Myosin Heavy Chain 7 Gene-derived miRNA-208b-3p Enhances the Fibrosis-related Gene Expression in Cardiac Fibroblasts / 中山大学学报(医学科学版)

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of myosin heavy chain 7 gene-derived miRNA-208b-3p on the fibrotic phenotype of cardiac fibroblasts. MethodsmiRNA chip array was performed to detect the dysregulated miRNAs in the myocardium of diabetic db/db mice and db/m control mice. Neonatal mouse ventricular cardiomyocytes （NMVCs） and cardiac fibroblasts （CFs） were isolated from C57BL/6 mice and cultured. Real-time quantitative PCR （RT-qPCR） was conducted to determine the expression of miR-208b-3p in mouse CFs and NMVCs subjected to angiotensinⅡ（AngⅡ） and high glucose plus glucose oxidase （G/Go） treatment， respectively. Cell counting kit 8（CCk8） assay， flow cytometry and determination of fibrosis-related protein， including COL1A1， COL3A1and α-SMA， were performed in mCFs transfected with miR-208b-3p. Dual luciferase reporter assay was performed to confirm the interaction between miR-208b-3p and the 3'-UTR of metal response element binding transcription factor 2 （Mtf2） and progesterone receptor membrane component 1（Pgrmc1）， respectively. The expressions of Mtf2 and Pgrmc1 at the mRNA and protein levels in mCFs after miR-208b-3p mimic transfection were determined using RT-qPCR and Western blot assay， respectively. The small interfering RNA （siRNA） was used to inhibit Mtf2 and Pgrmc1 expression in mCFs， and the effects of Mtf2 siRNA， Pgrmc1 siRNA and miR-208b-3p on fibrosis-related protein expression in mCFs were investigated. ResultsResults of miRNA chip array and RT-qPCR assay showed that miR-208b-3p was up-regulated in the myocardium of the diabetic db/db mice. miR-208b precursor and the host gene of Myh7 were consistently increased in db/db mice. miR-208b-3p and Myh7 mRNA were expressed in mCFs and NMVCs， but the levels of miR-208b-3p and Myh7 mRNA in NMVCs were much higher than those in mCFs. miR-208b-3p was up-regulated in mCFs and NMVCs subjected to Ang Ⅱ and G/Go treatment， respectively. miR-208b-3p could significantly enhance fibrosis-related protein， including COL1A1， COL3A1 and α-SMA， in mCFs， without affecting the proliferation activity and cell cycle distribution of mCFs. Dual luciferase reporter assay revealed the interactions of miR-208b-3p with the 3'-UTR of Mtf2 and Pgrmc1. The results of RT-qPCR and Western blotting confirmed that miR-208b-3p inhibited Mtf2 and Pgrmc1 expression at the post- transcriptional level. Transfection with miR-208b-3p mimic， Mtf2 siRNA and Pgrmc1 siRNA could consistently enhance the fibrosis-related protein expression in the cardiac fibroblasts. ConclusionsmiR-208b-3p enhances fibrosis-related gene expression by targeting Mtf2 and Pgrmc1in mCFs.

Clinical and bronchoscopy features of tracheobronchial tuberculosis in children / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To study the clinical and bronchoscopic characteristics of tracheobronchial tuberculosis (TBTB) in children and to identify factors influencing residual airway obstruction or stenosis.@*METHODS@#The clinical data of children with TBTB were retrospectively collected. The children were divided into two groups based on the last bronchoscopic result within one year of follow-up: a group with residual airway obstruction or stenosis (n=34) and a group without residual airway obstruction or stenosis (n=58). A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors influencing residual airway obstruction or stenosis in children with TBTB. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to analyze the predictive value of the factors influencing residual airway obstruction or stenosis in children with TBTB.@*RESULTS@#A total of 92 children with TBTB were included, and the main symptoms were cough (90%) and fever (68%). In children under 1 year old, the incidence rates of dyspnea and wheezing were significantly higher than in other age groups (P<0.008). Chest CT findings included mediastinal or hilar lymph node enlargement (90%) and tracheobronchial stenosis or obstruction (61%). The lymphatic fistula type was the main type of TBTB observed bronchoscopically (77%). All children received interventional treatment, and the effective rate was 84%. During one year of follow-up, 34 children had residual airway obstruction or stenosis. The TBTB diagnostic time and the initiation of interventional treatment were significantly delayed in the group with residual airway obstruction or stenosis compared with the group without residual airway obstruction or stenosis (P<0.05). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the TBTB diagnostic time was closely related to residual airway obstruction or stenosis in children (P<0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that at the cut-off value of 92 days of TBTB diagnostic time, the area under the curve for predicting residual airway obstruction or stenosis in children with TBTB was 0.707, with a sensitivity of 58.8% and a specificity of 75.9%.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The clinical manifestations of TBTB are nonspecific, and symptoms are more severe in children under 1 year old. TBTB should be suspected in children with tuberculosis and chest imaging indicating airway involvement. Delayed diagnosis of TBTB is associated with the development of residual airway obstruction or stenosis.

Association between semen collection time and semen parameters: an observational study / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

The process of semen collection plays a key role in the quality of semen specimens. However, the association between semen collection time and semen quality is still unclear. In this study, ejaculates by masturbation from 746 subfertile men or healthy men who underwent semen analysis were examined. The median (interquartile range) semen collection time for all participants was 7.0 (5.0-11.0) min, and the median time taken for semen collection was lower in healthy men than that in subfertile men (6.0 min vs 7.0 min). An increase in the time required to produce semen samples was associated with poorer semen quality. Among those undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART), the miscarriage rate was positively correlated with the semen collection time. After adjusting for confounders, the highest quartile (Q4) of collection time was negatively associated with semen volume and sperm concentration. A longer time to produce semen samples (Q3 and Q4) was negatively correlated with progressive and total sperm motility. In addition, there was a significant negative linear association between the semen collection time and the sperm morphology. Higher risks of asthenozoospermia (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 2.06, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.31-3.25, P = 0.002) and teratozoospermia (adjusted OR = 1.98, 95% CI: 1.10-3.55, P = 0.02) were observed in Q3 than those in Q1. Our results indicate that a higher risk of abnormal semen parameter values was associated with an increase in time for semen collection, which may be related to male fertility through its association with semen quality.

Influence of enteral feeding initiation time on intestinal flora and metabolites in very low birth weight infants: a prospective study / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To study the influence of enteral feeding initiation time on intestinal flora and metabolites in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants.@*METHODS@#A total of 29 VLBW infants who were admitted to the Department of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, from June to December, 2020, were enrolled as subjects. According to the enteral feeding initiation time after birth, the infants were divided into two groups: <24 hours (n=15) and 24-72 hours (n=14). Fecal samples were collected at weeks 2 and 4 of hospitalization, and 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry were used to analyze the microflora and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) respectively in fecal samples.@*RESULTS@#The analysis of microflora showed that there was no significant difference between the two groups in Chao index (reflecting the abundance of microflora) and Shannon index (reflecting the diversity of microflora) at weeks 2 and 4 after birth (P>0.05). The analysis of flora composition showed that there was no significant difference in the main microflora at the phylum and genus levels between the two groups at weeks 2 and 4 after birth (P>0.05). The comparison of SCFAs between the two groups showed that the <24 hours group had a significantly higher level of propionic acid than the 24-72 hours group at week 4 (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference in the total amount of SCFAs and the content of the other SCFAs between the two groups (P>0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Early enteral feeding has no influence on the diversity and abundance of intestinal flora in VLBW infants, but enteral feeding within 24 hours can increase the level of propionic acid, a metabolite of intestinal flora.

Association of sexually transmitted infection with semen quality in men from couples with primary and secondary infertility / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

This study aims to compare the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) with semen quality in men from couples with primary and secondary infertility. Semen samples were collected from 133 men who requested fertility evaluation. Seminal tract infection with Ureaplasma spp. (UU), Mycoplasma hominis (MH), Mycoplasma genitalium (MG), Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), and herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2) was assessed by PCR-based diagnostic assays. Among all patients, the prevalence of STIs was higher in men from couples with primary infertility than that in men from couples with secondary infertility (39.7% vs 21.7%, P = 0.03). The prevalence of UU was 28.8% and 13.3% in men from couples with primary and secondary infertility, respectively. Men from couples with primary infertility were more likely to be positive for UU than men from couples with secondary infertility (P = 0.04). Regarding the UU subtype, the prevalence of Ureaplasma urealyticum (Uuu) and Ureaplasma parvum (Uup; including Uup1, Uup3, Uup6, and Uup14) did not differ between the two groups. No associations between the prevalence rates of MH, MG, and CT were found in men from either infertility group. A lower sperm concentration was associated with STI pathogen positivity in men with primary infertility according to the crude model (P = 0.04). The crude and adjusted models showed that semen volume (both P = 0.03) and semen leukocyte count (both P = 0.02) were independently associated with secondary infertility. These findings suggest the importance of classifying the type of infertility during routine diagnosis of seminal tract infections.

Opportunities and challenges of schistosomiasis control during the construction of the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle is centered on Chengdu City and Chongqing Municipality, with aims to build the “fourth growth pole” of China’s economy. During this circle, elimination of schistosomiasis had been achieved in 82.5% of the endemic counties (districts) of Sichuan Province, and schistosomiasis is not historically endemic in Chongqing Municipality; however, there is still a risk of schistosmiasis transmission in Sichuan Province and Chongqing Municipality because the natural and social factors affecting schistosomiasis transmission have not been completely eliminated in these areas. Based on the endemic situation of schistosomiasis in Sichuan Province and Chongqing Municipality, we analyzed the opportunities and challenges of schistosomiasis control during the construction of Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle, and proposed the corresponding suggestions, so as to provide insights into the sustainable development of schistosomiasis control in the context of the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle construction.

Effect of Taiji Quan on Sleep Quality of Patients with Chronic Insomnia Disorder / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective:To explore the effect of Taiji Quan on the sleep quality of patients with chronic insomnia disorder (CID) and its mechanism. Methods:From January, 2015 to December, 2017, 31 patients with CID were enrolled in the sleep disorder clinic. Before and 24 weeks after Taiji Quan exercise, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess their sleep quality, the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, TNF-β, soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor (sTNF-R)1 and sTNF-R2 were detected with protein chip, and the correlation between the total score of PSQI and the serum levels of TNF-α, TNF-β, sTNF-R1 and sTNF-R2 were analyzed after exercise. Results:After Taiji Quan exercise, the scores of PSQI factors (subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, daytime dysfunction) and the total score of PSQI decreased (t > 4.080, P < 0.05). The serum levels of TNF-α and TNF-β decreased (t > 13.580, P < 0.01), however, the serum levels of sTNF-R1 and sTNF-R2 significantly increased (t > 160.189, P < 0.001). The serum levels of TNF-α and TNF-β were positively correlated with the total score of PSQI (r > 0.638, P < 0.001), while the serum levels of sTNF-R1 and sTNF-R2 were negatively correlated with the total score of PSQI (r > 0.532, P<0.001). Conclusion:Taiji Quan exercise could help to improve the sleep quality of patients with CID. The mechanism may be related to the decrease of the serum levels of TNF-α and TNF-β, and the increase of the serum levels of sTNF-R1 and sTNF-R2.

Investigation on current distribution of Oncomelania snails in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of Sichuan Province / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To understand the current distribution of Oncomelania snails in Sichuan Province, so as to provide scientific evidence for formulating the schistosomiasis elimination strategy and implementing the precision schistosomiasis control measures in the province. Methods According to the National Scheme on Oncomelania hupensis Snails in China and the Scheme on Oncomelania hupensis Snails in Sichuan Province, snail surveys were performed in current snail habitats, historical snail habitats and suspected snail habitats using systematic sampling in Sichuan Province from 2016 to 2017, and the survey results were analyzed. Results From 2016 to 2017, a total of 88 346 settings were surveyed in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of Sichuan Province, and 19 314 settings were detected with snails, covering an area of 4 829.25 hm2, with no Schistosoma japonicum infection identified in snails. A total of 3 017 915 frames were investigated in Sichuan Province, and 1 041 417 frames were found to have living snails, with totally 1 791 115 living snails captured. The mean density of living snails was 0.59 snails/0.1 m2, and the mean percentage of frames with living snails was 34.51% in Sichuan Province. The current snail habitats were mainly distributed in 1 704 villages, 377 townships, 54 counties (districts) of 9 cities (prefectures) across the schistosomiasis-endemic areas of Sichuan Province. Snail habitats were mainly found in ditches (70.22%), and weeds were the predominant vegetation in snail habitats (66.45%). Snails were firstly discovered in Sichuan Province in 1913, and S. japonicum-infected snails were firstly identified in 1956, with the latest identification of S. japonicum-infected snails in 2008. Conclusion There are many settings suitable for snail breeding in Sichuan Province, and snail monitoring and control should be intensified in the future.

Application and effect of integrated control model of schistosomiasis interruption in mountainous and hilly endemic regions / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To explore the integrated schistosomiasis control model in mountainous and hilly endemic regions, so as to provide insights into the development of the schistosomiasis elimination strategy. Methods Five hilly and mountainous areas endemic for schistosomiasis were selected as the integrated control demonstration areas in Sichuan Province from 2011 to 2015. According to the epidemic characteristics, economic levels and overall development planning of the demonstration areas, the goals, strategies and measures were developed, and the effectiveness of schistosomiasis control was evaluated following implementation of the integrated control. Results The support system of the integrated schistosomiasis control model was built in the integrated control demonstration areas in Sichuan Province from 2011 to 2015, and five ecological, industrialized and sustainable development models of integrated schistosomiasis control were developed, including integration of balancing rural and urban development, systematic ecological improvement, intensified ecological agriculture, scientific management and health education of schistosomiasis control and ecological ethnic circular economy. Since the implementation of the integrated schistosomiasis control model, the snail habitats were completely changed. Until 2015, 92.0% of all historical areas with snails were managed, the coverage of safe drinking water was 100.0%, and more than 95.0% of the livestock were fenced. The coverage of sanitary toilets increased by 93.0%, 96.8%, 78.8%, 87.1% and 82.0% from 2011 to 2015, respectively, and the farmers’mean yearly income increased by 32.7% in the demonstration areas. From 2011 to 2015, the seroprevalence of human Schistosoma japonicum infections reduced from 3.1% in 2011 to 1.6% in 2015 in the demonstration areas, and no egg-positives were identified. In addition, the number of fenced bovines reduced year by year, and no egg-positives were detected. The areas of snail habitats were 398.7, 108.2 hm2 and 52.9 hm2 in the demonstration areas from 2011 to 2013, with no infected snails found, and no snails were detected since 2014. The awareness of schistosomiasis control knowledge and percentage of correct behavior formation increased year by year among residents in the demonstration areas from 2011 to 2015. Conclusions The five integrated schistosomiasis control models meet the needs of the current schistosomiasis control activities in mountainous and hilly endemic areas of Sichuan Province, and achieve the goals of controlling the sources of S. japonicum infections, economic development, social progress and improving the ecological environment, which provides new insights into schistosomiasis elimination in the country.

Development and model of health education and health promotion for schistosomiasis control in mountainous and hilly endemic areas / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Transmission control and interruption of schistosomiasis has been gradually achieved in the mountainous and hilly endemic areas with the implementation of the schistosomiasis control programmes, which are moving towards the progress of schistosomiasis elimination. As an important measure of schistosomiasis control, health education is experiencing new challenges and problems in the new situation, and conventional health education of schistosomiasis control has already failed to meet the needs of socioeconomic and cultural development and the increasing changes of human production and life styles in the endemic areas. Therefore, a precision health education model for schistosomiasis control is of great need to be established to highly effectively promote the implementation of schistosomiasis control measures. This review summarizes the important role of health education in schistosomiasis control in mountainous and hilly endemic areas, and describes the new health education model based on optimization of the policy environment and creation of the community atmosphere according to the changes in the endemic situation of schistosomiasis and requirements of the schistosomiasis control target, so as to promote the precision and sustainable implementation of health education and health promotion in schistosomiasis control.

Investigation on current distribution of Oncomelania snails in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of Sichuan Province / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To understand the current distribution of Oncomelania snails in Sichuan Province, so as to provide scientific evidence for formulating the schistosomiasis elimination strategy and implementing the precision schistosomiasis control measures in the province. Methods According to the National Scheme on Oncomelania hupensis Snails in China and the Scheme on Oncomelania hupensis Snails in Sichuan Province, snail surveys were performed in current snail habitats, historical snail habitats and suspected snail habitats using systematic sampling in Sichuan Province from 2016 to 2017, and the survey results were analyzed. Results From 2016 to 2017, a total of 88 346 settings were surveyed in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of Sichuan Province, and 19 314 settings were detected with snails, covering an area of 4 829.25 hm2, with no Schistosoma japonicum infection identified in snails. A total of 3 017 915 frames were investigated in Sichuan Province, and 1 041 417 frames were found to have living snails, with totally 1 791 115 living snails captured. The mean density of living snails was 0.59 snails/0.1 m2, and the mean percentage of frames with living snails was 34.51% in Sichuan Province. The current snail habitats were mainly distributed in 1 704 villages, 377 townships, 54 counties (districts) of 9 cities (prefectures) across the schistosomiasis-endemic areas of Sichuan Province. Snail habitats were mainly found in ditches (70.22%), and weeds were the predominant vegetation in snail habitats (66.45%). Snails were firstly discovered in Sichuan Province in 1913, and S. japonicum-infected snails were firstly identified in 1956, with the latest identification of S. japonicum-infected snails in 2008. Conclusion There are many settings suitable for snail breeding in Sichuan Province, and snail monitoring and control should be intensified in the future.

Application and effect of integrated control model of schistosomiasis interruption in mountainous and hilly endemic regions / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To explore the integrated schistosomiasis control model in mountainous and hilly endemic regions, so as to provide insights into the development of the schistosomiasis elimination strategy. Methods Five hilly and mountainous areas endemic for schistosomiasis were selected as the integrated control demonstration areas in Sichuan Province from 2011 to 2015. According to the epidemic characteristics, economic levels and overall development planning of the demonstration areas, the goals, strategies and measures were developed, and the effectiveness of schistosomiasis control was evaluated following implementation of the integrated control. Results The support system of the integrated schistosomiasis control model was built in the integrated control demonstration areas in Sichuan Province from 2011 to 2015, and five ecological, industrialized and sustainable development models of integrated schistosomiasis control were developed, including integration of balancing rural and urban development, systematic ecological improvement, intensified ecological agriculture, scientific management and health education of schistosomiasis control and ecological ethnic circular economy. Since the implementation of the integrated schistosomiasis control model, the snail habitats were completely changed. Until 2015, 92.0% of all historical areas with snails were managed, the coverage of safe drinking water was 100.0%, and more than 95.0% of the livestock were fenced. The coverage of sanitary toilets increased by 93.0%, 96.8%, 78.8%, 87.1% and 82.0% from 2011 to 2015, respectively, and the farmers’mean yearly income increased by 32.7% in the demonstration areas. From 2011 to 2015, the seroprevalence of human Schistosoma japonicum infections reduced from 3.1% in 2011 to 1.6% in 2015 in the demonstration areas, and no egg-positives were identified. In addition, the number of fenced bovines reduced year by year, and no egg-positives were detected. The areas of snail habitats were 398.7, 108.2 hm2 and 52.9 hm2 in the demonstration areas from 2011 to 2013, with no infected snails found, and no snails were detected since 2014. The awareness of schistosomiasis control knowledge and percentage of correct behavior formation increased year by year among residents in the demonstration areas from 2011 to 2015. Conclusions The five integrated schistosomiasis control models meet the needs of the current schistosomiasis control activities in mountainous and hilly endemic areas of Sichuan Province, and achieve the goals of controlling the sources of S. japonicum infections, economic development, social progress and improving the ecological environment, which provides new insights into schistosomiasis elimination in the country.

Development and model of health education and health promotion for schistosomiasis control in mountainous and hilly endemic areas / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Transmission control and interruption of schistosomiasis has been gradually achieved in the mountainous and hilly endemic areas with the implementation of the schistosomiasis control programmes, which are moving towards the progress of schistosomiasis elimination. As an important measure of schistosomiasis control, health education is experiencing new challenges and problems in the new situation, and conventional health education of schistosomiasis control has already failed to meet the needs of socioeconomic and cultural development and the increasing changes of human production and life styles in the endemic areas. Therefore, a precision health education model for schistosomiasis control is of great need to be established to highly effectively promote the implementation of schistosomiasis control measures. This review summarizes the important role of health education in schistosomiasis control in mountainous and hilly endemic areas, and describes the new health education model based on optimization of the policy environment and creation of the community atmosphere according to the changes in the endemic situation of schistosomiasis and requirements of the schistosomiasis control target, so as to promote the precision and sustainable implementation of health education and health promotion in schistosomiasis control.

Molecular PET/CT Imaging with 18F-FDG for Diagnosis of SD Rat’s Liver Fibrosis / 中山大学学报(医学科学版)

@#【Objective】To assess the value of 18F-FDG PET/CT for imaging liver fibrosis.【Methods】12 male SD rats （170±10 g）were divided into model group（TAA group）and control group. In the model group，200 mg/kg thioacetamide dissolved in sterile saline was administered to rats by means of intraperitoneal injection twice a week for a total of 6 weeks. In the control group，rats were treated with the same volume of saline. At week 6 after injection，18F- FDG PET/CT imaging was performed on two groups and measurement of the liver 18F-FDG uptake in two groups was taken. After PET/ CT scans， all rats were sacrificed to observe anatomical morphological changes. Liver tissues were harvested for hematoxylin and eosin （H&E） staining，Masson staining and measurement of hydroxyproline levels. 【Results】 Liver anatomical morphology of the TAA-induced rats was roughness with brunt margins and coarse surfaces ，while control rats showed sharp margins and smooth surfaces. HE staining showed visible histological changes that hepatocyte and liver sinus area surrounded by plentiful recruited hepatocyte neutrophils in the model group. Masson staining showed that obvious proliferation of fibroblasts and deposition of collagen in liver tissues in the model group. Model group showed higher hydroxyproline content than that in the control group（P<0.001）. The results of 18F- FDG imaging indicated that apparent liver radioactivity concentration in the model group. 18F-FDG uptake value of liver tissues in the model group was higher than that in the control group（P<0.001）.【Conclusion】18F- FDG PET/CT imaging could be used for diagnosis of liver fibrosis noninvasively.

Advances in the construction of a scaffold for cardiac tissue engineering containing homogeneous and stable carbon nanotubes / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: How to efficiently and uniformly disperse carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into a tissue-engineered scaffold is crucial to construct an ideal CNTs-Polymer composite scaffold and it is also a hotspot of research in the tissue engineering. OBJECTIVE: To review the advances in the methodology progress of constructing a scaffold for cardiac tissue engineering, which contains uniformly and stably dispersed CNTs. METHODS: The Web of Science Core Collection and PubMed were searched by the first author for related papers about CNTs dispersion in the cardiac tissue engineering published from October 2004 to January 2017. The key words were "carbon nanotubes, dispersion, cardiac tissue engineering" in English. Original research papers were searched, which were screened through titles, abstracts and contents, and then reviewed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: CNTs are easy to aggregate because of high surface area, high aspect ratio and rough surface. Thus, it is one of the key points to construct an ideal CNTs-Polymer composite scaffold that whether CNTs could be uniformly and stably dispersed in polymer scaffolds. In the cardiac tissue engineering, covalent or non-covalent surface modification of CNTs significantly enhances the uniformity and stability of CNTs in the polymer scaffolds, which is conducive to construct the uniformly and stably CNTs-dispersed scaffold for cardiac tissue engineering, leading to notable improvement in mechanical and electrical properties of engineered cardiac tissues.

Identification of gene mutation associated with familial dilated cardiomyopathy by whole-exome sequencing / 复旦学报（医学版）

Objective To identify the disease-causing gene in a Chinese pedigree with familial dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) by whole-exome sequencing.Methods After collecting the clinical data and extracting the whole blood genomic DNA of the 5 family members form a Chinese DCM pedigree,whole-exome sequencing was performed to search the causative genes.Familial co-segregation analysis among the pedigree was subsequently confirmed by traditional Sanger sequencing.Results We performed whole exome sequencing (WES) on representative affected individuals and unaffected familial members from this pedigree.After comparison with variants identified in affected individuals and unaffected individuals,along with previously reported genetic mutations associated with DCM,we found that a heterozygous variant c.961 C＞T (p.Arg321Ter) in exon 6 of the LMNA gene in affected individuals matched the criteria to be the potential disease-causing gene,which was confirmed by Sanger sequencing.This stop-gain mutation leads to only a small part of LMNA-coding protein expressed,therefore we concluded that LMNA c.961 C＞T should be the causative mutation for this familial DCM case.Conclusions The nonsense mutation c.961 C＞ T in gene LMNA identified by whole-exome sequencing might be the pathogenic mutation in this DCM pedigree.

Technical improvement in retroperitoneal laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy: report of 193 cases / 北京大学学报(医学版)

Objective:To summarize our experience of retroperitoneal laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy,our continuous technical improvements and refinement of this skill and standardization of each procedure of this operation.Methods:Having approved by hospital ethical committee and local government administration,a total of 193 living donors underwent retroperitoneal laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy from Dec.2003 to Feb.2016 in our department.Under general anaesthesia,the operation was performed through 3 lumbar ports.After the kidney was liberated fully and the ureter was severed 7-8 cm under the lower pole of the kidney,the renal artery and vein were blocked with endo-cut or hem-o-lok separately and then severed.Then the kidney was taken out quickly and flushed with 4 ℃ kidney preserving fluid immediately,the donor kidneys were then preserved in iced saline until kidney transplantation.Clinical data about operation time,volume of blood loss,perioperative complications,renal function of both donors and recipients before and after operation were collected.Results:The 193 retroperitoneal laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy operations were successful with only one operation was converted to open living donor nephrectomy because of hemorrhage and unclear operation field during the operation.The average operation time was 85 min (55-135 min),the average blood loss was 60 mL (20-200 mL),and no donor needed blood transfusion during or after operation.Three donors were found to have hematoma of renal fossa after operation and none of them required further treatment.The average hospital stay after operation was 5.7 days (4-9 days).In the study,162 donors were followed up for an average of 42 months (1-58 months) and they were all healthy.Two kidney recipients had urinary bladder anastomosis leakage after operation and both needed surgical repair,a new anastomosis of ureter and bladder were made.Three kidney recipients had kidney subcapsular hematoma but required no further treatment.One kidney recipient had delayed graft function and recovered finally and the renal function of other recipients were all normal.Renal function of both donors and recipients during the follow up period were normal.Conclusion:Retroperitoneal laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy is a safe and reliable technique,it may become a standardized operation for living kidney transplantation after continuous technical improvement.Precautions must be taken to avoid complications and a skilled hand is necessary for success.

Neuron-protective effect of subanesthestic-dosage ketamine on mice of Parkinson's disease

Objective To discuss the neuron-protective effect and possible mechanism of subanesthestic-dosage ketamine on Parkinson's disease mice induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine. Methods A total of 30 mice were divided equally into three groups, model control group (MC group), ketamine treatment group (KT group), and blank control group (BC group), respectively. The Parkinson's disease mice of MC group and KT groups were established by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (20 mg/kg/d), while mice in KT group were treated by intraperitoneal injection of subanesthestic-dosage ketamine (8 mg/kg). Differences on behaviors and the number of nigra dopaminergic neurons of mice in each group were compared through the behavioral test and tyrosine hydroxylase immunohistochemistry experiments after the treatments. Furthermore, Western blot was used to test the expression of autophagy-related gene LC3-Ⅱ Beclin1, Parkin, PINK1, and mTOR. Results Compared with the BC group, the neuroethology scores were lower and the amount of TH positive cells were less both in MC and MT groups; In KT group, the neuroethology scores were higher and the amount of tyrosine hydroxylase positive cells were significantly more than that in MC group (P < 0.05). Moreover, expression levels of autophagy-related proteins LC3-II, Beclin1, Parkin, and PINK1 were higher, while the mTOR expression level was lower than that in MC group. Conclusions The subanesthestic-dosage ketamine has some protective effects on the coordinating ability of movement and cognitive ability of Parkinson's disease mice induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine. This is probably due to that the autophagy activity of cells is activated by subanesthestic-dosage ketamine and that the neurons are protected.

Neuron-protective effect of subanesthestic-dosage ketamine on mice of Parkinson's disease

OBJECTIVE@#To discuss the neuron-protective effect and possible mechanism of subanesthestic-dosage ketamine on Parkinson's disease mice induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine.@*METHODS@#A total of 30 mice were divided equally into three groups, model control group (MC group), ketamine treatment group (KT group), and blank control group (BC group), respectively. The Parkinson's disease mice of MC group and KT groups were established by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (20 mg/kg/d), while mice in KT group were treated by intraperitoneal injection of subanesthestic-dosage ketamine (8 mg/kg). Differences on behaviors and the number of nigra dopaminergic neurons of mice in each group were compared through the behavioral test and tyrosine hydroxylase immunohistochemistry experiments after the treatments. Furthermore, Western blot was used to test the expression of autophagy-related gene LC3-Ⅱ, Beclin1, Parkin, PINK1, and mTOR.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the BC group, the neuroethology scores were lower and the amount of TH positive cells were less both in MC and MT groups; In KT group, the neuroethology scores were higher and the amount of tyrosine hydroxylase positive cells were significantly more than that in MC group (P < 0.05). Moreover, expression levels of autophagy-related proteins LC3-II, Beclin1, Parkin, and PINK1 were higher, while the mTOR expression level was lower than that in MC group.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The subanesthestic-dosage ketamine has some protective effects on the coordinating ability of movement and cognitive ability of Parkinson's disease mice induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine. This is probably due to that the autophagy activity of cells is activated by subanesthestic-dosage ketamine and that the neurons are protected.

Standardized management of high-value medical consumables based on medical insurance platform / 医疗卫生装备

Objective To explore the standardized management of high-value medical consumables during medical insurance management.Methods The definition of high-value medical consumables was introduced,and the problems of high-value medical consumables were analyzed in medical insurance management.The standardized management of highvalue medical consumables was discussed from the aspects of admission and purchase management,approval of high-value medical consumables,training on medical insurance policies,construction of high-value medical consumables examination and evaluation.Results Standardized management of high-value medical consumables contributed to slowing down the increase of per capita medical consumables,controlling the amount of medical consumables during hospitalization and increasing the ratio of domestic consumables.Conclusion All the medical facilities have to avoid irrational increase of highvalue medical consumables to utilize medical insurance fund reasonably with involvement of information platform,management regulation,approval flow as well as examination and evaluation system.