结核分枝杆菌相关非编码RNA研究进展

结核分枝杆菌引起的结核病仍然是全球危害最严重的疾病之一,由于结核分枝杆菌耐药性增强和艾滋病蔓延,结核病又有卷土重来之势。非编码RNA(non-coding RNA,nc RNA)具有基因调控作用。结核分枝杆菌相关的非编码RNA分为细菌体内的s RNA(small RNA)和宿主体内的非编码RNA两大类,其中现已发现结核分枝杆菌内有5’和3’端非编码RNA、反义转录产物、基因间s RNA等多种nc RNA,其多以与靶基因碱基互补影响靶基因表达。宿主细胞内有微小RNA和长非编码RNA,这两类非编码RNA功能与作用机制不尽相同。微小RNA作用机制与细菌内s RNA类似,其中mi R-155等是研究的热点;长非编码RNA的研究才刚刚兴起,其功能比微小RNA更加广泛,将会成为未来的热门研究领域。研究这两大类非编码RNA对于理解结核分枝杆菌在宿主细胞中的存活机制及致病机理以帮助研发新型疫苗、药物诊断方法等有着非常重要的意义。     

家禽业中的革新生物技术

对鸡基因组序列草图的分析为研究鸡RNA提供了有价值的信息.分析所有脊椎动物基因组后发现鸡体内能转录大量非蛋白编码RNAs(ncRNA).目前已发现这其中的一组小RNA在发育和细胞功能上扮演着关键的角色.所有的真核生物中都发现有微小RNA(miRNAs).在多细胞动物体内,有大量的证据表明微小RNA在正常发育过程中起着关键作用.它们通过在细胞质中的RNA干扰过程在细胞内发挥作用.     

核糖体内部进入位点介导的翻译起始机制研究进展

真核生物mRNA翻译起始是依赖于帽状结构的。但是一些病毒的自身蛋白合成的起始依赖非帽状结构,这一特点有利于病毒摆脱宿主细胞翻译起始机制对其在细胞内复制的限制。它们利用一种末端为核糖体内部进入位点(IRES)的结构RNA来招募40S和60S核糖亚基组装成不同于帽状结构介导的成熟的核糖体来进行相关病毒蛋白的翻译。IRES元件由一些可以招募翻译因子并作用于mRNA末端的顺式作用元件构成。IRES早在20年前已被发现,但是仅在近几年研究者利用Ⅲ型和Ⅳ型IRES的模型对其进行了相关研究,使人们了解了RNA的二级结构如何控制并操纵核糖体对翻译的起始。     

MicroRNA的生物学功能及其与肿瘤诊断和治疗的研究进展

MicroRNA(miRNA)是一类真核生物中长度为19~25个核苷酸的非编码小RNA分子,具有高度的保守性。miRNA在生物体内普遍存在,与mRNA不完全互补结合使真核生物体内mRNA降解或抑制其翻译,使其在转录后水平调控基因的表达。近年来已发现了大量的miRNA分子,它们在序列、结构、表达及功能等方面都不同程度地表现出了多样性,在生命活动中起着重要作用,与基因表达、生长、发育和行为等都密切相关。miRNA作用机制的深入研究对疾病的诊断、治疗和预后以及基因药物、肿瘤的研究都有十分重要的意义。miRNA领域的研究已成为热点,学术界正围绕着miRNA靶基因的分离和miRNA真实的生物功能展开深入的研究。其中,miRNA与肿瘤的发生和发展的关系十分密切。论文对miRNA的生物学功能及其与肿瘤诊断、治疗、预后的临床应用进行综述。     

蜱MicroRNA研究进展

蜱是一类专门寄生于脊椎动物的体表寄生虫,是继蚊子之后的第二大传播媒介。它们传播多种疫病,不仅给畜牧业造成极大的经济损失,而且还引起人类发生疾病甚至死亡。MicroRNA(简称miRNA)是18nt~25nt的非编码小RNA,具有组织特异性和阶段特异性的特点。miRNA作用于靶基因的3′端非翻译区以抑制其表达或者降解mRNA,进而在后转录水平发挥着重要的生物学调控作用,如生长发育和先天性免疫等。有研究显示,miRNA可能调控幼蜱的生长发育,并对蜱虫吸血和血液消化有一定的作用。论文综述了miRNA在蜱体内的研究概况及其生物学功能的研究进展,以期为蜱的研究提供参考。     

microRNA let-7调控动物个体发育的研究进展

microRNA(miRNA)是一类广泛存在于多细胞动物中的进化保守的大小为18~25nt的非编码小分子RNA,可以通过与靶基因mRNA的非编码区(3′UTR)结合导致mRNA降解,或阻断mRNA翻译而调节基因表达。let-7是在线虫中发现的具有转录后调节功能的小分子RNA,具有高度的保守性,研究发现,let-7参与动物个体多个器官组织的发育过程。作者综述了近年来let-7参与调控脑、神经系统、心肺系统和肌肉发育等组织器官的研究成果,初步阐述了let-7调控组织器官发育的作用机制,以期为进一步探索let-7在动物体内的功能奠定基础。     

miRNA及其研究进展

近年在有机体内发现了一组不同于s iRNA但却与其存在一定联系性的微小RNA分子。这些小RNA被称为微小RNA(m icro-RNA s,即m iRNA s),是一类长约为21~23个核苷酸序列的内源性编码单链RNA。它们在动植物体的特定组织和发育的特异阶段表达,是基因表达的转录后调节因子。它们代表了一类新的发现,一类隐藏的基因调节因子,有关m iRNA的发现、它们作用的目标RNA、作用机制和研究方法引起研究者的广泛兴趣。作者综述了近来关于m iRNA的特点、作用机制和研究现状等方面的研究进展。     

microRNA与胎盘发育关系的研究进展

microRNA (miRNA)是一类大小约22 nt的内源性非编码RNA,它们通过剪切靶基因的转录产物或抑制靶基因转录产物的翻译,在转录后起到调控靶基因表达的作用。大量研究结果表明,动物体内的miRNA参与了胚胎的早期发育、脑和神经发育、心脏发育、肌肉及骨骼发育等动物发育的各个方面。已有证据表明,一些miRNA在胎盘中特异表达,在胎盘的正常发育过程中起到了重要作用。作者对参与胎盘发育的miRNAs进行了综述。     

长链非编码RNA的调控机制及其在家畜中的预测方法

长链非编码RNA（long noncoding RNA,lncRNA）是一类转录本长度超过200个核苷酸,不参与蛋白编码的功能性RNA分子,直接以RNA形式在表观遗传水平、转录水平、转录后水平、翻译水平和翻译后水平调控基因的表达,在家畜体内的各种生物学过程中起重要作用。作者对长链非编码RNA的来源、分类和结构特征、实现生物学功能的4种分子调控机制（信号分子、诱饵分子、引导分子、支架分子）、调控基因表达的5个层面及采用高通量RNA测序技术分析测序数据和预测家畜lncRNA的方法进行了综述,为合理地研究家畜的lncRNA提供基础。家畜lncRNA预测方法主要包括深度测序、转录组重建、新转录本预测、lncRNA识别4个部分,在lncRNA识别阶段,作者所在研究团队前期采用将蛋白质编码潜能评估工具CPAT（coding potential assessment tool）和在线的序列编码能力预测工具CPC（coding potential calculator）结合取交集的方法,较好地从预测得到的大量的候选转录本中快速排除具蛋白编码能力的转录本,预测获得68 604条内蒙古绒山羊的皮肤组织lncRNA,丰富了NONCODE数据库中羊lncRNA转录本的基础数据。     

反义长链非编码RNA调控机制及其在畜禽生理过程中的作用研究进展

反义长链非编码RNA是一类新型的长链非编码RNA(long non-coding RNA,lncRNA)，约占总lncRNA的40%，在真核生物体内广泛存在。反义lncRNA主要通过顺式或反式作用方式作用于其正义基因或其他基因。反义lncRNA几乎在机体所有调控水平上都发挥作用，广泛参与畜禽生长发育、繁殖及疾病与免疫等生理过程。本文对反义lncRNA的类型、调控机制及其在畜禽生理过程中的作用研究进展进行综述，为反义lncRNA的鉴定及功能研究提供依据和参考。     

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.     

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.     

Evaluation of biohydrogenation rate of canola vs. soya bean seeds as unsaturated fatty acids sources for ruminants in situ

An experiment was conducted to study disappearance of C14 to C18 fatty acids, lag times and biohydrogenation (BH) rates of C18 fatty acids of ground soya bean and canola seeds in situ. Three ruminally fistulated Dallagh sheep were used to determine ruminal BH of unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs). Differences in the disappearance of fatty acids through the bags and lag times were observed between the oilseeds. We saw that the longer the incubation time of the oilseeds in the rumen, the lower the content of C18:2 and C18:3. Significantly higher lag times for both C18:2 and C18:3 were observed in ground canola compared to ground soya bean. BH rates of C18:2 and C18:3 fatty acids in soya bean were three times higher than those of canola. These results suggest that the fatty acid profile of fat source can affect the BH of UFAs by rumen micro‐organisms. So that UFAs of canola had higher ability to escape from ruminal BH. It seems that fatty acid profile of ruminant products is more affected by canola seed compared to soya bean seed.