The Changes in Metabolisms of Membrane Lipids and Phenolics Induced by Phomopsis longanae Chi Infection in Association with Pericarp Browning and Disease Occurrence of Postharvest Longan Fruit.

This study investigated the changes in metabolisms of membrane lipids and phenolics caused by Phomopsis longanae Chi infection in association with pericarp browning and fruit disease occurrence of postharvest longans. Compared with the uninoculated-longans, the longans inoculated by P. longanae exhibited higher cellular membrane permeability; higher PLD, lipase, and LOX activities; and higher levels of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) and phosphatidic acid but lower levels of phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylcholine, and unsaturated fatty acids (USFAs). Additionally, the longans inoculated by P. longanae showed higher activities of POD and PPO but a lower amount of total phenolics. These findings suggested that infection of P. longanae enhanced activities of PLD-, lipase-, and LOX- stimulated degradations of membrane lipids and USFAs, which destroyed the integrity of the cell membrane structure, resulting in enzymatic browning by contact of phenolics with POD and PPO, and resulting in reduction of resistance to pathogen infection and accordingly accelerated disease occurrence of postharvest longan fruit.

Stimuli-Responsive "Cluster Bomb" for Programmed Tumor Therapy.

In this paper, mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSN) loaded with doxorubicin (DOX) and capped with tumor-homing/-penetrating peptide tLyP-1-modified tungsten disulfide quantum dots (WS2-HP) was designed and applied as a stimuli-responsive "Cluster Bomb" for high-performance tumor suppression. The peptide tLyP-1 on the surface can both facilitate the homing of DOX@MSN-WS2-HP to 4T1 tumor and greatly enhance the penetration of WS2-HP in tumor. The benzoic-imine bonds as the linkers between "bomblets" and "dispenser" are stable under normal physical conditions and quite labile at pH 6.8. After arriving at the mild acidic tumor microenvironment, the nanoplatform can rapidly break into two parts: (1) electropositive DOX@MSN-NH2 for efficient chemotherapy on surface tumor cells and (2) small-sized WS2-HP with improved tumor penetrating ability for near-infrared (NIR)-light-triggered photothermal therapy (PTT) among deep-seated tumor cells. Having killed the tumor cells in different depths, DOX@MSN-WS2-HP exhibited significant antitumor effect, which will find great potential in clinical trials.

Hydrogen Peroxide Induced Changes in Energy Status and Respiration Metabolism of Harvested Longan Fruit in Relation to Pericarp Browning.

Energy status and respiration metabolism of "Fuyan" longan fruit treated by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and their relationship to pericarp browning were studied. The results displayed that H2O2 significantly increased the respiration rate, increased activities of respiratory terminal oxidases like cytochrome C oxidase (CCO) and ascorbic acid oxidase (AAO), decreased NAD kinase activity, maintained lower contents of NADP and NADPH as well as higher amounts of NAD and NADH, and accelerated the decrease of energy charge. These results gave convincing evidence that the treatment of H2O2 for accelerating longan pericarp browning was due to an increase of energy deficiency, an increase of respiratory metabolic pathways of Embden-Meyerhof pathway (EMP) and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, a decrease of pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) of respiratory pathway, and an increase of activities of respiratory terminal oxidases like CCO and AAO.

Gastroenteritis outbreaks caused by Norovirus genotype II.7 in a college in China (Zhuhai, Guangdong) in 2011.

BACKGROUND: Noroviruses are the most common cause of epidemic gastroenteritis worldwide. Noroviruses are comprised of at least five genogroups (GI-GV) and >35 genotypes. GII.7 is a nonpredominant genotype associated with Norovirus outbreaks. On November 17, 2011, Zhuhai Center for Disease Control monitored an increasing number of gastroenteritis cases at a local college. To determine the causes and control the outbreak effectively, we carried out an epidemiologic investigation. METHODS: Suspected cases were defined as those with one of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or diarrhea presenting on or after November 15 among the people who lived at the college. Probable cases were defined as cases with vomiting or diarrhea over three times per day on or after November 15. Confirmed cases were suspected or probable cases positive for Norovirus (nucleic acid). We conducted a case-control study to identify risk factors of the outbreak. Norovirus was tested by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and Norovirus polymerase chain reaction products were further sequenced. RESULTS: In total, 63 cases were identified, which were scattered in all 14 departments of the college. The outbreak lasted for 84 h. Time distribution mode indicated a point-source outbreak. Fifty-one cases and 94 controls were contacted. Seventy-five percent of the cases compared to 19% of the controls were exposed to delicatessens (various salad and meat products) from the "Y" convenience store (odds ratio=12, 95% confidence interval 5.4-28). Laboratory tests showed 14 of the 15 cases and two asymptomatic food handlers were positive for Norovirus nucleic acid. There was 100% similarity between the cases and the food handlers when we compared the nucleotide sequences of Norovirus, which clustered with GII.7 genotype. CONCLUSIONS: Delicatessens from the "Y" convenience store were associated with the GII.7 Norovirus outbreak. We strongly recommend food supervision and quality control in convenience stores to decrease the risk of future Norovirus outbreaks.

[Adult-to-adult living-related donor liver transplantation: report of 2 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility and safety of adult-to-adult living-related donor liver transplantation using a right lobe graft. METHODS: The clinical data of 2 cases of living-related donor liver transplantation performed between July, 2010 and November, 2010 were analyzed. RESULTS: Liver transplantation was performed using a right lobe graft including the middle hepatic vein in one case and a right lobe graft without the middle hepatic vein in the other. The ratio of graft volume to standard liver volume was 46.2% and 47.3% in the two cases, with GR/WR of 0.83 and 0.80, and donor residue liver of 42.1% and 39.5%, respectively. The donor operation lasted for 6.5 h and 5 h in the two cases with blood loss of about 200-250 ml without blood transfusion. The donors recovered uneventfully without any surgical complications, whose liver function was normal 7 days after the operation, and were discharged 14 days and 16 days after the surgery, respectively. The recipient operation lasted for 8 h and 7 h with blood loss of about 800-1000 ml. The right hepatic vein, hepatic artery, portal vein and bile duct reconstruction were performed by end-to-end anastomoses in the 2 recipients. Bile duct anastomosis stricture occurred in the first recipient 2 months after transplantation and was treated with percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and drainage. The second recipient recovered smoothly without any complications. The recipients have so far survived 9 months and 5 months, respectively. CONCLUSION: Adult-to-adult living-related donor liver transplantation is a safe and effective option for treatment of end-stage liver diseases in the context of cadaveric liver graft shortage.

[Genetic characterization of HA1 gene of influenza H3N2 virus isolates during 2008-2009 in Zhuhai, China].

To understand the HA1 genetic variation characterization of influenza H3N2 virus isolates in Zhu-hai during 2008-2009, we selected 20 of H3N2 Influenza strains cultured in MDCK cell. Viral RNAs were extracted and amplified by using RT-PCR. The amplified products were purified after identified by gel electrophoresis and then the nucleotide sequences of the amplicons were determined. The results were analyzed by the software ClustalX and MEGA4. 1. When compared with the amino acid sequences of the epitopes of HA1 district of H3N2 influenza vaccine recommended by WHO in 2008, changes were found in those of H3N2 influenza strains in Zhuhai in 2008: K140I in all of H3N2 influenza strains, L157S in 08-0343 and 08-0677, K158R in 08-0466, 08-0620 and 08-0667, K173E in 08-0466 and 08-0620, K173N in 08-0667, and I192T in 08-0667. The epitopes of HA1 district of H3N2 influenza strains in Zhuhai in 2009 are different from that of H3N2 influenza vaccine during the same time: K173Q and P194L occur in all of H3N2 influenza strains, N144K, K158N, and N189K occur in the strains except the strain 09-0056. HA1 domain of H3N2 influenza strains in 2009 has lost a glycosylation site at amino acid position 144 while the glycosylation sites of HA1 domain of H3N2 influenza stains isolated in 2008 remained. This study suggested that H3N2 influenza virus in Zhuhai in 2008 was not evolved a novel variant and H3N2 influenza variant in 2009 was attributed to antigenic drift in HA1 district.

[Clinical study of blood type A donor liver transplantation in type O recipients].

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical effect and feasibility of blood type A donor liver transplantation in blood type O recipients. METHODS: The clinical data were analyzed in 6 blood type O patients receiving transplantation of the liver grafts from blood type A donors. The clinical effect and outcomes of the transplantations were evaluated to assess the feasibility of ABO incompatible liver transplantation between type A donors and type O recipients. RESULTS: The operations and the postoperative recovery were smooth in all the 6 recipients. Only one patient died 5 months postoperatively due to liver tumor metastasis, and the other 5 patients survived with the longest survival reaching 14 months. Acute graft rejection occurred in one patient 1 week after the operation on account of abnormally elevated serum bilirubin level, which was successfully managed with immediate methylprednisolone therapy. No such complications as acute graft rejection, bile duct stenosis or bile leakage was found in the other patients. CONCLUSION: Blood type A donor liver transplantation in type O recipient is feasible in emergency or other special conditions.

[Clinical research of donor liver procurement and preparation in liver transplantation].

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the experience of donor liver procurement and preparation in liver transplantation. METHODS: One hundred and twenty-six cases of donor liver and kidney procurement and 105 cases of donor liver preparation from August, 2004 to December, 2006 were analyzed. The 105 donor liver grafts were all used for orthotopic liver transplantation. RESULTS: The warm ischemia time of the graft ranged from 1 to 8.5 min with a mean of 4 min. The time of graft procurement ranged from 19 to 28 min (mean 22.5 min). Donor liver preparation lasted for 38 to 102 min in the 105 cases, with a mean of 51 min. The cold ischemia time of the donor liver was 5.5 to 13 h (mean 8 h). Anatomical variations were identified in 8 of the donor liver grafts. CONCLUSIONS: Cold perfusion of the donor liver and repair of the hepatic artery are important procedures in donor liver procurement and preparation. Hemorrhage due to the donor graft should be prevented and the procedures should be performed in close cooperation with the recipient operation.

[Review of 105 cases of orthotopic liver transplantation and the prospect].

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the experience with orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 105 cases of liver transplantation in our hospital was carried out. RESULTS: All the 105 OLT operations were performed successfully and the operation time ranged from 210-350 min (mean 250 min), with anhepatic phase ranging from 35-65 min (mean 53.5 min) and blood transfusion during operation ranging from 0-6600 ml (mean 400 ml). Ninety-five patients recovered smoothly while the rest 10 died, with the success rate of OLT of 90.5%. Postoperative complications included biliary tract complication (12 cases, 11.4%) and abdominal bleeding (6 cases). CONCLUSIONS: Reducing hemorrhage during operation is the most important factor to ensure successful OLT. Thorough hemostasis during operation and sufficient blood supply to the bile duct can significantly reduce postoperative bile duct complications.

[Antitumor effect of nanospheres coupled with the anti-human liver cancer monoclonal antibody HAb18].

OBJECTIVE: To prepare nanospheres coupled with the anti-human liver cancer monoclonal antibody HAb18 and evaluate its immunoreactivity and antitumor effects. METHODS: The nanosphere coupled with the antibody was prepared by intermolecular cross-linking the anti-human liver cancer monoclonal antibody, HAb18, with human serum albumin nanospheres containing ADM [termed HAS(ADM)-NS] via a new hetero-bifunctional cross-linker SPDP. Condensation test and immunofluorescence assay were used to evaluate the immunoreactivity of the nanospheres, and specific binding of HAb18-HAS(ADM)-NS with liver cancer cell line SMMC-7721 was observed with optical and electron microscopes. The specific cytotoxic effects on the target cells were evaluated in vitro by MTT assay. HAb18-HAS(ADM)-NS, HAS(ADM)-NS and ADM were injected separately into nude mice bearing human liver carcinoma to evaluate the inhibitory activity of HAb18-HAS(ADM)-NS in vivo. RESULTS: The immunoreactivity of HAb18-HAS(ADM)-NS was well preserved. HAb18-HAS(ADM)-NS could bind specifically with the SMMC-7721 cells. The IC(50) of HAb18-HAS(ADM)-NS against SMMC-7721 cells was 44.6 microg/ml, lower than that of HAS(ADM)-NS (345.5 microg/ml) and ADM (365.5 microg/ml). The inhibition rate of HAb18-HAS(ADM)-NS on the growth of liver cancer xenografts was significantly higher than that of HAS(ADM)-NS and ADM (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: HAb18-HAS(ADM)-NS has immunoreactivity and can actively and specifically target the liver cancer cells. The antitumor activity of HAb18-HAS(ADM)-NS is significantly higher than that of HAS(ADM)-NS and ADM.