牛源犬新孢子虫NcSRS2-NcGRA7融合基因的克隆与生物信息学分析

为了解牛源犬新孢子虫NcSRS2-NcGRA7融合基因的生物学特性,本试验提取牛源犬新孢子虫基因组DNA,应用PCR技术扩增犬新孢子虫表面蛋白基因NcSRS2和致密颗粒蛋白基因NcGRA7,SOE-PCR技术拼接NcSRS2和NcGRA7基因,构建NcSRS2-NcGRA7融合基因重组克隆质粒,并进行PCR鉴定、双酶切鉴定及生物信息学分析。结果,NcSRS2基因扩增片段大小为1 061 bp,NcGRA7基因扩增片段大小为364 bp,NcSRS2-NcGRA7融合基因扩增片段大小为1 482 bp;获得重组克隆质粒pMD18-NcSRS2-NcGRA7经PCR鉴定、双酶切鉴定正确;测序分析表明,与Gen-Bank中已发表的美国株犬新孢子虫(AF061249、AF176649)核苷酸序列同源性为99%;经DNAman等软件分析,预测NcSRS2-NcGRA7融合蛋白抗原指数较高,融合蛋白二级结构以α-螺旋和β-折叠为主,三级结构中2种蛋白独立折叠,并借助Linker互相连接,功能互不影响。本试验为牛源犬新孢子虫NcSRS2-NcGRA7融合蛋白的免疫学研究奠定了基础。     

牛新孢子虫NcSRS2基因腺病毒穿梭载体的构建及在293细胞中的表达

应用PCR技术扩增牛新孢子虫NcSRS2基因,纯化PCR产物后与克隆载体pMD18-T Simple Vector连接,将PCR、酶切鉴定及测序分析正确的pMD-18T-NcSRS2重组质粒进行EcoRⅠ和XbaⅠ双酶切,克隆至相同酶切回收后的腺病毒穿梭载体pCR259中,再将PCR、酶切鉴定正确的pCR259-NcSRS2重组质粒转染293细胞,应用IF-AT和Western-blotting技术检测重组质粒在293细胞中的表达情况。结果显示,扩增的牛新孢子虫NcSRS2基因长度为1 227bp,与GenBank中发表的NcSRS2（AF061249）核苷酸序列同源性为99%,构建的pCR259-NcSRS2重组质粒在293细胞中得到瞬时表达,表达蛋白的相对分子质量为43 000,具有较好的反应原性。本试验为新孢子虫病腺病毒载体疫苗的构建奠定了基础。     

新孢子虫致密颗粒蛋白截短型NcGRA7t的体外表达及免疫活性检测

为构建新孢子虫致密颗粒截短型NcGRA7t基因的原核表达质粒,研究其在体外细胞中的表达情况和免疫活性,运用PCR方法和基因克隆技术,构建了pGEX-4T3-NcGRA7t重组质粒,并在大肠杆菌中进行诱导蛋白表达,用SDS-PAGE和Western blot检测重组蛋白在体外的表达情况和免疫活性。结果显示:以新孢子虫的cDNA为模板,从新孢子虫Nc-1株扩增出了NcGRA7t基因,并克隆到了表达载体上。本试验成功构建了重组表达质粒pGEX-4T3-NcGRA7t,表达出的NcGRA7t重组蛋白具有免疫活性,为新孢子虫病的流行病学调查和亚单位疫苗的研究奠定了基础。     

牛源犬新孢子虫NcGRA9基因原核表达及免疫原性分析

为了确定牛源犬新孢子虫NcGRA9基因的功能及表达蛋白的免疫原性，本试验PCR扩增牛源犬新孢子虫NcGRA9基因，构建克隆质粒pMD18-T-NcGRA9和原核表达质粒pGEX-4T-NcGRA9,转化大肠杆菌BL21感受态细胞中IPTG诱导表达，SDS-PAGE电泳和Western blot分析表达重组蛋白的反应原性，应用重组蛋白与弗氏佐剂混合接种BALB/c小鼠，ELISA检测小鼠血清中IgG、IgG1、IgG2a抗体水平以及IFN-γ、IL-4细胞因子水平。结果显示，经PCR扩增获得522 bp的NcGRA9片段，表达蛋白纯化后相对分子质量约为45 kDa,具有良好的反应原性；重组蛋白接种BALB/c小鼠后，免疫组小鼠IgG、IgG1、IgG2a抗体水平以及IFN-γ、IL-4细胞因子水平均极显著高于PBS对照组(P<0.01),说明表达的重组蛋白具有良好的免疫原性。本试验表达的NcGRA9重组蛋白具有良好的抗原性，为新孢子虫病的防控奠定了基础。     

牛源犬新孢子虫MAG1基因的克隆及在Vero细胞中表达

为了解牛源犬新孢子虫MAG1基因的生物学特性,本实验应用PCR技术扩增牛源犬新孢子虫MAG1基因,构建真核表达重组质粒pVAX-MAG1,将鉴定正确的pVAX-MAG1重组质粒转染Vero细胞,应用间接荧光检测方法(1FA)和western blot技术检测MAG1基因在Vero细胞中的表达.结果显示,扩增的牛源犬新孢子虫MAG1基因长度为1047bp,与GenBank中登录的MAG1 (EF580924.1)核苷酸序列同源性为99％,IFA检测MAG1基因在Vero细胞中获得瞬时表达,western blot分析表达蛋白的分子量为39 ku,具有较好的反应原性.本实验为新孢子虫病核酸疫苗与诊断试剂盒的研究奠定了基础.     

牛源犬新孢子虫NcAMA1基因重组腺病毒的构建及鉴定

PCR扩增牛源犬新孢子虫NcAMA1基因,克隆至pMD18-T simple载体;将鉴定正确的NcAMA1基因亚克隆至pCR259腺病毒穿梭载体,构建重组腺病毒穿梭质粒pCR259-NcAMA1;依次转化HighQ-1Transpose-AdTM294和HighQ-1TM感受态细胞,构建NcAMA1基因重组腺病毒表达质粒T294-NcAMA1;PacⅠ酶线性化后,脂质体介导转染至QBI-HEK293细胞,包装Ad5-NcAMA1重组腺病毒。结果表明,获得Ad5-NcAMA1重组腺病毒滴度为5.6×109 TCID50/mL;经PCR检测到重组腺病毒NcAMA1基因;经IFAT和Western blot检测NcAMA1基因在QBIHEK293细胞中获得表达,表达蛋白相对分子质量为68 000,具有较好的反应原性。本试验成功构建了Ad5-NcAMA1重组腺病毒,为牛源犬新孢子虫NcAMA1基因重组腺病毒载体疫苗的研制奠定基础。     

牛新孢子虫NcSRS2基因真核重组质粒的构建及鉴定

为了解牛新孢子虫NcSRS2基因的生物学特性,试验扩增牛新孢子虫NcSRS2基因,亚克隆至pMD18-T载体后进行PCR鉴定、酶切鉴定及测序分析,最后克隆至pVAXⅠ真核表达载体中,并进行PCR鉴定和酶切鉴定。结果表明:牛新孢子虫NcSRS2基因长度为1 227 bp,与GenBank中发表的NcSRS2(AF061249)核苷酸序列同源性为99%;构建的真核重组质粒pVAXⅠ-NcSRS2正确。     

犬新孢子虫NcSRS2基因原核表达质粒的构建

根据已发表的犬新孢子虫NcSRS2基因序列,设计1对含有EcoRⅠ和NotⅠ酶切位点的引物。以提取犬新孢子虫虫体基因组DNA为模板,应用PCR扩增获得NcSRS2 ORF基因片段,将此基因片段克隆到pMD18-T Simple载体上,用EcoRⅠ和NotⅠ双酶切该片段,回收得到含有两个酶切位点黏端的Nc-SRS2 ORF基因,将此基因片段克隆至相同酶切回收后的PGEM-4T-2原核表达载体中,获得重组质粒pGEX-NcSRS2,经PCR鉴定,限制性内切酶分析和克隆片段序列测定比较,证实了重组质粒的正确性。     

微小隐孢子虫LCCL结构域基因的克隆及原核表达

为探讨微小隐孢子虫的入侵机制,克隆、表达了微小隐孢子虫LCCL结构域基因。从已构建的微小隐孢子虫cDNA文库中,采用PCR随机扩增LCCL结构域基因。与Pmd-18-T载体连接后,挑取阳性重组子测序分析。用基因重组技术将LCCL结构域基因克隆入原核表达载体pGEX-4T-1中,构建LCCL结构域基因的重组原核表达载体pGEX-4T-1-LCCL。重组质粒经酶切、测序鉴定后转入大肠埃希菌BL21中,IPTG诱导表达目的蛋白,并用SDS-PAGE和Western blot进行鉴定。最终得到了在大肠埃希菌中高效表达的重组蛋白,分子质量大小约为37ku,并且具有反应原性,为进一步研究微小隐孢子虫的入侵机制奠定了基础。     

微小隐孢子虫类钙调蛋白基因的克隆与原核表达

为了对微小隐孢子虫(C.parvum)类钙调蛋白(CML)基因进行原核表达,分析重组表达蛋白的反应原性。以C.parvum卵囊cDNA为模板,用PCR方法扩增得到C.parvum CML基因。将CML基因连接到克隆载体pMD18-T,获得重组质粒pMD-CML,经限制性内切酶BamHⅠ和XhoⅠ双酶切后,连接到经相同内切酶酶切的表达载体pGEX-6p-1上,构建重组表达质粒,转化到大肠埃希菌BL21(DE3)中进行诱导表达。利用GST亲和树脂法纯化重组表达蛋白,对纯化的重组蛋白进行Western blot分析。结果表明,成功构建了重组原核表达质粒pGEX-CML,重组质粒转化菌经IPTG诱导后成功地表达出了分子质量约为51ku的重组蛋白rCML,纯化的蛋白rCML能与感染兔隐孢子虫(C.cuniculus)的兔血清发生特异性反应,具有很好的反应原性。     

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