A SARS-CoV-2 variant with the 12-bp deletion at E gene.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is still ongoing and has become an important public health threat. This disease is caused by a new coronavirus named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, and so far, little is known about this virus. In this study, by using plaque purification, we purified two SARS-CoV-2 virus strains from the same specimen, one named F8 containing a 12-bp deletion in the E gene and the other named 8X containing the wild-type E gene. There was no significant difference in the viral titer and infectivity of these two strains. The S protein content of the F8 viral culture was 0.39 µg/ml, much higher than that of 8X. An inactivated vaccine made from the F8 strain could trigger high levels of the IgG titer and neutralizing antibody titer, which could last for at least 6 weeks and were significantly higher than those from the 8X strain at 1 and 3 weeks post vaccination, respectively. In conclusion, we reported that both the E gene mutant and wild-type SARS-CoV-2 strains were isolated from the same clinical sample by plaque purification. A 12-bp deletion in the E gene was important for SARS-CoV-2 replication and immunogenicity.

Antitumor and apoptotic activities of the chemical constituents from the ethyl acetate extract of Artemisia indica.

Cancer is one of the most eminent diseases of modern times and numerous natural products derived from medicinal plants have been identified as potential sources of antitumor drugs. A successful anticancer drug must target or inhibit tumor cells whilst causing minimal damage to healthy cells. The present study aimed to investigate the antitumor efficacy of ethyl acetate extract, and other isolated compounds from Artemisia indica, on MCF­7, BHY, Miapaca­2, Colo­205 and A­549 cell lines. The apoptotic activity of the compounds was studied using flow cytometry. The different cancer cell lines were treated with the ethyl acetate extract and varying concentrations of compounds (denoted a­g) isolated from the A. indica. The cytotoxicity was evaluated by MTT assay and the apoptotic properties of the compounds and the extract were assessed using flow cytometry. In MCF­7 cells, the effect on mitochondrial membrane potential loss (ΛΨm) induced by compounds b and d was also studied. Bioassay­guided fractionation of the ethyl acetate extract from the shoot and root parts of A. indica led to the identification of the compounds a­g as: 5­hydroxy­3,7,4'­trimethoxyflavone; ludartin; maackiain; lupeol; cis­matricaria ester; trans­matricaria ester; and 6­methoxy­7,8­methylenedioxy coumarin, respectively. All the compounds exhibited mild to potent inhibition of cell proliferation in all the cell lines, with the half maximal inhibitory concentration values ranging from 25.18­88.12 µM. Ludartin and lupeol were observed to have the most potent inhibitory effects. Based on the initially identified antiproliferative effects, these two compounds were evaluated for their effects on cell cycle phase distribution, DNA damage and their effects on mitochondrial membrane potential loss (ΛΨm). The two compounds induced DNA damage and mitochondrial membrane potential loss in MCF­7 cells. The results of the current study suggest that lupeol and ludartin, isolated from A. indica, produce anticancer effects by inducing DNA damage and a reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential, and may be used as potent anticancer agents, subsequent to further study.

Geographic distribution and epidemiology of lung cancer during 2011 in Zhejiang province of China.

BACKGROUND: To explore etiology for providing scientific clues for the prevention of lung cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data for lung cancer incidence and meteorological geographic factors from 25 counties in Zhejiang province of China during 2011 were studied. Stepwise multiple regression and correlation analysis were performed to analyze the geographic distribution and epidemiology of lung cancer. RESULTS: 8,291 new cases (5,998 in males and 2,293 females) of lung cancer during 2011 in Zhejiang province were reported in the 25 studied counties. Reported and standardized incidence rates for lung cancer were 58.0 and 47.0 per 100,000 population, respectively. The incidence of lung cancer increased with age. Geographic distribution analysis shows that the standardized incidence rates of lung cancer in northeastern Zhejiang province were higher than in the southwestern part, such as in Nanhu, Fuyang, Wuxing and Yuyao counties, where the rates were more than 50 per 100,000 population. In the southwestern Zhejiang province, for instance, in Yueqing, Xianju and Jiande counties, the standardized incidence rates of lung cancer were lower than 37 per 100,000 population. Spearman correlation tests showed that forest coverage rate, air quality index (AQI), and annual precipitation level are associated with the incidence of lung cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Lung cancer in Zhejiang province shows obvious regional differences. High incidence appears associated with low forest coverage rate, poor air quality and low annual precipitation. Therefore, increasing the forest coverage rate and controlling air pollution may play an important role in lung cancer prevention.

[Effect of jianpihuashi decoction on rats with hyperuricemia].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Jianpihuashi Decoction on rats with hyperuricemia. METHODS: Forty male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into four groups: normal, hyperuricemia, Jianpihuashi Decoction and Allopurinol group. After the administration for 0 day, 10 days, 20 days and 30 days, the serum uric acid, creatinine, urea nitrogen and xanthine oxidase (XOD) activity levels were separately detected using the orbital blood. 30 days after the experiment, the rats were anaesthetized by 3% pentobarbital sodium, liver tissue homogenate extracts were used to detect the XOD activity, and histopathological changes in kidney were observed by HE staining. RESULTS: Treatment with Jianpihuashi Decoction for 30 days, the serum uric acid level of rats with hyperuricemia were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Simultaneously, the XOD activity in the serum and liver tissue homogenate extracts were obviously decreased by the decoction, which had seldom toxic or side effects on kidney. Allopurinol group could significantly decrease the serum uric acid level, but it had seldom pathological injury to kidney at the same time. CONCLUSION: Jianpihuashi Decoction which has seldom pathological injury to kidney can significantly decrease the effect of uric acid by suppressing XOD activity.

[Biomechanical research of SOX9, CTGF in bone tendon junction healing].

AIM: To investigate the biomechanical effect of SOX9, CTGF in bone tendon junction healing. METHODS: 36 adult New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into A, B and C groups(each group were 12 rab-bits). Group A with SOX9 inject into bone tendon junction;Group B with CTGF inject into bone tendon junction; C group was inject nothing. The animal of three groups were used surgery and all of the animals were faced with biomechanical test after 4 weeks, 8 weeks and 12 weeks; The result were used statistical analysis. RESULTS: group A and group B's cross-sectional area were lower than group C during 4 weeks, 12 weeks postoperative; there were statistical difference between each groups ( P < 0. 05). group Aand group B's pulled off load and ultimate tensile stress were higher than group C during 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks postoperative, the result were statistical difference between each groups ( P < 0. 05). CONCLUSION: SOX9 and CTGF group can not only promote the early bone ten-don junction healing, But also increased the biomechanical strength of bone tendon junction.

[Factors influence volatile oil content in Ocimun basilicum introduced from Xinjiang province to south-east China].

OBJECTIVE: To obtain the information on ecological adaptation of Ocimun basilicum introduced from Xinjiang to Hangzhou and study the effect of different harvesting times, drying methods, and different organs of Ocimun basilicum on Volatile oil content METHODS: Extraction was undertaken according to The Pharmacopoeia of China, 2010 edition. RESULTS: Sun-drying was the most efficient way to obtain Volatile oil compared with other methods. The largest biomass was harvested at 3rd, September. Furthermore, Volatile oil was found to accumulate mostly in the flowers and little in the stems. CONCLUSION: Ocimun basilicum can readily inhabit in Hangzhou and its economic value can be significant improved by growing two seasons per year. Only harvest leaves and flowers can significantly reduce the cost for transport and also increase oil extract rate of Volatile oil.

Amelioration of anti-cancer agent adriamycin-induced nephrotic syndrome in rats by Wulingsan (Gorei-San), a blended traditional Chinese herbal medicine.

Anti-cancer agent adriamycin (ADR) has demonstrated high anti-tumor efficacy. However, its use in chemotherapy has been limited largely due to its diverse toxicities, including renal toxicity, such as nephrotic syndrome with proteinuria. Podocyte injury leads to glomeruli proteinuria. Wulingsan (WLS) is a blended traditional Chinese herbal medicine specifically used for various kidney diseases. In the present study, we found that a water extract of WLS (480 mg/kg, p.o., x 28 days) reduced ADR-induced increase in urine protein excretion, plasma total cholesterol and triglyceride, and decrease in plasma total protein and albumin in rats. Furthermore, the results of electron microscopy demonstrated suppression by WLS of ADR-induced increase in width of foot process, increase in surface density and decrease in volume density. These results suggest that WLS ameliorates ADR-induced proteinuria and podocyte injury. Gene analysis results demonstrated a suppression of renal overexpression of nephrin mRNA and protein by WLS. Radioimmunoassay showed that WLS suppressed ADR-induced increased renal angiotensin II content in rats. Thus our results demonstrate that WLS ameliorates ADR-induced nephrotic syndrome in rats possibly by suppressing ADR-induced hyperactivity of renal renin-angiotensin system to modulate renal nephrin gene expression, thereby protecting podocyte from injury.