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@#The larvae of Echinococcus (hydatidcyst) can parasitize humans and animals, causing a serious zoonotic disease-echinococcosis. The life history of Echinococcus is complicated, and as the disease progresses slowly after infection, early diagnosis is difficult to establish. Due to the limitations of imaging and immunological diagnosis in this respect, domestic and foreign scholars have established a variety of molecular detection techniques for the pathogen Echinococcus over recent years, mainly including nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR), multiplex PCR, real-time quantitative PCR, and nucleic acid isothermal amplification technology. In this article, the research progress of molecular detection technology for Echinococcus infection currently was reviewed and the significance of these methods in the detection and diagnosis of hydatid and hydatid diseases was also discussed.
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Background: Alpha-methylacyl-coenzyme A racemase (AMACR, P504S) is a commonly used marker in immunohistochemical diagnosis of prostate cancer. Recent studies identified P504S markers of the clear cell histotype in the ovary and/or endometrium. Gastric-type adenocarcinoma (GAS) is difficult to diagnose histologically, particularly when there is crossover with clear cell carcinoma (CCC). However, the significance of P504S for differentially diagnosing GAS and CCC is unclear. Aim: To evaluate P504S as a potential diagnostic marker of GAS and CCC. Settings and Design: We analyzed P504S expression in 48 cervical carcinomas (32 GAS and 16 CCC), as well as the expression of other markers including hepatocyte nuclear factor-1 beta (HNF-1?) and NapsinA. Material and Methods: The expression differences of HNF-1?, NapsinA, and P504S in GAS and CCC were detected by immunohistochemistry. Immunohistochemical histoscores based on the intensity and extent of staining were calculated. Results: The positive rates of HNF-1? in GAS and CCC were 90.32% and 75%, respectively. (?2 = 2.251, P = 0.663). The positive rates of NapsinA in GAS and CCC were 19.36% and 81.25%, respectively. (?2 = 47.332, P < 0.01). The positive rates of P504S in GAS and CCC were 16.13% and 81.25%, respectively. (?2 = 41.420, P < 0.01). HNF-1? was frequently expressed in GAS and CCC, while NapsinA and P504S were frequently expressed in CCC, and reduced or lost in GAS. Conclusion: NapsinA and P504S can be used to differentiate between GAS and CCC.
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@#Different miRNAs are involved in the life cycles of Schistosoma japonicum. The aim of this study was to examine the expression profile of miRNAs in individual S. japonicum of different sex before and after pairing (18 and 24 dpi). The majority of differential expressed miRNAs were highly abundant at 14 dpi, except for sja-miR-125b and sja-miR-3505, in both male and female. Moreover, it was estimated that sja-miR-125b and sja-miR-3505 might be related to laying eggs. sja-miR-2a-5p and sja-miR-3484-5p were expressed at 14 dpi in males and were significantly clustered in DNA topoisomerase III, Rap guanine nucleotide exchange factor 1 and L-serine/L-threonine ammonia-lyase. Target genes of sja-miR-2d-5p, sja-miR-31- 5p and sja-miR-125a, which were expressed at 14 dpi in males but particularly females, were clustered in kelch-like protein 12, fructose-bisphosphate aldolase, class I, and heat shock protein 90 kDa beta. Predicted target genes of sja-miR-3483-3p (expressed at 28 dpi in females but not in males) were clustered in 26S proteasome regulatory subunit N1, ATPdependent RNA helicase DDX17. Predicted target genes of sja-miR-219-5p, which were differentially expressed at 28 dpi in females but particularly males, were clustered in DNA excision repair protein ERCC-6, protein phosphatase 1D, and ATPase family AAA domaincontaining protein 3A/B. Moreover, at 28 dpi, eight miRNAs were significantly up-regulated in females compared to males. The predicted target genes of these miRNAs were significantly clustered in heat shock protein 90 kDa beta, 26S proteasome regulatory subunit N1, and protein arginine N-methyltransferase 1. To sum up, differentially expressed miRNAs may have an essential role and provide necessary information on clarifying this trematode’s growth, development, maturation, and infection ability to mammalian hosts in its complex life cycle, and may be helpful for developing new drug targets and vaccine candidates for schistosomiasis.
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@#Toxoplasma gondii, a ubiquitous pathogen that infects nearly all warm-blooded animals and humans, can cause severe complications to the infected people and animals as well as serious economic losses and social problems. Here, one local strain (TgPIG-WH1) was isolated from an aborted pig fetus, and the genotype of this strain was identified as ToxoDB #3 by the PCR RFLP typing method using 10 molecular markers (SAG1, SAG2, alternative SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, L358, PK1, C22-8, C29-2 and Apico). A comparison of the virulence of this isolate with other strains in both mice and piglets showed that TgPIG-WH1 was less virulent than type 1 strain RH and type 2 strain ME49 in mice, and caused similar symptoms to those of ME49 such as fever in piglets. Additionally, in piglet infection with both strains, the TgPIG-WH1 caused a higher IgG response and more severe pathological damages than ME49. Furthermore, TgPIG-WH1 caused one death in the 5 infected piglets, whereas ME49 did not, suggesting the higher virulence of TgPIG-WH1 than ME49 during piglet infection. Experimental infections indicate that the virulence of TgPIG-WH1 relative to ME49 is weaker in mice, but higher in pigs. This is probably the first report regarding a ToxoDB #3 strain from pigs in Hubei, China. These data will facilitate the understanding of genetic diversity of Toxoplasma strains in China as well as the prevention and control of porcine toxoplasmosis in the local region.
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@#A 24-year-old man born in Guizhou province was diagnosed with obstructive jaundice and bile duct stones in 2013. Four living trematodes were found during laparotomy and cholecystectomy. Based on the morphology and molecular genetics analysis of internal transcribed spacer and pcox1 genes of the flatworm specimens, the trematodes from the patient were confirmed to be Fasciola hepatica. This report provided the clinical and molecular diagnosis information on human fascioliasis, which is an emerging sanitary problem still ignored in China. Human fascioliasis constantly occurs due to climatic changes and frequency of human travel. Therefore, it deserves more attention from physicians working in both developing and developed countries.
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A 38-year-old man with a diagnosis of BRAF-mutated metastatic melanoma was referred to our clinic. He had been under treatment with 60-mg oral cobimetinib daily for 21 days/7 day off in combination with 960 mg vemurafenib twice daily. The patient had symptoms of blurred vision and photophobia in his right eye. A slit-lamp examination revealed bilateral central corneal stromal opacity and epithelial microcystic edema Involvement was more severe in the right eye compared with the left eye. Fourteen days after the first visit, the patient's symptoms and slit-lamp findings were largely resolved. We suggest that endothelium pump failure was involved in this acute corneal decompensation case similar to the mechanism in retinal pigment epithelium.
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Purpose: This study evaluated bimanual intracapsular irrigation-aspiration for ectopia lentis with use of a small incision for 4-point scleral fixation of a foldable posterior-chamber intraocular lens (IOL) and anterior vitrectomy in patients with Marfan syndrome. Methods: We performed a retrospective study of 18 eyes from 10 patients with Marfan syndrome who underwent surgical intervention for ectopia lentis at our clinic between July 2012 and September 2018. In this study, intraoperative and postoperative complications, uncorrected visual acuity, best-corrected visual acuity, spherical equivalent, intraocular pressure, and endothelial cell density were evaluated. Results: No intraoperative complications were reported. In all cases, early postoperative evaluation revealed a clear cornea, round pupil, and well-centered IOL. Mean logMAR uncorrected visual acuity improved from 1.09 preoperatively to 0.56 postoperatively (P < 0.05). Mean logMAR best-corrected visual acuity improved from 0.45 preoperatively to 0.17 postoperatively (P < 0.05). Aside from transient ocular hypertension, no postoperative complications were reported. Conclusion: The combined surgical technique presented above yields excellent visual outcomes with an extremely low incidence of complications. This approach is simple, safe, and effective in the treatment of ectopia lentis in patients with Marfan syndrome.
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Purpose: To evaluate the optical quality and tear-film dynamics in patients with aqueous-deficient or evaporative subtype of dry eye disease (DED). Methods: Twenty-five aqueous-deficient dry eye (ADDE) patients, 25 DED patients with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), and 25 healthy subjects were included in this study. Vision-related health-targeted quality of life was evaluated using the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire. Dynamic recording with a double-pass system (Optical Quality Analysis System [OQAS]) was performed in right eyes. Scattered light was measured as the objective scatter index (OSI) at 0.5-second intervals over 20 seconds without blinking. Then, we recorded OSI every 0.5 seconds within a 20-second period with the subjects asked to blink freely. Several parameters were established to evaluate the dynamic alterations of optical quality and the effects of blinks: OSI, OSI standard deviation (SD), ?OSI, ?OSI/time, blinking change (BC), and blinking frequency (BF). Additional clinical examination included tear film break-up time (BUT), Schirmer I test (SIT), fluorescein staining grade (FL), meibomian gland quality, meibomian gland expressibility, and meibomian gland drop-out. Results: The OSI, SD, ?OSI, ?OSI/time, BC, and BF were significantly higher in DED patients than controls (P < 0.01, respectively). The OSI, SD, ?OSI, ?OSI/time, BC, and BF were significantly higher in patients with MGD than patients with ADDE (P < 0.01). In the MGD group, BUT, FL staining score, lid abnormality, meibomian gland expressibility, and meibomian gland drop-out were correlated with ? OSI and ? OSI/time. Conclusion: Dry eye patients with MGD had significant alterations of optical quality compared with ADDE patients. The double-pass system has potential to be a useful quantitative method to evaluate the optical quality and tear-film dynamics in patients with dry eye.
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This meta-analysis compared the efficacy and safety of the contact force (CF)-sensing catheter and second-generation cryoballoon (CB) ablation for treating atrial fibrillation (AF). Six controlled clinical trials comparing ablation for AF using a CF-sensing catheter or second-generation CB were identified from PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Wanfang Data, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. The procedure duration was significantly lower in the CB group compared with that in the CF group [mean difference (MD)=29.4; 95%CI=17.84-40.96; P=0.01], whereas there was no difference between the groups for fluoroscopy duration (MD=0.59; 95%CI=-4.48-5.66; P=0.82). Moreover, there was no difference in the incidence of non-lethal complications (embolic event, tamponade, femoral/subclavian hematoma, arteriovenous fistula, pulmonary vein stenosis, phrenic nerve palsy, and esophageal injury) between the CB and the CF groups (8.38 vs 5.35%; RR=0.66; 95%CI=0.37-1.17; P=0.15). Transient phrenic nerve palsy occurred in 17 of 326 patients (5.2%) of the CB group vs none in the CF group (RR=0.12; 95%CI=0.03-0.43; P=0.001). A comparable proportion of patients in CF and CB groups suffered from AF recurrence during the 12-month follow-up after a single ablation procedure [risk ratio (RR)=1.03; 95%CI=0.78-1.35; P=0.84]. AF ablation using CF-sensing catheters and second-generation CB showed comparable fluoroscopy duration and efficacy (during a 12-month follow-up), with shorter procedure duration and different complications in the CB group.
Subject(s)
Humans , Atrial Fibrillation/surgery , Catheter Ablation/methods , Cryosurgery/methods , Catheter Ablation/adverse effects , Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic , Cryosurgery/adverse effects , CathetersABSTRACT
The shipment and storage conditions of clinical samples pose a major challenge to the detection accuracy of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), and Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) when using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The aim of the present study was to explore the influence of storage time at 4°C on the DNA of these pathogens and its effect on their detection by qRT-PCR. CT, NG, and UU positive genital swabs from 70 patients were collected, and DNA of all samples were extracted and divided into eight aliquots. One aliquot was immediately analyzed with qRT-PCR to assess the initial pathogen load, whereas the remaining samples were stored at 4°C and analyzed after 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days. No significant differences in CT, NG, and UU DNA loads were observed between baseline (day 0) and the subsequent time points (days 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28) in any of the 70 samples. Although a slight increase in DNA levels was observed at day 28 compared to day 0, paired sample t-test results revealed no significant differences between the mean DNA levels at different time points following storage at 4°C (all P>0.05). Overall, the CT, UU, and NG DNA loads from all genital swab samples were stable at 4°C over a 28-day period.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adult , Middle Aged , Young Adult , Chlamydia trachomatis/genetics , DNA, Bacterial/isolation & purification , Neisseria gonorrhoeae/genetics , Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods , Specimen Handling , Ureaplasma urealyticum/genetics , Bacterial Load , Chlamydia trachomatis/isolation & purification , Genitalia/microbiology , Neisseria gonorrhoeae/isolation & purification , Reference Values , Time Factors , Ureaplasma urealyticum/isolation & purificationABSTRACT
Some individuals remain uninfected by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), despite multiple sexual contacts with subjects with confirmed HIV-1 infection. Several studies have confirmed that individuals who are homozygous for a 32 base pair (bp) deletion mutation in the chemokine receptor gene CCR5, designated as delta 32/ delta 32, are protected against HIV-1 infection. Heterozygotes of the same chemokine receptor deletion mutation are, however, not protected from acquiring HIV-1 infection but seemingly have slower progression to acquired immunodeficiency syndromes (AIDS). Genotype frequencies of the delta 32 CCR5 mutation vary markedly among different ethnic groups; heterozygosity is found in approximately 15% of Caucasians, about 5-7% of Hispanics and African Americans and 1% or less of Asians. The ethnic background of Puerto Ricans is highly complex and usually includes admixture of Caucasian, Caribbean Indian and African traits to a varying extent. This study was conducted to examine the frequencies of the delta 32 CCR5 mutation among Puerto Ricans who are infected with HIV-1. Samples were received from different geographical regions of the island. Of 377 samples tested, 94.2% were wild type (non-deletion mutant) homozygotes, 5.8% were delta 32 CCR5 heterozygotes, and none were delta 32 CCR5 homozygotes. The incidence of CCR5 delta 32/w heterozygous mutation among Puerto Ricans seems to be somewhat lower than what was reported with US Hispanics. Some age and gender associated bias of the mutation frequency were observed with the study population, the reason for which is unclear at present