Radiomics based on biparametric MRI for the detection of significant residual prostate cancer after androgen deprivation therapy: using whole-mount histopathology as reference standard / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

We aimed to study radiomics approach based on biparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for determining significant residual cancer after androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Ninety-two post-ADT prostate cancer patients underwent MRI before prostatectomy (62 with significant residual disease and 30 with complete response or minimum residual disease [CR/MRD]). Totally, 100 significant residual, 52 CR/MRD lesions, and 70 benign tissues were selected according to pathology. First, 381 radiomics features were extracted from T2-weighted imaging, diffusion-weighted imaging, and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps. Optimal features were selected using a support vector machine with a recursive feature elimination algorithm (SVM-RFE). Then, ADC values of significant residual, CR/MRD lesions, and benign tissues were compared by one-way analysis of variance. Logistic regression was used to construct models with SVM features to differentiate between each pair of tissues. Third, the efficiencies of ADC value and radiomics models for differentiating the three tissues were assessed by area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). The ADC value (mean ± standard deviation [s.d.]) of significant residual lesions ([1.10 ± 0.02] × 10-3 mm2 s-1) was significantly lower than that of CR/MRD ([1.17 ± 0.02] × 10-3 mm2 s-1), which was significantly lower than that of benign tissues ([1.30 ± 0.02] × 10-3 mm2 s-1; both P < 0.05). The SVM feature models were comparable to ADC value in distinguishing CR/MRD from benign tissue (AUC: 0.766 vs 0.792) and distinguishing residual from benign tissue (AUC: 0.825 vs 0.835) (both P > 0.05), but superior to ADC value in differentiating significant residual from CR/MRD (AUC: 0.748 vs 0.558; P = 0.041). Radiomics approach with biparametric MRI could promote the detection of significant residual prostate cancer after ADT.

Risk Factors of Multiple Myeloma Complicated with Venous Thromboembolism / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the clinical characteristics of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and to identify the risk factors of VTE in MM patients.@*METHODS@#179 newly diagnosed MM (NDMM) patients admitted to The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University from January 2014 to December 2020 who were followed up for more than 6 months were collected, and they were divided into VTE group and control group according to whether combined with VTE. The clinical and laboratory data were compared between the two groups. Mann-whitney U test was used for inter-group comparison of measurement data, Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test was used for inter-group comparison of count data, and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the risk factors of VTE in MM patients.@*RESULTS@#Compared with control group, the serum albumin (ALB) level in VTE group was significantly lower (P =0.033), the fibrinogen (FIB) level was significantly higher (P =0.016), and the proportion of patients with D-dimer≥2 000 ng/ml was significantly higher than that in the control group (26.3% vs 4.4%, P =0.002). There was a significant difference in M-component type between the two groups (P =0.028), and the proportion of IgG type in VTE group was higher. There were no statistically significant differences between two groups in age, sex, body mass index (BMI), the proportions of patients with hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease and cerebral infarction, white blood cell (WBC) count, platelet (PLT) count, liver and kidney function, plasma cells ratio in bone marrow, serum globulin (GLO), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), β2-microglobulin (β2-MG) level, C-reactive protein (CRP) level, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), disease stage, thrombosis prevention and the use of immunomodulators (P >0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that FIB level (OR=1.578, 95%CI:1.035-2.407, P =0.034), D-dimer≥2 000 ng/ml (OR=5.467, 95%CI:1.265-23.621, P =0.023) and IgG type (OR=4.780, 95%CI: 1.221-18.712, P =0.025) were independent risk factors for VTE in MM patients.@*CONCLUSION@#MM patients are prone to VTE, and FIB level, D-dimer≥2 000 ng/ ml and IgG type are independent risk factors for VTE in MM patients.

Thoughts on improving the teaching effect of pathophysiology / 中华医学教育探索杂志

Pathophysiology is a subject that studies the occurrence,development and mechanism of diseases.It plays important roles in medical education and is an important and difficult point in medical education.Based on our teaching experience and the characteristics of pathophysiology,this paper puts forward the idea of “Focus on learning”,aiming to resolve the problems of insufficient communication,unsound teaching design and single teaching method,etc.existed in teaching process.The active communication with students,a good job of teaching design and the reasonable application of various teaching methods and techniques should be carried out to improve the teaching effect of pathophysiology.

Discussion of the reform of pathophysiological experimental teaching / 中华医学教育探索杂志

The theories of pathophysiology come from experimental research,and experimental teaching is an important part of pathophysiology course.Experimental teaching can cultivate the abilities of independent thinking and comprehensive analysis in students,improve their practical skills,and enhance their understanding and application of theoretical knowledge.However,teaching reform should be carried out due to the drawbacks of current pathophysiological experimental teaching.With the teaching idea centered on learning,the quality of pathophysiological experimental teaching can be enhanced by rational arrangement of experimental courses,optimization of teaching contents,and comprehensive application of various teaching models,so as to effectively improve the level of theoretical knowledge and comprehensive practical ability among students.

Critical effects of long non-coding RNA on fibrosis diseases

The expression or dysfunction of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) is closely related to various hereditary diseases, autoimmune diseases, metabolic diseases and tumors. LncRNAs were also recently recognized as functional regulators of fibrosis, which is a secondary process in many of these diseases and a primary pathology in fibrosis diseases. We review the latest findings on lncRNAs in fibrosis diseases of the liver, myocardium, kidney, lung and peritoneum. We also discuss the potential of disease-related lncRNAs as therapeutic targets for the clinical treatment of human fibrosis diseases.

Expression of an apoptosis-regulating molecule BclGL and apoptosis in peripheral blood monoclear cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To detect the expression of BclGL in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to investigate its significance.Methods Peripheral blood was obtained from 20 patients with active SLE (A-SLE),18 patients with inactive SLE (Ⅰ-SLE) and 30 healthy controls.Flow cytometry was performed to calculate the number of PBMCs,flow cytometry combined with annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)/propidium iodide (PI) staining to determine the early apoptotic rates of PBMCs,fluorescence-based quantitative PCR and Western blot to measure the expression of BclGL mRNA and protein,respectively.The serum level of interferon (IFN)-α was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Data were analyzed by using the software SPSS13.0.Mann-Whitney U-test or Kruskal-Wallis test was used for group comparisons.Pearson correlation coefficient test was applied to evaluate the relationship of BclGL expression with cell apoptotic rate and some clinical parameters.Results The number of PBMCs was significantly lower in patients with A-SLE than in those with Ⅰ-SLE and healthy controls ((0.16 ± 0.06) × 109/L vs.(0.27 ± 0.14) × 109/L and (0.34 ± 0.23) × 109/L,both P ＜ 0.01).Increased apoptotic rate of PBMCs was observed in patients with A-SLE compared with those with Ⅰ-SLE and healthy controls ((22.6 ± 1.1)％ vs.(16.4 ±0.9)％ and (10.1 ± 0.4)％,both P ＜ 0.01),and in patients with Ⅰ-SLE compared with the healthy controls (P ＜0.01).The mRNA and protein expressions of BclGL in PBMCs were both significantly higher in patients with ASLE than in those with Ⅰ-SLE and healthy controls (all P ＜ 0.01).A significant increase was observed in serum IFN-α level in the patients with SLE compared with the healthy controls ((32.5 ± 2.2) μg/L vs.(15.5 ± 1.3) μg/L,P ＜ 0.01).The mRNA expression of BclGL in PBMCs from patients with SLE was positively correlated with the apoptotic rate in PBMCs (r =0.486,P ＜ 0.01),SLE disease activity index score (r =0.496,P ＜ 0.01),titers of antinuclear antibodies (r =0.516,P ＜ 0.01) and serum IFN-o level (r =0.535,P ＜ 0.01),but was negatively correlated with complement C3 level (r =-0.515,P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions The increased expression of BclGL in PBMCs may contribute to the abnormal apoptosis in PBMCs,which in turn takes part in the pathogenesis of SLE.

Dynamic investigation on the co-infection status of two pathogens in ticks from tourist point in Heilongjiang province / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To monitor the co-infection status of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (R.b.s.1) and spotted fever group Rickettsia (SFGR) in tourist areas of Heilongjiang province.Methods Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect the 5S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer of B.b.s.1 and ompA of SFGR in ticks,dynamically collected from tourist areas of Heilongjiang province in 2010.Amplification products from positive ticks were sequenced,and phylogenetic analysis was conducted by Mega 5.0 software package.Results 849 ticks were collected from two tourist points,with the dominant ticks in Tiger Mountain and Jingpo Lake were Ixodes persulcatus and Haemaphysalis concinna.Regarding the Ixodes persulcatus from Tiger Mountain,the infection rates of B.b.s.1 and SFGR were 26.15％ and 10.05％.The infection rate of SFGR was 13.33％ in Haemaphysalis concinna and the B.b.s.1 was tndiscovered in the same ticks from Jingpo Lake.However,the co-infection could only be detected in Ixodes persulcatus of both tourist areas.Surveillance data showed that the major ticks were more likely to be appeared in July at Tiger Mountain and in June at Jingpo Lake.Data from the sequence analysis on B.b.s.1 showed that the B.b.s.1 in tourist areas could be classified into three different genotypes,other than B.garinii and B.afzelii.We first detected B.valaisiana-like group genotype in northeast of China.Results from the sequence analysis of SFGR positive products showed that the two DNA sequences of newly detected agents were completely the same as Rickettsia sp.HL-93 which was detected in Hulin and Rickettsia sp.H820 found in northeast,China.Conclusion The co-infection of B.b.s.1 and SFGR was detected in ticks from the tourist areas of Heilongjiang province,and data from the sequencing of specific fragment showed that various kinds of genotypes existed in this area.However; the rates of co-infectionitis-different according to environment,time and population that contributed to the kinds of and the index of ticks existed in the surveys points,also the infection rate of the ticks was studied.

Immunogenicity of the immunodominant cytotoxic T lymphocyte epitope E749-57 in HPV16 oncoprotein E7 chaperoned by HSP110 / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To investigate the immunogenicity of immunodominant cytotoxic T lymphocyte epitope E749-57 of human papilloma virus (HPV) 16 oncoprotein E7 chaperoned by heat shock protein (HSP)110. Methods Mouse HSP110 gene was cloned into prokaryotic expression vector pQE-80L for the expression of HSP110 protein, which was purified using Ni-NTA column. SDS-PAGE and Western-blot were conducted to confirm the purified mHSP110 protein, which was subsequently incubated with E749-57 peptide under heat shock condition, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to evaluate the binding efficiency of the recombinant protein and E749-57 peptide. Twenty mice were divided into 4 groups to be immunized with mHSP110 protein, E749-57 peptide, mHSP110-E749-57 complex and phosphate buffered saline (PBS),respectively. Two weeks after the last immunization, spleen cells were collected from the immunized mice and divided into 2 parts: one were stimulated by E749-57 peptide followed by the detection of CD8+ INF-γ+ T cells with flow cytometry; the other one were subjected to MTT analysis for the estimation of cell proliferation. The mHSP110-E749-57 complex was also used to immunize TC-1 tumor bearing mice to observe its anti-tumor effect.Results The full-length 2577 bp-sized mHSP110 gene was amplified from mouse liver cDNA and cloned into pQE-80L vector. Direct sequencing confirmed the correctness of the cloning. SDS-PAGE and Western-blot demonstrated the successful purification of mHSP110. HPLC assay showed that the purified mHSP110 protein could bind with E749-57 to form a relatively stable protein complex. The percentage of IFN-γ+ CD8+ T cells in and proliferation index of spleen cells from the complex-immunized mice were statistically higher than those from the other 3 groups of mice. Moreover, the complex could obviously inhibit the growth of TC-1 tumor in mice. Conclusion The mHSP110-E749-57 complex could enhance the generation of specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes and exert anti-tumor effects in mice.

A proliminary study on the regulatory function of human plasma exosomes-like vesicles / 中华血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To identify the exosomes-like vesicles from the plasma and study their biologic characteristics and regulatory effect.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The exosomes-like vesicles were purified from healthy donors plasma with a series of high-speed centrifugations and ultrafiltration. Morphology was identified by transmission electron microscopy and biologic characteristics by Western blot and flow cytometry. CD4(+)T cells and CD4(+)CD25(+)CD127low Treg cells were purified from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) by Magnetic cell sorting. After exosomes-like vesicles cultured with CD4(+)T cells or CD4(+)CD25(+)CD127low Treg cells, cell proliferation and apoptosis were assayed. Phosphorylated β-catenin level in Wnt signaling by phosflow.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Exosomes-like vesicles from plasma were similar to previously described exosomes in shapes and size and expressed exosome marker proteins CD63 and CD81 as well as the MHC-II molecule, costimulatory molecules CD86 etc. After co-cultured with CD4(+) T cells, exosomes-like vesicles inhibited the proliferation of the T cells in a dose-dependent manner. After Treg cells cultured with exosomes-like vesicles for 14 days, the survival rate of the Treg cells was 57.07%, while that of the control Treg was 30.91%. Frizzled receptors 2, 3, 4and LRP6 gene mRNA expressed (the relative gray value was 48.50, 34.84, 23.85, 49.73) in the Treg cells by RT-PCR, and Wnt molecular expressed in exosomes-like vesicles. After Treg cells co-cultured with exosomes-like vesicles, the MFI of phosphorylated β-catenin decreased (from 20.06 ± 2.99 to 12.41 ± 2.08), and the expression of Bcl-2 mRNA was upregulated significantly (the relative gray value from 0.45 to 84.97).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Exosomes-like vesicles existed in human plasma and express immune regulatory molecules. They can suppress the proliferation of activated CD4(+) T cells induce their apoptosis and pro-long the survival of natural Treg cells via Wnt signaling pathway.</p>

Mutation Site of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase in an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis family / 医学研究生学报

Objective: To identify the mutation points of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase(SOD1) gene in an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS) family with a unique phenotype,and to compare the value of single strand conformation polymorphism(SSCP) and denaturing high performance liquid chromatography(DHPLC). Methods: Five exons of SOD1 gene were amplified by PCR. The difference of these products were analyzed by PCR-SSCP and DHPLC.DNA sequencing was used to examine the mutation. Results: ①Mutations were found in exons 2 and 5 in several family members.DNA sequencing revealed that a base pair insertion occurred in the codon area of exon 2 and in the non-codon area of exon 5.②The results of DHPLC tests proved double peaks in one member with ALS symptoms(Ⅲ1),which indicated the possibility of mutation in SOD1 exon 4.DNA sequencing revealed that there was a heterozygote,with a mutation of GAA to GGA in exon 4 in the member with double peak. Conclusion: ①The mutations in exons 2,4,5 were proved.Insertion of exon 2 may be responsible for the disease of the ALS family in Chongqing.②Compared with PCR-SSCP,DHPLC technique has been proven to be a rapid and reliable method for screening mutation site in large samples.

Cloning and expression of human DcR3 molecule in COS-7 cells / 第三军医大学学报

Objective To clone ORF of DcR3 gene and insert it into eukaryotic expression vector and express it in COS-7 cells. Methods Encoding sequence of human DcR3 gene was cloned by PCR and sequenced. The sequenced ORF was cloned into eukaryotic expression vector pAAV-IRES-hrGFP to construct recombinant plasmid. COS-7 cells were transfected with recombinant plasmid by lipofectamine2000. Expression of recombinant DcR3 gene was verified by Western blotting and confocal microscopy. Results A 1 000-bp gene segment was obtained by PCR and inserted into pAAV-IRES-hrGFP to construct recombinant plasmid. The gene segment was proved to be encoding sequence of human DcR3 gene by sequencing. DcR3 expression in COS-7 cells was verified by Western blotting and confocal microscopy. Conclusion DcR3 gene was successfully cloned and expressed in COS-7 cells.

Cloning,expression and identification of SARS-CoV S1 gene in yeast p.methanolica / 第三军医大学学报

Objective To obtain high-yield and easy-purification severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus(SARS-CoV) S1 protein with biological activity and to study the activity of S1 protein and its antibody further.Methods SARS-CoV S1 gene was inserted into yeast expression vector pMET?A by ligation reaction.The recombinant plasmid was verified by enzyme digestion and sequencing,followed by being transformed into yeast host strain PMAD11 with electroporation.After induced with methanol,the S1 gene expression was verified with overlay assay and Western blotting.Results The positive clones of S1 gene into pMET?A were approved by restriction enzyme digestion and sequencing.The expression of S1 protein was confirmed subsequently by overlay assay and Western blotting.Conclusion SARS-CoV S1 gene has been cloned and expressed in yeast p.methanolica,which can provide experimental data for next study on the activity of this protein and its antibody during SARS-CoV infection.

Denaturing high performance liquid chromatography for detection of point mutation of familial ALS / 第三军医大学学报

Objective To identify the point mutation of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase(SOD1) gene in an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS) family and observe the value of denaturing high performance liquid chromatography(DHPLC). Methods DHPLC and DNA sequencing were used to examine SOD1 gene of the ALS family which had not been found mutation by PCR-SSCP. Results DHPLC tests proved double peaks in one member(Ⅲ_1), Which indicated the possibility of mutation in SOD1 exon 4. DNA sequencing revealed that there was a heterozygote,with mutation of GAA to GGA in exon 4, and with a substitution of glutacid by glycine. Conclusion As compared with PCR-SSCP, DHPLC technique has proved to be a rapid and reliable method for screening mutation site in large samples.

Preparation of recombinant alpha-virus / 第三军医大学学报

Objective To explore a new simpler method for the preparation of recombinant alpha virus as a novel vaccine at the DNA level. Methods Plasmids expressing ? gal protein and helper plasmids were transfected into BHK cells. Virus in culture supernatant of the transfected BHK cells were collected and purified and used to infect BHK cells in vitro to identify the expression of target gene and the titre of the recombinant virus. Results Recombinant virus with high titre, prepared by this method, could be expressed well in mammalian cells in vitro . Conclusion High titre recombinant alpha virus can be produced at the DNA level and this method can be applied for vaccine preparation and gene therapy.

Ultrastructural Study on Pharyngeal Armatures of Seven Species of Sandflies in China by Scanning Electron Microscopy / 中国寄生虫学与寄生虫病杂志

Objective To observe the ultrastructure of pharyngeal armature of 7 species of sandflies in China. Methods The pharyngeal armatures of various sandflies were studied by scanning electron microscopy. Results The pharyngeal armature of sandfly consisted of pointed-teeth with various shape, number and arrangement among different species. Conclusion Such differences may provide the morphological proof for identification of species.