A deep-learning model using enhanced chest CT images to predict PD-L1 expression in non-small-cell lung cancer patients.

AIM: To develop a deep-learning model using contrast-enhanced chest computed tomography (CT) images to predict programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Preoperative enhanced chest CT images and immunohistochemistry results for PD-L1 expression (<1% and ≥1% were defined as negative and positive, respectively) were collected retrospectively from 125 NSCLC patients to train and validate a deep-learning radiomics model (DLRM) for the prediction of PD-L1 expression in tumours. The DLRM was developed by combining the deep-learning signature (DLS) obtained from a convolutional neural network and clinicopathological factors. The indexes of the area under the curve (AUC), integrated discrimination improvement (IDI), and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used to evaluate the efficiency of the DLRM. RESULTS: DLS and tumour stage were identified as independent predictors of PD-L1 expression by the DLRM. The AUCs of the DLRM were 0.804 (95% confidence interval: 0.697-0.911) and 0.804 (95% confidence interval: 0.679-0.929) in the training and validation cohorts, respectively. IDI analysis showed the DLRM had better diagnostic accuracy than DLS (0.0028 [p<0.05]) in the validation cohort. Additionally, DCA revealed that the DLRM had more net benefit than the DLS for clinical utility. CONCLUSION: The proposed DLRM using enhanced chest CT images could function as a non-invasive diagnostic tool to differentiate PD-L1 expression in NSCLC patients.

[Application value of serum protein indicators in constructing the early prediction model for the prognosis of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis].

Objective: To analyze the clinical significance of laboratory examination indicators as the key prognostic factors and to construct an early prediction model for prognosis assessment of pulmonary tuberculosis patients. Methods: The basic information, biochemical indexes and blood routine items of 163 tuberculosis patients (144 males and 19 females, aged 41-70 years, with an average age of 56 years) and 118 healthy persons who underwent physical examination (101 males and 17 females, aged 46-64 years, with an average age of 54 years) in Suzhou Fifth People's Hospital from January 2012 to December 2020 were retrospectively collected. According to the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis after six months of treatment, the enrolled patients were divided into a cured group (96 cases) and a treatment failure group (67 cases). To analyze the baseline levels of laboratory examination indicators between these two groups, we screened the key predictors and the binary logistic regression method in SPSS statistics software was used to construct the prediction model. Results: The baseline levels of total protein, albumin, prealbumin, glutamic-pyruvic transaminase, erythrocyte, hemoglobin and lymphocyte were significantly higher in the cured group than in the treatment failure group. After 6 months of treatment, the indexes of total protein, albumin and prealbumin increased significantly in the cured group, but remained at the low levels in the treatment failure group. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that total protein, albumin and prealbumin as independent predictors for forecasting the prognosis of pulmonary tuberculosis patients had the highest prediction accuracy. Logistic regression analysis showed that the combination of these three key predictors could construct the best early prediction model for assessing the prognosis of pulmonary tuberculosis patients, with a prediction accuracy of 0.924 (0.886-0.961), sensitivity of 75.0%, specificity of 94%, showing an ideal prediction accuracy. Conclusions: The routine test indexes of total protein, albumin and prealbumin show good application value in the construction of early prediction model for prognosis evaluation of pulmonary tuberculosis treatment. The combined prediction model consisting of total protein, albumin and prealbumin is expected to provide a theoretical basis and reference model for precision treatment and prognosis assessment of tuberculosis patients.

[Relationship between cadmium exposure and pulmonary function level and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

Objective: To analyze the levels and distribution characteristics of blood cadmium and urinary cadmium in American adults, to analyze the relationship between blood cadmium and urinary cadmium and pulmonary function dose response, and to explore the effect of this index on the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Methods: In March 2022, 3785 patients from 2007 to 2012 in NHANES database were selected as the subjects. Collect demography data such as gender and age, and test data such as lung function, blood cadmium concentration and Urine cadimium concentration. The relationship between blood and urine cadmium levels and lung function and pulmonary function and chronic obstructive pulmonary diease (COPD) was analyzed by Mann-Whitney U test or Kruskal-Wallis H test, multivariate linear regression and restricted cubic spline method. Results: The geometric mean of blood cadmium and urine cadmium in American adults was 0.37 g/L and 0.28 g/L, FEV(1) and FEV(1)/FVC among different cadmium exposure groups was statistically significant, and there was a negative linear dose-response relationship between serum Cd and urine Cd concentrations and FEV(1)/FVC levels (P(overall)<0.001, P(non-linear)=0.152; P(overall)<0.001, P(non-linear)=0.926). Compared with the lowest quartile concentration (Q1), the highest quartile blood cadmium concentration (Q4) (OR=1.934, P(trend)=0.000) and urinary cadmium concentration (OR=1.683, P(trend)=0.000) may increased the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Conclusion: There is a negative correlation between blood cadmium, urinary cadmium levels and lung function in American adults, and cadmium may increase the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

[Normocalcemic with elevated post-operative parathormone in primary hyperpara-thyroidism: 9 case reports and literature review].

OBJECTIVE: To summarize and analyze the clinical characteristics of primary hyperpara-thyroidism (PHPT) with normocalcemic parathormone elevation (NPE) after surgical treatment, so as to improve the therapeutic ability and standardized post-operative follow-up of PHPT patients. METHODS: Nine patients who were diagnosed with PHPT in the Department of Endocrinology of China-Japan Friendship Hospital from August 2017 to November 2019 were selected as the subjects. They all developed NPE within 6 months after surgical treatment. The clinical features and outcomes were collected and analyzed retrospectively, in addition, the related literature was reviewed. RESULTS: Clinical features: among the 9 patients, 6 were middle-aged and elderly females and 3 were male. The main clinical manifestations were bone pain, kidney stones, nausea and fatigue except for one case of asymptomatic PHPT. Pre-operative examination showed high serum calcium [(3.33±0.48) mmol/L], low serum phosphorus [0.76 (0.74, 0.78) mmol/L], high 24-hour urinary calcium [8.1(7.8, 12.0) mmol/24 h], obviously elevated intact PTH [(546.1±257.7) ng/L], vitamin D deficiency [25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (21.0±5.7) nmol/L]. Serum levels of bone alkaline phosphatase [7 patients 41.3(38.6, 68.4) µg/L, 2 patients >90 µg/L] and N-terminal midcourse osteocalcin (>71.4 µg/L) were significantly elevated. The estimated glomerular filtration rate decreased in 2 patients. Imaging examination: 7 patients had osteoporosis. Renal calculi were found in 3 patients by renal ultrasound. Imaging examination of parathyroid glands found definite lesions in all the patients, including 2 cases of multiple lesions and 7 cases of single lesions. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: two patients underwent parathyroidectomy, while other patients were treated with microwave thermal ablation. PTH increased 1 month after therapy [(255.0±101.4) ng/L], and no recurrent lesions were found by parathyroid ultrasound. After combined treatment with cal-cium and vitamin D for six months, PTH decreased significantly and the level of serum calcium remained normal at anytime during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: The occurrence of postoperative NPE may be related to the higher pre-operative PTH, vitamin D deficiency and lower creatinine clearance. However, NPE may not predict recurrent hyperthyroidism or incomplete parathyroidectomy. Adequate calcium and vitamin D supplementation after surgery seems to be beneficial for patients with NPE. Post-operative follow-up of PHPT patients should be standardized to prevent and treat post-operative NPE.

[Systematic review of gut microbiota changes in patients with chronic heart failure].

Objective: To analyze the changes on gut microbiota and metabolic products in patients with chronic heart failure. Methods: By searching the Pubmed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and CNKI, Wanfang, and CMB databases from the day of built up to December 2019, we screened related literature exploring the intestinal flora of chronic heart failure patients, and systematic review was performed to study changes in intestinal flora composition, function, and metabolites among chronic heart failure patients. Results: A total of 10 articles were included to study the gut microbiota of patients with chronic heart failure in this analysis. The systematic review showed significant changes in ß-diversity in patients with heart failure. The abundance of faecalibacterium, blautia, bacteroides, prevotella and anaerostipes was decreased, while the abundance of streptococcus, escherichia/shigella, veillonella, and enterobacte was increased. The increased microbial gene function in patients with heart failure included tryptophan metabolism, lipid metabolism, LPS synthesis,and so on, especially, bacterial genes related to trimethylamine oxide production increased significantly, while genes related to key enzymes producing the beneficial metabolite butyrate decreased significantly, and harmful metabolite trimethylamine oxide levels increased in chronic heart failure patients. Conclusion: There are significant changes in the structure, function and metabolites of intestinal flora in patients with chronic heart failure.

CXCL-10/CXCR3 in macrophages regulates tissue repair by controlling the expression of Arg1, VEGFa and TNFα.

Macrophages have been reported to participate in inflammation, tissue homeostasis and tissue repair. The detailed mechanism of macrophage-mediated tissue repair is not clear. CXCL-10, secreted by monocytes, endothelial cells and fibroblasts, mediates immune response and angiogenesis by binding to CXCR3. In this study, the expression of CXCL-10 and CXCR3 in porcine lung injury induced by porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) infection was firstly examined. The results showed that the expression of both CXCL-10 and CXCR3 increased in the infected pig lungs. In addition, the increased expression of CXCL-10 and CXCR3 in macrophage treated by poly (I:C) was also observed, suggesting the autocrine system existed in macrophages. Furthermore, CXCL-10 treatment induced upregulation of Arg1 and VEGFa, and downregulation of TNFα in macrophage, and CXCR3 antagonist AMG487 treatment presented the contrary effects on the expression of Arg1, VEGFa, and TNFα. CXCL- 10-stimulated effects were dependent on PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Wound-healing assay showed that CXCL-10 treatment macrophage conditioned medium promoted the healing process of endothelial cells. Our results suggested that CXCL-10/CXCR3 in macrophage may mediate tissue repair by regulating the macrophage expression of Arg1, VEGFa and TNFα. Modulation of CXCL-10/CXCR3 axis in macrophage may be a potential therapeutic strategy for tissue injury and repair.

[Clinical characteristics of central diabetes insipidus: a retrospective analysis of 230 cases].

Objective: To evaluate the clinical characteristics and etiologies of central diabetes insipidus (CDI). Methods: The clinical data of 230 patients with CDI in the Department of Endocrinology of Chinese PLA General Hospital from 2008 June to 2014 December were collected and analyzed retrospectively. Results: The three most common causes of CDI were idiopathic CDI, lymphocytic hypophysitis and intracranial germ cell tumors. Among all the CDI, the idiopathic CDI accounted for 37.48%. There were significant differences in age onset and gender distribution among the different causes of CDI. The patients with intracranial germ cell tumors [age of onset(19.2±10.2) years] were younger than the other types of CDI. Germ cell tumors patients were more common in male, and lymphocytic hypophysitis patients were more common in female. The most frequent abnormality of anterior pituitary in patients with CDI was growth hormone deficiency, followed by hypogonadism, adrenal insufficiency and hypothyroidism. The dysfunction of thyroid axis and adrenal axis in patients with germ cell tumor was more common than those in patients with idiopathic and lymphocytic hypophysitis. Conclusions: The most common causes of central diabetes insipidus were idiopathic CDI, lymphocytic hypophysitis and intracranial germ cell tumors. There were differences in age of onset, gender distribution and abnormal production of anterior pituitary hormones among all causes of CDI patients.

[Relationship between inflammatory indexes of amniotic fluid and pregnancy outcome of women with cervical incompetence].

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the level of amniotic fluid inflammatory factor and the pregnancy outcome in patients with cervical incompetence. Methods: A retrospective case-control study was conducted. Totally 110 cases of pregnant women were diagnosed as cervical incompetence for cervical dilation at the medical examination in Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yatsen University, from January 1st, 2015 to December 31th, 2016. A total of 32 patients (29.1%, 32/110) were performed cervical cerclage. According to their neonatal outcomes, they were divided into live infant group (23 cases, 72%) and dead infant group (9 cases, 28%) . The demographic and clinical data of two groups were analyzed and compared. Results: The mean peripheral blood leucocyte counts, the median amniotic tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and the median interleukin-8 (IL-8) level of two groups were (10.5±2.8) ×10(9)/L vs (13.6±3.1) ×10(9)/L, 23.80 ng/L (14.9-85.5 ng/L) vs 379.00 ng/L (70.2-418.5 ng/L) , and 3 354 ng/L (1 020-7 500 ng/L) vs 7 500 ng/L (4 210-7 500 ng/L) respectively. The differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05) . The amniotic fluid IL-1ß, IL-2 receptor, IL-6, IL-10, C-reactive protein and procalcitonin were not significantly different (all P>0.05) between two groups. Conclusions: The peripheral blood leucocyte counts, amniotic fluid TNF-α and IL-8 level are the factors affecting the pregnancy outcome in women with cervical incompetence before cervical cerclage. When IL-8 is higher than 3 580 ng/L and TNF-α is higher than 105 ng/L, the death of perinatal infants could be predicted.

[Killing effect of icotinib combined with CIK on human lung adenocarcinoma cells in vitro].

Objective: To explore the inhibitory effect of icotinib combined with cytokine induced killer (CIK) on various human lung adenocarcinoma cell lines in vitro. Methods: The inhibitory effect of icotinib alone or icotinib combined with CIK on HCC827 and A549 cells was detected by cell counting kit-8(CCK-8). The apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry via Annexin V/PI staining. The effect of icotinib on CIK phenotype was detected by flow cytometry. Results: The inhibitory rates of HCC827 cells treated with 1.5, 3, 6, 12 µmol/L icotinib were (5.64±0.05)%, (8.62±0.45)%, (14.57±0.65)% and (18.52±0.91)%, respectively. The inhibitory rates of A549 cells were (1.64±0.48)%, (2.09±0.28)%, (3.69±0.45)%, (4.41±0.58)%, respectively. At the same concentration, the inhibitory rate of HCC827 cells with icotinib treatment was significantly higher than that of A549 cells (P<0.05). When the effector/target ratio was 10∶1, 20∶1 or 40∶1, the inhibitory rates of HCC827 cells co-cultured with CIK were (15.17±2.33)%, (42.59±7.18)%, (62.59±8.95)%, respectively, and the inhibitory rates of A549 were(16.99±2.81)%, (46.31±1.89)%, (58.24±4.23)%, respectively. The inhibitory rate of HCC827 cells co-cultured with CIK was not significantly different from that of A549 cells at the same effector/target ratio (P(10∶1)=0.299, P(20∶1)=0.318, P(40∶1)=0.366). When the effector/target ratio of CIK combined with 6 µmol/L icotinib was 10∶1, 20∶1 or 40∶1, the inhibitory rates of HCC827 cells were (37.07±3.50)%, (76.03±6.55)%, (80.34±10.69)%, respectively, and the inhibitory rates of A549 cells were(25.72±1.41)%, (52.76±3.82)%, (62.26±1.94)%, respectively. The inhibitory rates of 6 µmol/L icotinib combined with CIK were significantly higher than those of icotinib group and CIK group alone at the same effector/target ratio (P<0.05), except for the effector/target ratio at 40︰1 on A549 cells (P=0.089). Moreover, all of the combination index (CI) of combined group were <1 (P<0.05). The apoptotic rates of HCC827 and A549 cells induced by icotinib combined with CIK were significantly higher than those of icotinib group and blank control group (P<0.05), especially the proportion of late apoptotic or necrotic cells.Increasing effector/target ratio of CIK contributed to stronger inhibition(P<0.05). The expressional rate of CIK phenotype with or without icotinib treatment was not significantly different from each other(P>0.05). Conclusions: EGFR mutant lung adenocarcinoma cells are more sensitive to icotinib, while the EGFR mutation status has no effect on the killing effect of CIK cells. icotinib combined with CIK has a synergistic effect on the inhibition of tumor growth, and icotinib has no any impact on the phenotype of CIK cells.

[The value of (18)F-FDG PET-CT imaging in predicting the malignant potential of GIST].

Objective: To evaluate the value of (18)F-FDG PET-CT in predicting the malignant potential of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GIST). Methods: The clinical and pathological features of 31 patients with GIST confirmed by surgery or biopsy were retrospectively analyzed. The malignant potential of GIST before treatment was assessed by (18)F-FDG PET-CT. The GIST risk classification was graded according to the Standard revised by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 2008. The relationship between the maximal standard uptake value (SUVmax) and GIST risk classification, tumor diameter, Ki-67 index, and mitotic count were analyzed respectively. The cut-off level of SUVmax for the diagnosis of malignant GIST was calculated from the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve. Results: Among the 31 cases of GIST patients, 14 cases were gastric primary (stomach group) and 17 cases were nongastric primary (outside stomach group). The SUVmax, tumor diameter, Ki-67 index and mitotic count of the 31 patients were 8.21±4.68, (7.82±5.12)cm, (10.03±11.07)% and (12.29±10.55)/50 HPF, respectively. SUVmax was significantly correlated with GIST risk classification (r=0.727, P<0.01), but not with tumor diameter, Ki-67 index and mitotic count (r=0.348, r=0.284, r=0.290, P=0.055, P=0.121, P=0.114). The SUVmax, tumor diameter, Ki-67 index and mitotic count in the stomach group were 4.36±2.36, (6.08±4.31)cm, (3.43±3.03)% and (5.71±2.20)/50 HPF, respectively. SUVmax was significantly correlated with tumor diameter, GIST risk classification and Ki-67 index (r=0.682, r=0.868, r=0.732, P<0.01) but not with mitotic count (r=0.510, P=0.063). The SUVmax of the GIST in the gastric group and the outside gastric group were 4.36±2.36 and 10.68±5.50, respectively. The difference was statistically significant (P=0.001). The SUVmax in the malignant group of GIST (middle or high risk grade) was 8.90±4.89, which was significantly higher than 2.22±0.86 in the benign group (low or very low risk grade). The difference was statistically significant between the two group (P<0.01). ROC curve analysis showed that a SUVmax cut-off of 3.75 was the most sensitive for predicting malignant GIST. When the area under the curve of 0.969, the sensitivity was 84.6% and the specificity was 100%. Conclusions: The SUVmax was strongly correlated with the GIST risk category and also with the tumor diameter and Ki-67 index in the gastric primary GIST, so it can be used as an effective indicator in predicting malignant potential of GIST before treatment.

[Evaluation of endometriosis fertility index in follow-up treatment of endometriosis combined with infertility patients after laparoscopic surgery].

Objective: To explore the application of endometriosis fertility index (EFI) in guidance after laparoscopic surgery of endometriosis patients combined with infertility and to explore methods to improve pregnancy rate in different EFI groups. Methods: A prospective research was done in endometriosis patients combined with infertility in Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital from January 2010 to June 2011, after laparoscopic surgery, these 146 patients were divided into 3 groups by EFI score. Using different pregnancy guidance, these patients had 5 years follow-up. Results: (1) The 5 years overall pregnancy rate was 89.0% (130/146). The pregnancy rate was 95.7% (45/47) in EFI≥9 group, 92.8% (77/83) in EFI 5-8 group and 8/16 in EFI≤4 group, three groups were all reach satisfactory pregnancy rate; the rate of the first two groups had no statistically significance (P=0.498), but had significant difference with the last group (P<0.01). (2) In EFI≥5 patients, pregnancy rate was the highest in 6 months after operation; in EFI≥9 group, the pregnancy rate was 66.7% (30/45), and EFI 5-8 group was 50.6% (39/77). (3) EFI≥9 group had the highest natural pregnancy rate [83.6% (46/55)], natural pregnancy rate was significant statistical different in different EFI groups (P=0.001). Conclusions: EFI score is a useful evaluation in predicting and guiding pregnancy in endometriosis patients combined with infertility after laparoscopic surgery. EFI score guidance, strict post-operation management and positive pregnancy scheme could significantly improve the pregnancy rate of endometriosis patients with infertility.

[Optimization of the method to cultivate NK cells from abandoned white cells].

OBJECTIVE: Using abandoned white cells separated from preparation of blood products to cultivate NK cells in vitro, and to optimize the method of cultivation of allogeneic NK cells for clinical application. METHODS: Abandoned white cells separated from blood production were collected from 15 healthy donors. PBMCs were isolated from the abandoned white cells and cultured for 17 days using culture bottles as previously coated antibodies (group CD3 mAb was coated with CD3 mAb, group CD 16mAb was coated with CD16mAb, and group CD3 mAb+ CD16 mAb was coated with CD3 mAb and CD16 mAb). Flow cytometry was used to determine the ratio of CD3(-)CD56(+) cells, expression of activated cell surface receptors, and secretion of IFN-γ. The anti-tumor cytotoxicity against K562 and Raji cells was determined using LDH cytotoxicity assay and flow cytometry. RESULTS: After expansion for 17 days, the proportions of CD3(-)CD56(+) cells was (15.19±12.22)% in the group CD3 mAb, (83.63±10.63)% in the group CD16 mAb, (49.40±12.64)% in the group CD3 mAb+ CD16 mAb, and it was (16.34±10.51)% before expansion. The total number of NK cells was more than 10(9). The expression ratios of NK cell surface activated receptors NKp30 and NKp46 were significantly increased, while that of the NKG2D was not significantly changed. The NK cells after expansion showed high cytotoxicity activity against K562 cells, reaching up to(76.97±3.16)% when effector-cell-to-target-cell ratio (E∶T ratio) was 40∶1. CONCLUSIONS: NK cells can be obtained from abandoned white cells after cultivation for 17 days, with a purity up to 90% and total cell number of more than 10(9). Their activity was reinforced, the anti-tumor cytotoxicity activity was increased, and may meet the standard of clinical therapeutic application.

[The prevalence and clinical features of fulminant type 1 diabetes].

Objective: To characterize the clinic features of fulminant type 1 diabetes mellitus(FT1DM). Methods: It was a retrospective study analyzing the clinical and laboratory data of patients diagnosed as FT1DM and type 1 diabetes in the Department of Endocrinology in China-Japan Friendship Hospital from January 2011 to November 2015. Results: A total of 125 newly diagnosed type 1 diabetic patients were included in the study, 14 of them (11.2%) met with the criteria of FT1DM. The age at onset was (35.8±8.3) years. The time from onset to ketosis was 2(0-7) days. The plasma glucose levels were extremely high[ (33.79±14.13)mmol/L], while glycosylated hemoglobin A1c[HbA1c, (6.9±0.7) %]and serum glycosylated albumin [(21.8±4.5)%] levels were only slightly above the normal range. Moreover, the C-peptide levels were extremely low and the situation kept after one month to two years' follow-up. Four (28%) patients were glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody (GADA) positive at the onset with two turned negative. One patient was GADA negative at the onset and turned positive after one month. The levels of serum transaminases increased with enlargement of liver in one of the patients after insulin therapy, who was diagnosed as glycogenic hepatopathy. Conclusions: FT1DM is an extremely rapidly progressing type of diabetes and life threatening disease. Causations have to be taken in medical practice.

Genotype I of hepatitis B virus was found in east Xishuangbanna, China and molecular dynamics of HBV/I.

There is a dearth of data about the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in Mengla, China; and no detailed analysis of the molecular evolution of genotype I in Asia. In this study, 909 serum samples from ethnic minority people in China were obtained. Serological assay and HBV S-gene amplification were carried out, and phylogenetic and evolutionary dynamics analysis of 62 HBV/I S-gene was performed. On this survey, 153 individuals were tested HBsAg-positive. Genotypes of S-gene were classified into three groups: C, B and I. Under the strict model and the relax model, the estimated evolutionary rates for HBV/I were 3.74 × 10(-4) and 6.93 × 10(-4) substitution/site/year, respectively. However, when the geographic origin was taken into account, the mean substitution rates were increased. Estimated time to most recent ancestor of genotype I varied from ~30 to ~70 years ago. The Bayesian sky plot showed a rapid spread of HBV/I at the end of 1980s. Peculiar nucleotides distributed were observed in the subgenotype I1/I2. In conclusion, higher prevalence of HBV infection was observed in Mengla county. Multifactors like timescale and spatial locations should be integrated to provide a better interpretation of the HBV/I evolutionary history in the region.

Experimental test and life estimation of the OLED at normal working stress based on the luminance degradation model.

In order to accurately acquire the life time information for the organic light emitting diode (OLED), an experiment based on the normal stress life test was carried out to gain the data for the luminance degradation tests. The luminance degradation model of OLED was established based on the Weibull function and the least square method. Combined with luminance degradation data, Weibull parameters were estimated, the qualitative and the quantitative relationship between the initial luminance and the OLED life was obtained, and the life estimation of the product was achieved. Numerical results show that the test scheme is feasible, the luminance degradation model proves to be reliable for the OLED life estimation, and the fitting accuracy is very high by comparison with the test data fluctuation. Moreover, the real life time of the OLED is measured, which can verify the validity of the assumptions used in accelerated life test methods and provide manufacturers and customers with significant guidelines.

Lack of clinical significance of the ImmuKnow(TM)-Cylex assay for the detection of cellular immune function in patients with renal cell carcinoma.

This study aimed to explore the clinical value of the CD4(+) T cell ATP levels in patients with renal cell carcinoma through the application of the ImmuKnow(TM)-Cylex(®) assay. We recruited 104 patients with renal cancer who had undergone surgery at Fuzhou General Hospital from March 2009 to June 2012, and were subsequently treated by dendritic cell and cytokine-induced killer cell bio-therapy or interferon-α therapy. The changes in CD4(+) T cell ATP levels were detected at the perioperative period and at 10 days, 1 month, 3 months, and 1 year after the surgery using the ImmuKnow assay. In addition, the differences in ATP levels in different therapy groups were compared and the prognosis conditions were analyzed. Our results demonstrated that no significant difference in the ATP levels occurred at different time points; furthermore, there were no obviously different ATP levels between the different therapy groups, and the ATP levels were found to have no clinical significance for the assessment of renal cancer prognosis. Overall, this study suggested that CD4(+) T cell ATP levels as detected by the ImmuKnow assay have no obvious clinical value in patients with renal cancer.

Genetic diversity and taxonomic status of Gymnocypris chilianensis based on the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b gene.

In order to study the genetic diversity and taxonomic status of Gymnocypris chilianensis on a molecular level, the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b gene was sequenced for 74 individuals of G. chilianensis from two locations (Heihe River and Shule River) and 42 individuals of its affinis species Gymnocypris przewalskii. Analyses of genetic diversity and sequence differences were conducted for these samples, combined with the analysis of 30 homologous sequences of another affinis species Gymnocypris eckloni, which were downloaded from GenBank. The results showed that both the haplotype diversity (h = 0.9820) and nucleotide diversity (π= 0.0039) of the Shule River G. chilianensis were lower than the other populations, thus, the Shule River G. chilianensis should be prioritized for protection because of its lower genetic diversity level. The results of sequence analysis showed that the genetic distance between the Heihe River G. chilianensis population and the Shule River G. chilianensis population was 0.0064, and the genetic distance between these two populations and the G. przewalskii population was 0.0838 and 0.0810, respectively. The genetic distance between the two G. chilianensis populations and the G. eckloni population was 0.0805 and 0.0778, respectively. Analysis of sequence differences indicates that G. chilianensis is sufficiently diverged from G. przewalskii and G. eckloni to the extent that it has reached species level, thus, G. chilianensis can be considered an independent species of Gymnocypris.