Interleukin-1β enhances the expression of two antimicrobial peptides in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) against Vibrio mimicus via activating NF-κB pathway.

Vibrio mimicus (V. mimicus) is a pathogen causing serious vibriosis in aquatic animals. Hepcidin and β-Defensin1 are two important antibacterial peptides (AMPs) with broad-spectrum antibacterial activity in fish.

Supplementing conjugated linoleic acid in breeder hens diet increased conjugated linoleic acid incorporation in liver and alters hepatic lipid metabolism in chick offspring.

This experiment was designed to investigate the effect of supplementing conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in breeder hens diet on development and hepatic lipid metabolism of chick offspring. Hy-Line Brown breeder hens were allocated into two groups, supplemented with 0 (control (CT)) or 0·5 % CLA for 8 weeks. Offspring chicks were grouped according to the mother generation and fed for 7 d.

MHC class I BFIV gene polymorphisms in four Chinese native chicken breeds.

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) includes the most polymorphic genes in vertebrates, and balancing selection has been proposed as a main evolutionary force. Here we present one of the first data sets examining the genetic characteristics of chicken MHC I BFIV molecules in four Chinese native breeds, sourced from different regions in China. In all, 89 BFIV alleles were isolated from 102 individuals sampled, and 13 repeated alleles were observed.

Avian leukosis virus subgroup J triggers caspase-1-mediated inflammatory response in chick livers.

Many pathogens trigger caspase-1-mediated innate immune responses. Avian leukosis virus subgroup J (ALV-J) causes serious immunosuppression and diverse tumors in chicks. The caspase-1 inflammasome mechanism of response to ALV-J invading remains unclear.

The efficacy of chimeric vaccines constructed with PEP-1 and Ii-Key linking to a hybrid epitope from heterologous viruses.

The heterologous epitope-peptide from different viruses may represent an attractive candidate vaccine. In order to evaluate the role of cell-permeable peptide (PEP-1) and Ii-Key moiety from the invariant chain (Ii) of MHC on the heterologous peptide chimeras, we linked the two vehicles to hybrid epitopes on the VP2 protein (aa197-209) of the infectious bursal disease virus and HN protein (aa345-353) of the Newcastle disease virus. The chimeric vaccines were prepared and injected into mice.

Design and evaluation of a tandemly arranged outer membrane protein U (OmpU) multi-epitope as a potential vaccine antigen against Vibrio mimicus in grass carps (Ctenopharyngodon idella).

Vibrio mimicus (V. mimicus) is an extracellular pathogen that causes ascites disease in aquatic animals. In our previous studies, the outer membrane protein U (OmpU) of V.

Outbreak of fatal mushroom poisoning with Amanita franchetii and Ramaria rufescens.

Mushroom poisoning continues to occur worldwide. We report a cluster of sudden death in two villages of the Gan County, Jiangxi Province, People's Republic of China in September 2005. Extensive investigations on the clinical presentation, epidemiological features, food and water sources have led to the identification of mushroom poisoning.

[Cloning of pigeon invariant chain (Ii) gene by RACE].

In order to compare the structure and function of pigeon invariant chain (pIi) gene with other avian's, pIi gene was cloned using a method of RACE (Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends). Firstly, according to high conservative nucleotide sequence of homologous fragment in avian invariant chain (Ii) gene, a pair of degenerated primer was designed, and a special DNA fragment was gained from pigeon spleen cell RNA by PCR. Then based on the sequence of gained DNA fragment, some new primers were designed, and the 3'terminal and the 5'terminal of pIi gene were cloned by RACE respectively.