[Application and comparison of three occupational health risk assessment methods in an automobile manufacturing industry]

Objective: Three occupational health risk assessment methods were used to assess the occupational health risk of noise exposed posts in an automobile manufacturing enterprise. According to the results, the selection of risk assessment methods and risk management of such occupational noise enterprises were provided. Methods: Form April to November 2021, The occupational health field survey was carried out in an automobile manufacturing industry in Tianjin. The occupational health MES risk assessment method, occupational health risk index risk assessment method and Australian occupational hazard risk assessment method were used to evaluate the occupational health risk of noise-exposed posts in this enterprise, and the evaluation results of different methods were analyzed and compared. Results: The average value of L(Aeq, 8 h) in the four workshops of automobile manufacturing industry was 82.95 dB (A) , and the noise detection exceeding rate was 22.41% (26/116) . The LAeq, 8h and exceeding rate noise of welding workshop were higher than those of other workshops (χ(2)=23.56, 32.94, P<0.01) . The three occupational health risk assessment methods have the same risk assessment results for the four major workshops. The assembly and painting workshops are level 4 risk (possible risk) , and the stamping and welding workshops are level 3 risk (significant risk) . Conclusion: Occupational noise has certain potential hazards to workers in automobile manufacturing enterprises. Therefore, in the future work, corresponding organizational management measures should be taken to improve the working environment and reduce the actual exposure level of workers in order to protect the health of occupational workers.

Novel Pathogenic Mutation of P209L in TRPC6 Gene Causes Adult Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a leading kidney disease, clinically associated with proteinuria and progressive renal failure. The occurrence of this disease is partly related to gene mutations. We describe a single affected family member who presented with FSGS. We used high-throughput sequencing, sanger sequencing to identify the pathogenic mutations, and a systems genetics analysis in the BXD mice was conducted to explore the genetic regulatory mechanisms of pathogenic genes in the development of FSGS. We identified high urinary protein (++++) and creatinine levels (149 μmol/L) in a 29-year-old male diagnosed with a 5-year history of grade 2 hypertension. Histopathology of the kidney biopsy showed stromal hyperplasia at the glomerular segmental sclerosis and endothelial cell vacuolation degeneration. Whole-exome sequencing followed by Sanger sequencing revealed a heterozygous missense mutation (c.643C > T) in exon 2 of TRPC6, leading to the substitution of arginine with tryptophan at position 215 (p.Arg215Trp). Systems genetics analysis of the 53 BXD mice kidney transcriptomes identified Pygm as the upstream regulator of Trpc6. Those two genes are jointly involved in the regulation of FSGS mainly via Wnt and Hippo signaling pathways. We present a novel variant in the TRPC6 gene that causes FSGS. Moreover, our data suggested TRPC6 works with PYGM, as well as Wnt and Hippo signaling pathways to regulate renal function, which could guide future clinical prevention and targeted treatment for FSGS outcomes.

[The application of 3D bioprinting in ophthalmology]

On the basis of 3D printing technology, 3D bioprinting has emerged with great development potential and good prospects in the field of medicine and tissue engineering. With this technique, different types of cells and biomaterials can be precisely incorporated into 3D anatomical structures, achieving tissue substitutes with superior structures or functions. In recent years, great progress has been made in the application of 3D bioprinting in ophthalmology. This article reviews not only the differences between 3D printing and 3D bioprinting, but also the development, types, characteristics, application, and prospects of 3D bioprinting in the production of eye tissue engineering materials.

[Impact of different diagnostic criteria for assessing mild micro-hepatic encephalopathy in liver cirrhosis: an analysis based on a prospective, multicenter, real-world study]

Objective: To compare the differences in the prevalence of mild micro-hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) among patients with cirrhosis by using the psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score (PHES) and the Stroop smartphone application (Encephal App) test. Methods: This prospective, multi-center, real-world study was initiated by the National Clinical Medical Research Center for Infectious Diseases and the Portal Hypertension Alliance and registered with International ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05140837). 354 cases of cirrhosis were enrolled in 19 hospitals across the country. PHES (including digital connection tests A and B, digital symbol tests, trajectory drawing tests, and serial management tests) and the Stroop test were conducted in all of them. PHES was differentiated using standard diagnostic criteria established by the two studies in China and South Korea. The Stroop test was evaluated based on the criteria of the research and development team. The impact of different diagnostic standards or methods on the incidence of MHE in patients with cirrhosis was analyzed. Data between groups were differentiated using the t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, and χ (2) test. A kappa test was used to compare the consistency between groups. Results: After PHES, the prevalence of MHE among 354 cases of cirrhosis was 78.53% and 15.25%, respectively, based on Chinese research standards and Korean research normal value standards. However, the prevalence of MHE was 56.78% based on the Stroop test, and the differences in pairwise comparisons among the three groups were statistically significant (kappa = -0.064, P < 0.001). Stratified analysis revealed that the MHE prevalence in three groups of patients with Child-Pugh classes A, B, and C was 74.14%, 83.33%, and 88.24%, respectively, according to the normal value standards of Chinese researchers, while the MHE prevalence rates in three groups of patients with Child-Pugh classes A, B, and C were 8.29%, 23.53%, and 38.24%, respectively, according to the normal value standards of Korean researchers. Furthermore, the prevalence rates of MHE in the three groups of patients with Child-Pugh grades A, B, and C were 52.68%, 58.82%, and 73.53%, respectively, according to the Stroop test standard. However, among the results of each diagnostic standard, the prevalence of MHE showed an increasing trend with an increasing Child-Pugh grade. Further comparison demonstrated that the scores obtained by the number connection test A and the number symbol test were consistent according to the normal value standards of the two studies in China and South Korea (Z = -0.982, -1.702; P = 0.326, 0.089), while the other three sub-tests had significant differences (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The prevalence rate of MHE in the cirrhotic population is high, but the prevalence of MHE obtained by using different diagnostic criteria or methods varies greatly. Therefore, in line with the current changes in demographics and disease spectrum, it is necessary to enroll a larger sample size of a healthy population as a control. Moreover, the establishment of more reliable diagnostic scoring criteria will serve as a basis for obtaining accurate MHE incidence and formulating diagnosis and treatment strategies in cirrhotic populations.

Joint analysis of WES and RNA-Seq identify signature genes related to metastasis in prostate cancer

Prostate cancer (PCa) has a certain degree of heritability, and metastasis occurs as cancer progresses. However, its underlying mechanism remains largely unknown. We sequenced four cases of cancer without metastasis, four metastatic cancer, and four benign hyperplasia tissues as controls. A total of 1839 damaging mutations were identified. Pathway analysis, gene clustering, and weighted gene co-expression network analysis were employed to find characteristics associated with metastasis. Chr19 had the most mutation density and 1p36 had the highest mutation frequency across the genome. These mutations occurred in 1630 genes, including the most frequently mutated genes TTN and PLEC, and dozens of metastasis-related genes, such as FOXA1, NCOA1, CD34, and BRCA2. Ras signalling and arachidonic acid metabolism were uniquely enriched in metastatic cancer. Gene programmes 10 and 11 showed the signatures indicating the occurrence of metastasis better. A module (135 genes) was specifically associated with metastasis. Of them, 67.41% reoccurred in program 10, with 26 genes further retained as the signature genes related to PCa metastasis, including AGR3, RAPH1, SOX14, DPEP1, and UBL4A. Our study provides new molecular perspectives on PCa metastasis. The signature genes and pathways could be served as potential therapeutic targets for metastasis or cancer progression.

The association between thyroid homeostasis parameters and obesity in subjects with euthyroidism

The relationship between thyroid homeostasis parameters and obesity remains poorly understood in subjects with euthyroidism. This retrospective study aimed to investigate the association between the thyroid homeostasis and obesity in a population with euthyroidism. A total of 201 adult participants with euthyroidism (age range: 27-85 years) were enrolled. Clinical measurements, including obesity indices and biochemical analyses, were conducted. Thyroid homeostasis parameters were calculated. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to analyze the associations between thyroid function, thyroid homeostasis parameters, and obesity measurements. There was a positive correlation between thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (fT3), Jostel's thyrotropin index (TSHI), standard TSH index (sTSHI), thyrotroph thyroid hormone sensitivity index (TTSI), sum activity of peripheral deiodinase (SPINA-GD), and body mass index (BMI) in participants with euthyroidism and a negative correlation between thyroid's secretory capacity (SPINA-GT) and BMI (all P<0.05). Only the fT3, TSHI, and sTSHI had a positive correlation with waist circumference (all P<0.05). We concluded that BMI was positively associated with pituitary thyrotropic function parameters and SPINA-GD, and negatively correlated with SPINA-GT in adults with euthyroidism.

The association between thyroid homeostasis parameters and obesity in subjects with euthyroidism

The relationship between thyroid homeostasis parameters and obesity remains poorly understood in subjects with euthyroidism. This retrospective study aimed to investigate the association between the thyroid homeostasis and obesity in a population with euthyroidism. A total of 201 adult participants with euthyroidism (age range: 27-85 years) were enrolled. Clinical measurements, including obesity indices and biochemical analyses, were conducted. Thyroid homeostasis parameters were calculated. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to analyze the associations between thyroid function, thyroid homeostasis parameters, and obesity measurements. There was a positive correlation between thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (fT3), Jostel's thyrotropin index (TSHI), standard TSH index (sTSHI), thyrotroph thyroid hormone sensitivity index (TTSI), sum activity of peripheral deiodinase (SPINA-GD), and body mass index (BMI) in participants with euthyroidism and a negative correlation between thyroid's secretory capacity (SPINA-GT) and BMI (all P<0.05). Only the fT3, TSHI, and sTSHI had a positive correlation with waist circumference (all P<0.05). We concluded that BMI was positively associated with pituitary thyrotropic function parameters and SPINA-GD, and negatively correlated with SPINA-GT in adults with euthyroidism.

[Current clinical application of lacrimal gland injection of botulinum toxin type A in inhibiting lacrimal secretion]

Lacrimal gland injection of botulinum toxin type A inhibits the secretion of tears. As a new method to treat or alleviate the symptom of tears or epiphora, it has the characteristics of simple operation, definite curative effect, repeatable treatment and no irreversible complications. It provides an optional treatment scheme for many patients with refractory tears or epiphora. This article reviews the pharmacological characteristics of botulinum toxin type A, the mechanism of inhibiting tear secretion, the method and dose of lacrimal gland injection, indications and contraindications, clinical efficacy evaluation, complications, existing problems to be solved and prospects for reference.

Haemaphysalis longicornis calreticulin is not an effective molecular tool for tick bite diagnosis and disruption of tick infestations

BACKGROUND

Tick calreticulin (CRT) is a calcium-binding protein secreted into the host during blood feeding. It has been used as a biomarker of tick exposure and has potential as an anti-tick vaccine, but there is no information about these uses for Haemaphysalis longicornis CRT (HlCRT). We synthesized recombinant H. longicornis CRT (rHlCRT) and evaluated its potential for tick bite diagnosis and for disrupting tick infestations.

METHODS

The responses of mice and rabbits exposed to H. longicornis ticks were measured with ELISA to determine the antibody level against rHlCRT. To evaluate the effects of rHlCRT-induced anti-tick immunity, engorgement weight, tick engorgement index (TEI), feeding duration, ecdysis rate, and egg weight per engorged tick were compared between ticks fed on immunized and normal mice.

RESULTS

Mean anti-tick CRT antibody levels in sera collected from mice at 1 and 15 days after primary tick exposure were not significantly different from the mean antibody levels in negative control mice that were not bitten by ticks (all P values > 0.05). No significant anti-HlCRT IgG responses developed in mice after second exposure to tick bites compared with the level of anti-HlCRT antibody response in negative control mice (all P values > 0.25). For rabbits, no significant differences in the antibody levels were observed in animals before challenge infestation and after tick exposures, and in animals after two tick exposures (all P values > 0.10). There were no significant differences in the body weight of ticks fed on immunized and normal mice (all P values > 0.15). No significant differences in TEI were observed between ticks fed on immunized mice and normal control mice (all P values > 0.50). There were no significant differences in feeding duration for female ticks, and feeding duration and ecdysis rate for nymphs in the experimental and control groups (all P values > 0.10 for feeding duration and P value = 0.19 for ecdysis rate). We did not observe a significant difference in egg weight per tick in the rHlCRT-immunized and the control groups (P = 0.88).

CONCLUSIONS

HlCRT in H. longicornis tick saliva proteins appears to be nonimmunogenic to mammalian hosts like mice and rabbits. Vaccination with rHlCRT did not generate effective immunity against parthenogenetic and bisexual H. longicornis nymphs or female ticks. These results indicate that HlCRT is not a suitable molecular candidate for H. longicornis tick bite diagnosis and not effective for the disruption of tick infestations.

[Effects of double-catheter epidural analgesia by lidocaine injection respectively on the delivery outcomes and maternal-infant complications for persistent posterior or lateral occipital position of protracted active phase]

Objective: To evaluate the effect of dual-tube epidural segmental injection of lidocaine analgesia on the delivery outcome and maternal and infant complications of persistent posterior occipital position postpartum or lateral occipital position postpartum patients with protracted active phase. Methods: The full and single-term primiparas (n=216, 37 to 42 weeks gestation, 22 to 35 years) diagnosed as persistent posterior or lateral occipital position during the active period were selected from the Department of Obstetrics of Qingdao Municipal Hospital from January 2015 to October 2019. The subjects were randomly assigned into two groups: double-tube epidural block group (n=108) and single-tube epidural block group (n=108), 1% lidocaine was used for epidural analgesia respectively under ultrasound guidance. Senior midwife or obstetricians implement new partogram, and guide women to perform position management, and push or rotate the fetal head in a timely manner. Observation indicators: general condition, the use of non-pharmacological analgesic measures, analgesia related conditions and pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score, delivery-related indicator, cesarean section indication, anesthesia-related indicator, maternal and child complications. Results: (1) General condition: the age, weight, height, gestational age, the ratio of persistent lateral or posterior occipital position, cephalic score, and neonatal birth weight between the two groups of women were not statistically significant (all P>0.05). (2) The use of non-pharmacological analgesic measures: the women's Lamaze breathing method, Doula delivery companionship, percutaneous electrical stimulation, and other measures between two groups were compared, and there were not significant differences (all P>0.05). (3) Analgesia related conditions and VAS scores of women undergoing vaginal delivery: compared with the single-tube epidural block group (n=40), the second-partum time of the women in the double-tube epidural block group (n=59) was significantly shortened [(124±44) vs (86±33) minutes, P<0.01]; after 30 minutes of analgesia (4.4±0.5 vs 0.9±0.5, P<0.01), during forced labor in the second stage of labor (5.7±0.6 vs 1.3±0.4, P<0.01), the VAS scores of pain were also significantly reduced (P<0.01). (4) Labor-related indicators: compared with the single-tube epidural block group, the natural delivery rate (21.3% vs 49.1%) and the delivery experience satisfaction rate (51.9% vs 98.1%) of women in the double-tube epidural block group were significantly increased (all P<0.01), cesarean section rate (63.0% vs 45.4%), instrument assisted rate (15.7% vs 5.6%) decreased significantly (all P<0.05). (5) Cesarean section indications: compared with the single-tube epidural block group, the cesarean section rate caused by prolonged labor or protracted active phase of women in the double-tube epidural block group was significantly reduced (38.0% vs 22.2%； P<0.05), and the fetal distress, intrauterine infection, and social factors caused by cesarean section between the two groups were compared, while the differences were not statistically significant (all P>0.05).(6) Anesthesia related indexes: the block planes of the maternal upper tube administration in the double-tube epidural block group were mostly T7, T8, T9-L2 and L3,While,the block planes in the single-tube epidural block group were mostly T10, T11-S1, S2, S3, and the modified Bromage score were all 0. (7) Maternal and child complications: compared with the single-tube epidural block group, the postpartum hemorrhage rate (18.5% vs 7.4%), the perineal lateral cut rate (20.4% vs 5.6%), the neonatal asphyxia rate (12.0% vs 3.7%), ICU rate of transferred neonates (13.9% vs 4.6%) in the double-tube epidural block group were significantly reduced (all P<0.05). Soft birth canal injury rate, puerperal disease rate and neonatal birth rate between two groups were compared, and there were not statistically significant differences (all P>0.05). Conclusion: Dual-tube epidural segmental injection of lidocaine analgesia could increase the natural delivery rate of women with posterior occipital or lateral occipital position with active stagnation, reduce the rate of cesarean section and the rate of transvaginal instruments, and reduce the complications of mother and child.

[A multicenter randomized prospective study of concurrent chemoradiation with 60 Gy versus 50 Gy for inoperable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma]

Objective: To determine whether 60 Gy is superior to standard 50 Gy for definitive concurrent chemoradiation(CCRT) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) using modern radiation technology in a phase Ⅲ prospective randomized trial. Methods: From April 2013 to May 2017, 331 patients from 22 hospitals who were pathologically confirmed with stage ⅢA-ⅣA ESCC were randomized to 60 Gy or 50 Gy with random number table. Total of 305 patients were analyzed, including 152 in 60 Gy group and 153 in 50 Gy group. The median age was 63 years, 242(79.3%) males and 63(20.7%) females. The median length of primary tumor was 5.6 cm. The clinical characteristics between two groups were comparable. All patients were delivered 2 Gy per fraction, 5 fractions per week. Concurrent weekly chemotherapy with docetaxel (25 mg/m(2)) and cisplatin (25 mg/m(2)) and 2 cycles consolidation chemotherapy with docetaxel (70 mg/m(2)) and cisplatin (25 mg/m(2), d1-3) were administrated. The primary endpoint was local/regional progression-free survival (LRPFS). The data were compared with Pearson chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. Results: At a median follow-up of 27.3 months, the disease progression rate was 37.5% (57/152), 43.8% (67/153) in the high and standard-dose group, respectively (χ(2)=1.251, P=0.263). The 1, 2, 3-year LRPFS rate was 75.4%, 56.8%, 52.1% and 74.2%, 58.4%, 50.1%, respectively (HR: 0.95, 95%CI: 0.69-1.31, P=0.761). The 1, 2, 3-year overall survival rate was 84.1%, 64.8%, 54.1% and 85.4%, 62.9%, 54.0%, respectively (HR: 0.98, 95%CI: 0.71-1.38, P=0.927). The 1, 2, 3-year progression-free survival rate was 70.8%, 54.2%, 48.5% and 65.5%, 51.9%, 45.1%, respectively (HR: 0.93, 95%CI: 0.68-1.26, P=0.621). The incidence rates in toxicities between the two groups were similar except for higher rate of severe pneumonitis in high dose group (χ(2)=11.596, P=0.021). Conclusions: The efficacy in disease control is similar between 60 Gy and 50 Gy using modern radiation technology concurrent with chemotherapy for ESCC. The 50 Gy should be recommended as the regular radiation dose with CCRT for ESCC.

[A preliminary study on the safety of berberine solution in rabbit eyes with topical application]

Objective: To study the safety of topical berberine solution in rabbit eyes and its effect on corneal epithelial repair in rabbit eyes. Methods: Experimental Study. Ninety-two Japanese rabbits were randomly divided into two groups by random number table method: the general group (32 rabbits, 64 eyes) and the corneal injury group (60 rabbits, 60 eyes).The general groups were further divided into 4 groups by random number table method, and each group has 8 rabbits (16 eyes). According to the administration of deionized water or 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 mg/ml berberine solution, they were divided into the general control group and the general A, B, and C group. Dosing with both eyes, each eye was given a single dose, and then it was given multiple times for 4 weeks after observation for 72h. After the corneal epithelium injury model made in the right eye of rabbits in the corneal injury groups, they were divided into a corneal injury control group and a corneal injury group A, B, and C according to the administration of deionized water or 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 mg/ml berberine solution. there were 5 rabbits (15 eyes) in each group, and the solutions were given continuously for 1 week. The rabbits in the general group were observed their behavioral changes, ocular surface and iris were scored by Draize eye irritation test scoring system. IOP was measured at different time points. Electroretinogram (ERG) was used to detect b-wave amplitude. In the corneal injury group, corneal epithelial defect repairment was observed at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 days after the corneal defect. Corneal histopathology observation after discontinuation of all rabbits. The pH value of rabbit tears was described by the paired t test, and the score of Draize eye irritation test were described by the rank-sum test. The analysis of variance and SNK-q were used for IOP, electroretinogram b-wave amplitude, corneal epithelial injury area and repair time. Results: No abnormal behavior was observed in the general group rabbits after single and multiple administration. There was no significant difference in the Draize eye irritation score among the general control group and the general group A, B, C at 1, 2, and 4 weeks of multiple administrations. Among them, the Draize eye irritation score of the general group C was 7 (0, 12), 6 (0, 10), 6 (0, 16) points (χ(2)=1.640, 0.265, 1.963, 1.381; P>0.05).There were no significant difference in IOP at different times among the general control group and the general group A, B, C at different times (F=0.065, 0.292, 0.015, 0.041; P>0.05). Before multiple administrations and after administration at 2, 4 weeks, the b-wave amplitudes of the general control group were (127.75±17.12), (129.18±15.83), (128.81±13.58) μV, and the general group A were (130.68).±18.75), (131.38±16.96), (130.62±12.18) μV,and the general group B were (128.00±16.74), (128.44±16.64), (129.06±16.16) μV, and the general group C were (131.81±19.37), (132.13±18.36), (129.94±12.60) μV. There was no statistically significant difference in b-wave amplitude in the groups at different times before and after administration (F=0.037, 0.011, 0.017, 0.702; P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the results of corneal histopathology among the general control group and the general group A, B, C. The area of corneal epithelial defect in each corneal injury group was statistically significant at different time (F=5.316, 25.864, 127.613; P<0.05). The corneal injury control group compared with the corneal injury group A, B, C, the corneal epithelial defect area in the corneal injury group C was significantly larger than the other three groups, with statistical differences (q=5.153, 10.313, 6.976; P<0.05). The repair time of corneal epithelial in control group and the group A,B,C of corneal injury were (83.0±1.85), (82.9±2.07), (83.7±2.09) and (101.6±2.20) h. The corneal epithelium defect repair time in group C was longer and the difference was statistically significant (F=301.437, P=0.000). Comparing the corneal injury control group and corneal injury group A and B, there was no statistical difference in the repair time of corneal epithelial defect (F=0.813, P=0.450). After repair, there was no significant difference in the pathological results of the corneal tissue between the corneal injury groups. Conclusions: Berberine solution in rabbit eyes with topical application was safety, and has no obvious toxic effect on the ocular surface and ERG of normal rabbits. 1.5 mg/ml berberine solution delayed the repair of experimental corneal epithelial defect, but had no effect on the integrity of corneal tissue after repair. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2020, 56: 131-137).

Asprosin and type 2 diabetes mellitus: a novel potential therapeutic implication

Diabetes is a group of metabolic disorders that is characterized by hyperglycemia which increases the risks of cardiovascular, microvascular, and macrovascular complications. Innovative therapeutic trials regarding diabetes control and management are continually being undertaken. The present review was aimed to explore the potential effects and mechanisms that lead to the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its relation with asprosin. Asprosin is a newly discovered hormone that is encoded by protein fibrillin 1 (FBN1 gene), secreted by white adipose during fasting conditions at 5-10 nM levels, which acts on the liver through cell membrane receptors and activates the G protein cAMP- PKA pathway. Asprosin secretion is increased during fasting as the compensatory mechanism in hypoglycemia. Asprosin concentration is higher in patients with T2DM and impaired glucose regulation compared to healthy subjects. Genetic deficiency of asprosin may cause problems of poor appetite and extreme leanness in humans. Attenuating asprosin activity or depleting asprosin may serve as a novel therapeutic innovation for the treatment of T2DM and obesity. Hence, asprosin may serve as a beacon for the target of a future therapy in diabetes management.

[Retrospective investigation of spontaneous bloody tears: a report of 27 cases]

Objective: To summarize clinical experience on the clinical feature, etiology and treatment of patients with spontaneous bloody tears as the initial symptom. Methods: Retrospective series of case studies. The clinical data and follow-up data of 27 cases of bloody tears as the first symptom in Lacrimal Center of Ophthalmology, the Third Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from June 2015 to December 2018 were reviewed. The clinical feature, specific cause, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of these cases were evaluated. Results: A total of 27 cases were collected in this study. The patients were 10 males (37.0%) and 17 females (63.0%), including 21 adults (≥ 18 years old, 77.8%) and 6 minors (<18 years old, 22.2%). There were 22 monocular cases (81.5%) and 5 binocular cases (18.5%). Five cases (18.5%) were bleeding from the eye and other parts of the body, and 22 cases (81.5%) were bleeding only from the eye. There were 19 cases (70.4%) with hematic epiphora and secretions from the punctum, 3 cases (11.1%) with blood-stained tears, and 7 cases (25.9%) with blood-like tears. With regard to etiology, 6 cases (22.2%) were combined with systemic lesions, one of which was granulomatosis with polyangiitis and five of which (<18 years old) were idiopathic bloody tears. Twenty-one cases (77.8%) were local lesions, including 18 cases only involving the lacrimal system, 2 cases only involving the ocular surface, and 1 case involving both the lacrimal system and the ocular surface. Among the 21 cases with local lesions, 5 cases were induced by foreign body, 6 cases were induced by simple inflammation, and 10 cases were induced by tumor including 1 case with conjunctival benign tumor and 9 cases with tumor of the lacrimal system (5 with malignant tumor and 4 with benign tumor). Patients with idiopathic bloody tears received psychological and medical treatment, and interictal discharge was lengthened. One case of granulomatosis with polyangiitis was treated by trans-nasal endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy. With the recurrence of granulomatosis and polyangiitis, bloody tears recurred after surgery. One patient with conjunctival hemangioma was untreated. Lesions in the lacrimal duct system were removed and dacryocystorhinostomy was performed. In this study, 2 patients (1 with small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma and 1 with adenoid cystic adenocarcinoma) died and the other had a good prognosis. Conclusions: Among the cases of bloody tears, adults and local lesions are more common. Most of the lesions are located in the lacrimal system and are tumors. The main treatment is to remove the lesions, and if necessary, to expand the resection and reconstruct the lacrimal duct. Idiopathic bloody tears occur in minors, who are gave psychotherapy and necessary medical treatment. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2020, 56: 53-58).

[A preliminary study on optical coherence tomography of the lacrimal punctum in normal adults]

Objective: To study the imaging characteristics and accumulate data of optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the lacrimal punctum in normal adults. Methods: From September to November 2018, 59 healthy adults (90 eyes) with normal lacrimal punctum structure were enrolled in this cross-sectional study conducted at the Lacrimal Center of Ophthalmology, Third Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, including 21 males (34 eyes) and 38 females (56 eyes), aged 18-65 years. All the subjects were examined by slit lamp microscopy to measure the maximum transverse diameter. OCT was performed to observe the inferior lacrimal punctum, including the external punctal diameter, the punctal diameter at 100 μm and 200 μm depth. The difference in the diameter of different parts of the punctum was analyzed. Independent sample t test and single factor analysis of variance were used for statistical analysis. Results: In normal adults, the maximum transverse diameter under a slit lamp was (545.6±149.3) μm, the external punctal diameter on OCT images was (548.4±130.5) μm, and the punctal width at 100 μm and 200 μm depth on OCT images was (262.8±120.8) μm and (179.2±110.0) μm, respectively. There was no significant difference between the maximum transverse diameter of the punctum under a slit lamp microscope and the OCT outer diameter of the punctum (t=0.133, P=0.894). There were significant differences between the diameter of the lacrimal punctum in the different scanning sites of the OCT (F=213.237, P<0.01). There was significant difference between the punctal width at 100 μm and the external punctal diameter on OCT images (t=15.229, P<0.01). There was significant difference between the punctal width at 200 μm and the external punctal diameter on OCT images (t=20.517, P<0.01). There was significant difference between the punctal width at 100 μm and 200 μm depth on OCT images (t=4.855, P<0.01). Conclusion: The width of different parts of the lacrimal punctum in healthy adults is different on OCT images, and the punctal width at 200 μm depth is the narrowest. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2019, 55: 695-699).

Mesoporous TiO2/carbon catalytic ozonation for degradation of p-chloronitrobenzene

In this study, a mesoporous TiO₂/carbon catalyst (TiO₂/C) was prepared by a facile impregnation-carbonization approach to catalyze ozonation of p-chloronitrobenzene (p-CNB). The catalyst was well characterized and the catalytic efficiency under various conditions was systematically evaluated. TiO₂/C has a disordered mesostructure with a high specific surface area. 92.8% of p-CNB (2 μmol/L) can be degraded within 20 min in the TiO₂/C/O₃ system in the presence of 1 mg/L O₃, 100 mg/L catalyst, at pH = 5. Based on the evaluation of the effect of basic parameters, it could be deduced that the removal of p-CNB relied on the synthetic effect of catalysis by TiO₂/C and the autocatalytic induction of p-CNB. The removal efficiency of p-CNB, the structure change and the leaching of Ti ions were also evaluated in five cycles, indicating TiO₂/C is stable and recyclable for catalytic ozonation in water treatment.

Application of Multiple Genetic Markers in Determination of Full and Half Sibling Relationship： A Case Report

Abstract

Objective To investigate the application of the comprehensive use of multiple genetic markers in full and half sibling relationship testing through the identification of a case of suspected sibling relationship. Methods Genomic DNA were extracted from bloodstain samples from 4 subjects （ZHANG-1, ZHANG-2, male; ZHANG-3, ZHANG-4, female）. Autosomal STR loci, X-STR, Y-STR loci and polymorphisms of mtDNA HV-Ⅰ and Ⅱwere genotyped by EX20 STR kit, X19 kit, Data Y24 STR kit, and Sanger sequencing, respectively. Results According to autosomal STR based IBS scoring results, full sibling relationships were indicated among ZHANG-2, ZHANG-3 and ZHANG-4, but those were not indicated between ZHANG-1 and ZHANG-2 or ZHANG-3 or ZHANG-4. According to autosomal STR based FSI and HSI, with ITO method and discriminant function method, full sibling relationships among ZHANG-2, ZHANG-3 and ZHANG-4 were indicated, and half sibling relationships between ZHANG-1 and ZHANG-2 or ZHANG-3 or ZHANG-4 were also indicated. X-STR and mtDNA sequencing results showed that all the 4 samples came from a same maternal line, and Y-STR results showed that ZHANG-1 and ZHANG-2 did not come from a same paternal line, which supported the half sibling relationship between ZHANG-1 and ZHANG-2 or ZHANG-3 or ZHANG-4, verified by parental genotype reconstruction based on autosomal STR genotyping. Conclusion For the identification of sibling relationships, it is effective to have reliable results with the mutual verification and support of multiple genetic markers （autosomal STR, sex chromosomal STR and mtDNA sequence） and calculations （IBS, ITO, discriminant function method and family reconstruction）.

Abstract P1-02-10: Early stage breast cancer screening using an emerging novel liquid biopsy screening technology

Background: An emerging novel liquid biopsy technology called Cancer Differentiation Analysis (CDA) has been evaluated as a viable early stage breast cancer screening tool. CDA technology is a blood-sample based, multi-level, multi-parameter diagnostic method which detects signals from both protein, cellular, and to some extent, molecular levels, in which multiple aspects of information can be collected to improve diagnostic accuracy, even for early stage of cancer. Improving capability to screen breast cancer is an important on-going research effort, as breast cancer represents a leading cancer with high incidence rate.

Methods: In this single-blind study, 22 breast cancer patients and 25 healthy individuals were recruited at Changhai Hospital of Shanghai. Histopathological examination results of breast cancer patients were collected, 22 cases were diagnosed as infiltrating ductal carcinoma of breast, of which 10 patients were stage I breast cancer. 25 individuals were confirmed healthy after physical examinations. Peripheral blood was drawn in EDTA tubes For CDA tests. CDA data of 22 breast cancer patients and 25 healthy individuals were conducted using SPSS, and the results were shown in the table below.

Results: The average CDA of breast cancer, stageIbreast cancer, and controls were 43.20, 44.17 and 36.17 (rel. units) respectively as shown in Table 1. Both breast cancer and stage I breast cancer could be significantly distinguished from the control (p = 0.000, p = 0.001, respectively). For stage I breast cancer vs. control group, Area under ROC curve was 0.876, sensitivity and specificity were both 80.0% (Table 2). In contrast to traditional breast cancer screening methodologies which have relatively low sensitivity and high false positives for stage I detection, often with radiation side effects and high costs, advantages of CDA technology include ability to detect early stage cancer with relatively high sensitivity and specificity, and it is also highly cost effective without side effects.

Conclusions: Initial results showed that CDA technology could effectively distinguish stageIbreast cancer from healthy individuals, CDA could be a potential candidate for breast cancer screening.

Table 1Summary of CDA test resultsGroupSample SizeAge RangeAge MeanAge MedianCDA Mean (rel. units)CDA Median (rel. units)CDA STDEVControl2523 - 67413735.6336.176.98Breast Cancer2239 - 78545343.2042.304.18Stage I Breast Cancer1043 - 78595944.1743.254.29Stage II Breast Cancer839 - 55474941.2840.303.06Stage III Breast Cancer255555542.2042.202.12Stage IV Breast Cancer251 - 64585847.0047.007.78

Table 2AUC, Sensitivity and Specificity of Control vs. Stage I breast cancerStage I Breast Cancer vs. ControlArea Under the CurveSensitivitySpecificity 0.87680.0%80.0%

Citation Format: Liu C, Dou J, Sheng Y, Wu J, Hu W, Li Y, Lin Y, Tao H, Tang X, Du X, Yu C. Early stage breast cancer screening using an emerging novel liquid biopsy screening technology [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-02-10.

Abstract P1-02-09: CDA screening technology for multi-ethnic group, early stage breast cancer screening

Background: Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer in American women. Current breast cancer screening technologies have issues with poor sensitivity for early stage breast cancer, high false positives, radiation side effects, etc. Cancer Differentiation Analysis (CDA) technology is a blood-sample based, multi-level, multi-parameter diagnostic method which detects signals from both proteins, cells, and to some extent, molecular level, in which multiple aspects of information are collected to improve diagnostic accuracy. CDA technology has been investigated as a viable clinical utility in breast cancer screening, particularly for early stage breast screening with clear advantages (both whole blood and serum can be used, ability to detect early, easy, simple, no side effects, and high degree of sensitivity and specificity).

Methods: In this study, the human subjects involved are Caucasians, with serum samples of 44 pathologically confirmed breast cancer patients and 34 healthy individuals from 3 blood bank centers in the USA, of which 40 cases were stageIbreast cancer, 2 cases were stageII, and the other 2 cases were stage III breast cancer. CDA data of 44 breast cancer patients and 34 healthy individuals were collected in US lab and analyzed using SPSS, and the results were shown in the table below. Results from the above study was compared with a clinical study on Asian group with data collected in lab in China using CDA technology.

Results: The average CDA value of all breast cancer and stageIbreast cancer samples, and controls were 45.99, 45.76 and 42.36 (rel. units) respectively (see Table 1). Both breast cancer and stageIbreast cancer could be significantly distinguished from the control group (p &lt; 0.001) (Table 2). For stageIbreast cancer vs. control group, Area under ROC curve was 0.727, sensitivity and specificity were 62.5% and 82.4% respectively, which is higher than a typical mammogram. To compare with different ethnic groups, data collected on an Asian group is also shown in Table 2, which showed that overall, AUC, sensitivity and specificity are comparable (some difference may be attributed to sample type difference (whole blood vs. serum)) for early stage breast cancer patients for those two ethnic groups, demonstrating that CDA technology can be extended to multiple ethnic groups.

Conclusions: CDA screening can be extended to different ethnic group including Caucasian and Asian with good sensitivity and specificity for stageIbreast cancer.

We thank Ugur Basmaci, Sunsil Pandit and Sharon Vorse-Yu for their support.

Table 1Summary of CDA Test ResultsGroupSample SizeAge RangeAge MeanAge MedianCDA Mean (rel. units)CDA Median (rel. units)CDA STDEVControl3436 -79575742.3642.652.75Breast Cancer4436 – 77606145.9946.504.22Stage I Breast Cancer4036 – 77606145.7645.554.26Stage II Breast Cancer251 – 64585847.0547.054.88Stage III Breast Cancer262 – 75696949.5049.502.55

Table 2AUC, Sensitivity and Specificity of Control vs. Stage I Breast CancerStage I Breast Cancer vs. ControlArea Under the CurveSensitivitySpecificityCaucasian (Stage I)0.72762.5%82.4%Asian# (Stage I)0.87680.0%80.0%# Whole blood samples. 10 stage I breast cancer samples and 25 control samples

Citation Format: Tao H, Lin Y, Liu C, Dou J, Sheng Y, Wu J, Hu W, Li Y, Tang X, Yu C, Du X. CDA screening technology for multi-ethnic group, early stage breast cancer screening [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-02-09.

Preliminary investigation of ixodid ticks in Jiangxi Province of Eastern China

In recent years, a large effort has been made for tick surveys for public health importance around China, especially after outbreaks of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) occurred in humans in 2009. In this paper, the preliminary species composition and population distribution of ticks in Jiangxi Province of Eastern China is reported. Ticks were collected in three habitats (grassland, shrubs and woodland) and from nine host groups in 12 sampling sites throughout Jiangxi Province between 2011 and 2018. Six tick species including Haemaphysalis longicornis, Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato, Haemaphysalis yeni, Haemaphysalis kitaoka, Ixodes sinensis and Dermacentor auratus were collected from the vegetation. Haemaphysalis longicornis was most abundant tick species, accounting for 90.6% of the total ticks. Haemaphysalis yeni and H. kitaoka were newly recorded tick species in Jiangxi Province. Tick presence was remarkably greater in grassland (89.4%) than in woodland (9.4%) and shrubs (1.2%), and nymphs (68.2%) and larvae (19.1%) were more frequently found than adult females (6.6%) and males (6.0%). On hosts, a total of 1513 ticks, from 13 species and four genera, were collected. These were H. longicornis, Haemaphysalis campanulata, Haemaphysalis flava, Haemaphysalis phasiana, H. yeni, H. kitaoka, Haemaphysalis hystricis, R. sanguineus (s.l.), Rhipicephalus haemaphysaloides, Rhipicephalus microplus, Ixodes granulatus, I. sinensis and Amblyomma testudinarium. Amblyomma testudinarium was a newly recorded tick species in Jiangxi Province. Based on this investigation, H. longicornis was the most frequently collected species (30.5%) and widely distributed tick species of the total collection ticks (in 11 sampling sites). Haemaphysalislongicornis had a broad host range and its presence (hosts with at least one tick) was significantly greater on Lepus sinensis (33.3%) than on Canis familiaris (2.3%) (χ² = 23.68, p = 0.0013). In addition, the number of H. longicornis collected on L. sinensis (64.0%) was higher than on other host groups. Of all ticks collected on hosts, different developmental stages were obtained, which included 347 larvae (22.9%), 249 nymphs (16.5%), 404 adult males (26.7%) and 513 females (33.9%) and sex distribution was relatively uniform. These data indicate that a broad range of tick species is widely distributed throughout Jiangxi Province in Eastern China.

Correlation between SPARC, TGFβ1, Endoglin and angiogenesis mechanism in lung cancer

To study the relationship between Secreted protein, acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC), Transforming growth factorβ1 (TGFβ1), Endoglin and angiogenesis in lung cancer, 40 cases of lung cancer specimens and 40 adjacent normal lung tissues specimens were collected and 10 cases from each were selected for preparation of tissue chip. CD34 (endothelial cell marker), Endoglin human α-Smooth muscle actin, and (α-SMA) markers were performed by immunohistochemical staining, and the immuno-phenotype and the relationship between different morphologies of the microvascular wall components were evaluated. The expression of SPARC mRNA and protein, TGFβ1 mRNA and protein and Endoglin in the remaining 30 cases of lung cancer were detected by immunohistochemistry and in-situ hybridization. The result shows that the positive rates of SPARC, TGFβ1 and Endoglin in lung cancer tissues were significantly higher than those in adjacent normal lung tissues (P less than 0.05). The expression of SPARC and TGFβ1 was negatively correlated with lung cancer. When the positive expression of SPARC increased, the micro-vessel density (MVD) marked by Endoglin decreased gradually; while the positive expression of TGFβ1 increased, MVD increased gradually, and SPARC, TGFβ1 and MVD were correlated (P less than0.05). High SPARC mRNA expression in lung cancer tissues could inhibit the progression of lung cancer, while high TGFβ1 mRNA expression can promote the progression of lung cancer and participate in the metastasis of lung cancer. To sum up, the angiogenesis of lung cancer may be related to the interaction of SPARC, TGFβ1 and Endoglin.

First Molecular Evidence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Rodent Populations of Nanchang, China

In this study, systematic surveillance of rodent populations in Nanchang of China and determination of Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in rodents were performed. Between 2011 and 2015, 110,084 rodent snap traps were set in 4 counties and in the city center of Nanchang, China. Finally, 942 rodents were captured, with a relative density of 0.86%. The densities varied considerably by geographical area with Anyi being the most rodent-infested County. Frequently captured rodents were sewer rats (Rattus norvegicus), house mice (Mus musculus), and Rattus flavipectus. The Anaplasma genera were investigated by PCR in 19 live rodents trapped by welded cages in Anyi, 6 rodents were assessed as positive based on amplification of 16S rRNA. Sequence analysis revealed 3 variants of A. phagocytophilum in Nanchang. PCR analysis of the gltA (citrate synthase) gene found 1 sample that was positive for A. phagocytophilum infection. The sequence of A. phagocytophilum gltA gene formed a clade with and showed 99% identity to A. phagocytophilum that has been previously described in rodents from South-Eastern China. Taken together, our research indicated that commensal rodents are potential hosts for A. phagocytophilum and controlling the rodent population may facilitate subsequent prevention of human granulocytic anaplasmosis in Nanchang, China, in the future.

Molecular differentiation and species composition of genus Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in different habitats in southern China

Culicoides biting midges (Diptera:Ceratopogonidae) cause a significant biting nuisance to humans, livestock, which are the biological vectors of a range of risky pathogens. Accurate illustration of vector play a key role in arthropod borne diseases surveillance. However, few studies have focused on the Culicoides, which caused bluetongue disease in 29 provinces of China since 1979. In this study, we assessed cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) mtDNA molecular marker for identification of ten major vector species and analyzed the Culicoides species community and diversity in different habitats. A total of 20,795 Culicoides samples collected from 11 sample sites were identified as 23 species belonging to 7 subgenera. Sequences of COI gene worked well as barcodes for identifying all the determined specimen in this study and were comparable with the existing sequence data from GenBank. We first reported COI barcode sequences of C. morisitai, C. insignipennis and C. homotomus. Morphological identification of Culicoides spp. samples within southern China appears relatively robust and some unidentified species were required further study. Our study shows that the COI sequence data can be used as a tool to identify species of Culicoides in Jiangxi Province. In our sampled area, the most abundant species was C. arakawae (61.89%), followed by C. oxystoma (13.77%), C. punctatus (10.10%), C. nipponensis (8.82%), C. homotomus (3.19%) and C.morisitai (1.17%) in this study. C. punctatus was the dominant species of Park habitat (62.22%), C. arakawae was the predominant species of Chicken habitat (96.66%), Vegetable plot habitat (92.0%), and Peasant household habitat (83.21%), respectively. C. oxystoma was the abundant species of Residential area habitat (40.11%), Hospital habitat (56.65%), and Pig & Cow habitat (48.77%), respectively. Results also show that the potential Bluetongue virus vectors belong to the Obsoletus and Pulicaris groups, are also included and relatively abundant, notably: Culicoides punctatus. These findings expand the current knowledge of Culicoides population composition in the southern part of China.

[Prevalence of type-specific human papillomavirus infection among 18-45 year-old women from the general population in Liuzhou, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region: a cross-sectional study]

Objective: To analyze the type-specific prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) among women aged 18-45 years from the general population in Liuzhou, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Methods: Totally, 2 300 women aged 18-45 years old were enrolled in Liuzhou,from March to July, 2013. Cervical exfoliated cells were collected for liquid based cytological and HPV DNA tests. Women were referred to colposcopy exam, based on the clinical practice guideline. Results: Overall, the prevalence rates of any HPV or oncogenic HPV appeared as 22.7% (95% CI: 21.0%-24.4%) and 17.3% (95% CI: 16.0%-19.1%), respectively in this population under study. The high-risk HPV prevalence peaked at the age groups of 18-25 and 41-45, increasing along with the severity through cytological and histological tests. Statistically significant differences between the prevalence of CIN2+ (Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2+) in women older than 26 years (1.7%, 95% CI: 1.0%-2.4%) and 18-25 years (1.2%, 95% CI: 0.5%-1.9%) of age, were not observed. Among samples diagnosed as CIN2+, positivity of HPV bivalent (16/18) and nine-valent (6/11/16/18/31/33/45/52/58) vaccine, related high risks on the types of HPV types appeared as 44.1% and 97.1%. Conclusions: The age-specific HPV prevalence rates in the general women aged 18-45 in Liuzhou presented as having bimodal distribution, suggesting that the disease burden of cervical diseases in women aged 26-45 years should not be ignored. Nine-valent HPV vaccine might provide more effective prevention outcomes on cervical cancer in China.

First molecular detection of tick-borne pathogens in dogs from Jiangxi, China

In this study, blood samples obtained from 162 dogs in Jiangxi, China, were employed in molecular screening of canine tick-borne pathogens by PCR and sequencing. Babesia spp. gene fragment was detected in 12 (7.41%) dogs. All samples were negative for Hepatozoon spp., Ehrlichia canis, Coxiella spp., Borrelia spp., Rickettsia spp. and Anaplasma platys. Species-specific PCR analysis further confirmed that 8 (4.94%) and 4 (2.47%) dogs were infected by Babesia canis vogeli and Babesia gibsoni, respectively. Based on our analyses, Babesia spp. infection in Jiangxi appeared not related to age, gender, breed, usage, activity and health status or tick infestation history of the dogs. This is the first molecular report of Babesia canis vogeli and Babesia gibsoni in dogs from Jiangxi, China.

The promoter polymorphisms of receptor for advanced glycation end products were associated with the susceptibility and progression of sepsis

Receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) is considered a major pattern recognition receptor, which plays an important role in the development of sepsis. Increasing evidence showed an association between RAGE polymorphisms and the susceptibility to several inflammatory-related diseases. However, little is known about the clinical relationship between RAGE polymorphisms and sepsis. In this study, we analyzed the association of sepsis with three functional RAGE gene polymorphisms (rs1800624, rs1800625 and rs2070600) in a Chinese Han population (372 sepsis cases and 400 healthy controls). Significant differences were observed in the rs1800624 and rs1800625 genotype/allele distributions between the sepsis and controls, but no significant difference was observed in the rs2070600 genotype/allele. Moreover, our results also revealed a significant difference in the genotype/allele frequencies of the rs1800624 and rs1800625 polymorphisms between the sepsis and severe sepsis subtypes, the rs1800624 TT or rs1800625 TT genotype carriers exhibited a significant increase in RAGE mRNA, sRAGE, TNF-α and IL-6 expression compared with the rs1800624 AT/AA or rs1800625 CT/CC carriers in sepsis patients. Overall, this study might provide valuable clinical evidence between the RAGE gene polymorphisms and the risk or the development of sepsis.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation enhances spatial learning and synaptic plasticity via the VEGF and BDNF-NMDAR pathways in a rat model of vascular dementia

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on learning and memory in a rat model of vascular dementia (VaD) and to analyze the associated mechanisms. Bilateral carotid artery occlusion (2-VO) was used to establish a rat model of VaD. High-frequency (5Hz) rTMS was performed on rats for four weeks. Spatial learning and memory abilities were evaluated using the Morris water maze (MWM), and synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus was assessed via long-term potentiation (LTP). Hippocampal expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and three subunits of the N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor (NMDAR), NR1, NR2A and NR2B, was analyzed by Western blotting. Compared with the VaD group, escape latency was decreased (P<0.05) and the time spent in the target quadrant and the percentage of swimming distance within that quadrant were increased (P<0.05) in the rTMS group. LTP at hippocampal CA3-CA1 synapses was enhanced by rTMS (P<0.05). VEGF expression was up-regulated following 2-VO and was further increased by rTMS (P<0.05). BDNF, NR1 and NR2B expression was decreased in the VaD group and increased by rTMS (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in NR2A expression among the three groups. These results suggest that rTMS improved learning and memory in the VaD model rats via the up-regulation of VEGF, BDNF and NMDARs. In addition, NR2B may be more important than NR2A for LTP induction in the hippocampus during rTMS treatment of VaD.

Genomic full-length sequence of two HLA-A alleles, A*02:07:01 and A*02:10, identified by cloning and sequencing

We report the sequences of 5' promoter and 3' untranslated region (UTR) of A*02:07:01 and A*02:10 for the first time.

Caesarean Sections in Beijing, China - Results from a Descriptive Study

OBJECTIVE

Caesarean section rates are increasing dramatically in China. The predominant contributor to the increase in China was the unnecessary Caesarean section. The objective of this study was to estimate the excess economic burden caused by unnecessary Caesarean sections vs. vaginal delivery for Beijing and all China.

METHODS

The 33 476 obstetric medical case files from randomly selected 17 hospitals of Beijing in 2011 were taken for our descriptive approach. Based on the individual medical files and on a definition of what necessary and unnecessary Caesarean sections are, we sampled also the data for costs and length of stay for comparisons with vaginal deliveries. The Mann-Whitney U test and Pearson chi-square test statistics were used to test for significant difference in the analysis.

RESULTS

The Caesarean section rate was 58.5% among all deliveries and that rate of unnecessary Caesarean sections was 71.5% among all the Caesarean sections but 41.8% among all deliveries in Beijing. The hospitalisation expenses of unnecessary Caesarean sections were 472 US$ higher than that of a vaginal delivery on average. The total excess economic burden caused by unnecessary Caesarean sections can be estimated to 38.97 million US$ for Beijing and to 3.29 billion US$ all over China in 2011. This is equivalent to the annual health expenditure of over 139 575 residents in Beijing and of 11 783 120 residents in China, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Socio-economic factors are possible reasons for the increase of unnecessary Caesarean section in China and more analytical attention should be paid to that problem in order to propose fitting practical reactions.

Both genes and lncRNAs can be used as biomarkers of prostate cancer by using high throughput sequencing data

OBJECTIVE

To investigate prostate cancer-related genes and lncRNAs by using a high throughput sequencing dataset.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

RNA-seq data were obtained from the sequencing read archive database, including both benign and malignant tumor samples. After aligning the RNA-seq reads to human genome reference, gene expression profile as well as lncRNA expression profile was obtained. Next, student's t-test was used to screen both the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and lncRNAs (DELs) between benign and malignant samples. Finally, goseq was used to conduct the functional annotation of DEGs.

RESULTS

A total of 7112 DEGs were screened, such as ZNF512B, UCKL1, STMN3, GMEB2, and PTK6. The top 10 enriched functions of DEGs were mainly related to organism development, including multi-cellular development, system development and anatomical structure development. Also, we discovered 26 differentially expressed lncRNAs.

CONCLUSIONS

The analysis used in this study is reliable in screening prostate cancer markers including both genes and lncRNAs by using RNA-seq data, which provides new insight into the understanding of molecular mechanism of prostate cancer.

Genomic full-length sequence of two HLA-A alleles, A*03:01:01:01 and A*03:02:01 identified by cloning and sequencing

Genomic full-length sequences of HLA-A*03:01:01:01 and A*03:02:01, were identified in two Chinese donors.

Parental environmental exposure leads to glycometabolic disturbances that affect fertilization of eggs in the silkworm Bombyx mori: the parental transcript legacy

Parental transcript legacy plays an important role in fertilization and development of the early embryo. Parental environmental exposure affects the fertilization of eggs, but the underlying biochemical mechanism is largely unresolved. In this study, the parental environmental effects on fertilization of eggs were explored in the silkworm Bombyx mori (B. mori), an ideal lepidopteran animal model. The results showed that the rate of fertilization decreased after the parents were exposed to a poor environment at 32 °C with continuous illumination for 72 h on days 6-9 of the pupal stage, which is a key period for germ cell maturation. This was likely attributable to lower energy charge values, obstructed nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(+)) regeneration and inactive tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA), leading to accumulation of large amounts of pyruvic acid and lactic acid. This effect was related to energy metabolism via glycolysis; in particular disruption of pyruvate metabolism. In conclusion, this study showed parental exposure to an abnormal environment during germ cell maturation affected glycolysis and the subsequent fertilization of eggs via the parental transcript legacy in B. mori.

Genomic full-length sequence of two HLA-A alleles, A*02:01:01:01 and A*02:03:01, identified by cloning and sequencing

Genomic full-length sequences of HLA-A*02:01:01:01 and HLA-A*02:03:01 were identified by cloning and sequencing from two Chinese donors.