Effects of Large Saddle Panels on the Biomechanics of the Equine Back During Rising Trot: Preliminary Results

The saddle panels, directly in contact with the horse's back, are likely an important element to optimize the fitting of the saddle, the comfort of the horse, and subsequently, the pain management in dorsalgic horses. The aim of this study was to better understand the effect of the saddle panels on the horse's back, by evaluating a prototype saddle (comfort panels: CP) compared to a standard saddle (STD). The horse's back movements were measured using inertial measurement units (IMUs) fixed at the levels of thoracic vertebrae T6, T12, T16 (under the saddle) and lumbar vertebrae L2 and L5. The centers of mass (COMs) of the horse and the rider and limb's protraction-retraction angles, pressure between saddle and horse's back, and force on the stirrups were measured using respectively 2D motion capture, pressure mat and force sensors in the stirrup leather. Three horses were trotted at the rising trot (sitting: left diagonal-rider seated; standing: right diagonal-rider standing) by the same rider. To compare saddles, linear mixed-effects regression models were used. The estimated means (SE) were calculated. During sitting phase, pressure in the cranial and middle areas of the saddle significantly increased for CP compared to STD (+0.9 (0.2) kPa and +1.0 (0.1) kPa, respectively) whereas caudal pressure decreased (−1.8 (0.4) kPa). Concurrently, the range of motion of angles T12-T16 and T16-L2 under the saddle significantly increased (+1.8 (0.2)° and +2.3 (0.3)°, respectively). The results showed that modifications of the panels' shape not only affect the pressure distribution but also the kinematics of the thoracic and lumbar regions of the equine back.     

T lymphocyte responses during early enteric Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis infection in cattle

Johne's disease (JD) is a costly intestinal disease of ruminants caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (Map), which is transmitted to perinatal calves by the fecal-oral route. Disease control efforts focus on identification and culling of infected cattle from herds; therefore failure to identify animals early is a major obstacle to reducing transmission. Development of host immunity during early JD remain incompletely characterized so detecting subclinical JD using immunologic techniques is a substantial challenge in the field. Development of a test with high sensitivity and specificity is a major research goal with significant implications for the cattle industry. The objectives of this study were to compare early Map-specific T lymphocyte responses in naive, experimentally Map infected and Map vaccinated calves using a subcutaneous matrigel biopolymer-based assay. We examined the phenotype of recruited lymphocytes and local interferon gamma (IFNγ) production within subcutaneously placed matrigel containing Map antigen 30 days after experimentally induced intestinal Map infection or Map vaccination. We show that IFNγ-secreting CD4+ T cells are recruited to matrigel sites in vaccinated but not infected or naïve calves. γδ T cells recruited to matrigel sites of Map-infected calves were mostly WC1-, while γδ T cells recruited to matrigel sites of Map-vaccinated calves were predominantly WC1+. IFNγ at matrigel sites was a discriminating factor between infected calves, naïve calves and vaccinated calves. These data contribute to our understanding of early anti-Map immunity, and may be useful for detecting early intestinal Map infections in calves or for enhancing our ability to discriminate between Map-infected and Map-vaccinated calves.     

鸡粒细胞巨噬细胞集落刺激因子-猪干扰素α1融合基因在大肠埃希菌中的可溶性表达及其生物学活性研究

为可溶性表达重组鸡粒细胞巨噬细胞集落刺激因子(ChGM-CSF)与猪干扰素α1(PoIFNα1)融合蛋白,并研究其生物学活性,本研究分别提取鸡、猪肝脏细胞总RNA,采用RT-PCR方法扩增ChGM-CSF和PoIFNα1基因,经linker连接上述两种基因后将其克隆于pET-32a原核表达载体,转化E.coliBL21(DE3)菌株进行诱导表达,SDS-PAGE和western blot检测融合蛋白表达产物。在ST细胞/VSV病毒测定系统以细胞病变抑制法滴定该融合蛋白的抗病毒活性;同时用MTT法检测其对鸡淋巴细胞增殖活性的促进作用。结果显示,PCR扩增并融合后的ChGM-CSF和PoIFNα1融合基因约为1000bp,构建重组表达载体后,诱导表达的rChGM-CSF-PoIFNα1融合蛋白分子量约55ku,主要存在于破碎菌体的上清中,表达量较高。Westernblot检测结果显示,该融合蛋白分别能够与ChGM-CSF多抗和PoIFNα单克隆抗体特异性结合,其抗病毒比活性约为1.1×10^6IU/mg,并且具有促进鸡淋巴细胞增殖的活性。本研究为rChGM-CSF-PoIFNα1重组融合蛋白的研制及其相关活性的测定提供实验依据。     

Differential responses of cells from human skin keratinocyte and bovine mammary epithelium to attack by pore-forming Staphylococcus aureus alpha-toxin

Human skin keratinocytes HaCat attacked by Staphylococcus aureus α-toxin showed a transient drop of cellular ATP levels whereas in toxin-perforated bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMEC), the ATP levels dropped more slowly. Morphologically, during the ATP level depletion, HaCat cell developed a spacious intracellular vacuole together with the transient influx of trypan blue. WST-1 signal, which tested the function of mitochondrial enzyme in viable cells, also decreased concomitantly. On the other hand, BMEC excluded trypan blue and vacuolation was not observed throughout the experiment. We conclude that mammary epithelial cells resist the toxin better than keratinocytes. This is the first report showing that α-toxin enhances transient membrane permeability to large molecules, temporary vacuole formation and the transient defect of mitochondrial enzyme in viable cells without cell lysis.     

Control of rabies: epidemiology of rabies in Asia and development of new-generation vaccines for rabies

Rabies is an enzootic viral disease widespread throughout the world. Although it is a vaccine-preventable disease, the annual number of human deaths caused by rabies is estimated to be 32,000 in Asia. Phylogenetic analysis based on sequence data of the partial N gene of rabies viruses in Asia has shown that the viruses are divided into five genogroups, distributed in Middle East, South Asia, South East Asia, Malay, and Arctic regions. The genetic relationships among these rabies viruses agree basically with the results of previous studies. Meanwhile, new types of vaccines are being developed by applying gene manipulation techniques to rabies virus in order to overcome the disadvantages of current vaccines. This article reviews the molecular epidemiology of rabies in Asia and progress made in the development of new-generation rabies vaccines with the goal of elimination or control of rabies in Asia.     

2010年版《中华人民共和国兽药典》一部凡例及其品种标准增修订概况

解读2010年版《中华人民共和国兽药典》一部收载兽药标准的增修订内容和特点,详细描述了兽药典一部收载凡例和兽用化学药品、抗生素等兽药标准的增修订情况。对于读者理解、领会和执行2010年版《中华人民共和国兽药典》一部标准,将起到较好的帮助作用。     

热加工方式对牛乳过敏原αs1-酪蛋白二级结构和抗原性的影响

为探究热加工方式对牛乳过敏原αs1-酪蛋白构象和抗原性的影响,利用间接竞争酶联免疫吸附测定方法、 免疫印迹方法分析不同加热条件下αs1-酪蛋白免疫原性的变化,进而通过8-苯胺-1-萘磺酸荧光探针和圆二色谱分 析其二级结构变化,初步揭示热处理调控过敏原αs1-酪蛋白抗原性的机制。结果表明：在80 ℃、60 min,90 ℃、 10 min,90 ℃、60 min条件下热处理后,αs1-酪蛋白中α-螺旋结构含量显著低于未加热αs1-酪蛋白,在70 ℃、 20 min,80 ℃、20 min,90 ℃、20 min条件下热处理后,αs1-酪蛋白中无规卷曲含量显著增加,70～100 ℃加热 20 min条件下表面荧光强度最强,其他温度-时间条件下二级结构含量变化不显著;αs1-酪蛋白构象的变化导致αs1-酪 蛋白的抗原性显著降低,间接竞争酶联免疫吸附测定显示,在70～100 ℃加热20 min条件下,αs1-酪蛋白的抗原残留 量均较高,而免疫印迹方法显示不同温度-时间条件下αs1-酪蛋白仍具有免疫反应特性,建议进一步通过动物实验揭 示热处理调控αs1-酪蛋白抗原性的机制。     

Origin of Clostridium perfringens isolates determines the ability to induce necrotic enteritis in broilers

Since the ban on growth-promoting antibiotics in animal feed in the European Union, necrotic enteritis has become a major cause of mortality in broiler chickens. Despite the importance of the disease, the pathogenesis is still not completely understood. In the current study, Clostridium perfringens strains isolated from healthy flocks and isolates from outbreaks of necrotic enteritis were evaluated for the ability to cause gut necrosis in an intestinal loop model in laying hens and in an experimental infection model in broilers. High, intermediate and low alpha toxin producing strains were chosen from each isolation source. Only the isolates from field outbreaks induced necrotic gut lesions, independent of the amount of alpha toxin produced in vitro. It was also shown that alpha toxin producing isolates from calf hemorrhagic enteritis cases were not able to induce necrotic enteritis in poultry. These results suggest the presence of host specific virulence factors in C. perfringens strains, isolated from chickens with intestinal necrotic enteritis lesions.