温氏支原体感染动物模型的建立

为促进温氏支原体的深入研究,本试验建立了温氏支原体感染动物模型。选择6～8周龄健康雄性昆明种小鼠60只,随机分为A、B、C、D 4组,试验组(A、B、C)分别以不同方式感染温氏支原体,D组为对照组。结果表明,腹腔注射一定剂量高感染强度的牛红细胞悬液,同时注射免疫抑制剂地塞米松组(C组)表现为首现期出现早,且高峰期红细胞感染率高。应用悬滴镜检法和PCR诊断方法对感染小鼠血样进行鉴定,均符合温氏支原体特征。选择对照组小鼠和感染率高、临床症状较为明显的C组小鼠各10只,进行血液生理生化指标测定(RBC、WBC、Hb、TP、G、ALT、AST),结果呈现出与牛感染温氏支原体相同的规律。     

Usefulness of the murine model to study the immune response against Histoplasma capsulatum infection

The present paper is an overview of the primary events that are associated with the histoplasmosis immune response in the murine model. Valuable data that have been recorded in the scientific literature have contributed to an improved understanding of the clinical course of this systemic mycosis, which is caused by the dimorphic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. Data must be analyzed carefully, given that misinterpretation could be generated because most of the available information is based on experimental host–parasite interactions that used inappropriate proceedings, i.e., the non-natural route of infection with the parasitic and virulent fungal yeast-phase, which is not the usual infective phase of the etiological agent of this mycosis.     

生物地球化学模型DNDC的研究进展与碳动态模拟应用

脱氮脱碳模型(denitrification-decomposition,DNDC)是通过计算反硝化和有机质分解来模拟氮和碳从土壤丢失而转移入大气时的主要生物地球化学过程模型。作为目前国际上最成功的模拟陆地生物地球化学循环的模型之一,本文主要阐述了DNDC模型的发展过程及其结构,整理了DNDC模型在碳动态模拟过程中的主要研究进展,总结了当前DNDC模型在碳动态模拟领域的应用热点和优势。     

Pigs as an experimental model for systemic Mycobacterium avium infectious disease

Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) is an opportunistic pathogen in AIDS patients and pigs, and causes dissemination through primary intestinal lesions. However, its pathogenesis is not well understood. In this article, we hypothesize that pigs can provide a suitable experimental model of disseminated MAC disease. We compared the initial route of infection, the characteristics of the pathogenic strains, the immunological status of the hosts, and the histological characteristics. The route of infection and infective strains are similar in AIDS patients and pigs. Pigs can respond to infection by the formation of systemic epithelioid granuloma with sufficient cell-mediated immunity. However, there are differences in immunological status and histological features between AIDS patients and pigs. Therefore, pigs might be used as an appropriate animal model because of their good cell mediated immunity triggered by systemic mycobacterial infection. In conclusion, MAC infections in AIDS patients and pigs show similarities in terms of the initial route of infection and the genetic characteristics of the pathogenic strains.     

Serological response of guinea pigs to oily and aqueous inactivated vaccines containing a Brazilian isolate of the Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV)

Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) is widespread in cattle in Brazil and research shows its large antigenic variability. Available vaccines are produced with virus strains isolated in other countries and may not be effective. In this study, inactivated vaccines containing the Brazilian BVDV-Ib IBSP11 isolate were developed and tested on 6 groups of 10 guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus). Animals in groups A and C received an aqueous vaccine (aluminum hydroxide); B and D groups received an oily vaccine (Montanide ISA50); Group E positive-control animals were given an imported commercial vaccine with BVDV-Ia Singer; Group F animals were sham vaccinated (negative control). Groups A, B and E received two doses, and Groups C and D, three, every 21 days. Twelve blood samples were taken, at 21-day intervals over 231 days, and evaluated for antibody titer through virus-neutralization (VN), using a homologous strain (IBSP11), and a heterologous strain (BVDV-Ia NADL). Most animals, 42 days following the first dose, seroconverted to both strains and, after the second dose, there was a significant increase of titers in all groups. The oily formulation induced greater response after the third administration. This increase was not observed with the aqueous vaccines, regardless of the virus used in the VN. Antibody decline was more rapid in animals that received aqueous vaccines. The results showed the importance of studying the influence of endemic strains of commercial vaccines, to improve the efficacy of BVD vaccination. Use of the endemic strain in vaccine formulation presented promising results, as well as the use of guinea pigs as a laboratory model.     

Evaluation of cystatin C as an endogenous marker of glomerular filtration rate in dogs

Cystatin C is a cysteine protease inhibitor produced by all nucleated cells. It is freely filtered by the glomerulus and is unaffected by nonrenal factors such as inflammation and gender. Because of greater sensitivity and specificity, cystatin C has been proposed to replace creatinine as a marker of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in humans. The aims of this study were to validate an automated assay in canine plasma and to evaluate the usefulness of cystatin C as a marker of GFR in dogs. Western blotting was used to demonstrate cross-reactivity of an anti-human cystatin C antibody. An immunoturbidimetric assay was used to detect cystatin C in 25 clinically healthy dogs and 25 dogs with renal failure. Mean cystatin C concentration in the healthy dogs and the dogs with renal failure was 1.08 +/- 0.16 mg/L and 4.37 +/- 1.79 mg/L respectively. Intra- and interassay variability was <5%. The assay was linear (r = .974) between 0.14 and 7.53 mg/L. Both cystatin C and creatinine concentrations were measured in banked, frozen serum from 20 remnant kidney model dogs and 10 volume-depleted dogs for which GFR measurements by exogenous creatinine clearance had been determined previously. In the remnant kidney model, cystatin C was better correlated with GFR than creatinine (r = .79 versus .54) but was less well correlated with GFR in volume-depleted dogs (r = .54 versus .95). GFR measurements were repeated in the remnant kidney model dogs 60 days after initial GFR measurements. At this time, cystatin C and creatinine concentrations correlated equally well with GFR (r = .891 versus .894, respectively). Cystatin C concentration is a reasonable alternative to creatinine for screening dogs with decreased GFR due to chronic renal failure.     

阿司匹林诱导大鼠肠道损伤模型的构建

本试验旨在建立阿司匹林诱导的大鼠肠道损伤模型。试验采用单因素试验设计,选用6周龄SD大鼠18只,经过7 d的适应性饲养后随机分为3个组,每组6只,单笼饲喂。模型1组和模型2组阿司匹林的灌胃剂量分别为50和200 mg/kg,空白对照组灌胃等量生理盐水,持续灌胃14 d。结果表明:与空白对照组相比,灌服50 mg/kg阿司匹林显著降低了大鼠的体增重、血清白细胞介素-2(IL⁃2)含量、肠道黏膜分泌性免疫球蛋白A(sIgA)含量、肠道绒毛高度和绒毛高度与隐窝深度的比值(P<0.05),但对肝脏指数、脾脏指数和血清溶菌酶(LZM)活性没有显著影响(P>0.05);灌服200 mg/kg阿司匹林显著降低了大鼠的体增重、肝脏指数、血清IL⁃2含量与LZM活性、肠道黏膜sIgA含量、肠道绒毛高度和隐窝深度及二者的比值(P<0.05)。在本试验条件下,采用200 mg/kg剂量的阿司匹林连续灌胃14 d可以成功建立大鼠的肠道损伤模型。     

Multi‐level mixed models for evaluating factors affecting the mortality and weaning weight of piglets in large‐scale commercial farms in central China

This study investigated the factors affecting piglet mortality (square root of mortality, SQRM) and average weaning weight (AWW) in commercial farms in central China. Information on sow diets, management and climate from 2478 weaning batches completed in 16 pig farms was collected from 2009 to 2013. Multi‐level mixed models, which included batch level (level 1) and farm level (level 2), were used to analyze the factors associated with SQRM and AWW. The mean values of SQRM and AWW were 2.52% (SD = 0.96) and 7.31 (SD = 0.77), respectively. Lactation sow diets supplemented with oregano essential oils (OEOs) decreased the SQRM (P < 0.05) and increased the AWW of piglets (P < 0.01). The SQRM was lower in period 2 (June to September, hot) than in period 1 (February to May, warm) and period 3 (October to January, cold; P < 0.05 and 0.001, respectively). The AWW was lower in periods 2 and 3 than in period 1 (P < 0.01). In conclusion, supplying OEOs to lactation diets can increase the weaning weight and reduce the mortality of piglets. The sources of variations in SQRM and AWW are of greater concern in the warm season than in the hot season.