Catarrhal proventriculitis associated with a filamentous organism in pet birds.

Catarrhal proventriculitis due to infection by an unidentified organism was diagnosed in 79 of 534 pet birds examined histologically. It was more prevalent in domestic birds (70 cases) than in imported ones (9 cases). A high incidence of the disease was encountered in budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) and it was occasionally found in finches (Poephila gouldiae gouldiae), parakeets (Psittacula Krameri manillensis), Amazona parrots (Amazona aestiva aestiva) and cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus). The agent was a large filamentous rod, and was stained positively with Gram, GMS and PAS methods. Histologically, it induced a mild to moderate exudative or proliferative inflammation in the proventriculus. All the cases had an erosion in the gizzard. Ultrastructurally, the organism had a eukaryotic nucleus and three cell-wall layers. Concurrent infections were very common, including adenoviruses (37 cases), giardiasis (31 cases), candidiasis (13 cases), papovaviruses (11 cases) and knemidocoptic mites (11 cases).     

Simple continuous and simultaneous determination of tetracycline residues

A new continuous separation method was developed for the determination of five different tetracyclines (oxytetracycline, tetracycline, chlortetracycline, methacycline and doxycycline). A bioassay using minimum medium (mm) seeded with Bacillus subtilisatcc 6633 was carried out for the detection, with simple extraction from the agar block of the clear inhibition zone on the MM produced by the mixed tetracyclines. The extract was subjected to continuous identification by high performance liquid chromatography using a μ-Bondapack C₁₈ column. The tetracyclines were separated at ambient temperature using a mobile phase of 0·01 M oxalic acid: acetonitrile: N,N-dimethylformamide (74:18:8, v/v/v) at a flow rate of 1·0 ml min⁻¹. A variable-wavelength detector set at 355 nm and recorder set at 4 mm min⁻¹ were used for the detection. The entire mixture was resolved as five peaks with retention times ranging from 2·75 to 9·65 minutes. This continuous, simple and rapid method of detection, extraction and identification may be useful for routine laboratory testing of residual antimicrobial agents in food.     

Reduction of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) infection in swine alveolar macrophages by porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2)-induced interferon-alpha

Two common viral pathogens of swine, namely, porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), were investigated in regard to their effects on monolayer cultures of swine alveolar macrophages (AMs). The purpose was to identify selected cellular changes and responses potentially associated with the clinical reactions of pigs infected with either or both of these viruses. Measurements included the (1) absolute and relative numbers of infected, viable, and apoptotic cells; (2) distribution of viral antigens; (3) levels of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) produced and their association with the extent of virus-induced cytopathology. Four groups of AMs were studied, including mock-infected, PCV2 alone-infected (PCV2-A), PRRSV alone-infected (PRRSV-A), and PCV2 and PRRSV dually infected (PCV2/PRRSV) groups. The AMs of PCV2-A group had high antigen-containing rate without cell death. There was a marked increase in cell death and apoptosis in PRRSV-A group. However, a lower PRRSV-induced infectious rate, cell death, and apoptosis were seen in PCV2/PRRSV group. High levels of IFN-alpha production were detected in PCV2-infected groups, but not in mock-infected and PRRSV-A groups. The PRRSV-induced cytopathic effect (CPE) on MARC-145 cells or swine AMs was markedly reduced by pre-incubation of the cells with UV-treated or non-UV-treated supernatants of PCV2-infected AMs. In addition, the reduction in CPE was abolished when the supernatants of PCV2-infected AMs were pre-treated with a mouse anti-recombinant porcine IFN-alpha antibody. The results suggest that swine AMs were an important reservoir of PCV2; PCV2 infection reduced PRRSV infection and PRRSV-associated CPE in PCV2/PRRSV AMs; the reduction of PRRSV infection in AMs was mediated by IFN-alpha generated by PCV2 infection. The reduced PRRSV-associated CPE in AMs and increased pro-inflammatory cytokine production may lead to a more severe pneumonic lesion in those dually infected pigs.     

Antigenic and genotypical characterization of Newcastle disease viruses isolated in Taiwan between 1969 and 1996

Three major epidemics of Newcastle disease (ND) occurred in Taiwan over the past three decades (in 1969, 1984, and 1995). In order to gain a better understanding of the relationships between past ND epizootics in Taiwan, 36 ND viruses (NDVs) isolated between 1969 and 1996 were characterized antigenically and genotypically. The antigenicity of these viruses was analysed by their ability to cause binding of mouse monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to cell cultures infected with the isolate. Using a panel of 22 mAbs to divide NDVs into subgroups, a total of 18 binding patterns were revealed. The sequences covering the cleavage site of the fusion protein gene of these isolates were also determined. The results of the phylogenetic analysis placed 36 NDVs into I, II, VIb, VIIa, VIII and two novel genotypes (provisionally termed X and VIh). The 1969 velogenic isolates were of genotypes X and VIh; the 1984-1985 velogenic isolates were genotyped VIb, VIh, VIIa, and X; while the 1995-1996 velogenic isolates were genotyped VIIa or VIII. Some 1969 and 1984 velogenic isolates were of the same mAbs binding pattern and genotype, and the mAbs binding patterns of the 1995-1996 isolates have not been seen before. It is concluded that velogenic NDVs of different genotype and antigenic type have co-circulated in Taiwan at least since 1969. Also there were epizootiological links between strains isolated in 1969 and 1984, whereas the 1995-1996 epidemic was caused by new antigenic variants.     

穗期玉米螟为害对夏玉米产量损失影响初报

以人工接卵方法研究夏玉米小黄品种乳熟到完熟阶段玉米螟幼虫数量与产量的相关,得知虫口密度与产量损失呈直线相关。单株每增加幼虫1头,百株产量损失0.17斤,损失百分率为0.89%,影响极小。如按每亩2300株计,在上述玉米生育阶段内无虫时的产量436斤,单株平均有虫1头时,每亩损失约4斤。作者初步认为:北京地区夏玉米使用颗粒剂一次防治螟害,在玉米较早生育期(如心叶末期或开花授粉期)施药,效果应优于在卵高峯前后施药。     

Digital innovation for promoting knowledge of paddy functions

The purpose of this paper is to launch a new platform for advocating three functions of paddies including economics, society and environment through the cross-field integration of the agricultural hydrology, information technology and children’s picture book, which is novel. We translate literatures of paddy agriculture to popular content. Scientific visualization is applied to develop digital value-added content for enhancing effects according to computer graphics technologies. For developing the Internet channel, we take web-based architecture coupled with Java3D and Flash visualization as the main solution for engaging attention of virtual communities. With a web browser, we present paddy knowledge that is based on the above-mentioned popular content related to three functions of rice paddies. Furthermore, for the general public, the tiled display wall is employed to build up a fixed-site channel. In this paper, the demonstration of promoting interest in paddy fields has been established. Through exploring this digital paddy, not only children could be encouraged to learn, but also the public could accumulate the knowledge related to paddy agriculture.     

Geomorphological and paleoclimatic implications of soil development from siliceous materials on the coral-reef terraces of Liuchiu Island in southern Taiwan

Liuchiu Island is an uplifted coral-reef island located off southwestern Taiwan. A total of four soil pedons, labeled as LC-1 and LC-2 from the Holocene terraces and LC-3 and LC-4 from the Pleistocene terraces, were sampled on the island for this work. These soils were siliceous, and were characterized by enrichment of clay and free iron (Fe_d). According to Soil Taxonomy, pedons LC-3 and LC-4 were classified as Paleudults and pedons LC-1 and LC-2 were Dystrudepts. The soil properties showed progressive changes from pedon LC-1 to pedon LC-4 in morphology, physical and chemical properties, and clay mineralogy. The contents of total Fe and dithionite-citrate-bicarbonate extractable Fe were significantly higher in pedons LC-3 and LC-4 with high weathering degree than in pedons of LC-1 and LC-2 with less weathering degree. Enrichment of kaolinite and gibbsite in pedons LC-3 and LC-4 also suggested high chemical weathering degree of the soils. The estimated soil ages for all studied pedons were consistent with their degrees in pedogenesis, where pedons LC-3 and LC-4 were located at older terraces and pedons LC-1 and LC-2 were located at younger terraces. Namely, it complied with the geologic interpretation of the continuous and simultaneous uplift and tilt of the island over time. Instead of the in situ weathering from the underlying coral reef limestone, all soils developed from siliceous parent materials deposited onto the surfaces. The SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratios of soils indicated a component of loess may have been incorporated from continental China as part of the parent material, which confirmed a climate change of strong monsoons or severe dust storms occurred before the Holocene. However, soil development increased by the subsequent warm and humid climates of the interglacial stage over time.