海兰鸡内源性白血病病毒位点序列鉴定与分析

鉴定和比较海兰鸡基因组中内源性禽白血病病毒(ALV)位点。使用超嗜热古菌Thermococcus sp.4557来源重组表达的Pol B DNA聚合酶,通过一次PCR反应从海兰鸡的基因组DNA中扩增到了包括gag、pol、env基因部分片段及3′-LTR的内源性ALV位点,将其命名为HL-E1。序列比较表明,其env基因与E亚群内源性ALV高度同源;与完整的ALV基因组相比,其gag、pol、env三个主要功能基因分别缺失了93、1 960和805个碱基。海兰鸡基因组中存在4 663bp的缺陷型ALV基因组片段,其env基因和LTR都与鸡基因组上经典的ev1位点的相应基因有96.8%和97.4%的相似性,表明这是整合进海兰鸡染色体基因组中的一个内源性E亚群ALV片段构成的ev位点,这是又一个ev位点的全序列报道。     

AA肉种鸡内源性类ALV-J gp85基因及其抗原表位的分析

利用ALV-J gp85基因两侧的序列片段为引物,从山东潍坊某肉种鸡场送检的7日龄肉种鸡基因组中完整地扩增了内源性类ALV-J gp85基因。利用ALV-J env基因特异性引物不能扩增出长度为2.2kb的目的片段,用ALV-J特异性单抗JE-9做间接免疫荧光检测,也呈现阴性反应。这种内源性类ALV-J gp85基因与已报道的禽内源性反录病毒EAV-HP序列的同源性为85.6%～93.8%,其中与ADOL 0系来航鸡EAV-HP的相似性最高(93.8%)。所得到的内源性类ALV-J gp85基因与外源性ALV-J毒株HPRS-103、SD07LK1、NX0101的同源性分别为93.8%、91.8%和91.7%。并且与外源性ALV-J gp85基因具有相似的Jameson-Worlf抗原表位优势。这种内源性类gp85基因很可能与肉雏鸡早期感染ALV-J后所呈现的免疫耐受现象有关。     

鸡内源性类J亚群禽白血病病毒gp85基因的序列分析

利用J亚群禽白血病病毒gp85基因两侧的序列为引物,从正常的SPF鸡胚、肉鸡胚、良凤花鸡胚和土鸡的基因组中扩增出完整的内源性类ALV-Jgp85基因序列.这4种不同品种来源的ALV-JgP85基因与已报道的DF1细胞的内源性类ALV-Jgp85基因的同源性依次为98.5%、96.7%、98.6%、95.2%;与ALV-J原型株HPRS-103的同源性依次为97.3%、95.2%、97.6%、94.9%;与外源性IMC株的同源性依次为90.4%、88.5%、90.7%、89.6%.这将为深入探讨内源性类gp85基因在感染ALV-J发病的过程中起何种作用奠定了基础.     

内源和外源性禽白血病病毒鉴别PCR检测方法的建立

为建立简单快捷的内、外源性禽白血病病毒(ALV)的鉴别检测方法,本研究根据外源性ALVA亚群标准株RAV-1的p27、env基因以及内源性ALVE亚群标准株ev1的env基因的保守序列,设计3对特异性引物,可分别对ALV、外源性ALV(A、B亚群)和内源性ALV(E、J亚群)进行扩增,扩增产物分别为793bp、387bp和234bp,通过对各反应条件的优化建立了同时检测并鉴别内、外源性ALV的多重PCR方法。该方法特异性良好、灵敏度可达到2×103copies,利用该方法和ELISA对5份现地病鸡组织样品和10枚疑似感染内源性ALV的鸡胚进行检测,结果表明:4份病鸡样品均扩增出3条特异性片段;而9枚鸡胚仅扩增出793bp和234bp的特异性片段,2种检测方法的符合率为100%。该方法为内、外源性ALV的临床鉴别诊断奠定了基础。     

东北地区J亚群禽白血病病毒的分子生物学特性分析

为了解近两年在中国东北地区出现的J亚群禽白血病病毒(ALV-J)的分子生物学特性,作者从东北地区不同养禽场先后分离鉴定12株ALV-J,并对其env基因、3′UTR和3′LTR区序列进行测定和比较分析。结果显示,12株ALV-J分别位于env基因遗传进化的3个不同分支(group),其中group2和group3中毒株在env基因分别出现大片段氨基酸缺失和与其他亚群毒株重组现象;12株ALV-J在3′UTR区仍存在较大差异,具有完整E组件的ALV-J占主导地位;12株ALV-J在3′LTR区的变异主要集中于U3区,但是位于U3区的C/EBP、CArGbox、Y box、PRE box和TATA box等转录调控元件却高度保守。以上结果表明,目前中国ALV-J的基因变异仍主要集中在env基因和3′UTR区,且env基因已出现缺失或重组等新的变异趋势,并可能是ALV-J流行范围扩大、组织嗜性和致肿瘤作用明显改变的重要遗传基础。     

融合表达禽白血病env基因和IgG-Fc基因对鸡免疫效果研究

为研究鸡IgG-Fc作为分子佐剂是否能够增强J亚群白血病病毒env基因核酸疫苗的免疫效果,本研究克隆鸡IgG-Fc、禽白血病病毒-J(ALV-J)env基因,通过overlap-PCR将两个基因串联,构建pcDNA-env-Fc重组质粒,转染HEK293T细胞,48 h后经间接免疫荧光试验证明外源基因能够在细胞内表达。将pcDNA-env-Fc重复免疫SPF鸡3次,记录免疫过程中ALV-J env抗体动态变化,通过ELISA试剂盒检测鸡体内ALV-J env基因特异性抗体含量,结果显示第5周ALV-J抗体水平显著高于对照组(p0.05),尤其是IgG-Fc片段作为分子佐剂比ALV-J env基因疫苗更能显著刺激机体产生抗体。结果表明IgG-Fc片段可以作为ALV-J env基因疫苗有效的分子佐剂。     

黄羽肉鸡J亚群禽白血病病毒分离鉴定与全基因组序列分析

为了解J亚群禽白血病在黄羽肉鸡中的流行状况,采用病料研磨液接种DF-1细胞、ELISA p27抗原检测、PCR扩增等方法,从广东某鸡场送检疑似禽白血病的黄羽肉鸡病料中分离鉴定出1株J亚群禽白血病病毒,命名为GDLZ0715。为进一步了解该病毒分子学特性,对其进行全基因组测序,并与其他ALV-J毒株进行比较。结果表明,GDLZ0715分离株整个基因组中gag、pol、env基因和LTR相对保守,与各参考ALV-J毒株序列同源性分别达93.5%~95.9%、96.8%~97.3%、89.6%~94.6%和90.8%~95.1%;3′UTR变异较大,与各ALV-J参考毒株序列同源性仅为80.5%~93.4%,其中rTM和E元件大量碱基缺失;进一步分析表明3′UTR中rTM区和E元件大量碱基缺失正成为我国肉鸡ALV-J毒株的变异趋势。     

广东地方品种鸡J亚群禽白血病病毒分离鉴定及遗传进化研究

为了解广东地方品种鸡J亚群禽白血病病毒(ALV-J)净化情况,利用ALV-p27特异性抗原检测、病毒分离、PCR扩增和全基因组测序分析等方法,从广东某地方品种鸡群中分离鉴定出1株ALV-J,命名为GDYH-Y1。全基因组序列分析表明,GDYH-Y1分离株的LTR、gag和pol基因相对保守,而3′UTR和gp85基因变异较大,其中gp85基因与ALV-J参考毒株序列同源性仅为87.5%~92.8%,3′UTR区的rTM出现大量碱基缺失,遗传进化分析表明GDYH-Y1分离株与美国白羽肉鸡源分离株ADOL-7501亲缘关系最近。研究为广东地方品种鸡ALV-J净化效果提供数据参考,为分析广东地方品种鸡ALV-J毒株的分子特征和变异趋势提供了重要的数据资料。     

内源性绵羊肺腺瘤病毒env基因的克隆及序列分析

参照GenBank上已发表的内源性绵羊肺腺瘤病毒env基因与5′长末端重复序列保守区序列设计引物,应用PCR技术成功扩增出内源性绵羊肺腺瘤env基因与5′长末端重复序列,将纯化的扩增片段连接pMD18-T克隆载体进行测序获得目的基因序列。应用MEGA4.1、DNASTAR进行序列分析,分析结果表明,内源性env基因具有完整的开放阅读框,内源性env基因序列与内源性绵羊肺腺瘤(AF153615.1)基因同源性高达99.7%,与外源性绵羊肺腺瘤(M80216.1)基因的同源性仅为90.6%;由内源性env基因推导的氨基酸在NCBI进行BLAST比较:与AF153615.1的氨基酸同源性高达100%。内源性env基因编码表达的蛋白具有亲水性。这些结果为研究5′长末端序列对内源性env基因调控等问题提供了重要参考。     

J亚群禽白血病病毒GD14A8株分离鉴定及遗传进化分析

为了解J亚群禽白血病病毒(ALV-J)的流行和变异情况,本研究利用ALV-p27群特异性抗原检测、PCR鉴定、病毒分离和全基因组测序分析等方法,从广东某鸡场分离鉴定出1株ALV-J,命名为GD14A8。全基因组序列分析表明,GD14A8分离株的gag、pol、env基因和LTR相对保守,而3′UTR变异较大,与ALV-J参考毒株序列同源性仅为82.5%~92.5%,其中rTM和E元件呈现大量碱基缺失,U3区出现与血管瘤分离株NHH和SCDY1类似的11个碱基缺失,可能与血管瘤形成相关。遗传进化分析表明,GD14A8分离株与我国鸡源ALV-J血管瘤分离株SCDY1亲缘关系最近。本研究为分析黄羽肉鸡源ALV-J毒株的分子特征提供了重要的数据资料,为深入了解广东地区ALV-J的变异趋势提供参考。     

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