Characterization of two pigeon paramyxovirus type 1 isolates in China

For over three decades, there has been a continuing panzootic caused by a virulent variant avian paramyxovirus type 1 strain, the so-called pigeon paramyxovirus type 1. It is found primarily in racing pigeons, but it has also spread to wild birds and poultry. In this study, two pigeon paramyxovirus type 1 strains, SD12 and BJ13, obtained from diseased pigeons in China, were characterized. Phylogenetic analysis based on complete sequences allowed characterization of both strains as genotype VI, class II. Further phylogenetic analysis of a 374-nucleotide section of the fusion gene showed that SD12 fell into lineage VIbii-d and BJ13 into VIbii-f. The deduced amino acid sequence of the cleavage site of the fusion protein confirmed that both isolates contained the virulent motif ¹¹²K/RRQKR↓F¹¹⁷ at the cleavage site. Nevertheless, the values of intracerebral pathogenicity indices showed the SD12 isolate to be a velogenic strain and BJ13 isolate to be a mesogenic strain. The SD12 isolate was further investigated via clinical observation, RNA detection, histopathology and viral serology in experimentally infected 3-week-old chickens. It showed a mild pathological phenotype in chickens, with viral replication restricted to a few tissues. The molecular mechanism for the SD12 isolate to have a virulent motif but low levels of virulence for chickens requires further study.     

Antidepressant Compounds Can Be Both Pro- and Anti-Inflammatory in Human Hippocampal Cells

Background:

The increasingly recognized role of inflammation in the pathogenesis and prognosis of depression has led to a renewed focus on the immunomodulatory properties of compounds with antidepressant action. Studies have, so far, explored such properties in human blood samples and in animal models.

Methods:

Here we used the more relevant model of human hippocampal progenitor cells exposed to an inflammatory milieu, induced by treatment with IL-1β. This increased the levels of a series of cytokines and chemokines produced by the cells, including a dose- and time-dependent increase of IL-6. We investigated the immunomodulatory properties of four monoaminergic antidepressants (venlafaxine, sertraline, moclobemide, and agomelatine) and two omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs; eicosapentanoic acid [EPA] and docosahexanoic acid [DHA]).

Results:

We found that venlafaxine and EPA were anti-inflammatory: venlafaxine decreased IL-6, with a trend for decreases of IL-8 and IP-10, while EPA decreased the levels of IL-6, IL-15, IL-1RA, and IP-10. These effects were associated with a corresponding decrease in NF-kB activity. Unexpectedly, sertraline and DHA had pro-inflammatory effects, with sertraline increasing IFN-α and IL-6 and DHA increasing IL-15, IL-1RA, IFN-α, and IL-6, though these changes were also associated with a decrease in NF-kB activity, suggesting distinct modes of action. Agomelatine and moclobemide had no effect on IL-6 secretion.

Conclusions:

These observations indicate that monoaminergic antidepressants and n-3 PUFAs have distinctive effects on immune processes in human neural cells. Further characterization of these actions may enable more effective personalization of treatment based on the inflammatory status of patients.     

Effects of raloxifene hydrochloride on bone mineral density, bone metabolism and serum lipids in postmenopausal women: a randomized clinical trial in Beijing

Withdiminishedovarianfunctionanddecreasedestrogenlevels,postmenopausalwomenareatriskforosteoporosis ,whichleadstopossibleseriousanddebilitatingfractures Estrogen ,combinedwithprogestininhormonereplacementtherapy (HRT) ,iscommonlyprescribedtowomentoalleviatepostmenopausalvasomotorsymptomsandprotectagainstthedevelopmentofosteoporosis 1,2 　However ,thelong termuseofestrogenisrequiredtopotentiallyrealizethattheseclinicalbenefitsalsoincreasestherisksofendometrialcancerandbreastcancer 2 4 　Thein…     

Rheumatology and Oncology: An Updated Review ofRheumatic Manifestations of Malignancy and Anti-NeoplasticTherapy

Objective: Review of the literature addressing the rheumatic manifestations of various malignancies as well as of common chemotherapeutic agents. Methods: A literature search was performed to identify key articles regarding the association of rheumatic disease with malignancy. Results: Our review focused on the association of rheumatic disease with malignancy, paraneoplastic syndromes with rheumatic manifestations, and chemotherapeutic agents related to rheumatic syndromes. We have discussed the importance of a newly described autoantibody that may identify patients at risk for malignancy associated myositis. Conclusion: Based on our literature review, recommendations are suggested regarding who and how patients should be screened for malignancy when presenting with various rheumatic symptoms.     

Strobokymographic and videostroboscopic analysis of vocal fold motion in unilateral superior laryngeal nerve paralysis

The clinical diagnosis of superior laryngeal nerve paralysis (SLNp) is infrequently made, because of the heterogeneity of clinical presentations and laryngoscopic findings. Laryngeal electromyography (LEMG) can provide the definitive diagnosis of this abnormality. With increasing use of LEMG in clinical practice, this condition is now more frequently appreciated by otolaryngologists. A characteristic, but infrequently reported, videostroboscopic vocal fold motion termed Gegenschlagen ("dashing-against-each-other") has previously been described to occur in unilateral SLNp. We encountered such motion in a clinical case, which we subsequently verified as unilateral SLNp by means of LEMG. This characteristic glottic motion was then verified in an in vivo canine model of phonation after unilateral SLNp. Videostrobokymography was performed to generate kymograms that illustrated this vocal fold motion clearly. Kymograms of both human and canine subjects with SLNp demonstrated an undulating motion of the horizontally shifting glottic space as the medial edges of the vocal folds chased each other 90 degrees out of phase. As one vocal fold mucosal edge was opening, the other was closing, and this repeated motion appeared as vocal folds chasing or dashing against each other. Although not uniformly seen in all cases, this vocal fold motion appears to be unique to SLNp.