Genetic characterization of porcine circovirus type 2 in captive wild boars in southern Brazil

Tropical Animal Health and Production - Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) has been identified in pig population in Brazil since 2000, but scarce studies involving wild boars with PCV2 infection are...     

Molecular characterization of Blastocystis isolates from children and rhesus monkeys in Kathmandu, Nepal

To investigate the possible transmission of Blastocystis organisms between local rhesus monkeys and children in Kathmandu, Nepal, we compared the subtype (ST) and sequence of Blastocystis isolates from children with gastrointestinal symptoms and local rhesus monkeys. Twenty and 10 Blastocystis isolates were established from 82 and 10 fecal samples obtained from children and monkeys, respectively. Subtype analysis with seven sequence-tagged site (STS) primers indicated that the prevalence of Blastocystis sp. ST1, ST2 and ST3 was 20%, 20% and 60% in the child isolates, respectively. In contrast to human isolates, ST3 was not found in monkey isolates and the prevalence of ST1 and ST2 was 50% and 70%, respectively, including three mixed STs1 and 2 and one isolate not amplified by any STS primers, respectively. Since Blastocystis sp. ST2 has been reported as the most dominant genotype in the survey of Blastocystis infection among the various monkey species, sequence comparison of the 150 bp variable region of the small subunit rRNA (SSU rRNA) gene was conducted among ST2 isolates of humans and monkeys. Sequence alignment of 24 clones developed from ST2 isolates of 4 humans and 4 monkeys showed three distinct subgroups, defined as ST2A, ST2B and ST2C. These three subgroups were shared between the child and monkey isolates. These results suggest that the local rhesus monkeys are a possible source of Blastocystis sp. ST2 infection of humans in Kathmandu.     

Lolitrem B residue in fat tissues of cattle consuming endophyte-infected perennial ryegrass straw.

Lolitrems are neurotoxins found in endophyte-infected perennial ryegrass. Lolitrems, primarily lolitrem B, are the causative agents of ryegrass staggers in livestock. To guarantee the safety of meat produced from cattle consuming endophyte-infected perennial ryegrass, lolitrem B concentrations in tissues of Japanese Black cattle were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography. Lolitrem B was not detected in muscle, liver, kidney, or cerebrum of a Japanese Black cow with signs of ryegrass staggers. In contrast, perirenal fat contained 210 ppb lolitrem B. Three cows that received half as much perennial ryegrass straw as the cow with ryegrass staggers showed no clinical signs of ryegrass staggers. However, low concentrations of lolitrem B (less than 150 ppb) were detected in their fat tissue. These observations indicate that human exposure to the neurotoxic effect of lolitrem B through beef is unlikely. The amount of lolitrem B consumed by cattle can be estimated by the determination of lolitrem B in fat tissue.     

近十年中国对日绿茶出口减少的案例和成因剖析

20世纪90年代以后,日本的绿茶进口量猛增。其中从中国进口最多。但是由于2002年的农药残留问题使次年进口量减少。而且2005年以后绿茶进口量锐减了。本文以两种模式的公司为例,分析了各个公司从原料采购到销售的系统,分析确定了关于对日绿茶出口减少的成因和应对。由于对日出口缩小,外销的利润越来越少,于是把外销减少的部分转内销。但是对日出口减少的部分要远远大的多,因此库存量增加。当然造成库存增加的原因是多方面的,除外销下滑外,茶质量也是一关键因素。茶属于嗜好品,所以增加茶叶质量也是一条有效的应对措施。另外,供应原料的制茶公司和初加工厂的建设也会给对日绿茶出口带来一定的影响。作为茶叶出口企业,规范经营模式、增加茶叶品质、扩大销售面等都将成为其减少出口压力的良好措施。