Serological responses of specific pathogen-free foals to equine herpesvirus-1: primary and secondary infection, and reactivation.

Serum antibody (virus neutralisation, complement fixation, IgM and IgG) responses to equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) infection were measured in six foals which were initially free from EHV-1 and EHV-4 infection and maternally-derived antibodies. Following primary infection, high titres of virus neutralisation and complement fixation antibodies were detectable against EHV-1, however, corresponding antibody levels against EHV-4 were low or inapparent, although the two viruses share a number of cross-reactive epitopes. In addition, following the primary infection with EHV-1, IgM levels increased before those of IgG, virus neutralisation and complement fixation antibodies, peaked sooner and thereafter declined. Stimulation of IgM levels was observed on secondary infection with EHV-1 given 61 days later. In contrast, IgG, virus neutralisation and complement fixation antibodies following primary infection were more sustained and no increase in their levels was observed on secondary infection. No consistent changes in IgM or IgG levels were seen after administration of dexamethasone to reactivate latent virus.     

A comparison of the effect of short-acting and long-acting cloxacillin-based dry-cow therapy on somatic cell counts after calving in cows also given internal teat sealants

AIM: To compare, in cows treated with an internal teat sealant, the effect of short-acting and long-acting cloxacillin-based dry-cow therapy on somatic cell counts (SCC) after calving.

METHODS: Cows from a spring-calving, pasture-based dairy farm in the Manawatu-Whanganui region of New Zealand were randomly allocated to receive either a short-acting cloxacillin and ampicillin dry-cow therapy and internal teat sealant (n=291) or a long-acting cloxacillin and ampicillin dry-cow therapy and internal teat sealant (n=288) at the end of lactation. Cows were managed on-farm with routine husbandry procedures through the dry period and following calving. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to determine the association between length of action of dry-cow therapy and the proportion of cows with a SCC >150,000?cells/mL at the first herd test after calving.

RESULTS: Age of cow, mean SCC for the preceding season and interval from calving to the first post-calving herd test were all associated with the proportion of cows with an individual SCC >150,000?cells/mL at the first herd test (p<0.001) Treatment with the short-acting dry-cow therapy was not associated with decreased odds of cows having a SCC >150,000?cells/mL at the first herd test compared with treatment with long-acting dry-cow therapy (OR=0.724; 95% CI=0.40–1.30).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In this herd, which routinely used internal teat sealants, the use of short-acting cloxacillin-based dry-cow therapy did not result in an increased proportion of cows with elevated SSC post-calving. This was a single farm, single year study but indicates that in this herd, changing from a long-acting to a short-acting antimicrobial may have no impact on the prevalence of subclinical mastitis.     

Planktonic foraminifera of the California Current reflect 20th-century warming

It is currently unclear whether observed pelagic ecosystem responses to ocean warming, such as a mid-1970s change in the eastern North Pacific, depart from typical ocean variability. We report variations in planktonic foraminifera from varved sediments off southern California spanning the past 1400 years. Increasing abundances of tropical/subtropical species throughout the 20th century reflect a warming trend superimposed on decadal-scale fluctuations. Decreasing abundances of temperate/subpolar species in the late 20th century indicate a deep, penetrative warming not observed in previous centuries. These results imply that 20th-century warming, apparently anthropogenic, has already affected lower trophic levels of the California Current.     

滴灌条件下干旱区枣树根区的土壤水分动态模拟

【目的】探明干旱区滴灌条件下枣树根区土壤水分的动态变化规律。【方法】以根系分布和土壤水分动态资料为基础,用考虑二维根系吸水的HYDRUS模型对滴灌条件下枣树根区土壤水分动态进行模拟,用含水率的模拟值与实测值的均方根误差(RMSE)和相对均方误差(RMAE)检验模拟效果。【结果】(1)各层土壤水分90d内的动态模拟结果显示,RMSE小于0.024cm3/cm3,RMAE小于14.2%;(2)典型灌溉周期剖面含水率分布的模拟结果显示,RMSE小于0.016cm3/cm3,RMAE小于5.6%。【结论】模拟结果表明,试验灌溉定额(450m3/hm2)合理,灌溉周期需调整,说明该模型可以准确反映干旱区滴灌枣树土壤水分的动态分布,可为灌溉制度的制定提供理论依据。     

A comparison of some red and yellow earths in tropical queensland and northeast Brazil

Red and yellow earths are kaolinitic and generally sesquioxidic soils having massive B horizons with porous, earthy fabrics and weak profile differentiation but usually displaying a gradual increase in clay content with depth. They are widespread in tropical Queensland and northeast Brazil where comparable climates prevail although the vegetation is markedly different. Their parent materials are mostly quartzitic sedimentary rocks or unconsolidated sediments and the soils occur in a wide variety of topographic and geomorphic situations. In both regions it is probable that many of the soils have not formed under the present climatic conditions.Profile morphology, drainage, silt and clay contents, clay mineralogy, and soil chemistry have been compared and contrasted between the red and yellow earths within and between the two regions. Canonical variate analysis has shown that, on the basis of surface soil chemical attributes, the red earths can be separated from the yellow earths within each region and that the Queensland soils can be separated from the Brazilian soils.     

Promotion of stomatal infiltration of glyphosate by an organosilicone surfactant reduces the critical rainfall period

The addition of the organosilicone surfactant ‘Silwet L77’ at 1-5 ml litre^?1 to formulated glyphosate gave complete surface wetting on application to the adaxial leaf surface of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). The wetting characteristics of the solution were associated with rapid foliar uptake and near maximal uptake in 3 h compared to greater than 5 h in the absence of ‘Silwet L77’. Evidence is presented showing that solutions containing ‘Silwet L77’ rapidly infiltrate stomata. Rapid uptake did not occur after application to the astomatous abaxial surface of perennial ryegrass leaves. The rapid rate of glyphosate uptake reduced the critical rainfall period to 2 h or less, compared to up to 10 h in the absence of ‘Silwet L77’. The use of ‘Silwet L77’ has major practical implications for the use of glyphosate in regions with unpredictable rainfall or high rainfall frequency.