Investigation on quality of life of hospitalized patients in China with digestive system malignancy

Background: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the quality of life(QoL) of hospitalized patients in China suffering from digestive system malignancies and to identify potential risk factors for a decrease in QoL.Methods: The European Organization for Research and Treatment Core Quality of Life questionnaire(EORTC QLQ-C30) was applied to evaluate the QoL of 23,519 patients with six digestive malignancies(esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, liver cancer, biliary tract cancer, and pancreatic cancer). A t test or analysis of variance was employed to analyze the total EORTC QLQ-C30 scale scores and domain scores of the EORTC QLQ-C30 scale among patients in different subgroups.Results: The average QoL score was 50.4 ± 10.8. The tumor type, age, sex, and TNM stage al had an impact on QoL ratings. Colorectal cancer patients had a better total QoL score(49.3 ± 10.3) and scores in the domains of functioning, with milder symptoms, except for diarrhea. Patients with biliary tract cancer(54.2 ± 12.3) and pancreatic cancer(54.2 ± 12.3) reported a poorer QoL, significant functional impairment, and more pronounced symptoms. Patients with esophageal cancer experienced the most severe financial difficulties(35.2 ± 27.5). Patients aged ≥65 years, women, and those with TNM stage Ⅲ/Ⅳ reported lower QoL. In addition, the disparities in total QoL scores and scores in specific domains were significant among patients with some types of tumors, and based on ethnicity, educational level, occupation, treatment(s) received, and place of residence.Conclusions: There is a need to focus on elderly individuals, those with low educational levels, and patients with progressive malignant tumors and to improve routine disease monitoring and symptom management to enhance the quality of life for patients with malignancies of the digestive system.

Assessment of knowledge,cultural beliefs,and behavior regarding medication safety among residents in Harbin,China

BACKGROUND Medication misuse or overuse is significantly associated with poor health outcomes.Information regarding the knowledge,cultural beliefs,and behavior about medication safety in the general population is important.AIM To conduct a survey on medication habits and explored the potential factors impacting medication safety.METHODS The current survey included adults from 18 districts and counties in Harbin,China.A questionnaire on medication safety was designed based on knowledge,cultural beliefs,and behavior.Both univariate and multivariate analyses were used to explore the factors that impacted medication safety.RESULTS A total of 394 respondents completed the questionnaires on medication safety.The mean scores for knowledge,cultural beliefs,and behavior about medication safety were 59.41±19.33,40.66±9.24,and 60.97±13.69,respectively.The medication knowledge score was affected by age(P=0.044),education(P<0.001),and working status(P=0.015).Moreover,the cultural beliefs score was significantly affected by education(P<0.001).Finally,education(P=0.003)and working status(P=0.011)significantly affected the behavior score.CONCLUSION The knowledge,cultural beliefs,and behavior about medication safety among the general population was moderate.Health education should be provisioned for the elderly,individuals with a low education level,and the unemployed to improve medication safety in Harbin,China.

Clinical study of a new nutritional index for predicting long-term prognosis in patients with coronary atherosclerotic heart disease following percutaneous coronary intervention

Background and Objective: Some patients continue to experience major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in frigid places. Indexes of inflammation and nutrition alone were shown to predict outcomes in patients with PCI. However, the clinical predictive value of mixed indicators is unclear. This study aimed to assess the predictive value of the albumin/neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) on the long-term prognosis of patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: A total of 608 post-PCI CHD patients were categorized into low- and high-index groups based on the optimal cut-off values for albumin and NLR. The primary outcome was a composite endpoint comprising all-cause mortality and major adverse cerebrovascular events. The secondary outcome was the comparison of the predictive efficiency of the new nutritional index, albumin/NLR, with that of albumin or NLR alone. Results: Over the five-year follow-up period, 45 patients experienced the composite endpoint. The incidence of endpoint events was significantly higher in the low-index group (12%) compared to the high-index group (4.9%). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed that the albumin/NLR index had a larger area under the curve (AUC: 0.655) than albumin (AUC: 0.621) or NLR (AUC: 0.646), indicating superior predictive efficiency. The prognostic nutritional index had an AUC of 0.644, further supporting the enhanced predictive value of the albumin/NLR index over individual nutritional and inflammatory markers. Conclusion: The albumin/neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio is independently associated with the long-term prognosis of CHD patients post-PCI and demonstrates superior predictive efficiency compared to individual nutritional and inflammatory markers.

Characteristics of gut microbiota in anastomotic leakage patients in cold zones post-colorectal cancer surgery: A high-throughput sequencing and propensity-score matching study

Objective:The study aimed to explore the association between gut microbiota and anastomotic leakage(AL)after surgery in colorectal cancer(CRC)patients from a frigid zone,based on high-throughput sequencing.Methods:A total of 98 CRC patients admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University from July 2018 to February 2019,who met the inclusion criteria,were included.Among these,10 patients were diagnosed as AL.After propensity-score matching of baseline characteristics,10 patients from the anastomotic leakage group(AG)and 10 patients from the normal group(NG)were finally included in this study.Fecal samples were collected,and total DNA was extracted for high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatic analysis.Results:Alpha diversity analysis showed no significant difference between the two groups,while beta diversity analysis revealed significant differences in principal components.Differential microbiota were classified as Proteobacteria at the phylum level(P=0.021).At the genus level,the abundances of Streptococcus(P=0.045),Citrobacter(P=0.008)and Klebsiella(P=0.002)were significantly different between the two groups.LEfSe analysis indicated that these genera contributed most to the differences between the groups.Conclusion:The characteristics of the gut microbiota in the AG and NG were significantly different,and these differences might be associated with AL in CRC patients from frigid zones.

Molecular hydrogen regulates the expression of miR-9,miR-21 and miR-199 in LPS-activated retinal microglia cells

·AIM: To explore the potential mechanism of molecular hydrogen in the regulation of miRNA expression and signal-modulating activities. ·METHODS: Retinal microglia cells were activated by Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and then treated with hydrogen -saturated medium or normal medium without hydrogen. qRT -PCR was used to detect the expression difference in miR-9, miR-21 and miR-199 between these two groups. Moreover, the expression of LPS -induced signaling proteins, including Myd88, IKK -β, NF -kB, and PDCD4, were detected by Western blotting. ·RESULTS: The results demonstrated a marked downregulation of miR -9 and miR -21 and up -regulation of miR-199 by hydrogen treatment; the expression of Myd88 and IKK-β was decreased after hydrogen treatment, whereas PDCD4 was increased, and there was no significant change in NF-kB expression. · CONCLUSION: The results in the present study indicate that miR -9, miR -199 and miR -21 play an important role in the anti -inflammatory regulation of LPS -activated microglia cells by molecular hydrogen, which will help to explain the protective mechanism of molecular hydrogen against inflammatory injury.·

Changes of TXA_2 and PGI_2 during Postoperative Hypertensive Crisis in Patients with Hypertensive Intracerebral Hemorrhage

In order to explore the changes and the roles of TXA2 and PGI2 during postoperative hypertensive crisis in patients with hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage, 31 cases subject to craniotomy were divided into three groups： group A, 9 patients with postoperative hypertensive crisis; group B, 13 patients without postoperative hypertensive crisis; and group C, 9 patients without history of hypertension and hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage. TXA2, TXB2, 6-keto-PGF1α and PGI2 were measured after operation in the three groups respectively. The postoperative blood pressure in group A, including SBP and DBP, was elevated more obviously than that in the other two groups. TXA2 and PGI2 in group A were significantly higher than those in other two groups （P〈0.01）. Moreover, the ratio of TXB2 to 6-keto-PGF1α in group A was significantly higher than that in other two groups （P〈0.05）. The increase of TXA2 and the relative inadequacy of prostacyclin, especially 6-keto-PGF1α, may play roles in the postoperative hypertensive crisis. And the increased value of TXB2 to 6-keto-PGF1α could provide the basis for diagnosis of postoperative hypertensive crisis.

Soluble expression of recomb inant cMyc,Klf4,Oct4,and Sox2 proteins in bacteria and transduction into living cells

AIM：To develop a new method to produce recombinant reprogramming proteins,c Myc,Klf4,Oct4,and Sox2,in soluble format with low cost for the generation of induced pluripotent stem cells（i PSCs）.METHODS：A short polypeptide sequence derived from the HIV trans-activator of transcription protein（TAT） and the nucleus localization signal（NLS） polypeptide were fused to the N terminus of the reprogramming proteins and they were constructed into p Cold-SUMO vector which can extremely improve the solubility of recombinant proteins.Then these vector plasmids were transformed into E.coli BL21（DE3） Chaperone competent cells for amplification.The solubility of these recombinant proteins was determined by SDS-PAGE and Coomassie brilliant blue staining.The recombinant proteins were purified by NiNTA resin and identified by Western blot.The transduction of these proteins into HEK 293 T cells were evaluated by immunofluorescence staining.RESULTS：These four reprogramming proteins could be produced in soluble format in p Cold-SUMO expression vector system with the assistance of chaperone proteins in bacteria.The proteins were purified successfully with a purity of over 70% with a relative high transduction rate into 293 cells.CONCLUSION：The results in the present study indicate the four important reprogramming proteins,c Myc,Klf4,Oct4,and Sox2,can be produced in soluble format in bacteria with low cost.Our new method thus might be expected to greatly contribute to the future study of i PSCs.

18β-glycyrrhetinic acid regulates mitochondrial ribosomal protein L35-associated apoptosis signaling pathways to inhibit proliferation of gastric carcinoma cells

BACKGROUND Gastric carcinoma(GC)is a common gastrointestinal malignancy worldwide.Based on the cancer-related mortality,the current prevention and treatment strategies for GC still show poor clinical results.Therefore,it is important to find effective drug treatment targets.AIM To explore the mechanism by which 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid(18β-GRA)regulates mitochondrial ribosomal protein L35(MRPL35)related signal proteins to inhibit the proliferation of GC cells.METHODS Cell counting kit-8 assay was used to detect the effects of 18β-GRA on the survival rate of human normal gastric mucosal cell line GES-1 and the proliferation of GC cell lines MGC80-3 and BGC-823.The apoptosis and cell cycle were assessed by flow cytometry.Cell invasion and migration were evaluated by Transwell assay,and cell scratch test was used to detect cell migration.Furthermore,a tumor model was established by hypodermic injection of 2.5×106 BGC-823 cells at the selected positions of BALB/c nude mice to determine the effect of 18β-GRA on GC cell proliferation,and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR)was used to detect MRPL35 expression in the engrafted tumors in mice.We used the term tandem mass tag(TMT)labeling combined with liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry to screen for differentially expressed proteins(DEPs)extracted from GC cells and control cells after 18β-GRA intervention.A detailed bioinformatics analysis of these DEPs was performed,including Gene Ontology annotation and enrichment analysis,Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis,and so on.Moreover,STRING database(https://string-db.org/)was used to predict proteinprotein interaction(PPI)relationships and Western blot was used to detect the expression of proteins of interest in GC cells.RESULTS The results indicated that 18β-GRA could inhibit the proliferation of GC cells in a dose-and timedependent manner.It could induce GC cell apoptosis and arrest the cell cycle at G0/G1 phase.The proportion of cells arrested at S phase decreased with the increase of 18-GRA dose,and the migration and invasiveness of GC cells were inhibited.The results of animal experiments showed that 18β-GRA could inhibit tumor formation in BALB/c nude mice,and qRT-PCR results showed that MRPL35 expression level was significantly reduced in the engrafted tumors in mice.Using TMT technology,609 DEPs,among which 335 were up-regulated and 274 were down-regulated,were identified in 18β-GRA intervention compared with control.We found that the intervention of 18β-GRA in GC cells involved many important biological processes and signaling pathways,such as cellular processes,biological regulation,and TP53 signaling pathway.Notably,after the drug intervention,MRPL35 expression was significantly down-regulated(P=0.000247),TP53 expression was up-regulated(P=0.02676),and BCL2L1 was down-regulated(P=0.01699).Combined with the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins database,we analyzed the relationship between MRPL35,TP53,and BCL2L1 signaling proteins,and we found that COPS5,BAX,and BAD proteins can form a PPI network with MRPL35,TP53,and BCL2L1.Western blot analysis confirmed the intervention effect of 18β-GRA on GC cells,MRPL35,TP53,and BCL2L1 showed dose-dependent up/down-regulation,and the expression of COPS5,BAX,and BAD also increased/decreased with the change of 18β-GRA concentration.CONCLUSION 18β-GRA can inhibit the proliferation of GC cells by regulating MRPL35,COPS5,TP53,BCL2L1,BAX,and BAD.

Development and external validation of models to predict acute respiratory distress syndrome related to severe acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND Acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS)is a major cause of death in patients with severe acute pancreatitis(SAP).Although a series of prediction models have been developed for early identification of such patients,the majority are complicated or lack validation.A simpler and more credible model is required for clinical practice.AIM To develop and validate a predictive model for SAP related ARDS.METHODS Patients diagnosed with AP from four hospitals located at different regions of China were retrospectively grouped into derivation and validation cohorts.Statistically significant variables were identified using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression method.Predictive models with nomograms were further built using multiple logistic regression analysis with these picked predictors.The discriminatory power of new models was compared with some common models.The performance of calibration ability and clinical utility of the predictive models were evaluated.RESULTS Out of 597 patients with AP,139 were diagnosed with SAP(80 in derivation cohort and 59 in validation cohort)and 99 with ARDS(62 in derivation cohort and 37 in validation cohort).Four identical variables were identified as independent risk factors for both SAP and ARDS:heart rate[odds ratio(OR)=1.05;95%CI:1.04-1.07;P<0.001;OR=1.05,95%CI:1.03-1.07,P<0.001],respiratory rate(OR=1.08,95%CI:1.0-1.17,P=0.047;OR=1.10,95%CI:1.02-1.19,P=0.014),serum calcium concentration(OR=0.26,95%CI:0.09-0.73,P=0.011;OR=0.17,95%CI:0.06-0.48,P=0.001)and blood urea nitrogen(OR=1.15,95%CI:1.09-1.23,P<0.001;OR=1.12,95%CI:1.05-1.19,P<0.001).The area under receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.879(95%CI:0.830-0.928)and 0.898(95%CI:0.848-0.949)for SAP prediction in derivation and validation cohorts,respectively.This value was 0.892(95%CI:0.843-0.941)and 0.833(95%CI:0.754-0.912)for ARDS prediction,respectively.The discriminatory power of our models was improved compared with that of other widely used models and the calibration ability and clinical utility of the prediction models performed adequately.CONCLUSION The present study constructed and validated a simple and accurate predictive model for SAPrelated ARDS in patients with AP.

MiR-503 promotes wound healing of diabetic foot ulcer by targeting FBN1

Objective: To highlight the relationship between miR-503 and wound healing of diabetic foot ulcer(DFU). Methods: Microarray analysis was used to detect the dysregulated miRNAs between the DFU tissues and normal tissues. The expression of miR-503 in tissues and serum of patients with DFU was detected by qRT-PCR technique. Then, CCK-8 assay was applied to determine the cell proliferation. TUNEL assay was used for assessing the apoptosis of cells after treatment with miR-503. Possible correlation between miR-503 and fibillinl(FBN1)was predicted according to data accessed on RNA22 website online, and was detected for confirmation by luciferase reporter assay. Results: Microarray analysis showed that miR-503 was significantly decreased in the DFU tissues compared with normal tissues. While marked increase in the expression of miR-503 in tissues and scrum of patients with DFU was confirmed by qRT-PCR technique. Then, CCK-8 assay indicated that transfection of miR-503 mimic obviously accelerated the cell proliferation. However, TUNEL assays suggested that miR-503 mimic inhibited the apoptosis of cells to improve the survival of fibroblasts.Besides. miR-503 AMO played a role in fibroblasts of DFU tissues exactly countering to miR-503 mimic treatment. It was predicted that MiR-503 is a complementary to the FBN1 by RNA22. Besides, SiRNA-FBN1 promoted the proliferation, but brought down the apoptosis of fibroblasts. Conclusions: MiR-503 regulates the function of fibroblasts and wound healing of patients with DFU by targeting FBN I directly which provids a novel and critical target for diagnosis and treatment of DFU.

Clinical application of individualized total arterial coronary artery bypass grafting in coronary artery surgery

BACKGROUND Total arterial revascularization is associated with increased patency and long-term efficacy and decreased perioperative morbidity and mortality and incidence of cardiac-related events and sternal wound infection compared with conventional coronary artery bypass surgery(CABG),in which the left internal mammary artery(LIMA)is typically grafted to the left anterior descending artery with additional saphenous vein grafts often used.This study determined whether these favorable clinical results could be realized at the authors’institute.AIM To summarize the early efficacy and clinical experience of individualized total arterial coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.METHODS CABG was performed on 35 patients with non-single-vessel coronary artery disease by adopting total arterial grafts at Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University between April 2016 and December 2019.LIMA was used in 35 patients,radial artery(RA)was used in 35 patients,and right gastroepiploic artery(RGEA)was used in 9 patients.Perioperative complications were observed,short-term graft patency rate was followed-up,and quality of life was assessed.RESULTS All patients underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass and the surgeries were successful.All of them were discharged without any complications or deaths.During the follow-up,it was found that patients’angina symptoms were relieved and New York Heart Association classification for cardiac function was class I to class II.A total of 90 vessels were grafted with no occlusion for internal mammary artery,three occlusions for RA,and one occlusion for RGEA.CONCLUSION The individualized total arterial strategy based on the vessels targeting individual anatomic characteristics can achieve complete revascularization with satisfactory short-term grafting patency rate.

Effect of components in activated sludge liquor on membranefouling in a submerged membrane bioreactor

By a membrane bioreactor with a settle tank in long-term operation and batch experiments, the effects of floes, soluble microorganism products （SMPs） and metal ions in activated sludge liquor on membrane fouling were investigated. The results showed that foulants absorbed each other and formed a fouling layer as a ＂second membrane＂ influencing the permeability of the membrane. The ＂gel layer＂ caused by SMPs and ＂cake layer＂ by floes showed great differences in morphology by analysis of scanning electron microscope and atomic force microscope. The ＂gel layer＂ was more compact and of poor permeability. When the membrane flux was 40 L/（m^2·h）, the rate of membrane fouling caused by supernatant （0.011 MPa/h） was greater than that by sludgc liquor （0.0063 MPa/h）. SMPs played very important roles on membrane fouling. In the bulking sludge, with SMPs increasing, the rate of membrane fouling （0.0132 MPa/h） was faster. While after flocculation of the SMPs, the rate of fouling decreased to 0.0034 M Pa/h. Floes could keep holes in their overlaps. They could alleviate membrane fouling by preventing the SMPs directly attaching on membrane surface.

Depletion of MRPL35 inhibits gastric carcinoma cell proliferation by regulating downstream signaling proteins

BACKGROUND Gastric carcinoma(GC)is a digestive system disease with high morbidity and mortality.However,early clinical detection is difficult,and the therapeutic effect for advanced disease is not satisfactory.Thus,finding new tumor markers and therapeutic targets conducive to the treatment of GC is imperative.MRPL35 is a member of the large subunit family of mitochondrial ribosomal protein.MRPL35 shows the characteristic of oncogene in colorectal cancer and esophageal cancer,which promotes the exploration of the correlation between MRPL35 and GC.We proposed that the expression of MRPL35 might be critical in GC.AIM To study the effect of MRPL35 knockdown on GC cell proliferation.METHODS The expression of MRPL35 in GC was evaluated based on data from the publictumor database UALCAN(www.ualcan.path.uab.edu).The effect of theexpression of MRPL35 on the prognosis was evaluated with KMplot(www.kmplot.com).The expression of MRPL35 was assessed on the tissuemicroarray by immunohistochemistry and the level of MRPL35 mRNA in 25 pairsof clinical GC tissues and matched adjacent tissues was detected by quantitativereverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.Celigo cell count assay,colonyformation assay,and flow cytometry were used to assess the role of MRPL35 inGC cell proliferation and apoptosis in vitro.Additionally,tumor formationexperiment in BALB/c nude mice was utilized to determine the effect of MRPL35on GC cell proliferation.After knockdown of MRPL35,related proteins wereidentified by isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification analysis,andthe expression of related proteins was detected by Western blot.RESULTSThe expression of MRPL35 was up-regulated in GC(P=1.77×10^(-4)).The Kaplan-Meier plots of the overall survival indicated that high expression of MRPL35 wasassociated with a poor survival in GC.Compared with adjacent tissues,theexpression of MRPL35 in GC tissues was increased,which was related to age(P=0.03),lymph node metastasis(P=0.007),and pathological tumor-node-metastasisstage(P=0.024).Knockdown of MRPL35 inhibited GC cell proliferation andcolony formation and induced apoptosis.Animal experiment results showed thatknockdown of MRPL35 inhibited tumor formation in BALB/c nude mice.Westernblotting analysis showed that after knockdown of MRPL35,the expression ofPICK1 and BCL-XL proteins decreased,and that of AGR2 protein increased.CONCLUSIONCollectively,our findings demonstrate that knockdown of MRPL35 inhibits GCcell proliferation through related proteins including PICK1,BCL-XL,and AGR2.

Formation of microchimerism in rat small bowel transplantation by spienocyte infusion

AIM： To investigate the effect of donor splenocyte infusion combined with cyclosporine A （CsA） on rejection of rat small bowel transplantation （SBT）. METHODS： Male Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats and female Wistar rats weighing 230-270 g were used as donors and recipients respectively in the study. Heterotopic small bowel transplantation was performed. The rats were divided into three groups： group one receiving allotransplantation （SD→Wistar）, group two receiving allotransplantation （SD→Wistar） ＋ donor splenocyte infusion, group three receiving allotransplantation （SD →Wistar） ＋ donor splenocyte infusion ＋ CsA followed by CsA 10 mg/kg per day after transplantation, in which recipient Wistar rats were injected with 2 ×10^8 SD splenocytes 28 d before transplantation, and treated with CsA after transplantation. Finally, the specific DNA fragment of donor Y chromosome was detected in recipient peripheral blood and skin by PCR. The survival time after small bowel transplantation was observed. Gross and histopathological examinations were performed. RESULTS： The survival time after small bowel transplantation was 7.1 ± 1.2 d in group 1, 18.4 ± 3.6 d in group 2 and 31.5± 3.1 d in group 3. The survival time was significant longer （P 〈 0.01） in group 3 than in groups 1 and 2. The gross and histopathological examination showed that the rejection degree in group 3 was lower than that in groups 1 and 2.CONCLUSION： Donor splenocyte infusion combined with CsA decreases remarkably the rejection and prolongs the survival time after rat small bowel transplantation.

TREATMENT OF ESSENTIAL HYPERTENSION WITH AURICULOACUPRESSURE

Auriculoacupressure was used in the treatment of 291 cases of essential hypertension,in compari-son with 51 similar cases treated with Fufang Jiangya(composite hypotensive)Tablets.Analysisof results showed that the therapeutic effects in the 2 groups were similar,while the rate of ma-rked efficacy in the acupressure group was higher than that of the medication group,and the levelof blood lipids also significantly dropped (P【0.01);there was only minor improvement in bloodrheology.In addition,acupressure manifested biphasic regulatory effects on sinus arrythmia.Thecurative effect of acupressure on essential vascular hypertension was good.

Specific protein expression in a rat model of early focal cerebral ischemia:Fluorescent two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis

BACKGROUND： The use of fluorescent two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis （2D-DIGE） has been shown to compensate for the shortcomings of conventional two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, such as poor repeatability and large systematic errors. However, little information is presently available regarding the use of 2D-DIGE to investigate mechanisms of ischemic cerebrovascular diseases. Plasma and body fluids have been utilized in proteomic technology to study ischemic cerebrovascular diseases. OBJECTIVE： To perform proteomic analysis of fresh rat brain tissue in peripheral ischemic regions using 2D-DIGE 6 hours after middle cerebral artery occlusion （MCAO）, and to identify specific proteins closely associated with early ischemic cerebrovascular diseases. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： Proteomics-based, randomized, controlled, animal experiment was performed at the Laboratories of Neurology and Proteomics, Jilin University between January and April 2006. MATERIALS： 2, 3, 5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride was purchased from Sigma, USA. Ettan DALTSix system, DeCyder DIA V5.0 differential analysis software, and Ettan matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer （MALDI-TOF-MS） were purchased from Amersham Bioscience, Sweden. METHODS： Eight healthy, male, Wistar rats were randomized to experimental and control groups, with four rats in each group. In the experimental group, rat models of focal cerebral ischemia were established by MCAO. In the control group, the internal and external carotid arteries were exposed and then immediately sutured, and the remaining procedures were identical to the experimental group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： At 6 hours after cerebral ischemia, protein expression in the peripheral ischemia region of the experimental group was compared with the control group using 2D-DIGE. Protein spots that exhibited statistical differences between experimental and control groups with 〉 1.4 attributable risk were screened using DeCyder DIA V5.0 differential analysis software. Differential proteins were identified using MALDI-TOF-MS. RESULTS： Triphenyl tetrazolium chloride staining results revealed pink, normal brain tissue and white, ischemic brain tissue, suggesting successful MCAO establishment. The average matching rate of four 2D-DIGE gels was 92.4%. There were （1 758 ± 43） protein spots on each gel, with similar distribution modes. At 6 hours after focal cerebral ischemia, 13 protein spots exhibited marked expression changes, including significantly increased （n = 7） and decreased （n = 6） expression （P 〈 0.05）. MALDI-TOF-MS results revealed two differential protein spots： a-tubulin and heat shock protein 27, which were significantly decreased in the experimental group compared with the control group （P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： Thirteen protein spots with expression changes were revealed by 2D-DIGE proteomics technology. Of them, a-tubulin and heat shock protein 27 expressions were markedly decreased during the early stage of cerebral ischemia. These two proteins were presumed to be proteins associated with early ischemic cerebrovascular diseases.

Construction and expression of an optimized, novel human immunodeficiency virus type-1 lentiviral vector containing green fluorescent protein

The human immunodeficiency virus （HIV） lentiviral vector is an ideal vector for gene therapy. In the present study, the wild-type HIV-1 genome was segregated into four plasmids, and an optimized novel HIV-1 lentiviral vector containing green fluorescent protein and vesicular stomatitis virus G pseudo-capsule was constructed. The plasmids were pHR-CMV-EGFP, pCMVΔ8.9, pRSV-Rev, pCMV-VSV-G. The four plasmid system was co-transfected into 293T cells, and green fluorescent protein expression was observed. The present study obtained lentiviral particles by high-speed centrifugation, and the lentiviral particle titer was 4 × 108 TU/mL after centrifugation. Thus, an optimized novel HIV-1 lentiviral vector was successfully constructed.

Castleman disease presenting with jaundice: A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND Castleman disease(CD) is a rare lymphoproliferative disorder that presents with various symptoms. CD accompanied with jaundice is uncommon since there are only 11 cases reported in the literature.CASE SUMMARY Here we report a 62-year-old woman who was admitted to the hospital with signs and symptoms of intermittent jaundice. Biochemical tests showed higher serum levels of total and direct bilirubin, and normal serum levels of tumor markers and interleukin-6. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography detected a6 cm × 4 cm × 2.5 cm mass between the hepatoduodenal ligament and the inferior vena cava. The mass was successfully excised and the patient had a complete resolution of symptoms. A diagnosis of idiopathic unicentric CD was made based upon histological examination, which demonstrated the pathological features of CD of mixed type, including hyperplasia of follicular lymphoids with abundant plasma cells, degenerative germinal centers, interfollicular vascularity and hyaline degeneration. The diagnosis was corroborated by immunohistochemical analysis which detected multiple biomarkers.CONCLUSION This is the first study that describes the clinicopathological features of CD presenting with jaundice, which may deepen and extend our understanding of this disease.

Intravenous injection of AAV-PHP.eB across the blood-brain barrier in the adult mouse for central nervous system gene therapy

Objective To verify the neurotypicality of AAV-PHP.eB after tail vein injection in adult mice and its efficiency in crossing the blood-brain barrier(BBB).Methods The rAAV-SYN-GFP plasmid was constructed, and adult C57 BL mice were injected with AAV PHP.eB: SYN-GFP in the tail vein(300 nL, virus titer 3 × 10~9 vg) and in the prefrontal lobe(50 L, virus tite5 × 10^(11) vg). The green fluorescent protein(GFP) signal in the brain was observed at two weeks, while the GFP signal in the peripheral organs was observed at four weeks. Results Two weeks after tail vein injection, GFP expression was observed throughout the brain especially in the cortex, hippocampus, and geniculate nucleus. No GFP signal was observed or detected by western blotting in the peripheral organs after four weeks. GFP signal was observed mainly at the loca site after prefrontal lobe injection.Conclusion AAV-PHP.eB: SYN-GFP can effectively cross the BBB in adult mice. Using a neuron-specific promoter allows exogenous gene expression in neurons; therefore, AAV-PHP.eB can be used as an effective carrier for studying diseases in the central nervous system(CNS).

Small Intestinal Perforation Caused by Metastasis from Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Scalp --One Case Report

The small bowel metastases from head and neck regions are extremely rare. The diagnosis and treatment of such kind of small bowel metastases remain unclear. This paper reports on a 53-year-old case with small intestine perforation caused by metastasis from squamous cell carcinoma of scalp. After surgical treatment, the patient had a relatively better survival. This paper shares the clinical experience we have learned from managing this patient in hope that it will help other medical professionals in oncology to recognize the disease.