J-亚群禽白血病JL-2株的分离鉴定

近年来，J-亚群禽自血病的暴发流行在国内时有报道，在本研究中，自吉林某患病鸡群分离出一株病毒，采用特异性引物，经RT-PCR扩增出长度为545bp的J-亚群禽自血病病毒特异性核苷酸片段；将病毒经SPF鸡胚成纤维细胞增殖，获取其前病毒DNA，依据原型毒株RPRS-103 cDNA序列设计并合成一对引物，经PCR扩增得到包括gp85、gp37、E-element基因在内的近1．8kb的DNA片段，将其连到pMD18-T载体上，转化大肠杆菌JM109，培养后提取质粒分别用Hind Ⅲ，BamHI进行单酶切和双酶切鉴定，得到了阳性重组质粒pMD18-T-JL2／env，核苷酸序列测定结果表明，该片段为J-亚群禽白血病病毒囊膜基因，其中亚型特异性片段gp85和标准对照毒株HPRS-103的同源率为94％，所编码氨基酸的同源率为87％。     

禽成髓性白血病病毒p27和gag基因的克隆

禽成髓性白血病是由禽成髓性白血病病毒引起的一种禽白血病（Avian Leukosis)。禽成髓性白血病病毒的gag基因具有高度保守性，其编码的群特异性抗原p27是禽白血病病毒所共有的主要核心蛋白，可做为禽白血病的诊断抗原。本实验采用AMV感染鸡胚成纤维细胞（CEF），提取感染细胞总RNA，用随机引物反转录成cDNA，根据已经发表的AMV BAI－A株序列设计两对针对p27基因和gag基因的特异性引物，分别进行PCR，成功地扩出p27基因和gag基因，其片段分别为793bp和2．1Kb。以gag基因的PCR产物为模板，采用p27的特异性引物也成功扩出p27片段。分别将p27,gag基因与pGEM－TEasy载体进行连接，转化大肠杆菌，筛选阳性克隆，提取质粒，进行酶切鉴定。对含有p27基因的质粒进行测序，结果证明成功克隆了p27基因，间接证明了2．1Kb的片段是gag基因。p27和gag基因的成功克隆为该病的探针诊断和gag基因的表达提供了基础。     

J亚群禽白血病病毒Hrb-1和JL-2株囊膜基因的克隆及遗传分析

采用特异性检测J亚群禽白血病病毒的RT-PCR方法，自哈尔滨市及吉林省患病鸡群中分离鉴定出2株J亚群禽白血病病毒，分别命名为Hrb-1和JL-2。2株病毒经SPF鸡胚成纤维细胞增殖，获取其前病毒DNA。采用依据原型毒株HPRS-103 cDNA序列设计并合成的1对引物，进行PCR扩增，得到了JL-2和Hrb-1的囊膜基因。分别构建了重组质粒pMDl8-T-JL2／env和pMDl8-T-iirh-1／env。在对2株病毒囊膜基因进行序列测定的基础上，将囊膜基因中gp85和gp37的核苷酸序列及其推导氨基酸序列与国际上不同的参照毒株以及国内部分分离株进行了比较分析，结果表明，JL-2和Hrb-1分别与美国病毒株adol-hc-1和UD3有着较大的亲缘关系。     

禽新城疫快速鉴别诊断方法的建立

依据新城疫病毒（NDV）融合蛋白（F）基因裂解位点的核苷酸序列与其毒力的相关规律，分别设计合成了四条寡核苷酸引物，建立了一个可迅速检测不同禽源新城疫毒株并可鉴定强、弱毒株的逆转录酶－－聚合酶链式反应（RT－PCR）技术，对强毒株可扩增出362bp的通用片段和254bp的强毒株特异性片段；弱毒株则可扩增出362bp的通用片段和123bp的弱毒株特异性片段。本方法只需一个RT－PCR反应，整个过程在8小时内完成，既可检测感染鸡胚尿囊液，也可从病料直接检测，应用该方法对源于各种禽类的36份ND可疑病粒样品进行检测试验，结果阳性检出率为73.5%，与常规方法检测的结果相一致。     

禽白血病病毒囊膜基因gp85片段的克隆与鉴定

用ＰＣＲ从禽白血病病毒（Avian Leukosis Virus,ALV)RAV-1,RAV-2感染或未感染的ＳＰＦ鸡胚成纤维细胞（ＣＥＦ）分别扩增出１．２kb囊膜基因片段，分别将上述ＰＣＲ产物的KpnⅠ／SaⅡ酶切片段克隆到质粒pGEM-3zf( )中得到３个重组子即pGEM-3zf-RAV-1env、pGEM-3zf-RAV-2env和pGEM-3zf-Eenv。酶切分析和序列测定结果表明克隆的ＰＣＲ片段分别来自ＡＬＶ ＲＡＶ－１，ＲＡＶ－２和内源生Ｅ亚群病毒，这为病毒囊膜基因gp85的表达及个体鸡遗传抗性的鉴定打下基础。     

猪瘟病毒野毒株与疫苗株酶切检测方法的建立、优化及应用

为有效鉴别猪瘟病毒强毒株(Shimen)与弱毒疫苗株(HCLV),根据GenBank上已发表的猪瘟病毒囊膜糖蛋白E2基因高度保守区设计一对特异性引物,在其跨越区内部有Shimen株独有的限制性内切酶Bgl Ⅱ酶切位点,采取酶切RT-PCR产物的方法鉴别Shimen株和疫苗株,同时对该方法的特异性和敏感性进行检测。结果表明,应用该方法从Shimen株和疫苗株中均能扩增出一条大小为750 bp的特异性片段,疫苗株的RT-PCR产物不能被Bgl Ⅱ酶切,Shimen株的RT-PCR产物则被酶切为大小分别为520和230 bp的两条带。此方法可扩增猪瘟病毒的E2基因保守片段,对病毒RNA的最小检出量为3.96×10^-4 μg/mL。采用此方法检查了30例临床疑似猪瘟病料,结果3例感染猪瘟病毒强毒,21例为猪瘟弱毒疫苗株,其他为猪瘟阴性。     

J亚群禽白血病Hrb-1分离株env基因克隆及gp85杆状病毒表达载体的构建

自哈尔滨某送检患病鸡群中分离出一株病毒,经RT-PCR检测、SPF鸡胚成纤维细胞增殖后,获取其前病毒DNA,采用依据原型毒株HPRS-103cDNA序列设计并合成的一对引物,PCR扩增病毒的囊膜基因,连接pMD18-T载体并转化大肠杆菌JM109,培养后提取质粒分别用HindⅢ,BamHI进行单酶切和双酶切鉴定,得到了阳性重组质粒pMD18-T-Hrb-1/env,对其进行Pst Ⅰ酶切,回收包含J亚群禽白血病病毒株Hrb-1 gp85基因的997bp片段,应用Bac to Bac杆状病毒表达系统,将外源片段与线性化的杆状病毒载体pFast Bac HTA进行连接,获得重组载体pFAST BacHTA/gp85,将该重组载体转化DH10Bac感受态细菌,在体内进行重组,经抗性和蓝白斑筛选,获得了杆状病毒重组载体Bacmid/gp85,为表达gp85并建立适于国内应用的ELISA诊断方法奠定了基础.     

单管套式PCR检测外源性禽白血病病毒

从贵州省4个养鸡场采集出现肿瘤病变或疑似肿瘤病料样本17份,以单管套式PCR方法检测禽白血病病毒长末端重复序列(LTR),15份病料均扩增出一条213 bp的DNA带,与预期扩增长度相符合,外源性禽白血病病毒的检出率达到88.2%.同时针对禽白血病病毒的囊膜糖蛋白基因(gp85)进行PCR扩增,在被检的17份病料中,7份检出J亚群特异性的DNA带(545 bp),占41.1%;9份检出A亚群特异性的DNA带(691 bp),占52.9%;其中2份病料同时检出J亚群与A亚群特异性的病原核酸.A、J亚群的PCR检出率低于LTR的套式PCR扩增.     

RT-PCR方法快速诊断猪传染性胃肠炎

根据猪传染性胃肠炎病毒（TGEV）标准毒株（Purdue-115）的ORF6（N基因）的基因序列，设计俣成了一对引物Li01/Li02用反转录聚俣酶链反应（RT－PCR）技术对发病猪的粪便进行检测。结果得到与预期大小相一致的约1174bp(N基因）的PCR产物，与从参照毒株TGEV TH－98扩增出的片段大小相一致。进一步用限制性内切酶进行分析，发现从发病猪火花名扩增出的N基因与参照毒株TH－98株具有相同的限制性内切酶图谱，从而证实本病例致病病毒为TGEV。     

有PCR技术鉴定犬传染性肝炎病毒强、弱毒株的研究

根据Genebank中发表的犬传染性肝炎病毒（ICHV）标准强毒株Glaxo和人工驯化的弱毒疫苗株CLL的保守序列间大小不同，按照引物设计的原则，设计合成了一对通用引物，该对引物可由于ICHV强毒株扩增出569bp的片段，而弱毒株可扩增出244bp的片段，对PCR产物分别进行电泳，酶切和测序，证明PCR产物片段大小，酶切位点和苷酸序列与设计的产物完全一致。正常DK细胞上清和犬传染性喉气管炎病毒（CAV－2）强、弱毒株细胞培养物均不能被该引物扩增，说明具有良好的特异性，共检测到的病毒量分别为15TCID50、31TCID50，说明该技术具很高的敏感性，可用于ICHV强，弱毒株的鉴定和ICH的诊断。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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     

Avian brood parasitism — a growing research area in behavioral ecology (part Ⅱ)

正We are pleased to publish the second special issue on avian brood parasitism and to be responsible guest editors for the two special issues of Chinese Birds (Vol. 3, No. 4, 2012 and Vol. 4, No. 1, 2013), entitled "Avian Brood Parasitism - A Growing Research Area in Behavioral Ecology". The first issue was published in December 2012. The goal of the two special issues is to publish accumulated knowledge and some of the recent developments in