[Application of combined detection of multiple pathogens in diagnosis and treatment of coronavirus disease 2019]

Due to the wide variety of pathogens causing respiratory tract infection and the close symptoms, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) needs to be differentiated from other common infections. Early comprehensive detection and accurate identification of respiratory infection pathogens is of great value for early diagnosis, curative effect, as well as monitor of the diseases. Combined detection of multiple pathogens can quickly and accurately detect and distinguish the pathogens, then provide rapid and reliable laboratory diagnostic basis for further treatment. This article elaborates the application and development of multiplex detection assay in the diagnosis of COVID-19 according to the recent research.

[Clinical value of prenatal MRI in the diagnosis of fetal simple expansion of lateral ventricle and follow-up after birth]

Objective: To explore the value of prenatal MRI in the diagnosis of fetal simple expansion of lateral ventricle (ventriculomegaly) , and follow up the nervous system development status after birth. Methods: Simple expansion of the lateral ventricle fetus by prenatal MRI examination were collected in Huzhou Maternal and Child Care Hospital from May 2013 to June 2015, 126 cases of live births in expansion group, 50 normal cases were recruited in the same period as the control group. In expansion group, fetal subgroup analysis was done: (1) unilateral or bilateral lateral ventricle expasion: one group was 98 cases was lateral ventricle expansion (77.8%, 98/126), expansion of bilateral ventricle group was 28 cases (22.2%, 28/126). (2) Prenatal MRI in the diagnosis of the lateral ventricle of expansion: expansion of the lateral ventricle width was greater than 10.0 mm, if both sides were expanding, the expand width was the heavier one side, divided into 3 subgroups: ①Expansion in group A (lateral ventricle width 10.0-12.0 mm) were 88 cases (69.8%, 88/126). ②Expansion in group B (lateral ventricle width 12.1-15.0 mm) were 29 cases (23.0%, 29/126). ③Expansion of group C (lateral ventricle width> 15.0 mm) were 9 cases (7.12%, 9/126). All 176 cases were followed up after birth at the 3rd, 6th, 12th, 18th month (corrected age was used for premature babies), and Gesell developmental schedules (GDS) were used to evaluate the neurobehavioral development. Results: (1) The MRI results after birth: 21 cases were followed up by MRI after birth. In group A, 11 cases had MRI and 9 were normal (the ventricular width <10.0 mm after birth), the other 2 cases were stable (the ventricular width measured first time after birth was ≥10.0 mm, but the difference was within 2.0 mm from the MRI before birth). In group B, 4 cases had MRI, 1 was normal, 1 was stable, and 2 cases were getting better (the ventricular width measured first time after birth was ≥10.0 mm, but the width decreased more than 2.0 mm from the MRI before birth). In group C, 6 cases had MRI. 3 cases were getting better and 3 cases were stable. (2) Overall GDS results: expansion group after the birth of the 3rd, 6th, 12th, 18th month GDS evaluation results compared with control group, respectively, the differences were not statistically significant (all P>0.05). (3) The GDS results among the subgroups: in each evaluation after birth, there were no statistically significant differences between group A and the control group (all P>0.05). The GDS results of group B at the 3rd and 6th month were lower than those of the control group (P<0.05); while there were no statistically significant differences between the 2 goups at the 12th and 18th month (P>0.05). And for group C, statistically significant differences were found compared to the control group at each follow-up time (all P<0.05). (4) GDS results at different times after birth in the expansion group: there was no statistically significant difference between the results at the 3rd and 6th month (P>0.05). But when the result at the 3rd month was compared to the results of the 12th or 18th month, the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). GDS result of 6th months after birth compared with 12th and 18th months, respectively, there were no statistically significant differences (P>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the results at the 12th and 18th month (P>0.05). (5) The GDS results in unilateral and bilateral ventricle expansion: at the 18th month, among the 98 unilateral cases, 86 (87.8%, 86/98) had normal GDS results(>85 scores); 8 (8.2%, 8/98) had borderline results (75-85 scores); 4 (4.1%, 4/98) had delayed results (<75 scores). Among the 28 bilateral cases, 23 (82.1%, 23/28) had normal GDS results; 3 (10.7%, 3/28) had borderline results; 2 (7.1%, 2/28) had delayed results. There was no statistically significant difference (P>0.05). Conclusions: Among the simple expansion of lateral ventricle, those whose ventricular width are ≤12.0 mm may not need clinical treatment. If the width is between 12.1 to 15.0 mm, closely follow-up and targeted rehabilitation training after birth are recommended. When the width is more than 15.0 mm, the risk of the central nervous system function delay is significantly increased, and early intervention might improve the prognosis.

Effect of genistein and quercetin on proliferation, collagen synthesis, and type I procollagen mRNA levels of rat hepatic stellate cells

AIM

To study the effects of genistein (GE) and quercetin (QU) on proliferation, collagen synthesis, and procollagen messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of rat hepatic stellate cell line HSC-T6 cells.

METHODS

Cell proliferation was measured by crystal violet staining assay. Collagen synthesis was determined by [3H]proline incorporation assay. Type I mRNA level was determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTS

GE (25 - 70 micromol/L) and QU (6.25 - 50 micromol/L) concentration-dependently reduced serum-driven HSC-T6 cell proliferation and collagen synthesis associated with a suppression of type I procollagen mRNA level.

CONCLUSION

GE and QU inhibited hepatic stellate cell proliferation and collagen synthesis that might have a protective role against liver fibrosis.

[Antifibrotic effects of genistein and quercetin in vitro]

AIM

To study the antifibrotic effects of genistein (GE) and quercetin (QU) on rat hepatic stellate HSC-T6 cell proliferation stimulated with platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), collagen synthesis and type I procollagen messenger RNA (mRNA) expression stimulated with transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF beta 1).

METHODS

Cell proliferation was measured by crystal violet staining assay. Collagen synthesis was determined by 3H-proline incorporation assay. Type I procollagen mRNA level was determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTS

GE (25-70 mumol.L-1) and QU (6.25-50 mumol.L-1) concentration-dependently attenuated PDGF-drive HSC-T6 cell proliferative activity. TGF beta 1-stimulated collagen synthesis was also reduced. This was associated with a decrease of type I procollagen mRNA, indicating an effect at a pretranslational level.

CONCLUSION

GE and QU may have therapeutic potential against liver fibrosis by regulating PDGF and TGF beta 1 actions.

Effect of increasing biliary tract pressure on house rabbit blood dynamics in acute cholangitis of severe type

In this study 12 Japanese long ear rabbits were used as models of acute cholangitis of severe type (ACST), and also an increasing pressure apparatus of self-made caecus to form high pressure of the biliary tract. The animals were observed for changes in blood dynamics in an attempt to explore the effect and relation of high pressure of biliary tract and infective element in pathogenesis of ACST. It was found that when the biliary pressure was increased within 120 min in the 20 kPa group, the blood endotoxin level showed no obvious increment (P > 0.05), but the decreased range of average MAP (mean artery pressure) was over 4 kPa, and the cardiac output also decreased evidently (P < 0.05), and that when the biliary pressure was decreased, MAP and cardiac output were restored to normal gradually. Of these animals 3 didn't restore their normal condition when the blood pressure decreased to zero and died finally. Meanwhile the electric discharge frequency of the right greater splanchnic nerves increased (P < 0.05), but when pressure was reduced, the frequency slowed down. From the above findings, the authors came to the conclusion that the rapid increase of the biliary tract pressure is the important factor leading to a decrease in blood pressure of ACST, and even bringing about irreversible shock, which is involved in the activity of splanchnic nerves.

Effects of triptonide on mouse immune functions

Triptonide (Tri) extracted from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook inhibited the proliferation of mouse splenocytes induced by suboptimal concentration of concanavalin A or lipopolysaccharide at concentrations of 0.02, 0.1, and 0.5 microgram.ml-1. It showed a suppressive effect on one way mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) at 0.1-0.4 microgram.ml-1. The lymphocytes harvested from the first Tri (0.4 microgram.ml-1)-containing MLC inhibited the second MLC after being washed and irradiated with 60Co source (30 Gy). Serum anti-sheep red blood cell antibody (hemolysin) formation and clearance of charcoal particles were also suppressed by Tri in vivo. Although delayed hypersensitivity (DH) reaction to dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) was inhibited by Tri 1.2, 2.5, and 5.0 mg.kg-1 (ip, qd x 5 d), the spleen cell interleukin-2 secretion activities of these mice were not suppressed. Graft vs host reaction (GVHR) was not inhibited by Tri 2.5 and 5.0 mg.kg-1 (ig, qd x 5 d). Helper T cells (Th)/suppressor T cells (Ts) ratio was reduced at 2.5 mg.kg-1. The effects of Tri on mouse thymus and spleen weight were related to the age. Tri (1.2, 2.5, 5.0 mg.kg-1) had no effect on thymus and spleen weights in 8-wk-old mice. However, it increased the thymus and spleen weights in 12-wk-old mice at doses of 1.2 and 2.5 mg.kg-1. The data indicated that Tri had extensive suppressive effects on mouse immune function and its mechanism may be related to the reduction of Th/Ts ratio and the induction of Ts cells.

Effects of cantharidin on interleukin-2 and interleukin-1 production in mice in vivo

After cantharidin (0.75, 1.5 mg.kg-1) was given ip 3 times every other day in mice, Con A-induced spleen lymphocyte proliferation, as measured by [3H]TdR incorporation assay, was enhanced from 7,978 +/- 1,780 to 36,631 +/- 8,467 and 29,997 +/- 3,788 dpm in both doses. Interleukin-2 and interleukin-1 production were also increased from 11 +/- 4 to 52 +/- 18, 23 +/- 6 U.ml-1 and from 7,628 +/- 1,477 to 14,532 +/- 2,272, 11,515 +/- 2,862 dpm, respectively. These results suggest that cantharidin potentiates immune response through the release of interleukin-2 and interleukin-1.