小鼠皮肤成纤维细胞的体细胞核移植

取成年小鼠唇部皮肤进行培养，分离成纤维细胞并血清饥饿培养1周，用作核供体。对成年小鼠进行超排，取卵母细胞用作核受体，核移植重构胚经SrCl2激活处理6h后，同mM16培养液和小鼠输卵管上皮细胞共培养，把发育到早期囊胚的重构胚转移至小鼠胎儿成纤维细胞饲养层上，添加ES细胞条件培养液，消化分离ICM，然后接种培养，对孵出的ES细胞样集落进行鉴定培养。结果显示，小鼠唇部皮肤成纤维细胞为核供体，核移植重构胚2-细胞率为54．05％，桑椹胚率17．14％，囊胚率6．90％，对照组卵丘细胞的核移植重构胚2-细胞率为60．00％，桑椹胚率21．85％，囊胚率11．69％，但2种供体细胞在支持核移植重构胚发育能力上差异不显著。成纤维细胞重构囊胚中6个囊胚分离出ES细胞样集落，3个ES细胞样集落可稳定传代；对照组卵丘细胞重构囊胚中9个囊胚中分离出ES细胞样集落，5个ES细胞样集落可稳定传代。从核移植重构胚中分离出的ES细胞样集落具有岛状或巢状群体生长形态，生长旺盛的集落可自发分化成单个散在或片状存在的上皮样或梭形细胞，碱性磷酸酶检测为阳性，常规冻存复苏，仍显示ES细胞特征。     

人类α-actin 启动子真核表达载体的构建及应用

利用PCR技术克隆了人类α-actin基因的启动子（约450bp），尝试用去掉启动子的pEGFP—N1作为框架结构，成功构建了真核表达载体pEGFP-N1-α-actin—P。应用Lipofectamine 2000将所构建的pEGFP-N1-α-actin-P转染入小鼠ES细胞。通过比较，发现在本实验室条件下，质粒DNA浓度以3．0～5．0μg／mL，转染时间约在2～3h最佳。200μg／mL的G418较适宜于靶细胞的转染与筛选。得到表达心肌a—actin和GFP的小鼠ES细胞，基本维持小鼠ES细胞的形态。PCNA染色结果表明，转染后的小鼠ES细胞具有增殖能力。α—actin抗体免疫组化染色结果表明，转染后细胞表达α-actin和GFP，揭示构建的真核表达载体pEGFP-N1-α-actin-P转染小鼠ES细胞，可能促进其向心肌细胞分化并对其筛选。     

胚胎干细胞源神经胶质前体细胞是髓鞘质移植的一种来源

自我更新、全能的胚胎干(ES)细胞可为移植提供几乎无限的供体来源。现已设计了一种可以在体外生成来自ES细胞的少突胶质细胞和星形胶质细胞前体,在人髓鞘质病的大鼠模型上进行的移植表明ES细胞源的前体同宿主神经元相互作用,在大脑和脊髓轴突作用更为明显。因此,ES细胞可为神经移植提供一种有价值的特异性体细胞前体的来源。源于囊胚阶段的内细胞群的ES细胞是全能干细胞,它们能分化为所有组织和细胞类型。最近的发现扩展了ES细胞的潜在作用,包括从人胚胎组织中分离出ES细胞,在绵羊和小鼠成体组织中将细胞核移入去核卵细胞,可产生同一…     

影响昆明小鼠和BALB/c小鼠胚胎干细胞分离、克隆、传代的若干因素

对昆明小鼠和BALB／c小鼠2种胚胎的研究表明，2种品系小鼠胚胎均可用作胚胎干细胞（ES）分离建系的材料，两者在ES分离、传代上无显著差异（P〉0．05）；大鼠心肌细胞条件培养液与添加LIF的ES常规培养液相比，显著提高了小鼠ES细胞F1、F2出现率（P〈0．05）；采用低浓度消化液使形成ES克隆的比率分别从14％、16％提高到35％、32％，使ES传到第5代的比率分别从1．7％、0提高到5％、7．1％；而采用连续消化法使形成ES克隆的比率从15％、17％提高到40％、50％，使ES传到第5代的比率从0、1％提高到10％、20％；对ES进行伊红染色、核型分析、AKP染色及体外分化能力检测，证实所分离的ES符合小鼠ES的一系列特征。     

由体外受精囊胚获得ICR小鼠ES细胞

收集鼠卵母细胞和精子，采用体外受精技术，获得早期胚胎。体外培养胚胎至囊胚，分离内细胞团，获得ICR小鼠的ES细胞。结果不但获得了来自体外受精囊胚的ICR小鼠ES细胞，而且表明用体外受精方法获得的小鼠早期胚胎的数量明显大于常规方法，且比较稳定。ICR小鼠ES细胞的获得，为研究小鼠的ES细胞分化提供了条件。     

不同培养方式对昆明小鼠类ES细胞分离及培养的影响

胚胎干细胞（Embryonic stem cell,ES细胞）是从早期哺乳类动物胚胎或原始生殖细胞分离的具有全能性的细胞系。在体外分化抑制培养条件下,具有保持未分化的状态及无限增殖的能力。自Evans和Kaufman首次建立小鼠ES细胞系以来,各种动物ES细胞分离与克隆成为国际生物科学领域的热点课题之一。ES细胞可广泛应用于嵌合体的制备和克隆动物的生产。利用ES细胞遗传操作,可生产转基因动物,进行细胞基因结构与功能的关系以及细胞分化机制的研究。本研究采用不同培养方式对昆明小鼠类ES细胞进行分离及培养,供相关研究者参考。     

改进的表面张力辅助去核法对小鼠卵母细胞去核的研究

为了探讨改进的小鼠表面张力辅助去核法（STA）的可靠性，本试验用改进的表面张力辅助去核法与表面张力辅助去核法对小鼠卵母细胞进行去核操作，比较其去核操作效率。结果发现，改进的表面张力辅助去核法能显著减少去核操作时间，去核率与表面张力去核法无显著差异。改进的小鼠表面张力辅助去核法是一种适用于小鼠卵母细胞操作的快速、简单、实用的去核方法。     

小鼠ES细胞条件培养基对绵羊类胚胎干细胞克隆、传代的影响

本研究以无血清培养基为基础培养液,旨在探求小鼠ES细胞条件培养液(ESCCM)和2种不同饲养层对绵羊类ES细胞分离、克隆效率的影响.绵羊内细胞团从胚胎中分离得到后,分别以小鼠胎儿成纤维细胞(MEF)和绵羊胎儿成纤维细胞(SEF)为饲养层进行培养.结果在MEF饲养层上,绵羊类ES细胞在ESCCM新培养系统中可稳定传至第10代,而使用基础培养液最多传至5代.而在SEF饲养层上,绵羊类ES细胞在ESCCM新培养系统中仅能传至3代.表明使用ESCCM和MEF能促进绵羊类ES细胞的分离和克隆.对类ES细胞进行核型分析、AKP染色及体外分化能力检测,证实所分离的类ES细胞符合ES细胞的主要特征,而且发现这些类ES细胞可以表达胚胎干细胞关键转录因子Nanog.结果表明,ESCCM可显著提高绵羊类ES细胞的分离克隆效率,原因可能是小鼠ES细胞在生长过程中可能分泌某些重要的细胞因子,从而达到促进绵羊ES细胞增殖的作用.且MEF比SEF更适合于绵羊类ES细胞的分离和传代.     

某些因素对牛和小鼠类胚胎干细胞分离与培养的影响

以荷斯坦牛胚胎和小鼠胚胎为材料 ,研究了犊牛血清、饲养层、培养液、添加物和消化液对牛胚胎干细胞和小鼠胚胎干细胞克隆效率的影响。结果表明 ,在 2 4h内使小鼠胚胎贴壁率达 86 %以上的犊牛血清可用于小鼠和牛胚胎干细胞的分离 ;在 ES细胞分离与克隆中 ,以 15 %～ 2 0 %犊牛血清为宜 ,在 DMEM(L)培养基中添加 0 .1μmol/LNa2 Se O3 0 .1mmol/Lβ-巯基乙醇 10 μg/L IGF 10 0 0 IU/m L L IF,能显著提高牛 ES细胞分离与克隆效率 ;在TCM199、DMEM(高糖 )和 DMEM(低糖 ) 3种培养基中 ,低糖 DMEM更适宜于牛 ES细胞的分离 ;优秀胚胎形成的团状 ICM更适宜于分离与克隆 ES细胞 ,在 37℃用低浓度消化液处理 ICM或 ES细胞集落 ,再以机械将其离散为细胞小块 ,ES细胞克隆效率最高。     

山羊PGCs用于分离与克隆类ES细胞

选择健康成年本地白山羊，自然发情，配种后44d取胎儿，以传统的原始生殖细胞（PGCs)分离与克隆的方法和PGCs与其胎儿生殖嵴周围组织细胞共同培养的方法获得类胚胎干细胞（类ES细胞），并对山羊类ES细胞在不同饲养层上进行培养。结果表明，采用传统方法与共培养的方法并添加细胞因子均能分离获得类ES细胞。分离获得的类ES细胞在同源（山羊）胎儿细胞饲养层上生长效果较好，可传4代或5代，而在小鼠原代成纤维细胞饲养层上类ES细胞仅传3代。另外，共培养不添加细胞因子组仅获1个ES细胞集落，传代后丢失。     

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