SYBR Green-based real-time polymerase chain reaction assay for detection of porcine parvovirus 6 in pigs

In this study, a SYBR Green-based real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay was developed for rapid detection of porcine parvovirus (PPV) 6. Primer pairs targeting the conserved regions of PPV6 Capsid gene were designed. Sensitivity analyses revealed the lowest detection limit of the SYBR Green-based real-time PCR assay to be 47.8 copies/μL, which indicated it was 1000 times higher than that found in the conventional PCR investigations. This assay was specific and showed no cross-species amplification with other six porcine viruses. The assay demonstrated high repeatability and reproducibility; the intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation were 0.79% and 0.42%, respectively. The positive detection rates of 180 clinical samples with SYBR Green-based real-time PCR and conventional PCR were 12.22% (22/180) and 4.44% (8/180), respectively. Our method is sensitive, specific, and reproducible. The use of SYBR Green-based real-time PCR may be suitable for the clinical detection and epidemiological investigation of PPV6.

[Relationship between C genotype HBV mutation and intrauterine transmission]

Objective: To analyze the virus genome mutation of mothers with C genotype HBV and explore its relationship with HBV intrauterine transmission. Methods: A total of 399 mothers carrying HBV and their newborns hospitalized in the obstetrics department of the Third People's Hospital of Taiyuan from 2011 to 2013 were selected. Necessary information about mothers and children was obtained through a questionnaire survey and medical records. HBV DNA and HBV serological markers were detected by quantitative fluorescence PCR and electrochemiluminescence. Within 24 hours after birth and before active/passive immunization, those with positive HBsAg and/or HBV DNA in femoral venous blood were determined as HBV intrauterine transmission. According to the requirements of cloning and sequencing, mothers' HBV DNA load should be ≥10⁶ IU/ml. Among 54 cases of HBV intrauterine transmission, 22 pairs of mothers and their newborns meeting the requirements of cloning and sequencing were used as the intrauterine transmission group. The same number of mothers and their newborns without intrauterine transmission was selected as the random seed method's control group. After PCR amplification of HBV DNA, gene cloning, and sequencing, the gene mutation analysis of mothers with C genotype HBV was performed. Results: Among the 44 samples, 39 (88.63%, 39/44) were genotype C, 2 were genotype B, and 3 were mixed genotype B, and C. A total of 406 clone beads from 42 mothers with C genotype HBV were analyzed for gene mutation, including 204 in the intrauterine transmission group and 202 in the control group. The base substitution mutation rate of PreS1, S, C, and P regions in the HBV intrauterine transmission group were significantly lower than those in the control group (χ² ranged from 8.67 to 40.73, P<0.05). The mutation rate of base deletion in PreC and X regions in the HBV intrauterine transmission group was lower than that in the control group (χ² values were 17.82 and 34.78, P<0.001). Two clones in the X region had 31 bp insertion mutations between nt1644 and nt1645, and two clones had 27 bp insertion mutations between nt1649 and nt1650, all of which took place in the control group. Conclusions: The base substitution mutations in the PreS1, S, C, and P segments of the HBV genome in mothers with C genotype HBV were associated with the occurrence of intrauterine transmission of HBV. Deletion mutations in the PreC region, insertion and deletion mutations in the X region may reduce intrauterine transmission risk.

A functional variant in the promoter region of IGF1 gene is associated with chicken abdominal fat deposition

Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) plays an important role in the regulation of cell growth, proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Previously several studies revealed that genotypes of chicken IGF1 c.-366A > C were significantly associated with abdominal fat weight and body weight in chickens. But the underlying mechanism is still unknown. To investigate the mechanism underlying the association, herein, we performed IGF1 gene mRNA expression profiling, a dual-luciferase reporter assay and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). Quantitative real-time PCR results showed that IGF1 gene was widely expressed in 14 tissues. The mRNA expression levels of IGF1 gene in both abdominal fat and jejunum were significantly higher in fat broilers than in lean broilers. However, the opposite results were observed in the pancreas. The reporter gene assay showed that the promoter luciferase activity of allele A was significantly higher than that of allele C (P < 0.05). In addition, the luciferase activity of allele A promoted by the transcription factor AP1 and OCT1 was higher than that of allele C (P < 0.05). Electrophoretic mobility shift assay result showed that allele A binding to the transcription factor AP1 and OCT1 was stronger than that of allele C. All in all, our data indicated that the IGF1 gene c.-366A > C is a functional SNP responsible for chicken adipose deposition.

Theoretical studies of the g factors and local structures of the Ni3+ centers in Na2 Zn(SO4 )2 ·4H2 O and K2 Zn(SO4 )2 ·6H2 O crystals

The local structures and the g factors g_i (i = x, y, z) for Ni³⁺ centers in Na₂ Zn(SO₄ )₂ ·4H₂ O (DPPH) and K₂ Zn(SO₄ )₂ ·6H₂ O (PHZS) crystals are theoretically studied by using the perturbation formulas of the g factors for a 3d⁷ ion with low spin (S = 1/2) in orthorhombically compressed octahedra. In these formulas, the contributions to g factors from both the spin-orbit coupling interactions of the central ion and ligands are taken into account, and the required crystal-field parameters are estimated from the superposition model and the local geometry of the systems. Based on the calculations, the Ni-O bonds are found to suffer the axial compression δz (or Δz) of about 0.111 Å (or 0.036 Å) along the z-axis for Ni³⁺ centers in DPPH (or PHZS) crystals. Meanwhile, the Ni-O bonds may experience additional planar bond length variation δx (≈0.015 Å) along x- and y-axes for the orthorhombic Ni³⁺ center in DPPH. The theoretical g factors agree well with the experimental data. The obtained local structural parameters for both Ni³⁺ centers are discussed.

[Oncologic outcomes of early stage cervical cancer performed operation by different laparoscopic surgical procedures: analysis of clinical data from mutiple centers]

Objective: To evaluate the oncologic outcomes of different laparoscopic radical hysterectomy. Methods: From January 2011 to December 2014, the laparoscopic operation cases of cervical cancer at stage Ⅰb1, Ⅰb2, Ⅱa1 and Ⅱa2, including the histologic subtypes of squamous-cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma and adenosquamous carcinoma, were collected in five clinical centers. The data were divided into two groups according to the surgical procedures, that is, modified laparoscopic-vaginal radical hysterectomy (mLVRH) and total laparoscopic radical hysterectomy (TLRH). The overall survival rate (OS), disease-free survival rate (DFS) at 5 years were retrospectively analyzed in this study. Results: There were 674 cases in total, including 377 cases of mLVRH, 297 cases of TLRH. (1) The OS at 5 years: the mLVRH was 96.1% and the TLRH was 92.0%, and the mLVRH was higher than that of TLRH （P=0.010）. Stratify analysis， including stage of disease （Ⅰb1 and Ⅱa1）， histologic subtypes （squamous-cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma）， lymph node metastasis， revealed that, ① Stage of disease: in stage Ⅰb1, the OS at five years of mLVRH was higher than that in TLRH group （98.6% vs 93.6%, P=0.012）. In stage Ⅱa1, there was significant difference between the two groups, the OS at five years of mLVRH and TLRH were 93.6% and 77.6% （P=0.007）. ② Histologic subtypes: for the OS at five years of squamous-cell carcinoma, mLVRH and TLRH were 96.1% and 92.3%, and there was significant difference （P=0.046）； for adenocarcinoma, the OS at five years were 91.0% and 88.6%， and there was no difference between two groups （P=0.230）. ③ Lymph node metastasis： the mLVRH and TLRH with lymph node metastasis, the OS at five years were 98.6% and 96.4%; the mLVRH and TLRH without lymph node metastasis, the OS at five years were 89.3% and 80.8%. There were no significant differences between the two groups,respectively (P=0.156， P=0.093）. (2) The DFS at 5 years: there was no significant difference between mLVRH and TLRH (94.1% vs 90.9%, P=0.220). Stratify analysis for stage of disease, the mLVRH group was higher than that in the TLRH group in stage Ⅰb1 (97.0% vs 92.8%, P=0.039). However, for stage Ⅱa1, there was no significant difference between mLVRH and TLRH group （88.2% vs 75.8%, P=0.074）. Conclusions: The results of this retrospective study indicated that different laparoscopy surgical procedures had diverse oncologic outcomes. The OS at 5 years of the mLVRH is superior to the TLRH. The DFS at 5 years in Ⅰb1 stage, the mLVRH is higher than the TLRH. Therefore, the modified laparoscopy is still an alternative surgery for early cervical cancer patients when following the principle of no-tumor-exposure.

[Relationship between mutations of HBV basal core promoter region in HBsAg-positive mothers and intrauterine transmission]

Objective: To analyze the relationship between maternal mutations in basal core promoter region of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype C and intrauterine transmission. Methods: We collected information on general demographic characteristics and process of delivery among 399 pairs of consecutive HBsAg-positive mothers and their neonates, from the Third People's Hospital of Taiyuan in Shanxi province, China. Fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (FQ-PCR) and Electro-chemiluminescence immuno-assay (ECLIA) kits were used to detect both maternal and neonatal HBV DNA and serological markers in the peripheral blood. From 113 mothers with HBV DNA load ≥10(6) IU/ml, we selected 22 mothers whose neonates were with intrauterine transmission and randomly selected the same number of mothers whose neonates were without intrauterine transmission, as controls. The whole-length HBV DNA were extracted, amplified, cloned, sequenced and genotyped. Finally, a total of 39 mothers with genotype C of HBV were selected for mutation analysis. Results: Thirty-nine cases of genotype C (88.63%) were finally included in the study, with 19 cases in the intrauterine transmission group and 20 cases as controls. Rates of A1762T/G1764A double mutations were significantly different between the intrauterine transmission group and the control group (7.53% vs. 27.72%, P<0.001). Results from the multivariate analysis showed that the A1762T/G1764A double mutations had reduced the risk of intrauterine transmission (aOR=0.065, 95%CI: 0.006-0.746, P=0.028). Maternal A1762T/G1764A double mutations appeared to be possibly associated with neonatal HBeAg (P=0.050). Conclusion: A1762T/G1764A double mutations of HBV DNA from the genotype C of those HBsAg-positive mothers could reduced the risk of HBV intrauterine transmission during pregnancy.

Negative Affectivity Is Associated with a Higher Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure in Normotensive Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background and objectives: Type D personality, characterized by two stable traits (social inhibition and negative affectivity), is associated with adverse cardiovascular events. A possible mediating factor for this association could be hypertension. Previous research has shown that individuals with Type D personality were associated with an increased risk of hypertension. However, the association of negative affectivity and social inhibition on blood pressure in normotensive individuals has not yet been reported. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate whether negative affectivity and social inhibition were associated with systolic and diastolic blood pressure in normotensive middle-aged and older Taiwanese adults. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used. Individuals attending general health examination at a regional hospital in southern Taiwan who were 40 to 75 years old were recruited. Patients with self-reported hypertension or currently receiving antihypertensive medication were excluded. Negative affectivity and social inhibition were assessed with the 14-item Type D Scale-Taiwanese version. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to determine the association of Z-score transformed negative affectivity and social inhibition on blood pressure. Results: A total of 92 patients with a mean age of 51.5 years were included in the study, and 15 (16.3%) were defined as having a Type D personality. The Z-score transformed negative affectivity score (p = 0.035, effect size = 0.18) and Z-score transformed social inhibition score (p = 0.054, effect size = 0.17) were significantly associated with a higher systolic blood pressure. In addition, the Z-score transformed negative affectivity score (p = 0.036, effect size = 0.28) and Z-score transformed social inhibition score (p = 0.154, effect size = 0.24) were significantly associated with a higher diastolic blood pressure. Conclusions: Negative affectivity of the Type D personality was significantly associated with higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure, with a medium effect size, in apparently healthy middle-aged and older adults. Assessment of negative affectivity may be clinically useful in identifying individuals at risk of hypertension.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors: a new era for esophageal cancer

Introduction: The poor prognosis for patients with esophageal cancer (EC) requires evolving current treatment regimens. Immune checkpoint inhibitors show clinical efficacy and a great safety profile in multiple tumors. And the monoclonal antibodies that target programmed death receptor-1/programmed death receptor ligand-1 or the cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 pathway has shown potential curable effect of EC. Areas covered: This review article covers the prognostic significance of immune checkpoint expression, the accumulating current clinical studies of checkpoint inhibitors in esophageal cancer patients, and future directions. Expert opinion: Many clinical studies have reported favorable survival results with manageable toxicity of anti-programmed death receptor-1/programmed death receptor ligand-1 and anti-cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 treatment. More results are expected from future clinical studies. It is believed that combining chemoradiotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors can induce safe and efficient anti-tumor immune responses and can be a promising therapeutic strategy.

Prognostic Value of Anxiety Between Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction and Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction

Background

Evidence suggests differences in clinical characteristics, causes, and prognoses between heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Most studies have failed to support the prognostic relevance of anxiety in HFrEF or unclassified HF with mean left ventricular ejection fraction <40%. Meanwhile, the association between anxiety and prognoses in HFpEF remains unexamined. This study compared the prognostic value of anxiety between HFrEF and HFpEF.

Methods and Results

A total of 158 patients with HFrEF (left ventricular ejection fraction=28.51±7.53%) and 108 patients with HFpEF (left ventricular ejection fraction=64.53±9.67%) were recruited between May 2012 and December 2014. Demographic and clinical characteristics, Spielberger State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory‐II scale, and 18‐month follow‐up outcomes were recorded during the hospital stay. There were significant differences in age, sex, comorbidities, laboratory biomarkers, discharge medications, and unhealthy behaviors, which supported the contention that HFrEF and HFpEF represent 2 distinct phenotypes, although there were no significant differences in anxiety and 18‐month outcomes. Multiple logistic regression yielded no significant associations between anxiety and 18‐month outcomes in HFrEF. By contrast, trait anxiety could predict 18‐month all‐cause mortality (odds ratio, 1.429; 95% CI, 1.020–2.000; P=0.038), all‐cause readmission or death (odds ratio, 1.147; 95% CI, 1.036–1.271; P=0.008), and cardiac readmission or death (odds ratio, 1.133; 95% CI, 1.031–1.245; P=0.010) in HFpEF after adjusting for possible confounders.

Conclusions

Trait anxiety was independently associated with 18‐month all‐cause mortality, all‐cause readmission or death, and cardiac readmission or death in HFpEF, but not in HFrEF.

[Quantitative evaluation of intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted imaging and three-dimensional arterial spin labeling in Ki-67 labeling index and grading of brain gliomas]

Objective: To investigate the value of multiple parameters derived from intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted imaging (IVIM-DWI) and three-dimensional arterial spin labeling (3D-ASL) in Ki-67 labeling index (Ki-67 LI) and grading of human brain gliomas. Methods: From December 2015 to May 2018, 45 patients of gliomas confirmed by surgical pathology in Li Huili Hospital, Ningbo Medical Center were divided into low-grade group (20 cases of WHO grade Ⅱ) and high-grade group (12 cases of WHO grade Ⅲ, 13 cases of WHO grade Ⅳ), and the Ki-67 LI of glioma was obtained by immunohistochemistry. All patients, 24 males and 21 females, aged 25-83 years, mean(53±12)years, underwent conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), IVIM-DWI and 3D-ASL before operation, then measured the true water diffusion coefficient (D), microcirculation perfusion coefficient (D(*)), perfusion fraction (f) and cerebral blood flow (CBF) in the tumor solid area and the contralateral normal white matter area. Those parameters and the Ki-67 LI were compared between the low-and high-grade groups with Mann-Whitney U test. Spearman's correlation was used to analyze the correlation between the quantitative parameters and Ki-67 LI. The ROC curve was used to assess the diagnostic efficacy of parameters in the grading assessment of brain gliomas. Results: The D(0.791×10(-3)mm(2)/s) and f (0.261) of the high-grade group were lower than those of the low-grade group, whereas D(*) (4.153×10(-3) mm(2)/s), CBF(102.027 ml·min(-1)·100 g(-1)) and Ki-67 LI (0.25) were higher (P<0.05). There was a moderate negative correlation between D, f and Ki-67 LI(r=-0.513,-0.457, all P<0.05). There was no significant correlation between D(*) and Ki-67 LI (P=0.571). The area under the curve (AUC) for identifying high-and low-grade gliomas by D, D(*), f and CBF values was 0.965, 0.745, 0.842, and 0.830 respectively (all P<0.05). Conclusion: D and f can be used for quantitative prediction of Ki-67 LI. IVIM-DWI and 3D-ASL are helpful in the grading assessment of gliomas, and the diagnostic efficiency of D is the highest.

A pilot-study to assess the feasibility and acceptability of an Internet-based cognitive-behavior group therapy using video conference for patients with coronary artery heart disease

Background

Many patients with coronary artery heart disease are unable to access traditional psychosocial rehabilitation conducted face to face due to excessive travel distance. Therefore, this study developed and assessed the feasibility and acceptability of an 8-week Internet-based cognitive-behavior group therapy program, described the patterns of use and measured change in risk factors.

Methods

This study adopted an online video conference system, JointNet, to maintain group interaction functions similar to face to face groups online, and also built an self-learning platform to deliver psychoeducation content and cognitive-behavior therapy related materials and homework. Forty-three out-patients were recruited in the pilot study, who then chose to participate in either the Internet-based cognitive-behavior group therapy or face to face group based on their preference. Fourteen patients were assigned to the waiting-list control.

Results

Seventeen participants (17/43 = 39.5%) chose the Internet-based cognitive-behavior group therapy program. Among them, thirteen participants (13/17 = 76.5%) finished the program and were more male (92.3% vs. 50%), employed (53.8% vs. 35.3%), and had longer education duration (13.9 vs. 12.5 years) than the counterparts of the face to face group. Furthermore, they were highly motivated with average number of log-ins (66.5 time), website surfing time (950.94 min), reading frequency (78.15 time) and reading time (355.90 min) for the self-learning platform during eight weeks; and also highly satisfied (97%) with visiting the self-learning platform and video conferences. The treatment effectiveness of Internet-based cognitive-behavior group therapy was comparable with face to face one in reducing anxiety, hostility, respiration rate, and in improving vasodilation but not depression compared with the waiting-list control.

Conclusion

These results indicated that the Internet-based group therapy program using video conference is feasible and acceptable for the psychosocial rehabilitation of patients with coronary artery heart disease, and provides an alternative for patients who are unable to obtain conventional psychosocial rehabilitation conducted face to face.

[Analysis of the KCNQ1 gene mutation in 2 families with congenital long QT syndrome type 1 in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region]

Objective: Present study analyzed the association betwen the postassium voltage-gated channel KQT-like subfamily member 1 gene (KCNQ1) mutation and the clinical and the electrocardiographic features in 2 pedigrees with congenital long QT syndrome type 1 (LQT1) in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Methods: Three family members were diagnosed as LQT1 patients in 2 Uygur congenital LQT1 families, these 3 LQT1 patients served as long QT group, 24 Uygur healthy volunteers served as control group. Electrocardiogram (ECG) and the gene detection were applied to compare the ECG and molecular genetic features between the long QT group and control group, and to explore the relationship between the KCNQ1 gene mutation and the clinical and the electrocardiographic features in these 2 families with congenital long QT syndrome type 1. Results: The LQT1 was diagnosed in 3 cases of the 2 pedigrees. The common features of ECG were QTc>480 ms, prolonged ST segment, and delayed T wave. The gene test evidenced a polymorphism of KCNQ1 gene exon 13:47G➝A(R16R). The mutation of 133G➝A9(G45S) of exon 16 resulted in the change of the original glycine (G) to serine (s). The ECG of the control group were normal, and there were no KCNQ1 gene mutations in control group. Conclusion: The exon sequencing results of KCNQ1 gene in 2 Xinjiang Uygur congenital long LQT1 families showed that exon16 missense changes (133G to A (G45S)) can lead to amino acid mutation, this mutation may be a pathogenic mutation. Subsequent validation of the expanded sample will provide a reference for revealing the relationship between the KCNQ1 gene and the pathogenesis of LQT1.

Blood Pressure Reactivity and Recovery to Anger Recall in Hypertensive Patients with Type D Personality

Background

Type D, otherwise known as distressed personality type, has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Blood pressure reactivity and recovery to stress could be a possible underlying pathway linking type D personality and cardiovascular events.

Methods

A total of 41 patients with hypertension were recruited from a regional hospital in southern Taiwan. Demographic and clinical characteristics were obtained from all participants. Type D personality was assessed using the 14-item Type D Scale-Taiwanese version. Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate were measured at the end of baseline, anger recall, verbal, and recovery phases of an anger recall task. Analysis of covariance was used to examine differences in blood pressure and heart rate at the anger recall, verbal, and recovery phase between patients with or without type D personality.

Results

After adjusting for baseline measurements, sex, and age, systolic blood pressure (p = 0.002) and diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.011) at the recovery phase were significantly higher in the patients with type D personality. No significant differences in blood pressure or heart rate were observed in the anger recall or verbal phase between the two groups of patients.

Conclusions

The findings of this study support the notion that prolonged blood pressure recovery rather than high reactivity could be an underlying pathway linking type D personality and the risk of future cardiovascular events among patients with hypertension.

[The relationship between LDL-C and ischemic stroke in 2 470 patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation in Xinjiang region]

Objective: To evaluate the association between LDL-C and ischemic stroke in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF). Method: A total of 2 470 patients with nonvalvular AF were included in the present study. The clinical data and laboratory examination results of the patients in the hospital were collected. The subjects were either divided into the ischemic stroke history (n=560), and non- ischemic stroke history groups (n=1 910), or divided into the low-middle risk (n=566) and high risk groups (n=1 904) based on CHA(2)DS(2) - VASc score. Results: There were significant differences in the proportion of Han, the ratio of gender, age, hemoglobin, hematocrit, ALT, serum uric acid, HDL-C and LDL-C between the patients with ischemic stroke history and without (all P<0.05). Similarly, there were significant differences in the proportion of Han, the ratio of gender, age, white blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelet count, ALT, albumin, TG and LDL-C between subjects in the low-middle risk group and those in the high risk group (all P<0.05). A logistical regression analysis showed that LDL-C was an independent risk factor for both the ischemic stroke history (OR 2.089, 95% CI 1.860-2.347, P<0.05), and future ischemic stroke risk (OR 1.270, 95% CI 1.079-1.494, P<0.05) in patients with nonvalvular AF. Conclusion: LDL-C is associated with ischemic stroke in patients with nonvalvular AF, and it is also an independent risk factor for future ischemic stroke in these patients.

[Application study of differentiating malignant benign from breast lesions using multiple b-value DWI]

Objective: To explore the diagnostic value of multi b-value DWI (MB-DWI) in the identification of benign and malignant breast lesions. Methods: From October 2013 to December 2015, a total of 54 cases from Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital (22 benign cases with a total of 24 lesions, 32 malignant cases with a total of 38 lesions) were examined with conventional MR scan, single b-value DWI, and multiple b-value DWI (0, 10, 20, 30, 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1 200, 2 000, 3 000 s/mm(2)). GE ADW4.5 workstation was used to calculate the value of standard apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC(standard)), slow apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC(slow)), fast apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC(fast)) and fraction of ADC(fast)(f(fast)). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC)curve was performed to evaluate those MB-DWI parameters above. Results: The ADC(standard), ADC(slow) and f(fast) value of malignant group were (0.761±0.166)×10(-3) mm(2)/s, (0.593±0.144)×10(-3) mm(2)/s, 0.330±0.099 respectively, which were significantly lower than those of benign group (all P<0.01), while the ADC(fast) value of malignant group was 4.379×10(-3) mm(2)/s, significantly higher than that of benign group(P<0.01). The area under curve (AUC) of f(fast) and ADC(standard) were 0.799, 0.786 respectively and there is no statistically significant difference.The AUC of ADC(slow), ADC(fast) were 0.719, 0.727, which were statistically significant different from the value of f(fast) or ADC(standard)(all P<0.01). Conclusions: All the parameters in MB-DWI can be used to distinguish benign from malignant breast lesions.The f(fast) and ADC(standard) value have higher diagnostic value in the identification of benign and malignant breast lesions.

[A study on the evaluation of anticoagulation status comparing of CHADS2 versus CHA2DS2-VASc scores in patients with non valvular atrial fibrillation in Xinjiang area]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the current status of anticoagulation therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation(AF)in Xinjiang, and compare the two scoring systems(CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores) in determining the risk of strokes in AF patients in Xinjiang.

METHODS

Subjects with AF were collected by searching the electronic and paper medical records from 35 hospitals in Xinjiang area during October 2013 to October 2014, and followed up for the incident strokes after 10 to 12 months.

RESULTS

Totally, 5 953 AF patients were enrolled in the study with the age of (67.9±12.0) years old, and men to women ratio of 1.44. Most patients were in age groups of 60-69 (23.92%) and 70-79 years (37.81%). Among patients with a CHADS2 score of 1 or less, the CHA2DS2-VASc scores of these subjects ranged from 0 to 3. After 10 to 12 months of follow-up, 22 patients developed new strokes. Only 30.79% patients ( n=1 460) received the anticoagulation treatment among those (n=4 742) who need to be treated with anticoagulation drugs. In patients receiving anticoagulant therapy, 1 162 patients were treated with warfarin, and 298 patients with new oral anticoagulant drugs.Totally 1 110 patients treated with warfarin were monitored with international normalized ratio (INR). The median INR was 1.14 with only 97 cases meeting the recommended INR ranging of 2.0-3.0 in the guidelines. The compliance rate was 8.74%.

CONCLUSIONS

The current status of anticoagulation for AF in Xinjiang area is characterized by "low anticoagulation rate" and "low compliance rate". The CHA2DS2-VASc score is more suitable for predicting the risk of strokes in patients with non valvular atrial fibrillation in Xinjiang area.

Effect of SNX-2112 on proliferation of esophageal cancer cells via regulation of excision repair cross-complementing 1, epidermal growth factor receptor, and p53 expression

SNX-2112 is a potential molecular targeted therapeutic drug against esophageal cancer (EC). However, its exact mechanism of action remains to be explained. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of SNX-2112 on excision repair cross- complementing 1 (ERCC1), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and p53, to elucidate the mechanism of action of SNX-2112 on EC. Fresh tumor sections were surgically obtained from 65 patients with EC, and the expression of ERCC1, EGFR, and p53 was determined by immunohistochemical staining. Furthermore, the effect of SNX-2112 (0.2 μM) on the proliferation of EC-9706 cells and the expression of ERCC1, EGFR, and p53 in these cells were analyzed by a cell proliferation assay and western blot, respectively. We observed a significant decrease and increase in ERCC1 (P = 0.001) and p53 (P = 0.043) expression, respectively, and no significant difference in EGFR (P = 0.59) expression, with the TNM stage of EC, which suggested that ERCC1 and p53 could be potential markers for the TNM stage of EC. We also observed a significant increase in ERCC1 expression, and decrease in p53 and EGFR expression, in EC-9706 cells treated with SNX-2112 (P < 0.05), indicating the regulation of EC by SNX-2112. Furthermore, SNX-2112 treatment induced a significant decrease in the proliferation of EC-9706, which confirmed the function of SNX- 2112. In summary, SNX-2112 inhibits the proliferation of EC cells by regulating the expression of ERCC1, EGFR, and p53.

Study of PIK3CA, BRAF, and KRAS mutations in breast carcinomas among Chinese women in Qinghai

Phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase and RAS-activated signaling pathways play an important role in tumor formation. Abnormalities in relevant genes play essential roles in the occurrence and development of many human cancers. Studies of breast cancer have mainly focused on the women in western countries, but few studies have examined the frequency of mutations in PIK3CA, BRAF, and KRAS in Chinese breast cancer patients. In this study, we conducted sequence analysis of PIK3CA, BRAF, and KRAS and determined relationships with the occurrence of breast cancer in women from Qinghai. DNA was extracted from 25 cases of human breast cancer tissue samples. PIK3CA, BRAF, and KRAS mutation analysis was performed by polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing. No mutations were found in PIK3CA, BRAF, and KRAS of adjacent tissues. However, PIK3CA mutations were observed in 32% (8) of the 25 breast cancer tissues examined, in which exon 9 accounted for 4% (1), exon 20 accounted for 28% (7), and no mutations were found in exon 1 of PIK3CA. Sequencing of exon 2 of KRAS suggested that 20% (5) of the 25 samples harbored a mutation and 16% (4) of BRAF harbored a mutation. Any mutation in these 3 oncogenes may induce the occurrence and development of breast cancer.

EFFECT OF RELATIVE GENE EXPRESSION ON PLAQUE VULNERABILITY IN PATIENTS WITH STABLE ANGINA AND PATIENTS WITH ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROME

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of relative gene expression on plaque vulnerability in patients with either stable angina or acute coronary syndrome (ACS). A total of 30 patients with ACS, 28 patients with stable angina and 17 healthy volunteers were selected. High resolution ultrasound was used to detect carotid arterial intima-media thickness (IMT) and plaque score, Sandwich enzyme linked immunoassay to determine the change of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1. The three groups had no statistically significant difference in age, gender, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. MMP-9, TIMP-1, MMP-9/TIMP-1 and IMT, total plaque score, soft plaque score and hard plaque score of patients’ acute coronary syndrome were obviously higher than those with stable angina and normal people. It was also found that MMP-9 was in a positive correlation with IMT, total and soft plaques score, TIMP-1 was positively correlated with IMT as was MMP-9/TIMP-1. Regardless of age, IMT was in a positive correlation with MMP-9, TIMP-1 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 in partial correlation analysis. All these findings suggest that ACS patients have remarkably higher MMP-9, 1TIMP-1, MMP- 9/TIMP-1, IMT, total plaque score, soft plaque score and hard plaque score compared to patients with stable angina pectoris and healthy subjects (P<0.05) and there are positive correlations between MMP- 9, TIMP-1, 1MMP-8/TIMP-1, total plaque and soft plaque score.

Complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Marmota himalayana (Rodentia: Sciuridae) and phylogenetic analysis within Rodentia

This is the first report of a complete mitochondrial genome sequence from Himalayan marmot (Marmota himalayana, class Marmota). We determined the M. himalayana mitochondrial (mt) genome sequence by using long-PCR methods and a primer-walking sequencing strategy with genus-specific primers. The complete mt genome of M. himalayana was 16,443 bp in length and comprised 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and a typical control region (CR). Gene order and orientation were identical to those in mt genomes of most vertebrates. The heavy strand showed an overall A+T content of 63.49%. AT and GC skews for the mt genome of the M. himalayana were 0.012 and -0.300, respectively, indicating a nucleotide bias against T and G. The control region was 997 bp in size and displayed some unusual features, including absence of repeated motifs and two conserved sequence blocks (CSB2 and CSB3), which is consistent with observations from two other rodent species, Sciurus vulgaris and Myoxus glis. Phylogenetic analysis of complete mt DNA sequences without the control region including 30 taxa of Rodentia was performed with Maximum-Likelihood (ML) and Bayesian Inference (BI) methods and provided strong support for Sciurognathi polyphyly and Hystricognathi monophyly. This analysis also provided evidence that M. himalayana mt DNA was closely related to that from Sciurus vulgaris (Sciuridae) and was similar to mt DNA from Myoxus glis.

Effect of surface mechanical attrition treatment on biodegradable Mg-1Ca alloy

Surface mechanical attrition treatment (SMAT) is considered to be an effective approach to obtain a nanostructured layer in the treated surface of metals. In this study, we evaluated the effect of SMAT on the microstructure, mechanical properties and corrosion properties of biodegradable Mg-1Ca alloy, with pure Mg as control. Grain refinement layers with grain size at the nanometer scale in the topmost surface were successfully prepared on Mg-1Ca alloy using SMAT technique, similar to pure Mg. The SMAT not only refined the surface layer of Mg-1Ca alloy, but also promoted the re-dissolution of the Mg2Ca phase into the matrix. As a result, the microhardness of the SMATed samples in the near-surface region was considerably enhanced, and the surface roughness and wettability of the SMATed samples were increased. However, the SMAT led to high density of crystalline defects such as grain boundaries (subgrain boundaries) and dislocations, which severely weakened the corrosion resistance of Mg-1Ca alloy, same as pure Mg.

Relationship between serum neopterin levels and coronary heart disease

The relationship between serum neopterin levels and coronary heart disease (CHD) was investigated. Eighty-six CHD patients were divided into an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) group (N = 21), an unstable angina pectoris (UAP) group (N = 35), and a stable angina pectoris (SAP) group (N = 30), based on coronary angiography (CAG), 30 subjects without CHD served as the control group. Serum neopterin levels were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and relationships between neopterin and the severity of stenosis, stenosis number, and the stability of coronary artery were analyzed. Serum neopterin levels were higher in the AMI and UAP groups than in the SAP and control groups (P < 0.01), but no significant differences were observed between the AMI and UAP groups or between the SAP and control groups (P > 0.05). Mean serum neopterin levels were higher in the single, double, and three vessel lesion groups than in the control group (P < 0.05), whereas there were no significant differences among the lesion groups (P > 0.05). Serum levels of neopterin were significantly higher in the type II than in the type I or type III, plaque groups (P < 0.01), the incidence of type II plaque was significantly higher in the AMI and UAP groups compared to the SAP group (P < 0.01). Neopterin likely plays a role in the occurrence and development of athermanous plaque and can serve as a useful biomarker of vulnerable plaques. Immunoreaction may be involved in the pathophysiological process of CHD.