羊草叶绿体非编码区多态性标记筛选及群体遗传多样性

为筛选多态性丰富的羊草叶绿体非编码区片段,本研究以9个不同地理位置的羊草居群为材料,通过对12个叶绿体非编码区DNA片段测序及其序列间变异分析试图从中找出有遗传差异的叶绿体DNA(cpDNA)片段,并利用有多态性的cpDNA片段进行遗传多样性分析。结果表明,序列ndhF-rpl32、trnL-trnF、trnC-ycf6、aptI-aptH具有比较丰富的变异,可作为下一步研究野生羊草群体遗传学和谱系地理学较为理想的分子标记。在37个羊草个体4条非编码区片段的合并序列中,共检测到15种单倍型,单倍型多态性(Hd)为0.928,核苷酸多态性(Pi)为0.00101;遗传分化指数(Fst)为0.58884,基因流(Nm)为0.17,基因流较小;中性检验Tajima’s D(-1.08542)和Fu’s Fs(-5.301)均为负值,且差异不显著(P>0.10),推测羊草遵循中性进化理论,可能经历过种群扩张;AMOVA结果显示,65%的分子变异出现在居群间,35%出现在居群内;Mantel检验得到,遗传距离与地理距离具有显著相关性(r=0.449,P<0.05);居群分化值Nst 0.386(0.1865)大于Gst 0.234(0.1506),差异显著(P<0.05),表明羊草居群存在分子谱系地理结构。通过系统发育树分析得到,羊草15个单倍型分为两大分支,H2和H10聚为一支,它们与别的居群个体亲缘关系较远,其余单倍型聚为另一支;单倍型网络图显示,H2和H12、H10和H12亲缘关系较远,与系统发育树分析结果基本一致。本研究为羊草的种质资源保护、谱系地理学研究等工作奠定了基础。     

Immunohistochemical differentiation of reactive from malignant mesothelium as a diagnostic aid in canine pericardial disease

Objectives

To develop a provisional immunohistochemistry panel for distinguishing reactive pericardium, atypical mesothelial proliferation and mesothelioma in dogs.

Materials and Methods

Archived pericardial biopsies were subject to haematoxylin and eosin staining, immunohistochemistry for cytokeratin, vimentin, insulin‐like growth factor II mRNA‐binding protein 3, glucose transporter 1 and desmin. Samples were scored for intensity and number of cells stained.

Results

Ten biopsies of reactive mesothelium, 17 of atypical mesothelial proliferation, 26 of mesothelioma and five of normal pericardium were identified on the basis of haematoxylin and eosin staining. Cytokeratin and vimentin were expressed in all biopsies, confirming mesothelial origin. Normal pericardial samples had the lowest scores for insulin‐like growth factor II mRNA‐binding protein 3, glucose transporter 1 and desmin. Mesothelioma and atypical proliferative samples were similar to each other, with higher scores for insulin‐like growth factor II mRNA‐binding protein 3 and glucose transporter 1 than the reactive samples. Desmin staining was variable. Insulin‐like growth factor II mRNA‐binding protein 3 was the best to distinguish between disease groups.

Clinical Significance

An immunohistochemistry panel of cytokeratin, vimentin, insulin‐like growth factor II mRNA‐binding protein 3 and glucose transporter 1 could provide superior information compared with haematoxylin and eosin staining alone in the diagnosis of cases of mesothelial proliferation in canine pericardium, but further validation is warranted.     

The influence of rapid growth on sodium salicylate pharmacokinetics in male turkeys

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of growth on the pharmacokinetics of sodium salicylate (SS) in male turkeys. SS was administered intravenously at a dose of 50 mg/kg. Plasma drug concentrations were assessed by high‐performance liquid chromatography, and pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by noncompartmental analysis. As the age increased from 6 to 13 weeks (body weight increase from 2.35 to 9.43 kg), median body clearance decreased from 1.34 to 0.87 ml/min/kg. This caused a significant increase in the median mean residence time from 3.42 to 4.44 hr. Elimination phase proved to be biphasic and two elimination half‐lives (T_1/2el) were distinguished. Whereas T_1/2el1 was found to increase with age by 128%, T_1/2el2 represented a later but faster and less age‐dependent phase of elimination (increase by 56% in the respective groups). Volume of distribution decreased with age. These effects may lead to different therapeutic response to SS in turkeys of different age and body weights.     

Pharmacokinetic profiles of the two major active metabolites of metamizole (dipyrone) in cats following three different routes of administration

This study was performed to determine pharmacokinetic profiles of the two active metabolites of the analgesic drug metamizole (dipyrone , MET), 4‐methylaminoantipyrine (MAA), and 4‐aminoantipyrine (AA), after intravenous (i.v., intramuscular (i.m.), and oral (p.o.) administration in cats. Six healthy mixed‐breed cats were administered MET (25 mg/kg) by i.v., i.m., or p.o. routes in a crossover design. Adverse clinical signs, namely salivation and vomiting, were detected in all groups (i.v. 67%, i.m. 34%, and p.o. 15%). The mean maximal plasma concentration of MAA for i.v., i.m., and p.o. administrations was 148.63 ± 106.64, 18.74 ± 4.97, and 20.59 ± 15.29 μg/ml, respectively, with about 7 hr of half‐life in all routes. Among the administration routes, the area under the plasma concentration curve (AUC) value was the lowest after i.m. administration and the AUC_EV/i.v. ratio was higher in p.o. than the i.m. administration without statistical significance. The plasma concentration of AA was detectable up to 24 hr, and the mean plasma concentrations were smaller than MAA. The present results suggest that MET is converted into the active metabolites in cats as in humans. Further pharmacodynamics and safety studies should be performed before any clinical use.     

Effects of p.o. administered xylitol in cats

Xylitol is commonly used as sugar substitute in households. While it has numerous beneficial effects on human health, it is highly toxic to dogs. The goal of this study was to examine whether xylitol has similar deleterious effects, such as hypoglycaemia and acute hepatic failure, on cats. Our research included six healthy middle‐aged cats. Xylitol was dissolved in deionized water and administered p.o. at three doses (100, 500 and 1,000 mg/kg body weight). These dosages have been considered toxic and can cause liver failure or even death in dogs. After every xylitol administration, the basic health status and the blood glucose of cats were observed regularly. Additionally, prior to and 6, 24 and 72 hr after xylitol administration, blood samples were taken to check complete blood count, clinical biochemical parameters and enzymes such as ALT, ALKP, GGT, GLDH, bile acids, BUN, creatinine, phosphate, total protein, albumin, sodium and potassium. There were no significant changes (p > .05) in any of the haematological or biochemical parameters. Blood glucose concentrations did not show any significant alterations, except at 1,000 mg/kg dose, where a mild but significant increase was observed, but it was in physiological range. Based on our results, xylitol did not induce toxic effects on cats.