Identification and Pathogenicity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa DJ1990 on Tail and Fin Rot Disease in Spotted Snakehead

Tail and fin rot disease (TFRD) is a big issue in the production of spotted snakehead, Channa punctata Bloch. The aims of the present study were to isolate and identify the bacterial pathogen causing TFRD, to detect histopathological changes in tissues (fin, tail, liver, and kidney), and to ascertain the antibiotic sensitivity pattern of the isolate. Out of six bacterial isolates, only the isolate DJ1990 was found to be the causal candidate of TFRD in C. punctata. Identical histopathological changes were detected in tail, fin, liver, and kidney under light and scanning electron microscope in both collected diseased fish and artificially infected fish. The isolate was identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain DJ1990 (National Center for Biotechnology Information Ace. No. KX709967) based on the biochemical characterization tests and 16S rDNA sequence‐based phylogeny analysis. Artificial challenge test demonstrated that the strain DJ1990 was highly virulent (100% mortality at 48 h of postinjection period at the concentration of 1.5 × 10⁷ CFU/g of body weight) for C. punctata. The isolate exhibited sensitivity to the broad‐spectrum antibiotics but was resistant against aztreonum. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of P. aeruginosa as a TFRD‐causing candidate in C. punctata.     

牙鲆胚后发育阶段HDAC1基因的空间表达

组蛋白去乙酰化酶(HDACs)可通过调节染色质结构和抑制特异性转录因子活性来调控细胞生长和分化。鉴于HDACs在蝌蚪变态发育过程中的作用,本研究克隆了牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)HDAC1基因全长cDNA序列,并调查了其在牙鲆变态前和变态阶段的空间表达。牙鲆HDAC1全长cDNA序列为2 540 bp,包含长度为126 bp的5'UTR,1 470 bp的ORF和944 bp的3'UTR。HDAC1基因在牙鲆变态前以及变态阶段均有表达,这和蝌蚪中仅在变态前表达的现象不同。HDAC1在冠状幼鳍上的表达是随着幼鳍原基的生长发育逐渐增强的,直至冠状幼鳍分化成形后,基因表达减弱;随着牙鲆仔鱼肠道的变粗变短,HDAC1在肠壁的表达强度逐渐增强,孵化后第16天(16DAH)开始减弱并最终消失;鳍褶中HDAC1在9DAH开始表达,18DAH时主要在鳍褶基部表达,进入变态阶段,HDAC1可见在支鳍骨上表达,在变态高峰期表达最为强烈。在整个变态发育期HDAC1在鳃上均表达,变态开始后表达逐渐增强,而到变态后期表达减弱。牙鲆变态前及变态阶段的HDAC1基因表达模式表明,HDAC1参与了牙鲆冠状幼鳍、鳍条、肠道等多种器官的发育调控以及变态阶段眼睛移动的过程。     

Allergen-induced production of IL-31 by canine Th2 cells and identification of immune,skin, and neuronal target cells

The canine cytokine IL-31 induces pruritus in dogs and can be detected in dogs with atopic dermatitis; however very little is understood around its interactions with specific canine cells. We hypothesize that IL-31 is involved in the progression of allergic skin disease by coordinating the interaction between the immune system with skin and neuronal systems. The goal of the following work was to identify cells that produce IL-31 as well as cells that may respond to this cytokine. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were collected from naïve and house dust mite (HDM) allergen-sensitized beagle dogs and used for ex vivo characterization of cytokine production assessed using ELISpot and quantitative immunoassay. Sensitization to HDM allergen induced a T-helper type 2 (Th2) cell phenotype characterized by an increase in the production of IL-4 protein. Interestingly, repeated allergen challenge over time also resulted in an increase in IFN-γ. Further evaluation showed that co-stimulation of Th2 polarized cells with antigen and the bacterial component Staphylococcus enterotoxin B (SEB) produced higher levels of IL-31 compared to either stimulant alone. Production of IL-31 when PBMCs were stimulated by T cell mitogens suggests T cells as a source of IL-31. Quantitative real-time PCR was utilized to determine expression of the IL-31 receptor alpha chain in canine cell lines and tissue. Canine monocytic cells, keratinocytes, and dorsal root ganglia were shown to express the IL-31 receptor alpha chain mRNA. In a multifaceted disease such as canine atopic dermatitis, the combination of Th2 polarization and microbial presence may lead to IL-31 mediated effects driving inflammation and pruritus by immune cells, keratinocytes, and direct neuronal stimulation.     

Protective Role of Comfrey Leave Extracts on UV-induced Zebrafish Fin Damage

In zebrafish, UV exposure leads to fin malformation phenotypes including fin reduction or absence. The present study evaluated UV-protective activities of comfrey leaves extracts in a zebrafish model by recording fin morphological changes. Chemopreventive effects of comfrey leave extracts were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards regression. The results showed that (1) the mean times of return to normal fin in the UV+comfrey (50 and 100 ppm) groups were 3.43 and 2.86 days and were quicker compared with that in the UV only group (4.21 days); (2) zebrafish fins in the UV+comfrey (50 and 100 ppm) groups were 2.05 and 3.25 times more likely to return to normal than those in the UV only group; and (3) comfrey leave extracts had UV-absorbance abilities and significantly reduced ROS production in UV-exposed zebrafish embryos, which may attenuate UV-mediated apoptosis. In conclusion, comfrey leaves extracts may have the potential to be developed as UV-protective agents to protect zebrafish embryos from UV-induced damage.     

杉木幼林地水土流失与降雨特性关系研究

本文通过连续三年定位研究，全面探讨降雨特性对炼山与不炼山的杉木幼林地水土流失的影响，结果表明：本区年均降雨量和降雨侵蚀力（ＥＩ３０）为１５０８．０ｍｍ和６０２．１［１００Ｊ·ｃｍ／（ｍ２·ｈ）］，侵蚀性降雨占全年降雨次数的３４％～４０％；杉木幼林地水土流失随降雨侵蚀力增大而增加；林地水土流失量主要由大雨和暴雨两种降雨类型所引起，充足的前期降雨会加剧林地水土流失，尤其是在旱季；炼山的杉木林地水土流失随降雨的年分布特点而呈明显的季节性变化；在不同降雨条件下，炼山林地水土流失均明显大于不炼山林地．因此增加地表覆盖和选择合适的营林作业方式和时间是防止炼山林地大量水土流失的有效途径。     

Intra-abdominal Pressure Screening of Horses With Colic

The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) in horses with colic by associating the underlying etiologies with directly acquired IAP values and survival rate. This is a 2-year cohort study (2014–2016). Horses with clinical signs of colic were admitted to the veterinary teaching hospital during the period 2014–2016. Twenty-eight horses, of different breeds, males (stallions and geldings) and females, aged between 2 and 20 years, and weighing from 300 to 450 kg presenting with clinical signs of colic, were included in the study. IAP was directly acquired at the right flank (standing under sedation) and at the linea alba (supine position under general anesthesia). Twenty IAP measurements were recorded at end expiration for each recording site. IAP values >0.0 mmHg, obtained at the upper right flank in the standing position, were associated with surgical treatment (P < .05). In these cases, signs of colic were associated with strangulated obstructions of the large colon, and a greater likelihood of death as a result of colic (P < .001). Intra-abdominal pressure varied considerably in horses with colic, even for the same underlying etiologies. Horses with colic related to strangulating obstructions of the large intestine had IAP >.0 mmHg, at the upper right flank. These horses were also considerably more likely to require surgical intervention (P < .05) and death/euthanasia was more likely in this group of horses (P < .001).     

A direct multiplex loop-mediated isothermal amplification method to detect three CITES-listed shark species

1. Species identification of sharks under catch or trade regulations is important for law enforcement and species conservation. Rapid detection of Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)-listed species is needed for on-site screening.
2. Species-specific primers were designed to target three mitochondrial genes (ND2, COI, and CytB) in both the simplex and multiplex loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for the pelagic thresher shark (Alopias pelagicus), the bigeye thresher shark (Alopias superciliosus), and the scalloped hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini), respectively. Another primer set designed to target S. lewini was used for detection-limit testing of the LAMP assay.
3. The refined direct multiplex LAMP was used to detect the three CITES-listed shark species and omitted the lengthy DNA extraction process. A homogenizer was used to release the DNA from the shark tissues, and a simplex or multiplex LAMP reaction was conducted for 30 min in an incubator at 65°C using species-specific primer sets.
4. Positive LAMP reactions showed a colour change from pink to yellow, whereas negative reactions showed no colour change. Multiplex LAMP assays were performed using 84 samples, which successfully identified the target and non-target species and provided a fast (<1 h), simple, and reliable method to distinguish three CITES-listed shark species from the other non-target species, for either fresh or dry fin products.
5. Results of this study and the method developed will play a critical role in assisting fishery agencies and customs officials in identifying the illegal catch and trade of CITES-listed shark species.

     

加热条件下鱼翅结构和物性学参数变化

研究了鱼翅在不同加热时间(1、2、3、4 h)条件下组织构造及其物性学参数(凝胶强度、最大破断应变、剪切应力、破断强度)变化,并测定了胶原蛋白含量。通过扫描电子显微镜镜观察鱼翅的组织构造,采用质构仪测定其物性特性。结果表明,随着加热时间的延长,鱼翅的物性学参数变化显著,总体呈减小趋势。加热3 h后即可达到鱼翅较好质构。