Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza A virus infection associated with respiratory signs in sloth bears (Melursus ursinus)

In 2009, a pandemic influenza A virus (pH1N1) spread globally in humans and infected a broad range of captive animals with close human contact. In February 2014, a pH1N1 virus was isolated from a sloth bear with respiratory signs at a US zoo, demonstrating that recurring epidemics present an ongoing threat to animals, including threatened species. This is the first report of pH1N1 infection in sloth bears. To understand the sloth bear virus within the global context of pH1N1, phylogenetic trees were inferred including full‐length sequences from available non‐human, non‐swine hosts, representing four families in the order Carnivora and one order of birds. A combination of phylogenetic and epidemiological evidence strongly suggests the sloth bear was infected with a human‐origin pH1N1 virus, supporting the implementation of biosecurity measures to protect human and animal health.     

Salmonella enterica serovar Kentucky recovered from human clinical cases in Maryland,USA (2011–2015)

Salmonella Kentucky is among the most frequently isolated S. enterica serovars from food animals in the United States. Recent research on isolates recovered from these animals suggests there may be geographic and host specificity signatures associated with S. Kentucky strains. However, the sources and genomic features of human clinical S. Kentucky isolated in the United States remain poorly described. To investigate the characteristics of clinical S. Kentucky and the possible sources of these infections, the genomes of all S. Kentucky isolates recovered from human clinical cases in the State of Maryland between 2011 and 2015 (n = 12) were sequenced and compared to a database of 525 previously sequenced S. Kentucky genomes representing 12 sequence types (ST) collected from multiple sources on several continents. Of the 12 human clinical S. Kentucky isolates from Maryland, nine were ST198, two were ST152, and one was ST314. Forty‐one per cent of isolates were recovered from patients reporting recent international travel and 58% of isolates encoded genomic characteristics similar to those originating outside of the United States. Of the five isolates not associated with international travel, three encoded antibiotic resistance genes conferring resistance to tetracycline or aminoglycosides, while two others only encoded the cryptic aac(6′)‐Iaa gene. Five isolates recovered from individuals with international travel histories (ST198) and two for which travel was not recorded (ST198) encoded genes conferring resistance to between 4 and 7 classes of antibiotics. Seven ST198 genomes encoded the Salmonella Genomic Island 1 and substitutions in the gyrA and parC genes known to confer resistance to ciprofloxacin. Case report data on food consumption and travel were, for the most part, consistent with the inferred S. Kentucky phylogeny. Results of this study indicate that the majority of S. Kentucky infections in Maryland are caused by ST198 which may originate outside of North America.     

Nasal tumor in a fallow deer (Dama dama L). A case report

A nasal, so called ethmoidal, tumor from a fallow deer is described. It appears to be the first reported case of that species. The etiology is discussed.     

Plasma biomarkers profile of female dogs with mammary carcinoma and its association with clinical and pathological features

The immunological biomarkers profiles were evaluated using Luminex as putative measures to monitor canine mammary carcinomas (MCs). Forty female dogs were categorized into benign mixed tumour (MC‐BMT = 28) and mammary carcinoma (MC=12). The ascendant biomarker signatures were used to compare the groups. For example, a higher frequency of MC‐BMT animals producing IL‐6, CXCL‐8 and CXCL‐10 was observed, whereas for the MC group IL‐2 and CXCL‐8 were detected. MC‐BMT animals without metastasis had an increase in the levels of IL‐2, CXCL‐8, CXCL‐10, IL‐6, TNF‐α, IL‐15 and a decrease in IL‐10 and CXCL‐8. MC‐BMT animals with metastasis showed only an increase in CXCL‐10 and a decrease in IL‐18. After comparing the ascendant signatures following the presence of metastasis in both groups, a higher frequency of dogs exhibiting IL‐10 production was observed. Pearson correlation (P = 0.0273) and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed that this pattern was associated with worse outcome and lower survival rates in MC animals.     

Comparative lipid and lipoprotein metabolism

This review summarizes a number of recent reports in several areas of lipid and lipoprotein metabolism. Absorption of dietary lipids, cholesterol synthesis, and biliary cholesterol metabolism are mentioned only briefly to be complete. Comparative aspects of lipoprotein metabolism, however, are detailed in an effort to integrate the myriad metabolic events which characterize these important lipid transport particles. Where comparative information is known, those aspects of lipoprotein metabolism that may be protective against atherogenesis in certain mammalian species are also described. Efforts to understand atherogenic resistance comparatively in animals lends a better understanding of the metabolic events leading to coronary artery disease in humans. They also provide an important basis for understanding lipid metabolism in numerous veterinary species.     

Whole genome sequence analysis to detect signatures of positive selection for high fecundity in sheep

Ovulation rate and prolificacy are the most important reproductive traits that have major impact on the efficiency of lamb meat production. Here, we compared the whole genomes of the Romanov sheep, known as one of the high prolific breeds, and four other sheep breeds namely Assaf, Awassi, Cambridge and British du cher, to identify genetic mechanisms underlying prolificacy in sheep. Selection signature analysis revealed 637 and 477 protein‐coding genes under positive selection from F_ST and nucleotide diversity (Pi) statistics, respectively. Further analysis showed that several candidate genes including LEPR, PDGFRL and KLF5 genes are involved in sheep prolificacy. The identified candidate genes in the selected regions are novel and provide new insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying prolificacy in sheep and can be useful in sheep breeding programmes to develop improved breeds for high reproductive efficiency.     

对蚕学专业引入基因组与生物信息学课程的思考

目前,基因组与生物信息学已成为生命科学研究过程中必不可少的工具。然而,大多数国内高校的基因组与生物信息学教育却由于多种原因,发展迟滞,仅限于研究生阶段。西南大学蚕学专业不但拥有完整的家蚕基因组数据,且其基因组与生物信息学的教学和科研力量都很强,具有在本科课程中引入该门课程的显著优势。因此,本文拟通过描述两种切实可行的操...     

东北梅花鹿茸不同部位水解氨基酸含量的比较分析

对 10支东北梅花鹿茸作了不同部位水解氨基酸含量的比较分析 ,结果表明 ,水解氨基酸含量在东北梅花鹿茸腊片、粉片、血片和骨片各部位之间差异极显著 (P <0 0 1)。     

家禽重要性状的基因组学研究与应用现状

近一个世纪的传统选育使家禽的各项生产性能接近表型选育极限,基因组学领域的发展成为突破这一瓶颈的新途径。自2004年第一个鸡的基因组草图发布以来,鸡、鸭、鹅等家禽的基因组参考序列在近年相继发布,且质量逐步提升。基于家禽高质量的基因组参考序列,研究学者进一步对家禽的重要性状展开了系列研究,这些研究加速了我们对家禽重要性状的认识和理解,并为在家禽基因组选择育种中应用筛选出有效的分子标记。本文就家禽的基因组参考序列研究、重要性状的基因组学研究及其应用进行综述。