As a potential vectored vaccine,Newcastle disease virus(NDV)has been subject to various studies for vaccine development,while relatively little research has outlined the immunomodulatory effect of the virus in antigen presentation.To elucidate the key inhibitory factor in regulating the interaction of infected dendritic cells(DCs)and T cells,DCs were pretreated with the NDV vaccine strain LaSota as an inhibitor and stimulated with lipopolysaccharide(LPS)for further detection by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),flow cytometry,immunoblotting,and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR).The results revealed that NDV infection resulted in the inhibition of interleukin(IL)-12p40 in DCs through a p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)-dependent manner,thus inhibiting the synthesis of IL-12p70,leading to the reduction in T cell proliferation and the secretion of interferon-γ(IFN-γ),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),and IL-6 induced by DCs.Consequently,downregulated cytokines accelerated the infection and viral transmission from DCs to T cells.Furthermore,several other strains of NDV also exhibited inhibitory activity.The current study reveals that NDV can modulate the intensity of the innate?adaptive immune cell crosstalk critically toward viral invasion improvement,highlighting a novel mechanism of virus-induced immunosuppression and providing new perspectives on the improvement of NDV-vectored vaccine.

Platycodon grandiflorum (Jacq.) A. DC. is a famous medicinal plant commonly used in East Asia. Triterpene saponins isolated from P. grandiflorum are the main biologically active compounds, among which polygalacin D (PGD) has been reported to be an anti-tumor agent. However, its anti-tumor mechanism against hepatocellular carcinoma is unknown. This study aimed to explore the inhibitory effect of PGD in hepatocellular carcinoma cells and related mechanisms of action. We found that PGD exerted significant inhibitory effect on hepatocellular carcinoma cells through apoptosis and autophagy. Analysis of the expression of apoptosis-related proteins and autophagy-related proteins revealed that this phenomenon was attributed to the mitochondrial apoptosis and mitophagy pathways. Subsequently, using specific inhibitors, we found that apoptosis and autophagy had mutually reinforcing effects. In addition, further analysis of autophagy showed that PGD induced mitophagy by increasing BCL2 interacting protein 3 like (BNIP3L) levels.In vivo experiments demonstrated that PGD significantly inhibited tumor growth and increased the levels of apoptosis and autophagy in tumors. Overall, our findings showed that PGD induced cell death of hepatocellular carcinoma cells primarily through mitochondrial apoptosis and mitophagy pathways. Therefore, PGD can be used as an apoptosis and autophagy agonist in the research and development of antitumor agents.
Humans ; Mitophagy ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology* ; Liver Neoplasms/pathology* ; Cell Line ; Autophagy ; Apoptosis ; Membrane Proteins ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins/genetics* ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins/pharmacology*

Background:Abnormal expression of long non-coding RNAs(lncRNAs)has been found in almost all tumors in humans,providing numerous potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers,and therapeutic targets. Materials and methods:The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)database was used to screen potential LncRNAs,and 30 paired hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)tissues were used to investigate RP11-307C12.11 expression levels by qRT-PCR and another 105 HCC tissues by in situ hybridizsation(ISH).RP11-307C12.11 overexpression and knockdown experiments were performed to investigate the effects of RP11-307C12.11 on HCC growth through in vitro and in vivo assays(MTT assay,colony formation assay,EdU assay,and xenograft model).The molecular mechanism underlying these effects was confirmed by MS2-RIP-assay,RIP assay,luciferase assay,and rescue experiments. Results:RP11-307C12.11 expression level was significantly higher in tumor tissues than in the adjacent normal tissues.Elevated RP11-307C12.11 expression level was associated with poor prognosis of HCC patients,and it may be represented as an independent prognostic biomarker in patients with HCC.Functionally,RP11-307C12.11 overexpression promoted HCC growth both in vitro and in vivo;however,its knockdown reversed these effects.Mechanistically,we found that RP11-307C12.11 expressed pre-dominantly in the cytoplasm and sponged microRNA(miR)-138 to regulate its common target CCND1 and PDK1. Conclusions:Thus,we found that RP11-307C12.11 acts as an oncogene in HCC by binding to miR-138,which might provide a novel target for HCC therapy.

Objective To examine the prevalence of chikungunya virus in brain tissue samples from rat?like animals in Xiamen, Shenzhen and Guangzhou, and to explore whether the rat?like animals are potential sources of human chikungunya fever infections and the host of the virus. Methods Rat?like animals were trapped in residential areas, city parks, hospitals, markets and schools in Xiamen, Shenzhen and Guangzhou (Yuexiu and Baiyun districts) between January 2013 and June 2016. Brain tissue samples of the trapped animals were collected under sterile. Chikungunya virus was detected by using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT?PCR). Results Totally 1092 rat?like animals were trapped, which belonged to 7 species, 3 genera, 2 families, 2 orders. Rattus norvegicus was the dominant species in the indoor environment, Rattus losea was dominant in wild environment, and 1092 brain tissue samples were collected. No detectable chikungunya virus was found in the brain tissue samples by RT?PCR. Conclusion There is a low possibility that rat?like animals act infectious sources of human chikungunya fever infections and the host of the virus.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the prevalence of serum antibodies against Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) in bats.

METHODSBlood samples from the heart were obtained from bats captured in Guangdong and Hainan Provinces in 2013. The anti-JEV antibodies in bat sera were tested using indirect ELISA and virus neutralization test.

RESULTSA total of 201 bat serum samples were tested, in which the total positivity rate of anti-JEV antibodies was 46.27% (93/201). The positive rate of anti-JEV antibodies in bats from Hainan and Guangdong Provinces was 88.89% (48/54) and 30.61% (45/147), respectively. All the samples from Rousettus leschenaultia, Miniopterus schreibersii, Pipistrellus abramus, and Rhinolophus macrotis were positive for anti-JEV antibodies, and up to 95.56% (43/45) of the samples from Miniopterus schreibersii (from Hainan Province) yielded positive results. Of the 28 samples with positive results by indirect ELISA, 15 showed positive results in virus neutralization test (53.57%) with neutralization antibody titers ranging from 1:10 to 1:28.22.

CONCLUSIONBats from different regions and of different species can be naturally infected with JEV and have a high prevalence of anti-JEV antibodies in their sera. The role of bats in the natural cycle of JEV awaits further study.

Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; China ; Chiroptera ; immunology ; virology ; Encephalitis Virus, Japanese ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Neutralization Tests

Objective To investigate the prevalence of serum antibodies against Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) in bats. Methods Blood samples from the heart were obtained from bats captured in Guangdong and Hainan Provinces in 2013. The anti-JEV antibodies in bat sera were tested using indirect ELISA and virus neutralization test. Results A total of 201 bat serum samples were tested, in which the total positivity rate of anti-JEV antibodies was 46.27%(93/201). The positive rate of anti-JEV antibodies in bats from Hainan and Guangdong Provinces was 88.89% (48/54) and 30.61% (45/147), respectively. All the samples from Rousettus leschenaultia, Miniopterus schreibersii, Pipistrellus abramus, and Rhinolophus macrotis were positive for anti-JEV antibodies, and up to 95.56%(43/45) of the samples from Miniopterus schreibersii (from Hainan Province) yielded positive results. Of the 28 samples with positive results by indirect ELISA, 15 showed positive results in virus neutralization test (53.57%) with neutralization antibody titers ranging from 1∶10 to 1∶28.22. Conclusion Bats from different regions and of different species can be naturally infected with JEV and have a high prevalence of anti-JEV antibodies in their sera. The role of bats in the natural cycle of JEV awaits further study.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of serum antibodies against Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) in bats. Methods Blood samples from the heart were obtained from bats captured in Guangdong and Hainan Provinces in 2013. The anti-JEV antibodies in bat sera were tested using indirect ELISA and virus neutralization test. Results A total of 201 bat serum samples were tested, in which the total positivity rate of anti-JEV antibodies was 46.27%(93/201). The positive rate of anti-JEV antibodies in bats from Hainan and Guangdong Provinces was 88.89% (48/54) and 30.61% (45/147), respectively. All the samples from Rousettus leschenaultia, Miniopterus schreibersii, Pipistrellus abramus, and Rhinolophus macrotis were positive for anti-JEV antibodies, and up to 95.56%(43/45) of the samples from Miniopterus schreibersii (from Hainan Province) yielded positive results. Of the 28 samples with positive results by indirect ELISA, 15 showed positive results in virus neutralization test (53.57%) with neutralization antibody titers ranging from 1∶10 to 1∶28.22. Conclusion Bats from different regions and of different species can be naturally infected with JEV and have a high prevalence of anti-JEV antibodies in their sera. The role of bats in the natural cycle of JEV awaits further study.

Objective To evaluate the relationship between birth weight and nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD) in Chinese primary school students. Methods A cross-section study was conducted in ifve elementary schools in Gao Hang Town, Shanghai and 2163 students were enrolled in the study (1120 boys/1043 girls). Height, body weight, waist circumference and per-cent of body fat (bioelectrical impedance analysis) were measured by professional nutritionist after training. Birth weight, feeding pattern, height and body weight of parents were obtained by a self-completed questionnaire. NAFLD was diagnosed by ultra-sound. The risk factors of NAFLD were analyzed. Results The prevalence of NAFLD in the study population was 8.9%. The prevalence of NAFLD was signiifcantly higher in boys than that in girls (12.5%vs 5.0%, P<0.01). Logistic regression showed that sex (OR=1.97, 95%CI:1.21-3.21) and percent of body fat (OR=1.12, 95%CI:1.07-1.17) were the risk factors of NAFLD, and normal BMI was the protective factor of NAFLD (OR=0.09, 95%CI:0.04-0.19) in the study population. Conclusions The pre-valence of NAFLD is higher in boys than that in girls. Also overweight, and high percent of body fat are risk factors of NAFLD in children.

Objectives To investigate the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD) disease and its correlation with chronic metabolic diseases in two primary school students in Shanghai. Methods One thousand ifve hundred and thirty-two 7-11 year-old students from two primary schools were enrolled in Septamber-October 2011. The anthropometric indices, blood pressure, screening for pseudoacanthosis nigricans and liver ultrasonography of all subjects were recorded. Results The overall prevalence of NAFLD, obesity, abdominal obesity, pseudoacanthosis nigricans, high systolic blood pressure and high diastolic blood pressure was 6.5%, 26.7%, 16.3%, 5.1%, 1.7%and 1.9%, respectively. The prevalence of NAFLD and abdomi-nal obesity in students of central urban area was signiifcantly higher than that in suburban area (P<0.01). The binary regression analysis revealed a signiifcant association between NAFLD in students with sex, age, obesity, abdominal obesity, pseudoacan-thosis nigricans and high systolic blood pressure (P<0.05). Conclusions NAFLD has close correlation with chronic metabolic disease in children. It is time to adopt prevention, detection and treatment in NAFLD children with symptoms of chronic meta-bolic diseases.

Objective To study prognosis and grading of somatosensory evoked potential(SEP)in long-term unconscious patients after severe traumatic brain injury(TBI).Methods Five prognostic factors including age,sex,injury mechanism,history of temporal craniotomy and SEP grading were selected and analyzed in 47 patients after severe TBI with a duration of unconsciousness longer than two weeks.The prognosis was judged by Glasgow Outcome Scale.Results Prognosis was closely associated with SEP grading(P=0.024).The accuracy of SEP in assessing the prognosis was 91.5%.About 95%-100% of patients with SEP at grade Ⅲ-Ⅲ ended up with severe disability,persistent vegetative state or death.However,43.75% of patients with SEP at grade Ⅰ had good prognoses.Conclusions The SEP grading can objectively and accurately evaluate patients' prognosis and demonstrate the brain function.