北京鸭Mx基因克隆及其在鸭呼肠孤病毒感染的鸭胚成纤维细胞中的表达分析

本试验旨在研究北京鸭Mx基因的结构及功能。利用干扰素诱导剂Poly(I:C)诱导鸭胚成纤维细胞(DEF),提取细胞总RNA,采用RT-PCR方法扩增北京鸭Mx基因全长编码区序列,并观察其在感染了鸭呼肠孤病毒(DRV)的DEF中的动态表达情况。北京鸭Mx基因序列分析结果显示,该基因编码区全长2166 bp,编码721个氨基酸残基。通过与GenBank中已登录的脊椎动物Mx基因进行核苷酸系统进化树分析,结果显示北京鸭Mx基因与野鸭Mx基因关系最近。北京鸭Mx序列与其他动物基因序列的比对结果显示,核苷酸同源性为47.8%~99.8%,氨基酸同源性为47.9%~99.4%。DRV孵育DEF后,Mx呈波动性表达。结果表明,本试验成功克隆了北京鸭Mx基因,预测分析证实其编码的蛋白具有脊椎动物Mx蛋白共有的结构特征,北京鸭Mx蛋白全基因的获得为下一步研究禽类Mx蛋白的抗病毒活性、作用机制及干扰素的监测奠定了基础。     

鸡传染性支气管炎病毒分离株核衣壳基因克隆、序列分析和真核表达

根据GenBank公开序列自行设计一对引物，采用RT—PCR扩增出鸡传染性支气管炎病毒（Infectious bronchitis virus，IBV）W和C9001分离株完整的核衣壳（N）基因，并将其克隆至pMD18-T载体进行核苷酸序列测定和分析。结果表明，扩增的2个IBV分离株核衣壳基因片段长度均为1230bp，编码409个氨基酸，彼此间核苷酸和氨基酸同源性分别为88．0％和89．5％，与GenBank中有代表性的参考毒株相应基因核苷酸和氨基酸序列比较显示，w株核苷酸序列与GenBank中的广东分离株（AY646283）同源性最高，为94．1％，氨基酸序列同源性为94．6％；与国内部分毒株核苷酸序列同源性在86．1％～88．0％之间，氨基酸序列同源性在88．0％～90．7％之间；C9001株与国内部分毒株核苷酸序列同源性在86．4％～99．8％之间，氨基酸序列同源性在88．0％～99．8％之间。从核衣壳基因编码的氨基酸序列的系统进化树可见，W株与C9001株处于不同的进化分枝，亲缘关系较远。同时将核衣壳基因构建于真核表达质粒pVAX1中，用脂质体法将重组质粒转染入COS-7细胞中，间接免疫荧光检测出核衣壳蛋白的体外表达。研究结果为进一步研究IBV核衣壳蛋白的结构与功能以及基因工程疫苗的研制奠定了基础。     

鸭IgG的研究进展及Fc段的遗传进化分析

IgG(IgY)是鸭卵黄中的唯一免疫球蛋白。根据GenBank发表的鸭的IgG Fc段的核苷酸序列、氨基酸序列,和多种动物进行遗传进化分析。得出鸭与鸡的核苷酸同源性分别为67.9%,与其他所列哺乳动物的核苷酸同源性集中在40%～52%之间。鸭与鸡的氨基酸同源性57.5%,与其他所列哺乳动物的氨基酸同源性集中在34%～43%之间。进化树结果显示鸭的IgG Fc段基因与鸡此段基因具有较近的亲缘关系。     

鸭肝炎病毒Js株VP1基因克隆及序列分析

摘要：通过PCR技术,从自行分离的鸭肝炎病毒Js株基因组中扩增出病毒衣壳蛋白VP1完整基因片段,并对该片段进行序列测定及分析。结果显示Js—VP1与DHV—A的VP1基因序列酸核苷酸同源性在92．7％～99．7％之间,与DHV—B的VP1基因序列酸核苷酸同源性在58．5％～58．7％之间,与DHV—C的VP1基因序列酸核苷酸同源性在61．6％-63．9％之间,分析表明Js株为鸭肝炎病毒基因A型,血清型分型为血清1型。进化树表明Js株与E53、X、R、AV2111株的亲缘关系较进。     

鸭的类似鸡白细胞介素2基因的克隆及遗传进化分析

通过RT—PCR和DNA测序技术，克隆和测定了绍兴麻鸭的一种类似鸡白细胞介素2(IL-2)基因的核苷酸序列，并构建了该基因编码蛋白的三维结构分子模型。结果显示，绍兴麻鸭的类似于鸡IL-2基因的核苷酸长度由748个碱基组成，编码产物为由140个氨基酸残基组成的多肽，编码产物中含有21个氨基酸残基组成的信号肽。绍兴麻鸭的类似于鸡IL-2基因的核苷酸及编码产物，与鸡和火鸡IL-2的一致性分别为71.4％～72．1％和55．0％～57．9％，与哺乳类等动物IL-2的一致性分别为22．1％～28．8％和14．3％～17．1％。对绍兴麻鸭的类似于鸡IL-2基因蛋白编码产物的系统进化树分析表明，其编码产物与鸡和火鸡IL-2具有较远的亲缘关系。绍兴麻鸭的类似于鸡IL-2基因编码产物的三维结构，预测由4个α-螺旋结构和2个β折叠组成。这些研究结果预示。鸭的类似于鸡IL-2基因编码产物，在生物学功能上与哺乳动物和其他禽类具有很大的差异。     

鸡传染性支气管炎病毒广西株N、M基因的克隆与序列分析

为研究鸡传染性支气管炎病毒(IBV)广西流行株的遗传变异情况,本研究从广西发病鸡中分离鉴定了1株IBV。参照GenBank中IBV的核苷酸序列设计2对引物,利用RT-PCR技术对分离毒株的N、M基因进行了克隆、序列测定,并与GenBank中发表的国内外参考毒株进行比对分析。结果显示,N基因序列全长为1 230 bp,编码409个氨基酸,M基因序列全长为678 bp,编码225个氨基酸。与参考毒株相比,分离株的N基因核苷酸序列同源性为87.2%~93.3%,推导的氨基酸序列同源性为90.0%~94.4%;M基因的核苷酸序列同源性为83.6%~91.0%,推导的氨基酸序列同源性为82.7%~92.9%。在遗传进化树中,本试验分离株Guangxi156株与BJ株和LX4株两个参考株位于同一个分支上,亲缘关系较近,而与其他参考株属于不同的分支,亲缘关系较远。结果表明,本试验分离株是一株新的IBV变异株。     

鸡IL-2受体α亚基成熟蛋白基因的克隆及其胞外段的原核表达

以鸡脾淋巴细胞总RNA为模板，采用RT—PCR方法克隆了鸡白细胞介素-2受体α亚基（ChIL-2Rα）编码区基因。将ChIL-2Rα胞外段基因克隆到pET-32a（＋）中，获得重组质粒pET32a—exChIL-2Rα，转化宿主菌E．coli Rosseta^TM（DE3）后，经IPTG诱导表达的融合蛋白大小约为34ku。序列分析发现，鸡IL-2Rα编码区基因与GenBank上已登录序列的核苷酸同源性为99．2％，氨基酸同源性为99．5％。ChIL-2Rα与其他哺乳动物IL-2Rα在核苷酸和氨基酸水平上的同源性分别为29．6％～54．5％和18．8％～28．0％。表明，禽类IL-2Rα与哺乳类的差异较大。     

乌鬃鹅a干扰素基因的克隆及生物信息学分析

采用RT-PCR方法从乌鬃鹅肝脏中扩增a干扰素（Interferon,IFN-a）基因片段,将扩增片段克隆到pMD18-T载体上,经PCR和双酶切鉴定为阳性后进行序列测定,并用生物信息学软件Lasergene v7．1DNAStar和在线分析方法对IFN—a基因的核苷酸序列及其氨基酸序列进行了生物信息学分析,同时与GenBank中登录的鸡、鸭和鹅IFN．仅基因核苷酸序列进行同源性比较分析。结果表明,所扩增的IFN—a基因编码完整的开放阅读框,基因长度为576bp,与鸡、鸭与鹅IFN-a基因核苷酸序列同源性在72．0％～99．7％,遗传进化树显示鸡、鸭、鹅IFN-a因在遗传进化上各处一支。乌鬃鹅IFN-a基因的克隆及生物信息学分析为进一步研究鹅干扰素抗病毒的作用机理奠定基础。     

鹅细小病毒VP1-VP3非重叠区基因的克隆与序列分析

通过克隆鹅细小病毒(Goose parvovirus,GPV)分离株VP1-V3非重叠区基因,并对其进行序列分析,为鹅细小病毒感染与疫苗免疫的鉴别诊断奠定理论基础.进行鹅胚病毒增殖,收集尿囊液,提取基因组,参考发表的B株序列,设计合成一对引物,经PCR扩增,克隆VP1-VP3基因,筛选阳性克隆,对其进行序列测定及同源性分析.结果表明,克隆的基因片段为901 bp,VP1-VP3基因共594 bp,编码198个氨基酸;弱毒株之间亲缘关系很近,核苷酸同源性99.5％～100％,氨基酸同源性98.5％～100％;强毒株与B株亲缘关系较近,核苷酸同源性96.6％,氨基酸同源性97.5％;弱毒株与强毒株亲缘关系较远,核苷酸同源性92％～93％,氨基酸同源性96％～97.5％;弱毒株与B株亲缘关系最远,核苷酸同源性92.5％～93％,氨基酸同源性93.9％～95.5％.说明强毒株与弱毒株之间核苷酸序列存在差异.     

水貂 β-干扰素基因的克隆、测序与遗传进化分析

根据Genβank发表的序列,应用DNAstart分析软件设计并合成一对引物用于扩增水貂β干扰素（IFN—β）基因,从病死水貂的脾脏中提取总RNA,RT—PCR扩增水貂β干扰素基因,获得了约561bp片段,将其克隆到pEasy—T1载体中,进行序列分析,证实该基因是水貂β干扰素基因。将测序结果与GenBank发表的雪貂（EF581890．1）的IFN—β基因序列进行比较,核苷酸序列同源性为100．0％,氨基酸同源性为100．0％。同时将核苷酸序列、氨基酸序列与其他几种犬科动物进行遗传进化分析,其同源性分别在83．0％～100．0％之间和69．4％～100．0％之间。     

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.     

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

Tropical Animal Health and Production -     

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.     

Chemotaxis of macrophage in inflammation

Our particular attention in this article was given to natural mediators for macrophages isolated from the sites of tissue injury. A number of chemotactic factors, which may satisfy many criteria making them acceptable as inflammatory leucocyte chemotactic factors, has been separated. Among them, our laboratory has isolated three macrophage (monocyte) chemotactic factors (MCF-a, -b and -c). Their purification, characterization and functional specificity are discussed.     

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