[Analysis of clinical epidemiological characteristics of respiratory syncytial virus in children in a hospital of pediatric in Hubei Province from 2020 to 2023].

Objective: To explore the clinical epidemiological characteristics of respiratory syncytial virus in children in Hubei Province from 2020 to 2023. Method: A single-center and cross-sectional study was used to analyze the clinical data of 3 271 children with respiratory syncytial virus infection in Wuhan Children's Hospital affiliated to Huazhong University of Science and Technology from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2023. Nonparametric rank sum test and χ2 test were used for comparative analysis. Results: From July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2023, a total of 25 583 children were included in the analysis, of which 3 271(12.8%) children infected RSV. The detection rate was 16.3% in 2020-2021, 14.7% in 2021-2022 and 9.1% in 2022-2023. The detection rate decreased year by year (χ2=222.054, P<0.05). From 2020 to 2023, there was an anti-seasonal epidemic of RSV in spring and autumn. The detection rate of RSV in infants under 1 year old was the highest, but the median ages of RSV positive children increased (H=140.575, P<0.05). Pneumonia was the main clinical manifestation of RSV respiratory tract infection. Conclusion: The epidemiological characteristics of RSV in children in Hubei Province were different from those before. From 2020 to 2023, the detection rate of RSV decreased year by year. Besides winter, the prevalence of RSV could also be seen in spring and autumn. The median age of children infected with RSV increased after the epidemic. Pneumonia was the main clinical manifestation after RSV infection.

[Surgical management of gastric cancer in the era of immunotherapy].

With the widespread application of immune checkpoint inhibitors, chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy has shown promising efficacy in the treatment of various cancers. Especially gastric cancer, this strategy is gradually expanding from first-line treatment in advanced stages to perioperative management. Compared to neoadjuvant chemotherapy alone, the combined approach not only improves pathological regression but also leads to better downstaging, which is particularly significant in gastric cancer subsets that are HER2-positive, mismatch repair deficient, PD-L1 combined positive score ≥5, or EB virus-positive. This combined treatment has made it possible to reduce the extent of gastrectomy, perform function-preserving surgeries, or even consider non-surgical strategies. Currently, exploring the optimal protocols for combining immune checkpoint inhibitors with chemotherapy, identifying potential indications for function-preserving surgery, improving surgical methods, and developing non-surgical strategies represent key issues in the surgical management of gastric cancer in the era of immunotherapy.

[Modified gasless trans-subclavian approach endoscopic lateral neck dissection for treatment of papillary thyroid carcinoma: a series of 31 cases].

Objective: To examine the feasibility of the modified gasless trans-subclavian approach endoscopic thyroidectomy for lateral neck dissection (LND) in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Methods: The clinical data of 31 patients with PTC who underwent modified gasless trans-subclavian approach endoscopic LND in the Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Run Run Shaw Hospital, from January to October 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 2 males and 29 females, aged (32.6±8.3) years (range: 17 to 55 years). The maximum diameter of the primary thyroid lesion (M(IQR)) was 1.06 (1.16) cm (range: 0.53 to 2.44 cm), and the maximum diameter of the metastatic lymph node was (1.04±0.37) cm (range: 0.44 to 1.88 cm). Operation time, postoperative hospital stay, number of lymph nodes dissected, and postoperative complications were recorded. Outpatient follow-up was conducted until November 30, 2022. Results: All operations were successfully completed with the endoscopy approach without conversion to open surgery. The operation time was 160 (20) minutes (range: 100 to 215 minutes), and the postoperative hospital stay was 4 (2) days (range: 2 to 14 days). The number of lymph nodes obtained by dissection in the central and lateral compartment of the neck was 11 (12) (range: 0 to 37) and 34.7±14.8 (range: 15 to 69), respectively. Temporary hypoparathyroidism occurred in 4 cases and all recovered within 1 month after the operation. One case suffered from recurrent laryngeal nerve injury (continuing followed up to assess whether it is a temporary injury). The complication of LND included 1 case of chylous leakage that was recovered with conservative treatment, 1 case of Horner syndrome returned to normal 3 months after surgery. During follow-up, there was no residual tumor or recurrence. Conclusion: The modified gasless trans-subclavian approach endoscopic LND for PTC is feasible, with a thorough dissection and concealed incision.

[Gasless submental-transoral combined appoach endoscopic thyroidectomy for papillary thyroid carcinoma: a series of 41 cases].

Objective: To examine the safety and feasibility of gasless submental-transoral combined appoach endoscopic thyroidectomy for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Methods: A retrospective analysis of the clinical data of 41 patients with PTC who underwent the gasless submental-transoral combined appoach endoscopic thyroidectomy at the Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine from November 2020 to April 2021. There were 5 males and 36 females with the age of (35.0±8.7) years (range: 19 to 58 years). A horizontal incision with a length of 2.0 cm is made under the chin as an observation hole, a 10 mm Trocar and a self-developed retractor are inserted, and two 5 mm longitudinal incisions are made on the labial side in the vestibule of the oral cavity as an operation hole, each inserting a 5 mm Trocar, the operation direction is from the cranial side to the caudal side. The sensation of the lower lip and chin was measured on the first day and one month postoperative. The operation time, hospital stay, the number of lymph nodes dissected and postoperative complications were recorded. Results: Surgical procedures in all cases were successfully completed under endoscopic approach without transfering to open surgery. The operation time was (99±34) minutes (range: 50 to 180 minutes) and the postoperative hospital stay was (3.4±2.2) days (range: 2 to 16 days). The maximum diameter of PTC was (7.6±5.8) mm (range: 2 to 30 mm), and the number of lymph nodes of the central compartment dissection was 6(5) (M(IQR)) (range: 1 to 25). The duration of follow-up is 1 month after operation, and the follow-up method is adopted in outpatient clinic. Postoperation complications included 2 cases of transient hypoparathyroidism, One case of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury (continue to follow up to assess whether it is a temporary injury). Postoperative minor chyle leak, seroma, and local redness and swelling in 1 case each were cured after conservative treatment. 1 case of transient minor numbness of the lower lip was observed. No permanent hypoparathyroidism, postoperative bleeding and numbness of the chin was observed. Conclusion: The gasless submental-transoral combined appoach endoscopic thyroidectomy is a feasible approach in selected PTC patients and has clinical application value.

[Study on the etiological characteristics and prevention and control of adult community-acquired pneumonia in hospitalized patients in a hospital in Beijing from 2015 to 2019].

Objective: To explore the distribution characteristics of pathogens in adult patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and to provide basis for the diagnosis, treatment, prevention of CAP. Methods: 1 446 inpatients with CAP were prospectively enrolled in a third-class hospital in Beijing in recent 5 years (from January 2015 to December 2019). Respiratory tract samples were collected for smear, culture, nucleic acid, antigen and antibody detection to identify the pathogen of CAP. Mann-Whitney U test was used for continuous variables and χ2 test or Fisher's exact test was used for categorical data for statistical analysis. Results: Among the 1 446 patients, 822 (56.85%) patients were infected with a single pathogen, 231 (15.98%) patients were infected with multiple pathogens, and 393 (27.18%) patients were not clear about the pathogen. Influenza virus is the first pathogen of CAP (20.95%, 303/1 446), mainly H1N1 (8.51%, 123/1 446), followed by mycoplasma pneumoniae (7.19%, 104/1 446), Mycobacterium tuberculosis (5.33%, 77/1 446) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (5.05%, 73/1 446). The outbreak of H1N1 occurred from December 2018 to February 2019, and the epidemic of mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia was monitored from August to November 2019. Patients under 65 years old had high detection rates of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (14.41% vs. 2.41%, χ²=74.712,P<0.001), Streptococcus pneumoniae (8.16% vs. 2.99%, χ²=18.156, P<0.001), rhinovirus (6.08% vs. 3.56%, χ²=5.025, P<0.025), Chlamydia pneumoniae (5.90% vs. 1.15%, χ²=26.542, P<0.001) and adenovirus (3.13% vs. 0.92%, χ²=9.547, P=0.002). The severe disease rate of CAP was 14.66% (212/1 446), and the average mortality rate was 3.66% (53/1 446). The severe illness rate and mortality rate of bacterial-viral co-infection were 28.97% (31/107) and 19.63% (21/107), respectively. Conclusions: Influenza virus is the primary pathogen of adult CAP. Outbreaks of Mycoplasma pneumoniae and H1N1 were detected in 2018 and 2019, respectively. The remission rate and mortality rate of virus-bacteria co-infection were significantly higher than those of single pathogen infection. Accurate etiological basis not only plays a role in clinical diagnosis and treatment, but also provides important data support for prevention and early warning.

[Clinical characteristics of viral pneumonia in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

Objective: To study the clinical and etiological characteristics of viral pneumonia in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(VP-COPD), and to identify the risk factors associated with poor prognosis. Methods: From August 1, 2017 to August 1, 2019, totally 235 patients in a general hospital in Beijing were prospectively enrolled in this research, and all patients were diagnosed with viral pneumonia by imaging and etiology. The patients were divided into VP-COPD group(n=60) and VP-nCOPD(viral pneumonia in non-COPD patients) group(n=175). Pathogen detection and clinical characteristics were compared between the two groups.Finally, the binomial logistic regression was used to explore the risk factors associated with severe VP-COPD. Results: Compared with the VP-nCOPD group, the VP-COPD group was older(76.5 vs 66.0 years, P=0.001), and the CURB-65 score(2 vs 1, P= 0.001) and the PSI score(111 vs 85, P<0.001) were higher at admission. Pseudomonas aeruginosa(χ²= 10.308, P= 0.001) and Staphylococcus aureus(χ²= 5.953, P=0.028) were the most common co-infection bacteria. In the VP-COPD group type Ⅱ respiratory failure was more common(23.3% vs 6.8%, P<0.001), the number of severely ill patients was larger(48.3% vs 30.3%, P=0.011), the length of hospital stay was longer(13 vs 8, P<0.001), and the mortality rate during hospitalization was higher(18.3% vs 7.4%, P=0.016) in the VP-nCOPD group. Multivariate analysis showed that the level of blood glucose(OR: 1.73, 95%CI: 1.22-2.44, P= 0.002) and pleural effusion(OR: 133.12, 95%CI: 7.57-2 340.36, P=0.001) were risk factors for severe VP-COPD patients. Conclusion: Viral pneumonia in patients with COPD tended to develop into severe cases and had a poor prognosis.

[Identification of pathogens in the vitreous of patients with infectious uveitis by metagenomic sequencing].

Objective: To investigate the role of metagenomic sequencing in the diagnosis of infectious uveitis. Methods: Cross-sectional study. A total of 19 vitreous specimens of patients with suspected infectious uveitis from March 2016 to July 2018 in Beijing Tongren Hospital were collected, including 8 males and 11 females, 19 to 68 years old. There were 10 cases in the right eye, 8 cases in the left eye and 1 case in both eyes. Acute retinal necrosis was clinically diagnosed in 8 patients (9 eyes), and the diagnosis was unknown in 11 patients (11 eyes). About 1 ml of the vitreous fluid was reserved for each specimen, 800 µl for metagenomic sequencing and 200 µl for real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR verification. The TIANamp Micro DNA Kit was used to extract the sample DNA for metagenomic sequencing, and the ultrasonic fragment was broken to 200-300 bp. The BGISEQ-500 platform was used for sequencing. The data with low quality and length less than 35 bp were cleared from the sequencing data to obtain high-quality data. Through biological authentication software, the reference human genome sequence and low complexity were removed from high-quality data. The data obtained were compared with a special microorganism database regarding the percentage of microbial sequences, the number of unique sequences, coverage and sequencing depth, so as to determine positive sequencing parameters, which were classified into bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was performed to validate the accuracy. Results: A variety of microorganisms were detected by metagenomic sequencing in 19 specimens, including 3 cases of varicella zoster virus, 2 cases of Candida albicans, 1 case of Propionibacterium acnes and 1 case of Haemophilus parainfluenzae. The percentage of microbial sequences was 77.93% （1 794/2 302）, 99.98% （12 843/12 845） and 98.88%（5 733/5 798）, and the number of unique sequences was 1 794, 12 843 and 57 33 in varicella zoster virus cases, respectively. The verification of varicella zoster virus by PCR was consistent with that by metagenomic sequencing. Conclusion: Metagenomic sequencing can be used as an alternative method for laboratory diagnosis of infectious uveitis. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2020, 56: 519-523).

[Value of CT in the differential diagnosis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa sinusitis and fungal ball in paranasal sinus caused by Aspergilus flavus].

Objective: To evaluate the value of CT in the differential diagnosis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa sinusitis and fungal ball in paranasal sinus caused by Aspergilus flavus. Methods: In this retrospective study, CT results of 74 cases of Pseudomonas aeruginosa sinusitis including 31 male cases and 43 female cases with age onset from 15 to 74 years old (mean±SD was 50±13) and 72 cases of fungal ball in paranasal sinus caused by Aspergilus flavus including 28 male cases and 44 female cases with age onset from 25 to 78 years old (mean±SD was 53±15) at Beijing Tongren Hospital confirmed by histopathology were enrolled from January 2013 to May 2017. The CT characteristics of the two groups of cases were compared using χ(2) test, and P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Soft tissue opacification of the involved paranasal sinus was found on CT in each case of the two groups. There were significant differences in the rate of single sinus involvement (44.6% and 90.3% respectively), the incidence of lesion associated with maxillary sinus (91.9% and 70.8% respectively), ethmoid sinus (41.9% and 2.8% respectively), frontal sinus (29.7% and 0 respectively), calcification (50.0% and 72.2% respectively), and the enlargement of maxillary sinus opening (13.2% and 35.3% respectively), in addition to the central calcification (83.8% and 59.6% respectively) between the two groups (all P<0.05). However, the incidence of sphenoid sinus involvement (32.4% and 34.7% respectively), bone sclerosis (56.8% and 62.5% respectively) or destruction(18.9% and 16.7% respectively) were not found different between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: Though the CT findings are similar between the two diseases such as soft tissue opacification of the involved paranasal sinus with calcification and bone sclerosis or destruction, there are still a few characteristics on CT in differentiating the one from the other. The involvement of multi-sinuses, maxillary sinus, ethmoid sinus and frontal sinus, the central calcification are more common in the Pseudomonas aeruginosa sinusitis. However, the CT features including single sinus involvement, calcification and enlargement of maxillary sinus opening, can be seen more often in the fungal ball in paranasal sinus caused by Aspergilus flavus.

[Clinical application value of γ-IFN release assay combined with CA-125 in diagnosis of active pulmonary tuberculosis].

Objective: To evaluate the diagnosis of interferon gamma release assay (IGRA) combined with tumor marker carbohydrate antigen-125 (CA-125) in active pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). Methods: One hundred and three patients with active PTB (48 definite and 55 clinical diagnosed), 646 patients with non-PTB pulmonary disease and 60 normal controls hospitalized in Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University between January 2014 and December 2016 were retrospectively investigated. Blood samples were collected to determine the IGRA and CA-125 level by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and electrochemiluminescence, respectively. The CA-125 level of patients with active PTB, non-PTB pulmonary disease and normal controls were compared. Subsequently, the best cut-off value of CA-125 for diagnosing PTB was calculated based on 60 active PTB cases and 60 normal controls. Methodological evaluation of IGRA, CA-125 and combination of these two tests (both positive) for active PTB diagnosing were performed based on 43 active PTB cases and all the non-PTB pulmonary disease cases. Results: The median values of CA-125 among definite and clinical diagnosis groups of active PTB were 55.00 (25.35, 156.90) U/ml and 81.50 (39.40, 138.00) U/ml, respectively. There was no difference between the two groups (U=1 093.00, P>0.05). And the CA-125 level of male and female PTB patients were also undifferentiated (U=1 124.00, P>0.05). There were statistically significant differences in CA-125 levels between the active PTB group and all other non-PTB groups (all P<0.001), including those who had ever closely contacted with TB patients. The area under the ROC curve constructed by CA-125 for diagnosing active PTB was 0.933. And the best cut-off value of CA-125 was 22.00 U/ml. Based on this cut-off value, the accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of CA-125 for diagnosing active PTB were 70.5% (486/689), 86.0% (37/43) and 69.5% (449/646). The accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of IGRA for diagnosing active PTB were 73.3% (480/689), 90.7% (39/43) and 68.3%(441/64). The accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of IGRA combined with CA-125 for diagnosing active PTB were 90.6% (624/689), 76.7% (33/43), 91.5% (591/646). Both of the accuracy and the false positive ratio of this combinational method (8.5%, 55/646) were significantly lower than two indexes individually used (χ(2)=94.461, 88.261, P<0.001). However, the false negative ratio was increased to 23.3% (10/43) by combinational method. Conclusion: IGRA combined with CA-125 has a certain clinical value in diagnosis of active PTB, especially when the evidences of bacterial is not available.

[Relationship between 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and idiopathic benign paroxysmal positional vertigo in female patients].

Objective: To investigate the relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D[25(OH) D] levels and idiopathic benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) in female patients. Methods: A total of 67 women diagnosed with idiopathic BPPV were selected as the study group between January and December 2016 in Ningbo No.2 Hospital, and 95 healthy women without a history of vertigo or dizziness were selected as the control group. The data of height, weight, histories of hypertension and diabetes mellitus were collected, and serum 25(OH) D levels were measured. The number of the recurrence and canalith repositioning maneuvers were recorded during the one-year follow-up. Results: No significant differences of age, body mass index, histories of hypertension and diabetes mellitus between patients with BPPV and healthy controls (all P>0.05) .The serum 25 (OH) D levels were significantly lower in patients with idiopathic BPPV than in healthy controls [(50.56±13.36) nmol/L vs (56.55±16.21) nmol/L, t=-2.485, P=0.014]. BPPV patients with low level of 25(OH) D showed a significant increase in the number of canalith repositioning maneuvers required and the recurrence rate. The regression analyses demonstrated that 25(OH)D deficiency was associated with BPPV with an odds ratio of 2.054 (95% CI: 1.088-3.877, P=0.026). Conclusion: 25(OH) D deficiency may be a risk factor of BPPV.

[Effects of occupational cadmium exposure on workers' cardiovascular system].

Objective: To investigate the effects of cadmium exposure on cardiovascular system of occupational workers. Methods: Cross-sectional study was applied to 992 workers in a nickel-cadmium battery plant in November, 2011, of which 749 were cadmium exposed workers and 243 were controls without cadmium and other expose. Urinary cadmium、electrocardiogram (ECG) and blood pressure were examined simultaneously among 992 workers. The risk factors of ECG abnormality rate and hypertension rate were analyzed by Logistic regression. Results: The level of urinary cadmium in cadmium exposed workers was significantly higher than controls (8.89±4.00 vs 1.34±1.18 µg/g creatinine, P<0.01) . Urinary cadmium level in women was significantly higher than men in both exposure and control group (P<0.05) . According to the group of working years, Urinary cadmium level raised with the increase of working years (F=28.272, P<0.001) . The ECG abnormality rate and hypertension rate of cadmium exposed workers were higher than that of control group, the differences were all statistically significant (P<0.01) . The abnormal rate of ECG and the hypertension rate increased with the prolonging of working years and demonstrated dose-response relationship. With the increase of urinary cadmium level, the abnormal rate of ECG and hypertension rate raised (OR=1.11, P<0.01) and (OR=1.15, P<0.01) respectively. Conclusion: Occupational cadmium exposure increased the abnormal rate of ECG and blood pressure and therefore damaged cardiovascular system of workers. This study provided base data for protecting health of cadmium exposed workers.

[Analysis of the characteristics of lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood among coal worker's pneumoconiosis patients].

Objective: To preliminary analysis of the characteristics of lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood among 135 cases of coal worker's pneumoconiosis patients in Huainan mining area. Methods: The peripheral bloods of 135 cases of coal worker's pneumoconiosis patients and 112 cases of health examiners were collected. Flow cytometry was used to detect peripheral blood lymphocytes, T cell subsets and CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells. Results: Compared with the control group, CD64 index of granulocytes and lymphocytes was slightly higher. The total T cells (CD3(+)) increased in peripheral blood, CD4(+) expression was reduced and CD8(+) expression was increased in infection group, CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratio was inverted, the differences between the infection group and the control group were statistically significant (P<0.05) . There were significantly fewer NK (nature killer) and B cells, significantly more double negative T cells (DNT, CD3(+)CD4(-)CD8(-)) than the control group (P<0.05) . There was no statistically significant difference of CD4(+)CD25(+)CD127(+low)、CD4(+)CD25(+)CD127(+hi) and the ration of Treg/CD4(+)CD25(+)CD127(+hi) protein expression in peripheral blood in two groups (P>0.05) . Conclusion: The analysis of peripheral blood lymphocyte and subgroup is an ideal index to monitor the immune status of coal worker's pneumoconiosis patients. It has theoretical significance for studying the immune mechanism of pneumoconiosis and guiding clinical treatment.

[Clinical effectiveness of pleural abrasion in video-assisted thoracic surgery for bullae resection].

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of pleural abrasion in treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax with video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) for bullae resection. Methods: The clinical data of 158 patients with initial spontaneous pneumothorax who underwent video-assisted thoracic wedge resections with or without pleural abrasion in Henan Provincial People's Hospital from June 2010 to June 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were assigned to two equal groups according to whether pleural abrasion was applied or not: experimental group (with pleural abrasion) and control group (without pleural abrasion); and there were 79 patients in each group.There were 62 males and 17 females aged 15-60 years (mean age 34 years) in pleural abrasion group. And there were 70 males and 9 females aged 18-60 years (mean age 38 years) in non-pleural abrasion group.After surgery, all patients were evaluated for postoperative pain, chest tube removal time, hospital stay and other complications.Independent samples t test was used to compare the data between groups. Results: Surgeries for 158 patients were performed successfully.No mortality occurred.There was no conversion to thoracotomy.Postoperative pain, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, chest tube removal time, pleural canals flowand average hospital stay in non-pleural abrasion group was significantly lower for 4.4, 19 minutes, 10 ml, 21 hours, 87 ml and 1.4 days respectively when compared with those in pleural abrasion group (t=32.478, 7.140, 11.093, 7.288, 10.246, 8.070, all P<0.05). There was no missing case with a follow-up of 30 months.No complications, such as pneumothorax, was observed. Conclusions: Postoperative pain, chest tube removal time and hospital stay in non-pleural abrasion group are all lower than those in pleural abrasion group.And there is no significant difference in the recurrence of pneumothorax between the two groups after VATS bullae resection.

[The value of different antibodies detection in diagnosis of rheumatism with uveitis].

Objective: To investigate the value of HLA-B27 antigen, antinuclear antibody (ANA), anti-dsDNA and Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibodies (ANCA) detection in diagnosis of rheumatism with uveitis. Methods: Seven hundred and twenty four newly diagnosed patients with non-infection uveitis in Beijing Tongren Hospital from March 2012 to March 2016 who long-term lived in Beijing and its surrounding areas were continuously enrolled. HLA-B27 antigen expressions in peripheral blood lymphocytes and ANA, anti-dsDNA and ANCA levels in serum were tested. The detailed clinical data, imaging examinations and pathological examinations were recorded to define whether the patients had rheumatism and the types of rheumatism. Results: There were 285 patients were diagnosed with rheumatism in 724 patients (39.4%), with 135 male (47.4%) and 150 female (52.6%). The mean age of male (41±14) was lower than that of female (44±14), with statistically significant (t=2.18, P<0.05). There were 176 patients with Spondyloarthropathies, 48 patients with primary systemic vasculitis, 22 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, 18 patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome, 16 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 5 patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis in 285 rheumatism patients. The positive rate of HLA-B27(57.2%), ANA(15.8%), anti-dsDNA (5.3%) and ANCA(9.1%) in rheumatic uveitis patients were obviously higher than those of non-rheumatic uveitis patients [HLA-B27(1.1%), ANA(1.6%), anti-dsDNA (0.0%) and ANCA(0.9%)], with statistically significant (Fisher's exact test, P<0.01). The HLA-B27 positive antigen were mainly in patients with Spondyloarthropathies, rate was 92.1%; the positive ANA were mainly in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, rate was 95.5%; the positive anti-dsDNA were mainly in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, rate was 59.1%; the positive ANCA were mainly in patients with primary systemic vasculitis (besides Behcet disease), rate was 57.1%. Conclusions: The detections of HLA-B27 antigen, ANA, anti-dsDNA and ANCA are valuable for primary screening of some rheumatic uveitis. There fore, clinicians should select targeted laboratory examination combine with the patients' clinical manifestations. This will be helpful in the auxiliary diagnosis of some types of rheumatic uveitis.

[The research and application of pretreatment method for matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry identification of filamentous fungi].

Objective: To establish and evaluate the feasibility of a pretreatment method for matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry identification of filamentous fungi developed by the laboratory. Methods: Three hundred and eighty strains of filamentous fungi from January 2014 to December 2016 were recovered and cultured on sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) plate at 28 ℃ to mature state. Meanwhile, the fungi were cultured in liquid sabouraud medium with a vertical rotation method recommended by Bruker and a horizontal vibration method developed by the laboratory until adequate amount of colonies were observed. For the strains cultured with the three methods, protein was extracted with modified magnetic bead-based extraction method for mass spectrum identification. Results: For 380 fungi strains, it took 3-10 d to culture with SDA culture method, and the ratio of identification of the species and genus was 47% and 81%, respectively; it took 5-7 d to culture with vertical rotation method, and the ratio of identification of the species and genus was 76% and 94%, respectively; it took 1-2 d to culture with horizontal vibration method, and the ratio of identification of the species and genus was 96% and 99%, respectively. For the comparison between horizontal vibration method and SDA culture method comparison, the difference was statistically significant (χ(2)=39.026, P<0.01); for the comparison between horizontal vibration method and vertical rotation method recommended by Bruker, the difference was statistically significant(χ(2)=11.310, P<0.01). Conclusion: The horizontal vibration method and modified magnetic bead-based extraction method developed by the laboratory is superior to the method recommended by Bruker and SDA culture method in terms of the identification capacity for filamentous fungi, which can be applied in clinic.

Overexpression of a glycine-rich protein gene in Lablab purpureus improves abiotic stress tolerance.

Glycine-rich protein (GRP) is involved in the response to abiotic and biotic stresses in plants. A novel GRP gene in Lablab purpureus has been identified. The cDNA of LpGRP was obtained from an SSH library constructed with root tissues of L. purpureus MEIDOU 2012 by waterholding for 10 days. The function of LpGRP was also evaluated in Arabidopsis. The cDNA of LpGRP has 555 bp and encodes a 184-amino acid protein. LpGRP was induced by drought and improved tolerance to abiotic stress. In LpGRP overexpressing Arabidopsis, the tolerance of transgenic seedlings to drought and salt was improved, and transgenic seeds showed insensitivity to both ABA and NaCl. The insensitivity to ABA indicated that there was crosstalk between LpGRP and ABA-responsive genes. These results indicated that LpGRP is a drought-responsive gene that can increase the drought and salt tolerance of Arabidopsis seedlings overexpressing LpGRP.

[Analysis of the protein expression differences between colonized and infectious multidrug-resistant acinetobacter baumannii].

Objective: To analyze the protein expression differences between colonized multidrug-resistant acinetobacter baumannii (MDR-AB) and infectious MDR-AB using comparative proteomics and matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and to explore the molecular characteristics of MDR-AB infections. Methods: A total of 59 MDR-AB strains including 23 of bloodstream infections MDR-AB and 36 of nasal, pharyngeal or environmental colonization MDR-AB were collected from Beijing Tongren Hospital between January 2008 and December 2011. MALDI-TOF MS cluster analysis was applied to identify the differences of protein expression between infection strains and colonization strains (including patient colonization and environmental colonization) of MDR-AB. Two-dimensional protein differences electrophoresis and MALDI-TOF-TOF MS were used to analyze the protein expression differences between bloodstream infection strain and nasal colonization strain isolated from the same patient. Results: ST92 was the main multiple locus sequence typing of 23 bloodstream infections MDR-AB. Cluster analysis showed that there were differences of protein fingerprint of MADLI-TOF MS between colonized and infectious MDR-AB. Proteomic differences were found between colonization strain and infection strain which were isolated from the same patient. And 9 major different protein spots were identified. They were trigger factor (score of identification was 10 218 and coverage rate was 44%), inosine-5'-monophosphate dehydrogenase (score of identification was 1 919 and coverage rate was 60%), phosphoglycerate kinase (score of identification was 947 and coverage rate was 49%), outer membrane protein 38 (score of identification was 572 and coverage rate was 23%) and so on. Conclusion: There were differences of protein expression between MDR-AB infection strains and colonization strains. And such different proteins could provide experimental evidence for molecular markers research of MDR-AB infections.

A Golgi-specific protein PAQR3 is closely associated with the progression, metastasis and prognosis of human gastric cancers.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to determine whether PAQR3, a protein specifically localized in the Golgi apparatus, is associated with tumor progression, metastasis and survival of human patients with gastric cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: PAQR3 expression status was investigated in a large panel of gastric cancer (n = 300) and their corresponding para-cancerous histological normal tissues (PCHNT) at both mRNA and protein levels. The correlation of PAQR3 expression levels with clinical features such as metastasis and prognosis was analyzed. The effect of PAQR3 on the growth and migration of gastric cancer cells was also determined. RESULTS: PAQR3 was frequently down-regulated in gastric cancer samples compared with PCHNT at both mRNA and protein levels (both P < 0.0001). The expression level of PAQR3 was negatively correlated with Helicobacter pylori infection (P < 0.0001), tumor size (P < 0.0001), tumor stage (P < 0.0001), venous and lymphatic invasion (P < 0.0001), distant and nodal metastasis (P < 0.0001), and patient survival (P < 0.0001). Down-regulation of PAQR3 was highly correlated with increased epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in gastric cancer samples. In addition, PAQR3 overexpression was able to negatively modulate cell proliferation, migration and EMT of gastric cancer cells. CONCLUSION: PAQR3 is markedly down-regulated in human gastric cancers. PAQR3 expression level is closely associated with the progression and metastasis of gastric cancers. PAQR3 is also a new genetic signature that can predict the prognosis of the patients with gastric cancer.

Relationship between RUNX3 methylation and hepatocellular carcinoma in Asian populations: a systematic review.

Runt-related transcription factor 3 (RUNX3) is a potential tumor suppressor that is frequently hypermethylated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The present meta-analysis of case-control studies was carried out to determine whether RUNX3 hypermethylation is associated with HCC. The PubMed, Embase, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure databases were searched for all relevant studies published between May 2000 and May 2012. A total of 11 studies were identified, and 8 studies involving 491 patients with HCC and 409 patients without tumors were found to satisfy the inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis. All tissue samples were from Asian populations. There was significant heterogeneity between the studies. Over the entire sample, the odds ratio (OR) of RUNX3 promoter methylation was 18.5 [95% confidence interval (CI), 11.6-29.6] for HCC tissues relative to control tissues. The ORs of RUNX3 methylation were 16.6 (95%CI = 6.5-42.4) for tumor tissues relative to tumor-adjacent tissues in patients with HCC, 67.3 (95%CI = 13.0-348.5) for tumor tissues from patients with HCC relative to liver tissues from patients with non-neoplastic liver diseases, and 3.26 (95%CI = 1.54-6.90) for tissues from patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)- related HCC relative to liver tissues from patients with HCC unrelated to HCV. There was no association between RUNX3 methylation and age, gender, pathological stage, or hepatitis B virus infection in HCC tissues. Methylation of the RUNX3 promoter strongly correlated with HCC in Asian populations, especially in individuals with HCV-related HCC, and may be a useful marker for HCC diagnosis in these populations.

A case-control study indicates that the TRIB1 gene is associated with pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer is a malignant neoplasm originating from transformed cells arising in tissues that form the pancreas. To investigate whether the tribbles homolog 1 (Drosophila) gene (TRIB1) is associated with pancreatic cancer in the Chinese Han population, we conducted this case-control study and genotyped 3 single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs2980879, rs2980874, and rs2235108) of the TRIB1 gene in 182 patients and 359 normal controls of Chinese Han origin and analyzed their association. The results showed that the rs2980879 polymorphism was associated with pancreatic cancer [allele: P = 0.023434, genotype: P = 0.03005; odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.727788 (0.552664-0.958404)], whereas the rs2980874 polymorphism had no association with pancreatic cancer [allele: P = 0.749885, genotype: P = 0.699533; OR and 95%CI = 1.041981 (0.809196-1.341734)], and the rs2235108 polymorphism was not associated with the disease [allele: P = 0.629475, genotype: P = 0.547534, OR and 95%CI = 1.128290 (0.690829-1.842770)]. Haplotype analyses and linkage disequilibrium tests were also conducted, and the results showed that these 3 loci are not in the same block. In conclusion, our study indicated that the TRIB1 gene is associated with pancreatic cancer. More studies with larger samples are needed in order to support this finding.