东北虎朊病毒基因的克隆与序列分析

根据已报道的哺乳动物朊病毒基因序列设计引物，采用PCR方法扩增了25只东北虎的朊病毒基因，克隆、测序及序列分析表明，所得到的东北虎朊病毒基因片段为402bp，编码134个氨基酸的前体蛋白，核苷酸序列同源性为99．67％。共发现了4个核苷酸多态性（T423C，A501G，C511A，A610G），其中C511A和A610G的碱基突变导致K171Q和A204T氨基酸的变异。与已报道的猫、貂、绵羊、鼠和犬等哺乳动物的氨基酸序列比较，结果与猫（AF003087，97．3％）和绵羊（97．3％）的氨基酸同源性最高。     

牛、羊、人叠朊基因的克隆与分析

为了解我国哺乳动物叠朊基因Prnd的生物信息，本实验采用PCR方法克隆了秦川黄牛、甘肃土种绵羊和汉族人的Prnd，运用分子生物学软件对这些序列进行了分析比较。结果表明，获得的三种哺乳动物的Prnd均位于1个单一的外显子内，与GenBank登录的相应序列具有高度同源性。秦川黄牛与甘肃土种绵羊Prnd的同源性为96．8％，推导氨基酸序列同源性为93．3％。汉族人Prnd与秦川黄牛和甘肃土种绵羊Prod的同源性均为80％，推导的氨基酸序列同源性均为76．3％。氨基酸一级结构分析显示3种Prod编码的叠朊均由氨基端的信号肽、中间的成熟蛋白和羧基端的GPI锚结合区组成。二级结构预测表明，3种Prod编码的叠朊均由3个α-螺旋和2个β-片层组成。本研究获得的这3种主要哺乳动物的Prnd信息为一进步研究叠朊的结构与功能奠定了基础。     

三种哺乳动物朊蛋白基因的克隆与分析

以外周血液的总DNA为模板，运用PCR方法克隆了汉族人、秦川黄牛和甘肃土种绵羊的Prnp基因，运用分子生物学软件对这些序列进行了分析比较。结果表明，获得的3种哺乳动物的Prnp基因均位于1个单一的外显子内，与GenBank中登录的相应序列具有高度同源性，达99．0％。牛与绵羊Prnp基因同源性为97．3％，推导氨基酸序列同源性为96．5％。人Prnp基因与黄牛和绵羊Prnp基因的同源性分别为86．7％和87．1％，其氨基酸序列的同源性均为90．0％。3种Prnp基因均有富含G—C的重复区，编码的PrP蛋白均由氨基端的信号肽、中间的成熟蛋白和羧基端的GPI锚结合位点组成。基因型分析表明，秦川黄牛和甘肃土种绵羊可能存在感染海绵状脑病的风险。     

内源性绵羊肺腺瘤病毒NM株gag基因的克隆、序列分析及蛋白结构预测

提取内源性绵羊肺腺瘤病毒内蒙古分离株（NM）总DNA，参照GenBank中内源性绵羊肺腺瘤病毒enJS56A1株gag基因序列设计1对引物。应用PCR技术特异性地扩增出病毒的gag基因片段，将其克隆到pMD19-T载体中进行测序得到完整的gag基因序列，并用DNAStar软件进行序列分析，分析结果表明，与内源性南非代表毒株enJS56A1（AF153615）的gag基因序列比较，核苷酸同源性为98．9％，推导出的氨基酸同源性为98．4％。与外源性美国代表株JSRV21（AF105220）的gag基因序列比较，核苷酸同源性为89．6％，氨基酸同源性为94．8％。利用生物信息学软件对其蛋白结构进行预测，结果表明gag-enJSRV-NM为一结构松散的蛋白分子，这也是我国首次报道的内源性绵羊肺腺瘤病毒的gag基因的全序列，为我国科研工作者进行更深入的研究奠定了基础。     

5个绵羊品种BMP6基因部分片段的多态及序列分析

根据GenBank发表的绵羊骨形态发生蛋白6（Bone morphogenetic protein6,BMP6）基因部分序列所包含的外显子5、6、7和小鼠BMP6基因外显子5、6、7序列设计3对引物,采用PCR-SSCP技术检测BMP6基因外显子5、6和7在小尾寒羊、湖羊、多赛特、特克塞尔、考力代5个绵羊品种301个个体中的单核苷酸多态性。结果发现这3对引物的扩增片段在检测的5个品种中均无多态性,说明所检测的BMP6外显子5、6、7序列比较保守。同时克隆了小尾寒羊（695bp）和济宁青山羊（699bp）部分BMP6mRNA以及小尾寒羊BMP6基因外显子3—4的内含子序列和两端部分外显子序列（785bp）。发现小尾寒羊和济宁青山羊的核苷酸和氨基酸序列差异很小,两者的核苷酸序列同源性高达99．28％,氨基酸序列同源性为98．1％,除济宁青山羊中插入一个丙氨酸外,两者只有4个氨基酸的差异。绵羊与牛、人、小鼠和大鼠的核苷酸同源性分别为97．04％、81．82％、84．68％和85．06％;氨基酸序列同源性分别为99．05％、91．43％、90．48％和92．38％,均大于90％,表明各物种BMP6核苷酸序列虽然差异较大,但氨基酸序列却非常保守。     

鸡传染性支气管炎病毒分离株核衣壳基因克隆、序列分析和真核表达

根据GenBank公开序列自行设计一对引物，采用RT—PCR扩增出鸡传染性支气管炎病毒（Infectious bronchitis virus，IBV）W和C9001分离株完整的核衣壳（N）基因，并将其克隆至pMD18-T载体进行核苷酸序列测定和分析。结果表明，扩增的2个IBV分离株核衣壳基因片段长度均为1230bp，编码409个氨基酸，彼此间核苷酸和氨基酸同源性分别为88．0％和89．5％，与GenBank中有代表性的参考毒株相应基因核苷酸和氨基酸序列比较显示，w株核苷酸序列与GenBank中的广东分离株（AY646283）同源性最高，为94．1％，氨基酸序列同源性为94．6％；与国内部分毒株核苷酸序列同源性在86．1％～88．0％之间，氨基酸序列同源性在88．0％～90．7％之间；C9001株与国内部分毒株核苷酸序列同源性在86．4％～99．8％之间，氨基酸序列同源性在88．0％～99．8％之间。从核衣壳基因编码的氨基酸序列的系统进化树可见，W株与C9001株处于不同的进化分枝，亲缘关系较远。同时将核衣壳基因构建于真核表达质粒pVAX1中，用脂质体法将重组质粒转染入COS-7细胞中，间接免疫荧光检测出核衣壳蛋白的体外表达。研究结果为进一步研究IBV核衣壳蛋白的结构与功能以及基因工程疫苗的研制奠定了基础。     

猪瘟野毒E2基因同源性比较

以人工感染发病猪的脾为材料提取总RNA，根据已报道的猪瘟病毒基因组序列，设计合成了2对引物，以总RNA为模板，利用反转录聚合酶链式反应（RT－PCR）、套组聚合酶链式反应（nPCR)及测序技术，对流行于我国甘肃省、陕西省、宁夏和广西自治区的5株野毒株的主要外膜糖蛋白E2基因的核苷酸序列进行了测定，用DNAstar软件比较分析了5株野毒之间及其与猪瘟兔化弱毒株（C－ST株）E2基因的核苷酸序列和推导的氨基酸序列的同源性。结果发现，5株野毒与C－ST株核苷酸序列的同源性为81．7％－83．1％，氨基酸同源性为87．3％－88．6％，表明它们之间存在较大的差异；但5株野毒之间核苷酸序列的同源性高达98．8％－99．3％，氨基酸同源性为96．6％－99．2％，表明它们之间的差异较小。     

2种家养动物朊蛋白基因的扩增与分析

采用PCR方法扩增了云南矮马和北京油鸡的PrP^C基因，并进行序列测定，结合已发表种属朊病毒基因序列，运用分子生物学软件进行同源性分析。结果表明，云南矮马PrP^C基因与已报道的马PrP^C基因比较，其同源性达99％，氨基酸同源性达100％。与牛PrP^C基因比较，同源性达89％，氨基酸同源性达91％。北京油鸡PrP^C基因与鸡的已知序列比较，同源性达99％；与鸭、鸽、鹌鹑的已知序列比较，同源性94％～97％。其翻译的氨基酸序列与鸡的已知序列比较，同源性达99％，与鸭、鸽、鹌鹑比较，氨基酸同源性88％～99％。从本试验结果来看，云南矮马PrP^C基因与牛的PrP^C基因同源性较远，因此感染牛源朊病毒的风险较小，禽类与哺乳动物PrP^C氨基酸属于2个不同的进化分支，因此哺乳动物海绵状脑病不易传染给禽类或引起朊蛋白构型上的改变。这些结果可为海绵状脑病种间屏障补充详细的数据，也为制定相关预防控制措施提供了一些理论依据。     

多次传代和致细胞病变猪瘟病毒石门株E2基因序列分析

根据已发表的猪瘟病毒基因组序列，设计合成了2对引物，以脾毒和细胞毒总RNA为模板，利用反转录聚合酶链式反应（RT—PCR）、套式聚合酶链式反应（nPCR）及测序技术，对多次动物传代和致细胞病变的猪瘟病毒的主要外膜糖蛋白E2基因的核苷酸序列进行了测定，用DNA star软件比较分析了E2基因的核苷酸和氨基酸序列的同源性。结果发现，脾毒和标准石门株的核苷酸序列同源性为99．4％，氨基酸序列同源性为99．0％，细胞毒标准石门株的核苷酸序列同源性为98．3％，氨基酸同源性96．7％。由此说明猪瘟病毒经猪多次传代和致细胞病变后均保持遗传的稳定性。     

丝状支原体丝状亚种SC型中国不同地区分离株脂蛋白Q基因的分子特征

根据已发表的丝状支原体丝状亚种SC型（MmmSC）脂蛋白Q（LppQ）基因序列设计并合成一对引物，利用PCR扩增方法，从我国不同省区的MmmSC分离株HVRI—X、BenI、QingI、MuI和模式株PG1中获得了LppQ基因1303 bp的片段，将该片段克隆到PMD18-T载体上，通过对所得到的重组质粒进行酶切分析、PCR鉴定，证明得到了含有目的基因片段的阳性重组质粒。采用Sanger’s双脱氧末端终止法对插入片段进行核苷酸序列测定，获得了HVRI-X、Ben Ⅰ、oing Ⅰ、Mu Ⅰ株和模式株PG1 LppQ基因核苷酸序列。核苷酸序列比较结果显示，国内4个MmmSC分离株与GenBank公布的LppQ基因核苷酸序列同源性均在99．7％以上，氨基酸序列同源性均在99％以上；与模式株PG1的核苷酸序列同源性在99．7％以上，氨基酸序列同源性均在99．3％以上。，国内4个MmmSC分离株之间的核苷酸序列同源性均在99．7％以上，氨基酸序列同源性均在99．3％以上。对HVPI X株LppQ基因氨基酸亲私陛和蛋白表面可能性进行了分析，证实LppQN末端富含亲水氨基酸，比C末端更有可能定位在蛋白表面。     

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