Evidence of Toxoplasma gondii Exposure among Horses in Korea

The present study investigated the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) antibodies by ELISA in horses reared in Korea. Serum samples were collected from 2009 through 2013 from 816 horses reared in Korea. Analysis was performed using a commercial toxoplasmosis ELISA kit to detect anti-T. gondii antibodies. Overall, 24 out of 816 horses (2.9%) were seropositive for T. gondii. The result was analyzed by age, gender, breed and region. Significant differences were observed according to breed and region (P<0.05). This is the first nationwide serological investigation of T. gondii in horses reared in Korea. The study results reveal that T. gondii occurs nationwide in Korean horses.     

中国2种螟蛾科幼虫的形态记述(鳞翅目)

详细记述了中国螟蛾科二化螟Chilo suppressalis(Walker)和三化螟Tryporyza incertulas(Walker)幼虫的形态特征,并提供了形态特征图。所有标本均保存在中国计量学院生命科学学院标本室。图2参7     

DNA-based detection of Leptospira wolffii,Giardia intestinalis and Toxoplasma gondii in environmental feces of wild animals in Korea

Leptospira, Giardia intestinalis and Toxoplasma gondii infections are reported in humans and animals worldwide, but molecular surveillance of these pathogens in Korean wildlife is still limited. Here, we examined the prevalence of these pathogens in environmental feces of Eurasian otters, leopard cats and raccoon dogs using nested PCR followed by DNA sequencing. G. intestinalis was detected in all of three animals, while T. gondii was detected only in leopard cats. Leptospira wolffii was detected in raccoon dog and Eurasian otter. Our results suggest that these animals can act as a reservoir of these zoonotic pathogens. Consistent monitoring of these pathogens in wildlife is needed to prevent from their infections in humans and livestock in Korea.     

Experimental reproduction of porcine respiratory disease complex in pigs inoculated porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and followed by inoculation with porcine circovirus type 2

The aim of this study was to reproduce severe pneumonic lesions, similar to those during naturally-occurring porcine respiratory disease complex, in pigs dually inoculated with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae at 6 weeks of age, followed by inoculation with porcine circovirus type 2 at two weeks after. Time and sequence of infection with three pathogens mirror Asian field conditions. Microscopically, interstitial pneumonia and peribronchiolar lymphoid hyperplasia are considered the most characteristic lung lesions in infected pigs. The results of the present study demonstrate that inoculation of pigs with these three pathogens can lead to severe interstitial pneumonia with peribronchial or peribronchiolar lymphoid hyperplasia and fibrosis.     

Global metabolomic analysis of blood from mice infected with Brucella abortus

To better understanding Brucella abortus infection, serum metabolites of B. abortus-infected and -uninfected mice were analyzed and twenty-one metabolites were tentatively identified at 3 and 14 days post-infection (d.p.i.). Level of most lysophosphatidylcholines (LPCs) was found to increase in infected mice at 3 d.p.i., while it was decreased at 14 d.p.i. as compared to uninfected mice. In contrast, acylcarnitines were initially reduced at 3 d.p.i then elevated after two-weeks of infection, while hydroxysanthine was increased at 14 d.p.i. in infected mice. Our findings suggest that the significant changes in LPCs and other identified metabolites may serve as potential biomarkers in acute phase of B. abortus infection.     

稻棉轮种对土壤肥力的影响

(1)稻田轮种棉花期间,土壤有机质含量有减低的趋势,但土壤代换性盐基总量及速效磷的合量均增高。轮种水稻期间,土壤有机质又有增加的趋向,而代换性盐基总量及速效磷则渐次减低。此外,土壤中铵态氮则有增多的趋势。(2)稻棉轮种能增强水稻的生长势,提高水稻的产量。根据对比试验及统计资料,一般比连种区增产9%左右。(3)稻田轮种棉花后,冬作绿肥生长良好, 鲜草产量比一般连种稻田增加70%以上。(4)在保证增产的前提下,轮种区的水稻基肥用量,一般可比连作稻区节省40%左右,而轮种区的绿肥产量又能增加,因此可自轮种田内割出60%的绿肥鲜草,作为其他稻田的基肥,而达到全面增产的目的,这在目前肥料普遍不足的情况下有其重要意义。