Detection of circulating hepatocellular carcinoma cells in peripheral venous blood by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction

Objective: To detect circulating hepatocellular carcino-ma by demonstrating hepatocellular carcinoma cells orhepatocyte-associated mRNA in the nuclear cell com-ponent of peripheral blood (PBL).Methods: Peripheral blood (5 ml) samples were ob-tained from 93 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) and from 33 control subjects (9 with liver cir-rhosis after hepatitis B,14 with chronic hepatitis B,10with normal liver function). To identify HCC cells inperipheral blood, liver-specific human alpha-fetopro-tein (AFP) mRNA was amplified from total RNA ex-tracted from whole blood by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.Results: AFPmRNA was detected in 50 blood samplesfrom the HCC patients (50/93, 53.8%). In contrast,there were no clinical control patients whose samplesshowed detectable AFPmRNA in PBL. The presence ofAFPmRNA in blood seemed to be correlated with thestage (by TNM classification) of HCC, the serum AFPvalue, and the presence of intrahepatic metastasis,portal vein thrombosis, tumor diameter and/or distantmetastasis. In addition, AFPmRNA was detected in theblood of 21 patients with metastasis at extrahepaticorgans (100%) in contrast to 29 (40.3%)of 72 pa-tients without metastasis.Conclusion: The presence of AFPmRNA in peripheralblood may be an indicator of malignant hepatocytes,which might predict hematogenous spreading metasta-sis of tumor cells in patients with HCC.

Quantification of Porcine Follicle-stimulating Hormone Receptor Messenger Ribonucleic Acid by Reverse Transcription competitive Polymerase Chain Reaction

An easy and reliable method was developed for construction and quantification of competitive templates, which shared the same sequence as the amplified target DNA except for a 20 bp insertion in the middle by recombinant polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Among the advantages of competitive PCR is that any predictable or unpredictable variable that affects amplification has the same effect on both target and competitor species and that the final ratio of amplified products reflects exactly the initial targets. The utilization of a thermostable reverse transcriptase in the RT step was proposed to overcome the problem of the efficiency of target cDNA synthesis. In addition, to obtain reliable measurements, it was recommended to perform four PCR with amounts of competitive template flanking the concentration of the target mRNA.

Exogenous reference gene normalization for real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis under dynamic endogenous transcription

Quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction （qPCR） is widely used to investigate transcriptional changes following experimental manipulations to the nervous system. Despite the widespread utilization of qPCR, the interpretation of results is marred by the lack of a suitable reference gene due to the dynamic nature of endogenous transcription. To address this inherent deficiency, we investigated the use of an exogenous spike-in mRNA, luciferase, as an internal reference gene for the 2ct normalization method. To induce dynamic transcription, we systemically administered capsaicin, a neurotoxJn selective for C-type sensory neurons expressing the TRPV-1 receptor, to adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. We later isolated nodose ganglia for qPCR analysis with the reference being either exogenous luciferase mRNA or the commonly used endogenous reference 13-111 tubulin. The exogenous luciferase mRNA reference clearly demonstrated the dynamic expression of the endogenous reference. Furthermore, variability of the endogenous reference would lead to misinterpretation of other genes of interest. In conclusion, traditional reference genes are often unstable under physiologically normal situations, and certainly unstable following the damage to the nervous system. The use of exogenous spike-in reference provides a consistent and easily implemented alternative for the analysis of qPCR data.

Hepatitis C virus in human B lymphocytes transformed by Epstein-Barr virus in vitro by in situ reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction

AIM: To study persistence and replication of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in patients' peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) cultured in vitro. METHODS: Epstein Barr virus (EBV) was used to transform the hepatitis C virus from a HCV positive patient to permanent lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCL). Positive and negative HCV RNA strands of the cultured cells and growth media were detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) each month. Core and NS5 proteins of HCV were further tested using immunohistochemical SP method and in situ RT-PCR. RESULTS: HCV RNA positive strands were consistently detected the cultured cells for one year. The negative-strand RNA in LCL cells and the positive-strand RNA in supernatants were observed intermittently. Immunohistochemical results medicated expression of HCV NS3 and C proteins in LCL cytoplasm mostly. The positive signal of PCR product was dark blue and mainly localized to the LCL cytoplasm. The RT-PCR signal was eliminated by overnight RNase digestion but not DNase digestion. CONCLUSION: HCV may exist and remain functional in a cultured cell line for a long period.

Detection of hepatocellular carcinoma cells in the peripheral blood with reverse--transcription polymerase chain reaction

In order to detect circulating cells of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) in the peripheral blood with reverse transcripition polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR ), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP ) mRNA was tested in the blood samples of 113 cases of HCC and 69 controls (including 30 cases of liver cirrhosis, 9 cases of metastatic liver cancer and 30 normal subjects). 20/43 (46. 5% ) cases of HCC and 2/30 (6. 7% ) cases of liver cirrhosis are positive and the cases of nletastatic liver cancer and normal controls were negative for human AFP(hAFP) rnRNA. The presence of hAFP mRNA in the peripheral blood seems to be correlated with intrahepatic and distant nletastasls of HCC and portal vein thrombosis. It is concluded that the presence of hAFP mRNA in the peripheral hloocl is an indicator of circulating HCC cells and can be used to diagnose the rnetastasisof HCC through henlatogenous route and RT-PCR amplification of hAFP mRNA is a sensitive and specificprocedure for detecting circulating cells of HCC.

Small Amplicons Mutation Library for Vaccine Screening by Error-Prone Polymerase Chain Reaction

Library construction is a common method used to screen target genes in molecular biology.Most library constructions are not suitable for a small DNA library(<100 base pair(bp))and low RNA library output.To maximize the library’s complexity,error-prone polymerase chain reaction(PCR)was used to increase the base mutation rate.After introducing the DNA fragments into the competent cell,the library complexity could reach 109.Library mutation rate increased exponentially with the dilution and amplification of error-prone PCR.The error-prone PCR conditions were optimized including deoxyribonucleotide triphosphate(dNTP)concentration,Mn^(2+)concentration,Mg^(2+)concentration,PCR cycle number,and primer length.Then,a RNA library with high complexity can be obtained by in vitro transcription to meet most molecular biological screening requirements,and can also be used for mRNA vaccine screening.

Quantification of mRNA Levels by Fluorescently Labelled Reverse Transcription Competitive PCR

A reproducible,quantitative,non-radioactive method for the analysis of mRNA expression is described.After RNA preparation and cDNA synthesis,the cDNA was co-amplified with an internal standard in the same PCR system.The PCR products containing both targen and internal standard amplificates were electrophoresed and detected on an ABI 377 DNA Sequencer.For each sample,β-actin was also quantified by an identical procedure to compensate for relative differences between samples in the integrity of the individual RNA samples and for variations in reverse transcription.Due to the linear relationship between cDNA content and PCR product ratio of target cDNA template and competitive standard,a single PCR reaction was sufficient for quantification of a sample.The experimental results showed that the method is a mRNA quantitative RT-PCR method with high sensitivity and good reproducibility.It can be used in large-scale accurate quantitative analyses of mRNA expression of any gene.

Detection of SYT-SSX fusion transcripts in paraffin-embedded tissues of synovial sarcoma by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction

OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility of detecting SYT-SSX fusion transcripts in paraffin-embedded tissues of synovial sarcoma by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). METHODS: RT-PCR was used to amplify the SYT-SSX fusion transcripts using archival formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor specimens from a series of 37 synovial sarcoma cases. To investigate the specificity of the SYT-SSX fusion transcripts, a variety of non-synovial sarcoma tumors were included in the study as negative controls. The detected messages derived from fusion genes were confirmed by subsequent sequence analysis. RESULTS: SYT-SSX fusion transcripts were detected in 33 of 37 (89.2%) synovial sarcomas. None of the 34 cases of non-synovial sarcoma tumors showed amplified products of SYT-SSX fusion transcripts, although PBGD mRNA was detected in all specimens. Among 33 SYT-SSX-positive synovial sarcomas, 22 tumors had an SYT-SSX 1 fusion transcript, whereas 6 tumors had an SYT-SSX2 fusion transcript. Fusion types can not be distinguished in the remaining 5 cases. There was a significant relationship between SYT-SSX fusion type and histologic subtype. All 10 biphasic synovial sarcomas had the SYT-SSX1 fusion, whereas all tumors with SYT-SSX2 were of monophasic morphology (P

复合探针实时荧光RT-PCR法检测小儿上呼吸道感染甲型流感病毒的价值

目的 分析小儿上呼吸道感染甲型流感病毒应用复合探针实时荧光反转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)法检测的临床价值。方法选择2023年1月至2023年12月流感监测信息系统两家监测点上呼吸道感染甲型流感病毒感染的患儿80例监测标本进行回顾性分析,均开展复合探针实时荧光RT-PCR法检测,分析其诊断价值。结果 根据监测标本最终诊断结果显示,阳性标本68例、阴性标本12例。经复合探针实时荧光RT-PCR法检出67例,检出率为83.75%,敏感度为95.59%、特异度为83.33%、准确度为93.75%、阳性结果预测值为97.01%、阴性结果预测值为76.92%;批间批内变异系数均小于5%。结论 小儿上呼吸道感染甲型流感病毒应用复合探针实时荧光RT-PCR技术具有较高的敏感度、特异度及准确度,且检查结果快速,可为小儿上呼吸道感染甲型流感病变提供可靠的诊断,有利于制订合理的治疗方案。

帕利亚姆病毒实时荧光定量RT-PCR检测方法的建立与应用

本研究拟建立帕利亚姆病毒(Palyam virus,PALV)血清型特异性实时荧光定量RT-PCR(qRT-PCR)方法用于临床样本或媒介中PALV血清型鉴定。根据我国流行PALV毒株的基因节段2序列,设计扩增引物和TaqMan探针,建立PALV血清型特异型qRT-PCR方法,对方法的特异性、灵敏性与重复性进行评估;以我国分离的28株PALV和90份核酸阳性血液样本评估检测方法的可靠性;利用建立的方法对采集库蠓样本中携带的PALV进行血清型鉴定。结果显示,建立的PALV血清型qRT-PCR检测方法具有良好的特异性与灵敏性,可检出核酸拷贝数下限在22至28 copies·μL^(-1)。对28株PALV的qRT-PCR检测结果与病毒测序鉴定结果一致;对PALV不同感染阶段哨兵动物血液(90份)中的qRT-PCR鉴定结果与分离病毒的血清型鉴定结果一致;建立的方法可准确鉴定库蠓中携带PALV的血清型。本研究建立的PALV血清型qRT-PCR定型方法具有良好的特异强、敏感性与重复性,可用于PALV感染动物与媒介中PALV血清型的鉴定,具有良好的应用价值。

基于直扩RT-PCR技术的寨卡病毒快速检测方法的建立

目的建立基于直扩实时荧光定量逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)技术的寨卡病毒快速检测方法。方法采用特殊功能的DNA聚合酶,以及优选PCR增强剂,以此建立直扩RT-PCR技术的寨卡病毒快速检测5种样本(全血、血清、唾液、咽拭子和尿)的方法。结果5种样本检测限分别为血清103 PFU/mL,尿、咽拭子和唾液102 PFU/mL,全血104 PFU/mL,标准曲线的拟合优度的可决系数均在0.98以上,扩增效率均在90%~110%;寨卡病毒核酸成功扩增,非寨卡病毒核酸均未能扩增;尿、全血和唾液样本的重复性实验中106 PFU/mL和102 PFU/mL两个浓度的6个重复Ct值的变异系数均<5%。该研究建立的直扩RT-PCR技术的寨卡病毒检测方法与常规RT-PCR技术的检测结果一致,8个寨卡病毒样本,均只检测出2个血清样本,其余62个非寨卡病毒样本及12个阴性样本均未得到扩增。结论成功建立基于直扩RT-PCR技术的寨卡病毒快速检测方法,该方法简便快捷且灵敏度高、特异度强。

RT-PCR法在沙门菌检测及血清分型鉴定中的应用价值研究

目的:探讨反转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)法在沙门菌检测及血清分型鉴定中的应用价值。方法:选择2022年8月至2024年1月本疾控中心收治的456例腹泻患者的粪便标本,均行细菌培养和RT-PCR检测,记录RT-PCR鉴定沙门菌血清分型结果,以细菌培养结果作为金标准,分析RT-PCR鉴定沙门菌的价值及其与细菌培养的一致性,对比细菌培养、RT-PCR鉴定沙门菌的费用及操作时间。结果:456例腹泻中经细菌培养共检出沙门菌78株,RT-PCR检出85株,RT-PCR检测敏感度为97.44%(76/78),特异度为96.83%(366/378),准确度为96.93%(442/456),阳性预测值为89.41%(76/85),阴性预测值为99.46%(366/368);RT-PCR鉴定沙门菌结果与细菌培养一致性较高(kappa值=0.897,P<0.001);RT-PCR鉴定结果与细菌培养完全一致有73株,符合率为93.59%,其中里森沙门菌、鼠伤寒沙门菌、德尔卑沙门菌、姆班达卡沙门菌4种优势血清型结果完全一致,而与细菌培养鉴定不一致菌株5株;RT-PCR鉴定沙门菌操作时间为(0.30±0.07)天,费用(100.22±6.52)元,细菌培养鉴定沙门菌的操作时间为(2.82±0.25)天,费用为(300.52±12.16)元,RT-PCR鉴定沙门菌的费用及操作时间均低于细菌培养,差异有统计学意义(P<0.001)。结论:RT-PCR法可准确检出沙门菌,判断沙门菌血清分型,与细菌培养结果具有较高的一致性,且操作用时短、所需费用低,可应用于沙门菌检测。

SEQUENCE ANALYSIS OF THE NS5 REGION OF GBVC/HGV AND DETECTION OF THE VIRUS BY REVERSE TRANSCRIPTASE PCR

GBV C/HGV is a newly identified virus associated with human hepatitis In this study, the nucleotide sequences of the partial NS5 gene of GBV C/HGV derived from sera of 8 Chinese patients were determined The nucleotide homology among the 8 isolates were 92% on average On the basis of sequence analysis, two sets of oligonucleotide primers derived from highly conserved region of GBV C/HGV NS5 gene were designed to establish both sensitive and specific nested PCR for detection of GBV C/HGV RNA 253 Chinese patients were examined for the virus RNA GBV C/HGV RNA positive rates in patients infected with HBV, HCV and patients with chronic non B,non C hepatitis were 18 4%, 19 8% and 8 9% respectively This result suggested that HBV,HCV and GBV C/HGV shared the same transmission risk factors 8 patients with GBV C/HGV and HCV coinfection were retrospectively observed for the response to interferon Coinfection with GBV/HGV did not negatively influence the responsiveness of HCV, and GBV C/HGV was sensitive to interferon to a certain degree

Comparison of the Tellgenplex HPV DNA test with the PCR-reverse dot blot assay for human papillomavirus genotyping

Objective: To access the performance of the Tellgenplex human papillomavirus(HPV) DNA test compared to the polymerase chain reaction-reverse dot blot(PCR-RDB) assay for the HPV genotyping.Methods: Sixty cervical swab samples were genotyped by the Tellgenplex HPV DNA test and the PCR-RDB assay.The Tellgenplex HPV DNA test and the PCR-RDB assay can detect 26 and 23 HPV genotypes, respectively.Each sample showed discrepancy was genotyped using sequencing.Results: The percent agreement between the two tests ranged from 83.3% to 100.0% according to different genotype.This showed perfect agreement(>0.81) for high-risk HPV genotypes(35, 39, 45, 53, 56, 59, 66, 68, and 82), substantial agreement(>0.65) for high-risk HPV genotypes(16, 18, 33, 52, and 58) and low-risk HPV genotype 43 between the two assays by the kappa analysis.The positive rates of the two assays for frequent HPV genotypes(16, 35, 39, 45, 52, 53, 58, 59, 66, and 82) were not statistically different, but the PCR-RDB assay showed higher positive rates than the Tellgenplex HPV DNA test for HPV genotypes 81(P<0.05).As for more than 10 positive results by the Tellgenplex HPV DNA test and/or the PCR-RDB assay, the PCR-RDB assay showed higher relative sensitivity and specificity than the Tellgenplex HPV DNA test for the three HPV genotypes(16, 52, and 81).All HPV genotypes that can be detected by only the Tellgenplex HPV DNA test(HPV genotypes 44 and 55) were confirmed by sequencing.Conclusions: In conclusion, our results demonstrated that the PCR-RDB assay which can detect more multiple HPV genotypes in each specimen shows higher relative sensitivity and specificity than the Tellgenplex HPV DNA test, which makes it a better option for routine clinical use.

Abnormal expression of VEGF and its gene transcription status as diagnostic indicators in patients with non-small cell lung cancer

Objective Angiogenesis is known to be essential for the survival,growth,invasion,and metastasis of lung cancer cells. Vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) is an important factor regulating angiogenesis of non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC); however,its pathologic features and significance are unclear. In this study,the tissue VEGF expression levels and its gene transcriptional status,as well as circulating VEGF levels,were investigated in patients with lung disease. Methods VEGF protein and m RNA expression levels in 38 lung tissue samples were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR),respectively. Circulating VEGF levels were detected quantitatively by an enzyme linked immuno-sorbent assay. Results The level of VEGF expression was significantly higher in lung cancer tissue than in the corresponding paracancerous or non-cancerous tissues. The average level of VEGF-positive staining was 76% in tissue samples from NSCLC patients; the levels were 89% in tissue samples from stage III patients and 92% in stage IV patients. High VEGF expression was also evident in cases with lymph node metastasis(84%),distant metastasis(90%),and lower differentiation degree(89%). VEGF m RNA in cancerous tissues was represented predominantly by the VEGF121 and VEGF165 isoforms. Circulating VEGF levels were significantly higher in NSCLC patients [(840 ± 324) pg/m L] than in patients with benign lung diseases [(308 ± 96) pg/m L] or in healthy individuals serving as controls [(252 ± 108) pg/m L]. Conclusion The over-expression of lung VEGF and its gene transcription status should be useful molecular indicators for NSCLC diagnosis.

A rapid reverse dot blot assay for all 18 β-thalassemia mutations in Chinese population

A set of allele-specific oligonucleotide (ASO) probes used for detecting all 18 β-tha-lassemia mutations found in Chinese was immobilized on two strips of Biodyne C membrane;one containing 7 pairs of oligonucleotide probes specific for the most commonly found mutant al-leles,and the other containing the remaining 11 pairs of ASO_s specific for the less commonlyfound.The membranes were hybridized with β-globin sequences amplified by polymerase chainreaction (PCR) with biotinylated primers,and then treated with Streptavidin-POD conjugateand substrates for color development.The method has been applied successfully to the detectionof all 18 Chinese β-thalassemia mutations and prenatal diagnosis of two high-risk pregnancies ofβ-thalassemia.Patients with homozygous,heterozygous and compound heterozygous alleles ofthese mutations and normal individuals could be easily distinguished by the present method.Us-ing the immobilized-probe format (reverse dot blot),it was able to screen simultaneously multi-ple β-thalassemia mutations of a DNA sample by performing hybridization only once.This assayis simple,rapid and independent of radio-isotopes and can be appplied for all 18 β-thalassemiamutations so far found in Chinese population.It is considered that this method may be usefulfor gene frequency investigation of large numbers of β-thalassemia DNA samples and used as aroutine method in the clinic laboratory.

Investigation of SRY Gene in Sex Reversed Syndrome Patients

SRY (sex-determining region Y chromosome) is considered as a strong candidste for the TDF (testis determining factor) and has been cloned following another candidate ZFY (zinc finger protein gene). In this study,eight cases of sex revelsal, including four 46, XX males and four 46, XY females aere examined for the presence of SRY sequence and a Y-repeated DNA locus. Our data indicated that the genownic DNA of the four classical 46,XX males had the SRY sequences. On the other hand, both SRY sequences and Ye repeated DNA sequences were present in all four 46, XY females.These resultssuavest that SAY sequences were responsible for the sexraversal of 46, XX males Whereas there may be other genetic mechanisms forthe sex reversal of 46, XY females Without the lack of SRY sequences.

柯萨奇病毒A组5型实时荧光RT-PCR检测方法的建立与评价

目的建立柯萨奇病毒A组5型(CVA5)特异的一步法实时荧光反转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)核酸检测方法。方法以流行于遵义地区的CVA5病毒株和NCBI基因库中随机下载的CVA5 VP1基因序列作为参考序列,分析这些序列的保守区域,在其保守区设计特异性的引物与Taqman探针,建立检测CVA5的一步法实时荧光RT-PCR。通过构建含CVA5 VP1保守区域的重组质粒,绘制标准曲线,并对检测方法的灵敏度、特异性、重复性及临床样本检出限进行评价。利用该方法对遵义地区273份未明确分型的肠道病毒阳性样本进行检测,将检出的部分CVA5阳性产物进行测序。结果成功建立一种基于实时荧光RT-PCR的CVA5检测方法,该方法在10^(4)~10^(9)copy/mL范围内具有良好的线性关系(R 2>0.999),平均扩增效率为102.26%。灵敏度高,对临床样本的检出限为103copy/mL。该方法的特异性强,与柯萨奇病毒A组2型(CVA2)、柯萨奇病毒A组4型(CVA4)、柯萨奇病毒A组6型(CVA6)、丙型肝炎病毒、呼吸道合胞病毒和鼻病毒等均不发生交叉反应。重复性实验的变异系数低于1.5%。273份未明确分型肠道病毒阳性样本中共检出25份CVA5,占未明确分型阳性样本的9.16%。结论该研究建立的一步法CVA5RT-PCR检测方法灵敏度高、特异性强、重复性好,可用于CVA5的检测。

RT-PCR技术在新型冠状病毒核酸检测的应用及质量评价分析

在新型冠状病毒感染患者的诊断中,采取有效检测方式进行及早诊断尤为重要。逆转录-聚合酶链式反应(RT-PCR)技术有较高灵敏度和特异度。本文分析临床应用RT-PCR技术检测新型冠状病毒的常见问题和应对策略,旨在为疫情防控常态化形势下临床实验室正确、高效开展新型冠状病毒检测提供参考意见。

荧光定量RT-PCR法在病原微生物检验中的应用价值

目的:分析荧光定量逆转录聚合酶链式反应(RT-PCR)法在病原微生物检验中的应用价值。方法:选取2019年4月-2021年1月在长沙市中心医院进行病原微生物检测的46例疑似微生物感染患者作为研究对象,均实施常规RT-PCR法、荧光定量RT-PCR法检测,统计两种方法的检验结果;以特殊染色镜检结果作为“金标准”,比较两种检验方法检测微生物感染的准确度、灵敏度、特异度以及对各类病原微生物的检出率,统计受试者对两种检验方法的满意度。结果:特殊染色镜检结果显示,46例受试者病原微生物感染阳性43例,阴性3例。两种检验方法检测微生物感染的准确度、特异度比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);荧光定量RT-PCR法检测灵敏度高于RT-PCR法,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。特殊染色镜检结果显示,43例病原微生物感染患者中,衣原体感染7例,支原体感染8例,寄生虫感染9例,细菌感染7例,真菌感染5例,病毒感染7例,两种检验方法对各类病原微生物的检出率及总检出率比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。受试者对荧光定量RT-PCR法检验总满意度高于RT-PCR法,差异有统计学意义(P=0.026)。结论:荧光定量RT-PCR法在病原微生物检验中的应用价值较好,能够提高检测灵敏度,受试者满意度高。