Effects of chicken intestinal antimicrobial peptides on humoral immunity of chickens and antibody titres after vaccination with infectious bursal disease virus vaccine in chicken

Sixty chickens were randomly divided into two groups (30 chickens in each group) to determine the effect of oral administration of chicken intestinal antimicrobial peptides (CIAMP) on the humoral immune response. Chickens of both groups were fed the same diet. In the treatment group chickens received drinking water supplemented with CIAMP (1 microg/ml) right after hatching. Samples of blood, bursa of Fabricus, spleen and intestine were taken at day 1, 4, 7, 10 and 17 of experiment. CIAMP supplementation enhanced the content of IgG and IgM in serum from day 4-10 and day 10-17, respectively, (p < 0.05), IgM-forming cells in bursa of Fabricus and spleen at the age of 7 days (p < 0.05) and IgG-forming cells in bursa of Fabricus at the age of 4 days (p < 0.05). In addition, CIAMP enhanced the IgA-forming cells in caecal tonsils diffuse area at day 4 (p < 0.05). Furthermore, CIAMP enhanced the antibody response to infectious bursal disease virus vaccine (IBDV) in chickens 21 days following IBDV vaccine administration (p < 0.05). These results suggested that CIAMP could modulate the humoral immune response of chickens and increased the antibody titres of infectious bursal disease virus vaccine.     

Screening and characterization of yeasts for xylitol production

AIMS: To discover novel naturally occurring xylitol producing yeast species with potential for industrial applications. METHODS AND RESULTS: Exactly 274 strains were cultivated on both solid and liquid screening medium with xylose as the sole carbon resource. Five strains were selected on the basis of significant growth and high degree of xylose assimilation. Their phylogenetic position was confirmed by the PCR-RFLP and sequence analysis of the D1/D2 domain of the 5' end of the large subunit rDNA gene (5'-LSU rDNA). Enzymatic analysis was conducted to compare xylose metabolism in each strain. Candida guilliermondii Xu280 and Candida maltosa Xu316 were found to have high xylose consumption rates and xylitol yields in the batch fermentation under micro-aerobic condition. The effect of the different media with high initial xylose concentration on biosynthesis of xylitol by both strains was investigated. CONCLUSIONS: We have identified Candida spp. strains, which exhibit high levels of xylitol production from xylose suggesting that these may have potential for industrial applications. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACTS OF THE STUDY: Microbial species are of importance for xylitol production. Xylitol production involves complicated metabolic regulation including xylose transport, production of key enzymes and cofactor regeneration. Thus, screening of naturally occurring xylose-utilizing micro-organisms is a viable and effective mean to obtain xylitol producing organisms with industrial application. Moreover, the research on selected strains will contribute to a better understanding of regulatory properties of xylose metabolism in different yeasts.     

Evaluation of Nanofiber-based Engineered Cartilage and its Integration with Native Cartilage

This article has no abstract.     

鉴别检测非洲猪瘟野毒株和基因缺失疫苗株的三重荧光PCR的建立

非洲猪瘟是由非洲猪瘟病毒(African swine fever,ASFV)引起的猪的一种急性、高度接触性传染病.本研究根据ASFV B646L、MGF360-14L和CD2v基因设计了 3套引物和探针,建立了可同时鉴别检测ASFV野毒株和基因缺失疫苗株的三重荧光PCR方法.结果表明,该法特异性强,可同时检测ASFV B646L、MGF360-14L和CD2v基因,与猪圆环病毒2型、猪瘟病毒、猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒、口蹄疫病毒、猪A型塞内卡病毒等无交叉反应;两份ASFV MGF360-505R与CD2v基因联合缺失疫苗株DNA三重荧光PCR法检测结果都仅出现一条B646L扩增曲线,与预期一致;灵敏度高,该法对重组质粒pUC-B646L、pUC-360-14L和pUC-CD2v的检出限分别为1.572×103拷贝/mL、1.934×103拷贝/mL 和 1.929×103拷贝/mL,灵敏度比世界动物卫生组织(World organization for animal health,OIE)推荐的荧光PCR高10倍;重复性好,对三种重组质粒检测的Ct值批内和批间变异系数均小于2％;应用该法及OIE推荐的荧光PCR对1 215份样品进行平行检测,结果显示23份样品为阳性,1 192份样品为阴性,两种方法检测结果一致.本研究建立的方法能鉴别检测ASFV野毒株和基因缺失疫苗株(缺失MGF360-505R和/或CD2v基因),对将来基因缺失疫苗的推广应用及ASF疫情防控具有重要的意义.     

The Role of DNA Methylation Reprogramming During Sex Determination and Transition in Zebrafish

DNA methylation is a prevalent epigenetic modification in vertebrates, and it has been shown to be involved the regulation of gene expression and embryo development. However, it remains unclear how DNA methylation regulates sexual development, especially in species without sex chromosomes. To determine this, we utilized zebrafish to investigate DNA methylation reprogramming during juvenile germ cell development and adult female-to-male sex transition.We reveal that primordial germ cells(PGCs) undergo significant DNA methylation reprogramming during germ cell development, and the methylome of PGCs is reset to an oocyte/ovary-like pattern at 9 days post fertilization(9 dpf). When DNA methyltransferase(DNMT) activity in juveniles was blocked after 9 dpf, the zebrafish developed into females. We also show that Tet3 is involved in PGC development. Notably, we find that DNA methylome reprogramming during adult zebrafish sex transition is similar to the reprogramming during the sex differentiation from 9 dpf PGCs to sperm. Furthermore, inhibiting DNMT activity can prevent the female-to-male sex transition, suggesting that methylation reprogramming is required for zebrafish sex transition. In summary, DNA methylation plays important roles in zebrafish germ cell development and sexual plasticity.     

川芎精油和多糖的同步提取及其抗氧化活性分析

采用响应面优化法对超声波辅助法同步提取川芎精油(LCEO)和多糖(LCP)工艺条件进行优化,以总还原力和DPPH·清除率为指标评价LCEO和LCP的抗氧化活性.结果表明,川芎精油和多糖提取的最佳工艺条件为:液料比16mL/g,超声时间17 min,提取时间4.3 h,在此条件下,精油提取率为1.35％,多糖提取率为2....     

思茅松叶绿体基因组密码子偏好性分析

密码子偏好性(codon usage bias)是指同义密码子的使用频率不同的现象,该现象广泛存在于植物中.本研究利用Codon W 1.4.2和CUSP软件分析思茅松(Pinus kesiya var.langbianensis)叶绿体基因组的45条CDS,结果显示思茅松叶绿体基因组密码子第三位碱基的GC含量为29.63％,偏好以AT碱基结尾;ENC值在37.66～60.30之间,且ENC值＞45的CDS有37个,占总参试基因的82.22％;GC1、GC2、GC3与GCall均为极显著相关,GC3与ENC呈显著相关.中性绘图分析显示GC12和GC3的相关系数为-0.1114,回归系数为-0.1111;ENC-plot软件分析显示大部分基因与标准曲线的距离较远;PR2-plot软件分析显示思茅松叶绿体基因组在密码子的碱基使用频率方面,T＞A,G＞C.这些说明思茅松叶绿体基因密码子偏好性的主要影响因素为选择,突变的作用较小.本研究为思茅松种源选择、系统发育等研究提供科学依据.     

云南新平铁坚油杉森林群落结构特征

摸清珍稀濒危抗旱植物铁坚油杉(Keteleeria davidiana)的种群数量及其分布情况, 能够为珍稀濒危物种保护工作提供基础数据。该文对云南省新平县6个乡镇铁坚油杉群落进行样方调查分析, 每个乡镇设置3个样方, 样方面积为20 m × 20 m, 记录样方生境信息、统计群落物种组成及其数量特征, 对群落类型及其结构特征进行了统计和分析。主要结果: (1)在调查样地内, 共有维管束植物163种, 隶属于58科131属; (2)植物群落区系分布类型有12种, 以热带成分和中国特有种为主, 热带成分占优势; (3)群落内乔木和灌木植物最多, 占62.58%, 其次是多年生草本植物; (4)按照建群种和生活型, 可将18组植被样方数据划分为3个群系17个群落类型; (5)年龄结构不合理, 铁坚油杉种群结构呈衰退趋势, 自然居群已成为小种群。如果铁坚油杉群落没有足够的幼苗进行更新和补充, 铁坚油杉将退出当前的群落。     

Relationship Between Cuticular Waxes and Storage Quality Parameters of Korla Pear Under Different Storage Methods

Cuticular wax is an important factor that affects storage quality of fruits and vegetables. Previous studies have shown that cuticular wax of pears changes significantly during storage, whereas there are few studies on the effects of different storage methods on the wax changes and the relationship with storage quality. Cuticular wax of Korla pear stored using different methods, was measured to analyze its total wax content, chemical compositions and their relationship with storage quality. At the end of storage, the highest cuticular wax content was observed in controlled atmosphere (CA) storage and the lowest in room temperature storage. The substances of the primary components with higher contents were nonacosane, (E, E)-ɑ-farnesene, dodecan-1-ol, 1,1-dimethoxynonane, nonanal, palmitic acid, and oleic acid. Total wax content, olefins and fatty acids were most significantly with the storage quality, followed by alkanes and esters. Moreover, total wax content, wax composition and weight loss were closely related to postharvest senescence. Overall, an understanding of variations in the cuticular wax under different storage methods could provide theoretical basis for further study on the storage and preservation technology of pears.