[A quantitative MRI comparative study of imaging markers for cerebral small vessel disease in the middle-aged and elderly patients with and without hypertension].

Objective: To explore the difference of MRI markers of small cerebral vascular disease in middle-aged and elderly patients with hypertension and non-hypertension. Methods: A cross-sectional study. The clinical data of 316 patients who underwent head MRI with susceptibility weighted imaging scans at the Affiliated Zhongda Hospital of Southeast University from November 2013 to August 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, including 190 males and 126 females, with the age of (71.6±8.9)years. According to the history of hypertension, the patients were divided into hypertension group(n=259) and the non-hypertension group(n=57). The patients in the non-hypertension group were further divided into abnormal blood pressure group on admission (n=19) and normal blood pressure group on admission (n=38). The imaging features of different CSVD dimensions in the patient's images were quantified or graded and compared between hypertensive and non-hypertensive patient groups. Deep learning methods were employed to segment white matter lesions, and voxel-wise analysis was conducted to investigate the differences in whole-brain white matter lesion probability between patients in both groups. Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between hypertension and small cerebral vascular disease. Results: Compared with the non-hypertensive group, the cerebral microhemorrhage count, deep microhemorrhage count, basal ganglia level lacunae count, perivascular space (EPVS) grade of hemioval center level and EPVS grade of basal ganglia level were higher in the hypertensive group (all P<0.05). The cerebral microhemorrhage count [3.0(1.0, 15.0) vs 1.0 (0, 4.2)], deep microhemorrhage count [1.0 (0, 7.0) vs 1.0 (0, 4.2)] and EPVS classification at basal ganglium level [2.0(1.0, 3.0) vs 1.0(1.0, 2.0)] in the group with history of hypertension were higher than those in the group with normal blood pressure at admission (all P<0.05). The EPVS grade at the central level of the semiovale in the hypertension group was higher than that of the group with normal blood pressure at admission [2.0(1.0, 2.0) vs 1.0 (1.0, 2.0)], and also higher than that of the group with abnormal blood pressure at admission [2.0(1.0, 2.0) vs 1.0(1.0, 2.0)](both P<0.05). Voxel-by-voxel analysis showed no significant difference in the probability of white matter lesions in the whole brain between patients with and without a history of hypertension, but patients with a history of hypertension showed more extensive para-ventricular white matter hypersignaling than those without a history of hypertension. Spearman correlation analysis showed that hypertension grade was correlated with the number of microbleeding lesions in depth (r=0.149), the number of lacunae lesions in the center of the hemioval (r=0.209), and the number of lacunae lesions in the basal ganglia (r=0.204) (all P<0.05). Conclusions: Chronic hypertension can affect different dimensions of small vessel disease imaging, primarily manifested in the increases of deep microbleed counts and the EPVS grade.

[Effects of moderate dose rosuvastatin on carotid plaque in patients with diabetes mellitus evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging].

Objective: To observe the effect of lipid regulating therapy on carotid atherosclerotic plaque in diabetic patients. Methods: The REACH study, conducted between March 2009 and February 2012, enrolled asymptomatic patients with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmed carotid atherosclerotic plaque, who had never taken lipid-lowering drugs. Patients were treated with a moderate dose of rosuvastatin for 24 months. Blood lipid levels were measured and carotid MRI was performed at baseline, 3 and 24 months after treatment. The volume of carotid wall and lipid-rich necrotic core (LRNC) were measured by image analysis software. This study retrospectively analyzed patients in the REACH study. Patients were divided into diabetes group and non-diabetic group. The changes of blood lipid level and MRI parameters of carotid atherosclerotic plaque were compared between the two groups and their correlation was analyzed. Results: A total of 38 patients with carotid atherosclerotic plaque were included in this study, including 13 patients (34.2%) in the diabetic group and 25 patients (65.8%) in the non-diabetic group. Baseline parameters were comparable between the two groups, except higher HbA1c level in diabetes group (P<0.05). Compared with baseline, the total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglyceride (TG) levels were significantly decreased at 3 and 24 months in both two groups (P<0.05). The change of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in diabetes group was not obvious, while it was significantly increased in non-diabetic group at 24 months ((1.38±0.33) mmol/l vs. (1.26±0.26) mmol/l, P<0.05). MRI results showed that the volume and percentage of LRNC remained unchanged at 3 months, slightly decreased at 24 months (64.86 (45.37, 134.56) mm3 vs. 75.76 (48.20, 115.64) mm3, P>0.05) and (15.84% (11.47%, 24.85%) vs. 16.95% (11.64%, 22.91%), P>0.05) in diabetic group. In non-diabetic group, the volume and percentage of LRNC were significantly decreased at 3 months (63.01 (44.25, 188.64) mm3 vs. 72.49 (51.91, 199.59) mm3, P<0.05) and (13.76% (8.81%, 27.64%) vs. 16.04% (11.18%, 27.05%), P<0.05) respectively. Both parameters further decreased to (55.63 (27.18, 179.40) mm3) and (12.71% (8.39%, 24.41%)) at 24 months (both P<0.05). Wall volume, lumen volume and percent wall volume (PWV) were not affected post therapy in both two groups(P>0.05). There were no correlations between the changes of plaque parameters including volume and percentage of LRNC, wall volume, lumen volume, PWV and the changes of blood lipid parameters (TC, LDL-C, HDL-C and TG) in 3 and 24 months (P>0.05). Conclusion: Lipid-lowering therapy possesses different effects on carotid atherosclerotic plaque in diabetic and non-diabetic patients, and the LRNC improvement is more significant in non-diabetic patients as compared to diabetic patients.

[Recommendations for the diagnosis and management of lupus nephritis in China].

Lupus nephritis (LN) refers to renal involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus and is characterized by hematuria, proteinuria, edema, hypertension and renal insufficiency. The complete remission rate of proliferative LN remains low using the current induction protocols and LN tends to flare. Scientific and standardized diagnosis and therapy are crucial for the treatment of LN. Therefore, based on the current international and domestic experiences and guidelines, the Chinese Rheumatology Association developed the recommendations of diagnosis and therapy for LN, with the purpose of enhancing efficacy, reducing flare, halting renal progression and improving outcome of LN.

[Analysis of the effect of percutaneous vertebroplasty combined with (125)I seed implantation in the treatment of spinal metastatic epidural spinal cord compression].

Objective: To investigate the clinical efficacy of percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) combined with iodine-125 ((125)I) seed brachytherapy in the treatment of spinal metastatic epidural spinal cord compression (MESCC) and toassess the changes inthe grade of epidural spinal cord compression (ESCC) by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods: A total of 37 MESCC patients treated with PVP combined with (125)I seed brachytherapy in the interventional and vascular surgery department of Zhongda Hospital affiliated to Southeast University from January 2014 to June 2019 were retrospectively analyzed, including 23 cases of bilateral lower limbs paralysis. Total diseased vertebrae are 39 segments. Visual analogue scale (VAS) and paralysis of lower extremities were evaluated regularly before and after treatment, and VAS values at different follow-up time points were compared. At the same time, MRI was used to evaluate the changes of ESCC grade in the spinal canal and calculate the local lesion efficiency after operation. The postoperative local lesion efficiency at different follow-up times was compared. Results: PVP combined with (125)I seed implantation in all diseased vertebral bodies was successful. The average injection volume of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) was (3.2±1.3) ml/segment, the average number of (125)I seed implanted was (25.0±8.6) seeds/segment and the average radiation dose was (15.0±5.1) mCi/segment. The VAS before operation was 8.5, and postoperative VAS were respectively 3.6±1.3, 3.8±1.5, 3.4±1.4, 5.5±1.0, 5.9±1.4 at 5 days, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after operation. The differences between all follow-up time points and preoperative VAS values were statistically significant (all P<0.001). Compared with 5 days, 1 month and 3 months after operation, VAS increased significantly at 6 months and 1 year after operation, and the difference was statistically significant (all P<0.001); there was no significant difference between the VAS value at 6 months after operation and 1 year after operation (P=0.405). At a follow-up of 3 months, 22 of 23 patients with paralysis of bilateral lower limbs regained the functions of autonomous walking and voiding; the effective rates of MESCC local lesions evaluated by MRI at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and>1 year were 89.7%, 91.9%, 90.6%, and 94.7%, respectively, and there was no statistically significant differences among those follow-up time points (all P>0.05). Conclusions: PVP combined with (125)I seed brachytherapy in the treatment of MESCC has significant improvement in immediate pain relief and spinal cord function. After combined treatment, MRI showed that the tumors around the spinal cord regressed dramatically, which could considerably reduce the MESCC grade and remain stable for a long time.

[Occlusal changes before and after orthodontic treatment in patients with aggressive periodontitis].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of occlusal improvement in the labial fixed orthodontic treatment in aggressive periodontitis patients and to explore the relationship between occlusal improvement and inflammation control. METHODS: Twenty-two aggressive periodontitis patients who underwent combined periodontal-orthodontic treatment were included in this study. The patient's photos were matched to the dental models and digital three dimentional models were acquired using 3Shape R700 laser scanner. The occlusal force distribution maps were generated in the OrthoAnalyzer software. The newly established occlusal force distribution score (OFDS) and proximal contact score (PCS) were used to evaluate the occlusal distribution changes before and after labial fixed orthodontic treatment for assessing the effectiveness of orthodontic treatment. The multi-level linear regression analysis was used to explore the relationship between the probing depth changes and OFDS or PCS changes to screen out the favorable orthodontic strategy for inflammation control, which would provide clinical strategy for combined periodontal-orthodontic treatment in aggressive periodontitis patients. RESULTS: At the patient level, OFDS was improved significantly after orthodontic treatment compared with the score before orthodontic treatment (84.5±20.9 vs.105.3±22.6, P <0.001) and PCS was improved significantly after orthodontic treatment compared with the score before orthodontic treatment (68.9±9.1 vs. 83.7±6.3, P <0.001).At the tooth level, the OFDS was significantly increased in the maxillary anterior teeth (P <0.001) while the PCS of the anterior teeth in both maxillary and mandible arches were significantly increased significantly (P <0.01). No significant changes were found in other tooth positions. The multilevel linear regression model showed that no significant correlation was found between age and gender and probing depth decrease (P >0.05). The baseline probing depth,OFDS improvements and PCS improvements (P <0.001) were positively correlated with probing depth decrease. CONCLUSION: This study showed that the distribution of occlusal force was more reasonable and the proximal contacts were more ideal in aggressive periodontitis patients. Orthodontic treatment was effective in improving occlusal force distribution by the above two ways. Especially, the OFDS and PCS improvements were both positively correlated with probing depth decrease, indicating that in the combined periodontal-orthodontic treatment for aggressive periodontitis patients, occlusal force distribution and proximal contact should be improved in order to facilitate periodontal improvement.

Lactobacillus paracasei HD1.7 used as a starter modulates the bacterial community and metabolome profile during fermentation of Chinese cabbage.

The effects of Lactobacillus paracasei HD1.7 on the bacterial community and metabolome profile during the fermentation of pickled Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa var. pekinensis) were investigated using high-throughput sequencing and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The HD1.7-inoculated samples showed a consistently higher acidity and larger colony forming units until the middle stage of fermentation. The operational taxonomic units and bacterial richness and diversity declined. Lactobacillus was consistently the most abundant followed by Lactococcus, while Lactococcus was initially dominant and then replaced by Lactobacillus in control samples. The HD1.7 starter significantly promoted the growth of more acid-resistant Lactobacillus, inhibited the growth of pathogens and accelerated and enhanced the consumption of free sugars. Eleven categories and 109 kinds of metabolites were identified using GC-MS. Esters and aldehydes were the most abundant categories. Principal component analysis plots showed a similar metabolome shift route but a faster fermentation process due to HD1.7 inoculation. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Pickled Chinese cabbage is a very traditional and popular food in Asia and where Asians migrate. High-throughput sequencing and GC-MS have been used to investigate the effects of Lactobacillus paracasei HD1.7 as a starter on the bacterial community and metabolome during pickled Chinese cabbage fermentation. Lactobacillus paracasei HD1.7 accelerated acidification and resulted in server acidity. Lactobacillus dominated the entire fermentation process. Lactobacillus paracasei HD1.7-inoculated fermented cabbage had several advantages over naturally fermented cabbage, including a shorter fermentation process, fewer pathogens and more plentiful flavours. This research suggested that L. paracasei HD1.7 would be a desirable starter in the fermentation of other vegetables.

Bacterial diversity and community structure during fermentation of Chinese sauerkraut with Lactobacillus casei 11MZ-5-1 by Illumina Miseq sequencing.

The bacterial diversity and community structure involved in Chinese sauerkraut is one of the most important factors shaping the final characteristics of traditional foods. In this research, Lactobacillus casei 11MZ-5-1 was applied in Chinese sauerkraut fermentation as a starter culture. Illumina Miseq sequencing analysis was used to reveal the bacterial diversity and community structure during Chinese sauerkraut fermentation. A total of 177 283 high-quality reads of 16S rRNA V4 regions were obtained. The inoculation of L. casei 11MZ-5-1 decreased considerably the bacterial richness and bacterial diversity. This inoculum led to the replacement of Lactococcus by Lactobacillus. The levels of Pseudomonas and Enterobacter bacteria decreased. These findings reveal the evolution of important bacterial groups that are involved in fermentation and will facilitate improvements in the Chinese sauerkraut fermentation process. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This research thoroughly revealed the effects of Lactobacillus casei 11MZ-5-1 starter cultures on bacterial communities during Chinese sauerkraut fermentation. Illumina Miseq sequencing was effective technique to monitor the bacterial diversity and community structure. The inoculation of L. casei 11MZ-5-1 led to the decline of bacterial richness and diversity together with a consistent predominance of Lactobacillus during spontaneous fermentation. The result collectively suggested L. casei 11MZ-5-1 is a promising starter in Chinese sauerkraut manufacturing.

[A preliminary research on the exosome influenced by virus infection in the renal transplantation recipients].

Objective: Virus infection is a common complication of transplantation.With the research and application of exosome is becoming more popular, this study focused on whether the virus particles and nucleic acids exist in the exosomes extracted from the plasma of recipients with virus infection after renal transplantation. Methods: A total of 10 independent transplantation recipients at Institute of Organ Transplantation, 309th Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army from January 2015 to July 2017 were studied in this study.5 cases of positive or suspected positive in granulocytes HCMV pp65 antigen detection and positive in plasma HCMV DNA test, and the other 5 cases of positive results in plasma BK DNA test were adopted.Exosomes were extracted from the collected plasma samples with SBI kit.Electron microscopy and nanoparticles tracing analyzer (NTA) were used for exosome analysis.Quantitative real-time PCR method was used to inspect and compare virus DNA copies number in plasma, exosome and effluent. Results: Typical exosome-like vesicle structure was observed.NTA put forward the sample concentration data from 1.2 to 4.5×10(12) particles/ml, and the particle diameters were 30-200 nm.In the qRT-PCR assays, the viral DNA quantitative results of exosome samples are lower but on the same magnitude compared with that of the plasma, and sharply decreased in effluent. Conclusions: Virus DNAs in exosome samples of recipients with viral infection after transplantation were detected in great quantities.This not only hints the spread of the virus may take advantage of the biological formation process of exosomes, but also warns that the limitation of the existing way to extract exosmes from virus infected population may be a bottleneck in research.

[Cement augmentation for vertebral osteolytic metastatic lesions: an evaluation on postoperative CT].

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of cement augmentation on the osteolytic lesion in patients with vertebral metastasis. Methods: A total of consecutive 132 patients with 268 vertebral metastatic lesions treated with PVP from January 2008 to December 2016 in Zhongda Hospital were enrolled in this study. Retrospective analysis of preoperative, postoperative 3 days, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months and ≥ 18 months imaging data on CT, the local control and progression of the tumor were evaluated by MDA response criteria. The local control rates were compared between the groups with the different rate of cement filling by Chi2-test. Results: Vertebroplasty procedures were performed successfully in all 268 vertebrae under DSA guidance, and the mean volume of PMMA injected in each vertebra was 0.7-8.5(3.9±1.5)ml.The rate of local control at 3 months, 6 months, 12 months and ≥18 months after PVP was respectively 98.9%, 95.1%, 91.8%, and 85.2%, the difference was statistically significant(all P<0.05). The local control rate showed a statistically significant relationship to the groups with the rate of cement filling at 6 months, 12 months and ≥18 months after PVP, but there was no statistical difference at postoperative 3 months. The rate of local control was higher in 68 patients with lung or gastrointestinal cancer than in 17 patients with liver or kidney cancer at 3 months, 6 months and 12 months, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: Cement augmentation has a local anti-tumor effect on vertebral osteolytic metastatic lesion, and the anti-tumor effect will decrease as the follow-up time extended.

[Oblique puncture approach via anterolateral to C2: a study of imaging anatomy on corpses].

Objective: To determine the anatomical relation between the carotid artery or laryngopharynx and the needle path via anterolateral oblique approach to C2 vertebral body, and whether the simulated path can direct the actual procedure. Methods: Contrast agent was injected into bilateral carotid arteries of 10 fresh cadavers (20 sides), and then CT scans were performed on each subject. Bilateral simulated puncture paths were simulated on the image of two-dimensional reconstruction CT. The distance between the puncture site and middle line(AC), the angle between the simulated puncture paths and the median sagittal plane (AOB), the distance between the simulated puncture paths and the side wall of hypopharynx, or the carotid artery was measured respectively. Under the guidance of fluoroscopy, oblique puncture via anterolateral to C2 was performed according to the simulated parameters, and then CT was done. The actual needle path was measured on the image of two-dimensional reconstruction CT. The outcomes were compared by using paired t test between groups. Results: Bilateral simulated puncture paths in all 10 cadavers were achieved on the image of CT. The bilateral punctures via anterolateral to C2 were successfully performed under fluoroscopic guidance in 10 cadavers, and the actual needle path could be showed on the image of two-dimensional reconstruction CT. The AC, angle AOB, the distance to carotid artery and side wall of laryngopharyngeal of the left simulated path was(4.7±1.0)cm, (33±8)°, (6.7±2.6)mm, (6.6±2.8)mm, respectively; and those in the right side was(5.2±1.3) cm, (36±8)°, (7.5±2.2) mm, (7.2±2.5) mm, respectively.The AC, angle AOB, the distance to carotid artery and side wall of laryngopharyngeal of the left actual needle was(4.5±1.1) cm, (33±9) °, (6.7±3.0) mm, (7.1±3.9) mm, respectively; and those in the right side was(5.1±1.5) cm, (35±10) °, (7.4±2.1) mm, (7.2±2.6) mm, respectively.And the actual and simulation data of both sides were compared and no significant differences was found by t test (t=0.104-1.882, all P>0.05). Conclusion: The simulated approach via anterolateral to C2 can be achieved on the image of two-dimensional reconstruction CT, it is consistent with the real needle path and can be used to direct the actual practice to improve the accuracy and safety.

[Interleukin-20 and interleukin-22 in pleural effusion].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the concentrations and clinical significance of interleukin (IL)-20 and IL-22 in pleural effusion with various etiologies. METHODS: Pleural effusion (PE) and corresponding serum samples were obtained from 88 patients from Wuhan Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Institute from June 2011 to June 2013. There were 27 cases with malignant pleural effusion, 24 with tuberculous pleural effusion, 17 with bacterial pleural effusion and 20 with transudativeeffusion. The pleural and serum levels of IL-20 and IL-22 were determined by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). RESULTS: (1) Except for transudativeeffusion, the concentration of IL-20 in malignant pleural effusion (36.8±5.1) ng/L, tuberculous pleural effusion (34.8±6) ng/L, bacterial pleural effusion (41.7±20.2) ng/L, were significantly higher than that of the corresponding serum concentration (29.7±5.97) ng/L, (27.3 ±6.7) ng/L, (25.6±4.7) ng/L (t=5.044, 3.804, 3.452, P<0.05). However, the concentration of IL-20 in pleural effusions of different causes showed no significant difference; malignant (36.8±5.1) ng/L, tuberculous(34.8±6.0) ng/L, bacterial (41.7±20.2) ng/L, transudate (34.1±7.3) ng/L (P>0.05). The concentration of IL-22 (median, quartiles) in tuberculouseffusion was 146.1 (39.8) ng/L and bacterial effusion 59.6 (484.3) ng/L was significantly higher than those in the corresponding serum concentrations 18.7 (9.8) ng/L, 15.7 (17.2) ng/L (Z value respectively -3.971, -3.290, P<0.05). The concentration of IL-22 in tuberculous pleural effusion, bacterial pleural effusion, transudative pleural effusion was significant higher than those in malignant pleural effusion respectively (all P<0.001). (2)The concentrations of IL-22 in malignant pleural effusion was correlated positively with those in serum (r=0.729, P<0.001). (3) With a cut-off value of 19.7 ng/L, pleural IL-22 exhibited a high sensitivity and specificity of 95.1% (39/41) and 88.9%(24/27) respectively, when used for distinguishing infectious pleural effusion (including tuberculous and bacterial effusion) from malignant pleural effusion (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Higher levels of IL-22 in tuberculous and bacterial pleural effusion were found when compared with corresponding serum levels and might be involved in the pathogenesis of infectious pleural effusion. Pleural IL-22 measurement provided reliable diagnostic efficiency for distinguishing infectious from malignant pleural effusion.

Effect of integrin combined laminin on peripheral blood vessel of cerebral infarction and endogenous nerve regeneration.

The third Chinese nationwide survey on causes of death states that cerebrovascular disease, accounting for 22.45% of total deaths, ranks as the first cause of death among rural and urban residents. It has become a serious public health problem since it has the highest disability and fatality rate among single diseases. Cerebral infarction is the most common cerebrovascular disease. In order to enhance the treatment response of cerebral infarction, this paper established male Sprague Dawley (SD) rat reperfusion model with 2 h of cerebral artery embolism by suture method. Neurological function deficit was scored according to rat improvement 24 h after model establishment, and 50 rats with scores between 10 and 13 were included in an ultimate experiment and were randomly divided into 5 groups: undisturbed control group, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) up-regulated vessel group, endostatin down-regulated vessel group, ventricle injected Cxc Chemokin Receptor 4 (CXCR4) antibody group, ventricle injected α6ß1 antagonist (GoH3 antibody) group, respectively. The experiment was initiated after grouping and measurement of the relative data. The obtained results showed that the behavioral recovery of the VEGF group was more obvious compared with the control group, and the differences were statistically significant. The research was carried out using decreased modified neurological severity scores (mNSS), and the time a rat took to remove a pasted object. However, the behavioral recovery in the endostatin group, anti-CXCR4 group and GoH3 group was slow, and the difference was statistically significant, which showed as slowly decreased mNSS scoring and inconspicuous improved time of a rat removing a sticker. Compared with the control group, the number of peripheral BrdU+/ vWF+ cells of rat cerebral infarction in the VEGF group increased, and the peripheral VEGF expression quantity of cerebral infarction increased, thus the difference was statistically significant. However, cells in the endostatin group, anti-CXCR4 group, and GoH3 group were fewer and VEGF expression was reduced, and the difference was statistically significant. All these findings suggest that the promotion of angiogenesis after cerebral infarction can better provide the vascular niche for the proliferation, migration and differentiation of neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs), thereby further promoting endogenous nerve regeneration. NSPCs can always closely connect with vessels through the interaction of integrin α6ß1 and laminin; furthermore, under the support provided by the vascular niche and the chemotaxis of stromal cellderived factor (SDF-1), NSPCs can migrate from the subventricular zone (SVZ) to the periphery of infarction.

Human papillomavirus infection among Uyghur women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in Xinjiang area.

OBJECTIVE: To obtain the baseline data of Uyghur women for human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in Xinjiang. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors analyzed the infection and distribution characteristics of HPV genotypes in genital tracts among Uyghur women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) in Urumqi of Xinjiang. A total of 1,431 eligible cases involved in this trial. All cervical samples from these patients were detected for HPV genotype. RESULTS: High-risk HPV was identified in 24.7% of 979 histologically confirmed normal samples and 89.2% of 452 samples with CIN (p < 0.05). The prevalence of one single high-risk type, low-risk type, and multiple HPV types were 74.6%, 10.4%, and 4.2%, respectively. A single high risk HPV infection progressively increased with the severity of cervical lesions significantly (chi2 = 31.53, p < 0.01). While interestingly multiple infection and single low risk HPV infection were decreased with the severity of cervical lesions, and there was significant difference chi2 = 6.44, p <0.05; chi2 = 4.85, p < 0.05). The major prevalent high-risk HPV genotypes in 346 samples of CIN II-III were HPV-16, -58, -31, -33, -68,-18,-45, and -39. The comparison of HPV genotype distributions between normal cytology and CIN II-III was analyzed. The estimated risks for progression from viral infection to CIN II-III was highest in HPV-33 (prevalence ratio (PR), 2.62), followed by HPV-31 (2.27), HPV-16 (1.92), HPV-58 (1.62), HPV-18 (1.51), HPV-68 (1.05), and HPV-39 (1.05), suggesting that the six genotypes of HPV-31, -16, -58, -18, -68, and -39 (PR > 1) are higher-risk HPV types in Uyghur women with CIN in Urumqi of Xinjiang. There was no association between multiple infection and cervical lesion progression (0.31, PR < 1). CONCLUSION: Except for the common HPV-16, -58, -31, -33, -18 in Xinjiang, HPV-68 and HPV-39 may be the oncogenic subtypes to Uyghur female with CIN in Xinjiang. Distinguishing these HPV subtypes may have implications for future cervical screening strategies and vaccine implementation. Multiple infections were not association with an increased risk of high-grade cervical neoplasia.

Tempo and mode of recurrent polyploidization in the Carassius auratus species complex (Cypriniformes, Cyprinidae).

Polyploidization is an evolutionarily rare but important mechanism in both plants and animals because it increases genetic diversity. Goldfish of the Carassius auratus species complex can be tetraploids, hexaploids and octaploids. Polyploidization events have occurred repeatedly in goldfish, yet the extent of this phenomenon and its phyletic history are poorly understood. We explore the origin, tempo and frequency of polyploidization in Chinese and Japanese goldfish using both mitochondrial (mtDNA) and nuclear DNA sequences from up to 1202 individuals including the outgroup taxon, Cyprinus carpio. Analyses of de novo nuclear gene data resolve two clusters of alleles and the pattern supports the prior hypothesis of an ancient allotetraploidization for Carassius. Alleles shared by tetraploid and hexaploid individuals indicate recent autoploidizations within the C. auratus complex. Sympatric tetraploids and hexaploids share mtDNA haplotypes and these frequently occur independently within six well-supported lineages and sublineages on a small spatial scale. Gene flow estimates (Fst values) indicate that hexaploids differ only slightly from sympatric tetraploids, if at all. In contrast, allopatric populations of tetraploids and hexaploids differ from one another to a far greater extent. Gene flow between sampled localities appears to be limited. Coalescence-based time estimations for hexaploids reveal that the oldest lineage within any sampled locality is around one million years old, which is very young. Sympatric, recurrent autoploidization occurs in all sampled populations of the C. auratus complex. Goldfish experience polyploidization events more frequently than any other vertebrate.

MEF2A gene mutations and susceptibility to coronary artery disease in the Chinese population.

We investigated mutations and polymorphisms of the coronary artery disease (CAD)-related myocyte enhancer factor 2A (MEF2A) gene in a Chinese population. Polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformation polymorphism and DNA sequencing were used to detect exon 11 of the MEF2A gene in 210 Hubei patients with CAD and 190 healthy controls. The following mutations were identified: a) a synonymous heterozygous mutation (147191G→T) combined with a 6-base deletion (147123-147128); b) a synonymous heterozygous or homozygous mutation (147191G→T) combined with a 9-base deletion (147123-147131); c) a synonymous mutation (147143G→A); d) a synonymous mutation (147191G→T) combined with an 18-base deletion (147111-147128); and e) a 21-base deletion (147108-147128). Mutations (a) and (b) and a 3-base deletion (147126-147128) with or without the synonymous heterozygous mutation (147191G→T) occurred in more than 1% of controls. However, mutations (c), (d), and (e) were not observed in the control group. The polymorphism in exon 11 of the MEF2A gene was observed in the Chinese population. Six or seven amino acid deletions and synonymous mutations (147143G→A) may be correlated with susceptibility to CAD.

Sperm retrieval from patients with nonmosaic Klinefelter's syndrome by semen cytology examination.

Successful sperm retrieval from ejaculates of nonmosaic Klinefelter's syndrome (KS) patients by using semen cytology examination was described in this report. The clinical parameters of KS patients with sperm compared to patients without sperm were described. One hundred and fifty-one patients were proven to suffer from KS by chromosomal analysis using G-banding. Spermatozoa were obtained from 10 patients (10/151, 6.6%) using semen analysis. After semen cytology examination, 32 patients (32/151, 21.2%) were found to have sperm or germ cell in their ejaculate. The patients with successful sperm retrieval were significantly younger (27.1 ± 3.7 years) than the patients for whom sperm retrieval failed (28.9 ± 4.2 years). The mean serum testosterone level and the mean T/LH ratio of KS patients with successful sperm retrieval were significantly higher in men with sperm than in men without sperm (testosterone: 3.2 ± 2.1 ng/mL vs 2.7 ± 1.5 ng/mL; T/LH ratio: 0.2 ± 0.3 vs 0.1 ± 0.1). In conclusion, semen cytology examination should be performed to identify sperm and germ cells in the ejaculate of KS patients if no sperm can be detected by traditional semen analysis. The serum testosterone level and T/LH ratio revealed an association between impaired Leydig cell function and impaired spermatogenesis in KS males. KS patients should receive earlier diagnosis and treatment.

[Resveratrol alleviates hyperglycemia-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy by maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis via enhancing SIRT1 expression].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether resveratrol alleviates hyperglycemia-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy by enhancing the expression of silent information regulation 2 homolog 1 (SIRT1) to maintain mitochondrial homeostasis. METHODS: Rat cardiomyocytes H9c2 cells with or without lentivirus-mediated mRNA interference of SIRT1 were cultured in high glucose (HG) and treated with resveratrol for 72 h. The changes in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, and relative surface of the cells were examined, and the mRNA expressions of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and protein expressions of SIRT1, mitochondrial fusion related proteins optic atrophy protein 1 (OPA1) and mitofusin 2, mitochondrial division related proteins dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1) and fission protein 1 (FIS1), and mitophagy-related proteins BNIP3L and LC3 were detected using RT-qPCR and Western blotting. RESULTS: HG exposure significantly decreased SOD activity, increased MDA content, ROS production, relative cell surface, and the mRNA expressions of ANF and BNP in the cardiomyocytes; the protein expressions of SIRT1, OPA1, mitofusin 2 and BNIP3L and LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ ratio were all decreased and the protein expressions of DRP1 and FIS1 increased in HG-exposed cells (P<0.01). All these changes in HG-exposed cardiomyocytes were significantly alleviated by treatment with resveratrol (P<0.05). The protective effects of resveratrol against HG exposure in the cardiomyocytes were obviously attenuated by transfection of the cells with si-SIRT1 (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Resveratrol inhibits hyperglycemia-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy by reducing oxidative stress, the mechanisms of which involve enhancement of SIRT1 protein expression, regulation of mitochondrial fusion and division balance, and promoting BNIP3L-mediated mitophagy to maintain mitochondrial homeostasis in the cells.