Objective Assessment of Visual Field Defects Caused by Optic Chiasm and Its Posterior Visual Pathway Injury / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To investigate the characteristics and objective assessment method of visual field defects caused by optic chiasm and its posterior visual pathway injury.@*METHODS@#Typical cases of visual field defects caused by injuries to the optic chiasm, optic tracts, optic radiations, and visual cortex were selected. Visual field examinations, visual evoked potential (VEP) and multifocal visual evolved potential (mfVEP) measurements, craniocerebral CT/MRI, and retinal optical coherence tomography (OCT) were performed, respectively, and the aforementioned visual electrophysiological and neuroimaging indicators were analyzed comprehensively.@*RESULTS@#The electrophysiological manifestations of visual field defects caused by optic chiasm injuries were bitemporal hemianopsia mfVEP abnormalities. The visual field defects caused by optic tract, optic radiation, and visual cortex injuries were all manifested homonymous hemianopsia mfVEP abnormalities contralateral to the lesion. Mild relative afferent pupil disorder (RAPD) and characteristic optic nerve atrophy were observed in hemianopsia patients with optic tract injuries, but not in patients with optic radiation or visual cortex injuries. Neuroimaging could provide morphological evidence of damages to the optic chiasm and its posterior visual pathway.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Visual field defects caused by optic chiasm, optic tract, optic radiation, and visual cortex injuries have their respective characteristics. The combined application of mfVEP and static visual field measurements, in combination with neuroimaging, can maximize the assessment of the location and degree of visual pathway damage, providing an effective scheme for the identification of such injuries.

Expression of Spns2 in gastric cancer tissue and its effect on the proliferation and migration of gastric cancer cells / 医学研究生学报

Objective Few studies are reported on the correlation of Spinster homolog2(Spns2) with cancer.This study aims to investigate the expression of Spns2 in gastric cancer and the adjacent tissue and explore its effects on the proliferation, clone formation and migration of human gastric cancer cell line SGC-7901.Methods Samples of gastric cancer and the adjacent tissue were collected from 20 patients (12 males and 8 females) after surgery between February 2016 and August 2016. The expression of Spns2 in the gastric cancer and adjacent tissues was determined by immunohistochemistry. Eukaryotic expression vector pEX-1 (pGCMV/MCS/EGFP/Neo)-Spns2 and siRNA were constructed and transfected into the human gastric cancer cell line SGC-7901. The cells were divided into a pEX-1- Spns2 (siRNA-Spns2) group and a negative control pEX-1 (siRNA-NC) group. The mRNA and protein expressions of Spns2 were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. And the effects of Spns2 on the migration, clone formation and proliferation of the SGC-7901 cells after Spns2 over-expressed and down-regulated were evaluated by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, clone formation assay, transwell experiment and wound healing scratch assay.Results The expression of Spns2 was significantly lower in the gastric cancer than in the adjacent tissue (0.39±0.04 vs 0.45±0.02, P<0.05). After transfection, both Spns2 mRNA and protein levels were remarkably higher in the pEX-1-Spns2 (21.96±2.08 and 10.71±2.78) than in the pEX-1 group (0.88±0.12 and 0.83±0.16) (P<0.05), but markedly lower in the siRNA-Spns2 (0.35±0.07 and 0.53±0.07) than in the siRNA-NC group (0.91±0.09 and 0.92±0.08) (P<0.05). At 48, 72 and 96 hours, the proliferation of the SGC-7901 cells was significantly decreased in the pEX-1-Spns2 group as compared with the pEX-1 group (P<0.05) but increased in the siRNA-Spns2 group in comparison with the siRNA-NC group (P<0.05); the clone formation rate was reduced in the pEX-1-Spns2 group as compared with the pEX-1 group (\[33.30±3.81\]％ vs \[48.00±4.60\]％, P<0.05) but elevated in the siRNA-Spns2 group in comparison with the siRNA-NC group (\[48.38±4.22\]％ vs \[26.25±4.88\]％, P<0.05).Conclusion Spns2 is lowly expressed in gastric cancer, and its over-expression in SGC-7901 cells can reduce its proliferation, clone formation and migration. Spns2 may play a role in inhibiting the development and progression of gastric cancer.

[Effect of Chinese herb chicory extract on expression of renal transporter Glut9 in rats with hyperuricemia].

Sixty SD male rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, benzbromarone group(20 mg•kg⁻¹â€¢d⁻¹), chicory extract high dose, middle dose and low dose groups (5, 7.5, 10 g•kg⁻¹â€¢d⁻¹). The rats in normal group were given with water, and the rats in other groups were given with 10% fructose solution to establish hyperuricemia models. All the rats were sacrificed on the 42th day. Then their serum uric acid(SUA), serum creatinine(CRE), urea nitrogen(BUN) and urinary uric acid(UUA) levels were detected to calculate the clearance rate of uric acid in kidney(CUA). Meanwhile, the protein and gene expression levels of renal glucose transporter family member 9(Glut9) were detected by immunohistochemical and Real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR) methods. The effects of Chinese herb chicory extract on expression of renal Glut9 and decreasing uric acid were explored in this study, and the results showed that chicory extract could reduce SUA level in rats with hyperuricemia, increase renal CUA, decrease the protein expression of renal Glut9, inhibit uric acid re-absorption in kidney, and thus promote renal uric acid excretion.

Protective effects of rutin against obesity-induced reproductive impairment in male mice / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of rutin on body weight and obesity-induced reproductive impairment in male mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-four male mice were randomized equally into normal control group, high-fat diet group (HFD group), and HFD + rutin intervention group (HRU group). After 28 days of treatments, the testes and epididymis of the mice were collected for detection of total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG) levels and for pathological examinations with HE staining. The expressions of related genes was detected with real-time PCR, and Western blotting was used to detect the expression of Ucp1 protein in the samples.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After 28 days of treatments, the mean body weight was lower in mice with rutin intervention than in those in HFD group. The mice in HFD group showed significantly higher TG levels in the testis and epididymis and higher TC levels in the epididymis than those in the control and HRU groups. In HFD group, the testis and the epididymis displayed loosened structures with abnormalcell structure, and the number ofmature spermatozoa in the lumen was decreased and the mobility of the sperms was reduced; all these changes were significantly alleviated in HRU group. The expression levels of Ucp1 mRNA and protein increased (P<0.05) and the expressions of Mcp1 and TNF-α decreased significantly in the mice after rutin treatment (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Rutin can effectively inhibit rapid increase of body weight and protect against obesity-induced reproductive impairment in obese mice.</p>

Research of genes expression related to ginsenosides biosynthesis by methyl jasmonic acid in ginseng hair roots / 中国中药杂志

In order to obtain the expression of ginsenoside biosynthetic pathway related enzyme gene in ginseng hairy root under the control of elicitors, methyl jasmonate (MeJA) was added exogenously as elicitors. Ginseng hairy root clones induced by 4-year-old ginseng root was used as material, total saponin content in ginseng hairy root before and after MeJA treatment was determined by vanillin-sulfuric acid colorimetry, Meanwhile, relative expression of squalene synthase genes, squalene epoxidase genes, oxidized squalene cyclase genes, dammarenediol synthase genes, β-amyrin synthase genes, cycloartenol synthase genes before and after MeJA treatment were determined by Real-time PCR. The optimum conditions of MeJA which added to ginseng hairy root were obtained, the optimum additional concentration was 6×10⁻⁴ μmol•L⁻¹, the optimum additional time was 22 d, and the optimum action time was 5 d. The addition of MeJA could improve the enzymatic activity of peroxidase (PPD), catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (PPD) in ginseng hairy root. The expression of SQS，SQE，OSC，DS and β-AS genes of ginsenoside biosynthetic pathway increased significantly after MeJA treatment, while the change of CAS gene expression were not significant. The expression of key enzyme SQS，SQE，OSC，DS and β-AS genes in ginsenoside biosynthetic pathway was consistent with the changes of PPD，CAT，PPO enzymatic activity.

Preliminary application of laparoscopic technique in treatment of upper urinary calculi / 中国内镜杂志

Objective To evaluate the reasonable individual program for upper urinary tract calculi in minimally invasive treatment. Methods From January 2013 to June 2016, 147 patients (sides) with upper urinary calculi who had some characteristics received laparoscopic nehprectomy or corresponding surgical treatment. The number of cases of postoperative stagnation, the average hospitalization time and the average cost of treatment were compared with those of 147 patients (lateral) who underwent PCNL and URSL with the similarity, shape and load of stones before June 2016, respectively. Results The removal rate of stage I was 100.00％ (147/147) in laparoscopic group, which was significantly higher than that in PCNL and URSL group (91.84％, 135/147), the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.001); Laparoscopic group postoperative blood transfusion (0/147) and interventional hemostasis (0/147) were significantly lower in 6 cases (6/147) and 4 cases (4/147) in PCNL and URSL groups,the differences were statistically significant (P = 0.013, P = 0.044). There was no postoperative severe infection in laparoscopic group (0/147), which has no significant difference (P = 0.156) in postoperative severe infection between PCNL and URSL group (2/147). There were 9 cases of 134 cases of postoperative (9/134) fever at ≥ 38℃ in laparoscopic group, which was significantly lower than that in PCNL and URSL group (28/147), the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.002); Laparoscopic group of postoperative urinary tract stenosis in 3 cases (3/114), which was significantly lower than that of PCNL and URSL group (9/101), the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.045). The average length of stay in laparoscopic group was (10.12 ± 0.29) d, which was significantly lower (P = 0.011) than that in PCNL and URSL group (13.97 ± 0.38) days. The average cost of treatment in laparoscopic group (12541.84 ± 181.54) yuan was significantly lower than that in PCNL and URSL group (18124.65 ± 302.32) yuan, the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.018). Conclusion In some cases, when the upper urinary tract calcuci are suitable for 'cut out', the use of laparoscopic treatment is more secure; when there is a need for surgical treatment of complications, can be treated simultaneously. Laparoscopic technique is one of the important methods of minimally invasive treatment for upper urinary calculi.

White Matter Changes in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Prospective Longitudinal Diffusion Tensor Imaging Study / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The ability to predict posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a critical issue in the management of patients with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), as early medical and rehabilitative interventions may reduce the risks of long-term cognitive changes. The aim of the present study was to investigate how diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) metrics changed in the transition from acute to chronic phases in patients with mTBI and whether the alteration relates to the development of PTSD.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-three patients with mTBI and 22 healthy volunteers were investigated. The patients were divided into two groups: successful recovery (SR, n = 22) and poor recovery (PR, n = 21), based on neurocognitive evaluation at 1 or 6 months after injury. All patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging investigation at acute (within 3 days), subacute (10-20 days), and chronic (1-6 months) phases after injury. Group differences of fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) were analyzed using tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS). The accuracy of DTI metrics for classifying PTSD was estimated using Bayesian discrimination analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>TBSS showed white matter (WM) abnormalities in various brain regions. In the acute phase, FA values were higher for PR and SR patients than controls (all P < 0.05). In subacute phase, PR patients have higher mean MD than SR and controls (all P < 0.05). In the chronic phase, lower FA and higher MD were observed in PR compared with both SR and control groups (all P < 0.05). PR and SR groups could be discriminated with a sensitivity of 73%, specificity of 78%, and accuracy of 75.56%, in terms of MD value in subacute phase.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Patients with mTBI have multiple abnormalities in various WM regions. DTI metrics change over time and provide a potential indicator at subacute stage for PTSD following mTBI.</p>

Chemical constituents from Vitex negundo var. heterophylla / 中草药

Objective: To study the chemical constituents in the twigs of Vitex negundo var. heterophylla. Methods: A variety of silica gel column chromatography, Sephadex LH-20 gel column chromatography, and HPLC methods were used for the separation and purification of chemical composition. Their structures were identified on the basis of physicochemical property and spectral data. Results: Eight compounds were obtained and identified as apigenin-6-C-β-D-glucopyranosyl 8-C-α-L-arabinopyranoside (1), isoorientin (2), luteolin-6-C-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-8-C-β-D-glucopyranoside (3), luteolin-6,8-di-C-α-L-arabinopyranoside (4), apigenin-6-α-L- arabinopyranosyl-8-C-β-D-glucopyranoside (5), luteolin-6-C-α-L-arabinopyranosyl 8-C-β-L-arabinopyranoside (6), luteolin-6-C-β-L- arabinopyranosyl-8-C-β-D-glucopyranoside (7), and luteolin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (8). Conclusion: Compounds 1 and 3-7 are first isolated from the plants of Vitex Linn.

Application of Ocular Trauma Score in Mechanical Ocular Injury in Forensic Medicine / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the application value for the prognosis of mechanical ocular injury cases using ocular trauma score (OTS).@*METHODS@#Four hundred and eleven cases of mechanical ocular trauma were retrospectively reviewed. Of the 449 eyes, there were 317 closed globe injury and 132 open globe injury. OTS variables included numerical values as initial visual acuity, rupture, endophthalmitis, perforat- ing or penetrating injury, retinal detachment and relative afferent pupillary block. The differences be- tween the distribution of the final visual acuity and the probability of standard final visual acuity were compared to analyze the correlation between OTS category and final visual acuity. The different types of ocular trauma were compared.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the distribution of final visual acuity in standard OTS score, the ratio in OTS-3 category was statistically different in present study, and no differences were found in other categories. Final visual acuity showed a great linear correlation with OTS category (r = 0.71) and total score (r = 0.73). Compared with closed globe injury, open globe injury was generally associated with lower total score and poorer prognosis. Rupture injury had poorer prognosis compared with penetrating injury.@*CONCLUSION@#The use of OTS for the patients with ocular trauma can provide re- liable information for the evaluation of prognosis in forensic medicine.

Effect of Shengjiang Xiexin Decoction on the Repair of Damaged Rat Intestinal Mucosa after Irinotecan Chemotherapy / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effect of Shengjiang Xiexin Decoction (SXD) on the intestinal mucosal and functional cells of rats after irinotecan (CPT-11) chemotherapy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 24 healthy Sprague-Dawley (SD) male rats were divided into three groups, the normal control group, the CPT-11 group, the SXD combined CPT-11 group according to random digit table, 8 in each group. CPT-11 was injected at the daily dose of 150 mg/kg to rats in the CPT-11 group and the SXD combined CPT-11 group from the caudal vein on the 4th day, once daily for 2 successive days to duplicate delayed diarrhea model. Equal volume of normal saline was injected to rats in the normal control group from the caudal vein. SXD at 2 g/mL (10 g/kg body weight) was administered to rats in the SXD combined CPT-11 group by gastrogavage for 9 successive days. Deionized water was administered to rats in the CPT-11 group and the normal control group. Diarrhea was observed at 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, and 108 h to calculate the incidence rate of diarrhea. Meanwhile, scoring for diarrhea was performed by referring methods of Akinobu Kurita. Rats were killed on day 10, ileum, cecum, and colon tissues were collected and fixed in 10% formalin solution. HE staining was performed. Intestinal mucosa injuries were graded under light microscope according to the criterion of Chiu's score. The expressions of goblet cells and Paneth cells were observed by PAS stain. Enteroendocrine cells were observed by immunohistochemical CgA staining. Positive cells were counted and cumulative optical density (IOD) analyzed by Image-Pro-Plus 6.0.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>No diarrhea occurred in rats of the normal control group at each time point. The incidence rate of diarrhea was 75.0% (6/8) at 48 h, 100.0% (8/8) at 60 h, 100.0% (8/8) at 72 h, 87.5% (7/8) at 84 h, 75.0% (6/8) at 96 h, and 75.0% (6/8) at 108 h in the CPT-11 group. The incidence rate of diarrhea was 25.0% (2/8) at 48 h, 50.0% (4/8) at 60 h, 12.5% (1/8) at 72 h, 0.0% (0/8) at 84 h in the SXD combined CPT-11 group. Compared with the same group at 60 h, scores for diarrhea at 48, 84, 96, and 108 h obviously decreased in the CPT-11 group, and scores for diarrhea at 48, 72, 84, 96, and 108 h obviously decreased in the SXD combined CPT-11 group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the same group at 72 h, scores for diarrhea at 84, 96, and 108 h obviously decreased in the CPT-11 group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the normal control group, scores for diarrhea increased in the CPT-11 group at each time point (P < 0.01); grading of ileum, cecum, and colon mucosal tissues increased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); expressions of ileum and cecum mucosal epithelial goblet cells obviously decreased (P < 0.05); the number and expressions of ileum and cecum mucosal epithelial Paneth cells increased (P < 0.01). Expressions of ilium endocrine cells increased, while those of cecum and colon endocrine cells decreased in the CPT-11 group (P < 0.01). Compared with the CPT-11 group, scores for diarrhea were obviously lowered (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), grading of ileum, and cecum mucosal tissues decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); expressions of ileum, cecum, and colon mucosal epithelial goblet cells obviously increased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01); the number and expressions of ileum cecum mucosal epithelial Paneth cells increased (P < 0.05); expressions of cecum and colon endocrine cells increased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) in the SXD combined CPT-11 group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>SXD played roles in preventing and treating CPT-11 induced delayed diarrhea by improving CPT-11 chemotherapy induced apoptosis and necrosis of intestinal mucosal and functional cells.</p>

[Chicory extract's influence on gut bacteria of abdominal obesity rat].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy mechanisme of chicory extract interventing abdominal obesity rat from the aspect of gut bacteria. METHOD: Male SD rats were randomly divided into five groups, namely the normal group, model group, large and small dose group of chicory and the fenofibrate group. Normal group was given deionized water, the other group was given fructose water and give the medical treatment of chicory and fenofibrate. Assay triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL and HDL by biochemical methods and measure body weight and abdominal circumference and microscopicly observe the count changes of gut bacteria through real-time PCR method. RESULT: Compared with normal group, the triglyceride level and abdominal circumference were significantly higher (P < 0.05), weight and high-density lipoprotein increased but no significant changes and E. coli, lactobacillus increased significantly. Compared with model group, chicory extract large and small dose group and the fenofibrate group can significantly reduce triglyceride levels (P < 0.05), reduce the number of E. coli and Lactobacillus and increase the number of bifidobacteria. The fenofibrate group can significantly reduce total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein levels. CONCLUSION: The chicory's treatment effect on abdominal obesity is significant. The efficacy mechanisme intervention abdominal obesity may be related to the reduction of the number of lactic acid bacteria and E. coli and the increase of bifidobacteria.

The N-terminal CEBPA mutant in acute myeloid leukemia impairs CXCR4 expression.

CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) is an essential regulator for homing and maintenance of hematopoietic stem cells within the bone marrow niches. Analysis of clinical implications of bone marrow CXCR4 expression in patients with acute myeloid leukemia showed not only higher CXCR4 expression was an independent poor prognostic factor, irrespective of age, white blood cell counts, cytogenetics, and mutation status of NPM1/FLT3-ITD and CEBPA, but also showed CXCR4 expression was inversely associated with mutations of CEBPA, a gene encoding transcription factor C/EBPα. Patients with wild-type CEBPA had significantly higher CXCR4 expression than those with mutated CEBPA. We hypothesized that CEBPA might influence the expression of CXCR4. To test this hypothesis, we first examined endogenous CXCR4 expression in 293T and K562 cells over-expressing wild-type C/EBPα p42 and demonstrated that CXCR4 levels were increased in these cells, whilst the expression of the N-terminal mutant, C/EBPα p30, diminished CXCR4 transcription. We further showed p42 was bound to the CXCR4 promoter by the chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. Induction of p42 in the inducible K562-C/EBPα cell lines increased the chemotactic migration. Moreover, decreased expression of C/EBPα by RNA interference decreased levels of CXCR4 protein expression in U937 cells, thereby abrogating CXCR4-mediated chemotaxis. Our results provide, for the first time, evidence that C/EBPα indeed regulates the activation of CXCR4, which is critical for the homing and engraftment of acute myeloid leukemia cells, while p30 mutant impairs CXCR4 expression.

Correlation between visual acuity and fixation characteristics / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the feasibility of fixation characteristics to evaluate visual acuity.@*METHODS@#The fixation characteristics were examined in 75 subjects by MP-1 microperimeter. These subjects were divided into 3 groups: central fixation group, uncertain group and eccentric fixation group, and the differences of visual acuity among them were analyzed. Pearson correlation and regression analysis were performed on visual acuity and average retinal light sensitivity.@*RESULTS@#(1) The visual acuity was 4.80±0.16 for central fixation group; 4.20±0.45 for uncertain group; and 3.40±0.57 for eccentric fixation group, respectively. Based on the one-way ANOVA, the visual acuities in the three groups had statistically significant differences (P<0.05). (2) There was linear relationship between visual acuity (y) and average retinal light sensitivity (x). And the linear regression equations was y=-18.76+6.21x. The Pearson correlation coefficient was 0.707 (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#There is significant positive correlation between visual acuity and fixation characteristics. Testing of fixation characteristics could be used to assess visual acuity objectively, which has a practical value in forensic clinical medicine.

Detection of congenital uterine malformation by using transvaginal three-dimensional ultrasound / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

This study assessed the clinical application of transvaginal three-dimensional ultrasound (3D TVUS) in the diagnosis of congenital uterine malformation. A retrospective study was performed on 62 patients with congenital uterine malformation confirmed hysteroscopically and/or laparoscopically. The patients were subjected to transvaginal two-dimensional ultrasound (2D TVUS) and 3D TVUS. The accuracy rate was compared between the two methods. The accuracy rate of 3D TVUS was (98.38%, 61/62), higher than that of 2D TVUS (80.65%, 50/62). 3D TVUS coronal plane imaging could demonstrate the internal shape of the endometrial cavity and the external contour of the uterine fundus. It allowed accurate measurement on the coronary plane, and could three-dimensionally show the image of cervical tube, thereby providing information for the diagnosis of some complex uterine malformation. 3D TVUS imaging can obtain comprehensive information of the uterus malformation, and it is superior to 2D TVUS for the diagnosis of congenital uterine malformations, especially complex uterine anomaly.

Effect of cholic acid on fetal cardiac myocytes in intrahepatic choliestasis of pregnancy / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

This study examined the effect of cholic acid (CA) on cultured cardiac myocytes (CMs) from neonatal rats with an attempt to explore the possible mechanism of sudden fetal death in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP). Inverted microscopy was performed to detect the impact of CA on the beating rates of rat CMs. MTT method was used to study the effect of CA on the viability of CMs. CMs cultured in vitro were incubated with 10 μmol/L Ca(2+)-sensitive fluorescence indicator fluo-3/AM. The fluorescence signals of free calcium induced by CA were measured under a laser scanning confocal microscope. The results showed that CA decreased the beating rates of the CMs in a dose-dependent manner. CA could suppress the activities of CMs in a time- and dose-dependent manner. CA increased the concentration of intracellular free calcium in a dose-dependent manner. Our study suggested that CA could inhibit the activity of CMs by causing calcium overload, thereby leading to the sudden fetal death in ICP.

Effect of cholic acid on fetal cardiac myocytes in intrahepatic choliestasis of pregnancy / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

This study examined the effect of cholic acid (CA) on cultured cardiac myocytes (CMs) from neonatal rats with an attempt to explore the possible mechanism of sudden fetal death in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP). Inverted microscopy was performed to detect the impact of CA on the beating rates of rat CMs. MTT method was used to study the effect of CA on the viability of CMs. CMs cultured in vitro were incubated with 10 μmol/L Ca(2+)-sensitive fluorescence indicator fluo-3/AM. The fluorescence signals of free calcium induced by CA were measured under a laser scanning confocal microscope. The results showed that CA decreased the beating rates of the CMs in a dose-dependent manner. CA could suppress the activities of CMs in a time- and dose-dependent manner. CA increased the concentration of intracellular free calcium in a dose-dependent manner. Our study suggested that CA could inhibit the activity of CMs by causing calcium overload, thereby leading to the sudden fetal death in ICP.

Detection of congenital uterine malformation by using transvaginal three-dimensional ultrasound / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

This study assessed the clinical application of transvaginal three-dimensional ultrasound (3D TVUS) in the diagnosis of congenital uterine malformation. A retrospective study was performed on 62 patients with congenital uterine malformation confirmed hysteroscopically and/or laparoscopically. The patients were subjected to transvaginal two-dimensional ultrasound (2D TVUS) and 3D TVUS. The accuracy rate was compared between the two methods. The accuracy rate of 3D TVUS was (98.38%, 61/62), higher than that of 2D TVUS (80.65%, 50/62). 3D TVUS coronal plane imaging could demonstrate the internal shape of the endometrial cavity and the external contour of the uterine fundus. It allowed accurate measurement on the coronary plane, and could three-dimensionally show the image of cervical tube, thereby providing information for the diagnosis of some complex uterine malformation. 3D TVUS imaging can obtain comprehensive information of the uterus malformation, and it is superior to 2D TVUS for the diagnosis of congenital uterine malformations, especially complex uterine anomaly.

Clinical implications of U2AF1 mutation in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome and its stability during disease progression.

We aimed to analyze clinical impacts of the U2AF1 mutation on patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and its stability during disease progression. We checked mutation status of the U2AF1 by direct sequencing in 478 de novo MDS patients and correlated with the clinical characteristics and outcomes. We also sequentially analyzed the U2AF1 mutation in 421 samples from 142 patients to determine its stability during the disease courses. Thirty-six patients (7.5%) were found to have U2AF1 mutations, which occurred more frequently in younger patients (P = 0.033). U2AF1 mutation was an independent poor-risk factor for overall survival (OS) in all patients (P = 0.030) and younger patients (P = 0.041). U2AF1 mutation could also predict shorter time-to-leukemia transformation (TTL) in younger patients (P = 0.020). In addition, U2AF1 mutation was associated with shorter TTL in lower-risk MDS patients. Sequential analyses showed all original U2AF1 mutations in U2AF1-mutated patients were retained during follow-ups unless complete remission was achieved, whereas none of the U2AF1-wild patients acquired a novel mutation during disease evolution. U2AF1 mutation is more prevalent in younger MDS patients and associated with inferior outcomes although it is stable during the clinical course. The mutation may be used as a biomarker for risk stratification.

Updated immunoregulation mechanism of the testis / 中华男科学杂志

The testis is an immune privileged organ where germ cells are protected from autoimmune attack to ensure its reproductive function. Immune tolerance is important for the normal development and function of the testis. Notwithstanding its immune-privileged status, the imbalance between the tolerogenic and the efferent limb of the testicular immune response may lead to autoimmune damage in inflammatory or infected circumstances. Testicular immune regulation is a complex system involving multiple factors and the study of the regulation mechanisms of the testis is of great significance for access to new therapeutic targets. Currently, testicular immunoregulation is thought to be related with blood-testis barrier, Sertoli cells, immune cells, cytokines and androgen.

The clinical implication of SRSF2 mutation in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome and its stability during disease evolution.

Recurrent somatic mutation of SRSF2, one of the RNA splicing machinery genes, has been identified in a substantial proportion of patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). However, the clinical and biologic characteristics of MDS with this mutation remain to be addressed. In this study, 34 (14.6%) of the 233 MDS patients were found to have SRSF2 mutation. SRSF2 mutation was closely associated with male sex (P = .001) and older age (P < .001). It occurred concurrently with at least 1 additional mutation in 29 patients (85.3%) and was closely associated with RUNX1, IDH2, and ASXL1 mutations (P = .004, P < .001, and P < .001, respectively). Patients with SRSF2 mutation had an inferior overall survival (P = .010), especially in the lower risk patients. Further exploration showed that the prognostic impact of SRSF2 mutation might be attributed to its close association with old age. Sequential analyses in 173 samples from 66 patients showed that all SRSF2-mutated patients retained their original mutations, whereas none of the SRSF2-wild patients acquired a novel mutation during disease evolution. In conclusion, SRSF2 mutation is associated with distinct clinical and biologic features in MDS patients. It is stable during the clinical course and may play little role in disease progression.