Protective effect of allicin on ischemia-reperfusion injury caused by testicular torsion-detorsion in rats.

OBJECTIVE: Testicular ischemia-reperfusion induced by testicular torsion-detorsion increases the level of reactive oxygen species, leading to testicular damage. Allicin, one of the most active ingredients in garlic, is a significant exogenous antioxidant. In the research, the efficacy of allicin in treating testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury was assessed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included sixty Sprague-Dawley male rats. Three groups with 20 rats per group were created as follows: control group, testicular ischemia/reperfusion-induced group, and testicular ischemia-reperfusion plus treatment with allicin group. The control group underwent a sham operation of the left testis without other interventions. In the testicular ischemia/reperfusion-induced group, rat left testis was subjected to 720° torsion for two hours and then detorsion. In the allicin-treated group, in addition to testicular ischemia-reperfusion, 50 mg/kg of allicin was injected intraperitoneally, starting immediately following detorsion. Testicular tissue samples were obtained to measure the protein expression of xanthine oxidase, which is a major source of reactive oxygen species formation, malondialdehyde level (a reliable marker of reactive oxygen species), and testicular spermatogenic function. RESULTS: Testicular ischemia-reperfusion significantly increased the expression of xanthine oxidase and malondialdehyde levels in ipsilateral testes while reducing testicular spermatogenic function. The expression of xanthine oxidase and malondialdehyde levels were significantly lower in ipsilateral testes, whereas testicular spermatogenic function in the allicin-treated group was significantly higher compared with those in the testicular ischemia-reperfusion group. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that allicin administration improves ischemia/reperfusion-induced testicular damage by limiting reactive oxygen species generation via inhibition of xanthine oxidase expression.

[Regulation mechanism of the quorum sensing regulator AphA on the type â ¥ secretion system VflT6SS2 in Vibrio fluvialis].

Objective: To explore the regulation mechanism of the quorum sensing regulator AphA on the functional activity of type Ⅵ secretion system VflT6SS2 in Vibrio fluvialis. Methods: Western Blot analysis was used to detect the relative expression and secretion of VflT6SS2 signature component hemolysin-coregulated protein (Hcp) in wild type (WT), ΔaphA, and corresponding complementary strains. Quantitative reverse transcription PCR and luminescence activity assay of the promoter-lux fusion system was used to measure the mRNA expression levels and promoter activity of the VflT6SS2 core and accessory gene-cluster representative genes tssB2, hcp (tssD2) and vgrG (tssI2), and the quorum sensing regulator HapR in WT and ΔaphA strains. A point mutation experiment combined with a luminescence activity assay was used to verify the regulatory binding site of AphA in the tssD2b promoter region. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) was used to determine AphA binding to the hapR promoter. Results: The mRNA expression levels of tssB2, hcp(tssD2), vgrG (tssI2), and hapR as well as the protein expression and secretion levels of Hcp in ΔaphA strain, were significantly higher than those in the WT strain. The promoter activities of the VflT6SS2 core cluster, tssD2a, tssI2a, and hapR were higher in ΔaphA strain than in the WT strain, while the promoter activity of tssD2b showed the opposite trend. The promoter sequence analysis of tssD2a and tssD2b found significant differences in the region from -335 bp to -229 bp, and two potential AphA binding sites on tssD2b. The promoter activity of tssD2b decreased significantly after the point mutation of the two potential AphA binding sites. EMSA results showed that AphA binds directly to the promoter region of hapR. Conclusions: AphA indirectly inhibits the regulation of the VflT6SS2 core and accessory gene clusters at the promoter level by directly repressing the expression of hapR. AphA showed opposite regulation patterns for tssD2a and tssD2b, and AphA could positively regulate the expression of tssD2b by directly binding to the tssD2b promoter region (-335 bp to -229 bp).

Relationships of Hypnotics with Incident Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease: A Longitudinal Study and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Evidence describing the association between hypnotics use and dementia risk is conflicting. It is unknown if the controversy is related to the type or dose of hypnotics or if hypnotics affect different populations. OBJECTIVES: We sought to derive lessons learned and future projections based on evidence from longitudinal studies. MEASUREMENTS: In the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) cohort, 1,543 older adults without dementia (mean age = 73.3 years, female = 45%) were followed for four years. The association between hypnotics and the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) was investigated using Cox proportional hazards regressions. Next, electronic databases were searched until March 2022 to conduct the evidence synthesis of the associations of hypnotics with incident risk of dementia. RESULTS: In the ADNI cohort, ever use of hypnotics was associated with an increased risk of AD (hazard ratio = 1.96, 95% confidence intervals = 1.23-3.11, p < 0.01). This association was significant for benzodiazepines and Z-drugs but not for melatonin. The association was stronger in long-term (more than one year) users and those with high cumulative doses. A meta-analysis of 26 longitudinal studies with 3,942,018 participants revealed a correlation between the use of hypnotics and the risk of dementia (relative risk = 1.23, 95% confidence intervals = 1.13-1.33, p < 0.001, median risk difference = 4%). It is a linear dose-response relationship, if a person takes the daily recommended dose for 100 days, their risk of developing dementia increases by 5% relative to non-users. According to subgroup analyses, neither association was significant among patients with a history of insomnia. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals who use hypnotics, especially high-dose or long-term users, are at a higher risk of dementia and AD. The main issue with conclusion credibility is heterogeneity.

Effects of gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone on testicular development and reproduction-related gene expression in roosters.

Gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH) plays a crucial role in regulating reproduction in the hypothalamus of poultry and has been intensely investigated since its discovery. This study aimed to assess the effects of GnIH on testicular development, as well as on reproduction-related hormone release and gene expression levels in roosters. The administration of exogenous GnIH resulted in a significant reduction in testis weight, testis volume and semen quality (p < 0.05). Additionally, exogenous GnIH significantly up-regulates the expression of GnIH, and down-regulates the expression of PRL (p < 0.05). GnIH application also decreased the GnRH, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and luteinizing hormone ß subunit(LHß)gene expression levels. Meanwhile, by neutralizing the effects of endogenous GnIH through immunization, testicular development on day 150 in roosters was significantly promoted. Compared to the control condition, GnIH immunization significantly down-regulated the expression of the VIP and PRL genes (p < 0.05). In conclusion, we found that exogenous GnIH treatment inhibited testicular development, reduces PRL gene expression, and suppressed reproductive performance in roosters. Conversely, GnIH immunization down-regulated VIP and PRL genes, activates the reproductive system, and promotes the reproductive activity and testicular development of roosters.

[Clinical features of SF3B1 mutation in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome with excess blasts].

Objective: To exploring the clinical features of SF3B1-mutated myelodysplastic syndrome with excess blasts (MDS-EB) and analyzing the association between SF3B1 mutation, and efficacy and prognostic significance for patients with MDS-EB. Methods: This was a retrospective case series study. The clinical data of 266 patients with MDS-EB diagnosed in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between April 2016 and November 2021 were analyzed. The observed indicators included blood routine counts, mutated genes, overall response rate (ORR), overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and leukemia-free survival (LFS). The Kaplan-Meier method was used to depict the survival curves. The Log-rank test method was equally used to compare survival across groups and performed the Cox proportional hazard regression model for prognostic analysis. Results: In 266 patients with MDS-EB, 166 (62.4%) were men, and the median age was 57 (17-81) years. Moreover, there were included 26 and 240 patients in the SF3B1-mutated and SF3B1 wild-type groups. Patients in the SF3B1-mutated group were older [median age 65 (51, 69) years vs. 56 (46, 66) years, P=0.033], had higher white blood cell (WBC) counts [3.08 (2.35, 4.78) × 109/L vs. 2.13 (1.40, 3.77) × 109/L], platelet (PLT) counts [122.5 (50.5, 215.0) ×109/L vs. 49.0 (24.3, 100.8) × 109/L], absolute neutrophil counts (ANC) [1.83 (1.01, 2.88) × 109/L vs. 0.80 (0.41, 1.99) × 109/L]and occurrence of DNMT3A mutation [23.1% (6/26) vs. 6.7% (16/240)] (all P<0.05). The ORR were similar in both groups after 2 and 4 cycles of therapy (P=0.348, P=1.000). Moreover, the LFS (P=0.218), PFS (P=0.179) and OS (P=0.188) were similar across the groups. Univariate Cox analysis revealed that SF3B1 mutation did not affect the prognosis of patients with MDS-EB (OS: P=0.193; PFS: P=0.184). Conclusions: Patients with SF3B1 mutation were older, with greater WBC, PLT, and ANC, and SF3B1 mutation easily co-occurred with DNMT3A mutation. From this model, there were no significant differences in efficacy and survival of MDS-EB with or without SF3B1 mutation.

[Influencing factors of suicidal ideation among men who have sex with men].

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of suicidal ideation among MSM, and to explore the influence of perceived social support and depression on suicidal ideation and the possible pathway. Methods: MSM who are ≥18 years, HIV-negative, and ever had sex with men (oral sex/anal sex) in the last year participated in is study. Cross-sectional survey and convenient sampling method were used to recruit MSM through a male social interaction platform Blued 7.5 software from December 2020 to March 2021, with a questionnaire survey. Demographic questionnaire, Perceived Social Support Questionnaire and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale were employed to collect data. Mplus 8.3 was used for data analysis. Results: Among 1 394 eligible MSM participants, 25.7% (358/1 394) had suicidal ideation. Perceived social support could have a direct effect on suicidal ideation (ß=-0.11, P=0.009), and an indirect effect on suicidal ideation through depression (ß=-0.18, P<0.001). Conclusions: Suicidal ideation was found to be lower in MSM with a higher level of perceived social support and a lower level of depression. Using social media to improve MSM's perceived social support and reduce depressive symptoms might be an effective means to prevent suicidal ideation.

[Trend analysis of influenza vaccination among hospitalized elderly people in Beijing, 2013-2019].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the influenza vaccination trend of hospitalized elderly people (≥ 60 years old) in Beijing from 2013 to 2019. METHODS: The influenza vaccination status and hospitalization information of elderly people were extracted from the Beijing Elderly Influenza Vaccination database (2013-2019) and the Beijing Urban Employee Basic Medical Insurance database (2013-2019), se-parately. The influenza vaccine coverage rates and annual percentage change were calculated to compare the vaccination trends of elderly people hospitalized due to different diseases. The subjects in 2018-2019 influenza season were divided into different groups according to demographic status, health conditions and hospitalization outcomes to describe and compare the distribution of influenza vaccination rates. RESULTS: The influenza vaccine coverage rates among the elderly people hospitalized due to cardiovascular diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, respiratory diseases or diabetes mellitus were 14.6%, 13.4%, 13.4% and 11.8%, respectively. The influenza vaccination rate among those hospitalized for cardiovascular diseases remained the highest across six influenza seasons and those hospitalized for diabetes mellitus remained the lowest. The largest annual decline of influenza vaccine coverage rate was observed among the hospitalized elderly due to diabetes mellitus (-7.85%). The distribution of vaccinated population was significantly associated with age, gender, hospitalization outcome and comorbidities among the hospitalized elderly people with specific diseases in 2018-2019. Among the elderly people hospitalized due to four different diseases, the vaccination rate of the patients aged 70-79 years was higher than that of the other age groups and that of the patients aged 60-69 years was the lowest. Among the elderly people hospitalized due to respiratory diseases, the vaccination rate of men was higher than that of women, while the situation reversed among the elderly people hospitalized due to cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus. Vaccination rates decreased among the older adults with poor hospitalization outcomes. Among the elderly people hospitalized due to diabetes mellitus, those with 0 comorbidity had the lowest vaccination rate (7.9%). CONCLUSION: The trend of influenza vaccine coverage rates among the elderly people in Beijing from 2013 to 2019 was downward. We should pay more attention to influenza vaccination in elderly people with diabetes mellitus and aged 60-69 years, and carry out more research on the protective effects of influenza vaccine to promote influenza vaccine coverage among people with chronic diseases.

[Sustainable development roadmap of Chinese antimalarial products].

As the first country that has been certified malaria-free in the WHO Western Pacific Region for more than 3 decades, China should share its successful experiences of malaria control and provide globally recognized anti-malaria products by making full uses of its advantages in provision and production capacity of artemisinin raw materials, to fill the gaps of international demands for mosquito nets, rapid diagnostic reagents and antimalarial compounds. Increasing the investment of research and development of antimalarial products, building overseas bases for artemisinin raw material production, establishing international regulatory authority and promoting the local production of antimalarial products are needed to further promote the internationalization of Chinese antimalarial products, so as to achieve the equity and accessibility of Chinese antimalarial products in highburden regions for malaria.

Clinicopathologic features and outcome of cervical cancer: implications for treatment.

OBJECTIVE: We used a regression analysis of the SEER database to establish a new Nomogram for predicting prognosis of cervical cancer patients and guiding the treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We divided the data into the training cohort and the verification cohort. Univariate and multivariate Cox risk regression analysis was used to identify independent prognostic factors and establish a Nomogram model. The verification cohort was used for external verification, and the accuracy was evaluated with C-index and AUC. Finally, Nomogram was used to establish 1-year, 3-year and 5-year survival curves of cervical cancer patients. RESULTS: In this study, 5691 patients with cervical squamous cell carcinoma were included. Data obtained from the training cohort were independent risk factors of cervical cancer AJCC stage (p = 0.039), RX Summ - Surgery Primary Site (p = 0.012), radiation (p = 0.031), chemotherapy (p = 0.013), tumor size (p = 0.009), race (p = 0.039). The 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year overall survival rates for cervical cancer patients were 77.2%, 47.8%, and 35.2%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The Nomogram model can better screen out more reasonable comprehensive treatments for patients at different stages. And it is of great help to improve the survival rate and reduce the recurrence rate of cervical cancer patients.

LncRNA FOXC2-AS1 stimulates proliferation of melanoma via silencing p15 by recruiting EZH2.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of FOXC2-AS1 in promoting the proliferative ability and inhibiting apoptosis of melanoma by silencing p15, thereafter regulating the progression of melanoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: FOXC2-AS1 levels in melanoma patients with or without metastasis and those with the tumor in different stages were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Regulatory effects of FOXC2-AS1 on viability and apoptosis in melanoma cells were assessed, and subcellular distribution of FOXC2-AS1 was analyzed. Subsequently, the interactions of FOXC2-AS1 with EZH2 and SUZ12 were explored by RNA-Binding Protein Immunoprecipitation (RNA-RIP) assay. Through chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay, the role of FOXC2-AS1 to regulate p15 transcription by recruiting EZH2 was verified. At last, regulatory effects of FOXC2-AS1/p15 axis on viability and apoptosis in melanoma cells were investigated. RESULTS: It was found that FOXC2-AS1 was upregulated in melanoma tissues, especially those with metastasis or stage II-IV. Melanoma patients expressing high level of FOXC2-AS1 showed worse survival than those with low level. Knockdown of FOXC2-AS1 inhibited viability, and stimulated apoptosis in A375 and sk-mel-110 cells. Besides, P15 level was upregulated in melanoma cells transfected with si-FOXC2-AS1, and FOXC2-AS1 was mainly distributed in cytoplasm. RNA-RIP assay confirmed that FOXC2-AS1 was mainly enriched in anti-EZH2 and aniti-SUZ12. Knockdown of EZH2 could markedly upregulate protein level of p15 in melanoma cells. Furthermore, it was verified that FOXC2-AS1 inhibited p15 transcription via recruiting EZH2, and the knockdown of p15 could partially reverse the regulatory effects of FOXC2-AS1 on viability and apoptosis in melanoma. CONCLUSIONS: FOXC2-AS1 stimulates proliferative ability in melanoma via silencing p15.

Gemcitabine combined with cisplatin vs. taxane, cisplatin, and fluorouracil in the treatment of locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a retrospective case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: Reports of the efficacy of induction chemotherapy (IC) combined with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) on locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) are scarce. This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of the GP (gemcitabine plus cisplatin) regimen and the TPF (taxane, cisplatin and 5-FU) regimen combined with CCRT in patients with NPC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study retrospectively analyzed 827 patients with advanced NPC who received IC combined with CCRT in People's Hospital of Rizhao, China from January 2006 to June 2012. The propensity score method was used to reduce the effects of the observed confounding between the GP and TPF groups. Study end points were disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). In total, 694 patients received GP or TPF as the IC treatment program. Propensity score matching identified 166 patients in each cohort. RESULTS: The 5-year OS and DFS rates of the entire cohort were 83.5% and 80.9%, respectively. GP was associated with a significantly improved 5 year OS (87.4% vs. 79.2%, p< 0.001), and DFS (86.2% vs. 78.5%, p< 0.001) rates compared with the TPF group. In the PSM (propensity score-matching) cohort, the GP group showed a significantly better OS (HR, 1.842, 95% CI:1.627-2.588; p= 0.011), and DFS (HR, 1.904, 95% CI: 1.742-2.737; p= 0.004) compared with the TPF group in multivariable analyses. The prevalence of acute adverse events of neutropenia and leukopenia were higher in severe (grade 3-4) adverse blood events in the TPF group (p<0.05). Thrombocytopenia had more adverse reactions in the GP group (p<0.05). The main non-hemotoxicities were nausea and vomiting, while the TPF group was slightly higher (p=0.031). CONCLUSIONS: The clinical efficacy of the GP regimen combined with CCRT for the treatment of locoregionally advanced NPC may be better than that of the TPF regimen.

[COVID-19 pandemic: global epidemiological trends and China's subsequent preparedness and responses].

The outbreak of COVID-19 has spread quickly across 114 countries/territories/areas in six continents worldwide and has been announced as a pandemic by WHO. This study analyzed global COVID-19 epidemiological trends, examined impact of the pandemic on global health security, diplomacy, and social environment in China, and provided short- and long-term strategic policy recommendations for China's subsequent preparedness and responses.

Prednisolone dose during treatment of tuberculosis might be a risk factor for mortality in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a hospital-based cohort study.

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are at high risk of tuberculosis (TB) because of their immunocompromised status and the use of immunosuppressive drugs. In endemic regions, TB complicates the diagnosis and treatment of SLE, but the risk factors of mortality in these patients have not been investigated. In this study, we reviewed medical records during 2006-2016. Patients who fulfilled the 1997 American College of Rheumatology SLE criteria and presented with definite TB were enrolled. The primary outcome was mortality during TB treatment. There were 5388 SLE patients screened, and 30 patients were enrolled. Seven patients died during follow-up. Compared with the survival group, patients in the mortality group had significantly more central nervous system involvement of TB, higher Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index-2000 scores and more cyclophosphamide use before TB, and higher prednisolone dose before and during TB treatment. Cox regression showed that prednisolone dose during TB treatment was an independent risk factor for mortality (per 10 mg/day increase, hazard ratio (HR) 1.61, p = .019). For SLE patients, prednisolone dose during TB treatment is an independent risk factor for mortality. Keeping prednisolone dose at less than 25 mg per day during TB treatment might be a reasonable strategy in these patients.

A comparison of prokaryote communities inhabiting sponges, bacterial mats, sediment and seawater in Southeast Asian coral reefs.

In the present study, we used Illumina sequencing to explore the prokaryote communities of 17 demosponge species and how they compare with bacterial mat, sediment and seawater samples (all sampled from coral reef habitat in Taiwan and Thailand). The studied sponge species formed three clusters. Operational taxonomic unit (OTU) richness and evenness were by far highest in the sediment and bacterial mat biotopes. There were pronounced differences in OTU richness and evenness among clusters and also considerable variation among certain host species within clusters. Additionally, the relative abundance of some prokaryotic taxa also differed among clusters with Poribacteria, e.g., being recorded in all sponge species, but with very low relative abundances in species of two of the three clusters. This sponge-associated phylum was, however, recorded at relatively high mean abundance in bacterial mat samples, which also housed relatively high abundances of actinobacterial and Chloroflexi members. Our results support high microbial abundance (HMA) status of the species Aaptos lobata, Hyrtios erectus, Pseudoceratina purpurea and Xestospongia testudinaria and low microbial abundance (LMA) status of the species Acanthella cavernosa, Echinodictyum asperum, Jaspis splendens, Ptilocaulis spiculifer, Stylissa carteri and Suberites diversicolor. Other species (Agelas cavernosa, Agelas nemoechinata, Acanthostylotella cornuta, Paratetilla sp., Hymeniacidon sp. and Haliclona cymaeformis) deviated somewhat from the typical HMA/LMA dichotomy and formed a strongly supported cluster.

LncSNHG14 promotes ovarian cancer by targeting microRNA-125a-5p.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate whether small nucleolar RNA host gene 14 (SNHG14) is involved in the development of ovarian cancer through affecting cell proliferation and cell cycle progression by regulating microRNA-125a-5p. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We detected the mRNA expressions of SNHG14 and microRNA-125a-5p by quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) in ovarian cancer tissues and normal ovarian tissues. Their expression levels in ovarian cancer cell lines were examined as well. Meanwhile, the regulatory effects of SNHG14 and microRNA-125a-5p on cell proliferation and cell cycle were detected by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and flow cytometry, respectively. The binding relationship between microRNA-125a-5p and SNHG14 was examined by the Luciferase reporter gene assay. It was further confirmed by recovery experiments whether SHHG14 can affect the proliferation and cycle of ovarian cancer cells by regulating microRNA-125a-5p. RESULTS: SNHG14 was highly expressed in ovarian cancer tissues and cell lines relative to controls. The survival curve analysis showed that the AUC was 0.8681 and Cutoff value was 2.33. The five-year survival rate of the high SNHG14 expression group was markedly lower than that of the low SNHG14 expression group. In addition, we found that SNHG14 could accelerate cell proliferation and cell cycle progression of ovarian cancer cells. Dual-Luciferase reporter gene experiments indicated that SNHG14 could bind to microRNA-125a-5p, which was lowly expressed in ovarian cancer patients. However, the overexpression of microRNA-125a-5p reversed the promotive effect of SNHG14 on the proliferation and cell cycle of ovarian cancer cells. Dual-Luciferase reporter gene assay also indicated that DHX33 was a target gene of microRNA-125a-5p. The overexpression of DHX33 could attenuate the inhibitory effect of microRNA-125a-5p on cell proliferation and cell cycle in SKOV3 and OVCAR3 cells. CONCLUSIONS: High expression of SNHG14 can promote the ovarian cancer cell proliferation and accelerate the cell cycle by sponging microRNA-125a-5p to regulate DHX33 expression.

Analysis of EEG Lemple-Ziv complexity and correlative aspects before and after treatment of anti-syphilis therapy for neurosyphilis.

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of electroencephalogram (EEG) complexity in patients with neurosyphilis by comparing the changes of electroencephalogram Lempel-Ziv complexity (EEG-LZC) before and after anti-syphilis treatment. Methods The EEG complexity of neurosyphilis patients diagnosed in our hospital from July in 2015 to June in 2017 was analyzed and compared with other diagnostic results such as serology examination and cerebrospinal fluid examination. Results A total of 27 patients were diagnosed, including 19 males and 8 females, of which 6 were mesenchymal(cerebrospinal membrane and meningeal vascular), 16 were parenchymal(paralytic dementia, spinal cord tuberculosis and optic neuropathy), and 5 were asymptomatic. After intensive anti-syphilis therapy, the LZC increased significantly in all patients while the trend and degree of change were consistent with other diagnostic results. Conclusion The LZC can be used as one of the diagnostic indexes meanwhile the trend and degree of its change can be used as the reference index of curative effect to neurosyphilis.

[Clinical applications of intelligent pressure control flexible ureteroscope for the treatment of renal calculi ≤2 cm].

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of intelligent pressure control flexible ureteroscope for management of renal stones ≤2 cm. Methods: The clinical data of 267 cases of renal calculi treated with flexible ureteroscope lithotripsy at Department of Urology, Ganzhou People's Hospital from June 2015 to December 2017 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 129 male and 138 female patients, with a mean age of 51.2 years (ranging from 19 to 76 years). Among them, 145 patients underwent intelligent pressure control flexible ureteroscope (intelligent control group) and 122 patients underwent flexible ureteroscope ordinary (ordinary group). The t test, χ2 test or Fisher exact test were used for statistical analysis. The success rate of stone seeking, the stone free rates, the incidence of complications, the average operation time, the average hospital stay after operation were compared between the two groups. Results: The average mean operative time of the patients with intelligent control group was (26.17 ± 8.64) minutes, significantly shorter than (47.23±18.35) minutes of the ordinary group (t=1.968, P=0.000). The stone free rate of the patients with intelligent control group was 97.2%, it was higher than 86.0% of ordinary group (χ2=0.069, P=0.004). The complication rate of the patients with intelligent control group was 2.7%, which was significantly shorter than 18.0% of the ordinary group (χ2=17.586, P=0.000). However, there was no significant difference between the two groups in the success rate of stone seeking and postoperative hospital stay (P>0.05). Conclusion: Intelligent controlled pressure ureteral flexible ureteroscope has the advantages of short operation time, high stone free rate and less complications in the treatment of renal calculi ≤2 cm compared with flexible ureteroscope ordinary.

[Assessment of Height Prediction Model Based on SNPs Loci].

OBJECTIVES: To establish a height prediction model of Chinese Han male based on the reported 547 height-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms （SNPs） loci in Europeans, and assess its accuracy for height estimation. METHODS: The DNA typing was analyzed in 59 Han male samples of Shandong province by Affymetrix SNP Array 6.0 chip and HiSeq 4000 sequencing platform. Prediction model was established using 547 height-associated SNPs loci as predictors and weight allele sums （WAS） as computing method. The accuracy of height prediction model was analysed using receiver operating characteristic （ROC） curve and area under curve （AUC）. RESULTS: There was no height-associated SNPs locus was found by genome-wide association studies. In present study, height prediction model was established by WAS and obtained an AUC of 0.67 （95% CI: 0.53-0.90）. CONCLUSIONS: It has reference value for predicting the height of Han male in Shandong province by WAS model based on 547 SNPs loci, while it is still necessary to further promote the accuracy of the prediction model by screening more height-associated SNPs loci with population heterogeneity.

Sponge Prokaryote Communities in Taiwanese Coral Reef and Shallow Hydrothermal Vent Ecosystems.

Previously, it was believed that the prokaryote communities of typical 'low-microbial abundance' (LMA) or 'non-symbiont harboring' sponges were merely subsets of the prokaryote plankton community. Recent research has, however, shown that these sponges are dominated by particular clades of Proteobacteria or Cyanobacteria. Here, we expand on this research and assess the composition and putative functional profiles of prokaryotic communities from LMA sponges collected in two ecosystems (coral reef and hydrothermal vent) from vicinal islands of Taiwan with distinct physicochemical conditions. Six sponge species identified as Acanthella cavernosa (Bubarida), Echinodictyum asperum, Ptilocaulis spiculifer (Axinellida), Jaspis splendens (Tetractinellida), Stylissa carteri (Scopalinida) and Suberites sp. (Suberitida) were sampled in coral reefs in the Penghu archipelago. One sponge species provisionally identified as Hymeniacidon novo spec. (Suberitida) was sampled in hydrothermal vent habitat. Each sponge was dominated by a limited set of operational taxonomic units which were similar to sequences from organisms previously obtained from other LMA sponges. There was a distinct bacterial community between sponges collected in coral reef and in hydrothermal vents. The putative functional profile revealed that the prokaryote community from sponges collected in hydrothermal vents was significantly enriched for pathways related to DNA replication and repair.