Interferon-induced Transmembrane Proteins (IFITMs) were identified through small interference RNA (siRNA) screening method in 1980s. The antiviral properties of the IFITMs were firstly discovered in 1996. Recently, its antiviral effect and mechanism have become a research hotspot. Many studies have shown that IFITM can inhibit the replication of multiple pathogenic viruses, including influenza A virus (IAV), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-1), hepatitis C virus (HCV), Ebola virus (EBOV), West Nile virus and so on. IFITMs inhibit the replication of virus in the early stage of the viral life cycle, which occurred before the release of viral genomes into the cytosol. Recent studies indicate that IFITM proteins could block viral replication by mediate viral membrane fusion. However, the mechanism is still under investigation. Here we review the discovery and characterization of the IFITM proteins, elucidate their antiviral activities and the potential mechanisms.
Animals ; Humans ; Interferons ; genetics ; immunology ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; Virus Diseases ; genetics ; immunology ; virology ; Viruses ; genetics ; immunology

Sepsis leads to inhibition of protein synthesis , known as leucine resistance .mTOR regulates protein synthesis by phosphorylation of S6K1 and 4E-BP1.AMPK is an important negative regulator of mTOR and its activity is in an abnormal state in sep-sis.This review briefly discusses the AMPK/mTOR pathway in Sepsis-induced leucine resistance .

Influenza viruses can infect humans, lead to epidemics within populations, and even cause global pandemics. During the non-pandemic period, there is a continuous threat as avian or swine influenza viruses cross the species barrier to infect humans, resulting in zoonotic influenza infections. For the purpose of pandemic preparation and control, it is crucial to strengthen surveillance, scientific research, and risk assessment of these zoonotic influenza viruses. Here, we focus on the latest zoonotic influenza viruses that have recently garnered significant attention, providing an overview of their latest epidemiological trends and research progress, thereby facilitating scientific risk assessment.

Preparation of maternal strain A/PR/8/34 HA antiserum for influenza virus classical reassortment. A/PR/8/34 virus was digested by bromelain after inactivation and purification. 5%-20% sucrose continuous density gradient centrifugation method was used to purify HA protein. SIRD method was used to select the target protein. SDS-PAGE method was used to identified HA protein. High Immunogenic A/PR/8/34 HA protein was successfully prepared and HI titer reached 10240. High purity HA antiserum was identified by SIRD method. The key reagent in the classical reassortment of influenza virus was prepared, and the complete set of technical methods were explored, which laid the foundation for the independent research and development of seasonal influenza vaccine strains of China.
Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; immunology ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Female ; Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests ; Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus ; analysis ; immunology ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ; genetics ; immunology ; Influenza, Human ; immunology ; virology ; Rabbits ; Reassortant Viruses ; genetics ; immunology

This study is to evaluate the therapeutic effect of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) on hypertension induced by insulin resistance in rats and to provide mechanistic insights into its therapeutic effect. Male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were fed with high-fructose (10%) water to develop mild hypertensive models within 4 weeks, then randomized into 4 groups: model control, FGF21 0.25, 0.1 and 0.05 micromol x kg(-1) x d(-1) groups. Five age-matched normal SD rats administrated with saline were used as normal controls. The rats in each group were treated once a day for 4 weeks. Body weight was measured weekly, systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured noninvasively using a tail-cuff method, insulin sensitivity was assessed using oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and HOMA-IR assay. At the end of the treatment, blood samples were collected, and blood glucose, serum cholesterol, serum triglyceride and serum insulin were measured. The results showed that blood pressure of the rats treated with different doses of FGF21 returned to normal levels [(122.2 +/- 3.5) mmHg, P < 0.01] after 4-week treatment, whereas, SBP of untreated (model control) rats maintained a high level [(142.5 +/- 4.5) mmHg] throughout the treatment. The observation of blood pressure in 24 h revealed that SBP of FGF21 treated-rats maintained at (130 +/- 4.5) mmHg vs. (143 +/- 5.5) mmHg for model control (P < 0.01). FGF21 treatment groups improved serum lipids obviously, total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) levels decreased significantly to normal levels. The serum NO levels of three different doses FGF21 treatment group were significantly higher than that of the model control group [(7.32 +/- 0.11), (7.24 +/- 0.13), (6.94 +/- 0.08) vs. (6.56 +/- 0.19) micromol x L(-1), P < 0.01], and the degree of improvement showed obvious dose-dependent manner, indicating that FGF21 can significant increase serum NO in fructose-induced hypertension rat model and improve endothelial NO release function. The results of OGTT and HOMA-IR showed that insulin resistance state was significantly relieved in a dose-dependent manner. Thus, this study demonstrates that FGF21 significantly ameliorates blood pressure in fructose-induced hypertension model by relieving insulin resistance. This finding provides a theoretical support for clinical application of FGF21 as a novel therapeutics for treatment of essential hypertension.

Objective To investigate the status and associated factors of demand satisfaction (DS) of services for older adults with visual disability (OAVD).Methods Based on the 2nd National Sample Survey on Disability in 2006,a total number of 24 017 OAVD cases were included.Associated relationships among demographic,health-related,social,economic factors and services of DS,including health demand (Type Ⅰ),basic livelihood demand (Type Ⅱ),and environmental support demand (Type Ⅲ) were analyzed.Results The proportions of DS of Type Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲservices for OAVD were 35.1％,9.3％ and 4.3％ respectively.Eight factors as:having pension insurance (OR =1.64),living in urban areas (OR =1.54),per capita household income at ≥ 5 000 or over Yuan (OR=1.46) were favorable ones on OAVD DS while at age ≥ 80 or above (OR =0.90),being male (OR=0.93) were adverse factors of Type Ⅰ.Four factors as:being male (OR=1.43),living in urban areas (OR=1.15),subjects defined as grade Ⅱ (OR=1.36) and grade Ⅰ (OR=1.70)etc.,were favorable factors on OAVD DS.Five factors as:range of age groups at 15-59(OR=0.57)or at ≥60 (OR=0.45),per capita household income at 1 000-1 999 Yuan(OR=0.77),2 000-4 999 Yuan (OR =0.58) and ≥ 5 000 Yuan (OR =0.39) were adverse factors of Type Ⅱ.Factors as:living in urban areas (OR =1.23),defined as grade Ⅱ (OR =1.38) and grade Ⅰ (OR =1.34),having pension insurance (OR=1.62) and per capita household income at ≥5 000 Yuan (OR=1.42) etc.,were favorable factors of Type Ⅲ.Conclusion The DS degree of older adults with visual disability was generally very low while factors as:per capita household income,situation on social insurance,age,degree of disability,age when disability was identified,areas of residence,gender,grade of disability,marriage status,levels of education etc.,were significantly associated with the service on DS.

Previous studies proposed that the synergistic effect of fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF-21) and insulin may be due to the improvement of insulin sensitivity by FGF-21. However, there is no experimental evidence to support this. This study was designed to elucidate the mechanism of synergistic effect of FGF-21 and insulin in the regulation of glucose metabolism. The synergistic effect of FGF-21 and insulin on regulating glucose metabolism was demonstrated by investigating the glucose absorption rate by insulin resistance HepG2 cell model and the blood glucose chances in type 2 diabetic db/db mice after treatments with different concentrations of FGF-21 or/and insulin; The synergistic metabolism was revealed through detecting GLUT1 and GLUT4 transcription levels in the liver by real-time PCR method. The experimental results showed that FGF-21 and insulin have a synergistic effect on the regulation of glucose metabolism. The results of real-time PCR showed that the effective dose of FGF-21 could up-regulate the transcription level of GLUT1 in a dose-dependent manner, but had no effect on the transcription level of GLUT4. Insulin (4 u) alone could up-regulate the transcription level of GLUT4, yet had no effect on that of GLUT1. Ineffective dose 0.1 mg kg(-1) FGF-21 alone could not change the transcription level of GLUT1 or GLUT4. However, when the ineffective dose 0.1 mg x kg(-1) FGF-21 was used in combination with insulin (4 u) significantly increased the transcription levels of both GLUT1 and GLUT4, the transcription level of GLUT1 was similar to that treated with 5 time concentration of FGF-21 alone; the transcription level of GLUT4 is higher than that treated with insulin (4 u) alone. In summary, in the presence of FGF-21, insulin increases the sensitivity of FGF-21 through enhancing GLUT1 transcription. Vice versa, FGF-21 increases the sensitivity of insulin by stimulating GLUT4 transcription in the presence of insulin. FGF-21 and insulin exert a synergistic effect on glucose metabolism through mutual sensitization.

Objective To compare eye expression recognition in stable outpatients with schizophrenia with that in normal controls and to explore the relationships between eye expression recognition and social functioning.Methods 107 schizophrenic outpatients and 66 normal controls matched in age,sex and years of education were assessed with Eye Basic Emotion Discrimination Task(EBEDT) and Eye Complex Emotion Discrimination Task(ECEDT).The patients were also assessed with Social Disability Screening Schedule (SDSS).Results The correct numbers were significantly lower for patients to identify basic emotions of eye expressions(13.2±3.8 vs16.0±2.6,P<0.01) and complex emotions of eye expressions(17.9±4.3 vs 20.6±3.5,P<0.01)than those for controls respectively;the correct numbers to identify anger(3.1±1.0 vs.2.1±1.2,P<0.01),fear(1.8±1.0 vs 1.3±1.0,P<0.01) and disgust(1.8±1.1 vs 1.4±1.2,P<0.05)for controls were higher than those for patients significantly.The correct numbers to identify total basic emotions(r=-0.335,P<0.05)and total complex emotions (r=-0.374,P<0.05)in eye expressions showed negatively correlated with the total scores of SDSS in the patients after controlling age and total score of PANSS.Conclusions The ability to recognize basic and complicated emotions in eye expressions in the outpatients with schizophrenia is lower than that in the controls. It shows positively correlated with social functioning moderately in the patients.

Since the first report of a swine influenza virus (SIV) infection in humans in 1958, cases have occurred continuously and increased significantly after the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. Although exposure to swine is thought to be a risk factor for human SIVs infections, approximately half of the reported cases had no known exposure to pigs. Besides, epidemiological investigation showed that several cases had limited human-to-human transmission. Based on the analyses of data on swine influenza virus infection in humans in this review, both the improved SIVs surveillance in humans and swine population and wider vaccination coverage among occupational workers are critical strategies in pandemic preparedness and response.
Animals ; Humans ; Influenza A virus ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; physiology ; Influenza, Human ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; transmission ; virology ; Orthomyxoviridae Infections ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; veterinary ; virology ; Swine ; Swine Diseases ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; transmission ; virology ; Zoonoses ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; transmission ; virology

Objective: Leukocyte mediated IL-6 (IL-6) plays an important role in chronic viral hepatitis pathogenesis and related liver diseases, We did a large sample-size case-control study and clinical data analysis to find association between IL-6 single nucleotide polymorphism and HBV susceptibility, and to achieve the detection of the body on the expression of IL-6 for the prevention and treatment of HBV infection. Methods: Totally 848 HBV patients and 894 healthy controls in Shenzhen were selected and rs1800796 genotypes were determined by TaqMan assays. Results: The result showed that rs1800796 polymorphism was associated with susceptibility to HBV infection (P=0.0003, odds ratio (OR)=1.43, the difference was statistically significant. Conclusions The single nucleotide polymorphism of IL-6rs1800796 locus was associated with the susceptibility of HBV infection in Chinese population, and the rs1800796 G allele is a protective gene for HBV infection.