Value of delta radiomic based on contrast enhanced MRI to predict pathological complete response after neoadjuvant therapy for breast cancer / 中华放射学杂志

Objective:To investigate the value of delta radiomics based on longitudinal changes of dynamic contrast enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) in predicting pathological complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) for breast cancer.Methods:The clinicopathological and imaging data of 117 patients with breast cancer confirmed by surgical pathology from April 2019 to November 2021 at Jiangxi Cancer Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. All patients were female with 23?74 (48±10) years old. The patients were randomly divided into training (81 cases) and test sets (36 cases) at the ratio of 7∶3 according to the number of random seeds in the software. All patients underwent DCE-MRI before and after early NAT (2 courses). The maximum diameter relative regression value of breast tumors before and after early NAT (D%) was calculated and used to construct a conventional imaging model. The delta radiomic features were extracted based on pre-NAT and early-NAT (2 courses) DCE-MRI and selected by redundancy analysis and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator algorithm. A ten-fold cross-validation method was used to construct the delta radiomic model and Radscore was calculated for each patient. All patients were classified into pCR group and non-pCR group according to the surgical pathology after NAT. Significant clinicopathological variables were selected by univariate analysis and stepwise regression method. They were integrated with D% and Radscore to build the combined model and nomogram. The model performance in predicting pCR after NAT in breast cancer was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic curve and the area under the curve (AUC), and the clinical utility of the models was compared by using clinical decision curves.Results:The combined model had the best diagnostic performance among the three models, with an AUC of 0.90 in the training set and 0.87 in the test set. The Radscore had the highest weight in the nomogram. In the training set, the diagnostic performance of the combined model and delta radiomics model were better than that of the conventional imaging model ( Z=?3.48, P=0.001; Z=2.54, P=0.011). The clinical decision curves showed an overall greater clinical benefit of the combined model compared with the conventional imaging model and delta radiomic model. Conclusions:The addition of significant clinicopathological variables and Radscore of delta radiomic model which represents the longitudinal changes in tumor heterogeneity to the conventional imaging model may improve the predictive ability of pCR. The delta radiomic may serve as a noninvasive biomarker for early prediction of NAT response.

Analysis on clinical and genetic characteristics of children with ATP-sensitive potassium channel congenital hyperinsulinism / 中华胰腺病杂志

Objective:To analyze clinical characteristics and genetic characteristics of children with ATP sensitive potassium passage (K ATP-HI). Methods:Forty-five children with genetically confirmed K ATP-HI and their families admitted to Beijing Children′s Hospital of Capital Medical University between February 2002 and December 2018 were selected as the study subjects. A detailed retrospective analysis of the patient's clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment process, disease-causing gene carrying status and later follow-up data was performed. ABCC8/KCNJ11 gene was sequenced by second-generation sequencing technology. Results:Among 45 children with K ATP-HI, 34 cases (75.6%) were neonatal onset, the first symptoms of 21 cases (46.7%) were convulsions. 39 cases had been treated with diazoxide, including 12 cases (30.8%) with good efficacy, 16 cases (41%) with poor efficacy and 11 cases with uncertain efficacy. Octreotide was further applied in 18 patients with uncertain or ineffective efficacy after diazoxide treatment, and 13 cases (72.2%) were effective, 3 cases were ineffective, and 2 cases were uncertain. 10 CHI patients who were ineffective to drug treatment or had clearly focal lesions confirmed by 18F-dopa positron emission by computed tomography ( 18F-DOPA PET) scans had undergone surgical treatment, 8 of which underwent partial pancreatectomy and blood glucose returned to normal after the operation; the other 2 cases underwent subtotal pancreatectomy and both had secondary diabetes after operation. Among 45 children with K ATP-HI, 1 case carried both ABCC8 and KCNJ11 mutations, 10 cases carried ABCC8 compound heterozygous mutations, and the remaining 34 cases carried ABCC8/KCNJ11 single genetic mutation. Among them, 21 cases had paternal inheritance, and 3 cases had maternal inheritance, 6 cases were identified with de novo mutations. Conclusions:Diazoxide treatment was ineffective for most K ATP-HI children, but octreotide had a higher effective rate. Partial pancreatectomy for focal type patients had a higher cure rate, and there was a risk of secondary diabetes after subproximal pancreatectomy, so it was very important to clarify the histological type of children before surgery. ABCC8 gene mutations and KCNJ11 gene mutations were the main pathogenic genes of K ATP-HI. Among patients carrying mutations in single ABCC8 or KCNJ11 gene mutation, K ATP-HI inherited by paternity were the majority. Some K ATP-HI children can relieve the hypoglycemia symptoms by themselves.

Peptide-RNA complexation-induced fluorescence"turn on"displacement assay for the recognition of small ligands targeting HIV-1 RNA / 药物分析学报

The regulator of expression of virion(Rev)protein binds specifically to the Rev-responsive element(RRE)RNA in order to regulate the expression of the human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)-1 genes.Fluores-cence indicator displacement assays have been used to identify ligands that can inhibit the Rev-RRE interaction;however,the small fluorescence indicators cannot fully replace the Rev peptide or protein.As a result,a single rhodamine B labeled Rev(RB-Rev)model peptide was utilized in this study to develop a direct and efficient Rev-RRE inhibitor screening model.Due to photon-induced electron transfer quenching of the tryptophan residue on the RB fluorophore,the fluorescence of RB in Rev was weakened and could be dramatically reactivated by interaction with RRE RNA in ammonium acetate buffer(approximately six times).The interaction could reduce the electron transfer between tryptophan and RB,and RRE could also increase RB fluorescence.The inhibitor screening model was evaluated using three known positive Rev-RRE inhibitors,namely,proflavin,6-chloro-9-[3-(2-chloroethylamino)pro-pylamino]-2-methoxyacridine(ICR 191),and neomycin,as well as a negative drug,arginine.With the addition of the positive drugs,the fluorescence of the Rev-RRE decreased,indicating the displacement of RB-Rev.This was confirmed using atomic force microscopy(AFM)and the fluorescence was essentially unaffected by the addition of arginine.The results demonstrated that RB-Rev can be used as a fluorescent probe for recognizing small ligands that target RRE RNA.The Rev-RRE inhibitor screening model offers a novel approach to evaluating and identifying long-acting Rev inhibitors.

Clinical and genetic characteristics analysis of Chinese children with glutamate dehydrogenase type of congenital hyperinsulinemia / 中华胰腺病杂志

Objective:To analyze the clinical features and genetic characteristics of Chinese children with glutamate dehydrogenase type of congenital hyperinsulinism (GDH-HI).Methods:Pedigrees with 10 GDH-HI children admitted to Beijing Children′s Hospital from February 2008 to December 2018 were selected as subjects. Clinical features, the detection of pathogenic genes and follow-up data were retrospectively analyzed. Polymerase chain reaction DNA (PCR-DNA) direct sequencing method and second generation sequencing technique were used to analyze the GLUD1 genetic sequences of 10 GDH-HI children and their relatives.Results:Of the 10 GDH-HI children, 9 had normal birth weight and 1 was a giant. Nine patients were accompanied by asymptomatic hyperammonemia, and one had normal blood ammonia. 9 had ever been treated with diazoxide, which was all effective. All 10 children carried GLUD1 gene mutations, 5 patients carried c. 965C>T (p.R322H) GLUD1 gene mutation, and the remaining 5 cases carried c. 1388A>T (p.N463I), c. 1495C>A(p.G499C), c. 1493C>T(p. S498L), c. 1519G>A(p.H507Y) and c. 1388A>G(p.N463S), respectively. 9 cases (90%) had de novo mutations, and 1 case had paternal autosomal dominant inheritance. 8 children were followed up in long term. One child had spontaneous remission in 8 years after being diagnosed, and seven patients required long-term oral diazoxide to maintain normal blood glucose levels, two of whom had epilepsy.Conclusions:The birth weight of children with GDH-HI in China was usually normal. A small number of GDH-HI children had normal serum ammonia levels. Most of the GLUD1 gene mutations in GDH-HI children in China were de novo mutations, among which the GDH p. R322H mutation was a hot spot mutation in Chinese children with GDH-HI. Most of GDH-HI children were diazoxide-responsive. As the disease progresses, some children may have epilepsy, and a few children have a tendency to relieve by themselves.

Clinical and genetic characteristics analysis of Chinese children with glutamate dehydrogenase type of congenital hyperinsulinemia / 中华胰腺病杂志

Objective@#To analyze the clinical features and genetic characteristics of Chinese children with glutamate dehydrogenase type of congenital hyperinsulinism (GDH-HI).@*Methods@#Pedigrees with 10 GDH-HI children admitted to Beijing Children′s Hospital from February 2008 to December 2018 were selected as subjects. Clinical features, the detection of pathogenic genes and follow-up data were retrospectively analyzed. Polymerase chain reaction DNA (PCR-DNA) direct sequencing method and second generation sequencing technique were used to analyze the GLUD1 genetic sequences of 10 GDH-HI children and their relatives.@*Results@#Of the 10 GDH-HI children, 9 had normal birth weight and 1 was a giant. Nine patients were accompanied by asymptomatic hyperammonemia, and one had normal blood ammonia. 9 had ever been treated with diazoxide, which was all effective. All 10 children carried GLUD1 gene mutations, 5 patients carried c. 965C>T (p.R322H) GLUD1 gene mutation, and the remaining 5 cases carried c. 1388A>T (p.N463I), c. 1495C>A(p.G499C), c. 1493C>T(p. S498L), c. 1519G>A(p.H507Y) and c. 1388A>G(p.N463S), respectively. 9 cases (90%) had de novo mutations, and 1 case had paternal autosomal dominant inheritance. 8 children were followed up in long term. One child had spontaneous remission in 8 years after being diagnosed, and seven patients required long-term oral diazoxide to maintain normal blood glucose levels, two of whom had epilepsy.@*Conclusions@#The birth weight of children with GDH-HI in China was usually normal. A small number of GDH-HI children had normal serum ammonia levels. Most of the GLUD1 gene mutations in GDH-HI children in China were de novo mutations, among which the GDH p. R322H mutation was a hot spot mutation in Chinese children with GDH-HI. Most of GDH-HI children were diazoxide-responsive. As the disease progresses, some children may have epilepsy, and a few children have a tendency to relieve by themselves.

Floating-Harbor syndrome: a case report and literature review / 中国当代儿科杂志

Floating-Harbor syndrome (FHS) is an autosomal dominant genetic disease caused by SRCAP mutation. This article reports the clinical features of a boy with FHS. The boy, aged 11 years and 7 months, attended the hospital due to short stature for more than 8 years and had the clinical manifestations of unusual facial features (triangularly shaped face, thin lips and long eyelashes), skeletal dysplasia (curvature finger), expressive language disorder, and retardation of bone age. Genetic detection revealed a novel heterozygous mutation, c.7330 C>T(p.R2444X), in the SRCAP gene. The boy was diagnosed with FHS based on these clinical manifestations and gene detection results. FHS is rare in clinical practice, which may lead to missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis, and gene detection may help with the clinical diagnosis of FHS in children.

The construction and use of the operating room for in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) in non-human primates / 中国比较医学杂志

The non-human primates have been profoundly being used to study the human reproductive models .It is the prerequisites to set up the operating rooms including hardware and software on reproductive experiments and transgenic manipulation.Thus, Combined with the practice of our center , both the construction and the associated problems about the IVF-ET operating rooms were discussed in this paper .It will provide some help for the related researches .

Allergy-related evidences in relation to serum IgE: data from the China state key laboratory of respiratory disease, 2008-2013 / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the serum total IgE (tIgE) and specific IgE (sIgE) to common allergens among allergic patients in Guangzhou, China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>7 085 patients were examined for tIgE and sIgE to 15 allergens, based on the protocols of reversed enzyme allergosorbent test and the sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>3 758 (53.04%) patients tested positive for tIgE, and 4 640 (65.49%) for sIgE. Der pteronyssinus, Der farinae, eggs, and cow's milk were the most common allergens leading to higher positive rates of sIgE responses. Several peaks of sensitization were: Der pteronyssinus, Der farinae, and Blomia tropicalis at age 10-12; cow's milk at age below 3; eggs at age 4-6. The mean level and positive rate of tIgE tended to increase in subjects sensitized to more allergens. Sensitization to Der pteronyssinus (OR, 1.6; P<0.05), Der farinae (OR, 1.5; P<0.05), Blomia tropicalis (OR, 1.4; P<0.05), Blattella germanica (OR, 1.5; P<0.05), cow's milk (OR, 1.3; P<0.05), and soy beans (OR, 2.0; P<0.05) were independently correlated with allergy-related conditions in preliminary diagnosis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The major allergens in Guangzhou include Der pteronyssinus, Der farinae, cow's milk, and eggs. Sensitization to these allergens appears to be predictors of allergy-related disorder.</p>

Visualization of Peripheral Pulmonary Artery Red Thrombi Utilizing Optical Coherence Tomography

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a new imaging technique capable of obtaining high-resolution intravascular images and has been used in interventional cardiology. However, an application of OCT in pulmonary arteries had seldom been documented. In this case, OCT imaging is performed in peripheral pulmonary arteries and shows mural red thrombi. Subsequently, the red thrombi are aspirated and confirmed by a histological examination. These findings suggest that OCT may be a useful tool to depict peripheral pulmonary artery thrombi.

Using optical coherence tomography to detect peripheral pulmonary thrombi / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a new imaging technique capable of obtaining high-resolution intravascular images of small vessels and has been widely used in interventional cardiology. However, application of OCT in peripheral pulmonary arteries in patients has been seldom documented.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Three patients who were highly suspected peripheral pulmonary arteries thrombi and had undergone CT pulmonary angiography but tested negative for thrombi in peripheral pulmonary arteries were enrolled. Subsequently, OCT imaging was performed in peripheral pulmonary arteries. The patients received more than three-month anticoagulative treatment if thrombi were detected by OCT. Thereafter, OCT re-evaluation of the thrombolized blood vessels detected earlier was performed. The changes of thrombi before and after anticoagulative treatment were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Three patients underwent OCT imaging of peripheral pulmonary arteries. Thrombi were found in most of imaged vessels in these patients. Red and white thrombi can be differentiated, according to features of the thrombus on OCT images. After anticoagulation treatment, these patients' symptoms and hypoxemia improved. Repeated OCT imaging showed that most thrombi disappeared or became smaller.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>OCT may be used as a potential tool for detecting peripheral pulmonary artery thrombi and differentiating red thrombi from white ones.</p>

Comparison study on adsorption of middle molecular substances with multiwalled carbon nanotubes and activated carbon / 生物医学工程学杂志

In recent years, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCTs) are very favorable to the adsorption of middle molecular substances in the hemoperfusion because of their multiporous structure, large surface area and high reactivity, which are beneficial to the excellent absorption properties. The purpose of this study was to study the MWCTs on the adsorption capacity of the middle molecular substances. Vitamin B12 (VB12) was selected as a model of the middle molecular substances. The morphologies of MWCTs and activated carbon from commercial "carbon kidney" were observed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The adsorption behavior of VB12 was compared to each other with UV-visible absorption spectra. The MWCTs formed a sophistaicate gap structure, and compared to the activated carbon, MWCTs had a larger surface area. By Langmuir equation and Freundlich equation fitting analysis, VB12 adsorption on MWCTs is fit for multi-molecular layer adsorption, and the adsorption type of activated carbon is more inclined to the model corresponding to Langmuir monolayer adsorption. The adsorption rate of MWCTs is faster than that of the activated carbon and the adsorption capacity is greater, which could be expected to become the new adsorbent in the hemoperfusion.

Efficient Derivation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Neural Precursor Cells From Human Embryonic Stem Cells Through Teratoma Formation / 生物化学与生物物理进展

Many somatic cell typos were obtained by in vitro differentiation or teratoma formation of human embryonic stem ceLls (hESCs). However, it is unclear whether specific cell types can be obtained from hESCs-derived teratoma. It was reported that many kinds of cells, including neural progetfitor/precursor cells (NPCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were isolated efficiently from the teratoma of hESCs through in vitro selection. The teratoma-derived NPCs and MSCs showed specific characteristics of molecular markers similar to the primary NPCs and MSCs. Moreover, these teratoma-induced NPCs and MSCs can be further induced to differentiate into neurons, astrocytes, or adipose and bone cells, reflecting their inherent multi-potencies. Given that teratoma normally contains a mixture of ectoderm, mesodenn, and endoderm lineage cells at different differentiation stage, it was suggested that hESCs-derived teratoma could be an alternative source to generate a variety of uncommitted progenitor cells or terminally differentiated somatic cells, which may be otherwise difficult to obtain through direct in vitro differentiation.

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis of Duchenne muscular dystrophy by single cell triplex PCR / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To detect two exons of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) gene and a gender discrimination locus amelogenin gene by single cell triplex PCR, and to evaluate the possibility of this technique for preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) in DMD family with DMD deletion mutation.@*METHODS@#Single lymphocytes from a normal male, a normal female, two DMD patients (exon 8 and 47 deleted, respectively) and single blastomeres from the couples treated by the in vitro fertilization pre-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) and without family history of DMD were obtained. Exons 8 and 47 of DMD gene were amplified by a triplex PCR assay, the amelogenin gene on X and Y chromosomes were co-amplified to analyze the correlation between embryo gender and deletion status.@*RESULTS@#In the normal single lymphocytes, the amplification rate of exons 8 and 47 of DMD and amelogenin gene were 93.8%, 93.8%, and 95.3% respectively. The false positive rate was 3.3%. In the exon 8 deleted DMD patient, the amplification rate of exon 47 of DMD and amelogenin gene was 95.8%, and the false positive rate was 3.3%. In the exon 47 deleted DMD patient, the amplification rate of exon 8 of DMD and amelogenin gene was 95.8%, and the false positive rate was 0. In the single blastomeres, the amplification rate of exons 8 and 47 of DMD and amelogenin gene was 82.5%, 80.0% and 77.5%, respectively, and the false positive rate was 0.@*CONCLUSION@#The single cell triplex PCR protocol for the detection of DMD and amelogenin gene is highly sensitive, specific and reliable, and can be used for PGD in those DMD families with DMD deletion mutation.

Biological characteristics and safety evaluation of endothelial progenitor cells from the umbilical cord blood / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the biological characteristics of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) from the umbilical cord blood (UCB), and to evaluate their oncogenicity after long-term culture in vitro.@*METHODS@#The mononuclear cells (MNCs) were isolated from the UCB and cultured in MCDB131 medium supplemented with 20% FBS, VEGF and other growth factors. Morphology of the EPCs was observed, and the growth curve of the EPCs was investigated. Surface antigens of the EPCs were analyzed by the flow-cytometer. The capability of intaking the acetylated low-density lipoprotein (acLDL) of the EPCs was detected using fluoresencent chemical method. The vasoformative capability and genetic stability of EPCs were cultured in matrigel, and examined by karyotype analysis. The oncogenicity of EPCs was verified by the tumorigenesis test in athymic mouse and soft agar.@*RESULTS@#EPCs were successfully derived from the UCB, and could be passaged to at least 42(nd) generation and had strong abilities of proliferation, acLDL intake and vasoformation, but there was not oncogenicity. They expressed endothelial cell-surface antigens and maintained normal karyotype.@*CONCLUSION@#The EPCs with proliferative potential can be isolated from the UCB. They can be passaged in long-term cultures without oncogenicity, and can maintain normal karyotype. The EPCs can be served as a new type of cells in cell and gene therapy.

Evaluation by indirect immunofluorescent assay and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay of the dynamic changes of serum antibody responses against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) is a newly emerging virus that gives rise to SARS patients with high rates of infectivity and fatality. To study the humoral immune responses to SARS-CoV, the authors evaluated IgG and IgM specific antibodies in patients' sera.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Two methods, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and indirect immunofluorescent assay (IFA), were used to detect specific serum IgG and IgM against SARS-CoV in 98 SARS patients and 250 controls consisting of patients with pneumonia, health-care professionals and healthy subjects. The serum antibody profiles were investigated at different times over one and a half years in 18 of the SARS patients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The sensitivity and specificity of ELISA for detecting IgG against SARS-CoV were 100.0% and 97.2% and for IgM 89.8% and 97.6% respectively; the figures using IFA for IgG were 100.0% and 100.0% and for IgM 81.8% and 100.0% respectively. During the first seven days of the antibodies trace test, no IgG and IgM were detected, but on day 15, IgG response increased dramatically, reaching a peak on day 60, remaining high up to day 180 and decreasing gradually until day 540. On day 15, IgM was detected, rapidly reached a peak, then declined gradually until day 180 when IgM was undetectable.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The detection of antibodies against SARS virus is helpful in the clinical diagnosis of SARS.</p>

Protective effect of a bacterial extract against acute exacerbation in patients with chronic bronchitis accompanied by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Immunostimulating agents made from bacterial extracts represent a class of medications that contains antigens derived from several bacterial strains and their potential ability to prevent bacterial infections results from the stimulation of the nonspecific component of the immune system. The present study investigated the effect of the oral immunostimulant Broncho-Vaxom, which includes material from eight different species of bacteria that are frequently present in the lower respiratory tract, on the frequency and severity of acute exacerbation in patients with chronic bronchitis accompanied by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ninety patients with chronic bronchitis complicated with COPD were randomly divided into groups A and B. Forty-nine subjects in group A received oral capsules containing 7 mg Broncho-Vaxom, while 41 patients in group B received similar placebo capsules. Both groups took one capsule daily for the first 10 days of each month for 3 consecutive months. The frequency of acute exacerbation, symptom scores, and lung function were recorded for the following one year period.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was a significant decrease in the incidence, duration, and severity of acute exacerbation, as well as a reduction in the course of antibiotics administered and in the dosage of bronchodilator and mucolytic agent in group A, as compared to group B (P < 0.05, respectively). Symptom scores for cough, sputum, dyspnea, as well as symptoms observed upon auscultation of the chest also improved significantly in group A as compared to group B (P < 0.05, respectively). The bacterial clearance rate in sputum cultures from patients who received no antibiotics for the first 3 months was also significantly higher in group A compared to group B (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Orally administered Broncho-Vaxom is associated with a decrease in the incidence of acute exacerbation and a decrease in the need for antibiotics and symptomatic relief medications in patients with chronic bronchitis accompanied by COPD. Broncho-Vaxom is also associated with a decrease in symptom scores. Without causing any apparent adverse effects, this drug may also help to eradicate pathogenic bacteria in the airways.</p>

Chemokine-like factor 1, a novel cytokine, contributes to airway damage, remodeling and pulmonary fibrosis / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Chemokine-like factor 1 (CKLF1) was recently identified as a novel cytokine. The full-length CKLF1 cDNA contains 530 bp encoding 99 amino acid residues with a CC motif similar to that of other CC family chemokines. Recombinant CKLF1 exhibits chemotactic activity on leucocytes and stimulates proliferation of murine skeletal muscle cells. We questioned whether CKLF1 could be involved in the pathogenesis of inflammation and proliferation in the lung. Therefore we used efficient in vivo gene delivery method to investigate the biological effect of CKLF1 in the murine lung.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>CKLF1-expressing plasmid, pCDI-CKLF1, was constructed and injected into the skeletal muscles followed by electroporation. Lung tissues were obtained at the end of week 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively after injection. The pathological changes in the lungs were observed by light microscope.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A single intramuscular injection of CKLF1 plasmid DNA into BALB/c mice caused dramatic pathological changes in the lungs of treated mice. These changes included peribronchial leukocyte infiltration, epithelial shedding, collagen deposition, proliferation of bronchial smooth muscle cells and fibrosis of the lung.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The sustained morphological abnormalities of the bronchial and bronchiolar wall, the acute pneumonitis and interstitial pulmonary fibrosis induced by CKLF1 were similar to phenomena observed in chronic persistent asthma, acute respiratory distress syndrome and severe acute respiratory syndrome. These data suggest that CKLF1 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of these important diseases and the study also implies that gene electro-transfer in vivo could serve as a valuable approach for evaluating the function of a novel gene in animals.</p>

The relationship between the postmortem interval and growing of the fly / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To study the growing of flies on body after different postmortem interval.@*METHODS@#In natural environment, time points when flies coming, gathering, making eggs, and maggots pupating, emergencing were observed on a female body died of disease.@*RESULTS@#The time when flies coming, gathering, making eggs, and maggots pupating, changing to chrysalis, and emergencing were 0.2, 28, 44, 60, 112 and 248 h after one's death, respectively.@*CONCLUSION@#This study may be used in PMI estimation.

Extracorporeal shock-wave versus pneumatic ureteroscopic lithotripsy in treatment of lower ureteral calculi / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>AIM</b>To compare the efficacy and complications of extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (SWL) and pneumatic ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URS) in the treatment of lower ureteral calculi.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From August 1997 to June 1999, 210 patients with calculi in the distal third of the ureter were treated with SWL and the other 180 with URS. The stones were fragmented with either HB-ESWL-V lithotripter or JML-93 pneumatic lithotripter through Wolf 7.5 approximately 9.0 Fr ureteroscope. The outcome was assessed in terms of stone clearance rate, re-treatment rate and complication incidence.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The stone clearance rate was 78.1 % with SWL and 93.3 % with URS (P<0.05). SWL had a re-treatment rate of 11.9 %, vs 2.2 % in the URS group (P<0.05). URS caused ureteral perforation in 3.3% of patients, while it was 0 with SWL (P<0.05). The differences in the incidence of other complications such as infection and stricture between the two groups were insignificant.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Though the selection of these two options depends on equipments available and the expertise of the operator, we recommend URS as the optimal treatment for distal ureteral calculi.</p>

Acquisition and Analysis of 149 ESTs and 18 Novel Genes of Schistosoma japonicum / 中国寄生虫学与寄生虫病杂志

Subjective To acquire and analyze adult stage Schistosoma japonicum (Chinese strain) expressed sequence tags and new genes from an adult S. japonicum cDNA library, and to search new vaccine candidates and drug targets. Methods A cDNA library was constructed from adult stage S. japonicum. Clones were selected randomly from the cDNA library and were se-quenced. ESTs and new genes were acquired after analysis in GenBank databases by BLAST and other programs. All ESTs and new genes were submitted to GenBank and received accession numbers. Results 149 ESTs were acquired from a total 382 clones that were randomly selected from the adult S. japonicum cDNA library. All ESTs were successfully submitted to the dbEST at Genbank. Some of them were homologous with sequences of male, female, egg, schistosomula, cercaria and miracidia of S. japonicum. 18 new genes of adult S. japonicum were acquired. Some genes were housekeeping genes and some genes might be interesting as vaccine candidates or drugs targets. Conclusions The EST straltegy is a rapid, efficient and economical method to acquire ESTs and to discover new genes of adult stage S. japonicum from cDNA libraries.[