The ecological risk assessment and suggestions on heavy metals in river sediments of Jinan.

The concentrations of eight heavy metals (Cr, Hg, As, Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn, Ni) in six river sediment samples were collected for evaluation of the degree of the heavy metals pollution distribution and ecological risk of three main rivers' sediments in Jinan. Multivariate statistical techniques were used to determine the most common pollution sources. The results illustrated that all of the metals in Damatou and Xinfengzhuang sections of the Xiaoqing River were much higher than the background value, and the level of potential ecological risk index was very high. The remaining four sections had a low or moderate degree of ecological risk. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that all metals, with the exception of As, formed the first component explaining 86.85% of the total variance and industry sources could be considered as the first component, while As alone could be the second component, representing agricultural source. The elements Cr and Zn were grouped together while the remaining six metals formed a separate category. Among all heavy metals, Hg and Cd were the most significant contributors to the pollution. Therefore, the prevention of pollution should pay more attention to controlling the sources, especially Hg and Cd.

Self-assembled nanoparticle with E protein domain III of DTMUV based on ferritin as carrier can induce a more comprehensive immune response and against DTMUV challenge in duck.

Duck Tembusu virus (DTMUV) causes severe reduction in egg production and neurological symptoms in ducklings. Vaccination is the primary measure used to prevent DTMUV infections. In this study, self-assembled nanoparticles with the E protein domain III of DTMUV, using ferritin as a carrier (EDⅢ-RFNp), were prepared using a prokaryotic expression system. Ducks were intramuscularly vaccinated with EDⅢ-RFNp, EDⅢ protein, an inactivated vaccine HB strain (InV-HB), and PBS. At 0, 4, and 6 weeks post-primary vaccination, the EDIII protein-specific antibody titre, IL-4, and IFN-γ concentrations in serum were determined by ELISA, and neutralising antibodies titres in sera were determined by virus neutralising assay. Peripheral blood lymphocytes proliferation was determined by CCK-8 kit. Following challenge with the virulent DTMUV strain, the clinical signals and survival rate of the vaccinated ducks were recorded, and DTMUV RNA levels in the blood and tissues of the surviving ducks were determined by real-time quantitative RT-PCR. The near-spherical EDⅢ-RFNp nanoparticles with 13.29 ± 1.43 nm diameter were observed by transmission electron microscope. At 4 and 6 weeks post-primary vaccination, special and Virus neutralisation (VN) antibodies, lymphocyte proliferation (stimulator index, SI), and concentrations of IL-4 and IFN-γ in the EDⅢ-RFNp group were significantly higher than in the EDⅢ and PBS groups. In the DTMUV virulent strain challenge test, the EDⅢ-RFNp-vaccinated ducks showed milder clinical signs and higher survival rates than EDⅢ- and PBS-vaccinated ducks. The DTMUV RNA levels in the blood and tissues of EDⅢ-RFNp-vaccinated ducks were significantly lower than those in EDⅢ- and PBS-vaccinated ducks. Additionally, the EDⅢ protein-special and VN antibodies, SI value, and concentration of IL-4 and IFN-γ in the InV-HB group was significantly higher than that of the PBS group at 4 and 6 weeks post-primary vaccination. InV-HB provided more efficient protection than PBS based on a higher survival rate, milder signals, and lower levels of the DTMUV virus in the blood and tissues. These results indicated that EDⅢ-RFNp effectively protected ducks against DTMUV challenge and could be a vaccine candidate to prevent DTMUV infection.

Evolutionary analysis of 3 isolates of Seneca Valley virus from a single pig farm.

Vesicular disease caused by Seneca Valley virus (SVV) has recently emerged throughout China and caused certain industry losses. We used immunofluorescence and western blotting to confirm that 3 new SVV strains (CH-GDSG-2018-1, CH-GDSG-2018-2, and CH-GDSG-2018-3) were from 1 pig farm. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the following: i) all 3 strains belong to USA-GBI29-2015-like clades, ii) CH-GDSG-2018-3 might have diverged from CH-GDSG-2018-1 and CH-GDSG-2018-2, and iii) CH-GDSG-2018-3 is a recombinant of the CHhb17 and HeNKF-1 strains. Virus growth curves showed that CH-GDSG-2018-3 had stronger proliferation ability in vitro. Seneca Valley virus has evolved extensively within China and this study has furthered our understanding of SVV epidemiology.

La maladie vésiculeuse causée par le virus de la vallée de Seneca (SVV) est récemment apparue dans toute la Chine et a causé certaines pertes dans l'industrie. Nous avons utilisé l'immunofluorescence et l'immunobuvardage pour confirmer que trois nouvelles souches de SVV (CH-GDSG-2018-1, CH-GDSG-2018-2 et CH-GDSG-2018-3) provenaient d'un seul élevage de porcs. L'analyse phylogénétique a révélé ce qui suit : i) les trois souches appartiennent à des clades de type USA-GBI29-2015, ii) CH-GDSG-2018-3 pourrait avoir divergé de CH-GDSG-2018-1 et CH-GDSG-2018-2, et iii) CH-GDSG-2018-3 est un recombinant des souches CHhb17 et HeNKF-1. Les courbes de croissance virale ont montré que CH-GDSG-2018-3 avait une capacité de prolifération in vitro plus forte. Le virus SVV a considérablement évolué en Chine et cette étude a approfondi notre compréhension de l'épidémiologie de ce virus.(Traduit par Docteur Serge Messier).

De novo transcriptome sequencing and comparative profiling of the ovary in partially engorged and fully engorged Haemaphysalis flava ticks.

Haemaphysalis flava is the vector of several pathogens and has medical and veterinary importance. Transcriptome information of the ovary of H. flava is unavailable and limits understanding of its molecular basis of reproduction. We studied the ovary transcriptome of partially engorged and fully engorged H. flava using high-throughput RNA sequencing technology. A total of 53,025,360 and 57,942,890 clean reads were obtained with 7.95 GB and 8.69 GB clean bases in partially engorged ticks (PETs) and fully engorged ticks (FETs), respectively. The clean reads were assembled into 138,711 unigenes. A total of 72,043 unigenes (51.93%) were annotated and 66,668 unigenes (48.07%) were unknown. A total of 38,487 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were found between PET and FET with 19,031 upregulated genes and 19,456 downregulated genes. The RNA-seq results were validated by qRT-PCR, including six upregulated genes and three downregulated genes. Some unigenes coding for nutrient transporters, proteases, and protease inhibitors were found and analyzed. This study was the first time to perform the transcriptome sequences of the ovary of partially engorged and fully engorged H. flava. The results can benefit the understanding of the molecular basis of ovary maturation and oogenesis of the H. flava and boost the development of the strategies for control of H. flava.

Emergence of a novel recombinant USA/GBI29/2015-like strain of Seneca Valley virus in Guangdong Province, 2018.

Since June 2017, several outbreaks of a Seneca Valley virus (SVV) USA/GBI29/2015-like strain have emerged in pigs in China. In our study, we successfully isolated the SVV strain CH-GDZQ-2018, confirmed by immunofluorescence and Western blot assays. Phylogenetic and recombinant analyses showed that the USA/GBI29/2015-like CH-GDZQ-2018 strain was the result of recombination between epidemic strains local to Guangdong, showing that SVV has undergone evolution in China.

Depuis juin 2017, plusieurs foyers d'une souche apparentée au virus de la vallée de Seneca (SVV) USA/GBI29/2015 sont apparus chez des porcs en Chine. Dans la présente étude, nous avons isolé avec succès la souche SVV CH-GDZQ-2018, confirmée par des tests d'immunofluorescence et d'immunobuvardage. Des analyses phylogénétiques et recombinantes ont montré que la souche CH-GDZQ-2018 de type USA/GBI29/2015 était le résultat d'une recombinaison entre des souches épidémiques locales au Guangdong, indiquant une évolution du SVV en Chine.(Traduit par Docteur Serge Messier).

Hypermutations in porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), which is caused by the PRRS virus (PRRSV), has resulted in large economic losses for the swine industry. The virus has shown remarkable genetic diversity since its discovery. In our study, we investigated mutation types in the evolution of PRRSV for both in vivo and in vitro passaging of the virus. Sequence alignment analysis demonstrated that the most common hypermutations expressed were A→G/U→C and G→A/C→U. The data provide a new theoretical basis for PRRSV evolution.

Le syndrome reproducteur et respiratoire porcin (SRRP), qui est causé par le virus SRRP (VSRRP), a entrainé de grosses pertes économiques à l'industrie porcine. Le virus a démontré une remarquable diversité génétique depuis sa mise en évidence. Dans notre étude, nous avons examiné les types de mutation dans l'évolution du VSRRP lors du passage in vivo et in vitro du virus. L'analyse d'alignement des séquences a démontré que les hypermutations les plus fréquemment exprimées étaient A→G/U→C et G→A/C→U. Ces données fournissent une nouvelle base théorique pour l'évolution du VSRRP.(Traduit par Docteur Serge Messier).

Pollution characteristics and potential ecological risk assessment of metals in the sediments of Xiaoqing River, Jinan.

The spatial-temporal changing characteristics and potential ecological risk combined with local policies and industrial status were analyzed. The metal contamination was studied by sediment quality guidelines (SQGs), potential ecological risk index (PERI), and geoaccumulation index (I geo) of metals (Hg, Cr, Cd, As, Pb, and Cu) in the sediments of Xiaoqing River in Jinan from 1996 to 2014. Results showed that the concentrations of metals were in fluctuation and had a decreasing trend in the past 19 years, which was influenced by industry and policy. The concentrations of metals from upstream to downstream presented a change from low to high and then a gradual decrease which were mainly related to anthropogenic activities. The assessment suggested that Hg presented the highest levels of I geo and was the largest contributor to RI, while Cd was the second contributor. This finding indicated that Hg and Cd had a strong effect on potential ecological risk. Damatou had the largest pollution level and potential ecological risk, whereas Mulizhuang was the least polluted area. SQGs indicated that Cd was below the TEC while it was the second contributor to potential ecological risk. Indeed, the pollution control of Xiaoqing River had a certain effect, but it needs long-term effective management measures and a strengthened source control. The suggestions of targeted management have been proposed in the paper.

Detection of piroplasms infection in sheep, dogs and hedgehogs in Central China.

BACKGROUND: Piroplasms are kinds of tick-borne parasitic apicomplexan protozoa, which are detrimental to humans and animals in tropical and subtropical areas around the world. Up until now, there has been a limited amount of reliable information available about the prevalence of piroplasms infections in wild animals in China. Therefore, we have investigated the infections of Babesia and Theileria species in both domestic and wild animals in Xinyang city, Henan province, where tick-borne diseases have recently been reported. This study aims to analyze the distribution patterns of piroplasms infections in animals, and assess their potential threat to humans in Central China. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from sheep, dogs and hedgehogs in two regions, including Shihe District and Luoshan County, of Xinyang city, Henan province from August to December 2012. Babesia spp. and Theileria spp. were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and identified by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Moreover, the characteristics of detected piroplasms in different animal hosts were compared between the two study regions. RESULTS: A total of 227 blood samples were collected from 73 sheep, two dogs and 152 hedgehogs. Babesia spp. was only detected in the two dogs. Theileria spp. was detected both in the sheep and the hedgehogs, and the total positive rate of Theileria spp. in the sheep and the hedgehogs was 57.53% and 13.82%, respectively. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Theileria spp. detected in the sheep and the hedgehogs were very close to T. lunwenshuni cloned from a small ruminant and Theileria spp. isolated from a febrile hospitalized patient in China. CONCLUSION: Babesia and Theileria infections were detected in both domestic and wild animals in Xinyang city, Henan province in Central China, thus warranting further studies in these regions.