Spatial distribution of Lolium rigidum seedlings following seed dispersal by combine harvesters

This paper considers the relationships between the dispersal of seeds and the distribution pattern of an annual weed. A comparative study of seed dispersal by combine harvesters, with and without a straw chopper attached, was established using Lolium rigidum, a common weed in Mediterranean cereal crops. Seed dispersal distance was quantified and the relationships between dispersal and fine‐scale seedling distribution evaluated. Primary dispersal of L. rigidum seeds occurs in a very limited space around the parent plants, but the density of seed is low because most seeds do not fall from spikes spontaneously. In contrast, many seeds are spread by combine harvesters. In this study the maximum dispersal exceeded 18 m from established stands in cereal fields, although the modal distance was close to the origin. In addition, the action of the combine harvesters tended to accumulate L. rigidum seeds predominantly under the straw swath, with some lateral movement. This action could explain the fine‐scale banded pattern of L. rigidum in cereal fields. Although the treatment of straw by the standard and straw chopper combines differed, the resultant seed distribution showed few differences.     

Détection moléculaire spécifique de la région vir du plasmide pTi d'Agrobacterium tumefaciens dans les sols et plants au Maroc

Le meilleur moyen de contrôle du crown gall ( Agrobacterium tumefaciens ) est la prévention et donc la détection de la bactérie pathogène dans les sols prévus pour les pépinières. Pour cela nous avons essayé une approche moléculaire utilisant la PCR pour caractériser le plasmide pTi par le couple des amorces spécifiques F14/F44 dans les sols de diverses régions marocaines. Cette technique de détection représente un indicateur potentiel d'avertissement sur l'état d'infection des sols et plants par A. tumefaciens qui permet ainsi de déclencher la lutte biologique par le NoGall, produit commercial australien, hébergeant l'antagoniste K₁₀₂₆.     

透明颤菌血红蛋白基因(vgb)在大肠杆菌中的高效表达

利用PCR技术将透明颠菌血红蛋白基因（vgb）克隆到融合表达载体pET28a，在大肠杆菌BL21（DE3）表达。重组蛋白在30℃诱导获得可溶表达。利用Ni^2＋亲和层析对重组蛋白进行了纯化，得到重组的透明颠菌血红蛋白，蛋白呈红色。实验现象显示重组蛋白与血红索相结合。紫外光区和可见光区波长扫描分析显示：蛋白粗提物和纯化后的血红蛋白在230nm和413nm都有强吸收峰，初步表明，尽管重组蛋白比天然蛋白多36个氨基酸，重组蛋白仍然具有生理活性。诱导后4h和6h的培养液氨基乙酰丙酸含量分别达到17mg／L和21mg／L。说明重组蛋白的表达明显促进了体内heme合成途径。     

汇率及利率调整对商品进出口的影响

中国人民银行日前宣布，经国务院批准．自2005年7月21日起，我国开始施行以市场供求为基础、参考一篮子货币进行调节、有管理的浮动汇率制度。针对广大现货生产、加工、贸易企业关心的人民币汇率变动对利率以及进出口的影响，笔者略作探讨。     

长空短多--大豆市场近期新格局

自10月中旬以来，国内大豆市场经过禽流感疫情的洗礼后，国内国际大豆期现价格出现急速下跌行情，国内近期大豆大约期货价下跌3150元／t，豆粕一度下跌到2150元／t的年内次低点。由于禽流感疫情在淡化．短期内饲料企业补库意愿增强，再加上双节临近，备货现象明显，预计大豆市场表现短多长空格局。具体分析如下：     

Seasonal Changes in Forage Nutrients and Mineral Contents in Water Resources,Forage and Yak Blood

This paper reports results of a study conducted to investigate the concentrations of seven mineral elements in yak blood, forage and water resources around the Qinghai Lake in Qinghai Province in different seasons. Meanwhile, the nutritional compositions of the forage were also surveyed. The results suggest that the mineral elements and the forage nutrients change in a seasonal pattern. In yak blood,the sodium(Na)concentration varies from 0.291 to 0.034 mg/mL,and this is lower than the normal value. In the forage,the ratio calcium(Ca)to phosphorus(P)is 4.06～7.47:1 and potassium(K)to Na 30～27:1. These results indicate that the nutrition of the yak in the area is deficient in Na but high in K. For the withered forage sampled in February,the protein content is only 31.14% of the total protein in the forage growing at puerile stage in June. The severe loss of protein by 68. 9% and decrease of effective nutrients in the wintered forage are considered to be the reasons resulting in the poor condition of yak in winter and spring seasons.     

复方中草药"毒菌杀"对禽大肠杆菌及鸡白痢沙门氏菌的体外抑菌试验

观察了复方中草药“毒菌杀”的安全性及其对禽大肠杆菌及鸡白痢沙门氏菌的体外抑菌情况。结果发现“毒菌杀”安全性高，组成“毒菌杀”的各单味中药及其合剂对大肠杆菌的最低抑菌浓度MIC(g/mL)分别为板蓝根0．05、穿心莲0．05、黄芪0．025、黄柏0．05、柴胡0．05、生地0．05、甘草0．05、当归0．025，“毒菌杀”方剂为0．05；对沙门氏菌的MIC分别为板蓝根0．05、穿心莲0．025、黄芪0．025、黄柏0．05、柴胡0．025、生地0．05、甘草0．025、当归0．05，“毒菌杀”方剂为0．025；而牛胆汁对这两种致病菌的最低抑菌浓度分别为2％和1％。说明“毒菌杀”方剂对大肠杆菌、沙门氏菌具有明显的抑制作用。     

Questionnaire‐based Analysis of Owner‐reported Scratching and Pain Signs in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Screened for Chiari‐like Malformation and Syringomyelia

Background

Chiari‐like malformation (CM) and syringomyelia (SM) cause a pain syndrome in Cavalier King Charles spaniels (CKCS). Clinical signs are not consistently apparent on neurologic examination, and owner reporting of signs provides vital clinical history. However, owner questionnaires for this disease are not well developed.

Objectives

To develop a tool to capture owner‐reported clinical signs for use in clinical trials and to compare owner‐reported signs with the presence of pain on neurologic examination and SM on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Animals

Fifty client‐owned CKCS.

Methods

Owners completed a questionnaire and pain/scratch map. Each dog underwent a neurologic examination and craniocervical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Questionnaire responses were developed into scores, area of shading for pain/scratch maps was measured, and consistency of responses between these tools was assessed. Owner‐reported findings were compared with neurologic examination findings and presence and severity of SM on MRI.

Results

Thirty‐three dogs were symptomatic and 17 asymptomatic; 30 had SM. The most common sign of pain was crying out when lifted (n = 11). Extent of shaded areas on maps positively correlated with questionnaire scores for pain (r² = 0.213, P = 0.006) and scratch (r² = 0.104, P = 0.089). Owner‐reported findings were not significantly associated with presence or severity of SM or neurologic examination findings. Owner‐reported lateralization of signs was significantly associated with SM lateralization (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

The questionnaire and maps may be useful for clinical trials. Lack of association of owner‐reported signs with SM highlights our lack of understanding of the pathophysiology of pain in this disease.     

Effects of Moringa oleifera silage on milk yield,nutrient digestibility and serum biochemical indexes of lactating dairy cows

This study investigated the effects of Moringa oleifera (MO) as a partial substitute of alfalfa hay on milk yield, nutrient apparent digestibility and serum biochemical indexes of dairy cows. MO was harvested at 120 days post‐seeding. Fresh MO was cut, mixed with chopped oat hay (425:575 on a DM basis), ensiled and stored for 60 days. Sixty healthy Holstein dairy cows were allocated to one of three groups: NM (no MO or control), LM (low MO; 25% alfalfa hay and 50% maize silage were replaced by MO silage) or HM (high MO; 50% alfalfa hay and 100% maize silage were replaced by MO silage). The feeding trial lasted 35 days. The LM and HM diets did not affect dry matter (DM) intake, milk yield or milk composition (lactose, milk fat, milk protein and somatic cell count). The apparent digestibility of DM and NDF was lower for HM group than NM group. Additionally, there were no significant differences in serum biochemical indexes between the LM and NM groups. The HM group had lower serum concentrations of total cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and higher serum concentrations of urea than the NM group. The partial replacement of alfalfa hay (≤50%) and maize silage with MO silage had no negative effects on milk yield, in vivo nutrient apparent digestibility or serum biochemical indexes of lactating cows.     

The IMPDH inhibitors,ribavirin and mycophenolic acid,inhibit peste des petits ruminants virus infection

Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) causes highly contagious diseases in domestic and particular wild small ruminants, leading to substantial economic loss. The development of effective and cheap antiviral medications shall help to circumvent this emerging burden. In this study, we found that ribavirin, a competitive inosine-5’-monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) inhibitor, significantly inhibits the replication of PPRV. As IMPDH is a key enzyme in purine nucleotide synthesis, supplementation of exogenous guanosine attenuate the anti-PPRV effect of ribavirin. Interestingly, an uncompetitive IMPDH inhibitor, mycophenolic acid (MPA), exerted more potent antiviral effect again PPRV. Similarly, this effect was largely restored upon supplementation of guanosine. Thus, we have demonstrated that the IMPDH inhibitors ribavirin and MPA combat PPRV infection through purine nucleotide depletion. Because both regimens have been widely used in the clinic for treating viral infection or organ rejection in transplantation patients for decades, respectively, repurposing these existing safe and cheap medications may provide a new avenue for combating PPRV infection.