Questionnaire survey on public awareness of cleft lip with/without palate in Mongolia.

The frequency of cleft lip with/without palate (CL/P) in the Mongolian population is approximately 1 in 1314 live births. This research aims to disseminate information about this congenital disability to the public to better understand CL/P, and people's fissures, and review administrative measures, as there is a lack of research in this area. A questionnaire survey was conducted using Google Forms, with 1000 Mongolian participants. Most participants (86.7%) said they had knowledge of the word, whereas 86.2% said they had knowledge of the condition. Most participants' answers were question-related disadvantages of CL/P patients, including statements such as "It's uncomfortable in human relationships" and "It makes an uncomfortable impression on the person you meet the first time." The results of this study revealed that most Mongolians were aware of CL/P and are concerned about patients. However, the causes of CL/P in the general population remain unknown, and further research is needed in this area.

Pathogenesis in call ducks inoculated intranasally with H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus and transmission by oral inoculation of infective feathers from an infected call duck.

To evaluate the possibility of virus transmission through feathers of call ducks, we performed two experiments, intranasal infection study and transmission study, using the Japanese H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) A/chicken/Yamaguchi/7/2004 (Ck/Yama/7/04). In Experiment 1, 1-day-old, 2-wk-old, and 4-wk-old birds were inoculated intranasally with Ck/Yama/7/04. Birds in all age groups exhibited necrosis and/or viral antigens in the feather epithelium. Nonpurulent encephalitis and focal necrosis of the pancreas and heart also were common to inoculated birds. In Experiment 2, nine 2-wk-old birds that were orally inoculated with feathers of an infected call duck exhibited the nonpurulent encephalitis, necrosis of the feather epithelium, and focal necrosis of the pancreas and heart, accompanied by viral antigens. These lesions were similar to those in intranasal infection. Some birds were positive for the virus isolation from cloacal swabs and hemagglutination inhibition antibody. The infection was confirmed in seven of nine birds. This study confirmed that the Japanese HPAIV can replicate in the feather epithelium, causing necrosis in call ducks through the natural infection route. It also suggests that feathers of call ducks infected with Ck/Yama/7/04 can be a potential source of infection for unaffected birds in nature.

Severe nonpurulent encephalitis with mortality and feather lesions in call ducks (Anas platyrhyncha var. domestica) inoculated intravenously with H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus.

One-day-old, 2-wk-old, and 4-wk-old call ducks (Anas platyrhyncha var. domestica) inoculated intravenously with the H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus A/chicken/Yamaguchi/7/2004 isolate (Ck/Yama/7/04) were examined clinically, pathologically, and virologically. Clinically, the birds exhibited mild-to-severe neurologic signs and corneal opacity. All birds in the 1-day-old group and one bird in the 4-wk-old group died within 4 days after the virus inoculation. Histologic changes were characterized by severe nonpurulent encephalitis and necrotic lesions of feather epithelium on day 3 postinoculation (PI) or later. Focal necrosis of myocardial cells, pancreatic acinar cells, skeletal myocytes, and corneal epithelial cells was observed. Viral antigens were detected in association with necrotic changes. Viruses were isolated from all examined organs including the skin with many feathers. Serum antibody against the virus was detected in all surviving birds on day 10 PI by hemagglutination-inhibition tests. These results suggest that Ck/Yama/7/04 has a pathogenicity that causes neurologic sign, nonpurulent encephalitis with mortality, and feather lesions for call ducks. Feather lesions with viral antigens and the virus isolation from the skin suggest that Ck/Yama/ 7/04 has a predilection for feathers in call ducks.