Comparison of PCR, DIA and Pathogenicity Assay for Detection of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. citri, the Causal Agent of Citrus Bacterial Canker Disease

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) approach based on newly designed primers, JYF5/JYR5, was applied for specific detection of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv.citri(Xac). The efficiency and reliability of PCR method were compared with dot immunobinding assay (DIA) and classical pathogenicity test techniques for detecting suspensions of pure cells of Xac and soaking sap of citrus tissues. Detection sensitivity of PCR was about 4.5 cells or 1.56 pg target DNA per reaction which was higher than that of DIA (ca.450 cells per dot).These three techniques (PCR assay, DIA and Pathogenecity test) could always detect Xac from symptomatic citrus samples. Different performances were obtained from citrus materials without symptoms, and the positive detection frequency was PCR, DIA and pathogenicity test.     

Detection of Herbicide-tolerant Canola by Multiplex PCR

[Objective]This study aimed to establish a multiplex PCR detection method of herbicide-tolerant canola.[Method] An endogenous reference gene(CruA) and three exogenous genes(T-CaMV 35 S, P-CaMV 35 S and pat) were selected for multiplex PCR. Specific primers were designed based on national standards or related literature. The annealing temperature, ratio of primer concentration and sensitivity of the established multiplex PCR system were optimized. The optimal multiplex PCR system was verified with known samples. [Result] The experimental results showed that the optimal annealing temperature of multiplex PCR was 58 ℃; the optimal ratio of primer concentration(μmol/L) was T-CaMV 35S: CruA: P-CaMV 35S: pat=0.1: 0.2: 0.2: 0.2;the detection sensitivity of the established multiplex PCR method was 0.3 ng. The amplified bands of known samples were completely consistent with the molecular characteristics. [Conclusion] This study provided a rapid, accurate and effective multiplex PCR technique for detection of herbicide-tolerant canola.     

PCR-based Assay for the Detection of Xanthomonas campestris pv. Mangiferaeindicae Causing Bacterial Black Spot in Mango

[Objective] This study aimed to develop a PCR assay for detecting Xanthomonas campestris pv. mangiferaeindicae(Xcm) in culture and in planta. [Method] Primers(Xcm HF and Xcm HR) were designed based on the partial sequence of hrp B gene from xanthomonads to develop a PCR assay for Xcm. Furthermore, specificity and sensitivity of the primer pairs were analyzed in detection of genomic DNA and cell from Xcm. [Result] Amplication was positive only with genomic DNA from positive control ATCC11637 and 12 Xcm strains; no PCR products were amplified with genomic DNA from ten other xanthomonads and seven other bacterial species. The sensitivity of detection was 2.4 pg/μl genomic DNA, and 1.8 × 104CFU/ml cells. The primers also worked well for pathogen detection in direct PCR assays of Xcm colonies grown on liquid medium and in PCR assays of total DNA from leaf, branch and fruit lesions. [Conclusion] A PCR assay was successfully established for rapid detection of Xcm in culture and in planta.     

Development of A Real-Time PCR Assay for Plasmodiophora brassicae and Its Detection in Soil Samples

A SYBR Green I real-time PCR assay was developed to detect and quantify Plasmodiophora brassicae ribosomal DNA(rDNA) and internal transcribed spacer(ITS).A pair of primers PBF1/PBR1 was designed based on the conservative region of rDNA-ITS of P.brassicae.The positive plasmid pB12 was obtained and used as the template to create standard curve.The specificity,sensitivity,and reproducibility of real-time PCR were evaluated respectively.Naturally and artificially infested soil samples containing different concentrations of P.brassicae were detected.The results demonstrated that standard curve established by recombinant plasmid was shown a fine linear relationship between threshold cycle and template concentration.The melting curve was specific with the correlation coefficient of 0.995 and that the amplification efficiency was 93.8%.The detection limit of P.brassicae genomic DNA was approximately 40 copies per 25 μL.The sensitivity of the assay was at least 100-fold higher than conventional PCR.Only DNA from P.brassicae could be amplified and detected using this assay,suggesting the highly specific of this assay.The coefficient of variation was less than 3%,indicating the PCR method revealed high reproducibility.The detection limit in soil samples corresponded to 1 000 resting spores g-1soil.Bait plants were used to validate the real-time PCR assay.This developed real-time PCR assay allows for fast and sensitive detection of P.brassicae in soil and should be useful in disease management and pest interception so as to prevent further spread of P.brassicae.     

Detection of Staphylococcus aureus in Dairy Products by Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay

A polymerase chain reaction （PCR） assay was employed for direct detection of Staphylococcus aureus without enrichment in dairy products. A solvent extraction procedure was successfully modified for the extraction of Staphylococcus aureus DNA from artificially contaminated whole milk, skim milk, and cheese. A primer targeting the thermostable nuclease gene （nuc） was used in the PCR. A DNA fragment of 279 bp was amplified. The PCR product was confirmed by DNA sequencing. In this study, the PCR, GB-4789.10-94, Perifilm RSA.Count Plate, and Baird-Parker ＋ RPF Agar were compared. The sensitivity of the PCR was 10 CFU mL^-1 of whole milk, skim milk, and 55 CFU g^-1 of cheese. The developed methodology allowed for detection of Staphylococcus aureus in dairy products in less than 6 h. The time taken for the development of this PCR assay was 12-24 h, less than the time taken by the general PCR assay using the enrichment method, and the coincidence rate of this developed PCR was 94.3%, the sensitivity was 100%. It was a rapid, sensitive, and effective method for PCR to detect Staphylococcus aureus in milk and milk products.     

Development of a PCR Diagnostic Kit for Cryptosporidium andersoni in Dairy Cow

Cryptosporidiosis is an important zoonosis caused by the Cryptosporidium species. To develop a PCR diagnostic kit for molecular detection and differential diagnosis of Cryptosporidium spp., a portion of ITS-1 sequence of Cryptosporidium. andersoni was chosen as the target DNA for designing the species-specific primers （ZRQF/ZR）. The kit components were determined after the PCR amplification conditions were serially optimized. A series of tests were conducted in the specificity, sensitivity, stability, reproducibility, and stored period of the kit, respectively. The results showed that only C. andersoni were amplified specific band of about 500 bp, while Cryptosporidium. parvum, Cryptosporidium. baileyi, Eimeria sp of dairy cow, Toxoplasma gondii, Eimeria sp of pig, Ascaris suum, Cyclospora sp, and E. coli could not be amplified. 254 oocysts of C. andersoni was the lowest number that could be detected using the kit. The kit worked well after being stored at room temperature, 4 and -20℃ for nine months. Fecal specimens, which were collected from a total of 243 calves on four different dairy farms in Guangdong Province, China, and one dairy farm in Henan Province, China, were examined using the kit; the positive rate of the kit was 2-13% higher than that of the routine methods. The results indicated that the kit can detect fecal samples faster, more sensitively, and conveniently, and can provide a useful tool for the identification and differentiation of C. andersoni from the other Cryptosporidium species; it also has implications for further studies on molecular epidemiology and differential diagnostics of cryptosporidiosis in animals.     

Molecular Detection of Verticillium albo-atrum by PCR Based on Its Sequences

We developed one species-specific PCR assays for rapid and accurate detection of the pathogenic fungi Verticillium albo-atrum in diseased plant tissues and soil. Based on differences in internal transcribed spacer （ITS） sequences of Verticillium spp., a pair of species-specific primers, Vaal/Vaa2, was synthesized. After screening 17 isolates of V. alboatrum, 121 isolates from the Ascomycota, B asidiomycota, Deuteromycota, and Oomycota, the Vaal/Vaa2 primers amplified only a single PCR band of approximately 330 bp from V. albo-atrum. The detection sensitivity with primers Vaal/Vaa2 was 10 fg of genomic DNA. Using ITS1/ITS4 as the first-round primers, combined with Vaa1/Vaa2, the nested PCR procedures were developed, and the detection sensitivity increased 1 000-fold to 10 ag. The detection sensitivity for the soil pathogens was 100-conidiag^-1 soil. The PCR-based methods developed here could simplify both plant disease diagnosis and pathogen monitoring as well as guide plant disease management.     

The Finding and Phylogenetic Evolution Analysis of Bovine Piroplasms in the Rasǒn Area of North Korea

The objective of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of bovine Piroplasms infections in the Rasǒn area of North Korea.The survey was carried out by light microscopic examination of Giemsa-stained blood smears,PCR,and phylogenetic evolution analysis of 128 blood samples collected from the Rasǒn area.The results showed that the infection rates of the small and large parasites were about 2.5 and 1.5% on average,respectively,in all Theileria sergenti and Babesia ovatapositive blood smears by microscopic examination of blood smears.The detection rate of T.sergenti Giemsa-stained smears was 43.75%,while that with PCR was 67.97%.The detection rate of B.ovata Giemsa-stained smears was 49.21%,while that with PCR was 71.88%.The sequence and phylogenetic analysis of DNA showed 98.84% homology between the 18S rRNA gene sequences of T.sergenti isolates from North Korean and that of Yanbian state from China,indicating the closest genetic relationship between both of them.Moreover,100% homology was shown between the 18S rRNA gene sequence of B.ovata isolates from North Korea and the published sequence AY081192 of GenBank,indicating the closest genetic relationship between both of them.This survey confirmed that Ras n is the endemic area of T.sergenti and B.ovata in North Korea.     

Studies on cDNA Probe Detection Technology for Apple Stem Pitting Virus in Kuala Pear

Using Kuala pear leaves and cortexes as materials, the total RNA was extracted using two methods and these two methods were compared. The most suited methods for Kuala pear were screened; and biotin-labeled cDNA probe was synthesized using RT-PCR. The main factors that affected the sensitivity of hybridization were studied. Studies indicated that the highest sensitivity was obtained under the following conditions： probe concentration 400 ng mL^-1, formamide concentration 45%, temperature 42℃, hybridization time 6 hours. The best hybridization results were obtained when the nitrocellulose membrane purchased from Gelman was used. Better blocking of hybridization was obtained using Tween 20 compared with albumin in bovine. The detection of the total RNA using different tissues and different extraction methods was compared. This study indicates that the total RNA of fresh leaf, old leaf, cortexes, and frozen leaf showed signs of hybridization using the two extraction methods.     

Screening of Transgenic Soybean Transformed by Means of Pollen-tube Using Kanamycin

Kanamycin was used to screen T0 seeds of the variety Dongnong 46 transformed by means of pollen-tube method. The results showed that 400 mg·L-1 kanamycin could inhibit growth of non-transgenic plants, and 2 positive plants were gotten combined with Gus dyeing and PCR detection. It is proved that this method is e-conomic and effective in preliminary screening the transgenic plants.     

Evaluation of thermotherapy against Huanglongbing (citrus greening) in the greenhouse

Huanglongbing(HLB, or citrus greening) is the most destructive disease of citrus, which is associated with Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus(Las). Few management options are available, aside from preventive measures such as removing infected plants, planting disease-free seedlings, and managing the insect vector. In this study, we assessed the efficacy of thermotherapy against HLB under controlled greenhouse conditions. A total of 60 two-year-old, graft-infected Citrus reticulata Blanco plants were used. The plants were randomly divided into three groups(45°C, 48° C, and untreated control), with five plants/replicate(rep) and four reps/treatment. The treated plants were placed in phytotrons for a 4-h treatment session, repeated once per week for three consecutive weeks. Disease remission was observed eight weeks post-treatment. Real-time PCR assays revealed that Las titers in HLB-affected seedlings were significantly reduced in both 45 and 48°C treatments four weeks after treatment, with the exception of eight plants. In contrast, Las titers in the untreated control plants increased significantly during the same period, with a maximum increase of 28-fold. Except for seven plants, Las titers in the new flushes of treated plants decreased more than 90% eight weeks after treatment. Las titers in mature leaves of treated plants decreased 56 and 60% in average at 45 and 48°C, respectively, eight weeks after treatment. The HLB symptoms and Las titer of seedings were markedly alleviated eight weeks after treatment in both 45 and 48°C treatments. Our results laid a good foundation for the further development of citrus free-disease seedling cultivation and Huanglongbing control in the field. The whole plants were replaced for scion or branch in previous as the research object in this study, and the expression of Huanglongbing symptoms combined with real-time polymerase chain reaction(PCR) were used to evaluate the effect of heat treatment in the greenhouse.     

Identification and Detection of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae in Infected and Subclinically Infected Pigs by Multiplex PCR Based on the Genes ApxIVA and OmlA

PCRs based on different genes of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae have been developed for detecting and identifying A. pleuropneumoniae. Some of them could amplify positive fragments from the phylogenetically closely related species bacteria. To improve veracity and specificity of PCR, a species-specific multiplex PCR assay was developed to identify and detect A. pleuropneumoniae, based on the 3＇-terminus of the species-specific apxlVA gene and the already existing species-specific primers in the omlA gene. Both 346-bp and 950-bp fragments could be simultaneously amplified from all A. pleuropneumoniae reference strains and isolates, and the species specificity of the assay was evaluated with a collection of ten strains representing eight different species bacteria including species normally found in the respiratory tracts of swine. All of these strains turned out negative in the multiplex PCR. All sequences of products of multiplex PCR randomly sampled were also correct. The sensitivity of the multiplex PCR was determined to be 10 pg of A. pleuropneumoniae DNA. The multiplex PCR and bacterial isolation were compared to determine their sensitivities by using experimentally infected pigs and clinical disease pigs. The multiplex PCR was more sensitive than bacterial isolation. The multiplex PCR was also evaluated on mixed bacterial cultures from clinical healthy pigs. 26/100 （26%） of the subclinically infected pigs were detected from clinical healthy pigs. The results indicate that the multiplex PCR assay is a sensitive, highly specific, and effective diagnostic tool for identification and detection of A. pleuropneumoniae.     

Standardization of a Real-time PCR System for Quantitative Detection of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae

This study was conducted to develop a method for accurate quantification of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae during vaccine production or experimental research. Primer and probe concentration that gave the highest ΔRn and the lowest Ct were selected to establish the real-time PCR system for the detection of M. hyopneumoniae. Template DNA of M. hyopneumoniae was extracted by boiling under different conditions and detected by real-time PCR to determine the optimal conditions for DNA extraction. Thereafter, intra-and inter-batch reproducibility tests were carried out using a standard plasmid to evaluate the stability of the PCR system. Subsequently, the effect of medium composition on the quantitative detection was evaluated. Finally, the correlation between real-time PCR and CCU method was explored. The optimal primer and probe concentration for real-time PCR were 0.4 and 0.2 μmol/L, respectively. The intra-and inter-batch coefficients of variation(CV) in Ct value of 10~4-10~9 copies/μl standard plasmid were 5%, indicating good reproducibility of the real-time PCR system. Following incubation in a boiling water bath for 10 min, M. hyopneumoniae samples can be used directly as a template in subsequent real-time PCR assays,and good intra-batch and inter-batch reproducibility was observed. The working concentration of KM2 medium should be less than the 1/10 of the concentration of the stock solution to minimize its influence on the quantitative detection. Spearman's correlation analysis revealed that the log of CCU and the log of DNA copy number had a significant positive relationship(r=0.797,P=0.000). Thus, the two methods can be used in combination in the quantitative detection of M. hyopneumoniae. In summary, a rapid, stable and accurate quantitative PCR system for detecting M. hyopneumoniae culture was established in this study, which provides a technical means for accurate quantification of M. hyopneumoniae in vaccine production and laboratory tests.     

Establishment of Real-Time TaqMan-Fluorescence Quantitative RT-PCR Assay for Detection and Quantification of Porcine Lipoprotein Lipase mRNA

Porcine lipoprotein lipase （LPL） cDNA was cloned as the standard for real-time quantifying LPL mRNA and the TaqMan-fluorescence quantitative PCR assay for detection was established. The total RNA extracted from Longissimus dorsi of porcine was reverse-transcribed to cDNA. LPL cDNA was ligated with pGM-T vector and transformed into Escherichia coli TOP10. Plasmid DNA extracted from positive clones was verified by PCR amplification and sequenced. LPL was amplified by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR from the plasmid DNA. The concentration of DNA template purified was detected by analyzing absorbance in 260 nm and then the combined plasmid was diluted to series as standard for fluorescence quantitative PCR （FQ-PCR）. The method of LPL mRNA real-time PCR was well established, which detected as low as 103 with the linear range 10^3 to 10^10 copies. The standard curves showed high correlations （R2 = 0.9871）. A series of standards for real-time PCR analysis have been constructed successfially, and real-time TaqMan-fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR is reliable to quantitatively evaluate FQ-PCR mRNA in L. dorsi of porcine.     

Expression of an Episomal Vector in Developing Chicken Embryo and Chicks

The domesticated chicken has important roles in basic and applied research. The vector based on scaffold matrix attachment region （S/MAR） appears to be sufficient to maintain long-term expression in an episomal state in various mammalian cells. To explore the practical use of episomal vector in transgene technology of agricultural chickens, we fused the S/MAR of the human r-interferon gene into the pEGFP vector and transduced it into chickens by sperm-mediated gene transfer （SMGT）. PCR detection indicated the positive rate of transgene chickens was 60%. The RT-PCR detection and fluorescence observation confirmed the expression of the GFP and indicated the existence of the GFP during the chicken embryogenesis and fetal development. The PCR detection and rescue experiments confirmed the episomal state of the pEPI-EGFP in chick embryos and chicks. These results showed that the S/MAR-based vector could function properly in chicken embryos and was a practicable tool combined with the SMGT to study the development of chickens.     

Polymorphism analysis of microsatellites and construction of linkage map in part regions of four chromosomes in chicken

Based on chicken' consensus map issued in 2000,17 microsatellites near 4 candidate genes such as IGF2,OBR,GDF8 and APOA1 in 4 chromosomes(chromosome 5,7,8 and 24)were chosen for polymorphism analysis and construction of linkage map.Combining the technique of PCR and the fluorescent semi-automated detection,genome scanning was performed for 440 chickens,which was derived from China Agricultural University chicken resource families within three generations.The individuals of this resource families were genotyped.The results showed that the number of alleles ranged from 4 to 14;heterozygosity(H) of markers was between 0.3116 and 0.9148.Polymorphic information content(PIC)varied from 0.2672 to 0.8679.Microsatellites along with above-mentioned 4 candidate genes doing as general markers were used to construct linkage map.The spans of 4 linkage maps constructed in the part region of chromosome 5,7,8 and 24 were 263.5,79.9,206.2 and 104.2 cM,respectively.The order of markers was consistent with that of counterpart of reported consensus map.However,The spans of linkage map were larger than that of consensus map.The constructed linkage maps laid the foundation for mapping quantitative trait loci(QTL)responsible for economically important traits in chicken.     

抗犬瘟热病毒荧光标记单抗的制备和初步鉴定(英文)

[Objective] The aim of the present study was to develop a direct immunofluorescence method for the diagnosis of canine distemper (CD) with FITC-conjugated monoclonal antibodies (FITC-McAb). [Method] The McAb against CDV, designated as CE3, was purified with protein G and labeled with FITC through agitation method. After purification and identification, the optimal working concentration of FITC-labeled CE3 was determined. Then 61 clinical samples of suspected canine distemper were detected by direct immunofluorescence assay. [Result] The absorption test, blocking test and specificity test showed that the labeled antibody had high specificity and sensitivity, but didn't have cross reaction with canine parvovirus (CPV), canine parainfluenza virus (CPIV), canine adenovirus (CAV) and rabies virus (RV). The optimal working concentration was 1∶80. The positive rate of clinical suspected samples was 48%. [Conclusion] The direct immunofluorescence assay developed in this study was rapid, specific and convenient, and had great significance for the early diagnosis of canine distemper.     

The Influence of Selection for Plasma very Low Density Lipoprotein Concentration upon Production Performance in Layer Type Chickens

The chickens studied were from a pure line of brown shell egg-type(YAFA) female grandparents of 17-week-old.Plasima very low denstiy lipoprotein(VLDL) concentration was measured with turbidimetric assay.The experiment results showed that the phenotypic correla-tions between 29-week or 50-week plasma VLDL concentration and egg production (EP) were positive in the early stage of laying period,but those in the latter stage were negative,Selection for low plasma VLD concentration will decrease the EP in the early stage of laying period but in-crease the one in the latter stage,There was a significant negative phenotypic correlaiton between the atge at first egg (AFE) and 18-week body weight(BW),The phenotypic correlation between 29-week plasma VLDL concentration and the AFE was negative,AFE was influenced by BW and body fatness as well.There was significant positive phenotypic correlation between plasima VLDL concentration and body weights(BWs) at the same stage in laying period and the phenotypic correlation was aslo positive between 29-week plasma VLDL concentration and the BW at middle stage of laying period,indicating that selection for low plasma VLDL concentration would reduce BWs at various stages to different degree.     

Establishment of PCR-ELISA for Detecting Glyphosate Resistant Transgenic Soybean

A PCR-ELISA method for detecting the glyphosate resistant transgenic soybean was established and optimized. The results showed that the key parameters of PCR-ELISA were as follows: the concentration of digoxin tag probe was 0.5 μmol · L-1, the time of hybridization reaction was 15 min and the chromogenic reaction should last for 30 min. The sensitivity and the repeatability of our PCR-ELISA method were evaluated, and the results showed that it could be detected when the concentration of DNA template from transgenic soybean samples was 0.01% or higher, and the coefficient of variation of this method was less than 5% in our research condition. These results suggested that PCR-ELISA method establishment in this study had good repeatability and high precision for detecting the transgenic soybean samples.