Qualitative comparative analysis of learning engagement among Chinese part-time master's students in nursing.

BACKGROUND: Graduate nursing education plays an important role in the development of an innovative nation. Such education benefits the health of the community by cultivating competent and highly skilled nurses who can provide safe and quality nursing care. The number of students pursuing nursing degrees in China is insufficient, to meet the social demand for advanced practice nurses. The part-time Master of Nursing Specialist program for students offers flexible learning options for working nurses. However, the relatively low level of learning engagement exhibited by this group has raised concerns among policy-makers and nursing educators. An in-depth study of the factors affecting the learning engagement of part-time Master of Nursing Specialist postgraduates, especially with regard to their combined effect, is expected to provide a basis for improving the level of learning engagement among such students. METHODS: This study used ability-motivation-opportunity-theory and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis to analyze the relationships between five conditions (i.e., supportive campus environment, supportive work environment, student-faculty interaction, research motivation and time management ability) and learning engagement by reference to data collected from a sample of 225 part-time Master of Nursing Specialist students who were enrolled in China. RESULTS: The fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis results indicated that individual examples of these antecedent conditions were insufficient to influence learning engagement. In contrast, three combinations of the five conditions led to high levels of learning engagement, and substitutability and complementarity were observed among the various elements in the configuration. CONCLUSIONS: Research motivation, student-faculty interaction, a supportive work environment and time management are factors that can influence part-time postgraduates' learning engagement. Supervisors can enhance their research skills and expertise, hospitals can establish supportive environments for students, and students can strengthen their research motivation and time management abilities.

Diagnostic and prediction value of synthetic magnetic resonance imaging in acute ischemic stroke patients.

BACKGROUND: Current knowledge regarding synthetic magnetic resonance imaging in ischemic stroke (MAGiC) is inadequate. OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to investigate the diagnostic and prognostic prediction value of MAGiC in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This prospective observational study enrolled 197 AIS patients between January 2022 and May 2023. All patients underwent routine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) scans, doppler ultrasound, MAGiC, and dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE)-MRI. The levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-ch), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-ch), C-reactive protein (CRP), and procalcitonin (PCT) were also measured, and the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was used to evaluate stroke severity. RESULTS: T2 and proton density (PD) values were markedly lower in severe patients than in mild-to-moderate patients, and the DCE-MRI Ktrans value was substantially higher in severe patients compared to mild-to-moderate patients. Furthermore, T2 and PD correlated negatively, while Ktrans correlated positively with CRP. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) showed T2 and Ktrans to have the best diagnostic potential as MAGiC and DCE-MRI parameters, respectively. As such, combining T2 and Ktrans could improve severe stroke diagnosis accuracy. Moreover, TG, LDL-ch, CRP, T2, and Ktrans were independent risk factors for severe stroke. CONCLUSIONS: T2 and PD MAGiC parameters and the DCE-MRI Ktrans parameter could be used as indices to predict severe stroke, while combining T2 and Ktrans might provide better diagnostic accuracy.

MiR-145 is upregulated in the retarded preimplantation embryos and modulates cholesterol levels in mice preimplantation embryos through targeting Abca1.

BACKGROUND: Preimplantation embryonic lethality is a driver of female infertility. Certain microRNAs (miRNAs) have previously been demonstrated to play important roles in the regulation of embryogenesis. METHODS: Normally developing blastocysts and arrested embryos were collected from patients undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), and the expression of specific miRNAs therein was evaluated by qPCR. The overexpression of target molecule miR-145 in early mice embryos was achieved via oocyte microinjection, enabling the subsequent monitoring of how such overexpression impacted embryonic development. Bioinformatics approaches were utilized to identify putative miR-145 target mRNAs, and luciferase reporter assessments were implemented to confirm the ability of miR-145 to regulate Abca1 in HEK293T cells. The functional relationship between miR-145 and Abca1 in the mice's embryonic development was then confirmed through rescue assays. RESULTS: Abnormally increased miR-145 expression was observed in patients' arrested embryos, and the exogenous overexpression of this miRNA significantly suppressed mural blastocyst formation. Mechanistically, miR-145 was found to bind to the 3'-untranslated area of the Abca1 mRNA in HK293T cells, thus suppressing its expression and increasing embryonic cholesterol levels. In line with the importance of these cholesterol levels to embryogenesis, the upregulation of Abca1 was sufficient to rescue the observed change in cholesterol levels and the associated retardation of mice embryonic development that occurred in response to the overexpression of miR-145. CONCLUSION: The regulatory dynamics of the miR-145/Abca1 axis play an important role in shaping normal embryonic development.

Thrombospondin 2 and tumors / 国际肿瘤学杂志

Thrombospondin (THBS) 2, as a member of the THBS family, is expressed in a variety of tumor cells and has important significance in the development and metastasis of tumors. In recent years, studies have reported that the specific role of THBS2 in different tumors is different, and it participates in a variety of biological processes, such as cell apoptosis, wound healing, angiogenesis and inflammation. At present, the role of THBS2 in tumorigenesis, development, and prognosis is not completely clear. Exploring the abnormal expression and mechanism of THBS2 in tumors is expected to provide a new method for tumor diagnosis and treatment.

The impact of ceasing mutual blood donation on voluntary blood donation in Guangzhou / 中国输血杂志

【Objective】 To investigate the impact of ceasing mutual blood donation on voluntary blood donation in Guangzhou. 【Methods】 The data of blood donation from July 2016 to December 2019 (42-month before and after the official cease of mutual blood donation) in the Blood Collection and Supply System of Guangzhou Blood Center, including whole blood donations and apheresis platelets donations, were collected for interrupted time series analysis by month. Blood donors who donated (either whole blood or platelets) during 2016 were followed up until December 31, 2019, and the re-donation rate was analyzed by Chi-square test, t test and logistic regression analysis. 【Results】 The results showed that ceasing mutual blood donation had a significantly positive effect on the increase of platelet donations, but had no significant effect on whole blood donation. In 2016, whole blood donations and platelet donations were mainly voluntary (86.4% and 60.8%, respectively). In comparison of voluntary blood donation, the overall blood deferral rate(by dual assays) of mutual blood donation was higher (P<0.01), but the difference diminished as they donated twice or more. The re-donation rate of blood donors (mutual non-remunerated, voluntary, or both) all increased after the ceasing of mutual blood donation (mutual non-remunerated, : 4.7% vs 4.0%, χ2=29.8, P<0.01; voluntary: 24.8% vs 9.9%, χ2=17295.3, P<0.01; both: 36.3% vs 28.1%, χ2=29.3, P<0.01). The re-donation rate of mutual platelet donors decreased after the ceasing of mutual blood donation, but the number of voluntary platelet donors increased. 【Conclusion】 The ceasing of mutual blood donation was in favour of voluntary blood donation in Guangzhou since various means had been previously adopted by Guangzhou Blood Center to create a long-term mechanism of voluntary blood donation. The number of voluntary blood donors has increased, and the clinical use of blood has been further guaranteed.

Prediction of perioperative hyperkalemia in dialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective: To explore the influencing factors for serum potassium >4.4 mmol/L in the morning of parathyroidectomy in hemodialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT). Methods: The clinical data of 72 patients with SHPT who received regular hemodialysis and underwent parathyroidectomy in Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital from January 2012 to December 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 37 males and 35 females, aged from 25 to 69 years, and the dialysis timespan was from 0.5 to 11 years. The levels of parathyroid hormone, serum potassium and serum calcium before hemodialysis were examined one day before operation, and hemodialysis time and dewatering volume after hemodialysis without heparin were recorded, and also the level of serum potassium in the morning of parathyroidectomy was detected. The occurrences of hyperkalemia during and after operation were studied. The factors related to hyperkalemia in the morning of parathyroidectomy were evaluated by Pearson or Spearman correlation analysis, and the cut-off values of risk factors were calculated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results: Serum potassium >4.4 mmol/L in the morning of parathyroidectomy existed in 23 of 72 patients. Correlation analysis showed that serum potassium one day before operation ((4.93±0.56)mmol/L, r=0.656, P<0.001) and dehydration volume ((2.37±0.75)L, r=0.261, P=0.027) were positively correlated with serum potassium in the morning of parathyroidectomy((4.16±0.54)mmol/L). Serum potassium before hemodialysis one day before operation was a main predictor for serum potassium in the morning of parathyroidectomy (AUC=0.791, P<0.001). The cut-off value of serum potassium before hemodialysis one day before operation was 5.0 mmol/L. Conclusion: Serum potassium before hemodialysis one day before operation in patients with SHPT can predict serum potassium in the morning of parathyroidectomy, offering imformation for the safety of operation.

Development of Geriatric Nursing Core Literacy Evaluation Scale and assessment of its validity and reliability / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective:To develop a geriatric nursing core literacy evaluation scale and to test its validity and reliability.Methods:The scale item pool was constructed by referring to relevant literatures and expert consultation method was used to form initial scale. A preliminary investigation was conducted among 40 nurses to form the formal scale, and then 252 nurses were selected to test the validity and reliability of the formal scale.Results:The formal scale consisted of four dimensions and 37 items. The Cronbach α coefficient of the formal scale was 0.980, the content validity index was 0.912, exploratory factor analysis identified 4 principal factors (knowledge geriatric nursing core literacy, skill geriatric nursing core literacy, cognitive geriatric nursing core literacy, belief geriatric nursing core literacy) and explained 73.135% of the total variance.Conclusion:The geriatric nursing core literacy evaluation scale has good reliability and validity, which can be used to evaluate the geriatric nursing core literacy of nursing staffs.

Electroacupuncture combined with lifestyle control on obese nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) combined with lifestyle control on hepatic fat status, hepatic enzymology, glycolipid metabolism and anthropological parameters in patients with obese nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD).@*METHODS@#A total of 90 patients with obese NAFLD were randomized into an observation group (45 cases, 4 cases dropped off) and a control group (45 cases, 1 case dropped off). Lifestyle control was implemented in the control group. On the basis of the treatment in the control group, acupuncture was applied at Zhongwan (CV 12), Quchi (LI 11), Shuifen (CV 9), Huaroumen (ST 24), Daheng (SP 15), Guanyuan (CV 4), Qihai (CV 6), etc. EA was provided at Huaroumen (ST 24) and Daheng (SP 15) with dilatational wave, 2 Hz/100 Hz in frequency, 30 min each time, once every other day, 3 times a week. The treatment for 12 weeks was required in both of the two groups. Hepatic fat status [controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) and liver stiffness measurement (LSM)], hepatic enzymology [alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT)], glycolipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity [fasting plasma glucose (FPG), fasting serum lisulin (FINS), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)] and anthropological parameters [body weight (BW), body mass index (BMI), fat percentage (FP), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR)] in the two groups were observed before and after treatment.@*RESULTS@#①Compared before treatment, hepatic CAP, LSM, serum ALT, AST and GGT after treatment were obviously reduced in the two groups (<0.05, <0.01). After treatment, CAP and ALT in the observation group were lower than the control group (<0.05). ②Compared before treatment, FINS, HOMA-IR, LDL-C, TC and TG after treatment were obviously reduced in the two groups (<0.05, <0.01),while the levels of HDL-C were increased (<0.05). Compared before treatment, FPG after treatment in the observation group was reduced (<0.05). Compared with the control group, FINS, HOMA-IR, TC and TG in the observation group were lower than those in the control group after treatment (<0.05). ③Compared before treatment, BW BMI, FP, WC, HC, WHR after treatment were obviously reduced in the two groups (<0.01). After treatment, WC and WHR in the observation group were lower than the control group (<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Electroacupuncture combined with lifestyle control can effectively treat obese nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and present better therapeutic effect on hepatic fat status, glycolipid metabolism, insulin resistance, WC and WHR.

Correlation between differential expression of microRNA and quality of embryos / 中华医学遗传学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the correlation between microRNA (miRNA) differential expression and quality of embryo.@*METHODS@#The miRNA expression profiles of 8 blastocysts were detected by a TaqMan microRNA array, and miRNAs with a stable expression were selected. Additional blastocysts were selected, and the candidate miRNA was detected by real-time PCR. Meanwhile, chromosomal abnormalities of the embryos were detected by using next-generation sequencing, and the results were compared.@*RESULTS@#The expression of mir-720, mir-372, mir-886-3p and mir-512-3p was higher than that of miR-145, which suggested that mir-720, mir-372, mir-886-3p and mir-512-3p are related to early embryo development. The expression of miR-145 and mir-886-3p were significantly lower in the normal chromosome group. With the threshold values of above 9 and 3 for the relative expression of miR-145 and mir-886-3p, respectively, there was no embryo without a chromosomal abnormality.@*CONCLUSION@#There is a correlation between the expression level of specific miRNA and chromosomal abnormalities of embryos, which may be used as a novel biomarker for embryo selection.

Content Comparison of Mannose,Glucose and Narinhenin in Dendrobium officinale and Dendrobium huoshanense / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective: To optimize the pre-column derivation high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) content determination method of D-mannose and D-glucose as well as the content determination method of narinhenin in Dendrobium officinale and D. huoshanense, and compare the contents of D-mannose,D-glucose and narinhenin between D. officinale and D. huoshanense. Method: A pre-column derivation HPLC method modified by Chinese Pharmacopoeia(Ch.P) 2015 was used to simultaneously determine the contents of D-mannose and D-glucose,with acetonitrile-0.02 mol·L-1 ammonium acetate solution as mobile phase for gradient elution. Kromasil 100-5 C18 was performed with the wavelength set at 250 nm,and the flow rate was 1 mL·min-1;column temperature was 30℃. HPLC content determination of narinhenin was performed on Kromasil 100-5 C18 with the acetonitrile-methanol-0.4% phosphoric acid solution as mobile phase for gradient elution,and the wavelength was set at 290 nm; the flow rate was 0.8 mL·min-1,and column temperature was 40℃. Result: D-mannose and D-glucose showed a good linear relationship within the range of 0.15-3.0 μg and 0.075-2.25 μg (r=0.999 9); and their average recoveries were 99.01% (RSD 2.1%) and 101.69% (RSD 2.0%) respectively. In addition, the other methodological researches such as repeatability and durability all met the requirements. The contents of D-mannose(Cm),D-glucose(Cg) and sum of them (Cm+Cg) were 12.75%-36.40%,2.93%-18.39% and 19.23%-54.58% in 43 batch of D. officinale. Almost all of the results except very few samples reached the D-mannose standard in Ch.P 2015, and the total content of D-mannose and D-glucose was also up to the total polysccharide standard in Ch.P. The correlation between content and origin was not significant. The contents of D-mannose(Cm),D-glucose(Cg) and sum of them (Cm+Cg) were 14.33%-29.47%,6.64%-15.20%,and 25.73%-44.37% in 12 batch of D. huoshanense. These contents and ratio of peak areas of D-mannose to D-glucose (Am/Ag) were within the scope of D. officinale's; in addition, their average contents were basically the same with those in D. officinale (about 33%).Next,naringenin showed a good linear relationship within the range of 0.020 8-0.832 0 μg (r=0.999 9),and its average recovery was 101.96% (RSD 1.8%). The content of naringenin was 0.053 2-0.122 4 mg·g-1 (average value of 0.081 0 mg·g-1) in 11 batch of D. officinale, slightly higher than 0.040 3-0.090 0 mg ·g-1 (average value of 0.068 3 mg ·g-1) in 7 batch of D. huoshanense. All of these results of narinfenin did not reach the content lower limit in Ch.P. Conclusion: The method used to determinate the content of D-mannose and D-glucose is reproducible, and their sum content is possible to substitute the total polysccaride determination (with higher errors) in D. officinale; monosaccharide content determination can be used for quantitative quality control of D. huoshanense. However, it could not distinguish D. officinale and D. huoshanense by determining the contents of polysccharide,D-glucose,D-mannose and narinhenin, and shall be combined with other specificity methods for further identification.

Effect of pimecrolimus on interleukin-33 level in mice with atopic dermatitis and asthma / 中国医师进修杂志

Objective@#To explore the potential mechanism of pimecrolimus in airway remodeling of atopic dermatitis (AD) and asthma mice.@*Methods@#Female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into three groups: control group, atopic dermatitis group and pimecrolimus treatment group. The cell in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was calculated by Ray-Jimsa staining. The structural changes in lung tissue and skin tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and the level of interleukin (IL)-33, IL-5, IL-13 in serum was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expressions of type 1 collagen (Col1) in the airway of mice were detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting. And western blotting was also used to determine the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase P38 (P38MAPK) and mitogen-and stress-activated protein kinase 1 (MSK1) in the lungs of mice.@*Results@#Compared with those in the control group, the total number of leukocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and the expression levels of IL-33, IL-13 and IL-5 in serum of atopic dermatitis group were significantly higher, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). In the atopic dermatitis group, the phosphorylation of P38MAPK and MSK1 protein was increased (1.50 ± 0.43 vs. 0.80 ± 0.43, 1.39 ± 0.08 vs. 0.62 ± 0.08) and the expression of Col1 protein and protein (1 vs. 3.20 ± 0.59, 1.40 ± 0.12 vs. 0.13 ± 0.16) was increased, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). After pimecrolimus treatment, the number of leukocytes in BALF, the levels of IL-33, IL-5 and IL-13 in serum (213.13 ± 11.89, 657.97 ± 86.47, 143.82 ± 33.02), the phosphorylation of P38MAPK and MSK1 protein in lung tissue (0.10 ± 0.04, 0.85 ± 0.05), and the expression of Col1 mRNA and Col1 protein were decreased (0.61 ± 0.22, 0.48 ± 0.08), and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The edema of lung and skin tissue and the infiltration of inflammatory cells were alleviated.@*Conclusions@#Pimecrolimus can alleviate the inflammation and airway remodeling in mice by inhibiting the activation of IL-33 related pathways, thereby reducing the incidence of asthma.

Prognostic analysis of radical radiotherapy for 211 cases of cervical cancer / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

Objective@#To investigate the curative effect and prognostic factors of radical radiotherapy for cervical cancer.@*Methods@#A total of 211 patients with stage ⅠA-ⅢB cervical cancer who underwent therapy in department of radiotherapy, Tumor Hospital of Jilin province between June 2014 and February 2017, were analyzed retrospectively. All patients received radical radiotherapy with or without concurrent chemotherapy. Short-term and long-term efficacy and related prognostic factors were observed. Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis, Log-rank test was used for univariate analysis, and Cox proportional hazards regression model was used for multivariate analysis.@*Results@#The 2-year overall survival (OS) and disease free survival (DFS) were 83.4% and 72.5%, respectively. During the follow-up periods, 46 patients (21.8%) died, including two from non-tumor-related diseases, and one from second primary colon cancer. Totally 57 patients (27%) had recurrence and metastasis, including 16 (28.1%) with local recurrence, 27 (47.4%) with distant metastasis, and 14 with local recurrence and distant metastasis(24.6%). Univariate analysis showed that 2-year OS and DFS were significantly correlated with pathological type, pre-treatment squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC) value and FIGO stage (OS: χ2=7.123, 6.014, 8.398, P<0.05; DFS: χ2=11.832, 8.003, 7.731, P<0.05). In addition to the above factors, 2-year DFS was also associated with pelvic lymph node metastasis (χ2=9.286, P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that pathological type, pre-treatment SCC value and FIGO stage were independent prognostic factors of OS(HR=2.963, 2.473, 2.574, P<0.05). The independent prognosis factors affecting DFS included pathological type, pre-treatment SCC value and pelvic lymph node metastasis (HR =3.014, 1.988, 1.914, P<0.05).@*Conclusions@#By means of radical radiotherapy, cervical cancer patients with adenocarcinoma, pre-treatment SCC levels ≥30 ng/ml and advanced stage have poor prognosis, so more active treatment strategy should be adopted.

Prognostic analysis of radical radiotherapy for 211 cases of cervical cancer / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

Objective To investigate the curative effect and prognostic factors of radical radiotherapy for cervical cancer. Methods A total of 211 patients with stage ⅠA-ⅢB cervical cancer who underwent therapy in department of radiotherapy, Tumor Hospital of Jilin province between June 2014 and February 2017, were analyzed retrospectively. All patients received radical radiotherapy with or without concurrent chemotherapy. Short-term and long-term efficacy and related prognostic factors were observed. Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis, Log-rank test was used for univariate analysis, and Cox proportional hazards regression model was used for multivariate analysis. Results The 2-year overall survival (OS) and disease free survival (DFS) were 83. 4％ and 72. 5％, respectively. During the follow-up periods, 46 patients (21. 8％) died, including two from non-tumor-related diseases, and one from second primary colon cancer. Totally 57 patients (27％) had recurrence and metastasis, including 16 (28. 1％) with local recurrence, 27 (47. 4％) with distant metastasis, and 14 with local recurrence and distant metastasis ( 24. 6％) . Univariate analysis showed that 2-year OS and DFS were significantly correlated with pathological type, pre-treatment squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC) value and FIGO stage (OS: χ2 = 7. 123, 6. 014, 8. 398, P < 0. 05; DFS: χ2 = 11. 832, 8. 003, 7. 731, P < 0. 05). In addition to the above factors, 2-year DFS was also associated with pelvic lymph node metastasis ( χ2 =9. 286, P<0. 05). Multivariate analysis showed that pathological type, pre-treatment SCC value and FIGO stage were independent prognostic factors of OS (HR= 2. 963, 2. 473, 2. 574, P<0. 05). The independent prognosis factors affecting DFS included pathological type, pre-treatment SCC value and pelvic lymph node metastasis (HR = 3. 014, 1. 988, 1. 914, P< 0. 05). Conclusions By means of radical radiotherapy, cervical cancer patients with adenocarcinoma, pre-treatment SCC levels ≥30 ng/ ml and advanced stage have poor prognosis, so more active treatment strategy should be adopted.

Identification of de novo chromosomal structural abnormalities using whole genome sequencing / 中华医学遗传学杂志

OBJECTIVE To assess the value of whole genome sequencing for the identification of de novo structural chromosomal abnormalities. METHODS Whole genome sequencing was utilized to analyze a boy with a peripheral blood karyotype of 46,XY,ins(3)(q21p13p21). The patient manifested with ocular abnormalities including blepharophimosis and ptosis. RESULTS Whole genome sequencing suggested a fragmentation of chromosome 3 (from position 55 473 257 to 78 341 929) has been inserted into between 136 876 730 to 138 643 831, and the breakpoints have occurred in the intergenic region. Meanwhile, there was a deletion between 138 643 831 and 138 694 476. This region contains FOXL2, a pathogenic gene associated with blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus syndrome. CONCLUSION De novo structural chromosomal abnormalities may be caused by novel breakpoints or microdeletion flanking the deletion region. To confirm its pathogenic nature, a mutation needs to be assessed at both genetic and genomic levels, for which whole genome sequencing is a good option.

The Natural Course of Atopic Dermatitis and the Association with Asthma.

In this paper, we aimed to explore the potential mechanism underlying atopic dermatitis (AD) and its association with asthma. The BALB/c mice were randomly assigned to three groups, including the vehicle control (VD) group, the AD group, and the treatment (TR) group. The AD mice model was successfully constructed in the AD and TR group. The dermatitis severity scores and skin lesions were significantly increased in AD mice after DNCB application. Airway responsiveness in the AD group was significantly higher than in the TR group. The number of inflammatory cells was increased in skin lesions and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of AD mice. The levels of IL-4, IL-5, IFN-γ, and OVA-IgE in BALF supernatants of mice in the AD group were higher than those in the VC group. All the changes in AD mice were decreased by tacrolimus. These results indicate that AD may be a significant risk factor for atopic asthma development.

Viral gastroenteritis outbreaks associated with new recombinant strain GⅡ.P16/GⅡ.2 of norovirus in Fujian, 2016 / 中国人兽共患病学报

We delineated the molecular characteristic of recombinant strain GⅡ.P16/GⅡ.2 of norovirus associated with acute viral gastroenteritis outbreaks in Fujian Province in winter of 2016.Norovirus were detected in specimens of patients collected from the gastroenteritis outbreaks by real time reverse transcription-PCR and reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR).The PCR products of the positive samples were purified,and partial RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) gene and partial capsid gene were sequenced.The sequences were analyzed using bioinformatics software and online database,and phylogenetic tree were also constructed.Norovirus were detected in all 18 stools.Analysis of 9 positive sequences indicated an emergence of norovirus GⅡ.P16/ GⅡ.2 and confirmed being the cause of gastroenteritis outbreaks.All the strains shared homology of 98％ with strains of Kawasaki 194 of Japan detected in 2016 and 97.7％-98.8％ with IPH2161-08VG06 of Belgium detected in 2008,RdRp and capsid separately.These outbreak strains showed some degree of differences from the predominant strain,2012 Sydney GⅡ.4 variant.This is the first time to have found norovirus GⅡ.P16/ GⅡ.2 causing viral gastroenteritis outbreaks in Fujian.More in-depth analysis of the Norovirus GⅡ.P16/ GⅡ.2 could be useful to optimize preventative strategies and develop new and more effective therapeutic measure.

Viral gastroenteritis outbreaks associated with new recombinant strain GⅡ.P16/GⅡ.2 of norovirus in Fujian, 2016 / 中国人兽共患病学报

We delineated the molecular characteristic of recombinant strain GⅡ.P16/GⅡ.2 of norovirus associated with acute viral gastroenteritis outbreaks in Fujian Province in winter of 2016.Norovirus were detected in specimens of patients collected from the gastroenteritis outbreaks by real time reverse transcription-PCR and reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR).The PCR products of the positive samples were purified,and partial RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) gene and partial capsid gene were sequenced.The sequences were analyzed using bioinformatics software and online database,and phylogenetic tree were also constructed.Norovirus were detected in all 18 stools.Analysis of 9 positive sequences indicated an emergence of norovirus GⅡ.P16/ GⅡ.2 and confirmed being the cause of gastroenteritis outbreaks.All the strains shared homology of 98％ with strains of Kawasaki 194 of Japan detected in 2016 and 97.7％-98.8％ with IPH2161-08VG06 of Belgium detected in 2008,RdRp and capsid separately.These outbreak strains showed some degree of differences from the predominant strain,2012 Sydney GⅡ.4 variant.This is the first time to have found norovirus GⅡ.P16/ GⅡ.2 causing viral gastroenteritis outbreaks in Fujian.More in-depth analysis of the Norovirus GⅡ.P16/ GⅡ.2 could be useful to optimize preventative strategies and develop new and more effective therapeutic measure.

Differential diagnosis of the etiologies of fetal megacystis by prenatal ultrasonography / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective To explore the clinical value of prenatal ultrasonography in the differentiation among the etiologies of fetal megacystis.Methods Twenty seven fetuses,diagnosed as fetal megacystis by prenatal ultrasonography,were retrospectively analyzed.The etiologies of fetal megacystis were presumed by such characteristics as keyhole sign,thickness of the bladder wall,amniotic fluid index,fetal sex and other combined signs.All fetuses were followed up until to the induction of labor or birth.Results Twenty seven singleton fetuses (19 males and 8 females) were diagnosed as megacystis.According to the characteristics and other combined signs,8 cases of posterior urethral valves (PUV),1 of prune belly syndrome(PBS),1 of megacystis-microcolon intestinal hypoperistalsis syndrome(MMIHS),1 of urethral atresia and 5 of chromosomal abnormality were presumed by prenatal ultrasound.Multiple malformations were found in 5 fetuses and there were also 6 fetuses with unknown reason originally.Among the 27 fetuses,21 were induced labor and 6 continued pregnancy to birth.Except for the 6 cases of unknown reason,etiologies of 17 fetuses with megacystis were confirmed by autopsy,genetic tests,surgery or further examination after birth.The accuracy rate of prenatal ultrasonography in the differentiation among the etiologies of fetal megacystis was 80.95％ (17/21).Conclusions On the basis of detailed prenatal ultrasonography and typical characteristics,it is reliable to differentiate the etiologies of fetal megacystis.Sometimes fetal megacystis may be one part of multiple malformations or complex syndrome,such as VACTERL syndrome.However,it is difficult for ultrasonography to diagnose vesicoureteral reflux(VUR)prenatally.