Humans ; Amyloidosis ; Amyloid ; Cardiomyopathies

Objective:To accurately ascertain the whole genome sequencing and the composition of open reading frames (ORFs) of non-replicating Tiantan strain of vaccinia virus (NTV) using next-generation long-read sequencing technology.Methods:NTV, obtained from our laboratory stock, was amplified and purified on chicken embryo fibroblast cells(CEFs), and the full-length genomic nucleic acid of NTV was extracted. The PacBio HiFi sequencing platform was utilized for de novo assembly to obtain the complete genomic sequence of NTV. Using a homology annotation strategy, we identified its ORF composition and compared it with known non-replicating vaccinia virus strains. Results:The total length of NTV′s genome was 171 729 bp, with a GC content of 33%. Its unique inverted terminal repeat (ITR) region comprised hairpin structures, two tandem repeat regions, and three non-repeat regions. NTV contained 166 ORFs, with major differences observed in the ITR and its surrounding regions when compared to MVA-BN and NYVAC. These three strains shared a common set of 138 ORFs. NTV encoded six unique ORFs related to virus evasion of host antiviral response.Conclusions:This study accurately determines the whole genome sequencing and ORFs composition of NTV, and reveals its similarities and differences with other replication-deficient vaccinia virus strains, which pave a way for the development and application of the next generation of monkeypox vaccines and novel viral vectors.

Objective:To develop a recombinase-aided amplification (RAA)-clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats(CRISPR)/Cas12a-based nucleic acid assay for monkeypox virus with high specificity and sensitivity.Methods:RAA primers and CRISPR RNA (crRNA) were designed based on the known conserved regions of the monkeypox virus gene and synthesized, and specific crRNAs were screened using fluorescence detection. The sensitivity and specificity of the detection system were evaluated.Results:An RAA-CRISPR/Cas12a-based nucleic acid assay for monkeypox virus was developed with a sensitivity of 2.5 copies/reaction and high specificity without cross-reactivity with ectromelia virus and vaccinia virus.Conclusions:An RAA-CRISPR/Cas12a-based nucleic acid assay for monkeypox virus was established, which would provide a powerful tool for efficient, rapid and specific detection of monkeypox virus.

Objective:To describe a distal anastomosis support (DAS) technique, and retrospectively investigate the effect of DAS on the mid-term graft patency of patient with small posterior descending artery.Methods:Between January and December 2016, 100 patients with triple-vessel disease and small PDA who continuously underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG) (OPCABG group, n=50) and OPCABG with DAS for anastomosis of PDA grafted by saphenous vein (SVG) (OPCABG+ DAS group, n=50) were evaluated retrospectively. The dynamic changes of electrocardiogram and TnI level were observed within 48h after the surgery. All patients came back to follow-up visit 6th, 12th, 24th and 36th postoperative month. The primary endpoint was the graft failure (FitzGibbon B or O) of SVG-PDA on the follow-up CTA.Results:There was no death during the operation. There was no acute inferior wall myocardial infarction confirmed by electrocardiogram. Peak TnI within 48h of surgery was 0.74(0.98)ng/ml vs. 0.92(1.29)ng/ml, P>0.05, and the number of patients with peak TnI≥70×ULN was 3(6%, 3/50) vs.5(10%, 5/50), P>0.05. There was no postoperative death, and all the patients were discharged 5-15 days postoperatively. We found significantly improved cumulative graft patency in OPCABG+ DAS group at 36 months after operation [85.7%(42/49) vs. 68.0%(34/50), P<0.05). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, PDA with atherosclerotic lesions ( OR=6.513, 95% CI: 1.279-33.180, P=0.024), and peak TnI≥70×ULN within 48 h of surgery ( OR=5.948, 95% CI: 1.128-31.368, P=0.036) were independent predictors of graft failure, whereas concomitant DAS ( OR=0.222, 95% CI: 0.069-0.713, P=0.011) was significant protective factor. Conclusion:Concomitant DAS conferred superior mid-term patency of SVG-PDA in patients with small PDA. Adding the DAS procedure to OPCABG may be a promising surgical option for small PDA with atherosclerotic lesions.

AIM To investigate the effects of Wuzi Yanzong Prescription (Lycii Fructus,Cuscutae Semen,Rubi Fructus,Plantaginis Semen and Schisandrae chinensis Fructus) on DNA damage of testis cells in adult male mice induced by cyclophosphamide (CTX).METHODS Forty out of fifty adult male Balb/C mice were injected intraperitoneally with CTX and then were randomly and equally divided into model control group (normal saline),Wuzi Yanzong Prescription low-,medium-and high-dose groups (100,200 and 400 mg/kg),and the other ten mice served as normal control group (normal saline).All mice were anesthetized by inhalation of ether,and then were sacrificed by cervical dislocation.The sperm count,sperm motility and malformation rate of sperm were tested.The content of 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in serum was measured using ELISA;the DNA damage degree of cells in testis was detected by single cell gel electrophoresis;the protein expressions of p-P53 and γ-H2AX in testis were examined by Western blot.RESULTS Compared with the model control group,Wuzi Yanzong Prescription groups showed significant increase in the sperm count,sperm motility and significantly decreased malformation rate of sperm,the level of 8-OHdG in serum,and the protein expressions of p-P53 and γ-H2AX in testis were also significantly decreased.CONCLUSION Wuzi Yanzong Prescription can significantly alleviate the DNA damage of testis cells in mice induced by CTX through down-regulating protein expressions of p-P53 and γ-H2AX.

Purpose To explore the findings and diagnostic values of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and diffusion weighted image (DWI) of the portal venous tumor thrombus (PVTT) caused by hepatic carcinoma.Materials and Methods Thirty-one patients with hepatic carcinoma (43 lesions) with 63 PVTT in the main branches and trunks diagnosed by clinical and MRI were enrolled. All patients underwent conventional MRI (cMRI) imaging, DWI and ADC imaging, the features of cMRI, DWI and ADC were observed, the relevance of ADC values between the hepatic carcinoma lesion and PVTT were analyzed.Results Among the total 43 lesions, DWI image showed low signal, iso-signal and high signal in 1, 4 and 38 lesions, respectively; and ADC image showed low signal, iso-signal and high signal in 36, 5 and 2 lesions, respectively. In the total 63 PVTT, DWI showed low signal, iso-signal and high signal in 4, 7 and 52 lesions, respectively;while their ADC images showed low signal, iso-signal and high signal in 54, 6 and 3 branches, respectively. There was good consistency for the results of two observers on the findings of ADC of tumor lesions (Kappa=0.8334,P<0.05), and a moderate consistency on that of PVTT (Kappa=0.5215,P<0.05). The average ADC value of tumor lesion and PVTT was (1.127±0.268)×10-3 mm2/s and (1.021±0.363)×10-3 mm2/s, respectively; there was a correlation of the mean values of ADC between tumor lesion and PVTT (r=0.246,P<0.05). Conclusion The features such as low signal and low value on ADC image and high signal on DWI obtain a certain clinical application value for qualitative diagnoses of PVTT.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of dust exposure, type of work, age, length of service and duration of dust exposure on pulmonary function in coal miners by pulmonary function tests.
 METHODS: A total of 1 953 coal miners, who received occupational healthy examination and pulmonary function tests during June, 2013 and August, 2014 in Hunan Prevention and Treatment Institute, were enrolled for this study.
 RESULTS: A total of 1 302 miners (66.7%) displayed pulmonary dysfunction, including 1 139 with mild dysfunction (58.3%) and 163 with moderate or more serious dysfunction (8.3%). The risk factors for pulmonary dysfunction were age (OR=1.329, 95% CI: 1.196-1.620), dust exposure duration (OR=1.267, 95% CI: 1.136-1.413) and type of works (mining workers OR=1.156, 95% CI: 1.033-1.293; all P<0.05).
 CONCLUSION The incidence rate of pulmonary dysfunction in coal miners is relatively high in Hunan Province. Most of them are mild dysfunction. The incidence rate of pulmonary dysfunction in mining works is statistically higher than that in other work types. Older workers and long duration-exposed workers are more likely to have pulmonary dysfunction.
China ; Coal Mining ; Dust ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lung ; physiopathology ; Lung Diseases ; epidemiology ; Occupational Exposure ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of underground work on cardiovascular system health in coal miners.
 METHODS: Male coal miners, who received electrocardiographic examinations between June, 2013 and August, 2014 in Hunan Prevention and Treatment Institute for Occupational Diseases to exclude pneumoconiosis, were enrolled for this study (n=3 134). Miners with 2 years or more underground work experience were selected as the exposed group (n=2 370), while miners without underground work experience were selected as the control group (n=764). The prevalence of electrocardiographic abnormalities and the influential factors were compared between the 2 groups.
 RESULTS: The prevalences of electrocardiographic abnormalities, hypertension, heart rate abnormalities and cardiovascular system abnormalities in the exposed group vs the control group were 37.6% vs 25.4%, 20.5% vs 13.4%, 5.7% vs 6.0%, 49.8% vs 35.2%, respectively. The cardiovascular system abnormalities were correlated with the underground work (OR=3.128, 95% CI: 1.969-4.970), the underground work experience (OR=1.205, 95% CI: 1.070-1.358) and the type of works (mining worker OR=1.820, 95% CI: 1.527-2.169; auxiliary worker OR=1.937, 95% CI: 1.511-2.482; other worker OR=3.291, 95%CI: 2.120-5.109).
 CONCLUSION Underground work may increase the prevalence of cardiovascular system abnormalities for coal miners. The longer the coal miners work in underground, the higher the risk of the cardiovascular system abnormalities they are.
Cardiovascular System ; physiopathology ; Case-Control Studies ; Coal Mining ; Electrocardiography ; Humans ; Male ; Miners ; Occupational Diseases ; epidemiology ; Pneumoconiosis ; Prevalence

OBJECTIVETo evaluated the manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co) and molybdenum (Mo) levels in blood and urine among general population in China, and thereby to analyze their prevalent features.

METHODSFrom 2009 to 2010, a total of 18 120 subjects of general population aged 6-60 years were recruited from 24 districts in 8 provinces in eastern, central and western China mainland, by cluster random sampling method. The information about their living environment and health status were collected by questionnaire, and their blood and urine samples were also collected.Inductive coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was applied to test the Mn, Co and Mo levels of blood and urine samples, and the Mn, Co, Mo distribution in blood and urine among groups of population in different ages and genders were then analyzed.

RESULTSAmong general population in China, the geometric mean (GM) of Mn concentration in blood was 8.98 µg/L. The Mn concentration in blood among males and females were separately 8.14 µg/L and 9.88 µg/L (Z = -18.84, P < 0.01). The GM of Mn concentration in urine was 0.63 µg/L. The Mn concentration in urine among males and females were separately 0.62 µg/L and 0.63 µg/L (Z = -0.67, P > 0.05). The geometric mean (GM) of Co concentration in blood was 0.194 µg/L. The Co concentration in blood among males and females were separately 0.166 µg/L and 0.225 µg/L (Z = -23.04, P < 0.01). The GM of Co concentration in urine was 0.282 µg/L. The Co concentration in urine among males and females were separately 0.260 µg/L and 0.307 µg/L (Z = -7.35, P < 0.01). The GM of Mo concentration in blood was 0.25 µg/L. The Mo concentration in blood among male and female group were separately 0.27 µg/L and 0.23 µg/L (Z = -5.03, P < 0.01). The GM of Mo concentration in urine was 27.7 µg/L. The Mo concentration in urine among males and females were 29.8 µg/L and 25.6 µg/L (Z = -6.31, P < 0.01), respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe Mn, Co and Mo levels in blood and urine varied by gender and area among general population in China, the study provided basic data evidence for the following Mn, Co and Mo biological monitoring studies in near future.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Cobalt ; Environmental Exposure ; Environmental Monitoring ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Manganese ; Middle Aged ; Molybdenum

OBJECTIVETo investigate the level of zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) in whole blood among general population from 8 provinces in China, and to analyze the characteristics of distribution among different regions.

METHODSThis cross-sectional study was performed in 8 provinces from eastern, middle and western China between 2009 and 2010, including 13 110 subjects from 24 regions, and the blood and urine samples were collected. The ICP-MS was applied to test the content of ICP-MS in blood samples, and the results were used to analyze the characteristics of contents and distributions of Zn and Cu among population from different ages, genders and regions groups.

RESULTSTotally, the mean (95%CI) contents of Cu and Zn in blood were 795 (791-799)µg/L and 3 996(3 976-4 015) µg/L, respectively. The characteristics of distribution of Cu content were as followed, the content of males were lower than it of females (male:767 µg/L; female: 822 µg/L, t = -13.302, P < 0.01). The contents of blood Cu in groups of people aging 6-12, 13-16, 17-20, 21-30, 31-45 and 46-60 years old were separately 860(853-868), 758(748-769), 734(728-734), 782(774-790), 811(795-827) and 820(815-826) µg/L. The differences showed statistical significance (F = 78.77, P < 0.01). The blood Cu content of people in eastern China (800µg/L) were also significantly higher than it in middle (774 µg/L)and western China (782 µg/L) (F = 10.94, P < 0.01). Distribution of blood Zn content showed characteristics as follows: the Zn content was higher in males than in females (male 4 085 µg/L and female 3 908 µg/L, t = 8.78, P < 0.01). The contents of blood Zn in groups of people aging 6-12, 13-16, 17-20, 21-30, 31-45 and 46-60 years old were separately 3 306 (3 261-3 350), 3 888 (3 839-3 937), 3 948 (3 902-3 994), 4 272(4 228-4 315), 4 231(4 180-4 281) and 4 250 (4 205-4 294)µg/L, which showed significant statistical differences (F = 233.68, P < 0.01). The blood Zn content of people in eastern China (3 938 µg/L) were significantly lower than it in middle (4 237 µg/L)and western China (4 105 µg/L) (F = 53.16, P < 0.01). In addition, the study also compared the relation between content of Cu and Zn and the frequency of eating seafood. The results found that the frequency of eating seafood could influence the content of Cu and Zn (Cu: F = 13.54, P < 0.01; Zn: F = 200.20, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe contents and distributions of Cu and Zn in blood differs among people from different groups in ages, genders and regions. The baseline data of this study provided reliable scientific evidence for further research.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Copper ; blood ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult ; Zinc ; blood