Inheritance of melanocytic lesions and their association with the white colour phenotype in miniature swine

A line of Munich Miniature Swine (MMS) Troll showing a high incidence of spontaneous benign and malignant cutaneous melanocytic lesions has been developed since 1986. The inheritance of cutaneous melanocytic lesions was studied by establishing the F₁-, F₂- and reciprocal B₁-generations with one melanoma MMS-Troll boar and four unaffected German Landrace sows as founders. A total of 176 animals were available, 27 in the F₁-, 111 in the F₂-, 19 in the B_1-DL-, and 14 in the B_1-Troll-generation. Benign melanocytic lesions were observed in 42% of F₁-, 18% of F₂-, 11% of B_1-DL- and 50% of B_1-Troll-animals. Malignant melanomas developed in 3.6% of F₂- and 7.1% of B_1-Troll-animals, although no animal with white coat colour was affected. A mixed major gene model with arbitrary gene action explained the segregation of benign lesions sufficiently well. For melanomas a mixed major gene model required additional dominant acting suppressor loci to obtain a sufficient fit to the data. An influence of SLA haplotypes on the penetrance of melanocytic lesions was not evident. The association analysis of the white phenotypes strongly indicated that the dominant allele I at the I-locus suppresses malignant melanocytic lesions. A possible explanation is the lack of melanocytes in the skin of dominant white pigs caused by a mutation of the KIT-gene, which leads to a failure of melanoblast migration and development.     

Expression of porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs) in melanomas of Munich miniature swine (MMS) Troll

Porcine endogenous retroviruses (PERVs) are integrated in the genome of all pig breeds. Since some of them are able to infect human cells, they might represent a risk for xenotransplantation using pig cells or organs. However, the expression and biological role of PERVs in healthy pigs as well as in porcine tumours is largely unknown. Since we and others have recently shown overexpression of a human endogenous retrovirus, HERV-K, in human melanomas, we studied the expression of PERVs in melanomas of selectively bred Munich miniature swine (MMS) Troll. This breeding herd of MMS Troll is characterised by a high prevalence of melanomas, which histologically resemble various types of cutaneous melanomas in humans. Several genetic factors have been defined when studying inheritance of melanomas and melanocytic nevi in MMS Troll. Here we show that the polytropic PERV-A and PERV-B as well as the ecotropic PERV-C are present in the genome of all melanoma bearing MMS Troll investigated. Most interestingly, in the spleen, but not in other organs, recombinant PERV-A/C proviruses were found. PERV expression was found elevated in melanomas when compared to normal skin and viral proteins were expressed in melanomas and pulmonary metastasis-derived melanoma cell cultures. During passaging of these cells in vitro the expression of PERV mRNA and protein increased and virus particles were released as shown by RT activity in the supernatant and by electron microscopy. Genomic RNA of PERV-A, -B and -C were found in pelleted virus particles. Although PERV expression was elevated in melanomas and pulmonary metastasis-derived cell cultures, the function of the virus in tumour development is still unclear.     

Ant alarm pheromone activity: correlation with molecular shape by scanning computer

The ant Iridomyrmex pruinosus utilizes 2-heptanone as an alarm pheromone. The activities of 49 ketones and 35 nonketones as alarm pheromones for this species were determined. The molecular shapes of these compounds were assessed by submitting silhouette photographs of their molecular models to a pattern recognition machine. A highly significant correlation exists between molecular shape and alarm activity.     

Chicken egg antibodies for prophylaxis and therapy of infectious intestinal diseases. II. In vitro studies on gastric and enteric digestion of egg yolk antibodies specific against pathogenic Escherichia coli strains

Specific antibodies directed against enterotoxic E. coli strains from the yolk of immunized hens were exposed in vitro to the influence of varying digestive phenomena like reduction of pH and proteolytic digestion. The remaining antibody activity was tested in a specific ELISA system. It could be shown that already within the stomach a considerable loss in antibody activity caused by a lowering of pH and peptic cleavage can be expected. A further loss in antibody activity is due to the proteolytic effect of the pancreas proteases trypsin and chymotrypsin. It was found that antibodies in protein rich solutions like egg or yolk suspensions were more resistant than mere globulin fractions or antibodies isolated by affinity chromatography. Prospects for further in vivo tests are discussed.     

Epidemic disease in a sheep herd with a possible relationship to a pestivirus

In connection with a case of epidemic disease with high morbidity and mortality in a flock of sheep, a pestivirus infection could be diagnosed. Pathological-anatomical abnormalities were very similar to the character of BVD/MD. Scientific findings on pestivirus infections in sheep are discussed.     

Comparative performance of tests using cytosolic or outer membrane antigens of Brucella for the serodiagnosis of canine brucellosis

Although some ELISA tests using cytoplasmic or outer membrane antigens of Brucella have been developed to improve the diagnosis of canine brucellosis, the performance of these assays has not been compared. In the present study three ELISA tests using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-free cytoplasmic proteins (CPs) of Brucella abortus, the lumazine synthase (LS) of Brucella spp. or a hot-saline (HS) extract of Brucella canis containing outer membrane antigens were used to test sera from dogs with suspected or confirmed brucellosis (n=36) and from dogs with pathological conditions other than brucellosis (n=212). In the first group the proportion of positive results was 92, 92 and 81% for the ELISAs with HS, CP and LS, respectively, and 94% of the samples were positive by at least one ELISA test. Three dogs that were negative by agglutination (2ME-RSAT) had a positive result by at least one ELISA, and this discrepancy was attributed to the lower analytical sensitivity of agglutination tests. This hypothesis was confirmed by a serological follow-up of seven dogs recently infected with B. canis in three of which the illness was diagnosed earlier by one or more ELISA tests than by 2ME-RSAT. Among dogs having pathological conditions other than brucellosis, specificities were 94.3, 96.7 and 96.7% for the ELISAs with HS, CP and LS, respectively. This study shows that HS-ELISA and CP-ELISA are highly specific and sensitive for the diagnosis of canine brucellosis and can detect the infection by B. canis shortly after the exposure to the pathogen.     

辽宁绒山羊与本地山羊杂交改良效果分析

分析了杂交一代山羊在体型外貌、体重、体尺、产绒量、绒长、粗毛长等性状与本地山羊的差异。结果表明,F1代杂种羊具明显的父本外貌特征,其粗毛及羊绒为白色。在体重与体尺土,F1代杂种羊与本地山羊差异不显著（P＞0.05）,F1代杂种羊的产绒量、绒长、粗毛长明显高于本地羊,差异极显著（P＜0.01）。经分析,单从产绒量上每只杂交一代羊较本地山羊增加收入6－10元,经济效益明显。     

Attempts to localize the defect in dysgammaglobulinemia of UM-B19 chickens by studying the effect of immunomodulating substances on immunoglobulin and antibody production

The extreme decreased levels of IgG in dysgammaglobulinemic UM-B19 chickens are linked with decreased antibody activity. Antibody activity to T-dependent (although diminished) and T-independent antigens is present but is restricted to IgM and IgA antibodies. Complete Freund's adjuvant enhances the existing isotype pattern of serum immunoglobulins and antibodies. The antibody response to a "T-independent" antigen (B. abortus) is greatly increased by CFA in dysgammaglobulinemic chickens. Beside the appearance of high levels of IgG in dysgammaglobulinemic chickens during the first weeks of life and in transitory dysgammaglobulinemia, remarkable IgG synthesis can be temporarily induced by the mitogenic activity of LPS and even more by the regulatory function of Levamisole. Furthermore, LPS and Levamisole induce IgG antibody synthesis to concomitantly administered antigen, the IgG antibodies appearing within the normal time. Contrary to a missing feedback inhibition from total IgG to IgM serum immunoglobulins, a feedback inhibition from IgG to IgM antibodies is found. No correlation can be found between Levamisole-induced IgG immunoglobulin concentrations, and IgG antibodies. Germfree rearing for one week or longer prevents the dysgammaglobulinemic defect. The following conclusions are drawn: Early antigenic stimulation seems to be the inducing factor for dysgammaglobulinemia in UM-B19 chickens. A BG cell pool is still present in adult dysgammaglobulinemic chickens. This BG cell pool is probably diminished to a varying extent. T cell helper functions seem to be present (albeit they may be disturbed) and can be stimulated. IgG specific T cell suppression is probable. From these conclusions the etiology of the dysgammaglobulinemia in UM-B19 chickens is hypothesized to be primarily due to delayed bursal development: Immature BG cells are eliminated by environmental antigens during the neonatal period in a process similar to tolerance induction. This event, in turn, induces suppressor mechanism(s) or disturbance in helper mechanism(s).     

过量表达TaNHX2基因提高转基因棉花的抗旱耐盐性

液泡膜Na+/H+反向转运蛋白在调节离子平衡,提高植物耐盐耐旱方面起着重要功能.为了研究液泡膜Na+/H+反向转运蛋白基因TaNHX2在棉花耐盐耐旱中的作用,以晋棉7号为受体,利用农杆菌介导法将克隆自小麦的TaNHX2基因转入棉花愈伤组织,通过组织培养胚状体发生途径获得转基因再生植株.以0.5％卡那霉素对再生苗筛选后,利用PCR和RT-PCR进行分子检测,证实外源基因已导入棉花并正常表达.在温室盆栽条件下,于4片真叶期对转TaNHX2基因棉花及其野生型对照施加NaCl或PEG胁迫处理,处理10天后发现盐胁迫或干旱胁迫显著抑制了棉花光合作用,提高了丙二醛(MDA)含量;转TaNHX2基因棉花的光合速率(Pn)显著高于野生型,MDA含量显著低于野生型;转TaNHX2基因棉花在盐旱胁迫后,叶片和根系中的Na+含量显著低于野生型对照.这些结果说明:在棉花中过量表达TaNHX2基因,盐旱胁迫下可以降低转基因棉花的Na+含量,提高光合速率,降低MDA含量,从而提高转基因棉花的耐盐抗旱能力.     

Haematogenous spread of Sporothrix schenckii in cats with naturally acquired sporotrichosis

The recovery of Sporothrix schenckii from blood samples is rare, and the diagnosis of systemic sporotrichosis is usually made at necropsy. In this report, S schenckii was isolated from two or more internal organs of nine necropsied cats with naturally acquired sporotrichosis. Haematogenous spread was demonstrated in vivo by the isolation of S schenckii from the peripheral blood of 17 (n = 49, 34.4 per cent) cats. Feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) was not detected, and co-infection with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), observed in nine cases (n = 43, 20.9 per cent), apparently did not affect the isolation of S schenckii from peripheral blood or from the internal organs.