Robot-assisted radical nephroureterectomy using the KangDuo Surgical Robot-01 System versus the da Vinci System: a multicenter prospective randomized controlled trial

ABSTRACT Introduction: We aim to compare the safety and effectiveness of the KangDuo (KD)-Surgical Robot-01 (KD-SR-01) system and the da Vinci (DV) system for robot-assisted radical nephroureterectomy (RARNU). Materials and Methods: This multicenter prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted between March 2022 and September 2023. Group 1 included 29 patients undergoing KD-RARNU. Group 2 included 29 patients undergoing DV-RARNU. Patient demographic and clinical characteristics, perioperative data, and follow-up outcomes were collected prospectively and compared between the two groups. Results: There were no significant differences in patient baseline demographic and preoperative characteristics between the two groups. The success rates in both groups were 100% without conversion to open or laparoscopic surgery or positive surgical margins. No significant difference was observed in docking time [242 (120-951) s vs 253 (62-498) s, P = 0.780], console time [137 (55-290) min vs 105 (62-220) min, P = 0.114], operative time [207 (121-460) min vs 185 (96-305) min, P = 0.091], EBL [50 (10-600) mL vs 50 (10-700) mL, P = 0.507], National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index scores, and postoperative serum creatinine levels between the two groups. None of the patients showed evidence of distant metastasis, local recurrence, or equipment-related adverse events during the four-week follow-up. One (3.4%) patient in Group 2 experienced postoperative enterovaginal and enterovesical fistulas (Clavien-Dindo grade III). Conclusions: The KD-SR-01 system is safe and effective for RARNU compared to the DV Si or Xi system. Further randomized controlled studies with larger sample sizes and longer durations are required.

Is it necessary for all patients with suspicious lesions undergo systematic biopsy in the era of MRI-TRUS fusion targeted biopsy?

ABSTRACT Purpose Targeted biopsy (TB) combined with systematic biopsy (SB) is an optimized mode of prostate biopsy but can often lead to oversampling and overdiagnosis accompanied by potential biopsy-related complications and patient discomfort. Here, we attempted to reasonably stratify the patient population based on multi-parameter indicators with the aim of avoiding unnecessary SB. Methods In total, 340 biopsy-naïve men with suspected lesions, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) < 20 ng/mL and prostate imaging-reporting and data system (PI-RADS) ≥ 3 enrolled for study underwent both TB and SB. The primary outcome was to determine independent predictors for a valid diagnosis, assuming that only TB was performed and SB omitted (defined as mono-TB), taking TB + SB as the reference standard. The secondary outcomes were exploration of the predictive factors of mono-TB and TB + SB in detection of prostate cancer (PCa) and clinically significant PCa (csPCa). Results The mean PSA density (PSAD) of patient group was 0.27 ng/mL/mL. Multiparametric MRI PI-RADS scores were 3-5 in 146 (42.94%), 105 (30.88%), and 89 (26.18%) cases, respectively. PCa and csPCa were detected in 178/340 (52.35%) and 162/340 (47.65%) patients, respectively. Overall, 116/178 (65.17%) patients diagnosed with PCa displayed pathological consistencies between mono-TB and TB + SB modes. PSAD and PI-RADS were independent predictors of valid diagnosis using mono-TB. Conclusions PSAD combined with PI-RADS showed utility in guiding optimization of the prostate biopsy mode. Higher PSAD and PI-RADS values were associated with greater confidence in implementing mono-TB and safely omitting SB, thus effectively balancing the benefits and risks.

Rapid bacterial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing assay in positive blood cultures / 预防医学

Objective@#To establish a rapid bacterial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing assay in positive blood cultures, so as to provide insights into timely diagnosis and treatment of bloodstream infections.@*Methods@#A total of 1 154 blood culture samples were collected from inpatients in Zhejiang Hospital from February to May, 2022. The bacterial isolates were enriched and purified using improved separation gel method, and bacterial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility tests were performed using VITEK2 mass spectrometry system and VITEK2 Compact automated microbiology system. The accuracy of the new assay for bacterial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility tests was evaluated with the conventional VITEK 2 compact system as the standard. @*Results@#Of 1 154 blood culture specimens, the conventional VITEK 2 compact system detected 174 positives and 980 negatives. The new assay and the conventional VITEK 2 compact system identified consistent bacterial isolates in 165 out of 174 positive blood culture samples, and the accuracy of bacterial identification was 94.83% for the new assay, with a 99.21% accuracy for identifying Gram-negative bacteria and 82.22% for Gram-positive bacteria. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests were performed in 158 bacterial isolates, and the new assay presented a 90.17% accuracy, with a 90.27% accuracy for Gram-negative bacteria and 89.74% for Gram-positive bacteria. The conventional VITEK 2 compact system required 30 hours and longer to complete bacterial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility tests, and the new assay required 9 to 18 hours.@*Conclusions@#The new rapid bacterial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing assay shortens the time of bacterial culture, achieves rapid bacterial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing in blood culture specimens and has a high accuracy that meets clinical needs, which facilitates rapid diagnosis and treatment of bloodstream infections.

Epidemiological characteristics of influenza outbreaks in Zhejiang Province from 2013 to 2022 / 预防医学

Objective@#To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of influenza outbreaks in Zhejiang Province from 2013 to 2022, so as to provide insights into influenza prevention and control. @*Methods@#Data pertaining to influenza outbreaks reported in Zhejiang Province from 2013 to 2022 were collected from National Influenza Surveillance System in China, including time, region, cases and pathogen types of influenza outbreaks. The temporal, spatial and pathogen distribution of influenza outbreaks were analyzed using a descriptive epidemiological method. @*Results@#A total of 577 influenza outbreaks involving 448 698 individuals were reported in Zhejiang Province from 2013 to 2022, and the overall attack rate was 5.34% (23 974 cases), with no death reported. The lowest attack rate of influenza was 0.26%, and the highest was 80.00%, with a median attack rate of 10.89% (interquartile range, 24.26%). The outbreak had the shortest duration of 1.00 day, and the longest duration of 59.00 days, with a median duration of 9.00 (interquartile range, 11.00) days. There were 387 influenza outbreaks that occurred between November and January of the following year (67.07%), and the three highest numbers of outbreaks were reported in Hangzhou City (310 outbreaks), Wenzhou City (51 outbreaks) and Jinhua City (46 outbreaks). There were 395 outbreaks reported in urban regions (68.46%), 93 in counties and townships (16.12%) and 89 in rural regions (15.42%), and influenza outbreaks predominantly occurred in primary schools (487 outbreaks, 84.40%). In addition, the types of pathogens were alternately prevalent, with influenza B virus (241 outbreaks, 41.77%) and A/H3N2 virus (232 outbreaks, 40.21%) as predominant subtypes. @* Conclusions@#Influenza outbreaks mainly occurred in winter in Zhejiang Province from 2013 to 2022, and primary schools were main places of influenza outbreaks, while influenza B virus and A/H3N2 virus were predominant subtypes. It is necessary to reinforce the surveillance and report of influenza-like illness in schools and improve the coverage of influenza vaccination to prevent influenza outbreaks.

Research progress on electrode technology for dental plaque pH detection / 口腔疾病防治

@#Plaque pH detection technology can detect the risk of caries and assist in the prevention of caries, with a mature theory and a relatively simple operation. With the increasing demand for clinical caries risk detection technology and the rapid development of microelectrode techniques, there is an increasing variety of types of microelectrodes that can detect the pH of dental plaque, including glass microelectrodes, metal oxide microelectrodes and ion-sensitive field effect transistors. The glass microelectrode was the first microelectrode to be applied in this field, but its structure is weak. Among the various options, the iridium oxide microelectrode has become the most promising caries risk detection electrode in recent years because of its high strength and excellent response. Metal oxide microelectrodes can also effectively compensate for the insufficient strength of glass microelectrodes. With advances in electrode technology, miniaturized, sensitive ion-sensitive field effect transistors have attracted the attention of researchers. Scientists have also recently developed a way to detect the pH of dental plaque with an optical no-contact technique. Optical contactless detection technology will not damage the dental plaque structure, so it has great research and clinical prospects. Future research will further improve the strength and performance of these electrodes on the premise of ensuring miniaturization and achieving noncontact detection.

Treatment efficacy and safety profile of Nab-paclitaxel and carboplatin combined with antiangiogenic drugs as salvage regimen in advanced melanoma patients / 中国肿瘤生物治疗杂志

@#[摘 要] 目的：本研究旨在评估白蛋白紫杉醇+卡铂联合抗血管生成药物（nab-paclitaxel, carboplatin, antiangiogenic drug, NCA）方案用于既往治疗失败的晚期黑色素瘤患者的疗效和安全性。方法：收集2012年4月1日至2019年5月31日在北京大学肿瘤医院肾癌黑色素瘤科住院的黑色素瘤患者，回顾性分析NCA方案在既往治疗失败后的不可切除Ⅲ c期和Ⅳ期黑色素瘤患者中的疗效和安全性。主要终点指标为无进展生存期（PFS），次要指标为客观缓解率（ORR）、总生存期（OS）、疾病控制率（DCR）和不良反应。根据使用的抗血管药物分为恩度治疗组（n=73）和贝伐珠单抗治疗组（n=103），采用倾向性评分匹配以均衡不同抗血管生成药物组间基线变量的差异。结果：共计176例患者被纳入本项分析中。所有患者中位年龄51岁（范围为18~78岁）。Ⅳ期患者占97%，50%的患者LDH水平高于正常值，28%的患者存在肝转移。既往治疗线数占比分别为1线57%、2线33%、3~4线10%。所有患者的中位PFS为3.8个月（95%CI：3.0~4.6），中位OS为10.5个月（95%CI： 8.9~12.1）。2例患者获得完全缓解，9例患者获得部分缓解，全组的ORR为6%，DCR达70%。恩度治疗组和贝伐珠单抗治疗组的中位PFS分别为4.7个月（95%CI：3.5~5.9）和3.4个月（95%CI：3.0~4.6），两组中位OS分别为12.2个月（95% CI：11.1~13.2）和9.1个月（95%CI： 7.8~10.4）。对所有患者的年龄、性别、既往治疗线数和LDH水平进行倾向性评分匹配，贝伐珠单抗和恩度治疗组间PFS和OS差异无统计学意义。常见的不良反应包括脱发、周围神经病变、中性粒细胞减少、疲劳和恶心。26名（15%）患者由于不良反应停止了治疗。结论：白蛋白紫杉醇+卡铂联合抗血管生成药物对既往治疗失败的晚期黑色素瘤患者具有一定的疗效，不良反应可耐受。

Soluble PD-L1 as a prognostic factor for advanced acral and mucosal melanoma / 中国肿瘤生物治疗杂志

@#[Abstract] Objective: Elevated levels of soluble PD-L1 (sPD-L1) are associated with worse prognosis of renal cell carcinoma and multiple myeloma. However, the regulatory roles and functions of sPD-L1 in advanced melanoma are not fully understood. This study was designed to evaluate the association between circulating sPD-L1 concentrations and prognosis of patients with advanced acral or mucosal melanoma. Methods: A total of 102 untreated patients with advanced acral and mucosal melanoma admitted to Peking University Cancer Hospital between January 2012 and December 2015 were enrolled in this study. In the meanwhile, peripheral blood samples were obtained from 40 healthy donors. Circulating sPD-L1 concentrations were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The advanced melanoma cohort included 58 acral melanoma patients and 44 mucosal melanoma patients. The pre-treatment concentration of sPD-L1 (2.91±2.23 ng/ml) in plasma of patients group was elevated as compared with that in healthy donors (0.59 ng/ml). The concentration of sPD-L1 in serum was significantly upregulated in 39/102 (38.2%) patients and significantly associated with increased LDH level (P=0.021) and number of Tregs (P=0.017). The overall survival rates of patients with high or low concentrations of sPD-L1 were statistically different (8.5 months [high level] vs 11.6 months [low level], P=0.022). Conclusion: sPD-L1 concentration is elevated in patients with advanced acral or mucosal melanoma, which may play an important role in predicting prognosis.

Expressions of melanoma lineage antigens and nuclear antigen Ki-67 and their correlations with prognosis in melanoma patients / 中国肿瘤生物治疗杂志

@#[Abstract] Objective: To explore the expression patterns of melanoma lineage antigens and nuclear antigen Ki-67 and their correlations with survival in melanoma patients. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted to analyze the pathological data of melanoma patients treated at the Department of Melanoma, Peking University Cancer Hospital from February 2008 to August 2020, mainly including the expression patterns of melanoma lineage antigens (S-100, HMB-45, Melan-A) and Ki-67, demographics, clinical features and survival. The correlation between expression patterns of melanoma lineage antigens, Ki-67 and melanoma-specific survival (MSS) was analyzed. Results: In total, 603 patients were included in this study. The median follow-up time was 47.4 months. The positive rates of S-100, HMB, and Melan-A were 92.8%, 92.1% and 90.0%, respectively. The percentages of patients with melanoma lineage antigen scores (S-100, HMB-45 and Melan-A was scored each, as 1 when positive and 0 when negative) of 0, 1, 2, and 3 were 0.5%, 5.0%, 15.6%, and 78.8%, respectively. The percentages of patients with Ki-67 scores of 0, 1, 2, and 3 were 43.0%, 36.3%, 16.3%, and 4.5%, respectively. Ki-67 was highly expressed in mucosal and progressive melanomas. In a multivariate analysis, Ki-67 expression was an independent prognostic factor for poorer MSS (HR=1.506, 95%CI: 1.248-1.818, P<0.001) as the incidence of MSS event increased by 50% per 25% increase in Ki-67 expression, whereas there was no statistical correlation between melanoma lineage antigen expression and MSS (HR=0.991, 95%CI: 0.759-1.293, P=0.94). Conclusion: High expressions melanoma lineage antigens are ubiquitous in melanoma tissues, and Ki-67 is an independent prognostic factor for MSS.

Relationship of materialistic values and peer status with campus bullying among junior school students / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To explore the effects of individual materialism, social status on victimization, and to provide a reference for the intervention of campus bullying.@*Methods@#A total of 2 597 grade 7 students representing 47 classes from 7 junior middle schools in Zhenzhou were administered with Material Values Scale, Peer Nomination Questionnaire and Victim Questionnaire. Hierarchical Linear Model was used in data analysis.@*Results@#Peer rejection(γ=0.15, P<0.01) and individual materialism(γ=0.13, P<0.01) positively predicted victimization, while popularity negatively predicted victimization(γ=-0.05, P<0.01). Class materialism norm also could positively predict victimization(γ=0.82, P<0.01). Moreover, there was a significant interaction between class materialism norm and peer rejection(γ=0.30, P<0.05), and the results of simple effect showed that with the increase of materialism level, the negative impact of peer rejection on victimization was increasing(γ high=0.18, Z high=7.80; γ low=0.12, Z low=5.50, P<0.01).@*Conclusion@#Peer rejection, individual materialism, popularity and class materialism norm affect individual bullying, and class materialism norm could moderate the relationship between peer rejection and victimization.

Relationship between cognitive flexible, depression and eating attitude in middle school students / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To explore the relationship among cognitive flexibility, depression and eating attitude of adolescents and the influencing factors of eating attitude.@*Methods@#A total of 1 231 subjects were assessed using general information questionnaire, Kutcher Adolescent Depression Scale 11 item(KADS-11), Cognitive Flexibility Inventory(CFI), Eating Attitude Test 26(EAT-26). Data were analyzed by independent sample t-test, univariate linear regression, spearman correlation analysis and Logistic regression.@*Results@#There were significant differences in EAT 26 among adolescents between genders and between those with or without depression(P<0.01). Statistically significant differences were observed in CFI, flexible control and KADS 11 among adolescents with or without eating disorders(P<0.01). The scores of EAT 26 was negatively correlated with CFI (r=-0.19, P<0.01) and flexible control(r=-0.23, P<0.01). And there was a significant positive correlation between EAT 26 and KADS 11(r=0.23, P<0.01). Female(OR=2.40, 95%CI=1.87-3.23), depression (OR=1.76, 95%CI=1.35-2.29) and poor flexible control (OR=1.94, 95%CI=1.48-2.54) were risk factors for eating disorders.@*Conclusion@#Female, individuals with depressive symptoms or with poor flexible control ability are more likely to have eating disorders which need more attention.

Research progress on periodontal regeneration of replanted teeth after complete avulsion / 口腔疾病防治

@#Complete avulsion of teeth are one of the most serious traumatic dental injuries. The preferred treatment is tooth replantation. When teeth usually cannot be treated in time, the periodontal membrane on the root surface becomes necrotic , and the success rate of replantation is greatly reduced. How to use seed cells, growth factors and scaffold materials to promote periodontal tissue regeneration, improve periodontal membrane healing of replanted teeth, and achieve successful replantation of completely dislocated teeth is an urgent problem. Periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) express stem cell markers, have the potential to undergo multicellular differentiation and have important application value in periodontal tissue regeneration and repair. Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), lysobisphosphatidic acids (LPA) and other related regulatory factors promote periodontal tissue regeneration. Seed cells combined with scaffold materials can promote periodontal tissue regeneration and repair periodontal tissue defects. At present, studies have shown that PDLSCs and other seed cells have the potential for periodontal tissue regeneration and have been widely studied in experimental animal models of periodontitis and bone defects. However, there are few reports on the application of replanted teeth after complete avulsion, and its mechanism is not clear. In this paper, the research progress of periodontal tissue regeneration after total dislocation replantation is reviewed. We expect to apply periodontal tissue regeneration research to the replantation of fully dislocated teeth to achieve periodontal membrane healing of fully dislocated replanted teeth to provide a theoretical basis for future clinical work.

Fluorofenidone inhibits apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells in rats with renal interstitial fibrosis

This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of fluorofenidone (AKF-PD) in treating renal interstitial fibrosis in rats with unilateral urinary obstruction (UUO). Thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham, UUO, UUO + enalapril, and UUO + AKF-PD groups. All rats, except sham, underwent left urethral obstruction surgery to establish the animal model. Rats were sacrificed 14 days after surgery, and serum was collected for renal function examination. Kidneys were collected to observe pathological changes. Immunohistochemistry was performed to assess collagen I (Col I) protein expression, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end-labeling staining to observe the apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells. The expression of Fas-associated death domain (FADD), apoptotic protease activating factor-1 (Apaf-1), and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) proteins was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis. AKF-PD showed no significant effect on renal function in UUO rats. The pathological changes were alleviated significantly after enalapril or AKF-PD treatment, but with no significant differences between the two groups. Col I protein was overexpressed in the UUO group, which was inhibited by both enalapril and AKF-PD. The number of apoptotic renal tubular epithelial cells was much higher in the UUO group, and AKF-PD significantly inhibited epithelial cells apoptosis. The expression of FADD, Apaf-1, and CHOP proteins was significantly upregulated in the UUO group and downregulated by enalapril and AKF-PD. In conclusion, AKF-PD improved renal interstitial fibrosis by inhibiting apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells in rats with UUO.

Aberrant histone modification in peripheral blood CD4+ T lymphocytes in oral lichen planus / 口腔疾病防治

Objective@#To investigate the histone acetylation level and histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity of peripheral blood CD4+ T lymphocytes in patients with oral lichen planus (OLP). @*Methods @#Twenty-three OLP patients were selected from August 2016 to January 2017 from the Stomatological Hospital, Southern Medical University. The diagnosis was confirmed by pathology, and the lesions were divided into a nonerosive OLP group (11 cases) and an erosive OLP group (12 cases). Ten healthy sex- and age-matched volunteers served as controls. Immunomagnetic beads were used to separate CD4+ T lymphocytes, and histones and nucleoproteins were extracted. The global histone H3/H4 acetylation levels and HDAC activity of CD4+ T lymphocytes from all subjects were detected by ELISA. The differences between the OLP and control groups were statistically analyzed. @*Results@#Global histone H3 hypoacetylation was observed in the OLP group compared with the control group (u = -2.410, P = 0.012). However, there was no significant difference in the serum CD4+ T lymphocyte histone H4 acetylation level between the OLP and control group (u = -1.412, P = 0.158). HDAC activity was significantly higher in the OLP group than in the healthy control group (F = 5.749, P = 0.023), and much higher HDAC activity was observed in the erosive group than in the nonerosive (P = 0.014) and healthy control groups (P = 0.001). The degree of histone H3 acetylation correlated negatively with increased HDAC activity in the OLP group (rs = -0.771, P < 0.001). There was no correlation between the level of histone H3 acetylation and HDAC activity in the healthy control group (rs = 0.382,P = 0.276). The histone H4 acetylation level in the OLP group showed no correlation with HDAC activity (rs = 0.149, P = 0.498), and the histone H4 acetylation level in the control group also showed no correlation with HDAC activity (rs = 0.527, P = 0.117).@*Conclusion @#Abnormal histone acetylation of CD4+ T lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of patients with OLP was identified and could be related to HDAC activity, suggesting that the epigenetic modification of histone acetylation may play a role in the pathogenesis of OLP.

An analysis of periodontal status in desquamative gingivitis and the correlative factors / 口腔疾病防治

Objective @#To study the clinical periodontal status of patients with desquamative gingivitis (DG) and analyze the factors that influence clinical periodontal indicators.@*Methods @#A purposive sampling method was used to obtain 42 subjects for a DG case group and a control group. Periodontal clinical indicators were detected, and related factors were analyzed. @*Results @#The DG patients were primarily middle-aged women. Periodontal clinical indicators were more prevalent in individuals with oral lichen planus (OLP) and mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) than in the control group. Probing depth (PD) (χ2=53.058, P<0.001; χ2=32.989, P<0.001), clinical attachment (χ2=30.292, P<0.001; χ2=32.470, P<0.001) and the positive rate of bleeding on probing (BOP) (χ2=50.003, P<0.001; χ2=36.236, P<0.001) were higher in the OLP and MMP group than in the control group. The time interval between the onset and treatment of DG was correlated with PD (rs=0.523, P<0.001) and the rate of positive BOP sites (rs=0.377, P=0.014). @*Conclusion@# Patients with DG have obvious periodontal lesions. Early medical intervention is helpful for diagnosing and treating DG-related oral and systemic disease.

Lack of association between polymorphisms in the UBASH3A gene and autoimmune thyroid disease: a case control study / Falta de associação entre polimorfismos do gene UBASH3A e doença tiroidiana autoimune: estudo caso controle

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate UBASH3A gene variation association with autoimmune thyroid disease and clinical features in a Chinese Han population. Subjects and methods: A total of 667 AITD patients (417 GD and 250 HT) and 301 healthy controls were genotyped for two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs11203203, rs3788013 of UBASH3A gene, utilizing the Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometer (MALDI-TOF-MS) Platform. Results: Between the control group and AITD, GD and HT group, no statistically significant difference was observed in the genotypic and allelic frequencies of the two SNPs. There was no significant difference in allelic frequencies of the two SNPs between GD with and without ophthalmopathy. There was no significant difference in haplotype distributions between the control group and AITD, GD or HT group. Conclusion: Rs11203203 and rs3788013 in UBASH3A gene may not be associated with AITD patients in Chinese Han population. .

Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a variação no gene UBASH3A com a doença tiroidiana autoimune e características clínicas na população chinesa Han. Sujeitos e métodos: Um total de 667 pacientes com DTAI (417 com DG e 250 com TH) e 301 controles saudáveis foi genotipado para dois polimorfismos de nucleotídeo simples (SNPs) rs11203203, rs3788013 do gene UBASH3A, usando-se a plataforma MALDI-TOF-MS (Ionização/Dessorção de Matriz Assistida por Laser – Tempo de Voo/Espectrômetro de Massa). Resultados: Não foram observadas diferenças significativas entre as frequências genotípicas e alélicas dos dois SNPs nos grupos controle e DTAI, DG e TH. Não houve diferenças significativas entre as frequências alélicas dos dois SNPs em pacientes com DG com ou sem olftalmopatia. Não houve diferenças significativas nas distribuições de haplótipos no grupo controle e nos grupos DTAI, DG e TH. Conclusão: Os SNPs rs11203203 e rs3788013 do gene UBASH3A podem não estar associados a pacientes com DTAI na população chinesa Han. .

The increased but non-predominant expression of Th17- and Th1-specific cytokines in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis but not in Graves’ disease

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) is considered to be mediated mainly by Th1 cells, but it is not known whether Graves’ disease (GD) is associated with Th1 or Th2 predominance. Th17 cells, a novel subset of Th cells, play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of various autoimmune disorders. In the present study, the expression of IL-17A and IFN-γ was investigated in patients with HT or GD. mRNA expression of IL-17A and IFN-γ in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 43 patients with autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) and in thyroid tissues from 40 AITD patients were measured by real-time qRT-PCR. The protein expression of IL-17A and IL-23p19 was examined by immunohistochemistry in thyroid tissues from 28 AITD patients. The mRNA levels of IL-17A and IFN-γ were higher in both PBMC and thyroid tissues of HT patients than in controls (mRNA levels are reported as the cytokine/β-actin ratio: IL-17 = 13.58- and 2.88-fold change and IFN-γ = 16.54- and 2.74-fold change, respectively, P < 0.05). Also, the mRNA levels of IL-17A and IFN-γ did not differ significantly in GD patients (P > 0.05). The high protein expression of IL-17A (IOD = 15.17 ± 4.8) and IL-23p19 (IOD = 16.84 ± 7.87) in HT was confirmed by immunohistochemistry (P < 0.05). The similar high levels of IL-17A and IFN-γ suggest a mixed response of Th17 and Th1 in HT, where both cells may play important roles in the destruction procedure by cell-mediated cytotoxicity.

Reduced Expression of the LRP16 Gene in Mouse Insulinoma (MIN6) Cells Exerts Multiple Effects on Insulin Content, Proliferation and Apoptosis / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

This study assessed the effects of leukemia-related protein 16 (LRP16) on the regulation of pancreatic functions in mouse insulinoma (MIN6) cells.Cells with down-regulated expression of LRP16 were obtained by a shRNA interference strategy.Insulin content and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) were examined by radioimmunoassay.Western blotting was applied to detect protein expression.Glucose-stimulated sub-cellular localization of PDX-1 was immunocytochemically determined.Cell proliferation and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry.Our results showed that LRP16 regulated insulin content in MIN6 cells by controlling expression of insulin and insulin transcription factors.LRP16 gene silence in MIN6 cells led to reduced cell proliferation and increased apoptosis.The observation of phosphorylation of serine-473 Akt and the localization of PDX-1 to the nucleus under glucose-stimulation exhibited that LRP16 was a component mediating Akt signaling in MIN6 cells.These results suggest that LRP16 plays a key role in maintaining pancreatic β-cell functions and may help us to understand the protective effects of estrogen on the functions of pancreatic β-cells.

Randomized control clinical study on third lumbar transverse process syndrome treated by knife needle / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the therapeutic effects of knife needle on third lumbar transverse process syndrome.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From 2007.3 to 2007.12, patients were divided into treatment group and control group according to the random digits table, 34 and 35 patients respectively. Patients in both groups were separately treated for 3 weeks, with knife needle in treatment group and electroacupuncture in control group. In treatment group, 12 patients were male and 22 patients were female, the average age was (42.33 +/- 7.86) years. In control group, 16 patients were male and 19 patients were female, the average age was (44.73 +/- 10.34) years. The changes of biomechanics, local tension and tenderness index were observed and recorded respectively before and after the therapy, and the results obtained from two groups were then compared with each other. The JOA score was used to evaluate the clinical effect.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Sixty patients finished the clinical observation. The treatment efficacy was evaluated according to the JOA score in 60 cases. The soft tissue tension in treatment group was lower than that in the control group (P=0.00004). Excellent result was found in 18 cases, good in 9 cases, fair in 3 cases and poor in 0 case.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Tension relaxation by needle knife can effectively improve the clinical symptoms and signs of third lumbar transverse process syndrome.</p>

The role of epidemiology in the introduction of vi polysaccharide typhoid fever vaccines in Asia.

Despite the availability of at least two licensed typhoid fever vaccines--injectable sub-unit Vi polysaccharide vaccine and live, oral Ty21a vaccine--for the last decade, these vaccines have not been widely introduced in public-health programmes in countries endemic for typhoid fever. The goal of the multidisciplinary DOMI (Diseases of the Most Impoverished) typhoid fever programme is to generate policy-relevant data to support public decision-making regarding the introduction of Vi polysaccharide typhoid fever immunization programmes in China, Viet Nam, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and Indonesia. Through epidemiological studies, the DOMI Programme is generating these data and is offering a model for the accelerated, rational introduction of new vaccines into health programmes in low-income countries. Practical and specific examples of the role of epidemiology are described in this paper. These examples cover: (a) selection of available typhoid fever vaccines to be introduced in the programme, (b) generation of policy-relevant data, (c) providing the 'backbone' for the implementation of other multidisciplinary projects, and (d) generation of unexpected but useful information relevant for the introduction of vaccines. Epidemiological studies contribute to all stages of development of vaccine evaluation and introduction.