Search

Swine are the main host of the H1N1 swine influenza virus (SIV), however, H1N1 can also infect humans and occasionally cause serious respiratory disease. To trace the evolution of the SIV in Guangdong, China, we performed an epidemic investigation during the period of 2016–2017. Nine H1N1 influenza viruses were isolated from swine nasal swabs. Antigenic analysis revealed that these viruses belonged to two distinct antigenic groups, represented by A/Swine/Guangdong/101/2016 and A/Swine/Guangdong/52/2017. Additionally, three genotypes, known as GD52/17-like, GD493/17-like and GD101/16-like, were identified by phylogenetic analysis. Importantly, the genotypes including a minimum of 4 pdm/09-origin internal genes have become prevalent in China in recent years. A total of 2966 swine serum samples were used to perform hemagglutination inhibition (HI) tests, and the results showed that the seroprevalence values of SW/GD/101/16 (32.2% in 2016, 32.1% in 2017) were significantly higher than the seroprevalence values of SW/GD/52/17 (18.0% in 2016, 16.7% in 2017). Our study showed that the three reassortant genotypes of H1N1 SIV currently circulating in China are stable, but H1N1pdm09 poses challenges to human health by the introduction of internal genes into these reassortant genotypes. Strengthening SIV surveillance is therefore critical for SIV control and minimizing its potential threat to public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: To investigate the associations of genetic polymorphisms in GSTs genes of the Hakka population of south China with family histories of certain chronic diseases. Methods: Five hundred and thirty-nine healthy Hakka natives of Meizhou city of Guangdong province in south China were involved. The genotypes of GSTM1, GSTT1, GSTP1, GSTM3, and GSTA1 were determined using PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. The observed polymorphisms were analyzed by Chi-square and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium tests. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the associations of the distributions of GST genotypes with family history of certain chronic diseases. Results: The distributions of polymorphisms in GSTP1, GSTM3, and GSTA1 conformed to the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Compared to the Cantonese, the Hakka had a lower distribution of the GSTM3 deletion genotype (3.15% vs. 11.9%). A weak association was observed between the GSTM1 genetic polymorphism and family history of hypertension. Alcohol drinkers had a higher frequency of the null-GSTM1 genotype, while smokers had a higher frequency of a variant GSTP1 genotype. Conclusion: The results suggest that the Hakka is a special and distinctive Han Chinese ethnic group with different GSTs genetic polymorphisms. Smoking and drinking might be related to the distribution of GST genotypes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background LINC00152, a novel long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), was identified as an oncogene involved various cancers. This study was designed to explore the clinical significance and prognosis role of LINC00152. Methods Eligible studies were recruited by a systematic search in PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase up to August 23, 2017. Odds ratios (ORs), hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were pooled using Review Manager 5.3 and STATA 12.0. Result A total of 10 studies with 913 patients were included to evaluate the association between LINC00152 expression and clinicopathological factors, overall survival (OS) and disease-free survivals (DFS). The results indicated that the expression level of LINC00152 was positively correlated with tumor size (OR = 5.19, 95% CI: 2.33–11.52, p  < .0001), TNM stage (OR = 3.12, 95% CI: 1.77–5.51, p  < .0001) and lymph node metastasis (OR = 3.41, 95% CI: 2.13–5.48, p  < .00001). Moreover, elevated LINC00152 could predict unfavorable OS with pooled HR of 1.66 (95% CI: 1.29–2.13, p  < .0001) and poor DFS (HR = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.39–3.25, p  = .0005) in cancer patients. Conclusion LINC00152 was correlated with advanced clinicopathological features and poor prognosis as a novel predictive biomarker in various cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The decline in vascular capacity within the meniscus is a well-documented phenomenon during both development and degeneration. Maintaining vascular integrity has been proposed as a potential therapeutic strategy for osteoarthritis. Therefore, our study aims to investigate the characteristics of endothelial cells and blood vessels in embryonic and degenerated meniscus tissues. Human embryonic and mature menisci were used for histological analyses. Single-cell RNA sequencing was used to identify cell clusters and their significant genes in embryo meniscus to uncover characteristic of endothelial cells. Computer analysis and various staining techniques were used to characterize vessels in development and osteoarthritis meniscus. Vessels structure first observed in E12w and increasing in E14w. Vessels were veins majorly and arteries growth in E35w. Endothelial cells located not only perivascular but also in the surface of meniscus. The expression of DLL1 was observed to be significantly altered in endothelial cells within the vascular network that failed to form. Meniscus tissues affected by osteoarthritis, characterized by diminished vascular capacity, displayed reduced levels of DLL1 expression. Experiment in vitro confirmed DLL1/NOTCH1 be vital to angiogenesis. Lack of DLL1/NOTCH1 signaling pathway was mechanism of vascular declination in development and degenerated meniscus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We identify a natural Ser-Leu substitution in the HA cleavage site of EA H1N2 virus. • Ser-Leu substitution at the P2 position reduces viral replication and HA cleavage. • Ser-Leu also affects survival rates in mice infected with reassortant viruses. • This amino acid change may be valuable for influenza vaccine development. Swine influenza viruses not only constitute a potential economic problem for livestock, but also pose a substantial threat to human health. Mutation in the proteolytic cleavage site of hemagglutinin (HA) is recognized as an essential factor of tissue tropism and viral pathogenicity. However, the molecular properties of the cleavage site of Eurasian avian-like swine (EA) H1N2 virus remain largely unknown. In this study, we found a serine-leucine (Ser-Leu) substitution at the P2 position of the HA cleavage site (S328 L) in naturally occurring EA H1N2 virus. To study the effect of this substitution, we used reverse genetics to generate recombinant wild-type and mutant viruses containing a single amino acid mutation at the P2 position in A/swine/Guangdong/YJ28/2014 (YJ28) or A/swine/Guangdong/DG2/2015 (DG2) background. In vitro experiments showed that the Ser-Leu substitution at the P2 position attenuated the viral replication and HA cleavage efficiency. In vivo analyses revealed that, while all mice inoculated with r/DG2-S328 L or r/YJ28 viruses survived, the survival rates of r/DG2- and r/YJ28-L328S-inoculated animals were 20 % and 40 %, respectively. Furthermore, the Ser-Leu substitution at the P2 position attenuated the replication in nasal turbinate and lungs. In summary, this amino acid change may be useful to understand the molecular properties of the cleavage site and be valuable for vaccine development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnesium and Mg-based alloys are promising biomaterials for orthopedic implants because of their degradability, osteogenic effects, and biocompatibility. However, the drawbacks of these materials include high hydrogen gas production, unexpected corrosion resistance, and insufficient mechanical strength duration. Surface modification can protect these biomaterials and induce osteogenesis. In this work, a SrHPO 4 coating was developed for our patented biodegradable Mg–Nd–Zn–Zr alloy (abbr. JDBM) through a chemical deposition method. The coating was characterized by in vitro immersion, ion release, and cytotoxicity tests, which showed a slower corrosion behavior and excellent cell viability. RNA sequencing of MC3T3E1 cells treated with SrHPO 4 -coated JDBM ion release test extract showed increased Tlr4 , followed by the activation of the downstream PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, causing proliferation and growth of pre-osteoblasts. An intramedullary nail (IMN) was implanted in a femoral fracture rat model. Mechanical test, radiological and histological analysis suggested that SrHPO 4 -coated JDBM has superior mechanical properties, induces more bone formation, and decreases the degradation rate compared with uncoated JDBM and the administration of TLR4 inhibitor attenuated the new bone formation for fracture healing. SrHPO 4 is a promising coating for JDBM implants, particularly for long-bone fractures. • SrHPO 4 reduces the in vivo corrosion rate of Mg–Nd–Zn–Zr implants. • Release of Sr2+ and Mg2+ ions induces a biochemical response in rat femur fracture model. • Osteogenic response is stimulated by the TLR4/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. • Improved mechanical stability and osteogenic induction enhances fracture healing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]