祁连山东麓高寒草甸不同退化程度草地土壤种子库特征研究

通过野外调查和种子萌发法对东祁连山高寒草甸4种不同退化程度草地(未退化,ND;轻度退化,LD;中度退化,MD;重度退化,HD)土壤种子库进行了比较研究。结果表明:4种退化程度草地种子密度大小为:轻度退化草地>未退化草地>中度退化草地>重度退化草地;未退化草地共发现了6种植物,主要为十字花科(Cruciferae)和毛茛科(Ranunculaceae)植物;轻度退化草地共发现了9种植物,主要为禾本科(Gramineae)、菊科(Compositae)和豆科(Leguminosae)植物;中度退化草地共发现了5种植物,主要为车前科(Plantaginaceae)植物;重度退化草地共发现了5种植物,主要为禾本科(Gramineae)植物;对于土壤种子库的物种多样性,轻度退化草地最有利于维持和保护该地区物种多样性,未退化草地和轻度退化草地显著优于中度退化草地和重度退化草地;总体来看,4种退化程度草地种子库种子与地面植被物种相似性均较低。     

草地退化演替过程及诊断研究进展

随着人口的不断增加和现代工农业文明的冲击,草地生态系统出现不同程度的退化,导致草地生态系统组成、结构、过程和功能等方面发生量和质的变化;对草地退化的系统理解是进行草地恢复与重建的基础与前提。本文综述了草地退化的内涵、驱动力、退化过程与特点,以及草地生态系统退化程度诊断等一系列问题,绘制了描述草地退化程度的概念模型;建议从生态学角度研究草地退化程度诊断时选择相应的气候顶级系统或受干扰程度较轻的"自然生态系统";从草地经营学角度研究草地退化程度诊断时选择适度放牧草地作为参照系统。归纳了退化草地生态系统诊断的生物途径、生境途径和功能服务途径;分析了草地退化程度诊断的方法与可选择的指标体系,并对草地退化程度诊断及草地恢复中应注意的事项进行了讨论。     

西部草地退化的原因分析与生态恢复措施探讨

通过分析西部草地退化的原因,提出了退化草地的生态恢复方略。研究表明:脆弱的生态环境是西部草地退化的自然内营力,人为干扰和不合理利用是西部草地退化的主要驱动力,气候变暖变干是加速西部草地退化的辅助外营力;草地改良是轻度退化草地生态恢复的主要途径,草地封育是中度退化草地生态恢复的主要措施,人工草地建植是重度和极度退化草地生态恢复的主要手段。     

不同利用程度高寒干旱草地碳储量的变化特征分析

本研究对处于青海湖北部不同退化梯度草地的土壤碳储量以及植被的根系生物碳储量变化进行了研究。调查草地样本包括7个样地和4个土层,样地依次分别为严重退化草场、重度退化草场、中度退化草场、轻度退化草场、正常草场、封育3年草场和人工草场,土层分别为0～10,10～20,20～30与30～40 cm 4个土层。结果表明,在不同退化梯度上,土壤碳储量随着退化程度的减轻依次增大,总体上各样地之间的变化趋势为,在5-7月为轻度退化草地＞无退化草地＞中度退化草地＞重度退化草地＞人工草地草地＞封育草地＞严重退化草地;在8-10月为无退化草地＞轻度退化草地＞中度退化草地＞重度退化草地＞封育草地＞人工草地＞严重退化草地,严重退化草地土壤碳储量最低,其次为封育草地;封育草地和人工草地的碳储量显著的低于轻度退化和无退化草地(P<0.05),但在封育草地和人工草地之间无显著差异(P>0.05)。在不同的土层,土壤碳储量从上至下依次降低,且各层之间表现出显著差异(P<0.05)。在不同的月份,各土层深度的土壤碳储量,总体上均表现为5-6月份降低,6-10月份呈递增的变化趋势,而且不同退化草地都表现出了较为一致的变化趋势。     

新疆天山北坡荒漠草地退化现状及展望

草地退化是当今世界面临的极为严峻的生态问题之一,特别是新疆天山北坡地区的荒漠草原,由于其独特的地理环境所导致的荒漠草地退化越来越受到人们的关注。分析了新疆天山北坡荒漠草地退化的现状,在总结了国内外荒漠草地研究概况的基础上,重点综述了对新疆天山北坡地区荒漠草地退化的研究进展;在新疆天山北坡地区的荒漠草地退化研究,近年来主要集中在荒漠草地退化多样性演替、荒漠草地退化特征、荒漠草地退化遥感监测和重牧下抗牧策略等方面;通过以上综述,提出了荒漠草地退化中需要进一步深入研究的4个问题,包括荒漠草地生态系统退化机理、荒漠草地退化评价体系、荒漠草地退化监测体系和生态恢复研究,并对今后该领域的研究做出了进一步的展望和分析。     

称多县清水河乡典型退化草地调查研究

对玉树州称多县清水河乡典型退化草地不同退化梯度高寒草甸的群落结构持征、土壤养分和退化成因等进行了调查研究。结果表明,4种不同退化梯度的草地中,植物的物种多样性、土壤养分和含水量等均随退化程度的加剧而降低;原生植被和轻度退化草地是受害轻微的退化草地生态系统;重度退化草地和极度（“黑土型”）退化草地是受害程度极大的退化草地生态系统。     

内蒙古草地退化与治理对策

内蒙古是以牧为主,农牧林结合多种经营的一个自治区.广阔天然草地是发展畜牧业的物质基础.但是随着人类生产生活日益增长的物质需求,对草地采取掠夺经营,导致草地退化、沙化问题严重.本文阐述了草地退化的概念、特征及内蒙古草地退化现状,分析了草地退化发生的原因,提出了治理草地退化的对策.     

退化草地土壤理化性质的研究简述

草地退化是整个草地生态系统的退化,土壤退化是草地退化的具体体现,是比植被退化更严重的退化,土壤严重退化后整个草地生态系统的功能会遗失殆尽。本文在阐述退化草地土壤理化性质相关概念的基础上,重点综述了退化草地土壤物理、化学性质方面的研究,提出退化草地理化性质方面存在的问题。认为在改良退化草地时,应考虑土壤退化程度,导致退化的主导因子及土壤性状等因素,并且对研究退化草地土壤的理化性质需长期持续研究。     

草地退化相关概念辨析

草地退化是草地生态学和草地经营学中倍受关注的问题。在已有研究成果和笔者的研究体会的基础上总结了草地退化中的几组重要概念,包括生态退化与草场退化、植被退化与土壤退化、结构退化与功能退化、绝对退化与相对退化、参照系统与退化程度以及草地退化小尺度定位研究与大尺度空间格局研究,对其进行辨析,同时指出这些概念的划分在草地退化理论与实践研究中的重要意义。     

祁连山黑河上游不同退化草地有机碳和酶活性分布特征

为揭示草地退化过程中土壤有机碳和酶活性的分布特征及相关性,在祁连山黑河上游俄博岭区域的高山灌丛草甸土上,根据草地退化程度,划分了未退化草地、轻度退化草地、中度退化草地、重度退化草地,采用野外采样室内分析方法,研究了不同退化草地土壤有机碳和酶活性的分布特征。结果表明：4种退化草地0～60 cm土层有机碳的含量、密度、储量,以及土壤酶活性变化顺序为：未退化草地>轻度退化草地>中度退化草地>重度退化草地;4种退化草地（从轻到重）0～10 cm土层有机碳密度是50～60 cm土层有机碳密度的1.78倍、1.98倍、1.87倍和2.00倍,说明土壤有机碳密度在表层具有很强的表聚性;4种退化草地不同土层有机碳的含量、密度和储量,以及土壤酶活性均随着土壤剖面垂直深度的增加而递减;4种退化草地土壤有机碳含量与有机碳密度、土壤酶活性成显著正相关关系。     

Prevalence and seasonal incidence of nematode parasites and fluke infections of sheep and goats in eastern Ethiopia

Sissay, M.M., Uggla, A. and Waller, P.J., XXXX. Prevalence and seasonal incidence of nematode parasites and fluke infections of sheep and goats in eastern Ethiopia. Tropical Animal Health and Production, XXXX. A 2-year abattoir survey was carried out to determine the prevalence, abundance and seasonal incidence of gastro-intestinal (GI) nematodes and trematodes (flukes) of sheep and goats in the semi-arid zone of eastern Ethiopia. During May 2003 to April 2005, viscera including liver, lungs and GI tracts were collected from 655 sheep and 632 goats slaughtered at 4 abattoirs located in the towns of Haramaya, Harar, Dire Dawa and Jijiga in eastern Ethiopia. All animals were raised in the farming areas located within the community boundaries for each town. Collected materials were transported within 24 h to the parasitology laboratory of Haramaya University for immediate processing. Thirteen species belonging to 9 genera of GI nematodes (Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus axei, T. colubriformis, T. vitrinus, Nematodirus filicollis, N. spathiger, Oesophagostomum columbianum, O. venulosum, Strongyloides papillosus, Bunostomum trigonocephalum, Trichuris ovis, Cooperia curticei and Chabertia ovina), and 4 species belonging to 3 genera of trematodes (Fasciola hepatica, F. gigantica, Paramphistomum {Calicohoron} microbothrium and Dicrocoelium dendriticum) were recorded in both sheep and goats. All animals in this investigation were infected with multiple species to varying degrees. The mean burdens of adult nematodes were generally moderate in both sheep and goats and showed patterns of seasonal abundance that corresponded with the bi-modal annual rainfall pattern, with highest burdens around the middle of the rainy season. In both sheep and goats there were significant differences in the mean worm burdens and abundance of the different nematode species between the four geographic locations, with worm burdens in the Haramaya and Harar areas greater than those observed in the Dire Dawa and Jijiga locations. Similar seasonal variations were also observed in the prevalence of flukes. But there were no significant differences in the prevalence of each fluke species between the four locations. Overall, the results showed that Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus, Nematodirus, Oesophagostomum, Fasciola and Paramphistomum species were the most abundant helminth parasites of sheep and goats in eastern Ethiopia.     

A brief history of the prevention of infectious diseases by immunisations

Infectious diseases have always been a terrible scourge for humans. The appearance of these plagues, as they were called without distinction, was generally connected to various conditions: asters, climatic changes or religious reasons. The concept of contagious, and then infectious, diseases came slowly. Variolation, i.e. transmission of ‘virulent’ matter to induce a natural disease and the immunity against it, was brought from Constantinople to England by Lady Montague, in 1721. This ‘variolation’ technique was also often performed in veterinary medicine against diseases like sheep-pox or pleuropneumonia. As ‘vaccination’ is the term generally accepted for ‘immunisation’, variolation can be the word designating such a technique. The second period of the history of immunisation began, in 1880, with the studies of Pasteur and his collaborators. A great number of bacterial vaccines were developed: dead, live but attenuated or only parts of pathogens. The viruses were produced in animals, then in eggs and at last, in tissue cultures. Second generation vaccines appeared with genetic engineering: recombinant vaccines, vector vaccines, nucleic acids vaccines, and markers vaccines, among others. These novel technologies can permit the development of new ones and improve the quality of the vaccines already existing.     

Characterization of Salmonella Dublin and Salmonella Typhimurium (Copenhagen) Isolates from Cattle

Brackelsberg, C.A., Nolan, L.K. and Brown, J., 1997. Characterization of Salmonella dublin and Salmonella typhimurium (Copenhagen) isolates from cattle. Veterinary Research Communications, 21 (6), 409-420Eight Salmonella typhimurium (Copenhagen) and eight Salmonella dublin isolates from cattle were compared by their antibiotic resistance patterns, by their production of colicin, aerobactin, haemolysin and capsule, by their possession of transmissible R plasmids and the spvC gene, and by their ability to invade and replicate within cultured epithelial cells. The two groups differed in their antibiotic resistance profiles, with more of the host-adapted S. dublin isolates resistant to tetracycline than were the non-host-adapted S. typhimurium (Copenhagen) group, but more of the S. typhimurium (Copenhagen) isolates resistant to the other antibiotics tested. None of the isolates produced colicin, but all produced aerobactin. One isolate in each group was encapsulated. All of the S. typhimurium (Copenhagen) and S. dublin isolates contained plasmids, and all of them contained the spvC-homologous sequences. Four of the S. typhimurium (Copenhagen) isolates were able to transfer an R plasmid to a recipient organism by conjugation. One of the five S. dublin isolates, which showed resistance to some of the antibiotics tested, was able to transfer an R plasmid by conjugation. Both groups of isolates invaded cultured epithelial cells to a similar degree after 1 h, but the S. dublin isolates reached significantly higher levels within the cells than did S. typhimurium (Copenhagen) after 9 h. This ability may, in part, explain the association of S. dublin with more severe forms of salmonellosis and prolonged carrier states. Further study of the intracellular growth of these isolates seems warranted.     

Microsporidial keratopathy in two dogs

A microsporidial keratopathy is described in two dogs. Both dogs presented with a unilateral stromal keratopathy characterized by multifocal coalescing opacities, and the diagnosis was made on histopathologic examination of keratectomy specimens. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) on formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded corneal tissue was performed in one dog, and the morphologic features were consistent with Nosema species infection. Both dogs were initially diagnosed and treated by superficial keratectomy. One dog received additional antifungal medication and underwent a penetrating keratoplasty following local recurrence two years later. No other systemic lesions attributable to the microsporidial infection were identified clinically. The clinical and diagnostic pathology findings, treatment, and follow‐up are discussed.     

An Evaluation of the Acceptability as Forage of Some Nutritive and Antinutritive Components and of the Dry Matter Degradation Profiles of Five Species of Ficus

The suitability of five species of Ficus, F. mucoso, F. thonningii, F. polita, F. religiosa and F. benjamina, for feeding ruminant livestock was studied. The nutritive and antinutritive components were determined and the acceptability of the forages to livestock was assessed using a cafeteria method in 8 adult small ruminants. Also, the degradation potential of the dry matter of the five Ficus species was investigated using 3 fistulated sheep. The crude protein (CP) content of the Ficus species varied significantly (p < 0.05), ranging from 130 to 180 g/kg DM. The content of neutral detergent fibre (NDF) also varied significantly (p < 0.05), ranging from 650 to 710 g/kg DM. The organic matter (OM) contents did not differ significantly (p > 0.05), having a mean value of 916 g/kg DM. The concentrations of tannin, saponin, phytic acid and oxalic acid were low. The acceptability of the forage was similar for four of the species but poor for F. polita. The extent of DM degradation varied significant among the Ficus species, the ranking order being F. benjamina > F. thonningii > F. mucoso > F. religiosa > F. polita.     

Listeric Infections in Humans and Animals in the Indian Subcontinent: A Review

Listeriosis is an important bacterial zoonosis caused by the intracellular pathogen Listeria monocytogenes. The disease has been reported in animals from the Indian subcontinent, usually in the form of sporadic cases but occasionally as outbreaks. Cases of listeriosis arise mainly from the ingestion of contaminated food. Listeriosis has been reported to cause encephalitis, abortion, mastitis, repeat breeding and endometriosis in animals. Listeric infections occur in children and women with a poor obstetric history. The epidemiological aspects and pathogenesis of listeriosis in animals and humans are not yet fully understood. This review offers comprehensive information on experimental studies and field cases in animals and on cases of human listeriosis. There are also sections on isolation from foods, diagnosis and treatment in humans and animals.     

The relationship between endogenous cortisol, blood micronutrients, and neutrophil function in postparturient Holstein cows

Neutrophil function, blood micronutrients, and cortisol concentrations were measured in 43 clinically healthy postparturient Holstein cows. Estimated 305-day mature equivalent milk production and neutrophil function were related to results of the blood micronutrient concentrations and neutrophil function tests. Cattle had low to normal zinc concentrations; normal to high selenium, vitamin E, and cortisol concentrations; and normal copper concentrations. Blood selenium (P = .03) and zinc (P = .027) concentrations were both significant predictors of neutrophil adhesion, and selenium (P < .001) was a significant predictor of neutrophil cytochrome C reduction (superoxide production). Fourteen of 20 (70%) cattle with blood selenium concentrations > 300 ng/mL had neutrophil adhesion, and 15 of 20 (75%) had cytochrome C reduction above the mean value for this group. There was also a significant correlation (r = 0.331; P = .037) between cytochrome C reduction and estimated milk production. These findings suggest that neutrophils from postparturient dairy cows with higher blood concentrations of selenium have greater potential to kill microbes, and that cattle with greater superoxide production may have higher milk production.     

Fungal infections of the central nervous system in the dog and cat

Fungal infections of the central nervous system (CNS) in dogs and cats are uncommon. The purpose of this paper is to review the clinical signs, diagnostic tests, and therapeutic options of fungal infections of the CNS in the dog and cat. Clinical signs are dependent on lesion location and are often multifocal. Extraneural involvement is common. Antemortem diagnosis can be difficult and is definitively made via cytology, biopsy, or culture of an affected organ or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Magnetic resonance imaging can support a diagnosis and may assist in therapeutic decisions. Fungal serology can support a diagnosis when direct visualization of the organism is not possible. Long-term azole maintenance therapy is suggested to enhance survival and prevent relapse. Serial cerebrospinal fluid evaluation and magnetic resonance imaging may identify early relapse.     

The serum neutralizing antibody response in cattle to Fusobacterium necrophorum leukotoxoid and possible protection against experimentally induced hepatic abscesses

The serum antileukotoxin antibody response and protection against subsequent experimental challenge with Fusobacterium necrophorum were investigated in 30 steers vaccinated with crude F. necrophorum leukotoxoid. Culture supernatant of F. necrophorum, strain 25, containing leukotoxoid was concentrated. The steers were assigned randomly to six groups (n=5): PBS control with Stimulon adjuvant; vaccinated with concentrated supernatant diluted to provide 2.5, 5.0, 10.0, or 20.0 ml with the watersoluble Stimulon adjuvant; and 5.0 ml with the Ribi oil-emulsion adjuvant. The steers were injected subcutaneously on days 0 and 21. Blood samples were collected at weekly intervals to monitor serum antileukotoxin antibody titres. On day 42, all the steers were challenged intraportally with F. necrophorum culture. Three weeks later (day 63), the steers were killed and necropsied for examination of their livers and assessment of protection. Steers vaccinated with crude leukotoxoid tended to have higher antileukotoxin titres than the controls, but the difference was not significant. Also, the antibody titre did not appear to be dose-dependent. In the control group, 3 out of 5 steers developed liver abscesses. The incidence of liver abscesses in steers vaccinated with Stimulon adjuvant was not dose related; however, only 8 of the 25 vaccinated steers developed abscesses. None of the steers vaccinated with the 5.0 ml dose with Ribi had any abscesses. Evidence for a relationship between antileukotoxin antibody and protection was shown by the lower titre in those steers that developed abscesses compared to those that did not. It was concluded that antileukotoxin antibody titres probably provided some degree of protection against experimentally induced liver abscesses, but further dose-titration studies using Ribi or possibly another more effective adjuvant will be needed to confirm this.Abbreviations BHI brain-heart infusion - CFU colony-forming units - ELISA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay - MTT 3-[4,5-(dimethylthiazol-2-yl)]-2,5-diphenyltetrazodium] bromide - PBS phosphate-buffered saline - PMN polymorphonuclear neutrophils     

Phase I evaluation of CCNU (lomustine) in tumor-bearing cats

1-(2-Chloroethyl)3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU) is an alkylating agent in the nitrosourea subclass. A prospective evaluation of CCNU was done to determine the maximally tolerated dosage of CCNU in tumor-bearing cats. Response data were obtained when available. Twenty-five cats were treated with CCNU at a dosage of 50-60 mg/m3 body surface area. Complete hematologic data were available for 13 cats. Neutropenia was the acute dose-limiting toxicity. The median neutrophil count at the nadir was 1,000 cells/microL (mean, 2,433 cells/microL; range, 0-9,694 cells/microL). The time of neutrophil nadir was variable, occurring 7-28 days after treatment, and counts sometimes did not return to normal for up to 14 days after the nadir. Based on these findings, a 6-week dosing interval and weekly hematologic monitoring after the 1st treatment with CCNU are recommended. The nadir of the platelet count may occur 14-21 days after treatment. The median platelet count at the nadir was 43,500 cells/microL. No gastrointestinal, renal, or hepatic toxicities were observed after a single CCNU treatment, and additional studies to evaluate the potential for cumulative toxicity should be performed. Five cats with lymphoma and 1 cat with mast cell tumor had measurable responses to CCNU. Phase II studies to evaluate antitumor activity should be completed with a dosing regimen of 50-60 mg/m3 every 6 weeks.