[Association of CYP19A1 gene rs7176005 single nucleotide polymorphism with breast cancer risk and clinicopathologic features of tumor]

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the association of the CYP19A1 rs7176005 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) with breast cancer risk and with clinicopathologic features of tumors. Methods: This study was conducted by including 138 patients with breast cancer (cancer group), those who diagnosed as primary breast cancer after operation by pathology. There were 293 cases in the group of benign breast disease which was presented as a solid mass by the color ultrasound and pathologically diagnosed as "fibroadenoma or adenosis" (benign breast disease group), the cases were paired with breast cancer patients by age±5 in the same period, and there were 259 cases in the group of healthy control who received routine physical examination during the same period and were paired with breast cancer patients by age±5 without any detection of breast related diseases (healthy control group) at West China hospital between September 2012 and November 2016. The CYP19A1 rs7176005 SNP was detected by a direct sequencing method. Hardy-Weinberg test was used to analyze the genetic balance of the 3 groups. Chi square test was used to compare the distribution of rs7176005 genotypes between the 3 groups, and the differences of clinicopathological features in breast cancer patients carrying different genotypes. Results: The ages of the breast cancer cases, the benign breast disease group and the healthy control group were (44.69±8.09), (42.33±11.44) and (41.92±9.61) years old, respectively. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium test identified that the composition ratios of alleles C and T in breast cancer group, benign breast disease group and healthy group were not statistically significant (χ(2) values were 0.83, 0.34 and 0.04, respectively, P values were 0.363, 0.561, and 0.852, respectively). All the three groups met the genetic balance, had consistency and could represent the population. Among the 138 cases of breast cancer, the CYP19A1 rs7176005 SNP was significantly associated with the diameter of the tumor (P=0.031). The majority of tumor size was <2 cm in patients who carrying TT and CT genotypes, and the proportion was 75% (12/16) and 58% (40/69), respectively. While those patients with TT genotype were mainly >2 cm and ≤5 cm, and the proportion was 51% (27/53). The distribution of TNM stage among patients with different genotypes was also statistically significant (χ(2)=11.19, P=0.025). The most common stage was Ⅱ in Patients who carrying CC and CT genotypes, and the proportion was 45.3% (24/53) and 52.2% (36/69), respectively. While those patients with TT genotype was mainly in stage Ⅰ and the proportion was 56.3% (9/16). Conclusion: Though the CYP19A1 rs7176005 SNP is not associated with breast cancer development, breast cancer patients with the C allele exhibit a high tumor growth rate and large diameters.

[Efficacy analysis of the endovascular treatment for 175 unruptured vertebrobasilar dissecting aneurysms]

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics, clinical effect and follow-up outcome of the different endovascular treatment techniques in the treatment of unruptured vertebrobasilar dissecting aneurysms (VBDAs). Methods: The clinical data of 160 consecutive patients (175VBDAs) from January 2012 to December 2016 in Beijing Tiantan hospital were retrospectively analyzed.All of the 175 aneurysms were treated with endovascular embolization, including 115 stent-assisted coils, 27 simple stents, 21 blood flow diverting devices, and 12 parent arteries occlusion.The imaging and clinical follow-up were performed after the operation. Results: Headache including cervical-occipital pain(43.1%)was the most common clinical manifestation.The incidence of perioperative complications was 3.75%, no intraoperative bleeding and no deaths.The imaging findings of 113 aneurysms were followed up for (9.9±7.3) months.Of the 71 stent-assisted coils, 62 recovered well and 9 relapsed; of the 19 aneurysms treated with simple stent, 4 recovered well, 11 improved, 2 stable and 2 relapsed; of the 15 aneurysms treated by the blood flow diverting devices, 4 recovered and 11 improved; all of the 8 aneurysms with parent arteries occlusion recovered well.A total of 144 patients were follow-up (17.3±16.6) months by the Modified Rankin Scale(mRS) score: 140 patients were 0-2 score and 4 patients were 3-6 score. Conclusions: The clinical manifestations of the unruptured VBDAs are complex, and the headache is the most common clinical symptom.Endovascular treatment for the treatment of unruptured VBDAs is safe and feasible.The principle of individualization should be followed during embolization.

[Management strategies of granulation in tracheal post-tracheostomy caused by prolonged mechanical ventilation]

Objective:To analyze the effect and safety of treatment in patients with airway stenosis caused by tracheotomy for mechanical ventilation. Method: We treated the patients with airway stenosis caused by granulation tissue. The patients with grade Ⅰ,Ⅱ airway stenosis were treated with adjustable flange tracheostomy tube, and the holmium laser under a fibro-laryngoscope were applied for the patients with grade Ⅲ airway stenosis.Two hundred and sixteen patients were enrolled in this study. Forty-four patients had been found tracheal stenosis caused by granulomatous hyperplasia, accounting for 20.4% of all patients, including 12 cases of gradeⅠ, 18 cases of grade Ⅱ, and 14 cases of grade Ⅲ.Result:Thirty patients with grade Ⅰ and Ⅱ were replaced with adjustable flange tracheostomy cannula. Fourteen cases of grade Ⅲ airway stenosis were treated with Ho:YAG laser under a fibro laryngoscope. All cases were completed operation successfully. None of cases bleeding, perforated and asphyxia during operation. The clinical symptoms disappeared after operation, and endoscopy showed that airways of patients were smooth. No recurrence were found after operation.Conclusion: Replacement of adjustable flange tracheostomy tube and Ho:YAG laser can safely and effectively treat airway obstruction caused by tracheal granulation tissue hyperplasia after tracheotomy.

[Photochemical induced vestibular ischemiawith icy water test in guinea pigs]

Objective:To ascertain the effects of a new method of photochemical reaction in vestibular function in guinea pigs.Method:Local photochemical reaction was initiated by systemic injection of rose bengal(20mg), photoillumination of the vestibule through medial wall of epitympanum for 30 minutes was started immediately after the injection of rose bengal, with a optic fiber connected to a xenon light (wavelength, 540nm; photointense, 500-600 mW/cm ²). There were 20 guinea pigs divided random equally into 2 groups. Group 1 was injected with rose bengal. Group 2 was control, injected with physiological saline solution. The ice caloric tests were performed on the second day.Result:The test group (7 ears) and the control group (6 ears) with test nystagmus showed mean frequencies were（2.0±0.33）times/s and（3.7±0.33）times/s,the mean amplitude were (3.1±0.39)mm and (3.5±0.54)mm,and the mean duration were (44.7±17.22)s and (62.0±7.22)s respectively.The nystagmus frequency difference was statistically significant, but the amplitude and the duration of the nystagmus were not significantly different. There was no obvious spontaneous nystagmus in the two groups, and there were negative results of ice water test (3 ears in the test group and 4 ears in the control group).Conclusion:Photochemical reaction can induce the ischemic state of the vestibule system in guinea pig, and produce an acute vestibular dysfunction, and ice water test shows that the frequency of nystagmus is reduced.

Livin serves as a prognostic marker for mid-distal rectal cancer and a target of mid-distal rectal cancer treatment

Livin is a novel member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein family, which has been identified to be expressed in various malignancies and is suggested to be associated with poor prognostic significance. However, no data are available concerning the significance of livin in mid-distal rectal cancer. In the present study, livin expression, and its association with clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis was examined in patients with mid-distal rectal cancer. Apoptotic susceptibility, invasion capacity and chemosensitivity of LoVo cells were investigated using small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown of livin. It was revealed that livin was highly expressed in mid-distal rectal cancer tissues compared with the normal rectal mucosal tissues. Livin expression was associated with pathological grade, extent of invasion (T stage) and extent of lymph node metastasis (N stage) of tumor, contributing to poor prognosis of mid-distal rectal cancer following surgery. The data suggest that aggressive surgery should be applied in patients with mid-distal rectal cancer with high expression of livin. It was also revealed that knockdown of livin by siRNA increased the apoptotic rate, suppressed invasion of LoVo cells, and decreased the half-maximal inhibitory concentration of oxaliplatin and 5-fluorouracil by ~50% in LoVo cells significantly compared with control groups. The data suggested that a combination of downregulation of livin and anticancer drugs may significantly decrease the toxicity of anticancer drugs. Taken together, the present study indicated that livin may be a promising target in clinical therapy of mid-distal rectal cancer.

[Serum procalcitonin in patients with pulmonary infection and central nervous system injury]

Objective: To evaluate the influence of serum procalcitonin in the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary infection in patients with central nervous system injury. Methods: From October 2014 to February 2017, a retrospective study was performed. A total of 1 852 patients were screened in Department of Intensive Care Unite, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University.Among them, 173 patients were identified with different kinds of infection. Finally, a total of 42 patients with pulmonary infection were enrolled. The clinical data of patients with pulmonary infection and central nervous system (CNS) injury was collected. A univariate and multivariate regression analysis was performed to study the correlation of serum procalcitonin (PCT) with clinical symptoms and signs of the pulmonary infection, body temperature(T), white blood cell count (WBC), percentage of neutrophils (NEU) and the severity of the pulmonary infection (CPIS). The relationship of serum PCT with type of CNS injury, GCS, and exogenous glucocorticoid was further studied. Results: During the period of pulmonary infection, the peak PCT was 0.83 (0.29, 2.79) μg/L and the CPIS was 5.50 (5.00, 7.00). In 9 of 42 patients, the peak PCT was less than 0.25 μg/L. In 7 of 42 patients, the peak PCT was ranged from 0.25 to 0.5 μg/L. In 12 of 42 patients, PCT was ranged from 0.5 to 2 μg/L. Only 10 patients had a PCT 2-10 μg/L and 4 patients had a PCT more than 10 μg/L. There is no correlation between serum PCT and body temperature, white blood cell, percentage of neutrophils and CPIS. There was no significant differences in patients with PCT<0.5 or ≥0.5 μg/L regarding the body temperature, white blood cell, percentage of neutrophils and CPIS. However, serum PCT in patients with pulmonary infection had independent correlation with the post CNS injury day (β=0.17, 95% CI (0.02, 0.32), P<0.05). The serum PCT was 1.26 (0.47, 2.7) μg/L and 29.41% patients with a PCT less than 0.5 μg/L within 3 days post CNS injury. Serum PCT level was 0.23 (0.16, 0.39) μg/L, and 77.78% patients with a PCT less than 0.5 μg/L at day 4 to day 7 post-injury. The PCT level was 0.52 (0.33, 1.12) μg/L, and 44.44% patients with a PCT less than 0.5 μg/L at day 8 to day 14. The PCT was 3.26 (2.07, 12.40) μg/L, and no patient with a PCT less than 0.5 μg/L after day 15 post-injury. There were no significant relationship found between serum PCT level and type of the disease and surgery, GCS, and use of exogenous glucocorticoid. Conclusions: Serum PCT had no significant increase and was not able to be used in guiding the antibiotics use in patients with CNS injury and pulmonary infection.

Chronic joint pain and handgrip strength correlates with osteoporosis in mid-life women: a Singaporean cohort

This study aimed to identify novel correlates which may relate to low bone mass at lumbar spine in mid-life Asian women. The possibility of developing a prediction model for osteoporosis (OP) was explored which resulted in a risk assessment tool that performed better than currently available tools.

INTRODUCTION

In order to identify novel correlates associated with low spinal bone mineral density (BMD) in mid-life women, we examined a large number of lifestyle and medical and performance measurements and developed a prediction model for triage to BMD scanning.

METHODS

Women (n = 512) aged 45-69 years (mean 57.0 ± 6.3) attending gynecology clinics for "well woman" visits were recruited for this cross-sectional study from 2014 to 2015. We assessed symptoms, medical history, anthropometry, and physical performance. Stepwise multinomial logistic regressions were performed to examine significant associated covariates for pre-specified outcomes (normal [T-score ≥ -1.0], low bone mass [T-score between -1 and -2.5], and OP [T-score ≤ -2.5] at the lumbar spine). A new screening model was developed, and its performance was compared with the OP Screening Tool for Asians (OSTA) and Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX®).

RESULTS

Spinal OP was found in 6.8%. Multivariate analysis indicated that chronic joint pain, the most common symptom reported by 37.5% of the women, was significantly associated with OP. Only age (Relative Risk Ratio [RRR] 1.63; 95%CI, 1.03-2.60), weight (RRR 0.14; 95% CI, 0.07-0.27), postmenopausal status (RRR 11.59, 95%CI, 1.15-116.73), chronic joint pain (RRR, 4.12; 95% CI, 1.53-11.07), and right handgrip strength (RRR 0.50; 95% CI, 0.31-0.80) were independently associated with spinal OP. Combining these five variables, our final model's area under curve (AUC) was significantly higher at 84% than both the OSTA [AUC; 79% (p value < 0.0231 'c' statistics)] and FRAX® [AUC 58% (p value < 0.0001 'c' statistic)].

CONCLUSION

A novel screening tool that combines age, weight, and menopausal status with chronic joint pain and right handgrip strength more reliably predicts spinal OP in mid-life Singaporean women.

Post-treatment surveillance of thyroid cancer

An increased incidence of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) has resulted in an increased population of thyroid cancer survivors requiring ongoing disease surveillance. Our institution's risk-adapted surveillance strategy is based on a contemporary understanding of disease biology, guided by analysis of prognostic factors and balanced application of available surveillance modalities. The goal of this strategy is to detect recurrent disease early, identify patients who would benefit from further treatment and reduce over investigation of low-risk patients. This article describes our center's risk-stratified approach to the postoperative surveillance of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer with reference to the recent 2015 American Thyroid Association management guidelines.

Anti-site-induced diverse diluted magnetism in LiMgPdSb-type CoMnTiSi alloy

The effect of three kinds of anti-site disorder to electronic structure and magnetic properties of the LiMgPdSb-type CoMnTiSi alloy are investigated. It was found the Mn-Ti anti-site disorder can induce the diluted magnetism in CoMnTiSi matrix. The magnetic structure has an oscillation between the ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic states with the different degree of Mn-Ti anti-site disorder. Two novel characteristics: the diluted antiferromagnetic half-metallicity and the diluted zero-gap half-metallity are found in the different degree range of the Mn-Ti anti-site disorder. The Co-Mn and Co-Ti anti-site disorder have little effect on the magnetic properties. The width of energy gap and the intensity of DOS at the Fermi level can be adjusted by the degree of Co-Mn or Co-Ti anti-site disorder. The independent control to the carrier concentration and magnetization can be realized by introducing the different anti-site disorder.

Blood pressure-to-height ratio as a screening indicator of elevated blood pressure among children and adolescents in Chongqing, China

We aimed to evaluate the performance of blood pressure-to-height ratio (BPHR) and establish their optimal thresholds for elevated blood pressure (BP) among children aged 6 to 17 years in Chongqing, China. Data were collected from 11 029 children and adolescents aged 6-17 years in 12 schools in Chongqing according to multistage stratified cluster sampling method. The gold standard for elevated BP was defined as systolic blood pressure (SBP) and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ⩾95th percentile for gender, age and height. The diagnostic performance of systolic BPHR (SBPHR) and diastolic BPHR (DBPHR) to screen for elevated BP was evaluated through receiver-operating characteristic curves (including the area under the curve (AUC) and its 95% confidence interval, sensitivity and specificity). The prevalence of elevated BP in children and adolescents in Chongqing was 10.36% by SBP and/or DBP ⩾95th percentile for gender, age and height. The optimal thresholds of SBPHR/DBPHR for identifying elevated BP were 0.86/0.58 for boys and 0.85/0.57 for girls among children aged 6 to 8 years, 0.81/0.53 for boys and 0.80/0.52 for girls among children aged 9 to 11 years and 0.71/0.45 for boys and 0.72/0.47 for girls among adolescents aged 12-17 years, respectively. Across gender and the specified age groups, AUC ranged from 0.82 to 0.88, sensitivity were above 0.94 and the specificities were over 0.7. The positive predictive values ranged from 0.30 to 0.38 and the negative predictive values were ⩾0.99. BPHR, with uniform values across broad age groups (6-8, 9-11 and 12-17 years) for boys and for girls is a simple indicator to screen elevated BP in children and adolescents in Chongqing.

Prediction of protein subcellular multisite localization using a new feature extraction method

A basic problem of proteomics is identifying the subcellular locations of a protein. One factor making the problem more complicated is that some proteins may simultaneously exist in two or more than two subcellular locations. To improve multisite prediction quality, it is necessary to use effective feature extraction methods. Here, we developed a new feature extraction method based on the pK value and frequencies of amino acids to represent a protein as a real values vector. Using this novel feature extraction method, the multi-label k-nearest neighbors (ML-KNN) algorithm and setting different weights into different attributes' ML-KNN, known as wML-KNN, were employed to predict multiplex protein subcellular locations. The best overall accuracy rate on dataset S1 from the predictor of Virus-mPLoc was 59.92 and 86.04% on dataset S2 from Gpos-mPLoc, respectively.

[Topical voriconazole as an effective treatment for fungal keratitis]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of topical voriconazole in patients with fungal keratitis caused by different fungal species.

METHODS

Interventional case series. Eighty-four patients aged 18 years or older from central China with confirmed fungal keratitis who presented at the outpatient department of Henan Eye Institute were enrolled in the study. The patients underwent in vivo confocal scanning laser microscopy examination, coneal scraping and microscopic examination and fungal culture, and then received topical voriconazole, closed curative effects were conducted. The sensitivity of three different diagnostic techniques, spectrum of the fungi, cure rate for fungal corneal infection related to each species were analyzed.

RESULTS

In our study, 84 patients were diagnosed with fungal keratitis based on clinical symptoms, and results of at least one of the examinations of in vivo confocal scanning laser microscopy, conventional smear, and corneal scraping culture and the sensitivity were 92.85%(78/84), 85.71%(72/84), 84.52%(71/84)respectively. In viro confocal scanning laser microscopy. Successful management was achieved in 83.33% of the patients. Topical voriconazole treatment failed in 14 patients(16.67%), who required surgical treatment. In 36 patients with Fusarium corneal infections, 26(72.22%)were successfully treated with topical voriconazole; however, in 18 patients with Aspergillus corneal infections and 7 patients with Alternaria corneal infections, 94.44% and 100.00% of them were successfully treated, respectively. In a case-based dynamic tracking study, in vivo confocal microscopy provided real-time dynamic detection of surviving hyphae. The existence of hyphae was(38.35±17.32)days for Fusarium,(25.00±16.11)days for Aspergillus,(21.00±4.36)days for Alternaria, and(41.50±31.68)days for the focus in the deep stroma. The duration of treatment was similar for all four groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Topical application of voriconazole is on effective method for the freatment of fungal keratitis Topical voriconazole is highly effective for fungal keratitis caused by Alternaria spp. and Aspergillus, however, for Fusarium, it is relatively low effective. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2016, 52: 657-662).

Plasma miR-142 accounting for the missing heritability of CYP3A4/5 functionality is associated with pharmacokinetics of clopidogrel

AIM

To investigate whether plasma miRNAs targeting CYP3A4/5 have an impact on the variance of pharmacokinetics of clopidogrel.

MATERIALS & METHODS

The contribution of 13 miRNAs to the CYP3A4/5 gene expression and activity was investigated in 55 liver tissues. The association between plasma miRNAs targeting CYP3A4/5 mRNA and clopidogrel pharmacokinetics was analyzed in 31 patients with coronary heart disease who received 300 mg loading dose of clopidogrel.

RESULTS

Among 13 miRNAs, miR-142 was accounting for 12.2% (p = 0.002) CYP3A4 mRNA variance and 9.4% (p = 0.005) CYP3A5 mRNA variance, respectively. Plasma miR-142 was negatively associated with H4 Cmax (r = -0.5269; p = 0.0040) and associated with H4 AUC0-4h (r = -0.4986; p = 0.0069) after 300 mg loading dose of clopidogrel in coronary heart disease patients.

CONCLUSION

miR-142 could account for a part of missing heritability of CYP3A4/5 functionality related to clopidogrel activation.

Complete mitochondrial genome of the Liuyang black goat and its phylogenetic relationship with other Caprinae

In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the Liuyang black goat was investigated, and phylogenetic relationships between the Liuyang black goat and other species of Caprinae were analyzed. The total length of the mitochondrial genome was 16,715 bp, which consisted of 33.50% A, 27.27% T, 25.98% C, and 13.25% G. The mitochondrial genome contained a major non-coding control region (D-loop region), two ribosomal RNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes, and 22 transfer RNA genes. Neighbor-joining and maximum-parsimony trees of Caprinae constructed using 13 mitochondrial protein-coding genes showed that the Liuyang black goat is phylogenetically closest to Hemitragus jemlahicus (the Himalayan tahr) and Blue sheep to form clade A. Tibetan antelopes clustered separately in clade B and so did sheep in clade C.

[Characteristics of HIV infections among over 50-year-olds population in China]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the characteristics on demographical, spatial distribution and transmission mode of HIV infections among 50-year-old population.

METHODS

Related information on demography, spatial distribution, high risk behavioral and history of HIV infections among 50-year-old population were collected and analyzed. Possible time of infection based on their first CD4 testing results right after the HIV diagnoses, was estimated.

RESULTS

Since 2008, the number of new HIV/AIDS cases among the over-50-year-olds was reported increasing annually. The number of aged 50 and above in 2014 was 4.2 times than the number in 2008. 50-year-old or older population were infected mainly through heterosexual behavior (88.0%). Among these cases, 83.9% self-reported as having histories on extramarital sex intercourse and the number was increasing yearly. Among male cases who admitted as having heterosexual experience, 95.1% of them reported as having histories of extramarital sex intercourse while 53.4% of the female cases reported as having the same experiences. 46.6% of spouses of the females or with fixed partners were HIV positive. Through estimating the time of infection and the time interval between infection and diagnosis, we found that the proportion was 15.5%, from infection to diagnosis as 3 years among the 50 and older age groups, but the proportion of 8 years from infection to diagnosis was 43.6%. We estimated that 66.5% of the new HIV cases who were at age 50 and over, were infected when they were at that age span. The average time from infection and being tested was (6.8 ± 2.7) years.

CONCLUSION

The increasing number of being diagnosed on HIV among the 50-year-olds population might be related to both high risk exposure and belated diagnoses among this population, calling for the necessity of deriving the sources of HIV infection and tailoring the HIV prevention strategies in this population.

[Analysis on the ' late diagnosis' (LD) phenomena among newly identified HIV/AIDS cases in China, 2010-2014]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the 'late diagnoses' (LD) phenomena among newly identified HIV/AIDS cases in China from 2010 to 2014.

METHODS

Newly identified HIV/AIDS cases from 2010 to 2014 were selected from the National HIV/AIDS comprehensive information system. Rates related to LD were stratified according to the demographic indicators.

RESULTS

From 2010 to 2014, numbers of newly identified HIV/AIDS cases were reported as 64 338, 74 517, 82 434, 90 119 and 103 501 in China. Among them, proportions of LD were 41.8%, 42.1%, 38.1%, 36.8% and 35.5% respectively. LD proportions appeared high in medical settings, with the minimum proportion as 45% (χ(2)=5 174,P<0.000 1). Proportion of LD among patients who were heterosexually transmitted appeared over 40%, which was significantly higher than that seen among men who have sex with men or injecting drug users (χ(2)=3 066,P<0.000 1). Proportion of LD showed more than 39% in those newly identified cases, and was seen higher in permanent residents than in floating population (less than 30%) (χ(2)=5 265,P<0.000 1).

CONCLUSION

With the expansion testing coverage on HIV, newly identified HIV/AIDS increased year by year. Among the newly identified cases, late diagnosis was high, especially in medical institutions. More effective strategies and measures are needed to promote the early detection of HIV in high risk population.

Association of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms with end-stage renal disease and the development of high-turnover renal osteodystrophy in a Chinese population

Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; TaqI and ApaI) in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene have been identified as risk factors for the progression of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The purpose of our study was to confirm the reported association of these two SNPs with ESRD risk and progression of renal osteodystrophy in a Chinese Han population. A total of 452 ESRD patients and 904 matched-pair controls (based on age, gender, and body mass index) were included. Identification of VDR gene polymorphisms was performed using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method with TaqI and ApaI restriction enzymes. There was no association of the TaqI polymorphism with ESRD risk. However, significant associations were seen between ApaI (rs7975232) polymorphism and ESRD risk in the heterozygote model (AC/ AA; P = 0.002; OR = 1.4, 95%CI = 1.14-1.83), homozygote model (CC/AA; P = 0.007; OR = 1.8, 95%CI = 1.17-2.85) genotypes for rs7975232, allelic model (P < 0.001; OR = 1.4, 95%CI = 1.15-1.64), dominant model (P = 0.001; OR = 1.5, 95%CI = 1.19-1.87), and recessive model (P = 0.046; OR = 0.6, 95%CI = 0.42-1.00) between cases and healthy controls Moreover, we found a significant correlation between the genotype and allele distribution of ApaI and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels, where allele C carriers have increased iPTH levels. The ApaI polymorphism in the VDR gene appears to be a susceptibility locus for ESRD in Chinese individuals, and allele C carriers may have an increased risk of high-turnover renal osteodystrophy.

Effects of nucleotide usage on the synonymous codon usage patterns of biofilm-associated genes in Haemophilus parasuis

To provide a new perspective on the evolutionary characteristics shaping the genetic diversity of Haemophilus parasuis biofilms, the relative synonymous codon usage values, codon usage bias values, effective number of codons (ENC) values, codon adaptation index (CAI) values, and the base components were calculated. Our objective was to implement a comparative analysis to evaluate the dynamic evolution of biofilm-associated genes in H. parasuis. The analysis of genetic diversity provides evidence that some biofilm-associated genes have similar genetic features. However, other genes show some variations in genetic direction. Furthermore, preferential selection of the synonymous codons and amino acids is apparent in biofilm-associated genes. Additionally, the ENC and CAI data from this study all strongly suggested that biofilm-associated genes may depend on deoptimization to adapt to environmental changes, and the mutation effect of biofilm-associated genes in H. parasuis plays an important role in shaping the genetic features. Our results reveal that the mutations of biofilm-associated genes form a set of sophisticated strategies for combating the environmental changes arising from the host cell in the evolution of H. parasuis.

[Application of the dizziness handicap inventory in the patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo]

Objective:This study was designed to observe the dizziness handicap inventory (DHI) scores in patients with BPPV (benign paroxysmal positional vertigo) before and after maneuver repositioning and aimed to discuss the values of DHI scores in the diagnosing and treatment of BPPV. Method:Charts of 72 patients with BPPV diagnosed by positioning test were reviewed. Four DHI scores were used including the total score (DHIT), the functional score (DHIF), the emotional score (DHIE), and the physical score (DHIP). We compared the pre-repositioning DHI scores and post-repositioning scores of patients, and also compared the DHI scores of patients with and without residual dizziness. Result:All of the 72 patients were underwent maneuver repositioning and recorded the DHI scores. The mean post-repositioning scores were dramatically decreased compared with pre-repositioning scores, and the difference was significant (P<0.01). The differences of the DHIP scores between the residual dizziness group and the non-residual dizziness group was not significant, while the DHIF scores, the DHIE scores and the DHIT scores between the two groups were statistically different. Conclusion:After maneuver repositioning the dizziness handicap of BPPV patients could be significantly improved. The next treatment program for residual dizziness patients after successful repositioning could be aimed at the functional and emotional dizziness.

Development of polymorphic microsatellite loci for a new fish species, Chinese sillago (Sillago sinica)

Sillago sinica is a newly identified species belonging to Sillaginidae, Perciforms, and was found along the coast of China in 2011. In the present study, 81 microsatellite loci were isolated from an enriched genomic library, and 24 positive clones containing microsatellite repeats had adequate flanking sequences for the development of PCR primers. Sixteen of these primers were monomorphic or would not amplify. Eight were polymorphic in an examined population with the number of alleles per locus ranging from 2 to 14. The number of observed and expected heterozygosities per locus varied from 0.125 to 0.958 and from 0.120 to 0.904, respectively. The polymorphism information content ranged from 0.110 to 0.721. All loci conformed to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P > 0.05) after Bonferroni correction. There was no significant linkage disequilibrium between the eight polymorphic loci. These results suggest that these markers may be very useful for the characterization of natural populations of this species.

[Clinical characteristics and prognosis of concurrent positive t(14; 18) and myc gene rearrangement in diffuse large B cell lymphoma]

OBJECTIVE

To study the incidence of positive t(14; 18) and myc gene rearrangement, and the clinical features and prognosis of concurrent positive t(14; 18) and myc gene rearrangement "double-hit lymphoma" (DHL) in diffuse large B cell lymphoma.

METHODS

The positive t(14; 18) and myc gene rearrangement in 106 cases of DLBCL were analyzed using interphase fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) technique. The expression of myc and bcl-2 proteins was determined by immunohistochemistry. The relationship of positive t(14; 18) and myc gene rearrangement with clinical features, pathogenesis and prognosis for the patients was analyzed. SPSS 16.0 software was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

Among the 106 cases, there were 27 (25.5%) cases with positive t(14; 18) and 13 (12.3%) cases with myc gene rearrangement, and 7 cases (6.6%) of DLBCL with concurrent t(14; 18)-positive and myc gene rearrangement. A relationship was observed between positive t(14; 18) and myc gene rearrangement (P=0.019). The follow-up data showed that the 7 DHL patients were in age of 52-84 years, the International Prognostic Index (IPI) scores were 3 in two cases, 4 in four cases and 5 in one case, and the ECOG scores were 3 in all the 7 cases. Four patients had bone marrow involvement and were combined with leukemia. The survival time ranged from 0.5 to 6 months, with a median survival of 4 months. The univariate analysis showed that B symptom, Ann Arbor stage, ECOG score, LDH level, IPI score, immunophenotype, bcl-2 protein expression, myc protein expression, and myc gene rearrangement were all associated with poor prognosis (P<0.05 for all). The multivariate analysis using a COX proportional hazard model confirmed that ECOG score, bcl-2 protein expression, myc protein expression, myc gene rearrangement, and immunophenotype were independent prognostic factors affecting survival (P<0.05 for all), among them, the myc gene rearrangement was the strongest prognostic factor (OR=4.337, P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

"Double-hit" DLBCL is rare and can be mainly identified only by molecular detection. Perhaps positive t(14; 18) and myc gene rearrangement play concurrent role in its "double-hit" pathogenesis. DHL are highly invasive, and most of DHL patients have poor prognosis. Further studies of larger case number are required to determine the pathologic features and the therapeutic strategy of this subgroup.

Pioglitazone up-regulates long non-coding RNA MEG3 to protect endothelial progenitor cells via increasing HDAC7 expression in metabolic syndrome

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) maternally expressed 3 (MEG3) is expressed in endothelial cells and involved in angiogenesis and vascular function. It was proposed that MEG3 participates in the process of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) functions in metabolic syndrome (MetS). In this study, the circulating EPCs number and function were decreased in MetS subjects. The MEG3 expression was expressed at a lower level and microRNA-140-5p (miR-140-5p) was expressed at a higher level in circulating EPCs of subjects with MetS. Pioglitazone reversed the alterations of EPCs function and the expression levels of MEG3 and miR-140-5p in EPCs. In bone marrow-derived EPCs exposed to palmitate, down-regulation of miR-140-5p canceled the increase of MEG3 expression level induced by Pioglitazone. Overexpression of MEG3 resulted in the down-regulation of miR-140-5p. The luciferase reporter assay and RIP assay showed that MEG3 targeted miR-140-5p. In addition, the HDAC7 expression levels were regulated by miR-140-5p and MEG3. These findings demonstrated that Pioglitazone up-regulated MEG3 expression to protect EPCs via decreasing miR-140-5p expression and increasing HDAC7 expression in MetS, which may be a novel therapeutic target for preventing and treating MetS.

Secondary metabolites with chemical diversity from the marine-derived fungus Pseudallescheria boydii F19-1 and their cytotoxic activity

Twenty-five compounds with chemical diversity including five new compounds were isolated from the marine-derived fungus Pseudallescheria boydii F19-1. Five compounds displayed significant cytotoxicity against Sf9 cells.