Immunogenicity of mucosal COVID-19 vaccine candidates based on the highly attenuated vesicular stomatitis virus vector (VSVMT) in golden syrian hamster

COVID-19 is caused by coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Current systemic vaccines generally provide limited protection against viral replication and shedding within the airway. Recombinant VSV (rVSV) is an effective vector which inducing potent and comprehensive immunities. Currently, there are two clinical trials investigating COVID-19 vaccines based on VSV vectors. These vaccines were developed with spike protein of WA1 which administrated intramuscularly. Although intranasal route is ideal for activating mucosal immunity with VSV vector, safety is of concern. Thus, a highly attenuated rVSV with three amino acids mutations in matrix protein (VSVMT) was developed to construct safe mucosal vaccines against multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. It demonstrated that spike protein mutant lacking 21 amino acids in its cytoplasmic domain could rescue rVSV efficiently. VSVMT indicated improved safeness compared with wild-type VSV as the vector encoding SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. With a single-dosed intranasal inoculation of rVSVΔGMT-SΔ21, potent SARS-CoV-2 specific neutralization antibodies could be stimulated in animals, particularly in term of mucosal and cellular immunity. Strikingly, the chimeric VSV encoding SΔ21 of Delta-variant can induce more potent immune responses compared with those encoding SΔ21 of Omicron- or WA1-strain. VSVMT is a promising platform to develop a mucosal vaccine for countering COVID-19.

Clinical Efficacy of Surgical Radiofrequency Ablation-Modified Maze Procedure in Treating Atrial Fibrillation Patients With Large Left Atrial Heart Valve Disease / 中国循环杂志

Objective: To explore the clinical efficacy of surgical radiofrequency ablation-modified Maze procedure in treating atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with large left atrial heart valve disease. Methods: A total of 267 patients received cardiac valve replacement and radiofrequency ablation-modified Maze procedure at the same time in our hospital from 2014-01 to 2015-15 were retrospectively studied. Based on the size of left atril, patients were divided into 2 groups: Group A, patients with left atrial size<60 mm, n=182 and Group B, patients with left atrial size≥60 mm, n=85. All patients were followed-up for 6 months after operation, clinical efficacy of surgical radiofrequency ablation-modified Maze procedure in treating AF was compared between 2 groups. Results: ①All patients were successfully completed the operation, radiofrequency ablation time was similar between Group A and Group B [18-32 (24±4) min] vs [22-38 (25±6)min], P>0.05. ②The ratios for recovering to sinus rhythm at the end of operation and discharge in Group A were 156/182 (86%) and 152 (84%), in Group B were 56/85 (66%) and 54 (64%); at 3 and 6 months post-operation in Group A were 149/182 (81.6%) and 146 (80.2%), in Group B were 48/85 (56.4%) and 46 (54.1%), all P<0.05. ③No patients needed installing permanent pacemaker, no operative mortality and no ablation related complications.Conclusion: Radiofrequency ablation-modified Maze procedure was safe, simple and effective in treating heart valve disease complicated AF, the effect in patients with left atrial ≥60 mm was inferior than left atrial<60mm; it could be used in clinical practice.

Inhibitory effects of Pin1 silencing by siRNA on apoptosis of H9c2 cardiomyo-cytes induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation / 中国免疫学杂志

Objective:Pin1 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease,our study aims to investigate the effects of Pin1 silencing by siRNA on H9c2 apoptosis induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation.Methods:H9c2 cells were cultured and subjected to a hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) condition in vitro,mimicking ischemic/reperfusion injury in vivo.The mRNA and protein expression of Pin1 were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot.H9c2 cells were divided into control group,H/R group,H/R+Pin1 siRNA group,H/R+scramble siRNA group.MTT and flow cytometry with Annexin V-FITC/PI staining were respectively performed to detect cell viability and apoptosis.The expression of Bax and Bcl-2 were measured by Western blot.The activity of Caspase-3 was detected by automatic biochemistry analytic instrument.Results:The mRNA and protein levels of Pin1 were highly expressed in the cells of H/R group.Transfection with Pin1 siRNA strikingly inhibited the expression of Pin1.Compared with H/R group,Pin1 siRNA markedly increased cell viability,decreased the cell apoptosis and the Caspase-3 activity.Furthermore,the increased Bcl-2,decreased Bax and the ratio of Bcl-2 to Bax were observed in Pin1 siRNA group (P<0.05) compared with H/R group.Conclusion:Downregulation of Pin1 protects hypoxia/reoxygenation-injured H9c2 cells from apoptosis,which is possibly through the upregulation of Bcl-2 and downregulation of Bax and Caspase-3 activity.

Monitoring of HBsAg and Risk of HBV Infection in Patients with Multiple Myeloma / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the incidence of HBsAg and the risk of HBV infection in patients with multiple myeloma (MM).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 114 newly diagnosed MM patients admitted in our hospital from May 2014 to July 2016 were enrolled in MM group, 110 healthy persons were enrolled in control group. The HBsAg positive rate and HBV infection rate were compared between 2 groups; the HBV infection rate of MM patients was compared before and after chemotherapy. According to detected results, all patients were divided into HBsAggroup and HBsAggroup, and the lever damage in 2 groups was compared before and after treatment. For HBsAgand HBV-DNApatients, the preventive antiviral treatment was performed, while for other patients the preventive antiviral treatment was not performed, then the HBV reactivation was tested in each group.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The incidence of HBsAgin MM patients seem a litter higher than that in control group without statistical significance (P>0.05); the incidence and severity of HBsAggroup were higher than those of control group before treatment, moreover the difference between 2 groups was more significant after treatment (P< 0.05). The HBsAg reactivation was not found in 4 pases with HBsAgwho received the proventive antiviral treatment, while the HBsAg reactivation was observed in 2 cases out of 6 cases without proventive antiviral treatment; the HBsAg reactivation happened only in 1 case of HBsAggroup after treatment. The HBV infection rate in MM patients after chemotherapy was significantly enhenced as compared with infection rate before chemotherapy(P< 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The HBV infection rate in MM patients is higher than that in normal persons, moreover tha HBV-reactivation may happen in patients with ocult HBV infection in process of treatment; the HBV infection correlates with MM to a certain degree. The monitoring HBsAg for MM patients contributes to evaluation of liver danage.</p>

Serum Protein Expression Level in 47 Patients with Megaloblastic Anemia and Its Clinical Significance / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the clinical significance of serum protein expression level in patients with megaloblastic anemia(MA).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 47 patients with MA were enrolled in this study between November 2013 and November 2015, and 50 healthy people in the same period were selected as controls. The levels of total protein (TP), albumin (Alb), ferritin (FER), transferrin (TRF) and soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) were compared between 2 groups, and the serum protein expression levels in different types of MA, varous anemia degrees of MA were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The leves of TP, Alb and FER in MA patients were significantly lower than those in control group, the levels of TRF and sTfR were statistically significantly higher than those in control group(P<0.05); the levels of TP, Alb and FER in the patients with mild anemia were significantly higher than those in the patients with moderate and severe anemia, the levels of TRF and sTfR were statistically significantly lower(P<0.05), while the levels of TP, Alb and FER in patients with moderate anemia were significantly higher than those in the patients with severe anemia, the levels of TRF and sTfR were significantly lower(P<0.05). Compared with levels before treatment, the levels of TP, Alb and FER significantly increased after treatment, while the TRF and sTfR levels significantly decreased (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Serum levels of TP, Alb, FER, TRF and sTfR can provide a basis for the diagnosis of MA, and contribute to predict the disease to some extent.</p>

Influence of Leukodeplated Blood Transfusion on Cellular Immunity of Acute Leukemia Patients / 中国实验血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the influence of leukodeplated blood transfusion on cellular immunity of patients with acute leuemia, so as to provide support for application of leuko-deplated blood transfusion in clinic.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 100 AL patients from January 2012 to December 2015 were chosen, and were divided into 2 groups: leukodeplated blood transfusion group(50 cases) and routine blood transfusion group(RBT) as control (50 cases). The effective rate, side effects, peripheral blood T cells and expression level of TLR2 and TLR4 were compared between 2 groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expression levels CD3(+), CD4(+), CD8(+), CD4(+)/CD8(+) of TLR2 and TLR4 in control group were (52.18±2.14)%, （27.28±1.19）%,（24.21±1.65）%,1.22±0.18,0.62±0.04 and 0.57±0.05, respectively, after treatment; while these indicators in LdBT group were （52.18±2.14）%,（30.97±2.01）%,（27.08±1.55）%,1.39±0.24,0.91±0.06 and 0.87±0.07, respectively, and above-mentioned indicators in LdBT group were significantly higher than those in control group（P<0.05）. Compared with these indicators before treatment, CD3(+), CD4(+), CD8(+) and CD4(+)/CD8(+) in the patients increased significantly（P<0.05）. The efficiency was 92.00% (46/50) in LdBT group, and 84.00% (42/50) in control group, without statistically significant difference（P>0.05）. The rate of side effects in study group was 6% (3/50), 18% (9/50) in control group, with statistically significance difference （P<0.05）.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Leukodeplated blood transfusion can improve the cellular immunity of AL patients, and reduce the rate of side effects.</p>

Preliminary study on CASK/Id1 pathway in fibroblasts of human keloid / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To verify the existence and significance of calcium/calmodulin dependent serine protein kinase/inhibitors of differentiation 1 (CASK/Id1) pathway in fibroblasts of human keloid.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Immunofluorescence laser was used to confirm CASK and Id1 protein expression and localization in fibroblasts of the keloid and normal skin. RT-PCR and Western-blot were adopted to analysis the CASK and Id1 expression and differences between keloid and normal skin fibroblasts. The natural combination of CASK and Id1 protein of keloid fibroblasts was tested by immunoprecipitation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>CASK and Id1 protein expression were both found in fibroblast cells of keloid and normal skin under normal circumstances. Most of CASK and Id1 were distributed in the cytoplasm and nucleus of fibroblasts. The results of RT-PCR showed that the expression of CASK mRNA in the keloid group was 0.658 +/- 0.024, which was lower than that in the normal control group (1.076 +/- 0.008, t = 11.159, P < 0.05). The expression of Id1 mRNA was 0.497 +/- 0.014, which was higher than that in the normal control group (0.307 +/- 0.017, t = 15.148, P < 0.05). The results of Western-blot showed that the expression level for CASK protein in the keloid group was 0.057 +/- 0.006, which was lower than that in the normal control group (0.168 +/- 0.012, t = 13.524, P < 0.05); the expression of Id1 protein was 0.812 +/- 0.035, which was higher than that in the normal control group (0.368 +/- 0.031, t = 16.356, P < 0.05). The results of immunoprecipitation showed that Id1 could be detected in the CASK precipitate, while CASK also could be detected in the Id1 precipitate. There was a natural binding of CASK and Id1 in keloid fibroblasts.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CASK/Id1 signal pathway may be existed and involved in the proliferation of keloid fibroblasts, which is related with the occurrence of keloid.</p>

microRNA expression in childhood acute granulocytic leukemia and its subtypes / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Recent studies have suggested that there is a close relation between microRNA and acute leukemia (AL). The aim of this study was to investigate and better understand the classification and diagnosis of AL as well as pathogenesis and prognosis of this disease.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 93 children with AL and and 12 cases of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (as control group) were enrolled in this study. Microarray chip analysis of their bone marrow samples was conducted to evaluate the microRNA profiles. Quantitative real-time PCR was performed for validating the abnormal expression of microRNA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The microRNA expression profiles were different between acute granulocytic leukemia and acute lymphoblastic leukemia and also between the three subtypes (M1, M2 and M3) of acute granulocytic leukemia according to FAB classification based on leukemic cell differentiation. These three subtypes of leukemia could be identified by unsupervised hierarchical cluster analysis of microRNA expression and had specific up-regulation of miR-335, miR-126 and miR-125b, respectively. However, in the M2 and M3 subtypes with positive AML1-ETO and PML-RARα, respectively, which have a better prognosis, the expressions of miR-126 and miR-125b were significantly higher than those with negative AML1-ETO and PML-RARα. Further more, miR-335 and miR-146 were up-regulated in acute granulocytic leukemia observed in this study, which are different from those reported for adult patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>microRNA cascade may serve as new biomarkers for the classification and diagnosis of pediatric AL. It is also suggested that there might be different pathogenesis and prognosis between AL types related to specific expression and regulation of microRNA.</p>

Ultracytochemical observation of the intracellular localization of H+-adenosine triphosphatase / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the ultracytochemical localization of H(+)-adenosine triphosphatase (H(+)-ATPase) in the cell organelles.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The localization of H(+)-ATPase in the cell organelles was observed in the hepatocytes and renal cells of Wistar rats using routine ultracytochemical methods.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>H(+)-ATPase activities were observed on the lysosomal membrane and nuclear envelope of the hepatocytes and proximal tubule epithelial cells of the nephron in Wistar rats.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This finding supports the hypothesis that H(+)-ATPase (V-ATPase) is present on the plasma membrane and in the endomembrane system.</p>

Three-dimensional design of surgery for mandibular retrusion / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the feasibility of surgical design for mandibular retrusion using three-dimensional software.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Three-dimensional reconstruction was performed by Mimics software based on the preoperative CT data. The model of the maxillofacial region was imported into Rapidform software for measuring the associated parameters and Geomagic software for simulation of osteotomy. The reliability of the virtual operation was validated during the surgery.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The model of mandibular retrusion was reconstructed and successfully used to simulate the surgery. The simulation result was applied in subsequent actual surgery and good surgical outcomes were achieved.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The three-dimensional software can be used to simulate the surgery for mandibular retrusion and improve the predictability and accuracy of the surgery.</p>

Protein kinase D3 is involved in negative regulation of MMP-7 in prostate cancer cells / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the role of protein kinase D3 (PKD3) in the regulation of matrix metalloproteinases 7 (MMP-7) expression in prostate cancer cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>PC-3 cells were either stimulated with 100 nmol/L PMA to activate PKD3 kinase activity, or transiently transfected with PKD3 siRNA, and the relative expression level of MMP-7 mRNA were analyzed by real-time PCR using 2(-delta delta Ct) method. MMP-7 mRNA levels were also analyzed and quantified in HEK293 cells with over-expression of wild-type PKD3, PKD3 knockdown (using PKD3 siRNA), or over-expression of wild-type PKD3 followed by PKD3 knockdown.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>MMP-7 mRNA expression in PC3 cells was significantly decreased after PMA-induced PKD3 kinase activation. In contrast, PKD3 knockdown by siRNA transfection markedly increased MMP-7 mRNA level (P<0.01). MMP-7 mRNA level in HEK293 cells was significantly decreased by PKD3 over-expression, whereas obviously increased by PKD3 knockdown. Down-regulation of MMP-7 mRNA level in HEK293 induced by PKD3 over-expression was rescued by PKD3 knockdown.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>PKD3 may contribute to the malignant progression of prostate cancer cells through negative regulation of MMP-7 expression.</p>

PKD3 contributes to up-regulation of prostate-specific antigen in prostate cancer cells / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the role of PKD3 in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) expression regulation in androgen-dependent prostate cancer cells and explore the mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>LNCaP cells containing low level of PKD3 were transfected with pEGFP-C2 or pEGFP-PKD3 plasmid followed by dihydrotestosterone (DHT) treatment, and PSA mRNA level was analyzed by RT-QPCR using 2(-delta delta Ct) method. Wild-type or kinase-dead PKD3 plasmids, human androgen receptor plasmid pSVAR0, pMMTV-luc of AR luciferase reporter and renilla luciferase reporter pRL-SV40 were cotransfected into HEK293 cells, and after treatment with DHT for 24 h, the cells were harvested and AR transcriptional activity were determined by dual-luciferase reporter assay. The subcellular localization of endogenous PKD3 and AR and their colocalization induced by DHT were observed by confocal microscopy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>PSA mRNA level triggered by DHT was significantly increased by overexpression of pEGFP-PKD3 in LNCaP cells compared with that in pEGFP-C2 control cells (P<0.001). AR transcription in response to DHT treatment was also significantly up-regulated by wild type PKD3 expression (P<0.001), but partially down-regulated by kinase-dead PKD3 mutant (P<0.01). Endogenous PKD3 and AR in LNCaP cells not only translocated from the cytoplasm to the nucleus, but also colocalized with each other after DHT stimulation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Elevated AR transcriptional activity and enhanced expression of PSA induced by PKD3 in response to DHT treatment suggest that PKD3 contributes to the proliferation and malignant growth of androgen-dependent prostate cancer cells.</p>

Estimation of postmortem interval using FTIR spectroscopy in rats' cardiac muscle / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#FTIR (Fourier transform infrared) spectroscopy was applied to observe the process of postmortem degradation in rats' cardiac muscle and provided a new method for the estimation of post-mortem interval (PMI).@*METHODS@#The rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and the bodies were kept in a controlled environmental chamber set at (20 +/- 2) degrees C. The FTIR spectra was applied to measure the changes of different chemical group from rats' left ventricle muscle at the different time point postmortem.@*RESULTS@#There were not obvious changes for the main FTIR absorbance peaks. But the different FTIR absorbance at the wave-number (cm(-1)) indicated the three types: increase, decrease, stable. The various absorbance ratios also demonstrated the similar changes.@*CONCLUSION@#FTIR spectroscopy may be potentially used as an effective method for estimating PMI in forensic practice using cardiac muscle tissue.

Application of ThinPrep cytology test in the diagnosis of lung cancer / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the diagnostic value of ThinPrep cytology test (TCT) in lung cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>353 cases of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and(or) bronchial brushing cytology (192 cases from lung cancer patients and 161 cases from benign lung disease patients) were detected with TCT and method of direct smear, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of two methods was compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The sensitivity and specificity of TCT were 39.6% and 99.4%. And which of direct smear method were 8.3% and 100%, respectively. The sensitivity of TCT was significantly higher than that of method of direct smear in the diagnosis of lung cancer (P < 0.01). There were 71 patients who underwent BALF and bronchial brushing cytology simultaneously, the sensitivity of TCT of BALF was higher than that of bronchial brushing cytology (P < 0.05). Of the 69 cases which had both TCT and histopathological results, TCT and pathology concordance rate was 84.1%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>TCT has more diagnostic value in lung cancer; BALF is more preponderant than bronchial brushing cytology by TCT in the diagnosis of lung cancer.</p>

The changes of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in rat's brain / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To apply Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to study the process of postmortem degradation of the rat brain and to provide a new way for the estimation of postmortem interval (PMI).@*METHODS@#The rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and the bodies were kept in a controlled environmental chamber set at (30 +/- 2) degrees C. To measure the content of the chemical groups in postmortem rat brains at the different time points from 0 to 36 h using the FTIR spectrograph.@*RESULTS@#With prolongation of PMI, the peak position of main absorbance bands in the FTIR spectra showed no significant changes, while the peak levels showed dramatic changes: (1) The relative peak intensity of 1080 cm(-1), 1238 cm(-1) (I1080/I1398, I1238/I1398) associated with nucleic acid decreased obviously; (2) The peak intensity ratio at Amide I, II (I1647/I1541) decreased; (3) The peak intensities at 1456 cm(-1) and 1398 cm(-1) showed a decreased and an increased trend, respectively; (4) Compared to the peak intensity of 1647 cm(-1), the peak intensities at 2852 cm(-1), 2871 cm(-1), 2923 cm(-1), and 2958 cm(-1) tended to increase, with only a slightly increased tendency in peak intensity of 2871 cm(-1).@*CONCLUSION@#FTIR spectroscopy may be potentially used as an effective method for estimating the PMI in medicolegal practice using brain tissue sample.

Expression of brain natriuretic peptide and c-fos gene in rat after acute myocardial ischemia and its medicolegal significance / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To study the mRNA expression of BNP and c-fos gene in rat heart after acute myocardial ischemia (AMI) and to provide a marker for its medicolegal diagnosis.@*METHODS@#AMI animal model of rat was made by ligating LAD. mRNA expression of BNP and c-fos gene were studied with RT-qPCR and ordinary PCR at 10 min, 30 min, 60 min and 3h after the successful ligation. The H&E staining was also used. Changes of the mRNA expression in different time groups were compared.@*RESULTS@#There was significant difference in BNP mRNA expression of the 3 h group by RT-qPCR compared with normal control group, 10 min, 30 min, and 60 min groups (P < 0.05). There were dramatic differences in c-fos mRNA expression between every two groups (P < 0.05) except between the normal group and the 10 min group, between the 30 min group and the 3 h group. The peak of c-fos expression was in 60 min group. No difference was shown between groups by the ordinary PCR. Myocardial fiber acidophilia staining and wavy changes could be seen occasionally at 3 h experimental group by H&E staining.@*CONCLUSIONS@#C-fos gene probably be used as an auxiliary test for myocardial ischemia of duration of 30 minutes or longer. RT-qPCR may be suitable for diagnosis of early AMI.

Expression of Ras-GTPase-activating protein SH 3 domain binding protein and osteopontin in esophageal squamous carcinoma and their effects on prognosis / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expressions and significances of Ras-GTPase-activating protein SH 3 domain binding protein(G3BP) and osteopontin (OPN) proteins in esophageal squamous carcinoma (ESC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The expressions of G3BP and OPN proteins in 80 cases of ESC were detected by immunohistochemistry. The relationships between the 2 protein expression and tumor size, differentiation degree, TNM stage, lymph node metastasis and prognosis of ESC were also explored.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) The positive expression rate of G3BP in ESC was 71.3%, and the rate in lymphoid metastatic group was significantly higher than that in non lymphoid metastatic group (Z=-2.283, P=0.022), but no relations were found between G3BP expression and diameter of tumor, differentiation and TNM grade (P>0.05). The G3BP positive expression group had shorter survival time than G3BP negative expression group (P=0.000). (2) The positive expression rate of OPN in ESC was 100%, and the degree of OPN expression was correlated with the differentiation (chi(2)=10.766, P=0.005) and lymphoid metastasis (Z=-2.289, P=0.022), but no relationship was found between the diameter of tumor and TNM grade (P>0.05). The expression of OPN were significantly related to survivals in a negative time-dependent manner in ESC patients (P=0.000). (3) The expression of G3BP protein correlated positively with the degree of OPN expression in ESC tissue (r(s)=0.376, P=0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The expressions of G3BP and OPN proteins have a close relationship with lymphoid metastasis and survival in ESC patients. G3BP and OPN proteins can be considered as predictors of prognosis in ESC patients.</p>

Corpus of biochemical changes after death by potassium intoxication in rabbits / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the objective evidence of the corpus biochemical changes in rabbits for postmortem diagnosis of potassium intoxication.@*METHODS@#Rabbits were sacrificed by Infusion of 0.3% KCl at full speed push or 1% KCl at 100 drip/min, respectively, with normal rabbits used as control. Cardiac blood and urine samples were collected before and after potassium infusion to examine the concentrations of various electrolytes (K+, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl-, and HCO3-) and to observe the antemortem and postmortem biochemical changes.@*RESULTS@#The mean lethal infusion time in the 0.3%KCl group was longer than that in the 1% KCl group (P = 0.006). The serum concentration of K+ increased while the serum concentrations of Na+, Ca2+, Cl-, and HCO3- decreased after the infusion. There were no statistically significant differences in the whole blood concentration of K+ as well as the serum concentration of Mg2+ between the two groups (P = 0.062). There were statistically significant differences in the concentrations of whole blood K+, as well as serum Na+, Mg2+, and Cl-, but not in the serum K+, Ca2+, and HCO3-. There were no statistically significant differences seen in the urine volumes and the concentrations of all the urine electrolytes between the groups.@*CONCLUSION@#Examination of the concentrations of K+ both in the whole blood and serum, as well as Mg2+ in the serum may be helpful for postmortem diagnosis of potassium intoxication.

Morphological changes in rabbits died of potassium intoxication / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#Morphologic features of the corpse of rabbits died of potassium intoxication were studied in order to elucidate an objective evidence for forensic determination of death caused by potassium intoxication.@*METHODS@#Macroscopic, microscopic, and ultrastructural (by transmission electron microscopy) changes were observed in the heart, brain, and kidney of rabbits killed by intravenous push or continuous infusion at 100 drips per minute with 0.3% and 1% KCl, respectively. Normal rabbits without any treatment killed by bleeding were used as controls.@*RESULTS@#Macroscopically, cardiac dilatation and congestion/stasis as well as ischemic and hypoxic changes in various organs were observed in rabbits died of potassium injection. Microscopically and ultrastructurally, there were destruction of the cardiac fibers with thickening, concentrating, or disappearing of the Z-line, constriction of the glomerular capillaries, enlargement of the Bowman capsule, thinning and fusion of foot processes, as well as apoptosis with phagocytosis in brain observed, particularly in the group infused with 1% KCl.@*CONCLUSION@#The morphologic changes observed in the heart and kidney appear to be characteristic, supporting death caused by potassium intoxication.

Association of CD133 and endothelin-converting enzyme expressions with prognosis of non-small cell lung carcinoma / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression of tumor stem cell marker CD133 and endothelin-converting enzymes (ECE) in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) and their association with NSCLC lymphoid metastasis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>CD133 and ECE expressions was detected immunohistochemically in the specimens from 77 patients with NSCLC, and the association of CD133 and ECE expressions with the tumor size, histological type, differentiation, lymphoid metastasis, and prognosis of NSCLC was analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The positive expression rate of CD133 and ECE was 51.9% (40/77) and 45.5% (35/77) in these specimens, respectively. Both CD133 and ECE expressions were associated positively with lymphoid metastasis (r=0.246 and 0.339, P<0.05), and inversely with the survival time of the patients (P<0.05). CD133 and ECE expressions were not related to tumor size, histological type, and differentiation of the tumor (P>0.05). CD133 expression was associated positively with ECE expression in NSCLC (r=0.249, P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CD133 and ECE expressions are associated with lymphoid metastasis and prognosis of NSCLC, and their overexpression often suggests unfavorable prognosis of NSCLC.</p>