effect of bovine viral diarrhea virus on bovine monocyte phenotype

Bovine viral diarrhea virus [BVDV] is an economically important pathogen of the livestock industry worldwide. BVDV is classified into cytopathic [cp] and noncytopathic [ncp], depending on its effects on cultured cells. BVDV is known to alter the host's immune response. Of this, major histocompatibility complex [MHC] class II molecules play a central role in the development and function of the immune system, and are comprised of two types, DR and DQ, in cattle. In this study, we investigated the expression of MHC class II on monocytes infected with ncp BVDV1 or ncp BVDV2. Using flow cytometry [P<0.01], mRNA level quantification [quantitative real time RT-PCR, P<0.01], and western blot [P<0.001], we found that the expressions of MHC class IIDQ was significantly decreased in ncp BVDV2-infected monocytes compared with that in ncp BVDV1-infected cells. Furthermore, interferon gamma [IFN gamma] production was markedly decreased in ncp BVDV2-infected monocytes [P<0.001] compared to those with ncp BVDV1 infection. These findings suggest that ncp BVDV2 causes reduced expressions of MHC class II DQ and a decreased production of IFN gamma, resulting in evasion of immune recognition and suppression of the antiviral defense mechanism of the innate immune response. Consequently, the results demonstrate that ncp BVDV1 and ncp BVDV2 interact differently with the host innate immune response. Thus, our data provide insight into the mechanism by which, unlike ncp BVDV1, ncp BVDV2 impairs antigen presentation, fails to control the viral infection, and causes more severe disease

Development and Application of Participatory Action Oriented Training(PAOT) for Improvement of Agricultural Working Environment in Korea / 農村醫學 地域保健

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to develop a Korean version of the Participatory Action Oriented Training (PAOT) program and training materials for improvement of agricultural working environments. METHODS: The PAOT manual and checklist were developed on the basis of the original English version of the training materials, a questionnaire survey of agricultural health and safety professionals, and a brainstorming conference. Good example pictures were collected through visits to agricultural workers' houses, and an easily understandable picture was drawn by an animation specialist. A PAOT action manual and five types of action checklists were developed for use in different agricultural environments. Each action checklist contained six categories and 38 items of agricultural health and safety principles; the six categories were material storage and handling, work stations and tools, machine safety, physical environment, working schedule and organization, and basic health and safety management. Incorporating these training materials, a one-day Korean PAOT program was developed. RESULTS: Among 307 candidate agricultural workers from four rural Korean villages, 94 workers (59 males, 35 females) participated in a PAOT from July 2007 to Oct 2008. The PAOT program was successful and the mean self-estimated satisfaction score of the participants was greater than 90%. CONCLUSIONS: A Korean PAOT program and training materials were successfully developed and applied to Korean agricultural workers. Although more studies are needed, it is expected that PAOT will greatly contribute to the improvement of agricultural working conditions and health and safety through the use of agricultural workers' self initiatives.