An evaluation of the Olsen test as a measure of plant-available phosphorus in grassland soils derived from basalt parent material

Abstract. Anecdotal and circumstantial evidence have suggested that the Olsen test underestimates plant-available phosphorus (P) in basaltic soils in Northern Ireland. Therefore, the ability of this test to predict plant-available P in basaltic (and non-basaltic) soils was investigated by regressing Olsen-P data against herbage P indices calculated from plant tissue test data using the diagnosis and recommendation integrated system. The average Olsen-P concentration for a range of fields situated on basaltic soils was considerably lower than the average Olsen-P concentration for a range of fields situated on non-basaltic soils, and yet mean sward P status, as given by the herbage P indices, was similar for both groups of fields. Herbage P indices were also much better correlated with Olsen-P measurements in non-basaltic soils than in basaltic soils. Furthermore, at low Olsen-P values (≶9mgPL⁻¹) some swards on basaltic soils were genuinely deficient in P, while others were sufficient or even in surplus for this nutrient. The results confirm that Olsen-P is inadequate as a predictor of plant-available P in basaltic soils. It is concluded that an alternative soil test is needed to provide a reliable assessment of plant-available P in basaltic soils, to prevent overuse of fertilizer and manure P and to minimize the amounts of P entering local watercourses.     

Genetic Engineering Approaches to Pig Production*

Modern biotechnology promises a number of new applications in animal breeding and production. Although conventional pig breeding has achieved a high level of efficiency and productivity numerous problems have been encountered with animal health and the loss of meat quality. Selection based on phenotypic performance data of individual animals does not take into account the importance of specific genes and their relevance within a complex regulatory system. In most cases it is therefore difficult to trace back the genetic origins of clinically important disorders. The application of genetic engineering techniques in pig production will facilitate diagnosis, improvement of productivity, and animal health by allowing direct genetic manipulation. Attention must be focussed on the physical and genetic analysis of the procine genome. The isolation and characterisation of genes, DNA-markers, polymorphic DNA-fragments, and their chromosomal assignment will be important prerequisites and tools for the elucidation of genetic disorders. Especially the detection of heterozygous carriers of recessive disorders and their elimination from the breeding stock will increase selection accuracy and decrease the generation intervals. But also the rapid and simple detection of infectious diseases, which is sometimes difficult if not impossible at present, will improve animal health and welfare. Although the production of transgenic animals either by DNA-microinjection into zygotes or the use of embryonal stem cells manipulated in vitro is less straightforward than DNA-based diagnosis it will play an important role in the direct manipulation of the porcine genome and genes. Breeding programmes including the use of transgenic livestock have already been developed. There is no doubt that genetic engineering has reached a degree of practical feasibility, allowing it to play an important role in pig breeding in particular and animal production in general.     

D-Dimer Improves the Prognostic Value of Combined Clinical and Laboratory Data in Equine Gastrointestinal Colic

The discriminating ability of 15 parameters alone or in combinations, including results from analysis of plasma endotoxin, the Nycomed plasma D-Dimer test and phospholipase A₂, were analyzed to predict morbidity and mortality in equine gastrointestinal colic. Endotoxaemia was a characteristic feature of the colic horses. The problem of adequately predicting non-survivors among colic horses required several parameters to be included in the logistic model: if the “classical parameters”, (heart rate, respiratory rate, PCV, anion gap) were included in the model, addition of plasma D-dimer, phospholipase A₂, and Cl^- significantly improved the predictive value of the logistic model. Increasing heart rate and D-dimer together with decreasing chloride was a risk factor for nonsurvival. The sensitivity of this three-parameter logistic model to predict nonsurvival was 78% and specificity 77%. The Nycomed D-Dimer test is recommended as a horse-site test to predict disseminated intravascular coagulation and nonsurvival in equine colic.     

Chylous effusions revisited

Varying terms and criteria have been used in the veterinary literature to characterize milky opaque pleural effusions through the years. This article addresses ideas widely repeated in the veterinary and human literature upon which time, experience, diagnostic techniques, experimental data, and improved understanding of pathogenesis have cast doubt. Topics discussed include terminology, pathogenesis of chylous and pseudochylous effusions, criteria for differentiation of chylous from pseudochylous effusions, and clinicopathologic changes associated with drainage of chylous effusions.     

The application of atomic force microscope in clinic diagnosis of erythrocytes

AIM: To investigate the application of atomic force microscope (AFM) in clinic diagnosis. METHODS: Topographic images and some parameters of large range field and microstructures of erythrocytes in the blood of normal subjects, lung cancer and myelodisplastic syndrome (MDS) patients were examined by atomic force microscope. RESULTS: Many clear topographic images of many erythrocytes, single erythrocyte, and microstructure of erythrocyte membrane surface were obtained. Many erythrocytes in lung cancer patients were found to change into echinocytes. One erythrocyte had 10-20 protuberances, most of which, with a mean width of 589. 0 nm and a length of 646. 7 nm, were on the edge of cells. The protuberances on the center of echinocytes are lodged and embedded. The erythrocytes of MDS patients were biconcave in shape. Many apertures with different diameters of tens to hundreds nanometer appeared on the surface of cell membrane. CONCLUSIONS: AFM can be widely applied in clinic pathological inspection, including quantification of cells, obtainment and comparison of many parameters (such as diameter, thickness, volume, surface, surface area/volume ratio), observation of topograph of single cell, and observation and comparison of membrane surface microstructure of cells, and so on.     

Production and characterization of a monoclonal antibody specific to the M serotype of plum pox potyvirus

A monoclonal antibody to an Albanian isolate of plum pox potyvirus (PPV) was obtained (MAbAL), that specifically recognized strain M of this virus. The specificity of MAbAL, assessed by comparative ELISA on 130 PPV isolates of different geographical origin, 22 of which were also tested by comparative IC-PCR, gave consistent and highly reproducible results. MAbAL seems to be elicited by a stable surface determinant that makes it particularly suitable for successful use under a wide range of conditions. MAbAL is an useful addition to the panel of PPV-specific MAbs available to date.     

武威市某规模牛场汉和牛犊牛腹泻诊断及综合防治

犊牛腹泻是一种在规模化养牛场中的常见易发病,由于发病病因复杂,如果在第一时间内不能及时做出准确诊断,做好有效治疗,将会造成牛场的快速感染,带来一定的经济损失。本文通过对武威市某规模牛场“汉和牛”犊牛腹泻的病原调查,采集病样进行检测分析,摸清引起该场犊牛腹泻的病原体,根据养殖场实际情况,通过临床和实验室诊断方法,并研究探讨出具体可行的治疗和预防措施。     

番茄灰霉病分子诊断方法研究

为提供番茄灰霉病的早期诊断技术,应用其病原菌灰葡萄孢种特异片段P729分子标志,建立了PCR检测方法,并进行了实验室和大田现场标本的评价。结果显示番茄灰霉病的分子诊断方法在实验室具有特异、稳定和可靠的特点。比较6种抽提基因组DNA的方法,方法B效果理想。应用建立的分子诊断方法可从0.2μg灰葡萄孢菌丝中获得阳性扩增,具有相当高的灵敏性;大田样本的检测结果说明该方法可用于番茄灰霉病的早期诊断。     

机械设备故障诊断用便携式数据采集分析系统

设计了一套应用于机械设备故障诊断的便携式数据采集分析系统。系统整体采用主从结构:上位机软件基于Labview,主要实现路径、数据、通讯等的管理以及数据分析;下位机实现采集、分析。下位机的硬件层核心采用片上系统(SoC)芯片;操作系统层移植了自行研发的实时操作系统(RTOS):TDNC-OS,给出了任务划分;应用软件层引入了缓冲区操作机制;通讯层主要由UART模块组成。实例表明系统具有很好的实时性和可靠性。     

一起东佛里生奶绵羊附红细胞体病流行病学调查、诊疗报告

为探究附红细胞体在内蒙古呼和浩特市托克托县地区的流行情况,接诊呼和浩特托县地区某东佛里生奶绵羊养殖场病例,该场近一周多圈舍出现产奶羊只体温升高、精神沉郁、瘫软、食欲减退或废绝等症状,有出现症状1 ~ 2 d迅速死亡病例,也有使用抗生素硫酸庆大霉素-青霉素联用结合补液治疗1周无好转或死亡病例,死亡总数超8只,仍有10余只相似症状正在接受治疗。经现场剖检、圈舍环境调查、样品实验室检测,结合临床诊疗,确诊此次疫情为奶绵羊附红细胞体病,且周边羊养殖场（户）羊只也存在附红细胞体感染。说明附红细胞体在托克托县呈地方性流行。