Fever and acute phase response induced in dwarf goats by endotoxin and bovine and human recombinant tumour necrosis factor alpha

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF), a polypeptide produced by mononuclear phagocytes, has been implicated as an important mediator of inflammatory processes and of clinical manifestations in acute infectious diseases. To study further the potential role of TNF in infectious diseases, recombinant Escherichia coli (E. coli) derived human (r.HuTNF-alpha) and bovine TNF (r.BoTNF-alpha) were intravenously (i.v.) administered in dwarf goats. Rectal temperature, heart rate, rumen motility, plasma zinc and iron concentrations, and certain other blood biochemical and haematological values were studied and compared with the changes seen after E. coli endotoxin (LPS) was administered (dose: 0.1 microgram/kg i.v.). Following a single injection of 4 micrograms/kg of r.BoTNF-alpha, shivering and biphasic febrile response were observed, accompanied by tachycardia, inhibition of rumen contractions, drop in plasma zinc and iron concentrations, lymphopenia, and neutropenia followed by neutrophilia. The i.v. administration of a single injection of 4 micrograms/kg r.HuTNF-alpha induced shivering and biphasic febrile responses, accompanied by anorexia and a similar drop in plasma trace metal concentrations when compared with r.BoTNF-alpha-treated goats. The TNF-alpha-induced symptoms were essentially the same as those that occurred after LPS administration. However, the time of onset of these changes after the injection of TNF-alpha was significantly shorter than after LPS. Moreover, the r.BoTNF-alpha induced a longer lasting neutrophilic leucopenia, less neutrophilia, and a more persistent lymphopenia than after LPS injection. Neither r.BoTNF-alpha nor LPS caused severe haemo-concentration. Furthermore, no cross-tolerance between r.BoTNF-alpha and LPS could be demonstrated. We conclude that both r.BoTNF-alpha and r.HuTNF-alpha induce many of the physiologic, haematologic and metabolic changes that characterize the acute phase response to LPS. The overlapping biological activities of r.BoTNF-alpha, r.HuTNF-alpha and LPS in dwarf goats may indicate that both recombinant tumour necrosis factors have some homology with caprine TNF-alpha.     

Peridermium pini (Pers.) Lev. and the Resin-top Disease of Scots Pine: II. Lesion Anatomy

The stages in the formation of Peridermium pini lesions aredescribed. The hyphae of the parasite were septate, uninucleate,and intercellular, with unbranched haustoria penetrating allphloem cells and xylem parenchyma cells. Lesion extension occurredby apical growth of the hyphae along the outer edge of the functionalphloem. The hyphae stretched unbroken across the active cambium.Active centripetal and longitudinal growth of the mycelium occurredin the resin ducts of the xylem, the hyphae commonly reachingthe pith. Spermogonia were produced in late summer and fall,aecia appeared in spring. In lesion xylem, tracheids were shorter,rays taller, more numerous and wider, but ray cell height remainedunchanged. Fusiform rays increased in number and size and verticalresin ducts increased in number. Changes in xylem tissues didnot become evident until two to four years after invasion ofthe cambium by the mycelium. Invasion of the secondary phloemresulted in an increase in number and size of the longitudinalphloem parenchmya cells, while changes in phloem rays were similarto those in xylem rays.     

A dynamic model simulating infection of apple leaves by Venturia inaequalis

A new dynamic model of the infection of apple leaves by Venturia inaequalis is described. The model begins with the release of spores by rain and incorporates the effect of light on the discharge of ascospores from pseudothecia. The model then simulates infection through the sub-processes of germination, appressorium formation and penetration, separately for ascospores and conidia landed concurrently on wet leaves. The rate of the infection process is determined using different equations for ascospores and conidia. Spore mortality when leaves dry is determined by the stage of infection and RH in the dry period. The infection process is driven by surface wetness, temperature and RH. The progress of each infection period is measured as infection efficiency (IE), namely the percentage of landed spores which have penetrated and thereby infected leaves. The final IE quantifies the favourability of weather in each infection period. In orchard tests in each of three years, the new model detected crucial infection periods in spring and early summer which accounted for outbreaks of leaf scab. These periods were not detected by a static model based on Mills'criteria. The models performed similarly in detecting infection periods later in summer.     

放牧管理对西藏高寒沼泽植物群落结构和土壤碳氮的影响

对西藏当雄县3种不同放牧管理模式(冬季放牧、冬春季放牧和全年放牧)下的高寒沼泽的植物群落结构和土壤碳氮进行了调查。调查发现,3种放牧管理模式下的高寒沼泽植物群落总盖度差异不显著,而优势物种藏嵩草的高度和盖度差异显著;放牧管理对沼泽群落结构和物种多样性影响较大,随着放牧强度的增加,物种丰富度增加;放牧利用显著降低了高寒沼泽湿地群落优势物种藏嵩草的高度和盖度,其优势度也显著降低,使得高寒沼泽逐渐退化。冬季放牧、冬春季放牧和全年放牧沼泽地上生物量和地下生物量依次降低。同时,随着放牧强度的增加,高寒沼泽表层土壤有机碳氮的含量也显著降低,且高寒沼泽表层土壤碳氮与地上和地下生物量显著正相关。通过对比分析,冬季放牧是当前西藏高寒沼泽较好的放牧管理模式。     

Acute oral toxicity of zinc phosphide: an assessment for wild house mice (Mus musculus)

Irregular plagues of house mice, Mus musculus, incur major economic impacts on agricultural production in Australia. The efficacy of zinc phosphide (ZnP), the only registered broadacre control agent for mice, is reported as increasingly variable. Have mice become less sensitive over time or are they taking a sub-lethal dose and developing aversion? In this laboratory study, the sensitivity of mice (wild caught; outbred laboratory strain) was assessed using oral gavage of a range of ZnP concentrations. The estimated LD₅₀ values (72–79 mg ZnP/kg body weight) were similar for each mouse group but are significantly higher than previously reported. The willingness of mice to consume ZnP-coated grains was determined. ZnP-coated grains (50 g ZnP/kg grain) presented in the absence of alternative food were consumed and 94% of wild mice died. Mice provided with alternative food and ZnP-coated wheat grains (either 25 or 50 g ZnP/kg grain) consumed toxic and non-toxic grains, and mortality was lower (33–55%). If a sublethal amount of ZnP-coated grain was consumed, aversion occurred, mostly when alternative food was present. The sensitivity of wild house mice to ZnP in Australia is significantly lower than previously assumed. Under laboratory conditions, ZnP-coated grains coated with a new higher dose (50 g ZnP/kg grain) were readily consumed. Consumption of toxic grain occurred when alternative food was available but was decreased. Our unambiguous findings for house mice indicate a re-assessment of the ZnP loading for baits used for control of many rodents around the world may be warranted.