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Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) is ubiquitously found in bone and plays a key role in bone turnover. Mice expressing constitutively active TGF-β receptor type I (Mx1;TβRICA mice) are osteopenic. Here, we identified the candidate genes involved in bone turnover in Mx1;TβRICA mice using RNA sequencing analysis. A total of 285 genes, including 87 upregulated and 198 downregulated genes, were differentially expressed. According to the KEGG analysis, some genes were involved in osteoclast differentiation (Fcgr4, Lilrb4a), B cell receptor signaling (Cd72, Lilrb4a), and neutrophil extracellular trap formation (Hdac7, Padi4). Lilrb4 is related to osteoclast inhibition protein, whereas Hdac7 is a Runx2 corepressor that regulates osteoblast differentiation. Silencing Lilrb4 increased the number of osteoclasts and osteoclast marker genes. The knocking down of Hdac7 increased alkaline phosphatase activity, mineralization, and osteoblast marker genes. Therefore, our present study may provide an innovative idea for potential therapeutic targets and pathways in TβRI-associated bone loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

African swine fever (ASF) is emerging in Vietnam and poses a continuing severe threat to the swine industry. A histopathological study of clinical samples collected during the May to July 2019 outbreak of ASF was performed to determine the characteristic lesions. We analysed samples from eight ASFV‐infected farms. Histopathological results revealed the characteristic lesions of the acute to the subacute clinical form of ASF. Immunohistochemical results showed ASFV viral antigen distribution in mononuclear cells/macrophage in various organs, hepatocytes and renal tubular epithelium. Molecular analysis of partial capsid protein 72 gene revealed that ASFV strain from the eight separate outbreaks belonged to genotype II. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infectious bursal disease (IBD), caused by IBD virus (IBDV), is highly contagious, immunosuppressive and causes a negative economic impact on poultry industry. IBDV-vaccinated broiler farms at south Kyushu, Japan had a bursa-to-bodyweight ratio (BB ratio) reduction at 28 days (d) old, followed by high mortality 30 d later. We analysed the influence of the IBDV on atrophy of the bursa of fabricius (BF) and the subsequent mortality after 30 d. Ten broilers were sampled at each timepoint from the farm with high mortality at 21, 25, 28 and 35 d. A second flock from the same farm was sampled at 14, 21, 25, 28, 35 and 42 d. IBDV was detected in BF samples at 25, 28 and 35 d and at 21, 25, 28 and 35 d in the first and second flocks, respectively, using immunohistochemical staining and RT-PCR. IBDV isolates from both flocks were closely related to the China KM523643 strain. Histopathology and TUNEL assay indicated apoptosis, severe lymphoid depletion, vacuoles within follicles, lymphoid follicle atrophy and fibrosis in the BF. We observed 75% of the polyserositis and 10% of the airsacculitis at 30 D in dead broilers. The antigenic variant IBDV infection was appeared to be the main influencing factor on BF atrophy and BB ratio reduction in the broilers. High mortality in the broilers after 30 d could be due to secondary infection. The disease caused by IBDV had a negative economic impact in the farm. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS New variant IBDV caused bursa atrophy and reduced BB ratio in 28-day-old broilers. After vIBDV had infected broilers, at 21 days old they became immunosuppressed. High mortality at 30 days old in broilers was due to secondary infection. New vIBDV has a negative economic impact on broiler farms in Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]