DNA methylation is an important epigenetic modification mode , which plays a crucial role in gene expression , genome stability and development .DNA methylation is catalyzed and maintained in cell proliferation by the family of DNA methyltransferases.The ten-eleven translocation (TET) enzymes oxidize 5-methylcytosine (5mC) to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC), 5-formylcytosine (5fC), and 5-carboxylcytosine (5caC).Here, we briefly describe the TET enzymes and their role in cancer , and the distribution , the role and detection method of those three oxidation products of cytosine in genome .

Objective:To discuss the effects of recombinant IFN-α-IL-18 fusion protein on chicken lymphocyte transformation and the chicken nuclear factor kappa B ( NF-κB ) activity.Methods: The recombinant plasmids pPICZ-IFN-α, pPICZ-IL-18 and pPICZ-IFN-α-IL-18 were constructed,and transformed into P.Pastoris X-33 strain by electroporation.The recombinant proteins were ex-pressed under the induction of 1% methanol,and detected by SDS-PAGE and Western blot.The biological activities of the expressed products were detected by the lymphocyte transformation test,the NF-κB concentration in chicken lymphocyte and lymphocytic nucleus were detected at different times with ELISA.Results:SDS-PAGE and Western blot showed that the expressed products existed in super-natant,and the molecular weights were about 22 kD,23 kD and 43 kD,respectively.The expressed products IL-18 and IFN-α-IL-18 could stimulate chicken lymphocyte transformation (P<0.05),the biological activity of IFN-αstimulating lymphocyte transform was feeble (P>0.05).Compared with the control group,the total NF-κB concentration in chicken lymphocyte induced by IL-18 and IFN-α-IL-18 were increased (P<0.05),and the NF-κB in lymphocytic nucleus was increased significantly (P<0.01).Otherwise,the total NF-κB in lymphocyte induced by IFN-αincrease was limited (P>0.05),but the NF-κB in lymphocytic nucleus showed the remarkable increase ( P<0.05 ) .Conclusion: IFN-α-IL-18 and IL-18 can promote lymphocyte transformation significantly, the activity of IFN-αinduced lymphocyte transformation is imperfect.The biological activity of stimulating lymphocyte transformation is associated with the NF-κB expression,activation and nucleo-cytoplasmic transport.The study built foundation for the function of IFN-α-IL-18 fusion protein and the exploration of the role of controlling epidemic diseases.

Objective:To discuss the effects of recombinant IFN-α-IL-18 fusion protein on chicken lymphocyte histamine induced and the NF-κB p65 activation and nucleo-cytoplasmic transport.Methods: The healthy chickens blood was sterile adopted with anticoagulant,then separation of the chicken peripheral blood lymphocyte and divided into 10 groups:The yeast expression and purification protein IFN-α-IL-18,IL-18,IFN-α were added with 250 ng/ml,500 ng/ml and 1 000 ng/ml respectively while the control was only added RPMI1640 with 3 repetitions for each group.Then the histidine decarboxylase activity,histamine,IFN-γ,PI3K,MAPK and NF-κB p65 in cell nucleus were detected.Results: The recombinant IFN-α-IL-18 and IL-18 could significantly promote the activity of histidine decarboxylase (P<0.01),increase the contents of histamine (P<0.01),induce IFN-γ (P<0.01),improve the contents of PI3K (P<0.01) and the NF-κB p65 levels in nucleus (P<0.01),and the higher concentration of IFN-α had a similar effect to lymphocytes.The effects of IFN-α-IL-18,IL-18 and IFN-α on MAPK was acratia.Conclusion: IFN-α-IL-18 and IL-18 can stimulate chicken peripheral blood lymphocyte populations increased histamine contents significantly and promote the induction of IFN-γ.IFN-α-IL-18,IL-18 and IFN-α increase PI3K expression in lymphocyte associated with the NF-κB activation and NF-κB p65 nucleo-cytoplasmic transport.The study built foundation for the function of IFN-α-IL-18 and the exploration of the mechanism of controlling epidemic diseases.

AIM: To observe the effects of Egr-1 gene knockout on the expression of inflammatory-related factors in pancreatic tissue in a mouse acute pancreatitis model.METHODS: The experimental pancreatitis was induced by high-dose of cearulein in wildtype mice and Egr-1 knockout mice.The pancreatitis indexes,such as serum amylase,pancreata edema,and myeloperoxidase(MPO) levels in pancreata and lungs were recorded.The mRNA levels of tissue factor(TF),plasminogen activator inhibitor(PAI-1),monocyte chemoattractant protein(MCP-1),Gro-1,IL-6 and ICAM-1 were measured by quantitative PCR.RESULTS: Contrary to wildtype mice,typical pancreatitis was not induced by high-dose cearulein in the Egr-1 knockout mice,not only markedly reduced edema in pancreata and lungs,but decreased MPO levels in lungs as well were found.Furthermore,the mRNA of TF,PAI,MCAP,ICAM-1 and IL-6 in pancreata were significantly decreased in Egr-1 knockout mice.CONCLUSION: The severity of pancreatitis and lung damage is ameliorated in Egr-1 knockout mice stimulated by high-dosage of cearulein,which was probably mediated by decreasing expression of inflammatory-related factors in pancreata,such as TF,PAI,MCP-1,ICAM-1 and IL-6.

In order to research immunogenicity of the recombinant rVP2-IL-2 fusion protein, we obtained the rVP2-IL-2 fusion protein using Pichia pastoris expression system, and then evaluated its potential to induce immune responses in chicken. The effect was determined in the form of protective anti-IBDV VP2 titers, antibodies (IgG1 and IgG2a), lymphocyte proliferation, the levels of interferon-gamma and interleukin-4 cytokines, and challenge experiment. Antibody titers and proliferation lymphocyte level suggested that the fusion protein could elicit specific humoral immune and cellular immune responses, antibody sub-type results indicated that the rVP2-IL-2 fusion protein induced secretion both of IgG1 and IgG2a. The seem result elicited from cytokines ELISA test, secretion of both of Th1 (gamma-IFN) and Th2 (IL-4) were induced by the rVP2-IL-2 fusion protein. Challenge experiment result shown that chicken immunized the rVP2-IL-2 fusion protein obtained 85% protection. These results confirm that the fusion protein enhances the protection against IBDV through both humoral and cell-mediated immunity, and thus could serve as a candidate for the development of IBDV subunit vaccine.
Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; biosynthesis ; blood ; Chickens ; immunology ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Interleukin-2 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Pichia ; genetics ; metabolism ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; Th1 Cells ; immunology ; Th2 Cells ; immunology ; Vaccines, Subunit ; immunology ; Viral Structural Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Viral Vaccines ; immunology

Objective:To evaluate the safety and efficacy of amniotic membrane patching in the treatment of recurrent macular hole associated with retinal detachment of high myopia (MHRD).Methods:A prospective study. From March 2018 to January 2020, 11 patients (11 eyes) of recurrent macular hole associated with MHRD at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were enrolled. Among them, there were 3 males (3 eyes), and 8 females (8 eyes). The average age was 63.64±5.82. The axis length (AL) was 29.10± 0.59 mm, and the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution best corrected visual acuity (logMAR BCVA) was 2.23±0.57. Patients previously received pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) combined with internal limiting membrane stripping surgery, which was more than 1 time. All eyes underwent standard pars plana three-channel 23G PPV combined with amniotic membrane covering and silicone oil filling. The silicone oil was removed 6 months after surgery. Follow-up time was up to 3 months after silicone oil removal surgery. 1, 3, and 6 months after the operation, the same equipment and methods were used to conduct relevant examinations before the operation to observe the closure of the macular hole, retinal reattachment and changes in logMAR BCVA. The logMAR BCVA before and after surgery was compared by paired t test. Results:At 1, 3, and 6 months after the operation, the retinas of all eyes were anatomically repositioned, the macular holes were well closed, and the amniotic membrane was attached to the retina. At 3 months after the silicone oil removal operation, there was no recurrence of macular hole in all eyes; logMAR BCVA was 1.35±0.32. No serious complications occurred during and after surgery in all eyes.Conclusion:Amniotic membrane patching is a safe and effective method for recurrent macular hole associated with MHRD.

Background: Twenty-four-hour urinary free cortisol (UFC) measurement is the initial diagnostic test for Cushing’s syndrome (CS). We compared UFC determination by both direct and extraction immunoassays using Abbott Architect, Siemens Atellica Solution, and Beckman DxI800 with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). In addition, we evaluated the value of 24-hr UFC measured by six methods for diagnosing CS. Methods: Residual 24-hr urine samples of 94 CS and 246 non-CS patients were collected.A laboratory-developed LC-MS/MS method was used as reference. UFC was measured by direct assays (D) using Abbott, Siemens, and Beckman platforms and by extraction assays (E) using Siemens and Beckman platforms. Method was compared using Passing–Bablok regression and Bland–Altman plot analyses. Cut-off values for the six assays and corresponding sensitivities and specificities were calculated by ROC analysis. Results: Abbott-D, Beckman-E, Siemens-E, and Siemens-D showed strong correlations with LC-MS/MS (Spearman coefficient r = 0.965, 0.922, 0.922, and 0.897, respectively), while Beckman-D showed weaker correlation (r = 0.755). All immunoassays showed proportionally positive bias. The areas under the curve were 0.975 for Abbott-D, 0.972 for LCMS/MS, 0.966 for Siemens-E, 0.948 for Siemens-D, 0.955 for Beckman-E, and 0.877 for Beckman-D. The cut-off values varied significantly (154.8–1,321.5 nmol/24 hrs). Assay sensitivity and specificity ranged from 76.1% to 93.2% and from 93.0% to 97.1%, respectively. Conclusions Commercially available immunoassays for measuring UFC show different levels of analytical consistency compared to LC-MS/MS. Abbott-D, Siemens-E, and Beckman-E have high diagnostic accuracy for CS.

By reviewing the ancient and modern literature， the name， origin， medicinal parts and other aspects of Linderae Radix in famous classical formulas were systematically sorted out， so as to provide a basis for development of famous classical formulas containing this herb. Linderae Radix was first recorded in Bencao Shiyi in the Tang dynasty under name of Pangqi， and since Rihuazi Bencao of the Five dynasties， all generations of materia medica have used Wuyao as its proper name of the herb. The mainstream source of Linderae Radix used in the past dynasties is dried tuberous roots of Lindera aggregata contained in the 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The origins of Linderae Radix recorded in the past dynasties are mainly Guangdong， Guangxi， Hunan， Zhejiang， Anhui and others， since the Song dynasty， Tiantai county in Zhejiang province has been regarded as the authentic producing place， in modern times， it is still the authentic place of origin. At harvesting， in ancient times， the harvesting time of the roots was mostly in August， while in modern times， Linderae Radix is mostly harvested in winter and spring or throughout the year， and is dried directly after harvesting or cut thin slices and dried in the place of production. At processing， Linderae Radix was processed by removing the peel and heart， wine roasting， vinegar roasting and other methods in ancient times， and in modern times， it is mostly used in raw form as medicine. In conclusion， it is suggested that the processing method of fresh slicing and drying in the place of origin in the 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia should be adopted if Linderae Radix is involved in the development of famous classical formulas.