Phylogeny,pathogenicity and transmissibility of a genotype XII Newcastle disease virus in chicken and goose

Although Newcastle disease virus (NDV) has a worldwide distribution, some NDV genotypes have more regional geographical ranges within continents. In this study, we isolated a subgenotype XIIb NDV strain, Goose/CH/GD/E115/2017 (E115), from geese in Guangdong province, Southern China, in 2017. Phylogenetic analysis showed that E115 and six other NDVs from geese in China were grouped under subgenotype XIIb and were distinct from subgenotype XIIa, isolated from chickens in South Africa, and subgenotype XIId, isolated from chickens in Vietnam. To better understand the pathogenicity and transmission of the subgenotype XIIb NDVs from geese in Guangdong province, we inoculated chickens and geese with 10⁶ EID₅₀ of the E115 virus. Eight hours after inoculation, three naïve chickens and three naïve geese were co‐housed with the infected chickens or geese to assess intraspecific and interspecific horizontal transmission of the E115 virus. The E115 virus induced significant clinical signs without mortality in chickens, while it was not pathogenic to geese. Intraspecific and interspecific horizontal transmission of the E115 virus was observed among chickens and geese via direct contact. Furthermore, although the current vaccines provided complete protection against disease in chickens after challenging them with the E115 virus, the virus could also be transmitted from vaccinated chickens to naïve contact chickens. Collectively, our findings highlight the need for avoiding the mixing of different bird species to reduce cross‐species transmission and for surveillance of NDV in waterfowl.     

Functionalized Polycaprolactone/Hydroxyapatite Composite Microspheres for Promoting Bone Consolidation in a Rat Distraction Osteogenesis Model

Distraction osteogenesis (DO) is an ideal model to study bone regeneration. The major limitation is the relatively long period required for new bone consolidation. Here, we investigated whether the application of polycaprolactone (PCL) and hydroxyapatite (HA) composite microspheres could enhance bone formation in DO. Pure PCL microspheres and composite PCL and 10% HA microspheres were synthesized. Bone mesenchymal stem cells isolated from green fluorescent protein rats (GFP-rBMSCs) were cultured with microspheres in a rotary bioreactor system. Scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the microstructures. Osteogenic differentiation of rBMSCs was confirmed. Moreover, PCL/HA (20 mg) and PCL (20 mg) were locally administered into the distraction gap in the rat DO model toward the end of the distraction period. Imaging detection, mechanical and histological examinations were performed to assess the quality of the 4-week regenerates. Results showed that the microspheres were of uniform size and monodisperse. After incubation with rBMSCs in culture, PCL/HA microspheres showed a better ability for cell adhesion and osteogenic differentiation compared with PCL microspheres. In vivo, bone volume/total tissue volume, bone mineral density, and mechanical properties of the new callus were significantly higher in the PCL/HA group compared with the PCL group. Histological analyses confirmed improved bone formation and vascularization in PCL/HA group. We presented an effective protocol for the generation of functionalized microspheres and demonstrated implantation of PCL/HA microspheres into the distraction regenerate could significantly enhance bone consolidation. Thus, the application of PCL/HA composite microspheres may be a novel approach for promoting bone regeneration. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 38:961-971, 2020     

Prediction of Postoperative Mortality in Patients with Organ Failure After Gastric Cancer Surgery

World Journal of Surgery - Scarce data are available on the characteristics of postoperative organ failure (POF) and mortality after gastrectomy. We aimed to describe the causes of organ failure...     

Is a Local Administration of Parathyroid Hormone Effective to Tendon-to-Bone Healing in a Rat Rotator Cuff Repair Model?

To evaluate the effect of local parathyroid hormone (PTH) administration on rotator cuff tendon-to-bone healing in a rat model compared with systemic PTH injection and untreated controls. PTH-alginate scaffold was prepared and sustained release of PTH was confirmed. Bilateral supraspinatus tendon repairs were performed in 39 rats (group 1, supraspinatus repair only; group 2, supraspinatus repair with systemic PTH injection; group 3, supraspinatus repair with local PTH administration via an absorbable scaffold; n = 13 each). Biomechanical (cross-sectional area, mode of failure, load to failure, and ultimate stress: right side) and histological analyses (hematoxylin and eosin stain, Masson's Trichrome stain Picrosirius red stain, Immunohistochemistry for BMP2, PTH1R, ColI, and ColIII: Left side) were performed to evaluate tendon-to-bone healing quality at 8 weeks after repair, and blood test (osteocalcin and procollagen type I N-terminal pro-peptide [PINP] levels) was performed in all rats. There was no intergroup difference in the healing failure rate (p = 0.910) or failure mode (p = 0.585). Biomechanically, subjects in groups 2 and 3 exhibited significantly larger cross-sectional areas and higher ultimate failure loads and ultimate stress than those in group 1 (all p < 0.05); however, no differences were noted between groups 2 and 3 (all p > 0.05). Histologically, groups 2 and 3 exhibited more organized tendon-to-bone interface structures with higher density, parallel orientation, and collagen fiber continuity than group 1 (all p < 0.05 except collagen fiber continuity in group 1 vs. 2); however, no differences in histological parameters between groups 2 and 3 (all p > 0.05). The protein levels of bone morphogenic protein 2, PTH 1 receptor, and collagen I and III and the serum level of PINP were increased in groups 2 and 3 versus group 1 (all p < 0.05) without showing differences between groups 2 and 3 (all p > 0.05). Local PTH administration using an absorbable scaffold improved the biomechanical and histological outcomes of rotator cuff tendon-to-bone healing comparable with systemic PTH injection at 8 weeks after repair in a rat model. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 38:82–91, 2020     

External validation of the post-varicocele repair semen analysis nomogram to predict total motile sperm count: A multicenter study

Total motile sperm count is an important parameter for predicting the probability of natural pregnancy. We have externally validated the Samplaski's post-varicocele repair semen analysis nomogram to confirm the predictive accuracy of total motile sperm count. A total of 300 patients who had undergone varicocelectomy between July 2016 and July 2019 from 4 treatment centres were included in this validation cohort study. The predictive performance of the externally validated nomogram was revealed by applying the Pearson correlation coefficient (R = 0.328; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.220–0.435; p < .001). Compared to Samplaski's nomogram result (R = 0.581; 95% CI 0.186–0.729), our study also revealed a statistically significant rate. However, it had a relatively lower correlation coefficient rate. Notably, the predicted total motile sperm count was lower than the observed post-varicocelectomy total motile sperm count. The calibration plot revealed that the discrepancy between the predicted and observed total motile sperm count was plausible. However, it had low explanatory power in this nomogram model. This validation study demonstrates that the post-varicocele repair Samplaski's nomogram predicts a relatively lower total motile sperm count than the observed count.