Anti‐envelope antibody responses in highly exposed seronegative individuals may be associated with protection from HCV infection

In rare cases, individuals with a history of long‐term injecting drug use remain seronegative and aviraemic, despite prolonged and likely repeated exposure to Hepatitis C virus (HCV) through high‐risk behaviour. We describe anti‐HCV Envelope (E) antibody responses in a prospective cohort of carefully defined highly exposed but uninfected subjects (HESN) and comparison subjects who were also high risk and uninfected, but rapidly became HCV infected (Incident). Longitudinally collected samples from HESN cases (n = 22) were compared to Incident controls (n = 22). IgG, IgM and IgA from sera were tested by ELISA to genotype 1a and 3a E glycoproteins, and recombinant genotype 1a E2 antigen. IgG subclass isotyping was performed for those positive for IgG. Virus‐neutralizing activity was assessed on HCV pseudoparticles, and HCV E–specific B cells analysed using flow cytometry. A significant minority of HESN cases (n = 10; 45%) had anti‐E, predominantly in the IgG2 subclass, which was not found in the pre‐infection time point of the Incident cases (n = 1; 5%). A subset of the HESN subjects also had neutralizing activity and HCV‐specific B cells detected significantly more than Incident cases pre‐infection. In conclusion, the HESN phenotype is associated with IgG2 anti‐E antibodies, neutralization activity and HCV E–specific memory B cells. These findings suggest that HESN subjects may be resistant to HCV infection through humoral immune‐mediated mechanisms.     

Elevated Serum Uric Acid is Associated With Angiotensinogen in Obese Patients With Untreated Hypertension

This study investigated the correlation between elevated serum uric acid (SUA) and angiotensinogen in obesity patients with hypertension. A total of 162 obese and 162 nonobese men with hypertension were recruited in this study. Plasma angiotensinogen levels were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Fasting insulin (FINS) was evaluated by radioimmunoassay. Compared with nonobese patients, obese patients exhibited higher levels of angiotensinogen, FINS, and homeostasis model assessment index‐insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) (P<.001 for all). Moreover, these indexes significantly increased in obese patients in the highest tertile of SUA when compared with those in the lowest tertile of SUA (P<.001, P=.002, P=.007, respectively). In the obese group, SUA levels were significantly related to angiotensinogen, FINS, and HOMA‐IR, respectively. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that obesity × uric acid was an independent contributor to angiotensinogen (β=0.257, P<.001). In conclusion, elevated SUA is strongly related to angiotensinogen in an obesity‐dependent manner in hypertension.     

Dynamic Tensile Properties and Energy Dissipation of High-Strength Concrete after Exposure to Elevated Temperatures

In view of the devastating outcomes of fires and explosions, it is imperative to research the dynamic responses of concrete structures at high temperatures. For this purpose, the effects of the strain rate and high temperatures on the dynamic tension behavior and energy characteristics of high-strength concrete were investigated in this paper. Dynamic tests were conducted on high-strength concrete after exposure to the temperatures of 200, 400, and 600 °C by utilizing a 74 mm diameter split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) apparatus. We found that the quasi-static and dynamic tensile strength of high-strength concrete gradually decreased and that the damage degree rose sharply with the rise of temperature. The dynamic tensile strength and specific energy absorption of high-strength concrete had a significant strain rate effect. The crack propagation law gradually changed from directly passing through the coarse aggregate to extending along the bonding surface between the coarse aggregate and the mortar matrix with the elevation of temperature. When designing the material ratio, materials with high-temperature resistance and high tensile strength should be added to strengthen the bond between the mortar and the aggregate and to change the failure mode of the structure to resist the softening effect of temperature.     

Serum Metabolomic Profiling and Incident CKD among African Americans

Background and objectives

Novel biomarkers that more accurately reflect kidney function and predict future CKD are needed. The human metabolome is the product of multiple physiologic or pathophysiologic processes and may provide novel insight into disease etiology and progression. This study investigated whether estimated kidney function would be associated with multiple metabolites and whether selected metabolomic factors would be independent risk factors for incident CKD.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

In total, 1921 African Americans free of CKD with a median of 19.6 years follow-up among the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study were included. A total of 204 serum metabolites quantified by untargeted gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry was analyzed by both linear regression for the cross-sectional associations with eGFR (specified by the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equation) and Cox proportional hazards model for the longitudinal associations with incident CKD.

Results

Forty named and 34 unnamed metabolites were found to be associated with eGFR specified by the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equation with creatine and 3-indoxyl sulfate showing the strongest positive (2.8 ml/min per 1.73 m² per +1 SD; 95% confidence interval, 2.1 to 3.5) and negative association (−14.2 ml/min per 1.73 m² per +1 SD; 95% confidence interval, −17.0 to −11.3), respectively. Two hundred four incident CKD events with a median follow-up time of 19.6 years were included in the survival analyses. Higher levels of 5-oxoproline (hazard ratio, 0.70; 95% confidence interval, 0.60 to 0.82) and 1,5-anhydroglucitol (hazard ratio, 0.68; 95% confidence interval, 0.58 to 0.80) were significantly related to lower risk of incident CKD, and the associations did not appreciably change when mutually adjusted.

Conclusions

These data identify a large number of metabolites associated with kidney function as well as two metabolites that are candidate risk factors for CKD and may provide new insights into CKD biomarker identification.     

Molecular cloning and characterization of lactate dehydrogenase gene from Eimeria tenella

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is a key enzyme in the glycolytic pathway and is crucial for parasite survival. In this study, we cloned and expressed the LDH of Eimeria tenella (EtLDH). Real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis revealed that the expression of EtLDH was developmentally regulated at the messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels. EtLDH mRNA levels were higher in second-generation merozoites than in other developmental stages (unsporulated oocysts, sporulated oocysts, and sporozoites). EtLDH protein expression levels were most prominent in second-generation merozoites, moderately expressed in unsporulated oocysts and sporulated oocysts, and weakly detected in sporozoites. Immunostaining with anti-recombinant EtLDH (rEtLDH) antibody indicated that EtLDH was mainly located in the anterior region in free sporozoites and became concentrated in the anterior region of intracellular sporozoites except for the apex after invasion into DF-1 cells. Specific staining of EtLDH protein was more intense in trophozoites and immature first-generation schizonts, but decreased in mature first-generation schizonts. Inhibition of EtLDH function using specific antibodies cannot efficiently reduce the ability of E. tenella sporozoites to invade host cells. These results suggest that EtLDH may be involved in glycolysis during the first-generation merogony stage in E. tenella and has little role in host invasion.     

Acidic polysaccharide of Panax ginseng regulates the mitochondria/caspase-dependent apoptotic pathway in radiation-induced damage to the jejunum in mice

Owing to its susceptibility to radiation, the small intestine of mice is valuable for studying radioprotective effects. When exposed to radiation, intestinal crypt cells immediately go through apoptosis, which impairs swift differentiation necessary for the regeneration of intestinal villi. Our previous studies have elucidated that acidic polysaccharide of Panax ginseng (APG) protects the mouse small intestine from radiation-induced damage by lengthening villi with proliferation and repopulation of crypt cells. In the present study, we identified the molecular mechanism involved. C57BL/6 mice were irradiated with gamma-rays with or without APG and the expression levels of apoptosis-related molecules in the jejunum were investigated using immunohistochemistry. APG pretreatment strongly decreased the radiation-induced apoptosis in the jejunum. It increased the expression levels of anti-apoptotic proteins (Bcl-2 and Bcl-X_S/L) and dramatically reduced the expression levels of pro-apoptotic proteins (p53, BAX, cytochrome c and caspase-3). Therefore, APG attenuated the apoptosis through the intrinsic pathway, which is controlled by p53 and Bcl-2 family members. Results presented in this study suggest that APG protects the mouse small intestine from irradiation-induced apoptosis through inhibition of the p53-dependent pathway and the mitochondria/caspase pathway. Thus, APG may be a potential agent for preventing radiation induced injuries in intestinal cells during radio-therapy such as in cancer treatment.     

脑室亚低温对急性脑梗塞脑组织兔细胞凋亡和Caspase-3表达的影响

目的检测低温组和常温组家兔大脑中动脉脑梗塞周边缺血区脑组织细胞凋亡和Caspase-3表达,探讨脑室内低温对家兔大脑中动脉梗塞模型脑组织细胞凋亡影响。方法选用4-6个月龄雄性家兔20只,随机分为常温组(10只)和低温组(10只)。应用线栓法建立大脑中动脉闭塞(MCAO)模型,进行脑室内穿刺低温液体灌注亚低温干预,术后动物行为观察,SP和Western blot法检测各组脑组织Caspase-3的表达,TUNEL方法检测细胞凋亡。结果术后24h神经病学体征评分低温组明显优于常温组(P0.05),低温组的TUNEL染色凋亡细胞数和Caspase-3染色阳性细胞数明显低于常温组(P0.05),Western blot表明低温组脑组织中Caspase-3的表达水平明显低于常温组(P0.05)。结论脑室内穿刺低温干预对急性脑梗塞动物模型有脑保护作用。     

618例不育男性的AZF基因微缺失分析

目的研究Y染色体AZF基因微缺失与男性不育的关系。方法应用多重PCR对618例男性不育患者进行Y染色体AZF基因的15个位点进行检测。结果一共检出Y染色体微缺失患者23例,占受检人群的3．72％,其中包括16例AZFc全部缺失、3例为AZFb＋c部分／全部缺失、3例为AZFa部分缺失和1例AZFa、AZFb、AZFc和AZFd四个区15个检测位点全部缺失。AZFc全部缺失患者中,中度至重度少精症13例,无精症3例;AZFb部分／全部缺失患者中,严重少弱精1例,无精症2例;AZFa部分缺失患者和15个位点全部缺失患者均为无精症。结论Y染色体AZF基因微缺失是男性不育的重要原因之一,该检测可为患者的诊断、治疗及遗传咨询提供依据。     

The Interaction Between Amphiphilic Polymer Materials and Guest Molecules: Selective Adsorption and Its Related Applications

The interaction between amphiphilic polymer materials and molecules such as drugs, proteins, and DNA plays one of the key roles for the applications in separation, delivery of drugs, biosensors, and tissue engineering. Thus, the fundamental investigation of this interaction is necessary before some polymer materials can be designed for practical applications. Here, various factors are discussed to determine the interactions between amphiphilic polymer materials and guest molecules. Based on this fundamental understanding, a series of amphiphilic polymer materials with selective adsorption to guest molecules has been developed and widely used for applications in smart separation, temporally controlled release, and patterning of guest molecules, such as dyes, drugs, and proteins.