Genomic variability among globally distributed isolates of equine arteritis virus.

Equine arteritis virus (EAV), a non-arthropod borne togavirus, has been shown to have a global distribution. To date, no major antigenic variation has been demonstrated between EAV isolates from different geographic origins. In this study, the genomic RNA of EAV isolates obtained from horses of different breeds in various countries around the world was oligonucleotide fingerprinted. Comparisons of these fingerprints were used to determine the extent of genomic variation among such isolates. Comparisons among isolates from North American horses revealed, for the most part, oligonucleotide homologies of less than 60%. Only 29 of the 98 comparisons revealed greater than 60% oligonucleotide homology. Nonetheless, several comparisons indicated a close epidemiologic relationship between isolates from horses of different breeds located in different states. Though all European isolates were of Standardbred origin and were from horses located in northern European countries, the majority had oligonucleotide homologies of less than 60%. Where oligonucleotide homology was apparent, it was, with one exception, greater than 70%. The two isolates from New Zealand had 93.2% oligonucleotide homology. This is indicative of an extremely close epidemiologic relationship. Comparisons between EAV isolates from around the world revealed oligonucleotide homologies between viruses from North America, Europe and New Zealand. In several instances, this homology was greater than 70% and in one case greater than 80%. No oligonucleotide homology was evident in comparisons involving the virus from South Africa. The high level of genomic conservation between certain EAV isolates of disparate geographic origins may reflect dissemination of the virus associated with the international movement of horses. The extent of genomic variation demonstrated between most of the EAV isolates used in this study confirms the need for further investigation of genomic heterogeneity among strains of this virus before techniques that rely upon nucleic acid hybridization can be effectively applied as diagnostic procedures.     

兽药使用环节存在的问题及对策

经过对兽药生产厂家和经营企业几年的整治,尤其是新<兽药管理条例>和<兽药标签和说明书管理办法>出台后,又经过GMP认证,兽药生产经营市场秩序和经营行为得到了一定的规范.但兽药使用环节中却存在诸多的问题,如:违法使用人用药品;违法使用禁用兽药;不执行休药期规定;未建立台帐等等.这些问题的存在,直接导致了动物产品的安全性问题.对此,笔者分析了兽药使用环节存在问题的原因,并对解决这些问题提出了个人观点.     

Ranch-management factors associated with antibody seropositivity for Neospora caninum in consignments of beef calves in Texas, USA

A study was conducted with a 1998 retained-ownership population of Texas (USA) beef calves to determine the ranch-management practices associated with calf seroprevalence to Neospora caninum. Management practices of 76 Texas ranches that consigned 760 calves to a retained-ownership feedlot program were reviewed from a mailed questionnaire. Ninety-nine of 760 (13%; 95% CI, 9.4%, 17.7%) calves were positive to N. caninum and 59% of the ranches consigned at least one positive calf. In the logistic multiple-regression model which controlled for overdispersion, increased odds of calf-level seropositivity was associated with seasonal calving patterns, with stocking>1cow/calfunit/2.2ha, using a round-bale feeder, allowing wildlife access to the weaning supplement, and self-reared replacement heifers. However, decreased odds of seropositivity was associated with using a cattle-working dog and with using a self-contained cattle feeder. There was substantial overdispersion due to ranch.     

The robust australopithecine face: a morphogenetic perspective

The robust australopithecines were a side branch of human evolution. They share a number of unique craniodental features that suggest their monophyletic origin. However, virtually all of these traits appear to reflect a singular pattern of nasomaxillary modeling derived from their unusual dental proportions. Therefore, recent cladistic analyses have not resolved the phylogenetic history of these early hominids. Efforts to increase cladistic resolution by defining traits at greater levels of anatomical detail have instead introduced substantial phyletic error.     

Studies of passive immunity in foals to equine viral arteritis

The capacity of colostral samples collected from mares immune to equine viral arteritis to neutralize arteritis virus was two or more times greater than that present in the dams' sera. This activity in the mammary secretions was very low or undetectable after 1 week. The capacity of sera from eight of the nine foals born to immune mares to neutralize arteritis virus was high at 1 week of age. All of the titres had declined to extinction after 2–6 months. Arteritis virus neutralization was not detected in serum collected from foals prior to nursing or in samples from non-immune mares and their foals.Foals from immune mares developed mild signs or no signs of disease when inoculated nasally with virulent arteritis virus at 6 days of age.Seven- to nine-day-old foals from non-immune mares responded to vaccinationas they had appreciable serum-virus neutralizing antibody titres 6 months after vaccination and did not develop signs of disease when inoculated nasally with virulent virus. Foals of the same ages from immune mares did not respond to the vaccine since antibody could not be detected 6 months after vaccination and they either died or experienced clinically severe disease when inoculated nasally with virulent arteritis virus.     

正交试验法优化普抗合剂制备工艺

以干浸膏得率和黄芩苷提取率为考核指标,采用正交试验法对普抗合剂水提取醇沉淀制备工艺进行考察.普抗合剂最佳制备工艺方案为加水量10倍,提取2次,每次1 h,55%的乙醇沉淀杂质 .该工艺科学合理,适合于大规模工业生产.     

Technical note: a double L intestinal cannula for cattle

A double L-shaped intestinal cannula was developed in an attempt to overcome problems observed previously with simple T-type cannulas. The cannula was constructed from cyclopolyvinyl chloride water pipe fittings. Construction materials were fairly rigid, but by connecting the split cannula pieces with elastic castration bands the cannula had some flexibility. Placing a short cone over the exposed cannula barrel reduced mechanical damage to the intestine. The double L cannula required a much smaller incision in the intestine during surgical insertion than a T-type cannula; it also simplified replacement. Construction is described; use and performance of the cannula has been satisfactory.     

Induction of an alloplasmic male-sterile Brassica oleracea by substituting cytoplasm from ‘Early Scarlet Globe’ radish (Raphanus sativus)

Summary Alloplasmic male-sterile Brassica oleracea L. was synthesized in a backcrossing program through amphidiploid Raphanobrassica by using Early Scarlet Globe radish (Raphanus sativus L.) as the donor of cytoplasm and B. oleracea broccoli and cabbage as recurrent pollen parents. Persistence of radish chromosomes and high female sterility were encountered in the first four backcrosses. Following use of colchiploid 4x broccoli as pollen parent, a BC₅ plant was obtained that had 2n=3x+1=28 chromosomes, improved seed set, and no radish traits. The BC₆ with recurrent 2x broccoli contained male-sterile plants with 2n=18 or 19 chromosomes, increased seed set, and broccoli morphology. Subsequent generations segregated for male-sterile and restored male-fertile plants, some with variable development of stamens and pollen. Leaf color of the alloplasmic plants, especially seedlings, was lighter green than normal.     

Chromosome behavior and sterility of hybrids between the common onion,Allium cepa,and the related wild A. oschaninii

Summary Four hybrid plants were obtained when cytoplasmic male-sterile onion inbreds, Allium cepa L., were pollinated with a wild cepa-like allium introduced from northeastern Iran and identified as A. oschaninii O. Fedtsch. It has been proposed on morphological grounds that A. oschaninii is wild A. cepa or the ancestor of A. cepa. Nevertheless, chromosome irregularities and complete sterility in the hybrids suggest that there may be a greater sterility barrier between A. cepa and A. oschaninii than between A. cepa and 3 other species reported to cross with A. cepa, namely A. fistulosum L., A. galanthum Kar. et Kir., and A. pskemense B. Fedtsch.Cooperative investigation of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Idaho Agricultura Experiment Station, Parma Branch Station.