肝脏与胰腺发育的分子调控

肝脏和胰腺均由内胚层发育而来的消化器官,它们广泛地参与糖代谢、脂类代谢和蛋白质代谢.肝脏和胰腺的发育是一个动态连续的过程,并受到多种信号途径及转录因子的调控.基于上述特点和显著的医用价值,笔者对肝脏和胰腺发育过程中的分子作用机理作了系统地阐述,这将不仅有助于理解与肝脏和胰腺相关疾病的发病机理.同时也为有效地指导相关疾病的预防及治疗工作提供分子理论基础.     

Risk Factors for Lamb Mortality in Sahelian Sheep on a Breeding Station in Ghana

A retrospective cohort study was designed to examine the effect of sex, season of birth, type and year of birth, and birth weight on lamb mortality. The method used involved analysis of breeding records for Sahelian sheep kept on a breeding station at Pong-Tamale in northern Ghana from 1994 to 2000. The pre-weaning and post-weaning mortalities were 10% (n = 505) and 19% (n = 453), respectively, while the overall mortality from birth up to 12 months of age was 28% (n = 505). Compared to the pre-weaning period, the post-weaning period recorded significantly higher proportions of deaths in male, single-born, lambs born in the rainy or dry seasons, and in lambs with low (<3 kg) or high (> or =3 kg) birth weight. The odds and risks of death for male lambs were about one and a half times those for females at post-weaning. Lambs born in the dry season had significantly higher mortality than those born in the rainy season. Lambs that died by the time of weaning were not significantly different in weight at birth from those that survived. The mean birth and weaning weights of single-born lambs were significantly higher than those for twins. The mean pre-weaning ADG was significantly higher in lambs born as singles compared to that for twins. The season of birth had influence on mean birth weight, with those born in the rainy season having significantly higher weights than those born in the dry season. The year of birth significantly affected birth weight, weaning weight, weight at 12 months and ADG at all stages of the lambs' life. The study concluded that the most significant risk factors for lamb mortality included sex of the lamb, season of birth and birth weight. The last two could be manipulated, to some extent, to reduce lamb mortality.     

甘南和川西北地区草地植被NDVI变化及其驱动因素研究

草地是甘南和川西北地区最主要的植被覆盖类型,约占研究区面积的43.91%。为探明该地区草地的生长状况变化及其驱动因素,基于MOD13A3数据,采用趋势分析、变异系数、偏相关分析和残差分析,对研究区草地归一化植被指数（Normalized Difference Vegetation Index,NDVI）时空动态变化和稳定性进行分析,并研究了气象因素和人类活动对草地NDVI变化的影响。结果表明：2000-2018年甘南和川西北地区草地生长期NDVI呈上升趋势的面积占比为74.17%,其中17.15%通过显著性验证;研究区草地NDVI整体较高（均值为0.7096）,在19年间全区和各类型草地NDVI均呈波动上升趋势,生长状况稳定,仅有6.08%的草地波动幅度较大;温度和降水对研究区草地NDVI的变化主要呈正向驱动,且NDVI与温度呈正相关的面积（70.19%）大于降水（62.63%）,人类活动在2000-2005年对草地NDVI呈负向影响,2006-2017年呈正向影响。     

Follicular wave dynamics and Growth factors gene expression in Braford heifers

The objectives of the present study were (experiment 1) to characterized development and dynamics of the dominant follicles (DF) and the corpus luteum (CL) to determine patterns of two (W2) and three (W3) follicular waves in beef heifers, and (experiment 2) to determine gene expression of growth factors gene expression in follicular cells of W2 and W3 heifer. Twenty-eight Braford heifers were used. Dominant follicular and CL were monitored daily by ultrasonography to identify the development W2 and W3 in heifers. Pre-ovulatory DF were aspirated on day 19 in W2 and on day 22 in W3 heifers. In W2 and W3, follicular cells (FC) of gene expression of growth differentiation factor 9, bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15), fibroblast growth factor basic, transforming growth factor beta receptor 1, bone morphogenetic protein receptor type IB and fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 were evaluated. The regression of the DF of the first follicular wave and the emergency of the DF of the second follicular wave began later in the heifers W2 than in W3 (p = .02 and p < .01). The regression of the CL began earlier in the W2 than in W3 group (p < .01). Gene expression of growth factors and receptors was similar between groups. However, higher relative levels of BMP15 was observed in W2 group (p = .07). Results propose that wave patterns were regulated by the development time of the DF in the first wave and the life of the CL. Furthermore, higher levels of BMP15 could produce shorter life of CL. The present work suggest that ultrasonography associated with molecular assays could be used as an easy and effective tool to characterize follicular wave patterns.     

Socio-economic factors influencing control of vector-borne diseases in the pastoralist system of south western Uganda

Research in control of tick-borne diseases and trypanosomosis, and their vectors, namely, ticks and tsetse flies respectively, has been on going for decades. However, very little attention has been paid to the socio-economic factors that are likely to influence the outcome of the interventions in the control of these diseases. Thus, this study was designed to investigate these factors, mainly the intra-household factors influencing decision-making in the control of Vector-borne diseases in the pastoralist areas of Uganda. These factors included: indigenous technical knowledge, household economic factors, and gender. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used in the collection and analysis of data. The tools used for data collection included among others, participatory learning and action (PLA), and Case studies. The findings included the following: In pastoralist households, a big proportion of the household budget was allocated to vector-borne diseases control. In the male-headed households, men dominated decision-making on vector-borne diseases control, although the goals and priorities of men and women in these households were not the same. Also, vector-borne disease control was predominantly by use of modern veterinary drugs, and pastoralists treated sick cattle by themselves even in situations where there were veterinary personnel.     

Avian anaesthesia related mortality and the associated risk factors in a UK zoological collection

ObjectiveTo analyse avian anaesthesia-related mortality in a UK zoological collection over a 5-year period and identify risk factors for mortality.Study designRetrospective cohort study.AnimalsA total of 135 individual birds across 37 species, anaesthetized during 206 events in a UK zoological collection between 1 January 2014 and 30 June 2019 (inclusive).MethodsAnaesthesia records were reviewed and variables such as age, body condition, weight, sex, duration of anaesthesia and health status were collated. Anaesthesia-related mortality was defined as those deaths occurring during anaesthesia and up to 7 days postanaesthesia. Outcome was analysed using multivariable conditional logistic regression. Overall mortality was defined and included birds euthanised during anaesthesia for non-anaesthesia related reasons. Data were summarised as median (range). A value of p < 0.05 was considered significant. Relative risks and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated for the association between risk factors and anaesthetic death where a statistically significant difference was found.ResultsThe overall mortality rate was 10.19% (95% CI = 6.06–14.3%), while anaesthesia-related mortality was 3.88% (95% CI = 1.69–7.51%). Birds with an abnormal health status had a 15.53-fold (95% CI = 1.95–123.63) increased risk of death compared with those with a normal health status. The duration of anaesthesia was also a statistically significant risk factor (p = 0.021) in the univariable analysis, but not when combined with health status. No other variables were associated with anaesthesia-related mortality.Conclusions and clinical relevanceAbnormal health status and longer anaesthetic procedures were associated with a significantly increased risk of anaesthesia-related death in this population of birds. It is recommended that anaesthetic duration is minimized, and pre-existing diseases are diagnosed where possible prior to general anaesthesia of birds. Anaesthetizing healthy birds was associated with a low risk of mortality.     

Prevalence of feline calicivirus and the distribution of serum neutralizing antibody against isolate strains in cats of Hangzhou,China

BackgroundFeline calicivirus (FCV) is a common pathogen of felids, and FCV vaccination is regularly practiced. The genetic variability and antigenic diversity of FCV hinder the effective control and prevention of infection by vaccination. Improved knowledge of the epidemiological characteristics of FCV should assist in the development of more effective vaccines.ObjectivesThis study aims to determine the prevalence of FCV in a population of cats with FCV-suspected clinical signs in Hangzhou and to demonstrate the antigenic and genetic relationships between vaccine status and representative isolated FCV strains.MethodsCats (n = 516) from Hangzhou were investigated between 2018 and 2020. The association between risk factors and FCV infection was assessed. Phylogenetic analyses based on a capsid coding sequence were performed to identify the genetic relationships between strains. In vitro virus neutralization tests were used to assess antibody levels against isolated FCV strains in client-owned cats.ResultsThe FCV-positive rate of the examined cats was 43.0%. Risk factors significantly associated with FCV infection were vaccination status and oral symptoms. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a radial phylogeny with no evidence of temporal or countrywide clusters. There was a significant difference in the distribution of serum antibody titers between vaccinated and unvaccinated cats.ConclusionsThis study revealed a high prevalence and genetic diversity of FCV in Hangzhou. The results indicate that the efficacy of FCV vaccination is unsatisfactory. More comprehensive and refined vaccination protocols are an urgent and unmet need.     

柞树害虫栎粉舟蛾的初步研究

栎粉舟蛾Femtoma ocypete(Bremer)是柞树的重要害虫之一。此虫在辽宁一年发生一代,以蛹在土中越冬。翌年7月中旬开始羽化,持续到8月中旬。羽化后即可交配产卵。7月下旬到8月下旬均有幼虫孵出。幼虫经6个龄期,于9月中、下旬入土化蛹。防治方法:8月中旬往柞树上喷洒0.025％浓度的“杀虫灵”农药,能杀死各龄幼虫,防治效果为90％左右,七天后养蚕无害。     

库姆塔格沙漠东南部胡杨液流变化及其对环境因子的响应

于2018年4月-10月(春季4月、夏季7月、秋季9月)利用PS-TDP8树木茎流监测系统对库姆塔格沙漠东南部胡杨(Populus euphratica)的液流速率变化进行监测,采用相关分析及逐步回归法分析气象因子(太阳总辐射、空气温度、风速、空气相对湿度)对胡杨液流的影响.结果表明:胡杨茎干液流日变化趋势呈几字"宽峰...