Cartographical analysis of African swine fever outbreaks in the territory of the Russian Federation and computer modeling of the basic reproduction ratio

African swine fever (ASF), have been introduced into the Russian Federation from Transcaucasia countries, has spread widely across the territory of the southern region of Russia since 2008. In this work we present an analysis of the spatial and temporal spread of the disease, determine risk factors by means of GIS tools and model the dynamics of the epidemic process both within infected premises (farms) and at the between-farm level to estimate the basic reproduction ratio R(0). The analysis allowed us to make a conclusion about the anthropogenic nature of the risk factors for disease spread. The major significant risk factors identified were: density of the road network, density of domestic swine population and density of water bodies in the study area. The basic reproduction ratio was estimated to range from 2 to 3 at the between-farm level and from 8 to 11 within the infected farms. These initial studies of the ASF epidemic provide information on which to based control and prevention programs.     

Naturally occurring and experimental Stachys arvensis (staggerweed) toxicity in lambs in New Zealand

Stachys arvensis (staggerweed) is a common, widely distributed weed of cultivated and waste land with the potential to intoxicate sheep. Two naturally occurring outbreaks of suspected staggerweed toxicity in the lower North Island were investigated. Affected lambs had been recently moved onto staggerweed-contaminated Brassica spp. crops. In total, 150/1,200 (13%) lambs developed hindlimb paresis, a fine generalised muscular tremor, and hunched posture. When forced to move, many became recumbent. Most lambs recovered within 48 h of removal from staggerweed, although a few developed clinical signs again when transported 2–3 weeks later. Grossly, affected lambs had large amounts of staggerweed plant material and seeds within the rumen. Histopathology showed mild, multifocal degeneration of the white matter tracts of the central nervous system (CNS), most commonly in the ventral funiculi of the spinal cord, and acute, mild to moderate, multifocal degeneration of skeletal muscles. Creatine kinase (CK) activity in serum was mildly to markedly elevated in affected lambs. In a feeding trial, ten 10-month-old Romney lambs were randomly assigned to equal treatment and control groups. Treated lambs were drenched with a liquid extract of staggerweed once daily for 7 days. Three of five treated lambs developed mild exercise intolerance, and 1/5 displayed mild paresis of the hindlimbs, slightly crouched hindlimb stance, and shortened gait, on days 6 and 7. Histologically, 4/5 treated lambs had degeneration in white matter tracts of the CNS, indistinguishable from those seen in the lambs in the outbreak, and in 1/5 lambs there was scattered regeneration of skeletal muscle. CK activity in serum in treated lambs was not significantly higher than that in control lambs. None of the control lambs developed significant clinical signs, histological changes or increases in CK activity in serum. The clinical signs and lesions observed in both the outbreaks and feeding trial were similar to those previously described in studies in Australia, with the exception that myodegeneration was more prominent in the outbreaks in New Zealand. Further characterisation of the pathogenesis of staggerweed toxicity and its potential role as a food safety hazard will be facilitated through identification of the toxic principle(s).     

四川土地资源的现状及问题分析1.四川土地资源的现状

以四川（不含重庆市）历年统计资料为基础,利用土壤普查和部分土地利用现状详查资料,进行系统分析,从土地资源学的角度阐明了四川土地资源的现状、问题及应采取的对策。其现状和问题可概括为土地资源总量大,人多地少,人地矛盾十分突出;优势地貌类型占有量小;土地资源的数量结构失衡、地域差异明显;优质地类比重不大、光温潜力和土地生产潜力的发挥不够;宜农耕地后备资源贫乏,难利用土地比重大;土地开发利用程度和土地生产力水平较低。     

Detection of hypoglycin A in the seeds of sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) and box elder (A. negundo) in New Zealand; the toxin associated with cases of equine atypical myopathy

CASE HISTORY AND CLINICAL FINDINGS: During April and May 2014 four horses aged between 5 months and 9 years, located in the Canterbury, Marlborough and Southland regions, presented with a variety of clinical signs including recumbency, stiffness, lethargy, dehydration, depression, and myoglobinuria suggestive of acute muscle damage. Two horses were subjected to euthanasia and two recovered. In all cases seeds of sycamore maple (Acer pseudoplatanus) or box elder (A. negundo) were present in the area where the horse had been grazing.

LABORATORY INVESTIGATION: The samaras (seeds) of some Acer spp. may contain hypoglycin A, that has been associated with cases of atypical myopathy in Europe and North America. To determine if hypoglycin A is present in the samaras of Acer spp. in New Zealand, samples were collected from trees throughout the country that were associated with historical and/or current cases of atypical myopathy, and analysed for hypoglycin A. Serum samples from the four cases and four unaffected horses were analysed for the presence of hypoglycin A, profiles of acylcarnitines (the definitive diagnosis for atypical myopathy) and activities of creatine kinase and aspartate aminotransferase.Markedly elevated serum activities of creatine kinase and aspartate aminotransferase, and increased concentrations of selected acylcarnitines were found in the case horses. Hypoglycin A was detected in the serum of those horses but not in the healthy controls. Hypoglycin A was detected in 10/15 samples of samaras from sycamore maple and box elder from throughout New Zealand.

DIAGNOSIS: Cases of atypical myopathy were diagnosed on properties where samaras containing hypoglycin A were also found.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Sycamore and box elder trees in New Zealand are a source of hypoglycin A associated with the development of atypical myopathy. If pastured horses present with clinical and biochemical signs of severe muscle damage then the environment should be checked for the presence of these trees. Horses should be prevented from grazing samaras from Acer spp. in the autumn.     

人工合成甘蓝型油菜游离小孢子培养及其植株再生研究初报

利用游离小孢子培养技术对5个人工合成甘蓝型油菜品系进行了离体小孢子培养。从大田非控温控光条件下生长的供体植株第一朵花开后3～12d,取长度2．5～3．5mm的花蕾分离小鬼子,在NLN13液体培养基中进行薄层培养诱导成胚状体,然后用无激素的MS培养基诱导植株再生。对不同的供试材料、取蕾时期和培养基蔗糖浓度对小孢子胚胎发生能力的影响作了初步研究。供试的5个材料中有4个对培养有反应,但不同材料的小孢子胚胎发生能力有较大的差异。小孢子取样的时期以主花序第一朵花开后6d左右为宜,培养基蔗糖浓度以13％的效果最好。     

Sarcoptes scabiei infection on an alpaca (Lama pacos)

Abstract

Extract

Sarcoptes scabiei has been reported on a number of hosts in New Zealand including the dog, ferret (Mustela putorius), pig, hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus), llama (Lama glama) and human (Tenquist and Charleston 2001 Tenquist, JD and Charleston, WAG. 2001. A revision of the annotated checklist of ectoparasites of terrestrial mammals in New Zealand. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, 31: 481–542. [Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]). We report here the first record of infestation with these mites on an alpaca (Lama pacos) in New Zealand. The mites were detected on an adult male alpaca that had been maintained for several years along with others on a property in the Wairarapa region of the North Island. The infestation manifested itself as pruritis and alopecia. On clinical examination thick, grey, hyperkeratotic crusts were visible firmly adherent to the skin of the medial surface of both hindlegs. Similar smaller and possibly more recent lesions were also evident on the animal's face, which appeared to be the only affected alpaca on the property.     

Demodex spp. infestation and suspected demodicosis of alpacas (Vicugna pacos) in New Zealand

Extract

Ectoparasites known to cause skin lesions in alpacas (Vicugna pacos) include the mites Sarcoptes scabiei, Chorioptes bovis and Psoroptes spp., and the lice Microthoracius mazzai and Bovicola breviceps (Cicchino et al. 1998 Cicchino, AC, Munoz, Cobenas ME, Bulman, GM, Diaz, JC and Laos, A. 1998. Identification of Microthoracius mazzai (Phthiraptera: Anoplura) as an economically important parasite of alpacas. Journal of Medical Entomology, 35: 922–930.  [Google Scholar]; Foster et al. 2007 Foster, A, Jackson, A and D'alterio, GL. 2007. Skin diseases of South American camelids. In Practice, 29: 216–223. [Crossref], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]). Occasionally, Demodex spp. infestations have been reported or mentioned as incidental fi ndings in llamas (Lama glama) (Atlee et al. 1997 Atlee, BA, Stannard, AA, Fowler, ME, Willemse, T, Ihrke, PJ and Olivry, T. 1997. The histology of the normal llama skin. Veterinary Dermatology, 8: 165–176. [Crossref], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]) and alpacas (Foster et al. 2007 Foster, A, Jackson, A and D'alterio, GL. 2007. Skin diseases of South American camelids. In Practice, 29: 216–223. [Crossref], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]). So far, only Sarcoptes scabiei (McKenna et al. 2005 McKenna, PB, Hill, FI and Gillett, R. 2005. Sarcoptes scabiei infection on an alpaca (Lama pacos. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 53: 213–213. [Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]), Chorioptes bovis (Arthur 1997 Arthur, DG. 1997. Diseases of lamoids in New Zealand. Surveillance, 24(1): 29–30.  [Google Scholar], non-peer reviewed) and Bovicola breviceps (Palma et al. 2006 Palma, RL, McKenna, PB and Aitken, P. 2006. Confirmation of the occurrence of the chewing louse Bovicola (Lepikentron) breviceps (Insecta: Phthiraptera: Trichodectidae) on alpacas (Lamas pacos) in New Zealand. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 54: 253–254. [Taylor &; Francis Online], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]) have been recorded on lamoids in New Zealand. Here, we report the first record of Demodex spp. infestation of an alpaca in New Zealand.     

‘Progressive ataxia’ in a Charolais steer in New Zealand

Extract

Signs of progressive central nervous system disease in cattle aged 2 years and older should alert farmers and veterinarians to consider the possibility of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE). Government veterinarians routinely assess all livestock slaughtered in meat plants in New Zealand for signs of any nervous disorder, including abnormalities of behaviour and mental state and abnormalities of posture and gait.