Objective To investigate the value of the serum heart fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP) in the assessment of cardiac function in patients with rheumatic heart disease (RHD).Methods Forty-five RHD patients hospitalized in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University from January 2016 to December 2016 were selected as the observation group.In addition,45 subjects with normal cardiac function in the same period were selected as control group.The levels of serum H-FABP,B-type natriuretic peptide(BNP),left ventricular end-diastolic dimension(LVEDD),left ventricular end-systolic dimension(LVESD) and left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) were compared in the groups.The correlation between serum H-FABP and BNP,cardiac function classification was analyzed.Results The serum H-FABP and BNP levels and LVEDD,LVESD in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P ＜ 0.05),but the LVEF in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group(P ＜ 0.05).There were significant differences in the serum H-FABP,BNP levels and LVEDD,LVESD,LVEF among the patients with class Ⅱ,Ⅲ and Ⅳ of heart function (P ＜0.05).The serum H-FABP,BNP levels and LVEDD,LVESD in the patients with class Ⅲ and Ⅳ of heart function were significantly higher than those in the patients with class Ⅱ of heart function(P ＜ 0.05);but the LVEF in the patients with class Ⅲand Ⅳ of heart function was significantly lower than that in the patients with class Ⅱ of heart function(P ＜0.05).Compared with the patients with class Ⅲ of heart function,the serum H-FABP,BNP levels and LVEDD,LVESD in the patients with class Ⅳ of heart function were significantly higher(P ＜ 0.05);but the LVEF in the patients with class Ⅳ of heart function was significantly lower(P ＜ 0.05).The serum H-FABP level was positively correlated with serum BNP level,LVEDD and LVESD in the observation group (r =0.579,0.743,0.740;P ＜ 0.05).but it was negatively correlated with LVEF (r =-0.801,P ＜0.05).Conclusion The serum H-FABP level increases with the aggravation of heart failure in patients with RHD.It can be used as an important index to evaluate the heart function and prognosis of RHD patients.

OBJECTIVEIn this study, human bronchial epithelial cells were inoculated with positive sputum specimens of HBoV. After four days' infection, cytopathic effects (CPE) were observed by inverted microscopy. These viruses all cause typical cell damages such as rounded and shrivelled, fusion and fallout. These damages got quick following increased future degenerations. The other assay result of CPE within the infected cells were observed by inverted microscopy, have typical "owl's eye" plaque and above 90 percent hemadsorption within the infected cells by erythrocytes for hemadsorption technique. The typical fluorescence lump of nucleus within the infected cells was found by indirect immunofluorescence technique.

CONCLUSIONIsolation and identification of HBoV could be done in the human bronchial epithelial cell, and we found some characterizing CPE in the human bronchial epithelial cell after HBoV infection. The above studies pave a way for studying pathogenicity of human bocavirus.

Bocavirus ; physiology ; Bronchi ; cytology ; Cell Death ; physiology ; Cell Survival ; physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; virology ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect ; Host-Pathogen Interactions ; Humans ; Microscopy, Fluorescence

OBJECTIVETo investigate pave a way for studying pathogenicty of HBoV.

METHODSIsolation and cell culture of HBoV by human bronchial epithelial cell line, which was founded in our laboratory. The morphology of the virus were primarily studied with a transmission electron microscope. In addition, transcript mRNA was detected in human bronchial epithelial cells, which was passaged and infected within HBoV, using the reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The amplified products nucleotide sequence of HBoV were sequencing and sequence analysis.

RESULTSCytopathic effect (CPE) was observed after the aseptic residue of filtration of 2 case sputum specimens with HBoV, which was inoculated to the human bronchial epithelial cell line. The virus particles were observed in the cytoplasm, which were hexagonal or spherical in shape and 18-26 nm in diameter,bulk was 20 nm. cDNA amplicon obtained 295 bp fragment results of electrophoresis bands as same as NS1 region of the conserved matrix gene of publish sequence of HboV. PCR products nucleotide sequence of HboV were compared with corresponding HboV GeneBank sequences. The comparison/alignment and construction of phylogenetic trees also point to an affiliation of the parvovirus to the species HBoV.

CONCLUSIONIsolation and identification of HBoV could be done in the human bronchial epithelial cell, and we found some characterizing CPE in the human bronchial epithelial cell after HBoV infection. The above studies pave a way for studying pathogenicty of human bocavirus.

Bronchi ; cytology ; virology ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Line ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Epithelial Cells ; virology ; Human bocavirus ; classification ; genetics ; growth & development ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Parvoviridae Infections ; virology ; Phylogeny ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; virology ; Virus Cultivation

OBJECTIVETo clone and express VP, gene from HBoV, and the expressed VP, protein was as the antigen in order to detect serum from children in Wenling area with lower respiratory tract infections.

METHODSThe VP, gene was recombined with the genome of Baculovirus, which infected the insect cell. The fusion protein with HA tag was applied to confirm the specificity of expressed protein. Furthermore, the recombinant protein was observed using electron microscopy. The 176 serum from children in Wenling area with lower respiratory tract infections was screened using Western blot.

RESULTSThe expressed VP2 protein was more than 60% in total proteins from insect cell, and MWt about 60 x 10(3). The virus-like particle (VLP) was observed using electron microscopy, and size about 20 nm. The 176 serum from children in wenling area with lower respiratory tract infections was screened using Western blot. The HBoV positive rate was 2.28% (4/176).

CONCLUSIONThe VP2 protein from human bocavirus was expressed in insect cell successfully. Through HA tag the VP2 protein was specific, and then the assay using SDS-PAGE with Western blot could detect and screen the antibody in serum from children with lower respiratory tract infections rapidly and accurately.

Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Bocavirus ; genetics ; immunology ; Capsid Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Parvoviridae Infections ; blood ; diagnosis ; immunology ; virology ; Recombinant Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; Spodoptera

This study was conducted to investigate the chemical constituents of Piper wallichii (Miq.) Hand.-Mazz. and evaluate their biological activity. Compounds were isolated by various column chromatographic methods, and their structures were elucidated on the basis of physical characteristics and spectral data. The 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)-scavenging activity and acetylcholinesterase (AChE)-inhibitory activity of the compounds were evaluated. Five compounds were obtained and identified as 8-C-β-D-glucopyranosylkaempferol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), 1, 2-dihydro-6,8-dimethoxy-7-hydroxy-1-(3, 5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)-N(1), N(2)-bis-[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl]-2, 3-naphthalene dicarboxamide (2), goniothalactam (3), aristololactam A IIIa (4) and piperlonguminine (5). Compound 1 was a new flavonol C-glycoside, 2 was a rare lignanamide, which was isolated from the family Piperaceae for the first time, and compound 3 was isolated from this plant for the first time. Among them, 2 showed potent DPPH-scavenging activity, with IC50 of 31.38 ± 0.97 μmol·L(-1); Compounds 2, 3, and 4 showed AChE inhibitory activity at 100 μmol·L(-1), with inhibition rates of 28.57% ± 1.47%, 18.48% ± 2.41% and 17.4% ± 3.03%, respectively.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Flavonols ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Glycosides ; Molecular Structure ; Monosaccharides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Piper ; chemistry

Background/Aims: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is closely associated with diabetes. The cumulative impact of both diseases synergistically increases risk of adverse events. However, present population analysis is predominantly conducted with reference to non-NAFLD individuals and has not yet examined the impact of prediabetes. Hence, we sought to conduct a retrospective analysis on the impact of diabetic status in NAFLD patients, referencing non-diabetic NAFLD individuals. Methods: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999–2018 was used. Hepatic steatosis was defined with United States Fatty Liver Index (US-FLI) and FLI at a cut-off of 30 and 60 respectively, in absence of substantial alcohol use. A multivariate generalized linear model was used for risk ratios of binary outcomes while survival analysis was conducted with Cox regression and Fine Gray model for competing risk. Results: Of 32,234 patients, 28.92% were identified to have NAFLD. 36.04%, 38.32% and 25.63% were non-diabetic, prediabetic and diabetic respectively. Diabetic NAFLD significantly increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), stroke, chronic kidney disease, all-cause and CVD mortality compared to non-diabetic NAFLD. However, prediabetic NAFLD only significantly increased the risk of CVD and did not result in a higher risk of mortality. Conclusions Given the increased risk of adverse outcomes, this study highlights the importance of regular diabetes screening in NAFLD and adoption of prompt lifestyle modifications to reduce disease progression. Facing high cardiovascular burden, prediabetic and diabetic NAFLD individuals can benefit from early cardiovascular referrals to reduce risk of CVD events and mortality.

OBJECTIVESevere acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is an emerging infectious disease that first manifested in humans in November 2002. The SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) has been identified as the causal agent, but the pathology and pathogenesis are still not quite clear.

METHODSPost-mortem lung samples from six patients who died from SARS from April to July 2003 were studied by light and electron microscopy, Masson trichromal staining and immunohistochemistry. Evidence of infection with the SARS-CoV was determined by reverse-transcription PCR (RT-PCR) , serological examination and electron microscopy.

RESULTSFour of six patients had serological and RT-PCR evidence of recent infection of SARS-CoV. Morphologic changes are summarized as follows: (1) Diffuse and bilateral lung consolidation was seen in all patients (6/6) with increasing lung weight. (2) Diffuse alveolar damage was universal (6/6) with hyaline membrane formation (6/6), intra-alveolar edema/hemorrhage (6/6), fibrin deposition (6/6), pneumocyte desquamation (6/6). A marked disruption in the integrity of the alveolar epithelium was confirmed by immunostaining for the epithelial marker AE1/AE3 (6/6). (3) Type II pneumocytes, with mild hyperplasia, atypia, cytomegaly with granular amphophilic cytoplasm and intracytoplasmic lipid accumulation (5/6). (4) Giant cells in the alveoli were seen in five of 6 patients (5/6) , most of which were positive for the epithelial marker AE1/AE3 (5/6), but some cells were positive for the macrophage marker CD68(2/6). (5) A pronounced increase of macrophages were seen in the alveoli and the interstitium of the lung (6/6), which was confirmed by histological study and immunohistochemistry. (6) Haemophagocytosis was present in five of the 6 patients(5/6). (7) Lung fibrosis was seen in five patients(5/6), with alveolar septa and interstitium thickening(5/6), intraalveolar organizing exudates (6/6) and pleura thickening (4/6). Proliferation of collagen was confirmed by Masson trichromal staining, most of which was type III collagen by immunostaining. The formation of distinctive fibroblast/myofibroblast foci was seen in five patients (5/6) by light microscopy and immunochemistry. (8) Squamous metaplasia of bronchial mucosa was seen in five patients(5/6). (9) Thrombi was seen in all patients(6/6). (10) Accompanying infection was present in two patients, one was bacteria, the other was fungus. In addition, electron microscopy revealed viral particles in the cytoplasm of alveolar epithelial cells and endothelial cells corresponding to coronavirus.

CONCLUSIONDirect injury of SARS-CoV on alveolar epithelium, prominent macrophage infiltration and distinctive fibroblast/myofibroblast proliferation may play major roles in the pathogenesis of SARS.

Adult ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; metabolism ; Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic ; metabolism ; Epithelium ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Keratins ; immunology ; Lung ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; virology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Alveoli ; pathology ; Pulmonary Fibrosis ; etiology ; pathology ; SARS Virus ; isolation & purification ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; complications ; metabolism ; pathology ; virology

OBJECTIVE: To simulate the different prevalence of corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Beijing as the spreading and the outbreak city and analyze the response capacity of its medical resources of fever clinics, and to provide a scientific basis for optimizing the spatial layout in Beijing under severe epidemics. METHODS: The study obtained epidemiological indicators for COVID-19, factors about medical resources and population movement as parameters for the SEIR model and utilized the model to predict the maximum number of infections on a single day at different control levels in Beijing, simulated as an epidemic spreading city and an epidemic outbreak city respectively. The modified two-step floating catchment area method under ArcGIS 10.6 environment was used to analyze spatial accessibility to fever clinics services for the patients in Beijing. RESULTS: According to the results of the SEIR model, the highest number of infections in a single day in Beijing simulated as an epidemic spreading city at low, medium and high levels of prevention and control were 8 514, 183, and 68 cases, the highest number of infections in a single day in Beijing simulated as an outbreak city was 22 803, 10 868 and 3 725 cases, respectively. The following result showed that Beijing was simulated as an epidemic spreading city: among the 585 communities in Beijing, under the low level of prevention and control, there were 17 communities (2.91%) with excellent accessibility to fever clinics, and that of 41 communities (7.01%) with fever clinics was good. Spatial accessibility of fever clinics in 56 communities (9.57%) was ranked average, and 62 communities' (10.60%) accessibility was fair and 409 communities (69.91%) had poor accessibility; at the medium level of prevention and control, only the west region of Fangshan District and Mentougou District, the north region of Yanqing District, Huairou District and Miyun District had poor accessibility; under the high level of prevention and control, 559 communities' (95.56%) had excellent accessibility. The accessibility in 24 communities (4.10%) was good and in 2 communities (0.34%) was average. In brief, the existing fever clinics could meet the common demand. Beijing was simulated as an outbreak city: under the low level of prevention and control, only 1 community (0.17%) had excellent accessibility to fever clinics, and 5 communities (0.86%) had good accessibility. The accessibility of fever clinics in 10 communities (1.71%) was average and in 12 communities (2.05%) was fair. The accessibility of fever clinics in 557 communities (95.21%), nearly all areas of Beijing, was poor; under the middle and high level of prevention and control, the accessibility of ecological conservation areas was also relatively poor. CONCLUSION The distribution of fever clinic resources in Beijing is uneven. When Beijing is simulated as an epidemic spreading city: under the high level of prevention and control, the number of fever clinics can be appropriately reduced to avoid cross-infection; at the medium level of prevention and control, the fever clinics can basically meet the needs of patients with fever in Beijing, but the accessibility of fever clinics in ecological conservation areas is insufficient, and priority should be given to the construction of fever clinics in public hospitals above the second level in the ecological conservation areas. When the level of prevention and control is low, the accessibility of fever clinics in ecological conservation areas is poor. Priority should be given to the construction of fever clinics in ecological conservation areas, and temporary fever sentinels can be established to relieve the pressure of fever clinics. When Beijing is simulated as an outbreak city and has low prevention and control, due to a large number of infections, it is necessary to upgrade the prevention and control level to reduce the flow of people to curb the development of the epidemic.
Beijing ; COVID-19 ; Catchment Area, Health ; China/epidemiology* ; Cities ; Humans ; SARS-CoV-2

Objective: To understand the research progresses of economic evaluation of COVID-19 vaccination strategies both at home and abroad, and provide reference for the economic evaluation of COVID-19 vaccination strategies using real word data in China. Methods: Literature retrieval was conducted for related papers published from January, 2020 to December, 2021 in Chinese and English databases, including the economic evaluation of COVID-19 vaccination, and the results of the related literatures were narratively integrated. Results: A total of 16 English literatures (including 3 reviews) were included, and it was found that the COVID-19 vaccination was cost-effective or cost-saving regardless of the vaccine types, while the cost-effectiveness in different population and under different vaccination dose strategies varied due to vaccine efficacy, vaccine price, duration of natural immunity, duration of vaccination campaign, vaccine supply, and vaccination pace. Conclusions: China lacks suitable evidences of economic evaluation of COVID-19 vaccination strategies based on real-world data in the context of long-term epidemic. Therefore, further researches of suitable strategies of booster COVID-19 vaccination are needed.
COVID-19/prevention & control* ; COVID-19 Vaccines ; China/epidemiology* ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Humans ; Vaccination