[Analysis on the relationship of molecular transmission between HIV infected men who have sex with men and their sexual partners].

Objective: To investigate the relationship between HIV-infected men who have sex with men and their sexual partners in Zhejiang province. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted to recruit newly confirmed HIV/AIDS among MSM from 2015 to 2017, including sexual partner identification and molecular epidemiological study. Plasma was collected to extract RNA, and the pol gene of HIV-1 was amplified by RT-PCR/nested PCR. Phylogenetic tree and molecular transmission cluster were analyzed to identify the transmission relationship between sexual partners. Results: A total of 937 HIV/AIDS among MSM were recruited to promote HIV testing for their sexual partners, and 173 positive sexual partners were identified. 50.8% (61/120) of the gene sequences were clustered among the positive sex partners. Seven pairs of clustered sex partners combined with the results of recent infection preliminarily determined the transmission direction. In the clusters, there were statistical differences between the partners who were diagnosed in the same year (OR=12.190, 95%CI: 1.563-95.054) or with current residence in the different districts (OR=17.054, 95%CI: 1.742-166.982). Conclusions: Combined with a molecular transmission network, HIV test for the sexual partners of HIV/AIDS among MSM can improve the accurate tracking of cases and preliminarily determine the direction of transmission, according to the results of recent infection. It is suggested that after HIV is confirmed for HIV/AIDS among MSM, HIV tests should be carried out as soon as possible for their sexual partners, including a cross-regional sexual partner tracking test, which is helpful to improve the tracing procedure.

[Analysis on the HIV-1 molecular transmission characteristics of newly confirmed HIV/AIDS in Jiaxing city, 2017-2018].

Objective: To analyze the relationship between infection and transmission of HIV/AIDS, explore the characteristics of the HIV-1 transmission network, and provide evidence for formulating targeted prevention and control measures. Methods: The newly confirmed HIV/AIDS in Jiaxing from 2017 to 2018 were selected for the study. The sociodemographic and infection transmission-related information was gathered. The blood samples were collected and RNA was extracted, RT-PCR and nested PCR amplified the pol gene of HIV-1. The phylogenetic tree was constructed by Mega 6.0 software for subtype analysis. The genetic distance between strains was calculated, and the molecular transmission network was drawn by using Cytoscape 3.6.0 software. The results of the epidemiological study based on the molecular transmission network were analyzed. Results: There were fifteen HIV-1 gene subtypes in 517 cases of HIV/AIDS. The main subtypes were CRF01_AE (37.1%)、CRF07_BC (36.2%) and CRF08_BC (11.8%). Under the 1.0% gene distance threshold, 87 molecular clusters were established, and the total clustering rate was 45.8% (237/517). The cluster risk factors were 60-81 age group (compared with 14-24 age group, OR=2.690, 95%CI:1.058-6.844), married (compared with unmarried, OR=1.698, 95%CI:1.003-2.875), CRF07_BC subtype (compared with CRF01_AE, OR=2.203, 95%CI:1.426-3.404). The largest molecular cluster, CRF07_BC-1, consisted of 50 cases (including 21 cases confirmed in 2017 cases and 29 confirmed in 2018). Multivariate analysis showed that characteristics of unmarried (compared with married, OR=2.482, 95%CI:1.140-5.402), gays (compared with heterosexual, OR=3.163, 95%CI:1.543-6.483), cases with high-risk transmission (compared with other cases, OR=7.631, 95%CI:1.783-32.654), confirmed in Nanhu and Pinghu districts of Jiaxing (compared with other districts, OR=2.225, 95%CI:1.074-4.608) were risks for entering the largest molecular cluster. There were seven suspected high-risk transmission MSM in the largest molecular cluster. The first debut of homosexual behavior was from 2010 to 2018, and the median number of gay partners was 20 (P25, P75：10, 100) within two years before being diagnosed. Six reported a recent history of looking for gay partners in an MSM dating place in Nanhu district. Conclusions: The HIV-1 subtypes of newly confirmed HIV/AIDS were diverse, mainly sporadic in Jiaxing from 2017 to 2018. There were geographical aggregation characteristics and suspected some high-risk transmission cases, suggesting that rapid transmission and targeted intensive intervention are needed.

[Epidemiological characteristic of newly reported HIV/AIDS cases with non-martial and non-commercial heterosexual behaviors in Zhejiang province, 2017-2019].

Objective: To understand the epidemiological characteristics and transmission routes of newly reported HIV/AIDS cases with non-martial and non-commercial (NMNC) heterosexual behaviors in Zhejiang province. Methods: A retrospective survey was conducted among HIV/AIDS cases that had NMNC heterosexual behavior history and diagnosed with HIV infection in Zhejiang between January 1st, 2017 and September 30th, 2019. The multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) was used to explore the association of social demographic characteristics with NMNC heterosexual partner types in the cases. Results: A total of 406 participants with NMNC heterosexual behaviors before HIV diagnoses were recruited in this study. Most of them were males (67.2%, 273/406), aged 25-49 years at HIV diagnoses (59.1%, 240/406). Prior to HIV infection confirmation, 36.0% (146/406) participants only had casual sexual partners, 52.0% (211/406) only had regular sexual partners, and 12.0% (49/406) had both. Statistical differences in marital status, occupation and income level were found among participants with different types of NMNC heterosexual partners (all P<0.05). Result of MCA indicted that monthly income ≤3 000 yuan RMB, self-employed, being married were only associated with casual NMNC heterosexual partner; working in service industry, education level of junior high school were only associated with regular heterosexual partner; working in enterprise, high school education level or above, monthly income ≥5 000 yuan RMB were associated with both casual and regular sexual partner. Conclusion: The HIV/AIDS cases with NMNC heterosexual behaviors before HIV diagnoses accounted for a large proportion in Zhejiang province during 2017-2019. Active intervention efforts should be made to improve the health awareness of the public to reduce the risk behaviors for HIV transmission.

[Enodvascular treatment of isolated abdominal aortic dissection].

Objective: To examine the outcome of endovascular treatment in patients of isolated abdominal aortic dissection. Methods: From February 2012 to June 2020, 61 patients (44 males, 17 females) with an age of (60.2±11.4) years (range: 43 to 87 years) of isolated abdominal aortic dissection who underwent the endovascular treatment, including bifurcated and straight aortic stent graft, in the Department of Vascular Surgery, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University were enrolled. There were 47 patients treated with bifurcated aortic stent grafts and 14 patients with straight aortic stent grafts. Patient demographic, preoperative, intraoperative, perioperative data were collected. Clinical follow-up data, including mortality, relative complications and aortic remodeling, were obtained. Kaplan-Meier method and Log-rank test was used to calculate and compare the rates of survival and freedom from all adverse events. Results: The operative time was (142.4±47.9) minutes (range:70 to 310 minutes) and (95.7±23.7) minutes (range: 70 to 150 minutes) in bifurcated stent group and straight stent group, respectively. The perioperative mortality was 0. One patient had partial occlusion of the left renal artery, and 3 patients had type Ⅰa endoleak post-operation. The follow-up period was (37.1±22.1) months (range: 3 to 91 months). Three patents suffered from type B aortic dissection; one of them progressed into type A aortic dissection and died, another one was treated with secondary endovascular operation, and the remaining one was treated conservatively. One patient had type A aortic dissection and was treated conservatively for 57 months without any discomfort. Stent grafts in iliac artery occlusion happened in 2 patients treated with a bifurcated graft, one of them was treated with a secondary operation because of severe symptom. Aortic remodeling was well with the treatment of bifurcated and straight grafts. There was no difference in the cumulative survival (P=0.584) and freedom from all adverse events (P=0.309) between the two different endovascular treatment strategies. Conclusion: Endovascular aortic repair is an effective and safe treatment strategy for isolated abdominal aortic dissection with reliable mid-term result and excellent aortic remodeling.

[Veracity of using a visual chart with a testing distance of 2.5 meters for measurement of distance visual acuity in teenagers].

Objective: To compare the results of visual acuity testing for teenagers with visual acuity charts designed at 2.5-meter and 5-meter distances, and to investigate the accuracy of the 2.5-meter visual acuity chart. Methods: It was a self-control study. A total of 227 teenagers (454 eyes) with ametropia who came to the ophthalmic clinic of Peking Union Medical College Hospital from March 2019 to September 2019 were included. There were 123 males and 104 females aged (11.74±3.26) years. The vision examiners were trained in the same testing environment and passed the consistency test. Distance visual acuity of all participants was tested with charts designed at 2.5 meters and 5 meters in a 10-minute interval. According to the age (7-9, 10-12, 13-15 and 16-18 years old) and visual acuity (1.00-0.52, 0.40-0.30 and 0.22-0.10), the results of two kinds of visual acuity charts were compared. The testing order of the two visual charts was randomly determined. The visual acuity results were converted into logMAR values and compared. Paried t-student test was used to compare the difference between two charts, and Pearson correlation test was used to explore the correlation between the results of two charts. Results: The visual acuity of the right eye was 0.37±0.24 (logMAR) at 2.5 meters and 0.50±0.26 (logMAR) at 5 meters. The distance visual acuity measured with the 2.5-meter visual acuity chart was better (t=16.19, P<0.01). The visual acuity of the left eye was 0.36±0.23 (logMAR) at 2.5 meters and 0.45±0.23 (logMAR) at 5 meters (t=11.71, P<0.01). The differences between two charts were larger among teenagers with lower visual acuity (r=0.387,P<0.01). Conclusion: Under the same test conditions, the distance visual acuity measured with a 2.5-meter chart was significantly better than a 5-meter chart. The visual acuity chart designed at 2.5 meters was not an appropriate tool to measure distance vision in adolescents. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2021, 57: 122-125).

[Analysis of new HIV-1 infection in MSM with seroconversion determined by limiting antigen avidity enzyme immunoassay].

Objective: To evaluate the applicability of limiting antigen avidity enzyme immunoassay (LAg-Avidity EIA, LAg for short) in determining the new HIV-1 infection status of MSM population with seroconversion and make correlation analysis of other biological indicators. Methods: The 15 cases with HIV seroconversion were found in a MSM observation cohort for calculating the HIV prevalence in Zhejiang.The subjects were conducted epidemiological investigation and sampled.The interval of infection time was estimated according to the exposure history and the time of HIV-positive confirmation.LAg, immunoblotting, CD4 cell counting and viral load test were applied in the testing of the related blood samples. McNermar test was conducted for consistency of the two methods. Results: Of 15 cases, the average age was (31.5±8.0) years old, ranging from 24 to 57 years old. The interval of infection time ranged from 40 days to 366 days, and the median was 134 days, with inter-quartile range from 89 to 180 days. A total of 7 cases were classified as new HIV-1 infection by LAg, and 8 cases were classified as chronic infection.The consistent rate was high to 86.67%, and kappa value was 0.73.The samples lacking at least two bands in p31, p51, p66 and gp120 by immunoblotting were determined as recent infection, of which the new infection proportion was significantly higher than that of other samples (P=0.029).There was no statistical difference in the distribution of CD4 counts (P=0.533) and viral loads (P=0.467) between the new infection and chronic infection groups that divided by LAg. Conclusion: By combining with exposure history, the limiting antigen avidity enzyme immunoassay can be used to estimate the new HIV-1 infection.The other biological indicators such as immunoblotting bands, CD4 cell counts and viral loads, can be used as accessory indicators in evaluating the status of new HIV-1 infection.

LncRNA APPAT regulated miR-328a/Pkp1 signal pathway to participate in breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Recent studies indicated long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) is involved in the development of breast cancer, which is the pathological basis of breast cancer. Here, we reported the molecular mechanisms by which lncRNA APPAT regulated in the progression of breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: QPCR was used to inspect the expression of lncRNA APPAT and miR-328a in breast cancer cell lines. Luciferase reporter assay confirmed the direct target effect of APPAT and miR-328a. Western blot was used to check Pkp1 protein expression in breast cancer cell lines. RESULTS: The expressions of lncRNA APPAT, Pkp1 protein levels and miR-328a were commonly expressed in breast cancer cells. The inhibition of lncRNA APPAT expression repressed cell proliferation, migration and invasion in breast cancer and reverse results were found after lncRNA APPAT overexpressing. Mechanistically, the binding targets of lncRNA APPAT vs. miR-328a and Pkp1 vs. miR-328a were checked in breast cancer. Meanwhile, miR-328a silencing enhanced the proliferation, migration and invasion of breast cancer cells. Moreover, the effect caused by Pkp1 silencing on cell proliferation, migration and invasion was reversed by miR-328a inhibitor in MCF-7 and BT594 cells. Additionally, Pkp1 knockout reversed the effect of cell proliferation, migration and invasion triggered by APPAT elevated. Taken together, these results showed miR-328a as a downstream target of lncRNA APPAT linking lncRNA APPAT to Pkp1. CONCLUSIONS: LncRNA APPAT regulated the proliferation, migration, invasion of breast cancer by regulating miR-328a/Pkp1 signaling pathway, providing a novel possible strategy for the treatment of breast cancer.

[Characterization of Echinostoma miyagawai in domestic ducks in Wuhu City].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the morphological characteristics of Echinostoma miyagawai in domestic ducks in Wuhu area, and to explore the feasibility of the cytochrome oxidase subunit-1 (Cox1) gene as a molecular marker for the identification of E. miyagawai. METHODS: E. miyagawai was isolated from free-ranged domestic ducks in Wuhu area, and the parasites were stained and identified. In addition, the mitochondrial Cox1 gene of E. miyagawai was amplified using a PCR assay, and the amplification product was sequenced and aligned with the GenBank database to yield the homology for the identification of parasite species in combination with morphological findings. Intra-species comparison was done based on the Cox1 gene sequence. RESULTS: The prevalence of E. miyagawai infection was 16.67% in domestic ducks in Wuhu area, and the adult E. miyagawai was 6.6 to 13.2 mm in length. The size of the E. miyagawai Cox1 gene was approximately 660 bp, which had a 99.68% homology to the E. miyagawai accessed in GenBank. The morphological findings were in agreement with molecular identification. CONCLUSIONS: E. miyagawai infection is common in domestic ducks in Wuhu area, and the mitochondrial Cox1 gene is a feasible marker of intra- and inter-species molecular identification of Echinostoma.

[Analysis on the transmission characteristics of newly reported human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome cases based on the molecular transmission network in Huzhou, Zhejiang, 2017].

Objective: Using field epidemiological investigation and molecular analysis to construct the molecular transmission network of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome cases (HIV/AIDS) newly diagnosed in Huzhou in 2017, Zhejiang Province. Methods: A total of 160 participants were obtained through a web-based system from Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CCDC) with the features of diagnosed in Huzhou in 2017 who also had been collected samples for the first follow-up. The basic information of demographic characteristics and risk factors was extracted from the website. RNA was extracted from plasma samples of untreated cases, followed by RT-PCR and nest-PCR for pol gene amplification, sequencing. Phylogenetic tree was constructed by MEGA software for HIV gene subtyping. TN93 model was used for calculating the distance between two sequences. Cytoscape software was used for drawing molecular transmission network. And then an epidemiological survey was conducted to cases in the primary cluster. Results: A total of 138 sequenced individuals (86.3%) were acquired from 160 individuals. Among which, 123 (89.1%) were male. The highest proportion of subtype was CRF07_BC (60, 43.5%), followed by CRF01_AE (46, 33.3%), and with four cases of Unique Recombinant Form (URF, CRF01_AE and CRF07_BC) and one case of URF (subtype B and C). A total of 18 molecular clusters included 56 individuals (40.6%) were found in the transmission network under the optimal genetic distance threshold (1.0%). The clustering proportion of CRF07_BC (66.1%, 37 cases) was higher than that of CRF01_AE. There were 9 clusters formed among CRF07_BC, including 37 cases (accounting for 61.7%, 37/60). The primary transmission cluster contained 11 cases, among which 9 cases were transmitted by homosexual sex. The first time of the cases to have homosexual behavior is range from 2010 to 2016, whose media number (P(25), P(75)) of partners was 6 (3.5, 8.5). Most of the cases come from Anhui Province and engaged in garment industry (5 cases), between which there were 8 cases used Blued software to seek for casual partners, 1 case seeking for casual partners in garden. Conclusion: With CRF07_BC and CRF01_AE predominantly circulating, HIV genetic diversity had been noticed in this area. The primary cluster was consisted of high proportion of locally new infections, and a specific population aggregation in limited place existed.

[Epidemiological characteristics of molecular transmission cluster among reported HIV/AIDS cases in Jiaxing city, Zhejiang province, 2017].

Objective: To understand the epidemiological characteristics of one large HIV molecular transmission cluster in Jiaxing city, Zhejiang province, 2017 in order to select those people under high-risk and providing basis for programs on prevention. Methods: During 2017, newly diagnosed HIV/AIDS cases in this city were recruited. Plasma samples were collected from subjects, followed by RNA extraction, RT-PCR and nest-PCR for pol gene amplification, before being sequenced and aligned. Mega 6.0 software was used to construct phylogenetic tree, and Cytoscape 3.6.0 software was used to identify HIV molecular transmission clusters. Cases within the large transmission clusters were investigated, using a field-epidemiology-questionnaire. Data related to socio-demographics and previous sexual behaviors were collected and EpiData 3.0 and SPSS 20.0 software were used. Results: In the large transmission cluster with subtype identified as CRF07_BC, in Jiaxing, 2017, 26 cases of the total 30 cases were investigated. A total of 80.8% (21/26) could be identified as newly infected within the last two years and 30.8%(8/26) could be identified as newly infected within the last one year, including 22 cases infected locally. Among several infected cases who were at age 45 years or older, they admitted that they had experienced unprotected sexual contacts in local city for long time and having had more than 10 disclosed sexual contacts within the last two years at the local venues. Conclusions: This molecular cluster had been formed and scaled up quickly in recent two years, it has played an important role in promoting and scaling up the HIV transmission. Three cases identificed as high risk played an importantrde role in scaling up this cluster.

[Related factors on sexual partners regarding receipt of HIV test among HIV positive men who have sex with men in Zhejiang province].

Objective: To understand the situation and influencing factors related to the promotion of HIV testing program among sex partners in newly diagnosed HIV positive MSM in Zhejiang province during 2015 to 2017. Methods: Newly diagnosed HIV positive MSM in Zhejiang province from 2015 to 2017 were collected and provided four rounds of testing services to their sexual partners so as to study the consequences. Chi-square test was conducted to compare the difference between groups while multivariate logistic regression was conducted to analyze the related influencing factors. Results: A total of 6 269 HIV positive MSM were provided with four rounds of testing services to their sexual partners. 1 925 HIV positive MSM (30.7%, 1 925/6 269) were successfully persuaded in mobilizing their sexual partners to participate in the HIV testing services. However, 4 344 HIV positive MSM (69.3%, 4 344/6 269) refused to do so. A total of 2 126 sexual partners received HIV testing and the HIV positive rates of those sexual partners appeared as 13.0% (277/2 126, 95%CI:11.6%-14.5%) and 78.7% (218/277, 95%CI: 73.8%-83.6%). Results from the multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that factors as: HIV positive MSM that participated in the study in 2016 (compared with participated in the study in 2015, OR=1.581, 95%CI: 1.370-1.823), in 2017 (compared with participated in the study in 2015, OR=1.394, 95%CI: 1.208-1.608), living in the reporting city (compared with lived outside the reporting city, OR=1.518, 95%CI: 1.320-1.745), being married (compared with unmarried/divorced/widowed, OR=4.449, 95%CI: 3.837-5.160), having education level of junior high school or below (compared with education level of senior high school or above, OR=1.203, 95%CI: 1.058-1.367), numbers of homosexual partners >5, (compared with numbers of homosexual partner from past between 1-5, OR=1.236, 95%CI: 1.095-1.395), active detection (compared with passive detection, OR=1.340, 95%CI: 1.193-1.506) were more likely to relate to the successful persuasion on their sexual partners to receive the HIV testing. There was no statistical difference noticed between HIV-infected homosexual partners and their corresponding HIV positive MSM, in terms of socio-demographic situations. Conclusions: HIV positive MSM should promote their sexual partners to receive HIV testing. This seemed an important role in expanding the HIV testing in this population. However, the program needs to be further improved and included in daily work, focusing on those partners with similar social and demographic characteristics with those infected MSM.

[Procedure selection of left subclavian artery revascularization in thoracic endovascular aortic repair].

In order to require ideal proximal landing zone and durable long-term outcome, it is necessary to reconstruct the left subclavian artery(LSA) blood supply as much as possible in thoracic aortic endovascular repair(TEVAR). With the advent and progress of diverse assisted techniques and devices, several procedures for the reconstruction of the left subclavian artery have been developed and widely utilized, including surgical LSA bypass or transposition, chimney technique, periscope technique, fenestration and branched stent-graft, which have expanded the proximal landing zone and widened the indication for original TEVAR. This article describes the advantages and pitfalls of each revascularization methods. Anatomies of aortic arch and LSA, urgency and types of pathologies, proficiency of the surgeon with different revascularization techniques and pre-operative risk score of patient should be evaluated in procedure selection. In clinical application, patient-specific evaluations and individualized considerations are essential for initialize the therapeutic strategy and decision making.

[Survey of HIV infection in men who have sex with men living for 5 years or less in Wenzhou, Zhejiang province].

Objective: To assess the prevalence of HIV infection and related factors in men who have sex with men (MSM) living for ≤5 years in Wenzhou of Zhejiang province. Methods: MSM who were aged ≥16 years, had lived in Wenzhou for ≥3 months and had anal sex and/or oral sex with men in the last 12 months were recruited through respondent-driven sampling (RDS) from February to October in 2015. The MSM recruited completed a questionnaire for the information collection on socio-demographic characteristics, sexual behavior, awareness of HIV and related intervention, mental health status. Blood samples were collected from them for serological detection of HIV and syphilis antibodies. Software SPSS 18.0 was used to analyze HIV infection and related factors. Results: A total of 454 MSM were investigated, 108 of them (23.7%) were HIV positive. There were 267 MSM who lived in Wenzhou for ≤5 years, and 73 of them (27.3%) were HIV positive. Most of them were workers and commercial servants aged ≥25 years with personal monthly income <4 000 yuan and educational level of junior high school or below. According to multiple logistics regression analysis, age of 25-68 years old (OR=12.19, 95%CI: 2.29-65.02), heterosexual behavior in recent 6 months (OR=0.42, 95%CI: 0.18-0.96), believing it was possible to be infected with HIV (OR=0.06, 95%CI: 0.01-0.95), believing it was impossible to be infected with HIV (OR=0.03, 95%CI: 0.01-0.35) and syphilis status (OR=3.32, 95%CI: 1.05-10.52) were the risk factors associated with HIV infection. Conclusion: Compared with MSM who lived in Wenzhou for >5 years, MSM who lived in Wenzhou for ≤5 years had higher HIV infection rate and higher prevalence of risk behavior. It is necessary to conduct targeted intervention among them.

[Previous HIV testing behavior and related factors in men who have sex with men in gay bathroom in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province].

Objective: To understand the related factors on previous HIV testing behavior among MSM who visit gay bathroom in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. Methods: Through time-location sampling (TLS) survey, men who had oral sex or anal sex with men in past 6 months were interviewed in the gay bathroom in Hangzhou from October 2015 to January 2016. Software SPSS 22.0 was used to analyze the HIV testing acceptance, sexual behaviors and condom usage of MSM during past 6 months, and χ(2) test and logistic regression model were used for univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: Our study planned to recruit 480 gay bathroom MSM, due to the unwilling or other factors, 465 MSM were surveyed. A total of 47.3% (220/465) gay bathroom MSM received HIV testing during past 6 months. Multivariate analysis indicated that being married (OR=0.35, 95%CI: 0.18-0.69), peer education (OR=4.31, 95%CI: 1.32-14.09), homosexual behavior during past 6 months (OR=1.85, 95%CI: 1.08-3.14), extramarital heterosexual behavior during past 6 months (OR=4.12, 95%CI: 2.45-6.91) might be positive factors related with HIV testing acceptation in MSM. Conclusion: Being married, homosexual behavior during past 6 months, extramarital heterosexual behavior, partner education might be the positive factors related with acceptance of HIV testing among gay bathroom MSM. Therefore, peer education needs to be strengthened. HIV testing after high risk sexual behavior needs to be promoted in MSM.

Molecular cloning and expression analysis of a novel BCCP subunit gene from Aleurites moluccana.

Aleurites moluccana L. is grown as a roadside tree in southern China and the oil content of its seed is higher than other oil plants, such as Jatropha curcas and Camellia oleifera. A. moluccana is considered a promising energy plant because its seed oil could be used to produce biodiesel and bio-jet fuel. In addition, the bark, leaves, and kernels of A. moluccana have various medical and commercial uses. Here, a novel gene coding the biotin carboxyl carrier protein subunit (BCCP) was cloned from A. moluccana L. using the homology cloning method combined with rapid amplification of cDNA end (RACE) technology. The isolated full-length cDNA sequence (designated AM-accB) was 1188 bp, containing a 795-bp open reading frame coding for 265 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence of AM-accB contained a biotinylated domain located between amino acids 190 and 263. A. moluccana BCCP shows high identity at the amino acid level to its homologues in other higher plants, such as Vernicia fordii, J. curcas, and Ricinus communis (86, 77, and 70%, respectively), which all contain conserved domains for ACCase activity. The expression of the AM-accB gene during the middle stage of development and maturation in A. moluccana seeds was higher than that in early and later stages. The expression pattern of the AM-accB gene is very similar to that of the oil accumulation rate.

Endovascular repair of complicated acute type-B aortic dissection with stentgraft: early and mid-term results.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the experience of a single centre and evaluate the early and mid-term results of endovascular repair of complicated acute type B aortic dissection with stentgrafts. METHOD: From July 2002 to January 2009, 45 patients (12 women, 33 men) with complicated acute type B aortic dissection (mean age, 42.6 years; range, 31-47 years) were treated with Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair (TEVAR). Indications for treatment included rupture in 6(13%), hemathorax with impending rupture in 27(60%), malperfusion syndrome in 11 (22%), and transient paraplegia in one patient (2.2%). Five kinds of commercially available thoracic stentgrafts were used. Follow up was 100% during a period of 13 months (range, 1-36 months). RESULTS: Technical success (coverage of the primary tear site) was achieved in all 45 patients(100%) including deliberate partial or total coverage of the LSA in 7 patients (15.6%). The 30-day and in-hospital mortality was 4.4% including one late rupture case. Overall survival was 95.6% at 1 and 3-years' follow-up. None of the patients with malperfusion required adjunct distal stents All hemothoces resolved within 3 months including 5 patient required thoracentesis and one had tube thoracostomy. And 7 patients required temporary dialysis In-hospital complications occurred in 26.7% of patients and re-intervention was required in one patient and no patient had postoperative paraplegia Postoperative CT angiography showed 25 patients (58.1%) with complete thrombosis of the false lumen and re-expansion of the true lumen. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular repair of complicated acute type B aortic dissection with stentgraft is proven to be a technically feasible and effective in this relatively difficult patient cohort, The short and mid-term efficacy are persuasive, however, the long-term efficacy needs to be evaluated further.

Detection of expression of influenza virus receptors in tissues of BALB/c mice by histochemistry.

Infection of host cells with the influenza virus is mediated by specific interactions between the viral hemagglutinin and its cell receptor, oligosaccharides containing sialic acid (SA) residues. Avian and human influenza viruses preferentially bind to α-2, 3-linked and α-2, 6-linked sialic acids, respectively. Therefore, differential expression of these receptors may be crucial to influenza virus infection. To date, the distribution of these two receptors has never been investigated in the tissues of BALB/c mice, which is the routine animal model for influenza research. Here, the expression pattern of alpha-2,3 and alpha-2,6 sialic acid-linked receptors in various organs (respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, brain, cerebellum, spleen, liver, kidney and heart) of BALB/c mice were determined. Histochemical staining of mouse tissue sections was performed by using biotinylated Maackia amurensis lectin II (MAAII), and Sambucus nigra agglutinin (SNA) were performed to detect the alpha-2,3 and alpha-2,6 sialic acid-linked receptors, respectively. The results showed that the alpha-2,3 and alpha-2,6 sialic acid-linked receptors were both expressed on trachea, lung, cerebellum, spleen, liver and kidney. Only the epithelial cells of cecum, rectum and blood vessels in the heart express the alpha-2,6 sialic acid-linked receptors. The distribution patterns of the two receptors may explain why this model animal can be infected by the AIV and HuIV and the pathological changes when infection occurred. These data can account for the multiple organ involvement observed in influenza infection and should assist investigators in interpreting results obtained when analyzing AIV or HuIV in the mouse model of disease.