Quarantine requirements for the importation of black rhinoceros from Zimbabwe into Australia

SUMMARY The proposal by the Zoological Parks Board of New South Wales to import 10 southern black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) from Zimbabwe as part of an international project for conservation of the species presented the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) with a unique challenge. This importation is, at least in the modern era, the first importation of live herbivores from the African continent. Many of the serious animal diseases in the world are endemic in parts of Africa. Knowledge of which of these diseases infect wild species and may be transmitted from the wild species to domesticated species, is limited. This paper describes the strategies adopted by AQIS to facilitate the importation of rhinoceros while maintaining protection of Australian consumers, rural industries, domestic livestock and fauna against the entry and spread of unwanted pests and diseases.     

Material in the middle ear of dogs having magnetic resonance imaging for investigation of neurologic signs

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and potential significance of finding material in the middle ear of dogs having magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Of 466 MR studies reviewed, an increased signal was identified in the tympanic bulla in 32 (7%) dogs. Cavalier King Charles spaniels, Cocker spaniels, Bulldogs, and Boxers were over-represented compared to the population of dogs having MR imaging. Five (16%) dogs had definite otitis media and one (3%) had a meningioma invading the middle ear. Of the remaining dogs, 13 (41%) had possible otitis media and 13 (41%) had neurologic conditions apparently unrelated to otitis media. The most common appearance of material in the middle ear was isointense in T1-weighted images and hyperintense in T2-weighted images. There was no apparent correlation between the signal characteristics of the material and the diagnosis. Enhanced signal after gadolinium administration was observed affecting the lining of the bulla in dogs with otitis media and in dogs with unrelated neurologic conditions. In dogs without clinical signs of otitis media, finding an increased signal in the middle ear during MR imaging may reflect subclinical otitis media or fluid accumulation unrelated to inflammation. Brachycephalic dogs may be predisposed to this condition.     

Mouse melanoma cell exosomes promote expression of Rac1 protein in fibroblasts

AIM To investigate the effect of exosomes secreted by mouse melanoma cells on the expression of Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1) protein in fibroblasts. METHODS Ultracentrifugation was adopted to separete exosomes secreted by mouse melanoma B16-F10 cells. The morphological structure of exosomes was observed by negative-staining electron microscopy. The size distribution of exosomes was determined by nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA). The exosomal markers, tumor susceptibility gene 101 (Tsg101) and tyrosinase-related protein 2 (Tyrp2), were identified by Western blot. Laser confocal microscopy was used to observe the process that mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF) took in exosomes during co-culture. Immunocytochemical staining and Western blot were used to detect the expression of Rac1 protein in MEF. RESULTS B16-F10 cell exosomes showed a typical tea tray-like structure, with a size range of 141~255 nm, and expressed protein markers Tsg101 and Tyrp2. The results of laser confocal microscopy showed that compared with co-culture at 0 h, a small number of exosomes appeared in the MEF at 12 h, and a large number of exosomes accumulated in the MEF after co-cultured for 24 and 36 h. Western blot analysis showed that compared with co-culture at 0 h, the expression of Rac1 protein in the MEF was significantly increased at 24 h and 36 h of co-culture (P<0.01). The results of immunocytochemical staining showed that compared with co-culture at 0 h, the positive expression level of Rac1 in the MEF cells was significantly increased at 12 h, 24 h and 36 h of co-culture (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION Intake of exosomes secreted by mouse melanoma cells promotes the expression of Rac1 protein in fibroblasts.     

自发气调包装对蜂糖李采后生理及贮藏品质的影响

以蜂糖李为试验材料,采后通过4种不同的自发气调包装处理(PE40、PE30、PE20和微孔),对蜂糖李采后生理和贮藏期品质进行定期测定,研究不同的自发气调包装对蜂糖李采后生理及贮藏期品质的影响。通过对呼吸强度、乙烯释放率、总酚含量、PPO活性、贮藏期的微环境气体成分、果实硬度、可溶性固形物、可滴定酸、褐变指数、腐烂指数、含水率等指标的分析,发现自发气调包装袋的保鲜效果依次为PE40>PE30>PE20>微孔。在0℃条件下,采后用PE40自发气调包装处理对蜂糖李保鲜效果最好。     

冬春温度变化对小麦温敏雄性不育系BNS的育性转换影响

BNS是一个主体受温度控制的新型小麦雄性不育系,表现为花粉发育在低温下(8℃)不育,高温下(12℃)可育。BNS不育性稳定,但年份间常有波动,一些年份自交结实率上升显著。为了弄清楚BNS育性波动的原因,连续3a观察不同播期的BNS穗分化过程,分析连续6a调查的BNS自交结实率与对应年份的冬春温度变化,结果发现,冬季和春季温度的改变显著影响BNS的自交结实率。一般规律是,暖冬年份自交结实率低,寒冬较高,暖春年份自交结实率高,寒春较低。该现象的形成主要是BNS冬季生长发育速度所致,暖冬年份BNS冬季仍保持生长,到春季时完成温度敏感期前的发育,较早进入温度敏感期,此时的春季温度较低,因此BNS不育;然而在寒冬年份,BNS停止生长,春季需生长一定时间才进入温度敏感期,进入时气温已较高,因此诱导育性转换,自交结实率增高。BNS冬季生长发育速度在穗分化观察中得到验证。该机理解释了不同年份BNS自交结实率的波动,并根据冬春温度可预测BNS的育性转换。     

USE OF ULTRASOUND-GUIDED FINE-NEEDLE ASPIRATION BIOPSY AND AUTOMATED CORE BIOPSY FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF GASTROINTESTINAL DISEASES IN SMALL ANIMALS

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy and core biopsy in the diagnosis of infiltrative gastrointestinal diseases. Six dogs and seven cats with clinical signs of gastrointestinal disease underwent ultrasonography and intestinal lesions were identified. One or more ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy and/or core biopsy procedures were performed in each patient. Each patient also underwent one of the following additional procedures for comparison of results: 1) surgery (n=4), 2) endoscopy (n=2), 3) post mortem exam (n=3), and, 4) for lymphoma diagnosed with ultrasound-guided procedures, response to chemotherapy (n=4). Correct diagnoses were obtained in nine of the 13 patients, incorrect diagnoses in two of the 13 patients, and inconclusive diagnoses in two of the thirteen patients. Of the 16 total ultrasound-guided procedures performed, ten were confirmed as correct, three as incorrect, and three were non-diagnostic. Intestinal lesions with bowel wall thickness greater than 2.0 cm had a higher percentage of correct diagnoses than lesions of lesser wall thickness. Gastric lesions had a higher percentage of correct diagnoses than small and large intestinal lesions. Malignant lesions had a higher percentage of correct diagnoses than benign lesions. There were no complications. Ultrasound-guided gastrointestinal fine-needle aspiration biopsy and core biopsy appears to be a safe, accurate, and rapid procedure for use in the diagnosis of infiltrative gastrointestinal disease.     

中国荷斯坦奶公犊不同胴体等级间产肉性能及肉质差异研究

本研究以400头中国荷斯坦奶公犊为试验动物,研究不同胴体等级间产肉性能及肉质差异。对不同胴体等级间产肉性能研究结果发现,除分割肉产率外,其它指标随着等级增加而增大;不同胴体等级间奶公犊的胴体重、分割肉重、优质部位肉重等指标存在显著差异(P<0.05);对不同胴体等级间肉质研究结果发现,不同体形等级间奶公犊肉质差异不显著(P>0.05);随脂肪等级的增加,犊牛肉的蛋白质含量、脂肪含量、感官品质升高,含水量、蒸煮损失、剪切力、色度值L*降低。不同脂肪等级的犊牛肉,除脂肪含量、多汁性存在显著差异外(P<0.05),其它肉质指标均无差异(P>0.05)。试验结果表明,胴体等级能够在一定程度上反映荷斯坦奶公犊的产肉性能,但是对犊牛肉肉质的预测性较低。     

丹江口库区麦套稻适宜施肥量及养分利用率研究

为探讨丹江口库区麦套稻新型耕作方式的适宜施肥量,采用“3414”肥效试验方案研究了氮、磷、钾施肥对水稻产量、生产效益和养分利用的影响.结果表明,麦套稻系统水稻产量的形成主要决定于单位面积穗数和穗总粒数;氮磷钾合理施肥可显著提高产量,在N、P2O5和K2O施用量分别为168.0、75.0、90.0 kg/hm2时产量最高...     

黄河鲤嗜水气单胞菌的分离、毒力及用药分析

自发病黄河鲤4种组织中分离致病菌,结合形态学和16SrDNA序列分析,发现分离到的细菌属气单胞菌属。回归感染试验发现,患病鱼体出现鳃盖等多处组织出血且伴随肠炎等症状,表明引起黄河鲤发病的致病菌为嗜水气单胞菌,命名为HNAh01。半致死密度测定发现,嗜水气单胞菌HNAh01的半致死密度为1.38×10~7 cfu/mL。药敏结果表明,该致病性嗜水气单胞菌是典型的多重耐药嗜水气单胞菌,但对恩诺沙星极为敏感。因此,选择恩诺沙星对分离菌株进行体外药效学和用药分析试验。药效学试验表明,恩诺沙星对嗜水气单胞菌HNAh01的最小抑菌质量浓度为1.56ng/mL,最小杀菌质量浓度为3.12ng/mL,防耐药突变质量浓度为12.5ng/mL,耐药选择窗的范围为1.56~12.5ng/mL。用药分析结果显示,黄河鲤口服剂量为10mg/kg时对嗜水气单胞菌HNAh01的相对保护率达83%。本文研究为嗜水气单胞菌的防治提供了理论基础与实践依据。