Analysis of rice blast resistance gene <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pi</Emphasis>-<Emphasis Type="Italic">z</Emphasis> in rice germplasm using pathogenicity assays and DNA markers

The Pi-z gene in rice confers resistance to a wide range of races of the rice blast fungus, Magnaporthe oryzae. The objective of this study was to characterize Pi-z in 111 rice germplasm accessions using DNA markers and pathogenicity assays. The existence of Pi-z in rice germplasm was detected by using four simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers (RM527, AP4791, AP5659-1, AP5659-5) closely linked to Pi-z, and was verified using pathogenicity assays with an avirulent strain (IE1k) and two virulent races (IB33 and IB49). Among 111 germplasm accessions evaluated, 73 were found to contain the Pi-z gene using both SSR markers and pathogenicity assays. The remaining 38 germplasm accessions were found to be inconsistent in their responses to the blast races IB33, IEIk and IB49 with expected SSR marker alleles, suggesting the presence of unexpected SSR alleles and additional R gene(s). These characterized germplasm can be used for genetic studies and marker-assisted breeding for improving blast resistance in rice.     

Assessing the Impacts of Time-to-Detection Distribution Assumptions on Detection Probability Estimation

Abundance estimates from animal point-count surveys require accurate estimates of detection probabilities. The standard model for estimating detection from removal-sampled point-count surveys assumes that organisms at a survey site are detected at a constant rate; however, this assumption can often lead to biased estimates. We consider a class of N-mixture models that allows for detection heterogeneity over time through a flexibly defined time-to-detection distribution (TTDD) and allows for fixed and random effects for both abundance and detection. Our model is thus a combination of survival time-to-event analysis with unknown-N, unknown-p abundance estimation. We specifically explore two-parameter families of TTDDs, e.g., gamma, that can additionally include a mixture component to model increased probability of detection in the initial observation period. Based on simulation analyses, we find that modeling a TTDD by using a two-parameter family is necessary when data have a chance of arising from a distribution of this nature. In addition, models with a mixture component can outperform non-mixture models even when the truth is non-mixture. Finally, we analyze an Ovenbird data set from the Chippewa National Forest using mixed effect models for both abundance and detection. We demonstrate that the effects of explanatory variables on abundance and detection are consistent across mixture TTDDs but that flexible TTDDs result in lower estimated probabilities of detection and therefore higher estimates of abundance.Supplementary materials accompanying this paper appear on-line.     

我国大中型水库渔业发展与多功能协调研究

我国水库丰富的水资源、生物资源和较高的生产力,为渔业发展提供了很好的基础.鱼类在水库生态系统中具有重要作用,水库渔业不仅提供优质蛋白质来源,而且还改善水质.发展我国大中型水库渔业有3种模式：①依水库功能定位,有效利用环境协调性模式;②依水质管理目标,科学发展网箱养殖模式;③依生态景观特色,大力发展休闲渔业模式.同时,水库渔业发展应遵循“加强水质动态监测,利用水动力学特性和生物操纵调控水质,与其他功能相协调,大库鱼类增殖与网箱养鱼相协调”的生态管理对策.     

Aflatoxin B<Subscript>1</Subscript> (AFB<Subscript>1</Subscript>) reduces growth performance,physiological response,and disease resistance in Tra catfish (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pangasius hypophthalmus</Emphasis>)

Triplicate groups of one hundred Tra catfish (8 g?±?0.2) were fed seven test diets containing increasing levels of AFB₁ (0, 50, 100, 250, 500, and 1000 μg AFB₁ kg^?1). Additionally Mycofix® Secure was added at 1.5% to one diet containing 500 μg AFB₁ kg^?1. Results showed that Tra catfish are sensitive to AFB₁. Reduction in weight gain (P?<?0.05) was observed for fish fed 50 μg AFB₁ kg^?1 and declined further with increasing levels of AFB₁ in the diets. Fish fed diets contaminated with 500 and 1000 μg AFB₁ kg^?1 showed increased (P?>?0.05) hepatosomatic index (HIS), while an increase in adipose somatic index (ASI) was observed in fish fed 50 μg AFB₁ kg^?1 and above when compared to the control and Mycofix® diets. After 12 weeks, blood serum analysis revealed higher alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels in fish fed the 50, 100, and 250 μg AFB₁ kg^?1 suggesting occurrence of liver damage. Disease resistance of fish exposed to Edwardsiella ictaluri was also compromised by the presence of AFB₁ in the feed and was directly related to the contamination level. Seven days after Edwardsiella ictaluri exposure, survival rates were 50, 41.7, 31.7, and 8.3% for fish fed control, 50, 100, and 250 μg AFB₁ kg^?1, respectively. This trial shows that AFB₁ at a level of 50 μg AFB₁ kg^?1 and above can affect fish performance and disease resistance. Application of an effective mycotoxin management in the feed seems to be useful to prevent the negative effects of AFB₁.     

Limited awareness of animal influenza prevention and control among Dai Lue smallholder farmers in Southwest China

Awareness of animal influenza and its prevention and control is important for ensuring livestock health, production and welfare. In China, a country stereotyped as a major source of emerging zoonotic infectious diseases, research on the public understanding of animal influenza is limited to the Han, the main ethnic group. The present qualitative study in Southwest China investigated awareness of animal influenza among the Dai, an ethnic minority. The participants (15 men and 10 women, ages 18–83) were smallholder farmers of pigs and poultry in rural areas of Jinghong, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province. A mixture of interviews and group discussions took place in homes and villages. The participants were asked about their knowledge of avian influenza (H7N9), swine influenza (H1N1), precautions taken to protect against influenza, procedures when animals were sick and perceived risk of animal influenza. The data were analysed following coding and thematic analysis. The findings demonstrated a limited understanding of animal health and welfare among participants. Specifically, they were largely unaware of animal influenza (H7N9, H1N1) including its causes, symptoms, prevention and treatment. The farmers were also uninformed of the risks they faced and unknowingly engaged in behaviours which increased direct or indirect exposure to infected animals, a risk factor for human infection. They also reported poor usage of veterinary services. In order to guarantee the health, welfare and production of their livestock, immediate action is needed to enable Dai smallholder farmers to prevent and respond to animal influenza effectively and timely.     

荷斯坦牛抗热应激候选基因S441的检测

本试验以S441为奶牛假定抗热应激候选基因。在核心母牛场湖南省奶牛原种场测定不同世代的种母牛213头,在核心公牛场湖南省种公牛站,以及北京、上海、南京、安徽等地测定种公牛46头,共检测出具有S441基因的母牛27头,检出率为12．7％（27／213）,公牛15头,检出率为32．6％（15／46）。在湖南省奶牛原种场,有、无抗热应激候选基因的母牛在热应激期间的产奶量分别为1736．75kg和1528．63kg,产奶量下降率分别为3．51％和22．56％,产奶量差异不显著（P〉0．05）,但产奶量下降率差异显著（P〈0．05）,基本肯定该基因为抗热应激候选基因。     

Temporal-spatial epidemiology of foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks in Mongolia, 2000 – 2002

Prior to 2000, foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) had not been observed in Mongolia since 1973; however, between April 2000 and July 2002, Mongolia reported 44 FMD outbreaks that affected cattle, sheep, goats, and camels. The objectives of this study were to describe the distributions of the 44 reported FMD outbreaks in Mongolia and to assess their spatial clustering and directions of movement. Official reports were collected to obtain the number and species of animals both affected and at risk, and the date and geographical coordinates of each outbreak. Significant global and local spatial clusters of reported FMD outbreaks were identified. Disease spread during the second epidemic moved 76° northeast and the spread of the disease during the third epidemic moved 110° northwest. FMD outbreaks were clustered intensely close to other FMD-positive counties. These findings can be used in the future to help plan prevention and control measures in high risk areas.     

德菲尔法构建重大动物疫病预警指标体系

[目的 ]构建重大动物疫病暴发流行预警指标体系。[方法 ]以禽流感和口蹄疫为例,采用文献调研法和德菲尔专家咨询法中的专家会议法初拟重大动物疫病预警体系的框架和指标;应用德菲尔专家咨询法评价预警指标的重要性、可操作性;应用组合权重法比较各指标综合影响的大小,并将指标分类。[结果 ]筛选出禽流感和口蹄疫预警预报一级指标6项(易感动物、饲养管理和免疫情况等)以及二级指标14项(免疫效果、环境消毒、温度等),并将指标分为三类(关键指标、重要指标和一般指标)。[结论 ]初步构建了重大动物疫病暴发流行预警指标体系。     

规模化猪场疫病传入的外部风险因素指标体系的初探

据实际调查,运用层次分析法,将疫病传入的各外界风险因素指标划分为目标层、准则层和分准则层三个层次。采用EXCEL软件进行数据统计,依次编辑各层次结构模型,构建各层次的判断矩阵和一致性检验。结果表明：猪场的管理措施、生物安全、场址是疫病传入的主要风险因素。据此确立了I级指标和II级指标,从而构建疫病传入的风险因素指标体系。