SAP NITRATE IN FROZEN-THAWED AND REFRIGERATED STEMS OF AMARANTHUS TRICOLOR IS INDICATIVE OF NITROGEN FERTILIZER SUPPLY

Amaranthus tricolor is a potential accumulator of nitrate but nutrient sufficiency guidelines have not been developed for this vegetable. We investigated whether the shoot stem of A. tricolor is a suitable index for crop nitrate status, and whether freezing the stem, which aids sap extraction, would render it unsuitable for the analysis of nitrate and other nutrients. We grew A. tricolor at two nitrogen (N) rates (100 and 200 mg L^?1 as nitrate-N) and established that sap nitrate from both fresh and frozen-thawed stems did not differ but was significantly increased by additional N fertilizer. Shoot growth was correspondingly higher with additional N. Therefore, the stem is a suitable index for crop nitrate. Boron (B), calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), sodium (Na) and sulfur (S) were significantly affected by frozen storage but potassium (K), phosphorus (P) and zinc (Zn) were not. A single sufficiency guideline is possible for these nutrients, for use with both fresh and frozen-thawed stem sap.     

Purification of secretory immunoglobulin A from milk of the brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula)

AIM: To identify and purify secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA), a key effecter molecule in mucosal immune responses, from milk of the brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula).

METHODS: Milk samples were collected from female possums with pouch young, and clarified by centrifugation and precipitation methods. The clarified fraction was purified by gel filtration and affinity chromatography to yield sIgA. Sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and immunoblotting techniques were used to assess the purity of the final product, and to identify the heavy (H) chain, light (L) chain and secretory component (SC) of possum sIgA.

RESULTS: Immunoblotting, using antibodies raised against cloned possum sIgA SC and H-chain, and a synthetic peptide fragment of the H-chain, confirmed the identity of the purified protein. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of purified possum sIgA showed strong homology to reported sequences of H-chain variable regions of marsupial immunoglobulins.

CONCLUSIONS: Milk was shown to be a convenient source of mucosal secretion containing sIgA, and a process involving 2 precipitation and 2 chromatography steps produced purified sIgA. This IgA preparation will prove useful for the generation of sIgA-specific immunological reagents for measurement of immune responses in the development of mucosal-based vaccines for biological control of possums.     

Interaction between nutrition and gastrointestinal parasitism in sheep

Effects of gastrointestinal nematode infection on metabolism and nutrient utilisation in sheep are reviewed. Infection induces protein deficiency by increasing the demand for amino acids in the alimentary tract while reducing supply through depression of appetite. Mechanisms through which improved protein nutrition could improve the performance of the host are then discussed. Opportunities for capitalising on such effects are limited by our rudimentary understanding of the cell-mediated immune response in gastrointestinal epithelial tissue. Both resistance of the animal to larval establishment and performance in the face of larval challenge can be enhanced by improved protein nutrition. However, enhanced immune responses may not necessarily be synonymous with improved productivity except at luxurious levels of protein intake, because of apparently competing demands for protein. Such levels of protein nutrition are difficult to achieve in pasture-based systems, because of the protein limiting role of the rumen. Work with protein-protecting tannins to overcome this limitation is discussed. The much more limited evidence for effect of mineral nutrition, particularly copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), cobalt (Co) and phosphorus (P), on outcome of larval challenge is also reviewed.     

Comparison of Different Glycerol and Egg Yolk Concentrations Added to Tris‐based Extender for the Collared Peccaries (Tayassu tajacu) Semen Freezing

This study aimed to evaluate various concentrations of egg yolk (5, 10, or 20%) in combination with different concentrations of glycerol (3% or 6%) added to a Tris‐based extender on the post‐thaw characteristics of sperm obtained from Tayassu tajacu. For this purpose, semen from 10 sexually male mature collared peccaries was collected by electroejaculation and evaluated for sperm motility, vigour, viability, morphology and functional membrane integrity. The ejaculates were initially extended in Tris‐fructose plus egg yolk (5%, 10% or 20%). After cooling, the semen was added to Tris‐egg yolk plus glycerol (6% or 12%), resulting in a final concentration of 3% or 6% glycerol of the extender. Straws were frozen using liquid nitrogen and thawed in a water bath at 37°C for 30 s. The frozen–thawed semen was evaluated as reported for fresh semen. After thawing, a significant decrease was verified for sperm motility and vigour, for all the samples in comparison with fresh semen. However, no differences were evidenced among treatments for any sperm characteristics evaluated (p > 0.05), except for the combination between 10% egg yolk and 6% glycerol, which provided the worst preservation of functional membrane integrity (p < 0.05). The interactions between higher concentrations of egg yolk (20%) and glycerol (6%) and also between lower concentrations of the same substances (5% egg yolk and 3% glycerol) added to the Tris‐based extender negatively affected the preservation of the normal sperm morphology after thawing (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the use of Tris‐based extender added to 10% or 20% egg yolk plus 3% glycerol is recommended for effective sperm cryopreservation in collared peccaries.     

The development of multiple cutaneous inverted papilloma following ovariohysterectomy in a dog

Abstract

CASE HISTORY: Ovariohysterectomy was performed on an adult Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. The skin that had been clipped for surgery was noticed to be erythematous 8 days later.

CLINICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL FINDINGS: Poorly defined patches containing multiple papules were visible bilaterally within the clipped skin. These became larger over the following 2 weeks, and samples were collected for histology. Seven days later, the lesions were multiple raised masses, up to 5 cm in diameter. Histology revealed numerous cup-shaped epidermal proliferations extending into the dermis. The presence of keratinocytes with increased quantities of blue-grey cytoplasm, and koilocytosis suggested papillomavirul infection; Canis familiaris papillomavirus (CfPV-2) DNA was amplified from two separate samples. Complete regression was observed 8 weeks after the lesions had been initially observed.

DIAGNOSIS: Multiple inverted papilloma confined to skin that had been clipped for surgery.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This is the first time that the development of canine cutaneous papillomas has been associated with surgery. The nature of the association between surgery and development of the papillomas is uncertain. However, it is possible that damage to superficial skin could promote the formation of papillomas. This is the first identification of CfPV-2 in New Zealand.     

北京密云水库集水区刺槐种群生活史特征

该文以种群生命表及生存分析理论为基础,在对密云地区进行调查的基础上,编制刺槐种群静态生命表,绘制了刺槐的存活曲线、死亡率曲线、亏损率曲线、死亡密度函数曲线、积累死亡函数曲线和危险率函数曲线,分析种群生命过程,研究了北京密云地区刺槐人工林刺槐种群动态和数量特征。结果表明,刺槐存活曲线趋于Deevey--Ⅰ型,并应用谱分析方法研究了刺槐种群动态,在刺槐种群更新过程中存在着明显的周期性;刺槐种群在群落中占优势地位。     

北京山区天然侧柏林种内竞争研究

该文采用逐步扩大范围的方法确定影响对象木的最佳竞争范围,利用Hegyi单木竞争指数对锥峰山林场天然侧柏种内竞争强度进行了定量分析,并与典型人工侧柏林种内竞争强度进行对比分析。结果表明:在天然侧柏群落中对象木的最佳竞争距离为5m;天然侧柏的种内竞争强度随着林木径级的增大而减小;竞争指数与对象木胸径服从幂函数关系,从模型预测结果可知当侧柏胸径达20cm以上时,竞争强度变化很小;与天然侧柏林相比,人工侧柏林的种内竞争强度较小,群落年龄结构不够合理。     

防护林体系空间配置调整决策支持系统的研建

该文研建了以GIS为平台的防护林体系空间配置调整决策支持系统。该系统提供从空间配置的现状分析到结构优化,再到空间配置的理想模式的逐步调整,最终将调整的结果落实到地块,并能进行各调整分期的调整前后的对比等一系列防护林体系空间配置调整的智能的、可视化的决策支持。在该平台上,不仅可以进行交互式的各种调整参数的确定,产生适合不同区域的调整方案,还可以对产生的调整方案进行情景模拟。该系统为防护林的经营决策者提供科学的决策依据。     

北京山区优势针叶树种侧柏适地性研究

该文以北京山区优势针叶树种侧柏为研究对象,采用数量化理论Ⅰ的方法,研究了不同立地因子对侧柏生长的影响。结果表明:海拔和坡度影响天然侧柏的高生长,坡度、坡位、裸岩率影响天然侧柏的径生长;土壤厚度和土壤质地影响人工侧柏的高生长,坡度和土壤厚度影响人工侧柏的径生长。该研究结果为侧柏造林立地的选择和科学经营提供依据。     

土壤磷酸酶活性及其与有机磷组分的相关性

为探讨土壤磷有效性管理的措施,该文对北京八达岭地区9种林分类型下土壤的磷酸酶活性、有机磷组分以及二者之间的关系进行了系统研究。结果表明:土壤磷酸酶的类型以酸性磷酸酶为主。表层0～5cm土层的磷酸酶活性显著高于5～25cm和25～45cm土层的磷酸酶活性,且与土壤有机碳、氮有显著的相关性。土壤有机磷有明显的表聚性,在全磷中的比例为15.51%～17.48%。在土壤有机磷组分中,以中活性有机磷含量最高,其次为活性有机磷,而高稳性有机磷的含量最低。活性有机磷与中活性有机磷含量的相关性显著。磷酸酶活性与有机磷含量有密切的关系,无论是酸性磷酸酶还是碱性磷酸酶,都与活性有机磷、中活性有机磷、中稳性有机磷以及土壤有效磷含量有极显著的相关性。增加土壤有机质,诱导磷酸酶的产生,是提高土壤有效磷含量的途径。