[Preliminary evaluation of a virtual reality dental simulation system on training of caries identification ability].

OBJECTIVE: To develop a software based on "UniDental" system which is a virtual reality dental simulation system and applied to undergraduate majoring in stomatology to improve the ability of identifying caries. METHODS: A software was developed applying to identify virtual dental caries based on UniDental system. In the software, a virtual dental caries model was designed and carious tissue was separated to 3 layers by the depth. The stiffness was the same within each layer which was increasing gradually layer by layer. The roughness was also the same within each layer which was decreasing gradually layer by layer. Sixty-four participants in pre-clinical stage of the class of 2014 majoring in stomatology from Peking University School of Stomatology were trained with the software. During the training, the students should probe on the virtual dental carious tissue layer by layer and feel the difference of vertical stiffness and horizontal roughness of each layer by using a handpiece with realistic force feedback. After training, a questionnaire survey was conducted to evaluate the software including a score of 1-5 for haptic fidelity of stiffness and roughness and their relevant gradient and benefit of improving the ability of identifying caries, choosing the preferred training method. The data were statistically analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: The median of subjective evaluation scores of the proposed metrics were all "4", demonstrating that the software operated above medium fidelity. The stiffness scores of all 3 layers were statistically significant (P < 0.05) on the stiffness gradient score. The roughness scores of the 1st and 2nd layers were statistically significant (P < 0.05) on the roughness gradient score. The training was helpful to improve the ability of identifying caries (median was 4). The scores of all 3 layers stiffness and relevant gradient were statistically significant (P < 0.05) on the score of benefit of improving the ability of identifying caries. 90.4% of the participants preferred the traditional extracted teeth training method. CONCLUSION: The virtual reality dental simulation system was helpful to improve students' ability of identifying caries. It couldn't replace the traditional extracted teeth training method by now, it should be used as a supplement to the traditional training method.

[Bladder cancer local staging about muscle invasion: 3.0T MRI performance following transurethral resection].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the performance of 3.0T magnetic resonance imaging examination (MRI) for the local detecting of muscle invasive bladder cancer following transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT). METHODS: Retrospective study identified 55 patients with pathology-proven bladder cancer who underwent transurethral resection of bladder tumor followed by 3.0T magnetic resonance imaging between September 2012 and April 2019 in our hospital. Two radiologists reviewed pelvic magnetic resonance imaging together and judged muscle invasive bladder cancer. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were calculated for the presence of muscle invasion by T2 weighted imaging (T2WI) only, diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) only and T2WI+DWI compared with the findings at radical cystectomy as the reference standard. RESULTS: Of the 55 patients with pathological results from radical cystectomy, 3.64% (2/55) had no residual disease; 29.09% (16/55) were non-muscle invasive bladder cancer on pathology, including 13 cases in T1 and 3 cases in Ta; 34.55% (19/55) were in stage T2 depending on pathology, 25.45% (14/55) in T3, and 7.27% (4/55) in T4. The average age was 60.76 years, ranging from 42 to 82 years. There were 48 males and 7 females in our study. Before pelvic MRI examination, all the patients received transurethral resection of bladder tumor, including 16 cases taking the operation in our hospital and 39 cases in other hospitals. The interval between the pelvic MRI examination and transurethral resection of bladder tumor was more than 2 weeks in all the patients. They all underwent radical cystectomy within 1 month after the pelvic MRI examination, and no patient underwent radiotherapy or chemotherapy in our study during the interval between the MRI examination and radical cystectomy. T2WI only, DWI only, and T2WI+DWI of 3.0T magnetic resonance imaging for readers were with sensitivity: 94.59%, 83.78%, 91.89%; with specificity: 66.67%, 77.78%, 72.22% and with accuracy: 85.45%, 81.82%, 85.45%, respectively. CONCLUSION: 3.0T MRI may have a role in diagnosing muscle invasive bladder cancer following TURBT. T2WI has the advantage of detecting the location of bladder tumor, and DWI has the advantage of differentiating between the benign and malignant lesion. 3.0T MRI T2WI+DWI has a good utility in the detection of muscle invasive bladder cancer following TURBT with satisfied accuracy.

Equation Derivation of the Probability Distribution of IBS Score among Full Sibling Pairs.

ABSTRACT: Objective To derive the general equation of the probability distribution of identity by state （IBS） score among biological full sibling pairs by calculating STR allele frequency. Methods Based on the Mendelian genetics law and the hypothesis that parents of biological full siblings （FS） were unrelated individuals, the IBS score and corresponding probability of different genotype combinations in the offspring when unrelated individuals of different genotype combinations give birth to two offsprings were derived. Results Given fi （i=1, 2, …, m） as the frequency of the ith allele of a STR locus, the probability of sharing 2 alleles （p2FS）, 1 allele （p1FS） or 0 allele （p0FS） with biological full sibling pairs on the locus can be respectively expressed as follows： (see the text). The sum of p2FS, p1FS and p0FS must be 1. As for the multiple genotyping system that contained n STR loci, IBS scores between biological full sibling pairs conform to binomial distribution： IBS~B（2n, π1）. The population rate π1, can be given by the formula： (see the text). Conclusion The alternative hypothesis in biological full sibling testing is that two appraised individuals are biological full siblings. The probability of the corresponding alternative hypothesis of any STR locus combination or IBS score can be directly calculated by the equations presented in this study, and the calculation results are the basis for explanations of the evidence.

[Efficacy and safety of ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir and dasabuvir combined with ribavirin in Asian adult patients with chronic HCV genotype 1b infection and compensated cirrhosis].

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir (OBV/PTV/r) 25/150/100 mg once daily and dasabuvir (DSV) 250 mg twice daily combined with ribavirin in adult patients of Mainland China with chronic HCV genotype 1b infection and compensated cirrhosis. Methods: An open-label, multicenter, phase 3 clinical trial study was conducted in mainland China, Taiwan, and South Korea. Adult patients with compensated cirrhosis (Metavir score =F4) who were newly diagnosed and treated for hepatitis C virus genotype 1b infection with ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir and dasabuvir combined with ribavirin for 12 weeks were included. Assessed SVR rate of patients obtained at 12 and 24 weeks after drug withdrawal. Efficacy and safety were evaluated in patients who received at least one time study drugs. Results: A total of 63 patients from mainland China were enrolled, 62 of whom (98.4%) had a baseline Child-Pugh score of 5 points. The overall rate of SVR12 and SVR24 in patients was 100% (95% CI: 94.3% to 100.0%). Most of the adverse events that occurred were mild. The incidence of common (≥10%) adverse events and laboratory abnormalities included elevated total bilirubin (36.5%), weakness (19.0%), elevated unconjugated bilirubin (19.0%) and conjugated bilirubin (17.5%), and anemia (14.3%). Three cases (4.8%) of patients experienced Grade ≥ 3 adverse events that were considered by the investigators to be unrelated to the study drug. None patients had adverse events leading to premature drug withdrawal. Conclusion: Mainland Chinese patients with chronic HCV genotype 1b infection and compensated cirrhosis who were treated with OBV/PTV/r plus DSV combined with RBV for 12 weeks achieved 100 % SVR at 12 and 24 weeks after drug withdrawal. Tolerability and safety were good, and majority of adverse events were mild.

Formula Derivation for the Probability Distribution of IBS Score in Unrelated Individual Pairs.

OBJECTIVES: To derive the probability equation given by STR allele frequencies of identity by state （IBS） score shared by unrelated individual pairs. METHODS: By comparing the STR genotypes of two unrelated individuals, three mutually exclusive combinations could be obtained： （1） sharing 2 identical alleles, a2=1, otherwise a2=0; （2） sharing 1 identical allele, a1=1, otherwise a1=0; （3） sharing 0 identical allele, a0=1, otherwise a0=0. And the IBS score of the one STR locus in this unrelated individual pair could be given by the formula： ibs=2a2+a1. The probability of a2=1 （p2）, a1=1 （p1） and a0=1 （p0） were derived and expressed in powers of the allele frequencies. Subsequently, for a genotyping system including n independent STR loci, the characteristics of binomial distribution of IBS score shared by a pair of unrelated individuals could be given by p2l and p1l （l=1, 2, …, n）. RESULTS: All the general equations of p2, p1 and p0 were derived from the basic conceptions of a2, a1 and a0, respectively. Given fi （i=1, 2, …, m） as the ith allele frequency of a STR locus, the general equations of p2, p1 and p0 could be respectively expressed in powers of fi： [Formula: see text],[Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. The sum of p2, p1 and p0 must be equal to 1. Then, the binomial distribution of IBS score shared by unrelated individual pairs genotyped with n independently STR loci could be written by： IBS~B（2n, π）, and the general probability, π, could be given by the formula： [Formula: see text]. CONCLUSIONS: In the biological full sibling identification, the probability of null hypothesis corresponding to any specific IBS score can be directly calculated by the general equations presented in this study, which is the basement of the evidence explanation.

[Retrospective analysis of the discharge outcome of external ventricular drainage and conservative treatment in patients with severe intraventricular hemorrhage].

Objective: To investigate the discharge outcome of external ventricular drainage(EVD) and conservative treatment in patients with severe intraventricular hemorrhage (SeIVH). Methods: From January 2011 to December 2016, patients with SeIVH admitted to the General Hospital of the PLA Rocket Force and the Army General Hospital received EVD treatment and were classified as the treatment group. According to intraventricular hemorrhage volume and age, patients received conservative treatment were pair matched and classified as control group. Then we compared the clinical outcome of moderate disability or less degree of discharge (mRS ≤3) and death incidence (mRS 6) between two groups. Results: A total of 361 patients with IVH were treated during these six years. Among them, 75 cases were chosen as treatment group. Another 75 cases were pair matched as control group from 286 cases. At the time of admission, the ventricular hemorrhage volume of two groups were (55.8±22.7) ml and (53.7±23.3) ml (P=0.569) respectively. Cerebral hemorrhage volume were (23.6±5.3) ml and (24.0±5.4) ml (P=0.631). And the median Glasgow coma score (GCS) were 4[IQR(3, 7)] and 5[IQR(4, 7)](P=0.131). At the discharge time, there were 16% (12/75) patients scored mRS≤3 in treatment group, while 2.7% (2/75) in control group (P<0.005). The absolute risk reduction (ARR) was 13.3%, and the number needed to treat (NNT) was 7.5. The mortality rate of treatment group was 13.3% (10/75), much lower than that of the control group 41.1% (31/75, P<0.001). ARR was 27.8% and NNT was 3.6. Conclusion: Although the prognosis of SeIVH was poor, compared with conservative treatment, EVD treatment significantly improved the outcome of these patients. Randomized controlled trials are needed to validate the efficacy of EVD.

[Full Sibling Identification by IBS Scoring Method and Establishment of the Query Table of Its Critical Value].

OBJECTIVES: To establish a query table of IBS critical value and identification power for the detection systems with different numbers of STR loci under different false judgment standards. METHODS: Samples of 267 pairs of full siblings and 360 pairs of unrelated individuals were collected and 19 autosomal STR loci were genotyped by Goldeneye™ 20A system. The full siblings were determined using IBS scoring method according to the 'Regulation for biological full sibling testing'. The critical values and identification power for the detection systems with different numbers of STR loci under different false judgment standards were calculated by theoretical methods. RESULTS: According to the formal IBS scoring criteria, the identification power of full siblings and unrelated individuals was 0.764 0 and the rate of false judgment was 0. The results of theoretical calculation were consistent with that of sample observation. The query table of IBS critical value for identification of full sibling detection systems with different numbers of STR loci was successfully established. CONCLUSIONS: The IBS scoring method defined by the regulation has high detection efficiency and low false judgment rate, which provides a relatively conservative result. The query table of IBS critical value for identification of full sibling detection systems with different numbers of STR loci provides an important reference data for the result judgment of full sibling testing and owns a considerable practical value.

The effect of dietary protein levels on the expression of genes coding for four selected protein translation initiation factors in muscle tissue of Wujin pig.

The objective of this study was to investigate the regulatory mechanism underlying the increased muscle protein accumulation in pigs while were fed a high protein diet. The eukaryotic initiation factors (eIFs) have been reported to involve in muscle protein synthesis. We investigated the mRNA and protein expression levels of eIF2B1, 4A1, 4B and 4E in Wujin pigs fed either a high protein (HP: 18%) or a low protein (LP: 14%) diet at 30, 60 or 100 kg body weight, based on real-time PCR and western blotting analyses. Our results indicated that the expression levels of eIF2B1 mRNA and protein were increased by HP diet at all body weight. The HP diet showed higher mRNA and protein levels of eIF4B gene at 60 and 100 kg. The protein expression of eIF4E phosphorylation was increased by HP diet only at 30 kg. These data suggested that the HP diet promoted porcine muscle protein accumulation mainly by up-regulating eIF2B1, 4B and 4E rather than 4A1 expression along the growth stages.

[Cutting scheme and clinical application effects of ultrathin thoracodorsal artery perforator flap assisted by color Doppler ultrasound].

Objective: To explore the cutting scheme and clinical application effects of ultrathin thoracodorsal artery perforator flap assisted by color Doppler ultrasound. Methods: This study was a retrospective historical control study. From February 2017 to October 2019, 20 patients who were admitted to the Third Department of Orthopedics of Xingtai General Hospital of North China Medical and Health Group (hereinafter referred to as our department), met the inclusion criteria, and underwent repair of skin and soft tissue defects of extremities with ultrathin thoracodorsal artery perforator flap designed and harvested based on the surgeon's clinical experience were selected as control group, including 16 males and 4 females, aged (37±5) years. From November 2019 to December 2022, 21 patients who were admitted to our department, met the inclusion criteria, and underwent repair of skin and soft tissue defects of extremities with ultrathin thoracodorsal artery perforator flap designed and harvested under the assistance of color Doppler ultrasound were selected as ultrasound-assisted group, including 15 males and 6 females, aged (38±6) years. After debridement, the area of skin and soft tissue defects of extremities ranged 5.0 cm×4.0 cm to 19.0 cm×8.0 cm, and the area of thoracodorsal artery perforator flaps ranged 6.0 cm×5.0 cm to 20.0 cm×9.0 cm. The wounds in flap donor sites were closed directly. For patients in ultrasound-assisted group, the time and cost required for color Doppler ultrasound examination were recorded, and the number, type, and location of thoracodorsal artery perforator vessels detected by preoperative color Doppler ultrasound were compared with those of intraoperative actual detection. The time required for complete flap harvest of patients in 2 groups was recorded. On postoperative day (POD) 1, 3, 5, 7, and 14, the blood perfusion of flaps in the 2 groups of patients was assessed using a flap perfusion assessment scale. On POD 14, flap survival of patients in 2 groups was observed, and the percentage of flap survival area was calculated. In postoperative 6 months, satisfaction of patients with the treatment outcome in the 2 groups was assessed using 5-grade Likert scale, and the satisfaction rate was calculated. Results: For patients in ultrasound-assisted group, the time required for preoperative color Doppler ultrasound examination was (10.5±2.3) min, and the cost was 120 yuan; 21 thoracodorsal artery perforator vessels were detected and marked using preoperative color Doppler ultrasound, including 8 (38.10%) type 1 perforator vessels, 10 (47.62%) type 2 perforator vessels, and 3 (14.29%) type 3 perforator vessels; the number, type, and location of thoracodorsal artery perforator vessels detected preoperatively were consistent with those detected intraoperatively. The time required for complete flap harvest of patients in ultrasound-assisted group was (41±10) min, which was significantly shorter than (63±12) min in control group (t=6.32, P<0.05). On POD 1, 3, 5, 7, and 14, the blood perfusion scores of flaps of patients in ultrasound-assisted group were significantly better than those in control group (with t values of 6.67, 7.48, 8.03, 8.75, and 7.99, respectively P<0.05). On POD 14, only one patient in ultrasound-assisted group had partial flap necrosis and 6 patients in control group had complete or partial necrosis of the flap; the percentage of flap survival area of patients in ultrasound-assisted group was (99±8)%, which was significantly higher than (87±8)% in control group (t=4.57, P<0.05). In postoperative 6 months, there was no significant difference in the satisfaction rate of patients with the treatment outcome between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusions: Preoperative color Doppler ultrasound is highly accurate in detecting the number, type, and location of perforator vessels. The cutting scheme of ultrathin thoracodorsal artery perforator flaps can be designed according to the different types of perforator vessels, with shorted flap cutting time and improved flap survival rate.

Author Correction: BHMT polymorphism and susceptibility to PTE in Chinese patients.

Correction to: Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2023; 27 (9): 4098-4102. DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202305_32317-PMID: 37203835-published online on May 15, 2023. After publication, the authors applied a correction in the Funding section. The section has been amended as follows: This study was supported by the research program of Jilin Provincial Science and Technology Department (No. 20190201011J). There are amendments to this paper. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/32317.

BHMT polymorphism and susceptibility to PTE in Chinese patients.

OBJECTIVE: Pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) is as a common form of venous thrombosis and a potentially fatal cardiovascular disorder, which has become a severe clinical problem with high incidence and mortality. The PTE has a strong genetic basis, which contributes up to half of the variance in PTE incidence and susceptibility single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) is associated with PTE. Betaine homocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT) is an essential enzyme that catalyzes the remethylating reaction from homocysteine to methionine and participates in conserving methionine and detoxifying homocysteine. In this work, we aimed to explore BHMT polymorphism and susceptibility to PTE in Chinese patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Variant loci of the BHMT gene were screened in serum samples of PTE patients, followed by verification using Sanger sequencing. These polymorphic loci were validated in 16 PTE patients and 16 matched normal patients. The frequency differences between the allele and genotypes were compared using the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium test and Chi-square test. RESULTS: A SNP was identified in PTE patients and a heterozygous transition of G>A (Arg239Gln) in rs3733890 was found. The variance difference at rs3733890 between normal patients (2/16, 0.125) and PTE patients (9/16, 0.5625) was significant (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, we concluded that the BHMT polymorphism, rs3733890 may be a susceptibility SNP for PTE.

Aberration corrections for free-space optical communications in atmosphere turbulence using orbital angular momentum states.

The effect of atmosphere turbulence on light's spatial structure compromises the information capacity of photons carrying the Orbital Angular Momentum (OAM) in free-space optical (FSO) communications. In this paper, we study two aberration correction methods to mitigate this effect. The first one is the Shack-Hartmann wavefront correction method, which is based on the Zernike polynomials, and the second is a phase correction method specific to OAM states. Our numerical results show that the phase correction method for OAM states outperforms the Shark-Hartmann wavefront correction method, although both methods improve significantly purity of a single OAM state and the channel capacities of FSO communication link. At the same time, our experimental results show that the values of participation functions go down at the phase correction method for OAM states, i.e., the correction method ameliorates effectively the bad effect of atmosphere turbulence.

Potential implication of activating killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor and HLA in onset of pulmonary tuberculosis.

Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) and human leucocyte antigen (HLA) play crucial role in maintaining immune homoeostasis and controlling immune responses. To investigate the influence of KIR and HLA-C ligands on the risk of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), we studied 200 patients who were confirmed to have PTB and 200 healthy controls on the different frequencies of KIR and HLA-C ligands. Genotyping of these genes was conducted by sequence-specific primer polymerase chain reaction (SSP-PCR) method. Gene frequencies were compared between PTB group and the control group by χ(2) test, and P < 0.05 was regarded as statistically significant. As a result, the frequency of KIR genotype A/B was increased in PTB than controls but A/A was decreased. Moreover, striking differences were observed in the frequencies of HLA-Cw*08 between the two groups. Besides, the frequencies of '2DL2/3 with C1' in PTB were increased compared with control group. In addition, individuals with no KIR2DS3 and no Cw*08 were higher in controls than in PTB. KIR2DS1 was increased in PTB when HLA-C group 2 alleles were missing. In conclusion, KIR and HLA-C gene polymorphisms were related to susceptibility to PTB.

Molecular characterization and tissue expression profile of three novel ovine genes: ATP5O, NDUFA12 and UQCRH from muscle full-length cDNA library of black-boned sheep.

Three novel ovine genes were obtained from muscle full-length cDNA library of black-boned sheep. Sequence analysis revealed that nucleotide sequences of these genes were not homologous to any of the known sheep or goat genes, but these genes have high similarity to ATP synthase subunit O (ATP5O), NADH dehydrogenase (ubiquinone) 1 alpha subcomplex, 12 (NDUFA12) and ubiquinol-cytochrome c reductase hinge protein (UQCRH) genes of other mammal animals (accession number: FJ546085, FJ546078 and FJ546083). The alignment analysis showed that the ovine ATP5O, NDUFA12 and UQCRH genes and proteins have closer genetic relationships with the ATP5O, NDUFA12 and UQCRH genes and proteins from cattle. Conserved domain prediction showed that these three genes included OSCP, NDUFA12 superfamily and UCR-hinge superfamily domains respectively. The deduced sequence of ATP5O, NDUFA12 and UQCRH protein had 213, 145 and 91 amino acid residues, with a molecular weight of approximately 23419.66, 17089.50 and 10657.75 Da and a theoretical isoelectric point of 9.90, 9.68 and 4.45. The secondary structure prediction revealed that 60% helix structure in ATP5O, 60% coils in NDUFA12 and no strand in UQCRH. One potential signal peptide structure in ATP5O protein were found. NDUFA12 and UQCRH have the extremely low possibility of signal peptides. Meanwhile, RasMol was used for visualizing the PDB files generated by Swiss-Model in cartoon or three-dimensional format. ATP5O and UQCRH protein were modeled by Swiss-Model. Tissue expression profile indicated that the ovine ATP5O, NDUFA12 and UQCRH genes could be expressed in all detected tissues including muscles, heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney and adipose tissues, but the expression abundance of these genes were various in the different tissues. Our experiment supplied the primary foundation for further researches on these three ovine genes.

Genotyping of urinary samples stored with EDTA for forensic applications.

Individual identification of urinary samples is necessary when sample switching or handling are suspected during a judicial process. To improve the rate of successful genotyping of urinary samples, we examined the stability of DNA in urinary samples stored for up to 30 days. Urinary samples from 20 healthy individuals (10 males and 10 females) were stored at -80°C with different concentrations of EDTA (0, 10 and 40 mM). Urinary DNA was extracted at days 0, 3, 9, and 30 after collection. The Quantifiler Human DNA Quantification Kit was used for measuring DNA concentration. Twenty STR loci were co-amplified using amelogenin-specific PCR with the Goldeneye 20A Kit. Significant differences in DNA concentration were observed between samples from females and males. In the case of female urinary DNA preservation with 10 and 40 mM EDTA the mean detection rate reached 0.95 after up to 30 days; for the male urinary samples, the mean detection rate of urinary DNA preserved with 40 mM EDTA was significantly higher than with 10 mM. We concluded that 40 mM EDTA is the best concentration for preservation of the DNA in urinary samples.

Association of killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors with pulmonary tuberculosis in Chinese Han.

Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) are involved in the pathogenesis of a variety of diseases. However, whether KIR polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis was unknown. We examined a possible association of KIR polymorphism with susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis in Chinese Han. We analyzed 15 KIR genes in 109 pulmonary tuberculosis patients and 110 healthy controls using sequence-specific primer PCR analysis of genomic DNA. We found that the frequencies of KIR2DS1, 2DS3 and 3DS1 were significantly higher in patients than in the control group. In addition, the number of subjects carrying more than two activating KIR genes in the patient group was significantly higher than in the control group. The gene cluster containing KIR3DS1-2DL5-2DS1-2DS5 was also significantly more frequent in the patient group. In conclusion, KIR genes 2DS1, 2DS3 and 3DS1 appear to be associated with resistance to pulmonary tuberculosis in the Chinese Han population. KIR genes apparently have a role in resistance to pulmonary tuberculosis.

PIWI/piRNA-mediated regulation of signaling pathways in cell apoptosis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to summarize the role of PIWIs/piRNAs in cell apoptosis through multiple signaling pathways. The PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are among the small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) and are mainly expressed in germline cells. PIWI protein is the key to the biogenesis of piRNA. With the deepening of research in recent years, the PIWIs/piRNAs are expressed in a tissue-specific way in somatic cells outside the germline. In addition, researchers have found that the PIWIs/piRNAs play a regulatory role in cell apoptosis, proliferation, and necrosis by regulating key signaling pathways, such as PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, STAT signaling pathway, TGF-ß signaling pathway, and Fas signaling pathway at the transcriptional or post-transcriptional level. However, the PIWIs/piRNAs' role in cell apoptosis and its underlying mechanisms are still not fully understood. This study reviews the regulatory functions of PIWIs/piRNAs in apoptosis from the perspective of the signal pathway. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is a narrative review. PubMed and MEDLINE were used as the primary sources to search the following keywords: PIWI/piRNAs, signal pathway, pro-apoptotic, anti-apoptotic, and signaling pathway. RESULTS: PIWIs/piRNAs modulated pro-apoptotic or anti-apoptotic effects in a variety of cells: PIWIs/piRNAs through PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, STAT signaling pathway, TGF-ß signaling pathway, and Fas signaling pathway for pro-apoptotic or anti-apoptotic effects in cells. CONCLUSIONS: Apoptosis is a basic biological phenomenon of cell death, and it also has a great significance and complex molecular biological mechanisms. PIWI/piRNAs are closely related to various types of diseases and play a pro-apoptotic or anti-apoptotic role through the following pathways: PI3K/Akt signaling, STAT signaling, TGF-ß signaling, and Fas signaling pathways.

Genetic analysis of 30 InDel markers for forensic use in five different Chinese populations.

Allele frequencies of 30 insertion/deletion polymorphism (InDel) markers previously selected and validated for forensic purposes were assessed in 419 unrelated individuals originating from five different populations of P.R. China, including Chinese Han, Chinese Hui, Uighur, Mongolians, and Tibetans. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium tests and linkage disequilibrium analysis were performed; the allele frequency distributions of the 30 InDel markers met the conditions for genetic equilibrium in all five populations and the InDel markers on the same chromosome did not generate any linkage blocking. Analysis of molecular variance indicated that genetic variation among the five populations represents only 4% of the total genetic diversity. We determined the cumulative power of discrimination for each population: 0.99999999999841 in Chinese Han, 0.99999999999690 in Chinese Hui, 0.99999999999709 in Uighur, 0.99999999999772 in Mongolians, and 0.99999999999854 in Tibetans.

[Clinical effects of retrograde anterolateral thigh perforator flaps assisted with computed tomography angiography in repairing skin and soft tissue defects around the knee or in proximal lower leg].

Objective: To investigate the clinical effects of retrograde anterolateral thigh perforator flaps assisted with computed tomography angiography (CTA) in repairing skin and soft tissue defects around the knee or in proximal lower leg. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted. From May 2015 to October 2019, 17 patients with skin and soft tissue defects around the knee or in proximal lower leg were admitted to the Department of Orthopedics of Jizhong Energy Xingtai Mig General Hospital, including 12 males and 5 females, aged 16-65 years, with an average age of 35 years. The areas of skin and soft tissue defects after debridement ranged from 6.0 cm×3.0 cm to 15.0 cm×9.0 cm. The retrograde anterolateral thigh perforator flaps were designed according to the origin and distribution of the perforating branches in flaps and the length of the vascular pedicle examined with CTA and the condition of the wound to repair the wounds. The areas of resected flaps ranged from 6.5 cm×3.5 cm to 15.5 cm×9.5 cm. The wounds in donor sites of flaps were sutured directly or covered with medium-thickness skin grafts from healthy upper leg. The sources of the perforating branches in flaps were recorded. The lateral circumflex femoral artery, its branches, and the relative length of the vascular pedicle were compared between preoperative CTA detection and intraoperative observation. The survivals of the flaps were observed. At the last follow-up, the effects of flaps in repairing wounds were evaluated according to evaluation standard of efficacy satisfaction; the motion ranges of flexion and extension of the knee joint were measured, and the knee joint function was evaluated according to the Hohl knee joint function evaluation standard; the sensory function in the flap area was evaluated according to the sensory function evaluation standard formulated by the British Medical Research Council; the wound healing and the occurrence of complication affecting motor function of limb of flap donor sites was observed. Data were statistically analyzed with paired sample t test. Results: The perforating branches in flaps originated from descending branches, oblique branches, and rectus femoris branches of lateral circumflex femoral artery in 7, 6, and 4 patients, respectively. The flaps with blood supply from descending branches, oblique branches, and rectus femoris branches of lateral circumflex femoral artery were type 1, 2, and 3 retrograde anterolateral thigh perforator flaps, respectively. The preoperative CTA examination of lateral circumflex femoral artery and its branches were consistent with those observed during operation. The relative lengths of vascular pedicles of type 1, 2, and 3 retrograde anterolateral thigh perforator flaps calculated after CTA examination were 0.32±0.13, 0.56±0.07, and 0.56±0.15, which were close to 0.35±0.12, 0.52±0.10, and 0.53±0.12 measured and calculated during operation, respectively (t=0.45, 0.80, 0.31, P>0.05). All flaps survived in 17 cases without vascular crisis. At the last follow-up, 16 patients were satisfied with effects of flaps in wound repair, with 1 patient feeling average about the effect; the flexion range of knee joint was 100-120°, and the extension range of knee joint was -2-0°; knee joint function was evaluated as excellent in 9 cases, good in 7 cases, and poor in 1 case; the sensory function of the flap area reached S4 level in 2 cases, S3 level in 8 cases, and S2 level in 7 cases; the wounds in flap donor sites healed well; there was no adverse effect in motor function of limbs. Conclusions: Retrograde anterolateral thigh perforator flap is an effective method for repairing skin and soft tissue defects around the knee or in proximal lower leg. Preoperative CTA examination can fully show the anatomical characteristics of the branches of the lateral circumflex femoral artery and the perforating vessels of each branch, which can guide preoperative flap design and operation, thus shortening operation time and improving flap survival rate, with good clinical effects.

Expression of the genes encoding human leucocyte antigens-A, -B, -DP, -DQ and -G in gastric cancer patients.

This study compared the expression of the genes encoding human leucocyte antigens (HLA)-A, -B, -DP, -DR and -G in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in gastric cancer patients and healthy controls. Using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, levels of classical HLA-A, -B, -DP and -DR and non-classical HLA-G mRNA were studied in 43 gastric cancer patients and 22 controls. In addition, the levels of HLA-A,B,C and -G antigens on the surface of PBMCs were measured in 30 gastric cancer patients and 15 controls using flow cytometry. The mean fluorescence intensity of HLA-A,B,C antigen in the gastric cancer group was significantly lower than in controls. The HLA-G antigen was mainly present on CD4(+)CD8(-) T-lymphocytes. The percentage of CD4(+)CD8(-) T-lymphocytes positive for HLA-G antigen was significantly lower in the gastric cancer group compared with the healthy controls. Levels of HLA-A, -B and -G mRNA in the gastric cancer group were significantly lower than in controls. The HLA-G mRNA levels were significantly lower in gastric cancer of histological grades III and IV than in grades I and II. These data may provide a novel diagnostic and research tool for gastric cancer.