Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of canine pyoderma isolates of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius for biofilm formation

Biofilm-forming ability is increasingly being recognized as an important virulence factor in several Staphylococcus species. This study evaluated the biofilm-forming ability of sixty canine derived clinical isolates of S. pseudintermedius, using three phenotypic methods, microtiter plate test (MtP), Congo red agar method (CRA) and tube adherence test, and the presence and impact of biofilm-associated genes (icaA and icaD). The results showed that icaA and icaD genes were detected concomitantly in 55 (91.7%) of 60 isolates. A majority (88.3%) of the strains screened had matching results by the tube adherence test, MtP and PCR analysis. Better agreement (95%) was found between the PCR-based analysis and the CRA. Results of the icaA and icaD gene PCRs showed good agreement with CRA results, with a kappa of 0.7. Comparing the phenotypic methods, the statistical analysis showed that the agreement among the phenotypical tests using categorical data was generally good. Considering two classes (biofilm producer and biofilm non-producer), the percentage of matching results between the CRA method and the tube adherence test and between the CRA method and the MtP was 93.3%. A concordance of 100% was revealed between the MtP and the tube adherence test. The results indicate a high prevalence of the ica genes within S. pseudintermedius isolates, and their presence is associated with in vitro formation of a biofilm. A combination of phenotypic and genotypic tests is recommended for investigating biofilm formation in S. pseudintermedius.     

Detecting endotoxin activity in bovine serum using an automated testing system

The aim of the present study was to compare the ability of the commercially available portable test system (PTS^TM) to detect endotoxin activity in bovine serum, with that of the traditional LAL-kinetic turbidimetric (KT) and chromogenic (KC) assays. Prior to testing, serum samples, which were obtained from endotoxin-challenged cattle, were diluted 1:20 in endotoxin-free water and heated to 80°C for 10 min. The performance of the PTS^TM was not significantly different from that of the traditional LAL-based assays. The results using PTS^TM correlated with those using KT (r²=0.963, P<0.001) or KC assays (r²=0.982, P<0.001). Based on these findings, the PTS^TM could be applied as a simplified system to assess endotoxin activity in bovine serum.     

苹果废弃枝条与有机肥配用对高原红富士苹果产量和品质的影响

摘要：【目的】苹果树修剪掉的枝条是果园最常见的废弃物,探究苹果废弃枝条与有机肥配用直接还田对红富士苹果产量和品质的影响对提高果园废弃资源利用率具有重要意义。【方法】本试验以14年生乔砧红富士果树为对象,将冬季修剪无病虫害的苹果废弃枝条与有机肥配施处理,连续开展了2年定位试验,研究其对红富士苹果产量和品质的影响。【结果】1)与对照比,苹果废弃枝条与有机肥配施,明显提高土壤有机质和氮磷钾主要养分含量,苹果废弃枝条L5（10kg/棵+有机肥60kg/棵）和L6（苹果废弃枝条10kg/棵+有机肥70kg/棵）对果园有机质、碱解性氮、速效磷和速效钾含量提高最高,且L5和L6之间差异性不显著;2)与对照比,苹果废弃枝条与有机肥配施普遍提高单果重、单株结果量和单株产量,2年定位试验中均是L5和L6提高量最高;3)与对照比,苹果废弃枝与有机肥配施可以显著提高苹果果实硬度、可溶性固形物、Vc含量、可溶性糖含量、固酸比、糖酸比。2年定位试验处理相比硬度、可溶性固形物提高范围不显著,L5和L6提高量最高;可溶性糖含量提高10.94%～12.86%、L5提高量最高。【结论】苹果废弃枝条与有机肥配施对土壤肥力、产量及品质均有显著改善,L5为最佳配比比例。     

Estimates of genetic variance and variance of predicted genetic merits using pedigree or genomic relationship matrices in six Brown Swiss cattle populations for different traits

The amount of variance captured in genetic estimations may depend on whether a pedigree‐based or genomic relationship matrix is used. The purpose of this study was to investigate the genetic variance as well as the variance of predicted genetic merits (PGM) using pedigree‐based or genomic relationship matrices in Brown Swiss cattle. We examined a range of traits in six populations amounting to 173 population‐trait combinations. A main aim was to determine how using different relationship matrices affect variance estimation. We calculated ratios between different types of estimates and analysed the impact of trait heritability and population size. The genetic variances estimated by REML using a genomic relationship matrix were always smaller than the variances that were similarly estimated using a pedigree‐based relationship matrix. The variances from the genomic relationship matrix became closer to estimates from a pedigree relationship matrix as heritability and population size increased. In contrast, variances of predicted genetic merits obtained using a genomic relationship matrix were mostly larger than variances of genetic merit predicted using pedigree‐based relationship matrix. The ratio of the genomic to pedigree‐based PGM variances decreased as heritability and population size rose. The increased variance among predicted genetic merits is important for animal breeding because this is one of the factors influencing genetic progress.     

狂犬病灭活疫苗CVS-11株对牛的免疫效果

野生狐和貉狂犬病流行于新疆、内蒙古和黑龙江地区,是当地牛、羊和骆驼等家畜狂犬病的主要传染源。在国内尚无野生动物口服疫苗的前提下,对家畜进行狂犬病灭活疫苗接种,具有重要的公共卫生学意义。本研究利用国产犬用狂犬病灭活疫苗(CVS-11株)对牛进行了免疫效果和安全性评价。以不同剂量疫苗肌内注射免疫成年牛350头,通过比较免疫后狂犬病病毒中和抗体水平和持续期,确定犬用狂犬病灭活疫苗(CVS-11株)在牛的最佳免疫剂量为1次性注射2剂量疫苗,免疫持续期为1年。结果表明,犬用狂犬病灭活疫苗(CVS-11株)免疫牛时,具有较高的免疫原性和安全性,适用于牛等大型动物的狂犬病注射免疫。     

断母乳日龄对犊牛营养物质消化和血清生化指标的影响

本试验旨在研究不同断母乳日龄对犊牛营养物质消化和血清生化指标影响。试验选用新生红安格斯与西门塔尔杂交肉犊牛60头,根据日龄和体重随机分成5个处理,每个处理12头犊牛,公母各占1/2,试验组分别在28、42、56和70日龄进行断母乳(分别为28A、42B、56C、70D组),随后人工哺乳代乳品至90日龄;对照组( CK组)随母哺乳至150日龄。试验时间为出生至150日龄,期间测定体重(0、70、90、150日龄)和血清生化指标(70、90、150日龄)的变化。每个处理选取6头犊牛分别在断奶前(85~90日龄)和断奶后(145~150日龄)进行2期消化代谢试验。每期6 d,其中2 d预试期,4 d正试期。结果显示：1)试验全期体重各组间无显著差异(P>0.05)。2)断奶前各组犊牛营养物质消化率差异不显著(P>0.05),断奶后28A、42B组犊牛干物质消化率显著高于56C、70D组( P<0.05),有机物消化率显著高于70D组( P<0.05),其中42B组消化率略高。3)150日龄试验结束时,28A和42B组血清葡萄糖、总蛋白、甘油三酯、尿素氮、胆固醇、结合珠蛋白、白细胞介素-2、胰岛素样生长因子-1、免疫球蛋白M含量与CK组相比差异不显著( P>0.05),血清免疫球蛋白G、免疫球蛋白A含量分别显著低于、高于CK组( P<0.05),其中42B组略高。由此可见,红安格斯与西门塔尔杂交肉犊牛的断母乳时间以42日龄较为适宜。     

肉牛场生命周期估计及环境影响评价

试验采用生命周期估计(life cycle assessment,LCA)方法对江西高安某存栏1 800头的肉牛育肥场在整个育肥期间(7个月)的污染物排放量,以及污染物在全球变暖、环境酸化、富营养化、光化学臭氧合成方面对环境的影响进行了评估。系统边界包括化肥生产、农作物种植、饲料运输、肉牛生产和粪便处理。结果表明:温室气体排放量为(以CO2当量计)为11 908t,环境酸化气体排放量(以SO2当量计)为84.6t,富营养化气体排放量为(以PO43-当量计)为14.4t,光化学臭氧合成问题气体排放量为(以C2H4当量计)为1.68t。其中饲料运输主要影响全球变暖(占总排放量的49.8%)和光化学臭氧合成问题(占总排放量的54.1%),而粪便处理主要影响环境酸化(占总排放量的70.1%)和富营养化(占总排放量的76.4%),肉牛生产对环境的影响主要是全球变暖(占总排放量的18.1%)和光化学臭氧合成问题(占总排放量的30.9%)。因此,可考虑通过降低运输距离,改善饲料配方、粪便处理方式等降低污染物排放量。     

Investigation of biofilm production and icaA and icaD genes in Staphylococcus aureus isolated from heifers and cows with mastitis

Biofilm formation and antimicrobial resistance of Staphylococcus aureus are important virulence factors in cases of mastitis in dairy cows. However, few studies have investigated mastitis strains isolated from heifers. Within this context, the objective of the present study was to investigate biofilm formation on Congo red agar, the presence of the icaA and icaD genes by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the percentage of in vitro antimicrobial resistance of 110 S. aureus isolates from mammary gland secretions of heifers and cows with mastitis. PCR detected the icaA and icaD genes in 98% and 100% of isolates, respectively. However, only 55.5% of all isolates produced a biofilm on Congo red agar. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed that 47.0% of isolates from heifers and 70.4% of isolates from cows were resistant to at least one of the antimicrobial agents tested. Resistance to penicillin and/or ampicillin was the most frequent (44.5%). These results indicate the need to implement prophylactic and control measures of mastitis for heifers. Heifers and cows can carry resistant strains with the capacity of biofilm production, a fact representing a threat to public health and animal well‐being and generating losses to dairy farmers.