Baculoviruses are used as microbial insecticides, protein expression vectors, epitope display platforms, and most recently as vectors for gene therapy. Understanding the mechanisms that control baculovirus host-range and tissue tropisms are important for assessing their safety and for improving their properties for these biotechnology applications. In the past two decades some progress has been made and several baculovirus genes that influence host-range have been identified.Despite this progress, our understanding of the underlying mechanisms that restrict baculovirus host-range is still limited. Here we review what is currently known about baculovirus genes that influence virus host-range.

Alkaloids ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; Coptis ; Research

Alkaloids ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; Coptis ; Research

AIMThe effect of Galla chinensis on de-/re-mineralization of advanced enamel lesions was investigated by using micro-CT in a prolonged in vitro experiment.

METHODOLOGYBaseline mineral contents of sound enamels were first analyzed. Then lesions were produced in an acidic buffer solution (2.2 m mol x L(-1) Ca(NO3)2, 2.2 mmol x L(-1) KH2PO4, and pH = 4.5) for 21 days, with thrice daily three-minute treatments, divided into four groups: Group A, 4 000 ppm crude aqueous extract of Galla chinensis (GCE); Group B, 4000 ppm gallic acid; Group C, 1000 ppm F aq. (as NaF, positive control); Group D, deionized water (negative control). Next, the blocks were immersed in a remineralization solution (1.5 mmol x L(-1) CaCl2, 0.9 mmol x L(-1) KH2PO4, 0.1 ppm F, and pH = 7.0) for 200 days. Mineral loss (ML) in each region of interest (ROI) and integrated mineral loss (IML) of the lesions were calculated (comparing with baseline mineral content of sound enamel) at different time points.

RESULTSAfter 21 days demineralization, fluoride treatment showed a statistically significant demineralization-inhibiting effect among the four groups, and after 200 days of remineralization, mineral content recovery was ordered (lowest to highest) as A = C < B < D.

CONCLUSIONGCE could slow down the remineralization of enamel in the surface layer and thereby facilitate ion transport into the lesion body. The mechanism of Galla chinensis in enhancing the remineralization of dental caries is different from fluoride.

Animals ; Cariostatic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Cattle ; Dental Enamel ; chemistry ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Gallic Acid ; therapeutic use ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Materials Testing ; Minerals ; analysis ; Plant Extracts ; therapeutic use ; Sodium Fluoride ; therapeutic use ; Time Factors ; Tooth Demineralization ; prevention & control ; Tooth Remineralization ; methods ; X-Ray Microtomography

OBJECTIVEThe same person's pulmonary venous blood volume, left atrial volume and stroke volume were measured by lung CT scans and cardiac CT angiography (CTA). Then their relationships were analyzed in order to investigate the mechanism of breathing control.

METHODSAs we described before, full pulmonary vascular (-0.6mm) volume was accurately calculated by three-dimensional imaging technology from lung CT scan; left atrial volume and stroke volume of left ventricle were calculated from the CTA data. Then the relationships among them were analyzed for estimation of the lung-artery time.

RESULTSThe total volume of lung and pulmonary vascular blood was 3486 ± 783 (2156-4418) ml, and the pulmonary vascular blood volume was 141 ± 20 (105-163) ml. The estimated pulmonary venous volume was 71 ± 10 (52-81) ml. Left atrial volume at the end diastolic was 97 ± 39 (53-165) ml, Stroke volume of left ventricle was 86 ± 16 (60-106) ml. Pulmonary venous volume and the left atrial volume were double of stroke volume(1.7-2.4).

CONCLUSIONThe estimated lung-artery time was three heart beat.

Blood Volume ; Heart Atria ; Humans ; Stroke Volume

OBJECTIVEBecause the traditional loop of breathing control and regulation effect on blood circulation, there was rare study of pulmonary vein capacity. We need a noninvasive and accurate pulmonary vascular capacity measurement and analysis method.

METHODSTwelve normal volunteers were performed a total lung CT scan, image data analysis processing by computer software, the whole lungs from the apex to the base of lung with 40-50 layers by hand-cut, the connection between adjacent layers automatically by a computer simulation, the full pulmonary vascular (≥ 0.6 mm) were treated by high-accuracy three-dimensional imaging technology after removing the interference, and then calculate the whole lung and pulmonary vascular.

RESULTSThe whole lung of the 12 normal volunteers from the apex to the base of lung CT scan image layers was 530 ± 98 (range, 431-841). The total capacity of lung and pulmonary vascular blood was 3705 ± 857 (range, 2398-5383) ml, and the total volume of the pulmonary vascular blood was 125 ± 32 (range, 94-201) ml. The pulmonary vein vascular blood volume was 63 ± 16 (range, 47-100) ml.

CONCLUSIONThe method of measuring the three-dimensional imaging of pulmonary vascular capacity by analyzing lung CT scan data is available and accurate.

Computer Simulation ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Lung ; blood supply ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

INTRODUCTION: Amputation is often associated with depression, isolation and anxiety, resulting in changes
in the functioning and quality of life of an individual. This study aimed to compare the quality of life of
amputees before and after prosthetic rehabilitation and to determine the level of satisfaction with the
services provided by the rehabilitation team.

METHODS: This was a longitudinal study conducted at the Philippine School of Prosthetics and Orthotics
from 2016 to 2017. Quality of life was measured at baseline and at the end of prosthetic rehabilitation
using the Short Form-36 version 2 Philippines (Tagalog) and compared. Patient satisfaction was determined
using the UERMMMCI Out-Patient Satisfaction Survey. Statistical analysis was done using paired t-test
and stratified analysis.

RESULTS: Twelve participants were included; majority were adult males and all were unemployed. There
were no statistically significant changes in the quality of life of amputees after prosthetic rehabilitation.
Stratification analysis revealed significant decreases in scores in bodily pain and general health scales for
females. On the other hand, males had statistically significant increases in vitality scores. Participants
were generally satisfied with the services they received.

CONCLUSION: While no significant changes were observed for overall quality of life, certain aspects may be
related to factors such as sex, comorbidities, and type of caregiver. Recommendations include further studies
to explore other factors affecting quality of life among Filipino amputees after prosthetic rehabilitation.

Human ; Amputees ; Prostheses And Implants

CLINICAL PRESENTATION: This report describes a case of a 24-year-old, acyanotic, female patient presenting with mild effort dyspnea, a right ventricular heave, a displaced cardiac apex, a loud single S2, a holosystolic murmur on the left parasternal area, and a continuous murmur at the left posterior chest. Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography demonstrated dilated left atrium and ventricle, hypertrophied right ventricle and a large ventricular septal defect with overriding of the aorta. However, both studies failed to visualize the pulmonic valve. The patient underwent cardiac catheterization which revealed the presence of pulmonary atresia. A descending aortogram showed the presence of a single large major aortopulmonary collateral artery (MAPCA) arising from the descending thoracic aor ta which supplies confluent left and right pulmonary arteries. The pulmonary arterial vasculature is enlarged and pruned in appearance. The main pulmonary artery is non-atretic. Mean proximal pulmonary artery pressure was 68 mmHg, indicating severe pulmonary hypertension. Patient wasstarted on digoxin and sildenafil.
SIGNIFICANCE: This case report emphasizes the importance of a well-developed central pulmonary circulation and an adequate but not excessive pulmonary blood supply from an aortopulmonary vascular connection in the survival of patients with pulmonary atresia into adulthood.

Human ; Female ; Adult ; Young Adult ; Aorta ; Cardiac Catheterization ; Dyspnea ; Heart Atria ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; Pulmonary Atresia ; Pulmonary Circulation ; Pulmonary Valve ; Tetralogy Of Fallot

Methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) greatly contributed to the successful outcomes of prevention and control on both AIDS and drug abuse in China. However, the features on drug abuse changed in the past decades, and the prevalence of new psychoactive substances abuse potentially somehow offset the achievement of MMT. This paper concised the information on research and surveys of this issue that targeting on the current situation, characteristics, related factors and relevant public health problem on new psychoactive substances abuse, among patients who have been on MMT, in China.
Adult ; China/epidemiology* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Methadone/therapeutic use* ; Opiate Substitution Treatment ; Prevalence ; Psychotropic Drugs/adverse effects* ; Substance Abuse Treatment Centers ; Substance-Related Disorders/epidemiology* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Androgen Antagonists ; therapeutic use ; Anilides ; therapeutic use ; Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal ; therapeutic use ; Bone Neoplasms ; complications ; secondary ; Goserelin ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nitriles ; therapeutic use ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; complications ; drug therapy ; Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Tosyl Compounds ; therapeutic use