Diagnosis of dehydratase inhibitors in melanin biosynthesis inhibitor (MBI-D) resistance by primer-introduced restriction enzyme analysis in scytalone dehydratase gene of Magnaporthe grisea

We have established a simple diagnosis method for rice blast fungus resistant to MBI-D. This involves the preparation of PCR templates directly from the lesions in combination with primer-introduced restriction enzyme analysis PCR (PIRA-PCR).     

Benefits of prophylactic gastropexy for dogs at risk of gastric dilatation-volvulus

The lifetime probability of death from gastric dilation–volvulus (GDV) for five dog breeds was estimated based on published breed-specific longevity and GDV incidence. These breeds were Great Dane, Irish Setter, Rottweiler, Standard Poodle and Weimaraner. Lifetime risk (95% CI) of GDV in these breeds ranged from 3.9% (0–11.2%) for Rottweiler to 36.7% (25.2–44.6%) for Great Dane.

A decision-tree analysis for prophylactic gastropexy—using lifetime probability of death from GDV and expected cost savings for veterinary services as outcome measures—was undertaken to determine the preferred course of action in several dog breeds. Prophylactic gastropexy was the preferred choice of action for all breeds examined, with the reduction in mortality (versus no gastropexy) ranging from 2.2-fold (Rottweiler) to 29.6-fold (Great Dane). Assuming a prophylactic gastropexy costs US$ 400, the procedure was cost-effective when the lifetime risk of GDV was ≥34%. The maximum and minimum estimated breakeven costs for the gastopexy procedure ranged from US$ 20 (Rottweiler) to US$ 435 (Great Dane). The cost-effectiveness of prophylactic gastropexy was most sensitive to the cost of treating GDV (US$ 1500). Prophylactic gastropexy raises ethical issues that need to be considered by veterinarians and dog breeders.     

微卫星标记与丝羽乌骨鸡产蛋性能的关系研究

从鸡的遗传图谱中选择9个与产蛋性能相关的微卫星基因座,对在产蛋性能上有明显差异的丝羽乌骨鸡个体共170只进行标记基因型与产蛋性状的最小二乘分析,结果表明：有4个标记G31913、X82867、Z95315、G01672与丝羽乌骨鸡的4个月连产蛋量、开产蛋重及500日龄产蛋量间存在显著的关系。标记G31913中基因型AB所对应的开产体重最小二乘均值与其它基因型的对应值间的差异达显著或极显著,开产蛋重间无显著差异。标记Z95315的基因型CC所对应开产蛋重、开产体重最小二乘均值最高,并且均显著高于其余8种基因型所对应的开产蛋重、开产体重最小二乘均值。标记G01672基因型为EE、AE所对应开产蛋重最小二乘均值与基因型为CE、CC的对应值间差异显著;等位基因E与开产蛋重有显著正相关,等位基因C与开产蛋重有显著负相关。标记X82867基因型CD所对应500日龄产蛋量最小二乘均值显著低于AB型,4个月连产蛋量、300日龄产蛋量也低于基因型为AB个体。研究表明,标记G31913的基因型AB和标记Z95315的基因型CC有望作为开产蛋重、开产体重早期选择的辅助标记。     

Phylogenetic Analysis of Field Isolates of Feline Calcivirus (FCV) in Japan by Sequencing Part of Its Capsid Gene

The molecular epidemiology of the infectious disease caused by feline calcivirus (FCV) in Japan was investigated by analysing the phylogenetic relationship among 21 Japanese field isolates, including the F4 strain, and 30 global isolates. Parts of the capsid gene (B–F) of the isolates were amplified by RT-PCR, and the amino acid sequences were compared with those from the global isolates. Thirty-seven and 14 out of a total of 51 isolates were clustered into two distinct genogroups, I and II respectively, by UPGMA and NJ analysis. Seven of the 21 Japanese isolates (33%) fell into group I together with 30 global isolates, while the other 14 Japanese isolates (67%) belonged to group II. The bootstrap repetition analysis of groups I and II formed by the NJ method gave a value of 99.0%. The 14 latter Japanese isolates were clearly separated from the isolates in group I, and they were different from any previously known FCV, forming a new genogroup, which implies that this lineage has been confined to Japan. Comparing the amino acid sequences shared by groups I and II, the amino acid at position 377 in B region was asparagine (Asn or Asp (NH₂)) in group I, while it was lysine (Lys) in all the strains in group II. Similarly, the amino acid at position 539 in the F region was alanine (Ala) or proline (Pro) in group I, while it was valine (Val) in group II; glycine (Gly) at position 557 in group I was serine (Ser) in Group II; and phenylalanine (Phe) or leucine (Leu) at position 566 in genogroup I was tyrosine (Tyr) in group II.     

“荧光”蚕品种雌雄荧光色素的定性及相对量分析

用高效液相色谱分析和纸上色层分析法 ,对家蚕“荧光”品种雌雄幼虫和茧层的荧光色素进行了定性和相对量分析。结果表明 :构成雌雄茧层荧光色素的种类无显著差异 ,雌雄茧荧光色不同的原因是组成茧荧光色的各种荧光色素相对量不同 ;茧层中的一种Rf值为 0 77的黄荧光色素 ,在熟蚕丝腺中没有检出 ,说明营茧过程中有新的荧光物质形成或有较大的变化 ;5龄幼虫不同发育时期 ,雌雄各荧光色素的相对量不同 ,以荧光黄色素为例 ,雄性随日龄的增加其相对量不断增加 ,而雌性则以 5龄 96h为最高 ,其后逐渐下降 ;雌性幼虫肠壁组织中的Rf值为0 19和 0 5 9的两种明黄色荧光色素 ,雄性幼虫和雌性幼虫的其它组织中没有检出 ,说明雌雄幼虫在色素代谢上也存在差异     

Comparison of nuclear morphometric parameters in cytologic smears and histologic sections of spontaneous canine tumors

Background — Nuclear morphometry may provide useful diagnostic and prognostic information for neoplasms in animals. Most available data have been obtained from histologic sections. Nuclear morphometry of cytologic smears may provide important pre-operative information.
Objectives — The goal of this study was to compare nuclear morphometric parameters in cytologic smears and histologic sections from spontaneous canine tumors.
Methods — Mean nuclear area (MNA), mean nuclear perimeter (MNP), mean nuclear form factor (FF; nuclear perimeter²/4π nuclear area) and their respective SDs were assessed by image analysis of both hematoxylin and eosin-stained histologic sections and May-Grünwald-Giemsa-stained cytologic smears from the same case in 20 spontaneous canine tumors of different histogenesis. The above parameters were selected as being the best morphometric tools for measuring variation in shape and size in cells after neoplastic transformation. Data were compared by ANOVA with P<.01 considered significant.
Results — There was a significant difference between histologic and cytologic specimens for MNA, MNP, and their SDs. Only the differences between FF and the SD of FF were not statistically significant.
Conclusions — Only nuclear morphometric data related to nuclear shape and nuclear shape variability are comparable between histologic and cytologic specimens. Nuclear area and perimeter may be affected by the different fixation and smear preparation techniques used in histology and cytology.     

Flow cytometry: clinical applications in equine medicine

The use of flow cytometry in veterinary diagnostics is becoming a valuable clinical tool with a broad range of applications. Physical characteristics of cells can be determined by the flow cytometer laser and electronics through the measurement of changes in light scatter properties. Other components and functions of cells can be defined through the application of fluorochrome dyes that have an affinity for cellular components. Traditionally, common clinical applications are immunophenotyping of cells of the hematopoietic system with fluorescent-labeled antibodies raised against specific cell surface proteins. Other approaches have been used to elucidate changes in cell function and DNA content. This review is intended to provide the reader with the fundamental uses of flow cytometry. Examples of clinical applications in equine patients include immune-mediated hemolytic anemia, immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (IMT), chronic inflammatory disease, and neoplasia.     

Accuracy of serum beta-hydroxybutyrate measurements for the diagnosis of diabetic ketoacidosis in 116 dogs

The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of serum beta-hydroxybutyrate (beta-OHB) measurements for the diagnosis of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in dogs. One hundred sixteen diabetic dogs were prospectively enrolled in the study: 18 insulin-treated (IT) diabetic dogs that had a positive urine ketone test and 88 untreated, newly diagnosed diabetic dogs. Venous blood gas tensions and pH, serum glucose and urea nitrogen (SUN), and electrolyte (Na+, Cl-, and K+) and urine acetoacetate (AA) concentrations were measured concurrently with serum beta-OHB concentrations. On the basis of laboratory findings, the patients were assigned to I of 3 groups: diabetic ketoacidosis (n = 43); diabetic ketosis (DK, n = 41); and nonketotic diabetes (NDK, n = 31). Serum beta-OHB concentrations differed significantly (P < .001) among the study groups. Although marked differences in beta-OHB concentrations were found, a considerable overlap exists between the distributions of dogs with DK and those with DKA. The overall accuracy of beta-OHB determination as a diagnostic test for DKA, determined by the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, was 0.92. In the 1.9- to 4.8-mmol/L range, serum beta-OHB determination sensitivity varied from 100 to 35.7%, whereas specificity varied from 39 to 100%. The cutoff value of 3.8 mmol/L showed the best equilibrium between specificity (95%), sensitivity (72%), and likelihood ratio (14.8). We concluded that the quantitative measurement of serum beta-OHB may be a potential tool for diagnosing and monitoring ketosis and ketoacidosis in diabetic dogs.     

Genetic characterization of 2 novel feline caliciviruses isolated from cats with idiopathic lower urinary tract disease

Feline caliciviruses (FCVs) are potential etiologic agents in feline idiopathic lower urinary tract disease (I-LUTD). By means of a modified virus isolation method, we examined urine obtained from 28 male and female cats with nonobstructive I-LUTD, 12 male cats with obstructive I-LUTD, and 18 clinically healthy male and female cats. All cats had been routinely vaccinated for FCV. Two FCVs were isolated; I (FCV-U1) from a female cat with nonobstructive I-LUTD, and another (FCV-U2) from a male cat with obstructive I-LUTD. To determine the genetic relationship of FCV-U1 and FCV-U2 to other FCVs. capsid protein gene RNA was reverse transcribed into cDNA, amplified, and sequenced. Multiple amino acid sequence alignments and phylogenetic trees were constructed for the entire capsid protein, hypervariable region E, and the more conserved (nonhypervariable) regions A, B, D, and F. When compared to 23 other FCV isolates with known biotypes, the overall amino acid sequence identity of the capsid protein of FCV-U1 and FCV-U2 ranged from 83 to 96%; identity of hypervariable regions C and E ranged from 58 to 85%. Phylogenetically, FCV-U1 clearly separated from other FCV strains in phenograms based on nonhypervariable regions. In contrast, FCV-U2 consistently segregated with the Urbana strain in all phenograms. Clustering of isolates by geographic origin was most apparent in phenograms based on nonhypervariable regions. No clustering of isolates by biotype was apparent in any phenograms. Our results indicate that FCV-UI and FCV-U2 are genetically distinct from other known vaccine and field strains of FCV.     

麦盖提羊体重与脂肪相关性的研究

本文主要对麦盖提羊体重与脂肪指标的相关性进行研究分析,并对体重与尾脂重.网油重和肾油重的相关性进行研究分析,认为麦盖提羊活重与胴体重.胴体重与尾脂重,网油重和肾油重之间有不同程度的正相关关系,周岁公母羊活重与胴体重的相关系数分别为0.914和0.997胴体重与尾脂重的相关系数分别为0.56和0.75而且差异极显著.成年公母羊胴体重与尾脂重的相关系数分别为0.73和0.70而且差异极显著.同时指出降低油脂含量和尾脂比重的具体做法,这对麦盖提羊现代育种提供科学的依据.