Characteristics of genome variations of ebola viruses in 2014 epidemic / 第二军医大学学报

Objective To explore the relationship between the Ebola virus genome variations and its epidemiological characteristics by analyzing the 102 whole genome sequences of Ebola viruses in 2014 outbreak. Methods Whole genome sequences of Ebola viruses (EBOVs) were obtained from the NCBI database, and the variations in genome sequences were analyzed by Mummer3. 0. The evolutionary analysis was carried out through MEGA5; and the 3D modeling of the protein was performed using CPHmodels and PyMOL software. Results It was found that there were 606 single nucleotide variants (SNVs) in the genome of 2014 EBOVs, of which 49 nonsynonymous SNVs were unique. The amino acids of NP-182, GP-82 and L-1951, which were highly conserved not only among all the Zaire EBOVs before 2014, but also among different EBOV species, were altered in 2014 EBOVs. Conclusion The unique mutation of 2014 EBOVs resulting in alterations of NP, GP and L protein, especially the alteration of aa82 of GP (Ala→Val), might weaken the stability of α-helix where the amino acid is located, which might be associated with the weakened lethality and enhanced transmission of the virus. Further studies are needed to confirm whether genomic variations in 2014 EBOVs is responsible for change of the epidemiological characteristics.

Evaluation of four candidate VNTR Loci for genotyping 225 Chinese clinical Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex strains / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate four candidate variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) loci for genotyping Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex strains.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Genomic sequences for two M. tuberculosis strains (CCDC5079 and CCDC5180) were generated, and using published sequence data, four candidate VNTR loci were identified. The VNTRs were used to genotype 225 Chinese clinical M. tuberculosis complex strains. The discriminatory power of the VNTRs was evaluated using BioNumerics 5.0 software.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The Hunter-Gaston Index (HGI) for BJ1, BJ2, BJ3, and BJ4 loci was 0.634, 0.917, 0.697, and 0.910, respectively. Combining all four loci gave an HGI value of 0.995, thus confirming that the genotyping had good discriminatory power. The HGI values for BJ1, BJ2, BJ3, and BJ4, obtained from Beijing family strain genotyping, were 0.447, 0.878, 0.315, and 0.850, respectively. Combining all four loci produced an HGI value of 0.988 for genotyping the Beijing family strains. We observed unique patterns for M. bovis and M. africanum strains from the four loci.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>We have shown that the four VNTR loci can be successfully used for genotyping M. tuberculosis complex strains. Notably, these new loci may provide additional information about Chinese M. tuberculosis isolates than that currently afforded by established VNTR loci typing.</p>

Effect of 90 percentage portal branch ligation on liver regeneration and expression of metalloproteinase and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases in rats / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of 90% portal branch ligation on liver regeneration and expression of metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases in rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ninety-six SD rats were randomly divided into Sham-PBL group and portal vein branches ligation group. The weight of both ligated and unligated lobes of liver were measured at post operation day (POD) 0.5, 1, 3, 5, 7, 14, 21 and 28. The morphological changes of the non-ligated liver lobes were observed by microscope. The expression of PCNA, MMP2, MMP9 and TIMP2 of the non-ligated liver lobes were studied by immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>1) 95.8% rats survived from the ligation of 90% portal branch. Hepatic lobe at the ligated side diminished progressively after ligation, whereas the lobes of the unligated side underwent compensatory regeneration. The ratio of non-ligated lobes weight to the whole liver increased slowly within 1d, speeded up significantly during 1-5d period, increased slowly after POD5, and got the plateau stag at POD7; 2) PCNA index were markedly increased within POD 0.5-3 (P < 0.01). It reached the peak at POD5 and decreased slightly at POD7, but still higher than Sham-PBL group level, then gradually returned to normal. 3) The expression of MMP2,MMP9 and TIMP2 in the non-ligated liver lobes were markedly increased at 1d. It reached the peak at POD7 and gradually returned to normal within POD7-28. 4) The MMP2 and PCNA in liver had a positive correlation at POD 0.5, 1, 5, 7, 14. The expressions of MMP9 and PCNA had a positive correlation at POD 0.5, 1, 7, 21.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The expressions of TIMP2 and PCNA had a positive correlation at POD1, 7, 14, 21. The expression of MMP2, MMP9 and TIMP2 of the non-ligated liver lobes is markedly increased at POD1. It reaches the peak at POD7, and dropped to normal level gradually. The expressions of MMP2, MMP9 and TIMP2 and PCNA were correlated in 90% portal branch Ligation rats. The expression of MMP2,MMP9 and TIMP2 may play a pivotal role in liver regeneration.</p>