Insights into Genetic Characteristics and Virological Features of Endemic Avian Influenza A (H9N2) Viruses in Egypt from 2017–2021

From 2010 to 2013, genotype I avian influenza A(H9N2) viruses of the G1-lineage were isolated from several poultry species in Egypt. In 2014, novel reassortant H9N2 viruses were detected in pigeons designated as genotype II. To monitor the subsequent genetic evolution of Egyptian A(H9N2) viruses, we characterized the full genomes of 173 viruses isolated through active surveillance from 2017 to 2022. In addition, we compared the virological characteristics and pathogenicity of representative viruses. Phylogenetic analysis of the HA indicated that all studied sequences from 2017–2021 were grouped into G1-like H9N2 viruses previously detected in Egypt. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the Egyptian A(H9N2) viruses had undergone further reassortment, inheriting four genes (PB2, PB1, PA, NS) from genotype II, with their remaining segments deriving from genotype I viruses (these viruses designated as genotype III). Studying the virological features of the two most dominant genotypes (I and III) of Egyptian H9N2 viruses in vitro and in vivo indicated that both replicated well in mammalian cells, but did not show any clinical signs in chickens, ducks, and mice. Monitoring avian influenza viruses through surveillance programs and understanding the genetic and antigenic characteristics of circulating H9N2 viruses are essential for risk assessment and influenza pandemic preparedness.     

(肌)皮瓣修复足部软组织缺损

目的:探讨应用多种(肌)皮瓣修复各种足部软组织缺损的临床效果.方法:根据足部缺损的类型和部位,应用13种(肌)皮瓣修复足部软组织缺损76例.结果:随访半年至18年,1例腓肠神经营养血管逆行岛状皮瓣部分坏死,1例小腿外侧逆行岛状皮瓣皮肤部分坏死,3例皮瓣远端部分表皮坏死,经局部换药后皮瓣成活,其余皮瓣全部成活.3例游离背...     

Myoblast transplantation can repair heart damage

Cell and gene based therapies hold tremendous po- tential to treat cardiovascular diseases. However, signifi- cant obstacles need to be overcome before any realization of potential benefits. There is no doubt that intracoronary or direct injection of either cells or genes into small animal models (mouse, rat, hamster or rabbit) for heart disease pro- duce improvements in cardiac function.1-4 The challenges, however, to treat human heart disease are far greater than in experimental animal syste…     

Teaching for understanding in medical classrooms using multimedia design principles

Objectives In line with a recent report entitled Effective Use of Educational Technology in Medical Education from the Association of American Medical Colleges Institute for Improving Medical Education (AAMC‐IME), this study examined whether revising a medical lecture based on evidence‐based principles of multimedia design would lead to improved long‐term transfer and retention in Year 3 medical students. A previous study yielded positive effects on an immediate retention test, but did not investigate long‐term effects. Methods In a pre‐test/post‐test control design, a cohort of 37 Year 3 medical students at a private, midwestern medical school received a bullet point‐based PowerPoint? lecture on shock developed by the instructor as part of their core curriculum (the traditional condition group). Another cohort of 43 similar medical students received a lecture covering identical content using slides redesigned according to Mayer’s evidence‐based principles of multimedia design (the modified condition group). Results Findings showed that the modified condition group significantly outscored the traditional condition group on delayed tests of transfer given 1 week (d = 0.83) and 4 weeks (d = 1.17) after instruction, and on delayed tests of retention given 1 week (d = 0.83) and 4 weeks (d = 0.79) after instruction. The modified condition group also significantly outperformed the traditional condition group on immediate tests of retention (d = 1.49) and transfer (d = 0.76). Conclusions This study provides the first evidence that applying multimedia design principles to an actual medical lecture has significant effects on measures of learner understanding (i.e. long‐term transfer and long‐term retention). This work reinforces the need to apply the science of learning and instruction in medical education.     

Effects of dexamethasone, calcium and 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol on calcitonin and calcitonin gene-related peptide mRNA levels from the CA-77 C cell line.

We used the CA-77 cell, a murine C-cell line derived from a medullary thyroid carcinoma, to study the effects of glucocorticoids, calcium, and vitamin D metabolites on calcitonin (CT) gene expression. Total RNA was isolated, and CT and CT gene-related peptide (CGRP) mRNAs were measured by Northern hybridizations using specific probes. A control mRNA probe (cyclophilin) was used to quantitate the specificity of the changes in CT and CGRP mRNAs. The CA-77 C cell line cultured in basal conditions with a medium deprived of fetal calf serum, but was supplemented by insulin, expressed mainly the CGRP mRNA. Dexamethasone was found to increase both CT and CGRP mRNAs in a time- and dose-dependent way without changing the alternative splicing. A slight but significant increase in the steady-state CT mRNA level was found 3 days after addition of 10(-10) M dexamethasone; the same dose slightly decreased the CGRP mRNA level; concentrations of dexamethasone > or = 10(-9) M elevated both mRNAs. A twelve-fold increase for CT mRNA, and an eightfold increase in CGRP mRNA occurred 3 days after administration of 10(-6) M dexamethasone. Kinetic data revealed inductions of both mRNAs 24 hours after exposure to 10(-7) M dexamethasone, and highest CT and CGRP mRNAs levels were observed after 72 hours of treatment. Calcium from 1-4 mM in short-term (1 hour and 4 hour) or long-term stimulations (1 day and 4 days), with or without dexamethasone cotreatment was ineffective. CT and CGRP mRNAs levels were both half-reduced 48 hours after addition of 10(-7) M 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol; this effect was transient, as it disappeared 2 days later.