No abstract

One coronavirus strain was isolated from brain tissues of ten piglets with evident clinical manifestations of vomiting, diarrhea and dyskinesia in Jilin province in China. Antigenic and genomic characterizations of the virus (isolate PHEV-JLsp09) were based on multiplex PCR and negative staining electron microscopy and sequence analysis of the Hemagglutinin-esterase (HE) gene. These piglets were diagnosed with Porcine hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus (PHEV).Necropsy was performed on the piglets. Major pathological changes included meningeal hyperemia, meningeal hemorrhage and cortical hemorrhage. Minor changes were also observed in other organs. Histopathological changes included satellitosis and neuronophagia in the cerebral cortex.Mice were infected with the isolated virus. Their histopathological changes were similar to those symptoms observed in the piglets, exhibiting typical changes for non-suppurative encephalitis. Thus, Porcine hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus mainly causes damage to the nervous system but also impacts other organs. This viral strain (isolate PHEV-JLsp09) found in the Siping area of Jilin Province in China is evolutionally closest to the HEV-67N stain (North American strain), indicating that this viral strain evolved from the PHEV from North America.

We investigated an acute outbreak of the cutaneous form of fowlpox among chickens in China in November 2009. Using pathologic and virologic methods, we identified a novel type of fowlpox virus that carried an integrated genomic sequence of reticuloendotheliosis virus. This highly pathogenic virus could lead to severe ecologic effects and economic losses.

Summary Proteomes of interest, such as the human proteome, have such complexity that no single technique is adequate for complete analysis of the constituents. Depending on the goal (e.g., identification of a novel protein vs. measurement of the level of a known protein), the tools required can vary significantly. While existing methods provide valuable information, their limitations drive the development of complementary, innovative methods to achieve greater breadth of coverage, dynamic range, or specificity of analysis. Here, we will discuss affinity-based methods and their applications, focusing on their unique advantages. In addition, we will describe emerging methods with potential value to proteomics as well as the challenges that remain for proteomic studies.

No abstract

Parallel biosensors for proteins are becoming more essential for the thorough and systematic investigation of complex biological processes. These tools also enable improved clinical diagnoses relative to single protein analyses due to their greater information content. If implemented correctly, affinity-based techniques can provide unique advantages in terms of sensitivity and flexibility. Aptamers are increasingly being used as the affinity reagents of choice for protein biosensing applications. Here, we describe the development and characterization of an aptamer-based method for parallel protein analyses that relies on recognition of the target protein by two unique aptamers targeting different epitopes on the protein. Our results show that the technique achieved simultaneous and quantitative detection of thrombin and platelet derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) with high specificity both in buffered solutions and in serum samples.

No abstract

No abstract