Novel Avian Influenza Virus (H5N1) Clade 2.3.4.4b Reassortants in Migratory Birds, China.

Two novel reassortant highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4b.2 were identified in dead migratory birds in China in November 2021. The viruses probably evolved among wild birds through different flyways connecting Europe and Asia. Their low antigenic reaction to vaccine antiserum indicates high risks to poultry and to public health.

Intense 99mTc-MDP Activity in an Elongated Sagging Gallbladder With a Partially Calcified Gallstone.

Intense activity was noted in the right middle abdomen on whole-body Tc-MDP bone scan images, which were obtained in a 78-year-old woman who had back pain. Further SPECT/CT images demonstrated that the intense activity was located in an elongated gallbladder. Partially calcified gallstone was also revealed on SPECT/CT images. Unexpectedly, the gallbladder activity was from the radioactive bile inside the gallbladder lumen, whereas the partially calcified gallstone was relatively photopenic.

Direct Interaction between Ras Homolog Enriched in Brain and FK506 Binding Protein 38 in Cashmere Goat Fetal Fibroblast Cells.

Ras homolog enriched in brain (Rheb) and FK506 binding protein 38 (FKBP38) are two important regulatory proteins in the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. There are contradictory data on the interaction between Rheb and FKBP38 in human cells, but this association has not been examined in cashmere goat cells. To investigate the interaction between Rheb and FKBP38, we overexpressed goat Rheb and FKBP38 in goat fetal fibroblasts, extracted whole proteins, and performed coimmunoprecipitation to detect them by western blot. We found Rheb binds directly to FKBP38. Then, we constructed bait vectors (pGBKT7-Rheb/FKBP38) and prey vectors (pGADT7-Rheb/FKBP38), and examined their interaction by yeast two-hybrid assay. Their direct interaction was observed, regardless of which plasmid served as the prey or bait vector. These results indicate that the 2 proteins interact directly in vivo. Novel evidence is presented on the mTOR signal pathway in Cashmere goat cells.

Structure and gene cluster of the O-antigen of Escherichia coli O30.

The acidic O-polysaccharide (O-antigen) of Escherichia coli O30 was isolated from the lipopolysaccharide and studied by sugar analysis and NMR spectroscopy. The following structure of the branched tetrasaccharide repeating unit was established, which is unique among known structures of bacterial polysaccharides: ß-D-GlcpNAc--1→2--→4)-ß-D-GlcpA-(1→4)-ß-D-GlcpA-(1→3)-α-D-GlcpNAc-(1→ The O-antigen gene cluster of E. coli O30 was sequenced. The gene functions were tentatively assigned by comparison with sequences in the available databases and found to be in full agreement with the O-polysaccharide structure.

Genome characteristics reveal the impact of lichenization on lichen-forming fungus Endocarpon pusillum Hedwig (Verrucariales, Ascomycota).

BACKGROUND: Lichen is a classic mutualistic organism and the lichenization is one of the fungal symbioses. The lichen-forming fungus Endocarpon pusillum is living in symbiosis with the green alga Diplosphaera chodatii Bialsuknia as a lichen in the arid regions. RESULTS: 454 and Illumina technologies were used to sequence the genome of E. pusillum. A total of 9,285 genes were annotated in the 37.5 Mb genome of E. pusillum. Analyses of the genes provided direct molecular evidence for certain natural characteristics, such as homothallic reproduction and drought-tolerance. Comparative genomics analysis indicated that the expansion and contraction of some protein families in the E. pusillum genome reflect the specific relationship with its photosynthetic partner (D. chodatii). Co-culture experiments using the lichen-forming fungus E. pusillum and its algal partner allowed the functional identification of genes involved in the nitrogen and carbon transfer between both symbionts, and three lectins without signal peptide domains were found to be essential for the symbiotic recognition in the lichen; interestingly, the ratio of the biomass of both lichen-forming fungus and its photosynthetic partner and their contact time were found to be important for the interaction between these two symbionts. CONCLUSIONS: The present study lays a genomic analysis of the lichen-forming fungus E. pusillum for demonstrating its general biological features and the traits of the interaction between this fungus and its photosynthetic partner D. chodatii, and will provide research basis for investigating the nature of its drought resistance and symbiosis.

Development of a DNA microarray for molecular identification of all 46 Salmonella O serogroups.

Salmonella is a major cause of food-borne disease in many countries. Serotype determination of Salmonella is important for disease assessment, infection control, and epidemiological surveillance. In this study, a microarray system that targets the O antigen-specific genes was developed for simultaneously detecting and identifying all 46 Salmonella O serogroups. Of these, 40 serogroups can be confidently identified, and the remaining 6, in three pairs (serogroups O67 and B, E1 and E4, and A and D1), need to be further distinguished from each other using PCR methods or conventional serotyping methods. The microarray was shown to be highly specific when evaluated against 293 Salmonella strains, 186 Shigella strains, representative Escherichia coli strains, and 10 strains of other bacterial species. The assay correctly identified 288 (98%) of the Salmonella strains. The detection sensitivity was determined to be 50 ng genomic DNA per sample. By testing simulated samples in a tomato background, 2 to 8 CFU per gram inoculated could be detected after enrichment. This newly developed microarray assay is the first molecular protocol that can be used for the comprehensive detection and identification of all 46 Salmonella O serogroups. Compared to the traditional serogrouping method, the microarray provides a reliable, high-throughput, and sensitive approach that can be used for rapid identification of multiple Salmonella O serogroups simultaneously.

[Prokaryotic expression and immunologic identification of P-29 gene from Echinococcus granulosus hydatid cyst].

OBJECTIVE: To clone and express P-29 gene of Echinococcus granulosus, and analyze its immunoreactivity. METHODS: Total RNA was extracted from the hydatid cyst of E. granulosus and its P-29 gene was amplified by RT-PCR. The PCR product was cloned into pET44a(+) vector. The recombinant plasmid was transformed into E. coli BL21 (DE3) and followed by expression of the protein induced by IPTG. The protein was purified, and tested by SDS-PAGE. Its immunoreactivity was examined by Western blotting. RESULTS: The recombinant expression plasmid was identified by PCR, double endonuclease digestion and sequencing. The recombinant Nus-P-29 was about Mr 93 000 with a concentration of 0.78 mg/ml. It was recognized by the sera of cystic echinococcosis patients. CONCLUSION: The P-29 gene has been expressed with adequate immunoreactivity.

CT-guided percutaneous ethanol injection with disposable curved needle for treatment of malignant liver neoplasms and their metastases in retroperitoneal lymph nodes.

AIM: To explore the feasibility of computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) using a disposable curved needle for treatment of malignant liver neoplasms and their metastases in retroperitoneal lymph nodes. METHODS: CT-guided PEI was conducted using a disposable curved needle in 26 malignant liver tumors smaller than 5 cm in diameter and 5 lymph node metastases of liver cancer in the retroperitoneal space. The disposable curved needle was composed of a straight trocar (21G) and stylet, a disposable curved tip (25 G) and a fine stylet. For the tumors found in deep sites and difficult to reach, or for hepatic masses inaccessible to the injection using a straight needle because of portal vein and bile ducts, the straight trocar was used at first to reach the side of the tumor. Then, the disposable curved needle was used via the trocar. When the needle reached the tumor center, appropriate amount of ethanol was injected. For relatively large malignant liver tumors, multi-point injection was carried out for a better distribution of the ethanol injected throughout the masses. The curved needle was also used for treatment of the metastasis in retroperitoneal lymph nodes blocked by blood vessels and inaccessible by the straight needle. RESULTS: All of the 26 liver tumors received 2 or more times of successful PEI, through which ethanol was distributed throughout the whole tumor mass. Effect of the treatment was monitored by contrast-enhanced multi-phase CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations three months later. Of the 18 lesions whose diameters were smaller than 3 cm, the necrotic change across the whole mass and that in most areas were observed in 15 and 3 tumors, respectively. Among the 8 tumors sizing up to 5 cm, 5 were completely necrotic and 3 largely necrotic. Levels of tumor seromarkers were significantly reduced in some of the cases. In 5 patients with metastases of liver cancer in retroperitoneal lymph nodes who received 1 to 3 times of PEI, all the foci treated were completely necrotic and smaller demonstrated by dynamic contrast-enhanced CT or MRI 3 months later. CONCLUSION: CT-guided PEI using a disposable curved needle is effective, time-saving and convenient, providing an alternative therapy for the treatment of malignant liver tumors and their retroperitoneal lymph node metastases.