Detection of hyper-conserved regions in hepatitis B virus X gene potentially useful for gene therapy

AIM To detect hyper-conserved regions in the hepatitis B virus(HBV) X gene(HBX) 5' region that could be candidates for gene therapy.METHODS The study included 27 chronic hepatitis B treatmentnaive patients in various clinical stages(from chronic infection to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, both HBeA g-negative and HBeA g-positive), and infected with HBV genotypes A-F and H. In a serum sample from each patient with viremia > 3.5 log IU/m L, the HBX 5' end region [nucleotide(nt) 1255-1611] was PCRamplified and submitted to next-generation sequencing(NGS). We assessed genotype variants by phylogenetic analysis, and evaluated conservation of this region by calculating the information content of each nucleotide position in a multiple alignment of all unique sequences(haplotypes) obtained by NGS. Conservation at the HBx protein amino acid(aa) level was also analyzed.RESULTS NGS yielded 1333069 sequences from the 27 samples, with a median of 4578 sequences/sample(2487-9279, IQR 2817). In 14/27 patients(51.8%), phylogenetic analysis of viral nucleotide haplotypes showed a complex mixture of genotypic variants. Analysis of the information content in the haplotype multiple alignments detected 2 hyper-conserved nucleotide regions, one in the HBX upstream non-coding region(nt 1255-1286) and the other in the 5' end coding region(nt 1519-1603). This last region coded for a conserved amino acid region(aa 63-76) that partially overlaps a Kunitz-like domain.CONCLUSION Two hyper-conserved regions detected in the HBX 5' end may be of value for targeted gene therapy, regardless of the patients' clinical stage or HBV genotype.

Mutations in hepatitis B virus core regions correlate with hepatocellular injury in Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis B

AIM: To elucidate the relationship between the frequency of core mutations and the clinical activity of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related liver disease and to characterize the amino acid changes in the core region of HBV.METHODS: We studied 17 Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis B according to their clinical courses and patterns of the entire core region of HBV.RESULTS: Amino acid changes often appeared in the HBV core region of the HBV gene in patients with high values of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or with the seroconversion from HbeAg to anti-HBe. The HBV core region with amino acid changes had high frequency sites that corresponded to HLA Ⅰ/Ⅱ restricted recognition epitopes reported by some investigators.CONCLUSION: The core amino acid changes of this study occur due to influence of host immune system. The presence of mutations in the HBV core region seems to be important for predicting the clinical activity of hepatitis B in Chinese patients.

鸭肠炎病毒UL6基因B细胞表位的预测及其主要抗原域的原核表达

采用DNAStar Protean程序，综合运用二级结构、亲水性、可塑性和抗原性指数等参数，对鸭肠炎病毒（DEV）CHv毒株UL6基因（GenBank登录号EF055890）的氨基酸序列进行了B细胞表位预测。结果显示，UL6蛋白羧基端第Thr507～Gln515、Thr521～Met529、Asp531～Phe539、Gly544～Asn562、Thr568～Gln585、Lys592～Val604、A1a681～Ala778和Tyr780～Lys790区域内含有优势B细胞表位。以DEV CHv毒株基因组作为PCR模板，利用Oligo6．0软件设计了1对引物，整体扩增涵盖上述具有优势表位的基因片段，将其亚克隆到原核表达载体pET-32a（＋）中，获得表达载体pET-32a—UL6M，再将其转化至E．coli Rosetta（DE3），经IPTG诱导，外源基因获得了良好表达。以免抗DEV多克隆血清进行Western blot分析，抗血清可与该融合蛋白发生特异性反应。提示，该氨基酸片段可能含有软件预测的线性表位区。

Prediction of Climate Change in Yangtze-Huaihe Region under the Background of Global Warming

Based on the prediction results of over twenty new climate models provided by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(IPCC) ,the climate change trends in Yangtze-Huaihe region during 2011-2100 were analyzed under the SRES A1B scenario. The results showed that annual mean temperature in Yangtze-Huaihe region would go up gradually under the background of global warming,and temperature increase rose from southeast to northwest,while annual average temperature would increase by 3.3 ℃ in the late 20th century. Meanwhile,annual average precipitation would rise persistently,and precipitation increase would go up with the increase of latitude and the lapse of time,being obviously strengthened after 2041.

人巨细胞病毒UL/b’区基因多态性

人巨细胞病毒(human cytomegalovirus,HCMV)在人群中普遍感染,在新生儿中,HCMV先天感染可引起黄疸性肝炎、先天性巨结肠、小头畸形等各种消化系统和神经系统畸形。导致HCMV不同致病性的发病机制还不十分清楚,一方面与宿主免疫功能,即有效的细胞及体液免疫应答有关;另一方面与病毒的数量、入侵部位及病毒自身的基因结构相关,尤其是与病毒毒力、组织嗜性和病毒逃避机体免疫攻击能力密切相关的基因关系密切。对于HCMV基因多态性的研究可以在基因层面揭示不同来源临床株的结构特点,对全面认识HCMV基因组和进一步深入研究基因组功能具有重要意义,成为HCMV研究的热点领域之一。近年来,国际多个研究小组对HCMV临床株广泛存在而旧有实验室株缺失的UL/b’区基因进行了较系统的研究,取得了较快的进展。此专题对这方面的研究进展进行概要介绍,以供同行了解与深入研究。

多参数预测人巨细胞病毒临床病毒株UL145基因B细胞表位

目的应用多参数预测及分析人巨细胞病毒(Human cytomegalovirus,HCMV)临床病毒株UL145基因B细胞表位。方法根据人巨细胞病毒UL145基因氨基酸序列预测其二级结构,结合跨膜结构、亲水性、可及性及抗原性方案等参数综合预测UL145基因B细胞表位。结果HCMV pUL145氨基酸等电点为6.64,二级结构以无规则卷为主,1~130位氨基酸均为膜外区域,结合多种预测方法分析提示,88~99位氨基酸序列内可作为HCMV UL145基因的B细胞候选表位。结论多参数预测提示88~99位氨基酸序列为HCMV UL145基因B细胞表位预测序列,为进一步制备相应的抗体提供了重要依据。

miR-10b介导NKG2D调节脑胶质瘤细胞免疫效应的实验研究

目的:观察微小核糖核酸-10b(miR-10b)对脑胶质瘤细胞免疫效应的调节作用并探讨其作用机制。方法:取人脑胶质瘤细胞U251进行培养和传代,获得处于对数生长期的细胞。按照1.0×105个/ml浓度制备细胞悬液,并设置对照组、过表达组、低表达组、空白组,每组6个复孔。对照组、过表达组、低表达组分别采用脂质体转染法转染阴性对照、miR-10b模拟物、miR-10b抑制剂,空白组予以等量无菌生理盐水。分离和培养1例健康志愿者外周血自然杀伤(NK)细胞。MTT法检测不同效靶比时NK细胞的杀伤活性;流式细胞仪检测各组NK细胞表面NK细胞激活受体(NKG2D)表达,并检测各组人脑胶质瘤细胞U251表面主要组织相容性复合物Ⅰ链相关基因A(MICA)、UL16结合蛋白2(ULBP2)、UL16结合蛋白3(ULBP3)表达。结果:对照组、过表达组、低表达组转染效率分别为(93.55±2.05)%、(95.67±3.14)%、(94.18±3.26)%;与对照组和空白组相比,过表达组miR-10b表达升高,低表达组miR-10b表达降低,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05),且对照组和空白组miR-10b表达差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);与对照组和空白组相比,过表达组NK细胞不同效靶比杀伤活性均降低、NKG2D表达降低,低表达组NK细胞不同效靶比杀伤活性均增高、NKG2D表达增高,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05),各组NK细胞杀伤活性均随效靶比增加而增高,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05),且对照组与空白组相比,相同效靶比NK细胞杀伤活性、NKG2D表达差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05);与对照组和空白组相比,过表达组人脑胶质瘤细胞U251表面MICA、ULBP2、ULBP3表达均降低,低表达组人脑胶质瘤细胞U251表面MICA、ULBP2、ULBP3表达均增高,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05),且对照组与空白组人脑胶质瘤细胞U251表面MICA、ULBP2、ULBP3表达差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:抑制miR-10b表达能够增加NK细胞表面NKG2D和人脑胶质瘤细胞U251表面MICA、ULBP2、ULBP3表达,增强NK细胞对人脑胶质瘤细胞U251的杀伤活性。

地震统计区地震活动性参数b值和ν_(4)计算分析−以华北地区为例

本文通过收集最新现代地震资料,采用历史地震与现代地震联合求取地震活动性参数的方法,按不同地震统计时段和震级段,基于Matlab程序中给定函数计算并拟合了华北平原地震统计区、郯庐地震统计区、长江下游-南黄海地震统计区、汾渭地震统计区的b值和ν_(4),并将结果与五代图推荐的b值和ν_(4)进行地震危险性分析对比,进而分析最新现代地震资料对b值和ν_(4)的影响。研究结果对地震统计区确定b值和ν_(4)有一定参考意义,对地震区划、工程场地地震安全性评价、省级地震危险性区划编制工作具有实际意义。

唐山老震区M≥4.0地震前b值变化异常特征研究

选取2009年1月至2022年12月唐山老震区的地震目录资料计算b值,利用格点搜索法确定b值下降幅度较大(≥20%)的区域作为异常区,分析该区域b值的时间变化特征,结合b值的时空变化研究该区域发生M4.0以上地震的危险性。研究发现,唐山老震区7次(组)M4.0以上地震均发生在b值下降幅度较大的区域边缘或附近,表明应力较高的区域是地震危险区。异常区域内b值的时间变化显示,7次(组)M4.0以上地震多在震前半年至一年出现b值下降的变化过程,也反映了异常区域应力逐渐积累的过程。总体来说,b值的时空下降变化对唐山老震区M4.0以上地震的研判具有指示意义。

Interleukin-10 promoter polymorphisms in patients with hepatitis B virus infection or hepatocellular carcinoma in Chinese Han ethnic population

BACKGROUND: Since single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) can serve as gene markers, polymorphism profiles may help scientists to identify the full collection of genes that contribute to the development of complex diseases such as cancer. The distribution of interleukin-10 (IL-10) promoter polymorphisms in Chinese Han ethnic patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was investigated in this study. METHODS: The polymorphisms of IL-10 promoter region were detected by pulymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and sequencing. Sixty-six health controls, 42 patients with HBV infection, 30 HCC patients, and cell line SMMC-7721 were examined this way. RESULTS: Polyrnorphisms of T/C or T/N on-872 site occurred frequently in Han ethnic population. Pulyrnorphisms were detected in HBV and HCC patients and cell line SMMC-7721. The hotspot among the pulymorphisms was inserting base A between-1058 and-1057. CONCLUSION: Polymorphisms of IL-10 promoter in HBV and HCC patients may be associated with HBV infection and HCC development.

人巨细胞病毒UL23基因编码蛋白的B细胞表位预测

目的预测人巨细胞病毒UL23基因编码蛋白的B细胞表位。方法应用互联网软件分析Hopp&Woods亲水性(Hydrophilicity)、可及性(Accessibility)、极性(Polarity)及柔韧性(Flexibility)、Welling抗原性(Antigenicity)和二级结构(Secondary structures)等参数,用吴玉章等建立的B细胞表位预测法综合评价。结果多种预测法重复了人巨细胞病毒UL23开放阅读框编码蛋白的N端第27～43、104～119、125～160位氨基酸区域内或附近,该区域含有β转角和无规卷曲结构,极可能是B细胞识别表位。结论为应用合成肽或原核表达大片断蛋白制备抗人巨细胞病毒UL23基因编码蛋白的抗体提供了依据。

Analysis of hepatitis B virus preS1 variability and prevalence of the rs2296651 polymorphism in a Spanish population

AIM To determine the variability/conservation of the domain of hepatitis B virus(HBV) pre S1 region that interacts with sodium-taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide(hereafter, NTCP-interacting domain) and the prevalence of the rs2296651 polymorphism(S267 F, NTCP variant) in a Spanish population. METHODS Serum samples from 246 individuals were included and divided into 3 groups: patients with chronic HBV infection(CHB)(n = 41, 73% Caucasians), patients with resolved HBV infection(n = 100, 100% Caucasians) and an HBV-uninfected control group(n = 105, 100% Caucasians). Variability/conservation of the amino acid(aa) sequences of the NTCPinteracting domain,(aa 2-48 in viral genotype D) and a highly conserved pre S1 domain associated with virion morphogenesis(aa 92-103 in viral genotype D) were analyzed by next-generation sequencing and compared in 18 CHB patients with viremia > 4 log IU/mL. The rs2296651 polymorphism was determined in all individuals in all 3 groups using an in-house real-time PCR melting curve analysis.RESULTS The HBV pre S1 NTCP-interacting domain showed a high degree of conservation among the examined viral genomes especially between aa 9 and 21(in the genotype D consensus sequence). As compared with the virion morphogenesis domain, the NTCPinteracting domain had a smaller proportion of HBV genotype-unrelated changes comprising > 1% of the quasispecies(25.5% vs 31.8%), but a larger proportion of genotype-associated viral polymorphisms(34% vs 27.3%), according to consensus sequences from Gen Bank patterns of HBV genotypes A to H. Variation/conservation in both domains depended on viral genotype, with genotype C being the most highly conserved and genotype E the most variable(limited finding, only 2 genotype E included). Of note, proline residues were highly conserved in both domains, and serine residues showed changes only to threonine or tyrosine in the virion morphogenesis domain. The rs2296651 polymorphism was not detected in any participant.CONCLUSION In our CHB population, the NTCP-interacting domain was highly conserved, particularly the proline residues and essential amino acids related with the NTCP interaction, and the prevalence of rs2296651 was low/null.

A mutation of the start codon in the X region of hepatitis B virus DNA in a patient with non-B,non-C chronic hepatitis

There are cases of hepatitis involving occult hepatitis B virus(HBV)infection in which,even though the HB surface antigen(HBsAg)is negative,HBV-DNA is detected by a polymerase chain reaction(PCR).We con-ducted a sequence analysis of the entire HBV region in a case of non-B non-C chronic hepatitis in a 46-yearold female.A diagnosis of non-B non-C chronic hepatitis was made.Although HBV markers,such as HBs antibody(anti-HBs),anti-HBc,HBeAg and anti-HBe,were negative,HBV-DNA was positive.Nested PCR was performed to amplify the precore region of HBV-DNA and all remaining regions by long nested PCR.Sequence analysis of the two obtained bands was conducted by direct sequencing.Compared with the control strains,the ATG(Methionine)start codon in the X region had mut ated to GTG(Valine).It is assumed that a mutation at the start codon in the X region may be the reason why HBV markers are negative in some cases of hepatitis that involve occult HBV infection.

血清miR-340-5p、Bmi-1与老年急性脑梗死后血管性认知障碍的相关性研究

目的探讨血清微小RNA-340-5p(miR-340-5p)、B细胞特异性Moloney小鼠白血病病毒整合位点1(Bmi-1)与老年急性脑梗死后血管性认知障碍(VCI)的相关性。方法选取2021年3月至2023年2月就诊的103例老年急性脑梗死患者作为研究对象,根据MoCA评分将患者分为VCI组(n=60)和无VCI组(n=43)。比较2组患者的一般资料;采用实时荧光定量PCR(RT-qPCR)法检测2组血清中miR-340-5p、Bmi-1的表达情况;ENCORI预测miR-340-5p与Bmi-1的靶向关系;Pearson法分析VCI患者血清miR-340-5p与Bmi-1表达水平相关性;Spearman相关分析血清miR-340-5p、Bmi-1水平与MoCA评分的相关性;Logistic回归分析老年急性脑梗死患者发生VCI的影响因素;受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线分析血清miR-340-5p、Bmi-1水平对老年急性脑梗死患者发生VCI的诊断价值。结果VCI组患者吸烟史、既往脑梗病史占比显著高于无VCI组(P<0.05),MoCA评分显著低于无VCI组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);与无VCI组相比,VCI组miR-340-5p表达水平均明显降低(P<0.05),Bmi-1表达水平明显升高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);ENCORI网站预测结果显示,miR-340-5p与Bmi-1可能存在靶向关系;且VCI组患者血清miR-340-5p表达水平与Bmi-1呈负相关,血清miR-340-5p表达与MoCA评分呈正相关,Bmi-1表达与MoCA评分呈负相关(P<0.05);Logistics回归分析结果显示,MoCA评分、miR-340-5p是影响老年急性脑梗死患者发生VCI的保护因素(P<0.05),吸烟史、既往脑梗死病史、Bmi-1是影响老年急性脑梗死患者发生VCI的危险因素(P<0.05);ROC曲线分析结果显示,血清miR-340-5p、Bmi-1表达水平(AUC=0.851、0.886)对老年急性脑梗死后VCI有良好的诊断效果,且二者联合诊断效果更佳(AUC=0.947,Z二者联合-miR-340-5p=3.018、P=0.003,Z二者联合-Bmi-1=2.636,P=0.008)。结论老年急性脑梗死后VCI患者血清,miR-340-5p表达下调,Bmi-1表达上调,二者表达水平与老年急性脑梗死患者发生VCI过程密切相关。

Role of the virion host shutoff protein in neurovirulence of monkey B virus(Macacine herpesvirus 1)

Monkey B virus(Macacine herpesvirus 1; BV) is noted for its extreme neurovirulence in humans. Since the vhs protein encoded by the UL41 gene has been shown to be a neurovirulence factor in the related human herpes simplex viruses, the role of the UL41 gene in BV neurovirulence was investigated. BV mutants were constructed that lacked the entire UL41 ORF(Δ41) or had the RNase active site mutated(Δ41A). Neither mutant shut off host protein synthesis, degraded β-actin mRNA, or prevented an IFN-β response, indicating that the vhs protein and its RNase activity are both necessary for these activities. Replication of both mutants in primary mouse cells was impaired and they exhibited a prolonged disease course in mice. Whereas Δ41 infected mice were euthanized for symptoms related to central nervous system(CNS) infection, Δ41A infected mice were euthanized primarily for symptoms of autonomic nervous system dysfunction. While neuroinvasiveness was not affected, lesions in the CNS were more limited in size, anatomical distribution, and severity than for wild-type virus. These results indicate that the vhs protein affects the general replicative efficiency of BV in vivo rather than being a specific neurovirulence factor critical for invasion of or preferential replication in the CNS.

UL 1699B《光伏直流电弧故障保护电器》标准解析

近年来,针对交流线路的电弧故障保护电器(AFDD)产品已经日趋成熟并广泛应用,但针对直流线路的AFDD产品才刚起步。简单介绍了UL1699B4光伏直流电弧故障保护电器》的发展历史,并对该标准中的关键试验过程进行解读分析,期望能够对光伏直流AFDD产品的制造商提供帮助指导。

Molecular Epidemiological Analysis of Echovirus 19 Isolated From an Outbreak Associated With Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD) in Shandong Province of China

To elucidate the genetic characterization and molecular epidemiological features of Echovirus 19 （El9） isolates collected from an outbreak associated with hand, foot and mouth disease （HFMD） in Tai＇an city of Shandong Province of China from July to September, 2003. Methods Thirty seven Echovirus 19 isolates were isolated from stool specimens and throat swabs collected during the outbreak, then major capsid （VP1） genomic sequence was determined, and phylogenetic tree was done based on the VP1 sequences among these 37 and other El9 viruses deposited in the Genbank. Also a representative strain named CHN-SD03-TN12 was selected for sequencing of 5′-untranslated regions （5′-UTR）. Results The identity rate was about 98.9%-100% among all these 37 El9 viruses. The genetic relationships between these 37 El9 isolates and other strains reported were also depicted. The identity rate was about 78.4%-78.9% compared with El9 reference strain Burke. The substitutions in the sequence of 5′-UTR resulted in changes in the conjectural properties of 5′-UTR of El9 viruses. Condusion The genetic features of El9 viruses isolated during the outbreak in Shandong Province in 2003 may be associated with a genetic and antigenic drift that changes the virulence of the Shandong isolates, but the molecular changes in Shandong El9 viruses contributing to their phenotype remain to be further illuminated. However, the sequences described in this paper substantiate the changes taken place in capsid VPI and 5′UTR regions. These substitutions may contribute to their tropism and virulence, and play a significant role in pathogenesis and clinical manifestations of the disease.

基于密集台阵的四川长宁页岩气开发区地震b值特征分析

随着川南页岩气快速规模化地开采,四川长宁地区地震频发,不仅发生了大量微地震而且伴随发生了多个中强地震,地震风险持续增高。本文基于长宁地区的107个密集台站在2021年4月28日至2022年6月30日期间所记录的连续波形使用深度学习震相拾取方法所构建的观测区高分辨率地震目录,通过最大似然法计算了四川长宁页岩气开发区频度−震级关系式中的b值,对b值的时空分布特征进行了分析。结果表明:长宁地区的平均b值为1.06,长宁—双河采卤区的b值为1.25,而长宁—昭通页岩气开采区的b值为1.01,这意味着页岩气开采区可能具有更高的应力水平;b值在空间分布上呈显著的非均匀性,这种非均匀性在一定程度上反映了地下介质的不均匀性;有感地震更倾向于在低b值区域发生,且地震发生前可能会出现b值下降的情况。

Chronic hepatitis B liver disease in patients living in the Amazon region: S gene mutations and genotypes characterization

The Amazon region is considered to be a high endemic area for Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infections, Rond&ocirc;nia state having the highest prevalence. The aim of this study was to identify molecular genotypes and mutations in the S gene region of HBV viral genomes from 20 patients using a DNA microarray. Results: Serological tests showed that 88% of patients were HBeAg negative, 82% had anti-HBe antibodies and 33% were co-infected with Hepatitis Delta Virus. Sixteen percent of the patients were considered cirrhotic, and 11% have been transfused. The microarray technique identified the genotypes A (4 patients), D (7 patients) and F (7 patients) in 18 samples. Mutations were detected in all 3 genotypes and, overall, A159G, which has been associated with a reduced antigenicity of the virus, was detected most frequently. In genotype A, G119E was the most frequently detected mutation followed by mutations A159G, F134Y, W172C, Y161F and T143S. A159G was detected in all genotype D and F samples followed by mutations T143S, Y161F, N131T, T114S and G119E in genotype D and mutations T143S, Y161F, N131T, T114S and G119E in genotype F. Conclusion: The analysis of mutations repartition among genotypes suggests that some of them are preferentially or exclusively associated with genotype A, D or F. This type of tool is adapted for clinical and therapy monitoring of patient as well as for molecular epidemiology research on HBV.

Molecular Determinants Responsible for the Subcellular Localization of HSV-1 UL4 Protein

The function of the herpes simplex virus type 1 （HSV-1） UL4 protein is still elusive. Our objective is to investigate the subcellular transport mechanism of the UL4 protein. In this study, fluorescence microscopy was employed to investigate the subcellular localization of UL4 and characterize the transport mechanism in living cells. By constructing a series of deletion mutants fused with enhanced yellow fluorescent protein （EYFP）, the nuclear export signals （NES） of UL4 were for the first time mapped to amino acid residues 178 to 186. In addition, the N-terminal 19 amino acids are identified to be required for the granule-like cytoplasmic pattem of UL4. Furthermore, the UL4 protein was demonstrated to be exported to the cytoplasm through the NES in a chromosomal region maintenance 1 （CRM1）-dependent manner involving RanGTP hydrolysis