Further Studies on the Hypoglossal Nucleus in the Fowl

The delineation of the fowl's hypoglossal nucleus was determined by severing the hypoglossal nerve or its branches and observing retrograde degeneration. Birds were killed 7 or 10 days after surgery, the brains embedded in paraffin and cut at 10 μm. Transection of the hypoglossal nerve stem resulted in chromatolysis near the obex and no chromatolysis was found in the Nuclei cervicales. Severing of the laryngolingual branch led to degeneration phenomena near the obex nearly similar to the degeneration observed after severing of the hypoglossal nervestem. Cutting of the superior laryngeal branch caused a degeneration of cells caudal to the obex, and cutting of the syringeal branch resulted in chromatolysis in about the same area. The origin of the anastomosing branch between the first cervical and hypoglossal nerve was not found because no chromatolytic cells could be detected. Similarly the cutting of several upper cervical nerves did not lead to chromatolysis in the areas we investigated.     

Muscle Representation within the Hypoglossal Nucleus of the Chicken Studied by Means of Horseradish Peroxidase

The distribution in the chicken of motoneurons innervating the hyolingual muscles, i.e. the Mm. hyoglossus rostralis (HR), hyoglossus obliquus (HO), ceratoglossus (CG), interceratobranchialis (CB). stylohyoideus (YH), serpihyoideus (PH) and cricohyoideus (CR), and the laryngotracheal muscles, comprising the Mm. tracheolateralis (TL), cleido-hyoideus (CL) and sternotrachealis (ST), was examined by retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase conjugated with wheat-germ agglutinin. Labelled motoneurons are only found in the hypoglossal nucleus. The rostrocaudal distributions of motoneurons projecting to hyolingual muscles are restricted in the hypoglossal nucleus cranial to the obex, and those projecting to laryngotracheal muscles are distributed in the more caudal part of hypoglossal nucleus. Detailed analysis of the data showed that the most rostrally positioned motoneurons in the hypoglossal nucleus supplied to the PH, followed by the CG, CB. HR, YH, HO, CR, TL, CL and ST in that order, overlapping each other. In the hypoglossal nucleus motoneurons innervating the PH and YH have the smallest perikarya. Of the motoneurons in the hypoglossal nucleus, those supplying the laryngotracheal muscles (CL and TL) have the largest perikarya. Motoneurons innervating the other muscles are intermediate in size.     

互助猪保种群遗传多样性的RAPD分析

利用随扩增多态ＤＮＡ（ＲＡＰＤ）技术分析了互助猪两个保护核心群１８头个体的遗传变异,用Ｓｈａｎｎｏｎ指数计算了遗传变异在两个保种核心群群体内和群体间的分布。结果表明：互助猪两个保护核心群遗传变异有一定差异,分别为４９．００％和３４．５８％。这是由于两个保种群规模不同,导致世代近交增量也不同,同时长期的自群繁育阻碍了基因的相互交流。     

An Immunohistochemical Study on the Embryonic Development of Renin-containing Cells in the Mouse and Pig

The prenatal occurrence and distribution of renin-containing (RC) cells were investigated immunohistochemically in mouse and pig embryos. The RC cells of the mouse embryo were first observed at the 13th day of gestation at the walls of the renal, the mesonephric, the adrenal, the abdominal arteries, the adrenal glands and the testis. As the gestation of the mouse progressed, the RC cells had a tendency to localize in areas of the vascular pole of the metanephric glomerulus. In pig, when CRL was 0.8-2.0 cm, RC cells first appeared at the ventral walls of the dorsal aorta, the omphalo-mesenteric (i.e., the cranial mesenteric), the mesonephric, the mesonephric afferent glomerular arteries/arterioles and the inside of the mesonephric glomerulus. As the length of the pig embryo increased, no renin-immunoreactivity could be demonstrated at the degenerated mesonephros, while in the metanephros marked immunoreactivities were found only at the terminal regions of intralobular arteries, i.e., afferent arterioles or the vascular pole of the glomerulus.     

Clinical and Immunohistochemical Characterization of Thymic Lymphosarcoma in a Heifer

A 2–year-old Holstein heifer with a swollen brisket, jugular vein distention, muffled heart sounds, tachycardia, and free gas bloat was examined. Thymic lymphosarcoma was suspected based on a negative agar gel immunodiffusion test for bovine leukemia virus, presence of atypical lymphocytes in pleural fluid, and detection of a mass in the thoracic inlet. Right-sided cardiac catheterization was performed, and markedly increased jugular venous pressures (41 mm Hg) with a pressure gradient of 29 mm Hg immediately cranial to the heart indicated constriction of the cranial vena cava. Immunohistochemical staining of formalin fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections of the tumor using a rabbit anti-human T cell, CD3 polyclonal antibody confirmed that the neoplastic lymphocytes were of thymic origin. J Vet Intern Med 1996;275–278. Copyright © 1996 by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine .     

莆田黑猪精液中NAGase酶学特性研究

试验对以莆田黑猪精液为材料分离纯化得到的N-乙酰-β-D-氨基葡萄糖苷酶(NAGase)进行了理化特性研究。经硫酸铵分级沉淀、DEAE Sepharose Fast Flow离子交换层析和Sephadex G100分子筛层析获得PAGE电泳纯化的NAGase酶制剂。以对硝基苯-N-乙酰-β-D-氨基葡萄糖苷(pNP-GlcNAc)为底物,研究酶催化水解的相关性质。分离纯化获得的酶制剂比活力为1561.42 U/mg,分子质量为58 ku,只有1个亚基,等电点pI为9.13。酶的最适pH为5.6,最适温度为45 ℃,酶在pH 3.6～7.8之间稳定,当pH>8时迅速失活,在50 ℃以下处理30 min酶活力保存稳定,高于50 ℃时,酶活力迅速降低。酶促反应动力学符合米氏双曲线方程,米氏常数K_m为0.82 mmol/L,最大反应速度V_m为39.23 μmol/(L·min)。催化pNP-GlcNAc反应的活化能为27.30 kJ/mol。金属离子中Na⁺、K⁺、Mg²⁺、Ca²⁺对酶活力无明显影响,Zn²⁺、Cu²⁺、Pb²⁺对酶有抑制作用。     

Identification and Characterization of Pig Embryo MicroRNAs by Solexa Sequencing

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small, non‐coding RNAs of approximately 22 nucleotides in length that regulate gene expression by binding to the 3′‐untranslated regions of target mRNAs. It is now clear that miRNAs are involved in many biological processes, including proliferation, differentiation and regulation of gene expression during early embryonic development. The miRBase 16.0 (2010) shows that there are 175, 673, 408 and 1048 annotated miRNAs for Caenorhabditis elegans, Mus musculus, Rattus norvegicus and Homo sapiens, respectively. However, there are only 211 miRNAs described for Sus scrofa. In particular, the full set of miRNAs and their expression patterns are still poorly understood in the embryo. Therefore, we combined Solexa sequencing with computational techniques to analyse the sequences and relative expression levels of S. scrofa miRNAs at embryonic day 33 (E33). Of the distinct miRNAs identified, 76 previously known miRNAs and 194 candidate miRNAs were identified in head, and 77 known miRNAs and 130 predicted candidate miRNAs were identified in organ region. Furthermore, we performed additional investigation for identifying the potential target mRNAs using PicTar and TargetScan. Concurrent function analysis suggested that highly expressed miRNAs are mostly involved in the development of nerves, cerebrum, muscle and organs. Our results provide useful information for the investigation into embryonic miRNAs of pig and provide a valuable resource for investigators interested in the regulation of embryonic development in pigs and other animals.     

Characterization of MC1R and KIT Genotypes in Luchuan Pig Population

In order to assess the purity of Luchuan pig populations, four South Chinese local pig breeds including Putian Black pig, Yuedong Black pig, Dahuabai pig, Bama miniature pig and three foreign pig breeds including Duroc pig, Yorkshire pig and Landrace pig were studied as controls by sequencing of PCR products, MC1R and KIT genotypes in 56 Luchuan pigs were analyzed in this study. Sequencing results indicated that a splicing mutation (G>A) was presented in the first base in intron 17 of KIT gene in both Yorkshire pig and Landrace pig, in contrast, the wildtype GG of KIT gene was presented in Luchuan pig, four south Chinese local pig breeds and Duroc pig.Compared with Hainan wild boar, South Chinese local pig breeds had two missense mutations 95Val > Met and 102Leu > Pro in the coding region of MC1R gene;Compared with Yorkshire pig, Landrace pig and Duroc pig, South Chinese local pig breeds had 5 to 6 SNPs in MC1R gene 5'UTR, and in addtion, an A base deletion in MC1R gene 3'UTR. Furthermore, we found one litter of Luchuan pig with abnormal coat color.The results showed that the presentation of two distinct MC1R genotypes E^D1 and E^p in both litters and the sow,but only E^D1 in the boar. Considering E^p was derived from Pietrain pig, we preliminarily considered that the genome of the sow might be infiltrated with foreign pig breeds. In summary, we detected the genotypes of the coat color genes KIT and MC1R in eight pig breeds, confirmed the molecular differences of coat color between Chinese local pig breeds and foreign pig breeds, which could be useful for the further investigation of the molecular mechanism of pig coat color.     

陆川猪MC1R和KIT基因型鉴定

为了检测陆川猪种群的纯度,本研究以4个华南地方猪种（莆田黑猪、粤东黑猪、大花白猪、巴马香猪）和3个外来猪种（杜洛克猪、大白猪、长白猪）作为对照,利用PCR测序法对陆川猪群体56个样本的MC1R和KIT基因进行基因型鉴定。测序结果表明,大白猪和长白猪KIT基因内含子17的第1个碱基发生G>A剪接突变,而陆川猪和4个华南地方猪种,以及杜洛克猪中KIT基因型一样,均为野生型的GG基因型;MC1R基因编码区分析表明,以海南野猪MC1R基因型作为参考序列,陆川猪和4个华南地方猪种在MC1R基因编码区存在95Val > Met和102Leu > Pro两个错义突变;MC1R基因非编码区分析表明,与大白猪、长白猪和杜洛克猪相比,陆川猪和4个华南地方猪种MC1R基因的5'UTR分别存在5~6个SNPs,3'UTR存在1个A碱基的缺失。另外,试验对一窝毛色异常的陆川猪仔猪及其亲本的KIT和MC1R基因进行测序分析,结果表明,仔猪及其亲本的KIT基因型均为GG野生型,仔猪和母本的MC1R基因均存在E^D1和E^p两种不同的基因型,父本的MC1R基因型为E^D1,因E^p对应于皮特兰猪的斑块表型,所以初步判定母本渗入了外来猪种的血统。本研究通过检测陆川猪等8个猪种的毛色相关基因KIT和MC1R基因的基因型,证实了中外猪种间在毛色遗传上的分子差异,为今后深入研究猪毛色遗传的分子调控机理提供参考。     

Morphological and Immunohistochemical Characterization of Canine Osteosarcoma Spheroid Cell Cultures

Spheroid cell culture emerges as powerful in vitro tool for experimental tumour research. In this study, we established a scaffold‐free three‐dimensional spheroid system built from canine osteosarcoma (OS) cells (D17). Spheroids (7, 14 and 19 days of cultivation) and monolayer cultures (2 and 7 days of cultivation) were evaluated and compared on light and electron microscopy. Monolayer and spheroid cultures were tested for vimentin, cytokeratin, alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin and collagen I by means of immunohistochemistry. The spheroid cell culture exhibited a distinct network of collagen I in particular after 19‐day cultivation, whereas in monolayer cultures, collagen I was arranged as a lamellar basal structure. Necrotic centres of large spheroids, as observed in 14‐ and 19‐day cultures, were characterized by significant amounts of osteocalcin. Proliferative activity as determined by Ki‐67 immunoreactivity showed an even distribution in two‐dimensional cultures. In spheroids, proliferation was predominating in the peripheral areas. Metastasis‐associated markers ezrin and S100A4 were shown to be continuously expressed in monolayer and spheroid cultures. We conclude that the scaffold‐free spheroid system from canine OS cells has the ability to mimic the architecture of the in vivo tumour, in particular cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions.     

Intrinsic Innervation of the Stomach of the Fetal Pig: an Immunohistochemical Study of VIP-Immunoreactive Nerve Fibres and Cell Bodies

Using an immunohistochemical technique, the presence and distribution of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) was investigated in cryostat sections, both tangential and transverse, of the fetal pig's stomach. In all fetuses and in all gastric segments investigated, VIP-like immunoreactive (IR) nerve-cell bodies were seen in all intramural ganglia, and VIP-IR nerve fibres were found in all layers of the gastric wall except the tunica serosa. Consequently, VIP-IR nerve fibres were found to form a periglandular network, to accompany arterioles, to interconnect the intramural ganglia, to encircle both VIP-IR-negative and -positive neurons, and were found in all muscle layers. Despite the fact that VIP-IR seems to be restricted to the intramural nervous elements, some nonspecific-reacting VIP-IR glandular cells were noticed in the basal parts of the fundic, antral and pyloric gastric glands. The distribution pattern of VIP in the fetal pig resembles that of the adult pig. This suggests a possible functional role for VIP during fetal life and/or puts forward the suggestion that the stomach of a fetal pig from the second half of the gestation period is prepared, from then on, for postnatal function. High similarities with regard to the general distribution pattern of VIP in the stomach have also been noted between the fetal pig and humans, proving once more that the fetal pig can serve as a good animal model in several research areas. Finally, the morphological data provided here may, combined with the physiological significance of VIP, contribute to a better insight into the physiopathology of economically important gastro-intestinal disorders in the pig, such as gastric ulceration.     

Histopathological and Immunohistochemical Characterization of Spontaneously Occurring Uterine Deciduomas in Young Adult Rats

Uterine deciduomas were found in two female virgin rats, a 15-week-old Lewis rat and a 7-week-old Sprague-Dawley rat. The firm white nodules were located at the base of unilateral uterine horns and were approximately 6 mm and 4 mm in diameter. Histopathologically, the nodules were composed of three areas, each with a distinct type of proliferating cells: large epithelioid decidual cells with round nuclei, prominent nucleoli and abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm (antimesometrial region); compact spindle-shaped cells with oval nuclei and vacuolar cytoplasm (transitional region); and pleomorphic and spiny cells with round to oval nuclei and compact eosinophilic cytoplasm (mesometrial region). These cells proliferated in sheet-like arrangements and transformed into the other types of cells located in surrounding regions. Immunohistochemically, proliferating cells in all regions were strongly positive for proliferating cell nuclear antigen. The proliferating cells were positive for vimentin, and large decidual cells were positive for common acute lymphoblastic leukemia antigen 10, a marker of uterine interstitial cells. Large decidual cells were positive for α-smooth muscle actin and desmin, suggesting differentiation into muscular cells. Progesterone receptor was expressed in all cell types; however, estrogen receptor α was not expressed in the antimesometrial region. These extremely rare tumor-like nodules represent nonneoplastic lesions referred as decidual reactions of endometrial interstitial cells, and their biological behavior is that of a space-occupying benign tumor in young rats. Our cases might provide information as a historical control in toxicity and pharmacological studies in rats.     

Communications: Immunohistochemical Characterization of a Monoclonal Antibody against Ceratomyxa shasta

Abstract

The location of the antigen binding site of a monoclonal antibody (MAb) against Ceratomyxa shasta was investigated by transmission electron microscopy with immunogold labeling techniques and by immunoenzymatic labeling of the parasite in histological sections. Specific binding by the MAb was observed in the cytoplasm of the primary (mother) cell. Labeled antibody was not observed in the cytoplasm of the developing secondary cells of the parasite nor in the nucleus of either the primary or secondary cells. Uses for this MAb in diagnostics and research are discussed.     

Histological and Immunohistochemical Characterization of Equine Anovulatory Haemorrhagic Follicles (AHFs)

Anovulatory haemorrhagic follicles (AHFs) are often the reason for ovulation failure in the mare. As the underlying factors that lead to AHF development are not well understood, it was of interest to investigate the vascularization of AHFs compared with normal follicles and corpora lutea (controls). In the present study, the ovarian cell populations investigated immunohistochemically included granulosa and luteal cells as well as various vascular structures. None of these cell types showed differences in the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) between control ovaries containing normal follicles and corpora lutea and ovaries with AHFs. In contrast, a considerable reduction in the proportion of Flk-1-expressing cells, together with a decreased intensity of staining, was apparent in the AHFs. This greatly reduced expression of Flk-1 in the luteinized cells and the vascular structures of AHFs may lead to a distinct decrease in the potential pro-angiogenic activity of VEGF-A in these structures compared with the situation in normal follicles and corpora lutea. Furthermore, the authors suspect that the distinct expression of angiopoietin2 and VEGF-A seen in the cells within the inner fibrous layers of the AHFs was caused by hypoxia resulting from deficient vascularization, as suggested by the irregularity of the capillaries present in the luteinized wall of the AHF. In addition, whereas LH-receptor (LH-R) expression occurred uniformly in all stages of development of the corpora lutea in normal control ovaries, there was highly variable labelling for LH-R in all the AHFs examined, thereby indicating a possible numerical deficiency of LH-receptors in AHFs. The authors concluded that, despite the apparent expression of sufficient VEGF-A in the AHFs allows ovulation and corpus luteum formation, a relative lack of receptor, Flk-1, effects the pro-angiogenic activity of VEGF-A which could be a reason for ovulation failure associated with AHF formation.     

Immunohistochemical Characterization of Sympathetic Chain Ganglia (SChG) Neurons Supplying the Porcine mammary Gland

The aim of this study was to investigate the chemical coding of mammary gland‐projecting SChG neurons using double‐labelling immunohistochemistry. Earlier observation showed that after injection of the retrograde tracer fast blue (FB) into the second, right thoracic mamma, FB+ mammary gland‐projecting neurons were found in Th1‐3, Th9‐14 and L1‐4 right SChG. The greatest number of FB+ nerve cell bodies was observed in Th10 (approx. 843) and Th11 (approx. 567). Neurons projecting to the last right abdominal mamma were found in L1‐4 SChG. The greatest number of FB+ neurons was observed in L2 (approx. 1200). Immunohistochemistry revealed that the vast majority of FB+ mammary‐projecting neurons contained immunoreactivities to TH (96.97%) and/or DßH (95.92%). Many TH/DßH‐positive neurons stained for SOM (41.5%) or NPY (33.2%), and less numerous nerve cells expressed VIP (16.9%). This observation strongly corresponds to the results of previous studies concerning the immunohistochemical characterization of nerve fibres supplying the porcine mammary gland.     

Characterization of Methicillin‐Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Isolates from Pig Carcasses in Hong Kong

This study describes the isolation and characterization of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from slaughtered pigs sampled from local markets in Hong Kong. The nares of 400 slaughtered pigs were cultured and MRSA isolates characterized for the presence of antibiotic‐resistance determinants, toxins and SCCmec and spa types using PCR. Clonality was investigated using PFGE and MLST. The prevalence of MRSA colonization of slaughter pigs was 39.3%, the majority (92%) harbouring SCCmec type IVb. Of the 157 samples yielding MRSA, 13 had two distinct MRSA strains present. Spa type t899 was predominant, with only 5/170 isolates displaying closely related types (t4474, t1939, t2922 and t5390). PFGE with sma1 and MLST confirmed the strains as ST9. Most isolates were multidrug resistant. Tetracycline resistance (97%) was mainly attributable to tet(K) with only 3% of isolates additionally harbouring tet(M). Resistance to erythromycin (89%) and chloramphenicol (71%) was associated with the presence of erm(C), and fex( A), respectively. No strains carried cfr and there was no resistance to linezolid, although minimum inhibitory concentration (MICs) were close to the resistance break point. Resistance to clindamycin (99%), ciprofloxacin(78%), quinopristin–dalfopristin (44%) and cotrimoxazole (32%) was common, but remained low for fusidic acid (4%) and rifampicin (2%). All strains were negative for PVL, exfoliative, and enterotoxins. This survey confirmed the uniformity of MRSA isolates in pigs from several regions of China, in contrast to more diversified characteristics reported in European studies. Colonization rates were higher than previously reported. Isolates were resistant to a wide range of antibiotics, but resistance was not detected to linezolid, nitrofurantoin, vancomycin or tigecycline. Although the clinical importance of ST9 in humans is uncertain, continued surveillance, in particular of those occupationally‐exposed, is recommended.     

规模化猪场猪粪中的营养素分析研究

以规模化养猪场中的保育猪、育肥猪和妊娠母猪为试验猪群,分别就各自粪样中的含水率、全氮、全磷、有机质、铜、锌等"营养素"指标,按照国家和环境保护行业检测分析标准方法进行了严格测定,并比较分析了这些指标在不同猪群、不同季节的变化规律.结果表明:(1)夏季猪粪中"营养素"除全氮指标外,其他各指标含量均处于最低状态,含水率、有机质二项指标秋冬季明显高于春夏季;全氮、全磷指标各季节存在明显差异;铜含量秋冬季明显高于夏秋季;锌含量春季最高,夏季最低.(2)保育猪粪样中铜、锌含量最高,育肥猪次之,妊娠母猪最低,相互之间差异极显著,其变化趋势表现为递减规律,含水率、全氮、全磷和有机质在不同猪群之间也有一定的差异.