A seroepidemiological study on bluetongue virus in dairy cattle in the central valley of California

A seroepidemiological study on bluetongue virus (BTV) infection in California dairy cattle was conducted to estimate the prevalence and distribution by age and season of BTV group-reactive antibodies and to look for possible associations between the presence of antibodies and cattle age or breed and farm. Between December 1985 and March 1987, a sample of cattle was tested at approximately two-month intervals for BTV group-reactive antibodies using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Data taken during the month of December 1986 were used to evaluate possible associations between a positive antibody test and certain intrinsic (age, breed) and extrinsic (farm) factors.Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses using the -square test for associations and multiple logistic regression, respectively, were carried out for possible associations between positive antibody tests to BTV and each factor of interest. The strengths of the associations were determined using estimates of the odds ratio.Of the 3774 serum samples tested, 238 (6.3%) were from calves, 1045 (27.6%) were from heifers and 2492 (66.0%) were from cows. Seroprevalence varied from nil in calves on two occasions to over 90% on several occasions in cows. Cows consistently had higher prevalence rates than heifers or calves across all test dates (p<0.05). The seroprevalence of BTV group-reactive antibodies also showed a seasonal fluctuation, with the highest rates occurring during the warmer months of the year. These highest prevalence rates coincided with heavy activity of the known vector of BTV, Culicoides spp. Breed and farm effects were not statistically significant (p>0.05). With the exception of one farm, all cattle were of the Holstein breed, which reduced confidence in assessing any breed effect in this study. Relative estimates of the sensitivity and specificity of BTV ELISA were 87% and 100% respectively, compared to the standard agar gel immunodiffusion (AGID) test.The observations support previous findings of seasonal distribution of BTV antibodies and suggest an age relationship, whereby older cattle are more likely to be positive to BTV group-reactive antibodies than younger cattle.     

Plasma biomarkers profile of female dogs with mammary carcinoma and its association with clinical and pathological features

The immunological biomarkers profiles were evaluated using Luminex as putative measures to monitor canine mammary carcinomas (MCs). Forty female dogs were categorized into benign mixed tumour (MC‐BMT = 28) and mammary carcinoma (MC=12). The ascendant biomarker signatures were used to compare the groups. For example, a higher frequency of MC‐BMT animals producing IL‐6, CXCL‐8 and CXCL‐10 was observed, whereas for the MC group IL‐2 and CXCL‐8 were detected. MC‐BMT animals without metastasis had an increase in the levels of IL‐2, CXCL‐8, CXCL‐10, IL‐6, TNF‐α, IL‐15 and a decrease in IL‐10 and CXCL‐8. MC‐BMT animals with metastasis showed only an increase in CXCL‐10 and a decrease in IL‐18. After comparing the ascendant signatures following the presence of metastasis in both groups, a higher frequency of dogs exhibiting IL‐10 production was observed. Pearson correlation (P = 0.0273) and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed that this pattern was associated with worse outcome and lower survival rates in MC animals.     

OS-诱抗剂诱导植物抗病性的作用探讨

用PDA培养基平板法测定了0.4%OS-诱抗剂水剂对水稻纹枯病菌、小麦纹枯病菌、油菜菌核病菌、辣椒立枯病菌、瓜类绵腐病菌、黄瓜枯萎病菌的生物活性,其EC₅₀值分别为34.56、59.33、33.17、85.92、91.91、122.87μg/mL,OS-诱抗剂对水稻纹枯病、油菜菌核病较好。高效液相色谱分析表明,经OS-诱抗剂处理后的植物提取液中酚类物质的种类和含量相对于对照有明显的变化,说明OS-诱抗剂对植物的防病作用可能是促使植物体内产生了酚类抗病物质。     

茉莉酸诱导小麦抗病虫性初步研究

初步研究了茉莉酸诱导对小麦苗抗病虫能力的影响,结果显示,小麦在喷施茉莉酸后能够提高植株对麦长管蚜和小麦白粉病菌、小麦叶锈病菌的抵抗能力,可显著降低小麦白粉病、叶锈病的发病级别和病斑数量,对麦长管蚜则在体重和产仔数量上有显著的抑制作用。     

Acute respiratory distress syndrome in dogs and cats: a review of clinical findings and pathophysiology

Objective: To review the clinical and pathophysiologic aspects of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in dogs and cats. Data sources: Data from human and veterinary literature were reviewed through Medline and CAB as well as manual search of references listed in articles pertaining to acute lung injury (ALI)/ARDS. Human data synthesis: Since the term ARDS was first coined in 1967, there has been a abundance of literature pertaining to this devastating syndrome in human medicine. More complete understanding of the complex interactions between inflammatory cells, soluble mediators (e.g., tumor necrosis factor, interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐8, platelet activating factor) and the clinical patient has provided for timely recognition and mechanistically based protective strategies decreasing morbidity and mortality in human patients with ARDS. Veterinary data synthesis: Although little is known, ARDS is becoming a more commonly recognized sequela in small animals. Initial case reports and retrospective studies have provided basic clinical characterization of ARDS in dogs and cats. Additionally, information from experimental models has expanded our understanding of the inflammatory mechanisms involved. It appears that the inflammatory processes and pathologic changes associated with ARDS are similar in dogs, cats, and humans. Conclusions: Unfortunately, current mortality rates for ARDS in small animals are close to 100%. As our capability to treat patients with advanced life‐threatening disease increases, it is vital that we develop a familiarity with the pathogenesis of ARDS. Understanding the complex inflammatory interactions is essential for determining effective preventative and management strategies as well as designing novel therapies for veterinary patients.     

Comparative immunology

As a discipline, comparative immunology enhances zoology and has gained wide acceptance in the biological sciences. It is an offshoot of the parent field, immunology, and is an amalgam of immunology and zoology. All animals from protozoans to humans have solved the threat of extinction by having evolved an immune‐defense strategy that ensures the capacity to react against foreign, non‐self microorganisms and cancers that disturb the homeostatic self. Invertebrate‐type innate immune responses evolved first and they characterize the metazoans. These rapid natural responses act immediately and are often essential for the occurrence of slower, more specific, adaptive vertebrate‐type immune responses. As components of the innate immune system, there is an emphasis on several major steps in the evolutionary process: (i) recognition; (ii) the phagocytic cell; and (iii) the natural killer cell. When vertebrates evolved, beginning with fish, thymus‐controlled T cells first appeared, as did bone marrow‐derived B cells (first found in amphibians with long bones). These were the precursors of the plasma cells that synthesize and secrete antibodies. Confirming the concept of self/non‐self, invertebrates possess natural, non‐adaptive, innate, non‐clonal, non‐anticipatory immune responses, whereas vertebrates possess adaptive, acquired, clonal, and anticipatory responses. This symposium concerns: (i) aspects of the immune spectrum in representative groups; (ii) specific findings (in particular models; e.g. earthworms); (iii) clues as to the possible biomedical application of relevant molecules derived from animals, notably invertebrates; and (iv) some views on the more practical applications of understanding immune systems of invertebrates and ectotherms, and their possible role in survival.     

实用饲粮补锌对肉鸡组织锌、免疫器官及生产性能的影响

采用实用饲粮（玉米－多饼型,含锌３０ｍｇ／ｋｇ）,对狄高肉鸡（４～６周龄）分别补加锌４０和８０ｍｇ／ｋｇ,研究微量元素Ｚｎ对试鸡组织锌含量、免疫器官生长发育及生产性能的影响。结果表明饲粮缺锌（含Ｚｎ３０ｍｇ／ｋｇ）不影响鸡体重、饲料转化率和心、肝、肾、胰、肌胃、脑千克活体重（Ｐ＞０．０５）,但缺锌影响脾、胸腺、法氏囊、盲肠扁桃体、免疫器官及腺胃、小肠厚度、甲状腺生长发育（Ｐ＜０．０５或Ｐ＜０．０１）;饲粮补锌（４０、８０ｍｇ／ｋｇ）能改善免疫器官机能,增加胫骨、跗骨、趾骨、肝、胰、肾、心组织锌含量（Ｐ＜０．０５或Ｐ＜０．０１）;骨、肝、胰组织对饲粮锌缺乏较敏感,趾骨锌含量是标识鸡锌营养状况的灵敏指标。     

Feline ocular toxoplasmosis

Ocular infection with Toxoplasma gondii is a well-recognized and important clinical entity in many animal species. In the cat, ocular toxoplasmosis is commonly associated with systemic infection, yet its role in causing anterior uveitis in an otherwise healthy cat is unclear. The purpose of this article is to review the salient epidemiological, clinical, and histopathologic features of systemic and ocular toxoplasmosis in the cat. Additionally, pathogenesis and possible immunopathogenic mechanisms of ocular toxoplasmosis, which may account for the higher prevalence of anterior uveitis in cats seropositive for T. gondii , are discussed. Finally, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of feline toxoplasmosis are reviewed.