A Landmark Analysis-Based Approach to Age and Sex Classification of the Skull of the Mediterranean Monk Seal (Monachus monachus) (Hermann, 1779)

This work aimed at applying geometric morphometric analysis techniques to the skull of the Mediterranean monk seal ( Monachus monachus , Hermann, 1779). Inferential analyses were performed using a non-parameteric permutation framework based on a series of skulls of different age classes belonging to individuals of both sexes. Our goal was to establish whether a statistical approach based on osteometric measurements and surface analysis of photographs of the left lateral plane of the skull may lead to a different and scientifically sound method of age and sex classification in this critically endangered marine mammal. Our data indicate that non-parametric combination methodology enables the researcher to give local assessment using a combination with domains. Developing geometric morphometric techniques in a non-parametric permutation framework could be useful in solving high dimensional and small sample size problems as well as classification problems, including zoological classification of specimens within a specific population. The Mediterranean monk seal is believed to be the world's rarest pinniped and one of the most endangered mammals of the world, with fewer than 600 individuals currently surviving. The use of shape analysis would allow new insights into the biological characteristics of the monk seal by simply extracting potentially new information on age and size from museal specimens.     

Defining output-based standards to achieve and maintain tuberculosis freedom in farmed deer, with reference to member states of the European Union

Within the European Union (EU), detailed legislation has been developed for cattle, but not deer, to minimise disease risks associated with trade in animals and animal products. This legislation is expressed as input-based standards, providing a detailed outline of the activity required (for example, testing of animals and application of defined control measures), on the expectation that an adequate output (for example, confidence in freedom) will be achieved. Input-based standards are at odds with the increasing shift towards output-based standards, particularly in OIE rules governing international trade. In this paper, we define output-based standards to achieve and maintain freedom from tuberculosis (TB) in farmed deer, with reference to EU member states. After considering the probability of freedom achieved for cattle under existing EU legislation, we defined a ‘free farmed deer holding’ as one with a probability of freedom from infection of at least 99%. We then developed an epidemiological model of TB surveillance systems for deer holdings, incorporating different surveillance strategies, including combinations of diagnostic tests, and a variety of different scenarios relating to the potential for introduction of infection. A range of surveillance strategies were identified to achieve and maintain a free farmed deer holding, and worked examples are presented. The surveillance system sensitivity for varying combinations of screening and confirmatory tests in live animals, animals at slaughter and on-farm deaths is also presented. Using a single test at a single point in time, none of the TB tests routinely used in farmed deer is able to achieve an acceptable probability of TB freedom. If repeat testing were undertaken, an acceptable probability of TB freedom could be achieved, with differing combinations of the surveillance system sensitivity, frequency of testing and risk of introduction. The probability of introduction of infection through the importation of infected deer was influenced by the use of a pre-movement test (assumed 90% test sensitivity and negative test results), the TB prevalence in the source herd and the number of animals imported. A surveillance system sensitivity of at least 81% was achieved with different combinations of annual live animal surveillance and surveillance of animals at slaughter or on-farm deaths. This methodology has broad applicability and could also be extended to other diseases in both deer and other species with relevance to trade in animals and animal products.     

雪凝灾后厩肥和尿素对新植鸭茅鲜草产量的影响

2007－2008年进行了厩肥和尿素配合施用对新植鸭茅Dactylis glomerata栽培草地鲜草产量的影响研究,结果表明,在经历了2008年年初持续20多天雪凝灾害之后,6个厩肥和尿素处理组合的鲜草产量差异显著,施厩肥30 000 kg/hm2与施尿素75、175、275 kg/hm2的处理组合的鲜草产量均极显著高于对照,厩肥施用量30 000 kg/hm2的处理组合鲜草产量较高,其中,鲜草产量最高的施肥组合为厩肥30 000 kg＋尿素175 kg/hm2,而最经济的施肥组合应该是厩肥30 000＋尿素75 kg/hm2。     

饲料崛起 广东先行（1）──广东省饲料业发展的回顾与展望

我国的饲料业是随着动物营养和饲料科学的发展．在工业化水平提高并达到一定阶段后逐步发展起来的跨行业、跨部门、跨学科的新兴行业。它包括几大部分：饲料原料生产、饲料加工（包括配合饲料、浓缩饲料、单一饲料、精料补充料和添加剂预混合饲料）、饲料添加剂生产、饲料机械生产和营运销售使用以及动物营养饲料科研教育、制标和监测检测等服务体系。     

Metabolism and antioxidation regulation of total flavanones from Sedum sarmentosum Bunge against high-fat diet-induced fatty liver disease in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Fish Physiology and Biochemistry - Diet-induced fatty liver is a considerable threaten to fish aquaculture due to the popularity of the high-fat diet (HFD) feeding. Our study aims to investigate...     

Soil and litter fauna of cacao agroforestry systems in Bahia,Brazil

Agroforestry systems deposit great amounts of plant residues on soil and this leads to high levels of soil organic matter content and has increased soil biodiversity and improved its conservation. This study compares the distribution of meso and macrofaunal communities in soil and litter under cacao agroforestry systems and in a natural forest in the southern Bahia state of Brazil. Soil and litter samples were obtained in September 2003, February 2004, and August 2004 in five cacao agroforestry systems. The systems evaluated included: cacao renewed under Erythrina sp. (Erythrina poeppigiana) (CRE); cacao renewed under natural forest (Cabruca, CRF); an old cacao system under Erythrina sp. (OCE); an old cacao system under a natural forest system (Cabruca, OCF) and a cacao germplasm collection area (CGC). As a reference soil and litter under a natural forest (NF) was included. Organisms were collected over a 15-day period with a Berlese–Tullgren apparatus. The density and richness of total fauna varied distinctly according to sites, sampling time and material sampled (soil and litter). 16,409 of fauna were recovered from soil and litter samples and the density of total fauna was 2,094 individuals m⁻² in the litter and 641 individuals m⁻² in the soil. The richness was 11.8 in the litter and 7.5 in the soil. The cacao agroforestry systems adopted for growing cacao in the southern Bahia region of Brazil have beneficial effects on the soil and litter faunal communities, and such systems of cacao cultivation could be considered as a conservation system for soil fauna. The development of a litter layer resulted in higher abundance and diversity of soil fauna.     

野生玫瑰抗旱性地理变异的初步研究

以吉林珲春,山东牟平,山东荣成3个地理种源的野生玫瑰为材料进行盆栽试验,研究了干旱胁迫下玫瑰的生理生化变化与抗旱性强弱。结果表明,干旱胁迫条件下, 3个种源野生玫瑰的5个抗旱生理生化指标的变化趋势基本一致,但各指标的变化程度因种源不同而异。通过“坐标综合评定方法”对5个生理生化指标进行综合评定,得到3个种源野生玫瑰的抗旱性强弱等级依次为吉林珲春,山东牟平,山东荣成。     

3个新引进脐橙品种在桂林花芽分化的解剖学观察

本研究以Hutton脐橙、Navelate脐橙和石棉脐橙为试材,研究了它们的花芽分化特性.结果表明,Hutton脐橙、Navelate脐橙和石棉脐橙花芽分化顺序一致,均分为6个时期,包括末分化期、花芽分化始期、萼片原基、花瓣原基、雄蕊原基、雌蕊原基分化,花芽形态分化从11月开始至次年3月完成,历时5～6个月;不同品种花芽分化各阶段所持续的时间略有不同.石棉脐橙花芽分化进程总体上早于Hutton脐橙和Navelate脐橙,其次是Hutton脐橙,最迟是Navelate脐橙.同时,初步证明气温的降低也是脐橙花芽分化的必需条件.     

实时荧光PCR定性检测菜籽粕中转基因成分的研究

本文针对使用实时荧光PCR对深加工的饲料菜籽粕进行转基因检测的研究,就DNA抽提、纯化和实时荧光PCR过程中使用样品DNA的最适浓度等方面,对检测方法进行了适当的改进,并探讨了如何根据所得荧光曲线的Ct值判定菜籽粕中是否含有转基因成分.     

家蚕细胞色素C基因的克隆及其蛋白在家蚕凋亡细胞中的释放

 【目的】细胞色素C是线粒体凋亡路径上的关键因子,通过家蚕细胞色素C基因的克隆和其蛋白在家蚕凋亡细胞中的释放研究,为家蚕细胞凋亡的研究奠定基础。【方法】利用生物信息学和分子生物学方法克隆家蚕细胞色素C基因,通过紫外线照射诱导家蚕细胞凋亡,应用流式细胞仪和Western-blotting检测家蚕凋亡细胞的线粒体膜电位变化和细胞色素C的释放。【结果】在家蚕中克隆了一个含有细胞色素C保守结构域的同源基因,该基因cDNA长570 bp,有3个外显子,开放阅读框（open reading frame,ORF）长324 bp,编码108个氨基酸,存在参与细胞凋亡时与下游凋亡蛋白酶激活因子（Apaf－1）相互作用的保守关键位点;紫外线诱导家蚕胚胎细胞BmE-SWU1凋亡后12 h,细胞线粒体跨膜电位明显下降,同时检测到了细胞色素C由线粒体向细胞质释放。【结论】在家蚕细胞凋亡中可能存在细胞色素C由线粒体释放的路径。