Anticipation,anti-glaucoma drug treatment response and phenotype of a Chinese family with glaucoma caused by the Pro370Leu myocilin mutation

AIM: To describe the anticipation and anti-glaucoma drugs response of a Chinese family with juvenile-onset open angle glaucoma(JOAG) caused by the Pro370Leu myocilin(MYOC) mutation. ·METHODS: Fifteen members of a three-generation Chinese family with JOAG were recruited to this study. They all underwent ophthalmic common examinations. Patients suspected to have JOAG got an assessment of visual field and optical coherence tomography. Intraocular pressures(IOPs) of four patients were measured at 8,10,12,14,17 o’clock respectively after using anti-glaucoma drugs. Mutation screening of all MYOC gene coding exons of the participants was performed by using direct sequencing of PCR products. ·RESULTS: Clinical examinations and pedigree analysis revealed eight family members were suffered from JOAG. Apparent genetics anticipation phenomenon was observed in this family. Their clinical features included elevated IOP of 35-55mmHg,loss of visual field,thinning of retinal nerve fiber layer,and glaucomatous optic disc damage. Noticeably,their intraocular pressure levels could be controlled within normal range at 8 and 10 o’clock by anti-glaucoma drugs,but their IOPs would elevate 】21mmHg after 12 o’clock. Seven patients received trabeculectomy produced thin-walled,pale,and saccate filtering blebs maintaining lower intraocular pressure efficiently. Mutation screening indentified aheterozygous C→T missense mutation in the MYOC gene at position 1 109 in exon 3,corresponding to a substitution of a highly conserved proline to leucine at codon 370 in the olfactomedin domain of MYOC. ·CONCLUSION: The clinical characteristics of JOAG in this family were 1) genetics anticipation; 2) high IOP; 3) temporay response to anti-glaucoma drugs; 4) filtering surgery produced thin-walled and saccate filtering blebs,helping maintain lower IOP.

Alloying and magnetic disordering effects on phase stability of Co_(2)YGa(Y=Cr,V,and Ni)alloys:A first-principles study

The alloying and magnetic disordering effects on site occupation,elastic property,and phase stability of Co_(2)Y Ga(Y=Cr,V,and Ni)shape memory alloys are systematically investigated using the first-principles exact muffin-tin orbitals method.It is shown that with the increasing magnetic disordering degree y,their tetragonal shear elastic constant C′(i.e.,(C_(11)-C_(12))/2)of the L2_(1) phase decreases whereas the elastic anisotropy A increases,and upon tetragonal distortions the cubic phase gets more and more unstable.Co_(2)Cr Ga and Co_(2)VGa alloys with y≥0.2 thus can show the martensitic transformation(MT)from L2_(1)to D0_(22)as well as Co_(2)Ni Ga.In off-stoichiometric alloys,the site preference is controlled by both the alloying and magnetic effects.At the ferromagnetism state,the excessive Ga atoms always tend to take the Y sublattices,whereas the excessive Co atom favor the Y sites when Y=Cr,and the excessive Y atoms prefer the Co sites when Y=Ni.The Ga-deficient Y=V alloys can also occur the MT at the ferromagnetism state by means of Co or V doping,and the MT temperature TMshould increase with their addition.In the corresponding ferromagnetism Y=Cr alloys,nevertheless,with Co or Cr substituting for Ga,the reentrant MT(RMT)from D0_(22)to L2_(1)is promoted and then TMfor the RMT should decrease.The alloying effect on the MT of these alloys is finally well explained by means of the Jahn-Teller effect at the paramagnetic state.At the ferromagnetism state,it may originate from the competition between the austenite and martensite about their strength of the covalent banding between Co and Ga as well as Y and Ga.

Effect of Tegafur Gimeracil Oteracil Potassium Capsule + Kangai injection + intensity-modulated radiation therapy on the cellular malignant biological processes in advanced cervical cancer lesion

Objective:To study the effect of Tegafur Gimeracil Oteracil Potassium Capsule + Kangai injection + intensity-modulated radiation therapy on the cellular malignant biological processes in advanced cervical cancer lesion.Methods: Patients who were diagnosed with advanced cervical cancer in the Second People Hospital of Banan District Chongqing between April 2015 and March 2017 were selected and divided into two groups, group A received Tegafur Gimeracil Oteracil Potassium Capsule + Kangai injection + intensity-modulated radiation therapy, and group B received cisplatin + intensity-modulated radiation therapy. Serum contents of tumor markers, tumor invasion molecules and tumor proliferation molecules of two groups of patients were detected before treatment as well as 2 weeks and 4 weeks after treatment.Results: Serum E-cad, STMN1, Fas and p53 levels of both groups of patients 2 weeks and 4 weeks after treatment were significantly higher than those before treatment while TSGF, TK1, SCC-Ag, CA125, OPN, MMP9, NGAL, CyclinE, CyclinD1 and PCNA levels were significantly lower than those before treatment, and serum E-cad, STMN1, Fas and p53 levels of group A 2 weeks and 4 weeks after treatment were significantly higher than those of group B while TSGF, TK1, SCC-Ag, CA125, OPN, MMP9, NGAL, CyclinE, CyclinD1 and PCNA levels were significantly lower than those of group B.Conclusion: Tegafur Gimeracil Oteracil Potassium Capsule + Kangai injection + intensity-modulated radiation therapy for advanced cervical cancer can induce cancer cell apoptosis and inhibit cancer cell proliferation and invasion.

炉甘石炮制工艺及产品质量研究

目的建立最佳炉甘石煅淬水飞工艺并对产品质量进行分析。方法以水飞产品收率及氧化锌增加量为指标,对炉甘石水飞次数及用水量进行优化,进一步以煅制时间、煅淬用水量及煅淬次数为考察因素,采用L_(9)(3^(4))正交试验优化煅淬炮制工艺;对20批药材进行煅淬水飞炮制,测定产品及相应生品中氧化锌含量,分析产品质量。结果煅淬水飞最佳炮制工艺参数为:炉甘石破碎为7~9 mm的小块,700℃煅制20 min,3倍量水煅淬2次,充分研磨,加水搅拌,静置20 s,倾取悬浮液,重复操作8次,每次用水量依次为第1次40倍,第2次25倍,第3~4次20倍,第5~6次15倍,第7~8次10倍。所得产品质量与对应的生品质量有关。结论炉甘石煅淬水飞炮制工艺稳定、可靠,可用于炉甘石饮片生产。

中脘穴点按对泌尿外科腹腔镜术后胃肠功能紊乱的治疗效果

目的探讨中脘穴点按对泌尿外科腹腔镜术后胃肠功能紊乱的治疗效果。方法选取该院泌尿外科2018年6月-2018年12月腹腔镜术后24 h仍未排气排便的患者96例作为研究对象,按照入组日期分为试验组和对照组,其中试验组46例,对照组50例。试验组给予中脘穴点按,并于首次按摩后1 h加强按摩一疗程;对照组采用运动、热敷等常规治疗,并对常规治疗24 h仍未排气者按照试验组方案给予中脘穴点按。观察两组患者术后排气开始时间、排便开始时间和腹痛评分。结果试验组中39例(84.78%)患者于首次治疗90 min内排气,开始治疗后24 h内总有效率95.65%。对照组经常规治疗后仍有42例患者未排气,转入试验组接受中脘穴点按治疗,其中33例(78.57%)在首次中脘穴按摩后90 min内排气,开始穴位按摩治疗24 h内总有效率95.23%。试验组患者开始治疗后24 h的腹痛评分明显低于对照组(t=8.76,P=0.000),开始排气和排便时间均明显早于对照组(t=14.28,P=0.000;t=12.75,P=0.000)。结论中脘穴点按能有效缓解泌尿外科腹腔镜术后腹胀及排气障碍,促进患者术后早期康复、改善生活质量。

弱视患者发病机制及眼部结构的研究进展

弱视是一种儿童视觉发育关键期常见的眼科疾病,其发病机制复杂。传统观念认为弱视不会出现明显眼球器质性改变,但近年随着研究的深入,研究者们发现弱视患者不仅脑部解剖存在差异,在眼部结构也与正常人不尽相同,这为探索弱视发病机制提供了新的思路。本文就弱视患者的发病机制及眼部结构改变进行了总结,从发病机制、脉络膜厚度(CT)、眼部血管面积及密度、视网膜神经纤维层(RNFL)厚度以及弱视患者遮盖治疗后的眼部结构改变等方面进行综述。

Influence of continuous veno-venous hemofiltration on the course of acute pancreatitis

AIM: To investigate whether continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CWH) in different filtration rate to eliminate cytokines would result in different efficiency in acute pancreatitis, whether the saturation time of filter membrane was related to different filtration rate, and whether the onset time of CWH could influence the survival of acute pancreatitis.METHODS: Thirty-seven patients were classified into four groups randomly. Group 1 underwent low-volume CVVH within 48 h of the onset of abdominal pain (early CVVH,n = 9). Group 2 received low-volume CVVH after 96 h of the onset of abdominal pain (late CVVH, n = 10). Group 3underwent high-volume CWH within 48 h of the onset of abdominal pain (early CWH, n = 9). Group 4 received high-volume CWH after 96 h of theonset of abdominal pain (late CVVH, n = 9). CVVH was sustained for at least 72 h. Blood was taken before hemofiltration, and ultrafiltrate was collected at the start of CWH and every 12 h during CVVH period for the purpose of measuring the concentrations of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6. The concentrations of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were measured by swine-specific El ISA. The Solartron 1 255 B frequency response analyzer (British) was used to observe the resistance of filter membrane.RESULTS: The survival rate had a significant difference (94.44% vs68.42%, P＜0.01) high-volume and low-volume CVVH patients. The survival rate had also a significant difference (88.89% vs 73.68%, P＜0.05) between early and late CWH patients. The hemodynamic deterioration (MAP, HR, CVP) was less severe in groups 4 and 1 than that in group 2, and in group 3 than in group 4. The adsorptive saturation time of filters membranes was 120-180 min if the filtration rate was 1 000-4 000 mL/h. After the first, second and third new hemofilters were changed,serum TNF-α concentrations had a negative correlation with resistance (r: -0.91, -0.89, and -0.86, respectively in group 1; -0.89, -0.85, and -0.76, respectively in group 2;-0.88, -0.92, and -0.82, respectively in group 3; -0.84,-0.87, and -0.79, respectively in group 4). The decreasing extent of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 was significantly different between group 3 and group 1 (TNF-α P＜0.05, IL-1β P＜0.05,IL-6 P＜0.01), between group 4 and group 2 (TNF-α P＜0.05,IL-1β P＜0.05, IL-6 P＜0.01), between group 1 and group 2(TNF-α P＜0.05, IL-1β P＜0.05, IL-6 P＜0.05), and between group 3 and group 4 (TNF-α P＜0.01, IL-1β P＜0.01, IL-6P＜0.05),respectively during CVVH period. The decreasing extent of TNF-α and IL-1β was also significantly different between survival patients and dead patients (TNF-αP＜0.05, IL-1β P＜0.05).In survival patients, serum concentration of TNF-α and IL-1β decreased more significantly than that in dead patients.CONCLUSION: High-volume and early CWH improve hemodynamic deterioration and survival in acute pancreatitis patients. High-volume CVVH can eliminate cytokines more efficiently than low-volume CWH. The survival rate is related to the decrease extent of TNF-α and IL-1β.The adsorptive saturation time of filter membranes are different under different filtration rate condition. The filter should be changed timely once filter membrane adsorption is saturated.

Deep-cryogenic-treatment-induced phase transformation in the Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloy

An aluminum alloy （Al-Zn-Mg-Cu） subjected to deep cryogenic treatment （DCT） was systematically investigated. The results show that a DCT-induced phase transformation varies the microstructures and affects the mechanical properties of the Al alloy. Both Guinier-Preston （GP） zones and a metastableη′phase were observed by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The phenomenon of the second precipitation of the GP zones in samples subjected to DCT after being aged was observed. The viability of this phase transfor-mation was also demonstrated by first-principles calculations.

Cognitive magnetic resonance imaging-ultrasound fusion transperineal targeted biopsy combined with randomized biopsy in detection of prostate cancer

BACKGROUND Prostate cancer(PCa)is one of the most common cancers among men.Various strategies for targeted biopsy based on multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging(mp-MRI)have emerged,which may improve the accuracy of detecting clinically significant PCa in recent years.AIM To investigate the diagnostic efficiency of a template for cognitive MRIultrasound fusion transperineal targeted plus randomized biopsy in detecting PCa.METHODS Data from patients with an increasing prostate-specific antigen(PSA)level but less than 20 ng/mL and at least one lesion suspicious for PCa on MRI from December 2015 to June 2018 were retrospectively analyzed.All patients underwent cognitive fusion transperineal template-guided targeted biopsy followed by randomized biopsy outside the targeted area.A total of 127 patients with complete data were included in the final analysis.A multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted,and a two-sided P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.RESULTS PCa was detected in 66 of 127 patients,and 56 cases presented clinically significant PCa.Cognitive fusion targeted biopsy alone detected 59/127 cases of PCa,specifically 52/59 cases with clinically significant PCa and 7/59 cases with clinically insignificant PCa.A randomized biopsy detected seven cases of PCa negative on targeted biopsy,and four cases had clinically significant PCa.PSA density(OR:1.008,95%CI:1.003-1.012,P=0.001;OR:1.006,95%CI:1.002-1.010,P=0.004)and Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System(PI-RADS)scores(both P<0.001)were independently associated with the results of cognitive fusion targeted biopsy combined with randomized biopsy and targeted biopsy alone.CONCLUSION This single-centered study proposed a feasible template for cognitive MRIultrasound fusion transperineal targeted plus randomized biopsy.Patients with higher PSAD and PI-RADS scores were more likely to be diagnosed with PCa.

Anti-hepatoma Effect of DC2.4 Cells Transfected with Tumor-Associated Antigen Cdc25C In Vitro

Objective Cell division cyclin 25 homolog C(Cdc25C)is a tumor-associated antigen candidate gene,and this may be used as an effective target in cancer treatment.The present study aims to evaluate the lysis effect of cytotoxic T lymphocytes(CTLs)induced by dendritic cell line DC2.4 overexpressing Cdc25C,and the feasibility of Cdc25C as a component in hepatoma immunotherapy.Methods The mouse Cdc25C gene was ligated into a lentiviral vector,and transfected into DC2.4 cells.The DC2.4 cell phenotype and cytokine secretion were determined by flow cytometry and ELISA,respectively.CD8^(+)T cells were sorted from the spleens of C57BL/6 mice using a magnetic bead sorting kit obtained from Miltenyi Biotech,Germany,and co-cultured with DC2.4 cells for one week as effector cells.Then,IL-2,granzyme B and perforin were detected in the CTL culture medium by ELISA.Next,time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay was used to detect the immune killing effect of Cdc25C-specific CTLs on target cells.Meanwhile,the effect of blocking MHC-I sites on target cells with a monoclonal anti-MHC-I antibody was evaluated.Results The results revealed that Cdc25C could be stably overexpressed in DC2.4 cells by LV-Cdc25C infection.DC2.4 cells transfected with LV-Cdc25C secreted more IL-6,IL-12,TNF-αand IFN-γ,and had higher expression levels of CD40,CD86,CCR7 and MHC-II than unaltered DC2.4 cells.The elevated Cdc25C in dendritic cells also further increased the secretion of IL-2,granzyme B and perforin to elicit Cdc25C-specific CTLs,and induced the higher cytotoxicity in Hepa1-6 cell lines(P<0.05),but this had no effect on the target cells when MHC-I monoclonal antibodies were blocked.Conclusion DC2.4 cells transfected with LV-Cdc25C can induce specific CTLs,and result in a strong cellular immune response.The dendritic cells that overexpress Cdc25C may be useful for hepatoma immunotherapy.

Effect of secretory IgA combined with conventional anti-infectious drugs on inflammatory response and immune response in children with upper respiratory tract infection

Objective: To investigate the effect of secretory IgA combined with conventional anti-infectious drugs on inflammatory response and immune response in children with upper respiratory tract infection. Methods: A total of 130 children with upper respiratory tract infection who were treated in the hospital between February 2016 and February 2017 were divided into control group and secretory IgA group by random number table method, each group with 65 cases. Control group received routine anti-infectious drug treatment, and secretory IgA group received the secretory IgA combined with conventional anti-infectious drug treatment, which lasted for 1 week. The differences in serum levels of routine inflammatory factors, fat inflammatory factors and immunoglobulin were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in serum levels of normal inflammatory factors, fat inflammatory factors and immunoglobulin between the two groups before treatment. After 1 week of treatment, serum conventional inflammatory factors CRP, IL-1 and IL-8 levels of secretory IgA group were lower than those of control group;serum fat inflammatory factors SAA and Chemerin levels were lower than those of control group whereas Leptin level was higher than that of control group;serum immunoglobulin IgA, IgG and IgM contents were higher than those of control group. Conclusion: The secretory IgA combined with conventional anti-infectious drugs can effectively inhibit the systemic inflammatory response and enhance the humoral immune response in children with upper respiratory tract infection.

Clinical characterization of refractory virus-related inflammation inside aqueous outflow pathways in Chinese immunocompetent patients

To the Editor: Posner-Schlossmann syndrome (PSS), also known as glaucomatocyclitic crisis, is characterized by acute, unilateral, recurrent attacks of ocular hypertension, mild non-granulomatous anterior uveitis (AU), and spontaneous recovery. However, the etiology of this disease is unknown. Many mechanisms have been proposed including viral infection, autoimmune, autonomic dysregulation, allergic conditions and vascular endothelial dysfunction.[1] Topical anti-hypertensives and anti-inflammatory medications are typically prescribed to combat this disease. Repeated attacks may lead to longterm glaucomatous optic nerve damage over 5–10 years after the first episode. Because the pathophysiology is not completely understood, treatment and prevention of recurrences has proven to be difficult.

Differentially Gene Expression Profile Related to Inflammation in Endometrial Cells Induce by Lipopolysaccharide

Objective To investigate differentially expressed genes related to inflammation in endometrial cells induced by Lipopolysaccharide（LPS）. Methods Normal endometrium in the proliferative phase of specimen from 3 cases for the experiment was collected. The LPS group were treated with 50 μg/ml LPS. Total RNA was extracted using Trizol reagent from cells. RNA quality was assessed by determining the OD260/280 ratio by agarose gel electrophoresis, the chip was scanned by laser scanner. The acquired was analyzed. Results A total of differentially expressed genes were found, these genes were relative to many aspects. Among them, the expression of genes involved in inflammation were up-regulated by LPS, such as overexpression of IL-1β, 8, etc. Conclusion The results indicates that inflammation-related genes may be one of the mechanisms of abnormal uterine bleeding by LPS-induced.

Proteomic analysis of seed germination under salt stress in soybeans

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) is a salt-sensitive crop,and its production is severely affected by saline soils.Therefore,the response of soybean seeds to salt stress during germination was investigated at both physiological and proteomic levels.The salt-tolerant cultivar Lee68 and salt-sensitive cultivar N2899 were exposed to 100 mmol/L NaCl until radicle protrusion from the seed coat.In both cultivars,the final germination percentage was not affected by salt,but the mean germination times of Lee68 and N2899 were delayed by 0.3 and 1.0 d,respectively,compared with controls.In response to salt stress,the abscisic acid content increased,and gibberellic acid (GA1+3) and isopentenyladenosine decreased.Indole-3-acetic acid increased in Lee68,but remained unchanged in N2899.The proteins extracted from germinated seeds were separated using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE),followed by Coomassie brilliant blue G-250 staining.About 350 protein spots from 2-DE gels of pH range 3 to 10 and 650 spots from gels of pH range 4 to 7 were reproducibly resolved,of which 18 protein spots showed changes in abundance as a result of salt stress in both cultivars.After matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight-mass spectroscopy (MALDI-TOF-MS) analysis of the differentially expressed proteins,the peptide mass fingerprint was searched against the soybean UniGene database and nine proteins were successfully identified.Ferritin and 20S proteasome subunit β-6 were up-regulated in both cultivars.Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase,glutathione S-transferase (GST) 9,GST 10,and seed maturation protein PM36 were down-regulated in Lee68 by salt,but still remained at a certain level.However,these proteins were present in lower levels in control N2899 and were up-regulated under salt stress.The results indicate that these proteins might have important roles in defense mechanisms against salt stress during soybean seed germination.

Evaluation of the Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer in Patients with Prostate-specific Antigen 〈20 ng/ml

Background： The European Society of Urogenital Radiology has built the Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System （PI-RADS） for standardizing the diagnosis of prostate cancer （PCa）. This study evaluated the PI-RADS diagnosis method in patients with prostate-specific antigen （PSA） 〈20 ng/ml. Methods： A total of 133 patients with PSA 〈20 ng/ml were prospectively recruited. T2-weighted （T2WI） and diffusion-weighted （DWI） magnetic resonance images of the prostate were acquired before a 12-core transrectal prostate biopsy. Each patient＇s peripheral zone was divided into six regions on the images; each region corresponded to two of the 12 biopsy cores. T2WI, DWI, and T2W1 ＋ DWI scores were computed according to PI-RADS. The diagnostic accuracy of the PI-RADS score was evaluated using histopathology of prostate biopsies as the reference standard. Results： PCa was histologically diagnosed in 169 （21.2%） regions. Increased PI-RADS score correlated positively with increased cancer detection rate. The cancer detection rate for scores 1 to 5 was 2.8%, 15.0%, 34.6%, 52.6%, and 88.9%, respectively, using T2W1 and 12.0%, 20.2%, 48.0%, 85.7%, and 93.3%, respectively, using DWI. For T2WI ＋ DWI, the cancer detection rate was 1.5% （score 2）, 13.5% （scores 3-4）, 41.3% （scores 5-6）, 75.9% （scores 7-8）, and 92.3% （scores 9-10）. The area under the curve for cancer detection was 0.700 （T2WI）, 0.735 （DWI） and 0.749 （T2WI ＋ DWI）. The sensitivity and specificity were 53.8% and 89.2%, respectively, when The summed score ofT2Wl ＋ DWI

PTEN-L promotes type I interferon responses and antiviral immunity

Phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten(PTEN)is a well-known tumor suppressor that acts as a dual-specificity phosphatase and is frequently mutated in human cancer.Our previous work has demonstrated that PTEN also plays a vital role in type I interferon responses and antiviral innate immunity.Recently,a translational variant of PTEN with a long N-terminal extension(PTEN-L)has been discovered that is secreted into the extracellular environment and enters recipient cells,where it exerts a phosphatase function antagonistic to PI3K/Akt signaling and tumorigenesis.In this study,we demonstrate that PTEN-L promotes type I interferon responses and antiviral innate immunity during viral infection in a phosphatase activity-dependent manner.Compared with canonical PTEN,PTEN-L also exerts its antiviral function when it is applied exogenously in protein form.This finding was confirmed in cell cultures and mouse infection models.Furthermore,PTEN-L enhances the responses of both type I interferon and proinflammatory cytokines,thus suggesting that PTEN-L might possess additional functions compared with those of PTEN.Thus,the antiviral function of PTEN-L may open an avenue for the use of PTEN-L in antiviral therapy,particularly in patients with PTEN-deficient tumors.

Differentiation of Lymphoma Presenting as Retroperitoneal Mass and Retroperitoneal Fibrosis： Evaluation with Multidetector-row Computed Tomography

Background： Retroperitoneal fibrosis （RPF） and lymphoma presenting as retroperitoneal mass may closely resemble each other and misdiagnosis may occur. This study investigated the differential imaging features of RPF and lymphoma which presented as a retroperitoneal soft tissue using multidetector-row computed tomography （MDCT）. Methods： The 42 consecutive patients were included in this retrospective review, including 19 RPF patients （45.2%; including 13 males and 6 females; mean age： 56.7 ± 6.2 years） and 23 patients with lymphoma （54.8%： including 14 males and 9 females： mean age： 57.4 ± 12.3 years）. An array of qualitative computed tomography （CT） features of lesions in 42 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed untreated RPF and lymphoma were retrospectively analyzed. The quantitative size of the lesion at the para-aortic region and attenuation in the precontrast, arterial, and portal phases were calculated in regions of interest and compared between the patients with newly diagnosed untreated RPF and with lymphoma. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to assess the potential diagnostic value of each quantitative parameter. Inter-reader concordance was also calculated. Results： Mean ages between patients with RPF and lymphoma were not significantly different （56.7 ±6.2 years vs. 57.4 ± 12.3 years P = 0.595）. Compared to those in patients with lymphoma, homogeneous enhancement （65.2% vs. 94.7%, P = 0.027） and pelvic extension （52.2% vs. 89.5%, P= 0.017） were significantly more common while the involvement of additional nodes （78.3% vs. 5.3%, P 〈 0.001）, suprarenal extension （60.9% vs. 15.8%, P = 0.004）, and aortic displacement （43.5% vs. 5.3%, P 0.006） were significantly less common in patients with RPF. Lesion size at the para-aorta was significantly greater in patients with lymphoma, compared with RPF patients （3.9 ± 1.2 cm vs. 1.8 ± 0.6 cm; P 〈 0.001 ）. The attenuation values in three phases were not significantly different between patients with RPF and lymphoma. Inter-reader concordance for subjective features ranged from very good to excellent （range： 85.7 100.0%）. Conclusions： This study showed that MDCT can help differentiate between untreated RPF and lymphonla on the basis of qualitative CT features and lesion sizes. Differentiating RPF from lymphoma on the basis of attenuation values in the precontrast, arterial, and portal phases was difficult to accomplish.

Non-Structural Protein 5 of Zika Virus Interacts with p53 in Human Neural Progenitor Cells and Induces p53-Mediated Apoptosis

Zika virus(ZIKV) infection could disrupt neurogenesis and cause microcephaly in neonates by targeting neural progenitor cells(NPCs). The tumor suppressor p53-mediated cell cycle arrest and apoptotic cell death have been suggested to be activated upon ZIKV infection, yet the detailed mechanism is not well understood. In the present study, we investigated the effects of ZIKV-encoded proteins in the activation of p53 signaling pathway and found that, among the ten viral proteins,the nonstructural protein 5(NS5) of ZIKV most significantly activated the transcription of p53 target genes. Using the immunoprecipitation-coupled mass spectrometry approach, we identified that ZIKV-NS5 interacted with p53 protein. The NS5-p53 interaction was further confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation and GST pull-down assays. In addition, the MTase domain of NS5 and the C-terminal domain of p53 were mapped to be responsible for the interaction between these two proteins. We further showed that ZIKV-NS5 was colocalized with p53 and increased its protein level in the nuclei and able to prolong the half-life of p53. Furthermore, lentivirus-mediated expression of ZIKV-NS5 in hNPCs led to an apparent cell death phenotype. ZIKV-NS5 promoted the cleavage of PARP1 and significantly increased the cell apoptosis of h NPCs.Taken together, these findings revealed that ZIKV-NS5 is a previously undiscovered regulator of p53-mediated apoptosis in hNPCs, which may contribute to the ZIKV-caused abnormal neurodevelopment.

AuNPs/graphene Hybrids-Based Enzyme-Free Plasmonic Immunoassay for Respiratory Syncytial Virus Detection

Accurate diagnosis of early infections caused by the viral pathogen is a major challenge because patients usually have nonspecific signs.The development of sensitive,reliable,robust,and rapid laboratory tools is still in high demand.Herein,we developed an extremely sensitive and affordable plasmonic immunoassay for respiratory syncytial virus(RSV)detection with the naked eye based on gold nanoparticles(AuNPs)/graphene hybrids combined with metal enhancement solution.The limit of detection was found to be 1.7 fg/mL,which was 100 times higher than that of the AuNPs-based method.The ultrahigh sensitivity could be attributed to the large number of well-dispersed AuNPs deposited on the graphene surface,which had an extremely high relative surface area.Further signal amplification was achieved by catalytic enlargement of AuNPs with HAuCl_(4)-NH_(2)OH redox reaction.Moreover,the plasmonic immunoassay was successfully used to detect RSV in artificial serum samples,showing great potential in practical applications.

Carbon dots prepared for fluorescence and chemiluminescence sensing

Carbon dots(CDs) have attracted considerable research interest in recent years due to their unique optical properties, chemical inertness, facile synthesis from a wide range of starting materials, and advantages over classic quantum dots and organic dyes.Various methods have been developed for preparing the CDs, including chemical oxidation, hydro/solvothermal method,electrochemical method, microwave-assisted synthesis, and direct carbonization method. Importantly, the superior electronic properties of CDs including efficient light harvesting and prominent photoinduced electron transfer have aroused considerable attention in fluorescence(FL) and chemiluminescence(CL) sensing field. In this review, we aim to demonstrate the recent progress of CDs in the synthesis, FL and CL sensing applications. This review gives new insights into how to use different synthetic methods to tune the structure of the CDs, with the major focus on FL and CL sensing.