Quarantine requirements for the importation of black rhinoceros from Zimbabwe into Australia

SUMMARY The proposal by the Zoological Parks Board of New South Wales to import 10 southern black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) from Zimbabwe as part of an international project for conservation of the species presented the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) with a unique challenge. This importation is, at least in the modern era, the first importation of live herbivores from the African continent. Many of the serious animal diseases in the world are endemic in parts of Africa. Knowledge of which of these diseases infect wild species and may be transmitted from the wild species to domesticated species, is limited. This paper describes the strategies adopted by AQIS to facilitate the importation of rhinoceros while maintaining protection of Australian consumers, rural industries, domestic livestock and fauna against the entry and spread of unwanted pests and diseases.     

USE OF ULTRASOUND-GUIDED FINE-NEEDLE ASPIRATION BIOPSY AND AUTOMATED CORE BIOPSY FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF GASTROINTESTINAL DISEASES IN SMALL ANIMALS

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy and core biopsy in the diagnosis of infiltrative gastrointestinal diseases. Six dogs and seven cats with clinical signs of gastrointestinal disease underwent ultrasonography and intestinal lesions were identified. One or more ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy and/or core biopsy procedures were performed in each patient. Each patient also underwent one of the following additional procedures for comparison of results: 1) surgery (n=4), 2) endoscopy (n=2), 3) post mortem exam (n=3), and, 4) for lymphoma diagnosed with ultrasound-guided procedures, response to chemotherapy (n=4). Correct diagnoses were obtained in nine of the 13 patients, incorrect diagnoses in two of the 13 patients, and inconclusive diagnoses in two of the thirteen patients. Of the 16 total ultrasound-guided procedures performed, ten were confirmed as correct, three as incorrect, and three were non-diagnostic. Intestinal lesions with bowel wall thickness greater than 2.0 cm had a higher percentage of correct diagnoses than lesions of lesser wall thickness. Gastric lesions had a higher percentage of correct diagnoses than small and large intestinal lesions. Malignant lesions had a higher percentage of correct diagnoses than benign lesions. There were no complications. Ultrasound-guided gastrointestinal fine-needle aspiration biopsy and core biopsy appears to be a safe, accurate, and rapid procedure for use in the diagnosis of infiltrative gastrointestinal disease.     

Material in the middle ear of dogs having magnetic resonance imaging for investigation of neurologic signs

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and potential significance of finding material in the middle ear of dogs having magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Of 466 MR studies reviewed, an increased signal was identified in the tympanic bulla in 32 (7%) dogs. Cavalier King Charles spaniels, Cocker spaniels, Bulldogs, and Boxers were over-represented compared to the population of dogs having MR imaging. Five (16%) dogs had definite otitis media and one (3%) had a meningioma invading the middle ear. Of the remaining dogs, 13 (41%) had possible otitis media and 13 (41%) had neurologic conditions apparently unrelated to otitis media. The most common appearance of material in the middle ear was isointense in T1-weighted images and hyperintense in T2-weighted images. There was no apparent correlation between the signal characteristics of the material and the diagnosis. Enhanced signal after gadolinium administration was observed affecting the lining of the bulla in dogs with otitis media and in dogs with unrelated neurologic conditions. In dogs without clinical signs of otitis media, finding an increased signal in the middle ear during MR imaging may reflect subclinical otitis media or fluid accumulation unrelated to inflammation. Brachycephalic dogs may be predisposed to this condition.     

松嫩平原优势种羊草与其主要伴生种芦苇空间分布格局分析

芦苇是松嫩草地优势种羊草的主要伴生种,两者常常形成物种组成比较单一的混生群落或者与其他物种组成羊草 杂类草群落.选择羊草 芦苇混生群落,羊草群落和芦苇群落的交错区进行羊草、芦苇单物种格局分析.结果表明,1)混生群落和交错区中,羊草和芦苇均是以集聚分布的形式存在;2)羊草在混生群落中的格局强度小于交错区中的格局强度,芦苇在2种类型群落中的格局强度没有显著差异;3)除了考虑物种的生物学特性以外,混生群落种内、种间竞争也是影响羊草集聚分布和格局强度的主要因素,交错区中,环境异质性和种间竞争是影响集聚分布和格局强度的重要因子;4)芦苇在混生群落和交错区中格局强度没有明显差异,由此可以判定芦苇的空间分布格局形成主要受植物本身生物学特性的影响.     

纳他霉素处理对火龙果贮藏品质的影响

研究不同浓度的纳他霉素对火龙果采后贮藏保鲜效果的影响。以火龙果为试验材料,研究不同浓度(0、400、800、1200 mg/L)纳他霉素对火龙果贮藏期生理、营养指标及果实表面微生物菌落情况的影响。结果表明:与对照相比,不同浓度的纳他霉素处理均可显著降低火龙果呼吸强度,抑制腐烂指数、鳞片黄化率、质量损失率、丙二醛含量的增加,延缓鳞片叶绿素、可溶性固形物、可滴定酸、维生素C含量的降低,提高果实SOD、POD、CAT等抗氧化相关酶活性,在贮藏末期时仍能保持较低的细菌菌落总数、酵母菌和霉菌总数。综合认为,纳他霉素处理可以明显延缓火龙果果实衰老,有效保持果实的贮藏品质,其中以800 mg/L纳他霉素处理效果最佳。     

Cardiovascular effects of acute pulmonary obstruction in horses with recurrent airway obstruction

BACKGROUND: Recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) is common in horses. Although pulmonary artery (PA) pressure increases during RAO, cardiac function in horses with RAO has received limited attention. HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of this study was to noninvasively determine the cardiovascular effects of acute pulmonary obstruction (APO) in horses with RAO and their reversibility. ANIMALS: Five geldings with RAO, inducible by exposure to moldy hay, were studied. METHODS: Pulmonary mechanics, echocardiography, serum troponin I concentrations, arterial blood gases, and hematocrit were obtained before and after 7 days of APO. Heart rate, PA diameter and flow characteristics, right and left ventricular luminal dimensions and wall thicknesses, global cardiac performance, and evidence of myocardial damage were evaluated. Pulmonary mechanics and echocardiography were reevaluated during remission. RRESULTS: Severe, transient APO did not induce chronic cor pulmonale in horses, because cardiac anatomy and function were normal between episodes. An acute episode of APO produced anatomical and functional cardiac changes in both the right and left heart (including increased PA diameter, abnormal septal motion, and decreased left ventricular diameter and estimated stroke volume), possibly because of the development of pulmonary hypertension, without apparent myocardial damage. The decrease in stroke volume was offset by the increase in heart rate. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: With APO of 7 days' duration, cardiovascular abnormalities and the functional airway changes that produce them are reversible when the offending allergens are removed.     

我国西部地区水电开发问题探讨

水能资源是我国西部地区的优势资源，由于历史和政策的原因，开发利用程度相对较低，资源优势没有形成产业优势。在分析西部水能资源分布特点和开发现状的基础上，结合西部大开发和西电东送战略，提出目前水电产业存在的市场、政策和资金方面问题，探讨了加快西部水电开发的对策和建议。     

15℃以上平均气温显著影响温敏雄性不育小麦BNS的育性转换

BNS是一个对温度敏感的小麦雄性不育系,敏感期低温表现不育,高温恢复可育。2014/2015年度小麦生育期间温度相对较高,但BNS的自交结实率比温度相对较低的2011/2012年度低50%以上。为探讨该现象产生的原因,对近4a（2012-2015年）小麦生育期的温度走向,以及温度与BNS自交结实率的关系进行分析。温度走向结果分析表明,不同冬、春温度变化显著影响BNS结实率,暖冬和寒春易降低结实率,寒冬和暖春可提高结实率。这些结果对BNS的影响可能是,暖冬穗发育加快,进入感温期早,再遇正常年份或暖春,育性转换完成快,结实率高,反之结实率低。2014/2015年度属典型暖冬和寒春气候特点,故BNS结实率严重下降。相关分析结果表明,BNS的自交结实率与播种-抽穗的各积温因子均呈负相关,而与翌年3月1日-抽穗的平均温度≥15℃有效积温和平均温度≥15℃的累积日数呈显著正相关;BNS育性转换的温度阈值为12℃,15℃以上温度对自交结实率影响显著;用两个正相关显著的温度参数建立的回归方程可预测BNS自交结实率。研究结果表明,15℃以上平均气温显著影响温敏雄性不育小麦BNS的育性转换,平均温度≥15℃有效积温和平均温度≥15℃的累积日数是两个重要的BNS育性转换温度因子参数。