Genetically modified rabies virus ERA strain is safe and induces long-lasting protective immune response in dogs after oral vaccination.

Oral immunization in free-roaming dogs is one of the most practical approaches to prevent rabies for developing countries. The safe, efficient and long-lasting protective oral rabies vaccine for dogs is highly sought. In this study, rabies virus (RABV) Evelyn-Rokitnicki-Abelseth (ERA) strain wild-type (rERA) and a genetically modified type (rERAG333E) containing a mutation from arginine to glutamic acid at residue 333 of glycoprotein (G333E) were generated by reverse genetic.

MIF, secreted by human hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells, promotes chemotaxis and outgrowth of colorectal cancer in liver prometastasis.

Growth and invasion of metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) cells in the liver depend on microenvironment. Here, we showed that human hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells (HHSECs) induce chemotaxis and outgrowth of CRC cells. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), released by HHSECs, stimulated chemotaxis of CRC cells.

Structure of the MarR family protein Rv0880 from Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Rv0880 from the pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis is classified as a MarR family protein in the Pfam database. It consists of 143 amino acids and has an isoelectric point of 10.9.

Cardiovascular and renal effect of CNAAC: An innovatively designed natriuretic peptide.

Natriuretic peptides (NPs) have natriuretic, diuretic and vasodilator effects. An innovative natriuretic peptide analogue called CNAAC (a new chimera peptide combining the C-terminus and ring of ANP with the N-terminus of CNP) was designed to determine whether it has any cardiovascular and renal effect. Abdominal aorta of rats were isolated and vascular ring perfusion was employed to compare the vasodilator effect and cGMP excretion effect of CNAAC with natural NPs.

Congenital anomalies in children exposed to antithyroid drugs in-utero: a meta-analysis of cohort studies.

Background: Hyperthyroidism affects about 0.2%-2.7% of all pregnancies, and is commonly managed with antithyroid drugs (ATDs).

Generation and evaluation of a recombinant genotype VII Newcastle disease virus expressing VP3 protein of Goose parvovirus as a bivalent vaccine in goslings.

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and Goose parvovirus (GPV) are considered to be two of the most important and widespread viruses infecting geese. In this study, we generated a recombinant rmNA-VP3, expressing GPV VP3 using a modified goose-origin NDV NA-1 by changing the multi-basic cleavage site motif RRQKR↓F of the F protein to the dibasic motif GRQGR↓L as that of the avirulent strain LaSota as a vaccine vector. Expression of the VP3 protein in rmNA-VP3 infected cells was detected by immunofluorescence and Western blot assay.

Rapid emergence of a PB2-E627K substitution confers a virulent phenotype to an H9N2 avian influenza virus during adoption in mice.

The worldwide circulation of H9N2 avian influenza virus in poultry, the greater than 2.3 % positive rate for anti-H9 antibodies in poultry-exposed workers, and several reports of human infection indicate that H9N2 virus is a potential threat to human health. Here, we found three mutations that conferred high virulence to H9N2 virus in mice after four passages.

Adaptive amino acid substitutions enhance the virulence of an H7N7 avian influenza virus isolated from wild waterfowl in mice.

Although H7N7 AIVs primarily circulate in wild waterfowl, documented cases of human infection with H7N7 viruses suggest they may pose a pandemic threat. Here, we generated mouse-adapted variants of a wild waterfowl-origin H7N7 virus to identify adaptive changes that confer enhanced virulence in mammals. The mouse lethal doses (MLD50) of the adapted variants were reduced >5000-fold compared to the parental virus.

Molecular mechanisms of resistance to human pathogenic bacteria in Caenorhabditis elegans by MEV-1 mediated oxidative stress.

Both mutation and knockdown in mev-1 gene render Caenorhabditis elegans susceptibility to Enterococcus faecalis infection. However, the mechanisms by which of MEV-1 defects pathogen resistance remain unclear. Here we show that mev-1RNAi causes a dramatic decrease in oxidative stress and antioxidant enzyme expressions, thereby leading to increased E.

Using rabies virus vaccine strain SRV9 as viral vector to express exogenous gene.

Rabies virus (RABV) can cause a fatal neurological disease in human and animals, and vaccines were generally applied for the immunoprophylaxis of rabies. Here, a recombinant viral vector carrying the exogenous gene expression component between phosphoprotein (P) and matrix protein (M) genes of RABV was constructed based on the vaccine strain SRV9 used in China. To develop a reverse genetic system, the full-length cDNA plasmids of SRV9 were constructed using the eukaryotic expression vector pCI or pcDNA3.

H5N1 influenza virus-like particle vaccine protects mice from heterologous virus challenge better than whole inactivated virus.

The highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus has become highly enzootic since 2003 and has dynamically evolved to undergo substantial evolution. Clades 2.3.

Adaptive amino acid substitutions enhance the virulence of a reassortant H7N1 avian influenza virus isolated from wild waterfowl in mice.

H7 avian influenza viruses (AIVs) have caused a number of human infections, highlighting the pandemic potential of them. However, the factors that promote their replication in mammals remain poorly understood. Here, we generated mouse-adapted variants of a reassortant H7N1 virus to identify adaptive changes that confer enhanced virulence in mammals.

Development of a reverse genetics system based on RNA polymerase II for Newcastle disease virus genotype VII.

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) has only a single serotype but diversified genotypes. Genotype VII strains are the prevalent currently circulating genotype worldwide, and in particular, these strains cause outbreaks in waterfowl. In this study, a reverse genetics system for highly virulent NDV isolated from goose flocks was developed independent of conventional T7 RNA polymerase.

Lacidipine attenuates TNF-α-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis.

This study was designed to investigate whether lacidipine elicited a protective role on cardiomyocyte against apoptosis induced by TNF-α. Neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were randomly assigned into different groups. TUNEL staining was utilized to detect apoptosis, and caspase-3 and caspse-12 were determined.

Spectrum of rhodopsin gene mutations in Chinese patients with retinitis pigmentosa.

Purpose: This study was to analyze the spectrum and frequency of rhodopsin gene (RHO) mutations in Chinese patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP).

Methods: Patients were given physical examinations, and blood samples were collected for DNA extraction. The RHO mutations were screened with direct sequencing.

Activation of κ-opioid receptor exerts the glucose-homeostatic effect in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice.

Opioid and its receptors play important roles in glucose homeostasis. However, few reports were available for the study of κ-opioid receptor in glucose regulation. In our study, we found that the blood glucose of diabetic mice dropped significantly following the treatment with U50,488H (a selective κ-opioid receptor agonist).

Increased intake of vegetables, but not fruit, reduces risk for hepatocellular carcinoma: a meta-analysis.

Background & Aims: The anti-cancer effects of vegetables and fruit have been investigated extensively, but the association between vegetable and fruit consumption and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been quantified. We performed a meta-analysis of observational studies to clarify the association.

Methods: We identified eligible studies, published from 1956 through May 31, 2014, by searching PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE.

Quaternary ammonium salt of U50488H, a new κ-opioid receptor agonist, protects rat heart against ischemia/reperfusion injury.

To keep U50488H from going through the blood-brain barrier, U50488H, a selective κ-opioid receptor agonist, was structurally transformed into its quaternary ammonium salt (Q-U50488H). The effect of Q-U50488H on ischemic/reperfused myocardium and its underlying mechanisms were also investigated. U50488H was transformed into Q-U50488H, which was identified with mass spectrometry.

Generation of recombinant rabies Virus CVS-11 expressing eGFP applied to the rapid virus neutralization test.

The determination of levels of rabies virus-neutralizing antibody (VNA) provides the foundation for the quantitative evaluation of immunity effects. The traditional fluorescent antibody virus neutralization test (FAVN) using a challenge virus standard (CVS)-11 strain as a detection antigen and staining infected cells with a fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled monoclonal antibody, is expensive and high-quality reagents are often difficult to obtain in developing countries. Indeed, it is essential to establish a rapid, economical, and specific rabies virus neutralization test (VNT).

Genetic characterization of an isolate of canine distemper virus from a Tibetan Mastiff in China.

Canine distemper (CD) is a highly contagious, often fatal, multisystemic, and incurable disease in dogs and other carnivores, which is caused by canine distemper virus (CDV). Although vaccines have been used as the principal means of controlling the disease, CD has been reported in vaccinated animals. The hemoagglutinin (H) protein is one of the most important antigens for inducing protective immunity against CD, and antigenic variation of recent CDV strains may explain vaccination failure.

[Exploration on an ultrasonographic imaging reporting and data system in malignancy grading of thyroid nodules].

Objective: To explore the values of ultrasonographic features in differentially diagnosing benign and malignant thyroid nodules, and attempt to establish a quantitative ultrasound classification system.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 20 ultrasound features of 926 thyroid nodules in 527 patients. Using logistic regression analysis, we obtained the probability function for predicting the malignancy in thyroid nodules and established a preliminary ultrasound classification system.

Bioluminescent tracking of colonization and clearance dynamics of plasmid-deficient Yersinia pestis strains in a mouse model of septicemic plague.

Yersinia pestis 201 contains 4 plasmids pPCP1, pMT1, pCD1 and pCRY, but little is known about the effects of these plasmids on the dissemination of Y. pestis. We developed a plasmid-based luxCDABE bioreporter in Y.

Molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of new variants of the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus in Gansu, China in 2012.

Between January 2012 and March 2012, the infection rates of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) increased substantially in vaccinated swine herds in many porcine farms in Gansu Province, China. The spike (S) glycoprotein is an important determinant for PEDV biological properties. To determine the distribution profile of PEDV outbreak strains, we sequenced the full-length S gene of five samples from two farms where animals exhibited severe diarrhea and high mortality rates.

[Sequencing the complete genome of rabies virus CVS-11 strain and constructing its full-length infectious cDNA clone].

Objective: To sequence the complete genome of CVS-11 strain and establish a reverse genetic system of CVS-11 to further study its pathogenic mechanism, virulence genes and antigenic sites.

Methods: We amplified12 fragments covering the complete genome of the CVS-11 strain by RT-PCR, and then cloned to pEASY-Blunt vector for sequencing the complete genome of CVS-11. We analyzed single restriction enzyme sites of the full length cDNA of the CVS-11 strain by DNAMAN and designed 4 pairs of specific primers.