Estimation of Crown Temperature of Winter Wheat and the Effect on Simulation of Frost Tolerance

Accurate estimation of winter wheat frost kill in cold‐temperate agricultural regions is limited by lack of data on soil temperature at wheat crown depth, which determines winter survival. We compared the ability of four models of differing complexity to predict observed soil temperature at 2 cm depth during two winter seasons (2013‐14 and 2014‐15) at Ultuna, Sweden, and at 1 cm depth at Ilseng and Ås, Norway. Predicted and observed soil temperature at 2 cm depth was then used in FROSTOL model simulations of the frost tolerance of winter wheat at Ultuna. Compared with the observed soil temperature at 2 cm depth, soil temperature was better predicted by detailed models than simpler models for both seasons at Ultuna. The LT50 (temperature at which 50 % of plants die) predictions from FROSTOL model simulations using input from the most detailed soil temperature model agreed better with LT50 FROSTOL outputs from observed soil temperature than what LT50 FROSTOL predictions using temperature from simpler models did. These results highlight the need for simpler temperature prediction tools to be further improved when used to evaluate winter wheat frost kill.     

Antibody dynamics in BRSV-infected Danish dairy herds as determined by isotype-specific immunoglobulins

Using specific ELISAs, antibody levels of four different isotypes to bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) were determined in calves, following experimental BRSV infection.Most calves experienced an increase in the specific IgM and IgG1 titres about 6-10 days after infection with BRSV. The IgM titre was transient showing positive titres for only 5-10 days, while specific IgG1 was present for a longer time. IgA was detected concomitantly with IgM but at a lower level. Production of IgG2 anti-BRSV antibodies was detected from 3 weeks after infection.In two closed herds, repeated blood samplings were performed on young stock to analyse maternal immunity. The passively transferred antibodies were mainly of the IgG1 isotype and the half-life of IgG1 to BRSV was estimated to be 26.6 days. One of the herds had an outbreak of enzootic pneumonia, diagnosed to be caused by BRSV. Furthermore, another herd with acute BRSV was followed by weekly blood samples in six calves; in both herds IgM and IgG1 was detected shortly after the appearance of clinical signs. Serum samples from 50 Danish dairy herds (453 samples) were tested for immunoglobulins of the isotypes IgG1, IgG2 and IgM. The presence of antibodies to BRSV was widespread and more than 54% of the samples had BRSV antibodies of both the IgG1 and IgG2 isotypes indicating a high herd prevalence to BRSV. Test samples from two herds out of 50 were free from all isotypes to BRSV.     

Static bending properties of Finnish birch wood

The purpose of this study was to determine the modulus of elasticity (MOE) and the modulus of rupture (MOR) in the radial bending test for small, clear specimens of Finnish birch (Betula pendula Roth and B. pubescens Ehrh) wood originating from mature trees. The dependency of MOE and MOR on the specific gravity of birch wood was studied, and the relationship between MOE and MOR was modelled at the different heights and at the different distances from the pith of the tree. For B. pendula, the mean values for MOE and MOR were 14.5 GPa and 114 MPa, whereas B. pubescens had means of 13.2 GPa and 104 MPa, respectively. At the corresponding specific gravity, the bending stiffness and strength values did not differ between the two species. The results indicated a linear relationship between the MOE and MOR, irrespective of the birch species or the within-stem location. Both MOE and MOR increased clearly from the pith towards the surface of the tree and decreased slightly from the base to the top of the tree. It seems that if products with as high stiffness and bending strength as possible are wanted, sorting of raw materials into different grades according to their within-tree origin can be of value.     

Cardiac arrhythmias and electrolyte disturbances in colic horses

Background

Despite increased focus on cardiac arrhythmias in horses, the nature and prevalence is still poorly described. Case reports suggest that arrhythmias occurring secondary to systemic disease are seen more commonly in the clinic than arrhythmias caused by cardiac disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of arrhythmias in colic horses referred for hospital treatment. Associations between electrolyte disturbances and arrhythmias were also investigated.The study population consisted of eight control horses and 22 referred colic horses. A Holter electrocardiography (ECG) was recorded during the first 24 hours of admission. The ECG’s were analysed by a software program followed by manual visual inspection. Arrhythmias registered included second degree atrioventricular (AV) blocks, supraventricular premature complexes (SVPCs), and ventricular premature complexes (VPCs). Blood was collected at admission and again between 12 and 24 hours after ECG was applied, and analysed for concentrations of potassium, sodium, ionised calcium, chloride, glucose, and L-lactate.

Results

Heart rate was 37.4 ± 3.7 bpm in the control group, and 51.6 ± 11.8 bpm, in the colic group, which was significantly different (P < 0.0001). AV blocks and SVPCs were found in both groups, however only colic horses showed VPCs. No significant difference between the two groups was found for AV blocks, SVPCs, and VPCs (P = 0.08 - 0.76). The mean levels of potassium, sodium, ionized calcium, and chloride were significantly lower in the colic group compared to the control group at admission. Mean levels of glucose and L-lactate were significantly elevated in the colic group (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

This study describes prevalence of cardiac arrhythmias and electrolytes concentrations in colic horses compared to healthy controls. Although we only observed VPCs in the colic horses, no significant differences between colic horses and controls were found. Despite the colic horses having electrolyte changes at admission no correlation was found between the electrolyte disturbances and cardiac arrhythmias. Although no clear conclusions can be drawn from the present study, the results indicate that relatively mild colic per se is not pro-arrhythmogenic, whereas severe colic probably are more likely to result in ventricular arrhythmia.     

转生长激素基因工程鲤鱼研究

约10000余尾注射牛和羊生长激素基因的鲤鱼已被生产出来，并从中筛选出生长速度快且整合了外源基因的个体143尾，也证明外源基因可传递给子代同时子代也具有快速生长的特征。建立了把外源基因直接注入受精卵的方法，确定了注入外源基因的最佳时期。     

Closantel缓释剂对实验感染肝片吸虫山羊机体自由基影响的研究

选用5只实验感染肝片吸虫山羊研究Closantel缓释剂对机体抗氧化功能的影响，实验用山羊每只一次性口服肝片吸虫囊蚴150个，感染后第15周随机将山羊分成对照组（n=2）和驱虫组（n=3），驱虫组每羊口服两颗Closantel缓释剂，每周定时采集颈静脉血液，检测血清抗氧化酶的变化，观察服用Closantel缓释剂对其的影响。结果表明投药后山羊血清中GSH－Px、CAT均有不同程度的升高，SOD变化不显著，而脂质过氧化产物MDA含量则下降，提示Closantel的缓释剂型对实验感染肝片吸虫山羊机体的抗氧化产生了影响，对机体有一定保护作用。     

肝片吸虫感染对山羊机体自由基代谢影响的研究

实验选择9只健康、6－10月龄雄性白山羊，经粪便学检查和Dot-ELISA检测，确认无肝片吸虫感染，随机分成感染组（n=5)和对照组（n=4)，试验组每只1次口服接种150个肝片吸虫囊蚴，每周定时从颈静脉采集感染前（0周）和感染后15周血液1次分离血清。测定血清谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH－Px)活性、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性、过氧化物酶（CAT）活性、丙二醛（MDA）和一氧化氮含量的变化，结果表明肝片吸虫感染后血清中GSH－Px活性除第8周试验组显著高于对照组，其他各周无显著差异；在整个实验期间，试验组山羊血清中SOD活性在1－5周呈波动状，以后两组基本处于同一水平；试验组山羊血清CAT活性在感染后第3周显著低于对照组，第6－15周时，试验组始终高于对照组，但各周差异均不显著；试验组山羊血清中MDA含量在整个实验期间始终呈波动状，而在第8、9周试验组显著高于对照组，中周与对照组相比无显著差异；感染后试验组血清中NO开始下降，并且显著低于对照组，至第3－6周时试验组显著高于或低于对照组，第6－15周，试验组一直高于对照组，并在第7、10周时显著地高于对照组。提示山羊感染肝片吸虫后，机体发生多种功能的改变，机体的自由基产生与清除处于相互对抗之中，机体的自由基代谢参与了肝片吸虫病的发展过程。     

Functional characterization of post-junctional adrenergic receptor subtypes in bovine intra-mammary arteries

We examined the functional role of adrenergic receptor subtypes (ARs) in bovine intra-mammary arteries (IMAs), 1.5–2.5 mm internal diameter. Norepinephrine (NE) and phenylephrine (PE) produced concentration-dependent increases in tone in segments maintained at a previously determined optimal basal tension in vitro . The sensitivity of the tissue to NE and PE, based on -log molar ED_50s was 6.87 ± 0.17 and 7.05 ± 0.35, respectively. In addition a Schild analysis yielded antagonist affinities for the receptor mediating contractile responses to NE (pA2 value) of 10.46 ± 0.85 for prazosin and 6.29 ± 0.18 for yohimbine. These data indicate a dominance of functional alpha 1 (α₁) over alpha 2 (α₂)-ARs in this tissue. Based on the inhibitory effects of chloroethylclonidine (CEC) on PE responses and the further reduction in sensitivity when nifedipine was added to the CEC, also in the presence of PE, we conclude that there is more than one α₁-AR subtype, with a predominant role for α_1B-ARs in phenylephrine responses. Stimulation of beta (β)-ARs, resulted in relatively small reductions in tone (the highest magnitude of response was 25.94 ± 6.46% of the papaverine maximum at 3×10⁻⁶ M isoproterenol); in addition, propranolol did not significantly alter tissue sensitivity to NE. Additional characterization of functional autonomic receptor populations in this circulatory bed will form a basis for future studies on circulatory dynamics in the mammary gland.     

Optimizing phosphorus fertilization in an intensive vegetable-rice cropping system

A study was conducted in a sweet pepper-maize-rice cropping system in six farmers fields in Batac, Ilocos Norte, the Philippines, to determine the optimum P fertilizer rate for sweet pepper that will benefit the succeeding crops, maximize system-level productivity and profitability, and reduce the excessive accumulation of P in the soil. Single super phosphate was applied to sweet pepper at rates of 0, 28, 56, 84, 112, and 140 kg P ha^–1 and the succeeding crops were grown without P fertilization. Maize residue was incorporated into the soil at puddling of soil for rice. Phosphorus fertilization at 56 kg P ha^–1 and above had a residual effect on maize and rice. A reduction in the P applied to sweet pepper from 140 to 84 kg P ha^–1 reduced extractable P in the soil at rice harvest from 52 to 29 kg P ha^–1. Phosphorus applied at 111 kg P ha^–1 to sweet pepper was optimum for maximum productivity and economic returns of the sweet pepper-maize-rice cropping system. This rate of P also significantly reduced P accumulation in the soil, thereby reducing the chances of negative effects on soil nutrient balance/availability. The results suggested the need for a cropping systems approach to conserve and effectively use native and fertilizer P in the sweet pepper-rice cropping system.