Novel 2, 8-bit derivatives of quinolines attenuate Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence and biofilm formation.

Signal molecules are stimulators of multiple quroum-sensing virulence and biofilm formation. Small molecule analogues have been suspected as a potent inhibitor in therapeutic strategy. Herein, we synthesized a series of small molecule compounds from the 2, 8-bit derivatives of quinoline by Suzuki coupling reaction.

[Evaluation of malaria elimination surveillance in Liyang City from 2010 to 2016].

Objective: To evaluate the effect of malaria elimination monitoring in Liyang City, so as to provide the evidence for formulating control strategies and measures of malaria elimination.

Methods: The monitoring data about the epidemic situation, blood tests of feverish patients and epidemiology investigation of individual malaria patients in Liyang City from 2010 to 2016 were collected and analyzed by the descriptive epidemiology method.

Results: From 2010 to 2016, there were 67 malaria cases in total.

[Assessment of schistosomiasis elimination in Changzhou City, Jiangsu Province].

Objective: To assess the state of schistosomiasis elimination in 6 districts of Changzhou City, Jiangsu Province, so as to provide the evidence for the formulation of consolidation measures.

Methods: Three towns (streets) were selected according to the schistosomiasis epidemic degree in each district, and one village was sampled from each town. The on-site assessment was carried out between 2016 and 2017, including snail survey, population investigation and domestic animal investigation.

RIP3 deficiency exacerbates inflammation in dextran sodium sulfate-induced ulcerative colitis mice model.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic intestinal inflammatory disease. The receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIP3) was reported to be involved in many inflammatory disease. However, the mechanism of RIP3 in the pathogenesis of UC is still unclear.

A Schisandra-Derived Compound Schizandronic Acid Inhibits Entry of Pan-HCV Genotypes into Human Hepatocytes.

Despite recent progress in the development of hepatitis C virus (HCV) inhibitors, cost-effective antiviral drugs, especially among the patients receiving liver transplantations, are still awaited. Schisandra is a traditional medicinal herb used to treat a range of liver disorders including hepatitis for thousands of years in China. To isolate the bioactive compounds of schisandra for the treatment of HCV infection, we screened a schisandra-extracts library and identified a tetracyclic triterpenoid, schizandronic acid (SZA), as a novel HCV entry inhibitor.

[Assessment and authentication of malaria elimination in Changzhou City].

Objective: To analyze the results of assessment and authentication of malaria elimination of 7 county-level cities and districts in Changzhou City, Jiangsu Province, and explore the suitable monitoring methods for malaria after the elimination in this region, so as to provide the evidence for formulating and adjusting the malaria elimination strategies and measures.

Methods: The data from the network reports of malaria epidemic situation, blood examinations of febrile patients, epidemiological questionnaires of malaria cases, investigation of epidemic focuses and disposal tables were collected and analyzed in Changzhou City from 2009 to 2014. The clinicians were assessed with the closed-book written examinations for their ability of the diagnosis and treatment of malaria.

[Analysis of malaria epidemic situation in Changzhou City from 2010 to 2014].

Objective: To grasp the malaria epidemic situation in Changzhou City from 2010 to 2014, so as to provide the evidence for formulating and adjusting malaria control strategies and measures.

Methods: The epidemiological data of malaria cases in the special report system from 2010 to 2014 were collected, and the malaria epidemic situation and the diagnosis and treatment of malaria patients were analyzed.

Results: There were 132 malaria cases reported in Changzhou City from 2010 to 2014, with a decrease of 27.

Trachelogenin, a novel inhibitor of hepatitis C virus entry through CD81.

Although much progress has been made in antiviral agents against hepatitis C virus (HCV) in recent years, novel HCV inhibitors with improved efficacy, optimized treatment duration and more affordable prices are still urgently needed. Here, we report the identification of a natural plant-derived lignan, trachelogenin (TGN), as a potent entry inhibitor of HCV without genotype specificity, and with low cytotoxicity. TGN was extracted and purified from Caulis trachelospermi, a traditional Chinese herb with anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.

[Quality analysis of malaria blood smears of fever patients in Changzhou City in 2014].

Objective: To understand the quality of blood smears for detection in Changzhou City, so as to provide the technical support for malaria surveillance in the post-elimination period.

Methods: The blood smears of fever patients from each cities (districts) in Changzhou City in 2014, including more than 3% of the negatives and all the positives, were selected. The quality of the blood smear making, dyeing, cleanliness and results were reviewed by the experts from the municipal malaria microscopy station, and the data were analyzed statistically.

[Effect of comprehensive schistosomiasis control in Changzhou City from 2004 to 2014].

Objective: To evaluate the effect of comprehensive schistosomiasis control in Changzhou City in recent 10 years, so as to provide the evidences for formulating the future prevention and control strategy.

Methods: The work reports and the data of the schistosomiasis comprehensive control projects in Changzhou City from 2004 to 2014 were collected, the infection status of residents and livestock as well the snail situation were analyzed, and the implementation effect of the comprehensive control projects was evaluated.

Results: From 2004 to 2014, totally 215 368 person-times were examined, and the positive rate of the blood examinations of the population was 0.

Anchoring of both PKA-RIIα and 14-3-3θ regulates retinoic acid induced 16 mediated phosphorylation of heat shock protein 70.

Our previous study reported that retinoic acid induced 16 (RAI16) could enhance tumorigenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the cellular functions of RAI16 are still unclear. In this study, by immunoprecipitation and tandem (MS/MS) mass spectrometry analysis, we identified that RAI16 interacted with the type II regulatory subunit of PKA (PKA-RIIα), acting as a novel protein kinase A anchoring protein (AKAP).

[Survey on status of staff for Plasmodium microscopy examinations in Changzhou City].

Objective: To understand the current state of staff for Plasmodium microscopy examinations in Changzhou City in the early stage of eliminating malaria action, so as to provide the evidence for achieving the target of malaria elimination.

Methods: The staff for Plasmodium microscopy examinations from medical institutions and centers for disease control and prevention at different levels were investigated by questionnaires and tests of the malaria related theory and microscopic operation.

Results: Totally 95 people were investigated, and among them, 40.

Activation of p38 MAPK pathway by hepatitis C virus E2 in cells transiently expressing DC-SIGN.

Dendritic cell-specific intercellular adhesion molecule 3-grabbing nonintegrin (DC-SIGN) is a cellular receptor for hepatitis C virus for the binding of viral envelope glycoprotein E2. Interaction of DC-SIGN with the E2 may evoke cellular signal transduction implicated in viral pathogenesis. We developed a cell model with DC-SIGN transient transfection to study p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway in response to the E2 treatment.

Proteomic analysis of differently expressed proteins in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines HepG2 with transfecting hepatitis B virus X gene.

Background: Hepatitis B virus encoded X protein (HBx) is a trans-activating protein that may be involved in hepatocarcinogenesis, although few natural effectors of HBx that participate in this process have been identified. We screened, by comparative proteomics method, effectors of HBx associated with hepatocarcinogenesis.

Methods: HBx positive and negative HepG2 cells were constructed and expression patterns of cellular proteins were obtained by high resolution, two dimensional electrophoresis.

Hepatitis C virus F protein inhibits cell apoptosis by activation of intracellular NF-kappaB pathway.

Aim: To observe the influence of HCV F protein on apoptosis of HepG2 cells, and explore the association between F protein and NF-kappaB signal pathway.

Methods: HCV 1b F gene containing HepG2-F cells and HCV 1b C gene containing HepG2-C cells were treated with 100 IU/mL TNF-alpha, and analyzed by flow cytometry, Western blotting, and dual luciferase reporter assay. Empty plasmid pcDNA3.

Efficient induction of mouse immune responses to hepatitis C virus by viral core protein-carrying attenuated Salmonella typhimurium.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) core protein is considered to be an attractive candidate for inclusion in a protective vaccine. However, this protein may attenuate the development of systemic immune responses because of its immunomodulatory properties. In this study, a eukaryotic expression plasmid, pCI-C, and an in vivo-inducible prokaryotic expression plasmid, pZW-C, for HCV core protein were constructed and transformed into attenuated Salmonella typhimurium aroA strain SL7207.

Hepatitis C virus F protein up-regulates c-myc and down-regulates p53 in human hepatoma HepG2 cells.

Objectives: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) F protein is a newly identified protein encoded by an alternative open reading frame that +1 overlaps core-encoding gene. It has been found that regulation of c-myc and p53 genes by HCV core protein is involved in liver cancer genesis. We wondered whether HCV F protein exerts similar or adverse regulatory effects on the transcription of c-myc and p53 genes.

[Screening and real-time quantitative detection for genomic signatures of Bacillus anthracis].

A total amount of 117 candidate chromosomal sequences were screened for the genomic signatures of Bacillus anthracis by a 2-step approach. Out of them, 19 genomic signatures sequences were selected, among which, 6 genomic signatures were competent as the target sequence of TaqMan real-time PCR method. With the most significant alignment and specificity, fragment C04, together with pagA gene and capB gene from virulence plasmids pX01 and pX02, was selected to establish a TaqMan real-time PCR assay.

[Impact evaluation of universal salt iodization on spectrum of thyroid diseases in Changzhou area, Jiangsu, China].

Objective: To evaluate the impact of universal salt iodization using monitoring data on correctional status of iodine deficiency and hospitalized thyroid diseases.

Methods: Retrospective survey was conducted to collect medical records of hospitalized thyroid disease cases. Routine monitoring data on population iodine nutrition status and goiter prevalence were analyzed.

[Rapid detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa by the fluorescence quantitative PCR assay targeting 16S rDNA].

The 16S rDNA specific primers were designed for rapid detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) by the fluorescence quantitative PCR (FQ-PCR) assay, based upon multiple sequence alignment and phylogenetic tree analysis of the 16S rDNAs of over 20 bacteria. After extraction of PA genomic DNA, the target 16S rDNA fragment was amplified by PCR with specific primers, and used to construct recombinant pMDT-Pfr plasmid, the dilution gradients of which were subjected to the standard quantitation curve in FQ-PCR assay. Different concentrations of PA genomic DNA were detected by FQ-PCR in a 20microL of reaction system with SYBR Green I.

Up-regulation of ERK and p38 MAPK signaling pathways by hepatitis C virus E2 envelope protein in human T lymphoma cell line.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection correlates with human immune disorders characterized by abnormal activation and proliferation of lymphocytes. Interaction of HCV major envelope protein E2 with susceptible cells occurs at an early stage of the viral infection. HCV tropism for susceptible cells may elicit cellular signaling events implicated in the viral pathogenicity, and E2 protein is known to be responsible for the tropism.

Isoform of vascular endothelial cell growth inhibitor (VEGI72-251) increases interleukin-2 production by activation of T lymphocytes.

The objective of this study is to investigate the characteristics of the recombinant variant of human vascular endothelial cell growth inhibitor, VEGI72-251, and compare its biological activities with that of its prototype VEGI24-174. The recombinant plasmid containing the variant VEGI72-251 gene was constructed and expressed in Escherichia coli. The effects of the expressed VEGI72-251 on cell proliferations were checked in the human umbilical vein endothelial cell line and certain tumor cell lines (ECV304 and B16).

DNA vaccine of SARS-Cov S gene induces antibody response in mice.

The spike (S) protein, a main surface antigen of SARS-coronavirus (SARS-CoV), is one of the most important antigen candidates for vaccine design. In the present study, three fragments of the truncated S protein were expressed in E.coli, and analyzed with pooled sera of convalescence phase of SARS patients.