Regional partitioning of agricultural non-point source pollution in China using a projection pursuit cluster model

A projection pursuit cluster(PPC) model was used to analyze the regional partitioning of agricultural non-point source pollution in China.The environmental factors impacting the agricultural non-point source pollution were compiled into a projection index to set up the projection index function.A novel optimization algorithm called Free search(FS) was introduced to optimize the projection direction of the PPC model.By making the appropriate improvements as we explored the use of the algorithm,it became simpler,and developed better exploration abilities.Thus,the multi-factor problem was converted into a single-factor cluster,according to the projection,which successfully avoided subjective disturbance and produced objective results.The cluster results of the PPC model mirror the actual regional partitioning of the agricultural non-point source pollution in China,indicating that the PPC model is a powerful tool in multi-factor cluster analysis,and could be a new method for the regional partitioning of agricultural non-point source pollution.     

兼抗型成株抗性小麦品系的培育、鉴定与分子检测

小麦条锈病、叶锈病和白粉病是我国小麦的重要真菌病害,培育兼抗型成株抗性品种是控制病害最为经济有效和持久安全的方法。本研究选用由成株抗性育种方法培育的21份冬小麦高代品系和96份春小麦高代品系,在多个环境下进行这3种病害的成株期抗性鉴定,并利用紧密连锁的分子标记检测了兼抗型基因Lr34/Yr18/Pm38、Lr46/Yr29/Pm39和Sr2/Yr30的分布。田间鉴定表明,21份冬小麦品系中有17份兼抗3种病害,占80.9%;96份春小麦品系中有85份兼抗3种病害,占88.5%。分子标记检测发现,21份冬小麦品系均含QPm.caas-4DL,其中7份还含QPm.caas-2BS,9份还含QPm.caas-2BL;96份春小麦品系中,18份含Lr34/Yr18/Pm38,37份含Lr46/Yr29/Pm39,29份含Sr2/Yr30。以上结果表明,分子标记与常规育种相结合,可有效培育兼抗型成株抗性品种,为我国小麦抗病育种提供了新思路。     

Hepatic Lipidosis in Anorectic, Lactating Holstein Cattle: A Retrospective Study of Serum Biochemical Abnormalities

The association between hepatic lipidosis (HL) and disease in 59 anorectic, ketotic, lactating Holstein heifers and cows was investigated. Severe HL, as determined by histologic evaluation of liver tissue, was present in 46 animals; only half of these animals required intensive treatment for ketosis, and only half had serum biochemical evidence of liver disease, as determined by the presence of a test value of 2-fold or greater than the upper limit of the reference range for at least 2 of the 4 serum tests: gamma-glutamyl transferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and sorbitol dehydrogenase activities and bile acid concentrations. Most cattle with biochemical evidence of liver disease and severe HL had been lactating for 14 or more days. Cows that required intensive treatment inconsistently had serum biochemical evidence of liver disease.
Although cattle with severe HL had significantly higher serum bilirubin concentrations and aspartate aminotransferase and sorbitol dehydrogenase activities than cattle with less severe lipidosis, the specificity of abnormally high serum sorbitol dehydrogenase activity or bilirubin concentration for severe lipidosis was only 8%. Abnormally high serum aspartate aminotransferase activity was 83% sensitive and 62% specific for severe lipidosis. Serum glucose and total carbon dioxide concentrations were significantly lower in cattle with severe lipidosis than in those with mild or moderate lipidosis, and low serum glucose or total carbon dioxide concentrations were rare in cattle without severe lipidosis. From these data, we conclude that the use of a single biochemical or histopathologic criterion to define severity of disease or degree of liver compromise in anorectic, ketotic cows results in the misidentification of many animals.     

Reference hematologic values and morphologic features of blood cells in healthy adult llamas.

Hematologic values and cellular morphologic features were evaluated for 38 healthy adult llamas. Reference ranges were determined for PCV, reticulocyte concentration, leukocyte concentration, and leukocyte differential counts. The approach used in this study was to focus on hematologic values that may be determined by use of techniques readily available to the practicing veterinarian and nonveterinary laboratory. Unique cellular morphologic features commonly observed and interpreted as normal included large granular lymphocytes, hyposegmented eosinophil nuclei, folded erythrocytes, and hemoglobin crystals.     

Lymphosarcoma in 10 New World Camelids

We evaluated the medical information from 10 New World Camelids with lymphosarcoma. Additionally, tumor tissue from 5 animals was examined by electron microscopy for evidence of retroviral particles. Lymphosarcoma was the most common neoplasm of New World Camelids in our hospital. Both llamas and alpacas, from 4 months to 15 years of age, were affected. Emaciation (7 of 8) and palpable masses (9 of 10) were the most common physical examination abnormalities, and a left-shifted leukogram (7 of 7) and hypoalbuminemia (6 of 7) were the most characteristic clinicopathologic findings. Lymphosarcoma was diagnosed by lymph node aspirate (n = 2), biopsy (n = 2), peritoneal fluid analysis (n = 2), or necropsy (n = 4). The clinical course after recognition of the disease was usually short, with a median survival of 1 month (1 week to 3 months). Organs with neoplastic infiltrates commonly included lymph nodes (n = 8), liver (n = 8), kidneys (n = 6), and lungs (n = 5). No retroviral particles were detected ultrastructurally.     

Immunodeficiency syndrome associated with wasting and opportunistic infection in juvenile llamas: 12 cases (1988-1990).

Immunodeficiency was diagnosed as the cause of severe debilitating disease characterized by weight loss, failure to grow, and persistent infections that failed to respond to treatment in 12 young llamas. The llamas were affected after maternal-acquired immunity had decreased; failure of passive transfer of immunoglobulins thus was not suspected. Areas of lymph nodes containing T lymphocytes were hypocellular, suggesting T-cell involvement. High serum immunoglobulin concentrations were not found, despite the existence of infectious disease, suggesting at least secondary B-cell involvement. Results of lymphocyte blastogenesis assays were suggestive of B- and T-cell involvement. It was not possible to determine whether the condition was inherited or acquired.     

Bovine cysticercosis: preliminary observations on the immunohistochemical detection of Taenia saginata antigens in lymph nodes of an experimentally infected calf

A newly developed immunohistochemical test was used for the first time to demonstrate the presence of Taenia saginata (Cysticercus bovis) antigens in the lymph nodes of a heifer calf experimentally inoculated with Taenia saginata eggs. The new test should aid in the differential diagnosis of eosinophilic lymphadenitis in cattle.     

Hookworms of feral cats in Florida

Thirty feral cats (Felis catus) from Alachua county (northern Florida) and 30 from Palm Beach county (southern Florida) were examined for hookworms. Two species, Ancylostoma tubaeforme and Ancylostoma braziliense, were identified. Forty-five cats (75%) were infected with A. tubaeforme, with a mean intensity of 48 hookworms per cat. Twenty cats (33%) were infected with A. braziliense, with a mean intensity of 28 worms per cat. The prevalence of A. tubaeforme was greater than that of A. braziliense in Alachua (P=0.002) and Palm Beach (P=0.004) counties. The intensity of A. tubaeforme infections was higher in Palm Beach county than Alachua county (P=0.013). The intensities of A. tubaeforme and A. braziliense were positively correlated (increased together) in Palm Beach county (P=0.011). These hookworms have also been identified in bobcats (Felis rufus), gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Florida. The prevalence of A. tubaeforme was significantly greater in feral cats than those reported in bobcats (P<0.001). The prevalence of A. braziliense was significantly greater in feral cats than in those reported in gray foxes (P=0.008). The hookworm that infects Florida panthers and bobcats, A. pluridentatum, was not found.