An Outbreak of Respiratory Disease Complex in Sheep in Central Ethiopia

An investigation was carried out into an outbreak of respiratory disease complex (RDC) in 3641 Menz and Awassi×Menz cross sheep in Central Ethiopia between 1998 and 1999 by clinical, serological, microbiological, post-mortem and histopathological examinations. The monthly incidence of RDC varied from 2.8% to 4.0% and the prevalence was as high as 17%. The case fatality rate was 18%, despite culling of sick sheep. Over 76% of the morbidity occurred in adults, followed by 19% among weaners. Similarly, 62% of the mortality was in adults. However, 27% of the mortality occurred in lambs despite the low morbidity in the group. Significant breed and age differences were seen in the morbidity and mortality rates (p<0.05). Clinical signs, gross and microscopic lesions and serological and bacteriological examinations showed an interplay of several causes of the RDC, including pestes des petits ruminants (PPR) (72.3%, serologically confirmed), lung worms, maedi-visna, bacterial bronchopneumonia (staphylococcal and streptococcal), enzootic pneumonia and some fungal infections. Cold temperatures, which may be as low as –8.5°C at night, are major predisposing factors along with managemental stresses. Vaccination of animals with a homologous PPR vaccine appeared to decrease dramatically the occurrence of the disease, showing that PPR played an important role in the outbreak. Several of the pathogens do not appear to be individually capable of causing the respiratory disease. Appropriate strategies for the prevention of RDC are suggested.     

Epidemiology and control of Menangle virus in pigs

OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiology and eradication of Menangle virus infection in pigs. DESIGN: Field observations and interventions, structured and unstructured serological surveys, prospective and cross-sectional serological studies and laboratory investigations. PROCEDURE: Serum samples were collected from pigs at a 2600-sow intensive piggery in New South Wales that experienced an outbreak of reproductive disease in 1997. Serum samples were also collected from piggeries that received pigs from or supplied pigs to the affected piggery and from other piggeries in Australia. Serum and tissue samples were collected from pigs at piggeries experiencing reproductive disease in New South Wales. Sera and faeces were collected from grey-headed flying foxes (Pteropus poliocephalus) in the region of the affected piggery. Serum samples were tested for neutralising antibodies against Menangle virus. Virus isolation was attempted from faeces. RESULTS: Following the outbreak of reproductive disease, sera from 96% of adult pigs at the affected piggery, including sows that produced affected litters, contained neutralising antibodies against Menangle virus. Neutralising antibodies were also detected in sera from 88% of finisher pigs at two piggeries receiving weaned pigs from the affected piggery. No evidence of Menangle virus infection was found in other piggeries in Australia. In cross-sectional studies at the affected piggery, colostral antibodies were undetectable in most pigs by 14 to 15 weeks of age. By slaughter age or entry to the breeding herd, 95% of pigs developed high antibody titres (> or = 128) against Menangle virus in the virus neutralisation test. Menangle virus was eradicated from the affected piggery following a program of serological testing and segregation. Neutralising antibodies against Menangle virus were also detected in P poliocephalus from two colonies in the vicinity of the affected piggery. Two piggery workers were infected with Menangle virus. There was no evidence of infection in cattle, sheep, birds, rodents, feral cats and a dog at the affected piggery. CONCLUSIONS: Serological evidence of infection with Menangle virus was detected in pigs at a piggery that had experienced reproductive disease, in pigs at two associated piggeries and in fruit bats in the region of the piggery. Two humans were infected. The mode of transmission between pigs is unknown, but spread by faecal or urinary excretion is postulated. This virus can be eradicated by the segregation of pigs into discrete age groups.     

丹麦有机猪的生产和养猪业沙门氏菌的控制

本文介绍了丹麦有机猪的生产情况(有机猪的品种、畜舍环境和条件、畜舍卫生和饲养饲料状况)、沙门氏菌控制计划的情况(饲料、种猪群、断奶仔猪群、育肥猪群和屠宰场的监控)和效果。同时,简析了我国发展有机畜牧业的必要性,最后提出实行危害分析和关键控制点(HACCP)预防管理体系和有机养殖是我国养猪业的发展方向。     

冷季型草坪杂草综合防治技术与策略

冷季型草坪发展速度很快 ,但养护管理技术滞后 ,杂草危害严重。在调查掌握杂草的种类、数量及发生规律的情况下 ,应采取以下防治策略 :(1)严格杂草检疫制度 ,清洁播种材料 ;(2 )合理耕作 ,深埋杂草种子或幼苗 ,清洁坪床 ;(3)科学栽培管理 ,诱杀或抑制杂草 ,具体技术包括草种选择、播期、播量、施肥、浇水、修剪等 :(4)化学防除 ,具体包括播前诱杀除草 ,播后苗前和播后苗期除草     

假俭草的主要病害及其防治

假俭草作为一种优良的草坪草己广泛用于绿化之中,但病害会极大地影响草坪质量。为了对假俭草的病害防治提供依据,就其病害种类、症状、发病规律及防治措施进行了论述。     

Muscle fibre type distribution of the thoracolumbar and hindlimb regions of horses: relating fibre type and functional role

Background

Although the majority of equine muscles have a mixed fibre type distribution indicative of diverse functional roles, the predominance of a fibre type can indicate the primary function of a muscle. The deep epaxial musculature has an important role in core spinal stability in humans, reflected as a predominantly muscle fibre type (MFT) I or postural fibre type. The fibre type of the deep epaxial musculature has not been determined in horses. The objective of the study was to determine the MFT distribution in selected muscles of thoracolumbar and hindlimb region of horses. This included deep epaxial and hypaxial muscles that were hypothesised to have a postural stabilising role. A second objective was to examine differences in MFT distribution between horses bred for endurance (Arabian) and sprinting (Quarter horse). Muscle biopsy samples were obtained from selected thoracolumbar and hind limb muscles of 5 Quarter horses, 4 Arabians, and 2 Thoroughbreds. The myosin heavy chain distribution was determined by gel electrophoresis. Mann–Whitney rank test was used to compare the proportional MFT and differences between breeds.

Results

Mm. sacrocaudalis dorsalis medialis and diaphragm had the highest proportion of MFT-I. The remaining deep epaxial muscles and the hypaxial muscle m. psoas minor had approximately equal MFT I and II proportions. Mm. psoas major, iliocostalis, longissimus dorsi and the hind limb muscles contained mostly MFT-IIX. The fibre type distribution was similar between Arabians and Quarter horses, although Quarter horses had more MFT-IIX fibres in psoas major (P = 0.02) while Arabians had more MFT-I fibres in m. longissimus dorsi (P = 0.03).

Conclusions

The fibre type distribution of the deep epaxial muscles, mm psoas minor and diaphragm varied from approximately equal MFT-I and II proportions to predominantly MFT-I suggesting a postural stabilising role possibly important in core spinal stability. In contrast the fibre type proportions of mm psoas major, iliocostalis, longissimus dorsi and the hind limb muscles were mainly MFT-II suggesting a locomotory role. Knowledge of fibre type distribution in such a clinically important area can direct diagnosis, prevention and treatment of muscular or neuromotor dysfunction.     

西宁地区草坪阔叶杂草防除试验

于2001和2003年4-6月对西宁地区草坪阔叶杂草进行了除草剂药效试验。结果表明,5种药剂试验处理中,72%2,4-D丁酯与48%百草敌药效最好,防效分别为89.8%和87.9%,75%杜邦巨星药效较好,防效为85.2%,药效较差的是10%甲磺隆,防效为52.9%,25%氯磺隆药效最差,防效为37.6%。浓度筛选试验中,72%2,4-D丁酯400倍液与500倍液药效最好,防效分别为97.5%和96.7%,48%百草敌1 000倍液与1 300倍液防效分别为92.9%和92.3%,药效较好,75%杜邦巨星10 000倍液药效较差,防效为87.9%,其中以72%2,4-D丁酯500倍液的防除成本最低,其次是48%百草敌1 300倍液,防除成本最高的是75%杜邦巨星10 000倍液,从防除效果和成本2方面综合考虑,72%2,4-D丁酯为西宁地区防除草坪阔叶杂草较理想的除草剂,田间推荐剂量为500倍液。     

自适应模糊控制在配料过程中的研究与应用

针对工业配料过程中配料精度和速度相矛盾的难题,文中提出了一种专家系统、模糊控制结合自适应控制的新型控制方法。该方法将模糊控制宽范围快速调节和自适应精确调节的特点有机结合起来,当系统偏差大于某一设定值时,采用专家经验和模糊规则控制相结合的控制方法;当系统偏差小于设定值时采用自适应控制。实际应用表明,该方法比一般的模糊控制在系统精度和速度上均有所提高。     

利用分离的奶牛X精子冷冻精液生产体内性控胚胎试验

采用常规精液和分离的X精子冷冻精液对115头超数排卵的青年和经产荷斯坦母牛人工输精生产体内性控胚胎。结果表明,利用2支和3支性控精液给超排青年母牛输精,头均分别获得6.8枚±4.8枚和6.3枚±3.2枚可用胚胎,与常规精液的超排效果(7.2枚±5.2枚)无明显差异;利用2支和3支性控精液给超排经产母牛输精,头均可用胚胎分别为7.5枚±4.5枚和8.6枚±5.6枚,与常规精液的超排效果(6.1枚±3.2枚)相比,分别增加23%(P>0.05)和41%(P>0.05),无显著差异,但解冻后性控精子会明显影响经产母牛的受精率;对用性控精液输精生产的12枚抽样胚胎采用LAMP法进行性别鉴定并移植,结果获得了91.7%的雌性率和36.4%的受胎率。结果提示,X精子的分离过程会在一定程度上影响受精率,用分离的X精子冷冻精液对超排母牛进行人工授精生产体内性控胚胎是可行的。