Virophages have crucial roles in ecosystems and are the transport vectors of genetic materials. To shed light on regulation and control mechanisms in virophage--host systems as well as evolution between virophages and their hosts, the promoter motifs of virophages were predicted on the upstream regions of start codons using an analytical tool for prediction of promoter motifs: Multiple EM for Motif Elicitation. Seventeen potential promoter motifs were identified based on the E-value, location, number and length of promoters in genomes. Sputnik and zamilon motif 2 with AT-rich regions were distributed widely on genomes, suggesting that these motifs may be associated with regulation of the expression of various genes. Motifs containing the TCTA box were predicted to be late promoter motif in mavirus; motifs containing the ATCT box were the potential late promoter motif in the Ace Lake mavirus . AT-rich regions were identified on motif 2 in the Organic Lake virophage, motif 3 in Yellowstone Lake virophage (YSLV)1 and 2, motif 1 in YSLV3, and motif 1 and 2 in YSLV4, respectively. AT-rich regions were distributed widely on the genomes of virophages. All of these motifs may be promoter motifs of virophages. Our results provide insights into further exploration of temporal expression of genes in virophages as well as associations between virophages and giant viruses.
Base Sequence ; Evolution, Molecular ; Genome, Viral ; genetics ; Genomics ; Nucleotide Motifs ; genetics ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics ; Satellite Viruses ; genetics

Objective To investigate the influence of arsenic trioxide (AS2 O3 )in the vasculogenic mimicry (VM ) of HepG2 cells, and to preliminary clarify the possible mechanism of inhibition of AS2 O3 on the VM. Methods Themean inhibitory concentration (IC50 )of AS2 O3 72 h after treatment of HepG2 cells was calculated by CCK-8 assay.The HepG2 cells were cultured on 3-D Matrigel and randomly divided into control group, 1/2 IC50 AS2 O3 group and IC50 AS2 O3 group.IPP software was used to calculate the number,length and area of VM,and the expression levels of VM-related proteins VE-cadherin and MMP-2, apoptotic-related protein caspase-3 and proliferation-related protein PCNA were detected by Western blotting method.Results The IC50 of AS2 O3 was 10μmol·L-1 72 h after treatment of HepG2 cells.The number,length and area of VM in 1/2 IC50 and IC50 AS2 O3 groups were significantly lower than those in control group (P<0.01);the number,length and area of VM in IC50 AS2 O3 group were also lower than those in 1/2 IC50 AS2 O3 group (P<0.05).Compared with control group,the expression levels of VE-cadherin and MMP-2 in 1/2 IC50 and IC50 AS2 O3 groups were decreased (P<0.05),and the expression levels of caspase-3 and PCNA had no significant change (P>0.05).Conclusion AS2 O3 can inhibit the forming of VM of HepG2 cells,which indicated that its mechanism may be related to inhibiting the expressions of VE-cadherin and MMP-2 .

Objective To study the separation ability of AB-8 macroporous resin in the purification of arctinin in Fructus arctii. Methods HPLC was used to measure the content of arctinin, and the adsorption performance and the elution parameters were investigated. Results The optimal separation conditions were as follows: the concentration of Arctinin was 5.5 mg/ml with a flow rate of 2 BV/h, and 50% alcohol was used as eluant. The adsorption of Arctinin was 52.08 mg/g, and the elution ratio of arctinin was 93.8%, and the purity of arctinin reached 65.2%. Conclusion AB-8 resin can be used to refine the arctinin in the extraction of Fructus arctii.

ObjectiveTo compare the clinical efficacies of acupuncture plus TDP lamp versus acupuncture plus moxibustion in treating rheumatoid arthritis.MethodOne hundred and fifty patients were randomly allocated to treatmentand control groups, 75 cases each. The treatment group received acupuncture plus moxibustion and the control group, acupuncture plus TDP radiation.Both groups were treated for two courses. The VAS scores and the clinical sign grades and scores were compared between the two groups before and after treatment.ResultThe VAS score and the clinical sign score improved in both groups after treatment compared with before (P<0.05). The total efficacy rate was 93.3% in the treatment group and 78.7% in the control group; there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). The effect was better in the treatment group than in the control group.ConclusionAcupuncture plus moxibustion is more effective than acupuncture plus TDP lamp in treating rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective To investigate the effects of advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) in type 2 diabetic ocular muscles palsy (DOMP). Methods 58 DOMP patients and 50 type 2 diabetes patients were included in the research. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), blood glucose (FPG), fasting insulin (FINS) and triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were measured and recorded. Homeostasis model assessment was performed to evaluate the status of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), basal insulin secretion (HOMA-β) and the insulin sensitivity index (ISI). Serum AOPP was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Unconditional logistic regression model was used to evaluate the influencing factors of DOMP. Results The DOMP group showed higher levels of plasma AOPP, TG, LDL, FPG, FINS, HbA1c and HOMA-IR, but lower levels of HDL, HOMA-β and ISI than those of the T2DM group. Unconditional logistic regression analysis revealed that AOPP was an independent risk factors for DOMP (OR =3.01, P = 0.002). Conclusion AOPP may be involved in the pathogenesis of DOMP. AOPP could be a useful indicator for monitoring the development of DOMP and for evaluating its severity.

Objective To explore the change of glyoxalase I in type 2 diabetic ocular muscles palsy (DOMP) and its associations with advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) and oxidative stress. Methods 58 DOMP patients, 50 T2DM and 30 normal controls were enrolled in this study. Levels of blood lipids, fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c, insulin, serum glyoxalase I, AOPP, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) were measured. Homeostasis model assessment was performed to evaluate the status of insulin resistance (IR). Results Levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, SOD and T-AOC were positively correlated with glyoxalase I and inversely associated to AOPP. Levels of triglycerides , low-density lipoprotein cholesterol , fasting blood glucose , hemoglobin A1c , IR and MDA were negatively correlated with glyoxalase I and positively related to AOPP. AOPP had an inverse association with glyoxalase I (r = -0.823, P < 0.001). Multivariate regression analysis showed that serum levels of glyoxalase I (Sβ = 0.554) and AOPP (Sβ= -0.469) were influencing factors of groups. Conclusion Serum glyoxalase I levels were significantly decreased in DOMP and correlated with AOPP and levels of oxidative stress , which suggest that glyoxalase I could play crucial roles on the development of DOMP.

Objective To develop a spatio-temporal model of mountainous Oncomelania hupensis snails based on the Bayes-ian model,and to analyze and identify the spatio-temporal pattern at a village scale. Methods The data including the intensity and spatial distribution of live and infected snails from 2000 to 2006 and the village boundary were collected. The independent and interactive spatio-temporal models were established,and then the best fitness model was selected to analyze the spatio-temporal pattern of live and infected snails. Results The interactive model of live snails and the independent model of infected snails were relative fitness models,and the models showed 95%CI(confidence interval)of the spatial and temporal coefficient included ze-ro,and indicated that the spatial and temporal correlation of live and infected snails was not significant at a village scale. Conclu-sion There is no significant spatial and temporal correlation of live and infected mountainous snails at a village scale,and the fur-thermore study should be carried out at a small scale.

Objective To establish written and electronic archives of Schistosoma japonicum antibody indirect hemagglutina-tion(IHA)tests. Methods In the process of schistosomiasis screening by IHA,the written records,electronic records,and se-rum sample bank were combined to make comprehensive archives. Results The S. japonicum antibody IHA test archives can pre-serve the schistosomiasis screening data in the long term and even can trace the source of experiments,and the operation was sim-ple. Conclusion The archives of S. japonicum antibody IHA tests are simple and useful,and worth of popularization.

Objective To establish the clinical pharmacokinetics research method for Bawei Jiangu Tablet.Methods Drug blood concentration was estimated through analyzing the ingredients and preclinical pharmaceutical research results of Bawei Jiangu Tablet.Results Corresponding cardiac glycoside value in serum of animals treated with oral use of Bawei Jiangu Tablets and cortex periplocae extracts can be detected by drug monitor system of digoxin immunoreaction, which was similar to that in animals treated with digoxin.Corresponding cardiac glycoside value had also been detetected in serum of subjects in phaseⅠclinical tolerance trial,which was related to the time and dosage of administration.Clini- cal negative control trial showed that the reaction was specific.Conclusion Pharmacokinetics study on target of toxic components with cross-reaction of periplocoside is feasible through drug monitor system of digoxin immunoreaction.

Objective To understand the changes of positive rates of IHA detections of outpatients in schistosomiasis clinic. Results The data of IHA detections of outpatients in schistosomiasis clinic in Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention were collected and analyzed statistically from 2005 to 2014. Results A total of 7 113 outpatients were detected by IHA test,and 547 of them were positives with a positive rate of 7.69%. The positive rate of IHA test was on an upward slope be?fore 2008,and the rate reached 14.85% in 2008,which was significantly higher than that in 2005(5.81%)( χ2 = 47.40,P<0.01),then it was on a declined stage after 2008,and the positive rate decreased to 3.76 in 2014,which was significantly lower than that in 2008( χ2 = 12.29,P<0.01). The positive rate of outpatients in the 10~<30 years age group was higher than those in other age groups(all P < 0.012 5),and the male positives were more than the female ones. Conclusions The schisto?somiasis endemic situation has been significantly decreased in Hubei Province. The male and people in 10~<30 age group are the high risk groups,so the targeted health education should be strengthened.