Comparison of a baiting method and PCR for the detection of Phytophthora fragariae var. rubi in certified raspberry stocks*

In winter 2002/2003, a total of 136 root samples from 57 different raspberry stocks in Scotland were examined for the presence of raspberry root rot caused by the fungus‐like pathogen Phytophthora fragariae var. rubi. All stocks had been planted as propagation material entered at different grades in the Scottish certification scheme or had applied for plant passports. For detection, a modified ‘Duncan bait test’ was compared to a nested PCR method. The two tests identified the same infected stocks: PCR detected 10 positive samples from four different stocks, while the bait test picked up two additional positive samples coming from the same four stocks. The two tests had a similar level of reliability in this examination and a recommendation for one or the other depends mainly on the technical equipment and skills available in the laboratory.     

新鲜蔬菜硝酸盐含量测定的改进试粉法

 为适应新鲜蔬菜硝酸盐快速检测的需要, 在现有试粉法的基础上对硝酸盐测定的试粉法进行了改良研究。结果表明, 本研究建立的直接以去离子水浸提蔬菜匀浆, 混合试粉配方为柠檬酸∶一水硫酸锰∶无水对氨基苯磺酸∶N - 1 - 萘乙二胺盐酸盐∶细锌粉= 30∶4∶1.6∶0.8∶1, 其加入量为0.1 g的改进试粉法, 对于溶液中硝酸盐含量在0～20 mg/L范围时, 显色吸光值与硝酸盐含量呈现良好的线性关系, 相关系数达0.9999, 方法回收率在97.7%～104.5%之间, 相对标准偏差2.71%。用本改进试粉法测定11种蔬菜的硝酸盐含量与国标法测定结果的t检验具有一致性。     

Antitumor Activity of Mycobacterial Cell Wall‐DNA Complex (MCC) Against Canine Urinary Bladder Transitional Cell Carcinoma Cells

Introduction:  Mycobacterial cell wall‐DNA complex (MCC) is a bifunctional anticancer agent that induces cancer cell apoptosis and stimulates cytokine synthesis by immune cells. Intravesical MCC is currently being evaluated in humans with high‐grade urinary bladder cancer. Evaluation of MCC in dogs with transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) will allow mechanistic studies in a natural animal model of TCC, and a potentially beneficial therapy for dogs with this cancer. In this study, we have determined the anticancer activity of MCC against canine TCC cells in vitro .
Methods:  Canine TCC cells (K9TCC cell line) were incubated with MCC (0.05–100 μg/ml, 0.5–72 hours). Cellular proliferation was measured by MTT reduction. Cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry with propidium iodide. Apoptosis was identified by flow cytometry using anti‐active‐caspase‐3/PE and anti‐cleaved‐PARP/FITC antibodies. Apoptosis‐inducing activity of 100 μg/ml MCC in combination with piroxicam (0.1–1.0 uM) was evaluated.
Results:  MCC inhibited K9TCC cell proliferation in a concentration‐dependent manner (maximal activity – 45% at 100 μg/ml MCC) in association with the presence of activated caspase‐3 and cleaved PARP. Inhibition of proliferation and apoptosis‐inducing activities of MCC were independent of cell cycle phase. A thirty‐minute exposure of MCC was sufficient for optimal activity. Piroxicam (0.5 uM) enhanced apoptosis‐inducing activity of MCC.
Conclusions:  MCC induces apoptosis in K9TCC cells. This activity is potentiated by piroxicam. Following positive results in vitro , in vivo studies have been initiated. One dog, treated to date, has had a minor reduction in tumor volume following the first course of treatment with no treatment‐related toxicity.     

Effect of diet composition and slaughter weight on animal performance, carcass and meat quality, and fatty acid composition in veal calves

The effect of true milk use in the diet of Spanish Brown Swiss male calves on animal performance, carcass and meat quality, and fatty acids composition was studied. In experiment 1, the effect of milk intake [ad libitum continuous (ADLIB) feed vs. restricted 0.7 during 75 days followed by ad libitum feed (RESTR)] and slaughter endpoint (225 kg vs. 5 month) were studied. In experiment 2, ad libitum concentrate feeding [grain-fed (GF)] was compared with milk supplementation until slaughter [milk-fed (MF)] in calves slaughtered at 345 kg. As regards to milk intake, carcass weight and degree of fatness were higher in the ADLIB group (P<0.05). The RESTR group revealed a higher percentage of saturated fatty acids (P<0.05). In experiment 2, the MF group exhibited a higher fat percentage (P<0.05), lower press and cooking losses (P<0.05), and higher scores for tenderness and juiciness (P<0.05) than the GF group. The percentage of saturated fatty acids was higher in the MF group (P<0.05). The results suggest that true milk use in veal production could be an advantageous alternative in terms on production costs, animal performance, and carcass and meat quality.     

菇木年龄对香菇产量和营养成份含量的影响

用南酸枣、秃瓣杜英、马褂木、麻栎、锥栗、枫香、银荆等7个优良菇木树种的不同年龄树木木屑作为栽培基质，选用126香菇品种做供试菌株，通过香菇总产量、冬菇产量、香菇营养物质含量的对比试验，结果表明，这7种菇木林树种7年树龄木屑栽菇香菇的性能优于或不低于15年成年树龄，用南酸枣、秃瓣杜英、马褂木、麻栎、锥栗、枫香、银荆作为经营短轮伐期菇木林树种是可行的。     

壳寡糖与草莓细胞结合过程的研究

 壳寡糖是一类能有效的诱导植物抗病性的重要激发子。本研究用2 - 氨基吖啶酮(22AMAC)标记壳寡糖, 应用激光共聚焦显微成像技术, 研究了壳寡糖与草莓细胞结合过程。结果表明壳寡糖能通过草莓细胞壁与细胞膜结合, 在细胞壁和细胞膜上有其结合位点, 与壳寡糖的结合具有专一性。     

西宁地区鲜乳中微生物污染指标的检验

近年来．随着生活水平的提高．人们消费奶制品的结构有了很大变化．鲜乳需求不断增加．因其营养丰富．微生物极易在其中生长繁殖．引起牛奶变质和传播疾病．危害人体健康。西宁地区鲜乳消费以农户散养自产自销多见．为了反映这些市售鲜乳的卫生状况．笔者对市场散销的鲜乳进行了菌落总数、大肠菌群、芽孢总数、金黄色葡萄球菌等微生物污染指标的检验。     

First Established Pregnancies in Mediterranean Italian Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) Following Deposition of Sexed Spermatozoa near the Utero Tubal Junction

At the time of AI following Ovsynch protocol, a total of 51 buffaloes were randomly divided in a first group (n = 30) subjected to conventional AI into the uterine body with 20 million non-sex sorted frozen-thawed spermatozoa, while a second group (n = 21) was inseminated near the utero-tubal junction (UTJ) ipsilateral to the ovary carrying the preovulatory follicle with 2.5 million live (4 million total) sex-sorted frozen-thawed spermatozoa. The semen used for flowcytometric sorting was collected and processed on a farm in Italy, and then shipped to a laboratory in Germany. Eleven buffaloes were inseminated with X-chromosome bearing spermatozoa and 10 with Y-chromosome bearing spermatozoa. Conception rates after conventional and UTJ inseminations were 43.3% (n = 13) and 42.8% (n = 9) respectively (p = 0.97). Eight of the nine foetuses obtained after insemination with sexed spermatozoa corresponded to the sex as predicted by the cell sorting procedure (five male and four female foetuses by ultrasound vs six male and three female foetuses by cell sorting). In conclusion, for the first time buffalo semen has been successfully subjected to procedures for flowcytometric sperm sorting and freezing. Low doses of sexed spermatozoa have been deposited near the UTJ giving conception rates similar to those of conventional AI with full dose.