Effect of adjuvants on antibody responses of sheep immunised with recombinant pili from Dichelobacter nodosus

Objective To compare the effects of two oil emulsion adjuvants (incomplete Freunds adjuvant and a proprietary oil adjuvant), DEAE-dextran, L-tyrosine particles and Quil A on the humoral immune responses of sheep immunised with recombinant pili of Dichelobacter nodosus (strain A).
Procedure Antibody titres were studied for up to 32 weeks and were measured by bacterial agglutination and ELISA. The relative avidity of antibodies for pili was determined and the incidence and severity of adverse reactions at the site of injection of vaccines were recorded.
Results The oil emulsion adjuvants and Quil A were more effective than either DEAE-dextran or L-tyrosine at stimulating antibodies in sheep. The incidence and severity of adverse reactions was lower in sheep which received vaccines containing either Quil A or DEAE-dextran than in sheep which received vaccines containing oil emulsion adjuvants. L-tyrosine had no adverse effects.
Conclusion Quil A was as effective as oil adjuvants at stimulating high levels of antibodies against recombinant pili in sheep and had the significant advantage of being less irritant after subcutaneous injection.     

Correction of sickle cell disease in adult mice by interference with fetal hemoglobin silencing

Persistence of human fetal hemoglobin (HbF, α(2)γ(2)) in adults lessens the severity of sickle cell disease (SCD) and the β-thalassemias. Here, we show that the repressor BCL11A is required in vivo for silencing of γ-globin expression in adult animals, yet dispensable for red cell production. BCL11A serves as a barrier to HbF reactivation by known HbF inducing agents. In a proof-of-principle test of BCL11A as a potential therapeutic target, we demonstrate that inactivation of BCL11A in SCD transgenic mice corrects the hematologic and pathologic defects associated with SCD through high-level pancellular HbF induction. Thus, interference with HbF silencing by manipulation of a single target protein is sufficient to reverse SCD.     

Co‐culture of Buffalo Preantral Follicles with Different Somatic Cells

The effect of co‐culture of buffalo preantral follicles (PFs) with different somatic cells, i.e, cumulus, granulosa, ovarian mesenchymal and oviductal epithelial cells was studied. Large PFs (250–450 μm) were isolated by microdissecting the trypsin (1%) digested ovarian cortical slices. Cumulus cells were isolated by repeated pipetting of oocytes, granulosa cells were isolated by aspirating from punctured PFs and ovarian mesenchymal cells were isolated from ovarian cortex by scraping the cortical slices and passing through 20 μm filter. Preantral follicles were cultured in standard culture medium without somatic cells or co‐cultured with cumulus cells, granulosa cells, ovarian mesenchymal cells and oviductal epithelial cells for 80 days. The growth rate (μm/day) of the PFs was monitored by measuring follicular diameter on day 0, 30, 60 and 80 days of culture. The viability of PFs was evaluated by trypan blue staining. The results indicated that PFs co‐cultured with cumulus, granulosa and ovarian mesenchymal cells had a better development and survivality compared with control and those co‐culture with oviductal epithelial cells. Maximum growth and survivality of PFs were achieved when cultured with cumulus cells. It is concluded that inclusion of somatic cells in PF culture media had beneficial effect on the growth of PFs and cumulus cells supported maximum growth and survivality of PFs in vitro of all somatic cells tested.     

Risk characterisation and management of sewage sludge on agricultural land-implications for the environment and the food-chain

The disposal of sewage wastes may cause severe environmental problems as was graphically demonstrated with pollution on Sydney's ocean beaches in recent years. Sewage sludges contain valuable plant nutrients and organic matter which can improve the fertility and structure of the soil. However, human parasites, pathogenic micro-organisms and chemicals capable of causing soil contamination, phytotoxicity and residues in animal products may also be present. Although sewage sludge is frequently spread on agricultural land overseas, it is not common in Australia and most states do not have specific regulations to minimise risk and promote good practice. A sludge-to-land program began in the Sydney region in 1990. It follows guidelines written by NSW Agriculture to encourage beneficial agricultural use of sludge by adoption of environmentally sustainable practices. This article describes the major risks to the food-chain and the environment, which may be associated with applying sewage sludge to agricultural land. It summarises how the risks are managed, and where further research data are required.     

The thin edge of the wedge: Extremely high extinction risk in wedgefishes and giant guitarfishes

1. The process of understanding the rapid global decline of sawfishes (Pristidae) has revealed great concern for their relatives, the wedgefishes (Rhinidae) and giant guitarfishes (Glaucostegidae), not least because all three families are targeted for their high‐value and internationally traded ‘white’ fins.
2. The objective of this study was to assess the extinction risk of all 10 wedgefishes and six giant guitarfishes by applying the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List Categories and Criteria, and to summarize the latest understanding of their biogeography and habitat, life history, exploitation, use and trade, and population status. Three of the 10 wedgefish species had not been assessed previously for the IUCN Red List.
3. Wedgefishes and giant guitarfishes have overtaken sawfishes as the most imperilled marine fish families globally, with all but one of the 16 species facing an extremely high risk of extinction through a combination of traits: limited biological productivity; presence in shallow waters overlapping with some of the most intense and increasing coastal fisheries in the world; and overexploitation in target and by‐catch fisheries, driven by the need for animal protein and food security in coastal communities and the trade in meat and high‐value fins.
4. Two species with very restricted ranges, the clown wedgefish (Rhynchobatus cooki) of the Malay Archipelago and the false shark ray (Rhynchorhina mauritaniensis) of Mauritania, may be very close to extinction.
5. Only the eyebrow wedgefish (Rhynchobatus palpebratus) is not assessed as Critically Endangered, with it occurring primarily in Australia where fishing pressure is low and some management measures are in place. Australia represents a ‘lifeboat’ for the three wedgefish and one giant guitarfish species occurring there.
6. To conserve populations and permit recovery, a suite of measures will be required that will need to include species protection, spatial management, by‐catch mitigation, and harvest and international trade management, all of which will be dependent on effective enforcement.

     

The Importance of Having Zinc During In Vitro Maturation of Cattle Cumulus–Oocyte Complex: Role of Cumulus Cells

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of zinc (Zn) on the health of cumulus–oocyte complex (COC) during in vitro maturation (IVM). Experiments were designed to evaluate the effect of Zn added to IVM medium on: DNA integrity, apoptosis, cumulus expansion and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of cumulus cells (CC). Also, role of CC on Zn transport during IVM was evaluated on oocyte developmental capacity. DNA damage and early apoptosis were higher in CC matured with 0 μg/ml Zn compared with 0.7, 1.1 and 1.5 μg/ml Zn (p < 0.05). Cumulus expansion did not show differences in COC matured with or without Zn supplementation (p > 0.05). Superoxide dismutase activity was higher in COC matured with 1.5 μg/ml Zn than with 0 μg/ml Zn (p < 0.05). Cleavage and blastocyst rates were recorded after IVM in three maturation systems: intact COCs, denuded oocytes with cumulus cells monolayer (DO + CC) and denuded oocytes (DO). Cleavage rates were similar when COC, DO + CC or DO were matured with 1.5 μg/ml Zn compared with control group (p > 0.05). Blastocyst rates were significantly higher in COC than in DO + CC and DO with the addition of 1.5 μg/ml Zn during IVM (p < 0.01). Blastocyst quality was enhanced in COC and DO + CC compared with DO when Zn was added to IVM medium (p < 0.001). The results of this study indicate that Zn supplementation to IVM medium (i) decreased DNA damage and apoptosis in CC; (ii) increased SOD activity in CC; (iii) did not modify cumulus expansion and cleavage rates after in vitro fertilization; (iv) improved subsequent embryo development up to blastocyst stage; and (v) enhanced blastocyst quality when CC were present either in intact COC or in coculture during IVM.     

Effects of tramadol,morphine or their combination in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy on peri-operative electroencephalographic responses and post-operative pain

Abstract

AIM: To compare the peri-operative electroencephalogram (EEG) responses and post-operative analgesic efficacy of pre-operative morphine or tramadol with a combination of low-dose pre-operative morphine and post-operative tramadol, in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy.

METHODS: Dogs undergoing routine ovariohysterectomy were treated with either pre-operative morphine (0.5 mg/kg S/C, n=8), or tramadol (3 mg/kg S/C, n=8), or pre-operative low-dose morphine (0.1 mg/kg S/C) and post-operative tramadol (3 mg/kg I/V, n=8). All dogs received routine pre-anaesthetic medication, and anaesthesia was induced with I/V thiopentone to effect and maintained with halothane in oxygen. Respiratory rate, heart rate, end-tidal halothane tension (EtHal) and end-tidal CO₂ tension (EtCO₂) were monitored throughout surgery. The EEG was recorded continuously in a three electrode montage. Median frequency (F50), total power (Ptot) and 95% spectral edge frequency (F95) of the EEG power spectra were compared during different 100-second periods of surgery: prior to and during skin incision, ligation of each ovarian pedicle, ligation of uterine body and skin closure. Post-operatively, pain was assessed using the short form of the Glasgow composite measure pain scale (CMPS-SF).

RESULTS: There was no difference in F50 or Ptot of the EEG between baseline and noxious surgical events within each treatment group, or between the three groups (p>0.05). The mean F95 was higher during the first three periods of surgery for dogs administered tramadol and low-dose morphine than those that received 0.5 mg/kg morphine (p=0.001). Dogs that received low-dose morphine and tramadol had lower CMPS-SF pain scores after ovariohysterectomy than those that received either tramadol or morphine alone (p=0.001). There was no difference in pain scores between dogs in the latter two groups.

CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Tramadol and morphine administered pre-operatively provided an equal degree of post-operative analgesia in dogs after ovariohysterectomy. A combination of pre-operative low-dose morphine and post-operative tramadol produced better post-operative analgesia than either drug administered alone pre-operatively. Administration of analgesics pre- and post-operatively could result in improved post-operative well-being of ovariohysterectomised dogs.     

浅议小水电上网电价的制定

小水电上网电价价格与价值出现严重背离,同网不同价、一厂一价等不合理情况例得小水电事业举步维艰,制定一套调整小水电上网电价的方法非常必要。从小水电上网电价制定的几种依据入手,提出了一套小水电上网电价价格制定的步骤,并以淮阴市为例计算出了淮阴市小水电上网电价,具有一定的推广价值。