Emergence of a new GII.17 norovirus variant in patients with acute gastroenteritis in Jiangsu, China, September 2014 to March 2015

From September 2014 to March 2015, 23 outbreaks of norovirus (NoV) acute gastroenteritis occurred in Jiangsu, China. Partial sequencing of the NoV capsid gene suggested that 16 of the 23 outbreaks were related to a new GII.17 variant. This variant was first detected in sporadic specimens in October 2014, and became predominant in February 2015. Analysis of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), and complete capsid including the protruding domain P2 sequences confirmed this GII.17 variant as distinct from previously identified GII variants.

Two cases of transplant renal artery thrombosis and spontaneous rupture caused by mucormycosis

Mucormycosis is an uncommon infectious complication after renal transplantation and is associated with fatal outcomes. We report 2 cases of transplant renal artery thrombosis and spontaneous rupture caused by mucormycosis. As stenosis, thrombosis, and spontaneous rupture of the transplant renal artery began to occur in both cases after renal transplantation, nephrectomy of the transplanted kidney was performed. Postoperative pathological findings in the transplanted kidney revealed an invasive mucormycosis infection in the renal artery. One patient survived, but the other patient died. This report also presents the diagnosis and treatment processes used for this transplant complication.

Transcriptome analysis of Arabidopsis seedlings responses to high concentrations of glucose

Sugars acting as fuel energy or as signaling molecules play important roles in plant growth and development. Although sugars associated with early seedling development have been analyzed in detail, few studies have examined the effect of sugar on genome-wide gene transcription. To analyze the role of glucose on the genomic level, we examined the response of seedlings to 5% glucose using RNA-seq technology. High concentrations of glucose significately altered the expression of 863 genes, with 558 upregulated and 305 downregulated genes by more than 2-fold. A large number of genes affected by glucose were involved in metabolic processes and signaling. Transcript levels for many kinases and calcium signals were downregulated. Most transcription factors identified were also involved in glucose signaling. Moreover, many genes related to the auxin, gibberellin, and abscisic acid responses were upregulated or downregulated. Additionally, the K(+), Ca(2+), SO3(-), NO3(-), PO4(3-), amino acid, and sugar transporters were also upregulated or downregulated. These results provide a basic understanding of the glucose-mediated molecular mechanisms in the regulation of early seedling development.

Rodent auditory perception: Critical band limitations and plasticity

What do animals hear? While it remains challenging to adequately assess sensory perception in animal models, it is important to determine perceptual abilities in model systems to understand how physiological processes and plasticity relate to perception, learning, and cognition. Here we discuss hearing in rodents, reviewing previous and recent behavioral experiments querying acoustic perception in rats and mice, and examining the relation between behavioral data and electrophysiological recordings from the central auditory system. We focus on measurements of critical bands, which are psychoacoustic phenomena that seem to have a neural basis in the functional organization of the cochlea and the inferior colliculus. We then discuss how behavioral training, brain stimulation, and neuropathology impact auditory processing and perception.

Collagen-Induced Arthritis: A model for Murine Autoimmune Arthritis

Collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) is a common autoimmune animal model used to study rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The development of CIA involves infiltration of macrophages and neutrophils into the joint, as well as T and B cell responses to type II collagen. In murine CIA, genetically susceptible mice (DBA/1J) are immunized with a type II bovine collagen emulsion in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA), and receive a boost of type II bovine collagen in incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA) 21 days after the first injection. These mice typically develop disease 26 to 35 days after the initial injection. C57BL/6J mice are resistant to arthritis induced by type II bovine collagen, but can develop arthritis when immunized with type II chicken collagen in CFA, and receive a boost of type II chicken collagen in IFA 21 days after the first injection. The concentration of heat-killed Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37RA (MT) in CFA also differs for each strain. DBA/1J mice develop arthritis with 1 mg/ml MT, while C57BL/6J mice require and 3-4 mg/ml MT in order to develop arthritis. CIA develops slowly in C57BL/6J mice and cases of arthritis are mild when compared to DBA/1J mice. This protocol describes immunization of DBA/1J mice with type II bovine collagen and the immunization of C57BL/6J mice with type II chicken collagen.

Polymorphisms of inflammation-related genes and colorectal cancer risk: a population-based case-control study in China

The previous studies found that chronic inflammation related to an increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). This study aims to explore the associations of polymorphisms in inflammation-related genes (IL10, IL10RA, IL6R, TNFRSF1A, TNFRSF1B, LTA and IL4) and their interactions with the risk of colorectal cancer among Chinese population. A population-based case-control study including 299 cases and 296 controls was conducted from January 2001 to December 2009. Multivariate unconditional logistic regression was used to analyse the association of nine SNPs in inflammation-related genes with the risk of CRC, colon cancer and rectal cancer, respectively. Generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction (GMDR) was implemented to explore the gene-gene interactions among all SNPs on CRC. A decreased risk of colorectal cancer in subjects with rs1800872 AC genotype of IL10 (OR = 0.643, 95%CI = 0.453, 0.912) or AC/CC genotype (OR = 0.636, 95%CI = 0.457, 0.885) was observed, compared with those with AA genotype. Meanwhile, similar associations were observed between rs1800872 and rectal cancer. Additionally, in rs1061624 of TNFRSF1B gene, AG genotype (OR=0.566; 95% CI= 0.362, 0.885) and AG/GG genotype (OR=0.638; 95% CI=0.420, 0.971) were significantly associated with a decreased risk of rectal cancer, respectively. Our findings indicated that mutants in IL10 and TNFRSF1B genes may change the CRC risk. However, there is no interaction between inflammation-related genes on CRC risk.

Different expression of miRNAs in early esophageal squamous cell carcinoma with differential prognosis

Patients at the same pathological stage of early esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) have significantly different prognoses. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between specific microRNAs (miRNAs) in two groups of early ESCC patients who had different prognoses at the pT1N0 stage, and to study the prognostic significance of different miRNAs in early ESCC metastasis. We tried to identify prognostic markers that may be helpful in the selection of appropriate treatment for patients with early ESCC. We used TaqMan Human miRNA Arrays to detect and analyze bioinformatically the expression profiles of miRNAs in two groups, and the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction method to verify the differences in miRNA expression. The miRNA arrays revealed a total of 29 markedly downregulated miRNAs in the survival group compared with the deceased group. Such miRNAs were associated with lympho-vascular invasion and metastasis, and acted as predictive markers of lympho-vascular invasion and metastasis. The detection of these miRNAs forms an important basis for the treatment of early ESCC. It can also help determine those patients with early ESCC who are good candidates for endoscopic resection treatment and those who need additional treatment after endoscopic resection.

Epidemiological link between exposure to poultry and all influenza A(H7N9) confirmed cases in Huzhou city, China, March to May 2013

We analysed the association between influenza A(H7N9) confirmed cases and exposure to poultry in Huzhou city, China. All cases (n=12) had a history of direct exposure to poultry or live poultry markets. We detected A(H7N9)-positive poultry samples from each site that was epidemiologically associated with cases. None of the cases’ close contacts tested positive. After closure of the markets, no new cases were identified, suggesting an epidemiological link between poultry exposure and A(H7N9) virus infection.

Epidemiological link between exposure to poultry and all influenza A(H7N9) confirmed cases in Huzhou city, China, March to May 2013

Binary file ES_Abstracts_Final_ECDC.txt matches

Morphologic characteristics of atherosclerotic middle cerebral arteries on 3T high-resolution MRI

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

There are limited studies on the morphologic characteristics of MCA atherosclerotic stenosis. Our aim was to quantitatively assess the remodeling pattern and plaque distribution of atherosclerotic MCAs with 3T high-resolution MR imaging.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eighty-seven consecutive patients with symptomatic atherosclerotic stenoses at the M1 segment of the MCA on DSA (50%-99%) were enrolled. The remodeling index was calculated as the Vessel Area at Maximal Lumen Narrowing/Reference Vessel Area. A remodeling index ≥ 1.0 was defined as positive remodeling, and a remodeling index < 1.0, as negative remodeling. Plaque distribution at the maximal lumen narrowing site was classified on the basis of the involvement of the superior, inferior, dorsal, or ventral MCA wall.

RESULTS

Forty-three of 87 patients were excluded due to poor imaging quality (n = 8) or scan plane obliquity secondary to a tortuous M1 segment of the MCA or an MCA ostium lesion or angled lesion (n = 35). Of 44 patients in the final analysis, negative remodeling was found in 19 (43.2%) lesions, and positive remodeling, in 25 (56.8%) lesions. At maximal lumen narrowing sites, lesions with negative remodeling had less vessel area, wall area, and percentage of plaque burden (P < .0001) and a lower eccentricity index (P = .023), compared with lesions with positive remodeling. The plaque involved the superior and dorsal walls in 15 (34.1%) of 44 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

2D high-resolution MR imaging can help assess the remodeling pattern and plaque distribution of MCA stenosis, but the imaging and postprocessing protocol for remodeling assessment needs to be improved in the tortuous course of the MCA and in MCA ostium or angled lesions.

Capsaicin regulates the NF-κB pathway in salivary gland inflammation

Salivary gland epithelial cells (SGEC) release several cytokines that play important roles in the inflammatory process. In this study, we examined whether capsaicin can modulate cytokine release in SGEC. After cells were stimulated with polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid [poly(I:C)] or lipopolysaccharide (LPS), mRNA transcript and protein levels were detected by reverse-transcriptase-polymerase chain-reaction (RT-PCR), real-time PCR, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). These findings demonstrated that the increases in TNFα and IL-6 mRNA transcripts were highest at 3 hrs and 1 hr after incubation with poly(I:C) and LPS, respectively. Pre-treatment of the cells with 10 μµ capsaicin, however, significantly inhibited mRNA transcripts and its protein levels. The simultaneous application of 10 μµ capsazepine with capsaicin did not block the inhibitory effect of capsaicin. Furthermore, the inhibitory effect of capsaicin was also shown in primary cultured cells from TRPV1(-/-) mice. We found that both poly(I:C) and LPS induced IκB-α degradation and phosphorylation, which resulted in NF-κB activation, and capsaicin inhibited this NF-κB pathway. These results demonstrate that SGEC release pro-inflammatory cytokines mediated by TLR, and capsaicin inhibits this process through the NF-κB pathway. This study suggests that capsaicin could potentially alleviate inflammation in salivary glands.

Inhibition of 12/15-lipoxygenase by baicalein induces microglia PPARβ/δ: a potential therapeutic role for CNS autoimmune disease

12/15-Lipoxygenase (12/15-LO) is an enzyme that converts polyunsaturated fatty acids into bioactive lipid derivatives. In this study, we showed that inhibition of 12/15-LO by baicalein (BA) significantly attenuated clinical severity of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS). Inhibited migration of autoimmune T cells into the central nervous system (CNS) by BA treatment could be attributed to reduced activation of microglia, which was indicated by suppressed phagocytosis, and decreased production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in the CNS. We further observed that inhibition of 12/15-LO with BA led to increased expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)β/δ in microglia of EAE mice. This was confirmed in vitro in primary microglia and a microglia cell line, BV2. In addition, we demonstrated that BA did not affect 12/15-LO or 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) expression in microglia, but significantly decreased 12/15-LO products without influencing the levels of 5-LO metabolites. Moreover, among these compounds only 12/15-LO metabolite 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid was able to reverse BA-mediated upregulation of PPARβ/δ in BV2 cells. We also showed that inhibition of microglia activation by PPARβ/δ was associated with repressed NF-κB and MAPK activities. Our findings indicate that inhibition of 12/15-LO induces PPARβ/δ, demonstrating important regulatory properties of 12/15-LO in CNS inflammation. This reveals potential therapeutic applications for MS.

Regulation of cytochrome P450 2e1 expression by ethanol: role of oxidative stress-mediated pkc/jnk/sp1 pathway

CYP2E1 metabolizes ethanol leading to production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and acetaldehyde, which are known to cause not only liver damage but also toxicity to other organs. However, the signaling pathways involved in CYP2E1 regulation by ethanol are not clear, especially in extra-hepatic cells. This study was designed to examine the role of CYP2E1 in ethanol-mediated oxidative stress and cytotoxicity, as well as signaling pathways by which ethanol regulates CYP2E1 in extra-hepatic cells. In this study, we used astrocytic and monocytic cell lines, because they are important cells in central nervous system . Our results showed that 100 mM ethanol significantly induced oxidative stress, apoptosis, and cell death at 24 h in the SVGA astrocytic cell line, which was rescued by a CYP2E1 selective inhibitor, diallyl sulfide (DAS), CYP2E1 siRNA, and antioxidants (vitamins C and E). Further, we showed that DAS and vitamin C abrogated ethanol-mediated (50 mℳ) induction of CYP2E1 at 6 h, as well as production of ROS at 2 h, suggesting the role of oxidative stress in ethanol-mediated induction of CYP2E1. We then investigated the role of the protein kinase C/c-Jun N-terminal kinase/specificity protein1 (PKC/JNK/SP1) pathway in oxidative stress-mediated CYP2E1 induction. Our results showed that staurosporine, a non-specific inhibitor of PKC, as well as specific PKCζ inhibitor and PKCζ siRNA, abolished ethanol-induced CYP2E1 expression. In addition, inhibitors of JNK (SP600125) and SP1 (mithramycin A) completely abrogated induction of CYP2E1 by ethanol in SVGA astrocytes. Subsequently, we showed that CYP2E1 is also responsible for ethanol-mediated oxidative stress and apoptotic cell death in U937 monocytic cell lines. Finally, our results showed that PKC/JNK/SP1 pathway is also involved in regulation of CYP2E1 in U937 cells. This study has clinical implications with respect to alcohol-associated neuroinflammatory toxicity among alcohol users.

"Trophoblast islands of the chorionic connective tissue" (TICCT): a novel placental histologic feature

INTRODUCTION

We found isolated or clustered trophoblasts in the chorionic connective tissue of the extraplacental membranes, and defined this novel histologic feature as the "trophoblast islands of the chorionic connective tissue" (TICCT). This study was conducted to determine the clinical significance of TICCT.

METHODS

Immunohistochemistry for cytokeratin-7 was performed on the chorioamniotic membranes (N = 2155) obtained from singleton pregnancies of 1199 uncomplicated term and 956 preterm deliveries. The study groups comprised 1236 African-American and 919 Hispanic women. Gestational age ranged from 24(+0) weeks to 41(+6) weeks. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the magnitude of association between patient characteristics and the presence of TICCT.

RESULTS

The likelihood of TICCT was significantly associated with advancing gestational age both in term (OR: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.16-1.45, p < 0.001) and preterm deliveries (OR: 1.19, 95% CI: 1.07-1.32, p = 0.001) . Hispanic women were less likely than African-American women to have TICCT across gestation in term (OR: 0.23, 95% CI: 0.18-0.31, p < 0.001) and preterm pregnancies (OR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.29-0.58, p < 0.001). Women with a female fetus were significantly more likely to have TICCT than women with a male fetus, in both term (OR: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.28-2.11, p < 0.001) and preterm gestations (OR: 2.04, 95% CI: 1.46-2.85, p < 0.001). TICCT was 40% less frequent in the presence of chronic placental inflammation [term (OR: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.45-0.81, p = 0.001) and preterm gestations (OR: 0.58, 95% CI: 0.40-0.84, p = 0.003)] and in parous women at term (OR: 0.60, 95% CI: 0.44-0.81, p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that the duration of pregnancy, fetal sex, and parity may influence the behavior of extravillous trophoblast and placental mesenchymal cells.