播期对鄂中北地区不同类型粳稻产量、生育期及温光利用的影响

为了明确鄂中北地区稻麦周年轮作模式下,播期对不同类型粳稻生育期、产量及其构成因素、温光资源利用的影响,以常规早熟中粳、中熟中粳、迟熟中粳、籼粳杂交早熟中粳和籼粳杂交中熟中粳为材料,在湖北省襄阳市农业科学院团山试验基地进行试验。结果表明,随着播期推迟,各类型粳稻生育期均显著缩短,迟熟中粳缩短幅度最大,籼粳杂交早熟中粳缩短幅度最小。各类型粳稻营养生长阶段受温光影响较大,而生殖生长阶段相对稳定;随着播期推迟,各类型粳稻全生育期有效积温及其利用率显著降低,日照时数利用率呈减少趋势。同一播期内,籼粳杂交中粳热量利用率高于常规中粳;各类型粳稻产量均以第Ⅰ播期最高,第Ⅴ播期最低,产量下降的主要原因是每穗颖花数和结实率显著降低。鄂中北地区粳麦周年轮作模式下,粳稻应首选籼粳杂交中熟中粳和常规迟熟中粳,其次是籼粳杂交早熟中粳。籼粳杂交中熟中粳和常规迟熟中粳的最佳播期为5月9日-5月15日。     

狼毒根原料特点及其中柱制备糠醛研究

瑞香狼毒是我国北方草原上典型的多年生草本毒植物,资源化利用是新的治理思想和方式。以青海湖南岸的狼毒为研究对象,对其根部原料特征、化学成分和中柱部分制备糠醛进行了测定分析。结果表明:狼毒根皮层厚度与其最大直径呈直线关系;含水量为4.5%时,狼毒根中柱密度(0.72 g/cm~3)略高于皮层密度(0.69 g/cm~3);狼毒根中柱与皮层的化学成分有较大差异。由于狼毒根中柱部分聚戊糖含量较高,适合作为制备糠醛的原料,本研究中糠醛的得率为8.2%,与目前工业常用的原料蔗渣相仿。研究结果可为狼毒资源化提供参考依据。     

First molecular identification and subtype distribution of Blastocystis sp. isolated from hooded crows (Corvus cornix) and pigeons (Columba livia) in Tehran Province,Iran

Blastocystis is a common intestinal parasite among humans and animals such as non-human primates, pigs, cattle, birds, amphibians, and less frequently, rats, reptiles and insects. Since Blastocystis is a widely transmissible parasite between humans and mammals or birds, it is prominent to determine whether newly secluded non-human isolates are zoonotic. There are no comprehensive studies in Iran assessing the prevalence and molecular identification of Blastocystis infection in birds, especially in pigeons and crows. So, the aim of this study was to identify Blastocystis subtypes (STs) in crows and pigeons in Tehran province, Iran, using Nested PCR-RFLP and sequencing. Overall, 300 Blastocystis isolates from birds (156 pigeons and 144 crows) were subtyped by PCR, and the homology among isolates was then confirmed by RFLP analysis of the 18S rRNA gene. The prevalence of Blastocystis infection was detected 42.9% in pigeons and 44.4% in crows. All positive pigeons were owned by ST13 (100%). Among crows, 46 samples (71.8%) like pigeons were ST13, and 13 samples (20.3%) were ST14. Five samples (7.9%) remained unknown. This study was the first report of ST13 and ST14 of Blastocystis from birds. In the present study, our data revealed a high prevalence of Blastocystis sp. in pigeon’s and crow’s samples and the isolates from these birds were classified into two genetically distinct STs. Therefore, birds appear to be infected with various STs. It is important to determine the phylogenetic relationships between unknown STs from these birds and the multiple STs of Blastocystis.     

The true nature of Ganoderma in Iran: Taxonomy based on ITS and mtSSU rDNA

The genus Ganoderma Karst. has broad‐spectrum usage in biotechnology, medicine and the food industry. The complexity of the morphology within species has led to uncertain identification in the past, but recent advancements in molecular identification methods have provided scientists with the opportunity to better understand the taxonomy of the species. The present study attempts for the first time to elucidate the distinctiveness of the Ganoderma species growing in Iran concerning those elsewhere in the world based on mitochondrial small subunit ribosomal DNA (mtSSU rDNA) and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence data. The results disclosed that the G. lucidum Karst. samples collected in Iran are more similar to the European Ganoderma species than to the Asian (Chinese) one used in this study.     

Computed tomography assisted repair of a central tarsal bone slab fracture in a horse

A 13‐year‐old Quarter Horse gelding was presented for repair of a central tarsal bone fracture. Radiographs showed a single large nondisplaced sagittal slab fracture; however, computed tomography (CT) revealed an additional small, displaced central tarsal bone fragment. The complex fracture was repaired, under the same anaesthetic period as the CT examination, using the CT hard copies images, intraoperative fluoroscopy and radiographs. The horse recovered well and after rehabilitation showed no residual lameness at work. Computed tomography was instrumental in achieving precise screw placement and successful fracture repair.     

Magnetic resonance imaging appearance of the brain and cervical spinal cord in an edema disease affected pig

A 7‐week‐old male pig was presented with signs of a central nervous system disorder. An MRI of the head and cervical spine was performed immediately after euthanasia. The MRI revealed multifocal bilaterally symmetric T2‐weighted hyperintense lesions in the brain and spinal cord, likely due to a toxic metabolic process. Histopathological examination supported the MRI findings and confirmed the diagnosis of edema disease due to Shiga‐like toxin produced by Escherichia coli. This is the first case published of the MRI findings in an edema disease affected pig.     

Molecular genotyping and serological evaluation of Toxoplasma gondii in mothers and their spontaneous aborted fetuses in Southwest of Iran

BackgroundGiven the lack of routine screening and the high prevalence of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women in Iran, the current study aimed to find out the rate and features of Toxoplasma gondii infection in the spontaneously aborted human fetuses in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province, Southwestern Iran.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was performed on 100 spontaneously aborted fetuses’ tissues and their mother blood samples. The mothers’ sera were evaluated for anti-Toxoplasma antibodies while their buffy coat and aborted fetuses tissues were evaluated for Toxoplasma DNA. PCR product at GRA6 locus was sequenced and phylogenetic analysis was done. Likewise, quantitative Real-Time PCR was performed to find out the parasite burdens in mothers buffy coat and fetuses tissues.ResultsUsing serological method, anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies were detected in 7 (7%) and 3 (3%) out of 100 sera from women with spontaneous abortion. Real-time PCR method detected T. gondii DNA in the buffy coat of one seronegative and 2 (out of 3) IgM seropositive cases. None of the samples from aborted fetuses were infected with T. gondii. BLAST and phylogenetic analysis showed that the sequenced isolates belonged to type I of T. gondii and two identified T. gondii isolates were taxonomically grouped into one clade.ConclusionOur findings revealed type I genotype of T. gondii in two mothers with spontaneous abortion, without fetus involvement. It is necessary to examine more aborted fetuses’ samples from different geographical areas to determine the association between Toxoplasma genotype and abortion.     

Comparison of radiography and computed tomography to evaluate fractures of the canine tarsus

Detection and accurate classification of traumatic tarsal fractures are important for identifying cases requiring surgical intervention. The aim of this prospective, experimental, methods comparison study was to directly compare the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of tarsal computed tomography (CT), ten‐view and two‐view digital radiographs for detecting traumatic fractures of the canine tarsus. The working hypothesis was that tarsal fractures would be detected with higher accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity using CT imaging compared to radiography, and a ten‐view would be superior to a two‐view radiographic study. Ten cadaver hind limbs of medium to large dogs received a CT scan and ten‐view radiographic study before and after induction of fractures with a hydraulic press. All bones included in the radiographic images were assessed for fractures by two observers and gross dissection was used as the gold standard. The two‐view radiographic study (dorsoplantar, lateromedial) was created from the ten‐view study and reviewed 2 years later. All limbs sustained fractures, the most common locations were the talus and calcaneus (n = 7). The sensitivity of CT was greater than ten‐view radiographic study (77% vs. 57%), while the specificity was similar (97% vs. 98%). The sensitivity and specificity of the ten‐view and two‐view radiograph studies were similar (57% vs. 55%; both 98%). Computed tomography images were reassessed postdissection to determine if failure to identify fractures resulted from observer error. Overall, CT was better than radiography for detecting fractures of the canine tarsus, however there was little improvement with ten‐view compared to two‐view radiographic studies.