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Autophagy is essential for eukaryotic cell homeostasis and can perform both anti-viral and pro-viral roles depending on the kinds of viruses, cell types and cell environment. Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome phlebovirus (SFTSV) is a newly discovered tick-borne virus in the Phenuiviridae family that causes a severe hemorrhagic fever disease in East Asia. In this study we determined interactions between SFTSV and autophagy. Our results showed that LC3-II (microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3-II) protein accumulated from 4 h to 24 h after SFTSV infection compared to mock-infected Vero cells, and the use of E64d and pepstatin A did not affect the expression of LC3-II protein, which indicated that the increased LC3-II may be the result of inhibition of autophagic degradation caused by SFTSV infection. However, knockdown of LC3B promotes SFTSV replication, which indicated a negative role of LC3B protein in SFTSV replication. We also detected co-localization of SFTSV non-structure (NSs) protein with LC3B, p62 and Lamp2b respectively in SFTSV infected Vero cells, which indicated the possibility of selective autophagy or chaperone-mediated autophagy involving in SFTSV infection. Our results indicated that SFTSV infection promotes LC3 accumulation and several proteins of the autophagy pathway co-localize with NSs protein during SFTSV infection.

Proper chromosome alignment and segregation during mitosis depend on cohesion between sister chromatids, mediated by the cohesin protein complex, which also plays crucial roles in diverse genome maintenance pathways. Current models attribute DNA binding by cohesin to entrapment of dsDNA by the cohesin ring subunits (SMC1, SMC3, and RAD21 in humans). However, the biophysical properties and activities of the fourth core cohesin subunit SA2 (STAG2) are largely unknown. Here, using single-molecule atomic force and fluorescence microscopy imaging as well as fluorescence anisotropy measurements, we established that SA2 binds to both dsDNA and ssDNA, albeit with a higher binding affinity for ssDNA. We observed that SA2 can switch between the 1D diffusing (search) mode on dsDNA and stable binding (recognition) mode at ssDNA gaps. Although SA2 does not specifically bind to centromeric or telomeric sequences, it does recognize DNA structures often associated with DNA replication and double-strand break repair, such as a double-stranded end, single-stranded overhang, flap, fork, and ssDNA gap. SA2 loss leads to a defect in homologous recombination-mediated DNA double-strand break repair. These results suggest that SA2 functions at intermediate DNA structures during DNA transactions in genome maintenance pathways. These findings have important implications for understanding the function of cohesin in these pathways.

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome, an emerging hemorrhagic fever, is caused by severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV), a tick-borne bunyavirus. Information regarding SFTSV animal hosts is very limited. In this study, we showed that 64% (9/14) of hedgehogs in Shandong Province, China were seropositive to SFTSV antibody, suggesting that hedgehog could be a vertebrate parasitifer for SFTSV.

The pathogenicity of the shrew-borne Imjin virus (MJNV) is unknown. The objective of our study was to find serological evidence of MJNV infection in humans. Partial MJNV nucleocapsid protein (NP) was cloned and expressed as an antigen for double-antigen sandwich ELISA, IgM capture ELISA, and dot blot to detect MJNV specific antibodies in hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) patients’ and healthy persons’ sera from endemic areas in China. The purified recombinant NP reacted with neither the 90 healthy individuals’ sera from non-endemic areas of MJNV nor the 100 antisera to HFRS-causing virus, indicating that the MJNV NP had no cross-reaction with normal human sera and HFRS-causing viral antibodies. As determined by screening ELISA and dot blot analysis, IgG antibodies against MJNV NP were detected in sera from two of 385 healthy individuals from MJNV-endemic areas, suggesting infection with MJNV or MJNV-like thottimvirus. Based on the suggestive evidence, healthcare workers should be alert to febrile diseases occurring among individuals with exposure to shrew-infested habitats.

The pathogenicity of the shrew-borne Imjin virus (MJNV) is unknown. The objective of our study was to find serological evidence of MJNV infection in humans. Partial MJNV nucleocapsid protein (NP) was cloned and expressed as an antigen for double-antigen sandwich ELISA, IgM capture ELISA, and dot blot to detect MJNV specific antibodies in hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) patients&rsquo, and healthy persons&rsquo, sera from endemic areas in China. The purified recombinant NP reacted with neither the 90 healthy individuals&rsquo, sera from non-endemic areas of MJNV nor the 100 antisera to HFRS-causing virus, indicating that the MJNV NP had no cross-reaction with normal human sera and HFRS-causing viral antibodies. As determined by screening ELISA and dot blot analysis, IgG antibodies against MJNV NP were detected in sera from two of 385 healthy individuals from MJNV-endemic areas, suggesting infection with MJNV or MJNV-like thottimvirus. Based on the suggestive evidence, healthcare workers should be alert to febrile diseases occurring among individuals with exposure to shrew-infested habitats.

Interferon-inducible transmembrane (IFITM) protein family is novel viral restriction factors with representative transmembrane structure. These proteins also exist in fish, however, their roles in the innate immune response remain unknown. Here, we report a characterization of teleost IFITM1 from flounder Paralichthys olivaceus (PoIFITM1), which exhibits conserved structure characteristic of the IFITM family but comprises a relatively longer N-terminal region. The expression and promoter activity of PoIFITM1 are markedly induced by aquatic animal viruses: Rana grylio virus (RGV) and Scophthalmus maximus rhabdovirus (SMRV). Overexpression and siRNA-mediated knockdown demonstrate that PoIFITM1 exhibits strong antiviral effects against both DNA virus (RGV) and RNA virus (SMRV), expanding the spectrum of viruses inhibited by IFITM proteins. Further analysis shows that PoIFITM1 suppresses viral entry into host cells, confirming that the IFITM-mediated restriction is conserved from lower vertebrates to mammals. Deletion mutagenesis reveals that PoIFITM1 exerts antiviral activity by targeting to Golgi complex and the N-terminal region is required for its subcellular localization, which is not observed in other known IFITM family members. Our current data provide the first evidence that IFITM1 functions as a key effector of the innate immune to restrict virus replication in lower vertebrates, through the action of impeding viral entry., Highlights • First cloning and functional characterization of IFITM1 in flounder Paralichthys olivaceus. • PoIFITM1 is induced by two aquatic animal viruses: RGV and SMRV. • PoIFITM1 exhibits strong antiviral effects against both DNA and RNA viruses. • PoIFITM1 suppresses viral entry into fish cells. • The N-terminus determines the antiviral activity through regulating the cellular localization.

Background Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging hemorrhagic fever in East Asia, which is caused by a novel bunyavirus-SFTSV. Many studies have reported the clinical characters of SFTS patients, but the reports were not consistent and a systematic summary of clinical manifestations and laboratory parameters are not available. Method A comprehensive literature research of Web of Science, PubMed, Wan Fang Data, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure databases was conducted on articles which have described the clinical characters of SFTS patients. Data from selected studies were pooled by using STATA VERSION 12.0 software. Result Nine articles comprising 844 laboratory-confirmed SFTSV cases were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled case fatality rate was 16% (95% CI: 0.13–0.19). The major clinical characters of patients with SFTSV infection were fever, thrombocytopenia, leucopenia, gastrointestinal symptoms, and central nervous system manifestations. The risk factors for severe disease included bleeding tendency, central nervous system manifestations, elevated serum enzymes, and high viral load. Although there is no specific antiviral therapy for SFTSV infection, symptomatic treatment and supportive therapy including intensive monitoring is the most essential part of case management. Conclusion The major clinical characters of patients with SFTSV infection were fever, thrombocytopenia, leucopenia and gastrointestinal symptoms, and central nervous system manifestations. The risk factors for severity and fatality among SFTS patients included: old age, CNS manifestations, bleeding tendency, elevated serum enzymes, and high vial load.

Infection with Rana grylio virus (RGV), an iridovirus isolated in China in 1995, resulted in a high mortality rate in frogs. The complete genome sequence of RGV was determined and analyzed. The genomic DNA was 105,791 bp long, with 106 open reading frames (ORFs). Dot plot analysis showed that the gene order of RGV shared colinearity with three completely sequenced ranaviruses. A phylogenetic tree was constructed based on concatenated sequences of iridovirus 26 core-gene-encoded proteins, and the result showed high bootstrap support for RGV being a member of the genus Ranavirus and that iridoviruses of other genera also clustered closely. A microRNA (miRNA) prediction revealed that RGV could encode 18 mature miRNAs, many of which were located near genes associated with virus replication. Thirty-three repeated sequences were found in the RGV genome. These results provide insight into the genetic nature of RGV and are useful for laboratory diagnosis for vertebrate iridoviruses.

Genomic sequence of Scophthalmus maximus rhabdovirus (SMRV) isolated from diseased turbot has been characterized. The complete genome of SMRV comprises 11,492 nucleotides and encodes five typical rhabdovirus genes N, P. M, G and L In addition, two open reading frames (ORF) are predicted overlapping with P gene, one upstream of P and smaller than P (temporarily called Ps), and another in P gene which may encodes a protein similar to the vesicular stomatitis virus C protein. The C ORF is contained within the P ORF. The five typical proteins share the highest sequence identities (48.9%) with the corresponding proteins of rhabdoviruses in genus Vesiculovirus. Phylogenetic analysis of partial L protein sequence indicates that SMRV is close to genus Vesiculovirus. The first 13 nucleotides at the ends of the SMRV genome are absolutely inverse complementarity. The gene junctions between the five genes show conserved polyadenylation signal (CATGA(7)) and intergenic dinucleotide (CT) followed by putative transcription initiation sequence A(A/G)(C/G)A(A/G/T), which are different from known rhabdoviruses. The entire Ps ORF was cloned and expressed, and used to generate polyclonal antibody in mice. One obvious band could be detected in SMRV-infected carp leucocyte cells (CLCs) by anti-Ps/C serum via Western blot, and the subcellular localization of Ps-GFP fusion protein exhibited cytoplasm distribution as multiple punctuate or doughnut shaped foci of uneven size. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Tumor cells have developed immune evasion mechanisms such as considerably heterogenous FasL expression on their surface via which they could induce apoptosis of tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) in the immune system. Meanwhile, the competition of normal immune cells with tumor cells results in relative growth factors shortage for growth and proliferation of nontumor cells, which improves a susceptibility to early apoptosis of CTL. In an attempt to develop strategies for prolonging the survival of adoptively transferred T cells in a hostile pro-apoptotic tumor microenvironment, we used synthetic siRNA and vector-based shRNA to suppress the expression of Bid in human uterocervical carcinoma HeLa cells, followed by the further achievement of Bid gene silencing in human primary cells-CD8 + lymphocytes via retrovirus-delivered siRNAs. Our results indicated that Bid knockdown HeLa cells are partially resistant to Fas antibody- or serum deprivation-induced apoptosis. Additionally, the blockade of Bid expression in CD8 + lymphocytes resulted in a less susceptiveness to Fas antibody-induced apoptosis and a survival advantage following recombinant human interleukin-2 (rhIL-2) withdrawal or under lower rhIL-2 concentrations compared with control lymphocytes . These data suggest that knockdown of Bid might serve as an approach to enhancing the survival and tumoricidal activity of T lymphocytes in adoptive immunotherapy.

Previous studies reported that the HBV DNA level in maternal serum is an important risk factor for intrauterine infection. Two antiviral drugs, lamivudine (3TC) and interferon alpha (IFNalpha), are used extensively clinically to reduce maternal HBV DNA level, However, because of a lack of evidence on the efficacy and safety of these drugs during pregnancy, they are categorized as grade C which prevents their use during pregnancy. This study provides new data on the efficacy and safety of lamivudine and IFNalpha in HBV positive transgenic pregnant mice. In this study, transgenic mice with high titers of hepatitis B virus (HBV) were employed to study the antiviral effects of 3TC and IFNalpha during different gestation periods. The study also examined changes in several serological HBV markers, the effects of perinatal exposure to antiviral drugs on the mother and offspring, drug efficacy in reducing the level of HBV DNA in maternal blood, and the safety to both the mother and offspring. The main conclusion of the study is that a significant decrease in HBV DNA level can be obtained after treatment with lamivudine but not with IFNalpha. No adverse effects were observed in the maternal mice and the offsprings. This finding may provide a rationale for the potential use of lamivudine for the treatment of pregnant women as a safe and effective measure to reduce the level of maternal viremia.

To evaluate the clinical utility of sonography with Doppler examination in the diagnosis and treatment of gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD).A retrospective analysis of 355 cases of GTD seen over a 12-year period in 2 large university referral hospitals in China was performed. Clinical appearances, sonographic findings, Doppler waveforms, and patient outcomes were reviewed. Sonographic and Doppler examinations were performed to diagnose the presence of molar tissue, detect invasive disease, assess disease recurrence, and monitor the efficacy of chemotherapy. Doppler waveforms of 13 patients with normal early pregnancies were also examined for comparison.Of the 355 patients with GTD, 106 had a classic hydatidiform mole (CHM), 33 had a partial hydatidiform mole (PHM), 184 had an invasive hydatidiform mole (IHM), and 32 had choriocarcinoma. Sonography showed abnormal molar tissue confined to the endometrial cavity in all cases of CHM. In cases of IHM and choriocarcinoma, soft tissue invasion and cystic vascular spaces within the myometrium were shown. Cases of PHM had a thickened, hydropic placenta with a concomitant fetus. Doppler waveforms showed resistive indices of 0.55 (SD, 0.06) for CHM, 0.56 (SD, 0.04) for PHM, 0.28 (SD, 0.06) for IHM, 0.25 (SD, 0.05) for choriocarcinoma, and 0.66 (SD, 0.04) for normal pregnancies. The abnormal sonographic and Doppler findings in invasive disease resolved when chemotherapy was successful.Sonography and Doppler imaging were helpful in diagnosing GTD, in determining whether invasive disease was present, in detecting recurrence of disease, and in following the effectiveness of chemotherapy.

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging hemorrhagic fever in East Asia with case fatality up to 50%. SFTS is caused by SFTSV, a tick borne bunyavirus. In endemic area in China 1%-3% population was infected with SFTSV, but age is critical risk factor for hospitalization and death of SFTS patients.

Human enterovirus 71 (EV71) is the major etiological agent of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), which is a common infectious disease in young children. Studies in the past have shown that reversed transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) was a rapid approach for the detection of EV71 in HFMD. This meta-analysis study is to evaluate the diagnostic role of RT-LAMP in detecting EV71 infection. A comprehensive literature research of PubMed, Embase, Wan Fang Data, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure databases was conducted on articles aiming at the diagnostic performance of RT-LAMP in EV71 detection published before February 10, 2014. Data from selected studies were pooled to yield the summary sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratio (PLR, NLR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve by using STATA VERSION 12.0 software. Ten studies including a total of 907 clinical samples were of high quality in this meta-analysis. Overall, the pooled sensitivity, specificity, PLR, NLR, DOR, and the area under the SROC curve was 0.99 (0.97, 1.00), 0.97 (0.94, 1.00), 5.90 (95% CI: 3.90-8.94), 0.20 (95% CI: 0.14-0.29), and 1.00 (95% CI: 0.99-1.00), respectively. The univariate analysis of potential variables showed some changes in the diagnostic performance, but none of the differences reached statistical significance. Despite inter-study variability, the test performance of RT-LAMP was consistent with real-time RT-PCR in detecting EV71. This meta-analysis suggests that RT-LAMP is a useful diagnostic tool with high sensitivity and specificity for detecting EV71.

An Ussuri catfish Pseudobagrus ussuriensis skin (UCS) cell line was developed and subcultured for more than 60 passages. UCS cells consisted of mostly epithelial-like cells and multiplied well in TC199 medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum at 25 degrees C. Chromosome analysis revealed that most UCS cells had a normal diploid karyotype with 2n = 52. UCS cells showed differential cytopathic effects (CPEs) after inoculation of spring viremia of carp virus (SVCV, a negative-strand RNA virus), grass carp reovirus (GCRV, a multi-segmented double-stranded RNA virus) and Rana grylio virus (RGV, a large double-stranded DNA virus), and were indicative of high sensitivities to these three aquatic animal viruses by a virus titration study. The CPE caused by SVCV appeared as rounded and granular cells, grape-like clusters and small lytic plaques. Characteristic CPE containing plaque-like syncytia was induced by GCRV. RGV-infected cells produced typical CPE characterized by cells shrinkage and aggregation, formation of clear plaques and cell sheet detachment. Furthermore, significant fluorescent signals were observed after UCS cells were transfected with green fluorescent protein reporter plasmids, and the development of CPE induced by a recombinant RGV, Delta TK-RGV, in UCS cells was illustrated using a combination of light and fluorescence microscopy. The data from this study suggested that UCS cell line can potentially serve as a useful tool for the comparison study of different aquatic animal viruses and the isolation of some newly emerging viruses in Ussuri catfish farming. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

To evaluate the diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS) in calcified thyroid nodules.A total of 179 cases with calcified thyroid nodules between February 2009 and September 2012 underwent CEUS by injection of microbubbles via superficial vein was included in the study. Pathological diagnosis as a gold standard, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive, negative predictive and diagnostic coincidence rate of CEUS were evaluated.Among 110 cases of benign nodules, 62 cases were nodular goiter (46 cases with macrocalcification and 16 cases with microcalcification); 29 cases were adenoma (28 cases with macrocalcification and 1 case with microcalcification); 17 cases were Hashimoto's thyroid (13 cases with macrocalcification and 4 cases with microcalcification); and 2 cases were granuloma with microcalcification. Among 69 cases of malignant nodules (t = 14.33, P0.05), 68 cases were papillary carcinoma (60 cases with microcalcification and 8 cases with macrocalcification), and 1 case of medullary carcinoma with microcalcification. Malignant nodules mainly showed weak inhomogeneous enhancement, with the mean; peak intensity (51.38 ± 14.33)dB that was lower than that (92.37 ± 33.36)dB in benign nodules, and benign nodules showed isoenhancement or hyperenhancement, with significant differences compared to malignant nodules (t = 14.33, P0.05) , however, there were significant differences in the enhanced time and the time to peak between benign and malignant nodules. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive, negative predictive and diagnostic coincidence rate of CEUS for the diagnoses of thyroid nodules were 92.75%, 90.91%, 86.49%, 95.24% and 91.62%, respectively.CEUS has high value in differential diagnosis of benign and malignant calcified thyroid nodules.

To evaluate the contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS) and ultrasonic elastography (UE) in diagnosis of thyroid nodules by a binary Logistic regression model.A total 149 cases with thyroid nodules were examed by CEUS and UE and were confirmed by surgical pathology. A Logistic model was obtained on the basis of ultrasonographic features. Receiver operator characteris(ROC) curve was constructed to assess the performance of the Logistic model.Four ultrasonographic features including calcification, enhancement degree, biggest perfusion strength and elastic score were finally entered into the Logistic model. The percentage of correct prediction was 91.90%.Both CEUS and UE have high value in differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules and the Logistic regression model has high diagnostic rate.

A moribund juvenile Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides) with skin lesions and ulceration was found in Dongting Lake, China. Pathologic examination, electron microscopy, and polymerase chain reaction of liver tissue revealed widely distributed necrotic lesions, sinusoidal dilatation, congestion and herpes-like virus particles.

BACKGROUND: The complete genome of Rana grylio virus (RGV) was sequenced and analyzed recently, which revealed that RGV 50 L had homologues in many iridoviruses with different identities; however, the characteristics and functions of 50 L have not been studied yet. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We cloned and characterized RGV50L, and revealed 50 L functions in virus assembly and gene regulation. 50 L encoded a 499-amino acid structural protein of about 85 kDa in molecular weight and contained a nuclear localization signal (NLS) and a helix- extension-helix motif. Drug inhibition assay demonstrated that 50 L was an immediate-early (IE) gene. Immuno-fluorescence assay revealed that 50 L appeared early and persisted in RGV-infected cells following two distribution patterns. One pattern was that 50 L exhibited a cytoplasm-nucleus- viromatrix distribution pattern, and mutagenesis of the NLS motif revealed that localization of 50 L in the nucleus was NLS-dependent; the other was that 50 L co-localized with viral matrix which plays important roles in virus assembly and the life circle of viruses. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: RGV 50L is a novel iridovirus IE gene encoded structural protein which plays important roles in virus assembly.

A red-spotted grouper Epinephelus akaara skin (RGS) cell line was established and characterized. RGS cells had a normal diploid chromosome number of 2n = 48, the morphology of which was fibroblastic-like in 3 days and epithelial-like over 5 after 16 passages. The cells multiplied well in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium supplemented with 10% of fetal bovine serum at 25A degrees C. Susceptibilities of RGS and grass carp ovary (GCO) cells to two viruses were tested, and the results showed that the titer of an iridovirus Rana grylio virus (RGV) in RGS cells was 10(3.5) TCID50 ml(-1), which was much higher than a rhabdovirus spring viremia of carp virus (SVCV) in the cells (10(0.5) TCID50 ml(-1)). The titers of RGV and SVCV in GCO were 10(6.0) TCID50 ml(-1) and 10(8.0) TCID50 ml(-1), respectively, which were higher than those in RGS cells. The data may imply that RGS cells could be selectively resistible to some viruses during infection. RT-PCR analysis of RGV-infected RGS cells showed that RGV could replicate in RGS cells. Further study of virus replications in RGS cells was conducted by electron microscopy and immunofluorescence microscopy has shown that virus particles scattered in the cytoplasm and virus protein appeared in both the cytoplasm and nucleus. The results suggested that RGS cells could be used as a potential in vitro model to study the cutaneous barrier function against virus infection.

Search for key molecules to influence the tumor-targeted IFN-alpha2a-NGR anti-tumor sensitivity through signaling pathway study. Try to enhance the antitumor efficacy of IFN-alpha2a-NGR.MTT method was used to determine the growth inhibitory effects of IFN-alpha2a-NGR on A549 and MKN-45 cells. Flow cytometry and Western blot were employed to detect the expression of STAT1, p-STAT1, p53, OAS and SOCS1; SOCS1 gene knock down was carried out by synthesized siRNA.When stimulated with IFN-alpha2a-NGR, the increased expression of STAT1, p-STAT1, p53, OAS and SOCS1 were observed in A549 cells, but only SOCS1 was notably increased in MKN-45 cells. The proliferation inhibition ability of MKN-45 to IFN-alpha2a-NGR was promoted by SOCS1 knocking down. (the inhibition rate was enhanced from 14.69%+/-1.05% to 36.97%+/-2.05%).This study has further demonstrated that there were no differences on antitumor effects between IFN-alpha2a-NGR and IFN-alpha2a on cell or molecular level. Besides interferon-alpha receptor (IFNAR) which has been demonstrated before, p-STAT1, p53 and SOCS1 were important determinants of tumor resistance to IFNs therapy. The antitumor efficacy of IFN-alpha2a-NGR can be enhanced by RNA interference. These results might be helpful for the further development of IFN-alpha2a-NGR.

To investigate the farmland soil nitrogen input from atmospheric dry and wet deposition, a 1-year observation was conducted in the Yulin and Luochuan areas of North Shaanxi Province from June 2007 to May 2008. The total inorganic nitrogen (TIN) deposition in Yulin and Luochuan was 22.17 and 16.95 kg x hm(-2) x a(-1), among which, wet deposition accounted for 95.1% and 90.4%, while dry deposition accounted for 4.9% and 9.6%, respectively, illustrating that the nitrogen deposition in both Yulin and Luochuan was mainly come from wet deposition. In the TIN deposition, the amount of nitrate in Yulin and Luochuan was 12.22 and 9.24 kg x hm(-2) xa(-1), accounting for 55.1% and 54.5%, respectively. The amount of wet deposition and the percentage of nitrate in TIN deposition were higher in Yulin than in Luochuan, because of the differences in pollution level, weather condition, and underlying surface characteristics.

To assess the value of color Doppler ultrasonography, contrast-enhanced ultrasound and detection of serum CA-125 levels in the differential diagnosis of ovarian masses.The findings of color Doppler ultrasonography, contrast-enhanced ultrasound and the serum levels of CA-125 were comparatively analyzed in 65 patients with ovarian masses, and the diagnostic accuracy of the 3 methods was estimated.Of the 65 cases of ovarian masses, 21 of the 35 patients with benign ovarian masses had serum CA-125 levels below 35 U/ml , and 28 of the 30 patients with malignant masses showed CA-125 levels over 35 U/ml. Color Doppler ultrasonography identified 30 benign and 22 malignant cases, but failed to produce definite results in 13 cases (including 5 with benign and 8 with malignant masses). By contrast-enhanced ultrasound, benign masses were found in 34 cases and malignant masses in 29 cases, and misdiagnosis occurred in 2 cases (including 1 case of thecoma and 1 of ovarian borderline tumor). With serum CA-125 detection, color Doppler ultrasonography and contrast-enhanced ultrasound, the diagnostic sensitivity for ovarian masses was 66.7%, 73.3%, and 96.7%, and the specificity was 60.0%, 85.7%, and 97.1%, respectively.Detection of serum CA-125 level and ultrasound examinations help in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of benign and malignant ovarian masses. Compared with serum CA-125 detection and color Doppler ultrasonography, contrast-enhanced ultrasound is more informative on perfusion patterns of the ovarian masses to result in higher accuracy in early and differential diagnosis of the ovarian masses.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to assess the usefulness of 3- and 4-dimensional ultrasonography (3D/4DUS) for the description of anomalies associated with trisomy 18 and to determine whether 3D/4DUS adds diagnostic information over what is provided by conventional 2-dimensional ultrasonography (2DUS) alone. METHODS Twenty-six fetuses subsequently proven to have trisomy 18 underwent prenatal ultrasonographic evaluations by both 2DUS and 3D/4DUS. Volume data sets were acquired by the same sonographers after the conventional 2DUS examinations and were explored with 4-dimensional imaging software by another independent examiner blinded to the indications of 2DUS. The findings detected by 2DUS and 3D/4DUS were compared with those acquired at autopsy. The sensitivity of each modality for detecting anomalies was calculated and compared by the McNemar test. RESULTS Excluding polyhydramnios, there were 131 anomalies confirmed postnatally in 26 fetuses with trisomy 18. There was a statistically significant difference in the sensitivity for detecting anomalies between 3D/4DUS and 2DUS (93.89% versus 73.28%; McNemar value = 23.31; P < .05), especially in anomalies of the face/neck (96.15% versus 65.38%; McNemar value = 6.13; P < .05) and extremities (96.3% versus 48.15%; McNemar value = 11.07; P < .05). Three- and 4-dimensional ultrasonography provided additional diagnostic information for 83.97% of the anomalies related to trisomy 18 and influenced the obstetric management of 4 fetuses. CONCLUSIONS Three- and 4-dimensional ultrasonography offered diagnostic advantages for many anomalies associated with trisomy 18, especially for anomalies of the extremities and face. This modality could be a powerful adjunct to 2DUS in the prenatal anatomic evaluation of fetuses with trisomy 18.

To observe the efficacy and safety of lamivudine and interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) therapy on decrease of serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) loading of HBV transgenic mice during pregnancy.Thirty-five transgenic mice replicating high levels of hepatitis B virus were randomly allocated into 5 groups, each of seven. Pregnant HBV transgenic mice in experimental groups 1 and 2 were given orally lamivudine [100 mg/(kg x d)] from pregnancy day 5 or 10 to delivery, mice in experimental groups 3 and 4 were given intramuscular (im) injection of IFN-alpha [5MU/(m(2) x 2d)], and mice in experimental group 5 were given normal saline at the same times. The changes of serum HBsAg, HBV DNA before and after the treatment were detected. At the same time, eighteen C57BL/6J female mice (clean level) were randomly allocated into control groups 1, 2 and 3 (each group of six), which were given lamivudine, IFN-alpha and saline respectively (the dosage was the same as that of experimental groups). The safety indexes of pregnant mice, fetus and newborns in experimental groups and control groups were observed.(1) The changes of serum HBsAg titers: The average serum HBsAg titers from mice in experimental group 1 were lowered significantly from (166 +/- 98) ng/ml to (82 +/- 59) ng/ml after drug treatment (P0.05). Those from mice in experimental group 2 were also reduced from (159 +/- 49) ng/ml to (82 +/- 60) ng/ml after drug treatment, but there was no significant difference between before and after the treatment (P0.05). There was no significant difference in serum HBsAg between before and after the treatment in other groups (P0.05). (2) The changes of HBV DNA titers: The serum HBV DNA titers from mice in experimental groups 1 and 2 were significantly decreased, from (5.50 +/- 0.86) copies/ml to (2.58 +/- 2.01) copies/ml, with significant difference between before and after the treatment (P0.01). Those from mice in experimental groups 3 and 4 were reduced from (5.55 +/- 0.24) copies/ml to (5.46 +/- 0.45) copies/ml, without significant difference between before and after the treatment (P0.05). The serum HBV DNA titer from mice in experimental group 5 was not different between before and after the treatment (P0.05). (3) Observation of safety indexes: no evidence in toxicity were observed in mice from experimental groups and control groups. No significant abnormalities of live fetus were observed. The postnatal survival and weight of live pups were not different between the groups (P0.05). (4) Comparison of the rate of dead fetus and the rate of maternal dead fetus: The rate of dead fetus and the rate of maternal dead fetus from mice in experimental groups 1 and 2 were 8.3% and 50.0% respectively, those from mice in experimental groups 3 and 4 were 8.2% and 66.7% respectively, and those from mice in experimental group 5 were 9.7% and 66.7%. There was no significant difference in the rate of dead fetus and the rate of maternal dead fetus from mice between the groups (P0.05).Effective lamivudine treatment during gestation can reduce hepatitis B viremia in pregnant HBV transgenic mice, thus lowering the risk of intrauterine infection. It has no significant adverse effect on safety of pregnant mice and their offspring.

Background Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) was an emerging hemorrhagic fever that was caused by a tick-borne bunyavirus, SFTSV. Although SFTSV nonstructural protein can inhibit type I interferon (IFN-I) production Ex Vivo and IFN-I played key role in resistance SFTSV infection in animal model, the role of IFN-I in patients is not investigated. Methods We have assayed the concentration of IFN-α, a subtype of IFN-I as well as other cytokines in the sera of SFTS patients and the healthy population with CBA (Cytometric bead array) assay. Results The results showed that IFN-α, tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP-1α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-10, interferon-inducible protein (IP-10), monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP-1) were significantly higher in SFTS patients than in healthy persons (p