Synergistic effects of Miconazole and Polymyxin B on microbial pathogens

The therapeutic value of antibiotics depends on the susceptibility of the infecting microorganism and the pharmacological profile of the drugs. To assess the value of an antibiotic combination of polymyxin B and miconazole this study examined the in vitro synergistic potential of the two drugs on Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and yeast. Antifungal and antibacterial activity was tested by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of broth macrodilution and urea broth microdilution, by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. Synergism was calculated using the fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICi). With Staphylococcus intermedius as target we found up to an eightfold reduction of the individual MICs when both drugs were combined. However, the FICi was 0.63 suggesting no real interaction between the two drugs. With Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Malassezia pachydermatis as targets the antimicrobial drug combination reduced the MICs of polymyxin B and miconazole from fourfold to hundredfold resulting in FICi between 0.06 and 0.5 which defines a synergistic action. Thus, if polymyxin B and miconazole are combined their effect is greater than the sum of the effects observed with polymyxin B and miconazole independently, revealing bactericidal and fungicidal synergism. Our results indicate a strong therapeutic value for the combination of these antimicrobial agents against Gram-negative bacteria and yeast and a weaker value against Gram positive bacteria for clinical situations where these pathogens are involved.     

塔落岩黄芪、细枝岩黄芪及其变异型的生理特性研究

本文研究了毛乌素沙漠地区塔落岩黄芪和细枝岩黄芪及其变异型的生理学特性。结果表明,塔落岩黄芪和细枝岩黄芪各与其变异型之间在生理特性方面存在着极其显著的差异。     

丝素膜的结构测定和分析

对脱胶丝素纤维、初生丝素蛋白膜、固定化ＧＯＤ－丝素膜结构进行了红外光谱分析。三者红外光谱图差异明显，丝素纤维为典型的丝Ⅱ（双向平行的β片层）结构，初生丝素膜的红外光谱显示无规卷曲或丝Ⅰ构型的特征，经戊二醛活化处理后制备的酶膜，在７００ｃｍ－１处有一显著吸收峰，表明其构型向β型转变，丝素膜的水溶率变化也证实了红外光谱显示的结果。     

Limited awareness of animal influenza prevention and control among Dai Lue smallholder farmers in Southwest China

Awareness of animal influenza and its prevention and control is important for ensuring livestock health, production and welfare. In China, a country stereotyped as a major source of emerging zoonotic infectious diseases, research on the public understanding of animal influenza is limited to the Han, the main ethnic group. The present qualitative study in Southwest China investigated awareness of animal influenza among the Dai, an ethnic minority. The participants (15 men and 10 women, ages 18–83) were smallholder farmers of pigs and poultry in rural areas of Jinghong, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province. A mixture of interviews and group discussions took place in homes and villages. The participants were asked about their knowledge of avian influenza (H7N9), swine influenza (H1N1), precautions taken to protect against influenza, procedures when animals were sick and perceived risk of animal influenza. The data were analysed following coding and thematic analysis. The findings demonstrated a limited understanding of animal health and welfare among participants. Specifically, they were largely unaware of animal influenza (H7N9, H1N1) including its causes, symptoms, prevention and treatment. The farmers were also uninformed of the risks they faced and unknowingly engaged in behaviours which increased direct or indirect exposure to infected animals, a risk factor for human infection. They also reported poor usage of veterinary services. In order to guarantee the health, welfare and production of their livestock, immediate action is needed to enable Dai smallholder farmers to prevent and respond to animal influenza effectively and timely.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Echinococcus granulosus</Emphasis>: Immunoprotection accompanyied by humoral and cytokine response against secondary hydatidosis in mice immunized with r<Emphasis Type="Italic">Eg.</Emphasis>myophilin

Objects:  

This study aimed to investigate the immunoprotection of the recombinant Eg.myophilin (rEg.myophilin) and tentatively analyze mechanism of this protection.     

不同投喂方式对革胡子鲶消化酶的影响

在（25±1）℃水温、自然光照条件下,设3种投喂方式饲养革胡子鲶（clarias leath-er）：第1种连续投喂整个试验期间不间断,第2和3种分别连续投喂3、7 d 后饥饿1 d,3种方式分别以R0（对照组）、R1/3、R1/7表示,试验周期共45 d。结果显示：R0、R1/3和R1/7组胃、后肠和肝脏中蛋白酶活性影响差异不显著,但前肠和中肠内蛋白酶活性影响存在差异(P<0.05)。R0、R1/3、R1/7组的胃、前肠、中肠、后肠和肝脏中淀粉酶影响不显著,R0、R1/3、R1/7的胃、前肠和肝脏内脂肪酶活性影响差异显著(P<0.05),而R0、R1/3、R1/7组中肠和后肠中脂肪酶活性影响差异不显著(P>0.05)。     

湖南省洞庭湖区5株H6N6亚型禽流感毒株HA、NA基因的遗传进化分析

为了从分子生物学角度了解H6N6亚型禽流感病毒在湖南省洞庭湖区的变异特点和进化规律,为该地区H6N6亚型禽流感的防控提供一些理论依据,对2012年在洞庭湖区分离的H6N6亚型禽流感毒株的HA、NA基因进行扩增、克隆和测序,并对所得序列进行同源性和遗传进化分析。结果显示,本试验分离到的5株H6N6亚型禽流感毒株HA裂解位点为PQIETR↓GLF,均没有多个连续的碱性氨基酸插入,属于低致病性病毒;5株病毒的HA和NA潜在的糖基化位点有一些差别,这些差别是否会引起其毒力和致病力上的差异还有待研究;从基因遗传进化关系来看,这些毒株与我国汕头、广西分离的毒株同源性较高。     

Veterinary aspects of ecological monitoring: the natural history of emerging infectious diseases of humans,domestic animals and wildlife

Proliferation of disease pathogens capable of affecting humans, domestic livestock and wildlife increasingly threatens environmental security and biodiversity. Livestock and wild animals in proximity to human beings are often in the chain of transmission and infection. Globalization of industrial livestock production (especially poultry upon which so much of the burgeoning human population depends) often permits transcontinental disease spread. Rapidly expanding (and often illegal) international trade in wild and domestic animals and their products are increasingly involved in the emergence of new diseases that may have the ability to transmit among humans, livestock and wildlife. Rapidly increasing urbanization has led in many places to overcrowded townships that rely on “bushmeat” for sustenance and has contributed to the emergence of virulent zoonotic pathogens. The emergence and proliferation of pathogens are exacerbated by anthropogenic transformation of natural landscapes in order to increase agricultural and livestock production. This paper posits that data gathered by veterinary ecologists should be interpreted and used by other disciplines. The importance of a thorough knowledge of the “natural history” (ecology) of the disease agent and its human, domestic and wild hosts is stressed.     

Impact of Food Restriction on Ovarian Development,RFamide‐Related Peptide‐3 and the Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Ovarian Axis in Pre‐Pubertal Ewes

RFamide‐related peptide‐3 (RFRP‐3), the mammalian ortholog of gonadotropin‐inhibiting hormone, has been implicated as a mediator between reproduction and energy balance. This study aimed to investigate the physiological effects of RFRP‐3 on the process of ovarian development in food‐restricted pre‐pubertal ewes. The results showed that food restriction significantly inhibited the ovarian development and follicular growth. The data of qPCR in the hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian (HPO) axis showed that food restriction not only upregulated RFRP‐3 mRNA expression but also downregulated the mRNA expression of gonadotropin‐releasing‐hormone receptor, follicle‐stimulating hormone receptor and luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR). Immunohistochemistry of RFRP‐3 in the ovaries suggested that RFRP‐3 may regulate the follicular development. These results suggested that the changes of RFRP‐3 in response to food restriction might influence the HPO axis and inhibit ovarian development.