Genetic characterization of norovirus isolated in an outbreak of gastroenteritis in Jiangsu province / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective: To analyze the genetic characterization of norovirus isolated in an outbreak of gastroenteritis in Jiangsu province. Methods: Extracted viral RNA from the swab samples of cases of acute gastroenteritis outbreak in Jiangsu province on December 16-27, 2016 was reversely transcribed to cDNA, and partial RNA-dependent RNA polymerase sequence and complete capsid sequence (VP1) were amplified by RT-PCR. Amplification products were sequenced for the analysis of genetic characteristics. Results: Based on sequence alignment, the variant shared a high level of identity with the strain GⅡ.g isolated in Spain and Finland (98.7%) in the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase region, and with the strain GⅡ.1 isolated in American (99.4%) in the VP1. The recombination was determined by using software Simplot, and the breakpoint of recombination was located in the ORF1/2 overlap region at position 5 106 of VP1. The result of amino acids alignment in capsid region showed that there were no mutations in the amino acids of the predicted epitopes and receptor binding site Ⅰ-Ⅲ, but a unique amino acid change was detected at position 132 (N-S). Conclusion: The norovirus isolated in the outbreak of gastroenteritis in Jiangsu province was a rare recombinant norovirus variant GⅡ.g-GⅡ.1.

Tissue engineering using human mineralized bone xenograft and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells allograft in healing of tibial fracture of experimental rabbit model

Bone healing and its reconstruction in fractures, especially in long bones are of particular importance in regenerative medicine. This study compares the bone healing rate after a human xenograft of mineralized bone and together with an allograft of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells [MSCs] in an experimental tibial bone fracture rabbit model. In fall 2009, twenty New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 2 equal groups. In both groups, a 5 mm segmental defect was created in the right tibia. In group A, a scaffold pin was seeded with allogenic rabbit MSCs and was placed in the defect area and in group B, the defect was filled with an unseeded pin human mineralized bone xenograft. An untreated defect was induced in the left tibia of all animals serving as the control. After 4-8 weeks, the segmental defects were histologically evaluated and also by a compressive test. In groups A and B, healing and formation of new bony tissue were significantly more than the control group and with a significant less inflammation. Tissue engineering of mineralized bone xenograft and MSCs allograft may be significant steps in bone healing and regenerative medicine

potential of human endometrial stem cells for osteoblast differentiation

The endometrial stem cells were shown to have an excellent pluripotency potential. Human endometrium contains a small population of mesenchymal stem cells [MSC] that may be responsible for its cyclical growth and may provide a readily available source of MSC. However, endometrial stromal cells are easier to isolate and expand with less technical problems compared to bone marrow MSCs. Here we hypothesized that endometrial stem cells may differentiate into osteogenic cells as one of the most important issues in orthopedic surgery associated with bone loss in traumas, infections, tumors or congenital disorders

possibility of differentiation of human endometrial stem cells into neural cells

In the last few decades, the idea of being able to repair the brain by introducing new cells to repair the damaged areas has become an accepted potential treatment for neurodegenerative diseases. The stromal cell fraction of many tissues and organs has shown in vitro neurogenic differentiation; however, these cell types are limited by availability, invasiveness of extraction and in some cases limited proliferative capacity. Human endometrial adult stem cells have many clinical advantages over the other stem cells. Here, we propose the hypothesis that endometrial adult stem cells may be induced into neural cells

Are endometrial stem cells novel tools against ischemic heart failure in women? A hypothesis

Recently stem cell therapy has suggested novel therapeutic strategies for management of heart failure and myocardial infarction. Our aim was to show that endometrial stromal cells produce a higher overall clonogenicity with a high angiogenesis potential. In addition, they may be converted into osteoblasts, odentoblasts, chindroblasts, neuroblasts and myoblasts and can be used for cell therapy as autologous and heterologous transplantations in future studies

effect of thyroid activity on adult rat spermatogenesis

The influence of hypo- and hyper-thyroidism on spermatogenesis was studied in 60-day-old adult male Wistar rats. To confirm hypo- and hyper-thyroidism, the concentration of plasma thyroid hormones were assayed by radioimmunoassay. The hypothyroid state, induced by administration of 25 mg/kg/day methimazole for 5 successive days, resulted in significant decrease in the number of Sertoli cells, sperm count, Leydig cells and the diameter of seminiferous tubules. The hyperthyroid state, induced by administration of 1 mg/kg/day L-thyroxine for 10 successive days, increased the number of Sertoli cells, sperm count, Leydig cells and the diameter of seminiferous tubules. Serum levels of FSH and LH and testosterone were also evaluated. Hypo- and hyper-thyroidism had no effects on the concentrations of FSH and LH, while the concentration of testosterone was significantly increased in hyperthyroid state; it decreased in hypothyroid state in comparison with the control euthyroid rats. In conclusion, our data indicated that hypo- and hyper-thyroidism affect spermatogenesis through their effects on germinal, interstitial and Sertoli cells but not through the pituitary-gonadal axis