Rotaviruses C (RVCs) have been detected in pigs, humans, cows, ferrets and dogs. Despite their zoonotic impact and pathogenicity, the genetic characterization of RVCs is incomplete, unlike rotaviruses A (RVAs), whose genetics are well studied. Several studies reported partial and complete genomic sequences for multiple porcine and canine RVCs. We aimed to establish a complete genome-based genotyping system for RVCs, by analysing complete genome data from 22 porcine RVCs identified in Japan from 2002 to 2010, along with those from multiple human, bovine, porcine, canine and ferret RVCs reported in several previous studies. Comparative sequence analyses among RVCs from various host species demonstrated that porcine RVCs had a high level of genetic diversity. In addition, phylogenetic analyses of all 11 RNA segments indicated that porcine RVCs could be classified into multiple genotypes. Notably, the VP4 dendrogram divided bovine RVCs into multiple genotypes. Consequently, the provisional genotype classification for RVCs from terrestrial mammals revealed the existence of genotypes 18G, 21P, 13I, 4R, 6C, 6M, 9A, 8N, 6T, 5E and 4H for the genes VP7, VP4, VP6, VP1, VP2, VP3, NSP1, NSP2, NSP3, NSP4 and NSP5, respectively, based on the cut-off values as defined by the Rotavirus Classification Working Group. The system established in this study deepens our understanding of RVC evolution and facilitates the discovery of genetic events (gene reassortment and interspecies transmission) among RVCs.
Base on the sequence of S genes, which encode spike proteins, we previously identified three different types (North American, S INDEL, and S large-DEL types) of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) that have re-emerged in Japan since 2013. Based on experimental infections with the North American and S large-DEL types, we also hypothesized that PEDV virulence may be linked to the S1 subunit of the S protein. To test this hypothesis, we have now assayed in gnotobiotic piglets various recombinant PEDVs generated by reverse genetics. Piglets inoculated with CV777 maintained in National Institute of Animal Health, along with piglets infected with a recombinant form of the same virus, developed subclinical to mild diarrhea. In contrast, severe watery diarrhea, dehydration, weight loss, astasia, and high mortality were observed in piglets inoculated with recombinant strains in which the S gene was partially or fully replaced with corresponding sequences from the highly virulent Japanese PEDV isolate OKN-1/JPN/2013. Indeed, symptoms resembled those in piglets inoculated with the OKN-1/JPN/2013, and were especially pronounced in younger piglets. Collectively, the data demonstrate that the S1 subunit of the S protein is an important determinant of PEDV virulence, and advance development of new vaccine candidate.
ISHS IV International Symposium on Brassicas and XIV Crucifer Genetics Workshop CLASSIFICATION OF PATHOGENICITY OF PLASMODIOPHORA BRASSICAE FIELD ISOLATES IN JAPAN BASED ON RESISTANCE OF F1 CULTIVARS OF CHINESE CABBAGE (BRASSICA RAPA L.) TO CLUBROOT
The stones removed from 273 patients (220 males, 53 females) with bladder stones and 27 patients with urethral stones (males) were analyzed by infrared spectroscopy. Of these stones 50.0% contained magnesium ammonium phosphate (MAP), 39.9% calcium (oxalate and/or phosphate), 9.4% uric acid (urate), and 0.7% cystine. The disorders associated with bladder stones were prostatic hyperplasia and cancer (47.8%), neurogenic bladder (11.8%), urethral stricture (3.6%) and so on in males, and neurogenic bladder (48.1%), after operation of uterus (29.0%), bladder cancer (5.7%) and so on in females. Urinary infections were complications in 59.3% of patients with MAP stones, 41.2% with urate stones and 20.0% with calcium stones. The most often isolated bacteria from the infected urine were of the Proteus species.
Telomerase activity has been detected in a wide variety of human tumors. The present study evaluated telomerase activity in association with the acquisition of renal cell carcinoma (RCC).Telomerase activity was examined in 30 RCC and the adjacent normal kidney tissue, obtained as surgical specimens. The activity was assayed by polymerase chain reaction-based telomeric repeat amplification protocol assay.Among the 30 RCC, 18 (60%) displayed telomerase activity, whereas none of the normal tissue samples exhibited it. Subdivision of the tumors according to telomerase activity did not reveal any obvious difference in distribution with regard to tumor size, stage, histocytological subtype, or DNA-ploidy. However, a statistically significant relationship was found between the frequency of telomerase-positive activity and both serum immunosuppressive acidic protein level in the patient and tumor grade (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the recurrent-free survival and the disease-specific survival between patients with positive telomerase activity and patients with negative activity.The present results indicate that telomerase activity might be related to the progression of RCC and thus a marker of malignant potential.
