[Estimating the burden of influenza-associated hospitalization for cases of severe acute respiratory infection, Beijing, 2015]

Objective: To estimate the influenza infection rate among severe acute respiratory infection(SARI) cases and the hospitalization rates of SARI attributable to influenza, based on two sentinel hospital surveillance databases in Beijing, 2015. Methods: Surveillance was conducted at two sentinel hospitals in Beijing in 2015. A total of 1 842 patients who admitted to the sentinel hospitals and met the definition of SARI were enrolled in the study. The respiratory tract specimens of SARI cases were collected, and sent to laboratories within 48 hours for influenza RNA detection. The catchment area of sentinel hospitals was defined by reviewing the home address of inpatients; A total of 1 491 patients were sampled and tested for influenza. The population size of catchment areas was obtained from demographic year book. We investigated the number of pneumonia patients admitted to the sentinel hospitals and other hospitals in catchment areas in 2015, and calculated the proportions of pneumonia patients that were admitted to sentinel hospitals in catchment areas. The catchment population size was calculated using the number of total population of catchment areas multiply by the proportions of pneumonia patients that were admitted at sentinel hospitals. Results: Among 1 491 patients, 13.7% (205 cases) was test positive for influenza viruses, 2 (0.9%) cases positive for influenza A (H1N1), 91 (44.6%) cases influenza A (H3N2), 1 (0.5%) case influenza B/Victoria, 111 (54.0%) cases influenza B/Yamagata. Influenza was associated with an estimated 30 (95%CI:9-51) SARI hospitalizations per 100 000 during 2015. The hospitalization rate was 243 (95%CI: 232-255), 86 (95%CI: 59-112),1(95%CI: 0-5), 8 (95%CI: 0-23) and 92 (95%CI: 16-168) SARI hospitalizations per 100 000 population for<5 years children, 5-14 years children, 15-24 years adult, 25-59 years adult and ≥60 years population, respectively. The hospitalization rate of SARI attributed to influenza A and B was 14 (95%CI:4-17) and 16 (95%CI:0-23) per 100 000 population, respectively. Conclusion: The influenza positive rate among SARI cases was relatively high. The hospitalization burden of SARI attributed to influenza was the greatest in children under 5 year-old.

Inhibition of PSMD4 alters ZP1 ubiquitination state and sperm-oocyte-binding ability in pigs

The aim of this study was to determine how the duration of culture affects the ubiquitination of zona pellucida (ZP) proteins (ZP1, ZP2 and ZP3) during porcine oocyte maturation in vitro. We analysed the changes in ZP protein ubiquitination under three conditions: (i) during oocyte maturation from stage GV to MII; (ii) in oocytes cultured for different periods of time; and (iii) in oocytes treated with an antibody against PSMD4. Our results show that ZP1 and ZP2 are ubiquitinated at the GV stage, while ZP1, ZP2 and ZP3 are ubiquitinated at the MII stage, and band intensities for these proteins were significantly different between the GV and MII stages (p < .05). We also found that ubiquitination occurs in ZP1, ZP2 and ZP3 after cultured for 46, 52, 58 and 64 hr, and that the level of ubiquitinated ZP1 was significantly different in oocytes that were cultured for different time periods. Finally, treatment with an antibody against PSMD4 resulted in a significant decrease in ZP1 ubiquitination (p < .05), without affecting ZP2 or ZP3. The number of attached sperms per oocyte was also significantly different between control and anti-PSMD4-treated groups. Thus, we concluded that ZP1 and ZP2 are ubiquitinated at the GV stage, and ZP1, ZP2 and ZP3 are ubiquitinated at the MII stage. As the duration of culture increases, the ubiquitination levels of ZP proteins decrease. We also found that PSMD4 improves ZP1 ubiquitination during in vitro culture of porcine oocytes and effectively inhibits sperm-oocyte binding.

Excess of dietary montmorillonite impairs growth performance, liver function, and antioxidant capacity in starter pigs

Montmorillonite (MMT) is widely used as a mycotoxin adsorbent in animal feeds, but its safety remains unclear. This study was conducted to investigate the safety of MMT supplementation in diets fed to starter pigs. A total of 120 32-d-old piglets (initial weight, 8.0 ± 0.9 kg) were randomly allotted into dietary treatments with graded MMT levels (0 [FS 0], 0.5% [FS 0.5], 1.0% [FS 1.0], 2.5% [FS 2.5], and 5.0% [FS 5.0]) with 6 replicate pens per treatment and 4 pigs per pen. All diets were fed for 28 d. As the MMT level increased, ADG and G:F changed in a linear and quadratic manner, while ADFI was linearly decreased ( > 0.05). Compared with FS 0, ADG, ADFI, and G:F of pigs in FS 1.0 increased ( < 0.05). However, the ADFI in pigs of FS 5.0 was lower than that in pigs of FS 0 ( < 0.05). The relative liver weight activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) changed in a linear and quadratic manner ( < 0.05). Compared with FS 0, pigs in FS 2.5 and FS 5.0 had a greater serum ALT ( < 0.05), while AST activity significantly increased in pigs of FS 5.0 ( < 0.05). Dietary MMT supplementation decreased serum Mg content in a linear and quadratic manner ( < 0.05), while Zn and Cu contents were linearly decreased ( < 0.05). Serum Zn and Cu contents of pigs in FS 0.5, FS 2.5, and FS 5.0 groups were lower than those in the control. Pigs fed with 2.5% and 5% MMT showed hepatic histopathological changes, including swelling, granular and vesicular degeneration, and apparent vacuolar degeneration. In addition, the content of serum total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) decreased in a linear and quadratic manner ( < 0.05). Compared to the control, 5.0% MMT significantly increased piglets' serum malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration and decreased GSH-PX activity ( < 0.05). T-AOC concentration in the pigs fed 2.5% and 5.0% MMT was lower than that in the control group ( < 0.05). Serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity changed in a quadratic manner ( < 0.05). Piglets in FS 1.0 showed a higher SOD activity when compared with the control ( < 0.05). These results indicate that supplementation of MMT higher than 1.0% can negatively affect liver structure and serum mineral content, and 5.0% MMT supplementation would also decrease feed intake, aggravate liver damage, and reduce the antioxidant capacity of starter pigs. Therefore, excess supplementation of MMT is not safe in starter pigs.

[Human exposure to live poultry among residents during the second wave of avian influenza A (H7N9) epidemic in Beijing, 2013-2014]

Objective: To investigate human exposure to live poultry (poultry feeding and purchasing) in the residents in Beijing and related factors during the second wave of avian influenza A(H7N9) epidemic during 2013-2014, and provide scientific evidence for avian influenza prevention and control. Methods: A total of 7 366 adults aged ≥18 years were selected through multi-stage stratified sampling in Beijing for a questionnaire survey. Logistic regression model was used to analyze the influence factors of human exposure to live poultry. Results: The live poultry feeding rate and live poultry purchasing rate in residents in Beijing in the past year were 5.3% (95%CI: 4.8%-5.8%) and 6.0% (95%CI: 5.5%-6.5%) respectively. Logistic regression analysis indicated that lower educational level of primary school and below, (OR=1.82, 95%CI: 1.22-2.72); being farmer (OR=2.49, 95%CI:1.89-3.29) or being unemployed (OR=1.65, 95%CI: 1.08-2.52); being non local resident (OR=1.54, 95%CI: 1.10-2.16); living in suburban area (OR=2.36, 95%CI: 1.77-3.16); having one child (OR=1.76, 95%CI: 1.42-2.17) or ≥2 children (OR=2.15, 95%CI: 1.43-3.22) in the family were the risk factors associated with feeding poultry compared with higher educational level of college and above, being employed, being local resident, living in urban area and having no child. And being farmer (OR=1.61, 95%CI: 1.27-2.02); being non local resident (OR=1.76, 95%CI: 1.31-2.35); living in suburban area (OR=2.05, 95%CI: 1.61-2.61); having one child (OR=1.24, 95%CI: 1.02-1.52) or ≥2 children (OR=1.78, 95%CI: 1.21-2.63) were the risk factors for purchasing live poultry. Conclusion: Some residents living in Beijing still have exposure to live poultry, and targeted measures should be taken to reduce the exposure to poultry.

Effects of lipid form and source on digestibility of fat and fatty acids in growing pigs

The objective of this study was to compare the effect of source (corn DDGS, rice bran, or soybean) or form of oil (extracted or intact) on apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) and true total tract digestibility (TTTD) of acid-hydrolyzed ether extract (AEE) and fatty acids. The study determined and compared the ATTD or TTTD of AEE and fatty acids in extracted corn oil, rice oil, and soybean oil with intact oil in corn DDGS, full-fat rice bran, and full-fat soybean. Seventy-eight barrows (initial BW = 47.2 ± 3.9 kg; Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire) were allotted to 1 of 13 dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design with 6 barrows in each dietary treatment. The 13 experimental diets included 1 cornstarch-soybean meal basal diet (AEE, 0.56%) and 3 diets containing 6% extracted oils (corn oil, rice oil, and soybean oil) and 9 diets supplemented with 3 levels of corn DDGS (17%, 34%, and 51%), full-fat rice bran (14%, 28%, and 42%), and full-fat soybean (12%, 24%, and 36%). These diets provided about 2%, 4%, and 6% intact oil, respectively. The barrows were housed in individual metabolism crates and were fed the assigned test diets at 4% of initial BW per day. A 5-d total collection of feces followed a 7-d diet adaptation period. The ATTD of AEE were calculated for each diet. The endogenous flow of AEE associated with each ingredient and values for TTTD were calculated using regression methods. The ATTD of AEE were greater ( < 0.05) for extracted oil than for intact oil. Compared to extracted oil, intact oil had lower ( < 0.01) ATTD of palmitic acid (C16:0), stearic acid (C18:0), oleic acid (C18:1), linoleic acid (C18:2), and linolenic acid (C18:3). However, a source by form interaction ( < 0.01) was observed for ATTD of C18:0, C18:2, and C18:3. The ATTD of C18:0, C18:2, and C18:3 in extracted corn and rice oil were greater compared with intact corn DDGS and rice oil ( < 0.05), while there was no significant difference for the ATTD of C18:0, C18:2, and C18:3 between extracted soybean oil and intact oil in full-fat soybean. In conclusion, lipids that are extracted have a greater digestibility compared with intact lipids, and this is especially true regarding saturated fatty acids. The ATTD of AEE in 2 forms of rice oil (intact oil and extracted oil) was less than the values in corn oil and soybean oil. The TTTD of AEE in corn DDGS and full-fat soybeans were greater than in full-fat rice bran.

MIR-92 stimulates VEGF by inhibiting von Hippel-Lindau gene product in epithelial ovarian cancer

The molecular mechanisms underlying regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) remain poorly defined. VEGF, a potent angiogenic factor, is up-regulated in a variety of cancers and contributes to angiogenesis in tumor tissues. The level of VEGF correlates with progression of malignancy. We previously reported that miR-92 is abnormally elevated in the plasma of EOC patients. Here, we tested the hypothesis that miR-92 inhibits von Hippel-Lindau gene product (VHL), a tumor suppressor gene, and in turn de-represses HIF-1α, a known key transcription factor for VEGF, to stimulate VEGF expression. Using a variety of biomedical methods including Western blot, RT-PCR, gene silencing, luciferase assay, and chromatin immunoprecipitation in both surgically-resected specimens and EOC cell culture, we established that EOC cells have elevated levels of HIF-1α and miR-92 expression, but the expression of VHL is reduced. We further demonstrated that miR-92 can target the VHL transcript to repress its expression. We also found that stabilized HIF-1α can form an active complex with transcriptional coactivator p300 and phosphorylated-STAT3 at the VEGF promoter to stimulate its expression. In addition, matrix metalloproteinases MMP-2 and MMP-9 are positively regulated by HIF-1α. These results suggest that miR-92 can potentially be considered as a novel therapeutical target in treatment of EOS.

Diffusion-limited PBPK model for predicting pulmonary pharmacokinetics of florfenicol in pig

For most bacterial lung infections, the concentration of unbound antimicrobial agent in lung interstitial fluid has been thought to be responsible for antimicrobial efficacy. In this study, a diffusion-limited physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model was developed to predict the pulmonary pharmacokinetics of florfenicol (FF) in pigs. The model included separate compartments corresponding to blood, diffusion-limited lung, flow-limited muscle, liver, and kidney and an extra compartment representing the remaining carcass. The absorption rate constant and renal and hepatic clearance of FF were determined in vivo. Other parameters were taken from the literature or optimized based on existing pharmacokinetic data. All mathematical operations during the development of the model were performed using acslXtreme version 3.0.2.1 (Aegis Technologies Group, Inc., Huntsville, AL, USA). The model accurately predicted the concentration-time courses of FF in lung interstitial fluid, serum, and plasma following different dosing schedules, except at the dose of 15 mg/kg. When compared with the tissue residue data, the model generally underestimated the FF concentration at the injection site, whereas it gave good predictions of FF concentrations in lung, liver, and kidney at early time points. The model predictions provide a scientific basis for the dosage regimen design of FF.

[The first confirmed imported case of yellow fever in China]

OBJECTIVE

To describe the epidemiological characteristics of the first confirmed imported case of yellow fever in China.

METHODS

This case was reported through the Infectious Disease Surveillance Program. Information on epidemiology and clinical manifestation of the case was collected through case interview and related medical records. Blood and saliva samples of the case were collected and tested by real-time PCR.

RESULTS

The patient was male, 32 years old, and suffered a sudden onset of fever without other symptoms, on March 8(th), 2016. The patient arrived in Beijing at midnight on March 10(th). Condition of the patient got progressively worsened, with both liver and renal failures, hepatic encephalopathy, multiple organ failures and DIC, finally died on March 16(th). Serum of the case was positive for yellow fever virus by real time PCR. The patient was bit by mosquitoes six days before the onset of fever in Luanda, Angola.

CONCLUSION

This report summarized related information on the first confirmed but imported case of yellow fever in China that was helpful to the management of other imported yellow fever cases in the future.

[Seasonality of clustering of fever and diarrhea in Beijing, 2009-2015]

Objective: To understand the seasonal distribution of the clustering of fever and diarrhea. Methods: Concentration degree and circular distribution methods were used to analyze the seasonal distribution of the clustering of fever and diarrhea in Beijing from 2009 to 2015. The information were collected from the Infectious Disease Surveillance Information System of Beijing. Results: The M values of the clustering of fever and diarrhea were 0.57 and 0.47. Circular distribution results showed that the clustering of fever and diarrhea angle dispersion index R values were 0.57 and 0.46 respectively, the sample average angle of Rayleigh' s test Z values were 414.14, 148.09 respectively (all P<0.01). The clustering of fever and diarrhea had seasonality. The incidence peak of fever was on October 13, and the epidemic period was during August 13-December 14. The incidence peak of diarrhea was on July 31, and the epidemic period was during May 20-October 11. Conclusion: The clustering of fever had obvious seasonality in Beijing, which mainly occurred in autumn and winter. The cluster of diarrhea had certain seasonality, which mainly occurred in summer and autumn.

[Tetrahydrobiopterin improves left ventricular diastolic function possibly through upregulating phosphorylated protein kinase B expression in hypertensive mice induced by deoxycorticosterone acetate]

Objective: To investigate whether tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) could improve left ventricular diastolic function through phosphoinositide-3 kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway in hypertensive mice. Methods: Ten-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were used to establish the deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertensive model, age matched Sham mice serve as the controls. Mice were divided into four groups: Sham(n=20), Sham+ BH4 (n=20), DOCA (n=22), and DOCA+ BH4 (n=22). On the 14 days after surgery, mice in Sham+ BH4 and DOCA+ BH4 groups received BH4 (0.1 ml/10 g) supplement for 7 days, while mice in Sham and DOCA groups were given equal volume of normal saline.The blood pressure measurements were performed 7 days later.Hemodynamic and echocardiographic parameters were used to assess left ventricular functions.High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis was used to measure cardiac biopterins BH4 and BH2.The phosphorylated phospholamban (p-PLB) was detected by immunohistochemical staining. PI3K, Akt and phosphorylated Akt were assayed with Western blot analysis. Results: (1) The systolic and diastolic blood pressure of DOCA group were significantly higher than control group (P<0.05). Compared with DOCA group, the systolic blood pressure was lower in DOCA+ BH4 mice (P=0.027). Diastolic blood pressure was similar between the groups. (2) Compared with Sham group, the left ventricular diastolic function indexes such as mitral annulus velocity (E') and E'/A'ratio were significantly lower, while the E/ E'ratio was significantly higher(P<0.05)in DOCA mice. The E/ E'ratio of DOCA+ BH4 group was significantly lower than that of DOCA group (P<0.05). Compared with Sham group, the left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), left ventricular end-diastolic pressure volumetric coefficient (EDPVR) and left ventricular relaxation time constant Tau index were significantly higher in DOCA mice (P=0.002, 0.011 and 0.016, respectively). The EDPVR and Tau index were significantly lower in DOCA+ BH4 group than in DOCA group (P<0.05). (3) Compared with Sham group, the myocardial contents of BH4 and BH2 were significantly lower in DOCA mice (P<0.05). The BH4 levels and BH4/BH2 ratio were significantly higher in Sham+ BH4 and DOCA+ BH4 groups than in the DOCA group (P<0.05), but the BH2 levels were similar between groups. (4) The cGMP content, SOD activity and NO content in the left ventricular myocardial tissue were significantly lower (P<0.05), while the MDA content was significantly higher in DOCA mice than in Sham mice.The NO content and SOD activity in DOCA+ BH4 groups were significantly higher than in the DOCA group (P<0.05). (5) Compared with DOCA group, the expression of p-PLB was significantly higher in Sham mice and lower in DOCA+ BH4 mice (P<0.05). (6) The expression of PI3K, Akt and p-Akt (Ser473 and Thr308) in DOCA mice were significantly lower than in Sham group (P<0.05). The expression of PI3K, Akt and p-Akt (Ser473) was significantly higher in DOCA+ BH4 group than in DOCA group (P<0.05). p-Akt (Thr308) expression was similar between DOCA + BH4 group and DOCA group (all P>0.05). Conclusion: Our results suggest that BH4 could improve left ventricular diastolic function in hypertensive mice, this effect might be mediated by reducing the oxidative stress in ventricular myocardium through modlating the expression of Akt and PLB phosphorylation.

[The effects of β-elemene on rabbit VX2 laryngeal carcinoma and factors associated with tumor growth and metastasis]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the inhibition effect of β-elemene on the growth and metastasis of laryngeal carcinoma and the underlying mechanism.

METHODS

Sixty-six rabbits were vaccinated with suspension of VX2 cancer tissues to establish a rabbit laryngeal carcinoma model and then they were randomly treated with the injection of 0.9% sodium chloride solution (as a control), cisplatin, or β-elemene from the seventh day after vaccination. The rabbits were sacrificed three weeks after vaccination. The laryngeal tumor was dissected. and the volume of tumor and the inhibitory rate of tumor growth were measured. The expressions of PCNA (proliferation cell nuclear antigen), Bcl-2 (B-cell lymphoma-2) and VEGF-D (vascular endothelial growth factor D) in tumor were semiquantitatively examined by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

The inhibition rates of tumor growth in β-elemene-treated group and the cisplatin-treated group were 48.5% and 51.4%, respectively. The expressions of Bcl-2 in β-elemene-treated group and cisplatin-treated group were significantly lower than the control (P<0.05), but with no significant difference between β-elemene-treated group and cisplatin-treated group. The expression of PCNA in β-elemene-treated group was significantly decreased compared to control group (P<0.05). The expression of VEGF-D in β-elemene-treated group was lower than that in control group or the cisplatin-treated group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

β-elemene can inhibit the growth of rabbit VX2 laryngeal tumor, which may be associated with the inhibition of factors related to tumor growth and metastasis.

[Bioinformatics analysis on molecular mechanism of ribavirin and interferon-α in treating MERS-CoV]

OBJECTIVE

To study the molecular mechanism of ribavirin and interferon-α in the treatment of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) by bio-informatic methods.

METHODS

MERS-CoV-related microarray data was searched from Array Express database and analyzed by Agilent GeneSpring GX software. Target genes of ribavirin and interferon-α were acquired from Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD). PANTHER TOOL and DAVID platform were used for the analysis of GO and Pathway.

RESULTS

One set of MERS-CoV related microarray data and 27 target genes of ribavirin and interferon-α were acquired from the online databases. Data on Genes from microarray were divided into two time-related gene clusters by using the Unsupervised Hierarchical Clustering. Data from the GO analysis indicated that the target genes of ribavirin and interferon-α as well as the genes from the microarray were mainly enriched in 10 biological processes, including cellular process, metabolic process, immune system process and biological regulation, et al. Data on drug target genes, first and second cluster of microarray would involve 9, 3 and 23 signaling pathways respectively, and only the former two showed 7 common pathways, which were related to pathogen recognition, cytokine release and autoimmune response.

CONCLUSION

Ribavirin in combination with interferon-α might have therapeutic effects on MERS patients through several signaling pathways. Genes in the second cluster might serve as target genes to be used for screening of new drugs in treating the MERS-CoV infection.

Overexpression of soybean R2R3-MYB transcription factor, GmMYB12B2, and tolerance to UV radiation and salt stress in transgenic Arabidopsis

MYB, v-myb avian myeloblastosis viral oncogene homolog, proteins play central roles in plant stress response. Previously, we identified a novel R2R3-MYB transcription factor, GmMYB12B2, which affected the expression levels of some key enzyme genes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis in transgenic Arabidopsis. In the present study, we analyzed the expression levels of GmMYB12B2 under salt, low temperature, drought, abscisic acid (ABA), and ultraviolet (UV) radiation treatments in soybean using semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The expression of GmMYB12B2 was drastically induced by UV irradiation and salt treatment, but no response was detected under low temperature, drought, and ABA stresses. A detailed characterization of the GmMYB12B2 overexpression lines revealed that GmMYB12B2 might be involved in response of plants to UV radiation and salt stresses. Transgenic Arabidopsis lines constitutively expressing GmMYB12B2 showed an increased tolerance to salt and UV radiation treatment compared with wild-type plants. The expression levels of certain salt stress-responsive genes, such as DREB2A and RD17, were found to be elevated in the transgenic plants. These results indicate that GmMYB12B2 acts as a regulator in the plant stress response.

Pioglitazone up-regulates long non-coding RNA MEG3 to protect endothelial progenitor cells via increasing HDAC7 expression in metabolic syndrome

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) maternally expressed 3 (MEG3) is expressed in endothelial cells and involved in angiogenesis and vascular function. It was proposed that MEG3 participates in the process of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) functions in metabolic syndrome (MetS). In this study, the circulating EPCs number and function were decreased in MetS subjects. The MEG3 expression was expressed at a lower level and microRNA-140-5p (miR-140-5p) was expressed at a higher level in circulating EPCs of subjects with MetS. Pioglitazone reversed the alterations of EPCs function and the expression levels of MEG3 and miR-140-5p in EPCs. In bone marrow-derived EPCs exposed to palmitate, down-regulation of miR-140-5p canceled the increase of MEG3 expression level induced by Pioglitazone. Overexpression of MEG3 resulted in the down-regulation of miR-140-5p. The luciferase reporter assay and RIP assay showed that MEG3 targeted miR-140-5p. In addition, the HDAC7 expression levels were regulated by miR-140-5p and MEG3. These findings demonstrated that Pioglitazone up-regulated MEG3 expression to protect EPCs via decreasing miR-140-5p expression and increasing HDAC7 expression in MetS, which may be a novel therapeutic target for preventing and treating MetS.

Correlation between serum YKL-40 levels and albuminuria in type 2 diabetes

We explored the correlation between serum YKL-40 levels and albuminuria in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its clinical significance. This study used a cross-sectional survey method. According to the American Diabetes Association 2007 Clinical Practice Recommendations, 738 patients with T2DM were divided into three groups: a normoalbuminuria group [albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) <30 μg/mg, N = 360], a microalbuminuria group (ACR 30-300 μg/mg, N = 246), and a macroalbuminuria group (ACR ≥ 300 μg/mg, N = 332). The serum YKL-40 levels were determined by a quantitative sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in all the cases and in 210 control subjects. Serum YKL-40 levels were significantly higher in the T2DM group vs the control group (P < 0.05), the macroalbuminuria group vs the microalbuminuria group (P < 0.05), and the microalbuminuria group vs the normoalbuminuria group (P < 0.05). Serum YKL-40 levels correlated with ACR in all participants. Significant correlation of YKL-40 was found with ACR, 2-h plasma glucose, glycated hemoglobin, fasting blood glucose, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance index, systolic blood pressure, duration, diastolic blood pressure, age, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r-values: 0.713, 0.524, 0.515, 0.467, 0.438, 0.409, 0.407, 0.374, 0.112, 0.097, and -0.123, respectively). ACR correlated with serum YKL-40 levels (Beta = 0.555, P < 0.001). YKL-40 may be involved in the occurrence and development of diabetic nephropathy and would be useful as a new marker for the disease.

The role of mutations and overexpression of the fibroblast growth factor receptor-3 in bladder cancer

Bladder cancer (BC) is the seventh most common cancer worldwide. Throughout the last decade, several studies demonstrated that the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signalling is altered in a significant proportion of patients with BC. FGF receptor (FGFR) 3 may thus serve as a promising biomarker for BC. Mutations of this gene are prevalent in BC (e.g., found in 74% of non-invasive papillary tumours), suggesting that FGFR3 status is an important event in BC. The aim of this review was to overview the outcomes of different mutations in FGFR3 receptor in the context of BC. We first described FGFR3 receptor and continue with mutations of FGFR3 gene, including activating mutations and overexpression of this gene. Finally, we addressed the clinical relevance of mutated FGFR3 gene.

Molecular cloning and activity analysis of a seed-specific FAD2-1B gene promoter from Glycine max

Microsomal omega-6 fatty acid desaturase (FAD2-1B) is an enzyme that regulates the polyunsaturated fatty acid content in soybeans (Glycine max). In this study, the FAD2-1B gene was determined to be highly expressed in soybean seeds using quantitative real-time PCR(qRT-PCR). To investigate the expression pattern and activity of the FAD2-1B promoter, a 1929 bp 5'-upstream genomic DNA fragment, named PF, was isolated according to the soybean genomic sequence. Sequence analysis revealed the presence of many motifs related to seed-specific promoters in the PF fragment, such as E-box, SEF4, Skn-1 motif, AACACA, AATAAA and so on. Tobacco transgenics carrying the gus reporter gene driven by the PF and/or 35S promoters were confirmed by PCR and RT-PCR. qRT-PCR and histochemical GUS assays showed that the PF promoter could regulate gus gene accumulation in seeds and the expression level was higher than in other organs. In the meantime, it exhibited similar activity to the 35S promoter in seeds, which could be associated with seed-related cis-elements found in the 1-248 bp, 451-932 bp, and 1627-1803 bp regions of the promoter.

Flavivirus Entry Inhibitors

Many flaviviruses are significant human pathogens that are transmitted by mosquitoes and ticks. Although effective vaccines are available for yellow fever virus, Japanese encephalitic virus, and tick-borne encephalitis virus, these and other flaviviruses still cause thousands of human deaths and millions of illnesses each year. No clinically approved antiviral therapy is available for flavivirus treatment. To meet this unmet medical need, industry and academia have taken multiple approaches to develop antiflavivirus therapy, among which targeting viral entry has been actively pursued in the past decade. Here we review the current knowledge of flavivirus entry and its use for small molecule drug discovery. Inhibitors of two major steps of flaviviral entry have been reported: (i) molecules that block virus-receptor interaction; (ii) compounds that prevent conformational change of viral envelope protein during virus-host membrane fusion. We also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of targeting viral entry for treatment of flavivirus infection as compared to targeting viral replication proteins.

Development of a stable Gaussia luciferase enterovirus 71 reporter virus

We report a stable Gaussia luciferase enterovirus 71 (Gluc-EV71) reporter virus to facilitate drug discovery. The Gluc-EV71 reporter virus was generated by engineering the Gaussia luciferase (Gluc) gene between the 5' untranslated region and VP4 gene of the EV71 genome. We could recover Gluc-EV71 after transfection of Vero cells with the cDNA clone-derived RNA. The reporter virus efficiently infects and replicates in various cell types (Vero, human rhabdomyosarcoma, and HeLa cells), producing robust luciferase activity. The Gluc-EV71 virus replicates slower than the wild-type virus in cell culture. The reporter virus is stable in maintaining the Gluc gene after five rounds of continuous passaging in Vero cells. Using known EV71 inhibitors, we demonstrate that the reporter virus can be used for antiviral testing. However, the Gluc-EV71 infection assay cannot be adapted to a homogenous format for high throughput screen, mainly due to the secreted nature of the Gluc protein and the short half-life of the Gluc luminescence signal. The Gluc-EV71 and its infection assay could be useful for antiviral drug discovery as well as for studying EV71 replication and pathogenesis.