Validation of the specificity and sensitivity of species-specific primers that provide a reliable molecular diagnostic for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Xiphinema diversicaudatum</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">X. index</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">X. vuittenezi</Emphasis>

Xiphinema diversicaudatum and X. index are vector nematode species of economic importance in viticulture regions as they can transmit Arabis Mosaic, Grapevine Fanleaf and Strawberry Latent Ringspot viruses to grapevine. Wang et al. (2003) designed species-specific diagnostic primers from ribosomal genes for both these vector species as well as a vector and a non-vector species X. italiae and X. vuittenezi, respectively. Our study aimed to confirm the specificity and determine the sensitivity and reliability of the primers for the two vector species, X. diversicaudatumand X. indexwhen challenged with closely related longidorid species and general nematode communities typical of vineyard soil. With one exception, no PCR product was observed when the primers were tested against six Longidorus, one Paralongidorus and one Xiphinema non-target species. Occasionally (three out of eight replicate PCR reactions) a weak PCR product was noted when primers for X. index were tested with L. elongatus. Furthermore, when challenged with a range of non-target nematode species comprising the nematode community typical of viticulture soil, no PCR product was amplified. An experimental dilution series of extracted DNA rigorously demonstrated that DNA from an equivalent single specimen of the target virus-vector species, X. diversicaudatum and/or X. index, could be detected amongst 1000 equivalent non-targetX. vuittenezi. Also, extracted DNA from an equivalent single target specimen was detected when added to DNA extracted from the overall soil nematode community. The primers were assessed further by using serial mixtures of actual nematodes rather than extracted DNA to simulate field soil. Using this method, a single target nematode could be detected amongst 200 non-target specimens. Given their specificity, sensitivity and reliability, it appears that these diagnostic primers will be of great benefit to phytosanitary/quarantine services related to the viticulture industry.     

隐性白羽肉鸡及其配套地方鸡部分血液生化指标的测定

本试验测定了我校最新育成的隐性白羽肉鸡快慢羽系父系、母系及其配套地方鸡广西黄鸡和文昌鸡主要的血液生化指标。结果表明,四个品系血清总蛋白、白蛋白、葡萄糖、胆固醇、Ca含量接近,血清P、K、Na含量A系最高,显著(P<0.05)或极显著(P<0.01)高于其它三系,各品系内公母之间母鸡的血Ca均极显著(P<0.01)高于公鸡。血清淀粉酶(AMY)活力和肌酸磷酸激酶(CK)活力B系极显著(P<0.01)高于其它三系,血清碱性磷酸酶(AKP)活力品系间差异不显著(P>0.05)。     

黄牛血糖测定三种不同方法的比较研究

选择10～36月龄的役用母黄牛5头。用邻甲苯胺(o-TB)法、葡萄糖氧化酶(GOD)法和福-吴(Folin-Wu)二氏法进行血糖含量的测定。结果分别是:3.76±0.29mmoL/L、3.73±0.21mmoL/L和3.71±0.24mmoL/L。经统计分析,三种不同方法测定血糖的结果差异不显著(P>0.05),其中以邻甲苯胺法较为理想,它具有所需试剂种类少、测定时间短和操作简单的优点。建议以其作为黄牛血糖测定的首选方法。     

鸭流感病毒4/2004-H6N2亚型毒株的血凝素基因全序列克隆与分析

2004初从正常鸭群中分离到一株鸭源禽流感病毒，命名为A／Duck／HN／4／2004(H6N2)。经对血凝素基因(HA)序列分析发现HA基因全长为1744bp，共编码566个氨基酸，在裂解位点仅含一个碱性氨基酸-精氨酸(R)，符合LPAIV的标准。将所得基因序列与已发表的同一亚型参考序列分析表明，与H6亚型流感HA基因同源性为89．2％-97．1％，经分子遗传演化分析表明本次分离株与香港分离株A／Duck／Hong Kong／3600／99(H6N2)、A／Duck／Hong Kong／3600／99(H6N2)最近。     

我国部分地区猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒分离株ORF5基因的遗传变异分析

参考Genbank发表的猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒（PKRSV）ATCC VR-2332的ORF5基因序列，设计并合成了一对引物．对来自福建、浙江、山东等地的PRRSV分离毒株进行RT-PCR扩增．获得约748bp的DNA片断，将其分别克隆入pMD18-T载体中，并进行测序。应用DNAStar软件分析所测序列，并与ATCCVR-2332、CH-1a、MLV、Lv等毒株的ORF5序列进行比较，结果表明：SHDl与F114、MLV、ATCCVR-2332同源性高达98．5％，与CH-1a同源性为91．0％，与其它毒株同源性为86．6％~88．4％；F114与MLV、ATCCVR-2332同源性为99．3％～99．7％．其余分离毒株在遗传关系上和CH-1a又分为明显的两个群．显示近年来各地PRRSV分离毒株与cH-1a株的遗传差异越来越大。     

A review on breeding and genetic strategies in Iranian buffaloes (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Bubalus bubalis</Emphasis>)

The aim of current study was to review breeding progress and update information on genetic strategies in Iranian buffaloes. Iranian buffalo is one of the vital domestic animals throughout north, north-west, south and south-west of Iran with measurable characteristics both in milk and meat production. The species plays an important role in rural economy of the country due to its unique characteristics such as resistance to diseases and parasites, having long productive lifespan and showing higher capability of consuming low-quality forage. In Iran, total production of milk and meat devoted to buffaloes are 293,000 and 24,700 tons, respectively. Selection activities and milk yield recording are carrying out by the central government through the Animal Breeding Centre of Iran. The main breeding activities of Iranian buffaloes included the estimation of genetic parameters and genetic trends for performance traits using different models and methods, estimation of economic values and selection criteria and analysis of population structure. Incorporating different aspects of dairy buffalo management together with improved housing, nutrition, breeding and milking, is known to produce significant improvements in buffalo production. Therefore, identifying genetic potential of Iranian buffaloes, selection of superior breeds, improving nutritional management and reproduction and developing the education and increasing the skills of practical breeders can be useful in order to enhance the performance and profitability of Iranian buffaloes.     

Prevalence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Haemonchus contortus</Emphasis> infection in sheep slaughtered at Jimma town municipal abattoir,Ethiopia

Haemonchus contortus is a parasite of major economic importance of most sheep-rearing areas of the world. A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2015 to March 2016 with objectives of determining the prevalence and associated risk factors of Haemonchus contortus infection in sheep slaughtered at Jimma town municipal abattoir, Ethiopia. Of the total 7000 sheep slaughtered during the study time period, 384 sheep were randomly selected and examined for parasites. The overall prevalence of Haemonchus contortus infection was 264 (68.75%). Infection rate of poor body condition animals was significantly (P?=?0.000) higher than good body conditioned animals. The mean packed cell volume (PCV) values (%) of parasitemic and aparasitemic sheep were 23.73?±?3.7 SD and 37.66?±?4.736 SD, respectively. The prevalence in adult sheep (>?1 year) was insignificantly (P?=?0.653) higher than that of young sheep (≤?1 year). The highest prevalence was recorded in sheep that originated from Seka district (73.3%) and the lowest in Kersa district (63.4%) with non-significant variation (P?=?0.691). The highest monthly mean worm burdens and prevalence of Haemonchus contortus infection were recorded in November and lowest in March. The current study revealed that Haemonchus contortus infection is an important and common parasitic disease and requires special attention to its control.     

Can treatment of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brachiaria decumbens</Emphasis> (signal grass) improve its utilisation in the diet in small ruminants?—a review

Brachiaria decumbens is an extremely productive tropical grass due to its aggressive growth habit and its adaptation to a varied range of soil types and environments. As a result of the vast availability, treated B. decumbens demonstrates as a promising local material that could be utilised as an improved diet for sheep and goats. Despite the fact that the grass significantly increases weight gains in grazing farm animals, there were many reports of general ill-thrift and sporadic outbreaks of photosensitivity in livestock due to the toxic compound of steroidal saponin found in B. decumbens. Ensiling and haymaking were found to be effective in removing toxin and undesirable compounds in the grass. Biological treatments using urea, activated charcoal, polyethylene glycol, and effective microorganisms were found to be useful in anti-nutritional factor deactivation and improving the nutritive values of feedstuffs. Besides, oral administration of phenobarbitone showed some degree of protection in sheep that fed on B. decumbens pasture. In this review, we aim to determine the effect of B. decumbens toxicity and possible treatment methods on the grass to be used as an improved diet for small ruminant.     

Stem cell factor supports migration in canine mesenchymal stem cells

Adult Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSC) are cells that can be defined as multipotent cells able to differentiate into diverse lineages, under appropriate conditions. These cells have been widely used in regenerative medicine, both in preclinical and clinical settings. Initially discovered in bone marrow, MSC can now be isolated from a wide spectrum of adult and foetal tissues. Studies to evaluate the therapeutic potential of these cells are based on their ability to arrive to damaged tissues. In this paper we have done a comparative study analyzing proliferation, surface markers and OCT4, SOX9, RUNX2, PPARG genes expression in MSC cells from Bone marrow (BMMSC) and Adipose tissue (ASC). We also analyzed the role of Stem Cell Factor (SCF) on MSC proliferation and on ASCs metalloproteinases MMP-2, MMP-9 secretion. Healthy dogs were used as BMMSC donors, and ASC were collected from omentum during elective ovariohysterectomy surgery. Both cell types were cultured in IMDM medium with or without SCF, 10% Dog Serum (DS), and incubated at 38 °C with 5% CO2. Growth of BMMSCs and ASCs was exponential until 25–30 days. Flow citometry of MSCs revealed positive results for CD90 and negative for CD34, CD45 and MCH-II. Genes were evaluated by RT-PCR and metalloproteinases by zymografy. Our findings indicate morphological and immunological similarities as well as expression of genes from both origins on analyzed cells. Furthermore, SCF did not affect proliferation of MSCs, however it up-regulated MMP-2 and MMP-9 secretion in ASCs. These results suggest that metalloproteinases are possibly essential molecules pivoting migration.