[Consistency of peripheral whole blood and venous serum procalcitonin in children: a multicenter parallel controlled study].

Objective: To explore the consistency of peripheral whole blood and venous serum procalcitonin (PCT) levels, and the value of peripheral whole blood PCT in evaluating pediatric bacterial infection. Methods: This multicenter cross-sectional parallel control study was conducted in 11 children's hospital. All the 1 898 patients older than 28 days admitted to these hospitals from March 2018 to February 2019 had their peripheral whole blood and venous serum PCT detected simultaneously with unified equipment, reagent and method. According to the venous serum PCT level, the patients were stratified to subgroups. Analysis of variance and chi-square test were used to compare the demographic characteristics among groups. And the correlation between the peripheral blood and venous serum PCT level was investigated by quantitative Pearson correlation analysis.The PCT resultes were also converted into ranked data to further test the consistency between the two sampling methods by Spearman's rank correlation test. Furthermore, the ranked data were converted into binary data to evaluate the consistency and investigate the best cut-off of peripheral blood PCT level in predicting bacterial infection. Results: A total of 1 898 valid samples were included (1 098 males, 800 females),age 27.4(12.2,56.7) months. There was a good correlation between PCT values of peripheral whole blood and venous serum (r=0.97, P<0.01). The linear regression equation was PCTvenous serum=0.135+0.929×PCTperipheral whole blood. However, when stratified to 5 levels, PCT results showed diverse and unsatisfied consistency between the two sampling methods (r=0.51-0.92, all P<0.01). But after PCT was converted to ordinal categorical variables, the stratified analysis showed that the coincidence rate of the measured values by the two sampling methods in each boundary area was 84.9%-97.1%. The dichotomous variables also showed a good consistency (coincidence rate 96.8%-99.3%, Youden index 0.82-0.89). According to the severity of disease, the serum PCT value was classified into 4 intervals（<0.5、0.5-<2.0、2.0-<10.0、≥10.0 µg/L）, and the peripheral blood PCT value also showed a good predictive value (AUC value was 0.991 2-0.997 9). The optimal cut points of peripheral whole blood PCT value 0.5、1.0、2.0、10.0 µg/L corresponding to venous serum PCT values were 0.395, 0.595, 1.175 and 3.545 µg/L, respectively. Conclusions: There is a good correlation between peripheral whole blood PCT value and the venous serum PCT value, which means that the peripheral whole blood PCT could facilitate the identification of infection and clinical severity. Besides, the sampling of peripheral whole blood is simple and easy to repeat.

[THE function and morphology study of eustachian tube based on sonotubometry and multi-slice spiral CT in normal subjects].

Objective: In order to assess ET more comprehensively, sonotubometry (STM)combined with CT images were applied to investigate the opening features of eustachian tube (ET) in normal subjects. STM was also used as a monitor training ET opening maneuver and optimizing CT scan parameters. Methods: Following ET opening training monitored by STM, STM data of ET opening duration and maximum sound pressure from 13 healthy volunteers (10 males and 3 females, 22 to 26 years old) were acquired using maneuvers of swallowing and Valsalva in standing and supine positions. Two trials of CT scan, setting A (slice thickness 6.0 mm, manually simulated to 0.6 mm, reconstruction thickness 0.6 mm) for normal and Valsalva scans and setting B(slice thickness 0.4 mm,reconstruction thickness 0.4 mm)for Valsalva scan, were conducted in each subject. The bone area and cartilage area of ET were measured respectively in reconstructed CT images. Statistical software SPSS 19.0 was employed in data analysis. Results: The duration of ET opening and maximum sound pressure by Valsalva were longer and stronger than those by swallowing in both positions. For Valsalva maneuver, standing position resulted in longer ET opening duration compared to supine position (P<0.05). Under setting A, ET cartilage area was measured larger by Valsalva scan than by normal scan (P<0.05). By Valsalva scan, setting A captured larger ET cartilage area compared to setting B (P<0.05). CT setting B resulted in longer scan time in comparison to setting A (P<0.05). Conclusions: Techniques of STM in supine position plus CT scan under setting A can be combined by Valsalva passive ET opening. Not only the invisible ET lumen through routine CT scan can be illustrated, but also relevant ET open-close process is shown, therefore, this study provides the technique for ET research of function and structure.

[The predicting value of the 8th edition of American Joint Committee on Cancer staging manual in mucinous breast cancer].

Objective: The current study aimed to evaluate the predictive performances of anatomic staging system (AS) and prognostic staging system (PS) proposed in the 8th edition American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging manual in patients with pure mucinous breast cancer (PMBC). Methods: Clinicopathologic features and follow-up information were collected from a total of 3628 patients with PMBC. Breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) were compared among patients in different stage groups. Likelihood ratio (LR) χ(2), Akaike information criterion (AIC) and Harrell's concordance index (C-index) were used to evaluate the predictive performances of AS and PS in PMBC. Results: In PMBC, BCSS was associated with tumor size (P=0.002), lymph node status (P=0.002), grade(P=0.003), PR status(P=0.017)and the receipt of radiation. Compared to AS, 1326 patients (37.54%) underwent stage change after applying PS, with 6.50% upstaged and 37.04% downstaged. There were significant differences in BCSS among patients of different stages under the AS and PS (P<0.001). However, PS was not superior to AS in predicting prognosis (AS vs PS, LR χ(2): 16.41 vs 17.5; AIC: 357.44 vs 358.35; C-index, 0.72 vs 0.73, P=0.667). Conclusions: Both of AS and PS proposed in the 8th edition American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging manual were predictive factors in patients with PMBC. Compared with AS, the PS did not show superiority in prognosis prediction among patients with PMBC.

[Factor analysis of diagnosis and surgical treatment of local regional recurrence in breast cancer patients].

Objective: To analyze the association between clinicopathological factors and clinical diagnosis, treatment and surgery of local regional recurrence (LRR) in breast cancer. Methods: A retrospective study was done to evaluate consecutive 7 823 breast cancer LRR cases between January 2009 and August 2018 at Comprehensive Breast Health Center, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine. A total of 108 LRR patients were enrolled: 35 cases (32.4%) with ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) after breast conserving surgery, 40 cases (37.0%) of chest wall recurrence (CR), and 33 cases (30.6%) with regional lymph node recurrence (LNR). All patients were female, aged from 26 to 83 years with a mean of 49 years. Clinicopathological factor and its relationship with different sites of LRR and following surgical choice were analyzed by χ(2) test, rank-sum test and Logistic regression. Survival analysis were performed between different LRR patterns and whether undergoing second surgery. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Log-rank tests demonstrated the distribution of overall survival. Results: Both univariate analysis and multivariate analysis found that axillary lymph nodes (ALN) status (OR=7.27, 95% CI: 1.30 to 40.53, P=0.042) and disease-free interval (OR=0.18, 95% CI: 0.06 to 0.60, P=0.013) were related to different site of LRR. Compared with patients with IBTR, LNR and CR patients had a higher rate of ALN metastasis and a shorter disease-free interval. A total of 36 LRR patients underwent following surgery. In univariate analysis, initial ALN surgery (χ(2)=16.705, P=0.001), pathological type (χ(2)=7.047, P=0.03), ALN status (χ(2)=10.812, P=0.002), disease-free interval (χ(2)=6.118, P=0.023) and LRR site(χ(2)=19.328, P=0.000) were associated with surgical treatment for LRR patients. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that only site of LRR was independently associated with surgery (OR=0.17, 95% CI: 0.05 to 0.65, P=0.024). The 5-year overall survival was 100% and 60.1% (P=0.018) for LRR patients treated with surgery or not. Furthermore, CR patients had significantly worse overall survival than LNR and IBTR patients, with 5-year overall survival 53.1%, 73.5%, and 100% respectively (P=0.021). Conclusions: Initial lymph nodes metastasis and disease-free interval are associated with different site of LRR. LRR site significantly influenced following surgery choice after LRR, which are both related with overall survival after LRR.

Effects of recombinant activated coagulation factor VII on apoptosis and expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax in rats with intracerebral hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of recombinant activated coagulation factor VII (rFVIIa) on apoptosis and the expressions of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) in rats with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 90 8-week-old male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats with similar weight were selected and randomly divided into normal group (n=30), ICH control group (n=30), and rFVIIa treatment group (n=30). Five days later, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was applied to observe pathological changes in rat brain in three groups. Cell apoptosis in rat brain was detected at 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, and 120 h, respectively. The relative expression levels of Bcl-2 and Bax in brain tissues were measured via fluorescence quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) and Western blotting, respectively. RESULTS: Compared with those in ICH control group, rats in rFVIIa treatment group had fewer degenerated and necrotic nerve cells and milder pathological changes in the marginal zone. The number of apoptotic cells in ICH control group and rFVIIa group was gradually increased in a time-dependent manner, and achieved the peak at 72 h. The number of apoptotic cells in treatment group was significantly lower than that in ICH control group after 24 h (p<0.05). Both fluorescence qPCR and Western blotting results proved that in comparison with ICH control group, rFVIIa group had a higher relative expression level of Bcl-2 (p<0.05) and a lower expression level of Bax (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Apoptosis mechanism may be involved in secondary brain injury after ICH. RFVIIa may have an important protective effect on neuronal injury after ICH by promoting the expression of Bcl-2 and inhibiting the expression of Bax protein.

[Qidong Chronic Hepatitis B Cohort: participants enrollment and comparison of baseline characteristics by gender stratification].

Objective: To establish a study cohort of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in Qidong and evaluate its baseline characteristics. Methods: CHB outpatients of the Third People's Hospital of Qidong were invited to participate in baseline survey from January 1, 2016, including questionnaire survey, liver function detection, serum detection of HBV infection and upper abdomen ultrasound detection. Anticipated sample size was at least one thousand. Baseline data were inputted by EpiData 3.1 software and then cleaned and analyzed by SAS 9.3 software. Results: As of 18 July, 2016, a total of 1 006 participants had been enrolled into the current study, including 615 males with an average age of (44.26±9.97) years and 391 females with an average age of (46.66±11.17) years. The difference in family history of liver disease was not significant between males and females (P>0.05), while the differences in other key information, such as age, education level, tobacco consumption, alcohol drinking, tea consumption, and antiviral intervention, were significant between males and females (P<0.05). Among the key clinical parameters, such as ALT, HBeAg, HBsAg, HBV DNA, albumin, and width of splenic vein and portal vein, only the abnormal rates of ALT and total bilirubin levels were higher in males than in females, the difference was significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: Outpatient department-based CHB cohort was established successfully in Qidong, and sub-cohort could be divided according to the differences on baseline characteristics.

Isolation and genetic characterization of a novel adeno-associated virus from Muscovy ducks in China.

Adeno-associated virus (AAV; genus Dependoparvovirus, family Parvoviridae) was first discovered in 1965 as a contaminant in adenovirus preparations. The AAVs are generally considered non-pathogenic, and they have the ability to attenuate the replication of other more pathogenic viruses, which makes them attractive as potential therapeutics or preventative measures. This study characterized a novel AAV isolated from Muscovy ducks in China. The novel virus (MHH-05-2015) was isolated after propagating a field isolate of the DAdV-3 virus (a type 3 duck adenovirus) in duck embryo fibroblasts. The full genome sequence of MHH-05-2015 was determined, and the nucleotide and amino acid sequences were compared to other avian AAVs. The genomic distribution of the structural and non-structural protein-coding genes in MHH-05-2015 was conserved and consistent with the other AAVs. Compared to previously isolated avian AAVs, MHH-05-2015 had approximately 63 to 64% sequence identity. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that MHH-05-2015 clustered separately from other avian AAVs, suggesting that MHH-05-2015 was not directly descended from other Dependoparvovirus family members. These results suggest that MHH-05-2015 is a new subtype of AAV that is distinct from other avian AAVs.

[Clinical utility study of 21-gene assay in 927 Chinese patients with early breast cancer].

Objective: To investigate the distribution patterns of 21-gene assay and its influencing factors in Chinese patients with early breast cancer. Methods: Nine hundred and twenty-seven early breast cancer patients were retrospectively recruited from January 2009 to December 2015 at Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine. The 21-gene reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) assay were conducted in paraffin-embedded tumor tissues to calculate the Recurrence Score(RS). Immunohistochemistry(IHC) assay was used to measure the expression levels of estrogen receptor(ER), progesterone receptor(PR) and Ki-67. Concordances of RT-PCR and IHC results were assessed. Correlations of RS and classical clinicopathological factors were evaluated, and logistic regression were applied to determine independent predictive factors for RS. Results: The median RS of 927 patients was 23(range: 0~90), and the proportions of patients categorized as having a low, intermediate, or high risk were 26.5%, 47.7% and 25.8%, respectively. The distribution of RS varied significantly according to different tumor grade, T stage, PR status, Ki-67 index and molecular subtypes(P<0.05 for all). Grade, PR status and Ki-67 index were independent predictive factors for RS. ER, PR status and Ki-67 index showed significantly correlation between RT-PCR and IHC assays, and the concordance rates for ER and PR status were 98.7% and 87.8%, respectively. Conclusions: RS significantly correlated with tumor grade, T stage, PR status, Ki-67 index and subtypes. Grade, PR status and Ki-67 index can independently predict RS. Remarkable concordances of ER, PR status and Ki-67 index are found between RT-PCR and IHC assays.

[Effect of 21-gene recurrence score on chemotherapy decisions for patients with estrogen receptor-positive, epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative and lymph node-negative early stage-breast cancer].

Objective: To investigate the effect of 21-gene recurrence score on adjuvant chemotherapy decisions for patients with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2)-negative and lymph node (LN)-negative early stage-breast cancer. Methods: One hundred and forty-eight patients with ER+ , HER-2- and LN- early stage breast cancer were recruited in the Ruijin hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. The 21-gene recurrence score (RS)assay was performed and systemic therapeutic decisions were made before and after knowing the RS results under multidisciplinary discussion. The effects of RS assay and the other influential factors on adjuvant chemotherapy decision were further analyzed. Results: After knowing the RS results, treatment decisions were changed in 26 out of 148 patients(17.6%). Among them, 9 out of 26 patients were not recommended for chemotherapy; 16 of 26 had treatment recommendation changed to chemotherapy, and chemotherapy regimen was changed in the last one patient. Multivariate analysis showed that RS, age and histological grade were independent factors of decision-making for adjuvant chemotherapy. Conclusion: Our results suggest that 21-gene recurrence score significantly influences decision making for adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with ER+ , HER-2- and LN- early stage breast cancer.

[Impact of carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum in operating rooms on the health of medical staffs].

Objective: To evaluate the impact of CO(2) pneumoperitoneum in operating rooms on the health of medical staffs. Methods: In June 2016, the thirty-three medical staffs in operating rooms were chosen as the object of the research.Seventeen people who took part in the pneumoperitoneum operation were selected as a exposure group and sixteen people who took part in the laparotomy operation were selected as a control group.Vital signs and arterial blood gases of medical staffs in the two groups were both measured in pre-operation and post-operation. Occupational Health Questionnaires were conducted to collect information on age, weight and postoperative symptoms. The level of CO(2) in operating room was determined by a portable infrared CO(2) analyzer. Results: Compared with the control group, the concentration of CO(2) in the exposed group was higherat T(1), T(2) and T(3) (t=22.227, 13.583, 17.408, P<0.05) . Heart rates and PaCO(2) in the exposure group raised greatly (t=2.132, 2.129, P<0.05) , while pH decreased (t=-3.015, P<0.05) . The differences between the two groups were statistically significant. Conclusion: The increase of mild acidosis and thesense of job burnout in medical staffs could be caused by CO(2) pollution in the operating rooms.

[Surgical treatment and prognosis of ductal carcinoma in situ: 526 cases analysis].

Objective: To evaluate the choice of surgical treatment of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and its impact on long-term outcomes. Methods: A retrospective analysis of the clinicopathological features and treatment protocol of DCIS patients who underwent surgical treatment in Comprehensive Breast Health Center, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine from January 2009 to August 2016 was done. The factors which could affect surgical treatment were analyzed by χ(2) test and Logistic regression. Survival analysis were performed between different surgical approaches. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Log-rank tests demonstrated the distribution of disease free survival and overall survival. Results: A total of 526 patients were enrolled in this study, 405 cases (77.0%) underwent mastectomy, 121 cases (23.0%) underwent breast-conserving surgery, of which 88 cases received radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery. It was shown by univariate and multivariate analysis that age>50 years (OR=0.631, 95% CI: 0.413 to 0.965, P=0.034), first symptom of nipple discharge (OR=0.316, 95% CI: 0.120 to 0.834, P=0.020), excision biopsy (OR=1.831, 95% CI: 1.182 to 2.835, P=0.007) and tumor size >3 cm (OR=0.422, 95% CI: 0.206 to 0.864, P=0.018) were significantly correlated with choice of surgical treatment for breast lesions. Axillary lymph node dissection was performed for 118 cases (22.4%), with sentinel lymph node biopsy for 327 cases (62.2%), and none for 81 cases (15.4%). There was significant statistical difference in the choice of axillary lymph node management in patients of different age (χ(2)=8.124, P=0.017), biopsy type (χ(2)=35.567, P=0.000), breast operation type (χ(2)=149.118, P=0.000) and tumor size (χ(2)=13.394, P=0.010). The 5-year disease free survival rates was 95.7%, 89.6% and 100%, respectively, for mastectomy group, breast-conserving surgery group and breast-conserving surgery plus radiotherapy group. And the 5-year overall survival rates for three groups were 99.0%, 100% and 100%. The differences were not statistically significant (P=0.427, 0.777). Conclusions: For DCIS patients, age, first symptom and tumor size are independent predictors of breast surgery. The choice of axillary lymph node surgery is influenced by age, biopsy, operation type, and tumor size. Different surgical treatment options has no significant effect on disease-free survival and overall survival in DCIS patients.

Efficacy of oxymatrine for treatment and relapse suppression of severe plaque psoriasis: results from a single-blinded randomized controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Drugs that are currently used in the treatment of psoriasis are associated with drawbacks such as rapid recrudescence, high costs and unwanted side-effects. Oxymatrine has a long history of clinical use in the treatment of hepatitis and cancer in China. OBJECTIVES: To explore the efficacy and safety of intravenous oxymatrine in patients with severe plaque psoriasis. METHODS: A total of 67 patients were randomly allocated to receive oxymatrine injections (0.6 g per day for 8 weeks) or acitretin capsules (0.75 mg kg-1 per day from week 0 to week 2 and 20-30 mg per day from week 3 to week 8) and followed up for another 24 weeks. The primary end point was the percentage of patients with ≥ 50% reduction of Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI 50) at week 32. The secondary end points included the skin classification grade and the Dermatology Quality of Life Index (DLQI) score. Side-effects were recorded throughout the whole study to assess the safety profile. RESULTS: Treatment with oxymatrine or acitretin for 8 weeks significantly decreased PASI score, skin classification grade and DLQI score (P < 0.001), with no significant differences between the oxymatrine and acitretin groups in terms of PASI 50. However, at week 32, the relapse rate in the oxymatrine group was significantly lower than that of the acitretin group (P < 0.001). Moreover, while there was an increase in the number of patients with metabolic abnormalities in the acitretin group, a significant reduction was observed in the oxymatrine group. Furthermore, rates of adverse reactions were significantly decreased in the oxymatrine group compared with that of the acitretin group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with oxymatrine effectively ameliorated severe plaque psoriasis, and was accompanied by only minor adverse effects.

[Analysis of the factors influencing adjuvant chemotherapy decisions for triple negative breast cancer].

Objective: To analyze adjuvant chemotherapy decisions for triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), and explore the influencing factors in the multidisciplinary treatment (MDT) modality. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed. The cases with invasive TNBC who underwent surgery and MDT discussion for adjuvant treatment in Ruijin Hospital, from April 2013 to June 2015, were recruited. The patients' clinicopathological characteristics were analyzed and adjuvant treatment suggestions from MDT were obtained. Here the chemotherapy decision alteration was defined as a disagreement in chemotherapy or not, or inconsistence in regimens between the attending doctor and the multidisciplinary team. Results: A total of 194 patients aged ≤70 years old were enrolled in the multidisciplinary discussion, and 187 patients (96.4%) were suggested to receive chemotherapy. When compared the opinions of the attending doctor to suggestions of the multidisciplinary team, we found that the percentage of chemotherapy decision alteration reached 22.7% (39/172), of which 94.9% (37/39) were inconsistence in chemotherapy regimens. There were 119 patients who were recommended to receive epirubicin plus cyclophosphamide (EC) followed by docetaxel (T) or weekly paclitaxel (wP) regimens. Before the announcement of results for the E1199 trial, EC-T accounted for 62.5% (55/88), and EC-wP accounted for 37.5% (33/88) for this group of patients. After that, the proportion of EC-T was decreased to 22.6% (7/31) and proportion of EC-wP increased to 77.4%(24/31) (P<0.001). In addition, a total of 20 patients were suggested to receive platinum based chemotherapy. The proportions were 9.3% in cases with invasive ductal carcinoma, and 33.3% in cases with metaplastic carcinoma, respectively (P=0.016). Conclusions: The adjuvant chemotherapy decision for TNBC patients is altered in 22.7% of the patients after MDT discussion. After the announcement of SABCS E1199 results, more patients are suggested to receive EC followed by weekly paclitaxel. There is a lack of detailed evidence for platinum based adjuvant chemotherapy for TNBC, and more patients with metaplastic carcinoma receive platinum based adjuvant chemotherapy.

[Factors related to adjuvant ovarian function suppression in premenopausal breast cancer patients].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the applied condition of ovary function suppression (OFS) before and after joint analysis of TEXT and SOFT trials and SOFT trial, and to identify the relevant factors of OFS usage. METHODS: The analysis was performed in premenopausal women with hormone receptor (HR) positive breast cancer receiving surgical treatment from Apr 2013 to Oct 2015 in Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine. Adjuvant treatment strategy was made in the multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings. We analyzed the applied condition of OFS before and after joint analysis, SOFT trial and its relevant factors. RESULTS: Among 454 patients, 114 (25.1%) patients received OFS. Before the results of joint analysis came out, all the patients (38/38) received OFS together with tamoxifen (TAM); after the results came out, clinicians began to put OFS with exemestane into practice, among 76 patients, 41(53.9%) patients received OFS with exemestane while 35 (46.1%) patients received OFS together with TAM. Before the results of SOFT trial came out, 71 out of 310 (22.9%) patients received OFS while 43 out of 144 (29.9%) patients received OFS after that. No significant difference was found between the proportion of patients receiving OFS before and after the results of SOFT trial came out (P=0.112). Age, histological grade, pN status, Ki-67 status, molecular subtype and acceptance of chemotherapy were correlated with OFS treatment (P<0.05). Age, tumor grade and pN were independent significant predictors of OFS usage. CONCLUSIONS: After the results of joint analysis came out, clinicians began to apply OFS with exemestane to premenopausal women with HR positive breast cancer. There is no significant difference between the proportion of patients receiving OFS before and after SOFT trial. Age, tumor grade and pN status are independent significant predictors of OFS treatment. Patients younger than 40, with histological grade Ⅱ or Ⅲ tumor and with pN1 or pN2 status are prone to receive OFS.

Cathepsin L is involved in proliferation and invasion of breast cancer cells.

Cathepsin L(CTSL), a lysosomal endopeptidase was found overexpressed in Breast cancer (BC). The purpose of this work was to investigate the possible role of CTSL in the development of BC. RNA interference(RNAi) with a CTSL small hairpin RNAs(CTSL-shRNA) and plasmid with CTSL were used to identify the effects of CTSL on malignant behaviors of BC. MCF-7 and SKBR-3 were selected as cell models in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that down-regulation of CTSL can significantly inhibit the proliferative and invasive ability of MCF-7 cell, while up-regulation of CTSL in SKBR-3 cells had opposite effects. Comparing to parental BC cells, CTSL knockdown cells exhibited attenuated capacities in developing tumor in nude mice, furthermore, the growth of these xenografts were dramatically regressed. In conclusion, our findings suggest that CTSL contributes to the proliferation and metastasis of BC and might be a potent molecular target for BC treatment.

Single nucleotide polymorphism variants within tva and tvb receptor genes in Chinese chickens.

Avian leukosis is an immunosuppressive neoplastic disease caused by avian leukosis viruses (ALV), which causes tremendous economic losses in the worldwide poultry industry. The susceptibility or resistance of chicken cells to subgroup A ALV and subgroup B, D, and E ALV are determined by the receptor genes tumor virus locus A (tva) and tumor virus locus B (tvb), respectively. Four genetic resistant loci (tva(r1), tva(r2), tva(r3), and tva(r4)) in tva receptor gene and a genetic resistant locus tvb(r) in the tvb receptor gene have been identified in inbred lines of White Leghorn. To evaluate the genetic resistance to subgroup A, B, D, and E ALV, genetic variations within resistant loci in tva and tvb genes were screened in Chinese local chicken breeds and commercial broiler lines. Here, the heterozygote tva(s1/r1) and the resistant genotype tva(r2/r2), tva(r3/r3), and tva(r4/r4) were detected in Chinese chickens by direct sequencing. The heterozygote tva(s1/r1) was detected in Huiyang Bearded chicken (HYBC), Rizhaoma chicken, and commercial broiler line 13 to 15 (CB13 to CB15), with the frequencies at 0.08, 0.18, 0.17, 0.25, and 0.15, respectively. The resistant genotype tva(r2/r2) was detected in Jiningbairi chicken (JNBRC), HYBC, and CB15, with the frequencies at 0.03, 0.08, and 0.06, respectively, whereas tva(r3/r3) and tva(r4/r4) were detected in 19 and 17 of the 25 Chinese chickens tested, with the average frequencies at 0.13 and 0.20, respectively. Furthermore, the resistant genotype tvb(r/r) was detected in JNBRC, CB07, CB12, CB14, and CB15 by pyrosequencing assay, with the frequencies at 0.03, 0.03, 0.11, 0.09, and 0.15, respectively. These results demonstrated that the potential for genetic improvement of resistance to subgroup A, B, D, and E ALV were great both in Chinese local chickens and commercial broilers. This study provides valuable insight into the selective breeding for chickens genetically resistant to ALV.

Establishment of an acute rejection model by transplanting both renal grafts into two different rats using a modified method of ureterovesical anastomosis.

OBJECTIVE: To establish an acute rejection model after kidney transplantation in the rat using a modified method of ureterovesical anastomosis. METHODS: Thirty-nine Wistar rat donors, were transplanted into 70 male SD rats. Wistar rats (group 1; n = 18) underwent harvest of both kidneys, cold perfusion, and transplantation into 36 SD rats. Wistar rats (group 2; n = 18) underwent left kidney harvest, cold perfusion and transplantation into 18 SD rats. Groups 1 and 2 did not receive immunosuppression after transplantation. Six kidneys were harvested from 3 Wistar rats (group 3), were transplanted into 6 SD rats that were treated with CsA (5 mg/kg per day) postoperatively, and humanely killed at 21 days. There were 10 SD in sham operated rats (group 4). The renal allograft vein was end-to-end anastomosed to the recipient renal vein using an epidural catheter. The renal allograft was anastomosed end-to-side to the recipient abdominal aorta with an abdominal aortic flap. The renal allograft ureterovesical flap was directly inserted into the recipient bladder, and attached by 4-5 interrupted sutures. The recipient's right kidney vessels were ligated at 3 days postoperatively. RESULTS: The success rates were 91.7% and 88.9% in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Except for the time for removal of the renal allografts, the operative durations and warm ischemia times differed insignificantly between both groups (P > .05). Blood creatinine levels increased significantly after kidney transplantation in groups 1 and 2 compared with the sham operated and CsA-treated cohorts (P < .01), but insignificantly between groups 1 and 2 (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: A dual renal allograft model was established in the rat using a modified ureterovesical anastomosis. The technique can be reproduced reliably, reducing costs and shorten using overall operative duration.

Development of the heat treatment system for the 40 T hybrid magnet superconducting outsert.

The heat treatment of Nb(3)Sn coil with the glass fabric insulation is one of the key and critical processes for the outsert solenoids of the 40 T hybrid magnet, which could be wound with cable-in-conduit conductors using the insulation-wind-and-react technique. The manufacturing of the large vertical type vacuum/Ar atmosphere-protection heat treatment system has been completed and recently installed in the High Magnetic Filed Laboratory, Chinese Academy of Sciences. The heat treatment system composed mainly the furnace, the purging gas supply system, the control system, the gas impurities monitoring system, and so on. At present, the regulation and testing of the heat treatment system has been successfully finished, and all of technical parameters meet or exceed specifications.

DNA release and uptake associated with the development of pleomorphic cells in mammalian skin autotransplants.

OBJECTIVE: Although several in vitro studies have demonstrated active release of DNA by living cells, there is still doubt. There are no such in vivo studies (1). The following experiment is an in vivo study to determine whether DNA release and uptake by cells and tissues occur and can be related to normal growth and differentiation, abnormal growth and cancer METHODS: Epidermal and full-thickness ear-skin grafts were separately autotransplanted into two groups of mice. In a second group, host mice were labelled with tritiated thymidine and autografted separately, with unlabelled epidermal and full-thickness ear-skin grafts. Animals were sacrificed regularly in both cases. RESULTS: Full thickness grafts revealed cysts in 15 out of 16 grafts, with well-differentiated squamous epidermis, DNA labelling of dermalfibroblasts and no DNA labelling of epidermal cells. Epidermal grafts revealed cysts in six out of 20 grafts, with epidermal cells variable in shape and arrangement; some appeared normal but others were two to four times larger, forming solid nests of cells. In some grafts, there were spindle-shaped pleomorphic cells loosely interconnected. DNA labelling was observed in occasional epidermal cell. Two lung adenocarcinomas were found. CONCLUSION: These results suggest active release of DNA by host cells and DNA uptake by grafted cells. This phenomenon and the differential uptake of DNA labelling of epidermal and dermal cells in the epidermal and full-thickness grafts suggest an association with abnormal, even pleomorphic epidermal cell behaviour due to the interference of dermal/epidermal interacting factors.

Noble and alkali adatoms on a [Formula: see text]-Ag surface: a first-principles study.

Using first-principles calculations, we present a comprehensive study on the atomic and electronic structures of metal adatoms (noble metals Ag, Au, Cu and alkali metals Li, Na, K) adsorbed on a [Formula: see text]-Ag (hereafter [Formula: see text]-Ag) surface. We found that adsorption of noble and alkali adatoms can induce significant structural changes in the topmost Ag layer. The most striking and interesting results are the immersion of the noble and Li adatoms into the substrate Ag layer and the finding of the most stable configurations with three adatoms incorporating into or being adsorbed on the surface dependent on their atomic radii. We also found that the almost empty two-dimensional free-electron-like band s1 and its band folding s1(*) of the original surface band s1 of the [Formula: see text]-Ag surface split into a gap at the surface Brillouin zone (SBZ) boundary with adsorption of an adatom. The two surface bands gradually move downwards and the s1 band is gradually filled with an increase of coverage. The s1 band is fully occupied with the largest band gap ∼ 0.25 eV between the s1 and s1(*) bands at the critical coverage of 0.14 monolayers (ML) [three adatoms in a [Formula: see text]-Ag (hereafter [Formula: see text]-Ag) unit cell], which corresponds to the most stable adsorption phase. Although the adsorption configurations are different, both the noble and alkali adatom adsorptions give rise to similar electronic structures at low coverages, indicating a free-electron-like character of the adsorption surfaces.