Identification of a WSSV neutralizing scFv antibody by phage display technology and in vitro screening

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is one of the most significant viral pathogens causing high mortality and economic damage in shrimp aquaculture. Although intensive efforts were undertaken to detect and characterize WSSV infection in shrimp during the last decade, we still lack methods either to prevent or cure white spot disease. Most of the studies on neutralizing antibodies from sera have been performed using in vivo assays. For the first time, we report use of an in vitro screening method to obtain a neutralizing scFv antibody against WSSV from a previously constructed anti-WSSV single chain fragment variable region (scFv) antibody phage display library. From clones that were positive for WSSV by ELISA, 1 neutralizing scFv antibody was identified using an in vitro screening method based on shrimp primary lymphoid cell cultures. The availability of a neutralizing antibody against the virus should accelerate identification of infection-related genes and the host cell receptor, and may also enable new approaches to the prevention and cure of white spot disease.

Distribution and morphology of two endemic gomphonemoid species, Gohphonema kaznakowi Mereschkowsky and G-yangtzensis Li nov sp in China

The morphology of Gomphonema kaznakowi Mereschkowsky was investigated using light microscopy. This species has two morphologically distinct areas near the headpole; an unornamented and an ornamented area. The two areas are distinguished from each other by the combination of size and striae number. A new species, Gomphonema yangtzensis Li nov. sp. is identified based on an ornamented area near the headpole. G. kaznakowi is reported from the upper and middle part of the Yangtze River, and was also found in the upper section of the Yellow River. G. yangtzensis was found in the upper area of the Yellow River and the middle of the Yangtze River. Their limited distribution may be due to certain environmental conditions or a different dispersal rate. Both species are illustrated.

Isolation and identification of a novel WSSV nucleocapsid protein by cDNA phage display using an scFv antibody

In a previous study, a scFv phage display library against white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) was constructed and yielded a clone designated A I with conformational specificity against native but not denatured viral antigen. Although the clone A1 has been used successfully as a diagnostic antibody, its precise target antigen has not been elucidated. A different strategy was adopted involving the construction of a second T7 phage display library utilizing mRNA isolated from shrimp infected with WSSV. Following RT-PCR and T7 phage library construction, phages displaying the candidate epitope were selected with A I scFv. Since successive enrichment steps were not associated with an increased titer of the phages, enrichment after successive tests was confirmed by PCR resulting in the prefer-red selection of a specific DNA sequence encoding a novel nucleocapsid protein WSSV388. Immune electron microscopy revealed that WSSV388 is located on the nucleocapsid. This result demonstrated that unknown antigen could be identified by phage display using the epitope conformation dependent scFv. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Influence of selected Indian immunostimulant herbs against white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) infection in black tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon with reference to haematological, biochemical and immunological changes

Immunostimulants are the substances, which enhance the non-specific defence mechanism and provide resistance against the invading pathogenic micro-organism. In order to increase the immunity of shrimps against the WSSV, the methanolic extracts of five different herbal medicinal plants like Cyanodon dactylon, Aegle marmelos, Tinospora cordifolia, Picrorhiza kurooa and Eclipta alba were selected and mixed thoroughly in equal proportion. The mixed extract was supplemented with various concentrations viz. 100 (A), 200 (B), 400 (C), and 800 (D) mg kg(-1) through artificial diets individually. The prepared diets (A-D) were fed individually to WSSV free healthy shrimp Penaeus monodon with an average weight of 8.0 +/- 0.5 g for 25 days. Control diet (E), devoid of herbal extract was also fed to shrimps simultaneously. After 25 days of feeding experiment, the shrimps were challenged with WSSV, which were isolated and propagated from the infected crustaceans. The shrimps succumbed to death within 7 days when fed on no herbal immunostimulant diet (E). Among the different concentrations of herbal immunostimulant supplemented diets, the shrimps fed on diet D (800 mg kg(-1)) significantly (P < 0.0001) had more survival (74%) and reduction in the viral load. Also the better performance of haematological, biochemical and immunological parameters was found in the immunostimulant incorporated diets fed shrimps. The present work revealed that the application of herbal immunostimulants will be effective against shrimp viral pathogenesis and they can be recommended for shrimp culture. (c) 2006 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Induction of apoptosis in a carp leucocyte cell line infected with turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.) rhabdovirus

A rhabdovirus was observed from the diseased turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.) with lethal syndrome. In this study, a carp leucocyte (CLC) cell line was used to investigate the infection process and cell death mechanism occurring during the virus infection. Strong cytopathogenic effect (CPE) and the morphological changes, such as extreme chromatin condensation, nucleus fragmentation, and apoptotic body formation, were observed under fluorescence microscopy after DAPI staining in the infected CLC cells. Transmission electron microscopy analysis showed cell shrinkage, plasma membrane blebbing, cytoplasm vacuolization, chromatin condensation, nuclear breakdown and formation of discrete apoptotic bodies. The bullet-shaped nucleocapsids were measured and ranged in size from 110 to 150 nm in length and 40 to 60 nm in diameter. And therefore the virus is called Scophthalmus maximus rhabdovirus (SMRV). Agarose gel electrophoresis analysis of the DNA extracted from infected cells showed typical DNA ladder in the course of SMRV infection. Flow cytometry analysis of SMRV infected CLC cells detected apoptotic peak in the virus infected CLC cells. Virus titre analysis and electron microscopic observation revealed that the virus replication fastigium was earlier than that of the apoptosis occurrence. No apoptosis was observed in the CLC infected with UV-inactivated SMRV. All these supported that SMRV infected CLC cells undergo apoptosis and the virus replication is necessary for apoptosis induction of CLC cells. (C) 2004 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Construction and characterization of a novel recombinant single-chain variable fragment antibody against White Spot Syndrome Virus from shrimp

An antibody phage display library against White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) was constructed. After four rounds of panning against WSSV, 192 out of 480 clones displayed WSSV binding activity. One of the positive clones, designated A1, had relatively higher activity specifically binding to WSSV A1-soluble, single-chain fragment variable (scFv) antibody has an affinity constant (K-aff) of 2.02 +/- 0.42 x 10(9) M-1. Dot blot assays showed that A1-soluble scFv could detect WSSV directly from shrimp hemolymph after 24-h feeding infection by WSSV. A1 scFv has potential for the development of a cheap, simple and sensitive diagnostic kit for WSSV in the field. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Studies on morphogenesis and cellular interactions of Rana grylio virus in an infected fish cell line

A pathogenic virus (RGV), isolated from diseased pig frog Rana grylio with lethal syndrome, was investigated with regard to morphogenesis and cellular interactions in EPC cells, a cell Line from fish. Different stages of virus amplification, maturation and assembly were observed at nucleus, cytoplasm and cellular membranes. The matured virus particles, were not only distributed diffusely in nucleus, cytoplasm and cellular surface, but also aggregated as pseudocrystalline arrays in the cytoplasm. Virions were released by budding from the plasma membranes, or following cell lysis. Various types of cell damage, such as small vacuoles, spherical inclusions, and swollen and empty mitochondria, were also found. Some typical characteristics of RGV, such as the symmetrical shape of the virions, replication process involving both nuclear and cytoplasmic phases, budding release from cellular membrane and intracellular membrane, viromatrix and paracrystalline aggregation in cytoplasm, and its acute pathogenic effects, were observed to be similar to that of other iridoviruses. Therefore, the RGV appears to be a member of the Iridoviridae based on these studies. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

熔盐电解法制备Al-Li合金的应用基础研究及其工艺初探

Al-Li合金是近年发展起来的新型航空材料，具有低密度、高强度的特点。目前世界上正就如何进一步提高其断裂韧性，使Al-Li合金尽早走出实验室，获得实际用进行广泛，深入的研究。熔盐电解法就是在这种情况下发展起来的。虽然此法现在尚处于研究的初级阶段，但已以其能够在较简单的设备上制备低Na高纯Al-Li合金的特点受到广泛的重视，是一种很有前途的发展方向。针对我国的技术、设备现状，在参考国外研究结果的基础上，采用熔盐电解法制备Al-Li母合金 → 应用合金的制备方法是可以尽快赶上世界发步伐的有效途径。因此，本文作为整个熔盐电解制备Al-Li合金系统研究的一部分，针对目前在此领域中很多应用基础问题，诸如：作为新的电解体系正在探索中的LiCl-KCl-LiF三元相图，Li在液体Al阴极中的扩散系数，利用熔盐电解法制备低Na高纯Al-Li合金的热力学基础及如何克服LiCl强烈的吸水性给电解工艺带来的种种不便等均未得到系统研究的现状，设计完成了一系列有关熔盐电化学和热力学实验，填补了本领域的一些研究空白，并为进一步系统研究工艺条件提供了重要的参考数据。1．用NH_4Cl氯化Li_2CO_3的研究 根据热力学从理论上论证了在200 ℃左右下述氯化反应：Li_2CO_3 + 2NN_4Cl = 2LiCl + 2NH_3~↑ + H_2O~↑ + CO_2~↑可以进行完全。利用DSC方法测定反应产物LiCl的纯度，并用离子色谱法分析反应产物中CO_3~=的含量，结果均证明：在Li_2CO_3:NH_4Cl = 1:4 (mol)时，Li_2CO_3可以定量转化为LiCl，剩余的NH_4Cl完全分解。根据热重分析结果推测NH_4Cl氯化Li_2CO_3的反应历程为：Li_2CO_3 + 2NH_4Cl = 2LiCl + 2NH_3~↑ + H_2O~↑ + CO_2~↑ NH_4Cl = HCl~↑ + NH_3~↑ 而并非是想像中的：NH_4Cl = HCl~↑ + NH_3~↑ 2HCl + Li_2CO_3 = 2LiCl + H2O~↑ + CO_2~↑利用X－射线衍射方法分析产物，结果亦说明氯化可以成功。将1:4（mol）= Li_2CO_3:NH_4Cl混合样品在差热分析反应炉中直接加热测定反应产物LiCl的溶点，并与纯LiCl样品熔点的测定结果相比较，二者完全一致。以上结果说明：不仅可用此氯化反应产物代替LiCl应用于熔盐电解制备Al-Li合金中，而且还可将其应用于LiCl体系的相图测定中。因Li_2CO_3，NH_4Cl均不吸水，极易处理，因此以上研究结果无论对于Al-Li合金的工艺研究还是其他有关LiCl体系的基础研究都是很有价值的。2．直接氯化法制备LiCl-KCl-LiF三元相图的研究。LiCl-KCl-LiF三元相图是研究此体系电解机制的重要基础。为将以上直接氯化法应用于差热分析中制作此三元体系相图，首先用直接氯化法测定了三个已知二元LiCl体系相图：LiCl－KCl；LiCl-LiF；LiCl-NaCl。与文献结果吻合很好。说明将此法应用于差热分析中制作LiCl体系相图结果是可靠的。在LiCl-KCl-LiF三元相图的测定中共做出七个垂直截面，在各截面上读出等温条件下的相界点投影到浓度三角形中，得到等温投影图。结果说明LiCl-KCl-LiF是固态完全不互溶的三元共晶体系，共有三个液－固两相区；三个液－固－固三相区；一个液－固－固－固四相区，（三元共晶平面）和一个固－固－固三相区。四相点温度为348 ℃，其组成在三相平衡线的交点处，在实验上测出近似等于：41.4KCl + 57.3LiCl + 1.3LiF (mol)。3．氯化物体系中Li~+, Na~+析出电位的比较及其去极化作用的研究。在正常电化序中，Li~+应先于Na~+析出。但在以Al作阴极电解LiCl体系时，则由于Li~+在Al上有较强的去极化作用而提前析出。这是熔盐电解法可以制备低Na，高纯Al-Li合金的基础。本文在理论上对此问题进行了较深入的研究。具体内容包括（1）。测定Li~+, Na~+在二元氯化物体系中的析出电位。通过在Al阴极，Mo阴极上二离子析出电位的比较，确认了Li~+在Al阴极上产生很强的去极化作用是能利用电解法制备低Na高纯Al-Li合金的根本原因。并为在工艺研究中选择合适的电流密度提供了参考依据。（2）．根据热力学理论推导出合金化反应产生的自由焓变化与去极化作用的关系：ΔG_x + ΔG_m = -nFΔE。揭示了产生去极化作用的原因。并根据ΔG_x（偏摩尔过剩自由焓）与合金结构的关系提出可以利用二元合金相图推测极化类型及极化大小。并根据动力学原理对温度对极化的影响提出了自己的看法。（3）．求出合金化反应的热效应，认为在一定条件下亦可利用此值作为判断去极化作用大小的标准。（4）．测定Li~+, Na~+在Al-Cu, -Al-RE合金上的析出电位。结果表明Cu，RE的存在均可加强Li~+在阴极上的去极化作用，进一步加大了Li~+, Na~+析出电位之间的差别，有利于制备更纯的Al-Li 使金。为直接生产Al-Cu-Li, Al-RE-Li三元母合金奠定了基础。（5）测定Li~+在不同组成配比的LiCl-KCl熔体中，在Al阴极上的析出电位，并求出LiCl的离子平均活度系数γ＝0.71 (T = 740 ℃), 熔体对理想状态产生负偏离。4．利用阳极计时电位法测定T＝720 ℃时Li在液体Al中的扩散系数D_(Li/Al) = 4.94 * 10~(-5)cm~2·s~(-1)，与利用Stocks-Einstan公式计算出的理论值D_(Li/Al) = 4.85 * 10~(-5)cm~2·s~(-1)吻合较好。5．在上述理论研究的基础之上进行了工艺初探，所得初步结论有：（1）．加入LiF可以提高电效。（2）．采用电流密度为1 A/cm~2时，不加搅拌亦可制备出成份均匀，含Li量为10％（w.f）的Al-Li合金。（3）．根据实验结果提出 Li在熔体中的熔解可能是影响电流效果的主要原因。

稀土对Al-Li合金凝固组织的影响及作用机理研究

本论文借助光学显微镜、电镜、X-射线、差热等金相分析技术研究了稀土（La、Ce、Pr、Nd、MM、Ymm）在单向、自由凝固条件下对Al-Li合金凝固组织的影响，进而分析了稀土的作用机理。实验结果表明，稀土对自由凝固的晶粒及二次枝晶、单向凝固的一次枝晶均有细化作用，这种作用同稀土元素、稀土含量及凝固条件有关。分析认为，在合金凝固过程中由于稀土的富集产生“成分过冷”等作用是影响凝固组织的因素。

甲烷氧化偶联Ti-La-Li系多元氧化物催化剂的研究

本论文较详细地总结了目前文献中有关甲烷氧化偶联催化剂、活性中心及活性氧种、反应机理及动力学和甲烷氧偶联反应（OCM）的影响因素等方面的重要结果；叙述了催化剂的制备和表征方法；系统地研究了Ti-La-Li系多元氧化物催化剂关于OCM反应有关主要活性相及作用机制、催化剂的表面碱性和活性氧种的作用，探讨了Li的含稀土、过渡金属多元氧化物催化剂中的作用，考察了制备方法、焙烧温度和反应条件对OCM反应的影响，同时对催化剂的高温失活机理进行了探讨。