A critical role for IL-21 in regulating immunoglobulin production

The cytokine interleukin-21 (IL-21) is closely related to IL-2 and IL-15, and their receptors all share the common cytokine receptor gamma chain, gammac, which is mutated in humans with X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency disease (XSCID). We demonstrate that, although mice deficient in the receptor for IL-21 (IL-21R) have normal lymphoid development, after immunization, these animals have higher production of the immunoglobulin IgE, but lower IgG1, than wild-type animals. Mice lacking both IL-4 and IL-21R exhibited a significantly more pronounced phenotype, with dysgammaglobulinemia, characterized primarily by a severely impaired IgG response. Thus, IL-21 has a significant influence on the regulation of B cell function in vivo and cooperates with IL-4. This suggests that these gammac-dependent cytokines may be those whose inactivation is primarily responsible for the B cell defect in humans with XSCID.     

Some laboratory investigations relevant to the possible use of new pyrethroids in control of mosquitoes and tsetse flies

Cypermethrin, fenvalerate, permethrin, (S)-α-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl (1R,cis)-3-(2, 2-dibromovinyl)-2, 2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate (NRDC 161) and (R,S)-α-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl 2, 2,3, 3-tetramethylcyclopropanecarboxylate (S-3206; WL 41706) have been tested against adult mosquitoes (Anopheles stephensi) and tsetse flies (Glossina austeni). They possess many of the necessary characteristics such as high intrinsic toxicity, low volatility, and high stability but vary considerably in the contact action of their spray residues.     

Genotyping Shorthorn cattle for generalised glycogenosis

OBJECTIVE: To develop a procedure for routine genotyping of Shorthorn cattle for the generalised glycogenosis allele in exon 18 of the acidic alpha-glucosidase gene. PROCEDURE: Allele-specific amplification and double mismatch amplification procedures for the discrimination of the exon 18 alleles were evaluated using leucocytes and hair roots as sources of target DNA. RESULTS: Allele-specific amplification was effective for genotyping Shorthorn cattle at the 2454 site when purified DNA was used as target for the polymerase chain reaction. However, when the target DNA was derived from hair roots, differences in the relative yield of wild-type and mutant amplicons were observed. The double mismatch amplification procedure was effective in genotyping all subjects, independent of the source of DNA. The unique cleavage sites for Drd I and PshA I within exon 18 are present and absent respectively in the wildtype amplicon, and are lost and acquired, respectively, in the mutant amplicon. In addition, the Drd I and PshA I mismatching cleavage sites incorporated into the primers serve as internal controls for Drd I and PshA I cleavage. CONCLUSION: The double Drd I/PshA I mismatch amplification procedure using hair root samples as the source of DNA is a robust method for genotyping Shorthorns for generalised glycogenosis.     

Resident forum abstractsEVALUATION OF THROMBOELASTOGRAPHY (TEG) IN NORMAL CATS

Objective: To establish normal parameters of thromboelastography (TEG) in healthy adult cats. Background: Thromboelastography (TEG) is an in vitro test of coagulation that has been shown to be useful in humans, dogs and select species to identify and quantify alterations of hemostasis (e.g., hypercoagulable and hypocoagulable states). It has also been demonstrated to be useful in monitoring effects of anticoagulant therapies. This test has not been evaluated in cats. Methods: Blood was collected from 25 clinically normal cats by venipuncture using a 21 gauge×3 1/2 inch butterfly catheter and syringe for medial saphenous or jugular venipuncture. A single 1.8 mL sample in 3.8% Sodium Citrate (9:1) was collected from each cat. Recalcified whole blood was analyzed 30 minutes following collection with the TEG® 5000 analyzer (Haemoscope, Niles, IL). Analysis temperature was 37.6°C. TEG parameters recorded included: R‐value (represents initial fibrin formation), K (time from R to standard fixed measure of clot firmness which represents contributions of platelets and fibrinogen), maximum amplitude (MA; represents absolute clot strength), and alpha angle (α; the slope of TEG tracing which represents rate of clot formation). The coagulation index (CI) was derived from the formula generated for humans to provide an overall assessment of whether the sample was hyper‐ or hypocoagulable. Results: Values for the 25 normal cat samples are reported as mean ±2 standard deviations. R=2.97; 1.23–4.72; K=1.54, 0.38–2.71; α=70.70, 57.76–83.65; MA=58.50, 45.26–71.74 and CI=2.27, 0.07–4.46. Compared to historical information obtained on normal dogs, cats have significantly shorter R and K and larger α, MA and CI. Conclusions: TEG does have reproducible performance when used to evaluate coagulation status in normal cats. Compared to dogs, normal cats favor a hypercoagulable state. Species‐specific normal values are necessary for interpretation of TEG results. This test bears potential value for use in future experimental and clinical work to investigate hemostasis in cats receiving anticoagulant therapies or in cats suffering from diseases such as cardiomyopathy which are thought to be associated with altered coagulation status.     

Management of Goat Reproduction and Insemination for Genetic Improvement in France

Reproductive seasonality observed in all breeds of goats originating from temperate latitudes and in some breeds from subtropical latitudes can now be controlled by artificial changes in photoperiod. Short days stimulate sexual activity, while long days inhibit it. This knowledge has allowed the development of photoperiodic treatments to control sexual activity in goats, for both the buck and doe. In the French intensive milk production system, goat AI plays an important role to control reproduction and, in conjunction with progeny testing, to improve milk production. Most dairy goats are inseminated out of the breeding season with deep frozen semen, after induction of oestrus and ovulation by hormonal treatments. This protocol provides a kidding rate of approximately 65%. New breeding strategies have been developed, based on the buck effect associated with AI, to reduce the use of hormones. With the development of insemination with frozen semen, a classical selection programme was set up, including planned mating, progeny testing and the diffusion of proved sires by inseminations in herds. Functional traits have become important for efficient breeding schemes in the dairy goat industries. Based on knowledge gained over the past decade, the emphasis in selective breeding has been placed on functional traits related to udder morphology and health. New windows have been opened based on new molecular tools, allowing the detection and mapping of genes of economic importance.     

不同区域奶牛子宫内膜炎病原菌的分离鉴定及分布特征

【目的】对中国6个区域奶牛子宫内膜炎病原菌的种类和区域分布特征进行研究,为筛选出最佳治疗药物以减少子宫内膜炎对畜牧业造成经济损失提供数据支持。【方法】分别从赤峰区域、张家口区域、潍坊区域、重庆区域、宝鸡区域和北京区域选择不同规模的奶牛养殖场中患子宫内膜炎的奶牛,用采样器每个区域采集60份(6个区域共计360份)患病牛的子宫内容物,通过革兰氏染色和生化鉴定的方法鉴定分离纯化的奶牛子宫内膜炎病原菌,并分析病原菌的分布特征。【结果】潍坊、赤峰、北京区域引起奶牛子宫内膜炎以单一感染为主。宝鸡、张家口、重庆区域引起奶牛子宫内膜炎以混合感染为主。赤峰、重庆、张家口、潍坊、宝鸡、北京区域引起奶牛子宫内膜炎的病原菌以革兰氏阳性菌为主。赤峰奶牛子宫内膜炎的主要致病菌是葡萄球菌。重庆奶牛子宫内膜炎的主要致病菌是链球菌。张家口奶牛子宫内膜炎的主要致病菌是大肠杆菌。潍坊奶牛子宫内膜炎的主要致病菌是链球菌。宝鸡奶牛子宫内膜炎的主要致病菌是葡萄球菌。北京奶牛子宫内膜炎的主要致病菌是蜡样芽孢杆菌。     

HAWAII IMPORTATION PERMITS AND SPECIES IN THE ENVIRONMENT

Hawaii's aquaculture industry is driven by the introduction and production of exotic species. At issue is the establishment of exotic species in the environment. The number of import permits issued can represent the potential for exotics to establish in the environment. More than half of the permits issued annually by the Plant Quarantine Branch are multiple entry-permits related to live marine food and ornamental organisms. Single entry-permits amount to about 150 permits per year for more ornamental than food organisms. Known listings of exotic species in the environment can indicate trends and potential species establishment. Since the 1960s, the numbers of exotic species established in the environment has matched those released by the State prior to 1960 for forage or game purposes. The majority of species released is probably owing to hobby-related activity and not that of the aquaculture industry. The ornamental sector of the industry is not sufficiently developed and production by Hawaii aquaculture farms is exported.     

甜菜夜蛾综合防治技术研究

甜菜夜蛾是一种多食性、暴食性害虫,其暴发成灾将给农业生产造成巨大损失.防治甜菜夜蛾,应加强预测预报,采取农业、物理、生物、化学和成虫诱杀等防治手段相结合的综合技术,在发生关键时期用药防治,可取得较好的防治效果.