Semi-automatic proximal humeral trabecular bone density assessment tool: technique application and clinical validation.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to apply a newly developed semi-automatic phantom-less QCT (PL-QCT) to measure proximal humerus trabecular bone density based on chest CT and verify its accuracy and precision. METHODS: Subcutaneous fat of the shoulder joint and trapezius muscle were used as calibration references for PL-QCT BMD measurement. A self-developed algorithm based on a convolution map was utilized in PL-QCT for semi-automatic BMD measurements. CT values of ROIs used in PL-QCT measurements were directly used for phantom-based quantitative computed tomography (PB-QCT) BMD assessment. The study included 376 proximal humerus for comparison between PB-QCT and PL-QCT. Two sports medicine doctors measured the proximal humerus with PB-QCT and PL-QCT without knowing each other's results. Among them, 100 proximal humerus were included in the inter-operative and intra-operative BMD measurements for evaluating the repeatability and reproducibility of PL-QCT and PB-QCT. RESULTS: A total of 188 patients with 376 shoulders were involved in this study. The consistency analysis indicated that the average bias between proximal humerus BMDs measured by PB-QCT and PL-QCT was 1.0 mg/cc (agreement range - 9.4 to 11.4; P > 0.05, no significant difference). Regression analysis between PB-QCT and PL-QCT indicated a good correlation (R-square is 0.9723). Short-term repeatability and reproducibility of proximal humerus BMDs measured by PB-QCT (CV: 5.10% and 3.41%) were slightly better than those of PL-QCT (CV: 6.17% and 5.64%). CONCLUSIONS: We evaluated the bone quality of the proximal humeral using chest CT through the semi-automatic PL-QCT system for the first time. Comparison between it and PB-QCT indicated that it could be a reliable shoulder BMD assessment tool with acceptable accuracy and precision. This study developed and verify a semi-automatic PL-QCT for assessment of proximal humeral bone density based on CT to assist in the assessment of proximal humeral osteoporosis and development of individualized treatment plans for shoulders.

Expansion of carbon source utilization range of Shewanella oneidensis for efficient azo dye wastewater treatment through co-culture with Lactobacillus plantarum.

Shewanella oneidensis has demonstrated excellent potential for azo dye decolorization and degradation. However, in anaerobic environments, S. oneidensis has a narrow carbon source spectrum, which requires additional electron donors, such as sodium lactate. This increases the practical application costs for wastewater treatment. Here, we aimed to expand the carbon source utilization range of S. oneidensis FJAT-2478 by co-culturing it with Lactobacillus plantarum FJAT-7926, leveraging their commensalism relationship to develop a metabolic chain. Results showed that a 1:2 initial ratio of L. plantarum FJAT-7926 to S. oneidensis FJAT-2478 achieved a 97.16% decolorization rate of methyl orange when glucose served as the sole carbon source. This co-culture system achieved a decolorization rate comparable to that obtained using sodium lactate as an electron donor and was significantly higher than that achieved by L. plantarum FJAT-7926 (7.88%) or S. oneidensis FJAT-2478 (6.89%) alone. After undergoing five cycles, the co-culture system continued to exhibit effective decolorization. It was demonstrated that the co-culture system could use common and inexpensive carbon sources, such as starch, molasses, sucrose, and maltose, to decolorize azo dyes. For instance, 100 mg/L methyl orange could be degraded by over 98.05% within 24 h. The results indicated that the degradation rates of methyl orange were higher when L. plantarum was inoculated first, followed by a subsequent inoculation of S. oneidensis after 2 h. The co-culturing of L. plantarum FJAT-7926 and S. oneidensis FJAT-2478 proved to be an effective strategy in treating azo dye wastewater, expanding the potential practical applications of S. oneidensis.

Two novel alkalitolerant species Pseudalkalibacillus spartinae sp. nov. and Pseudalkalibacillus sedimenti sp. nov.

In this study, two novel alkalitolerant strains (FJAT-53046T and FJAT-53715T) were isolated from sediment samples collected in Zhangzhou, PR China. Phylogeny based on 16S rRNA gene sequences suggested that strains FJAT-53046T and FJAT-53715T were new members of the genus Pseudalkalibacillus. The two novel strains showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Pseudalkalibacillus hwajinpoensis DSM 16206T, with values of 97.4 and 97.6 %, respectively. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values between the two strains and the reference strain were 77.2 and 79.6 %, 20.9 and 30.2 %, respectively, which were below the prokaryotic species delineation thresholds. The ANI and dDDH values between strains FJAT-53046T and FJAT-53715T were 86.0 and 30.2 %, respectively, suggesting that they belonged to different species in the genus Pseudalkalibacillus. The major respiratory quinone in both strains was MK-7 and the major cellular fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0 and anteiso-C17 : 0. Diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine were the major polar lipids in both novel strains. Combined with results stemming from the determination of physical and biochemical characteristics, chemical properties, and genome analysis, strains FJAT-53046T and FJAT-53715T are proposed to represent two novel species of the genus Pseudalkalibacillus, for which the names Pseudalkalibacillus spartinae sp. nov. and Pseudalkalibacillus sedimenti sp. nov. are proposed. The type strains are FJAT-53046T (=GDMCC 1.3077T=JCM 35611T) and FJAT-53715T (=GDMCC 1.3076T=JCM 35610T), respectively.

Cytobacillus citreus sp. nov., isolated from citrus rhizosphere soil.

A Gram-stain-positive, rod-shaped and motile strain, designated FJAT-49705T, was isolated from the citrus rhizosphere soil sample. Strain FJAT-49705T grew at 20-40 °C (optimum, 30 °C) and pH 6.0-11.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) with 0-5 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 2 %). Strain FJAT-49705T showed high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to 'Bacillus dafuensis' FJAT-25496T (99.7 %) and Cytobacillus solani FJAT-18043T (98.0 %). In phylogenetic (based on 16S rRNA gene sequences) and phylogenomic trees (based on 71 bacterial single-copy genes), strain FJAT-49705T clustered with the members of the genus Cytobacillus. MK-7 was the only isoprenoid quinone present. The main polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and an unidentified phospholipid. The major fatty acids were anteiso-C15 : 0 and iso-C15 : 0. The genomic DNA G+C content was 36.9 %. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) values between FJAT-49705T and 'B. dafuensis' FJAT-25496T and C. solani FJAT-18043T were below the cut-off level (95-96 %) recommended as the ANI criterion for interspecies identity. Based on the above results, strain FJAT-49705T represents a novel species of the genus Cytobacillus, for which the name Cytobacillus citreus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is FJAT-49705T (=CCTCC AB 2019243T= LMG 31580T).

Effect of Bacillus subtilis and Lactobacillus plantarum on solid-state fermentation of soybean meal.

BACKGROUND: As feeding probiotics, Bacillus subtilis FJAT-4842 and Lactobacillus plantarum FJAT-13737 were employed to improve the nutritional value and reduce the risk of contamination in the solid-state fermentation of soybean meal (SBM). RESULTS: After fermentation with bacterium starters, the crude protein, free amino acid and lactic acid increased, with higher protease and cellulose activity. The addition of L. plantarum could increase the crude protein and lactic acid content by 50.1% and 94.9%, respectively. After fermentation, the contents of crude fiber and phytic acid decreased by 45.9% and 48.1%. Compared with control treatment, the addition of both B. subtilis FJAT-4842 and L. plantarum FJAT-13737 could effectively elevate the production of free amino acid and esters. Moreover, the addition of bacterium starter could prevent the production of mycotoxin and promote bacterial diversity of the fermented SBM. Especially, the addition of B. subtilis could reduce the relative content of Staphylococcus. After fermentation for 7 days, lactic acid bacteria including Pediococcus, Weissella and Lactobacillus became the main bacteria in the fermented SBM. CONCLUSION: The addition of bacterium starter is of benefit with respect to improving the nutritional value and reducing the risk of contamination in the solid-state fermentation of soybean. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Neobacillus rhizophilus sp. nov. and Neobacillus citreus sp. nov., isolated from the citrus rhizosphere soil.

Two Gram-staining positive strains, FJAT-49825T and FJAT-50051T were isolated from a citrus rhizosphere soil sample. Strains FJAT-49825T and FJAT-50051T showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with the type strain of Neobacillus cucumis (98.4-98.5%). The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strains FJAT-49825T and FJAT-50051T was 99.8%. Strain FJAT-49825T optimally grew at 35 °C, pH 6.0 in the absence of NaCl while strain FJAT-50051T grew at 40 °C, pH 7.0 and in presence of 2% NaCl (w/v). Both strains contained meso-2,6-diaminopimelic acid as the cell-wall diamino acid. The respiratory quinone of strains FJAT-49825T and FJAT-50051T was MK-7. The polar lipids of strain FJAT-49825T were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, unidentified aminolipid and unidentified lipid whereas strain FJAT-50051T polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, unidentified phospholipid and unidentified lipid. The major fatty acids (> 10%) in both strains were iso-C15:0 and anteiso-C15:0. The genomic DNA G + C content of strains FJAT-49825T and FJAT-50051T were 40.8 and 41.1%, respectively. The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization value between strains FJAT-49825T and FJAT-50051T and with other members of the genus Neobacillus were lower than the cut-off value (95-96/70%) for interspecies identity. Based on the results, strains FJAT-49825T and FJAT-50051T represent two novel species of the genus Neobacillus, for which the names Neobacillus rhizophilus sp. nov. and Neobacillus citreus sp. nov. are proposed. The type strains are FJAT-49825T (= GDMCC 1.2592T = JCM 34834T) and FJAT-50051T (= GDMCC 1.2593T = JCM 34835T).

Evansella halocellulosilytica sp. nov., an alkali-halotolerant and cellulose-dissolving bacterium isolated from bauxite residue.

An alkali and salt-tolerating strain FJAT-44876T was isolated from the bauxite residue sample. The 16S rRNA gene sequence and phylogenetic analysis suggest that strain FJAT-44876T was a member of the genus Evansella. It grew at 15-45 â„ƒ (optimum 20-25 â„ƒ) and pH 6.5-11.0 (optimum pH 8.0-9.0) with 0-20% (w/v) NaCl (optimum 6-8%). The major fatty acids were anteiso-C15:0, iso-C15:0, anteiso-C17:0, iso-C17:0, and C16:0. The cell wall peptidoglycan contained meso-diaminopimelic acid and MK-7 as the menaquinone. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylglycerol. The genomic DNA G+C content was 38.2%. The average nucleotide identity values between strain FJAT-44876T and closely related members were below the cutoff level for species delineation. Thus, based on the above results, strain FJAT-44876T represents a novel species of the genus Evansella, for which the name Evansella halocellulosilytica sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is FJAT-44876T (=CCTCC AB 2016264T = DSM 104633T).

Significance of interstitial fibrosis and p16 in papillary thyroid carcinoma.

We enrolled 264 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). We performed immunohistochemical detection of p16 and determined the degree of interstitial fibrosis (IF). The expression of p16 was associated with pathological tumor-node-metastasis (pTNM) stage and age (p < 0.05). The cancer-specific survival (CSS) was longer in p16-negative patients (195.73 vs. 181.78 months, p = 0.007). p16 was significantly related to the degree of IF (r = 0.130, p = 0.035). PTC patients with no or mild fibrosis tended to have a larger tumor (p = 0.045). The degree of fibrosis was related to the proportion of papillary structure components (p = 0.025). Univariate and multivariate survival analyses showed that relapse-free survival (RFS) was longer in patients with moderate/severe IF (p < 0.05). In summary, p16 was correlated with prognosis and IF of PTC. Patients with moderate/severe IF tend to have better prognosis in RFS.

Lederbergia citri sp. nov., and Lederbergia citrisecundus sp. nov., isolated from citrus rhizosphere.

Two Gram-positive, rod-shaped, motile, endospore-forming strains, FJAT-49780T and FJAT-49732T were isolated from a citrus rhizosphere soil sample. The optimal growth temperatures for strains FJAT-49780T and FJAT-49732T were 45 and 35-40 °C, respectively. The optimal growth pH for strains FJAT-49732T and FJAT-49780T were pH 8.0 and pH 6.0, respectively. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between FJAT-49780T and FJAT-49732T was 98.6%. Strains FJAT-49780T and FJAT-49732T shared 97.9-98.4% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to the type strain of Lederbergia wuyishanensis. In phylogenetic trees (based on 16S rRNA gene sequence), strains FJAT-49732T and FJAT-49780T clade with Lederbergia members. Both strains contained meso-diaminopimelic acid in their cell-wall peptidoglycan and MK-7 was the only isoprenoid quinone detected. The major fatty acids of strains FJAT-49732T and FJAT-49780T were anteiso-C15:0 and iso-C15:0. The polar lipids of strain FJAT-49780T were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified aminophospholipid, unidentified phospholipid and unidentified lipids while strain FJAT-49732T contained diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified glycolipid, unidentified aminolipid and unidentified phospholipid. The genomic DNA G+C content of strains FJAT-49780T and FJAT-49732T were 37.0 and 36.7%, respectively. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity values between strains FJAT-49780T and FJAT-49732T and with other members of the genus Lederbergia were below the cut-off level for species delineation. Thus, based on the above results, strains FJAT-49780T and FJAT-49732T represent two novel species of the genus Lederbergia, for which the names Lederbergia citri sp. nov., and Lederbergia citrisecundus sp. nov., are proposed. The type strains are FJAT-49780T (= CCTCC AB 2019242T = LMG 31583T) and FJAT-49732T (= CCTCC AB 2019246T = LMG 31584T).

Stress response mechanisms and description of three novel species Shewanella avicenniae sp. nov., Shewanella sedimentimangrovi sp. nov. and Shewanella yunxiaonensis sp. nov., isolated from mangrove ecosystem.

Three Gram-staining negative, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped and motile strains, FJAT-51800T, FJAT-52962T and FJAT-54481T were isolated from the sediment samples of Zhangjiang Estuary Mangrove National Nature Reserve in Fujian Province, China. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing results indicated they could be novel members of the genus Shewanella. The optimum temperature for growth was 30 °C. The respiratory quinones of the strains were ubiquinone Q-7 or Q-8, and menaquinone MK-7. Polar lipids of the strains FJAT-52962T and FJAT-51800T were phosphatidyl glycerol, phosphatidyl ethanolamine, and unidentified aminophospholipids while strain FJAT-54481 consist of phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, unidentified aminophospholipids, two unidentified aminolipids and four unidentified lipids. The major fatty acid of the three strains was iso-C15:0. The genomic DNA G + C contents of strains FJAT-51800T, FJAT-52962T and FJAT-54481T were 48.2, 55.3 and 48.1%, respectively. The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strains FJAT-51800T, FJAT-52962T and FJAT-54481T and other closely related Shewanella members were below the cut-off level (95-96%) for species identification. Genome analysis showed that these strains encode genes for osmo-regulation. Based on the results of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genome analyses, strains FJAT-51800T, FJAT-52962T and FJAT-54481T represent three novel species of the genus Shewanella, for which the names Shewanella avicenniae sp. nov., Shewanella sedimentimangrovi sp. nov., and Shewanella yunxiaonensis sp. nov., are proposed. The type strains are FJAT-51800T (= GDMCC 1.2204T = KCTC 82448T), FJAT-52962T (= MCCC 1K05496T = KCTC 82445T) and FJAT-54481T (= GDMCC 1.2348T = KCTC 82646T).

Histopathological Diagnosis System for Gastritis Using Deep Learning Algorithm.

Objective To develope a deep learning algorithm for pathological classification of chronic gastritis and assess its performance using whole-slide images (WSIs). Methods We retrospectively collected 1,250 gastric biopsy specimens (1,128 gastritis, 122 normal mucosa) from PLA General Hospital. The deep learning algorithm based on DeepLab v3 (ResNet-50) architecture was trained and validated using 1,008 WSIs and 100 WSIs, respectively. The diagnostic performance of the algorithm was tested on an independent test set of 142 WSIs, with the pathologists' consensus diagnosis as the gold standard. Results The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated for chronic superficial gastritis (CSuG), chronic active gastritis (CAcG), and chronic atrophic gastritis (CAtG) in the test set, respectively.The areas under the ROC curves (AUCs) of the algorithm for CSuG, CAcG, and CAtG were 0.882, 0.905 and 0.910, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the deep learning algorithm for the classification of CSuG, CAcG, and CAtG were 0.790 and 1.000 (accuracy 0.880), 0.985 and 0.829 (accuracy 0.901), 0.952 and 0.992 (accuracy 0.986), respectively. The overall predicted accuracy for three different types of gastritis was 0.867. By flagging the suspicious regions identified by the algorithm in WSI, a more transparent and interpretable diagnosis can be generated. Conclusion The deep learning algorithm achieved high accuracy for chronic gastritis classification using WSIs. By pre-highlighting the different gastritis regions, it might be used as an auxiliary diagnostic tool to improve the work efficiency of pathologists.

Estimating the remaining atmospheric environmental capacity using a single-box model in a high pollution risk suburb of Chengdu, China.

The atmospheric pollution has been the public attention in recent years. In order to better coordinate economic development and atmospheric environmental management, China introduced the concept of atmospheric environmental capacity (AEC). The remaining atmospheric environmental capacity (RAEC) calculated by existing atmospheric pollution sources and AEC is an important basis for regional development and environmental protection. The RAEC of the high-pollution risk suburb of Chengdu in 2015 was estimated by the single-box model and analyzed on multiple time scales. The results show that the RAEC of SO2 and NO2 in this region is 3299 t/a and 2849 t/a, respectively under the annual time scale. However, in the daily time scale, the RAEC of NO2 is negative for 3 days, that is, there are 3 days with serious air pollution. Therefore, it is not appropriate to plan the industrial area only by relying on annual RAEC. Especially, RAEC displays inter-seasonal and monthly variability. On the one hand, in plain areas with low wind speed and little change in wind direction, achieving the prediction of atmospheric mixing layer height could give early warning of atmospheric pollution events. On the other hand, different management measures are taken on different time scales. On a long timescale, the regional energy structure should be optimized. On seasonal and monthly time scales, the production plans should be adapted to RAEC. On the daily time scale, it mainly deals with the serious atmospheric pollution accident timely.

Positive effects of dietary supplementation of three probiotics on milk yield, milk composition and intestinal flora in Sannan dairy goats varied in kind of probiotics.

In this study, we investigated the effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC), Bacillus subtilis (BS) and Enterococcus faecalis (EF), singly and in combination, on the dry matter intake (DMI), milk production and composition, and faecal microflora of Saanen dairy goats. Fifty goats were randomly divided into five groups: (a) basal diet (control); (b) basal diet + SC; (c) basal diet + BS; (d) basal diet + EF; and (e) basal diet + mixed probiotics. Each treated animal received 5 g/d of probiotics for a total administration of 5 × 1,011 CFU/goat per day. The inclusion of B. subtilis and E. faecalis in the diet of lactating Saanen goats increased DMI (p < .05). Enhanced milk yield was observed with BS and EF. Milk fat percentage was significantly increased by feeding mixed probiotics compared with the control (p < .05); supplying SC, BS and mixed probiotics enhanced the protein percentage (p < .05). The milk lactose percentage in the SC and BS groups was higher than in the control (p < .05). The amount of milk total solids was higher after feeding EF or mixed probiotics than in the control group (p < .05). Non-fat solids showed no notable differences among groups (p > .05). There was no significant influence on gut bacterial abundance and diversity from adding these three probiotics, singly or in combination. Bacteroidales, Escherichia-Shigella and Christensenellaceae abundances were decreased by supplying these probiotics but Succinivibrionaceae increased. In conclusion, there were positive influences of probiotic feed supplementation on intake, milk performance and intestinal microecology.

Overexpression of Forkhead box Q1 correlates with poor prognosis in papillary thyroid carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: Forkhead box Q1 (FOXQ1), a member of the forkhead transcription factor family, plays important parts in cell cycle, apoptosis, metabolism, immunology and tumour genesis. Its expression has been associated with poor clinical prognosis in various tumours. However, the clinical significance of FOXQ1 in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) has not been fully studied. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether FOXQ1 is correlated with poor prognosis in PTC. DESIGN/METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of 136 PTCs. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to examine the expression of FOXQ1 in 136 PTCs and 47 nodular goitre specimens. Rank-sum test, chi-square test, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, univariate and multivariate Cox analyses were used to investigate the clinical and prognostic significance of FOXQ1 expression in PTC. RESULTS: The comparison of PTC specimens with nodular goitre with papillary hyperplasia specimens revealed an upregulation of FOXQ1 in PTC. Overexpression of FOXQ1 was observed in 63.24% of PTC and correlated with classic variant, tall variant, distant metastasis, AJCC stage and recurrence. FOXQ1-positive expression was associated with shorter disease-free survival: median disease-free survival of FOXQ1-positive patients was 23 months compared with 128 months for FOXQ1-negative patients (Log-rank χ2  = 12.31, P = 0.00045). Additional independent risk factors in this study were multifocality (recurrence-free survival [RFS]: hazard ratio [HR] = 2.391, P < 0.05), extrathyroidal extension (RFS: HR = 3.906, P < 0.05) and positive expression of FOXQ1 (RFS: HR = 6.385, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated that FOXQ1 may be a useful additional biomarker to evaluate the progression of PTC and to predict likely relapse of disease.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound may distinguish gallbladder adenoma from cholesterol polyps: a prospective case-control study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to find the independent risk factors related with gallbladder (GB) adenoma compared to cholesterol polyp by contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2010 and September 2014, a total of 122 consecutive patients undergoing cholecystectomy for GB polypoid lesions were enrolled. Before cholecystectomy, each patient underwent conventional US and CEUS examination and all image features were documented. The patients were divided into adenoma group and cholesterol polyp group according to the pathological findings. All the image features between two groups were statistically compared. RESULTS: There were differences in patient age, lesion size, echogenicity, and vascularity of lesion between two groups (P < 0.05). There were differences in stalk width and enhancement intensity between the two groups (P < 0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis proved that enhancement intensity, stalk of lesion, and vascularity were the independent risk factors related with GB adenoma (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: CEUS could offer useful information to distinguish adenoma from cholesterol polyp. The treatment algorithm for gallbladder polyp lesions would likely benefit from CEUS as a routine imaging investigation, especially in cases where the polyp is larger than 1 cm.

Characterization of a new cry2Ab gene of Bacillus thuringiensis with high insecticidal activity against Plutella xylostella L.

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) strain FJAT-12 was a novel Bt strain isolated by Agricultural Bio-Resources Institute, Fujian Academy of Agricultural Science. In this study, a new cry2Ab gene was cloned from Bt strain FJAT-12 and named as cry2Ab30 by Bt delta-endotoxin Nomenclature Committee. The sequencing results showed there were two mutations in conservative sites which led to two amino acids modification. Homology modeling indicated that the two changes were located in ß-sheet of Domain II. A prokaryotic expression vector pET30a-cry2Ab30 was constructed and the expressed protein was analyzed by western blot using Cry2Ab antibody. The expression conditions including IPTG concentration, revolution and temperature were optimized to get the highest expression level by SDS-PAGE and BandScan. The bioassay results also showed that the Cry2Ab30 toxin had high insecticidal activity against Plutella xylostella and the LC50 value was 0.0103 µg.mL(-1). The two mutations in ß-sheet of Domain II might contribute to insecticidal activity of Cry2Ab30 toxin against Plutella xylostella.

[Prognostic value of clinical and pathological characteristics in 48 women with pseudomyxoma peritonei].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinic-pathological characteristics and prognosis of 48 female cases with peritoneal pseudomyxoma(PMP). METHODS: The clinicopathologic features and follow-up data of 48 female patients with PMP diagnosed in the General Hospital of People's Liberation Army from Jan.1982 to Dec.2011 were retrospectively reviewed. The relationship between clinic-pathological characteristics and prognosis were analyzed using log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: (1) Clinicopathologic features: the mean age of the 48 cases was 58.8 years (range from 24 to 79 years). SYMPTOMS: abdominal distention and abdominal discomfort were the main symptoms. Imaging examinations showed nonspecific abdominal and pelvic lesions in most cases. TREATMENT: all the 48 patients underwent laparotomy and cytoreductive surgery (CRS), in which 15(31%) patients with completeness of the cancer resection (CCR) -1, 24(50%) cases with CCR-2, and CCR-3 in 9(19%) cases. Six (12%) cases were treated by intraoperative hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) with cisplatin, 20(42%) patients were treated with different options postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. Pathological types:the cases were histologically classified into 3 subcategories:disseminated peritoneal adenomucinosis (DPAM), peritoneal mucinous carcinomatosis (PMCA), and PMCA with intermediate or discordant features (PMCA-I/D), which were 22(46%) cases, 9 (19%)cases and 17 (35%)cases, respectively. Appendiceal tumors: 44(92%) cases underwent appendectomy, in which 38 cases presented appendiceal tumors (including 20 cases of low-grade appendiceal mucinous adenoma and 18 cases of appendiceal mucinous adenocarcinoma), 2 cases were diagnosed as appendicitis, 4 cases with unknown pathologic diagnosis. And the other 4(8%) cases, who didn't undergo appendectomy at the first operation, presented peritoneal tumor recurrence and appendiceal mucinous tumors 1, 11, 32 and 85 months after surgery, respectively. Parenchymal organs involved: ovarian involving was happened in 34 (71%) patients including 15 cases with the right ovary involving, 13 cases in both sides, and 6 cases involving the left side. The other parenchymal organs in 10(21%) cases. (2) Prognostic factors: 11 patients died, 31 survived and 6 cases were lost to follow-up. The mean survival time was 99 months(ranged from 1 to 312 months). The 3-year, 5-year and 10-year survival rates were 73.3%, 68.0% and 46.6%, respectively. Univariate statistical analysis showed that age, pathological type and parenchymal involvement were significantly relationship with the survival time (all P < 0.05). But the operation times, appendiceal tumor type, ovarian involvement, CCR, intraperitoneal HIPEC and post-operative adjuvant chemotherapy were not significantly correlate with survival time (all P > 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that age and pathologic type were independent prognostic factors(P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: No specific clinical features presented in PMP. CRS with HIPEC should the recommended treatment. Both ovaries exploration and appendectomy should be carried out routinely in CRS. The 10-year overall survival of PMP is low. Age, pathological type and parenchymal organs involvement other than ovarian are correlated with the prognosis. And the pathological type and age are independent prognostic factors of PMP.

Improving neurological outcome for acute basilar artery occlusion with sufficient recanalization after thrombectomy by intraarterial tenecteplase (INSIST-IT): Rationale and design.

BACKGROUND: The potential benefit of intraarterial tenecteplase in acute basilar artery occlusion (BAO) patients with successful reperfusion following endovascular treatment (EVT) has not been studied. AIMS: To explore the efficacy and safety of intraarterial tenecteplase in acute BAO patients with successful reperfusion after EVT. SAMPLE SIZE ESTIMATES: A maximum of 228 patients are required to test the superiority hypothesis with 80% power according to a two-side 0.05 level of significance, stratified by center. DESIGN: We will conduct a prospective, randomized, adaptive-enrichment, open-label, blinded-end point, multicenter trial. Eligible BAO patients with successful recanalization after EVT [modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) 2b-3] will be randomly assigned into the experimental and control group with a 1:1 ratio. Patients in the experimental group will receive intraarterial tenecteplase (0.2-0.3 mg/min for 20-30 min), while patients in the control group will receive routine treatment according to the usual practice of each center. Patients in both groups will receive standard guideline-based medical treatment. OUTCOME: The primary efficacy endpoint is a favorable functional outcome, defined as the modified Rankin Scale 0-3 at 90 days after randomization. The primary safety endpoint is symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage, defined as National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score increase ⩾4 caused by intracranial hemorrhage within 48 h after randomization. Subgroup analysis of the primary outcome will be performed by age, gender, baseline NIHSS score, baseline pc-ASPECTS, intravenous thrombolysis, time from estimated symptom onset to treatment, mTICI, blood glucose, and stroke etiology. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study will provide evidence of whether adjunct use of intraarterial tenecteplase after successful reperfusion with EVT is associated with better outcomes for acute BAO patients.