Serological prevalence study of exposure of cats and dogs in Launceston, Tasmania, Australia to spotted fever group rickettsiae

A sero-epidemiological study of cats and dogs in the Launceston area of Tasmania, Australia was undertaken to determine the prevalence of antibodies to spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae. Results showed that 59% of cats and 57% of dogs were positive for antibodies, but there was no correlation between the animal's health and seropositivity at the time of testing, suggesting that rickettsial exposure is unrelated to ill-health in these two species of domestic animals.     

Indigenous protected areas in Sea Country: Indigenous‐driven collaborative marine protected areas in Australia

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Composition,distribution and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sediments of the western harbour of alexandria,egypt

Aim and Background  Little data are available on the levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the sediments of the Mediterranean Sea Coast of Egypt in general and the Alexandria coastal zone in particular. It was therefore deemed necessary to set up a monitoring programme to determine the current concentrations of PAHs in bottom sediments, and to identify any area where high concentrations of these potential hazardous contaminants were present in the Western Harbour of Alexandria. Methods  The composition, distribution and the source of PAHs in surficial sediments of the harbour were investigated. To document the spatial PAH input, surficial sediment samples from 23 locations throughout the harbour were analysed. as]Results and Discussion The total PAH load determined in the surficial sediment samples ranged from 8 to 131150 ng g¹ dry wt, generally with most of the samples having total concentrations of PAHs greater than 5000 ng g¹ dry weight. The highest concentration of total PAHs was recorded in sediments of the inner harbour. Ratio values of specific compounds such as phenanthrene to anthracene, fluoranthrene to pyrene, methyl-phen-anthrene to phenanthrene, methyl-dibenzothiophenes to dibenzothiophenes, alkylated to non-alkylated and high molecular weight to low molecular weight PAH, were calculated to evaluate the possible source of PAH contamination in the harbour sediments. Conclusions  Two main sources of PAH in the study area have been found: pyrolytic and petrogenic. Interferences of rather petrogenic and pyrolytic PAH contaminations were noticed for most samples. The dominant sources of PAH appear to be the combustion processes through run-off, industrial and sewage discharges, and atmospheric input. The concentrations of PAHs were generally above levels expected to cause adverse biological effects. Recommendations and outlook  Information from this study and any other relevant studies should be useful in designing future strategies for environmental protection and management of the harbour.     

川西高原冬虫夏草生态气候区划研究

川西高原是我国冬虫夏草的重要产区,但其生态气候适宜区一直不是十分明确.综合分析国内特别是川西高原冬虫夏草的调查研究成果,结合产区实际,初步确定以海拔高度、年平均气温、年平均降水量、植被类型、土壤类型、坡度等为区划指标,利用GIS空间分析方法进行生态气候适宜性区划.结果表明:冬虫夏草适宜区和次适宜区广泛分布于川西高原的北部高原和南部横断山区的山体山原中上部的草甸和草甸灌丛中,但分布区破碎分散,呈带状、片状或块状.北部高原区相对成片,南部横断山区多以河流和宽谷为界,孤立分散.以雅砻江——鲜水河北延至壤塘县东为界,西部多适宜区,东部以次适宜区为主.以州为界,适宜区主要分布在甘孜州、阿坝州以次适宜区为主.经对比验证,区划结果比较真实、准确,直观地反映了川西高原冬虫夏草的适宜性空间分布,可以为虫草资源调查研究、生态环境保护管理和合理综合利用等提供决策依据.     

基于区域“增长极”理论的我国西部城市体育产业发展战略思考*

区域“增长极”理论支撑着我国西部地区城市体育产业的发展,具有十分重要的理论和现实研究意义。通过研究西部城市体育产业发展的必要性和当前西部城市体育产业的发展现状,结合区域“增长极”理论,探索我国西部城市体育产业发展的发展路径,为促进西部城市体育产业发展提供理论参考。     

中西古典园林艺术的比较研究

园林是在一定的空间里依照园林艺术原则,进行创作而形成自然美与人工美相融合的生活境域。本文从三大方面论述了中西方园林艺术的不同及历史上的相互交流与影响,希望对我们有所启发。     

Initial work experiences of veterinarians who graduated from Australian universities in 2005

Objective To describe the location, type, support from and effects of their first position for the veterinary graduates of 2005, and to make comparisons with graduates of 1950-2000. Procedure Questionnaires were sent to veterinarians who had graduated from an Australian university in 2005, and data were analysed with SAS System 8 for Windows. Results One-sixth of the graduates left for overseas, and 55% (Murdoch) to 85% (Melbourne) of the remainder found their first veterinary position in the state where they were trained. More were in small animal (48%) and less in mixed practice (48%) than in previous decades, and they spent more time (79%) with dogs and cats, and less with horses (9%), cattle (8%) and other production animals (1%). The median income of males working full-time was $43,000 and $39,000 for equivalent females. Most were satisfied with the help and support received from their boss and workplace; approximately 20% felt that support was inadequate, and many felt overworked and underpaid. The graduates with inadequate support were more likely to suffer stress and were less likely to have enjoyed their first year or to agree that they would become a veterinarian again. The levels of perceived support, and of stress, were similar to those reported by graduates of 2000, though more favourable than in the previous 2 decades. Conclusions Graduates of 2005 were less likely than their predecessors to start in mixed practice or to work with cattle and horses. Most felt poorly paid, but most, though not all, felt well supported in their first position. Aust Vet J 2008;86:357-364.     

Generation of mouse monoclonal antibodies specific to tilapia immunoglobulin using fish immunoglobulin/BSA complex for monitoring of the immune response in Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus

The simple immunoprecipitation method was used to isolate tilapia immunoglobulin (Ig) for immunization in order to produce monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific to tilapia Ig. First, the tilapia antiserum against bovine serum albumin (BSA) was prepared by peritoneal injection of BSA into tilapia, and the tilapia anti‐BSA antiserum was used to precipitate BSA to form the Ig/BSA immune complex. The Ig/BSA immune complex was then injected into Swiss mice for hybridoma production. After fusion, three hybridoma clones producing MAbs specific to the tilapia antibody were selected by dot blot and Western blot. All MAbs (101A, 59G, and 11A) were bound specifically to the heavy chain of immunoglobulin M (IgM). The MAbs 101A and 59G demonstrated twofold higher affinity than MAb 11A and the commercialized antibody. However, MAbs 11A could also bind to the heavy chain of IgM in Asian seabass, Lates calcarifer, as well. These MAbs can be used to monitor the immune responses of individual fish by indirect ELISA upon exposure to various antigens.     

Excavating sponges that are destructive to farmed pearl oysters in Western and Northern Australia

Species of the family Clionaidae (Porifera: Demospongiae) that excavate shell of the silver‐lip pearl oyster, Pinctada maxima, in north Western and Northern Australia are described. Two species belong to the genus Cliona and one species to the closely related genus Pione. Cliona orientalis has only recently been reported from Australia in living and dead coral on the Great Barrier Reef, and this is the first report of this species from north Western and Northern Australia. Cliona dissimilis is reported from Australia for the first time. Pione velans was first described from Shark Bay, Western Australia and this study extends its distribution from Albany, south Western Australia to Port Bremer in the Northern Territory. The most common species found was C. dissimilis. Pione velans and C. orientalis were also present, although the latter species was rare. Cliona dissimilis and P. velans were found to be sexually reproductive in some shells with specimens of C. dissimilis with oocytes in May and P. velans in September 1999. Egg development was synchronous, indicating that the sponges were oviparous and would broadcast gametes in a spawning event.     

Expression of recombinant triangular bream (Megalobrama terminalis) pre-IGF-I in Escherichia coli

The insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) cDNA (GenBank Accession No. AY247412) of triangular bream (Megalobrama terminalis) was expressed for the first time in Escherichia coli. To construct the expression plasmid, the IGF-I cDNA was subcloned into prokaryotic-expressing vector pGEX-4T-1. The E.coli JM109 was transformed with the recombinant plasmid pGEX-4T-1-IGF-I, and the transgene expression was observed after being induced with isopropyl-β-D-thiogalactoside (IPTG). The results of SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Western blotting indicated that the recombinant fusion protein had immune activity and the molecular weight was about 47 kDa. The results of SDS-PAGE and thin layer scanning showed that the yield of fusion protein had been enlarged with prolonging time. When the time of induced expression was 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 h, the expression amount was approximately 1.4, 4.3, 8.1, 11.3, 16.3 and 18.8% of total bacterial protein respectively.