Splenic gene expression profiling in White Leghorn layer inoculated with the Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis

Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (SE) is a foodborne pathogen that can threaten human health through contaminated poultry products. Live poultry, chicken eggs and meat are primary sources of human salmonellosis. To understand the genetic resistance of egg‐type chickens in response to SE inoculation, global gene expression in the spleen of 20‐week‐old White Leghorn was measured using the Agilent 4 × 44 K chicken microarray at 7 and 14 days following SE inoculation (dpi). Results showed that there were 1363 genes significantly differentially expressed between inoculated and non‐inoculated groups at 7 dpi (I7/N7), of which 682 were up‐regulated and 681 were down‐regulated genes. By contrast, 688 differentially expressed genes were observed at 14 dpi (I14/N14), of which 371 were up‐regulated genes and 317 were down‐regulated genes. There were 33 and 28 immune‐related genes significantly differentially expressed in the comparisons of I7/N7 and I14/N14 respectively. Functional annotation revealed that several Gene Ontology (GO) terms related to immunity were significantly enriched between the inoculated and non‐inoculated groups at 14 dpi but not at 7 dpi, despite a similar number of immune‐related genes identified between I7/N7 and I14/N14. The immune response to SE inoculation changes with different time points following SE inoculation. The complicated interaction between the immune system and metabolism contributes to the immune responses to SE inoculation of egg‐type chickens at 14 dpi at the onset of lay. GC, TNFSF8, CD86, CD274, BLB1 and BLB2 play important roles in response to SE inoculation. The results from this study will deepen the current understanding of the genetic response of the egg‐type chicken to SE inoculation at the onset of egg laying.     

辽宁省菜田生态系统组分优势值与系统优势度分析

辽宁省菜田生态系统组分优势值与系统优势度分析周宝利，葛晓光李宁义（沈阳农业大学园艺系，１１０１６１）（沈阳市城建中专，１１００１３）ＡｎａｌｙｓｉｓｏｎＳｕｐｅｒｉｏｒｉｔｙＶａｌｕｅａｎｄＤｏｍｉｎａｎｃｅＤｅｇｒｅｅｏｆＶａｒｉｏｕｓＣｏｍｐｏｎ...     

Spectrophotometric quantification of lactic bacteria in alginate and control of cell release with chitosan coating

Lactococcus lactis ssp. cremoris was entrapped within a Ca-alginate matrix, and an in situ spectrophotometric method for monitoring cell population in calcium alginate beads described. The intracapsular cell population can be estimated by measuring the optical density of beads containing cells, using cell-free beads as reference, or by measuring absorbance of a liquified bead suspension. Alginate beads, and beads coated with chitosan type I, II, and I and II mixtures, were examined for cell release. Lower viscosity chitosan (type I) coatings reduced cell release by a factor of 100 from10⁵ cfu ml⁻¹ to 10³ cfu ml⁻¹ after 6 h of fermentation. Reuse of chitosan I coated alginate beads also showed a reduction in cell release by a factor of 100. Cell loading and initial cell growth within the beads greatly affected cell release. Reducing the initial cell release would lower the overall levels of cell release throughout the fermentation. Compared to non-immobilized cultures, a 20–40% reduction in the lactic acid production rate was observed for alginate beads and chitosan I coated alginate beads, respectively. This reduction can be compensated for by increasing the intracapsular cell loading during immobilization, or before the onset of fermentation.     

Enhancing Fusarium crown rot resistance by pyramiding large-effect QTL in common wheat (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis> L.)

Fusarium crown rot (FCR) has become one of the most damaging cereal diseases in semi-arid regions worldwide. Targeting three large-effect QTL (located on the chromosome arm 3BL, 5DS and 2DL, respectively), we investigated the feasibility of enhancing FCR resistance by gene pyramiding. Significant effects were detected for each of the three QTL in both populations assessed. Lines with any combination of two resistant alleles gave significantly better resistance than those with a single resistant allele only and those without any allele, and lines possessing all three resistant alleles showed the best resistance. These results demonstrated that gene pyramiding can be an effective approach in improving FCR resistance. Those lines with resistant alleles from all three QTL could be valuable genetic stocks for breeding programs.     

Induction of hepatocyte‐like cells from human umbilical cord‐derived mesenchymal stem cells by defined microRNAs

Generating functional hepatocyte‐like cells (HLCs) from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is of great urgency for bio‐artificial liver support system (BALSS). Previously, we obtained HLCs from human umbilical cord‐derived MSCs by overexpressing seven microRNAs (HLC‐7) and characterized their liver functions in vitro and in vivo. Here, we aimed to screen out the optimal miRNA candidates for hepatic differentiation. We sequentially removed individual miRNAs from the pool and examined the effect of transfection with remainder using RT‐PCR, periodic acid—Schiff (PAS) staining and low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) uptake assays and by assessing their function in liver injury models. Surprisingly, miR‐30a and miR‐1290 were dispensable for hepatic differentiation. The remaining five miRNAs (miR‐122, miR‐148a, miR‐424, miR‐542‐5p and miR‐1246) are essential for this process, because omitting any one from the five‐miRNA combination prevented hepatic trans‐differentiation. We found that HLCs trans‐differentiated from five microRNAs (HLC‐5) expressed high level of hepatic markers and functioned similar to hepatocytes. Intravenous transplantation of HLC‐5 into nude mice with CCl₄‐induced fulminant liver failure and acute liver injury not only improved serum parameters and their liver histology, but also improved survival rate of mice in severe hepatic failure. These data indicated that HLC‐5 functioned similar to HLC‐7 in vitro and in vivo, which have been shown to resemble hepatocytes. Instead of using seven‐miRNA combination, a simplified five‐miRNA combination can be used to obtain functional HLCs in only 7 days. Our study demonstrated an optimized and efficient method for generating functional MSC‐derived HLCs that may serve as an attractive cell alternative for BALSS.     

A Case Report of Penile Infection Caused by Fluconazole- and Terbinafine-Resistant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Candida albicans</Emphasis>

Candida albicans is the most common pathogen that causes balanoposthitis. It often causes recurrence of symptoms probably due to its antifungal resistance. A significant number of balanitis Candida albicans isolates are resistant to azole and terbinafine antifungal agents in vitro. However, balanoposthitis caused by fluconazole- and terbinafine-resistant Candida albicans has rarely been reported. Here, we describe a case of a recurrent penile infection caused by fluconazole- and terbinafine-resistant Candida albicans, as well as the treatments administered to this patient. The isolate from the patient was tested for drug susceptibility in vitro. It was sensitive to itraconazole, voriconazole, clotrimazole and amphotericin B, but not to terbinafine and fluconazole. Thus, oral itraconazole was administrated to this patient with resistant Candida albicans penile infection. The symptoms were improved, and mycological examination result was negative. Follow-up treatment of this patient for 3 months showed no recurrence.