OBJECTIVE: People in Western Africa suffer greatly from febrile jaundice, which is caused by a variety of pathogens. However, yellow fever virus (YFV) is the only pathogen under surveillance in Sierra Leone owing to the undeveloped medical and public health system there. Most of the results of YFV identification are negative. Elucidation of the pathogen spectrum is required to reduce the prevalence of febrile jaundice. METHODS: In the present study, we used Ion Torrent semiconductor sequencing to profile the pathogen spectrum in archived YFV-negative sera from 96 patients in Sierra Leone who presented with unexplained febrile jaundice. RESULTS: The most frequently identified sequencing reads belonged to the following pathogens: cytomegalovirus (89.58%), Epstein-Barr virus (55.21%), hepatitis C virus (34.38%), rhinovirus (28.13%), hepatitis A virus (20.83%), coxsackievirus (10.42%), Ebola virus (8.33%), hepatitis E virus (8.33%), lyssavirus (4.17%), leptospirosis (4.17%), chikungunya virus (2.08%), Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (1.04%), and hepatitis B virus (1.04%). CONCLUSION The distribution of sequencing reads suggests a broader spectrum of pathogens for consideration in clinical diagnostics and epidemiological surveillance in Sierra Leone.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Fever ; epidemiology ; virology ; Humans ; Jaundice ; epidemiology ; virology ; Male ; Sequence Analysis ; Sierra Leone ; epidemiology ; Young Adult

Objective:To study the mechanism of Tiaogeng decoction in improving apoptosis of hypothalamic neurons through c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway. Method:The GT1-7 cell line of hypothalamic neuron cells treated by tributyltin chloride (TBTC) was used to induce a model of neuronal apoptosis, with 17β-estradiol as a positive drug. They were divided into control group, model group (1 mg·L^-1), 17β-E₂ group(100 nmol·L^-1) and low, middle and high-dose Tiaogeng decoction groups (31.25,62.5,125 mg·L^-1). The cell morphology was observed under a fluorescent inverted microscope, and cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to detect the cell viability. The cell nuclear morphology and the apoptosis rate of hypothalamic neurons were detected by Hoechst 33258 and Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide(PI) double staining. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1(ASK1), JNK, p53 and cleaved Caspase-3 of JNK pathway in GT1-7 cell. Western blot was used to analyze apoptosis-associated protein apoptosis signal-regulated kinase 1 (ASK1), JNK, p53, cleaved Caspase-3 expressions in JNK pathway and phosphorylation of JNK after intervention with JNK inhibitor SP600125, protein expression level of cleaved Caspase-3. Result:Compared with normal control group, the cell viability of the model group was significantly decreased (P<0.01), whereas the apoptotic rate was significantly increased (P<0.01). The expressions of phosphorylated ASK1(p-ASK1), p-JNK, phosphorylated p53 (p-p53) and cleaved Caspase-3 increased significantly (P<0.01). After intervention with Tiaogeng decoction, compared with model group, the activity of GT1-7 cells was significantly improved(P<0.01), while the apoptotic rate was decreased (P<0.01). The expressions of p-ASK1, p-JNK, p-p53, and cleaved Caspase-3 proteins were down-regulated. High-dose Tiaogeng decoction combined with SP600125(10 μmol·L^-1)treatment significantly inhibited the expressions of p-JNK and cleaved Caspase-3 in GT1-7 cells (P<0.01). Conclusion:Tiaogeng decoction can improve the apoptosis of hypothalamic neurons through JNK pathway, and provide a theoretical basis for the treatment of menopausal syndrome and central nervous system protection.

Objectives: To investigate whether remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) applied to patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) before percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) could affect circulating miR-208b level or not. Methods:Patients diagnosed with STEMI undergoing PCI from January 2016 to July 2017 were enrolled from the Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University.The patients were randomly allocated to two groups: (1) control group (n=25), PCI alone; (2) RIC group (n=50), PCI combined with RIC (three cycles of 5 min inflation and 5 min deflation of the right lower limb with blood pressure cuff performed before reperfusion). Serum miR-208b was measured before and immediately, at 24 h, and 48 h after PCI with real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results: The expression of miR-208b was significantly higher immediately post PCI than that before operation in the control group (84.1±9.0 vs 77.8±9.4; P=0.032), while it was significantly lower immediately post PCI than that before operationin RIC group (71.0±9.3 vs 77.4±8.8; P=0.028).miR-208b level was similar before PCI between the control and RIC groups (P=0.874), which was significantly reduced immediately post PCI in RIC group as compared with the control group (P=0.021).The peak value of creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB) in the limb RIC group was significantly lower than that in the control group ([135.2±18.6] U/L vs [167.7±17.2] U/L; P=0.038).The area under the CK-MB curve of the RIC group was significantly smaller than that of the control group ([3 060.7±17.1] U/L vs [3 635.9±15.1] U/L); P=0.047]. The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in RIC group was significantly higher than that in the control group ([57.8±7.8]% vs [51.9±7.9]%; P=0.003) post PCI. The expression level of serum miR-208b was positively correlated with CK-MB AUC in RIC group (r=0.498, P<0.001). Conclusions: RIC of the lower limb prior to PCI could reduce miR-208b level and improve cardiac functionin STEMI patients.

To explore the drug-induced constituents of Polygonum multiflorum extract (PM). This study was the first to study the drug-induced constituents in target organ liver. Agilent MassHunter qualitative analysis software and Metabolite ID software were applied for the analysis of retention time, exact relative molecular mass, primary and secondary mass spectrum information based on ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) and targeted-MS/MS. By comparison with literature and standards, a total of 5 prototypes and 6 metabolites were identified or tentatively elucidated from the liver samples. In addition, the drug-induced constituents in plasma and PM were also analyzed in this study and 8 prototypes and 19 metabolites were detected from the plasma samples, while 30 compounds were detected from the extract of PM. Emodin oxidative acetylation metabolites, hydroxyl methylation metabolites, carboxylation glucuronidation metabolites and ketone glucuronidation metabolites in this study were first reported. Through the comparative analysis between the and constituents of PM, the study preliminarily revealed the drug-induced constituents (prototypes and metabolites) in liver and clarified the transfer process and transmutation rules of constituents in PM, blood and liver, which would further deepen our understanding on constituents of PM .

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of prebiotics supplementation for 9 days on gut microbiota structure and function and establish a machine learning model based on the initial gut microbiota data for predicting the variation of Bifidobacterium after prebiotic intake.

METHODSWith a randomized double-blind self-controlled design, 35 healthy volunteers were asked to consume fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) or galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) for 9 days (16 g per day). 16S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing was performed to investigate the changes of gut microbiota after prebiotics intake. PICRUSt was used to infer the differences between the functional modules of the bacterial communities. Random forest model based on the initial gut microbiota data was used to identify the changes in Bifidobacterium after 5 days of prebiotic intake and then to build a continuous index to predict the changes of Bifidobacterium. The data of fecal samples collected after 9 days of GOS intervention were used to validate the model.

RESULTSFecal samples analysis with QIIME revealed that FOS intervention for 5 days reduced the intestinal flora alpha diversity, which rebounded on day 9; in GOS group, gut microbiota alpha diversity decreased progressively during the intervention. Neither FOS nor GOS supplement caused significant changes in β diversity of gut microbiota. The area under the curve (AUC) of the prediction model was 89.6%. The continuous index could successfully predict the changes in Bifidobacterium (R=0.45, P=0.01), and the prediction accuracy was verified by the validation model (R=0.62, P=0.01).

CONCLUSIONShort-term prebiotics intervention can significantly decrease α-diversity of the intestinal flora. The machine learning model based on initial gut microbiota data can accurately predict the changes in Bifidobacterium, which sheds light on personalized nutrition intervention and precise modulation of the intestinal flora.

Objective To summarize the clinical features,treatment and prognosis of bullous systemic lupus erythematosus (BSLE).Methods Clinical data were collected from 6 cases of BSLE between May 2009 and September 2015,and were analyzed retrospectively.Results Among the 6 patients,2 were male and 4 were female.The mean age of onset was 34 years.All the 6 patients presented with tense blisters and bullae arising on an erythematous base or normal skin,which were arranged in an annular pattern in 3 patients.The SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) score was ＞ 4 in all the 6 patients.Histopathological examination showed subepidermal blisters or fissures in all the patients.Direct immunofluorescence (DIF) revealed continuous linear deposition of immunoglobulin G (IgG),IgM and IgA in all the patients,linear deposition of C3 in 4 patients,and linear deposition of Clq in 2 patients at the basement membrane zone (BMZ).All the 6 patients were treated with oral glucocorticoids and hydroxychloroquine,and 2 patients were additionally treated with cyclophosphamide.During the follow-up period,adverse reactions to different extents were observed in the 6 patients.Conclusions BSLE mainly occurs in young and middle-aged people.Histopathologically,subepidermal blisters or fissures can be observed with linear deposition of IgG,IgM,IgA,or C3 along the basement membrane zone on DIF.

We assessed the role of diabetes mellitus (DM) on treatment effects in drug-susceptible initial pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients. A prospective study was conducted in eight provinces of China from October 2008 to December 2010. We enrolled 1,313 confirmed drug-susceptible initial PTB patients, and all subjects received the treatment regimen (2H3R3E3Z3/4H3R3) as recommended by the national guidelines. Of the 1,313 PTB patients, 157 (11.9%) had DM; these patients had more sputum smear-positive rates at the end of the second month [adjusted odds ratios (aOR) 2.829, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.783-4.490], and higher treatment failure (aOR 2.120, 95% CI 1.565-3.477) and death rates (aOR 1.536, 95% CI 1.011-2.628). DM was a contributing factor for culture-positive rates at the end of the second month and treatment failure and death of PTB patients, thus playing an unfavorable role in treatment effects of PTB.
Antitubercular Agents ; therapeutic use ; China ; epidemiology ; Diabetes Mellitus ; epidemiology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; drug effects ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary ; complications ; drug therapy ; epidemiology ; microbiology

DNA marker-assisted selection of medicinal plants is based on the DNA polymorphism, selects the DNA sequences related to the phenotypes such as high yields, superior quality, stress-resistance and so on according to the technologies of molecular hybridization, polymerase chain reaction and high-throughput sequencing, and assists the breeding of new cultivars. This study bred the first disease-resistant cultivar of notoginseng "Miaoxiang Kangqi 1" using the technology of DNA marker-assisted selection of medicinal plants and systematic breeding. The disease-resistant cultivar of notoginseng contained 12 special SNPs based on the analysis of Restriction-site Associated DNA Sequencing (RAD-Seq). Among the SNP (record_519688) was related to the root rot-resistant characteristics, which indicated this SNP could serve as genetic markers of disease-resistant cultivars and assist the systematic breeding. Compared to the conventional cultivated cultivars, the incidence rate of root-rot and rust-rot in notoginseng seedlings decreased by 83.6% and 71.8%, respectively. The incidence rate of root-rot respectively declined by 43.6% and 62.9% in notoginseng cultivation for 2 and 3 years compared with those of the conventional cultivated cultivars. Additionally, the potential disease-resistant groups were screened based on the relative SNP, and this model enlarged the target groups and advanced the breeding efficiency. DNA marker-assisted selection of medicinal plants accelerated the breeding and promotion of new cultivars, and guaranteed the healthy development of Chinese medicinal materials industry.

DNA marked-assisted selection of medicinal plants accelerated the breeding and promotion of new cultivars, and guaranteed the healthy development of Chinese medicinal materials industry. The first disease-resistant cultivar of notoginseng, namely "Miaoxiang Kangqi 1", served as the object of study. We evaluated the Kangqi's resistance of seeds, seedlings and root against the pathological bacteria (Fusarum oxysporum) of root rot. Compared to the traditional cultivars, the disease index of notoginseng seeds declined by 52.0% after inoculation for seven days; the death rate of seedlings and disease index of root respectively decreased by 72.1% and 62.4% after inoculation for 25 days. Additionally, the growth inhibition ratio of notoginseng seeds and seedlings declined after inoculation. The seeds, seedlings and roots of "Miaoxiang Kangqi 1" showed significantly resistant to root rot. The evaluation of disease-resistance of Kangqi provided the basis for the popularization of new cultivar and guaranteed the favoring conduct of notoginseng pollution-free cultivation.

To investigate the effect of patchouli alcohol on inhibiting Helicobater pylori urease activity, and its effect on expression levels of related genes, and lay the foundation for further research on the effect of patchouli alcohol on H. pylori colonization and infection. H. pyloriwas cultured and identified by gram staining, rapid urease test (RUT) and PCR method. Then agar dilution method was used to detect the bacterial survival after 1 h intervention by different concentrations of patchouli alcoholin the acidic (pH 5.3) and neutral (pH 7.0) conditions; berthelot method was used to detect urease activity and RT-qPCR method was used to detect the expression changes of ureA, ureB, ureE, ureH, ureI, and nixA related urease genes. The results showed that the survival rate of H. pyloriwas not significantly changed but the urease activity was obviously decreased after intervention by different concentrations of patchouli alcohol; meanwhile, the expression levels of ureA, ureB, ureE, ureH, ureI, and nixA were decreased to different degrees. Therefore, patchouli alcohol could inhibit H. pylori urease activity in both acidic and neutral conditions, and the mechanism may be related to down-regulation of urease gene expression.