Genome sequence of a Sobemovirus from the feces of Northern Pintail (Anas acuta).

Northern pintail (Anas acuta) is a migratory waterfowl that can transmit various viruses. The genome sequence of a Sobemovirus was determined using metagenomic sequencing from the feces of northern pintail (Anas acuta) in Xinjiang, northwest China. The virus possesses a linear RNA molecule of 4177 bp and is most closely related to isolates SoMV-WA (GenBank accession no. HM163159.1) and ATCC PV-109 (GenBank accession no. GQ845002.2), with a nucleotide identity of 86.7%. The virus encodes four open reading frames (ORF) coding for four proteins, and phylogenetic analysis of capsid protein and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) showed that the strain was clustered into the species Sowbane Mosaic Virus (SoMV). The amino acid sequence identity of capsid protein was 89.6-90.9% to other isolates of SoMV, but 17.6-31.4% similar to other strains in the genus Sobemovirus, indicating a strain of Sowbane Mosaic Virus. This is the first report of SoMV in the feces of wild birds and in China, and it suggested that northern pintail likely plays an alternative role in the transmission of SoMV.

The First Genomic Analysis of Visna/Maedi Virus Isolates in China.

Visna/Maedi virus (VMV) is a neglected pathogen that damages sheep and goats' nervous and respiratory systems. The virus was discovered 80 years ago and has been endemic in China for nearly four decades; nevertheless, there is little information regarding Chinese isolates' genotypes and genomic characteristics. In this study, the proviral DNA of strains isolated in 1985 and 1994 were extracted, and the proviral DNA was subjected to Illumina sequencing combined with Sanger sequencing of poor coverage regions. The results showed that the two isolates were clustered with genotype A2 and shared 78.3%-89.1% similarity to reference VMV genome sequences, with the highest similarity (88.7%-89.1%) to the USA strain USMARC-200212120-r (accession no. MT993908.1) and lowest similarity (78.3%-78.5%) to the Italian strain SRLV009 (accession no. MG554409.1). A maximum-likelihood tree showed that the Chinese VMV strains and the USA strain 1150 (accession no. MH916859.1) comprise a monophyletic group with a short tree branch. Our data filled the gap in genomic analysis and viral evolution in Chinese VMV strains, and would be benefit China's source-tracing and eradication program development in China.

Retrospective genomic analysis of the first Lumpy skin disease virus outbreak in China (2019).

Lumpy skin disease caused by Lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) is a severe systemic disease affecting cattle and other ruminants. Lumpy skin disease was first reported in northwest China in August 2019 and has severely threatened the cattle breeding industry in China. However, there have been limited genomic studies of LSDV from the first outbreak and its subsequent epidemics. This study aims to characterize the comparative genomic evolution of the LSDV strain from the first outbreak in China. The etiological agent was isolated in a Madin-Darby bovine kidney cell culture and subsequently identified by PCR and Sanger sequencing of six selected genes. The genome sequence was determined using Illumina sequencing and analyzed through genome alignment and phylogenetic tree. The results showed that all six genes were successfully amplified and genetically clustered into LSDV. The virus presented the highest homology to strain China/GD01/2020, which shared 100% identities among 150 open reading frames (ORFs), and 97.1-99.7% identities among additional 6 ORFs. Bayesian inference tree analysis revealed that the virus shared a common ancestor with LSDV strains from China and Vietnam. The study provides an additional genomic data for LSDV tracking and control in China and neighboring countries.

Serological survey of avian influenza virus infection in non-avian wildlife in Xinjiang, China.

We conducted a serological survey to detect antibodies against avian influenza virus (AIV) in Gazella subgutturosa, Canis lupus, Capreolus pygargus, Sus scrofa, Cervus elaphus, Capra ibex, Ovis ammon, Bos grunniens and Pseudois nayaur in Xinjiang, China. Two hundred forty-six sera collected from 2009 to 2013 were assayed for antibodies against H5, H7 and H9 AIVs using hemagglutination inhibition (HI) tests and a pan-influenza competitive ELISA. Across all tested wildlife species, 4.47 % harbored anti-AIV antibodies that were detected by the HI assay. The seroprevalence for each AIV subtype across all species evaluated was 0 % for H5 AIV, 0.81 % for H7 AIV, and 3.66 % for H9 AIV. H7-reactive antibodies were found in Canis lupus (9.09 %) and Ovis ammon (4.55 %). H9-reactive antibodies were found in Gazella subgutturosa (4.55 %), Canis lupus (27.27 %), Pseudois nayaur (23.08 %), and Ovis ammon (4.55 %). The pan-influenza competitive ELISA results closely corresponded to the cumulative prevalence of AIV exposure as measured by subtype-specific HI assays, suggesting that H7 and H9 AIV subtypes predominate in the wildlife species evaluated. These data provide evidence of prior infection with H7 and H9 AIVs in non-avian wildlife in Xinjiang, China.

[Preparation and characterization of MgxZn(1-x)O powders].

MgxZn(1-x)O has been subjects of intense attention as a novel photo-electronic functional material in recent years. In the present paper, MgxZn(1-x)O powders were prepared by sol-gel method. Effects of Mg contents on MgxZn(1-x)O structure and luminescence properties were studied. The authors observed that MgxZn(1-x)O exhibited two kinds of structures, hexagonal wurtzite and face center cubic while x was in the range of 0 and 1. The MgxZn(1-x)O powders were hexagonal wurtzite structure with x < 0.2, face center cubic structure with x > 0. 2 and their blend structure with x between 0.2 and 0.8. Luminescence spectrum analysis indicated that all MgxZn(1-x)O samples with various composition showed luminescence of ultra-violet and visible light. The ultraviolet emission peak was from 370 nm to 384 nm and the visible emission peak was around at 468 nm. The average size of MgxZn(1-x)O powders was about 100 nm.

[Preparation and characterization of SrS : Eu, Sm phosphor].

In the present paper, SrS : Eu, Sm phosphors for the broad frequency infrared up-conversion were prepared. XRD analysis indicates that the SrS : Eu, Sm samples calcined at 1 100 degrees C for 1 h exhibit good luminescence properties and they are face-center cubic structure of SrS. Excitation spectrum reveals that the samples can be excited by ultra violet and visible light. Fluorescence spectrum of the samples is composed of four emission peaks at 567 nm, 589 nm, 602 nm and 648 nm respectively. Infrared photo-stimulation luminescence spectrum is a broad-band spectrum peaking at about 595 nm. Infrared response range of the samples is mainly between 800 and 1 400 nm.

[Observation on the ultrastructure of Taenia solium oncosphere].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the ultrastructure of Taenia solium oncospheres. METHODS: Patients infected with Taenia solium were de-wormed by decoction arecae and pumpkin seeds to get the mature proglottids and collect eggs. The eggs were treated with sodium hypochlorite to break the eggshells. Oncospheres were collected in Percoll (isoosmotic solution), and activated with artificial intestinal juice. The specimens were prepared with hot agar centrifugation for ultra-thin sections and observed with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) . RESULTS: T. solium oncosphere was in oval shape with a size of (14-17) microm x (10-13) microm. There were some irregular ecphymata or plicae on its surface. The hooks were composed of outer pellet layer, the middle fibrous layer and the central core marrow. Myoblasts, hook-forming cells and cerebral cortex cells were observed in the mature oncospheres. CONCLUSION: The ultrastructure of Taenia solium oncosphere is similar to that of Hymenolepis diminuta, with difference in hooks. There are binucleate cells which play a role in forming epithelium in the development of oncospheres.

[Synthesis and characterization of broadband IR-to-visible upconversion material caS : Ce, Sm by low-temperature combustion synthesis method].

Broadband IR-to-visible upconversion material CaS : Ce, Sm was synthesized for the first time by the low-temperature combustion synthesis (LCS) method. The effect of the rare earth dopant concentration on the upconversion properties was studied. XRD analysis shows that the sample features the cubic CaS crystal structure. The excitation spectrum of the sample is in the range of 200-500 nm, i. e. ultraviolet light or the visible light can excite the sample effectively to complete the "charged" process, and the excitation effect of the visible light is dominant. The IR sensitivity spectrum of the sample is in the range of 800-1 400 nm, indicating that CaS : Ce, Sm possesses the broadband IR-to-visible upconversion effect. The IR-to-visible upconversion spectrum of the sample is a broadband spectrum in the range of 450-650 nm, with two adjacent emission peaks at 513.4 and 572 nm, resulting from the transitions of Ce3+2T2g(5d)-->2F5/2 (4f) and the transitions of Ce3+2T2g(5d)-->2F7/2 (4f), respectively.

[Study on rare earth doped long luminescence glass].

A luminosilicate glass samples doped with Eu203 and Dy2O3 were prepared under the air and reducing atmosphere respectively. The excitation spectra, emission spectra and thermal luminescence spectra of the samples prepared under different atmosphere were measured. Luminescence mechanism of the afterglow glasses wa s analyzed. The results showed that the sample prepared under an ambient atmosphere has no afterglow. Its excitation and emission spectra showed the typical transitions of (5)Di( i = 0, 1) --> (7)Fj (j = 0-4) from Eu3+ but the sample reheated at a reducing atmosphere has afterglow. The sample doped with Eu2+ shows luminescence peaking at 462 nm. And the sample codoped with Eu2+ and Dy3+ shows luminescence peaking at 457 nm. The afterglowluminescence can last more than 12 h.