OBJECTIVE: Poxviruses are zoonotic pathogens that infect humans, mammals, vertebrates, and arthropods. However, the specific role of ticks in transmission and evolution of these viruses remains unclear. METHODS: Transcriptomic and metatranscriptomic raw data from 329 sampling pools of seven tick species across five continents were mined to assess the diversity and abundance of poxviruses. Chordopoxviral sequences were assembled and subjected to phylogenetic analysis to trace the origins of the unblasted fragments within these sequences. RESULTS: Fifty-eight poxvirus species, representing two subfamilies and 20 genera, were identified, with 212 poxviral sequences assembled. A substantial proportion of AT-rich fragments were detected in the assembled poxviral genomes. These genomic sequences contained fragments originating from rodents, archaea, and arthropods. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that ticks play a significant role in the transmission and evolution of poxviruses. These viruses demonstrate the capacity to modulate virulence and adaptability through horizontal gene transfer, gene recombination, and gene mutations, thereby promoting co-existence and co-evolution with their hosts. This study advances understanding of the ecological dynamics of poxvirus transmission and evolution and highlights the potential role of ticks as vectors and vessels in these processes.
Animals ; Poxviridae/physiology* ; Ticks/virology* ; Phylogeny ; Transcriptome ; Evolution, Molecular ; Poxviridae Infections/virology* ; Genome, Viral

Objective To investigate the effects of liver-specific knockout of adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase α(AMPKα)on pancreatic function and glucose metabolism-related genes in mice.Methods AMPKα1/α2flox/flox mice were divided into blank group(common feed)and model group(60％high fat choline deficiency feet)with eight mice in each group,and another 8 AMPKα1/α2flox/flox/Alb-Cre+mice were divided into the knockout group(60％high fat choline deficiency feet).The kit detected the levels of blood lipids and liver function indexes.The differential genes in the mouse pancreas were detected by transcriptome sequencing.The expression of differential genes in mice was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting.Results The levels of triglyceride in the blank group,model group and knockout group were(0.94±0.11),(0.71±0.14)and(1.05±0.17)mmol·L-1;the levels of triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein were(1.62±0.07),(0.44±0.08)and(0.90±0.06)mmol·L-1;the levels of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase were(7.02±5.87),(15.60±3.15)and(22.70±2.14)U·L-1;the levels of glutamic pyruvic transaminase were(14.56±11.55),(48.64±15.84)and(75.40±11.96)U·L-1;the expression levels of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1(PCK1)mRNA were 1.00±0,1.37±0.25 and 0.31±0.18;the relative expression levels of PCK1 protein were 0.77±0.27,1.23±0.43 and 0.51±0.40,respectively.Significant differences existed in the above indexes between the knockout group and the model group(all P＜0.05).Conclusion PCK1 gene may be an essential gene mediating the effect of liver AMPKα on islet function.

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of nusinersen sodium in the treatment of children with spinal muscular atrophy(SMA).Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 50 children with 5q SMA who received nusinersen sodium treatment and multidisciplinary treatment management in Shanxi Children's Hospital from February 2022 to February 2024.Results Compared with the baseline data,67%(8/12),74%(35/47),and 74%(35/47)of the SMA children had a clinically significant improvement in the scores of Philadelphia Infant Test of Neuromuscular Disorders,Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale Expanded,and Revised Upper Limb Module,respectively,and the distance of 6-minute walking test increased from 207.00(179.00,281.50)meters to 233.00(205.25,287.50)meters(P<0.05)after nusinersen sodium treatment.Of all 50 children with SMA,24(48%)showed good tolerability after administration,with no significant or persistent abnormalities observed in 2 034 laboratory test results,and furthermore,there were no serious or immunological adverse events related to the treatment.After treatment,there was a significant change in forced vital capacity as a percentage of the predicted value in 27 children with restrictive ventilatory dysfunction,as well as a significant change in the level of 25-(OH)vitamin D in 15 children with vitamin D deficiency(P<0.05).Conclusions For children with SMA,treatment with nusinersen sodium can continuously improve the response rates of motor function scales,with good tolerability and safety.

Abstract: Objective　To develop a real-time fluorescent quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) method for qualitative and quantitative Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) analysis. Methods Based on the systematic analysis of the genomic sequences of Chikungunya and its related arboviruses, the specific nucleic acid sequences for Chikungunya virus were screened and identified, and then the primers and TaqMan probe were designed. Meanwhile, the human GAPDH gene was used as an internal reference. The reaction system for qRT-PCR was systematically optimized by L9(34) orthogonal design, and a rapid detection method for Chikungunya by qRT-PCR based on TaqMan probe methods was established. The sensitivity, specificity, reproducibility, and coverage of the established method were analyzed in detail. The standard curve was made, and the absolute quantitative method was established using the cloned nucleic acid fragments as positive samples. Results　A real-time fluorescent quantitative RT-PCR assay was developed for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of Chikungunya virus. The reaction system included Chikungunya virus and reference internal gene specific primers and probe, RT/Taq enzyme mixture, reaction buffer, and negative and positive reference. The established method obtained positive results with the ROSS strain of ECSA subtype, LR2006 strain of IOL branch, 181/25 strain of Asian type and Dongguan 2010 epidemic strains of Chikungunya virus, but there was no cross-reaction with other 18 arboviruses belonging to Flaviviruses, Alphaviruses and Bunyavirus. The minimum detection limit of the established method was 5.80 copies/mL, and a linear relationship was observed between the amount of input plasmid DNA and fluorescence signal value over a range of 5.80×102 copies/mL to 5.80×1010 copies/mL, and the correlation coefficient was 0.999 5. The qRT-PCR amplification efficiency was 91%, and the intra-assay variations and inter-assay variations were 0.01-0.07 and 0.03-0.11, respectively. Conclusions　The TaqMan qRT-PCR method developed in this study can qualitatively and quantitatively detect Chikungunya virus rapidly with specificity and sensitivity, providing a technical method for the prevention and control of this viral disease.

AIM: To observe the expression levels of pigment epithelium-derived factor(PEDF)and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)in lens epithelial cells(LECs)of diabetic patients with age-related cataract, and explore the pathogenesis of diabetic with age-related cataract.METHODS: Retrospectively study. A total of 30 patients with age-related cataract(ARC group)and 30 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus combined with age-related cataract(DC group)who treated at the Department of Ophthalmology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College from August 2020 to April 2021 were collected. Anterior capsule specimens with a diameter of 5.5-6.0mm in the central region of the intraoperative eye were collected during phacoemulsification. The protein expression levels of PEDF and VEGF in LECs were detected by Western-blot. Quantitative real-time PCR(qRT-PCR)was used to detect the relative mRNA expression levels of PEDF and VEGF.RESULTS:PEDF and VEGF were expressed in LECs of both groups, and the relative expression of VEGF mRNA in DC group was 1.364±0.062, which was higher than that of ARC group(1.000±0.0; P<0.01). The relative mRNA expression level of PEDF was 0.398±0.053, which was significantly lower than 1.000±0.0 in the ARC group(P<0.001). The expression of VEGF protein in LECs was 2.053±0.026 in DC group and 1.680±0.064 in ARC group, respectively. Meanwhile, the expression of PEDF protein was 0.579±0.045 in DC group and 1.058±0.007 in ARC group(all P<0.01).CONCLUSION:The changes of PEDF and VEGF expression levels in LECs may be related to the occurrence and development of cataract in diabetic patients.

Aim To explore the effect of artesunate (ART) on the function of breast cancer cells during the progression of breast cancer and the possible mechanism of action. Methods MCF-7 (30 μmol • L-

Objective: To understand the current situation of vaccination services for adults in China, explore how to establish a stable and efficient vaccination service system for adults, and provide reference for formulating corresponding policies. Methods: The vaccination information systems of nine provinces in China were used to obtain information on urban and rural vaccination of influenza vaccine, 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23), and human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV) from 2019 to 2021. The indicator, vaccination rate/full vaccination rate, was used for statistical description. Results: The vaccination rate/full vaccination rate of the three vaccines in eastern China was generally higher than that in central and western China. The vaccination rate/full vaccination rate in urban areas was generally higher than that in rural areas. From 2019 to 2021, the vaccination rates of influenza vaccine among people aged 60 years and above in urban and rural areas were 2.96%, 6.29%, 6.14% and 1.29%, 2.58%, 2.94%, respectively. The vaccination rates of the PPV23 among people aged 60 years and above in urban and rural areas increased year by year, with rates of 0.38%, 1.05%, 1.15% and 0.14%, 0.49%, 0.59%, respectively. From 2019 to 2021, the HPV coverage of female adults aged 27-45 years in urban and rural areas increased year by year, with rates of 0.46%, 0.93%, 1.88% and 0.17%, 0.40%, 1.08%, respectively. Conclusion: The vaccination rates of influenza vaccine,PPV23 vaccine and HPV vaccine for adults in China are relatively low, with higher rates in the eastern region than in the central and western regions, and higher rates in urban areas than in rural areas. It is recommended to formulate corresponding health and economic policies and explore a suitable vaccination service system for adults in China to improve vaccination rates.
Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Influenza Vaccines/therapeutic use* ; Papillomavirus Infections ; Vaccination ; China ; Papillomavirus Vaccines/therapeutic use*

Objective: To understand the current situation of vaccination services for adults in China, explore how to establish a stable and efficient vaccination service system for adults, and provide reference for formulating corresponding policies. Methods: The vaccination information systems of nine provinces in China were used to obtain information on urban and rural vaccination of influenza vaccine, 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23), and human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV) from 2019 to 2021. The indicator, vaccination rate/full vaccination rate, was used for statistical description. Results: The vaccination rate/full vaccination rate of the three vaccines in eastern China was generally higher than that in central and western China. The vaccination rate/full vaccination rate in urban areas was generally higher than that in rural areas. From 2019 to 2021, the vaccination rates of influenza vaccine among people aged 60 years and above in urban and rural areas were 2.96%, 6.29%, 6.14% and 1.29%, 2.58%, 2.94%, respectively. The vaccination rates of the PPV23 among people aged 60 years and above in urban and rural areas increased year by year, with rates of 0.38%, 1.05%, 1.15% and 0.14%, 0.49%, 0.59%, respectively. From 2019 to 2021, the HPV coverage of female adults aged 27-45 years in urban and rural areas increased year by year, with rates of 0.46%, 0.93%, 1.88% and 0.17%, 0.40%, 1.08%, respectively. Conclusion: The vaccination rates of influenza vaccine,PPV23 vaccine and HPV vaccine for adults in China are relatively low, with higher rates in the eastern region than in the central and western regions, and higher rates in urban areas than in rural areas. It is recommended to formulate corresponding health and economic policies and explore a suitable vaccination service system for adults in China to improve vaccination rates.
Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Influenza Vaccines/therapeutic use* ; Papillomavirus Infections ; Vaccination ; China ; Papillomavirus Vaccines/therapeutic use*

In this study, the critical quality attributes of Wuzhuyu Decoction reference sample were explored by using characteristic chromatogram, index component content and dry extract rate as indexes.The dissemination relationship of quantity value between medicinal materials-decoction pieces-reference sample was investigated to preliminarily formulate the quality standard of the reference sample.The characteristic chromatogram of 15 batches of Wuzhuyu Decoction was established by high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) and the similarity analysis was conducted.Common peaks were demarcated and assigned to medicinal materials.Moreover, quantitative determination of limonin, evodiamine, rutaecarpine and ginsenoside Rb_1 of Wuzhuyu Decoction were performed.The dissemination of quantity value was explored combined with dry extract rate, similarity of characteristic chromatogram and transfer rate of index component content.A total of 18 common peaks were identified in the corresponding materials of Wuzhuyu Decoction reference sample, with the similarity of characteristic chromatogram greater than 0.9, and Fructus Evodiae, Radix Ginseng, Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens and Fructus Jujubae contributed 9, 5, 8 and 2 chromatographic peaks, respectively.The index component content of corresponding materials and the transfer rates of medicinal materials-decoction pieces and decoction pieces-reference sample of different batches of Wuzhuyu Decoction reference sample were as follows: the content of limonin was 0.16%-0.51%, and the transfer rates were 83.66%-115.60% and 38.54%-54.58%, respectively; the content of evodiamine was 0.01%-0.11%, the transfer rated were 80.80%-116.15% and 3.23%-12.93%, respectively; the content of rutaecarpine was 0.01%-0.05%, the transfer rates were 84.33%-134.53% and 5.72%-21.24%, respectively; the content of ginsenoside Rb_1 was 0.06%-0.11%, and the transfer rates were 90.00%-96.92% and 32.45%-67.24%, respectively.The dry extract rate of the whole prescription was 22.58%-29.89%.In this experiment, the dissemination of quantity value of Wuzhuyu Decoction reference sample was analyzed by the combination of characteristic chromatogram, index component content and dry extract rate.A scientific and stable quality evaluation method of the reference sample was preliminarily established, which provided basis for the subsequent development of Wuzhuyu Decoction and the quality control of related preparations.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Ginsenosides/analysis* ; Limonins/analysis* ; Quality Control