Identification and complete genome sequencing of human adenovirus type 55 isolated from a patient with acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis / 上海预防医学

ObjectiveTo determine the genomic characteristics of a subgenus B human adenovirus strain isolated in Shanghai in 2021. MethodsAn adenovirus type 55 strain was isolated and identified from a patient with acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis （AHC）. Complete genome of the strain was obtained using the next-generation sequencing （NGS）. Phylogenetic trees were reconstructed based on the sequences of Hexon， Fiber， Penton and complete genome to genomically characterize this strain. ResultsPhylogenetic analysis based on the complete genome classified this strain （MH2021001） into subgenus B， subspecies B2 of HAdV-55. Hexon gene of MH2021001 had close phylogenetic relationship with HAdV-11， while Fiber and Penton genes had close relationship with HAdV-14. The MH2021001 showed high nucleotide identity with currently prevalent HAdV⁃55 strains （>99.90%）. The complete genome had 99.96% nucleotide identity to the 73-GD_CHN_2016 strain isolated in Guangdong. In addition， the amino acid sequence of MH2021001 had several substitutions in regions coding for E1B， L4， E3 and L5. ConclusionThis strain has been classified to HAdV-B55. No recombination event is identified in the complete genome. Due to multiple amino acid substitutions， the biological characteristics of the strain need to be further identified.

ReABLE study on the efficacy and long-term safety of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor-α receptor Ⅱ IgG Fc fusion protein with methotrexate in active rheumatoid arthritis / 中华风湿病学杂志

ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical and radiographic efficacy and safety of the combination of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor-αt receptor Ⅱ IgG Fc fusion protein (rhTNFR:Fc) and methotrexate (MTX) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). MethodsThirty patients with highly active RA were treated with rhTNFR:Fc (25 mg subcutaneously twice weekly) and oral MTX (up to 15 mg weekly). Clinical efficacy was assessed using ACR response criteria and the disease activity score in 28 joints (DAS28).Radiographs of the hands and wrists were assessed with the modified Sharp score. Chi-square test, Fisher is exact test and paired t-test were performed. ResultsAt week 52, ACR20, ACR50 and ACR70 responses were achieved by 90％, 87％ and 67％ respectively. At week 52, mean DAS28 was 3.4±1.1 compared to 6.4±0.6 at base-line(P＜0.01), with 23％ patients achieving clinical remission and 17％ patients in low disease activity. Similarly, the HAQ was improved significantly, declining from 1.18±0.56 at base-line to 0.25t±0.34 at week 52 (P＜0.01). No radiographic progression was found in 22 cases. Adverse events were mild in general.ConclusionTreatment with rhTNFR:Fc plus MTX has shown good efficacy throughout 52 study period in reducing disease activity, improving function, and retarding radiographic progression. Combination therapy for 52 weeks can achieve disease remission and no radiographic progression, which are the two goals of therapy for RA.