Endocannabinoids as endometrial inflammatory markers in lactating Holstein cows

The objective of this study was to consider endocannabinoid system as inflammatory markers in bovine endometrium to better understand the role of this system in regulating many of the functions that are related to inflammatory condition. At day 26 post‐partum, fourteen cows were divided into two groups depending on the inflammatory condition: 1‐ subclinical endometritis (n = 7, with purulent or mucopurulent uterine discharge detectable in the vagina) and 2‐ healthy (n = 7, No (muco)) purulent discharge. Blood samples were collected at 26 and 30 days relative to calving to determine plasma tumour necrosis factor (TNF) and lipopolysaccharide‐binding protein (LBP) concentrations; moreover, uterine biopsy was carried out on day 26 post‐partum to measure mRNA abundance of TNF, interleukin‐1B (IL1B), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), C‐X‐C motif chemokine ligand 8 (CXCL8), endocannabinoid receptor (CNR2), N‐acyl phosphatidylethanolamine phospholipase D (NAPEPLD), fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), N‐acylethanolamine acid amidase (NAAA) and monoglyceride lipase (MGLL) by real‐time PCR. Results showed mean plasma concentrations of TNF and LBP were lower in healthy cows compared to subclinical endometritis cows (p < .05). Relative mRNA expression for NAAA and FAAH was decreased (p < .05), and relative mRNA expression for CNR2 and NAPEPLD increased in cows with subclinical endometritis compared to healthy cows. In conclusion, relative mRNA expression of TNF, IL1B and CXCL8 and plasma concentration of LBP increased during inflammatory condition along with decreased endocannabinoids hydrolyzing enzyme (NAAA and FAAH), increased enzymes that synthesize endocannabinoids (NAPEPLD) and relative gene expression of the endocannabinoid receptor; together, these contribute to increased endocannabinoids levels during inflammation. Overall, we provide evidence that endocannabinoid system is altered in endometrium tissue during inflammation through increased mRNA expression of CNR2 and synthesis enzyme and decreased mRNA expression of hydrolyzing enzymes interfere with pro‐cytokine production and signalling, which may interfere with the onset and progression of inflammation.     

猪SENP1基因克隆、生物信息学分析与表达研究

试验旨在对猪SUMO特异性蛋白酶1(sentrin-specific protease 1,SENP1)基因CDS区进行克隆和生物信息学分析,并探讨SENP1基因在乙脑病毒(Japanese encephalitis virus,JEV)感染PK15细胞后的表达情况。根据GenBank中公布的猪SENP1基因预测序列(登录号:XM_013997974.2)设计特异性引物,通过RT-PCR和T/A克隆技术对猪SENP1基因CDS区序列进行克隆测序,并进行生物信息学分析,利用实时荧光定量PCR分析猪SENP1基因在JEV感染PK15细胞不同时间点(0、12、24、36、48 h)的表达情况。结果显示,猪SENP1基因CDS序列全长2 034 bp,共编码677个氨基酸。序列比对和系统进化树分析结果表明,猪SENP1蛋白序列和山羊、犬、人、牛的相似性分别为94.8%、94.2%、93.9%和93.8%,说明在这些物种中SENP1的保守性较强;猪与犬的SENP1分子亲缘关系较近。生物信息学分析结果显示,猪SENP1蛋白相对分子质量为76 825.76,等电点为8.53,体外半衰期为30 h,不稳定系数为53.59,总平均亲水指数为－0.622。SENP1蛋白不含信号肽序列,无跨膜结构域。二级结构分析结果显示,SENP1蛋白中α-螺旋、无规则卷曲、延伸链和β-转角分别占31.31%、46.68%、16.25%和5.76%。三级结构分析结果显示,猪SENP1蛋白中存在8个α-螺旋区和7个β-转角区。实时荧光定量PCR结果显示,猪SENP1基因在JEV感染的PK15细胞中呈现上调表达趋势,其中在感染后48 h SENP1基因表达量显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。本试验结果为后续深入研究SENP1基因功能提供了参考。     

绵羊FGF10基因克隆、序列分析及其在毛囊发育中的表达分析

本试验旨在获得中国美利奴羊成纤维细胞生长因子10（fibroblast growth factor 10，FGF10）基因的编码区（CDS）全长序列并进行生物信息学分析，随后对FGF10基因在中国美利奴羊毛囊发育过程中的表达特征进行分析，明确其在中国美利奴羊毛囊发育过程中的表达模式，为进一步研究FGF10 mRNA表达水平与中国美利奴羊毛囊生长发育的表达调控机制奠定理论基础。采用PCR扩增获得中国美利奴羊FGF10基因CDS，并克隆到zero PCR@^TM-Blunt进行测序验证；利用实时荧光定量PCR技术检测FGF10在中国美利奴羊毛囊发育过程中的表达差异。结果表明，绵羊FGF10基因CDS长度为696 bp（序列上传GenBank，获得登录号：MT872422），编码231个氨基酸，与牛和山羊的氨基酸序列同源性达100%，存在1个信号肽和1个跨膜结构域，其为分泌通路信号蛋白；实时荧光定量PCR分析表明，FGF10基因在中国美利奴羊毛囊发育过程中均表达，在毛囊发育第85天表达最高，显著高于其他毛囊发育时期（P<0.05）。本研究获得中国美利奴羊FGF10基因完整的编码区序列和毛囊发育过程中的表达特征，生物信息学分析发现，FGF10基因编码区序列具有物种间的保守性，同时FGF10在绵羊毛囊不同发育阶段的皮肤组织中表达，由此表明，FGF10基因可能在绵羊毛囊的生长发育过程中发挥重要的生物学作用。     

蛹虫草CmKexin基因克隆和菌丝体中表达检测

为了探讨蛹虫草类枯草杆菌蛋白酶(Subtilisin-like protease)的表达特性,以真菌蛹虫草菌丝体为研究对象,通过RT-PCR获得蛹虫草CmKexin基因的ORF序列,并进行序列分析。应用Northern杂交和Real-time PCR方法,检测蓝光照射后蛹虫草菌丝体中CmKexin基因的转录情况。结果获得蛹虫草CmKexin基因的ORF序列。对翻译蛋白质产物CmKexin进行生物信息学分析,表明该蛋白质含1个属蛋白转化酶的肽酶S8家族功能域(143~429)和1个前体蛋白转化酶P功能域(514~600),符合真菌类枯草杆菌蛋白酶的特征。蛹虫草菌丝体在黑暗预培养4 d后再蓝光照射,Northern Blotting和Real-time PCR检测均可得到相同的结果,即在持续的蓝光照射48~50 h时,出现CmKexin基因的瞬时大量转录。而其他时间内均未检测到该基因的大量转录。试验结果将为蛹虫草类枯草杆菌蛋白酶的利用提供理论依据。     

茶树小分子量热激蛋白基因CsHSP17.2的克隆与表达分析

[目的]进一步了解茶树小分子量热激蛋白基因CsHSP17.2在逆境胁迫条件下的分子生物学功能.[方法]利用RT-PCR技术从茶树‘迎霜’中克隆得到CsHSP1 7.2基因,运用生物信息学软件分析其核苷酸和编码蛋白,通过Real-timePCR分析其表达模式.[结果]该基因开放阅读框长度为453 bp,编码150个氨基酸,蛋白质相对分子质量为17.2×10a,理论等电点5.56;无信号肽位点,属于非分泌型蛋白;被定位于细胞质中.系统发育树分析表明,茶树CsHSP1 7.2与水稻(GenBank登录号:P27777)和花生(ABC41131)的进化关系较近,属于小分子量热激蛋白基因家族第Ⅰ亚族.qRT-PCR分析发现,茶树CsHSP17.2属于组成型基因;高温(38℃)处理1h能显著提高CsHSP17.2 mRNA的相对表达量(P＜0.05);干旱(100 g·L-1 PEG 6000)、高盐(200 mmol· L-1 NaCl)和外源脱落酸(200 mg· L-1 ABA)处理条件下,该基因的转录水平均出现不同程度的上调.[结论]克隆得到茶树‘迎霜’小分子量热激蛋白基因CsHSP17.2,其在花中表达量最高,且响应高温、干旱、高盐和外源脱落酸胁迫.     

Excel应用于方差分析的实训教学探究

针对国内应用型本科湖南文理学院院校概率统计课程的实训教学越来越多地注重Excel作为初学者操作平台的现状,就非平衡数据和嵌套结构的数据在Excel中实现方差分析的过程进行探究。突出以组内矫正数为主线整理数据后简化平方和分解公式的理念,使得Excel中进行方差分析时,数据整理流程完全格式化,平方和的分解步骤更为简洁,自由度分解、F检验等步骤不再繁琐,为非统计专业本科阶段借助Excel电子表格率先实现概率统计课程实训教学的宽口径模式提供借鉴。     

Serological and molecular detection of infection with Mycobacterium leprae in Brazilian six banded armadillos (Euphractus sexcinctus)

Leprosy was recognized as a zoonotic disease, associated with nine-banded armadillos (Dasypus novemcinctus) in the Southern United States of America in 2011. In addition, there is growing evidence to support a role for armadillos in zoonotic leprosy in South America. The current study evaluated twenty specimens of the six-banded armadillo (Euphractus sexcinctus), collected from rural locations in the state of Rio Grande do Norte (RN), Brazil for evidence of infection with Mycobacterium leprae. Serum was examined using two "in-house" enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) and via two commercially available (ML flow and NDO-LID®) immunochromatographic lateral flow (LF) tests, for detection of the PGL-I and/or LID-1 antigens of the bacterium. The presence of M. leprae DNA in liver tissue was examined using the multi-copy, M. leprae-specific repetitive element (RLEP), as target in conventional and nested PCR assays. Molecular and anti-PGL-I-ELISA data indicated that 20/20 (100 %) of the armadillos were infected with M. leprae. The corresponding detection levels recorded with the LF tests were 17/20 (85 %) and 16/20 (85 %), for the NDO-LID® and ML flow tests, respectively. Our results indicate that, in common with D. novemcinctus, six banded armadillos (a species hunted and reared as a food-source in some regions of Brazil, including RN), represent a potential reservoir of M. leprae and as such, their role in a possible zoonotic cycle of leprosy within Brazil warrants further investigation.     

Molecular survey of Dirofilaria species in stray dogs,red foxes and golden jackals from Vojvodina,Serbia

Cardiopulmonary dirofilariosis in dogs and other carnivores is caused by Dirofilaria immitis, while Dirofilaria repens usually causes a subcutaneous infection. The importance of red foxes and golden jackals in the epidemiology of dirofilariosis remains unknown. Thus, the aim of this study was to conduct a cross-sectional molecular survey of Dirofilaria species in stray dogs, red foxes and golden jackals from the endemic region of Vojvodina, Serbia, in order to determine and update data on their prevalence and provide insight into the epidemiological importance of wild canids.A total of 59 blood samples from stray dogs, 94 from red foxes and 32 from golden jackals were collected and screened by real-time PCR targeting a 115-bp fragment of the mitochondrial 12S gene of filarioids and by conventional PCR assay targeting a 484–524-bp fragment of 5.8S-ITS2-28S locus of filarioids.The cross-sectional molecular survey detected the filarioid mitochondrial 12S gene fragment in stray dogs (27.1 %), red foxes (8.5 %) and golden jackals (6.3 %) in the same endemic region of Vojvodina, Serbia. Only D. immitis was detected in stray dogs, while both D. immitis and D. repens were detected in populations of red foxes and golden jackals. These results outline a possible interaction of D. immitis infection between the dog population and the wild canid populations, while D. repens was found to circulate mostly in golden jackals and red foxes populations.     

Death of a neonatal lamb due to Clostridium perfringens type B in New Zealand

ABSTRACT

Case history and clinical findings: A flock of 20 sheep was kept within three paddocks on a single property. None of the animals in the flock had been vaccinated against any disease for at least three years. Abdominal bloating and haemorrhagic diarrhoea were observed in Lamb 1 at 24 hours-of-age. The lamb subsequently died within an hour of the onset of clinical signs. Lamb 2 was 3-days-old when observed to be recumbent with opisthotonus. The lamb was treated with dextrose, vitamins B1 and B12, and penicillin G, but died 4 hours later.

Pathological findings: Examination of Lamb 1 revealed markedly increased gas within the peritoneum and within dilated loops of intestine. The intestines were dark red and contained large quantities of haemorrhagic fluid. Histology of the intestines revealed peracute mucosal necrosis with minimal accompanying inflammation. The intestinal lumen contained cell debris, haemorrhage, and myriad large Gram-positive bacilli. The intestines of Lamb 2 did not appear bloated or reddened. However, multiple fibrin clots were visible within the pericardial sac. Histopathological examination revealed small foci of necrosis within the mucosa of the distal intestine. The necrotic foci were often associated with large numbers of large Gram-positive bacilli.

Immunohistochemsitry and molecular biology: Intestinal samples from Lamb 1 were processed for Clostridium perfringens immunohistochemistry, which revealed large numbers of intralesional, positively immunostained rods. Fragments corresponding to the expected sizes for genes encoding alpha, beta, and epsilon C. perfringens typing toxins were amplified by PCR from DNA extracted from formalin-fixed sections of intestine.

Diagnosis: Lamb dysentery due to C. perfringens type B.

Clinical relevance: C. perfringens bacteria have a worldwide distribution, but disease due to C. perfringens type B has only been diagnosed in a small number of countries and has never been reported in New Zealand or Australia. C. perfringens type B produce both beta toxin and epsilon toxins, therefore both haemorrhagic enteritis and systemic vascular damage can develop. As many animals are exposed to C. perfringens without developing disease, there must be additional unknown factors that resulted in disease in these particular sheep. Vaccines that specifically protect against C. perfringens type B are available and may be recommended for use in smaller non-commercial flocks, as in the present case.