Quantitative CT features on admission combined with laboratory biomarkers for predicting severe acute pancreatitis.

AIM: To assess the association of quantitative computed tomography (CT) features on admission with acute pancreatitis (AP) severity, and to explore the performance of combined CT and laboratory markers for predicting severe AP (SAP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from 208 AP patients were reviewed retrospectively. Pancreas volume, the area of extrapancreatic inflammation, extrapancreatic fluid collection volume, and number were calculated based on CT images on admission. Laboratory biomarkers within 24 h of admission were collected. Interobserver agreement for CT measurements was measured by calculating interclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The associations of quantitative CT features with AP severity were evaluated. Predictive models for SAP were constructed based on CT and laboratory markers. Performances of single marker and the models were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and area under the ROC curve (AUC). RESULTS: Pancreas volume, area of extrapancreatic inflammation, extrapancreatic fluid collection volume, and number were significantly different between severe and non-severe AP groups. In predicting SAP, the AUCs of quantitative CT indicators ranged from 0.72 to 0.79; the AUCs of laboratory biomarkers were between 0.53 and 0.66. The combined model of area of extrapancreatic inflammation, serum calcium, and haematocrit yielded an AUC of 0.84, significantly higher than that of the laboratory model, single CT, or laboratory marker. Interobserver agreements for quantitative CT indicators were excellent, with ICC ranging from 0.91 to 0.98. CONCLUSION: Quantitative CT features on admission were significantly associated with AP severity; the combination of extrapancreatic inflammation area, serum calcium, and haematocrit could be taken as a new method for predicting SAP.

[Exploration and validation of optimal cut-off values for tPSA and fPSA/tPSA screening of prostate cancer at different ages].

Objective: To determine the total and age-specific cut-off values of total prostate specific antigen (tPSA) and the ratio of free PSA divided total PSA (fPSA/tPSA) for screening prostate cancer in China. Methods: Based on the Chinese Colorectal, Breast, Lung, Liver, and Stomach cancer Screening Trial (C-BLAST) and the Tianjin Common Cancer Case Cohort (TJ4C), males who were not diagnosed with any cancers at baseline since 2017 and received both tPSA and fPSA testes were selected. Based on Cox regression, the overall and age-specific (＜60, 60-＜70, and ≥70 years) accuracy and optimal cut-off values of tPSA and fPSA/tPSA ratio for screening prostate cancer were evaluated with time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve (tdROC) and area under curve (AUC). Bootstrap resampling was used to internally validate the stability of the optimal cut-off value, and the PLCO study was used to externally validate the accuracy under different cut-off values. Results: A total of 5 180 participants were included in the study, and after a median follow-up of 1.48 years, a total of 332 prostate cancer patients were included. In the total population, the tdAUC of tPSA and fPSA/tPSA screening for prostate cancer were 0.852 and 0.748, respectively, with the optimal cut-off values of 5.08 ng/ml and 0.173, respectively. After age stratification, the age specific cut-off values of tPSA in the <60, 60-<70, and ≥70 age groups were 3.13, 4.82, and 11.54 ng/ml, respectively, while the age-specific cut-off values of fPSA/tPSA were 0.153, 0.135, and 0.130, respectively. Under the age-specific cut-off values, the sensitivities of tPSA screening for prostate cancer in males <60, 60-70, and ≥70 years old were 92.3%, 82.0%, and 77.6%, respectively, while the specificities were 84.7%, 81.3%, and 75.4%, respectively. The age-specific sensitivities of fPSA/tPSA for screening prostate cancer were 74.4%, 53.3%, and 55.9%, respectively, while the specificities were 83.8%, 83.7%, and 83.7%, respectively. Both bootstrap's internal validation and PLCO external validation provided similar results. The combination of tPSA and fPSA/tPSA could further improve the accuracy of screening. Conclusion: To improve the screening effects, it is recommended that age-specific cut-off values of tPSA and fPSA/tPSA should be used to screen for prostate cancer in the general risk population.

[Energy metabolism characteristic with risk of secondary bacterial infection in patients with hepatitis B virus-related chronic liver disease].

Objective: To investigate and analyze the energy metabolism characteristics and the correlation between energy metabolism and the risk of secondary bacterial infection in patients with hepatitis B virus-related chronic liver disease (HBV-CLD). Methods: Data of 183 cases admitted to the Mengchao Hepatobiliary Hospital of Fujian Medical University from November 2017 to November 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. 79 cases of chronic hepatitis B, 51 cases of hepatitis B-related liver cirrhosis, and 53 cases of hepatitis B-related liver failure were collected. Among them patients with liver failure and decompensated liver cirrhosis were defined as severe liver disease group. The Quark RMR indirect calorimetry (COSMED Corporation, Italy) was used to exam the patients' energy metabolism condition, and the incidences of secondary bacterial infection of the patients during hospitalization were recorded. Shapiro-Wilk test and normal QQ plot were used to analyze the normal distribution of continuous variable data, which was consistent with the normal distribution and was described by mean ± standard deviation. In addition, if it did not conform to the normal distribution, the median and interquartile distance were used to describe it. Levene's test was used to test the homogeneity of variance of the data, which was consistent with the normal distribution. The t-test was used to compare the means of the two groups of samples. One-way analysis of variance was used to compare the mean values of the three groups of samples, and then the Tukey's test was used to compare the two groups. If the variance was uneven or did not conform to the normal distribution, the Wilcoxon rank sum test was used to compare the differences between the two groups. Kruskal-Wallis test (H test) was used to compare the differences between the three groups of samples, and then the Dunnett's test (Z test) was used for comparison between the two groups. Categorical variable data were analyzed using chi-square test. Logistic regression analysis was used to screen independent risk factors, and the criteria for variable inclusion (P < 0.05). Results: The respiratory entropy (RQ) and non-protein respiratory entropy (npRQ) of the three groups had statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). Among them, the RQ and npRQ of the chronic hepatitis B group were higher than hepatitis B-related liver cirrhosis group and hepatitis B-related liver failure group. There were statistically significant differences in fat oxidation rate (FAT%) and carbohydrate oxidation rate (CHO%) between the three groups (P < 0.05). Compared with hepatitis B-related liver cirrhosis group and hepatitis B-related liver failure group, chronic hepatitis B group (P < 0.05) had lower FAT% and higher CHO%. There were no statistically significant differences in the measured and predicted resting energy expenditure and protein oxidation rate (PRO%) between the three groups. The incidence of secondary bacterial infection in patients with severe liver disease was 48.39% (45/93). Compared with the non-infected group, the RQ and npRQ values ​​of the infected group were significantly decreased (P < 0.05), while FAT% was significantly increased (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that glutamyltransferase, cholesterol, and npRQ were independent risk factors for secondary bacterial infections in patients with severe liver disease. Glutamyltransferase elevation, and cholesterol and npRQ depletion had suggested an increased risk of secondary bacterial infection. Subgroup analysis of patients with hepatitis B-related liver failure also showed that compared with non-infected group, RQ value and npRQ value of secondary bacterial infection group were significantly decreased (P < 0.05), while FAT% was significantly increased (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Patients with hepatitis B virus-related chronic liver disease generally have abnormal energy metabolism. Low RQ, npRQ, CHO% and high FAT% are related to the severity of the disease; while npRQ reduction is related to the risk of secondary bacterial infection in patients with severe liver disease, and thus can be used as a clinical prognostic indicator.

[Plasma relative abundance of epidermal growth factor receptor mutations predicts clinical response to epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors in patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma].

Objective: To determine whether relative abundance of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations in plasma predicts clinical response to epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) in patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma. Methods: In this prospective study, adult patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma were enrolled in our hospital from 1 April 2016 to 1 January 2017. EGFR mutations in tumor tissues were detected by ADx-amplification refractory mutation system (ADx-ARMS). EGFR mutations of plasma free tumor DNA were detected by ADx-ARMS and ADx-super amplification refractory mutation system (ADx-SuperARMS) at the same time. Patients with EGFR-mutant in tumor tissues and receiving EGFR-TKIs were finally enrolled. Plasma mutation-positive patients with both methods were high abundance group.Patients with positive mutations by ADx-SuperARMS but negative by ADx-ARMS were medium abundance group. Mutation-negative patients with both methods were recognized as low abundance group. The correlation between EGFR mutation abundance and clinical response to EGFR-TKIs were analyzed. Results: Among 71 patients enrolled, 42 harbored EGFR mutations in plasma were detected by ADx-ARMS, while 53 were found by ADx-SuperARMS.There were 42 patients in high abundance group, 11 in medium group while the other 18 in low group. The objective response rates (ORRs) were 69.0%, 7/11 and 10/18 in high, medium and low groups, respectively. The difference was significant between high and low abundances groups (P=0.006). Median progression-free survival (PFS) in high, medium and low groups were 11.0, 8.5 and 9.0 monthes, respectively (P<0.001). In patients with tumor 19-Del, the ORRs were 70.4%, 5/7 and 6/11 in high, medium and low abundance groups, respectively. The median PFS of high abundance group was significantly longer than the other two groups (12.0 monthes vs 9.0, 9.0 monthes). As to subjects with L858R mutation, the ORRs were 10/15, 2/4 and 3/6, respectively, with median PFS 9.6, 5.5 and 9.5 monthes. Conclusions: The relative abundance of EGFR mutations in plasma predicts clinical response to EGFR-TKIs in patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma. The higher the mutation abundance is, the better the efficacy of EGFR-TKIs is.

[Dynamic research of serum cryptococcal capsular polysaccharide antigen titer and chest CT of pulmonary cryptococcosis after antifungal therapy].

Objective: To observe the dynamic changes of serum cryptococcal capsular polysaccharide antigen (CrAg) titer and chest CT of pulmonary cryptococcosis (PC) after antifungal therapy. Methods: A retrospective study was performed for patients with PC admitted to the Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine of the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from January 2015 to April 2018. Serum CrAg titers and Chest CT examination were performed for all the cases before and after treatment. The difference between immunocompetent hosts group and immunocompromised hosts group were compared and analyzed. Results: Eighty-two patients with PC including 46 male (56.1%) and 36 (43.9%) female were enrolled. Fifty-two (63.4%) patients were proven PC and thirty (36.6%) patients were probable PC. Forty-five (54.9%) patients had underlying diseases. Fifty-four (65.9%) patients were immunocompetent hosts and twenty-eight (34.1%) patients were immunocompromised hosts. The mean duration of treatment was (7.9±2.4) months and the mean follow-up was (24.0±10.0) months. Improvement (≥75%) in chest CT were found in 64.8% of the cases in immunocompetent group and 67.9% in immunocompromised group after 6 months' treatment. Improvement (≥75%) was found in 88.9% of the cases with patchy infiltrates or consolidation and only 63.0% in nodular or mass-like type and mixed patterns of PC. The serum CrAg titer of 55 cases ranged from 1∶4 to 1∶160 before treatment (median 1∶40) and decreased for all cases after treatment. The serum CrAg titer became negative in 20 cases at last. Mean time of serum CrAg titer turning negative was (11.8±8.1) months. The serum CrAg titer became negative or decreased to 1∶1 in 24 cases after treatment cessation, of whom the serum CrAg titer ranged from 1∶5 to 1∶160 before treatment (median 1∶20). The serum CrAg titer of 31 cases ranged from 1∶4 to 1∶640 before treatment (median 1∶64), of whom the serum CrAg detections were still positive after treatment cessation, and CrAg titer was 1∶10 (ranged from 1∶2 to 1∶160). Conclusions: In PC, chest CT improves after antifungal treatment, and the infiltrates or consolidation type of PC resolves faster than nodular or mass-like shadows and mixed patterns in CT. The serum CrAg titer decreases after antifungal treatment.

[Comparison of two serological methods in screening gastric cancer and its precancerous condition].

Objective: To compare the diagnostic value of the old "ABC" method [serum pepsinogen(PG) combined with Helicobacter pylori (Hp) IgG antibody] and the new "ABC" method [serum pepsinogen plus gastrin-17(G-17)] in screening gastric cancer and its precancerous condition. Methods: Serum PG, G-17 and Hp-IgG were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 278 subjects. Subjects were grouped according to the criteria of two methods. The gastroscopy and pathological biopsy were gold standard. Results: The positive rate of old "ABC" method was 74.46% (207/278), which was 54.68% of new "ABC" method (151/278). For the diagnosis of gastric cancer, the sensitivity and specificity of the old "ABC" method were 90.74% and 29.46% respectively, with diagnostic coincidence rate 41.37%. The sensitivity and specificity of the new "ABC" method were 92.59% and 54.46% respectively, with diagnostic coincidence rate 61.87%. As to the diagnosis of pre-cancerous state, the sensitivity and specificity of the old "ABC" method were 75.81% and 36.00%, with diagnostic coincidence rate 58.03%. The sensitivity and specificity of the new "ABC" method were 62.10% and 75.00%, with diagnostic coincidence rate 67.86%. Conclusions: Compared with the old "ABC" method, the new "ABC" method has higher sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic coincidence rate for the diagnosis of gastric cancer, yet higher specificity and lower sensitivity for the diagnosis of precancerous conditions.

[Clinical significance of serum resistin in patients with generalized myasthenia gravis].

Objective: To detect the serum resistin levels in patients with generalized myasthenia gravis (GMG) and evaluate the clinical values of resistin. Methods: We detected the serum resistin levels in 58 patients with GMG and 58 healthy controls (HC) from January 2013 to December 2015 in Tianjin medical university general hospital.Then we analyzed the correlation of the serum resistin levels with the clinical features. Results: The serum resistin levels in patients with GMG, (8.26±4.27) ng/ml, was significantly higher than in HC, (4.12±1.36) ng/ml, (P<0.001). There was no statistical difference of the serum resistin levels between female or male patients with GMG (P=0.589). The serum resistin levels in patients with GMG was positively correlated with the quantitative MG score for disease severity (QMG) (r=0.446, P<0.001), but not correlated with age (r=0.168, P=0.206). The patients with higher resistin levels took higher risk of combining with thymoma (P=0.002), 56.5%, and these patients had higher QMG, 11(5) (P=0.001); and the ratio and QMG in the patients with lower resistin levels were 17.1%, 7(5), respectively.The GMG patients with thymoma (TGMG+ ) had remarkably higher serum resistin levels, (10.7±5.3) ng/ml (P=0.010) and the QMG score, 11(5) (P<0.001) than the GMG patients without thymoma (TGMG-) with (7.0±3.1) ng/ml and 8(5). Conclusion: Resistin is probably associated with the severity of the disease of MG, and maybe a potential biomarker of MG combined with thymoma.

[Diagnostic performance of T-SPOT.TB on peripheral blood in combination with adenosine deaminase on pleural fluid for the diagnosis of tuberculous pleurisy within different age group].

Objective: To evaluate the performance of T cell enzyme-linked immuno-spot assay (T-SPOT) on peripheral blood in combination with adenosine deaminase (ADA) on pleural fluid for diagnosis of tuberculous (TB) pleurisy within different age groups. Methods: The data of patients with pleural effusion from the Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine of the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from April 2012 to November 2016 were retrospectively analyzed, and the diagnoses of these patients were histopathologically confirmed through medical thoracoscopy. The cases who had confirmed diagnosis, in the same time, received peripheral blood T-SPOT.TB were enrolled. The performance of peripheral blood T-SPOT.TB in combination with pleural fluid ADA on diagnosing TB pleurisy in the younger patients (16-59 years old) and elderly patients (≥60 years old) were analyzed respectively. The sensitivity, specificity and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were adopted for statistical analysis. Results: A total of 448 cases were finally enrolled, 341(76.1%) confirmed with TB pleurisy, 224 males, 117 females, (47±19) years old; and 107 (23.9%) classified as non-TB pleurisy, 65 males, 42 females, (61±14) years old. There were 285 cases who were classified as younger group, and the other 163 cases were classified as elderly group. The sensitivity and specificity of peripheral blood T-SPOT.TB were 85.4% (204/239) and 71.7% (33/46) in the younger patients, 76.5% (78/102) and 59.0% (36/61) respectively in the elderly patients. The sensitivity of peripheral blood T-SPOT.TB in the younger patients was significantly higher than that in the elderly patients (P=0.047). The sensitivity and specificity were 99.2% and 95.7% in combination with peripheral blood T-SPOT.TB and pleural fluid ADA respectively in the younger patients. The area under ROC curve (AUC) of T-SPOT.TB in the younger patients was 0.833, AUC of T-SPOT.TB combined with ADA was 0.911. The combination test of 2 tests had the sensitivity of 96.1% and the specificity of 90.2% respectively in the elderly patients. The AUC of T-SPOT.TB in the elderly patients was 0.747, AUC of T-SPOT.TB combined with ADA was 0.911. Conclusion: Peripheral blood T-SPOT.TB combined with pleural fluid ADA can improve the diagnostic performance for TB pleurisy with different ages, especially for elderly patients who can't tolerate pleural biopsy.

An acidic pectin lyase from Aspergillus niger with favourable efficiency in fruit juice clarification.

The pectin lyase gene pnl-zj5a from Aspergillus niger ZJ5 was identified and expressed in Pichia pastoris. PNL-ZJ5A was purified by ultrafiltration, anion exchange and gel chromatography. The Km and Vmax values determined using citrus pectin were 0.66 mg ml(-1) and 32.6 µmol min(-1) mg(-1) , respectively. PNL-ZJ5A exhibited optimal activity at 43°C and retained activity over 25-50°C. PNL-ZJ5A was optimally active at pH 5 and effective in apple juice clarification. Compared with controls, PNL-ZJ5A increased the fruit juice yield significantly. Furthermore, PNL-ZJ5A reduced the viscosity of apple juice by 38.8% and increased its transmittance by 86.3%. PNL-ZJ5A combined with a commercial pectin esterase resulted in higher juice volume.

Genome-wide transcriptional profiling reveals molecular signatures of secondary xylem differentiation in Populus tomentosa.

Wood formation occurs via cell division, primary cell wall and secondary wall formation, and programmed cell death in the vascular cambium. Transcriptional profiling of secondary xylem differentiation is essential for understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying wood formation. Differential gene expression in secondary xylem differentiation of Populus has been previously investigated using cDNA microarray analysis. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms from a genome-wide perspective. In this study, the Affymetrix poplar genome chips containing 61,413 probes were used to investigate the changes in the transcriptome during secondary xylem differentiation in Chinese white poplar (Populus tomentosa). Two xylem tissues (newly formed and lignified) were sampled for genome-wide transcriptional profiling. In total, 6843 genes (~11%) were identified with differential expression in the two xylem tissues. Many genes involved in cell division, primary wall modification, and cellulose synthesis were preferentially expressed in the newly formed xylem. In contrast, many genes, including 4-coumarate:cinnamate-4-hydroxylase (C4H), 4-coumarate:CoA ligase (4CL), cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD), and caffeoyl CoA 3-O-methyltransferase (CCoAOMT), associated with lignin biosynthesis were more transcribed in the lignified xylem. The two xylem tissues also showed differential expression of genes related to various hormones; thus, the secondary xylem differentiation could be regulated by hormone signaling. Furthermore, many transcription factor genes were preferentially expressed in the lignified xylem, suggesting that wood lignification involves extensive transcription regulation. The genome-wide transcriptional profiling of secondary xylem differentiation could provide additional insights into the molecular basis of wood formation in poplar species.

A coronary computed tomography angiography study on anatomical characteristics of the diagonal branch of anterior interventricular artery.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the anatomical characteristics of the ramus intermedius (RI) and its correlation with the proximal diameter of the branch vessels of the left coronary artery (LCA) using coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We screened patients who underwent CCTA from January to September 2021 and randomly enrolled 267 with RI (RI group) and 134 without RI (control group). We evaluated the anatomical features of RI (distribution, proximal diameter, length). We measured the proximal diameter of the anterior interventricular branch of the left coronary artery (LAD) and the circumflex branch of the left coronary artery (LCX). We compared the differences between groups in the proximal diameter of LAD and LCX and the correlation between gender and each parameter of the LCA (LAD, LCX, RI) within the RI group. In addition, we compared the correlation between the distribution characteristics of RI and the proximal diameter of LAD and LCX within the RI group. RESULTS: The LAD and LCX proximal diameters in the RI group were significantly smaller than those in the control group (p < 0.05). Comparisons within the RI group showed the following results: the RI distribution, RI diameter and length, and the LCX proximal diameter were not significantly different between male and female patients (p > 0.05), and the LAD proximal diameter was significantly larger in male than in female patients (p < 0.05). There were statistically significant differences in the LAD and LCX proximal diameters between the different RI distribution groups (p < 0.05). Based on the pairwise comparison, there were significant differences in the LAD (LCX) proximal diameter between the RI-beside- -the-LAD (LCX) group and the RI-middle group, as well as between the RI-beside- -the-LAD (LCX) group and the RI-beside-the-LCX (LAD) group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A CCTA accurately evaluated the anatomical characteristics of an RI, which has an impact on the proximal diameter of the branch vessels of the LCA (i.e. LAD and LCX), the degree of influence of which is correlated with the RI distribution.

[Formation of professor Mao Xiejun's thoughts on stomatological education].

Professor Mao Xiejun wrote a report about dental education of China in 1935. From 1948 to 1950, he published three articles containing the educational idea of "developing dentistry into stomatology". When he served as the director of the Faculty of Dentistry of Peking University Medical School in July 1950, he proposed to rename the Faculty of Dentistry into the Faculty of Stomatology,which were approved by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China in one month. The Chinese Medical Association established the Society of Stomatology the next year. Later, dentistry was successively changed into stomatology, and medical content was integrated into dental education, which was of great significance and far-reaching influence. During the developments of the thought of stomatological education in China, Professor Mao Xiejun evidently played a pivotal role. In this paper, the formation process of the thoughts of stomatological education related to professor Mao Xiejun's contribution is elucidated through studying the archives, personal letters, and historical documents, so as to enrich the researches on the history of stomatology in China and to facilitate better understanding and promoting the development of stomatology.

[A historical review of dental schools founded by dentist Situ Bo in modern time].

About 8 dental schools were founded by Chinese dentists during modern times (1909-1949) in China. Only one still worked after the founding of the People's Republic of China, which was one of the three dental schools founded by dentist Situ Bo. There were no systematic researches on Situ Bo's participation in dentistry education. This paper analyzes the founder's experience in dentistry and in the two schools he founded at the beginning, focusing on the background and process of the schools' construction, management, teaching, teachers and students training, etc. The results show that the establishment of the first two dental schools have laid important foundation for the establishment and development of Shanghai Dental College by the reserve of trained professional teachers and accumulated valuable experience in running schools. The systematic review of this history will help us better understand the establishment and development of Shanghai Dental College and the efforts in dentistry education made by dentists growed up in modern China, as well as the early development process of stomatology.

Characterization of the expression of macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1α) and C-C chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) after kainic acid-induced status epilepticus (SE) in juvenile rats.

AIMS: To identify the potential role of macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1α) with its C-C chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) in epileptogenic brain injury, we examined their expression in juvenile rat hippocampus and explored the potential link between MIP-1α, CCR5 and neuropathological alterations after status epilepticus (SE) induced by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) kainic acid (KA) injection. METHODS: Based on the determination of the development of spontaneous seizures initiated by SE in developing rat brain, we firstly examined hippocampal neurone damage through Nissl and Fluoro-Jade B staining, and evaluated microglial reaction during the early phase following KA-induced SE in 21-day-old rats. MIP-1α and CCR5 protein were quantified by ELISA and Western blot respectively following mRNA by real-time PCR. We also mapped MIP-1α and CCR5 expression in the hippocampus by immunohistochemistry and identified their cellular sources using double-labelling immunofluorescence. RESULTS: In juvenile rats, KA caused characteristic neurone damage in the hippocampal subfields, with accompanying microglial accumulation. In parallel with mRNA expression, MIP-1α protein in hippocampus was transiently increased after KA treatment, and peaked from 16 to 72 h. Double-labelling immunofluorescence revealed that MIP-1α was localized to microglia. Up-regulated CCR5 remained prominent at 24 and 72 h and was mainly localized to activated microglia. Further immunohistochemistry revealed that MIP-1α and CCR5 expression were closely consistent with microglial accumulation in corresponding hippocampal subfields undergoing degenerative changes. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicated that MIP-1α as a regulator, linking with the CCR5 receptor, may be involved within the early stages of the epileptogenic process following SE by i.c.v. KA injection.

[A historical review of dental schools founded by dentists in modern China].

Eight dental schools were founded by Chinese dentists during modern times (1909-1949) in China, but only one of them still works. This article analyzes the establishment processes, faculty and student trainings in some of these dental schools, combining with the social background and management system at that time, to explore the difficulties encountered by Chinese dentists in founding dental schools before 1949.

[A historical review of dental education and practice qualification in modern China].

A series of regulations and policies for Dental Practitioner Qualification were issued during modern times (1906-1949) in China from local to national levels, in which the certification for qualification had been largely based on dental education and training experiences. The present article reviews the evolution and progression of dental practitioner qualification management, as well as its relationship to dental education before 1949, which may hopefully provide a historical background for the development of modern dentistry and enhance the understanding of the current management process for dental practitioner qualifications in China.

Value of low-dose spiral CT combined with circulating miR-200b and miR-200c examinations for lung cancer screening in physical examination population.

OBJECTIVE:   The aim of this study is to investigate the clinical value of low-dose spiral CT (LDCT), plasma miR-200b, and miR-200c combined screening for lung cancer screening in the physical examination population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 2016 to December 2018, the Physical Examination Center of our hospital underwent low-dose spiral CT lung cancer screening for 10,823 people aged ≥40 years. The quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the relative expressions of miR-200b and miR-200c in plasma, analyze the imaging characteristics of suspicious nodules in the lung and the relative expressions of miR-200b and miR-200c in plasma. RESULTS: A total of 2,919 pulmonary nodules were detected in the 10823 physical examination population, with a total detection rate of 26.97%, including 1523 males and 1396 females. 1081 positive nodules were detected with a detection rate of 9.99%. According to the Lung-RADS classification, the number of type 2 nodules was the highest, with a detection rate of 22.13%. Meanwhile, the rate of type 3 nodules was 3.15%, and the rate of type 4 nodules was 1.69%. The sensitivity, accuracy, and negative predictive value of LDCT, miR-200b, and miR-200c in the diagnosis of lung cancer were significantly improved compared with the individual tests, which were 94.74%, 90.16%, and 95.88%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Low-dose spiral CT combined with plasma miR-200b and miR-200c for lung cancer screening in the physical examination population can help to detect lung cancer patients with early symptoms that are not significant, and achieve early diagnosis and early treatment.

Value of metabolic parameters of primary lesions examined by 18F-FDG PET/CT for endometrial cancer in preoperative evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate metabolic parameters of primary lesions examined by 18F-FDG PET/CT (18Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography /Computed Tomography), including maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax), metabolic volume (MTV), and total lesion glycolysis (TLG). PATIENTS AND METHODS: 79 patients with endometrial cancer were selected as the subjects. They were diagnosed by histopathology in our hospital for the first time from January 2016 to December 2018. All the patients were examined by 18F-FDG PET/CT. Retrospective statistical analysis was carried out to evaluate different expression of metabolic parameters examined by 18F-FDG PET/CT of different clinicopathologic factors in endometrial cancer. Spearman correlation analysis was also used. RESULTS: SUVmax, TLG and MTV were correlated with FIGO staging, tissue grading, depth of myometrial invasion, and lymph node metastasis. SUVmax, TLG and MTV in lymph node metastasis group had high clinical staging, low differentiation and myometrial invasion depth >1/2, which were significantly higher than those in no lymph node metastasis group (low clinical staging, high differentiation and myometrial invasion depth ≤1/2). TLG had the greatest difference(p<0.001). TLG and MTV were correlated with histopathological classification (p<0.05). The expression levels of SUVmax, MTV and TLG of primary lesions were negatively correlated with the positive expression of ER and PR in tumor tissues (p<0.05), and significantly positively correlated with positive expression of HER -2 and Ki-67 (p<0.01). The expression of ER, PR, HER-2 and KI-67 in tumor tissues was correlated with tissue grading, clinical staging, depth of muscular layer infiltration, cervical tissue involvement and lymph node metastasis (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Metabolic parameters of primary lesions examined by 18F-FDG PET/CT has a good correlation with its clinicopathological features. They can provide reference for the preoperative formulation of treatment plan for endometrial cancer, so as to reduce the risk of surgery and improve the prognosis of patients.