Long-lasting humoral and cellular memory immunity to vaccinia virus Tiantan provides pre-existing immunity against mpox virus in Chinese population

Investigating immune memory to vaccinia virus and pre-existing immunity to mpox virus (MPXV) among the population is crucial for the global response to this ongoing mpox epidemic. Blood was sampled from vaccinees inoculated with vaccinia virus Tiantan (VTT) strain born before 1981 and unvaccinated control subjects born since 1982. After at least 40 years of the inoculation, 60% or 5% VTT vaccinees possess neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) to VTT or MPXV, with at least 50% having T cell memory to VTT protein antigens. Notably, 46.7% vaccinees show pre-existing T cell responses to MPXV. Broad pre-existing CD8+ T cell reactivities to MPXV are detected not only against conserved epitopes but also against variant epitopes between VTT and MPXV. Persistent NAbs and T cell memory to VTT among vaccinees, along with pre-existing T cells to MPXV among both vaccinees and the unvaccinated population, indicate a particular immune barrier to mpox.

[Study on formulation and revision of standard limits for radon in "Standards for indoor air quality (GB/T 18883-2022)" in China]

Public exposure to radon has attracted increasing public concern. The newly issued "Standards for indoor air quality (GB/T 18883-2022)" has revised the radiological parameters of radon. This study analyzed and discussed the relevant technical contents about the derivation of radon limit, including the distribution level for indoor radon, exposure pathway, health effects, and the process for establishing the standard limits. Specific implementation and evaluation suggestions are also proposed.

Inactivated vaccine fueled adaptive immune responses to Omicron in 2-year COVID-19 convalescents

Over 3 years, humans have experienced multiple rounds of global transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants. In addition, the widely used vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 involve multiple strategies of development and inoculation. Thus, the acquired immunity established among humans is complicated, and there is a lack of understanding within a panoramic vision. Here, we provided the special characteristics of the cellular and humoral responses in 2-year convalescents after inactivated vaccines, in parallel to vaccinated COVID-19 naïve persons and unvaccinated controls. The decreasing trends of the IgG, IgA, and NAb, but not IgM of the convalescents were reversed by the vaccination. Both cellular and humoral immunity in convalescents after vaccination were higher than the vaccinated COVID-19 naïve persons. Notably, inoculation with inactivated vaccine fueled the NAb to BA.1, BA.2, BA.4, and BA.5 in 2-year convalescents, much higher than the NAb during 6 months and 1 year after symptoms onset. And no obvious T cell escaping to the S protein was observed in 2-year convalescents after inoculation. The study provides insight into the complicated features of human acquired immunity to SARS-CoV-2 and variants in the real world, indicating that promoting vaccine inoculation is essential for achieving herd immunity against emerging variants, especially in convalescents.

[Application of artificial intelligence-assisted diagnosis for cervical liquid-based thin-layer cytology]

Objective: To explore the application value of artificial intelligence-assisted diagnosis system for TBS report in cervical cancer screening. Methods: A total of 16 317 clinical samples and related data of cervical liquid-based thin-layer cell smears, which were obtained from July 2020 to September 2020, were collected from Southern Hospital, Guangzhou Huayin Medical Inspection Center, Shenzhen Bao'an People's Hospital(Group) and Changsha Yuan'an Biotechnology Co., Ltd. The TBS report artificial intelligence-assisted diagnosis system of cervical liquid-based thin-layer cytology jointly developed by Southern Medical University and Guangzhou F. Q. PATHOTECH Co., Ltd. based on deep learning convolution neural network was used to diagnose all clinical samples. The sensitivity,specificity and accuracy of both artificial intelligence-assisted diagnosis system and cytologists using artificial intelligence-assisted diagnosis system were analyzed based on the evaluation standard(2014 TBS). The time spent by the two methods was also compared. Results: The sensitivity of artificial intelligence-assisted diagnosis system in predicting cervical intraepithelial lesions and other lesions (including endometrial cells detected in women over 45 years old and infectious lesions) under different production methods, different cytoplasmic staining and different scanning instruments was 92.90% and 83.55% respectively, and the specificity of negative samples was 87.02%, while that of cytologists using artificial intelligence-assisted diagnosis system was 99.34%, 97.79% and 99.10%, respectively. Moreover, cytologists using artificial intelligence-assisted diagnosis system could save about 6 times of reading time than manual. Conclusions: Artificial intelligence-assisted diagnosis system for TBS report of cervical liquid-based thin-layer cytology has the advantages of high sensitivity, high specificity and strong generalization. Cytologists can significantly improve the accuracy and work efficiency of reading smears by using artificial intelligence-assisted diagnosis system.

Age-Related Response of Rumen Microbiota to Mineral Salt and Effects of Their Interactions on Enteric Methane Emissions in Cattle

Mineral salt bricks are often used in cow raising as compensation for mineral losses to improve milk yield, growth, and metabolic activity. Generally, effects of minerals are partially thought to result from improvement of microbial metabolism, but their influence on the rumen microbiota has rarely been documented to date. In this study, we investigated the response of microbiota to mineral salt in heifer and adult cows and evaluated ruminal fermentation and enteric methane emissions of cows fed mineral salts. Twelve lactating Holstein cows and twelve heifers fed a total mixed ration (TMR) diet were randomly allocated into two groups, respectively: a treatment group comprising half of the adults and heifers that were fed mineral salt and a control group containing the other half fed a diet with no mineral salt supplement. Enteric methane emissions were reduced by 9.6% (P < 0.05) in adults ingesting a mineral salt diet, while concentrations of ruminal ammonia, butyrate, and propionate were increased to a significant extent (P < 0.05). Enteric methane emissions were also reduced in heifers ingesting a mineral salt diet, but not to a significant extent (P > 0.05). Moreover, the concentrations of ammonia and volatile fatty acids (VFAs) were not significantly altered in heifers (P > 0.05). Based on these results, we performed high-throughput sequencing to explore the bacterial and archaeal communities of the rumen samples. Succiniclasticum and Prevotella, two propionate-producing bacteria, were predominant in samples of both adults and heifers. At the phylotype level, mineral salt intake led to a significant shift from Succiniclasticum to Prevotella and Prevotellaceae populations in adults. In contrast, reduced abundance of Succiniclasticum and Prevotella phylotypes was observed, with no marked shift in propionate-producing bacteria in heifers. Methanogenic archaea were not significantly abundant between groups, either in adult cows or heifers. The shift of Succiniclasticum to Prevotella and Prevotellaceae in adults suggests a response of microbiota to mineral salt that contributes to higher propionate production, which competes for hydrogen utilized by methanogens. Our data collectively indicate that a mineral salt diet can alter interactions of bacterial taxa that result in enteric methane reduction, and this effect is also influenced in an age-dependent manner.

CT45A1 acts as a new proto-oncogene to trigger tumorigenesis and cancer metastasis

Cancer/testis antigen (CTA)-45 family (CT45) belongs to a new family of genes in phylogenetics and is absent in normal tissues except for testis, but is aberrantly overexpressed in various cancer types. Whether CT45 and other CTAs act as proto-oncogenes has not been determined. Using breast cancer as a model, we found that CT45A1, a representative CT45 family member, alone had a weak tumorigenic effect. However, its neoplastic potency was greatly enhanced in the presence of growth factors. Overexpression of CT45A1 in breast cancer cells markedly upregulated various oncogenic and metastatic genes, constitutively activated ERK and CREB signaling pathways, promoted epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and increased cell stemness, tumorigenesis, invasion, and metastasis, whereas silencing CT45A1 significantly reduced cancer cell migration and invasion. We propose that CT45A1 functions as a novel proto-oncogene to trigger oncogenesis and metastasis. CT45A1 and other CT45 members are therefore excellent targets for anticancer drug discovery and targeted tumor therapy, and valuable genes in the study of a molecular phylogenetic tree.

The difference in the attitude of Chinese and Japanese college students regarding deceased organ donation

BACKGROUND

Under the influence of traditional oriental culture, the lack of organ donation is especially serious in China and Japan. The aim of this study was to compare Chinese and Japanese college students' attitudes and analyze contributing factors toward deceased donation.

METHODS

An anonymous, self-administered questionnaire comprising 15 questions was distributed to approximately 400 college students at Liaoning University, China, and Kyushu University, Japan. Statistical analysis used SPSS software.

RESULTS

Japanese students' attitude towards deceased organ donation was more favorable than that of Chinese students (43.6% versus 35.9%, P = .001). Several factors contributed to positive responses by students from both countries: family perspective on organ donation and transplantation; decision to donate to family members; prior blood donation; living liver or kidney donation; possibility of needing a transplant; and willingness to receive a deceased or a living donor organ.

CONCLUSIONS

More efforts must emphasize awareness and up-to-date knowledge regarding organ donation among citizens and should be undertaken by the Chinese and Japanese governments.

Development of a new thoron progeny detector based on SSNTD and the collection by an electric field

The importance of (220)Rn (thoron) progeny for human exposure has been widely recognised in the past decades. Since no stable equilibrium factor was found between indoor thoron and its progeny, and the concentration of thoron progeny varies with time, it is necessary to develop detectors for long-term measurement that directly sample and detect thoron progeny. However, power supply of this kind of detectors has always been a problem. In this study, a set of device that is suitable for long-term measurement is introduced. A high-voltage electric field was formed for the collection of charged aerosols attached by (222)Rn (radon) and thoron progenies on solid-state nuclear track detector. Impact from radon progeny could be eliminated with a shield of Al foil of appropriate thickness. Tests were made both in an experimental house and in a thoron chamber in Helmholtz Zentrum München to determine the parameters and to verify the universality under different conditions.

Adjusting Lung Cancer Risks for Temporal and Spatial Variations in Radon Concentration in Dwellings in Gansu Province, China

Our recent study in Gansu Province, China reported an increasing risk of lung cancer with increasing residential radon concentration that was consistent with previous pooled analyses and with meta-analyses of other residential studies (Wang et al., Am. J. Epidemiol. 155, 554-564, 2002). Dosimetry used current radon measurements (1-year track-etch detectors) in homes to characterize concentrations for the previous 30 years, resulting in uncertainties in exposure and possibly reduced estimates of disease risk. We conducted a 3-year substudy in 55 houses to model the temporal and spatial variability in radon levels and to adjust estimates of radon risk. Temporal variation represented the single largest source of uncertainty, suggesting the usefulness of multi-year measurements to assess this variation; however, substantial residual variation remained unexplained. The uncertainty adjustment increased estimates of the excess odds ratio by 50-100%, suggesting that residential radon studies using similar dosimetry may also underestimate radon effects. These results have important implications for risk assessment.

[Inhibition of the growth of hepatoma and hepatic metastasis by pingyangmycin conjugated with Fab' fragment of monoclonal antibody]

OBJECTIVE

To develop an immunoconjugate with inhibitory effect on the growth of hepatoma and hepatic metastasis of tumor by linking Fab' fragment of monoclona antibody (McAb) to pingyangmycin (PYM).

METHODS

Monoclonal antibody Fab' fragment was obtained by enzymolysis with pepsin and DTT reduction. Linking of the Fab' fragment and PYM was mediated by dextran T40. Indirect ELISA, TTC bacteriostatic titer test, clonogenic assay and animal models transplanted with tumor were used to assess the biological activities and antitumor effects of Fab' PYM conjugate within and without the bodies of 10 mice.

RESULTS

The Fab' PYM conjugate showed immunoreactivity to BEL7402, hepatoma 22 (H22) and HT29 cells, but no reaction to KB cells. The bacteriostatic activity of PYM in the conjugate was 15% as much as that of free PYM. The 50% inhibitory doses (IC50) of Fab'PYM conjugate to BEL7402, HT29 cells and KB cells were 0.02 micromol/L, 0.08 micromol/L and 0.50 micromol/L respectively. Given intravenously, 10 mg/kg x 6, Fab' PYM conjugate and PYM suppressed the growth of hepatoma 22 by 86% and 62% respectively. Given intraperitoneally, 10 mg/kg x 4, Fab' PYM and PYM decreased the hepatic metastasis of colon carcinoma 26 by 91% and 62% respectively.

CONCLUSION

Fab' PYM conjugate is more effective in combating hepatoma and hepatic metastasis of tumor than free PYM.

Lung cancer and environmental tobacco smoke in a non-industrial area of China

We report results from a population-based case-control study of lung cancer and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) among never-smokers conducted in 2 rural prefectures of China, including 200 female and 33 male lung cancer cases, and 407 female and 114 male controls, matched on age, sex and prefecture of current residence. The odds ratio (OR) for ever-exposed to ETS was 1.19 (95% CI 0.7-2.0), with a significant trend (p<0.05) with increasing exposure. ORs were 1.00, 1.04, 1.13 and 1.51 for non-exposed, <10, 10-19 and >/=20 pack-years of ETS exposure, respectively. Excess risks were limited to ETS exposures in childhood (</=18 years of age). The OR for ever-exposed to ETS in childhood, adjusting for ETS exposure in adulthood, was 1. 52 (95% CI 1.1-2.2), with a significant trend (p<0.01) with increasing pack-years of childhood exposure, 1.00, 1.43, 1.81 and 2. 95, respectively. After adjustment for ETS in childhood, there was no excess risk from adult ETS exposure. The OR for ever-exposed to ETS in adulthood was 0.90 (95% CI 0.-1.4). These results were not affected by adjustment for type of residential dwelling, type or amount of fuel used, perceived indoor smokiness, or measures of socioeconomic status, or omitting next-of-kin respondents.

Lung cancer and environmental tobacco smoke in a non-industrial area of China

We report results from a population-based case-control study of lung cancer and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) among never-smokers conducted in 2 rural prefectures of China, including 200 female and 33 male lung cancer cases, and 407 female and 114 male controls, matched on age, sex and prefecture of current residence. The odds ratio (OR) for ever-exposed to ETS was 1.19 (95% CI 0.7-2.0), with a significant trend (p<0.05) with increasing exposure. ORs were 1.00, 1.04, 1.13 and 1.51 for non-exposed, <10, 10-19 and >/=20 pack-years of ETS exposure, respectively. Excess risks were limited to ETS exposures in childhood (</=18 years of age). The OR for ever-exposed to ETS in childhood, adjusting for ETS exposure in adulthood, was 1. 52 (95% CI 1.1-2.2), with a significant trend (p<0.01) with increasing pack-years of childhood exposure, 1.00, 1.43, 1.81 and 2. 95, respectively. After adjustment for ETS in childhood, there was no excess risk from adult ETS exposure. The OR for ever-exposed to ETS in adulthood was 0.90 (95% CI 0.-1.4). These results were not affected by adjustment for type of residential dwelling, type or amount of fuel used, perceived indoor smokiness, or measures of socioeconomic status, or omitting next-of-kin respondents.

[The clinical significance of changes in plasma levels of alpha-granule membrane protein and D-dimer in patients with unstable angina]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the relationship between platelet activation and enhanced coagulability and the occurrence unstable angina.

METHODS

Plasma levels of a-granule membrane protein (GMP-140) and fibrin D-dimer were measured in 22 patients with unstable angina during the acute phase and after relief. The same procedure were compared with those in 20 control subjects and 18 patients with stable angina.

RESULTS

Plasma levels of GMP-140 and D-dimer were significantly higher in patients with unstable angina both during the acute phase (P < 0.01) and after the relief (P < 0.05) as compared with those in control subjects and patients with stable angina, but there was no significant difference between the latter two groups (P > 0.05). There was also no significant difference between the patients with unstable angina during the acute phase and after the relief (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

It is shown that activation of platelet and coagulation system combined with endothelial injury may play an important role in the development of unstable angina.

Radon measurements in underground dwellings from two prefectures in China

Radon, an established lung carcinogen, remains the single most important environmental radiation exposure. Yet, an excess of lung cancer from breathing radon in homes has not been consistently demonstrated in studies conducted to date. To address several major problems that have hindered previous studies of lung cancer and radon in homes, we have embarked upon a lung cancer case-control study in Gansu Province, China, where a substantial proportion of the population live in underground dwellings. In this paper, we report on results of a pilot study in which radon measurements were made for 3 days in the summer in 40 homes under normal occupancy conditions using short-term E-PERM detectors and for 6 months from February through August in 49 homes using long-term alpha-track detectors. Useable E-PERM data were obtained from 38 homes and useable alpha-track data from 47 homes. For both types of detectors, measurements were approximately log-normally distributed. Arithmetic and geometric means were 233 and 185 Bq m-3 (range 74-1,590 Bq m-3) for E-PERM measurements and 165 and 158 Bq m-3 (range 74-592 Bq m-3) for alpha-track measurements, respectively; 68% of E-PERM measured homes and 55% of alpha-track measured homes exceeded 148 Bq m-3. Alpha-track measurements made at the entry, middle, and rear areas of the underground dwellings did not differ significantly (arithmetic means of 168, 162, and 165 Bq m-3 with standard deviations 63, 73, and 48, respectively), which suggests that air circulation may be minimal. The underground dwellings measured in the pilot study had high radon levels and the underground dwellers may provide an excellent population for studying indoor radon and risk of lung cancer.