Grass carp reovirus VP56 and VP35 induce formation of viral inclusion bodies for replication

Viral inclusion bodies (VIBs) are subcellular structures required for efficient viral replication. How type II grass carp reovirus (GCRV-II), the mainly prevalent strain, forms VIBs is unknown. In this study, we found that GCRV-II infection induced punctate VIBs in grass carp ovary (GCO) cells and that non-structural protein 38 (NS38) functioned as a participant in VIB formation. Furthermore, VP56 and VP35 induced VIBs and recruited other viral proteins via the N-terminal of VP56 and the middle domain of VP35. Additionally, we found that the newly synthesized viral RNAs co-localized with VP56 and VP35 in VIBs during infection. Taken together, VP56 and VP35 induce VIB formation and recruit other viral proteins and viral RNAs to the VIBs for viral replication, which helps identify new targets for developing anti-GCRV-II drugs to disrupt viral replication.

Snakehead vesiculovirus hijacks SH3RF1 for replication via mediating K63-linked ubiquitination at K264 of the phosphoprotein

Snakehead vesiculovirus (SHVV) is a type of rhabdovirus that causes serious economic losses in snakehead fish culture in China. However, no specific antiviral drugs or vaccines are currently available for SHVV infection. In this study, 4D label-free ubiquitome analysis of SHVV-infected cells revealed dozens of ubiquitinated sites on the five SHVV proteins. We focused on investigating the ubiquitination of phosphoprotein (P), a viral polymerase co-factor involved in viral replication. SHVV-P was proved to be ubiquitinated via K63-linked ubiquitination at lysine 264 (K264). Overexpression of wild-type P, but not its K264R mutant, facilitated SHVV replication, indicating that K264 ubiquitination of the P protein is critical for SHVV replication. RNAi screening of 26 cellular E3 ubiquitin ligases identified five pro-viral factors for SHVV replication, including macrophage erythroblast attacher (MAEA), TNF receptor-associated factor 7 (TRAF7), and SH3 domain-containing ring finger protein 1 (SH3RF1), which interacted with and mediated ubiquitination of SHVV P. TRAF7 and SH3RF1, but not MAEA, mediated K63-linked ubiquitination of SHVV P, while only SH3RF1 mediated K264 ubiquitination of SHVV P. Besides, overexpression of SH3RF1 promoted SHVV replication and maintained the stability of SHVV P. In summary, SH3RF1 mediated K63-linked ubiquitination of SHVV P at K264 to facilitate SHVV replication, providing targets for developing anti-SHVV drugs and live-attenuated SHVV vaccines. Our study provides novel insights into the role of P protein in the replication of single-stranded, negative-sense RNA viruses.

hnRNPA1 impedes snakehead vesiculovirus replication via competitively disrupting viral phosphoprotein-nucleoprotein interaction and degrading viral phosphoprotein

Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 (hnRNPA1) plays an important role in regulating the replication of many viruses. However, it remains elusive whether and how hnRNPA1 regulates fish virus replication. In this study, the effects of twelve hnRNPs on the replication of snakehead vesiculovirus (SHVV) were screened. Three hnRNPs, one of which was hnRNPA1, were identified as anti-SHVV factors. Further verification showed that knockdown of hnRNPA1 promoted, while overexpression of hnRNPA1 inhibited, SHVV replication. SHVV infection reduced the expression level of hnRNPA1 and induced the nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of hnRNPA1. Besides, we found that hnRNPA1 interacted with the viral phosphoprotein (P) via its glycine-rich domain, but not with the viral nucleoprotein (N) or large protein (L). The hnRNPA1-P interaction competitively disrupted the viral P-N interaction. Moreover, we found that overexpression of hnRNPA1 enhanced the polyubiquitination of the P protein and degraded it through proteasomal and lysosomal pathways. This study will help understanding the function of hnRNPA1 in the replication of single-stranded negative-sense RNA viruses and providing a novel antiviral target against fish rhabdoviruses.

[Clinical presentation and prognosis in children over 10-year-old with primary nephrotic syndrome]

Objective: To summary the clinical presentation and prognosis of primary nephrotic syndrome (PNS) in teenagers. Methods: The clinical data, renal pathological types and prognosis of 118 children over 10-year-old with PNS treated in the Department of Nephrology of the Children's Hospital Affiliated to Capital Institute of Pediatrics from January 2010 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, with 408 children ≤10-year-old as control group synchronously. Chi-square test was used to compare the difference of clinical types, pathologic types, response to steroids and tubulointerstitial changes between the groups. The teenagers with steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) were divided into initial non-responder group and late non-responder group. Kaplan-Meier method was used to compare the difference of persistent proteinuria, and Fisher's exact test for the histological types. Results: There were 118 children >10-year-old, including 74 males and 44 females, with the onset age of 12.1 (10.8, 13.4) years; and 408 children ≤10-year-old with the onset age of 4.5 (3.2, 6.8) years. The proportion of SRNS was significantly higher in patients >10-year-old than those ≤10-year-old (24.6% (29/118) vs. 15.9% (65/408), χ²=4.66, P=0.031). There was no statistical difference in the pathological types between >10-year-old and ≤10-year-old (P>0.05), with minimal change disease the most common type (56.0% (14/25) vs. 60.5% (26/43)). The percentage of cases with renal tubulointerstitial lesions was significantly higher in children >10-year-old compared to those ≤10-year-old (60.0% (15/25) vs. 23.3% (10/43), χ²=9.18, P=0.002). There were 29 cases presented with SRNS in PNS over 10-year-old, including 19 initial non-responders and 10 late non-responders. Analyzed by Kaplan-Meier curve, it was shown that the percentage of persistent proteinuria after 6 months of immunosuppressive treatments was significantly higher in initial non-responders than those of the late non-responders ((22±10)% vs. 0, χ²=14.68, P<0.001); the percentage of minimal change disease was significantly higher in patients of late non-responders than those of the initial non-responders (5/6 vs. 3/13, P=0.041). Of the 63 >10-year-old with steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome followed up more than one year, 38 cases (60.3%) had relapse, and 14 cases (22.2%) were frequent relapse nephrotic syndrome and steroid dependent nephrotic syndrome. Among the 45 patients followed up over 18-year-old, 22 cases (48.9%) had recurrent proteinuria continued to adulthood, 3 cases of SRNS progressed to kidney insufficiency, and one of them developed into end stage kidney disease and was administrated with hemodialysis. Conclusions: Cases over 10-year-old with PNS tend to present with SRNS and renal tubulointerstitial lesions. They have a favorable prognosis, but are liable to relapse in adulthood.

[Clinicopathological and gene mutation characteristics of uterine carcinosarcoma]

To explore the clinicopathological characteristics, immunophenotype, diagnosis and differential diagnosis of uterine carcinosarcoma (UCS), and to explore the gene mutation characteristics and tumor mutation burden (TMB) of UCS. The clinical imaging, pathomorphological data and immunohistochemical expression of 4 cases of UCS, which were archived in the Department of Pathology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 2021 to May 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. All exon groups of 4 cases of UCS were sequenced. All the 4 patients were female, aged 47-81 years. The maximum diameter of the tumor was 4.0-13.0 cm, and the boundary was unclear. Microscopically, the tumor was composed of malignant epithelium and sarcoma. Immunohistochemistry showed that the epithelial components of 4 patients expressed broad-spectrum cytokeratin (AE1/E3), the sarcoma components expressed Vimentin, PAX8, ER, PR were expressed to varying degrees, and Ki-67 positive index was high (60%-90%). There were 3 p53 missense mutations, 1 nonsense mutation, 4 MLH1, PMS2, MSH2, MSH6 were positive and PD-L1 was negative. The sequencing results of the whole exon group of 4 UCS patients showed that TP53, BCL9L, BRD4, CLTCLI, PSMD1I, PLEC genes showed a high mutation ratio, which was 3/4, 2/4, 2/4, 2/4, 2/4, 2/4, respectively. TMB analysis showed that the TMB of 4 cases of UCS was<5 mut/Mb. UCS is a rare and highly malignant endometrial tumor. The sequencing results of the whole exon group suggested that TP53, BCL9L, BRD4 and other genes had high mutation rates, suggesting that the occurrence and development of UCS may be closely related to Wnt signaling pathway. Molecular typing indicated that 3 cases of UCS were of high copy number type/p53 mutation type, and 1 case had POLD1 mutation. Microsatellite stability, low PD-L1 expression and TMB results suggested that UCS patients have no obvious advantage in immunotherapy.

p38MAPK- and GSK3-Mediated Phosphorylation of Snakehead Vesiculovirus Phosphoprotein at Threonine 160 Facilitates Viral Replication

Phosphoprotein (P), co-factor of the polymerase (large protein, L) of single-stranded negative-sense RNA viruses, is phosphorylated during viral infection and its phosphorylation has been reported to play important roles in viral replication. However, the function of P phosphorylation in viral replication is still far from clear. Snakehead vesiculovirus (SHVV) is a kind of fish rhabdovirus that has caused serious economic losses in snakehead fish culture in China without any effective preventive or therapeutical measures currently. In this study, 4D label-free phosphoproteomics sequencing of SHVV-infected cells identified five phosphorylated sites on SHVV P, among which threonine 160 (T160) was proved to be phosphorylated. Overexpression of wild-type P, but not P-T160A or P-T160E mutant, promoted SHVV replication, suggesting that the T160 phosphorylation on the P protein is critical for SHVV replication. Moreover, we found that T160A or T160E mutation on SHVV P had no effect on the interactions of P-nucleoprotein (N), P-P, or P-L. Further study revealed that p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) and glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) interacted with SHVV P and mediated the T160 phosphorylation. Besides, overexpression of p38MAPK or GSK3 facilitated, while knockdown or activity inhibition of p38MAPK or GSK3 suppressed, SHVV replication. Overall, p38MAPK- and GSK3-mediated phosphorylation of the P protein at T160 is required for SHVV replication, which provided targets for designing anti-SHVV drugs and developing live-attenuated SHVV vaccines. Our study helps understand the role of P phosphorylation in the replication of single-stranded negative-sense RNA viruses. IMPORTANCE Phosphorylation of viral proteins plays important roles in viral replication. Currently, the role of phosphorylation of phosphoprotein (P) in the replication of single-stranded negative-sense RNA viruses is far from clear. Identification of the phosphorylated sites on viral P protein and the related host kinases is helpful for developing live-attenuated vaccines and designing antiviral drugs. This study focused on identifying the phosphorylated sites on P protein of a fish rhabdovirus SHVV, determining the related host kinases, and revealing the effects of the phosphorylated sites and kinases on SHVV replication. We found that SHVV P was phosphorylated at T160, which was mediated by the kinases p38MAPK and GSK3 to promote SHVV replication. This study is the first time to study the role of P phosphorylation in fish rhabdovirus replication.

DDX23 of black carp negatively regulates MAVS-mediated antiviral signaling in innate immune activation

Mammalian DDX23 is involved in multiple biological processes, such as RNA processing and antiviral responses. However, the function of teleost DDX23 still remains unclear. In this paper, we have cloned the DDX23 homologue of black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) (bcDDX23) and elucidated its role in the antiviral innate immunity. The coding region of bcDDX23 comprises 2427 nucleotides and encodes 809 amino acids. The transcription of bcDDX23 was promoted by the stimulation of LPS, poly(I:C), and SVCV; and immunoblotting (IB) assay showed that bcDDX23 migrated aground 94.5 kDa. Immunofluorescence (IF) assay revealed that bcDDX23 was mainly distributed in the nucleus, and the amount of cytosolic bcDDX23 was significantly increased after SVCV infection. The reporter assay showed that bcDDX23 inhibited bcMAVS-mediated transcription of the IFN promoter. And the co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) assays identified the interaction between bcDDX23 and bcMAVS. Furthermore, co-expressed bcDDX23 significantly inhibited bcMAVS-mediated antiviral ability against SVCV in EPC cells, and knockdown of bcDDX23 enhanced the resistance of host cells against SVCV. Overall, our results conclude that bcDDX23 targets bcMAVS and suppresses MAVS-mediated IFN signaling, which sheds light on the regulation of IFN signaling in teleost fish.

Black carp RNF5 inhibits STING/IFN signaling through promoting K48-linked ubiquitination and degradation of STING

Ubiquitination is one of the important post-translational modifications (PTMs) of proteins that plays a vital role in regulating substrate degradation to ensure cellular homeostasis. Ring finger protein 5 (RNF5) is an essential E3 ubiquitin ligase for inhibiting STING-mediated interferon (IFN) signaling in mammals. Nevertheless, the function of RNF5 in STING/IFN pathway remains obscure in teleost. Here, we reported that over-expression of black carp RNF5 (bcRNF5) inhibited STING-mediated transcription activity of bcIFNa, DrIFNφ1, NF-κB and ISRE promoters and antiviral activity against SVCV. Moreover, knockdown of bcRNF5 increased the expression of host genes, including bcIFNa, bcIFNb, bcILβ, bcMX1 and bcViperin, and also enhanced the antiviral capability of host cells. Immunofluorescence (IF) and Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assay confirmed that bcRNF5 was mainly localized in the cytoplasm and interacted with bcSTING. The expression level of bcSTING protein was attenuated by co-expressed bcRNF5 and MG132 treatment rescued this attenuating effect, suggesting that bcRNF5-mediated bcSTING degradation was dependent on the proteasome pathway. Subsequent, Co-IP and immunoblot (IB) experiments identified that bcRNF5 triggered the K48-linked but not K63-linked ubiquitination of bcSTING. Altogether, above results conclude that RNF5 suppresses STING/IFN signaling by enhancing K48-linked ubiquitination and protease degradation of STING in black carp.

Negatively regulation of MAVS-mediated antiviral innate immune response by E3 ligase RNF5 in black carp

Mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein (MAVS) is as an adaptor in RIG-I like receptor (RLR) signaling, which plays the key role in interferon (IFN) production during host antiviral innate immune activation. MAVS is fine tuned to avoid excess IFN production, which have been extensively studied in human and mammals. However, the regulation of MAVS in teleost still remains obscure. In this manuscript, we cloned ring finger protein 5 (bcRNF5) of black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) and characterized this teleost E3 ubiquitin ligase as a negative regulator of MAVS. The coding region of bcRNF5 consists of 615 nucleotides which encode 205 amino acids, containing two trans-membrane domain (TM) and a ring-finger domain (RING). The transcription regulation of bcRNF5 varies in host cells in response to stimulations of LPS, poly (I:C), grass carp reovirus (GCRV) and spring viremia of carp virus (SVCV). bcRNF5 migrates around 22 KDa in immunoblot (IB) assay and distributes mainly in cytoplasm by immunofluorescent (IF) staining test. Moreover, bcRNF5 significantly inhibits bcMAVS-mediated IFN promoter transcription. In addition, both IF and co-immunoprecipitation assay showed that bcRNF5 interacts with bcMAVS. Furthermore, bcMAVS-mediated antiviral ability is distinctly impaired by bcRNF5. Taken together, these results conclude that bcRNF5, as a negative regulator of the MAVS-mediated IFN signaling, may play a key role in host protection upon virus infection in black carp.

Effect of Multicomponent Intervention on Functional Decline in Chinese Older Adults: A Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial

OBJECTIVES

To confirm whether multicomponent exercise following vivifrail recommendations was an effective method for improving physical ability, cognitive function, gait, balance, and muscle strength in Chinese older adults.

METHODS

This was a multicenter and randomized clinical trial conducted in Jiangsu, China, from April 2021 to April 2022. Intervention lasted for 12 weeks and 104 older adults with functional declines were enrolled. All participants were randomly assigned to a control (usual care plus health education) or exercise group (usual care plus health education plus exercise). Primary outcomes were the change score of Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and activities of daily living (ADL). The secondary outcomes included instrumental activities of daily living, Tinetti scores, Frailty score, short-form Mini Nutritional Assessment, Mini-Mental State Examination, Geriatric Depression Scale-15, the 12-item Short Form Survey, 4-meter gait speed test, 6-min walking distance, grip strength, and body composition analysis.

RESULTS

Among the participants, the average age was 85 (82, 88) years. After 12 weeks of follow-up, the exercise group showed a significant improvement in SPPB, with a change of 2 points (95% confidence interval [0, 3.5], P<0.001) compared to control. In contrast, SPPB remained stable in the control group. Compared to the control group, ADL improved in the exercise group, as did instrumental activities of daily living, Tinetti, Frailty, Short Form Survey, 4-meter gait speed test, and 6-min walking distance. Although there was no significant difference between groups in body composition analysis after post-intervention, the exercise group still improved in soft lean mass (P=0.002), fat-free mass (P=0.002), skeletal muscle mass index (P<0.001), fat-free mass index (P=0.004), appendicular skeletal muscle mass (P<0.001), and leg muscle mass (P<0.001), while the control group had no significant increase. No difference was observed in adverse events during trial period.

CONCLUSIONS

The multicomponent exercise intervention following vivifrail recommendations is an effective method for older adults with functional decline and can reverse the functional decline and improve gait, balance, and muscle strength. Additionally, the 12-week multicomponent exercise method provides guidance for Chinese medical professionals working in the field of geriatrics and is a promising method to improve physical function in the general population.

MicroRNA miR-722 Inhibits Cyprinid Herpesvirus 3 Replication via Targeting the Viral Immune Evasion Protein ORF89, Which Negatively Regulates IFN by Degrading IRF3

Cyprinid herpesvirus 3 (CyHV-3) has caused severe economic losses to carp culture, but its pathogenicity is far from clear. Our previous study has revealed that microRNA (miR)-722 was upregulated during CyHV-3 infection, indicating that miR-722 might play an important role in CyHV-3 replication. In this study, we found that overexpression of miR-722 inhibited CyHV-3 replication and promoted IFN expression. The putative target gene of miR-722 was searched over the CyHV-3 genome, and ORF89 was identified and validated as a target gene of miR-722. Overexpression of ORF89 markedly reduced the expression of IFN and IFN-stimulated genes. Mechanistically, ORF89 interacted with and degraded IFN regulatory factor 3 (IRF3), and inhibited the entry of IRF3 into the nucleus by suppressing the dimerization of IRF3. Moreover, ORF89-mediated suppression of IFN expression could be restored by adding miR-722. To our knowledge, our findings confirm a novel virus-host combat, in which CyHV-3 evades host antiviral immunity by its ORF89 protein, whereas host miR-722, upregulated on CyHV-3 infection, targets ORF89 to impede CyHV-3 replication.

[Application and Inspiration of Information System used in National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey of America]

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) of America has been running for more than 60 years and has achieved many significant achievements with international influence. The application of modern information technologies in NHANES provides a supplementary tool for the project's high quality and refined implementation. This paper introduces the information system of NHANES from seven aspects: project management, survey participant interview, physical examination, laboratory examination, field follow-up, data sharing, and social services. The construction and application prospects of the China National Health Survey Information System, suitable for China's native conditions, are also discussed in this article.

MicroRNA miR-155 inhibits cyprinid herpesvirus 3 replication via regulating AMPK-MAVS-IFN axis

Since emerged in the late 1990s, cyprinid herpesvirus 3 (CyHV-3) has caused huge economic losses in common and koi carp culture worldwide. Accumulating evidences suggest that teleost fish microRNA (miRNA), a class of non-coding RNA of ∼22 nucleotides, can participate in many cellular processes, especially in host antiviral defenses. However, the roles of miRNAs in CyHV-3 infection are still unclear. Here, using high-throughput miRNA sequencing and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) verification, we found that miR-155 was significantly upregulated in common carp brain (CCB) cells upon CyHV-3 infection. Overexpression of miR-155 effectively inhibited CyHV-3 replication in CCB cells and promoted type I interferon (IFN-I) expression. Further study revealed that miR-155 targeted the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of the mRNA of 5'AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and that AMPK could interact with and degrade the mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein (MAVS), resulting in the reduction of interferon (IFN) expression. Collectively, our results show that miR-155, induced by CyHV-3 infection, exhibits anti-CyHV-3 activity via regulating AMPK-MAVS-IFN axis, which will help design anti-CyHV-3 drugs.

Evaluation of the probiotic and functional potential of Lactobacillus agilis 32 isolated from pig manure

Escherichia coli is a symbiotic bacterium in humans and animals and an important pathogen of humans and animals. Prevention and suppression of E. coli infection is of great concern. In this study, we isolated a strain of Lactobacillus agilis 32 from pig manure and evaluated its biological characteristics, and found that its bacterial survival rate was 25% after 4 h of treatment at pH 2, and under the condition of 0·5% bile concentration, its survival rate exceeds 30%. In addition, L. agilis 32 has a cell surface hydrophobicity of 77·8%, and exhibits 67·1% auto-aggregation and 63·2% aggregation with Enterotoxigenic E. coli 10 (ETEC 10). FITC fluorescence labelling showed that the fluorescence intensity of cecum was significantly higher than that of duodenum, jejunum or colon (P < 0·05), but no significant difference from ileum. Lactobacillus agilis 32 bacterial culture and CFS showed average inhibition zone diameters of 14·2 and 15·4 mm respectively. Lactobacillus agilis 32 CFS treatment can significantly reduce the pathogenicity of ETEC 10. These results show that L. agilis 32 is an active and potential probiotic, and it has a good antibacterial effect on ETEC10, which provides basic research for probiotics to prevent and treat intestinal diarrhoea pathogen infection.

Immunogenicity study of OmpU subunit vaccine against Vibrio mimicus in yellow catfish, Pelteobagrus fulvidraco

The outer membrane protein U (OmpU) is a conserved outer membrane protein in a variety of pathogenic Vibrio species and has been considered as a vital protective antigen for vaccine development. Vibrio mimicus (V. mimicus) is the pathogen causing ascites disease in aquatic animals. In this study, the prokaryotically expressed and purified His-tagged OmpU of V. mimicus (His-OmpU) was used as a subunit vaccine. The formalin inactivated V. mimicus, purified His tag (His-tag), and PBS were used as controls. The vaccinated yellow catfish were challenged with V. mimicus at 28 days post-vaccination, and the results showed that the His-OmpU and inactivated V. mimicus groups exhibited much higher survival rates than the His-tag and PBS groups. To fully understand the underlying mechanism, we detected the expression levels of several immune-related genes in the spleen of fish at 28 days post-vaccination and 24 h post-challenge. The results showed that most of the detected immune-related genes were significantly upregulated in His-OmpU and inactivated V. mimicus groups. In addition, we performed the serum bactericidal activity assay, and the results showed that the serum from His-OmpU and inactivated V. mimicus groups exhibited much stronger bactericidal activity against V. mimicus than those of His-tag and PBS groups. Finally, the serum agglutination antibody was detected, and the antibody could be detected in His-OmpU and inactivated V. mimicus groups with the antibody titers increasing along with the time post-vaccination, but not in His-tag or PBS group. Our data reveal that the recombinant OmpU elicits potent protective immune response and is an effective vaccine candidate against V. mimicus in yellow catfish.

Leader RNA regulates snakehead vesiculovirus replication via interacting with viral nucleoprotein

Leader RNA, a kind of virus-derived small noncoding RNA, has been proposed to play an important role in regulating virus replication, but the underlying mechanism remains elusive. In this study, snakehead vesiculovirus (SHVV), a kind of fish rhabdovirus causing high mortality to the cultured snakehead fish in China, was used to unveil the molecular function of leader RNA. High-throughput small RNA sequencing of SHVV-infected cells showed that SHVV produced two groups of leader RNAs (named le_group1 and le_group2) during infection. Overexpression and knockout experiments reveal that le_group1, but not le_group2, affects SHVV replication. Mechanistically, le_group1-mediated regulation of SHVV replication was associated with its interaction with the viral nucleoprotein (N). Moreover, the nucleotides 6-10 of le_group1 were identified as the critical region for its interaction with the N protein, and the amino acids 1-45 of N protein were proved to confer its interaction with the le_group1. Taken together, we identified two groups of SHVV leader RNAs and revealed a role in virus replication for one of the two types of leader RNAs. This study will help understand the role of leader RNA in regulating the replication of negative-stranded RNA viruses.

Bacillus velezensis LG37: transcriptome profiling and functional verification of GlnK and MnrA in ammonia assimilation

Background

In recent years, interest in Bacillus velezensis has increased significantly due to its role in many industrial water bioremediation processes. In this study, we isolated and assessed the transcriptome of Bacillus velezensis LG37 (from an aquaculture pond) under different nitrogen sources. Since Bacillus species exhibit heterogeneity, it is worth investigating the molecular mechanism of LG37 through ammonia nitrogen assimilation, where nitrogen in the form of molecular ammonia is considered toxic to aquatic organisms.

Results

Here, a total of 812 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) from the transcriptomic sequencing of LG37 grown in minimal medium supplemented with ammonia (treatment) or glutamine (control) were obtained, from which 56 had Fold Change ≥2. BLAST-NCBI and UniProt databases revealed 27 out of the 56 DEGs were potentially involved in NH₄⁺ assimilation. Among them, 8 DEGs together with the two-component regulatory system GlnK/GlnL were randomly selected for validation by quantitative real-time RT-PCR, and the results showed that expression of all the 8 DEGs are consistent with the RNA-seq data. Moreover, the transcriptome and relative expression analysis were consistent with the transporter gene amtB and it is not involved in ammonia transport, even in the highest ammonia concentrations. Besides, CRISPR-Cas9 knockout and overexpression glnK mutants further evidenced the exclusion of amtB regulation, suggesting the involvement of alternative transporter. Additionally, in the transcriptomic data, a novel ammonium transporter mnrA was expressed significantly in increased ammonia concentrations. Subsequently, OEmnrA and ΔmnrA LG37 strains showed unique expression pattern of specific genes compared to that of wild-LG37 strain.

Conclusion

Based on the transcriptome data, regulation of nitrogen related genes was determined in the newly isolated LG37 strain to analyse the key regulating factors during ammonia assimilation. Using genomics tools, the novel MnrA transporter of LG37 became apparent in ammonia transport instead of AmtB, which transports ammonium nitrogen in other Bacillus strains. Collectively, this study defines heterogeneity of B. velezensis LG37 through comprehensive transcriptome analysis and subsequently, by genome editing techniques, sheds light on the enigmatic mechanisms controlling the functional genes under different nitrogen sources also reveals the need for further research.

Disruption of glucocorticoid signalling in osteoblasts attenuates age-related surgically induced osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE

Aging is a major risk factor for osteoarthritis (OA). Skeletal expression and activity of the glucocorticoid-activating enzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase type 1 increases progressively with age in humans and rodents. Here we investigated the role of endogenous osteocytic and osteoblastic glucocorticoid (GC) signalling in the development of osteoarthritic bone and cartilage damage in mice.

METHODS

We utilized transgenic (tg) mice in which glucocorticoid signalling is disrupted in osteoblasts and osteocytes via overexpression of the glucocorticoid-inactivating enzyme, 11β-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase type 2. Osteoarthritis was induced in 10- and 22-week-old male transgenic mice (tg-OA, n = 6/group) and their wildtype littermates (WT-OA, n = 7-8/group) by surgical destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM). Sham-operated mice served as controls (WT- & tg-Sham, n = 3-5 and 6-8/group at 10- and 22-weeks of age, respectively).

RESULTS

Sixteen weeks after DMM surgery, mice developed features of cartilage degradation, subchondral bone sclerosis and osteophyte formation. These changes did not differ between WT and tg mice when OA was induced at 10-weeks of age. However, when OA was induced at 22-weeks of age, cartilage erosion was significantly attenuated in tg-OA mice compared to WT-OA littermates. Similarly, subchondral bone volume (-5.2%, 95% confidence intervals (CI) -9.1 to -1.2%, P = 0.014) and osteophyte size (-4.0 mm², 95% CI -7.5 to -0.5 mm², P = 0.029) were significantly reduced in tg-OA compared to WT-OA mice.

CONCLUSION

Glucocorticoid signalling in cells of the osteoblast lineage promotes the development of surgically-induced osteoarthritis in older, but not younger, male mice. These data implicate osteoblasts and osteocytes in the progression of DMM-OA, via a glucocorticoid-dependent and age-related pathway.

Inhibition of Cyclophilin A on the replication of red spotted grouper nervous necrosis virus associates with multiple pro-inflammatory factors

Cyclophilin A (CypA) is a ubiquitously expressed cellular protein and involves in diverse pathological conditions, including infection and inflammation. CypA acts as a key factor in the replication of several viruses. However, little is known about the role of CypA in the replication of the red-spotted grouper nervous necrosis virus (RGNNV). In the present report, grouper CypA (GF-CypA) was cloned from the grouper fin cell line (GF-1) derived from orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides). Sequence analysis found that GF-CypA open reading frame (ORF) of 495 bp encodes a polypeptide of 164 amino acids residues with a molecular weight of 17.4 kDa. The deduced amino acid sequence shared highly conserved regions with CypA of other animal species, showing that GF-CypA is a new member of Cyclophilin A family. We observed that GF-CypA was up-regulated in the GF-1 cells infected with RGNNV. Additionally, overexpression of CypA could significantly inhibit the replication of RGNNV in GF-1 cells. By contrast, when the GF-CypA was knock-downed by siRNA in GF-1 cells, the replication of RGNNV was enhanced. Furthermore, the expressions of pro-inflammatory factors, such as TNF-2, TNF-α, IL-1b, and ISG-15, were increased in GF-CypA transfected GF-1 cells challenged with RGNNV, indicating that GF-CypA might be involved in the regulation of the host pro-inflammatory factors. Altogether, we conclude that GF-CypA plays a vital role in the inhibitory effect of RGNNV replication that might be modulating the cytokines secretion in GF-1 cells during RGNNV infection. These results will shed new light on the function of CypA in the replication of RGNNV and will pave a new way for the prevention of the infection of RGNNV in fish.

Effect of feeding grape seed Proanthocyanidin extract on production performance, metabolic and anti-oxidative status of dairy cattle

ABSTRACT Aims to investigate the effects of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) on production performance, metabolism, and anti-oxidative status of Holstein dairy cattle in early lactation. Forty-eight multiparous Holstein dairy cattle were assigned to four groups (CON, G20, G40 and G80) and supplied with 0, 20, 40, and 80mg GSPE/kg of body weight/day. G20 significantly increased milk yield compared with other groups. Milk protein and non-fat-solids were increased in G20, G40 and G80 groups compared with the control group only at the 7th day during the experiment. No significant difference was observed in milk fat and somatic cell count, nor on parameters of energy metabolism in blood, liver function and kidney function between the four groups. There was no significant difference in glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, total antioxidant capacity, and hydrogen peroxide between the groups; but the malondialdehyde content of G20 significantly increased at day 14 in comparison with CON, and tended to increase at the 28th day. In conclusion, feeding 20mg GSPE/kg of body weight/day was associated with a significant increase in milk yield without detrimental effects on liver or kidney function and with substantial energy metabolism and antioxidant parameters improvement in early lactation dairy cattle.

Establishment of an aqueous method for extracting soybean oils assisted by adding free oil

Concern for the environment, safety and costs has promoted the development of the method for extracting soybean oil by an aqueous process. An advanced aqueous extraction of soybean oil assisted by adding free oil was established in this study, which recovered 81% of the oil from soybeans with 20.73% crude oil content and produced a de-oiled residue with 4.7% residual oil. The acid or peroxide value of the recovered oil met the Chinese national standard for first class refined oil, which was lower than that produced by solvent extraction or high temperature pressing. No wastewater was produced during the aqueous extraction of oil. The removal of the oil by the addition of oil and a small amount of water generated a residue (solids) containing all the protein, which represents 2/3 of the revenue in the soybean process. The protein-rich residue can be further processed to produce a protein isolate with high purity (e.g. > 90%) by using a higher amount of water. It can also be used as a nutritious ingredient or raw material for the production of many food products, among other applications.

[Mycophenolate mofetil versus cyclosporine A in children with primary refractory nephrotic syndrome]

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of mycophenolate mofetil versus cyclosporine A in treating children with primary refractory nephrotic syndrome. Methods: Conducted a prospective randomized controlled clinical trial in 62 pediatric patients (including 44 boys and 18 girls), age ranged from 2.1 to 17.0 years; 32 cases presented with frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome (FRNS) and 30 cases presented with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS), who were admitted to department of Nephrology, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Capital Institute of Pediatrics from October 2013 to October 2015. The patients received either mycophenolate mofetil (20-30)mg/(kg·d) or cyclosporine A (3-5)mg/(kg·d) randomly, on the basis of prednisone treatment. Follow-up interview was conducted regularly for at least one year. Efficacy rate, relapse rate, time required for induction of remission, relapse-free period and prednisone dosage were compared between the two groups. Results: (1) Renal histologic examination, which was available for 17 patients, revealed minimal change disease in 8 patients, mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (MsPGN) in five, membranous nephropathy in two, and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in two. (2) Comparison of mycophenolate mofetil versus cyclosporine A in children with FRNS: There were 14 patients with FRNS in mycophenolate mofetil group and 18 patients with FRNS in cyclosporine A group respectively. The relapse rate (episodes/year) in cyclosporine A group was lower than that of mycophenolate mofetil group (1.0 (0.0, 1.0) vs. 1.0 (1.0, 3.0), Z=-2.405, P=0.016). The relapse-free period (months) in cyclosporine A group was longer than that of mycophenolate mofetil group (10.0 (5.7, 12.1) vs. 5.0 (1.0, 11.0), Z=-1.984, P=0.047). No significant difference in dosage of prednisone was found between cyclosporine A and mycophenolate mofetil groups when followed up for 1 year. (3) Comparison of mycophenolate mofetil versus cyclosporine A in children with SRNS: The efficacy rate was 6/14 in mycophenolate mofetil group and 13/16 in cyclosporine A group. The complete remission rate was 4/14 in mycophenolate mofetil group and 12/16 in cyclosporine A group (P<0.05). The time (months) required for induction of remission in cyclosporine A group was significantly shorter than that of mycophenolate mofetil group (1.0 (1.0, 2.0) vs. 3.0 (2.5, 4.0), Z=-2.529, P=0.011). No significant differences were found between the two groups with respect to relapse-free period and relapse rate. (4) Except that one patient developed hypertensive encephalopathy in cyclosporine A group, no other serious adverse events were recorded. There were no significant differences between two groups with respect to adverse events. Conclusion: Our results indicated that both mycophenolate mofetil and cyclosporine A were effective in the treatment of children with refractory nephrotic syndrome. Cyclosporine A was superior to mycophenolate mofetil in preventing relapses in patients with FRNS and inducing complete remission in patients with SRNS. Although most patients were able to tolerate mycophenolate mofetil and cyclosporine A, but the toxicity and safety of cyclosporine A should be monitored closely.

Structural dynamics of bacteriophage P22 infection initiation revealed by cryo-electron tomography

For successful infection, bacteriophages must overcome multiple barriers to transport the genome and proteins across the bacterial cell envelope. We use cryo-electron tomography to study infection initiation of phage P22 in Salmonella enterica sv. Typhimurium, revealing how a channel forms to allow genome translocation into the cytoplasm. Our results show free phages initially attaching obliquely to the cell through interactions between the O antigen and two of the six tailspikes; the tail needle also abuts the cell surface. The virion then orients to the perpendicular and the needle penetrates the outer membrane. The needle is released and the internal head protein gp7* is ejected and assembles into an extra-cellular channel extending from the gp10 baseplate to the cell surface. A second protein, gp20, is ejected and assembles into a structure that extends the extra-cellular channel across the outer membrane into the periplasm. Insertion of the third ejected protein gp16 into the cytoplasmic membrane likely completes the overall trans-envelope channel into the cytoplasm. Construction of a trans-envelope channel is an essential step during infection by all short-tailed phages of Gram-negative bacteria because such virions cannot directly deliver their genome into the cell cytoplasm.

Glutamine starvation inhibits snakehead vesiculovirus replication via inducing autophagy associated with the disturbance of endogenous glutathione pool

Autophagy is a degradation cellular process which also plays an important role in virus infection. Glutamine is an essential substrate for the synthesis of glutathione which is the most abundant thiol-containing compound within the cells and plays a key role in the antioxidant defense and intracellular signaling. There is an endogenous cellular glutathione pool which consists of two forms of glutathione, i.e. the reduced form (GSH) and the oxidized form (GSSG). GSH serves as an intracellular antioxidant to maintain cellular redox homeostasis by scavenging free radicals and other reactive oxygen species (ROS) which can lead to autophagy. Under physiological conditions, the concentration of GSSG is only about 1% of total glutathione, while stress condition can result in a transient increase of GSSG. In our previous report, we showed that the replication of snakehead fish vesiculovirus (SHVV) was significant inhibited in SSN-1 cells cultured in the glutamine-starvation medium, however the underlying mechanism remains enigmatic. Here, we revealed that the addition of L-Buthionine-sulfoximine (BSO), a specific inhibitor of the GSH synthesis, could decrease the γ-glutamate-cysteine ligase (GCL) activity and GSH levels, resulting in autophagy and significantly inhibition of the replication of SHVV in SSN-1 cells cultured in the complete medium. On the other hand, the replication of SHVV was rescued and the autophagy was inhibited in the SSN-1 cells cultured in the glutamine-starvation medium supplemented with additional GSH. Furthermore, the inhibition of the synthesis of GSH had not significantly affected the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, it significantly decreased level of GSH and enhanced the level of GSSG, resulting in the decrease of the value of GSH/GSSG, indicating that it promoted the cellular oxidative stress. Overall, the present study demonstrated that glutamine starvation impaired the replication of SHVV in SSN-1 cells via inducing autophagy associated with the disturbance of the endogenous glutathione pool.

MiR-214 inhibits snakehead vesiculovirus (SHVV) replication by targeting host GS

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that have been reported to play important roles in virus replication. Snakehead vesiculovirus (SHVV) is a new rhabdovirus isolated from diseased hybrid snakehead and has caused heavy economical losses in cultured snakehead fish in China. Our previous study has revealed that miR-214 inhibited SHVV replication, but the underline mechanism was not completely understood. In this study, glycogen synthase (GS) gene was identified as a target gene of miR-214. Overexpression of miR-214 reduced cellular GS gene expression. Knockdown of GS by siRNA, similar to the overexpression of miR-214, inhibited SHVV replication. Moreover, we found that siGS-mediated inhibition of SHVV replication could be restored by reducing cellular miR-214 level via using miR-214 inhibitor, indicating that miR-214 inhibited SHVV replication at least partially via targeting GS. This study provided information for understanding the molecular mechanism of SHVV pathogenicity and a potential antiviral strategy against SHVV infection.

Development of a reverse genetics system for snakehead vesiculovirus (SHVV)

Snakehead vesiculovirus (SHVV) is a new rhabdovirus isolated from diseased hybrid snakehead fish (Channa maculate ♀ x Channa argus ♂) and has caused serious economic losses in snakehead fish culture in China. To better understand the pathogenicity of SHVV, we developed a reverse genetics system for SHVV by using human and fish cells. In detail, human 293T cells were co-transfected with four plasmids encoding the full-length SHVV antigenomic RNA or the supporting proteins including nucleoprotein (N), phosphoprotein (P), and large polymerase (L), followed by the cultivation in Channel catfish ovary (CCO) cells. We also rescued a recombinant SHVV expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP), which was inserted into the 3' non-coding region (NCR) of the glycoprotein (G) gene of SHVV. Our study provides a potential tool for unveiling the pathogenicity of SHVV and a template for the rescue of other fish viruses by using both human 293T and fish cells.

[Application of virtual reality in surgical treatment of complex head and neck carcinoma]

Objective: To investigate the application of virtual reality technology in the preoperative evaluation of complex head and neck carcinoma and he value of virtual reality technology in surgical treatment of head and neck carcinoma. Methods: The image data of eight patients with complex head and neck carcinoma treated from December 2016 to May 2017 was acquired. The data were put into virtual reality system to built the three-dimensional anatomical model of carcinoma and to created the surgical scene. The process of surgery was stimulated by recognizing the relationship between tumor and surrounding important structures. Finally all patients were treated with surgery. And two typical cases were reported. Results: With the help of virtual reality, surgeons could adequately assess the condition of carcinoma and the security of operation and ensured the safety of operations. Conclusions: Virtual reality can provide the surgeons with the sensory experience in virtual surgery scenes and achieve the man-computer cooperation and stereoscopic assessment, which will ensure the safety of surgery. Virtual reality has a huge impact on guiding the traditional surgical procedure of head and neck carcinoma.

MicroRNA miR-214 Inhibits Snakehead Vesiculovirus Replication by Promoting IFN-α Expression via Targeting Host Adenosine 5'-Monophosphate-Activated Protein Kinase

Background

Snakehead vesiculovirus (SHVV), a new rhabdovirus isolated from diseased hybrid snakehead, has emerged as an important pathogen during the past few years in China with great economical losses in snakehead fish cultures. However, little is known about the mechanism of its pathogenicity. MicroRNAs are small noncoding RNAs that posttranscriptionally modulate gene expression and have been indicated to regulate almost all cellular processes. Our previous study has revealed that miR-214 was downregulated upon SHVV infection.

Results

The overexpression of miR-214 in striped snakehead (SSN-1) cells inhibited SHVV replication and promoted IFN-α expression, while miR-214 inhibitor facilitated SHVV replication and reduced IFN-α expression. These findings suggested that miR-214 negatively regulated SHVV replication probably through positively regulating IFN-α expression. Further investigation revealed that adenosine 5′-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) was a target gene of miR-214. Knockdown of AMPK by siRNA inhibited SHVV replication and promoted IFN-α expression, suggesting that cellular AMPK positively regulated SHVV replication and negatively regulated IFN-α expression. Moreover, we found that siAMPK-mediated inhibition of SHVV replication could be partially restored by miR-214 inhibitor, indicating that miR-214 inhibited SHVV replication at least partially via targeting AMPK.

Conclusion

The findings of this study complemented our early study, and provide insights for the mechanism of SHVV pathogenicity. SHVV infection downregulated miR-214, and in turn, the downregulated miR-214 increased the expression of its target gene AMPK, which promoted SHVV replication via reducing IFN-α expression. It can therefore assume that cellular circumstance with low level of miR-214 is beneficial for SHVV replication and that SHVV evades host antiviral innate immunity through decreasing IFN-α expression via regulating cellular miR-214 expression.

Focal Low and Global High Permeability Predict the Possibility, Risk, and Location of Hemorrhagic Transformation following Intra-Arterial Thrombolysis Therapy in Acute Stroke

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The contrast volume transfer coefficient (K^trans), which reflects blood-brain barrier permeability, is influenced by circulation and measurement conditions. We hypothesized that focal low BBB permeability values can predict the spatial distribution of hemorrhagic transformation and global high BBB permeability values can predict the likelihood of hemorrhagic transformation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively enrolled 106 patients with hemispheric stroke who received intra-arterial thrombolytic treatment. K^trans maps were obtained with first-pass perfusion CT data. The K^trans values at the region level, obtained with the Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score system, were compared to determine the differences between the hemorrhagic transformation and nonhemorrhagic transformation regions. The K^trans values of the whole ischemic region based on baseline perfusion CT were obtained as a variable to hemorrhagic transformation possibility at the global level.

RESULTS

Forty-eight (45.3%) patients had hemorrhagic transformation, and 21 (19.8%) had symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. At the region level, there were 82 ROIs with hemorrhagic transformation and parenchymal hemorrhage with a mean K^trans, 0.5 ± 0.5/min, which was significantly lower than that in the nonhemorrhagic transformation regions (P < .01). The mean K^trans value of 615 nonhemorrhagic transformation ROIs was 0.7 ± 0.6/min. At the global level, there was a significant difference (P = .01) between the mean K^trans values of patients with symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (1.3 ± 0.9) and those without symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (0.8 ± 0.4). Only a high K^trans value at the global level could predict the occurrence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (P < .01; OR = 5.04; 95% CI, 2.01-12.65).

CONCLUSIONS

Global high K^trans values can predict the likelihood of hemorrhagic transformation or symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage at the patient level, whereas focal low K^trans values can predict the spatial distributions of hemorrhagic transformation at the region level.

Pathogenicity of snakehead vesiculovirus in rice field eels (Monopterus albus)

Snakehead vesiculovirus (SHVV) has caused mass mortality to cultured snakehead fish in China, resulting in enormous economic losses in snakehead fish culture. In this report, the whole genome of SHVV was sequenced. Interestingly, it shared more than 94% nucleotide sequence identity with Monopterus albus rhabdovirus (MoARV), which has caused great economic loss to cultured rice field eel (Monopterus albus). Therefore, the concern of cross-species infection of these viruses prompted us to investigate the susceptibility of rice field eel to SHVV infection. The results showed that rice field eel was susceptible to SHVV in both intracoelomical injection and immersion routes. Severe hemorrhage was observed on the skin and visceral organs of SHVV-infected rice field eels. Histopathological examination showed vacuoles in the tissues of infected liver, kidney and heart. Viral RNA or protein was detected in the tissues of infected fish by reverse transcription polymerization chain reaction (RT-PCR), in situ hybridization (ISH), or immunohistochemistry assay (IHC). Investigation of the epidemic of vesiculovirus in rice field eel as well as other co-cultured fish is invaluable for the prevention of vesiculovirus infection.