Developing and testing prognostic bio‐scoring systems for canine mammary gland carcinomas

Canine mammary carcinomas (CMC) represent a range of histolopathological subtypes with diverse biological behaviours. Several individual factors, including stage, grade, subtypes and presence of invasion, predict outcome. Less is known how these factors interact and impact prognosis. The purpose of this work was to develop and test comprehensive bio‐scoring systems in CMCs. Clinical and histopathological data from 127 dogs with MCs treated through two prospective studies were obtained. All dogs underwent standardized pre‐surgical staging, treatments and regular follow‐up visits. All tumours were evaluated, classified and graded according to published guidelines. Time to primary metastasis was the main endpoint in this study. Two bio‐scoring systems were developed: The multivariate scoring (MVS) was based on traditional statistical analysis where only factors significant in the multivariate analysis (tumour size and grade) were kept for the final model. The refined flexible scoring (RFS) system was based on results from subgroup analysis, which guided the development of a flexible system. Progressive worsening prognosis was observed with increasing bio‐scores in both systems. MVS: Median primary metastasis‐free survival (TTM1 days) was not reached in dogs with bio‐scores 0 to 5, 10, 15 and 648, 149, 317, in MVS groups 25, 30, 40, respectively. Similarly, TTM1 was not reached in dogs with RFS 0, 1, 2 and 374, 407 and 149, in dogs with bio‐scores 3, 4, 5, respectively. However, a more distinct separation between dogs with high risk vs low risk for metastasis was observed with RFS, suggesting superior overall prognostication regarding the risk for metastasis.     

基于PCV3-Cap蛋白间接ELISA检测方法的建立及临床应用

为了建立一种敏感和特异的猪圆环病毒3型(PCV3)抗体检测方法,对PCV3-Cap蛋白抗原表位预测发现其抗原表位多聚集在C端(羧基端),而N端前33氨基酸为核定位序列。以截断N端前120个氨基酸后的PCV3ORF2序列为靶基因,设计引物。以PCV3阳性病料为模板,PCR扩增截短的ORF2基因,并将其克隆至pET-30a载体构建重组质粒,并转染至大肠杆菌E.coli BL21感受态细胞,获得重组菌后选择最佳诱导表达条件,采用Ni-NTA亲和层析柱纯化表达产物。以纯化后的重组Cap蛋白作为包被抗原,建立PCV3间接ELISA (indirectELISA)诊断方法,并初步用于临床样品检测。结果:从阳性病料中扩增出大小为285bp的PCV3ORF2基因片段,重组质粒经双酶切和测序鉴定构建成功。采用1mmol·L-1 IPTG诱导,在37℃条件下培养6h重组菌,重组蛋白获最佳表达。Western blot结果表明,该重组蛋白与PCV3阳性血清具有较好的反应原性。ELISA的最佳包被抗原质量浓度为1μg·mL-1,待检血清最佳稀释度为1∶20,酶标抗体最佳工作浓度为1∶5 000。阳性判定值为S/P≥0.273。批内和批间系数均小于10%,表明该方法具有较好的重复性。PCV2阳性血清用本方法检测为阴性,表明该方法有较好的特异性。检测采集的439份临床猪血清,PCV3抗体阳性检出率为60.59%(266/439)。结果表明,本研究建立了一种快速、简便、敏感、特异的猪圆环病毒3型(PCV3)抗体检测方法。     

非洲猪瘟病毒无标签p30-ELISA抗体检测方法的建立及应用

非洲猪瘟(African swine fever, ASF)是由非洲猪瘟病毒(African swine fever virus, ASFV)引起猪的一种急性、热性、出血性、高度接触性传染病,临床症状以败血症、皮炎和关节炎为特征,高发病率和高死亡率。为建立临床检测ASFV抗体的间接ELISA检测方法,本研究扩增了ASFV-CP204L基因,通过pET-30a原核表达系统表达p30蛋白,使用Ni-NTA纯化表达产物,通过肠激酶切除外源性蛋白,得到无His-组氨酸标签的p30蛋白,以此为诊断抗原,建立间接ELISA方法。结果显示：表达的无标签p30重组蛋白大小约为30 ku,与ASF阳性猪血清具有较好的反应原性;确定ELISA抗原包被浓度为1 μg·mL^-1,根据ROC曲线下面积确定S/P值>0.398判定为阳性,批内、批间变异系数均<10%;与PCV2、CSFV、PRV-gE、PRRSV阳性血清无交叉反应与INGENASA商品化试剂盒总符合率为97.78%。用该方法分别检测标准阳性血清、动物感染试验血清和收集的区域性临床血清644份,该方法最低可检测到1∶512倍稀释的标准阳性血清样品;检测感染动物血清,其中80%(4/5)的试验动物在第10天抗体为阳性。644份临床猪血清样品中抗体阳性率为7.61%,其中,母猪、后备母猪、仔猪、保育猪和育肥猪抗体阳性率分别为3.03%、0%、4.94%、7.55%和28.7%。本试验建立的ASFV-p30间接ELISA方法具有良好的特异性、灵敏度和重复性,可应用于ASFV的抗体检测,为ASF的诊断和流行病学调查提供了技术手段。     

轮回选择对豫综5号玉米群体产量性状配合力的改良效果

玉米群体遗传基础广泛、遗传变异丰富,是培育优良玉米自交系的源泉。玉米群体的改良研究对玉米种质资源创新、优良自交系选育具有重要的指导意义。本研究采用NC II遗传交配设计,以豫综5号5个轮次改良群体为父本,以黄早四、丹340、中综5号、齐319、掖478、Mo17为测验种配制成30个测交组合,通过一年两点的产量性状及其配合力评价试验,研究轮回选择对豫综5号群体的改良效果。结果表明,轮回选择对群体单株产量的改良是有效的,群体与各测验种间的杂交后代产量平均每轮提高3.57%。半姊妹轮回选择和相互半姊妹轮回选择在改良群体产量一般配合力方面, 均得到显著提高,呈逐轮上升的趋势;采用半姊妹轮回选择对豫综5号群体3轮的选择后,C₃群体与C₀相比,一般配合力效应值从–11.63增长到5.57,差异极显著;经1轮相互半姊妹轮回选择后,群体的一般配合力效应值从C₃的5.57增加到C₄的9.75。豫综5号改良群体与黄早四的特殊配合力得到一定的提高,逐轮朝着Reid×唐四平头杂优模式水平提高的方向稳定发展。     

玉米根系发育突变体及相关基因研究进展

根系形态以及生理特征与作物养分水分高效利用密切相关。利用根系发育突变体是研究根系结构与功能的主要手段之一。近10多年来,一些玉米根系发育的突变体被鉴定出来,其中包括影响节根发育的rtcs突变体,影响侧根发育的lrt1、slr1、slr2和rum1突变体,还有影响根毛发育的rth1、rth2和rth3突变体,其中部分突变体所对应的基因已经克隆。这些进展有利于人们更深入地认识玉米根系生物学特征在养分水分高效中的作用。     

Evaluation of cyclooxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2 expression and the effect of cyclooxygenase inhibitors in canine prostatic carcinoma

Prostatic carcinoma occurs primarily in older castrated male dogs and is typically a fatal disease (most dogs die within few months after the initial diagnosis). Surgery, i.e., total prostatectomy, or radiation therapy is often not pursued due to risks of complications and a high rate of distant metastasis. Cyclooxygenase‐2 (Cox‐2) expression has been documented in several malignancies, including canine prostatic carcinoma. Cox‐2 inhibition has been reported to have preventative effects on several human malignancies and has therapeutic effects on both laboratory and spontaneous tumour models. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate Cox expression and the effects of Cox inhibitors on survival in dogs with prostatic carcinoma. 94.1 and 88.2% of the tumours expressed Cox‐1 and Cox‐2, respectively. Furthermore, dogs treated with Cox inhibitors (piroxicam or carprofen) lived significantly longer than untreated dogs, 6.9 versus 0.7 months (P < 0.0001), suggesting that Cox inhibitors may have an important role in canine prostate cancer therapy.     

Characterization of the Biological Behavior of Appendicular Osteosarcoma in Rottweilers with a Comparison to Other Breeds

Introduction:  The clinical impression of many oncologists is that Rottweilers with appendicular osteosarcoma (OSA) have an unfavorable prognosis despite standard therapy (amputation and chemotherapy). The purpose of this study was to compare clinical characteristics, biological behavior and outcome of OSA in Rottweilers to that of other breeds.
Methods:  107 OSA cases were studied: 56 clinical cases (17 Rottweilers) and 54 necropsy submissions (13 Rottweilers) of OSA (3 cases overlapping). Information regarding signalment, prognostic factors, treatment and outcome was obtained from medical records and follow‐up with owners. Data were analyzed by chi‐square test, t‐test, and log rank test.
Preliminary Results:  Compared to other breeds Rottweilers were more likely to have femur (23% vs. 16%) and ulna (15% vs. 3%) and less likely to have tibia (8% vs. 27%) as their primary tumor location (p = 0.04). In the necropsy group, Rottweilers had a younger age at death (6.4 vs. 10 years, p = 0.0002) and a greater body weight at diagnosis (49 vs. 37 kg, p = 0.002). No statistical differences in the age at diagnosis or survival time were noted in Rottweilers vs. other breeds. Metastasis to lymph nodes (31% vs. 10%, p = 0.08) and lungs (64% vs. 49%, p = 0.24) was more frequent in Rottweilers. There was no difference in chemotherapy drugs given; however, Rottweilers were 20 times more likely to receive NSAIDs (p = 0.0004).
Conclusion:  Greater body weight with a predilection for certain tumor locations may contribute to OSA development in Rottweilers. A younger age at death may suggest a more aggressive phenotype.