Inter‐specific hybridization between Black Sea trout (Salmo labrax Pallas, 1814) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum, 1792)

Thermal shock‐induced triploid and unshocked control hybrids between rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and Black Sea trout (Salmo labrax) and their parental species were produced under hatchery condition by using heat shocks. Triploidization reduced eyed egg rate and alevin yield in all groups. Low survival rate was observed in both shock‐induced triploid hybrid and non‐shock‐induced control hybrids. Although hybrids demonstrated low body weight during the first feeding stage, they reached higher body weight by day 200 when compared with Black Sea trout and rainbow trout. A higher specific growth rate was calculated as 3.60 in the triploid hybrid groups, 1.41 in the triploid Black Sea trout groups and 2.27 in the triploid rainbow trout groups between days 110 and 200. A lower condition factor was determined in the hybrid than in the diploid parental species. A negative value of mid‐parent heterosis (MPH) performance was deected for condition factor, and a favourable MPH was detected for specific growth rate and weight in hybrids.     

Inter-laboratory comparison of radiometric culture for Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis using raw milk from known infected herds and individual dairy cattle in Victoria

Objective To compare the results of radiometric culture conducted in three Australian laboratories for Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (Mptb) using bulk vat and individual animal milk samples. Procedure Milk samples were collected from 15 cows exhibiting clinical signs of Johne's disease, and subsequently confirmed as infected with Mptb, and from the bulk milk vats on 91 farms running herds known to be infected with Mptb. Each milk sample was divided into three equivalent samples and one of each of the replicates was forwarded to the three participating laboratories. The identity and nature of the samples was protected from the study collaborators. The laboratories processed the samples and undertook radiometric culture for Mptb using their standard method. Results of testing were provided to the principal investigator for collation and analysis. Results In total, 2 (2.2%) of 91 vat-milk samples and 8 (53.3%) of 15 individual cows' milk samples returned positive radiometric milk culture results. Only one sample, from a clinical case of Johne's disease, was identified as positive by more than one laboratory. There were differences in the absolute frequency with which Mptb was identified in the milk samples by the collaborating laboratories. Conclusions Mptb was cultured from a very small percentage of Australian raw bulk milk samples sourced from known infected herds. By contrast, Mptb was successfully cultured from half of the milk samples collected from clinically affected cows. There was no statistical difference between laboratories in the proportion of vat samples or individual animal milk samples in which Mptb was detected.     

Outcomes of thoracic surgery in dogs and cats

Summary: Records of 146 dogs and 41 cats that underwent thoracic surgery at The University of Sydney Veterinary Teaching Hospital were reviewed for age, sex, breed, disease, operation date, periods of pre- and post-operative hospitalisation, use of surgical drains and outcome. Animals were assigned to 16 disease categories, the most common being patent ductus arteriosus, traumatic diaphragmatic hernia and oesophageal foreign body in dogs and traumatic diaphragmatic hernia in cats. Differences were observed between disease categories in all the criteria examined. There were almost equal numbers of male (72) and female (74) dogs, the median (range) age was 2.0 (0.2 to 14.0) years, the median pre-operative stay was 1 (0 to 14) days, the median post-operative stay was 4 (0 to 28) days and the overall survival to discharge rate was 78%.
There were 24 male and 15 female cats (sex not recorded in 2 cats). The median (range) age was 3 (0.1 to 12) years, pre-operative stay 1 (0 to 6) days, post-operative stay 5 (0 to 15) days and the overall survival to discharge rate was 85%. Causes of post-operative deaths among animals in the most common categories are recorded and discussed.     

Association of phytoplasmas with the decline of European hazel in southern Italy

In the Campania region of southern ltaly. commercial orchards of European hazel ( Corylus avellana ) are severely affected by yellowing and decline. To determine whether phytoplasmas are associated with the disorder, stem samples from diseased trees were examined using polymerase chain reaction assays. No visible products were obtained by amplification of sample DNA with universal and group-specific phytoplasma primers. However, when the products obtained with universal primers were re-amplified with nested primers that were specific for the fruit tree phytoplasmas of the apple proliferation group, most samples tested positively. Restriction site analysis revealed that the trees were infected with the apple proliferation, pear decline, and European stone fruit yellows phytoplasmas in about the same proportion. Some of the trees were doubly infected with one of the fruit tree phytoplasmas and the aster yellows agent. Most of the infected trees were also identified by hybridization of the products obtained in the initial amplification with suitable oligonucleotide probes.     

From cell to cageside: autonomic influences on cardiac rhythms in the dog

The autonomic nervous system is pivotal in the characteristics of normal and abnormal cardiac rhythms. Some of the unique features (pronounced sinus arrhythmia and wandering pacemaker) of the canine electrocardiogram can be explained by the influence of parasympathetic tone. Perturbations that enhance the sympathetic nervous system can also potentiate arrhythmias, or counteract antiarrhythmic action. Moreover, disorders of the innervation to the heart may actually cause some life-threatening arrhythmias. This article reviews the interactions of the autonomic nervous system and cardiac rhythms as they pertain to the normal dog, as well as to specific arrhythmias in the boxer and German shepherd dog. Emphasis is placed on relating information from electrophysiological investigations to the clinical arena, thus demonstrating the value of linking the basic and clinical sciences as one medicine: knowledge from cell to cageside.     

浅谈察哈尔右翼前旗生态旅游发展

文章在分析察哈尔右翼前旗生态环境的基础上,就生态旅游建设的必要性和总体构想进行了探讨,并提出了相应的项目规划。     

Induction of Embryogenic Callus in Gossypium barbadense L. and Gossypium hirsutum L. by Hormone Treatments

The aim of this study was to induce embryogenic callus from various cultivars of cotton in tissue culture, so that a stable and efficient regeneration system could be developed to produce new cotton varieties for cultivation in Xinjiang. The explant materials were hypocotyls of the main cotton cultivars grown in Xinjiang, i. e. Xinhai 25, Xinhai 16, Xinluzao 39, and Xinluzao 42. We tested the effects of different combinations of two hormones (kinetin, KT; 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, 2,4-D) on induction of callus from these explants. Calli were produced by the explants under four different combinations of hormones in the media. The optimal hormone combination to induce callus from Gossypium hirsutum explants was 0.1 mg·L^-1 KT + 0.05 mg·L^-1 2,4-D, while that to induce callus from Gossypium barbadense explants was 0.1 mg·L^-1 KT + 0.1 mg·L^-1 2,4-D. Hormone-free medium and medium containing double to the normal concentration of KNO₃ promoted the emergence of embryogenic callus. Filter paper placed under the medium promoted somatic embryo growth and regeneration of the root system. The differentiation and embryogenesis processes occurred more rapidly in G. hirsutum explants than those in G. barbadense explants. Using this protocol, normal plantlets of these cotton cultivars with strong roots were produced within 10 to 12 months. These methods could be used to increase the number of cotton genotypes that can be regenerated in tissue culture.     

Toxicity in three dogs from accidental oral administration of a topical endectocide containing moxidectin and imidacloprid

Three dogs were presented with a history of oral administration of a topical endectocide containing imidacloprid and moxidectin. They were diagnosed with imidacloprid and moxidectin intoxication, having ingested doses ranging from 7.5 to 1.4 mg/kg of imidacloprid and 1.9 to 2.8 mg/kg of moxidectin. The three dogs were affected to different degrees of severity, but all displayed signs of ataxia, generalised muscle tremors, paresis, hypersalivation and disorientation. Temporary blindness occurred in two cases. The three dogs were tested for the presence of the multi-drug resistance 1 gene deletion, which can cause an increased sensitivity to the toxic effects of moxidectin, and were found to be negative. Treatment included gastrointestinal decontamination, intravenous fluid therapy and benzodiazepines to control muscle tremors. All three dogs made a complete recovery within 48 h of ingestion.