Radiometric pooled faecal culture for the detection of Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis in low-shedder cattle

OBJECTIVE: To identify the optimum pooling rate for pooled faecal culture (PFC) as a diagnostic tool in bovine Johne's disease control, for detection of cattle shedding low concentrations of Mycobacterium avium subsp paratuberculosis (Map). METHOD: Thirteen target animals were selected by delayed growth of Map from initial individual radiometric faecal cultures (first growth index at 5 weeks or later). A procedure based on radiometric culture and IS900 polymerase chain reaction and restriction endonuclease analysis confirmation was then used for PFC. RESULTS: Eight samples (stored for up to 17 months at -80 degrees C) yielded Map on subsequent culture, either from undiluted faeces or those mixed with normal cattle faeces at dilution rates from 1 in 5 to 1 in 50. From a regression equation, culture-positive animals were considered to be shedding relatively low levels of Map (< 6 x 10(4)/g of faeces). Pooling dilutions of more than 1 in 5 reduced PFC sensitivity. A minimum incubation period of 10 weeks at a dilution of 1 in 5 is recommended to detect such infected cattle. This pooling rate in radiometric culture is probably capable of detecting cattle shedding < or = 5 x 10(3) Map organisms/g of faeces, representing an estimated inoculum per culture vial of fewer than 20 viable organisms. CONCLUSION: Map was detected in more than 50% of the stored faecal samples from cattle shedding low concentrations of the organism. A pooling rate of 5 samples per pool is required to reliably detect infected low-shedder cattle using PFC based on radiometric culture.     

Prevalence of Influenza A Virus in Exhibition Swine during Arrival at Agricultural Fairs

The exhibition swine at agricultural fairs provides a critical human–swine interface that allows for the bidirectional transmission of influenza A virus (IAV). Previous IAV surveillance at the end of fairs has resulted in frequent detection of IAV‐infected swine; little is known, however, about the frequency with which swine arrive at fairs already infected with IAV. We investigated the IAV prevalence among exhibition swine entering fairs to better understand the epidemiology of IAV in this unique human–swine interface. In 2014, snout wipes were collected from 3547 swine during the first day of nine agricultural exhibitions in Indiana and Ohio. Samples were screened for IAV using rRT‐PCR and positive samples were inoculated into cultured cells for virus isolation. The overall IAV prevalence detected among swine arriving at exhibitions was 5.3% (188/3547) via rRT‐PCR and 1.5% (53/3547) via virus isolation, with IAV being detected and recovered from swine at 5 of the 9 exhibitions. Within the fairs with IAV‐positive swine, the individual exhibition IAV prevalence ranged from 0.2% (1/523) to 34.4% (144/419) using rRT‐PCR and 0.2% (1/523) to 10.3% (43/419) with virus isolation. Single IAV subtypes were detected at three of the fairs but subtype diversity was detected among the pigs at two fairs as both H1N1 and H3N2 were recovered from incoming swine. At two of the exhibitions, a temporal relationship was observed between the order of the individual swine in sampling and the associated IAV rRT‐PCR results, indicating the fomite transmission of IAV through common contact surfaces may occur. With the knowledge that a small proportion of swine arrive at fairs shedding IAV, resources should be directed towards preventive strategies focused on limiting transmission during fairs to protect swine and humans during exhibitions.     

Re-challenge of pigs following recovery from proliferative enteropathy

An experimental challenge model was developed to demonstrate Lawsonia intracellularis colonization and reproduction of proliferative enteropathy (PE) in naïve weaner pigs. Groups of pigs were orally dosed with between 10¹⁰ and 10⁵ L. intracellularis extracted from haemorrhagic PE affected mucosa. Pigs were monitored for clinical signs and intestinal lesions of PE and evidence of bacterial colonization by serology and faecal polymerase chain reaction (PCR). One group of challenged pigs were necropsied after 21 days to confirm the reproduction of PE. L. intracellularis colonization and seroconversion was delayed in pigs dosed with lower numbers of L. intracellularis. When faecal shedding of L. intracellularis ceased to be detected in all of the challenged pigs, they were re-dosed orally with approximately 10¹⁰ L. intracellularis and monitored for evidence of re-colonization and clinical disease. This study demonstrated that pigs previously challenged with L. intracellularis were protected from re-colonization and clinical disease on subsequent exposure 10 weeks later, regardless of the initial dose of L. intracellularis.     

Effects of temperature on Renibacterium salmoninarum infection and transmission potential in Chinook salmon,Oncorhynchus tshawytscha (Walbaum)

Renibacterium salmoninarum is a significant pathogen of salmonids and the causative agent of bacterial kidney disease (BKD). Water temperature affects the replication rate of pathogens and the function of the fish immune system to influence the progression of disease. In addition, rapid shifts in temperature may serve as stressors that reduce host resistance. This study evaluated the effect of shifts in water temperature on established R. salmoninarum infections. We challenged Chinook salmon with R. salmoninarum at 12 °C for 2 weeks and then divided the fish into three temperature groups (8, 12 and 15 °C). Fish in the 8 °C group had significantly higher R. salmoninarum‐specific mortality, kidney R. salmoninarum loads and bacterial shedding rates relative to the fish held at 12 or 15 °C. There was a trend towards suppressed bacterial load and shedding in the 15 °C group, but the results were not significant. Bacterial load was a significant predictor of shedding for the 8 and 12 °C groups but not for the 15 °C group. Overall, our results showed little effect of temperature stress on the progress of infection, but do support the conclusion that cooler water temperatures contribute to infection progression and increased transmission potential in Chinook salmon infected with R. salmoninarum.     

新疆核桃主栽品种开花及散粉特性研究

【目的】对新疆主栽核桃品种的开花物候期、花粉活力和散粉规律方面进行研究,旨在揭示开花及散粉规律,对提高授粉受精效果以及科学配置授粉树提供依据。【方法】以新疆‘新新2’、‘温185’ 两个主栽早实核桃品种为材料,在花期通过对花粉量统计测算,花粉活力测定、开花物候期观测、花期散粉量和日散粉量测定等研究。【结果】⑴两个品种每花蕾中花粉粒个数,‘温185’平均为7.70万粒,‘新新2’ 平均为7.14万粒。⑵两个主栽品种散粉量在空间方向基本一致,依次为：南部＞东部＞西部＞北部＞内部;同一方向散粉量,中部＞内部＞外部。⑶平均气温20―24℃是两个主栽品种最为适宜的核桃散粉温度。⑷‘新新2’与‘温185’ 雌雄花期可遇,同为约4d,但‘新新2’可进行自花授粉,而‘温185’因雌花失去可授性,不能进行自花授粉。【结论】温度在核桃散粉的过程中起着重要的作用;雄花在树冠不同空间方位存在散粉差异;自然条件下‘新新2’可进行自花授粉。     

Coxiella burnetii: Serological reactions and bacterial shedding in primiparous dairy cows in an endemically infected herd—impact on milk yield and fertility

Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii) is the causative agent of Q fever both in humans and animals. The objectives of this study were to investigate seropositivity and bacterial shedding in heifers and primiparous cows in an endemically infected herd and to assess the effects on post‐partum diseases, fertility and milk production. At the age of 9 months, 96 Holstein heifers were included. Sampling was performed reproduction‐orientated: at the beginning of the study, at detection of first pregnancy, 3 weeks before expected calving date (blood serum), at parturition and after 21, 42, 100 and 150 days in milk (DIM) (blood serum, vaginal swabs and milk). Serum samples were investigated by a commercial ELISA for the presence of specific antibodies and vaginal swabs and milk samples by PCR to detect C. burnetii DNA. Individual animal data (calving ease, stillbirth, retained foetal membranes, puerperal metritis, endometritis after 42 DIM, presence of corpus luteum after 42 DIM, interval calving‐first service, interval calving‐conception, number of inseminations until 150 DIM, proportion of pregnant cows until 100 and 150 DIM, proportion of pregnant cows after first service and data of the dairy herd improvement test) were documented. All heifers were seronegative at the age of 9 months and 3 weeks before the expected calving date. Subsequently, the proportion of seropositive animals and the antibody score increased significantly towards 42 and 100 DIM, respectively. Vaginal C. burnetii shedding was highest at parturition (30.9%), while the most positive milk samples were detected after 100 DIM (15.3%). Coxiella burnetii seropositivity and shedding had no impact on parameters of reproduction. However, milk fat yield was declined in puerperal vaginal shedders and cows which seroconverted during their first 42 DIM, respectively.     

基于高速摄像技术的振动落果惯性力研究

【目的】研究果实在激振力作用下脱离枝干的运动规律、果实振动脱落时的加速度和脱落惯性力,为振动式果品收获机的研制提供理论依据。【方法】运用果树振动装置进行了杏果侧枝振动落果试验,采用高速摄像仪对分离过程进行了跟踪拍摄,通过Phantom控制软件对图像进行跟踪、捕捉、分析和计算,探寻杏果实在脱离枝干过程中瞬时速度的变化规律。【结果】杏果实脱离枝干过程中瞬时速度的变化表现为增大-减小-匀速运动-杏果实与枝干完全分离,杏果实与所在枝干的相对瞬时速度最大达到1.723m/s,杏果实的脱落加速度最大为4.270×102 m/s2,脱落惯性力最大为5.124N。【结论】脱落惯性力是杏果实脱离枝干所需的最小作用力,其是确定振动式果品收获机在收获果实的过程中作用于枝干激振力大小的理论依据,也是振动式果品收获机其他性能指标的理论参考。确定适当的激振力,可以保证振动式果品收获机在采收过程中果实的采净率高,同时对果树的损伤最小。     

不同亚格子模型在水翼云空化数值计算中的适用性分析

为了研究不同亚格子模型在计算绕二维Clark-Y水翼非定常空化流动中的适用性,基于均相流假设及Zwart空化模型,并分别利用Wall-Adapting Local Eddy-Viscosity(WALE),Smagorinsky-Lilly,Algebraic Wall-Modeled LES Model(WMLES)及Dynamic Kinetic Energy Subgrid-Scale Model(KET)4种不同亚格子模型对控制方程组进行封闭.得到了云空化时不同亚格子模型预测的翼型升阻力系数、不同位置处流场时均速度分布、空泡形态周期性变化等非定常流动特征,并与相应试验数据进行对比.研究表明:与其他亚格子模型的预测结果相比,WALE模型模拟得到的平均升力系数与试验测量值最吻合,二者相对误差仅在1%以内,且其预测的瞬时升力系数与相应试验值也呈现较为一致的震荡规律;WALE模型能更准确地捕捉云空化阶段空泡非定常演变特征,包括翼型前缘附着型空穴增长,以及在回射流作用下片状空泡的断裂和云空泡脱落行为.基于WALE模型的计算结果,采用Q准则表达了水翼空化尾迹的旋涡结构,发现空泡的脱落及云状空泡的形成诱发了旋涡产生.     

Comparison of growth,survivorship, seed production and shedding of eight weed species in a wheat crop in Western Australia

Development of integrated weed management strategies is dependent on a thorough knowledge of the demography of individual species. The current research established eight winter or summer weed species in a winter annual wheat cropping system at Wongan Hills, Western Australia, and investigated emergence of the first cohort of each species, survivorship, plant size, seed production and seed shedding over three years (2016–2019). The winter weeds Bromus diandrus and Lolium rigidum emerged at the same time as the wheat crop, and the initial cohort of marked plants had 100% survival to seed production in each year. By comparison, other winter weed species like Hordeum leporinum, Rumex hypogaeus, Sonchus oleraceus and Polygonum aviculare frequently emerged later than the crop and had a lower percentage of plants surviving to seed production. However, individual S. oleraceus and P. aviculare plants had the greatest seed production compared to other species. All winter weeds had variable patterns of seed shedding between years, with the exception of L. rigidum. Summer weed species emerged at the same time, but plants in the initial cohort of each species did not always survive to produce seed. The early emergence and high survivorship of B. diandrus indicates high competitive ability, but shedding commenced at a similar time to L. rigidum and harvest weed seed control may be a viable control method for this species.     

The induction of cashmere shedding via cyclophosphamide injection

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of cyclophosphamide (CPA) on cashmere shedding in cashmere goats. Thirty‐two castrated Liaoning cashmere goats were randomly allotted to four groups, with eight replicates in each group. The four groups were injected intravenously with CPA doses of 0, 15, 20 and 25   mg/kg body weight, respectively. Feed intake, body weight, body temperature, and sphygmus were recorded and the erythrocyte count, leukocyte count, hemoglobin content, and cashmere yield and length were determined. CPA has no significant effect on feed intake, body weight, body temperature, or sphygmus of cashmere goats. It was found that CPA significantly decreased the erythrocyte count and hemoglobin content in cashmere goats on the days immediately following injection, but the effects on erythrocytes diminished within 6 days, with hemoglobin content returning to normal within 10 days. Cashmere fiber began to shed on about day 10 after injection with CPA. CPA had no significant effect on cashmere length but significantly increased cashmere yield. The results indicate that CPA can induce cashmere shedding and achieve the purpose of concentrated defleecing. A dose of 20 mg/kg body weight is preferable for hair removal and regrowth in cashmere goats.