Packaging of Rift Valley fever virus pseudoviruses and establishment of a neutralization assay method

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is an acute, febrile zoonotic disease that is caused by the RVF virus (RVFV). RVF is mainly prevalent on the Arabian Peninsula, the African continent, and several islands in the Indian Ocean near southeast Africa. RVFV has been classified by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) as a category A pathogen. To avoid biological safety concerns associated with use of the pathogen in RVFV neutralization assays, the present study investigated and established an RVFV pseudovirus-based neutralization assay. This study used the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) lentiviral packaging system and RVFV structural proteins to successfully construct RVFV pseudoviruses. Electron microscopy observation and western blotting indicated that the size, structure, and shape of the packaged pseudoviruses were notably similar to those of HIV lentiviral vectors. Infection inhibition assay results showed that an antibody against RVFV inhibited the infective ability of the RVFV pseudoviruses, and an antibody neutralization assay for RVFV detection was then established. This study has successfully established a neutralization assay based on RVFV pseudoviruses and demonstrated that this method can be used to effectively evaluate antibody neutralization.

Effect of Deletion of the Carboxyl Terminal of the NS1 Protein on Pathogenicity of the Influenza B Virus / 病毒学报

To analyze the molecular basis of the variation of the pathogenicity of the influenza B virus, we rescued a recombinant virus with a deletion in the carboxyl terminal of the NS1 protein using reverse genetics based on the parental virus B-S9 of B/Yamagata/16/88. A mutant strain with a deletion of 171 amino acids in the carboxyl terminal of the NS1 protein was named "B-L5". BALB/c mice were inoculated with 3 X 105 EID50 of B-L5 and the parental virus B-S9, respectively. Then, weight changes, survival, and viral titers were documented. During 3 days post-inoculation (dpi) to 7 dpi, the weight of mice infected with B-S9 decreased. However, the weight of mice infected with B-L5 showed weight decreases only at 2 dpi, and quickly recovered at 3 dpi. B-S9 and B-L5 could replicate in the lungs of BALB/c mice. However, viral titers in the lungs of mice infected with B-L5 were 7900-times lower than those of mice infected with B-S9 at 3 dpi. Viral titers in the lungs of mice infected with B-L5 were not detected at 6 dpi. These results showed that, compared with the parent virus B-S9, the mutant virus B-L5 showed lower pathogenicity in BALB/c mice. Our study suggests that deletion of the carboxyl terminal of the NS1 protein decreases the pathogenicity of the influenza B virus. Establishment of a reverse-genetics system for the B influenza virus will provide a platform for studying its pathogenesis, and mechanism of transmission, and for developing live-attenuated influenza B virus vaccines.

Progress in establishment and application of feline calicivirus reverse genetics operating system / 病毒学报

Feline calicivirus (FCV) is an important and highly prevalent pathogen of cats that causes feline respiratory disease. The reverse genetic systems for FCV have been established in national and international laboratories since 1995. This technique has been used widely in FCV basic research and good progress has consequently been made to determine the relationship between viral genome structures and the function of their proteins, the expression of foreign proteins, virus-host interactions, and viral pathogenic mechanisms. In this article,we review the state of progress with regards to the establishment and application of the FCV reverse genetic operating system,which will provide a useful reference tool for future related research.

The Value of the Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Information Science of Traditional Chinese Medicine / 中国中医药信息杂志

The development of informatization and modernization of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been restricted to some degree due to the lack of sufficient modern scientific evidence to support TCM theory. Rapid development of computer technology, information and imaging technology, which can be used to explore TCM theory and mechanism, may bring hope to solve this problem. In recent years, functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) has been widely used to study TCM theory and mechanism. However, shortage of interdisciplinary talents those who possess both medical and engineering knowledge has restricted the development of fMRI research in the field of Chinese medicine. With the development of the discipline of TCM information science in TCM colleges and universities, students majoring in TCM information science will be the main source of researchers engaging in TCM fMRI researches. The flourishing development of TCM fMRI researches will cultivate a large number of talents adapting in TCM information science who will promote the construction of TCM information science.

ACD-A solution as anticoagulant during continuous renal replacement therapy in high risk bleeding patients / 中华肾脏病杂志

Objective To assess the efficacy and safety of ACD-A solution as anticoagulant during continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) in high risk of bleeding patients.Methods Forty high risk bleeding patients on continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) were randomly divided into two groups:ACD-A group (22 patients,61 cases) and heparin-free group (18 patients,47 cases).Serum creatinine,function of the coagulation system,electrolyte and acid-base were monitored pre-and post-CVVH.The vital signs of the patients during treatment,dialyser clotting and the incidence of bleeding episodes were recorded.Results (1) The serum level of creatinine decreased significantly after treatment in both groups,but the rate of decrease was obviously higher in ACD-A group than that in heparin-free group[(55.4± 10.2)％ vs (42.0±5.2)％,P=0.031].(2) The average duration of CVVH treatment was (17.3±3.8) h in ACD-A group and (9.7±4.5) h in heparin-free group.There was significant difference between them (P =0.019).The frequency of dialyzer clotting was much higher in heparin-free group than that in ACD-A group (88％ vs 4.9％,P ＜ 0.001).(3) There was no significant difference in the function of the coagulation system between pre-and post-CVVH in either group (P ＞ 0.05).(4) Electrolyte,acid-base and glucose tended to be stable during the treatment in ACD -A group.(5) The vital signs were kept stable and no bleeding episodes were found in all patients of two groups.Conclusions Anticoagulation with ACD-A is safe,effective and convenient for CRRT in critically ill patients at high risk of bleeding.The occurrence of complications can be reduced by configurating appropriate replacement fluid and close laboratory monitoring.

Aptamers: characteristics and applications in pathogenic microorganism / 生物工程学报

Aptamers are a group of artificial oligonucleotides identified by exponential enrichment system evolution technology (Selective expansion of ligands by exponential enrichment, SELEX). Aptamers have been widely used in basic research, clinical diagnostics, and nano-technology. In this article we will introduce the technology of aptamer and summarize its applications in medical microbiology.

Preparation and application of a colloidal gold strip to detect the rabies antibody / 生物工程学报

To develop a specific, rapid, and convenient immunochromatography assay (ICA) to detect the rabies antibody in clinical sample from immuned dogs by rabies vaccine. Colloidal gold particles labeled with purified rabies virus (CVS11) were used as the detector reagent. The staphylococcal protein A (SPA) and pured rabbit anti-rabies virus IgG were blotted on the test and control regions of nitrocellulose membrane. Then the strip was assembled with sample pad, absorbing pad, and dorsal shield. The assay samples (261 dog's serum) were collected from Wildlife Rabies Disease Diagnostic Laboratories of Ministry of Agriculture in China, Institute of Military Veterinary, Academy of Military Medical Sciences and other six provinces, including rabies virus positive and negative serum. The performance of the strip was compared to fluorescent antibody virus neutralization test. The neutralizing antibody titer could be detected above 0.5 IU. The strip did not change of performance when stored at room temperature for 12 months. It may offer reference of neutralizing antibody titer level after dogs immuned rabies vaccine and determin whether the dogs need to be immuned again.

Effects of Taiji exercise on the psychology and the functions of the autonomic nervous systems of the middle-aged and elderly / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective To explore the effects of Taiji exercise on the psychology and the functions of the autonomic nervous systems of middle aged and elderly people. Methods Two hundred and seven middle aged and elderly Taiji exercisers and 166 age matched non Taiji exercisers were sampled. The Zung Self rating Anxiety Scale(SAS), Zung Self rating Depression Scale (SDS) and autonomic nervous system equilibrium index (ANSEI)were adopted to assess the subjects. Results Compared with those of the control group, the scores of SAS and SDS in Taiji group were significantly higher, and the equilibrium of autonomic nervous systems in Taiji group was also superior. There was no significant difference between the male and the female with regard to SAS, SDS and the equilibrium of autonomic nervous systems within Taiji group. The longer the exercise, the better the equilibrium of autonomic nervous systems. Conclusion Taiji exercise has positive effects on the psychology and the autonomic nervous system of the middle aged and the elderly.

Expression of VP2 Gene of Feline Panleukopenia Virus Isolated from Tiger in Pichia pastoris Yeast / 微生物学通报

In this study,the VP2 gene of feline panleukopenia virus(FPV) isolated from tiger was successfully cloned and expressed in Pichia pastoris yeast.The VP2 gene was amplified by PCR with a pair of specific primer.Then PCR products was purified and cloned into pGEM-T for sequencing.The interesting gene fragment was recovered after the double enzyme digestion of EcoRI/NotI,then subcloned into pPICZ?A for secretory expression.The recombinant pPICZ?AVP2 was linearized with SacI and then transformed into competence yeast GS115 for expression under the induction of 1% methanol.The positive recombinants were screened by PCR method.The expression product was identified by SDS-PAGE and western-blotting.The results showed that there was a molecular weight of 32 kD,which could be specifically recognized by polyclonic antibody against FPV.It revealed that the recombinant VP2 protein had correct three-dimensional structure,which would be used as a antigen protein for the diagnosis and prevention of FPV infection in tigers.