Development of Stem-base Pathogens on Different Cultivars of Winter Wheat Determined by Quantitative PCR

The progress of development of stem-base pathogens in crops of second winter wheat was plotted in nine experiments in three years. The amount of each pathogen present was determined by quantitative PCR. Where Tapesia yallundae was present in quantifiable amounts, it usually developed earlier than the other eyespot pathogen, T. acuformis. Both species were usually present in greater amounts on cultivars which are more susceptible to eyespot. The sharp eyespot pathogen, Rhizoctonia cerealis, developed more erratically than either of the Tapesia spp. and there were no consistent effects on different cultivars. Fusarium spp., the cause of brown foot rot, were rarely present in quantifiable amounts, but Microdochium nivale was usually present as one or both of the varieties nivale and majus. Late-season (after anthesis) decreases in M. nivale suggest that any brown foot rot symptoms attributable to this fungus would have fully developed earlier. Cultivar differences in amounts of M. nivale were most clear in stems during internode extension and when relatively large amounts of DNA were present. Such differences approximately reflected eyespot susceptibility, cv. Soissons containing most and cv. Lynx containing least DNA. The results emphasise the difficulty in relating diagnoses, by quantitative PCR or other means, at early growth stages when decisions to apply fungicides against stem-base disease are made, to later disease severity.     

天山北麓的水资源利用与绿洲稳定性-以玛纳斯河流域为例

玛纳斯河是天山北麓最大的河流流域 ,玛纳斯流域拥有天山北麓最大的绿洲 ,以玛纳斯河流域绿洲为研究对象 ,来分析天山北麓水资源的利用对流域绿洲稳定性的影响。天山北麓自然环境体现为山地 -绿洲 -荒漠复合生态系统。绿洲是干旱区所特有的一类景观 ,它是一个人工与自然的复合生态系统 ,它作为发育在干旱气候大背景下的隐域性的自然景观 ,水分条件是决定其存在和发展的基础。天山北麓地区人类活动历史悠久 ,对水资源利用的影响较大 ,也是引起天山北麓绿洲演变、分布变化及其稳定性的重要因子。处于不同地貌位置的绿洲 ,由于其水资源特点不同 ,绿洲的稳定性以及绿洲演变规律也有所区别。总的来说 ,绿洲的稳定性由其内部与外部生态系统的结构、功能及生态过程决定 ,直接关系到区域社会经济的持续发展 ,水资源状况及利用是关系到天山北麓绿洲稳定性的关键性因素。合理利用水资源 ,可保持绿洲面积的稳定性 ,绿洲分布的稳定性 ,以及绿洲生态系统结构、功能的稳定性 ;水资源利用不当会导致绿洲内部土地发生大面积次生盐渍化 ,绿洲外围则由于生态用水不足加之人为破坏 ,使作为绿洲屏障的过渡带转变成生态断裂带 ,威胁绿洲的稳定性。利用工程技术方法和工程管理方法解决好灌区水利工程存在的问题 ;实施高新技术?     

Viral diseases of the Ostrich (Struthio camelus var. domesticus)

The ostrich is an important animal in many livestock industries. A significant threat to this industry is losses from diseases. Newcastle disease is a notifiable, highly contagious viral infection of ostriches. Avian influenza may be transmitted from waterfowl, shorebirds and gulls to ostriches. Borna disease virus is a viral neurotropic infection spread mainly by rodents and felines. Crimean‐Congo hemorrhagic fever is a viral disease transmitted by Hyalomma ticks to humans. Avipoxvirus afflicts ostrich chicks and is transmitted by mosquitoes or by direct contact with a pox lesion. Maintenance of a healthy and profitable enterprise requires the implementation, with assistance from the local veterinary authority, of comprehensive, practical and effective methods of health management and preventative medicine.     

Ostrich meat: Production,quality parameters,and nutritional comparison to other types of meats

The poultry industry is considered one of the most efficient industries in producing animal protein. Poultry production consists of several main segments: broilers, commercial eggs, turkeys, ducks, and other poultry, including geese, guinea-fowl, pheasants, quail, and ratites. Currently, ostrich meat is marketed as a healthy red meat because it is characterized by high polyunsaturated fatty acid contents, low saturated fatty acid content, and low cholesterol level compared with red meats, such as beef, while tasting similar to lean beef. Ostrich meat contains lower sodium and higher iron contents than other kinds of meat, making it preferable to hypertensive people and those with anemia. Taken together, ostrich meat is considered as an ideal red meat for individuals seeking healthier lifestyle. Moreover, many different ostrich products, such as leather and feathers, are used by people. The current review paper considers the quality characteristics of ostrich meat, including physical traits, and compares it to other types of meats, such as bovine and other poultry meats.     

Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging of an Epidermoid Cyst in a Foot of a Horse

An 18-year-old Quarter Horse mare was evaluated because of moderate left forelimb lameness of 4 weeks’ duration. The clinical evaluation and diagnostic perineural analgesia localized the lameness to the distal portion of the left forelimb. There was swelling on the dorsal and lateral aspect of the coronary band. Radiography, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography of the foot revealed circumscribed well-capsulated soft tissue mass causing a focal deformation of the dorsolateral border of the middle phalanx. The treatment aimed to remove the mass surgically and stabilized the interphalangeal joint, but the owner elected human euthanasia before treatment attempt. Histopathology diagnosis was an epidermoid cyst, which was characterized by multilayers of keratin surrounded by stratified squamous epithelium. Although rare, an epidermoid cyst should be considered as a differential diagnosis for space-occupying mass in horses’ foot that develops chronic lameness after trauma. This report describes the multimodality appearance of the epidermoid cyst.     

An investigation of the shape of the hoof capsule in hindlimbs,its relationship with the orientation of the distal phalanx and comparison with forelimb hoof capsule conformation

There is limited information documenting hind foot conformation. The objectives of the study were to describe the shape of the hoof capsule of hindlimbs from the lateral aspect in horses of variable breeds, and, within horses, to compare the conformation of the hoof capsule of forelimbs and hindlimbs and determine the orientation of the distal phalanx within the hoof capsule in hindlimbs. Lateral photographs of the fore and hind feet (n = 225) and lateromedial radiographs of the hind feet (n = 29) were obtained. Differences among breed and shoeing status groups were assessed using multivariable mixed-effects linear regression models. Angular parameters and ratios of linear measurements were compared between fore and hind feet; angular radiological variables and photographic parameters of the hind feet were compared. The mean dorsal hoof wall angle for hind feet (50.9°±3.7°) was smaller than forefeet (51.8°±3.9°) (P = 0.04). The mean heel angles for hind feet (36.4°±9.6°) were smaller than forefeet (40.1°±9.3°; P < 0.001). Dorsal hoof wall (P < 0.001) and heel (P = 0.002) angles were larger in unshod than shod feet. In the hind feet, the dorsal hoof wall was parallel to the dorsal aspect of the distal phalanx. The median angle of the distal phalanx to the horizontal (angle S) was 0.6° (interquartile range: −1.4, 2.3°). There was a positive relationship between angle S and the hoof wall angle (W); each 1° increase in angle S was associated with 0.6° increase in angle W (P < 0.001). Angle S was also positively associated with photographic heel angle; each degree increase in the angle S was associated with 1.8° increase in the heel angle (P < 0.001). It was concluded that the angle of the distal phalanx to the horizontal in hindlimbs is smaller than published values for forelimbs. The orientation of the distal phalanx in hindlimbs is correlated with external characteristics of the hoof capsule.     

Use of thermal imaging for identification of foot lesions in dairy cattle

The objective of this study was to investigate the use of infrared thermography (IRT) for detection of foot lesions in dairy cattle. Thermal images of the rear feet of 139 lactating dairy cows were taken with a thermal camera and evaluated using imaging software. Foot lesions identified in the study included white line disease (WLD), sole ulcer (SU) and digital dermatitis (DD). Temperatures at the coronary band (CBT) and the skin (ST) were recorded. Cows were scored for locomotion on a scale of 1–5 (1?=?normal and 5?=?severely lame). CBT was higher for all types of foot lesion (34.1?±?2.3, 33.8?±?1.6 and 33.1?±?1.6°C for WLD, SU and DD, respectively) than for healthy (32.6?±?1.9°C) feet. ST was higher only for WLD (33.2?±?2.0°C) compared to healthy feet (31.5?±?1.7°C). ΔT (temperature difference between CBT and ST) was higher for SU (2.1?±?0.8°C) than healthy feet (1.1?±?0.9°C). Locomotion scores (LSs) were similar between healthy cows (2.2?±?0.7) and DD (2.4?±?0.7) but greater for SU and WLD cows (3.0?±?0.9, 3.0?±?0.8) than healthy cows. The threshold values established for CBT and ST were 33.5°C (sensitivity?=?77.8%, specificity?=?65.2%) and 33.7°C (sensitivity?=?44.4%, specificity?=?92.9%) for SU, and 34.4^oC (sensitivity?=?28.1%, specificity?=?88.6%) and 31.8°C (sensitivity?=?60.7%, specificity?=?55.4%) for overall lesion, respectively. These results indicate that IRT can be a useful tool for detection of SU, but not WLD and DD. In addition, CBT and ΔT were the best indicators for the detection of foot lesions.     

生长前期北京鸭生物素需要量及脚裂症的初步探究

本文旨在研究不同生物素水平对生长前期北京鸭生长性能的影响,并对生物素缺乏症———脚裂症进行初步探究。试验选用体重相近的1日龄雄性北京鸭480只,随机分成10组,每组6个重复,每个重复8只鸭。各组分别添加0、0.03、0.06、0.09、0.12、0.15、0.18、0.21、1.50 mg/kg生物素及3 g/kg蛋清粉。试验期4周。结果表明,不同生物素水平对1～21日龄北京鸭平均日采食量和平均日增重有显著影响(P<0.05),但对料重比没有显著影响(P>0.05)。统计发现,各组表现出不同程度的脚裂症,其中3 g/kg蛋清粉组最为严重;生物素添加水平高于0.15 mg/kg时,脚裂症得到有效缓解。不同生物素水平对28日龄北京鸭肝脏磷脂含量和血清谷丙转氨酶(ALT)和天冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)活性有显著影响(P<0.05)。通过数据分析得出,以平均日增重为衡量指标,采用直线折线和二次曲线模型估测生物素适宜需要量分别为0.180和0.202 mg/kg,并初步判断脚裂症与脱水存在一定的关系。