大肠杆菌不耐热肠毒素突变体的原核表达及其活性研究

为使大肠杆菌不耐热肠毒素(LT)的毒性丧失或减弱的同时仍保留其较强的免疫原性,本实验通过PCR和重叠-延伸PCR扩增,制备了突变体LTR72/G192的基因片段,经酶切和测序结果表明构建的表达载体pLTR72/G192阅读框架正确,而且相应位点氨基酸获得了替换。IPTG诱导表达目的蛋白经SDS-PAGE电泳检测,表达出突变体重组蛋白为约30 ku和10 ku的两个蛋白带,与LTA、LTB亚基分子量相吻合。Western blot检测结果表明两个蛋白亚基均可与His抗体发生特异性反应。目的蛋白经纯化后进行ADP-核酸转移酶试验及Patent-mouse毒性试验检测其酶活性与毒性,突变重组蛋白与野生型LT相比其酶活性和毒性均明显降低。纯化的目的蛋白与鸡新城疫病毒弱毒疫苗联合一起经滴鼻免疫鸡,ELISA结果显示,突变体LTR72/G192能辅助新城疫疫苗在血清和黏膜中产生较高滴度的抗新城疫病毒的IgG和IgA。     

大肠杆菌不耐热肠毒素(LT)突变体LTR72的表达与鉴定

将重组质粒PLTR72和PLT分别转化大肠杆菌JM101，DH5α和C600，并接种于LB和CAYE-2中培养，用GM1-ELISA法检测菌体裂解液中2者的表达情况，将表达产物纯化后用SDS-PAGE等方法鉴定。结果表明，3种大肠杆菌在2种培养基中都可表达出LT突变体和LT，并可将产物分泌到大肠杆菌胞周质中，成为具有GM1结合活性的突变体蛋白，鉴定纯化后的突变体的组成形式与野生型LT相同。均是1A：5B。     

大肠杆力不耐热肠毒素突变体LTR72基因的克隆及序列分析

利用PCR和点突变PCR技术，制备了大肠杆菌不耐热肠毒素（LT）突变体LTR72和LT的基因片段，经酶切连接后构建了突变体重组质粒pLTR72，经酶切和序列测定证明重组子构建正确，目的突变点第72位的丙氨酸密码子已被突变成为精氨酸密码子。同时，试验构建了可以表达天然LT的表达质粒pLT作对照，二级结构分析表明，LTR72及LT之间没有显著差异。     

大肠埃希菌不耐热肠毒素研究进展

大肠埃希菌不耐热肠毒素(LT)是产毒性大肠埃希菌产生的一种能导致人畜腹泻的毒素,由六聚体蛋白形成AB5型结构.A亚基具有ADP核糖基转移酶活性,而B亚基为五聚体,主要与表达于真核细胞表面的神经节苷脂GM1结合.LT具有很强的免疫原性和黏膜免疫佐剂活性.为了将其毒性与佐剂活性分开,研究者构建了一系列无毒或减毒的突变体.证明突变体具有佐剂活性,并发现没有毒性的AB复合物以及酶活性在佐剂活性中发挥的作用是分开的.野生型LT、LT突变体以及B亚基与外源抗原共同免疫机体后,对机体免疫系统具有调节作用.     

重组大肠杆菌肠毒素蛋白LTA_(192)-STa_(13)的表达及其诱导小鼠体液免疫的研究

为研究重组大肠杆菌肠毒素融合蛋白LTA192-STa13的免疫原性,本研究将产肠毒素大肠杆菌(ETEC)elt A和est A基因定点突变后构建融合基因,进行重组蛋白LTAR192G-STaG13Q的表达。利用纯化的重组蛋白和灭活菌液分别免疫小鼠,比较不同抗原诱导小鼠体液免疫应答能力,以及体外免疫血清对毒素的中和作用。结果显示,各组免疫小鼠均可以产生高滴度抗LTA和STa抗体,其血清抗体可以通过乳汁传递给新生仔鼠,其中蛋白免疫组血清抗体效价更高。体内外中和试验证明,实验组小鼠三免后的血清能够中和LT和STa毒素对实验鼠的毒性作用,并且能够中和LT对Y-1细胞的毒性作用,蛋白免疫组血清抗体中和效价可达到1∶89.13,明显高于灭活菌免疫组。研究表明,重组蛋白LTA192-STa13对小鼠具有良好的免疫原性,能够诱导免疫鼠产生良好的体液免疫应答,可以作为ETEC亚单位疫苗的候选抗原。     

大肠杆菌不耐热肠毒素突变体作为佐剂的研究进展

黏膜免疫是防止病原菌侵入黏膜表面引起疾病的最有效的途径,通过黏膜免疫不仅能产生全身免疫反应,还能产生局部的黏膜免疫反应,该免疫途径无痛苦且易操作,同时减少疾病传播的风险.但大多数抗原的黏膜免疫原性都很差,通过口服或滴鼻免疫可溶性蛋白通常引起特异性免疫耐受,这些使得在黏膜免疫中使用恰当的佐剂成为必须. 不耐热肠毒素（Heat— labile enterotoxin,LT）是由肠毒素大肠杆菌（enterotoxigenic Escherichia col i,ETEC）分泌的一种外毒素,既有较强的免疫原性又有较强的黏膜佐剂效应.但由于强的毒性,限制了它的广泛应用,因此通过构建各种突变体使之具备优良的佐剂活性且没有显著的毒性是当前研究的主要目标.本文主要从突变体的酶活性、毒性以及佐剂活性进行综述,为黏膜疫苗的研制打下一定基础.     

重组大肠杆菌不耐热肠毒素的表达及对小鼠胚胎稳定性的影响

为研究大肠杆菌不耐热肠毒素（LT）对小鼠胚胎稳定性的影响,运用大肠杆菌表达系统制备了具有生物活性的重组大肠杆菌LT,用重组LT通过腹腔注射处理妊娠小鼠,分析了LT对小鼠胚胎稳定性的影响。首先采用PCR方法从产毒大肠杆菌菌株44815基因组中扩增LT的A、B亚基基因,将其插入到pET-20b（＋）原核表达载体pelB信号肽的下游,分别构建成LTA和LTB分泌型表达载体;将载体分别转化大肠杆菌BL21（DE3）pLysS,在IPTG的诱导下进行表达,利用Ni-NTA琼脂糖凝胶从细菌周质释放液中提取和纯化重组LTA和LTB蛋白;利用细胞毒性试验检测重组蛋白的生物活性。然后用制备的重组LT注射妊娠6d的小鼠,连续注射3d后,统计小鼠的胚胎存活率。同时用ELISA方法检测小鼠血清中与胚胎稳定性密切相关的Th1型细胞因子（IFN-γ、IL-2）和Th2型细胞因子（IL-4、IL-10）及IL-β的表达水平。结果表明,采用分泌性表达策略实现了重组LT在大肠杆菌中的高效分泌表达,LTA和LTB的表达量分别达68、62mg/L。表达的重组LT具有明显的细胞毒性作用;用LT处理妊娠小鼠,胚胎的存活率为32%,明显低于对照组;小鼠血清中Th1型细胞因子IFN-γ和IL-2的含量明显高于对照组（P〈0.01）,分别为对照组的2、3倍。同时细胞因子IL-1β为对照组的2倍（P〈0.01）,而稳定胚胎发育的Th2型细胞因子IL-4、IL-10没有明显变化（P〉0.05）。据此推测,LT可能与大肠杆菌性肠炎引起妊娠家畜流产有关,LT对胚胎稳定性的影响除与LT的直接毒性有关外,可能还与LT介导的免疫调节异常有关。     

猪大肠杆菌LT基因位点突变、真核表达及小鼠免疫效果

大肠杆菌不耐热性肠毒素具有免疫增强的作用,为了更好的研究LT免疫增强效果,我们从临床分离大肠杆菌,提取基因组DNA,扩增出大肠杆菌不耐热性肠毒素基因LT,经位点突变,将LT210位的A突变为G,突变后的LT克隆到真核表达载体pCI质粒中,命名为pCI-LT(R210G),磷酸钙共沉法转染IBRS细胞证实LT(R210G)体外获得表达。将pCI-LT(R210G)免疫小鼠,ELISA结果表明:免疫小鼠两周后体内检测到特异性抗LT抗体,4周达到最高值。同时,MTT试验结果表明免疫小鼠产生强烈的淋巴细胞增殖反应。研究结果证明已成功构建pCI-LT(R210G)真核表达质粒,是一种极有发展前景的基因疫苗。     

大肠杆菌不耐热肠毒素B亚单位与产气荚膜梭菌β1、β2毒素融合基因的构建及表达

为了构建含大肠杆菌不耐热肠毒素B亚单位(LTB)与产气荚膜梭菌β1、β2毒素融合基因的表达菌株,试验将亚克隆LTB基因融合到β2-β1毒素基因的上游,构建了pET30a-LTB-β2-β1原核表达载体,经IPTG诱导表达,对其表达产物进行SDS-PAGE检测和Western-blot分析。结果表明:重组菌株可以表达LTB-β2-β1融合蛋白,且该融合蛋白可以被相应的抗体识别。     

大肠杆菌毒素stx2eB-LTB-ST融合基因的构建与表达

利用PCR技术,从病原性大肠杆菌中扩增Stx2e及LT毒素B亚基的基因并扩增ST基因,用复式PCR技术获得了这三段基因的两种融合结构,一种是三段基因直接相连,另一种是在这三段基因之间加入适当的Linker序列。在这两种融合基因两端加入适当的酶切位点并分别与pMD18-T载体相连,酶切后以正确的阅读框插入pET28a载体的多克隆位点中,转入受体菌BL21(DE3)进行表达,得到两种约28 Ku的蛋白,表达的融合蛋白均以包涵体的方式存在,约占全菌蛋白表达量的30%,将包涵体初步提纯,为下游工作奠定了基础。     

白术、微米白术和白术多糖对断奶仔猪生长性能和肠道形态及微生态区系的影响

试验选用96头平均体重14.82 kg左右的杜×长×大断奶仔猪,随机分成4组,每组3栏,每栏8头(公母各半)。对照组饲喂基础日粮,试验1、2、3组分别添加1%80目白术、0.2%白术多糖和1%微米白术。试验期30 d。结果表明:在生长性能方面,与对照组相比,1%微米白术添加组可显著提高日增重(P0.05)、降低饲料增重比和腹泻率,而且效果优于1%80目白术组和0.2%白术多糖组,在肠道形态和肠道微生态区系方面,与对照组相比,日粮添加1%80目白术、0.2%白术多糖、1%微米白术均可不同程度的提高十二指肠和空肠的绒毛高度,加深十二指肠和空肠的隐窝深度,并且增加肠道微生态区系的多样性,其中以1%微米白术添加组的效果最佳。     

Prevalence and seasonal incidence of nematode parasites and fluke infections of sheep and goats in eastern Ethiopia

Sissay, M.M., Uggla, A. and Waller, P.J., XXXX. Prevalence and seasonal incidence of nematode parasites and fluke infections of sheep and goats in eastern Ethiopia. Tropical Animal Health and Production, XXXX. A 2-year abattoir survey was carried out to determine the prevalence, abundance and seasonal incidence of gastro-intestinal (GI) nematodes and trematodes (flukes) of sheep and goats in the semi-arid zone of eastern Ethiopia. During May 2003 to April 2005, viscera including liver, lungs and GI tracts were collected from 655 sheep and 632 goats slaughtered at 4 abattoirs located in the towns of Haramaya, Harar, Dire Dawa and Jijiga in eastern Ethiopia. All animals were raised in the farming areas located within the community boundaries for each town. Collected materials were transported within 24 h to the parasitology laboratory of Haramaya University for immediate processing. Thirteen species belonging to 9 genera of GI nematodes (Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongylus axei, T. colubriformis, T. vitrinus, Nematodirus filicollis, N. spathiger, Oesophagostomum columbianum, O. venulosum, Strongyloides papillosus, Bunostomum trigonocephalum, Trichuris ovis, Cooperia curticei and Chabertia ovina), and 4 species belonging to 3 genera of trematodes (Fasciola hepatica, F. gigantica, Paramphistomum {Calicohoron} microbothrium and Dicrocoelium dendriticum) were recorded in both sheep and goats. All animals in this investigation were infected with multiple species to varying degrees. The mean burdens of adult nematodes were generally moderate in both sheep and goats and showed patterns of seasonal abundance that corresponded with the bi-modal annual rainfall pattern, with highest burdens around the middle of the rainy season. In both sheep and goats there were significant differences in the mean worm burdens and abundance of the different nematode species between the four geographic locations, with worm burdens in the Haramaya and Harar areas greater than those observed in the Dire Dawa and Jijiga locations. Similar seasonal variations were also observed in the prevalence of flukes. But there were no significant differences in the prevalence of each fluke species between the four locations. Overall, the results showed that Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus, Nematodirus, Oesophagostomum, Fasciola and Paramphistomum species were the most abundant helminth parasites of sheep and goats in eastern Ethiopia.     

Phase I evaluation of CCNU (lomustine) in tumor-bearing cats

1-(2-Chloroethyl)3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU) is an alkylating agent in the nitrosourea subclass. A prospective evaluation of CCNU was done to determine the maximally tolerated dosage of CCNU in tumor-bearing cats. Response data were obtained when available. Twenty-five cats were treated with CCNU at a dosage of 50-60 mg/m3 body surface area. Complete hematologic data were available for 13 cats. Neutropenia was the acute dose-limiting toxicity. The median neutrophil count at the nadir was 1,000 cells/microL (mean, 2,433 cells/microL; range, 0-9,694 cells/microL). The time of neutrophil nadir was variable, occurring 7-28 days after treatment, and counts sometimes did not return to normal for up to 14 days after the nadir. Based on these findings, a 6-week dosing interval and weekly hematologic monitoring after the 1st treatment with CCNU are recommended. The nadir of the platelet count may occur 14-21 days after treatment. The median platelet count at the nadir was 43,500 cells/microL. No gastrointestinal, renal, or hepatic toxicities were observed after a single CCNU treatment, and additional studies to evaluate the potential for cumulative toxicity should be performed. Five cats with lymphoma and 1 cat with mast cell tumor had measurable responses to CCNU. Phase II studies to evaluate antitumor activity should be completed with a dosing regimen of 50-60 mg/m3 every 6 weeks.     

Prevalence of gastric lesions in racing Alaskan sled dogs

Human and equine athletes are reported to have a high prevalence of gastric disease, and anecdotal evidence suggests a similar phenomenon applies to racing sled dogs. To investigate the prevalence of gastric disease in racing sled dogs, we conducted 2 gastroscopy studies on dogs competing in the annual Iditarod Sled Dog Race. A pilot study of dogs that were either dropped from the 2000 Iditarod Sled Dog Race because of illness or that finished the race indicated that, approximately 5 days after competing, 10 of 28 dogs (35%) had endoscopic evidence of gastric ulceration, erosion, or hemorrhage. The next year, an endoscopic study of 73 dogs participating in the 2001 Iditarod race was performed in order to evaluate a larger population of dogs. Data from 70 of these dogs could be used; 34 (48.5%) had ulceration, erosion, gastric hemorrhage, or some combination of these findings. When this group of 70 dogs was compared retrospectively to a control group of 87 dogs presented to the Texas A&M University (TAMU) Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, the Iditarod sled dogs had a significantly higher prevalence (P = .049) of gastric lesions. These findings suggest that, similar to athletes of other species, elite canine athletes have an increased prevalence of gastric disease compared to the canine population at large.     

Furosemide continuous rate infusion in the horse: evaluation of enhanced efficacy and reduced side effects

Continuous rate infusion (CRI) of furosemide in humans is considered superior to intermittent administration (IA). This study examined whether furosemide CRI, compared with IA, would increase diuretic efficacy with decreased fluid and electrolyte fluctuations and activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in the horse. Five mares were used in a crossover-design study. During a 24-hour period, each horse received a total of 3 mg/kg furosemide by either CRI (0.12 mg/kg/h preceded by a loading dose of 0.12 mg/kg IV) or IA (1 mg/kg IV q8h). There was not a statistically significant difference in urine volume over 24 hours between methods; however, urine volume was significantly greater after CRI compared with IA during the first 8 hours ([median 25th percentile, 75th percentile]: 9.6 L [8.9, 14.4] for CRI versus 5.9 L [5.3, 6.0] for IA). CRI produced a more uniform urine flow, decreased fluctuations in plasma volume, and suppressed renal concentrating ability throughout the infusion period. Potassium, Ca, and Cl excretion was greater during CRI than IA (1,133 mmol [1.110, 1,229] versus 764 mmol [709, 904], 102.7 mmol [96.0, 117.2] versus 73.3 mmol [65.0, 73.5], and 1,776 mmol [1,657, 2.378] versus 1,596 mmol [1,457, 1,767], respectively). Elimination half-lives of furosemide were 1.35 and 0.47 hours for CRI and IA, respectively. The area under the excretion rate curve was 1,285.7 and 184.2 mL x mg/mL for CRI and IA, respectively. Furosemide CRI (0.12 mg/kg/h) for 8 hours, preceded by a loading dose (0.12 mg/kg), is recommended when profound diuresis is needed acutely in horses.     

Y‐chromosomal variation of local goat breeds of Turkey close to the domestication centre

Genetic variations in chromosome Y are enabling researchers to identify paternal lineages, which are informative for introgressions and migrations. In this study, the male‐specific region markers, sex‐determining region‐Y (SRY), amelogenin (AMELY) and zinc finger (ZFY) were analysed in seven Turkish native goat breeds, Angora, Kilis, Hair, Honaml?, Norduz, Gürcü and Abaza. A SNP in the ZFY gene defined a new haplotype Y2C. All domestic haplogroups originate from Capra aegagrus, while the finding of Y1A, Y1B, Y2A and Y2C in 32, 4, 126 and 2 Turkish domestic goats, respectively, appears to indicate a predomestic origin of the major haplotypes. The occurrence of four haplotypes in the Hair goat and, in contrast, a frequency of 96% of Y1A in the Kilis breed illustrate that Y‐chromosomal variants have a more breed‐dependent distribution than mitochondrial or autosomal DNA. This probably reflects male founder effects, but a role in adaptation cannot be excluded.     

Feline intracranial neoplasia: retrospective review of 160 cases (1985-2001)

The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of different tumor types within a large cohort of cats with intracranial neoplasia and to attempt to correlate signalment, tumor size and location, and survival time for each tumor. Medical records of 160 cats with confirmed intracranial neoplasia evaluated between 1985 and 2001 were reviewed. Parameters evaluated included age, sex, breed, FeLV/FIV status, clinical signs, duration of signs, number of tumors, tumor location(s), imaging results, treatment, survival times, and histopathologic diagnosis. Most of the cats were older (11.3 +/- 3.8 years). Primary tumors accounted for 70.6% of cases. Metastasis and direct extension of secondary tumors accounted for only 5.6 and 3.8% of cases, respectively. Twelve cats (7.5%) had 2 or more discrete tumors of the same type, whereas 16 cats (10.0%) had 2 different types of intracranial tumors. The most common tumor types were meningioma (n = 93, 58.1%), lymphoma (n = 23, 14.4%), pituitary tumors (n = 14, 8.8%), and gliomas (n = 12, 7.5%). The most common neurological signs were altered consciousness (n = 42, 26.2%), circling (n = 36, 22.5%), and seizures (n = 36, 22.5%). Cats without specific neurological signs were common (n = 34, 21.2%). The tumor was considered an incidental finding in 30 (18.8%) cats. In addition to expected relationships (eg, meninges and meningioma, pituitary and pituitary tumors), we found that lesion location was predictive of tumor type with diffuse cerebral or brainstem involvement predictive of lymphoma and third ventricle involvement predictive of meningioma.     

The Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Dairy Cattle in Central Kenya

The epidemiology of H. placei and of other gastrointestinal nematodes in yearling dairy cattle was examined on two farms in Kiambu District, central Kenya during each of 13 one-month periods from April 1993 to April 1994. On each farm, 32 newly weaned dairy calves were given a single dose of albendazole and then placed on experimental pastures. Twelve of the animals were designated for bi-monthly slaughter (n = 2) and analysis of worm population characteristics and 20 were designated for blood and faecal collection and for weighing. Two parasite-free tracer calves were grazed alongside the weaner calves each month throughout the study period and were also slaughtered for analysis of worm populations. Faecal egg counts, haematological and serum pepsinogen determinations, herbage larval counts, and animal live weight changes were recorded monthly. The study revealed that Haemonchus placei, Trichostrongylus axei, Cooperia spp. and Oesophagostomum radiatum were responsible for parasitic gastroenteritis and that H. placei was the predominant nematode present in the young cattle on both farms. Faecal egg counts from resident cattle and necropsy worm counts revealed that pasture larval levels were directly related to the amount of rainfall. The total worm burdens in the animals were highest during the rainy season (March–June and October–December) and lowest during the dry seasons (July–September and January–February). The very low recovery of immature larvae of H. placei from the tracer calves indicated that arrested development is not a feature of the life cycle of this parasite in central Kenya. The maintenance of the parasite population depended on continuous cycling of infection between the host and the pasture. The agroclimatic conditions of the study area were such that, in general, favourable weather conditions for the development and survival of the free-living stages of gastrointestinal nematodes existed all year round.     

Diversity of Ectoparasites in Sheep Flocks in Sa~o Paulo,Brazil

The occurrence of ectoparasites in sheep flocks is frequently reported but seldom quantified. Sheep production used to be a predominantly family activity in the state of Sa~o Paulo (Brazil), but it began to become a commercial activity in the past decade. Thus, information about the ectoparasites existing in sheep flocks has become necessary. The present data were obtained by means of questionnaires sent to all sheep breeders belonging to the `Associaça~o Paulista de Criadores de Ovinos' (ASPACO; Sa~o Paulo State Association of Sheep Breeders). Response reliability was tested by means of random visits paid to 10.6% of the respondents. Most of the properties (89.5%) reported the presence of one or more ectoparasites. Screw-worm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) was the most frequent ectoparasite (72.5%), followed by bot fly larvae (Dermatobia hominis, 45.0%), ticks (Amblyomma cajennense) and Boophilus microplus, 31.3%) and finally lice (Damalinia ovis, 13.8%). Combined infestations also occurred, the most common one being screw-worm with bot fly larvae (36.0%) followed by bot fly larvae with ticks (13.9%), screw-worm with ticks (9.3%), bot fly larvae with lice (6.9%), and ticks with lice (5.0%). The most common triple combination was screw-worm, bot fly larvae and ticks (12.8%). Breeds raised for meat or wool were attacked by bot fly larvae and ticks more often than other breeds. Lice were only absent from animals of indigenous breeds. The relationships among these ectoparasites are discussed in terms of sheep breeds, flock size, seasonality and the ectoparasitic combinations on the host.