Genetic drift in the genome of SARS COV-2 and its global health concern

The outbreak of the current coronavirus disease (COVID-19) occurred in late 2019 and quickly spread all over the world. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) belongs to a genetically diverse group that mutates continuously leading to the emergence of multiple variants. Although a few antiviral agents and anti-inflammatory medicines are available, thousands of individuals have passed away due to emergence of new viral variants. Thus, proper surveillance of the SARS-CoV-2 genome is needed for the rapid identification of developing mutations over time, which are of the major concern if they occur specifically in the surface spike proteins of the virus (neutralizing analyte). This article reviews the potential mutations acquired by the SARS-CoV2 since the pandemic began and their significant impact on the neutralizing efficiency of vaccines and validity of the diagnostic assays.     

Use of a monoclonal antibody in a double-sandwich ELISA for detection of IgM antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii major surface protein (P30)

A double-sandwich ELISA, developed for detection of IgM antibodies to the major surface protein of Toxoplasma gondii (P30), is proposed for the diagnosis of acute acquired toxoplasmosis. The method is based on the capture of serum IgM antibodies, which are revealed indirectly by the sequential addition of a Toxoplasma extract and a beta-galactosidase-conjugated anti-P30 monoclonal antibody. All 57 patients tested with serological characteristics of recently acquired toxoplasmosis showed high levels of IgM anti-P30 antibodies. In addition, 5 out of the 24 patients with chronic toxoplasmosis and all 7 patients with a clinical acute infection in which the classical IgM serology was negative, also presented significant anti-P30 IgM antibodies. Patients with either rheumatoid factor or antinuclear antibodies were all negative. In view of its simplicity, specificity and sensitivity, this method is recommended for the current diagnosis of T. gondii infection.     

单克隆体MGs用于肺癌血清学诊断的初步研究

用Con A—单克隆抗体夹心ELISA法,对107例肺癌、良性肺疾病患者和正常人血清中MG-Ags的表达进行了检测,以探讨肺癌患者血清中MG-AgS的表达情况及其在临床诊断中的意义。结果表明,36例肺癌的表达阳性率为64％,31例良性肺疾病的阳性率为19％,40例正常人的假阳性率为12.5％。癌与良性疾病和正常人之间阳性率差异非常显著(P<0.01),癌与良性肺疾病对照计算诊断效率为51.5％。故认为检测血清中MG—Ags的表达对肺癌的诊断有一定的临床意义。     

Specificity of routine parasite serological tests in autoimmune disorders,neoplastic disease,EBV-induced mononucleosis,and HIV infection

Summary Sera from 120 patients with rheumatological disorders, neoplastic disease, infectious mononucleosis, and HIV infection, and from 30 healthy blood donors were tested for nonspecific reactivity in 13 routinely used parasite serological tests. Responses were detected in 3/30 healthy blood donors (10%) vs 25/120 patients (21%). Of 40 responses in these 28 responders most were weakly reactive, and 25 out of 40 responses were only at borderline level. Response rates were highest in patients with mononucleosis presumably due to heterophile antibodies. Only four patients had responses in at least two different serodiagnostic tests for the same parasitic infection. Response patterns indicative of a possible underlying, concurring, or superimposed parasitic infection, thus, were rare. Especially susceptible to nonspecific reactivity seemed to be immunofluorescent antibody tests for filariasis, schistosomiasis, and amebiasis. In conclusion, compared to healthy controls, false-positive serological responses seem to be more frequent in certain disease groups dependent on the test methods used. Second, the use of more than one serodiagnostic test for the same parasitic disease will substantially facilitate the identification of nonspecific reactivity. Third, for better defining the specificity of parasitological serodiagnosis, more studies should include control sera from patients with nonparasitic diseases that frequently show immunological abnormalities.Abbreviations EBV Epstein-Barr virus - HIV Human immunodeficiency virus - IHA Indirect hemagglutination - IIFT Indirect immunofluorescent antibody test - CIE Countercurrent immunoelectrophoresis - EIA Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay Herrn Prof. Dr. Helmut Jusatz zum 80. Geburtstag gewidmet     

血液病与循环免疫复合物

以聚乙二醇(PEG)沉淀试验测定循环免疫复合物(CIC),测定100例健康献血员血清定出大于140为阳性。选临床及实验室确诊的各类血液病97例进行测定。结果:白血病人的CIC值高于正常人,以AML为显著(P<0.01);其余血液病未显示特征性。说明血清CIC水平与机体免疫状态密切相关,但对各类     

Asscessment of the clinical value of CK-M2 and oligosaccharide protein inserum from patients with gastric carcinoma

AIM To evaluate the clinical value of creatine kinase macroisoenzyme type 2 (CK-M2) and oligosaccharideprotein (OP) in serum from patients with gastric carcinoma (GC).METHODS Serum level of CK-M2 was detected by agar gel electrophoresis. OP concentration was measuredby an enzyme immunoassay.RESULTS Serum levels of CK-M2 and OP in 57 cases of GC were significantly higher than those in 51 caseswith gastric precancerous lesion and 28 controls. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity for GC with CK-M2 was 56.10% and 98.63% respectively. CK-M2 and OP were not associated with histologic type and degreeof differentiation.CONCLUSION These results suggest that CK-M2 may serve as a marker to diagnose GC, and the specificityis higher, whereas OP is not more significant for GC diagnosis, but it could be a useful indicator forevaluation the status of body immune.     

糖尿病患者血清一氧化氨水平与食管内pH值及食管动力变化的临床意义

目的 探讨一氧化氮(NO)在糖尿病患者食管动力功能紊乱中的作用。方法 应用Pcpolygraf HR高分辨多通道测压系统检测糖尿病患者的食管下括约肌压力(LESP)、食管下括约肌长度(LESL)及食管远端蠕动幅度等动力参数;应用Digitrapper MKⅢ动态pH监测仪检测其24h食管内pH各项参数;此外,血清NO含量也被检测结果 糖尿病组LESP,LESL均明显低于正常对照组(1．2kPa±O．08 kPavs 2.5kPaa±0．3kPa;2．8cm=．8 cm vs 3．5cm=0.6cm,P     

Relationship between HBxAg and Fas/FasL in patients with hepatocellularcarcinoma

AIM To assess the relationship between HBV X-gene, X-gene product and Fas/ FasL which mediatehepatocellular apoptosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.METHODS Tissue from 34 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma was tested for the expression of HBxAg.Quantitative ELISA assay was used to detect sFas; and sFasL and PCR were used to detect the HBV X-genein sera from 30 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, 32 patients with liver cirrhosis and 20 normalcontrols.RESULTS The positive expression of HBxAg, Fas and FasL in carcinoma tissue was 97.06%, 85.29% and100%, respectively. The positive signal was mainly presented in the plasma, and all of these three positivestaining may appear in the same area. Redit analysis showed that there was no significant difference amongthese three positive staining (P >0.05). The mean levels of sFas in sera from hepatocellular carcinoma, livercirrhosis and normal controls were 722.97±321.12, 801.90±419.94 and 224.07±148.23, respectively,showing that sFas levels in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and liver cirrhosis were significantlyelevated than that in normal controls (P < 0.0l). The mean levels of sFasL in sera from hepatocellularcarcinoma, liver cirrhosis and normal controls were 152.27±7.99, 162.97±12.40 and 154.99 ± 6.96,showing that sFasL level in patients with liver cirrhosis was significantly higher than that in patients withhepatocellular carcinoma and normal controls (P< 0.01). HBV X-gene was found to be positive in sera of30% patients with hepatocellular carcinoma; HBV X-gene was found to be positive in sera of 43.75% ofpatients with liver cirrhosis. There was no significant difference in sFas/sFasL level between HBV X-genepositive patients and HBV X-gene negative patients (P >0.05).CONCLUSION The expression of HBxAg and Fas/FasL in the tissue of hepatocellular carcinoma seemed tobe almost the same, but relation between cause and effect is unclear. The detection of sFas and sFasL inpatient sera may reflect the state of apoptosis mediated by Fas/FasL system. Our data showed that HBV X-gene expression in sera seemed to have no relation to sFas/sFasL level; however, these data also suggestedthat some patients with negative HBsAg in sera might have integrated HBV X-gene in liver tissues, andtherefore X-gene is detectable in those patient sera.     

Gastric cancer screening in 16 villages of Zhuanghe region: a mass screeningreport from a high risk area of stomach cancer in China

AIM To study the comprehensive prevention and treatment of gastric cancer among high-risk population inthe high risk areas.METHODS A gastrocarcinoma mass screening was performed in 16 villages of Zhuanghe region. About50 000 population were involved and 3033 cases aged above 35 suffering from gastric diseases, and/or hadfamily history of gastric cancer were screened. Clinical epidemiological investigation, double-contrast X-ray,serum pepsinogen monitor, gastroscopic biopsies and histopathologic examinations were adopted in thescreening.RESULTS The ratio of the examined patients with gastric disorder reached up to 82% and 32 patients withgastric cancer were detected (1.06%) and 18 cases were early gastric cancer (56.25%). Patients with gastriccancer were treated successively. Aside from gastric cancer, several gastric lesions were also detected, whichlaid a good foundation for further interventional treatment. It was also found in the examination that93.97% of the local residents were addicted to salted pork and more than 60% of the residents had Hpinfection.CONCLUSION Gastric diseases, Hp infection of gastric mucosa and eating salted pork are very common inZhuanghe region. These are very dangerous factors causing gastric cancer. It is feasible to quit eating saltedpork and eradicate Hp infection and cure precancerous diseases.