Study of host-pathogen interactions to identify sustainable vaccine strategies to Marek's disease

Marek’s disease virus is a highly cell-associated, lymphotropic -herpesvirus that causes paralysis and neoplastic disease in chickens. The disease has been contained by vaccination with attenuated viruses and provides the first evidence for a malignant cancer being controlled by an antiviral vaccine. Marek’s disease pathogenesis is complex, involving cytolytic and latent infection of lymphoid cells and oncogenic transformation of CD4⁺ T cells in susceptible chickens. Innate and adaptive immune responses develop in response to infection, but infection of lymphocytes results in immunosuppressive effects. The remarkable ability of MDV to escape immune responses by interacting with, and down-regulating, some key aspects of the immune system will be discussed in the context of genetic resistance. Resistance conferred by vaccination and the implications of targeting replicative stages of the virus will also be examined.     

Teaching and assessing nutrition competence in a changing curricular environment

In the past, the required introductory veterinary nutrition course at Michigan State University's College of Veterinary Medicine (MSU-CVM) has provided 29 hours of didactic lectures, with student performance evaluated by short-answer or multiple-choice questions. Because of a 50% reduction in allotted course credits and a change in prerequisites for admission, the course is being redesigned to focus on three of 29 nutrition competencies outlined by the American College of Veterinary Nutrition. Professional communication skills will be developed through small-group learning experiences, case-based problems, and videotaped interviews with standardized clients to teach and assess nutrition competencies. Assessment strategies will differ from traditional multiple-choice examinations and include pre- and post-course self-efficacy ratings, written evaluations from trained standardized clients, and oral and written evaluations from coaches or facilitators.     

动物生产的地境适应性

动物生产应符合地境适应性原则。特定家畜总是在一定气候区域分布,其新陈代谢随环境变化而变化,使之呈现出不同的生产水平。大空间尺度、中等空间尺度和小空间尺度上均体现了地形对动物和植被分布的影响。草地农业系统中由地理位置、人类活动共同作用形成的位点在不同地区尺度水平上往往均居于系统发展的关键地位。地境因子中气候、土地和位点相互作用,各有侧重。这是进行养殖场空间布局时需要加以考虑的。     

Gut health,stress, and immunity in neonatal dairy calves: the host side of host-pathogen interactions

The cumulative evidence that perinatal events have long-lasting ripple effects through the life of livestock animals should impact future nutritional and management recommendations at the farm level. The implications of fetal programming due to malnutrition, including neonatal survival and lower birth weights, have been characterized,particularly during early and mid-gestation, when placental and early fetal stages are being developed. The accelerated fetal growth during late pregnancy has been known for some time, while the impact of maternal stressors during this time on fetal development and by extent its postnatal repercussions on health and performance are still being defined.Maternal stressors during late pregnancy cannot only influence colostrogenesis but also compromise adequate intestinal development in the fetus, thus, that further limits the newborn's ability to absorb nutrients, bioactive compounds, and immunity(i.e., immunoglobulins, cytokines, and immune cells) from colostrum. These negative effects set the newborn calf to a challenging start in life by compromising passive immunity and intestinal maturation needed to establish a mature postnatal mucosal immune system while needing to digest and absorb nutrients in milk or milk replacer. Besides the dense-nutrient content and immunity in colostrum, it contains bioactive compounds such as growth factors, hormones, and cholesterol as well as molecular signals or instructions [e.g., microRNAs(miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs(lncRNAs)] transferred from mother to offspring with the aim to influence postnatal gut maturation. The recent change in paradigm regarding prenatal materno-fetal microbiota inoculation and likely the presence of microbiota in the developing fetus intestine needs to be addressed in future research in ruminants. There still much to know on what prenatal or postnatal factors may predispose neonates to become susceptible to enteropathogens(e.g., enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli), causing diarrhea. From the host-side of this host-pathogen interaction, molecular data such as fecal RNA could, over time, help fill those gaps in knowledge. In addition, merging this novel fecal RNA approach with more established microbiome techniques can provide a more holistic picture of an enteropathogenesis and potentially uncover control points that can be addressed through management or nutrition at the farm level to minimize preweaning morbidity and mortality.     

Adaptation of reptilian paramyxovirus to mammalian cells (Vero cells)

The reptilian paramyxovirus GOV was successfully adapted to Vero cells in 80 passages at 30 degrees C. The virus replicated with HA titres of 1:64 and 10(7.5) TCID50/ml in the heterologous host cells forming syncytia, giant cells and cytoplasmic inclusion bodies. After 80 passages GOV was identified by immunofluorescence, by immune electron microscopy and by PCR. Sequencing of RT-PCR products of GOV after 80 passages did not reveal changes in the nucleotide sequence of the partial L-gene of GOV.     

Dual RNA-seq技术及其在宿主-病原体相互作用中的研究进展

利用转录组测序技术(RNA-sequencing, RNA-seq)进行转录组分析是了解病原体入侵宿主分子变化的重要工具,在同时分析病原体与宿主转录组时,RNA-seq技术需要分别构建病原体及宿主的cDNA文库,再将其各自映射到病原体及宿主参考基因组中,而互作转录组测序技术(Dual RNA-seq)无需分离两物种,只需构建一个转录组文库,便能同时对两个(或多个)研究对象进行测序和分析,可以直观地揭示病原体和宿主相互作用过程中转录组学动态变化,因此Dual RNA-seq技术被广泛应用到人类疾病和生物感染模型的相互作用研究中。为了解Dual RNA-seq技术及其在宿主-病原体相互作用研究中的前景,就Dual RNA-seq技术概述以及近年来该技术在原核生物、真核生物以及病毒研究中的应用现状及发展前景进行综述。Dual RNA-seq技术可为病原体与宿主相互作用的研究提供新视角,有助于更好地识别和理解感染过程中病原体和宿主的转录组学变化,从而揭示潜在的新靶点或生物标记物。     

Sire X environment interactions in beef cattle weaning weight field data

Weaning weight field records, supplied by the American Polled Hereford Association, were used to examine sire X environment interactions. Sire X herd/region and sire X contemporary group/herd interactions were evaluated from a data set containing 19,503 records. Sire X region interaction was evaluated from a data set containing 8,659 records. The genetic correlations of sire progeny performance across contemporary groups/herd were .59 and .37 across herds and contemporary groups/region. The average genetic correlation of sire progeny performance across regions was .64. Heritability of weaning weight was .11 across regions, .17 within region and .28 within herd. Mixed-model sire analyses of Polled Hereford weaning weight field records should include sire X herd/region and sire X contemporary group/herd random effects to reduce the sire X environment effects particular to any herd or contemporary group, and to account for the distribution of sire progeny across herds and contemporary groups in the estimation of prediction error variance. It may be necessary to perform separate sire analyses for some regions to evaluate the breeding values of sires in regions where rank changes are likely to occur.     

北极狐春季饲养管理要点

春季是北极狐配种、妊娠、产仔季节,因此,抓好春季北极狐的饲养管理,不仅能产出较多的健壮仔狐、提高仔狐成活率,而且迅速恢复仔狐的体质与健康非常重要.     

你的企业有未来吗?——变革时期企业发展的战略思考

前段时间在一个活动现场认识一位企业的销售副总,销售副总很真诚的跟笔者沟通,谈到了企业经过了8、9年的发展,现在已经进入一个瓶颈。企业处在一个想大不能大的窘境,销售业绩也停留在一个水平线上踟蹰不前,企业的员工亦盲目的坚持着。此副总特别想通过外力给企业带来发展的新契机。受该副总之邀,笔者来到了该企业的总部,见到了企业的总经理。     

The effects of genotype by environment interactions in dairy cattle open nucleus breeding schemes

SUMMARY: The evaluation of open nucleus breeding systems using progeny testing or adult or juvenile embryo transfer in the nucleus is extended to include genotype by environment interactions. Knowledge of the extent of such interactions can be used to design breeding schemes and to predict realistic rates of genetic gain in the commercial environment. Interactions between the nucleus and base (commercial) herds are assumed to be more important than those interactions within tiers (e. g., among base herds). The genetic selection differentials of animals born in the nucleus and evaluated for their performance under the base conditions are reduced by a factor equivalent to the genetic correlation for economic merit between the nucleus and base test environment. This leads to a lower asymptotic genetic gain per year and longer asymptotic genetic lag with regard to the genetic improvement in the base herds. The mean genetic merit in the commercial population at a given planning horizon (20 years) is also increased as the genetic correlation for economic merit between the nucleus and base environment decreases. The applies to all the breeding systems and so the genetic correlation is a critical parameter in evaluating open nucleus breeding schemes. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG: Wirkungen von Genotyp-Umweltinteraktionen in offenen Nukleuszuchtsystemen von Milchrindern Die Bewertung offener Nukleuszuchtsysteme mit Nachkommenschaftsprüfung oder adultem oder juvenilem Embryotransfer im Nukleus wird mit Berücksichtigung von Genotyp-Umweltinteraktionen erweitert. Kenntnis solcher Interaktionen sollen bei der Zuchtplanung und zur Voraussch?tzung realistischer genetischer Fortschrittsraten in praxisnahen Situationen Anwendung finden. Interaktionen zwischen Nukleus und Basis (kommerziell) Herden werden als wichtiger angenommen als Interaktionen innerhalb der Schichten (z.B. zwischen Basisherden). Genetische Selektionsdifferentiale von nukleusgeborenen Tieren, die ihre Leistung unter Bedingung der Praxis erbringen, werden proportional der genetischen Korrelation für Wirtschaftswert zwischen Nukleus und Basismilieu vermindert. Dies führt zum geringeren asymptotischen genetischen Fortschritt pro Jahr und einem l?ngeren asymptotischen, mit genetischer Verz?gerung in bezug auf genetische Verbesserung der Basisherden. Der mittlere Zuchtwert der kommerziellen Population bei gegebenem Planungshorizont (20 Jahre) wird ebenfalls proportional der genetischen Korrelation kleiner. Das bezieht sich auf alle Zuchtsysteme, so da? die genetische Korrelation ein kritischer Parameter zur Bewertung offener Nukleuszuchtsysteme ist.     

Non chemical control of helminths in ruminants: adapting solutions for changing worms in a changing world

Infections with gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) remain a major threat for ruminant production, health and welfare associated with outdoor breeding. The control of these helminth parasites has relied on the strategic or tactical use of chemical anthelmintic (AH) drugs. However, the expanding development and diffusion of anthelmintic resistance in nematode populations imposes the need to explore and validate novel solutions (or to re-discover old knowledge) for a more sustainable control of GIN. The different solutions refer to three main principles of action. The first one is to limit the contact between the hosts and the infective larvae in the field through grazing management methods. The latter were described since the 1970s and, at present, they benefit from innovations based on computer models. Several biological control agents have also been studied in the last three decades as potential tools to reduce the infective larvae in the field. The second principle aims at improving the host response against GIN infections relying on the genetic selection between or within breeds of sheep or goats, crossbreeding of resistant and susceptible breeds and/or the manipulation of nutrition. These approaches may benefit from a better understanding of the potential underlying mechanisms, in particular in regard of the host immune response against the worms. The third principle is the control of GIN based on non-conventional AH materials (plant or mineral compounds). Worldwide studies show that non conventional AH materials can eliminate worms and/or negatively affect the parasite's biology. The recent developments and pros and cons concerning these various options are discussed. Last, some results are presented which illustrate how the integration of these different solutions can be efficient and applicable in different systems of production and/or epidemiological conditions. The integration of different control tools seems to be a pre-requisite for the sustainable management of GIN infections. This new era of GIN management requires a new paradigm: to achieve enough control to reduce the negative impact of GIN infections enabling an optimum level of production, health and welfare.     

Genotype‐environment interactions in genetically diverse meat‐type stocks of Chickens 1

Six experimental stocks were evaluated in two trials at seven locations to determine if genetically diverse meat‐type stocks would be useful in identifying specific causes of genotype‐environment interactions.

Stock differences in body weights (at 1, 5 and 8 weeks) were significant and responsible for 55 to 80% of the total phenotypic variation. Location effects were also significant, while trial effects were significant only at 1 and 5 weeks of age. Stock‐location interactions were significant (P < 0.01) for body weight at 1 and 5 weeks of age in both sexes while male 8‐week body weight and shank length differences were also significant (P< 0.05). The importance of stock‐location interactions for juvenile body weight decreased with age, being reponsible for 3% of the total phenotypic variation at 1 week and less than 1 % at 8 weeks of age.

These data support previous reports indicating stock‐location interactions are of minor importance for juvenile body weights in broiler stocks and responsible for less than 2% of the total phenotypic variation in 8‐week body weight. Utilisation of genetically diverse stocks did not materially increase the importance of or aid in identifying these interactions.     

Investigation of genotype x environment interactions for weaning weight for Herefords in three countries

The objective of this study was to investigate the possibility of genotype x environment interactions for weaning weight (WWT) between different regions of the United States (US) and between Canada (CA), Uruguay (UY), and US for populations of Hereford cattle. Original data were composed of 487,661, 102,986, and 2,322,722 edited weaning weight records from CA, UY, and US, respectively. A total of 359 sires were identified as having progeny across all three countries; 240 of them had at least one progeny with a record in each environment. The data sets within each country were reduced by retaining records from herds with more than 500 WWT records, with an average contemporary group size of greater than nine animals, and that contained WWT records from progeny or maternal grand-progeny of the across-country sires. Data sets within each country were further reduced by randomly selecting among remaining herds. Four regions within US were defined: Upper Plains (UP), Cornbelt (CB), South (S), and Gulf Coast (GC). Similar sampling criteria and common international sires were used to form the within-US regional data sets. A pairwise analysis was done between countries and regions within US (UP-CB vs S-GC, UP vs CB, and S vs GC) for the estimation of (co)variance components and genetic correlation between environments. An accelerated EM-REML algorithm and a multiple-trait animal model that considered WWT as a different trait in each environment were used to estimate parameters in each pairwise analysis. Direct and maternal (in parentheses) estimated genetic correlations for CA vs UY, CA vs US, US vs UY, UP-CB vs S-GC, UP vs CB, and S vs GC were .88 (.84), .86 (.82), .90 (.85), .88 (.87), .88 (.84), and .87 (.85), respectively. The general absence of genotype x country interactions observed in this study, together with a prior study that showed the similarity of genetic and environmental parameters across the three countries, strongly indicates that a joint WWT genetic evaluation for Hereford cattle could be conducted using a model that treated the information from CA, UY, and US as a single population using single population-wide genetic parameters.     

Ectoparasites: future challenges in a changing world

Ectoparasites are ubiquitous, often highly damaging and in most cases cannot be permanently eradicated; hence, they must usually be managed at a local scale with insecticides or endectocides. However, the growth in resistance, the slow rate of development of new actives, coupled with environmental and health concerns associated with the continued use of some of the existing neurotoxic insecticides, suggest that more sophisticated approaches to their management need to be identified. These approaches need to allow ectoparasite populations to be maintained at acceptable levels, while conserving the compounds that remain available. The development of integrated approaches, in which cascades of management tactics are deployed, with parasiticides available as one component to be used in requisite circumstances, may be the most appropriate route to achieving this aim. An essential element of such an approach is the clear articulation of the purpose of intervention and rational justification of the time-point and manner in which it is attempted. However, for this to be possible, considerably better information is required about the effects of ectoparasite abundance on animal welfare and productivity, in addition to the greater availability of effective alternative control tools. To this end, recent work undertaken at the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Bristol, into the use of biological control agents, off-host trapping and the selective treatment of more highly susceptible individuals or classes of host, is reviewed here.