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Objective: To analyze the diagnosis of imported malaria cases in Henan Province from 2015 to 2019, so as to provide the evidence for malaria surveillance during the post-elimination stage., Methods: The data pertaining to malaria cases in Henan Province from 2015 to 2019 were extracted via the web-based Chinese Information System for Infectious Diseases Control and Prevention and the Parasitic Diseases Information Reporting Management System (PDIRMS) of Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and the diagnostic methods, diagnostic institutions and diagnostic time of imported malaria cases were analyzed., Results: A total of 952 imported malaria cases were reported in Henan Province during the period from 2015 through 2019, and all cases were laboratory-confirmed. The positive rate of malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) was 98.61% (779/790), which was significantly greater than that (94.22%, 897/952) of microscopic examinations ( χ 2 = 22.773, P < 0.05). The proportion of imported malaria cases diagnosed in medical institutions increased from 65.22% (120/184) in 2015 to 81.50% (185/227) in 2019. Among the 238 imported malaria cases diagnosed in centers for disease control and prevention (CDC), 71.01% (169/238) were diagnosed in county-level CDC, and among the 704 cases diagnosed in medical institutions, only 8.38% (59/704) were diagnosed at county-level medical institutions. The median time from onset to definitive diagnosis of malaria was 3 days, and the median duration between onset and initial diagnosis of malaria was 1 day. The duration between initial diagnosis and definitive diagnosis of malaria varied significantly among years ( χ 2 = 24.956, P < 0.05), and the interquartile range from initial diagnosis to definitive diagnosis reduced from 4 days in 2016 to 2 days in 2019. In addition, the median time from initial diagnosis to definitive diagnosis was significantly longer in severe falciparum malaria cases than in non-severe falciparum malaria cases (2 days vs. 1 day; Z = 7.557, P < 0.05)., Conclusions: Medical institutions play a more and more important role in the identification and surveillance of malaria cases; however, the diagnostic capability of malaria remains low in county-level medical institutions. The diagnostic awareness and capability of county-level medical institutions requires to be improved, in order to play their roles as sentinel hospitals in the malaria surveillance during the post-elimination stage.

Objective: To analyze the clinical-pathological data of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who underwent modified total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT), and to evaluate the safety and efficacy of radical surgery after modified total neoadjuvant therapy. Methods: The clinical-pathological data of 30 locally advanced rectal cancer patients who underwent modified TNT (mTNT) followed by radical resection were retrospectively analyzed. The surgical procedure, postoperative complications, tumor regression grade, tumor downstaging and prognosis were analyzed. Results: The 30 patients included 24 males and 6 females with a median age of 55.5 years. All patients underwent radical surgery after neoadjuvant therapy, 14 patients received low anterior resection, 14 patients received abdominal perineal resection, and the other 2 patients received Hartmann procedure. All patients achieved R0 resection with a median operative time 220 minutes and the median intraoperative blood loss was 200 ml. The morbidity of postoperative complications was 20% (6/30), including dysuria in 2 patients, delayed healing of perineal incision in 2 patients, intestinal obstruction in 1 patient and pelvic hemorrhage in 1 patient. The median time to first flatus after surgery was 3 days and the median postoperative hospital stay was 8 days. Postoperative pathological results showed that 15 patients (50.0%) had severe tumor regression, including 4 patients (13.3%) achieved pathological complete response (pCR), 12 patients (40.0%) had moderate tumor regression, and 3 patients (10.0%) had minor tumor regression. Twenty patients had detailed pre-treatment clinical stage, and among those 20 patients, 15 patients (75.0%) and 13 patients (65.0%) achieved downstaging of tumor T stage and N stage, respectively. Only 2 patients appeared distant metastasis, and no patient had local recurrence. Conclusions: For locally advanced rectal cancer patients, mTNT doesn't increase the morbidity of postoperative complication and is a safe and effective treatment strategy with satisfactory short-term result.

Objective: To explore the feasibility of short-term efficacy prognosis prediction model for HCC patients undergoing transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) based on MRI-based radiomics technique. Methods: A total of 123 patients with liver cancer who received TACE treatment in Lishui Central Hospital from June 2016 to July 2018 were retrospectively collected, including 90 males and 33 females, with an average age of 24-83 (58±10) years. All the patients were pathologically confirmed as hepatocellular carcinoma and underwent MRI scan before surgery.All patients were followed up 3-4 months after TACE, and further divided into training group ( n= 85, 42 of which were effective and 43 cases were ineffective) and the validation group ( n= 38, 19 of which were effective and 19 were ineffective) according to the modified response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (mRECIST). There was no statistical difference in the general information between the two groups of patients, which was comparable. Then, preoperative T(2)WI images were used for radiomics analysis, texture parameters were screened based on R language, and short-term efficacy prediction model of TACE for training group and verification group was constructed. Results: T(2)WI image analysis of each patient received 396 different texture parameters, and further used Lasso dimensionality reduction and 10 times cross-validation screening to obtain 5 characteristic texture parameters, specifically stdDeviation, ClusterProminence&#95;angle135&#95;offset4, Correlation&#95;angle135&#95;offset4, Inertia&#95;angle135&#95;offset4, InverseDifferenceMoment&#95;angle45&#95;offset4. According to the above five texture parameters and their corresponding coefficient values, the corresponding radiomics scores (Radscore) were calculated, and the prediction models of the training group and the verification group were further constructed.It was found that the area under the ROC curve of the training group was 0.812 (95 %CI : 0.722-0.901), the sensitivity and specificity were 83.7% and 69.0%, respectively. The area under the ROC curve of the validation group was 0.801 (95 %CI :0.654-0.947), and the sensitivity and specificity were 89.5% and 63.2%, respectively. Conclusion: The constructed TACE prediction model in the present study has high prediction accuracy, sensitivity and specificity.The short-term efficacy prognosis prediction model for HCC based on MRI is constructed, stable and reliable.

This paper reports a female patient with Gongylonema pulchrum parasitizing in the esophagus, with aims to call for the attention to the role of parasite detection in the diagnosis of human diseases.

Objective: To investigate the feasibility, efficacy and safety of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) in the individualized treatment of patients with refractory ascites and variceal hemorrhage caused by portal hypertension. Methods: Prospective study of clinical data of 47 patients with portal hypertension and refractory ascites and variceal bleeding admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from August 2017 to December 2018, 26 males and 21 females, aged 23-75 (52±14) years old. The Viabahn stent was used to control the diameter of the shunt and the preoperative interval of PPG after individualized TIPS was determined according to the preoperative liver function Child-Pugh classification. The PPG of the Child A and B patients was <10 mm Hg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), Child-Pugh C grade patients with postoperative PPG interval values of 12 to 15 mmHg. The success rate, hemostasis rate, ascites remission rate, and complication rate were recorded. Results: Forty-seven patients were with a success rate of 100%, and there was no surgically related fatal complications. The portal pressure gradients of patients with Child-Pugh A, B and Child-Pugh C were reduced from preoperative (22.5±5.4), (24.4±2.6) mm Hg to postoperative (8.8±2.5), (13.2±1.1) mm Hg (all P< 0.05). All the patients were followed up for 6 to 24 months, with a median follow-up of 13 months. The success rate of hemostasis in patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding was 93.5% (29/31), the remission rate of patients with refractory ascites was 14/16, the postoperative rebleeding rate was 6.5% (2/31), the incidence of hepatic encephalopathy was 8.5% (4/47), and the shunt disorder was 2.1% (1/47). Conclusion: The use of Viabahn stent for individualized TIPS in the treatment of portal hypertension with refractory ascites and variceal hemorrhage is feasible, and the clinical efficacy is affirmative, which can reduce the incidence of postoperative hepatic encephalopathy and shunt dysfunction.

Objective: To investigate the incidence and risk factors of extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs) in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods: The clinical data of 161 children with IBD was collected from the electronic medical records in the Department of Pediatrics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine from January 2012 to December 2017. These patients were divided into Crohn's disease (CD) group and ulcerative colitis (UC) group, accounting for 82.0% (132 cases) and 18.0%(29 cases), respectively. The incidence of EIMs in each group was analyzed. The potential risk factors of EIMs including the IBD phenotype, gender, age, location of the CD lesion, disease activity of CD, and the presence of perianal lesion were analyzed with logistic regression model. Results: Eighty-eight patients (54.7%) had EIMs. The main EIMs were immune-mediated EIMs and growth retardation, accounting for 41.0% (66/161) and 24.2% (39/161), respectively. Aphthous ulcer (39/161, 23.0%) was the most common symptom among immune-mediated EIMs, followed by arthropathy (20/161, 12.4%) and skin lesions (19/161, 11.8%). Forty-three patients (26.7%) had EIMs before being diagnosed as IBD. Fifty-eight (65.9%) patients had only one EIM during the whole course of IBD. By logistic regression analysis, CD ( OR= 5.536, 95 %CI :1.825-16.788) and perianal disease ( OR= 1.969, 95 %CI :1.035-3.746) were the risk factors of immune-mediated EIMs. Meanwhile, CD ( OR= 11.319, 95 %CI : 1.487-86.179), younger than six-year-old at diagnosis ( OR= 8.556, 95 %CI : 3.109-23.545), moderate to severe activity of CD ( OR= 3.447, 95 %CI : 1.196-9.934) and perianal disease ( OR= 3.361, 95 %CI : 1.720-7.793) increased the risk of growth retardation. Conclusions: The children with IBD have a high incidence of EIMs, which were more common in CD than in UC. The risk factors of developing EIMs include CD, perianal diseases, younger than six-year-old at diagnosis and moderate to severe activity of CD.

Cryptococcal meningitis is a common and refractory central nervous system infection, with high rates of mortality and disability. The experts of the Society of Infectious Diseases of Chinese Medical Association have reached this consensus after a thorough discussion. Based on the current situation of cryptococcal meningitis in China, the management of cryptococcal meningitis includes 6 aspects: introduction, microorganism identification, clinical manifestations and diagnosis, principles of antifungal therapy, treatment of refractory and recurrent meningitis, treatment of intracranial hypertension. There is not a separate consensus on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in patients with cryptococcal meningitis. This article focuses on different antifungal regimens and reducing intracranial pressure by reference to Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) guidelines. The importance of early diagnosis, combined long-term antifungal therapy, control of intracranial hypertension are emphasized.

Aims: Increasing attention has been attracted to intestinal microbiota, due to interactions with nutrition, metabolism and immune defence of the host. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) feed additives have been applied in aquaculture to improve fish health, but the interaction with fish gut microbiota is still poorly understood. This study aimed to explore the effect of adding TCM in feed on the intestinal microbiota of gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio)., Methods and Results: Bacterial communities of 16 fish intestinal contents and one water sample were characterized by high-throughput sequencing and analysis of the V4-V5 region of the 16S rRNA gene. The results showed that the composition and structure of the bacterial community were significantly altered by the TCM feeding. Some phyla increased markedly (Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria, etc.), while Fusobacteria were significantly reduced. Concurrently, the richness and diversity of the taxonomic units increased, and the microbiota composition of TCM-treated fish was more homogeneous among individuals. At the genus level, the addition of TCM tended to reduce the incidence of potential pathogens (Aeromonas, Acinetobacter and Shewanella), while stimulating the emergence of some potential probiotics (Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Bacillus and Pseudomonas)., Conclusions: These data suggested that the feed additive could regulate the fish intestinal microbiota by reinforcing the microbial balance., Significance and Impact of the Study: This study may provide useful information for further application of TCM for diseases prevention and stress management in aquaculture., (© 2017 The Society for Applied Microbiology.)

We know of no universally accepted classification for intracapsular condylar fractures. We propose here a new classification based on the concept of a "disc-condyle" unit, and validate the classification based on outcomes of treatment. From 1 January 2010 - 31 December 2014, 55 patients with unilateral intracapsular condylar fractures were classified into three types: type A has no reduction in mandibular height or displacement of the disc (n=7); type B has displacement of the disc with no reduction in mandibular height (n=17); and type C has reduced mandibular height with or without displacement of the disc (n=31). We treated types B and C by open reduction and fixation, while type A fractures were managed non-surgically. At six month follow-up, we found no significant differences in the vertical height of the ramus, mandibular deviation, protrusion, or lateral protrusion between the fractured and healthy sides. All patients had normal occlusion postoperatively and only one patient (type C) reported pain. Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography showed good osseous healing and disc-condylar relations in all cases. Our results show that this new classification of intracapsular condylar fractures is a safe and easy way to obtain satisfactory outcomes of treatment. However, it needs further independent validation., (Copyright © 2018 The British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To investigate the risk factors and survival status of hypopharyngeal carcinoma with synchronous second primary carcinoma of the esophagus. Methods: One hundred and sixty patients with newly diagnosed hypopharyngeal carcinoma from January 2009 to December 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. The clinical data, tumor-related information and follow-up results were collected and analyzed. Results: Forty-three synchronous esophageal carcinomas (27%) were detected in 160 patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma, and most patients (72%) were at an early stage. On univariate analysis, the median age of less than 55 years old (χ(2)=4.525, P =0.033), excessive alcohol consumption (χ(2)=6.942, P =0.008) and invasion site more than 3 anatomical regions (χ(2)=21.503, P =0.000) had a significant correlation with the occurrence of synchronous esophageal carcinomas. Multivariate analysis showed that excessive alcohol consumption ( OR =4.787, P =0.029) and invasion site more than 3 anatomical regions ( OR =14.391, P =0.000) were independent risk factors. The median survival time was 26 months in 43 patients with synchronous esophageal carcinomas, which was significantly lower than that (58 months) in patients without secondary primary esophageal carcinomas (χ(2)=11.981, P =0.001). Conclusions: There is a high incidence of synchronous esophageal carcinoma in hypopharyngeal carcinoma patients, affecting the prognosis of hypopharyngeal carcinoma. Surveillance for esophageal carcinomas in patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma, especially in excessive alcohol drinkers, is warranted.

Objective: To investigate the effect and mechanism of long non-coding RNA-metastasis associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1, (LncRNA-MALAT1) on invasion and metastasis of esophageal cancer cell EC-109. Methods: EC-109 cells were transfected with lentiviral vector carrying short hairpin RNA of MALAT1( shRNA-MALAT1) or a nonspecific shRNA control (shRNA-control). The expressions of MALAT1, microRNA-200a, ZEB1 and ZEB2 were detected by qRT-PCR. The effect of shRNA-MALAT1 on invasion of EC-109 cells was determined by transwell assay. The expressions of components of epithelial-msenchymal transition pathway in EC-109 cells were determined by immunofluorescence array and western blotting. The expression relationship between MALAT1 and miR-200a in EC-109 cells was detected by dual-luciferase reporter assay. Results: The result of qRT-PCR showed that the expressions levels of MALAT1, ZEB1 and ZEB2 in shRNA-MALAT1 group were 0.43±0.06, 0.64±0.04 and 0.51±0.04, respectively, significantly lower than 0.97±0.08, 1.06±0.07 and 0.98±0.05 in shRNA-control group and 1 in control group, respectively(all P <0.05). Transwell assay showed that the number of invaded cells in shRNA MALAT1 group was (96.81±10.43) per low-power field, markedly lower than that of (278.44±13.28) per low-power field in shRNA-control group ( P <0.01). Immunofluorescence staining and Western blotting showed that MALAT1 downregulation significantly reduced the expressions of proteins related to EMT signal pathway in EC-109 cells.Dual luciferase reporter assay showed that compared to negative control, the activities of luciferase reporter in EC-109 cells co-transfected with pmirGLO-MALAT1-wt and miR-200a were significantly down-regulated. While co-transfected pmirGLO-MALAT1-mut with miR-200a mimics had no effect on the luciferase reporter activities of MALAT1. Conclusion: LncRNA MALAT1 functions as a competing endogenous RNA to regulate the expressions of ZEB1 and ZEB2 by sponging miR-200a and promotes invasion and migration of esophageal cancer cells through inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

Objective: To investigate the expression of integrin α5β1 and fibronectin in the human aorta and coronary artery, and their effects in the development of atherosclerosis. Methods: One hundred and twenty autopsy aorta and coronary artery specimens were collected, and the expression of CD68, actin, integrin α5β1 and fibronectin was detected by immunohistochemical staining. Atherosclerotic plaques were located by CD68 and actin staining, and the degree of coronary artery stenosis was determined by elastic fiber staining and NIH Scion Image(60.1) software. The coronary artery tissues were divided into groups A (0-25%); B (26%-50%); C (51%-75%) and D (76%-100%) according to the degree of stenosis. Results: Integrin α5β1 showed cytoplasmic expression in endothelium, foam cells, monocytes, smooth muscle cells and adjacent tissue around calcification. In both the aorta and coronary artery, integrin α5β1 expression was stronger in the smooth muscle cells in the internal elastic lamina than in the tunica. The expression intensity in coronary artery smooth muscle decreased with increasing degree of coronary artery stenosis. Fibronectin showed cytoplasmic expression in foam cells, monocytes, smooth muscle cells of the internal elastic lamina and adjacent tissue around calcification. There was positive correlation of fibronectin and integrin α5β1 expression in smooth muscle cells and adjacent tissue around calcification. Conclusions: In the development of atherosclerosis, integrin α5β1 and fibronectin may participate in the regulating the migration of smooth muscle cells to the intima, and promote the formation of local calcification of atherosclerotic plaques. But integrin α5β1 is not involved in the late stage of atherosclerosis with increasing coronary artery stenosis.

Objective: To explore the clinical characteristics of obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) diagnosed during pregnancy.To explore the effect on maternal and infant after treated with CPAP. Method: Data of 117 patients with OSAHS diagnosed by nocturnal blood oxygen saturation (SaO₂) monitoring and PSG during pregnancy were analyzed retrospectively. All the 117 patients were voluntary and divided into intervention group [received continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment with good compliance under informed consent and conventional drug] 70 cases and control group(received conventional drug) 47 cases. Record the relevant data during the treatment about maternal and infant. Result: There was no statistical significance on the difference of cesarean delivery and postpartum hemorrhage in the pregnant women with mild OSAHS ( P > 0.05), there was no statistical significance on the difference of cesarean delivery and postpartum hemorrhage in the pregnant women with moderate OSAHS ( P > 0.05) and there were statistical significance on the difference of cesarean delivery and postpartum hemorrhage in the pregnant women with severe OSAHS ( P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). There was no statistical significance on the difference of asphyxia neonatorum, fetal growth restriction and fetal distress in the pregnant women with mild OSAHS ( P > 0.05), there were statistical significance on the difference of fetal growth restriction and fetal distress in the pregnant women with moderate OSAHS ( P < 0.05), and there were statistical significance on the difference of asphyxia neonatorum, fetal growth restriction and fetal distress in the pregnant women with severe OSAHS ( P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Conclusion: Pregnant women who have OSAHS risk factors should be paid attention to during the perinatal care and nocturnal SaO₂ monitoring or PSG should be performed in the suspected OSAHS patients. Strongly advise that those serious OSAHS patients should be treated by CPAP early before delivery. CPAP was a safe and effective treatment to OSAHS patients in pregnancy., Competing Interests: The authors of this article and the planning committee members and staff have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose., (Copyright© by the Editorial Department of Journal of Clinical Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery.)

Objective: To investigate the effects of water extract of salvia miltiorrhiza aganst renal injury on rats exposed to cadmium. Methods: Twenty female Wistar rats were randomly divided into blank control group (8), 32 rats in model group, conventional breeding, the blank control group received intraperitoneal injection of saline 5 ml·kg -1 ·d -1, model group with 2.8 mg·kg -1 ·d -1 of cadmium chloride solution by intraperitoneal injection. After the success in modeling, the model group was divided into treatment group (salvia extract high dose 2.7 g·kg -1 ·d -1, low water extract of salvia a dose of 1.35 g·kg -1 ·d -1 ), negative control group, positive control group. After 4 weeks to experiment in the drug group, the water extract of salvia miltiorrhiza by intragastric administration, the positive control group using sodium selenite solution 0.05 mg·kg -1 ·d -1 gavage, negative control group, the control group was given the same physical volume of saline water gastric 2.7 ml·kg -1 ·d -1, respectively. Each group intervention for 10 weeks. At the end of the experiment, serum was collected at, were used to detect the serum oxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), serum total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC). Results: Danshen aqueous extract can make dye CD rats body weight growth faster, the serum SOD activity decreased significantly[(241.0±2.8) U/ml vs(219.6±4.6) U/ml, P <0.05], serum MDA increased greatly[(7.2±0.3) μmol/L vs(11.9±0.9) μmol/L, P <0.01], to enhance the serum total antioxidant capacity[(8.7±1.5) U/ml vs(4.6±2.0)U/ml, P <0.05]. Conclusion: Danshen aqueous extract has obvious antioxidant injury, in reducing swelling of renal tubular epithelial cells, improve renal function effect significantly.

The spotted knifejaw, Oplegnathus punctatus, is an important aquaculture fish species in China. To better understand the chromosomal microstructure and the karyotypic origin of this species, cytogenetic analysis was performed using Giemsa staining to identify metaphase chromosomes, C-banding to detect C-positive heterochromatin, silver staining to identify the nucleolus organizer regions (Ag-NORs), and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for physical mapping of the major (18S rDNA) and minor (5S rDNA) ribosomal genes. The species showed a karyotype of 2n = 48 for females, composed of 2 submetacentric and 46 telocentric chromosomes, with a fundamental number (FN) = 50, while the karyotype of males was 2n = 47, composed of 1 exclusive large metacentric, 2 submetacentric, and 44 telocentric chromosomes, with FN = 50. These karyotype results suggest that O. punctatus might have an X 1 X 1 X 2 X 2 /X 1 X 2 Y multiple sex chromosome system. C-positive heterochromatin was distributed in the centromeres of all chromosomal pairs and in the terminal portions of some chromosomes. A single pair of Ag-positive NORs was found to be localized at the terminal regions of the short arms of the subtelocentric chromosome pair, which was supported by FISH of 18S rDNA. After FISH, 5S rDNA were located on the interstitial regions of the smallest telocentric chromosome pair. This study was the first to identify the karyotype of this species and will facilitate further research on karyotype evolution in the order Perciformes.

Objective: To investigate the application value of three-dimensional liver acceleration volume acquisition (LAVA) multiphase dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the detection of accessory hepatic veins (AHVs) in Budd-Chiari syndrome. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 202 patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome who underwent LAVA multiphase dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI and digital subtraction angiography (DSA). MRI or DSA was used to determine the number of AHVs with a diameter of ≥5 mm. With DSA as the gold standard, the Kappa test was used to evaluate the consistency between these two methods in the detection of AHVs. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to evaluate the detection rate of AHVs by MRI. The paired chi-square test was used to compare the difference between MRI and DSA in the detection of occluded openings of AHVs. Results: Among the 202 patients, 139 had AHVs detected by MRI, and 63 did not have AHVs detected by MRI; 123 had AHVs detected by DSA, and 79 did not have AHVs detected by DSA. These two methods showed good consistency in the detection of AHVs (κ= 0.631). The area under the ROC curve was 0.868, and MRI had high sensitivity and specificity in the detection of AVHs. MRI detected the occluded openings of 24 AHVs, and DSA detected the occluded openings of 27 AHVs; there was no significant difference in the number of AHVs with occluded openings detected between MRI and DSA (χ2 = 2.2568, P = 0.1330). Conclusion: LAVA multiphase dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI can accurately detect AHVs in Budd-Chiari syndrome and helps to evaluate the patient's condition and select therapeutic methods.

In this study, two antioxidative substances, a homogeneous polysaccharide [abalone shell polysaccharide (ASP-1), corresponding to the first peak by size exclusion chromatography] and a non-polysaccharide compound [abalone shell compound (ACS-2), corresponding to the second peak by size exclusion chromatography], were extracted from the abalone (Haliotis discus hannai Ino) shell. We primarily focused on the investigation of ASP-1. As a heteropolysaccharide, ASP-1 is comprised of 9.3% uronic acid and 86.4% saccharide, the latter including mannose, ribose, rhamnose, glucose, galactose, arabinose, and two unknown monosaccharides, NO1 and NO2, with a mass ratio of 9.5:10.1:2.2:18.2:21.8:5.5:16.5:16.2. The antioxidant activity assays indicated that 5.0 mg/mL ASP-1 has significant scavenging effects on superoxide radicals (86.2%) compared to the positive control of ascorbic acid (95.6%).

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the strategy and long-term outcomes of endovascular treatment of Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) complicated by inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombosis., Methods: The treatment strategy and outcomes of BCS complicated by IVC thrombosis were retrospectively evaluated in a single-center study. The treatment was aimed at the IVC thrombus, not hepatic vein occlusion. All 133 patients with BCS complicated by IVC thrombosis from February 2003 to March 2013 underwent endovascular treatment. For the fresh thrombus group (n=75) recanalization was performed after transcatheter thrombolysis with urokinase. For the mixed thrombus group (n=19) a small balloon pre-dilation of the IVC was performed first, followed by transcatheter thrombolysis using urokinase and a large balloon dilation of the IVC. For the old thrombus group (n=39) a large balloon dilation or/and stent placement was performed directly. Pre- and post-treatment follow-ups were recorded., Results: The endovascular treatment was successful in 131 out of 133 patients (98.5%). Thirty seven patients had synchronous hepatic vein occlusion. The incidence of serious complications was 4.5% (6/133). Symptomatic pulmonary embolism occurred in three cases, cerebral hemorrhage in two, and cardiac tamponade in one. The cumulative 1-, 5-, and 10-year primary patency rate was 96.3%, 84.0%, and 64.6%, respectively. The cumulative 1-, 5-, and 10-year secondary patency rate was 99.0%, 96.1% and 91.3%, respectively. Segmental occlusion of the IVC and duration of anticoagulant therapy less than 6 months were independent risk factors for reocclusion., Conclusions: For patients with BCS complicated by IVC thrombosis, an individualized treatment strategy based on the property of the thrombus can result in excellent long-term patency., (Copyright © 2014 European Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is expressed in different tissues and cells, including the pancreas and lymphocytes, and it can selectively induce apoptosis in tumor cells but not in most normal cells. TRAIL plays critical roles in type 1 diabetes mellitus, and is involved in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We recently discovered the association of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, a risk factor for T2DM, with a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the TRAIL (TNFSF10) gene at site 1595C/T (rs1131580), indicating the possible association of T2DM with this TRAIL polymorphism. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of the TRAIL SNP at site 1595C/T (rs1131580) with T2DM susceptibility and the biometabolic parameters of T2DM in a Han Chinese population. The polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method was used to genotype SNP rs1131580 in 292 patients with T2DM and 266 healthy controls. We found that the frequency of the CC genotype and that of the C allele of rs1131580 were significantly higher in T2DM patients than in the control group. Additionally, the triglyceride and serum creatinine levels of T2DM patients with the CC genotype were significantly higher than those of patients with the TT genotype. Thus, the CC genotype of the TRAIL SNP at 1595C/T (rs1131580) confers increased susceptible to T2DM in a Han Chinese population from Shandong Province. These data suggest that the CC genotype at this SNP is related to diabetic severity and it might be a candidate for the prognostic assessment of T2DM.

(1-x)Pb[Yb(1/2)Nb(1/2)]O(3)-xPbTiO(3) (PYbN-PT, x=0.5)(001) oriented thin films were deposited onto LaNiO3 (LNO)/Si(001) substrates by sol-gel processing. The crystallographic texture of the films was controlled by the annealing temperature and heating rate. Highly (001) oriented LNO thin films were prepared by a simple metal organic decomposition technique, and the samples were annealed at 700 °C and 750 °C using a rapid thermal annealing process and furnace, respectively. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the films of PYbN-PT were highly (001) oriented along LNO/Si substrates. The degree of PYbN-PT orientation is dependent on the heating rate and annealing temperature. Annealing heating rate of 10 °C/s and high annealing temperature near 750 °C produce the greatest degree of (001) orientation, which gives rise to improved dielectric properties.

To build artificial bone with osteoblast and growth factors is one of popular studies on current bone tissue engineering. This paper has reviewed current studies on the function of the growth factors and the resource, isolation and culture of the osteoblast. It also introduces the interaction of the growth factors, and the development in the transgenosis of the relative growth factors.

Thin composite films consisting of 12 vol% of nanosized lanthanum and calcium-modified lead titanate (PCLT) powder embedded in a vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene copolymer [P(VDF-TrFE)] matrix were deposited on silicon (Si) substrates to form pyroelectric sensors with three different configurations. The influences of a thermal buffer layer and back etching of the silicon substrate on the current and voltage responsivities of the sensors were investigated theoretically and experimentally. The specific detectivity of the sensors was also calculated from the measured voltage responsivity and noise.

Resistance to apoptosis, which plays an important role in tumors that are refractory to chemotherapy, is regulated by the ratio of antiapoptotic to proapoptotic proteins. By manipulating levels of these proteins, cells can become sensitized to undergo apoptosis in response to chemotherapeutic agents. Alternative splicing of the bcl-x gene gives rise to two proteins with antagonistic functions: Bcl-xL, a well-characterized antiapoptotic protein, and Bcl-xS, a proapoptotic protein. We show here that altering the ratio of Bcl-xL to Bcl-xS in the cell using an antisense oligonucleotide permitted cells to be sensitized to undergo apoptosis in response to ultraviolet B radiation and chemotherapeutic drug treatment. These results demonstrate the ability of a chemically modified oligonucleotide to alter splice site selection in an endogenous gene and illustrate a powerful tool to regulate cell survival.

The epidermis is continually exposed to harmful mutagens that have the potential to cause DNA damage. To protect the skin from accumulating mutated cells, keratinocytes have developed a highly regulated mechanism of eliminating damaged cells through apoptosis. Bcl-xL is a well-described cell survival protein that when overexpressed in skin can protect keratinocytes from UV radiation-induced apoptosis. To begin to unravel the complex mechanisms that keratinocytes use to survive, we wanted to characterize the role of endogenous Bcl-xL in protecting cells from death. In this study, we describe the development and characterization of an antisense inhibitor to Bcl-xL. We show that this inhibitor reduces Bcl-xL RNA and protein in a concentration-dependent, sequence-specific manner. Furthermore, treatment of keratinocytes and epithelial cells with this inhibitor sensitizes these cells to UV-B radiation and cisplatinum treatment-induced apoptosis. Thus, these results offer direct evidence that Bcl-xL is critical in the protection of skin and epithelial cells from apoptosis and provide a basis for the role of Bcl-xL in keratinocyte and epithelial cell survival.

A target cDNA fragment from TMV RNA was inserted to a reporter gene CAT immediately to the 3' end of the translation initiation codon ATG resulting in the formation of a chimeric CAT gene in an in vivo transcription and expression vector. The in vivo activities of various ribozymes on the target sequence were observed by determining the changes of the CAT activities of the chimeric CAT gene expressed in E. coli. The CAT activity was reduced by up to 30% when a specific ribozyme RZ1, RZ1A or RZ1B was transcribed, no change in CAT activity was observed when a non-specific ribozyme RZ3 was expressed. The protein electrophoresis and primer extension experiments indicated that this reduction in CAT activity was due to the specific cleavage of the ribozymes to the chimeric CAT mRNA at the target region hence the decrease in CAT protein synthesis.

Porous hydroxyapatite (HAP) with certain porosity and pore size was prepared, and incorporated with bovine collagen protein. The composition and structure of the HAP was confirmed by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and ICP. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), mechanical tests and in vitro degradation were performed. Collagen protein with low antigenicity was obtained from bovine tendon by enzyme digestion, and was then forced to fill in the HAP matrix to form composites. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Mechanical tests and in vitro degradation were performed. The test results show that first, HAP thus made has specific pore size and directions; second, mechanical properties of the composites have been markedly improved; third, the in vitro degradation rate of the composite is almost the same as and mainly controlled by the degradation rate of collagen.

Experiments were performed to determine the effect of various concentrations of acetylcholine (ACh) (10(-10) to 10(-4) mol/L) on the proliferation of spleen cells of rat to concanavalin (Con A). ACh at 10(-9) mol/L to 10(-4) mol/L range significantly enhanced the proliferation of T cells, reaching a maximum at 10(-7) and 10(-6) mol/L. The proliferation of lymphocytes first stimulated by various concentrations of ACh (10(-9), 10(-7) or 10(-5) mol/L) for one hour and incubated with Con A for 72 h still showed increase. When ACh was washed off for one hour, the proliferative enhancement of lymphocytes to Con A remained to occur. However, ACh did not enhance the proliferation of T cells which were once stimulated with Con A for 6 h. Atropine at 10(-7) or 10(-6) mol/L abolished completely the effect of ACh at 10(-9) or 10(-5) mol/L. The action of ACh at 10(-7) mol/L could be blocked by 10(-6) mol/L atropine. These data suggest that ACh at a wide range of concentrations can enhance cellular immunity, an effect occurring either before or after T cells are activated through muscarinic cholinergic receptors.

Antifreeze peptide (AFP) produced in some animals is able to lower freezing temperature to prevent serum from freezing. There is a great potential to apply AFP in various circumstances wherever tolerance to cold environment is required. cDNA copies of AFP and proAFP coding sequence were synthesized according to the published sequence from a winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus). Expression of AFP or proAFP cDNA was initially tested in E. coli using a procaryotic expression vector. Level of the expression was essentially low indicated by SDS-PAGE and protein staining procedures. In order to detect the low level expression, the AFP (or proAFP) cDNA was fused, in frame, to the 5'-end of the CAT reporter gene resulting in a chimeric AFP/CAT (or proAFP/CAT) cDNA. The product translated from such a chimeric mRNA must contain a N'-terminal AFP (or proAFP) portion and C'-terminal CAT portion. Thus, low level of expression of AFP (or proAFP) in the fused form may be detected indirectly by sensitive CAT assay as long as the chimeric CAT still remains the activity. As expected, CAT activity has been clearly detected in protein extract from induced E. coli indicating that AFP (or proAFP) cDNA clones be expressed in E. coli.

The effects of histamine on action potentials (APs) and on early afterdepolarizations (EADs) were studied with standard microelectrode and computer in guinea pig papillary muscles. Experiments offer evidence that histamine (6.0 mumol/l) results in a significant diminution in action potential duration at 50% repolarization (APD50) and 90% repolarization (APD90) (data taken from no abnormal automaticity and oscillatory potential cells, 10 out of 19 preparations). Particularly, histamine can induce EADs (about 58%), oscillatory potentials and triggered activity. EADs frequently occur at low stimulation rates of 0.2-1.0 Hz and with prolongation of the action potential duration. EAD-induced triggered activity may exhibit fast spontaneous APs. Cimetidine (10 mumol/l, n = 6), an H2-receptor antagonist, antagonizes the effects of histamine. In the presence of cimetidine no EADs are observed by perfusing histamine. An H1-receptor antagonist, chlorpheniramine (10 mumol/l, n = 9), has no effect on the alterations of APs induced by histamine in ventricular myocardium. The results suggest that the mechanisms of histamine-induced shortness of AP duration, EADs and triggered activity may be related to the H2 receptor-mediated enhancement of the slow inward calcium current.

To elucidate the relationship between epidermal growth factor (EGF)/transforming growth factor (TGF-alpha) and estradiol-17 beta (E) in cell proliferation, we examined their effects on the breast cancer cell line, CAMA-1. While E was able to consistently induce cell proliferation under a variety of experimental conditions, EGF/TGF-alpha was without effect. Despite the presence of the receptor (EGFR) gene, mature EGFR protein and mRNA were not detected by radioreceptor assay, 35S Met-labelling, and the Intron Differential RNA/PCR method under conditions in which cells remain responsive to E. Furthermore, TGF-alpha is not an autocrine factor in CAMA-1 cells. We demonstrated unequivocally that EGF/TGF-alpha interaction with EGFR is not an obligatory event in mediating estrogen-stimulated cell proliferation.

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification method was developed and evaluated to detect porcine parvovirus (PPV). A pair of 20-base primers and an oligonucleotide probe were derived from the DNA sequences common to two isolates of PPV, NADL-8 and NADL-2. The primers flanked 118-bp nucleotides within the region coding for the major structural protein VP2. After DNA amplification of PPV replicative form (RF), a 158-bp fragment was detected in agarose gels. This amplified fragment was shown to be specific for PPV DNA after Southern transfer and hybridization to a 20-base internal probe. The amplified fragment also contained a single EcoRI cleavage site. Various conditions, such as number of cycles and annealing temperature, were examined to optimize the conditions for detecting viral DNAs from infected cell cultures and swine fetal tissues. Four different isolates of PPV, NADL-8, NADL-2, KBSH and Kresse, and two other viruses, canine parvovirus (CPV) and pseudorabies virus (PRV), were included to determine specificity of amplification. Slot blot hybridization with a radiolabeled probe was used to evaluate the sensitivity of PCR amplification. The optimized protocol was specific for PPV detecting equally all four strains of PPV, but failing to amplify CPV or PRV sequences. The PCR method could detect at least 100 fg of viral replicative form (RF) DNA or the equivalent of 1 PFU of infectious virus. The applications of this method include routine detection of PPV in clinical samples and as a contaminant in mammalian cell lines.

To elucidate the possible roles of proto-oncogenes and growth factors in estrogen-regulated cell proliferation of human breast and gynecologic cancers, we have determined the gene expressions of c-myc, transforming growth factor-alpha and beta 1 (TGF-alpha, beta 1) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in a number of these cancer cell lines by using an intron-Differential (ID) RNA/PCR method, which differentially identifies the amplified cDNA from PCR products of genomic DNA contaminants. With this method, we demonstrated the expression of these genes, except EGFR, in an estrogen-dependent breast cancer cell line (CAMA-1). Our results show that TGF-alpha/EGF does not function as an autocrine factor in this cell line. Accordingly, it is unlikely that the TGF-alpha/EGFR system participates as a mediator in the estrogen-induced cell proliferation of CAMA-1 cells. The ID RNA/PCR method is a rapid, sensitive and specific technique for mRNA phenotyping and will have great clinical utility.