Factors associated with low vitamin D status of Australian alpacas

Objective To investigate factors associated with low vitamin D status of alpacas at pasture in southern Australia. Design A 2‐year survey of alpacas from two farms in South Australia and three in Victoria. Blood samples were collected from 20 to 30 alpacas on each farm on five occasions each year. Breed, gender, age and fleece colour of animals were recorded. Method Blood samples were assayed for plasma 2.5‐hydroxycholecalciferol (25‐OH D₃) and plasma inorganic phosphorus (Pi). Data sets from 802 animal samples were analysed by multiple regression to determine variables associated with low vitamin D status of alpacas. The relationship between plasma 25‐OH D₃ and plasma Pi was also investigated. Results Vitamin D status was significantly affected by month of sampling, with low values in late winter and high values in summer. Plasma vitamin D concentrations increased with age, were higher in alpacas with light fleeces than in those with dark fleeces and were also higher in the Suri than in the Huacaya breed. Plasma Pi concentrations were generally lower in alpacas with plasma 25‐OH D₃ values < 25 nmol/L. Conclusions Young alpacas with dark fleeces are most at risk from vitamin D insufficiency in late winter in southern Australia. The present study indicates that plasma Pi values are not a reliable indicator of vitamin D status of alpacas as assessed by plasma 25‐OH D₃ concentrations.     

A comparison of predictions made by three simulation models of foot-and-mouth disease

AIMS: To describe results of a relative validation exercise using the three simulation models of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in use by the quadrilateral countries (QUADS; Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and United States of America; USA).

METHODS: A hypothetical population of farms was constructed and, following the introduction of an FMD-like disease into a single farm, spread of disease was simulated using each of the three FMD simulation models used by the QUADS countries. A series of 11 scenarios was developed to systematically evaluate the key processes of disease transmission and control used by each of the three models. The predicted number of infected units and the size of predicted outbreak areas for each scenario and each model were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis test. Agreement among the three models in terms of geographical areas predicted to become infected were quantified using Fleiss' Kappa statistic.

RESULTS: Although there were statistically significant differences in model outputs in terms of the numbers of units predicted to become infected, the temporal onset of infection throughout the simulation period, and the spatial distribution of infected units, these differences were generally small and would have resulted in the same (or similar) management decisions being adopted in each case.

CONCLUSIONS: Agreement among the three models in terms of the numbers of premises predicted to become infected, the temporal onset of infection throughout the simulation period, and the spatial distribution of infected premises provides evidence that each of the model developers are consistent in their approach to simulating the spread of disease throughout a population of susceptible individuals. This consistency implies that the assumptions taken by each development team are appropriate, which in turn serves to increase end-user confidence in model predictions.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Relative validation is one of a number of steps that can be undertaken to increase end-user confidence in predictions made by infectious disease models.     

MicroPNA-21 promotes proliferation of rat Schwann cells following nerve injury

AIM: To investigate the molecular mechanism of microRNA-21 (miR-21) in the regulation of Schwann cell proliferation following nerve injury. METHODS: The expression of miR-2l was detected by real-time PCR. Synthetic miR-21 mimic and its control were transfected into rat Schwann cells. CCK-8 assay was performed to evaluate the influence of miR-21 on the proliferation of Schwann cells. The cell cycle distribution was determined by flow cytometry. The expression of transforming growth factor β-induced protein (TGFBI) and cyclin D1 were detected by Western blotting. RESULTS: The expression of miR-21 in model group was 7.87±0.75 and 7.75±0.80 times higher than that in sham operation group and blank group respectively. After transfected with miR-21 mimic, the expression of miR-21 in experimental group was 2.21±0.14 and 2.29±0.21 times higher than that in negative control group and blank group respectively. Moreover, the A₄₅₀ value of CCK-8 assay in experimental group at 48 h was higher than that in negative control group and blank group. The proliferation index in experimental group was higher than that in negative control group and blank group. At the same time, the expression of TGFBI obviously decreased and the cyclin D1 increased in the Schwann cells 48 h after transfection with miR-21. CONCLUSION: miR-21 promotes the proliferation activity of Schwann cells by down-regulating TGFBI expression.     

Root hairs and the acquisition of plant nutrients from soil

The literature on the role of root hairs when plants acquire mineral nutrients from soil is reviewed. After a short outline of the root properties affecting the acquisition of nutrients, the roles of root hairs are discussed in four sections, entitled: morphological properties of root hairs, mode of action of root hairs, factors affecting the formation of root hairs, and relationship between root hair formation and plant nutrient uptake. The formation of root hairs depends on both genetic and environmental factors, particularly the supply of phosphate and nitrate. It is concluded that root hairs may substantially contribute to the acquisition of nutrients, mainly those of low mobility in soil and high demand in plants. The percentage of a nutrient acquired by root hairs varies widely, from almost zero to approximately 80 % of the total uptake of the nutrient. The contribution of root hairs depends on plant species and the genetic variability of root hair formation on the one hand, and the kind of nutrient and its availability in soil on the other. According to the published reports, essentially only phosphorus and potassium were considered.     

我国北方灌区地下水资源演变与农田生态环境问题

通过对北方灌区地下水形成机理及其演变态势的分析,认为气候变化和人类活动的负面效应是导致灌区与地下水有关的生态环境问题的主要原因,尤其是地下水资源量的衰减已经影响到了灌溉农业的可持续发展。针对以上问题,从水循环的角度提出充分利用灌区地下含水层的调蓄作用,通过地表水与地下水的联合利用控制水盐平衡、涵养地下水源是实现地下水资源永续利用、农田生态环境良性循环的有效途径。     

四川峨边县蒋沟矿渣侵蚀泥石流成因与特征

四川峨边县蒋沟是一条典型的矿渣型泥石流沟,在侵蚀作用下时常发生泥石流并造成严重危害。该文采用调查、测绘和综合研究相结合的方法,论述了蒋沟矿渣侵蚀泥石流的成因和特征。形成条件方面,矿渣侵蚀类泥石流具有物源集中和机械组成固定性特征;发生过程呈现出降雨-侵蚀-崩滑-搬运复合型和循环性,侵蚀成为泥石流形成和发生的关键环节;泥石流特征则主要表现为堆积物成分单一,堆积比降小,暴发频率高和地貌塑造作用强等方面。最后,针对成因和特征,提出了以水土分离、固床和护坡等工程措施为主,以矿山植被恢复措施为辅的防治建议。     

典型冰碛补给型泥石流物源补给过程与机制研究——以泸定县干沟为例

干沟位于四川省泸定县境内,是一条典型的冰碛补给型泥石流沟,其物源补给具有复合过程的特点.在野外调查的基础上,以2005年干沟泥石流为例,对该次泥石流过程的物源补给特征及过程进行了调查和分析.结果表明,干沟泥石流的物源补给过程可分为“启动型物源”和“维持型物源”2种类型,对这2种类型的物源补给方式和过程进行了阐述,可为认识冰碛补给型泥石流的形成机理、物源补给过程及防灾减灾提供科学依据.     

13C solid-state NMR assessment of decomposition pattern during co-composting of sewage sludge and green wastes

The fate of organic matter during composting is poorly understood. Therefore, we analysed composts of sewage sludges and green wastes (44 samples representative of 11 stages of biodegradation) by conventional chemical methods: pH, humic (HA) and fulvic acid (FA) content, C, N and organic matter (OM) content, and by ¹³C CPMAS NMR to assess the decomposition process of the organic matter. Chemical changes clearly occurred in two phases: first, decomposition of OM during the first 2 months was characterized by decreased C/N ratios, OM content and increased pH; and second, a humification process with increased HA/FA ratios. NMR spectrum changes confirmed this pattern, with an increase in aromaticity and a decrease in alkyl C. A decrease of syringyl to guaiacyl ratio (S/G), a sign of lignin transformation, also indicated humification during composting. NMR spectroscopic properties of composts were also studied by means of principal components analysis (PCA) and revealed changes according to the degree of compost maturation. The factorial map presents a chronological distribution of composts on the two first principal components. The influences of eight chemical factors on the PCA ordination of composts as monitored by their evolution by NMR were also studied by multivariate analyses. PCA clearly indicated two phases: the rapid decomposition of organic matter followed by the formation of humic‐like substances. The first phase, that is ‘new’ composts, was strongly correlated with OM contents, pH and C/N ratios whereas the second phase, corresponding to ‘old’ compost, was correlated with pH, HA content and HA/FA ratio. These results confirm that knowledge of the formation of humic substances is indispensable to suitable monitoring of the composting process.     

新疆北部牧区雪冰灾害指数和危险性评估

根据雪冰气候事件的聚合、权重和牧业灾害损失的关系,通过[WTBX]H、L[WTBZ]指数分析,研究了新疆北部的雪冰灾害特征和危险性。研究认为,雪冰灾害具有链状结构,灾害强度与雪冰气候事件权重、聚合度有关。基于信息扩散理论,对雪冰灾害危险性进行分析评估,新疆北部雪冰灾害分布,总体呈西北─东南向带状分布,西低东高,南低北高,低山丘陵高于平原,厚积雪区域高于薄积雪区域。