Detection of APAF1 mutation in Holstein cows and mummified foetuses in Japanese dairy herds

Some of the highest genetic merit sires have been shown to harbour recessive mutations affecting fertility, which may spread rapidly in the population through AI. These disorders may result in abortion and decline in pregnancy per insemination in cows. This study was carried out on 240 Holstein‐Friesian cows and 15 mummified foetuses. Blood and tissue samples were collected from the cows and mummified foetuses, respectively, for DNA extraction. Allele‐specific PCR was designed for the detection of the cows and foetuses carrying the nonsense mutation (C/T) in apoptosis peptide activating factor 1 gene (APAF1). The mutant allele frequency of the APAF1 in carrier cows and mummified foetuses was calculated. Milk samples were taken from the carrier and non‐carrier cows for progesterone assay. The allele‐specific PCR reaction efficiently distinguished the C/T mutation in APAF1. Of 240 cows, seven cows (2.9%) were diagnosed to carry one copy of the mutant allele of APAF1. However, the carrier frequency was 33.3% in mummified foetuses (five of 15). The mutant allele frequency was 0.02 and 0.17 in the cows and mummified foetuses, respectively. Concentrations of progesterone did not differ between cows with APAF1 mutation and non‐carrier cows during 45 days post‐insemination. This study provided allele‐specific PCR for the detection of APAF1 mutation in cows. Moreover, it reports the carrier and mutant allele frequencies of APAF1 in dairy cows and mummified foetuses in Japan.     

森林资源时态GIS数据存储与时空分析方法研究

在分析时态数据库的研究与应用现状基础上,针对森林资源数据特点,在对象—关系Oracle数据库上,扩展基本数据类型和函数集,实现森林资源时空数据的有效储存,对森林资源数据的现状及变化等基本信息进行空间拓扑、时态拓扑和时空拓扑操作,提供完善的时序分析功能,高效地回答与时间相关的各类问题,准确地描述森林资源信息,完整地反映森林资源演变过程,为森林资源数据管理提供服务,对森林资源数据库的建设提供新的思路和方法。     

Early maritime economy and El Nino events at quebrada tacahuay, peru

The archaeological site of Quebrada Tacahuay, Peru, dates to 12,700 to 12,500 calibrated years before the present (10,770 to 10,530 carbon-14 years before the present). It contains some of the oldest evidence of maritime-based economic activity in the New World. Recovered materials include a hearth, lithic cutting tools and flakes, and abundant processed marine fauna, primarily seabirds and fish. Sediments below and above the occupation layer were probably generated by El Nino events, indicating that El Nino was active during the Pleistocene as well as during the early and middle Holocene.     

The relationship of calfhood morbidity with survival after calving in 25 New York Holstein herds

The association of owner-diagnosed calfhood diseases with the length of herd life after calving was evaluated using data collected prospectively over a ten-year period in 25 New York Holstein dairy herds. Herds selected for the study were milking between 35 and 200 Holstein cows, used dairy herd improvement records, bred cows by artificial insemination unless they needed three or more services, and had regularly-scheduled herd health visits by clinicians from the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Owners recorded occurrences of dullness, respiratory disease, and scours from birth through 90 days of age for all heifer calves that lived at least 24 h and were to be kept as replacements. Milking herd life was measured as the difference between the age at first calving and the age at death or sale. Data on cows sold when the herd went out of business or still in the herd at the end of the study were censored observations. Cox's proportional hazards model was used for statistical analysis of the data. Controlling for age at first calving, study month of birth, and sire predicted difference for milk, there was no statistically significant association of calfhood morbidity with length of herd life. The estimated hazard rate ratios for leaving the milking herd and 95% confidence intervals for dullness, respiratory disease, and scours within 90 days of birth were 1.3 (0.9, 1.9), 0.9 (0.6, 1.3), and 1.0 (0.8, 1.3), respectively. Dullness was the only disease category with an estimated hazard rate ratio greater than 1, and although it was not statistically significant, may warrant evaluation in future studies of long term effects of calfhood morbidity.     

Diphtheroid necrotic laryngitis in three calves - diagnostic procedure, therapy and post-operative development

Diphtheroid necrotic inflammation of the larynx in calves in its advanced stage mostly requires surgical therapy. Diagnostic procedure, surgery and post-operative care were described for three calves (aged 3-8 weeks). The clinical diagnosis was confirmed by laryngoscopy. In all three cases, a laryngotomy with resection of necrotic tissue was performed. After surgery two calves showed complications (tracheal stricture, mucosal hyperplasia). Both were cured in further surgery. In cases of post-operative complications, further surgical intervention can be very promising.