Lineage classification and selective site identification of Orthoebolavirus zairense

As the high pathogenic species of Filoviridae virus family, Orthoebolavirus zairense (EBOV) shows frequent outbreaks in human in recently years since its first emerging in 1976 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (COD), bringing ongoing risks and burden on public health safety. Here, the phylogenetic relationship among major outbreaks was analyzed. The results showed that EBOV isolates could be divided into four lineages according to spatial and temporal epidemics. Then, the positive selection sites (PSSs) were detected on all proteins of the EBOV, exhibiting lineage characteristic. Particularly, sites in GP and VP24 were identified to be significantly under positive selection, and partial of which were maintained in the latest isolates in 2021. GP and L were found to have high variability between lineages. Substitutions including F443L and F443S in GP, as well as F1610L and I1951V in L could be characteristic of the two large outbreaks in COD (2018) and West Africa (2014), respectively. Further, substitutions of significant PSSs in VP24 and L proteins were visualized for analysis of structural changes, which may affect EBOV pathogenesis. In summary, our results gains insights in genetic characteristic and adaptive evolution of EBOV, which could facilitate gene functional research against EBOV.

VirusRecom: an information-theory-based method for recombination detection of viral lineages and its application on SARS-CoV-2

Genomic recombination is an important driving force for viral evolution, and recombination events have been reported for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic, which significantly alter viral infectivity and transmissibility. However, it is difficult to identify viral recombination, especially for low-divergence viruses such as SARS-CoV-2, since it is hard to distinguish recombination from in situ mutation. Herein, we applied information theory to viral recombination analysis and developed VirusRecom, a program for efficiently screening recombination events on viral genome. In principle, we considered a recombination event as a transmission process of ``information'' and introduced weighted information content (WIC) to quantify the contribution of recombination to a certain region on viral genome; then, we identified the recombination regions by comparing WICs of different regions. In the benchmark using simulated data, VirusRecom showed a good balance between precision and recall compared to two competing tools, RDP5 and 3SEQ. In the detection of SARS-CoV-2 XE, XD and XF recombinants, VirusRecom providing more accurate positions of recombination regions than RDP5 and 3SEQ. In addition, we encapsulated the VirusRecom program into a command-line-interface software for convenient operation by users. In summary, we developed a novel approach based on information theory to identify viral recombination within highly similar sequences, providing a useful tool for monitoring viral evolution and epidemic control.

Characterization of Deltacoronavirus in Black-Headed Gulls (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) in South China Indicating Frequent Interspecies Transmission of the Virus in Birds

Deltacoronavirus (DCoV) is a genus of coronavirus (CoV) commonly found in avian and swine, but some DCoVs are capable of infecting humans, which causes the concern about interspecies transmission of DCoVs. Thus, monitoring the existence of DCoVs in animals near communities is of great importance for epidemic prevention. Black-headed gulls (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) are common migratory birds inhabiting in most urban and rural wetlands of Yunnan Province, China, which is a typical habitat for black-headed gulls to overwinter. Whether Yunnan black-headed gulls carry CoV has never been determined. In this study, we identified three strains of DCoVs in fecal samples of Yunnan black-headed gulls by reverse-transcriptional PCR and sequenced their whole genomes. Genomic analysis revealed that these three strains shared genomic identity of more than 99%, thus named DCoV HNU4-1, HNU4-2, and HNU4-3; their NSP12 showed high similarity of amino acid sequence to the homologs of falcon coronavirus UAE-HKU27 (HKU27), houbara coronavirus UAE-HKU28 (HKU28), and pigeon coronavirus UAE-HKU29 (HKU29). Since both HKU28 and HKU29 were found in Dubai, there might be cross-border transmission of these avian DCoVs through specific routes. Further coevolutionary analysis supported this speculation that HNU4 (or its ancestors) in black-headed gulls originated from HKU28 (or its homologous strain) in houbara, which was interspecies transmission between two different avian orders. In addition, interspecies transmission of DCoV, from houbara to falcon, pigeon and white-eye, from sparrow to common-magpie, and quail and mammal including porcine and Asian leopard cat, from munia to magpie-robin, was predicted. This is the first report of black-headed gull DCoV in Asia which was highly homolog to other avian DCoVs, and the very “active” host-switching events in DCoV were predicted, which provides important reference for the study of spread and transmission of DCoVs.

Innate Immunity Evasion Strategies of Highly Pathogenic Coronaviruses: SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2

In the past two decades, coronavirus (CoV) has emerged frequently in the population. Three CoVs (SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV-2) have been identified as highly pathogenic human coronaviruses (HP-hCoVs). Particularly, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 warns that HP-hCoVs present a high risk to human health. Like other viruses, HP-hCoVs interact with their host cells in sophisticated manners for infection and pathogenesis. Here, we reviewed the current knowledge about the interference of HP-hCoVs in multiple cellular processes and their impacts on viral infection. HP-hCoVs employed various strategies to suppress and evade from immune response, including shielding viral RNA from recognition by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), impairing IFN-I production, blocking the downstream pathways of IFN-I, and other evasion strategies. This summary provides a comprehensive view of the interplay between HP-hCoVs and the host cells, which is helpful to understand the mechanism of viral pathogenesis and develop antiviral therapies.

Genome Characterization of Bird-Related Rhabdoviruses Circulating in Africa

Rhabdoviridae is the most diverse family of the negative, single-stranded RNA viruses, which includes 40 ecologically different genera that infect plants, insects, reptiles, fishes, and mammals, including humans, and birds. To date, only a few bird-related rhabdoviruses among the genera Sunrhavirus, Hapavirus, and Tupavirus have been described and analyzed at the molecular level. In this study, we characterized seven additional and previously unclassified rhabdoviruses, which were isolated from various bird species collected in Africa during the 1960s and 1970s. Based on the analysis of their genome sequences obtained by next generation sequencing, we observed a classical genomic structure, with the presence of the five canonical rhabdovirus genes, i.e., nucleoprotein (N), phosphoprotein (P), matrix protein (M), glycoprotein (G), and polymerase (L). In addition, different additional open reading frames which code putative proteins of unknown function were identified, with the common presence of the C and the SH proteins, within the P gene and between the M and G genes, respectively. Genetic comparisons and phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that these seven bird-related rhabdoviruses could be considered as putative new species within the genus Sunrhavirus, where they clustered into a single group (named Clade III), a companion to two other groups that encompass mainly insect-related viruses. The results of this study shed light on the high diversity of the rhabdoviruses circulating in birds, mainly in Africa. Their close relationship with other insect-related sunrhaviruses raise questions about their potential role and impact as arboviruses that affect bird communities.

Cell-free DNA from bile outperformed plasma as a potential alternative to tissue biopsy in biliary tract cancer

BACKGROUND

Biliary tract cancers (BTCs) are rare and highly heterogenous malignant neoplasms. Because obtaining BTC tissues is challenging, the purpose of this study was to explore the potential roles of bile as a liquid biopsy medium in patients with BTC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Sixty-nine consecutive patients with suspected BTC were prospectively enrolled in this study. Capture-based targeted sequencing was performed on tumor tissues, whole blood cells, plasma, and bile samples using a large panel consisting of 520 cancer-related genes.

RESULTS

Of the 28 patients enrolled in this cohort, tumor tissues were available in eight patients, and plasma and bile were available in 28 patients. Somatic mutations were detected in 100% (8/8), 71.4% (20/28), and 53.6% (15/28) of samples comprising tumor tissue DNA, bile cell-free DNA (cfDNA), and plasma cfDNA, respectively. Bile cfDNA showed a significantly higher maximum allele frequency than plasma cfDNA (P = 0.0032). There were 56.2% of somatic single-nucleotide variant (SNVs)/insertions and deletions (indels) shared between bile and plasma cfDNA. When considering the genetic profiles of tumor tissues as the gold standard, the by-variant sensitivity and positive predictive value for SNVs/indels in bile cfDNA positive for somatic mutations were both 95.5%. The overall concordance for SNVs/indels in bile was significantly higher than that in plasma (99.1% versus 78.3%, P < 0.0001). Moreover, the sensitivity of CA 19-9 combined with bile cfDNA achieved 96.4% in BTC diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

We demonstrated that bile cfDNA was superior to plasma cfDNA in the detection of tumor-related genomic alterations. Bile cfDNA as a minimally invasive liquid biopsy medium might be a supplemental approach to confirm BTC diagnosis.

Emergent chikungunya fever and vertical transmission in Yunnan Province, China, 2019

During the dengue epidemic in Yunnan Province, China, during 2019, a concurrent outbreak of chikungunya occurred in the city of Ruili, which is located in the southwest of the province, adjacent to Myanmar. As part of this outbreak, three neonatal cases of infection with indigenous chikungunya virus from mother-to-child (vertical) transmission were observed. Isolates of chikungunya virus were obtained from 37 serum samples of patients with chikungunya during this outbreak, and a phylogenetic analysis of these isolates revealed that they belong to the Indian Ocean subclade of the East/Central/South African genotype. The E1 genes of these viruses did not harbor the A226V mutation.

Epidemiology and evolution of novel deltacoronaviruses in birds in central China

The variety and widespread of coronavirus in natural reservoir animals is likely to cause epidemics via interspecific transmission, which has attracted much attention due to frequent coronavirus epidemics in recent decades. Birds are natural reservoir of various viruses, but the existence of coronaviruses in wild birds in central China has been barely studied. Some bird coronaviruses belong to the genus of Deltacoronavirus. To explore the diversity of bird deltacoronaviruses in central China, we tested faecal samples from 415 wild birds in Hunan Province, China. By RT‐PCR detection, we identified eight samples positive for deltacoronaviruses which were all from common magpies, and in four of them, we successfully amplified complete deltacoronavirus genomes distinct from currently known deltacoronavirus, indicating four novel deltacoronavirus stains (HNU1‐1, HNU1‐2, HNU2 and HNU3). Comparative analysis on the four genomic sequences showed that these novel magpie deltacoronaviruses shared three different S genes among which the S genes of HNU1‐1 and HNU1‐2 showed 93.8% amino acid (aa) identity to that of thrush coronavirus HKU12, HNU2 S showed 71.9% aa identity to that of White‐eye coronavirus HKU16, and HNU3 S showed 72.4% aa identity to that of sparrow coronavirus HKU17. Recombination analysis showed that frequent recombination events of the S genes occurred among these deltacoronavirus strains. Two novel putative cleavage sites separating the non‐structural proteins in the HNU coronaviruses were found. Bayesian phylogeographic analysis showed that the south coast of China might be a potential origin of bird deltacoronaviruses existing in inland China. In summary, these results suggest that common magpie in China carries diverse deltacoronaviruses with novel genomic features, indicating an important source of environmental coronaviruses closed to human communities, which may provide key information for prevention and control of future coronavirus epidemics.

BioAider: An efficient tool for viral genome analysis and its application in tracing SARS-CoV-2 transmission

The novel human coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) causes the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic worldwide. Control of COVID-19 pandemic is vital for public health and is the prerequisite to maintain social stability. However, the origin and transmission route of SARS-CoV-2 is unclear, bringing huge difficult to virus control. Monitoring viral variation and screening functional mutation sites are crucial for prevention and control of infectious diseases. In this study, we developed a user-friendly software, named BioAider, for quick sequence annotation and mutation analysis on large-scale genome-sequencing data. Herein, we detected 14 substitution hotspots within 3,240 SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences, including 3 groups of potentially linked substitution. NSP13-Y541C was crucial substitution which might affect the unwinding activity of the viral helicase. In particular, we discovered a SR-rich region of SARS-CoV-2 distinct from SARS-CoV, indicating more complex replication mechanism and unique N-M interaction of SARS-CoV-2. Interestingly, the quantity of SSRX repeat fragments in SARS-CoV-2 provided further evidence of its animal origin. Overall, we developed an efficient tool for rapid identification of viral genome mutations which could facilitate viral genomic studies. Using this tool, we have found critical clues for the transmission route of SARS-CoV-2 which would provide theoretical support for the epidemic control of pathogenic coronaviruses.

Receptor utilization of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) indicates a narrower host range of SARS-CoV-2 than that of SARS-CoV

Coronavirus (CoV) pandemics have become a huge threat to the public health worldwide in the recent decades. Typically, severe acute respiratory syndrome CoV (SARS‐CoV) caused SARS pandemic in 2003 and SARS‐CoV‐2 caused the ongoing COVID‐19 pandemic. Both viruses are most likely originated from bats. Thus, direct or indirect inter‐species transmission from bats to humans is required for the viruses to cause pandemics. Receptor utilization is a key factor determining the host range of viruses which is critical to the inter‐species transmission. Angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is the receptor of both SARS‐CoV and SARS‐CoV‐2, but only ACE2s of certain animals can be utilized by the viruses. Here, we employed pseudovirus cell‐entry assay to evaluate the receptor‐utilizing capability of ACE2s of 20 animals by the two viruses and found that SARS‐CoV‐2 utilized less ACE2s than SARS‐CoV, indicating a narrower host range of SARS‐CoV‐2. Especially, SARS‐CoV‐2 tended not to use murine or non‐mammal ACE2s. Meanwhile, pangolin‐CoV, another SARS‐related coronavirus highly homologous to SARS‐CoV‐2 in its genome, yet showed similar ACE2 utilization profile with SARS‐CoV rather than SARS‐CoV‐2. Nevertheless, the actual susceptibility of these animals to the coronaviruses should be further verified by in vivo studies. To clarify the mechanism underlying the receptor utilization, we compared the amino acid sequences of the 20 ACE2s and found 5 amino acid residues potentially critical for ACE2 utilization, including the N‐terminal 20th and 42nd amino acid residues that might determine the different receptor utilization of SARS‐CoV, SARS‐CoV‐2 and pangolin‐CoV. Our studies enhance the understanding of receptor utilization of pandemic coronaviruses, potentially contributing to the virus tracing, intermediate host screening and epidemic prevention for pathogenic coronaviruses.

The epidemic of 2019-novel-coronavirus (2019-nCoV) pneumonia and insights for emerging infectious diseases in the future

At the end of December 2019, a novel coronavirus, 2019-nCoV, caused an outbreak of pneumonia spreading from Wuhan, Hubei province, to the whole country of China, which has posed great threats to public health and attracted enormous attention around the world. To date, there are no clinically approved vaccines or antiviral drugs available for these human coronavirus infections. Intensive research on the novel emerging human infectious coronaviruses is urgently needed to elucidate their route of transmission and pathogenic mechanisms, and to identify potential drug targets, which would promote the development of effective preventive and therapeutic countermeasures. Herein, we describe the epidemic and etiological characteristics of 2019-nCoV, discuss its essential biological features, including tropism and receptor usage, summarize approaches for disease prevention and treatment, and speculate on the transmission route of 2019-nCoV.

Association between fentanyl test results and rescue morphine requirements in children after adenotonsillectomy

PURPOSE

Preoperative sleep study helps to predict post-adenotonsillectomy morphine requirements. However, in some institutions, many suspected children with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome have an adenotonsillectomy without polysomnography assessments. This study investigated the relationship between the results of a fentanyl test performed before extubation and the postoperative morphine requirements in children after adenotonsillectomy.

METHODS

Intravenous fentanyl (1 µg/kg) was given as a test before extubation when spontaneous ventilation was restored in 80 children aged 3-7 years who underwent adenotonsillectomy. The result was considered positive if the patient's respiratory rate decreased >50% after the test. In the recovery room, pain was assessed every 10 min using the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Pain Scale. Rescue morphine (10 µg/kg) was given when the score was ≥6.

RESULTS

The median [IQR (range)] cumulative morphine consumption rates for children with a positive result (n = 25) and a negative result (n = 52) were 30 (20, 40) and 50 (40, 50) µg/kg, respectively (P = 0.002). Eighty-eight percent of the positive-result patients and 48% of the negative-result patients were light consumers of morphine (cumulative dose <50 µg/kg) (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that children with a positive result after a fentanyl test require less morphine to achieve comfort than those with a negative result. CLINICALTRIALS.

GOV ID

NCT02484222.

[Pathologic subtyping of primary lymphoma of breast and prognostic analysis]

Objective: To investigate the pathological types and prognostic factors of primary lymphoma of breast (PLB). Methods: The clinical pathological data of 115 cases of PLB during October 2006 to October 2016 were retrospectively analyzed, and the basic clinical and pathological data, pathology types and the immunohistochemical slides by EliVision two-step method for staining were summarized. Results: Almost all the patients were women (113/115), and the median age was 52 years old (range: 27 to 81 years old). The main symptom was painless progressive mass in breast. Ten cases (8.7%) showed B symptoms. The masses were mainly confined to the unilateral breast (80.9%, 93/115), of which 22 cases showed axillary lymph nodes enlargement in the same side. The average diameter of masses was 3.0 cm (range from 0.5 to 9.0 cm). There is no differences between the sides (left or right). Pathologically, 106 cases (92.2%) were mature non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphomas, of which there were mainly diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL, 64.3%) and mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) extranodal marginal lymphoma (17.4%). Five cases (4.4%) were mature T/NK cell lymphomas, including extranodal nasal NK/T cell lymphoma (1.7%), peripheral T-cell lymphoma non-specific type (0.9%), subcutaneous panniculitis-like T cells lymphoma (0.9%) and undivided (0.9%). Four cases were lymphoblastic lymphoma. According to Ann Arbor staging criteria, 93 cases were stage ⅠE (6 cases were stage ⅠEB), 22 cases were stage ⅡE (4 cases were stage ⅡEB). Ninety-two cases were followed 1 to 122 months (median: 36 months). The five-year overall survival rate was 85.3%, and 13 patients dead. B symptom was one of the factors that affect the prognosis (P<0.05), but the pathological type has no relationship with the prognosis (P>0.05). Conclusions: PLB is relatively rare, the main clinical manifestation is painless mass, which is difficult to distinguish with breast carcinoma. The most common type is DLBCL, followed by MALT lymphoma, while T cell lymphoma is rarely seen. PLB is early stage tumor with good prognosis, while patients with B symptom turn out to suffer worse prognosis.

[High expression of hnRNPAB/Kap1 together promote poor prognosis in HCC]

Objective: To further understand the interaction protein spectrum of heterogeneous ribonucleoprotein AB (hnRNP AB), and to investigate their clinical significance in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: We carried out mass spectrometry to reveal the specific peptides of KRAB-associated protein 1 (Kap1) and hnRNPAB, and verified their interaction by immunocoprecipitation and western blotting. Expression of hnRNPAB/Kap1 proteins were detected by immunohistochemical staining in the tissue microarrays. Categorical data were analyzed by the chi square test or Fisher exact test; enumeration data between groups were compared using Student t-test or Wilcocon signed rank test; the cumulative recurrence and survival rates were evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method and the differences were assessed using the log-rank test. Results: We identified Kap1 as a molecular partner for hnRNPAB in HCCLM3 cells and HepG2 cells as well. We found that the 5-year survival rate of the Kap1high patients was significantly lower than the survival rate of those of the Kap1low group (36% vs 59% , HR = 1.67, P < 0.001). Similarly, Kap1high HCC patients had the poorest prognosis at 5-years, with higher cumulative recurrence rate than Kap1low patients (72% vs 54%, HR = 1.66, P = 0.001). Univariate and Multivariate analyses revealed that hnRNPAB /Kap1 alone (HR = 1.35 /1.28, P = 0.001) or in combination with Kap1 (HR =1.24 /1.27, P < 0.05) were independent prognostic indicators for overall survival and time to recurrence. Conclusion: In HCC cells, hnRNPAB and Kap1 form protein complexes. The expression levels of hnRNPAB alone or in combination with Kap1 in HCC patients are important because they provide not only a predictor for HCC prognosis but also a therapeutic target for future studies.

[The effect of paraquat on autophagy in human embryonic neural progenitor cells]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effect of paraquat (PQ) on autophagy in human embryonic neural progenitor cells.

METHODS

Using ReNcell CX cell model. After treatment with various concentration (0.00, 1.00, 10.00 and 100.00 μmol/L) of PQ, CCK8 assay was used to detect the cell viability, the transmission electron microscope was used to observe the the cell ultrastructure, the real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was adopted to detect mRNA expression of autophagy related genes which including LC3, Atg12, Atg5, beclin1, Atg7 and mTOR and apoptosis related genes Bax and Bcl-2.

RESULTS

The cell viability was significantly inhibited after administered with 100.00 μmol/L of PQ (P<0.01). The mRNA expression of Beclin1 was significantly up-regulated and the emergency of autophagosome were observed at the concentration of 1.00 μmol/L group, while mild cell apoptosis, significantly up-regulated Atg5, Atg8, Atg7 and Atg12 mRNA expression as well as down-regulated expression of mTOR and Bax were detected at the 10.00 μmol/L of PQ group, howere, the obvious apoptosis and the up-regulated mRNA expression of mTOR and Bax were observed at the 100.00 μmol/L of PQ group, the mRNA expression of Bcl-2 were all down-regulated after administered with 1.00, 10.00 and 100.00 μmol/L of PQ and reached the lowest level at the concentration of 10.00 μmol/L.

CONCLUSION

PQ can induced autophagy at the low concentration in ReNcell CX cell and autophagy might serve as a protective mechanism to ameliorate PQ-induced cytotoxic effects but apoptosis will be induced at the 100 μmol/L concentration.

[Effect of fluorochloridone on oxidative stress in primary co-cultured sertoli-germ cell of rat]

Objective: To explore effect of fluorochloridone on primary co-cultured sertoli-germ cell of rat and its possible mechanism. Methods: primary co-cultured sertoli-germ cell was made by two steps of en-zyme digestion with SD rat testes, after 24h of Sertoli-germ cell isolation, A 0.1% DMSO solvent control group and three FLC exposure groups (10^-6、10^-7、10^-8 mol/L) were selected, cultured cell for 24h, then MTT assay and index detection of oxidative stress were performed. Results: The mortality of primary co-cultured sertoli-germ cell exposed to 10^-6 mol/L FLC was significantly higher than control group and FLC exposure groups (10^-7、10^-8 mol/L) (P<0.05) . 10^-6 mol/L FLC reduced enzyme activity of CAT, SOD and GSH. Px, depressed GSH level, el-evated MDA level, and had significant difference than control group and FLC exposure groups(10^-7、10^-8 mol/L) (P<0.05) . 10^-7 mol/L FLC decreased enzyme activity of CAT than control group, depressed enzyme activity of SOD than 10^-8 mol/L FLC, lowered GSH level than control group and FLC exposure groups (10^-8 mol/L) , and had statistical difference (P<0.05) . Conclusion: FLC can damage primary co-cultured sertoli-germ cell of rat, its possible mechanism is relevant to oxidative stress.

Deletion of the lmna gene induces growth delay and serum biochemical changes in C57BL/6 mice

The A-type lamin deficient mouse line (Lmna^−/−) has become one of the most frequently used models for providing insights into many different aspects of A-type lamin function. To elucidate the function of Lmna in the growth and metabolism of mice, tissue growth and blood biochemistry were monitored in Lmna-deficient mice, heterozygous (Lmna^+/−) and wide-type (Lmna^+/+) backcrossed to C57BL/6 background. At 4 weeks after birth, the weight of various organs of the Lmna^−/−, Lmna^+/− and Lmna^+/+ mice was measured. A panel of biochemical analyses consisting of 15 serological tests was examined. The results showed that Lmna deficient mice had significantly decreased body weight and increased the ratio of organ to body weight in most of tissues. Compared with Lmna^+/+ and Lmna^+/− mice, Lmna^−/− mice exhibited lower levels of ALP (alkaline phosphatase), Chol (cholesterol), CR (creatinine), GLU (glucose), HDL (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) and higher levels of ALT (alanine aminotransferase) (p<0.05). Lmna^−/− mice displayed higher AST (aspartate aminotransferase) values and lower LDL (lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol), CK-MB (creatine kinase-MB) levels than Lmna^+/+ mice (p<0.05). There were no significant differences among the three groups of mice with respect to BUN (blood urea nitrogen), CK (creatine kinase), Cyc C (cystatin C), TP (total protein), TG (triacylglycerols) and UA (uric acid) levels (p>0.05). These changes of serological parameters may provide an experimental basis for the elucidation of Lmna gene functions.

Gene polymorphisms associated with susceptibility to coronary artery disease in Han Chinese people

This study investigated 5 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) haplotypes in susceptibility genes for coronary artery disease (CAD) and the putative involvement of these SNPs in CAD in the Chi-nese Han population. From March 2008 to June 2009, we selected 119 CAD patients and 115 subjects not related to the CAD of Chinese Han or-igin as controls. The SNP genotypes were performed by multiplex SNaP-shot technology. The HNRPUL1 gene rs11881940T and GATA2 gene rs3803T loci were highly correlated with CAD (P < 0.05). rs10757278G increased the risk of CAD in patients indicated by an odds ratio (OR) = 1.242 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.04-1.49]; rs11881940T and rs3803T were protective factors for CAD with ORs = 0.767 (95%CI = 0.61-0.97) and 0.53 (95%CI = 0.40-0.72), respectively. Analysis of the rs10757278, rs11881940 and rs3803 loci showed that haplotypes ATC (OR = 4.26; 95%CI = 2.85-6.40, P < 0.01), GAC (OR = 1.50; 95%CI = 1.25-1.81, P < 0.01) and GAT (OR = 1.53; 95%CI = 1.12-2.09, P < 0.01) were CAD risk factors, whereas GTC was protective (OR = 0.48; 95%CI = 0.32-0.72, P < 0.01). ATC and glucose were positively correlated (OR = 1.91; 95%CI = 1.01-3.61, P < 0.05). GAT was a risk factor for hyper-tension (OR = 2.86; 95%CI = 1.40-5.83, P < 0.01). In conclusion, poly-morphisms and haplotype analysis of susceptibility genes for CAD can improve predicting this disease and will enable early diagnosis of CAD.

The characteristics of the staircase phenomenon during the period of twitch stabilization in infants in TOF mode

BACKGROUND

Acceleromyography used to monitor the neuromuscular transmission function is available in infants and children. However, information on the so-called staircase phenomenon during the baseline stabilization period in this population is limited. Our objective was to assess the characteristics of such phenomenon in infants in acceleromyography.

METHODS

Thirty infants were divided into three groups: group A (aged 1-5 months, n = 10), group B (aged 6-11 months, n = 10), and group C (aged 12-24 months, n = 10). Anesthesia was induced and maintained without neuromuscular blocking agents. Patients received a supramaximal stimulus followed by TOF measurements every 15 s over the course of 30 min with a TOF-Watch(®) SX. All data were collected in a notebook computer using the TOF-Watch(®) SX Monitor software through optical fibers.

RESULTS

The evoked T1 responses in younger infants (group A) were significantly lower than those in older infants (groups B and C) from 0-20 min. In group A, the signals increased to the maximum value of 121 ± 15% that of the control at 7.25 min and decreased toward a plateau of 113 ± 18% at 30 min. In group B, the signal heights increased to the maximum value of 143 ± 14% at 9.5 min, then decreased slowly to 136 ± 10% at 19.5 min, finally reaching 116 ± 12% at 30 min. In group C, the mean values of T1 reached the maximum of 139 ± 19% that of control at 9.5 min and finally reached 126 ± 22% of control at 30 min.

CONCLUSIONS

The staircase effect presents in a shorter time course and at lower degrees in smaller infants. However, in older infants, staircase effect still presents in a long period and may influence the onset time and duration of twitch depression after muscle relaxants administration.

Neurokinin 1 receptor expression and substance p physiological actions are developmentally regulated in the rabbit retina

We investigated the expression of the substance P (SP) receptor (the neurokinin 1 receptor, NK1 receptor) and SP functional effects in developing rabbit retinas. NK1 receptors in adult retinas were in a population of cone bipolar cells and in dopaminergic amacrine cells, as previously described. In contrast, at birth and at postnatal day (PND) 6, NK1 receptors were exclusively expressed by cholinergic amacrine and displaced amacrine cells. NK1 receptor expression in cholinergic cells was still observed at PND10 (eye opening), while at PND21 it was confined to cholinergic cells of the inner nuclear layer. Starting at PND10, NK1 receptors were also in bipolar cells and in dopaminergic amacrine cells. A fully mature NK1 receptor expression pattern was observed at PND35. Dopamine release was assessed in isolated retinas in the presence of SP, the NK1 receptor agonist GR73632 or the NK1 receptor antagonist GR82334. At PND35, extracellular dopamine was significantly increased by 10 microM SP or 0.01-100 microM GR73632, and it was decreased by 0.01-10 microM GR82334. No effects were detected in developing retinas up to PND21. Ca2+ imaging experiments were performed in single cholinergic cells identified by their "starburst" morphology in perinatal retinas. Intracellular Ca2+ levels were significantly increased by 1 microM SP or GR73632. This effect was reversibly inhibited by 1 microM GR82334. These data demonstrate that both NK1 receptor expression and SP physiological actions are developmentally regulated in the retina. SP neurotransmission in the immature retina may subserve developmental events, and SP is likely to represent an important developmental factor for the maturation of retinal neurons and circuitries.

A critical role of the strychnine-sensitive glycinergic system in spontaneous retinal waves of the developing rabbit

In the developing vertebrate retina, spontaneous electric activity occurs rhythmically in the form of propagating waves and is believed to play a critical role in activity-dependent visual system development, including the establishment of precise retinal and geniculate circuitry. To elucidate how spontaneous retinal waves encode specific developmental cues at various developmental stages, it is necessary to understand how the waves are generated and regulated. Using Ca(2+) imaging and patch clamp in a flat-mount perinatal rabbit retinal preparation, this study demonstrates that, in addition to the cholinergic system, a strychnine-sensitive system in the inner retina plays an obligatory and developmentally regulated role in the initiation and propagation of spontaneous retinal waves. This system, which is believed to be the glycinergic network, provided an excitatory drive during early retinal development. It then became inhibitory after postnatal day 1 (P1) to P2, an age when a number of coordinated transitions in neurotransmitter systems occurred concomitantly, and finally contributed to the complete inhibition and disappearance of spontaneous waves after P7-P9. This glycinergic contribution was notably distinct from that of the ionotropic GABAergic system, which was found to exert an inhibitory but nonessential influence on the early wave formation. Blocking glycine- and GABA-gated anion currents had opposing effects on spontaneous retinal waves between embryonic day 29 and P0, suggesting that Cl(-) transporters, particularly R(+)-butylindazone-sensitive K-Cl cotransporters, may have a synapse- and/or cell type-specific distribution pattern, in addition to an age-dependent expression pattern in the inner retina. Overall, the results revealed an important reliance of spontaneous retinal waves on dynamic and coordinated interactions among multiple, nonredundant neurotransmitter systems.

Coordinated transitions in neurotransmitter systems for the initiation and propagation of spontaneous retinal waves

Spontaneous waves of excitation in the developing mammalian retina are mediated, to a large extent, by neurotransmission. However, it is unclear how the underlying neurotransmitter systems interact with each other to play specific roles in the formation of retinal waves at various developmental stages. In particular, it is puzzling why the waves maintain a similar propagation pattern even after underlying neurotransmitter systems have undergone drastic developmental changes. Using Ca(2+) imaging and patch clamp in a whole-mount preparation of the developing rabbit retina, we discovered two dramatic and coordinated transitions in the excitatory drive for retinal waves: one from a nicotinic to a muscarinic system, and the other from a fast cholinergic to a fast glutamatergic input. Retinal waves before the age of postnatal day 1 (P1) were blocked by nicotinic antagonists, but not by muscarinic or glutamatergic antagonists. After P3, however, the spontaneous wave, whose basic spatiotemporal pattern remained similar, was completely inhibited by muscarinic or glutamate antagonists, but not by nicotinic antagonists. We also found that the muscarinic drive, mediated primarily by M1 and M3 receptors, was particularly important for wave propagation, whereas the glutamatergic drive seemed more important for local excitation. Our results suggest (1) a novel mechanism by which a neurotransmitter system changes its functional role via a switch between two completely different classes of receptors for the same transmitter, (2) the cholinergic system plays a critical role in not only early but also late spontaneous waves, and (3) the continued participation of the cholinergic system may provide a network basis for the consistency in the overall propagation pattern of spontaneous retinal waves.

Insights into rheumatoid arthritis derived from the Sa immune system

The Sa system is a recently described immune system that has a specificity and positive predictive value of nearly 100% for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Asia, Europe and the Americas. Its sensitivity of 30-40% suggests that it identifies a subset of RA patients. Anti-Sa antibodies are present from disease onset and are predictive of disease severity. The immune reactants are plentiful in the target tissue: antigen is present in the synovium, IgG antibody in the fluid. Immunologically, Sa is a hapten-carrier antigen in which vimentin is the carrier and citrulline is the hapten. The citrullination of vimentin is closely related to apoptosis, and citrullinated vimentin is extremely sensitive to digestion by the ubiquitous calpains. Nevertheless, Sa is found in only a few cell lines. Calpastatin, the natural specific inhibitor of calpains, is also a RA-associated, albeit non-specific, autoimmune system. Is it possible that calpain-related apoptotic pathways could be prominent in cells containing Sa? The task is to reconcile the specificity of Sa/citrullinated proteins in a multifactorial and polygenic disease such as RA.

Direct participation of starburst amacrine cells in spontaneous rhythmic activities in the developing mammalian retina

Spontaneous, rhythmic waves of excitation in the developing mammalian retina play a critical role in the formation of precise neuronal connectivity in the visual system. However, it is not known what circuits in the retina are responsible for the production of these waves. Using patch-clamp recordings in the whole-mount neonatal rabbit retina, this study reports that the displaced starburst amacrine cell, a unique cholinergic interneuron in the ganglion cell layer of the retina, undergoes rhythmic bursts of membrane depolarization with a frequency and duration similar to those of spontaneous retinal waves. Simultaneous patch-clamp recordings from pairs of neighboring starburst and ganglion cells show that the rhythmic activity in starburst cells is closely correlated with that in ganglion cells, and that the excitation in both cell types is most likely driven by synaptic input. However, in contrast to ganglion cells, displaced starburst cells usually do not generate spontaneous somatic action potentials. Instead, they seem to use subthreshold potentials (at least at the soma) to mediate the rhythmic excitation. The results suggest that acetylcholine is likely released rhythmically in the developing retina. Thus, starburst amacrine cells form the first identified network of retinal interneurons that directly participate in spontaneous rhythmic activities in the developing retina.

Starburst amacrine cells change from spiking to nonspiking neurons during retinal development

The membrane excitability of cholinergic (starburst) amacrine cells was studied in the rabbit retina during postnatal development. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were made from 110 displaced starburst cells in a thin retina] slice preparation of rabbits between postnatal days P1 and P56 old. We report that displaced starburst cells undergo a dramatic transition from spiking to nonspiking, caused by a loss of voltage-gated Na currents. This change in membrane excitability occurred just after eye opening (P10), such that all of the starburst cells tested before eye opening had conspicuous tetrodotoxin-sensitive Na currents and action potentials, but none tested after the first 3 postnatal weeks had detectable Na currents or spikes. Our results suggest that starburst cells use action potentials transiently during development and probably play a functional role in visual development. These cells then cease to spike as the retina matures, presumably consistent with their role in visual processing in the mature retina.

[Effects of lesion or stimulation of pituitary gland and hypothalamic arcuate nucleus on pain modulation in rats]

Relationship between pituitary gland and hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC) in the modulation of pain threshold was investigated in Wistar rats with method of focal lesion and stimulation of pituitary gland. Experimental results indicated that electrolytic lesion of the pituitary intermediate and anterior lobes resulted in a decrease of pain threshold and disappearance of the analgesia immediately produced by ARC stimulation. Stimulation of the same area of pituitary gland could induce a delayed analgesia, which could be blocked by ARC lesion.

Neurotransmitter receptors of starburst amacrine cells in rabbit retinal slices

The receptor pharmacology of cholinergic ("starburst") amacrine cells was studied in a newly developed rabbit retinal slice preparation with whole-cell patch clamp. Displaced starburst cells were labeled with the fluorescent dye 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI), and their dendritic morphology was identified in the slice with Lucifer yellow. Under conditions in which synaptic transmission was blocked by Cd2+, starburst cells responded vigorously to the bath-applied neurotransmitters GABA, glycine, and glutamate. The response to GABA consisted of an inward current and an increase in noise, which could be mimicked by the GABAA agonists muscimol and trans-4-aminocrotonic acid (TACA), but not by the GABAB agonist baclofen or the GABAC agonist cis-4-aminocrotonic acid (CACA). The GABA-evoked currents were reversibly inhibited by bicuculline and picrotoxin and had a reversal potential close to the chloride equilibrium potential. Noise analysis of GABA-activated whole-cell currents yielded elementary conductance estimates of 12.5 pS. Glycine (30-200 microM) also activated a Cl- conductance in starburst cells, which could be completely blocked by strychnine. The non-NMDA agonists kainate (KA, 30-100 microM) and alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA, 60 microM) evoked robust responses, which were reversibly blocked by 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX), and which reversed near the equilibrium potential for cations. NMDA coapplied with glycine in salines free of Cd2+ and Mg2+ elicited small but detectable responses. The I/V relation of the NMDA-evoked response showed a characteristic "J"-shaped region in a saline containing 1 mM Mg2+ and 0 Cd2+, indicating that NMDA receptors were present directly on starburst cells. This was consistent with our finding that whole-cell currents evoked by KA and NMDA had different noise characteristics. These results place new constraints on models of starburst cell function and suggest that GABA-mediated inhibition of the starburst cell itself may play an important role in directional selectivity in the retina.

Immunocytochemical study of lampbrush chromosomes of the urodele Pleurodeles waltl: axial granules are recognized by the mitosis-specific monoclonal antibody MPM-2

The lampbrush chromosomes of the urodele Pleurodeles waltl have been studied using the mitosis-specific monoclonal antibody MPM-2. Immunofluorescence studies revealed that MPM-2 stains structures associated with axial granules, numerous other chromomeres, telomeres and certain chiasmata. These structures showed a negative reaction with the anti-DNA monoclonal antibody AC-30-10. In course of meiotic condensation of the chromosomes, in growing and maturating oocytes, the number of such structures associated with the chromosome axis was found to diminish progressively. These granular structures have been found to be formed by fine fibrils about 5 nm in diameter. Immunogold labeling confirmed the results of immunofluorescence studies. MPM-2 was also found to stain two other types of structures observed in association with the lampbrush chromosome axis in P waltl, viz the sphere organelle (only in later stages of oogenesis) and the structure known as 'M' which is singular to this material.

Ligand-gated currents of alpha and beta ganglion cells in the cat retinal slice

1. We studied the receptor pharmacology of the ligand-gated currents of ON- and OFF- alpha and beta ganglion cells in a cat retinal slice preparation using the whole cell recording variation of the patch-clamp technique. Cat retinal slices were cut in N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N'-2-ethanesulfonic acid (HEPES) buffer and incubated in a bicarbonate-buffered solution. Ganglion cells were voltage clamped at -70 mV in HEPES-buffered Ringer solution. The pipette solution contained a low concentration of Cl- to distinguish mixed cationic from Cl(-)-mediated conductances, and Lucifer yellow (0.5%) was included for identification of the cell type. 2. In Ringer solution containing 1.2 mM Mg2+, current-voltage (I-V) curves of responses to the excitatory amino acid agonist (EAA) N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) (200 microM) revealed a J-shaped function. In Mg(2+)-free Ringer solution containing 200 microM Cd2+ to block synaptic transmission, NMDA (200 microM) elicited an inward current 5-8 times larger at -70 mV. In both conditions I-V curves of the NMDA-induced currents reversed near 0 mV. These results suggest that there are NMDA EAA receptors present directly on the dendrites of alpha and beta ganglion cells. Responses to NMDA were blocked by +/- 2-amino-7-phosphonoheptanoic acid (AP7) (200 microM). 3. In Ringer solution containing 200-1,000 microM Cd2+ to block synaptic transmission, both ON- and OFF- alpha and beta cells responded to kainic acid (10-50 microM), alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-proprionic acid (AMPA) (20-70 microM), and quisqualic acid (0.1-30 microM) with inward currents that reversed near 0 mV. These responses were blocked by the quinoxaline EAA antagonist 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX) (10 microM). The metabotropic agonists 1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid (ACPD) (25 microM) and L-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid (L-APB) (50 microM) and L-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid (L-APB) (50 microM) in the presence of Cd2+ evoked little or no response for all cells tested. 4. In the presence of Cd2+, alpha and beta cells responded to gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA) (200 microM) and glycine (200 microM) with inward currents that reversed near -35 mV, the calculated chloride equilibrium potential Ecl. Responses to GABA and glycine were both strongly desensitizing. (+)Bicuculline methyl chloride (20 microM) blocked an average of 90% of the inward current evoked by 200 microM GABA on all ganglion cell types.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Amino acid receptors of midget and parasol ganglion cells in primate retina

Primate retinas contain two major ganglion cell types. Midget (or P type) cells have relatively sustained responses to light; the amplitude and polarity of these responses vary with stimulus wavelength. Parasol (or M type) cells are more sensitive to stimulus contrast and respond more transiently but are not selective for color. Both types can be further subdivided into a and b subtypes, according to the level of their dendritic stratification in the inner plexiform layer. To determine whether differences in receptors for amino acid transmitters are the basis for any differences in ganglion cell light responses, we made whole-cell, patch-clamp recordings from identified ganglion cells in slice preparations of macaque and baboon retinas. We found that midget and parasol cells of both a and b types had similar responses to excitatory amino acids, including kainate, alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxalzole-4-propionic acid, and N-methyl-D-aspartate, with reversal potentials near the equilibrium potential for cations. Kainate responses were blocked by 6,7-dinitroquinoxaline, and N-methyl-D-aspartate responses were blocked by D-(-)-2-amino-7-phosphonoheptanoic acid. The four types of ganglion cells also had similar responses to bath-applied inhibitory amino acids. All cells had both gamma-aminobutyric acid and glycine receptors with reversal potentials near the equilibrium potential for Cl-, and the relative amplitudes of the responses to excitatory and inhibitory amino acids were similar among the various cell types. These results suggest that the differences in response properties of the different classes of ganglion cells in primate retina may be determined, to a significant degree, by the properties of the amacrine and bipolar cells that provide their input rather than by the nature of their postsynaptic receptors.

Detection of genes for heat-stable enterotoxin in Escherichia coli by biotinylated ST-DNA probes

Reference strains of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), non-enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (non-ETEC), enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC), enteroinvasive Escherichia coli (EIEC), and other enteropathogenic bacteria were used to prove the reliability of BIO-ST-DNA probe hybridization. In addition, 417 strains of E. coli isolated from children with diarrheal diseases in Shanxi Children's Hospital were examined for BIO-ST-DNA probe hybridization. In the test, BIO-ST-DNA hybridization was compared with suckling mouse assay in identifying ST-ETEC. The results obtained by both methods showed no significant difference. It was found that identification of ST-ETEC using hybridization is a simple, sensitive and more practical method.

[Evaluation of anti-rheumatoid arthritis 36 kD and anti-33 kD antibodies in the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis]

By using soluble nuclear extracts from Ehrlich mice ascite cells, immunoblot analysis showed reactivity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) serum with a 36 kD band. It was found that 28 of 88 patients with RA had anti-RA 36 kD antibody (31.8%), but there was no reactivity in the serum samples from 100 patients with other connective tissue diseases and 40 normal controls. However, the nuclear antigen mentioned above could react with either anti-RA 33 kD antibody or anti-RNP antibody in the 33 kD band. Thus, anti-RA 33 kD antibody was not a specific antibody for RA. Anti-RA 36 kD antibody appeared to be a marker antibody in RA. If anti-RA 36 kD and anti-33 kD antibodies appeared in a serum sample simultaneously, it might be more valuable for the diagnosis of RA.

The excitatory and inhibitory amino acid receptors on horizontal cells isolated from the white perch retina

1. The distribution and the properties of receptors to the inhibitory amino acid glycine (GLY) and the excitatory amino acid glutamate (GLU) and its analogues kainate (KA), quisqualate (QUIS), alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA), and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), were studied with whole-cell and outside-out patch-clamp techniques on all four types of horizontal cells isolated from the retina of white perch. 2. Glycine at concentrations above 30 microM evoked whole-cell current responses from two types of horizontal cells (H2 and H4). The other two types of horizontal cells (H1 and H3) were unresponsive to GLY (30 microM-3 mM). 3. Responses elicited by GLY from H2 and H4 cells were similar, consisting of inward currents that desensitized with a half-decay time of 0.5-2 s at glycine concentrations between 100 and 500 microM. GLY-activated currents were inhibited by the glycine receptor antagonist strychnine (STRYCH). Current responses evoked by GLY reversed at the Cl- equilibrium potential. 4. Dose-response analysis of peak currents induced by GLY revealed a Hill coefficient of 2.0 +/- 0.1 (mean +/- SD, n = 3) and an median effective concentration (EC50) of 85 +/- 2 microM (n = 3). 5. Single glycine receptor channels recorded from outside-out patches had a main-state conductance of 47 +/- 4 pS (n = 3). 6. Every type of horizontal cell from the white perch responded to GLU, KA, QUIS, and AMPA but none responded to exogenously applied NMDA (200 microM) or NMDA (200 microM) + GLY (1 microM) in a Mg+2-free bathing solution. 7. The ratio of the amplitude of responses to GLU, KA, QUIS, and AMPA remained nearly constant among all the horizontal cells tested, suggesting there might be only a single population of non-NMDA receptors on these cells. 8. QUIS and KA both elicited responses from the horizontal cells. When applied together with KA, QUIS competitively antagonized the responses of horizontal cells to KA. 9. The results demonstrated the existence of an inhomogeneous distribution of strychnine-sensitive glycine receptors and a homogeneous distribution of non-NMDA type glutamate receptors among the four types of white perch horizontal cells.

Plasma clearance and tissue binding of rANP[99-126] and iso-rANP[1-45] in the rat

Plasma clearance and tissue binding of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and iso-ANP were compared in Inactin-anaesthetized rats. It was found that the plasma half-life of iso-ANP was comparable to ANP. Appearance of trichloroacetic acid-soluble radioactivity of iso-ANP in the plasma was considerably slower than that of ANP, suggesting that the metabolic process of these two peptides may be different. Although the binding distribution of these two peptides was similar, the total binding of iso-ANP to organs other than the kidney was much lower. The kidney, lung, heart and adrenal gland appeared to be major target organs for iso-ANP. Autoradiography showed that iso-ANP bound specifically to the renal glomerulus and proximal part of the proximal tubule. This latter binding site in the kidney was not apparent with ANP, suggesting that iso-ANP may exerts its physiological action at different sites in this organ.

[A comparative identification of four Gynostemma spp. herbs and their various species from Guangxi]

In this paper, the authors have described the morphological and histological character of the four herbs of Gynostemma spp. and their confused species from Guangxi viz Gynostemma pentaphyllum, G. guangxiense, G. laxum and G. longipes, and their confused species of four Hemsleya daxienensis, H. chinensis, Cayratia japonica and C. japonica var. pubifolia. The description is illustrated with line-drawings for comparative identification.

[Preliminary study on differentiating colon carcinoma from adenoma by monoclonal antibody Hb3]

Using HT-29 colonic cancer cell line as the immunogen, monoclonal antibody Hb3 was generated, which can react to colonic carcinoma and several colonic cancer cell lines. In this paper, formalin fixed tissue sections of the human colonic cancer and adenoma were tested by indirect immunofluorescence using monoclonal antibody Hb3. In 20 colonic cancers, 16 belonged to well and moderately differentiated carcinoma, 4 to poorly differentiated carcinoma and mucoid adenocarcinoma. All of the former reacted to monoclonal antibody Hb3 but no reaction was seen in the latter. The positive rate was 80%. By the same method, 20 colonic adenomas were also studied. 19 were negative except one, a papillo-adenoma with dysplasia, which was weakly positive. The results indicate that monoclonal antibody Hb3 can be used in differentiating colonic carcinoma from adenoma and as an effective indicator of the malignant change of colonic adenoma.

The malaria situation in the People's Republic of China

This report describes the measures being applied to control malaria in China and outlines the present situation in the country. In the 1940s, it was estimated that approximately 350 million people were at risk of infection and that about 30 million cases of malaria occurred annually. In the last 30 years, large-scale antimalaria campaigns have been established and have achieved much success. In 1979, there were just over 2 million reported cases of malaria and approximately 64% of the population now live in areas where the incidence is below 5 per 10 000. However, there are still several major difficulties to be overcome, and much work is needed before the ultimate goal of complete eradication of malaria in China can be achieved.