狂犬病诊断基因芯片的建立和检测应用的初步研究

根据已发表的狂犬病病毒（RV）的序列,设计合成能扩增高度保守核（N）蛋白片断的一对引物。通过生物素标记PCR技术,将核（N）蛋白基因片断作为探针点在硝酸素纤维膜上,制作成疾病诊断基因芯片。取160份可疑动物的血液,提取核酸作模板进行PCR扩增,将其产物与诊断基因芯片进行特异性逆向点杂交检测;并用蔗糖密度梯度离心和凝胶层析纯化狂犬病病毒作抗原,建立检测RV抗体的间接ELISA。把以上两种方法应用于临床,结果基因芯片的检测率比ELISA方法和（RT）PCR要高15％左右,表明建立的狂犬病诊断基因芯片具有更高的灵敏度和特异性。     

水貂阿留申病基因检测芯片的研究与初步应用

根据已发表的水貂阿留申病病毒（ADV）的序列，设计合成能扩增VP2基因片段的一对引物，通过生物素标记PCR技术，将VP2基因片段作为探针点在硝酸纤维素膜上，制作成疾病诊断基因芯片。以采取的160份可疑病貂的血液核酸作模板，进行PCR扩增，将其产物与诊断基因芯片进行特异性逆向点杂交检测；同时使用水貂阿留申病DOT-ELISA检测试剂盒进行检测、比较。结果表明基因芯片的检出率比ELISA方法高17％，试验同时还比较了常规PCR与基因芯片的敏感性。     

犬类几种常见传染病诊断中基因芯片的应用

采用PCR技术扩增出犬腺病毒(CAV)ORF(P-VIII)基因、犬细小病毒(CPV)VP2基因、鸡血红蛋白的珠蛋白基因片断;采用RT-PCR扩增出犬冠病毒(CCV)纤突蛋白(S)基因、犬瘟热病毒(CDV)融合蛋白(F)基因、犬副流感病毒(CPIV)核衣壳结构蛋白(NP)基因、狂犬病病毒(RV)核蛋白(N)基因的各一段保守序列,纯化后点在硝酸纤维素膜上,制成基因芯片。通过RT-PCR将生物素标记到被检样品的核酸上,将已经标记的扩增产物与诊断基因芯片进行特异性的逆向点杂交,然后扫描仪对芯片进行扫描分析、判断。结果表明,此方法比病毒分离、HI、PCR方法灵敏度高、特异性强,平均检出率要高20%以上,并可同时对犬多种疫病进行快速诊断。     

几种主要禽疫病诊断基因芯片的制备及初步应用

进行了几种主要禽疫病诊断基因芯片制备及其初步应用研究。试验分别设计和克隆鉴定了NDV、IBV、AIV和IBDV的靶基因重组质粒。以克隆的靶基因重组质粒为模板。分别进行PCR扩增制备靶基因并纯化，以基因芯片点样仪将制备的靶基因点制在氨基化的基片上，经干燥、水合、紫外线交联和洗涤后，成功制备了NDV-IBV-AIV-IBDV诊断基因芯片。试验应用CY3荧光标记制备的探针进行芯片的检验，结果表明制备的NDV-IBV-AIV-IBDV诊断基因芯片质量好，可对NDV、IBV、AIV和IBDV进行诊断检测，具有检测灵敏性好，特异性高和芯片可重复检测的优点。试验对30个临床样品进行初步应用检测，结果表明该诊断基因芯片技术与RT—PCR检测技术检出率基本一致，并具有同步诊断检测多种疫病的优点。     

新城疫强、弱毒株分子生物学鉴别诊断方法的建立

为了快速、敏感、特异地鉴别区分新城疫强、弱毒株,根据新城疫病毒F基因序列设计出并合成两对特异性引物,XsXq、XrXa,用来区分新城疫强毒株和弱毒株,其中XsXa可组合用来扩增新城疫所有毒株,利用这三对引物对新城疫病毒的F基因片段进行多联RT—PCR扩增,并对该多联RT—PCR检-测方法进行敏感性及特异性试验。结果表明：这三对引物能特异性地扩增出新城疫强、弱毒株及NDV毒株的F基因片段,大小分别为259bpNDV（F48E9）、522bpNDV（LaSota）、757bp（NDV）,该检测方法敏感性高,特异性强,初步建立起快速、敏感、特异的鉴别诊断新城疫强、弱毒株的分子诊断方法。     

H5、H9亚型禽流感病毒快速鉴别诊断方法的建立

为了快速、敏感、特异地鉴别诊断我国目前流行的禽流感，根据H5、H9亚型禽流感病毒HA基因序列的保守区域设计并合成2对特异性引物，利用这2对引物对H5、H9亚型禽流感病毒的HA基因片段进行二联RT—PCR扩增，并对二联RT—PCR检测方法进行了敏感性及特异性试验。结果表明，这2对引物能特异地扩增H5、H9亚型禽流感病毒HA基因片段，大小分别为490bp和686bp；该检测方法敏感性高，特异性强；初步建立起快速、敏感、特异地鉴别检测H5、H9亚型禽流感病毒的分子诊断方法。     

狂犬病的分子生物学诊断

从攻击咬伤人并致其死亡的犬脑组织中提取总RNA，用特异性引物通过反转录聚合酶链反应(RT—PCR)获得了长度约为1423bp的核酸片段，与预期的片段大小相符；将扩增产物连接到pMD18-T载体中，转化大肠埃希氏菌JM109，筛选氨苄青霉素抗性菌落，提取质粒，经酶切鉴定、PCR分析及测序，证明所克隆的1423bp片段含有完整的狂犬病病毒N基因，与国外参考毒株的序列相比同源性较高，从而做出正确的诊断。试验表明，用RT—PCR技术检测狂犬病病毒灵敏度高、特异性强，适合于实验室应用。     

猪繁殖与呼吸障碍综合征病毒基因芯片检测技术的建立与优化

根据猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒（PRRSV）的核衣壳蛋白编码基因序列设计了一对特异性引物P1／P2。扩增出大小为294bp的目的片段；再针对这个基因片段。设计合成4条寡核苷酸探针。其中反向引物的5’端用荧光素Cy3标记。以荧光标记不对称PCR技术为基础。通过将单链PCR产物与芯片杂交实现对PRRSV的检测。建立PRRSV的基因芯片检测方法。利用该方法对39份猪组织样品进行检测。与RT—PCR检测方法相比。本方法具有良好的特异性和敏感性。试验结果表明用该方法快速检测病料组织中PRRSV是可行的，对该病的进行快速诊断和分子流行病学调查具有重要意义。     

检测和鉴别犬瘟热病毒强、弱毒株的复合反转录-套式聚合酶链式反应(RT-nPCR)的建立及初步应用

根据GenBank上登录的犬瘟热病毒（Canine distemper virus，CDV）基因组全序列，选择CDV强、弱毒株间有区别保守区设计了一对通用引物P1和P4，并在该对引物跨越区域的内部设计了CDV强毒株特异性引物P2及弱毒株特异性引物P3，用引物P1／P4进行RT—PCR，然后用引物P2／P3／P4进行复合套式PCR，建立了一种能区分CDV强、弱毒株的复合反转录-套式聚合酶链式反应（RT—nPCR）的鉴别诊断方法。应用该方法从CDV强、弱毒株的基因组中分别扩增出了大小为247bp和177bp的特异性片段，从两种病毒基因组混合物中扩增出了大小为247bp和177bp的两条特异性片段，与犬细小病毒、犬腺病毒、犬冠状病毒、狂犬病病毒、新城疫病毒的细胞培养物以及正常细胞对照组进行复合RT—nPCR扩增时均为阴性。对从黑龙江省和吉林省采集的20份疑似CDV病料进行的检测结果表明，有15份类似CDV强毒，5份类似CDV弱毒。本研究建立的复合RT—nPCR可以有效检测CDV感染，能够将强、弱毒株区分开，可用于临床快速检测、流行病学监测以及追踪疫苗免疫效果等。     

高致病性猪蓝耳病病原核酸的RT-PCR检测

对高致病性猪蓝耳病病毒（PRRSV）Nsp2基因缺失变异特征,设计特异性引物,建立RT—PCR方法,对疑似高致病性猪蓝耳病病例进行病原核酸检测,并对扩增所得片段进行克隆测序,通过序列分析以验证RT—PCR扩增的特异性。结果表明：发病猪为高致病性猪蓝耳病病毒感染,建立的RT-PCR方法能够鉴别诊断经典猪蓝耳病和高致病性猪蓝耳病感染。     

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