蒺藜苜蓿全基因组中U-box基因家族的筛选与特征分析

植物基因组中广泛存在U-box基因,其编码蛋白大部分作为泛素系统中决定底物特异性识别的E₃泛素连接酶,广泛地调控植物生长生殖发育以及响应逆境胁迫等过程。本文利用蒺藜苜蓿基因组数据库,通过生物信息学手段,鉴定蒺藜苜蓿U-box家族基因;采用MEGA6软件进行系统进化树分析;通过GSDS在线工具和Mapinspect软件进行基因结构及染色体定位分析;利用已有的蒺藜苜蓿芯片数据进行组织表达和胁迫响应表达分析。结果表明,蒺藜苜蓿基因组中含有41个U-box基因,不均匀地分布于蒺藜苜蓿的8条染色体上。根据结构域组成和系统进化分析将这些U-box蛋白分成6类。基因表达模式分析发现,该家族成员的表达具有一定的组织特异性,并能响应盐、干旱和氮素胁迫。这些研究结果为蒺藜苜蓿U-box基因家族的功能分析奠定了基础。     

EBR对NaCl胁迫下苜蓿属植物离子吸收和分配的影响

为探究苜蓿属植物的抗盐机理及外源油菜素内酯(EBR)对苜蓿属植物抗盐性的影响,选取蒺藜苜蓿、紫花苜蓿和金花菜3种苜蓿属植物为实验材料,研究NaCl胁迫及NaCl胁迫下喷施EBR对苜蓿属植物生长,体内无机离子吸收、分配及运输的影响。结果表明:1)NaCl胁迫会抑制苜蓿属植物的生长,影响植物体内K+、Ca2+、Mg2+离子的分配和运输。2)EBR能有效缓解NaCl胁迫对植物生长的抑制作用,维持植物体内的离子平衡,从而提高植物的耐盐性。3)紫花苜蓿耐盐性较强,蒺藜苜蓿耐盐性较弱。4)在盐胁迫条件下,紫花苜蓿根部抑制对Na+的吸收,减少离子毒害作用;蒺藜苜蓿将根中的Na+向茎和叶中运输,通过叶片的脱落,维持生长点的正常生长。     

EBR对NaCl胁迫下苜蓿属植物离子吸收和分配的影响

为探究苜蓿属植物的抗盐机理及外源油菜素内酯(EBR)对苜蓿属植物抗盐性的影响,选取蒺藜苜蓿、紫花苜蓿和金花菜3种苜蓿属植物为实验材料,研究NaCl胁迫及NaCl胁迫下喷施EBR对苜蓿属植物生长,体内无机离子吸收、分配及运输的影响。结果表明:1)NaCl胁迫会抑制苜蓿属植物的生长,影响植物体内K⁺、Ca²⁺、Mg²⁺离子的分配和运输。2)EBR能有效缓解NaCl胁迫对植物生长的抑制作用,维持植物体内的离子平衡,从而提高植物的耐盐性。3)紫花苜蓿耐盐性较强,蒺藜苜蓿耐盐性较弱。4)在盐胁迫条件下,紫花苜蓿根部抑制对Na⁺的吸收,减少离子毒害作用;蒺藜苜蓿将根中的Na⁺向茎和叶中运输,通过叶片的脱落,维持生长点的正常生长。     

豆科模式植物蒺藜苜蓿基因组研究进展

鉴于豆科植物的重要性和特殊性,近年来国际上发起将蒺藜苜蓿作为豆科基因组研究模式植物。由于具有基因组小、染色体数为2×8(2n=16)、生长期短、自花授粉、根瘤固氮、遗传转化效率高、与豆科主要作物亲缘关系较近等特点,蒺藜苜蓿已代替百脉根(Lotus japonicusL.)做为豆科模式植物。国际蒺藜苜蓿基因组研究计划于2001年启动,基因组全序列测定即将完成。目前已经构建了细胞遗传学图谱、物理图谱和遗传图谱,获得EST序列189714条。蒺藜苜蓿基因组长度470Mbp(1C=0.47pg,2C=1.15pg),基因密度7Kbp/基因,平均GC含量33.3%。细胞遗传学分析表明,蒺藜苜蓿染色体基因组分成常染色质和异染色质两个明显的区域,常染色质区富集基因,异染色质区富集大量重复序列。蒺藜苜蓿80%的基因组以异染色质的形式聚集在着丝粒附近。蒺藜苜蓿与苜蓿和豌豆有非常高的共线性关系,与大豆在宏线性水平和微线性水平也有较高的共线性关系,是豆科作物比较基因组研究的好材料,有待在我国开展相关的研究。     

蒺藜苜蓿EMS诱变突变体库的构建及突变体表型的分析

突变体是进行功能基因组学研究的重要材料,大量基因已经从各种突变体中得到克隆。本研究利用甲基磺酸乙酯(EMS)诱变蒺藜苜蓿(Medicago truncatula)品种A17种子,鉴定和统计其后代突变型和突变频率,分别获得2 085份M1代和388份M2代突变材料,M2代突变材料中叶色突变性状包括叶斑突变、叶深绿、杂色叶、叶红紫、叶黄萎和白化苗,占群体的5.37%;叶型突变性状包括皱叶、窄叶、卷曲和多叶等,占3.12%;株型突变性状包括高秆、矮化、匍匐、半匍匐、多分枝和少分枝等,占9.11%;开花期突变性状包括早花、晚花等,占1.01%;总的表型突变频率为18.61%。本研究初步构建的蒺藜苜蓿A17 EMS的突变材料一方面创造了蒺藜苜蓿新的种质资源,另一方面可应用于蒺藜苜蓿功能基因组的研究。     

一种新的蒺藜苜蓿遗传杂交方法

遗传杂交技术是开展遗传研究的基本工具,也是研究基因功能的必要手段之一。虽然对豆科模式植物蒺藜苜蓿(Medicago truncatula)的研究愈来愈多,但其遗传杂交技术因难度较高而只被研究蒺藜苜蓿比较悠久的科研团体掌握。为了便于更多实验室能够掌握该项技术,本文在已报道的蒺藜苜蓿杂交方法的基础上提出了一种新的杂交技术。研究内容包括蒺藜苜蓿的花果发育周期、花解剖结构、不同发育时期花的花药发育、遗传杂交程序、母本花的选择标准以及杂交鉴定等。本研究所提出的蒺藜苜蓿杂交方法与已有其它杂交方法相比,具有操作难度低、杂交后无需特殊护理措施、杂交成功率高等特点。     

蒺藜苜蓿、天蓝苜蓿、金花菜基因组SNP穿梭标记开发

蒺藜苜蓿是继拟南芥和水稻之后又一个进行全基因组测序的植物,利用蒺藜苜蓿的基因组序列,开发出可以在其他豆科植物上应用的分子标记,即穿梭标记,已成为缺乏基因组信息或基因组复杂的豆科植物基因组学及分子遗传学研究的有效手段。天蓝苜蓿和金花菜是我国最重要的两种一年生苜蓿,由于缺乏有效的分子标记,这两种苜蓿在基因组水平上的研究很少。SLAF-seq是近年来开发出的一种简化基因组测序技术,具有高通量、准确性、成本低、周期短的优点,已在众多物种的全基因组SNP标记开发上得到应用。本研究通过SLAF-seq技术对12份蒺藜苜蓿、天蓝苜蓿和金花菜材料进行简化基因组测序,共得到28.04×10⁶个读长的测序数据,276432个高质量的SLAF标签,其中58748个SLAF标签为多态性标签,平均测序深度为17.44。在58748个多态性SLAF标签中,共检测出次要基因型频率(MAF)大于0.05的SNP标记189133个。本研究开发出的SNP标记可用于一年生苜蓿的遗传多样性、遗传图谱构建和重要农艺性状的QTL定位等的研究,其种间穿梭的特性可为苜蓿属种间基因组排列顺序、系统进化关系、比较图谱构建等方面的研究提供帮助。     

干旱胁迫下黄花苜蓿与蒺藜苜蓿两个抑制性差减杂交文库的构建及分析

水分胁迫是植物面临的最主要的非生物胁迫之一,研究植物的抗旱机理以提高植物的抗旱能力具有重大的意义。抑制性差减杂交是一种筛选特异表达基因的良好手段,使用该方法成功构建了豆科植物黄花苜蓿和蒺藜苜蓿2个差减文库并进行测序。通过GO分类和KEGG分析等手段对文库中序列进行分类,并分析表达序列的差异,发现黄花苜蓿文库中对抵抗水分胁迫起积极作用的基因表达序列明显多于蒺藜苜蓿。此外,还对筛选到的2个基因在2种苜蓿中的干旱响应表达模式进行了分析,结果表明,在黄花苜蓿中这2个基因的表达更加有利于响应和抵抗干旱。这些结果在分子层面上一定程度的解释了黄花苜蓿较蒺藜苜蓿更加抗旱的原因。     

蒺藜苜蓿GPAT基因家族的全基因组鉴定、序列变异和表达分析

甘油-3-磷酸酰基转移酶(glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase, GPAT)是三酰甘油(triacylglycerol, TAG)生物合成的限速酶,催化TAG生物合成的起始步骤,为多种脂质合成提供了底物,会直接参与到植物的生长发育和抗逆过程。蒺藜苜蓿(Medicago truncatula)作为豆科模式植物具有基因组小、生长周期短、遗传转化效率高等特点。为了解GPAT基因在苜蓿抗逆尤其是在耐盐中的作用,本研究选择蒺藜苜蓿基因组为研究对象,采用Blastp和Hmm结构域搜索方法,共鉴定出24个mtGPAT基因。根据系统进化、基因结构和结构域差异将其分成3个亚家族。同时染色体定位分析发现,24个mtGPAT基因不均匀分布在7条苜蓿染色体上,每条染色体上分布有2～5个基因。基因表达谱分析表明:蒺藜苜蓿GPAT基因具有器官特异性,并且会参与盐胁迫反应。这些结果可为进一步深入研究蒺藜苜蓿GPAT家族基因的功能提供理论基础。     

MADS-box基因家族在蒺藜苜蓿的全基因组分析

MADS-box基因家族是植物体内的重要转录因子,它们广泛地调控着植物生长、发育和生殖等过程。本研究以蒺藜苜蓿基因组数据为材料,采用结构域搜索方法,鉴定了138个MADS-box基因。通过序列比对系统进化分析,将它们分成两大类:Ⅰ型(92个)和Ⅱ型(46个)。同时,通过染色体定位分析发现,134个MADS-box基因定位在染色体上,还有4个MADS-box基因定位在尚未完成最终拼接的超长片段上。蒺藜苜蓿的MADS-box基因家族成员之间存在大量的基因重复,特别是Ⅰ型MADS-box基因,通过基因复制,MADS-box基因家族在染色体上形成多个密集的MADS-box基因簇。对蒺藜苜蓿的RNA-seq表达谱数据分析,发现MADS-box基因在心皮组织、花器官等组织中表达量较高,这表明蒺藜苜蓿的MADS-box基因家族广泛地参与苜蓿组织分化、发育以及生殖等过程的调控,这将为进一步揭示MADS-box类转录因子在蒺藜苜蓿中作用机制提供了重要的参考。     

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.