Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus infection in giant pandas, China.

We confirmed infection with influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 in giant pandas in China during 2009 by using virus isolation and serologic analysis methods. This finding extends the host range of influenza viruses and indicates a need for increased surveillance for and control of influenza viruses among giant pandas.

An inactivated recombinant rabies CVS-11 virus expressing two copies of the glycoprotein elicits a higher level of neutralizing antibodies and provides better protection in mice.

The rabies virus (RABV) G protein is the primary contributor to the pathogenicity and protective immunity of RABV. In this study, we generated a recombinant rCVS-11-G strain containing two copies of the G protein derived from the pathogenic wild-type (wt) CVS-11 strain and based on its infectious clone. Compared with the wtCVS-11 strain, the rCVS-11-G strain possessed a larger virion and 1.

Performance evaluation of non-thermal plasma injection for elemental mercury oxidation in a simulated flue gas.

The use of non-thermal plasma (NTP) injection approach to oxidize elemental mercury (Hg(0)) in simulated flue gas at 110°C was studied, where a surface discharge plasma reactor (SDPR) inserted in the simulated flue duct was used to generate and inject active species into the flue gas. Approximately 81% of the Hg(0) was oxidized and 20.5μgkJ(-1) of energy yield was obtained at a rate of 3.

CpG/Poly (I:C) mixed adjuvant priming enhances the immunogenicity of a DNA vaccine against eastern equine encephalitis virus in mice.

Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) poses a serious public health threat in many countries. Therefore, developing efficient vaccine against EEEV remains an important challenge in the field of disease control. To identify immunogenic proteins in EEEV, we constructed an expression vector containing the protein coding genes C, E3, E2, 6k, and E1 (pcDNA3.

Identification and characterization of porcine kobuvirus variant isolated from suckling piglet in Gansu province, China.

Kobuviruses comprise three species, the Aichivirus A, Aichivirus B, and Aichivirus C (porcine kobuvirus). Porcine kobuvirus is endemic to pig farms and is not restricted geographically but, rather, is distributed worldwide. The complete genomic sequences of four porcine kobuvirus strains isolated during a diarrhea outbreak in piglets in the Gansu province of China were determined.

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.

Adeno-associated viruses serotype 2-mediated RNA interference efficiently inhibits rabies virus replication in vitro and in vivo.

To investigate the potential of adeno-associated viruses serotype 2 (AAV2)-mediated RNA interference (RNAi) as an antiviral agent against rabies, recombinant AAV2 vectors expressing siRNA targeting the nucleoprotein (N) gene of rabies virus (RABV) (rAAV-N796) were constructed and evaluated. When NA cells pretreated with rAAV-N796 were challenged with RABV, there was a 37.8 ± 3.

Experimental infection of non-human primates with avian influenza virus (H9N2).

Several cases of humans infected with the H9N2 avian influenza virus (AIV) have been described since 1999; however, the infectivity and pathogenicity of H9N2 in humans is not well defined. A non-human primate model in rhesus macaques was developed to study H9N2 virus infections as a means of better understanding the pathogenesis and virulence of this virus, in addition to testing antiviral drugs. Rhesus macaques inoculated with H9N2 AIV presented with biphasic fever and viral pneumonia.

Domestic cats and dogs are susceptible to H9N2 avian influenza virus.

Replication and transmission of avian influenza virus (AIV) in domestic dogs and cats may pose a risk to humans. The susceptibility of cats and dogs to H9N2 influenza virus was evaluated by intranasally or orally inoculating animals with an H9N2 influenza virus. Cats had recoverable virus in respiratory tissues and the olfactory bulb three days post-inoculation and shed H9N2 virus into nasal washes and pharyngeal swabs from day 2 through day 10 post-inoculation.

Small interfering RNAs targeting the rabies virus nucleoprotein gene.

Rabies virus (RABV) infection continues to be a global threat to human and animal health, yet no curative therapy has been developed. RNA interference (RNAi) therapy, which silences expression of specific target genes, represents a promising approach for treating viral infections in mammalian hosts. We designed six small interfering (si)RNAs (N473, N580, N783, N796, N799 and N1227) that target the conserved region of the RABV challenge virus standard (CVS)-11 strain nucleoprotein (N) gene.

Infection with street strain rabies virus induces modulation of the microRNA profile of the mouse brain.

Background: Rabies virus (RABV) causes a fatal infection of the central nervous systems (CNS) of warm-blooded animals. Once the clinical symptoms develop, rabies is almost invariably fatal. The mechanism of RABV pathogenesis remains poorly understood.

[Coverage on cataract surgery among adults aged 40 or above in a multiethnic rural district of high altitude area in Gongshan county, Yunnan province, China].

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of cataract and its surgical coverage rate together with the burden related to bilateral cataract-blindness, among adults aged 40 or above in Gongshan county of Yunnan province and to evaluate the current cataract status and the efficacy of local cataract prevention program.

Methods: Cluster sampling was used. The protocol consisted of personal interview, pilot study, visual acuity checking, measuring the intraocular pressure; slit lamp microscopy and the fundus of the eye examination etc.

A novel recombinant Peste des petits ruminants-canine adenovirus vaccine elicits long-lasting neutralizing antibody response against PPR in goats.

Background: Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a highly contagious infectious disease of goats, sheep and small wild ruminant species with high morbidity and mortality rates. The Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) expresses a hemagglutinin (H) glycoprotein on its outer envelope that is crucial for viral attachment to host cells and represents a key antigen for inducing the host immune response.

Methodology/principal Findings: To determine whether H can be exploited to generate an effective PPRV vaccine, a replication-competent recombinant canine adenovirus type-2 (CAV-2) expressing the H gene of PPRV (China/Tibet strain) was constructed by the in vitro ligation method.

Innate immune response gene expression profiles in central nervous system of mice infected with rabies virus.

The present study was focused on the modulation of innate immune response genes in CNS of mouse in response to rabies virus (RABV) infection. The global gene expression changes in brains of RABV- or mock-infected mice were investigated using DNA microarray analysis and quantitative real-time PCR. Then functional enrichment of the differentially expressed mRNAs was performed.

Enhanced degradation of p-nitrophenol in soil in a pulsed discharge plasma-catalytic system.

A pulsed discharge plasma-TiO(2) catalytic (PDPTC) system was developed to investigate the degradation of p-nitrophenol (PNP) in soil. The effects of TiO(2) amount, soil pH and air moisture on PNP degradation were evaluated, and PNP degradation processes were predicted with Gaussian 03W combined with density functional theory (DFT). Experimental results showed that 88.

Antisense oligonucleotides targeting the RNA binding region of the NP gene inhibit replication of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1.

The H5N1 avian influenza virus (AIV) causes widespread infections in bird and human respiratory tracts, and vaccines and drug therapy are limited in their effectiveness. Recent studies of AIV structures have been published and provide new targets for designing antiviral drugs such as antisense oligonucleotides (AS ODNs), which effectively inhibit gene replication. In this study, we designed and synthesized three AS ODNs (NP267, NP628, NP749) that were specific for the RNA binding region of nucleoprotein (NP) based on AIV structure.

[Preparation and application of a colloidal gold strip to detect the rabies antibody].

To develop a specific, rapid, and convenient immunochromatography assay (ICA) to detect the rabies antibody in clinical sample from immuned dogs by rabies vaccine. Colloidal gold particles labeled with purified rabies virus (CVS11) were used as the detector reagent. The staphylococcal protein A (SPA) and pured rabbit anti-rabies virus IgG were blotted on the test and control regions of nitrocellulose membrane.

Recombinant canine parvovirus-like particles express foreign epitopes in silkworm pupae.

The capsid structural protein VP2 of canine parvovirus (CPV) can self-assemble into highly organized virus-like particles (VLPs) and retain major immunoreactivity. In this study, different recombinant baculoviruses that expressed varying fusion proteins of the CPV VP2 protein with the T cell determinant and/or the linear virus-neutralizing epitope of rabies virus (RV) were generated. Infection with these baculoviruses changed BmN cell morphology and inhibited their proliferation as well as damaged silkworms and pupae.

Antisense oligonucleotide inhibits avian influenza virus H5N1 replication by single chain antibody delivery system.

H5N1 avian influenza virus (AIV) causes widespread infections in poultry and wild birds, and has the potential to emerge as a pandemic threat to human. Antisense oligonucleotides (AS ODNs) are highly effective at inhibiting gene replication. Antibody-mediated delivery is a novel approach to target specific cells and tissues.

A rapid immunochromatographic test strip for detecting rabies virus antibody.

An immunochromatographic test strip (ICTS) for detecting antibodies to rabies virus was developed, using colloidal gold particles labeled with rabies virus glycoprotein as the tracer. The assay was evaluated using sera from dogs immunized with various commercial rabies vaccines, or from dogs in the clinics and sera from dogs immunized with vaccines against pathogens other than rabies virus, and negative sera from a wide variety of animal sources, including dogs, mice, and cats which had never been vaccinated. The ICTS was found to be highly specific for antibodies against rabies virus, with a detection limit of 0.