Improvement in the diagnosis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brucella abortus</Emphasis> infections in naturally infected water buffaloes (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bubalus bubalis</Emphasis>) using an ELISA with a Protein-G-based indicator system

Brucellosis caused by Brucella abortus in domestic water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) raised under the traditional system of husbandry in northern India was diagnosed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) with a Protein-G-based indicator system (Protein-G ELISA). A total of 1,551 animals that are positive (N = 61), negative (N = 243), and suspected (N = 1,247) for brucellosis were examined. Rose bengal test (RBT) was used to predict the disease, and accordingly, animals were dichotomized in positive and negative population for receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to determine the sensitivity, the specificity, and the performance index of Protein-G ELISA. Taking all animals (N=1551) into account, the ROC curve analysis revealed cut off value of 29.6% positivity (%P) with 98.40% and 94.94%, sensitivity and specificity, respectively. The results were compared with ELISA in which anti-bovine conjugate was used. The cut off in ELISA was 37.9%P and sensitivity and specificity were 96.26% and 97.07%, respectively. The performance indexes of both the assays were almost equal and were 193.34 for Protein-G ELISA and 193.33 for ELISA. The cut off values of both the tests changed, if only known positive (N = 61) and known negative (N=243) animals were used for ROC curve analysis, and accordingly, changes in sensitivity and specificity were observed with significant decrease of performance indexes of both the tests. The high optical density (P<0.0001) background signal with negative serum control and high %P (P<0.0001) in sera from negative population were noticed in ELISA in comparison to Protein-G ELISA.     

In vitro inhibitory effect of trichostatin A on canine grade 3 mast cell tumor

Mast cell tumor (MCT) is one of the most prevalent neoplasms that affect skin and soft tissue in dogs. Because mast cell tumors present a great variety of clinical appearance and behavior, their treatment becomes a challenge. Trichostatin A (TSA), an antifungal antibiotic, has shown inhibitory effects on the proliferation and induction of apoptosis in various types of cancer cells. In order to evaluate the potential of trichostatin A as a therapeutic drug, cells of grade 3 MCT were cultured and treated with concentrations of 1 nM to 400 nM of TSA. MTT assay and trypan blue exclusion assays were performed to estimate cell growth and cell viability, and cell cycle analysis was evaluated. TSA treatment showed a reduction in numbers of viable cells and an increase of cell death by apoptosis. The cell cycle analysis showed an increase of hypodiploid cells and a reduction of G0/G1 and G2/M –phases. According to these results, trichostatin A may be an interesting potential chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of canine MCT.     

Characterization of Doayo and Kapsiki taurine cattle breeds of Cameroon in their natural environment

Data were collected on live weight (LW), heart girth (HG), height-at-withers (HW), trunk length (TL), age, sex, and coat color of 207 taurines cattle—122 of the Doayo (Namchi) breed and 85 of the Kapsiki (Kirdi) breed. The animals, aged 1 to 20 years, were selected from 60 herds randomly selected from villages of Poli of Faro and Mokolo of Tsanga, divisions of the North and Far North Regions of Cameroon. The data were analyzed using the SAS program with a linear model, applying standard tests. Results indicated no breed effect (P > 0.05) in the growth trends of LW, HG, HW, and TL. HG and TL were highly significantly (P < 0.0001) related to LW. The growth pattern for the two breeds was the same since the linear contrast of least square means for the traits at various age groups did not differ (P > 0.05) significantly. The breeds attained maturity as from 4 years. In the absence of breed effect (P > 0.05), a single regression equation was established for the estimation of live weight as thus LW = - 244.42 ( ±22.57 ) kg + 2.49 ( ±0.23 ) HG + 1.04 ( ±0.25 ) TL {\hbox{LW}} = - {244}.{42 }\left( {\pm {22}.{57}} \right){\hbox{ kg}} + {2}.{49 }\left( {\pm 0.{23}} \right){\hbox{ HG}} + {1}.0{4 }\left( {\pm 0.{25}} \right){\hbox{ TL}} , with HG contributing up to 70% of total variation and TL, 2%. This equation could be used to develop a measuring band useful in the rural environment for commercial and clinical veterinary purposes.     

衡阳紫色土丘陵坡地不同土地利用方式对球囊霉素相关土壤蛋白分布的影响

为了明确衡阳紫色土丘陵坡地不同土地利用方式球囊霉素相关土壤蛋白土层分布模式及其影响因素,本试验选取自然恢复地、草地、灌草地、灌丛地和乔灌地5种不同土地利用方式样地,采集各样地0~10,10~20,20~40 cm土层土样,测定了土样球囊霉素相关土壤蛋白、土壤容重、土壤有机碳、全氮、C/N比、速效磷、土壤pH和土壤蛋白酶活性。结果表明：球囊霉素相关土壤蛋白含量为1.73~3.78 mg·g^-1,占土壤有机碳含量的14.05%~22.08%,是土壤一个重要碳库;球囊霉素相关土壤蛋白在不同土地利用方式和土层剖面之间差异显著;相关性分析表明球囊霉素相关土壤蛋白与土壤有机碳、全氮、C/N比、土壤蛋白酶、速效磷、土壤容重、土壤pH有显著相关性。研究结果表明,球囊霉素相关土壤蛋白是丛枝菌根真菌生长状况和土壤生态系统波动的一个重要指标。     

透过期货价格看豆粕市场的潮起潮落

养殖行业和饲料行业在分析大豆、豆粕和玉米市场的现货供求状况和价格变动趋势的时候．透过期货市场可以得到许多在现货市场上无法得到的信息，而且方法非常简单．成本也更加低廉。因为期货市场充分竞争集中买卖的机制使价格涨跌更具预见性，而且其不同到期月份的合约和上下游产品期货价格间多层次价差结构更能充分反映当前市场的主要矛盾，从而为企业判断市场形势提供了更为全面可靠的依据。     

Growth,feed efficiency and blood profile of buffalo calves consuming high levels of fluoride

Twelve male buffalo calves of 10 to 12 months of age were divided into 3 groups of four each. They were fed wheat straw+concentrate mixture +3 Kg greens. The chemical composition of the diet was same in all the three groups except fluoride which was added (as NaF) in concentrate mixture of group B and C to make the final fluoride concentration 30 ppm and 60 ppm respectively. The animals were kept on scheduled diet for a period of 90 days. Body weights were recorded at the start of the experiment and at fortnightly interval thereafter. Analysis of data revealed that the dry matter intake decreased non significantly in group B and C as compared to control group. A significant decrease in serum calcium and a significant increase in phosphorus concentration were observed in group C animals. A significant increase was observed in alkaline phosphatase activity in group C animals. A non significant decrease was observed in T₄ values in group C animals. On the basis of these results it could be concluded that fluoride in the diet of buffalo calves @ 30 ppm is a safe level whereas 60 ppm has affected the blood metabolites.     

低钙磷饲粮中添加耐热植酸酶对黄羽肉鸡生产性能和养分利用率的影响

为确认经基因工程改造而以酵母发酵生产的植酸酶添加在饲粮中对肉鸡生产性能和养分利用率的影响,本文试验开展了黄羽肉仔鸡的饲养试验和代谢试验.配制3种等蛋白质等能量等钙磷比的玉米-豆粕型试验饲粮(20.5%、12.15 MJ/kg和1.25),其中正对照饲粮含钙0.95%和磷0.76%,负对照饲粮含钙0.61%和磷0.50%,植酸酶组饲粮为在负对照饲粮基础上添加植酸酶(5000 U/g)的饲粮(添加量100 g/t).在饲养试验中,540只2日龄粤黄雏鸡随机分为3个处理(每个处理3个重复,每个重复60只),分别饲喂3种试验饲粮,为期4周.在饲养试验结束时分别从每组每个重复栏中选择2只接近其组平均体重的仔鸡进行屠宰,取出其胫骨测定相关指标.在代谢试验中,从饲养试验结束后的正对照组中选取45只仔鸡随机分成3组(每组3个重复,每重复5只),饥饿48 h后的3组分别自由采食3种试验料5 d,连续收集各重复鸡的排泄物7 d.分别测定试验饲粮和各排泄物烘干样的概略营养成分.试验结果表明:(1)3组间的软脚病率和死亡率差异不显著(P＞0.05),植酸酶组和正对照组的耗料量分别较负对照组提高了2%(P＜0.05)和12%(P＜0.05),增重分别较负对照组提高了5%和13%(P＜0.05),植酸酶组的耗料增重较正和负对照的均降低了3%(P＜0.05);(2)植酸酶组的脱脂胫骨灰分率、含钙率和含磷率均与正对照组的差异不显著(P＞0.05),但都显著高于负对照(P＜0.05),分剐提高了19%、23%和27%;(3)植酸酶饲粮的表观代谢能、氮存留率、钙表观消化率和磷表现消化率均与正对照组差异不显著(P＞0.05),但分别比负对照组提高了1%、5%、29%(P＜0.05)和12%.这表明,耐热植酸酶在低钙磷饲粮中添加可提高饲粮钙、磷、氮的利用率、耗料量和饲料转化率.从而提高黄羽肉鸡的生产性能.     

围封对昭苏马场春秋草场种群生态位的影响

采用空间序列代替时间序列的方法,运用Levins生态位宽度指数和Pianka生态位重叠指数,对不同围封恢复年限种群生态位及生态位重叠计算分析.结果表明:在围封自然恢复进程中,建群种针茅的生态位宽度较大,主要优势种群的生态位宽度呈减小趋势,其余大部分种群生态位宽度逐渐增大.生态位宽度大的物种不一定是群落的优势种,生态位宽度与种群的分布均匀程度有很大关系.生态位宽度较大的物种间有较大的生态位重叠,随着围封时间的延长,种群间生态位重叠系数平均值呈增加趋势,反映了植被在恢复过程中种间竞争增强和环境资源的有效利用.     

气味载体的摆放形式对警犬同一认定作业的影响

目前,国内外对气味同一认定研究多集中于犬、气味及气味载体的材质等方面,对于气味载体摆放形式对警犬气味同一认定是否存在影响及有什么影响等研究不多;特别是气味载体的摆放形状、摆放间距等研究不多。本文通过实验,初步研究气味载体摆放形式对警犬进行气味同一认定作业影响,其结果对完善气味同一认定的训练方法有较大的参考价值。     

Frequent use of colistin-based drug treatment to eliminate extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis> in backyard chicken farms in Thai Binh Province,Vietnam

Reports of livestock infections with extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-E) are increasing. Based on interviews conducted over a 6-month period, we found that veterinarians in the Vietnamese province of Thai Binh prefer to prescribe colistin-based drugs (CBD) in chicken farms. We aimed to clarify whether CBD use selects for strains of colistin-resistant ESBL-E. With the cooperation of seven local households, we detected ESBL-E in chickens’ feces after treating chickens with CBD. Phylogenetic groupings and the presence of CTX-M/AmpC genes were determined, and the multi-antibiotic susceptibility of isolates was analyzed. Our results showed that ESBL-E presented in seven chickens’ feces from two households. Seventy-two percent of ESBL-E isolates harbored CTX-M9 and the phylogenetic group A; the colistin minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of all isolated ESBL-E ranged from 0.064 to 1 μg mL^?1. Moreover, ESBL-E isolates were used to experimentally select for colistin resistance, and the effect of commercial CBD on ESBL-E was investigated. The results showed that an ESBL-E strain with a colistin MIC of 4 μg mL^?1 was able to grow in media with CBD. Although CBD treatment was effective, in vitro experiments demonstrated that ESBL-E can easily acquire colistin resistance. Therefore, restrictions on colistin use are necessary to prevent the emergence of colistin-resistant bacteria.