Objective To prepare mouse monoclonal antibodies against the ectodomain of E2 (E2ecto) glycoprotein of Western equine encephalitis virus (WEEV). Methods A prokaryotic expression plasmid pET-28a-WEEV E2ecto was constructed and transformed into BL21 (DE3) competent cells. E2ecto protein was expressed by IPTG induction and presented mainly as inclusion bodies. Then the purified E2ecto protein was prepared by denaturation, renaturation and ultrafiltration. BALB/c mice were immunized with the formulated E2ecto protein using QuickAntibody-Mouse5W as an adjuvant via intramuscular route, boosted once at an interval of 21 days. At 35 days post-immunization, mice with antibody titer above 1×10⁴ were inoculated with E2ecto intraperitoneally, and spleen cells were fused with SP2/0 cells three days later. Hybridoma cells secreting specific monoclonal antibodies were screened by the limited dilution method, and ascites were prepared after intraperitoneal inoculation of hybridoma cells. The subtypes and titers of the antibodies in ascites were assayed by ELISA. The biological activity of the mAb was identified by immunofluorescence assay(IFA) on BHK-21 cells which were transfected with eukaryotic expression plasmid pCAGGS-WEEV-CE3E2E1. The specificity of the antibodies were evaluated with E2ecto proteins from EEEV and VEEV. Results Purified WEEV E2ecto protein was successfully expressed and obtained. Four monoclonal antibodies, 3G6G10, 3D7G2, 3B9E8 and 3D5B7, were prepared, and their subtypes were IgG2c(κ), IgM(κ), IgM(κ) and IgG1(κ), respectively. The titers of ascites antibodies 3G6G10, 3B9E8 and 3D7G2 were 10⁵, and 3D5B7 reached 10⁷. None of the four antibody strains cross-reacted with other encephalitis alphavirus such as VEEV and EEEV. Conclusion Four strains of mouse mAb specifically binding WEEV E2ecto are successfully prepared.
Horses ; Animals ; Mice ; Encephalitis Virus, Western Equine ; Ascites ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Immunoglobulin M

Objective To investigate the clinical features of hospitalized children with pertussis.Methods The clinical data of 87 hospitalized children with pertussis admitted to Women and Children's Hospital Affiliated to Xiamen University from January 2019 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.According to the age of the children,they were divided into group A(≤3 months of age,35 cases),group B(4-12 months of age,36 cases)and group C(>12 months of age,16 cases).The clinical features of children at different ages were compared.Results The majority of children with pertussis were<1 year old(81.61%),and August was the month of high incidence.Spastic cough(72.41%)was the main clinical manifestation.Other manifestations included redness or cyanosis,vomiting after coughing,crow echo,etc.There were statistically significant differences in the incidence of spastic cough,redness or cyanosis and the contact history of patients with chronic cough among three groups(P<0.05).There were significant differences in the incidence of pneumonia and the average length of hospital stay among three groups(P<0.05).There was significant difference in C-reactive protein level among three groups(P<0.05).Among 87 children with pertussis,37 cases(42.53%)were infected with other pathogens,among which virus infection was the most common.The treatment is effective with macrolides and compound sulfamethoxazole.Conclusion Pertussis is more common in infants under 1 year of age,and the incidence is high in August.Chronic cough patients with close contact may be the source of infection.Spastic cough is the main clinical symptom of children;the younger,the more common symptoms such as spastic cough,redness and cyanosis,the higher incidence of pneumonia and the longer hospital stay.

The molecular genetic characteristics of a family with rare -88 C>G (HBB: c.-138 C>G) β-thalassemia gene mutation were studied using cohort study. The cohort study was conducted from June to August 2022 by Prenatal Diagnosis Center of Sanya Women and Children's Hospital Managed by Shanghai Children's Medical Center. The phenotype and genotype were analyzed by hematological cytoanalyzer, automatic electrophoretic analysis system, and next-generation sequencing (NGS). And then, Sanger sequencing was used to verify the rare gene results. The results showed that the proband, her father, her uncle and her younger male cousin had discrete microcytosis (MCV 70.1 fl, 71.9 fl, 73.1 fl and 76.6 fl, respectively) and hypochromia (MCH 21.5 pg,22.0 pg,22.6 pg and 23.5 pg, respectively), elevated hemoglobin A2 level (5.3%, 5.4%, 5.4% and 5.5%, respectively), slightly elevated or normal fetal hemoglobin (Hb F), but no anemia. The proband was identified to have co-inherited ɑ-thalassemia (Hb Westmead gene heterozygous mutation, ɑ^wsɑ/ɑɑ) and β-thalassemia with a rare -88 C>G (HBB: c.-138 C>G) heterozygous mutation (β^{-88 C>G}/β^N). Her mother had the same α-thalassemia as the proband. Her father, her uncle and her younger male cousin had the same rare -88 C>G heterozygous mutations as the proband. While her grandmother and younger brother were not carrier of thalassemia. In conclusion, 4 cases of rare -88 C>G(HBB:c.-138 C>G) heterozygous mutation had been detected in a Chinese family. Carriers of this beta-thalassemia are clinically asymptomatic. This study enriches the knowledge of the thalassemia mutation spectrum in Chinese people and provides valuable information for genetic counseling, prenatal diagnosis, and prevention of thalassemia, providing a scientific basis for improving the quality of birth population and preventing birth defects.
Female ; Humans ; Male ; alpha-Thalassemia/genetics* ; beta-Globins/genetics* ; beta-Thalassemia/diagnosis* ; China ; Cohort Studies ; Genotype ; Molecular Biology ; Mutation

OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of ferroptosis-related genes in multiple myeloma(MM) through TCGA database and FerrDb, and build a prognostic model of ferroptosis-related genes for MM patients. METHODS: Using the TCGA database containing clinical information and gene expression profile data of 764 patients with MM and the FerrDb database including ferroptosis-related genes, the differentially expressed ferroptosis-related genes were screened by wilcox.test function. The prognostic model of ferroptosis-related genes was established by Lasso regression, and the Kaplan-Meier survival curve was drawn. Then COX regression analysis was used to screen independent prognostic factors. Finally, the differential genes between high-risk and low-risk patients were screened, and enrichment analysis was used to explore the mechanism of the relationship between ferroptosis and prognosis in MM. RESULTS: 36 differential genes related to ferroptosis were screened out from bone marrow samples of 764 MM patients and 4 normal people, including 12 up-regulated genes and 24 down-regulated genes. Six prognosis-related genes (GCLM, GLS2, SLC7A11, AIFM2, ACO1, G6PD) were screened out by Lasso regression and the prognostic model with ferroptosis-related genes of MM was established. Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed that the survival rate between high risk group and low risk group was significantly different(P<0.01). Univariate COX regression analysis showed that age, sex, ISS stage and risk score were significantly correlated with overall survival of MM patients(P<0.05), while multivariate COX regression analysis showed that age, ISS stage and risk score were independent prognostic indicators for MM patients (P<0.05). GO and KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the ferroptosis-related genes was mainly related to neutrophil degranulation and migration, cytokine activity and regulation, cell component, antigen processing and presentation, complement and coagulation cascades, haematopoietic cell lineage and so on, which may affect the prognosis of patients. CONCLUSION Ferroptosis-related genes change significantly during the pathogenesis of MM. The prognostic model of ferroptosis-related genes can be used to predict the survival of MM patients, but the mechanism of the potential function of ferroptosis-related genes needs to be confirmed by further clinical studies.
Humans ; Multiple Myeloma ; Ferroptosis ; Prognosis ; Hematopoietic System ; Blood Coagulation

OBJECTIVE: To monitor the changes of voriconazole minimum concentration(C_min) in patients with hematological diseases, and evaluate the factors influencing and adverse reactions of voriconazole clearance in patients with hematological diseases, so as to provide a theoretical basis for reasonable clinical use of voriconazole. METHODS: 136 patients with hematological diseases who used voriconazole in Wuhan NO.1 Hospital from May 2018 to December 2019 were selected. The correlation between C-reactive protein, albumin, creatinine and voriconazole C_min were analyzed, and the changes of voriconazole C_min after glucocorticoid treatment was also detected. In addition, stratified analysis was used to explore the adverse events of voriconazole. RESULTS: Among 136 patients, 77 were male (56.62%) and 59 were female (43.38%). There were positive correlations between voriconazole C_min and C-reactive protein and creatinine levels (r=0.277, r=0.208), while voriconazole C_min was negatively correlated with albumin level (r=-2.673). Voriconazole C_min in patients treated with glucocorticoid was decreased significantly (P<0.05). In addition, sratified analysis of voriconazole C_min showed that compared with voriconazole C_min 1.0-5.0 mg/L group, the incidence of adverse reactions of visual impairment in voriconazole C_min> 5.0 mg/L group was increased (χ²=4.318, P=0.038). CONCLUSION The levels of C-reactive protein, albumin and creatinine are closely related to the voriconazole C_min, which indicate that inflammation and hyponutrition may prevent the clearance of voriconazole in patients with hematological diseases. It is necessary to monitor the voriconazole C_min of patients with hematological diseases, and adjust the dosage in time to reduce adverse reactions.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Voriconazole/therapeutic use* ; Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use* ; C-Reactive Protein ; Creatinine ; Glucocorticoids ; Retrospective Studies ; Drug Monitoring ; Hematologic Diseases

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of eltrombopag combined with cyclosporine A (CsA) and CsA alone in patients with transfusion-dependent non-severe aplastic anemia (TD-NSAA). METHODS: The clinical data of 76 patients with treatment-naive TD-NSAA in Ningde Municipal Hospital of Ningde Normal University and Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University from December 2017 to June 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 45 cases were treated with eltrombopag combined with CsA, and 31 patients with compatible baseline characters were treated with CsA alone. The efficacy of patients between the two groups was compared, and the factors affecting the curative effects were also analyzed. RESULTS: There were significant differences in hematological response (HR) and complete response(CR) rates between the two groups at 3, 6, 12 months, and follow-up endpoint of treatment (P<0.05). With the prolongation of eltrombopag treatment time, the curative effect increased gradually, and the patients achieved more CR and HR rates by the end of the follow-up period. Simultaneously, with the increase in the maximum stable dose of eltrombopag, the HR rate increased gradually. The megakaryocyte count in eltrombopag group was higher than that in control at 6 and 12 months (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the median time of platelet transfusion independence in eltrombopag group was more shorter (P=0.018), and the median platelets transfusion volume was lower (P=0.009). At 3, 6, 12 months after eltrombopag, the change of platelet in eltrombopag group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). Analysis of related factors affecting the efficacy showed that sex, age, iron overload, platelet count before treatment had no effect on the efficacy, and the median maximum stable dosage and the administration period for eltrombopag were related to the curative effect. The patients of eltrombopag group experienced adverse events of varying degrees, but the reactions were mild and mostly tolerated. CONCLUSION Eltrombopag can effectively improve the hematopoietic response and promote platelet recovery for TD-NSAA patients with relatively more residual hematopoietic cells, and it is safe and well tolerated.
Humans ; Anemia, Aplastic/therapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Cyclosporine/therapeutic use* ; Immunosuppression Therapy ; Immunosuppressive Agents/therapeutic use*

Objective To prepare and identify rabbit anti-cyclin dependent kinase 6 (CDK6) antibody. Methods The recombinant pET21a (+)/CDK6 was successfully constructed, then the recombinant plasmid was transformed into E.coli BL21 (DE3) competent cells and was induced by isopropyl-β-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) for protein expression, which was detected by SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis. The expressed protein was purified by nickel-chelating nitrilotriacetic acid (Ni-NTA) agarose and then analyzed by SDS-PAGE. Japanese white rabbits were immunized with purified CDK6 protein for many times every two weeks. The blood was collected at 0, 2, 4 and 6 weeks after immunization, and serum was separated from blood. The titer was detected by indirect ELISA. Western blot analysis, immunofluorescence assay and immunohistochemistry were employed to determine the specificity. Results High purity CDK6 protein and high specificity of rabbit anti-CDK6 antibody were successfully prepared. The titer of CDK6 rabbit serum antibody reached 1:30 000 after immunization, which could specifically recognize the CDK6 protein expressed in cervical cancer cell line and cervical cancer tissues. Conclusion The high titer and specificity of rabbit anti-CDK6 antibody is successfully prepared.
Animals ; Female ; Humans ; Rabbits ; Antibodies ; Antibody Specificity ; Blotting, Western ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 6 ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

Objective: To analyze and compare therapy responses, outcomes, and incidence of severe hematologic adverse events of flumatinib and imatinib in patients newly diagnosed with chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) . Methods: Data of patients with chronic phase CML diagnosed between January 2006 and November 2022 from 76 centers, aged ≥18 years, and received initial flumatinib or imatinib therapy within 6 months after diagnosis in China were retrospectively interrogated. Propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was performed to reduce the bias of the initial TKI selection, and the therapy responses and outcomes of patients receiving initial flumatinib or imatinib therapy were compared. Results: A total of 4 833 adult patients with CML receiving initial imatinib (n=4 380) or flumatinib (n=453) therapy were included in the study. In the imatinib cohort, the median follow-up time was 54 [interquartile range (IQR), 31-85] months, and the 7-year cumulative incidences of CCyR, MMR, MR(4), and MR(4.5) were 95.2%, 88.4%, 78.3%, and 63.0%, respectively. The 7-year FFS, PFS, and OS rates were 71.8%, 93.0%, and 96.9%, respectively. With the median follow-up of 18 (IQR, 13-25) months in the flumatinib cohort, the 2-year cumulative incidences of CCyR, MMR, MR(4), and MR(4.5) were 95.4%, 86.5%, 58.4%, and 46.6%, respectively. The 2-year FFS, PFS, and OS rates were 80.1%, 95.0%, and 99.5%, respectively. The PSM analysis indicated that patients receiving initial flumatinib therapy had significantly higher cumulative incidences of CCyR, MMR, MR(4), and MR(4.5) and higher probabilities of FFS than those receiving the initial imatinib therapy (all P<0.001), whereas the PFS (P=0.230) and OS (P=0.268) were comparable between the two cohorts. The incidence of severe hematologic adverse events (grade≥Ⅲ) was comparable in the two cohorts. Conclusion: Patients receiving initial flumatinib therapy had higher cumulative incidences of therapy responses and higher probability of FFS than those receiving initial imatinib therapy, whereas the incidence of severe hematologic adverse events was comparable between the two cohorts.
Adult ; Humans ; Adolescent ; Imatinib Mesylate/adverse effects* ; Incidence ; Antineoplastic Agents/adverse effects* ; Retrospective Studies ; Pyrimidines/adverse effects* ; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/drug therapy* ; Treatment Outcome ; Benzamides/adverse effects* ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Chronic-Phase/drug therapy* ; Aminopyridines/therapeutic use* ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors/therapeutic use*

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics and maternal and fetal prognosis of pregnant women with acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP). Methods: The clinical data of 86 AFLP pregnant women admitted to the Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University from September 2017 to August 2022 were collected, and their general data, clinical characteristics, laboratory tests and maternal and fetal outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. Results: (1) General information: the age of the 86 pregnant women with AFLP was (30.8±5.4) years, and the body mass index was (21.0±2.5) kg/m². There were 50 primiparas (58.1%, 50/86) and 36 multiparas (41.9%, 36/86). There were 64 singleton pregnancies (74.4%, 64/86) and 22 twin pregnancies (25.6%, 22/86). (2) Clinical characteristics: the main complaints of AFLP pregnant women were gastrointestinal symptoms, including epigastric pain (68.6%, 59/86), nausea (47.7%, 41/86), anorexia (46.5%, 40/86), vomiting (39.5%, 34/86). The main non-gastrointestinal symptoms were jaundice of skin and/or scleral (54.7%, 47/86), edema (38.4%, 33/86), fatigue (19.8%, 17/86), bleeding tendency (16.3%, 14/86), polydipsia or polyuria (14.0%, 12/86), skin itching (8.1%, 7/86), and 17.4% (15/86) AFLP pregnant women had no obvious symptoms. (3) Laboratory tests: the incidence of liver and kidney dysfunction and abnormal coagulation function in AFLP pregnant women was high, and the levels of blood ammonia, lactate dehydrogenase and lactic acid were increased, and the levels of hemoglobin, platelet and albumin decreased. However, only 24 cases (27.9%, 24/86) of AFLP pregnant women showed fatty liver by imageology examination. (4) Pregnancy outcomes: ① AFLP pregnant women had a high incidence of pregnancy complications, mainly including renal insufficiency (95.3%, 82/86), preterm birth (46.5%, 40/86), hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (30.2%, 26/86), gestational diabetes mellitus (36.0%, 31/86), fetal distress (24.4%, 21/86), pulmonary infection (23.3%, 20/86), disseminated intravascular coagulation (16.3%, 14/86), multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (16.3%, 14/86), hepatic encephalopathy (9.3%, 8/86), and intrauterine fetal death (2.3%, 2/86). ② Treatment and outcome of AFLP pregnant women: the intensive care unit transfer rate of AFLP pregnant women was 66.3% (57/86). 82 cases were improved and discharged after treatment, 2 cases were transferred to other hospitals for follow-up treatment, and 2 cases (2.3%, 2/86) died. ③ Neonatal outcomes: except for 2 cases of intrauterine death, a total of 106 neonates were delivered, including 39 cases (36.8%, 39/106) of neonatal asphyxia, 63 cases (59.4%, 63/106) of neonatal intensive care unit admission, and 3 cases (2.8%, 3/106) of neonatal death. Conclusions: AFLP is a severe obstetric complication, which is harmful to mother and fetus. In the process of clinical diagnosis and treatment, attention should be paid to the clinical manifestations and laboratory tests of pregnant women, early diagnosis and active treatment, so as to improve maternal and fetal outcomes.
Pregnancy ; Infant, Newborn ; Female ; Humans ; Adult ; Retrospective Studies ; Premature Birth/epidemiology* ; Pregnancy Complications/diagnosis* ; Fatty Liver/diagnosis* ; Fetal Death ; Stillbirth

Objective To investigate the effect of Echinococcus granulosus cyst fluid(EgCF) on the cytoskeletal rearrangement and phagocytosis and the migration of macrophages induced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS). Methods Peritoneal macrophages of C57BL/6 mice were isolated and cultured in vitro, and divided into control group and LPS group and LPS combined with EgCF group. After 48 hours of treatment, filamentous actin (F-actin) changes were observed with rhodamine-labelled phalloidin staining and fluorescence microscopy; Transwell^TM chamber was used to test cell migration ability and flow cytometry to test cell phagocytosis. After 1 hour of treatment, PI3K and AKT, phosphorylated AKT (p-AKT), Rac1, guanosine triphospho-Rac1 (GTP-Rac1), WASP and Arp2 protein expressions were detected with Western blot analysis. Results Compared with the control group, after LPS stimulation, macrophages were deformed significantly; pseudopodia increased; actin cytoskeleton increased and was more distributed in pseudopodia; the ability of migration and phagocytosis were significantly improved, and the expression of PI3K, p-AKT, GTP-Rac1, WASP and Arp2 proteins significantly increased. EgCF treatment caused cell shrinkage and disappearance of pseudopodia protrusions of LPS-activated cells, and led to the reduced phagocytic and migratory of cells; the protein expression of PI3K, p-AKT, GTP-Rac1, WASP and Arp2 decreased significantly compared with the LPS group. Conclusion LPS induces the migration and enhances phagocytosis of macrophages while EgCF inhibits these effects, which is related to actin cytoskeleton rearrangement.
Mice ; Animals ; Lipopolysaccharides/pharmacology* ; Echinococcus granulosus/metabolism* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; Cyst Fluid/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Macrophages/metabolism* ; Phagocytosis ; Actins/metabolism* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Guanosine Triphosphate/pharmacology*