Hepatitis E virus in Cuba: A cross-sectional serological and virological study in pigs and people occupationally exposed to pigs

Surveillance of hepatitis E virus (HEV) in risk groups is an important strategy to monitor its circulation pattern and to timely detect changes thereof. The aims of this cross-sectional study were to estimate the prevalence of HEV infections in pigs and humans from different regions of the country, to identify risk factors for increasing anti-HEV IgG prevalence and to characterize HEV strains. The presence of anti-HEV antibodies was assessed by commercial ELISA in serum samples from the general population, farm and slaughterhouse employees, as well as pigs sampled in the three regions of Cuba from February to September 2016. Overall, individuals with occupational exposure to swine or swine products (70/248, 28.2%) were 4 times more likely to be seropositive compared to the general population (25/285, 8.7%; OR: 4.18; p < .001). Within the risk group, risk factors included age, number of years working in a professional activity with direct exposure to swine, geographic region and distance between residence and closest professional swine setting, while wearing gloves had a protective effect. Prevalence of total anti-HEV antibodies in swine was 88.2% (165/187) and HEV RNA was detected by real-time RT-PCR in 9.2% (16/173) swine stools. All HEV strains sequenced clustered within genotype 3. Some strains clearly belonged to subtype 3a, while another group of strains was related with subtypes 3b and 3 k but partial HEV sequences did not allow unequivocal subtype assignment. These findings suggest that the high HEV exposure in Cuban individuals with swine-related occupations could be due to enzootic HEV in certain regions, direct contact with infectious animals or their products as well as environmental contamination.     

苜蓿地撂荒过程中土壤-微生物-胞外酶及化学计量的变化

紫花苜蓿(Medicago sativa L.)作为优良修复草种在黄土高原广泛种植,然而随着农村人口迁移及土地利用变化,苜蓿人工草地大量弃置的问题已引起广泛关注。为研究苜蓿弃置草地土壤质量变化规律,本研究分析了不同弃置年限(0年、5年和10年)苜蓿草地土壤养分、微生物量、参与土壤碳氮磷(C,N,P)循环的胞外酶活性及其化学计量变化。结果表明：总体上,土壤和微生物C,N含量随弃置年限呈增加趋势,而C,N相关胞外酶活性和化学计量变化幅度较小;土壤和微生物P含量随弃置年限增加而显著降低,但P相关胞外酶活性及化学计量均有不同程度的增加。进一步分析发现：相较于其他土层,表层(0～20 cm)土壤C,N,P含量及其酶活性较高,其变化趋势与总体结果相似;亚表层土壤(20～40 cm)和(80～100 cm)深层土壤C,N,P含量及其酶活性呈先增后减趋势,且各指标较于表层土壤均降低40%～80%。相关分析表明弃置草地土壤由于P匮乏而逐步退化,可通过补施磷肥改善。     

Comprehensive transcriptional profiling and functional study of lymphangiogenic growth factor in placentome of early-stage pregnant water buffalo

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the expression and localization of lymphangiogenic factors (VEGF-C and VEGF-D), their receptor (VEGFR3) and lymphatic endothelial marker (LYVE1) in buffalo placenta during early pregnancy [EP], and to investigate the functional role of lymphangiogenic growth factors in placental lymphangiogenesis. The mRNA and protein expression of VEGF-C, VEGF-D, their receptor VEGFR3 and LYVE1 showed significant expression in EP1 (29–42 days) and EP2 stages (51–82 days) both in caruncle (maternal part) and cotyledon (foetal part) of the buffalo placenta. Immunoreactivity of VEGF-C, VEGF-D and LYVE1 was observed around the endometrial gland, in lymphatics and trophoblast cells, whereas VEGFR3 mainly localized in lymphatics of the caruncle and cotyledons. Cultured trophoblast cells were treated with VEGF-C/VEGF-D (50, 100 and 150 ng/ml) and combined doses of VEGF-C and VEGF-D (150 ng/ml) each for different time durations (24, 48 and 72 h). The mRNA expression of LYVE1 and PCNA was significantly (p < .001) upregulated with VEGF-C and VEGF-D and combined treatment (@150 ng/ml), as well as significantly downregulating Caspase-3 at 48 and 72 h. Thus, the present study provides evidence that lymphangiogenic factors are expressed in buffalo placental compartments and they may play a significant role in the regulation of placental function in water buffaloes.     

Mental health in the veterinary profession: an individual or organisational focus?

The veterinary profession is experiencing a shortage of veterinarians, with attrition recognised as a substantial contributor. Research has also indicated increased levels of mental ill health and alarming suicide rates in practitioners. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the impact of eleven modifiable workplace factors on mental health outcomes, job appreciation and intention to leave the veterinary profession. The second aim was to ascertain whether workplace factors influence mental health outcomes after controlling for individual resilience. An online survey was completed by 73 practising Australian veterinarians. Unfavourable workplace factors correlated with adverse outcomes including depression, stress, reduced job appreciation and increased likelihood of leaving both the role and the profession. Workplace factors remained linked with the outcomes of job appreciation, depression and stress whilst controlling for practitioner resilience. Job appreciation was a significant predictor of intention to leave both the current role and the profession. Via multiple linear regression, two categories were identified as associated with improved psychological outcomes and job appreciation. These were workplace factors that represent breaks from workload and control or decision latitude in the workplace. Whilst resilience represents a key area for intervention, workplace factors potentially represent an easier-to-modify area for intervention.     

条形浅基础极限承载力的滑移线解

当网格剖分足够密时，采用差分解法可得到具有足够精度的有重土静力极限平衡数值解。根据大量计算分析，揭示了有效旁侧荷载宽度L、无量纲极限承载力 / 与内摩擦角 、无量纲参数λ的内在规律，据此将滑移线法数值解拟合为简洁的解析表达式，并在理论上证明了这一规律。通过与几种经典承载力公式的比较和分析，综合对该拟合公式的可靠度分析，论证了其正确性和可行性。     

中国户用沼气技术转化制约因素分析及对策

围绕生物质能源技术转化和农村可持续发展目标实现的制约因素，提出发展户用沼气池相应对策：改变政府职能和激励措施，搭建自由公平的社会平台；开拓多种融资途径，加强科技研发和成果转化，构建服务体系，推进沼气技术产业化；通过科普宣传、资金扶持、政策约束和经济效益反馈激励等措施，协调和促进农村沼气能源的开发利用。     

经济绿肥覆盖对西双版纳胶园土壤性状的综合影响

论述了经济绿肥覆盖对提高土壤肥力、改善土壤物理性状、水土保持、提高抗病性、增加收入等方面的作用和重要意义。阐明了经济绿肥覆盖在西双版纳胶园的应用前景，它将实现经济效益和生态效益并重的胶园可持续发展。同时提出了在胶林行间特别是保护带陡坡地种植绿肥覆盖物的发展思路及相应措施，即完成胶园经济绿肥良种的筛选、经济效益和生态效益评价、及配套栽培技术试验示范。     

生态技术在现代农业中的地位及其技术群构成

提出了现代农业的主要支撑技术包括生态技术、生物技术和管理技术,并分析了此三类支撑技术的相互关系;通过深入比较,指出生态技术在现代农业中应占主导地位,这是现代农业发展的内在要求,是中国生态环境现状的必然选择,是建立社会主义和谐社会的必然趋势;同时提出了生态技术群中应该重点发展的主要技术:立体农业技术、综合养殖生态技术、特色农业技术、多色农业技术、设施农业技术、农业综合节水技术、农业污染综合防治技术和无公害绿色农产品标准化生产技术等。