Two-year surveillance of tilapia lake virus (TiLV) reveals its wide circulation in tilapia farms and hatcheries from multiple districts of Bangladesh

Tilapia lake virus (TiLV) is an emerging pathogen in aquaculture, reportedly affecting farmed tilapia in 16 countries across multiple continents. Following an early warning in 2017 that TiLV might be widespread, we executed a surveillance programme on tilapia grow-out farms and hatcheries from 10 districts of Bangladesh in 2017 and 2019. Among farms experiencing unusual mortality, eight out of 11 farms tested positive for TiLV in 2017, and two out of seven tested positive in 2019. Investigation of asymptomatic broodstock collected from 16 tilapia hatcheries revealed that six hatcheries tested positive for TiLV. Representative samples subjected to histopathology confirmed pathognomonic lesions of syncytial hepatitis. We recovered three complete genomes of TiLV from infected fish, one from 2017 and two from 2019. Phylogenetic analyses based on both the concatenated coding sequences of 10 segments and only segment 1 consistently revealed that Bangladeshi TiLV isolates formed a unique cluster within Thai clade, suggesting a close genetic relation. In summary, this study revealed the circulation of TiLV in 10 farms and six hatcheries located in eight districts of Bangladesh. We recommend continuing TiLV-targeted surveillance efforts to identify contaminated sources to minimize the countrywide spread and severity of TiLV infection.     

Prevalence,intensity and histopathology of Zeylanicobdella arugamensis infestation on groupers reared on different aquaculture systems

The marine leech, Zeylanicobdella arugamensis, is a major threat to aquaculture in grouper-producing countries including Indonesia. This study aimed at investigating prevalence, intensity and histopathology of the ectoparasite in humpback and hybrid groupers cultured in different rearing systems. A total of 260 groupers (60 humpback groupers and 200 hybrid groupers) were used for samples. The marine leech was observed on skin, fins, gills and mouth, followed by histopathological assay on the skin tissue. The results showed that prevalence of the leech in both groupers was higher when they were cultured in the floating net cages compared with the hatchery, p < .05. Furthermore, humpback grouper had a higher prevalence than hybrid grouper when they were cultured in a similar system, p < .05. Meanwhile, there was no significant difference in intensity between the two groupers, p > .05. Within the hybrid groupers, the highest prevalence was obtained from hybrid groupers reared in the earthen ponds. Histopathological studies showed that the infected groupers exhibited inflammation, congestion and erosion of the epidermis layer. Hybrid grouper had more severe histopathological lesions in the skin tissues. These results suggested that species and type of aquaculture system had significantly determined the prevalence, intensity and severity of lesion in Z. arugamensis infestation.     

2018年进口奶牛检疫情况分析

随着十多年的超速发展,我国奶牛业已由单一品种的散养方式逐步转变为高产品种的规模化、集约化养殖方式。然而,我国奶牛整体遗传素质不高,多为进口高产奶牛与地方奶牛的低代次改良品种,以致原奶质量参差不齐,严重制约了我国奶业的健康发展。因此,大规模引进高品质的奶牛品种,已成为我国优化奶牛基因、推动畜牧业产业化发展的重要抓手,但同时也为检疫工作带来了挑战。本文通过分析2018年我国进口奶牛数量、来源国、疫病检出、进境口岸及隔离检疫场分布等数据,结合各来源国的疫病防控特点,有针对性地提出检疫要点,为我国全面提升进口奶牛的检疫水平、切实做好奶牛群体遗传改良计划、加快推进畜牧业转型升级提供参考。     

快速灵敏的甘蔗线条花叶病毒免疫学检测体系的建立

 甘蔗花叶病广泛存在于我国甘蔗种植区,严重影响甘蔗产业的高质量发展。近年来甘蔗线条花叶病毒在蔗区肆虐,尽管针对其的血清学检测技术已经建立,但是快速、准确、高通量的检测方法亟待发掘。本研究制备了^SCSMVCP的抗血清,特异性高,与引起甘蔗花叶病的另两种病原 (高粱花叶病毒和甘蔗花叶病毒) 间没有血清学交叉反应。基于该多克隆抗体,建立了直接抗原包被的ELISA、斑点杂交、Western blot和基于多抗的免疫试纸条检测技术。开发的免疫试纸条检测技术能快速、准确、高通量应用于田间病毒鉴定。本文提供了基于血清学的快速、准确、高通量,且便捷的甘蔗线条花叶病毒检测技术,有助于我国蔗区甘蔗花叶病的监测与防控。     

芋疫病空间分布格局及其抽样技术研究

为了进一步提高对芋疫病预测预报,科学指导生产上的防治,应用最小二乘法、频次分布、聚集度指标、m^*-m回归分析和Taylor幂法则等对病株的空间分布型进行了分析。结果表明:当田间芋疫病病株率在0.427~0.513时,病株田间分布属聚集分布;当田间芋疫病病株率在0.720~0.820时,病株田间分布属均匀分布。此外其病株空间分布的基本成分是个体群,病株个体间相互吸引,病株在大田中存在明显的发病中心,且病株个体的空间格局随着病株密度的提高越趋均匀分。在此基础上,提出了Iwao最适理论抽样模型N=232.3783/m-87.9438,并建立序贯抽样模型T₀(N)=0.3689N±1.7177$\sqrt{N}$,即:调查株数N时,若累计病株率超过上界可定为防治对象田,若累计病株率未达到下界时,可定为不防治田,若累计病株率在上下界之间,则应继续调查,直到最大样本数m₀=0.3689时,也即病株率15%,所需抽样数542株止。     

Up-regulation of miR-181a attenuates releases of CSE-induced pro-inflammatory factors and expression of collagen IV,fibronectin and α-SMA in human bronchial epithelial cells

AIM: To investigate the effect and potential mechanism of microRNA-181a (miR-181a) on cigarette smoke extract (CSE)-induced the productions of pro-inflammatory factors and the expression of collagen IV, fibronectin and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs). METHODS: CSE-induced miR-181a expression was detected by RT-qPCR in the HBECs. After tansfected with miR-181a mimic, the releases of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6 and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) were measured by ELISA, the protein expression of collagen IV, fibronectin and α-SMA was determined by Western blot. The activation of NF-κB/TGF-β1/Smad3 pathway was also evaluated by Western blot. RESULTS: CSE increased the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and TGF-β1 and the expression of collagen IV, fibronectin and α-SMA, and decreased the expression of miR-181a in the HBECs (P<0.05). However, transfected with miR-181a mimic partially prevented the releases of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and TGF-β1, and inhibited the expression of collagen IV, fibronectin and α-SMA (P<0.05). Additionally, the activation of NF-κB/TGF-β1/Smad3 evoked by CSE was attenuated after transfected with miR-181a mimic. CONCLUSION: Up-regulation of miR-181a prevents the releases of CSE-induced pro-inflammatory factors and expression of collagen IV, fibronectin and α-SMA in the HBECs, and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of NF-κB/TGF-β1/Smad3 pathway.     

Effects of histone hypomethylation induced by alcohol during pregnancy on overexpression of cardiomyogenesis genes offspring mice

AIM:To investigate the effects of histone methylation on the abnormal expression of cardiomyogenesis genes caused by alcohol during pregnancy and the regulatory mechanism, and to provide a new idea and intervention targets for preventing and curing congenital heart disease. METHODS:The alcohol (56%, 5 mL/kg) and G9a-histone methyltransferases (HMT) inhibitor BRD4770 (1 mg/kg) were given by gavage in Kunming mice during embryo (E) 0.5~14.5 d, and the hearts of the mice in E14.5, E16.5 and post neonatal 0.5 d (PND0.5) were collected. The mRNA expression of Gata4, Cx43 and β-MHC genes was detected by RT-qPCR. The activity of HMT was measured by colorimetry. Meanwhile, the protein expression of histone H3K9me3, G9a-HMT, Cx43 and β-MHC was determined by Western blot. RESULTS:The results of colorimetry showed that the activity of HMT in the heart of the offspring mice treated with alcohol during pregnancy was decreased significantly compared with normal saline group (P<0.05), and Western blot data showed that the expression of G9a-HMT and histone H3K9me3 were apparently decreased in the same samples (P<0.05). The mRNA expression levels of Gata4, Cx43 and β-MHC in alcohol group were apparently increased compared with normal saline group (P<0.05). Meanwhile, the protein levels of Cx43 and β-MHC were increased significantly in the same samples (P<0.05). However, BRD4770, a G9a-HMT inhibitor, further attenuated the level of histone H3K9me3, and further upregulated the expression of Gata4, Cx43 and β-MHC in the heart of the the mice treated with alcohol (P<0.05). CONCLUSION:Histone methylation modification imbalance induced by G9a-HMT may be involved in the abnormal expression of cardiomyogenesis genes in the heart of offspring mice caused by alcohol during pregnancy.     

Cigarette dust particles induced lung function injury of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in mice

AIM: To investigate the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive disease (COPD) in mice by using nasal drip of cigarette dust particles (DSP) induced pulmonary function damage model.METHODS: BALB/c mice were randomly divided into control group, LPS 100 mg/L group, DSP 0.75 mL/L group, DSP 1.5 mL/L group and DSP 3 mL/L group for 30 days. The method of nasal drip was used for 30 days to establish the COPD model. Rrs, Ers, Crs, Est, Cst, P-3/8Rn, P-3/8G and P-3/8H were measured for evaluating lung function of the mice in each group by the method of FlexiVent. The effect on the increase of airway resistance induced by methacholine (Mach) was determined using main bronchial rings by Myograph method. The HE, Masson and Resorcinol fuchsin staining of mouse tracheas and lung tissues were conducted. RESULTS: Continuous nasal drip with DSP for 30 days increased Rrs, Ers, Est, P-3/8Rn and decreased Crs, Cst, P-3/8G and P-3/8H in the mice. DSP significantly shifted the dose-effect curve of tracheal contraction induced by Mach to the left, increased the sensitivity of the airway to Mach, and significantly increased the maximal contractile airway effect of Mach. Exposure to DSP caused fibrosis of airway subepithelial, deposition of collagen in the airway basement membrane under the reticular plate, induced reticular plate thickening, pulmonary bronchial lumen serious deformation, and the inflammatory cell infiltration in the lung of mice. Significantly increased alveolar wall muscle fibers and collagen fibers were also observed. CONCLUSION: The lung function and pathomorphological changes of COPD mice induced by 30 days nasal drip of cigarette dust particles were similar to those of human COPD.