Seasonal variations in the diet and food selection of the Algerian hedgehog Atelerix algirus

The Algerian hedgehog Atelerix algirus is an insectivorous species. However, the exact composition of its natural diet remains largely undetermined, especially in relation to seasonal variations in food availability. From March to November, we simultaneously analysed the composition of 180 hedgehog faecal samples and food availability in the Soumman Valley, Algeria to assess food selection in this species. The faeces contained 196 different prey species, of which 92% belonged to the class Insecta. The highest prey species diversity was found in the Coleoptera order (100 species recorded) and the highest species occurrence was found in Hymenoptera (65% of the prey items, mainly represented by the harvester ant Messor barbarus, a crop-ravaging species). This study shows that the Algerian hedgehog is mainly a generalist species with a diet that is strongly linked to food availability. However, seasonal variations were observed in prey selection, and a notable shift in food preference was observed during autumn. The exact nature of these changes in feeding behaviour remains to be investigated, notably in relation to changes in energy requirements of this species before hibernation, in terms of quantity and/or quality.     

IBV AH1-99分离株N基因的克隆及序列分析

利用RT-PCR技术成功扩增出IBV AH1-99分离株的N基因全长cNDA,将其克隆到pMD18-T载体上。经酶切分析、PCR鉴定及核苷酸序列测定,成功获得该分离株N基因的重组质粒。序列分析结果表明,分离株N基因全长1 230个核苷酸,编码409个氨基酸。同部分IBV参考毒株相比,核苷酸同源性为85.8%~89.9%,氨基酸同源性为86.6%~91.0%,在进化关系树中,AH1-99与国内分离株X、LX4亲缘关系较近。     

Effects of feed intake on in situ rumen microbial contamination and degradation of feeds

An in situ study was conducted using four rumen cannulated wethers and five feeds (corn grain (CG), soybean meal (SBM), sunflower meal (SFM), vetch–oat hay (VH), and lentil straw (LS)) to determine (using ¹⁵N infusion techniques) the effects of two intake levels (40 and 80 g DM/kg W^0.75) on the microbial contamination and rumen degradation of DM or CP. Degradation studies were also performed for neutral and acid detergent fibres (NDF and ADF, respectively) of VH. In most cases, the evolution with time of the microbial DM adhered to particles fitted well to exponential curves, which diverged between both levels of intake due to the lower values attained at high intake. However, as a consequence of the large and progressive increase of the variability of microbial contamination, statistical evidence is only partial. This behaviour was less evident for CP contamination, especially in forages. The lack of these corrections underestimated (P < 0.001) the effective degradability (ED) of all tested fractions, with important differences between feeds. The intake level had not relevant effects on the distribution of soluble, insoluble available and unavailable fractions of DM or CP (or fibres in VH), but determined some changes in their degradation rates (k_d). Direct relations between these last values and rumen outflow rates (k_p) were shown in some feeds for the degradation of CP and also of DM in concentrates, whereas negative relations were shown for the degradation rates of DM in forages (or NDF and ADF of VH). All ED estimates decreased with the intake rise, but for CP this effect (P < 0.05) was only detected in SBM and VH. These decreases represent 40.8 (CG), 80.8 (SBM), 62.1 (SFM), 66.8 (VH), and 19.5% (LS) than those estimated considering only k_p changes, which shows the interest to consider conjointly the variations of both rates to study the effect of diet changes on ED.     

Biofilm production by pathogens associated with canine otitis externa,and the antibiofilm activity of ionophores and antimicrobial adjuvants

Otitis externa (OE) is a frequently reported disorder in dogs associated with secondary infections by Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas and yeast pathogens. The presence of biofilms may play an important role in the resistance of otic pathogens to antimicrobial agents. Biofilm production of twenty Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and twenty Pseudomonas aeruginosa canine otic isolates was determined quantitatively using a microtiter plate assay, and each isolate was classified as a strong, moderate, weak or nonbiofilm producer. Minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC) of two ionophores (narasin and monensin) and three adjuvants (N‐acetylcysteine (NAC), Tris‐EDTA and disodium EDTA) were investigated spectrophotometrically (OD_570nm) and quantitatively (CFU/ml) against selected Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas biofilm cultures. Concurrently, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of planktonic cultures were assessed. 16/20 of the S. pseudintermedius clinical isolates were weak biofilm producers. 19/20 P. aeruginosa clinical isolates produced biofilms and were distributed almost equally as weak, moderate and strong biofilm producers. While significant antibiofilm activity was observed, no MBEC was achieved with narasin or monensin. The MBEC for NAC ranged from 5,000–10,000 µg/ml and from 20,000–80,000 µg/ml against S. pseudintermedius and P. aeruginosa, respectively. Tris‐EDTA eradicated P. aeruginosa biofilms at concentrations ranging from 6,000/1,900 to 12,000/3,800 µg/ml. The MBEC was up to 16‐fold and eightfold higher than the MIC/MBC of NAC and Tris‐EDTA, respectively. Disodium EDTA reduced biofilm growth of both strains at concentrations of 470 µg/ml and higher. It can be concluded that biofilm production is common in pathogens associated with canine OE. NAC and Tris‐EDTA are effective antibiofilm agents in vitro that could be considered for the treatment of biofilm‐associated OE in dogs.     

Comparative immune response and pathogenicity of the H9N2 avian influenza virus after administration of Immulant®, based on Echinacea and Nigella sativa,in stressed chickens

Avian influenza vaccines are commonly used in the poultry industry, and some medicinal plants can increase the efficacy of such vaccines. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of Immulant^® (IMU) (a commercial product based on Echinacea and Nigella sativa) on stress induced by dexamethasone (DEX) in chickens vaccinated (VAC) against the H9N2 avian influenza virus (AIV-H9N2). Seven experimental groups were included: the negative control, VAC, DEX, VAC + DEX, VAC + DEX + IMU, VAC + IMU and IMU groups. The vaccinated chickens (at 10 days of age) were injected daily with DEX for three days pre-vaccination and for three days pre-challenge and orally administered 1% IMU for 6 weeks post-vaccination (PV). The chickens were then challenged intranasally with AIV-H9N2 at 28 days PV. Serum, blood, tracheal and cloacal swabs and tissue samples were collected in the 1^st and 4^th weeks PV and at different time points post-challenge. The results showed significant changes (P ≤ 0.05) in oxidative stress and antioxidant biomarkers (malondialdehyde, nitric oxide and reduced glutathione), haematological and immunological parameters, final live weights, relative organ weights and histopathological lesions between the VAC+DEX group and the VAC group. Moreover, IMU significantly increased protection rates post-challenge, HI antibody titers and heterophil phagocytic activity and decreased DEX-induced stress and virus shedding titers. In conclusion, oral administration of 1% IMU for six weeks can enhance the immune response after AI-H9N2 vaccination and reduce the pathogenicity of infection in stressed chickens.     

中蜂对不同蜂花粉的取食偏好

以来自不同地区的10个蜂花粉,在云南及重庆两地的缺粉季节饲喂中蜂蜂群,探索中蜂对花粉取食的偏好。研究结果显示中蜂蜂群对来自不同地方不同种类的花粉有选择偏好性,对同种花粉选择差异性不显著,发现中蜂对所用的山东茶花粉的取食量最大。     

小反刍兽疫病毒N蛋白阻断ELISA方法的建立

小反刍兽疫(PPR)是一种跨国传播的重大烈性传染病,主要发生于山羊和绵羊等小反刍动物,具有高发病率和死亡率。小反刍兽疫病毒(PPRV)N蛋白是抗体检测的主要靶蛋白,本研究将PPRV Nigeria 75/1毒株的N蛋白进行原核表达,重组蛋白经鉴定和纯化后免疫BALB/c小鼠。取小鼠脾细胞与SP2/0骨髓瘤细胞融合,筛选针对PPRV N蛋白的阳性单克隆细胞株,获得了具有阻断效果的单克隆抗体1B11株。经免疫荧光方法鉴定该单克隆抗体与PPRV Nigeria 75/1毒株发生特异性反应。用纯化的重组N蛋白作为包被抗原,辣根过氧化物酶标记1B11抗体作为阻断抗体,建立了检测PPRV抗体的阻断ELISA方法。经优化反应条件,抗原的最佳包被浓度为2.5μg/mL,阻断抗体的最佳浓度为1μg/mL,待检血清1∶2稀释反应1 h,底物反应时间为10 min,阴阳性检测临界值为阻断率为58.5%。特异性试验证明该方法与山羊副流感病毒3型(CPIV3)、牛病毒性腹泻病毒(BVDV)、边界病病毒(BDV)等阳性血清不发生交叉反应。通过对234份血清样品进行检测,该方法与商品化试剂盒符合率为91%(213/234)。由此表明,建立的阻断ELISA方法可用于PPRV临床样品的抗体水平检测,为PPRV疫苗免疫效果检验及PPRV根除提供了基础。     

小反刍兽疫病毒N蛋白抗体与H蛋白抗体在羊体内代谢消长规律的研究

为研究小反刍兽疫病毒N蛋白抗体与H蛋白抗体在羊体内的代谢消长规律,试验通过建立小反刍兽疫N蛋白双抗原夹心ELISA抗体检测方法、H蛋白阻断ELISA抗体检测方法与血清中和抗体试验方法,分别检测了羊免疫疫苗后体内N蛋白抗体与H蛋白抗体在每个免疫阶段的代谢消长变化。结果表明:羊免疫小反刍兽疫疫苗后,血清内的N蛋白抗体与H蛋白抗体在6~8周时血清抗体效价较高,对应的羊体内中和抗体效价为1∶512,且效价至少可以持续到10周以上,2种抗体具有一定消长代谢规律的相关性。该研究结果也为以N抗原与H抗原为基础建立相应的抗原捕获ELISA方法、竞争ELISA检测方法、间接ELISA检测方法以及双抗原夹心ELISA检测方法奠定了一定的理论依据。     

培养料碳氮比与猪肚菇蛋白质营养水平的关系

采用国际上通用的营养价值评价方法,对不同碳氮比培养料栽培的猪肚菇第二潮子实体进行蛋白质营养价值评价。结果表明,子实体蛋白质中,必需氨基酸含量以培养料Ⅲ（碳氮比为35：1）的最高&#183;之后依次为培养料Ⅳ、Ⅱ、Ⅰ、Ⅴ、Ⅶ和Ⅵ;而蛋白质营养综合评价结果则以培养料Ⅰ（碳氮比为25：1）的最高,其次为培养料Ⅲ,再次为培养料Ⅱ、Ⅴ、Ⅶ、Ⅵ和Ⅳ。     

降水量及N添加对宁夏荒漠草原土壤C:N:P生态化学计量特征和植被群落组成的影响

为了解降水格局改变和大气氮(N)沉降增加背景下土壤碳(C)∶N∶磷(P)平衡关系的改变是否会影响到荒漠草原植被群落组成, 基于2017年在宁夏荒漠草原设立的降水量(降水量减少50%、降水量减少30%、自然降水量、降水量增加30%和降水量增加50%)、N添加(0和5 g·m^-2·yr^-1)及其交互作用的野外试验, 初步分析了土壤C∶N∶P生态化学计量特征和植物群落组成的变化趋势以及二者的关系。结果表明, 增加降水量降低了土壤有机C、全N和N∶P。N添加及其与降水量的交互作用对土壤C∶N∶P生态化学计量特征的影响较小; 适量增加降水量刺激了多数植物生长, 提高了群落多样性。过量增加降水量导致猪毛蒿种群生物量急增, 且N添加对降水量效应有促进作用, 从而降低了群落多样性; 土壤含水量、全N、有机C和N∶P与种群生物量关系较为密切, 土壤含水量、有机C、C∶P和C∶N与多样性指数存在较强的相关关系。以上结果意味着降水量会通过调控土壤水分有效性, 改变土壤与植物之间N和P的满足程度, 从而对植物生长策略和群落多样性产生影响; 短期N添加对土壤养分有效性影响较小。因此, 还需通过长期的原位试验, 对N添加及其与降水量交互作用下土壤C∶N∶P计量平衡与植物群落组成的关系进行深入探讨。