Degradation characteristics of crude oil by a consortium of bacteria in the existence of chlorophenol.

In order to enhance the degradation effect of microorganisms on crude oil in the existence of chlorophenol compounds, oil-degrading bacteria C4 (Alcaligenes faecails), C5 (Bacillus sp.) and 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) degrading bacteria L3 (Bacillus marisflavi), L4 (Bacillus aquimaris) were isolated to construct a highly efficient consortium named (C4C5 + L3L4). When the compound bacteria agent combination by VC4: VC5: VL3: VL4 = 1:2:2:1, the crude oil degradation efficiency of 7 days was stable at 50.63% ~ 55.43% under different conditions. Degradation mechanism was analyzed by FTIR, GC-MS and IC technology and the following conclusions showed that in the system of adding consortium (C4C5 + L3L4), the heavy components were converted into saturated and unsaturated components. The bacterial consortium could first degrade medium and long chain alkanes into short chain hydrocarbons and then further degrade. And the dechlorination efficiency of 2,4-DCP in the degradation system reached 73.83%. The results suggested that the potential applicability and effectiveness of the selected bacteria consortium for the remediation of oil-contaminated water or soil with the existence of chlorophenol compound.

Ubiquitin conjugating enzyme E2 M promotes apoptosis in osteoarthritis chondrocytes via Wnt/ß-catenin signaling.

In this study, the role of ubiquitin conjugating enzyme E2 M (UBE2M) and molecular mechanisms associated with osteoarthritis (OA) were explored. Cartilage tissues and corresponding healthy tissues from OA patients were isolated. Our data suggested that the expression level of UBE2M in OA patients was significantly higher compared to that in healthy individuals (P < 0.01). The apoptosis of human OA chondrocytes was inhibited when silencing UBE2M and increased when overexpressing UBE2M. XAV939, as a tankyrase 1 inhibitor, could block the signaling pathway of Wnt/ß-catenin, which significantly reversed the change introduced by UBE2M. The expression level of cytoplasmic ß-catenin in siUBE2M cells dramatically increased, and the expression levels of nuclear ß-catenin, cleaved caspase-3 (C-caspase-3), and MMP13 remarkably downregulated. Moreover, the ubiquitination of Axin was enhanced by the overexpression of UBE2M. The expression level of Axin significantly decreased in OA chondrocytes with UBE2M overexpression and increased after MG132 treatment. Moreover, UBE2M enhanced the apoptosis of OA chondrocytes by activating the Axin-dependent Wnt/ß-catenin pathway. In this process, UBE2M downregulated Axin in an ubiquitination-dependent degradation pathway and subsequently activated Wnt/ß-catenin signaling.

A Multi-Modal Attention-Based Approach for Points of Interest Detection on 3D Shapes.

Identifying points of interest (POIs) on the surface of 3D shapes is a significant challenge in geometric processing research. The complex connection between POIs and their geometric descriptors, combined with the small percentage of POIs on the shape, makes detecting POIs on any given 3D shape a highly challenging task. Existing methods directly detect POIs from the entire 3D shape, resulting in low efficiency and accuracy. Therefore, we propose a novel multi-modal POI detection method using a coarse-to-fine approach, with the key idea of reducing data complexity and enabling more efficient and accurate subsequent POI detection by first identifying and processing important regions on the 3D shape. It first obtains important areas on the 3D shape through 2D projected images, then processes points within these regions using attention mechanisms. Extensive experiments demonstrate that our method outperforms existing POI detection techniques.

The effects of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound and nanomagnet applications on the expressions of MMP-13 and MAPKs in rabbit knee osteoarthritis.

An animal model of Osteoarthritis (OA) was established to observe the influences of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) and nano magnet application (NMA) on Collagenase 3 (MMP-13) expression and the activation status of mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in rabbit. 24 experimental rabbits from New Zealand were randomly divided into four groups: LIPUS, NMA, LIPUS + NMA group, and control group. The experimental rabbit OA model was established in the right knee joint of rabbits received ACLT operation. Rabbits in LIPUS group received LIPUS treatment and rabbits in NMA group were given NMA treatment. In LIPUS + NMA group, both treatments were applied on experimental rabbits everyday. However, the rabbits in control group only underwent ACLT operation. Four weeks later all rabbits were killed and changes of histopathology in rabbit articular cartilage were assessed and evaluated using Mankin method (Modified Mankin Scale). The protein expressions of MMP-13 and MAPKs were estimated using Western Blot. The results showed that both LIPUS and NMA treatments could significantly decrease the Mankin scores and suppress the expression level of MMP-13. However, there were some inverse results of MAPKs expression in these two applications and imply their treatment mechanisms of OA were different from each other.

Ultralight sponge made from sodium alginate with processability and stability for efficient removal of microplastics.

Due to natural agents and human activities, large quantities of microplastics enter the marine environment. As an emerging pollutant, MPs have attracted worldwide attention and become a great challenge in recent years. Sodium alginate is a kind of natural polysaccharide with non-toxic, stability, and low cost. In this study, sodium alginate sponge was prepared by secondary freeze-drying technology. Alginate sponge contains a large number of hydrophilic groups; thus, alginate sponge has super water-absorbed (the water absorption rate range from 1193-5232%). Meanwhile, the alginate sponge has high porosity of 81.93% and excellent mechanical properties. The removal efficiency of 100 mg·L-1 microplastics by alginate sponge reached up to 92.3%. The 1 mg·L-1 and 10 mg·L-1 microplastics can be completely absorbed in 27 h and 60 h, respectively. The adsorption mechanism of microplastics adsorbed onto alginate sponge included intra-particle diffusion, hydrogen bonds interactions, and π-π interactions. In addition, the adsorption of MPs loaded Cu2+/Na+ by sponge in complex aqueous environments is still significant. This study expands the development prospect of sodium alginate sponge materials in the field of water treatment and provides a new green approach for the removal of microplastics.

Treatment of condylomata acuminata caused by low-risk human papillomavirus with chloroquine phosphate gel.

Objective: To observe the stability and therapeutic effect of chloroquine phosphate gel on human condylomata acuminata (CA) caused by low-risk human papillomavirus (HPV). Methods: The appearance, viscosity, pH, chloroquine concentration, deethylchloroquine concentration and content uniformity of chloroquine phosphate gel were examined for 24 months, the gel met the quality standards throughout the 24-month observation. A nude mouse model harboring CA xenografts was used to observe the therapeutic effect of this gel on CA in vivo. Results: After 14 days of gel administration, compared with the control group, the treatment group had significantly smaller warts and significantly reduced DNA copy numbers of HPV6 and HPV11 in the wart tissues. Immunohistochemistry analysis of p53 protein expression in the wart tissues of the treatment group was significantly increased. Conclusion: Chloroquine phosphate gel was stable and effective against CA, possibly through the promotion of p53 protein expression to induce apoptosis, leading to the involution of warts.

Bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated soil by microorganisms immobilized on sludge modified by non-ionic surfactant.

The immobilization of microorganisms on high-quality and inexpensive carriers to remediate oil-contaminated soil is an effective strategy for contaminated soil remediation. Due to the abundance in nutrients, large specific surface area, and fewer pathogens, the composting sludge is considered a high-quality immobilized material. Herein, two non-ionic surfactants, TW-80 and sophorolipid, were used to modify composted sludge. High-efficiency petroleum hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria groups selected in the laboratory were fixed on the modified composting sludge under optimal conditions. The immobilized material was placed in the soil contaminated by petroleum hydrocarbons at an additive amount of 2wt/%, and a simulated remediation experiment was performed for 90 days. Both soil properties and microbial structure were characterized. Surfactant-modified compost sludge enhances the adsorption capacity to petroleum hydrocarbon. The immobilized microorganisms in the modified compost sludge showed a good effect on the remediation of soil contaminated by petroleum hydrocarbons. In addition, immobilized materials also increase the diversity of the microbial community structure in the soil. High-efficiency petroleum hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria immobilized on surfactant-modified compost can effectively promote the degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in the soil and increase the abundance of microorganisms in the soil. It shows the feasibility of eco-friendly remediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated soil.

Heterogeneous Fenton oxidation of 2,4-dichlorophenol catalyzed by PEGylated nanoscale zero-valent iron supported by biochar.

The excessive use of herbicides and fungicides containing 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) has led to serious environmental water pollution; 2,4-DCP is chemically stable and difficult to be degraded effectively by biological and physical methods. And the degradation of 2,4-DCP using advanced oxidation techniques has been a hot topic. Biochar, polyethylene glycol, ferrous sulfate, and sodium borohydride were used to synthesize the heterogeneous catalyst PEGylated nanoscale zero-valent iron supported by biochar (PEG-nZVI@BC). The catalyst was characterized using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and other means to determine its physicochemical properties. Catalytic performance and mechanism of this catalyst with hydrogen peroxide for the oxidation of 2,4-DCP were investigated. The results showed that PEG-nZVI@BC had good dispersibility, stability, and inoxidizability; the degradation efficiency of 50 mg/L 2,4-DCP by PEG-nZVI@BC/H2O2 system 92.94%, 1.68 times higher than that of nZVI/H2O2 system; there are both free radical and non-free radical pathways in PEG-nZVI@BC/H2O2 system; the degradation process of 2,4-DCP includes hydroxylation, dechlorination, and ring-opening. Overall, PEG-nZVI@BC is a promising heterogeneous catalyst for the degradation of 2,4-DCP.

Anticancer Effect of Troxerutin in Human Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Cell A549 and Inhibition of Tumor Formation in BALB/c Nude Mice.

This study is intended to explore the anticancer, antiproliferative, and chemopreventive action of troxerutin (TX) in human non-small-cell lung cancer cell (A549) using BALB/c nude mice. 2 × 106 A549 cells were subcutaneously injected into mice, along with 10 µM and 20 µM/kg body weight of TX orally for 19 days. On the last day, tumor weight and volume were assessed. Stress marker enzymes such as Aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), 5'Nucleotidase (5'ND), and γ-glutamyltranspeptidase (γ-GT) were estimated in the lung tissues. Cytotoxicity of TX was assessed using MTT assay. Expression of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and inflammatory cytokines were also analyzed. Histopathological examination of tissue sections and immunohistochemical examination of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were also performed. mRNA expression of p53, p21, cyclin D1, P13k, Akt, and mTOR were analyzed using RT-PCR. TX administered orally in a dose-dependent manner markedly reverted the level of stress marker enzymes to a significant extent. TX also exhibited significant protection against lung cancer cells, as evidenced by cytotoxicity assay and histopathological studies. It was also found to reduce the expression of PCNA, cyclin D1, P13k, Akt, and mTOR, but increase the expression of p53 and p21. TX has also been shown to reduce cancer cell inflammation, as was evidenced by reduced expression of inflammatory cytokines. Thus TX could be used as an effective chemopreventive and anticancer agent in treating cancer.

Single-center experience in the treatment of extremely medial clavicle fractures with vertical fixation of double-plate: A retrospective study.

Patients suffering from extremely medial clavicle fractures combined with distinct displacement generally need surgical intervention. Double-plate fixation is a widely applied technique in the treatment of distal radius fracture, which has been reported to fix lateral clavicle fracture as well. This study reveals the effect of double-plate fixation as an innovative procedure in the treatment of extremely medial clavicle fractures for the first time.Nine patients complaint of extremely medial clavicle fracture were enrolled in this research from May 2017 to March 2019. Patients were operated with an open reduction and internal fixation using the double-plate technique. Postoperative x-ray was taken regularly to observe the fracture healing at each visit, and the related complications were also recorded. The rating score systems of Constant Murley score of treated shoulder and contralateral shoulder, ROWE score as well as American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) were evaluated to comment on the postoperative shoulder joint function.All patients achieved postoperative fracture healing with no complications. Only 1 patient complained of slight restriction, 2 patients complained of pain during overhead work, and another patient was found with plate breakage. Meanwhile, the Constant Murley scores of treated and contralateral shoulder were 94.1 and 98.5 points, respectively, indicating the similar shoulder function. Furthermore, the ROWE and ASES scores of the involved shoulder were 96.7 and 96.3 points at average, respectively.It is the first time to introduce the surgical technique of vertical double-plate fixation implied in stable fixation of extremely medial clavicle fractures, which could provide the surgeons with an alternative method for this type of fracture.

[External application of No.II prescription on preoperative detumescence for the treatment of calcaneal fracture through tarsal sinus approach].

OBJECTIVE: To explore clinical effect of external application of No.II prescription on preoperative detumescence for the treatment of calcaneal fracture through tarsal sinus approach. METHODS: From November 2016 to June 2018, 67 patients with calcaneal fracture were divided into control group(32 patients with ice compress) and research group(35 patients with external application of No.II prescription) according to different methods of preoperative detumescence. There were 21 males and 14 females in research group, aged from 36 to 52 years old with an average of (44.07±7.31) years old; the time from injury to clinic ranged from 2 to 6 h with an average of(4.32±1.68) h; 9 patients on the left side and 26 patients on the right side; 20 patients were type II, 15 patients were type III according to Sanders classification; treated with external application of No.II prescription. There were 32 patients in control group, including 22 males and 10 females aged from 40 to 52 years old with an average of (46.79±5.47) years old; the time from injury to clinic ranged from 2 to 5 h with an average of (3.89±1.03) h; 14 patients on the left side and 18 patients on the right side; 19 patients were type II and 13 patients were type III according to Sanders classification; treated by ice compress from admission to the first time of occurrence of skin fold. After disappearance of swelling, patients were treated with open reduction and internal fixation through tarsal sinus approach. Cross-section diameter of foot and ankle between admission and the first time of occurrence of skin fold were recorded and calculated the difference value. VAS score on the 2nd, 4th and 7th day after admission, preoperative prepare time, operative time, period of hospitalization and fracture healing time between two groups were compared. RESULTS: Difference value of cross-section diameter of foot and ankle in research group were (1.72±0.29) cm and (1.69±0.18) cm respectively, while in control group were (1.08±0.21) cm and (0.91±0.37) cm, the level of swelling in research group was better than that of in control group. VAS score on the 2nd, 4th and 7th day after admission in research group were 8.91±0.33, 6.47±1.09, 4.52±0.91 respectively; while in control group were 6.21±0.19, 3.67±1.18, 2.12±1.17 respectively; VAS score in research group was lower than control group. Preoperative prepare time, period of hospitalization and fracture healing time in research group were shorter than control group, while there was no statistical difference in operative time between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: During the perioperative period, rational application of No.IIfor the treatment of calcaneal fracture through tarsal sinus approach could effectively relieve wound swelling, shorten preoperative preparation and fracture healing time, alleviate pain, improve patient satisfaction, and achieve remarkable clinical results.

MicroRNA-210-5p Contributes to Cognitive Impairment in Early Vascular Dementia Rat Model Through Targeting Snap25.

Vascular dementia (VD) is the most common form of dementia in elderly people. However, little is understood about the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) involved in cognitive impairment in early VD. Here, a VD model induced by chronic cerebral ischemia and fetal bovine serum (FBS)-free cell model that detects synapse formation was established to investigate the function of miRNAs in early VD. The microarray analysis and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) showed that miR-210-5p increased significantly in the hippocampus of rats with 4 weeks of ischemia. The VD model rats also displayed significant cognitive deficits and synaptic loss. The overexpression of miR-210-5p decreased the synaptic number in primary hippocampal neurons, whereas specific suppression of miR-210-5p resulted in the formation of more synapses. Additionally, intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of miR-210-5p agomir to VD rats aggravated phenotypes of cognitive impairment and synaptic loss. These VD-induced phenotypes were effectively attenuated by miR-210-5p antagomir. Moreover, bioinformatic prediction revealed that synaptosomal-associated protein of 25 KDa (Snap25) mRNA is targeted by miR-210-5p. The miR-210-5p decreased the luciferase activities of 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) of Snap25 mRNA. Mutation of predicted miR-210-5p binding sites in the 3' UTR of Snap25 mRNA abolished the miR-210-5p-induced decrease in luciferase activity. Western blot and immunofluorescence staining confirmed that miR-210-5p targets Snap25. Finally, RT-quantitative PCR (qPCR) and immunofluorescence staining detected that miR-210-5p agomir downregulated Snap25 expression in the cornu ammonis1 (CA1) region of hippocampi in VD rats, whereas miR-210-5p antagomir upregulated Snap25 expression. Altogether, miR-210-5p contributes to cognitive impairment in chronic ischemia-induced VD model through the regulation of Snap25 expression, which potentially provides an opportunity to develop a new therapeutic strategy for VD.

Cloning, expression and protective immunity evaluation of the full-length cDNA encoding succinate dehydrogenase iron-sulfur protein of Schistosoma japonicum.

1071-bp fragment was obtained from the Schistosoma japonicum (Chinese strain) adult cDNA library after the 3' and 5' ends of the incomplete expression sequence tag (EST) of succinate dehydrogenase iron-sulfur protein of Schistosoma japonicum (SjSDISP) were amplified by the anchored PCR with 2 pairs of primers designed according to the EST of SjSDISP and the sequence of multiclone sites of the library vector. Sequence analysis indicated that the fragment was a full-length cDNA with a complete open reading frame (ORF), encoding 278 amino acid residues. The fragment was cloned into prokaryotic expression vector pQE30, and subsequently sequenced and expressed in Escherichia coli. SDS-PAGE and Western-blot analyses showed that the recombinant protein was about 32 kD and could be recognized by the polyclonal antisera from rabbits immunized with Schistosoma japonicum adult worm antigen. Compared with the FCA controls, mice vaccinated with rSjSDISP (test) or rSjGST (positive control) all revealed high levels of specific antibody and significant reduction in worm burden, liver eggs per gram (LEPG), fecal eggs per gram (FEPG) and intrauterine eggs. These results suggest that SjSDISP may be a novel and partially protective vaccine candidate against schistosomiasis. In contrast to the worm burden reduction rate, the higher degree of egg reduction rate in the test group also suggested that SjSDISP vaccine may primarily play a role in anti-embryonation or anti-fecundity immunity.

[Cloning and expression of the succinate dehydrogenase iron-sulfur protein of Schistosoma japonicum Chinese strain in E. coli].

OBJECTIVE: To clone the full-length gene encoding succinate dehydrogenase iron-sulfur protein of Schistosoma japonicum (SjSDISP) Chinese strain and express it in Escherichia coli. METHODS: According to the published incomplete EST (BU804141) of SjSDISP and the sequence of multiclone sites of lambda gt11 vector, 2 pairs of primers were designed and synthesized. Then the 3' and 5'ends of the EST of the SjSDISP from adult Schistosoma japonicum cDNA library were amplified by anchored PCR. After sequencing, a full-length cDNA sequence of the SjSDISP was obtained, and then it was cloned into prokaryotic expression vector pGEX-4T-1. Identified by agarosed gel electrophoresis, endonucleases digestion and PCR, the resultant recombinant plasmid was used for the expression under the temperature-dependent condition and Western blot analysis. RESULTS: A 1,071 bp sequence was obtained. Sequence analysis showed that the fragment contained a complete open reading frame (ORF), encoding 278 amino acid residues. This target fragment was cloned into the prokaryotic expression vector pGEX-4T-1, and expressed in Escherichia coli. SDS-PAGE revealed that the molecular weight of the expressed fusion recombinant product was 56 kD. Western blot showed that the recombinant protein was recognized by polyclonal rabbit antiserum immunized with Schistosoma japonicum adult worm antigen. CONCLUSION: Cloning of the full-length gene encoding SjSDISP and its bacterial expression were successfully done.

The genetic architecture of 3'untranslated region of the MICA gene: polymorphisms and haplotypes.

In this study, the 3'untranslated region (3'UTR) of MHC class I chain-related gene A (MICA) were investigated in 104 healthy, unrelated Han individuals recruited from northern China, using PCR-sequencing method. Nine polymorphic sites were detected, which were in very strong linkage disequilibrium with each other .Seven different MICA 3'UTR alleles were identified, among which UTR1 predominated (0.6971),followed by UTR2 (0.2356). Twenty-one extended haplotypes incorporating the 3'UTR and MICA exons 2-5 were observed in this population. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the existence of two MICA lineages, each with multiple subsets. The 2 lineages were primarily linked to UTR1 and UTR2 in the 3'UTR, respectively. Ewens-Watterson homozygosity statistics at MICA coding and 3'UTR regions were consistent with neutral expectations. Our data provided for the first time the data of genetic variation in the 3'UTR of MICA gene in human populations. The findings are valuable for future studies of the mechanisms underlying MICA post-transcriptional regulation, and will inform studies of evolution of the MHC gene complex.

Vaccination against Schistosoma japonicum infection by DNA vaccine encoding Sj22.7 antigen.

To observe the in vitro expression of DNA vaccine pcDNA3-Sj22.7 and its immunological effect in mice, the recombinant plasmid pcDNA3-Sj22.7 was used to transfect HeLa cells with liposome-mediated method and the expression of Sj22.7 mRNA and protein was examined using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blot. Then, the ability of pcDNA3-Sj22.7 to protect against Schistosoma japonicum challenge infections was analyzed according to worm reduction rate and egg reduction rate after vaccination of mice. The serum levels of specific IgG antibody and T lymphocyte proliferation response were also determined. After the challenge infection, Sj22.7-driven interferon (IFN)-gamma and interleukin (IL)-4 was also quantified. Results showed that pcDNA3-Sj22.7 could express Sj22.7 mRNA and protein in vitro. Immunization resulted in a worm reduction rate of 29.70%, egg reduction rate of 47.25% (liver) and 51.73% (intestine), and egg reduction rate of 25.90% (eggs per female), suggesting induction of significant anti-fecundity in the pcDNA3-Sj22.7 group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot analysis indicated that immunized mice generated specific IgG against Sj22.7. T lymphocytes from mice immunized with pcDNA3-Sj22.7 showed a significant proliferation response to rSj22.7. The culture of spleen cells showed that secretion of IFN-gamma increased but IL-4 decreased. The results indicate hat DNA vaccination by pcDNA3-Sj22.7 is sufficient to elicit significant levels of protective immunity against S. japonicum infection. The DNA vaccine could induce significant cellular and humoral immune response, and display predominant T helper cell type 1 type immune responses, which contribute to the protective immunity against challenge infection in mice.

[Hela cells secrete interleukin-8 and interleukin-10 response to Chlamydia trachomatis entry].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Chlamydia trachomatis serotype K infection on productions of IL-8 and IL-10 in supernatant of cultured Hela cells. METHODS: The levels of IL-8 and IL-10 productions were detected by cell culture method and ELISA assay. RESULTS: The amount of IL-8 and IL-10 in the cell culture supernatant rose with the increasing doses of Chlamydia trachomatis. The concentrations of IL-8 and IL-10 began to increase obviously at 24 h, and reached their highest level at 72 h, and then decreased. Heat-inactivated Chlamydia trachomatis induced lower levels of IL-8 and IL-10 production than live bacteria in vitro. CONCLUSION: The Chlamydia trachomatis can induce the secretion of IL-8 and IL-10 of host cells in a dose and time dependent manner and the intracellar replication of the bacteria is required for enhancing IL-8 and IL-10 productions by the infected cells.

[Etiology of infectious diseases in the central nervous system].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the etiological characteristics of infectious diseases in the central neural system (CNS). METHODS: The serum and cerebral spinal fluid of acute patients in the CNS were detected for virus-specific IgM, IgG and pathogens with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay as well as traditional bacterial and fungal culture. RESULTS: Of the 823 patients, 126 (15.3%) patients were positive herpes simplex virus (HSV)-specific IgM and/or IgG, of which the maximum morbidity was under 10 years; 10(1.2%) were positive cytomegalovirus specific IgM and/or IgG; 8 (0.97%) were positive varicella-zoster virus specific IgM and/or IgG; 7 (0.85%) were diagnosed as tubercular meningitis; 6 (0.72%) as cryptocococes meningitis and 1 (0.12%) as meningococcic meningitis. CONCLUSION: Viruses, especially herpes simplex viruses are the common causative agents of infectious diseases of the CNS, in which mycobacterium tuberculosis and cryptocococcus neoformans are conspicuous.