黑杨新无性系在滇池湖滨引种试验

一种欧美杂交黑杨在滇池湖滨带首次引种成功。对其6个无性系苗期进行了试验研究,并利用Logistic曲线方程对无性系黑杨在滇池湖滨1年生扦插苗木的年生长节律进行拟合,确定不同品系的速生点及速生期。试验表明,该品种具有明显生长优势且适应性好,管理粗放,成活率较高。对土壤中有效肥力的利用情况进行了对照研究。     

The Incidence of Aeromonas Species in the Feces of Nondiarrheic Horses

Aeromonas species have been isolated from the feces of diarrheic adult horses and foals. However, Aeromonas species have also been isolated from the feces of approximately 5% of clinically normal adult horses outside the United States. The objectives of this study were to determine whether Aeromonas species can be shed in the feces of nondiarrheic adult horses and identify any effects of season of year, transportation, and hospitalization on possible fecal shedding of Aeromonas species. Feces were cultured for Aeromonas and Salmonella species from 138 nondiarrheic adult horses examined in the hospital and by field services for complaints other than gastrointestinal disease. Fecal Aeromonas and Salmonella species were isolated from 6.5% and 2.2% of nondiarrheic horses, respectively. All Aeromonas isolates were identified as A caviae. There were no apparent effects on time of year, hospitalization, or transport on isolation of Aeromonas species from feces. Isolation of Aeromonas species from diarrheic horses in the absence of other possible enteric pathogens indicates intestinal disease as a result of Aeromonas infection, but Aeromonas species can also occur as copathogens with Salmonella infections.     

Intersex condition of shoal bass in the Flint River, Georgia

We examined male shoal bass Micropterus cataractae from the Flint River, Georgia, to determine the prevalence of intersex. During March and April 2010, we sampled 61 shoal bass from six sites along the Flint River. Testes were examined histologically and classified as intersex if the presence of oocytes was noted. Using a severity index, we compared samples collected on different dates and from different locations according to age and testis weight. No significant variations were noted among any of the groupings. Further investigation is needed to determine whether the intersex condition in shoal bass is severe enough to warrant concern and whether it is a natural phenomenon.     

Isolation and characterisation of equine influenza viruses (H3N8) from Europe and North America from 2008 to 2009

Like other influenza A viruses, equine influenza virus undergoes antigenic drift. It is therefore essential that surveillance is carried out to ensure that recommended strains for inclusion in vaccines are kept up to date. Here we report antigenic and genetic characterisation carried out on equine influenza virus strains isolated in North America and Europe over a 2-year period from 2008 to 2009. Nasopharyngeal swabs were taken from equines showing acute clinical signs and submitted to diagnostic laboratories for testing and virus isolation in eggs. The sequence of the HA1 portion of the viral haemagglutinin was determined for each strain. Where possible, sequence was determined directly from swab material as well as from virus isolated in eggs. In Europe, 20 viruses were isolated from 15 sporadic outbreaks and 5 viruses were isolated from North America. All of the European and North American viruses were characterised as members of the Florida sublineage, with similarity to A/eq/Lincolnshire/1/07 (clade 1) or A/eq/Richmond/1/07 (clade 2). Antigenic characterisation by haemagglutination inhibition assay indicated that the two clades could be readily distinguished and there were also at least seven amino acid differences between them. The selection of vaccine strains for 2010 by the expert surveillance panel have taken these differences into account and it is now recommended that representatives of both Florida clade 1 and clade 2 are included in vaccines.     

Phospholipids and wheat gluten blends: interaction and kinetics

A model system comprising of lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) and isolated gluten were used help understand the positive effect of PL on bread-loaf volume. The kinetics of the effect of gluten on the thermal properties of LPC were determined using DSC. Blends of PL and 3, 6, and 10% gluten were heated from 0 to 70 °C at rates between 3 and 19 °C/min and cooled to 0 °C. The onset and peak temperatures and ΔH were recorded. The peak temperature was used to calculate the activation energy (E_a) and Z value. The transition for pure LPC vesicle formation was detectable by DSC in the presence of gluten. Gluten increased the activation energy of LPC during vesicle formation and disruption. The increase in gluten content from 3 to 6% and then to 10% had a slight effect on the activation energy value of LPC during vesicle disruption, whereas during formation a steady increase was noticed with higher gluten additions. Overall, the ΔH of the blends showed a decrease at higher heating rate. The change in the PL activation energy in the presence of gluten is indicative of a form of interaction.     

Concurrent infection with ranavirus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, and Aeromonas in a captive anuran colony

Four species (Dendrobates auratus, Phyllobates terribilis, Pyxicephalus adspersus, and Rhacophorus dennysi) of captive anurans with a clinical history of lethargy and inappetence were found dead and were submitted for necropsy. Gross lesions included irregular patches of sloughed skin and rare dermal ulcerations. Histologic findings included epidermal proliferation that was most pronounced on the digits and that included intracytoplasmic chytrid organisms. Bacteria were often associated with the epidermal lesions. Intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies were observed in hepatocytes. Real-time polymerase chain reaction yielded positive results for both Ranavirus and Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). Bacterial culture of internal organs yielded Aeromonas hydrophila. This is the first report of concurrent infections in anurans by Ranavirus and Bd and A. hydrophila.     

Fonsecaea pedrosoi skin infection in a dog.

Fonsecaea pedrosoi is the most common fungal agent associated with human chromoblastomycosis. In the current study, a phaeohyphomycotic condition of the skin caused by Fonsecaea pedrosoi is described in a dog.