Outbreak and the Reasons of Apple Valsa Canker in Yantai Apple Producing Area in 2011

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate an outbreak of apple valsa canker （Valsa ceratosperma） in Yantai apple producing area in 2011 and analyze the major causes of the disease. [Method] In May 2011, 21 commercial apple or-chards in Qixia, Haiyang and Laiyang were selected to investigate the outbreak of applevalsa canker. [Result]The results showed that apple canker occurred seriously in Yantai apple producing area in 2011. The ratio of diseased plants with new canker scars was 68.20% and the ratio of dead plants infected with Valsa cer-atosperma was 2.76%. The average ratios of diseased branches and one-year-old dead branches were 23.98% and 10.74%, respectively. The percentage of orchards with more than 50% diseased plants accounted for 25%-30% of the total number of orchards investigated, and the overal prevalence situation was more serious than normal years. In the investigation, 967 new canker scars were observed, with an average of 2.32 canker scars per plant. Specifical y, 80.04% canker scars were de-veloped from pruning wounds; 60.29% canker scars were developed from previous scars. [Conclusion] The long-period precipitation in the autumn of 2010, low temper-ature in the winter of 2010 and the severe drought in the spring of 2011 might be the major factors causing the outbreak of apple valsa canker in Yantai apple pro-ducing area in 2011. Pruning wounds were the main infection entrances of V. cer-atosperma, and the recurrence in previous scars was the main reason for the out-break of apple canker in spring.

Malignant gastrointestinal melanomas of unknown origin: Should it be considered primary?

We read with interest the article entitled： ‘Jejuno-jejunal invagination due to intestinal melanoma’ by Resta , et al. They reported a rare clinical case of a young woman with a bleeding jejunal melanoma, whose early clinical presentation was an intestinal invagination. The article is also referred to the rarity of gastrointestinal melanomas as well as their possible primary nature.

What caused the increase of autoimmune and allergic diseases:A decreased or an increased exposure to luminal microbial components?

The dramatic increase of allergic and autoimmune diseases such as asthma, atopic dermatitis （eczema）, allergic rhinitis, inflammatory bowel disease （IBD, including both Crohn＇s disease and ulcerative colitis）, multiple sclerosis, and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus （type Ⅰ diabetes） in the developed countries in the last century is a big puzle. ＂Hygiene Hypothesis＂ was proposed more than two decades ago and it suggested that the increase in these allergic and autoimmune diseases is caused by the aberrant development and response of the immune system due to a reduced exposure to microorganisms along with the improved hygiene. Interestingly, recent studies revealed that these allergic and autoimmune diseases are closely related to the microbes in the gut. For instance, even asthma, an allergic reaction of the lung to inhaled antigens, is closely related to a reduced exposure to foodborne and orofaecal microbes, rather than the amount of allergens in the air or the exposure to airborne microbes. It is known that bacteria in the gut could be 10 times in number of the eukaryotic cells of the body. Therefore, it would be not too surprising that microbes in the gut may have a great impact on these autoimmune and allergic diseases.

Fluorescent co-localization of PTS1 and PTS2 and its application in analysis of the gene function and the peroxisomal dynamic in Magnaporthe oryzae

The peroxisomal matrix proteins involved in many important biological metabolism pathways in eukaryotic cells are encoded by nucleal genes, synthesized in the cytoplasm and then transported into the organelles. Targeting and import of these proteins depend on their two peroxisomal targeting signals （PTS 1 and PTS2） in sequence as we have known so far. The vectors of the fluorescent fusions with PTS, i.e., green fluorescence protein （GFP）-PTS1, GFP-PTS2 and red fluorescence protein （RFP）-PTS1, were constructed and introduced into Magnaporthe oryzae Guy ll cells. Transformants containing these fusions emitted fluorescence in a punctate pattern, and the locations of the red and green fluorescence overlapped exactly in RFP-PTS 1 and GFP-PTS2 co-transformed strains. These data indicated that both PTS1 and PTS2 fusions were imported into peroxisomes. A probable higher efficiency of PTS1 machinery was revealed by comparing the fluorescence backgrotmds in GFP-PTS1 and GFP-PTS2 transformants. By introducing both RFP-PTS1 and GFP-PTS2 into Amgpex6 mutants, the involvement of MGPEX6 gene in both PTS1 and PTS2 pathways was proved. In addition, using these transformants, the inducement ofperoxisomes and the dynamic of peroxisomal number during the pre-penetration processes were investigated as well. In summary, by the localization and co-localization of PTS1 and PTS2, we provided a useful tool to evaluate the biological roles of the peroxisomes and the related genes.

Molecular Characterization of a Highly Pathogenetic Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus Variant in Hubei, China

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) has been recognized as one of the most important pathogens of pigs throughout the world. In 2006, more than 10 provinces of China have experienced an epizootic outbreak of pig diseases characterized by high fever, reddened skin and high morbidity and mortality. From June 2006 to April 2007, we have investigated some clinical samples in Hubei province by RT-PCR and cloned several major genes, N, GP5 and NSP2 gene, shown in this study. Phylogenetic analysis of these genes revealed that the highly pathogenic PRRSV variant, ZB, was responsible for 2006 emergent outbreak of pig disease in Hubei province similar with those variants isolated from other provinces in China in 2006, and belongs to the NA-type PRRSV. In the PRRSV variants, the N and GP5 shear about 90% identity with prototypic ATCC VR-2332 and some typical NA-type Chinese isolates, except the 2850bp NSP2 gene (only shares 65% identity with ATCC VR-2332). But they all shear more than and 97% identity with other highly pathogenetic Chinese PRRSV strains. Additionally, there are extensive amino acid (aa) mutations in the GP5 protein and 2 deletions in the Nsp2 protein when compared with the previous isolates. Most of the variants found in 2006 epizootic outbreak of pig diseases in China were the farthest variants from the typical NA-type PRRSV in phylogenetic distance, and these diversities may be responsible for the differences in the pathogenicity observed between these variants and original Chinese PRRSV strains.

THE FIRST CASE OF PROTOTHECOSIS ZOPFII IN CHINA

Objective. Report of first case of Protothecosis zopfii in China and causes the skin infection in the world. Method.By clinical and laboratory examinations to confirm the diagnosis and the response to treatment. By the review of literatures to confirm the first case of human skin infection in the world. Result.From the literatures and the clinical pictures, it is confirmed that this is the first case report of Protothecosis zopfii of skin in the world. Conclusion.The first case of Protothecosis zopfii in human being was reported and successfully treated with local infiltration of Diflucan (fluconazole) 3ml (2mg/ml)/week×4.

Functional genomics in the rice blast fungus to unravel the fungal pathogenicity

A rapidly growing number of successful genome sequencing projects in plant pathogenic fungi greatly increase the demands for tools and methodologies to study fungal pathogenicity at genomic scale. Magnaporthe oryzae is an economically important plant pathogenic fungus whose genome is fully sequenced. Recently we have reported the development and application of functional genomics platform technologies in M. oryzae. This model approach would have many practical ramifications in design and implementation of upcoming functional genomics studies of filamentous fungi aimed at understanding fungal pathogenicity.

Expression of Major Antigen Domains of E2 Gene of CSFV and Analysis of its Immunological Activity

E2 is an envelope glycoprotein of Classical swine fever virus (CSFV) and contains sequential neutralizing epitopes to induce virus-neutralizing antibodies and mount protective immunity in the natural host. In this study, four antigen domains (ABCD) of the E2 gene was cloned from CSFV Shimen strain into the retroviral vector pBABE puro and expressed in eukaryotic cell (PK15) by an retroviral gene expression system, and the activity of recombinant E2 protein to induce immune responses was evaluated in rabbits. The results indicated that recombinant E2 protein can be recognized by fluorescence antibodies of CSFV and CSFV positive serum (Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, China) using Western blot, indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT) and ELISA, Furthermore, anti-CSFV specific antibodies and lymphocyte proliferation were elicited and increased by recombinant protein after vaccination. In the challenge test, all of rabbits vaccinated with recombinant protein and Chinese vaccine strain (C-strain) were fully protected from a rabbit spleen virus challenge. These results indicated that a retroviral-based epitope-vaccine carrying the major antigen domains of E2 is able to induce high level of epitope-specific antibodies and exhibits similar protective capability with that induced by the C-strain, and encourages further work towards the development of a vaccine against CSFV infection.

Ankle-brachial index as a predictor of all-cause and cardio- vascular disease mortality in 3733 Chinese patients with high cardiovascular risk

Objective To assess the association between 1-year risk of all-cause and cardiovascular disease （CVD） mortality and ankle-brachial index （ABI） in Chinese patients who were at high CVD risk. Methods Totally 3733 patients with high CV risk had bilateral ABI measurements at baseline and were followed up for 1-1.5 years. Patients were divided to four groups： 1） coronary heart disease （CHD）; 2） ischemic stroke （IS）; 3） diabetes mellitus （DM）; 4） very high risk group（VHR）, low ABI was defined as 〈0.9. Results A total of 3179 patients were analyzed. The prevalence of low ABI was 28.1%. At 1 year, all-cause mortality was 8.7%, and 27.6% was attributable to CVD; mortality due to CV events was 4.8% and 1.5%. After adjusting other risk factors the hazard ratio of low ABI was 1.623 for all-cause mortality and 2.304 for CVD mortality. Similar in patient with and without low ABI, respectively were found in four groups.Conclusion ABI is a strong and independent predictor ofrnortality. Patients with a low ABI have a substantially increased risk of all-cause mortality and CVD mortality （J Geriatr Cardio12010; 7：17-20）.

Significance of hepatitis B virus surface antigen, hepatitis C virus expression in hepatocellular carcinoma and pericarcinomatous tissues

AIM： To investigate the correlation between hepatitis B virus surface antigen （HBsAg）, hepatitis C virus （HCV） expression in hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC）, the HAI score of the noncancerous region of the liver and the serum Alpha fetoprotein （AFP） level. METHODS： The patterns of HBsAg and HCV in 100 cases of HCC and their surrounding liver tissues were studied on paraffin-embedded sections with immunohistochemistry, the histological status was determined by one pathologist and one surgeon simultaneously using the hepatitis activity index （HAIl score, and AFP was detected by radioimmunity. The study included 100 consecutive patients who underwent curative resection for HCC. Based on HBsAg and HCV expression, the patients were classified into 4 groups： patients positive for HBsAg （HBsAg group）, patients positive for HCV （HCV group）, patients negative for both HCV and HBsAg （NBNC group） and patients positive for both HBsAg and HCV （BC group）. RESULTS： The BC group had significantly higher HAI scores than the other three groups. （BC 〉 HCV 〉 HBsAg 〉 NBNC）. HBV and HCV virus infection was positively correlated with HAI （rs = 0.39, P = 0.00011. The positive rate of AFP （85.7%） and the value of AFP （541.2 ng/mL） in the group with HBV and HCV co-infection were the highest among the four groups. The positive rate （53.3%） of AFP and the value of AFP （ 53.3 ng/mL） in the group with none-infection of HBV and HCV were the lowest. HBV and HCV virus infection was positively correlated with AFP（rs = 0.38, P = 0.0001）. CONCLUSION： The AFP increase in patients with liver cancer was positively correlated with the infection of HBV and HCV. The-serum AFP elevation by the infection of HBV and HCV is one of mechanisms which lead to hepatocarcinogenesis, and the antivirus intervening treatment of hepatitis is significant for the prognosis of liver cancer. From our Spearman＇s rank correlation analysis, we can conclude that the severity of virally induced inflammation is correlated with HBsAg and HCV expression in HCC tissues and noncancerous tissues. Prior co-infection of HBV in HCV patients may be an adverse risk factor for intrahepatic inflammation.

Relationship between HLA-DR gene polymorphisms and outcomes of hepatitis B viral infections:A meta-analysis

AIM:To assess the rigorous relationship between human leukocyte antigens(HLA)-DR alleles and outcomes of hepatitis B virus(HBV) infections by means of metaanalysis.METHODS:Medline/PubMed,EMBASE,CNKI and VIP were searched to identify relevant studies.Study quality was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.Odds ratios(OR) and 95% confidence interval(95% CI) were pooled using Stata 11.0.Subgroup analyses were performed by ethnicity.Heterogeneity and publication bias analyses were performed to validate the credibility.RESULTS:A total of 2609 patients with chronic hepatitis B and 2606 controls spontaneously recovering from prior HBV infection were included.Meta-analysis showed that HLA-DR*04(OR = 0.72,95% CI:0.60-0.85) and DR*13(OR = 0.27,95% CI:0.19-0.37) alleles were significantly associated with HBV clearance while patients carrying HLA-DR*03(OR = 1.47,95% CI:1.16-1.87) or DR*07(OR = 1.59,95% CI:1.24-2.03) alleles had a significantly increased risk of chronic HBV persistence.For the HLA-DR*01 polymorphism,a significantly association with HBV clearance was found in Chinese Han group(OR = 0.48,95% CI:0.26-0.86),but not found in other ethnic groups(P = 0.191).For other polymorphisms,no association with the HBV infection outcome was found.CONCLUSION:HLA-DR*04 and DR*13 alleles may be the protective factors for HBV clearance and HLADR*03,and DR*07 alleles may be the risk factors for HBV persistence.

Tunisian Population of the Wheat Pathogen Mycosphaerella graminicola is Still Fully Sensitive to Strobilurin Fungicides

Mycosphaerella graminieola （anamorph： Zymoseptoria tritici） is the causal agent of Septoria tritici blotch, the most frequently occurring disease on wheat crops worldwide. A set of 163 monoconidial isolates of this fungus were sampled in 2012 from five geographical locations of Tunisia （Bizerte, B6ja, Kef, Jendouba and Siliana） in order to examine the status of strobilurin resistance of M. graminicola in this country. The resistance was assessed by using PCR-based mismatch mutation assay that determined the cytochrome b substitution G143A responsible for strobilurin resistance. All isolates were found sensitive since they possessed the wild-type allele G143 conferring sensitivity. This study confirms previous reports on the fungus in Tunisia and reveals that the Tunisian population of M. graminicola remains fully sensitive to strobilurin fungicides. An appropriate management of strobilurin applications in Tunisia is thereby recommended to prevent local development and widespread of resistance, as in Europe, where pathogen populations are fully resistant to strobilurins today.

Epigenetic regulations in immune evasion of the deadliest malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum

Both eukaryotic and prokaryotic pathogens infect the host stably via an immune evasion mecha- nism termed mutually exclusive expression. Nowadays, little is known about this epigenetic mechanism, largely limiting the understanding of pathogenesis of many bacterial, fungal and protozoan pathogens and therefore the development of novel drugs and vaccines. In the most severe malaria parasite, Plasrnodiurn falciparum, there is a major virulence gene family termed vat, by which the variant antigen PfEMP1 is encoded and expressed on the surface of parasite-infected erythrocytes. Each parasite carries about 60 anti- genically various vat genes, however, only one of which is expressed at a given time during infection. P. falciparum expresses PfEMP1s in this clonally variant manner to bind to different human endothelial re- ceptors, allowing the infected erythrocytes to sequester in tissues to escape the host＇s immune response in- cluding spleen killing and humoral immunity. At present, the mechanism of mutually exclusive expression of the var gene family remains largely unknown, even though there is increasing evidence suggesting im- portant roles of the epigenetic regulation involved in vat gene expression. In addition, epigenetic factors were also found in association with transcriptional regulation of other antigenic variant gene families in P. falciparum. In this paper, we review the current understanding of epigenetic regulations of P. falcipa- rum virulence genes with particular views toward the design of novel vaccines, drugs, and diagnosis to ma- laria.