Chimeric GII.3/GII.6 norovirus capsid (VP1) proteins: characterization by electron microscopy, trypsin sensitivity and binding to histo-blood group antigens.

GII.3 and GII.6 noroviruses (NoVs) are similar in several aspects, including the presence of a short sequence insertion in the P2 domain of the major capsid protein (VP1) and trypsin susceptibility of VP1-containing virus-like particles (VLPs). In this study, we generated two constructs with the S or P domains of VP1 from GII.3 and GII.6 NoV strains exchanged (GII.3S/GII.6P and GII.6S/GII.3P), and the resultant chimeric capsid proteins were expressed from recombinant baculoviruses. The assembly of VLPs was confirmed by electron microscopy, and the susceptibility of assembled VLPs to trypsin digestion was analyzed by SDS-PAGE. Salivary histo-blood group antigen (HBGA) binding and binding blockade assays were performed to determine the binding characteristics of chimeric VP1-containing VLPs with and without trypsin digestion. Our results indicated that both expressed GII.3S/GII.6P and GII.6S/GII.3P chimeric proteins successfully assembled into VLPs. Trypsin digestion of VLPs assembled from both chimeric proteins led to the generation of two fragments with molecular sizes similar to those of wild-type VP1-containing VLPs. An in vitro salivary HBGA binding assay demonstrated that VLPs assembled from both chimeric proteins exhibited enhanced binding after trypsin cleavage. An HBGA binding blockade assay indicated that the binding of GII.3S/GII.6P and GII.6S/GII.3P VLPs against salivary HBGAs could only be blocked by GII.3 and GII.6 NoV VLP-specific hyperimmune sera, respectively. For GII.6 and GII.3S/GII.6P VLPs, a difference in binding enhancement after trypsin cleavage was observed. Our results demonstrate that the S domains of GII.3 and GII.6 NoV VP1 are interchangeable and that the S domain affects the binding of the P domain to HBGAs.

The warming acupuncture for treatment of sciatica in 30 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the relation between the pain threshold and the therapeutic effects of acupuncture for sciatica. METHODS: 90 sciatica patients were equally divided at random into the following 3 groups: a warming acupuncture group treated with the needles warmed by burning moxa, a western medicine group administered Nimesulide tablets and a point-injection group with Anisodamine injected. The pain threshold was tested before treatment and after the first, second and third treatment courses. RESULTS: The warming acupuncture therapy showed better therapeutic effects than the other two groups with significant differences in the change of pain threshold and the improvement of clinical symptoms and signs (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture can relieve the symptoms of sciatica with the increase of pain threshold.

Effect of warming needle moxibustion on pain threshold in the patient of sciatica / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe effect of warming needle moxibustion on pain threshold in the patient of sciatica.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ninety cases were randomly divided into 3 groups, 30 cases in each group. The warming needle moxibustion group were treated with warming needle moxibustion at Shenshu (BL 23), Dachangshu (BL 25), Huantiao (GB 30), etc; the western medicine group with oral administration of Nimeisulide; and the acupoint-injection group with injection of 654-2 into the same acupoints as those in the warming needle moxibustion group.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The cured rates were 56.67%, 26.67% and 20.00% in the 3 groups, and the total effective rate were 90.00%, 73.33% and 63.33%, respectively, the therapeutic effect of the warming needle moxibustion group being better than those of other two groups (both P < 0.01). The amplitude of pain threshold increase in the warming needle moxibustion group was higher than those of other two groups (both P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Warming needle moxibustion can increase pain threshold, improve symptoms and raise quality of life for the patient of sciatica.</p>