Simulation of the options for a national control programme to eradicate scrapie from Great Britain

Because of the risk to public health posed by the potential presence of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in sheep, there are plans to eradicate transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) from the British sheep population. We used a mathematical model for the spread of scrapie between sheep flocks to assess the efficacy of five control strategies at eradicating the infection from the national flock. These range from ram-genotyping schemes through whole-flock genotyping with selective culling to whole-flock slaughter. The impact of control was considered under three scenarios for the long-term dynamics of scrapie in GB: two in which scrapie is ultimately eliminated (with different median extinction times) and one in which scrapie remains endemic. Results suggested that it is feasible to eradicate scrapie from the British sheep flock, but that any national control programme will take decades to eliminate the disease and be costly. The most-effective strategy, measured in terms of the probability of eradication and time taken for eradication, was predicted to be whole-flock culling, which was effective under all three scenarios for the long-term dynamics of scrapie. Strategies involving whole-flock genotyping with selective culling were also effective, though they were predicted to take longer to eradicate scrapie than whole-flock culling. Ram-genotyping schemes were effective in some instances, but not for the scenario where scrapie remained endemic in the national flock. At low levels of reporting of clinical disease (<20%) the probability of eradication within 100 years was predicted to be <100% and, consequently, low levels of reporting could compromise the effectiveness of a control programme. Moreover, the predicted time taken to eradicate scrapie would increase markedly if the reporting compliance decreased.     

牛羊屠宰粪便优势发酵菌株的分离、培养及筛选

应用选择性培养基在牛羊屠宰粪便中进行纤维分解菌、固氮菌、解磷菌和解钾菌的分离、培养,分离得到201株菌株。对其中的18株纤维分解菌进行纤维素酶酶活力的测定,经测定1,6,7,13,15,18号菌株酶活力相对较高,每mL培养物中的酶活力均高于500U／g,为将来进一步进行发酵菌剂的研究提供了优势候选菌株。     

Exploring the limitations of pathophysiological indicators used for targeted selective treatment in sheep experimentally infected with Haemonchus contortus

Identifying which sheep to treat as part of a Targeted Selective Treatment approach to gastro-intestinal nematode control relies entirely on the efficacy of the indicators. Indicators such as FAMACHA© (anaemia), DISCO (diarrhea) and reductions in weight gains were designed specifically to reflect those sheep experiencing symptomatic consequences of infection. Using the gastro-intestinal nematode Haemonchus contortus as a model species, this study explored the utility and sensitivity of these indicators under controlled experimental conditions on 63 adult sheep. The potential effect of sheep with different H. contortus resistance phenotypes on indicator efficacy was compared in three different phenotypes, i.e. high (Blackbelly females), medium (Blackbelly rams) and low resistance (Romane rams). The potential effect of the H. contortus isolate on indicator efficacy was also explored by using four different isolates, with varying anthelmintic resistance capacities, to infect the sheep. We limited the study to the first month of infection to evaluate the interest of these indicators as an early predictive means for controlling infection. The pathophysiological indicators FAMACHA© and DISCO do not reflect infection intensity based on Faecal Egg Counts, nor do reductions in weight gains. FAMACHA© was however a good indicator of anaemia with strong correlations to haematocrit. There was little agreement among the three indicators to identify the same animals in need of treatment and even combining them did not increase their predictive value of infection intensity or relative host damage from infection. The indicator sensitivity was influenced by the H. contortus isolate and sheep resistance phenotype in which they were tested. One isolate was poorly infective but induced high levels of anaemia (FAMACHA©) and diarrhea (DISCO) compared to the three others. The FAMACHA© and DISCO had higher values in the sheep group with a medium resistance phenotype (Blackbelly rams) indicating higher levels of damage compared to the high and low resistance phenotypes. We conclude that there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to the use of indicators for Targeted Selective Treatment and the indicators should be calibrated to farm-specific conditions to increase their efficacy.     

BMY牛的选育进展

总结了经历20多年选育的BMY牛所取得的进展,再通过3～5年的努力将完成BMY牛的培育,届时BMY牛将是一个适应我国南方炎热地区的热带肉牛新品种.     

家蚕混精杂交的实验生物学研究

利用染色体替换法研制出具有标志基因、又可在子代明确区分的二种精子活力相同的材料——临皓普、临皓素.以这两个材料进行二雄交一雌的混精杂交试验,研究不同交配时间、交配次序对受精选择性的影响.结果,第一雄蛾交配25或30分钟的子代中,素蚕和普斑蚕开差很大,交配50或60分钟,两种类型比例接近,x~2检验理论值与实际值相符.交配次序中,属后交雄蛾的类型略多,交配时间和次序的不同,对选择受精的影响较大,本文对上述问题进行了讨论.     

低盐和高盐环境下刺参选育品系生长与摄食性能研究

为评价刺参(Apostichopus japonicus)耐盐品系选育效果,以G4、G5代刺参耐盐选育品系为研究对象,研究了其在低盐度和高盐度环境下的生长、摄食和消化生理的变化.结果显示,30 d实验期间,G4代和G5代2种规格选育刺参在不同盐度环境中的生长情况相似,在低盐环境中的末体重随着实验盐度的降低而下降,在高盐...     

Selective control of mite and collembolan pests of pastures and grain crops in Australia

Control of invertebrate pests in broad-acre agriculture largely relies on the application of broad-spectrum pesticides, however resistance problems and environmental concerns are driving a search for alternatives including more selective products. Here we explore the feasibility of using novel chemical groupings in the control of problematic pests that attack germinating pastures and grain crops in Australia. A modified laboratory bioassay is described for testing the response of several invertebrate pests to pesticides that have contact and systemic/translaminar properties. Two contact pesticides (fenitrothion and gamma-cyhalothrin) and three pesticides with strong systemic/translaminar properties (lambda-cyhalothrin, abamectin and diafenthiuron) showed promise for control of the collembolan Sminthurus viridis and four mite pests (Halotydeus destructor, Balaustium medicagoense, Penthaleus falcatus and Bryobia sp.). No single pesticide emerged as the most efficacious against all these pests, highlighting the need for correct pest identification before making control recommendations. Incorporating these new chemical options into pest control programs may help to control emerging pests and counter pesticide resistance issues. Selective pesticides in particular are likely to be compatible with integrated control programs that promote the establishment and maintenance of beneficial natural enemies.     

Review of opportunities for low stress and selective control of fish

Routine inspection and selective control of livestock is an integral part of animal agriculture benefiting both animal welfare and profitability. Appropriate developments in this field may therefore also be expected within fin-fish farming. Equipment enabling some subsurface inspection of fish stocks has recently appeared on the market but this is as yet unmatched by equipment which would enable subsurface selective interaction for the purpose of sampling, further inspection or selective application of remedial measures. Currently available non-selective fish control techniques are reviewed and some potential methods for selective control are considered. Since most forms of selective control must rely on fish’s response to signals the paper is organised on the basis of the sensory systems that might be used. A brief introduction to each system is given followed by a review of any current control techniques and possibilities for developing selective control systems.     

沙棘属植物资源概况及其培育技术研究进展

沙棘属植物具有很强的抗逆性和生态适应性,被广泛地应用到水土保持和生态建设事业中。在此分析了沙棘属植物资源现状,总结了我国近年来沙棘属植物的良种引进、繁殖和栽培技术等方面的研究进展,指出了沙棘属植物资源调查和培育实践中需要重点解决的问题,为今后我国沙棘属植物研究提供方向。     

中早熟高产抗病抗虫棉品种衡棉4号的选育

衡棉4号是用GK12为外源抗棉铃虫Bt基因的供体,以具有海岛棉、陆地棉和野生棉遗传基础的省1322系作抗病亲本,以冀棉27为丰产亲本,在黄枯萎混生重病地、不防治棉铃虫的高压胁迫下连续定向选择培育而成.突出表现早熟、抗棉铃虫、高产和抗病.适宜在冀中南及同一生态类型地区推广.