[Anatomical and histological investigation of the area anterior to the anorectum passing through the levator hiatus].

Objective: To document the anatomical structure of the area anterior to the anorectum passing through the levator hiatus between the levator ani slings bilaterally. Methods: Three male hemipelvises were examined at the Laboratory of Clinical Applied Anatomy, Fujian Medical University. (1) The anatomical assessment was performed in three ways; namely, by abdominal followed by perineal dissection, by examining serial cross-sections, and by examining median sagittal sections. (2) The series was stained with hematoxylin and eosin to enable identification of nerves, vessels, and smooth and striated muscles. Results: (1) It was found that the rectourethralis muscle is closest to the deep transverse perineal muscle where the longitudinal muscle of the rectum extends into the posteroinferior area of the membranous urethra. The communicating branches of the neurovascular bundle (NVB) were identified at the posterior edge of the rectourethralis muscle on both sides. The rectum was found to be fixed to the membranous urethra through the rectourethral muscle, contributing to the anorectal angle of the anterior rectal wall. (2) Serial cross-sections from the anal to the oral side were examined. At the level of the external anal sphincter, the longitudinal muscle of the rectum was found to extend caudally and divide into two muscle bundles on the oral side of the external anal sphincter. One of these muscle bundles angled dorsally and caudally, forming the conjoined longitudinal muscle, which was found to insert into the intersphincteric space (between the internal and external anal sphincters). The other muscle bundle angled ventrally and caudally, filling the gap between the external anal sphincter and the bulbocavernosus muscle, forming the perineal body. At the level of the superficial transverse perineal muscle, this small muscle bundle headed laterally and intertwined with the longitudinal muscle in the region of the perineal body. At the level of the rectourethralis and deep transverse perineal muscle, the external urethral sphincter was found to occupy an almost completely circular space along the membranous part of the urethra. The dorsal part of the external urethral sphincter was found to be thin at the point of attachment of the rectourethralis muscle, the ventral part of the longitudinal muscle of the rectum. We identified a venous plexus from the NVB located close to the oral and ventral side of the deep transverse perineal muscle. Many vascular branches from the NVB were found to be penetrating the longitudinal muscle and the ventral part of rectourethralis muscle at the level of the apex of the prostate. The rectourethral muscle was wrapped ventrally around the membranous urethra and apex of the prostate. The boundary between the longitudinal muscle and prostate gradually became more distinct, being located at the anterior end of the transabdominal dissection plane. (3) Histological examination showed that the dorsal part of the external urethral sphincter (striated muscle) is thin adjacent to the striated muscle fibers from the deep transverse perineal muscle and the NVB dorsally and close by. The rectourethral muscle was found to fill the space created by the internal anal sphincter, deep transverse perineal muscle, and both levator ani muscles. Many tortuous vessels and tiny nerve fibers from the NVB were identified penetrating the muscle fibers of the deep transverse perineal and rectourethral muscles. The structure of the superficial transverse perineal muscle was typical of striated muscle. These findings were reconstructed three-dimensionally. Conclusions: In intersphincteric resection or abdominoperineal resection for very low rectal cancer, the anterior dissection plane behind Denonvilliers' fascia disappears at the level of the apex of the prostate. The prostate and both NVBs should be used as landmarks during transanal dissection of the non-surgical plane. The rectourethralis muscle should be divided near the rectum side unless tumor involvement is suspected. The superficial and deep transverse perineal muscles, as well as their supplied vessels and nerve fibers from the NVB. In addition, the cutting direction should be adjusted according to the anorectal angle to minimize urethral injury.

Comparison of clinical diagnostic value of spiral CT with different dose in patients with early-stage peripheral lung cancer

Purpose To compare the clinical diagnostic value of spiral CT scan with different dose in patients with early-stage peripheral lung cancer. Methods A total of 163 cases of patients with early-stage peripheral lung cancer who came to People’s Hospital of Rizhao for treatment from June 2014 to January 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 78 cases of patients who received low-dose CT scanning were the low-dose group, another 84 cases of patients who received routine dose CT scanning were the routine dose group. Multislice helical CT (MSCT) scanning was performed in both groups, with tube voltage of 120 kV. Tube current was 25 m A in the low-dose group and 250 m A in the routine dose group. In addition, a total of 80 patients with lobar pneumonia were added as the control group of diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and accuracy. Pathological diagnosis was taken as the gold standard to compare the diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the two groups. Results The image quality, nodules and signs of the two groups were compared, and the results of radiation dose of the two groups were compared. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the low-dose group were 82.05%, 87.50% and 84.81%, respectively. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the routine dose group were 85.71%, 86.25% and 85.97%, respectively. The diagnostic value of the two groups was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). However, the radiation dose in the low-dose group was significantly lower than that in the routine group. Conclusion Low-dose MSCT scanning can meet the clinical requirements for imaging diagnosis of peripheral lung cancer, and can reduce the radiation dose of patients (AU)

[Different treatment regimens for primary central nervous system lymphoma:based on SEER database].

Objectives: To explore the prognostic factors of primary central nervous system lymphoma(PCNSL) and to analyze the efficacy of different treatment methods. Methods: Clinical data of 4 812 patients with PCNSL in SEER database from January 1975 to December 2016 were retrospectively analyzed.Among them, 2 831 were male and 1 981 were female, the ratio of male to female was 1.4∶1.0.There were 2 236 cases(46.47%) under 60 years old, 1 718 cases(35.70%) aged 60 to 74 years old, and 858 cases(17.83%) aged 75 years old or above. Two thousand four hundred and seventeen cases(50.23%) had supratentorial tumors, 299 cases (6.21%) had infratentorial tumors, and 554 cases(11.51%) had multiple brain tumors, 1 542 cases (32.04%) were other or unspecified location.Three thousand five hundred and thirteen cases(73.00%) had diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), 234 cases(4.86%) had non DLBCL, 1 065 cases (22.13%) had other or unspecified types of tumor.The treatment included 2 011 cases (41.77%) of biopsy, 61 cases (1.27%) of subtotal resection(STR), 54 cases (1.12%) of gross total resection(GTR), 2 384 cases (49.54%) of biopsy and chemotherapy, 159 cases (3.30%) of STR and chemotherapy, 144 cases (3.00%) of GTR and chemotherapy.Univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were used to analyze the prognostic factors affecting the overall survival of the patients.Fine-Gray test and competitive risk model were used to analyze the prognostic factors affecting cancer-specific survival.Kaplan-Meier method and Log-rank test was used for survival analysis. Results: Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that age, race, marital status, tumor site, pathological subtype, surgery, chemotherapy, combined with other malignant tumors, and HIV infection were the independent prognostic factors affecting the overall survival of PCNSL patients.The results of Fine-Gray test and competitive risk model analyses showed that age, race, marital status, tumor location, pathological subtype, surgical method, chemotherapy, combined with other malignant tumors, and HIV infection were independent prognostic factors affecting cancer-specific survival, while gender and radiotherapy had no significant correlation with cancer-specific survival.Compared with biopsy, PCNSL patients may benefit from surgical resection (STR:HR=0.805, 95%CI:0.656‒0.989, P=0.04; GTR:HR=0.521, 95%CI:0.414‒0.656, P<0.01).Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the median survival time of biopsy+chemotherapy group was 28 months (95%CI:24.497‒31.503), 2 months (95%CI:1.756‒2.244) in the biopsy group, 2 months (95%CI:1.410-2.590) in the STR group, 19 months (95%CI:0‒39.311) in the biopsy+chemotherapy group, 67 months (95%CI:46.187-87.813) in the STR+chemotherapy group, 84 months (95%CI:57.448‒110.552) in the GTR+chemotherapy group.The median survival time of patients with different treatment methods was statistically significant (P<0.01). Conclusions: Surgical resection may improve the prognosis of some PCNSL patients.Patients who have access to receive GTR or STR combined with chemotherapy may have prolonged Cancer-specific survival.

Comparison of clinical diagnostic value of spiral CT with different dose in patients with early-stage peripheral lung cancer.

PURPOSE: To compare the clinical diagnostic value of spiral CT scan with different dose in patients with early-stage peripheral lung cancer. METHODS: A total of 163 cases of patients with early-stage peripheral lung cancer who came to People's Hospital of Rizhao for treatment from June 2014 to January 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 78 cases of patients who received low-dose CT scanning were the low-dose group, another 84 cases of patients who received routine dose CT scanning were the routine dose group. Multislice helical CT (MSCT) scanning was performed in both groups, with tube voltage of 120 kV. Tube current was 25 m A in the low-dose group and 250 m A in the routine dose group. In addition, a total of 80 patients with lobar pneumonia were added as the control group of diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and accuracy. Pathological diagnosis was taken as the gold standard to compare the diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the two groups. RESULTS: The image quality, nodules and signs of the two groups were compared, and the results of radiation dose of the two groups were compared. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the low-dose group were 82.05%, 87.50% and 84.81%, respectively. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the routine dose group were 85.71%, 86.25% and 85.97%, respectively. The diagnostic value of the two groups was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). However, the radiation dose in the low-dose group was significantly lower than that in the routine group. CONCLUSION: Low-dose MSCT scanning can meet the clinical requirements for imaging diagnosis of peripheral lung cancer, and can reduce the radiation dose of patients.

[Significance of anti-tubulin-α-1C autoantibody in systemic sclerosis].

OBJECTIVE: To detect the serum level of a novel autoantibody, anti-tubulin-α-1C, in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and to investigate its clinical significance. METHODS: Anti-tubulin-α-1C antibody levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 62 patients with SSc, 38 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 24 primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) patients, and 30 healthy controls (HCs). Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), immunoglobulin A(IgA), immunoglobulin M (IgM), immunoglobulin G (IgG), C3, C4, rheumatoid factor (RF), antinuclear antibody(ANA), anti-centromere antibodies(ACA), anticardiolipin (aCL), anti-dsDNA antibody, anti-Sm antibody, anti-RNP antibody, anti-Scl-70 antibody, anti-Ro52 antibody, anti-SSA antibody, anti-SSB antibody, centromere protein A(CENP-A), centromere protein B (CENP-B) were measured by standard laboratory techniques. Raynaud's phenomenon and modified Rodnan skin score(MRSS) were recorded to evaluate the disease status of SSc. Independent sample t test, Chi square test, Mann-Whitney U test, Spearman rank correlation were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: The serum anti-tubulin-α-1C antibody concentration in SSc group was 81.24±34.38, the serum anti-tubulin-α-1C antibody concentration in SLE group was 87.84±38.52, the serum anti-tubulin-α-1C antibody concentration in pSS group was 59.79±25.24, and the serum anti-tubulin-α-1C antibody concentration in healthy group was 39.37±18.7. Multivariate analysis revealed that anti-tubulin-α-1C antibody levels were significantly increased in the SSc and SLE patients. The expression level of anti-tubulin-α-1C antibody in SSc was higher compared with the pSS group and the health control group (P < 0.01). Further analysis demonstrated that the elevated anti-tubulin-α-1C antibody were correlated with the SSc inflammation and disease activity markers ESR(r=0.313, P=0.019), The levels of anti-tubulin-α-1C antibody were also significantly correlated with MRSS(r=0.636, P < 0.01). The best cut-off value for the diagnose of SSc was 76.77 as mean+2SD value. The proportion of Raynaud's phenomenon was higher in the group of anti-tubulin-α-1C autoantibody-postive SSc patients than that in anti-tubulin-α-1C autoantibody negative group(71.4% vs. 37.5%, P=0.039). The proportions of anti-Scl-70 antibody, anti-CENP antibody and anti-cardiolipin antibody were higher in the group of anti-tubulin-α-1C autoantibody-postive SSc patients than in the anti-tubulin-α-1C autoantibody negative group (37.9% vs. 15.2%, 34.5% vs. 12.1%, 13.8 vs. 0, respectively, all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Based on this explorative stu-dy, the level of anti-tubulin-α-1C antibody increased in the serum of the patients with SSc. There were correlations between anti-tubulin-α-1C autoantibody and clinical and laboratory indicators of the SSc patients. It may become a novel biomarker indicative of active SSc and could be applied in future clinical practice.

Observation of the efficacy of naloxone combined with acyclovir in the treatment of children viral encephalitis and its impacts on IL-1 and IL-6.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical efficacy of naloxone combined with acyclovir in the treatment of children viral encephalitis and the impacts on inflammatory factors IL-1 and IL-6. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 96 children with viral encephalitis were retrospectively analyzed. They were treated from July 2013 to January 2014 in our hospital. They were divided into control group (45 cases treated with acyclovir) and observation group (51 cases treated with acyclovir combined with naloxone). Both groups were treated with comprehensive measures. Changes of the content of serum IL-1 and IL-6 in the two groups before and after treatment were monitored by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Signs, recovery time of clinical symptoms, total effective rate, occurrence of adverse reactions and adverse reactions after treatment of children in the two groups were compared. RESULTS: Levels of serum IL-1 and IL-6 of children in the control group and the observation group decreased after treatment, and the decrease was greater in the observation group (p<0.05). Signs and recovery time of clinical symptoms of the observation group were significantly shorter than that of the control group (p<0.05). Indexes of serum in the observation group were significantly lower than those of the control group after treatment (p<0.05). The total effective rate of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group (p<0.05). The prevalence of adverse reactions and sequelae in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In the treatment of children, viral encephalitis has naloxone combined with ganciclovir had a more significant effect on the decrease of levels of serum IL-1 and IL-6; naloxone combined with acyclovir in the treatment of children viral encephalitis had better effects, lower adverse reactions and lower prevalence of sequelae compared with sole medication, which is worth clinical promotion.

Adiponectin alleviates liver injury in sepsis rats through AMPK/MTOR pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influences of adiponectin (APN) on the liver injury in sepsis rats and to explore whether it exerts a therapeutic effect through the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A rat model of sepsis was established through cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) (CLP group), and APN treatment group (APN group) and control group were also set. The changes in the liver function-related indicators, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), were determined by automatic biochemistry analyzer, and the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1, and IL-6 were measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was employed to detect liver tissue injury, and the hepatocyte apoptosis and necrosis after intervention with APN were evaluated using in situ fluorescence staining. Moreover, the mRNA expression of APN in liver tissues was detected via quantitative Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR), and the expression levels of phosphorylated AMPK and mTOR proteins in liver tissue samples were determined using Western blotting. RESULTS: In terms of changes in liver function-related indicators, the concentrations of ALT and AST were substantially raised in the CLP group, and compared with those in the control group, the concentrations of the two indicators significantly declined in the APN group, showing statistically significant differences (p<0.05). CLP and APN group had evidently higher levels of inflammatory factors than the control group, but their levels in APN group were notably lower than those in the CLP group (p<0.05). It was found through the HE staining that the sepsis rats in CLP group had massive inflammatory cell infiltration, and that the inflammatory cells were remarkably decreased in the APN group after APN treatment. According to the in-situ fluorescence staining detection results, CLP group exhibited a notable increase in the cell apoptosis rate, and APN group had substantially reduced apoptotic cells (p<0.05). The determination results of APN expression revealed that CLP group had a lowered level of APN, and that the level of APN in APN group was markedly higher than that in the control group. Based on the results of Western blotting, the level of phosphorylated AMPK was remarkably elevated, and that of phosphorylated mTOR was lowered in the CLP group compared with those in the control group, while in comparison with CLP group, APN group showed a considerable elevation of phosphorylated AMPK level and a distinct decline in the phosphorylated mTOR level. CONCLUSIONS: APN can activate the AMPK/mTOR pathway and reduce hepatocyte apoptosis to alleviate liver injury in sepsis rats.

miR-92a-3p promotes the proliferation and invasion of gastric cancer cells by targeting KLF2.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have pivotal roles in the initiation and progression of gastric cancer (GC), and miR-92a-3p has been proved to act as an oncogene in multiple malignancies. However, the molecular mechanisms by which miR-92a-3p contributes to GC remain unclear. The differentially expressed miRNAs were screened by GEO dataset, and the association of miR-92a-3p expression with clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis in patients with GC was analyzed by TCGA dataset. The target genes of miR-92a-3p were identified by bioinformatic analysis, and their interaction was confirmed by luciferase reporter assay. MTT, EdU and Transwell assays were conducted to determine the role of miR-92a-3p in GC cells. As a result, it was found that the expression levels of miR-92a-3p were increased in GC tissues and were associated with tumor size, lymph node infiltration and distant metastasis, acting as an independent prognostic factor of poor survival in patients with GC. Restored expression of miR-92a-3p facilitated cell proliferation, DNA synthesis and cell invasion, but its inhibitor reversed these effects. KLF2 was further identified as a direct target of miR-92a-3p, indicating a negative correlation with miR-92a-3p expression and harboring a favorable prognosis in GC. In addition, KLF2 repressed cell proliferation and invasion and attenuated the tumor-promoting effects of miR-92a-3p in GC cells. Altogether, our findings demonstrated that miR-92a-3p promoted the proliferation and invasion of GC cells by targeting KLF2.

[The value of (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography ((18)F-FDG PET-CT) in evaluating the stability of atherosclerotic plaques].

Objective: Positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) has been used to quantify inflammatory response in the body. The aim of the present study was to explore the possibility of using this method to evaluate the stability of atherosclerotic plaques and the efficacy of atorvastatin in stabilizing atherosclerotic plaques. Methods: Twenty New Zealand male white rabbits were included and divided into the atorvastatin intervention group and the control group, with 10 rabbits in each group. Rabbits in both groups were fed with a high fat diet for 20 weeks, and treated with thoracoabdominal aortic balloon-pulling to establish atherosclerosis model at the end of the 2nd week. Rabbits in atorvastatin intervention group was given atorvastatin intragastrically once a day. At the 8th week, thoracoabdominal aortic ultrasound was used to detect plaques in all rabbits. Blood was drawn at the 3rd and the 20th week, respectively, to measure blood lipids, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). At the end of experiment, survival animals were scanned by (18)F-FDG PET-CT, and the average and maximum standard uptake values (SUVmean, SUVmax) of aortic segments were measured. Thereafter, the animals were sacrificed and aortic specimens of rabbits were taken and examined by immunohistochemistry. The pathological indexes were measured and compared. Results: At the end of experiment, the total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), hs-CRP [ (4.58±0.51) ng/ml vs.(5.87±0.66) ng/ml, P<0.01], MMP-9[ (43.93±2.16) ng/ml vs. (50.77±2.32) ng/ml, P<0.01], SUVmean (0.59±0.15 vs. 0.68±0.20, P<0.05) , SUVmax (0.68±0.20 vs. 0.81±0.27, P<0.05) , plaque area [ (0.36±0.24) mm(2) vs. (0.50±0.34) mm(2), P<0.05) ] and density of macrophage[ (4.34±1.54) % vs. (5.65±1.89) %, P<0.01] in the atorvastatin intervention group were significantly lower than those in the control group. In contrast, fiber cap thickness of the plaque[ (4.12±0.66) µm vs. (2.96±0.37) µm, P<0.01] in the atorvastatin intervention group was higher than that of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant. The arterial plaque areas were positively correlated with SUVmean (r=0.27, P<0.05) and SUVmax (r=0.43, P<0.01) . Fiber cap thickness was negatively correlated with SUVmean (r=-0.38, P<0.05) and SUVmax (r=-0.47, P<0.01) . The density of macrophage were positively correlated with SUVmean (r=0.52, P<0.01) and SUVmax (r=0.51, P<0.01) . Conclusion: (18)F-FDG PET/CT can be used to evaluate the efficacy of atorvastatin by the stability of atherosclerotic plaques.

[Family history of rheumatic diseases in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a large scale cross-sectional study].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the associations between the family history of rheumatic diseases and clinical features in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: In total, eight hundred and ninety patients with RA were enrolled. The demographic and clinical data were collected, including gender, age, height, body weight, age of disease onset, history of smoking and drinking, family history of rheumatic diseases, clinical and laboratory features, pain and global visual analogue scale (VAS), and multi-dimensional health assessment questionnaire (MDHAQ). Finally, 803 patients were completed the dataset and were included in the study. RESULTS: In this cohort, the male/female ratio was 1:3.5, and the age of onset was (45.09±14.50) years. A total of 123 (15.32%) patients were accompanied with family history of rheumatic diseases, including RA, spondyloarthritis, Sjögren's syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic sclerosis. The percentages of first degree, second degree and both first and second degree relatives were 91 (73.98%), 22 (17.89%), and 10 (8.13%) respectively. The most common disease was RA (70.73%), followed by other rheumatic diseases (21.95%), and RA combined with other rheumatic diseases (7.32%). The clinical and laboratory characteristics were compared between the patients with and without family history. The onset-age of the subjects was significantly different between those with and without family history of rheumatic diseases (39.97 ±13.68 vs. 46.01±14.46; P<0.01), which meant that the onset-age in patients with family history was 6.04 years earlier than that in patients without family history. The patients with family history had higher positive rate of rheumatoid factor (RF) compared with those without family history (78.48% vs. 66.67%, P<0.05). By adjusting with gender, body mass index (BMI), smoking and alcohol drinking, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibody and RF level, the age at disease onset in the patients with family history was 4.54 years earlier than that in the patients without family history (ß=-4.54; 95%CI:-8.70, -0.38; P<0.05). Further hierarchical regression analysis showed that, the age at onset of the RA patients with family history was 10.02 years earlier than that without family history among the smoking patients (ß= -10.02; 95%CI:-17.60, -2.43; P=0.01), while the age at onset of the RA patients with family history was 3.27 years earlier than that without family history among the never smoking patients (ß=-3.27; 95%CI:-8.37, 1.82; P=0.21). CONCLUSION: The family history of rheumatic diseases is a risk factor for early onset of RA, and may interact with smoking.

Efficient Capture and High Activity Release of Circulating Tumor Cells by Using TiO2 Nanorod Arrays Coated with Soluble MnO2 Nanoparticles.

Effective capture and release of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) with high viability is still a challenge in medical research. We design a novel approach with efficient yield and high cell activity for the capture and release of CTCs. Our platform is based on TiO2 nanorod arrays coated with transparent MnO2 nanoparticles. We use hydrothermal synthesis to prepare TiO2 nanorod arrays, the MnO2 nanoparticles are fabricated through in situ self-assembly on the substrate to form a monolayer and etched by oxalic acid with low concentration at room temperature. Up to 92.9% of target cells are isolated from the samples using our capture system and the captured cells can be released from the platform, the saturated release efficiency is 89.9%. Employing lower than 2 × 10-3 M concentration of oxalic acid to dissolve MnO2, the viability of MCF-7 cancer cells exceed 90%. Such a combination of the two-dimensional and three-dimensional platforms provides a new approach isolate CTCs from patient blood samples.

Effect of photoperiod on serum hormone concentrations during the annual reproductive cycle in geese.

The poor egg-laying rate of geese hinders the development of the goose industry; therefore, the reproductive performance of geese is an important area of investigation. To evaluate the relationship between photoperiod, reproductive hormones, and reproductive activity during the egg-laying cycle in geese under natural conditions, we collected blood samples from Sichuan white geese and Xupu geese to quantify changes in prolactin (PRL), estradiol (E2), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH), and luteinizing hormone (LH). We also calculated the rate of egg laying for the two populations during the egg-laying cycle. We show that the egg-laying rate and the serum concentration of some hormones (PRL, E2, VIP, FSH, GnIH, and LH) differed significantly between the two populations during the pre-laying, laying, and ceased-laying periods. Serum LH concentrations may be associated with maturation of the ovary and oviducts, whereas FSH, PRL, and GnIH play important roles in egg laying. These results provide a useful resource for future studies examining the laying rate in geese.

Effects of feeding conditions on gene expression in chicken breast muscle.

Chicken meat quality is becoming increasingly important among breeders and consumers. To understand the effect of feeding conditions on chicken meat quality, we investigated the profiles of genes expressed in chicken breast muscle. Using RNA sequencing, we identified 336, 321, and 387 differentially expressed genes among Chengkou, Daninghe, and Qingjiaoma chickens under scatter- and captivity-feeding conditions. Twenty-two genes differentially expressed between different feeding conditions were shown to be common among the three breeds. Seven of these genes were assessed by real-time quantitative PCR, which confirmed the findings of RNA sequencing and suggested that the results were viable. The differentially expressed genes showed enrichment for a series of significant pathways, including energy metabolism, xenobiotics biodegradation and metabolism, and the immune system. These results provide a solid foundation for elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying chicken meat quality.

Relationship between deficiencies in vitamin A and E and occurrence of infectious diseases among children.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between vitamin A deficiency (VAD), vitamin E deficiency (VED) and infectious diseases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We chose 684 cases of healthy children age 5 months-12 years from our hospital, measured their VA, VE from vein under the light proof condition with high-pressure liquid chromatography. Thereafter, the children who get the acute respiratory tract infection (ARI) or diarrhea two weeks later were registered. RESULTS: After the two weeks trial (N=684 cases), the VA level of children with ARI was lower than that of children without ARI (0.23±0.02 mg/ml/0.33±0.01 mg/ml), p<0.05. Moreover, the VE level of children with ARI was significantly lower than that of children without ARI (p<0.05). Most interestingly, the proportion of children with diarrhea accompanied with decreased VA level in serum was higher than that of children without diarrhea, indicating that VA level <0.2 mg/L more easily affected acute respiratory tract infection. CONCLUSIONS: We were able to demonstrate that Children who presented vitamin A deficiency were easier to get the acute respiratory tract infection (ARI) and diarrhea. Children who presented vitamin E deficiency were easier to get the acute respiratory tract infection (ARI). Vitamin A and vitamin E deficiencies are one of the important factors related to occurrences of acute infectious diseases in children.

[Influence of covering of auto-crosslinked sodium hyaluronate gel in combination with xenogenic acellular dermal matrix on healing of full-thickness skin defect wound in pig].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the influence of covering of auto-crosslinked sodium hyaluronate gel in combination with xenogenic acellular dermal matrix (ADM) on healing of full-thickness skin defect wound in pig. METHODS: Totally four 10 cm×10 cm full-thickness skin defect wounds were reproduced symmetrically on both sides of spine on the back of each one of the six Chinese experimental minipigs. After autologous microskin grafting, the 4 wounds in each pig were divided into 4 groups according to the random number table, with 6 wounds in each group. Wounds in allogenic skin group (AS) were covered by full-thickness skin from one (not the recipient) of the 6 pigs; wounds in xenogenic skin group (XS) were covered by full-thickness skin of sheep; wounds in xenogenic ADM group (XA) were covered by ADM of sheep; wounds in combination group (C) were covered by ADM of sheep combined with auto-crosslinked sodium hyaluronate gel. The wounds were bound up with pressure, and the dressing was changed once every 7 days. On post surgery day (PSD) 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42 when changing dressing, the condition of wounds and the exfoliation of the covering on microskin were observed, and the complete exfoliation time of the covering was recorded. On PSD 28, 35, and 42, the wound healing rate was calculated. Data were processed with one-way analysis of variance and SNK test. RESULTS: (1) On PSD 7, no fluid appeared under the covering of wounds in groups AS and C, while plenty of fluid appeared under the covering of wounds in groups XS and XA. From PSD 14 to 35, most of the full-thickness skin of pig in group AS did not exfoliate. All the full-thickness skin of sheep in group XS exfoliated, leaving a lot of crusts on the surface of the wounds on PSD 14. Most of the ADM of sheep in group XA separated from the wound with the crusts turning dry and exfoliating on PSD 14. All the ADM of sheep exfoliated with most of the wounds healed in group C on PSD 35. On PSD 42, all the full-thickness skin of pig in group AS exfoliated, leaving most of the wounds unhealed; all the crusts exfoliated and the majority of wounds were healed in group XS and XA group; all the wounds in group C were healed. (2) Compared with that in group C[(32.7±3.3) d], the complete exfoliation time of the covering was obviously shorter in group XS[(15.2±4.8) d]and group XA[(22.2±6.3) d], with P values below 0.05, while the complete exfoliation time of the covering in group AS[(44.8±2.7) d]was obviously longer (P<0.05). (3) On PSD 28, 35, and 42, the wound healing rates in groups XS and XA[(21.2±2.6)%, (51.4±2.4)%, (89.6±2.8)%, and (23.7±3.4)%, (53.6±6.3)%, (91.3±4.9)%, respectively]were obviously lower than those in group C[(35.1±3.4)%, (62.1±6.7)%, (98.8±1.0)%, respectively, with P values below 0.05]. On PSD 42, the wound healing rate in group AS[(44.0±3.8)%]was significantly lower than the rates in the other 3 groups (with P values below 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Auto-crosslinked sodium hyaluronate gel combined with ADM of sheep used as covering of microskin grafts on full-thickness wound in pig can lengthen the persistence time of ADM of sheep on the wound, as well as promote wound healing.

[Dose comparison between pre and post operation of 125I seeds implantation guided by 3D print tamplate].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the dose difference between pre and post operation of (125)I seeds implantation guided by 3D print tamplate and investigate the dose accuracy. METHODS: From August 2015 to November 2015, a total of 9 patients were selected and underwent 3D print tamplate guided (125)I seeds implantation in Hebei General Hospital. All patients had been fixed as the position of operation and then performed CT scan. After preplan was designed, the 3D tamplates were printed. The tumors were punctured through needles holes predesigned. Another CT scan was used to confirm the locations of needles and then seeds were implanted into tumor according to preplan. Postplan was performed after the operation. The D90, V90, V100, V150 and seeds number pre and post operation were collected and compared. RESULTS: The mean D90, V90, V100, V150 and seeds number preoperation was (7 684±3 279)cGy, 93.2%±0.8%, 89.8%±0.9%, 62.8%±4.7% and 58±17 respectively. The mean D90, V90, V100, V150 and seeds number postoperation was (7 531±3 523) cGy, 92.4%±2.0%, 88.0%±2.5%, 61.9%±5.3% and 56±17 respectively. The difference of all data between pre and post operation was not statistically significant (all P> 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The dose parameters in postplan show no difference compared with preplan. For the fixed tumor, 3D print tamplate guided seeds implantation may become an easy repeated and standard procedure.

Genetic variability of XRCC1 influences the treatment outcome of gastric cancer.

We aimed to investigate the role of XRCC1 codon 194 (Arg>Trp), 280 (Arg>His), and 399 (Arg>Gln) polymorphisms in response to chemotherapy and the overall survival of gastric cancer patients. A total of 172 patients were recruited for our study between January 2010 and March 2012. Genotyping of the three XRCC1 codons was carried out by restriction fragment length polymorphism polymerase chain reaction. By logistic regression analysis, we found that the Trp/Trp genotype of XRCC1 194 (Arg>Trp) showed a stronger association with complete or partial response to chemotherapy compared to the Arg/Arg genotype, and the adjusted odds ratio (95%CI) was 0.17 (0.05-0.58). Moreover, the Trp/Trp genotype was associated with a higher risk of death than that with the Arg/Arg genotype based on multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis, and the adjusted hazard ratio (95%CI) was 4.08 (1.20-14.19). In conclusion, we found that the XRCC1 194 (Arg>Trp) polymorphism was correlated with a better response to chemotherapy and a low risk of death in patients with gastric cancer.

Gene expression profiles in the pituitary glands of Sichuan White geese during prelaying and laying periods.

To better understand the molecular mechanism(s) underlying egg-laying in Sichuan white geese, the profiles of genes in the pituitary gland were investigated during the prelaying and laying periods. Total RNA was extracted from the pituitary glands of geese during prelaying or laying periods and cDNA was generated. After sequencing and annotation, 54 upregulated and 84 downregulated genes were obtained from gene libraries. These genes were related primarily to biosynthetic processes, cellular nitrogen metabolic processes, transport, cell differentiation, cellular protein modification processes, signal transduction, and small molecule metabolic processes. Eleven genes were selected for further analyses using quantitative real-time PCR, and the results were generally consistent with the profiling results. Among these genes, levels of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone, vasoactive intestinal peptide and its receptor, follistatin, estrogen receptor beta, and the progesterone receptor were differentially overexpressed during the prelaying period compared with the laying period. These results provide a solid foundation for elucidating the molecular mechanism of egg-laying performance in Sichuan white geese.

Differential gene expression in pre-laying and laying period ovaries of Sichuan White geese (Anser cygnoides).

Geese are an economically important poultry species worldwide. Their superior meat production performance and meat qual-ity make them a popular food. However, they are not bred worldwide because their poor laying capacity increases farming costs. To gain a global view of the genes that are differentially expressed between pre-laying (P) and laying (L) periods and to develop a database for further studies, we performed large-scale transcriptome sequencing of ovarian tissue collected from Anser cygnoides. In total, 30,151,422 raw reads, with an average length of 151 bp and a total length of 4,552,864,722 bp, were obtained. After primers and adaptors were removed, 19,167,132 clean reads, with an average length of 134.5 bp and a total length of 2,577,297,281 bp, were obtained, among which 1,268,906,694 bp and 1,308,390,587 bp were from L and P ovarian tissue, respectively. The 16,605 assembled sequences were further functionally annotated by comparing their sequences to different protein and functional domain databases and assigning gene ontology (GO) terms. Of these, 511 as-sembled sequences were considered differentially expressed based on the 2-fold method, among which 396 were assigned at least one GO term. Digital expression analysis using the Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes annotation identified 121 genes that were differ-entially expressed in the P vs L periods. Five of these are of special interest for further investigation of their roles in determining high re-productive performance. This study provides valuable information and sequence resources for uncovering genes determining high egg-laying performance and for future functional genomics analysis of geese.