Seasonal changes in circulating growth hormone (GH), hepatic GH-binding and plasma insulin-like growth factor-I immunoreactivity in a marine fish,gilthead sea bream,Sparus aurata

We have studied the seasonal relationship between growth and circulating growth hormone (GH), hepatic GH-binding and plasma insulin-like growth factor-I immunoreactivity in gilthead sea bream,Sparus aurata. The seasonal increase in plasma GH levels preceded by several weeks the summer increase in growth rates. In contrast, a marked increase in hepatic GH-binding with a high degree of endogenous GH occupancy was found during the period of maximum growth which suggests an enhanced sensitivity of liver to GH action. Thus, circulating levels of immunoreactive IGF-I, probably derived from the liver in response to GH action, were positively correlated with growth throughout the experimental period although a consistent relationship between growth and circulating GH was not found. In spite of this, we consider that, in gilthead sea bream, as in several other teleosts, the availability of endogenous GH can limit growth. Thus, under environmental conditions of suboptimal growth, a single intraperitoneal injection of recombinant rainbow trout GH (rtGH) induced over the dose range tested (0.75, 1.5, 3 μg g BW⁻¹) an increase in plasma IGF-I-like immunoreactivity comparable to that seen during the period of maximum growth.     

Development and characterization of monoclonal antibodies against canine trypsin

Canine cationic trypsin was purified by salting-out, gel filtration and affinity chromatography. Purity was confirmed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The molecular weight was ca. 28 kDa by SDS-PAGE.

Thirty hybridomas were obtained which produced mAb to canine cationic trypsin by the cell fusion technique. Twenty-two of these recognized cationic trypsin only, while eight hybridomas recognized both cationic and anionic trypsin. Several of the anti-canine cationic trypsin mAb were purified by salting-out and DEAE ion-change chromatography using ascites fluid of immunized BALB/c mice. The mAb proved to have very high specificity to canine cationic trypsin as shown by immunoblotting and it may be possible to use them to develop clinical assays.     

Identification of irisin immunoreactivity in porcupine (Hystrix cristata) adrenal glands and kidneys

Irisin, a novel peptide, was initially been shown to be expressed explicitly in the muscle tissues. We studied the presence of irisin immunoreactivity in porcupine adrenal glands and kidneys. Immunocytochemistry showed that irisin was localised both in the adrenal cortex and adrenal medulla. In organs, irisin immunoreactivity was found in the tubular and collecting system of the nephron. The functional role of irisin in the adrenal gland and kidney has not been precisely yet. However, irisin might have a paracrine and autocrine function as do other locally produced peptides.     

Breed associations for canine exocrine pancreatic insufficiency

BACKGROUND: Knowledge of breed associations is valuable to clinicians and researchers investigating diseases with a genetic basis. HYPOTHESIS: Among symptomatic dogs tested for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) by canine trypsin-like immunoreactivity (cTLI) assay, EPI is common in certain breeds and rare in others. Some breeds may be overrepresented or underrepresented in the population of dogs with EPI. Pathogenesis of EPI may be different among breeds. ANIMALS: Client-owned dogs with clinical signs, tested for EPI by radioimmunoassay of serum cTLI, were used. METHODS: In this retrospective study, results of 13,069 cTLI assays were reviewed. RESULTS: An association with EPI was found in Chows, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCS), Rough-Coated Collies (RCC), and German Shepherd Dogs (GSD) (all P < .001). Chows (median, 16 months) were younger at diagnosis than CKCS (median, 72 months, P < .001), but not significantly different from GSD (median, 36 months, P = .10) or RCC (median, 36 months, P = .16). GSD (P < .001) and RCC (P = .015) were younger at diagnosis than CKCS. Boxers (P < .001), Golden Retrievers (P < .001), Labrador Retrievers (P < .001), Rottweilers (P = .022), and Weimaraners (P = .002) were underrepresented in the population with EPI. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: An association with EPI in Chows has not previously been reported. In breeds with early-onset EPI, immune-mediated mechanisms are possible or the disease may be congenital. When EPI manifests later, as in CKCS, pathogenesis is likely different (eg, secondary to chronic pancreatitis). Underrepresentation of certain breeds among dogs with EPI has not previously been recognized and may imply the existence of breed-specific mechanisms that protect pancreatic tissue from injury.     

O型口蹄疫病毒结构蛋白VP1的原核表达与抗原性分析

研究分析了O型口蹄疫病毒(FMDV)结构蛋白VP1与当前猪FMDV疫苗血清的免疫反应性.将VP1基因克隆至原核表达载体pET32c,并在大肠埃希菌BL21中得到了表达,Western blot分析表明该重组蛋白与豚鼠O型FMDV标准阳性血清具有良好免疫反应性.目的蛋白经纯化后用ELISA分析其与猪疫苗血清的免疫反应性,结果显示该重组VP1蛋白(rVP1)只能与部分O型FMDV疫苗血清反应.推测当前使用的不同O型FMDV疫苗毒株在VP1重要中和抗原位点G-H环(134 aa～158 aa)与C末端(200 aa～213 aa)存在较大差异.     

Evaluation of serum feline pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity and helical computed tomography versus conventional testing for the diagnosis of feline pancreatitis

Serum feline trypsinogen-like immunoreactivity (fTLI) concentrations and abdominal ultrasound have facilitated the noninvasive diagnosis of pancreatitis in cats, but low sensitivities (33% and 20–35%, respectively) have been reported. A radioimmunoassay has been validated to measure feline pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (fPLI), but the assay's sensitivity and specificity have not been established. In human beings, the sensitivity of computed tomography (CT) is high (75–90%), but in a study of 10 cats, only 2 had CT changes suggestive of pancreatitis. We prospectively evaluated these diagnostic tests in cats with and without pancreatitis. In all cats, serum was obtained for fTLI and fPLI concentrations, and pancreatic ultrasound images and biopsies were acquired. Serum fPLI concentrations ( P <.0001) and ultrasound findings ( P = .0073) were significantly different between healthy cats and cats with pancreatitis. Serum fTLI concentrations ( P = .15) and CT measurements ( P = .18) were not significantly different between the groups. The sensitivity of fTLI in cats with moderate to severe pancreatitis was 80%, and the specificity in healthy cats was 75%. Feline PLI concentrations were both sensitive in cats with moderate to severe pancreatitis (100%) and specific in the healthy cats (100%). Abdominal ultrasound was both sensitive in cats with moderate to severe pancreatitis (80%) and specific in healthy cats (88%). The high sensitivities of fPLI and abdominal ultrasound suggest that these tests should play an important role in the noninvasive diagnosis of feline pancreatitis. As suggested by a previous study, pancreatic CT is not a useful diagnostic test for feline pancreatitis.     

Prokaryotic Expression and Immunoreactivity Analysis of VP2 Protein of Bluetongue Virus Serotype 1

The study was aimed to test the immunoreactivity of the VP2 protein of bluetongue virus serotype 1 (BTV-1) in vitro. Based on the published BTV-1 L2 gene of Y863 strain, specific cloning PCR primers were designed and synthesized. The L2 gene was amplified through RT-PCR method and then was purified and cloned into the expressing vector pEASY-Blunt E1. The cloned recombinant plasmids were identified. The positive recombinant L2 plasmid was cloned into BL21(DE3) competent cells to express VP2 protein. The acquired purified recombinant BTV-1 VP2 protein was analyzed through the methods of Western blotting, ELISA and blocking ELISA. The results showed that:BTV-1 VP2 protein was expressed as the inclusion bodies in the pEASY-Blunt E1 vector; 160 and 200 mmol/L glyoxaline were the best condition to wash down the expressed protein. The molecular weight of this purified recombinant protein with N-terminal His-tag was about 105 ku. Through the results of Western blotting, ELISA and blocking ELISA, it had been proved that this recombinant protein could combine with BTV-1 specific antibody and this combination could be blocked by BTV-1 virus. The study showed that the recombinant BTV-1 VP2 protein, expressed through the prokaryotic expression vector pEASY-Blunt E1, possessed good immunoreactivity and this study had established foundation for locating the serotypic epitopes of the BTV-1 VP2 protein.     

猪细小病毒BQ-C毒株VP2基因的鉴定及表达

本研究从临床发病猪采集病料,以PK15传代细胞进行病毒分离,通过PCR、血液凝集试验(HA)和电镜鉴定为1株猪细小病毒(porcine parvovirus,PPV),命名为BQ-C。对分离的毒株进行测序,结果显示该毒株与GenBank登录的PPV BQ株同源性为100%。为获得该毒株结构蛋白VP2基因的表达产物,将VP2基因片段插入到原核表达载体pET-30a(+),得到表达重组质粒。经双酶切和测序鉴定,将重组质粒转化大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)中进行表达。SDS-PAGE结果表明,获得的重组蛋白分子质量约为71.5 ku,与预期大小相符。Western blotting结果显示获得的重组蛋白能与PPV阳性血清特异性结合,表明重组蛋白具有良好的反应原性。结果表明,本研究成功分离了1株PPV BQ-C株,且表达的VP2重组蛋白可用于PPV血清学诊断和疫苗的研发。