A simplified D3 -creatine dilution method for skeletal muscle mass determination with dynamic correction of creatinine and D3 -creatinine using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

This study developed a simple method for muscle mass determination based on D3 -creatine dilution by removing the matrix effects of ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis through mutual correction of creatinine and D3 -creatinine. Rats were administered an oral tracer dose of D3 -creatine at age 6 weeks. Creatinine and D3 -creatinine in urine were detected using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry after diluting 20 times to obtain D3 -creatinine enrichment factor (mole percent excess). The mole percent excess obtained from peak area could be used to calculate muscle mass using the improved formula. The limit of detection was 0.500 ng/mL for D3 -creatinine. Creatinine and D3 -creatinine could be mutually corrected because of the same matrix effect, and D3 -creatine spillage was negligible within 0.22%. Isotopic steady time was consistent with that obtained using conventional methods. Bland-Altman plots demonstrated the satisfying consistency between the proposed method and magnetic resonance imaging. This is a simple and rapid measuring method of muscle mass based on D3 -creatine dilution that requires no accurate quantification of creatinine and D3 -creatinine concentrations and no urine sample collection to obtain D3 -creatine spillage.

Systematic notes on three new Luthela (Mesothelae, Heptathelidae) spiders from China, with their descriptions.

Three new segmented trapdoor spider species belonging to the family Heptathelidae Kishida, 1923, i.e., Luthelaasukasp. nov. (♂♀, Sichuan), L.beijingsp. nov. (♂♀, Beijing), and L.kagamisp. nov. (♂♀, Sichuan), are described from China. Their phylogenetic position and relationships within Heptathelidae are tested and assessed using a combination available COI data downloaded from GenBank with new DNA sequences obtained in this study. The results show that the new species form a clade with eight known and one undescribed species of Luthela. High-definition illustrations of the male palps and female genitalia, diagnoses, and DNA barcodes are provided for these three new species, and their distributions are mapped.

New Insights into the Origin and Evolution of Mysmenid Spiders (Araneae, Mysmenidae) Based on the First Four Complete Mitochondrial Genomes.

The mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) is recognized as an effective molecular marker for studying molecular evolution and phylogeny. The family Mysmenidae is a group of widely distributed and covert-living spiders, of which the mitogenomic information is largely unclear. In this study, we obtained the first four complete mitogenomes of mysmenid spiders (one aboveground species: Trogloneta yuensis, and three cave-dwelling species: T. yunnanense, Yamaneta kehen and Y. paquini). Comparative analyses revealed that their lengths ranged from 13,771 bp (T. yuensis) to 14,223 bp (Y. kehen), containing a standard set of 37 genes and an A + T-rich region with the same gene orientation as other spider species. The mitogenomic size of T. yunnanense was more similar to that of Yamaneta mitogenomes than that of T. yuensis, which might indicate the convergent evolution of cave spiders. High variability was detected between the genera Trogloneta and Yamaneta. The A + T content, the amino acid frequency of protein-coding genes (PCGs) and the secondary structures of tRNAs showed large differences. Yamaneta kehen and Y. paquini contained almost identical truncated tRNAs, and their intergenic spacers and overlaps exhibited high uniformity. The two Yamaneta species also possessed a higher similarity of start/stop codons for PCGs than the two Trogloneta species. In selective pressure analysis, compared to Yamaneta, Trogloneta had much higher Ka/Ks values, which implies that selection pressure may be affected by habitat changes. In our study, the phylogenetic analysis based on the combination of 13 PCGs and two rRNAs showed that Mysmenidae is a sister clade to the family Tetragnathidae. Our data and findings will contribute to the better understanding of the origin and evolution of mysmenid spiders.

Systematic notes on three troglobitic Anapistula (Araneae, Symphytognathidae) spiders from China, with the descriptions of two new species.

Three cave-dwelling spider species belonging to the family Symphytognathidae Hickman, 1931, i.e., Anapistulasanjiao sp. nov. (♂♀), A.walayaku sp. nov. (♂♀), and A.panensis Lin, Tao & Li, 2013 (♂♀), are reported from southwest China. DNA sequences and detailed illustrations of the habitus, male palps and epigynes are provided, and their distributions are mapped. Their phylogenetic position within symphytognathids and relationships were tested and assessed using previously published phylogenetic analyses on symphytognathoids. The results showed that they form a clade with A.choojaiae Rivera-Quiroz, Petcharad & Miller, 2021 from Thailand.

Immunogenicity of a monovalent 2009 influenza A (H1N1) vaccine in infants: randomized, observer-masked, single-center clinical study.

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study is to further investigate the immune response of the inactivated split-virion vaccine for infants. We tested the immunogenicity and safety of the inactivated split-virion vaccine in infants, aged 6-35 months, for a randomized, observer-masked, age-stratified clinical study. We randomly divided subjects into three groups: 7.5 µg, 15 µg of hemagglutinin antigen dosage groups and seasonal influenza vaccine for children dosage group in a 2 dose regimen. A serologic analysis was performed at baseline and on day 21 and 42. 312 infants received a single dose injection of vaccine and 265 (84.94%) infants received two doses injection of vaccine. Adverse reactions were mostly mild or moderate. Among the subjects who received 7.5 µg and 15 µg of vaccine for a single dose injection, the rate of hemagglutinin inhibition titer of 1:40 or greater were 52.48% (95% confidence interval (CI) 42.83 ~ 61.95) and 61.11% (95% CI 50.78 ~ 70.53), respectively. Among the subjects receiving 7.5 µg and 15 µg of vaccine for two doses injection, the rate of hemagglutinin inhibition (HI) titer of 1:40 or greater were 90.10% (95% CI 82.73 ~ 94.53) and 94.44% (95% CI 87.64 ~ 97.60), respectively. These data suggests that 15 µg or 7.5 µg dose of hemagglutinin antigen of the inactivated split-virion vaccine was safe and two doses of injection could induce a sufficient protective immune response in infants. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: NCT01494740.

The long-term immunogenicity of an inactivated split-virion 2009 pandemic influenza A H1N1 vaccine: Randomized, observer-masked, single-center clinical study.

The aim of this study is to investigate the long-term immunogenicity of inactivated split-virion 2009 pandemic influenza A H1N1 vaccine after a single immunization. We recruited 480 adults, aged 18-60 years, for a placebo-controlled, observer-masked, single-center clinical study. We randomly assigned subjects into four groups: 15 µg, 30 µg and 45 µg of hemagglutinin (HA) dosage groups, and a placebo control group. Finally, 259 subjects completed the entire study. The rates of seroconversion and seroprotection and the geometric mean increase (GMI) fulfilled the criteria of the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) for influenza vaccine for 180 days after vaccination in all three dosage groups. However, the seroprotection rates of all dosage groups were below 70% at day 360 post vaccination, while the seroconversion rates and the GMI continued to meet the licensure criteria at this time point. In conclusion, a single dose of 15 µg HA vaccine could induce a protective immune response persisting for at least six months in adults. This study could be beneficial for the future development of influenza vaccines conferring long-term immunity.