Identification of the p34 Protein of African Swine Fever Virus as a Novel Viral Antigen with Protection Potential.

African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious disease caused by African swine fever virus (ASFV), affecting domestic and wild boars. The polyprotein pp220 of ASFV is responsible for producing the major structural proteins p150, p37, p14, p34, and p5 via proteolytic processing. The p34 protein is the main component of the ASFV core shell. However, the immunologic properties of the p34 protein in vitro and in vivo remain unclear. The results showed that the recombinant p34 protein expressed in prokaryotes and eukaryotes could react with convalescent swine sera to ASFV, suggesting that p34 is an immunogenic protein. Significantly, anti-p34 antibodies were found to inhibit the replication of ASFV in target cells. Furthermore, rabbits immunized with the recombinant C-strain of classical swine fever virus containing p34 produced both anti-p34 humoral and cellular immune responses. In addition, the p34 protein could induce a cell-mediated immune response, and a T-cell epitope on the p34 protein was identified using immunoinformatics and enzyme-linked immunospot (ELIspot) assay. Our study demonstrates that the p34 protein is a novel antigen of ASFV with protective potential.

Mechanism of subchronic vinyl chloride exposure combined with a high-fat diet on hepatic steatosis.

Vinyl chloride (VC) is a common industrial organic chlorine and environmental pollutant. In recent years, the dietary structure of residents especially Chinese has gradually shifted to western dietary patterns. VC aggravates dietary fatty acid-induced hepatic steatosis, but its mechanism is still unclear. And if the risk factors for steatosis persist, more severe diseases such as fibrosis and cirrhosis will occur. Therefore, we studied the effects and mechanisms of VC (160 and 800 mg/m3 ) and its metabolite (chloroacetaldehyde, 2.25, 4.5, and 9 µM) on hepatic steatosis of high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice and palmitic acid (PA, 100 µM) treated HepG2 cells. Liver and serum biochemical indicators and pathological staining of the liver showed that the hepatic steatosis of VC combined with HFD groups was more severe than that of single-exposure groups (HFD group, low-dose VC group, and high-dose VC group). Moreover, VC enhanced HFD-induced oxidative stress (OS) and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and further upregulated the expression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP-1) and FAS. Besides, antioxidants and ERS inhibitors reduced the steatosis of HepG2 cells induced by VC metabolites and PA. These results suggest that VC exposure can enhance the degree of hepatic steatosis in HFD-fed mice. VC combined with HFD led to OS and ERS and upregulated the expression of de novo lipogenesis-related proteins, which may be related to the occurrence of hepatic steatosis. And the increased expression of CYP2E1 induced by VC combined with HFD may be the cause of OS.

[Hamilton-Thorne Integrated Visual Optical System â (IVOSâ ) versus IVOS â ¡ for human sperm analysis].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) systems Hamilton-Thorne Integrated Visual Optical System Ⅰ (IVOSⅠ) and IVOS Ⅱ after verifying the performance of the latter so as to ensure the accuracy of the results of analysis. METHODS: Based on the criteria established in the 5th edition of the WHO Laboratory Manual for the Examination and Processing of Human Semen (WHO 5th Ed), we compared the main semen parameters obtained from IVOSⅠ with those generated by IVOS Ⅱ, and examined the consistency between the results of the two sperm analyzers. RESULTS: The linear relationship of the outlier test, bias estimation and scatter plot and the results of the outlier test of the two systems all met the requirements of comparison analysis and showed an obvious correlativity. The application scope of the results obtained from the apparatus indicated a reasonable value range, with r = 0.988 for sperm concentration, r = 0.975 for sperm progressive motility (PR), and r = 0.981 for total sperm motility. Evaluation of the acceptability of the predicted bias showed that the allowable total error (TEa) to be 6.67% with sperm concentration at 12 × 106 /ml and 2.34% with PR < 31%, their upper limit of the allowable error < 1/2. The results of IVOS Ⅱ conformed to the requirements of the WHO 5th Ed. CONCLUSIONS: The main parameters derived from IVOSⅠ and IVOS Ⅱ are comparable and consistent, indicating that both can be used for the examination of semen samples.

Development of an immunoaffinity chromatography purification and ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method for determination of 12 sulfonamides in beef and milk.

A highly selective and sensitive method was developed for the simultaneous determination of 12 sulfonamides in beef and milk by immunoaffinity chromatography purification coupled to ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). The MS/MS conditions, UPLC mobile phase, injection solution, sample purification process, and matrix effect were studied to optimize the operating conditions. The limits of detection (LODs) of the instrument for the studied sulfonamides ranged from 0.4 to 2.0 µg L(-1), being 1.6-8.0 µg kg(-1) for beef and 1.8-6.4 µg kg(-1) for milk. The standard solution was diluted with blank beef or milk matrix for the construction of calibration curves, which had a linear range from 10 to 200 µg kg(-1) and regression coefficients higher than 0.990 (n=10) for all the studied sulfonamides. Samples spiked at 10, 20, and 100 µg kg(-1) showed recoveries above 70% and relative standard deviations below 10%.

[Cochlear implantation in the ossified cochlear].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the problems and describe clinical experiences associated with multichannel cochlear implantation in patients with cochlear ossification. METHODS: Seven cochlear implant cases with bilateral cochlear ossification from 1996 to 2006 in Beijing Tongren Hospital were retrospectively reviewed, 4 of which were the consequence of meningitis. Three patients' cochlear were completely ossified, 1 patient's tympanic scala was completely ossified, 1 patient's cochlear was partially ossified, and 2 patients' cochlear were partially fibrotic. This article addressed the components of the preoperative evaluation, surgical decision-making, and specific techniques for cochlear implant array insertion in all kinds of ossified cochlea. RESULTS: Gusher was found in 1 case but less serious than that with inner ear malformations. The electrodes were inserted in the cochleostomy in full length in 4 cases, 1 case gave up, and the cochlear implant array were partially inserted in the remains. No serious complications occurred after implantation. All patients had auditory sensations. The impedance of the electrodes, the T level, C level and the hearing threshold were slightly higher than that of the normal cochlear implantation. CONCLUSIONS: The key influencing factor of ossified cochlear patients were the degree of the disease and whether the electrode implanted completely or not. So, the profound sensorineural hearing loss patients after meningitis should be paid more attention. Patients with ossified cochlear could be benefit from cochlear implantation.

[Outcome of cochlear implantation in prelingual pediatric auditory neuropathy].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the electrophysiological results and rehabilitation outcome of two prelingually deafened pediatric cochlear implant patients with auditory neuropathy. METHODS: Preoperative audiological evaluation, intra-postoperative electrically evoked auditory brainstem response (EABR) and neural response telemetry (NRT) record for the two cases were conducted in Beijing Tongren Hospital. A one year follow-up was performed. Data collected before and at 6,12-month intervals after implantation were compared with that from control pediatric cochlear implant patients matched for the same duration of implant use as this two cases. RESULTS: The two children implanted had not had any postoperative medical or cochlear implant device complications. Intraoperative EABR and NRT were elicited in case 1 with unrepeatable waveforms. After 12 months of training, Case 1 had shown significant improvements in sound detection, speech perception abilities and communication skills, which was better than the control group, and the electrophysiological results became normal. Case 2 had also benefited from cochlear implantation, even though no recognizable NRT was found until he returned 12 month after the operation. CONTUSIONS: The desynchronization of auditory path had been changed after the electrical stimulation ongoing 12 months for children with auditory neuropathy. The two children had not had any complications postoperatively, and each child had shown improved listening and communication skills. Cochlear implantation could help patients with auditory neuropathy to improve their communication skill and go back to the main stream.

Comparisons between neural response imaging thresholds, electrically evoked auditory reflex thresholds and most comfortable loudness levels in CII bionic ear users with HiResolution sound processing strategies.

CONCLUSIONS: The data collected in this study indicated that first Neural Response Imaging (NRI) thresholds had a better correlation with HiResolution most comfortable loudness (M) levels than tNRI thresholds. Electrically evoked auditory reflex thresholds (EARTs) had a higher correlation with HiResolution M levels than tNRI thresholds and a lower correlation than first NRI thresholds. NRI is a very useful method for programming the cochlear implants of young children who cannot demonstrate a reliable judgment of loudness. OBJECTIVE: To investigate how HiResolution sound processing, designed to deliver high-rate stimuli, relates to EARTs and electrically evoked compound action potential measurements produced by low-rate stimuli. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Nine profoundly hearing-impaired children and adults aged 6-29 years participated in the study. NRI responses were elicited using pulse trains consisting of biphasic pulses at a pulse width per phase of 32 micros delivered at a frequency of 30 Hz using SoundWave programming software. Stimuli were delivered to the odd electrodes (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15) along the array. tNRI (NRI threshold) and first NRI thresholds were recorded for each stimulating electrode. "Speech bursts" stimuli used in EARTs recording were delivered to four electrodes at a time and stapedial reflexes were recorded from the impedance bridge. The M levels used were those used by each patient in their everyday HiResolution programs. RESULTS: For 8 patients (53 stimulating electrodes) the correlation between tNRI threshold and M level was r=0.675 (p=0.000) and that between first NRI thresholds and M level was r=0.741 (p=0.000). On average the M-level value was 20 CU (Current Unit) lower than the first NRI threshold value and 12 CU higher than the tNRI threshold value. The M-level patterns across the electrode array overall were similar to the tNRI or first NRI threshold patterns. For 7 patients (112 stimulating electrodes) the correlation between EART and M levels was r=0.710 (p=0.000). On average the EART value was 14 CU higher than the M-level value.

[Analysis of factors effecting satisfaction of cochlear implants in prelingually deafened adolescents].

OBJECTIVE: By means of investigating how the benefit and the influence factors are for the pre-lingual deaf adolescents who received cochlear implantation (CI) METHODS: A questionnaire survey was conducted among 30 prelingually deaf adolescents-cochlear implant recipients, aged 9 approximately 20, 15 of which began to use hearing aid before the age of 6, and 19 of which had received speech testing after the CI, and their families to understand the degree of satisfaction, anticipation of the outcome. Nine of the 15 patients who began to use hearing aid before the age of 6 communicated by the oral communication/labial reading model (oral group), and 10 of the other 15 patients who had not used hearing aid after the age of 6 mainly communicated by sign language (sign group). RESULTS: The satisfaction score of the group with a hearing aid fitting history was 3.93 +/- 0.88, significantly higher than that of the group without a hearing aid fitting history (3.00 +/- 1.13, P < 0.05). The scores of speech production ability in vowel, consonant, single syllable, disyllable, trisyllable, and short sentence in the groups with and without a hearing aid fitting history were 76%/52%, 64%/45%, 71%/26%, 82%/96%, 68%/12%, and 49%/13% respectively (all P < 0.05), and there was no significant difference in the speech production ability in tone (P > 0.05) between these 2 groups. There were no significant differences in the total satisfaction degree, satisfaction degree in speech sound, and satisfaction degree in environmental sound between the oral group and sign group (all P > 0.05). The scores in vowel, consonant, single syllable, disyllable, trisyllable, short sentence, and tone of the oral and sign group were 74%, 60%, 64%, 61%, 57%, 43%, 27% and 43%, 39%, 26%, 26%, 20%, 6%, 5% respectively (all P > 0.01). The anticipation of the patient and the parents about outcome before implantation was negatively correlated with the satisfaction degree after implantation, (gamma = -0.479, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Cochlear implantation benefits greatly the deaf adolescent; however, it is necessary to establish a specific evaluation system according to recipients' needs.

[Multi-channel cochlear implants in patients with Mondini malformation].

OBJECTIVE: To describe clinical experiences with multi-channel cochlear implantation in patients with Mondini malformation. METHODS: Among 300 patients who received multi-channel cochlear implants from 1996 to 2002 in Beijing Tongren Hospital, 15 patients were diagnosed with Mondini malformation. A retrospective analysis was performed dealing with the surgical techniques, mapping and rehabilitations characteristics after surgery. 15 patients with normal cochlear structure are consider as control group. RESULTS: Gusher is found more common than the normal cochlear implantation, most of them are serious. The electrodes are inserted in the "cochleostomy" in full length of 13 Patients, 2 pairs of electrodes remains outside of "cochleostomy" in 2 patients. No serious complications occurred after implantation. All patients have auditory sensations. The impedance of the electrodes, the T level, C level and the hearing threshold are similar with the normal cochlear implantation group. The results have no significant difference in compare with normal cochlear group(P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Multi-channel cochlear implantation could be performed safely in patients with Mondini malformation. The primary outcome for patients with Mondini malformation are similar to those with normal cochlear structure following the multi-channel cochlear implantation.

[Cochlear implantation in patients with inner ear malformations].

OBJECTIVE: To describe clinical experiences with multi-channel cochlear implantation in patients with bilateral inner ear malformations. METHODS: Among 410 patients who received multi-channel cochlear implantations from 1996 to 2004 in Beijing Tongren Hospital, 82 patients were diagnosed with inner ear malformations and implanted. A retrospective analysis was performed about the surgical characteristics and mapping characteristics after implantation. RESULTS: (1) All patients had auditory sensations. (2) Gusher was more common than the normal cochlear implantation. (3) The electrodes were inserted in the "cochleostomy" in full length of 80 Patients, but 2 pairs of electrodes remained outside of "cochleostomy" in 2 patients. (4) No serious complications occurred after implantation. (5) The impedance of the electrodes, the T level and C level were similar with the normal cochlear implantation. The results had no significant difference in compare with normal cochlear group (P > 0. 05). (6) The abilities of speech discrimination and spoken language were improved through rehabilitation. CONCLUSIONS: The cochlear implantation can be performed safely in inner ear malformations. The outcome of hearing rehabilitation for patients with inner ear malformations are similar to those children with normal cochlear structure followed the multi-channel cochlear implantation.

[Cochlear implants in children with enlargement of vestibular aqueduct].

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical experiences with multi-channel cochlear implantation in the children with enlargement of vestibular aqueduct. METHOD: Fifteen patients were diagnosed with enlargement of vestibular aqueduct and received multi-channel cochlear implantation at Beijing Tongren Hospital. A cochleostomy was performed for all patients by a standard facial recess approach to anterior inferior to the round window niche. RESULTS: (1) Most of the electrodes were totally inserted in the cochlear, and gusher appeared in 6 implantations. (2) No serious complications occurred after implantation. (3) All patients have auditory sensations after implantations. (4) The hearing threshold in this series were similar to that of the normal cochlear implantation (the average threshold was 30 dB). (5) The rehabilitation concept was developed by Rehabilitation Research Center for Deaf Children in Beijing and Beijing Tongren Hospital. The training sessions included sound detection, word discrimination, auditory comprehension and spoken language skill development. The abilities of speech discrimination and spoken language were improved comparing with that of pre-operation. Two of the patients could go to the normal school after implantations. CONCLUSION: The outcome of hearing rehabilitation for children with enlargement of vestibular aqueduct were similar to those children with "normal" cochlear structure followed the multi-channel cochlear implantation.

[Cochlear implantation in patients with inner ear malformations, clinical analysis of 25 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical experience of multi-channel cochlear implantation in patients with bilateral inner ear malformations. METHOD: Multi-channel cochlear implantation was conducted among 180 patients from 1997 to 2001. Twenty-five of them, being with inner ear malformations, were given hearing and speech rehabilitation including sound detection, word discrimination, auditory comprehension and spoken language skill development. A follow-up lasting 4 - 24 months was conducted after the operation. A retrospective analysis was performed among these 25 patients to observe the surgical outcomes and mapping characteristics after surgery. RESULTS: (1) All patients restored their auditory sensations after the operation. (2) Stapedial gusher was found in 13 cases with inner ear malformations, especially those with Mondini malformation, much more frequently than among the patients with other malformations. (3) Most of the action electrodes were inserted in the "cochleostomy" in full length, only 2 pairs of them remained outside of the "cochleostomy". (4) No serious complications occurred after implantation. (5) The impedance of the electrodes, T level and C level were higher in the 25 cases than in the normal cochlear implantation, however, with the hearing similar hearing threshold. (6) After training, the abilities of speech discrimination and spoken language were improved in comparison with those before operation. CONCLUSION: The cochlear implantation can be performed safely in patients with bilateral inner ear malformations. The primary outcome of cochlear implantation in hearing rehabilitation is similar for both the patients with inner ear malformations and those with normal cochlear structure.

[Surgery of ossifying fibroma of the sinuses].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the different surgical choices for treating the ossifying fibroma of the sinuses. To summarize the management and characteristics of each surgical operation. METHODS: A retrospective evaluation of thirty-five patients with ossifying fibroma of the sinuses from August 1994 to July 2001 was presented. RESULTS: Among 22 patients operated by nasal endoscopic management, complete ossifying fibroma removed was achieved in 8 cases, and the majority part of tumor removed in 14 cases. Six patients were operated through a lateral rhinotomy with radical operation in 4 cases. Five ossifying fibromas were removed with a coronal incision. Two cases underwent Caldwell-Luc' surgery. The clinical symptoms, location of ossifying fibroma, and surgical procedures were analyzed. All patients outcomes were successful, no serious complication from the surgical technique occurred. Thirty-three cases were followed-up for 1 to 8 years with an average of three and half years. Fourteen patients had no recurrence, fourteen cases lived with the remains of ossifying fibroma, and five cases recurred. CONCLUSIONS: The choice of surgical operations on ossifying fibroma of the sinuses was mainly decided by the location of ossifying fibroma, in the meanwhile, the organ function, the cosmetology, the surgical degree of difficulty, and the doctor's experience were taken into account.