Fever and acute phase response induced in dwarf goats by endotoxin and bovine and human recombinant tumour necrosis factor alpha

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF), a polypeptide produced by mononuclear phagocytes, has been implicated as an important mediator of inflammatory processes and of clinical manifestations in acute infectious diseases. To study further the potential role of TNF in infectious diseases, recombinant Escherichia coli (E. coli) derived human (r.HuTNF-alpha) and bovine TNF (r.BoTNF-alpha) were intravenously (i.v.) administered in dwarf goats. Rectal temperature, heart rate, rumen motility, plasma zinc and iron concentrations, and certain other blood biochemical and haematological values were studied and compared with the changes seen after E. coli endotoxin (LPS) was administered (dose: 0.1 microgram/kg i.v.). Following a single injection of 4 micrograms/kg of r.BoTNF-alpha, shivering and biphasic febrile response were observed, accompanied by tachycardia, inhibition of rumen contractions, drop in plasma zinc and iron concentrations, lymphopenia, and neutropenia followed by neutrophilia. The i.v. administration of a single injection of 4 micrograms/kg r.HuTNF-alpha induced shivering and biphasic febrile responses, accompanied by anorexia and a similar drop in plasma trace metal concentrations when compared with r.BoTNF-alpha-treated goats. The TNF-alpha-induced symptoms were essentially the same as those that occurred after LPS administration. However, the time of onset of these changes after the injection of TNF-alpha was significantly shorter than after LPS. Moreover, the r.BoTNF-alpha induced a longer lasting neutrophilic leucopenia, less neutrophilia, and a more persistent lymphopenia than after LPS injection. Neither r.BoTNF-alpha nor LPS caused severe haemo-concentration. Furthermore, no cross-tolerance between r.BoTNF-alpha and LPS could be demonstrated. We conclude that both r.BoTNF-alpha and r.HuTNF-alpha induce many of the physiologic, haematologic and metabolic changes that characterize the acute phase response to LPS. The overlapping biological activities of r.BoTNF-alpha, r.HuTNF-alpha and LPS in dwarf goats may indicate that both recombinant tumour necrosis factors have some homology with caprine TNF-alpha.     

UCP1基因变异与绵羊生长及胴体性状的关联分析

试验旨在探讨解耦联蛋白1（UCP1）基因核苷酸变异对绵羊生长性状的性别差异和胴体性状的影响，以期能够筛选出可以提升绵羊生长及胴体性状的核苷酸变异，为提高绵羊相关重要经济性状的分子遗传标记提供材料。以9个绵羊品种为研究对象，用PCR-SSCP方法检测不同性别绵羊中UCP1基因内含子5区和外显子6区变异。利用Minitab 16.0软件中一般线性模型分析内含子5区等位基因与不同性别绵羊生长性状、公羔胴体性状的关联性。结果显示，绵羊UCP1基因内含子5区和外显子6区共检测到8个核苷酸变异，其中位点c.910 G/A突变导致p.Ala304Thr氨基酸变异。生长性状关联分析结果表明，内含子5区等位基因对绵羊生长性状的影响存在性别特异性，母羔中携带等位基因A₁的群体较缺失群体具有较低的初生重（P<0.05），公羔中携带等位基因C₁的群体较缺失群体具有较高的断尾重（P<0.05），未发现其他等位基因与羔羊的生长性状存在性别特异性。胴体性状关联分析结果表明，携带等位基因A₁的群体具有较低后腿瘦肉量、腰部瘦肉量和较高的肩部瘦肉比例（P<0.05），携带等位基因C₁的群体具有较低的后腿瘦肉比例（P<0.05），其他胴体性状均没有发现与等位基因存在显著相关，基因型分析结果与等位基因分析结果一致。结果提示，UCP1基因对绵羊的生长性状影响具有性别特异性，且携带等位基因A₁的公羔群体具有较低的胴体生产性状，为提高公羔胴体生产性能提供了理论依据。     

Acute oral toxicity of zinc phosphide: an assessment for wild house mice (Mus musculus)

Irregular plagues of house mice, Mus musculus, incur major economic impacts on agricultural production in Australia. The efficacy of zinc phosphide (ZnP), the only registered broadacre control agent for mice, is reported as increasingly variable. Have mice become less sensitive over time or are they taking a sub-lethal dose and developing aversion? In this laboratory study, the sensitivity of mice (wild caught; outbred laboratory strain) was assessed using oral gavage of a range of ZnP concentrations. The estimated LD₅₀ values (72–79 mg ZnP/kg body weight) were similar for each mouse group but are significantly higher than previously reported. The willingness of mice to consume ZnP-coated grains was determined. ZnP-coated grains (50 g ZnP/kg grain) presented in the absence of alternative food were consumed and 94% of wild mice died. Mice provided with alternative food and ZnP-coated wheat grains (either 25 or 50 g ZnP/kg grain) consumed toxic and non-toxic grains, and mortality was lower (33–55%). If a sublethal amount of ZnP-coated grain was consumed, aversion occurred, mostly when alternative food was present. The sensitivity of wild house mice to ZnP in Australia is significantly lower than previously assumed. Under laboratory conditions, ZnP-coated grains coated with a new higher dose (50 g ZnP/kg grain) were readily consumed. Consumption of toxic grain occurred when alternative food was available but was decreased. Our unambiguous findings for house mice indicate a re-assessment of the ZnP loading for baits used for control of many rodents around the world may be warranted.     

Peridermium pini (Pers.) Lev. and the Resin-top Disease of Scots Pine: II. Lesion Anatomy

The stages in the formation of Peridermium pini lesions aredescribed. The hyphae of the parasite were septate, uninucleate,and intercellular, with unbranched haustoria penetrating allphloem cells and xylem parenchyma cells. Lesion extension occurredby apical growth of the hyphae along the outer edge of the functionalphloem. The hyphae stretched unbroken across the active cambium.Active centripetal and longitudinal growth of the mycelium occurredin the resin ducts of the xylem, the hyphae commonly reachingthe pith. Spermogonia were produced in late summer and fall,aecia appeared in spring. In lesion xylem, tracheids were shorter,rays taller, more numerous and wider, but ray cell height remainedunchanged. Fusiform rays increased in number and size and verticalresin ducts increased in number. Changes in xylem tissues didnot become evident until two to four years after invasion ofthe cambium by the mycelium. Invasion of the secondary phloemresulted in an increase in number and size of the longitudinalphloem parenchmya cells, while changes in phloem rays were similarto those in xylem rays.