Magnesium lithospermate B acts against dextran sodiumsulfate-induced ulcerative colitis by inhibiting activation of the NRLP3/ASC/Caspase-1 pathway

This study aimed to observe the therapeutic effects of magnesium lithospermate B on acute and chronic colitis induced by dextran sodiumsulfate (DSS) and the role of inflammasome complex (NOD-like receptor protein, NLRP; apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing, ASC; caspase-1). Establishment of acute and chronic colitis models were by using 5% DSS oral administration in BALB/C male mice. Magnesium lithospermate B (240 mg/kg body weight) was given by subcutaneous injection. Samples were collected for biomarker assay, histological examination, immunohistochemical evaluation and western blot. There was obvious increase in TNF-α level and NLPR3, ASC, and caspase-1 expressions in acute and chronic colitis groups compared with the normal control. Significant decrease of the tumor necrosis factor-α level and the expressions of NLPR3, ASC, and caspase-1 were observed after treatment with magnesium lithospermate B. This study showed that magnesium lithospermate B could be used to treat acute and chronic colitis by inhibiting the activation of the NLRP3/ASC/Caspase-1 pathway.     

Status of vaccine research and development of vaccines for herpes simplex virus

Herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) and -2 (HSV-2) are highly prevalent global pathogens which commonly cause recurrent oral and genital ulcerations. Less common but more serious complications include meningitis, encephalitis, neonatal infection, and keratitis. HSV-2 infection is a significant driver of the HIV epidemic, increasing the risk of HIV acquisition 3 fold. As current control strategies for genital HSV-2 infection, including antiviral therapy and condom use, are only partially effective, vaccines will be required to reduce infection. Both preventive and therapeutic vaccines for HSV-2 are being pursued and are in various stages of development. We will provide an overview of efforts to develop HSV-2 vaccines, including a discussion of the clinical need for an HSV vaccine, and status of research and development with an emphasis on recent insights from trials of vaccine candidates in clinical testing. In addition, we will touch upon aspects of HSV vaccine development relevant to low and middle income countries.     

Arachidonic acid-stimulated platelet tests: Identification of patients less sensitive to aspirin treatment

Serum thromboxane-B2 (TxB2), together with arachidonic acid (AA)-induced platelet aggregation, are, at the moment, the most used tests to identify patients displaying high on-aspirin treatment platelet reactivity (HAPR). Both tests are specific for aspirin action on cyclooxygenase-1. While the correlation between serum TxB2 assay and clinical outcome is established, data are conflicting with regard to aspirin treatment and a possible association with AA-stimulated platelet markers and clinical outcome. To understand such discrepancy, we performed a retrospective study to compare both assays. We collected data from 132 patients receiving a daily dose of aspirin (100?mg/day) and data from 48 patients receiving aspirin on alternate days. All Patients who received a daily dose of aspirin were studied for AA-induced platelet aggregation together with serum TxB2 levels and AA-induced TxB2 formation was also studied in 71 patients out of entire population. Consistent with recommendations in the literature, we defined HAPR by setting a cut-off point at 3.1?ng/ml for serum levels of thromboxane B2 and 20% for AA-induced platelet aggregation. According to this cut-off point, we divided our overall population into two groups: (1) TxB2?<?3.1?ng/ml and (2) TxB2?>?3.1?ng/ml. We found low agreement between such tests to identify patients displaying HAPR. Our results show that AA-induced platelet aggregation >20% identify a smaller number of HAPR patients in comparison with TxB2. A good correlation between serum TxB2 and arachidonic acid-induced TxB2 production was found (r?=?0.76619).     

Aminotransferases During Treatment Predict Long-Term Survival in Patients With Autoimmune Hepatitis Type 1: A Landmark Analysis

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鼠巨细胞病毒感染C57BL/6小鼠急性肝炎动物模型的建立与鉴定

目的：建立鼠巨细胞病毒（MCMV）感染C57BL/6小鼠急性肝炎模型并对其感染特点进行分析及鉴定。方法：将24 只C57BL/6小鼠随机分为阴性对照组（n =12）及病毒感染组（n =12），病毒感染组腹腔注射1.0×106 PFU（200 μL）MCMV悬液，阴性对照组注射等体积小鼠胚胎成纤维细胞（MEF）悬液。于感染后第3天和第7天取外周血分离血清检测谷丙转氨酶（ALT）及谷草转氨酶（AST）。同时进行肝组织病毒分离、组织病理学及MCMV IE和M55基因、细胞因子白细胞介素-6（IL-6）、白细胞介素-1β（IL-1β）、肿瘤坏死因子α（TNF-α）的检测。结果：病毒感染组肝组织匀浆病毒分离均为阳性，肝炎发生率为100%。在感染后第3天即发生肝炎病理改变，病毒感染组血清ALT及AST较阴性对照组明显升高（P ＜0.01）；病毒感染组肝脏HE染色第3天可见局灶性炎性细胞浸润及肝脏点灶状坏死，持续至第7天，Ishak评分较阴性对照组明显升高（P ＜0.01）；在感染后第3天病毒感染组肝组织内可检测到MCMV IE及M55基因，且在感染后第7天仍可测得IE基因；感染后第3天及第7天病毒感染组炎性细胞因子IL-6、TNF-α及IL-1β mRNA表达水平明显升高（P ＜0.05）。 结论：成功建立MCMV感染C57BL/6小鼠急性动物肝炎模型，其感染表现主要集中在急性感染前期。     

Ebola Virus RNA Stability in Human Blood and Urine in West Africa’s Environmental Conditions

We evaluated RNA stability of Ebola virus in EDTA blood and urine samples collected from infected patients and stored in West Africa’s environmental conditions. In blood, RNA was stable for at least 18 days when initial cycle threshold values were <30, but in urine, RNA degradation occurred more quickly.     

Hepatitis E: An Underdiagnosed,Emerging Infection in Nonendemic Regions

Although hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the primary cause of enterically transmitted acute hepatitis and jaundice in developing countries, locally acquired HEV infections are increasing in nonendemic countries. As such, HEV is emerging as an underdiagnosed cause of infection. This report describes three clinically variable cases of HEV infection with unusual clinical presentations. These cases highlight the fact that HEV should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with unexplained hepatitis (acute or chronic) with or without extrahepatic manifestations. HEV should also be considered in patients with persistently elevated liver enzymes who have not travelled to known HEV-endemic regions. Lack of knowledge among physicians and an absence of standardized diagnostic tests may result in increased morbidity and mortality from HEV infection.     

CSTB、A-FABP在膀胱癌诊断与预后的价值

目的 分析CSTB、A-FABP在膀胱癌诊断和预后的意义。方法 选取2014年1月至2016年7月在本院进行手术、病理证实的膀胱癌患者45例、良性膀胱病变患者88例，检测膀胱癌样本癌组织、癌旁组织、良性膀胱病变组织中CSTB、A-FABP表达水平。评价CSTB、A-FABP在鉴别诊断膀胱癌的效用。对比膀胱癌进展对象（2年内转移、复发、肿瘤死亡）以及未进展对象组织中CSTB、A-FABP表达水平。结果 癌组织、癌旁组织、良性病变对象组织中CSTB、A-FABP表达水平差异有统计学意义（P<0．05）。CSTB、A-FABP作为诊断标准（任意一项为阳性），鉴别诊断膀胱癌与良性病变的灵敏度为84．4%、特异度为90．9%、阳性预测值82．6%、阴性预测值92．0%、符合率88．7%。2年内转移、复发、肿瘤死亡的患者共30例，无转移、复发、死亡的患者共15例，膀胱癌进展对象CSTB、A FABP表达量高于未进展对象，差异有统计学意义（P<0．05）。结论 CSTB、A-FABP在膀胱癌诊断、预后预测中均有一定的临床价值。