Anatomopathological aspects of avian aspergillosis

Aspergillosis is a fungal disease caused by fungi of the genus Aspergillus, in particular A. fumigatus and A. flavus. This paper focuses on anatomopathological aspects resulting from a chronic infection from Aspergillus spp in the chicken (Gallus domesticus), in the herring gull (Larus cachinnans micaelli) and in the red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa rufa). Microscopically, we observed some histological lesions that are related to the two typical forms of Aspergillosis: a deep nodular form, typical of organs with a non-aerated parenchyma, and a non-encapsulated superficial diffuse form typical of the serosae and the lung. The observed forms of aspergillosis have been found in animals raised in poor hygienic environmental conditions or malnourished animals (chicken); in wild birds from wildlife recovery centres (herring gull), which underwent some forms of stress, such as traumas, detention, starvation, extended antibiotic treatments; in game birds (red-legged partridge) used for restocking natural areas that had been negatively affected by such stressors as captivity in aviaries, containment and transport in cages, release in unsuitable environments and malnutrition. The observed anatomopathological and istopathological aspects can therefore be regarded as the outcome of a number of factors that have reduced the typical resistance of the species and impaired the efficiency of their immune systems.     

Emesis in birds

Comparative studies of emesis in the herring gull, pigeon, chicken, and cowbird were conducted, using orally administered copper sulfate and intravenously administered copper sulfate, hydergine, apomorphine, and lanatoside C. A response to every emetic was elicited from some birds. However, the individual and species differences among the birds were as great as those among mammals. Further, the response of the avian species studied did not indicate that any of them could be used to predict how a specific mammal would react. The differences in response to the emetics by the birds do not offer any simple pattern related to feeding behavior.     

Cloning of PRL and VIP cDNAs of the Java sparrow (Padda oryzivora)

Complementary DNA (cDNA) of prolactin (PRL) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) of the Java sparrow were cloned and sequenced. The proximal region of the PRL promoter was also identified. Java sparrow PRL was found to have 88.3, 88.3, and 89.1% sequence identity at the cDNA level to PRL of chicken, turkey, and duck, respectively. The predicted amino acid sequence had an overall similarity with a comparable region of chicken (91.4%), turkey (88.9%) and duck (92.0%) PRL. Based on the cDNA sequence and genomic structure of the chicken PRL gene, the proximal promoter was characterized. Sequence analysis of the proximal region of Java sparrow PRL promoter revealed a high degree of similarity to that of chicken, turkey and duck PRL promoters. Moreover, cDNA of prepro-VIP was also cloned and sequenced. Java sparrow prepro-VIP shows high similarity to chicken and turkey prepro-VIP. However, the region upstream of the 5' untranslated region of Java sparrow prepro-VIP did not show similarity to that of chicken. These results suggest that the mechanisms, which regulate expression of the VIP gene, may be different between precocial and altricial birds, but expression of the PRL gene may be widely conserved in avian species.     

Residues of DDE and PCB in eggs from herrring gull (Larus argentatus) and common gull (Larus canus) in Norway

In 1969 294 eggs from herring gull were collected from eight different localities in Norway. The eggshell thicknesses were measured, and 10 eggs from each locality were analysed by gas liquid chromatography for organochlorine insecticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PGB).Residues of DDE were demonstrated in all eggs, the concentrations varying from 0.2 to 5.4 p.p.m. in herring gull, and from 0.2 to 3.5 p.p.m. in common gull. DDT occurred only in four eggs from herring gull and then only in concentrations of from 0.1 to 0.3 p.p.m. Other organochlorine insecticides were not detected. Residues of PGB were found in all eggs from herring gull in concentrations of from 0.2 to 3.8 p.p.m. PGB 10, and in six out of nine eggs from common gull, from trace to 0.8 p.p.m. PGB 10.The analysed material showed a positive correlation between amounts present of DDE and of PGB.There was a significant difference between localities concerning the contents of DDE and PGB in eggs from herring gull. This variance may be taken into consideration by using the herring gull as an indicator organism, since this bird, especially in the northern part of Norway, is migratory.The residue concentrations of DDE and PGB were markedly higher in eggs from herring gull than in eggs from common gull. It is suggested that this may be related to the difference between these species in their feeding habits.The residues of organochlorines demonstrated in this investigation do not seem to have had any effect on eggshell thickness in herring gull.     

Molecular cloning and characterization analysis of immunoglobulin M heavy chain gene in European eel (Anguilla anguilla)

In this study, the immunoglobulin M heavy chain gene of European eel (Anguilla anguilla) was cloned and analyzed. The full-length cDNA of the IgM heavy chain gene (GenBank accession no. EF062515) has 2089 nucleotides encoding a putative protein of 581 amino acids. The IgM heavy chain was composed of leader peptide (L), variable domain (VH), CH1, CH2, Hinge, CH3, CH4, and C-terminus and two novel continuous putative N-glycosylation sites were found close to the second cysteine of CH3 in A. anguilla-H1 and A. anguilla-H2. The deduced amino acid sequence of the European eel IgM heavy chain constant region shared similarities to that of the Ladyfish (Elops saurus), Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), Grass carp (Ctenopharingodon idella), Common carp (Cyprinus carpio), Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), and the orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides) with the identity of 46.1%, 39.7%, 38.9%, 32.4%, 32.3%, 31.7%, and 30.7%, respectively. The highest level of IgM gene expression was observed in the kidney, followed by the spleen, gills, liver, muscle and heart in the apparently healthy European eels.     

嗜温气单胞菌的鉴定及其外膜蛋白型研究

从病鳖、鳗鱼体内分离到2株嗜温气单胞菌(TAh-3、EAs-1),经形态学观察、生理生化特性等鉴定,确定TAh-3为嗜水气单胞菌,EAs-1为温和气单胞菌。动物感染试验结果表明,TAh-3株为致病性嗜水气单胞菌,对鲫鱼的致死率100%,EAs-1株为非致病性温和气单胞菌。SDS-PAGE电泳结果显示,TAh-3株外膜蛋白(OMPs)型由7条蛋白带组成,其中1条主带大小为40.0kDa;EAs-1株OMPs型由8条蛋白带组成,其中2条主带大小为38.0kDa、45.0kDa。     

韩国乌龟（Mauremys reevesii）的分布及季节性移动距离研究

为确定韩国乌龟（Mauremys reevesii）的地理分布及生境状况,作者采用活捕和直接观察法全面调查了韩国所有国家公园及其附近地区,同时,在全罗南道求礼郡利用无线电发射器跟踪法研究测定了乌龟的家域。研究结果显示,在韩国共有60处观察到乌龟的分布,且多集中在韩国的南半部;最大季节性移动距离达196 m,在统计学上未出现个体间差异,但实际测量距离仍可发现较大差异;在韩国乌龟的家域确定为2.8-6.1 hm^2之间。     

鸡SGOL2基因的克隆测序和表达分析

本研究通过对前期研究得到的候选鸟类卵巢特异表达基因LOC100857982进行克隆测序和表达分析,检验该基因是否在成年母鸡卵巢高度特异表达并对其功能进行初步分析,为进一步揭示卵巢的生长发育和成熟机制奠定理论基础。本研究采用RACE方法克隆出LOC100857982的cDNA全长,并进一步分析了该基因的序列,利用qRT-PCR方法对该基因进行表达分析。结果表明:LOC100857982的cDNA全长为1 306 bp;比对序列分析发现该基因是鸡SGOL2基因;系统进化树分析表明该基因与非洲爪蛙的遗传距离最近,符合基本的进化规律。qPCR结果显示该基因在25周龄白来航母鸡的卵巢中过表达。本研究表明鸡SGOL2基因是卵巢组织的特异表达基因。结合序列分析和表达分析,本研究推测该基因对母鸡的开产具有重要的作用。本研究还表明了实际克隆测序全长cDNA对基因功能研究的重要性,即使在高质量的鸡基因组中,Ensembl预测基因仍然有很多缺陷,从而导致以此为基础的一些生物学推断发生错误。     

三黄鸡ST3Gal6基因的半定量RT-PCR及生物信息学分析

本研究旨在对三黄鸡ST3Gal6基因进行组织表达谱和生物信息学分析。参考三黄鸡ST3Gal6基因序列设计引物,采用PCR技术克隆三黄鸡ST3Gal6基因序列,并利用半定量RT-PCR进行组织表达谱分析;同时对其进行生物信息学分析。结果表明,克隆的三黄鸡ST3Gal6基因全长1169 bp,含有1059 bp的完整CDS编码区,编码352个氨基酸。其CDS编码区的核苷酸序列与人、黑猩猩、牛、大鼠、蟾ST3Gal6基因对应序列的同源性分别为62%、62%、61.9%、59%、54.4%。组织表达谱分析表明,ST3Gal6基因在各组织均不同程度地表达,其中在大脑表达量很高,肺脏中最低。生物信息学预测ST3Gal6蛋白结构发现,三黄鸡的ST3Gal6蛋白存在2个跨膜螺旋结构域,同时预测ST3Gal6存在22个磷酸化位点和1个特异性蛋白激酶磷酸化位点。     

北京鸭β-catenin基因cDNA的克隆和生物信息学分析

试验探讨了北京鸭β-catenin基因的生物学功能,为进一步研究该基因对鸭皮肤毛囊的影响奠定基础。以北京鸭胚胎皮肤组织为材料,根据GenBank中发表的鸡、鹅等物种的β-catenin基因序列,设计并合成4对引物,采用RT-PCR方法,克隆北京鸭β-catenincDNA,并运用DNAMAN软件及在线工具对所得到的序列进行生物信息学分析。结果表明:北京鸭β-catenin基因cDNA长度为2996bp(Genbank登录号为FJ169885),包含由2346个碱基组成的编码区(CDs),有起始密码子ATG和终止密码子TAA,编码781个氨基酸;北京鸭β-catenin基因核苷酸序列与鸡、鹅、中华鳖、人和家猪相应区段(CDs)的同源性分别为95.06%、94.12%、90.11%、84.83%、84.31%;其氨基酸序列与鸡、鹅、中华鳖、猪、人的氨基酸同源性达99%以上,表明在进化关系上,β-catenin氨基酸序列有很高的保守性。     

Pilot study of antimicrobial-resistant Escherichia coli in herring gulls (Larus argentatus) and wastewater in the northeastern United States

Wildlife may be an important reservoir of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and resistance genes. In this pilot study, the prevalence and patterns of antimicrobial resistance in Escherichia coli cultured from wild herring gull (Larus argentatus) feces and human wastewater at Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA, was compared. Antimicrobial susceptibility was tested using Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion with seven antimicrobial agents. A high proportion of antimicrobial agent-resistant E. coli isolates (59.2%) were detected in wastewater samples compared with a lower prevalence of 17.5% in gull feces. In addition, there was a large proportion of isolates with intermediate susceptibility (93.0%) in gull feces. Although similar resistance patterns and shared resistance genes suggest possible wastewater contamination of the local environment, the relatively low frequency of resistance and high prevalence of intermediate susceptibility detected in E. coli cultured from gull feces depict a complex model of antimicrobial resistance among E. coli strains of wildlife origin.     

鲤鱼外周血白细胞TLR5M全长cDNA克隆及序列分析

本试验以鲤鱼TLR5M的EST序列为基础进行5'-RACE试验,获得了其cDNA的全长序列。结果表明,该序列共3182 bp,包含38 bp的5'端非编码区,486 bp的3'端非编码区,1个2658 bp的开放阅读框(ORF),共编码885个氨基酸。序列同源性比对结果表明,该序列与麦瑞加拉鲮鱼TLR5基因同源性高达84.46%。     

Cloning and sequence analysis of the complementary DNA for feline preproparathyroid hormone

OBJECTIVES: To clone and sequence the cDNA for feline preproparathyroid hormone (preproPTH) and to compare that sequence with other known parathyroid hormone (PTH) sequences. SAMPLE POPULATION: Parathyroid glands from 1 healthy cat. PROCEDURES: A cDNA library was constructed in lambda phage from feline parathyroid gland mRNA and screened with a radiolabeled canine PTH probe. Positive clones were sequenced, and nucleic acid and deduced amino acid sequences were analyzed and compared with known preproPTH and PTH sequences. RESULTS: Screening of approximately 2 X 10(5) recombinant plaques revealed 3 that hybridized with the canine PTH probe; 2 clones comprised the complete sequence for feline preproPTH. Feline preproPTH cDNA consisted of a 63-base pair (bp) 5'-untranslated region (UTR), a 348-bp coding region, and a 326-bp 3'-UTR. The coding region encoded a 115-amino acid peptide. Mature feline PTH consisted of 84 amino acids. Amino acid sequence analysis revealed that feline PTH was > 83% identical to canine, bovine, swine, equine, human, and macaque PTH and 69, 71, and 44% identical to mouse, rat, and chicken PTH, respectively. Within the region responsible for hormonal activity (amino acids 1 to 34), feline PTH was > 79% identical to other mammalian PTH sequences and 64% identical to the chicken sequence. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The amino acid sequence of PTH is conserved among mammalian species. Knowledge of the cDNA sequence for feline PTH may be useful to investigate disturbances of calcium metabolism and alterations in PTH expression in cats.     

Nutrition of aquaculture species.

Dietary requirements for amino acids and fatty acids have been reported for channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), salmonids (Oncorhynchus spp.), common carp (Cyprinus carpio), tilapias (Oreochromis spp.), and eel (Anguilla japonicus). Most of the vitamin and mineral requirements are available for channel catfish and salmonids, and some are available for common carp, tilapia, eel, and other finfish and crustaceans. From this available information, cost-effective feeds can be formulated for the major commercial aquaculture species. Major differences in nutrient requirements between fish and mammals or birds are as follows: fish have a lower digestible energy:protein ratio (8 to 10 kcal of DE/g of CP for fish vs 15 to 20 kcal of DE/g of CP for livestock); fish require n-3 fatty acids and land animals require n-6; fish can absorb minerals from the water, which negates the need for some minerals in the diet; and fish have limited ability to synthesize vitamin C and must depend on a dietary source. Areas for further research include 1) refinement of nutrient requirements of the major culture species considering effects of fish size, temperature, and management; 2) nutrient requirements of crustaceans; 3) effects of nutrition on fish health and product quality; and 4) feeding technology.     

The occurrence of Cryptococcus neoformans in fecal samples from birds kept in human living areas]

With help of Guizotia creatinine agar (syn. bird seed agar) Cryptococcus (Cr.) neoformans var. neoformans was isolated from 71 (7.7%) of 925 investigated droppings of birds kept within human living area. Cr. neoformans was detected in droppings of 1.2% from 164 psittacines, in droppings of 1.7% from 118 budgerigars and in droppings of 18.4% from (carrier) pigeons. This yeast was not isolated from droppings of 13 small parrots, 10 eclectus parrots, 13 rosellas, 21 cockatiels, 6 Polytelidus sp., 32 Cacatua sp., 13 Carduelis sp., 5 waxbills, 5 starlings, 120 chicken, 9 turkeys, 2 geese, 2 Turdus sp., 1 duck and 1 gull.