析。结果从血培养标本中分离到细菌239株,其中其中革兰阴性杆菌(G-b)131株,占52.6%,革兰阳性球菌(G+c)99株,占39.8%(99/236),真菌占6.8%,大肠埃希菌和肺炎克雷伯菌产ESBLs菌检出率分别是54.2%和48.6%,只对亚胺培南、特治星和阿米卡星敏感,敏感率超过85%,G+c中,耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌(MRSA)和耐甲氧西林凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌(MRCNS)的检出率分别是42.9%和89.2%,只对万古霉素敏感(100%),检出的肠球菌已出现对万古霉素耐药。结论血培养分离的病原菌分布复杂,产ESBLs菌和MRS菌株检出率高,临床应重视血培养检测结果.合理用药。     

Der Einfluß von Rapsextraktionsschrot und Methylthiourazil auf die Schilddrüsensekretionsrate von Hühnern nach kurzfristiger Fütterungsdauer

Three experiments were carried out with male broiler chickens reared from day‐ old to 6 weeks of age on semi‐purified diets containing 10% fresh (Expt. 1 and 3) or oxidized (Expt. 2) re‐esterified triglycerides with a fatty acid composition similar to that of soya bean oil containing increasing concentrations of either a mixture of d‐α‐, γ‐, δ‐tocopherylacetate (d‐tocopherols) of natural source or dl‐α‐ tocopheryl acetate (dl‐tocopherol). In Expt. 1 and 2 the mixture of d‐tocopherols consisted of 35.7% d‐α‐, 45.3% d‐γ‐ and 19.0% d‐δ‐, while in Expt. 3 the distribution was 25.3% d‐α‐, 28.1% d‐γ‐and 10.8% d‐γ‐ in 35.8% re‐ esterified triglycerides. The relative biopotency of d‐α‐: γ‐: δ‐tocopherol was anticipated to be 100: 25: 1, whereas that of dl‐a‐tocopherol was 74% relative to d‐ a‐tocopherol. The experiments demonstrate that the results obtained for the biological activity depend on the response parameters chosen. With respect to gain in weight, feed conversion, relative organ weight, packed cell volume (PCV), ELP (erythrocytelipidperoxidation), plasma activities of glutamate‐oxaloacetate‐transaminase (GOT), creatine kinase (CK) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) and plasma Na⁺ concentration, the mixture of natural source tocopherols was identical to that of dl‐α‐tocopheryl acetate, although the concentration of a‐ tocopherol was only about one third of that of dl‐α‐tocopherol. Differences between natural source and synthetic tocopherols were expectedly observed with respect to plasma concentrations of α‐, γ‐, δ‐tocopherol. Differences between the two forms as to muscular dystrophy, in vitro haemolysis and potassium concentration in plasma were ambigous. It is suggested that the function of d‐α‐, γ‐, δ‐tocopherol in erythrocyte fragility and skeletal muscle structure should be compared to that of dl‐α‐tocopherol in future investigations.     

A review of some physiological and toxicological responses of freshwater fish to acid stress

Synopsis Data relating to the specific effect of low pH on growth of freshwater fishes are ambiguous. Reproductive failure resulting from acid stress appears to be related to an upset in calcium metabolism and to faulty deposition of protein in developing oocytes. It appears that the ’no effect‘ level of pH depression for successful reproduction is around 6.5. Data on behaviorial responses of freshwater fish to acid stress and CO₂ are described. Most fish appear to be indifferent to pH within the range of approximately 10.5 to 5.5 and between 7.4 and 4.5 CO₂ appears to be the main directive factor. In cases of severe acid stress alteration of gill membranes and/or coagulation of gill mucus occurs and death due to hypoxia may result from a lengthening of the water-blood diffusion distance. Several reports agree that acid stress causes an upset of electrolyte homeostasis in fish but effects of low pH on osmotic permeability are largely lacking. Most hatcheryreared salmonids can tolerate pH 5.0 indefinitely but below this level the homeostatic electrolyte and osmotic regulatory mechanisms become inadequate. When fish are subjected to debilitating acid stress blood pH decreases possibly as the result of flux of H⁺ ions across gill membranes into the blood. This could change transepithelial potential and allow a blood, to-water diffusion of Na⁺ ions down an electrochemical gradient. Lowered ambient pH may interfere with gill calcium levels increasing permeability to both H⁺ and Na⁺ ions or an acidemia may occur as the result of a decrease in the excretion of metabolically produced H⁺ ions and CO₂. When the capacity of the buffer mechanisms is exceeded the blood pH drops and the capacity of hemoglobin to transport oxygen is decreased.     

Population genetics of chimpanzee blood groups

A series of 60 chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) were tested for their human-type A-B-O blood groups and for ten simian-type blood factors. Of the 60 chimpanzees four were group O and 56 group A; combining this with our previous results, among 274 chimpanzees there were 36 group O and 238 group A. Gene frequency analysis of the V-A-B types (determined by three antisera, anti- V ^c, anti- A ^c and anti- B ^c) of the 60 chimpanzees indicated inheritance by four allelic genes, namely, the amorphic gene v and the three additional alleles v^A, v^B and V. This theory allows for the existence of ten genotypes but only seven V-A-B phenotypes, since the type V.AB is excluded. Gene frequency analysis confirmed that C^c and c^c are contrasting antigens determined by corresponding allelic genes. The distribution of the C-c-E-F types among the 60 chimpanzees, as well as among 133 chimpanzees previously tested, is compatible with the postulation of five allelic genes, namely, the amorph c, and the alleles C^E, C^F, C^EF and the very rare allele C. The blood factor G ^c appears to define a separate blood group system, independent of the V-A-B and C-E-F systems. The newly defined blood factor Lindsay appears to be related to the V-A-B system, while factor H ^c may be related to the C-E-F system.     

不同批号蕲蛇酶在家兔血液凝固系统上的生物活性检测

目的：研究不同批号蕲蛇酶静脉给予家兔后,对血液凝固系统各项指标的影响,以判定其药效的稳定性。方法：取家兔,纯白色,体重1．5－2．5kg,雌雄兼用,每日静脉注入蕲蛇酶1．0u/kg.d^-1,连用3－5天,药前、药后从心脏取血6ml,取全血1ml作血栓形成;余血以3．0％枸橼酸钠按1：9抗凝,分离富血小板血浆（PRP）,测定其血小板数目和血小板聚集率,以贫血小板血浆（PPP）测定凝血酶时间（TT）,凝血酶原时间（PT）,部分凝血活酶时间（KPTT）以及纤维蛋白原（Fg)含量。结果：5个批号的蕲蛇酶药后3天或5天均可明显使血栓形成的重量减轻,长度缩短,Fg含量减少（P＜0．01）,TT,PT,KPTT均延长（P＜0．05－0．01）,血小板数轻度减少,聚集率抑制达20％－50％,结论：不同批号的蕲蛇酶静脉给予家兔,具有显著的作用于血液凝固系统,导致血栓形成减少,表明对心脑血管内血栓形成药学相同,说明用家 兔作为鉴定药品质量是可行而必须。     

盐酸右美托咪定联合盐酸罗哌卡因胸椎旁神经阻滞对肺癌根治术患者血清炎性因子和免疫学指标的影响

摘要 目的：探讨盐酸右美托咪定联合盐酸罗哌卡因胸椎旁神经阻滞（TPVB）对肺癌根治术患者血清炎性因子和免疫学指标的影响。方法：选取2018年4月~2020年4月期间于我院行肺癌根治术的患者400例,根据信封抽签法分为对照组和观察组,各200例,对照组给予盐酸罗哌卡因TPVB,观察组在对照组基础上联合盐酸右美托咪定,对比两组疼痛、炎性因子、免疫学指标、血流动力学及不良反应。结果：观察组术后6 h（T5）~术后48h（T8）时间点视觉模拟评分法（VAS）评分均低于对照组（P<0.05）。对照组插管后5 min（T1）~术毕（T3）时间点心率（HR）及平均动脉压（MAP）较麻醉诱导前（T0）时间点升高（P<0.013）,观察组T1~T3时间点HR、MAP低于对照组（P<0.05）。两组T8时间点白介素-6（IL-6）、C反应蛋白（CRP）、肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）均较T0下降,且观察组低于对照组（P<0.05）。两组T8时间点CD4⁺、CD4⁺/CD8⁺均较T0时间点下降,但观察组高于对照组（P<0.05）,CD8⁺均较T0时间点升高,但观察组低于对照组（P<0.05）。观察组不良反应总发生率低于对照组（P<0.05）。结论：盐酸右美托咪定联合盐酸罗哌卡因TPVB用于肺癌根治术患者,可稳定血流动力学,且可获得较好的镇痛效果,降低不良反应发生率,减轻术后炎性损伤及免疫抑制。     

CT定量分析在冠心病介入治疗前后血流灌注改变的评估价值

摘要 目的：探讨CT定量分析在冠心病介入治疗前后血流灌注改变的评估价值。方法：2018年2月到2020年11月选择在本院诊治的冠心病患者95例作为研究对象,所有患者都给予经皮冠状动脉介入治疗,在介入前1 d与介入后1个月进行CT定量与超声检查,随访介入后6个月的冠状动脉再狭窄情况并进行相关性分析。结果：所有患者都顺利完成介入治疗,介入期无严重并发症发生。95例患者介入后1个月的左室射血分数(ejectionfraction,EF)、左室短轴缩短率(fractionalshortening,FS)高于介入前1 d(P<0.05),介入前后左室等容舒张时间(iso-volumicrelaxationtime,IVRT)对比差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。95例患者介入后1个月的心肌血流量(Myocardialbloodflow,MBF)、心肌血容量(Myocardialbloodvolume,MBV)高于介入前1d(P<0.05),达峰时间(Timetopeak,TTP)低于介入前1 d(P<0.05)。介入后随访6个月,冠状动脉再狭窄14例,再狭窄率14.7 %,其中中度狭窄12例,重度狭窄2例;Pearson分析显示冠心病患者介入前1 d的MBF、MBV、TTP与FS、EF都存在相关性(P<0.05);Logistic回归分析显示MBF、MBV、TTP、FS、EF为影响冠心病患者介入后随访再狭窄率的重要因素(P<0.05)。结论：CT定量分析在冠心病介入前后的应用能有效反映血流灌注改变情况,且与患者的心功能存在相关性,也可有效预测患者介入随访冠状动脉再狭窄发生情况。