Analysis of risk factors associated with recurrence of canine babesiosis caused by Babesia gibsoni

Canine babesiosis due to Babesia gibsoni (B. gibsoni) displays severe clinical manifestations. Recurrence of babesiosis after anti-babesial treatment is observable in over 10 % of the patients. The present study ascertains the risk factors and cumulative incidence of recurrence of canine babesiosis. For a sample of 145 dogs diagnosed with acute babesiosis, the following parameters were assessed over a period of 16 weeks: haematological parameters, status of anaemia, platelet count, total WBC count, haemoglobin concentration and RBC count, concurrent haemoparasitism, and secondary immune mediated haemolytic anaemia (IMHA). Patient demographics such as age, breed, sex were also recorded. The potential risk factors were statistically evaluated by the cumulative incidence function and the Kaplan-Meier method. The recurrent infections were observed in 11.8 % of the study sample. The following factors were found to associate with increased risk of recurrence: Rottweiler breed (CIR 21.8 % ± 6.9 %; p < 0.05), secondary IMHA (CIR 28.7 % ± 11.3 %; p < 0.05), RBC counts < 2 × 10⁶/μl on the day of diagnosis (CIR 16 % ± 4.6 %; p < 0.05), and persistent anaemia over 20 days post treatment (CIR 29.14 ± 7.9 %; p < 0.001). Dogs with concurrent haemoparasitic infections were predicted to have a fatal outcome in the survival analysis (disease related mortalities 25 % ± 13 %; p < 0.001). According to the findings, veterinarians need to pay attention to Rottweiler breed, dogs with secondary IMHA, concurrent haemoparasitism, low RBC counts on diagnosis and those with persistent anaemia to reduce the risk of relapse.     

国内外有机肥标准对比及风险评价

中国是人口最多的发展中国家，生产生活中产生的有机废弃物数量巨大，堆制有机肥是降低有机废物污染风险的重要方式，而有机肥标准则是防止有机肥成为新的土壤污染源，规范有机肥产业健康发展的重要保障。目前我国有机肥不合格现象时有发生，针对有机堆肥的标准仅有一个8年前的行业标准（NY 525—2012）的现状，本文对比了中国、日本、澳大利亚、欧盟、美国有机肥标准的重要指标，对存在的重金属残留、抗生素污染、病原体污染、营养富集及土壤盐渍化等有机肥质量安全风险问题进行分析，为我国有机肥行业未来绿色、健康、可持续发展提出建议。尽管我国现有有机肥质量标准，在具体指标要求方面优于美国，但和欧盟相比还有差距，比如我国重金属Cu、Zn、Ni限量缺失，对Cd等重金属限值要求不够严格，长期施用会导致土壤重金属含量超过风险筛选值，严重影响农作物安全；同时，由于部分畜禽养殖业不合理使用抗生素，加之有机肥生产企业技术的欠缺，农户施用时缺乏指导，监管部门执法不严等因素，我国有机肥施用过程存在较大风险隐患。因此，进一步完善有机肥标准体系，强化对原料中有毒有害物质的限制，要求选用原料批批检，加大准入和过程的落实力度，才能保障我国有机肥产业有序健康发展。     

Serological survey of Toxoplasma gondii in captive nonhuman primates in zoos in Spain

Toxoplasma gondii is a widely distributed zoonotic protozoan parasite, which can affect most warm-blooded species. Some species of non-human primates (NHPs) are highly susceptible to T. gondii infection. The aim of the study was to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with T. gondii infection in NHPs housed in zoos in Spain. Sera from 189 NHPs belonging to 33 species were collected in eight zoos. Additionally, 10 of the 189 animals were longitudinally sampled. Anti-T. gondii antibodies were detected in 48 NHPs (25.4%; confidence interval of 95% (CI_95%): 19.2–31.6) using a modified agglutination test (MAT; cut-off = 25). Seropositive animals had titers of 25 (6.3%), 50 (8.3%), 100 (8.3%) and ≥500 (68.8%). Seropositivity was detected in 15 of the 33 species (45.5%). Of the 10 NHPs sampled more than once, two animals (one Barbary macaque [Macaca sylvanus] and one common chimpanzee [Pan toglodytes]) seroconverted along the study period, while one seropositive chimpanzee increased antibody titers over time. The Hominidae family (OR = 5.9; CI_95%: 2.7–12.8) and sex (females) (OR = 2.1; CI_95%: 1.1–4.1) were risk factors potentially associated with seropositivity to T. gondii. Our results evince a widespread circulation of T. gondii in NHPs in zoos in Spain, which may be of conservation concern. Control measures should be implemented to minimize the risk of exposure of these species to T. gondii.     

Biochemical and morphological risk assessment of transgenic wheat with enhanced iron and zinc bioaccessibility

Decreased iron and zinc bioaccessibility, caused by the anti-nutrient phytic acid, is one of the leading reasons for micronutrient deficiency-related disorders. Biofortification of wheat with phytase gene to enhance iron and zinc bioaccessibility appears to be a fitting solution for this problem, especially in developing countries where most of the population belongs to the lower economic sector. However, societal views on crops, particularly crops that are genetically modified (GM) to express a new trait, needs to be changed. Risk assessment of GM crops can play a crucial role in fostering positive public perception, since it is imperative to ensure safety before allowing human consumption. The present study performed compositional and morphological risk assessment of T3 and T4 generations of phytase transgenic wheat by comparing their biochemical and morphological traits. Transgenic plants were analysed for their carbohydrate, protein, starch and phytic acid content along with iron bioaccessibility, zinc bioaccessibility and phytase enzyme activity. Morphological traits studied included plant height, seed number, seed weight and spike number. No significant differences were observed for carbohydrate, protein, starch content and for morphological traits; however, a significant increase was observed in phytase activity as well as iron and zinc bioaccessibility, which correlated with a significant decrease in phytic acid. These results demonstrate that phytase transgenic wheat is as native as local wheat varieties and can potentially increase iron and zinc bioaccessibility.     

菜豆细菌性萎蔫病菌传入中国的风险分析

从世界分布、主要寄主、经济重要性、传入可能性和风险管理难度5个方面对菜豆细菌性萎蔫病菌传入我国的风险进行评估。结果表明,该病菌是特别危险的有害生物。根据分析结果提出了非疫区输入、输出国应严格检疫、进境口岸加严检查等相应的风险管理措施。     

接种疫苗的健康风险研究进展

在广泛文献检索的基础上,对疫苗的历史、种类、防腐剂、不良反应和安全接种等进行了综述,为接种疫苗的健康风险研究提供科学资料。     

企业融资租赁的风险管理研究

融资租赁具有融资与生产的双重特点，能将资本市场、金融市场与产业市场进行有机融合，实现资金提供方、设备提供方、融资租赁企业和融资需求方等多方共赢。由于涉及多个经营主体，受整个国内外宏观经济影响以及法规和监管的不完善，从而蕴藏了一定的法律风险、市场风险、信用风险和操作风险等。     

Molecular prevalence,risk factors assessment and haemato-biochemical alterations in hepatozoonosis in dogs from Punjab,India

Hepatozoonosis caused by Hepatozoon canis is an important tick-borne disease of dogs in tropical and sub-tropical regions throughout the world. In the present study evaluation of blood samples collected from 225 dogs presented at Small Animal Clinics, GADVASU, Ludhiana, Punjab (India) was done for the presence of H. canis by PCR based assay targeting a portion of 18S rRNA gene. Of the total samples subjected to PCR, an amplicon of 666 bp was detected in 13.78% samples whereas, routine blood smear examination revealed gamonts in 5.78% samples. Furthermore, prevalence of H. canis infection was found to be significantly associated with season, being highest in summer and lowest in winter while other risk factors e.g. age, sex and breed showed non-significant association. In terms of various clinico-pathological parameters, significant drop in haemoglobin, total red blood cell count, packed cell volume and lymphocytes were recorded in positive cases whereas the total white blood cell count was non-significantly increased. The haematological alterations in the positive cases were lymphopenia, anaemia, thrombocytopenia, relative neutrophilia, neutrophilic leucocytosis, eosinophilia, monocytosis and lymphocytosis while the biochemical profile revealed hypoproteinemia and increased levels of blood urea nitrogen and creatinine (in positive cases) pointing towards renal failure.     

天气衍生品的运作机制与精算定价

天气衍生品是为了规避天气风险给天气敏感行业带来收入的不稳定性而兴起的创新型风险管理工具，其实质是通过衍生合约对天气风险进行分割、重组和交易的证券化产品。不同于传统金融衍生品，天气衍生品的价值取决于温度、湿度或降雨量等天气指数。本文在分析天气衍生品市场发展的基础上，重点探讨了最常见的天气期货和天气期权的运作机制及其精算定价。