Development and evaluation of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for bovine antibody (IgG) to Pasteurella haemolytica

The sensitivity of an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for bovine IgG serum antibody to Pasteurella haemolytica was compared with that of an indirect hemagglutination (IHA) test. Pasteurella haemolytica serotypes were grown in a chemically defined cell culture medium, and soluble antigens released into the growth medium were used in the ELISA and IHA test. An ELISA with serotype-1 antigen consistently detected antibody in sera that were positive by IHA test (correlation, 99%). Sera reacting with serotype-1 ELISA antigens also reacted with ELISA antigens prepared from other serotypes. Although ELISA titers averaged 5 log2 units higher than IHA titers, plots of titers determined by the 2 methods were approximately linear. Titer increases detected in paired serum samples by either test were similar. The ELISA was more sensitive than was the IHA in detecting colostral IgG antibody in serum of newborn calves. The ELISA uses a simple, stable antigen preparation and detects antibody to P haemolytica serotypes that commonly infect cattle.     

保护动物福利 促进畜牧业健康持续发展

随着畜牧业的快速发展和人民生活水平的不断提高,动物福利(animal welfare)制度也在世界范围内迅速地发展起来,动物福利的条款已写入了世界贸易组织的规则中.但是,我国的动物福利立法和制度化工作还相对落后,这一问题亟待解决.本文通过对动物福利概念和发展背景的透视,分析漠视动物福利所带来的负面影响,提出了改善我国动物福利现状、促进畜牧业健康持续发展的对策.     

Exploring student attitudes to directed self-learning online through evaluation of an Internet-based biomolecular sciences resource

RATIONALE FOR THE STUDY: In 2000, funding was awarded by the University of Glasgow's Learning and Teaching Development Fund (L&TDF) for the authors to develop an interactive, online learning resource for veterinary biomolecular sciences teaching. This course is a core component of the veterinary undergraduate curriculum at the university. Evaluations were carried out to gauge students' experiences of using the resource as a basis for exploring students' attitudes toward online, independent learning. METHODOLOGY: Peers were asked to review the design and content of four modules, also evaluated by students using questionnaires and focus group discussions. Additionally, students were observed using the modules. Both first-year students and second-year direct-entry students (i.e., students entering the veterinary program with advanced training) participated in the evaluation, which allowed for some comparison between the groups. One cohort used the modules independently, and their responses were compared with the cohorts that used the modules in scheduled classes. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The evaluations indicate that this is a useful resource that could act as a template for other courses within the veterinary undergraduate curriculum, particularly for learning of basic sciences. On average, first-year and timetabled students rated the program more highly overall, rated the program more highly in relation to previous instruction, and rated tutor presence as more important than second-year direct-entry and independent students did. The lower rating given to tutor presence by second-year direct-entry and independent students indicates that they are more confident using the modules without tutor supervision.     

Using group learning to promote integration and cooperative learning between Asian and Australian second-year veterinary science students

There is a tendency for students from different nationalities to remain within groups of similar cultural backgrounds. The study reported here used group project work to encourage integration and cooperative learning between Australian students and Asian (Southeast Asian) international students in the second year of a veterinary science program. The group project involved an oral presentation during a second-year course (Structure and Function), with group formation engineered to include very high, high, moderate, and low achievers (based on previous grades). One Asian student and three Australian students were placed in each group. Student perceptions of group dynamics were analyzed through a self-report survey completed at the end of the presentations and through group student interviews. Results from the survey were analyzed by chi-square to compare the responses between Asian and Australian students, with statistical significance accepted at p < 0.05. There were too few Asian students for statistical analysis from a single year; therefore, the results from two successive years, 2004 (N = 104; 26% Asian) and 2005 (N = 105; 20% Asian), were analyzed. All participating students indicated in the interviews that the project was worthwhile and a good learning experience. Asian students expressed a greater preference for working in a group than for working alone (p = 0.001) and reported more frequently than Australian students that teamwork produces better results (p = 0.01). Australian students were more likely than Asian students to voice their opinion in a team setting (p = 0.001), while Asian students were more likely to depend on the lecturer for directions (p = 0.001). The results also showed that group project work appeared to create an environment that supported learning and was a successful strategy to achieve acceptance of cultural differences.     

Review of welfare concerns relating to commercial and special permit (scientific) whaling

This paper reviews recent data relating to the efficiency and humaneness of the methods used to kill minke whales in commercial and special permit whaling operations. In the 1980s a grenade-headed harpoon was developed for minke whaling. Most recent results indicate that in the Norwegian industry approximately 60 per cent of whales were considered to be killed immediately by this harpoon, with 40 per cent being wounded. However, in Japanese whaling operations, generally only 30 per cent of whales were killed immediately, with 70 per cent being wounded. In both operations, more than six minutes elapsed before half the wounded whales were pronounced dead, with some whales surviving for more than an hour after being harpooned. Many of the long killing times were associated with a failure of a part of the whaling equipment     

The use of the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) in small-animal internal medicine and surgery

The Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) has been used extensively to evaluate clinical skill of medical students. This article reports on its adaptation to veterinary medicine.     

动物福利及GAP对生猪养殖的福利要求

主要从主观感受式、生物学功能式、自然生活式三个方面介绍了动物福利的定义、动物福利相关法律及国内外发展现状;并结合良好农业规范(GAP)标准中生猪饲养过程控制,重点阐述了影响生猪福利的环节和采取的相应措施,即地面和垫料;畜禽群体结构和混群;气侯、光照和噪音;畜舍空间;气流与空气质量;微生物环境;饲养人员与畜禽的互作;生长促进剂;畜舍环境富集。     

The Edinburgh Electronic Veterinary Curriculum: an online program-wide learning and support environment for veterinary education

The Edinburgh Electronic Veterinary Curriculum (EEVeC) is a purpose-built virtual learning support environment for the veterinary medicine program at the University of Edinburgh. It is Web based and adapted from a system developed for the human medical curriculum. It is built around a set of databases and learning objects and incorporates features such as course materials, personalized timetables, staff and student contact pages, a notice board, and discussion forums. The EEVeC also contains global or generic resources such as information on quality enhancement and research options. Many of these features contribute to the aim of building a learning community, but a challenge has been to introduce specific features that enhance student learning. One of these is a searchable lecture database in which learning activities such as quizzes and computer-aided learning exercises (CALs) can be embedded to supplement a synopsis of the lecture and address the key needs of integration and reinforcement of learning. Statistics of use indicate extensive student activity during evenings and weekends, with a pattern of increased usage over the years as more features become available and staff and students progressively engage with the system. An essential feature of EEVeC is its flexibility and the way in which it is evolving to meet the changing needs of the teaching program.     

透视行业深层问题推进行业健康发展(1)

在2009年上半年饲料生产形势分析会上,北京、河北、江西等12个省、市、区饲料工作办公室负责同志和部分企业代表踊跃发言,分析了当前行业形势,阐述了各种观点,明确了问题根源,提出了发展思路。我们经过整理。分两期刊出。     

透视行业深层问题推进行业健康发展(2)

张存焕：狠抓饲料产品质量安全整治 引导饲料工业做大做强上半年．我省认真贯彻中央一号文件精神。进一步加强对饲料工作的领导．狠抓饲料产品质量安全整治及管理．积极引导饲料工业做大做强．全省饲料工业仍然保持稳定发展的良好态势．为养殖业持续健康发展奠定了坚实的物质基础。我省饲料工业生产所用原料除玉米可满足70％用量以外．主要依靠省外．整个饲料原料市场仍然受省外制约。当前饲料管理工作中主要存在4方面问题：一是饲料安全形势依然严峻,去年以来由于饲料整治力度的进一步加大．饲料生产经营企业对饲料安全的意识进一步增强．饲料安全水平有一定提高。     

Horse-training techniques that may defy the principles of learning theory and compromise welfare

This review considers some contemporary training and restraining techniques that may lead to confusion or abuse in ridden and nonridden horses. As competitive equestrian sports boom, the welfare of the horse is under increasing scrutiny. The current focus on hyperflexion of the neck in dressage warm-up has exposed the problems with relying on subjective opinions when attempting to safeguard horse welfare. The discussion also highlights an opportunity for equestrian federations to evaluate practices within the various horse sports. Our review considers numerous examples of unorthodox practices that modify locomotion and posture. It offers a scientific framework for consideration of many contentious techniques in horse sports and emphasizes the role of Equitation Science in generating evidence-based enlightenment.     

Development and evaluation of an immunochromatographic strip for trichinellosis detection

In the present study, an immunochromatographic strip was developed for the serological detection of trichinellosis in swine. In the strip, the excretory-secretory (ES) antigens of Trichinella labelled with colloidal gold was used as the detector, and the staphylococcal protein A (SPA) and goat anti-ES antibody were blotted on the nitrocellulose membrane for the test and control lines, respectively. The evaluation of the strip was performed by comparing 60 clinical positive blood samples detected by the artificial digestion method with 46 serum samples from pigs infected with parasites other than Trichinella and 30 serum samples of parasite-free healthy pigs. The strip was shown to be of high specificity and sensitivity that were closely correlated with those of ELISA. Furthermore, the dipstick assay based on the strip is rapid (10 min) and easy to perform with no requirement of special skill, reagent or equipment. This suggests the immunochromatographic strip is an acceptable alternative to be used in clinical laboratories lacking specialized equipment as well as for field diagnosis.     

《数学物理方法》辅助教学软件包的研制

基于MATLAB软件平台开发出《数学物理方法》辅助教学软件包,采用GUI图形界面设计出双曲函数、傅立叶变换、勒让德函数、贝塞尔函数等软件界面,可在界面中设置相应函数的参数,通过回调函数计算后,返回该函数的直观图像。本软件操作简单,结果形象,学生易于理解相应函数的物理意义。     

Development and evaluation of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the determination of the trypanocidal drug homidium in serum of treated cattle

Two enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) for the determination of homidium in serum of treated cattle have been developed and evaluated. One is a direct competition (Assay 1) and the other an indirect competition assay (Assay 2). Both assays are highly sensitive with a limit of detection of 0.1 ng homidium per mL serum. Homidium levels were measurable in serum of cattle for over 2 months following administration of a single intramuscular (i.m.) dose at 1 mg/kg bodyweight. The level of sensitivity afforded by these assays makes them potentially useful tools in the pharmacokinetic evaluation of homidium and for investigating drug resistance or causes of drug failure. Assay 2 was chosen as being most suitable for further studies.     

Development and evaluation of an indirect enzyme immunoassay for detection of porcine antibodies to pseudorabies virus.

An indirect enzyme immunoassay is described for detection of porcine serum antibody to pseudorabies virus. The analytical sensitivity of the enzyme immunoassay was found to be approximately 4.5 log 4 X 10 (5120 times) greater than the serum neutralization test, based on parallel end point titrations. The diagnostic sensitivity of the enzyme immunoassay was comparable or superior to that of the serum neutralization, based on the earliest detectable antibody after infection of swine with pseudorabies virus by intranasal or intrauterine routes or by contact with infected pigs. The enzyme immunoassay, at a screening dilution of 1:20, gave 100% agreement with ELISA results provided with a U.S. Department of Agriculture-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service proficiency panel of 40 sera. One serum having demonstrable antibody by the enzyme immunoassay was seronegative by the serum neutralization test.     

Development and evaluation of an ELISA for the detection of antibody to infectious laryngotracheitis virus in chickens

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of antibody to infectious laryngotracheitis (ILT) virus in chickens was developed and compared with the serum-neutralization assay. The ELISA routinely yielded 16-to-32-fold higher titers than the serum-neutralization test. To overcome the requirement for large amounts of purified viral antigen, the microtiter trays were initially coated with an antibody prepared against purified ILT virus. A relatively crude viral preparation could then be used to coat the trays. Sera from specific-pathogen-free chickens less than 12 weeks of age did not show nonspecific binding, although 2.7% of all sera from chickens between 13 and 64 weeks of age had nonspecific activity. The majority of nonspecific reactors came from one highly inbred flock of specific-pathogen-free chickens. A number of modifications of ELISA procedures reported to reduce the nonspecific binding of chicken sera were investigated. Treatment of the serum or the plate and changes in the composition of the diluent did not increase the relative sensitivity of the anti-ILT assay.     

Results of a survey of small-animal practitioners on the perceived clinical efficacy and safety of an oral nutraceutical

A mail survey of 3080 practitioners from two sampling frames was used to determine the perceived clinical efficacy and safety of an oral nutraceutical for the treatment of degenerative joint disease (DJD) in small animals. Overall response rate was 82%, of which 64% reported that they were recommending the oral nutraceutical to their clients. There was a high variability reported between the severity of DJD and response to treatment. Sixty-eight percent of practitioners reported lame dogs older than five years to be the most responsive to treatment. Most practitioners (83%) believed response to treatment with the studied product occurred within four weeks. Practitioners using the product rated the clinical efficacy of the product to be either 'good' or 'excellent' in improving mobility, alleviating pain and improving attitude in the majority of the treated animals. No practitioner reported a worsening of pain, mobility or attitude. Self-reported adverse effects were 2% (the most common was gastrointestinal upset). The results of this survey indicated that perceived clinical efficacy of the studied nutraceutical in the treatment of DJD was regarded to be 'good' or 'excellent' by most of the practitioners who use this product and was considered to be safe with minimal side effects. This provides additional information on the product for use in planning future clinical trials.