Efficacy of recombinant Marek’s disease virus vectored vaccines with computationally optimized broadly reactive antigen (COBRA) hemagglutinin insert against genetically diverse H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza viruses

The genetic and antigenic drift associated with the high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) viruses of Goose/Guangdong (Gs/GD) lineage and the emergence of vaccine-resistant field viruses underscores the need for a broadly protective H5 influenza A vaccine. Here, we tested experimental vector herpesvirus of turkey (vHVT)-H5 vaccines containing either wild-type clade 2.3.4.4A-derived H5 inserts or computationally optimized broadly reactive antigen (COBRA) inserts with challenge by homologous and genetically divergent H5 HPAI Gs/GD lineage viruses in chickens. Direct assessment of protection was confirmed for all the tested constructs, which provided clinical protection against the homologous and heterologous H5 HPAI Gs/GD challenge viruses and significantly decreased oropharyngeal shedding titers compared to the sham vaccine. The cross reactivity was assessed by hemagglutinin inhibition (HI) and focus reduction assay against a panel of phylogenetically and antigenically diverse H5 strains. The COBRA-derived H5 inserts elicited antibody responses against antigenically diverse strains, while the wild-type-derived H5 vaccines elicited protection mostly against close antigenically related clades 2.3.4.4A and 2.3.4.4D viruses. In conclusion, the HVT vector, a widely used replicating vaccine platform in poultry, with H5 insert provides clinical protection and significant reduction of viral shedding against homologous and heterologous challenge. In addition, the COBRA-derived inserts have the potential to be used against antigenically distinct co-circulating viruses and future drift variants.     

Extracapsular dissection versus partial superficial parotidectomy for the treatment of benign parotid tumours

The purpose of this study was to compare the complications of patients treated for a benign parotid tumour (BPT) by extracapsular dissection (ECD) vs. partial superficial parotidectomy (PSP). A comprehensive literature investigation was conducted by searching electronic databases. A systematic review and meta-analysis of comparative studies were performed to assess ECD and PSP for the treatment of BPTs with fixed-effects models. The outcomes analysed were transient or permanent facial nerve injury, Frey syndrome, recurrence rate, infection, and salivary fistula/sialocele. A total of 1641 patients from seven studies (1120 ECD-treated and 521 PSP-treated patients) were included in this meta-analysis. Transient facial nerve injury (odds ratio (OR) = 0.28, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.11–0.71; p = 0.008) and Frey syndrome (OR = 0.12, 95% CI: 0.03–0.48; p = 0.003) were less prevalent in the ECD group. The rates of permanent facial nerve injury (OR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.35–1.70; p = 0.520), recurrence rate (OR = 0.17, 95% CI: 0.02–1.75; p = 0.14), infection (OR = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.07–6.67; p = 0.76), and salivary fistula/sialocele (OR = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.06–2.66; p = 0.350) were similar in both groups. Although there was a trend that ECD showed a reduced risk for complications, the present results are not sufficient to conclude that ECD is more beneficial than PSP.     

近十五年广东省医院职务专利申请的统计分析

利用中国知识产权网检索并分析2000年以来广东地区医院职务专利申请情况以及与经济发展水平、论文发表数量的关系;结果发现广东地区医院专利质量和数量均与京沪有较大差距,医院专利与GDP及论文数量无线性关系,可能与地区医疗服务水平有关,专利申请集中度较高,主要集中在广州地区且以大型三甲医院为主,发明专利以药物制剂为主;建议广东医院应该提高医院及医护人员专利申请意识,重视医院专利实施和转化,加强与专利服务机构合作。     

Validation of the PowerPlex Fusion 6C system: a six-dye STR system for forensic case applications

The PowerPlex Fusion 6C system is a six-dye STR multiplex that allows co-amplification and fluorescent detection of 27 loci, including Amelogenin, 23 autosomal STR loci and 3 Y chromosome STR loci. In this study, this system was validated using upgraded 3130xl Genetic Analyzers for sensitivity, species specificity, stability, DNA mixtures, reproducability, case-type samples, stutter, concordance, and PCR conditions following the Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis methods (SWGDAM) developmental validation guidelines and Chinese National Standard (GA/T815–2009). The results show this system is sensitive, species-specific, accurate and genotype-consistent compared with the PowerPlex ^®21 system for detecting 100 samples, and robust for changes in several PCR conditions or exposure to PCR inhibitors. The results of casework indicate that Y-STR loci of the PowerPlex Fusion 6C system may help to recognize mixed and very-low-ratio male DNA. The population data of 274 unrelated Chinese Han individuals suggests that this multiplex system is suitable for human identification and paternity testing in Guangdong Han population. The data demonstrate that the PowerPlex Fusion 6C system is a robust and reliable STR-typing multiplex, and is especially advantageous for some case samples.