Thallium concentrations, sources and ecological risk in the surface sediments of the Yangtze Estuary and its adjacent east China marginal sea: A baseline study.

The distribution characteristics, sources and ecological risk of thallium (Tl) in the surface sediments of Yangtze Estuary and its adjacent sea were studied. Tl concentrations ranged from 0.369 to 1.197 µg g-1 with an average of 0.674 µg g-1, which was slightly higher than the corresponding background values. Tl concentrations were relatively high in sediments of the south bank of Chongming Island and the Hangzhou Bay mouth, and gradually decreased from inner shelf to outer seas. The variation trend of Tl concentrations was controlled by sediment characteristics, hydrodynamic conditions and sources together. The sediment flux of Tl in the study area was 428.6 t/yr. The Yangtze River, the Yellow River and atmospheric inputs of Tl accounted for 52.7%, 10.5%, and 0.15% of the total sediment flux, respectively. The result of potential ecological index indicated that Tl in surface sediments of the study area had no threat to the ecological environment.

Distribution characteristics, sources and ecological risk of antimony in the surface sediments of Changjiang Estuary and the adjacent sea, East China.

The distribution characteristics, sources and ecological risk of antimony (Sb) in the surface sediments of Changjiang Estuary and the adjacent sea were studied. Sb concentrations ranged from 0.320 to 0.968 µg g-1 with mean value of 0.577 µg g-1. Sb concentrations were relatively high in sediments of the south Yellow Sea, the Hangzhou Bay mouth and the inner Changjiang Estuary. The variation trend of Sb concentrations was controlled by hydrodynamics, Al/Fe/Mn oxides. Sb also showed strong chalcophile property. Correlation analysis and enrichment factor showed Sb came mainly from natural sources. Total Sb sediment flux in the study area was 446.3 t/yr. The Changjiang River, the Yellow River and atmospheric inputs accounted for 85.7%, 13.9%, and 0.4% of the total sediment Sb flux, respectively. The result of potential ecological index indicated the very low Sb concentrations could hardly threat the ecological environment of the study area.

Cloning, Expression, and Immunogenicity of Fimbrial-F17A Subunit Vaccine against Escherichia coli Isolated from Bovine Mastitis.

There is a need to identify and select new promising immunodominant antigens that have the ability to provide protective immunity against E. coli causing bovine mastitis. Recently we showed that f17a was found to be the most prevalent and crucial virulent factor among the pathogenic E. coli isolated from bovine mastitis. Here, in this report, the recombinant F17A based subunit vaccine adjuvant with MF59 was tested for immunogenicity against E. coli in a murine model. The vaccinated mice did not show any abnormal behavioral changes and histopathological lesions after vaccination. The specific antibody level against F17A was significantly higher in MF59-adjuvant-group, and also lasted for longer duration with a significant (P < 0.01) production level of IgG1 and IgG2a. Moreover, we noted higher survival rate in mice injected with F17A-MF59-adjuvant group after challenging with the clinical E. coli strain. Our findings of bacterial clearance test revealed that elimination rate from liver, spleen, and kidney in MF59-adjuvant-group was significantly higher than the control group. Finally, the proportion of CD4+T cells was increased, while CD8+ was decreased in MF59-adjuvant group. In conclusion, the current study reveals the capability of F17A-MF59 as a potential vaccine candidate against pathogenic E. coli causing mastitis in dairy animals.

Liposomes containing recombinant E protein vaccine against duck Tembusu virus in ducks.

To obtain an effective vaccine candidate against duck Tembusu viral (DTMUV) disease which causes egg-drop and great economical loss in the Chinese duck industry, liposome vaccines containing recombinant E protein were prepared and assessed in this study. The recombinant plasmid (PET28a-E) was constructed and transformed into BL21 (DE3) cells to produce E proteins. The recombinant E proteins were purified and entrapped by liposomes through reverse-phase evaporation. Eighty-four cherry valley ducks were randomly divided into seven groups and inoculated intramuscularly at one- or seven-day-old with liposomes-E protein or Freund's adjuvant-E protein vaccine. Blood samples were collected from the first week to the tenth week for serum antibody, plasma for viremia, as well as oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs for virus shedding analyses after being challenged with a 10(2.4) 50% tissue culture infective dose (TCID50) of duck Tembusu virus. Results showed that serum antibody level of the liposomes vaccine was higher than the Freund's adjuvant vaccine, and inoculating twice was superior to once; furthermore, the viremia and virus shedding tests also proved that the liposomes vaccine can provide complete protection against DTMUV challenge. These results demonstrated that the liposomes-E protein vaccine could be used as a potential candidate vaccine to prevent DTMUV infection in ducks.