Determinants of emergency contraception non-use among women in unplanned or ambivalent pregnancies / Determinantes del no uso de la anticoncepción de emergencia entre mujeres con embarazo no planeado u ambivalente / Determinantes do não uso da anticoncepção de emergência entre mulheres com gravidez não planejada ou ambivalente

Objective To analyze the determinants of emergency contraception non-use among women in unplanned and ambivalent pregnancies. Method Cross-sectional study with a probabilistic sample of 366 pregnant women from 12 primary health care units in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. A multinomial logistic regression was performed, comparing three groups: women who used emergency contraception to prevent ongoing pregnancies (reference); women who made no use of emergency contraception, but used other contraceptive methods; and women who made no use of any contraceptive methods at all. Results Cohabitation with a partner was the common determinant of emergency contraception non-use. No pregnancy risk awareness, ambivalent pregnancies and no previous use of emergency contraception also contributed to emergency contraception non-use. Conclusion Apart from what is pointed out in the literature, knowledge of emergency contraception and the fertile period were not associated to its use. .

Objetivo Analizar los determinantes del no uso de la anticoncepción de emergencia entre las mujeres con embarazo no planeado o ambivalente. Método Estudio transversal en una muestra probabilística de 366 mujeres embarazadas de 12 Unidades Básicas de Salud de São Paulo. Mediante regresión logística multinomial, se comparó tres grupos de mujeres: aquellas que usaron la anticoncepción de emergencia para prevenir el embarazo en curso (referencia), aquellas que usaron algún método anticonceptivo, pero no la anticoncepción de emergência; y aquellas que no usaron ningún método. Resultados Los hallazgos mostraron que vivir com la pareja fue el determinante común del no uso de la anticoncepción de emergencia. No tener conciencia del riesgo de embarazo, estar en un embarazo ambivalente y nunca tener utilizado la anticoncepción de emergencia también fueron associados con su no uso para prevenir el embarazo en curso. Conclusión Contrariamente a lo que reporta la literatura, el conocimiento de la anticoncepción de emergencia y el período fértil no mostró asociación con el no uso. .

Objetivo Analisar os determinantes do não uso da anticoncepção de emergência entre mulheres com gravidez não planejada ou ambivalente. Método Estudo transversal com amostra probabilística de 366 gestantes de 12 Unidades Básicas de Saúde da cidade de São Paulo. Por meio de regressão logística multinomial, compararam-se três grupos de mulheres: as que usaram anticoncepção de emergência para prevenir a gravidez em curso (referência); as que usaram algum método contraceptivo, mas não anticoncepção de emergência; e as que não usaram nenhum método. Resultados Os achados mostraram que morar com o parceiro foi o determinante comum do não uso da anticoncepção de emergência. Não ter consciência do risco de engravidar, estar em uma gravidez ambivalente e nunca ter usado anticoncepção de emergência também foram associados ao seu não uso para prevenir a gravidez em curso. Conclusão Diferentemente do que relata a literatura, o conhecimento sobre anticoncepção de emergência e sobre o período fértil não mostrou qualquer associação ao não uso. .

The structural and accessory proteins M, ORF 4a, ORF 4b, and ORF 5 of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) are potent interferon antagonists

The newly emerged Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a highly pathogenic respiratory virus with pathogenic mechanisms that may be driven by innate immune pathways. The goal of this study is to characterize the expression of the structural (S, E, M, N) and accessory (ORF 3, ORF 4a, ORF 4b, ORF 5) proteins of MERS-CoV and to determine whether any of these proteins acts as an interferon antagonist. Individual structural and accessory protein-coding plasmids with an N-terminal HA tag were constructed and transiently transfected into cells, and their native expression and subcellular localization were assessed using Wes tern blotting and indirect immunofluorescence. While ORF 4b demonstrated majorly nuclear localization, all of the other proteins demonstrated cytoplasmic localization. In addition, for the first time, our experiments revealed that the M, ORF 4a, ORF 4b, and ORF 5 proteins are potent interferon antagonists. Further examination revealed that the ORF 4a protein of MERS-CoV has the most potential to counteract the antiviral effects of IFN via the inhibition of both the interferon production (IFN-β promoter activity, IRF-3/7 and NF-κB activation) and ISRE promoter element signaling pathways. Together, our results provide new insights into the function and pathogenic role of the structural and accessory proteins of MERS-CoV.

Research progress of the anti-HIV activity of SAMHD1 / 病毒学报

The SAM and HD domain containing protein 1 (Sterile alpha motif domain and HD domain-containing protein 1, SAMHD1) is a putative negative regulator of the antiviral innate immune response. It can significantly increase the antiviral immune response, mediates the interferon-induced inflammatory response involved in the host foreign-virus defense system. The early studies have focused on its gene mutations associated with Aicardi-Goutières syndrome (AGS), the latest study found that SAMHD1 as a potent dGTP-stimulated triphosphohydrolase restricts HIV-1 replication by hydrolyzing the majority of cellular dNTPs, thus inhibiting reverse transcription and viral complementary DNA (cDNA) synthesis. Auxiliary gene of HIV-2 and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIVsm / mac) encoding the Vpx protein can eliminate HIV-1 restriction. In recent years, the research on SAMHD1, mores forward rapidly this paper overviews the recent research progression related to the above fields.

Establishment of a high-throughput screening assay for interaction inhibitor between BST-2 and Vpu / 病毒学报

BST-2 plays an important role in host innate immune response via inhibiting the release of HIV-1. HIV-1 accessory protein Vpu can interact with BST-2 through its transmembrane domains, degrade BST-2, and decrease BST-2 that are transported to the cell surface, thus anti-virus function of BST-2 is antagonized. In our study, we constructed plasmid RB connecting Rluc to the N-termimal of BST-2, and plasmid VE connecting EYFP to the C-terminal of Vpu. The two fusion proteins were co-expressed in 293 cells, and the interaction between the two proteins was detected via BRET method. And we further established a stable 293 cell line of dual-expression. By using BRET method, and the interaction between BST-2 and Vpu transmembrane domain as the target, a high-throughput screening assay was created that was expected to seek novel interaction inhibitors.

The absence of JC virus antigens in Indian children with medulloblastomas.

BACKGROUND: The human polyoma virus, also known as the JC virus (JCV), replicates predominantly in the oligodendrocytes, the myelin producing cells in the central nervous system and results in the fatal demyelinating disease progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) especially in immunosuppressed patients with AIDS. Several investigators have also documented the presence of the viral genome and early and late antigens in a variety of brain tumors particularly in medulloblastomas, gliomas and ependymomas. Reports also indicate the presence of JCV in patients with colon cancer. The T antigen of JCV has been postulated to have oncogenic potential as substantiated by animal experiments. Although JCV infects 80% of the population, there are scant epidemiological studies regarding JCV from India. There are also reports of the low prevalence of PML in patients with AIDS from India and Africa. AIM: This study was undertaken to investigate if Indian children with medulloblastomas also show evidence of JCV. METHODS: Twenty-two consecutive cases of medulloblastomas were investigated for the presence of T antigen and agnoprotein of JCV in biopsy specimens by immunohistochemistry. Antibodies to the agnoprotein antigen raised in rabbits and a monoclonal antibody against SV40 T antigen raised in mice that cross-reacts with JCV T antigen were used. RESULTS: Out of 22 patients, 4 had desmoplastic tumors while the rest had classical tumors. All children were below the age of 10. Results indicate that while PML tissues showed consistent immunostaining both with antibody to T antigen and agnoprotein antibody, none of the tumors showed any positive staining for JC viral antigens. CONCLUSION: JCV antigens could not be detected by immunohistochemistry in the tumor tissues of Indian children with medulloblastomas.

Effect of a conserved peptide derived from Kunitz domain of hepatitis B virus x protein on the cell cycle and apoptosis of HepG2 cells via the proteasome pathway / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Hepatitis B virus (HBV) x protein (HBx) in HepG2 cells causes a moderate decrease in proteolysis activity of the proteasome. A highly conserved Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitor domain within 154 amino acid residues of HBx has been identified. In this study, a peptide chain derived from the Kunitz domain (PKD) was used to study its effect on the cell cycle and apoptosis of HepG2 cells, and investigated the function of PKD on the activities of proteasomes and AAA-ATPase p97, which involves in the ubiquitin-proteasome protein degradation pathway.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The PKD peptide (Phe-Val-Leu-Gly-Gly-Cys-Arg-His-Lys) was chemically synthesized. MTT assays were used to determine the effects of PKD on HepG2 cell growth. Mouse anti-p97 antibody was developed for Western blotting to detect the expression of p97. ATPase activity of proteasomes was measured using a colorimetric assay. Peptidase activities of proteasomes were analyzed with various peptidase-specific fluorogenic peptide substrates. Flow cytometry was used to determinate cell cycle phase and apoptosis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Viability of HepG2 cells decreased in a PKD-dose-dependent manner. Cells exhibited significant cytotoxicity in the presence of 15 mmol/L of PKD. Western blotting analysis showed that expression of p97 was suppressed in HepG2 cells treated with PKD compared to untreated cells. The ATPase activity of proteasomes from immunoprecipitates of HepG2 cells pretreated with PKD was apparently decreased. Chymotryptic activity of proteasomes in HepG2 cells was significantly inhibited by 10 mmol/L PKD; tryptic activity and peptidylglutamyl peptide hydrolase activity of proteasomes were less inhibited by PKD than chymotryptic activity. The cell cycle phase of HepG2 cells treated with PKD for 36 hours was blocked largely at the G(0)-G(1) phase, while untreated control cells were mainly in S phase. PKD also significantly induced apoptosis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The peptide derived from Kunitz domain of HBx protein induces HepG2 cell growth arrest and apoptosis, which may result from down-regulation of p97 expression, and decrease of both the ATPase and chymotryptic activities of proteasomes.</p>

Proteomic analysis of differently expressed proteins in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines HepG2 with transfecting hepatitis B virus X gene / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Hepatitis B virus encoded X protein (HBx) is a trans-activating protein that may be involved in hepatocarcinogenesis, although few natural effectors of HBx that participate in this process have been identified. We screened, by comparative proteomics method, effectors of HBx associated with hepatocarcinogenesis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>HBx positive and negative HepG2 cells were constructed and expression patterns of cellular proteins were obtained by high resolution, two dimensional electrophoresis. Comprehensive analyses of proteins associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were focused on the differently expressed proteins (more than two-fold increase or decrease, P < 0.05) from HBx positive and negative HepG2 cells. For peptide mass fingerprinting, protein spots with different intensity between HBx positive and negative HepG2 cells were directly cut out of gels and processed for matrix assisted, laser desorption/ionization, time of flight mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean number of protein spots for HBx negative and HBx positive HepG2 cells were 2095 +/- 137 and 2188 +/- 105, respectively. The analysis of paired cells showed 75 spots with significant differences in expression between HBx negative and HBx positive cells: 37 spots corresponding to 32 different proteins; 25 proteins were upregulated, 7 downregulated. We found 7 proteins not previously reported differentially expressed in HBx positive HepG2 cells. Variations in protein accumulation were confirmed for four (HSP90AB1, BCL2 associated athanogene 2, nucleophosmin and chloride intracellular channel 1) by Western blotting in HBx positive HepG2 cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Numerous effectors of HBx that may promote the development of HCC are identified, of which 7 are newly noted in HepG2 cells. Several of these effectors of HBx may help in elucidating the roles of HBx in hepatocarcinogenesis and diagnostics or targets for therapeutic intervention.</p>

Clone of human xeroderma pigmentosum group D cDNA and analysis of its expression and function / 生物医学工程学杂志

Xeroderma pigmentosum group D (XPD) gene is the second subunit of basic transcript factor TFII H; it plays an important role in transcription and nucleotide excision repair. In this study, using the total RNA extracted from HeLa cells, we cloned the human full length XPD by RT-PCR and inserted it into the pEGFP-N2 plasmid vector which expressed the green fluorescence protein (GFP). Then the recombinant plasmid pEGFP-N2/XPD was transfected into the human hepatoma carcinoma cell Hep3B integrated with HBx protein,and we analysed the expression of HBx and the proliferative ability of recombinant cells. The data collected from this study could serve as a physical basis on which to further investigate the biological activities of XPD.

Expression and purification of TAT-HBX-EGFP fusion protein and its transmembrane distribution in mouse / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To highly express TAT-HBX-EGFP fusion protein and study its distribution in mouse liver.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>TAT-HBX-EGFP recombinant vector was constructed and fusion protein was induced by IPTG and expression in BL21; fusion protein was purified by Ni-NTA argarose, then injected into the peritoneal cavity of the mice. Distribution of fusion protein was observed by immunofluorescence.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>TAT-HBX-EGFP was highly expression in E. coli; HBX could be induced into mouse liver by TAT.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>HBX protein could be induced into mouse liver by TAT induced peptide.</p>

Research of signaling pathway of vascular endothelial growth factor regulating by hepatitis B virus X protein / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the function of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) signaling pathway in regulating vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>After the establishment of L02-HBx cell line with stable transfected HBx gene, NF-kappaB signaling pathway blocker PDTC was introduced to cut off its signal transduction. Double immunofluorescent staining and laser scanning confocal microscopy were applied to study the activation and deactivation of NF-kappaB signaling pathway. Real-time PCR and Western blot were used to observe the expression of VEGF gene before and after the HBx transfection, as well as the treatment with PDTC.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The NF-kappaB signaling pathway of L02-HBx cells was activated after transfection with HBx gene as compared to the control L02 cells without treatment. The mRNA and protein levels of VEGF in L02-HBx cells increased 4.07 +/- 0.31 and 4.34 +/- 0.64 times respectively. The difference was of statistical significance (P < 0.05) in comparison with the control cells. The mRNA levels of VEGF decreased to 2.33 +/- 0.22 and 1.86 +/- 0.18(P < 0.05) and at the same time the expression of VEGF also reduced to 2.52 +/- 0.29 and 2.17 +/- 0.34 (P < 0.05), after treatment with 25.0 micromol/L and 50.0 micromol/L PDTC for 24 h respectively when the NF-kappaB signaling pathway was blocked. There was no significant difference in VEGF mRNA and protein levels when treated with 12.5 micromol/L PDTC for 24 h.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>NF-kappaB signaling pathway maybe one of the routes through which HBx up-regulate the expression of VEGF to promote angiogenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma.</p>

Study on the ability of mammalian reovirus BYD1 to induce apoptosis and analysis of the structure of viral major membrane penetration protein involved in proapoptosis induction / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study a newly isolated domestic mammalian reovirus, BYD1, its ability to induce apoptosis analyze the three-dimensional structure of its major membrane penetration protein to predict its function in inducing apoptosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>HeLa cells infected with BYD1 reovirus were metered with flow cytometer (FCM) to quantify the ratio of apoptotic cells. The data were analyzed with Student's t-test to judge the ability of BYD1 strain to induce apoptosis. The primary sequence ranged from 582 to 675 per microliter protein of BYD1, T1L, T2J and T3D were aligned and compared. The three-dimensional comparative protein structure model of microliter protein was generated by homology-modeling pipeline SWISS MODEL was applied to annotate its secondary and tertiary structure.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>BYD1 strain was verified with the ability to induce the apoptosis of HeLa cells. The 643-675 segment composing an alpha-helix showed major difference compared with prototype T2J.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The newly isolated reovirus BYD1 is an apoptosis inducing strain. The alpha-helix (residues 643 to 675) of microliter protein of BYD1 may play a key role to induce the proapoptotic activity of infected cells.</p>

Hepatocarcinogenesis in viral Hepatitis B infection: the role of HBx and p53.

Infection of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is a risk factor of chronic active hepatitis (CAH), hepatic cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Infection of HBV may develop to HCC without antecedent hepatic cirrhosis. Pathogenesis of HBV causing malignant changes has not been fully understood. HBx, a protein of HBV, is an activator of transcription process involved in hepatocarcinogenesis. Most of human cancer associated with mutation of p53, a Tumor Suppressor Genes, a protein serves as cellular protection for growth and cell division, which is one of predisposition factor of hepatocarcinoma. Some studies indicate the correlation between mutation / inactivation of p53 and HBV protein x (HBx) in hepatocarcinogenesis. In that process, HBx will suppress p53 function, which will lead to ineffective liver cell division and resulting in HCC.