Effect of storage on some constituents of camel serum

SUMMARY Effects of storage at room temperature (23–25°C) and refrigeration (4–5°C) on various biochemical constituents of camel serum were investigated. Albumin, globulin, calcium, phosphorus, cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (AP) and gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT) did not change over 9 days when stored at 4–5°C. At 4–5°C, creatinine, iron and glucose in camel sera remained stable for 6 days; total protein for 7 days; and blood urea nitrogen for 8 days. Decreased activities in creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were apparent after 1, 6 and 7 days, respectively. At room temperature, total protein, albumin, globulin, calcium and phosphorus were stable throughout the 9 days. Changes in glucose and iron occurred after 3 days. Stability at room temperature for LDH was 1 day; AST, 3 days; GGT and ALT, 6 days; and AP, 8 days. CK activity had already declined by 4 hours and by 9 days, only 34% activity remained.     

Status and management of fish populations of Rawal Dam reservoir, Pakistan

Abstract Studies were conducted to determine the composition and relative abundance of commercially desirable and less desirable fish populations of Rawal Dam reservoir. Fifteen fish species belonging to 11 genera were identified. The less desirable species were abundant, constituting 62.3%, 84.8% and 78% of the total number of fish sampled on three occasions. Carnivores were represented by two species with very low percentage composition by number or weight. The ratio of total weight of forage fish to that of carnivorous fish indicated an unbalanced population in the lake. The proportion of the fish population at harvestable size suggests a balanced population, but this index may have been overestimated because of a minimum harvestable size.     

耕作方式对岩溶区甘蔗地土壤优先流特征的影响

岩溶区特殊的岩性地质条件,使土壤优先流现象广泛发生。以广西岩溶区内的典型农地甘蔗地作为研究对象,利用野外染色示踪技术和图像解析方法,分别对传统耕作(CT)和粉垄耕作(SRT)方式下的田间土壤优先流特征进行分析,揭示耕作方式对岩溶区甘蔗地土壤优先流的发生及其空间发展变化的影响。结果表明:①在相同外部供水条件下,传统耕作甘蔗地优先流运动分化程度相对较高,多呈指状形式,且平均湿润锋下渗深度为43.19 cm,显著大于粉垄耕作(P0.05),而粉垄耕作甘蔗地优先流以横向运动形式为主,表现为团块状湿润锋形式;②粉垄耕作甘蔗地土壤优先流发生时间显著滞后于传统耕作(P0.05),是其1.67倍;③随土壤深度的增加,两种耕作方式下的甘蔗地土壤优先流发育程度总体呈现先增加后降低的变化趋势,但粉垄耕作甘蔗地优先流比(70.72%)和长度指数(527.12%)均显著小于传统耕作甘蔗地(P0.05),且在土壤空间中对应的染色形态变异系数(1.19)是传统耕作的1.38倍,优先流发育程度显著低于传统耕作甘蔗地。粉垄耕作与传统耕作方式相比,在一定程度上降低了田间土壤优先流现象,改善了田间土层中的水肥状况。     

运用简单线性水库模型计算Pothwar黄土平原（巴基斯坦）磷灰石损失情况

Apatite is the dominant phosphorus （P） mineral in early stages of soil development, and its redistribution as labile forms under pedogenesis controls terrestrial bioavailability. Quantitative distribution of labile forms of P and apatite-P was examined in Pothwar Loess Plain, Pakistan where the degree of pedogenesis varied with relief. Four soil types, Typic Ustorthents （Rajar）, Typic Calciustepts （Missa）, Udic Calciustepts （Basal）, and Udic Haplustalfs （Guliana）, were sampled from three replicated locations at genetic horizon level. With the exception of total P value at surface, the mean total and apatite-P decreased towards the surface in Udic Haplustalfs and Udic Calciustepts where dicalcium and octacalcium phosphate increased toward surface. Iron （oxides and oxyhydroxides） adsorbed and occluded P forms were also in greater quantities in Udic Haplustalfs and increased toward the surface, whereas they were lowest and uniform in the Typic Ustorthents. Aluminum- and organic P correlated with soil organic matter. Apatite-P decreased exponentially with an increase in the sum of iron adsorbed and occluded P fractions, and fitted the equation M（x） =M0[1 - exp（-wx）] with r^2=0.996, where M（x） is the mean apatite-P concentration in solum, M0 is the apatite-P content in the loess sediments, x is the cumulative iron adsorbed and occluded P, and w is an empirical factor indicating the change rate of apatite-P in the loess. From the calculated apatite-P of 740 mg kg^-1 at the time of deposition, mean apatite-P loss was 60% in Udic Haplustalfs, 33% in Udic Calciustepts, 23% in Typic Calciustepts, and 8% in Typic Ustorthents. The transformation of soil P to labile forms was faster and deeper in level or slight depressions followed by gently sloping areas in wide plains, and was the least in the gullied land.     

免耕条件下秸秆还田对冬小麦-夏玉米轮作系统土壤呼吸及土壤水热状况的影响

【目的】研究免耕条件下秸秆还田对旱地冬小麦-夏玉米轮作系统土壤呼吸及土壤水热状况的影响。【方法】2011年10月至2014年9月,在陕西杨凌设置秸秆全量还田+施肥（S1F1）、秸秆全量还田+不施肥（S1F0）、秸秆半量还田+施肥（S1/2F1）、秸秆半量还田+不施肥（S1/2F0）、秸秆不还田+施肥（S0F1）、秸秆不还田+不施肥（S0F0）6 种不同耕作处理的3年定位试验,测定并分析不同耕作处理下土壤呼吸、土壤水热状况、作物产量、土壤耕作层有机碳含量的差异。【结果】在冬小麦生育期内,各处理土壤呼吸速率均呈先下降后升高再下降的趋势;在夏玉米生育期内,各处理土壤呼吸速率均表现为先升高后下降的趋势。同一生育期内各处理土壤呼吸平均速率及呼吸总量依次为S1F1＞S1/2F1＞S1/2F0＞S0F1＞S1F0＞CK,同种作物不同生育期之间,各处理土壤生育期呼吸总量有逐年降低的趋势。整个研究周期内,土壤温度的变化趋势与每月平均气温的变化趋势相似,不同处理在同一生育期内的土壤温度变化趋势相近,且各处理生育期土壤平均温度均随土壤深度的增加而降低;不同秸秆还田处理冬季土壤温度均高于对照,但生育期土壤平均温度均低于对照。土壤含水量随土壤深度的增加而降低,但受降雨影响,不同轮作周期之间的土壤含水量波动较大,各处理同一生育期的土壤平均含水量均表现为S1F0＞S1F1＞S1/2F0＞S1/2F1＞CK＞S0F1,且不同秸秆还田处理的土壤含水量与对照间的差异均显著（P＜0.05）;土壤温度能够解释土壤呼吸速率变化的32.5%-60.4%,土壤含水量能够解释土壤呼吸速率变化的38.4%-82.5%,不同土层深度间,5 cm土层的温度与土壤呼吸的拟合度性最高,而10-20 cm土层的含水量与土壤呼吸的拟合度最高。相同年份内,不同处理冬小麦和夏玉米产量均表现为S1F1＞S1F0＞S1/2F1＞S0F1＞S1/2F0＞CK,这个研究周期内,冬小麦产量逐年增加,夏玉米在前两季表现为增产,但受极端炎热天气的影响,第三季的产量明显降低。单季作物收获后,各处理同一土层深度的有机碳含量均表现为S1F1＞S1/2F1＞S1F0＞S1/2F0＞S0F1＞CK。且不同秸秆还田处理的土壤有机碳含量逐年升高。【结论】长期免耕秸秆还田能够有效降低农田土壤碳排放、提高农田土壤水分利用率及冬季土壤温度、提高作物产量及土壤有机碳含量。不同秸秆还田处理间以S1F0处理的效果最优。     

Epididymis Ligation: A Minimally Invasive Technique for Preparation of Teaser Rams

Objective— To describe a minimally invasive technique for preparation of teaser rams by needle-assisted ligation through the tail of the epididymis.
Study Design— Experimental study.
Animals— Mature rams (n=6), estrus-induced ewes (2).
Methods— After local anesthesia, epididymis ligation was achieved by restraining the testis distally within the scrotal sac and passing suture through a hypodermic needle inserted between tail of epididymis and distal pole of testis, caudomedial to craniolateral through the scrotum. The needle was removed leaving the suture in place and the testis pushed up dorsally, then the needle was reinserted through the original holes and the suture passed back through the needle, which was withdrawn. This resulted in the suture forming a complete loop around the epididymis. The suture ends were tied ligating the epididymis. Semen was evaluated pre- and postligation. Testes were removed after 30 days for gross and histologic examination.
Results— Epididymis ligation was accomplished without postoperative complications. Three weeks after the epididymis ligation, no motile and live spermatozoa were found in ejaculates. From 5 to 28 days after epididymis ligation, attraction to ewes and libido was unchanged and similar to 14 days before ligation.
Conclusions— This novel minimally invasive technique is a simple, alternative method for preparation of teaser rams.
Clinical Relevance— This method is simply performed, without skin wounds, and minimal postoperative care is needed. The technique should be readily adaptable to other species.     

Comparative efficacy of santonin and piperazine against Neoascaris vitulorum in buffalo calves

An investigation was undertaken to evaluate the comparative efficacy of single dose treatment with santonin and piperazine against naturally acquired Neoascaris vitulorum in sixty-two buffalo calves of 20–60 days of age. Santonin was administered orally in doses of 5 mg, 10 mg and 15 mg/kg body weight to thirteen, eighteen, and sixteen buffalo calves, respectively. As a control, piperazine (88 mg/kg) was given by drench to a group of fifteen infected buffalo calves. Pretreatment and post treatment faecal eggs per gram (EPG) counts were determined by the Stoll's technique. The percentage reductions in EPG counts on the third and seventh days after administration of the two drugs were calculated. The percentage reduction in EPG counts in the piperazine treated group on the third day was 82 ± 15, 90.2 ± 3 and 91.3 ± 2.3% while on the seventh day these values were 88 ± 16, 97 ± 3, and 98 ± 2% in high, moderate and heavy infection calves, respectively. Treatment with santonin at 5, 10 and 15 mg/kg body weight also reduced the EPG counts. The percentage reduction in EPG counts in the calves treated with 15 mg/kg of santonin on the third day was 92.3 ± 18, 95.8 ± 7 and 93.5 ± 4% while on the seventh day these values were 100 ± 0, 100 ± 0 and 99.7 ± 2% in high, moderate and heavily infected calves, respectively. Both piperazine and santonin were associated with some side effects like diarrhoea, restlessness, etc. but their percentage incidence was not significantly different from each other. These findings suggest that santonin in a 15 mg/kg dose has an efficacy similar to piperazine given at the 88 mg/kg dose level for the treatment of ascariasis in buffalo calves.     

西南岩溶区粉垄耕作和免耕方式下甘蔗地土壤优先流特征

以西南岩溶区的典型农地甘蔗地为研究对象,采用野外染色示踪技术,利用形态学解析手段,并结合土壤水分分层评价方法,对粉垄耕作和免耕方式下甘蔗地土壤优先流特征进行研究。结果表明:在相同外部供水条件下,粉垄耕作甘蔗地水分下渗湿润锋迹线较免耕甘蔗地平缓,呈均匀整体形式下渗,平均下渗深度是免耕甘蔗地的0.95倍,其优先流染色形态相对于免耕甘蔗地的枝状分化状态,多以零散团块状分化形式为主;在相同外部条件下,免耕甘蔗地最先发生优先流现象,优先流的发生速度是粉垄耕作甘蔗地的1.45倍,平均优先流比达88.61%,大于粉垄耕作甘蔗地(82.89%),二者之间差异显著(P0.05);沿土壤深度的增加,优先流在粉垄耕作甘蔗地土壤空间中的发展变化程度表现为"次活跃—活跃—次活跃—相对稳定—次活跃",而免耕甘蔗地表现为"次活跃—活跃—次活跃—相对稳定",免耕甘蔗地的优先流空间发展变化程度较高,主要发生在5—35cm土层范围内,相比粉垄耕作甘蔗地10—30cm土层深。粉垄耕作方式与免耕方式相比,降低了岩溶区甘蔗地土壤优先流的发生与发展,在一定程度上提高了土壤的保肥蓄水能力。     

Phosphorus-Mobilizing Rhizobacterial Strain Bacillus cereus GS6 Improves Symbiotic Efficiency of Soybean on an Aridisol Amended with Phosphorus-Enriched Compost

Legume plants are an essential component of sustainable farming systems. Phosphorus (P) deficiency is a significant constraint for legume production, especially in nutrient-poor soils of arid and semi-arid regions. In the present study, we conducted a pot experiment to evaluate the effects of a phosphorus-mobilizing plant-growth promoting rhizobacterial strain Bacillus cereus GS6, either alone or combined with phosphate-enriched compost (PEC) on the symbiotic (nodulation-N₂ fixation) performance of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) on an Aridisol. The PEC was produced by composting food waste with addition of single super phosphate. The bacterial strain B. cereus GS6 showed considerable potential for P solubilization and mobilization by releasing carboxylates in insoluble P (rock phosphate)-enriched medium. Inoculation of B. cereus GS6 in combination with PEC application significantly improved nodulation and nodule N₂ fixation efficiency. Compared to the control (without B. cereus GS6 and PEC), the combined application of B. cereus GS6 with PEC resulted in significantly higher accumulation of nitrogen (N), P, and potassium (K) in grain, shoot, and nodule. The N:P and P:K ratios in nodules were significantly altered by the application of PEC and B. cereus GS6, which reflected the important roles of P and K in symbiotic performance of soybean. The combined application of PEC and B. cereus GS6 also significantly increased the soil dehydrogenase and phosphomonoesterase activities, as well as the soil available N, P, and K contents. Significant positive relationships were found between soil organic carbon (C) content, dehydrogenase and phosphomonoesterase activities, and available N, P, and K contents. This study suggests that inoculation of P-mobilizing rhizobacteria, such as B. cereus GS6, in combination with PEC application might enhance legume productivity by improving nodulation and nodule N₂ fixation efficiency.     

石灰土壤原状土柱上硼和锌的迁移

Leaching of boron （B） and zinc （Zn） can be significant in some pedomorphic conditions, which can cause contamination of shallow groundwater and economic losses. Boron and Zn adsorption and transport was studied using 8.4 cm diameter × 28 cm long intact columns from two calcareous soil series with differing clay contents and vadose zone structures： Lyallpur soil series, clay loam （fine-silty, mixed, hyperthermic Ustalfic Haplargid）, and Sultanpur soil series, sandy loam （coarse-silty, mixed, hyperthermic Ustollic Camborthid）. The adsorption isotherms were developed by equilibrating soil with 0.01 tool L^-1 CaCl2 aqueous solution containing varying amounts of B and Zn and were fitted to the Langmuir equation. The B and Zn breakthrough curves were fitted to the two-domain convective-dispersive equation. At the end of the leaching experiment, 0.11 L 10 g L^-1 blue dye solution was also applied to each column to mark the flow paths. The Lyallpur soil columns had a slightly greater adsorption partition coefficient both for B and Zn than the Sultanpur soil columns. In the Lyallpur soil columns, B arrival was immediate but the peak concentration ratio （the concentration in solution at equilibrium/concentration applied） was lower than that in the Sultanpur soil columns. The breakthrough of B in the Sultanpur soil columns occurred after about 10 cm of cumulative drainage in both the columns; the rise in effluent concentration was fast and the peak concentration ratio was almost 1. Zinc leaching through the soil columns was very limited as only one column from the Lyallpur soil series showed Zn breakthrough in the effluent where the peak concentration ratio was only 0.05. This study demonstrates the effect of soil structure on B transport and has implications for the nutrient management in field soils.