口蹄疫病毒VP1基因的原核表达及免疫原性检测

将口蹄疫病毒VP1基因克隆至原核表达载体pBAD／TOPO中，经鉴定后得到了重组质粒pBAD-VP1。将此重组质粒转化到受体茵TOP10中，分别以不同浓度的诱导剂L-阿拉伯醛糖进行诱导，并在不同诱导时间进行采样，经处理后做SDS-PAGE和蛋白质印迹分析。结果，以终浓度为0．02g／L的L-阿拉伯醛糖进行诱导，4h后表达可达到高峰，表达产物大小约为40ku。软件扫描结果显示，VP1融合蛋白的表达量占细菌总蛋白的26．3％，能与抗FMDV抗体发生特异性反应，融合蛋白以包涵体和可溶形式存在。抽提融合蛋白的包涵体，经过洗涤后制成油乳荆疫苗，经皮下注射免疫豚鼠，用乳鼠中和试验测定豚鼠血清中和指数，并用口蹄疫病毒对豚鼠进行攻毒。结果表明，用此融合蛋白的包涵体免疫豚鼠能诱导产生中和抗体，并对病毒的攻击提供免疫保护。     

以番鸭呼肠孤病毒σC表达蛋白为抗原的ELISA检测方法的建立

将鸭呼肠孤病毒小外壳dC蛋白编码基因克隆于原核表达栽体pET32a上，经EcoRⅠ和SacⅠ双酶切鉴定及序列分析，获得了重组质粒pET32a-σC，转化DH5a大肠埃希氏菌感受态细胞后，经SDS—PAGE和Western—blotting分析，融合蛋白能够与番鸭呼肠孤病毒感染康复鸭血清发生特异反应；以0．15mmol／L IPTG诱导，5h后融合蛋白σC表达量可达高峰，分子质量为50ku；融合蛋白纯化后被用作包被抗原，建立了检测鸭血清中呼肠孤病毒抗体的间接ELISA，经对检测条件优化，最佳包被浓度为5μg／mL，标准阳性血清的最适稀释倍数为1：40。用该方法对50份鸭血清样品进行了检测，与琼脂扩散抗体检测法相比，ELISA具有良好的特异性和敏感性。     

非洲猪瘟病毒结构蛋白p54的优化表达及间接ELISA抗体检测方法的建立

为了实现非洲猪瘟病毒(Africanswinefevervirus,ASFV)p54基因在大肠杆菌中的高效表达，同时建立以ASFV-p54重组蛋白为抗原的间接ELISA抗体检测方法，本试验根据Gen Bank(序列号：NC＿044943.1)公布的ASFV p54的基因序列，设计一对特异性引物，扩增构建p GEX-6P-1-p54原核表达质粒，在大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)菌株中进行复制，经IPTG诱导表达，对重组蛋白利用SDS-PAGE分析和免疫印迹鉴定正确后，进行表达条件优化，并纯化重组蛋白。随后用ASFV-p54重组蛋白为包被抗原，通过条件优化、特异性试验、敏感性试验和重复性试验，建立一种稳定的血清ASFV抗体检测方法。结果显示，ASFV p54基因成功克隆到p GEX-6P-1原核表达载体中，得到p GEX-6P-1-p54原核表达质粒；转化E. coli菌株BL21(DE3)中，经诱导表达得到重组蛋白，大小为46k Da；成功建立测定ASFV抗体的间接ELISA方法，优化后确定最佳包被浓度为1.2μg/mL，待检血清最佳稀释倍数1∶100，最佳封闭液为1%BSA，酶标抗体最佳稀...     

非洲猪瘟病毒p30基因的原核表达及间接ELISA抗体检测方法的建立

为建立检测血清中非洲猪瘟病毒(African swine fever virus,ASFV)抗体的间接ELISA方法,本试验将ASFVp30基因进行原核表达,采用SDS-PAGE和Western blotting方法对重组蛋白进行表达鉴定和免疫原性分析,随后以纯化的重组蛋白为包被抗原,经条件优化、特异性试验、敏感性试验和重复性试验,建立一种血清中ASFV抗体的检测方法。结果显示,ASFVp30基因成功克隆到原核表达载体pET-32a(+)中,获得pET-32a-p30重组质粒;转化大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)感受态细胞进行诱导表达,得到P30重组蛋白,重组蛋白大小约为42ku,主要以包涵体形式存在;Western blotting结果显示,纯化后的蛋白具有良好的免疫原性;以纯化的P30重组蛋白为包被抗原,建立了检测ASFV抗体的间接ELISA方法,通过方阵试验对间接ELISA方法进行优化,最终确定了抗原最佳包被浓度为1.2μg/mL,待检血清最佳稀释倍数为1∶100,最佳封闭液为1%BSA,酶标抗体最佳稀释度为1∶4 000,以此建立的ASFV间接ELISA方法临界值为0.322。本方法仅与ASFV阳性血清发生特异性反应,与猪瘟病毒、猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒、口蹄疫病毒、伪狂犬病病毒、猪圆环病毒2型及猪流行性腹泻病毒阳性血清均无交叉反应,具有较强的特异性。该方法检测ASFV阳性血清灵敏度可达到1∶1 600;批内重复性和批间重复性变异系数均10%。本试验建立的间接ELISA方法具有良好的特异性、灵敏度和重复性,可初步应用于ASFV抗体的检测。     

间接ELISA检测犬瘟热血清抗体方法的建立

以重组表达的犬瘟热病毒融合蛋白(fusion protein,F)作为包被抗原,建立了检测犬瘟热病毒血清抗体的间接ELISA方法。所建立的间接ELISA抗原包被浓度为125ng/孔,血清最佳稀释度为1∶160。经阻断试验、重复性试验等表明该方法特异性强、重复性较好,可用于犬瘟热血清抗体的定量和定性检测。     

柔嫩艾美球虫间接ELISA检测方法的建立

将已构建的原核表达载体pET—Mzp5—7在大肠埃希氏菌中诱导表达，以融合重组蛋白为包被抗原，以HRP标记的鼠抗鸡IgG为二抗，建立了检测柔嫩艾美球虫抗体的间接ELISA方法。经筛选，该方法的最佳反应条件是：AMzp5-7重组蛋白最佳包被量为1．0μg／孔，100mL／L胎牛血清封闭，二抗的最佳工作浓度为1：160，用正常大肠埃希氏菌裂解上清液稀释待检血清。结果表明，建立的间接ELISA方法可用于监测柔嫩艾美球虫抗体，且具有快速、简便、成本低等优点。     

基于狂犬病病毒重组蛋白的ELISA检测方法比较研究

原核表达狂犬病病毒的基质蛋白(M),并以此作为包被抗原建立间接ELISA检测方法,与以狂犬病病毒磷蛋白(P)作为包被抗原建立的间接ELISA方法进行比较。根据GenBank中公布的狂犬病病毒LEP-Flury株M基因序列设计特异性引物并引入SmaⅠ和NotⅠ酶切位点,经RT-PCR扩增得到目的基因,连接pCR 2.1载体,构建重组质粒pCR-RV-M,重组质粒用SmaⅠ和NotⅠ进行双酶切,酶切产物定向克隆至原核表达载体pGEX-6P-1中,构建重组表达载体pGEX-RV-M。将重组表达载体转化E.coli BL21(DE3)感受态细胞,使用IPTG诱导表达目的蛋白,SDS-PAGE分析表明蛋白表达量较大,且主要以可溶性的形式表达。亲和层析纯化目的蛋白,Westernblot表明融合蛋白具有良好的反应原性,使用纯化的融合蛋白作为包被抗原建立了间接ELISA方法并检测了95份血清,同时使用带有His标签的重组狂犬病病毒磷蛋白P(RV-His-P)建立的ELISA方法和商品化的ELISA试剂盒检测该血清。结果表明:与商品化的以全病毒作为包被抗原的ELISA检测试剂盒相比,使用重组P蛋白作为包被抗原建立的间接ELISA检测方法具有更高的符合率,能够代替全病毒作为诊断抗原建立检测方法。     

口蹄疫病毒特异性抗体间接ELISA检测方法的建立

以Chap10-VP1融合蛋白为包被抗原。建立了检测口蹄疫病毒特异性抗的间接ELISA方法。抗原包被浓度为50μg／L时。血清最佳稀释度为1：400，病毒与阳性血清的反应可被Chap10-VP1蛋白阻断，检测的灵敏度为1：1600。     

利用IBV重组N蛋白建立ELISA抗体检测试剂盒的研究

利用表达鸡传染性支气管炎病毒Gray株N蛋白的基因工程重组菌，表达IBV—N蛋白，并利用表达载体上带有组氨酸标记的特点，应用金属螯合填料将其纯化。用纯化的IBV—N蛋白作为包被抗原，成功地建立了一种检测血清中IBV抗体的间接ELISA方法。确定抗原最佳包被浓度为0．58μg／ml；被检血清的最佳稀释度为1：100；酶标二抗的工作浓度为1：1000。确定了血清样品阴、阳性临界0D值为0．14。与IDEXX公司IBV抗体检测试剂盒比较，结果表明自建ELISA试剂盒具有较高的敏感性和特异性。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.