G protein signalling involved in host recognition and mycoparasitismrelated chitinase expression in Trichoderma atroviride

Mycoparasitic species of Trichoderma are commercially applied as biological control agents against various fungal pathogens. The mycoparasitic interaction is host specific and includes recognition, attack and subsequent penetration and killing of the host. Investigations on the underlying events revealed that Trichoderma responds to multiple signals from the host (e.g. lectins or other ligands such as low molecular weight components released from the host's cell wall) and host attack is ac…     

Feeding-unrelated factors influencing the plasma leptin level in ruminants

The triglyceride content of lipid depots associated with the current feeding level is the primary determinant of leptin gene expression and the circulating leptin level. In laboratory rodents and primates the plasma leptin is influenced also by the age, gender and physiological status (puberty, pregnancy, lactation, postpartum period), and by the health condition such as sepsis due to Gram-negative (GN) bacteria. Some pathologic conditions with intensive cytokine release evoke an increase in plasma leptin, which is thought to depress the subsequent feed intake. However, the effect of these secondary factors may be species-dependent, with still unknown clinical relevance in ruminants. In our ovine and bovine models plasma leptin increased after castration and dexamethasone treatment, decreased after experimental administration of synthetic androgens in castrated rams, but remained unchanged throughout the ovarian cycle and after ovariectomy. The circulating leptin level increased temporarily during synthetic progestin (fluorogestone) treatment in ewes, but similar changes were not seen in progesterone-supplemented ewes and norgestomet-treated cows. In a second trial on dairy cows we wanted to study whether elevated plasma leptin levels are induced by experimental endotoxin mastitis, or by natural outbreak of GN mastitis and puerperal metritis. Experimental endotoxin mastitis resulted in some-hour elevation in cortisol and insulin, with a simultaneous decrease in IGF-I and thyroid hormones. In the first 14 days of lactation GN mastitis induced the same endocrine alterations as the experimental endotoxin challenge, but in natural cases these changes varied within a wider range, and were more protracted and robust. Cows with puerperal metritis had more obvious catabolic changes in the early weeks of lactation, than their healthy counterparts. However, both mastitis and puerperal metritis failed to increase the circulating leptin level, showing that in cows the plasma leptin is not responsible for the anorexia associated with these inflammatory diseases.     

Placental transfer of immunoglobulins in cattle infected with Schistosoma mattheei

Although the epitheliochorial placenta of ruminants does not allow passage of immunoglobulins from dam to foetus specific antibodies have been detected at birth in calves born to Schistosoma mattheei-infected cows. The present study determined the prevalence of calves born with specific antibodies for S. mattheei and the origin of these antibodies. For the determination of the prevalence, 100 calves born to infected mothers in an endemic area (Zambia) were examined, 24 were seropositive. To study the origin of these antibodies placentomes of 40 naturally S. mattheei-infected cows were examined for the presence of schistosome eggs and lesions which could explain foetal priming and/or leakage of maternal antibodies and/or antigen into the foetus. Tissue damage and schistosome eggs were observed on the maternal as well as the foetal side of the placentomes. In order to determine the specific nature of the antibody response, antibody profiles against soluble adult worm antigen preparation (SWAP) of S. mattheei were compared by Western blot between dams and their newborn calves (n = 8). The specific recognition profiles were identical for the seropositive calves and their dams on SWAP mattheei. Identical recognition profiles between dams and calves were also observed when sera were analysed on Escherichia coli, a pathogen of which the foetus should be free, and would indicate passive antibody transfer from the dam. In conclusion, the present study shows that S. mattheei could induce placentome lesions and that eggs can cross the placenta. Consequently, foeti can come into contact with S. mattheei antigens in utero, and might also contain maternal antibodies from leakage through placentome lesions. As such, the infection status of the mother could have far reaching effects on the immunological status of her offspring and modify their reaction upon infection.     

The central retinal artery and regression of the hyaloid artery in perinatal cattle

The arterial supply to the retina and lens of 10 fetal, 10 neonatal and four adult Zavot-bred cattle of both sexes was studied macroscopically and by stereoscopic microscopy by means of vascular perfusion with latex, giving special emphasis on the hyaloid artery. The central retinal artery ramified in four major retinal arterioles, which formed a compact network throughout the retina (holangiotic or euangiotic pattern). The hyaloid artery was patent in all fetal stages and extended through the vitreous cavity of the eye to the caudal surface of the capsule of the lens. Atrophy of the hyaloid artery began immediately after birth and was completed on day 17 after parturition. No remnant of the hyaloid artery in the vitreous cavity was observed in the adult cattle examined at stereoscopic microscopic level.     

Clinical characteristics and persistence of bovine mastitis caused by different species of coagulase-negative staphylococci identified with API or AFLP

The coagulase-negative staphylococcal species causing mastitis in lactating cattle were identified and possible differences in the clinical characteristics or persistence of mastitis caused by different CNS were evaluated. The effect of antimicrobial treatment was also assessed. In addition, AFLP-typing of CNS was compared with the phenotypic identification. A total of 133 clinical or subclinical quarter cases of intramammary infection caused by CNS from the practice area of the Ambulatory Clinic of the University of Helsinki were studied. Bacteriological diagnosis was based on biochemical (API) testing. Staphylococcus simulans (43.6%) followed by S. chromogenes (23.3%) were the most common CNS species isolated from the milk samples. Ninety-nine isolates were genotyped using AFLP-analysis. Only 75.0% of S. chromogenes and S. simulans isolates identified with API test were clustered with the type strains of these species. Approximately half of the mastitis cases were clinical, and in the majority clinical signs were mild. The severity and persistence of intramammary infection were unaffected by CNS species. Fifty-nine percent of the quarter cases were treated with antimicrobials, and the rest were left without treatment. Mastitis due to beta-lactamase-negative CNS was treated with penicillin G and that due to beta-lactamase-positive CNS with cloxacillin. Nineteen percent of the isolates were beta-lactamase-positive. The bacterial cure rate for quarters treated with antimicrobials was high, 85.9%, as opposed to only 45.5% for untreated quarters. Bacterial cure rates for the most common CNS species or AFLP clusters were not statistically different. Further studies on identification of CNS species are needed.     

2011年中国棉花生长指数在江苏省的应用

阐述了江苏省2011年棉花生产的概况,分析了棉花主要生育期气候条件对棉花生长的影响,并进一步运用中国棉花生长指数(CCGI)分析棉花长势及预测产量.结果表明,CCGI是反映气候变化的敏感快捷的指标,对棉花生产具有重要指导意义.在此基础上,预测了2012年植棉形势,提出了江苏棉花生产发展的建议.     

调节鸡舍通风，改善空气质量的措施

通风不良是百病之源,要改善舍内环境,必须首先解决好鸡舍的通风问题。特别是季节交替之际,温差变化较大,因鸡舍通风不良而致鸡群呼吸道疾病频发,诱使以呼吸道症状为主的各种疾病发病率、死亡率显著增加,产蛋率下降,给养鸡生产者带来损失的同时,严重影响饲料、鸡苗等的生产销售工作。     

Influence of long-term vaccination of a breeding herd of pigs against PCV2 on reproductive parameters

The objective of the study was to evaluate an efficacy of sows vaccination protocols in the herd with serious problems affecting efficacy of reproduction. The study was performed in a large pig herd with about 1200 sows. Before vaccination against PCV2, farrowing rate in this farm was about 65%. Sows, boar and replacement gilts were immunized using Circovac vaccine (Merial, France) according to producer's recommendations. Parameters of production were analyzed since 2007 until 2010 in selected batches of sows inseminated at the same weeks of the year (17th, 18th, 19th and 20th) to eliminate seasonal variability. In total, 940 sows were subjected to the study. No significant changes in management during these years were introduced. The applied protocol of sow herd long-term vaccination proved to be very efficient. All measured production parameters: reproduction rate, number of piglets born alive, birth weight of piglets and number of piglets weaned per a litter improved after implementation of immunization program. Moreover, further improvement was observed with vaccination in the following reproduction cycles. The most spectacular effect of vaccination regarded average farrowing rate that increased from 64.76% in control group to 86.93% after basic vaccination. Two years after implementation of vaccination program this parameter reached 93.6%. Number of piglets weaned per sow per a litter improved from 10.31 to 11.74 after one year of vaccination and remained relatively stable through the following year. Simultaneously, the percentage of newborn piglets with birth weight < 1 kg decreased significantly (p < 0.05). To summarize, vaccination against PCV2 influenced positively the insemination rate, number of piglets born alive and weaned per litter as well as birth body weight and percentage of piglets weighing < 1 kg.     

施氮对设施栽培金针菜产量、品质和钾吸收利用的影响

【目的】明确施氮对设施栽培金针菜产量、品质和钾吸收利用的影响,为设施栽培金针菜的养分管理提供理论依据。【方法】以金针菜‘大乌嘴’为试验材料,于2015—2017年在江苏省宿迁市丁嘴镇江苏省农业科学院金针菜试验基地进行了田间试验。设5个施氮量处理 (N 0、50、100、150和200 kg/hm2,以N0、N50、N100、N150、N200表示)。在返青期、抽薹期和现蕾期采样分析了金针菜产量、品质和钾的吸收利用。【结果】增施氮肥提高了金针菜不同生育阶段的钾吸收量,以抽薹到现蕾期钾吸收量增量最大。与N0相比,N50、N100、N150和N200处理下的钾吸收量分别增加21.0%、67.6%、86.0%和103.8%,处理间差异达到显著水平。施氮改变了不同生育时段的钾吸收比例,使返青到抽薹期的钾吸收比例降低,抽薹到现蕾期的钾吸收比例升高,其中N200处理下效果最显著。增施氮肥降低了现蕾期生育后期钾浓度的下降速率,其中,N0、N50、N100、N150和N200处理下表示钾浓度降低趋势的b值分别为0.0051、0.0048、0.0045、0.0044和0.0042。随施氮量增加,钾吸收的边际效应呈先升高后降低趋势,而钾的生产效率呈直线降低趋势。N100、N150处理的金针菜积累的干物质和钾量在花蕾中的分配比例较高,钾浓度和钾累积量动态特征参数比较协调,利于产量形成,且V_C、氨基酸、可溶性糖、黄酮和多酚含量相对较高;N 200 kg/hm2处理导致金针菜产量增幅下降,氮素钾吸收边际效应和钾的生产效率降低,但秋水仙碱含量最高;低于N 100 kg/hm2时,干物质和钾的总吸收量及经济系数较低,不利于高产形成。【结论】供试条件下,施用氮肥N 100～150 kg/hm2可减缓金针菜生育期后期钾吸收的下降,提高钾吸收边际效应、钾的生产效率和金针菜的品质。