Tenogenic induction of equine mesenchymal stem cells by means of growth factors and low-level laser technology

Tendons regenerate poorly due to a dense extracellular matrix and low cellularity. Cellular therapies aim to improve tendon repair using mesenchymal stem cells and tenocytes; however, a current limitation is the low proliferative potential of tenocytes in cases of severe trauma. The purpose of this study was to develop a method useful in veterinary medicine to improve the differentiation of Peripheral Blood equine mesenchymal stem cells (PB-MSCs) into tenocytes. PB-MSCs were used to study the effects of the addition of some growth factors (GFs) as TGFβ3 (transforming growth factor), EGF2 (Epidermal growth factor), bFGF2 (Fibroblast growth factor) and IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor) in presence or without Low Level Laser Technology (LLLT) on the mRNA expression levels of genes important in the tenogenic induction as Early Growth Response Protein-1 (EGR1), Tenascin (TNC) and Decorin (DCN). The singular addition of GFs did not show any influence on the mRNA expression of tenogenic genes whereas the specific combinations that arrested cell proliferation in favour of differentiation were the following: bFGF2 + TGFβ3 and bFGF2 + TGFβ3 + LLLT. Indeed, the supplement of bFGF2 and TGFβ3 significantly upregulated the expression of Early Growth Response Protein-1 and Decorin, while the use of LLLT induced a significant increase of Tenascin C levels. In conclusion, the present study might furnish significant suggestions for developing an efficient approach for tenocyte induction since the external administration of bFGF2 and TGFβ3, along with LLLT, influences the differentiation of PB-MSCs towards the tenogenic fate.     

Immunological and pathological investigations in equine experimental uveitis

Background

The pathogenic mechanism of equine recurrent uveitis (ERU) is still poorly defined and many variations between experimental animal models and spontaneous disease exist.

Objectives

The aim of our study was to investigate if Th17 cell-mediated response plays role in the pathogenesis of the used experimental model in horses and to reveal its pathological findings.

Methods

Experimental uveitis was induced in 6 healthy horses. The concentrations of retinal autoantigen CRALBP and IL-17 were measured using ELISA in aqueous humor and vitreous body of the 12 inflamed eyes as well as in 12 control non-inflamed eyes taken from 6 horses in slaughter house. After centrifugation of the two eye media, smears were prepared and cytological investigation was performed. Tissue specimens were taken from all eye globes and were submitted to histopathological investigation.

Results

CRALBP and IL-17 concentrations were significantly elevated in eye media of horses with experimental uveitis in comparison with controls. Cytological and histopathological findings corresponded to the changes characteristic of chronic immune-mediated inflammation with mononuclear cell infiltration of uvea, choroid, retina, and eye media as well as severe retinal destruction.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrated the involvement of the retinal autoantigen CRALBP as well as IL-17 in the pathogenesis of experimental uveitis in horses. These findings suggests that this experimental uveitis in horses may serve as a suitable animal model for investigation of IL-17- mediated immune response during spontaneous autoimmune uveitis in horses as well as in humans.

     

Effect of urea supplementation on performance and safety in diets of Dorper crossbred sheep

This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of dietary urea in sheep rations having a 50:50 concentrate:roughage ratio. Sixty‐four Dorper × thin‐tailed Han crossbred ram lambs with an average body weight of 30.8 (±0.02) kg were randomly divided into four groups of 16 sheep each, and each group was fed one of the following diets: a basal diet (CON), or CON supplemented with 0.5% (0.5UTM), 1.5% (1.5UTM) or 2.5% (2.5UTM) urea. Growth performance, carcass characteristics, non‐carcass offals, meat quality and peptic tissue lesions were assayed. The average daily weight gains for CON, 0.5UTM, 1.5UTM and 2.5UTM were 216, 218, 200 and 170 g, respectively, with the CON and 0.5UTM groups higher than 2.5UTM group (p < 0.05). Sheep from the 2.5UTM treatment had a significantly lower dry matter intake (1.29 kg/day) than those from the CON and 0.5UTM treatments (1.42 and 1.43 kg/day, p < 0.05), and the feed conversion ratio in the 2.5UTM group was the highest (p < 0.05). Carcass characteristics, including shrunk body weight, empty body weight, hot carcass weight, dress percentage, and the absolute or relative weight (% body weight) of heart, liver, spleen, lung and kidney, were not altered by the treatments (p > 0.05). The muscular pH of 2.5UTM was higher than that of CON (5.68 vs. 5.52, p < 0.05), and shear force in 0.5UTM was lower compared with CON and 2.5UTM (p < 0.05). The anatomical structure lesions in kidneys became more serious with the increasing dietary urea concentrations, with the 2.5UTM animals showing the most severe lesions compared with CON animals. Therefore, supplementary urea as a non‐protein nitrogen source for sheep should not exceed 1.5% of ration having a 50:50 concentrate:roughage ratio to ensure efficacy and safety.     

Protection of pigs against post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome by a recombinant adenovirus expressing the capsid protein of porcine circovirus type 2

Post-weaning multisystemic wating syndrome (PMWS) associated with PCV2 was one of the most costly diseases currently faced by the swine industry. In order to develop a vaccine to control this disease, we previously constructed a recombinant adenovirus expressing the capsid of PCV2. Here, we examined the protection of swine against PMWS by the recombinant adenovirus. Eighteen 32-day-old pigs were assigned to three groups each with six. Group 1 was vaccinated subcutaneously with rAd-Cap and boosted 2 weeks later. Thirty-seven days after first vaccination, Groups 1 and 2 were oronasally challenged with virulent PCV2 isolate, 4 and 7 days later, intramuscularly exposed to keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH). Group 3 remained unchallenged but with KLH. The results showed that high level of PCV2-specific ELISA antibody and neutralizing antibody could be induced at 37 days after first vaccination. After challenge, pigs in vaccinated group had no clearly clinical signs, although some of them had increased rectal temperatures (>/=40 degrees C) for short time. The pyrexic phase in vaccinated group was significantly lighter than that in challenge-control group (P<0.05). The relative daily weight gain in vaccinated-challenged group was similar to that in empty control group. But it was significantly high compared to the challenge-control group (P<0.05). Mean while the pathological lesions and virema presented in vaccinated group were milder than those in control group. It indicated that the recombinant adenovirus was able to confer significant protection against clinical disease and reduce pathogenic lesions induced by PCV2 challenge, even though it could not provide complete virological protection. The recombinant adenovirus might be an attractive candidate vaccine for preventing the disease associated with PCV2 infection.     

二化螟dsRNA降解酶基因的克隆与表达分析

为解析二化螟Chilo suppressalis体内参与降解双链RNA(double-stranded RNA,dsRNA)的关键核酸酶的功能,克隆二化螟不同的非专一性核酸酶（non-specific nuclease,NUC）基因,并对这些基因进行生物信息学分析和组织定量表达分析,同时对dsRNA降解酶（dsRNA degrading nuclease,dsRNase）活力的组织分布进行研究。结果显示,共克隆获得5个NUC基因,其中有4个编码dsRNase亚家族基因（CsdsRNase1～CsdsRNase4）和1个编码Endonuclease G亚家族基因（CsEndoG）。5个NUC基因的开放阅读框核苷酸序列长度范围为828～1 338 bp,编码275～445个氨基酸残基,其分子量大小为31.68～49.57 kD,预测等电点为5.48～9.42。CsdsRNase1和CsdsRNase2含有信号肽序列,两者相似度极高,且与家蚕Bombyx mori和斜纹夜蛾Spodoptera litura中具有dsRNA降解酶活力的dsRNase同源聚类;CsdsRNase1和CsdsRN...     

Application and mechanisms of metal-based nanoparticles in the control of bacterial and fungal crop diseases

Nanotechnology is a young branch of the discipline generated by nanomaterials. Its development has greatly contributed to technological progress and product innovation in the field of agriculture. The antimicrobial properties of nanoparticles (NPs) can be used to develop nanopesticides for plant protection. Plant diseases caused by bacterial and fungal infestations are the main types of crop diseases. Once infected, they will seriously threaten crop growth, reduce yield and quality, and affect food safety, posing a health risk to humans. We reviewed the application of metal-based nanoparticles in inhibiting plant pathogenic bacteria and fungi, and discuss the antibacterial mechanisms of metal-based nanoparticles from two aspects: the direct interaction between nanoparticles and pathogens, and the indirect effects of inducing plant resilience to disease. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.     

布鲁氏菌病无疫小区建设与成效

近年来,我国将无疫小区管理理念应用到布鲁氏菌病防控,以养殖场生物安全防控作为切入点,整合优化布鲁氏菌病关键技术措施,结合科学有效的监督管理,全面推动布鲁氏菌病防控工作。本文重点从建设主体、生物安全体系、监测要点等方面介绍了布鲁氏菌病无疫小区建设标准,总结了布鲁氏菌病无疫小区建设对于提升完善养殖场生物安全体系,推进养殖企业从传统防控到生物安全管理、风险管理转型升级,促进产业高质量发展等方面的成效,以期对下一步工作推进提供参考。     

Effects of Bacillus amylolyticus on Rumen Dry Matter Digestibility,Fermentation Parameters and Metabolites of Dairy Cows北大核心CSCD

This experiment was conducted to study the effects of Bacillus amylolyticus on rumen dry matter digestibility, fermentation parameters and metabolites of dairy cows. Experiment 1: six dairy cows with permanent fistula and had the similar parity (2 to 3 fetuses), body weight [(662 ±57) kg], lactation days [(160 ± 22) d] and milk yield [(36.1 ±3.8) kg / d], were randomly divided into 3 groups with 2 cows per group. Using 3 ×3 Latin square design, each group was extra fed 0 (control group), 5 ×109 and 5 ×1010 CFU / d Bacillus amylolyticus, the trial period was 3 periods, 13 days for each period, including 10 days for the pre-trial period and 3 days for the trial period. At the beginning of the trial period, the rumen dry matter digestibility of cows was measured by nylon bag method. Experiment 2: thirty dairy cows with similar parity [(2.5 ±0.3) fetuses], initial body weight [(559.2 ± 7. 4) kg], milk yield [(35. 2 ± 1. 5) kg / d] and lactation days [(99 ± 22) d] were randomly divided into three groups with 10 cows in each group. Cows in the 3 groups were extra fed with 0 (control group), 5 ×109 and 5 ×1010 CFU / d Bacillus amylolyticus, respectively. The pre-trial period was 10 days and the trial period was 42 days. The rumen fluid was collected on the last day of the trial period, and the rumen fermentation parameters and metabolites were determined. The results showed as follows: compared with the control group, 1) supplementary feeding of 5 × 1010 CFU / d Bacillus amylolyticus could significantly improve the rumen dry matter digestibility of dairy cows at 12, 24, 36, 48 and 72 h (P <0.05), supplementary feeding of 5 ×109 CFU / d Bacillus amylolyticus could significantly improve the rumen dry matter digestibility of dairy cows at 36 and 48 h (P <0.05); 2) supplementary feeding of 5 ×109 CFU / d Bacillus amylolyticus could significantly increase the contents of isobutyric acid, butyric acid, isovaleric acid, valeric acid, total volatile fatty acid and microbial protein in the rumen of dairy cows (P < 0. 05), supplementary feeding of 5 × 1010 CFU / d Bacillus amylolyticus could significantly increase the contents of isobutyric acid and isovaleric acid in the rumen of dairy cows and significantly reduce the rumen acetic acid / propionic acid (P < 0. 05), supplementary feeding of 5 ×109 and 5 ×1010 Bacillus amylolyticus had no effects on rumen pH and ammonia nitrogen content (P >0.05); 3) eleven metabolic pathways related to differential metabolites were detected, and ascorbic acid and alginate metabolism were significantly enriched (P < 0. 05) . In conclusion, Bacillus amylolyticus can increase the rumen dry matter digestibility, and improve the rumen fermentation function of dairy cows by affecting the content of rumen metabolites. By comprehensive analysis, supplementary feeding of 5 × 109 CFU / d Bacillus amylolyticus can achieve better effect. © 2023 Authors. All rights reserved.     

新饲料添加剂N，O-羧甲基壳聚糖的急性毒性研究

【目的】研究N,O-羧甲基壳聚糖对鸡的急性毒性,评价该药的安全性;【方法】以最大浓度的N,O-羧甲基壳聚糖(10.5%),按20ml/(kg·bw)(2.1g/(kg·bw)/次)剂量24h内给鸡灌服;【结果】给药后连续观察7天,各组试验鸡全部存活,临床、剖检均未见到异常变化,测不出LD50,根据新药审批办法中关于急性毒性的要求,进行最大耐受量的测定。鸡灌服给予N,O-羧甲基壳聚糖的最大耐受量为10.5g/(kg·bw),相当于临床拟用量的3500倍;【结论】N,O-羧甲基壳聚糖毒副作用很小,临床可以安全应用。