Comparing recombinant MPB70/SahH and native 20-kDa protein for detecting bovine tuberculosis using ELISA

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a zoonosis caused by Mycobacterium bovis. Test-and-cull protocols and gross pathological examinations of abattoir animals as well as milk pasteurization have been implemented to prevent the spread of tuberculosis from animals to humans worldwide. Despite the importance of precise and rapid diagnostic tests, conventional methods including intradermal skin tests and γ-interferon assays are limited by the high rate of false-negative results for cattle in the late infectious stage and due to laborious and time-consuming procedures. Therefore, antibody detection methods such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) are urgently needed to supplement the established approaches and expand the diagnostic window. This study was conducted to develop a bTB ELISA by evaluating recombinant and native proteins and various assay parameters. We produced recombinant MPB70 and SahH (M70S) and a native 20-kDa protein (20K) and optimized the ELISA protocol. The 20K ELISA showed 94.4% sensitivity and 98.2% specificity with an optimal sample-to-positive ratio cut-off of 0.531. The sensitivity and specificity of M70S ELISA were 94.4% and 97.3%, respectively, with an optimal sample-to-negative ratio cut-off of 1.696. Both assays showed acceptable diagnostic efficiency and could be used for bTB diagnosis in combination with established methods for herd screening and to expand the diagnostic window.     

Soil compression influences the avoidance behavior of Allonychiurus kimi (Collembola) to cadmium and copper

The behavior of soil organisms inhabiting soil pore spaces can be influenced by soil compression, which can affect their avoidance behavior to pollutants. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of soil compression on the avoidance behavior of Allonychiurus kimi (Collembola) to heavy metals cadmium and copper. Initially, to assess the applicability of the avoidance test guideline of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) developed for Folsomia candida, we investigated the avoidance behavior of A. kimi to cadmium and copper in an artificial soil with a loose structure (bulk density of 0.25 g cm-3), the porous texture of which was sufficiently loose to enable A. kimi to move between pore spaces. The effect of soil compression on the avoidance behavior of A. kimi to both metals was evaluated in compressed soil (bulk density of 0.64 g cm^-3) with a uniformly compressed soil surface, and avoidance behavior was investigated at 24-h intervals over a 120-h period. Given that A. kimi is unable to burrow into compressed soil, the compressed soil test can minimize the effects of differences in soil factors, such as soil porosity and bulk density, on the behavior of this collembolan. In the artificial soil, a statistically significant avoidance behavior of A. kimi was observed at cadmium and copper concentrations greater than 50 and 200 mg kg^-1, respectively, thereby indicating the applicability of the ISO avoidance test guidelines for A. kimi. When compared at the same exposure time point, the avoidance response to both metals in compressed soil was less sensitive than that in uncompressed soil. In addition, we observed differences in the effects of metals on avoidance response in the compressed soil over time, with the effect of cadmium increasing with time and the effect of copper showing the opposite trend. Overall, we found that soil compression can affect the avoidance behavior of A. kimi to cadmium and copper, and we discussed the advantages and limitations of using compressed soil for assessments of pollutant toxicity.     

河南董寨国家级自然保护区生态旅游资源特色及评价

分析了董寨的自然、人文旅游资源特色,提出了董寨自然保护区生态旅游开发的总体思路,以促进信阳旅游事业的发展。     

Identification of a Severely Atrophic Testicle During Castration of a Horse: A Case Report

Tissue considered to be testicle was removed from the scrotum of a horse considered previously to be cryptorchid. Close anatomical inspection after emasculation revealed the presence of the vas deferens, intact epididymis, pampiniform plexus, and a severely atrophic testicle. Histologic examination of the tissue confirmed the presence of an atrophic testicle. Accurate anatomic identification at the time of surgery prevented the need for exploration of the inguinal canal or abdomen.     

Balantidiasis in the gastric lymph nodes of Barbary sheep (Ammotragus lervia): an incidental finding

A 4-year-old female Barbary sheep (Ammotragus lervia) was found dead in the Gwangju Uchi Park Zoo. The animal had previously exhibited weakness and lethargy, but no signs of diarrhea. The carcass was emaciated upon presentation. The main gross lesion was characterized by severe serous atrophy of the fat tissues of the coronary and left ventricular grooves, resulting in the transformation of the fat to a gelatinous material. The rumen was fully distended with food, while the abomasum evidenced mucosal corrugation with slight congestion. Microscopic examination revealed the presence of Balantidium coli trophozoites within the lymphatic ducts of the gastric lymph node and the abdominal submucosa. On rare occasions, these organisms may invade extra-intestinal organs, in this case the gastric lymph nodes and abomasum.     

基于模型的电控空气悬架系统控制策略与实车试验

设计了以Freescale XDT512为核心芯片,且由最小系统、电源模块、驱动电路、速度处理模块、两向加速度模块、模拟量输入模块和通信模块等组成的电控空气悬架系统(ECAS)电子控制单元;利用基于模型的设计方法开发了电控空气悬架系统的控制策略模型,其主要由自动模式子模块、手动模式子模型和维修模式子模型等组成;在自动模式下,根据车速自动调整车身高度;在手动模式下,驾驶员可通过人机操控界面,自主地设定车身高度;通过维修模式,可禁止电控空气悬架工作,防止出现误动作。通过合理设计测试用例对所设计的控制模型实施结构性、功能性测试;经控制模型的定点化处理,并利用RTW代码生成技术将所设计的控制模型转换为应用层程序,并与底层驱动相互集成后,编译下载至所开发的ECAS电子控制单元;开展实车验证试验,试验结果表明所设计的控制策略能较好地满足设计要求。     

关于孟子思想之新诠释--以政治思想为中心

孟子的“仁义论”是综合原始儒家的“仁”论与前期墨家“义”论而形成,但是孟子将“仁义”概念结合于他的“心性”概念,从而创造出新的涵义。由此,孟子政治哲学确立了超阶级的普遍性与道德对于世俗权利的优越性。我们将具备此含义的孟子之政治思想称为仁义的政治思想。我们将从以下三个方面进行探讨:仁义政治思想的基本内涵;构成仁义政治思想的思维方式;以及其思维方式所蕴涵的意义与问题。     

Efficient distribution of oral vaccines examined by infrared triggered camera for advancing the control of raccoon dog rabies in South Korea

The field distribution of the oral rabies vaccine is effective in controlling the spread of rabies. The present study aimed to investigate efficient distribution locations based on the environment, contact rate, and consumption by target wildlife species in South Korea. The target species (Korean raccoon dogs, domestic dogs, and feral cats) accounted for 945 contacts (52.2%), in total 1,808 contacts. There were 863 (47.8%) contacts by non-target species. Raccoon dogs, a main reservoir of rabies in South Korea, had the highest contact rate (34.1%) among all species. The contact rate by target species was highest at riparian sites and bushy mountainous vegetation, where raccoon dogs are abundant. There was remarkable contact by raccoon dogs in mountainous areas below 150 m with bushy vegetation. Our results indicate that these locations are efficient areas for vaccine distribution, especially targeting the raccoon dog. Vaccines were continuously contacted with intervals ranging from one hour to one day. Vaccines at 94.4% of the distribution points were completely consumed within two weeks. The mean consumption rate was 95.2 ± 1.93% during the overall study period. These findings suggest that the oral rabies vaccine attracts wildlife including domestic dogs and feral cats. Our results suggest that low sections of mountainous areas with bushy vegetation and/or neighboring riparian areas are rich in target wildlife species (especially raccoon dogs) and are efficient locations for vaccine distribution to control rabies in South Korea.     

Characterization of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium and Salmonella enterica serovar 4,[5],12:i:- isolates from pigs presenting with diarrhea in Korea

Between 2011 and 2012, a total of 896 pig fecal samples were collected from nine provinces in Korea, and 50 salmonella enterica susp. enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) was isolated. The characteristics of the 50 strains were analyzed, and 4 strains were identified as Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar 4,[5],12:i:-. Salmonella 4,[5],12:i:- could not be distinguished from S. Typhimurium through phage typing, antimicrobial resistance testing or multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA). However, among the four Salmonella 4,[5],12:i:- strains, one (KVCC-BA1400078) was identified as a Salmonella 4,[5],12:i:- clone isolated from humans in the United States, and another (KVCC-BA1400080) was identified as DT193, which has been primarily isolated from humans and animals in European countries. The presence of Salmonella 4,[5],12:i:- in Korea poses a significant threat of horizontal transfer between pigs and humans.