Enzootic abortion in a goat herd, caused by mixed infection with Coxiella burnetii and Chlamydia psittaci. Case report]

We report on an outbreak of enzootic abortion in a herd of goats with high losses caused by mixed infection with Coxiella burnetii and Chlamydia psittaci. Both agents could be detected by microscopic investigation of smears from afterbirths by Giménez staining and by a capture enzyme-linked immunofluorescence assay (Capture ELIFA). Additionally, Coxiella burnetii was isolated from the same tissues in BGM cell cultures. Serological investigations with CF, indirect ELIFA, and IF tests revealed high antibody titers against both agents in most animals. Coxiella antigen was still detected 91 days later in milk samples of two infected goats by Capture ELIFA.     

Differential effects of heparin on NO and tumor necrosis factor-alpha production in bovine blood mononuclear cells stimulated with Salmonella typhimurium lipopolisaccharide.

We investigated the influence of heparin, one of the extracellular matrix (ECM) components, on nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production by bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and monocytes left to adhere for 2 (freshly adherent monocytes) and 48 h (resting monocytes), activated with Salmonella typhimurium lipopolysaccharide (LPS). After 24-h stimulation with LPS, heparin (100 microg/ml) increased (by about 40%) NO production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells and by freshly adherent monocytes. However, it did not change NO synthesis by the resting monocytes. Unlike its influence on NO level, heparin diminished TNF-alpha production by PBMC and monocytes stimulated with LPS. Microscopical examination of PBMC stained with biotin-labeled heparin, showed that both lymphocytes and monocytes were able to bind this glycosaminoglycan. We suggest that heparin, as a component of ECM, modulates the early response of monocytes to exogenous stimuli.     

超级稻“三定”栽培法研究Ⅲ．不同栽培方式对超级杂交稻产量形成的影响

超级杂交稻的优化(稀植、结构施肥)栽培试验于2002-2004年在长沙进行,以比较不同栽培方法对超级杂交稻产量及物质生产的影响。以两优培九为材料,并以汕优63作为对照。结果表明,两种栽培法,两个供试品种的产量表现不同,其中两优培九采用优化栽培单产为8.20～10.37t/hm2,比传统栽培增产显著。主要表现为有效穗多,而结实率、千粒重、穗实粒等产量因子差异不明显。汕优63采用优化栽培单产比传统栽培减产0.37%～8.8%。两种栽培方法间的茎蘖发生动态和单株分蘖数存在极显著差异,两组合单株分蘖数优化栽培比传统栽培分别多110.36%和110.64%,但由于移栽密度不同,两种栽培方式间的单位面积分蘖数没有明显差异。两优培九采用优化栽培的在各个生育时期,植株体内的含氮量比传统栽培的高。     

^60Co—γ射线对玉米当代（Mo）染色体断裂规律的分析

~(60)Co-γ射线辐射玉米干种子对影响当代(Mo)染色体断裂的研究表明,断裂频率以1号和具随体的6号染色体最高,7、9和10号染色体很低,且基本不受辐射剂量大小的影响。染色体断裂数量与染色体长度无显著相关。断裂常发生在异染色质与常染色质的结合处.     

Determination of sulfamethazine and trimethoprim in liquid feed premixes by HPLC and diode array detection, with an analysis of the uncertainty of the analytical results.

Sulfamethazine (SMZ) and trimethoprim (TMP) are antibacterials used in veterinary practice. This paper describes a method for their determination in veterinary liquid feed premixes that is based on liquid chromatography with diode array detection. Gradient elution with methanol and ammonium acetate achieved excellent separation of the two analytes within 15 min without any interference from the matrix. Absorbance of the column effluent was monitored at 264 nm for SMZ and at 230 nm for TMP. Detailed analyses of the uncertainties of determinations afford estimated expanded uncertainties of, respectively, 0.2 and 0.1 w/v % for typical SMZ and TMP concentrations of 10.7 and 2.1 w/v %, respectively. At the lower end of the calibrated range of the method, the dominant source of uncertainty is the preparation of standards and the construction of the calibration line.     

Laboratory-based surveillance of salmonellosis of humans in Germany--safety of Salmonella typhimurium and Salmonella enteritidis live vaccines]

The Paul Ehrlich Institute, Langen, in Germany has been licensed different live vaccines of S. Typhimurium and S. Enteritidis for use in the veterinary medicine since I the 90s. The Robert Koch Institute has established a lab-based surveillance system for these live vaccine strains for an evaluation of recent public health safety. Since 2000 all strains of S. Typhimurium and S. Enteritidis from humans were investigated in respect to their phage types and other vaccine markers. 3676 S. Typhimurium strains and 4489 S. Enteritidis strains mainly from Salmonellose patients were investigated after phage typing according to their auxotrophic or antibiotic resistance markers. The live vaccine strains of Zoosaloral, TAD Salmonella vacT or TAD Salmonella vacE and Salmovac SE could not be found from infections in humans.     

The effect of eradication of lice on the occurrence of the grain defect light flecks and spots on cattle hides.

The influence of an eradication programme for lice on the prevalence of light flecks and spots on cattle hides was studied in 33 dairy cattle herds during a period of two and a half years. Lice were eradicated from the main group of herds after 9 to 12 months and the quality of the hides before and after treatment was compared. Hides from slaughtered animals were collected during the study period, tanned and examined with special emphasis on the occurrence of the grain damage light flecks and spots. The prevalence of hides without light flecks and spots increased from 24.2% before treatment to 61.6% after treatment. The prevalence of hides free from the damage increased significantly in all examined anatomical regions. The improvement in hide quality was most marked in the shoulders and neck region which corresponded to the major predilection site of cattle lice. The prevalence of hides with light flecks and spots started to decrease in the first period (2-40 days) after eradication. The changes after treatment suggested that most healing process took place over a period of about 4 months. The eradication programme eliminated the seasonal variation in the prevalence of light flecks and spots which was present before treatment.     

Approaches for Preventing the Male Sterllity Fluctuation of Photo-thermo-sensitive Genic Male Sterile Lines in Rice

The male sterility fluctuation of photo-thermo-sensitive genic ma1e sterile〔P(T) GMS〕lines induced by low air temperature is a key problem troubling the application of two-line system hybrid rice. The paper suggests to solve this problem by the breeding approeches, i.e, developing low sterile critical temperature P(T)GMS lines, herbicie resistant restorer lines, herbicide sensitive P(T)GMS lines and tetracycline-conditioned P(T)GMS lines to ensure the hybrid purity; and by the hybrid seed production techniques, i.e, taking the correct procedure of foundation seed production, the suitable district and season for hybrid seed production and the deep irrigation method against cold weather in high summer.     

Effect of concentrate crude protein level on grass silage intake, milk yield and nutrient utilisation by dairy cows in early lactation.

Twenty-one multiparous dairy cows were fed concentrates containing three levels (119, 154 and 191 g/kg DM) of crude protein (CP) during the first ten weeks of lactation. Part of the grain and molassed sugar beat pulp was substituted with 0% (RSM0), 15% (RSM15) or 30% (RSM30) repeseed meal. Wilted grass silage was fed ad libitum after calving. The average response between RSM0 and RSM15 was +1.66 kg milk/d per percentage unit change in concentrate CP content. No further response occurred between RSM15 and RSM30. The positive effect of RSM inclusion was seen throughout the experimental period and was associated with increased plasma non esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and decreased plasma insulin concentration one week after calving, and higher efficiency of metabolisable energy utilisation for milk production. Digestibility of the diet remained unaffected. Milk and plasma urea tended to increase with RSM30 indicating excessive supply of rumen degradable protein. Because of the limited potential of cows to compensate for a deficit in feed protein supply by mobilising tissue protein, a substantial milk yield response can be achieved with a moderate level of protein supplementation during early lactation.