[Comparative analysis of intestinal microbiota distribution characteristics based on metagenomics in patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis with or without ascites].

Objective: To use metagenomic sequencing to compare the differences in intestinal microbiota species and metabolic pathways in patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis with or without ascites and further explore the correlation between the differential microbiota and clinical indicators and metabolic pathways. Methods: 20 hepatitis B cirrhosis cases [10 without ascites (HBLC-WOA), 10 with ascites (HBLC-WA), and 5 healthy controls (HC)] were selected from the previously studied 16S rRNA samples. Metagenome sequencing was performed on the intestinal microbiota samples. The Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test and Spearman test were used to identify and analyse differential intestinal microbiota populations, metabolic pathways, and their correlations. Results: (1) The overall structure of the intestinal microbiota differed significantly among the three groups (R = 0.19, P = 0.018). The HC group had the largest abundance of Firmicutes and the lowest abundance of Proteobacteria at the genus level. Firmicutes abundance was significantly decreased (P(fdr) < 0.01), while Proteobacteria abundance was significantly increased (P(fdr) < 0.01) in patients with cirrhosis accompanied by ascites; (2) LEfSe analysis revealed that 29 intestinal microbiota (18 in the HBLC-WA group and 11 in the HBLC-WOA group) played a significant role in the disease group. The unclassified Enterobacteriaceae and Klebsiella species in the HBLC-WA group and Enterobacteriaceae in the HBLC-WOA group were positively correlated with the Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) score, prothrombin time, and international normalized ratio score and negatively correlated with albumin and hemoglobin levels (P < 0.05). Escherichia and Shigella in the HBLC-WA group were positively correlated with CTP scores (P < 0.05); (3) The correlation analysis results between the KEGG pathway and 29 specific intestinal microbiota revealed that Enterobacteriaceae and arachidonic acid, α-linolenic acid, glycerolipid metabolism, and fatty acid degradation were positively correlated in the lipid metabolism pathway, while most Enterobacteriaceae were positively correlated with branched-chain amino acid degradation and negatively correlated with aromatic amino acid biosynthesis in the amino acid metabolic pathway. Conclusion: A significant increment of Enterobacteriaceae in the intestines of HBLC-WA patients influenced hepatic reserve function and was associated with amino acid and lipid metabolic pathways. Therefore, attention should be paid to controlling the intestinal microbiota to prevent complications and improve the prognosis in patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis, especially in those with ascites.

[Preliminary report on the use of total lumpectomyconical remnant gastric - esophagus side overlap anastomosis in radical resection of Siewert type II proximal gastric cancer].

Objective: There is no standard method for esophageal remnant gastric reconstruction for proximal gastrectomy. Reflux esophagitis caused by esophagogastrostomy remains a difficult surgical problem. To report the preliminary surgical results of novel esophagus-conical remnant gastric side overlap anastomosis (CGEO) , with particular emphasis on postoperative esophageal reflux. Methods: In June 2022, we developed a novel CGEO for laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy on two patients with Siewert type II esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma. Surgical procedures for CGEO: (1) Laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy and preparation of conically shaped gastric remnant; (2) Determining anastomotic site of residual stomach and esophagus; (3) Side-to-side anastomosis of right esophageal wall to anterior of conical gastric remnant; (4) Valvuloplasty of esophageal stump. Results: Case 1 was a 71-year-old man with an operation time of 305 minutes and was successfully discharged from the hospital on the 9th day after surgery, and the postoperative pathology was T3N0M0. Case 2 was an 82-year-old man with an operation time of 325 minutes. He was discharged on the 10th day after surgery. In both cases, only mild esophageal mucosal changes were seen in gastroscopy, there were no obvious symptoms of esophageal reflux. There was also no significant weight change at half a year after operation. Conclusion: CGEO is moderately safe in radical surgery for proximal gastric cancer, and may have a preventive effect on the occurrence of postoperative esophageal reflux, but long-term results need to be confirmed by further studies with follow-up.

[Evaluation of kurtosis on hearing loss caused by non-steady state noise in general equipment manufacturing industry].

Objective: To study the effect of occupational exposure to non-steady state noise on hearing loss in the general equipment manufacturing industry, and to explore the feasibility of applying kurtosis index to evaluate hearing loss caused by non-steady state noise. Methods: A total of 233 workers exposed to non-steady state noise in 6 general equipment manufacturing enterprises were selected as the observation group, and 237 workers exposed to steady noise in 4 textile enterprises were selected as the control group between 2012 and 2018. Personal normalized continuous A-weighted sound pressure level equivalent to an 8 h-working-day (L(Aeq, 8 h)) was determined by a noise dosimeter. Cumulation noise exposure (CNE) was calculated from L(Aeq, 8 h) and related working age, and the CNE was adjusted by using noise kurtosis (CNE' after adjustment) . Meanwhile, questionnaires and hearing loss tests were performed for all subjects. The changes in the threshold of high-frequency hearing and the incidence of high-frequency hearing loss caused by noise in the two groups were compared before and after the adjustment of the kurtosis of CNE. The correlation between CNE and the incidence of high-frequency hearing loss before and after kurtosis adjustment was analyzed. Results: There was an difference between the 3000-8000 Hz hearing threshold of workers in different CNE groups (P<0.05) . logistic regression analysis showed that CNE was a risk factor of high-frequency hearing loss for workers in the observation group (OR=1.189, P<0.05) , and trend Chi-square test showed that the incidence of high-frequency hearing loss increased with CNE levels (χ(2)(trend)=34.415, P<0.05) .Before the kurtosis adjustment, in the CNE 95~<110 dB (A) ·year level group, the incidence of high-frequency hearing loss and the high-frequency hearing threshold in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05) . After kurtosis adjustment, there was no significant difference in the incidence of high-frequency hearing loss between the observation group and the control group in each level group (P>0.05) . The correlation between CNE after kurtosis adjustment and the incidence of high-frequency hearing loss was better than that before adjustment (after R(2) adjustment >before R(2) adjustment) . Conclusion: The effect of non-steady state noise on high-frequency hearing loss of workers in general equipment industry increases with the increase of CNE, and the effect of non-steady state noise on high-frequency hearing loss of workers is greater than that of steady noise. CNE' can be used to evaluate the hearing loss caused by non-steady state noise.

[Dose-response relationship between noise kurtosis and noise-induced hearing loss].

Objective: To analyse the dose-response relationships between the kurtosis metric of noise and noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and study the role of kurtosis in the evaluation of NIHL associated with non-Gaussian noise. Methods: From January 2012 to December 2017, a total of 1869 workers in seven manufacturing industries were selected as the study subjects. The basic data of the workers were investigated by questionnaire, personal noise waveform was collected for a long time, and pure tone hearing threshold was tested. The 8-hour continuous equivalent A sound level (L(Aeq, 8 h)) , cumulative noise exposure (CNE) and kurtosis structure indexes were calculated. The dose-response relationships between kurtosis and NIHL were analyzed by stratification analysis method, which controlled the influence of CNE, L(Aeq, 8 h), exposure duration, age and sex on hearing loss using high-frequency noise-induced permanent threshold shift (NIPTS(346)) and high-frequency noise-induced hearing loss (HFNIHL) as outcome indicators. Results: When CNE was <90 dB (A) ·year and ≥100 dB (A) ·year, NIPTS(346) in the extremely high kurtosis group was significantly greater than that in the Gaussian kurtosis, low kurtosis and medium kurtosis group (P<0.05) . In the workers exposed to L(Aeq, 8 h)<85 dB (A) and ≥94 dB (A) , NIPTS(346) in the extremely high kurtosis group was significantly greater than that in the Gaussian kurtosis group (P<0.05) . Among workers under the age of 50 or male workers, NIPTS(346) in the extremely high kurtosis group was significantly greater than that in the Gaussian kurtosis, low kurtosis and medium kurtosis group (P<0.05) . Kurtosis was positively correlated with NIPTS(346) (r=0.121, P<0.05) . When CNE was <100 dB (A) ·year, the detection rate of HFNIHL increased with the increase of kurtosis level (P<0.01) . Logistic regression analysis showed that kurtosis was an important influencing factor for HFNIHL (OR=1.321) . Conclusion: Kurtosis has a dose-response relationship with the detection rate of HFNIHL in noise exposed workers, and noise kurtosis is an influencing factor of NIHL.

[New understanding on the immunity for severe infections and complications in burns and trauma].

The mechanisms of burn/trauma related infection are complicated, involving uncontrolled inflammation, immune disorder, coagulation abnormality, and pathophysiological changes of multiple systems or organs. Although active management of primary diseases, application of antibiotics, and organ support treatment are the basis for the management of burn/trauma related infection, immune modulation opens up a new direction for the intervention of burn/trauma related infection and the relevant complications. In-depth understanding of inflammation-immune response and its regulatory mechanisms, and exploring new early warning biomarkers and immune interventional strategies are of great significance for improving the level of treatment of clinical burn/trauma related infections and improving the prognosis of patients.

Gene mapping reveals the association between tyrosine protein kinase Abl1 and the silk yield of Bombyx mori.

The Z chromosome of the silkworm contains a major gene that influences silk yield. This major locus on chromosome Z accounts for 35.10% of the phenotypic variance. The location and identification of the gene have been a focus of silkworm genetics research. Unfortunately, identification of this gene has been difficult. We used extreme phenotype subpopulations and selected from a backcross population, BC1 M, which was obtained using the high-yield strain 872B and the low-yield strain IS-Dazao as parents, for mapping the gene on the chromosome Z. The candidate region was narrowed down to 134 kb at the tip of the chromosome. BmAbl1 in this region correlated with silk gland development by spatiotemporal expression analysis. This gene was differentially expressed in the posterior silk glands of the high- and low-yield strains. In BmAbl1, an insertion-deletion (indel) within the 10th exonic region and an SNP within the 6th intronic region were detected and shown to be associated with cocoon shell weight in 84 Bombyx mori strains with different yields. Nucleotide diversity analysis of BmAbl1 and its 50 kb flanking regions indicated that BmAbl1 has experienced strong artificial selection during silkworm domestication. This study is the first to identify the genes controlling silk yield in the major QTL of the Z chromosome using forward genetics.

CDKN2A inhibits cell proliferation and invasion in cervical cancer through LDHA-mediated AKT/mTOR pathway

Purpose The current study aims to explore the effects of CDKN2A on cell proliferation and cycle, and investigate the underlying mechanisms. Methods Expression of CDKN2A in cervical cancer cell lines was evaluated by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and western blotting. Apoptotic rate was detected by Annexin V assay. MTT assay, Transwell assay and cell cycle assay kit were applied to examine the effect of CDKN2A on cell viability, invasion and cell cycle. Co-immunoprecipitation and western blotting were devoted to explore the mechanism by which CDKN2A contributes to cell function. Results CDKN2A was expressed at a low level in cervical cancer cell lines. Overexpression of CDKN2A inhibited cell proliferation and invasion, and caused cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase. CDKN2A mediates the AKT–mTOR signaling pathway by suppressing lactate dehydrogenase (LDHA). Taken together, our data revealed that CDKN2A can be applied as a therapeutic target for the treatment of cervical cancer in future. Conclusions CDKN2A inhibits cell proliferation and invasion in cervical cancer through LDHA-mediated AKT–mTOR pathway (AU)

A proof-of-concept study of an automated solution for clinical metagenomic next-generation sequencing.

AIMS: Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) has been utilized for diagnosing infectious diseases. It is a culture-free and hypothesis-free nucleic acid test for diagnosing all pathogens with known genomic sequences, including bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites. While this technique greatly expands the clinical capacity of pathogen detection, it is a second-line choice due to lengthy procedures and microbial contaminations introduced from wet-lab processes. As a result, we aimed to reduce the hands-on time and exogenous contaminations in mNGS. METHODS AND RESULTS: We developed a device (NGSmaster) that automates the wet-lab workflow, including nucleic acid extraction, PCR-free library preparation and purification. It shortens the sample-to-results time to 16 and 18·5 h for DNA and RNA sequencing respectively. We used it to test cultured bacteria for validation of the workflow and bioinformatic pipeline. We also compared PCR-free with PCR-based library prep and discovered no differences in microbial reads. Moreover we analysed results by automation and manual testing and found that automation can significantly reduce microbial contaminations. Finally, we tested artificial and clinical samples and showed mNGS results were concordant with traditional culture. CONCLUSION: NGSmaster can fulfil the microbiological diagnostic needs in a variety of sample types. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study opens up an opportunity of performing in-house mNGS to reduce turnaround time and workload, instead of transferring potentially contagious specimen to a third-party laboratory.

Effects of melatonin administration to cashmere goats on cashmere production and hair follicle characteristics in two consecutive cashmere growth cycles.

The objective of the study was to determine the long-term effects of melatonin treatment on cashmere production and hair follicle populations in cashmere goats and their activity in two consecutive cashmere growth cycles. Twenty-four female Inner Mongolian Cashmere goats were randomly allocated to two groups (n = 12), one of which received melatonin implants, the other being an untreated control group. Melatonin implants were subcutaneously inserted behind the ear at a dose of 2 mg/kg live weight on two occasions -April 30 and June 30, 2016. Hair samples were collected by combing in April of 2017 and 2018, and the weight, staple length, and diameter of the cashmere fibers were measured. Blood and skin samples were collected monthly between April and September 2016, and in April and September in 2017 for the analysis of melatonin concentration and the characteristics of secondary hair follicle populations, respectively. The results indicated that serum melatonin concentration in the treated goats was elevated (P < 0.05) relative to that of the control group, but only during the first growth cycle. Melatonin treatment of cashmere goats in one cashmere growth cycle increased the weight, staple length, and density (all P < 0.05) of the cashmere fibers and decreased fiber diameter (P < 0.01), but did not affect the characteristics of cashmere production in the subsequent annual cycle. Melatonin treatment had no effect on the population of skin secondary hair follicles for two consecutive cycles. However, in the first growth cycle after treatment, it advanced the onset of activity of skin secondary hair follicles by 2 mo (P < 0.05), and it increased the number of follicles that were active (P < 0.05). In summary, the melatonin treatment of cashmere goats in one cashmere growth cycle improved cashmere production for that cycle only, with no residual effects on the subsequent cycle, a technique acceptable to the cashmere goat industry. The enhancement of cashmere production after the treatment of goats with melatonin appears to involve the acceleration of the annual regeneration of skin secondary hair follicles and increased population of active secondary hair follicles in the skin of cashmere goats.

CDKN2A inhibits cell proliferation and invasion in cervical cancer through LDHA-mediated AKT/mTOR pathway.

PURPOSE: The current study aims to explore the effects of CDKN2A on cell proliferation and cycle, and investigate the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Expression of CDKN2A in cervical cancer cell lines was evaluated by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and western blotting. Apoptotic rate was detected by Annexin V assay. MTT assay, Transwell assay and cell cycle assay kit were applied to examine the effect of CDKN2A on cell viability, invasion and cell cycle. Co-immunoprecipitation and western blotting were devoted to explore the mechanism by which CDKN2A contributes to cell function. RESULTS: CDKN2A was expressed at a low level in cervical cancer cell lines. Overexpression of CDKN2A inhibited cell proliferation and invasion, and caused cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase. CDKN2A mediates the AKT-mTOR signaling pathway by suppressing lactate dehydrogenase (LDHA). Taken together, our data revealed that CDKN2A can be applied as a therapeutic target for the treatment of cervical cancer in future. CONCLUSIONS: CDKN2A inhibits cell proliferation and invasion in cervical cancer through LDHA-mediated AKT-mTOR pathway.

Synthesis and application of gas diffusion cathodes in an advanced type of undivided electrochemical cell.

This paper reports the oxidation of Remazol black B dye by employing iron ions catalyst based gas diffusion cathodes, (GDCs). A GDC was synthesized by using a layer of carbon black and iron ions catalyst for oxygen reduction to hydrogen peroxide. The results demonstrated around 97% decolorization of Remazol black-B dye for 50 min by iron ions catalyst based GDC. The degradation study was performed under electrogenerated hydrogen peroxide at a constant voltage of - 0.6 V vs Hg/HgSO4 in which the rate of degradation was correlated with hydrogen peroxide production. Overall, the GDC's found to be effective method to degrade the dyes via electro-Fenton.

[Correlation analysis between prostate imaging report and data system score and pathological results of prostate cancer].

Objective: To explore the correlation between prostate imaging report and data system (PI-RADS) score and international society of uological pathology (ISUP) grade of prostate cancer (PCa) and the role of PI-RADS score in predicting the pathological features of clinically significant PCa (csPCa), positive surgical margin and pathological upgrade. Methods: The pathologically positive patients with multi-parameter magnetic resonance image (mpMRI) were included in this study. The patients with prostate specific antigen (PSA)<100 µg/L were divided into two groups: biopsy group (n=523) and RP group (n=215). The correlation between PI-RADS score and ISUP grade and the accuracy of predicting csPCa in the two groups were evaluated. In the RP group, the correlation between PI-RADS score and postoperative pathological grade or degradation and positive incisal margin was further discussed. The patients with PSA≥100 µg/L (171cases in biopsy group and 6 cases in RP group) were not included in the statistical analysis, and the results were simply described. Results: The age, prostate volume, and PSA level of biopsy group and RP group was (72±8) years vs (68±7) years, 48.3 (32-57) cm(3) vs 47.2 (32-54) cm(3), and 26.3(10.2-34.2)µg/L vs 21.7 (9.24-23.95)µg/L, respectively. The PI-RADS scores ≤ 3,4, and 5 in the biopsy group were 109,97, and 317 respectively, and those in the RP group were 61,55, and 99 respectively. There were significant differences in the composition of ISUP grades of different PI-RADS scores between the two groups (P<0.001), and there was a positive correlation between the two groups (r=0.493 in the biopsy group, r=0.671 in the RP group, both P<0.001). Using PI-RADS score to predict csPCa, biopsy group (AUC=0.764, P<0.001, 95%CI:0.710-0.819) and RP group (AUC=0.807, P<0.001, 95%CI:0.735-0.879) had certain accuracy. The PI-RADS score combined with PSA could improve the accuracy of csPCa prediction in the biopsy group (AUC=0.795,P<0.001, 95% CI:0.746-0.843) and the RP group (AUC=0.852, P<0.001, 95%CI:0.789-0.915). Compared with the pathological results of biopsy in the RP group, 52.6% of the patients showed upgrade and degrade of ISUP, and there was insignificant difference in the composition of PI-RADS scores between upgraded and degraded patients (P>0.05). However, 41.7%(27/65) of the patients with ISUP grade 1 biopsies had pathological upgrades that the patients with PI-RADS ≤ 3 accounted for 33.3%, while the patients with PI-RADS>3 accounted for 66.7%, and there was significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). After RP, 43.3% of the patients had positive surgical margins, and the patients with PI-RADS score ≤ 3, 4 and 5 were 13 (14%), 24 (25.8%) and 56 (60.2%), respectively, while the PI-RADS scores of patients with negative surgical margin were 48 (39.3%), 31(25.4%) and 43(35.2%), respectively. There was significant difference between the two groups (P<0.001). The higher the PI-RADS score, the greater the possibility of the positive surgical margin. For the patients with PSA ≥ 100 µg/L, 98.8% (169/171) patients in the biopsy group had a PI-RADS score 5. The pathological results of all patients were csPCa, of which 85.4% (146/171) had ISUP grade ≥ 4. Among them, 6 cases underwent RP, 5 cases had ISUP grade ≥ 4, all surgical margin were positive, 5 cases had seminal vesicle invasion, 3 cases had capsule invasion and 3 cases had positive pelvic lymph nodes. Conclusion: ThePI-RADS score is correlated with the ISUP grade of PCa. Combined with PSA can accurately predict csPCa. At the same time, the higher PI-RADS score, the more likely the patients with positive incisal margin after RP and Gleason score of 3+3=6 at the time of puncture will be upgraded pathologically.

Whole genome expression microarray reveals novel roles for Kif4 in monocyte/macrophage cells.

OBJECTIVE: Kinesin superfamily member 4 (Kif4), a conventional kinesin, is a microtubule-dependent molecular motor. The active movement of Kif4 participates in several cellular functions, including DNA repair, mitosis, the transport of macromolecules, survival of neurons and even tumorigenesis and progression. However, the role of Kif4 in monocyte/macrophage cells has not been reported. Our work aimed to increase understanding and further investigations of Kif4 in monocyte/macrophage cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: RAW264.7 cells were transfected with Kif4 small interfering RNA (siRNA), and whole genome expression microarray analysis was employed to analyze gene expression after cells treatment with or without Kif4 siRNA. RESULTS: Our data found multiple differentially expressed genes which were enriched in the top 5 biological processes about innate immune response, immune response, response to interferon-beta, immune system process and cellular response to interferon-beta. 23 most significant pathways had been identified and enriched pathways indicated enrichment in peroxisome, lysosome, fatty acid metabolism, cell adhesion molecules and so on. CONCLUSIONS: Our work may help understand the roles of Kif4 in monocyte/macrophage cells and would give useful information on basic research and the function of monocyte/macrophage cells.

Tailored Plasmons in Pentacene/Graphene Heterostructures with Interlayer Electron Transfer.

van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures, which are produced by the precise assemblies of varieties of two-dimensional (2D) materials, have demonstrated many novel properties and functionalities. Here we report a nanoplasmonic study of vdW heterostructures that were produced by depositing ordered molecular layers of pentacene on top of graphene. We find through nanoinfrared (IR) imaging that surface plasmons formed due to the collective oscillations of Dirac Fermions in graphene are highly sensitive to the adjacent pentacene layers. In particular, the plasmon wavelength declines systematically but nonlinearly with increasing pentacene thickness. Further analysis and density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicate that the observed peculiar thickness dependence is mainly due to the tunneling-type electron transfer from pentacene to graphene. Our work unveils a new method for tailoring graphene plasmons and deepens our understanding of the intriguing nano-optical phenomena due to interlayer couplings in novel vdW heterostructures.

[Effect of multimodal analgesia using periprostatic nerve block anesthesia combined with flurbiprofen in transperineal template-guided prostate biopsy].

Objective: To evaluate the effect of multimodal analgesia using periprostatic nerve block anesthesia (PNB) combined with flurbiprofen in patients undergoing transperineal template-guided prostate biopsy (TTPB). Methods: Totally 166 patients (aged (68.2±9.1) years, range: 47 to 81 years) who received TTPB from October 2017 to June 2018 at Department of Urology, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital Affiliated to Yangzhou University were enrolled prospectively. All the patients were randomly divided into 2 groups. The observation group (n=79) was given flurbiprofen axetil 1 mg/kg intravenously for half an hour before operation and lidocaine was used for PNB before the biopsy. The control group (n=87) was given normal saline combined with PNB. A visual analog scale (VAS) and visual numeric scale (VNS) were used to assess the patients' pain and quantify their satisfaction at two time points: VAS-1 and VNS-1: during biopsy procedure, VAS-2 and VNS-2: 30 min after the procedure. The date were compared by t test, χ(2) test, Fisher exact test and two-way repeated measures anova analysis between the 2 groups. Results: The age, total prostate volume, serum prostate-specific antigen and the number of cores were comparable among the 2 groups (P>0.05). The VAS-1 scores of the control group and the observation group were 2.8±1.7, 1.9±1.2, respectively, and the VNS-1 were 3.1±0.7, 3.4±0.3, respectively. The VAS-1 were significantly lower in observation group than in control group (F=3.904, P=0.000). Conversely, the VNS-1 were higher in observation group (F=3.526, P=0.000). At 30-minute postoperative, the VAS-2 and VNS-2 were 0.7±0.4 and 3.7±0.2 in the control group, respectively. The VAS-2 and VNS-2 were 0.6±0.5 and 3.8±0.1 in the observation group, respectively. There were no significant differences in the pain scores or the satisfaction scores between the 2 groups (F=1.429, 2.825; P=0.136, 0.083). The incidence of overall complications was 26.4% (23/87) in the control group and 25.3% (20/79) in the observation group, with no statistical difference between the 2 groups (χ(2)=0.027, P=0.869). And the complications had no statistically significant difference among the 2 groups including hematuria, urinary retention, infection, hematospermia, vascular and neurological reactions, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache, and respiratory depression (P>0.05). Conclusion: The multimodal analgesia induced by PNB and flurbiprofen could effectively relieve the pain for patients who received TTPB.

Developmental expression and evolution of hexamerin and haemocyanin from Folsomia candida (Collembola).

Haemocyanins constitute a group of copper-containing respiratory proteins, and hexamerins were derived from hexapod haemocyanin but lost the ability to transport oxygen and serve as storage proteins. Although hexamerins have been reported in most insect species, none of them has been identified in Collembola, one of the most primitive hexapod lineages, thereby preventing us from exploring relevant evolutionary scenarios regarding the origin and evolution of hexamerins in hexapods. Here we report on collembolan hexamerins for the first time, and investigated the temporal expression profiles of hexamerin and haemocyanin in the collembolan Folsomia candida. Haemocyanin was expressed over the entire life cycle, with higher expression at the embryonic stage than at other stages, whereas hexamerin expression was restricted to embryos, unlike insect hexamerins, which are generally expressed from larval to adult stages. A phylogenetic analysis and molecular clock estimation suggested that all investigated hexapod hexamerins have a single and ancient origin (~423 Ma), coincident with the rise of atmospheric oxygen levels in the Silurian-Devonian period, indicating a physiological link between molecular evolution and Palaeozoic oxygen changes.

TRPV5 and TRPV6 are expressed in placenta and bone tissues during pregnancy in mice.

We investigated the dynamic expression of calcium transporters, TRPV5 and TRPV6, in placenta and bone to determine their role in maternal and fetal calcium balance during gestation. In placenta, TRPV5 was expressed predominantly in syncytiotrophoblasts of the labyrinthine zone, whereas TRPV6 was expressed in spongiotrophoblasts of the junction zone. In bone, the two transporters were found in osteoblasts, osteoclasts, cartilage and bone matrices. During the first half of gestation, TRPV5 and TRPV6 levels in bone were increased on pregnancy day (P) 0.5, then decreased on P3.5 followed by a slight increase on P6.5. During the second half of pregnancy, both the proteins and their mRNAs gradually increased from P9.5 to P15.5-P17.5 in both bone and placenta, followed at parturition by relatively high amounts in placenta, but markedly decreased amounts in bone. The expression pattern is likely related to the fetal and maternal calcium requirement during gestation, which may be regulated by estrogen and other hormones, because the fetal demand for calcium is greatest during the last few days of gestation for rats; maternal calcium metabolism is designed to meet the calcium needs of the fetus during this period. We found that TRPV5 and TRPV6 are involved in calcium transport in the placenta and bone, and therefore play a role in calcium homeostasis during embryonic and fetal development.

[Complications of transperineal template-guided prostate mapping biopsy].

Objective: To assess the complications of transperineal template-guided prostate mapping biopsy (TTMB). Methods: Between May 2017 and March 2018, 142 consecutive patients with prior negative transrectal biopsy results and persistently elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) were divided into the observation group and the control group randomly. The observation group underwent TTMB and the control group underwent transperineal template-guided prostate saturation biopsy (TTSB). Bleeding, infection, urinary function were recorded after prostate biopsy. Erectile function (ED) was measured at baseline, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after prostate biopsy using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5). Results: A mean of 59 cores (from 33 to 116 cores) were obtained in TTMB, and a mean of 23 cores (from 11 to 44 cores) were obtained in TTSB. The positive rate was 50.0% (30/60) in TTMB, and 32.9% (27/82) in TTSB, and there were significant differences between two groups (P<0.05). The incidence of severe hematuria and urinary retention was 8.3% (5/60) and 11.7% (7/60) respectively in TTMB, while 1.2% (1/60) and 11.7% (7/60) respectively in TTSB. There were significant differences between two groups (P<0.05). But there were no significant differences between two groups in the incidence of mild, moderate and total hematuria, hematospermia, perineal hematoma, infection (P>0.05). Rectal bleeding was not observed. In TTMB group, the IIEF-5 scores at baseline, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months were (19.1±4.5), (17.4±4.8), (18.6±4.5), (19.0±4.0), respectively. In TTSB group, the IIEF-5 scores at baseline, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months were (19.7±4.3), (18.2±4.5), (19.1±4.1), (19.6±4.2), respectively. There were significant differences between baseline and 1 month after prostate biopsy in two groups (P<0.05), but there were no significant differences of IIEF-5 score between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusions: TTMB can improve the positive rate for patients with prior negative transrectal biopsy results and persistently elevated PSA. TTMB has low complication rates, and most side-effects are self-limited. Compared with TTSB, the incidence of urinary retention and severe hematuria increases, but they can be recovered after clinical intervention. ED is transient, and affected for 1 month after the biopsy, but it will be recovered to the baseline after 3 to 6 months. Therefore, TTMB is a safe and reliable procedure.

[Precision evaluation of immune status and its significance in sepsis after burns or trauma].

Sepsis induced by major burns, trauma, and hemorrhage, remains a major cause of death of patients in intensive care units, and it may result in both the widespread activation and dysfunction of the innate as well as adaptive responses in host immune system. A large amount of information concerning subsets of innate and adaptive immune cells in sepsis has implicated that these cells, including neutrophils, macrophages, dendritic cells, T lymphocytes, regulatory T lymphocytes, and natural killer cells, have profound effects on immunoreactivity during acute insults or sepsis through modulating multiple receptor expressions or cytokine secretion, in turn contributing to the development and outcome of sepsis. It is of great significance that precision monitoring of immune function and the related indicators might help to assess the risk of secondary infection, the prognosis of septic patients, and guide the treatment of septic complications.

Expression of Kif5b protein is significantly associated with the progression, recurrence and prognosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: Kinesin family member 5b (Kif5b), a conventional kinesin, mainly participates in lysosome and mitochondria transportation. Some studies have indicated that Kif5b may be associated with the development of a variety of tumors. However, the role Kif5b plays in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has yet to be determined. Our study aimed at investigating the expression level of Kif5b in primary OSCC and discussing its clinical significance in patients' outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We measured Kif5b expression in 82 OSCC tissue samples with immunohistochemistry. The associations between the expression level of Kif5b and clinicopathological characteristics as well as patients' survival were statistically assessed. RESULTS: Kif5b level was significantly associated with tumor size (p=0.034), histological differentiation (p=0.028), disease recurrence (p=0.018), surrounding tissue invasion (p=0.045), recurrence time (p=0.036) and survival status (p=0.030). Kaplan-Meier cumulative survival analyses indicated that high expression of Kif5b was linked to worse overall survival (p=0.0112) and disease-free survival (p=0.0085). The univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis further identified the expression status of Kif5b as an independent variable that correlated with patients' survival and recurrence. Furthermore, in 54 early-stage, clinically node negative OSCC patients, Kif5b expression were correlated with histological differentiation (p=0.034), disease recurrence (p=0.038) and surrounding tissue invasion (p=0.029). Univariate and multivariable logistic regression results showed that only Kif5b expression level could influence the probability of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Our results reveal that Kif5b expression is associated with poor clinical outcome in OSCC and even in early-stage, clinically node negative OSCC and may be a potential target for OSCC treatment.