Development of Stem-base Pathogens on Different Cultivars of Winter Wheat Determined by Quantitative PCR

The progress of development of stem-base pathogens in crops of second winter wheat was plotted in nine experiments in three years. The amount of each pathogen present was determined by quantitative PCR. Where Tapesia yallundae was present in quantifiable amounts, it usually developed earlier than the other eyespot pathogen, T. acuformis. Both species were usually present in greater amounts on cultivars which are more susceptible to eyespot. The sharp eyespot pathogen, Rhizoctonia cerealis, developed more erratically than either of the Tapesia spp. and there were no consistent effects on different cultivars. Fusarium spp., the cause of brown foot rot, were rarely present in quantifiable amounts, but Microdochium nivale was usually present as one or both of the varieties nivale and majus. Late-season (after anthesis) decreases in M. nivale suggest that any brown foot rot symptoms attributable to this fungus would have fully developed earlier. Cultivar differences in amounts of M. nivale were most clear in stems during internode extension and when relatively large amounts of DNA were present. Such differences approximately reflected eyespot susceptibility, cv. Soissons containing most and cv. Lynx containing least DNA. The results emphasise the difficulty in relating diagnoses, by quantitative PCR or other means, at early growth stages when decisions to apply fungicides against stem-base disease are made, to later disease severity.     

天山北麓的水资源利用与绿洲稳定性-以玛纳斯河流域为例

玛纳斯河是天山北麓最大的河流流域 ,玛纳斯流域拥有天山北麓最大的绿洲 ,以玛纳斯河流域绿洲为研究对象 ,来分析天山北麓水资源的利用对流域绿洲稳定性的影响。天山北麓自然环境体现为山地 -绿洲 -荒漠复合生态系统。绿洲是干旱区所特有的一类景观 ,它是一个人工与自然的复合生态系统 ,它作为发育在干旱气候大背景下的隐域性的自然景观 ,水分条件是决定其存在和发展的基础。天山北麓地区人类活动历史悠久 ,对水资源利用的影响较大 ,也是引起天山北麓绿洲演变、分布变化及其稳定性的重要因子。处于不同地貌位置的绿洲 ,由于其水资源特点不同 ,绿洲的稳定性以及绿洲演变规律也有所区别。总的来说 ,绿洲的稳定性由其内部与外部生态系统的结构、功能及生态过程决定 ,直接关系到区域社会经济的持续发展 ,水资源状况及利用是关系到天山北麓绿洲稳定性的关键性因素。合理利用水资源 ,可保持绿洲面积的稳定性 ,绿洲分布的稳定性 ,以及绿洲生态系统结构、功能的稳定性 ;水资源利用不当会导致绿洲内部土地发生大面积次生盐渍化 ,绿洲外围则由于生态用水不足加之人为破坏 ,使作为绿洲屏障的过渡带转变成生态断裂带 ,威胁绿洲的稳定性。利用工程技术方法和工程管理方法解决好灌区水利工程存在的问题 ;实施高新技术?     

Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging of an Epidermoid Cyst in a Foot of a Horse

An 18-year-old Quarter Horse mare was evaluated because of moderate left forelimb lameness of 4 weeks’ duration. The clinical evaluation and diagnostic perineural analgesia localized the lameness to the distal portion of the left forelimb. There was swelling on the dorsal and lateral aspect of the coronary band. Radiography, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography of the foot revealed circumscribed well-capsulated soft tissue mass causing a focal deformation of the dorsolateral border of the middle phalanx. The treatment aimed to remove the mass surgically and stabilized the interphalangeal joint, but the owner elected human euthanasia before treatment attempt. Histopathology diagnosis was an epidermoid cyst, which was characterized by multilayers of keratin surrounded by stratified squamous epithelium. Although rare, an epidermoid cyst should be considered as a differential diagnosis for space-occupying mass in horses’ foot that develops chronic lameness after trauma. This report describes the multimodality appearance of the epidermoid cyst.     

An investigation of the shape of the hoof capsule in hindlimbs,its relationship with the orientation of the distal phalanx and comparison with forelimb hoof capsule conformation

There is limited information documenting hind foot conformation. The objectives of the study were to describe the shape of the hoof capsule of hindlimbs from the lateral aspect in horses of variable breeds, and, within horses, to compare the conformation of the hoof capsule of forelimbs and hindlimbs and determine the orientation of the distal phalanx within the hoof capsule in hindlimbs. Lateral photographs of the fore and hind feet (n = 225) and lateromedial radiographs of the hind feet (n = 29) were obtained. Differences among breed and shoeing status groups were assessed using multivariable mixed-effects linear regression models. Angular parameters and ratios of linear measurements were compared between fore and hind feet; angular radiological variables and photographic parameters of the hind feet were compared. The mean dorsal hoof wall angle for hind feet (50.9°±3.7°) was smaller than forefeet (51.8°±3.9°) (P = 0.04). The mean heel angles for hind feet (36.4°±9.6°) were smaller than forefeet (40.1°±9.3°; P < 0.001). Dorsal hoof wall (P < 0.001) and heel (P = 0.002) angles were larger in unshod than shod feet. In the hind feet, the dorsal hoof wall was parallel to the dorsal aspect of the distal phalanx. The median angle of the distal phalanx to the horizontal (angle S) was 0.6° (interquartile range: −1.4, 2.3°). There was a positive relationship between angle S and the hoof wall angle (W); each 1° increase in angle S was associated with 0.6° increase in angle W (P < 0.001). Angle S was also positively associated with photographic heel angle; each degree increase in the angle S was associated with 1.8° increase in the heel angle (P < 0.001). It was concluded that the angle of the distal phalanx to the horizontal in hindlimbs is smaller than published values for forelimbs. The orientation of the distal phalanx in hindlimbs is correlated with external characteristics of the hoof capsule.     

Use of thermal imaging for identification of foot lesions in dairy cattle

The objective of this study was to investigate the use of infrared thermography (IRT) for detection of foot lesions in dairy cattle. Thermal images of the rear feet of 139 lactating dairy cows were taken with a thermal camera and evaluated using imaging software. Foot lesions identified in the study included white line disease (WLD), sole ulcer (SU) and digital dermatitis (DD). Temperatures at the coronary band (CBT) and the skin (ST) were recorded. Cows were scored for locomotion on a scale of 1–5 (1?=?normal and 5?=?severely lame). CBT was higher for all types of foot lesion (34.1?±?2.3, 33.8?±?1.6 and 33.1?±?1.6°C for WLD, SU and DD, respectively) than for healthy (32.6?±?1.9°C) feet. ST was higher only for WLD (33.2?±?2.0°C) compared to healthy feet (31.5?±?1.7°C). ΔT (temperature difference between CBT and ST) was higher for SU (2.1?±?0.8°C) than healthy feet (1.1?±?0.9°C). Locomotion scores (LSs) were similar between healthy cows (2.2?±?0.7) and DD (2.4?±?0.7) but greater for SU and WLD cows (3.0?±?0.9, 3.0?±?0.8) than healthy cows. The threshold values established for CBT and ST were 33.5°C (sensitivity?=?77.8%, specificity?=?65.2%) and 33.7°C (sensitivity?=?44.4%, specificity?=?92.9%) for SU, and 34.4^oC (sensitivity?=?28.1%, specificity?=?88.6%) and 31.8°C (sensitivity?=?60.7%, specificity?=?55.4%) for overall lesion, respectively. These results indicate that IRT can be a useful tool for detection of SU, but not WLD and DD. In addition, CBT and ΔT were the best indicators for the detection of foot lesions.     

阴山北麓不同林分类型土壤持水性能研究

为分析阴山北麓内蒙古武川县林地持水量和固持水土的能力,以当地柠条、油松、沙棘、油松×柠条混交林、沙棘×柠条混交林5种典型人工林林分类型为研究对象,测定了土壤物理性质、土壤水分入渗以及水分贮存特征值等指标。结果表明：不同林分类型的土壤物理特征存在显著差异（P＜0.05）。容重表现为沙棘最大（1.452 g·cm-3）,油松最小（1.042 g·cm-3）;非毛管孔隙度的排序为油松＞油松×柠条混交林＞沙棘×柠条混交林＞沙棘＞柠条。各林分达到稳渗的速率与非毛管孔隙度的排序相一致,各样地的稳渗速率在0.47~1.32 mm·min-1之间,土壤入渗回归方程拟合效果较好。只有油松纯林和油松×柠条混交林更接近考斯加柯夫公式中的系数1/2。混交林地比纯林地对水分的贮存能力高,而油松×柠条乔灌木混交林比沙棘×柠条灌木混交林的最大持水量高112.8 t·hm-2。在阴山北麓地带更适合种植油松×柠条类的乔灌木混交林,乔灌木混交林能更加有效地提高林地持水功能。     

Deferoxamine Compensates for Decreases in B Cell Counts and Reduces Mortality in Enterovirus 71-Infected Mice

Enterovirus 71 is one of the major causative agents of hand, foot and mouth disease in children under six years of age. No vaccine or antiviral therapy is currently available. In this work, we found that the number of B cells was reduced in enterovirus 71-infected mice. Deferoxamine, a marine microbial natural product, compensated for the decreased levels of B cells caused by enterovirus 71 infection. The neutralizing antibody titer was also improved after deferoxamine treatment. Furthermore, deferoxamine relieved symptoms and reduced mortality and muscle damage caused by enterovirus 71 infection. This work suggested that deferoxamine has the potential for further development as a B cell-immunomodulator against enterovirus 71.     

仿驼步行足的研究

生活在沙漠地区的骆驼,不仅对沙漠环境具有很强的适应性,而且具有很好的通过沙地能力。本文通过对驼足结构、运动方式及对沙地作用等的分析,根据仿生原理,提出了仿驼步行的设计原理与方法,研制了仿驼足机构,并对其进行了试验。结果表明,此足性能良好,为开发步行车辆提供了依据。