Leafhopper and planthopper vectors of rice viruses and their management in Nepal

Research on insect pests (including leafhoppers and planthoppers) in Nepal was initiated in 1956 by the Entomology Division and Plant Protection Units of the Department of Agriculture. More systematic work began after the establishment of a Rice Improvement Programme in 1972. Because of poor documentation and publication of research findings, it is difficult to assess the research efforts and achievements to date. The available research reports are mostly published in the proceedings of national seminars/workshops. They are used here to assess the current status of research on the occurrence and damage caused, distribution and composition, relative abundance, biology and management through chemicals. Much of past research has focused on insect surveys by light traps and sweep nets and the evaluation of insecticides and, since early 1990, some research on rice green leafhoppers (Nephotettix virescens and Nephotettix nigropictus) has begun to determine their relative abundance and population characteristics in relation to their potential as vectors of rice viruses. The challenges to pest management in general and some suggestions for future research needs are discussed, based on the present standing of agricultural research in the country     

“三北”防护林甘青宁类型区土地沙漠化遥感调查研究

本文是“七五”期间“三北”防护林甘青宁类型区土地沙漠化遥感调查成果总结。该区沙漠化土地面积为２５８７８．３７ｋｍ２，其中轻度、中度、重度和极度沙漠化土地分别为３０２０．３０ｋｍ２，７２７７．４４ｋｍ２、７０８５．５９ｋｍ２ｔ和８４９５．０４ｋｍ２．文中对沙漠化土地的分布及影响因素进行了分析，最后筛出合理的农林牧用地结构。     

国内外养羊业发展特点与趋势

当前肉羊业在大洋洲、美洲、欧洲和一些非洲国家得到迅猛发展，世界羊肉，特别是羔羊肉的生产和消费显著增长。肉羊产业具有周转快、投资少、效益高等特点，已成为我国在资源短缺、畜禽产品需求日益增加的背景下，保持畜牧业可持续发展的重要途径之一。本文还仔细分析我国肉羊生产存在的不足和发展的优势，并结合国内外养羊业发展的趋势提出了及时调整养羊业的生产方向和产品结构，研究和推广先进实用的养羊综合配套技术等发展我国养羊业的建议。     

Distribution of alpha‐neoendorphin,ACTH (18–39) and beta‐endorphin (1–27) in the alpaca brainstem

Using an immunocytochemical technique, we have studied in the alpaca brainstem the distribution of immunoreactive structures containing prodynorphin (alpha‐neoendorphin)‐ and pro‐opiomelanocortin (adrenocorticotrophin hormone (18–39) (ACTH), beta‐endorphin (1–27))‐derived peptides. No peptidergic‐immunoreactive cell body was observed. Immunoreactive fibres were widely distributed, although in most of the brainstem nuclei the density of the peptidergic fibres was low or very low. In general, the distribution of the immunoreactive fibres containing the peptides studied was very similar. A close anatomical relationship occurred among the fibres containing alpha‐neoendorphin, ACTH or beta‐endorphin (1–27), suggesting a functional interaction among the three peptides in many of the brainstem nuclei. The number of fibres belonging to the prodynorphin system was higher than that of the pro‐opiomelanocortin system. A moderate/low density of immunoreactive fibres was observed in 65.11% (for alpha‐neoendorphin (1–27)), 18.18% (for ACTH) and 13.95% (for beta‐endorphin) of the brainstem nuclei/tracts. In the alpaca brainstem, a high density of immunoreactive fibres was not observed. The neuroanatomical distribution of the immunoreactive fibres suggests that the peptides studied are involved in auditory, motor, gastric, feeding, vigilance, stress, respiratory and cardiovascular mechanisms, taste response, sleep‐waking cycle and the control of pain transmission.     

Genetic risk factors for osteochondrosis in various horse breeds

Osteochondrosis (OC) is an injury to cartilage canals with a following necrosis in the growth cartilage, from there it can develop to osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD). Due to its high impact in the equine industry, new insights into predisposing factors and potential high‐risk genetic variants are warranted. This article reviews advancements in quantitative and molecular genetics in refining estimation of genetic parameters and identifying predisposing genetic loci. Heritabilities were highest for hock OC with estimates at 0.29–0.46 in Hanoverian warmblood and Norwegian trotters, whereas in Thoroughbreds only very low genetic variation seemed to be present in hock OC lesions. Whole genome scans using the Illumina Equine SNP50 or SNP70 Beadchip were performed in Thoroughbred, Standardbred, French and Norwegian trotter, Hanoverian and Dutch warmblood. Validation studies in Spanish Purebred and Hanoverian warmblood horses corroborated OC risk loci on ECA 3, 14, 27 and 29. Particularly, a strong association with hock‐OCD was found for a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) on horse chromosome (ECA) 3 upstream to the LCORL gene. Gene expression and microRNA analyses may be helpful to understand pathophysiological processes in equine OC and to connect OCD‐associated genomic regions with potential candidate genes. Furthermore progress in elucidating the underlying genetic variants and pathophysiological changes in OC may be expected from whole genome DNA and RNA next‐generation sequencing studies.     

Canine GM2‐Gangliosidosis Sandhoff Disease Associated with a 3‐Base Pair Deletion in the HEXB Gene

Background

GM2‐gangliosidosis is a fatal neurodegenerative lysosomal storage disease (LSD) caused by deficiency of either β‐hexosaminidase A (Hex‐A) and β‐hexosaminidase B (Hex‐B) together, or the GM2 activator protein. Clinical signs can be variable and are not pathognomonic for the specific, causal deficiency.

Objectives

To characterize the phenotype and genotype of GM2‐gangliosidosis disease in an affected dog.

Animals

One affected Shiba Inu and a clinically healthy dog.

Methods

Clinical and neurologic evaluation, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), assays of lysosomal enzyme activities, and sequencing of all coding regions of HEXA, HEXB, and GM2A genes.

Results

A 14‐month‐old, female Shiba Inu presented with clinical signs resembling GM2‐gangliosidosis in humans and GM1‐gangliosidosis in the Shiba Inu. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the dog's brain indicated neurodegenerative disease, and evaluation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) identified storage granules in leukocytes. Lysosomal enzyme assays of plasma and leukocytes showed deficiencies of Hex‐A and Hex‐B activities in both tissues. Genetic analysis identified a homozygous, 3‐base pair deletion in the HEXB gene (c.618‐620delCCT).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Clinical, biochemical, and molecular features are characterized in a Shiba Inu with GM2‐gangliosidosis. The deletion of 3 adjacent base pairs in HEXB predicts the loss of a leucine residue at amino acid position 207 (p.Leu207del) supporting the hypothesis that GM2‐gangliosidosis seen in this dog is the Sandhoff type. Because GM1‐gangliosidosis also exists in this breed with almost identical clinical signs, genetic testing for both GM1‐ and GM2‐gangliosidosis should be considered to make a definitive diagnosis.