禽类β-防御素的研究进展

禽类β-防御素是一种小的阳离子非糖基化的多肽,仅存于禽类体中,不仅具有广谱的抗菌活性,还在禽类的免疫调节方面扮演着重要的角色。文章讨论了禽类β-防御素的结构、在组织中的分布、进化、抗菌特性和免疫活性,介绍了禽类β-防御素的国内外研究进展。     

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。     

禽类防御素作用机理及基因工程研究进展

抗菌肽广泛存在于多种生物体内,具有广谱抗菌、调节免疫、抑制肿瘤等多种生物学功能.大多数抗菌肽与病原体之间是通过正、负电荷间的相互作用来发挥作用,因此与抗生素类药物相比,其抗菌杀菌作用更加有效,且不易产生耐药性.抗菌肽在禽类体内表达的主要是β-防御素,禽类防御素的生物学活性显示其具有潜在的经济意义,作用机制独特,是目前基因工程研究的热点之一.文章综述了禽类防御素的抗菌作用机理及其原核和真核表达系统研究进展.     

防御素研究进展

防御素是广泛分布于动物和植物界的一类富含半胱氨酸的阳离子内源性抗微生物肽,是内源性抗微生物肽中的一个大家族。根据防御素分子内半胱氨酸的位置和连接方式、前体性质及表达位置的差异,可分为α-防御素、β-防御素、θ-防御素、昆虫防御素和植物防御素5种类型。防御素是由29个~54个氨基酸残基组成的小分子肽,具有广泛的生物学活性。防御素分子可以直接作用并杀死细菌、真菌和病毒等病原微生物,除此之外,防御素还具有细胞毒、免疫调节以及创伤和神经损伤的修复等多种生物学活性。文章概述了防御素的分子结构特征、分布、生物学活性及国内外研究概况。     

滩羊β-防御素基因的克隆和表达

选取滩羊β-防御素分布较多的气管、食道和口腔等部位的黏膜组织,提取组织总RNA,RT-PCR获得滩羊β-防御素基因全序列.构建逆转录病毒表达载体,实现滩羊β-防御素基因的表达.经测序后得到滩羊β-防御素编码区的核苷酸序列(64个氨基酸).成功构建了带有滩羊β-防御素基因的逆转录病毒载体pLEGFP-SBD,在蓝光激发光下能观察到绿色荧光蛋白,并用SDS-PAGE方法检测到分子量约为8 kD的目的蛋白.该蛋白具有抗细菌和抑制VSV病毒增殖的活性.     

哺乳动物β-防御素研究进展

防御素是广泛分布于动植物界的一类富含半胱氨酸的内源性阳离子抗菌肽,它在先天性免疫系统宿主防御机制中起着重要的作用。笔者从哺乳动物β-防御素的组成分布入手,对β-防御素的分子结构与染色体定位、基因表达调控、生物学作用及应用前景等最新研究作一全面综述。     

重组鹅β-防御素具有广谱抗菌活性

东北农业大学动物营养研究所周财源等采用RT-PCR方法,从鹅的骨髓细胞中扩增到禽β-防御素(AvBD)基因。测序结果表明,该基因的cDNA大小为201bp,编码66个氨基酸。经遗传进化分析发现,该基因推导的氨基酸序列与鸡AvBD5的同源性最高,达84.8%。因此,将其命名为鹅AvBD5。     

β-防御素的研究进展及其应用前景

β-防御素是动物体内广泛存在的一类富含半胱氨酸的阳离子内源性抗微生物肽,其抗菌谱广,作用机理特殊,应用潜力高。概述了β-防御素的分子结构、作用机制、生物学活性、基因工程及国内外研究概况,并分析了其在畜牧业中的应用前景。     

猪β-防御素的表达及其生物学功能研究进展

猪β-防御素是一种先天免疫小分子蛋白质,在宿主防御中起着重要作用。它们不仅具有抗细菌和病毒的活性,还能通过连接先天性免疫和适应性免疫来调节免疫功能,抵抗病原体的感染。基于猪β-防御素的抗微生物活性及其免疫调节功能,其既可以作为提高免疫力的内在潜力,也可以开发成外源应用的抗生素替代品。本文将综述猪β-防御素的表达与分布、表达调控、生物学功能及其异源表达。     

禽类β-防御素的研究进展

本文对禽类β-防御素的分子结构、组织分布、抗菌作用以及基因工程研究进展进行了综述。     

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