四川草科鸡IL-15 cDNA的克隆与序列分析

根据GenBank上登录的鸡白介素15(IL-15)基因序列,设计合成一对特异性引物,以ConA诱导的鸡脾淋巴细胞提取的总RNA为模板进行RT-PCR扩增,并克隆到pMD18-T载体测序.测序结果表明,四川草科鸡IL-15开放阅读框(ORF)由564个核苷酸组成,编码187个氨基酸,与GenBank中公布的鸡白介素15基因进行比较,核苷酸和氨基酸同源性为98.6%～99.5%.生物信息学分析表明,该基因编码的蛋白具有亲水性,有很强的抗原性,共有3个潜在的N-糖基化位点,可能存在3个蛋白激酶C磷酸化位点,存在2个酪蛋白激酶Ⅱ磷酸化位点.     

白来杭鸡IL-18和GM-CSF基因克隆与序列分析

根据GenBank中鸡白细胞介素18（inteleukin 18,IL-18）和粒细胞-巨噬细胞集落刺激因子（granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor,GM-CSF）基因序列,克隆白来杭鸡IL-18和GM-CSF基因并进行序列分析。结果显示：白来杭鸡IL-18基因开放阅读框为597 bp,编码199个氨基酸,所获得的白来杭鸡IL-18基因与GenBank鸡IL-18的核苷酸同源性为99.0%～99.8%,氨基酸同源性为97.5%～99.5%。白来杭鸡GM-CSF基因开放阅读框为435 bp,编码145个氨基酸,所获得的白来杭鸡GM-CSF基因与GenBank鸡GM-CSF的核苷酸同源性为99.3%～100%,氨基酸同源性为99.3%-100%。IL-18与GM-CSF基因编码的蛋白具有亲水性,都有很强的抗原性。IL-18共有2个潜在的N-糖基化位点,可能存在4个蛋白激酶C磷酸化位点及3个酪蛋白激酶Ⅱ磷酸化位点。GM-CSF共有1个潜在的N-糖基化位点,可能存在1个蛋白激酶C磷酸化位点及4个酪蛋白激酶Ⅱ磷酸化位点。本研究结果为进一步研究鸡IL-18、GM-CSF基因表达、生物学活性和应用奠定了基础。     

白来航鸡IL-18和GM-CSF基因克隆与序列分析

根据GenBank中鸡白细胞介素18(IL-18)和粒细胞-巨噬细胞集落刺激因子(GM-CSF)基因的序列设计2对特异引物,以白来航鸡脾淋巴细胞总RNA为模板进行RT-PCR扩增,克隆白来航鸡IL-18和GM-CSF工基因并进行序列分析.测序结果表明,白来航鸡IL-18基因开放阅读框为597 bp,编码199个氨基酸;序列分析表明,所获得的白来航鸡IL-18基因与GenBank中鸡IL-18的核苷酸同源性为99.0%～99.8%,氨基酸同源性为97.5%～99.5%.白来航鸡GM-CSF基因开放阅读框为435 bp,编码145个氨基酸;序列分析表明,所获得的白来航鸡GM-CSF基因与GenBank鸡GM-CSF的核苷酸同源性为99.3%～100%,氨基酸同源性为99.3%～100%,生物信息学分析表明,IL-18与GM-CSF基因编码的蛋白具有亲水性,都有很强的抗原性,IL-18共有2个潜在的N-糖基化位点,可能存在4个蛋白激酶C磷酸化位点,存在3个酪蛋白激酶Ⅱ磷酸化位点;GM-CSF共有1个潜在的N-糖基化位点,可能存在1个蛋白激酶C磷酸化位点,存在4个酪蛋白激酶Ⅱ磷酸化位点.     

麻鸭α干扰素基因的克隆与序列分析

根据GenBank文献，应用Oligo6．0分析软件设计合成了用于扩增鸭Ⅰ型干扰素（α—IFN）基因的2对引物。以麻鸭肝脏提取的基因组DNA为模板，采用Nest—PCR方法扩增获得了约600bp片段，经T载体克隆和测序分析证实，是麻鸭Ⅰ型干扰素基因（SDIFN—α）。生物信息学分析表明，SDIFN—α的开放阅读框架（ORF）由576个核苷酸所组成，预测蛋白质相对分子质量为21640，编码191个氨基酸。其中前28个氨基酸可能是信号肽部分，切割位点在28号氨基酸A和29号氨基酸S之间，序列中无内含子。成熟的多肽中含8个半胱氨酸和2个糖基化位点，2个蛋白激酶C磷酸化位点（protein kinase C phosphorylation site）和2个酪蛋白激酶Ⅱ磷酸化位点（casein kinase Ⅱ phosphorylation site）。SDIFN—α与鸭α—IFN基因核苷酸同源性为99．3％。有4个碱基的差异；与北京鸭α—IFN基因的核苷酸同源性为99．1％，氨基酸同源性为98．96％；与鸡α—IFN的核苷酸同源性为71．8％。与鹅、狗、牛、马和人的α—IFN基因的核苷酸同源性分别为96．0％、45．8％、45．5％、44．6％和41．7％。遗传进化分析结果表明，IFN—α的这些同源性与其动物分类地位相一致。     

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。     

北极狐白介素-18基因的克隆与序列分析

根据GenBank中登录的犬白介素-18（IL-18）基因序列,设计了1对特异性引物。将北极狐外周血淋巴细胞经植物血凝素（PHA）诱导,用TRIzol裂解,提取总RNA,通过反转录聚合酶链式反应（RT—PCR）扩增狐狸IL-18基因,连接pMD18-T载体,转化DH5d感受态细胞,获得阳性重组质粒。核苷酸测序结果显示,获得的基因序列全长590bp,含582bp的开放阅读框,编码193个氨基酸,与已知犬IL-18序列的同源性高达98．7％,氨基酸同源性为96．4％。     

鸽源冠状病毒PSH株纤突蛋白基因的遗传变异分析

对鸽源冠状病毒PSH株纤突蛋白基因进行了RT—PCR扩增、克隆和测序。结果表明，PSH株S基因由3504个核苷酸组成，编码1条由1167个氨基酸残基组成的多肽。S基因编码产物裂解后形成的S1和S2亚单位分别由541和626个氨基酸残基组成。PSH株S蛋白切割识别位点为精氨酸-精氨酸-苯丙氨酸-精氨酸-精氨酸（RRFRR），与多数鸡传染性支气管炎病毒（IBV）切割识别位点相似（RRF／SRR）。与GenBank中其他冠状病毒毒株S基因的推导氨基酸序列相比较，PSH株与IBV参考毒株的同源性为79．3％～99．6％，而与其他冠状病毒包括火鸡蓝冠病病毒和SARS病毒的同源性均小于37．8％。表明，鸽源冠状病毒PSH株属于第3抗原群冠状病毒，且与IBV亲缘关系较近。     

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。     

鸡CaBP-D28k基因克隆、序列测定及其真核表达质粒的构建

采集200日龄产蛋新扬州鸡小肠组织直接提取总RNA进行反转录聚合酶链式反应（RT—PCR）扩增,扩增产物进行克隆、测序,获得了新扬州鸡CaBP—D28k基因序列。序列测定表明,CaBP—D28k基因核苷酸长度为789bp,编码262个氨基酸。与GenBank上发表序列（NM_205513．1）比较,核苷酸同源性为99．9%,在760bp处存在G→T的错义突变。与从GenBank下载的马、人、小家鼠、蟾蜍序列进行比较分析,核苷酸同源性分别为79．3％、79．1％、77．4％、77．3％。将该基因片段克隆到真核表达载体pCEP4,构建重组质粒pCEP4-CaBP—D28k,所获重组质粒经过酶切、测序鉴定,证实含有目的片段,且连接、构建正确,为利用pCEP4-CaBP—D28k调控蛋禽钙代谢、改善蛋壳质量的研究应用奠定了基础。     

牦牛IL-4基因的克隆及其遗传演化关系分析

克隆牦牛白细胞介素-4（IL～4）基因,并对其进行遗传演化分析。从刀豆素（ConA）和脂多糖（LPS）联合刺激培养的牦牛外周血淋巴细胞提取总RNA．利用RT—PCR方法扩增牦牛IL-4全长cDNA,将其克隆到pMD18～T载体上,测序后进行序列分析。成功克隆到牦牛IL-4基因全序列,序列分析表明,克隆的牦牛IL-4基因序列与GenBank所登录的牛IL-4核苷酸序列及推导的氨基酸序列的同源性分别这99．8％和100％,与人、猕猴、猪、山羊、马等物种的核苷酸及其推导氨基酸序列的同源性分别在44．4％～96．3％和27．4％～91．1％之间。在国内首次成功地从牦牛外周血淋巴细胞中克隆到IL-4的基因,其ORF为408bp,推导编码135个氨基酸。     

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