Genetic characterization and diversity of porcine circovirus type 2 in non‐vaccinated South African swine herds

The porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is a swine infectious viral pathogen of great significance in global swine herds. It was recently detected at another Province of South Africa sequel to the first detection of North American‐like strain (PCV2a) at Gauteng about two decades ago, but there is a dearth of information about the genomic features and diversity of the viral strains in circulation within the country and the entire sub‐Saharan Africa region. To date, only one complete genome of the virus from South Africa is available on global data base. This current effort is therefore geared towards the full‐genome characterization of the circulating PCV2 strains in the pigs of Eastern Cape Province. With the use of conventional polymerase chain reaction method, fifteen complete PCV2 genomes were successfully amplified, sequenced and assembled from field samples obtained from non‐vaccinated pigs in the region. Neighbor Joining and Maximum Likelihood phylogenetic analyses of the ORF2 gene and full genomes unanimously showed that most of the assembled genomes (11) belong to genotype PCV2b. Furthermore, three of the characterized sequences formed clade with other reference mutant PCV2b and PCV2b subtype 1C (i.e. PCV2d) strains from the USA, China and South Korea. The last sequence, however, clustered with other reference strains belonging to PCV2 intermediate clade 2 (PCV2‐IM2), recently identified in a global PCV2 strains phylogenetic analysis. This study reports the first complete genome sequences of PCV2b, PCV2d and PCV2‐IM2 in pigs from South Africa, and it gives a possible insight into the genetic characteristics and variability of the viral strains presently in circulation within the country. It further emphasizes the need for more stringent measures in curtailing the introduction and spread of transboundary swine pathogens in the country and entire Southern African region.     

The relationships among monocyte subsets,miRNAs and inflammatory cytokines in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Background

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) causes irreversible myocardial damage and release of inflammatory mediators, including cytokines, chemokines and miRNAs. We aimed to investigate changes in the levels of cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α and IL-10), miRNAs profiles (miR-146 and miR-155) and distribution of different monocyte subsets (CD14++CD16-, CD14++CD16+, CD14+CD16++) in the acute and post-healing phases of AMI.

痛泻四神汤腹泻型肠易激综合征的胃肠激素水平变化及临床意义观察

目的:探究痛泻四神汤对腹泻型肠易激综合征胃肠激素水平的影响。方法:选取2017年2月至2018年6月西安市中医医院收治的腹泻型肠易激综合征患者124例作为研究对象,按照就诊顺序编号随机分为对照组和观察组,每组62例。对照组给予西医常规治疗,观察组在对照组基础上加用痛泻四神汤加减治疗,均治疗2周。观察和比较2组治疗前后淋巴细胞指标CD3^+、CD4^+、CD8^+、CD4^+/CD8^+变化,观察并比较2组治疗前后胃肠激素指标血浆胃动素(MOT)、降钙素相关基因肽(CGRP)、血管活性肠肽(VIP)、生长抑素(SS)、一氧化氮(NO)变化;观察并比较2组治疗前后在γ-干扰素(IFN-γ)、5-羟色胺(5-HT)、神经肽Y(NPY)含量变化;观察并比较2组治疗前后临床症状腹痛、腹胀、肠鸣失气、急躁易怒、神疲乏力、纳呆食少症状评分变化;治疗过程中进行不良反应记录,治疗结束后进行统计。结果:1)2组患者治疗前CD3^+、CD4^+、CD8^+、CD4^+/CD8^+比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),治疗后2组CD3^+、CD4^+、CD4^+/CD8^+较治疗前均显著上升,CD8^+显著下降(均P<0.05);治疗后观察组患者CD3^+、CD4^+、CD4^+/CD8^+显著高于对照组,CD8^+显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。2)2组治疗前MOT、CGRP、VIP、SS、NO比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),治疗后2组MOT、NO较治疗前显著升高,CGRP、VIP、SS显著下降(P<0.05);治疗后观察组CGRP、VIP、SS显著低于对照组,MOT、NO显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。3)2组治疗前IFN-γ、5-HT、NPY比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),治疗后2组IFN-γ、5-HT、NPY较治疗前均显著下降(P<0.05);治疗后观察组IFN-γ、5-HT、NPY显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。4)2组治疗前腹痛、腹胀、肠鸣失气、急躁易怒、神疲乏力、纳呆食少积分比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),治疗后2组以上各症状评分较治疗前显著下降(P<0.05);治疗后观察组以上各积分显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。5)2组口干、头痛、皮疹、胃肠道反应发生率比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:痛泻四神汤能改善腹泻型肠易激综合征胃肠激素水平,改善临床症状,提高机体免疫力,提高疗效。     

SGLT2 inhibitors for the treatment of diabetes: a patent review (2013-2018)

Introduction: The sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) is ascribed to target renal tubular glucose re-absorption, and its inhibition has been proved to induce glucosuria which improves the glycemic index. Accordingly, SGLT2 inhibitors have found to be the promising class of antidiabetic agents for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. A large number of SGLT2 inhibitors have developed through structural modification and investigated for their ability to selectivity inhibit SGLT2 transporters with better bioavailability.

Areas covered: This review comprises a summary of patent applications (2013–2018) of SGLT2 inhibitors with focus on chemical structural advancement and therapeutic potentials in the management of diabetes and related disorders.

Expert opinion: SGLT2 inhibitors exert multiple metabolic benefits, including reduced glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), improved glycemic control (fasting and postprandial), reduced body weight, reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure and improved HDL cholesterol. Due to the virtue of no interference with insulin action and secretion, their efficacy remains the same even in presence of progressive β cell failure in type 2 diabetes. Additionally, few members of this class have been reported to exhibit cardioprotective, renoprotective, and anticancer activity. However, more study on the long-term outcomes in patients taking SGLT2 inhibitors is warranted.     

Immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced inflammatory arthritis: identification and management

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have proved to be groundbreaking in the field of oncology. However, immune system overactivation from ICIs has introduced a novel medical entity known as immune-related adverse events (irAEs), that can affect any organ or tissue. ICI-induced inflammatory arthritis (ICI-IIA) is the most common musculoskeletal irAE and can lead to significant morbidity and limitation in anti-cancer therapy.