Protectivity conferred by immunization with intranasal recombinant outer membrane protein H from Pasteurella multocida serovar A:1 in chickens

Recombinant outer membrane protein H (rOmpH) is a potential fowl cholera vaccine candidate. The present study was aimed at developing rOmpH formulations for intranasal administration. The rOmpH was purified and formulated with either Escherichia coli enterotoxin B (LTB) or CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) as an adjuvant. Antibody responses in chickens intranasally immunized with rOmpH in combination with 2 different adjuvants were significantly increased (P<0.05) post immunization. Chicken survival rates showed that rOmpH formulated with ODN and LTB elicited 90% and 70% protection, respectively. Our findings indicated that rOmpH formulated with ODN elicited protection better than that formulated with LTB. Therefore, the vaccines formulations in the present study can be considered new intranasal vaccine formulations for fowl cholera in chickens.     

Cell-free extract from porcine induced pluripotent stem cells can affect porcine somatic cell nuclear reprogramming

Pretreatment of somatic cells with undifferentiated cell extracts, such as embryonic stem cells and mammalian oocytes, is an attractive alternative method for reprogramming control. The properties of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are similar to those of embryonic stem cells; however, no studies have reported somatic cell nuclear reprogramming using iPSC extracts. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of porcine iPSC extracts treatment on porcine ear fibroblasts and early development of porcine cloned embryos produced from porcine ear skin fibroblasts pretreated with the porcine iPSC extracts. The Chariot^TM reagent system was used to deliver the iPSC extracts into cultured porcine ear skin fibroblasts. The iPSC extracts-treated cells (iPSC-treated cells) were cultured for 3 days and used for analyzing histone modification and somatic cell nuclear transfer. Compared to the results for nontreated cells, the trimethylation status of histone H3 lysine residue 9 (H3K9) in the iPSC-treated cells significantly decreased. The expression of Jmjd2b, the H3K9 trimethylation-specific demethylase gene, significantly increased in the iPSC-treated cells; conversely, the expression of the proapoptotic genes, Bax and p53, significantly decreased. When the iPSC-treated cells were transferred into enucleated porcine oocytes, no differences were observed in blastocyst development and total cell number in blastocysts compared with the results for control cells. However, H3K9 trimethylation of pronuclear-stage-cloned embryos significantly decreased in the iPSC-treated cells. Additionally, Bax and p53 gene expression in the blastocysts was significantly lower in iPSC-treated cells than in control cells. To our knowledge, this study is the first to show that an extracts of porcine iPSCs can affect histone modification and gene expression in porcine ear skin fibroblasts and cloned embryos.     

Involvement of histone H2B monoubiquitination in the regulation of mouse preimplantation development

Histone H2B monoubiquitination (H2Bub1) plays an important role in developmental regulation in various vertebrate species. However, the role of H2Bub1 in mammalian preimplantation development remains unclear. In the present study, we examined the role of H2Bub1 in the regulation of mouse preimplantation development. Based on immunocytochemical analysis using an anti-H2Bub1 antibody, no H2Bub1 signal was detected in the metaphase chromosomes of unfertilized oocytes or the pronuclei of early 1-cell stage embryos, but a weak signal was observed in late 1-cell stage embryos. The signal increased after cleavage into the 2-cell stage, and thereafter a strong signal was observed until the blastocyst stage. To assess the significance of H2Bub1 in the regulation of preimplantation development, RNF20 (an H2B-specific ubiquitin E3 ligase) was knocked down using small interfering RNA (siRNAs). In embryos treated with siRNA, the levels of Rnf20 mRNA and H2Bub1 decreased at the 4-cell and morula stages. Although these embryos developed normally until the morula stage, only one-third developed into the blastocyst stage. These results suggested that H2Bub1 is involved in the regulation of preimplantation development.     

Pathogenicity of a Strain of H5N6 Subtype Avian Influenza Virus in Ducks and Mice

To investigate the pathogenicity of A/Hero/Guangdong/C1/2013(H5N6), an AIV strain isolated from Heron on ducks and mice, pathogenicity of this new virus strain and changing of histopathology as well as a preliminary study on its biological characteristics were studied by virus challenges test via intranasal and eye-drop and in chicken via jugular vein injection.Results showed that the EID₅₀ of this strain of virus was 10^-8.16/0.1 mL in embryonated chicken eggs and the intravenous inoculation of pathogenic index (IVPI) was 2.76.In ducks and mice, the 50% lethal doses (LD₅₀) of it were determined to be 10^-4.0/0.2 mL and 10^-4.67/0.05 mL, respectively.Symptoms of infection included loss of appetite, depression, swollen head and tears after being infected with 10⁶ EID₅₀ per duck by intranasal and eye-drop administration.Most of ducks died 4 to 7 days post-infection, liver, lung and kidney still eliminated toxicants at day 7 post-infection.Anatomy showed symptoms of pericardial effusion, pulmonary congestion and kidney enlargement, while pathological section showed pathological change like karyopycnosis and inflammatory cell infiltration in heart, liver, kidney and spleen.Mice developed symptoms of infection like loss of appetite, depression, shaggy coat and ruffled coat after being infected with 5×10⁵ EID₅₀ per mouse by intranasal and eye-drop administration.Most of the infected mice died 5 to 7 days post-infection and only liver still eliminated toxicants at day 7 post-infection.Although organ anatomy showed no obvious pathological changes, pathological section showed pathological changes like karyopycnosis and inflammatory cell infiltration in heart, kidney and lung.Our research demonstrated that this H5N6 subtype AIV had a strong pathogenicity and could be defined as a highly pathogenic AIV strain as its IVPI was greater than 1.2.Our work laid a theory foundation for study, prevention and control of H5N6 subtype AIV.     

The Expression of Long Noncoding RNA (H19) in Mouse Skeletal Muscle Development

This experiment was intend to study the changes of long non-coding RNA (H19) expression levels in skeletal muscle development and regeneration,and lay the foundation of its mechanism reach in skeletal muscle development.C2C12 cell line and ICR mice were used as experimental material,bioinformatics assay was used to exploit its non-coding character and low conservatism in different species,and the expressions of H19 in C2C12 cell differentiation,skeletal muscle development and the phase of muscle regeneration were detected by quantitative Real-time PCR (qRT-PCR).The results showed that,H19 expression levels in postnatal mouse skeletal muscle decreased with increasing age;during C2C12 cell differentiation,H19 mRNA increased gradually,and then maintained a high level;The expression of H19 was maintained at a high level through days 4 to 6 after injury.In consideration of its express character in C2C12 cell differentiation and skeletal muscle damage repair model,H19 may play an important role in promoting myogenesis and skeletal muscle regeneration.     

Isolation and Identification of one Strain of H9 Subtype Avian Influenza Virus and Study on its Biological Characteristics

In 2013,one case of suspected H9 subtype avian influenza occurred in a chicken farm of Jilin povince.Clinical samples were collected from the diseased farm,inoculated into the allantoic cavity of 9-day-old SPF chicken embryo,and then one strain of virus was isolated.The results of HA test,HI test and molecular biology test all showed that the isolate belonged to H9 subtype avian influenza virus (AIV).The HA cleavage site of the isolate was RSSR↓GLF,which was consisted with the molecular characteristic of low pathogenic AIV.The HA peptide chain had 9 potential glycosylation sites which were same as other isolates of recent years.The isolate had 8 receptor binding sites,including 234 receptor binding site by glutamine (Q) mutating into threonine (T).The phylogenetic tree revealed the isolate belonged to Eurasian lineages and it had far genetic relationship with the earliest domestic isolate (A/Chicken/Beijing/1/94(H9N2)),but had close genetic relationship with the representative strain (A/Chicken/Guangxi/55/2005(H9N2)) of major epidemic branch since 2007.We prepared an inactivated oil-emulsion vaccine of the isolate,and then vaccinated SPF chicken.21 days after vaccination,the HI titer of chicken serum antibody reached up to 10log2.The result suggested the isolate had good immunogenicity.     

Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus Outbreak Investigation: Application of the FAO‐OIE‐WHO Four‐way Linking Framework in Indonesia

WHO, FAO and OIE developed a ‘four‐way linking’ framework to enhance the cross‐sectoral sharing of epidemiological and virological information in responding to zoonotic disease outbreaks. In Indonesia, outbreak response challenges include completeness of data shared between human and animal health authorities. The four‐way linking framework (human health laboratory/epidemiology and animal health laboratory/epidemiology) was applied in the investigation of the 193rd human case of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infection. As recommended by the framework, outbreak investigation and risk assessment findings were shared. On 18 June 2013, a hospital in West Java Province reported a suspect H5N1 case in a 2‐year‐old male. The case was laboratory‐confirmed that evening, and the information was immediately shared with the Ministry of Agriculture. The human health epidemiology/laboratory team investigated the outbreak and conducted an initial risk assessment on 19 June. The likelihood of secondary cases was deemed low as none of the case contacts were sick. By 3 July, no secondary cases associated with the outbreak were identified. The animal health epidemiology/laboratory investigation was conducted on 19–25 June and found that a live bird market visited by the case was positive for H5N1 virus. Once both human and market virus isolates were sequenced, a second risk assessment was conducted jointly by the human health and animal health epidemiology/laboratory teams. This assessment concluded that the likelihood of additional human cases associated with this outbreak was low but that future sporadic human infections could not be ruled out because of challenges in controlling H5N1 virus contamination in markets. Findings from the outbreak investigation and risk assessments were shared with stakeholders at both Ministries. The four‐way linking framework clarified the type of data to be shared. Both human health and animal health teams made ample data available, and there was cooperation to achieve risk assessment objectives.     

一株H3N2亚型猪流感病毒的分离鉴定

为了给猪流感疫苗的研制做准备,试验将从某猪场现地采集疑似猪流感发病猪的鼻拭子样品,经过处理后接种至10~11日龄SPF鸡胚进行盲传,分离到1株具有血凝性的病毒。通过血清学、分子生物学鉴定、电镜观察、动物回归试验等方法对该病毒进行鉴定。结果发现:该病毒可与猪流感病毒H3亚型阳性血清特异性结合;通过分子生物学检测,该分离株出现猪流感病毒H3亚型和N2亚型目的片段;将该分离株液置于电镜下观察可见直径为80~120 nm且具有囊膜和纤突的病毒粒子,符合猪流感病毒粒子形态特征;用纯化后的病毒攻击4~6周龄阴性仔猪,攻毒组仔猪发病率可达80%。由此可见分离获得的病毒为H3N2亚型猪流感病毒。     

甜菜夜蛾幼虫龄数和龄期的测定

甜菜夜蛾[Spodoptera exigua(Hübner)]属鳞翅目(Lepidoptera)夜蛾科(Noctuidae),是芦笋、番茄、棉花、萝卜、玉米等植物上的重要害虫。明确该虫幼虫的龄数和龄期,可为其预测预报和科学防治提供依据。对甜菜夜蛾幼虫各龄期的头壳宽度、体长和体重进行测量,并根据频次分布图、戴氏定律、Crosby生长法则和回归分析推断和验证甜菜夜蛾幼虫的虫龄数。结果显示,甜菜夜蛾1~5龄幼虫的头壳宽度范围分别为0.21~0.30、0.40~0.49、0.65~0.75、1.05~1.15、1.65~1.80 mm,频次分布呈现出5个明显的集中区域;1~5龄幼虫的体长范围分别为1.0~3.1、2.5~6.5、4.0~10.0、5.0~15.0、11.0~27.0 mm,各龄期体长出现重叠,频次分布集中区域不明显;1~5龄幼虫的体重范围分别为0.025~0.567、0.200~6.000、1.100~15.200、6.200~65.600、32.900~275.200 mg。结果表明,试验条件下甜菜夜蛾幼虫共5龄,幼虫头壳宽度可作为分龄指标,而幼虫体长和体重在各龄期出现较大程度的重叠,不宜作为分龄指标。     

Effects of Interaction of Soil Moisture and Organic Matter on Powdery Mildew Disease and Growth of Heracleum moellendorffii Hance

Taking annual Heracl'eum moellendorffii Hance as the material, this research studied the epidemic dynamics of H. moellendorffii Hance powdery mildew and plant growth by using the interactive methods of soil moisture and soil organic matter. The results showed that the interaction of higher soil moisture content (60％-80％) and soil organic matter content (75-100 g · kg-1) had few diseases, dosease index and area under disease progression curve (AUDPC) compared with those of other treatments, thus could effectivley control powdery mildew disease. Moreover, higher soil moisture and organic matter content increased the yield, contents of soluble sugar, soluble protein, vitamin C and coumarin in H. moellendorffii Hance.