Knockout of IRF3 and IRF7 genes by CRISPR/Cas9 technology enhances porcine virus replication in the swine testicular (ST) cell line.

Antiviral vaccines for pig diseases are essential to prevent epidemic outbreaks. However, their production is often hindered by inefficient manufacturing processes that yield lower quantities of the vaccine. To accelerate the progress of various areas of bioproduction, we have considered the necessity of enhancing viral replication efficiency by optimizing ST (swine testicular) cell lines that are commonly utilized in virus manufacturing. CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology were utilized to create IRF3 or IRF7 knockout cell lines that facilitate high-titer viral stock production. Compared to the parental cell lines, the ST IRF3/7 KO cell line displayed a compromised antiviral response to a panel of viruses (Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus, Senecavirus A, Parainfluenza virus 5, and Getah virus), as evidenced by decreased expression of interferon and certain antiviral factors. The inhibition of these responses led to heightened viral replication and increased cytopathic effects, ultimately promoting apoptosis. As a result, the development of these cell lines offers a more efficient approach for biopharmaceutical companies to boost their virus production and reduce associated costs.

Development of Multifunctional Clay-Based Nanomedicine for Elimination of Primary Invasive Breast Cancer and Prevention of Its Lung Metastasis and Distant Inoculation.

Cancer recurrence and metastasis are worldwide challenges but current bimodular strategies such as combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy (CTX), and photothermal therapy (PTT) and immunotherapy have succeeded only in some limited cases. Thus in the present study, a multifunctional nanomedicine has been rationally designed via elegantly integrating three FDA-approved therapeutics, that is, indocyanine green (for PTT), doxorubicin (for CTX), and CpG (for immunotherapy) into the structure of layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanoparticles, aiming to completely prevent the recurrence and metastasis of invasive breast cancer. This multifunctional hybrid nanomedicine has been demonstrated to eliminate the primary tumor and efficiently prevent tumor recurrence and lung metastasis through combined PTT/CTX and induction of specific and strong immune responses mediated by the hybrid nanomedicine in a 4T1 breast cancer mouse model. Furthermore, the promoted in situ immunity has significantly inhibited the growth of reinoculated distant tumors. Altogether, our multifunctional LDH-based nanomedicine has showed an excellent efficacy in invasive cancer treatment using much lower doses of three FDA-approved therapeutics, providing a preclinical/clinical alternative to cost-effectively treat invasive breast cancer.

Effects of massage on the anxiety of patients receiving percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to explore the effects of massage on the state anxiety of patients receiving percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In accordance with the principle of the minimum allocation of imbalance index for comparability, a total of 117 cases that were ready to receive PCI were divided into two groups (59 in the intervention group and 58 in the control group). The patients in the control group received routine care, whereas the patients in the observation group were given massage intervention. The state anxiety, heart rate, and blood pressure of the two groups were observed and compared. RESULTS: Massage treatments reduced the emergency response and level of anxiety of cardiovascular patients before PCI. The post-intervention blood pressure, heart rate, and pain score of the intervention group were significantly better than those of the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Health professionals should pay attention to and strengthen the exploration of the effects of reasonable care intervention mode under PCI to promote the physical and mental health of patients, as well as improve their medical care satisfaction.

Observed prevalence of congenital heart defects from a surveillance study in China.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of major and minor congenital heart defects among fetuses and neonates using sonography in a general population of 4 areas surrounding Shanghai, China. METHODS: Pregnant women were recruited between April 2004 and December 2005 in Jiaxing City, Suzhou City, Changshu County, and Haining County. All participants could have 3 sonographic examinations performed by specially trained physicians regardless of medical indication: a fetal sonographic screen and fetal echocardiography between 20 and 28 weeks' gestation and neonatal echocardiography. Diagnoses of congenital heart defects were made on the basis of review of all available scans by an international group of experts in pediatric cardiology. Prevalence rates were calculated per 1000 births. RESULTS: Among 4006 scanned fetuses and neonates, there were 75 congenital heart defects, including 12 major defects. The observed prevalence for all congenital heart defects was 18.7 (95% confidence interval, 14.8-23.5) per 1000 births, and the prevalence for major defects was 3.0 (95% confidence interval, 1.6-5.2) per 1000 births. The most common defects were ventricular septal defects (n = 47 [62.7%]), atrial septal defects (n = 14 [18.7%]), tetralogy of Fallot (n = 4 [5.3%]), and hypoplastic left heart syndrome (n = 3 [4.0%]). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of all congenital heart defects in the 4 areas of China studied was higher than that reported in other countries, with ventricular septal defects being the most frequent defects. Our data likely reflect a better estimate of the total prevalence of congenital heart defects in China than reported previously.

[Study on anemia among premarital women in 6 counties from 1993 to 2003].

OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence of anemia and yearly trends (1993-2003) among women who came to the hospitals or maternal and child health units for premarital examinations in 6 counties of Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces. METHODS: Data were obtained from the records of the premarital examinations in perinatal health care surveillance system that had been established since 1992 in these areas. We reviewed hemoglobin levels of those women who were enrolled in the perinatal health care surveillance system from 1993 to 2003. Anemia was defined according to the WHO (2001) criterion. We calculated the prevalence of anemia and analyzed the yearly trends based on the data of hemoglobin concentration. RESULTS: In the period of 1993-2003, there were 82 995 anemia cases identified among 193,434 women with an overall anemia rate as 42.9%. The rates of anemia were high (65.5%) in 1993 but low (25.8%) in 2003. 99.7% of the anemic women whose hemoglobin concentration were between 80-119.9 g/L. Time trend analysis indicated a significant decline on anemia rate while monthly analysis showed that the prevalence rates were high (48.2%) in September and low in March (39.5%). The results also showed that the prevalence rates of anemia were relatively higher in farmers and workers in rural enterprises, and lower in Han ethnicity than minorities. The higher prevalence rates of anemia were presented among the women with less education, lower body mass index, or at older age. CONCLUSION: For those premarital women in 6 counties of Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, the overall anemic rate presented a significant downward trend between 1993 and 2003 while the prevalence of anemia remained high, especially for the women with less education, lower body mass index or older ages.

[Study on the association between transforming growth factor alpha gene TaqI variant and cleft lip with or without cleft palate].

OBJECTIVE: To study the association between transforming growth factor alpha gene (TGFalpha) TaqI variant and nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (nsCL/P) in Chinese population. METHODS: TGFalpha TaqI variant was detected using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism for DNA samples of the 149 triads with nsCL/P affected child. We performed the Transmission/disequilibrium test and the family-based association study (FBAT) to identify the associations between this variant and risk of nsCL/P. RESULTS: Significant distortion of C2 allele at TGFalpha TaqI locus in nsCL/P groups (P > 0.05) was not found. In the family-based association test, C2 allele and offspring C2C1 genotype was not found to be significantly associated with an increase risk of nsCL/P (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our findings did not suggest an association between offspring TGFalpha TaqI variant and the increased risk of nsCL/P in Chinese population.

[Association between parental transforming growth factor alpha gene TaqI variant, paternal smoking and the cleft lip with or without cleft palate].

OBJECTIVE: To study the association between transforming growth factor alpha gene (TGFalpha) TaqI variant and nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (nsCL/P) in Chinese population, and the interaction with parental smoking. METHODS: TGFalpha TaqI variant was detected using RFLP-PCR for DNA samples of the 170 triads with nsCL/P affected child. We performed the transmission/disequilibrium test (TDT) and the family-based association study (FBAT) to test the associations between this variant and risk of nsCL/P. RESULTS: It was not found significant distortion of C2 allele at TGFalpha TaqI locus in nsCL/P groups (P > 0.05), however, by stratified analysis, we found that the rate of C2 allele transmission among nuclear families whose fathers were smoking was 1/5 (0.062 - 0.711) as compared with that among nuclear families whose fathers were not smoking, and the OR of interaction between TGFalpha variant and parental smoking is 0.102 (0.017 - 0.619). CONCLUSION: The parental smoking may interact with TGFalpha variants of Chinese populations in occurrence of nsCL/P, but it remains to have more investigations.

[Study on the association between reduced folate carrier gene polymorphism and congenital heart defects and cleft lip with or without cleft palate].

OBJECTIVE: To study the association between reduced folate carrier gene (RFC1) polymorphism and congenital heart defects (CHD) as well as cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CLP) and to provide epidemiological evidence on genetic markers of CHD and CLP. METHODS: RFC1 (A80G) genotype was detected using RFLP-PCR for blood DNA of the 67 triads with nonsyndromic CHD-affected child, the 82 triads with child-affected cleft lip with or without CLP and the 100 control families without child-affected birth defects. We performed a family-based association test and analyzed the interaction between RFC1 A80G genotype and maternal periconceptional supplementation of folic acid. RESULTS: Offspring of mothers who did not take folic acid had an elevated risk for CHD when comparing with offspring of mothers who did (OR = 2.68, 95% CI: 1.14 - 6.41). There was a statistical association between the risk of CHD and maternal periconceptional folic acid supplementation (chi(2) = 6.213, P < 0.05). In the family-based association test, G allele was positively associated with an increased risk for children CHD (Z = 2.140, P < 0.05) while G allele of RFC1 (A80G) polymorphism might increase the risk for CHD. Elevated risks for either CLP group were not observed between RFC1 genotype using or not using folic acid. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggested that the G allele was likely to be a genetically susceptible allele for CHD. There was possible association between offspring with GG, GA genotype and maternal periconceptional folicacid deficiency.

[The epidemiology of neural tube defects in high-prevalence and low-prevalence areas of China].

OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiology of neural tube defects (NTDs) in high- and low-prevalence areas of China. METHODS: Birth defects surveillance data, collected from 1992 through 1994 was analyzed. These data were collected as part of the Sino-American cooperative project on NTDs prevention. We classified NTDs as anencephaly, encephalocele, high-level and low-level spina bifida (SB) according to location of the lesion (high vs low) and whether the defect was isolated or occurred in association with other birth defects. Rates were compared in the high-prevalence (North) region and the low-prevalence (South) region, after adjusted for classification, urban and rural, season and sex, and calculated the adjusted rate of NTDs. RESULTS: Among seven hundred and eighty-four NTDs cases in 326 874 recorded births (include in livebirth, stillbirth and fetal death with a gestational age of at least 20 weeks), the overall NTDs prevalence in the North was 5.57/1,000 births, and in the South was 0.88/1 000. There were also significant differences in the prevalence of anencephaly, encephalocele, high-level and low-level SB between North (0.97, 0.49, 2.75 and 1.11/1,000 birth) and South (0.36, 0.15, 0.21 and 0.14/1,000 birth) (P < 0.01), with adjusted prevalences in the North 3 - 7 times higher than those in the South. There were significant difference between urban (2.04) and rural areas (6.57/1,000 birth) in the North (P < 0.01), urban (0.52) and rural areas (0.95/1,000 birth) in the South (P < 0.05). Adjusted prevalence rates in the rural were 3 - 4 times higher than those of urban in the North and 1.6 - 1.9 times higher than in the South; The seasonal rate of high-level SB increased between September and November in the North (3.44/1,000 birth), while the seasonal rate of anencephaly decreased between September and November (0.18/1,000 birth) in the South. However there were no seasonal changes in other classified NTDs both in the South and North. CONCLUSIONS: The birth prevalence of NTDs in the North of China was the highest in the world. There were significant differences between the North and the South, urban and rural. There was seasonal change in high-level SB in the North, which was in accordance to the phenotype of NTDs. It was suggested that there might exist etiological heterogeneity among anecephalus, low- and high-level SB.