Objective: To investigate the effects of mono-carbonyl analogues of curcumin (L6H21) on paraquat (PQ) -induced injury in HK-2 cell line and explore its underlying mechanisms. Methods: Cultured HK-2 cells were challenged by PQ with or without L6H21 treatment. Cell viability and apoptosis were determined by CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Gene expressions and protein levels of apoptotic and inflammatory factors were assessed by RT-PCR, ELISA, and western blot. Intracellular ROS production was detected by DCFH-DA staining. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were examined by chemical colorimetry. Results: 1) PQ challenge significantly inhibited HK-2 cells proliferation, which was prevented by L6H21 administration. PQ dramatically induced HK-2 apoptosis evidenced by increasing expressions of caspase-9, caspase-3 and Bax, while decreasing Bcl-2 level. However, PQ induced these apoptotic effects in HK-2 cells were reversed by L6H21. Similarly, PQ exposure obviously enhanced activity of NF-κB and levels of cytokines (TNF-α、IL-6) in HK-2 cells, which was inhibited by L6H21. Furthermore, administration of L6H21 inhibited PQ induced ROS and MDA production, and promoted SOD level in HK-2 cells. Conclusion L6H21 administration inhibits PQ-induced apoptosis in HK-2 cells possibly by reducing inflammation and oxidative damage.

Objective: To establish a rapid and sensitive isothermal amplification assay for the detection of human Adenovirus. Methods: Primers and probe used for recombinase polymerase amplification(RPA)were designed based on the conserved region of the adenoviruses hexon gene. After optimizing the reaction temperature and times, the products of RPA were detected by capillary electrophoresis and lateral flow dipstick(LFD). Sensitivity and specicity of the assay were evaluated. The diagnostic value of the RPA-LFD assay was verified using clinical samples which were simultaneously tested by real time PCR assay. Results: The analytical sensitivity of RPA-LFD assay was 2 copies DNA molecules per reaction and no cross reaction with other pathogens was observed. Compared with real-time PCR assay, the sensitivity, and specificity of the present assay were all 100%. Conclusions The RPA-LFD assay developed in this study has the characteristics of high specificity, sensitivity, rapid and no requirement of expensive equipment which provided a new tool for rapid detection of human adenovirus.

Breast cancer is a malignant tumor originating from breast epithelial tissue. Ferroptosis is a novel type of programmed cell death which differs from apoptosis and necrosis. Research found that the accumulation of lipid peroxides in cells, a crucial process of ferroptosis, can be induced by multiple mechanisms. The ferroptosis regulation is closely related to the occurrence and development of breast cancer, and it induced by drugs is a potential and valuable research direction in breast cancer.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing ; chemistry ; genetics ; Crystallography, X-Ray ; Humans ; Nuclear Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; Protein Structure, Quaternary ; Protein Structure, Secondary ; Structure-Activity Relationship ; X-linked Nuclear Protein ; chemistry ; genetics

Objective: To analyze the clinical manifestations and results of etiological examinations of 17 elderly patients with influenza A (H1N1) viral pneumonia, and to understand the clinical features of pneumonia and molecular characteristics of influenza A (H1N1) virus infection in the elderly. Methods: The elderly patients with pneumonia who were hospitalized in the Department of Respiratory Diseases of Nanjing First Hospital from January 2018 to March were enrolled. The cases were confirmed by nucleic acid examination for influenza virus and the clinical data were collected. After the amplification of the whole genome of influenza virus, the high throughput sequencing and bioinformatics analysis were performed. Results: The mean age of the 17 enrolled patients was 73.8±10.8. All of them had at least 1 underlying disease, and 7 cases had co-infection. Respiratory symptoms and fever were the most prominent clinical manifestations. Lesions in both lungs were found in 76.5% of the patients. The result of high throughput sequencing showed that all the viruses were highly homologous to the vaccine strain, and the HA gene belonged to the 6B.1 subgroup. Furthermore, three variations of antigenic locus (H138Y, S74R and S164T in HA) and a drug-resistant variation (H275Y in NA) were detected in the circulating strains. Conclusions Elderly patients with influenza A (H1N1) virus pneumonia often have underlying diseases and are prone to have co-infection. The molecular characteristics of the virus and the variation of key amino acid loci should be closely monitored in order to provide evidence for epidemic prevention and clinical antiviral treatment.

COVID-19 ; Coronavirus Nucleocapsid Proteins ; Humans ; Nucleocapsid Proteins ; Phosphoproteins ; SARS-CoV-2