[The effect of ubiquitin ligase Cullin3 on the proliferation, migration and invasion of triple-negative breast cancer cells and exploration of its mechanism].

Objective: To investigate the effects of ubiquitin ligase Cullin3 (CUL3) on the proliferation, migration and invasion ability of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells and its mechanism of action. Methods: Bioinformatics-based methods were used to obtain CUL3 gene and protein expression data in TNBC tissues, and to assess the expression of CUL3 in tumour tissues of TNBC patients (n=160) and in normal breast tissues (n=572), and its relationship with clinical prognosis. The effects of overexpression of CUL3 on the proliferation, migration and invasion ability of TNBC cells in vitro were detected by CCK8 cell proliferation assay, scratch assay and transwell assay; proteins that might interact with CUL3 were screened by immunoprecipitation combined with mass spectrometry analysis, and the substrate protein regulated by CUL3 was identified as Glutathione S-Transferase Pi 1 (GSTP1); the effects of overexpression of GSTP1 on the migration and invasion ability of TNBC cells were detected by scratch assay and Transwell assay, and it was explored whether overexpression of CUL3 could reverse the effects of GSTP1 on the migration and invasion ability of cells; and the effects of overexpression of GSTP1 on the migration and invasion ability of cells were detected by Western blot and IP (Immunoprecipitation) to detect the effect of CUL3 on the ubiquitination modification of GSTP1 protein, and to verify the molecular mechanism by which CUL3 regulates the expression of GSTP1 to affect TNBC migration and invasion. Results: CUL3 expression was significantly higher in TNBC (P<0.000 1), and high CUL3 expression was closely associated with poor prognosis of TNBC patients (OS, P=0.018; RFS, P=0.008); overexpression of CUL3 significantly increased the proliferation of TNBC cells (F=11.97, P=0.002 for the 231-cell group, F=51.92, P<0.001 for the 468-cell group), migration [74.7±4.0 and 128.0±6.1 perforating cells in the overexpression groups of 231 and 468 cell lines, compared with 21.0±2.7 and 70.0±6.6 in the blank control (NC) group, and the t-values of 231 and 468 cell groups were-19.24 and-11.23, with P-values<0.001] and invasive ability (48 h cell proliferation rates were 56.6%±4.4% and 51.6%±3.7% in the 231 and 468 cell line overexpression groups, compared with 40.5%±2.9% and 32.9%±4.8% in the NC group, respectively, t=-5.26, P=0.006 3 in the 231 cell group; t=-5.38 in the 468 cell group, P=0.005 8); GSTP1 expression was reduced in TNBC, and up-regulation of GSTP1 inhibited TNBC cell migration (the number of membrane-penetrating cells in the overexpression groups of 231 and 468 cell lines were 16.3±6.5 and 33.0±6.2, respectively, compared with 34.3±2.5 and 77.3±5.0 in the NC group, and t=5.44 in the 231 cell group, P=0.006; 468 cell group t=7.20, P=0.002) and invasion (48 h cell proliferation rates of 49.6%±1.7% and 36.2%±1.4% in the 231 and 468 cell line overexpression groups, compared to 59.4%±4.7% and 53.0%±1.7% in the NC group, t=3.42, P=0.027 in the 231 cell group; 468 cell group t=13.18, P<0.001), whereas up-regulation of CUL3 reversed the effects of GSTP1 on cell migration (37.0±1.0 and 67.0±5.3 membrane-penetrating cells in the overexpression groups of 231 and 468 cell lines, respectively, 231 cell group t=-3.97, P=0.017; 468 cell group t=-6.12, P=0.004), and invasion (48 h cell proliferation rates of 71.9%±3.6% and 59.4%±2.1% in the 231 and 468 cell line overexpression groups, respectively, with t-values of -9.61 and -16.01 in the 231 and 468 cell groups, respectively, P-values<0.001) inhibitory effects; and CUL3, by increasing GSTP1 ubiquitylation modification, promotes ubiquitin-proteasome system to degrade GSTP1 protein, thereby reducing the stability of GSTP1 protein. Conclusion: Overexpression of CUL3 promotes TNBC development by promoting GSTP1 ubiquitination degradation inducing cell migration and invasion.

[Colorectal adenocarcinoma with enteroblastic differentiation: a clinicopathological analysis of eight cases].

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features of colorectal adenocarcinoma with enteroblastic differentiation (CAED). Methods: Eight cases of CAED diagnosed at the Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China from January 2017 to August 2023 were collected. The histopathological, immunohistochemical, molecular and prognostic features of 8 CAED cases were analyzed. The relevant studies were also reviewed. Results: Among the eight patients, there were six males and two females, with an average age of 58 years (range: 29-77 years, median age: 61.5 years). Preoperative serum alpha-fetoprotein levels were elevated in five patients (14.0-286.6 µg/L). Four tumors were located in the colon, and four tumors in the rectum. Two patients were clinically staged as advanced stage (stage Ⅳ), and distant metastasis occurred at the initial diagnosis (one case had liver metastasis, and the other had lung, bone and multiple lymph nodes metastases). Six patients were clinically staged as locally-advanced stage (Stage Ⅱ-Ⅲ). Three of them developed distant metastases after surgery (one case had liver metastasis, one case had lung metastasis, and one case had peritoneal metastasis). Additionally, two patients died at 9 months and 24 months after surgery, respectively. The tumors were composed of various proportions of adenocarcinoma components with enteroblastic differentiation (30%-100%) and classical tubular adenocarcinoma components. The component with enteroblastic differentiation exhibited morphology similar to embryonic intestinal epithelium: cuboidal or columnar tumor cells arranged in tubular, papillary, cribriform, or solid nest patterns, with clear cytoplasm. Immunohistochemical studies showed that tumor cells expressed at least one oncofetal protein (SALL4, Glypican-3, and AFP). In addition, focal squamous differentiation was observed in 3 cases (3/8). Compared to the primary tumor, both CAED and squamous differentiation components were increased in the metastatic tumors. Based on the sequencing results of KRAS, NRAS and BRAF of the primary and/or metastatic tumors, 5 cases were wild-type, while KRAS exon 2 (G13D) mutations were identified in 2 cases. Conclusions: CAED is a rare colorectal malignancy with a dismal prognosis. Accurate pathological diagnosis is prognostically valuable. The histological features of enteroblastic differentiation, elevated serum AFP levels, and the expression of oncofetal proteins play an important role in the tumor diagnosis.

Evaluation of CT angiography obstruction score and pulmonary perfusion defect score using the third-generation dual-source CT for pulmonary embolism.

AIM: To investigate the application value of computed tomography (CT) angiography (CTA) obstruction score and pulmonary perfusion defect score on the third-generation dual-source CT for pulmonary embolism and the changes of the right ventricular function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical data of 52 patients with pulmonary embolism (PE) confirmed using the third-generation dual-source dual-energy CTPA were analysed retrospectively. These patients were divided into the severe group and non-severe group according to their clinical manifestations. The results of CTPA and dual-energy pulmonary perfusion imaging (DEPI) were recorded by two radiologists for index computation. The ratio of the maximum short-axis diameter of the right ventricle (RV) to that of the left ventricle (LV) was also recorded. The correlation analysis between RV/LV and the mean values of CTA obstruction score and perfusion defect score was performed. Correlation analysis and agreement analysis were performed on the data measured by two radiologists, CTA obstruction score, and pulmonary perfusion defect score. RESULTS: CTA obstruction score and perfusion defect score measured by the two radiologists had good correlation and agreement. CTA obstruction score, perfusion defect score, and RV/LV were significantly lower in the non-severe group than in the severe PE group. RV/LV had a significant positive correlation with CTA obstruction score and perfusion defect score (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The third-generation dual-source dual-energy CT plays a positive role in assessing PE severity and RV function and can provide additional information for the clinical management and treatment of PE patients.

[Clinicopathological analysis of superior mediastinal lymph node metastases in medullary thyroid carcinoma].

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of superior mediastinal lymph node metastases (sMLNM) in medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). Methods: This retrospective analysis enrolled the patients who were treated for sMLNM of MTC in our hospital from May 2012 to January 2021. All patients were suspected of sMLNM due to preoperative imaging. According to the pathological results, the patients were divided into two groups named sMLNM group and the negative superior-mediastinal-lymph-node group. We collected and analyzed the clinical features, pathological features, pre- and post-operative calcitonin (Ctn), and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels of the two groups. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze risk factors, and receiver operation characteristic (ROC) curves were drawn to determine the optimal cut-off values of preoperative Ctn and preoperative CEA for predicting sMLNM. Results: Among the 94 patients, 69 cases were in the sMLNM group and 25 cases were in the non-SMLNM group. Preoperative Ctn level (P=0.003), preoperative CEA level (P=0.010), distant metastasis (P=0.022), extracapsular lymph node invasion (P=0.013), the number of central lymph node metastases (P=0.002) were related to sMLNM, but the multivariate analysis did not find any independent risk factors. The optimal threshold for predicting sMLNM by pre-operative Ctn is 1500 pg/ml and AUC is 0.759 (95% CI: 0.646, 0.872). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of diagnosis are 61.2%, 77.3%, 89.1%, 39.5%, respectively. In patients who underwent mediastinal lymph node dissection through transsternal approach, the metastatic possibility of different levels from high to low were level 2R (82.3%, 28/34), level 2L (58.8%, 20/34), level 4R (58.8%, 20/34), level 3 (23.5%, 8/34), level 4L (11.8%, 4/34). Postoperative complications occurred in 41 cases (43.6%), and there was no perioperative death in all cases. 14.8% (12/81) of the patients achieved biochemical complete response (Ctn≤12 pg/ml) one month after surgery, 5 of these patients were in sMLNM group. Conclusions: For patients who have highly suspicious sMLNM through imaging, combining with preoperative Ctn diagnosis can improve the accuracy of diagnosis, especially for patients with preoperative Ctn over 1 500 pg/ml. The superior mediastinal lymph node dissection for the primary sternotomy should include at least the superior mediastinal levels 2-4 to avoid residual lesions. The strategy of surgery needs to be cautiously performed. Although the probability of biochemical cure in sMLNM cases is low, nearly 40% of patients can still benefit from the operation at the biochemical level.

[Endoscopic resection of type D trigeminal schwannoma through nasal sinus approach].

Objective: To examine the feasibility and surgical approach of removing type D trigeminal schwannoma through nasal cavity and nasal sinus under endoscope. Methods: Eleven patients with trigeminal schwannoma who were treated in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University from December 2014 to August 2021 were analyzed retrospectively in this study. There were 7 males and 4 females, aged (47.5±13.5) years (range: 12 to 64 years). The neoplasm involved the pterygopalatine fossa, infratemporal fossa, ethmoidal sinus, sphenoid sinus, cavernous sinus, and middle cranial fossa. The size of tumors were between 1.6 cm×2.0 cm×2.0 cm and 5.7 cm×6.0 cm×6.0 cm. Under general anesthesia, the tumors were resected through the transpterygoid approach in 4 cases, through the prelacrimal recess approach in 4 cases, through the extended prelacrimal recess approach in 2 cases, and through the endoscopic medial maxillectomy approach in 1 case. The nasal endoscopy and imaging examination were conducted to detect whether neoplasm recurred or not, and the main clinical symptoms during follow-up. Results: All the surgical procedures were performed under endonasal endoscope, including Gross total resection in 10 patients. The tumor of a 12-year-old patient was not resected completely due to huge tumor size and limited operation space. One patient was accompanied by two other schwannomas located in the occipital region and the ipsilateral parotid gland region originating from the zygomatic branch of the facial nerve, both of which were removed concurrently. After tumor resection, the dura mater of middle cranial fossa was directly exposed in the nasal sinus in 2 cases, including 1 case accompanied by cerebrospinal fluid leakage which was reconstructed by a free mucosal flap obtained from the middle turbinate, the other case was packed by the autologous fat to protect the dura mater. The operation time was (M(IQR)) 180 (160) minutes (range: 120 to 485 minutes). No complications and deaths were observed. No recurrence was observed in the 10 patients with total tumor resection during a 58 (68) months' (range: 10 to 90 months) follow-up. No obvious change was observed in the facial appearance of all patients during the follow-up. Conclusion: Type D trigeminal schwannoma involving pterygopalatine fossa and infratemporal fossa can be removed safely through purely endoscopic endonasal approach by selecting the appropriate approach according to the size and involvement of the tumor.

[Gastric SWI/SNF-complex deficient undifferentiated/rhabdoid carcinoma: a clinicopathological study].

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features, immunohistochemical characteristics, differential diagnosis and prognosis of gastric SWI/SNF-complex deficient undifferentiated/rhabdoid carcinomas. Methods: Two cases of gastric SWI/SNF-complex deficient undifferentiated/rhabdoid carcinoma were collected at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China from 2017 to 2018. The clinicopathological characteristics were analyzed. Hematoxylin and eosin, and immunohistochemical stains were performed, and the relevant literatures were reviewed. Results: The two patients were both male, aged 60 and 74 years, respectively. Their symptoms were both abdominal pain. The tumor arose in the esophagogastric junction in case 1, and the cardia to the fundus and the posterior wall of the upper part of gastric body in case 2. Both tumors were present as an ulcerative mass. The patients died of tumor 11 months and 8 months after surgery, respectively. Histologically, the tumor cells arranged in sheets, nests, cords or trabecular patterns, and pseudoavleolar structure. The tumor cells were epithelioid with uniform morphology, while the tumors showed scant stroma and massive necrosis. Variable rhabdoid cells and multinucleated giant cells were seen in both cases. SMARCA4 encoding protein BRG1 was undetectable in both tumors, while SMARCB1 encoding protein INI1 was detected. The tumor cells were diffusely positive for vimentin and negative for epithelial marker (CKpan), gastrointestinal stromal tumor markers (CD117 and DOG1), myogenic markers (desmin and myogenin), melanoma markers (S-100 protein, SOX10 and HMB45), and lymphohematopoietic markers (LCA and CD20). Conclusions: Gastric SWI/SNF-complex deficient undifferentiated/rhabdoid carcinoma is a rare and highly aggressive tumor with poor prognosis. The detection of subunits protein expression of SWI/SNF complex is important for diagnosis of the tumor.

[Clinicopathological features and outcome of gastroenteropancreatic high-grade (WHO G3) neuroendocrine tumors: a study of 60 cases].

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features and outcome of gastroenteropancreatic high-grade neuroendocrine tumors. Methods: A total of 60 gastroenteropancreatic high-grade neuroendocrine tumors were collected from January 1st, 2013 to December 31th, 2018 at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, with available pathology databases and clinic follow-up information. At the same time, 157 cases of gastrointestinal pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm (NEN) diagnosed at the hospital in 2018 were collected and the incidence of NEN at all grades was compared. Results: There were 32 males and 28 females, aged 13-80 years (mean 54 years). Pancreas primary was the most common (48%, 29/60). Nodal metastatic rate was 9/16 and distant metastatic rate was 41%(18/44). Liver was the most common site of metastasis. Among all the gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms diagnosed in the hospital in 2018, the incidence of high-grade neuroendocrine tumors was the lowest (7%, 11/157). High-grade neuroendocrine tumors had typical pathologic features of well-differentiated/moderate neuroendocrine tumors, but with significant differences in mitotic rates. By immunohistochemical staining, most of the tumors expressed neuroendocrine markers and somatostatin receptor 2 was positive in 60% (12/20) of the cases. The average Ki-67 index was 30%-40%, and there was significant difference between cases (18%-80%). The overall survival of high-grade neuroendocrine tumors was 43 months, and the disease-free survival was 12 months. Conclusions: High-grade neuroendocrine tumor is a rare group of neuroendocrine tumors, with unique clinicopathological features and good prognosis. Pathological classification and grading of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms can help clinicians to select appropriate treatment and accurately evaluate prognosis.

[Application and influencing factors of endorectal ultrasound in T-stage restaging of rectal cancer following neoadjuvant therapy].

Objective: To evaluate the accuracy and influencing factors of T-stage restaging of rectal cancer following neoadjuvant therapy with endorectal ultrasonography (ERUS). Methods: In a retrospective study, endorectal ultrasound was performed in 86 patients with rectal cancer following neoadjuvant therapy. The imaging results were compared with postoperative pathological T-stage. Results: The accuracy of overall T-stage restaging with ERUS was 67.4% (58/86). Additionally, the accuracy of restaging in middle and high rectal cancer was higher, with an accuracy of 76.1%(35/46)and 100%(4/4) respectively. Univariate analysis showed that the location of tumors was an independent factor affecting the accuracy of ERUS(P=0.033). Conclusion: ERUS is an effective method to restage T-stage of rectal cancer following neoadjuvant therapy.

FEAT expression correlates with tumor size, PR status, HER2 expression, Ki67 index, and molecular subtype and predicts recurrence in breast cancer.

FEAT protein is uniformly overexpressed in a variety of human cancers but weakly expressed in normal tissue. FEAT has antiapoptotic activity and plays a role in carcinogenesis; however, the correlation between FEAT and clinicopathologic characteristics in cancer has not been reported. Our study explores the expression of FEAT protein and its clinicopathologic significance in breast cancer. We examined the expression of FEAT in tissues from 131 cases of breast cancer by immunohistochemistry and analyzed the correlation between FEAT expression and clinicopathologic parameters. The difference in FEAT expression between normal breast tissues and breast cancer tissues was also investigated. Finally, we analyzed the association between FEAT expression and disease-free survival or overall survival. Our data showed that FEAT was expressed in the cytoplasm. The expression of FEAT protein was significantly higher in breast cancer tissues than in normal breast tissues. Moreover, the expression of FEAT protein was higher in breast cancer with a larger tumor size (>2 cm), negative PR, positive HER2, or higher Ki67 index (≥14%) than in breast cancer with a smaller tumor size (≤2 cm), positive PR, negative HER2, or lower Ki67 index (<14%) (P<0.05). In addition, the expression of FEAT protein was associated with tumor size, PR status, HER2 expression, Ki67 index, and molecular subtype. Survival analysis showed that disease-free survival and overall survival were significantly shorter in breast cancer patients with high FEAT expression than in those with low expression of FEAT (P<0.05). COX regression analysis showed that FEAT was an independent prognostic factor for recurrence in breast cancer, but not for survival. In conclusion, FEAT may be a potential biomarker for recurrence of breast cancer.

Rapid and sensitive detection of redspotted grouper nervous necrosis virus (RGNNV) infection by aptamer-coat protein-aptamer sandwich enzyme-linked apta-sorbent assay (ELASA).

Redspotted grouper nervous necrosis virus (RGNNV) is one of the most devastating pathogens in the aquaculture of the grouper, Epinephlus sp., worldwide. The early and rapid diagnosis of RGNNV is important for the prevention of RGNNV infection. In this study, an aptamer (A10)-based sandwich enzyme-linked apta-sorbent assay (ELASA) was developed for RGNNV diagnosis. This sandwich ELASA showed high specificity for the RGNNV coat protein (CP) and virions in virus-infected cells and tissues. At the optimized working concentration of 200 nM of aptamer, the ELASA could detect RGNNV in the lysates of as few as 4 × 103 RGNNV-infected GB cells. Incubation for 10 min was sufficient to produce accurate results. The sandwich ELASA was most stable at incubation temperatures of 4-25°C, but could still distinguish RGNNV-infected samples from the controls at 37°C. It could detect RGNNV infection in brain lysates diluted 1/10, with results consistent with those of reverse transcription PCR, although with 10% less sensitivity. The main equipment required includes dissection tools, a water bath, Pierce™ Streptavidin Coated Plates and a microplate reader. The sandwich ELASA has great potential utility for the rapid and sensitive diagnosis of RGNNV in its early stages by fish farmers.

Numerical investigation of airflow, heat transfer and particle deposition for oral breathing in a realistic human upper airway model.

Inhalation injury from exposure to fire smoke is one of the causes of burn-related death. In this study, a realistic three-dimensional human upper airway model was built from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanned images, including the nasal, oral, pharynx, larynx, trachea and part of the first generation of the tracheobronchial tree, as well as a tissue region from the pharynx to the upper bronchi. The Transition Shear Stress Transport (SST-transition) turbulence model, Pennes bioheat transfer equation, convective boundary conditions and a Lagrangian frame were applied and verified with experimental measurements to simulate the airflow fields, temperature distributions and particle deposition in the human airway model. The effects of flow rate, inhalation temperature and particle diameter were studied. It showed that the oral cavity is more likely to be affected by the inlet air conditions. The mucosa in the oral, pharynx and larynx are more likely to cause the thermal injury. The inspiration flow rate significantly influences the airflow fields, temperature distributions and particle deposition fraction interior of the human upper airway model, especially in the pharynx-larynx region. The rising flow rate, inhalation air temperature and particle diameter all contribute to boosting the total deposition fraction in the model. The heated particles with a higher temperature are more likely to be deposited in the oral cavity and the influence of the inlet temperature has a minor influence in the case of a bigger particle diameter.

Establishment and characterization of a cell line from the head kidney of golden pompano Trachinotus ovatus and its application in toxicology and virus susceptibility.

A cell line derived from the head kidney of golden pompano Trachinotus ovatus (TOHK) was established and characterized in this study. The TOHK cells grew most rapidly at 28° C and the optimum foetal bovine serum concentration in L-15 medium was 10%. The TOHK cells have a diploid chromosome number of 2N = 54. The transfection efficiency of TOHK cells was 7·5% at the 15th passage and 72% at the 40th passage. The transfection efficiency in TOHK cells was high, so these cells are suitable for foreign gene expression. The cytotoxic effects of heavy metals and extracellular products from Vibrio anguillarum and Vibrio alginolyticus were demonstrated in TOHK cells, so this TOHK cell line could also be applied in environmental monitoring of heavy metals and pathogenic bacteria. TOHK cell line showed high virus susceptibility, such as grouper nervous necrosis virus (GNNV) and Singapore grouper iridovirus (SGIV). Then, TOHK cell line could be used for the study of viral pathogenesis and the development of antiviral strategies.

[Clinical analysis of secondary cervical lymph node dissection in papillary thyroid carcinoma].

Objective: To investigate the value of secondary cervical lymph node dissection in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Methods: PTC patients with recurrence re-operated in a previously dissected area at our hospital during 2000-2016 were included in this analysis. Patients were divided according to the operative interval of 6 months. The level and number of lymph node metastasis and the number of lymph node dissection were analyzed to calculate the ratio of lymph node metastasis. Results: A total of 336 PTC patients received 360 side lateral cervical lymph nodes dissection. The ratio of recurrence in unilateral lateral neck is 92.9%(312/336). The ratio of recurrence in multiple levels (more than two regions) were 47.5% (171/360). The recurrence ratio of level Ⅱ, Ⅲ, Ⅳ and Ⅴ were 55.6%(200/360), 44.2%(159/360), 59.7%(215/360) and 10.3%(37/360), respectively. Lymph node metastases were inclined to level Ⅱ (33.6%) and Ⅳ (35.8%). The mean number of lymph node dissection and metastasis in the group of operative interval ≤ 6 months was 26.56 per case and 4.37 per case, respectively. The mean number of lymph node dissection and metastasis in the group of operative interval >6 months was 16.80 per case and 3.20 per case, respectively. The number of lymph node dissection and metastasis between these two groups were significantly different (P=0.001, P<0.001). Conclusions: Lymph node metastasis of PTC patients with secondary cervical lymph node dissection are inclined to level Ⅱ and level Ⅳ. Moreover, multi-level metastasis is not rare. Level Ⅱ and level Ⅳ require more attention in the first operation. Most of the patients undergo reoperation because of residual lymph nodes from the previous treatment. Normalization and completeness of the initial dissection are particularly important to PTC patients.

Subjective well-being amongst migrant children in China: unravelling the roles of social support and identity integration.

BACKGROUND: Migrant children refer to rural children who accompany one or both parents to urban area. Empirical evidence showed that compared with their urban counterparts, migrant children had poorer developmental, emotional and psychological health. METHOD: A sample of 1306 migrant children were recruited to examine the characteristics of migrant children and investigate the effects of identity integration, support and socioeconomic factors (e.g. age, gender, type of school, family socioeconomic status, city type) on their subjective wellbeing. RESULTS: Children with higher levels of identity integration, social support, family socioeconomic status, who attended public school and who lived in the third-tiered city of Weihai demonstrated better subjective wellbeing. Social support remained a strong predictor for subjective wellbeing, despite a significant mediating effect of identity integration. CONCLUSIONS: These results highlight the need for policymakers and practitioners alike to address individual factors pertaining to psychological adjustments, as well as social determinants of subjective wellbeing in the context of migration.

[Multi-disciplinary treatment increases the survival rate of late stage pharyngeal, laryngeal or cervical esophageal cancers treated by free jejunal flap reconstruction after cancer resection].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the survival status of patients with pharyngeal, laryngeal or cervical esophageal cancers, who received free jejunal flap (FJF) to repair the defects following tumor resection, and to analyze the effect of multi-disciplinary treatment on their survival. METHODS: Fifty-eight patients with pharyngeal, laryngeal or cervical esophageal cancer underwent free jejunal flap (FJF) reconstruction after cancer resection between 2010 and 2013. All their clinical records were reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: The success rate of flap transplantation was 91.4% (53/58). The 2-year overall survival rates (OSR) of cervical esophageal cancer and hypopharyngeal cancer patients were 67.5% and 49.3%, respectively, both were significantly better than that of laryngeal cancer. The main causes of death were local recurrence and distant metastases. The group with no short-term complications had a better two-year OSR (59.0%) than the group with short-term complications (46.6%), however, the difference between them was not significant (P=0.103). The 2-year survival rate of the initial treatment group was 65.0%, better than that of the salvage treatment group (49.4%), but the difference was not significant (P=0.051). For the stage III and IV patients, the multi-disciplinary treatment group had a significantly better 2-year OSR (64.7%) than the single or sequential treatment group (37.0%, P=0.016). CONCLUSIONS: Free jejunal flap reconstruction is an ideal option for repairing the cervical digestive tract circumferential defects caused by tumor resection with a high success rate and a low mortality. Compared with the single or sequential treatment, multi-disciplinary treatment can significantly improve the survival rate of late-stage hypopharyngeal and cervical esophageal cancer patients.

First Report of Stem Rot of Konjac Caused by Phytophthora nicotianae in China.

Konjac (Amorphophallus) is an important economic crop widely used in health products and biomaterials in Asia (2). A serious foliage disease of Konjac was observed in Fuyuan County, Yunnan Province, China, in July 2012. The symptoms began with leaf color changes from light green to yellow, followed by discoloration on the stem base, plant wilting, bulb rotting, and ultimately plant death. Symptomatic tissues were cut into small pieces, surface-sterilized, and cultured on 20% V8 juice agar at 28°C. Five days after incubation, white fluffy colonies with the typical sporangium of Phytophthora sp. were observed from root and stem pieces. Isolates were identified as P. nicotianae based on morphological characteristics and DNA analysis. The growth rate of the colonies was 16 mm/d at 28°C. Sporangia were pyriform, ovoid to spherical, and papillate, and the dimensions of the 80 sporangia measured ranged from 23.7 to 60.4 × 19.4 to 45.7 µm (avg. 42.4 × 31.5 µm) with length-to-breadth ratios of 1.19 to 1.44 (avg. 1.34). The chlamydospores were spherical with a smooth surface, and their dimensions ranged from 20.3 to 47.3 × 18.9 to 45.9 µm (avg. 32.7 × 30.4 µm) (3). DNA was extracted from one colony containing spores and hyphae of the isolated P. nicotianae, and the nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region was amplified with primers ITS6 and ITS4 (4). The obtained 854-bp amplicon was purified and sequenced. NCBI BLAST retrieved a 100% identity with P. nicotianae (GenBank Accession No. KJ506732). A pathogenicity test of the isolated P. nicotianae was conducted in a greenhouse. After 7 days in a humidity-controlled greenhouse, all 10 inoculated plants showed similar symptoms as observed initially in the field, while control plants were symptomless. P. nicotianae was re-isolated from the inoculated stems, thus successfully completing Koch's postulates (1). To our knowledge, this is the first report of P. nicotianae as a pathogen of Konjac in China. References: (1) B. Alvarez-Rodriguez et al. Plant Dis. 97:1257, 2013. (2) H. Ban, et al. Plant Cell Rep. 28:1847, 2009. (3) D. C. Erwin and O. K. Ribeiro. Phytophthora Diseases Worldwide. APS Press, St. Paul, MN, 1996. (4) J. M. French et al. Plant Dis. 95:1028, 2011.

PCR screening reveals considerable unexploited biosynthetic potential of ansamycins and a mysterious family of AHBA-containing natural products in actinomycetes.

AIMS: Ansamycins are a family of macrolactams that are synthesized by type I polyketide synthase (PKS) using 3-amino-5-hydroxybenzoic acid (AHBA) as the starter unit. Most members of the family have strong antimicrobial, antifungal, anticancer and/or antiviral activities. We aimed to discover new ansamycins and/or other AHBA-containing natural products from actinobacteria. METHODS AND RESULTS: Through PCR screening of AHBA synthase gene, we identified 26 AHBA synthase gene-positive strains from 206 plant-associated actinomycetes (five positives) and 688 marine-derived actinomycetes (21 positives), representing a positive ratio of 2·4-3·1%. Twenty-five ansamycins, including eight new compounds, were isolated from six AHBA synthase gene-positive strains through TLC-guided fractionations followed by repeated column chromatography. To gain information about those potential ansamycin gene clusters whose products were unknown, seven strains with phylogenetically divergent AHBA synthase genes were subjected to fosmid library construction. Of the seven gene clusters we obtained, three show characteristics for typical ansamycin gene clusters, and other four, from Micromonospora spp., appear to lack the amide synthase gene, which is unusual for ansamycin biosynthesis. The gene composition of these four gene clusters suggests that they are involved in the biosynthesis of a new family of hybrid PK-NRP compounds containing AHBA substructure. CONCLUSIONS: PCR screening of AHBA synthase is an efficient approach to discover novel ansamycins and other AHBA-containing natural products. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This work demonstrates that the AHBA-based screening method is a useful approach for discovering novel ansamycins and other AHBA-containing natural products from new microbial resources.

Perceived parenting and risk for major depression in Chinese women.

BACKGROUND: In Western countries, a history of major depression (MD) is associated with reports of received parenting that is low in warmth and caring and high in control and authoritarianism. Does a similar pattern exist in women in China? METHOD: Received parenting was assessed by a shortened version of the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI) in two groups of Han Chinese women: 1970 clinically ascertained cases with recurrent MD and 2597 matched controls. MD was assessed at personal interview. RESULTS: Factor analysis of the PBI revealed three factors for both mothers and fathers: warmth, protectiveness, and authoritarianism. Lower warmth and protectiveness and higher authoritarianism from both mother and father were significantly associated with risk for recurrent MD. Parental warmth was positively correlated with parental protectiveness and negatively correlated with parental authoritarianism. When examined together, paternal warmth was more strongly associated with lowered risk for MD than maternal warmth. Furthermore, paternal protectiveness was negatively and maternal protectiveness positively associated with risk for MD. CONCLUSIONS: Although the structure of received parenting is very similar in China and Western countries, the association with MD is not. High parental protectiveness is generally pathogenic in Western countries but protective in China, especially when received from the father. Our results suggest that cultural factors impact on patterns of parenting and their association with MD.

[Diagnosis and differentiation diagnosis of primary temporomandibular joint cartilage and giant cell related tumor lesions].

Cartilage and giant cell-related neoplastic lesions originating in the temporomandibular joint region have similar clinical, imaging and pathological manifestations, making the diagnosis of these disorders challenging to varying degrees. Diagnostic findings can influence treatment procedures and a definitive pathological diagnosis is important for the prognosis of these conditions. In this article, we discuss the pathological diagnosis and differentiation of four benign cartilage and giant cell related tumors and tumor-like lesions that occur in the temporomandibular joint, namely synovial chondromatosis, tumoral calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease, pigmented villonodular synovitis and chondroblastoma, taking into account their clinical features and histological manifestations, with a view to providing a basis for clinical management.

[Analysis of surgical strategy for pediatric papillary thyroid carcinoma with low-intermediate risk].

Objective: To explore the feasibility and rationality of lobectomy in the treatment of pediatric thyroid papillary carcinoma (PTC) with low-intermediate risk. Methods: The clinicopathological features and follow-up data of pediatric PTC with low-intermediate risk were reviewed from March 2000 to December 2018 in Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. The correlations between different surgical procedures and prognoses were evaluated. Propensity score matching(PSM) was used to adjust for risk factors, and the difference in prognoses between the total thyroidectomy (TT) group and the lobectomy (LT) group was compared. Results: A total of 140 patients were included in the study, including 36 males and 104 females. The age range was from 6-year-old to 18-year-old. There were 43 low-risk patients and 97 intermediate-risk patients. The median follow-up time was 87.5 months, ranging from 8 to 241 months, and 20 patients (14.3%) showed recurrence during the follow-up period. Univariate analysis showed that N1b, extrathyroidal extension, the number of lymph node metastasis>5, the ratio of lymph node metastasis≥0.19, and radioactive iodine treatment were risk factors for recurrence (all P value below 0.05), but multivariate analysis showed that only the ratio of lymph node metastasis≥0.19 (HR=8.69, 95%CI=1.08-70.21, P=0.043) was an independent risk factor for recurrence. There was no significant difference in the 5-year recurrence free survival rates between TT group and LT group before propensity score matching (82.8% vs. 86.5%, χ2=0.219, P=0.640) and after propensity score matching (89.6% vs. 90.4%, χ2=0.099, P=0.753). Conclusion: There is no significant difference in recurrence-free survival between TT group and LT group. Lobectomy is feasible for selective pediatric PTC with low-intermediate risk.