The advantages of the use of vitamin E and selenium for the prevention and therapy of porcine stress syndrome

In a feeding trial lasting for months Halothane-positive fattening pigs were put on a diet containing different concentrations of vitamin E and selenium. After a Myostress application vitamin E and selenium were additionally injected in order to examine stress resistance (CK-test) and regenerative capacity (histological examination of Musculus longissimus dorsi) of skeletal muscle. The study revealed that neither high dietary levels of vitamin E/selenium nor a vitamin E/selenium treatment applied after stress are capable of preventing stress related myopathy nor can they influence its healing up favourably.     

明清时期对烟草药用价值的认识和利用

烟草原产美洲,又名"菸"、姆巴古、淡巴菰、淡巴姑、大古、淡肉果、担不归等,别名"相思草"、"返魂烟"、"气死名医草",明代万历年间传入中国.烟草传入中国后,传种速度很快.明末的谈迁曾描述当时烟草的种植情形时说:"今艺及江南、北"(1)(中集《荣植·金丝烟》).     

Homeopathy: an effective and risk-free alternative to conventional pharmacotherapy? Part 1: Hahnemann and his teaching]

The article considers the attractions and dangers of homeopathic therapy from the view of a pharmacologist. Homeopathic drugs may exert pharmacodynamic (but also toxic) effects at low dilutions (D0-D6), but there is no scientific proof for specific effects of higher dilutions except for substances with a high toxic potential. Most homeopathic drugs have no reasonable basis for clinical use but, in case of toxic compounds, especially those with carcinogenic or allergic potential, homeopathy may bear risks for the animal and, because of residues in food animals, also for humans. Thus, homeopathic treatment should not be used when effective conventional treatments are available, and the use of homeopathic drugs with toxic potential should be avoided.     

Laboratory parameters for the control of the course of therapy of canine Cushing's syndrome]

We compared the results of the ACTH stimulation tests with measurements of alkaline phosphatase and serum cholesterol during Lysodren therapy in 23 dogs with pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism. The ACTH stimulation test proved to be a very sensitive parameter, by which the extent of Lysodren under- or overdosage could be reliably estimated. On the other hand, regulation of the individual Lysodren requirement was not possible by measuring AP and serum cholesterol only. However, it is highly probable that those two parameters can be used to evaluate the general state of metabolism, and they appear to be of prognostic value when greatly elevated.     

Cystocentesis in dogs and cats]

The technique of cystocentesis in dogs and cats was studied. The indications and contraindications of this method are discussed, using illustrations.     

Research note: Postnatal development of electrolyte transport in calf rumen as affected by weaning time.

In a previous study we found a positive correlation between early weaning in calves and morphological parameters which were indicative of ruminal development, i.e. the length and width of the papillae. The objective of the present study was to determine to what extent this observation could be reflected by modulations of absorptive and secretory functions of the rumen mucosa. For this purpose the short-circuit currents (Isc) as a measure of electrogenic net ion fluxes and the transepithelial conductances (G(T)) as a measure of the overall tissue permeability were measured in vitro applying the Ussing-chamber technique. Simultaneously, the unidirectional flux rates of sodium and chloride across rumen wall epithelia were determined in the absence of electrochemical gradients. Under these conditions, significant positive net flux rates (Jnet) clearly indicate active mechanisms for electrolyte absorption. For the experiments 12 male Holstein calves 7 d of age were assigned to three groups of 4 animals each: milk group (I, slaughtered after 6 weeks of age), late weaning group (II, slaughtered after 9 weeks of age) and early weaning group (II, weaned after 6 weeks of age and slaughtered after 9 weeks of age). Whereas G(T) values remained unaffected by different age and feeding, Isc values were significantly affected by early weaning but were not influenced by age. Irrespective of weaning time active absorption of Na+ tended to be higher by about 60% in 9 weeks old animals. Active absorption of chloride was significantly increased in milk fed 9 weeke old calves and this effect was further stimulated by early weaning. In conclusion, the data show an increasing active Na+ absorption with age in calf rumen that could not be influenced by early weaning. Similarly, active Cl- absorption was initially increased during postnatal development and this effect could be stimulated further by early weaning.     

提高真菌植酸酶热稳定性的方法

植酸酶(Phytase)能提高饲料中磷及其他养分的利用率,减少粪便中磷的排泄量,同时还能降低植酸(盐)的抗营养作用,在饲料中添加植酸酶对提高畜禽生产性能及减轻环境污染有着重要意义。真菌植酸酶具有pH作用范围广、活性高和易提纯等优点,是生产植酸酶的最佳来源。但是真菌植酸酶热稳定性普遍较低,不能完全满足饲料加工的要求。本文综述了在提高真菌植酸酶热稳定性研究方面的最新进展,讨论了其进一步的研究方向。     

依托三大支柱发展犬业经济

当今社会科技日新月异，推动着社会文明进程和经济的快速发展，全球犬业呈现出蓬勃生机。纵观国内外犬业发展史，大多以优良品种、训用技术技能、器具研发为犬业的三大支柱，三方面强则犬业兴。笔者现就发展我国犬业的思考抛砖引玉，愿与犬业界有识之士共商。