Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) is a zoonotic disease caused by the Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) complex. This disease has not yet been reported in China, and it is therefore essential to establish a rapid and accurate method for detection of the virus in order to prevent and control this disease. In this study, a one-step real-time quantitative RT-PCR method was developed for the detection of the VEEV complex. A pair of specific primers and a Taqman probe were designed corresponding to a conserved region of the VEEV gene nspl, allowing the detection of all known strains of different sub- types of the virus. Using RNA synthesized by in vitro transcription as template, the sensitivity of this method was measured at 3.27 x 10(2) copies/microL. No signal was generated in response to RNA from Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), nor to RNA encoding the nsp1 fragment of Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EE-EV) or Western equine encephalitis virus (WEEV), all of which belong to the same genus as VEEV. This indicates that the method has excellent specificity. These results show that this one-step real-time quantitative RT-PCR method may provide an effective tool for the detection of VEEV in China.
China ; DNA Primers ; genetics ; Encephalitis Virus, Venezuelan Equine ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Encephalomyelitis, Venezuelan Equine ; virology ; Humans ; RNA, Viral ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods

p70 ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p70S6K), an important member of AGC family, is a kind of multifunctional Ser/Thr kinases, which plays an important role in mTOR signaling cascade. The p70 ribosomal protein S6 kinase is closely associated with diverse cellular processes such as protein synthesis, mRNA processing, glucose homeostasis, cell growth and apoptosis. Recent studies have highlighted the important role of S6K in cancer, which arose interests of scientific researchers for the design and discovery of anti-cancer agents. Herein, the mechanisms of S6K and available inhibitors are reviewed.
Antineoplastic Agents ; Humans ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors ; chemistry ; Ribosomal Protein S6 Kinases, 70-kDa ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases

Objective To explore the correlation of patient-controlled sedation of dexmedetomidine and Narcotrend values. Methods Forty patients with lower limb surgery were enrolled. Until CSEA block fixed , the electronic pump ran the patient-controlled sedation of dexmedetomidine. The parameter of electronic pump was set as follows: load dose 2 mL + background dose 1.5 mL/h + single dose 0.5 mL + locktime 20 s. The heart rate , mean arterial pressure, pressing times, effective times, OAA/S sedation scores and NI values were determined. Results At T4 point, the patients reached appropriate sedation. At T4 ~ T9 OAA/S scores kept 3 to 4. From T5 point, NI values showed significant decrease. After the T7 point. OAA/S scores and NI values reached the plateau time of (7.5 ± 1.8) min and (13.1 ± 3.4) min, OAA/S scores of 1, 2, 3, 4, respectively, corresponding roughly with NI values 95 to 100, 90 to 94, 65 to 89, 40 to 64. The correlation coefficient was 0.58. The time of NI values significant decreased in the younger group and in the elderly group, with (10.2 ± 1.6) min and (14.4 ± 2.2) min. In T5~ T9 point, NI values of the younger group were significantly lower than those in the elderly group. Conclusion Relevant relationships are observed between dexmedetomidine patient-controlled sedation depth and the narcotrend values under CSEA.

Objective To investigate the effects and mechanisms of electroacupuncture at Tinggong and Yifeng on the local expression of insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and glucose metabolism in the auditory cor‐tex of guinea pig .Methods Eighteen Adult pigmented guinea pigs were randomly divided into 3 groups .Guinea pigs in electroacupuncture at auricular points group (EAPG ,n= 7) were electroacupunctured at Tinggong and Yifeng acupoints simultaneously for 15 minutes every day ,and electroacupunctur lasted 7 days .The electroacupuncture at non acupoint group (ENAG ,n=6) was electroacupunctured at non acupoints for the same time .The control group (CG ,n=5) received no treatment .After anesthetized ,guinea pigs were injected 18 F-FDG via dorsocuboidal vein , and scanned by PET/CT .PET image and CT image were processed and reconstructed in the workstation to observe the uptake of imaging agent in the brain of guinea pigs .The maximum SUV values and its ratios between auditory cortex and cerebellum were measured .The expression of IGF-1 mRNA were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR .The results were analyzed by the one-way ANOVA and P<0 .05 means statistical significance . Results 1 .Changes in glucose energy metabolism in the auditory cortex .The ratios of the maximum SUV value betweenthe auditory cortex and cerebellum were 0 .75 ± 0 .06 ,0 .84 ± 0 .05 and 0 .71 ± 0 .06 for CG ,EAPG and ENAG re‐spectively .There was a significant difference between the CG and EAPG (P=0 .042) ,the EAPG and ENAG (P=0 .009) ,and no significant difference between the CG and ENAG (P=0 .361) .2 .The fold changes in IGF-1 mR‐NA were 1 .34 ± 0 .24 ,2 .03 ± 0 .36 and 0 .92 ± 0 .23 for CG ,EAPG and ENAG respectively .There was a significant increase in IGF-1 mRNA expression in auditory cortex of the EAPG (P=0 .002 ,compared with the CG) ,and a significant difference between the EAPG and ENAG groups (P<0 .001) .Conclusion 1 .Acupuncturing at Tinggong and Yifeng point can improve glucose metabolism in the auditory cortex of guinea pig . 2 . Acupuncturing at Tinggong and Yifeng point can result in increase of the local expression of IGF-1 in the auditory cortex of guinea pig .

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is the gem of Chinese culture,while TCM culture the root and driving force for its development.Higher learning institutes,one of whose main missions is innovating and inheriting culture,are playing the unique roles in promoting world-wide recognition of TCM culture through international cooperation due to the abundant resources in TCM academy,talent,clinical study and international education.Taking Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine as an example,this paper has made constructive exploration and study on how to promote the international communication of TCM culture to allow the international community for better understanding and the application of TCM based on the analysis of current situation and experience summarization with literature investigation and case study.Effective measures that have been put forward include establishing TCM experiencing center,promoting the construction of Confucius Institute,proactively building TCM library,improving the standardization of TCM translation,optimizing approaches of TCM international communication,and speeding up the cultivation of TCM international communication talents.

Objective To discuss the X-ray appearances of osteogenesis imperfecta.Methods The clinical and radiological manifestations of osteogenesis imperfecta in 10 child-patients were studied retrospectively.Results ①The change of osseous density:generalized osteoporosis with abnormal fragility of bone;②According to the abnormal contour of limbs bone,the patterns of lesions(10 cases) were categorized to four subtypes including long and thin type(3 cases),stumpy type(3 cases),pocketed and swelled lesions(2 cases) and blended appearances(2 cases);③Among the 10 cases,the lesions complicated by arthropathy were seen in 5 cases;④complicated by abnormal spines in 5 cases,pelvis deformity in 3 cases,chest deformity in 4 cases.Conclusion Radiological manifestations have certain clinical value in the diagnosis and typing of osteogenesis imperfecta.

Objective To evaluate the value of furosemide in magnetic resonance urography(MRU) with low field magnet.Methods The routine MRU and MRU after administration of intravein of furosemide were performed with heavily T_2 weighted fast spin echo pulse sequence in 32 cases with urethral diseases.Then three-dimensional(3D) reconstruction for post procedure processing with a maximum-intensity projection(MIP)algorithm was done.Results On routine MRU,there were no image of collecting systems of kidney in 5 cases,and poor images of parenchyma and collecting systems of kidney in 18 cases after using furosemide before MRU,MRU provided high resolution images of parenchyma and collecting systems of kidney in all cases,and images were much clear,the localized diagnosis was accurate.Conclusion MRU using furosemide before scanning can display the parenchyma and collecting systems of kidney distinctively,so furosemide can be regarded as a routine method used before MRU with low field magnet.

Objective To explore the correlations between measurements of Doppler velocity waveform parameters of fetal main pulmonary artery and gestation age (GA) in normal fetus. Methods This is a cross-sectional study, in which totally 252 normal singleton fetuses between 23 and 40 weeks of gestation were divided into 10 groups. The following velocity waveform parameters were measured in the main trunk of fetal pulmonary artery by Doppler ultrasound: acceleration time(AT), ejection time(ET), acceleration time/ejection time(AT/ET), peak systolic velocity(PSV), end diastolic velocity(EDV), mean velocity(MV), pulsatility index(PI) and resistance index(RI). The normal reference values of Doppler velocity waveform parameters at various GA were established. A scatter diagram of each parameter against GA was plotted out. The optimal formula was selected out according to the correlation and regression analysis. Results Among 252 normal fetuses, satisfactory Doppler velocity waveform of fetal main pulmonary were achieved in 249 (98.8%, 249/252). Among these parameters, AT, AT/ET, PSV, EDV and MV increased with increasing GA(F=343.23, 96.012, 8.649, 2.158, 10.169, all P<0.05), while PI decreased slightly(F=2.346, P<0.05) and ET, RI had no signiifcant changing(F=0.883, 1.534, both P>0.05). Signiifcant and positive linear correlations were found between parameters of AT, AT/ET, PSV, EDV, MV and GA(r= 0.898, 0.868, 0.446, 0.203, 0.507, all P<0.01);while PI was inversely linear correlated with GA(r=-0.184, P<0.01) and ET, RI had no correlation with GA(r=-0.103, 0.011, both P>0.05). Conclusions The fetal main pulmonary artery could be a reliable sampling point to obtain pulmonary velocity waveform by Doppler ultrasound. Doppler velocity waveform parameters have correlations with GA in normal fetus;among which AT and AT/ET were the best.

Objective To evaluate the effects of pregnancy weight control program based on structure- process- outcome model to improve women′s health status and pregnancy outcomes. Methods On the basis of Donabedian′s structure- process- outcome quality of care model, a pregnancy weight control program designed and carried out for the middle and late pregnancy. The structure, process and outcome of the pregnancy weight control program were evaluated to ensure the quality of the pregnancy weight control program. In addition, the women′s pregnancy outcomes were investigated after intervention. Results the prenatal BMI in the intervention group [ (23.06±1.11) kg/m2 ] were lower than those in the control group [(25.52±1.89) kg/m2 ], and the incidence of cesarean section (including cesarean section without indication), neonatal macrosomia, labor block, neonatal asphyxia, postpartum hemorrhage, pregnancy induced diabetes and hypertension in the intervention group were significantly lower than those in the control group, P<0.01 or 0.05. Conclusion Donabedian′s structure- process- outcome quality of care program is an effective approach to improve women′s pregnancy outcomes.

As a traditional Chinese medicine,pheretima is widely used for thousands of years in China. According to the studies in recent years,the pharmacological effects and clinical researches of pheretima were summarized based on the introduction of chemical constituents, which could provide information for the further study.