鸡生长激素基因内含子4新等位基因的序列分析

试验以粤黄鸡矮脚黄系等不同肉鸡、蛋鸡品种（系）作为试验材料，对新发现的生长激素基因内含子4等位基因的PCR产物作纯化测序，研究多态性产生的机理及碱基变异情况。结果发现cGH内含子4长约1170bp，内含子4的A、B、C、D等位基因长分别为1170bp、1164bp、1168bp，它们之间存在不同程度的碱基差异，而第580碱基的突变（A→G）和第688碱基的突变（A→G）分别产生了MspⅠ酶切位点，是多态性形成的根本原因。“PCR产物双带”的形成是由于cGH基因内含子4其中一条链上第420－470位碱基全部缺失，不同等位基因间存在碱基缺失、插入和替换，测序结果与酶切后电泳结果相吻合。     

An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for diagnosis of American canine hepatozoonosis.

American canine hepatozoonosis (ACH), caused by Hepatozoon americanum, is an emerging tick-borne disease of dogs. An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) that should facilitate diagnosis of infection and study of the epidemiology of ACH has been developed using H. americanum sporozoites as antigen. Efficacy of the new test as a diagnostic tool was compared with that of skeletal muscle biopsy, the current gold standard for confirming H. americanum infection. Results show that the test is sensitive (93%) and specific (96%) and that it is as reliable as histopathologic examination of skeletal muscle for detecting infection. The ELISA would be suitable as a routine laboratory test for diagnosis of ACH.     

Bilateral occurrence of granulosa-theca cell tumors in an Arabian mare

An Arabian mare was referred for right granulosa-theca cell tumor (GTCT) evaluation. The mare was presented 4.5 years later for a left GTCT, after successfully conceiving and delivering a normal foal in the interim. The concurrent or nonconcurrent occurrence of bilateral GTCT in mares appears to be rare.     

An erythromycin derivative produced by targeted gene disruption in Saccharopolyspora erythraea

Derivatives of erythromycin with modifications at their C-6 position are generally sought for their increased stability at acid pH, which in turn may confer improved pharmacological properties. A recombinant mutant of the erythromycin-producing bacterium, Saccharopolyspora erythraea, produced an erythromycin derivative, 6-deoxyerythromycin A, that could not be obtained readily by chemical synthesis. This product resulted from targeted disruption of the gene, designated eryF (systematic nomenclature, CYP107), that apparently codes for the cytochrome P450, 6-deoxyerythronolide B (DEB) hydroxylase, which converts DEB to erythronolide B (EB). Enzymes normally acting on EB can process the alternative substrate DEB to form the biologically active erythromycin derivative lacking the C-6 hydroxyl group.     

A participatory farming system approach for sustainable broomrape (Orobanche spp.) management in the Near East and North Africa

Broomrapes (Orobanche spp.) are aggressive and damaging parasitic weeds which have a tremendous impact on agriculture in East Africa, the Mediterranean region and the Middle East. Despite the availability of technologies to control broomrapes in economically important crops, Orobanche infestation continues to increase, threatening the livelihoods of millions of farmers. Many of the technologies developed have not been effectively disseminated and there has been little or zero adoption by farmers—who continue to use ineffective management practices that exacerbate the problem. The adaptation and dissemination of appropriate management practices are major priorities in broomrape control. However, such work must take into consideration the specific socio-economic characteristics of individual farming systems. Orobanche is a community threat and effective management requires a community-based integrated management approach. Recognizing the central role of farmers in parasitic weed management, a technical cooperation project (TCP) involving FAO, ICARDA and seven countries in the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region was implemented to improve the dissemination of knowledge and skills by using a farmer field school approach: a form of education that uses experiential learning methods to build farmers’ expertise. This paper reviews conventional Orobanche research and development approaches, and highlights weaknesses in the management of the parasitic weed using these approaches as opposed to participatory approaches. The benefits and challenges of participatory farming system approaches in relation to integrated broomrape management (IBM) are also discussed. Lessons learned from achieving community ownership of, and institutional support for, IBM could be applied to other sectors (e.g. public health) in which there is a need for institutional learning and reform. Recommendations are made that include regional collaboration within the framework of a proposed Near East and North Africa Orobanche Management Network (NENAOMAN).     

trans-10,cis-12-conjugated linoleic acid isomer exhibits stronger oxyradical scavenging capacity than cis-9,trans-11-conjugated linoleic acid isomer

Although studies have been performed to test whether conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) acts as an antioxidant, the results were not conclusive. In addition, the CLA widely used in previous research contains 43% cis-9,trans-11 isomer, 45% trans-10,cis-12 isomer, and 10 other minor isomers. The objective of this study was to investigate the antioxidant activity of cis-9,trans-11- and trans-10, cis-12-CLA isomers using high-purity CLA isomers (>98%) by total oxyradical scavenging capacity assay (Winston, G. W.; Regoli, F.; Dugas, Jr., A. J.; Fong, J. H.; Blanchard, K. A. Free Radical Biol. Med. 1998, 24, 480-493). At all concentrations (2-200 microM), t10, c12-CLA performed as an antioxidant with a 15-min lag phase, which was more effective than c9,t11-CLA and alpha-tocopherol at lower concentrations (2 and 20 microM). On the other hand, c9,t11-CLA possessed weak antioxidant activity at 2 and 20 microM, whereas at 200 microM it acted as a strong pro-oxidant, which suggests that discrepancies of the results of the previous studies on the antioxidant properties of CLA may be due to the balance of the antioxidant properties of t10,c12-CLA and the pro-oxidant properties of c9,t11-CLA in different oxidation conditions.     

Barrier analysis detected genetic discontinuity among Ethiopian barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) landraces due to landscape and human mobility on gene flow

The rate of gene flow is greatly affected by the ability of a species to move from one location to another. In Ethiopia the presence of diverse agro-ecological zones, climatic features, rugged mountains and isolated valleys affected the seed-mediated gene flow among regions. Hence, this study was aimed at investigating and detecting presence of any gene barriers and genetic differentiation among regions. Thus, the study was proposed to test whether the high genetic diversity of barley in Ethiopia was due to a reduced gene flow resulting from geographic barriers and/or effects of human activities. A total of 199 barley landraces collected from 10 different geographic regions and altitudes of Ethiopia were analyzed for 15 molecular markers. A barrier analysis was conducted to identify any geographic areas with pronounced genetic discontinuity between the regions that can be interpreted as barriers to gene flow. The result obtained from analysis of molecular variances indicated high genetic variation within regions rather than between regions. Despite high gene flow among regions, we were able to detect genetic discontinuity due to landscape and human mobility for certain barley growing areas. Hence, it was postulated that these barriers have to be considered in genetic resource sampling strategies.     

Genetic diversity and population structure analysis of isolates of the rice false smut pathogen Ustilaginoidea virens in India

Genetic diversity assessment and population structure analysis are essential for characterization of pathogens and their isolates. Markers are essential tools for exploring genetic variation among the isolates. False smut of rice caused by Ustilaginoidea virens, formerly Villosiclava virens, is a major emerging disease of rice in India. A high level of variability is observed at the field level, but no information is available from India on genetic diversity and population structure. This is the first report of genetic diversity and population structure of U. virens from India that included 63 isolates distributed across the vast geographical area of eastern and north-eastern India (18.9 to 26.7°N and 82.6 to 94.2°E). Seventeen RAPDs and 14 SSRs were identified as polymorphic and a total of 140 alleles were detected across the populations. The average number of alleles per locus for each primer was 4.5. All the isolates were grouped into two major clusters, with partial geographical segregation that was supported by principal coordinate analysis. Mantel test suggested genetic distance within the isolates increased with increasing geographical distance. Analysis of molecular variation showed more genetic variation within populations and less among populations. This outcome will help in understanding genetic diversity of U. virens from eastern and north-eastern India and in planning effective management strategies.     

An unusual source of lead causing poisoning

Extract

Sir,—I recently added two nine-month-old heifers showing typical symptoms of lead poisoning, but when the usual search for the source was found. On my third visit the owner produced a half-chewed tape measure which he remembered having mislaid the day before the oneset of the illness of the heifers. Although not expecting it to be the source of the lead, I examined it and found a residue of silvery threads after the organic matter had been calcined. These threads, when dissolved in nitric acid and tested with a solution of potassium iodide, gave a heavy precipitate of “golden spangles” of lead iodide. The heifers had chewed about two feet of tape, which apparently contained enough lead cause the very severe symptoms. After three weeks, they are now recovering.