Improvement of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for equine herpesvirus type 4 by using a synthetic-peptide 24-mer repeat sequence of glycoprotein G as an antigen

To increase the sensitivity of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for equine herpesvirus type 4 (EHV-4) that uses a 12-mer peptide of glycoprotein G (gG4-12-mer: MKNNPIYSEGSL) [4], we used a longer peptide consisting of a 24-mer repeat sequence (gG4-24-mer: MKNNPIYSEGSLMLNVQHDDSIHT) as an antigen. Sera of horses experimentally infected with EHV-4 reacted much more strongly to the gG4-24-mer peptide than to the gG4-12-mer peptide. We used peptide ELISAs to test paired sera from horses naturally infected with EHV-4 (n=40). gG4-24-mer ELISA detected 37 positive samples (92.5%), whereas gG4-12-mer ELISA detected only 28 (70.0%). gG4-24-mer ELISA was much more sensitive than gG4-12-mer ELISA.     

Effects of different dl‐selenomethionine and sodium selenite levels on growth performance,immune functions and serum thyroid hormones concentrations in broilers

This trial was conducted in a 2 × 3 + 1 factorial arrangement based on a completely randomized design to evaluate the effects of different dl ‐selenomethionine (dl ‐Se‐Met) and sodium selenite (SS) levels on growth performance, immune functions and serum thyroid hormones concentrations in broilers. A total of 840 Ross 308 broilers (7 days old) were allocated by body weight to seven treatments (three replicates of 40 birds each treatment) including (1) basal diet (containing 0.04 mg of selenium (Se)/kg; control) without supplementary Se; (2, 3 and 4) basal diet + 0.05, 0.15 or 0.25 mg/kg Se as SS; (5, 6 and 7) basal diet + 0.05, 0.15 or 0.25 mg/kg Se as dl ‐Se‐Met. The experiment lasted 42 days. The results revealed that dietary Se supplementation improved (p < 0.05) average daily gain, feed efficiency, immune organ index, serum immunoglobulin A (IgA), immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin M (IgM) and triiodothyronine (T₃) concentrations and decreased (p < 0.01) thyroxine (T₄)/T₃ ratio in serum compared with the control. Broilers receiving the dl ‐Se‐Met‐supplemented diets had higher (p < 0.05) feed efficiency, thymus index, the amounts of IgA, IgG, IgM and T₃ as well as lower (p < 0.05) serum T₄ concentrations and T₄/T₃ ratio than those consuming the SS‐supplemented diets. Serum IgA and IgM levels of broilers fed 0.15 mg Se/kg were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than those of broilers fed 0.05 or 0.25 mg Se/kg. In summary, we concluded that dl ‐Se‐Met is more effective than SS in increasing immunity and promoting conversion of T₄ to T₃, thus providing an effective way to improve the growth performance of broilers. Besides, based on a consideration of all experiment indices, 0.15 mg Se/kg was suggested to be the optimal level of Se supplementation under the conditions of this study.     

Comparison of sampling sites and detection methods for Haemophilus parasuis

Objective To improve the isolation rate and identification procedures for Haemophilus parasuis from pig tissues. Design Thirteen sampling sites and up to three methods were used to confirm the presence of H. parasuis in pigs after experimental challenge. Procedure Colostrum‐deprived, naturally farrowed pigs were challenged intratracheally with H parasuis serovar 12 or 4. Samples taken during necropsy were either inoculated onto culture plates, processed directly for PCR or enriched prior to being processed for PCR. The recovery of H parasuis from different sampling sites and using different sampling methods was compared for each serovar. Results H parasuis was recovered from several sample sites for all serovar 12 challenged pigs, while the trachea was the only positive site for all pigs following serovar 4 challenge. The method of solid medium culture of swabs, and confirmation of the identity of cultured bacteria by PCR, resulted in 38% and 14% more positive results on a site basis for serovars 12 and 4, retrospectively, than direct PCR on the swabs. This difference was significant in the serovar 12 challenge. Conclusion Conventional culture proved to be more effective in detecting H parasuis than direct PCR or PCR on enrichment broths. For subacute (serovar 4) infections, the most successful sites for culture or direct PCR were pleural fluid, peritoneal fibrin and fluid, lung and pericardial fluid. For acute (serovar 12) infections, the best sites were lung, heart blood, affected joints and brain. The methodologies and key sampling sites identified in this study will enable improved isolation of H parasuis and aid the diagnosis of Glässer's disease.     

右美托咪定抑制NOX4缓解急性应激致大鼠肾损伤

本研究拟探索右美托咪定（dexmedetomidine,DEX）对大鼠急性应激致肾损伤的保护作用,并从氧化应激的角度探索DEX对大鼠肾的保护通路。本研究使用了急性束缚应激模型,其中,大鼠被迫游泳15 min,并束缚3 h。本试验采用生化检测、组织病理学切片观察以评估肾功能,然后测定了氧化应激以及氧化应激的相关通路蛋白。旷场试验证实成功建立了急性应激模型。急性应激引起的肾损伤增加了NOX4,降低了Nrf2/HO-1/NQO1表达水平。DEX可降低NOX4表达,同时升高Nrf2/HO-1/NQO1的表达水平。DEX治疗组与急性应激组相比的肾生化结果明显恢复正常,病理切片观察损伤显著降低。试验结果表明,DEX治疗急性应激可影响NOX4/Nrf2/HO-1/NQO1信号通路,并抑制氧化应激。因此,DEX对急性应激引起的肾损伤具有保护作用,并在应激综合征中具有潜在的临床应用。     

白菜型油菜DFR基因的克隆与序列分析

By using RACE (rapid amplification ofcDNA ends) based homologous cloning strategy, we have successfully isolated the genomic and full-length cDNA sequences of a gene encoding typical DFR (dihydroflavonol-4-reductase) from black-seeded Brassica campestris L. var. oleifera DC.. The gene, designated BcDFR here, is 1 722bp in length and harbors 5 introns with typical splice sites of plant DFR genes. BcDFR cDNA is 1311bp in length with a 1 158bp ORF as well as a 25bp 5‘ UTR and a 128bp 3‘ UTR. The encoded BcDFR protein is 385 aa with a calculated Mw of 42.85kD and a pI value of 5.55. The nucleotide and amino acid sequences of this gene share extensive homologies to plant DFR genes of wide origins especially high similarities to Cruciferous DFR genes. Sequence analyses such as phylogenetic analysis, conserved domain search and substrate specificity region detection all indicated that BcDFR gene is a quite potentially biofunctional gene. Its cloning enables us to further dissect the possible relatedness between DFR gene and Brassica seed coat color traits and to create transgenic novel yellow-seeded rapeseed germplasm through antisense- or RNAi-suppression of DFR gene expression in black-seeded elite cultivars.     

Saturation and Parameter Variation Influence Precision of Observer

The authors analyze the influence in vector controlled induction machine caused by parameter variation and main flux saturation affects speed estimation of adaptive state observer. According to simulation of the modified scheme with saturated induction motor model, it is proved that when the vector control scheme operates in field weakening region, the main flux saturation will obviously influence precision of speed observer and bring great error of speed estimation. Thereby, the main flux saturation should be compensated to improve performance of the vector control system.     

Work-hardening Mechanism of Non-magnetic High Manganese ZG25Mn18Cr4 Castings

The important character of non-magnetic high manganese ZG25 Mn18Cr4 alloy is rapid work-hardening under external stress. With X-ray diffraction and TEM analysis, it is proved that the microstructures of both undeformed and deformed matrixes are austenite and carbide with some striation structure in the matrixes, the amount of stripes in the deformed matrix is obviously more than that in the undeformed matrix. Electronic diffraction analysis confirmed that the stripes in coarse austenite grains are high density lamination fault sheets. A great deal of lamination fault sheets produced by plastic deformation divides up austenite matrix, shortens the free distance of dislocation movement and results in the rapid work-hardening of ZG25Mn18Cr4 alloy.