禽类防御素的分子生物学研究进展

禽类防御素是广泛存在于禽类体内的一类抗菌肽,具有抗微生物和调节免疫等多种生物学功能。禽类防御素的抗菌谱广,作用机理独特,不易产生耐药性,因此在新药研发领域具有潜在的开发价值。本文就禽类防御素在基因进化、组织分布和生物学活性方面的研究进展进行综述。     

猪源抗菌肽及其应用前景

抗菌肽是近年来发现的广泛存在于自然界中的一类阳离子抗菌活性肽,多数抗菌肽具有分子小、带正电、两亲性、抗菌谱广等共同特点。防御素和Cathelicidins是哺乳动物体内的两大主要抗菌肽家族,在哺乳动物的机体防御中起着重要的作用。猪源抗菌肽的一般性质、基因及其表达、在宿主防御中的作用、作用机理及研究前景将在文中予以概述。     

天蚕素抗菌肽的研究与应用

抗菌肽是一类普遍存在于生物体内的天然免疫因子,具有广谱抗菌、抗病毒、抗肿瘤且不易形成耐药性和无药物残留等多种生物学特点。天蚕素是世界上发现最早的抗菌肽,也是至今为止研究得最为透彻的一类抗菌肽,更是最具潜力的抗生素替代品之一。文章综述了天蚕素抗菌肽的结构、来源、生物作用、表达体系等,并且重点介绍了天蚕素抗菌肽的应用,并对其存在的问题和未来发展前景进行了分析。     

禽类抗菌肽的研究进展

抗菌肽是生物体内存在的一种具有抗菌活性的小分子蛋白质,与干扰素、补体等组成了宿主的免疫防御系统。禽类抗菌肽以β-防御素为代表,从鸡、火鸡、鸵鸟的血液,鸡与火鸡的白细胞,企鹅的胃内容物中分离出。β-防御素是一类具有6个半胱氨酸残基特征的抗菌肽,具特殊的稳态结构和广泛的生物活性,具有抗G^＋和G^-菌、真菌与被膜病毒的作用。     

禽类防御素研究进展

防御素是一类不超过100个氨基酸的阳离子活性肽。因其能有效地杀灭细菌、某些真菌、螺旋体和囊膜病毒等微生物,成为世界范围内的一个研究热点。其中,仅β-防御素存在于禽类。依据禽类β-防御素分子结构、来源与氨基酸组成,可将其分为不同的类别。禽防御素广泛分布于禽的血液和消化道、呼吸道、泌尿生殖道上皮细胞等部位。进化关系分析表明,其他哺乳动物与鸟类抗菌肽来自于共同的β-防御素远古基因。禽类防御素的生物学活性显示其具有潜在的经济意义。为此,就其分类与组织分布、进化、生物学活性、基因工程及应用进行综述。     

禽类抗菌肽的最新研究进展

抗菌肽，是生物体内存在的一种具有抗菌活性的小分子蛋白质，与干扰素、补体等组成了宿主的免疫防御系统。禽类抗菌肽以-防御素为代表，可从鸡、火鸡、鸵鸟的血液，鸡与火鸡的白细胞，企鹅的胃内容物中分离出。β-防御素是一类具有6个半胱氨酸残基特征的抗菌肽，具特殊的稳态结构和广泛的生物活性，具抗G^ 和G^-菌、真菌与被膜病毒的作用。     

抗菌肽家族成员--防御素

抗菌肽是生物天然免疫系统中的重要组成部分@具有杀灭病菌、保护机体的作用.病原微生物入侵机体后,诱导机体产生抗菌肽.有的抗菌肽可预先合成并存储于特定的细胞和颗粒中.目前已发现了近120余种抗菌肽.防御素是其中一大家族,广泛分布于动物、植物和昆虫体内, 具有高效、广谱抗微生物活性,具有不同于抗生素的独特的抗菌机制.因此,防御素的研究成为当今医药学界的一个热点.     

抗菌肽的作用机理及其在畜牧生产中的应用

抗菌肽 (anti-microbialpeptides)是生物体内诱导产生的一类具有抗菌作用的生物活性肽 ,在机体抵抗病原入侵方面起着重要作用。1　抗菌肽的类型及其结构特点根据抗菌肽的氨基酸组成和结构特征可分为4类 ,即天蚕素 (cecropins)、防御素 (defensins)、蛙皮素 (magainins,富含脯氨     

防御素在雌性哺乳动物生殖系统中的分布和功能研究进展

防御素(defensin)作为抗菌肽的主要家族,在哺乳动物体内广泛分布,主要表达于中性粒细胞和上皮细胞,具有广谱的抗菌活性和多方面免疫调节功能.近年来,发现防御素广泛在哺乳动物雌性生殖系统中表达,发挥抑菌抗炎的作用,预防微生物对子宫或生殖道等的感染,从而维持雌性生殖系统的环境稳定,同时参与动物生殖.论文结合已有的研究成...     

抗菌肽在水产动物的研究现状及发展前景

抗菌肽(antibacterial peptides,ABP)是生物体内产生的一类具有强抗菌作用的小分子多肽,是生物体天然免疫防御系统的重要组成部分。20世纪80年代首次从惜比古天蚕中发现该物质,经过专家研究小组的进一步研究,测定其一级结构,并给这类肽命名为Cecropins,我国学者称其为天蚕素。随着天蚕素抗菌肽的发现,世界许多实验室相继分别从家蚕血淋巴、柞蚕蛹、家蝇等动物体内分离到相似的具有抗菌活性的多肽。经过各国专家的潜心研究发现,这类抗菌肽物质具有强碱性、热     

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.     

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