Monoclonal antibodies reactive with chicken interleukin-17

Chicken interleukin-17 (chIL-17) gene was previously characterized through cloning from a chicken intestinal expressed sequence tag (EST) cDNA library. To further investigate the biological properties of chIL-17, six monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against a bacterially expressed chIL-17 recombinant protein were produced and their binding specificities characterized. Antibodies which were initially selected on the basis of their specific binding reactivity with recombinant chIL-17 in ELISA were further characterized by Western blot analysis. Monoclonal antibodies specific for chIL-17 identified 20 and 21kDa protein bands in the culture supernatant and cell lysate of CU205 cells. These mAbs also recognized specific bands for chIL-17 in the cell lysate from conconavalin A (Con A)-activated, but not from normal splenic lymphocytes. Furthermore, these mAbs detected a 16kDa protein in the lysate of CU205 cells treated with tunicamycin and stained an intracellular protein in CU205 cells in flow cytometric analysis. Together, these results indicate that these new mAbs are specific for chIL-17 and will be a useful tool for structural and immunological studies of IL-17 in poultry.     

Effect of the co-administration of vitamin C and vitamin E on tyrosine hydroxylase and Nurr1 expression in the prenatal rat ventral mesencephalon

Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) is the rate-limiting enzyme of dopamine (DA) biosynthesis, which is up-regulated by vitamin C administration. Nurr1 gene is highly expressed in brain and important for midbrain DAergic cell development and survival. But, the role of vitamin C and/or vitamin E during Nurr1 expression is yet to be known. Further, the synergistic effect of vitamins C and E on TH expression has not yet been explored clinically. Therefore, we studied the effects of single or co- administration of vitamin C (0.5 mM) and vitamin E (1 mM) for 72 hr, on both TH and Nurr1 expression in in vitro primary cultured gestational days (GD) 13.5 rat ventral mesencephalon (VM) by Western blot and immunocytochemistry. Our study revealed highest expressions of both TH and Nurr1 in the vitamin C + vitamin E treated group. TH expression was also increased in the vitamin C treated group than that of the control group, but the vitamin E treated group did not show any statistically significant effect. However, both the vitamin C and the vitamin E treated groups revealed increased expression of Nurr1 protein as compared with the control group. The present experimental data suggest that vitamin C can up-regulate the protein expression of TH, but Nurr1 level was elevated either by vitamin C or by vitamin E administration. Further, vitamin E acts synergistically with vitamin C to elevate TH and Nurr1 expression, which is the most novel finding of our study and for the first time; we reported this result, since there have been no published data on the synergistic effect of both the antioxidant vitamins on TH and Nurr1 expression in VM. As the motor function defect due to the progressive loss of DAergic neuron is the major reason of Parkinsonism, therefore, the results of our study finally suggest the effective role of vitamin C and vitamin E during early treatment of Parkinsonism.     

Effects of aluminum on the reduction of neural stem cells,proliferating cells,and differentiating neuroblasts in the dentate gyrus of D-galactose-treated mice via increasing oxidative stress

Aluminum (Al) accumulation increases with aging, and long-term exposure to Al is regarded as a risk factor for Alzheimer''s disease. In this study, we investigated the effects of Al and/or D-galactose on neural stem cells, proliferating cells, differentiating neuroblasts, and mature neurons in the hippocampal dentate gyrus. AlCl₃ (40 mg/kg/day) was intraperitoneally administered to C57BL/6J mice for 4 weeks. In addition, vehicle (physiological saline) or D-galactose (100 mg/kg) was subcutaneously injected to these mice immediately after AlCl₃ treatment. Neural stem cells, proliferating cells, differentiating neuroblasts, and mature neurons were detected using the relevant marker for each cell type, including nestin, Ki67, doublecortin, and NeuN, respectively, via immunohistochemistry. Subchronic (4 weeks) exposure to Al in mice reduced neural stem cells, proliferating cells, and differentiating neuroblasts without causing any changes to mature neurons. This Al-induced reduction effect was exacerbated in D-galactose-treated mice compared to vehicle-treated adult mice. Moreover, exposure to Al enhanced lipid peroxidation in the hippocampus and expression of antioxidants such as Cu, Zn- and Mn-superoxide dismutase in D-galactose-treated mice. These results suggest that Al accelerates the reduction of neural stem cells, proliferating cells, and differentiating neuroblasts in D-galactose-treated mice via oxidative stress, without inducing loss in mature neurons.     

Compressional fatigue behaviors of air and mechanical folding nonwoven fabrics

The perpendicular-laid nonwoven fabrics may show high loft performance because of the structure composition, which has much fiber oriented in the thickness direction. The ability to maintain the thickness after the cyclic loading is a basic requirement of good high lofts. When the perpendicular-laid nonwoven fabrics are put to practical use as a cushion material, the compressional properties of the cyclic loading should be significant. In this study, a compressional fatigue system has been developed and evaluated with two kinds of perpendicular-laid nonwoven fabrics with different manufacturing processes. The system equation developed provides a stress profile that can be used for analyzing the practical compressional fatigue. The fiber structure of the perpendicular-laid nonwoven fabrics was investigated by using the orientation distribution function (ODF).     

Tension dynamics of the fibers in a triangular plane flow of bundle

The ring spinning method is broadly used for manufacturing various forms of yarns in various application fields in thanks of the outstanding yarn characteristics and the well established processing technology. However, applying the ring spinning for manufacturing functional yarn, for example, the core-spun yarn, often raises serious yarn quality problems. Especially, surface defects make it difficult to extend the technology to various end-purposes. Dynamic state of the tension of fibers in the spinning triangle that is considered as a triangular plane flow field plays an important role in causing the defects. In this study, a theoretical model describing the tension behavior of the fibers in the triangular plane flow field was derived and the availability of the model was tested experimentally. Results showed that the steady-state experiments brought good corresponding results with those from the theory, which identifies the effectiveness of the theoretical model. The tension dynamics of the fibers in spinning triangle could be expressed as a 1st order system, while the spinning triangle length and the process velocity could majorly affect the tension dynamic characteristics.     

延边牛PLIN2基因CDS区克隆、生物信息学分析及其表达规律研究

本研究旨在克隆延边牛脂肪分化相关蛋白PLIN2基因完整CDS区,通过生物信息学分析PLIN2基因CDS区序列和蛋白质基本特性,探讨其在延边牛不同组织及前体脂肪细胞成脂过程中的表达规律。选取18月龄去势的延边牛为研究对象,利用RT-PCR和基因克隆获得延边牛PLIN2基因,与其他物种进行同源性比对及系统进化树构建,利用生物信息学方法预测PLIN2编码蛋白质的理化性质、潜在磷酸化位点及糖基化位点、二硫键分析、信号肽、亚细胞定位、蛋白高级结构,利用实时荧光定量PCR检测PLIN2基因在延边牛不同组织中的表达水平。结果显示,延边牛PLIN2基因CDS长1 353 bp,编码450个氨基酸;同源性比对发现延边牛PLIN2基因与黄牛、水牛、绵羊、山羊、野猪、人、小鼠和野鸡的同源性分别为100%、98.7%、96.7%、97.1%、85.5%、86.3%、47.3%和49.1%;系统进化树表明,延边牛与黄牛、水牛的亲缘关系最近,与野鸡的亲缘关系最远。PLIN2蛋白为不稳定蛋白,具有一定亲水性,存在61个潜在的磷酸化位点、16个O-糖基化潜在位点、12个N-糖基化潜在位点,存在2个二硫键,不存在信号肽,主要分布于细胞核中,细胞质和线粒体中有少量分布。PLIN2蛋白高级结构预测该蛋白是由α-螺旋、延伸链、无规则卷曲和β-转角组成,为混合型蛋白,通过无规则卷曲连接,以α-螺旋为主。实时荧光定量PCR结果显示,PLIN2基因在延边牛小肠组织中表达量最高,其次为背最长肌和肾脏组织。本研究结果可为进一步研究PLIN2基因的功能提供借鉴。     

Systemic and mucosal immunity induced by attenuated Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium expressing ORF7 of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus

Oral administration of attenuated Salmonella vaccine may provide valuable advantages such as low cost, easy preparation, and safety. Attenuated Salmonella vaccines also serve as carriers of foreign antigens and immunomodulatory cytokines. Presently, an attenuated Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium strain was used as a carrier for open reading frame 7 (ORF7) protein of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), a swine pathogen of significant global economic importance. Initially, an attenuated S. enterica serovar Typhimurium expressing ORF7 gene derived from PRRSV Korean isolate was constructed. Following oral administration of a single dose of the attenuated Salmonella vaccine expressing PRRSV ORF7, humoral and cell-mediated immune responses specific for ORF7 were induced at both systemic and mucosal sites including spleen, mesenteric lymph node, Peyer's patch, and laminar propria, as evaluated by determining serum ORF7-specific IgG and mucosal IgA responses, as well as Th1- and Th2-type cytokine production from antigen-stimulated T cells. The induced humoral responses were sustained for at least 12 weeks post-immunization. In particular, the immunized mice displayed immune responses to both the foreign ORF7 antigen and Salmonella itself. The results indicate the value of attenuated S. enterica serovar Typhimurium as an oral carrier of PRRSV antigenic proteins to induce effective systemic and mucosal immunity.     

Nanocellulose reinforced PVA composite films: Effects of acid treatment and filler loading

Nanocellulose was prepared by acid hydrolysis of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) at different hydrobromic acid (HBr) concentrations. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) composite films were prepared by the reinforcement of nanocellulose into a PVA matrix at different filler loading levels and subsequent film casting. Chemical characterization of nanocelluloses was performed for the analysis of crystallinity (X_c), degree of polymerization (DP), and molecular weight (M_w). The mechanical and thermal properties of the nanocellulose reinforced PVA films were also measured for tensile strength and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The acid hydrolysis decreased steadily the DP and M_w of MCC. The crystallinity of MCC with 1.5 M and 2.5 M HBr showed a significant increase due to the degradation of amorphous domains in cellulose. Higher crystalline cellulose showed the higher thermal stability than MCC. From X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, nanocellulose samples showed the higher peak intensity than MCC cases. Reduction of MCC particle by acid hydrolysis was clearly observed from scanning electron microscope (SEM) images. The tensile and thermal properties of PVA composite films were significantly improved with the increase of the nanocellulose loading.     

Anticancer Effects of Different Seaweeds on Human Colon and Breast Cancers

Seafoods and seaweeds represent some of the most important reservoirs of new therapeutic compounds for humans. Seaweed has been shown to have several biological activities, including anticancer activity. This review focuses on colorectal and breast cancers, which are major causes of cancer-related mortality in men and women. It also describes various compounds extracted from a range of seaweeds that have been shown to eradicate or slow the progression of cancer. Fucoidan extracted from the brown algae Fucus spp. has shown activity against both colorectal and breast cancers. Furthermore, we review the mechanisms through which these compounds can induce apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. By considering the ability of compounds present in seaweeds to act against colorectal and breast cancers, this review highlights the potential use of seaweeds as anticancer agents.     

Use of Computed Tomography in Standing Position to Identify Guidelines for Screw Insertion in the Distal Phalanx of Horses: An Ex Vivo Study

Objectives— To compare the precision of radiography and computed tomography (CT) preoperatively in the standing position for identification of guidelines for screw insertion in the distal phalanx, and to identify whether standing CT might improve operative time compared with preoperative radiographic planning.
Study Design— Experimental ex vivo study.
Animals— Cadaveric equine thoracic limb pairs (n=10).
Methods— Insertion of a 4.5 mm cortex screw in lag fashion into an intact distal phalanx was evaluated in 2 groups (n=10) of cadaveric equine thoracic limbs. In 1 group, the site, direction, and length of the implant were determined by radiography, and in the other group, by CT. Accuracy of screw placement was verified by specimen dissection. Outcomes were (1) absence of penetration of the articular surface, the solar surface, or the semilunar canal (2) appropriate length and direction of the screw. Surgical time was also measured.
Results— No screw penetrated the articular surface, the solar surface, or the semilunar canal in either group. CT was more accurate to identify guidelines for screw insertion (U=23.50, P =.049). With CT, surgical time (mean, 7.7 minutes) was significantly shorter (U=0.000, P =.000) than with radiography (mean, 12.7 minutes).
Conclusion— Standing CT can be used to accurately determine anatomic landmarks for screw insertion in lag fashion in sagittal fractures of the distal phalanx.
Clinical Relevance— This study has a clear clinical relevance for improved internal fixation of sagittal fractures of the distal phalanx.