Quail has been proposed to be an intermediate host of influenza A viruses. However, information on the susceptibility and pathogenicity of pandemic H1N1 2009 (pH1N1) and swine influenza viruses in quails is limited. In this study, the pathogenicity, virus shedding, and transmission characteristics of pH1N1, swine H1N1 (swH1N1), and avian H3N2 (dkH3N2) influenza viruses in quails was examined. Three groups of 15 quails were inoculated with each virus and evaluated for clinical signs, virus shedding and transmission, pathological changes, and serological responses. None of the 75 inoculated (n = 45), contact exposed (n = 15), or negative control (n = 15) quails developed any clinical signs. In contrast to the low virus shedding titers observed from the swH1N1-inoculated quails, birds inoculated with dkH3N2 and pH1N1 shed relatively high titers of virus predominantly from the respiratory tract until 5 and 7 DPI, respectively, that were rarely transmitted to the contact quails. Gross and histopathological lesions were observed in the respiratory and intestinal tracts of quail inoculated with either pH1N1 or dkH3N2, indicating that these viruses were more pathogenic than swH1N1. Sero-conversions were detected 7 DPI in two out of five pH1N1-inoculated quails, three out of five quails inoculated with swH1N1, and four out of five swH1N1-infected contact birds. Taken together, this study demonstrated that quails were more susceptible to infection with pH1N1 and dkH3N2 than swH1N1.
Birds ; Influenza A virus ; Influenza, Human ; Orthomyxoviridae ; Pandemics ; Quail ; Respiratory System ; Swine ; Virus Shedding ; Viruses

A quail-origin subtype of the influenza virus was isolated from a human-infecting H7N9 subtype of the avian influenza virus found in a live poultry market and was given the name A/Quail/Hangzhou/1/ 2013 (H9N2). We analyzed the whole genome of this virus and its biologic characteristics. Sequence analyses suggested that the: HA and NS genes belonged to a CK/BJ/1/94-like lineage; NA, NP, PA and PB1 genes belonged to a SH/F/98-like lineage; M and PB2 genes belonged to a G1-like lineage. Analyses of key amino acids showed that the cleavage site in HA protein was PSRSSR ↓ GL, and that the HA protein had a human receptor-binding site with Leu226. Deletion of amino acids 69 - 73 was detected in the stalk of NA protein, the M2 protein had an Asn31 mutation, and the NS1 protein had two mutations at Ser42, Ala149. The intravenous pathogenicity of this virus was 0.36. A study in chickens suggested that all inoculated birds shed the virus from the trachea and cloaca on the third day post-infection (p. i. ) until 11 days. All chickens that had direct contact shed the virus on the second day p. i. until 8 days. Results of virus reisolation suggested that lung and tracheal tissues could shed the virus in 5 days, whereas the other organs could shed the virus in 3 days. These results suggest that this virus strain is H9N2 subtype LPAIV, whose lineage is prevalent in mainland China. This research provides evidence on how to monitor and prevent the H9N2 subtype of the avian influenza virus.
Animals ; Chick Embryo ; Chickens ; China ; Genotype ; Influenza A Virus, H9N2 Subtype ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Influenza in Birds ; virology ; Phylogeny ; Quail ; virology

Retina, a part of CNS, has served valuable and accessible tissue for elucidating the cellular properties of neurons and glia due to its similarity to brain. Unlike mammalian counterpart, avian retina is devoid of vessels and astrocytes. However little is known about glial reaction to neuronal injuries in this species. Therefore, this study was performed to investigate the microglial responses in the quail retina following neuronal injuries. The retinae from normal and optic nerve transected adult quails were studied immunohistochemically with anti-QH1, a marker known to be specific for microglia. In the normal retina, QH1-labeled microglial cells displayed typical feature of ramified (resting) form and were localized mainly in the inner plexiform layer. After optic nerve transection (ONT) morphology of microglial cells changed from the ramified to the amoeboid form. This feature of microglial cells maintained throughout the post operational periods until 28 days after ONT. Particularly, at 14 and 21 days after ONT amoeboid microglia displayed cell bodies with stout and bushy processes, suggesting active phagocytosis. The distribution pattern of microglia also changed in accord to ganglion cell degeneration: they gradually moved to layers of ganglion cells and optic nerve fibers where ganglion cell bodies and axons were under degeneration. This change of microglial distribution was most prominent at 14 days of ONT. The result of this study is generally consistent with that reported in mammalian counterpart and this similarity between the avascular avian retina and the vascularized mammalian counterpart suggests that processes of microglial activation, such as migration and phagocytosis, can occur in the vessel-free CNS tissue.
Adult ; Astrocytes ; Axons ; Brain ; Ganglion Cysts ; Humans ; Microglia* ; Neuroglia ; Neurons ; Optic Nerve Injuries* ; Optic Nerve* ; Phagocytosis ; Quail ; Retina ; Retinaldehyde*

The purpose of the study was to assess students'preferences on vegetarian menus served at middle and high schools. Four school food service programs that served primarily vegetarian menus were located in Seoul, Kyunggi, Kangwon, and Choongnam provinces. A total of 100 menu items frequently served at the schools were identified. Students participating in the school meals programs were asked to assess their preferences of the menus using a 5-point Likert-type scale(1 : very dislike ~ 5 : very like). Excluding responses with significant missing data, usable responses were 659. Statistical analyses were performed with descriptive statistics, t-tests, and one-way analysis of variance. Menu items of the highest preference scores included kimchi stew, stir-fried kimchi, nangmyon(cold noodles), fried rice and kimchi, miso stew, soft tofu stew, and hard-boiled quail eggs in soy sauce. By menu category, one-dish foods(3.97) were the most preferred and muchim and namul were the least preferred. Female students showed higher preferences on kimchi, steamed items(jjim), stir-fried items, namul, and muchim than male students; middle school students'preference scores were higher than those of the high school students in most menu categories. The menu preference is known as one of the most important factors determining students'food consumption and satisfaction with school food service. Dietitians working at school food service programs that serve primarily vegetarian menus should provide students with nutrition education on proper food selection and focus their efforts on developing new recipes using various vegetables and preparation methods to improve students'food consumption and menu preference.
Adolescent ; Education ; Eggs ; Female ; Food Preferences* ; Food Services ; Gangwon-do ; Gyeonggi-do ; Humans ; Male ; Meals ; Nutritionists ; Ovum ; Quail ; Seoul ; Soy Foods ; Steam ; Vegetables

OBJECTIVETo explore the therapeutic effects of Rongban Tongmai granules (RBTM) on the atherosclerosis (AS) in quails.

METHODQuails were divided into normal control group and high-fat diet group. Twelve weeks after feeding, 3 quails from normal control group and 8 quails from high-fat diet group were anatomized and confirmed by pathological examination that AS has formed, then the high-fat diet group was randomly divided into 5 subgroups: Model, shujiangzhi 0.004 g x kg(-1) and RBTM (3, 6,12 g x kg(-1)). High fat fodder was stoped. Meanwhile, normal fodder was fed and drugs were administrated by gavage. The levels of the TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C in serum were determined at the time points below: Pre-experiment, per-drug administration, 4 weeks after drug administration, 8 weeks after drug administration, 12 weeks after drug administration. After experiment, pathological examination was performed on aorta, bilateral brachiocephalic artery and heart. Meanwhile, the levels of TC, TG and MDA as well as the activity of SOD in liver tissue were determined.

RESULTThe levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, VLDL-C and TC/HDL-C ratio in serum of AS quails were significantly decreased, the levels of TG and MDA in liver were decreased, the thickness and area of the plaque were significantly decreased.

CONCLUSIONRBTM might have effects of modulating blood lipid and improving lipid peroxidation, and also contribute to inhibit the development of AS and accelerate AS regression.

Animals ; Atherosclerosis ; blood ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Cholesterol, HDL ; blood ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Male ; Quail ; Random Allocation ; Triglycerides ; blood

PURPOSE: Birds' eggs have been a major source of food for mankind since the time unknown. Among them, chicken eggs have been the most important food source. We examined the allergenic properties of eggs from varying birds on patients with known allergy to chicken eggs, to find out whether they can replace the chicken eggs for the source of nutrient. METHODS: Samples were selected from patients who visited the allergy clinic of the Department of Pediatrics at Yonsei University Medical Center. The serum specific IgE for eggs were measured and allergy skin tests were performed. The serum of the patients with proven egg allergy was then tested for reactivity with eggs from wild and domestic ducks, geese, seagulls, quails, yellow-shelled and white-shelled eggs employing SDS-PAGE and IgE immunoblotting. RESULTS: All the egg protein showed similar molecular sizes ranging from 24-100 kDa. Their expressions, however, were different, with white eggs, yellow eggs, and quail eggs showing strong reaction, while ducks, geese, and mallard eggs presented with weak reaction. Immunoblotting exhibited reactivity in 35-50 kDa and 25-35 kDa groups. Quail eggs and shells from chicken eggs showed a protein banding of 75-80 kDa. Geese, wild and domestic ducks, quail did not exhibit any cross-reactivity with chicken eggs. CONCLUSION: Among patients with egg allergy, cross-reactivity between different chicken eggs was present, but no cross-reactivity was apparent between chicken eggs and other birds' eggs. Therefore, we suggest theses eggs as alternative source of food in patients with egg allergy. However further study with larger patient population is still required.
Academic Medical Centers ; Animals, Domestic ; Birds* ; Chickens ; Child* ; Ducks* ; Egg Hypersensitivity* ; Eggs ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Geese ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Immunoblotting ; Immunoglobulin E ; Ovum* ; Pediatrics ; Quail ; Skin Tests

To expand the epidemiological understanding of Newcastle disease in Jeju Province, Korea, active surveillance was extensively performed through a virological examination for poultry farms and wild birds in Jeju Province during 2007~2008. Samples (swabs or fresh feces) were collected from a total of 6,485 birds including 6,405 domestic birds (chickens, ducks, pheasants, geese, quails, turkeys, and ostriches) and 80 wild birds. A total of 24 hemagglutinating agents were isolated from domestic birds on fourteen farms including five Korean native chicken, one layer chicken, two broiler chicken, four duck and two pheasant farms. The hemagglutinating agents were all identified as lentogenic NDV based on the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, sequence analysis of amino acids on the F cleavage site and mean death time in chicken embryos. The F gene-based phylogenetic analysis revealed that the NDV isolates were classified into genotypes 1 or 2 of class II. These lentogenic viruses were closely related to NDV vaccine strains used in Jeju Province. Active surveillance conducted for Newcastle disease indicates no scientific evidence of virulent NDV infection in chickens in Jeju Province, Korea since 2005.
Amino Acids ; Animals ; Birds ; Chickens ; Ducks ; Embryonic Structures ; Geese ; Genotype ; Korea ; Newcastle Disease ; Newcastle disease virus ; Poultry ; Quail ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Analysis ; Turkeys

AIMThe production of interspecific germline chimeras between chicken and quail were attempted employing the dissociated cells derived from the blastodermal central disk (stage X) and the germinal crescent region of embryo (stage 7-8).

METHODSThe central disk (CD) of the area pellucida in chicken blastoderm (stage X) and the germinal crescent region (GCR) of embryo (stage 7-8) were dispersed and injected into the subgerminal cavity of quail blastoderm (stage X). Injected eggs were incubated for 7 days or to hatching. The donor chicken DNA was detected by the polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTSIn day-7 embryos, chicken DNA was detected in 5 gonads and 9 brains from 53 survived embryos received chicken CD cells, and 1 gonads and 6 brains from 27 survived embryos received chicken GCR. Chicken DNA was also detected from the semen of one adult male hatched from eggs received chicken GCR cells.

CONCLUSIONCD and GCR cells as the donors showed the possibility to produce the interspecific germline chimera, but further studies are needed to make necessary improvement.

Animals ; Base Sequence ; Blastoderm ; physiology ; ultrastructure ; Brain ; embryology ; Brain Chemistry ; Chick Embryo ; physiology ; Chickens ; Chimera ; DNA Primers ; DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; Embryo, Nonmammalian ; physiology ; Female ; Germ-Line Mutation ; physiology ; Male ; Ovalbumin ; genetics ; Ovary ; embryology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Quail ; Testis ; embryology

Avian leukosis virus subgroup J (ALV-J) is an avian retrovirus that can induce myelocytomas. A high-frequency mutation in gene envelope endows ALV-J with the potential for cross-species transmission. We wished to ascertain if the ALV-J can spread across species under selection pressure in susceptible and resistant hosts. First, we inoculated (in turn) two susceptible host birds (specific pathogen-free (SPF) chickens and turkeys). Then, we inoculated three resistant hosts (pheasants, quails and ducks) to detect the viral shedding, pathologic changes, and genetic evolution of different isolates. We found that pheasants and quails were infected under the selective pressure that accumulates stepwise in different hosts, and that ducks were not infected. Infection rates for SPF chickens and turkeys were 100% (16/16), whereas those for pheasants and quails were 37.5% (6/16) and 11.1% (3/27). Infected hosts showed immune tolerance, and inflammation and tissue damage could be seen in the liver, spleen, kidneys and cardiovascular system. Non-synonymous mutation and synonymous ratio (NS/S) analyses revealed the NS/S in hypervariable region (hr) 2 of pheasants and quails was 2.5. That finding suggested that mutation of isolates in pheasants and quails was induced by selective pressure from the resistant host, and that the hr2 region is a critical domain in cross-species transmission of ALV-J. Sequencing showed that ALV-J isolates from turkeys, pheasants and quails had moved away from the original virus, and were closer to the ALV-J prototype strain HPRS-103. However, the HPRS-103 strain cannot infect pheasants and quails, so further studies are needed.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Avian Leukosis ; transmission ; virology ; Avian Leukosis Virus ; classification ; genetics ; physiology ; Chickens ; Ducks ; virology ; Galliformes ; virology ; Host Specificity ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Poultry Diseases ; transmission ; virology ; Quail ; virology ; Sequence Alignment ; Turkeys ; virology ; Viral Envelope Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism

In present study, cholesterol/high fat diet-induced atherosclerotic quails were used to evaluate the effects of combination of Puerariae Lobatae Radix and Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (1: 1, abbreviated as PRSM) on lipid metabolism, liver index, apolipoprotein levels. The results obtained from this study indicated that oral administration of ethyl acetate extract of PRSM at doses of 7.5, 5.0, 2.5 g x kg(-1) as well as aqueous extract of PRSM at dose of 7.5 g x kg(-1) could reduce the serum cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) levels as well as the weight of liver and liver index, and increase the serum level of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Furthermore, reduced levels of apolipoprotein B (ApoB) and elevated levels of apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) were observed in ethyl acetate extract and aqueous extract of PRSM treated atherosclerotic quails. All results demonstrate that PRSM possess a regulatory role on lipid metabolism disorders in atherosclerotic quails, which may be the pharmacological basis of PRSM for preventing the development of atherosclerosis.
Animals ; Apolipoproteins ; metabolism ; Atherosclerosis ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Cholesterol ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Lipid Metabolism ; drug effects ; Male ; Pueraria ; chemistry ; Quail ; Rhizome ; chemistry ; Salvia ; chemistry ; Triglycerides ; metabolism