Prenatal prednisone exposure disturbs fetal kidney development and its characteristics.

Prednisone is a synthetic glucocorticoid that is commonly used in both human and veterinary medication. Now, it is also recognized as an emerging environmental contaminant. Pregnant women may be exposed to prednisone actively or passively through multiple pathways and cause developmental toxicity to the fetus. However, the impact of prenatal prednisone exposure (PPE) on fetal kidney development remains unclear. In this study, pregnant mice were administered prednisone intragastrically during full-term pregnancy with different doses (0.25, 0.5, or 1 mg/(kg·day)), or at the dose of 1 mg/(kg·day) in different gestational days (GD) (GD0-9, GD10-18, or GD0-18). The pregnant mice were euthanized on GD18. HE staining revealed fetal kidney dysplasia, with an enlarged glomerular Bowman's capsule space and a reduced capillary network in the PPE groups. The expression of the podocyte and the mesangial cell marker genes was significantly reduced in the PPE groups. However, overall gene expression in renal tubules and collecting ducts were markedly increased. All of the above effects were more pronounced in high-dose, full-term pregnancy, and female fetuses. Studies on the mechanism of the female fetal kidney have revealed that PPE reduced the expression of Six2, increased the expression of Hnf1ß, Hnf4α, and Wnt9b, and inhibited the expression of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and Notch signaling pathways. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that there is a sex difference in the developmental toxicity of PPE to the fetal kidney, and the time effect is manifested as full-term pregnancy > early pregnancy > mid-late pregnancy.

Genetic diversity and evolutionary dynamics of Ebola virus in Sierra Leone.

A novel Ebola virus (EBOV) first identified in March 2014 has infected more than 25,000 people in West Africa, resulting in more than 10,000 deaths. Preliminary analyses of genome sequences of 81 EBOV collected from March to June 2014 from Guinea and Sierra Leone suggest that the 2014 EBOV originated from an independent transmission event from its natural reservoir followed by sustained human-to-human infections. It has been reported that the EBOV genome variation might have an effect on the efficacy of sequence-based virus detection and candidate therapeutics. However, only limited viral information has been available since July 2014, when the outbreak entered a rapid growth phase. Here we describe 175 full-length EBOV genome sequences from five severely stricken districts in Sierra Leone from 28 September to 11 November 2014. We found that the 2014 EBOV has become more phylogenetically and genetically diverse from July to November 2014, characterized by the emergence of multiple novel lineages. The substitution rate for the 2014 EBOV was estimated to be 1.23 × 10(-3) substitutions per site per year (95% highest posterior density interval, 1.04 × 10(-3) to 1.41 × 10(-3) substitutions per site per year), approximating to that observed between previous EBOV outbreaks. The sharp increase in genetic diversity of the 2014 EBOV warrants extensive EBOV surveillance in Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia to better understand the viral evolution and transmission dynamics of the ongoing outbreak. These data will facilitate the international efforts to develop vaccines and therapeutics.

Use of capillary electrophoresis to select a DNA aptamer that recognizes swine anaphylatoxin C5a.

Complement factor 5a is a potent proinflammatory mediator that contributes to the pathogenesis of numerous inflammatory diseases. Protein-based C5a inhibitors have proven to be clinically valuable. Aptamers, which are oligonucleic acid chains or polypeptides, can bind to target molecules and hence have the potential to be used for detection and blockade of targets. Here, we describe the discovery that the single-stranded DNA aptamer S1 can bind specifically to swine C5a, which can then be quickly selected for with capillary electrophoresis for high-throughput sequencing. Aptamer S1 bound specifically to swine C5a with a dissociation constant of 4 µM as measured by surface plasmon resonance (SPR). Moreover, aptamer S1 inhibited C5a-induced chemotaxis of neutrophils in vitro. Our study suggests that the S1 aptamer has great potential to be a key structure in the development of effective therapeutic agents against inflammatory diseases.

Intuitive Label-Free SERS Detection of Bacteria Using Aptamer-Based in Situ Silver Nanoparticles Synthesis.

The characteristic of an ideal bacteria-detection method should have high sensitivity and specificity, be easy to operate, and not have a time-consuming culture process. In this study, we report a new bacteria-detection strategy that can recognize bacteria quickly and directly by surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) with the formation of well-defined bacteria-aptamer@AgNPs. SERS signals generated by bacteria-aptamer@AgNPs exhibited a linear dependence on bacteria (R2 = 0.9671) concentration ranging from 101 to 107 cfu/mL. The detection limit is sensitive down to 1.5 cfu/mL. Meanwhile, the bacteria SERS signal was dramatically enhanced by its specifically recognized aptamer, and the bacteria could be identified directly and visually through the SERS spectrum. This strategy eliminates the puzzling data analysis of previous studies and offers significant advantages over existing approaches, getting a critical step toward the creation of SERS-based biochips for rapid in situ bacteria detection in mixture samples.

Mitochondrial EF4 links respiratory dysfunction and cytoplasmic translation in Caenorhabditis elegans.

How animals coordinate cellular bioenergetics in response to stress conditions is an essential question related to aging, obesity and cancer. Elongation factor 4 (EF4/LEPA) is a highly conserved protein that promotes protein synthesis under stress conditions, whereas its function in metazoans remains unknown. Here, we show that, in Caenorhabditis elegans, the mitochondria-localized CeEF4 (referred to as mtEF4) affects mitochondrial functions, especially at low temperature (15°C). At worms' optimum growing temperature (20°C), mtef4 deletion leads to self-brood size reduction, growth delay and mitochondrial dysfunction. Transcriptomic analyses show that mtef4 deletion induces retrograde pathways, including mitochondrial biogenesis and cytoplasmic translation reorganization. At low temperature (15°C), mtef4 deletion reduces mitochondrial translation and disrupts the assembly of respiratory chain supercomplexes containing complex IV. These observations are indicative of the important roles of mtEF4 in mitochondrial functions and adaptation to stressful conditions.

Ebola Virus Outbreak Investigation, Sierra Leone, September 28-November 11, 2014.

During 2014-2015, an outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) swept across parts of West Africa. The China Mobile Laboratory Testing Team was dispatched to support response efforts; during September 28-November 11, 2014, they conducted PCR testing on samples from 1,635 suspected EVD patients. Of those patients, 50.4% were positive, of whom 84.6% lived within a 3-km zone along main roads connecting rural towns and densely populated cities. The median time from symptom onset to testing was 5 days. At testing, 75.7% of the confirmed patients had fever, and 94.1% reported at least 1 gastrointestinal symptom; all symptoms, except rash and hemorrhage, were more frequent in confirmed than nonconfirmed patients. Virus loads were significantly higher in EVD patients with fever, diarrhea, fatigue, or headache. The case-fatality rate was lower among patients 15-44 years of age and with virus loads of <100,000 RNA copies/mL. These findings are key for optimizing EVD control and treatment measures.

[Protective effect of grape seed proanthocyanidin on spermatogenesis following testicular torsion/detorsion in mice].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effect of grape seed proanthocyanidin (GSP) on spermatogenesis following testicular torsion/detorsion in mice. METHODS: Twenty-four healthy male Kunming mice, aged 8 weeks and weighing 25 - 27 g, were randomly divided into a control, a torsion and a treatment group, each containing 8 animals. The unilateral testicular torsion/detorsion model was established in the treatment and torsion groups. Thirty minutes before detorsion, the animals of the treatment group were injected intraperitoneally with 50 mg/kg GSP, and those of the torsion group with normal saline at the same dose, both for 3 days postoperatively. On the 4th day after surgery, ipsilateral orchiectomy were performed to detect histopathological changes, the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA), and the apoptotic index (AI) of germ cells in all the mice. RESULTS: Compared with the torsion group, the treated mice showed significantly increased Johnsen score (5.00 +/- 1.85 vs 7.38 +/- 0.92, P < 0.05), seminiferous tubule diameter ([176.50 +/- 1.60]microm vs [178.75 +/- 1.58] microm, P > 0.05), spermatogenic cell layers (3.75 +/- 1.03 vs 5.75 +/- 0.71, P < 0.05) and SOD activity ([29.04 +/- 4.46] U/mg prot vs [52.67 +/- 3.57] U/mg prot, P < 0.05), but remarkably reduced level of MDA ([4.63 +/- 0.05] nmol/mg prot vs [2.91 +/- 0.04] nmol/mg prot, P < 0.05) and AI of germ cells ([40.50 +/- 1.60]% vs [16.25 +/- 1.67] %, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Grape seed proanthocyanidin has a protective effect against spermatogenic injury in mice, the mechanisms of which may be related to its actions of scavenging oxygen free radicals, inhibiting lipid peroxidation and improving the antioxidant ability of the body.

Novel Hybrid Modeling and Analysis Method for Steam Reforming Solid Oxide Fuel Cell System Multifault Degradation Fusion Assessment.

Steam reforming solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) systems are important devices to promote carbon neutralization and clean energy conversion. It is difficult to monitor system working conditions in real time due to the possible fusion fault degradation under high temperatures and the seal environment, so it is necessary to design an effective system multifault degradation assessment strategy for solid oxide fuel cell systems. Therefore, in this paper, a novel hybrid model is developed. The hybrid model is built to look for the system fault reason based on first principles, machine learning (radial basis function neural network), and a multimodal classification algorithm. Then, stack, key balance of plant components (afterburner, heat exchanger, and reformer), thermoelectric performance, and system efficiency are studied during the progress of the system experiment. The results show that the novel hybrid model can track well the system operation trend, and solid oxide fuel cell system working dynamic performance can be obtained. Furthermore, four fault types of solid oxide fuel cell systems are analyzed with thermoelectric parameters and energy conversion efficiency based on transition and fault stages, and two cases are also successful by using the built model to decouple the multifault degradation fusion. In addition, the solid oxide fuel cell multifault degradation fusion assessment method proposed in this paper can also be used in other fuel cell systems.

SERS-based immunomagnetic bead for rapid detection of H5N1 influenza virus.

The surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has recently drawn attention in the detection of respiratory viruses, but there have been few reports of the direct detection of viruses. In this study, a sandwich immunomagnetic bead SERS was established for the rapid diagnosis of the H5N1 influenza virus. The detection limit was estimated to be 5.0 × 10-6 TCID50/ml. The method showed excellent specificity with no cross-reaction with H1N1, H5N6 or H9N2. The H5N1 influenza virus detection accuracy of the SERS method was 100% in chicken embryos. The results hold great promise for the utilization of SERS as an innovative approach in the diagnosis of influenza virus.

Aerosolized avian influenza virus by laboratory manipulations.

BACKGROUND: Avian H5N1 influenza viruses present a challenge in the laboratory environment, as they are difficult to collect from the air due to their small size and relatively low concentration. In an effort to generate effective methods of H5N1 air removal and ensure the safety of laboratory personnel, this study was designed to investigate the characteristics of aerosolized H5N1 produced by laboratory manipulations during research studies. RESULTS: Normal laboratory procedures used to process the influenza virus were carried out independently and the amount of virus polluting the on-site atmosphere was measured. In particular, zootomy, grinding, centrifugation, pipetting, magnetic stirring, egg inoculation, and experimental zoogenetic infection were performed. In addition, common accidents associated with each process were simulated, including breaking glass containers, syringe injection of influenza virus solution, and rupturing of centrifuge tubes. A micro-cluster sampling ambient air pollution collection device was used to collect air samples. The collected viruses were tested for activity by measuring their ability to induce hemagglutination with chicken red blood cells and to propagate in chicken embryos after direct inoculation, the latter being detected by reverse-transcription PCR and HA test. The results showed that the air samples from the normal centrifugal group and the negative-control group were negative, while all other groups were positive for H5N1. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that there are numerous sources of aerosols in laboratory operations involving H5N1. Thus, laboratory personnel should be aware of the exposure risk that accompanies routine procedures involved in H5N1 processing and take proactive measures to prevent accidental infection and decrease the risk of virus aerosol leakage beyond the laboratory.

HID-1 is a novel player in the regulation of neuropeptide sorting.

Peptide hormones and neuropeptides are packaged and stored in a specialized intracellular organelle called the dense core vesicle. It remains elusive how peptide cargoes are correctly sorted. In the present study, we show that a highly conserved Golgi-localized protein named HID-1 acts to prevent mis-sorting of peptide cargoes to lysosomes for degradation via a PtdIns3P-dependent trafficking pathway. Epistasis analysis suggests that rab-2 is epistatic to hid-1.

Prenatal caffeine exposure induced renal developmental toxicity and transgenerational effect in rat offspring.

Epidemiological studies revealed that prenatal caffeine exposure (PCE) is associated with adverse gestational outcomes and susceptibility to chronic diseases in offspring, yet the effects of PCE on glomerulosclerosis susceptibility in adult female offspring and its intergenerational transmission remain to be further investigated. Here, we found that PCE caused fetal kidney dysplasia and glomerulosclerosis of the female offspring. Besides, the kidney of F1 offspring in PCE group exhibited the "low expressional programming of AT2R" and "GC-IGF1 programming" alteration. Intergenerational genetic studies revealed that the renal defect and GC-IGF1 programming alteration was inherited to F2 adult female offspring derived from the female germ line, but Low expression of AT2R did not extend to the F2 female offspring. Taken together, PCE caused renal dysplasia and adult glomerulosclerosis in the F1 female offspring, which might be mediated by renal AT2R low expressional programming and GC-IGF1 axis alteration. Furthermore, PCE induced transgenerational toxicity on kidney, and GC-IGF1 programming alteration might be the potential molecular mechanism. This study provided experimental evidence for the mechanism study of the intergenerational inheritance of kidney developmental toxicity caused by PCE.

Successful rescue of renal transplantation with cardiac arrest after electrical storm: A case report.

RATIONALE: Most patients with end-stage chronic kidney disease are associated with complications such as renal hypertension, renal anemia, hyperkalemia, water-sodium retention, and disorders of acid-base balance after long-term renal replacement therapy, which can lead to increased cardiac burden, some degree of myocardial damage, and finally progress to arrhythmia and heart failure. These are the main reasons why patients with chronic kidney disease are prone to cardiovascular events after renal transplantation. PATIENT CONCERNS: We report a case of sudden onset of ventricular fibrillation on the postoperative second day, with repeated electrical storm accompanied by cardiac arrest during resuscitation, a very long cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) process of 5 hours and 14 minutes, and >20 cycles of cardiac defibrillation. DIAGNOSES: According to the patient history and resuscitation process, a diagnosis of ES with cardiac arrest after renal transplantation was formulated. INTERVENTION: According to the American Heart Association guidelines for CPR and cardiovascular emergencies, resuscitation measures such as CPR, tracheal intubation, electric defibrillation, symptomatic medication, etc. were performed on the patient. OUTCOMES: Finally, the patient was successfully resuscitated, after which the patient had stable respiratory circulation and no neurological complications. To our knowledge, this is the only reported case in which a patient survived with good neurologic outcomes after a resuscitation that lasted as long as 5 hours and 14 minutes. LESSONS: This case of adequate resuscitation can provide experience and a basis for CPR of patients with in-hospital complications of cardiovascular events for a long time.

Caenorhabditis elegans ciliary protein NPHP-8, the homologue of human RPGRIP1L, is required for ciliogenesis and chemosensation.

Nephronophthisis (NPHP) is the most frequent genetic cause of end-stage renal failure in children and young adults. NPHP8/RPGRIP1L is a novel ciliary gene that, when mutated, in addition to causing NPHP, also causes Joubert syndrome (JBTS) and Meckel syndrome (MKS). The exact function of NPHP8 and how defects in NPHP8 lead to human diseases are poorly understood. Here, we studied the Caenorhabditis elegans homolog nphp-8 (C09G5.8) and explored the possible function of NPHP-8 in ciliated sensory neurons. We determined the gene structure of nphp-8 through rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) analysis and discovered an X-box motif that had been previously overlooked. Moreover, NPHP-8 co-localized with NPHP-4 at the transition zone at the base of cilia. Mutation of nphp-8 led to abnormal dye filling (Dyf) and shorter cilia lengths in a subset of ciliary neurons. In addition, chemotaxis to several volatile attractants was significantly impaired in nphp-8 mutants. Our data suggest that NPHP-8/RPGRIP1L plays an important role in cilia formation and cilia-mediated chemosensation in a cell type-specific manner.

Temporal analysis the acetylation and cytokine levels of the Cronobacter muytjensii infection brain based on a bioluminescence mouse model.

The present study aims to develop a bioluminescence Cronobacter muytjensii (C. muytjensii) infection animal model for use to evaluate the spatiotemporal acetylation and cytokine levels of brain. Frist, we cultured a luciferase expressing C. muytjensii that could be used for real-time monitoring in BALB/c mice. Then we performed a comparative acetylation analysis and cytokine levels analysis of the host's brain tissue. Further bioinformatic analysis studies have revealed that that some key acetylation proteins and inflammatory mediators involve in C. muytjensii infection. In this paper, the integration of bioluminescence imaging with Liquid Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) based proteomics and quantitative analysis cytokine levels provide a systems-level understanding of infected brain response caused by C. muytjensii.

A laboratory-attenuated vesicular stomatitis virus induces apoptosis and alters the cellular microRNA expression profile in BHK cells.

In the present study, we characterized the pathways by which a laboratory-attenuated vesicular stomatitis virus (La-VSV) induces apoptosis in BHK cells. It was found that La-VSV induced a loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and activated caspase-9 and -3, but not caspase-8, indicating that the induction of apoptosis by La-VSV may involve an intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Although aberrant expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) has been linked to viral infection, little is known about changes in the cellular miRNA expression profile following VSV infection. Here, we attempted to identify miRNA expression profiles in VSV-infected BHK cells using miRNA microarray. Data analysis revealed that 28 miRNAs consistently responded to VSV-infection, 12 of which were down-regulated and 16 of which were up-regulated. miR-146a of these miRNAs has been found to be up-regulated in LPS-stimulated monocytes and VSV-infected macrophages, suggesting that VSV-induced miR-146a expression occurs not only in immune cells but also in other host cells. We further found that miR-706 inhibited VSV-induced apoptosis by decreasing caspase-3 and -9 activation, suggesting that induction of miR-706 expression may be a novel strategy for survival of VSV, allowing it to escape the apoptosis response of the host. In summary, our results indicate that miRNAs might play important roles in VSV infection and that their aberrant expression could be involved in VSV pathogenesis.

In vitro and in vivo antileishmanial efficacy of nitazoxanide against Leishmania donovani.

Control of Leishmania infection relies primarily on chemotherapy, and the current drug available for treating leishmaniasis is limited. Nitazoxanide (NTZ) is a broad spectrum antiparasitic agent with activity against protozoa, nematodes, cestodes, and trematodes. In the present study, the in vitro antileishmanial efficacy of NTZ was evaluated by incubation of Leishmania donovani promastigotes with NTZ, indicating that NTZ can affect the ultrastructure of parasite promastigote and efficiently inhibit the parasite growth. Moreover, 200 microg/ml NTZ inhibited >90% of promastigotes growth, showing similar activity of the reference drug amphotericin B (P > 0.05). Therapeutic efficacy of NTZ against L. donovani-infected BALB/c mice demonstrated that oral NTZ produced a significant reduction of parasite burden in spleen and liver from L. donovani-infected mice, compared with the untreated mice (P < 0.05). These results indicated NTZ may be a novel therapeutic drug for leishmaniasis.