No abstract

Immunization with this hepatitis E vaccine induced antibodies against HEV and provided protection against hepatitis E for up to 4.5 years. (Funded by the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology and others; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01014845.).

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are noncoding RNA molecules of 21-24 nt that regulate the expression of target genes in a post-transcriptional manner. Evidence indicates that miRNAs play essential roles in embryogenesis, cell differentiation, and pathogenesis of human diseases. This study describes a comparison between the miRNA profile of kidney biopsies from lupus nephritis (LN) patients and the controls, to develop further understanding of the pathogenesis of LN. Kidney biopsies were taken from five LN patients detected LN Class II and three normal controls. The miRNA microarray chip analysis identified 66 miRNAs differentially expressed in LN. The chip results were confirmed by QRT-PCR. This work indicates that miRNAs are potential diagnosis biomarkers and probable factors involved in the pathogenesis of LN.

Laboratory diagnosis of acute infection of hepatitis E virus (HEV) is commonly based on the detection of HEV RNA, IgM and/or rising IgG levels. However, the profile of these markers when the patients present have not been well determined. To clarify the extent of misdiagnosed sporadic hepatitis E in the initial laboratory detection, serial sera of 271 sporadic acute hepatitis cases were collected, detected and the dynamics of each acute marker during the illness course were analyzed. 91 confirmed cases of hepatitis E were identified based on the presentation of HEV RNA, IgM or at least 4 fold rising of IgG levels. 21 (23.1%) hepatitis E cases were false negative for the viral RNA and 40 (44.0%) for rising IgG, because occurrence of these markers were confined to acute phase of infection and viremia had already subsided and antibody level peaked when these patients presented. IgM was detected in 82 (90.1%) cases. It is the most prevalent of the three markers, because the antibody persisted until early convalescence. Nine cases negative for IgM were positive for rising IgG and one was also positive for the viral RNA; all of these nine cases showed high avid IgG in their acute phase sera, which indicated re-infection. In summary, it is not practicable to determine the true occurrence of sporadic hepatitis E. Nevertheless, it could be closely approximated by approach using a combination of all three acute markers.

This paper describes a rapid diagnostic platform for pathogen detection based on the acetylcholinesterase-catalyzed hydrolysis reaction. Owing to the signal amplification strategies, the sensitivity of this assay is comparable to that of PCR. In addition, the readout of this assay is based on the color change of solutions, which can be easily observed by the naked eye alone.

No abstract

The transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is considered to be a promising treatment for ischemic heart disease; however, the therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of action require further evaluation. Mitochondrial dysfunction is a key event in simulated ischemia/reperfusion (SI/R) injury. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the mechanism of mitochondrial transfer, which may be involved the antiapoptotic action of co-culture with MSCs. An in vitro model of simulated ischemia/reperfusion (SI/R) was used in the present study. The apoptotic indexes were significantly increased when H9c2 cardiomyocytes were induced in the SI/R group. Following co-culture with bone marrow-derived (BM)-MSCs, H9c2 cells exhibited marked resistance against the SI/R-induced apoptotic process. Besides, mitochondrial transfer via a tunneling nanotube (TNT) like structure was detected by confocal fluorescent microscopy. In addition, following pretreated with latrunculin-A (LatA), an inhibitor of TNT formation, the BM-MSCs were not able to rescue injured H9c2 cells from apoptosis, as previously observed. In conclusion, the anti-apoptotic ability of BM-MSCs may be partially attributed to the recovery of mitochondrial dysfunction in SI/R, and the formation of TNTs appears to be involved in this action of mitochondrial transfer between adjacent cells.

No abstract