Pseudorabies Virus Inhibits Expression of Liver X Receptors to Assist Viral Infection.

Pseudorabies virus (PRV) is a contagious herpesvirus that causes Aujeszky's disease and economic losses worldwide. Liver X receptors (LXRs) belong to the nuclear receptor superfamily and are critical for the control of lipid homeostasis. However, the role of LXR in PRV infection has not been fully established.

CRISPR/Cas9-based generation of a recombinant double-reporter pseudorabies virus and its characterization in vitro and in vivo.

Pseudorabies, caused by pseudorabies virus (PRV) variants, has broken out among commercial PRV vaccine-immunized swine herds and resulted in major economic losses to the pig industry in China since late 2011. However, the mechanism of virulence enhancement of variant PRV is currently unclear. Here, a recombinant PRV (rPRV HN1201-EGFP-Luc) with stable expression of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and firefly luciferase as a double reporter virus was constructed on the basis of the PRV variant HN1201 through CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology coupled with two sgRNAs.

[Effects of long-term fertilization on soil organic phosphorus fractions and wheat yield in farmland of Loess Plateau].

Understanding the effects of long-term fertilization on soil organic phosphorus fractions and wheat yield in the Loess Plateau can provide theoretical support for improving phosphorus conversion, utilization, and rational use of fertilizer. We examined the effects of different fertilizer treatments on soil organic phosphorus fractions, wheat yield and soil properties of a farmland in the long-term (1984-2016) positioning test station of Changwu loess soil. There were eight treatments, including no fertilizer (CK), single application of nitrogen fertilizer (N), single application of phosphorus fertilizer (P), application of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer (NP), single application of organic fertilizer (M), nitrogen combined with organic fertilizer (MN), phosphorus combined with organic fertilizer (MP), nitrogen and phosphorus combined with organic fertilizer (MNP).

[Effects of long-term fertilization on soil microbial abundance in farmland of the Loess Plateau, China].

Based on a long-term experiment in the Changwu Agro-ecological Experimental Station, the real-time PCR analysis was used to examine the soil microbial abundance and to reveal the effects on soil microbial community under different long-term fertilization systems. The results showed that compared to the CK (barren field), the population of bacteria increased by 21% and archaea by 32% in treatment with inorganic fertilizer application. The abundance of bacteria in the treatment of chemical fertilizer combined with organic fertilizer increased by 37% and archaea by 36%.

A distinct serum metabolic signature of distant metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Background: Although the incidence rate for thyroid cancer seems to have begun stabilizing in recent years, an increased rate of advanced stage of this disease has been reported. Additionally, distant metastasis is one of the most important prognostic factors of patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Unfortunately, the underlying mechanisms of distant metastasis, as well as cell status like metabolism changes in distant metastatic tumours have not been clearly elucidated.

Development of a Time-Resolved Fluorescence Immunoassay for the Diagnosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Based on the Detection of Glypican-3.

Glypican-3(GPC3), an oncofetal protein, is a potential novel marker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we attempted to establish a new method to detect serum GPC3 using the antibodies identified in our previous research, and then evaluated its clinical application for the diagnosis of HCC. Herein, a sandwich time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay (TRFIA) for detecting serum GPC3 was developed.

Rapid and Sensitive Lateral Flow Immunoassay Method for Procalcitonin (PCT) Based on Time-Resolved Immunochromatography.

Procalcitonin (PCT) is a current, frequently-used marker for severe bacterial infection. The aim of this study was to develop a cost-effective detection kit for rapid quantitative and on-site detection of PCT. To develop the new PCT quantitative detecting kit, a double-antibody sandwich immunofluorescent assay was employed based on time-resolved immunofluorescent assay (TRFIA) combined with lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA).

The Establishment of an HE4-CLIA Method and the Combined Analysis of HE4 and CA125 in Ovarian Cancer.

Background: The human epididymal secretory protein 4 (HE4) is a novel, verified biomarker for the early diagnosis of ovarian cancer.

Methods: Magnetic beads were coated with capture antibodies and were used with acridinium ester labeled detection antibodies in a sandwich-type immunoassay. The patient's HE4 serum levels were measured simultaneously with the chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) kit we developed and electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA) kit from Roche (Mannheim, Germany).

FOXM1 regulated by ERK pathway mediates TGF-β1-induced EMT in NSCLC.

FOXM1, a member of the Forkhead transcriptional family, plays an important role in the EMT process, and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) has been identified as the most potent factor that can independently induce EMT in various types of cancer cells. Here we examine the important role of FOXM1 in TGF-β1-induced EMT and investigate the mechanism underlying the relationship between TGF-β1 and FOXM1. Lentivirus-mediated transfection was used to stably upregulate the expression of FOXM1, and a small interfering RNA (siRNA) was introduced to silence the expression of FOXM1.

Pyrosequencing is an accurate and reliable method for the analysis of heteroplasmy of the A3243G mutation in patients with mitochondrial diabetes.

Human mitochondrial DNA is a circular DNA molecule that encodes some of the proteins required for oxidative phosphorylation. Different mitochondrial DNA genotypes may coexist within a single cell, a condition known as heteroplasmy. An A-to-G transition at position 3243 of mitochondrial DNA (A3243G) can result in maternally inherited diabetes and deafness (mitochondrial diabetes).

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease with ectopic unilateral multicystic dysplastic kidney.

Background: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common hereditary renal disorder. In most cases, ADPKD similarly affects bilateral kidneys.

Case Presentation: Among the 605 ADPKD patients that were followed up by our center, we identified two male patients with unilateral ADPKD.

Association of a SLC30A8 genetic variant with monotherapy of repaglinide and rosiglitazone effect in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients in China.

Objective: To investigate a potential relationship between Solute carrier family 30 (zinc transporter) member 8 (SLC30A8) rs13266634 variant and efficacy of rosiglitazone or repaglinide in treating newly diagnosed Chinese type 2 diabetes patients.

Methods: A total of 209 diabetic patients without any antihyperglycemic history were recruited and treated with repaglinide or rosiglitazone randomly for 48 weeks (104 and 105 patients, respectively). Anthropometric measurements and clinical laboratory tests were carried out before and after the treatment.

Precise microdeletion detection of Prader-Willi Syndrome with array comparative genome hybridization.

Objective: Prader-Willi Sydrome (PWS) is a human disorder related to genomic imprinting defect on 15q11-13. It is characterized by a series of classic features such as hypotonia, hyperphagia, obesity, osteoporosis, typical facial and body dysmorphosis, hypogonadism, mental and behaviour disorders. Our study was designed to precisely detect the microdeletions, which accounts for 65%-70% of the PWS.

[No association of vascular endothelial growth factor A gene rs9369425 polymorphism with glucose metabolism in Chinese Han population].

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the vascular endothelial growth factor A gene (VEGFA) rs9369425 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and type 2 diabetes in Chinese Han population.

Methods: One thousand eight hundred and ninety two type 2 diabetes patients and 1808 controls with normal glucose were recruited in this study. Phenotypes including body mass index, waist, waist hip ratio, plasma glucose and serum insulin levels of blood obtained both at 0 and 120 minute during standard 75-gram glucose oral glucose tolerance tests, were analyzed.

A variation in NOS1AP gene is associated with repaglinide efficacy on insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes of Chinese.

Aim: To investigate a potential association between SNP rs10494366 in the neural nitric oxide synthase adaptor protein (NOS1AP) and efficacy of repaglinide (an insulin secretagogue) in newly diagnosed Shanghai Chinese type 2 diabetes patients.

Methods: A total of 104 newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients (69 men, 35 women) were recruited and treated with repaglinide for 24 weeks. Anthropometric measurements, clinical laboratory tests were obtained at baseline and after 24-week treatment.

[Comparison of the application of three diagnostic criteria of metabolic syndrome in familial type 2 diabetic pedigrees].

Objective: To compare the significance of the application of three diagnostic criteria of metabolic syndrome (MS), issued by the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel II (ATPIII) in 2005, International Diabetes Federation (IDF) in 2005 and Chinese Diabetes Society (CDS) in 2004, in type 2 diabetes mellitus pedigrees.

Methods: Totally,4468 subjects (including spouses) from 715 type 2 diabetic pedigrees were selected in this study. Complete laboratory data, including blood pressure, lipid profile and plasma glucose, were collected.

Association of apelin genetic variants with type 2 diabetes and related clinical features in Chinese Hans.

Background: Apelin is an adipokine that contributes to the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. The plasma levels of apelin increased in obese patients and diabetic subjects. This study aimed to investigate the effects of apelin genetic variants on type 2 diabetes and related quantitative traits.

Linkage disequilibrium mapping of the replicated type 2 diabetes linkage signal on chromosome 1q.

Objective: Linkage of the chromosome 1q21-25 region to type 2 diabetes has been demonstrated in multiple ethnic groups. We performed common variant fine-mapping across a 23-Mb interval in a multiethnic sample to search for variants responsible for this linkage signal.

Research Design And Methods: In all, 5,290 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were successfully genotyped in 3,179 type 2 diabetes case and control subjects from eight populations with evidence of 1q linkage.

[Study on the status of metabolic syndrome in familial type 2 diabetes pedigrees].

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) and its components in type 2 diabetes mellitus pedigrees.

Methods: A total number of 4468 subjects (including spouses) from 715 type 2 diabetic pedigrees were selected in this study. Complete laboratory data including blood pressure, lipid profile and plasma glucose, were collected.

[Association of -6735T-->C variant of glucokinase-associated dual-specificity phosphatase 12 gene with type 2 diabetes in Chinese].

Objective: To investigate the impact of glucokinase-associated dual-specificity phosphatase 12 gene (DUSP12) single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) on type 2 diabetes mellitus in Chinese.

Methods: The genotypes of -6735T-->C of DUSP12 were determined by PCR-RFLP in 577 Chinese in Shanghai, 359 with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and 218 being newly diagnosed DM patients without taking any drug. Oral glucose tolerance test was conducted.

[Genetic characteristics of familial type 2 diabetes pedigrees: a preliminary analysis of 4468 persons from 715 pedigrees].

Objective: To analyze the inheritance character of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) pedigrees.

Methods: 4468 persons from 715 T2DM pedigrees (including the spouses) undergo peripheral blood sample collection to examine blood sugar and physical examination. Questionnaire survey was conducted to explore the family history.

Intracellular retention of human melanocortin-4 receptor: a molecular mechanism underlying early-onset obesity in F261S pedigree of Chinese.

Objective: To investigate how F261S mutation identified from Chinese obese patients affects the function of melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) and to analyze the obesity-related phenotypes in subjects carrying the F261S mutation.

Methods: F261S mutant of MC4R was generated by site-directed mutagenesis. Plasmids encoding wild-type or F261S mutant of MC4R were transfected into HEK293 and COS-7 cells to examine their functional characteristics.

Association of KCNJ11 and ABCC8 genetic polymorphisms with response to repaglinide in Chinese diabetic patients.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the association of KCNJ11 E23K and ABCC8 exon16-3T/C with the therapeutic effect of repaglinide in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: A total of 100 Chinese patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes were treated with repaglinide for 24 weeks. Arginine stimulation tests were performed to evaluate beta cell function.

[Association of variants in APPL1 gene with body fat and its distribution in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetic mellitus].

Objective: To investigate the impact of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in APPL1 gene on body fat and its distribution.

Methods: 590 unrelated Shanghai residents of Han nationality, including 358 subjects with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and 232 subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), underwent measurement of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (W), hip circumference (H), and femoral circumference (F). Peripheral blood samples were collected to detect the blood sugar, blood lipids, fasting C - peptide (FCP), fasting insulin (FINS), fasting plasma glucose (FGLU), total cholesterol (TC), and triglyceride (TG) 0 and 120 minutes after glucose challenge.