[mRNA level of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor NR1 subunit in patients with major depressive disorder and its relationship with clinical features].

Objective: To investigate the characteristics of glutamatergic neurotransmitter and neurotransmission dysfunction in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and its relationship with clinical characteristics. Methods: Fifty-two patients with MDD and 51 healthy controls were selected. Hamilton Depression scale-17 (HAMD-17) and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) were used to evaluate the symptoms of depression and anxiety. The serum glutamate level was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the mRNA level of NR1 subunit of NMDA receptor. Results: There was no significant difference in gender and age between MDD group and healthy control group. Compared with the control group, the level of serum glutamate [(35±6) mg/L vs (29±6) mg/L, P = 0.021] and mRNA level of NR1 (1.5±0.8 vs 0.8±0.6, P = 0.001) in MDD group were significantly higher. In MDD group, serum glutamate level was positively correlated with depression core symptom score (r = 0.52, P = 0.028), and mRNA level of NR1 subunit was positively correlated with the total course of disease (r = 0.42, P = 0.024). Conclusion: MDD patients may have disorder of glutamatergic neurotransmitter and abnormal expression of NR1 subunit.

Characterisation of the complete mitochondrial genome, genetic diversity and maternal origin of Huainan Partridge chicken.

1. The objectives of the present study were to investigate the complete mitochondrial genome, genetic diversity and maternal origin of Huainan Partridge chicken (HPC).2. One complete mitochondrial genome and 37 complete D-loop regions of HPC were sequenced. Moreover, 400 mitochondrial genome D-loop sequences of Chinese native chicken were downloaded from the National Centre for Biotechnology Information database.3. The complete HPC genome was 16,785 bp in size, including 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes and one non-coding control region. The haplotype diversity and nucleotide diversity of HPC were 0.964, and 0.00615, respectively. Twenty-three variable sites defining 22 haplotypes were identified, and the 22 haplotypes were distributed into three haplogroups (A, B, and C).4. In conclusion, HPC has a typical vertebrate mitochondrial genome, relatively high haplotype diversity, relatively low nucleotide diversity, and potentially three maternal lineages. HPC showed considerable genetic information exchange with Southwest Chinese chicken populations and had not admixed with European commercial breeds in the course of domestication.

[Comparative analysis of serum glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid levels in patients with bipolar depressive disorder and major depression disorder].

Objective: To investigate the difference of serum glutamate (Glu) and gamma- aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels between depressive patients and bipolar disorder patients with depressive episodes. Methods: From May 2018 to March 2019, forty-seven patients with depression (depression group) and 45 patients with bipolar depressive episode (bipolar depression group) were selected from the department of psychiatry, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, and 41 healthy controls (healthy control group) were simultaneously recruited from the community. The subjects' depression and anxiety were assessed by 17 items of Hamilton depression scale (HAMD-17) and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA). The serum levels of Glu, GABA and Glu decarboxylase (GAD) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) . Results: The serum Glu level ( (36±7) mg/L, (37±7) mg/L vs (28±4) mg/L, F=10.97, P<0.01) and Glu/GABA ratio (5.77±0.35, 8.18±0.24 vs 3.35±0.33, F=37.68, P<0.01) in depression and bipolar depression groups were higher than those of healthy control group, while the GABA level ((6.1±0.7) µmol/L,(4.1±0.8) µmol/L vs (8.1±1.2) µmol/L, F=21.61, P<0.01) and GAD ((31±6) U/L, (31±6) U/L vs (35±6) U/L, F=5.61, P<0.01) were lower than those of healthy control group. The level of serum GABA in bipolar depression group was lower than that in depression group. However, Glu/GABA was higher in bipolar depression group than that in depression group (P<0.01). The level of serum GABA in depression group was negatively correlated with HAMD sleep disorder factor (r=-0.46, P=0.01). Conclusions: Both depression and bipolar depression have abnormal levels of Glu, GABA neurotransmitters and imbalance between Glu and GABA in peripheral blood circulation. Moreover, these abnormalities are more obvious in patients with bipolar depression.

Whole-transcriptome sequencing of knee joint cartilage from osteoarthritis patients.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive understanding of alterations in messenger RNAs (mRNAs), long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs) in cartilage affected by osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: The expression profiles of mRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs in OA cartilage were assessed using whole-transcriptome sequencing. Bioinformatics analyses included prediction and reannotation of novel lncRNAs and circRNAs, their classification, and their placement into subgroups. Gene ontology and pathway analysis were performed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs), differentially expressed lncRNAs (DELs), and differentially expressed circRNAs (DECs). We focused on the overlap of DEGs and targets of DELs previously identified in seven high-throughput studies. The top ten DELs were verified by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in articular chondrocytes, both in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS: In total, 739 mRNAs, 1152 lncRNAs, and 42 circRNAs were found to be differentially expressed in OA cartilage tissue. Among these, we identified 18 overlapping DEGs and targets of DELs, and the top ten DELs were screened by expression profile analysis as candidate OA-related genes. WISP2, ATF3, and CHI3L1 were significantly increased in both normal versus OA tissues and normal versus interleukin (IL)-1ß-induced OA-like cell models, while ADAM12, PRELP, and ASPN were shown to be significantly decreased. Among the identified DELs, we observed higher expression of ENST00000453554 and MSTRG.99593.3, and lower expression of MSTRG.44186.2 and NONHSAT186094.1 in normal versus OA cells and tissues. CONCLUSION: This study revealed expression patterns of coding and noncoding RNAs in OA cartilage, which added sets of genes and noncoding RNAs to the list of candidate diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic agents for OA patients.Cite this article: H. Li, H. H. Yang, Z. G. Sun, H. B. Tang, J. K. Min. Whole-transcriptome sequencing of knee joint cartilage from osteoarthritis patients. Bone Joint Res 2019;8:290-303. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.87.BJR-2018-0297.R1.

DVM students report higher psychological distress than the Australian public, medical students, junior medical officers and practicing veterinarians.

AIM: To measure the stress levels of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) students at the University of Sydney using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) questionnaire. METHODS: DVM students in years 1 to 4 were surveyed in semester 2 of 2018. The voluntary online survey consisted of 6 demographic questions and the K10 scale, a standardised measure of stress commonly used in Australia by medical practitioners for evaluation and referral to mental health professionals. Academic year cohorts were compared to identify differences in stress levels. Cohorts were compared to published K10 scores from various populations including the Australian public, medical students, practicing veterinarians, and Junior Medical Officers (JMOs). RESULTS: The response rate was 54.4% (n = 237). DVM students experienced a higher level of psychological distress (mean 24, median 23, range 10-50) than the Australian population (mean 14.5, median 13, range 10-50), medical students (mean 18.4, median 16, range 10-50), practicing veterinarians (mean 16.7, median 15.5, range 10-30), and JMOs (mean 18.1, median 16, range 10-50). Female students (median 23) had a significantly higher level of psychological distress compared to male students (median 18) (p = 0.0005). International students (median 23) had a higher level of psychological stress than domestic students (median 22) (p = 0.0488). Different year cohorts, age range, work hours, and exercise were not associated with difference in stress levels. CONCLUSION: Based on higher levels of stress in DVM students than that of the general population, practicing veterinarians, JMOs and medical students, there is an urgent need for evidence-based interventions to target stress in DVM students.

[Predictive study on recurrence of chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps by tissue eosinophils and sinus CT].

Objective: To investigate the correlation between postoperative recurrence and clinical parameters in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), and to study predicitve value of total scores of eosinophils (EOS) and sinus CT for postoperative recurrence. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 264 patients with CRSwNP who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from June 2013 to December 2015 was performed. The patient was subjected to a visual analogue scale (VAS) score, a skin prick test, a peripheral blood cell count, a sinus CT score, and a nasal polyp EOS count. All patients underwent endoscopic surgery and were followed up for at least 2 years. The demographic characteristics of the nasal polyps recurrence group and the non-recurrence group were compared with other clinical indicators. Quantitative data were compared by t test or Mann-Whitney U test, qualitative data were compared by chi-square test, and Logistic regression analysis was used for Logistic regression analysis. The risk factors for recurrence were assessed. The best cut-off value was determined by using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The predictive value of the parameters was determined by area under curve (AUC). The difference was statistically significant at P<0.05. Results: The recurrence rate of the study patients was 43.56% (115/264). Sex, olfactory VAS score, total sinus CT score, peripheral blood neutrophil ratio, peripheral blood EOS absolute value and proportion, and tissue EOS absolute value and proportion were associated with postoperative recurrence of nasal polyps (χ(2)=5.241, t=-3.146, t=-7.441, χ(2)=180.617, t=-5.313, χ(2)=100.067, t=-7.471, χ(2)=258.916, all P<0.05), and the tissue EOS ratio and total sinus CT scores have higher predictive value for recurrence of nasal polyps (AUC values were 0.793, 0.767, respectively, all P<0.001). With the EOS ratio of nasal polyps >0.032, the sensitivity of predicting recurrence was 83.48%, the specificity was 56.38%. With the total score of sinus CT>15, the sensitivity of predicting recurrence was 51.30% and the specificity was 87.25%. The combined sensitivity of predictive recurrence was 92.00% and the specificity was 49.20%. Conclusion: The percentage of EOS in nasal polyps and the total score of sinus CT in patients with CRSwNP have better predictive diagnostic value for recurrence of nasal polyps.

Determination of Aniline, 4-Aminoazobenzene, and 2-Naphthol in the Color Additive D&C Red No. 17 Using Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography.

Specifications in the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations for the color additive D&C Red No. 17 (R17, Colour Index No. 26100) limit the levels of the dye's intermediates, aniline (AN), 2-naphthol (ß-naphthol, BN), and 4-aminoazobenzene (4AAB), to 0.2, 0.2, and 0.1%, respectively. The present work reports the development and application of an ultra-HPLC method for the quantitative determination of these impurities in R17. A 1.7 µm particle size C-18 column was used with 0.2 M ammonium acetate and acetonitrile as the eluents. AN, BN, and 4AAB were quantified by using six-point calibration curves with data points (w/w) ranging from 0.01 to 0.25% for AN, 0.01 to 0.24% for BN, and 0.01 to 0.19% for 4AAB. The correlation coefficients ranged from 0.9992 to 0.9999. Limits of detection for the analytes ranged from 0.002 to 0.01%. Recoveries of the analytes ranged from 99.5 to 102%. Relative standard deviations ranged from 0.482 to 1.262%. The new method was applied to analyze portions from 22 batches of R17 submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for certification. It was found to be simpler to implement, faster, and more sensitive than the older gravity-elution column chromatography method, which it has replaced.

[Clinical characteristics and whole exon sequence study of a Chinese family with autosomal dominant lateral temporal lobe epilepsy].

Objective: To explore the genetic characteristics in a Chinese family with autosomal dominant lateral temporal lobe epilepsy (ADLTE) and analyze the correlation between genotype and phenotype. Methods: The natural history, clinical data and peripheral blood sample were collected in all patients and two healthy members of this ADLTE family. Whole exon sequence (WES) analysis strategy was used to explore the underlying mutations. Possible causative genetic variation was further confirmed by direct PCR and Sanger sequencing. The genotype-phenotype features were compared with previously reported cases. Results: A novel pathogenetic LGI1 frameshift mutation p.T134fs was identified in this study. The clinical phenotype was different from reported. Conclusion: This study reports a pathogenic LGI1 mutation in a Chinese ADLTE family for the first time, which suggests that LGI1 is a new genetic abnormality of ADLTE in Chinese.

Determination of Organic Impurities in Anthraquinone Color Additives D&C Violet No. 2 and D&C Green No. 6 by Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography.

A new practical and time-saving ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) method has been developed for determining the organic impurities in the anthraquinone color additives D&C Violet No. 2 and D&C Green No. 6. The impurities determined are p-toluidine, 1-hydroxyanthraquinone, 1,4-dihydroxyanthraquinone, and two subsidiary colors. The newly developed UHPLC method uses a 1.7-µ particle size C-18 column, 0.1 M ammonium acetate and acetonitrile as eluents, and photodiode array detection. For the quantification of the impurities, six-point calibration curves were used with correlation coefficients that ranged from 0.9974 to 0.9998. Recoveries of impurities ranged from 99 to 104%. Relative standard deviations ranged from 0.81 to 4.29%. The limits of detection for the impurities ranged from 0.0067% to 0.216%. Samples from sixteen batches of each color additive were analyzed, and the results favorably compared with the results obtained by gravity-elution column chromatography, thin-layer chromatography, and isooctane extraction. Unlike with those other methods, use of the UHPLC method permits all of the impurities to be determined in a single analysis, while also reducing the amount of organic waste and saving time and labor. The method is expected to be implemented by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for analysis of color additive samples submitted for batch certification.

[Evaluation of efficacy of 1 year after completing the 2-year specific sublingual immunotherapy treatment course in allergic rhinitis].

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of treatment at 1 year after completing the 2-year specific sublingual immunotherapy in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR). Methods: A retrospective analysis of 124 patients with AR who were allergic to dust mite and treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University since 2012 was performed. All patients achieved sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) for 2 years and had a regular follow-up over 1 year. Efficacy evaluation index such as VAS score, total nasal symptom score and total medication score were compared between the time of SLIT for 2 years, and 1 year after termination of SLIT. Paired t test was used for the comparison of scores. Results: Compared with those before treatment, the VAS score, total nasal symptom score and total medication score at the time of SLIT for 2 years were significantly decreased in all patients with AR [(9.40±5.96) vs (24.78±6.36), (4.53±2.06) vs (9.51±2.02), (0.42±0.87) vs (3.02±0.41), t value was 17.627, 24.600, 5.331, respectively, all P<0.01]. Compared with 2 years SLIT treatment, VAS score and total nasal symptom score were significantly increased than 1 year after termination of immunotherapy [(12.52±6.92) vs (9.40±5.96), (5.30±2.36) vs (4.53±2.06), t=5.199, 3.744, respectively, all P<0.01], but the total medication score showed no significant difference [(0.34±0.84) vs (0.42±0.87), t=-1.043, P>0.05]. Conclusions: The symptoms after 2 years SLIT in patients with AR have been well controlled. One year after the termination of SLIT, there is a certain rebound in symptoms, 2 years SLIT may not be the ideal treatment cycle for AR.

Effect of diurnal temperature range on the outpatient visits for acute bronchitis in children: a time-series study in Hefei, China.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the relationship between diurnal temperature range (DTR) and outpatient visits for childhood acute bronchitis (AB) in Hefei, China, to analyze whether DTR effect was delayed, and to explore the susceptible populations. STUDY DESIGN: An ecological study. METHODS: A Poisson generalized linear regression model combined with a distributed lag non-linear model was used to analyze the relationship between DTR and childhood AB from Hefei, China during 2010-2013, after adjusting for long-term trend and seasonality, mean temperature and relative humidity. RESULTS: An adverse effect of DTR on childhood AB was observed, and the impact of DTR was greatest at three days lag, with a 1.0% (95% confidence interval = 0.5-1.6%) increase of AB cases per 1 °C increment of DTR. Female children and children aged 0-4 years appeared to be more vulnerable to DTR effect than other children. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that large DTR may increase the incidence of childhood AB in Hefei, particularly for those who are female and young. Caregivers and health practitioners should be made aware of the potential threat posed by large DTR.

Impacts of ambient temperature on the burden of bacillary dysentery in urban and rural Hefei, China.

Bacillary dysentery continues to be a major health issue in developing countries and ambient temperature is a possible environmental determinant. However, evidence about the risk of bacillary dysentery attributable to ambient temperature under climate change scenarios is scarce. We examined the attributable fraction (AF) of temperature-related bacillary dysentery in urban and rural Hefei, China during 2006-2012 and projected its shifting pattern under climate change scenarios using a distributed lag non-linear model. The risk of bacillary dysentery increased with the temperature rise above a threshold (18·4 °C), and the temperature effects appeared to be acute. The proportion of bacillary dysentery attributable to hot temperatures was 18·74% (95 empirical confidence interval (eCI): 8·36-27·44%). Apparent difference of AF was observed between urban and rural areas, with AF varying from 26·87% (95% eCI 16·21-36·68%) in urban area to -1·90% (95 eCI -25·03 to 16·05%) in rural area. Under the climate change scenarios alone (1-4 °C rise), the AF from extreme hot temperatures (>31·2 °C) would rise greatly accompanied by the relatively stable AF from moderate hot temperatures (18·4-31·2 °C). If climate change proceeds, urban area may be more likely to suffer from rapidly increasing burden of disease from extreme hot temperatures in the absence of effective mitigation and adaptation strategies.

[The 452th case: rash, hypotension, abdominal pain and headache].

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized with multiple organ involvements. Acute acalculous cholecystitis(AAC) is an extremely rare manifestation of digestive system involvement in SLE. We reported a case of 32-year-old woman who complained skin rashes for two weeks and stomachache and oliguria for one day. She had rashes at onset, and developed fever, stomachache, hypotension and headache. Physical examination at admission indicated blood pressure 76/47 mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), heart rate 107 beats/min, warm acra. Murphy's sign was positive. Ultrasound suggested the enlarged gallbladder with surrounding hypoecho band yet no biliary calculi were found. A diagnosis of SLE was made, characteristic with distributive shock at the onset and AAC, complicated with neuropsychiatric lupus and lupus nephritis. She had an acute and severe course of disease, which had been relieved after treatment of high dose glucocorticoid and immunosuppressants. This case arouses clinicians to pay more attention to AAC as a rare form of disease flare in SLE. Early diagnosis of AAC is crucial to a favorable prognosis and in avoid of abdominal surgery.

[Epidemiologic characteristics and risk factors for congenital hypothyroidism from 1989 to 2014 in Beijing].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the epidemiologic characteristics and risk factors for congenital hypothyroidism (CH) in Beijing between the years 1989 and 2014. METHODS: Information on neonatal screening, and diagnoses and treatment of CH from 1989 to 2014 were obtained from the database of the Beijing Neonatal Screening Center. The screening parameter was thyroid-stimulating hormone (thyrotropin; TSH), which was measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) from 1989 to 1995, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) from 1996 to 2003, and time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay (DELFIA(®)) from 2004 to 2014. The cutoff value of each screening method was set as the international standard for the corresponding years (20 mIU/L from 1989 to 1995 and 10 mIU/L from 1996 to 2014). CH was diagnosed using "The Technical Specification of Diagnosis and Treatment of Phenylketonuria and Congenital Hypothyroidism" , published in 2010 by the Ministry of Health of the People's Republic of China. Data on live birth infants were obtained from Beijing obstetric quality reports. The incidence of CH using different screening methods was compared, and trends in annual incidence were analyzed. To exclude the influence of different screening methods, data from the years 2004 to 2014 were used to identify the risk factors for CH. RESULTS: Between 1989 and 2014, the incidence of CH in Beijing was 36.7 per 100 000 individuals, with permanent CH (PCH) and transient CH (TCH) having incidences of 16.4 per 100 000 and 15.9 per 100 000, respectively. The annual incidence of CH increased from 11.2 per 100 000 in 1989 to 51.0 per 100 000 in 2014 (χ(2)=119.02, P<0.001), with PCH increasing from 5.6 to 16.0 per 100 000 (χ(2)=34.38, P<0.001) and TCH increasing from 5.6 to 13.0 per 100 000 (χ(2)=26.93, P<0.001). Among the PCH cases, 70.44% (255/362) were thyroid dysgenesis or ectopic glands, while the other 29.56% (107/362) were dyshormonogenesis. Between 2004 and 2014, the incidence of CH in females (51.7/100 000) was higher than in males (37.0/100 000), and it was higher in post-term (334.5/100 000) and preterm births (77.8/100 000) than that in term births (41.4/100 000). It was also higher in the low birth weight (87.7/100 000) than the normal (42.4/100 000) and high birth weight (42.6/100 000) populations. CONCLUSIONS: Between 1989 and 2014, there was a tendency towards an increase in the overall incidence of CH, and the incidence of both PCH and TCH in Beijing. Female sex, preterm birth, older gestational age, low birth weight, and preterm birth were risk factors affecting the incidence of CH in Beijing.