A candidate multi-epitope vaccine against porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae induces robust humoral and cellular response in mice

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M. hyopneumoniae, Mhp) are two of the most common pathogens involved in the porcine respiratory disease complex (PRDC) resulting in significant economic losses worldwide. Vaccination is the most effective approach to disease prevention. Since PRRSV and Mhp co-infections are very common, an efficient dual vaccine against these pathogens is required for the global swine industry. Compared with traditional vaccines, multi-epitope vaccines have several advantages, they are comparatively easy to produce and construct, are chemically stable, and do not have an infectious potential. In this study, to develop a safe and effective vaccine, B cell and T cell epitopes of PRRSV-GP5, PRRSV-M, Mhp-P46, and Mhp-P65 protein had been screened to construct a recombinant epitope protein rEP-PM that has good hydrophilicity, strong antigenicity, and high surface accessibility, and each epitope is independent and complete. After immunization in mice, rEP-PM could induce the production of high levels of antibodies, and it had good immunoreactivity with anti-rEP-PM, anti-PRRSV, and anti-Mhp antibodies. The anti-rEP-PM antibody specifically recognizes proteins from PRRSV and Mhp. Moreover, rEP-PM induced a Th1-dominant cellular immune response in mice. Our results showed that the rEP-PM protein could be a potential candidate for the development of a safe and effective multi-epitope peptide combined vaccine to control PRRSV and Mhp infections.     

Contemporary bone loss options: Rebuild,reinforce, and augment

Bone loss is commonly encountered during revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Small defects can be adequately managed with cement filling (with or without screws), modular prosthetic augments, and morselized allograft. For larger defects, cancellous impaction grafting and structural allografts have traditionally been utilized. More recently, highly porous tantalum cones and titanium sleeves have been designed to achieve axial and rotational stability in the metaphysis and subsequent biologic fixation. Sleeves are linked to one type of prosthesis, whereas cones are unlinked and can be used with any implant design. Multiple studies have demonstrated excellent survivorship and radiographic osseointegration at mid-term follow-up. This article provides a review of contemporary methods of bone loss management with a focus on highly porous metals and an emphasis on the authors’ preferred method for managing the severe bone loss in revision TKA.     

Polyethylene in knee arthroplasty: A review

Polyethylene (PE) has been used extensively in knee arthroplasty since the mid 20th century. Progress in material manufacturing and processing has led to newer polyethylenes over last few decades with different material properties. It has been established that PE wear in knee arthroplasty causes particle induced osteolysis which is the main reason for late failure and requires revision surgery. Although there are various causes of wear, the properties of PE have long been a matter of investigation as a contributory factor. The advent of newer highly cross linked PE has been shown to improve wear rates in hip arthroplasty but the benefits have not been shown to be of the same degree in knee arthroplasty. The laboratory and clinical studies so far are limited and slightly conflicting in their conclusions. The risks of using highly cross linked PE in knee arthroplasty include tibial post fracture, disruption of locking mechanism, liner fracture which can lead to increased wear and osteolysis. The current evidence suggests that highly cross linked polyethylenes should be used with caution and only considered in younger active patients. The results of a recently completed randomized trial to compare the conventional with high molecular weight PE in knee arthroplasty are awaited.     

Next-generation sequencing through multigene panel testing for the diagnosis of hereditary epidermolysis bullosa in Chinese population

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a heritable blistering disorder. We performed a next-generation sequencing-based multigene panel test and successfully predicted 100% of the EB types, including, 36 EB simplex (EBS), 13 junctional EB (JEB), 86 dystrophic EB (DEB), and 3 Kindler EB. Chinese JEB and recessive DEB (RDEB) patients have relatively mild phenotypes; for severe type separately accounts for 45.5% and 23.8%, respectively. We identified 96 novel and 49 recurrent pathogenic variants in 11 genes, although we failed to detect the second mutation in one JEB and five RDEB patients. We identified one novel p.E475K mosaic mutation in the clinically normal mother of one out of 13 EBS patients with KRT5 mutations, one recurrent p.G2034R mosaic mutation, and one novel p.G2043R mosaic mutation in the clinically normal relatives of two out of 19 dominant DEB patients. This study shows that next-generation technology could be an effective tool in diagnosing EB.     

Adsorption of Human Recombinant Erythropoietin on Dialysis Membranes In Vitro

Abstract: The adsorptive characteristics of 5 dialysis membranes for recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO) were studied in vitro in a closed circuit system. For 120 min, EPO added with bovine serum was significantly adsorbed by polymethylmetacrylate (PMMA) and polyacry–lonitrile (PAN) membranes but not by Cuprophan, ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVAL), or polysulfone (PS) membranes. In addition the EPO adsorptive rate, as well as that of β₂–microglobulin (β₂–MG), was greater with a PMMA membrane than with a PAN membrane. EPO was not detected in the ultrafiltrate at 15 min with 5 membranes. These results indicate that EPO was eliminated by membrane adsorption only with some dialysis membranes.     

起搏器高度依赖性患者起搏器置换方法与疗效探讨

目的 :探讨起搏器高度依赖性患者起搏器置换方法与疗效。　方法 :对 8例起搏器高度依赖性患者 ,在起搏器与电极的接口松解前 ,应用在体起搏器间断接触法 ,使自身逸搏心律得已恢复 ,然后再行松解接口以及必要的起搏参数测试。　结果 :起搏器离体次数为 3～ 7(5± 2 )次 ,最长逸搏间期为 3.38～ 6 .2 0 (4.5 1± 1.11)s,自身逸搏心率为 30～ 4 3(38± 5 )次 /min ,均顺利完成起搏器置换。　结论 :在体起搏器间断接触法切实可行 ,能够明显提高起搏器高度依赖性患者起搏器置换的安全性     

腹腔镜高选择性迷走神经切断术联合Nissen胃底折叠术:效果如何?——腹腔镜Nissen迷走神经切断术治疗胃食管返流

背景：Nissen胃底折叠术（Nissen fundoplication，NF）已不是治疗胃食管返流性疾病（gastroesophageal reflux disease，GERD）的唯一、有效的方法。对于能降低胃酸的手术方式来讲，如高选择性迷走神经切断术（highly selective vagotomy，HSV），也不仅仅是一种辅助治疗方法。对高选择性迷走神经切断术联合Nissen胃底折叠术（Nissen fundoplication with highly selective vagotomy，NFHSV）治疗GERD的作用目前尚无完整的评价。方法：2003年6月～2005年6月8例女性病人接受NFHSV，8例均有6个月GERD病史，经药物治疗症状无缓解，有餐前痛、消化性溃疡或严重的胃炎。平均随访时间12个月，术前、术后进行烧心严重程度评分测定（heart burn severity score，HSS）。结果：平均手术时间110min，无手术并发症。1例术后须用质子泵抑制剂，术后经戒烟5个月后停药。8例术后症状和烧心严重程度评分测定有明显改善。结论：NFHSV是有效的联合手术方式，尚需要进一步的研究证实这一联合术式的完全有效性和安全性。     

基于免疫系统非线性模型对中医正邪相争理论和扶正祛邪治则的一个非线性动力学诠释

文中基于免疫系统有关免疫活性细胞或分子与外来抗原相互作用的非线性的动力学模型对中医学正邪相争理论及其扶正祛邪治则进行了新的诠释,提出了新的研究思路。认为:中医学关于外感邪气致病的六经、卫气营血和三焦辨证在本质上是识别抗原与免疫活性细胞或分子相互作用的三种不同的非线性动力学诊断模式,其证相应于这一过程中不同的非线性动力状态,可以用一个或一组非线性动力学方程进行定量描述。一个证常常对应于抗原与免疫活性的细胞或分子非线性动力学相互作用相空间中的一个稳定或不稳定的极限环和混沌,这可以作为证诊断的图形或形象标识。以中医学扶正祛邪的治疗思想为先导,有可能研制出全新靶向的和更有效的治疗传染性疾病的药物。     

高敏受者肾移植术前行血浆置换的临床探讨

目的 :探讨高敏受者肾移植术前行血浆置换 (PE)的效果。方法 :12例高敏受者在肾移植术前进行PE治疗 ,37例高敏受者未行PE治疗 ,观察两组肾移植病人排斥反应发生率的差异。结果 :PE组置换前PRA值71.0 %± 19.1% ,置换后 34.3%± 17.9% ,两者有显著性差异 (P <0 .0 1)。术后发生超排 2例 ,急性排斥 2例 ;未行PE组发生超排 2例 ,急性排斥 8例 ,两组间超排和急性排斥的发生率均无显著性差异。结论 :PE对预防超排和降低急性排斥的发生率均无明显作用。PE治疗的主要适应症为PRA大于 80 %的受者 ,能快速降低PRA值 ,有助于HLA抗体特异性分析和HLA配型。