Radiofrequency ablation micro-dissecting of eyelid nevus with XL-RFA device under operating microscope

AIM

To study the effect of an innovative micro-dissection procedure by radiofrequency ablation (MRA) in removing eyelid nevus.

METHODS

Fifty-six consecutive outpatients with eyelid nevus were treated with MRA using a monopolar device. The effect of MRA was determined after following-up for 6mo to 5y.

RESULTS

Fifty-two cases (52 eyes, 92.9%) were cured once, and 4 cases (4 eyes, 7.1%) received second treatment for small residual. All cases healed well after surgery, with no pigmentation, no scars, no loss of eyelashes, no deformation of eyelid margin. There was no visual impairment after healing.

CONCLUSION

MRA of eyelid nevus using the XL-RFA device is highly efficient without significant complications.

Trimetazidine in angina and poor muscle function: protocol for a randomized controlled study

BACKGROUND

Low handgrip strength (HS) and declining gait speed (GS) are increasingly obvious with aging, requiring effective, and safe medication for treatment. Trimetazidine (TMZ) modified release tablets, a common anti-angina drug, has potential benefits for alleviating the condition, but this has not yet been fully studied and therefore is the aim of this study.

METHODS

This is a prospective randomized controlled study. Fifty-eight eligible patients will be randomly assigned to one of two study groups: TMZ group or control group. For the TMZ group, a dose of 35 mg of oral TMZ will be administered with a meal twice a day for 3 months, in addition to any conventional treatments for angina. Only conventional treatments for angina will be administrated in the control group. The primary outcome will be the 6-min walking distance and the secondary outcomes will be: muscle strength (HS and pinch strength), GS, muscle endurance (five times sit-to-stand test), balance maintenance (tandem standing test), and the frequency of angina per week. Additionally, body mass index, circumferences (biceps, waist, hip, and calf), albumin levels, and the score on a five-question scale for sarcopenia will be obtained during the study.

DISCUSSION

This study aims to evaluate the usefulness of TMZ in a population with poor muscle function. The results may provide an effective and safe medical treatment to people with low muscle strength or physical performance.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR1800015000; www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=25445.

[Application of immunophenotypic analysis and molecular genetics in the diagnosis of acute promyelocytic leukemia]

目的

研究免疫表型分析及分子遗传学在急性早幼粒细胞白血病（APL）诊断中的应用价值。

方法

对2012年5月–2017年12月门诊或住院的798例APL患者的流式细胞术（FCM）免疫分型、染色体核型及染色体荧光原位杂交（FISH）进行回顾性分析，并深入研究FCM免疫表型及分子遗传学在APL诊断中的应用价值。

结果

FCM诊断APL敏感性为91.9%，特异性为98.7%。APL具有独特免疫表型特点：典型APL的表型为侧向（SSC）偏大，CD34和HLA-DR表达缺失，表达或强表达CD33，均一表达CD13、CD9、CD123，可伴有CD56、CD7、CD2的表达。约10%的患者为非典型APL表型，一般伴有CD34和（或）HLA-DR表达，SSC减小，经常伴有CD2表达，而FCM免疫分型很难明确诊断为APL，需要依赖遗传学或者分子生物学检查结果。约1/3的患者除存在t（15;17）（q22;q21）外，还存在额外染色体异常；伴有t（15；17）的复杂核型、变异易位或者t（11;17）、t（5;17）等变异型的APL，FCM表型与单纯t（15；17）APL差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。

结论

FCM能够快速诊断APL，伴有额外染色体异常患者和单纯t（15；17）患者FCM免疫表型没有明显差异。遗传学是诊断APL的金标准，免疫分型中约10%的患者依赖于分子遗传学来确诊。

[Impact of duration of antibiotic therapy on the prognosis of patients with acute myeloid leukemia who had Gram-negative bloodstream infection in consolidation chemotherapy]

目的

分析巩固化疗期间伴发革兰阴性菌（G⁻菌）血流感染的急性髓系白血病（AML）患者抗感染疗程对感染转归的影响。

方法

回顾性分析2010年9月至2016年1月入组“依据危险度分层对急性髓系白血病优化治疗的研究”临床试验的591例AML（非急性早幼粒细胞白血病）患者的血流感染资料，将其中巩固化疗期间发生G⁻菌血流感染且持续发热时间<7 d的114例次血流感染（89例患者）纳入研究，分析抗感染疗程对感染转归的影响。

结果

114例次血流感染发生时，患者中位ANC为0（0~5.62）×10⁹/L，中性粒细胞缺乏（粒缺）持续的中位时间为9（3~26）d，抗感染治疗的中位时间为7（4~14）d。抗感染疗程≤7 d与>7 d组比较，停药后3 d内再发热比例、再次发生相同菌株血流感染比例分别为1.2%对3.0%、18.5%对21.2%，差异均无统计学意义（P=0.522，OR=0.400，95%CI 0.024~6.591；P=0.741，OR=0.844，95%CI 0.309~2.307）。同时，两组患者均未发生7 d及30 d内感染相关死亡。且倾向性评分平衡患者特征及用药差异因素后，抗感染疗程≤7 d较>7 d组再次发生相同菌株血流感染比例仍无明显增高（P=0.525，OR=0.663，95%CI 0.187~2.352）。

结论

对于巩固化疗期间伴发G⁻菌血流感染的AML患者，若发热时间<7 d，敏感抗菌药物治疗7 d后停药并不增加停药后3 d内再发热，粒缺期再次出现相同菌株血流感染及感染相关7 d、30 d内死亡风险。提示短疗程抗感染方案可以成为巩固化疗伴发G⁻菌血流感染AML患者感染控制情况下合理的治疗选择。

Predictive value of percentage body fat in aging people with low muscle mass: A 2.2-year longitudinal study

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of percentage body fat (PBF) in screening for the risk of low muscle mass (LMM) in elderly people.

METHODS

A prospective study was carried out in Chinese PLA General Hospital with 413 participants who underwent baseline and an average 2.2-year follow-up health check-up examinations.

RESULTS

The average age of the participants at baseline was 63.6 years. The incidence of newly developed LMM was 10.3% in men and 18.2% in women during follow-up. Linear regression demonstrated that baseline PBF were negatively correlated with follow-up total muscle mass index (TMMI) in both men and women (β=-0.124 for men and -0.233 for women, all P < 0.001). The cut-off points of baseline PBF in elderly people for future LMM were 25.45% in men and 30.95% in women and were identified by Receiver Operator Curves (ROC).

CONCLUSIONS

Elderly people with a high PBF had a higher risk of new LMM, which suggested that baseline PBF had a close relationship with future LMM and the screening of high PBF should be paid enough attention in health care management in the senior people.

Deep ultraviolet light-emitting diodes with improved performance via nanoporous AlGaN template

We report the performance enhancement of AlGaN-based deep ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (DUV LEDs) using AlGaN nanoporous template (NPT). The NPT was fabricated by the electrochemical etching method and served as the dislocation filtering layer and strain relieving layer. The n-AlGaN laterally regrown on NPT showed reduced dislocation density and mitigated compressive strain comparing with that on the as-grown template (AGT). A 23% improvement of internal quantum efficiency was achieved for the multiple quantum wells thereon. Moreover, the nanopores in the NPT transformed into elongated air voids during high temperature growth process, which could facilitate the escaping of photons by scattering and thus improve the light extraction efficiency. As a consequence, the DUV LED based on NPT demonstrated an increase of the light outpower by 50% at 20 mA than that on AGT.

[Screening of adult Ph-like acute lymphoblastic leukemia by multiplex real-time quantitative PCR]

目的

探讨多重实时荧光定量PCR法早期、快速筛查Ph样急性淋巴细胞白血病（ALL）的可行性，了解Ph样ALL的临床特征及预后。

方法

2010年10月至2016年3月收治的118例初诊成人B-ALL患者纳入研究，利用多重实时荧光定量PCR法检测其中58例BCR-ABL融合基因和MLL重排均阴性患者Ph样相关融合基因及细胞因子受体样因子2（CRLF2）表达情况。比较分析Ph样融合基因阳性和（或）CRLF2高表达患者的临床特征、疗效和预后。

结果

检出Ph样融合基因阳性患者9例（9/58，15.5%），CRLF2高表达患者10例（10/58，17.2%）。Ph样融合基因阳性和（或）CRLF2高表达组、Ph阳性组、MLL重排阳性组以及其他患者组在年龄、WBC、免疫分型、细胞遗传学、危险度分组方面差异有统计学意义（P值均<0.01）。四组患者的2年总生存率分别为65%、47%、64%、74%（P=0.043），2年无复发生存率分别为51%、39%、62%、70%（P=0.010）。

结论

采用多重实时荧光定量PCR法筛查Ph样ALL患者可行，Ph样ALL患者预后较差。

[Effects of NPM1 gene expression on acute myeloid leukemia cell lines and its mechanism]

目的

探讨NPM1基因表达对急性髓系白血病（AML）细胞系的影响及其机制。

方法

选取AML细胞系U937和HL-60细胞，转染NPM1质粒至细胞系构建稳定克隆，采用Western blot法鉴定高表达NPM1蛋白的单克隆细胞。MTT法检测细胞增殖活性，流式细胞术检测细胞周期分布和细胞凋亡率，显微镜下计数检测集落形成能力，Western blot法检测细胞周期相关信号通路蛋白表达，实时荧光定量PCR（RQ-PCR）法检测初诊AML患者骨髓单个核细胞NPM1基因表达水平。

结果

①U937和HL-60细胞中NPM1高表达组相对细胞增殖率与对照组相比，差异无统计学意义（4.68±1.28对3.89±0.81，3.34±0.37对2.68±0.29，P值均>0.05）。②U937和HL-60细胞中NPM1高表达组S期细胞比例均明显高于对照组[（50.22±3.42）%对（39.78±3.80）%，（59.01±3.27）%对（43.94±2.08）%，P值均<0.05]。③U937细胞NPM1高表达组和对照组相比具有更强的抗凋亡能力[（48.67±3.22）%和（68.77±10.21）%，P<0.05]和集落形成能力（772.7±24.0和652.3±16.5，P<0.05），而HL-60细胞相应的两组细胞上述能力均相似。④NPM1高表达组细胞中CDK4、Cyclin D1、Cyclin D2及Cyclin E表达明显高于对照组，而Cyclin D3表达明显低于对照组。⑤细胞遗传学预后良好组AML患者NPM1定量水平低于预后中等组。

结论

NPM1蛋白能够促进更多的细胞进入S期，增强抗凋亡和细胞集落形成能力。NPM1定量水平可能预示细胞遗传学的危险度。

Characterizing PBDEs in fish, poultry, and pig feeds manufactured in China

A total of 53 feeds from 23 brands for four types of animals, i.e., fish, chicken, duck, and pig, as well as six types of raw materials, were bought from Guangxi, Hubei, Anhui, and Guangdong provinces in China and analyzed for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). The raw materials including super fish meal, ordinary fish meal, poultry ore, soybean, stone powder, and rapeseed were selected because they were added to all the animal feeds manufactured. The occurrence of PBDEs was ubiquitous in the feeds and raw materials, with BDE-209 as the most abundant congener. The average concentration of ∑₈PBDE was 1.1 and 0.44 ng g^-1 dry weight in feeds (range 0.25-5.7) and raw materials (range 0.27-0.84), respectively. No statistically significant differences in ∑₈PBDE concentrations were observed among the four groups of animal feeds. Feeds from Yangzhiyuan Brand (n = 11) contained statistically (p < 0.01) lower ∑₈PBDE concentrations than all other brands except for Baoshun Brand. Chicken was selected as a representative animal to assess health risk for human exposure to PBDEs via the consumption of chicken raised by the feeds under investigation. Hazard quotients based on per-capita consumption of chicken were all below 1, indicating low potential risk to humans consuming chicken raised with the feeds. Graphical abstract.

[Plaque features in saphenous vein graft evaluated by virtual histology intravascular ultrasound]

Objective: To investigate the features of plaques of saphenous venous graft (SVG) with virtual histology intravascular ultrasound (VH-IVUS) in patients underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Methods: From March 2016 to March 2018, a total of 45 patients ((64.4±7.9) years old, 88.9% male (40 cases)) with ischemic symptoms after coronary artery bypass graft surgery and with coronary artery angiography evidenced SVG stenosis greater than or equal to 50%, who received percutaneous coronary intervention in Tianjin chest hospital were continuously included in this study, and the clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. VH-IVUS was performed before PCI to analyze plaque composition. The patients were divided into no smoking group (21 cases) and smoking group (24 cases), no diabetes group (30 cases) and diabetes group (15 cases), normal very low density lipoprotein cholesterin (VLDL-C) group (24 cases) and elevated VLDL-C group (21 cases), stable angina pectoris group (5 cases) and acute coronary syndrome group (40 cases), plaque burden (PB) < 70% group (11 cases) and PB ≥ 70% group (34 cases), without thin-cap fibroatheroma group (35 cases) and thin-cap fibroatheroma group (10 cases), and plaque features were compared between different groups. Results: The graft age was (8.9±3.7) years.The stenosis degree of SVG lesions was 90 (90, 98) %. The minimum lumen diameter was 1.6 (1.5, 1.8) mm. The vessel cross-sectional area was (12.1±4.0) mm(2). The plaque area was 8.6 (5.7,12.0) mm(2). The minimum lumen area was 2.5 (2.1,3.3) mm(2). The plaque burden was (75.3±8.3)%. The fibrotic tissue (FI) ratio was (65.1±10.1)%, fibrofatty plaque (FF) ratio was 13.8 (5.4,25.3) %, necrotic core tissue (NC) ratio was 12.0 (5.4,24.0)%, and dense calcium tissue (DC) ratio was1.0 (0.2,3.8)% in SVG lesions. There were no significant differences in SVG plaque area, FI area,FF area,NC area,and DC area between no smoking group and smoking group, no diabetes group and diabetes group, and normal VLDL-C group and elevated VLDL-C group. SVG plaque volume was significantly higher in acute coronary syndrome group than in stable angina pectoris group (262.2 (148.5,401.2) mm(3) vs. 93.1 (50.6,155.9) mm(3),P=0.006), and plaque area (10.1 (6.6,13.3) mm(2) vs. 5.0 (3.6,6.9) mm(2), P<0.001), FI area(4.8 (3.2,6.8) mm(2) vs. 2.8 (1.9,3.0) mm(2), P<0.001),and FF area (1.15 (0.60, 2.07) mm(2) vs. 0.30 (0.10,0.90) mm(2), P=0.009) were significantly larger in PB ≥ 70% group than in PB < 70% group.The NC area (1.75(0.40,2.78) mm(2) vs. 0.60 (0.20,1.30) mm(2), P=0.030) and DC area (0.35 (0.10,0.50) mm(2) vs. 0.00 (0.00,0.10) mm(2), P=0.006) were significantly larger in thin-cap fibroatheroma group than that in without thin-cap fibroatheroma group. Spearman correlation analysis showed that the plaque area of SVG lesion was positively correlated with FF area (r=0.64, P<0.001) and NC area (r=0.43, P=0.003). PB was positively correlated with FF area (r=0.50, P<0.001) and NC area (r=0.33, P=0.028). Graft age was positively correlated with FF area (r=0.30, P=0.047). Conclusions: The main components of SVG plaque are fibrotic tissue, conversely, calcified tissue is rare in patients with SVG stenosis after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Fibrofatty tissue is increased in the plaque in patients with PB ≥ 70%. The necrotic component is also increased in patients with thin-cap fibroatheroma. The fibrofatty component increases and the plaque tends to be unstable in proportion with increaing age of the graft in this patient cohort.

[Clinical characteristics and prognosis of long-term glucocorticoid users with community-acquired pneumonia]

Objective: To explore the clinical features, etiological features and prognostic risk factors of long-term glucocorticoid users with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Methods: A retrospective study included 100 long-term glucocorticoid users with CAP (G-CAP group) from 11 hospitals of China between January 2014 and December 2014, while 100 non-immunocompromised patients with community-acquired pneumonia were enrolled as controls (nICH-CAP group). Characteristics including age, gender, underlying diseases, corticosteroids, symptoms, disease severity, imaging manifestations, etiology, respiratory failure, mechanical ventilation, whether the application of vasoactive drugs, antibiotics application, hospital mortality rate between the two groups were compared, and the prognostic factors of G-CAP were investigated using Logistic regression. Results: The peripheral blood lymphocytes[1.06(0.70, 1.68) vs 1.44 (0.87, 1.98)]in G-CAP group was less than nICH-CAP group (P<0.05). CT with pulmonary interstitial change (28.6% vs 9.9%), the proportion of patients with respiratory failure (25.0% vs 7.0%), mechanical ventilation (9.0% vs 2.0%), noninvasive mechanical ventilation (12.0% vs 2.0%), septic shock (9.0% vs 2.0%), and the hospital mortality rate (13.0% vs 3.0%) in G-CAP group were significantly higher than in nICH-CAP group (all P<0.05). Bacterial infection accounted for the highest proportion of infection (61.3%) in G-CAP group, but also virus infection (19.4%) and mixed infection (16.1%). Pseudomonas accounted for the highest proportion (47.4%) in bacterial infection of G-CAP. Logistic regression analysis showed that peripheral blood lymphocytes (OR=0.004, 95% CI: 0.000-0.234; P<0.05) and respiratory failure (OR=17.766, 95% CI: 4.933-131.0; P<0.05) were independent predictors of death in G-CAP group. Conclusions: The proportion of severe pneumonia and the mortality rate of patients with G-CAP are higher than the patients with nICH-CAP. Lymphopenia and respiratory failure are associated with poor outcome of patients with G-CAP.

[The effect of inadequate Vitamin D on sperm quality]

Objective: To analyze the effect of insufficient intake of vitamin D (VD) on sperm quality and male fertility and to discuss the mechanism of the effect. Methods: VD deficiency mice were fed with VD-deficient diet and light-sheltered. The sperm motility, morphology, ultrastructure, testicular pathology, sex hormones and fertility of normal and VD-deficient mice were analyzed to investigate the effects of VD deficiency on male reproduction. Results: Compared with the normal group, the mice with VD deficiency had lower sperm concentration[(128±53) ×10(6)/ml vs( 58±15) ×10(6)/ml, P<0.05], less sperm in the epididymis, slightly less mature spermatozoa.The serum testosterone[(328±65 )nmol/L vs(255±58 )nmol/L]and estradiol levels[(60±115) pmol/L vs(384±104) pmol/L]were significantly lower (P<0.05), and the FSH[(296±177)ng/L vs(219±105 )ng/L]and LH[(393±129) ng/L vs(364±108) ng/L]levels were significantly higher (P<0.05). The other tests did not show any significant difference (P>0.05). Conclusion: The impact of insufficient intake of VD on sperm quality is not prominent, the specific impact of VD on male reproductive needs to be further studied.

[Primary antifungal prophylaxis with posaconazole plays a pivotal role during chemotherapy of acute myeloid leukemia]

Objective: To evaluate the incidence of invasive fungal infections (IFI) and usage of intravenous antifungal drugs during remission induction chemotherapy in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) under primary antifungal prophylaxis with posaconazole. Methods: Clinical records from newly diagnosed AML patients above 15 years old in one single center from February 2014 to January 2016 were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed, excluding acute promyelocytic leukemia. The incidence of IFI and usage of intravenous antifungal drugs were investigated between control group (not receiving any broad spectrum antifungal prophylaxis) and treatment group (receiving posaconazole as primary prophylaxis). Results: A total of 147 newly diagnosed AML patients were enrolled. Of them, 81 received prophylaxis with posaconazole, and 66 did not receive broad-spectrum antifungal treatment. 7 IFI occurred in posaconazole group, and all were possible cases; 19 IFI occurred in control group (3 proven, 4 probable, 12 possible). The incidence of IFI was significantly lower in treatment group than that in control group (8.6% vs 28.8%, χ(2)=10.138, P=0.001). Usage of intravenous antifungal drugs was significantly decreased in posaconazole group (18.5% vs 50.0%, χ(2)=16.390, P<0.001). Conclusion: Prophylaxis with posaconazole coulf prevent IFI and reduce usage of intravenous antifungal drugs significantly during remission induction chemotherapy in AML patients.

[Meta analysis of surgical treatment for old Monteggia fracture in children]

Objective: To analysis the treatment effect of the ulnar osteotomy and ring-shaped ligament reconstruction for the treatment of old Monteggia fracture in children by using Meta analyze, and the difference of clinical curative effect was compared in order to provide the basis for the selection of clinical treatment options for old Monteggia fractures in children. Methods: We searched databases such as CNKI, Wanfang database, Medline, PubMed, Embase and Science through computer, at the same time, the references of relevant documents were retrieved manually, and the data processing was carried out by the RevMan5.3 statistical software provided by the Cochrane cooperation network by incorporating the exclusion criteria. The results were obtained and analyzed. Results: A total of 17 standard literature, 438 cases, 224 cases of ulnar osteotomy, 214 cases with ring ligament repair and reconstruction were obtained. The operation scheme, which was mainly based on the lengthening of ulna osteotomy, was superior to the reconstruction of ring ligament reconstruction. The complications and second operation rates of the former was less than that of the latter. Conclusion: The surgical methods for the reconstruction of the ulna osteotomy and the ring-shaped ligament have advantages and disadvantages. The choice of the operative plan for the old Monteggia fracture should be based on the following factors: the time of the old Monteggia fracture formation, the degree of the ulnar and radial deformity and the familiarity of the operative method.

[Perfusion Imaging of Ovarian Masses with Contrast-enhanced Ultrasonography]

OBJECTIVE

To determine the perfusion features of ovarian masses and their diagnostic value.

METHODS

Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) of 81 ovarian masses were confirmed by surgical pathology. Time-intensity curves of perfusion were obtained for the interest areas of ovarian mass. CEUS perfusion parameters were estimated, including rise time (RT), time to peak (TTP), peak intensity (PI), time from peak to one half (TTH) and area under the curve (AUC). Repeatability of those parameters was tested. Differences in the perfusion parameters were tested between benign and malignant masses, between tumor and non-tumor masses, between different differentiated and stages of ovarian cancers, between cancers with and without lymph-node metastases, and between primary and metastatic cancers. Receive operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed to determine the cutoff values of perfusion parameters for discriminating cancer from benign ovarian masses.

RESULTS

Good intra-observer repeatability was reached in the five perfusion parameter measurements. PI, TTH and AUC increased significantly in ovarian cancer and tumor compared with benign and non-tumor masses (P<0.05) . PI, TTH and AUC were effective parameters in diagnosing ovarian cancer. AUC had the highest diagnostic effectiveness, with a sensitivity of 87.3% and a specificity of 80.8% at the cutoff value of 877 dB?s. There were no differences in the parameters between different differentiated and stages of ovarian cancers, between cancers with and without lymph-node metastases, and between the primary and metastatic cancers.

CONCLUSION

Malignant ovarian cancer has higher PI, TTH and AUC values in CEUS. AUC has certain value in diagnosing ovarian cancer.

[Impact of KIT D816 mutation on salvage therapy in relapsed acute myeloid leukemia with t(8;21) translocation]

Objective: To evaluate the impact of KIT D816 mutation on the salvage therapy in relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with t(8;21) translocation. Method: The characteristics of the first relapsed AML with t(8;21) translocation from 10 hospitals were retrospectively collected, complete remission (CR(2)) rate after one course salvage chemotherapy and the relationship between KIT mutation and CR(2) rate was analyzed. Results: 68 cases were enrolled in this study, and 30 cases (44.1%) achieved CR(2). All patients received KIT mutation detection, and KIT D816 mutation was identified in 26 cases. The KIT D816 positive group had significantly lower CR(2) compared with non-KIT D816 group (23.1% vs 57.1%, χ(2)=7.559, P=0.006), and patients with longer CR(1) duration achieved significantly higher CR(2) than those with CR(1) duration less than 12 months (74.1% vs 31.9%, χ(2)=9.192, P=0.002). KIT D816 mutation was tightly related to shorter CR(1) duration. No significant difference of 2 years post relapse survival was observed between KIT D816 mutation and non-KIT D816 mutation group. Conclusion: KIT D816 mutation at diagnosis was an adverse factor on the salvage therapy in relapsed AML with t(8;21) translocation, significantly related to shorter CR1 duration, and can be used for prediction of salvage therapy response. KIT D816 mutation could guide the decision-making of salvage therapy in relapsed AML with t(8;21) translocation.

[Application of imatinib in BCR- ABL positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia treatment in the real world]

目的

探讨真实世界中伊马替尼(IM)联合化疗治疗BCR-ABL阳性急性淋巴细胞白血病(ALL)的疗效及相关预后因素。

方法

2003年4月至2015年8月收治的209例治疗中包含IM的BCR-ABL阳性ALL患者纳入研究，106例患者接受造血干细胞移植(HSCT)。对患者的疗效和预后影响因素进行分析。

结果

初诊患者诱导完全缓解(CR)率为97.9%。初诊时WBC≥100×10⁹/L是总生存(OS)的不良预后因素(P=0.043)。未接受HSCT、诱导治疗4周内未达CR和治疗过程中未达到分子生物学完全缓解(CMR)是OS(P值分别为<0.001、0.009和<0.001)和无复发生存(RFS)(P值均<0.001)的不良预后因素。接受异基因HSCT和自体HSCT的患者，其OS和RFS的差异均无统计学意义(P值均>0.05)。首次诱导治疗时联用IM的患者较未联用者显示出更高的5年RFS率(37.0％对24.0%，P= 0.005)。在治疗过程中持续规律服用酪氨酸激酶抑制剂(TKI，40例患者由于复发、转录本水平下降不理想或出现突变换用其他TKI)的患者生存情况最佳，其次为骨髓抑制期间断停用TKI的患者，不规律服用TKI的患者生存情况最差，三组5年OS率分别为46.0%、28.0%、17.0%(P=0.004)，5年RFS率分别为38.0%、28.0%、17.0%(P<0.001)。

结论

TKI联合化疗获得CMR，序贯以HSCT可改善BCR-ABL阳性ALL患者预后，持续规律地联用TKI有助于BCR-ABL阳性ALL患者疗效的提高。

[Spectrum of somatic mutations and their prognostic significance in adult patients with B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia]

Objective: To investigate the spectrum of gene mutations in adult patients with B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), and to analyze the influences of different gene mutations on prognosis. Methods: DNA samples from 113 adult B-ALL patients who administered from June 2009 to September 2015 were collected. Target-specific next generation sequencing (NGS) approach was used to analyze the mutations of 112 genes (focused on the specific mutational hotspots) and all putative mutations were compared against multiple databases to calculate the frequency spectrum. The impact of gene mutation on the patients' overall survival (OS) and recurrence free survival (RFS) was analyzed by the putative mutations through Kaplan-Meier, and Cox regression methods. Results: Of the 113 patients, 103 (92.0%) harbored at least one mutation and 29 (25.6%) harbored more than 3 genes mutation. The five most frequently mutated genes in B-ALL are SF1, FAT1, MPL, PTPN11 and NRAS. Gene mutations are different between Ph+ B-ALL and Ph- B-ALL patients. Ph- B-ALL patients with JAK-STAT signal pathway related gene mutation, such as JAK1/JAK2 mutation showed a poor prognosis compared to the patients without mutation (OS: P=0.011, 0.001; RFS: P=0.014,<0.001). Patients with PTPN11 mutation showed better survival than those without mutation, but the difference was not statistically significant (P value > 0.05). Besides, in Ph+ B-ALL patients whose epigenetic modifications related signaling pathway genes were affected, they had a worse prognosis (OS: P=0.038; RFS: P=0.047). Conclusion: Gene mutations are common in adult ALL patients, a variety of signaling pathways are involved. The frequency and spectrum are varied in different types of B-ALL. JAK family gene mutation usually indicates poor prognosis. The co-occurrence of somatic mutations in adult B-ALL patients indicate the genetic complex and instability of adult B-ALL patients.

A slow-cycling subpopulation of melanoma cells with highly invasive properties

Melanoma is a heterogeneous tumor with different subpopulations showing different proliferation rates. Slow-cycling cells were previously identified in melanoma, but not fully biologically characterized. Using the label-retention method, we identified a subpopulation of slow-cycling cells, defined as label-retaining cells (LRC), with strong invasive properties. We demonstrate through live imaging that LRC are leaving the primary tumor mass at a very early stage and disseminate to peripheral organs. Through global proteome analyses, we identified the secreted protein SerpinE2/protease nexin-1 as causative for the highly invasive potential of LRC in melanomas.

[Characteristics and prognosis in adult acute myeloid leukemia patients with MLL gene rearrangements]

Objective: To analyze the clinical and laboratory characteristics, and prognosis of adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients with MLL gene rearrangements. Methods: The medical records of 92 adult AML patients with MLL gene rearrangements from January 2010 to December 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Results: 92 cases (6.5%) with MLL gene rearrangements were identified in 1 417 adult AML (Non-M(3)) patients, the median age of the patients was 35.5 years (15 to 64 years old) with an equal sex ratio, the median WBC were 21.00(0.42-404.76)×10(9)/L, and 78 patients (84.8%) were acute monoblastic leukemia according to FAB classification. Eleven common partner genes were detected in 32 patients, 9 cases (28.1%) were MLL/AF9(+), 5 cases (15.6%) were MLL/AF6(+), 5 cases (15.6%) were MLL/ELL(+), 2 cases (6.3%) were MLL/AF10(+), 1 case (3.1%) was MLL/SETP6(+), and the remaining 10 patients' partner genes weren't identified. Of 92 patients, 83 cases with a median follow-up of 10.3 (0.3-74.0) months were included for the prognosis analysis, the complete remission (CR) rate was 85.5% (71/83), the median overall survival (OS) and relapse free survival (RFS) were 15.4 and 13.1 months, respectively. Two-year OS and RFS were 36.6% and 29.5%, respectively. Of 31 patients underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), two-year OS and RFS for patients received and non-received allo-HSCT were 57.9% and 21.4%, 52.7% and 14.9%, respectively (P<0.001). Among patients with partner genes tested, 9 of 32 cases (28.1%) were MLL/AF9(+), the median follow-up was 6.0(4.1-20.7) months. 3 patients with MLL/AF9 underwent allo-HSCT. 23 cases (71.9%) were non- MLL/AF9(+), the median follow-up was 7.8 (0.3-26.6) months. 14 patients (60.1%) with non-MLL/AF9 underwent allo-HSCT. One-year OS for patients with MLL/AF9 and non-MLL/AF9 were 38.1% and 55.5%, respectively (P=0.688). Multivariate analysis revealed that high WBC (RR=1.825, 95% CI 1.022-3.259, P=0.042), one cycle to achieve CR (RR=0.130, 95% CI 0.063-0.267, P<0.001), post-remission treatment with allo-HSCT (RR=0.169, 95% CI 0.079-0.362, P<0.001) were independent prognostic factors affecting OS. Conclusions: AML with MLL gene rearrangements was closely associated with monocytic differentiation, and MLL/AF9 was the most frequent partner gene. Conventional chemotherapy produced a high response rate, but likely to relapse, allo-HSCT may have the potential to further improve the prognosis of this group of patients.

[Morphological characteristics and phenotypic analysis of multiple morphological abnormalities in sperm flagella]

Objective: To analyze the sperm morphological characteristics of multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella (MMAF), and to analyze their common features and subtypes. Methods: Twenty-eight patients with abnormal morphology of flagella were analyzed by semen analysis. The morphological characteristics were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Histological observation of one case of testicular tissue was performed. Results: Of the 28 patients, only 13 patients (46.4%) had motile spermatozoa, 12 of which had a sperm motility rate of <10% and a sperm survival rate of 9.0%-80.0%. Under light and scanning electron microscope, sperm with absent, short, coiled, bent and irregular width flagella or their combinations were observed. Transmission electron microscopy showed structural abnormalities of sperm fibrous sheath, mitochondrial sheath. Loss rate of central microtubule was 41.4%-84.6%. The semen of the 2 patients with the absence or presence of the kinetic protein arm and both the inner and lateral motilin arms missing had no motile spermatozoa. There was no statistically significant difference in the proportion of flagellar malformations between the two groups of patients (without motile sperm vs with motile spermatozoa). Conclusion: MMAF is a kind of sperm flagella specific abnormalities. Initially diagnosis can be carried out using light microscopy. Clear diagnosis could be conduct using transmission electron microscopy, and the central microtubule loss of the sperm could be seen as the main feature of the flagella abnormalities. Through the morphological analysis and research, MMAF could be precisely classified, which provide a strong basis for the diagnosis.

Distribution and morphology of ghrelin immunostained cells in the adrenal gland of the African ostrich

Ghrelin is the endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor. We investigated the distribution and morphological characteristics of ghrelin-immunopositive (ghrelin-ip) cells in the African ostrich adrenal gland. We found that the adrenal gland of the African ostrich consisted of three parts: capsule, inter-renal tissue and chromaffin cells. The inter-renal tissue and chromaffin cells interdigitated irregularly. The inter-renal tissue consisted of a peripheral zone and a central inner zone. The peripheral zone could be divided into an outer subcapsular zone and an inner zone. The subcapsular zone cells were arranged as a bow, while the inner area cells formed cords that were perpendicular to the capsule. The central inner zone exhibited irregular clumps and the cells were morphologically similar to chromaffin cells. Ghrelin-ip cells were located throughout the adrenal gland except the capsule. The majority of ghrelin-ip cells were found among the chromaffin cells. The number of ghrelin-ip cells in the inter-renal tissue decreased gradually from the central inner zone, to the inner zone to the subcapsular zone. The ghrelin-ip cells were oval or irregular in shape and exhibited cytoplasmic staining. Our findings suggest that ghrelin may play a role in regulating adrenal hormone secretion in the African ostrich.

Intake, distribution, and metabolism of decabromodiphenyl ether and its main metabolites in chickens and implications for human dietary exposure

Diet is considered as the most important human exposure pathway for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Metabolism and accumulation patterns of PBDEs in different growth periods of chickens are helpful for evaluating human dietary exposure, but such information is scarce. In this study, female chickens were fed with food spiked with BDE-209 at 85 mg kg^-1, and the intake, accumulation, and excretion of BDE-209 and its main metabolites in various tissues were examined. Concentrations of BDE-209 in chicken tissues increased over time in a tissue-specific manner; they were the greatest in liver and generally the lowest in breast meat during the entire exposure period. The kinetic patterns were dependent on both growth-dilution effects and accumulated concentrations of BDE-209. Tissue concentrations of ∑₈PBDE (sum of BDE-28, 47, 99, 100, 153, 154, 183, and 209) followed the sequence of liver > blood > skin > intestine > stomach > leg meat > breast meat. Different tissue partition coefficients and perfusion rates for blood may have resulted in different PBDE concentrations in tissues. The absorption efficiency of BDE-209 in chicken tissues followed the sequence of liver (0.15 ± 0.032%) > skin (0.14 ± 0.038%) > intestine (0.071 ± 0.021%) > breast meat (0.062 ± 0.020%) > leg meat (0.059 ± 0.016%) > stomach (0.021 ± 0.0095%), likely due in part to facilitated absorption of BDE-209 by transport proteins (P-glycoproteins). On average, 9.3 ± 1.7% of BDE-209 was excreted in feces. Estimated human average dietary intake via the consumption of chicken tissues of ∑₈PBDE for adults and children was 319 and 1380 ng day^-1 for liver, 211 and 632 ng day^-1 for leg meat, and 104 and 311 ng day^-1 for breast meat from the contaminated group. Liver clearly poses the highest exposure risk for human consumption, particularly if chickens are fed with contaminated feed.

[Prognostic significance of flow cytometric minimal residual disease in acute myeloid leukemia during aplasia]

Objective: To investigate the impact of minimal residual disease (MRD) by multiparameter flow cytometry (MPFC) during aplasia on efficacy and prognosis of de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML) (non M(3)) patients. Methods: The MRD data by 8-color MPFC during aplasia (day 14-15 of induction therapy) in 85 de novo AML (non M(3)) patients and the MRD impact on efficacy and prognosis were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Data of 85 patients, including 42 males (49.4%) and 43 females (50.6%) , were collected, with a median age of 35 (15-54) years. The median MRD by MPFC during aplasia was 0.58% (0-81.11%) , and 70 (82.4%) patients achieved complete remission (CR) after first induction chemotherapy. The cutoff of MRD by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was 2.305% (Se= 0.867, Sp=0.800) . The CR rate after one course was significantly higher in patients with MRD<2.305% [96.6% (56/58) ]than in patients with MRD≥2.305%[51.9% (14/27) ] (χ(2)=22.348, P<0.001) ; no significant difference with respect to relapse-free survival rate (χ(2)=1.08, P=0.299) or overall survival rate (χ(2)=0.42, P=0.516) could be demonstrated for the comparison of the two groups. Multivariates analysis showed MRD divided by 2.305% was the only independent prognostic factor for CR after one course (OR= 21.560, 95% CI 4.129-112.579, P<0.001) . Conclusion: Flow cytometric MRD divided by 2.305% during aplasia could be a predictor of efficacy after first induction therapy in AML patients.

Distribution and developmental changes of ghrelin-immunopositive cells in the pancreas of African ostrich chicks (Struthio camelus)

Ghrelin, the endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R), is produced by multiple cell types and affects feeding behavior, metabolic regulation, and energy balance. In the mammalian pancreas, the types of endocrine cells that are immunoreactive to ghrelin vary. However, little was known about its distribution and developmental changes in the pancreas of African ostrich chicks (Struthio camelus). In the present study, the distribution, morphological characteristics, and developmental changes of ghrelin-immunopositive (ghrelin-ip) cells in the pancreas of African ostrich chicks were investigated using immunohistochemistry. Ghrelin-ip cells were found in both the pancreatic islets and acinar cell regions. The greatest number of ghrelin-ip cells were found in the pancreatic islets, and were primarily observed at the periphery of the islets; some ghrelin-ip cells were also located in the central portion of the pancreatic islets. Interestingly, from postnatal d 1 to d 90, there was a steady decrease in the number of ghrelin-ip cells in the pancreatic islets and acinar cell regions. These results clearly demonstrated that ghrelin-ip cells exist and decreased with age in the African ostrich pancreas from postnatal d 1 to d90. Thus, these findings indicated that ghrelin may be involved in the development of the pancreas in the African ostrich.

WSe2 few layers with enzyme mimic activity for high-sensitive and high-selective visual detection of glucose

As one of the transition metal dichalcogenide materials, WSe₂ in the form of a few layers (nanosheets) have received much attention due to their unique physical, optical and electrical properties. Herein, we demonstrate that WSe₂ nanosheets possess intrinsic enzyme mimic activity. Under acidic conditions, they exhibit pronounced peroxidase-like property. The Michaelis-Menten kinetics indicate that the catalytic activity of WSe₂ nanosheets is comparable to that of horseradish peroxidase. Based on the color reaction, a platform of WSe₂ nanosheets was constructed to detect glucose concentration and it showed high sensitivity and high selectivity, which means that WSe₂ nanosheets with peroxidase-like property can be used to develop a highly sensitive and selective colorimetric method for glucose detection. Moreover, due to the electron-transferring and antioxidant properties of WSe₂ few layers, the peroxidase-like catalysis is proposed. These findings pave the way for further application of WSe₂ nanosheets in nano-biomedicine.

[Prediction of outcome in acute myeloid leukemia by measurement of WT1 expression as a basic marker of minimal residual disease]

Objective: To probe the potential utility of Wilms tumor 1 (WT1) as a marker of minimal residual disease (MRD) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) to estimate the relapse-predicting cut-off value. Methods: Quantitative assessment of bone marrow WT1 mRNA level was preformed using real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RQ-RT-PCR) assay. The expression levels of WT1 dynamically measured with RQ-RT-PCR were retrospectively analyzed in 121 AML cases (not including acute promyelocytic leukemia) achieving complete remission (CR) after induction therapy followed by consolidation therapy. By comparing WT1 levels of patients with different post-therapy outcomes, the investigators used the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to determine WT1 threshold so as to predict their clinical relapses. Then prognoses and the significance of intervention were analyzed between WT1 positive and negative patients according to the cut-off value of WT1. Results: According to ROC curve, WT1 level higher than 2.98% predicted the possibility of relapse. For simplicity and clinical application, 3.00% was used as the cut-off value of WT1 level for relapse. WT1 levels in 41 patients at diagnosis were detected, meanwhile 3 patients whose WT1 levels at diagnosis below 3.00% were excluded, then the median WT1 level of the rest 38 patients at diagnosis was 44.09% (range 7.19%-188.06%) . The median WT1 level in remission was 0.48% (352 samples, range 0-8.41%) . The median WT1 level at diagnosis was higher than that in remission. Excluding the 3 patients with WT1 level at diagnosis under 3.00%, the relapse rate of WT1 positive group (>3.00% during consolidation phase and follow-up) and WT1 negative group (≤3.00%) was 70.0% (14/20) and 12.2% (12/98) respectively (P<0.001) . The median time from WT1 positivity to clinical relapse was 58 days. Conclusions: WT1 expression level above 3.00% was associated with markedly high risk of relapse, which could be as a useful marker for monitoring MRD following consolidation therapy.

Optically pumped lasing with a Q-factor exceeding 6000 from wet-etched GaN micro-pyramids

We report the observation of room-temperature optically pumped lasing modes from a single GaN pyramid microcavity on a metallic mirror. The mode at 367.2 nm exhibits a low threshold (0.4-0.5  MW/cm²) and a narrow linewidth (0.054 nm), by which the quality factor can be estimated to be >6000. These lasing behaviors can be attributed to the specific wet-etching approach by selectively etching away defects and pyramid geometry with bottom Ag reflectors for better light confinement. Optical resonances in these pyramids are further investigated in combination with three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain simulations.

[Trend of caesarean section rate and puerpera characteristics: based on Robson classification]

Objective: To analyze the trend in caesarean section rate and puerpera characteristics in hospital, and provide valuable information for maternal and child health policy making and clinical practice. Methods: A total of 12 041 women who delivered in the affiliated Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University from October 1, 2010 to September 30, 2016 were selected. Based on Robson classification system, changes in the rate of caesarean delivery as well as its relationship with two-child policy and infant sex ratio were analyzed. Results: The overall caesarean section rate gradually decreased from 66.9% to 44.2% during the past six years. Respectively, the caesarean section rate in primiparae with singleton term babies decreased to 32.1% and the rate in multiparas without uterine scar decreased to 14.2%, and the rate in premature delivery decreased to 22.9%, the differences were significant (P<0.01). The proportion of vaginal delivery (R1, R3), multiparas with uterine scar (R5) and twins pregnancy (R8) increased. the differences were significant (P<0.01). The annual overall newly-born sex ratio ranged from 110∶100 to 128∶100. In group R1, more babies were girls, the proportion was stable, more women with premature delivery and multiparas had boy babies, but the boy babies by multiparas without uterine scar obviously decreased in the last 2 years. Conclusions: Primiparae with singleton head birth, multipara without uterine scar and women with premature deliveries are the key population in the effort of reduction of caesarean section rate. The caesarean section rate and proportion were unstable in multiparas with uterine scar, breech deliveries and twin deliveries. The application of Robson classification system can improve the comparability of the surveillance data.

Seroprevalence of bluetongue virus infection in goats in the central China

Seroprevalence of Bluetongue virus (BTV) in goats from Hubei was investigated by a commercial competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Blood samples (n= 1157) were collected during the year 2014 and 2015. The results showed that 13.31% (CI 95% 11.4%-15.4%) serum samples were positive for BTV antibodies in goats in Hubei. The prevalence of BTV antibodies in each region ranged from 1.32% to 27.70%, and differences among the regions were statistically significant (p < 0.01). The prevalence of BTV in male and female goats was 14.23% (95% CI: 11.3, 17.6) and 12.58% (95% CI: 10.1, 15.4), respectively, no significant difference in genders (p > 0.05). In different seasons, the seroprevalence were 8.94% (95% CI: 5.6, 13.3) in spring; 18.31% (95% CI: 14.5, 22.7) in summer; 23.08% (95% CI: 17.0, 30.2) in autumn and 6.98% (95% CI: 4.6, 10.0) in winter, respectively with a significant difference of the prevalence in the different seasons (p < 0.01).

[The progress of the IL-12 cytokine family in allergic rhinitis]

As the IL-12 family plays an important role in immune regulation, it arouses the attention of the researchers increasingly. There are mainly four members in the IL-12 family, including IL-12, IL-23, IL-27 and IL-35 at present. The family members share many similar structures, but they have their own distinctive biological characteristics and play different roles to balance the functional effects of their own family. IL-12 and IL-23 are positive regulators and mainly play pro-inflammatory effect while IL-27 and IL-35 are negative regulators and mainly play anti-inflammatory effect. Thus, IL-12 family plays an important role in the regulation of the immune response and this function may be better than other cytokine family. IL-12 family has an important regulatory effect on multiple T cell subsets and also has an impact on their differentiation and function. So, we postulate that the IL-12 family may have an intense relationship with the generation and development of the allergic rhinitis. This article will mainly talk about the unique structure and role of the IL-12 cytokine family and discuss its immune regulation effect in the allergic rhinitis.

[Clinical features and prognosis in CD10(-) pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia]

目的

分析CD10阴性的前B急性淋巴细胞白血病（CD10⁻pre B-ALL）患者的临床特征和预后。

方法

对6例成人CD10⁻ pre B-ALL患者的临床和实验室资料进行回顾性分析，结合文献复习明确该类型患者的临床特征及预后。

结果

CD10⁻pre B-ALL占ALL的1.5%（6/409），占B-ALL的1.8%（6/343），占pre B-ALL的11.5%（6/52）。6例患者均为男性，中位年龄为33.5岁，起病时中位WBC为101.78×10⁹/L，所有患者均伴有MLL-AF4融合基因表达。5例患者经1个疗程诱导化疗即获得完全缓解（CR），1例患者经3个疗程化疗后才获得CR。2例患者在CR₁期行异基因造血干细胞移植（allo-HSCT），1例患者CR后短期内即复发，在CR₂期行allo-HSCT。1例患者正在等待移植。2例未移植患者1例复发死亡，1例尚处于缓解状态。

结论

CD10⁻pre B-ALL是一类具有独特临床特征的成人ALL亚型，发生率较低，常见于男性，起病时白细胞水平较高，MLL-AF4融合基因表达率高，常规化疗具有较高的缓解率，但易复发，allo-HSCT有可能改善其预后。

The Green's functions for peridynamic non-local diffusion

In this work, we develop the Green's function method for the solution of the peridynamic non-local diffusion model in which the spatial gradient of the generalized potential in the classical theory is replaced by an integral of a generalized response function in a horizon. We first show that the general solutions of the peridynamic non-local diffusion model can be expressed as functionals of the corresponding Green's functions for point sources, along with volume constraints for non-local diffusion. Then, we obtain the Green's functions by the Fourier transform method for unsteady and steady diffusions in infinite domains. We also demonstrate that the peridynamic non-local solutions converge to the classical differential solutions when the non-local length approaches zero. Finally, the peridynamic analytical solutions are applied to an infinite plate heated by a Gauss source, and the predicted variations of temperature are compared with the classical local solutions. The peridynamic non-local diffusion model predicts a lower rate of variation of the field quantities than that of the classical theory, which is consistent with experimental observations. The developed method is applicable to general diffusion-type problems.

Identification of 15 novel polymorphic microsatellite loci in pearl oyster (Pinctada fucata)

The pearl oyster Pinctada fucata is a commercially important marine shellfish. As a result, genetic improvement and selective-breeding program have been conducted for this species. Polymorphic microsatellites are effective molecular markers to investigate molecular marker-assisted selection and genetic variance. In this study, microsatellite DNAs were screened and characterized based on the partial genome sequence of P. fucata. We identified 111 microsatellite DNA motifs through mining the published draft genome sequence of P. fucata. Forty-two loci were screened with 8 P. fucata individuals, and 15 were found to be polymorphic and were therefore further evaluated using 40 wild individuals from the Daya Bay, Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, China. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 3 to 8, with an average of 5.2667 for the 15 polymorphic loci. Observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.1154 to 0.6216 (0.3321 on average) and 0.4950 to 0.8491 (0.6768 on average), respectively. Of the 15 polymorphic loci, 12 loci deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium after Bonferroni correction (P < 0.0033). Polymorphism information content ranged from 0.44 to 0.83 with a mean value of 0.63. The results suggest that the markers isolated in this study can be used for research on molecular marker-assisted selection and genetic variance of P. fucata.

[Effects of specific immunotherapy on the expression levels of serum IL-17,IL-35 and Treg/Th17 regulatory T cellsin patients with allergic rhinitis caused by dermatophagoides]

Objective:To explore the regulatory effect of sublingual immunotherapy on the balance of Treg/Th17 cells and the expression of IL-17 and IL-35 in serum of allergic rhinitis(AR) in pre-specific and post-specific immunotherapy.Method:In this study,30 cases were randomly selected from outpatients of otolaryngological department in the second hospital of Hebei Medical university.These were attributed as pretherapy group.After treatment,the same patients were as renamed as the post-therapy group.Another 30 cases were healthy subjects enrolled from physical examination branch of our hospital.We detected the expression level of IL-35 and IL-17 in peripheral blood by using ELISA and defeced CD4⁺ CD25⁺ Foxp3⁺ T cell and CD4⁺ IL-17⁺ T cell expression level via flow cytometry.Result:The expression level of IL-17 in pre therapy group was obviously higher than that in control group(P<0.05);The expression level of IL-17 in post therapy group was obviously lower than that in pre-therapy group,The difference was a statistically significance(t=5.030,P<0.05);The expression level of IL-17 in post therapy group was also higher than that in control group(P <0.05 ).The expression level of IL-35 in pre-therapy group was obviously lower than that in control group(P<0.05);The expression level of IL-35 in post therapy was obviously higher than that in pre-therapy group;The difference was a statistically significance (t=-4.083,P<0.05),the expression level of IL-35 in post therapy group was also lower than that in control group(P<0.05).The percentage of CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ T cell in CD4⁺ T cell was significant lower in pre therapy group than that in control group (P<0.05);The percentage of CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ T cell in CD4+ T cell in post therapy was obviously higher than that in pre therapy group;The difference was a statistically significance(t=-10.584,P<0.05),The percentage of CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ T cell in CD4⁺ T cell was also lower in post therapy group than that in control group (P<0.05 ).The percentage of CD4⁺IL17⁺ T cell in CD4⁺ T cell was significant higher in pre therapy group than that in control group (P<0.05);The percentage of CD4⁺IL-17⁺ T cell in CD4⁺ T cell in post therapy group was obviously lower than that in pre therapy group.The difference was a statistically significance (t=6.258,P<0.05).The percentage of CD4⁺IL-17⁺ T cell in CD4⁺ T cell was also higher in post therapy group than that in control group (P<0.05 ).Conclusion:Specific immunotherapy can have an impact on the expression levels of IL-17,IL-35 and also on Treg/Th17 cells balance in peripheral blood for patients with allergic rhinitis.

Genetic diversity and structure of the threatened species Sinopodophyllum hexandrum (Royle) Ying

Sinopodophyllum hexandrum is an important medicinal plant that has been listed as an endangered species, making the conservation of its genetic diversity a priority. Therefore, the genetic diversity and population structure of S. hexandrum was investigated through inter-simple sequence repeat analysis of eight natural populations. Eleven selected primers generated 141 discernible fragments. The percentage of polymorphic bands was 37.59% at the species level, and 7.66-24.32% at the population level. Genetic diversity of S. hexandrum was low within populations (average HE = 0.0366), but higher at the species level (HE = 0.0963). Clear structure and high genetic differentiation were detected between populations using unweighted pair groups mean arithmetic and principle coordinate analysis. Clustering approaches clustered the eight sampled populations into three major groups, and AMOVA confirmed there to be significant variation between populations (63.27%). Genetic differentiation may have arisen through limited gene flow (Nm = 0.3317) in this species. Isolation by distance among populations was determined by comparing genetic distance versus geographical distance using the Mantel test. The results revealed no correlation between spatial pattern and geographic location. Given the low within-population genetic diversity, high differentiation among populations, and the increasing anthropogenic pressure on this species, in situ conservation measures, in addition to sampling and ex situ preservation, are recommended to preserve S. hexandrum populations and to retain their genetic diversity.

Differential effects of conifer and broadleaf litter inputs on soil organic carbon chemical composition through altered soil microbial community composition

A strategic selection of tree species will shift the type and quality of litter input, and subsequently magnitude and composition of the soil organic carbon (SOC) through soil microbial community. We conducted a manipulative experiment in randomized block design with leaf litter inputs of four native subtropical tree species in a Pinus massoniana plantation in southern China and found that the chemical composition of SOC did not differ significantly among treatments until after 28 months of the experiment. Contrasting leaf litter inputs had significant impacts on the amounts of total microbial, Gram-positive bacterial, and actinomycic PLFAs, but not on the amounts of total bacterial, Gram-negative bacterial, and fungal PLFAs. There were significant differences in alkyl/O-alkyl C in soils among the leaf litter input treatments, but no apparent differences in the proportions of chemical compositions (alkyl, O-alkyl, aromatic, and carbonyl C) in SOC. Soil alkyl/O-alkyl C was significantly related to the amounts of total microbial, and Gram-positive bacterial PLFAs, but not to the chemical compositions of leaf litter. Our findings suggest that changes in forest leaf litter inputs could result in changes in chemical stability of SOC through the altered microbial community composition.

[Homoharringtonine in newly diagnosed acute promyelocytic leukemia treatment: a prospective, randomized controlled trial]

OBJECTIVE

To compare the efficacy and toxicities of combining homoharringtonine (HHT)±daunorubicin (DNR) with all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) based therapy and DNR plus ATRA based therapy in newly diagnosed low/intermediate risk acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL).

METHODS

A total of 96 newly diagnosed patients with APL were randomized to HHT group, DNR group and HHT+ DNR group prospectively. The complete remission (CR) rate, the overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) of three groups were analyzed.

RESULTS

There were 31 patients in HHT group, 33 patients in DNR group and 32 patients in HHT+ DNR group. The baseline characteristics of three groups were similar. No patient died during induction therapy. The morphologic CR rate was 100.0%. The median time to peak WBC counts in HHT+DNR group (4 days, range: 1-23 days) was significantly shorter than that in HHT group (9 days, range: 1-27 days) (P=0.008) and DNR group (7 days, range: 1-27 days) (P=0.240). There was no difference among three groups about the incidence of differentiation syndrome, the median interval to achieve CR, peak WBC counts and transfusions (P >0.05). All patients achieved complete molecular remission (CMR) during consolidation therapy. The interval to achieve CMR was no significantly difference among three groups (P >0.05). The 3-year OS rates for HHT group, DNR group and HHT+DNR group were 95.0%, 100.0% and 91.0%, respectively (P=0.595). The 3-year EFS rates for three groups were 93.0%, 90.0% and 85.0% (P=0.382). No difference was found in the incidence of adverse events among three groups (P >0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Similar to DNR plus ATRA based therapy, HHT plus ATRA based induction and consolidation therapy should be one of highly-efficient treatment options for newly diagnosed APL. Clinical trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR-TRC-12002628.

Neutral particles pushed or pulled by laser pulses

Acceleration of neutral particles is of great importance in many areas, such as controlled chemical reactions, atomic nanofabrication, and atom optics. Recent experimental studies have shown that pulsed lasers can be used to push neutral Rydberg atoms forward [Nature 461, 1261 (2009)10.1038/nature08481; Nat. Photonics 6, 386 (2012)10.1038/nphoton.2012.87]. Our simulation shows that pulsed lasers can also be used to pull Rydberg atoms back toward a light source. In particular, we proposed a method of using two laser pulses on a neutral atom, then selective operations on the neutral atom (pushing or pulling) can be performed by adjusting the delay time between the two laser pulses.

Diagnostic values of microRNA-31 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells for pediatric pulmonary tuberculosis in Chinese patients

We investigated the diagnostic values of microRNA-31 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) for pediatric pulmonary tuberculosis in Chinese patients. Sixty-five children with TB were selected for this study, which was conducted at the Department of Infectious Diseases People's Hospital of Laiwu City between December 2013 and December 2014. Sixty healthy children, selected in parallel, served as the control group. Real-time PCR was used to detect miR-31 expression in PBMCs. Serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α, NF-κB, and IFN-γ was detected by ELISA. ROC curve was employed to evaluate the diagnostic value of miR-31 in pediatric TB. Results show that expression of miRNA-31 in pediatric TB patients was significantly lower than that in normal children (0.48 ± 0.15 vs 1.23 ± 0.36, P < 0.05). By contrast, serum levels of the innate immune response cytokines, IL-6, TNF-α, NF-κB, and IFN-γ, were significantly higher in pediatric TB patients compared with normal children (P < 0.05). Furthermore, miRNA-31 expression was negatively correlated with serum levels of IL-6 (t = 69.91, P < 0.001), TNF-α (t = 10.96, P < 0.001), NF-κB (t = 39.94, P < 0.001), and IFN -γ (t = 37.94, P < 0.001). The cut-off threshold of miR-31 for pediatric TB diagnosis is 0.835 with a sensitivity of 98.5% and a specificity of 86.7%. Therefore, miR-31 has the potential to be a diagnostic marker in pediatric TB patients.

Transcriptional profiles of emasculated flowers of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) determined using the cDNA-AFLP technique

Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) is a tree in the subfamily Faboideae, native to North America, that has been naturalized and widely planted in temperate Europe and Asia. Black locust has important ecological and economic value, but its quality needs improvement. Hybridization programs are important for black locust breeding, but the low rate of fruit set after controlled pollination limits both its breeding and that of other monoclinous plant species that share this problem. In this study, we investigated gene expression in emasculated black locust flowers using the cDNA-amplified fragment length polymorphism technique to determine why the rate of fruit set is low after controlled pollination. Flowers that were emasculated after being frozen in liquid nitrogen were used as controls. Changes in the flower transcriptome were more dramatic at 5 h after emasculation than at 48 h. Injury caused by emasculation decreased the expression levels of genes associated with metabolism, growth regulation, signal transduction, and photosynthesis, and it increased the expression of genes related to stress-response metabolism, signal transduction, and promotion of senescence. The changes in the expression levels of these genes had negative effects on sugar metabolism, protein metabolism, lipid metabolism, energy metabolism, matter transport, signal transduction, osmotic regulation, pH regulation, and photosynthesis. Thus, emasculation accelerated flower senescence, resulting in low fruit set.

Characterization of ESTs from black locust for gene discovery and marker development

Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) is an ecologically and economically important species. However, it has relatively underdeveloped genomic resources, and this limits gene discovery and marker-assisted selective breeding. In the present study, we obtained large-scale transcriptome data using a next-generation sequencing platform to compensate for the lack of black locust genomic information. Increasing the amount of transcriptome data for black locust will provide a valuable resource for multi-gene phylogenetic analyses and will facilitate research on the mechanisms whereby conserved genes and functions are maintained in the face of species divergence. We sequenced the black locust transcriptome from a cDNA library of multiple tissues and individuals on an Illumina platform, and this produced 108,229,352 clean sequence reads. The high-quality overlapping expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were assembled into 36,533 unigenes, and 4781 simple sequence repeats were characterized. A large collection of high-quality ESTs was obtained, de novo assembled, and characterized. Our results markedly expand the previous transcript catalogues of black locust and can gradually be applied to black locust breeding programs. Furthermore, our data will facilitate future research on the comparative genomics of black locust and related species.

Sex- and afferent-specific differences in histamine receptor expression in vagal afferents of rats: A potential mechanism for sexual dimorphism in prevalence and severity of asthma

The incidence of asthma is more common in boys than in girls during the childhood, and more common in premenopausal female than age-matched males. Our previous study demonstrated a gender difference in histamine-mediated neuroexcitability in nodose ganglia neurons (NGNs), highlighting a possibility of histamine-mediated gender difference in asthma via visceral afferent function. In the present study, we aimed to explore the gender difference in expression profiles of histamine receptors (HRs) in nodose ganglia (NG) and individual identified NGNs to provide deeper insights into the mechanisms involved in sexual dimorphism of asthma. Western-blot and SYBR green RT-PCR showed that H2R and H3R were highly expressed in NG of females compared with males and downregulated in ovariectomized females. H1R was equally expressed in NG of both sexes and not altered by ovariectomy. Furthermore, this highly expressive H2R and H3R were distributed in both myelinated and unmyelinated NGNs isolated from adult female rats by immunofluorescence and single-cell RT-PCR. H3R widely distributed in all tested neuron subtypes and its expression did not show significant difference among neuron subtypes. H2R was widely and highly expressed in low-threshold and sex-specific subpopulation of myelinated Ah-types compared with myelinated A- and unmyelinated C-type NGNs. Unexpectedly, weak expression of H1R was detected in both myelinated and unmyelinated NGNs by immunofluorescence, which was further confirmed by single-cell RT-PCR. Our results suggest that the sexual dimorphism in the expression of H2R and H3R in vagal afferents very likely contributes, at least partially, to the gender difference in prevalence and severity of asthma.