Serological Methods for Detection of Polymyxa graminis, an Obligate Root Parasite and Vector of Plant Viruses

A purification procedure was developed to separate Polymyxa graminisresting spores from sorghum root materials. The spores were used as im-munogen to produce a polyclonal antiserum. In a direct antigen coating enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (DAC ELISA), the antiserum could detect one sporosorus per well of the ELISA plate. In spiked root samples, the procedure detected one sporosorus per mg of dried sorghum roots. The majority of isolates of P. graminis from Europe, North America, and India reacted strongly with the antiserum. Interestingly, P. graminis isolates from the state of Rajasthan (northern India), from Pakistan, and an isolate from Senegal (West Africa) reacted weakly with the antiserum. The cross-reactivity of the serum with P. betae isolates from Belgium and Turkey was about 40% of that observed for the homologous isolate. There was no reaction with common fungi infecting roots or with the obligate parasite Olpidium brassicae. However, two isolates of Spongospora sub-terranea gave an absorbance similar to that observed with the homologous antigen. The DAC ELISA procedure was successfully used to detect various stages in the life cycle of P. graminis and to detect infection that occurred under natural and controlled environments. A simple procedure to conjugate antibodies to fluorescein 5-isothiocyanate (FITC) is described. Resting spores could be detected in root sections by using FITC-labeled antibodies. The potential for application of the two serological techniques for studying the epidemiology of peanut clump disease and for the characterization of Polymyxa isolates from various geographical origins is discussed.     

The detection of subclinical mastitis in the bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus) by somatic cell count and California mastitis test

Milk samples (n=160) from 7 clinically healthy bactrian camels were cultured to detect subclinical udder infection. The samples were assessed by the Californian mastitis test (CMT) and somatic cell count (SCC). Bacteria were recovered from 36 (22.5%) of the milk samples. Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) were the main organisms found.Infected quarters had significantly higher mean values for the SCC (p<0.01) and CMT (p<0.001) than non-infected quarters. All 7 camels were infected with CNS but only 4 with S. aureus. CMT values for S. aureus-infected camels were significantly higher than for those only infected with CNS. The values for SCC and CMT were significantly influenced by the stage of lactation (p<0.05). No significant difference was found from the effect of the quarters. Both SCC and CMT were of value in predicting the infection status of the udder.Abbreviations CMT California mastitis test - SCC somatic cell count - CNS coagulase-negative staphylococci     

Breeding for provitamin A biofortification of maize (Zea mays L.)

Vitamin A deficiency is widely prevailing in children and women of developing countries. Deficiency of vitamin A causes night blindness, growth retardation, xerophthalmia and increases the susceptibility against epidemic diseases. Among different interventions of overcoming malnutrition, biofortification is the most acceptable and preferred intervention among researchers, growers and consumers. Maize is grown and consumed in those regions where vitamin A deficiency is most prevalent; thus, targeting this crop for provitamin A biofortification is the most appropriate solution. Different breeding strategies including diversity analysis, introduction and stability analysis of exotic germplasm, hybridization, heterosis breeding, mutagenesis and marker‐assisted selection are practised for exploring maize germplasm and development of provitamin A‐enriched cultivars. Genome‐wide association selection and development of transgenic maize genotypes are also being practised, whereas RNA interference and genome editing tools could also be used as potential strategies for provitamin A biofortification of maize genotypes. The use of these breeding strategies for provitamin A biofortification of maize is comprehensively reviewed to provide a working outline for maize breeders.     

塔里木河下游胡杨物候特征观测

以塔里木河下游胡杨(Populus euphratica)为对象,对胡杨的开花期、展叶期、第一次展叶期、第二次展叶期、果熟期、叶黄期及落叶期等主要物候期进行观测。结果表明:胡杨各物候期中,开花期持续时间最短,3月29日至4月19日,果熟期持续时间最长,5月25日开始,10月13日结束。由于春尺蠖(Apocheima cinerarius)的危害,胡杨有"二次展叶"现象,第一次展叶期为4月4日至5月1日,第二次展叶期为5月13日至6月4日。胡杨叶黄期和落叶期相重叠,叶黄期从9月26日开始,10月28日结束,落叶期从10月11日开始,11月12日结束。胡杨长达4个多月的果熟期与河道洪水期吻合,这有利于种子的传播、萌发及幼苗扎根,促进天然胡杨林种群的更新及演替。     

Analgesic activity of the roots and leaves extracts of Calliandra portoricensis

The analgesic activity of the methanolic extracts of the roots and leaves of Calliandra portoricensis was investigated in mice and rats using acetic acid-induced writhing and formalin tests. The extracts given orally at the doses of 200, 400, 600 mg/kg showed a dose-dependent activity in the tests used.     

基于3S技术的绿洲荒漠过渡带生态环境的安全研究

本文根据生态系统内部诸因子的相关性以及绿洲与荒漠两大生态系统间的耦合机理,通过对过渡带生态环境进行时空分析与生态安全分析,计算得出了该绿洲生态环境安全程度的定量结果和生态环境演变的空间信息,在此基础上定量地分析及评价了研究区绿洲—荒漠过渡带的演变趋势,进一步提出了绿洲-荒漠过渡带生态环境安全预警系统的建立思路和利用遥感数据对其生态环境进行预警的简单方法。     

A light and electron microscopic study on abomasal globidiosis in Somali goats

Abomasum from apparently healthy Somali goats with globidiosis showed pin-head sized nodules embedded in the mucosa. The nodules consisted of encapsulated cysts, containing mature or immature schizonts. Glandular atrophy and lymphohistiocytic cell reaction were often found in the vicinity of these cysts. The fine structure of immature and mature cysts is described in details. The mature cysts contained elongated, spindle shaped merozoites (type I) or shorter, ovoidal merozoites (type II). Some mature cysts also had basophilic granular bodies among the merozoites. Type I and type II merozoites were morphologically different from those earlier described in goats.     

乌鲁木齐市郊区及周边地区地衣物种多样性的比较研究

[目的]地衣对空气污染有所加重,近年来随着乌鲁木齐市城市化速度的加快,空气污染有所加重,影响了该市郊区地衣植物的分布和生存.为了查明乌鲁木齐市郊区地衣物种多样性,对该地区地衣植物进行了野外调查.[方法]从2009年7月～2010年4月,根据实地调查数据并结合前人的研究资料,采用了显色反应、微量结晶法(MCT)和薄层色谱法(TLC)等方法对该地区地衣植物进行了初步的研究.[结果]通过研究鉴定出分布在乌鲁木齐郊区及周边地区的地衣共有25种(其中6个种未定种名),它们属于5个目、14个科和16个属.[结论]乌鲁木齐市郊区及周边地区地衣物种多样性比较低,随着离市区距离越远,地衣种类逐渐增加,说明该市空气污染影响了郊区及周边地区地衣种类的分布.     

阿克苏河流域平原型水库水质特征研究

本文对阿克苏流域的三座大型平原水库,即上游水库、胜利水库和多浪水库在枯水期和丰水期的水质进行了监测分析,比较了各水库不同水期水质现状,并对监测指标进行了因子分析。结果表明:三座水库枯水期污染程度比丰水期高。水质污染物可分抑制性因子(F1),包括NH3-N、SO42-、Cl-和矿化度以及富营养性污染指标(F2),包括TN、TP和CODMn。目前水库水质主要由第一因子F1决定。枯水期水质污染大小次序为胜利水库>上游水库>多浪水库,而丰水期为多浪水库>胜利水库>上游水库。三座水库水质与引水河流的水质污染指标之间存在极显著相关性。     

Molecular characterization of Ralstonia solanacearum strains from Ethiopia and tracing potential source of bacterial wilt disease outbreak in seed potatoes

Bacterial wilt, caused by Ralstonia solanacearum, is emerging as a major threat to potato production in Ethiopia, reaching epidemic proportions in the Chencha district recently, with a prevalence of 97% of potato fields in 2015. The recent disease outbreak in the district coincided with a significant introduction of seed potatoes. This research was therefore initiated to genetically characterize the pathogen so as to trace its source, identify its relationship with outbreaks in the rest of the country, and make intervention recommendations. Ralstonia solanacearum isolates were sampled both from seed and ware potato fields in Chencha and from seed potato fields in production regions suspected of being potential sources of the pathogen. Multiplex PCR and phylogenetic analysis of partial endoglucanase gene sequences identified all of the isolates as phylotype IIB sequevar 1. VNTR sequence analysis distinguished 11 different haplotypes, nine of which were unique to the Chencha district. However, one of the haplotypes was common to all seed potato producer regions of Ethiopia except for the Shashemene area. The unique and diverse VNTR haplotypes of the pathogen in Chencha indicates that it is well established in the district. When a geographical map of the VNTR haplotypes was superimposed with the main cross‐regional seed potato distribution pattern of the country, it became evident that the pathogen was being disseminated via latently infected seed from the Holeta‐Jeldu area in the Central Highlands of Ethiopia. Identification of largely uninfected highland districts and multiplication of high‐grade seed potato exclusively in those districts should be given priority.