Molecular investigation on the presence of canine parvovirus in Egypt

Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) causes a highly contagious gastroenteritis disease of dogs and wild canids. To investigate the CPV-2 prevalence in Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt, a total of 50 fecal swabs were collected from suspected diseased dogs during 2016–2017. Out of 50 collected samples, 35 samples (70 %) presented positive results for CPV-2 using immuno-chromatography (IC) as a rapid test. CPV-2DNA was detected in 42 samples (84 %) by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The frequencies of CPV-2 were significantly higher in German shepherd breed (46 %; 23/50) and in age groups less than 6 months (76%; 38/50). We evaluated the breed, age, sex, rapid test results and clinical signs as predictors for classification of animal status into infected and not infected. The best predictors for classification process were rapid test result and clinical signs. Both CPV-2b and CPV-2c subtypes were detected by CPV2-VP2 gene sequences analysis. Deduced amino acid sequences alignment showed substitutions at 3 sites (Arg453Pro, Ala574Glu and Gln457Leu). Further investigations are needed to reveal the genetic and antigenic relation between field and vaccinal strains of CPV-2 in Egypt.     

Serologic and molecular survey of horses to Coxiella burnetii in East of Iran a highly endemic area

There are few reports about Q fever in horse populations worldwide. This study aimed to detect the C. burnetii infection by serologic and molecular confirmation using commercial ELISA kit and real-time PCR in the East of Iran a region highly endemic. A total of 177 blood samples and 115 vaginal swabs were randomly collected from horses in East of Iran. The sera samples were analyzed for anti C.burnetii Ig G antibodies by a commercial ELISA kit and nucleic acid extraxted from vaginal samples were used to determine the C. burnetii DNA by real-time PCR assay. Antibodies were detected in 5.64 % (10/177) of sera samples and C. burnetii DNA was detected in 7.82 % (9/115) of horse vaginal samples. There was no significant difference in seroprevalence in different sex, age and breed groups. Our study showed that horses could be considered as a mild potential reservoir of C. burnetii which may be effective on horse health status. However, additional studies are needed to assess whether the horse could be considered as a relevant transmission risk indicator for Q fever.     

甘蔗热带种金属硫蛋白家族基因的克隆及响应重金属胁迫的表达分析

金属硫蛋白是一类富含巯基的低分子量蛋白,在植物的重金属解毒及细胞氧化还原调控等方面起重要的作用。本研究以甘蔗热带种Badila组培苗为材料,分别测定了其在CdCl2、ZnSO4和CuCl2水溶液培养条件下地上部和地下部的重金属含量,结果显示其对上述3种重金属有较强的耐受与富集能力。继而克隆了ScMT1(登录号为KJ504373)、ScMT2-1-5(登录号为MH191346)和ScMT3(登录号为KJ5043704)3个金属硫蛋白家族基因,它们分别属于植物MT亚家族中的MT1、MT2和MT3型基因。ScMT1含有1个内含子和2个外显子,开放阅读框(Open Reading Frame,ORF)长228 bp,编码75个氨基酸;ScMT2-1-5含有2个内含子和3个外显子,ORF长246 bp,编码81个氨基酸;ScMT3含有1个内含子和2个外显子,ORF长198 bp,编码65个氨基酸。RT-qPCR显示,Cd2+胁迫下,在甘蔗地上部和地下部,ScMT2-1-5均连续显著上调表达,而ScMT1的上调应答出现延迟。ScMT3在地上部的上调应答出现延迟,在地下部呈“扬-抑”趋势,提示甘蔗响应Cd^2+胁迫过程中ScMT2-1-5起更积极的作用,ScMT1参与胁迫后期的分子响应,而ScMT3不起主导作用。Cu^2+胁迫下,地上部ScMT1连续显著上调表达,ScMT2-1-5和ScMT3呈总体上调的表达趋势;地下部,ScMT1和ScMT2-1-5的上调表答均出现延迟,仅在胁迫后期显著上调表达,而ScMT3仅在胁迫前期显著上调表达。该结果提示了ScMT1、ScMT2-1-5和ScMT3在Cu2+胁迫响应过程中的协作关系,三者共同参与了地上部的胁迫响应,其中ScMT1起更积极的作用;此外三者还先后参与了地下部对Cu^2+胁迫的分子响应。Zn^2+胁迫下,ScMT1和ScMT3分别仅在地上部和地下部显著上调表达;ScMT2-1-5在地上部和地下部均呈“扬-抑”的应答趋势;提示了在甘蔗响应Cd^2+胁迫应答过程中ScMT1和ScMT3分别在地上部和地下部起主要作用,ScMT2-1-5参与了胁迫前期的分子响应。ScMT1、ScMT2-1-5和ScMT3在甘蔗不同组织中及在重金属(Cd^2+、Zn^2+或Cu^2+)不同累积水平下呈现出相似或互补的应答特性,提示上述甘蔗MT家族不同成员在重金属解毒及细胞氧化还原调控等方面产生了功能分化,且三者在应对过量Cd^2+、Zn^2+或Cu^2+对甘蔗组织造成伤害的过程中存在时空上的协同作用。该研究为深入理解多倍体植物甘蔗中MT家族各成员基因在重金属耐受过程中的协同作用机制奠定了基础。     

水分和盐胁迫下小麦种子萌发相关性状的QTL定位

小麦萌发期对水分和盐胁迫敏感，对该时期水分和盐胁迫下种子萌发性状进行QTL定位具有重要的意义。本研究以小麦“泰农18×临麦6号” RIL群体为材料，以20%PEG-6000溶液和100 mmol·L^-1 NaCl溶液分别模拟水分和盐胁迫环境，对种子萌发期10个性状进行了QTL定位。结果表明，在正常、水分胁迫和盐胁迫3种不同处理下各性状变异较大。相关分析表明，抗旱和耐盐可能是两个独立遗传的性状，胚芽鞘长可以作为节水抗旱的鉴定指标。3种处理下共检测到10个萌发相关性状的103个QTL，其中，17个为相对高频QTL（RHF-QTL），分布在7条染色体（1A、3A、3B、4B、7A、7B和7D）上，平均贡献率为7.55%~15.97%。这些RHF-QTL形成4个QTL簇（QTL cluster,QC），分布在3A、7A和7D染色体上。其中，7A染色体上的QC2包括3个RHF-QTLs（ QSdw-7A.1、 QGf-7A.1和 QGi-7A.1），均与小麦耐盐性相关；7D染色体上的QC3包括2个RHF-QTLs（ QGi-7D.1、 QGdrc-7D.1），均与小麦节水抗旱性相关。这2个QCs增加效应均来自母本泰农18。本研究获得的RHF-QTLs和QCs，可为小麦萌发期节水抗旱和耐盐分子标记辅助选择提供理论和技术支持。     

Real-time RT-qPCR assay to detect sequences in the Piscine orthoreovirus-1 genome segment S1 associated with heart and skeletal muscle inflammation in Atlantic salmon

During the last decade, Piscine orthoreovirus was identified as the main causative agent of heart and skeletal muscle inflammation (HSMI) in Atlantic Salmon, Norway. A recent study showed that PRV-1 sequences from salmonid collected in North Atlantic Pacific Coast (NAPC) grouped separately from the Norwegian sequences found in Atlantic Salmon diagnosed with HSMI. Currently, the routine assay used to screen for PRV-1 in NAPC water and worldwide cannot differentiate between the two groups of PRV-1. Therefore, this study aimed at developing a real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assay to target the PRV-1 genome segments specific for variants associated with HSMI. The assay was optimized and tested against 71 tissue samples collected from different regions including Norway, Chile and both coast of Canada and different hosts farmed Atlantic Salmon, wild Coho Salmon and escaped Atlantic Salmon collected in British Columbia, West Coast of Canada. This assay has the potential to be used for screening salmonids and non-salmonids that may carry PRV-1 potentially causing HSMI.     

基于qPCR和LAMP技术的马铃薯晚疫病菌快速检测方法

马铃薯晚疫病菌（Phytophthora infestans）能侵染多种茄科植物,它引起的马铃薯晚疫病,是马铃薯生产中的第一大病害。为了开发能在田间快速检测马铃薯晚疫病病原的方法,利用P. infestans T30-4基因组测序数据的contig 1.18131,设计qPCR和LAMP引物,优化扩增条件后得到引物的特异性和灵敏度,最后通过检测田间收获薯块,比较形态学传统方法、qPCR及LAMP的差异。特异性检测结果发现,qPCR和LAMP仅在含有P. infestans DNA模板的体系有阳性扩增,在寄主和其他微生物DNA中均无扩增;在优化的条件下,qPCR和LAMP的检测下限可达1×10 ^-6ng/μL,在有寄主和其他微生物DNA存在的条件下,引物的灵敏度没有显著差异。利用两种快速方法对在大理、丽江及昆明3个地区田间收获薯块上检测发现,qPCR和LAMP方法得到的检出率差异极为不显著（P=0.420）,两种快速检测方法和形态学鉴定方法检出率差异极显著（P=0.009）。在大理、丽江及昆明3个地区的薯块中,两种分子检测方法检出率均比形态学方法高。其中,qPCR检测方法比形态学方法分别提高了12.00%、2.00%、8.70%;LAMP检测方法比形态学方法分别提高了11.30%、2.00%、8.70%。     

High vegetative compatibility diversity of Cryphonectria parasitica infecting sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa) in Britain indicates multiple pathogen introductions

Chestnut blight, caused by Cryphonectria parasitica, was identified in Devon, UK, in December 2016. Intensive surveys detected the disease at further sites in Devon (seven), Berkshire (one), Dorset (one), Derbyshire (four) and a cluster of eight sites in southeast London. Over 570 survey samples were tested, and 227 were positive for C. parasitica by isolation and real-time PCR. A total of 227 isolates were tested for mating type, and 197 screened for vegetative compatibility group (VCG) and compared with VCGs known from mainland Europe. The same isolates were also screened for the presence of Cryphonectria hypovirus 1 (CHV-1). Eleven VCGs were identified within the UK population. Five corresponded to already known European VCGs but six were unique. The European VCGs mainly came from the Devon, Dorset, Berkshire and Derbyshire disease outbreaks, whilst unique VCGs were almost exclusively from the southeast London cluster. Both mating types were detected, but only one mating type was present at each site, with the exception of a single Devon site. Perithecia of C. parasitica were never observed at any site. CHV-1 was found in seven isolates from three different locations and was always subtype-I, which has limited hypovirulence. Therefore, although CHV-1 is associated with C. parasitica at some outbreaks, it probably has limited impact on virulence. The diversity of VCGs and their distribution at outbreak sites, together with findings of CHV-1, suggests C. parasitica has been introduced to the UK multiple times over at least two decades through international plant trade.     

基于实时性优化的内燃机燃烧分析系统研究

采用缸压传感器、数据采集卡、光电编码器和Lab VIEW软件,搭建在线缸压采集和实时燃烧分析系统平台,研究HCCI和RCCI燃烧模式的循环波动特性。针对单循环缸压测量过程中的通道效应干扰,基于频谱分析,采用FFT、线性插值法和IFFT等方法相结合的滤波方式,实现共振峰的在线自适应识别与实时滤波,较好地减少了单循环缸压的干扰误差,使单循环的实时燃烧分析成为可能。随后,基于实时滤波后的缸压曲线,计算得到内燃机的最大压力升高率、燃烧放热率、爆发压力等重要燃烧参数。利用程序算法中同步性良好的生产者/消费者运算模式提高数据的共享能力,实现了数据实时运算与数据快速储存的并行处理,提高了燃烧计算的实时性;针对发动机不同工作阶段采用了不同精度层次的计算方法,减少了进排气、压缩和膨胀阶段的计算耗时,在计算量较大的燃烧放热率计算部分,通过适当简化计算公式和公式节点运算模块来提高燃烧系统的实时性。最后,分析了燃烧分析系统的实时性,并进行了燃烧分析系统的实验验证。     

人溶菌酶密码子优化及其在牛乳腺细胞中高效表达

【目的】分析牛乳腺中7种主要乳蛋白基因密码子使用偏好性,筛选高频密码子和低频密码子,依据其对人溶菌酶基因进行密码子局部优化和全局优化,通过牛乳腺上皮细胞等多种细胞对优化效果进行分析评价,为提高重组人溶菌酶表达量,开发新型、高效、安全的重组人溶菌酶提供理论依据。【方法】利用CodonW和EMBOSS等软件对7种主要牛乳蛋白和人溶菌酶基因密码子偏好进行生物信息学分析,筛选牛乳蛋白基因高频、低频密码子并根据牛乳蛋白基因密码子使用偏好对人溶菌酶基因翻译起始区前22位密码子（LYZop22）和全局密码子(LYZop)分别进行优化。构建人溶菌酶-荧光素酶融合表达载体（pGL3-LYZcw/op22/op）和人溶菌酶过表达载体（pcDNA-LYZcw/op22/op）,将上述载体分别转染牛乳腺上皮细胞(BMEC)、牛成纤维细胞（BFFC）和C127小鼠乳腺上皮细胞等3种细胞,通过荧光素酶、实时荧光定量PCR及Western-blot等方法检测密码子优化对溶菌酶表达的影响。【结果】牛乳蛋白基因密码子偏好以GC结尾,GC3s平均含量为0.537±0.062,而人溶菌酶GC3s含量为0.407,偏好以AT结尾;聚类结果表明,牛乳中酪蛋白与乳清蛋白类基因在密码子使用偏好性上也存在一定差异。依据筛选获得的牛主要乳蛋白基因5个高频密码子（RSCU>1.5）和7个低频密码子（RSCU<0.5）对人溶菌酶基因密码子进行优化并转染多种细胞进行表达效果分析。荧光素酶分析发现,相比野生型溶菌酶密码子（LYZcw）,翻译起始区密码子优化类型LYZop22分别在BMEC、BFFC细胞中提高1.48倍（P<0.01）和1.30倍（P>0.05）;而全局密码子优化类型LYZop分别在BMEC、BFFC中提高2.2倍（P<0.01）和2.44倍（P<0.01）,说明密码子优化能明显提高人溶菌酶在多种细胞中表达量。实时荧光定量PCR结果表明,LYZop22相比LYZcw在BMEC和BFFC细胞中分别提高了2.08倍（P<0.05）和1.5倍（P>0.05）,而LYZop则分别提高了22倍（P<0.01）和17.8倍（P<0.01）,mRNA表达水平与密码子优化后的mRNA二级结构稳定性呈正相关。Western-blot结果也进一步表明,密码子优化后的LYZop22和LYZop能明显提高重组人溶菌酶在牛乳腺上皮细胞中的表达量。上述结果表明,根据牛乳腺中主要乳蛋白基因密码子使用偏好进行密码子优化,能显著提高人溶菌酶在牛乳腺上皮细胞及成纤维细胞中的表达量,且溶菌酶基因全局密码子优化效果优于翻译起始区密码子优化效果。【结论】通过生物信息学分析获得了牛乳蛋白基因使密码子使用偏好及高低频密码子;依据牛乳蛋白密码子使用偏好性对人溶菌酶密码子优化能显著提高重组人溶菌酶mRNA水平和蛋白水平的表达量,为今后利用生物反应器高效生产重组人溶菌酶奠定基础。     

Detection of Leishmania infantum DNA by real-time PCR in saliva of dogs

This study developed a real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay to detect L. infantum kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) in canine saliva. The qPCR showed an efficiency of 93.8%, a coefficient of correlation of 0.996 and a detection limit of 0.5 fg/reaction (0.005 parasites), although it detected until 0.25 fg/reaction (0.0025 parasites). When samples from 12 dogs experimentally infected with L. infantum were collected, L. infantum kDNA was detected at 16-weeks post-infection (wpi) in 41.7% and 91.7% of saliva and bone marrow samples, respectively, and at 47-wpi in 75% of both samples. L. infantum kDNA can be detected by qPCR in canine saliva, with lower sensitivity in the early stages of infection and a lower parasite load estimation compared to bone marrow. However, saliva had similar sensitivities to bone marrow in the later stages of the infection and could be used to detect L. infantum kDNA being aware of its limitations.