Comparison of digital and optical hand-held refractometers for the measurement of feline urine specific gravity     

Bennett AD  McKnight GE  Dodkin SJ  Simpson KE  Schwartz AM  Gunn-Moore DA 《Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery》2011,13(2):152-154

Measuring urine specific gravity (USG) is an important component of urine analysis as it evaluates renal concentrating capability. The objective of this study was to quantify the difference in USG values between a hand-held optical analogue refractometer and a cat-specific digital instrument. Urine samples from 55 cats were assessed. There was a statistically significant difference between these two refractometers (P<0.001), with the optical refractometer (mean USG=1.031) consistently reading higher than the digital refractometer (mean USG=1.027). Results for a random subset of the samples (n=10) were compared with urine osmolality and both the optical and digital instruments demonstrated excellent correlation. While an accurate USG reading is important, it is unlikely that the statistical significance between the two instruments is clinically significant and, therefore, unlikely to result in a change in patient evaluation or treatment plans. While both the digital and optimal refractometers are highly correlated to the urine osmolality, making both devices valid for assessment of USG in clinical practice, this digital device is easier to read and eliminates the variability of subjective interpretation.  相似文献   

Higher-tier assessment of the potential for groundwater issues due to the use of 1,3-D soil fumigant; evaluation of the active ingredient, metabolites and potentially related chlorinated compounds     

Lamastra L  Ferrari F  Fait G  Greco L  Kennedy SH  Capri E  Trevisan M 《Pest management science》2011,67(11):1439-1445

BACKGROUND: 1,3‐Dichloropropene (1,3‐D, CAS No. 542‐75‐6) is a broad‐spectrum soil fumigant used to control numerous species of soilborne plant‐parasitic nematodes. 1,3‐D consists of two isomers, (Z)‐ and (E)‐1,3‐D. There are a number of low‐level chlorinated compounds that could potentially be produced as a part of the 1,3‐D manufacturing process. 1,3‐D and its metabolites, as well as potentially related chlorinated compounds, represent potential groundwater contaminants. RESULTS: This study has investigated the hydrolytic stability, under biotic and abiotic conditions in the laboratory, of an extensive representative list of 1,3‐D and potentially related chlorinated compounds in order to predict their environmental fate. All of these compounds showed intrinsic hydrolytic instability under both abiotic and biotic test conditions. Furthermore, a monitoring programme was carried out. Twenty‐five wells were monitored in five Italian regions characterised by historical and existing use of 1,3‐D. The parent compound, its two major metabolites and potentially related chlorinated compounds were not detected in the well water at > 0.1 µg L^?1 at any sampling location. CONCLUSION: The soil fumigant (E,Z)‐1,3‐D, its metabolites and potentially related chlorinated compounds constitute a low risk to groundwater. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry  相似文献   

Emission Inventories for SO2 and NOx in Developing Country Regions in 1995 with Projected Emissions for 2025 According to Two Scenarios     

Vallack  Harry W.  Cinderby  Steve  Kuylenstierna  Johan C.I.  Heaps  Charles 《Water, air, and soil pollution》2001,130(1-4):217-222

Water, Air, &; Soil Pollution - Top-down inventories of anthropogenic SO2 and NOx emissions were compiled for 1995 for developing country regions. Regional emission factors were used to generate...  相似文献   

Trends in Dissolved Gaseous Mercury in the Tahquamenon River Watershed and Nearshore Waters of Whitefish Bay in the Michigan Upper Peninsula     

Hong Zhang  Steve E. Lindberg 《Water, air, and soil pollution》2002,133(1-4):381-391

A field study was conducted in June of 1998 to characterize the dynamics of dissolved gaseous mercury (DGM) in the TahquamenonRiver watershed and nearshore waters of Whitefish Bay in the Upper Michigan Peninsula. We found that over a transect acrossthe watershed, DGM levels increased generally from a creek (mean = ～12 pg L^-1), passing through the watershed, to the nearshore surface waters of the bay (mean = ～29 pg L^-1). DGM levels in nearshore surface waters of the bayranged from ～15 to ～50 pg L^-1 and peaked generally around noontime, exhibiting diurnal trends. A significant DGM decline from ～32 pg L^-1 in the early morning to ～15 pg L^-1 during the day was observed in these surface waters following passage of a coldfront, probably caused by wind-induced mixing and decrease insolar radiation associated with the frontal passage.  相似文献   

Effects of feeding diets containing low crude protein and coarse wheat bran as alternatives to zinc oxide in nursery pig diets     

Kelsey L Batson  Hilda I Caldern  Mike D Tokach  Jason C Woodworth  Robert D Goodband  Steve S Dritz  Joel M DeRouchey 《Journal of animal science》2021,99(5)

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of crude protein (CP) level in diets containing coarse wheat bran (CWB) with or without pharmacological levels of Zn (provided by zinc oxide: ZnO) on growth performance and fecal DM of nursery pigs. In experiment 1, 360 barrows (Line 200 × 400, DNA, Columbus, NE, initially 5.6 kg) were allotted to 1 of 6 dietary treatments from d 0 to 21 after weaning with 5 pigs per pen and 12 pens per treatment. Treatments included a positive control diet (21% CP) with 3,000 mg/kg Zn in phase 1 and 2,000 mg/kg in phase 2; negative control (21% CP) with 110 mg/kg added Zn, and 4 diets containing 4% CWB and 110 mg/kg added Zn formulated to contain 21%, 19.5%, 18%, or 16.5% CP. The 2 control diets and 21% CP CWB diet contained 1.40% standardized ileal digestible (SID) Lys in phase 1 and 1.35% SID Lys in phase 2, while the 19.5%, 18%, and 16.5% CP diets contained 1.33, 1.25 and 1.20% Lys, respectively, in both phases. Pigs fed the positive control diet containing pharmacological ZnO had increased (P < 0.05) ADG and G:F compared with the negative control and the 21% CP CWB diet. Reducing CP (concurrently with SID Lys) in diets containing CWB decreased ADG and G:F (linear, P = 0.002); however, fecal DM increased (linear, P = 0.005). In experiment 2, two groups of 300 and 350 pigs, initially 7.0 and 6.2 kg, respectively, were used with 5 pigs per pen and 26 pens per treatment. The objective was to determine if adding back essential AA would improve growth performance of pigs fed the low CP diets. All dietary treatments were fed for 13 days, contained 4% CWB, and consisted of: (1) positive control with 2,000 mg/kg of Zn and 21% CP (1.35% SID Lys); (2) no ZnO and 21% CP; and 3 diets with no ZnO formulated to 18% CP and (3) 1.2% SID Lys; (4) 1.35% SID Lys by the addition of feed grade amino acids (AA), and (5) diet 4 with non-essential amino acids (NEAA; Gly and Glu). Pigs fed 21% CP with ZnO had increased (P = 0.001) ADG compared to those fed 18% CP (1.35% SID Lys) with high levels of feed grade amino acids or those fed the reduced SID Lys (1.2%) diet. Overall, G:F was improved (P < 0.001) for pigs fed 21% CP diets and those fed the 18% CP diet with NEAA compared to pigs fed 1.2% SID Lys and pigs fed high levels of feed grade amino acids. Fecal DM was increased for pigs fed the reduced SID Lys diet. In summary, pharmacological levels of Zn improve pig growth performance, but reducing CP (and subsequently SID Lys) decreased nursery pig growth performance.  相似文献   

Potential for Asexual Propagation of Several Commercially Important Species of Tropical Sea Cucumber (Echinodermata)     

Norman  Reichenbach Steve  Holloway 《Journal of the World Aquaculture Society》1995,26(3):272-278

Six species of tropical sea cucumbers (Echinodermata) of high to moderate commercial value were evaluated as to their potential for being propagated asexually by induction of transverse fission. The species considered were Thelenota ananas, Holothuria fuscogilva, Actinopyga mauritiana, A. miliaris, Stichopus chloronotus , and S. variegatus . Rubber bands placed midbody on the sea cncumbers provided an effective yet simple technique to induce transverse fission. Although fission could be induced in all six species, only T. ananas and S. chloronotus had the ability to regenerate both anterior and posterior parts into whole animals. Other species showed no or low potential for regeneration ( H. fuscogilva, A. mauritiana ) or regeneration of only the posterior part into whole animals ( S. variegatus, A. miliaris ). Both T. ananas and S. chloronotus had survivorship of nearly 80% or greater. S. chloronotus regenerated anterior and posterior parts into whole animals within 3 mo. In contrast, T. ananas regenerated the posterior part into a whole animal within 5 mo while the anterior part was regenerated within 7 mo. Consequently, weight recovery began earlier with S. chloronotus relative to T. ananas .  相似文献   

Oral Lesions Associated with Orotracheal Administered Mechanical Ventilation in Critically III Dogs     

Mack Fudge DVM  MPVM  Jamie G. Anderson DVM  MS  Janet Aldrich DVM  Steve C. Haskins DVM  MS 《Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care》1997,7(2):79-87

The incidence and clinical progression of oral lesions in a cohort of critically ill patients administered mechanical ventilation via orotracheal intubation were observed prospectively in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the University of California, Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. Oral cavities of these patients were examined within 24 hours of being placed on the ventilator and at least daily thereafter during ventilator therapy. As part of the study protocol, any lesion noted was treated. Twenty-one critically ill canine patients (median age of 7 yrs; range <1 to 19 yrs) were observed from 1 January 1995 through 31 August 1995. Over ninety percent (90.5%) of the observed patients developed oral lesions subsequent to being mechanically ventilated. Erosive and ulcerative mucosal lesions were the most frequently observed (15/43) with the tongue being the most frequently involved oral structure. Most of the observed soft tissue oral lesions appeared secondary to persistently applied pressure from teeth, mouth gags, endotracheal tubes, and other monitoring devices. Efforts taken to prevent persistently applied trauma, such as periodic positional changes of equipment and padding of susceptible structures, apeared effective in preventing oral lesions. There were indications of gastric reflux in 6 patients (28.6%), as evidenced by secretions in the oral cavity with a pH of <6 and containing digested blood. Ulcerative lesions in the subset of patients with gastric reflux seemed to worsen in severity with exposure to the low pH secretions. Over the course of the study, the ICU nursing staff developed an effective protocol for the care of the oral cavity: treating mucosal erosions and ulcers topically8 with a dilute chlorhexidine solution (0.05%), removing oral secretions via suction as needed, and padding persistently traumatized tissues with glycerin moistened gauze. Oral lesions in orotrachealy intubated and mechanically ventilated patients are predictable, preventable, and treatable. Most lesions are pressure induced, associated with monitoring/therapeutic equipment, and appear to be preventable with appropriate nursing protocls. Most observed oral lesions clinically improved with routine, periodic dilute chlorhexidine rinses and relief of applied pressure.  相似文献   

High-Frequency Jet Ventilation in Anesthetized, Paralyzed Dogs and Cats Via Transtracheal and and Endotracheal Tube Routes     

Steve C. Haskins DVM  MS  H. Orima  Y. Yamamoto  John D. Patz BA 《Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care》1991,1(2):55-60

The ability of the SAV 6 high-frequency jet ventilator to effectively ventilate three anesthetized, paralyzed cats (3.2–4.2 kg), two small dogs (7.2 and 10.0 kg), six medium-sized dogs (20.5–25.0 kg), and three large dogs (36.0–43.0 kg) via a 14-gauge (dogs) or a 16-gauge (cats) catheter placed percutaneously into the trachea via the cricothyroid membrane or into a preplaced endotracheal tube was evaluated. The lowest driving pressure within the range of 0.25 to 2.0 kg/cm² (1 kg/cm²= 14.2 psi) and the highest cycle rate within the range of 60 to 240 per minute that would generate a PaCO₂ of 30 ± 3 mm Hg were determined.
All animals could be ventilated to a PaC0₂ of 30 ± 3 mm Hg by the endotracheal tube and transtracheal route, except the largest dogs, which couid be ventilated to an average PaC0₂ of 36 mm Hg by the transtracheal route. The transtracheal route consistently required higher driving pressures and lower cycle rates than did the endotracheal tube route. Cats could be ventilated with a driving pressure of 0.25 kg/cm²; small dogs could be ventilated with 0.5 to 1.0 kg/cm₂; medium-sized dogs with 1.0 to 1.5 kg/cm²; and large dogs with 1.5 to 2.0 kg/cm².
The SAV 6 high-frequency jet ventilator can effectively ventilate cats and dogs (7.2–43.0 kg) via a transtracheal catheter and an endotracheal tube.  相似文献   

Light intensity can influence plasma FSH and age at sexual maturity in domestic pullets   总被引：6，自引：0，他引：6  

Lewis PD  Ciccone N  Sharp PJ  Leeson S 《British poultry science》2005,46(4):506-509

1. Shaver White and ISA Brown pullets were reared to 140 d in cage groups of 8 on a 10-h photoperiod of incandescent light and maintained at an illuminance of 3 or 25 lux, or transferred from 3 to 25 lux or from 25 to 3 lux at 63 or 112 d of age. 2. Plasma follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) concentration at 63 and 112 d was higher in both breeds for pullets maintained at an illuminance of 25 lux compared with 3 lux. After 2-4 d, and relative to constant-illuminance controls, plasma FSH increased significantly for ISA Brown transferred from 3 to 25 lux at 63 d and for Shaver White transferred at 112 d. Irrespective of genotype, plasma FSH for pullets given a decrease in illuminance at 63 or 112 d showed a tendency for less change than did constant-illuminance controls. 3. There was no significant difference in sexual maturity for ISA Brown maintained on 3 or 25 lux, but Shaver White pullets exposed to constant 3 lux matured later than those maintained on 25 lux. Shaver White matured later following an increase from 3 to 25 lux at 63 and 112 d, and earlier subsequent to a decrease from 25 to 3 lux at 112 d. ISA Brown pullets were not significantly affected by a change in illuminance at 63 or 112 d, though their responses were in the same direction as Shaver White. 4. Changes in plasma FSH in the 2- to 4-d period following a change in illuminance at 63 or 112 d were not significantly correlated with sexual maturity.  相似文献   

The host-parasite relationship in bovine neosporosis     

Innes EA  Wright S  Bartley P  Maley S  Macaldowie C  Esteban-Redondo I  Buxton D 《Veterinary immunology and immunopathology》2005,108(1-2):29-36

Infection with the protozoan parasite Neospora caninum is thought to be a major cause of reproductive failure in cattle worldwide. Cattle infected with the parasite are three to seven times more likely to abort compared to uninfected cattle. The parasite may be transmitted to cattle through the ingestion of oocysts that are shed in the faeces of acutely infected dogs (definitive host of N. caninum) or by congenital infection from mother to foetus via the placenta. Interestingly, transplacental transmission can occur over consecutive pregnancies and congenitally infected heifers can transmit the parasite to their own offspring. This repeated vertical transmission observed in naturally infected cattle suggests that cattle do not easily develop effective immunity to the parasite, presenting a significant challenge to the development of a control strategy based on vaccination. Neosporosis is a disease of pregnancy and studying the bovine maternal and foetal immune responses during pregnancy will help us to understand the change in the balance between the parasite and the host that may result in disease of the foetus. Studies in non-pregnant cattle and in murine models of infection have shown the importance of T-helper 1-type immune responses involving pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IFNgamma and IL-12, in limiting intracellular multiplication of the parasite. During pregnancy, changes occur in the immune system allowing the mother to accept the foetal allograft. Research in other species has stressed the crucial role of T-helper 2-type cytokines at the materno-foetal interface in maintaining the pregnancy and regulating the potentially damaging effect of Th-1 responses. Studies in cattle have shown that cell proliferation and IFNgamma responses may be significantly down-regulated around mid-gestation. This may mean that cattle are less able to cope with N. caninum infection at this time and are more likely to transmit the parasite to the foetus. Another important factor is the gestational age and hence immuno-competence of the foetus at the time of infection. Early in gestation, N. caninum infection of the placenta and subsequently the foetus usually proves fatal, whereas infection occurring in mid to late pregnancy may result in the birth of a congenitally infected but otherwise healthy calf. Studies of foetal immune responses have shown that at 14 weeks of gestation, lymphocytes only respond to mitogen, while by 24 weeks (mid-gestation), they respond to antigen by proliferating and releasing IFNgamma. Clearly, there are several factors influencing the outcome of N. caninum infection in pregnancy: the timing, quantity and duration of parasitaemia, the effectiveness of the maternal immune response and the ability of the foetus to mount an immune response against the parasite. The challenge is to design a vaccine that will prevent foetal infection by N. caninum. This is likely to involve a fine balancing act with the immune system that will allow intervention in a manner that will tip the host-parasite balance in favour of the host without compromising the pregnancy.  相似文献