Hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus (HEV) infections in swine. Serologic indication for infectional occurrence in Denmark]

In 1956 a disease of nursing pigs previously unreported in Denmark, was observed in several swine herds. The disease syndrome appeared identical with that later described by Roe and Alexander in 1958 and by S. F. Cartwright and M. Lucas in 1968. Since 1956 there have been no reports of such outbreaks in Danish herds. To investigate whether the virus is still present, a survey was carried out to detect neutralizing antibodies in sera from a number of boars using a micro technique. In 144 sera from Jutland 12% had titers ranging from 10 to 32 ND-50, 22% from 32 to 90, 37% from 90 to 256, 14% from 256 to 724 and 3% above 724 ND-50 with a total of 86% positive. Of 174 sera from the rest of the country 16% had titers ranging from 10 to 32 ND-50, 18% from 32 to 90, 28% from 90 to 256, 13% from 256 to 724 and 3% exceeding 724 ND-50 with a total of 79% positive.     

Breeding objectives for beef cattle used in different production systems: 2. Model application to production systems with the Charolais breed

A general bio-economic model for beef cattle production was used to define breeding objectives for Charolais cattle to be utilized in a variety of linked production systems. Economic weights were calculated for 16 traits (some with both direct and maternal components) in three production systems (pure-breeding and terminal crossing with beef or dairy cows) and two marketing strategies (sale or fattening of weaned surplus calves). Economic weights for the total breeding objective were calculated as weighted averages, where weights were numbers of cows expected to be mated with Charolais bulls in each production system and marketing strategy. Results suggest that the direct component of calving performance and cow longevity were of primary economic importance in all systems. Conception rate of cows and weaning weight reached about 50% of the standardized economic weight of calving performance in purebred systems with sale of weaned calves, whereas in purebred systems with fattening the economic importance of the direct component of cow conception rate, losses at calving, mature weight of cows, weaning weight, and fattening traits were of equal importance (each approximately about 20% that of calving performance). In terminal crossing systems, weaning weight was important when calves were sold at weaning, and fattening traits were important for systems selling fattened animals. The bio-economic model performed well under the conditions of this demonstration and could easily be customized for other applications.     

Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp., Verocytotoxic Escherichia coli,and Antibiotic Resistance in Indicator Organisms in Wild Cervids

Faecal samples were collected, as part of the National Health Surveillance Program for Cervids (HOP) in Norway, from wild red deer, roe deer, moose and reindeer during ordinary hunting seasons from 2001 to 2003. Samples from a total of 618 animals were examined for verocytotoxic E. coli (VTEC); 611 animals for Salmonella and 324 animals for Campylobacter. A total of 50 samples were cultivated from each cervid species in order to isolate the indicator bacterial species E. coli and Enterococcus faecalis/E. faecium for antibiotic resistance pattern studies. Salmonella and the potentially human pathogenic verocytotoxic E. coli were not isolated, while Campylobacter jejuni jejuni was found in one roe deer sample only. Antibiotic resistance was found in 13 (7.3%) of the 179 E. coli isolates tested, eight of these being resistant against one type of antibiotic only. The proportion of resistant E. coli isolates was higher in wild reindeer (24%) than in the other cervids (2.2%). E. faecalis or E. faecium were isolated from 19 of the samples, none of these being reindeer. All the strains isolated were resistant against one (84%) or more (16%) antibiotics. A total of 14 E. faecalis-strains were resistant to virginiamycin only. The results indicate that the cervid species studied do not constitute an important infectious reservoir for either the human pathogens or the antibiotic resistant microorganisms included in the study.     

Pregnancy Rates in Repeat-breeder Heifers Following Multiple Artificial Inseminations during Spontaneous Oestrus

Hormonal asynchronies during oestrus, related to the presence of suprabasal plasma-progesterone (P4) concentrations and a delayed ovulation, interfere with the fertility of repeat-breeder heifers (RBH). Since tubal dysfunction can occur in connection with hormonal asynchronies and constrained availability of fertile spermatozoa at the time of ovulation, the present study tested the hypothesis that frequent sperm deposition from onset of oestrus to ovulation may improve pregnancy rates in RBH. Five RBH and five virgin heifers (VH; controls) were repeatedly artificially inseminated (AI) at 6 h intervals from onset of oestrus to spontaneous ovulation. Hormone analyses revealed suprabasal P₄ concentrations and a delay in the occurrence of the luteinising hormone (LH) surge, but a normal cortisol profile in RBH. Compared with controls, RBH presented longer interval from onset of oestrus to ovulation, and therefore, received more AIs. Pregnancy rates in RBH reached control levels (60%; NS), indicating that the hypothesis might be correct. Pregnancy rates in VH were below the expected range, presumably attributed to a deleterious influence of the frequent handling. The study suggests that pregnancy rates can be improved in RBH by frequent AI in relation to spontaneous ovulation. However, this practice of repeated manipulations, while seeming not to show adverse effects, lacks practicality for routine use.     

嫁接对茄子果实中蛋白质、VC、可溶性糖含量及分布的影响

以托鲁巴姆为砧木、西安绿茄为接穗进行嫁接,研究嫁接对茄子果实中蛋白质、VC、可溶性糖含量及分布的影响。结果表明,嫁接后除可溶性糖含量略低于对照外,蛋白质、VC及果实中的含水量均高于对照。嫁接苗果实中主要营养成分在果实各部位的分布规律基本不变,内果皮中各种养分的含量均高于外果皮,由果实顶部至蒂部各种养分的变化规律不尽相同。随着果实的膨大,嫁接苗果实中主要营养成分的变化规律与对照基本一致。瞪眼期果实中的蛋白质含量较高,进入商品成熟期后,果实中的养分含量基本不变,趋于稳定。     

Detection of Echinococcus multilocularis infection in a colony of cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) using serology and ultrasonography.

Five animals in a colony of cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) died or were euthanatized because of alveolar echinococcosis, during a period of 5 years. The remainder of the colony was screened for possible infection with Echinococcus multilocularis, using serology and ultrasonography. A total of 46 animals out of a group of 55 were examined. The presence of anti-Em2 antibodies analyzed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was demonstrated in 3 monkeys. In 2 of these 3 monkeys, multilocular structures compatible with metacestodal cysts in the liver were identified, using ultrasonography. The presence of alveolar echinococcosis was subsequently confirmed at postmortem examination in 1 animal. The other animals are still alive. Two other monkeys were negative in the serological examination but had cystic structures in the liver, which were identified as bile duct cysts at postmortem examination in 1 animal. The other monkey is still alive. These findings suggest that serology for antibodies against the Em2 antigen may represent a useful method in identifying animals that might be infected with E. multilocularis and are therefore at risk of developing fatal alveolar echinococcosis.     

樟子松在西北干旱沙区的光合日变化特征

在甘肃省民勤治沙站 ,用 Li- 62 0 0便携式光合仪分别测定人工栽植的 4龄、9龄和 2 0龄樟子松的净光合速率日进程 ,其结果表明 :在干旱沙区 ,9龄以上樟子松的光合速率在午前随光强和气温而上升 ,午后下降。其 4龄、9龄和 2 0龄樟子松的最大净光合速率分别为 8.7μmol· m- 2 · s- 1、62 .3μmol· m- 2 · s- 1、1 9.7μmol· m- 2 · s- 1。     

以固氮树种发展食用菌专用林的建议

许多固氮树种速生丰产，萌生能力强，叶片，木屑含氮率较高，可为食用菌栽培提供理想原料，而且固氮树种在绿花荒山，保持水土，提高地力方面作用显著，以固氮树种发展短轮伐期食用菌专用林，具有较高的经济效益和生态效益，本文介绍了银合欢，黑荆，大叶相思，银荆，桤木，南洋楹和马占相思等在食用菌栽培上的应用概况，各地可因地制宜栽培合适的固氮树种作为食用菌专用林。