Hereditary diseases in the horse: I. Monogenetic diseases

Overall, monogenetic hereditary diseases are less important for the breeding industry than polygenetic diseases because they are relatively rare. For the individual animal, however, these diseases have often a dramatic outcome and many of these diseases presently known are lethal. For several of them the exact pathogenesis is known and DNA-tests are available to confirm the exact diagnosis.     

Additional material of the enigmatic golden mole Cryptochloris zyli,with notes on the genus Cryptochloris (Mammalia: Chrysochloridae)

Van Zyl’s golden mole (Cryptochloris zyli) is a distinctive but little-known species from the northwestern Cape Province of South Africa. Many authors have mentioned that it is known only by the holotype. Two other specimens are now known to exist; one was discovered in the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard University, and the other, which has been mentioned in publication but overlooked, is in the Natural History Museum in London. Differentiation of C. zyli from sympatric chrysochlorids, and from its congener C. wintoni, are discussed.     

Evaluation of serum iso-amylase in the normal dog using an improved electrophoretic technique

Six iso-amylase fractions are known to exist in human serum, three originating from the salivary glands and three from the pancreas. Although it is known that a different number and source of iso-amylase fractions occur in the dog, the routine detection of all the canine iso-amylase fractions has not been previously established. Earlier methods detected either two iso-amylase fractions or, in a proportion of cases, four fractions. A method is described which detects four iso-amylase fractions in 95% of normal canine serum samples. Trials have shown the method is reproducible and that freezing at -40°C has no effect on iso-amylase activity. The normal values for iso-amylase are recorded in 18 normal dogs.     

Chlamydia and Chlamydiales: more than meets the eye

This review summarizes the dramatic changes that have occurred in the taxonomy of bacteria known as Chlamydia. Best known for the diseases they cause in humans, these intracellular bacteria also comprise many species that are responsible for a wide variety of clinically and economically important diseases in livestock and companion animals. The old taxonomy grouped most of these species into C. psittaci because systematic methods for routinely distinguishing them were not available. DNA-based testing methods are now available that distinguish different chlamydial families, genera, and species. This summary reviews these tests and a number of oligonucleotide primers that distinguish these groups using PCR and PCR-RFLP. DNA-based methods are also being used to discover new families of chlamydia-like bacteria, at least one of which is responsible for abortion in cattle (Waddlia chondrophila). This review summarizes the pathogenic roles of the Chlamydiaceae, new families, and individual species within the order Chlamydiales. These discoveries create opportunities for veterinarians to carry out epidemiological studies of chlamydiae that previously were not possible.     

A description of the postlarva of Cygnodraco mawsoni Waite, 1916 (Pisces,Bathydraconidae), from the Southern Ocean

Eight postlarvae of Cygnodraco mawsoni Waite, 1916, were collected off the Australian Antarctic Mawson Station in the South Indian Ocean, during the South African SIBEX II expedition. These postlarvae are distinctive by having a long and slender body, projecting lower jaw and bicoloured caudal fin. Their morphology and pigmentation are unlike any known bathydraconid early life history stages.     

亚洲璃眼蜱唾液腺差异表达基因文库的构建及分析

从单雌蜱克隆群中挑选未吸血雌蜱60只，随机分成两组。未吸血组直接剖取唾液腺．半饱血组于蜱吸血第5d采集，分离唾液腺。Trizol法提取总RNA，经第一链合成、LD—PCR、RasⅠ酶切、接头连接和抑制消减杂交（SSH）等步骤，获得差异表达基因的cDNA片段。将纯化的cDNA片段与pGEMT—Easv我体连接，转化DH5a，获得204个白色菌落。扩增检查表明，136个克隆含有插入片段，片段大小为250bp-850bm，测出有效序列120个。由10个cDNA片段的RT—PCR检查结果初步断定，本研究消减效果良好。由网上资源分析得：21个片段与其他蜱的基因，19个片段与按蚊、库蚊、钩虫、奥斯特线虫等其他吸血寄生虫的基因，9个与果蝇的基因具有同源性。     

Gastrointestinal disorders of the cat

Several areas of feline gastroenterology deserve critical attention in the near future. For example, as compared with the dog, little is known about the various causes of malabsorptive disease in the cat. So frequently, intestinal biopsy samples reveal nothing more than intestinal thickening with fibrosis and nonspecific mild cellular infiltration, and the inciting cause is never determined. It is, perhaps, wrong to be critical about the use of the bark of Berberis vulgaris and the root of Rheum in modern feline gastroenterology, since most of us occasionally use unconventional therapies. It has been rumored that I have been known to advocate the daily addition of a tablespoon of pumpkin-pie filling to the food of cats suffering from recurrent constipation and acquired megacolon. The rumors are true, and colonic evacuation is sometimes promoted with the use of this unusual bulking agent after traditional drug therapy has failed. We all have our weaknesses!     

Species Comparison of the Role of p38 MAP Kinase in the Female Reproductive System

The p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are members of discrete signal transduction pathways that have significant regulatory roles in a variety of biological processes, depending on the cell, tissue and organ type. p38 MAPKs are involved in inflammation, cell growth and differentiation and cell cycle. In the female reproductive system, p38 MAPKs are known to regulate various aspects of the reproductive process such as mammalian estrous and menstrual cycles as well as early pregnancy and parturition. p38 MAPKs have also been implicated in alterations and pathologies observed in the female reproductive system. Therefore, pharmacologic modulation of p38 MAPKs, and inter-connected signaling pathways (e.g., estrogen receptor signaling, c-fos, c-jun), may influence reproductive physiology and function. This article provides a critical, comparative review of available data on the roles of p38 MAPKs in the mammalian female reproductive system and in reproductive pathophysiology in humans and preclinical species. We first introduce fundamental differences and similarities of the mammalian female reproductive system that should be considered by toxicologists and toxicologic pathologists when assessing the effects of new pharmacologic agents on the female reproductive system. We then explore in detail the known roles for p38 MAPKs and related molecules in female reproduction. This foundation is then extended to pathological conditions in which p38 MAPKs are thought to play an integral role.     

Tachykinin receptors in the equine pelvic flexure

Tachykinins, of which substance P (SP) is the prototype, are neuropeptides which are widely distributed in the nervous systems. In the equine gut, SP is present in enteric nerves and is a powerful constrictor of enteric muscle; in other species, SP is also known to have potent vasodilatory and pro-inflammatory effects. The specific effects of SP are determined by the subtype of receptor present in the target tissue. There are 3 known subtypes of tachykinin receptors, distinguished by their relative affinities for SP and other tachykinins. The distribution of SP binding sites in the equine pelvic flexure was determined using 125I-Bolton Hunter SP (I-BHSP) autoradiography. Most I-BHSP binding sites were determined to be saturable and specific, therefore presumably representing tachykinin receptors. The greatest degree of I-BHSP binding occurred over very small vessels, and over the muscularis mucosae; I-BHSP binding was also intense over the circular muscle of the muscularis externa and mucosa, and present, although less intense, over the longitudinal muscle of the muscularis externa. Competition of I-BHSP with specific receptor agonists for binding sites in the equine pelvic flexure were used to determine the subtypes of tachykinin receptors present. The neurokinin-1 receptor subtype predominated in the equine pelvic flexure, followed by the neurokinin-3 receptor subtype.     

Normal parameters in abdominal radiology of the dog and cat

The size, position and ease of demonstration of the major abdominal viscera have been recorded in a series of two hundred consecutive radiographic examinations of the dog and cat. Only the values for viscera either known to be normal following surgery or autopsy, or presumed to be normal on the basis of clinical findings, are presented. All values are expressed as a ratio of the length of the second lumbar vertebral body. The factors affecting organ visibility and the variations in normal organ size are discussed.     

Failure of acid secretion during infection of the ovine abomasum by the nematode parasite Teladorsagia circumcincta

Elevation of the abomasal pH of ruminants is a well known consequence of nematode parasitism. Many have argued that the nematodes seek to increase pH to promote their survival. Indeed, there is limited evidence that substances released by the parasites are capable of directly influencing parietal cell activity. In one experimental series, excretions/secretions (ES) of Teladorsagia circumcincta reduced the apparent activity of rabbit gastric glands. Worm ES were shown to contain ammonia, probably accounting for the observed activity, and the effects of ES/ammonia are almost certainly an in-vitro phenomenon only. An alternative hypothesis contends that the loss of acid secretion arises as a consequence of the profound host response elicited by the presence of the parasites. Invariably, presence of parasites is accompanied by an inflammatory response in which eosinophils are conspicuous. Recent research has shown that exudates from inflamed tissues were also inhibitory to gastric gland activity and that during infection, expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin 1-beta, the most potent known inhibitor of acid secretion by parietal cells, was increased. Further, the elevation of abomasal pH may prove to have adverse effects on the ability of the parasites to maintain their position within the abomasum.     

Hypersensitivity skin testing of lambs infested with the biting louse (Bovicola ovis)

Abstract Cockle, a defect of lamb's pelts, has recently been shown to be associated with infestation of lambs with the louse Bovicoh ovis. The mechanisms by which infestation with the louse leads to cockle are not known, but immunological hypersensitivity has been suggested. The objectives of our work are to determine if lambs respond immunologically to lice and, if so, whether hypersensitivity occurs. Preliminary results are presented here.     

牛乳酪蛋白基因多态性研究进展

牛乳被称为"白色血液",是最理想的天然食品之一,富含蛋白质、乳脂、钙、维生素和人体必需的8种氨基酸,也被称为"接近完美的食品".但我国的牛乳多用于液态乳的加工,其营养价值未得到充分利用.酪蛋白基因多态性被认为会影响乳产量、乳的理化特性和营养成分、乳制品加工特性以及营养价值,因此得到学者们的重视.本文对现有研究中关于酪蛋...     

犬细小病毒免疫复合物解离试验的研究

以犬细小病毒（ＣＰＶ）做为示范性抗原,以抗犬细小病毒血清（Ａｎｔｉ－ＣＰＶ）做为示范性抗体,制成抗原抗体免疫复合物。探索测定了使犬细小病毒复合物中抗原抗体解离的物理振荡、电解质浓度、缓冲液ｐＨ值及作用温度的解离条件。     

Chronic udder oedema: Clinical aspects of the syndrome and its connection with hypomagnesaemia and anaemia

Extract

Chronic udder oedema (C.U.O.), also known as “leatherbag”, “rubber bag” and “caked udder”, is a disease of dairy cows occurring in a number of areas in the North Island. The condition has been observed to be associated with hypomagnesaemia and a fading syndrome involving anaemia (J. Ker and D. Cordes, pers. comm.). This syndrome, also known as “Taranaki anaemia”, is described herein as Spring Anaemia (S.A.). No mention of these diseases in veterinary literature has been found. For this reason, clinical aspects of C.U.O. and S.A. as they occur within a 30 km radius of Eltham, Taranaki, are described and discussed. Results are presented of a survey undertaken in the same area to determine the association of C.U.O. with hypomagnesaemia and anaemia.     

An Introduction to the Avermectins

The avermectins are macrocyclic lactones with exceptional potency and spectrum of activity against nematode and arthropod parasites. They are produced by a new species of actinomycete, Streptomyces avermitilis. They are active when given orally or parenterally, at dosages of a fraction of a milligram per kilogram, against many immature and mature nematode and arthropod parasites of sheep, cattle, dogs, horses and swine. The avermectins appear to paralyze nematodes and arthropods by potentiating the presynaptic release of gamma-aminobutyric acid, thereby blocking post-synaptic transmission of nerve impulses. A chemically modified derivative, 22,23-dihydroavermectin B₁, known generically as ivermectin, has been selected for development.     

Congenital contraction of the gastrocnemius and superficial digital flexor muscles in a friesian calf

The red deer (Cervus elaphus) is a host for two louse species, Damalinia longicornis and Solenopotes burmeisteri. Little is known of their prevalence or population dynamics; numbers are likely to peak in winter. Numbers may increase secondarily to malnutrition or disease. Lice are unlikely to seriously affect deer health under most conditions. “Pour-on” insecticides have been used for treatment but their efficacy has not been critically assessed. Animals can be sprayed using garden spray equipment, providing that such equipment has not been used for other toxic chemicals such as weed killers. Little is known of the toxicity of insecticides for deer, so they should be used with care and not used on stressed animals. No lice have been recorded from the fallow deer (Dama dama) in New Zealand.

Dictyocaulus viviparus infects red and fallow deer and can cause high mortalities of young farmed red deer in their first autumn and winter. In clinical cases respiratory signs are seldom obvious but loss of condition and dullness of coat may be evident. Clinical evidence and lung lesions suggest that the pathogenesis of disease may differ from that in cattle. Anthelmintics effective against D. viviparus in cattle are not necessarily effective in deer. Little is known of the significance of lungworm to farmed fallow deer. Research on lungworm in deer is urgently needed.     

微生态制剂在提高畜禽免疫力中的作用机制

作为一种替代抗生素的新型绿色添加剂,微生态制剂在畜禽养殖中主要用于维持畜禽健康、促进动物生长、提高饲料利用率。文章从调控动物胃肠道内微生物菌群、刺激动物免疫器官发育、分泌代谢产物激活动物自身免疫反应、改善养殖场环境进而改善动物健康状况等方面对现有的微生态制剂免疫机制进行综述。     

Modulation of the cytokine responses in equine macrophages following TACE-inhibition

The detrimental effects of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha during equine acute abdominal disease are well known. Its pivotal role in many human diseases has led to various in-depth studies regarding its release mechanism, in particular by TNF-alpha converting enzyme (TACE). In this study we investigated the inhibitory effect of a TACE-inhibitor on cytokine release (TNF-alpha, IL-1alpha and IL-6) in three different cell models, including U937 cells, a recently established equine macrophage cell line, known as eCAS, and primary equine PBMC. The aim was to show the similarity of TNF-alpha release through the TACE mechanism in human and equine cells after stimulation with LPS. Results indicate that, by using a TACE-inhibitor, TNF-alpha, IL-1alpha and IL-6 release can be reduced in both equine cell models and achieved comparable results in the human U937 cells. These results suggest that equine TNF-alpha, like its human homologue, is released from its membrane-bound position by TACE.