Changes in Cytokine Levels in Patients with Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus.

Purpose: To characterize the cytokine profile of patients with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) in relation to disease severity. Patients and Methods: 60 laboratory-confirmed SFTS patients and 12 healthy individuals from multi-centers in Shandong Province of China were included, and all patients were divided into fatal patients (9) and recovered patients (51) due to their final outcomes. Multiplex-microbead immunoassays were conducted to estimate levels of 27 cytokines in the sera of patients and controls. Results: The results showed that levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-15, IL-1RA, G-CSF, GM-CSF, IFN-γ, TNF-α, basic FGF, PDGF-BB, RANTES, IP-10, MIP-1α, MIP-1ß, MCP-1, and Eotaxin differed significantly among the SFTS fatal patients, recovered patients, and the healthy controls (all p<0.05). Compared to the healthy controls, the fatal patients and recovered patients had reduced levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, PDGF-BB, RANTES, and Eotaxin, while the levels of PDGF-BB and RANTES were significantly lower in fatal patients compared to recovered patients. The increasing levels of IL-6, IL-8, IL-15, IL-1RA, G-CSF, GM-CSF, IFN-γ, TNF-α, basic FGF, IP-10, MIP-1α, MIP-1ß, and MCP-1 were observed in fatal patients (all p<0.05), and the levels of IL-6, IP-10, MIP-1α, and MCP-1 were significantly higher than other two groups. The Spearman correlation analysis indicated a positive correlation between platelet count and PDGF-BB levels (p<0.05), while the white blood cell count had a negative correlation with MIP-1 level (p<0.05). Conclusion: The research exhibited that the SFTS virus (SFTSV) caused an atypical manifestation of cytokines. The levels of IL-6, IP-10, MIP-1α, and MCP-1 had been observed a positive association with the severity of the illness.

Multiple potential recombination events among Newcastle disease virus genomes in China between 1946 and 2020.

Introduction: Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) is a highly adaptable virus with large genetic diversity that has been widely studied for its oncolytic activities and potential as a vector vaccine. This study investigated the molecular characteristics of 517 complete NDV strains collected from 26 provinces across China between 1946-2020. Methods: Herein, phylogenetic, phylogeographic network, recombination, and amino acid variability analyses were performed to reveal the evolutionary characteristics of NDV in China. Results and discussions: Phylogenetic analysis revealed the existence of two major groups: GI, which comprises a single genotype Ib, and GII group encompassing eight genotypes (I, II, III, VI. VII. VIII, IX and XII). The Ib genotype is found to dominate China (34%), particularly South and East China, followed by VII (24%) and VI (22%). NDV strains from the two identified groups exhibited great dissimilarities at the nucleotide level of phosphoprotein (P), matrix protein (M), fusion protein (F), and haemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) genes. Consistently, the phylogeographic network analysis revealed two main Network Clusters linked to a possible ancestral node from Hunan (strain MH289846.1). Importantly, we identified 34 potential recombination events that involved mostly strains from VII and Ib genotypes. A recombinant of genotype XII isolated in 2019 seems to emerge newly in Southern China. Further, the vaccine strains are found to be highly involved in potential recombination. Therefore, since the influence of recombination on NDV virulence cannot be predicted, this report's findings need to be considered for the security of NDV oncolytic application and the safety of NDV live attenuated vaccines.

[Properties of Biochars Prepared from Different Crop Straws and Leaching Behavior of Heavy Metals].

In this study, rice straw, soybean straw, wheat straw, and corn straw were chosen as raw materials, and biochars were prepared through the pyrolysis method at 550℃ under oxygen-limited conditions to investigate the physicochemical properties of biochars derived from the straws, the migration and transformation characteristics of heavy metals (HMs) (Cr, Ni, Cu, As, Cd, and Pb) after pyrolysis, and their leaching behaviors in different leaching solutions. The results showed that the physicochemical properties and elemental composition of the biochars were basically consistent. However, compared with that of biochars derived from other straws, biochar derived from wheat straw had a higher ash content (22.48%) and H/C radio (0.06). Meanwhile, biochar derived from corn straw had a smaller micropore volume (0.006 cm3·g-1) and a correspondingly smaller specific surface area (110.120 m2·g-1), which was consistent with the SEM image. After pyrolysis, the content of HMs (except Cd) increased by 14.04% to 410.81%, especially that of Cu and As. However, the content of Cd in soybean straw and corn straw decreased by 20.49% and 8.20% after pyrolysis, respectively, due to the low boiling point of Cd. Furthermore, most of the HMs (except Cd and Pb) tended to transform from unstable (acid-soluble/exchangeable and reducible forms) to stable forms (oxidizable and residual forms), implying that pyrolysis facilitated the stabilization of the HMs. The HMs in biochar were not leached or were leached in small amounts in ultra-pure water and buffered salt solutions, as opposed to leaching in relatively larger amounts in acetic acid solution and humic acid solution. Cr and Ni showed low leaching capacity in all leaching solutions. Cu showed relatively high leaching capacity in acetic acid solution, with the leaching amount ranging from 2.601 mg·kg-1 to 4.224 mg·kg-1, and As showed a relatively high leaching capacity in humic acid solution, with the leaching amount ranging from 0.074 mg·kg-1to 0.166 mg·kg-1. After pyrolysis, the environmental quality index (PIi) and the Nemerow pollution index (NPI) values of various HMs increased by different degrees. However, the pollution of single HMs remained at a safe level, and the integrated pollution of biochars was at the level of "clean". Due to the significant increase in potential ecological risk factors (Er) of Ni, Cd, and Pb after pyrolysis, the potential ecological risk index (RI) of biochar derived from the rice straw increased slightly. However, the potential ecological risk indexes of biochars derived from other straws significantly decreased after pyrolysis, owing to the stabilization of HMs.

Involvement of Rho-associated coiled-coil kinase signaling inhibition in TGF-ß1/Smad2, 3 signal transduction in vitro.

AIM: To research the effect of Y-27632, a selective Rho-associated coiled-coil kinase (ROCK) inhibitor, on TGF-ß1/Smad2, 3 signal transduction in ocular Tenon's capsule fibroblasts (OTFs). METHODS: Primary ocular Tenon's capsule fibroblasts had been cultured in vitro. The effect of Y27632 on proliferation of OTF stimulated by lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) was evaluated by MTT colorimetric assay so as to sift out the proper concentrations range of Y-27632 for the next experiment. Real time-polymerase chain reactor (RT-PCR) was to analyze the changes of Smad2 and Smad3 genes of cells affected by Y-27632, though unaffected by transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-ß1). Proteins of Smad2, Smad3, phosphorylated Smad2 (Ser245/250/255), and phosphorylated Smad3 (Ser423/425/203) were respectively quantified by Western blot after OTFs were successively incubated by TGF-ß1 and Y-27632. Meanwhile, α-smooth muscular actin (α-SMA) protein was also quantified after the small intervening gene fragments of human Smad2 and Smad3 were designed, synthesized, and then transfected to OTFs. RESULTS: Y-27632 significantly inhibited OTFs proliferation stimulated by LPA. Also Y-27632 significantly suppressed the expressions of Smad2 mRNA, Smad2, 3 proteins expressions, Smad3 phosphorylation at the carboxylic terminals of Ser423/425/203 which had been radically promoted by TGF-ß1. SiRNA-Smad2, 3 suppressed α-SMA expressions, but less effectively than Y-27632. CONCLUSION: The inhibition of ROCK signaling may be a potential therapeutic candidate for the treatment of the filtration channel fibrosis.

shRNA interference of NLRP3 inflammasome alleviate ischemia reperfusion-induced myocardial damage through autophagy activation.

Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury always occur during the recovery of myocardial blood supply with high morbidity and mortality. Although, various therapeutic schedules were applied in clinic, there are real problems that have to be resolved on curative effect. Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome has moderation effects on cellular damage and inflammatory reaction after I/R injury. Our research aims to investigate a more effective approach to restrain the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in treating myocardial I/R injury. Results indicated that cell viability, Bax/Bcl-2 expression were affected hardly by sh-NLRP3 transfection in normal cells. However, the decreased cell viability and increased Bax/Bcl-2 expression level caused by I/R were remarkably suppressed through sh-NLRP3 transfection. Besides that, the reduced levels of pro-autophagy proteins (Beclin1, Agt7, LC3II/LC3I) while enhanced level of anti-autophagy protein (p62) and apoptosis-related proteins (Bax/Bcl-2) were significantly repressed via sh-NLRP3 transfection. Nevertheless, the autophagy inhibitor 3 MA could reverse the results. Moreover, in vivo experiment suggested that NLRP3 was up-regulated in wild type (WT) rats with I/R injury. The expansion of infarct size induced by ischemia was tremendously constricted in NLRP3 knockout (KO) rats. NLRP3 silence had nearly no impact on myocardial enzymes (AST, LDH and CK) expressions, inflammatory factors (TNF-α and IL-1ß) expressions and cell apoptosis in rats without I/R injury. Nonetheless, the elevated levels of myocardial enzymes, inflammatory factors and cell apoptosis caused by I/R injury were vastly inhibited in NLRP3 KO rats. Furthermore, NLRP3 KO itself would lead to higher level of pro-autophagy proteins (Beclin1, Agt7, LC3II/LC3I) while lower level of anti-autophagy protein (p62) in vivo. The decreased expressions of pro-autophagy proteins while increased expressions of anti-autophagy protein induced by I/R injury were remarkably suppressed by NLRP3 KO. Taken together, our study indicated that shRNA interference of NLRP3 inflammasome attenuated myocardial I/R injury via autophagy activation. These findings demonstrated that NLRP3 KO may a promising therapy in myocardial I/R injury.

A new species of the genus Bothrioplana (Platyhelminthes: Bothrioplanida: Bothrioplanidae) and a new species of the genus Pentacoelum (Tricladida: Bdellouridae) from southern China.

Two new species of turbellarians, Bothrioplana sinensis n. sp., and Pentacoelum sinensis n. sp., were described based on their reproductive behavior, ontogenic development, morphology in whole-mounted and sectioned specimens, and 18S rDNA phylogenetic classification. Bothrioplana sinensis n. sp. represents a newly recorded order in China and the second identified species in the genus Bothrioplana. It is characterized by a pair of spherical-shaped well-developed testes located dorsally behind the pharynx, and the common vas deference located ventrally to the gonopore. Phylogenetic analysis showed that this new species is closely related to parasitic flatworms. Pentacoelum sinensis n. sp. is characterized by two uteri instead of lateral bursae located laterally near the tail end and a lack of connection between the posterior intestinal branches. Each uterus has a ventral receptaculum seminalis (also functioning as bursa copulatrix) which has a muscular vagina externa opening obliquely to the ventral side at the tail end.

Short- and long-term efficacy and safety of triple vs. dual antithrombotic therapy in patients with drug-eluting stent implantation and an indication for oral anticoagulation: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The optimal antithrombotic regimen after coronary stenting in patients taking oral anticoagulants (OACs) is still unclear. Therefore, this meta-analysis focused on the short- and long-term efficacy and safety of triple therapy (TT: OAC, aspirin, and thienopyridine) and dual therapy (DT: OAC plus single antiplatelet drug or aspirin plus thienopyridine). METHODS: We searched PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Wangfang database, and Google Scholar up to December 1, 2015 (January 1, 2000 - December 2015), from randomized and nonrandomized studies comparing TT and DT in patients with OACs undergoing drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation. Major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) were the main outcome. Safety outcome was major bleeding (MB). RESULTS: Of 964 publications identified, 1 randomized study and 27 nonrandomized studies of 31,346 patients were included. Overall, TT and OAC plus clopidogrel were associated with a lower risk of MACCE, stroke, MI, and allcause mortality compared with dual antiplatelet therapy or OAC plus aspirin. Additionally, short-term use of triple antithrombotic regimen with OAC, aspirin, and clopidogrel is associated with equivalent risk of major bleeding and decreased rate of MACCE. Long-term use of OAC plus clopidogrel after TT was associated with equal or better benefit and safety outcomes. CONCLUSION: For patients on OAC after coronary stenting, triple therapy (OAC, aspirin, clopidogrel) should be considered in the short term, followed by more long-term therapy with OAC plus clopidogrel. More randomized studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Segmental osteotomy in the treatment of obsolete orbitozygomatic fractures.

Different kinds of orbitozygomatic fractures lead to different levels of orbital structural destructions. Although the magnitude of the management of orbitozygomatic fractures varies considerably, an unsolved and important question remains regarding how to select the best surgical modality according to different kinds of fractures. Among 26 cases of unilateral noncomminuted orbitozygomatic fractures, a segmental osteotomy technique was used to repair the displaced orbitozygomatic complex. The fragment contributing to the orbital structure was mobilized and reduced, whereas the fragment without contribution to the orbital structure was not mobilized and left in situ. Next, the cuneate fragment was imbricated with the orbital osteotomy sites unilaterally or bilaterally. Miniplates and screws were used to span the osteotomy sites and provided fixation once the alignment of the orbit was achieved. The mean difference in volume between fractured orbits preoperatively and postoperatively was 2.47 mL. The mean difference in ocular globe projection was 2.76 mm. When postoperative results were compared with those of the preoperative site, statistically significant difference was noted. At follow-up 1 year postoperatively, the management of orbitozygomatic fractures using segmental osteotomy reduces complications and attains aesthetically satisfying results. Subjective assessment of the patients' globe position found that 88.5% of the patients were satisfied with the outcome, and 11.5% of the patients found it unacceptable. Compared with the traditional method, segmental osteotomy is a simple technique requiring less dissection and can reconstruct the orbital anatomic structure and restore globe position effectively.

[Research and clinical application of computer-aided design of craniofacial prosthesis using mirror technique].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility of creating a 3D-CAD model of craniofacial prostheses through mirror technique to repair the unilateral craniofacial defects and restore craniofacial symmetry. METHODS: Patients with unilateral craniofacial defects underwent spiral CT scanning. CAD3-D image was reconstructed ad 3-D CAD model of craniofacial prosthesis was created with mirror technique, Boolean operation and rapid prototyping technique. Then the prosthesis made of bioactive artificial bone was made through plaster cavity block. RESULTS: 15 cases were treated with no complications. Good symmetry was achieved after operation. CONCLUSIONS: Designing the craniofacial prosthesis with mirror technique guarantees excellent functional and cosmetic results for repairing the unilateral craniofacial defects.

[Experimental study on eyelid reconstruction with acellular xenogenic dermal matrix].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the histocompatibility of acellular xenogenic pig dermal matrix (Xeno-ADM) after transplanted into the rabbit eyelids. METHODS: Thirty-eight New Zealand rabbits were divided into two groups randomly. After excising a 5 mm x 4 mm tarso-conjunctiva flap from one lower eyelid of each rabbit, Xeno-ADM and allogenic sclera were implanted in these two groups separately. Samples of implanted material were collected for histological examination in 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 16 weeks after the operation. RIA method was employed to determine the contents of IL-2 and IL-6 in the homogenate fluid from local tissues and in peripheral blood. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, after the operation, the conjunctival congestion, effusion, inflammatory reaction and red swelling of the eyelid subsided faster in the treated group. No rejection or necrosis occurred in transplanted rabbits. At 16 weeks after operation, SNK-q test showed there was no obvious difference in the average breadth and height of the eyelids (P > 0.05) between these two groups and normal rabbits. Histological examination of sections of eyelid tissues stained by HE staining and observed under light microscope showed that at 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 16 weeks postoperatively, eyelids implanted with Xeno-ADM had less inflammatory reaction, fewer lymphocytes infiltrating and higher vascularization with faster ingrowths of new collagen fibers, as compared with the sclera-implanted group. This also indicated that Xeno-ADM had a good compatibility. Statistical analysis of immunogenic indexes indicated that the level of IL-2 and IL-6 in the homogenate fluid at 6-8 weeks postoperatively was greater than those in 1, 2, 4 weeks after implantation. The level of IL-2 and IL-6 rose significantly after the operation and reached a peak value at the 6 th week (experimental group, IL-2, 0.292 81 ng/ml) and 8 th week (experimental group, IL-6, 118.258 pg/ml; control group, IL-2, 0.277 99 ng/ml and IL-6, 255.871 pg/ml). The level of IL-2 and IL-6 dropped significantly at the 12th week and raised again at the 16th week, therefore, the concentration achieved another peak value in the control group (IL-2, 1.363 41 ng/ml; IL-6, 622.863 pg/ml), which was much higher than those in the first peak. The level of IL-2 and IL-6 in peripheral blood 1 week after the transplantation was higher than the preoperative level. These two indexes increased gradually with marked fluctuation, particularly in 4 - 8 weeks after implantation, both of them reached the peak values at that period, which was similar to the inflammation reaction changes in the implanted groups. With replicated testing and analysis of variance (ANOVA), neither the type of treatment nor the time factor had any effect on the levels of IL-2 and IL-6 in the serum, and there was no significant difference between experimental group and control group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Xeno-ADM shows good histocompatibility to New Zealand rabbits, which can induce neovascular and collagen fibers grow into implanted tissues. Therefore, this can be used to support the eyelids as a substitution for the tarsus. High levels of IL-2 and IL-6 can be detected in local tissues and in the serum after Xeno-ADM transplantation, but no statistical differences present between the dynamic changes of the level of both ILs in Xeno-ADM group and allogenic sclera group. Xeno-ADM could be an ideal substitute for allogenic sclera in the reconstruction of eye lids and could be used broadly in ophthalmology. However, as a hetero-transplantation material used clinically, further ethical and immunological studies are required.