Seasonal distribution of phytoplasmas in Australian grapevines

The distribution and persistence of phytoplasmas were determined in Australian grapevines. Phytoplasmas could be detected using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from shoots, cordons, trunks and roots throughout the year, and phytoplasmas appear to persistently infect Australian grapevines from year to year. Phytoplasmas were not always detected in samples from the same sampling area from one sampling period to the next. Phytoplasma detection by PCR was improved by sampling from shoots, cordons and trunks, especially during October (early spring). The diseases expressed by the 20 grapevines used in the distribution and persistence studies were monitored. Australian grapevine yellows disease (AGY) was expressed by 17/20 grapevines at some time during the study, whilst only 4/20 and 15/20 grapevines expressed restricted growth disease (RG) and late season leaf curl disease (LSLC), respectively. All grapevines with RG and LSLC also had AGY. The three diseases were persistently expressed in some grapevines and remission of disease was observed in others. The results of PCR detection in the same grapevines indicated that phytoplasmas were more frequently detected in AGY-affected grapevines that also expressed RG and LSLC compared with grapevines expressing AGY alone. Phytoplasmas were detected in symptomless plant material but less frequently compared with AGY-affected material.     

Phenotypic and allelic variation for wort protein Z in Australian and Canadian barleys

Protein Z is a major component in beer foam. Two-dimensional electrophoresis was used to analyze wort proteins of two Australian (Buloke and Commander) and two Canadian (CDC Meredith and Bentley) varieties. The Canadian barley contained more abundant proteins from MW 40–45 kDa (pI 5 to 7). These proteins were identified as either protein Z4 or protein Z7 using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. Full-length gene of protein Z4 and Z7 were sequenced from Canadian and Australian barleys. Sequence differences were identified in the coding region and upstream regions of the two genes, resulting in protein sequence and expression variations. Molecular markers were designed according to the indels in the upstream regions of protein Z4 and Z7 genes. These markers were highly correlated to wort protein Z content in Canadian and Australian varieties. The Canadian barleys contained ‘high level’ genotypes for protein Z4 and Z7 while most Australian barleys had ‘low level’ genotypes for protein Z4, Z7 or both. The markers identified in this study provide a valuable tool for the selection of protein Z alleles in marker-assisted breeding. Total protein Z content was assessed using different steeping conditions, and increasing air-rest time increased protein Z content in 15 varieties.     

A morphological analysis of the skull size and shape of Kerivoulinae (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) from Vietnam

Southeast Asia is a region of high biodiversity, containing species of plants and animals that are yet to be discovered. In this region, bats of the subfamily Kerivoulinae are widespread and diverse with six species recorded in Vietnam. However, the taxonomy of the Kerivoulinae in Asia is complicated. In our study, we used diagnostic characters and multivariate analysis to determine morphological differences between the genera Kerivoula and Phoniscus. We showed that the two genera are distinguishable by the size of second upper incisors, the shape of skull, nasal sinus, canines, second upper and lower premolars. In addition, the two genera can be osteometrically separated by measurements of the braincase height, interorbital width and shape of anterior palatal emargination. Our data clearly revealed the morphological variations in the skull shape of Kerivoula hardwickii in Vietnam. This suggests a possible separation into three morphotypes, representing cryptic species supported by statistical differences with wide variation in skull shape, size and teeth. These results demonstrated Kerivoula hardwickii can be separated three subspecies, and the result will serve as the basis for the future assessment and classification of this group in Southeast Asia.     

澳洲长鳍鳗染色体组型的初步研究

以澳洲长鳍鳗(Anguilla reinhardtii)头肾组织为材料,采用腹腔注射植物血细胞凝集素(PHA)、秋水仙素和空气干燥法制备染色体标本,进行染色体组型分析.结果显示:澳洲长鳍鳗染色体为38条,核型公式为2n=14m+6sm+18t,NF=58;未发现随体、次级缢痕及异形染色体.     

澳大利亚小麦品种高分子量谷蛋白亚基组成分析(英文)

[目的]给我国小麦品质育种提供有益的信息。[方法]利用SDS-PAGE技术对澳大利亚64份主要推广小麦品种的高分子量谷蛋白亚基(HMW-GS)组成进行研究,明确其HMW-GS构成,从中筛选出具有优质亚基的材料。[结果]在参试材料中共检测到9种不同的亚基类型。在Glu-A1位点有Null、1等位变异类型,以1为主要类型,频率为59.37%;Glu-B1有7、7 +8、7 +9、14 +15、17 +18 5个等位变异类型,以7 +8为主要类型,频率为56.20%;Glu-D1有2 +12、5 +10等位变异类型,以2 +12为主要类型,频率为70.30%。同时发现共有12种亚基组合,以"1,7 +8, 2 +12"为主要类型。所有品种品质得分范围为4 ~10,平均得分为7.4。[结论]64个供试品种品质普遍较好。     

3D虚拟仿真技术在体育馆购票系统开发中的应用研究

根据车辆路径问题的数学模型,分析了它的具体特征,从而对BA的操作算子又进行了重新定义,设计了求解VRP问题的离散蝙蝠算法,并通过实例测试将离散蝙蝠算法与其他算法进行比较,验证了该算法求解VRP问题的有效性与可行性.     

Hendra (equine morbillivirus)

Hendra has been recognized in Australia as a new zoonotic disease of horses since 1994/5 and subsequent work has shown that the viral agent is endemic in certain species of fruit bat. The Hendra virus is the type species of a new genus within the sub-family Paramyxovirinae, which also contains another newly identified zoonotic bat virus, namely Nipah. It is assumed that contact with bats has led to the Hendra virus being transferred to horses on each of the three separate incidents that have been reported in the last five years. No evidence has been found for widespread subclinical infection of horses.Infected horses can develop a severe and often fatal respiratory disease characterized by dyspnoea, vascular endothelial damage and pulmonary oedema. Nervous signs may also occur. Fatal respiratory disease has been seen in cats and guinea pigs following experimentally induced infections. Transmission of the virus from horses to other horses or man seems to have taken place, but very close contact was required. Three human cases have been recognized, all in association with equine cases. There have been two human fatalities, one due to respiratory failure and the other from a delayed-onset encephalitis. A number of diagnostic methods have been developed, but great care must be taken in obtaining samples from suspected cases.     

犬蝠源呼肠病毒的分离与鉴定

 【目的】从野生蝙蝠体内分离病毒，为开展蝙蝠的病原监测奠定基础。【方法】从广东省韶关采集了30份野生犬蝠样品，研磨后接种Vero E6细胞，从中分离到2株病毒，对其中一株病毒进行研究，使用生物学与分子生物学方法确定其分类学地位。【结果】该毒株在Vero E6细胞上盲传至第4代开始出现细胞病变，表现为细胞内颗粒增多，细胞收缩、变圆，最后细胞从瓶壁脱落。反复冻融3次后，收集细胞及培养液，电镜观察发现，病毒粒子无囊膜，有双层衣壳，呈正二十面体对称，将病毒命名为Bat/China/2003（B/03）。红细胞凝集试验表明该病毒能凝集健康人O型血红细胞，不能凝集SPF鸡、实验用普通级牛、大鼠和豚鼠的红细胞。理化特性试验表明该病毒对氯仿有抵抗力、能耐受pH3.0的酸性环境、50℃水浴1 h病毒丧失感染能力、1 mol•L-1 MgCl2能提高病毒对热的抵抗力。病毒基因组经琼脂糖凝胶电泳分大、中、小3个区段。用哺乳动物呼肠病毒特异性引物进行反转录-聚合酶链式反应（RT-PCR），扩增得到了预期大小的片段。测序结果经NCBI BLAST分析表明，与呼肠病毒科正呼肠病毒属的Ndelle virus核苷酸同源性最高为91.2%。用DNAMAN Multiple Alignment进行序列同源性分析，与哺乳动物呼肠病毒血清1、2、3型的代表株T1L，T2J，T3D的核苷酸同源性分别为89.9%、76.9%、89.9%。【结论】由以上结果推断该病毒为呼肠病毒科的成员。