[Correlation between CTL and Th1 cell proportion in peripheral blood of liver transplantation recipients and the success of hepatitis B vaccination].

Objective: To investigate the correlation between the proportion of CTL and Th1 cells in peripheral blood of liver transplant recipients and the success of hepatitis B vaccination. Methods: The subjects of this study were liver transplantation recipients with chronic HBV-related liver diseases in Organ transplantation institute of the third medical center of PLA general hospital. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups for prospective study. In the rapid group, one dose of 40 µg hepatitis B vaccine was administered at 0, 1, 2and 3 months, and one dose of 20 µg hepatitis B vaccine was administered at 4, 5 and 6 months. In the rapid-enhanced group, one dose of 40 µg hepatitis B vaccine was administered at 0, 1, 2 and 3 months, and one dose of 60 µg hepatitis B vaccine was administered at 4, 5 and 6months. Compare and analyze the success rate of inoculation, the titer of hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs), the proportion of CTL cells in CD8(+)T cells and Th1 cells in CD4(+)T cells. Correlation analysis was performed for CTL and Th1 cells and anti-HBs, Observe the safety of vaccination. Results: The inoculation success rate, anti-HBs growth rate, CTL cell percentage increase and Th1 cell percentage increase in the rapid enhancement group were all higher than those in the rapid enhancement group, and the differences were statistically significant, they were 38.3% (23/60) vs 21.7% (13/60) (P=0.046), 91.3(72.5,124.2) vs 22.1(12.4, 31.6) (P=0.001), 1.4(0.8,1.9) vs 0.4(0.2,1.4) (P=0.001) and 7.4±2.6 vs 5.6±3.7 (P=0.001) respectively. The percentage increase of CTL cells and Th1 cells in the successful group was greater than that in the non-successful group, and the difference was statistically significant. They were 1.9(1.4,2.5) vs 0.1(0.0,1.1) (P=0.024) and 9.6±3.1 vs 2.4±2.0 (P<0.001). There was no significant correlation between anti-HBs increase (105.5±37.1) and CTL increase 1(0,3) (P=0.099), while there was significant positive correlation with Th1 increase 7(2,11) (P<0.001). No rejection reaction occurred during the study period, and there was no special abnormal change in the safety index. Conclusion: Reasonable increase of vaccine dose can up-regulate Th1 cell expression and promote the generation of anti-HBs.

[Clinical analysis of de novo HBV infection after liver transplantation in non-HBV- related liver disease].

Objective: The aim of this study was to summarize and analyze the clinical features and characteristics of de novo HBV infection after liver transplantation in non-HBV-related liver disease. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 13 patients with new HBV infection in 376 cases of liver transplantation patients with non-HBV related liver diseases from April 2002 to December 2013 in our hospital. Results: Among 376 patients with non-HBV-related liver disease after liver transplantation, 13 patients developed new HBV infection, and the rate of new HBV infection was 3.46%. Of the 13 cases, 5 were males and 8 were females. The follow-up time was 14.7 -128.7 months, and the average time from surgery to new HBV infection was 19.06 months. The primary diseases were as follows: 5 cases of primary biliary cholangitis, 3 cases of alcoholic liver disease, 2 cases of drug-induced liver damage, 1 cases of post-hepatitis C cirrhosis, congenital biliary atresia and congenital liver fibrosis. All patients were positive for HBsAg, HBeAg, anti-HBc, 11 were positive for HBV DNA, and 2 were negative for HBV DNA. 6 cases had abnormal liver function and 7 cases had normal liver function. All patients were treated with antiviral therapy with nucleoside (acid) analogues. HBsAg was negative in 6 patients; HBsAg remained positive in 7 cases, including HBsAg, HBeAg, anti-HBc positive in 6 cases, HBsAg, anti-HBe, anti- HBc was positive in 1 case, HBV DNA was still positive in 1 patient, and HBV DNA was negative in 6 patients; liver function was normal in all patients. Conclusion: Non-HBV- related liver transplantation are high-risk group of new HBV infection, with the highest incidence of autoimmune liver disease. It is speculated that it may be related to the long-term use of hormones after the transplantation. The prognosis of newly diagnosed HBV infection after liver transplantation is fine as long as it can be found and treated early.

Novel ultra-thin near-eye augmented-view device (UNAD).

The current augmented-view device for glaucoma patients are limited by the low angle minification (less than 3X), image overlapping and pupil mismatching. We present a novel ultra-thin near-eye augmented-view device (UNAD) with a proper minification angle of 4X to avoid scanning eye movements. The device is realized by one symmetrical ultra-thin off-axis eight-mirror reversed telescopic optical system (field-of-view (FOV): x:-34°~3°; y: -5°~-20°, 5°~20°) and one central un-minified optical system (FOV: -5°~5°), and hence, the system can achieve a FOV (x:-34°~3°; y: -20°~20°) without overlapping images. Furthermore, the device fully accounts for pupil matching with the entrance pupil of the human eye. Finally, the simulation results in CODE V and LightTools verify that our proposed system is feasible and has potential practical value for glaucoma patients.

A multi-center, controlled, randomized, open-label clinical study of levofloxacin for preventing infection during the perioperative period of ultrasound-guided transrectal prostate biopsy.

By comparing the safety and efficacy of 500 mg of oral levofloxacin for 3 days with those of intravenous antibiotics for 3 days in the prevention of infectious complications of ultrasound-guided transrectal prostate biopsy (TPB), we provided a safe and cost-effective infection preventive protocol for TPB in China. A total of 801 patients with indications for TPB in 12 centers were randomized into two groups from October 2011 to December 2015. Patients in the test group (n = 392) took 500 mg of oral levofloxacin for 3 days. Patients in the control group (n = 409) underwent intravenous antibiotics according to the traditional habits of the center for 3 days. All patients underwent ultrasound-guided TPB. Infectious complications were compared between the two groups. Different kinds of antibiotic were used in the control group. Comparing the two groups, the mean patient age was 70.6 ± 14.0 and 70.5 ± 14.0 years. The incidence of total infectious complications was 4.6 % (18/392) and 4.4 % (18/409) respectively, the incidence of asymptomatic bacteriuria was 3.1 % (12/392) and 2.7 % (11/409), the incidence of symptomatic urinary tract infection was 0.0 % and 0.2 % (1/409), the incidence of fever was 0.8 % (3/392) and 0.5 % (2/409), the incidence of bacteremia was 0.5 % (2/392) and 0.0 %, and the incidence of urosepsis was 0.3 % (1/392) and 1.0 % (4/409) respectively (all P > 0.05). The selection of antibacterial agents for TPB is in ca haotic condition in China. Oral levofloxacin at 500 mg once daily for 3 days is a safe, convenient, and cost-effective infection preventive protocol for TPB in China.

[Effect and regulation of metformin on endometrial carcinoma subline of progestin-resistance].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect and mechanism of metformin on endometrial carcinoma subline of progestin-resistance and find whether metformin could regulate progestin-resistance in endometrial carcinoma. METHODS: Ishikawa endometrial carcinoma cells were cultured for a long period in the presence of the synthetic medroxyprogesterone 17-acetate (MPA) to generate a subline refractory to the growth-suppressive effects of MPA, named Ishikawa/MPA cells. The effect of MPA (1, 5, 10, 20, 40 and 60 µmol/L) or metformin (1, 10, 20, 40, 60, 70 and 80 mmol/L) on proliferation of the Ishikawa/MPA and parental Ishikawa cells was detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) method. Western blot was used to detect the effect of metformin and (or) MPA on the expression of PR-B in the Ishikawa/MPA and Ishikawa cells. RESULTS: The Ishikawa/MPA showed that growth stimulation rather than inhibition in the Ishikawa cells after low MPA concentration treatment. The doubling time of Ishikawa/MPA cell lines were (43±4) hours and that of Ishikawa cell line were (47 ± 3) hours. No changes in doubling time were observed (t=0.349, P= 0.572). Low concentration (1 and 5 µmol/L) of MPA could promote the growth of Ishikawa/MPA cells (by 3% and 13%). High concentration (10, 20, 40 and 60 µmol/L) of MPA could inhibited the growth of Ishikawa/MPA cells (by 4%, 3%, 9% and 40%) and the growth of Ishikawa cells (by 41%, 55%, 65% and 66% ). At the same concentration, the difference of inhibition rates between the two cell lines were statistically significant (P<0.01). Metformin (1, 10, 20, 40, 60, 70 and 80 mmol/L) could inhibite the growth of Ishikawa/MPA (by -10%, 20%, 56%, 89%, 97%, 98% and 99%) greater than those in parental Ishikawa cells (by -6%, 19%, 37%, 54%, 70%, 72% and 83%), and the inhibitory effect was dose-dependent manner. Western blot assay showed that for Ishikawa cells, the protein expression levels of PR-B in metformin group and MPA+metformin group were respectively (53.5±4.0)% and (37.7±5.2)%, which were higher than that in the control group [(23.4 ± 3.0)%], and there were significant the differences (P<0.01). For Ishikawa/MPA cells, the protein expression levels of PR-B in metformin group and MPA+metformin group were respectively (38.6±1.7)%, (36.3±2.5)%, which were higher than those in the control group [(6.4±1.6)%], and there were also significant differences (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Metformin may regulate the progestin-resistance in endometrial carcinoma by increasing the expression of PR-B.

Correlation of coronary artery stenosis evaluation with left heart structure and function by multi-slice computed tomography.

The aim of this study was to determine the impact of multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) evaluation of coronary artery stenosis on left heart structure and systolic function. Coronary artery CT angiography was performed in 200 patients diagnosed with coronary heart disease, and then according to the AHA coronary artery 17-segment fractionation method, the Gensini score (GS) was determined for every narrow segment, and one-stop assessment of the correlation between left heart structure and function was performed. After the grouping of GS quartiles from low to high, there were differences between different patients with regard to LVDD, LADD, LVEDV, LVESV, MM, LVEF, and FS, while no difference in SV and CO. GS showed linear negative correlation with LVEF and FS, and linear positive correlation with LVDD, LADD, LVEDV, LVESV, and MM, while no correlation with SV and CO. That is, GS of coronary artery stenosis was negatively correlated with left ventricular systolic function and positively correlated with myocardial mass. The narrower the coronary artery, the worse the cardiac function and the higher the myocardial hypertrophy. Coronary artery stenosis was one of the important causes of the decrease in left ventricular systolic function and cardiac remodeling.

Establishment of tacrolimus-induced diabetes in rat model and assessment of clinical treatments for post-transplant diabetes mellitus in liver transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: To establish a tacrolimus-induced diabetes rat model and assess efficacy and safety of insulin glargine combined with repaglinide in Chinese patients with diabetes after liver transplantation. METHODS: Animal experiments and clinical trial were conducted. Animal experiments: Male SD rats were randomly divided into tacrolimus (4 mg/kg daily) and control group (saline). Rats were sacrificed after five months of treatment and blood was collected through heart puncture. Patients who underwent liver transplantation were selected and followed up regularly. If HbA1c was < 9%, repaglinide was administered; if HbA1c was > or = 9%, glargine plus repaglinide was administered. RESULTS: For rat model studies, in the tacrolimus group, fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels were increased after three months (p < 0.01). After five months, the insulin secretion index and the sensitivity index in the tacrolimus group was significantly lower than in the control group (p < 0.01). For studies of post-transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM), eighty-six liver transplant recipients were enrolled. 51 were given repaglinide and 35 were given repaglinide combined with glargine. After treatment for 1, 6, and 12 months, FBG, post-prandial blood glucose (PPBG), and HbA1c levels decreased (p < 0.05) in both groups, and no statistically significant changes were observed in the liver and kidney function indicators (p > 0.05). No severe hypoglycemia episodes were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Tacrolimus caused islet cell necrosis, reduced insulin secretion, increased insulin resistance, and increased blood glucose in the model. The blood glucose levels increased in a time-dependent manner. Combination of glargine and repaglinide was effective and safe for Chinese patients with post liver transplant diabetes mellitus.

LncRNA ITGB1 promotes the development of bladder cancer through regulating microRNA-10a expression.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the expression level of lncRNA ITGB1 both in bladder cancer (BCa) tissue and cell lines, as well as to evaluate its function and potential mechanism in the progression of BCa. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The expressions of lncRNA ITGB1 in 36 BCa tissues samples (and corresponding adjacent normal ones) and cell lines were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). After transfection of sh-ITGB1 in BCa cell lines, the effect of ITGB1 on the proliferation of BCa cells was examined by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and colony formation assay. Subsequently, qRT-PCR was used to examine microRNA-10a expression in BCa tissues and cells after ITGB1 was silenced. At the same time, the correlation between ITGB1 and microRNA-10a expression was analyzed. Finally, cell recovery experiment was applied for the in-depth study of the interaction between ITGB1 and microRNA-10a and its underlying mechanism. RESULTS: LncRNA ITGB1 was found upregulated in BCa tissues and cell lines. Knockdown of lncRNA ITGB1 remarkably inhibited cell proliferation. The expression levels of ITGB1 and microRNA-10a in BCa tissues were negatively correlated. ITGB1 downregulation was found to be able to enhance microRNA-10a expression, suggesting that microRNA-10a may be a potential target for ITGB1 in BCa. In addition, cell reverse experiment also verified that ITGB1 could regulate the expression of microRNA-10a, and their interaction affected the malignant progression of BCa. CONCLUSIONS: LncRNA ITGB1 level is upregulated in BCa tissues and associated with the pathological stage of BCa, which could be used as a new predictor of BCa patients' prognosis. In addition, ITGB1 might promote BCa cell proliferation via regulating microRNA-10a expression.

Application of high-throughput sequencing for microbial diversity detection in feces of specific-pathogen-free ducks.

High-throughput sequencing technologies play important roles in the study of animal enteric microorganisms. Fecal samples collected from 3 strains (9 samples) of specific-pathogen-free (SPF) ducks raised in an isolator. Duck intestinal bacterial flora were analyzed by sequencing distinct regions of the 16S rRNA genes using an Illumina HiSeq2500 platform. The result showed the most abundant primary enteric microbial phyla of 3 different strains of 70-week-old SPF ducks were Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidetes, the most abundant primary enteric microbial order were Clostridiales, Lactobacillales, and Aeromonadales, and the most abundant primary enteric microbial genera were Bacteroides, Comamonas, and Enterococcus. In addition, the 3 duck strains harbored different compositions of the microorganisms, but these differences were not significant. Duck intestinal bacterial flora were analyzed using a high-throughput sequencing approach to further understand the distribution of intestinal flora and the biology of SPF ducks to ultimately benefit the purification of SPF ducks.

Evaluation of penetrating keratoplasties with long-term cryopreserved corneas using simplified method.

Since March 1986, the authors have studied and simplified the corneal cryopreservation technique using a self-made QL Bio-freezer. On the basis of successful animal experiments, penetrating keratoplasties with human cadaver corneas cryopreserved 9 to 571 days (averaging 131 days) were performed in 60 patients (61 eyes). The patients were followed up for 1.5 to 50 months. 41 of the corneal grafts remained clear, 9 became translucent and 11 cloudy. A total of 46 eyes had their visual acuity improved significantly. The results show that clinical use of corneal cryopreservation by the simplified two-step method is noteworthy.

[The volumes of the orbit and the eyeball in human embryos].

The orbital and eyeball volumes in 176 and 126 human embryos were measured respectively. The results showed that the orbit and the eyeball increased in volume with the age of the fetuses, while the corresponding ratios between the two differed insignificantly, indicating that the orbit and the eyeball developed parallelly during gestation.