bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Osteoporosis and ageing affects the migration of stem cells and this is ameliorated by transfection with CXCR4
Authors: Sanghani-Kerai A. , Coathup M. , Samazideh S. , Kalia P. , Silvio L. Di , Idowu B. , Blunn G.
Published: June 2017

Objectives

Cellular movement and relocalisation are important for many physiologic properties. Local mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from injured tissues and circulating MSCs aid in fracture healing. Cytokines and chemokines such as Stromal cell-derived factor 1(SDF-1) and its receptor chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) play important roles in maintaining mobilisation, trafficking and homing of stem cells from bone marrow to the site of injury. We investigated the differences in migration of MSCs from the femurs of young, adult and ovariectomised (OVX) rats and the effect of CXCR4 over-expression on their migration.

Methods

MSCs from young, adult and OVX rats were put in a Boyden chamber to establish their migration towards SDF-1. This was compared with MSCs transfected with CXCR4, as well as MSCs differentiated to osteoblasts.

Results

MSCs from OVX rats migrate significantly (p < 0.05) less towards SDF-1 (9%, sd 5%) compared with MSCs from adult (15%, sd 3%) and young rats (25%, sd 4%). Cells transfected with CXCR4 migrated significantly more towards SDF-1 compared with non-transfected cells, irrespective of whether these cells were from OVX (26.5%, sd 4%), young (47%, sd 17%) or adult (21%, sd 4%) rats. Transfected MSCs differentiated to osteoblasts express CXCR4 but do not migrate towards SDF-1.

Conclusions

MSC migration is impaired by age and osteoporosis in rats, and this may be associated with a significant reduction in bone formation in osteoporotic patients. The migration of stem cells can be ameliorated by upregulating CXCR4 levels which could possibly enhance fracture healing in osteoporotic patients. Cite this article: A. Sanghani-Kerai, M. Coathup, S. Samazideh, P. Kalia, L. Di Silvio, B. Idowu, G. Blunn. Osteoporosis and ageing affects the migration of stem cells and this is ameliorated by transfection with CXCR4. Bone Joint Res 2017;6:–365. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.66.BJR-2016-0259.R1.
(Ence)nação teatral: A representação do feminino em The Countess Cathleen, de William Yeats
Authors: Sousa Raimundo Expedito dos Santos , LaGuardia Adelaine
Published: June 2017

Este artigo examina as figurações do feminino em The Countess Cathleen, primeira peça que o escritor William Yeats escreveu para o Irish Literary Theatre, veio teatral do nacionalismo cultural irlandês. A peça foi produzida em um projeto de nação que, a fim de provar a virilidade dos homens nativos, subestimada pelo imperialismo britânico, instaurou um código de hipermasculinidade que demandava, em complemento, um código de hiperfeminilidade análogo. Atento às especificidades desse contexto de produção, o trabalho focaliza a construção da protagonista, a Condessa Cathleen, com ênfase na dicotomia entre erotismo e sacrifício. A análise permite considerar que Yeats se valeu de elementos da hagiografia como forma de heroificar a personagem como emblema da resignação feminina e, sobretudo, como modo de salientar a incompatibilidade entre o ethos sacrificial e o amor romântico.
Edward Said/Erich Auerbach: humanismo mundano e fenomenologia do exílio
Authors: Botelho Marcos Cezar
Published: June 2017

Para Edward Said, o exílio e a migração são operadores de leitura caros ao pensamento crítico dissonante. Na perspectiva daquilo que chamo de uma fenomenologia saidiana do exílio, o lócus enunciativo do exilado é, para o pensador palestino, um estilo ético que implica numa posicionalidade diferencial indispensável para a compreensão crítica do mundo atual. Como veremos neste artigo, mesmo que os personagens conceituais do humanismo mundano de Said sejam, por excelência, filósofos, escritores e pensadores que experimentaram a condição de exilados, “perspectivismo do exílio” é lido, contudo, como o valor heurístico de uma posicionalidade crítica sempre fora do lugar e disponível até mesmo para aqueles que não experimentaram diretamente a migração e o desterro. Em outras palavras, este artigo procura comentar a releitura que o pensador palestino realiza, em Humanismo e crítica democrática, de Mimesis, de Erich Auerbach, propondo que o ponto de diálogo entre esses autores esteja na potência que migração e exílio desempenharam em suas trajetórias críticas.
SPOLIA EPIGRAPHICA
Authors: Gómez-Pantoja Joaquín L.
Published: June 2017

Este artículo describe y cataloga tres inscripciones antiguas procedentes de Cabeza del Buey (Badajoz), Tarragona y Córdoba que fueron difundidas en redes sociales sin lectura ni comentarios.
Vorstadt, Sport und jüdische Identitäten
Authors: Colpan Sema , Marschik Matthias
Published: June 2017

Research on Jewish life in Vienna prior to the Holocaust understandably focuses on places, where it predominantly took place: the Leopoldstadt and the city centre. This view fails to consider the suburb, an area that reflects spatial aspects of Jewish life and does not evoke the connotations typically associated with being Jewish but is instructive as it regards questions of »Jewish difference«. Based on the biographies of two Jewish sports officials, the article shows that (Jewish) difference was defined primarily by parameters of space which manifest as »Bodenständigkeit« (being native): In actual fact, at least in the field of popular culture, ascriptions to a non-Jewish suburb were more powerful than the Jewishness of the officials: In self-perceptions as well as in external ascriptions the meanings of Jewishness were informed by suburban affiliations.
Bouché’s star of Bethlehem, Ornithogalum boucheanum (Kunth) Asch. (Hyacinthaceae), a new species in flora of Croatia
Authors: Purger Dragica , Kovačić Sanja , Csiky János
Published: June 2017

Populations of Bouché’s star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum boucheanum(Kunth) Asch., fam. Hyacinthaceae) were recorded on Bansko Hill (Baranja, Croatia) in 2007. Since this species has not been previously confirmed in Croatia, it should be treated as a new taxon in the country and included in the Flora Croatica Database. In this paper we present a short morphological description ofO. boucheanumand diagnostic morphological characters for differentiation from the relatedO. nutansL. We suggestedO. boucheanumbe evaluated as a critically endangered (CR) species of the Croatian flora, considering the small number of individuals and the small extension of its population. The recording of its populations on the edge of the loess cliff in Bansko Hill a part of which belongs to the Important Plant Area and Natura 2000, confirms the significance of this unique habitat in preserving rare and endangered plants.
From Text Comprehension to Creative Writing from the Aspect of Cognitive Linguistics
Authors: Kováčová Zuzana
Published: June 2017

Text comprehension is understood as a social and cultural phenomenon in which it is possible to identify the developmental phases, that is ontogenesis, from the aspect of communicating entity. The age-receptive value, as well as the age-receptive variability of text, is reflected in the texts for children. Works of folk or authorial provenance anticipate the mental dispositions of a child subject. Developing the understanding by children is resulting from formal and content criteria. Understanding – like speech – grows. The supreme level of text comprehension is the improvisation of larger narrative formations: Compared with the primary contact with the text in the form of rhymes, the form is released and the epic breadth of expression increases. The child as authorial subject produces a text that is characterized by such variability of expression values which is contained in the child´s current mental model reached through conventions and receptive experience. The study will demonstrate the expressive value of text using examples of creative writing of children. Methodologically, it relies on the semantic communication model of text and the expressive value of text.
Growing up Dalit in Bengal: Conversation with Manohar Mouli Biswas
Authors: Bhaumik Mahuya , Sarangi Jaydeep
Published: June 2017

This is an interview of Manohar Mouli Biswas, Bangla Dalit activist and writer, where he expresses his views about the identity of Dalit people and the historiography of caste in India. He further speaks about the uniqueness of Bangla Dalit literature, its similarities with Dalit writings in other Indian regional languages and the position of Dalit women writers. He is candid enough to speak about certain autobiographical elements that provided him with the impetus to be a Dalit writer. He further speaks about Dalit drama and its performances which is a marker of its acceptance amongst the viewers. He emphasises on the role of translation of Dalit literature to generate awareness among the larger reading public towards Dalit literature.
Domain Decomposition Methods for Recovering Robin Coefficients in Elliptic and Parabolic Systems
Authors: Jiang Daijun , Feng Hui
Published: June 2017

We shall derive and propose several efficient domain decomposition methods for solving the nonlinear
inverse problem of identifying the Robin coefficients in elliptic and parabolic systems.
The highly ill-posed inverse problems are transformed into output
least-squares nonlinear and non-convex minimizations with classical Tikhonov regularization.
The Levenberg–Marquardt method is
applied to transform the non-convex minimizations into convex minimizations,
which will be solved by several efficient domain decomposition methods.
The methods are completely local and the local minimizers
have explicit expressions within the subdomains.
Several numerical experiments are presented to show the accuracy
and efficiency of the methods; in particular, the convergence seems nearly optimal in the sense
that the iteration number of the methods is nearly independent of
mesh sizes.
Incorporation of Ag Nanoparticles Into Micelles. Stability Studies of Self-Organized Nanoparticlesmicelles Structures
Authors: Siejak Przemysław , Polewski Krzysztof
Published: June 2017

In this paper we present the results of measured physical parameters of self-organized structures consisting of hydrophobic functionalized silver nanoparticles and amphiphilic molecules capable of micelles formation. Those systems may be considered as simple models for transfer of nanoparticles through the biological membrane. Three different surfactants were used: negatively charged sodium dodecyl sulphite, SDS, neutral Triton X-100 and positively charged tetredodecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide, TTABr. We have found that hydrophobic functionalized Ag nanoparticles are encapsulated in neutral Triton X-100 micelles with a diameter of 10 nm without significant change in the size of the micelles. The efficiency of encapsulation of Ag by SDS micelles is lower compared to Triron X-100 and no incorporation of Ag nanoparticles into TTABr occurs. Obtained results indicate that in aqueous environment ionic properties of molecules creating micelles and concentration ratios between components determine the efficiency and kinetics of two competitive processes association or aggregation of nanoparticles and encapsulation of Ag nanoparticles within micelles.
Effect of Time and Concentration on Mortality of the Cigarette Beetle, Lasioderma serricorne (F.), Fumigated With Phosphine
Authors: Fukazawa Naoto , Takahashi Ryota
Published: June 2017

The efficacy of a fumigant is determined by the gas concentration and exposure time. Typically, the gas concentration and exposure time are equally important in fumigation efficacy and their relationship is expressed as Ct = k, where C is the concentration, t is the time and k is a constant (Haber’s rule). However, deviation from Haber’s rule, i.e., the relative importance of time over concentration, has been reported for several stored-product pests, and a modified form (Cn t = k) is used to express the relationship between C and t. This study aimed to determine if this modified form could be applied to phosphine fumigation of the cigarette beetle, Lasioderma serricorne (F.). Adult beetles from six cultures with different phosphine-resistance levels were exposed to phosphine (1–2000 ppm) at 25 °C for either 24, 72, 120, or 168 h, and the phosphine concentration necessary to achieve 50% lethality (LC50) was calculated. The phosphine concentration (C) and the exposure time (t) relationship at the LC50 for all six cultures were determined by regression analyses. The equation Cn t = k was a good fit for all the cultures tested, irrespective of phosphine resistance. The results showed the exponent n was less than 1 (0.51 ≤ n ≤ 0.71, coefficient of determination 0.90–0.99), suggesting that time is more important than concentration in toxicity expression of phosphine against L. serricorne. Therefore, extending the exposure time rather than increasing the concentration should be emphasized to manage the future threat of resistance problems with phosphine.
2016 Excavations at Poggio Civitate and Vescovado di Murlo
Authors: Tuck Anthony , Kansa Sarah , Kreindler Kate , O’Donoghue Eoin
Published: June 2017

This report details excavations carried at at the site of Poggio Civitate and Vescovado di Murlo during the 2016 excavation campaign. Work both clarified aspects of the form and date of a monumental palazzo originally revealed during the previous season’s excavation and also clarified the architectural details of a small, later, potentially domestic structure located within the earlier building’s confines. Excavation at the associated site of Vescovado di Murlo revealed the presence of a significant defensive work and associated moat, apparently destroyed in the early years of the 4th century BCE.
Ecology and biology of birds in the Białowieża Forest: a 40-year perspective
Authors: Czeszczewik Dorota , Walankiewicz Wiesław
Published: June 2017

The aim of this study was to review the most important results from the last 40 years of intense ornithological research conducted in the Białowieża Forest. Furthermore, we discuss the threats that may destroy the unique ecology and characteristics of this forest.

Studying the avifauna of the Białowieża Forest provides us with a good general knowledge about natural ecological conditions and relationships, which prevailed in temperate European forests in the past. The avifauna of the Białowieża Forest is characterized by features associated with primeval habitats such as the stability of communities over time, high species richness, relatively low densities, high proportion of hole-nesting birds, very high predation pressure and weak, insignificant competition interactions. This emphasizes the importance of predation, excess of nesting sites for cavity nesting birds, high abundance of food, especially for insectivorous species and fluctuation of bird population size due to rodent outbreaks (pulsed resources). The most severe threats for the avifauna of the Białowieża Forest are: rejuvenation of tree stands, removal of dead wood, fragmentation of old-growth stands, change of tree stand composition (reducing the proportion of some tree species).

In order to expand our ecological knowledge about birds, we should keep the Białowieża Forest fully protected for years to come. The main priority should be the maintenance of natural processes changing the forest’s species composition.
Managing bark beetle outbreaks (Ips typographus, Dendroctonus spp.) in conservation areas in the 21st century
Authors: Kulakowski Dominik
Published: June 2017

Forests in Europe and North America are being affected by large and severe outbreaks of bark beetles, which have caused widespread concern about forest health and have led to proposals for tree removal in affected or susceptible forests. Any such intervention, as well as broader decisions of whether any active interventions are appropriate, should be based on the best scientific data. This is true for all forests, including those whose purposes include timber production, watershed protection, biogeochemical function and recreation, and especially protected and conservation areas as the latter often provide particularly unique and important cultural, social, scientific and other ecosystem services. Here, I summarize peer-reviewed literature on the effects of bark beetle outbreaks and on silvicultural treatments aimed at mitigating beetle-induced tree mortality. From an objective scientific perspective, beetle outbreaks do not destroy forests. Instead, in many cases they play an important role in promoting wildlife, biodiversity and other ecological services. The best available data indicate that logging in conservation areas is unlikely to stop ongoing bark beetle outbreaks and instead may be more ecologically detrimental to the forests than the outbreaks themselves. If the purpose of a forest is timber production, then logging is desirable and can be planned based on appropriate analyses of timber yield and economic profit. However, in areas in which conservation is the determined goal, it is recommended that cutting trees be limited to removing hazards, such as trees that might fall in areas of high human activity in order to limit property damage and personal injury. Based on extensive research in Europe and North America, logging beetle-affected forests is inconsistent with most conservation goals.
Determination of uronic acids and neutral carbohydrates in pulp and biomass by hydrolysis, reductive amination and HPAEC-UV
Authors: Lorenz Dominic , Janzon Ron , Saake Bodo
Published: June 2017

The exact quantification of all carbohydrate constituents in wood and pulp is a challenge because of the various glycosidic linkages of the polysaccharides with different stabilities. The individual detector responses for the compounds in the hydrolysates additionally complicate the quantification as pure standards for 4-O-methyl-α-D-glucuronic acid (meGlcA) and related oligosaccharides are not commercially available for calibration. In the present paper, a new analytical procedure is presented, based on the reductive amination of the carbohydrates obtained via acidic and enzymatic hydrolysis of the polysaccharides before quantification by means of high performance anion exchange chromatography (HPAEC) and UV-detection. This approach was suitable for the analysis of neutral carbohydrates and uronic acids obtained via enzymatic hydrolysis from bleached pulps. In the case of unbleached pulps, the enzymatic hydrolysis was not complete and unhydrolyzed nano-scaled and micro-scaled particles remained in the hydrolysates as detected by dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements. The new HPAEC-UV methodology was also applied to kraft pulps and a sulfite pulp; six different kinds of wood as well as wheat straw and bagasse. All relevant monosaccharides and the dimer of meGlcA and xylose could be detected in the hydrolysates. Accordingly, significantly higher yields of meGlcA were found compared to literature data.
Cloud-Based Application for Smart Grid Simulation
Authors: Tar Szabolcs , Fodor Attila
Published: June 2017

This study provides an overview of the content of an R&D project for increasing the efficiency of smart grids to analyse the energy market, consumption, generation, and renewable energy usage. The new energy participants, for example decentralized generation, dynamic consumption, and weather-dependent power plants, are facing challenges. This project offers solutions to these challenges: modelling of distribution networks, forecasts of renewable energy sources distributed generation (RES-DG), micro-grid management and responses to demand in new, complex solutions. A hardware device is being developed for smart grids and security modules to enhance IT security.
Effect of Surface Fe-Sn Intermetallics on Oxide Films Formation of Stainless Steel in High Temperature Water
Authors: Zhao Yan , Guan Jianjun , Liu Feng , Cheng Congqian , Zhao Jie
Published: June 2017

The oxidation of stainless steel with Fe-Sn intermetallics adhesion in 300 °C water was studied by analyzing the morphologies and phase structures of surface oxide films. The oxidation behavior of stainless steel was discussed in order to illustrate the effect of Fe-Sn intermetallics on the oxidation characteristic. Larger size of faceted spinel and small size of SnO2 particles are observed on the samples with Fe-Sn intermetallics adhesion, whereas smaller faceted hematite and spinel grow on the samples without Fe-Sn intermetallics adherence. The surface intermetallics aggravates the spalling of oxide particles and decreases the corrosion resistance of stainless steel. Such deterioration is attributed to the loose microstructure characteristic and the poor corrosion resistance of SnO2 particles formed in high temperature water.
Performing rebelliousness: Dutch political humor in the 1780s
Authors: Nieuwenhuis Ivo
Published: June 2017

This article takes the notion of rebelliousness as the starting point for an analysis of eighteenth-century Dutch political humor. In several recent publications from humor scholars, the rebellious image of political humor in today’s world is questioned. This skepticism towards the idea of humor as a form of rebellion is connected to four sources of political humor that were published as part of the conflict between the reformist Patriots and the conservative Orangists, that took place in the Dutch Republic during the 1780s. It is shown that, comparable to the situation in contemporary political humor, the rebellious outlook of these sources is to a large extent a matter of rhetoric and convention. Their crossing of social and cultural boundaries and their attacks on the powers that be are part of a long cultural tradition, of which the actual social impact is doubtful. Also, the humor used in these sources contains obvious disciplinary tendencies, that emasculate their rebellious potential in yet another way. The new insights regarding political humor of the past that are thus produced prove the scholarly relevance of connecting theoretical perspectives based on the study of contemporary humor to historical cases of humor.
Original Article. The Clinical Effects Study of Hepatic Failure by Intraperitoneal Injection of Antibiotics, Intravenous Injection of Terlipressin, and Combined Therapy of Coloclysis and Plasma Exchange
Authors: Li Hui , Wang Ya-ling , Tian De-ying
Published: June 2017

Objective To observe the therapeutic effects of intraperitoneal injection of antibiotics, intravenous injection of terlipressin, and combined treatment of coloclysis and plasma exchange on hepatic failure(HF), the subjects included 494 inpatient cases of hepatic failure who were treated in Department of Infectious Diseases, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China from 1997 to 2008.

Methods The patients that met the inclusion criteria were divided into intraperitoneal antibiotic injection group, intravenous terlipressin injection group, coloclysis group, plasma exchange group, combination group of coloclysis and plasma exchange in terms of treatment given and a control group was set up for each of the treatment group. In the intraperitoneal injection group, the prognosis and changes in clinical manifestations were observed in HF patients complicated with spontaneous peritonitis (SBP). In terlipressin injection group,HF patients complicated with hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) were observed for prognosis and changes in serum creatinine. In the combination group, the improvement in serum total bilirubin and prothrombin activity were observed.

Results Two weeks after intraperitoneal injection of antibiotics, the ease ratios of abdominal pain, pressure pain and rebound tenderness were 87.64%, 82.02% and 82.02% in the intraperitoneal injection group, respectively and the volume of ascites obviously decreased in 69 patients (77.53%). The survival rate in intraperitoneal injection group was significantly higher than in control group (P ＝ 0.004). Four to eight days after the intravenous injection of terlipressin, the survival rate and the rate of serum creatinine decline of the treatment group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P ＝ 0.003, P ＝ 0.000). After 4 weeks of treatment, the ratio of clinical symptoms improvement (acratia, anorexia, abdominal distension, constipation) in coloclysis group were 60.27%, 57.53%, 91.78% and 94.52%, in plasma exchange group were 71.83%, 69.44%, 75% and 72.22%, and in combination group were 82.14%, 79.46%, 92.85% and 95.54%. The serum total bilirubin was decreased and the prothrombin activity increased and the differences were statistically significant as compared with control group (P ＝ 0.000).

Conclusions The intraperitoneal injection of antibiotics, intravenous injection of terlipressin and combined treatment of coloclysis and plasma exchange were all effective for the treatment of HF and its complications.
Factors Associated with Death Due to 2009 Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infection and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Beijing, 2009 - 2011
Authors: Zhang Jin-qian , Zhang Li-cheng , Ren Na , Zhang Ming , Guo Li-min , Li Xing-wang , Cheng Jun
Published: June 2017

Objective Patients with H1N1 virus infection were hospitalized and quarantined, and some of them developed into acute respiratory failure, and were transfered to the medical intensive care unit of Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University in Beijing, China.

Methods The clinical features and preliminary epidemiologic findings among 30 patients with confirmed H1N1 virus infection who developed into acute respiratory failure for ventilatory support were investigated.

Results A total of 30 patients (37.43 ± 18.80 years old) with 2009 influenza A (H1N1) related acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) received treatment with mechanical ventilation, 15 cases of whom were male and 17 cases died of ARDS. Fatal cases were significantly associated with an APACHE Ⅱ score (P = 0.016), but not with PaO2/FIO2 (P = 0.912) and chest radiograph (P = 0.333). The most common complication was acute renal failure (n = 9). Five patients received extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), 3 of whom died and the others survived. The major causes of death were multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) (39%), intractable respiratory failure (27%) and sepsis (20%).

Conclusions Most patients with respiratory failure due to influenza A (H1N1) virus infection were young, with a high mortality, particularly associated with APACHE ∥ score, secondary infection of lung or type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Inhibition of Hepatitis B Virus Replication and Expression in Vitro and in Vivo by the Hammerhead Ribozymes Targeted Different Sites
Authors: Dai Wei , Zhou Rong , Yu Hong , Li Xiao-juan
Published: June 2017

Objective To develop an effective and specific medicine targeting hepatitis B virus (HBV) pregenome. Based on the identified accessible target sites for hammerhead ribozyme in our previous researches, a recombinant hepatitis delta virus (HDV) ribozyme was chosen and used to demonstrate the effective cleavage in vitro and in vivo.

Methods Three hammerhead ribozymes for potential target sites (S, X and C genes) and co-expression plasmid (pTr-dB, pTdδ-dB, pTrX-dB and pTrC-dB) as well as four HDV-ribozyme chimera constructs with HBV (pTdXX, pTdXC, pTdSX and pTdSC) were severally chosen to validate the inhibition of the replication and expression of HBV. The co-expression plasmids (pTdδ and pTr-Db) in physiological saline were hydrodynamically injected to mice by tail vein.

Results Compared with the group injected with pTr-dB in Huh-7 cell, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was reduced by 31% in the group injected with pTdδ-dB, by 54%, 26%, 72% and 97% in the group injected with recombinant-ribozymes pTdSX, pTdSC, pTdXC and pTdXX, respectively. The inhibiting effects of endogenous ribozymes RzX and RzC on the HBsAg expression were 66% and 57%, respectively. Compared with the positive control, the amount of HBsAg was decreased in mice injected with pTdXX through tail vein by 88% and 96% on the second day and the third day, respectively. HBsAg was undetectable on the 6th day and could not primitively be detected on the 9th day in the sera from all mice. HBV DNA was not detected in the sera of BALB/c mice injected with pTdXX-dB, pTrX-dB or replicating-defective plasmid pHBV, while HBV DNA replication in control group could be detected on the 6th day. While HBcAg could not be detected in liver tissues of mice injected with plasmid pTdXX-dB on the 3rd day.

Conclusions Encoding regions of HBV S, C and X gene were the effective cleavage sites for hammerhead ribozyme in vitro and in vivo, which provides basis for further construction of therapeutic recombinant HDV and the development of targeting antiviral gene therapy.
Infection Route Analysis of Ventilator Associated Pneumonia
Authors: Guo Wei , Zhang Jie , Li Jing-yun , Ma Yue , Cui Sheng-hui
Published: June 2017

Objective A prospective study was conducted in a tertiary care center to identify the risk factors of ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) through phenotypic and molecular biological methods.

Methods The patients who were mechanically ventilated in the respiratory intensive care unit (RICU) and the neurological internal intensive care unit (NICU) were enrolled in our study, and samples were collected from the lower respiratory tract, oropharynx and stomach. Other samples, including the environmental air, swabs of nurses’ hands, subglottic secretion and ventilator circuit, were also collected. Microorganisms in the collected samples were recovered and identified at species level by biochemical detection. Genetic relationship of dominant species was further characterized by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE).

Results Out of 48 enrolled patients, 22 cases developed VAP and bacterial cultures were recovered from the lower respiratory tract samples of 14 cases. The average hospitalization time with VAP was significantly longer than that of patients without VAP (P < 0.05). Among the recovered bacteria cultures, multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia were dominant. It was more likely that subglottic secretion and gastric juice samples contained the same isolates as recovered in the lower respiratory tract by PFGE analysis.

Conclusions Mechanical ventilation in RICU and NICU was a high risk factor for VAP development. Special emphasis of VAP prophylaxis should be paid on subglottic secretion and gastric juice reflux.
Characterization of Imipenem Unsusceptible Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Isolates from Inpatients without Carbapenem Treatment
Authors: Gu Yi-hai , Zhu Xiao , Li Jing-yun , Zhang Jun , Zhou Qing-yuan , Ma Yue , Hu Chang-qin , Jin Shao-hong , Cui Sheng-hui
Published: June 2017

Objective To identify the risk factors for imipenem resistance development and transmission of clinical Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates.

Methods Thirty-seven imipenem unsusceptible Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates collected from patients in absence of carbapenem treatment were characterized by antimicrobial susceptibility test, pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and carbapenem resistant mechanism analysis.

Results Before the collection of imipenem unsusceptible Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates, the average time of patients treated with more than one antimicrobial (20.0 ± 9.5 days, n = 16) was significantly longer than those treated with only one antimicrobial (12.6 ± 4.4 days, n = 21; t-test, Welch, t = -2.9004, P < 0.01). And 32 isolates showed resistance to more than 3 classes of antimicrobials. Six PFGE clusters were identified and 26 isolates were grouped into one dominant cluster (C2). An ISpa1328 sequence insertion in oprD was detected in 33 isolates and the function of efflux was observed in all 37 isolates in the presence of a wide spectrum efflux inhibitor.

Conclusions Our data demonstrated that exposure to non-carbapenem drug classes, especially fluoroquinolones and β-lactams, may be important risk factors for the spread of carbapenem resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Clinical Characteristics and Treatment for Patients with Occult Chronic Hepatitis B
Authors: Gao Qing-wei , Yuan De-sheng
Published: June 2017

Objective To observe the clinical manifestations and assess direct antiviral effect for patients with occult hepatitis B in China.

Methods The study includes 15 patients with occult hepatitis B and their medical history, family history, first-diagnosis time, confirmed-diagnosis time, laboratory report, anti-viral therapy and outcomes were analyzed.

Results The average age of the patients is 38.67-year old (6 males and 9 females), 2 with acute hepatitis B (2/15, 13.3%), 13 with no hepatitis history (13/15, 86.6%), 8 with family history (8/15, 53.3%), 6 with no family history (6/15, 40%), 1 with unknown family history (1/15, 6.6%). Eight patients were treated with entecavir (0.5 mg/day, taken orally), with effective results and steady conditions; 3 patients were treated with lamivudine (0.1 g/day, taken orally), 2 of them were prescribed to take adefovir dipivoxil additionally due to drug-resistance, the other one was treated with lamivudine continuously without drug-resistance; 4 cases refused anti-viral therapy. One patient’s condition remained steady, 1 patient died of cirrhosis with portal hypertension and liver failure 5 years after firstdiagnosis, 1 patient progressed to hepatocellular carcinoma and accepted surgery operation treatment 5 years after first-diagnosis, the other 1 patient progressed to compensatory cirrhosis 2 years after first-diagnosis and is steady from then, which indicates that occult chronic hepatitis B can progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma without therapy in time.

Conclusions The clinical characteristics of 15 cases with occult chronic hepatitis B showed that these patients with short latency, younger age when being-struck, and light damage to liver function. The efficacy and drugresistance of nucleos(t)ide-analogue (entecavir, lamivudine, adefovir dipivoxil) in treatment of patients with occult chronic hepatitis B are similar to chronic hepatitis B.
Inflammatory Cytokine Secretion Status of Bone Marrow Cells and Clinical Significance in Immunerelated Hematocytopenia
Authors: Sun Li-fei , Wu Qiang-qiang , Sun Zhi-hong , Han Bing , Hao Hong-feng , Wang Gui-chen , Li Ming , Zhang Jin-biao
Published: June 2017

Objective To observe the expression of inflammatory molecules in bone marrow immune cells of patients with immune-related hematocytopenia (IRH), and to investigate the immune mechanism and clinical significance of the disease.

Methods Total of 36 IRH patients were selected as observation group and 30 healthy people were taken as control group. Serum cytokines levels, activity of immunocytes and expression of HLA-DR were detected. Immune fluorescence was applied to observe the expression state of immunologic molecules and cytokines in IRH patients.

Results Serum cytokines were elevated in various degrees in observation group. Compared with the control group, the cytokines levels were significantly higher (P < 0.05). After treatement with immunosuppressive drugs, the serum levels of cytokines in observation group reduced to a level close to the control group. HLADR were upregulated in activated tissue basophils, eosinophils, dendritic cells (DC) and macrophages of bone marrow in IRH patients, and POX activity in these immunocytes of IRH was higher than that of the control group. Immune molecules were highly expressed in eosinophils, DC and macrophages.

Conclusions It is demonstrated that antibodies or self-reactive lymphocytes were produced in IRH marrow, which would cause lesions of hemocytes, and lead to pathological process finally. Structure of hematopoietic cells mutated and these cells might be acted as target cells of immunocytes in the pathological process. Immunocytes could secrete inflammatory factors and lead to immunologic injury of hemocyte.
Correlation between the Insertion/Deletion Mutations of Prion Protein Gene and BSE Susceptibility and Milk Performance in Dairy Cows
Authors: Hu Shen-rong , Huai Yong-tao , Pan Chuan-ying , Lei Chu-zhao , Chen Hong , Lan Xian-yong
Published: June 2017

Objective To investigate the 23 bp and 12 bp insertion/deletion (indel) mutations within the bovine prion protein (PRNP) gene in Chinese dairy cows, and to detect the associations of two indel mutations with BSE susceptibility and milk performance.

Methods Based on bovine PRNP gene sequence, two pairs of primers for testing the 23 bp and 12 bp indel mutations were designed. The PCR amplification and agarose electrophoresis were carried out to distinguish the different genotypes within the mutations. Moreover, based on previous data from other cattle breeds and present genotypic and allelic frequencies of two indels mutations in this study, the corrections between the two indel mutations and BSE susceptibility were tested, as well as the relationships between the mutations and milk performance traits were analyzed in this study based on the statistical analyses.

Results In the analyzed Chinese Holstein population, the frequencies of two “del” alleles in 23 bp and 12 bp indel muations were more frequent. The frequency of haplotype of 23del-12del was higher than those of 23del- 12ins and 23ins-12del. From the estimated r2 and D’ values, two indel polymorphisms were linked strongly in the Holstein population (D’ = 57.5%, r2 = 0.257). Compared with the BSE-affected cattle populations from the reported data, the significant differences of genotypic and allelic frequencies were found among present Holstein and some BSE-affected populations (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Similarly, there were significant frequency distribution differences of genotypes and alleles among Chinese Holstein and several previous reported healthy dairy cattle (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Moreover, association of genotype and combined genotypes of two indel polymorphisms with milk performance and resistant mastitis traits were analyzed in Holstein population, but no significant differences were found (P > 0.05).

Conclusions These observations revealed that the influence of two indel mutations within the bovine PRNP gene on BSE depended on the breed and they did not affect the milk production traits, which layed the foundation for future selection of resistant animals, and for improving health conditions for dairy breeding against BSE in China.
Identification of HIV-1 Genotypic Resistance in Patients on First-line Antiretroviral Therapy Using Polymerase Chain Reaction and Sequencing
Authors: Xiao Jiang , Li Yan-mei , Huang Ying-xiu , Zhang Wen , Su Wen-jing , Zhang Wei , Han Ning , Yang Di , Li Xin , Gao Gui-ju , Zhao Hong-xin
Published: June 2017

Objective The aim of the study was to evaluate the characteristics of HIV drug-genotypic resistance among patients taking first-line ARV regimens using polymerase chain reaction and sequencing, and guide to design optimal ARV regimens for these patients.

Methods HIV reverse transcriptase-encoded gene was amplified with RT-PCR and amplified PCR products were aligned and comparatively analyzed with HIV resistance database to find drug-resistance mutations.

Results Twenty-eight PCR products were amplified and sequenced successfully in 30 serum samples of recruited HIV-infected patients with virologic failure. The resistance rate was 96%, mutations in NRT region were found in 26 patients (93%), while mutations in NNRT region were found in 27 patients (96%). M184V was the most common mutation (86%), K65R was selected in 14% of recruited individuals and TAMs occurred in 50% of patients, which resulted in resistance to NRTIs. Y181C and V179D were the most common mutations in NNRTIs and prevalence was 43% (12/28) and 36% (10/28), respectively, which resulted in cross-resistance to NNRTIs due to low-genetic barrier.

Conclusions Virologic failure may occur in long-term administration of first-line ARV regimens, and drugresistance mutations can be found in these patients, which resulted in resistance to first-line ARV regimens. We emphasized that HIV viral load assay and resistance assay were important tools to guide healthcare workers to design an optimal second-line ARV regimens for HAART-experienced individuals with virologic failure.
Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms rs2227284, rs2243283 and rs2243288 in the IL-4 Gene Show no Association with Susceptibility to Chronic Hepatitis B in a Chinese Han Population
Authors: Zhou Qin , Gao Yu-feng , Zhao Xiao-miao , Pan Fa-ming , Li Xu
Published: June 2017

Objective To investigate the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the interleukin-4 (IL-4) gene and outcome of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in a Chinese Han population.

Methods Total of 501 patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and 301 controls with selflimiting HBV infection were studied. Three tag SNPs in the IL-4 gene (rs2227284G/T, rs2243283C/G and rs2243288A/G) were genotyped by the Multiplex snapshot technique. The genotype and allele frequencies were calculated and analyzed.

Results The three SNPs showed no significant genotype/allele associations with chronic HBV infection. Overall allele P values were: rs2227284, P = 0.655, odds ratio (OR) [95% confidence interval (CI)] = 1.070 (0.793-1.445); rs2243283, P = 0.849, OR (95% CI) = 0.976 (0.758-1.257); rs2243288, P = 0.659, OR (95% CI) = 1.060 (0.818-1.375). Overall genotype P values were: rs2227284, P = 0.771; rs2243283, P = 0.571; rs2243288, P = 0.902. There were no statistically significant differences between patients with chronic HBV infection and controls. Haplotypes generated by these three SNPs also had no significant differences between the two groups.

Conclusions The three tag SNPs of IL-4 were not associated with the outcome of HBV infection in the Han Chinese population.
The Comparative Study on Two Models of Syndrome Differentiation of the Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease: An Investigation Analysis of the Signs and Symptoms on 2 325 Cases
Authors: Nie Fan , Hong Ke , Li Hui-juan , Li Xiu-hui , Li Shuang-jie , Zhang Wei , Zhu Qing-jing , Zhang Lukun , Nie Guang
Published: June 2017

Objective To realize the characteristics of “zheng” differentiation-treatment for hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), a new methodology of syndrome differentiation for different stages of HFMD has been explored.

Methods Total of 2 325 cases with HFMD were recorded by distributing them into exterior syndrome stage, interior syndrome stage, severe syndrome stage and recovered syndrome stage, respectively, and the main symptoms and subsidiary symptoms of different stages of HFMD have been observed. The major and minor pathogenesis of HFMD in different stages were obtained, and compared with the “2010 Guideline for the Diagnosis and Treatment of HFMD”.

Results It was found that the major pathogenesis of exterior stage was defined as “the invation of the wenevil to the defender of the body with the collaterals got involved”, and the minor as “qi deficiency”; in interior stage, “the fury of Gan-Yang” was the main pathogenesis, and “qi in chaos and qi deficiency” was the minor; in severe syndrome stage, “the damage of heart, liver and lung” was the main pathogenesis, and “qi in chaos” was the minor; and the pathogenesis of recovered stage was “qi-yin deficiency”. Compared with the “2010 Guideline for the Diagnosis and Treatment of HFMD”, it showed that “the obstruction of the fei-pi qi by the mixture of shi-re evil” and “the mixture of shi-re” in vivo was quite difficult to be explained in completely different context in the general situation; in the severe stage, the TCM clinical characteristics of syndrome differentiation might lose; in the early acute severe cases, the phenomenon that xin-yang and fei-qi almost ran out was difficult to be observed, then, the line between the severe and the acute severe became vague.

Conclusions The theory of syndrome differentiation by stages of HFMD was reasonable in the actual situation of clinical description on HFMD which was expected to be further tested and widely applied in the “zheng” differentiation-treatment of HFMD in the future.
Early Evolution of Hepatitis B Virus Quasispecies During IFN-α Treatment
Authors: Ren Yu-lian , Xie Yao
Published: June 2017

Objective To investigate the dynamic change of hepatitis B virus quasispecies within complete genome during the early stage of IFN-α treatment and its impact on virological response.

Methods Sixteen patients with chronic hepatitis B receiving IFN-α treatment were investigated. HBV DNA was extracted from serum sample at baseline and week 12. The complete genome of HBV was amplified, then cloned and sequenced. The quasispecies heterogeneity of HBV complete genome was depicted at baseline and week 12.

Results The quasispecies heterogeneity of the genome except for C-ORF were comparable in three groups at baseline and week 12. The quasispecies diversity at amino acid levels of responders within C-ORF were higher than that of non-responders at baseline. The quasispecies diversity within the C-ORF of partial responders was reduced in the early stage of IFN-α treatment. Furthermore, the mean genetic distance at amino acid levels of partial responders was significantly higher than that of the non-responders at week 12. The evolutionary rate was not different between non-responders and partial responders.

Conclusions In the immune clearance phase, the patients who had greater viral quasispecies diversity within C-ORF at amino acid level had more chance to obtain the early virological response during IFN-α treatment.
Research Progress on HIV/AIDS with Concomitant Hepatitis B Virus and/or Hepatitis C Virus Infection
Authors: Guo Fuying , Yang Lingzhou
Published: June 2017

Hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) involve similar transmission routes, namely, blood, sexual contact, and mother-baby contact. Therefore, HIV infection is usually accompanied by HBV and HCV infections. This observation poses a great challenge to the prevention and treatment of HIV/human acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) accompanied by HBV and HCV infection. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has been extensively applied. Hence, liverrelated diseases have become the main causes of complication and death in HIV-infected individuals. This paper summarizes the current epidemiology, mutual influence, and treatment of HIV/AIDS accompanied by HBV or HCV infection.
The Predictive Value of On-treatment Virological Response for Sustained Virological Response in Chronic Hepatitis C Patients Receiving a Personalized Treatment Program
Authors: Li Ming-hui , Xie Yao , Lu Yao , Qiu Guo-hua , Zhang Lu , Shen Ge , Zhuang Li-wei , Hu Ju-long , Dong Jian-ping , Mu Cai-qin , Hu Lei-ping , Chen Li-jun , Li Xing-hong , Yang Min , Wu Yun-zhong , Zhao Hui , Song Shu-jing , Cheng Jun , Xu Dao-zhen
Published: June 2017

Objective To investigate the effects of individualised treatment with peginterferon alpha-2a (40 kD) plus ribavirin in Chinese patients with CHC.

Methods Total of 297 consecutive Chinese patients were enrolled, including 250 naïve cases and 47 cases who were previously treated. Treatment duration was determined according to viral genotypes, prior treatment history and viral responses at week 4, 12 and 24.

Results Totally, 235 patients (79.1%) completed treatment and 186 (87.3%) achieved SVR. And 219 out of 289 (75.8%) patients achieved HCV RNA negative at week 4 (RVR) and 259 of 276 (93.8%) at week 12. Among the 164 patients with RVR who completed follow-up, 158 (96.3%) achieved SVR. Patients with RVR had lower baseline viral loads than patients without RVR (P = 0.034). The positive predictive value (PPV) of RVR for SVR was 90.7% (OR 2.10 vs. non-RVR, 95% CI: 0.50 - 8.7). Similar outcomes were observed among patients with HCV undetectable at week 12.

Conclusions Complete viral suppression by week 4 is associated with a high rate of treatment success in treatment naïve and experienced patients receiving individualized CHC therapy.