Interaction of low-pathogenicity reoviruses and low levels of infection with several coccidial species

Various combinations of reoviruses and coccidia were studied to see if interactions would occur. Two reoviruses were used: virus 2035, a moderate to low pathogen, and virus 2177, a nonpathogen. Coccidia used were Eimeria acervulina, E. mitis, and E. maxima at dosages of 10(3) or 10(4) sporulated oocysts/chick and E. brunetti at 10(4) sporulated oocysts/chick. In Hubbard-Hubbard cockerels, a combination of virus 2035 and E. acervulina (10(4) oocysts/chick) or E. maxima (10(3) oocysts/chick) significantly (P less than or equal to 0.05) increased the frequency of stunting (% of chicks with body weight less than 80% of controls) and further depressed weight gain over that seen with either virus or coccidia alone. Conversely, virus 2177 ameliorated the same effects in Shaver-Arbor Acre cockerels given 10(4) oocysts/chick of E. mitis or E. maxima. The interaction could not be attributed to changes in the degree of coccidial infection based on oocyst production. Reovirus did not generally change the effect of coccidia on levels of plasma pigment and plasma protein. In Hubbard-Hubbard cockerels, coccidia-induced effects were not ameliorated by virus 2177, suggesting that breed difference in interaction can be expected.     

Protection of chickens from Newcastle and Marek's diseases with a recombinant herpesvirus of turkeys vaccine expressing the Newcastle disease virus fusion protein.

Recombinant strains of herpesvirus of turkeys (HVT) were constructed that contain either the fusion protein gene or the hemagglutinin-neuraminidase gene of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) inserted into a nonessential gene of HVT. Expression of the NDV antigens was regulated from a strong promoter element derived from the Rous sarcoma virus long terminal repeat. Recombinant HVT strains were stable and fully infectious in cell culture and in chickens. Chickens receiving a single intra-abdominal inoculation at 1 day of age with recombinant HVT expressing the NDV fusion protein had an immunological response and were protected (> 90%) against lethal intramuscular challenge at 28 days of age with the neurotropic velogenic NDV strain Texas GB. Recombinant HVT expressing the NDV hemagglutinin-neuraminidase provided partial protection (47%) against the same challenge. Chickens vaccinated with recombinant HVT vaccines had low levels of protection against NDV replication in the trachea when challenged ocularly. Recombinant HVT vaccines and the parent HVT strain provided similar levels of protection to chickens challenged with the very virulent RB1B strain of Marek's disease virus, indicating that insertion of foreign sequences into the HVT genome did not compromise the ability of HVT to protect against Marek's disease.     

Isolation of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis after oral inoculation in uninfected cattle.

Feces from cows naturally infected with Mycobacterium paratuberculosis was given to 6 uninfected heifers by orogastric intubation, to determine whether ingested organisms could be passively excreted and detected by bacteriologic culture of feces (ie, false-positive result). Heifers were paired, and each pair received a different dose of feces on days 1 and 2. Fecal samples were collected from the heifers 3 times daily. Mycobacterium paratuberculosis was detected in fecal samples of all heifers within 18 hours of being given the first dose of feces. The number of colony-forming units peaked on days 3 or 4, and organisms were no longer detected by day 7. The number of colony-forming units in fecal samples from the heifers was approximately proportional to the dose given. On days 15 and 16, the experiment was repeated with feces from a second infected cow. Results were similar to those in the first experiment. All heifers remained seronegative (agar-gel immunodiffusion test and ELISA) and had negative results to the intradermal johnin test throughout the experiment. Lymph node and intestinal tissues were obtained from all 6 heifers at slaughter on day 28. Mycobacterium paratuberculosis was not isolated from mesenteric lymph nodes from the ileocecal valve region, but was isolated from ileal mucosal samples from each heifer.     

Prevalence of and intrinsic risk factors for appendicular osteosarcoma in dogs: 179 cases (1996-2005)

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of appendicular osteosarcoma (OSA) in Greyhounds compared with other breeds and identify potential intrinsic risk factors associated with development of OSA. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 179 dogs with primary appendicular OSA. PROCEDURES: Medical records of dogs in which primary appendicular OSA had been diagnosed between 1996 and 2005 were reviewed. Prevalence and crude odds ratios for OSA were calculated for various breeds by comparison with a reference population of mixed-breed dogs. Age and sex were examined as potential risk factors for the 3 breeds with highest prevalence. RESULTS: Breed period prevalence of OSA was highest for Greyhounds (21/339 [6.2%]), followed by Rottweilers (51/969 [5.3%]) and Great Danes (13/297 [4.4%]); all 21 Greyhounds with OSA were identified as having retired from racing. Sex was not identified as a risk factor for OSA in these breeds, but in all 3 breeds, risk of OSA increased with age. Greyhounds were significantly older at the time of OSA diagnosis (mean, 9.9 years) than were Rottweilers (8.3 years) and Great Danes (7.8 years). Rottweilers and Great Danes were more likely to have OSA involving the forelimbs than the hind limbs. The most frequent lesion sites for all 3 breeds were the proximal end of the humerus and distal end of the radius. The proximal end of the femur was also a common site for the Greyhounds. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results of the present study suggested that Greyhounds, Rottweilers, and Great Danes had an increased risk of developing OSA, compared with mixed-breed dogs.     

黄土耕作坡面溅蚀过程中微地形响应特征

[目的]探究60mm/h雨强下不同耕作坡面在溅蚀阶段的微地形变化特征,为黄土坡地水土保持耕作方式布设提供科学依据。[方法]在室内人工模拟降雨试验的基础上,采用激光扫描量测方法分别获取溅蚀前后4种不同耕作方式(人工锄耕、人工掏挖、等高耕作、耙磨整平)黄土坡面微地形相对高程,并对能反映微地形变化的高精度M-ΔDEM进行了分析。[结果]不同耕作措施下坡面微地形均具有较弱的空间变异,其空间分异主要受耕作措施的影响;降雨对微地形具有一定的夷平效应,且不同耕作坡面在1~1.3m尺度范围内均表现出侵蚀平衡现象;不同耕作微地形对溅蚀均具有阻滞作用,其中人工掏挖和等高耕作具有较强的水土保持作用。[结论]微地形水系分维能较好地反映复杂的微地形特征,而坡面耕作方式是溅蚀过程中微地形时空变异分布状况的控制性因子。     

大型灯泡贯流式泵站振动研究概述

机组和泵房的振动是泵站运行中最为常见的问题,直接影响泵站的安全可靠运行。对大型灯泡贯流式泵站振动研究现状和抗振安全评价计算分析方法作了详细的介绍,对研究机组振动诱发泵房振动的共振校核法、拟静力法、谐响应求解法和瞬态动力时程法等进行了阐述,并对这几种方法进行了分析比较,就其存在的问题作了总结概述。     

工厂化水产养殖水质监测系统

工厂化水产养殖的密度高、风险大,养殖对象对pH、溶解氧、温度、氨氮、亚硝酸盐等水质参数的变化敏感,受影响严重,监测水质参数极为重要。本文针对工厂化水产养殖水质监测特点和需求,研发了工厂化水产养殖水质监测系统。分析研究pH、溶解氧、温度、亚硝酸盐等水质参数的阈值,设计水质监测数据无线采集节点和基于Zigbee的无线监测网络,建立水质监测系统软件平台。结果表明,该系统能够实现工厂化水产养殖水质实时监测,保证生产安全,提高水产养殖生产效率。     

Canine brucellosis--a case report

Brucella (B.) canis was isolated from ejaculate of a 4-year old Korthals-Griffon male dog after occurrence of epididymitis and orchitis. Despite several trials of therapy with different antibiotics relapes occurred, with B. canis being isolated from ejaculate, blood and urine samples, respectively. Bacteriological examinations were added by serological testing over a period of about 1.5 years. During the study SAT serum titre steadily dropped from 1:200 to 1:50. By CFT, B. canis antibodies were detectable at the beginning with a titre of 1:320 and to the end of the study with titres between 1:80 and 1:160.