Variation of Hematochemical Profile and Vitamin E Status in Feral Giara Horses From Free Grazing in the Wild to Hay Feeding During Captivity

Wildlife protection and management are important priorities for landscape identity and biodiversity preservation. Feeding practices of fauna confined in facilities during temporary captivity are fundamental to support animal health and natural behavior. Appropriate provision of feedstuffs appears to be necessary to support the best practices in respect of animal species-specific natural diet. This investigation explored the variation of the metabolic profile by means of selected metabolite and respective circulating levels in a group feral Giara horses undergoing the change of the diet, moving from natural free grazing in the wild to temporary captivity. Six Giara horses (4 mares and 2 stallions; estimated age: 2.5–3 years; body weight: 163–170 kg) were captured to monitor the serological reaction to equine infectious anemia (EIA; screening at Coggins test). Animals were sheltered in a wildlife rescue center for a duration of 4 weeks, and all received the same hay-based diet (ad libitum). On 0 and 28 days of captivity, blood serum alpha-tocopherol (α-TOH) concentration was determined alongside selected metabolites (liver enzymes, total protein and fractions, cholesterol, triglycerides, and macrominerals and trace elements). Comparative feces quality and composition were also assessed. Both serum samples (0 vs. 28 days) displayed α-TOH levels below (<2 μg/mL) adequacy established for the domestic horse. Initial levels markedly (P = .020) decreased after the 4 weeks of captivity (Δ = −32.5%). Vitamin E status and ALT levels varied significantly, but serum protein fractions did not point to significant variations before and after captivity. All horses tested negative to EIA. Monitoring of vitamin E status of wild and feral herbivores may be recommendable in the context of adequate feeding practices during captivity to prevent potential deficiency or excessive depletion.     

Influence of vitamin E and vitamin E-selenium combination on arginase activity,nitric oxide level and some spermatological properties in ram semen

The effects of vitamin E and vitamin E-selenium combination on seminal plasma arginase activity and nitric oxide level and some spermatological properties in rams were investigated in this study. For control group, animals were injected intramuscularly with physiological saline. For vitamin E group, rams were injected intramuscularly with 300 mg/ram vitamin E. For vitamin E + selenium group, animals were injected intramuscularly with 5 ml/ram vitamin E + selenium. The semen was collected by artificial vagina at 1st, 4th, 24th, 48th and 72nd hr after administration in each group. Significant decreases in seminal plasma arginase activity (at 1st, 24th and 48th hr), nitric oxide level (at 72nd hr) and abnormal sperm rate (at 1st, 24th and 72nd hr), and significant increases in semen volume (at 24th hr), semen mass activity (at 24th and 48th hr), sperm motility (at 24th, 48th and 72nd hr) and concentration (at 1st hr) were observed in vitamin E group compared with control group. Similarly, significant increase in semen volume (at 1st, 24th and 48th hr), mass activity, (at 48th hr), motility (at 48th and 72nd hr) and concentration (at 4th, 24th and 48th hr), and significant decrements in abnormal sperm rate (at 1st, 24th, 48th and 72nd hr), seminal plasma nitric oxide level (at 1st, 4th, 24th and 48th hr) and semen pH (at 24th and 48th hr) were detected in vitamin E + selenium group in comparison to the control group. As a result, it is suggested that vitamin E and/or vitamin E + selenium applications may improve reproductive performance.     

牛源大肠杆菌O157:H7的分离鉴定

为调查新疆部分地区E.coli O157：H7的感染情况和菌株致病性,从新疆阿克苏、伊犁、塔城3个地区的牛场采集新鲜粪样564份,对E.coli O157：H7进行分离与鉴定。利用E.coli营养肉汤（EC肉汤）对样品进行增菌后,用山梨醇麦康凯培养基（SMAC）平板选择性培养,再经过4-甲基伞形酮-β-D葡萄糖醛酸苷培养基（MUG）的筛选,对疑似菌株进行生化和PCR鉴定,并将分离鉴定到的菌株进行小鼠攻毒试验。结果显示,从伊犁地区采集的样品中共分离出2株E.coli O157：H7（Y166和Y226）,其检出率为0.88%;小鼠攻毒试验中,Y166和Y226试验组小鼠在48 h内全部死亡,具有一定致病性;从阿克苏、塔城所采样品中未分离到E.coli O157：H7。     

A systematic review and meta‐analysis of predictors of human hepatitis E virus exposure in non‐endemic countries

The reported incidence of clinical hepatitis E cases is rising in some non‐endemic countries, with concurrent concerns regarding potential hepatitis E virus (HEV) contamination of the blood supply. Therefore, the characterization of major potential sources of human HEV exposure is important to inform risk assessment and public health policy. A systematic review was conducted, including a comprehensive search in six electronic bibliographic databases, verified by hand‐searching reference lists of HEV reviews, and a grey literature search, of the broad research question ‘what is the evidence of the association between predictors of human HEV exposure, and HEV IgG seropositivity, in non‐endemic countries?’ Using forms designed a priori, captured studies were appraised at first‐level screening, second‐level characterization, and third‐level data extraction and risk of bias assessment. Meta‐analysis yielded summary estimates of association between potential predictors and odds of HEV seropositivity. Meta‐analysis and meta‐regression of the odds of HEV seroprevalence in specific groups characterized potential sources of HEV exposure. From 4,163 captured citations, 245 relevant studies underwent data extraction, investigating HEV seroprevalence or predictors in both healthy subjects and targeted patient groups. Across these groups, increasing age was a predictor of HEV IgG seropositivity. Both human immunodeficiency virus patients and haemodialysis patients had significantly increased odds of HEV seropositivity relative to the general population. Working with pigs, in forestry, or in hospitals, was significantly associated with increased odds of HEV seropositivity, as were consumption of meat, pork or game meat, or hunting. Chronological time was not associated with HEV seropositivity within our data sets. Further study of the distribution of potential dietary or behavioural predictors between high and lower prevalence areas within non‐endemic countries could improve our understanding of the relative importance of specific HEV transmission pathways.     

鸡致病性大肠杆菌I型菌毛交叉保护性研究及其结构基因 FimA 的序列分析

从山东省各地分离到107株鸡致病性大肠杆菌，选择了其中2株高致病性大肠杆菌，血清型分别为O78和OM，经增菌培养后提取菌毛制备为单价菌毛油乳苗，分别接种于1日龄和14日龄雏鸡，于4周龄攻毒。结果二者之间有一定的交叉保护作用。根据Genbank收录的人源大肠杆菌I型菌毛FimA基因和P型菌毛papA基因序列，分别设计了2对引物。通过PCR对上述2株大肠杆菌进行扩增，结果只有FimA的一对引物扩增出相应的条带，经测序证明为FimA基因。papA基因的引物未扩出任何条带，证明这2株大肠杆菌表达I型菌毛。通过对2株大肠杆菌结构基因FimA进行分析，发现二者具有高度的同源性。本研究的目的是探讨菌毛亚单位之间的交叉保护性与其菌毛的结构基因之间是否存在相关性。     

Utilization of stereoisomers from alpha‐tocopherol in livestock animals

Alpha‐tocopherol derived from natural source is a single stereoisomer (i.e. RRR‐α‐tocopherol), whereas synthetic α‐tocopherol consists of a mixture of eight stereoisomers, including RRR‐, RRS‐, RSR‐, RSS‐α‐tocopherol (the 2R isomers, R configuration at positions 2′ of the phytyl tail) and SRR‐, SSR‐, SRS‐ and SSS‐α‐tocopherol (the 2S isomers, S configuration at positions 2′ of the phytyl tail). R and S are assigned by the sequence‐rule procedure, i.e. the priorities of the substituents decrease in clockwise direction or anti‐clockwise direction at each chiral centre. Not all these stereoisomers are equally bio‐available, which can be explained by the differences in the rate of degradation, transportation and retention. Humans and livestock animals can only utilize the 2R forms, while the 2S forms have very low bio‐availability or basically are not bio‐available. The utilization of 2R forms differs between different animal species. For humans and livestock animals, RRR‐α‐tocopherol has the highest bio‐availability compared with other stereoisomers, while other 2R forms have lower bio‐availability compared with RRR‐α‐tocopherol. The relative bio‐availability of RRR‐ and all‐rac‐α‐tocopherol is related to animal species, ages of animals and assessment criteria. In general, recent literature studies have demonstrated that the relative bioavailability of RRR‐ and all‐rac‐α‐tocopherol is 2:1, differing from the commonly used conversion factor of 1.36:1. The latter was based on rat‐resorption‐gestation test. Most recent studies have shown that this conversion factor of 1.36:1 is not applicable to livestock animals and based on other metabolic functions. When IU is required to express vitamin E activity, new conversion factors need to be defined for livestock animals. Quantitative determination of bio‐availability of the individual α‐tocopherol stereoisomers will give a more detailed picture of the bioavailability of natural and synthetic vitamin E forms.     

TCDCA对IL-1β刺激下AA大鼠成纤维样滑膜细胞中PGE2分泌的影响

[目的] 进一步探讨牛磺鹅去氧胆酸（taurochenodeoxycholic acid,TCDCA）在抗炎免疫方面的潜在调节作用。[方法] 以AA大鼠成纤维样滑膜细胞作为研究对象,采用ELISA方法检测TCDCA和IL-1β作用下AA大鼠成纤维样滑膜细胞上清液中PGE₂的含量,分析TCDCA对IL-1β刺激下AA大鼠成纤维样滑膜细胞中PGE₂分泌情况的影响。[结果] TCDCA能够对IL-1β刺激下AA大鼠纤维样滑膜细胞PGE₂的分泌产生下调作用（P<0.05）。[结论] TCDCA对IL-1β刺激下AA大鼠成纤维样滑膜细胞中PGE₂的分泌具有抑制作用,为TCDCA在兽医临床应用提供依据。     

维生素E对日本沼虾生长性能、抗氧化性能及抗氨氮胁迫能力的影响

本试验旨在研究饲料中维生素E水平对日本沼虾(Macrobrachium nipponense)幼虾生长性能、抗氧化性能和抗氨氮胁迫能力的影响。选择健壮、平均初始体重为(0.119±0.004)g的900只日本沼虾幼虾,随机分为6个组,每组3个重复,每个重复50只。以维生素E乙酯为添加形式,配制6组维生素E实际含量分别为18.31、37.94、66.07、120.25、212.68和388.96 mg/kg的半纯化饲料(分别记为VE1、VE2、VE3、VE4、VE5和VE6组),饲喂8周,随后进行24 h氨氮胁迫试验。结果显示:1)各组日本沼虾成活率(SR)无显著差异(P0.05);随饲料维生素E水平的增加,日本沼虾增重率(WGR)呈先增加后下降的变化趋势,VE4组最高,且显著高于VE1组(P0.05);饲料系数(FCR)变化趋势则与WGR相反,VE4组最低,且显著低于VE1组(P0.05)。2)氨氮胁迫前,各组日本沼虾肝胰腺中丙二醛(MDA)含量随饲料维生素E水平的增加呈先下降后上升的变化趋势,在VE3组达到最低,且显著低于VE1、VE5和VE6组(P0.05);各组日本沼虾肝胰腺总超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GSH-Px)活力和总抗氧化力(T-AOC)随饲料维生素E水平的增加呈先上升后下降的变化趋势。VE1和VE6组日本沼虾硫氧还蛋白(Trx)mRNA表达量较高,硫氧还蛋白还原酶(TrxR)mRNA表达量则较低。VE3组热休克蛋白60(HSP60)mRNA表达量显著低于其他各组(P0.05),VE1组热休克同源蛋白70(HSC70)mRNA表达量显著低于其他各组(P0.05),VE1和VE2组热休克蛋白90(HSP90)mRNA表达显著高于其他各组(P0.05)。3)氨氮胁迫后,各组日本沼虾肝胰腺SOD、CAT、GSH-Px活力,MDA含量,Trx、TrxR和HSC70 mRNA表达量的变化趋势与胁迫前相似,HSP60和HSP90 mRNA表达量变化与胁迫前相反。氨氮胁迫可降低日本沼虾肝胰腺GSH-Px活力、T-AOC及Trx、TrxR mRNA表达量,提高MDA含量及VE4、VE5和VE6组SOD活力。由此可见,饲料中添加120.25 mg/kg维生素E对日本沼虾的生长具有积极的促进作用,饲料中添加66.07、120.25和212.68 mg/kg的维生素E可提高日本沼虾抗氧化性能和抗氨氮胁迫能力。     

Attribution of human infections with Shiga toxin‐producing Escherichia coli (STEC) to livestock sources and identification of source‐specific risk factors,The Netherlands (2010–2014)

Shiga toxin‐producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is a zoonotic pathogen of public health concern whose sources and transmission routes are difficult to trace. Using a combined source attribution and case–control analysis, we determined the relative contributions of four putative livestock sources (cattle, small ruminants, pigs, poultry) to human STEC infections and their associated dietary, animal contact, temporal and socio‐econo‐demographic risk factors in the Netherlands in 2010/2011–2014. Dutch source data were supplemented with those from other European countries with similar STEC epidemiology. Human STEC infections were attributed to sources using both the modified Dutch model (mDM) and the modified Hald model (mHM) supplied with the same O‐serotyping data. Cattle accounted for 48.6% (mDM) and 53.1% (mHM) of the 1,183 human cases attributed, followed by small ruminants (mDM: 23.5%; mHM: 25.4%), pigs (mDM: 12.5%; mHM: 5.7%) and poultry (mDM: 2.7%; mHM: 3.1%), whereas the sources of the remaining 12.8% of cases could not be attributed. Of the top five O‐serotypes infecting humans, O157, O26, O91 and O103 were mainly attributed to cattle (61%–75%) and O146 to small ruminants (71%–77%). Significant risk factors for human STEC infection as a whole were the consumption of beef, raw/undercooked meat or cured meat/cold cuts. For cattle‐attributed STEC infections, specific risk factors were consuming raw meat spreads and beef. Consuming raw/undercooked or minced meat were risk factors for STEC infections attributed to small ruminants. For STEC infections attributed to pigs, only consuming raw/undercooked meat was significant. Consuming minced meat, raw/undercooked meat or cured meat/cold cuts were associated with poultry‐attributed STEC infections. Consuming raw vegetables was protective for all STEC infections. We concluded that domestic ruminants account for approximately three‐quarters of reported human STEC infections, whereas pigs and poultry play a minor role and that risk factors for human STEC infection vary according to the attributed source.