Detection of acid production from carbohydrates by Riemerella anatipestifer and related organisms using the buffered single substrate test

One hundred and twenty-one Riemerella anatipestifer field strains from wild birds, domesticated poultry and pigs were examined for their ability to produce acid from carbohydrates by using conventional biochemical and buffered single substrate (BSS) test methods. The type strains of the species R. anatipestifer and taxometrically related genera Chryseobacterium and Bergeyella were included in the study. In contrast to 10 indole-positive R. anatipestifer variant strains, only a few of the 111 typical indole-negative R. anatipestifer strains produced acid from dextrin (32%), glucose (17%), maltose (14%) and trehalose (5%) when the conventional test procedure was used. Using the BSS test all the field isolates and the type strain of R. anatipestifer produced acid from one or more carbohydrates, most of them from dextrin (96%), maltose (91%), glucose (87%), mannose (83%), less frequently from fructose (38%) and only in some cases from trehalose (19%). One hundred and six (87%) of the R. anatipestifer strains could be assigned to 8 biovars, based on the diversity of the carbohydrate acidification patterns. The remaining 16 R. anatipestifer isolates gave delayed reactions and displayed 13 different carbohydrate acidification profiles. The Chryseobacterium and Bergeyella type strains also produced acid from more carbohydrates when the BSS test was used. The BSS-carbohydrate acidification pattern of the Chryseobacterium indologenes strain was similar to that of R. anatipestifer biovar 3.     

加快石漠化地区草地植被恢复促进喀斯特地区生态环境建设

石漠化问题加剧了喀斯特地区的水土流失和旱涝等自然灾害,进一步加深了该地区贫困程度,越来越成为制约社会、经济和生态全面发展的桎梏.恢复喀斯特地区草地植被是解决喀斯特地区石漠化问题的根本出路和保护生态环境的最后屏障,可以在快速有效地减少水土流失的同时短期内大幅度增加农民收入,实现可持续发展.恢复石漠化地区草地植被,要在保护和合理利用现有草地资源的基础上, 与种植优质牧草、发展草地畜牧业相结合, 与推广沼气技术相结合, 与生态旅游相结合.要拓宽投融资渠道, 增加资金投入.     

Biotin-Streptavidin Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay for the Detection of Antibodies to Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli in Chickens

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed in a homologous system with bacterial ultrasonic-treated proteins as the antigen and antisera from chickens infected orally and subcutaneously with the strain Campylobacter jejuni serovar 6 (CJ 6). The cut-off level was determined using antisera from non-infected specific-pathogen-free chickens up to the age of 10 weeks. The suitability of the ELISA system was verified using antisera taken from chickens orally infected at the age of 4 weeks with CJ 1, 6, 28 or 36 or with Campylobacter coli serovar 28 (CC 28). The development of antibodies was monitored up to 6 weeks post-infection (p.i.). Sera from chickens infected with CJ 1, 6, 36 or CC 28 contained specific antibodies to Campylobacter, whereas in those infected with CJ 28 no specific antibodies were found. Distinct cross-reactions were observed between CJ 6, 28 and CC 28 antigens and their antisera 6 weeks p.i., while poor cross-reactions were found with antisera to CJ 1 and 28. Antibodies to strains of all heterologous serovars were successfully detected with an antigen pool comprised of CJ 1, 6 and 36 antigens. In 11 out of the 12 field sera obtained from 5- and 9-week-old broiler chickens suffering from campylobacteriosis, high specific antibody titres to Campylobacter jejuni were found.     

Field-scale spatial variability of saturated hydraulic conductivity on a recently constructed artificial ecosystem

Saturated hydraulic conductivity (K_s) influences water storage and movement, and is a key parameter of water and solute transport models. Systematic field evaluation of K_s and its spatial variability for recently constructed artificial ecosystems is still lacking. The objectives of the present study were; (1) to determine saturated hydraulic conductivity of an artificial ecosystem using field methods (Philip-Dunne, and Guelph permeameters), and compare their results to the constant-head laboratory method; (2) to evaluate the spatial variability of K_s using univariate and geostatistical analyses, and (3) to evaluate the ability of five pedotransfer functions to predict K_s. The results showed that K_s varied significantly (p < 0.05) among methods, probably reflecting differences in scales of measurement, flow geometry, assumptions in computation routines and inherent disturbances during sampling. Mean K_s values were very high for all methods (38.6-77.9 m day^− 1), exceeding values for natural sandy soils by several orders of magnitude. The high K_s values and low coefficients of variation (26-44%) were comparable to that of well-sorted unconsolidated marine sands. Geostatistical analysis revealed a spatial structure in surface K_s data described by a spherical model with a correlation range of 8 m. The resulting kriged map of surface K_s showed alternating bands of high and low values, consistent with surface structures created by wheel tracks of construction equipment. Vertical K_s was also spatially structured, with a short correlation range of 40 cm, presumably indicative of layering caused by post-construction mobilization and deposition of fine particles. K_s was linearly and negatively correlated with dry soil bulk density (ρ_b) (r² = 0.73), and to a lesser extent silt plus clay percentage (Si + C) (r² = 0.21). Combining both ρ_b and Si + C significantly (p < 0.05) improved the relationship and gave the best predictor of K_s (r² = 0.76). However, evaluation of five PTFs developed for natural soils showed that they all underestimated K_s by an order of magnitude, suggesting that application of water balance simulation models based on such PTFs to the present study site may constitute a bias in model outputs. Overall, the study demonstrated the influence of material handling, construction procedures and post-construction processes on the magnitude and spatial variability of K_s on a recently constructed artificial ecosystem. These unique hydraulic properties may have profound impacts on soil moisture storage, plant water relations and water balance fluxes on artificial ecosystems, particularly where such landforms are intended to restore pre-disturbance ecological and hydrological functions.     

Isolation and identification of Vibrio metschnicovii from domestic ducks and geese.

Seven Vibrio-like field strains of German origin were isolated culturally from diseased domesticated ducks, muscovy ducks and geese, and were compared with reference strains NCTC 8443 (type strain) and NCTC 11170 of Vibrio metschnicovii using classical phenotypic and chemotaxonomic tests. Some V. cholerae strains were included in the chemotaxonomic tests for comparative purposes. On the basis of the classical phenotypic characteristics studied and the numerical analysis of the whole-cell fatty acid patterns, the Vibrio-like field strains were identified as Vibrio metschnicovii. The identification tables and the database of the computer software of two commercial micro-identification kits (API-20 NE, ID-32 E) did not identify the field strains. Of the reference strains used, only NCTC 8443 was correctly identified by the ID-32 E software.     

Isolation and Identification of Vibrio metschnicovii from Domestic Ducks and Geese

Seven Vibrio-like field strains of German origin were isolated culturally from diseased domesticated ducks, muscovy ducks and geese, and were compared with reference strains NCTC 8443 (type strain) and NCTC 11170 of Vibrio metschnicovii using classical phenotypic and chemotaxonomic tests. Some V. cholerae strains were included in the chemotaxonomic tests for comparative purposes. On the basis of the classical phenotypic characteristics studied and the numerical analysis of the whole-cell fatty acid patterns, the Vibrio-like field strains were identified as Vibrio metschnicovii. The identification tables and the database of the computer software of two commercial micro-identification kits (API-20 NE, ID-32 E) did not identify the field strains. Of the reference strains used, only NCTC 8443 was correctly identified by the ID-32 E software.     

抗逆高羊茅新品种黔草1号的特征特性

介绍了抗逆高羊茅新品种黔草1号(Festuca arundinacea Schreb.cv.Qiancao No.1)的育种过程及其优良特性。在贵州省及四川、广西、新疆等地种植的种子平均产量比对照品种凌志和原始群体高出20%以上。返青期比引进品种凌志提前7天,枯黄期晚3天;是目前我国育成的自主知识产权优良抗逆草坪型新品种,是运动场草坪、环境绿化、生态治理和改良天然草场的理想草种之一。适宜我国长江中下游低山、丘陵等地区种植。     

Treatment of feline hyperthyroidism using orally administered radioiodine: a study of 40 consecutive cases

SUMMARY Forty cats with hyperthyroidism were treated using 200 to 300 (typically 250) mBq of orally administered ¹³¹I. Thirty-six cases (90%) were successfully treated, as assessed by resolution of clinical signs and reduction In plasma thyroxine concentrations to normal or reduced values after treatment. Although higher doses of ¹³¹I appear to be required when the radioisotope is administered orally rather than Intravenously, a less stressful administration procedure and greater availability of therapy capsules offer useful advantages for treating thyrotoxic cats.     

Metaphyseal osteomyelitis in an immature Abyssinian cat

Metaphyseal osteomyelitis is a rarely described condition in small animals, especially the cat. Infection, most commonly Staphylococcus sp, is considered to occur in the metaphyseal region of the immature animal due to vascular anomalies that predispose to the haematogenous seeding of bacteria in this area. There is also speculation that the characteristics of the bacteria that allow them to adhere to cartilage matrix, rather than vascular linings and erythrocytes, may provide an advantage for colonisation in the metaphysis, resulting in infection. This case describes the successful management of a case of distal radial metaphyseal osteomyelitis in an immature cat using surgical intervention and antibacterial therapy.