Objective:To identify and validate secreted effector proteins of Chlamydia psittaci ( C. psittaci) through bioinformatic prediction and experimental verification, and to characterize their subcellular localization in host cells. Methods:Potential effector proteins were predicted using bioinformatics tools. Candidate effectors were fused to β-lactamase through the constructed expression vectors, and these vectors were transformed into C. psittaci. The secretion of these candidate effectors was evaluated by β-lactamase translocation assays. Eukaryotic expression vectors of confirmed effectors were transfected into host cells to determine their intracellular localization patterns. Results:Bioinformatic analysis identified 29 candidate effector proteins. Experimental validation confirmed the secretion of five effectors, with four exhibiting cytoplasmic localization and one displaying nuclear localization in host cells.Conclusion:This study characterizes five novel C. psittaci secreted effector proteins, providing critical insights for investigating the molecular pathogenesis of psittacosis.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and genetic etiology of a child with Cortical dysplasia, complex, with other brain malformations 4 (CDCBM4) and epilepsy due to a TUBG1 gene variant. Methods:A child diagnosed with CDCBM4 and epilepsy at the Children′s Medical Center of the Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University in May 2024 was selected as the study subject. Clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. Peripheral venous blood samples were collected from the child and her parents for genomic DNA extraction. Trio-based whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed, and candidate variants were validated by Sanger sequencing. According to the Standards and Guidelines for the Interpretation of Sequence Variants established by the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), candidate variants were classified for pathogenicity. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University (Ethics No.: PJ2021-097).Results:The child, a 4-month-old female infant, had no special facial features, normal limb muscle strength, and increased muscle tone of infantile onset, with generalized tonic-clonic seizures as the main manifestation. During seizures, she exhibited head retroflexion, tightly closed eyes, and tonic convulsions of the limbs, occurring approximately 2-3 times per day. Electroencephalogram suggested bilateral anterior predominant medium-to-high amplitude 7-8 Hz mixed rhythm discharges. Head MRI revealed ventricular system dilatation and pachygyria. Trio-WES results indicated that the child has harbored a TUBG1 gene variant of c. 776C>T (p.Ser259Leu). Sanger sequencing verification showed that neither of her parents had carried the same variant, confirming it as de novo in origin. According to the ACMG guidelines, the variant was rated as pathogenic (PS2+ PS3+ PM2_Supporting+ PP3). Combining the child′s clinical phenotype, the child was diagnosed as CDCBM4 with epilepsy. Conclusion:Children with CDCBM4 and epilepsy due to TUBG1 gene variants may show pachygyria or agyria and commonly present with intellectual and motor developmental delays and seizure disorders of variable severity. The heterozygous TUBG1 c. 776C>T (p.Ser259Leu) variant is likely the genetic etiology underlying this disorder. The results of this study has expanded the mutational spectrum of the TUBG1 gene associated with CDCBM4 and epilepsy.

Objective:To identify and validate secreted effector proteins of Chlamydia psittaci ( C. psittaci) through bioinformatic prediction and experimental verification, and to characterize their subcellular localization in host cells. Methods:Potential effector proteins were predicted using bioinformatics tools. Candidate effectors were fused to β-lactamase through the constructed expression vectors, and these vectors were transformed into C. psittaci. The secretion of these candidate effectors was evaluated by β-lactamase translocation assays. Eukaryotic expression vectors of confirmed effectors were transfected into host cells to determine their intracellular localization patterns. Results:Bioinformatic analysis identified 29 candidate effector proteins. Experimental validation confirmed the secretion of five effectors, with four exhibiting cytoplasmic localization and one displaying nuclear localization in host cells.Conclusion:This study characterizes five novel C. psittaci secreted effector proteins, providing critical insights for investigating the molecular pathogenesis of psittacosis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical characteristics and genetic etiology of a child with Cortical dysplasia, complex, with other brain malformations 4 (CDCBM4) and epilepsy due to a TUBG1 gene variant. METHODS: A child diagnosed with CDCBM4 and epilepsy at the Children's Medical Center of the Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University in May 2024 was selected as the study subject. Clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. Peripheral venous blood samples were collected from the child and her parents for genomic DNA extraction. Trio-based whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed, and candidate variants were validated by Sanger sequencing. According to the Standards and Guidelines for the Interpretation of Sequence Variants established by the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), candidate variants were classified for pathogenicity. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University (Ethics No.: PJ2021-097). RESULTS: The child, a 4-month-old female infant, had no special facial features, normal limb muscle strength, and increased muscle tone of infantile onset, with generalized tonic-clonic seizures as the main manifestation. During seizures, she exhibited head retroflexion, tightly closed eyes, and tonic convulsions of the limbs, occurring approximately 2-3 times per day. Electroencephalogram suggested bilateral anterior predominant medium-to-high amplitude 7-8 Hz mixed rhythm discharges. Head MRI revealed ventricular system dilatation and pachygyria. Trio-WES results indicated that the child has harbored a TUBG1 gene variant of c.776C>T (p.Ser259Leu). Sanger sequencing verification showed that neither of her parents had carried the same variant, confirming it as de novo in origin. According to the ACMG guidelines, the variant was rated as pathogenic (PS2+PS3+PM2_Supporting+PP3). Combining the child's clinical phenotype, the child was diagnosed as CDCBM4 with epilepsy. CONCLUSION Children with CDCBM4 and epilepsy due to TUBG1 gene variants may show pachygyria or agyria and commonly present with intellectual and motor developmental delays and seizure disorders of variable severity. The heterozygous TUBG1 c.776C>T (p.Ser259Leu) variant is likely the genetic etiology underlying this disorder. The results of this study has expanded the mutational spectrum of the TUBG1 gene associated with CDCBM4 and epilepsy.
Humans ; Female ; Epilepsy/genetics* ; Malformations of Cortical Development/genetics* ; Infant ; Phenotype ; Exome Sequencing ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins/genetics*

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and genetic etiology of a child with Cortical dysplasia, complex, with other brain malformations 4 (CDCBM4) and epilepsy due to a TUBG1 gene variant. Methods:A child diagnosed with CDCBM4 and epilepsy at the Children′s Medical Center of the Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University in May 2024 was selected as the study subject. Clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. Peripheral venous blood samples were collected from the child and her parents for genomic DNA extraction. Trio-based whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed, and candidate variants were validated by Sanger sequencing. According to the Standards and Guidelines for the Interpretation of Sequence Variants established by the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), candidate variants were classified for pathogenicity. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University (Ethics No.: PJ2021-097).Results:The child, a 4-month-old female infant, had no special facial features, normal limb muscle strength, and increased muscle tone of infantile onset, with generalized tonic-clonic seizures as the main manifestation. During seizures, she exhibited head retroflexion, tightly closed eyes, and tonic convulsions of the limbs, occurring approximately 2-3 times per day. Electroencephalogram suggested bilateral anterior predominant medium-to-high amplitude 7-8 Hz mixed rhythm discharges. Head MRI revealed ventricular system dilatation and pachygyria. Trio-WES results indicated that the child has harbored a TUBG1 gene variant of c. 776C>T (p.Ser259Leu). Sanger sequencing verification showed that neither of her parents had carried the same variant, confirming it as de novo in origin. According to the ACMG guidelines, the variant was rated as pathogenic (PS2+ PS3+ PM2_Supporting+ PP3). Combining the child′s clinical phenotype, the child was diagnosed as CDCBM4 with epilepsy. Conclusion:Children with CDCBM4 and epilepsy due to TUBG1 gene variants may show pachygyria or agyria and commonly present with intellectual and motor developmental delays and seizure disorders of variable severity. The heterozygous TUBG1 c. 776C>T (p.Ser259Leu) variant is likely the genetic etiology underlying this disorder. The results of this study has expanded the mutational spectrum of the TUBG1 gene associated with CDCBM4 and epilepsy.

Objective To establish high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC)characteristic chromatograms of Xinqingduyin Granules(composed of Taraxaci Herba,Lonicerae Japonicae Flos,Chrysanthemi Indici Flos,etc.)and content determination of chicory acid and glycyrrhizic acid,and to optimize the preparation process of Xinqingduyin Granules.Methods Using the characteristic chromatograms of Xinqingduyin and the retention rate of chicory acid and glycyrrhizic acid as indexes,we carried out orthogonal experiment to optimize the extraction process of Xinqingduyin,and studied the concentration process.The molding process of Xinqingduyin Granules was conducted by screening the types and dosage of auxiliary materials,then three batches of pilot experiments were carried out.Results HPLC characteristic chromatograms of Xinqingshuyin Granules and the determination methods of chicory acid and glycyrrhizic acid were established.The optimal preparation technology was as follows:8 times amount of water was added,the drug was decocted for 3 times,with 1 hour per time.After the extract was concentrated under reduced pressure at 80℃,the appropriate amount of steviol glycoside and lactose was added into the extract and mixed.One-step granulation and packaging were adopted.The retention rates of chicoric acid and glycyrrhizic acid in the 3 batches of Xinqingduyin Granules,which were prepared on the pilot scale,were(54.56±1.63)%and(54.96±1.08)%,and the rate of finished product was(87.47±0.49)%,respectively.The quality is uniform,and the characteristic map of Xinqingduyin Granules showed high similarity with that of decoction prepared from the same batch of slices.Conclusion The optimized preparation technology is reasonable,feasible and reproducible.This preparation can be used to obtain the granule with similar materials of Xinqingduyin decoction.

One hundred and seventy six consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke who received intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator ( rt-PA ) in 4.5 hours from symptom onset during February 2009 to July 2013 were included in the study.Modified Rankin Scale was used to evaluate the recovery of neurological functions.Patients were divided into good ( 0 -1 ) or poor ( 2 -6 ) outcome groups according modified Rankin Scale score.Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to determine the differences of clinical data between the two groups.The age of patients with good outcome was significantly lower than that of poor outcome group [ ( 61.4 ±11.5 ) vs.( 69.0 ± 13.2) years,P =0.000].Compared to patients with poor outcomes, patients with good outcome group showed lower rate of diabetes [ 13%( 12/93 ) vs.29%( 24/83 ) , P =0.009 ] , lower blood glucose level [(5.05 ±0.97) vs.(5.83 ±1.72) mmol/L,P=0.020], higher uric acid level[(404.4 ±151.7) vs.(345.6 ±107.5) μmol/L,P=0.028],shorter onset to treatment time [(1.92 ±0.94) vs.(2.30 ±1.01) h, P=0.019],lower baseline National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score [(14.0 ±5.2) vs.(16.0 ± 6.2),P=0.025],lower systolic blood pressure level at 2 h[(140.8 ±18.3) vs.(149.0 ±18.9) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa),P=0.005]and 24 h [(137.6 ±21.9) vs.(147.1 ±17.4) mmHg,P=0.009] after thrombolysis.Logistic regression analysis showed that uric acid levels were not related to hemorrhagic transformation independently (P =0.172,OR =0.965,95%CI:0.917 -1.016), but were related to outcome independently (P=0.047,OR=0.957,95%CI:0.916-0.999).

ObjectiveTo develop an antibody-array system for multiple detection of antibodies against Japanese B encephalitis virus (JEV),Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBV),Dengue virus ( DENV ),West Nile virus (WNV),Western equine encephalitis virus (WEEV) and East Equine encephalitis virus (EEEV).MethodsRecombined antigens were spotted on array as capture antigens.Specific antibodies were detected by using a sandwich ELISA format.Rabbit antiserum was employed to select and confirm the specificity of antigens and to optimize the conditions of the assay.The detection efficiency of the system was validated by 40 clinical suspected serum samples and compared with the relative ELISA assays.ResultsEleven recombined antigens were selected as diagnostic antigens with high specificity.Better detection could be achieved when scale of antigen concentrations were within 0.125-0.900 mg/ml and the serum dilutions were 1:100-1:1000.When detecting the 26 clinical suspected TBE serum samples,20 were IgG positive (76.9％),and 17 were IgM positive (65.3％) which was 96.1％ and 84.6％ consistent with the relevant ELLSA tests,the 8 clinical suspected JEV serum samples,4 were IgG positive (50.0％),and 5 were IgM positive (62.0％),which was 86.3％ and 90.1％ consistent with the relevant ELLSA tests.As for the 22 DEN serum samples,13 were IgG positive (60％) and 15 were IgM positive (68％) which was 85％ and 93％ consistent with ELISA.The specificity of the assay was 100％ and the sensitivity was higher than the relative ELISAs.ConclusionThe developed antibody-array is highly specific and reliable,which could be used for the detection of antibodies against the 6 arboviruses.

Objective To express the capsid proteins of WU polyomavirus(WUPyV) for research and find antigen for diagnostic value. Methods Coding sequences of capsid proteins of WU polyomavirus by PCR were cloned in prokaryotic expression vector PGEX-20T. Recombinant plasmids were transformed into E. coli BL21(DE3) and induced by IPTG for proteins expression. Recombinant proteins were identified by Western blot. Results SDS-PAGE proved that recombinant proteins showed three bands with molecular relative mass of 69×103, 63×103 and 56×103. The recombinant proteins were recognized by anti-GST McAb. The antigenicity was tested by Western blot using 16 WU polyomavirus positive and 70 negative sera. Conclusion Recombinant VP1, VP2 and VP3 expressed in E. coli can combine with WUPyV-Ab and have good antigenicity. They can be used for further research.

Objective To evaluate the Flavivirus specific monoclonal antibody(McAb) 2A10 as detective antibody for simultaneously identify tick borne encephalitis virus( TBEV), Japanese encephalitis virus( JEV), dengue ( DEN )-2, DEN-4 and yellow fever virus ( YFV ) by antibody microarray technique.Methods The antibody microarray was developed by spotting TBEV, JEV, DEN-2, DEN-4 and YFV specific McAb on chip as capture antibodies. After incubating with cultured viral supernatants of the above viruses, CY3 labeled detective antibody 2A10 was added to the chips. After reaction, the antibody microarray was scanned and the results were analyzed. By comparing the signal intensities of different spots on chips,the detecting titre and sensitivity of 2A10 for Flavivirus were determined, and the value of 2A10 in detection of Flavivirus was evaluated. Results The hybridization results demonstrated that the titre of 2A10 for Flavi2A10 was specific for Flavivirus and could be used as universal detective antibody for Flavivirus on antibody microarray.