Usefulness of the murine model to study the immune response against Histoplasma capsulatum infection

The present paper is an overview of the primary events that are associated with the histoplasmosis immune response in the murine model. Valuable data that have been recorded in the scientific literature have contributed to an improved understanding of the clinical course of this systemic mycosis, which is caused by the dimorphic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. Data must be analyzed carefully, given that misinterpretation could be generated because most of the available information is based on experimental host–parasite interactions that used inappropriate proceedings, i.e., the non-natural route of infection with the parasitic and virulent fungal yeast-phase, which is not the usual infective phase of the etiological agent of this mycosis.     

生物地球化学模型DNDC的研究进展与碳动态模拟应用

脱氮脱碳模型(denitrification-decomposition,DNDC)是通过计算反硝化和有机质分解来模拟氮和碳从土壤丢失而转移入大气时的主要生物地球化学过程模型。作为目前国际上最成功的模拟陆地生物地球化学循环的模型之一,本文主要阐述了DNDC模型的发展过程及其结构,整理了DNDC模型在碳动态模拟过程中的主要研究进展,总结了当前DNDC模型在碳动态模拟领域的应用热点和优势。     

Pigs as an experimental model for systemic Mycobacterium avium infectious disease

Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) is an opportunistic pathogen in AIDS patients and pigs, and causes dissemination through primary intestinal lesions. However, its pathogenesis is not well understood. In this article, we hypothesize that pigs can provide a suitable experimental model of disseminated MAC disease. We compared the initial route of infection, the characteristics of the pathogenic strains, the immunological status of the hosts, and the histological characteristics. The route of infection and infective strains are similar in AIDS patients and pigs. Pigs can respond to infection by the formation of systemic epithelioid granuloma with sufficient cell-mediated immunity. However, there are differences in immunological status and histological features between AIDS patients and pigs. Therefore, pigs might be used as an appropriate animal model because of their good cell mediated immunity triggered by systemic mycobacterial infection. In conclusion, MAC infections in AIDS patients and pigs show similarities in terms of the initial route of infection and the genetic characteristics of the pathogenic strains.     

Serological response of guinea pigs to oily and aqueous inactivated vaccines containing a Brazilian isolate of the Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV)

Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) is widespread in cattle in Brazil and research shows its large antigenic variability. Available vaccines are produced with virus strains isolated in other countries and may not be effective. In this study, inactivated vaccines containing the Brazilian BVDV-Ib IBSP11 isolate were developed and tested on 6 groups of 10 guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus). Animals in groups A and C received an aqueous vaccine (aluminum hydroxide); B and D groups received an oily vaccine (Montanide ISA50); Group E positive-control animals were given an imported commercial vaccine with BVDV-Ia Singer; Group F animals were sham vaccinated (negative control). Groups A, B and E received two doses, and Groups C and D, three, every 21 days. Twelve blood samples were taken, at 21-day intervals over 231 days, and evaluated for antibody titer through virus-neutralization (VN), using a homologous strain (IBSP11), and a heterologous strain (BVDV-Ia NADL). Most animals, 42 days following the first dose, seroconverted to both strains and, after the second dose, there was a significant increase of titers in all groups. The oily formulation induced greater response after the third administration. This increase was not observed with the aqueous vaccines, regardless of the virus used in the VN. Antibody decline was more rapid in animals that received aqueous vaccines. The results showed the importance of studying the influence of endemic strains of commercial vaccines, to improve the efficacy of BVD vaccination. Use of the endemic strain in vaccine formulation presented promising results, as well as the use of guinea pigs as a laboratory model.     

Multi‐level mixed models for evaluating factors affecting the mortality and weaning weight of piglets in large‐scale commercial farms in central China

This study investigated the factors affecting piglet mortality (square root of mortality, SQRM) and average weaning weight (AWW) in commercial farms in central China. Information on sow diets, management and climate from 2478 weaning batches completed in 16 pig farms was collected from 2009 to 2013. Multi‐level mixed models, which included batch level (level 1) and farm level (level 2), were used to analyze the factors associated with SQRM and AWW. The mean values of SQRM and AWW were 2.52% (SD = 0.96) and 7.31 (SD = 0.77), respectively. Lactation sow diets supplemented with oregano essential oils (OEOs) decreased the SQRM (P < 0.05) and increased the AWW of piglets (P < 0.01). The SQRM was lower in period 2 (June to September, hot) than in period 1 (February to May, warm) and period 3 (October to January, cold; P < 0.05 and 0.001, respectively). The AWW was lower in periods 2 and 3 than in period 1 (P < 0.01). In conclusion, supplying OEOs to lactation diets can increase the weaning weight and reduce the mortality of piglets. The sources of variations in SQRM and AWW are of greater concern in the warm season than in the hot season.     

红豆草草地地上生物量动态规律的研究

１９８８年，利用红豆草改良长芒草草地，建设人工割草场，显著提高了草地生产能力，经对１９８８－１９１年该草地地上生物量试验资料进行统计分析，建立了地上生物量动态模型。为管理，保护，合理利用同类草地，发展畜牧业提供了科学依据。     

应用多性状动物模型及DFREML法对罗曼褐壳蛋鸡纯系的遗传分析

采用多性状动物模型BLUP和非求导约束最大似然法（MTDFREML）估计了引进罗曼蛋鸡纯系配套组合中4个品系9个性状的方差组分和遗传参数,并估计了固定效应的BLUE值和动物个体的加性遗传效应值（育种值）,分析了测定性状的世代间遗传趋势和表型趋势。结果表明,4个系各性状的遗传力基本一致,体重、蛋重以及不同周期的产蛋量之间存在显著的正相关。蛋重与产蛋量存在较强的遗传负相关。六个世代选育后,各品系蛋重、产蛋量的平均育种值均有提高,表明对产蛋量和蛋重的选择是有效的。     

带幅设计对玉米/苜蓿间作群体光环境特征及光能利用效率的影响北大核心CSCD

探究间作带幅设计对玉米/苜蓿间作群体光环境特征、产量及光能利用效率(LUE)的影响,提出黄土高原旱作条件下玉米/苜蓿间作群体最佳带幅比例。研究设置了玉米单作(SM)、紫花苜蓿单作(SA)以及玉米/紫花苜蓿1∶2(I_(12))、2∶2(I_(22))和2∶4(I_(24))间作5种种植模式,并采用田间试验和数学模拟相结合的方法,分别测定了玉米和苜蓿的干物质产量及作物冠层光合有效辐射(PAR)等指标;建立了考虑光线入射角度和群体冠层结构几何关系的玉米/苜蓿间作群体辐射传输模型,并用实测值对其进行了验证。试验结果表明,在2018年,单作处理的苜蓿干物质产量显著高于间作处理(P<0.05),而在2019年各间作处理苜蓿的干物质分别比单作高197.8、180.3和197.0 g·m^(-2);处理I_(12)、I_(22)和I_(24)两年总的玉米生物量比SM处理高12.1%、0.9%和23.9%。所有间作处理的土地当量比在2019年均大于1.0,表现出间作优势。辐射传输模型可准确模拟玉米/苜蓿间作群体冠层底部的光合有效辐射,间作群体光合有效辐射模拟值与实测值的平均绝对误差和均方根误差分别为59.0和66.6μmol·m^(-2)·s^(-1)。除玉米和苜蓿生育前期及玉米收获后,不同间作处理苜蓿群体冠层上方的PAR均低于单作苜蓿。2018和2019年I_(12)、I_(22)和I_(24)间作处理玉米的光能利用效率分别比单作处理高52.5%、9.3%、51.7%和28.5%、9.6%、21.0%,而间作苜蓿的LUE仅在2019年显著高于单作19.2%、32.4%和20.9%(P<0.05)。因此,合理的玉米/苜蓿间作带幅搭配可改善苜蓿的光照环境,提高其光能利用效率,尤其是玉米/紫花苜蓿2∶4间作群体光能利用效率和产量优势显著,建议在具有类似气候的地区推广种植。