Measuring Progress on the Control of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) at a Regional Level: The Minnesota N212 Regional Control Project (Rcp) as a Working Example

Due to the highly transmissible nature of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), implementation of regional programs to control the disease may be critical. Because PRRS is not reported in the US, numerous voluntary regional control projects (RCPs) have been established. However, the effect of RCPs on PRRS control has not been assessed yet. This study aims to quantify the extent to which RCPs contribute to PRRS control by proposing a methodological framework to evaluate the progress of RCPs. Information collected between July 2012 and June 2015 from the Minnesota Voluntary Regional PRRS Elimination Project (RCP-N212) was used. Demography of premises (e.g. composition of farms with sows = SS and without sows = NSS) was assessed by a repeated analysis of variance. By using general linear mixed-effects models, active participation of farms enrolled in the RCP-N212, defined as the decision to share (or not to share) PRRS status, was evaluated and used as a predictor, along with other variables, to assess the PRRS trend over time. Additionally, spatial and temporal patterns of farmers’ participation and the disease dynamics were investigated. The number of farms enrolled in RCP-N212 and its geographical coverage increased, but the proportion of SS and NSS did not vary significantly over time. A significant increasing (p<0.001) trend in farmers’ decision to share PRRS status was observed, but with NSS producers less willing to report and a large variability between counties. The incidence of PRRS significantly (p<0.001) decreased, showing a negative correlation between degree of participation and occurrence of PRRS (p<0.001) and a positive correlation with farm density at the county level (p = 0.02). Despite a noted decrease in PRRS, significant spatio-temporal patterns of incidence of the disease over 3-weeks and 3-kms during the entire study period were identified. This study established a systematic approach to quantify the effect of RCPs on PRRS control. Despite an increase in number of farms enrolled in the RCP-N212, active participation is not ensured. By evaluating the effect of participation on the occurrence of PRRS, the value of sharing information among producers may be demonstrated, in turn justifying the existence of RCPs.     

Aquilinan,an acidic polysaccharide from Pteridium aquilinum

A water-soluble, acidic polysaccharide, aquilinan, was isolated from storage rhizomes and young fronds of bracken and shown to be homogeneous. The polysaccharide contained galactose, xylose, fucose and arabinose residues together with chains of repeating α(1-2′)glucuronosylmannose units. A method of correcting the mannose content for degradation during the hydrolysis of the aldobiuronic acid is described.     

The uptake and transport of silicon by perennial ryegrass and wheat

Summary In experiments with perennial ryegrass and wheat, silicon (Si) concentration in flowing solution culture was maintained constant at 0, 10 and 20 mgl⁻¹ (ryegrass) or 0, 20 and 40 mgl⁻¹ (wheat). Uptake and transport were measured in both species at frequent harvests over periods of up to 80 days. By the final harvests the initial differences in concentration between plants grown at high or low Si were largely eliminated. Much more Si was taken up by both species from the culture solution than was present in the transpiration stream. With ryegrass, the calculated cumulative amounts taken up through mass flow by plants grown at 10 or 20mgl⁻¹ Si, represented less than 40 and 70 per cent, respectively, of the total Si uptake. Up to 94 per cent of the Si taken up by wheat was transported rapidly to the shoots; older leaves contained up to 11.8 per cent Si.     

Observations on the enumeration of moulds in food and feedingstuffs

This paper considers the technical problems associated with the quantitative analysis of mould in foods and feedingstuffs. It seeks to define a philosophy concerning the use of quantitative mycological data in advisory, investigatory and quality assurance situations and stresses the need for quantitative estimates always to be aligned with qualitative assessment of the mycoflora of foods and feedingstuffs.     

Inhibition of calmodulin-dependent and independent cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum activities by R24571

R24571 a derivative of the antimycotic miconazole, appears to be 5 to 8 times more potent than trifluoperazine in its ability to inhibit the calmodulin-dependent phosphorylation of cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles. The cAMP-dependent protein kinase mediated phosphorylation of cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum was not affected by R24571. Sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca-dependent ATPase phosphoprotein intermediate formation was inhibited by R24571 concentrations that were 20 to 30 times greater than those required to inhibit calmodulin-dependent phosphorylation. However, both Ca-dependent and independent ATPase activities, as well as calcium uptake, were inhibited by R24571 concentrations that were similar to, or less than, those concentrations required to inhibit calmodulin-dependent sarcoplasmic reticulum phosphorylation. These results indicate the caution that should be exercised in using this new compound in assessing the possible involvement of calmodulin in other membrane processes.     

Influence of IBA and Cordycepin on Rooting and RNA Synthesis in Stem Cuttings of Phaseolus aureus Roxb

Adventitious roots are initiated on stem cuttings of Phaseolusaureus Roxb. by treatment with IBA for 24 h, although subsequenttransfer to boric acid is essential for their development. Cordycepinenhances auxin-induced rooting when supplied for 4 h withinthe first twenty hours of IBA treatment, but not thereafter.Cordycepin alone does not enhance rooting. IBA treatment ofcuttings for 12 h results in a marked inhibition of RNA synthesis,including poly(A)-rich RNA, in the hypocotyl. After 24 h treatmentRNA synthesis is seen to increase, with a more marked recoveryin the synthesis of poly(A)+RNA relative to other RNAs. Subsequenttransfer to boric acid maintains this recovery. Cordycepin doesnot inhibit RNA synthesis below the level induced by IBA althoughon subsequent transfer to boric acid is seen to enhance synthesisand turnover of both polyadenylated and non-polyadenylated RNA. (Received August 28, 1982; Accepted November 25, 1982)     

THE USE OF TROFIC AS AN AID FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF EUTROPHIC LAKES

SUMMARY

As a result of eutrophication studies that have been performed by the National Institute for Water Research for many years it was decided in 1980 that a detailed investigation into this area take place. Hypertrophic Hartbeespoort Dam was selected as the study site. A simulation model, named TROFIC, of the ecosystem was developed and updated over a three-year research program. Different management strategies were performed to attempt to reduce the size of phytoplankton standing stock and to modify the phytoplankton species composition so that blue-green algae are no longer dominant. In this paper the applicability of each strategy to the model is examined by means of results obtained and conclusions drawn from these results.