Factors related to the distribution and prevalence of the fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in Rana cascadae and other amphibians in the Klamath Mountains

The fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), which causes the disease chytridiomycosis, has been associated with declines and extinctions of montane amphibians worldwide. To gain insight into factors affecting its distribution and prevalence we focus on the amphibian community of the Klamath Mountains in northwest California. The Cascades frog (Rana cascadae), one of the most common amphibians in these mountains, experienced increased mortality as a result of Bd exposure in laboratory trials and has experienced recent, dramatic declines in other parts of California. We surveyed 112 sites in the Klamaths, all of which supported R. cascadae between 1999 and 2002, for amphibians and Bd to (1) determine the distribution of Bd, (2) evaluate changes in the distribution of R. cascadae, and (3) assess associations between potential biotic and abiotic drivers and Bd infection. Bd was widely distributed in the Klamath Mountains – we detected the pathogen at 64% of sites. R. cascadae was found at 79% of sites, and was often infected with Bd. These results suggest that Bd has not caused dramatic declines in R. cascadae in the Klamaths in recent years. Subadult R. cascadae had a higher Bd prevalence than other R. cascadae life stages (subadults: 36%, adults: 25%, metamorphs: 4%, larvae: 1%), and while the probability of infection decreased over the season for adults, it did not for subadults, suggesting that subadults may be more vulnerable to chytridiomycosis than other R. cascadae life stages. Bd prevalence in R. cascadae was highest early in the season at high-elevation sites, which may indicate that populations inhabiting high elevation sites may have a greater risk of being affected by chytridiomycosis. Three other common amphibian species also tested positive for Bd: Pacific chorus frog (Pseudacris regilla), western toad (Anaxyrus boreas), and rough-skinned newt (Taricha granulosa).     

日粮精粗比对湖羊瘤胃发酵和菌群结构的影响

为了研究日粮精粗比对湖羊瘤胃发酵和菌群结构的影响,试验选择40只体重相近、体况良好且健康的湖羊羔羊,随机分为4组,每组10只(公母各半),各试验组羊分别饲喂精粗比70:30(A)、60:40(B)、50:50(C)和40:60(D)的全混合日粮,试验期为70 d。结果表明:1)试验B组的氨态氮、丙酸、丁酸和戊酸含量均显著高于试验D组(P<0.05)。2)4组共产生875个OTU,其中共有OTU为725个,占总OTU数量的82.86%,试验A和D组分别含特有OTU为6和1个。试验A组的细菌门数量和香浓指数显著高于试验C和D组(P<0.05),而辛普森指数则显著低于试验B和C组(P<0.05)。试验C组细菌多样性与试验A和B组差异显著(P<0.05)。3)在门水平上,试验A组的放线菌门(Actinobacteria)和螺旋菌门(Spirochaetae)相对丰度显著高于试验C和D组(P<0.05)。在属水平上,试验A组毛螺菌科_ND3007(Lachnospiraceae_ND3007)、密螺旋体属_2(Treponema_2)、魏斯氏菌属(Weissella)、厌氧支原体属(Anaeroplasma)、短杆菌属(Brevibacterium)、假丁酸弧菌属(Pseudobutyrivibrio)、未培养瘤胃杆菌属(Uncultured_rumen_ bacterium)和罗斯氏菌属(Roseburia)的相对丰度显著高于试验D组(P<0.05),而毛螺菌科_XPB1014(Lachnospiraceae_XPB1014)和未培养拟杆菌目_BS11(Uncultured _Bacteroidales_BS11)的相对丰度则分别显著低于试验C和D组(P<0.05)。综上所述,高精粗比日粮能够提高湖羊瘤胃细菌丰富度和多样性,促进瘤胃的发酵。     

碱性土壤基因组DNA的分离纯化和基因文库的构建

直接从广西南宁市凤凰纸业排污沟碱性土壤样品中抽提和分离纯化混合基因组DNA，所获得DNA的产量为每克土壤样品10～30pg。采用限制性内切酶EcoR1酶处理后，构建了以pGEM-3Zf( )为载体的DNA部分文库。文库的容量为23650个转化子。外源片段DNA平均大小为3．2kb。建库效率为每克环境样品获得6000个左右的含1～15kb外源随机插入片段的克隆。通过DNA序列测定和同源性比较，对从文库随机词取的16个转化子序列进行分析，发现13个外源插入片段包含序列尚未确定的DNA片段。     

麻栎 马尾松天然次生混交林生物量结构及根系分布特征调查研究

通过对马尾松、麻栎天然次生混交林林分生物量的测定,对林分生物量积累、根系分布特征的差异进行了研究。结果表明,两类树种混交造林方式能在一定程度上提高树干的生产量,天然次生麻栎较马尾松具有主根、水平根系均发达,且须根分布均匀的特点。     

湘中丘陵区石栎混交林群落物种多样性研究

通过对湘中丘陵区石栎（Ｌｉｔｈｏｃａｒｐｕｓｇｌａｂｅｒ（Ｔｈｕｎｂ．）Ｎａｋａｉ）混交林群落调查．利用Ｓｈａｎｎｏｎ和Ｓｉｍｐｓｏｎ多样性指数及相应的均匀度和种间相遇机率．对其群落物种的多样性进行了初步研究．结果表明：湘中丘陵区石栎混交林群落乔木层与下木层的Ｓｈａｎｎｏｎ多样性指数分别为１．１８４和３．１９７；Ｓｉｍｐｓｏｎ多样性指数分别为０．６２４和０．８１４；种间相遇机率分别为０．６２５和０．８１４；均匀度分别为４５．８０％和６３．９４％．乔木层第Ⅰ亚层多样性指数低于第Ⅱ亚层；群落的物种多样性是时间和空间的函数．     

Spatially explicit fisheries simulation models for policy evaluation

This paper deals with the design of modelling tools suitable for investigating the consequences of alternative policies on the dynamics of resources and fisheries, such as the evaluation of marine protected areas (MPA). We first review the numerous models that have been developed for this purpose, and compare them from several standpoints: population modelling, exploitation modelling and management measure modelling. We then present a generic fisheries simulation model, Integration of Spatial Information for FISHeries simulation (ISIS‐Fish). This spatially explicit model allows quantitative policy screening for fisheries with mixed‐species harvests. It may be used to investigate the effects of combined management scenarios including a variety of policies: total allowable catch (TAC), licenses, gear restrictions, MPA, etc. Fisher's response to management may be accounted for by means of decision rules conditioned on population and exploitation parameters. An application to a simple example illustrates the relevance of this kind of tool for policy screening, particularly in the case of mixed fisheries. Finally, the reviewed models and ISIS‐Fish are discussed and confronted in the light of the underlying assumptions and model objectives. In the light of this discussion, we identify desirable features for fisheries simulation models aimed at policy evaluation, and particularly MPA evaluation.     

Ovarian mixed germ-cell tumor comprising mature teratoma and embryonal carcinoma in a four-toed hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris)

This report describes the clinical and histopathological characteristics of a rare mixed germ-cell tumor comprising teratoma and embryonal carcinoma in the left ovary of a 10-month-old four-toed hedgehog, with chief complaints of loss of appetite and lethargy. Laparotomy revealed a swollen left ovary with small disseminated peritoneal nodules, and bilateral ovariohysterectomy was performed. The left ovary had a mature teratoma with well-differentiated fat, bone, cartilage, salivary gland, trachea, keratin cyst, and nervous tissues, and an embryonal carcinoma consisting of poorly-differentiated epithelial cells arranged in tubular, alveolar, or solid patterns. Immunohistochemically, the embryonal carcinoma cells were positive for placental alkaline phosphatase and c-KIT. This is the first case of mature teratoma with embryonal carcinoma in the ovary of a hedgehog.     

Development and evaluation of an anatomically designed and 3D printed device to enhance orotracheal intubation success in rabbits by inexperienced veterinarians

ObjectiveTo assess whether the use of a three-dimensional (3D) printed device enhances the success rate of orotracheal intubation in rabbits.Study designProspective, crossover randomized controlled trial.AnimalsA total of six mixed-breed rabbits.MethodsA device to guide the endotracheal tube was designed based on computed tomography images and then manufactured using 3D printing. Rabbits were randomly assigned for intubation by two inexperienced veterinarians using the blind (BLI), borescope- (BOR) or device- (DEV) guided techniques. Success rate, number of attempts, time to success, injury scores and propofol dose were recorded and compared. Significance was considered when p < 0.05.ResultsSuccess rate was higher in DEV (58.3%) than in BLI (8.3%) (p < 0.023), but not different from that in BOR (41.6%). Total time until successful intubation was lower in DEV (45 ± 23 seconds) and BOR (85 ± 62 seconds) than in BLI (290 seconds; p < 0.006). Time for the successful attempt was lower for DEV (35 ± 10 seconds) and BOR (74 ± 43 seconds) than in BLI (290 seconds; p < 0.0001). The propofol dose required was lower for DEV (2.3 ± 1.2 mg kg^–1) than for BLI (3.4 ± 1.6 mg kg^–1) (p < 0.031), but not different from BOR (2.4 ± 0.9 mg kg^–1). Number of attempts and oxygen desaturation events were not different among techniques (p < 0.051 and p < 0.326, respectively). Injury scores [median (range)] before and after attempts were different in BLI [0 versus 1 (0–3), p < 0.005] and BOR [0 (0–1) versus 1 (0–3), p < 0.002] but not in DEV [0 (0–2) versus 0 (0–3), p < 0.109].Conclusions and clinical relevanceThe device facilitated orotracheal intubation with a time similar to the borescope-guided technique but faster than the traditional blind technique.     

Comparison between mainstream (Capnostat 5) and a low-flow sidestream capnometer (Capnostream) in mechanically ventilated,sevoflurane-anesthetized rabbits using a Bain coaxial delivery system

ObjectiveTo evaluate agreement between end-tidal carbon dioxide (Pe′CO₂) and PaCO₂ with sidestream and mainstream capnometers in mechanically ventilated anesthetized rabbits, with two ventilatory strategies.Study designProspective experimental study.AnimalsA total of 10 New Zealand White rabbits weighing 3.6 ± 0.3 kg (mean ± standard deviation).MethodsRabbits anesthetized with sevoflurane were intubated with an uncuffed endotracheal tube (3.0 mm internal diameter) and adequate seal. For Pe′CO₂, the sidestream capnometer sampling adapter or the mainstream capnometer was placed between the endotracheal tube and Bain breathing system (1.5 L minute^–1 oxygen). PaCO₂ was obtained from arterial blood collected every 5 minutes. A time-cycled ventilator delivered an inspiratory time of 1 second and 12 or 20 breaths minute^–1. Peak inspiratory pressure was initially set to achieve Pe′CO₂ normocapnia of 35–45 mmHg (4.6–6.0 kPa). A total of five paired Pe′CO₂ and PaCO₂ measurements were obtained with each ventilation mode for each capnometer. Anesthetic episodes were separated by 7 days. Agreement was assessed using Bland-Altman analysis and linear mixed models; p < 0.05.ResultsThere were 90 and 83 pairs for the mainstream and sidestream capnometers, respectively. The mainstream capnometer underestimated PaCO₂ by 12.6 ± 2.9 mmHg (proportional bias 0.44 ± 0.06 mmHg per 1 mmHg PaCO₂ increase). With the sidestream capnometer, ventilation mode had a significant effect on Pe′CO₂. At 12 breaths minute^–1, Pe′CO₂ underestimated PaCO₂ by 23.9 ± 8.2 mmHg (proportional bias: 0.81 ± 0.18 mmHg per 1 mmHg PaCO₂ increase). At 20 breaths minute^–1, Pe′CO₂ underestimated PaCO₂ by 38.8 ± 5.0 mmHg (proportional bias 1.13 ± 0.10 mmHg per 1 mmHg PaCO₂ increase).Conclusions and clinical relevanceBoth capnometers underestimated PaCO₂. The sidestream capnometer underestimated PaCO₂ more than the mainstream capnometer, and was affected by ventilation mode.     

Role of basidiomycete fungi in the grapevine trunk disease esca

Phaeomoniella chlamydospora and wood-rotting basidiomycete fungi, namely Fomitiporia spp., are known esca pathogens. However, the effect of their mixed infections and the sequence of infection on disease development is unclear. To determine the effects of single and co-inoculations on symptoms, potted Vitis vinifera ‘Crimson Seedless’ was inoculated with P. chlamydospora either alone or in combination with one of four basidiomycetes: Coprinellus radians, Fomitiporia langloisii, F. polymorpha and the novel species Tropicoporus texanus. Basidiomycetes were isolated from vines with foliar symptoms of esca in California and Texas. In sequential co-inoculations, the effects of different sequences of infection (P. chlamydospora first, basidiomycete 6 months later; and vice versa) were tested, compared to simultaneous co-inoculations. Plants inoculated with P. chlamydospora either alone or in combination with a basidiomycete (in any sequence) did not differ significantly in the length of black-streaking lesions. In plants inoculated only with a basidiomycete, the appearance of large brown lesions, coupled with the absence of this wood symptom from control plants, suggests that C. radians, F. langloisii and T. texanus are pathogenic. Foliar symptoms resembling those of esca in the field (marginal and/or interveinal scorching, combined with red and/or yellow discoloration) were statistically more frequent among plants inoculated with F. polymorpha or T. texanus, either simultaneously or following P. chlamydospora, compared to single inoculations. Sequential co-inoculations of a basidiomycete before or after P. chlamydospora were associated with similar lesion lengths, suggesting that basidiomycetes may not require infection by P. chlamydospora in order to extensively colonize the wood.