Isolation of Streptococcus cuniculi from corneal lesion in laboratory-raised mice

Corneal lesions appearing as white mass beneath intact epithelium, with ocular discharge in one mouse, was observed in a batch of laboratory-raised BALB/c mice (n=9 of 56). The affected mice remained active, well-groomed and had normal appetite. Isolates recovered from swab cultures of the external and internal contents of the eye had partial 16S rRNA gene sequence of 99.1% similarity to Streptococcus cuniculi. No previous report of S. cuniculi infection in laboratory rodents has been presented. The isolate was susceptible to all antibiotics tested. We suggest S. cuniculi is an opportunistic bacteria in laboratory mice but are uncertain of its source. Our findings revealed that S. cuniculi is able to colonize laboratory mice and should be considered when mice present with eye lesion or ocular discharge.     

Effect of apple cultivars and storage periods on the virulence of Neofabraea spp.

Bull’s eye rot is a typical quiescent postharvest apple disease in major fruit-growing areas. The susceptibility of different apple cultivars to Neofabraea spp. (N. vagabunda and N. malicorticis) was assessed, with Granny Smith showing the most resistance and Cripps Pink the most susceptibility. To assess the factors involved in conidial germination, Neofabraea spp. were grown on crude protein extracts (CPEs) collected from apple fruits at different storage periods. Fungal germ tube growth rate and pathogenic enzyme (cellulase and xylanase) activity were assessed. Results showed that CPEs collected after 2 and 4 months of storage progressively stimulated conidial germination and germ tube elongation, while a lesser effect was observed from CPEs after 1 month of storage. Xylanase proved to be the main degrading enzyme secreted by all the isolates, while cellulase was produced only by N. vagabunda isolates. Overall, the isolate ID02 was the most virulent, based on more rapid germ tube elongation and greater activity of the lytic enzymes.     

玉米北方炭疽病研究进展

 玉米北方炭疽病是一种世界性玉米病害,也是中国北方玉米产区的主要病害之一。本文主要就该病害名称由来、田间症状特征与鉴定、致病菌生物学特性、致病力分化、遗传转化与靶基因敲除方法、影响发病条件、品种抗病性鉴定与抗病性遗传和防治方法等方面进行了综述,以期为玉米北方炭疽病防控技术提供参考。     

A case of primary choroidal malignant melanoma in a cat

This report describes the clinical presentation, diagnosis, histological lesions, and prognosis of a primary choroidal malignant melanoma in a 15‐year‐old cat. The animal was presented for unilateral blindness. On ocular examination, a raised pigmented mass protruding from the posterior pole into the vitreous body was observed by diffuse transillumination and indirect ophthalmoscopy. Ocular ultrasound and computer tomography (CT) scan confirmed localization of the tumor to the posterior segment. The diagnosis of primary choroidal melanoma was confirmed by histopathology after enucleation. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a feline malignant melanoma with a primary choroidal localization without iris involvement.     

樟子松梢小卷蛾产卵器、复眼和口器感受器的扫描电镜观察

为了研究樟子松梢小卷蛾Rhyacionia pinicolana (Doubleday)（鳞翅目:卷蛾科）的产卵器、复眼和口器上感受器的外部形态、类型和分布特点,从野外采集被害的樟子松侧枝,在室内培养出樟子松梢小卷蛾成虫,通过QUANTA-200型扫描电镜对其进行了观察。观察表明,在樟子松梢小卷蛾产卵器、复眼和口器上共有4种类型感受器,分别是着生于产卵器上的毛形感受器(STⅠ,STⅡ,STⅣ),着生于口器上的毛形感受器Ⅲ型(STⅢ)、栓锥形感受器(SS)和腔锥感受器(coe),着生于复眼上的锥形感受器(SBa)。樟子松梢小卷蛾上观察到的这4种类型的感受器,在形态、类型和分布上,与其他鳞翅目昆虫相同部位观察到的不尽相同。     

Inheritance of Eye Pattern and Seed Coat Colour in Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walp.)

The F₂ progenies of crosses between several cowpea (V. unguiculata) lines were investigated for variation of eye pattern and seed coat colour. It was found that three (W, H, O) and five (R, P, B, M, N) major genes control eye pattern and seed coat colour, respectively. The recessive gene (GO) for restricted eye pattern enables the underlying basic white or cream seed coat colour to be observed. A similar effect is obtained with the recessive gene (rr) for colour expression. The expression of mottling (V), possibly a seed coat pattern, may for be observed when it is combined with the genes for certain eye patterns. The significance of these findings in breeding for consumer preference for specific seed coat colour is discussed.