[New progress in the first-line treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma]

Hepatocellular carcinoma is a kind of cancer with a strong invasion, a high incidence rate and mortality, and a poor prognosis. At the time of diagnosis, most patients are already in the advanced stages of a tumor and have lost the chance for radical surgical treatment. Advanced hepatocellular carcinoma treatment has a gradual transition from systemic chemotherapy to targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and combination therapy, especially immune checkpoint inhibitor-based immunotherapy combination therapy, such as combination with bevacizumab monoclonal antibodies and other drugs, or combination with TACE, HAIC, radiotherapy, ablation, and other treatment methods. Combination therapy has significant synergistic effects and thus has already become a future treatment trend for hepatocellular carcinoma. An immunotherapy-based combination therapy plan will run through the whole process of systemic therapy, which is expected to bring better survival benefits to patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. This article reviews the latest research progress in aspects of the first-line treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

[Efficacy and safety of endoscopic submucosal dissection with additional radiotherapy for T1a-MM/T1b-SM esophageal squamous cell carcinoma]

Objective: To clarify the efficacy and safety of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) with additional radiotherapy in T1a-MM/T1b-SM esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 71 patients with T1a-MM/T1b-SM ESCC admitted to Southeast University Affiliated Zhongda Hospital from January 2015 to December 2019. The patients were divided into two groups based on the treatment method: the ESD group (ESD therapy alone) and the ESD-radiotherapy group (ESD combined radiotherapy). The follow-up duration after ESD was (44±17) months. The difference of disease-free survival (DFS) rate and overall survival (OS) rate between the two groups was compared by survival analysis, and the occurrence of complications was compared. Baseline variables of the two groups were compared and the influencing factors of DFS rate were analyzed by Cox proportional risk regression model. Results: There were 44 patients in the ESD-radiotherapy group [28 males, 16 females, aged (65±7) years] and 27 patients in the ESD group [18 males, 9 females, aged (67±9) years]. The results of survival analysis show that the 1, 3 and 5-year DFS rates of ESD-radiotherapy group were 95.5%, 92.9% and 77.4%, respectively, which were higher than those of ESD group 85.2%, 73.2% and 62.7% (all P<0.05). The 1, 3 and 5-year OS rates of the ESD-radiotherapy group were 100%, 94.7% and 94.7%, while those of the ESD group were 96.3%, 96.3% and 79.4%, respectively. The difference was not statistically significant (all P>0.05). Cox proportional hazard regression model analysis showed that ESD combined with radiotherapy (HR=0.19, 95%CI: 0.04-0.90, P=0.037), complete tumor resection (HR=0.25, 95%CI: 0.07-0.86, P=0.027), and vascular invasion (HR=12.06, 95%CI: 1.61-90.26, P=0.015) were the influencing factors of DFS rates. The most common complication of ESD was esophageal stenosis, and no grade 3 or higher radiation adverse reactions occurred after combined radiotherapy. Conclusion: ESD combined radiotherapy is an effective and safe therapeutic strategy for patients with T1a-MM/T1b-SM ESCC.

[HbA1c comparison and diagnostic efficacy analysis of multi center different glycosylated hemoglobin detection systems]

Objective: Compare and analyze the results of the domestic Lanyi AH600 glycated hemoglobin analyzer and other different detection systems to understand the comparability of the detection results of different detectors, and establish the best cut point of Lanyi AH600 determination of haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in the diagnosis of diabetes. Methods: Multi center cohort study was adopted. The clinical laboratory departments of 18 medical institutions independently collected test samples from their respective hospitals from March to April 2022, and independently completed comparative analysis of the evaluated instrument (Lanyi AH600) and the reference instrument HbA1c. The reference instruments include four different brands of glycosylated hemoglobin meters, including Arkray, Bio-Rad, DOSOH, and Huizhong. Scatter plot was used to calculate the correlation between the results of different detection systems, and the regression equation was calculated. The consistency analysis between the results of different detection systems was evaluated by Bland Altman method. Consistency judgment principles: (1) When the 95% limits of agreement (95% LoA) of the measurement difference was within 0.4% HbA1c and the measurement score was≥80 points, the comparison consistency was good; (2) When the measurement difference of 95% LoA exceeded 0.4% HbA1c, and the measurement score was≥80 points, the comparison consistency was relatively good; (3) The measurement score was less than 80 points, the comparison consistency was poor. The difference between the results of different detection systems was tested by paired sample T test or Wilcoxon paired sign rank sum test; The best cut-off point of diabetes was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). Results: The correlation coefficient R² of results between Lanyi AH600 and the reference instrument in 16 hospitals is≥0.99; The Bland Altman consistency analysis showed that the difference of 95% LoA in Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital in Jiangsu Province (reference instrument: Arkray HA8180) was -0.486%-0.325%, and the measurement score was 94.6 points (473/500); The difference of 95% LoA in the Tibetan Traditional Medical Hospital of TAR (reference instrument: Bio-Rad Variant II) was -0.727%-0.612%, and the measurement score was 89.8 points; The difference of 95% LoA in the People's Hospital of Chongqing Liang Jiang New Area (reference instrument: Huizhong MQ-2000PT) was -0.231%-0.461%, and the measurement score was 96.6 points; The difference of 95% LoA in the Taihe Hospital of traditional Chinese Medicine in Anhui Province (reference instrument: Huizhong MQ-2000PT) was -0.469%-0.479%, and the measurement score was 91.9 points. The other 14 hospitals, Lanyi AH600, were compared with 4 reference instrument brands, the difference of 95% LoA was less than 0.4% HbA1c, and the scores were all greater than 95 points. The results of paired sample T test or Wilcoxon paired sign rank sum test showed that there was no statistically significant difference between Lanyi AH600 and the reference instrument Arkray HA8180 (Z=1.665,P=0.096), with no statistical difference. The mean difference between the measured values of the two instruments was 0.004%. The comparison data of Lanyi AH600 and the reference instrument of all other institutions had significant differences (all P<0.001), however, it was necessary to consider whether it was within the clinical acceptable range in combination with the results of the Bland-Altman consistency analysis. The ROC curve of HbA1c detected by Lanyi AH600 in 985 patients with diabetes and 3 423 patients with non-diabetes was analyzed, the area under curve (AUC) was 0.877, the standard error was 0.007, and the 95% confidence interval 95%CI was (0.864, 0.891), which was statistically significant (P<0.001). The maximum value of Youden index was 0.634, and the corresponding HbA1c cut point was 6.235%. The sensitivity and specificity of diabetes diagnosis were 76.2% and 87.2%, respectively. Conclusion: Among the hospitals and instruments currently included in this study, among these four hospitals included Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital in Jiangsu Province (reference instrument: Arkray HA8180), Tibetan Traditional Medical Hospital of TAR (reference instrument: Bio-Rad Variant Ⅱ), the People's Hospital of Chongqing Liang Jiang New Area (reference instrument: Huizhong MQ-2000PT), and the Taihe Hospital of traditional Chinese Medicine in Anhui Province (reference instrument: Huizhong MQ-2000PT), the comparison between Lanyi AH600 and the reference instruments showed relatively good consistency, while the other 14 hospitals involved four different brands of reference instruments: Arkray, Bio-Rad, DOSOH, and Huizhong, Lanyi AH600 had good consistency with its comparison. The best cut point of the domestic Lanyi AH600 for detecting HbA1c in the diagnosis of diabetes is 6.235%.

[Efficacy of stent placement in treatment of malignant tracheoesophageal fistula and relevant factors of fistula closure]

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of stent placement in the treatment of malignant tracheoesophageal fistula (MTEF) and the factors affecting the closure of the fistula. Methods: Clinical, pathological, laboratory, and imaging data of 288 patients with MTEF admitted to Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University from 2015 to 2021were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, there were 208 males; the age was (63.6±10.5) years. A total of 94 patients received conservative treatment (conservative group), and 194 in the stent group (170 cases with esophageal stents and 24 cases with tracheal stents). Patients were followed-up at 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months to evaluate the effect of stent implantation. Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze factors affecting fistula closure. Results: Age, fistula size, leukocyte count before treatment, and fistula location were significantly different between the conservative group and the stent group (P<0.05). The Karnofsky functional status (KPS) score before treatment in the conservative group was lower than the stent group, (45.1±1.0) vs (51.8±0.7) scores, respectively (P<0.001). After 2 weeks and 1 month of treatment, improvement in KPS scores was significantly better in the stent group than in the conservative group (P<0.05). At 1 month, the pulmonary infection rate in the stent group was 33.5% (58/173), significantly lower than that in the conservative group [77.0% (47/61); P<0.001]. Among the 288 patients, the fistula was closed in 196 patients and unclosed in 92 patients. Fistula size (OR=3.429, 95%CI: 1.623-7.829, P=0.001), leukocyte count before treatment (OR=1.160, 95%CI: 1.027-1.317, P=0.018), KPS score before treatment (OR=0.898, 95%CI: 0.848-0.945, P<0.001) and the treatment method (conservative treatment as reference, esophageal stent OR=0.010, 95%CI: 0.004-0.030, P<0.001; tracheal stent OR=0.003, 95%CI: 0.000-0.042, P<0.001) were factors affecting fistula closure. In the 170 patients in the esophageal stent group, early complications (≤24 h) occurred in 71 patients, and late (>24 h) complications occurred in 11 patients. While in the 24 patients in the tracheal stent group, 9 had early complications and 2 had late complications. Conclusions: Stent placement is an effective treatment for MTEF compared to conservative treatment. Stent treatment, small fistula size, low pre-treatment leukocyte count, and high pre-treatment KPS score are beneficial to fistula closure.

Development of a removable three-dimensional magnetic probe system for measuring field null on the NanChang Spherical Tokamak

The field null configuration of a poloidal magnetic field is one of the critical conditions for achieving Ohmic breakdown during the initial discharge of a new tokamak. The issue of the Ohmic breakdown on the NanChang Spherical Tokamak (NCST) is still not solved satisfactorily although plasma currents of about 2 kA were found. Hence, a removable three-dimensional magnetic probe (RTMP) system consisting of 25 magnetic probes was designed, calibrated, and constructed on the NCST to evaluate the field null inside a vacuum vessel. After repeated tests, the RTMP system exhibited outstanding performance in terms of accuracy and stability with errors of about 1%. Meanwhile, the RTMP system successfully measured the toroidal field (TF) coil ripples at the magnetic axis. During experiments, the stray field arising from the TF coil implied a strong link between the flexible connection of the TF coil and the Ohmic breakdown on the NCST. After the field null was effectively modified by using a new flexible connection of the TF coil and controlling the induced current in the poloidal field coil, the NCST tokamak reproducibly obtained 20 kA plasma current with the limiter configuration during the plasma current flat-top phase.

Effects of Microplastics on Microbial Community in Zhanjiang Mangrove Sediments

Microplastics are easily consumed by marine animals, thereby entering the food chain and endangering animal health. However, there are few studies focusing on the effects of microplastics in mangrove sediments on microbial communities. In order to study the influence of microplastics on microorganisms, microplastics and microorganisms were extracted from Zhanjiang (Guangdong Province, China) mangrove sediments and analyzed. The results showed that there were differences in Shannon and Simpson indices of the microbial community in microplastics (p < 0.05), and there were also differences between JG30_KF_CM45 and Natranaerovirga at the genus level, indicating that microplastics may affect the diversity and composition of microorganisms in sediments. In addition, FAPROTAX function prediction analysis showed that microplastics may affect the nitrification of microbial communities. The results from this study indicate that microplastics affected the diversity and richness of microorganisms in mangrove sediments, which provides an experimental basis for the relationship between microplastics and microorganisms.

Curcumin Inhibits T Follicular Helper Cell Differentiation in Mice with Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS)-Induced Colitis

Follicular helper T cells (Tfh) regulate the differentiation of germinal center B cells and maintain humoral immunity. Notably, imbalances in Tfh differentiation often lead to the development of autoimmune diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Curcumin, a natural product derived from Curcuma longa, is effective in relieving IBD in humans and animals, and its mechanisms of immune regulation need further elaboration. In this study, dextran sodium sulfate induced ulcerative colitis in BALB/c mice, and curcumin was administered simultaneously for 7 days. Curcumin effectively upregulated the change rate of mouse weight, colonic length, down-regulated colonic weight, index of colonic weight, colonic damage score and the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-12, IL-23 and TGF-[Formula: see text]1 in colonic tissues of colitis mice. Importantly, curcumin regulated the differentiation balance of Tfh and their subpopulation in colitis mice; the percentages of Tfh (CD4[Formula: see text]CXCR5[Formula: see text]BCL-6[Formula: see text], CD4[Formula: see text]CXCR5[Formula: see text]PD-1[Formula: see text], CD4[Formula: see text]CXCR5[Formula: see text]PD-L1[Formula: see text], CD4[Formula: see text]CXCR5[Formula: see text]ICOS[Formula: see text], Tfh17 and Tem-Tfh were downregulated significantly, while CD4[Formula: see text]CXCR5[Formula: see text]Blimp-1[Formula: see text], Tfh1, Tfh10, Tfh21, Tfr, Tcm-Tfh and Tem-GC Tfh were upregulated. In addition, curcumin inhibited the expression of Tfh-related transcription factors BCL-6, p-STAT3, Foxp1, Roquin-1, Roquin-2 and SAP, and significantly upregulated the protein levels of Blimp-1 and STAT3 in colon tissue. In conclusion, curcumin may be effective in alleviating dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis by regulating Tfh differentiation.

[Mid-term efficacy of sacral nerve stimulation for the treatment of chronic constipation]

Objective: To investigate the mid-term efficacy of sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) for chronic constipation. Methods: A descriptive case series study was conducted. Patients with chronic constipation were treated in Xijing Hospital of Digestive Disease from February 2013 to December 2018 were retrospectively enrolled. The types of constipation were confirmed based on colon slow transit test, anorectal manometry and defecography in Xi'an Mayinglong Coloproctological Hospital. This study has been registered in China clinical trial registry (Registration No.: ChiCTR-ROC-16008945). Case inclusion criteria: (1) constipation was diagnosed according to Rome III criteria; (2) traditional treatment, including education, diet adjustment, laxative, biofeedback treatment, failed for at least 1 year; (3) there were no constipation-related organic diseases. After excluding neurogenic diseases, including spinal cord injury and multiple sclerosis, 21 patients were included in this study. There were 10 males and 11 females, with an average age of 50.9 (14-76) years. After the relevant examination and evaluation of patients, they underwent percutaneous nerve evaluation (PNE). If patient experienced a good response to PNE after 2 or 3 weeks (≥50%), permanent SNS implantation was performed. The improvement of clinical symptoms and quality of life between the baseline, PNE, and latest follow-up time points were compared. Improvement of clinical symptoms, including autonomic stool frequency per week, autonomic stool days per week, defecation time, visual analogue scale (VAS, lower score indicates more serious symptoms) score and Cleveland clinic constipation score (CCCS, higher score indacates more serious symptoms) criteria. The change of quality of life was scored by SF-36 questionnaires (the higher score indicates better quality of life). Results: Of 21 patients, 18 (85.7%) experienced significant improvement in symptoms with PNE, and 2 patients discontinued treatment due to their dissatisfaction. Sixteen patients (76.2%) received permanent SNS implantation, two of whom underwent bilateral PNE implantation. These patients were followed-up for mean 56 (34-72) months. The treatment was continuously effective in 13 patients (61.9%), including 3 of ODS, 1 of STC and 9 of mixed constipation. Compared with baseline, the score of constipation patients receiving permanent SNS implantation at latest follow-up was shown. The median autonomic stool frequency per week increased from 1.0 (0-7) to 7.5 (0-10) (P<0.001), the median autonomic stool days per week increased from 1.0 (0-7) d to 4.5 (0-7) d (P<0.001), the median defecation time decreased from 19.0 (8-40) minutes to 4.0 (3-31) minutes (P<0.001), the median CCCS decreased from 20.0 (13-30) to 9.0 (6-30) (P<0.001), and the median VAS score increased from 9.0 (7-40) to 80.0 (15-90) (P<0.001). The values of the 8 parts of the SF-36 questionnaire increased (all P<0.05). Conclusion: SNS implantation is safe and has obvious effects on severe constipation with stable mid-term efficacy.

[Establishment of human colon cancer transplantation tumor model in normal immune mice]

Objective: Establishment of a new model of human primary colon cancer transplantation tumor in normal immune mice and to provide a reliable experimental animal model for studying the pathogenesis of colon cancer under normal immunity. Methods: Human colon cancer cells come from colon cancer patients who underwent surgery in the Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical College in 2017. The mice in the cell control group were inoculated with phosphate buffered solution (PBS) containing colon cancer cells, the microcarrier control group was inoculated with PBS containing microcarrier 6, and the cell-microcarrier complex group was inoculated with the PBS containing colon cancer cell-microcarrier complex. The cells of each group were inoculated under the skin of the right axilla of mice by subcutaneous injection, and the time, size, tumor formation rate and pathological changes under microscope were recorded. The transplanted tumor tissue was immunohistochemically stained with the EnVisiion two-step method, and the tumor formation rate of the transplanted tumor was judged according to the proportion of positive cells in the visual field. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was used to detect the expression of human-specific Alu sequence in mice tumor tissue. Results: After inoculation with tumor cells, the mice in the cell control group and the microcarrier control group did not die and did not form tumors; the mice in the cell-microcarrier complex group had palpable subcutaneous tumors in the right axillary subcutaneously on the 5th to 7th days after inoculation, and tumor formation rate is 67% (10/15), and the tumor volume can reach about 500 mm(3) 2 to 3 weeks after vaccination. The immunohistochemistry results showed that CK20, CDX-2 and carcinoembryonic antigen were all positively expressed. The PCR results showed that the expression of human-specific Alu sequence can be detected in the transplanted tumor tissue of tumor-bearing mice. Conclusion: Human primary colon cancer cells used microcarrier 6 as a carrier to form tumors in normal immunized mice, and successfully established a new model of human colon cancer transplantation tumor in normal immune mice.

[Analysis of a pedigree with inherited factor V deficiency caused by compound heterozygous mutation]

Objective: To explore the molecular pathogenesis of a family with hereditary factor Ⅴ (FⅤ) deficiency. Methods: All the exons, flanking sequences, 5' and 3' untranslated regions of the F5 of the proband, and the corresponding mutation sites of the family members were analyzed via direct DNA sequencing. The CAT measurement was used to detect the amount of thrombin produced. The ClustalX software was used to analyze the conservation of mutation sites. The online bioinformatics software, Mutation Taster, PolyPhen-2, PROVEAN, LRT, and SIFT were applied to predict the effects of mutation sites on protein function. The Swiss-PdbViewer software was used to analyze the changes in the protein model and intermolecular force before and after amino acid variation. Results: The proband had a heterozygous missense mutation c.1258G>T (p.Gly392Cys) in exon 8 of the F5, and a heterozygous deletion mutation c.4797delG (p.Glu1572Lys fsX19) in exon 14, which results in a frameshift and produces a truncated protein. Her grandfather and father had p.Gly392Cys heterozygous variation, whereas her maternal grandmother, mother, little aunt, and cousin all had p.Glu1572LysfsX19 heterozygous variation. The ratio of proband's thrombin generation delay to peak time was significantly increased. Conservation analysis results showed that p.Gly392 was located in a conserved region among the 10 homologous species. Five online bioinformatics software predicted that p.Gly392Cys was pathogenic, and Mutation Taster also predicted p.Glu1572Lys fsX19 as a pathogenic variant. Protein model analysis showed that the replacement of Gly392 by Cys392 can lead to the extension of the original hydrogen bond and the formation of a new steric hindrance, which affected the stability of the protein structure. Conclusion: The c.1258G>T heterozygous missense mutation in exon 8 and the c.4797delG heterozygous deletion mutation in exon 14 of the F5 may be responsible for the decrease of FⅤ levels in this family.

[Preliminary application of postoperative fast track transfer to intensive care unit for the geriatric hip fractures under enhanced recovery after surgery]

Objective: To develop a fast track transfer to intensive care unit (ICU) for the perioperative high-risk elderly patients after hip fracture surgery and analyze the preliminary clinical effect of the application. Methods: From January 2014 to December 2017, before the application of postoperative fast track transfer to ICU, the clinical data of 195 elderly patients with hip fracture were included in a retrospective analysis. Among 195 hip fracture patients, 18 were transferred to ICU post operation (non-fast track group). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied to investigate relevant risk factors for transferring to ICU after hip fracture surgery. Based on risk factors acquired from the analysis and clinical experience, the fast track transfer to ICU for the perioperative high-risk elderly patients after hip fracture surgery was constructed according to the preliminary and experiential criteria. From January 2018 to December 2019, the clinical data of 70 patients (fast track group) who were transferred to ICU after hip fracture surgery through the fast track were collected and compared with non-fast track group. Results: Multivariate regression analysis revealed that American Society of Anesthesiologists classification(≥Ⅲ) (OR=4.260, 95%CI:1.157-15.683, P=0.029), pre-hospital stage (≥48 h) (OR=4.301, 95%CI:1.212-15.266, P=0.024), hemoglobin concentration at admission(<90 g/L) (OR=7.979, 95%CI:1.936-32.889, P=0.004), coronary heart disease as one comorbidity(OR=6.063, 95%CI:1.695-21.693, P=0.006) were independent risk factors for transferring to ICU after hip fracture surgery. There were no significant difference in gender, age, fracture type, hemoglobin concentration at admission and time of pre-hospital stage between the non-fast track group and fast track group(all P>0.05). However, the number of comorbidities in the fast track group was significantly higher than that in the non-fast track group (Z=-1.995, P=0.046). The time to surgery, postoperative hospital stay, and length of hospital stay in fast track group were all significantly less than those in non-fast track group (Z=-2.121, -2.726, -3.130, all P<0.05). Also, there were fewer medical consultations needed and fewer patients who stayed in ICU more than or equal to 2 nights in fast track group than that in non-fast track group(all P<0.05). There were no significant difference in the rate of patients who transferred from the general ward to ICU after transferring from ICU to the general ward, the proportion of patients who received more than or equal to 4 departments, operation time, hospitalization expense, mortality during hospitalization, 30-day mortality and 90-day mortality after operation between the two groups(all P>0.05). Conclusions: The fast track constructed in this study can reduce time to surgery, postoperative hospitalization stay and length of hospitalization stay for the perioperative high-risk elderly patients with hip fractures and is a specific clinical application of eras concept based on multidisciplinary team.

[Correlation analysis between Dx-pH monitoring and proton pump inhibitor test in the diagnosis of laryngopharyngeal reflux disease]

Objective: The consistency of 24-hour oropharyngeal Dx-pH monitoring and proton pump inhibitor(PPI) test in the diagnosis of laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD) was investigated. Methods: Sixty patients with laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) related symptoms who had never received PPI treatment were assessed by reflux symptom index (RSI) and reflux finding score (RFS) between October 2017 and October 2018, including 28 males and 38 females, aged from 16 to 72 years, with a medium age of 38 years. Prior to treatment, all patients were evaluated with 24 hours oropharyngeal Dx-pH monitoring(Restech). After empiric therapy with PPI twice-daily for 8 weeks, the efficacy was evaluated according to posttreatment RSI score.The data was analysed with Kruskal-Wallis test, Student Newman Keuls test and consistency check. Results: (1)Among all 60 patients,13 patients (21.7%) had pathologic Ryan score and all resulted responsive to PPI;27 patients (45.0%) with a negative Ryan score were unresponsive to PPI; 20 patients (33.3%) despite a negative Ryan score resulted responsive to PPI therapy. Considering responsiveness to PPI therapy as the gold standard for the diagnosis of LPRD, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of Ryan score were 39.4%, 100%, 100% and 57.4% respectively. The Kappa value was 0.369 (P<0.01). (2)Among 34 patients (56.7%) with positive Dx-pH results (24-hour oropharyngeal acid reflux events≥ 3 times), 29 patients were positive and 5 patients were negative in PPI test. Among 26 patients with negative Dx-pH results (24-hour oropharyngeal acid reflux events<3 times), 4 patients were positive and 22 patients were negative in PPI test. Considering responsiveness to PPI therapy as the gold standard for the diagnosis of LPRD, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of 24-hour oropharyngeal acid reflux events were 87.9%, 81.5%, 85.3% and 84.6% respectively. The Kappa value was 0.696(P<0.01). Conclusions: There is a positive correlation between 24-hour oropharyngeal Dx-pH monitoring positive results (24-hour oropharyngeal acid reflux events≥3 times) and PPI test in the diagnosis of LPRD. The 24-hour oropharyngeal Dx-pH monitoring can be a promising tool for the diagnosis of suspected LPRD patients, and more sensitive and accurate Dx-pH diagnostic index will be required in the clinic.

miR-429 as biomarker for diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of cancers and its potential action mechanisms: A systematic literature review

miR-429 is a member of miR-200 family. Accumulated evidence has indicated that miR-429 dysregulation is involved in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), progression, development, invasion, metastasis, apoptosis and drug resistance of a variety of cancers. miR-429 might specifically function either as a tumor suppressor or promoter candidate for certain cancers depending on the particular types of tumor cells/tissues. miR-429 appears to have a tumor-suppression role in renal cell carcinoma (RCC), breast cancer (BC), gastric carcinoma (GC), glioblastoma (GBM), esophageal cancer (EC), osteosarcoma, oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), cervical cancer (CC), pancreatic cancer, tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC), nephroblastoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and soft tissue sarcomas. On the other hand, miR-429 has a tumor-promotion role in endometrial cancer (EmCa), prostate cancer (CaP) and lung cancer (LC). However, miR-429 shows paradoxical role in colorectal cancer (CRC), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), bladder cancer and ovarian cancer (OC). This article summarizes the associations between miR-429 and malignant tumors as well as potential action mechanisms. miR-429 has a potential to be used in the future as a biomarker for the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of certain cancers.

[Vaccine loss related to the expanded immunization program in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, 2016-2017]

Objective: To assess the vaccine loss related to the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region so as to improve the management of vaccines. Methods: A total of 135 vaccination clinics were randomly selected, using a stratified cluster sampling method. In each clinic, data on vaccination was collected between 2016 and 2017, including the number of doses in routine immunization program and supplementary immunization activities (i.e., vaccine doses in vials that were opened for use) on polio vaccine, number of doses administered to children and the number of doses discarded (e.g., expired vaccine or broken vials that had not been opened for use), etc. Coefficient on vaccine loss was calculated with the following equation: vaccine loss coefficient=(number of vaccine doses used)/(number of vaccine doses administered). The vaccine discard rate appeared as: number of vaccine doses discarded)/number of vaccine doses used. Results: For vaccines in single-dose vials [diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine (DTaP) and trivalent oral polio virus vaccine (tOPV)], the loss coefficients appeared as 1.00 and 1.02, respectively. For vaccines in multi-dose vials [bivalent oral polio vaccine (bOPV), group A meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine (MPV-A), diphtheria-tetanus combined vaccine (DT) and bacilli Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine], the loss coefficients were 1.58, 1.67, 1.68, and 3.02, respectively. The coefficients of EPI vaccine loss in urban, rural, and pastoral area vaccination clinics ranged between 1.00-2.84, 1.00-3.71, and 1.00-2.27, respectively. Loss coefficients ranged between 1.00-3.00, 1.00- 4.41, and 1.00-1.94, respectively, were seen in township clinics, village clinics, and decentralized vaccination clinics. Coefficients on larger vaccine loss were associated with longer intervals between clinic sessions and with fewer vaccinations administrations per day. Conclusions: In Xinjiang, coefficients on the loss of multi-dose EPI vaccines were high. The coefficients on loss were different from the levels of region and types of clinics, and time interval between clinic sessions. Programs on refining the management and distribution of EPI vaccines, to minimize the vaccine loss were recommended.

[The influencing factors achieving target vancomycin trough level in critically ill patients]

Objective: To assess the rate achieving the target vancomycin trough level (VTL) and its influencing factors in critically ill patients. Methods: The retrospective observational study recruited adult patients treated with intravenous vancomycin in the intensive care unit (ICU) at Zhongda Hospital from January 2015 to December 2017. Serum VTL was tested at steady state. Patients' demographics, the sites of infection, microbial culture results, the severity of illness, laboratory data and vancomycin regimen were obtained at the baseline. The rate achieving target VTL (15-20 mg/L) was analyzed based on renal function. Linear regression was performed to determine the influencing factors of VTL. Results: A total of 85 patients were enrolled, among whom only 23.5% (20/85) achieved the target VTL. In patients with normal renal function, the achieving rate was only 11.4% (4/35), and 80.0% (28/35) was lower than the target trough level multiple linear regression analysis showed that procalcitonin (PCT), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and acute physiology and chronic health disease classification system Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ) score were independent factors associated with VTL. Conclusion: Achieving target VTL in critically ill patients is not satisfactory. Further study to optimize the administration is needed to facilitate prompt attainment of target VTL.

[Analysis of adverse events of clinical blood use except for the adverse reactions of blood transfusion]

Objective: To reduce the occurrence of adverse events of clinical blood use by analyzing the clinical adverse events of blood use except for the adverse reactions of blood transfusion. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 294 cases of adverse events of clinical blood use other than adverse blood transfusion reactions in Shijitan hospital from January 2014 to December 2017, and a statistical analysis was made on the types of adverse events of clinical blood use, blood transfusion related departments, and internal and surgical blood use. Results: The incidence of adverse events of clinical blood use was 10.3‰, 9.6‰, 4.2‰ and 4.6‰ in these 4 years respectively, and there were 216 cases (73.5%) of external departments, 49 cases (16.7%) of internal departments, 8 cases (2.7%) of nursing departments, and 21 cases of others(7.1%), which includes 12 cases of errand department, 4 cases of the clinical laboratory and 5 cases of transfusion department. The adverse events of clinical blood use were divided into 4 types: 71 cases (24.1%) of transfusion process problems, 36 cases (12.2%) of clinical communication between departments, 182 cases (61.9%) of clinical unreasonable transfusion and 5 others (1.8%). There were statistically significant differences in the occurrence of adverse events of different types of blood use in external and internal departments based on the property of the department, among which there were significant differences in unreasonable transfusion between them. According to the purpose of blood use, there were statistically significant differences in the occurrence of different types of adverse events between the two departments, and the incidence of different types of external departments were higher than that of internal departments. Conclusions: The incidence of adverse events of blood use in external departments is higher than that in internal departments. Reasonable transfusion should be strengthened to avoid the occurrence of adverse events of clinical blood use, so as to ensure the safety of blood transfusion.

A novel, tunable, multimodal microwave system for microwave reflectometry system

Based on a new technique, a tunable, multi-channel system that covers the Q-band (33-55 GHz) is presented in this article. It has a potential use of the Doppler backscattering system diagnostic that can measure the turbulence radial correlation and the perpendicular velocity of turbulence by changing the incident angle. The system consists primarily of a double-sideband (DSB) modulation and a multiplier, which creates four probing frequencies. The probing frequency enables the simultaneous analysis of the density fluctuations and flows at four distinct radial regions in tokamak plasma. The amplitude of the probing frequency can be adjusted by the initial phase of the intermediate frequency (IF) input from the double-sideband, and the typical flatness is less than 10 dB. The system was tested in the lab with a rotating grating, and the results show that the system can operate in the frequency range of 33-55 GHz with a Q-band multitude and that the power of each channel can be adjusted by the phase of the IF input of DSB.

[Survey of continuous renal replacement therapy application status]

Objective: To investigate the condition of implementation of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) in quality control center of critical care medicine. Methods: Questionnaire mails were issued to all of the quality control respondents to survey the application of CRRT in June 2015 from Jiangsu quality control center of critical care medicine. Results: Among the 69 quality control respondents, 62 were equipped with CRRT devices, and in 58 of which patients were treated with CRRT. There were 195 doctors and 253 nurses in 62 quality control respondents attended CRRT training at or above the provincial level; the proportions of hospitals in southern, central and northern regions of Jiangsu were 63%, 79% and 86% respectively with trained doctors (more than 2), and 34%, 38% and 43% respectively with trained nurses (more than 3). The preferred material for CRRT filter were AN69 and acrylic, accounting for 48% and 45% respectively. The average life span was less than 12 h for 21% filters, 12-24 h for 34% filters, and more than 72 h for only 2% filters. Manual displacement liquids were currently mainly used in our province, accounting for 75%. Heparin is the most frequently used anticoagulants, accounting for 48%. Citrate and low molecular weight heparin used for anticoagulation accounted for 31% and 21% respectively. Bleeding was the most common clinical complication (43%) in patients with CRRT, followed by low temperature (22%). The average hospitalization expenses for patients with CRRT amounted to 69 643 yuan RMB per person, in which the cost for CRRT accounted for 19 525 yuan RMB per person. Conclusion: The application of CRRT varies in filter materials, anticoagulants, replacement frequencies and dilution mode. Bleeding is the most common clinical complication in patients with CRRT. Besides, the proportion of trained doctors and nurses at the provincial level is still very low. It will be improved with intensive training and reasonable implementation for us to prolong the lifespan of the filters and reduce the cost for patients with CRRT.

[Nano-sized bioactive glass enhances osteogenesis of critical bone defect in rabbits]

OBJECTIVE

To compare the osteogenic effects of a nano-sized 58S bioactive glass (nano-58S BG) and a traditional 45S5 bioactive glass(45S5 BG) in penetrating parietal critical bone defects.

METHODS

Critical bone defect with 9 mm diameter was created in the parietal bone of New Zealand rabbits. The bone defects were then filled with either nano-58S BG, or 45S5 BG, or nothing but the newly-formed blood clot as the blank control at random. For histological observation, specimens were gained 4 and 8 weeks after the surgery, sectioned and stained by HE. The amount of collagen type I was observed with Picric-Sirius Red staining through polarimetry. To observe the new bone formation with fluorescence under the laser confocal microscope, we injected fluorescent markers 14, 28, and 42 days after the surgery. The markers were tetracycline hydrochloride, alizarin red and calcin individually in chronological order. Image J software was used to quantify the bone regeneration.

RESULTS

HE staining showed that BG particulates were integrated with the surrounding tissue without any inflammatory cells infiltration 4 weeks after surgery. New bone regeneration was observed both from the border and in the center of the defects in both BG groups. No bone regeneration in defect center was observed in control group. At the end of 8 weeks, there was more bone regeneration in nano-58S group compared with 45S5 group and control group. The structure of the new bone in BG groups was hollow, which was similar to the natural normal parietal bone. No hollow structure was observed in the new bone of control group. Picric-sirius Red polarimetry showed that more amount of collagen type I was found in nano-58S group than in either 45S5 or control group. The fluorescent observation of the hard tissue slices at the end of 8 weeks showed statistically larger scope and faster new bone formation in nano-58S group with (29.4±4.48) μm thickness from 4-6 weeks and (35.3±3.74) μm from 6-8 weeks compared with 45S5 group [(13.43±3.44) μm and (17.64±4.13) μm] and control group [(5.88±2.92) μm and (6.07±3.02) μm, P<0.01].

CONCLUSION

Compared with the traditional 45S5 bioactive glass, 58S nano-sized bioactive glass showed better osteogenic effect in bone regeneration in parietal bones of rabbits.

[Application and efficacy of endotracheal tube of drug injection for postoperative patients]

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of endotracheal tube for drug injection in postoperative ICU patients. Methods: A total of 60 ICU patients who were given mechanical ventilation after surgical treatment were enrolled in this study from January 2015 to August 2016 at our hospital. All the patients were divided into the observation group (30 cases) and the control group (30 cases). In the observation group, the patients were treated with the endotracheal tube for surface anesthesia by injecting 2% lidocaine into the trachea, and patients in the control group were treated with saline instead of lidocaine. Patients' tolerance to endotracheal tube, cardiovascular system adverse reactions, the frequency and dosage of sedative and analgesic drug within 12 h mechanical ventilation post operation were analyzed and compared between the two groups. Results: The occurrence rate of cough, hypertension and tachycardia in the observation group were(0.6±0.3), (0.8±0.3)and(1.3±0.6), respectively, which were significantly lower than the control group (5.9±2.1), (6.0±1.9)and(4.9±1.8), the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). In addition, the frequency of sedative drug was (0.8±0.3), with a dosage of midazolam(1.2±0.3)mg. While in the control group, the frequency of sedative drugs was (5.1±1.9), with a dosage of midazolam (9.9±3.2) mg. The frequency and dosage of sedative drug administration in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group, the difference was significant difference (P<0.05). Conclusions: The use of endotracheal tube for drug injection can improve the tolerance of ICU patients to endotracheal tube, reduce the dosage of sedative drugs, and reduce the adverse cardiovascular reactions.

[The Value of SMI in the Evaluation of interventional therapy of liver cancer]

Objective: To evaluate the value of super microvascular imaging(SMI) for evaluating the effect of interventional therapy of liver cancer. Methods: A total of 30 patients with 40 leisions were enrolled in this study, from the tumor intervention department in the third affiliated hospital of suzhou university.This patients were underwent TACE, after the treatment 1 month, CDFI, SMI, and CT were study respectively. Using the continuity correction McNemar matching chi-square test, with P < 0.05 for the standard , CDFI and SMI shows the difference in monitoring the microvascular imaging in and around the tumors leisions. Results: A total of 30 patients, 12 cases were primary liver cancer (7 cases combined with liver cirrhosis), 18cases were metastatic liver cancer; 30 cases including 25 single and 5 multiple. Significant difference were found between CT and SMI in detecting blood flows inside the lesion (χ² = 8.642 9, P < 0.05), and were also found between CT and CDFI in detecting blood flows inside the lesion (χ² = 16.961 5, P < 0.05). The AUROC, sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, PPV and NPV of CDFI were 0.647, 29.4%、100%、29.4%、100%、20.0%, while in SMI were 0.809, 61.8%、100%、61.7%、100%、31.5%, respectively. Conclusions: SMI SMI can detect the microvascular inside the lesions. This new method was superior to CDFI, achieving the same effect as CT.

[A meta-analysis of low tidal volume on the outcome of adult patients without acute respiratory distress syndrome]

Objective: To evaluate the effects of tidal volume on the survival in adult patients without acute respiratory distress syndrome (non-ARDS). Methods: We searched relevant clinical randomized controlled trials (RCT) from January 2000 to December 2015. Meta analyses related to the effects of tidal volume on mortality in non-ARDS adults were conducted using the methods recommended by the Cochrane Collaboration. Results: A total of nineteen RCTs (n=1 679) were finally included. There were 838 patients ventilated with low tidal volume, and the other 841 patients ventilated with normal tidal volume. The mortality rates were not significantly different between low tidal volume group and control group (5.87% vs 6.52%; RR=0.9, P=0.58). But respiratory complications were significantly lower in low tidal volume group, such as development of acute respiratory distress syndrome(RR=0.32, 95% CI 0.16-0.63, P=0.001), pneumonia (RR=0.48, 95%CI 0.29-0.78, P=0.003), while the incidence of atelectasis was quite comparable between two groups (RR=0.78, 95%CI 0.391-1.356, P=0.48). Conclusion: Non-ARDS patients ventilated with low tidal volume is associated with a lower risk of pulmonary complications, yet clinical outcome, mainly mortality is similar to that of patients with regular tidal volume.

[Capture-mark-recapture analysis on the under-registration rate of mortality surveillance program in Jinan]

Objective: To evaluate the under-registration rate related to mortality surveillance program in Jinan city, from 2013 to 2014, using the capture-mark-recapture method. Methods: Under the stratified cluster random sampling method, samples were stratified, according to urban and rural areas. Two districts and three counties were chosen, with three towns/streets in each county/district and eight villages/communities in each township/street, randomly selected. With the participation of departments as civil affairs, public security, maternal/child institutions and community committees as well as individuals as village doctors and community leaders, a list of deaths from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2014 was collected and compared to the National Mortality Surveillance System on the rates related to under-registration. Results: A total of 2 903 records on deaths were collected from 2013 to 2014,while 3 113 deaths were reported in the surveillance system of the same period. 3 772 (95% CI:3 741-3 802) deaths were estimated by the capture-mark-recapture method. The two-year total under-registration rate was 17.46%. The under-registration rates in 2013 and 2014 appeared as 19.29% and 15.57% (χ(2)=8.92, P<0.01), respectively, with the rates in urban and rural areas as 20.91% and 11.93% (χ(2)=47.35, P<0.01). The rates on male and female were 17.87% and 16.98% (χ(2)=0.48, P>0.05). The rates of <5 years old group and ≥5 years old group were 21.57% and 17.45% (χ(2)=0.03, P>0.05) respectively. Conclusions: Under-registration in the mortality surveillance was noticed in Jinan. The capture-mark-recapture method seemed useful for evaluating the under-registration rate in the mortality surveillance program. It is suggested that the survey on under-registration rate should be carried out on the regular base. The under-registration rate seemed useful in adjusting the mortality rate.

An instrument for measuring scintillators efficiently based on silicon photomultipliers

An instrument used for measuring multiple scintillators' light output and energy resolution was developed. The instrument consisted of a light sensor array which was composed of 64 discrete SiPMs (Silicon Photomultipliers), a corresponding individual channel readout electronics system, and a data processing algorithm. A Teflon grid and a large interval between adjacent SiPMs were employed to eliminate the optical cross talk among scintillators. The scintillators' light output was obtained by comparing with a reference sample with known light output. Given the SiPM temperature dependency and the difference among each SiPM, a temperature offset correction algorithm and a non-uniformity correction algorithm were added to the instrument. A positioning algorithm, based on nine points, was designed to evaluate the performance of a scintillator array. Tests were performed to evaluate the instrument's performance. The uniformity of 64 channels for light output measurement was better than 98%, the stability was better than 98% when temperature varied from 15 °C to 40 °C, and the nonlinearity under 511 keV was better than 2%. This instrument was capable of selecting scintillators and evaluating the packaging technology of scintillator arrays with high efficiency and accuracy.

Abstract 4929: UbcH10 may represent a potential marker of gastric carcinoma

Gastric cancer is a fatal disease with limited early diagnostic methods available. There is an urgent need to find more effective targets for early diagnosis and therapeutics. UbcH10 is an ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme with a high expression reported in some cancers. Several gastric tumor cell lines with high or low expression of UbcH10 were exploited to study the role of UbcH10 in gastric cancer. Knocking down of UbcH10 expression using siRNA in high expressing gastric cancer cell lines resulted in reduced proliferation, increased cisplatin-induced apoptosis and reduced serum-induced ERK, Akt and p38 phosphorylation signaling. In agreement, overexpression of UbcH10 expression in low-expression gastric cancer cell lines led to enhanced cell proliferation, resistance to cisplatin-induced apoptosis. Most importantly, IHC analyses showed that the UbcH10 protein expressed at a high level in patient gastric cancer tissues, but not in adjacent mesenchyme tissues. These data suggest that UbcH10 may promote gastric cancer growth and can serve as a biomarker for diagnosis or target for new therapeutics in gastric cancer.

Citation Format: Mengxuan Yang, Yingying Qu, Gang Hu, Shiwei Tu, RL Shi, XB Wu, ZQ Hu, QM Zhang, SQ Liu, GF Pan, Ziping Zhang, He Zhou. UbcH10 may represent a potential marker of gastric carcinoma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 4929.

Rapamycin, a specific inhibitor of the target of rapamycin complex 1, disrupts intestinal barrier integrity in broiler chicks

To uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying the intestinal barrier integrity, this study determined whether the rapamycin (RAPA)-sensitive target of rapamycin complex 1 (TORC1) pathway was involved in this process. Three groups of 4-day-old male chicks were randomly subjected to one of the following treatments for 6 days: high-dose RAPA [a specific inhibitor of TORC1; an intraperitoneal injection of 1.0 mg/kg body weight (BW), once daily at 09:00 hours], low-dose RAPA (0.4 mg/kg BW) and RAPA vehicle (control). Results showed that the RAPA treatment increased mortality, while decreasing villus height (p < 0.01), claudin 1 expression, content of immunoglobulin A (IgA), extent of TORC1 phosphorylation (p < 0.05), ratio of villus height to crypt depth (p < 0.01), and population of IgA-positive B cells in intestinal mucosa, particularly for the jejunum. Some aspects of these responses were dose dependent and appeared to result from weight loss. Together, RAPA exerts the expected inhibition of small intestinal development and IgA production in birds, suggesting the important role of TORC1 in gut barrier integrity.

Methotrexatum intercalated layered double hydroxides: statistical design, mechanism explore and bioassay study

A series of methotrexatum intercalated layered double hydroxide (MTX/LDH for short) hybrids have been synthesized by a mechanochemical-hydrothermal method, the statistical experiments are planned and conducted to find out the critical factor influencing the physicochemical properties. Four variables, i.e., addition of NaOH solution, grinding duration, hydrothermal temperature and time, are chosen to play as the examined factors in the orthogonal design. Furthermore, three respective levels, i.e., high, medium and low levels, are conducted in the design. The resulting hybrids are then characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, transmission electron microscope (TEM) graphs and Zeta potentials. XRD diffractions indicate that MTX anions have been successfully intercalated into LDH interlayers and the amount of NaOH solution can change the gallery height greatly. The information from TEM graphs and Zeta potentials state that the increase of alkali solution gives rise to regular morphology and the increase of Zeta potentials. As a result of the statistical analysis, addition of alkali solution is the major factor affecting the morphology and drug-loading capacity. At last, the mechanism of particle growth is explored emphatically, and the anticancer efficacy of some MTX/LDH hybrids is estimated by MTT assay on A549 cells as well.

Correlation of serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 in patients with acute coronary syndrome

Serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is a sensitive indicator of inflammation, which is closely related with the progress of plaque formation. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is one of the inflammatory markers of local coronary plaque and the peripheral blood cycle, promoting the occurrence of atherosclerosis development and plaque rupture. In this study, the correlation of hs-CRP and IL-6 was investigated in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Sixty cases of ACS, including 33 cases of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and 27 cases of unstable angina pectoris (UAP), 45 cases of stable angina pectoris (SAP), and 45 healthy people (HG) were enrolled in study. The serum hs-CRP and serum IL-6 levels were tested by the immune turbidimetric method and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. The differences among groups and their correlations were evaluated. Results showed that the serum hs-CRP and IL-6 concentrations of the AMI and UAP groups were significantly higher than those of the SAP and HG groups, respectively (P<0.01), and those of the AMI group were significantly higher than those of the UAP group (P<0.05). The serum hs-CRP and IL-6 levels of the ACS group were positively correlated (r=0.836). The serum hs-CRP and IL-6 levels could be used to determine the stability of plaque, and have some relevance in the ACS process, showing great value in judgments of ACS prognosis.

Dillapiol: a pyrethrum synergist for control of the Colorado potato beetle

Dillapiol, the main constituent in dill Anethum sowa Roxb. ex Fleming (Apiaceae) oil and wild pepper, Piper aduncum L. (Piperaceae), is an effective cytochrome P450 inhibitor similar to piperonylbutoxide (PBO). Laboratory and field trials with pyrethrum Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium (Trevir.) vis. extracts combined with dillapiol (1:5 and 1:16 ratio) were effective against both insecticide-susceptible and -resistant Colorado potato beetle Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say). In the laboratory, pyrethrum efficacy was increased 2.2-fold with the SS strain and 9.1-fold with the RS strains by using pyrethrum + dillapiol. Two field trials with the pyrethrum + dillapiol formulation demonstrated efficacy > or = 10 times than that of pyrethrum alone. The residual activity (half-life) of the combination exposed to direct sunlight was 3 h but it increased to 10.7 h by adding 2% of the sunscreen octylmethoxycinnamate.

Genome-wide analysis of the auxin response factor gene family in cucumber

Auxin response factors (ARFs) participate in the transcriptional regulation of a series of biological processes related to growth and development. The ARF genes comprise a large multigene family in plants. Recently, a draft of the full cucumber (Cucumis sativus) genome assembly has been released; however, none of the ARF genes have been characterized. We made a comprehensive analysis of ARF genes in this species. Fifteen ARF genes were identified and could be divided into three classes. Intron presence and position were conserved to some extent within one phylogenetic group. Based on genome distribution analysis, tandem duplication appears to have contributed to ARF gene expansion. Specific motifs were selectively distributed among specific clades. Putative cis-elements involved in auxin response, light signaling responses, phytohormones, and defense responses were identified in promoter regions of the ARF genes. Almost all of the ARF genes exhibited a constitutive expression pattern, implying that there are functional redundancies among the ARF proteins.

Colorimetric detection of DNA damage by using hemin-graphene nanocomposites

A colorimetric method for detection of DNA damage was developed by using hemin-graphene nanosheets (H-GNs). H-GNs were skillfully synthesized by adsorping of hemin on graphene through π-π interactions. The as-prepared H-GNs possessed both the ability of graphene to differentiate the damage DNA from intact DNA and the catalytic action of hemin. The damaged DNA made H-GNs coagulated to different degrees from the intact DNA because there were different amount of negative charge exposed on their surface, which made a great impact on the solubility of H-GNs. As a result, the corresponding centrifugal supernatant of H-GNs solution showed different color in the presence of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) and H2O2, which could be discriminated by naked eyes or by ultraviolet (UV)-visible spectrometer. Based on this, the damaged effects of styrene oxide (SO), NaAsO2 and UV radiation on DNA were studied. Results showed that SO exerted most serious damage effect on DNA although all of them damaged DNA seriously. The new method for detection of DNA damage showed good prospect in the evaluation of genotoxicity of new compounds, the maximum limit of pesticide residue, food additives, and so on, which is important in the fields of food science, pharmaceutical science and pesticide science.

Electrochemiluminescent detection of mucin 1 protein and MCF-7 cancer cells based on the resonance energy transfer

A novel sensing strategy for sensitive detection of mucin 1 protein (MUC1) and MCF-7 cells based on electrochemiluminescence (ECL) resonance energy transfer (ERET) from bis(2,2'-bipyridine)-(5-aminophenanthroline)ruthenium(II) (Ru1) to graphene oxide (GO) was proposed. The MUC1 aptamer was covalently combined with Ru1 (Ru1-aptamer) using aqueous carbodiimide coupling chemistry. Due to the strong noncovalent interaction between the Ru1-aptamer and GO, the ECL of Ru1 was efficiently quenched because of the ERET. In the presence of a target MUC1 protein, the binding between the Ru1-aptamer and MUC1 disturbed the interaction between the Ru1-aptamer and GO. These interactions led to the release of the Ru1-aptamer from GO, and resulted in the restoration of Ru1 ECL. This was shown to detect MUC1 protein sensitively in a linear range from 64.9 to 1036.8 nM with a detection limit of 40 nM. With further application in the detection of MCF-7 cells, the presented method could respond at concentrations as low as 30 cancer cells per mL. By substituting the aptamer and the corresponding target, this method could be conveniently extended for the sensitive detection of other biomolecules.

Assessment of the number of local cytotoxic T lymphocytes required for degradation of micrometer-size tumor spheroids

Adoptive immunotherapy with human cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) is a promising cancer treatment. Previously we showed that human CTLs against various types of tumors can be efficiently produced by coculturing peripheral blood cells with target cells. The aims of this study were to simulate the interaction of CTLs and micrometer-size tumor tissues in vitro and to assess the required number of CTLs at local tumor sites for degradation of a tumor. Allogeneic CTLs against a human transitional cell carcinoma cell line and autologous CTLs against a renal cell carcinoma cell derived from a surgical specimen were generated. The cytotoxic activities of CTLs against tumor cells in monolayer culture and tumor spheroids formed in U-bottom 96-well culture plates were assessed. Both allogeneic and autologous CTLs showed greater destructive activity than lymphokine activated killer (LAK) cells against target tumor spheroids. CTLs inoculated at E/T ratios of 0.1 to 1 coexisted with the tumor spheroid for 5 to 6 days and then increased in number with apparently lethal activity against the tumor spheroid. In contrast to CTLs, the increase in LAK cell numbers was scarcely observed, and the proliferated LAK cells did not show cytotoxicity against the tumor spheroid. These observations suggest that, when a small number of CTLs reach a local tumor site, they can destroy micrometer-size tumors after considerable local proliferation.

IL-17RA aptamer-mediated repression of IL-6 inhibits synovium inflammation in a murine model of osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE

Generate DNA aptamers to inhibit IL-17RA-mediated synovial inflammation in an experimental mouse model of osteoarthritis (OA).

METHODS

A novel cell-SELEX method was applied to obtain DNA aptamers specific for IL-17RA. A single-stranded (ss) DNA library with four(30) probes was synthesised. By incubating this library with NIH3T3 cells, we collected DNA ligands that could bind the cell surface. The collected ligands were incubated with IL-17RA-deficient NIH3T3 cells, and unbound ssDNA was harvested from the supernatant for the next round of selection. After 12 cycles, specific aptamers against IL-17RA were generated. For animal experiments, a meniscectomy was performed on Balb/C mice to generate an animal model of OA. Mice received weekly intra-articular (i.a.) injections of aptamers or control treatments for 6 weeks. Synovial membranes were evaluated by histomorphology and the mRNAs of critical inflammatory cytokines were measured by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTS

An aptamer termed RA10-6 was obtained that could efficiently block IL-17 binding to IL-17RA in a dose-dependent manner in vitro. Histological examination and quantitative RT-PCR results showed that OA mice that injected with RA10-6, especially in combination with celecoxib demonstrated inhibition of synovial thickening and reduction in IL-6 levels in the synovial tissue.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that RA10-6 can inhibit synovial inflammation by blocking IL-17/IL-17RA-mediated IL-6 expression. RA10-6 acted synergistically with celecoxib to inhibit IL-6 expression in synovial tissues. Thus, aptamers targeting IL-17RA might serve as potent adjunctive agents for the early treatment of OA.

Enhanced radiosensitivity of SW480 cells via TRAIL up-regulation mediated by Egr-1 promoter

Radiosensitization of cancer cells to irradiation could improve the efficacy of radiotherapy. The early transcriptional factor (Egr-1) promoter induced expression of downstream genes after irradiation. TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is known to induce apoptosis in malignant cells, but displayed little or no toxicity on normal cells. In this study, we constructed pcDNA3.1-Egr-1-TRAIL (pEgr.1-TRAIL) recombinant plasmid and evaluated its effect on human colon cancer cell line SW480. pEgr.1-TRAIL transfection combined with radiotherapy caused dramatically elevation of TRAIL expression both in mRNA and protein levels, much lower radiobiological parameters in clonogenic assays, accompanied by remarkably increase in apoptosis ratio. Furthermore, pEgr.1-TRAIL transfected cells displayed higher proportion in G0/G1 phase. Our results suggested that pEgr.1-TRAIL can sensitize SW480 cells to radiation, and the radiosensitization is related to cell cycle changes and apoptosis mediated by up-regulation of TRAIL expression. These findings support the potential future application of genetic radiotherapy against carcinoma.

Cytotoxicity and radiosensitization effect of TRA-8 on radioresistant human larynx squamous carcinoma cells

TRAIL induces apoptosis in a variety of tumorigenic and transformed cell lines, but not in many normal cells. Recent studies have demonstrated that death receptor 5 (DR5), one of the two death receptors bound by TRAIL, showed expression in most malignantly transformed cells. This study evaluated effects of a monoclonal antibody (TRA-8) to human death receptor 5, combined with ionizing radiation, on radioresistant human larynx squamous carcinoma cell line (Hep-2R). Cells were treated with TRA-8 alone or in combination with radiation, cell viability inhibition was measured by MTT assay, and the induction of apoptosis was determined by Annexin V staining. Radionsensitivity of Hep-2R cells treated with TRA-8 were investigated with long-term clonogenic assays. Regulation of DR5 expression in cells after radiation was analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence using murine TRA-8 in combination with flow cytometry. The results suggested that TRA-8 enhanced radionsensitivity of Hep-2R cells, and that TRA-8 regulated Hep-2R cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase. Irradiation up-regulated the expression of DR5, and when combined with TRA-8 yielded optimal survival benefit. Therefore, TRA-8 can be used in combination with irradiation in radioresistant human larynx squamous carcinoma cells. Monoclonal antibodies such as TRA-8 may play an important role in the development of an effective treatment strategy for patients with radioresistant cancers.

A PstI polymorphism at 3'UTR of goat POU1F1 gene and its effect on cashmere production

POU1F1 is a positive regulator for prolactin (PRL) whose metabolites may directly or indirectly affect some aspects of the hair growth cycle, therefore, POU1F1 gene is an important candidate gene for cashmere traits selection through marker-assisted selection (MAS). Hence, in this study, the PCR-RFLP method was applied to detect a T>C transition determining a PstI polymorphism at the 3'UTR of POU1F1 locus and evaluate its associations with cashmere traits in 847 Inner Mongolia White Cashmere goats. In the analyzed population, the allelic frequencies for the T and C alleles are 0.959 and 0.041, respectively and the genotypic frequencies are in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P > 0.05). Moreover, significant statistical relationships between the PstI polymorphism of POU1F1 gene and goat cashmere yields were found (*P < 0.05). When compared with TC genotype, TT genotype was associated with superior cashmere yields in 2, 4, and 5 years old individuals, as well as with average cashmere yield. Hence, TT genotype is suggested to be a molecular marker for senior cashmere yield.

Acaricidal activity of Juglans regia leaf extracts on Tetranychus viennensis and Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Acari: Tetranychidae)

Leaf extracts of the walnut, Juglans regia L., were evaluated under laboratory conditions to determine their acaricidal activity on the mites Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisduval) and Tetranychus viennensis Zacher (Acari: Tetranychidae). Extracts had both contact and systemic toxicity to these mites. The four solvents tested for preparing crude extracts were petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and methanol. Methanol was the most efficient solvent, with an extraction rate from 17.06 + 0.80 to 20.27 +/- 0.28%. Petroleum ether was the least effective solvent, with extraction rates from 2.30 +/- 0.13 to 2.71 +/- 0.13%. However, the crude extracts with petroleum ether resulted in the highest mite mortality (79.04 +/- 0.52%) in a slide dip bioassay. Mites mortalities from the concentrated extracts prepared by chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol, or distilled water were significantly lower than petroleum ether. The mean lethal concentrations (LC50) of the extracts from petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol, and distilled water to the two mite species were 0.73 +/- 0.04, 1.66 +/- 0.28, 4.96 +/- 0.35, 7.45 +/- 0.67, and 9.91 +/- 0.32 mg/ml, respectively. After liquid chromatography and thin-layer chromatography, the concentrated extracts of petroleum ether were separated into eight fractions and tested for acaricidal activity. Fraction 6 produced significantly higher mite mortality rates than the other groups, killing approximately 90% of both species.

Acaricidal activities of extracts of Kochia scoparia against Tetranychus urticae, Tetranychus cinnabarinus, and Tetranychus viennensis (Acari: Tetranychidae)

Extracts of an annual herbaceous plant, Kochia scoparia (L.) Schrad (Macrophomina), were bioassayed to determine their acaricidal activities against Tetranychus urticae Koch, Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisduval), and Tetranychus viennensis Zacher (Acari: Tetranychidae) in the laboratory. Extracts had both contact and systemic toxicity to these mites. Three solvents were tested for preparing crude extracts: petroleum ether, chloroform, and methanol. Methanol was the most effective solvent, extracting 3.11-4.53% of the acaricide. Petroleum ether was the least effective solvent, extracting 1.25-1.54%. However, extracts with chloroform resulted in the highest mite mortality (78.86%), and ultrasound-assisted extraction required the least time (10 min). Concentrated extracts were prepared using chloroform, methyl acetate, or distilled water as a solvent. Mite mortalities from the concentrated extracts by methyl acetate or distilled water were significantly lower than those by chloroform. The mean lethal concentrations (LC50) of the extracts by chloroform, methyl acetate, and distilled water to the mites were 0.71 +/- 0.06, 2.08 +/- 0.16 and 8.75 +/- 0.062 mg/ml, respectively. After liquid chromatography and thin layer chromatography, the concentrated extracts by chloroform were separated into seven groups of isolated fractions and tested for acaricidal activity.

Microwave tumour coagulation plus in situ treatment with cytokine-microparticles: induction of potent anti-residual tumour immunity

After local microwave coagulation and subsequent intra-tumoural injection of microparticles encapsulating interleukin-2 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, the anti-tumour efficacy against subcutaneous Lewis lung carcinoma in syngeneic mice was evaluated. This treatment elicited a potent systemic anti-tumour immunity that protected treated mice from re-challenge with the same tumour cells and caused the distal tumours in a bilateral tumour model to be rejected. Cytotoxicity assay indicated that both T- and natural killer cells acted as the effector cells in the anti-tumour immunity. These data highlight the feasibility of microwave-pre-treated in situ cancer vaccination for clinical use.

Incorporation and in vitro release of doxorubicin in thermally sensitive micelles made from poly(-isopropylacrylamide---dimethylacrylamide)--poly(,-lactide--glycolide) with varying compositions

Thermally sensitive block copolymers, poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-N, N-dimethylacrylamide)-b-poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) [P(NIPAAm-co-DMAAm)-b-poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA)] with different compositions and lengths of PLGA block are synthesized and utilized to fabricate micelles containing doxorubicin (DOX), a model anticancer drug, by a membrane dialysis method for targeted anticancer drug delivery. The critical association concentration (CAC) of the polymers ranges from 4.0 to 25.0 mg/L. An increased length of core-forming block PLGA leads to a decrease in the CAC. The clearly defined core-shell structure of micelles is proved by 1H-NMR analyses of the micelles in CDCl3 and D2O. The morphology of the micelles is analyzed by transmission electron microscopy, showing a spherical structure of both blank and drug-loaded micelles. The results obtained from dynamic light scattering show that the blank and drug-loaded micelles have an average size below 200 nm. The lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of the micelles made from the various polymers is similar, around 39 degrees C in phophate-buffered solution (PBS). The presence of serum in PBS does not alter the LCST significantly. The drug loading capacity varies depending on the PLGA block. The polymers are degradable, and the degradation of PLGA-based polymers is faster than that of poly(lactide) (PLA)-based polymer. The DOX-loaded micelles are stable in PBS containing serum at 37 degrees C but deform at 39.5 degrees C above the normal body temperature, thus triggering DOX release. It is revealed by confocal laser scanning microscopy that free DOX molecules enter cell nuclei very fast and DOX-loaded micelles accumulate mostly in cytoplasm after endocytosis. At a temperature above the LCST, more DOX molecules release from the micelles and enter the nuclei as compared to the temperature below the LCST. DOX-loaded micelles show greater cytotoxicity at a temperature above the LCST. The P(NIPAAm-co-DMAAm)-b-PLGA micelles developed may be a good carrier for anticancer drug delivery.

Thermally sensitive micelles self-assembled from poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-N,N-dimethylacrylamide)-b-poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) for controlled delivery of paclitaxel

Thermally sensitive micelles self-assembled from poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co- N,N-dimethylacrylamide)-b-poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide)[P(NIPAAm-co-DMAAm)-b-PLGA] are fabricated and used as a carrier for the controlled delivery of paclitaxel. Paclitaxel is efficiently loaded into the micelles by a membrane dialysis method. The lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of the micelles is 39.0 degrees C in PBS. Encapsulation efficiency and loading level of paclitaxel are affected by the initial loading level of paclitaxel, fabrication temperature and polymer composition. The blank and paclitaxel-loaded micelles are characterized by particle size analysis (DLS), morphology (TEM and AFM) and paclitaxel distribution (NMR, DSC and WAXRD). The micelles are spherical in shape, having an average size less than 130 nm. Paclitaxel is molecularly distributed within the core of micelles. Sustained release of paclitaxel is achieved, which is much faster at a temperature above the LCST than at the normal body temperature (37 degrees C). Cytotoxicity of free paclitaxel and paclitaxel-loaded micelles against a human breast carcinoma cell line (MDA-MB-435S) is studied at different temperatures. The cytotoxicity of the paclitaxol-loaded micelles is greater as compared to free paclitaxel. Enhanced cytotoxicity is achieved by the paclitaxol-loaded micelles when the environmental temperature increases slightly above the LCST. Paclitaxel-loaded P(NIPAAm-co-DMAAm)-b-PLGA micelles may provide a good formulation for cancer therapy.