Adult rhabdomyosarcoma combined with acute myeloid leukemia: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Rhabdomyosarcoma is a tumor of mesenchymal origin. Secondary leukemia is a complication of previous transformation to other hematologic disorders or is a treatment-related acute myeloid leukemia secondary to cytotoxic chemotherapy or radiation therapy for other malignancies. CASE SUMMARY: We present the case of a 36-year-old female patient who was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma and acute myeloid leukemia. Further disease progression was observed after multiline chemotherapy. Eventually, the patient suffered cerebral hemorrhage, which resulted in death. CONCLUSION: The incidence of rhabdomyosarcoma in adults is extremely low, and secondary leukemia caused by rhabdomyosarcoma is even rarer. Secondary leukemia has a very poor prognosis and a low overall survival rate.

Monomorphic epitheliotropic intestinal T-cell lymphoma with bone marrow involved: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Monomorphic epithelial intestinal T-cell lymphoma (MEITL) is a rare type of peripheral T-cell lymphoma. The clinical manifestations are diarrhea, abdominal pain, perforation and an abdominal mass. CASE SUMMARY: We present a 52-year-old female patient who was diagnosed with MEITL. Further disease progression was observed after multiline chemotherapy. Eventually, the patient died of a severe infection. CONCLUSION: MEITL is a rare intestinal primary T-cell lymphoma with aggressive behavior, a high risk of severe life-threatening complications, and a poor prognosis.

Characterization of an H7N9 Influenza Virus Isolated from Camels in Inner Mongolia, China.

The H7N9 subtype of influenza virus can infect birds and humans, causing great losses in the poultry industry and threatening public health worldwide. However, H7N9 infection in other mammals has not been reported yet. In the present study, one H7N9 subtype influenza virus, A/camel/Inner Mongolia/XL/2020 (XL), was isolated from the nasal swabs of camels in Inner Mongolia, China, in 2020. Sequence analyses revealed that the hemagglutinin cleavage site of the XL virus was ELPKGR/GLF, which is a low-pathogenicity molecular characteristic. The XL virus had similar mammalian adaptations to human-originated H7N9 viruses, such as the polymerase basic protein 2 (PB2) Glu-to-Lys mutation at position 627 (E627K) mutation, but differed from avian-originated H7N9 viruses. The XL virus showed a higher SA-α2,6-Gal receptor-binding affinity and better mammalian cell replication than the avian H7N9 virus. Moreover, the XL virus had weak pathogenicity in chickens, with an intravenous pathogenicity index of 0.01, and intermediate virulence in mice, with a median lethal dose of 4.8. The XL virus replicated well and caused clear infiltration of inflammatory cells and increased inflammatory cytokines in the lungs of mice. Our data constitute the first evidence that the low-pathogenicity H7N9 influenza virus can infect camels and therefore poses a high risk to public health. IMPORTANCE H5 subtype avian influenza viruses can cause serious diseases in poultry and wild birds. On rare occasions, viruses can cause cross-species transmission to mammalian species, including humans, pigs, horses, canines, seals, and minks. The H7N9 subtype of the influenza virus can also infect both birds and humans. However, viral infection in other mammalian species has not been reported yet. In this study, we found that the H7N9 virus could infect camels. Notably, the H7N9 virus from camels had mammalian adaption molecular markers, including altered receptor-binding activity on the hemagglutinin protein and an E627K mutation on the polymerase basic protein 2 protein. Our findings indicated that the potential risk of camel-origin H7N9 virus to public health is of great concern.

[Activation of spinal MrgC receptors inhibits hyperalgesia in rats].

This study was aimed to investigate the mechanisms of the modulation effect of activation of spinal Mas-related gene C (MrgC) receptors on hyperalgesia induced by intraplantar (i.pl.) injection of (Tyr6)-γ2-MSH-6-12 (MSH) or complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). Paw withdrawal latency test and immunohistochemistry were used to observe the effect of intrathecal (i.t.) administration of MSH or BAM8-22, two selective agonists of MrgC receptor, in hyperalgesia in rats. The results showed that i.t. administration of MSH inhibited acute hyperalgesic response induced by i.pl. application of MSH, while did not change thermal nociceptive threshold in naïve rats. The i.t. administration of MSH also attenuated CFA-induced inflammatory hyperalgesia. However, i.t. administration of the µ-opioid receptor (MOR) antagonist CTAP blocked the induction of delayed anti-hyperalgesia by MSH. The i.t. injection of BAM8-22 at a dose of 30 nmol evidently reduced the number of CFA-evoked nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-positive neurons and the expression of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-immunoreactivity positive nerve fibers at L3-L5 segments of the spinal cord. These results suggest that the activation of MrgC receptor in CFA-induced inflammation reduces inflammatory hyperalgesia through inactivation of NOS neurons and down-regulation of CGRP expressions, and generates delayed but long-lasting anti-nociception through the endogenous activation of MOR via indirect mechanisms. Agonists for MrgC receptors may, therefore, represent a new class of antihyperalgesics for treating inflammatory pain because of the highly specific expression of their targets.

Activation of spinal MrgC receptors inhibits hyperalgesia in rats / 生理学报

This study was aimed to investigate the mechanisms of the modulation effect of activation of spinal Mas-related gene C (MrgC) receptors on hyperalgesia induced by intraplantar (i.pl.) injection of (Tyr6)-γ2-MSH-6-12 (MSH) or complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). Paw withdrawal latency test and immunohistochemistry were used to observe the effect of intrathecal (i.t.) administration of MSH or BAM8-22, two selective agonists of MrgC receptor, in hyperalgesia in rats. The results showed that i.t. administration of MSH inhibited acute hyperalgesic response induced by i.pl. application of MSH, while did not change thermal nociceptive threshold in naïve rats. The i.t. administration of MSH also attenuated CFA-induced inflammatory hyperalgesia. However, i.t. administration of the μ-opioid receptor (MOR) antagonist CTAP blocked the induction of delayed anti-hyperalgesia by MSH. The i.t. injection of BAM8-22 at a dose of 30 nmol evidently reduced the number of CFA-evoked nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-positive neurons and the expression of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-immunoreactivity positive nerve fibers at L3-L5 segments of the spinal cord. These results suggest that the activation of MrgC receptor in CFA-induced inflammation reduces inflammatory hyperalgesia through inactivation of NOS neurons and down-regulation of CGRP expressions, and generates delayed but long-lasting anti-nociception through the endogenous activation of MOR via indirect mechanisms. Agonists for MrgC receptors may, therefore, represent a new class of antihyperalgesics for treating inflammatory pain because of the highly specific expression of their targets.

An outbreak of adult measles by nosocomial transmission in a high vaccination coverage community.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to determine the mechanism of an outbreak of measles in adults and to provide scientific measures for putting forward a measles elimination program. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional investigation during the measles outbreak to identify a possible communication link. RESULTS: From November 1, 2011 to January 26, 2012, the town reported 11 cases of measles in total. The case study identified an obvious propagation chain, which showed ordered and intimate exposure between cases. CONCLUSIONS: Hospital exposure 1-2 weeks before infection with measles was the main cause of the measles outbreak. We must be fully aware of the possibility of nosocomial infection in an outbreak of measles; controlling nosocomial infections is a vital step in the prevention and control of the propagation of measles.

Associations between hsa-miR-603 polymorphism, lifestyle-related factors and colorectal cancer risk.

BACKGROUND: Accumulated studies have suggested that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in microRNAs are associated with risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). OBJECTIVE: We tested our hypothesis that rs11014002 in hsa-miR-603 may be associated with CRC risk with a crosstalk of life-related factors. METHODS: We conducted a case-control study which included 102 CRC patients and 204 matched cancer-free controls in Xiaoshan County. RESULTS: We observed that subjects with rs11014002 CT/TT genotype had an increased susceptibility for CRC (CT vs. CC: odds ratio (OR)=2.352, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.142-4.840, P=0.020; CT+TT vs. CC: OR=2.031, 95% CI: 1.063-3.883, P=0.032). After stratification by lifestyle-related factors, similar results were found among nonsmokers (CT vs. CC: OR=2.753, 95% CI: 1.085-6.983, P=0.033; CT+TT vs. CC: OR=2.971, 95% CI: 1.188-7.435, P=0.020) and non-alcohol drinkers (CT+TT vs. CC: OR=3.279, 95% CI: 1.071-10.033, P=0.037). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that hsa-miR-603 may be involved in colorectal tumorigenesis, and the genetic polymorphism in hsa-miR-603 is associated with CRC susceptibility.

rs12904 polymorphism in the 3'UTR of EFNA1 is associated with colorectal cancer susceptibility in a Chinese population.

Accumulated evidence has indicated that Ephrin A1 (EFNA1) is associated with angiogenesis and tumorigenesis in various types of malignancies, including colorectal cancer (CRC). In the current study, we performed an online search using the public microarray database to investigate whether EFNA1 expression might be altered in CRC tissues. We then conducted a case-control study including 306 subjects (102 cases and 204 well-matched controls) in Xiaoshan County to assess any association between genetic polymorphisms in EFNA1 and CRC susceptibility. Searches in the Oncomine expression profiling database revealed EFNA1 to be overexpressed in CRC tissue compared with adjacent normal tissue. The rs12904 G-A variant located in the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of EFNA1 was observed to be associated with CRC susceptibility. Compared with the AA homozygous genotype, those carrying GA genotype had a decreased risk of developing CRC (odds ratio (OR) =0.469, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.225-0.977, and P =0.043). The association was stronger among smokers and tea drinkers, however, no statistical evidence of interaction between rs12904 polymorphism and smoking or tea drinking on CRC risk was found. Our results suggest that EFNA1 is involved in colorectal tumorigenesis, and rs12904 A>G polymorphism in the 3' UTR of EFNA1 is associated with CRC susceptibility. Larger studies and further mechanistic investigations are warranted to confirm our findings.

[Cloning and sequence analysis of AGO1 gene in Panax ginseng].

Argonaute 1 (AGO1) is a core component of the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) which plays a crucial role in small RNA-mediated gene silencing. AGO1 gene has been characterized in various plants, such as Arabidopsis and rice. However, there is no information about AGO1 in the medicinal plant species, Panax ginseng. Using the rapid amplification of cDNA ends technology (RACE), we cloned full-length PgAGO1 cDNA from Panax ginseng. It is 3 776 bp in length, including 204 bp of 5' UTR, 254 bp of 3' UTR, and 3 318 bp of ORF encoding 1106 amino acids. The molecular weight (MW) and theroretical isoelectric point (pI) of the deduced PgAGO1 protein is 122.22 kDa and 9.71, respectively. PgAGO1 shares 91.72% similarity with Arabidopsis AtAGO1 and contains three consered domains, including DUF1785, PAZ and Piwi, suggesting it is an authentic AGO. PgAGO1 was expressed in all of the tissues analyzed with the highest level in flowers and the lowest level in roots. The results provide useful information for further elucidating the function of AGO1 in Panax ginseng.

[Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of the 6 confirmed human cases with novel influenza A (H7N9) virus infection in Zhejiang].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical spectrum, geographic location of human H7N9 avian influenza as well as the characteristics of population at high risk of infection, in order to develop strategies for the prevention and control of the infection. Clinical and epidemiological characteristics on the 6 confirmed human cases in Zhejiang were also analyzed. METHODS: Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR was used to test the nucleic acid of human H7N9 avian influenza infection, from pharyngeal swabs of the patients and their close contacts. Face to face interview and descriptive method were used to collect related clinical and epidemiological data. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 17.0. RESULTS: Six confirmed cases were distributed in Hangzhou and Huzhou cities. The 6 confirmed human cases, including 5 males and 1 female were all confirmed with novel influenza A (H7N9) virus infection, with an average age as 60.83 years (with median as 64.50 years). Cough was the most common initial symptom to be noticed. The clinical manifestations would include fever, dizziness, pain of muscles, coughing, expectoration and short of breath. All the X-ray chest films showed severe pneumonia, and 5 of them having had other chronic diseases. None of the cases admitted to have had a history of exposure to ill/death avians. However, all of the cases had been frequently exposed to the agricultural-byproduct-trading-markets where the positive rate of novel influenza A (H7N9) virus in environmental specimens was up to 43.21%. 32 of the 375 close contacts (8.53%) to the 6 cases appeared abnormal symptoms, but no positive result related to novel influenza A (H7N9) virus nucleic acid was detected from their throat swabs. CONCLUSION: Acute infection on the respiratory system seemed the main clinical manifestation. Elderly men, especially those with chronic diseases were under high risk of human infection with H7N9 avian influenza. The source of infection might be associated with the exposure to poultry. There was still lack of evidence to confirm the route of person to person transmission on H7N9 avian influenza.

Cloning and sequence analysis of AGO1 gene in Panax ginseng / 中国中药杂志

Argonaute 1 (AGO1) is a core component of the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) which plays a crucial role in small RNA-mediated gene silencing. AGO1 gene has been characterized in various plants, such as Arabidopsis and rice. However, there is no information about AGO1 in the medicinal plant species, Panax ginseng. Using the rapid amplification of cDNA ends technology (RACE), we cloned full-length PgAGO1 cDNA from Panax ginseng. It is 3 776 bp in length, including 204 bp of 5' UTR, 254 bp of 3' UTR, and 3 318 bp of ORF encoding 1106 amino acids. The molecular weight (MW) and theroretical isoelectric point (pI) of the deduced PgAGO1 protein is 122.22 kDa and 9.71, respectively. PgAGO1 shares 91.72% similarity with Arabidopsis AtAGO1 and contains three consered domains, including DUF1785, PAZ and Piwi, suggesting it is an authentic AGO. PgAGO1 was expressed in all of the tissues analyzed with the highest level in flowers and the lowest level in roots. The results provide useful information for further elucidating the function of AGO1 in Panax ginseng.

Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of the 6 confirmed human cases with novel influenza A (H7N9) virus infection in Zhejiang / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the clinical spectrum, geographic location of human H7N9 avian influenza as well as the characteristics of population at high risk of infection, in order to develop strategies for the prevention and control of the infection. Clinical and epidemiological characteristics on the 6 confirmed human cases in Zhejiang were also analyzed.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR was used to test the nucleic acid of human H7N9 avian influenza infection, from pharyngeal swabs of the patients and their close contacts. Face to face interview and descriptive method were used to collect related clinical and epidemiological data. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 17.0.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Six confirmed cases were distributed in Hangzhou and Huzhou cities. The 6 confirmed human cases, including 5 males and 1 female were all confirmed with novel influenza A (H7N9) virus infection, with an average age as 60.83 years (with median as 64.50 years). Cough was the most common initial symptom to be noticed. The clinical manifestations would include fever, dizziness, pain of muscles, coughing, expectoration and short of breath. All the X-ray chest films showed severe pneumonia, and 5 of them having had other chronic diseases. None of the cases admitted to have had a history of exposure to ill/death avians. However, all of the cases had been frequently exposed to the agricultural-byproduct-trading-markets where the positive rate of novel influenza A (H7N9) virus in environmental specimens was up to 43.21%. 32 of the 375 close contacts (8.53%) to the 6 cases appeared abnormal symptoms, but no positive result related to novel influenza A (H7N9) virus nucleic acid was detected from their throat swabs.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acute infection on the respiratory system seemed the main clinical manifestation. Elderly men, especially those with chronic diseases were under high risk of human infection with H7N9 avian influenza. The source of infection might be associated with the exposure to poultry. There was still lack of evidence to confirm the route of person to person transmission on H7N9 avian influenza.</p>

Selection of scFvs specific for the HepG2 cell line using ribosome display.

The aim of this study was to construct a ribosome display library of single chain variable fragments (scFvs) associated with hepatocarcinoma and screen such a library for hepatocarcinoma-binding scFvs. mRNA was isolated from the spleens of mice immunized with hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2. Heavy and k chain genes (VH and k) were amplified separately by RT-PCR, and an anti-HepG2 VH/k chain ribosome display library was constructed by assembling VH and k into the VH/k chain with a specially constructed linker by SOE-PCR. The VH/k chain library was transcribed and translated in vitro using a rabbit reticulocyte lysate system. In order to isolate specific scFvs, recognizing HepG2 negative selection on a normal hepatocyte line WRL-68 was carried out before three rounds of positive selection on HepG2. After three rounds of panning, cell enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) showed that one of the scFvs had high affinity for the HepG2 cell and lower affinity for the WRL-68 cell. In this study, we successfully constructed a native ribosome display library. Such a library would prove useful for direct intact cell panning using ribosome display technology. The selected scFv had a potential value for hepatocarcinoma treatment.

[Study on independent factors on the prognosis of colorectal carcinoma: TNM stage, tumor budding, perineural invasion, peritumoral-lymphocytic infiltration and urine glucose].

OBJECTIVE: To study the influence of clinical and pathological-morphological parameters on the prognosis of colorectal carcinoma. METHODS: Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard model were used to study the influence of clinical and pathological-morphological factors on the prognosis in 226 colorectal carcinoma cases. RESULTS: Using univariate analysis, data showed that the factors significantly related to disease prognosis would include: the depth of direct spread, vessel invasion, perineural invasion, tumor budding, peritumoral-lymphocytic infiltration, Crohn-like reaction, number of positive lymph nodes, distant metastasis, TNM stage and urine glucose. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard model showed that six factors were identified to be associated with higher relative-risk (RR), including: older age, advanced TNM stage, more severe budding, perineural invasion, less peritumoral-lymphocytic infiltration and urine glucose. CONCLUSION: Age, TNM stage, tumor budding, perineural invasive, peritumoral-lymphocytic infiltration and urine glucose were independent predictors to the prognosis of colorectal carcinoma.

Study on independent factors on the prognosis of colorectal carcinoma: TNM stage, tumor budding, perineural invasion, peritumoral-lymphocytic infiltration and urine glucose / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the influence of clinical and pathological-morphological parameters on the prognosis of colorectal carcinoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard model were used to study the influence of clinical and pathological-morphological factors on the prognosis in 226 colorectal carcinoma cases.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Using univariate analysis, data showed that the factors significantly related to disease prognosis would include: the depth of direct spread, vessel invasion, perineural invasion, tumor budding, peritumoral-lymphocytic infiltration, Crohn-like reaction, number of positive lymph nodes, distant metastasis, TNM stage and urine glucose. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard model showed that six factors were identified to be associated with higher relative-risk (RR), including: older age, advanced TNM stage, more severe budding, perineural invasion, less peritumoral-lymphocytic infiltration and urine glucose.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Age, TNM stage, tumor budding, perineural invasive, peritumoral-lymphocytic infiltration and urine glucose were independent predictors to the prognosis of colorectal carcinoma.</p>

Immune response in mice inoculated with plasmid DNAs containing multiple-epitopes of foot-and-mouth disease virus.

This paper focuses on the development of candidate DNA vaccine encoding antigenic epitopes of type O foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV). A series of plasmids encoding different combinations of B cell epitopes and a T cell epitope were constructed and characterized by inoculating BALB/c mice. The specific antibodies were only detectable in the mice inoculated with plasmids encoding the T cell epitope and B cell epitopes from sites 5 and 1, within which site 5 includes residues 135-167 of VP1 and site 1 includes 141-160 region (G-H loop) and carboxyl terminus of VP1. Stronger cellular immune responses were also observed in these mice using T cell proliferation assay.