Interpretation of serological test results for simian herpes B virus.

In 1992 an annual Simian herpes B virus (BV) screening programme for an experimental group of macaque monkeys (Macaca mulatta and Macaca fascicularis) was initiated with the aim of establishing a specific pathogen free (SPF) colony. In June 1999 one animal was found to be unexpectedly BV positive (non-negative). The investigation of this result highlights some of the issues and difficulties that may be encountered in such a programme.     

Integrated control of apple pests in New Zealand 8. Commercial assessment of an integrated control programme against European red mite using an insecticide-resistant predator

Abstract

An integrated control programme against Panonychus ulmi (Koch) is described which uses a phytoseiid predator, Typhlodromus pyri Scheuten, known to be common in commercial orchards and to be highly resistant to azinphos-methyl. The programme was tested in commercial export orchards in Nelson in the 1975–76 and 1976–77 seasons. By regular monitoring of the levels and ratios of T. pyri and P. ulmi the application of miticides was confined to occasions when specified population thresholds were exceeded. At these times a selective miticide, cyhexatin, was applied to improve predator: prey ratios. No other changes were made to normal commercial spray practices for pest and disease control in the monitored orchards. The integrated mite control programme saved an average of N.Z.$75–80/ha in spray materials each season. No fruits were rejected from export grade because of contamination with mite eggs. Procedures for the wider implementation of integrated mite control in commercial orchards are described and the response of growers is noted. The role of selective miticides in the integrated control of P. ulmi is discussed.     

从兽用生物制品企业角度看我国SPF鸡质量控制现状

SPF鸡和鸡胚是兽用生物制品生产和检验环节的主要原材料,直接影响到产品质量和检验结果,2010年版《中国兽药典》（三部）附录《生产、检验用动物标准》明确要求,用于禽类制品毒种制备与鉴定、病毒活疫苗生产与检验、灭活疫苗检验的鸡和鸡胚应符合国家无特定病原体（SPF级）动物标准.SPF鸡的质量控制包括遗传、微生物、环境和营养四个方面,本文主要从兽用生物制品生产企业的角度,分析国内SPF鸡质控指标,结合禽用活疫苗生产和检验实践,提出对SPF鸡质量控制的思考和建议.     

Intestinal flora of animal models of human diseases as an environmental factor

Genetically-engineered animals are known to be useful in clarifying the functions of many genes and as animal models for human diseases. However, it has been widely reported that pathophysiology is not expressed in these animals when they become germfree or SPF animals, i.e., the pathophysiology is not the result of genes alone and a combination of gene function and intestinal flora as an environmental factor are necessary. It is important to determine the roles of each of these two factors by pathophysiological analysis. Gnotobiotic mice were produced by establishment of specified bacterial species in germfree animals to form the intestinal flora of SPF animals and they were placed in barrier facilities. Measures have been taken against infections by bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacter cloacae. In addition, gnotobiotic mice with a highly normal physiology are required. Analysis of the effects of each bacterial species and combinations of bacteria on in vivo functions, i.e., the cross-talk between the host and intestinal flora, is essential in the creation of better laboratory animals. Monitoring of the intestinal flora, a key factor in the colonies produced, is a topic for future research.     

医学实验动物屏障环境内独立通气笼具的安放

目的探讨屏障系统内安放独立通气笼盒（Individually Ventilated Cages,IVC）双保险模式饲养实验啮齿类动物,力求动物饲养、实验的全过程达到SPF级;降低动物实验室硬件建造费和维持费（节能）。方法通过改建一间屏障环境动物实验室,对空气洁净度等相关项目数据按GB14925-2001方法检定,并在该实验室内安放SPC级IVC饲养动物;在超净工作台内做打针投药等动物实验。结果改建的屏障环境动物实验室和IVC,各项检测数据均达到新国标要求。结论医学实验动物屏障环境内安放IVC饲养啮齿类动物、做动物实验,这种双保险模式能全过程达到SPF级要求;饲养、实验人员操作较简便,节能。     

Molecular surveillance of the antifolate-resistant mutation I164L in imported african isolates of Plasmodium falciparum in Europe: sentinel data from TropNetEurop

Background

Malaria control programmes utilising indoor residual spraying are only effective if a high coverage of targeted structures is achieved and an insecticide that is effective against the specific mosquito vector is correctly applied. Ongoing monitoring of spraying operations is essential to assure optimal programme performance and early corrective action, where indicated.

Methods

Successful development and application of a computerised spraying operations management system in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa during 1998 resulted in its adaptation and introduction in neighbouring Maputo Province, southern Mozambique during 2000. The structure and components of this computerised management system are described, and its' operational benefit in southern Mozambique, where community-based spray operators apply intradomiciliary insecticide, are reviewed.

Conclusions

The computerised management system allowed malaria programme management and field supervisors to monitor spraying coverage, insecticide consumption and application rates on an ongoing basis. The system supported a successful transition to community-based spraying, while assuring correct insecticide application and spraying completion according to schedule.     

Specific pathogen free macaque colonies: a review of principles and recent advances for viral testing and colony management

Specific pathogen free (SPF) macaques provide valuable animal models for biomedical research. In 1989, the National Center for Research Resources [now Office of Research Infrastructure Programs (ORIP)] of the National Institutes of Health initiated experimental research contracts to establish and maintain SPF colonies. The derivation and maintenance of SPF macaque colonies is a complex undertaking requiring knowledge of the biology of the agents for exclusion and normal physiology and behavior of macaques, application of the latest diagnostic technology, facilitiy management, and animal husbandry. This review provides information on the biology of the four viral agents targeted for exclusion in ORIP SPF macaque colonies, describes current state‐of‐the‐art viral diagnostic algorithms, presents data from proficiency testing of diagnostic assays between laboratories at institutions participating in the ORIP SPF program, and outlines management strategies for maintaining the integrity of SPF colonies using results of diagnostic testing as a guide to decision making.     

实验动物运输盒微生物指标检测分析

目的检测SPF金黄地鼠在从204车间转运到隔离器车间时微生物污染情况,同时对不同运输盒进行比较,筛选合格的实验动物运输盒。方法用TSA培养皿模拟实验动物运输过程,比较沉降菌检测结果。结果大小IVC笼盒内环境微生物能控制在14 cfu/4 h以下,而且菌落形态与SPF饲养间环境内的沉降菌基本一致,符合标准要求;甲乙普通运输盒内环境微生物却在70 cfu/4 h以上,不符合标准要求。结论 SPF金黄地鼠在从204车间转运到隔离器车间时未受到污染;实验动物转移运输应选择大小IVC笼盒。     

Drosophila SPF45: a bifunctional protein with roles in both splicing and DNA repair

The sequence of the SPF45 protein is significantly conserved, yet functional studies have identified it as a splicing factor in animal cells and as a DNA-repair protein in plants. Using a combined genetic and biochemical approach to investigate this apparent functional discrepancy, we unify and validate both of these studies by demonstrating that the Drosophila melanogaster protein is bifunctional, with independent functions in DNA repair and splicing. We find that SPF45 associates with the U2 snRNP and that mutations that remove the C-terminal end of the protein disrupt this interaction. Although animals carrying this mutation are viable, they are nevertheless compromised in their ability to regulate Sex-lethal splicing, demonstrating that Sex-lethal is an important physiological target of SPF45. Furthermore, these mutant animals exhibit phenotypes diagnostic of difficulties in recovering from exogenously induced DNA damage. The conclusion that SPF45 functions in the DNA-repair pathway is strengthened by finding both genetic and physical interactions between SPF45 and RAD201, a previously uncharacterized member of the RecA/Rad51 protein family. Together with our finding that the fly SPF45 protein increases the survival rate of mutagen-treated bacteria lacking the RecG helicase, these studies provide the tantalizing suggestion that SPF45 has an ancient and evolutionarily conserved role in DNA repair.     

我国商业化SPF级小鼠病原体污染分析

目的按现行国标《实验动物微生物学检测方法》和《实验动物寄生虫学检测方法》对我国商品化的无特殊病原体（specific pathogen free,SPF）小鼠进行微生物状况检测,为生产高质量的实验动物提供依据。方法对五家主要实验动物生产单位生产的ICR、KM、C57BL/6、BALB/c及BALB/c-nu品系的SPF级小鼠进行随机抽检。检测抽检小鼠所携带的微生物和寄生虫情况。结果在抽检的SPF级小鼠中,病毒污染主要包括呼肠孤病毒Ⅲ型（Reo-3）、小鼠肺炎病毒（PVM）和多瘤病毒（POLY）;主要细菌污染为肺炎克雷伯杆菌、金黄色葡萄球菌和绿脓杆菌。这些微生物病原体中,除条件性致病菌绿脓杆菌外,其他病原体对小鼠本身和实验研究均具有一定的影响。     

Oxygenated phosphine fumigation for control of Nasonovia ribisnigri (Homoptera: Aphididae) on harvested lettuce

Low temperature regular phosphine fumigations under the normal oxygen level and oxygenated phosphine fumigations under superatmospheric oxygen levels were compared for efficacy against the aphid, Nasonovia ribisnigri (Mosley), and effects on postharvest quality of romaine and head lettuce. Low temperature regular phosphine fumigation was effective against the aphid. However, a 3 d treatment with high phosphine concentrations of > or = 2,000 ppm was needed for complete control of the aphid. Oxygen greatly increased phosphine toxicity and significantly reduced both treatment time and phosphine concentration for control of N. ribisnigri. At 1,000 ppm phosphine, 72 h regular fumigations at 6 degrees C did not achieve 100% mortality of the aphid. The 1,000 ppm phosphine fumigation under 60% O2 killed all aphids in 30 h. Both a 72 h regular fumigation with 2,200 ppm phosphine and a 48 h oxygenated fumigation with 1,000 ppm phosphine under 60% O2 were tested on romaine and head lettuce at 3 degrees C. Both treatments achieved complete control of N. ribisnigri. However, the 72 h regular fumigation resulted in significantly higher percentages of lettuce with injuries and significantly lower lettuce internal quality scores than the 48 h oxygenated phosphine fumigation. Although the oxygenated phosphine fumigation also caused injuries to some treated lettuce, lettuce quality remained very good and the treatment is not expected to have a significant impact on marketability of the lettuce. This study demonstrated that oxygenated phosphine fumigation was more effective and less phytotoxic for controlling N. ribisnigri on harvested lettuce than regular phosphine fumigation and is promising for practical use.     

U2AF-homology motif interactions are required for alternative splicing regulation by SPF45

The U2AF-homology motif (UHM) mediates protein-protein interactions between factors involved in constitutive RNA splicing. Here we report that the splicing factor SPF45 regulates alternative splicing of the apoptosis regulatory gene FAS (also called CD95). The SPF45 UHM is necessary for this activity and binds UHM-ligand motifs (ULMs) present in the 3' splice site-recognizing factors U2AF65, SF1 and SF3b155. We describe a 2.1-A crystal structure of SPF45-UHM in complex with a ULM peptide from SF3b155. Features distinct from those of previously described UHM-ULM structures allowed the design of mutations in the SPF45 UHM that selectively impair binding to individual ULMs. Splicing assays using the ULM-selective SPF45 variants demonstrate that individual UHM-ULM interactions are required for FAS splicing regulation by SPF45 in vivo. Our data suggest that networks of UHM-ULM interactions are involved in regulating alternative splicing.     

The Protective Effect of Phosphate Buffer on SO2 Harmed Wheat Seedling

When 1/15 mol/L of phosphate buffer at pH 6. 4, was used to spray wheat seedling three times, the plasmolemma structure become stabilized and k+ efflux was decreased. After fumigation with SO2 the K+ efflux of wheat seedling ,sprayed with phosphate buffer, decreased markedly. At SO2 dosage of 1.54 ppm × 4h, the decreasing rate of K+ efflux was 54. 11%–81.29% and the decrease rate was in concert with the increase of SO2 dosage. Therefore, the authors consider that the phosphate buffer, at pH 6.4, has a good protective effect against SO2 insult.     

生物工程技术在实验小鼠生物净化上的应用

目的采用体外受精的技术,对L858R、TL清洁级小鼠,以及来源于野外的中华小家鼠,和感染肺炎克来伯氏菌的Balb/c-nu裸鼠进行生物净化。方法对于需要净化的小鼠的雄鼠,采集附睾的精子,放入HTF溶液中获能,然后加入经过超排的卵团,体外受精。20-22 h后,挑选形态正常的二细胞胚胎,在净化实验室,移植给假孕的SPF级ICR母鼠,待产仔。仔鼠断奶后,随机选择仔鼠及带奶母鼠送检。结果体外受精的胚胎,经过移植后,均顺利产仔;仔鼠及母鼠的微生物级别,均达到SPF级。结论对于微生物级别较低的实验小鼠,采用在洁净实验室内做体外受精、胚胎移植的方法,可以提高实验小鼠的微生物级别。     

Endogenous expression of ASLV viral proteins in specific pathogen free chicken embryos: relevance for the developmental biology research field

Background  

The use of Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) eggs in combination with RCAS retrovirus, a member of the Avian Sarcoma-Leukosis Virus (ASLV) family, is of standard practice to study gene function and development. SPF eggs are certified free of infection by specific pathogen viruses of either exogenous or endogenous origin, including those belonging to the ASLV family. Based on this, SPF embryos are considered to be free of ASLV viral protein expression, and consequently in developmental research studies RCAS infected cells are routinely identified by immunohistochemistry against the ASLV viral proteins p19 and p27. Contrary to this generally accepted notion, observations in our laboratory suggested that certified SPF chicken embryos may endogenously express ASLV viral proteins p19 and p27. Since these observations may have significant implications for the developmental research field we further investigated this possibility.     

Herpes B-virus seroreactivity in a colony of Macaca mulatta: data from the Sabana Seca Field Station, a new specific pathogen-free program

The demand for B-virus-free animals for biomedical research is increasing, while at the same time the availability of such animals is decreasing. The establishment of Specific Pathogen-Free (SPF) breeding macaque colonies is a priority of the National Institutes of Health. Nevertheless, it is well known that seroreactivity to B-virus can be difficult to interpret, particularly as it can vary over time in a single animal. The aim of the present study was to implement a reliable algorithm to examine B-virus reactivity among the rhesus monkey population of the Caribbean Primate Research Center. The sensitivity and specificity of our assay were determined using reports from two different laboratories as references. Whereas 95.4% of animals showed consistent serological status and 4.6% of animals recruited to this SPF program showed serovariability to B-virus over the initial 2 years of examination. Implications for all SPF programs are discussed in this article.     

Differences in growth of transplantable ascites hepatoma among various lines of Donryu rat

A total of 48 Donryu rats from 8 colonies of 5 lines were inoculated intravenously with 10(7) cells of the ascites hepatoma strain AH 66. All the conventional rats of the lines D-1 and D-2 died between 9 and 15 days after inoculation with a good growth of implanted tumor cells. On the other hand, SPF rats of the lines A-1, B-1, C and E survived for 60 days showing complete rejection of the implanted tumor cells. A 50% of conventionalized ex-SPF rats of the lines A-2 and B-2, which had been once established as SPF colonies, and thereafter had been "re-conventionalized", rejected the tumor cells. The present observations indicate that the microbial conditions of the animal, e.g. whether the animal is SPF or not, might play an important role in the growth of the implanted ascites hepatoma.     

Nitric oxide fumigation for control of navel orangeworm,Amyelois transitella,on walnut

The navel orangeworm (NOW), Amyelois transitella (Walker), is a major post-harvest pest of tree nuts including walnut, almonds and pistachios. Nitric oxide (NO) was recently discovered to be a potential fumigant under ultralow oxygen conditions for post-harvest pest control. In this study, NO fumigation was evaluated for efficacy against eggs, larvae and pupae of NOW. NO fumigation was found to be similarly effective against NOW on artificial diet and in infested walnuts. Fumigations of 4, 8 and 16 hr with 2.0, 1.0 and 0.5% NO, respectively, achieved complete control of small and large larvae in artificial diet. Complete control of pupae on artificial diet was achieved in 8, 16 and 24 hr fumigations with 2.0, 1.0 and 0.5% NO, respectively. For NOW in infested walnuts, complete control was achieved in 6, 8 and 16 hr fumigations with 1.5, 1.0 and 0.5% NO, respectively, for small larvae; in 4-, 8- and 24-hr fumigations with 2.0, 1.0 and 0.5% NO, respectively, for large larvae; and in 8-, 16- and 24-hr fumigations with 2.0, 1.0 and 0.5% NO, respectively, for pupae. Eggs were more tolerant to NO fumigation than larvae and pupae, and complete control of NOW eggs was achieved in 8- and 16-hr fumigation with 3.0 and 2.0% NO, respectively. This study demonstrated the efficacy of NO fumigation against NOW on walnut and its potential as an alternative post-harvest treatment for the pest.     

SPF大鼠感染金黄色葡萄球菌原因的调查分析

目的连续监测某实验动物饲养场SPF大鼠携带的金黄色葡萄球菌Staphylococcus aureus(SA)情况,结合该饲养场环境、人员等检测结果,查找污染源,为保障和提高实验动物质量提供依据。方法2011—2017年依据《实验动物金黄色葡萄球菌检测方法(GB/T 14926.14-2001)》对SPF大鼠进行SA监测,并采集饲养环境和饲养人员的样本进行检测。对所有分离的SA菌株应用金黄色葡萄球菌A蛋白(SPA)基因分型和脉冲场凝胶电泳(PFGE)分型,分析污染源。结果35份SPF大鼠检出16株SA,检出率45.71%;18份饲养环境和饲养人员样本检出2株SA,检出率11.11%。SPA分型可分成5个型别,T2360为优势型别,主要由2013年和2017年SPF大鼠中的菌株组成。PFGE有5种带型,SA4为主要带型。饲养环境中SA的PFGE带型与2017年SPF大鼠中的完全一致。结论饲养环境中存在的SA与SPF大鼠感染的SA具有紧密联系。     

An open-air system for exposure of young forest trees to sulphur dioxide and ozone

The development, construction and operation of an open-air fumigation system for exposing young forest trees to controlled concentrations of sulphur dioxide and ozone is described. A computer simulation of gas dispersion was used to design an array of pipework sources which minimized spatial variability in exposure concentrations. Five fumigation plots were constructed using the design and were used to fumigate trees during a 7 year study known as the Liphook Forest Fumigation Project. Rates of gas release were controlled by a small computer to follow predetermined patterns of sulphur dioxide concentration and to maintain an elevation above ambient ozone concentration. Effective control of exposure was demonstrated, and examples of experimentally produced concentration frequency distributions are provided. The advantages and shortcomings of the system are discussed with recommendations for future improvements.