[Progress in research on HIV cluster detection and response].

HIV cluster detection and response (CDR) is a critical strategy to end the HIV epidemic by offering information to identify prevention and care services gaps. The risk metrics for HIV clusters can be classified into three groups: growth-based metrics, characteristic-based metrics, and phylogeny-based metrics. When identifying HIV risk clusters, the public health response can reach people in the affected networks, including people with undiagnosed HIV, people with diagnosed HIV who might not be accessing HIV care or other services, and people without HIV who would benefit from prevention services. To provide references for HIV precise prevention in China, we summarized the risk metrics and the intervention measures for CDR.

An approach combining bioinformatics and machine learning to identify eight autophagy-related biomarkers and construct molecular mechanisms underlying COVID-19 and major depressive disorders.

OBJECTIVE: A lack of objective biomarkers is preventing the screening and diagnosis of COVID-19 combined with major depression disorder (COVID-19-MDD). The purpose of this study was to identify diagnostic biomarkers and gene regulatory mechanisms associated with autophagy; a crucial process significantly involved in the pathogenesis of COVID-19-MDD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened using GSE98793 from the GEO2R analysis (GEO) database, and intersected with the COVID-19-related gene (CRGs) and autophagy-related genes (ARGs) to obtain common genes involved in. Then, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses of these common genes were performed. Subsequently, the transcription factor (TF)-gene regulatory network and comorbidity network were constructed. In addition, 10 drug candidates were screened using the DSigDB database. To identify diagnostic markers, we used LASSO regression. RESULTS: In total, 13 common genes were screened, which were primarily enriched in lysosomes, endoplasmic reticulum membranes, and other endomembrane systems also associated with autophagy. Additionally, these genes were involved in neurological cell signaling and have a functional role in pathways related to vascular endothelial growth factor, tyrosine kinase, autophagy, inflammation, immunity, and carcinogenesis. Tumors and psychiatric disorders were the most highly linked diseases to COVID-19. Finally, ten drug candidates and eight diagnostic markers (STX17, NRG1, RRAGD, XPO1, HERC1, HSP90AB1, EPHB2, and S1PR3) were screened. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to screen eight diagnostic markers and construct a gene regulatory network for COVID-19-MDD from the perspective of autophagy. The findings of our study provide novel insights into the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19-MDD.

[Effect of digital intraoral full-arch scan strategies on scan time and accuracy on conditions of intraoral head-simulator].

Objective: To comparatively evaluate the accuracy and the scan time of three full-arch scan strategies on the head-simulator, to explore a full-arch scan strategy with better clinical operability and high accuracy. Methods: A cross-controlled study design was used. A model with melamine-formaldehyde resin teeth and silica gel gingiva of an upper dental arch which can be fixed on a head simulator was scanned with an optical scanner (ATOS Core) in order to obtain the standard tessellation language (STL) dataset as reference. Intraoral scans were performed on the model fixed on the head simulator with four intraoral scanners (IOS) [A (TRIOS 3), B (CS 3600), C (CEREC Omnicam), D (iTero)]. The STL datasets were obtained from each of the four different IOS systems by using three scan strategies (scan strategies 1, 2 and 3 were composed of 10, 5 and 7 paths respectively) all by one attending doctor with 3 years of intraoral scanning experience. For each scanner and each scan strategy, nine scans were acquired. And the scan time was recorded for each scan. Following the scan strategy, the scan path was completed to obtain a full-arch digital model, and the scan time was recorded as full-arch scan time. Complementary scans were performed to fill the missing image, and this scan time was recorded as complementary scan time. The total scan time was obtained by adding full-arch scan time and complementary scan time. Through the Geomagic Wrap software, the three-dimensional (3D) models were overlaid by best fit alignment function and compared to obtain the root mean square values of the discrepancies by 3D compare function. The intraoral scanning datasets were compared with the reference for trueness. The nine intraoral scanning datasets were cross compared with same scan strategy and same intraoral scanner for precision. Results: There were no significant differences among the three scan strategies for trueness (P>0.05), while the differences among the three scan strategies for precision were affected by difference IOSs (P<0.05), and only scan strategy 3 showed the highest precision with all the four IOS. The full-arch scan time of scan strategies 1, 2 and 3 were (130±24), (72±17) and (90±19) s respectively (P<0.05). For complementary scan time, scan strategy 2 [(50±24) s] took longer time than scan strategy 1 [(26±18) s] and scan strategy [(25±21) s] (P<0.05), while no significant differences between the latter two (P>0.05). For total scan time, scan strategy 1 [(156±31) s] took longer time than scan strategy 2 [(122±30) s ] and scan strategy 3 [(115±29) s ] (P<0.05), while no significant differences between the latter two (P>0.05). Conclusions: Full-arch scanning on the head-simulator with scan strategy 3 which can obtain scanning datasets with high accuracy, was more convenient to operate and took shorter scan time, and is generally suitable for intraoral scanners commonly used in clinic.

Diets varying in ratio of sweet sorghum silage to corn silage for lactating dairy cows: Feed intake, milk production, blood biochemistry, ruminal fermentation, and ruminal microbial community.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of partial substitution of corn silage (CS) with sweet sorghum silage (SS) in the diets of lactating dairy cows on dry matter (DM) intake, milk yield and composition, blood biochemistry, and ruminal fermentation and microbial community. Thirty mid-lactation Holstein dairy cows [mean ± standard deviation; 639 ± 42.0 kg of body weight; 112 ± 24.0 d in milk (DIM)] were assigned to 3 groups (n = 10/treatment) by considering parity, milk yield, and DIM. The cows were fed ad libitum total mixed rations containing 55% forage and 45% concentrate, with only the proportion of CS and SS varying in 3 treatments (DM basis): SS0 (0% substitution of CS), 40% CS and 0% SS; SS25 (25% substitution of CS), 30% CS and 10% SS; and SS50 (50% substitution of CS), 20% CS and 20% SS. Dry matter intake and milk protein concentration tended to linearly decrease with increasing proportion of SS in the diet. Yields of milk (mean ± standard deviation, 30.9 ± 1.12 kg/d), 4% fat-corrected milk (30.0 ± 0.81 kg/d), energy-corrected milk, milk protein, lactose, and total solids, concentrations of milk fat, lactose, somatic cell counts, and milk efficiency did not differ among diets. The concentrations in blood of urea nitrogen, phosphorus, aspartate aminotransferase, and malondialdehyde linearly increased with increasing SS proportion. Blood IgA decreased with increasing SS substitution rate, but blood IgG and IgM were not different among diets. Ruminal pH did not differ among diets, whereas ruminal NH3-N concentration quadratically changed such that it was greater for SS50 than for SS0 and SS25. Molar proportions of propionate and acetate to propionate ratio were less for SS25 than for SS0. Although the diversity and general ruminal microbial community structure were not altered by partially replacing CS with SS, the relative abundances of predominant bacteria were affected by diets at the phylum and genus levels. Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were dominant phyla in the ruminal bacterial community for all diets, and their relative abundance linearly decreased and increased, respectively, with increasing SS substitution rate. Prevotella_1 and Ruminococcaceae_NK4A214_group were detected as the most and the second most abundant genera, with their relative abundance linearly increased and decreased, respectively, with increasing SS substitution rate. The relative abundance of Fibrobacter linearly increased with increasing dietary SS proportion, with greater abundance observed for SS25 and SS50 than for SS0. These results suggest that substitution of CS with SS altered the relative abundances of some predominant bacteria; however, these changes had little effect on ruminal fermentation and milk yield. Under the current experimental conditions, substituting up to 50% of CS with SS had no negative effects on milk yield, indicating that SS can partially replace CS in the diets of high-producing lactating dairy cows without adding extra grain, when diets are fed for a short time. As the effects of substituting CS with SS depend upon the chemical composition and digestibility of these silages and the nutrient requirements of the cows, additional grain may be required in some cases to compensate for the lower starch content of SS.

[Scan time and accuracy of full-arch scans with intraoral scanners: a comparative study on conditions of the intraoral head-simulator and the hand-held model].

Objective: To comparatively evaluate the scan time and the accuracy of maxillary full-arch scans using four intraoral scanners (IOS) on conditions of the intraoral head-simulator and the hand-held model, and to evaluate the influence of different scanning conditions on digital scan. Methods: A upper dental arch model with melamine-formaldehyde resin teeth and silica gel gingiva that could be fixed on a head simulator was scanned with an optical scanner (ATOS Core) in order to obtain the standard tessellation language dataset as reference. Intraoral scans were performed on the model fixed on the head simulator by three researchers with four IOS [A: TRIOS 3; B: CS 3600; C: CEREC Omnicam; D: iTero]. For each scanner and each researcher, six scans were performed, to obtain the datasets as the head simulator group. And another six scans with each of the four intraoral scanners were performed by each researcher on the hand-held model to obtain the STL datasets as the hand-held group. The scan time were recorded for each scan. In the Geomagic Wrap software, the digital models were trimmed with only the teeth information retained and supreimposed by best fit alignment function and compared to obtain the root mean square (RMS) values of the discrepancies by three-dimensional compare function. The test datasets of each group were compared with the reference dataset for trueness. The six test scanning datasets with the same scanner of the same researcher were cross compared for precision. Mann Whitney U test was used to statistically analyze the difference values of the scan time, trueness and precision of the same intraoral scanner between head simulator group and hand-held group. Results: Compared to the hand-held group, the scan time of A [142(82) s] and D [119(52) s], which two IOS both with handle, were longer in head simulator group [A: 98(28) s; D: 85(22) s] (P<0.01). However there were no significant differences between the two groups for scan time of IOS B and C (P>0.05). For full-arch scan accuracy (trueness and precision), there were no significant differences between the two groups of IOS A and B (P>0.05), while the trueness of C (P<0.05) and the precision of D (P<0.01) were better in head simulator group [C: 112(38) µm; D: 43(13) µm] compared to hand-held group [C: 135(47) µm; D: 53(18) µm]. However, there were no significant differences for the precision of C (P>0.05) and the trueness of D (P>0.05). Conclusions: The scan time and the accuracy of full-arch digital scans with different IOS may be effected by the scan conditions. For in vitro study of intraoral scanning, head-simulator can simulate the intraoral environment of the real patient to some extent. Meanwhile, the position of the dentist and the patient, and also the limited intraoral space during intraoral scanning are also simulated.

Stabilization of Alfvén Eigenmodes in DIII-D via Controlled Energetic Ion Density Ramp and Validation of Theory and Simulations.

Fast-ion driven Alfvén waves with frequency close to the ion cyclotron frequency (f=0.58f_{ci}) excited by energetic ions from a neutral beam are stabilized via a controlled energetic ion density ramp for the first time in a fusion research plasma. The scaling of wave amplitude with injection rate is consistent with theory for single mode collisional saturation near marginal stability. The wave is identified as a shear-polarized global Alfvén eigenmode excited by Doppler-shifted cyclotron resonance with fast ions with sub-Alfvénic energetic ions, a first in fusion research plasmas.

Modulation of rumen fermentation and microbial community through increasing dietary cation-anion difference in Chinese Holstein dairy cows under heat stress conditions.

AIMS: The effect of increasing dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) on rumen fermentation and ruminal microbial community in dairy cows under heat stress (HS) conditions were evaluated. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study was performed as a two-period cross-over design during the summer season, with eight lactating dairy cows randomly distributed to either a control DCAD diet (CON: 33·5 mEq/100 g DM) or high DCAD diet (HDCAD: 50·8 mEq/100 g DM). Throughout the present study, the temperature and humidity index (THI; 80·2 ± 4·29) was generally elevated above the threshold (THI = 72) that is reported to cause HS in lactating dairy cows. Rumen liquid samples were collected on 15 and 21 d during each 21 d-period. The absolute concentration of ruminal total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) in HDCAD treatment was significantly (P < 0·05) higher than those in the control, whilst the ruminal pH, NH3 -N, and VFA molar percentages were unaffected through increasing DCAD. Furthermore, the copy numbers of the cellulolytic bacteria Ruminococcus albus and Ruminococcus flavefaciens in rumen fluid significantly (P < 0·05) rose along with the increment of DCAD. Although the Alpha diversity indexes and the bacterial microbiota structure were unaffected, increasing DCAD significantly (P < 0·05) enriched the phylum Fibrobacteres and genus Fibrobacter in the microflora of rumen fluid, whilst the genera Flexilinea and Dubosiella were the most differentially abundant taxa in the control. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing DCAD under HS conditions resulted in a greater concentration of total VFA without affecting rumen bacteria diversity or structure, although the enrichment of some cellulolytic/hemicellulolytic bacteria was observed. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The present study provides information on the modulation of rumen fermentation and microbial community through the increment of DCAD in Holstein dairy cows under HS conditions.

Postnatal differential expression of chemoreceptors of free fatty acids along the gastrointestinal tract of supplemental feeding v. grazing kid goats.

The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of animals is capable of sensing various kinds of nutrients via G-protein coupled receptor-mediated signaling transduction pathways, and the process is known as 'gut nutrient chemosensing'. GPR40, GPR41, GPR43 and GPR119 are chemoreceptors for free fatty acids (FFAs) and lipid derivatives, but they are not well studied in small ruminants. The objective of this study is to determine the expression of GPR40, GPR41, GPR43 and GPR119 along the GIT of kid goats under supplemental feeding (S) v. grazing (G) during early development. In total, 44 kid goats (initial weight 1.35±0.12 kg) were slaughtered for sampling (rumen, abomasum, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum, colon and rectum) between days 0 and 70. The expression of GPR41 and GPR43 were measured at both mRNA and protein levels, whereas GPR40 and GPR119 were assayed at protein level only. The effects of age and feeding system on their expression were variable depending upon GIT segments, chemoreceptors and expression level (mRNA or protein), and sometimes feeding system × age interactions (P0.05) on GPR43 expression; and there were no feeding system×age interactions (P>0.05) on GPR41 and GPR43 protein expression. The expression of GPR41 and GPR43 in rumen and abomasum linearly (P<0.01) increased with increasing age (from days 0 to 70). Meanwhile, age was the main factor affecting GPR40 expression throughout the GIT. These outcomes indicate that age and feeding system are the two factors affecting chemoreceptors for FFAs and lipid derivatives expression in the GIT of kids goats, and S enhanced the expression of chemoreceptors for FFAs, whereas G gave rise to greater expression of chemoreceptors for lipid derivatives. Our results suggest that enhanced expression of chemoreceptors for FFAs might be one of the benefits of early supplemental feeding offered to young ruminants during early development.

Dietary starch and rhubarb supplement increase ruminal dissolved hydrogen without altering rumen fermentation and methane emissions in goats.

Hydrogen is an important intermediate that is produced during carbohydrate fermentation to volatile fatty acid and utilized by methanogens to produce methane in the rumen. Ruminal volatile fatty acid and dissolved methane concentrations are more than 500 times greater than dissolved hydrogen concentration. Therefore, we hypothesized that dissolved hydrogen might have a higher sensitivity in response to dietary changes compared with volatile fatty acid and dissolved methane. Using goats, we investigated the effects of increasing dietary starch content (maize replaced with wheat bran) and supplementing with rhubarb rhizomes and roots on the relationships among dissolved hydrogen, dissolved methane and other fermentation end products. The study was conducted in a replicated 4×4 Latin square with a 2×2 factorial arrangement of four treatments: two starch levels (220 v. 320 g/kg dry matter (DM)), without and with rhubarb supplement (0% v. 2.8% of total mixed ration). Increased dietary starch and rhubarb supplementation did not alter volatile fatty acid concentrations or methane emissions in terms of g/day, g/g DM intake and g/g organic matter digested. However, goats fed the high-starch diet had greater dissolved hydrogen (P=0.005) and relative abundance of Selenomonas ruminantium (P<0.01), and lower (P=0.02) copy number of protozoa than those fed the low-starch diet. Rhubarb increased ruminal dissolved H2 (P=0.03) and total volatile fatty acid concentration (P<0.001), but decreased copies of bacteria (P=0.002). In conclusion, dissolved hydrogen appears to be more sensitive to dietary changes with starch content and rhubarb supplementation, when compared with volatile fatty acid concentrations and methane production.

[Retrospective analysis of factors affecting patency rates and causes of failure in use of single-armed two-suture microsurgical vasoepididymostomy].

Objectives: To analyze the factors affecting the patency rate of microsurgical single-stitch longitudinal intussusception vasoepididymostomy and to explore the possible causes of failure. Methods: The clinical data of 87 patients with epididymal obstructive azoospermia who underwent microsurgical vasoepididymostomy from January 2015 to February 2018 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University were analyzed retrospectively. We observed the patency rate postoperatively and evaluated several factors that possibly related to the patency rates. Preoperative examinations included peripheral blood chromosomes, Y chromosome microdeletions, sex hormones, seminal plasma, etc. After admission, microsurgical single-stitch longitudinal intussusception vasoepididymostomy was performed. During the follow-up, the semen was evaluated to assess the patency rate and the time to patency. Results: The patient's age ranged from 21 to 42 years and the mean age was(25±3) years. Infertility lasted for 1-8 years and the mean infertility time was(2.2±1.1) years. The longitudinal intussusception vasoepididymostomy was successfully completed in 80 patients , 5 cases gave up the anastomosis surgery because of multiple segment obstruction of the vas deferens, complete obstruction of the epididymis or testicular obstruction. Two cases underwent crossed vasovasostomy( sperm was present in the ejaculate in 1 case postoperatively). Of all the patients, 72 were successfully followed up. The follow-up time was 3-29 months, with an average of (12.0±1.7)months. Excluding 3 cases of follow-up time less than 12 months who still had no sperm in the ejaculate, 69 patients' data were in cluded in the final statistics, of which 50 cases with return of sperm in the ejaculate, the overall patency rate was 72.5%(50/69), concentration of sperm was 0.1-137.2 million/ml, and the mean concentration was(29±21) million/ml; with the progressive motile sperm rate ranging from 0-57.9%, the mean rate was(29.9±21.1)%. The patency rates of motile sperm and immobile sperm found in epididymal fluid during surgery were 82.2%(37/45) and 54.2%(13/24), respectively. The patency rate of bilateral and unilateral anastomoses was 77.6%(45/58) and 45.5%(5/11), respectively; the patency rate of caput anastomosis was 47.8%(11/23), and 84.8%(39/46) for corpus or caudal anastomosis. 17 patients achieved natural pregnancy postoperatively, the rate was 34.0%(17/50). Conclusions: The therapeutic effect of microsurgical single-stitch longitudinal intussusception vasoepididymostomy is satisfactory. The motile spermatozoa in epididymal fluid, bilateral surgery and corpus or caudal anastomosis can improve the patency rate postoperatively.

[Clinicopathologic analysis of primary carcinoid of the ovary].

Objective: To describe the clinicopathologic features, diagnosis and differential diagnosis of ovarian carcinoid tumors. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed of all patients diagnosed with primary ovarian carcinoid tumors at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Centre from 2007 to 2017. Results: The histologic analysis of these carcinoid tumors revealed 3 were insular, 1 was trabecular, 1 was mucinous, and 10 were strumal. Histologic features of insular and trabecular carcinoid were similar to other parts of the neuroendocrine tumor. Strumal carcinoid was composed of thyroid tissue intimately admixed with carcinoid tumor, showing trabecular pattern. Mucinous carcinoid was resembles Krukenberg tumor. Most ovarian carcinoid tomours were diffusely positive with at least one neuroendocrine marker, especially synaptophysin (14/14) and CD56(9/10). The median follow-up time was 53 months, 1 patient with squamous-cell carcinoma of cervixrecur rence in vaginal after 37 months, and only 1 patient died of disease. The remaining patients were disease-free survival. Conclusions: Primary carcinoid of the ovary is a very rare low grade malignant monodermal teratomas and somatic-type tumours arising from a dermoid. The diagnosis and differential diagnosis mainly relies on the histopathologic characteristics and the immuno-phenotype. Primary ovarian carcinoid almost always exhibit a benign clinical behavious except mucinous carcinoid.

[Correlation between androgen receptor expression and surrogate molecular subtypes in invasive breast carcinoma].

Objective: To investigate androgen receptor(AR)expression in invasive breast carcinoma and the correlation with surrogate molecular breast carcinoma subtypes. Methods: Immunohistochemical staining of AR and other biomarkers was performed in a cohort of 870 cases of primary invasive breast carcinomas collected from August to December, 2016. The association of AR expression with different histological and surrogate molecular subtypes was analyzed. Results: The positive expression rate of AR in the immunohistochemistry-based surrogate subtypes was 96.3%(207/215) for Luminal A, 89.8%(378/421) for Luminal B, 82.4%(75/91) for HER2 overexpression and 37.1%(53/143) for triple negative breast carcinoma, with significant differences among the four groups (P<0.01). AR correlated positively with the expression of ER(P<0.01), PR(P<0.01), HER2(P=0.007), GATA3(P<0.01), GCDFP15(P<0.01)and mammaglobin(P<0.01), while negatively with the expression of Ki-67(P<0.01), CK5/6(P<0.01)and CK14(P<0.01). Conclusions: AR exhibits a high expression in invasive breast carcinoma, which is mainly correlated with ER-positive breast carcinoma. Regardless of the relatively low expression rate, AR is a potential therapeutic target in triple negative breast carcinoma.

Emergent, remitted and persistent psychosis-spectrum symptoms in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome.

Individuals with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) are at markedly elevated risk for schizophrenia-related disorders. Stability, emergence, remission and persistence of psychosis-spectrum symptoms were investigated longitudinally. Demographic, clinical and cognitive predictors of psychosis were assessed. Prospective follow-up over 2.8 years was undertaken in 75 individuals with 22q11DS aged 8-35 years. Mood, anxiety, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorders and psychosis-spectrum symptoms were assessed with the Kiddie-Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia and Scale of Prodromal Symptoms (SOPS). Four domains of cognition were evaluated with the Penn Computerized Neurocognitive Battery (executive functioning, memory, complex cognition and social cognition). Psychotic disorder or clinically significant SOPS-positive ratings were consistently absent in 35%, emergent in 13%, remitted in 22% and persistent in 31% of participants. Negative symptoms and functional impairment were found to be predictive of the emergence of positive psychosis-spectrum symptoms and to reflect ongoing deficits after remission of positive symptoms. Dysphoric mood and anxiety were predictive of emergent and persistent-positive psychosis-spectrum symptoms. Lower baseline global cognition and greater global cognitive decline were predictive of psychosis-spectrum outcomes but no particular cognitive domain stood out as being significantly more discriminating than others. Our findings suggest that negative symptoms, functioning and dysphoric mood are important predictors of psychosis risk in this population.

[Clinicopathologic study of seromucinous carcinoma of ovary].

Objective: To elucidate the clinicopathologic characteristics, immunophenotype and differential diagnosis of ovarian seromucinous carcinoma. Methods: The clinical and pathological characteristics of 7 cases of ovarian seromucinous carcinoma were analyzed. Immunohistochemical study of selected markers was performed employing the EnVision method. Literature of ovarian seromucinous carcinoma were also reviewed. Results: The age of the 7 ovarian seromucinous carcinoma patients ranged from 27 to 70 years of age (mean=48 years). Two patients had bilateral ovarian tumors. The complaint of most patients was abdominal distention. The serum concentration of CA125 and/or CA19-9 was elevated in most patients.Four patients were found to have ascites during surgery, of whom 2 were also found to have malignant cells in their ascites or peritoneal washings. The maximum dimension of these tumors ranged from 6.0 to 15.0 cm (mean=9.3 cm). Grossly, 6 of 9 tumors were predominantly cystic with protrusions of papillae from the inside wall of the cysts. Among these 6 tumors, 2 had brown viscous material in the cyst. The other 3 tumors were predominantly solid. Microscopically, all 9 tumors contained endocervical-like mucinous cells and other Mullerian cells. The tumor cells had intermediate or severe atypia. A lot of acute inflammatory cells especially neutrophil polymorphs could be seen in the stroma and lumens of all the 9 tumors, which is an apparent feature for ovarian seromucinous tumors. Architecturally, the tumors mainly exhibited complex papillary architectures, compactly back-to-back glandular lumensforming cribriform, labyrinthine formations, or solid growth pattern, with immunophenotype of Mullerian tumors. Mucin stain was performed in 1 tumor with AB positive, PAS positive and D-PAS positive, highlighting intracytoplasmicmucin secretions. Follow-up (3-86 months with a mean of 21 month) data revealed that except 1 patient dying of the tumor at 81 months after surgery, the other 6 patients all survived the malignancy. Conclusions: Seromucinous carcinoma of the ovary possesses relatively special clinicopathologic features, with some morphological and immunophenotypical overlap with endometrioid carcinoma and low grade serous carcinoma of the ovary. It is necessary to thoroughly investigate the pathogenesis and molecular changes involved in the type of tumor to determine whether it is a convincingly distinctive category of ovarian carcinoma.

[Effectiveness of transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy in the treatment of persistent hematospermia, and oligoasthenozoospermia and azoospermia from ejaculatory duct obstruction].

Objective: To analyze the effectiveness of transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy in the treatment of persistent hematospermia, and oligoasthenozoospermia and azoospermia from ejaculatory duct obstruction. Methods: The clinical date of 56 cases of persistent hematospermia, or azoospermia/oligoasthenozoospermia from ejaculatory duct obstruction treated with transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy between November 2013 and January 2016 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University were reviewed. A total of 30 cases were persistent hematospermia for 6 months to 3 years, with no response to routine antibiotic therapy for >4 weeks; 24 cases were obstructive azoospermia; and the other 2 cases were extreme oligoasthenozoospermia. Transrectal ultrasound of the prostate and seminal vesicles, and pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed before the surgery, finding seminal vesicle dilation in 28 cases, ejaculatory duct dilation in 18 cases, seminal vesicle and ejaculatory duct dilation in 7 cases, seminal vesicle dilation with ejaculatory duct cyst in 2 cases, and bilateral ejaculatory duct dilation with prostatic utricle cyst in 1 case. After the transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy, follow-up examinations were performed to assess the effectiveness of the surgery for ≥3 months. Results: The surgery was successful in all the patients, with the duration of surgery ranging from 30 to 148 minutes. Among the 30 patients with hematospermia, calculi in ejaculatory duct or seminal vesicle was found in 20 cases, while inflammation or dark red jelly-like substances in seminal vesicle was seen in all cases. In the follow-up of 9.7 months (3.0-13.0 months), hematospermia in 26 (26/30, 86.7%)patients was relieved or cured after 1-6 times of ejaculation; the other 4 (4/30, 13.3%)cases still had hematospermia. In postoperative semen analysis for the 24 cases of azoospermia from ejaculatory duct obstruction, sperms were detected in 16(16/24, 66.7%)cases, but sperms were not found after 6 months following the surgery in 1 of the 16 case, thus re-obstruction was suspected; in the other 8 (8/24, 33.3%)cases, sperms could not be found in multiple semen analyses in >12 months after the surgery. The 2 cases of extreme oligoasthenozoospermia had obvious improvement in routine semen analysis in 1 and 3 months after the surgery. Except for 1 case of scrotum swelling after surgery, no postoperative complications (retrograde ejaculation, urinary incontinence, or rectal injury) were observed. Conclusions: Transurethral seminal vesiculoscopy was an effective therapy for persistent hematospermia. More strict operation indication and careful performance are necessary for azoospermia oligoasthenozoospermia from ejaculatory duct obstruction.

[Endometrioid carcinoma with sex cord-like formations and hyalinization of the uterine corpus: a clinicopathologic analysis of 5 cases].

OBJECTIVE: Endometrioid carcinoma with sex cord-like formations and hyalinization of the uterine corpus is a rare morphological variant of endometrioid carcinoma. The biphasic morphological features may cause confusion with carcinosarcoma of the uterus, leading to misdiagnosis. The aim of this article is to elucidate the clinicopathological characteristics of such endometrial carcinoma to avoid misdiagnosis. METHODS: The clinical and pathological data of 5 cases of endometrioid carcinoma with sex cord-like formations and hyalinization of the uterine corpus were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: The age of the 5 patients ranged from 29 to 39 years, with a mean age of 33 years. Four patients underwent surgery of radical hysterectomy, the other dilation and curettage biopsy. Among the former, 3 patients were at FIGO stageⅠA, the other ⅢC1. Microscopically, all 5 tumors contained endometrioid carcinoma components, 4 of which were FIGO gradeⅠ, the remaining one was grade Ⅱ. Each tumor was of variable proportions of corded and hyalinized areas ranging from 10% to 60%. The cells in the corded and hyalinized areas were epithelioid, fusiform and spindle in morphology, admixed with the endometrioid carcinoma component, resulting in a biphasic pattern. The corded and hyalinized component exhibited distinctively different immunophenotypical feature from that by the conventional endometrioid carcinoma component. The results of follow-up for 4 patients of 7 to 68 months (mean=26.5 months) revealed that all patients were alive without recurrence of the malignancy. CONCLUSIONS: Endometrioid carcinoma with sex cord-like formations and hyalinization of the uterine corpus presents unique morphology, and the patients are usually young with relatively favorable prognosis. The definite mechanism for the pathogenesis of the sex cord-like formations and hyalinization needs further investigation.

Epithelial discrimination of commensal and pathogenic Candida albicans.

All mucosal surfaces are lined by epithelial cells and are colonised by opportunistic microbes. In health, these opportunistic microbes remain commensal and are tolerated by the immune system. However, when the correct environmental conditions arise, these microbes can become pathogenic and need to be controlled or cleared by the immune system to prevent disease. The mechanisms that enable epithelial cells to initiate the 'danger' signals activated specifically by pathogenic microbes are critical to mucosal defence and homeostasis but are not well understood. Deciphering these mechanisms will provide essential understanding to how mucosal tissues maintain health and activate immunity, as well as how pathogens promote disease. This review focuses on the interaction of the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans with epithelial cells and the epithelial mechanisms that enable mucosal tissues to discriminate between the commensal and pathogenic state of this medically important fungus.

Postnatal bacterial succession and functional establishment of hindgut in supplemental feeding and grazing goats.

The objectives of this study were 1) to investigate the age-related changes in functional achievement (establishment of fermentation capacity and enzyme activities) and bacterial succession (selected functional bacterial species) in the cecum and colon and 2) to assess the effect of feeding system (supplemental vs. grazing, Sup vs. G) on hindgut development in small ruminants. A total of 44 Liuyang black goat kids were randomly slaughtered at 0, 7, and 14 d of age (nonrumination period), 28 and 42 d of age (transition period), and 56 and 70 d of age (rumination period). Intestinal contents were sampled to determine VFA, activities of amylase, carboxymethylcellulase (CMCase), and xylanase, as well as abundances of total bacteria and selected functional bacterial species (genus Prevotella, cellulolytic and amylolytic bacteria) with quantitative PCR targeting the 16S rRNA subunit genes. Total VFA concentration (P < 0.01) and enzyme activities (P < 0.05) in hindgut contents were greater and total bacterial 16S rRNA gene copy numbers (P = 0.003) in the cecum were lower for Sup vs. G. Furthermore, irrespective of feeding system, hindgut total VFA concentrations and total bacterial 16S rRNA gene copy numbers increased with age (P < 0.01), with the greatest increase rate observed from 14 to 28 d. Amylase fluctuated with age, whereas CMCase and xylanase activities in Sup kids increased (P < 0.05) as age increased. The proportions of 16S rRNA copy numbers associated with the genus Prevotella and P. ruminicola increased (P < 0.05) with age, but those of cellulolytic bacteria and Ruminobacter amylophilus were detected only after 28 d of birth. The bacterial succession, fermentation capacity, and starch-degrading capacity in the hindgut of both groups were achieved at 1 mo, whereas fiber-degrading capacity in Sup kids was established at 2 mo of age; and supplemental feeding surpassed the grazing system in shaping hindgut development.

Effect of protein or energy restriction during late gestation on hormonal and metabolic status in pregnant goats and postnatal male offspring.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of maternal protein or energy restriction on hormonal and metabolic status of pregnant goats during late gestation and their postnatal male kids. Forty-five pregnant goats were fed a control (CON), 40% protein-restricted (PR) or 40% energy-restricted (ER) diet from 90 days of gestation until parturition. Plasma of mothers (90, 125 and 145 days of gestation) and kids (6 weeks of age) were sampled to determine metabolites and hormones. Glucose concentration for pregnant goats subjected to PR or ER was less (P < 0.001) than that of CON goats at 125 and 145 days of gestation. However, plasma nonesterified fatty acids concentration was greater (P < 0.01) at 125 and 145 days for PR and ER than CON. Protein restriction increased (P < 0.01) maternal cortisol concentration by 145 days of gestation, and ER decreased (P < 0.01) maternal insulin concentration at 125 days of gestation. Moreover, maternal amino acid (AA) concentrations were affected by nutritional restriction, with greater (P < 0.05) total AA (TAA) and nonessential AA (NEAA) for PR goats but less (P < 0.05) TAA and NEAA for ER goats at 125 days of gestation. After 6 weeks of nutritional recovery, plasma concentrations of most metabolic and hormonal parameters in restricted kids were similar to CON kids, except for reduced (P < 0.05) insulin concentration in ER, and reduced (P < 0.05) Asp concentration in PR and ER kids. These results provide information on potential metabolic mechanisms responsible for fetal programming.

Effects of maternal protein or energy restriction during late gestation on immune status and responses to lipopolysaccharide challenge in postnatal young goats.

Knowledge of maternal malnutrition of ruminants and effects on development of the immune system of their offspring is lacking. A study was conducted to investigate the effects of maternal protein or energy restriction during late gestation on immune status of their offspring at different ages. Sixty-three pregnant goats (local breed, Liuyang black goat, 22.2 ± 1.5 kg at d 90 of gestation) were fed control (CON, ME = 9.34 MJ/kg and CP = 12.5%, DM basis), 40% protein restricted (PR), or 40% energy restricted (ER) diets from d 91 of gestation to parturition, after which all animals received an adequate diet for nutritional recovery. Plasma concentrations of complement components (C3, C4), C-reactive protein (CRP) and immunoglobulins (IgG and IgM), jejunum cytokines (IL-2, IL-6, and IL-10) expression levels and morphology in the offspring were measured. Additionally, plasma concentration of complement and IL-6, and cytokines expression levels in gastrointestinal tract obtained at 6 wk from young goats were assessed under saline or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenging conditions. Maternal PR or ER decreased (P < 0.05) plasma C3, C4, IgG, and IgM concentrations, and IL-2 and IL-6 mRNA expression in the jejunum from neonatal kids, but did not alter (P > 0.05) plasma CRP concentration. The IL-10 mRNA expression of jejunum from PR kids was also less (P < 0.01) than that from CON kids. Moreover, jejunum villous height (P < 0.10 in PR, P < 0.05 in ER) and crypt depth (P < 0.05 both in PR and ER) were reduced in neonatal kids from malnourished mothers. At 6 wk of age, there were no differences (P > 0.05) in any plasma or tissue immune parameters among the 3 treatments. However, when given a LPS challenge, ER and PR kids had greater (P = 0.02) IL-6 concentration compared with CON kids. Our results suggest that both PR and ER during late gestation induced short-term as well as long-lasting alterations on immune responses in their offspring, which may make the animals more susceptible to a bacterial pathogen challenge. The present findings expand the existing knowledge in immunological mechanisms responsible for the development of disease in later life.