[Soil enzyme stoichiometry revealed the changes of soil microbial carbon and phosphorus limitation along an elevational gradient in a Pinus taiwanensis forest of Wuyi Mountains, Southeast China]. / åœŸå£¤é ¶è®¡é‡æ­ç¤ºäº†æ­¦å¤·å±±é»„å±±æ¾æž—åœŸå£¤å¾®ç”Ÿç‰©æ²¿æµ·æ‹”æ¢¯åº¦çš„ç¢³ç£·é™åˆ¶å˜åŒ–.

Understanding changes in soil enzyme activities and ecoenzymatic stoichiometry is important for assessing soil nutrient availability and microbial nutrient limitation in mountain ecosystems. However, the variations of soil microbial nutrient limitation across elevational gradients and its driving factors in subtropical mountain forests are still unclear. In this study, we measured soil properties, microbial biomass, and enzyme activities related to carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) cycling in Pinus taiwanensis forests at different altitudes of Wuyi Mountains. By analyzing the enzyme stoichiometric ratio, vector length (VL), and vector angle (VA), the relative energy and nutrient limitation of soil microorganisms and its key regulatory factors were explored. The results showed that ß-glucosaminidase (BG) activities increased along the elevational gradient, while the activities of ß-N-acetyl glucosaminidase (NAG), leucine aminopeptidase (LAP), acid phosphatase (AcP) and (NAG+LAP)/microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and AcP/MBC showed the opposite trend. Enzyme C/N, enzyme C/P, enzyme N/P, and VL were enhanced with increasing elevation, while VA decreased, indicating a higher degree of microbial P limitation at low elevation and higher C limitation at high elevation. In addition, our results suggested that dissolved organic carbon and microbial biomass phosphorus are critical factors affecting the relative energy and nutrient limitation of soil microorganisms at different elevations. The results would provide a theoretical basis for the responses of soil carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus availability as well as the relative limitation of microbial energy and nutrition to elevational gradients, and improve our understanding of soil biogeochemical cycle process in subtropical montane forest ecosystems.

Analysis of the pathogenic spectrum and epidemiological characteristics of 520 children with influenza-like illnesses in Tianjin / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

Objective:To understand the epidemiological characteristics and pathogenic spectrum of influenza-like illnesses in Tianjin Children′s Hospital from October 2020 to March 2021, and to provide reference for the prevention, control and clinical diagnosis and treatment of influenza-like illnesses.Methods:A total of 520 throat swabs samples were collected from patients with influenza-like illnesses in sentinel hospitals. Thirty respiratory tract pathogens were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. The results were statistically analyzed by descriptive epidemiological methods.Results:Among the 520 samples, 239 were positive for 16 respiratory pathogens with a positive rate of 45.96%. The top three pathogens were respiratory syncytial virus (9.62%, 50/520), rhinovirus (9.62%, 50/520) and cytomegalovirus (5.96%, 31/520). The positive rate of respiratory pathogens was 49.67% in males and 40.91% in females and the difference between males and females was statistically significant (χ 2=3.919, P<0.05). There were significant differences in the positive rates among three age groups (χ 2=6.182, P<0.05) with the highest positive rate in the <2 years old group (52.91%, 91/172) and the lowest rate in the >4 years old group (38.10%, 40/105). There were significant differences in the positive rates detected in different months (χ 2=15.358, P<0.05) and the highest detection rate was in December (58.00%, 58/100), followed by those in November (52.50%, 42/80) and January (47.50%, 38/80). The multiple infection rate was 21.76% (52/239) and most of the multiple infections were caused by rhinovirus and other pathogens (48.08%, 25/52). Conclusions:Respiratory syncytial virus, rhinovirus and cytomegalovirus were the predonimant pathogens responsible for influenza-like illnesses in Tianjin Children′s Hospital from October 2020 to March 2021. Multiple infections were common and children under 2 years old were more susceptible. The detection rate of respiratory pathogens varied in different months. It was necessary to strengthen the surveillance and research on those respiratory pathogens in order to provide scientific data for the prevention and control of respiratory diseases in children.

Enzyme stoichiometry evidence revealed that five years nitrogen addition exacerbated the carbon and phosphorus limitation of soil microorganisms in a Phyllostachys pubescens forest.

The activity and stoichiometry of soil extracellular enzyme can provide a good indication for changes in soil nutrient availability and microbial demands for nutrients. However, it remains unclear how would nitrogen (N) deposition affect nutrient limitation of microbes in subtropical forest soils. We conducted a 5 years N addition experiment in a subtropical Phyllostachys pubescens forest. The soil nutrients and enzyme activities associated with carbon (C), N, and phosphorus (P) cycles were measured. We also examined the nutrient distribution of microorganisms using enzyme stoichiometry and vector analysis. The results showed that N addition significantly decreased the contents of soil soluble organic C and available P and increased that of available N. Furthermore, N addition significantly decreased ß-N-acetyl-glucosaminidase (NAG) activity and NAG/ microbial biomass carbon (MBC), and increased acid phosphatase (ACP) and ACP/MBC. The low and moderate N addition levels significantly increased enzyme C/P, vector length, and vector angle, but significantly decreased enzyme N/P. Results of redundancy analysis showed that the change in soil enzyme activity and enzymatic stoichiometry were mainly driven by soil available P content under N addition. In summary, N addition altered the microbial nutrient acquisition strategy, which increased nutrient allocation to P-acquiring enzyme production but reduced that to N-acquiring enzyme production. Moreover, N addition exacerbated the C and P limitation of soil microorganisms. Appropriate amount of P fertilizer could be applied to improve soil fertility of subtropical P. pubescens forest in the future.

Influence and mechanism of Xindakang on cardiac functions of isolated frog heart / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of flavonoids from Xindakang (Hippophae Fructus flavone) on myo?cardial systolic and diastolic functions of isolated frog hearts and explore the possible mechanism, and provide experi?mental basis for improving the effect and efficacy of Xindakang on cardiac function. METHODS The isolated frog heart perfusion specimens were prepared by Yagi's method, and the effects of different concentrations of Xindakang on myo?cardial contractility (0.0125, 0.025, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2 g·L-1), heart rate and cardiac output of isolated frog heart were stud?ied. Acetylcholine, atropine and epinephrine were administered successively to analyze the effects of Xindakang on car?diac systolic function of isolated frogs under the action of different drugs, and compared with propranolol. The effect of extracellular calcium ion concentration on the action of Xindakang was studied by using low calcium concentration, high cal?cium concentration and normal Ren's solution. To study the effect and possible mechanism of Xindakang on cardiac systolic function of frog. RESULTS The concentration of Xindakang in the range of 0.0125-0.1 g·L-1 could weaken the contractility of isolated frog heart and increase the concentration of Xindakang. The inhibitory effect of Xindakang on con?tractility of isolated frog heart was enhanced, and showed obvious dose-effect relationship. Cardiac output was signifi?cantly decreased by Xindakang (P<0.01), slow heart rate (P<0.05); M receptor blocker atropine could not antagonize the contractile effect of Xindakang, and Xindakang could not completely antagonize the contractile effect of adrenalin. Xindakang could inhibit the isolated frog heart in low calcium concentration, high calcium concentration and normal Ren's solution, and increased with the increase of extracellular calcium concentration (P<0.01). CONCLUSION Xinda?kang has inhibitory effect on isolated frog heart, which may be achieved by blocking the calcium channel on myocardial cell membrane and reducing the calcium concentration in myocardial cells.

Protection against human metapneumovirus (hMPV) conveyed by influenza virus vectors carrying multiple epitope antigens of hMPV / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

Objective@#To evaluate the immune responses and protection against human metapneumovirus (hMPV) conveyed by influenza virus vectors carrying multiple epitope antigens of hMPV.@*Methods@#Two recombinant influenza viruses (rFLU/hMPV/B and rFLU/hMPV/CTL+ Th) carrying hMPV multi-epitope gene segments in NS gene were generated by reverse genetic techniques of eight-plasmid system. BALB/c mice were immunized intranasally with rFLU/hMPV/B and rFLU/hMPV/CTL+ Th twice at a two-week interval. Virus-specific antibody titers and splenocyte cytokines were detected two weeks after the boost immunization. Viral loads in lung tissues and turbinates were detected with digital PCR after the immunized mice were challenged with hMPV and influenza virus. Moreover, HE staining was used to observe lung injuries.@*Results@#Specific antibodies against both the influenza virus and hMPV were induced in mice immunized intranasally with rFLU/hMPV/B, while the influenza virus-specific antibody response and hMPV-specific cytotoxic lymphocyte response (significant IFN-γ secretion) were detected in mice immunized with rFLU/hMPV/CTL+ Th. Additionally, balanced Th1/Th2 responses were elicited by rFLU/hMPV/B and rFLU/hMPV/CTL+ Th. Both rFLU/hMPV/B and rFLU/hMPV/CTL+ Th conveyed effective protection against subsequent influenza virus and hMPV challenges with significantly alleviated histopathological damages and reduced viral loads.@*Conclusions@#Both rFLU/hMPV/B and rFLU/hMPV/CTL+ Th can induce specific humoral immune response against hMPV and/or the influenza virus. Moreover, rFLU/hMPV/CTL+ Th can also elicit hMPV-specific CTL immune response. These two recombinant strains can also protect BALB/c mice from the challenges with hMPV and influenza virus, suggesting that they are promising vaccine candidates.

Protection against human metapneumovirus ( hMPV) conveyed by influenza virus vectors carrying multiple epitope antigens of hMPV / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

Objective To evaluate the immune responses and protection against human metapneu-movirus ( hMPV) conveyed by influenza virus vectors carrying multiple epitope antigens of hMPV. Methods Two recombinant influenza viruses ( rFLU/hMPV/B and rFLU/hMPV/CTL+Th ) carrying hMPV multi-epitope gene segments in NS gene were generated by reverse genetic techniques of eight-plasmid system. BALB/c mice were immunized intranasally with rFLU/hMPV/B and rFLU/hMPV/CTL+Th twice at a two-week interval. Virus-specific antibody titers and splenocyte cytokines were detected two weeks after the boost immunization. Viral loads in lung tissues and turbinates were detected with digital PCR after the immunized mice were challenged with hMPV and influenza virus. Moreover, HE staining was used to observe lung inju-ries. Results Specific antibodies against both the influenza virus and hMPV were induced in mice immu-nized intranasally with rFLU/hMPV/B, while the influenza virus-specific antibody response and hMPV-spe-cific cytotoxic lymphocyte response ( significant IFN-γ secretion ) were detected in mice immunized with rFLU/hMPV/CTL+Th. Additionally, balanced Th1/Th2 responses were elicited by rFLU/hMPV/B and rFLU/hMPV/CTL+Th. Both rFLU/hMPV/B and rFLU/hMPV/CTL+Th conveyed effective protection against subsequent influenza virus and hMPV challenges with significantly alleviated histopathological dama-ges and reduced viral loads. Conclusions Both rFLU/hMPV/B and rFLU/hMPV/CTL+Th can induce spe-cific humoral immune response against hMPV and/or the influenza virus. Moreover, rFLU/hMPV/CTL+Th can also elicit hMPV-specific CTL immune response. These two recombinant strains can also protect BALB/c mice from the challenges with hMPV and influenza virus, suggesting that they are promising vaccine candi-dates.

Research Strategies and Key Problems Analysis over Substance Benchmark of Famous Classical Formulas / 中国实验方剂学杂志

With continuous introduction of relevant national policies on famous classical formulas, the research of famous classical formulas is popular all over the country. Different from other new drugs, in the research and development process of famous classical formulas, substance benchmark is earlier than the product, suggesting that the research and development of substance benchmark is of great significance. Based on previous work of the authors, content of substance benchmark of famous classical formulas was analyzed, which was included in the document <italic>The Management Regulation of Simplified Registration and Approval over Chinese Herbal Medicine Compound Preparations of Ancient Famous Classical Formulas</italic> released by the National Medical Products Administration in May 2018. In this paper, the significance of substance benchmark development was described, a five-stage of research strategy was proposed, covering the prescription textual research and historical evolution, the collection and quality evaluation of medicinal materials, the processing method and quality evaluation of decoction pieces, the preparation and quality research of substance benchmark, the drafting and formulating of quality standard over substance benchmark. At the same time, some suggestions were put forward to the feasibility of compound preparations development over famous classical formulas, the implementation difficulty of resource evaluation over Chinese medicinal materials, and the irrationality on the quality correlation of Chinese medicinal materials. All of these are expected to provide reference and enlightenment for the development and policy officially landed over ancient famous classical formulas.

Laboratory test results of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Tianjin and related influencing factors / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

Objective:To study the characteristics and influence factors of laboratory test results of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Tianjin.Methods:Sample collection was conducted based on the standard operating procedure. Tianlong automatic magnetic bead nucleic acid extraction reagent was used for RNA extraction. Real-time RT-PCR was performed using four approved COVID-19 nucleic acid detection kits. Related epidemiological data of the cases were collected. One-way analysis of variance and non-parametric test for inter-group differences analysis were conducted using SPSS25.0 software.Results:A total of 162 PCR tests were completed for novel coronavirus nucleic acid detection in 123 confirmed COVID-19 cases. Eleven PCR results were positive for a single target gene and 10 of which were positive for nucleocapsid protein (N) gene. Nineteen cases were tested with two kinds of nucleic acid detection kits and the results of different detection kits were different. Different types of samples were collected form 13 cases for nucleic acid detection and the results showed that the Ct value of sputum sample was lower than that of throat swab sample. No significant difference in Ct values of throat swab samples was observed among patients with different clinical symptoms ( PCt-N=0.797, PCt-ORF1a/b=0.551). The 123 cases were divided into different groups according to the time interval between the onset date and the date of the first positive detection of viral nucleic acid. No significant difference in Ct values of throat swab samples was observed among different time interval groups ( PCt-N=0.373, PCt-ORF1a/b=0.058). Conclusions:Sputum samples were better than upper respiratory tract samples for viral nucleic acid detection. The sensitivity of N gene detection was higher, but re-sampling was needed when the result was positive for the single target N gene. Appropriate detection kits should be selected according to the actual needs, and samples should be collected at multiple time points, in multiple types and form multiple sites for detection.

Construction of recombinant influenza virus carrying human metapneumovirus epitopes / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

Objective To construct and rescue recombinant influenza virus strains expressing hu-man metapneumovirus ( hMPV) epitopes. -ethods B cell, CTL and Th epitopes predicted by bioinformat-ics software were coupled together in different combinations. These different array genes were inserted into the NS1 gene of influenza virus strain A/PR/8/34 ( PR8 ) , respectively. Recombinant PR8 influenza virus vectors expressing different hMPV antigenic epitopes were rescued by reverse genetics using eight-plasmid system. Sequencing analysis was conducted to verify whether the rescued viruses carried the chimeric hMPV epitopes. Hemagglutination ( HA) titers, half tissue culture infection dose ( TCID50 ) and growth curves were detected. Results Interval sequences GPGPG and KK were introduced into hMPV epitope combinations to construct multi-epitope antigens (MEA). These MEA were inserted into the PR8 NS gene, respectively. Using 8 plasmid system, three recombinant influenza virus strains were rescued successfully. After cultured for three passages in Madin-Darby canine kidney ( MDCK) cells and one in eggs, these three recombinant strains could proliferate steadily. Whole genome sequencing verified that the three recombinant strains car-ried the chimeric MEA sequences, named as rFLU/hMPV/B, rFLU/hMPV/CTL-Th and rFLU/hMPV/B-Th. HA titers of the recombinant strains were 128, 128 and 256 using turkey erythrocyte, respectively. Their TCID50 were 107. 0/ml, 106. 8/ml and 107. 0/ml, respectively. Growth curve tests also verified that the recombinant strains could proliferate steadily in MDCK cells. Conclusions Three recombinant influenza vi-rus vector strains carrying the B cell, CTL and Th epitopes of hMPV were rescued successfully. This study lays the foundation for further evaluation of the immune effects of these recombinant viruses and their poten-tial application value in vaccine development.

Research progress for cardiac rehabilitation exercise role in patients with chronic heart failure / 心血管康复医学杂志

The role of cardiac rehabilitation in secondary prevention of patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) has received attention from clinicians.However,the theory and practice of cardiac rehabilitation medicine in China is still in its infancy,especially for not enough to awareness of exercise rehabilitation.The present article made a re-view about research progress of exercise rehabilitation role in patients with chronic stable heart failure.

Chemical constituents of liquid culture of symbiotic Chaetomium globosum ML-4 of oyster and their in vitro antitumor activity / 中国中药杂志

Isolation and purification of chemical constituents of liquid culture of symbiotic Chaetomium globosum ML-4 of oyster was performed through silica gel column chromatography, gel filtration over Sephadex LH-20, preparative TLC and HPLC. Five compounds were obtained and their structures were determined as chaetoglobosin V(1), chaetoglobosin Vb(2), tyrosol(3), 5-methyluracil(4)and uracil(5), respectively, based on HR-MS and NMR data and comparison with literatures. In vitro cytotoxicity of compounds against human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line SMMC-7721 were measured byMTT method, and results showed that compound 1 could obviously inhibit the proliferation of SMMC-7721 cells with an IC₅₀ value of 60.5 mg•L⁻¹, while the IC₅₀ value of positive control cisplatin was 19.96 mg•L⁻¹. Further studies discovered that compound 1 could lead to G2 phase arrest in SMMC-7721 cells and induce SMMC-7721 cells apoptosis. The ratio of Bcl-2/Bax in SMMC-7721 cells was decreased. The expression of protein Caspases-3,-8,-9 was improved and the expression and phosphorylation level of Akt were reduced. Aforementioned results revealed that in vitro antitumor activity of compound 1 against SMMC-7721 cells were related to G2 phase cell cycle arrest and induced-apoptosis. The induced-apoptosis was involved in both the mitochondrial pathway and the death receptor pathway and connected with activity decline of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Changes of perimysial junctional plates induced by excessive eccentric training and the effects of acupuncture intervention / 生理学报

This study aimed to investigate the effects of acupuncture intervention on excessive eccentric training-induced changes of perimysial junctional plates (PJPs) domain. Thirty healthy male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to 5 groups: control group, four-week training group, four-week training + 1-week recovery group and four-week training + 1-week acupuncture group. Rats were subjected to continuous excessive eccentric training for 4 weeks (incline -16°, speed 16-20 m/min, 60-90 min/d, 5 day per week), and then were subjected to one-week spontaneous recovery or one-week recovery with acupuncture intervention (a piece of filiform needle for 4 min every day). The PJPs domain changes were observed under transmission electron microscopy, and the perimysial collagen network structural changes were examined by scanning electron microscopy with or without a digestion technique (NaOH). The following results were obtained: (1) Compared with control group, PJPs domain of four-week training group showed excessive shortening of sarcomere (P < 0.001), serious damage of sarcomere structure, and altered mitochondria morphology in intermyofibria and subsarcolemma; 54% degradation of sarcolemma, and increased number of caveolae (P < 0.01); reduced number of PJPs (P < 0.001). (2) In comparison with four-week training group, PJPs domain was slightly changed in four-week training + 1-week recovery group, i.e., partial recovery of sarcomere length and structure (accounting for 85.23% of control group), and recovery of intermyofibrial and subsarcolemmal mitochondria morphology; decreased sarcolemmal degradation (P < 0.001), and increased number of caveolae (P < 0.05); increased PJPs number (P < 0.001). (3) PJPs domain changed in four-week training + 1-week acupuncture group compared with four-week training + 1-week recovery group, which were substantial recovery of sarcomere length (accounting for 94.51% of control group), increased subsarcolemmal mitochondrial fusion (P < 0.001), decreased caveolae number (P < 0.001), and decreased PJPs number (P < 0.001). The results indicated that excessive eccentric training resulted in excessively reduced number of PJPs with altered PJPs domain homeostasis, thus impeding the adaptability to eccentric training. After 1 week of natural recovery, the number of PJPs was excessively increased, hindering muscle damage repair. Acupuncture intervention helped to recover PJPs number and PJPs domain homeostasis, thus significantly relieving overuse injuries.

Evaluation of the immune response to human metapneumovirus multi-epitope antigen in an mouse model / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

Objective To evaluate the immune response triggered by an in-house constructed hu-man metapneumovirus multi-epitope antigen ( MEA) in a mouse model .Methods Female SPF BALB/c mice at age 4-6 weeks were used in the study and divided into 7 groups.Mice in the five groups including MEA+oligodeoxynucleotides containing CpG motifs ( CpG ODN) intraperitoneal injection ( i.p.) treatment group, MEA+Alum i.p.treatment group, MEA+Alum+CpG ODN i.p.treatment group, MEA+CpG ODN intranasal (i.n.) treatment group and MEA+Alum+CpG ODN i.n.treatment group were immunized three times on days 0, 14 and 21, and those in the other experimental group were immunized intramuscularly with MEA+Quickantibody5W on days 0 and 21.A control group without treatment was set up accordingly .All mice were sacrificed two weeks after the last immunization .Antibodies including IgG , IgG1, IgG2a and IgA in serum samples were detected by ELISA .MTS assay was performed to analyze the proliferation of lympho-cytes.The cytotoxicity of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) was measured by LDH assay.Flow cytometry was used to detect T lymphocyte subsets .The cytokines secreted by T helper cells ( Th1 and Th2) were analyzed with Bio-Rad Liquid Chips.Results High titers of IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a antibodies were produced in MEA treated mice except for those in intranasal treatment groups .Serum samples from three groups including the MEA+Alum i.p., MEA+Alum+CpG ODN i.p.and MEA+Quickantibody5W i.m.treatment groups were positive for IgA antibody .The highest titer of IgA antibody was detected in mice from the MEA+Alum+CpG ODN i.p.treatment group, which was 2.15×103.Compared with the control group, significantly enhanced proliferation of lymphocytes was observed in the MEA+Alum i.p., MEA+Alum+CpG ODN i.p.and MEA+Quickantibody5W i.m.treatment groups (P<0.05).Enhanced cytotoxic activities of CTL were observed in mice with ip.and i.m.treatments as compared with those in control group (P<0.05).The levels of CD4+/CD8+T cells were slightly increased in mice from the MEA+CpG ODN i.p., MEA+Alum+CpG ODN i.p. and MEA+Quickantibody5W i.m.treatment groups as compared with those in control group (P<0.05).In-creased secretion of IL-2, IFN-γand Th2-type cytokines including IL-4, IL-5 and IL-10 were detected in mice from the MEA+CpG ODN i.p.treatment group.The MEA+Alum i.p.treated mice showed a slightly increased secretion of IFN-γand significantly increased secretions of IL-4, IL-5 and IL-10.Significantly in-creased secretions of IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-5 and IL-10 were detected in mice from the MEA+Alum+CpG ODN i.p.treatment group.Significantly increased secretions of IFN-γ, IL-5, IL-10 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) were detected in mice from the MEA+Quickantibody5W i.m.treatment group.Conclusion MEA together with different adjuvants could stimulate high titers of specific antibodies , increase the proliferation of lymphocytes and enhance the cytotoxic activities of CTL .CpG ODN could bal-ance the Th1/Th2-mediated immune responses , and the balance could be enhanced when using CpG ODN in combination with Alum .A similar effect could be achieved by using the commercial adjuvant Quickanti -body5w.This study has paved the way for further investigation on the development of hMPV epitope vaccines and diagnostic reagents for hMPV as well as the epidemiological study of hMPV .

Fumigaclavine I, a new alkaloid isolated from endophyte Aspergillus terreus / 中国天然药物

The present study was designed to isolate and purify chemical constituents from solid culture of endophyte Aspergillus terreus LQ, using silica gel column chromatography, gel filtration with Sephadex LH-20, and HPLC. Fumigaclavine I (1), a new alkaloid, was obtained, along with seven known compounds, including fumigaclavine C (2), rhizoctonic acid (3), monomethylsulochrin (4), chaetominine (5), spirotryprostatin A (6), asperfumoid (7), and lumichrome (8). The structure of compound 1 was elucidated by various spectroscopic analyses (UV, MS, 1D and 2D NMR). The in vitro cytotoxicity of compound 1 was determined by MTT assay in human hepatocarcinoma cell line SMMC-7721, showing weaker cytotoxicity, compared with cisplatin, a clinically used cancer chemotherapeutic agent.

Correlation study of spinal canal and dural sac dimensions on MRI with therapy of lumbar disc herniation / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the value of spinal canal and dural sac dimensions for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation in MRI.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 144 patients with single-level lumbar disc herniation underwent nonsurgical or surgical treatment from January 2010 to December 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 91 patients in the nonsurgical group, including 55 males and 36 females, ranging in age from 20 to 68 years old with an average of (43.37±12.48) years; and there were 53 patients in the surgical group, including 28 males and 25 females, ranging in age from 20 to 64 years old with an average of (42.98±12.95) years. JOA scores (29 scores) were used to evaluate clinical manifestation (including subjective symptoms, objective findings, limitation of daily activities and bladder function) and outcomes. The parameters related to spinal canal and dural sac dimensions (including spinal canal midsagittal diameter and available diameter, lateral recess width, spinal canal and dural sac cross-sectional area) in the initial axial T2-weighted MRI were measured, and odds ratio of available diameter to midsagittal diameter, odds ratio of lateral recess width to midsagittal diameter and area ratio of dural sac to spinal canal were calculated. Then, the differences of all parameters between two groups, and the correlations with initial JOA scores were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) All patients were followed up from 1 to 3 years with an average of 2.1 years. JOA scores before treatment were 16.27±2.96 in nonsurgical group and 12.64±3.30 in surgical group, there was statistically significant difference (t=6.319, P<0.01). At final follow-up time, there was no statistically significant difference in JOA scores (25.41±2.22 vs 25.76±2.29), improvement rate [(72.95±12.54)% vs (76.80±9.45)%], and the excellent and good rate (84.91% vs 78.02%) between two groups (P>0.05). But, the relapse rate of nonsurgical group was higher than surgical group (14.29% vs 5.67%). (2) Spinal canal midsagittal diameter and available diameter, lateral recess width, spinal canal and dural sac area, the ratio of available diameter to midsagittal diameter, and the ratio of lateral recess width to midsagittal diameter in surgical group were smaller than that of nonsurgical group, but the area ratio of dural sac to spinal canal was larger, and there were statistically significant differences between two groups (P<0.01). (3) The initial JOA scores showed significantly positive correlation with spinal canal midsagittal diameter and available diameter, lateral recess width, and canal and dural sac area (P<0.01); also presented positive correlation with the ratio of available diameter to midsagittal diameter and the ratio of lateral recess width to midsagittal diameter (P<0.05); but there was a significantly negative correlation between initial JOA scores and the area ratio of dural sac to spinal canal.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Both nonsurgical and surgical treatment of lumbar disc herniation can obtain good effect, but the recurrence rate of non-surgical treatment is higher. Preoperative MRI measurement parameters of spinal canal and dural sac dimensions has certain value for the treatment selection of lumbar disc herniation, but further refinement and validation is still required.</p>

Development of high-throughput liquid chips for respiratory virus detection.

BACKGROUND: Diagnosis of viral respiratory tract infections clinically is often nonspecific, and a rapid, high-throughput laboratory technique which can detect major respiratory viruses is desirable. METHODS: Two liquid chip panels were developed which used a target-enriched multiplexed RT-PCR amplification followed by Luminex liquid chip hybridization based on xMAP technology. One was for the detection of 5 type/ subtypes of the influenza virus (called Influenza Panel), the other was for the identification of 14 major respiratory viruses, including emerging human metapneumovirus (HMPV), coronavirus (CoV NL63, HKU1), human bocavirus (HBoV), and WU polyomavirus (WUPyV) (called Respiratory Panel). The analytical sensitivity and specificity of these two panels were determined. 108 throat swabs from influenza-like-illness (ILI) cases and 88 nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPA) from hospitalized children with lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) were used to evaluate the two panels. RESULTS: The Influenza Panel returned the analytical sensitivity of 4 - 10 copies vRNA/microL of sample for seasonal H1N1, H3N2, pandemic H1N1, and B, and 200 copies vRNA/microL of sample for H5. The analytical sensitivity of the Respiratory Panel was as follows: 10 - 150 copies vRNA/microL of sample for most of the viral targets tested in this panel except RSV (400 copies vRNA/microL of sample). No cross reactivity was observed for both panels. As determined by commercial multi-PCR kit and conventional PCR (for HBoV and WUPyV), the diagnostic sensitivity of the Respiratory Panel for each viral targets ranged from 50.0% to 100.0%, the diagnostic specificity was 96.2%-100.0%, and accordance rate was 93.2% - 100.0%, the kappa correlation of eight viral targets was > 0.75. CONCLUSIONS: Two liquid chip assay panels, developed based on xMAP technology, can detect 5 types/subtypes of influenza viruses and 14 respiratory viruses simultaneously in one reaction in 6 hours. They are potentially rapid, sensitive, specific, and high throughput diagnostic tools for major viral pathogens associated with respiratory tract infection.

Bilateral regulation of luteolin on spleen cells and sarcoma S180 cells of ICR mice: an experimental study / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the regulation of luteolin on spleen cells and sarcoma S180 cells in normal ICR mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Spleen cells and S180 cells were incubated with different concentrations of luteolin (50, 100, 200, and 400 μmol/L). The effect of luteolin on spleen cells and sarcoma S180 cells was determined by MTT assay. The apoptosis was detected using propidium iodide staining flow cytometry. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was determined by flow cytometric analysis. Activities of free radicals scavenging were determined by hydroxyl radical and DPPH tests.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the solvent control group, 200 and 400 μmol/L luteolin increased the spleen cells viability (P < 0.05). Luteolin at 100, 200, and 400 μmol/L decreased activities of S180 cells (P < 0.01). The proportion of sub-G1 phase spleen cells was reduced after treated with 200 and 400 μmol/L luteolin (P < 0.05). The proportion of sub-G1 phase S180 cells was elevated after treated with 200 and 400 μmol/L luteolin (P < 0.05). Compared with the solvent control group, levels of intracellular ROS in spleen cells of ICR mice all increased; levels of intracellular ROS in S180 cells all decreased after treated with 50, 100, 200, and 400 μmol/L luteolin (P < 0.05). Luteolin scavenged hydroxyl radical and DPPH in a dose dependent manner.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Luteolin had bilateral regulation on viability and apoptosis of spleen cells and S180 cells (promoting the viability of spleen cells, inhibiting apoptosis of spleen cells, inhibiting the viability of S180 cells, and promoting apoptosis of S180 cells), which was worth further study and exploration.</p>

Correlation between myeloid-derived suppressor cells and gastric cancer begin with chronic gastritis / 中华消化杂志

Objective To investigate the correlation between the ratio change of circulating myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and cellular immune function in healthy volunteers,chronic gastritis patients,gastric intraepithelial neoplasia patients and gastric cancer patients.Methods From February 2011 to July 2011,129 peripheral blood samples were collected,including 32 healthy volunteers,48 chronic gastritis patients,27 gastric intraepithelial neoplasia patients and 22 gastric cancer patients.The percentages of peripheral blood MDSC,T lymphocyte subsets and regulatory T cells (Treg) were determined by flow cytometry.The data were analyzed by one way analysis of variance,pearson and spearman correlation.Results The percentages of circulating MDSC,CD8+ T lymphocyte and Treg were highest in gastric cancer patients (9.63％±3.24％,10.03％ ± 1.26％,69.45％±3.42％) and lowest in healthy volunteers (0.92％±0.33％,4.12％ ±0.99％,32.35％ ±4.83％).Those of gastric intraepithelial neoplasia patients (5.13％ ± 1.30％,7.54％ ± 0.79％,53.26％±4.30％) were lower than gastric cancer patients but higher than chronic gastritis patients (2.76％ ±0.64％,6.28％ ±0.61％,42.37％ ±4.02％).The differences among each groups were statistically significant (F=24.85,20.88,37.84,all P＜0.05).However,the percentage of circulating CD4+T lymphocyte was highest in healthy volunteers (65.10％±4.10％),55.15％ ± 4.00％ in chronic gastritis group,42.23％ ± 3.91％ in gastric intraepithelial neoplasia group,and lowest in gastric cancer group (26.84％ ± 3.69％).The differences among each groups were statistically significant (F=46.80,P＜0.05).A significant correlation between circulating MDSC and TNM stages of gastric cancer was also observed (r=0.856,P＜0.01).The percentage of circulating MDSC was positively correlated with Treg percentage (r =0.862,P ＜ 0.01),and negatively correlated with CD4+/CD8+ ratio (r=-0.768,P＜0.01).Conclusion The increase of MDSC percentage in peripheral blood is correlated with human cellular immune function,which might play an important role in the tumor immune evasion during the development of gastric cancer.

The effect of early rehabilitation intervention on serum neuron-specific enolase in patients with acute cerebral infarction / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective To observe the effects of early rehabilitation on the serum neuron specific enolase (NSE) levels of patients with acute cerebral infarction.MethodsSixty patients with acute cerebral infarction were randomly divided into a rehabilitation group and a control group. All received routine treatment at the acute stage, including anti-platelet aggregation medication, drugs for improving microcirculation, neurotrophic agents and prompt treatment of any complications. Patients in the rehabilitation group also received systemic rehabilitation training beginning immediately after their vital signs had been stabilized. NSE in serum was assayed before treatment and after 3, 7and 14 days. National Institutes of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) scores were evaluated at each time point, and the two groups were compared.ResultsThere was no significant difference in serum NSE or NIHSS scores between the two groups pre-treatment. Both groups improved to a certain extent, but the improvements in the rehabilitation group were significantly better than in the control group, as their NSE levels at 7 days and NIHSS scores at 14 days were both significantly better.ConclusionsEarly rehabilitation intervention contributes to reducing serum NSE levels after acute cerebral infarction, lessening brain injury, and thereby promoting the recovery of damaged neural function.That may be one of the mechanisms by which early rehabilitation promotes functional recovery in patients with acute cerebral infarction.