Spatial and temporal investigation of Echinococcus granulosus coproantigen prevalence in farm dogs in South Powys, Wales

The prevalence of canine echinococcosis appears to have been increasing in mid/south Wales in recent years - raising the concern of a potential resurgence in transmission to humans. A campaign was therefore conducted in 2008 in order to provide dogs in South Powys with anthelmintics, estimate the coproantigen prevalence amongst these dogs, and evaluate potential risk factors for coproantigen positivity. The coproantigen prevalence identified in these dogs (n=577) was 10.6% (95% confidence interval 7.6-13.5%), with 20.6% (15.6-25.7%) of farms (n=247) containing at least one coproantigen-positive dog. Further spatial investigation identified considerable spatial heterogeneity amongst the farms, with an increased coproantigen prevalence in the regions of Brecknockshire and the Brecon Beacons National Park. Within these areas, there was strong evidence of an increase in coproantigen prevalence, compared to that found in a study conducted in 2002. Finally, a mixed effects logistic regression model identified increased roaming behaviour and decreased dog weight as being associated with increased odds of coproantigen positivity, whereas pet dogs on some farms had similar odds of infection to working dogs. Further surveillance efforts in South Powys are required and should also include the northern areas of Gwent and Glamorgan.     

青贮疯草及其颗粒饲料对绵羊的增重效果及安全性评价

疯草为豆科多年生草本植物,具有营养价值高的特点,是一种可利用的潜在牧草资源。为了开发疯草作为牧草资源利用的可能性,探讨了含10%疯草青贮饲料和10%疯草颗粒饲料对绵羊的增重效果及安全性。试验选择90只临床健康绵羊,随机分为3组,每组30只。对照组饲喂常规饲料,青贮组饲喂含10%青贮疯草饲料,颗粒组饲喂含10%疯草颗粒饲料;试验期间每天观察受试绵羊的临床表现,定期进行空腹称重,并采集血液做生化指标检测。结果表明,试验期间,各试验组绵羊均未出现明显的疯草中毒症状;青贮疯草组绵羊体重与对照组比较增加24.66%,平均日增重高出对照组78.26%;10%疯草颗粒组与对照组比较无显著差异。青贮疯草组血清ALB、ALP水平降低,AST水平升高。10%疯草颗粒组AST、ALP、CRE、BUN水平升高。10%青贮疯草及其颗粒饲料对绵羊有一定的增重效果,且比较安全,可作为饲料资源开发利用。     

IUCN Red List of freshwater fishes and lampreys in Flanders (north Belgium)

Red Lists are used to assess the extinction risk of species. Regional IUCN criteria were applied to categorise 42 indigenous freshwater fish species in Flanders into Red List categories. As such, three species are assessed as Regionally Extinct, eight as Critically Endangered, two as Endangered and eight as Vulnerable. A further five species are considered Near Threatened, 15 species as Least Concern and one species is Data Deficient. Five species disappeared from the Regionally Extinct category compared with the previous Red List (1988) as a consequence of improved water quality of estuaries and reintroduction programmes. In total, 62% of the freshwater fish species in Flanders was considered extinct or threatened. This is higher than neighbouring regions and Europe as a whole (44%). This new Red List of freshwater fishes in Flanders can be used to inform conservation actions.     

牛GDF-9基因的克隆与组织表达的分析

为了检测牛GDF-9基因mRNA在怀孕期牛生殖系统的表达情况,为GDF-9基因在雌性动物繁殖上的研究提供一定的理论依据。本试验根据GenBank中报道的牛GDF-9基因序列设计引物,从牛卵巢、输卵管、子宫、肾脏中提取RNA,采用RT-PCR技术进行cDNA扩增,扩增产物与载体pGM-T连接,转化大肠杆菌DH5α,筛选阳性克隆,测序。结果表明,已成功克隆的阳性重组子经测序鉴定其片段大小与预期大小完全一致,为264 bp。序列同源性分析比较表明,该cDNA及其推导的氨基酸序列与绵羊GDF-9cDNA和氨基酸序列同源性分别为97%和94%。以-βactin为内参照物,采用RT-PCR技术进行半定量分析,通过检测比较牛GDF-9基因在卵巢、输卵管、子宫、肾脏组织中mRNA的表达情况。结果表明,牛GDF-9基因在卵巢中表达量最高,在输卵管、子宫、肾脏中均有表达,但表达量不高。     

Inter-observer agreement between two observers for bovine digital dermatitis identification in New Zealand using digital photographs

Aims: To assess the inter-observer agreement for detecting bovine digital dermatitis (BDD) lesions in digital colour photographs of the hind feet of cows, which had been taken while the animals were standing to be milked, between two trained observers.

Methods: Thirty-six photographs were selected from a total of 184 photographs held by the first author (R1), who had classified them as negative (n=11) or positive (n=25) for BDD. They were delivered to a technician (R2) who had previously visually inspected cattle for BDD lesions, and who then recorded the photographs as being either BDD-positive or BDD-negative. The percentage agreement between R1 and R2, and two other inter-observer agreement statistics, Cohen’s κ and Gwet’s first-order chance correction agreement coefficient (AC1), were calculated. The cumulative membership probabilities of Cohen’s κ and Gwet’s AC1 were then calculated for different benchmark ranges of κ.

Results: The percentage agreement between R1 and R2 was 33/36 (92%), Cohen’s κ was 0.80 (95% CI=0.57–1.0) and Gwet’s AC1 was 0.86 (95% CI=0.69–1.0). Based on the cumulative membership probabilities for Gwet’s AC1, there was 75% probability that the two observers had almost perfect agreement (κ≥0.81). For both Cohen’s κ and Gwet’s AC1, there was >95% probability that the two observers had at least substantial agreement (κ≥0.61).

Conclusions: The two trained observers had at least substantial agreement in identifying from a digital photograph as to whether BDD lesions were present or absent. Therefore results from the two could be used interchangeably.

Clinical Relevance: Visual assessment for BDD lesions in the milking parlour can be subjective. However a high agreement between these two trained BDD inspectors means BDD prevalence reported from different regions in New Zealand by these two can be directly compared.     

Sensitivity,specificity, and predictive values of reagent test strip estimations of blood urea nitrogen

Azostix-reagent-tests(R) strips (Ames, Miles, Inc., Diagnostic Division, Elkhart, IN) were used to measure blood urea nitrogen values in blood samples from 125 dogs and cats at the North Carolina State University, College of Veterinary Medicine. Results of the tests were compared with standard serum urea nitrogen results. Sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive values were high (86.4, 90.3, and 96.5%, respectively). Positive predictive value was low, 65.5% of the dogs and cats with elevated blood urea nitrogen values were correctly classified as abnormal The test performs well when the prevalence of abnormal values is near 50%.     

农副产品及废弃物化感抑藻作用的研究与机理

农副产品废弃物作为可再生性、可降解性的生物质资源,在农村被大量的丢弃和焚烧,给环境造成了极大地危害.通过一系列技术处理,可以从农副产品和废弃物中提取化感物质,应用于海水和淡水中藻类的抑制,以有效利用废物资源.文章对化感作用的概念、20种农副产品及废弃物对19种藻类的化感抑制作用以及化感作用抑藻机理等进行了较系统的论述,对今后植物化感作用抑藻技术的研究方向进行了展望.提出应多学科结合,利用化感物质对不同藻类的影响及其选择性抑制机理做更深入的研究.