马铃薯青枯病菌的PE-ELISA检测

PE ELISA (Post EnrichmentEnzyme -linkedImmunosorbentAssay)是一种快速、经济、有效的马铃薯青枯菌检测方法 ,较普通NCM ELISA方法灵敏度提高 10 0万倍 ,与DAS -ELISA、NASH等方法一样灵敏、可靠 ,特别是对处于潜伏期感染而没有表现出症状的马铃薯块茎的检测更为有效     

Localization of the immunodominant region on human thyroid peroxidase in autoimmune thyroid diseases: an update

Recent studies in the field of autoimmune thyroid diseases have largely focused on the delineation of B-cell auto-epitopes recognized by the main autoantigens to improve our understanding of how these molecules are seen by the immune system. Among these autoantigens which are targeted by autoantibodies during the development of autoimmune thyroid diseases, thyroid peroxidase is a major player. Indeed, high amounts of anti-thyroid peroxidase autoantibodies are found in the sera of patients suffering from Graves' disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis, respectively hyper and hypothyroidism. Since anti-thyroid peroxidase autoantibodies from patients'sera mainly recognize a discontinuous immunodominant region on thyroid peroxidase and due to the complexity of the three dimensional structure of human thyroid peroxidase, numerous investigations have been necessary to closely localize this immunodominant region. The aim of the present review is to summarize the current knowledge regarding the localization of the immunodominant region recognized by human thyroid peroxidase-specific autoantibodies generated during the development of autoimmune thyroid diseases.     

Optimisation of sample size for the detection of latent infection byRalstonia solanacearum in potato seed tubers in the highlands of Peru

Summary A sampling strategy was evaluated in the Andean highlands of Peru to optimise the detection ofRalstonia solanacearum in seed tubers harvested from symptomless crops. A sensitive and specific serological method developed at CIP was used to detect the pathogen in latently infected tubers. Optimum sample size was evaluated for symptomless crops after analysing various numbers of composite samples and using a binomial distribution model to calculate the detection probabilities.R. solanacearum was detected in all lots from fields with visible symptoms, so validating the detection technique. About half of the seed lots from apparently healthy fields at altitudes of up to 3,100 m were found positive for the pathogen.R. solanacearum was detected with 99% probability in samples of 350 tubers from seed lots from symptomless crops. This number of seed tubers could feasibly be processed in a seed-health test without incurring too high a cost for labour and materials.     

Managing irrigation to reduce nutrient leaching in containerized white spruce seedling production

Increasing irrigation efficiency and reducing groundwater contamination from agricultural and nursery runoff are important components in environmentally compatible plant production practices. The objectives of this study were to quantify mineral leaching from containerized (2+0) white spruce seedlings grown under three different irrigation regimes (30, 40 and 55% V/V) and to determine the effect of irrigation regime on growth, nutritional status, and gas exchange. To negate the effect of environmental variables, a completely randomized block experiment was installed in a normal production run of air-slit containerized white spruce seedlings grown under an unheated polyethylene tunnel. Whereas substrate water content was monitored daily, biweekly measurements of tissue and substrate fertility and seedling morphophysiological variables were made over the course of the growing season. Leaching of mineral nutrients was continuously monitored throughout the experimental period. Reducing volumetric substrate water content from 55 to 30% did not have a significant effect on seedling growth, carbon allocation, tissue nitrogen content, or end-of-season morphology. This irrigation strategy also resulted in a 20% reduction in water usage and, more importantly, reduced the total leachate volume by 65% and the quantity of N leached by 52%. Maintaining rhizosphere water content of (2+0) white spruce seedlings at 40% V/V compromises neither plant growth nor physiological processes. This strategy limits leaching of water and mineral nutrients, and reduces the risk of groundwater contamination, thus enabling growers to meet both quality and environmental standards for seedlings grown in northern forest nurseries.     

Insights on the association between somatic aneuploidy and ostreid herpesvirus 1 detection in the oysters Crassostrea gigas,C. angulata and their F1 hybrids

Cytogenetic abnormalities associated with viral infections, including from viruses of the Herpesvirales order, have been reported in vertebrate species. Ostreid herpesvirus 1 (OsHV‐1) has been detected worldwide during mortality outbreaks of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas. On the other hand, a high proportion of aneuploid cells in somatic tissues have been observed in C. gigas. In this study, we analysed the putative association between aneuploidy levels and the detection of OsHV‐1 in gills of C. gigas, the Portuguese oyster C. angulata and their F1 hybrids cultured in Ria Formosa (Portugal). OsHV‐1 was detected by PCR in 5.4% of the total of oysters analysed (n = 111) namely in 11.1%, 8.0% and 1.7% of C. gigas, C. angulata and F1 hybrid respectively. Sequencing analysis of a viral fragment amplified with the C2/C6 primer pair revealed a high similarity with the OsHV‐1 reference type. Moreover, in situ hybridization confirmed the presence of OsHV‐1 in gill tissue. Oysters where OsHV‐1 was detected had a significantly higher mean percentage of aneuploid cells (25%) than the ones where the virus was not detected (18%). However, the overall low percentage of positive samples contrasted with the high mean percentage of aneuploidy observed, with 50% of the oysters analysed showing a percentage of aneuploid cells between 20% and 30%. We hypothesize that somatic aneuploidy may adversely affect oysters making them more prone to OsHV‐1 infection, but the virus is unlikely to be the cause of somatic aneuploidy.     

Ultrasonographic measurements of adrenal glands in cats with hyperthyroidism

Feline hyperthyroidism is potentially associated with exaggerated responsiveness of the adrenal gland cortex. The adrenal glands of 23 hyperthyroid cats were examined ultrasonographically and compared to the adrenal glands of 30 control cats. Ten hyperthyroid cats had received antithyroid drugs until 2 weeks before sonography, the other 13 were untreated. There was no difference in adrenal gland shape between healthy and hyperthyroid cats: bean-shaped, well-defined, hypoechoic structures surrounded by a hyperechoic halo in 43/60 (71.6%) healthy cats and 34/46 (73.9%) hyperthyroid cats; more ovoid in 13/60 (21.6%) healthy cats and 9/46 (19.6%) hyperthyroid cats while more elongated in 4/60 (6.7%) healthy cats, 3/46 (6.5%) hyperthyroid cats. Hyperechoic foci were present in 9/23 (39.1%) hyperthyroid cats and 2/30 (6.7%) healthy cats. The adrenal glands were significantly larger in hyperthyroid cats, although there was overlap in size range. The mean difference between hyperthyroid cats and healthy cats was 1.6 and 1.7 mm in left and right adrenal gland length, 0.8 and 0.9 mm in left and right cranial adrenal gland height, and 0.4 and 0.9 mm in left and right caudal adrenal gland height. There was no significant difference between the adrenal gland measurements in treated and untreated hyperthyroid cats. The adrenomegaly was most likely associated with the hypersecretion of the adrenal cortex documented in hyperthyroid cats. Hyperthyroidism should be an alternative to hyperadrenocorticism, hyperaldosteronism, and acromegaly in cats with bilateral moderate adrenomegaly.     

Effects of Season,Strain, and Body Weight on Testes Development and Quality in Three Strains of Blue Catfish,Ictalurus furcatus

Production of channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, female × blue catfish, Ictalurus furcatus, male hybrids has increased dramatically in the USA. Hybrid production requires surgical removal and maceration of blue catfish testes. Farmers report individual and seasonal variation in blue catfish testes development, and understanding the factors influencing testes development could improve hybrid catfish production. Effects of season (mid‐May vs. mid‐June), strain (D&B, Missouri, and Texas), and body weight on testes development in 5‐yr‐old blue catfish were determined. Males were measured in mid‐May and mid‐June for length, body weight, testes weight, and gonadosomatic index (GSI). Total sperm/g of testes, percent motility, and motile sperm/g of testes were determined. D&B strain males weighed more and had larger testes with more sperm than Missouri or Texas strain males in both months. Mature Texas strain males were larger than immature Texas strain males in both months. Testes were larger and had more sperm in May than in June for all strains; however, there were males from each strain with good quality testes in June. GSI, sperm/g of testes, percent motility, and motile sperm/g of testes were positively correlated. Information from this study provides a better understanding of factors influencing testes development in blue catfish.     

Type IV secretion and Brucella virulence

The type IV secretion system, encoded by the virB region, is a key virulence factor for Brucella. The 12 genes of the region form an operon that is specifically induced by phagosome acidification in cells after phagocytosis. We speculate that the system serves to secrete unknown effector molecules, which allow Brucella to pervert the host cell endosomal pathways and to create a novel intracellular compartment in which it can replicate.