A Comparative Study of Prevalence and Associated Factors of Social Support Among Chinese Shidu Parents and Non-Shidu Parents.

The number of parents in China who have lost their only child, referred to as shidu parents, currently exceeds one million and is increasing by approximately 76,000 annually. Shidu parents face a unique challenge in long-term care, primarily stemming from the sudden and tragic loss of their only child, which leads to a substantial decrease in their social support network. A multi-stage, stratified, and cluster sampling method was employed across various economic belts. Linear regression analysis was utilized to examine factors associated with the social support status of shidu and non-shidu parents. The level of social support decreases as the severity of depression increases. Shidu parents with grandchildren tend to have good social support. The city of Hangzhou exhibits relatively high levels of social support. Married individuals typically report higher levels of social support. It is recommended to prioritize shidu parents without grandchildren as a primary focus for government and societal support. Key recommendations include strengthening social skills training and developing social support networks. Drive economic development, particularly in relatively underdeveloped regions. Strengthen social organizations and community development. Enhancing access to support services, leveraging technology, and encouraging volunteerism for non-married parents.

Overexpression of YTHDF3 increases the specific productivity of the recombinant protein in CHO cells by promoting the translation process.

Due to their high-quality characteristics, Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells have become the most widely used and reliable host cells for the production of recombinant therapeutic proteins in the biomedical field. Previous studies have shown that the m6A reader YTHDF3, which contains the YTH domain, can affect a variety of biological processes by regulating the translation and stability of target mRNAs. This study investigates the effect of YTHDF3 on transgenic CHO cells. The results indicate that stable overexpression of YTHDF3 significantly enhances recombinant protein expression without affecting host cell growth. Transcriptome sequencing indicated that several genes, including translation initiation factor, translation extension factor, and ribosome assembly factor, were upregulated in CHO cells overexpressing YTHDF3. In addition, cycloheximide experiments confirmed that YTHDF3 enhanced transgene expression by promoting translation in CHO cells. In conclusion, the findings in this study provide a novel approach for mammalian cell engineering to increase protein productivity by regulating m6A.

Individualized anti-thrombotic therapy for acute myocardial infarction complicated with left ventricular thrombus: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Presently, there is no established standard anti-blood clot therapy for patients facing acute myocardial infarction (AMI) complicated by left ventricular thrombus (LVT). While vitamin K antagonists are the preferred choice for oral blood thinning, determining the best course of blood-thinning medication remains challenging. It is unclear if non-vitamin K antagonist oral blood thinners have different effectiveness in treating LVT. This study significantly contributes to the medical community. CASE SUMMARY: The blood-thinning treatment of a patient with AMI and LVT was analyzed. Triple blood-thinning therapy included daily enteric-coated aspirin tablets at 0.1 g, daily clopidogrel hydrogen sulfate at 75 mg, and dabigatran etexilate at 110 mg twice daily. After 15 d, the patient's LVT did not decrease but instead increased. Clinical pharmacists comprehensively analyzed the cases from the perspective of the patient's disease status and drug interaction. The drug regimen was reformulated for the patient, replacing dabigatran etexilate with warfarin, and was administered for six months. The clinical pharmacist provided the patient with professional and standardized pharmaceutical services. The patient's condition was discharged after meeting the international normalized ratio value (2-3) criteria. The patient fully complied with the follow-up, and the time in the therapeutic range was 78.57%, with no serious adverse effects during pharmaceutical monitoring. CONCLUSION: Warfarin proves to be an effective drug for patients with AMI complicated by LVT, and its blood-thinning course lasts for six months.

Addison's disease caused by adrenal tuberculosis may lead to misdiagnosis of major depressive disorder: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Addison's disease (AD) is a rare but potentially fatal disease in Western countries, which can easily be misdiagnosed at an early stage. Severe adrenal tuberculosis (TB) may lead to depression in patients. CASE SUMMARY: We report a case of primary adrenal insufficiency secondary to adrenal TB with TB in the lungs and skin in a 48-year-old woman. The patient was misdiagnosed with depression because of her depressed mood. She had hyperpigmentation of the skin, nails, mouth, and lips. The final diagnosis was adrenal TB that resulted in the insufficient secretion of adrenocortical hormone. Adrenocortical hormone test, skin biopsy, T cell spot test of TB, and adrenal computed tomography scan were used to confirm the diagnosis. The patient's condition improved after hormone replacement therapy and TB treatment. CONCLUSION: Given the current status of TB in high-burden countries, outpatient doctors should be aware of and pay attention to TB and understand the early symptoms of AD.

Effect of non-mechanical bowel preparation on postoperative gastrointestinal recovery following surgery on malignant gynecological tumors: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of non-mechanical bowel preparation (non-MBP) in patients undergoing surgery for malignant gynecological tumors. METHODS: Patients undergoing surgery for a gynecological malignancy (n = 105) were randomized to receive mechanical bowel preparation (MBP) or non-MBP. Parameters indicating postoperative gastrointestinal function recovery were the primary outcomes. The secondary outcomes included the number of postoperative complaints, the plasma levels of D-lactate and diamine oxidase (DAO), ease of visualization of the surgical field, involuntary defecation during surgery, operation time, wound healing, surgical site infection, length of hospital stay, and tolerance to MBP. RESULTS: The participants in the non-MBP group exhibited shorter time intervals until the first postoperative bowel movement (27.87 vs. 29.48 h), first passage of flatus (50.96 vs. 55.08 h), and first passage of stool (75.94 vs. 98.50 h) compared with the MBP group, while they also exhibited fewer postoperative gastrointestinal symptoms, including nausea (18.9% vs. 38.5%), vomiting (26.4% vs. 51.9%), abdominal pain (34.0% vs. 78.9%), and bloating (3.8% vs.26.9%). The plasma D-lactate and DAO levels were significantly increased following bowel preparation compared with the baseline levels in the MBP group (2.93 vs. 5.68 nmol/mL and 20.46 vs. 54.49 ng/mL, respectively), but no such differences were observed in the non-MBP group. Compared with the MBP group, surgical field visualization was superior (92.45% vs. 78.85%), and the operation time was shorter (173.58 vs. 203.88 min) in the non-MBP group. The patients undergoing MBP complained of bloating (182.35%), an unpleasant taste (78.43%), sleep disturbance (70.59%), nausea (68.63%), abdominal pain (64.71%), vomiting (45.10%), polydipsia (33.33%), dizziness (25.49%), and headache (7.84%). CONCLUSIONS: The use of non-MBP in patients undergoing surgery for gynecological malignancies is more conducive to the postoperative recovery of gastrointestinal function.

Blood glucose levels and the risk of HPV multiple infections in high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions: A retrospective cross-sectional study of Chinese patients.

Besides the controversy of the association of high glycemic index and glycemic load with precancerous cervical lesions, only a few studies have examined the impact of fasting blood glucose levels on human papillomavirus (HPV) multiple infections. In the present study, we appraised the relationship between blood glucose levels and multiple HPV infections in a population of HPV-positive women with cervical high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL). The present study was designed as a cross-sectional correlative analysis. A total of 560 participants with a pathologically confirmed HSIL with HPV infection were included from a hospital in China during January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2019. The target variables and the outcome variables were the glucose levels at the baseline and HPV multiplicity, respectively. The odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals were calculated to estimate the risk of multiple infections via logistic regression analysis. The average age of the 560 participants was 44.63 ± 10.61 years; the nonlinear relationship was detected between the glucose levels and multiplicity of HPV, with an inflection point at 5.4. After adjusting for the full range of variables, the effect sizes and confidence intervals for the left and right sides of the inflection points were found to be 0.379 (0.196-0.732) and 5.083 (1.592-16.229), respectively. In this cross-sectional study, both high and low blood glucose levels increased the risk of multiple HPV infections, demonstrating a U-shaped relationship between the blood glucose levels and multiple HPV infections.

Restoring Genetic Resource through In Vitro Culturing Testicular Cells from the Cryo-Preserved Tissue of the American Shad (Alosa sapidissima).

Germ cells, as opposed to somatic cells, can transmit heredity information between generations. Cryopreservation and in vitro culture of germ cells are key techniques for genetic resource preservation and cellular engineering breeding. In this study, two types of cryopreserved samples, namely testis pieces and testicular cells of American shad, were comparatively analyzed for cell viability. The results showed that the cell viability of the cryopreserved testis pieces was much higher than that of the cryopreserved testicular cells. The viability of cells from the cryopreserved testis pieces ranged from 65.2 ± 2.2 (%) to 93.8 ± 0.6 (%), whereas the viability of the dissociated cells after cryopreservation was 38.5 ± 0.8 (%) to 87.1 ± 2.6 (%). Intriguingly, the testicular cells from the post-thaw testicular tissue could be cultured in vitro. Likewise, most of the cultured cells exhibited germ cell properties and highly expressed Vasa and PCNA protein. This study is the first attempt to effectively preserve and culture the male germ cells through freezing tissues in the American shad. The findings of this study would benefit further investigations on genetic resource preservation and other manipulations of germ cells in a commercially and ecologically important fish species.

A Reliable Murine Model of Disseminated Infection Induced by Talaromyces Marneffei.

Talaromycosis (penicilliosis) caused by Talaromyces marneffei is one of the most important opportunistic infection diseases in tropical countries of South and Southeast Asia. Most infections occurred in individuals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the primarily reason for the increase in the number of the cases is HIV pandemic. The pathogenesis of T. marneffei infection is unclear. There is still no ideal animal model for studying talaromycosis. In this study, we developed a stable, safe and maneuverable murine model that mimics human T. marneffei disseminated infection using T. marneffei yeast intraperitoneal injected to BALB/c nude mice. We successfully observed symptoms similar to those seen in clinical patients in this murine model, including skin lesions, hepatosplenomegaly, pulmonary infection and mesenteric lesions. We further studied the pathological changes of various tissues and organs in the infected animals to help better understand the severity of the infection. This model may provide a good tool for studying disseminated infection induced by T. marneffei.

[Multiple Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor with Neurofibromatosis Type â :Report of One Case].

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors(GISTs)in the stomach,duodenum,and rectum have low occurrence,and the coexistence GISTs in three parts with neurofibromatosis type Ⅰ(NF-Ⅰ)is even rare.This paper reports a case of GISTs with a family history of NF-Ⅰ.There were multiple nodular masses of different sizes on the patient's face,trunk,and limbs.The patient was admitted due to chest tightness for 5 days and black stools for 1 day.Enhanced CT examination of the abdomen suggested multiple space-occupying lesions in the upper abdomen with multiple small nodules under the abdominal wall,and neurofibromatosis and intestinal stromal tumor cannot be excluded.Finally,surgical pathology confirmed that the multiple tumors in the abdominal cavity were GISTs.The case was confirmed as wild-type GISTs by genetic testing,and the patient recovered well nearly one year after the operation.

[Prediction of Prenatal Ultrasound Screening Staff's Situation in Beijing Based on ARIMA Model].

Objective To understand the current situation and predict the trends in number and composition of prenatal ultrasound screening staff in Beijing. Methods We analyzed the region,age,professional title and other characteristics of prenatal ultrasound screening personnel in Beijing during 2007-2015.We then built an ARIMA model basing on the current situation to predict the number and composition of the staff in 2016-2020. Results The number of prenatal ultrasound screening staff showed an upward trend in 2007-2020 and was predicted to reach 1269 in 2020.During this period,the educational achievement and professional title of the staff showed a downward trend,and the working years became shorter,mainly below 5 years.The proportion of resident doctors remained at 26.6%,and that of the staff receiving further education would reach 43.2% by the end of 2020. Conclusion The prediction under ARIMA model suggests that efforts should be made to strengthen the training of young doctors and provide them opportunities for further study.

Delayed diagnosis of critical congenital heart defects predicting risk factors and survival rate in newborns in Beijing: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence and survival rate of newborns with a delayed diagnosis of critical congenital heart defects (CCHD) in Beijing. METHODS: This retrospective study analysed data from births between 2010 and 2017 from the Birth Defects Monitoring Network in Beijing. Newborns with CCHD were analysed according to seven categories. Statistical analyses were used to calculate the mortality rate within the first week (days 0-6) after live birth. Multivariate logistic regression analysis of survival was performed to analyse the potential risk factors for newborn mortality. RESULTS: A total of 1 773 935 perinatal newborns were screened in Beijing and 1851 newborns were diagnosed with CCHD, showing a prevalence of 10.43 per 10 000. Among the total 1851 CCHD patients, the majority (1692 of 1851; 91.41%) were identified through prenatal diagnosis, 104 of 1851 (5.62%) were diagnosed before obstetric discharge/transfer and 55 of 1851 (2.97%) were identified through delayed diagnosis. The prevalence of CCHD in newborns was 1.96 per 10 000 births. Multivariate logistic regression analysis of survival demonstrated that gestational age at delivery was the only risk factor for death within the first week after birth. CONCLUSIONS: Within the first week after birth, gestational age was the only risk factor for death in newborns with CCHD.

Chromosome-level genome assembly of the Chinese longsnout catfish Leiocassis longirostris.

The Chinese longsnout catfish ( Leiocassis longirostris Günther) is one of the most economically important freshwater fish in China. As wild populations have declined sharply in recent years, it is also a valuable model for research on sexual dimorphism, comparative biology, and conservation. However, the current lack of high-quality chromosome-level genome information for the species hinders the advancement of comparative genomic analysis and evolutionary studies. Therefore, we constructed the first high-quality chromosome-level reference genome for L. longirostris. The total genome was 703.19 Mb, with 389 contigs and contig N50 length of 4.29 Mb. Using high-throughput chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) data, the genome sequences (685.53 Mb) were scaffolded into 26 chromosomes ranging from 17.36 to 43.97 Mb, resulting in a chromosomal anchoring rate for the genome of 97.44%. In total, 23 708 protein-coding genes were identified in the genome. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that L. longirostris and its closest related species P. fulvidraco diverged approximately 26.6 million years ago. This high-quality reference genome of L. longirostris should pave the way for future genomic comparisons and evolutionary research.

The Effect of Talaromyces marneffei Infection on CD86 Expression in THP-1 Cells.

BACKGROUND: Talaromyces marneffei (T. marneffei) is a destructive opportunistic dimorphic fungal which can cause lethiferous Talaromycosis, but the clearance of T. marneffei mainly depends on the innate immune response. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether T. marneffei can inhibit the expression of CD86 in THP-1 cells after infection and discuss the potential mechanisms. METHODS: Western blot and immunoelectron microscopy were used to detect the CD86 expression on T. marneffei cultured on BHI medium at 37°C. Western blot, enzyme-linked immunoassay and immunofluorescence were used to detect the change of CD86 expression on macrophages incubating with T. marneffei. Enzyme-linked immunoassay was used to detect the content of CD86 in supernatant in the co-culture system. Immunohistochemistry and immunoelectron microscopy were used to detect the expression of CD86 on T. marneffei incubating with macrophages. RESULTS: T. marneffei did not express CD86 when cultured separately at 37°C detected by Western blot and immunoelectron microscopy, but it did express CD86 when incubated with macrophages detected by immunohistochemistry and immunoelectron microscopy. The CD86 expression of macrophages significantly decreased at 72 hours when infected with T. marneffei while the content of CD86 in supernatant significantly increased at 72 hours compared with the control group which were detected by Western blot, enzyme-linked immunoassay and immunofluorescence. CONCLUSION: 1) After T. marneffei infection, CD86 expression on THP-1 decreased, and with the progression of infection, insufficient polarization of M1 macrophages gradually appeared; 2) T. marneffei may adsorb or uptake CD86 in supernatant produced by macrophages during the contact with THP-1 cells, thus leading to the consumption of CD86 in macrophages.

Long-Chain Non-Coding SOX21-AS1 Promotes Proliferation and Migration of Breast Cancer Cells Through the PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway.

AIM: This study aimed to investigate the effect of long-chain non-coding SOX21-AS1 on the proliferation and migration of breast cancer (BC) cells through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. METHODS: Eighty-eight BC and adjacent tissues were collected, and BC cells and normal breast epithelial cells were purchased. LncRNA SOX21-AS1 expression in tissues and cells was detected by RT-PCR. miR-NC, si-SOX21-AS1, and Sh-SOX21-AS1 were transfected into BC cells. The PI3K/AKT signaling pathway was interfered with L740Y-P (activator of the PI3K/AKT pathway) and LY294002 (inhibitor of the PI3K/AKT pathway) in BC cells. The SOX21-AS1 expression in BC tissues and cells was tested by qRT-PCR, and the expression levels of p-PI3K, p-AKT, N-cadherin, E-cadherin, and vimentin were detected by WB. RESULTS: SOX21-AS1 was highly expressed in BC, and the p-PI3K and p-AKT levels were also high. Cell experiments showed that inhibiting SOX21-AS1 expression could inhibit the proliferation, invasion, migration, and EMT of BC cells, and up-regulating its expression could promote the proliferation, invasion, migration, and EMT of ovarian cancer cells. The tumor-forming experiment in nude mice was consistent with the results in vitro. 740Y-P intervention could reverse the inhibition effect of Si-SOX21-AS1 on BC cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and EMT, while LY294002 intervention could reverse the promotion effect of Sh-SOX21-AS1 on BC cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and EMT. CONCLUSION: SOX21-AS1 is highly expressed in BC tissues. Silencing BC expression can inhibit the proliferation, invasion, migration, and EMT of cells by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, which may be a new target for diagnosis and treatment.

Endoscopic full-thickness resection to treat active Dieulafoy's disease: A case report.

BACKGROUND: At present, minimally invasive endoscopic treatment is mostly used for patients with actively bleeding Dieulafoy's lesions, , as it has the advantages of minimal trauma, short operation time and good hemostatic effect, although bleeding can easily recur postoperatively. Recently, extensive gastric cuneiform resection has been advocated for use in these patients because the constant-diameter artery follows a long path to the gastric mucosa. CASE SUMMARY: A 47-year-old man was admitted to the hospital for repeated hematemesis and black stool, and he was diagnosed with Dieulafoy's disease. We chose a method that not only simulates surgical gastric cuneiform resection but also reduces trauma. We performed enlarged local endoscopic full-thickness resection of the gastric wall and abdominal constant-diameter artery and sutured the gastric wall. Postoperative follow-up showed that the constant-diameter artery had been resected from the gastric wall, which was confirmed to have no blood flow signals by endoscopic ultrasonography. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic full-thickness resection of the gastric wall and abdominal constant-diameter artery with suturing of the gastric wall has demonstrated potential as a new treatment for Dieulafoy's disease.

[Influence on orbicularis oculi muscle in the patients with facial neuritis treated with the penetra-ting needling at Cuanzhu (BL2) and Yuyao (EX-HN4) combined with the perpendicular needling at Shenmai (BL62)].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the therapeutic effect on incomplete eyelid in the patients with facial neuritis treated with the penetrating needling at Cuanzhu (BL2) and Yuyao (EX-HN4) combined with the perpendicular needling at Shenmai (BL62). METHODS: A total of 64 patients with facial neuritis, in compliance with the inclusion criteria, were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, with 32 cases in each. In the treatment group, the penetrating needling was applied to BL2 and EX-HN4 on the affected side, combined with the perpendicular needling at bilateral BL62. Besides, on the affected side, the penetrating needling was applied from Yangbai (GB14) toward four directions, named Shangxing (GV23), Touwei (ST8), Cuanzu (BL2) and Sizukong (TE23), the mutual penetrating needling was adopted between Dicang (ST4) and Jiache (ST6). Between Yingxiang (LI20) and Xiaguan (ST7), a row-arranged needling technique was applied. All of the needles were retained for 10 to 30 min in each treatment. The treatment was given once daily and the treatment for 10 days was as 1 course. A total of 2 courses of treatment were required. In the control group, prednisone acetate （30 mg/d）, was administered consecutively for 5 days. Afterward, the dose was reduced to be 10 mg/d and the medication stopped after taking consecutively for 1 week. Muscular injection with vitamin B12 （0.5 mg） and B1 （0.1 mg） was given, once daily. 10 days later, vitamin B1 was taken for oral administration, 10 mg each time, three times a day, for 10 days totally. Before and after the treatment, the clinical effect was compared between the two groups in terms of the analysis on the Hourse-Brackman (H-B) grade of facial nerve function, the distance between the upper and the lower eyelids, muscle strength, degree of eyelid closure and electromyogram (EMG). RESULTS: The total effective rate of treatment group was 96.9 % (31/32), better than 84.4%（27/32） in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, in the treatment group, the distance between the upper and lower eyelids, the muscle strength, the degree of eyelid closure, the wave amplitude of motor nerve conduction and the latent period, as well as the blink reflex were all improved as compared with those before the treatment (P<0.01, P<0.05). In the control group, the distance between the upper and lower eyelids, the muscle strength, the degree of eyelid closure, the latent period of motor nerve conduction and the blink reflex were all improved as compared with those before the treatment (P<0.01, P<0.05). After the treatment, the results of the distance between the upper and lower eyelids, the muscle strength, the degree of eyelid closure, the wave amplitude of motor nerve conduction and the latent period, as well as the blink reflex in the treatment group were all better than those in the control group (P<0.05，P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The treatment with the penetrating needling at Cuanzhu (BL2) and Yuyao (EX-HN4) combined with the perpendicular needling at Shenmai (BL62) greatly promotes the recovery of orbicularis oculi muscle in the patients with facial neuritis, reduces the complications and presents the satisfactory clinical effect.

[Study on clinical characteristics of Danshen Chuanxiongqin Injection in treatment of cerebral infarction in real world].

In this study, the clinical characteristics and drug combination rules of Danshen Chuanxiongqin Injection in the treatment of patients with cerebral infarction were analyzed. The inpatient information of 2 857 patients of cerebral infarction treated with Danshen Chuanxiongqin Injection in HIS database of 20 grade Ⅲ class A hospitals in China was collected, and a model was established by description analysis and Apriori algorithm, in order to explore the clinical characteristics and drug combination rules of Danshen Chuan-xiongqin Injection in the treatment of cerebral infarction. The results showed that among patients of cerebral infarction treated with Danshen Chuanxiongqin Injection, 1 727 patients were older than 65 years old, accounting for 69.61%, and 1 610 were males, accounting for 63.59%. Commonly used drugs included lipid-lowering agents, anticoagulant thrombolytic agents, antiplatelet agents, stimulants of brain metabolism, vasodilators and other Western drugs, as well as traditional Chinese medicines, such as blood-activating agents, heat-clearing agents and expectorant agents. The Western medicine with the highest use frequency in combination with Danshen Chuan-xiongqin Injection was aspirin enteric-coated tablets(1 528 cases, 53.48%). The traditional Chinese medicine with the highest use frequency in combination with Danshen Chuanxiongqin Injection was Xingnaojing Injection, with a total of 378 cases, accounting for 13.23%. Among them, the most commonly used Western drugs combined with Danshen Chuanxiongqin Injection were anticoagulant thrombolytic and antiplatelet drugs, with a usage rate as high as 83.48%. In order to further explore the drug combination rules of Danshen Chuanxiongqin Injection, the association analysis of drug combination in patients of cerebral infarction treated with Danshen Chuanxiongqin Injection was carried out. In clinical combination of two Western drugs, Atorvastatin Calcium Capsules+Cerebral Proteolytic Injection were the most common combination, with a support of 27.10%. In clinical combination with 3 Western drugs, Clopidogrel Bisulfate Tablets+Atorvastatin Calcium Capsules+Cerebral Proteolytic Injection were most commonly used, with a support of 15.90%. The results showed that the patients of cerebral infarction treated with Danshen Chuanxiongqin Injection were mainly elderly males, and often complicated with hypertension, coronary heart disease, diabetes and other basic diseases. The clinical application of Danshen Chuanxiongqin Injection was principally in line with the guidelines. In the treatment of cerebral infarction, it was often combined with Western medicine anticoagulant thrombolysis, antiplatelet drugs, traditional Chinese medicine blood-activating and stasis-dissolving prescription and other drugs with similar pharmacological effects, with an auxiliary therapeutic effect on patients of cerebral infarction complicated with other diseases, and can provide guidance for clinical medication.

Correlations between single nucleotide polymorphisms in FABP4 and meat quality and lipid metabolism gene expression in Yanbian yellow cattle.

FABP4 is a candidate gene for carcass and meat quality traits in livestock and poultry. However, the effects of FABP4 have not been examined in the Yanbian yellow cattle, an economically important local cattle breed in China. In this study, we characterized single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in FABP4 in this cattle breed and their associations with meat quality traits. Six SNPs (referred to as SNP1-6) were identified in FABP4 by direct sequencing and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. The six SNPs were significantly correlated with meat quality traits. In particular, the GG and GA genotypes of SNP1 were significantly associated with water and fat contents and GG and AA genotypes of SNP1 were significantly associated with protein contents (P < 0.05). The fat content and marbling in heterozygous individuals at SNP2-6 were significantly higher than those in wild-type or mutant individuals (P < 0.05), while protein content was significantly higher in wild-type and mutant individuals than in heterozygous individuals (P < 0.05). A gene expression analysis indicated that the lipid metabolism-related genes FABP4, PPARγ, ANGPTL4, and LPL show similar expression patterns with respect to FABP4 genotypes, with the highest levels in wild-type individuals and the lowest levels in mutants. In conclusion, FABP4 SNPs can be used for marker-assisted selection in Yanbian yellow cattle breeding.

Anti-hepatitis B virus activity of swertisin isolated from Iris tectorum Maxim.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Iris tectorum Maxim (I. tectorum, Yuan Wei in Chinese) is a common and traditional Chinese medicinal herb that be used to treat liver-related diseases. However, the anti-HBV activity of I. tectorum and its isolates has not been systemically studied. AIM OF THE STUDY: To screen the active part of I. tectorum and systemically evaluate their anti-HBV activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, a series of compounds from I. tectorum were evaluated for their ability to inhibit HBV replication. Swertisin showed a significant inhibitory function on HBV replication. Then, the suppression effect of different concentrations of swertisin in HBsAg, HBeAg and HBV DNA level in HepG2.2.15 cells and HBV-infected HepG2-NTCP cells were comprehensive evaluated, respectively. Moreover, the anti-HBV effects of swertisin were confirmed in HBV transgenic mice model. RESULTS: Among these compounds, swertisin strongly inhibited the HBsAg, HBeAg and HBV DNA level in a dose-dependent manner in HepG2.2.15 cells and HBV-infected HepG2-NTCP cells. Furthermore, swertisin showed a significant inhibition role on HBV replication in HBV transgenic mice model, the inhibition effect of which was enhanced when combined with ETV. CONCLUSIONS: We have identified that swertisin can inhibit HBeAg and HBsAg production, as well as HBV DNA in vitro and in vivo. This study show that we may found a novel compound isolated from traditional Chinese medicines with potent anti-HBV function.

Niacin analogue, 6-Aminonicotinamide, a novel inhibitor of hepatitis B virus replication and HBsAg production.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is one of the important clinical indexes for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection diagnosis and sustained seroconversion of HBsAg is an indicator for functional cure. However, the level of HBsAg could not be reduced by interferons and nucleoside analogs effectively. Therefore, identification of a new drug targeting HBsAg is urgently needed. METHODS: In this study, 6-AN was screened out from 1500 compounds due to its low cytotoxicity and high antiviral activity. The effect of 6-AN on HBV was examined in HepAD38, HepG2-NTCP and PHHs cells. In addition, the antivirus effect of 6-AN was also identified in mouse model. FINDINGS: 6-AN treatment resulted in a significant decrease of HBsAg and other viral markers both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, we found that 6-AN inhibited the activities of HBV SpI, SpII and core promoter by decreasing transcription factor PPARα, subsequently reduced HBV RNAs transcription and HBsAg production. INTERPRETATION: We have identified a novel small molecule to inhibit HBV core DNA, HBV RNAs, HBsAg production, as well as cccDNA to a minor degree both in vitro and in vivo. This study may shed light on the development of a novel class of anti-HBV agent.