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Objective To analyze the sequences of the cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (Cox1) gene of various Echinococcus granulosus genotypes that are currently recorded in the GenBank database, so as to investigate the genetic variation and differentiation of the E. granulosus genotypes across the world. Methods The sequences of the Cox1 gene of various E. granulosus genotypes that are currently recorded in the GenBank database were collected, and the same sequences of the Cox1 gene identified from a region were excluded. The mutation sites among the Cox1 gene sequences were identified and a phylogenetic tree was created based on the Cox1 gene. Results Transversion mutation was the predominant type of mutation in the Cox1 gene of E. granulosus. The same Cox1 gene sequence was found in E. granulosus G1, G6 and G7 genotypes isolated from various geographical locations across the world, with the corresponding GenBank accession numbers of KY766891, MH300971 and MH301007, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that E. granulosus G10 genotype had a remarkable geographical aggregation. Conclusions E. granulosus G1, G6 and G7 genotypes have primitive Cox1 gene sequences. There is a geographical aggregation of the E. granulosus G10 genotype in the phylogenetic tree, which has a tendency towards reproductive isolation.
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ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficiency of three Chinese commercial anti-Echinococcus antibody-based assays for the serodiagnosis of echinococcosis. MethodsA total of 142 sera from cystic echinococcosis patients, 89 sera from alveolar echinococcosis and 39 sera from healthy controls were sampled, and detected by kits A (ELISA), B (ELISA) and C (colloidal gold immunoassay). The routine blood testing results and biochemical parameters were compared between the cystic and alveolar echinococcosis patients, and the associations of the absorbance (A value) of the serum specific antibody detected by A and B kits with the routine blood testing results and biochemical parameters were examined in echinococcosis patients. In addition, the performance of these three assays for the serodiagnosis of echinococcosis was evaluated. Results There were no significant differences between the cystic and alveolar echinococcosis patients in terms of the median white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil count (NEU), monocyte count (MONO), basophil count (BASO), alanine aminotransferase concentration (ALT), aspirate aminotransferase concentration (AST), total bilirubin (TBIL), direct bilirubin (DBIL), indirect bilirubin (IBIL) (all P values > 0.05), and higher median lymphocyte count (LYM) and albumin levels (ALB) were detected in cystic echinococcosis patients than in alveolar echinococcosis patients (both P values < 0.05), while the median eosinophil count (EOS) was greater in the alveolar echinococcosis patients than in the cystic echinococcosis patients (P < 0.01). The A value of the serum specific antibody detected by kit A showed a linear positive correlation with WBC (rs = 0.153, P < 0.05) and EOS (rs = 0.174, P < 0.05), and a linear negative correlation with TBIL (rs = -0.134, P < 0.05) and IBIL (rs = -0.146, P < 0.05), while the A value of the serum specific antibody detected by kit B showed a linear positive correlation with WBC (rs = 0.257, P < 0.01), NEU (rs = 0.203, P < 0.01), MONO (rs = 0.159, P < 0.05), EOS (rs = 0.330, P < 0.01), ALT (rs = 0.171, P < 0.01) and AST (rs = 0.160, P < 0.05), and a linear negative correlation with ALB (rs = -0.168, P < 0.05). The overall coincidence rate, sensitivity, specificity, Youden’s index and Kappa value of A, B and C kits were 86.30%, 69.63% and 91.48%; 84.42%, 64.94% and 92.21%; 97.44%, 97.44% and 87.18%; 0.82, 0.62 and 0.79; and 0.600, 0.337 and 0.750 for the diagnosis of echinococcosis, respectively. The overall coincidence rate, sensitivity, specificity and Youden’s index of A, B and C kits were 84.54%, 64.64% and 71.82%; 80.99%, 55.63% and 68.31%; 97.44%, 97.44% and 87.18%; and 0.78, 0.53 and 0.56 for the diagnosis of cystic echinococcosis, respectively, while the overall coincidence rate, sensitivity, specificity and Youden’s index of A, B and C kits were 92.19%, 85.16% and 85.16%; 89.89%, 79.78% and 84.27%; 97.44%, 97.44% and 87.18%; and 0.87, 0.77 and 0.72 for the diagnosis of alveolar echinococcosis, respectively. The C kit showed cross-reactions in the serodiagnosis of cystic echinococcosis and alveolar echinococcosis. There were no significant difference in the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) between A and B kits for the diagnosis of echinococcosis (0.970 vs. 0.948, Z = 1.618, P > 0.05), and there was a high agreement between A and B kits in the diagnosis of echinococcosis (Kappa = 0.585, P < 0.01). Conclusions The three commercial anti-Echinococcus antibody-based kits exhibit a higher serodiagnostic efficiency for alveolar echinococcosis than for cystic echinococcosis. The A kit shows a high sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of echinococcosis, and has a relatively stable diagnostic performance and fewer influencing factors, which is suitable for the pre-surgical preliminary diagnosis and post-surgical follow-up monitoring of serum anti-Echinococcus antibody, while the C kit shows a high sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of echinococcosis, and is easy to perform and high in reporting rate, which is feasible for initial screening of echinococcosis.
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Breast cancer is currently among the most frequently occurring malignant tumors in female patients, with more than one million female patients suffering from breast cancer worldwide each year. Postoperative radiotherapy for breast cancer treatment is an important treatment option for patients with early breast cancer, which could significantly reduce the mortality and recurrence rate of breast cancer patients. Intramammary lymph node irradiation after radical mastectomy could improve the survival of patients with early breast cancer is currently be of controversy. This study mainly reviews the research progress of internal mammary lymph node radiotherapy, including the techniques, dose selection, survival, and adverse reaction-related reports.
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Objective To amplify and sequence Coxl and Nadl genes in Echinococcus multilocularis isolates from Qinghai Province, and to create phylogenetic trees and molecular clocks, so as to provide evidence for estimating the evolutionary relationships and origins of E. multilocularis in Qinghai Province. Methods Twenty-two post-surgical specimens of patients with hepatic alveolar echinococcosis were sampled from Qinghai Provincial People’s Hospital in 2017. The Coxl and Nadl genes were amplified from E. multilocularis samples and sequenced. Then, the gene sequences were aligned to the Coxl and Nadl genes of Echinococcus species in GenBank database. The intra-species variation was observed, and the phylogenetic tree and molecular clock were created. Results All E. multilocularis samples shared more than 99% genetic homology with the sequences of Coxl and Nadl genes from the E. multilocularis Asian strain in the GenBank database. A total of 6 genotypes were identified, including 2 isolates that had no 100% homology with the sequences of known genes in the GenBank database. Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed remarkable clustering of the E. multilocularis samples with the E. multilocularis Asian strain, and the E. multilocularis isolates from Qinghai Province were estimated to date back to 94 000 years ago by the molecular clock. Conclusions The present study characterizes 6 E. multilocularis genotypes in Qinghai Province, including 2 novel genotypes. Asian strain is the predominant strain of E. multilocularis in Qinghai Province, and the E. multilocularis isolates from Qinghai Province date back to 94 000 years ago.
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The hepatic echinococcosis is an anthropozoonosis and caused by the larva of Echinococcus. The main pathogenic type of Echinococcus in China is E. granulosus and E. multilocularis, which cause cystic echinococcosis and alveolar echinococcosis respectively. At present, the treatment of hepatic echinococcosis has made great progress, but there are still some difficulties in the treatment of complex echinococcosis, especially of the cases existing one or more complications, and the focus of infection encroaching the hepatic portal, important vessels and bile vessel. This paper based on the literature reports and clinical experiences in recent years, puts forward the surgical treatment strategy for complex hepatic echinococcosis.
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Objective To detect the expression of follicuLar helper T cells (Tfh) and interleukin-21 (IL-21) in the peripheral blood of patients with hepatic echinococcosis and healthy controls, so as to explore the associations of Tfh and IL-21 expression with the progression of hepatic echinococcosis. Methods Fifty cases of hepatic echinococcosis and healthy controls were collected from Qinghai Provincial People's Hospital, respectively. Flow cytometry was used to detect the expression of Tfh cells in the peripheral blood of hepatic echinococcosis patients and healthy controls, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect serum IL-21 expression in hepatic echinococcosis patients and healthy controls. The correlation between Tfh cell expression and serum IL-21 level was examined in the patients with hepatic echinococcosis. Results Flow cytometry detected a higher percentage of CD4+CXCR5+ T cells (18.49% ± 5.67% vs. 16.18% ± 4.04%, P < 0.05), CD4+CXCR5+PD-1+ T cells (4.94% ± 1.91% vs. 2.29% ± 0.79%, P < 0.05) and CD4+CXCR5+ICOS+PD-1+ T cells (30.93% ± 24.10% vs. 21.07% ± 14.25%, P < 0.05) in hepatic echinococcosis patients than in healthy controls, and no significant difference was seen in the percentage of CD4+CRCR5+ICOS+ T cells between the patients and controls (0.29% ± 0.32% vs. 0.25% ± 0.31%, P > 0.05) . The serum IL-21 level was significantly higher in the patients with hepatic echinococcosis than in healthy controls ([ 293.35 ± 2 03.65) pg/mL vs. (192.72 ± 70.09) pg/mL, P < 0.05]; however, there was no correlation between the Tfh cell expression and serum IL-21 level in patients with hepatic echinococcosis (P > 0.05). Conclusion The expression of peripheral blood Tfh cells and serum IL-21 is elevated in patients with hepatic echinococcosis, and Tfh cells and IL-21 may contribute to the progression of hepatic echinococcosis.
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Objective To amplify and sequence Coxl and Nadl genes in Echinococcus multilocularis isolates from Qinghai Province, and to create phylogenetic trees and molecular clocks, so as to provide evidence for estimating the evolutionary relationships and origins of E. multilocularis in Qinghai Province. Methods Twenty-two post-surgical specimens of patients with hepatic alveolar echinococcosis were sampled from Qinghai Provincial People’s Hospital in 2017. The Coxl and Nadl genes were amplified from E. multilocularis samples and sequenced. Then, the gene sequences were aligned to the Coxl and Nadl genes of Echinococcus species in GenBank database. The intra-species variation was observed, and the phylogenetic tree and molecular clock were created. Results All E. multilocularis samples shared more than 99% genetic homology with the sequences of Coxl and Nadl genes from the E. multilocularis Asian strain in the GenBank database. A total of 6 genotypes were identified, including 2 isolates that had no 100% homology with the sequences of known genes in the GenBank database. Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed remarkable clustering of the E. multilocularis samples with the E. multilocularis Asian strain, and the E. multilocularis isolates from Qinghai Province were estimated to date back to 94 000 years ago by the molecular clock. Conclusions The present study characterizes 6 E. multilocularis genotypes in Qinghai Province, including 2 novel genotypes. Asian strain is the predominant strain of E. multilocularis in Qinghai Province, and the E. multilocularis isolates from Qinghai Province date back to 94 000 years ago.
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Echinococcosis is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by the larvae of Echinococcus granulosus and E.multiltilocu-laris,which mainly violate the liver.And the surgical treatment is an important method to cure the disease at present.However, there are many surgical methods for the treatment of hepatic echinococcosis,and different surgeries with different indications and risks.With the standard of precision surgery and no tumor surgery,the surgical operation is more precise.The innovation of surgical methods makes the operation of curing complex hepatic echinococcosis become true. This paper reviews the surgical methods and indications in clinical practice so as to provide some help for better choice.
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The hepatic echinococcosis is an anthropozoonosis and caused by the larva of Echinococcus. The main pathogenic type of Echinococcus in China is E. granulosus and E. multilocularis, which cause cystic echinococcosis and alveolar echinococcosis respectively. At present, the treatment of hepatic echinococcosis has made great progress, but there are still some difficulties in the treatment of complex echinococcosis, especially of the cases existing one or more complications, and the focus of infection encroaching the hepatic portal, important vessels and bile vessel. This paper based on the literature reports and clinical experiences in recent years, puts forward the surgical treatment strategy for complex hepatic echinococcosis.
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Objective To detect the expression of follicuLar helper T cells (Tfh) and interleukin-21 (IL-21) in the peripheral blood of patients with hepatic echinococcosis and healthy controls, so as to explore the associations of Tfh and IL-21 expression with the progression of hepatic echinococcosis. Methods Fifty cases of hepatic echinococcosis and healthy controls were collected from Qinghai Provincial People's Hospital, respectively. Flow cytometry was used to detect the expression of Tfh cells in the peripheral blood of hepatic echinococcosis patients and healthy controls, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect serum IL-21 expression in hepatic echinococcosis patients and healthy controls. The correlation between Tfh cell expression and serum IL-21 level was examined in the patients with hepatic echinococcosis. Results Flow cytometry detected a higher percentage of CD4+CXCR5+ T cells (18.49% ± 5.67% vs. 16.18% ± 4.04%, P < 0.05), CD4+CXCR5+PD-1+ T cells (4.94% ± 1.91% vs. 2.29% ± 0.79%, P < 0.05) and CD4+CXCR5+ICOS+PD-1+ T cells (30.93% ± 24.10% vs. 21.07% ± 14.25%, P < 0.05) in hepatic echinococcosis patients than in healthy controls, and no significant difference was seen in the percentage of CD4+CRCR5+ICOS+ T cells between the patients and controls (0.29% ± 0.32% vs. 0.25% ± 0.31%, P > 0.05) . The serum IL-21 level was significantly higher in the patients with hepatic echinococcosis than in healthy controls ([ 293.35 ± 2 03.65) pg/mL vs. (192.72 ± 70.09) pg/mL, P < 0.05]; however, there was no correlation between the Tfh cell expression and serum IL-21 level in patients with hepatic echinococcosis (P > 0.05). Conclusion The expression of peripheral blood Tfh cells and serum IL-21 is elevated in patients with hepatic echinococcosis, and Tfh cells and IL-21 may contribute to the progression of hepatic echinococcosis.
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Objective To explore the diagnostic value of two-dimensional speckle tracking technology in the evaluation of right ventricular systolic function in patients with pulmonary disease .Methods Thirty patients with pulmonary heart disease were divided into two groups:group of compensated pulmonary heart disease(compensated group ) (n =15),group of decompensated pulmonary heart disease (decompensated group)( n =15).30 healthy subjects were enrolled in control group .The displacement of the tricuspid annulus at the midpoint(TADmid),the displacement of the tricuspid annulus at the free wall (TADfre) and the displacement of the tricuspid annulus at the septum (TADsep) were acquired,and simultaneous real-time three-dimensional ultrasound detection of right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) were taken.The correlation of TADmid with RVEF and pulmonary artery systolic pressure ( PASP) were analyzed.Results TADmid of the healthy control group,the compensated group and the decompensated group were(17.1 ±3.9)mm, (13.6 ±2.6)mm,and(9.5 ±3.2)mm respectively.TADfre were(21.1 ±3.0)mm,(17.6 ±4.2)mm,and (11.5 ±3.8) mm respectively.TADsep were(12.0 ±2.5) mm,(9.7 ±3.3) mm,and(7.4 ±2.7) mm respectively.RVEF were(56.3 ±8.2)%,(39.6 ±6.4)%,and(28.1 ±5.9)% respectively.PASP were (20.6 ±2.6) mm Hg (1 mm Hg =0.133 kPa), (63.3 ±5.6) mm Hg, and (82.5 ±11.2)mm Hg respectively.There were significant differences of TADmid , RVEF, and PASP among the 3 groups ( F =8.581,7.816,9.300,6.507,10.235, all P <0.05).TADfre, TADmid, TADsep and RVEF were all decreased in the compensated group comparing to the healthy control group ,while PASP was increased.The decrease of TADmid was the most significant ,while that of TADfre was the slightest .There were significant differences of TADfre,TADmid,TADsep,RVEF and PASP between the 2 groups(t=2.703,2.536,2.379, 2.817,3.026,all P<0.05).TADfre,TADmid,TADsep and RVEF of decompensated group reduced more significantly than the compensated group , while PASP was increased significantly .There were significant differences of TADfre,TADmid,TADsep,RVEF and PASP between the 2 groups(t=2.519,2.493,2.236, 2.621,2.985,all P<0.05);TADfre and TADmid were decreased more apparently in decompensated group than that in compensated group ,and so were TADsep and RVEF,while PASP were increased.There were significant differences of TADfre,TADmid,TADsep,RVEF and PASP between the 2 groups (t =1.947, 2.680,2.016,2.653,2.893,all P<0.05).There was significant positive correlation between TADmid and RVEF measured by real-time three-dimensional ultrasound (r =0.904,P <0.01 ).There was significant negative correlation between TADmid and PASP (r=-0.686,P<0.01).The cut-off point value of TADmid measured by speckle tracking technology for evaluation of RVEF <45% and<30% were 13.65 mm and 9.80 mm,respectively.The sensitivity were 94.4%and 90.0%respectively,and the specificity were 78.6%and 90.0%respectively.Conclusions TADmid is hardly affected by the external factors ,and it can better reflect the changes of right ventricular systolic function for patients with pulmonary heart disease .TADmid is positively correlated with RVEF measured by real-time three-dimensional ultrasound and negatively correlated with PASP.Further more,the correlations is significant.The three parameters can authenticate mutually ,and the combination of them can evaluate the right ventricular systolic function in patients with pulmonary heart disease precisely.
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Objective: To study the chemical constituents from Peperomia dindygulensis. Methods: The chemical constituents in chloroform fraction of ethanol extract from P. dindygulensis were isolated and purified by column chromatography over silica gel column, preparative TLC, and semi-preparative HPLC. Their chemical structures were elucidated on the basis of physicochemical and spectral data. Results: Two new polyketides were isolated from the chloroform extracting fraction of P. dindygulensis and identified as (4S)-1,4-dihydroxy-2-(1′, 13′-diketone-octadec-14′E-ene)-1-cyclohexen-3-one (1) and (4S)-1,4-dihydroxy-2-(1′,14′-diketone-octadec-12′E-ene) -1-cyclohexen-3-one (2). Conclusion: Compounds 1 and 2 are new compounds and named as peperomadinone A and peperomadinone B.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate mechanical properties of zirconia toughened composite alumina (ZTCA) ceramic used for dental application, characterize the effect of different zirconia contents on mechanical properties of ZTCA.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Dental alumina ceramic powder was prepared by sol-gel method, and four groups of ZTCA powders with different zirconia contents were prepared via surface-induced precipitation method. All five groups of powders were dry-pressed and then sintered to make standard specimens for mechanical tests. The flexural strength and fracture toughness of these specimens were evaluated, and the fractography was characterized by scanning electronic microscope (SEM). Phases of ZTCA were also determined using X-ray diffraction (XRD).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>It was found that the flexural strength of ZTCA ceramics increases with ZrO2 content up to 30%, and decreases thereafter. ZTCA specimens containing 30% ZrO2 show the highest flexural strength, and the corresponding fracture toughness was 1.85 MPa x m(1/2). The XRD results of ZTCA ceramics showed the phase constituents of alpha-Al2O3, t-ZrO2 and a small amount of m-ZrO2.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The strengthening and toughening mechanisms of ZTCA depend on ZrO2 content. In the range of 15%-30% ZrO2, the stress-induced phase transformation toughening mechanism is dominant, while microcrack and deflection exist as the additional toughening mechanism when ZrO2 addition amount is above 30%.</p>