Mutant mice provide new insight into the role of (mis-)glycation in IgA nephropathy and other glomerular diseases.

In the 24 October 2006 issue of PNAS, Alexander and colleagues[1] describe the results of a systematic search for thrombocytopenicmice generated by large-scale mutagenesis. Amongst 3523 mice,one pedigree indeed exhibited 50% reduction in platelet counts.Apart from thrombocytopenia, the only other notable featureof these mice was prominent renal disease (albuminuria/proteinuria,glomerulosclerosis and tubulointerstitial inflammatory infiltration)leading to uraemia and death at around 200 days after birth.This renal disease was not immune mediated, since it persistedin mutant mice crossed to     

Experimental infection of H5N1 and H5N8 highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses in Northern Pintail (Anas acuta)

The wide geographic spread of Eurasian Goose/Guangdong lineage highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) clade 2.3.4.4 viruses by wild birds is of great concern. In December 2014, an H5N8 HPAI clade 2.3.4.4 Group A (2.3.4.4A) virus was introduced to North America. Long‐distance migratory wild aquatic birds between East Asia and North America, such as Northern Pintail (Anas acuta ), were strongly suspected of being a source of intercontinental transmission. In this study, we evaluated the pathogenicity, infectivity and transmissibility of an H5N8 HPAI clade 2.3.4.4A virus in Northern Pintails and compared the results to that of an H5N1 HPAI clade 2.3.2.1 virus. All of Northern Pintails infected with either H5N1 or H5N8 virus lacked clinical signs and mortality, but the H5N8 clade 2.3.4.4 virus was more efficient at replicating within and transmitting between Northern Pintails than the H5N1 clade 2.3.2.1 virus. The H5N8‐infected birds shed high titre of viruses from oropharynx and cloaca, which in the field supported virus transmission and spread. This study highlights the role of wild waterfowl in the intercontinental spread of some HPAI viruses. Migratory aquatic birds should be carefully monitored for the early detection of H5 clade 2.3.4.4 and other HPAI viruses.     

Seroprevalence of influenza A H1N1 (swine) infection in the human population in a cantonment

BackgroundVarious serosurveys and studies were conducted globally on pandemic influenza. H1N1 virus reported so far provides ample evidence of differing perspectives, regarding its epidemiology especially with regard to prevalence, populations groups, and behaviour related to vaccine acceptance. A multigroup, cross-sectional survey among 658 healthy subjects was carried out, in Pune among students, health-care workers (HCWs), and soldiers to assess the seroprevalence of pandemic influenza H1N1 virus and its associated factors.MethodsThe total sample size, based on forecasted prevalence of 33%, worked out to be 640. We studied 658 subjects including 103 students, 201 HCWs, and 354 serving soldiers. The sample for each group was selected from the respective study population by simple random sampling using a random number table. Haemagglutination inhibition test was carried out at the National Institute of Virology.ResultsThe overall seroprevalence of pandemic influenza H1N1 (2009) virus was found to be 46.5% (95% confidence interval 42.6–50.4) which was adjusted to 39.4% after excluding those vaccinated. The availability of vaccine for high-risk group such as HCWs did not find much favour with the HCWs who did not accept vaccine for various reasons. Whereas only one student was vaccinated, 21.4% of HCWs and 32.5% of soldiers were vaccinated.ConclusionBased on high seroprevalence of antibodies against H1N1 virus during pandemic, vaccination of general population is not recommended. However, high-risk groups and HCWs need to be protected with flu vaccine. There is a need to encourage HCWs for accepting vaccination.     

Distribution of Avian Influenza A Viruses in Poultry-Related Environment and Its Association with Human Infection in Henan, 2016 to 2017

ObjectiveTo survey avian influenza A viruses (AIVs) in the environment and explore the reasons for the surge in human H7N9 cases.MethodsA total of 1,045 samples were collected from routine surveillance on poultry-related environments and 307 samples from human H7N9 cases-exposed environments in Henan from 2016 to 2017. The nucleic acids of influenza A (Flu A), H5, H7, and H9 subtypes were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction.ResultsA total of 27 H7N9 cases were confirmed in Henan from 2016 to 2017, 24 had a history of live poultry exposure, and 15 had H7N9 virus detected in the related live poultry markets (LPMs). About 96% (264/275) Flu A positive-environmental samples were from LPMs. H9 was the main AIV subtype (10.05%) from routine surveillance sites with only 1 H7-positive sample, whereas 21.17% samples were H7-positive in H7N9 cases-exposed environments. Samples from H7N9 cases-exposed LPMs (47.56%) had much higher AIVs positive rates than those from routine surveillance sites (12.34%). The H7+H9 combination of mixed infection was 78.18% (43/55) of H7-positive samples and 41.34% (43/104) of H9-positive samples.ConclusionThe contamination status of AIVs in poultry-related environments is closely associated with the incidence of human infection caused by AIVs. Therefore, systematic surveillance of AIVs in LPMs in China is essential for the detection of novel reassortant viruses and their potential for interspecies transmission.     

EFFECTS OF NITRIC OXIDE SYNTHESIS INHIBITION ON FK506-INDUCED NEPHROTOXICITY IN RATS

This study was designed to evaluate the role of nitric oxide (NO) in FK506-induced nephrotoxicity by administering an inhibitor of NO synthesis, Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) to rats treated with FK506. After one week of treatment with FK506 (3.2 mg/kg/day, intramuscularly) and/or L-NAME (5 mg/100 mL of L-NAME in the drinking water), the arterial pressure, urinary NOx, and parameters for renal function were measured, and histological analysis of the kidney was made. In the L-NAME without FK506 group, L-NAME administration effectively inhibited urinary NOx excretion and increased mean arterial pressure (MAP) without any change in renal function. In the FK506 without L-NAME group, FK506 treatment showed increase in urinary NOx excretion and mild renal dysfunction. In the FK506 with L-NAME group, urinary NOx excretion was decreased by L-NAME administration and renal function was significantly worsened than FK506 without L-NAME group. The plasma creatinine, BUN and urinary N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase increased 2-, 3-, and 3-fold, respectively and the creatinine clearance was reduced by 50% as compared with that in the FK506 without L-NAME group. Histological analysis revealed severe interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy in the FK506 + L-NAME treatment group. Thus, results suggest that NO synthesis is enhanced in the kidney during FK506-induced nephrotoxicity and that NO synthesis inhibition aggravates FK506-induced nephrotoxicity. NO may play a protective role attributable to the balance of vasoactive substances in FK506-induced nephrotoxicity.     

NNMT在肾透明细胞癌的表达及对肾癌细胞侵袭能力的影响

目的:研究NNMT在肾透明细胞癌中的表达情况及对肾癌细胞侵袭能力的影响。方法:采用RT-PCR和Western blot方法检测正常肾小管上皮细胞株HKC、肾癌细胞株786-O及30例肾透明细胞癌组织、相应癌旁组织中NNMT的mRNA和蛋白的表达水平,并分析NNMT的mRNA水平与临床病理参数的关系。化学合成针对NNMT特异的siRNA序列,应用脂质体Lipofectamine 2000将其转染进786-O细胞中,利用RT-PCR和Western blot法检测NNMT在786-O细胞中的表达水平,用Transwell小室法检测肾癌细胞786-O侵袭能力的变化。结果:NNMT在肾癌细胞786-O中的mRNA和蛋白表达水平显著高于正常肾小管上皮细胞株HKC(P<0.001);肾透明细胞癌组织和对应的癌旁组织中NNMT的mRNA相对表达量分别为(1.582±0.2145)、(0.1269±0.04279),两组比较P<0.001。NNMT的mRNA水平与肿瘤大小、临床分期有关(P<0.05);Tran-swell法检测结果显示降低NNMT的表达后786-O细胞的侵袭能力明显下降。结论:NNMT在肾透明细胞癌组织和细胞中表达升高,可能在肾癌发生、发展过程中发挥重要作用。     

Skip mediastinal nodal metastases in non-small cell lung cancer

Objective: To reveal the incidence and clinical significance of mediastinal nodal metastases without N1-station nodal metastases (‘skip-N2 metastases’) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: A total of 450 NSCLC patients who underwent tumor resection with a systemic mediastinal nodal dissection were retrospectively reviewed. p53 status and proliferative activity represented as proliferative index (PI) were also examined immunohistochemically. Results: Skip-N2 metastases were documented in 49 (13%) patients of all 450 patients; among 334 patients without N1-nodal involvement, 18% patients had skip-N2 metastases. The postoperative survival of skip-N2 patients was almost same as that for patients with metastases to both N1 and N2 nodes. Skip-N2 metastases were significantly more frequent in male patients and squamous cell carcinoma patients. In addition, the mean PI for tumor with skip-N2 metastases was significantly higher than that for any other pathologic nodal (pN)-status diseases. Combined with histologic type and PI, the incidences of skip-N2 metastases for adenocarcinoma showing lower PI were only 5% (7/137) of all patients and 7% (7/94) of patients without N1-nodal involvement. Conclusions: N1 nodal status is not a useful predictor of N2 nodal status in NSCLC, because skip-N2 metastases were documented in 18% patients showing no N1-nodal involvement. However, N1 node-guided dissection might be performed in patients with adenocarcinoma showing lower PI, because the incidence of skip-N2 metastases was extremely low.     

CAVM栓塞剂NBCA混悬液配比浓度的基础和临床研究

目的：定量分析动静脉畸形（AVM）栓塞到α－氰基丙烯酸丁酯（NBCA）混悬液配比与动静脉（A－V）循环时间之间的关系，探讨临床应用微导管栓塞脑AVM（CAVM）所需的最佳NBCA混悬液配比浓度。方法：（1）16例颅内出血患者的离体新鲜动脉血和浓度分别为20％，33％，50％，70％和80％的NBCA混合，测定不同浓度NBCA在离体新鲜动脉血中的凝固时间；（2）对1例AVM和1例AVF的5支供血动脉行超选择性栓塞治疗。结果：（1）不同浓度NBCA与离体新鲜动脉血凝固时间之间存在着指数函数关系，T（凝）＝e^1.9994-4.187D;(2)AVM栓塞术后畸开血管团闭塞约90％，AVF栓塞术后瘘口基本被封闭。结论：A－V循环时间与NBCA配比浓度之间存在指数函数关系，为临床运用微导管栓塞CAVM提供了一定的理论依据。     

等概率听觉选择反应中非靶ERPs的N2效应

目的研究等概率听觉选择反应任务中非靶ERPs的N2效应是否存在及其特点。方法被试者为1 6名右利手健康男性青年 ( 2 3 .2± 2 .1岁 )。刺激为听觉输入的一位数字信号序列 ( 2～ 7) ,要求被试者对靶数字进行拨开关反应 ,对非靶数字不作反应。记录 9导脑电。结果 1 )非靶ERPs产生了明显的N2 80 (N2效应 ) ,额区最为突出 ;2 )非靶ERPs中P3的潜伏期明显长于、峰值显著小于靶ERPs,且头皮分布比靶ERPs(顶区优势 )更趋于中央脑区分布。结论听觉通道亦存在非靶N2效应 ,且不能简单理解为是对靶刺激反应的抑制 ,而更可能反映了工作记忆中模式的重调过程 ,而这一过程的完成可能比靶数字出现时的反应更为复杂 ,且主要发生在额区     

红景天中药复方对海拔3600m高原移居者PWC170的影响

我们在海拔３６００ｍ高原地区，就红景天中药复方对从平原移居到该地区１～２年的受试者劳动能力的影响进行了观察。试验分为药物组（服红景天中药复方）和对照组（服安慰剂），连服９天药。然后用踏阶法测定停药后第１、４和７天时两组受试者的ＰＷＣ１７０。结果为药物组的ＰＷＣ１７０比对照组分别高１２．１％（Ｐ＜０．０１）、９．８％（Ｐ＜０．０５）和３．５％；药物组受试者的ＰＷＣ１７０比服药前分别高１３．３％（Ｐ＜０．０１）、１０．３％（Ｐ＜０．０１）和７．５％（Ｐ＜０．０５）。提示：该药在提高高原人体劳动能力方面具有明显的作用。