2019 Vol. 32, No. 5

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2019-05cover
2019, 32(5): 1-1.
2019-05contents
2019, 32(5): 2-2.
Relationship between Maternal PBMC HBV cccDNA and HBV Serological Markers and its Effect on HBV Intrauterine Transmission
WANG Dan Dan, YI Lin Zhu, WU Li Na, YANG Zhi Qing, HAO Hai Yun, SHI Xiao Hong, WANG Bo, FENG Shu Ying, FENG Yong Liang, WANG Su Ping
2019, 32(5): 315-323. doi: 10.3967/bes2019.043
Objective To investigate the relationship between maternal peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) hepatitis B virus (HBV) covalenty closed circular deoxyribonucleic acid (cccDNA) and other HBV serological markers and its effects on HBV intrauterine transmission. Methods We enrolled 290 newborns and their hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive mothers. HBV cccDNA in PBMC and HBV DNA in serum were detected by a real-time PCR-TaqMan probe while HBV serological markers were detected with an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Results There was a positive correlation between the levels of PBMC HBV cccDNA and serum HBV DNA and HBeAg (r=0.436 and 0.403, P < 0.001). The detection rate of pattern A['HBsAg (+), HBeAg (+), and anti-HBc (+)'] was significantly higher in the PBMC HBV cccDNA positive group than in the control group (χ2=48.48, P < 0.001). There was a significant association between HBV intrauterine transmission and PBMC HBV cccDNA (χ2=9.28, P=0.002). In the presence of serum HBV DNA, HBeAg, and PBMC HBV cccDNA, the risk of HBV intrauterine transmission was three times higher (OR=3.69, 95% CI:1.30-10.42) than that observed in their absence. The risk of HBV intrauterine transmission was the greatest (OR=5.89, 95% CI:2.35-14.72) when both PBMC HBV cccDNA and pattern A were present. A Bayesian network model showed that maternal PBMC HBV cccDNA was directly related to HBV intrauterine transmission. Conclusion PBMC HBV cccDNA may be a direct risk factor for HBV intrauterine transmission. Our study suggests that serological markers could be combined with PBMC-related markers in prenatal testing.
Inactivation of Poliovirus by Ozone and the Impact of Ozone on the Viral Genome
JIANG Han Ji, CHEN Na, SHEN Zhi Qiang, YIN Jing, QIU Zhi Gang, MIAO Jing, YANG Zhong Wei, SHI Dan Yang, WANG Hua Ran, WANG Xin Wei, LI Jun Wen, YANG Dong, JIN Min
2019, 32(5): 324-333. doi: 10.3967/bes2019.044
Objective To investigate the mechanisms underlying ozone-induced inactivation of poliovirus type 1 (PV1). Methods We used cell culture, long-overlapping RT-PCR, and spot hybridization assays to verify and accurately locate the sites of action of ozone that cause PV1 inactivation. We also employed recombinant viral genome RNA infection models to confirm our observations. Results Our results indicated that ozone inactivated PV1 primarily by disrupting the 5'-non-coding region (5'-NCR) of the PV1 genome. Further study revealed that ozone specifically damaged the 80-124 nucleotide (nt) region in the 5'-NCR. Recombinant viral genome RNA infection models confirmed that PV1 lacking this region was non-infectious. Conclusion In this study, we not only elucidated the mechanisms by which ozone induces PV1 inactivation but also determined that the 80-124 nt region in the 5'-NCR is targeted by ozone to achieve this inactivation.
Sub-chronic Toxicity of Defoamer Used in Seawater Desalination
DUAN Lian, ZHANG Chong Hua, GU Wen, ZHI Hong, KONG Jian, ZHANG Shao Ping, LI Yi Min, LU Kai
2019, 32(5): 334-344. doi: 10.3967/bes2019.045
Objective To explore the possible long-term health effects of the defoamer used in seawater desalination by sub-chronic toxicity testing. Methods Blood analysis, internal organ assessment, and histopathological examination were carried out in rats exposed to low, medium, and high (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 g/kg BW, respectively) doses of defoamer for 90 days through oral administration. Results The high dose group showed decreased blood alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase (P < 0.05). All doses resulted in a significant increase in albumin and decrease in globulin (P < 0.05). The direct bilirubin and indirect bilirubin were decreased in the medium and high dose groups (P < 0.05). All dose groups showed significant induction of alkaline phosphatase (P < 0.05). Pathological examination revealed a case of liver mononuclear cell infiltration in the medium dose group and three cases of liver congestion, steatosis of hepatic cells around the central vein, and punctate necrosis with multiple focal mononuclear cell infiltration in male rats administered the high dose. The No Observed Adverse Effect Level was 0.5 g/kg BW in rats, with albumin and total bilirubin as health effect indices. Conclusion Long-term defoamer exposure may cause liver injury but has no significant impact on renal function in rats. The effect on blood cells in female rats was more prominent than that in male rats.
Persistently Upregulated Hippocampal mTOR Signals Mediated by Fecal SCFAs Impair Memory in Male Pups with SMM Exposure in Utero
ZHU Yi Tian, LIU Xin Ji, LIU Kai Yong, ZHANG Qiang, YANG Lin Sheng, WEI Rong, ZHANG Jing Jing, TAO Fang Biao
2019, 32(5): 345-356. doi: 10.3967/bes2019.046
Objective To investigate the molecular mechanisms of the adverse effects of exposure to sulfamonomethoxin (SMM) in pregnancy on the neurobehavioral development of male offspring. Methods Pregnant mice were randomly divided into four groups:control-(normal saline), low-[10 mg/(kg·day)], middle-[50 mg/(kg·day)], and high-dose[200 mg/(kg·day)] groups, which received SMM by gavage daily during gestational days 1-18. We measured the levels of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in feces from dams and male pups. Furthermore, we analyzed the mRNA and protein levels of genes involved in the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway in the hippocampus of male pups by RT-PCR or Western blotting. Results Fecal SCFA concentrations were significantly decreased in dams. Moreover, the production of individual fecal SCFAs was unbalanced, with a tendency for an increased level of total fecal SCFAs in male pups on postnatal day (PND) 22 and 56. Furthermore, the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3k)/protein kinase B (AKT)/mTOR or mTOR/ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 (S6K1)/4EBP1 signaling pathway was continuously upregulated until PND 56 in male offspring. In addition, the expression of Sepiapterin Reductase (SPR), a potential target of mTOR, was inhibited. Conclusion In utero exposure to SMM, persistent upregulation of the hippocampal mTOR pathway related to dysfunction of the gut (SCFA)-brain axis may contribute to cognitive deficits in male offspring.
A Reverse-transcription Recombinase-aided Amplification Assay for the Rapid Detection of the Far-Eastern Subtype of Tick-borne Encephalitis Virus
WANG Qian Ying, LI Fan, SHEN Xin Xin, FU Shi Hong, HE Ying, LEI Wen Wen, LIANG Guo Dong, WANG Huan Yun, MA Xue Jun
2019, 32(5): 357-362. doi: 10.3967/bes2019.047
Objective Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is an emerging pathogen in Europe and North Asia that causes tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). A simple, rapid method for detecting TBEV RNA is needed to control this disease. Methods A reverse-transcription recombinase-aided amplification (RT-RAA) assay was developed. This assay can be completed in one closed tube at 39℃ within 30 minutes. The sensitivity and specificity of RT-RAA were validated using non-infectious synthetic RNA representing a fragment of the NS5 region of the wild-type (WT) TBEV genome and the Senzhang strain. Additionally, 10 batches of tick samples were used to evaluate the performance of the RT-RAA assay. Results The analytical limit of detection of the assay was 20 copies per reaction of the TBEV synthetic transcript and 3 plaque-forming units (pfu) per reaction of TBEV titers. With the specific assay, no signal due to other arboviruses was observed. Of the 10 batches of tick samples obtained from the Changbai Mountains of China, three were TBEV-positive, which was consistent with the results of the quantitative real-time PCR assay. Conclusion A rapid, highly sensitive, specific, and easy-to-use method was developed for the detection of the TBEV Far-Eastern subtype.
Next-generation Sequencing Study of Pathogens in Serum from Patients with Febrile Jaundice in Sierra Leone
ZHANG Yi, YE Fei, XIA Lian Xu, ZHU Ling Wei, IDRISSA Laybohr Kamara, HUANG Ke Qiang, ZHANG Yong, LIU Jun, BRIMA Kargbo, WANG Ji, LIANG Mi Fang, SONG Jing Dong, MA Xue Jun, WU Gui Zhen
2019, 32(5): 363-370. doi: 10.3967/bes2019.048
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.
Transcriptomic Responses of Acinetobacter harbinensis HITLi 7T at Low Temperatures
MA Yin Peng, ZHANG Shu Mei, MENG Li Qiang, LI Wei Guang
2019, 32(5): 371-375. doi: 10.3967/bes2019.049
Modified Glasgow Prognostic Score, and Neutrophil/lymphocyte and Platelet/lymphocyte Ratios in Different Stages of Silicosis
HE La Gu, WU Peng Fei, PENG Yan Hua, FENG Juan, ZHONG Dai Ming, ZHANG Gui Hua, ZENG Lei, ZHONG Yu Min, WANG Xiao Ye, YUAN Hua Min
2019, 32(5): 376-379. doi: 10.3967/bes2019.050
Immunological Responses to the Combination of EBNA1 and LMP2 in Mice
DU Hai Jun, TONG Yan Yan, WANG Zhan, ZHANG Li Xia, ZENG Yi
2019, 32(5): 380-382. doi: 10.3967/bes2019.051
Serum Glypican 4 Levels Are Associated with Metabolic Syndrome in a Han Population from Guizhou Province, China
NING Dong Ping, XU Ke, ZHU Hui Juan, SHAN Guang Liang, WANG Ding Ming, PING Bo, YU Yang Wen, PAN Hui, GONG Feng Ying
2019, 32(5): 383-388. doi: 10.3967/bes2019.052
AMPylation Signaling Participates in Diverse Processes with Pleiotropic Actions
YAN Jia Long, JIANG Jin Yong, LUO Xu Ling, CHEN Lin Xi
2019, 32(5): 389-392. doi: 10.3967/bes2019.053