Complete Genomic Sequence Analysis of a Sugarcane Streak Mosaic Virus Isolate from Yunnan Province of China.

In recent years, the sugarcane streak mosaic virus (SCSMV) has been the primary pathogen of sugarcane mosaic disease in southern China. In this study, the complete genome of a sugarcane mosaic sample (named YN-21) from Kaiyuan City, Yunnan Province, was amplified and sequenced. By comparing the amino acid sequences of YN-21 and 15 other SCSMV isolates from the NCBI database, the protease recognition site of SCSMV was determined. YN-21 had the highest nucleotide and amino acid identities of 97.66% and 99.30%, respectively, in comparison with the SCSMV isolate (JF488066). The P1 had the highest variability of 83.38-99.72% in the amino acid sequence, and 6K2 was the most conserved, with 97.92-100% amino acid sequence identity. A phylogenetic analysis of nucleotide and amino acid sequences clustered the 16 SCSMV isolates into two groups. All the Chinese isolates were clustered into the same group, and YN-21 was closely related to the Yunnan and Hainan isolates in China. Recombination analysis showed no major recombination sites in YN-21. Selective pressure analysis showed that the dN/dS values of 11 proteins of SCSMV were less than 1, all of which were undergoing negative selection. These results can provide practical guidance for monitoring SCSMV epidemics and genetics.

Telemonitoring and hemodynamic monitoring to reduce hospitalization rates in heart failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and real-world studies.

BACKGROUND: Heart failure is a significant problem leading to repeated hospitalizations. Telemonitoring and hemodynamic monitoring have demonstrated success in reducing hospitalization rates, but not all studies reported significant effects. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to examine the effectiveness of telemonitoring and wireless hemodynamic monitoring devices in reducing hospitalizations in heart failure. METHODS & RESULTS: PubMed and Cochrane Library were searched up to 1st May 2017 for articles that investigated the effects of telemonitoring or hemodynamic monitoring on hospitalization rates in heart failure. In 31,501 patients (mean age: 68 ± 12 years; 61% male; follow-up 11 ± 8 months), telemonitoring reduced hospitalization rates with a HR of 0.73 (95% CI: 0.65-0.83; P < 0.0001) with significant heterogeneity (I2 = 94%). These effects were observed in the short-term (≤ 6 months: HR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.65-0.89; P < 0.01) and long-term (≥ 12 months: HR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.62-0.87; P < 0.0001). In 4831 patients (mean age 66 ± 18 years; 66% male; follow-up 13 ± 4 months), wireless hemodynamic monitoring also reduced hospitalization rates with a HR of 0.60 (95% CI: 0.53-0.69; P < 0.001) with significant heterogeneity (I2 = 64%).This reduction was observed both in the short-term (HR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.45-0.68; P < 0.001; I2 = 72%) and long-term (HR = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.57-0.72; P < 0.001; I2 = 55%). CONCLUSIONS: Telemonitoring and hemodynamic monitoring reduce hospitalization in both short- and long-term in heart failure patients.

Oxidative Stress in the Rostral Ventrolateral Medulla Contributes To Cardiovascular Regulation in Preeclampsia.

Background: It has been demonstrated that preeclampsia, a pregnancy-specific hypertension disorder, is characterized by high blood pressure (BP) and sympathetic overactivity. Increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM), a key region for controlling sympathetic tone, has been reported to contribute to high level of BP and sympathetic outflow. The aim of the present study was to determine the role of the RVLM ROS in mediating the preeclampsia-associated cardiovascular dysfunction. Methods: The animal model of preeclampsia was produced by administration of desoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) to pregnant rats. Results: Compared with normal pregnant rats without DOCA treatment (NP), the protein concentration and norepinephrine excretion in 24-h urine, as well as BP in pregnant rats with DOCA treatment (PDS) were significantly increased. The levels of superoxide anion and the protein expression of NADPH oxidase subtype (NOX4) in the RVLM were significantly increased in PDS than in NP groups. Furthermore, microinjection of the superoxide dismutase (SOD) mimic Tempol (5 nmol) into the RVLM significantly decreased BP, heart rate, and renal sympathetic never activity in PDS but not in NP group. Conclusion: The present data suggest that high BP and sympathetic overactivity in preeclampsia rats is associated with increased oxidative stress in the RVLM via upregulation of NOX4 expression.

The effects of clove oil on the enzyme activity of Varroa destructor Anderson and Trueman (Arachnida: Acari: Varroidae).

Varroa destructor, a key biotic threat to the Western honey bee, has played a major role in colony losses over the past few years worldwide. Overuse of traditional acaricides, such as tau-fluvalinate and flumethrin, on V. destructor has only increased its tolerance to them. Therefore, the application of essential oils in place of traditional pesticides is an attractive alternative, as demonstrated by its high efficiency, lack of residue and tolerance resistance. To study the acaricidal activity of essential oils, we used clove oil (Syzygium aromaticum L.), a typical essential oil with a wide range of field applications, and examined its effects on the enzyme activities of Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase, glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and its effects on the water-soluble protein content of V. destructor body extracts after exposure to 0.1 µl and 1.0 µl of clove oil for 30 min. Our results showed that the water-soluble protein content significantly decreased after the treatments, indicating that the metabolism of the mites was adversely affected. The bioactivity of GSTs increased significantly after a low dosage (0.1 µl) exposure but decreased at a higher dosage (1.0 µl), while the activities of SOD and Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase were significantly elevated after treatments. These results suggest that the protective enzyme SOD and detoxifying enzymes Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase and GST contributed to the stress reaction of V. destructor to the essential oils and that the detoxification ability of V. destructor via GST was inhibited at higher dosages. Our findings are conducive to understanding the physiological reactions of V. destructor to treatment with essential oils and the underlying mechanisms behind the acaricidal activities of these natural products.

Assessment of the number and function of macrophages in the placenta of gestational diabetes mellitus patients.

In order to assess the number and function of macrophages in the placenta of pregnancy complicated with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) as well as those of normal pregnancies, placenta samples were collected from 15 GDM patients (GDM group) and 10 normal pregnant women (control group). The expression levels of macrophage markers (CD68/CD14) and inflammatory cytokines (IL-6/TNF-α) in placenta were detected using immunohistochemistry and PCR. The results showed that the number of CD68+ or CD14+ cells in the GMD group was remarkably higher than that in the control group (P<0.05), indicating that the number of macrophages in the GDM group was significantly greater than that in the control group. The mRNA expression levels of CD68+, IL-6 and TNF-α were higher in the GMD group than in the control group. In conclusion, more macrophages accumulate in placenta of pregnancy complicated with GDM, and the expression levels of pro-inflammation factors are also increased in GDM pregnancies, suggesting that macrophages and inflammatory mediators (IL-6 and TNF-α) may play an important role in GDM.

Expression of CD133 correlates with differentiation of human colon cancer cells.

CD133 has been identified as a cancer stem cell marker in colon and several other cancers, but its function is still unknown. We examined the CD133 expression in 44 human cancer cell lines, and found five of the 8 positive lines were from colon cancer. The CD133 positive subpopulation of colon cancer cells showed more vigorous growth and lower differentiation. Induction of differentiation reduced the CD133-positive population. Knockdown of CD133 expression in colon cancer cells could not induce cellular differentiation. Care must be taken if CD133 is used as the only marker of cancer stem cells in colon cancer, especially in established cell lines. CD133 negatively correlates with cell differentiation, but it is not a regulator of differentiation.