Effect of postharvest storage time on quality characteristics of explosion puffing dried whole shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes) crisps.

BACKGROUND: Non-fried shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes) crisps fabricated by explosion puffing drying (EPD) are receiving worldwide attention because of their crispness, convenience, nutrition and health functions. The quality of mushroom crisps varies with storage time of fresh L. edodes. Therefore, the effect of postharvest storage time (ranging from 0 to 14 days) of fresh L. edodes on quality characteristics of EPD- processed mushroom crisps was evaluated. RESULTS: The weight loss and total color difference of fresh L. edodes were increased to 2.95% and 24.66, but moisture content, firmness and lightness were reduced by 6.14%, 40.70% and 43.57%, respectively, after 14 days storage. The puffing degree of mushroom crisps was initially increased to its highest value (55.95%) on the 4th day storage and thereafter decreased. The highest rehydration ratio (2.36) and crispness (63.67), and lowest hardness (102.95 N) of mushroom crisps were fabricated with L. edodes on the 4th day of storage. Free water was predominant in fresh L. edodes, which was decreased for fresh L. edodes, whereas it increased initially to the maximum value and decreased thereafter for osmotic dehydrated and heat pump pre-dried L. edodes with increasing storage time. Principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis confirmed that fresh L. edodes stored at different times had a remarkable effect on quality characteristics of mushroom crisps. CONCLUSION: Fresh L. edodes stored at 4 ± 1 °C for 4 days is recommended for fabrication of mushroom crisps with superior quality. This study provides a theoretical basis for selection of a suitable storage time for fresh L. edodes before EPD of crisps. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

HE4 is associated with clinical risk prognostic factors and survival outcome in primary fallopian tube carcinoma patients.

AIM: To explore whether HE4 was associated with clinical risk prognostic factors and survival outcome in primary fallopian tube carcinoma patients. METHODS: Ninety-six primary fallopian tube carcinoma (PFTC) patients from March 2011 to June 2019 were enrolled in this study. Serum CA125 and HE4 concentrations were measured at four time points including primary diagnosis, postsurgery, pre-recurrence, and recurrence. The relations between clinical risk prognostic factors with HE4 concentrations were investigated, and multivariate survival analysis was used to calculate the hazard ratios between HE4 levels with recurrence-free survival and overall survival. RESULTS: HE4 were significantly elevated in poor performance status, advanced stage, high histological grade and residual tumor diameter >1 cm, and positive lymph node status, respectively, compared with those in well performance status, early stage, low histological grade, residual tumor diameter ≤1 cm, and negative lymph node status, respectively. Multivariate survival analysis indicated serum HE4 can predict outcome of recurrence-free survival and overall survival with hazard ratios of 9.92 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.95-33.32) and 3.12 (95% CI: 1.07-9.08), respectively. CONCLUSION: HE4 is associated with clinical risk prognostic factors in PFTC and contributes to predict survival outcome in PFTC cases.

Effects of ultrasound pretreatment on the drying kinetics, water status and distribution in scallop adductors during heat pump drying.

BACKGROUND: A material's physical and chemical properties during drying are influenced by water status and distribution. However, merely overall water removal is reported in many investigations, which hinders clarification of the drying mechanism. Therefore, the effects of ultrasound (US) pretreatment (0 W, CK; 90 W, US-90; 180 W, US-180) on the drying kinetics and quality of heat pump drying (HPD) scallop adductors was performed based on low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR). RESULTS: Compared with CK, effective moisture diffusion coefficient was increased by 12.43% and 23.35% for US-90 and US-180, respectively. The Weibull model satisfactorily described the drying characteristics with a high r2 (> 0.998), low rmse (< 0.0120) and χ2 (< 0.00008). LF-NMR revealed that the immobilized water was predominant in scallop adductors. As drying proceeded, the relaxation time of free and immobilized water was decreased sharply, whereas the relaxation time of bound water scarcely changed. The time required to reduce approximately two-fifths of the original peak area of immobilized water was 720, 630 and 540 min for CK, US-90 and US-180, respectively. The amplitude of immobilized water was decreased and bound water increased significantly, although free water was kept constant (ranging 1-2%). US pretreatment reduced total color difference and hardness, but enhanced the toughness of dried scallop adductors. However, US had no significant influence on the product rehydration rate and shrinkage rate. CONCLUSION: LF-NMR was successfully employed to evaluate the drying degree of scallop adductors. US facilitated the conversion of immobilized water to free water and, consequently, promoted water removal during HPD. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Quantitation of estradiol by competitive light-initiated chemiluminescent assay using estriol as competitive antigen.

BACKGROUND: Light-initiated chemiluminescent assays (LICA) are homogeneous assays that are sensitive, specific, and free of separation and washing steps and have high throughput and high precision. METHODS: In this research, we developed a competitive method by LICA to achieve accurate quantification of estradiol (E2) in human serum. E2 competed with estriol (E3) for binding to anti-human E2 antibodies. E3 was linked to biotin via bovine serum albumin as a linker. As this assay used competition between the labeled tracer and the analyte, an increase in E2 concentration will cause a signal decrease. RESULTS: The expected detection range of E2 was 20-5000 pg/mL. The analytical and functional sensitivities were 7.16 and 13.7 pg/mL, respectively. The intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation were both below 15%, and the recovery rate ranged from 97.5% to 106.8%. The interference rates ranged from -3.6% to 5.4% and met detection requirements for E2 in hyperbilirubinemia, hemolysis, and lipemia in clinical samples. In addition, the cross-reactivity rates between E2 and structural analogs and some reproductive hormones varied from 1.9% to 10.6% which showed that LICA is highly specific for E2. Moreover, our results showed high accordance with the IMMULITE 2000 (y = 0.6695x + 47.92, r2  = .843) and VIDAS systems (y = 1.099x - 821.5, r2  = .9392). CONCLUSION: Our data show that the LICA, which is easy to automate, is a promising technique for quantification of E2 in human serum and could be used for clinical detection.

Prognostic value of serum HE4 in patients with advanced ovarian, fallopian tube, and peritoneal carcinoma.

PURPOSE: In this study, the prognostic value of serum HE4 was investigated in patients with advanced ovarian, fallopian tube, and peritoneal carcinoma. METHODS: Serum HE4 and CA125 levels were measured in both patients and controls, and the response of treatment and the detection of recurrence were evaluated by serum HE4 and CA125 levels in the patients. RESULTS: The results showed that the levels of serum HE4 and CA125 were significantly higher in advanced patients than those seen in benign disease controls (p < 0.001). Compared with CA125, HE4 had higher specificity, but lower sensitivity. Furthermore, serum HE4 was closely associated with the response of treatment and recurrence, the effective response rate for therapy treatment showed by HE4 was higher than CA125, and a serum HE4 level was correlated with a sensitivity of 82.8% and a specificity of 99%, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 97.7%, and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 77.9% to show the presence of recurrence; the accuracy of HE4 for recurrence prediction after treatment was 88.6%. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicated that serum HE4 levels are effective for diagnosis, evaluating the response of treatment and predicting recurrence in patients with advanced ovarian, fallopian tube, and peritoneal carcinoma.

Variation of the Vaginal Lactobacillus Microbiome in Cytolytic Vaginosis.

OBJECTIVE: This pilot study aimed to evaluate whether different microbial compositions cause symptoms in patients with Lactobacillus overgrowth and to investigate the variation in Lactobacillus microbiome in cytolytic vaginosis (CV). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Lactobacillus species were identified from the vaginal fluid of 70 healthy women and 79 patients with CV using molecular analysis of the 16S rRNA gene. χ and Fisher exact tests were used to compare the isolated rates of Lactobacillus species between the 2 groups. The capabilities of dominant Lactobacillus strain to produce acid in the 2 groups were analyzed by repeated measures analysis of variance. RESULTS: The isolation of 2 or more Lactobacillus species per vaginal sampling was significantly less common in the CV group (1.3%) compared with the healthy control (HC) group 12.2% (p = .013). Significant differences in Lactobacillus species were observed between the 2 groups (p < .001). Lactobacillus crispatus was more often found in the CV group (88.7%) than in the HC group (56.4%, p < .001). Compared with that in the HC group, the dominant L. crispatus strain in the CV group tended to produce more acid. CONCLUSIONS: The CV group carried a less diverse Lactobacillus species, vaginally. Lactobacillus crispatus was common to both CV and HC groups but demonstrated enhanced acid-producing capability in the CV group. The pathogenesis of CV may be based, in part, on an overgrowth of L. crispatus with enhanced acid-producing capability.

Detection of Fleeting Amine Radical Cations and Elucidation of Chain Processes in Visible-Light-Mediated [3 + 2] Annulation by Online Mass Spectrometric Techniques.

Visible-light-mediated photoredox reactions have recently emerged as a powerful means for organic synthesis and thus have generated significant interest from the organic chemistry community. Although the mechanisms of these reactions have been probed by a number of techniques such as NMR, fluorescence quenching, and laser flash photolysis and various degrees of success has been achieved, mechanistic ambiguity still exists (for instance, the involvement of the chain mechanism is still under debate) because of the lack of structural information about the proposed and short-lived intermediates. Herein, we present the detection of transient amine radical cations involved in the intermolecular [3 + 2] annulation reaction of N-cyclopropylaniline (CPA, 1) and styrene 2 by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) in combination with online laser irradiation of the reaction mixture. In particular, the reactive CPA radical cation 1+•, the reduced photocatalyst Ru(I)(bpz)3+, and the [3 + 2] annulation product radical cation 3+• are all successfully detected and confirmed by high-resolution MS. More importantly, the post-irradiation reaction with an additional substrate, isotope-labeled CPA, following photolysis of 1, 2, and Ru catalyst provides strong evidence to support the chain mechanism in the [3 + 2] annulation reaction. Furthermore, the key step of the proposed chain reaction, the oxidation of CPA 1 to amine radical cation 1+• by product radical cation 3+• (generated using online electrochemical oxidation of 3), is successfully established. Additionally, the coupling of ESI-MS with online laser irradiation has been successfully applied to probe the photostability of photocatalysts.

Clinical Significance and Characteristic Clinical Differences of Cytolytic Vaginosis in Recurrent Vulvovaginitis.

AIM: The study aimed to evaluate whether cytolytic vaginosis (CV) has important clinical implications for recurrent vulvovaginitis and to identify clinical differences between CV and vulvovaginal candidosis (VVC). METHODS: Medical histories, physical examinations and laboratory findings were used to diagnose and assess the prevalence rates of various vulvovaginal infections among 536 women with recurrent vulvovaginitis. Chi-square and Fisher exact tests were used to compare age, menstrual cycle phase at episode onset, symptoms/signs of infection and discharge characteristics between CV and VVC with single infection. RESULTS: Among the 484 women with a single-infection recurrent vulvovaginitis, the prevalence of CV (n = 143; 26.7%) was second only to VVC (n = 196; 36.6%). CV symptoms occurred predominantly during the ovulatory and luteal phases. Meanwhile, VVC episodes were not concentrated premenstrually, but rather occurred throughout the menstrual cycle. Significant differences were found in the vaginal pH, discharge characteristics and frequency of inflammatory symptoms between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: CV is clinically important, because it is a common cause of recurrent vulvovaginitis. To distinguish CV from VVC, gynecologists should consider the patient's medical history, physical and laboratory findings, vaginal pH and vaginal discharge characteristics.

Expressions and clinical significance of COX-2, VEGF-C, and EFGR in endometrial carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: The article is to study the expressions of COX-2, VEGF-C, and EGFR in endometrial carcinoma as well as its clinical significances. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical data of 183 patients with endometrial carcinoma who received surgery as initial treatment in the Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated to the Nanjing University Medical School and the Nantong Maternal and Child Health Hospital Affiliated to the Nantong University from January 2005 to December 2010 were retrospectively investigated; 152 out of the 183 patients were closely followed up. Expressions of COX-2, VEGF-C, and EGFR proteins in 152 endometrial carcinoma samples were detected by immunohistochemical S-P assay. RESULTS: A 5-year survival rate of 152 patients was 81.56% (124/152). Positive COX-2 expression rate was 67.76% (103/152), and its positive expression was related to FIGO stage, differentiation degree, and myometrial invasion depth of patients (P < 0.05), but not to lymph node metastasis (P > 0.05). Positive expression rates of VEGF-C and EGFR were 64.47% (98/152) and 82.24% (125/152), respectively, and their positive expression was associated with FIGO stage, differentiation degree, myometrial invasion depth, and lymphatic metastasis (P < 0.05). Correlation analysis on the expression of COX-2 with VEGF-C and of EGFR found that COX-2 was positively correlated with both VEGF-C and EGFR (P < 0.05, r s > 0). Patient prognosis was associated with the FIGO stage, differentiation degree, and myometrial invasion depth of tumors, as well as the presence or absence of lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05) while showing no significant association with the postoperative adjuvant therapy (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: COX-2, VEGF-C, and EGFR are of significance for determining the FIGO stage, differentiation degree, and myometrial invasion depth of endometrial carcinoma, of which VEGF-C and EGFR are important in determining whether tumors metastasize to lymph nodes. Combined detection of COX-2, EGFR, and VEGF-C can be used as the indices for early diagnosis, recurrence prediction, and outcome evaluation for patients with endometrial carcinoma.

Diagnostic and prognostic value of serum human epididymis protein 4 in patients with primary fallopian tube carcinoma.

AIM: The aim of our study was to assess the levels of human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) with the common tumor marker carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) in the diagnosis and monitoring of therapy for primary fallopian tube carcinoma (PFTC). METHODS: Serum HE4 and CA125 levels from 82 PFTC patients and 154 patients with benign pelvic masses as the control were measured by Roche electrochemiluminescent immunoassay. HE4 determinations for surgery response and recurrence monitoring were assessed in PFTC patients. RESULTS: Serum HE4 and CA125 concentrations were significantly higher in PFTC patients compared with those seen in patients with benign pelvic masses (P < 0.001). Compared with CA125, HE4 had higher specificity, but lower sensitivity whether at early or advanced stage, and the combination of HE4 + CA125 led to higher sensitivity and specificity. HE4 + CA125 performed significantly better than CA125 or HE4 alone in early stage patients. In early stage the sensitivity was 35.7% for HE4 and 64.3% for CA125, while sensitivity for the combination of HE4 and CA125 could reach 71.4%. Furthermore, the two markers were associated with the progression and histology of PFTC. Serum HE4 level was closely correlated with surgical therapy. PFTC patients displayed a greater decline in the level of HE4 compared with CA125 (76.4% vs 55.7%). Combined with CA125, HE4 elevation better predicted recurrence in PFTC patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicated that serum HE4 levels are closely associated with PFTC and the outcome of surgical therapy and recurrence in Chinese patients.

[SNP microarray analysis of retention abortion chorionic villus].

OBJECTIVE: To compare villus cell culture and karyotype analysis with single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) microarray technology for the detection of chorionic villus chromosome in patients with retention of abortion. METHODS: Forty cases were analyzed with the two methods. RESULTS: Chorionic villus culturing was successful in 29 cases, among which 10 were found to have an abnormal karyotypes. For the SNP microarray analysis, all 40 cases were successful, among which 16 were shown to have an abnormal molecular karyotype. CONCLUSION: SNP microarray technology is highly accurate and specific, which is particularly suitable for the detection of chromosomal deletions or duplications, uniparental disomy, low-percentage mosaicism and other chromosomal abnormalities. It has provided an effective supplement to the conventional chorionic villus culture and karyotype analysis.

Prognostic nomograms integrating preoperative serum lipid derivative and systemic inflammatory marker of patients with non-metastatic colorectal cancer undergoing curative resection.

Background: Lipid metabolism and cancer-related inflammation are closely related to the progression and prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC). Therefore, this study aims to establish novel nomograms based on the combined detection of preoperative blood lipids and systemic inflammatory indicators to predict the overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CCS) of CRC patients. Methods: A total of 523 patients with stage I-III CRC in our institute were collected from 2014 to 2018. The independent predictors for OS and CCS were determined by forward stepwise Cox regression for the establishment of prognostic models. The superiorities of different models were compared by concordance index (C-index), Akaike information criterion (AIC) and integrated discrimination improvement analysis. The performance of the nomograms based on the optimal models was measured by the plotting time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curves, calibration curves, and decision curves, and compared with the tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) staging system. The cohort was categorized into low-risk, medium-risk and high-risk groups according to the risk points of the nomogram, and analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank test. Results: Preoperative TG/HDL-C ratio (THR) ≥ 1.93 and prognostic nutritional index (PNI) ≥ 42.55 were independently associated with favorable outcomes in CRC patients. Six (pT stage, pN stage, histological subtype, perineural invasion, THR and PNI) and seven (pT stage, pN stage, histological subtype, perineural invasion, gross appearance, THR and PNI) variables were chosen to develop the optimal models and construct nomograms for the prediction of OS and CCS. The models had lower AIC and larger C-indexes than other models lacking either or both of THR and PNI, and improved those integrated discrimination ability significantly. The nomograms showed better discrimination ability, calibration ability and clinical effectiveness than TNM system in predicting OS and CCS, and these results were reproducible in the validation cohort. The three risk stratifications based on the nomograms presented significant discrepancies in prognosis. Conclusion: Preoperative THR and PNI have distinct prognostic value in stage I-III CRC patients. The nomograms incorporated the two indexes provide an intuitive and reliable approach for predicting the prognosis and optimizing individualized therapy of non-metastatic CRC patients, which may be a complement to the TNM staging system.

Serum HE4 is associated with clinical prognostic factors and survival outcome in female patients with primary peritoneal carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate whether serum HE4 was associated with clinical risk prognostic factors and survival outcome. METHODS: In this study, 72 patients with primary peritoneal carcinoma (PPC) from January 2011 to October 2019 participated. Serum HE4 and CA125 levels were detected at primary diagnosis, post-surgery, pre-recurrence and the presence of recurrence. The relations between serum HE4 levels with clinical prognostic factors were analyzed, and the hazard ratios between serum HE4 levels with overall survival and recurrence-free survival were also analyzed by univariate and multivariate survival analysis. RESULTS: HE4 and CA125 levels were significantly elevated in serous type, high histological grade, advanced stage and positive lymph node status and residual tumor diameter more than 1 cm, respectively, compared with those in non-serous type, low histological grade, early stage, negative lymph node status and residual tumor diameter no more than 1 cm, respectively. HE4 was an independent prognostic factor for recurrence-free survival and overall survival with hazard ratios of 5.36 (95% confidence interval: 2.19-13.15) and 4.48 (95% confidence interval: 1.87-10.74), respectively. CONCLUSION: HE4 is correlated with clinical risk prognostic factors in PPC and is effective in the recurrence detection and predicting outcome in PPC patients.

Development and characterization of active and pH-sensitive films based on psyllium seed gum incorporated with free and microencapsulated mulberry pomace extracts.

Intelligent packaging with a pH indicator has been a hot research topic due to its extra active role compared with traditional ones. Considering the possible toxicity of synthetic pH sensitive pigments, natural pigments are promising alternative indicators. This work aimed to develop and characterize active and pH sensitive films based on psyllium seed gum (PSG) incorporated with free and microencapsulated mulberry pomace extracts (MPE). Compared with PSG control film, PSG-MPE films showed an increase in total phenolic content and DPPH scavenging activity, and decrease in surface hydrophobicity, lightness, and tensile strength. The molecular interactions between PSG and MPE were confirmed by thermal and microstructure analysis. Moreover, PSG-MPE films displayed wide color differences from red to blue at pH 2.0 - 12.0. PSG-based films containing 10% free and microencapsulated MPE demonstrated better overall performance and economy in packaging applications, which could be used as promising active and pH-sensitive food packaging materials.

Electrocatalytic redox neutral [3 + 2] annulation of N-cyclopropylanilines and alkenes.

Although synthetic organic electrochemistry (EC) has advanced significantly, net redox neutral electrosynthesis is quite rare. Two approaches have been employed to achieve this type of electrosynthesis. One relies on turnover of the product by the reactant in a chain mechanism. The other involves both oxidation on the anode and reduction on the cathode in which the radical cation or the radical anion of the product has to migrate between two electrodes. Herein, a home-built electrochemistry/mass spectrometry (EC/MS) platform was used to generate an N-cyclopropylaniline radical cation electrochemically and to monitor its reactivity toward alkenes by mass spectrometry (MS), which led to the discovery of a new redox neutral reaction of intermolecular [3 + 2] annulation of N-cyclopropylanilines and alkenes to provide an aniline-substituted 5-membered carbocycle via direct electrolysis (yield up to 81%). A chain mechanism, involving the regeneration of the substrate radical cation and the formation of the neutral product, is shown to be responsible for promoting such a redox neutral annulation reaction, as supported by experimental evidence of EC/MS.

MiR-519b-3p Inhibits the Proliferation and Invasion in Colorectal Cancer via Modulating the uMtCK/Wnt Signaling Pathway.

Dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) and their targeted downstream genes is involved in the carcinogenesis and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). miR-519b-3p has been reported to play an important role in several cancers. However, its function in CRC is unclear. In this study, we detected the expression of miR-519b-3p in CRC tissues and cell lines, and determined the potential role of miR-519b-3p in cell proliferation and invasion in CRC. Also, the downstream gene of miR-519b-3p was determined. Our results showed that miR-519b-3p was notably reduced in CRC specimens and cell lines. Overexpression of miR-519b-3p inhibited the proliferation and invasion of RKO and DLD-1 cells, whereas knockdown of miR-519b-3p had the contrary effect. The ubiquitous mitochondrial creatine kinase (uMtCK) was identified as a direct target of miR-519b-3p in CRC using luciferase assay. Additionally, miR-519b-3p expression was negatively correlated with uMtCK expression in CRC specimens. Notably, the miR-519b-3p suppressed the uMtCK/Wnt signaling pathway in CRC cells, thereby suppressing CRC cell proliferation and invasion. The inhibition of uMtCK by miR-519b-3p may provide a promising option for the treatment of CRC.

Loss of BMP-10 is correlated with poor survival in ovarian cancer.

INTRODUCTION: The expression of bone morphogenetic protein-10 (BMP-10) is downregulated in some cancer types, but its function and mechanism in ovarian cancer remains unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: BMP-10 expression was detected in ovarian cancer tissues and cell lines by using immunochemistry and western blotting. Prognostic value of BMP-10 was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier curve and Cox regression model. Knockdown or overexpression of BMP-10 was conducted by using specific siRNA or pcDNA-BMP-10 in ovarian cancer cell lines. The biological features induced by BMP-10 were observed by MTT assay, wound-healing and transwell assays. RESULTS: BMP-10 expression in ovarian cancer tissues was significantly lower than that in ovarian tissues. Low BMP-10 expression in ovarian cancer tissues was related to advance FIGO stage, higher histologic grade, lymph node metastasis, and peritoneal fluid. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that low BMP-10 expression was significantly associated with poor prognosis of patients with ovarian cancer. BMP-10 overexpression or knockdown significantly inhibited or promoted proliferation, migration, and invasion of ovarian cancer cells, respectively. Moreover, administration of neutralizing antibody or human recombinant BMP-10 would reverse these effects on ovarian cancer cells. CONCLUSION: Low BMP-10 expression was associated with poor prognosis and progression of ovarian cancer.

Diagnostic and prognostic value of HE4 in female patients with primary peritoneal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: HE4 is a useful tumor marker for the diagnosis of ovarian, endometrial, and fallopian tube carcinoma. AIM: The aim of our study was to investigate the value of serum HE4 compared with CA125 in the diagnosis of primary peritoneal carcinoma and the estimation of treatment response and recurrence. METHODS: Serum HE4 and CA125 concentrations were measured in both primary peritoneal carcinoma patients and benign gynecological disease controls. The treatment response and recurrence were assessed by serum HE4 and CA125 levels in primary peritoneal carcinoma patients. RESULTS: Serum HE4 and CA125 levels were significantly increased in primary peritoneal carcinoma patients compared with benign disease controls ( P<0.001). Compared with CA125, HE4 had lower sensitivity (84.2% vs. 94.7%), but higher specificity (99.2% vs. 85.3%); the combination of HE4 and CA125 led to higher sensitivity and specificity. In the receiver operating characteristic analysis, the area under the curve was 0.956 for HE4, for CA125 was 0.953, for HE4+CA125 was 0.979. Furthermore, HE4 and CA125 were closely associated with treatment response, and our results indicated that primary peritoneal carcinoma patients displayed a larger drop of HE4 compared with CA125 (75.8% vs. 61.5%). Combined with CA125, HE4 elevation better predicted recurrence in primary peritoneal carcinoma patients during the remission period after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicated that the detection of serum HE4 changes may enhance the effectiveness for detecting primary peritoneal carcinoma and estimating the outcome of treatment and recurrence in female primary peritoneal carcinoma patients.

[Identification of a Rare Ael05/B101 Subtype and Selection of Blood Transfusion Strategy].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism of ABO discrepancy in a patient by ABO genotyping and the reasonable blood transfusion strategy. METHODS: Routine serological test was carried out to analyze ABO blood group. The presence of the blood group determinants on the red blood cells were determined by adsorption-elution test. Exons 1-7 and adjacent introns of the ABO gene were amplified by PCR and sequenced. RESULTS: The patient showed ABO forward and reverse typing discrepancy. ABO forward typing defined as B, however, the reverse typing indicated that the patient was AB subtype. Absorption-elution test confirmed weak A antigens on the patient's red blood cells. The ABO gene sequencing showed a T>C exchange at position in exon 7 which resulted in a isoleucine to threonine substitution at codon 256. The ABO blood group genotype was ABO*Ael05/B101. CONCLUSION: The 767 T>C substitution in the gene of α-1,3-N-acetyl galactose is the molecular mechanism leading to the decrease expression of A antigen of the Ael05 subtype.

Development of a lateral flow immunochromatographic assay for the rapid diagnosis of Orf virus infections.

A rapid and simple lateral-flow immunochromatographic assay (LFIA) was developed for the specific detection of Orf virus (ORFV) using two distinct monoclonal antibodies (MAbs: 5A5 and 6F2) against the ORFV ORF011 protein. The MAb 5A5 was conjugated with colloidal gold, and the MAb 6F2 and goat anti-mouse IgG were sprayed onto a nitrocellulose membrane in strips at positions designated test (T) and control (C), respectively. The results showed that samples of ORFV complexed with colloidal gold-conjugated MAb 5A5, were captured by MAb 6F2 at the T line resulting in the appearance of a purple band. When samples did not contain ORFV or when they contained a quantity of ORFV below the detection limit of the test, only the C line was visible. The analysis of sensitivity of the test demonstrated that the lowest detected quantity of ORFV was 2.03×10(3.0) TCID50/ml. Storage at room temperature for 6 months did not result in the loss of performance of the LFIA test. Using loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) as a reference test, the relative specificity and sensitivity of the LFIA test were determined to be 100% and 92.1%, respectively. Based on these results, the LFIA test developed may be a suitable tool for rapid on-site testing for ORFV infection.