The pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a serious impact on global public health and the economy. SARS-CoV-2 infiltrates host cells via its surface spike protein, which binds to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 on the host cell membrane. As a result, small molecules targeting spike protein have emerged as a hotspot in anti-SARS-CoV-2 drug research. Activity screening is an important step in seeking small molecule drugs. Therefore, this article aims to review the biological activity evaluation methods of small molecule inhibitors targeting SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, with the goal of laying the foundation for the discovery of new anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs.

Both sides of the picornavirus genome have 5'-untranslated region (5'UTR) and 3'- untranslated region (3'UTR). This study demontrated that both the 5'-and 3'-UTR can form complex structures, such as stem-loop, clover and pseudoknot structure, These structures play an important role in the regulaton of the replication and translation of the viruses. This article reviewed the progress of research on the structure and function of picornavirus' 3'-UTR over recent years.
3' Untranslated Regions ; Animals ; Humans ; Nucleic Acid Conformation ; Picornaviridae ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Picornaviridae Infections ; virology ; RNA, Viral ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism

BACKGROUND: Aseptic loosening and infection are difficult to diagnose due to their similar clinical manifestations following total hip replacement.There lacks routine examinations or gold standard to diagnose peri-prosthetic infection.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of technetium-99m-labelled triphase isotope scinitigraphy in the diagnosis of peri-prosthetic infection following total hip arthroplasty.METHODS: A total of 11 patients with suspected peri-prosthetic infection were selected,with continuous hip pain,prosthesis loosening and abnormal serum indexes,including 7 males and 4 females,with an average age of 63.8(53-74)years.The average time of prosthesis usage was 14.5(0.5-30)years.The technetium 99m-labelled bone scintigraphy images were obtained to observe the density variation of the infection region during the blood flow phase,blood pool phase and late phase and compared with normal lateral limb.Time-radioactive uptake curve was made using software to analyze the diagnostic results.In addition,the diagnostic value of the triple-phase bone scinitigraphy was analyzed using the intraoperative frozen section results(neutrophil < 5 under 10 high power visual fields: no infection).RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Of 11 patients,2 cases showed negative result of triple-phase bone scinitigraphy,and intraoperative frozen section analysis showed < 5 polymorphonuclear cells per high-power field,who underwent one-stage revision surgery; 8 displayed positive result of tdple-phase bone scinitigraphy,and intraoperative frozen section analysis showed > 5polymorphonuclear cells per high-power field,who underwent two-stage revision surgery; 1 case showed negative result of triple-phase bone scinitigraphy but intraoperative frozen section analysis showed > 5 polymorphonuclear cells per high-power field,who also underwent two-stage revision surgery.Results show that positive results of triple-phase bone scintigraphy were related to peri-prosthetic infection,which has great value for revision surgery in combination with histopathological examination.

Objective To evaluate the immunogenicity and immunoprotective effect of heat shock protein 60 kDa (SjHSP60) of Schistosoma japonicum in mice after immunization and challenge infection, and explore the mechanism. Methods B cell/an?tibody?related databases and analysis tools were used to predict B?cell epitopes of SjHSP60. The mice were immunized with the recombinant SjHSP60 and challenged with S. japonicum cercariae. SjHSP60?specific antibodies in serum were detected by ELI?SA. The level of splenocyte proliferation was determined by 3H?TdR incorporation. Ex vivo suppression assay was performed to in?vestigate the effects of CD4 +CD25 + regulatory T cells (Tregs) induced by SjHSP60. Results SjHSP60 possessed multiple pre?dominant regions of B?cell epitopes. SjHSP60 induced a significant increase in both SjHSP60?specific IgG levels (P < 0.01) and splenocyte proliferation (P < 0.01) with a higher IFN?γ production (P < 0.01). However, the immunization with SjHSP60 resulted no significant reduction in adult worms (P > 0.05) and liver?accumulated eggs (P > 0.05) in S. japonicum?infected mice. Ex vivo assay showed that CD4+CD25+ Tregs from SjHSP60?immunized mice enhanced immunosuppressive activity. Conclusion SjH?SP60 has a dual role in host immune system, being involved in the induction of dominant humoral and cellular immune responses as well as in the enhancement of immunosuppression.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of partial excision of nail matrix combined with phenolic ablation in the treatment of ingrowing toenail.Methods:115 patients(148 toenails) with ingrowing toenail treated in the Central hospital of Wuhan from October 2004 to May 2013 were selected for this study.The patients were divided into two groups,53 patients(67 toenails) admitted from October 2004 to December 2007 were considered as the observation group and treated with Partial excision of nail matrix,62 patients(81 toenails) admitted from January 2008 to May 2013 were considered as the control group and treated with Partial excision of nail matrix and phenolic ablation.The bleeding time,pain relief time,healing time,recurrences after one year and satisfaction rate of two groups were compared.Results:The wounds of 148 toenails were healing.The Bleeding time,pain relief time,recurrences after one year in the control group (1.85:±:0.42days,13.25± 2.17hours) were lower than the observation group (2.69± 0.53 days,21.54± 2.56hours),and healing time in the control group (11.32± 2.37days) were longer than the observation group (8.93± 2.06 days)(P＜0.05),the recurrence rate and overall satisfaction rate of observation group and control group were 6.15％,12.5％ and 97.06％,91.07％.Conclusion:Partial excision of nail matrix combined with phenolic ablation was more effective in the treatment of ingrowing toenail than surgical excisional techniques.

ObjectiveTo identify the framework for assessing health related quality of life(HRQOL) of Kaschin-Beck disease(KBD),in order to reflect the impact of KBD on quality of life in patients with the disease.MethodsQualitative descriptive research was adopted.Semi-open ended questions were developed by using the World Health Organization(WHO) definitions of health and quality of life.Group interview and face to face interviews were conducted on 48 patients with KBD and 29 health care experts on KBD in Linyou and Yongshou counties,Shaanxi province,which were higher prevalence areas of KBD.Content template analysis was conducted and the template was based on the WHOQOL-100's framework.ResultsThe framework of HRQOL for KBD included four domains:physical activity,familial/social support,economic and psychological state.There were also eleven facets which were:pain and discomfort,physical function and activity limitation,diet and sleeping,social relationship,concerns of family responsibilities,social support,economic,housing and the surrounding environment,appearance concerns,mental health,and general state of health.The total entries were 69.ConclusionsThe framework for assessing HRQOL of KBD is established.The framework highlights the impact of KBD on the patients' quality of life with higher specificity.

· AIM: To search an easy and simple way for intraocular implantation after the eye evisceration.· METHODS: Fifteen healthy New Zealand rabbits were divided into 5 groups according to the sacrifice time, and each group included 3 rabbits; the left eye received the injection of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) bone cement (2g per mL), while the right eye served as control. Under general anesthetia, a 3mm incision was made on the sclera,and the eye contents and pigment tissues were extruded out with fingers. Then, PMMA bone cement (2g per ml) was injected through the scleral incision. Both the operated eye and control eye of the rabbits were enucleated and weighed,The reaction of the operated eye (macroscopically and histopathologically) was noted at frequent interval. The obtained data were then analyzed with ANOVA (SPSS11.5).· RESULTS: There was swelling of eyelids and conjunctiva at the early time after the injection, but no significant difference between the weight of the left and right eyes was noted,Histopathologic examination showed scleral and other tissues necrosis at early period, and then the tissues reaction turned into a great deal of cell proliferation and finally into extensive fibro-connective tissues. Three months after the operation,neovascularization was observed in the cornea of the operated eyes. Histopathologic examination showed formation of fibro-membrane around the intraocular implant,and disappearance of the inflammation.· CONCLUSION: The method of injecting PMMA bone cement (2g per ml) to form an intraocular implant is quite simple and economical; this method is also easy to use clinically.

BACKGROUND:Conventional serological, imaging and laboratory diagnosis methods for diagnosing periprosthetic infection are difficult to achieve ideal sensitivity, specificity and accuracy. In particular, the differential diagnosis of septic loosening and aseptic loosening in late stage after prosthetic replacement lacks of commonly accepted diagnostic criteria. The combination of preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative diagnostic methods is of great significance in the identifying infection diagnosis and formulating renovation strategy.
OBJECTIVE:To diagnose periprosthetic hip joint infection by combined use of preoperative 99Tcm triplephase bone scanning and intraoperative neutrophil count in frozen section analysis, and to compare with conventional diagnostic tools.
METHODS:Between April 2008 and May 2013, 44 hip revision cases were enrol ed. Combined with clinical symptoms and serological examination, 18 cases whose erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein increased were considered as clinical y suspected infection group;26 cases with normal serological examination were considered as clinical y suspected aseptic loosening group. 99Tcm triplephase bone scanning was performed in al patients, and combined with intraoperative frozen section analysis. If both results were negative, the diagnosis was aseptic loosening and did one-stage revision surgery;otherwise, periprosthetic infection was detected and two-stage revision surgery was conducted. By postoperative fol ow-up serological indexes and surgery outcomes, statistics of work curve of subjects was used to evaluate the diagnostic values of 99Tcm triplephase bone scanning and frozen section analysis.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In 18 cases of clinical y suspected infection group, 16 cases of preoperative 99Tcm triplephase bone scanning and intraoperative frozen section results were positive, so two-stage revision surgeries were performed;2 cases with negative results received one-stage revision surgery after excluding infection. In 26 cases of clinical y suspected aseptic loosening group, 25 cases of preoperative 99Tcm three-phase bone scanning and intraoperative frozen section results were negative, and diagnosed as aseptic loosening, so one-stage revision surgery was performed. One patient affected infection of staphylococcus aureus in one-sample of the three samples in postoperative microbiological pathogen detection, and diagnosed as periprosthetic infection, so one-stage revision surgery was carried out. After combined use of 99Tcm triplephase bone scanning and intraoperative frozen section analysis, performance curve area increased from 0.906 to 0.972, sensitivity of diagnosis of infection increased from 89%to 94%, specificity of diagnosis of infection increased from 92%to 100%. However, no significant difference was detected in diagnostic methods. These data indicated that adding the method of 99Tcm triplephase bone scanning and intraoperative frozen section analysis technique, on the basis of serological and other conventional diagnostic tools, can differentiate infections from aseptic loosening of hip prosthesis. Negative results of 99Tcm triplephase bone scan showed high correlation between the diagnosis of aseptic loosening of the prosthesis and good diagnostic value to exclude infection. Combining with intraoperative frozen section method has a very good clinical value for the revision surgery.

Objectives To investigate the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)H558R in SCN5A gene and chronic Keshan disease (KSD) complicated with hypertension,and the relationship between H558R and occurrence of arrythmia in chronic KSD complicated with hypertension.MethodsThirty nine patients with chronic KSD complicated with hypertension and 63 geographical region matched hypertension control subjects were recruited in our study in Fuyu county,Qiqihaer city,Heilongjiang province between 2006 and 2010.H558R polymorphism in case and control groups was genotyped using the polymerase chain reaction single-strand conformation polymorphism(PCR-SSCP) and sequenced,and electrocardiography(ECG) characteristics were examined in the two groups.Case-control study analytical methods were applied to analyze the relationship between H558R and chronic KSD complicated with hypertension,and the relationship between H558R and occurrence of arrythmia in chronic KSD patients complicated with hypertension.Results Subjects of genotype 558 TC in the case group had a decreased risk of chronic KSD complicated with hypertension with odds ratio of 0.288[95％ confidence interval (CI):0.104 - 0.794],and subjects of genotype TC in chronic KSD complicated hypertension patients had a decreased risk of QRS prolongation with odds ratio of 0.061 (95％CI:0.006 - 0.612).Conclusions Polymorphism H558R in SCN5A gene may be a predisposition factor of chronic KSD complicated with hypertension and occurrence of arrythmia in chronic KSD complicated with hypertension.

AIM AND METHODSBy using blind whole-cell recording techniques, the dynamic properties of voltage-gated Ca2+ channel of CA1 pyramidal neuron in rat hippocampal slices were investigated.

RESULTSThe voltage-gated Ca2+ channel of CA1 pyramidal neuron in rat hippocampal slices has following features: (1) The threshold potential of activation is relatively lower. The mean value is -49.3 +/- 8.6 mV with range from -65 to -30 mV (n = 23). (2) Current decay is Ca(2+) -dependent and its time constant (tau) is longer with a wide range from 100 to 700 ms (n = 12). (3) The steady-state inactivation is voltage-dependent and the half inactivation potential (V1/2) is -55.4 +/- 9.7 mV, slope factor (k) is 5.3 +/- 0.9 (n = 10). (4) The reversal potential (E(rev)) of Ca2+ channel is 55 +/- 13 mV (n = 10) when extracellular Ca2+ concentration is 2.5 mmol/L. (5) Tail current, which is voltage-independent, primarily has only one component. In addition, Ca2+ channel is insensitive to verapamil and nifedipine.

CONCLUSIONN-type Ca2+ channel is strongly suggested in CA1 pyramidal neuron in rat hippocampal slices.

Animals ; Calcium Channels ; metabolism ; physiology ; Hippocampus ; cytology ; physiology ; In Vitro Techniques ; Male ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; methods ; Pyramidal Cells ; metabolism ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar