The study of viruses traditionally focused on their roles as infectious agents and as tools for understanding cell biology. Recently, however, with the development of structural biology, viruses have now been receiving particular attention in nanotechnology. By chemical methods or by gene modification, viruses have been functionalized as potential building blocks for several applications, such as drug/gene delivery vehicles, advanced vaccine vehicles, and special inorganic or organic nanomaterials. Here we highlight some of the recent progresses in the medical applications of viruses.
Biomedical Research ; trends ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Genetic Therapy ; Nanostructures ; Nanotechnology ; trends ; Vaccines ; Viruses

Objective To explore the relationship between the rs18004197 polymorphism in the 3'-untranslated region of adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene and colorectal cancer susceptibility.Methods Firstly,we collected the peripheral venous blood of 573 colorectal cancer cases and 588 controls,and then extracted DNA from blood samples,genotyped rs1804197 polymorphism using real-time PCR and assessed its association with the susceptibility of colorectal cancer.Results There were 387 CC (67.5％),153 AC (26.7％) and 33 AA (5.8％) genotypes in the colorectal cancer cases.In the control group,there were 427 CC (72.6％),144 AC (24.5％) and 17 AA (2.9％) genotypes.The AA genotype odds ratio (OR =2.14,95％ CI:1.17-3.91,P =0.011) and the A allele frequency (P =0.011) were significant difference in case and control groups.Further subgroup analysis showed that the differences of the frequency distribution in the male (P =0.048) and non-drinking (P =0.020) groups were statistically significant.In the male group,the risk of colorectal cancer was increased by 0.41 (OR =1.41,95％ CI:1.01-1.98) for individuals bearing the A allele.In the non-drinking group,the risk of colorectal cancer was increased by 0.22 (OR =1.22,95％ CI:0.91-1.64) for individuals bearing the A allele,but the result was not statistically significant.Conclusion The rs18004197 polymorphism in the 3'-untranslated region of APC gene is related to the susceptibility of colorectal cancer.The AA genotype may increase the susceptibility of colorectal cancer.

Objective: To analyze the clinical application of manual therapy (MT) to tumor-related adverse reactions via summarizing the research at home and abroad, in order to provide more theoretical evidence for the clinical promotion of MT. Methods: We searched 7 Chinese and English databases, including China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Academic Journal Full-text Database (Wanfang), Chongqing VIP Database (CQVIP), PubMed, Excerpta Medica Database (EMBASE), Ovid and EBSCO. The publication date was between the establishment date of the database and December 31, 2020. We screened the literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and then sorted and analyzed the selected information. Results: A total of 46 papers were analyzed. Most studies focused on the adverse reactions in breast cancer patients. MT interventions demonstrated the best efficacy for fatigue, followed by pain, depression and anxiety. In different MT interventions, Tuina (Chinese therapeutic massage) was mainly adopted for fatigue, pain, anxiety, depression, and limb dysfunctions. Acupoint pressing was mainly adopted for gastrointestinal and psychological problems such as abdominal bloating, insomnia, depression and anxiety. The application of reflexotherapy was similar to that of Tuina. Conclusion: MT can alleviate various adverse reactions by effectively relieving patients' somatic symptoms and improving their psychological states and overall functions. It can be popularized as a significant non-drug therapy. Currently, however, the clinical application of MT is neither extensive nor has sufficient basic research. Consequently, we should attach importance to this application.

Abstract Previous epidemiological studies indicated that weight of schoolbag in most countries is far higher than that recommended guidelines. Heavy schoolbags seriously affect the healthy development of the musculoskeletal system of adolescents, which not only leads to abnormal posture e.g. rounded shoulders, hunchback and head forward, but also is one of the main causes of adolescent musculoskeletal diseases such as cervical spondylosis, low back pain and scoliosis. However, adolescents and their parents do not fully understand the harm of heavy schoolbags, let alone the health knowledge regarding the choice and use of schoolbags. Therefore, the review introduces current evidence regarding the association between schoolbag and adolescent musculoskeletal system diseases, as well as schoolbag selection and use, with the aim to arouse the attention of teenagers and their parents and relevant health education departments.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze variants of SMN gene in a Chinese pedigree affected with Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). METHODS: A Chinese pedigree diagnosed at the Nanchang First Hospital in January 2020 was selected as the study subject. Peripheral blood samples were collected for the extraction of DNA. All exons of the SMN gene were detected by multiple ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA). Potential variants of the SMN gene were also detected by Whole exome sequencing (WES), and the result was verified by Sanger sequencing. cDNA extracted from fresh blood sample was used as a template to verify the location of variant on the SMN genes. RESULTS: The proband was found to harbor a heterozygous deletion of the SMN1 Exon7+Exon8, and a heterozygous c.81G>A variant. The SMN1 Exon7+Exon8 deletion was inherited from her father and grandmother, whilst the c.81G>A variant was inherited from her mother and maternal grandfather. Her aunt was also a carrier of the heterozygous deletion, while her paternal aunt, her husband, and their daughter were not. cDNA amplification and Sanger sequencing confirmed that the c.81G>A variant was located in the SMN1 gene. CONCLUSION MLPA combined with NGS and Sanger sequencing can identify compound heterozygous variants of the SMN gene in the SMA patients.
Female ; Humans ; Male ; DNA, Complementary ; East Asian People ; Fathers ; Mothers ; Muscular Atrophy, Spinal/diagnosis* ; Pedigree ; Survival of Motor Neuron 1 Protein/genetics*

In order to adapt to the needs of innovative medical personnel training,Zunyi Medical University conducted teaching reform and curriculum construction for human parasitology.Key teachers were trained by strengthening the construction of the teaching staff.Through the preparation of lessons,lectures,supervision and other measures,the teaching quality has been improved.Teaching reform was carried out by the introduction of humanities knowledge,scientific research training,and formative evaluation.Through the development of quality curriculum resources,standardized teaching archives,improved scientific research,and quality service for the society,the curriculum construction of human parasitology has been greatly improved.

The evaluation on sinews and bones in tuina of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) re-fersto a systematic approach to evaluate the patient's physical state, so as to select appropriate tuina therapies and achieve safe and efficient goals.Through summarizing the characteristics of evaluation on sinews and bones in main schools of modern TCMtuinaincluding assessments of bone landmarks, soft tissues and pain, and Western manual therapies including assessments of palpation of spine, postures (positions) , pain and surrounding soft tissues, the key elements of promotion mode of evaluation on sinews and bones in TCM tuina are proposed, namely the ev alu-ation on muscle tissue morphology, postures, tenderness points and joint motions.The purpose is to provide a reference for establishing a scientific, standard and feasible mode of evaluation on sinews and bones.

Objective To test the hypothesis that the CCL2/CCR2 signaling pathway plays an important role in pain induced by experimental tooth movement.Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing between 200 and 300 g were used in this study.Expression of CCL2/CCR2 in the trigeminal ganglion(TG) was determined by Western blotting 0 h,4 h,1 d,3 d,5 d,7 d after tooth movement.Localization of the CCL2 was revealed by immunohistochemistry.Changes in body weight,nocifensive behaviors,and the effects of CCL2/CCR2 antagonists on these changes in pain behaviors were evaluated.Exogenous CCL2 was injected into periodontal tissues and added to TG neurons in culture and the resulting c-fos expression and pain responses were detected.In addition,the expression and cellular localization of CCL2 in the medullary dorsal horn (MDH) was determined by immunohistochemistry 3 d and 14 d after tooth movement.Results Experimental tooth movement led to a statistically significant increase in CCL2/CCR2 expression at the protein level from day 3 to 7 after application of force initiating tooth movement.When compared with control group(1.000± 0.000),CCL2 increased to (2.620 ± 0.128),(3.300±0.197) and (1.740±1.290) at day 3,5 and 7 respectively,which were statistically significant (P＜0.05).CCR2 expression levels were (1.636±0.061) and (1.766±0.126) compared with that in control group (1.000±0.000) at day 3 and 5 respectively with statistical significance (P＜0.05).Both of them peaked on day 5 (3.3 and 1.8 time compared to control group).Application of recombinant CCL2 led to the up-regulation of c-fos expression in vivo and in vitro,and triggered a corresponding nocifensive behavior in rats.The magnitude of the nocifensive behavior could be reduced by a CCR2 antagonist,and by CCL2 neutralizing antibody.Furthermore,we found a significant increase in the expression of CCL2,corresponding well to the upregulation of the time spent on nocifensive behaviors after ETM.In addition,CCL2 was up-regulated in TG neurons and astrocytes in Vc.Conclusions The CCL2/CCR2 axis was modulated by experimental tooth movement and involved in the development of tooth movement pain,and thus palyed an important role in orthodontic pain mechanism.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of Guizhi Tongluo Tablets(GZTLP)on improving atherosclerosis in APOE knockout mice by regulating neutrophil extracellular trapping nets(NETs).Methods After modeling,24 APOE knockout mice aged 8 weeks were randomly divided into 4 groups:GZTLP high-dose group,low-dose group,model control group and normal control group,with 6 mice in each group.GZTLP was given 1.87 mg·g-1 and 0.47 mg·g-1 intragastric administration in high-dose group and low-dose group,respectively.The normal control group and model control group were given 0.9%sodium chloride solution intragastric administration for 6 weeks,and the lipid plaque deposition in aorta was observed by gross oil red O staining.Lipid deposition in aortic root was observed by oil red O staining.The pathological changes of lipid plaques in aortic root were observed by HE staining.The levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β)and tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α)in peripheral blood of mice were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The expression of lymphocyte antigen 6G(Ly6G),myeloperoxidase(MPO)and citrulinated histone(Cit-H3)in plaques of the aortic arch and the colocalization of Ly6G,MPO and Cit-H3 were detected by immunofluorescence assay.Results Compared with the normal control group,the aorta of mice in the model control group showed serious lipid plaque deposition,morphological damage,and a large number of inflammatory cells infiltration,the contents of serum inflammatory factors IL-1β and TNF-α were increased,and the protein expressions of Ly6G,Cit-H3 and MPO were significantly increased.Compared with model control group,GZTLP group reduced the amount of lipid plaque deposition in aorta,the arrangement of aortic cells was more regular,the inflammatory cell infiltration was improved,and the contents of serum inflammatory factors IL-1β and TNF-α were significantly decreased(P<0.05).The colocalization and the protein expression of Ly6G,MPO and Cit-H3 were significantly decreased in aortic tissues(P<0.01).Conclusions GZTLP can improve atherosclerosis,and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of neutrophil extracellular trapping nets.

Objective To study the effect of pain on the lumbar and hip joint moments in patients with lumbar disc herniation(LDH)while sitting and standing.Methods Dynamic data from 20 healthy controls and 20 patients with LDH were collected using an AMTI dynamometer.The differences in moments between the lumbar spine and hip joints in the sagittal and coronal planes for the two groups of subjects performing sitting-standing tasks were analyzed using statistical parameter mapping(SPM).Results Compared to the healthy control group,the LDH group showed a significant increase in the maximum lumbar flexion moment and the maximum hip adduction moment from standing to sitting(P＜0.05).SPM analysis showed that during the initial phase of standing(37％-42％),the hip abduction moment of the LDH group was significantly greater than that of the healthy control group(P=0.007).Conclusions Subjects with LDH have an unstable lumbar spine and pelvis during sitting and standing,especially at the stationary stage,which makes it difficult to achieve balance in their body.Therefore,increasing the hip abduction moment is necessary to maintain pelvic stability.During clinical evaluation and treatment,emphasis should be placed on the stable function of the spine and pelvis.