弓形虫MIC3基因真核表达质粒的构建及在 IBRS-2细胞内的表达

采用PCR技术从弓形虫RH株的基因组DNA中扩增编码MIC3的基因,克隆入pMD18-T载体,转化至E.coliDH5α感受态细胞,经抗性平板筛选、小量抽提质粒进行酶切、PCR及DNA测序鉴定后,亚克隆入真核表达载体pcDNA3.1。然后筛选含有目的基因的重组质粒,并转染IBRS-2细胞,在G418压力下进行筛选,利用SDS-PAGE、Western blot和ELISA检测表达情况。结果显示,扩增的MIC3基因与GenBank上相应基因序列(AJ132530)的一致性达99.9%,构建的真核表达质粒pcMIC3能在转染的IBRS-2细胞中表达分子量约为39.2ku的MIC3,且表达的蛋白质具有良好的免疫活性,为进一步研究该质粒的动物免疫试验奠定了基础。     

猪蛔虫rAs37基因的克隆及原核表达

根据编码rAs37的已知基因序列设计并合成1对引物,应用PCR技术从猪蛔虫感染性虫卵的cDNA中扩增编码rAs37的部分基因,克隆入pGEX-KG表达载体,转化入E.coli DH5α感受态细胞,经含氨苄青霉素琼脂平板筛选,小量抽提质粒进行酶切、PCR及DNA测序鉴定.然后阳性重组质粒转化入E.coli BL21-CodonPlus, IPTG诱导,表达产物经SDS-PAGE和Western-blot分析鉴定.结果显示,扩增的rAs37基因与GenBank中相应基因序列(AB078971)的同源性达100%,表达的rAs37融合蛋白表观相对分子质量约为60 000,且可被兔抗猪蛔虫免疫血清识别.说明所获得的表达蛋白质具有一定的反应原性,为下一步利用重组蛋白建立猪蛔虫早期诊断方法和研制猪蛔虫的亚单位疫苗奠定了基础.     

弓形虫ROP2基因的克隆及原核表达

应用PCR技术从刚地弓形虫（Toxoplasma gondii）RH株的基因组DNA中扩增编码棒状体蛋白ROP2（rh—potryprotein2）的部分基因，构建pGEX—KG—ROP2重组表达质粒，经酶切、PCR及DNA测序鉴定后，将阳性质粒转入E．coli BL21CodonPlus中，在IPTG诱导下表达，表达产物用SDS—PAGE和Western—blot分析鉴定。结果表明，扩增的ROP2基因与GenBank上发表的相应基因序列的同源性达99.9％，该基因可以在大肠杆菌中高效表达，表达的ROP2融合蛋白表观相对分子质量约为64000，可被兔抗弓形虫免疫血清识别。     

布鲁菌外膜蛋白Omp22基因的原核表达与生物信息学分析

克隆布鲁菌Omp22基因,原核表达后进行生物学信息分析。根据GenBank中羊种布鲁菌M5-90株基因组PCR扩增出639bp的目的基因片段,构建克隆重组质粒pMD-20T-Omp22,转化入E.coli DH5α。测序正确后构建表达重组质粒pET-28a-Omp22,转化入E.coli BL21(DE3)。IPTG诱导表达,Western blot鉴定诱导融合蛋白。结果表明,成功克隆Omp22基因,构建pET-28a-Omp22原核表达载体,在E.coli BL21(DE3)中表达Omp22基因。DNA Man和BIOEDIT软件生物性息学分析Omp22融合蛋白二级结构中α-螺旋占22.17%;伸展链占19.81%;β-折叠占2.83%;无规卷曲占55.19%。说明该蛋白具有较高亲水性。     

布鲁氏菌外膜蛋白16基因的克隆及原核表达

为了成功克隆外膜蛋白16(outer membrane proteins 16, Omp16)基因并对其进行原核表达,试验根据GenBank中羊布鲁氏菌M5-90株外膜蛋白Omp16基因序列(登录号:JF918760.1)设计1对引物,从布鲁氏菌基因组中扩增出大小约为507 bp的目的基因片段,凝胶回收纯化目的片段,连接入pMD20-T质粒,转化E.coli DH5α并测序,测序正确后再亚克隆入pET-28a(+)表达载体,构建重组质粒pET-Omp16,转化入E.coli BL21(DE3),经IPTG诱导其表达,最后用Western blotting分析方法鉴定诱导得到的蛋白。结果表明,成功构建了pET-Omp16原核表达载体,并在E.coli BL21中表达了Omp16基因,诱导得到的蛋白经鉴定与目的蛋白大小一致,证明成功表达了目的基因。     

布鲁氏菌外膜蛋白2b基因的克隆、原核表达及蛋白生物信息学分析

本试验旨在克隆布鲁氏菌外膜蛋白2b（Omp2b）基因并进行原核表达和蛋白的生物信息学分析。根据布鲁氏菌M5-90株外膜蛋白Omp2b基因序列设计引物,以布鲁氏菌基因组为模板,通过PCR技术扩增得到Omp2b基因片段,回收纯化后,将此片段连接入pMD20-T质粒,将该重组质粒转化E.coli DH5α感受态细胞,挑取阳性克隆菌提取质粒后,送公司测序。将该片段亚克隆入pET28a载体,构建pET28a-Omp2b表达载体,转化E.coli BL21（DE3）菌株,IPTG诱导其表达,用SDS-PAGE和Western blotting分析鉴定此蛋白。运用DNAMAN、BioEdit等各种工具软件对Omp2b基因编码的氨基酸序列进行分析。结果显示,成功克隆了Omp2b基因,其开放阅读框为1041 bp,编码347个氨基酸;构建了pET28a-Omp2b原核表达载体,并在E.coli BL21（DE3）中成功表达了Omp2b基因,表达蛋白约38 ku;Omp2b蛋白二级结构中α-螺旋、伸展链、β-折叠和无规卷曲分别占20.17%、26.22%、5.76%和47.84%。     

重组微线体MIC10的牛弓形虫抗体间接ELISA检测方法的建立

为建立牛弓形虫抗体间接ELISA检测方法,根据弓形虫MIC10基因序列设计合成引物,应用PCR技术扩增MIC10基因,将其克隆至pET-22b载体,构建重组质粒pET-22b-MIC10,将其转化至E.coli BL21(DE3),经IPTG诱导,SDS-PAGE及Western-blot分析表明,该重组蛋白能与弓形虫阳性血清发生特异性反应。重组蛋白经NiNTA纯化,应用牛弓形虫阳性、阴性血清建立了ELISA检测方法,抗原最佳包被质量浓度为5mg/L,二抗稀释倍数为1∶20 000,封闭液为含5%脱脂奶粉的PBST溶液。该方法重复性好、特异性强、敏感性高,为牛弓形虫流行病学调查奠定基础。     

弓形虫GJS株pcDNA3-MIC3核酸疫苗的研究

根据GenBank中MIC3基因序列设计1对引物,采用PCR技术从弓形虫GJS株基因组DNA中扩增微线体蛋白3(MIC3)基因片段,克隆到pMD18-T载体,经PCR、酶切及测序鉴定后,阳性重组质粒酶切并亚克隆到真核表达载体pcDNA3.1(+)后进行PCR、酶切及测序鉴定.重组质粒pcDNA3-MIC3肌肉注射免疫BALB/c小鼠,通过ELISA检测血清特异抗体;经腹腔攻击感染弓形虫GJS株速殖子,观察小鼠的生存时间.结果成功构建了pcD-NA3-MIC3质粒;免疫组小鼠血清检测到特异性抗体;攻击感染后免疫组小鼠平均存活时间较对照组明显延长.表明该核酸疫苗具有较好的免疫原性,能诱导小鼠产生良好的免疫保护作用.     

羊传染性脓疱病毒CEV112基因的克隆与原核表达

为了克隆羊传染性脓疱病毒CEV112基因并对其进行原核表达,根据GenBank中CEV112基因序列信息设计1对引物,以CEV基因组为模板,采用PCR扩增出1条大小为867bp的CEV112基因,将其连接到pMD20-T载体上,构建pMD20-T-CEV112重组质粒,转化到大肠埃希菌(E.coli)DH5α感受态细胞中,提取质粒进行酶切鉴定。鉴定正确后构建重组质粒pET28a-CEV112,转化到E.coli BL21(DE3)感受态细胞中。经IPTG诱导表达,表达产物用SDS-PAGE和Western blot进行分析。结果表明,成功构建了pET-28a-CEV112原核表达载体,并在E.coli BL21(DE3)中表达了CEV112基因,表达的融合蛋白大小约36ku,且主要以包涵体形式存在,为后续开展CEV112基因的功能研究奠定了基础。     

羊种布鲁氏菌Omp10基因的克隆及原核表达

根据GenBank公布的羊布鲁氏菌(B.melitensis) M5-90株外膜蛋白(outer membrane protein,Omp)基因序列,设计1对引物,以其全基因组为模板,采用PCR技术对其进行扩增,得到381 bp的目的片段,连接入pMD20-T载体,转化E.coli DH5α感受态细胞;测序正确后,构建pET-28a-Omp10原核表达质粒,再将该质粒转化入E.coli BL21(DE3), IPTG诱导表达融合蛋白His-Omp10,用SDS-PAGE和Western blotting进行分析.结果表明, 成功构建了含Omp10基因的原核表达载体,并在E.coli BL21(DE3)中表达了Omp10基因,诱导得到的融合蛋白经鉴定与目的蛋白大小一致,证明Omp10得到成功表达.该试验为布鲁氏菌病的进一步研究奠定基础.     

Phase I evaluation of CCNU (lomustine) in tumor-bearing cats

1-(2-Chloroethyl)3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea (CCNU) is an alkylating agent in the nitrosourea subclass. A prospective evaluation of CCNU was done to determine the maximally tolerated dosage of CCNU in tumor-bearing cats. Response data were obtained when available. Twenty-five cats were treated with CCNU at a dosage of 50-60 mg/m3 body surface area. Complete hematologic data were available for 13 cats. Neutropenia was the acute dose-limiting toxicity. The median neutrophil count at the nadir was 1,000 cells/microL (mean, 2,433 cells/microL; range, 0-9,694 cells/microL). The time of neutrophil nadir was variable, occurring 7-28 days after treatment, and counts sometimes did not return to normal for up to 14 days after the nadir. Based on these findings, a 6-week dosing interval and weekly hematologic monitoring after the 1st treatment with CCNU are recommended. The nadir of the platelet count may occur 14-21 days after treatment. The median platelet count at the nadir was 43,500 cells/microL. No gastrointestinal, renal, or hepatic toxicities were observed after a single CCNU treatment, and additional studies to evaluate the potential for cumulative toxicity should be performed. Five cats with lymphoma and 1 cat with mast cell tumor had measurable responses to CCNU. Phase II studies to evaluate antitumor activity should be completed with a dosing regimen of 50-60 mg/m3 every 6 weeks.     

Furosemide continuous rate infusion in the horse: evaluation of enhanced efficacy and reduced side effects

Continuous rate infusion (CRI) of furosemide in humans is considered superior to intermittent administration (IA). This study examined whether furosemide CRI, compared with IA, would increase diuretic efficacy with decreased fluid and electrolyte fluctuations and activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in the horse. Five mares were used in a crossover-design study. During a 24-hour period, each horse received a total of 3 mg/kg furosemide by either CRI (0.12 mg/kg/h preceded by a loading dose of 0.12 mg/kg IV) or IA (1 mg/kg IV q8h). There was not a statistically significant difference in urine volume over 24 hours between methods; however, urine volume was significantly greater after CRI compared with IA during the first 8 hours ([median 25th percentile, 75th percentile]: 9.6 L [8.9, 14.4] for CRI versus 5.9 L [5.3, 6.0] for IA). CRI produced a more uniform urine flow, decreased fluctuations in plasma volume, and suppressed renal concentrating ability throughout the infusion period. Potassium, Ca, and Cl excretion was greater during CRI than IA (1,133 mmol [1.110, 1,229] versus 764 mmol [709, 904], 102.7 mmol [96.0, 117.2] versus 73.3 mmol [65.0, 73.5], and 1,776 mmol [1,657, 2.378] versus 1,596 mmol [1,457, 1,767], respectively). Elimination half-lives of furosemide were 1.35 and 0.47 hours for CRI and IA, respectively. The area under the excretion rate curve was 1,285.7 and 184.2 mL x mg/mL for CRI and IA, respectively. Furosemide CRI (0.12 mg/kg/h) for 8 hours, preceded by a loading dose (0.12 mg/kg), is recommended when profound diuresis is needed acutely in horses.     

Prevalence of gastric lesions in racing Alaskan sled dogs

Human and equine athletes are reported to have a high prevalence of gastric disease, and anecdotal evidence suggests a similar phenomenon applies to racing sled dogs. To investigate the prevalence of gastric disease in racing sled dogs, we conducted 2 gastroscopy studies on dogs competing in the annual Iditarod Sled Dog Race. A pilot study of dogs that were either dropped from the 2000 Iditarod Sled Dog Race because of illness or that finished the race indicated that, approximately 5 days after competing, 10 of 28 dogs (35%) had endoscopic evidence of gastric ulceration, erosion, or hemorrhage. The next year, an endoscopic study of 73 dogs participating in the 2001 Iditarod race was performed in order to evaluate a larger population of dogs. Data from 70 of these dogs could be used; 34 (48.5%) had ulceration, erosion, gastric hemorrhage, or some combination of these findings. When this group of 70 dogs was compared retrospectively to a control group of 87 dogs presented to the Texas A&M University (TAMU) Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, the Iditarod sled dogs had a significantly higher prevalence (P = .049) of gastric lesions. These findings suggest that, similar to athletes of other species, elite canine athletes have an increased prevalence of gastric disease compared to the canine population at large.     

The Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Nematodes of Dairy Cattle in Central Kenya

The epidemiology of H. placei and of other gastrointestinal nematodes in yearling dairy cattle was examined on two farms in Kiambu District, central Kenya during each of 13 one-month periods from April 1993 to April 1994. On each farm, 32 newly weaned dairy calves were given a single dose of albendazole and then placed on experimental pastures. Twelve of the animals were designated for bi-monthly slaughter (n = 2) and analysis of worm population characteristics and 20 were designated for blood and faecal collection and for weighing. Two parasite-free tracer calves were grazed alongside the weaner calves each month throughout the study period and were also slaughtered for analysis of worm populations. Faecal egg counts, haematological and serum pepsinogen determinations, herbage larval counts, and animal live weight changes were recorded monthly. The study revealed that Haemonchus placei, Trichostrongylus axei, Cooperia spp. and Oesophagostomum radiatum were responsible for parasitic gastroenteritis and that H. placei was the predominant nematode present in the young cattle on both farms. Faecal egg counts from resident cattle and necropsy worm counts revealed that pasture larval levels were directly related to the amount of rainfall. The total worm burdens in the animals were highest during the rainy season (March–June and October–December) and lowest during the dry seasons (July–September and January–February). The very low recovery of immature larvae of H. placei from the tracer calves indicated that arrested development is not a feature of the life cycle of this parasite in central Kenya. The maintenance of the parasite population depended on continuous cycling of infection between the host and the pasture. The agroclimatic conditions of the study area were such that, in general, favourable weather conditions for the development and survival of the free-living stages of gastrointestinal nematodes existed all year round.     

Diversity of Ectoparasites in Sheep Flocks in Sa~o Paulo,Brazil

The occurrence of ectoparasites in sheep flocks is frequently reported but seldom quantified. Sheep production used to be a predominantly family activity in the state of Sa~o Paulo (Brazil), but it began to become a commercial activity in the past decade. Thus, information about the ectoparasites existing in sheep flocks has become necessary. The present data were obtained by means of questionnaires sent to all sheep breeders belonging to the `Associaça~o Paulista de Criadores de Ovinos' (ASPACO; Sa~o Paulo State Association of Sheep Breeders). Response reliability was tested by means of random visits paid to 10.6% of the respondents. Most of the properties (89.5%) reported the presence of one or more ectoparasites. Screw-worm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) was the most frequent ectoparasite (72.5%), followed by bot fly larvae (Dermatobia hominis, 45.0%), ticks (Amblyomma cajennense) and Boophilus microplus, 31.3%) and finally lice (Damalinia ovis, 13.8%). Combined infestations also occurred, the most common one being screw-worm with bot fly larvae (36.0%) followed by bot fly larvae with ticks (13.9%), screw-worm with ticks (9.3%), bot fly larvae with lice (6.9%), and ticks with lice (5.0%). The most common triple combination was screw-worm, bot fly larvae and ticks (12.8%). Breeds raised for meat or wool were attacked by bot fly larvae and ticks more often than other breeds. Lice were only absent from animals of indigenous breeds. The relationships among these ectoparasites are discussed in terms of sheep breeds, flock size, seasonality and the ectoparasitic combinations on the host.     

Evaluation of biohydrogenation rate of canola vs. soya bean seeds as unsaturated fatty acids sources for ruminants in situ

An experiment was conducted to study disappearance of C14 to C18 fatty acids, lag times and biohydrogenation (BH) rates of C18 fatty acids of ground soya bean and canola seeds in situ. Three ruminally fistulated Dallagh sheep were used to determine ruminal BH of unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs). Differences in the disappearance of fatty acids through the bags and lag times were observed between the oilseeds. We saw that the longer the incubation time of the oilseeds in the rumen, the lower the content of C18:2 and C18:3. Significantly higher lag times for both C18:2 and C18:3 were observed in ground canola compared to ground soya bean. BH rates of C18:2 and C18:3 fatty acids in soya bean were three times higher than those of canola. These results suggest that the fatty acid profile of fat source can affect the BH of UFAs by rumen micro‐organisms. So that UFAs of canola had higher ability to escape from ruminal BH. It seems that fatty acid profile of ruminant products is more affected by canola seed compared to soya bean seed.     

Serum biochemical values and mineral element contents of tissues in yaks

Serum biochemical values and the wet weight to dry weight ratios of tissues were determined in yaks in Shandan county of Gansu province. The liver, kidney, heart and muscle contents of seven elements in yaks were also analysed. Most serum biochemical values were similar to those of cattle, camels and sheep, but the calcium concentration was considerably above the normal range for other ruminants. The liver contained the highest concentrations of copper, manganese and cobalt and the kidney of selenium, iron and calcium.Abbreviations Alb albumin - ALT alanine aminotransferase - AST aspartate aminotransferase - BUN blood urea nitrogen - Chol cholesterol - Glob globulin - -GT -glutamyl transpeptidase - IP inorganic phosphorus - TP total protein     

Avian brood parasitism — a growing research area in behavioral ecology (part Ⅱ)

正We are pleased to publish the second special issue on avian brood parasitism and to be responsible guest editors for the two special issues of Chinese Birds (Vol. 3, No. 4, 2012 and Vol. 4, No. 1, 2013), entitled "Avian Brood Parasitism - A Growing Research Area in Behavioral Ecology". The first issue was published in December 2012. The goal of the two special issues is to publish accumulated knowledge and some of the recent developments in     

Internal Parasites and Haematological Values in Cattle Slaughtered in Buea Subdivision of Cameroon

Tropical Animal Health and Production -