非洲鸵鸟的雌雄鉴别研究

对鸵鸟进行早期的性别鉴定，可以确保期望的鸵鸟雌雄性别比例，雏鸟雌雄分群饲养，加快鸵鸟驯养进程，提高育雏成活率都有着重要意义。本研究采用翻肛法，对人工饲养的1～3月龄育雏期非洲鸵鸟进行试验与研究。结果表明，在1月龄时就可根据有无生殖交媾器及其形态、大小的差别进行雌雄鉴别，打破了通常认为鸵鸟在4月龄时才可以进行性别鉴定的传统做法，为非洲鸵鸟的饲养管理提供了有利的依据。     

Comparative spatiotemporal analysis of the intrathecal immune response in natural listeric rhombencephalitis of cattle and small ruminants

This study examined the spatiotemporal immune response in listeric rhombencephalitis of ruminants in situ. Our data support the view that astrocytes facilitate the containment of infectious lesions. Results on the natural disease recapitulate observations in experimental rodent models and suggest that the mounted adaptive lymphocytic response of ruminants is effective in eliminating Listeria monocytogenes (LM). However, our data indicate earlier participation of the adaptive immune response, a stronger B lymphocyte contribution and a more protracted macrophage infiltration in the natural disease than it has been deduced from experimental models. Therefore, such models should be complemented by studies in natural host systems. Various macrophage and microglia subsets are involved in listeric rhombencephalitis and their differential contribution may account for species differences in clinical course and outcome of infection as might species differences in the B-cell response. Future functional ex vivo and in vitro studies are necessary to further investigate the findings obtained in the present study.     

One Health and the neglected zoonoses: turning rhetoric into reality

Successful adoption of a One Health approach could have far-reaching impacts on poverty alleviation, health and food security, particularly in developing countries through integrated control of neglected zoonoses. However, the practical implementation of this approach presents many challenges. Anna Okello and colleagues argue that, for effective implementation, lessons learned and 'best practice' must be led by national and regional stakeholders drawn from a variety of disciplines. High-profile regional and international institutions can play an important role in the global governance of One Health by encouraging individual countries to devise appropriate tailored solutions that are workable within their own context.     

Management of atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common clinically important arrhythmia in veterinary medicine. Electrical cardioversion of AF to sinus rhythm is feasible, but pharmacologic rate control is an effective and achievable treatment strategy for most veterinary patients. Recent human trials suggest that rate control and rhythm control are almost equally beneficial. Nevertheless, AF can be a challenging arrhythmia to manage, because most affected animal shave numerous other concurring problems associated with the underlying heart disease that dictate or influence the clinician's choice of treatment and monitoring strategy for each patient.     

Evaluating the risk of tick‐borne relapsing fever among occupational cavers—Austin,TX, 2017

Tick‐borne relapsing fever (TBRF) is a potentially serious spirochetal infection caused by certain species of Borrelia and acquired through the bite of Ornithodoros ticks. In 2017, Austin Public Health, Austin, TX, identified five cases of febrile illness among employees who worked in caves. A cross‐sectional serosurvey and interview were conducted for 44 employees at eight organizations that conduct cave‐related work. Antibodies against TBRF‐causing Borrelia were detected in the serum of five participants, four of whom reported recent illness. Seropositive employees entered significantly more caves (Median 25 [SD: 15] versus Median 4 [SD: 16], p = 0.04) than seronegative employees. Six caves were entered more frequently by seropositive employees posing a potentially high risk. Several of these caves were in public use areas and were opened for tours. Education of area healthcare providers about TBRF and prevention recommendations for cavers and the public are advised.     

Identification and characterization of long non-coding RNAs in porcine granulosa cells exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin

Background: Long non-coding RNAs(lncRNAs) may regulate gene expression in numerous biological processes including cellular response to xenobiotics.The exposure of living organisms to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin(TCDD),a persistent environmental contaminant,results in reproductive defects in many species including pigs.The aims of the study were to identify and characterize lncRNAs in porcine granulosa cells as well as to examine the effects of TCDD on the lncRNA expression profile in the cells.Results: One thousand six hundred sixty-six lncRNAs were identified and characterized in porcine granulosa cells.The identified lncRNAs were found to be shorter than mRNAs.In addition,the number of exons was lower in lncRNAs than in m RNAs and their exons were longer.TCDD affected the expression of 22 lncRNAs(differentially expressed lncRNAs [DELs]; log2 fold change ≥ 1,P-adjusted 0.05) in the examined cells.Potential functions of DELs were indirectly predicted via searching their target cis-and trans-regulated protein-coding genes.The coexpression analysis revealed that DELs may influence the expression of numerous genes,including those involved in cellular response to xenobiotics,dioxin metabolism,endoplasmic reticulum stress and cell proliferation.Aryl hydrocarbon receptor(AhR) and cytochrome P450 1 A1(CYP1 A1) were found among the trans-regulated genes.Conclusions: These findings indicate that the identified lncRNAs may constitute a part of the regulatory mechanism of TCDD action in granulosa cells.To our knowledge,this is the first study describing lncRNAs in porcine granulosa cells as well as TCDD effects on the lncRNA expression profile.These results may trigger new research directions leading to better understanding of molecular processes induced by xenobiotics in the ovary.