Objective:To construct four recombinant hemagglutinin (HA) antigens from seasonal influenza viruses and evaluate their immunogenicity in mouse models.Methods:HA coding sequences from four seasonal influenza virus strains Wisconsin (H1N1), Darwin (H3N2), Austria (B/Victoria lineage, BV) and Phuket (B/Yamagata lineage, BY) were optimized and synthesized, and then used to construct four recombinant plasmids. Recombinant baculoviruses were obtained through transformation and transfection. The expression of recombinant HA antigens was identified by SDS-PAGE and Western blot. The recombinant HA antigens were purified by nickel column affinity chromatography and intramuscularly administered to BALB/c mice after formulation with Al(OH) 3 or AddaVax adjuvant. Humoral immune responses were assessed by indirect ELISA and hemagglutination inhibition test, while cellular immune responses were evaluated by ELISPOT. Microneutralization test was used to detect the titers of serum antibodies in mice. Statistical analysis was performed using t test or non-parametric rank sum test. Results:PCR amplification and agarose gel electrophoresis confirmed the correct construction of the recombinant bacmids. Western blot showed verified the successful expression of the four recombinant antigens (H1-HA, H3N2-HA, BV-HA, and BY-HA). SDS-PAGE results showed that the purity of all four recombinant HA antigens exceeded 95%. After three-dose immunization, the total IgG levels in mice immunized with the recombinant H1N1-HA, H3N2-HA, or BV-HA formulated with AddaVax adjuvant were higher than those in the corresponding groups immunized with the same recombinant antigen alone (all P<0.05). The secretion levels of IFN-γ, IL-2, and IL-4 in the group receiving the mixture of all four recombinant HA antigens formulated with AddaVax adjuvant were higher than those in the group immunized with a commercial quadrivalent split influenza vaccine (all P<0.01). Results of the microneutralization test showed that the antibody titer in the quadrivalent split influenza vaccine group was 1∶225, whereas the titer in the group immunized with the mixture of four recombinant HA antigens formulated with AddaVax adjuvant could reach up to 1∶1 200. Conclusions:In this study, four recombinant seasonal influenza virus HA antigens are successfully expressed and demonstrated good immunogenicity in mice when formulated AddaVax adjuvant.

Two novel skeleton sesquiterpenoids (1 and 6), along with four new iphionane-type sesquiterpenes (2-5) and six new cyperane-type sesquiterpenes (7-11), were isolated from the whole plant of Artemisia hedinii (A. hedinii). The two novel skeleton compounds (1 and 6) were derived from the decarbonization of iphionane and cyperane-type sesquiterpenes, respectively. Their structures were elucidated through a comprehensive analysis of spectroscopic data, including high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS) and 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra. The absolute configurations were determined using electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra, single-crystal X-ray crystallographic analyses, time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) ECD calculation, density functional theory (DFT) NMR calculations, and biomimetic syntheses. The biomimetic syntheses of the two novel skeletons (1 and 6) were inspired by potential biogenetic pathways, utilizing a predominant eudesmane-type sesquiterpene (A) in A. hedinii as the substrate. All compounds were evaluated in LX-2 cells for their anti-hepatic fibrosis activity. Compounds 2, 8, and 10 exhibited significant activity in downregulating the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), a protein involved in hepatic fibrosis.
Artemisia/chemistry* ; Sesquiterpenes/chemical synthesis* ; Molecular Structure ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis/genetics* ; Biomimetics ; Plant Extracts/pharmacology*

OBJECTIVE To systematically analyze the functional system and construction requirements for infection prevention and control('infection control system'in short)in medical institutions so as to facilitate the effective,standardized and practical construction of the infection control system.METHODS The questionnaires were de-signed based on the relevant criteria and literatures that were released in China with the combination of expect con-sultant and were distributed to experts or professionals involving multiple fields such as hospital infection manage-ment,clinical medical treatment and information technology.The questionnaires were recycled,summarized and analyzed.RESULTS The list of functions of the infection control system(consultative draft)was formulated after review of literatures and expert consultation,including fundamental functions such as data management,case sur-veillance and intervention feedback as well as the advanced functions like target surveillance,occupational protec-tion and interconnection.The surveyed subjects agreed unanimously after the questionnaire survey that all of the function modules and elements enlisted were important,the average score of importance was more than 4 points,the score of coefficient of variable(CV)for importance of the function modules was less than 0.25,indicating that there was high consistency in the opinions among the surveyed subjects.The element of tracing and epidemiologi-cal survey function was adopted and added according to the feedback suggestions from some of the subjects;two function elements including data query and clinical interaction were revised,and the list of function requirements for the infection control systems was finally defined.CONCLUSION The requirements for functions of the infection control system that are determined in the study can provide important bases and data support for the research and standardized development of future infection control system.

OBJECTIVE To systematically analyze the functional system and construction requirements for infection prevention and control('infection control system'in short)in medical institutions so as to facilitate the effective,standardized and practical construction of the infection control system.METHODS The questionnaires were de-signed based on the relevant criteria and literatures that were released in China with the combination of expect con-sultant and were distributed to experts or professionals involving multiple fields such as hospital infection manage-ment,clinical medical treatment and information technology.The questionnaires were recycled,summarized and analyzed.RESULTS The list of functions of the infection control system(consultative draft)was formulated after review of literatures and expert consultation,including fundamental functions such as data management,case sur-veillance and intervention feedback as well as the advanced functions like target surveillance,occupational protec-tion and interconnection.The surveyed subjects agreed unanimously after the questionnaire survey that all of the function modules and elements enlisted were important,the average score of importance was more than 4 points,the score of coefficient of variable(CV)for importance of the function modules was less than 0.25,indicating that there was high consistency in the opinions among the surveyed subjects.The element of tracing and epidemiologi-cal survey function was adopted and added according to the feedback suggestions from some of the subjects;two function elements including data query and clinical interaction were revised,and the list of function requirements for the infection control systems was finally defined.CONCLUSION The requirements for functions of the infection control system that are determined in the study can provide important bases and data support for the research and standardized development of future infection control system.

Objective:To construct four recombinant hemagglutinin (HA) antigens from seasonal influenza viruses and evaluate their immunogenicity in mouse models.Methods:HA coding sequences from four seasonal influenza virus strains Wisconsin (H1N1), Darwin (H3N2), Austria (B/Victoria lineage, BV) and Phuket (B/Yamagata lineage, BY) were optimized and synthesized, and then used to construct four recombinant plasmids. Recombinant baculoviruses were obtained through transformation and transfection. The expression of recombinant HA antigens was identified by SDS-PAGE and Western blot. The recombinant HA antigens were purified by nickel column affinity chromatography and intramuscularly administered to BALB/c mice after formulation with Al(OH) 3 or AddaVax adjuvant. Humoral immune responses were assessed by indirect ELISA and hemagglutination inhibition test, while cellular immune responses were evaluated by ELISPOT. Microneutralization test was used to detect the titers of serum antibodies in mice. Statistical analysis was performed using t test or non-parametric rank sum test. Results:PCR amplification and agarose gel electrophoresis confirmed the correct construction of the recombinant bacmids. Western blot showed verified the successful expression of the four recombinant antigens (H1-HA, H3N2-HA, BV-HA, and BY-HA). SDS-PAGE results showed that the purity of all four recombinant HA antigens exceeded 95%. After three-dose immunization, the total IgG levels in mice immunized with the recombinant H1N1-HA, H3N2-HA, or BV-HA formulated with AddaVax adjuvant were higher than those in the corresponding groups immunized with the same recombinant antigen alone (all P<0.05). The secretion levels of IFN-γ, IL-2, and IL-4 in the group receiving the mixture of all four recombinant HA antigens formulated with AddaVax adjuvant were higher than those in the group immunized with a commercial quadrivalent split influenza vaccine (all P<0.01). Results of the microneutralization test showed that the antibody titer in the quadrivalent split influenza vaccine group was 1∶225, whereas the titer in the group immunized with the mixture of four recombinant HA antigens formulated with AddaVax adjuvant could reach up to 1∶1 200. Conclusions:In this study, four recombinant seasonal influenza virus HA antigens are successfully expressed and demonstrated good immunogenicity in mice when formulated AddaVax adjuvant.

Objective To investigate the changes of serum metabolites in patients with occupational chronic lead poisoning using non-targeted metabolomics, and to screen differential metabolic pathways. Methods A total of 14 patients with occupational chronic lead poisoning were selected as the poisoning group, and 14 healthy people without occupational hazard exposure history were selected as the control group using the judgment sampling method. Serum of the individuals from the two groups was collected. Non-targeted metabolomics technology based on ultra high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to detect serum metabolite levels in the two groups. Differential metabolites (DMs) were screened by the principal component analysis, partial least squares discriminant analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis, and related metabolic pathways were explored. Results The blood lead level in the poisoning group was higher than that in the control group (median: 359.59 vs 5.04 μg/L, P<0.01). There were significant differences in serum metabolites between the poisoning group and control group. After the combination of results from the positive and negative ion patterns, a total of 89 DMs were screened in serum of patients in the poisoning group, including 50 upregulated and 39 downregulated metabolites compared with the control group. The serum DMs of poisoning group were mainly enriched in arginine biosynthesis, ABC transporter, purine metabolism, choline metabolism in malignant tumor, glycerophospholipid metabolism and ether lipid metabolism compared with the control group (all P<0.05). Conclusion Abnormal changes of serum metabolic profile occurred in patients with occupational chronic lead poisoning. The metabolic pathways such as arginine biosynthesis, ABC transporter, purine metabolism, choline metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism and ether lipid metabolism may be involved in the occurrence and development of lead poisoning.

Acute respiratory infection caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) had caused a global pandemic since 2019, and posed a serious threat to global health security. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has played an indispensable role in the battle against the epidemic. Many components originated from TCMs were found to inhibit the production of SARS-CoV-2 3C-like protease (3CLpro) and papain-like protease (PLpro), which are two promising therapeutic targets to inhibit SARS-CoV-2. This study describes a systematic investigation of the roots and rhizomes of Sophora tonkinensis, which results in the characterization of 12 new flavonoids, including seven prenylated flavanones (1-7), one prenylated flavonol (8), two prenylated chalcones (9-10), one isoflavanone (11), and one isoflavan dimer (12), together with 43 known compounds (13-55). Their structures including the absolute configurations were elucidated by comprehensive analysis of MS, 1D and 2D NMR data, and time-dependent density functional theory electronic circular dichroism (TDDFT ECD) calculations. Compounds 12 and 51 exhibited inhibitory effects against SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro with IC₅₀ values of 34.89 and 19.88 μmol·L^-1, repectively while compounds 9, 43 and 47 exhibited inhibitory effects against PLpro with IC₅₀ values of 32.67, 79.38, and 16.74 μmol·L^-1, respectively.
Flavonoids/chemistry* ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Rhizome ; COVID-19 ; Peptide Hydrolases ; Antiviral Agents/chemistry*

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between long non-coding RNA (lncRNA)-related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and susceptibility to silicosis. METHODS: First, RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) data were comprehensively analyzed in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of eight participants (four silicosis cases and four healthy controls) exposed to silica dust to identify differentially expressed lncRNAs (DE-lncRNAs). The functional SNPs in the identified DE-lncRNAs were then identified using several databases. Finally, the association between functional SNPs and susceptibility to silicosis was evaluated by a two-stage case-control study. The SNPs of 155 silicosis cases and 141 healthy silica-exposed controls were screened by genome-wide association study (GWAS), and the candidate SNPs of 194 silicosis cases and 235 healthy silica-exposed controls were validated by genotyping using the improved Mutiligase Detection Reaction (iMLDR) system. RESULTS: A total of 76 DE-lncRNAs were identified by RNA-seq data analysis (cut-offs: fold change > 2 or fold change < 0.5, P < 0.05), while 127 functional SNPs among those 76 DE-lncRNAs were identified through multiple public databases. Furthermore, five SNPs were found to be significantly correlated with the risk of silicosis by GWAS screening (P < 0.05), while the results of GWAS and iMLDR validation indicated that the variant A allele of rs1814521 was associated with a reduced risk of silicosis (OR = 0.76, 95% CI = 0.62-0.94, P = 0.011). CONCLUSION The presence of the SNP rs1814521 in the lncRNA ADGRG3 is associated with susceptibility to silicosis. Moreover, ADGRG3 was found to be lowly expressed in silicosis cases. The underlying biological mechanisms by which lncRNA ADGRG3 and rs1814521 regulate the development of silicosis need further study.
Case-Control Studies ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; Humans ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics* ; Silicosis/genetics*

Objective:To retrospectively analyze the early mortality and related risk factors in adult patients with maintenance hemodialysis (MHD).Methods:Adult MHD patients from 2008 to 2018 were enrolled and divided into training data group and validation data group. In training data group, multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of early death within 120 days after hemodialysis and establish a prediction model. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was applied to evaluate the prediction ability of the model.Results:A total of 4 885 patients were included. The cumulative mortality within 120 days was 20.97/100 person years, and that within 365 days was 12.25/100 person years. A total of 3 603 patients in the training data group were analyzed. The following risk factors were correlated with early mortality (all P<0.05), including age at start of dialysis over 60 years old ( OR=1.792), non-chronic glomerulonephritis ( OR=2.214), cardio-cerebrovascular disease ( OR=2.695), plasma albumin less than 35 g/L ( OR=1.358), platelet count less than 120×10 9/L ( OR=2.194), serum creatinine less than 600 μmol/L ( OR=1.652), blood urea nitrogen over 30 mmol/L ( OR=1.887), blood phosphorus less than 1.13 mmol/L ( OR=1.783), pulse pressure over 55 mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) ( OR=1.656), low density lipoprotein less than 1.5 mmol/L ( OR=1.873), and blood calcium over 2.5 mmol/L ( OR=1.876). Risk prediction model was established. The other 1 282 cases in the validation data group were verified. The area under ROC curve was 0.810, with sensitivity 85.7%, and specificity 62.5%. Conclusion:The mortality rate of adult MHD patients within 120 days after dialysis is high. The established prediction model can effectively predict the risk of early death.

Objective:To explore the relationship between end-dialysis over-weight (edOW) in initial stage of hemodialysis and long-term prognosis in maintenance hemodialysis patients.Methods:The data of initial uremia patients receiving hemodialysis in the First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University from January 1, 2008 to April 30, 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. The end point of follow-up was death or until April 30, 2018. The general data including age, gender, body mass index, primary disease, complications and laboratory indicators of the patients and the related parameters of dialysis from four to twelve months were collected. Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze survival rate. Cox multivariate regression was used to analyze the relationship between edOW and all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality.Results:A total of 469 patients (300 males, 64.0%) were enrolled, with age of (56.9±17.1)years old. During the follow-up period of (4.1±2.4) years (1.0-10.3 years), 102 patients died. The main cause of death was cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, accounting for 44.1% (45/102). The value of edOW was (0.28±0.02) kg. The patients were divided into edOW<0.28 kg group ( n=292) and edOW≥0.28 kg group ( n=177) according to the mean value of edOW. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the long-term survival rate in edOW<0.28 kg group was higher than that in edOW≥0.28 kg group (Log-rank χ2=4.134, P=0.043), and the CVD mortality in edOW≥0.28 kg group was significantly higher than that in edOW<0.28 kg group (Log-rank χ2=11.136, P=0.001). Cox multivariate regression analysis showed that high edOW was an independent influencing factor for all-cause death and CVD death in hemodialysis patients ( HR=1.541, 95% CI 1.057-2.249, P=0.025; HR=1.930, 95% CI 1.198-3.107, P=0.007). Conclusion:High edOW in early phase is an independent influencing factor of all-cause and CVD death in hemodialysis patients.