Survey of Oncomelania hupensis in national schistosomiasis surveillance sites of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from 2015 to 2019 / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To investigate the distribution characteristics of Oncomelania hupensis in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, so as to provide insights into the assessment of the risk of schistosomiasis transmission and the scientific formulation of the schistosomiasis surveillance strategy. Methods From 2015 to 2019, a total of 19 national schistosomiasis surveillance sites were assigned in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, including 4 fixed sites and 15 mobile sites. Snail survey was performed by means of systematic sampling in combination with environmental sampling, and the infection of Schistosoma japonicum was detected by the crushing method combined with loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay. Results From 2015 to 2019, snail habitats were detected at areas of 17 040 to 39 527 m2, including 6 214 m2 emerging snail habitats and 16 563 m2 re-emerging snail habitats. The overall mean density of living snails was 0.019 2 snails/0.1 m2 and the occurrence of frames with snails was 1.11% in the national schistosomiasis surveillance sites; however, no S. japonicum infection was identified in snails. The area of snail habitats increased by 121.46% in the national surveillance sites in 2019 as compared to that in 2015; however, 50.34% (Z = −0.422, P > 0.05) and 42.85% (χ2 = 130.41, P < 0.01) reductions were seen in the overall means density of living snails and the occurrence of frames with snails. All snail habitats were distributed in the 4 fixed surveillance sites, and were mainly found in ditches, paddy fields and dry lands, with weeds as the primary vegetation type. Conclusions There are still risk factors leading to re-emergent transmission of schistosomiasis in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, such as local snail spread, and the monitoring of schistosomiasis remains to be reinforced to further consolidate the achievements of schistosomiasis elimination in the region.

Correlation between Abdominal Wall Subcutaneous Fat Thickness and Heart Weight in Southern Chinese Population / 法医学杂志

Objective To study the correlation between the abdominal wall subcutaneous fat thickness and heart weight, so as to provide reference for prediction methods of normal range of heart weight that is suitable for autopsy in China. Methods The forensic pathology autopsy cases accepted by Center for Medicolegal Expertise of Sun Yat-sen University from 1998 to 2017 were collected. Then the exclusion criteria were determined, and according to them the total case group was selected, and the 6 disease groups and the normal group were further selected from the total case group. The rank sum test was used to compare the heart weight of the normal group and the disease groups to determine the influence of diseases on heart weight. Then the Spearman rank correlation analysis of abdominal wall subcutaneous fat thickness and heart weight in different genders and different ages in the total case group and the normal group was conducted to get the correlation coefficient （rs）. Results In the total case group, correlation between abdominal wall subcutaneous fat thickness and heart weight was shown in males of all ages （P<0.05）; while in females, the correlation had no statistical significance （P>0.05） in 15-<20 age and 50-<60 age, but was statistically significant （P<0.05） in other age groups. For the males in the normal group, rs was respectively 0.411, 0.541 and 0.683 in the 15-<40 age, the 40-<60 age, and the ≥60 age. For the females, rs was respectively 0.249 and 0.317 in the 15-<40 age and the 40-<60 age. The correlation in the ≥60 age had no statistical significance（P>0.05）. Conclusion In the general population and the normal population, abdominal wall subcutaneous fat thickness is correlated with the heart weight of males. It is of significance to include the abdominal wall subcutaneous fat thickness in the prediction of normal range of heart weight for males in China.

Clinical value of transient elastography (FibroScan) in detection of clonorchiasis / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To assess the clinical significance of transient elastography (Fibroscan) in detection of clonorchiasis, so as to provide new insights into the assessment of therapeutic efficacy of deworming. Methods The liver stiffness measurement (LSM) values were measured in parasitologically diagnosed clonorchiasis patients using FibroScan before and after deworming, and the patients’age, gender, body mass index (BMI), duration of raw fish consumption and total amount of raw fish consumption were collected for correlation analyses. Results The clonorchiasis patients’age, gender, BMI, duration of raw fish consumption and total amount of raw fish consumption had no associations with pre-treatment LSM values (r/rs = 0.189, 0.073, 0.180; 0.071, –0.098, 0.033; 0.166, 0.309, 0.172; 0.235, 0.247, 0.209; 0.164, 0.277, 0.088; all P values > 0.05). There was a significant difference in the LSM values from the seventh, eighth and ninth intercostal space prior to deworming (F = 3.259, P < 0.05), and no significant difference was detected after deworming (F = 0.851, P > 0.05). The LSM values from the seventh, eighth and ninth intercostal space were significantly lower pre-deworming than post-deworming (t = 6.724, 5.603, 2.884; all P values < 0.05). Conclusion FibroScan is feasible to assess the therapuetic efficacy of deworming in patients with clonorchiasis; however, measurement at various sites affects the LSM value.

Clinical value of transient elastography (FibroScan) in detection of clonorchiasis / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To assess the clinical significance of transient elastography (Fibroscan) in detection of clonorchiasis, so as to provide new insights into the assessment of therapeutic efficacy of deworming. Methods The liver stiffness measurement (LSM) values were measured in parasitologically diagnosed clonorchiasis patients using FibroScan before and after deworming, and the patients’age, gender, body mass index (BMI), duration of raw fish consumption and total amount of raw fish consumption were collected for correlation analyses. Results The clonorchiasis patients’age, gender, BMI, duration of raw fish consumption and total amount of raw fish consumption had no associations with pre-treatment LSM values (r/rs = 0.189, 0.073, 0.180; 0.071, –0.098, 0.033; 0.166, 0.309, 0.172; 0.235, 0.247, 0.209; 0.164, 0.277, 0.088; all P values > 0.05). There was a significant difference in the LSM values from the seventh, eighth and ninth intercostal space prior to deworming (F = 3.259, P < 0.05), and no significant difference was detected after deworming (F = 0.851, P > 0.05). The LSM values from the seventh, eighth and ninth intercostal space were significantly lower pre-deworming than post-deworming (t = 6.724, 5.603, 2.884; all P values < 0.05). Conclusion FibroScan is feasible to assess the therapuetic efficacy of deworming in patients with clonorchiasis; however, measurement at various sites affects the LSM value.

KCNQ1, KCNH2, KCNE1 and KCNE2 potassium channels gene variants in sudden manhood death syndrome / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate KCNQ1, KCNH2, KCNE1 and KCNE2 gene variants in the cases of sudden manhood death syndrome (SMDS).@*METHODS@#One hundred and sixteen sporadic cases of SMDS and one hundred and twenty-five healthy controlled samples were enrolled. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples. Gene variants of KCNQ1, KCNH2, KCNE1 and KCNE2 were screened by direct sequencing.@*RESULTS@#A total of 14 mutations and 14 SNP were detected. Two non-synonymous mutations of them were newfound. There was no non-synonymous mutation found in the control group.@*CONCLUSION@#There are KCNQ1, KCNH2, KCNE1 and KCNE2 gene variants found in Chinese SMDS cases. KCNQ1, KCNH2, KCNE1 and KCNE2 gene mutation may correlate partly with the occurrence of some cases of the SMDS in China.

Estimation of postmortem interval by detecting thickness of cornea using ultrasonic method / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the postmortem changes of cornea thickness measured by ultrasonic pachymetry.@*METHODS@#Eleven rabbits were randomly divided into two groups: one group with intact corneal epithelium and another group without intact corneal epithelium. In the later group, the corneal epithelium of the rabbit was scraped using mechanical elimination method. The corneal thickness was monitored continuously by ultrasonic pachymetry at several postmortem interval points in rabbits of the two groups. The changes of corneal thickness and postmortem interval were explored by relative regression analysis.@*RESULTS@#The thickness of the cornea showed a strong non-linear correlation with the postmortem interval in the group with intact corneal epithelium. The group with intact corneal epithelium showed the correlation coefficient 0.922 and the group without intact corneal epithelium showed the correlation coefficient 0.822, respectively.@*CONCLUSION@#The corneal thickness measured by ultrasonic pachymetry shows a potential value for estimating early postmortem interval. The intact corneal epithelium is a crucial factor for the measurement of cornea thickness by ultrasonic pachymetry.

Construction of an eukaryotic expression vector for PRL-2 and its effect on human hepatocellular carcinoma cell invasiveness and migration in vitro / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To construct an eukaryotic expression vector for PRL-2 and evaluate its effect on the invasiveness and migration of a human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>RT-PCR was performed to amplify the complete PRL-2 open reading frame using the total mRNA of hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells as the template. PRL-2 gene was inserted into the pGEM T easy vector and sequenced, and the correct PRL-2 sequence was subcloned into the mammalian expression vector pcDNA3.1+. The constructed PRL-2 vector was transfected into CL1 cells via lipofectamine, and the stable expression of PRL-2 mRNA was detected by RT-PCR, the expressed protein identified by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting, and the effect of PRL-2 on the adhesion ability of CL-1 cell evaluated with MTT assay 20 and 120 min after transfection. The effect of PRL-2 on the invasive migration of CL-2 cells was evaluated according to the number of cells penetrating the Matrigel layer of polycarbonate membrane of Boyden chamber.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>RT-PCR yielded a fragment of 504 bp and the inserted PRL-2 sequence was verified by sequence analysis. The subclones were identified by restriction endonuclease digestion, and a G418-resistant clone, PRL-2-CL1, was obtained after 8 weeks of selection. RT-PCR showed stable expression of PRL-2 mRNA, and Western blotting confirmed overexpression of PRL-2 protein in the transfected cells. PRL-2 increased the adhesion rate of CL-1 cells to fibronectin at 20 min and 120 min after transfection (P<0.05), and also the number of CL-1 cells penetrating the polycarbonate membrane from 10.0+/-3.7 to 44.8+/-2.6 (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>An eukaryotic expression vector of PRL-2 has been successfully constructed, which allows stable and efficient expression in CL-1 cell line. PRL-2 can promote cell adhesion and invasion activity of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells.</p>

A study of gene amplification and expression of cyclin D1 in hepatocellular carcinoma / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate gene amplification of CCND1 and expression of cyclin D1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to explore the possible relationship between CCND1 gene status and carcinogenesis of HCC.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Differential PCR, RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to detect gene amplification, mRNA and protein expression of cyclin D1 in 20 HCC cases respectively. The relationship between the gene amplification rate and the expression level of cyclin D1 and the histological grades of HCC was analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>CCND1 gene amplification was detected in 30% of the cases HCC. An overexpression of cyclin D1 mRNA and protein could be demonstrated in 45% and 70% cases respectively. The expression of cyclin D1 mRNA correlated with its gene amplification status (P < 0.05) and was responsible for the protein expression level (P < 0.05). There was a close relationship between the expression level of cyclin D1 protein and HCC histological grades (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>CCND1 gene amplification is a common phenomenon in HCC and may be directly responsible for the cyclin D1 mRNA and protein overexpression. Cyclin D1 protein expression level is directly related to HCC histological grades. Therefore, CCND1 amplification and cyclin D1 overexpression may play an important role in development and differentiation of HCC.</p>

Relationship between TIMP-3 expression and promoter methylation of TIMP-3 gene in hepatocellular carcinoma / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate further the possible mechanism of carcinogenesis and portal invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Samples of the primary tumors, cancer cells emboli in the portal veins and normal liver tissues adjacent to the tumor were collected from 20 cases of primary HCC. Expression of TIMP-3 (tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-3) protein was detected using Western blot. Expression of TIMP-3 mRNA was detected by RT-PCR. Methylation of TIMP-3 gene promoter was detected using methylation-specific PCR (MSP).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Expression of TIMP-3 protein and mRNA were obtained in all of the normal liver tissues adjacent to tumor. However, loss of TIMP-3 protein expression was found in 5 and 36 cases respectively in the primary tumors and tumor cell emboli in portal veins. Expression of TIMP-3 protein and mRNA in primary tumors and tumor emboli were significantly lower than that in the normal liver tissues. Promoter methylation of TIMP-3 gene could be detected in primary tumors (7 cases) and cancerous emboli (9 cases) in HCC, while no methylation found in normal liver tissues. In all the HCC cases with promoter gene methylation including primary tumors and cancerous emboli in portal veins, 13 cases showed complete loss and 6 cases showed low expression of TIMP-3 protein and mRNA. Promoter methylation of TIMP-3 was noticed not related with the histological grading of HCC.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>There is a close relationship between loss or low expressions of TIMP-3 and carcinogenesis and portal invasion of HCC. The loss and low expression of TIMP-3 gene and protein were caused by methylation of the gene promoter.</p>