中药复方多糖对不同MHC B-LβⅡ基因型鸡淋巴细胞免疫信号分子表达的影响

试验旨在探讨中药复方多糖对不同MHC B-LβⅡ基因型鸡免疫调节作用的影响。采用PCR-SSCP方法对500只试验鸡进行MHC B-LβⅡ基因分型,采集不同MHC B-LβⅡ基因型鸡的外周血淋巴细胞,分别加入终浓度为200、100、75、50、25、0μg/mL的中药复方多糖共培养24h,收集细胞,采用ELISA方法检测不同MHC B-LβⅡ基因型鸡淋巴细胞培养液中环磷酸腺苷(cAMP)、环磷酸鸟苷(cGMP)、钙离子(Ca~(2+))、一氧化氮(NO)及诱导型一氧化氮合成酶(iNOS)含量。结果显示,与对照组相比,中药复方多糖能显著提高不同MHC B-LβⅡ基因型鸡淋巴细胞培养上清液中cAMP、cGMP、Ca~(2+)、NO和iNOS的含量(P0.05)。中药复方多糖剂量为50μg/mL时,AA、BC基因型鸡淋巴细胞培养上清液中cAMP、Ca~(2+)、NO和iNOS的含量最高,BC基因型鸡淋巴细胞培养上清液中cGMP的含量最高;中药复方多糖剂量为75μg/mL时,AA基因型鸡淋巴细胞培养上清液中cGMP的含量最高;中药复方多糖剂量为100μg/mL时,BB基因型鸡淋巴细胞培养上清液中cAMP、cGMP、Ca~(2+)、NO和iNOS的含量最高。本试验结果表明,中药复方多糖能不同程度地提高各MHC B-LβⅡ基因型鸡淋巴细胞培养上清液中cGMP、cAMP、NO、Ca~(2+)和iNOS的含量,且不同MHC B-LβⅡ基因型鸡淋巴细胞最适中药复方多糖免疫调节剂量不同。     

黄芪多糖对小鼠免疫细胞NO-cGMP信号系统的效应

试验观察了黄芪多糖对小鼠脾淋巴细胞内第二信使分子cAMP、cGMP及分泌NO的影响。结果发现,黄芪多糖以4种浓度(50、100、200及400μg/mL)均可使脾淋巴细胞NO产生增加,其中以200μg/mL作用最明显(P<0.01);黄芪多糖可抑制cAMP产生,促进cGMP生成,从而降低cAMP/cGMP比例。提示,黄芪多糖能显著影响脾淋巴细胞信息传递,其免疫作用可能是通过调节细胞内信号转导实现的。     

香菇多糖对肉鸡脾淋巴细胞转化及信息传导的影响

实验研究了香菇多糖对肉鸡脾淋巴细胞转化率及细胞内信息分子一氧化氮(NO)、Ca2 及cAMP、cGMP的影响。发现香菇多糖能剂量依赖性促进脾淋巴细胞转化率及细胞内NO、Ca2 浓度,当作用时间为20min时,能增加cAMP和cGMP浓度,而当作用时间为60min,对cAMP和cGMP浓度无显著影响。以上结果提示,香菇多糖能显著提高脾淋巴细胞免疫功能,其作用是通过改变细胞内信息传导实现的。     

黄芪多糖对鸡脾脏淋巴细胞内游离钙离子浓度的影响

为进一步探讨黄芪多糖（APS）的免疫调节机制，建立了特异性荧光探针Fura-2/AM测定鸡脾脏淋巴细胞游离钙离子浓度的方法，观察了APS对体外培养的鸡脾脏淋巴细胞内游离钙离子水平的影响。结果表明：APS以200μg/ml的终浓度加入体外培养的鸡脾脏淋巴细胞培养液中，可极显著升高细胞内游离钙离子的水平（P＜0.01）。提示黄芪多糖通过调节细胞内游离钙离子的浓度而影响机体免疫细胞的信号转导。     

猪圆环病毒2型对仔猪淋巴细胞内cAMP和cGMP的影响

为探讨猪圆环病毒2型(PCV2)作用下淋巴细胞的免疫活性,本研究通过体外培养仔猪脾脏淋巴细胞及巨噬细胞(Mφ),分别以PCV2和PCV2+Mφ与淋巴细胞相互作用,同时设Mφ和空白对照组.培养0h、6h、12h、24 h后收取各组淋巴细胞,放射免疫法检测胞内cAMP和cGMP浓度.另外,选取15头PCV2阴性仔猪,每头滴鼻PCV2病毒悬液,分别于14d、21 d、35 d迫杀,每次5头,并设立阴性对照组4头.放射免疫法检测脾脏cAMP和cGMP浓度,并计算cAMP/cGMP比值.体外检测结果显示:PCV2对体外培养淋巴细胞内cAMP和cGMP浓度影响不大;而在Mφ存在时PCV2在6h时能显著降低cAMP和cGMP浓度和cAMP/cGMP比例(p＜0.05); 12 h时cGMP浓度下降(p＜0.05),cAMP和cGMP比例上升(p＜0.05); 24 h时cGMP浓度上升(p＜0.05),但cAMP/cGMP比例降低(p＜0.05).体内检测结果表明,PCV2能显著降低仔猪脾脏细胞内cAMP浓度(p＜0.05)及cAMP/cGMP比值(p＜0.05).该研究结果表明,在巨噬细胞存在时PCV2能够降低淋巴细胞内cAMP/cGMP的比值,从而影响淋巴细胞的功能.     

山豆根多糖对鸡免疫器官发育及体内活性氧水平的影响

为探讨山豆根多糖(SSP)对鸡免疫功能及体内抗氧化能力的影响,将山豆根多糖分别按50、100、200 mg/kg体重对14日龄公鸡胸部肌肉注射,在21、28、35、42日龄分别测定了鸡血浆中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性、总抗氧化力(TAOC)、丙二醛(MDA)水平、谷胱甘肽(GSH)含量和一氧化氮(NO)的水平及鸡胸腺指数、脾脏指数和法氏囊指数。结果表明,鸡28日龄时,50～200 mg/kg山豆根多糖能显著提高鸡血浆中还原型谷胱甘肽水平(P0.05,P0.01);鸡35日龄时,50 mg/kg山豆根多糖能显著提高鸡的胸腺指数(P0.05),100 mg/kg山豆根多糖组鸡血浆中SOD活性极显著升高(P0.01),200 mg/kg山豆根多糖组鸡血浆NO水平显著升高(P0.01);鸡42日龄时,50 mg/kg山豆根多糖能显著提高鸡脾脏指数和法氏囊指数(P0.05),100 mg/kg山豆根多糖组鸡血浆中MDA水平极显著升高(P0.01)。提示山豆根多糖能够促进鸡免疫器官发育,并对鸡体内活性氧水平具有调节作用。     

马尾藻多糖对鸡脾脏淋巴细胞GSH和GSSG水平的影响

为观察马尾藻多糖(SP)对鸡脾脏淋巴细胞内氧化还原状态的影响,无菌分离鸡脾脏淋巴细胞,采用终浓度为12.5、25、50、100、200μg/mL的马尾藻多糖分别刺激培养鸡脾脏淋巴细胞4、8、12、24h,测定细胞内还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)和氧化型谷胱甘肽(GSSG)水平。结果表明,各浓度SP与鸡脾脏淋巴细胞共同培养4、8、12h均能不同程度地升高细胞内GSH水平,降低鸡脾脏淋巴细胞内GSSG水平,升高鸡脾脏淋巴细胞内GSH/GSSG比值,与空白对照组相比差异显著或极显著(P0.05或P0.01)。说明SP可以通过调节鸡脾脏淋巴细胞内GSH和GSSG的水平来调节细胞内的氧化还原状态,从而发挥其抗氧化作用。     

胸腺素α_1调节鸡脾脏淋巴细胞免疫功能的信号转导途径

在无菌条件下,从健康墟岗黄鸡体内取出脾脏,分离淋巴细胞并进行体外培养。在细胞培养液中分别加入终浓度为0.01 mol/L咖啡碱、0.05 mol/L EDTA、0.01 mol/L氯化锂和5μg/mL甲派氟丙嗪,然后用10μg/mL胸腺素α1(Tα1)处理,再加入20μg/mL ConA,研究Ca2+-肌醇磷脂-蛋白激酶系统和cAMP-肌醇磷脂-蛋白激酶系统在Tα1调节淋巴细胞免疫功能中的作用,揭示Tα1调节免疫功能的信号转导机制。结果表明,咖啡碱处理能显著增强Tα1促进脾脏淋巴细胞增殖转化、IL-2的基因表达,提高培养液中IL-2浓度(P<0.05);而EDTA处理能显著抑制Tα1促进脾脏淋巴细胞增殖转化、IL-2的基因表达与分泌的作用(P<0.05);氯化锂和甲派氟丙嗪对Tα1的免疫调节作用的影响不明显(P>0.05)。结果提示,Tα1调节鸡脾脏淋巴细胞的增殖和IL-2的基因表达与分泌的作用,主要通过cAMP、Ca2+和PKC等第二信使的介导。     

蕨麻多糖对小鼠免疫细胞信号转导相关分子的影响

以50、100、200、400μg/mL的蕨麻多糖对小鼠脾淋巴细胞在体外分别孵育4、8、12、24 h,测定了细胞培养液中一氧化氮（NO）、6-酮-PGF1α及血栓素B2（TXB2）的水平和细胞内cGMP的含量,测定了加入蕨麻多糖后2、5、10 min时细胞内游离钙离子（Ca^2＋）的浓度。结果显示,蕨麻多糖能明显促进小鼠脾淋巴细胞分泌一氧化氮,显著升高小鼠脾淋巴细胞内cGMP及钙离子的水平,对细胞内TXB2的产生有抑制作用,能够调整花生四烯酸体系向6-酮-PGF1α一端偏移。提示蕨麻多糖能够增强脾淋巴细胞的免疫作用。     

黄芪多糖能促进肉鸡脾淋巴细胞转化率

陈洪亮等研究发现,黄芪多糖能剂量依赖性促进脾淋巴细胞转化率及细胞内NO、Ca2 浓度;当作用时间为20min时,40μg/ml黄芪多糖能增加cAMP浓度,降低cGMP浓度(P<0.01);而当作用时间为60min,对cAMP浓度无显著影响。以上结果提示,黄芪多糖能显著提高脾淋巴细胞免疫功能,其作用是通过改变细胞内信息传导实现的。黄芪多糖能促进肉鸡脾淋巴细胞转化率     

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.     

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.     

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.