金黄色葡萄球菌新型肠毒素Ⅰ型蛋白的表达研究

为了研究金黄色葡萄球菌新型肠毒素Ⅰ型的检测方法,诱导融合表达并纯化金黄色葡萄球菌肠毒素Ⅰ型蛋白,试验根据Gen Bank中SEⅠ的序列设计一对特异性引物,采用PCR技术从金黄色葡萄球菌中扩增出新型肠毒素Ⅰ型基因,亚克隆入p EASY-E1载体中,构建重组质粒p EASY-E1-SEⅠ,以IPTG诱导表达,镍柱纯化表达蛋白,用His标签单克隆抗体进行免疫印迹分析验证融合蛋白的表达。结果表明:成功扩增出SEⅠ基因,片段大小为507 bp,重组质粒高效表达SEⅠ融合蛋白,经SDS-PAGE鉴定成功表达了分子质量约为26 ku的重组蛋白,Western-blot检测表明目的蛋白具有良好的免疫原性。说明表达系统p EASY-E1/BL21能高效表达金黄色葡萄球菌新型肠毒素Ⅰ蛋白。     

金黄色葡萄球菌表面蛋白SdrD的原核表达及抗体制备

根据金黄色葡萄球菌表面蛋白SdrD基因序列设计特异性引物,以金黄色葡萄球菌标准菌株基因组为模板进行PCR扩增,获得了大小为2 043bp的基因片段。将基因片段连接至表达载体pET26b,转入大肠埃希菌BL21(DE3)中用IPTG诱导表达。SDS-PAGE结果表明,SdrD基因获得了较好的表达,重组蛋白的分子质量约为99ku。利用免疫亲和层析对目标蛋白进行纯化,获得了纯度较高的目标蛋白。用该蛋白免疫新西兰白兔制备了多克隆抗体,抗体效价达到1∶23 000,为金黄色葡萄球菌基因工程疫苗的开发与性能评价,以及该致病菌免疫检测技术的开发奠定了基础。     

牛GM-CSF与金黄色葡萄球菌黏附素FnBPB共表达质粒的构建与原核表达

采用PCR方法对牛粒细胞-巨噬细胞集落刺激因子(GM-CSF)和金黄色葡萄球菌FnBPB的D区进行特异性的扩增,并通过重叠延伸PCR扩增GM-CSF-FnBPB串联基因,构建了克隆质粒pMD19-GM-CSF-FnBPB。利用表达载体pET-32a(+)对该融合基因片段进行原核表达,SDS-PAGE分析表明,在1mmol/L IPTG诱导浓度下,在39ku处出现了与目的蛋白一致的外源蛋白带,Western blot分析表明,该蛋白具有反应原性,进而证明该融合基因成功在原核细胞中表达。     

奶牛乳腺炎源性金黄色葡萄球菌山东分离株β-溶血素基因的克隆及原核表达

以提取的奶牛乳腺炎源性金黄色葡萄球菌山东分离株(zfb)全基因组DNA为模板,PCR扩增β-溶血素基因(hlb),并与克隆栽体pMD18-T相连接.测序结果表明,扩增片段含有993 bp的ORF,可编码含330个氨基酸的成熟蛋白,与已报道的金黄色葡萄球菌β-溶血素蛋白的氨基酸同源性为99.4%.构建原核表达载体pET32a+/hlb,SDS-PAGE分析蛋白表达水平,IPTG诱导后表达的融合蛋白的相对分子量质为57 000,表达量占菌体总蛋白的23.9%;表明原核表达质粒构建成功,并实现了有效表达.     

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。     

金黄色葡萄球菌耐药性及肠毒素分型研究

为了解从生鲜乳中分离得到的31株金黄色葡萄球菌的耐药性和肠毒素分布情况,用微量肉汤稀释法进行药敏试验,用PCR方法进行肠毒素的检测和分型。结果表明,31株金黄色葡萄球菌耐药率在50%以上的抗菌药有7种,药耐药率小于10%的有3种;敏感率大于50%的抗菌药有6种,敏感率小于10%的有5种。31株金黄色葡萄球菌毒素基因携带率为93.5%,同时携带2种及以上毒素的菌株占67.7%,有SEA基因的占38.7%,含其他传统的毒素基因类型SEB、SEC、SED和SEE基因的菌株只占40.4%,携带新发现的毒素基因SEG、SHE、SEI和SEJ的菌株占67.7%。说明本次试验中的31株金黄色葡萄球菌对6类13种抗菌药都有不同程度的耐药性,且多重耐药现象比较严重。生鲜乳中分离的金黄色葡萄球菌带毒率高,且携带新发现的肠毒素基因较多。     

猪β-防御素-2基因在大肠杆菌中的融合表达及抑菌活性检测

将猪β-防御素-2基因(pBD-2)片段正确连接到pET32a载体上,从而得到稳定表达pBD-2的大肠杆菌表达株。根据已报道的pBD-2基因序列,按大肠杆菌密码子优化原则合成了5条pBD-2基因片段,通过重叠延伸PCR(SOE PCR)方法将这5段延伸成完整的pBD-2基因序列,将该基因定向插入原核表达质粒pET32a的多克隆位点上,成功地在大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)中表达出TrxA-pBD2融合蛋白。结果显示,表达的融合蛋白用肠激酶切掉TrxA后做琼脂孔穴扩散法检测,pBD-2对金黄色葡萄球菌有较好的抑菌活性,表明试验获得表达pBD-2的大肠杆菌菌株。     

乳房炎奶牛金黄色葡萄球菌毒素基因的检测及PFGE分型研究

作者针对临床及亚临床乳房炎奶牛乳汁中金黄色葡萄球菌分离株的毒素基因进行检测和脉冲场凝胶电泳(PFGE)基因分型,比较2种类型乳房炎金黄色葡萄球菌分离株的差异.无菌法采集奶样,采用国际标准方法从中分离金黄色葡萄球菌,用多重PCR方法扩增nuc基因和mecA基因以确证金黄色葡萄球菌(SA)和耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌(MRSA).进一步用PCR方法检测SA的各种毒素基因(SEs、ETs、TSST 1和PVL基因等).利用限制性内切酶Sma Ⅰ对SA基因组DNA进行酶切和PFGE分析,最后利用BioNumerics软件进行聚类分析.结果:19.3％(23/119)的临床乳房炎奶样和14.8％(26/176)的亚临床乳房炎奶样确定为金黄色葡萄球菌阳性样品,分别从中分离鉴定出43株和26株金黄色葡萄球菌,其中临床乳房炎分离株中有5株为mecA基因阳性.临床乳房炎奶牛奶样中检测到SA的SEA、SEB、SED、SEJ和PVL毒素基因,检出率分别为3.8％(1株)、11.5％(3株)、19.2％(5株)、7.7％(2株)和31.2％(10株);亚临床乳房炎奶牛乳样中仅检测到SA的SEA和PVL毒力基因,检出率分别为7.0％(3株)和84.1％(37株).表明临床与亚临床乳房炎奶牛乳汁中SA菌株携带的毒素基因不一样,SEs可能是临床乳房炎菌株的重要致病基因,PVL可能是亚临床乳房炎菌株的重要致病基因.69株SA使用Sma Ⅰ酶切分型后,可分为7个大簇、50个基因型,来源相同的SA分型后大部分位于同一簇内.临床乳房炎奶牛乳汁中检测到MRSA菌株,PVL基因在亚临床乳房炎中的检出率为临床乳房炎的2.7倍.PFGE方法能较好的区分临床乳房炎和亚临床乳房炎的SA分离菌株.     

奶牛源金黄色葡萄球菌的分离鉴定及氟苯尼考耐药基因fexA的克隆

从100个奶牛场环境及脓汁样品中分离、鉴定了9株奶牛源耐氟苯尼考金黄色葡萄球菌,分别提取质粒DNA和基因组DNA,通过特异性引物进行PCR扩增氟苯尼考耐药基因fexA,以质粒DNA为模板的PCR分别扩增出了1 446bp特异性目的片段,而以基因组DNA为模板的PCR未扩增出该目的片段。将该目的片段克隆到pET-32(a)载体上,成功构建了pET-fexA质粒载体,将质粒载体转入BL21中,药物敏感性试验显示构建的pET-fexA/BL21基因工程菌对氯霉素和氟苯尼考高度耐药。同时,fexA阳性金黄色葡萄球菌分离株对氯霉素和氟苯尼考的耐药性显著高于质控菌株,说明fexA基因贡献细菌对氯霉素和氟苯尼考的交叉耐药。成功构建了一个基因背景清楚且对氟苯尼考耐药的细菌模型,排除了细菌中其他氟苯尼考耐药基因或泵出蛋白对fexA基因贡献细菌耐药的影响,为fexA基因编码的蛋白定位研究奠定了基础。     

PCR技术在鼠金黄色葡萄球菌检测中的初步研究

根据已公布的金黄色葡萄球菌耐热核酸酶nuc基因的序列 ,设计并合成一对特异性的引物 ,利用PCR技术扩增nuc基因片段。对金黄色葡萄球菌和其他非金黄色葡萄球菌菌株抽提的DNA进行扩增。结果金黄色葡萄球菌PCR产物出现 6 6 8bp的特异性DNA扩增片段 ,而其他非金黄色葡萄球菌未出现扩增片段 ,证实了合成的引物对金黄色葡萄球菌具有特异性。将抽提的金黄色葡萄球菌DNA进行系列稀释 ,测定此PCR体系的敏感性。结果显示 ,该PCR体系能检出 3pg金黄色葡萄球菌DNA ,且从抽提DNA到PCR扩增及电泳结束仅需 4h。因此 ,研究所建立的扩增耐热核酸酶nuc基因检测鼠金黄色葡萄球菌的PCR方法 ,具有快速、可靠、敏感和特异的特点 ,可用于临床样品和金黄色葡萄球菌感染时的检测 ,适合应用于实验大小鼠的监测     

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