Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in mainland and sub-Antarctic New Zealand sea lion (Phocarctos hookeri) populations

AIMS: To investigate the seroprevalence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in New Zealand sea lions (Phocarctos hookeri), as a potential contributor to reproductive failure.

METHODS: Archived sera were sourced from New Zealand sea lions from two recolonising mainland populations in the Otago Peninsula (n=15) and Stewart Island (n=12), as well as a declining population at Enderby Island (n=28) in the New Zealand sub-Antarctic. Sera were tested for antibodies to T. gondii using a commercially available ELISA (with samples considered positive if the sample to positive ratio was?>30%), and latex agglutination test (LAT; with titres ≥1:32 considered positive). Western blot analysis was used to validate the results of a subset of 14 samples.

RESULTS: Five samples from sea lions in mainland locations were confirmed positive for antibodies to T. gondii. Two adult females exhibited high LAT antibody titres (min 1:2048, max 1:4096) on both occasions when sampled 1 and 2 years apart, respectively. No animals from Enderby Island were seropositive.

CONCLUSIONS: Toxoplasma gondii infection is unlikely to be a major contributor to poor reproductive success in New Zealand sea lions. However, continued surveillance is pertinent to assess subclinical and clinical impacts of the parasite on these threatened populations. The commercial tests evaluated here, with further species-specific threshold refinement could provide a fast, inexpensive and reliable indicator of T. gondii exposure in New Zealand sea lions.     

盐碱土秸秆添加量对玉米种子萌发及幼苗生长特性的影响

探索盐碱土中添加最佳玉米秸秆量,以‘农华101’玉米种子、收获期玉米秸秆和通辽地区典型的盐碱土为材料,用盐碱土:蒸馏水(1:5)的土壤浸出液制备0、30、40、50、60 g/L秸秆粉培养液,作为5个处理,水培玉米种子;培养期间测定培养液pH、电导率、微生物数量及玉米幼苗根系内生菌数量,统计种子发芽率,4叶期测定幼苗农艺性状及其叶片和根系生理特性指标。结果表明：盐碱土添加玉米秸秆降低pH,降低玉米种子发芽率,但极显著增加幼苗根长、根数和株高;其中40 g/L处理对根长、根数的增加幅度最大,0 g/L处理2叶期死亡。添加秸秆极显著增加盐碱土细菌数量,除了30 g/L处理,其余处理极显著增加真菌和放线菌数量。根内生真菌和放线菌各处理无显著差异,30 g/L与40 g/L根内生细菌数显著大于50 g/L与60 g/L处理。40 g/L处理叶片POD活性极显著大于50、60 g/L处理,分别是它们的2.22倍和3.15倍;叶片MDA含量排序为60 g/L>50 g/L>30 g/L>40 g/L,处理间差异极显著;叶片SOD活性和根系活力为40 g/L>50 g/L>60 g/L>30 g/L,处理间差异极显著;根系MDA含量排序为60 g/L>30 g/L>50 g/L>40 g/L,处理间差异极显著;各处理根系POD活性规律与根系活力一致。盐碱土添加玉米秸秆可增加玉米幼苗抗盐碱胁迫能力,其中40 g/L处理最为显著。     

基于时域和频域的层积材强度检测系统

为对层积材强度进行无损在线检测,设计了一种基于时域和频域分析法的层积材强度检测系统,并阐述了该系统的检测原理、系统构成和软件实现。该系统采用研华开发的PCI-1710HG采集卡进行数据采集,以工控机为数据处理核心,通过提取振动信号对数衰减率和试件各阶固有频率实现层积材强度的检测。最后通过验证实验证明,该系统设计是可行的。      

Cefquinome Concentrations in Endometrium after Intrauterine Treatment of Cobactan 4.5%® in Mares and Inflammatory Response of the Endometrium to this Treatment

This study was conducted to measure the concentration of cefquinome in the endometrium of mares after intrauterine treatment and to evaluate associated inflammation. Mares (n = 14) were randomly assigned to one of the following groups: (i) control (n = 4) were either not treated (n = 2) or received (n = 2) lactated Ringer's intrauterine for 1 or 3 days; (ii) treated mares (n = 10) received intrauterine cefquinome for 1 or 3 days. After at least 10 days had passed following the last treatment and ovulation, mares were given Prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) and were randomly assigned to an alternate treatment. Endometrial biopsy samples were taken at 2, 8, 24 and 48 h, or at 4, 12 and 36 h, after the last treatment. Biopsy samples were taken at the same time points from control mares (n = 2) and lactated Ringer-treated mares (n = 2). Cefquinome concentrations were quantified using a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) assay and inflammation was assessed using haematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained sections. Concentrations of cefquinome [559 (1 day) and 595 μg/g (3 days) at 2 h, and 403 (1 day) and 370 μg/g (3 days) at 4 h] were similar between treatment groups at 2 and 4 h after treatment (p > 0.05). At 8 h, as well as at 24 and 48 h, concentrations were greater in the 3-day group (17 vs 301 μg/g, 3 vs 80 μg/g and 0.1 vs 0.2 μg/g, respectively) (p < 0.05). No significant differences (p > 0.05) in the inflammatory response at 2–48 h after treatment were found between groups.