大肠杆力不耐热肠毒素突变体LTR72基因的克隆及序列分析

利用PCR和点突变PCR技术，制备了大肠杆菌不耐热肠毒素（LT）突变体LTR72和LT的基因片段，经酶切连接后构建了突变体重组质粒pLTR72，经酶切和序列测定证明重组子构建正确，目的突变点第72位的丙氨酸密码子已被突变成为精氨酸密码子。同时，试验构建了可以表达天然LT的表达质粒pLT作对照，二级结构分析表明，LTR72及LT之间没有显著差异。     

结核分支杆菌Rv3117基因的克隆与原核表达

以结核分支杆菌H37Rv株染色体DNA为模板,应用Rv3117基因特异性引物对该基因进行PCR扩增,获得约800bp的DNA片段。将PCR纯化产物克隆至pMD-18T Vector中,构建出重组质粒pMD-18T-Rv3117。以EcoRⅠ和SamⅠ双酶切pMD-18T-Rv3117重组载体和pGEX-4T-1原核表达载体,并将纯化的Rv3117基因亚克隆至pGEX-4T-1中,构建出原核重组表达质粒pGEX-4T-1-Rv3117。将pGEX-4T-1-Rv3117重组质粒转化至感受态E.coli BL21中,经IPTG诱导和SDS-PAGE分析,可见约30ku目的蛋白带。Western blot分析结果显示,该蛋白能与抗结核分支杆菌阳性血清发生特异性反应。研究结果为结核病临床诊断抗原的筛选奠定了基础。     

牛源犬新孢子虫NcGRA7基因的克隆及原核表达分析

为了解牛源犬新孢子虫NcGRA7基因的生物学特性,本实验采用PCR技术扩增牛源犬新孢子虫NcGRA7基因,并连接至pMD-18T载体中,构建重组质粒pMD 18-NcGRA7,经PCR、酶切鉴定及测序分析,将NcGRA7基因连接到原核表达载体pGEX-4T-1中,构建重组表达质粒pGEX-NcGRA7,转化大肠杆菌BL21,筛选阳性克隆,将PCR和酶切鉴定正确的重组质粒进行IPTG诱导表达,SDS-PAGE和westem blot分析表达产物.结果表明,扩增的NcGRA7基因片段大小为701 bp,编码233个氨基酸,与GenBank中登录的NcGRA7(AF176649)核苷酸序列同源性为98.7％;western blot分析表达蛋白的分子量为52 ku,具有较好的反应原性.本实验为犬新孢子虫NcGRA7基因疫苗研究奠定了基础.     

产气荚膜梭菌α—β融合基因的高效表达

用PCR从含产气荚膜俊菌α毒素基因的质粒pXETA1中扩增出α毒素基因，用NcoⅠ和BamHI双酶切该α毒素基因，回收0．95kb的α毒素基因片段，再用NcoⅠ和BamHI双酶切含产气荚膜梭菌β毒素基因质粒pXCPAB2，与 回收的α毒素基因片段连接，转化至受菌BL21（DE3）中。经NcoI,BamHI,NcoI酶反应鉴定和核苷酸序列分析证实，获得了理想重组质粒pXCPAB2，该重组质粒含有α-β融合基因。重组菌株BL21（DE）3（pXCPAB2)经IPTG诱导后，其表达产物经ELISA检测和SDSPAGE分析，结果表明重组菌株可以高效表达α-β融合基因，该融合蛋白占菌体总蛋白的22．14％。     

大肠杆菌O157:H7菌毛分子伴侣基因的克隆与表达

根据Genebank中已登录的大肠杆菌O157:H7菌株EDL933基因序列中茵毛分子伴侣ycbR基因序列设计1对引物,并分别在其5'端分别加入Neo I、Xho I酶切位点,以大肠杆菌O157:H7国内分离株97094的DNA为模板,用聚合酶链反应(PCR)扩增出710 bp的DNA片段.回收并纯化该DNA片段,用限制性核酸内切酶Nco I、Xho I同时消化DNA片段和双酶切栽体质粒pET28a(+).将它们回收纯化并连接,然后转化到宿主菌大肠杆菌DH5a,从该菌中提取重组质粒,用PCR、限制性内切酶位点分析及核苷酸序列测定法对克隆的重组质粒进行鉴定,表明ycbR基因定向克隆到了载体质粒pET28a(+).再将重组质粒转化到表达宿主菌大肠杆菌BL21(DE3),在含Kan抗生素LB培养基中经IPTG诱导12～16 h,做SDS-PAGE分析,表明ycbR基因在菌株中获得高效表达,表达蛋白相对分子质量大小约为30 000,与预期结果一致.为研究大肠杆菌ycbR基因产物的功能和致病作用奠定了基础.     

鸡致病性大肠杆菌O1、O2和O78的I型菌毛结构基因表达载体的构建及表达产物的检测

用限制性内切酶SacI和BamHI双酶切克隆有鸡致病性大肠杆菌分离株O1、O2和O78的piliA基因的质粒pTFimO1、pTFimO2和pTFimO78，分别回收从此3质粒上切下的545bp的piliA基因片段，再将载体pET-28a( )用SacI和BamHI双酶切，最后将pET-28a( )DNA片段与545bp的piliA DNA片段进行连接，转化至受体菌BL21（DE3）中，经SacI和BamHI酶切反应鉴定重组子，得到了理想重组子质粒pETFimO1、pETFimO2和pETFimO78。重组菌株BL21（DE3），（pETFimO1)、BL21（DE3）（pETFimO2)和BL21（DE3）（pETFimO78)经IPTG诱导后，其表达产物经SDS－PAGE检测，结果表明重组菌株可以良好地表达鸡致病性大肠杆菌I型菌毛蛋白。     

环形泰勒虫裂殖体表面蛋白基因高免疫原性区片段的克隆及其表达

根据环形泰勒虫TaA1272-1株裂殖体表面抗原(TaSP)基因的序列设计了1对引物，用PCR扩增出该基因长为393bp的高免疫原性区片段(SBxp)。将扩增产物连接到pGEM-T Easy载体上，转化入大肠埃希氏菌JM109中进行克隆。随后将重组质粒pGEM-SBxp和表达载体pGEX-4T-1分别以BamHⅠ、XhoⅠ酶切后，将酶切的目的片段SBxp亚克隆到原核表达载体中构建了重组表达载体pGEX-4T-1-SBxp，并将其转化到BL21宿主菌中。提取重组质粒经BamHⅠ、XhoⅠ酶切、PCR鉴定和测序确证后，阳性克隆用IPTG诱导表达。收集不同时间的菌液进行SDS-PAGE电泳和Western blotting检测。结果，SBxp基因在大肠埃希氏菌中成功表达，其表达产物为分子质量43ku的融合蛋白，该产物能被牛环形泰勒虫阳性血清所识别。     

猪胸膜肺炎放线杆菌APXⅡA基因原核表达载体的构建及其表达

经PCR从含有APXⅡA基因片段的重组质粒pT—APXⅡA中扩增出了APXⅡA基因。同时对目的基因和表达质粒pGEX-4T-1进行了双酶切，连接、转化受体菌，经PCR、酶切和序列分析，证明连接向位和阅读框架正确。成功构建了APXⅡA基因的原核表达载体pGEX—APXⅡA。重组质粒转化表达菌在IPTG诱导下，用SDS—PAGE分析表达目的蛋白。结果表明，蛋白质的分子质量为102．5ku。     

胸膜肺炎放线杆菌4型菌毛亚单位基因apfA特异性片段的克隆和表达

以猪胸膜肺炎放线杆菌血清型7型国内分离株25-4株基因组DNA为模板，PCR扩增其apfA特异性基因片段，PCR产物经纯化后与载体pMD18-T进行连接、转化，经酶切及序列分析鉴定后，亚克隆至原核表达载体pGEX-6P-1中，构建重组表达质粒pGEX-apfA，转化到感受态大肠杆菌DE3中，以IPTG进行诱导，进行SDS-PAGE电泳。结果表明，25-4株apfA基因与基因库中标准7型apfA基因的同源性达到98％，所表达的融合蛋白相对分子质量约为42000，与预测值相符。apfA特异性基因片段的成功克隆和表达为猪胸膜肺炎放线杆菌病致病机理的研究及新型疫苗的研制打下了基础。     

破伤风毒素C片段基因的克隆及在大肠杆菌中的高效表达

本研究对破伤风毒素C片段进行了基因克隆、重组表达、蛋白纯化和免疫原性分析。应用PCR技术直接从破伤风梭菌64008菌株基因组中扩增出大小为1356 bp的破伤风毒素C片段(TetC)基因,经DNA序列测定分析,扩增出的基因与GenBank上登录的序列AF154828的同源性达到99.2%。将此基因克隆至大肠杆菌融合表达载体pGEX-6P-1,构建成重组表达质粒pGEX-6P-1-TetC,并在大肠杆菌BL21中表达,重组蛋白的表达量占菌体总蛋白的21%。经SDS-PAGE蛋白电泳鉴定,表达产物为76 Ku左右的重组蛋白,经免疫印迹试验证实该重组蛋白是破伤风毒素C片段抗原。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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 -