Virulence traits of avian pathogenic (APEC) and fecal (AFEC) <Emphasis Type="Italic">E. coli</Emphasis> isolated from broiler chickens in Algeria

Avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC) is the etiologic agent of avian colibacillosis, the most common disease responsible for chicken morbidity in the world. Although multiple virulence-associated factors were identified, their prevalence in Algeria is still poorly known. In the present research, 92 avian pathogenic E. coli (APEC) isolates were recovered from broilers with clinical signs and lesions of colibacillosis. In addition, 32 E. coli isolates collected from feces of healthy birds (AFEC) were included for comparison. All isolates were investigated by PCR for the presence of a total of 11 virulence-associated genes described for avian pathogenic (iroN, ompT, hlyF, iss, iutA, and fimC) and diarrheagenic E. coli (eae, stx, elt/est, ipaH, and aggR). The sensitivity of 39 APEC isolates to 16 antibiotics was also determined using antimicrobial pretreated microplates. Here, we report that 98% of the examined isolates host at least one of the tested virulence factors. The most prevalent genes in APEC were iutA (90.6%), ompT (86.9%), and iss (85.8%); whereas, iutA (78.1%), fimC (78.1%), and iroN (68.7%) were the highest prevalent genes in AFEC. Our data showed that none of the AFEC isolates harbor any of the tested diarrheagenic genes. Moreover, only elt/est (5.4%), stx (2.1%), and ipaH (2.1%) genes were carried by APEC isolates. We further established that ceftazodime, ceftiofur, mequindox, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, and meropenem were the most efficient antibiotics against the analyzed APEC isolates. Overall, our findings provide more insights about APEC and AFEC virulence potential in Algeria which could participate in the fight against colibacillosis.     

Feeding behavior of feedlot lambs fed diets containing levels of cassava wastewater

In this study, we evaluated the effects of including cassava wastewater in the diet on the feeding behavior of feedlot lambs in 35 male uncastrated Santa Inês × Dorper crossbred lambs at an approximate age of 3 months, with an average live weight of 20.0?±?3.4 kg. Diets were formulated with hay of cassava shoots (roughage) and a concentrate based on corn and soybean, with a roughage:concentrate ratio of 50:50, plus inclusion of cassava wastewater at the levels of 0, 12, 24, 36, or 48 g/kg of the total diet. Feeding behavior was evaluated between the 46th and 52nd days of the experiment. Increasing cassava wastewater levels in the diet reduced (P?<?0.05) the intakes (kg/day) of dry matter and neutral detergent fiber as well as the efficiency of rumination (g/cud and g/h) of dry matter and neutral detergent fiber. The other behavioral parameters were not affected by wastewater inclusion in the diet. Therefore, the inclusion of up to 48 g/kg of cassava wastewater on fresh matter of diets is not recommended for feedlot lambs.     

Prevalence and risk factors of mycobacterial infections in farm and trade cattle in southwestern Nigeria

We evaluated the prevalence of mycobacterial infections (i.e., Mycobacterium bovis and non-tuberculous mycobacteria [NTM]) and their associated risk factors among cattle herds and trade cattle in southwestern Nigeria. Through cross-sectional study design, cattle herds from three locations were screened using the single intradermal comparative cervical tuberculin test based on two diagnostic standards; more than 4 mm (? 4 mm) and more than 2 mm (? 2 mm) cut-off points. Abattoir study involved screening trade cattle for tuberculous lesions. Overall, 515 cattle from 45 herds were screened. Using >?4 mm, animal level and herd prevalence of 11.7 and 46.7% were recorded, respectively. Applying the ? 2 mm cut-off, animal level and herd prevalence increased to 31.1 and 60.0%, respectively. Significantly, using the ? 2 mm cut-off, cattle in medium size herds/extensive management system (OR?=?1.6; 95% CI 1.1–2.5) and Sokoto Gudali (OR?=?2.3; 95% CI 1.4–3.8) were more at risk of being positive reactors, while Rahaji (OR?=?0.3; 95% CI 0.1–0.7) breeds of cattle and cows in the peri-urban area (OR?=?0.4; 95% CI 0.2–0.9) were less at risk of being positive reactors. Again, M. avium reactor of 21.7% was observed. In the abattoir, 1797 cattle were examined with 126 lesions suggestive of tuberculosis (TB). Culture/molecular analyses confirmed 2.2% M. bovis and 0.9% NTM infections. Risk factors associated with bovine TB among trade cattle were sex (OR?=?4.0; 95% CI 1.2–13.5) and age (OR?=?0.3; 95% CI 0.1–0.9). We confirm 11.7% prevalence of mycobacterial infections among populations of cattle screened with breed and herd size being major risk factors.     

The effect of maternal obesity on fatty acid transporter expression and lipid metabolism in the full‐term placenta of lean breed swine

This study was conducted to evaluate the influence of back‐fat thickness (BF), at mating of sows, on the maternal and newborn circulating lipids, expression of placental fatty acids (FA) transporters and lipid accumulation in placenta. Full‐term placentas were obtained by vaginal delivery from BFI (9–14 mm; n = 37), BFII (15–19 mm; n = 43) and BFIII (20–27 mm; n = 38) sows according to BF at mating, and frozen placental sections were analysed for fat accumulation. Blood samples were collected from the sows of day 105 pregnancy and from cord blood at delivery. mRNA and protein expression levels were evaluated with real‐time RT‐PCR and Western blotting. Our results demonstrated that BFII females had significantly increased litter weight and placental efficiency, decreased maternal triglyceride (TG) and non‐esterified fatty acids (NEFA) levels, decreased maternal IL‐6, TNFα and leptin levels compared to BFIII females (p < .05). BFIII sows were associated with significantly decreased newborn TG levels, increased newborn glucose, IL‐6 and TNFα levels compared to BFI or BFII sows (p < .05). BFI and BFII females had significantly decreased placental TG, NEFA and cholesterol (CHOL) contents compared to BFIII females (p < .05). Moreover, decreased CD36, FATP1, FABP4, and FABP1 mRNA and protein and FATP4 protein expression, and increased LPL activity were also observed in BFIII group compared with BFII group (p < .05). PPARγ mRNA and protein and lipogenic genes such as SREBP‐1c, ACSL1, ACCα, FAS and SCD mRNA expression were downregulated or upregulated, respectively, in the placentas of BFIII sows compared to BFI or BFII sows (p < .05). Overall, this study demonstrated that there is no advantage, in terms of litter live size, litter weight and placental FA transport and metabolism, in performing the mating of sows with BF>19 mm.     

青藏高原垂穗披碱草种质资源遗传多样性的SSR分析

采用SSR分子标记技术,对采自青藏高原的30份野生垂穗披碱草(Elymus nutans)种质进行遗传多样性分析。结果表明,1)筛选出的16对引物共获得了116个等位基因位点,92个多态性位点,多态性位点率(PPB)为79.75%,多态性信息(PIC)含量为0.063~0.325,平均值为0.188,材料间遗传相似系数(GS)介于0.692~0.976,平均值为0.828。2)聚类分析表明,在遗传相似系数0.804处,30份供试材料可聚为四大类,单独聚为一类的09-214表现出与其他材料较远的亲缘关系,主成分分析结果与UPGMA结果基本一致。群体遗传结构分析显示,大部分材料的遗传背景较为单一,群体划分的结果与聚类分析的结果部分保持一致。研究显示,供试种质材料间存在较大的差异,部分材料表现出相对独立的特性,遗传多样性较丰富,可为垂穗披碱草的保护利用、新品种的选育及优良基因的挖掘提供参考依据。     

美国临床兽医博士（DVM）与执业兽医和官方兽医的关系

临床兽医博士(DVM)是美国特有的一种学位,主要侧重于临床技能操作和应用,对于促进美国执业兽医制度建设和兽医职业化发展发挥了重要作用。本文介绍了DVM学位获得过程,分析了DVM与执业兽医、官方兽医的关系。在美国,取得DVM学位仅是具备了参加北美兽医资格考试(NAVLE)和州执照考试的一种资格,并不能直接开展兽医执业工作。由兽医官、消费安全检验员、屠宰场食品检验员、州兽医、认证兽医等组成的美国官方兽医队伍中,既有取得DVM学位的,也有符合条件未取得DVM学位的人员。本文拟通过上述问题研究,以期为推进我国新型兽医制度建设提供参考。     

美国动物卫生保护制度框架浅析

基于对美国《动物卫生保护法》的研究,本文概述了其立法宗旨,动物疫病预防、突发疫情应急处置、国内流行病控制消灭等制度框架,以及生产经营者主体责任、调运监管制度、动物卫生实验室体系、兽医认证计划、监督执法制度、经费预算方式等保障措施,以期为完善我国立法体系提供借鉴。     

热处理对肉类蛋白质构的影响

加热作为最传统的肉熟化和杀菌手段,在今后的水产及畜禽肉加工产业中将依旧占主导地位。作者简述了肌肉蛋白的组成和结构,讨论了不同来源肌肉蛋白在加热过程中的变性行为。水生及陆生来源的肌肉中,大部分肌浆蛋白在40℃~60℃之间聚集,但对一些肌浆蛋白来说,加热到90℃才凝固。溶液中肌原纤维蛋白在30℃~32℃开始展开,在36℃~40℃蛋白质—蛋白质开始结合,在45℃~50℃产生凝胶化(conc.>0.5重量%)。在53℃~63℃的温度下,胶原蛋白开始变性,随后胶原纤维发生收缩。如果胶原纤维不能通过耐热分子间键稳定,则它在进一步加热时溶解并形成胶状。此外,作者还概述了不同种类肌肉蛋白在加热过程中的结构变化及其对质地品质的影响。对于一般完整肌肉的肉块,一定温度的热处理后,显微组织收缩,肌节长度缩短,持水性降低,韧性发生1次或者2次的跃升。鱼糜制品、汉堡肉饼及乳化香肠等碎肉产品,因加工工艺影响,肌肉系统的结构大幅改变。鱼糜制品形成过程较畜禽肌肉复杂;鱼类肌肉中盐溶性蛋白在加热作用下通过分子间二硫键、疏水作用力、氢键等等的作用,包裹水分重新形成立体网状结构,成为具有凝胶特性的鱼糜制品。通常畜禽类肌肉没有鱼糜凝胶形成的能力强。与乳化香肠相比,汉堡肉整体纤维和纤维碎片的出现率更高,其含量高达50%~70%,导致受热后收缩程度更大。乳化香肠中,因肌肉彻底粉碎搅拌因而肌原纤维蛋白被抽提出,在加热时产生密集的蛋白质网络—凝胶,通过毛细管作用力可有效地保持水分。了解不同种类肉蛋白质在烹饪过程中的结构变化以及质构品质变化机理,可为制定更合理的肉类加工方式提供理论依据。     

吉富罗非鱼成鱼脏器系数的研究

为研究罗非鱼(Oreochrowis niloticus)组织脏器重量与体重的关系,获得脏器系数.本研究随机选取40尾体重为600～900 g雄性吉富罗非鱼(GIFT)成鱼,进行体重、心脏、肝脏、肾脏、脾脏、肠、鳃、皮肤、胆囊、鳞片、肌肉及其他组织(鱼头、鱼鳍和鱼骨等)重量的测定,对体重与各组织脏器重量进行相关性分析,...     

白水江自然保护区植物果实类型组成及垂直分异

分析甘肃白水江国家级自然保护区1 943种野生被子植物果实类型组成及其沿海拔梯度的变化规律,结果表明:本区干果和肉果分别占65.67%和24.60%,在22种基本果实类型中,居前3位的分别为蒴果(26.56%)、瘦果(12.35%)和核果(12.20%);果实类型及其种数随海拔升高呈先增加后减少的趋势;随着海拔升高,干果比例上升,肉果比例下降并消失于3 800 m左右,其中蒴果比例在各海拔段均占据显著优势并呈上升趋势,瘦果和颖果比例先下降后上升,核果和浆果比例下降,梨果和翅果比例先上升后下降.聚类结果表明:海拔2 000m左右是基本果实类型种数分布的断点.果实类型垂直分异可能是伴随着相应海拔范围内水热条件及其组合特征的改变,以及果实传播方式的不同而产生的.在完善果实分类系统的前提下,可将果实类型的数量对比关系,作为反映某地区气候的生物标志之一.