Purkinje cell apoptosis in arabian horses with cerebellar abiotrophy

Purkinje cerebellar cells were studied in three Arabian horses aged between 6 and 8 months with clinical disorders in their movements, tremors and ataxia; the occurrence of apoptosis in this cell population was investigated by the (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase biotin-dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL) method. Both optical and electron microscopical images showed a scant number of Purkinje cells, most of them with morphological features of apoptosis such as condensation of the nucleus and cytoplasm as well as segregation and fragmentation of the nucleus into apoptotic bodies. The TUNEL technique revealed a substantial number (65%) of positive immunoreactive Purkinje cells.     

Dermal microdialysis in the dog: in vivo assessment of the effect of cyclosporin A on cutaneous histamine and prostaglandin D2 release

Dermal microdialysis, a relatively noninvasive technique, allows investigation of the changes in cellular mediators released during cutaneous allergic responses. This technique was used to evaluate the effect of cyclosporin A, an immunosuppressive drug used for treatment of canine atopic dermatitis, on the cutaneous release of two pro-inflammatory mediators following intradermal allergen challenge. Four beagle dogs spontaneously sensitized to Ascaris suum were treated for 1 month with oral cyclosporin A. At days 0, 15 and 30 of the treatment, dialysis probes were inserted into the skin of the back, and 20 microL of A. suum antigen was injected intradermally at each site. At timed intervals, dialysate was collected and assayed for histamine and prostaglandin D(2) and the wheal area was measured. Mean histamine concentration and wheal area were significantly lower at days 15 and 30 of treatment, compared with day 0. However, prostaglandin D(2) concentration was not significantly reduced. The inhibition in histamine release after intradermal challenge, by cyclosporin, confirms its anti-inflammatory action in the dog. Dermal microdialysis provides a useful tool for investigating canine allergic reactions and their modulation by drugs.     

Septicaemia secondary to infection by Corynebacterium macginleyi in an Indian python (Python molurus)

A seven-year-old female Indian python (Python molurus) weighing about 35kg was euthanased after several clinical episodes of stomatitis, pneumonia, ophthalmitis and dystocia over a period of four years. The animal had been maintained in a terrarium in a circus truck at an adequate temperature. During shows, however, the snake was considered to be exposed to stressful conditions for several hours at a time at low temperatures and with noise and bright lights. A post-mortem examination indicated ulcerative stomatitis, osteomyelitis, severe pneumonia and numerous granulomata and multifocal necrosis in stomach and spleen. Corynebacterium macginleyi was isolated in pure culture from the ulcerative stomatitis, and mixed with Stenotrophomonas maltophilia from the lungs and spleen. The findings indicated that the snake had died from a septicaemic process caused by C. macginleyi, probably originating from the stomatitis. The role of S. maltophilia as a secondary agent is discussed. The stress of the circus show and poor husbandry may have predisposed the animal to infection and septicaemia. This is the first report of C. macginleyi causing disease in a snake.     

Pathomorphological and immunohistochemical study of selected markers of tumour cell proliferation in equine sarcoids

The purpose of the study was a pathomorphological and immunohistochemical analysis of tumour cells and connective tissue in equine sarcoids. Investigations were performed using histopathological, ultrastructural, immunohistochemical (PCNA, p53, cytokeratin, vimentin) and histochemical (Ag-NORs) methods. The study was conducted on 50 sarcoids originating from 36 horses and classified as occult, verrucous, fibroblastic and a mixed type of sarcoid based on their clinical appearance. Most of the tumours were located on the girth (30%), neck (24%), head (12%), and legs (12%). The average age of the horses at the first clinical examination was 5.7 years. The sarcoids occurred on the skin of mares (61%), geldings (31%) and stallions (8%), the predominant was Wielkopolska breed (41%) and mixed breeds with Wielkopolska breed (41%). The predominant colour was bay (80%). The data showed that the presence of characteristic, microscopic features was variable but it was not consistent enough to allow differentiation of the clinical types based on histopathology. PCNA expression was not characteristic for the clinical type of sarcoid but it appeared to be a useful tool for the determination of the biological activity of the tumour and the probability of its recurrence. No relationship was found between AgNORs and cell proliferation. The study demonstrated the presence of p53 positive cells in the epidermal and fibroblastic portions. Numerous p53-positive cells were observed in the sarcoids and tended to recurrence. The staining for cytokeratin and vimentin makes the diagnosis of tumour easier. The immunohistochemical studies of PCNA, and p53 are of great significance to the prognosis.     

Unraveling the life history of successful invaders

Despite considerable current interest in biological invasions, the common life-history characteristics of successful invaders remain elusive. The widely held hypothesis that successful invaders have high reproductive rates has received little empirical support; however, alternative possibilities are seldom considered. Combining a global comparative analysis of avian introductions (>2700 events) with demographic models and phylogenetic comparative methods, we show that although rapid population growth may be advantageous during invasions under certain circumstances, more generally successful invaders are characterized by life-history strategies in which they give priority to future rather than current reproduction. High future breeding expectations reduce the costs of reproductive failure under uncertain conditions and increase opportunities to explore the environment and respond to novel ecological pressures.     

野菜新品种桂特一号大叶菊花菜的种植

【目的】明确桂特一号大叶菊花菜的替代优势,以更新品种,筛选出更适合广西南宁市及周边地区种植的食苗菊优良品种。【方法】以大叶菊花脑为对照品种,通过栽培试验,对桂特一号大叶菊花菜和大叶菊花脑的形态指标、产量性状等进行比较。【结果】桂特一号大叶菊花菜的单枝商品嫩茎重平均为4.48 g,比对照重1.20 g,达极显著水平;其年产量为64245.5 kg/ha,比对照增产89.3%,达极显著水平;桂特一号大叶菊花菜的蛋白质、维生素、黄酮类物质含量均高于对照,而纤维素含量比对照低2.31%。【结论】桂特一号大叶菊花菜具有采收时间长、产量高、品质好等特点,是值得推广种植的保健蔬菜新品种。     

杂交紫长茄瑞丰3号优化栽培模式研究

【目的】研究不同施肥措施及栽培密度对茄子新品种瑞丰3号产量的影响,为瑞丰3号紫长茄高产栽培提供科学参考。【方法】采用“416-B”最优混合设计,探讨种植密度和氮、钾、磷肥施用量与瑞丰3号紫长茄产量、利润及产投比的关系,并建立三元二次回归模型,分析各因子对产量形成的影响及相互作用效应。【结果】4个因素对茄子产量影响的顺序依次为氮肥>钾肥>种植密度>磷肥,说明氮肥和钾肥施用量是制约紫长茄产量的主导因素。【结论】在该试验条件下,其最佳栽培措施是：施氮量297.33 kg/ha, 施钾量371.44 kg/ha,施磷量95.68 kg/ha,种植密度36908株/ha,紫长茄最优产量为100937.7±13239.5 kg/ha。     

杧果短截结果母枝玉米素核苷含量的动态变化

【目的】测定杧果花芽分化期间结果母枝各器官内玉米素核苷（ZR）含量,探索ZR在杧果花芽分化中的作用。【方法】利用杧果花枝短截后剪口芽在当年还能再次花芽分化并开花结果的现象,应用酶联免疫吸附分析方法（ELISA）定期测定剪口叶、附近韧皮部及芽内ZR含量。【结果】短截结果母枝后,剪口叶、附近韧皮部和剪口芽内ZR含量分别于2月25、20日和3月2日降至最低,为1.73、1.52、2.0 μg·g-1FW;叶片、韧皮部及剪口芽于3月12日达最大值,为6.39、8.47、10.32 μg·g-1FW。2月25日剪口芽芽眼中心颜色逐渐呈蜡黄,并向芽体四周扩散;3月2～7日,芽体逐渐膨大,蜡黄色加深,芽眼呈半透明状;3月7日后绿色逐渐增加,半透明状消失。【结论】ZR在杧果花芽分化的不同阶段具有不同作用。花芽分化临界期前,ZR含量低,生长点细胞活性下降,有利于杧果植株从叶芽生理状态转化为花芽生理状态;花芽临界期后,相对高的ZR含量有利于杧果植株生长点进行花芽分化。     

5种生物农药对稻纵卷叶螟的防治效果

【目的】明确乙基多杀霉素SC、苏云金杆菌SC、阿维菌素WDG、甲氨基阿维菌素苯甲酸盐EW、球孢白僵菌WDG 5种生物杀虫剂对稻纵卷叶螟的防治效果,筛选出可替代化学农药防治稻纵卷叶螟的生物农药。【方法】供试药剂设高、中、低3个剂量,与常用化学农药推荐剂量及空白处理进行比较。【结果】药后12 d,6%乙基多杀霉素对稻纵卷叶螟的防治效果为97.45%~98.89%,8000 IU/μL苏云金杆菌的防治效果为81.31%~91.68%,10%阿维菌素的防治效果为77.27%~90.61%,2%甲氨基阿维菌素苯甲酸盐的防治效果为79.62%~89.21%,400亿孢子/g球孢白僵菌的防治效果为75.62%~86.54%。【结论】乙基多杀霉素等5种生物农药对稻纵卷叶螟的防治效果与化学农药相当,甚至更高,可替代化学农药用于防治稻纵卷叶螟,建议在生产上推广应用。     

Farm and socio-economic characteristics of smallholder milk producers and their influence on technology adoption in Central Mexico

In order to identify the factors influencing adoption of technologies promoted by government to small-scale dairy farmers in the highlands of central Mexico, a field survey was conducted. A total of 115 farmers were grouped through cluster analysis (CA) and divided into three wealth status categories (high, medium and low) using wealth ranking. Chi-square analysis was used to examine the association of wealth status with technology adoption. Four groups of farms were differentiated in terms of farms' dimensions, farmers' education, sources of incomes, wealth status, management of herd, monetary support by government and technological availability. Statistical differences (p < 0.05) were observed in the milk yield per herd per year among groups. Government organizations (GO) participated little in the promotion of the 17 technologies identified, six of which focused on crop or forage production and 11 of which were related to animal husbandry. Relatives and other farmers played an important role in knowledge diffusion and technology adoption. Although wealth status had a significant association (p < 0.05) with adoption, other factors including importance of the technology to farmers, usefulness and productive benefits of innovations together with farmers' knowledge of them, were important. It is concluded that the analysis of the information per group and wealth status was useful to identify suitable crop or forage related and animal husbandry technologies per group and wealth status of farmers. Therefore the characterizations of farmers could provide a useful starting point for the design and delivery of more appropriate and effective extension.