Research on the tilt-to-length coupling noise suppression method inside the gravitational wave detection telescope.

As an integral component of the laser interferometry measurement system, the tilt-to-length (TTL) coupling noise inside the telescope stands out as a critical noise factor that requires meticulous consideration. In the TianQin project, the non-geometric TTL-coupled noise inside the telescope should be less than 0.22 pm/Hz1/2. Additionally, the wavefront aberration RMS at the small pupil of the telescope needs to be better than 0.0065 λ. These requirements set for the telescope are exceptionally stringent. To address this challenge, this study aims to relax the wavefront aberration requirements by mitigating non-geometric TTL coupling noise, while ensuring the non-geometric TTL coupling noise remains below 0.22 pm/Hz1/2. By controlling the coupling aberration proportion, the wavefront aberration RMS at the small pupil of the telescope can be relaxed to 0.014 λ. Alternatively, optimizing the Gaussian beam waist radius can relax the wavefront aberration RMS to 0.016 λ. By simultaneously utilizing two optimization methods, the wavefront aberration at the small pupil of the telescope can be reduced to 0.033 λ, resulting in an impressive success rate of 91.15% in meeting the noise requirements.

Spin Crossover in [Fe(qsal-5-Brq)2]+ Complexes with a Quinoline-Substituted Qsal Ligand.

Using a quinoline substituted Qsal ligand, Hqsal-5-Brq (Hqsal-5-Brq = N-(5-bromo-8-quinolyl)salicylaldimine), four FeIII complexes, [Fe(qsal-5-Brq)2]A·CH3OH (Y = NO3- (1NO3), BF4- (2BF4), PF6- (3PF6), OTf- (4OTf), were prepared and characterized. Structure analysis revealed that complex 2BF4 contained two species (2BF4(P1̅) and 2BF4(C2/c)). In these compounds except 3PF6, the [Fe(qsal-5-Brq)2]+ cations form 1D chains through π-π interactions and other weak interactions. Adjacent chains are connected to form the 2D "Chain Layer" structures and 3D structures through various supramolecular interactions. For 3PF6, a "Dimer Chain" structure is formed from the loosely connected dimers. Magnetic studies revealed that compounds 1NO3 and 2BF4(P1̅) displayed abrupt hysteretic SCO with the transition temperature T1/2↓ = 235 K, T1/2↑ = 240 K for 1NO3 and T1/2↓ = 230 K, T1/2↑ = 235 K for 2BF4(P1̅), while compounds 3PF6 and 4OTf are in the HS state. Desolvation of the complexes significantly modifies their SCO properties: the desolvated 1NO3 and 2BF4 show a gradual SCO, desolvated 3PF6 undergoes a two-step SCO, and desolvated 4OTf exhibits a hysteretic transition. Overall, this work reported the FeIII-SCO complexes of the quinoline-substituted Hqsal ligand and highlighted the potential of these ligands for the development of interesting FeIII-SCO materials.

Evolution of Avian Influenza Virus (H3) with Spillover into Humans, China.

The continuous evolution of avian influenza viruses (AIVs) of subtype H3 in China and the emergence of human infection with AIV subtype H3N8 highlight their threat to public health. Through surveillance in poultry-associated environments during 2009-2022, we isolated and sequenced 188 H3 AIVs across China. Performing large-scale sequence analysis with publicly available data, we identified 4 sublineages of H3 AIVs established in domestic ducks in China via multiple introductions from wild birds from Eurasia. Using full-genome analysis, we identified 126 distinct genotypes, of which the H3N2 G23 genotype predominated recently. H3N8 G25 viruses, which spilled over from birds to humans, might have been generated by reassortment between H3N2 G23, wild bird H3N8, and poultry H9N2 before February 2021. Mammal-adapted and drug-resistance substitutions occasionally occurred in H3 AIVs. Ongoing surveillance for H3 AIVs and risk assessment are imperative for potential pandemic preparedness.

360° Map Establishment and Real-Time Simultaneous Localization and Mapping Based on Equirectangular Projection for Autonomous Driving Vehicles.

This paper proposes the design of a 360° map establishment and real-time simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) algorithm based on equirectangular projection. All equirectangular projection images with an aspect ratio of 2:1 are supported for input image types of the proposed system, allowing an unlimited number and arrangement of cameras. Firstly, the proposed system uses dual back-to-back fisheye cameras to capture 360° images, followed by the adoption of the perspective transformation with any yaw degree given to shrink the feature extraction area in order to reduce the computational time, as well as retain the 360° field of view. Secondly, the oriented fast and rotated brief (ORB) feature points extracted from perspective images with a GPU acceleration are used for tracking, mapping, and camera pose estimation in the system. The 360° binary map supports the functions of saving, loading, and online updating to enhance the flexibility, convenience, and stability of the 360° system. The proposed system is also implemented on an nVidia Jetson TX2 embedded platform with 1% accumulated RMS error of 250 m. The average performance of the proposed system achieves 20 frames per second (FPS) in the case with a single-fisheye camera of resolution 1024 × 768, and the system performs panoramic stitching and blending under 1416 × 708 resolution from a dual-fisheye camera at the same time.

Epidemiologic, Clinical, and Genetic Characteristics of Human Infections with Influenza A(H5N6) Viruses, China.

The recent rise in the frequency of influenza A(H5N6) infections in China has raised serious concerns about whether the risk for human infection has increased. We surveyed epidemiologic, clinical, and genetic data of human infections with A(H5N6) viruses. Severe disease occurred in 93.8% of cases, and the fatality rate was 55.4%. Median patient age was 51 years. Most H5N6 hemagglutinin (HA) genes in human isolates in 2021 originated from subclade 2.3.4.4b; we estimated the time to most recent common ancestor as June 16, 2020. A total of 13 genotypes with HA genes from multiple subclades in clade 2.3.4.4 were identified in human isolates. Of note, 4 new genotypes detected in 2021 were the major causes of increased H5N6 virus infections. Mammalian-adapted mutations were found in HA and internal genes. Although we found no evidence of human-to-human transmission, continuous evolution of H5N6 viruses may increase the risk for human infections.

[Research advance in multi-component pharmacokinetics of Chinese herbal extracts in recent five years].

The multi-component pharmacokinetic study of Chinese herbal extracts elaborates the in vivo processes,including absorption,distribution,metabolism,and excretion,of multiple bioactive components,which is of significance in revealing pharmacodynamic material basis of Chinese herbal medicine. In recent years,with the innovation in ideas,and development of techniques and methods on traditional Chinese medicine( TCM) research,the pharmacokinetic studies of Chinese herbal extracts were extensively performed,and notable progress has been made. This paper reviewed the advancement of multi-component pharmacokinetics of Chinese herbal extracts in recent five years from analysis technology of biological sample,the pharmacokinetic characteristics of Chinese herbal medicine with complex system,and the impacts of processing and pathological state on pharmacokinetics of Chinese herbal extracts,aiming to provide a reference for quality control,product development and rational medication of Chinese herbal extracts.

[Advance on pharmacokinetics study of traditional Chinese medicine injections in recent ten years].

Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) injections boast a definite efficacy and have been widely used in clinic. However, the problems in medication safety have been attracted increasing attention. Pharmacokinetics is of significance to guiding TCM injection administration regimen design and improving safety and effectiveness in clinical use. In recent years, with the improvement of ideas, technology and methods of TCM studies, the pharmacokinetic studies of TCM injections have been broadly performed, with a notable progress. This paper reviewed the advance in pharmacokinetics studies of TCM injections in recent ten years, which mainly focused on pre-clinical concentration-time course, distribution, metabolism and excretion in vivo based on analysis techniques, pharmacokinetic interactions of constitutes, impact of pathological state, pharmacokinetic interactions between TCM injection and chemical drugs, and clinical pharmacokinetics studies of TCM injections, in the expectation of providing reference for studies on quality control, product development and rational clinical use of TCM injections.

High-density lipoprotein cholesterol to low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio in early assessment of disease severity and outcome in patients with acute pancreatitis admitted to the ICU.

BACKGROUND: Patients with acute pancreatitis usually exhibit dyslipidemia and oxidative stress. However, the significance of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level and the HDL-C/LDL-C ratio (H/L ratio) as markers for disease progression remain unknown. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of HDL-C levels, LDL-C levels and the H/L ratio as markers of disease progression in patients admitted to the intensive cate unit with acute pancreatitis. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary critical care center in China. Plasma HDL-C and LDL-C levels were measured in 166 patients with acute pancreatitis. The associations between HDL-C, LDL-C, H/L ratio, as well as other inflammatory index and mortality, were analyzed. Multivariate cox analysis based on two models was used to determine the independent prognostic factor. Predictive ability of in-hospital mortality for variables was determined using the receiver operating characteristics curves. RESULTS: Significantly higher H/L ratios at admission were observed in patients with acute pancreatitis who died compared with survivors (0.93 vs. 0.64, p < 0.001). The area under the ROC curve for H/L ratio-based prediction of mortality was 0.658. When clinical confounders were included in multivariable cox regression analysis, the association was preserved (Model A HR = 1.587, p = 0.011; Model B HR = 1.332, p = 0.032). The mortality risk in different groups defined by an H/L ratio cutoff value was significantly different, based on survival curve analysis. CONCLUSION: The H/L ratio at the time of admission to the ICU appears to be a biomarker of disease progression in patients with acute pancreatitis.

A meta-analysis of the relationship between foot local characteristics and major lower extremity amputation in diabetic foot patients.

OBJECTIVE: To clarify and quantify risk factors among local characteristics of the foot for major amputation in diabetic foot patients. METHODS: Articles published before January 2018 on PubMed and Embase were conducted observational studies about risk factors for major amputation in patients with diabetic foot were retrieved and systematically reviewed by using Stata 12.0 statistical software. RESULTS: A total of 4668 major amputees and 65 831 controls were reported in 18 observational studies. Across the studies, the overall odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of significant risk factors are ulcer reaching bone (OR, 11.796; 95% CI, 6.905-20.152), gangrene (OR, 6.487; 95% CI, 4.088-10.293), hindfoot position (OR, 3.913; 95% CI, 2.254-6.795), decreased ankle-brachial index (ABI) (OR, 2.522; 95% CI, 1.805-3.523), infection (OR, 2.516; 95% CI, 1.708-3.706), peripheral arterial disease (PAD) (OR, 2.114; 95% CI, 1.326-3.372). While there is no significant difference in the size of the ulcer, neuropathy, Charcot foot, osteomyelitis and intermittent claudication (OR, 1.15; 95% CI, 0.85-1.54). CONCLUSION: Factors among local characteristics of the foot associated with major amputation in patients with diabetic foot are the ulcer reaching bone, gangrene, hindfoot position, decreased ABI, infection, and PAD, a negative risk factor for the risk of amputation. Further studies are required to provide more details of foot local characteristics.

Anti-H7N9 avian influenza A virus activity of interferon in pseudostratified human airway epithelium cell cultures.

BACKGROUND: Since H7N9 influenza A virus (H7N9) was first reported in 2013, five waves of outbreaks have occurred, posing a huge threat to human health. In preparation for a potential H7N9 epidemic, it is essential to evaluate the efficacy of anti-H7N9 drugs with an appropriate model. METHODS: Well-differentiated pseudostratified human airway epithelium (HAE) cells were grown at the air-liquid interface, and the H7N9 cell tropism and cytopathic effect were detected by immunostaining and hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The H7N9 replication kinetics and anti-H7N9 effect of recombinant human α2b (rhIFN-α2b) and rhIFN-λ1 were compared with different cell lines. The H7N9 viral load and interferon-stimulated gene (ISG) expression were quantified by real-time PCR assays. RESULTS: H7N9 could infect both ciliated and non-ciliated cells within the three-dimensional (3D) HAE cell culture, which reduced the number of cilia and damaged the airways. The H7N9 replication kinetics differed between traditional cells and 3D HAE cells. Interferon had antiviral activity against H7N9 and alleviated epithelial cell lesions; the antiviral activity of rhIFN-α2b was slightly better than that of rhIFN-λ1. In normal cells, rhIFN-α2b induced a greater amount of ISG expression (MX1, OAS1, IFITM3, and ISG15) compared with rhIFN-λ1, but in 3D HAE cells, this trend was reversed. CONCLUSIONS: Both rhIFN-α2b and rhIFN-λ1 had antiviral activity against H7N9, and this protection was related to the induction of ISGs. The 3D cell culture model is suitable for evaluating interferon antiviral activity because it can demonstrate realistic in vivo-like effects.

Genetic and biological characteristics of avian influenza virus subtype H1N8 in environments related to live poultry markets in China.

BACKGROUND: Since 2008, avian influenza surveillance in poultry-related environments has been conducted annually in China. Samples have been collected from environments including live poultry markets, wild bird habitats, slaughterhouses, and poultry farms. Multiple subtypes of avian influenza virus have been identified based on environmental surveillance, and an H1N8 virus was isolated from the drinking water of a live poultry market. METHODS: Virus isolation was performed by inoculating influenza A-positive specimens into embryonated chicken eggs. Next-generation sequencing was used for whole-genome sequencing. A solid-phase binding assay was performed to test the virus receptor binding specificity. Trypsin dependence plaque formation assays and intravenous pathogenicity index tests were used to evaluate virus pathogenicity in vitro and in vivo, respectively. Different cell lines were chosen for comparison of virus replication capacity. RESULTS: According to the phylogenetic trees, the whole gene segments of the virus named A/Environment/Fujian/85144/2014(H1N8) were of Eurasian lineage. The HA, NA, PB1, and M genes showed the highest homology with those of H1N8 or H1N2 subtype viruses isolated from local domestic ducks, while the PB2, PA, NP and NS genes showed high similarity with the genes of H7N9 viruses detected in 2017 and 2018 in the same province. This virus presented an avian receptor binding preference. The plaque formation assay showed that it was a trypsin-dependent virus. The intravenous pathogenicity index (IVPI) in chickens was 0.02. The growth kinetics of the A/Environment/Fujian/85144/2014(H1N8) virus in different cell lines were similar to those of a human-origin virus, A/Brisbane/59/2007(H1N1), but lower than those of the control avian-origin and swine-origin viruses. CONCLUSIONS: The H1N8 virus was identified in avian influenza-related environments in China for the first time and may have served as a gene carrier involved in the evolution of the H7N9 virus in poultry. This work further emphasizes the importance of avian influenza virus surveillance, especially in live poultry markets (LPMs). Active surveillance of avian influenza in LPMs is a major pillar supporting avian influenza control and response.

Biological features of novel avian influenza A (H7N9) virus.

Human infection associated with a novel reassortant avian influenza H7N9 virus has recently been identified in China. A total of 132 confirmed cases and 39 deaths have been reported. Most patients presented with severe pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Although the first epidemic has subsided, the presence of a natural reservoir and the disease severity highlight the need to evaluate its risk on human public health and to understand the possible pathogenesis mechanism. Here we show that the emerging H7N9 avian influenza virus poses a potentially high risk to humans. We discover that the H7N9 virus can bind to both avian-type (α2,3-linked sialic acid) and human-type (α2,6-linked sialic acid) receptors. It can invade epithelial cells in the human lower respiratory tract and type II pneumonocytes in alveoli, and replicated efficiently in ex vivo lung and trachea explant culture and several mammalian cell lines. In acute serum samples of H7N9-infected patients, increased levels of the chemokines and cytokines IP-10, MIG, MIP-1ß, MCP-1, IL-6, IL-8 and IFN-α were detected. We note that the human population is naive to the H7N9 virus, and current seasonal vaccination could not provide protection.

Predictive role of estimated glomerular filtration rate prior to surgery in postsurgical acute kidney injury among very elderly patients: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication after surgery. Because of unpredictable and variable age-dependent physical decline, the incidence, risk factor of postsurgical AKI and the predictive power of estimated glomerular filtration rate prior to surgery (eGFRpreSurg) has not been fully elucidated in very elderly patients. Methods: All discharged patients aged ≥80 years without chronic kidney disease who underwent surgery prior to intensive care unit (ICU) admission from 2017 through 2018 were included. Clinical, biological and surgical data were recorded. Mean of outpatient creatinine values from the year prior to ICU admission was used as the baseline value to determine the occurrence of AKI. Postoperative AKI was diagnosed according to Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes criteria. Results: Among 243 very elderly postoperative patients admitted during the study period, 48 had AKI during their ICU stay. The occurrence of postsurgical AKI was associated with longer ventilation times (p < .001) and higher mortality (p < .001). The eGFRpreSurg, which is calculated based on the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease study equation, was a risk factor for postoperative AKI (OR = 2.662, p = .010). The incidence of postoperative AKI was significantly higher among patients with lower eGFRpreSurg than among those with an eGFRpreSurg ≥ 70 mL/min/1.73 m2 (p = .003). Conclusion: Postsurgical AKI in very elderly patients has a high incidence and is a risk factor for mortality. Our study confirmed that eGFRpreSurg could be used as an index for AKI risk stratification.

Genesis and Spread of Newly Emerged Highly Pathogenic H7N9 Avian Viruses in Mainland China.

The novel low-pathogenic avian influenza A H7N9 viruses (LPAI H7N9 viruses) have been a threat to public health since their emergence in 2013 because of the high rates of mortality and morbidity that they cause. Recently, highly pathogenic variants of these avian influenza A H7N9 viruses (HPAI H7N9 viruses) have emerged and caused human infections and outbreaks among poultry in mainland China. However, it is still unclear how the HPAI H7N9 virus was generated and how it evolved and spread in China. Here, we show that the ancestor virus of the HPAI H7N9 viruses originated in the Yangtze River Delta region and spread southward to the Pearl River Delta region, possibly through live poultry trade. After introduction into the Pearl River Delta region, the origin LPAI H7N9 virus acquired four amino acid insertions in the hemagglutinin (HA) protein cleavage site and mutated into the HPAI H7N9 virus in late May 2016. Afterward, the HPAI H7N9 viruses further reassorted with LPAI H7N9 or H9N2 viruses locally and generated multiple different genotypes. As of 14 July 2017, the HPAI H7N9 viruses had spread from Guangdong Province to at least 12 other provinces. The rapid geographical expansion and genetic evolution of the HPAI H7N9 viruses pose a great challenge not only to public health but also to poultry production. Effective control measures, including enhanced surveillance, are therefore urgently needed.IMPORTANCE The LPAI H7N9 virus has caused five outbreak waves in humans and was recently reported to have mutated into highly pathogenic variants. It is unknown how the HPAI H7N9 virus originated, evolved, and disseminated in China. In this study, we comprehensively analyzed the sequences of HPAI H7N9 viruses from 28 human and 21 environmental samples covering eight provinces in China that were taken from November 2016 to June 2017. The results show that the ancestor virus of the HPAI H7N9 viruses originated in the Yangtze River Delta region. However, the insertion of four amino acids into the HA protein cleavage site of an LPAI H7N9 virus occurred in late May 2016 in the Pearl River Delta region. The mutated HPAI H7N9 virus further reassorted with LPAI H7N9 or H9N2 viruses that were cocirculating in poultry. Considering the rapid geographical expansion of the HPAI H7N9 viruses, effective control measures are urgently needed.

Genesis and Dissemination of Highly Pathogenic H5N6 Avian Influenza Viruses.

Clade 2.3.4.4 highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (H5Nx) have spread from Asia to other parts of the world. Since 2014, human infections with clade 2.3.4.4 highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N6 viruses have been continuously reported in China. To investigate the genesis of the virus, we analyzed 123 H5 or N6 environmental viruses sampled from live-poultry markets or farms from 2012 to 2015 in Mainland China. Our results indicated that clade 2.3.4.4 H5N2/N6/N8 viruses shared the same hemagglutinin gene as originated in early 2009. From 2012 to 2015, the genesis of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N6 viruses occurred via two independent pathways. Three major reassortant H5N6 viruses (reassortants A, B, and C) were generated. Internal genes of reassortant A and B viruses and reassortant C viruses derived from clade 2.3.2.1c H5N1 and H9N2 viruses, respectively. Many mammalian adaption mutations and antigenic variations were detected among the three reassortant viruses. Considering their wide circulation and dynamic reassortment in poultry, we highly recommend close monitoring of the viruses in poultry and humans. IMPORTANCE Since 2014, clade 2.3.4.4 highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5Nx) viruses have caused many outbreaks in both wild and domestic birds globally. Severe human cases with novel H5N6 viruses in this group were also reported in China in 2014 and 2015. To investigate the genesis of the genetic diversity of these H5N6 viruses, we sequenced 123 H5 or N6 environmental viruses sampled from 2012 to 2015 in China. Sequence analysis indicated that three major reassortants of these H5N6 viruses had been generated by two independent evolutionary pathways. The H5N6 reassortant viruses had been detected in most provinces of southern China and neighboring countries. Considering the mammalian adaption mutations and antigenic variation detected, the spread of these viruses should be monitored carefully due to their pandemic potential.

Effects of OsCDPK1 on the Structure and Physicochemical Properties of Starch in Developing Rice Seeds.

Overexpression of a constitutively active truncated form of OsCDPK1 (OEtr) in rice produced smaller seeds, but a double-stranded RNA gene-silenced form of OsCDPK1 (Ri) yielded larger seeds, suggesting that OsCDPK1 plays a functional role in rice seed development. In the study presented here, we propose a model in which OsCDPK1 plays key roles in negatively controlling the grain size, amylose content, and endosperm appearance, and also affects the physicochemical properties of the starch. The dehulled transgenic OEtr grains were smaller than the dehulled wild-type grains, and the OEtr endosperm was opaque and had a low amylose content and numerous small loosely packed polyhedral starch granules. However, the OEtr grain sizes and endosperm appearances were not affected by temperature, which ranged from low (22 °C) to high (31 °C) during the grain-filling phase. In contrast, the transgenic Ri grains were larger, had higher amylose content, and had more transparent endosperms filled with tightly packed polyhedral starch granules. This demonstrates that OsCDPK1 plays a novel functional role in starch biosynthesis during seed development and affects the transparent appearance of the endosperm. These results improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms through which the grain-filling process occurs in rice.

Two Outbreak Sources of Influenza A (H7N9) Viruses Have Been Established in China.

UNLABELLED: Due to enzootic infections in poultry and persistent human infections in China, influenza A (H7N9) virus has remained a public health threat. The Yangtze River Delta region, which is located in eastern China, is well recognized as the original source for H7N9 outbreaks. Based on the evolutionary analysis of H7N9 viruses from all three outbreak waves since 2013, we identified the Pearl River Delta region as an additional H7N9 outbreak source. H7N9 viruses are repeatedly introduced from these two sources to the other areas, and the persistent circulation of H7N9 viruses occurs in poultry, causing continuous outbreak waves. Poultry movements may contribute to the geographic expansion of the virus. In addition, the AnH1 genotype, which was predominant during wave 1, was replaced by JS537, JS18828, and AnH1887 genotypes during waves 2 and 3. The establishment of a new source and the continuous evolution of the virus hamper the elimination of H7N9 viruses, thus posing a long-term threat of H7N9 infection in humans. Therefore, both surveillance of H7N9 viruses in humans and poultry and supervision of poultry movements should be strengthened. IMPORTANCE: Since its occurrence in humans in eastern China in spring 2013, the avian H7N9 viruses have been demonstrating the continuing pandemic threat posed by the current influenza ecosystem in China. As the viruses are silently circulated in poultry, with potentially severe outcomes in humans, H7N9 virus activity in humans in China is very important to understand. In this study, we identified a newly emerged H7N9 outbreak source in the Pearl River Delta region. Both sources in the Yangtze River Delta region and the Pearl River Delta region have been established and found to be responsible for the H7N9 outbreaks in mainland China.

Inhibition of IL-6 and IL-8 production in LPS-stimulated human gingival fibroblasts by glycyrrhizin via activating LXRα.

The aim of this study was to clarify the anti-inflammatory effects and its molecular mechanism of glycyrrhizin on LPS-stimulated human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs), which will be of benefit for periodontitis treatment. An MTT assay was performed to assess the effects of glycyrrhizin on cellular viability. The levels of IL-6 and IL-8 were measured by ELISA. The expression of iNOS, COX-2, NF-κB, and LXRα were detected by western blot analysis. The results showed that glycyrrhizin significantly inhibited LPS-induced IL-6 and IL-8 production, as well as COX-2 and iNOS expression. LPS-induced NF-κB activation in HGFs was also inhibited by treatment of glycyrrhizin. Furthermore, glycyrrhizin increased the expression of LXRα in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, the inhibition of glycyrrhizin on IL-6 and IL-8 production was reversed by LXRα inhibitor GGPP. In conclusion, these results indicated that glycyrrhizin exhibited its anti-inflammatory effects in HGFs by activating LXRα.

Characteristics of influenza H13N8 subtype virus firstly isolated from Qinghai Lake Region, China.

BACKGROUND: Since the highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza caused thousands of deaths of wild bird in this area in 2005, Qinghai Lake in China has become a hot spot for study of the influence of avian influenza to migratory wild birds. However, the ecology and evolution of low pathogenic avian influenza virus in this region are limited. This project-based avian influenza surveillance in Qinghai lake region was initiated in year 2012. METHOD: Samples of wild bird feces and lake surface water were collected in Qinghai Lake in year 2012.Virus isolation was conducted on embryonated chicken eggs. The influenza A virus was determined by rRT-PCR. Virus sequences were acquired by deep sequencing. The phylogenetic correlation and molecular characteristics of the viruses were analyzed. The virus growth and infection features, receptor binding preference were studied, and pathogenicity in vitro as well as. RESULTS: Two H13N8 subtype influenza viruses were isolated. The viruses are phylogenetically belong to Eurasian lineage. Most of the genes are associated with gull origin influenza virus except PB1 gene, which is most probably derived from Anseriformes virus. The evidence of interspecies reassortment was presented. The two viruses have limited growth capacity on MDCK and A549 cells while grow well in embryonated eggs. The dual receptor binding features of the two viruses was shown up. The low pathogenic features were determined by trypsin dependence plaque formation assay. CONCLUSIONS: The two H13N8 subtype influenza viruses are highly associated with gull origin. The interspecies reassortment of H13 subtype virus among Anseriforme sand Charadriiformes wild birds emphasizes the importance of strengthening avian influenza surveillance in this region. This study is helpful to understand the ecology, evolution and transmission pattern of H13 subtype influenza virus globally.