The protective effect of schisandrol A against senecionine-induced hepatotoxicity in mice / 药学学报

Hepatotoxicity induced by herbal medicines such as Gynura japonica, which contains large amount of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) such as senecionine (SEN), is among the most serious problems of herbal drug-induced liver injury, yet there is no effective treatment in clinic. We have previously reported that ritonavir (the well-known CYP3A4 inhibitor) protected rats against Gynura japonica-induced liver injury in rats, which was closely related to the inhibition of the metabolic activation of PAs. A large number of lignans have been identified in Schisandrae Chinensis Fructis and are reported to attenuate drug-induced liver injuries by modulating the drug metabolism enzymes. Therefore, the present study investigated the protective effect and potential mechanism of schisandrol A (SoA, a representative lignan identified in Schisandrae Chinensis Fructis) against SEN-induced hepatotoxicity in mice. All experiments were approved by the Animal Research Committee of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (PZSHUTCM210604002). Animal welfare and the animal experimental protocols were strictly consistent with related ethics regulations of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Liver injury was induced by a single gavage of SEN (150 μmol·kg-1); mice in the protection group were gavaged with SoA (116 μmol·kg-1) 7 days before SEN treatment. The results show that SoA dramatically alleviated SEN-induced liver injury in mice. Mice in the protection group showed decreased serum activities for alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase; in addition, the hepatic necrosis and sinusoidal hemorrhage in SEN-treated mice were markedly attenuated in the protection group. The serum contents of SEN metabolites in mice were decreased. In vitro studies were performed by using human liver microsomes and proved that SoA inhibits CYP3A4 to decrease the metabolism of SEN. These studies indicate that SoA attenuated SEN-induced liver injury in mice, which was closely related to the inhibition of the metabolic activation of SEN. These results provide a better understanding of the relationship between CYP3A4 and PA-induced toxicity. This work also will be helpful in developing effective treatments for SEN-induced liver injury based on inhibition of its metabolic activation, and in making reasonable evaluations of the safety of herbal medicines containing PAs such as G. japonica.

An investigation on serum antibody level of varicella-zoster virus in healthy population in Beijing / 中华预防医学杂志

Objective: To assess the level and trend of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) antibody among healthy population in Beijing in 2017, after the five-year implementation of the two doses varicella vaccination strategy in 2012, and to provide evidence for scientific evaluation of immunization strategy. Methods: A total of 2 144 subjects in ten age groups from 8 districts of Beijing city were recruited in this study using cross-sectional survey based on multi-stage cluster random sampling method. Serum samples were collected and VZV antibody was detected by ELISA. The influencing factors of antibody concentration and positive rate were analyzed and compared with the study in 2012. The antibody concentration and antibody positive rate were analyzed by nonparametric test and χ² test respectively. Results: The ratio of subjects with registered residence in Beijing city to other provinces was 1∶1. The ratio of male to female was 1∶1.08. The median concentration of VZV antibody was 341.4 (78.6, 1 497.8) mIU/ml, and the total antibody positive rate was 71.1% (1 524/2 144). There were significant differences in antibody positive rate (χ²=736.39, P<0.01) and antibody concentration (χ²=740.34, P<0.01) among different age groups. The antibody positive rate generally increased with age (χ²trend=7.32, Ptrend<0.01). Among 862 children under 14 years old, the antibody positive rate of two doses vaccination 72.8% (182/250) was significantly higher than that of one dose vaccination 51.9% (154/297) (χ²=25.14, P<0.01). There was significant difference between 1-4 years old group (χ²=11.71, P<0.01) and 10-14 years old group (χ²=5.95, P=0.02), but not in 5-9 years old group (χ²=3.00, P=0.07). Compared with the study in 2012, the antibody positive rate increased in 5-9 years old group (χ²=14.35, P<0.01) and decreased in 1-4 years old group (χ²=11.51, P=0.01) in 2017. Conclusion: The recommended varicella booster vaccination has significantly improved the VZV antibody level of children in Beijing city. In the future, it is necessary to explore a more optimized two doses varicella vaccination schedule for children in combination with epidemiological evidence.

Formulation optimization of emodin nanostructured lipid carriers by Box-Behnken response surface method and in vitro quality evaluation / 中国中药杂志

Emodin nanostructured lipid carriers(ED-NLC) were prepared and their quality was evaluated in vitro. Based on the results of single-factor experiments, the ED-NLC formulation was optimized by Box-Behnken response surface method with the dosages of emodin, isopropyl myristate and poloxamer 188 as factors and the nanoparticle size, encapsulation efficiency and drug loading as evaluation indexes. Then the evaluation was performed on the morphology, size and in vitro release of the nanoparticles prepared by emulsification-ultrasonic dispersion method in line with the optimal formulation, i.e., 3.27 mg emodin, 148.68 mg isopropyl myristate and 173.48 mg poloxamer 188. Under a transmission electron microscope(TEM), ED-NLC were spherical and their particle size distribution was uniform. The particle size of ED-NLC was(97.02±1.55) nm, the polymer dispersion index 0.21±0.01, the zeta potential(-38.96±0.65) mV, the encapsulation efficiency 90.41%±0.56% and the drug loading 1.55%±0.01%. The results of differential scanning calorimeter(DSC) indicated that emodin may be encapsulated into the nanostructured lipid carriers in molecular or amorphous form. In vitro drug release had obvious characteristics of slow release, which accorded with the first-order drug release equation. The fitting model of Box-Behnken response surface methodology was proved accurate and reliable. The optimal formulation-based ED-NLC featured concentrated particle size distribution and high encapsulation efficiency, which laid a foundation for the follow-up study of ED-NLC in vivo.

Application of oral fluid in SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid and antibody detection / 中华预防医学杂志

This study aimed to explore the application value of new biological specimen oral fluid in SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid and antibody detection. Oral fluid and paired respiratory and blood specimens from 7 confirmed cases of two COVID-19 cluster epidemic were collected in Beijing from October to November 2021. SARS-CoV-2 virus and IgG antibody were detected by real time PCR kits and serum antibody detection reagents, and SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody in oral fluids was detected by a new established method of magnetic particle chemiluminescence. The results showed that the nucleic acid amplification test of SARS-CoV-2 on nasopharyngeal swabs, throat swabs and oral fluid specimens from 3 confirmed cases of COVID-19 was positive, among which the Ct value for ORF1a/b and N gene of oral fluid samples in 2 cases was close to that of throat swab, and the Ct value of oral fluid sample for 1 case was higher than that of throat swab. The complete genome sequence of one oral fluid specimen was obtained, which belonged to the VOC/Delta variant strain. The SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies of the paired oral fluid and serum were all positive, and the S/CO values of oral fluid were all lower than those of serum. The series of oral fluid results showed that SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody level increased from 11 to 32 days after the onset of the disease.

Bear bile powder attenuates senecionine-induced hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome in mice / 中国天然药物

Hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (HSOS) via exposure to pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) is with high mortality and there is no effective treatment in clinics. Bear bile powder (BBP) is a famous traditional animal drug for curing a variety of hepatobiliary diseases such as cholestasis, inflammation, and fibrosis. Here, we aim to evaluate the protective effect of BBP against HSOS induced by senecionine, a highly hepatotoxic PA compound. Our results showed that BBP treatment protected mice from senecionine-induced HSOS dose-dependently, which was evident by improved liver histology including reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells and collagen positive cells, alleviated intrahepatic hemorrhage and hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells, as well as decreased conventional serum liver function indicators. In addition, BBP treatment lowered matrix metalloproteinase 9 and pyrrole-protein adducts, two well-known markers positively associated with the severity of PA-induced HSOS. Further investigation showed that BBP treatment prevents the development of liver fibrosis by decreasing transforming growth factor beta and downstream fibrotic molecules. BBP treatment also alleviated senecionine-induced liver inflammation and lowered the pro-inflammatory cytokines, in which tauroursodeoxycholic acid played an important role. What's more, BBP treatment also decreased the accumulation of hydrophobic bile acids, such as cholic acid, taurocholic acid, glycocholic acid, as well. We concluded that BBP attenuates senecionine-induced HSOS in mice by repairing the bile acids homeostasis, preventing liver fibrosis, and alleviating liver inflammation. Our present study helps to pave the way to therapeutic approaches of the treatment of PA-induced liver injury in clinics.

Analysis of the clinicopathological characteristics and 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging features of bronchopulmonary neuroendocrine tumors / 中华核医学与分子影像杂志

Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT imaging features of bronchopulmonary neuroendocrine tumors(BP-NETs) with different pathological subtypes. Methods:From January 2013 to May 2018, 280 patients (196 males, 84 females, median age 58 years) with BP-NETs proved by pathology in Henan Provincial People′s Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Age, gender, smoking history, the location and size of tumor, Ki-67 positive index, thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1), synaptophysin (Syn), chromogranin-A (CgA), CD56, maximum standardized uptake value (SUV max), lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis were compared among 4 pathological subtypes of BP-NETs, including typical carcinoid (TC), atypical carcinoid (AC), small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) and large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC). One-way analysis of variance, χ2 test, Fisher exact test and Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test were used for data analysis. Results:There were significant differences in age, smoking history, tumor size and location, Ki-67 positive index, CgA, CD56, TTF-1, SUV max and TNM stage among TC( n=59), AC( n=21), SCLC( n=184) and LCNEC ( n=16) groups ( F values: 2.067, 3.358, H values: 17.749-22.351, all P<0.05). SCLC had the largest tumor size (5.5(3.0, 6.8) cm) and the highest proportion of central type (85.3%, 157/184), and were more prone to lymph node metastasis. LCNEC had the oldest age ((66±16) years), the largest proportion of smoking history (14/16) and peripheral type (12/16). CD56 in SCLC (95.7%, 176/184) and LCNEC(15/16) mostly showed positive expression, while the positive expression rates of CgA and TTF-1 were higher in TC and AC (96.6%(57/59), 93.2%(55/59) and 95.2%(20/21), 90.5%(19/21), respectively). The Ki-67 positive index and SUV max of the four subtypes were significantly different, with the highest in SCLC group and the lowest in TC group. Conclusion:Different pathological subtypes of BP-NETs manifest different clinicopathological features and imaging presentation on 18F-FDG PET/CT, which are useful for understanding their characteristics.

Diagnostic value and clinical significance of abnormal uptake in extraosseous tissue for differentiating benign from malignant lesions / 中华核医学与分子影像杂志

Objective@#To investigate the regularity and clinical significance of abnormal bone uptake of 99Tcm-methylene bisphosphonate (MDP) in benign and malignant lesions.@*Methods@#A retrospective analysis was performed on 266 patients (132 males, 134 females, age range: 8-85 years) with abnormal uptake of 99Tcm-MDP in extraosseous tissues from September 2015 to March 2018. The final diagnosis of abnormal uptake was made according to the histopathology, laboratory and related imaging examination (CT, MRI, ultrasound, SPECT/CT or PET/CT imaging) results within 2 weeks after 99Tcm-MDP imaging. Regularity of abnormal 99Tcm-MDP uptake was comprehensively analyzed. Differences between benign and malignant groups were compared by χ2 test or Fisher exact test.@*Results@#Abnormal 99Tcm-MDP uptake in extraosseous tissues in 232 patients (87.2%, 232/266) were confirmed as malignant lesions and those in 34 patients (12.8%, 34/266) were benign. There were no significant differences in gender (χ2=0.611, P>0.05), age (P=0.584), and location (P=0.118) between benign and malignant lesions, but the involvement was significantly different (χ2=19.515, P<0.05). There were significant differences between single focus and diffuse foci of single organ, diffuse foci of single organ and multiple foci groups (χ2=8.959, 19.325, both P<0.01).@*Conclusions@#The detection rate of malignancy among foci with abnormal 99Tcm-MDP uptake in extraosseous tissues is high, and the malignancy may relate with the involvement of foci. When extraosseous uptake is found, clinical information and related examination results should be comprehensively analyzed and the malignancy should be taken into account.

Clinical Analysis of Serum Calcium Level in 86 Cases of Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the serum calcium level in 86 patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) and its correlation with clinical features.@*METHODS@#The clinical data of 86 patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma in our hospital from 2009 to 2016 were retrospectively analyed. Clinical data of sex, age, hemoglobin, albumin, globulin, creatinine, uric acid, serum phosphorus, β2-microglobulin, immunophenotyping and disease staging were collected. After the serum calcium level was corrected, the patients were grouped into low serum calcium (2.60 mmol/L). The correlation between the clinical characteristics and the serum calcium level was analysed, the clinical characteristics between the low and non-low calcium group were compared.@*RESULTS@#The number of cases in low, normal and high serum cnlcium groups before correction was 58 (67.4%), 18 (20.9%) and 10 (11.6%) respactively, while the number of cases in 3 group after correction was 34 (39.5%), 36 (41.9%) and 16 (18.6%) respectively. The age, globulin, creatinine, uric acid and serum phosphorus levels were positively correlated with serum calcium level in patients with multiple myeloma, while the sex, hemoglobin,albumin and β2-microglobulin levels did not correlated with serum calcium level. There was significant difference in the age, globulin, creatinine and serum phosphorus between low calcium and non-low calcium group (P0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Multiple myeloma patients suffered from both hypercalcemia and hypocalcemia, and the incidence of hypocalcemia is not low. The levels of serum calcium in patients with multiple myeloma correlate with age, globulin, creatinine, uric acid, serum phosphorus level and other factors, thus it is necessary to correct the level of ionized calcium with physiological activity.

Impact of Taurine on the proliferation and apoptosis of human cervical carcinoma cells and its mechanism / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Cervical cancer has the fourth highest incidence and mortality rate of all cancers in women worldwide; it seriously harms their physical and mental health. The aim of this study was to observe the roles and preliminary mechanism of Taurine (Tau)-induced apoptosis in cervical cancer cells.@*METHODS@#Cells from the human cervical cancer cell line SiHa were transfected with the recombinant plasmid pEGFP-N1-MST1 (mammalian sterile 20-like kinase 1); then, the cell proliferation activity was analyzed by the MTT assay, cell apoptosis by flow cytometry, and the related protein levels by Western blotting.@*RESULTS@#Tau inhibited the proliferation of SiHa cells and induced apoptosis in these cells (the apoptotic rate was 21.95% in the Tau 160 mmol/L group and 30% in the Tau 320 mmol/L group), upregulated the expression of the MST1 (control, 0.53; Tau 40-320 mmol/L groups, 0.84-1.45) and Bax (control, 0.45; Tau 40-320 mmol/L groups, 0.64-1.51) proteins (P < 0.01), and downregulated the expression of Bcl-2 (control, 1.28, Tau 40-320 mmol/L groups, 0.93-0.47) (P < 0.01). The overexpression of MST1 promoted the apoptosis of SiHa cells, enhanced the apoptosis-inductive effects of Tau (P < 0.01), upregulated the expression of the proapoptotic proteins p73, p53, PUMA (p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis), and caspase-3, and promoted the phosphorylation of YAP (Yes-associated protein).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Tau inhibited the proliferation and induced the apoptosis of cervical cancer SiHa cells. The MST1 protein plays an important role in the Tau-induced apoptosis of cervical cancer cells.

Diagnostic value and clinical significance of abnormal uptake in extraosseous tissue for differentia-ting benign from malignant lesions / 中华核医学与分子影像杂志

Objective To investigate the regularity and clinical significance of abnormal bone up-take of 99Tcm-methylene bisphosphonate (MDP) in benign and malignant lesions. Methods A retrospec-tive analysis was performed on 266 patients ( 132 males, 134 females, age range:8-85 years) with abnor-mal uptake of 99 Tcm-MDP in extraosseous tissues from September 2015 to March 2018. The final diagnosis of abnormal uptake was made according to the histopathology, laboratory and related imaging examination ( CT, MRI, ultrasound, SPECT/CT or PET/CT imaging) results within 2 weeks after 99 Tcm-MDP imaging. Regularity of abnormal 99 Tcm-MDP uptake was comprehensively analyzed. Differences between benign and malignant groups were compared by χ2 test or Fisher exact test. Results Abnormal 99 Tcm-MDP uptake in extraosseous tissues in 232 patients (87.2％, 232/266) were confirmed as malignant lesions and those in 34 patients (12.8％, 34/266) were benign. There were no significant differences in gender (χ2=0.611, P>0. 05) , age ( P=0.584) , and location ( P=0.118) between benign and malignant lesions, but the involve-ment was significantly different (χ2=19.515, P<0.05). There were significant differences between single focus and diffuse foci of single organ, diffuse foci of single organ and multiple foci groups (χ2=8. 959, 19. 325, both P<0.01) . Conclusions The detection rate of malignancy among foci with abnormal 99 Tcm-MDP uptake in extraosseous tissues is high, and the malignancy may relate with the involvement of foci. When extraosseous uptake is found, clinical information and related examination results should be compre-hensively analyzed and the malignancy should be taken into account.

Clinical value of TSH-stimulated thyroglobulin in evaluation of metastasis from differentiated thyroid carcinoma after 131I treatment / 中华核医学与分子影像杂志

Objective To investigate the critical value of TSH-stimulated Tg(sTg) in the diagnosis of metastasis from DTC,and to evaluate the diagnostic value of the ratio of sTg to suppressed Tg (sTg/suppressed Tg).Methods A total of 330 post-operative DTC patients(87 males,243 females,age range:12-70 years)who underwent thyroid remnant ablation from August 2008 to December 2014 were retrospectively reviewed.Their serum TgAb levels were normal.The patients were divided into non-metastasis group (147 cases) and metastasis group(183 cases) according to results of ultrasonography,CT and WBS.The difference of sTg between the two groups were compared by Mann-Whitney rank sum test.ROC curve was used to analyze the relationship between sTg,sTg/suppressed Tg ratio and metastasis,the cutoff value was calculated.Results The sTg was significantly different between the non-metastasis group and metastasis group:1.0 (0.1,2.0) μg/L vs 36.5 (3.9,126.7) μg/L;u=-6.642,P＜0.05.The AUC for ROC curve in metastasis group was 0.85,and the cutoff value was 2.05 μg/L,with the sensitivity 85.2％,specificity 67.3％,and accuracy 82.3％.While sTg＜2.05 μg/L,the AUC of sTg/suppressed Tg ratio was 0.941,and the cutoff value was 4.3,with the sensitivity 93.3％,specificity 88.2％,and accuracy 92.3％.Conclusions The sTg has a specific value for the diagnosis of metastasis from DTC after operation and the cutoff value is 2.05 μg/L in this set of patients.The ratio of sTg/suppressed Tg could be used to correct the sTg and to improve the diagnostic sensitivity.

Clinical value of TSH-stimulated thyroglobulin in evaluation of metastasis from differentiated thyroid carcinoma after 131I treatment / 中华核医学与分子影像杂志

Objective To investigate the critical value of TSH-stimulated Tg(sTg) in the diagnosis of metastasis from DTC, and to evaluate the diagnostic value of the ratio of sTg to suppressed Tg (sTg/suppressed Tg).Methods A total of 330 post-operative DTC patients(87 males, 243 females, age range: 12-70 years)who underwent thyroid remnant ablation from August 2008 to December 2014 were retrospectively reviewed.Their serum TgAb levels were normal.The patients were divided into non-metastasis group(147 cases)and metastasis group(183 cases) according to results of ultrasonography, CT and WBS.The difference of sTg between the two groups were compared by Mann-Whitney rank sum test.ROC curve was used to analyze the relationship between sTg, sTg/suppressed Tg ratio and metastasis, the cutoff value was calculated.Results The sTg was significantly different between the non-metastasis group and metastasis group: 1.0 (0.1, 2.0) μg/L vs 36.5 (3.9, 126.7) μg/L;u=-6.642, P<0.05.The AUC for ROC curve in metastasis group was 0.85, and the cutoff value was 2.05 μg/L, with the sensitivity 85.2%, specificity 67.3%, and accuracy 82.3%.While sTg<2.05 μg/L, the AUC of sTg/suppressed Tg ratio was 0.941, and the cutoff value was 4.3, with the sensitivity 93.3%, specificity 88.2%, and accuracy 92.3%.Conclusions The sTg has a specific value for the diagnosis of metastasis from DTC after operation and the cutoff value is 2.05 μg/L in this set of patients.The ratio of sTg/suppressed Tg could be used to correct the sTg and to improve the diagnostic sensitivity.

Neuro-protective effect of harpagide on acute cerebral ischemic injury in mice and its mechanism involving mitochondria / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To observe the neuro-protective effects of harpagide on acute cerebral ischemic injury in mice and its mechanism involving mitochondria. METHODS: Acute cerebral ischemia were achieved by operation of MCAO in the left brain, random allocation was taken to divide ICR mice into sham group, model group, nimodipine group and harpagide (5,10,15 mg·kg-1) groups. Mice were intraperitoneal injected harpagide immediately after surgeiy. Nerve function score, content of brain water, brain index and the common changes of brain pathological structure in HE staining were measured: Ability of mitochondria Ca2+-Mg2+-AT-Pase and protein expression level of caspase-3 in the MCAO mice' brains was determined: Ultrastructure change of mitochondria under the TEM was observed. RESULTS: Compared with model group, the harpagide groups could decreased the nerve function score, the content of brain water, brain index and the volume of ischemia in mice with different degrees in MCAO mice (P-1 of harpagide could increased the activity of Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase obviously (P<0.01): And significantly decreased the protein expression level of caspase-3 (P<0.01): harpagide groups could protect the pathogeny structure and the ultrastructure of mitochondria with different degrees in MCAO mice, decrease edema of mitochondria obviously. CONCLUSION: Harpagide could obviously protect acute cerebral ischemia in mice, its therapeutical effects are approached to protecting the activity of brain mitochondria and decreasing protein expression level of caspase-3.

Preparation and evaluation of novel mesoporous molecular sieve of baicalin surface molecularly imprinted polymers / 中国中药杂志

Taking mesoporous molecular sieve MCM-41 as a substrate, baicalin (BA) as template, acrylamide (AM) as the functional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as a cross-linking agent, ethanol as solvent, under thermal polymerization initiator of azobis isobutyronitrilo (AIBN) , a kind of selective recognition of baicalin surface molecularly imprinted polymer was synthesized. The surface morphologies and characteristics of the MIPs were characterized by infrared spectroscopy (IR) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The adsorption properties of polymer microsphere for the template were tested by the dynamic adsorption equilibrium experiments and static adsorption equilibrium experiments. The experiment showed that the imprinting process was successfully and the well-ordered one-dimensional pore structure of MCM-41 was still preserved. Furthermore, molecularly imprinted polymers had higher selective ability for BA, then provided a new method for the efficient separation and enrichment of baicalin active ingredients from medicinal plants Scutellaria baicalensis.

Chi-square analysis of the reduction of ATP levels in L-02 hepatocytes by hexavalent chromium

This study explored the reduction of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels in L-02 hepatocytes by hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) using chi-square analysis. Cells were treated with 2, 4, 8, 16, or 32 μM Cr(VI) for 12, 24, or 36 h. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) experiments and measurements of intracellular ATP levels were performed by spectrophotometry or bioluminescence assays following Cr(VI) treatment. The chi-square test was used to determine the difference between cell survival rate and ATP levels. For the chi-square analysis, the results of the MTT or ATP experiments were transformed into a relative ratio with respect to the control (%). The relative ATP levels increased at 12 h, decreased at 24 h, and increased slightly again at 36 h following 4, 8, 16, 32 μM Cr(VI) treatment, corresponding to a "V-shaped" curve. Furthermore, the results of the chi-square analysis demonstrated a significant difference of the ATP level in the 32-μM Cr(VI) group (P < 0.05). The results suggest that the chi-square test can be applied to analyze the interference effects of Cr(VI) on ATP levels in L-02 hepatocytes. The decreased ATP levels at 24 h indicated disruption of mitochondrial energy metabolism and the slight increase of ATP levels at 36 h indicated partial recovery of mitochondrial function or activated glycolysis in L-02 hepatocytes.

Establishment of minireplicon system for severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome bunyavirus / 病毒学报

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome bunyavirus is a newly emerging virus in China, enveloped with a tripartite, single-stranded RNA genome of negative polarity. The regulatory elements for viral transcription and replication, as well as encapsidation and packaging signals, are thought to be located within these noncoding regions (NCRs). The terminal nucleotides are genus specific and highly conserved. The function of the remaining nucleotides of the NCRs is still not well understood. In this study, we developed the plasmid-driven RNA polymerase I minireplicon system for SFTSV firstly, using reporter genes GFP and luciferase. The function of the noncoding regions of the three Bunyaviridae RNA segments (L, M, S) in transcription was analyzed. Reporter genes are successfully expressed in SFTSV minireplicon system. Our results suggest that the NCRs of SFTSV from all three segments contain the necessary signals to initiate transcription. Quantitative detection of the luciferase expression level shows that promoter activity in the three segments is different.