Establishment and validation of a nomogram-based predictive model for idiopathic aldosteronism / 中华内科杂志

Objective: To establish and validate a nomogram-based predictive model for idiopathic hyperaldosteronism (IHA). Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with the collected clinical and biochemical data of patients with primary aldosteronism (PA) including 249 patients with unilateral primary aldosteronism (UPA) and 107 patients with IHA, who were treated at the Department of Endocrinology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from November 2013 to November 2022. Plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) and plasma renin concentration (PRC) were measured by chemiluminescence. Stepwise regression analysis was applied to select the key predictors of IHA, and a nomogram-based scoring model was developed. The model was validated in another external independent cohort of patients with PA including 62 patients with UPA and 43 patients with IHA, who were diagnosed at the Department of Endocrinology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. An independent-sample t test, Mann-Whitney U test, and χ2 test were used for statistical analysis. Results: In the training cohort, in comparison with the UPA group, the IHA group showed a higher serum potassium level [M(Q1, Q3), 3.4 (3.1, 3.8) mmol/L vs. 2.7 (2.1, 3.1) mmol/L] and higher PRC [4.0 (2.1, 8.2) mU/L vs. 1.5 (0.6, 3.4) mU/L] and a lower PAC post-saline infusion test (SIT) [305 (222, 416) pmol/L vs. 720 (443, 1 136) pmol/L] and a lower rate of unilateral adrenal nodules [33.6% (36/107) vs. 81.1% (202/249)]; the intergroup differences in these measurements were statistically significant (all P<0.001). Serum potassium level, PRC, PAC post-SIT, and the rate of unilateral adrenal nodules showed similar performance in the IHA group in the validation cohort. After stepwise regression analysis for all significant variables in the training cohort, a scoring model based on a nomogram was constructed, and the predictive parameters included the rate of unilateral adrenal nodules, serum potassium concentration, PAC post-SIT, and PRC in the standing position. When the total score was ≥14, the model showed a sensitivity of 0.65 and specificity of 0.90 in the training cohort and a sensitivity of 0.56 and specificity of 1.00 in the validation cohort. Conclusion: The nomogram was used to successfully develop a model for prediction of IHA that could facilitate selection of patients with IHA who required medication directly.

Population structure of food-borne Staphylococcus aureus in China / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective: To understand the population structure of food-borne Staphylococcus (S.) aureus in China. Methods: Whole genome sequencing was used to analyze 763 food-borne S. aureus strains from 16 provinces in China from 2006 to 2020. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST), staphylococcal protein A gene (spa) typing, and staphylococcal chromosome cassettemec (SCCmec) typing were conducted, and minimum spanning tree based on ST types (STs) was constructed by BioNumerics 7.5 software. Thirty-one S. aureus strains isolated from imported food products were also included in constructing the genome phylogenetic tree. Results: A total of 90 STs (20 novel types) and 160 spa types were detected in the 763 S. aureus isolates. The 72 STs (72/90, 80.0%) were related to 22 clone complexes. The predominant clone complexes were CC7, CC1, CC5, CC398, CC188, CC59, CC6, CC88, CC15, and CC25, accounting for 82.44% (629/763) of the total. The STs and spa types in the predominant clone complexes changed over the years. The methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) detection rate was 7.60%, and 7 SCCmec types were identified. The ST59-t437-Ⅳa (17.24%, 10/58), ST239-t030-Ⅲ (12.07%, 7/58), ST59-t437-Ⅴb (8.62%, 5/58), ST338-t437-Ⅴb (6.90%, 4/58) and ST338-t441-Ⅴb (6.90%, 4/58) were the main types in MRSA strains. The genome phylogenetic tree had two clades, and the strains with the same CC, ST, and spa types clustered together. All CC7 methicillin sensitive S. aureus strains were included in Clade1, while 21 clone complexes and all MRSA strains were in Clade2. The MRSA strains clustered according to the SCCmec and STs. The strains from imported food products in CC398, CC7, CC30, CC12, and CC188 had far distances from Chinese strains in the tree. Conclusions: In this study, the predominant clone complexes of food-borne strains were CC7, CC1, CC5, CC398, CC188, CC59, CC6, CC88, CC15, and CC25, which overlapped with the previously reported clone complexes of hospital and community-associated strains in China, suggesting that close attention needs to be paid to food, a vehicle of pathogen transmission in community and food poisoning.

Short-term outcomes and long-term quality of life after undergoing radical proximal gastrectomy with esophageal gastric tube anastomosis and total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y anastomosis for Siewert type II and III adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction: A propensity score matching analysis / 中华胃肠外科杂志

Objective: To evaluate the effects on short-term clinical outcomes and long-term quality of life of laparoscopic-assisted radical proximal gastrectomy with esophageal gastric tube anastomosis versus total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y anastomosis for adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction. Methods: This was a propensity score matching, retrospective, cohort study. Clinicopathological data of 184 patients with adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction admitted to two medical centers in China from January 2016 to January 2021 were collected (147 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University and 37 in the Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University). All patients had undergone laparoscopic-assisted radical gastrectomy. They were divided into two groups based on the extent of tumor resection and technique used for digestive tract reconstruction. A proximal gastrectomy with reconstruction by esophageal gastric tube anastomosis group comprised 82 patients and a total gastrectomy with reconstruction by Roux-en-Y anastomosis group comprised 102 patients. These groups differed significantly in the following baseline characteristics: age, preoperative hemoglobin, preoperative albumin, tumor length, tumor differentiation, and tumor TNM stage (all P<0.05). To eliminate potential bias caused by unequal distribution between the two groups, 1∶1 matching was performed by the nearest neighbor matching method. The 13 matched variables comprised sex, age, height, body mass, body mass index, preoperative glucose, preoperative hemoglobin, preoperative total protein, preoperative albumin, neoadjuvant radiotherapy, tumor length, degree of differentiation, and pathological TNM stage. Postoperative complications, postoperative nutritional status, incidence of reflux esophagitis 1 year after surgery, and quality of life were compared between the two groups. Results: After propensity score matching, 60 patients each were enrolled in the proximal gastrectomy with esophageal gastric tube anastomosis and total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y anastomosis groups. The baseline characteristics were comparable between these groups (all P>0.05). There were no significant differences between the two groups in operative time, intraoperative bleeding, time to semifluid diet, postoperative hospital days, tumor length, and total hospital costs (P>0.05). Patients in the proximal gastrectomy with esophageal gastric tube anastomosis group had earlier postoperative gastric tube and abdominal drainage tube removal time than those in the total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y anastomosis group (t=-2.183, P=0.023 and t=-4.073, P<0.001, respectively). In contrast, significantly fewer lymph nodes were cleared and significantly fewer lymph nodes were positive in the proximal gastrectomy with esophageal gastric tube anastomosis group than in the total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y anastomosis group (t=-5.754, P<0.001 and t=-2.575, P=0.031, respectively). The incidence of early postoperative complications was 43.3% (26/60) in the total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y anastomosis group; this is not significantly higher than the 26.7% (16/60) in the proximal gastrectomy with esophageal gastric tube anastomosis group (χ2=3.663，P=0.056). The incidences of pulmonary infection (31.7%, 19/60) and pleural effusion (30.0%, 18/60) were significantly higher in the total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y anastomosis group than in the proximal gastrectomy with esophageal gastric tube anastomosis group (13.3%, 8/60 and 8.3%, 5/60, respectively); these differences are significant (χ2=8.711, P=0.003 and χ2=11.368, P=0.001, respectively). All early complications were successfully treated before discharge. The incidence of long-term postoperative complications was 20.0% (12/60) in the total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y anastomosis group and 35.0% (21/60) in the proximal gastrectomy with esophageal gastric tube anastomosis group; this difference is not significant (χ2=3.386，P=0.066). The incidence of reflux esophagitis was 23.3% (14/60) in the proximal gastrectomy with esophageal gastric tube anastomosis group; this is significantly higher than the 1.7% (1/60) in the total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y anastomosis group (χ2=12.876, P<0.001). Body mass index had decreased significantly in both groups 1 year after surgery compared with preoperatively; however, the difference between the two groups was not significant (P>0.05). The differences in hemoglobin and albumin concentrations between 1 year postoperatively and preoperatively were not significant (both P>0.05). Quality of life was assessed using the Visick grade. Visick grade I dominated in both groups. The percentage of patients with Visick II and III in the total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y anastomosis group was 11.7% (7/60), which is significantly lower than the 33.3% (20/60) in the proximal gastrectomy with esophageal gastric tube anastomosis group (χ2=8.076, P=0.004). No patients in either group had a grade IV quality of life. Conclusions: Both proximal gastrectomy with esophageal gastric tube anastomosis and total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y anastomosis laparoscopic-assisted radical surgery for adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction are safe and feasible. However, both procedures have their own advantages and disadvantages in terms of postoperative complications. The incidence of reflux esophagitis is higher after proximal gastrectomy with esophageal gastric tube anastomosis, whereas the long-term quality of life is lower than that of patients after total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y anastomosis.

Preliminary study on the correlation between primary lacrimal punctal stenosis and epiphora by using AS-OCT / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To quantify the lacrimal punctum using anterior segment optical coherence tomography(AS-OCT)and analyze the correlation between the epiphora and primary punctal stenosis.METHODS: A cross-sectional study. There were 43 healthy volunteers(57 eyes)and 44 patients(62 eyes)with primary lacrimal punctal stenosis and epiphora enrolled in the Lacrimal Center of the Third Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from September 2020 to January 2021. The inferior punctum of all subjects were scanned by AS-OCT, and the images were quantified in order to observe the AS-OCT image features. The outer punctal diameter, punctal depth, tear well diameter and tear well depth were all measured simultaneously. The inferior punctum's punctal reserve and punctal reserve ratio were estimated according to the available parameter data.RESULTS: 1)The measured parameters conforming to normal distribution were expressed as mean±standard deviation. The observation group's outer punctal diameter, tear well diameter, tear well depth, and punctal reserve ratio were 458.19±63.58μm, 200.34±84.69μm, 188.95±87.50μm and 0.32±0.18, respectively, while the control group's outer punctal diameter, tear well diameter, tear well depth and punctal reserve ratio were 655.53±82.62μm, 230.26±107.02μm, 275.30±144.34μm, 0.46±0.23, respectively. The parameters in observation group were all lower than those of control group(P&#x003C;0.05); 2)Parameter data that did not conform to normal distribution were expressed as medians and quartiles, and the results were as follows: the punctal depth in the observation group was 265.50μm(interquartile range 204.25-328.77)μm and the punctal reserve was 71.53μm(interquartile range 46.12-111.37)μm, respectively, while the punctal depth in the control group was 468.76μm(interquartile range 420.50-588.88)μm and the punctal reserve was 182.16μm(interquartile range 131.36-309.84)μm. This difference was statistically significant(P&#x003C;0.05); 3)In the observation group, there was a negative correlation between the epiphora and the outer punctal diameter(r=-0.448, P&#x003C;0.05), a positive correlation between the epiphora and tear well depth(r=0.335, P&#x003C;0.05), and a negative correlation between the epiphora and the punctal reserve and punctal reserve ratio coefficient(r=-0.520, -0.566, P&#x003C;0.05).CONCLUSION: The AS-OCT can aid in enhancing punctal morphology cognition; The outer punctal diameter and tear well depth are related to the epiphora; The primary punctal stenosis patients with smaller outer punctal diameters are more likely to have the symptom of epiphora, and in patients with punctal stenosis, the greater the potential capacity of the punctum to hold tears, the lesser the degree of epiphora.

Mechanism of Polygonati Rhizoma on Treating Osteoporosis Based on Network Pharmacology and Preliminary Verification / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo explore the potential mechanism of Polygonati Rhizoma on the treatment of osteoporosis （OP） based on network pharmacology and molecular docking method and to verify the mechanism by experiments. MethodThe main active ingredients and corresponding targets of Polygonati Rhizoma were screened out from Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform （TCMSP） 2.3 by conditional searching. The treatment targets were obtained from the genes related to OP and DisGeNET 7.0. The potential target genes of Polygonati Rhizoma for treating OP were obtained by the crossing of the corresponding targets and the treatment targets. Cytoscape 3.7.1 was used to construct the “Polygonati Rhizoma-active ingredient-potential target” network. The protein-protein interaction （PPI） analysis was carried out by STRING 11.0， and the PPI network was constructed. Metascape 3.5 was used to conduct Gene Ontology （GO） and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） enrichment analyses of the key targets. The core ingredients and key targets of Polygonati Rhizoma were selected for molecular docking by AutoDock Vina 1.1.2. Finally， the effect of β-sitosterol on osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells in rats was observed. ResultTwelve active ingredients and 32 potential targets of Polygonati Rhizoma for OP treatment were screened out. Six active ingredients including baicalein and β-sitosterol and key targets including protein kinase 1 （Akt1）， tumor suppressor p53 （TP53）， vascular endothelial growth factorA （VEGFA）， proto-oncogene Jun （JUN）， matrix metalloproteinase-9 （MMP-9）， and proto-oncogene c-Fos （FOS） were obtained by Cytoscape 3.7.1 topological analysis. A total of 995 GO entries and 181 signaling pathways involving the response to reactive oxygen species and regulations of growth were obtained from GO and KEGG enrichment analyses. The results of molecular docking showed that the core active ingredients possessed good binding activities with the respective key targets. The results of cell experiments showed that β-sitosterol promoted the osteogenic differentiation at the concentration of 2.5 μmol·L-1 and 5 μmol·L-1. ConclusionPolygonati Rhizoma had the therapeutic effect on treating OP by regulating inflammation， oxidative stress， apoptosis， and metabolism. The β-sitosterol significantly promoted the osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells.

Application of posterior gastric mesentery in laparoscopic gastric surgery / 中华胃肠外科杂志

The posterior gastric mesentery is one of the six mesenteries of the stomach in the membrane anatomy theory. It locates in the upper area of the pancreas, surrounds the posterior gastric vessels, and is adjacent to the short gastric mesentery by the left side, and is adjacent to the left gastric mesentery by the right side, which fixes the fundus body to the posterior abdominal wall of the upper area of pancreas. Due to its anatomical structure, in complete mesentery excision (CME)+D2 surgery, it is a surgical approach to deal with gastric mesentery in the upper area of pancreas; the second step of the "Huang's three-step method" corresponds to the posterior gastric mesentery in the theory of membrane anatomy. In the surgery of benign diseases of the stomach, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication, if the short gastric vessels are difficult to be exposed and safely divided, we can dissect the posterior gastric mesentery firstly, and then hoist the fundus of the stomach in order to help dissection of the short gastric vessels. The membrane anatomy theory, as a frontier theory, provides us the new surgical perspectives and paths in gastric surgery.

Biocompatibility of extracellular matrix hydrogel with human iPSCs differentiated cardiomyocytes / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To observe the biocompatibility of porcine omental derived extracellular matrix (ECM) hydrogel with human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) and the feasibility of ECM hydrogel as a delivery vector of cell transplantation. Methods: A series of chemical, physical and enzymatic methods were applied to acellularize the porcine omentum. Subsequently, the extracted ECM was prepared into thermosensitive hydrogel. The biochemical composition of the hydrogel was identified by histological staining. The microstructure was observed by scanning electron microscopy. The hydrogel was then injected into the myocardium of mice to observe its in situ gelation ability. Differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells into cardiomyocytes was achieved by small molecule induction, and then the obtained hiPSC-CMs were cultured. hiPSC-CMs cultured onto the prepared hydrogel were defined as the hydrogel group, while conventionally cultured hiPSC-CMs were defined as the control group. Cardiomyocyte viability and growth patterns were detected using live/dead staining, CCK-8 and phalloidin staining. Immunofluorescence staining and Western blot of cardiomyocytes were used to determine the survival and phenotypic maintenance markers of cardiomyocytes in materials. Results: The results of HE staining, oil red O staining and DAPI fluorescence staining showed that there was no significant cell debris, nucleus and lipid residue in the prepared ECM hydrogel. The Sirius red staining and Alcian blue staining showed that the hydrogel retained collagen and glycolaminoglycan, which were the main components of ECM. The prepared hydrogel behaves as a viscous liquid at 4 ℃ and as a gel state at 37 ℃. Scanning electron microscope results showed that the microstructure of the hydrogel was composed of irregular fibers and pores of different sizes. Under the guidance of ultrasound, the prepared ECM hydrogel could be successfully injected into the myocardium of mice. Immediately after the injection, the hyperechoic signal could be observed under ultrasound, suggesting that the hydrogel remained in the myocardium. HE staining of myocardial tissue evidenced that there was lump of gel in the injection area. The differentiated hiPSC-CMs were co-cultured with the prepared ECM hydrogel, and the results of live/dead staining showed that most of the hiPSC-CMs in the hydrogel group and the control group were alive, dead cells were scanty. The results of CCK-8 test showed that the absorbance values of the two groups were similar (P>0.05). The results of phalloidin staining showed that hiPSC-CMs could extend normally when co-cultured with ECM hydrogel. The cell morphology of the hydrogel group was similar with that of the control group, and there was no statistically significant difference in the F-actin coverage area per cell between the two groups (P>0.05). Immunofluorescence staining of cardiomyocyte markers showed that there was no significant difference in the coverage area of α-actinin and connexin-43 (Cx-43) per field between the hydrogel group and the control group (both P>0.05), the quantitative results of DAPI staining showed that there was no statistically significant difference in the number of cells between the two groups (P>0.05). Meanwhile, the results of Western blot showed that the expression levels of α-actinin and Cx-43 in cardiomyocytes in the hydrogel group were similar as those in the control group (both P>0.05). Conclusions: These results show that preparation of the ECM hydrogel from porcine omentum is successful. The hydrogel has good biocompatibility and no obvious cytotoxicity. Besides, the hydrogel can support the survival of hiPSC-CMs in vitro and maintain its phenotype. These properties make it a promising injectable cardiac tissue engineering material.

Effect of long chain non-coding RNA H19 on the migration and invasion of oral cancer cells and its molecular mechanism / 华西口腔医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect of the long chain non-coding RNA H19 (lncRNA H19) on the invasion and migration of oral cancer cells and its related molecular mechanism.@*METHODS@#The expression levels of lncRNA H19, miR-107, and cyclin-dependent kinase 6 (CDK6) in the immortalized oral epithelial cell line HIOEC and the oral cancer cell line CAL27 were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. CAL27 cells were transfected with siRNA H19, miR-107 mimics, pcDNA H19, or anti-miR-107, and the effects of H19 and miR-107 on the invasion and migration of cells were examined via Transwell assay. The TargetScan database predicted the targeting of H19, miR-107, and CDK6. Double luciferase reporter gene assay was performed to detect interactions among H19, miR-107, and CDK6. Western blot analysis was conducted to examine the effects of H19 and miR-107 on the protein level of the target gene CDK6.@*RESULTS@#Compared with that in HIOEC cells, the expression of H19 was significantly increased in CAL27 cells (P<0.05). After transfection with siRNA H19, the expression of H19 decreased, and the invasion and migration ability of CAL27 cells were inhibited (P<0.05). H19 could bind specifically to the 3'-UTR of miR-107 to modulate the expression of miR-107. Compared with that in HIOEC cells, the expression of miR-107 significantly decreased in CAL27 cells (P<0.05). The expression of miR-107 increased after transfection with siRNA H19, and anti-mir-107 co-transfection could promote the invasion and migration ability of siRNA H19 in CAL27 cells (P<0.05). Compared with that in HIOEC cells, CDK6 expression significantly increased in CAL27 cells (P<0.05), and the expression level of the gene was coregulated by H19 and miR-107 (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#lncRNA H19 plays an important role in the development of oral cancer. It can regulate the invasion and migration of oral cancer cells by targeting the miR-107/CDK6 signaling axis.

Polydatin induces human cervical cancer cell apoptosis via PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway / 中国中药杂志

To observe the effect of polydatin on proliferation and apoptosis of cervical cancer HeLa cells and explore its possible mechanism. The growth inhibitory effect was detected with MTT assay. After HeLa cells were treated with different concentrations (50, 100, 150 μmol•L⁻¹) of polydatin, MTT assay was used to detect the inhibitory effect of polydatin on proliferation of HeLa cells; Acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining was used for morphological changes in apoptotic HeLa cells； Annexin/propidium iodide staining was applied to detect HeLa cell apoptotic rate. In addition, flow cytometry was employed to analyze apoptosis and cell cycle distribution； RT-PCR and Western blot assay were used to detect PI3K, AKT, mTOR, and P70S6K mRNA and protein expression levels. The results showed that polydatin significantly inhibited HeLa cells proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Polydatin can cause S phase arrest for HeLa cells, promote cell apoptosis and decrease the mRNA and protein expression levels of PI3K, AKT, mTOR and P70S6K. It indicated that polydatin could inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of cervical cancer HeLa cells, and the mechanism may be associated with inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway and suppressing downstream gene expression.

Association between Self-reported Snoring and Prediabetes among Adults Aged 40 Years and Older without Diabetes / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Several previous studies have shown that snoring is associated with glucose metabolism and the development of diabetes, but rare study has shown the association between snoring frequency and prediabetes, particularly in China. We hypothesized that individuals who snore might have a higher risk of prediabetes. This study aimed to investigate the association between self-reported snoring and prediabetes in a Chinese population.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A cross-sectional study was performed in three large communities of Beijing from December 2011 to August 2012 by recruiting individuals aged ≥40 years old. All participants were requested to complete a detailed questionnaire and undergo anthropometric measurements. A 75 g oral glucose tolerance test was performed in individuals without diabetes. Blood samples of all participants were collected; blood glucose and blood fat levels were measured. Multivariate logistic regression models were built to assess the association between snoring frequency and prediabetes.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 13,592 participants (female: 66.56%; mean age: 56.8 ± 7.9 years; mean body mass index: 25.5 ± 3.4 kg/m2) were included in the final analysis. Of these, 30.9% were diagnosed with prediabetes, while 41.3% and 25.4% had occasional and habitual snoring, respectively. Habitual snoring was associated with an increased risk of prediabetes (odds ratio [OR]: 1.3, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1-1.4, P< 0.001), after adjusting for diabetes and sleep-related confounders in the multivariable models. Habitual snoring was also associated with isolated impaired fasting glucose (IFG; OR: 1.3, 95% CI: 1.0-1.6; P< 0.001) and isolated impaired glucose tolerance (IGT; OR: 1.3, 95% CI: 1.2-1.5; P< 0.001), but not IFG + IGT (OR: 1.1, 95% CI: 0.9-1.4; P = 0.281). When stratified by total cholesterol (TC) levels, this association between habitual snoring and prediabetes was observed only in individuals with TC <5.6 mmol/L (OR: 1.4, 95% CI: 1.2-1.6; P< 0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Habitual snoring is associated with prediabetes, but only in individuals with TC <5.6 mmol/L. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm this finding.</p>

Transcriptional activation of nuclear estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor and its regulation / 生理学报

Estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) are two important members of steroid receptors family, an evolutionarily conserved family of transcription factors. Upon binding to their ligands, ER and PR enter cell nucleus to interact with specific DNA element in the context of chromatin to initiate the transcription of diverse target genes, which largely depends on the timely recruitment of a wide range of cofactors. Moreover, the interactions between steroid hormones and their respective receptors also trigger post-translational modifications on these receptors to fine-tune their transcriptional activities. Besides the well-known phosphorylation modifications on tyrosine and serine/threonine residues, recent studies have identified several other covalent modifications, such as ubiquitylation and sumoylation. These post-translational modifications of steroid receptors affect its stability, subcellular localization, and/or cofactor recruitment; eventually influence the duration and extent of transcriptional activation. This review is to focus on the recent research progress on the transcriptional activation of nuclear ER and PR as well as their physiological functions in early pregnancy, which may help us to better understand related female reproductive diseases.

Rapid and high-throughput identification of recombinant bacteria with mass spectrometry assay / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To construct a rapid and high-throughput assay for identifying recombinant bacteria based on mass spectrometry.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) techniques were used to identify 12 recombinant proteins (10 of Yersinia pestis, 1 of Campylobacter jejuni and 1 of Helicobacter pylori). A classification model for the various phase of recombinant bacteria was established, optimized and validated, using MALDI-TOF MS-ClinProTools system. The differences in the peptide mass spectra were analyzed by using Biotyper and FlexAnalysis softwares.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Models of GA, SNN, and QC were established. After optimizing the parameters, the GA recognition model showed good classification capabilities: RC=100%, mean CVA=98.7% (the CVA was 96.4% in phase 1, 100% in phase 2, 98.4% in phase 3, and 100% in phase 4, respectively) and PPV=95%. This model can be used to classify the bacteria and their recombinant, which only requires 3.7×103 cells for analysis. The total time needed is only 10 min from protein extraction to reporting the result for one sample. Furthermore, this assay can automatically detect and test 96 samples concurrently. A total of 48 specific peaks (9, 16, 9, and 14 for the four stages, respectively) was found in the various phase of recombinant bacteria.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>MALDI-TOF MS can be used as a fast, accurate, and high-throughput method to identify recombinant bacteria, which provide a new ideas not only for recombinant bacteria but also for the identification of mutant strains and bioterrorism pathogens.</p>

Antimicrobial susceptibility of Streptococcus sp. to quinupristin-dalfopristin in China / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

This study aimed to determine the in vitro activity of quinupristin-alfopristin against Streptococcus sp. isolated in China. This agent is not yet available for clinical use, but it has been tested against a high proportion of resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains. A total of 156 streptococcal isolates, which were recovered from various geographic areas and diseases, were tested using the Etest (AB Biodisk, Solna, Sweden). Quinupristin-alfopristin showed excellent activity against all of the tested streptococci isolates. These results provide useful data for the clinical use of quinupristin-alfopristin in China.

Molecular epidemiological characteristics of Streptococcus pyogenes strains involved in an outbreak of scarlet fever in China, 2011 / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate molecular characterization of streptococcus pyogenes isolates involved in an outbreak of scarlet fever in China in 2011.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seventy-four Streptococcal pyogenes involved in an outbreak of scarlet fever were isolated from pediatric patients in the areas with high incidence in China from May to August of 2011. Emm genotyping, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), superantigen (SAg) genes and antimicrobial susceptibility profiling were analyzed for these isolates.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 4 different emm types were identified. Emm12 was the most prevalent type which contained four predominating PFGE patterns corresponding to four different virulence and superantigen profiles. Emm12 (79.7%) and emm1 (14.9%) accounted for approximately 94% of all the isolates. The speA gene was all negative in emm12 isolates and positive in emm1 isolates. All strains were resistant to erythromycin, and 89.4% of them were resistant to erythromycin, tracycline, and clindamycin simultaneously.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Several highly diversified clones with a high macrolide resistance rate comprise a predominant proportion of circulating strains, though no new emm type was found in this outbreak. The data provide a baseline for further surveillance of scarlet fever, which may contribute to the explanation of the outbreak and development of a GAS vaccine in China.</p>

Dynamic analysis of the lymphocyte subsets in HCV children with different genotypes during treatment / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To discuss the changes of lymphocyte subsets in HCV children with different genotypes during treatment with pegylated interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The genotype of 45 HCV infected children were identified by real time PCR. The lymphocyte subsets were dynamically detected by BD FACSCalibur flow cytometer with four color MultiTEST IMK Kit during the treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>For the children with 1b genotype, after 24 weeks, the CD4+ T cells were higher than pre-treatment (P < 0.05). For the children with 2a genotype, after 12 weeks and after 24 weeks, the CD3+ T cells and CD4+ T cells significantly increased while the NK cells decreased than pre-treatment (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The lymphocyte subsets of HCV children with 2a genotype were different from 1b genotype during trentment with pegylated interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin.</p>

Comparative genomic analysis of gene variations of two Chinese Yersinia pestis isolates from vaccine strain EV76 / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate genomic variations of two Chinese Yersinia pestis isolates that were isolated from different plague foci obtained from vaccine strain EV76 from the Yunnan province of China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A microarray containing 12 000 probes covering the entire genome of seven Yersinia pestis and two Yersinia pseudotuberculosis strains, was used. PCR assays were performed to confirm microarray results.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The gene variations detected included the absence of five genes related to the synthesis of betaine in both EV76 and another sequenced attenuated strain, KIM D27. Several genes related to phage-related membrane proteins were found to be absent in the Antiqua biovar Yunnan strain, 485, which was isolated from a rodent plague foci.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>These findings provide initial insight into the distinct strains isolated from natural foci, within their genomic context, including Yunnan Y. pestis strains. This information will be used therefore to establish subsequent comparisons of these sequences with published complete genomes of other strains.</p>

Transfect bone marrow stromal cells with pcDNA3.1-VEGF to construct tissue engineered bone in defect repair / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>We previously showed that nano-hydroxyapatite/carboxymethyl chitosan (n-Ha/CMCS) displayed excellent mechanical properties, good degradation rates and exceptional biocompatibility, with negligible toxicity. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the same composite with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)- transfected bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) in a rabbit radial defect model.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The nano-hydroxyapatite was produced through co-precipitation. The n-HA/CMCS scaffold was produced by particle filtration and lyophilization followed by genipin crosslinking. Total RNA from rabbit bone was reverse-transcribed to synthesize VEGF165-pcDNA3.1 that was transfected into the BMSCs. The composite was implanted into a rabbit radial defect model, and the osteogenic activity examined by gross morphology, X-ray examination and hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The microstructure and mechanical property of the n-HA/CMCS scaffold resembled natural cancellous bone. Compared with glutaric dialdehyde crosslinked scaffolds, the genipin crosslinked scaffold was less toxic, and displayed a higher capacity to promote cell adhesion and proliferation. Spontaneous fluorescence of the composite permitted visualization of the composite-bone interface and the adhesion behavior of cells on the scaffold under laser scanning confocal microscopy. The scaffold with VEGF-transfected BMSCs bridged the bony defect and promoted healing, with most of the implanted material being replaced by natural bone over time with little residual implant. Using X-ray, we noted obvious callus formation and recanalization of the bone marrow cavity. Furthermore, HE stained sections showed new cortical bone formation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The n-HA/CMCS scaffold composite with VEGF-trasnfected BMSCs is biocompatible, nontoxic, promotes the infiltration and formation of the microcirculation, and stimulates bone defect repair. Furthermore, the degradation rate of the composite matched that of growing bone. Overall, this composite material is potentially useful for bone defect repair.</p>

Comparison among three reconstruction techniques after distal radical gastrectomy / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare surgical efficacy after three different reconstruction techniques after radical resection of distal gastric cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clinical data of 169 cases of distal gastric cancer operated in our hospital from 2007 to 2010 were retrospectively analyzed. The reconstruction techniques included Billroth I (anastomosis (n=60), Billroth II (anastomosis (n=41), and Roux-en-Y anastomosis (n=68). Efficacy among 3 groups was compared. Specific symptoms scale was used to evaluate the quality of life in three methods after three months.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared to Billroth I(anastomosis and Billroth II (anastomosis, Roux-en-Y anastomosis had longer operative time [(266.3±70.4) min vs. (196.2±54.3) min, and (228.5±67.7) min], more blood loss [(220.9±67.6) ml vs. (170.5±61.5) ml and (188.5±76.7) ml], and shorter time to gastric tube removal [(2.6±1.5) d vs. (3.1±1.3) d and (3.6±1.2) d], milder postoperative reflux and heartburn sensation(specific symptoms scale, 1.8±0.4 vs. 1.9±0.6 and 2.6±0.4, P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Although Roux-en-Y anastomosis is not consistent with physiological route and the procedure is more complex to perform, it can effectively prevent reflux complications. Roux-en-Y anastomosis is a better reconstruction technique after radical resection of distal gastric cancer.</p>

Combined treatment with areola approach for capsular contracture after breast augmentation with implants / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the combined treatment with areola approach for capsular contracture after breast augmentation with implants.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From Feb. 2005 to Jun. 2011, 94 cases (168 sides) with Baker III and IV capsular contracture after breast augmentation with implants were treated with areola approach. The implants cavity was recreated, with or without removal of capsule. The implants were reimplanted behind pectoralis major or breast at the second stage in some patients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>46 cases were followed up by clinic visit and the others were followed up by telephone for 6-37 months, with an average of 9.9 months. The capsular contracture was relapsed in 2 cases as Baker III and 1 case as Baker IV. All the other breasts got a good appearance with good soft texture and feeling. No hematoma, infection, implants rupture, breast ptosis or implant displacement happened.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Combined treatment with areola approach has a good therapeutic effect for capsular contracture after breast augmentation with implants. The breast appearance is satisfactory with low occurrence of capsular contracture.</p>

The verification of a new DNA double-detection diagnostic kit for identifying novel influenza A (H1N1) / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To verify a new kit of "universal and novel influenza A (H1N1) virus nucleic acid double-detection methods (PCR-fluorescence probe)".</p><p><b>METHODS</b>150 cases of throat swab specimens were collected consecutively. After RNA was extracted, the specimens were detected by the verified kit. At the same time, the same specimens were detected by Real-time PCR diagnostic kit from Beijing CDC as the control. The data were analysed by the Kappa in agreement and by McNemar chi2 in difference test.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The consistency rate of the verified kit and the Beijing CDC kit was universal primer M 97.33%, H1N1 98.67% respectively. The Kappa test and McNemar chi2 test showed that two methods had a higher consistency. Compared to the CDC kit, the "false negative rate" and "false-positive rate"of double-check kit were lower.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The kit of "universal and novel influenza A (H1N1) virus nucleic acid double-detection methods (PCR-fluorescence probe)" from Shanghai Kehua Bio-Engineering Co., Ltd can be used to detect influenza A and novel influenza A (H1N1).</p>