Kinetics of immune response to foot-and-mouth disease virus (type Asia 1) in experimental cattle

Humoral and mucosal (secretory antibody)immune response to FMDV type Asia 1 in cattle was analyzed after vaccination and infection using virus neutralizing test (VNT). Vaccination (1/16th the usual dose) failed to protect cattle from generalized clinical disease following experimental FMDV Asia 1 infection. Our results showed that infection induced higher and prolonged serum antibody titres indicating antigen mass is important for optimal immune response. Experimental FMDV infection induced significant secretory antibody (mucosal) response in cattle. Though, there was no difference in the serum antibody response between the cattle that developed generalized infection (unprotected) and those with only localized infection (protected), secretory antibody response differed, wherein the unprotected cattle had higher secretory response than protected cattle. Thus, FMDV Asia 1 infection stimulates a similar serum antibody response and a unique secretory antibody response among the infected cattle. An erratum to this article can be found at     

草地植物多样性对人类干扰的多尺度响应

人类干扰是草地生态系统植物多样性变化的主要导因之一。植物多样性的形成依赖于一定空间和时间尺度上的生态系统结构与过程,只有在特定的时空尺度上才能充分表达其主导作用与效应。植物多样性的尺度特征和人类干扰的大尺度效应决定了草地植物多样性保护的复杂性和艰巨性。论述了不同尺度的草地植物多样性对放牧、旅游、刈割、施肥及开垦等各种人类干扰响应的方式、过程与生态后果,明确了尺度问题在研究中的重要作用,探讨了草地植物多样性在人类干扰下的变化导因与响应机制,以期为草地植物多样性的保护、合理利用及草地生态系统的可持续发展提供科学依据。     

Induction of oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in rats chronically exposed to cypermethrin through dermal application

Present study was undertaken to study the effect of cypermethrin on oxidative stress after chronic dermal application. The insecticide was applied dermally at 50 mg/kg body weight in different groups of Wistar rats of either sex weighing 150~200 g. Significant (p < 0.05) increase in catalase activity was observed after 30 days of exposure. However, the superoxide dismutase activity declined significantly after 60 days of exposure. The activity of glutathione peroxidase and blood glutathione levels declined significantly (p < 0.05) after 30 days of cypermethrin dermal application. However, the activity of glutathione S-transferase increased significantly (p < 0.05) in all groups after 60 days of dermal exposure. Significant increase in lipid peroxidation was observed from 30 days onwards and reached a peak after 120 days of application.     

Analysis of the IgG antibody response against Paramphistomidae trematoda in naturally infected cattle. Application to serological surveys

The IgG antibody response to Calicophoron daubneyi (Digenea: Paramphistomidae) excretory/secretory antigens was evaluated in naturally infected cattle from Lugo (Galicia, NW Spain) by using an ELISA procedure. Two studies were conducted, first a survey in 524 cattle separated into three groups according to age, G-1 (0–2 years old), G-2 (3–5 years old) and G-3 (>6 years old). In the second study, three groups of cattle were employed: G-I, naturally infected; G-T, naturally infected and treated with oxyclozanide plus levamisole (Nilzan Plus^®); G-C, cattle maintained in a farm where C. daubneyi has never diagnosed. Variations on egg-output and haematic parameters (erythrocytes, haematocrite, leukocytes and lymphocytes) were also analyzed.

The ELISA procedure showed that 61.2% of the cattle in the first study had been exposed to the trematode, but only 10.1% passed eggs in the feces. Age-association with egg-output was shown but not with the IgG values. In the second experiment, the administration of the anthelmintic reduced significantly the IgG kinetic levels and the C. daubneyi-egg-output was suppressed during 12 weeks in the G-T group. The values of red cells, haematocrite, leukocytes and lymphocytes increased significantly in the treated cattle 5 weeks after chemotherapy; however, new reduction after week 5 was recorded, as results of the challenge of these cattle.

This is the first investigation in which evaluation of the IgG humoral response against C. daubneyi in cattle has been carried out. We proved that a notable IgG response in naturally infected cattle is induced, and can be detected by using an ELISA procedure. The IgG antibodies did not increase after challenge infection. Our results proved an important percentage of cattle were exposed to this trematode in the area of study and suitable measures for preventing this relationship must be considered.     

河流地貌单元研究综述

在河流生态系统嵌套层级结构中,地貌单元作为水流和泥沙输移过程的物理表现,是表征河流形态的重要斑块。多样的河流地貌单元特征决定了栖息地的多样性特征,为生态过程提供了物理基础。为更好地理解地貌单元的结构与功能,通过辨析河流地貌单元内涵,对其分类体系与识别方法、地貌单元的生态响应进行了归纳梳理,并总结了河流地貌单元在栖息地调查评估、河流地貌单元制图及河流分类等方面的应用,从而为认识自然河流、修复受损河流提供技术支持。     

林木蛋白组学研究的若干进展

林木在维持生态系统平衡、提供物质能源等方面发挥着非常重要的作用, 其自身生长、发育、代谢具有一套复杂的机制。蛋白组学是当今生物学研究中揭示物质生命现象的重要手段。文中介绍了近年来蛋白组学技术方面如蛋白提取方法、分离技术和鉴定手段的一些动向, 并指出了研究中存在的问题; 结合国外研究成果, 分别对林木蛋白组学的几个主要研究方向(胁迫响应、木材形成、发育调控、病虫害防治)进行了论述; 对林木蛋白组学研究前景做出了展望。     

林线对气候变化响应的国内研究进展与展望

高山林线作为一种特殊的生态交错带, 由于其对气候变化的高度敏感性, 成为近年来全球气候变化研究的热点之一。国内对林线的研究起步较晚, 林线对气候变化的响应方面的研究特别是定量研究更少。文中讨论林线的概念和界定方法, 综述林线对气候变化响应的国内研究进展, 总结以往研究存在的问题, 并提出未来研究的趋向。     

响应曲面法研究热水处理对哈密瓜采后品质的影响

[目的]采用响应曲面法研究热水处理对哈密瓜采后贮藏品质的影响,筛选适宜哈密瓜热处理的温度及时间,为哈密瓜采后贮藏保鲜提供理论依据.[方法]以哈密瓜(Cucumis meloL ssp.melo Pang)西州蜜25号为试验材料,热水处理温度分别为50、55和60℃,热水处理时间分别为1、3和5min,研究热水处理对采后哈密瓜果实硬度、可溶性固形物含量( SSC)、相对电导率、维生素C(VC)含量、病害指数、好果率及商品率的影响.并以28 d哈密瓜果实病害指数为测定指标,采用miscellaneous响应曲面设计,研究不同温度、时间对哈密瓜果实病害指数的影响,确定最佳组合条件.[结果]热水处理均能在不同程度上延缓哈密瓜果实硬度、SSC、VC含量的下降,抑制相对电导率及病害指数的上升,保持哈密瓜果实的好果率及商品率.其中以55℃、3 min,55℃、5 min及60℃、3min处理较适宜.[结论]热水处理最佳条件为:55℃、3min,其在贮藏第16 d果实硬度、SSC、VC含量分别较对照高50.2;、36.8;和14.5;,相对电导率较对照低15.5;;贮藏第28 d果实病害指数较对照低55.0;;贮藏第20d好果率及商品率分别较对照高200.0;、42.9;.     

半农半牧区农户生产现状及对气候变化的感知与应对——基于内蒙古林西县的调查研究

半农半牧区是全球气候变化反应敏感的生态脆弱带。该地区农业基础设施落后,人口与资源矛盾突出,生产力水平低下,经济欠发达,受气候变化影响,农民的生产生活水平的维持与提高面临着十分严峻的挑战。本调查研究以内蒙古赤峰市林西县为例,利用1954~2009年气象数据资料分析了该地区56年来年际和主要季节温度、降水变化趋势;同时,选用60个农户家庭调查样本,研究了农户家庭基本状况与经营现状、农牧户家庭对气候变化及其影响的感知与应对策略。最后,在全面总结研究结果的基础上提出增强农户家庭气候变化适应能力的对策建议。