Objective To establish a model to predict the cell-cycle process in response to ionizing radiation.Methods Human choroidal malignant melanoma 92-1 cells were used and the cell cycle distribution of cells was analyzed in 0-96 h after exposure to X-rays.A phenomenological model was constructed based on biological knowledge to describe the cell cycle dynamics in experiments.Results In the present study,a phenomenological model was constructed to describe the cellcycle dynamics of synchronized 92-1 cells in responding to various doses of ionizing radiation.The simulation results obtained with the model were consistent with the experimental data,demonstrating that the model had a good expansibility and could be used to predict the dynamics of cell cycle in responding to ionizing radiation.Further theoretical modeling of the cellcycle dynamics was made and the results were consistent with the simulation.Conclusions A phenomenological model was constructed which could be used to describe the dynamics of cell cycle of cells exposed to ionizing radiation and was supported by the experimental data.Because this model is easy to run by the written code,it has a good expansibility for studying the behaviors of cell populations under various conditions.

A set of primers amplified the VP1 gene of foot-and-mouth disease vims (FMDV) was designed and synthesized. A reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique detected the RNA of FMDV was established after selecting the best purification method, reagents and reaction conditions. Samples of fresh milk, lymph node, spinal cord, vesicular skin, milk powder, cotton swab, mouse and meat in daughter-house were detected by RT-PCR, positive rates were41.4% (24/58), 13.33% (2/15), 20% (1/5), 100% (1/1), 100% (1/1), 37.5% (12/32), 100% (2/2) and 10% - 70%, respectively. However, positive rate of cockroach detected by RT-PCR was 0. The results showed that the established FMDV RT-PCR technique provided a more sensitive, specific and reliable method for diagnosis and epizootic study of the foot-and-mouth disease.

Objective: To analyze the characteristics of individuals positive for SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid in a centralized isolation site for people entering China in Huzhou City of Zhejiang Province from December 18, 2021 to January 12, 2022, so as to provide insights into the prevention and control of overseas imported COVID-19. Methods: The basic characteristics, nucleic acid detection and epidemiological investigations were collected from individuals positive for SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid in a centralized isolation site for people entering China from December 18, 2021 to January 12, 2022, and the temporal distribution, population distribution, source of importation, and virus typing were descriptively analyzed. Results : From December 18, 2021 to January 12, 2022, a total of 2 974 individuals in 19 flights were recorded in this centralized isolation site, and 33 cases were tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid, including 21 confirmed cases with common type, 9 confirmed cases with mild type, and 3 cases with asymptomatic infections. There were 11 cases with Omicron infections ( 33.33% ), 5 cases with Delta infections ( 15.15% ), and 17 cases with infection of unidentified types ( 51.52% ). The median interval ( interquartile range ) from the time of entry to the time of a positive test was 4.0 ( 7.0 ) days among all positive cases, 0 ( 4.0 ) day among cases with Omicron infections and 4.5 ( 8.5 ) days among cases with infections of Delta and unidentified types. The positive cases had a mean age of ( 36.97±8.58 ) years, and included 27 men (81.82%). There were 30 cases ( 90.91% ) receiving two and more doses of COVID-19 vaccines, and 7 cases ( 21.21% ) with a previous history of SARS-CoV-2 infections. There were 19 cases ( 57.58% ) from African countries, and 7 of 11 cases with Omicron infections were imported from African countries. Conclusion Omicron infection was predominant among individuals positive for SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid in this centralized isolation site for people entering China from December 18, 2021 to January 12, 2022, with no severe cases detected, and most positive cases were imported from African countries.

OBJECTIVETo discuss the pathological and clinical characteristics,methods of therapies and perioperative considerations of cervicothoracic spinal fractures and dislocations in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

METHODSThirteen patients with ankylosing spondylitis and cervicothoracic spinal fractures and dislocations were treated from January 2001 to March 2009, including 11 males and 2 females,aged varied from 33 to 60 years (mean 46) in 11 males and from 36 to 59 years (mean 47.5) in 2 females respectively. The symptom duration of AS was from 12 to 27 years (means 14.5 years). The chief complains were pain around cervical part and shoulder blades, some accompanied with decrease of motor power and sensation in upper or lower limbs. Spine radiographs revealed a displaced fracture of cervicothoracic spine. Laboratory examination presented positive results of HLA-B27 test. Fusion of fracture and ASIA neurological function grade variation were observed.

RESULTA total of 13 patients, who underwent operation, were followed up for 12 to 43 months(means 35.6 months). There were 6 patients were treated with anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, 4 with anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion, 1 with laminectomy and fusion and 2 with combined anterior and posterior stabilisation. The bone fusion were observed after reduction of fractures and dislocations ultimately. Twelve patients acquired an improved neurological status in different degrees, and only one suffered from persistent neurological impairment loss. The complications occurred in 5 cases during perioperation.

CONCLUSIONThis study suggests that most cervicothoracic spinal fractures and dislocations in patients with AS are extremely unstable and require operations. If operative method is proper and operative process accurate, either anterior,posterior or combined approach can achieve good spinal myeloid functional recovery with low rates of operative complications occurrence, under the guidence of imaging manifestation.

Adult ; Cervical Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Joint Dislocations ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Fractures ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing ; complications ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery

The aim of the study is to evaluate the effects of the single and mixed decoction of Thallus laminariae (kelp) and Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) on the metabolism and their difference. The mixed decoction of kelp and licorice and the single decoction were made and intragastrically administered to the SD rats. The effect on system metabolism, the toxicity of liver and kidney were assessed by GC-MS profiling of the endogenous molecules in serum, routine biochemical assays and histographic inspection of tissues from SD rats, separately. The mixed decoction of kelp and licorice induced more obvious pathological abnormalities in SD rats than a single decoction of kelp, while the extracts of licorice did not show any pathological change. Neither the mixed, nor the single decoction showed abnormal histopathology. After intragastric administration of extracts for 5 days, the mixed decoction induced a decrease of ALT (no significant change in the groups of single decoction) and an increase of BUN (so did the single decoction of kelp). Metabolomic profile of the molecules in serum revealed that the metabolic patterns were all obviously affected for the three groups, i.e., the mixed and single decoction of kelp and licorice. The rats given with the single decoction of kelp showed a similar pattern to that of the mixed decoction, indicating that the kelp primarily contributed the perturbation of metabolism for the mixed decoction. All three groups induced a decrease of branched chain amino acids, TCA cycle intermediates and glycolysis intermediates (e.g., pyruvic acid and lactic acid) and an increase of 3-hydroxybutyric acid. Kelp decoction showed stronger potential in reducing TCA cycle intermediates and glycolysis intermediates than the other two groups, while the levels of branched chain amino acids were the lowest after licorice extracts were given. These results suggested that the effect of the mixed decoction on metabolism was closely associated with both kelp and licorice. The continuous administration of single decoction of kelp and the mixed decoction of licorice and kelp resulted in pathological abnormalities in kidney of SD rats. The mixed decoction of kelp and licorice distinctly perturbed sera molecules and hence system metabolism, which showed associated with those of kelp and licorice. Although the metabolic effect was associated with both kelp and licorice, the results suggested kelp contributed to it primarily.
Animals ; Glycyrrhiza ; chemistry ; Kelp ; chemistry ; Kidney ; drug effects ; Liver ; drug effects ; Metabolomics ; Plant Preparations ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

BACKGROUNDAfter anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, some patients suffered from sensory disturbance around the surgical incision of the leg. This research was aimed to investigate the relationship between the different skin incisions and the injury of the infrapatellar branch of the saphenous nerve (IPBSN) post ACL reconstruction.

METHODSACL reconstructions were performed with quadruple hamstring tendon for 60 patients. Sensory disturbance around the skin incision was followed up at an average of 14.5 +/- 4.7 months post operation. Among the 60 patients, vertical incision for 35 patients and oblique incision for 25 patients were used for graft taking during ACL reconstruction. The lengths of the incisions were measured. The patients were asked to mark the sensory disturbance zone at follow up time, and then the marked area was measured. The IPBSN of 15 cadaver knees were anatomized. The distance between the IPBSN and the upper edge of the pes anserinus tendon at the middle point of the incision was measured. Independent-samples t-test, chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests were used for statistical analyses.

RESULTSThe patients' age (P = 0.329), the follow-up time (P = 0.681), and the incision length (P = 0.732) between the two groups had no significant difference. Twenty-three patients (65.7%) in the vertical incision group had IPBSN injury compared with 6 patients (24.0%) in oblique incision group (P = 0.002). The average sensory disturbance area in vertical incision group ((48.0 +/- 75.3) cm(2)) was significantly larger (P = 0.004) than that in the oblique group ((8.4 +/- 19.4) cm(2)). The anatomy measurement showed the average distance between IPBSN and the upper edge of the pes anserinus tendon was 0.6 cm at the incision.

CONCLUSIONSOblique incision with less risk of damage for IPBSN may be better for graft harvesting in ACL reconstruction. As the IPBSN is so near and parallel to the hamstring tendons, damage to the IPBSN is one of the potential complications for graft harvesting, regardless of the incision used. That's why even in the oblique incision group, 24% patients also had sensory disturbance complication.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Knee Joint ; innervation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peripheral Nerve Injuries ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; adverse effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expressions of costimulators on peripheral T and B lymphocytes in patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).

METHODSThe expression of B7-CD(28) and CD(40) of peripheral lymphocytes was measured by flow cytometry in 21 ITP patients and 9 normal subjects. The expression of PAIgG was measured by ELISA method.

RESULTSThe expression of CD(4)(+)CD(28)(+) was lower in ITP patients than in normal controls, but the expression of CD(86)(+) and CD(86)(+)CD(19)(+) was higher in ITP patients than in normal controls, while the expression of CD(80)(+), CD(40)(+), CD(28)(+), CD(19)(+)CD(86)(+), CD(19)(+)CD(40)(+), CD(4)(+)CD(28)(+)/CD(4)(+), CD(19)(+)CD(80)(+)/CD(19)(+) and CD(19)(+)CD(40)(+)/CD(19)(+) in ITP patients was normal. The PAIgG level was higher in 16 patients with a mean of (184.62 +/- 38.00) ng/10(7) plt. A positive correlation was found between PAIgG and CD(19)(+)CD(86)(+)/CD(19)(+) expression.

CONCLUSIONThere is no deficiency in expression of CD(28) on CD(4)(+) T lymphocytes in ITP patients. The change of CD(86) expression on B lymphocytes is possibly involved in pathophysiology of ITP, which may provide a theoretical instruction for ITP patients immunological therapy.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Antigens, CD ; blood ; Blood Platelets ; immunology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Lymphocyte Activation ; Lymphocytes ; chemistry ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic ; blood

Aim To explore the effects of prenatal caf-feine exposure (PCE) on fetal renal growth retardation and corticosterone on the gene expression of metanephric mesenchyme stem cells.Methods Pregnant Wistar rats were administered with caffeine (30,120 mg ·kg-1) from gestational day 9 to 20.Female fetal kidney samples were collected for morphological observation and gene expression examination.The metanephric mesenchyme stem cells were harvested for cell culture,and renal related genes were detected after the treatment of corticosterone with different concentrations (250,500,1 000 μg · L-1) for 24 hours.Results Compared with the control group,the fetal kidneys in the PCE group displayed an enlarged Bowman's space and a shrunken glomerular tuft,accompanied with the repression of the gene expression of glial-cell-line-derived neurotrophic factor/tyrosine kinase receptor (GDNF/c-Ret) signaling pathway.The GDNF/c-Ret signaling pathway and angiotensin Ⅱ receptor type 1 (AT1R)/AT2R expression of metanephric mesenchyme stem cells also decreased in corticosterone groups.Conclusions PCE may induce dysplasia of female fetal kidneys.The potential mechanism is related to the repression of the gene expression of AT1R/AT2R and GDNF/c-Ret signaling pathway by PCE mediated by corticosterone in utero.

BACKGROUND: Posterior pedicle screw fixation of lower cervical spine has many advantages. However, because of the special anatomy of pedicle, the technical requirements of nailing placement are high and it is also a challenge to surgeons. The application of three-dimensional (3D) printing technology can help to complete screw placement, and has certain advantages. OBJECTIVE: To introduce the method of 3D printing personalized navigation template assisted posterior lower cervical pedicle screw fixation and evaluate its clinical application value. METHODS: Totally 20 patients with lower cervical spine pedicle screw internal fixation who were treated from June 2015 to December 2016 in Affiliated Hospital of Yan'an University were retrospectively analyzed. Before the surgery, the patient's lower cervical spine CT data was introduced into the relevant software and the 3D printing personalized navigation template assisted nailing pedicle screw was designed. The number of screws inserted was recorded. After the operation, CT scan was used to calculate the accuracy rate of screw placement. Preoperative and postoperative cervical spine Visual Analogue Scale score and spinal function score of Japanese Orthopedic Association were used to evaluate the clinical effect of cervical nerve. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) All patients were followed up for 3 months postoperatively. (2) 3D printing personalized navigation template assisted 132 pedicle screws. The precise insertion rate was 94.7%. Among them, 125 screws were at grade 0 (94.7%, 125/132), 3 screws grade 1 (2.3%, 3/132), 4 screws grade 2 (3.0%, 4/132), no screw grade 3. (3) At postoperative 1 and 3 months, the neck shoulder Visual Analogue Scale score and spinal function score of Japanese Orthopedic Association of the patients were significantly improved (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference (P > 0.05), compared with those at preoperative. (4) In summary, 3D printing personalized navigation template assisted cervical pedicle screw placement had the high insertion rate and satisfactory clinical efficacy.

Objective:To investigate the effectiveness of radiomics model based on preoperative ultrasound in predicting disease-free survival (DFS) in patients with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) from multicenter data.Methods:A total of 418 patients with TNBC between July 2012 and December 2016 were consecutively recruited for this study from three different institutions including the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine and General Hospital of Eastern Theater Command. In the training cohort ( n=271) from institution 1(the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University), least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) logistic regression algorithm was employed to select recurrence-related radiomics features and build a signature derived from the grayscale US images. The relationship between the radiomics score (Rad-score) and DFS was evaluated. Univariate and multivariate cox regression were utilized to identify the significant radiomics features and clinical-pathologic variables, which were integrated into a radiomics nomogram. An independent external cohort ( n=147) from the other two institutions was validated for evaluating the calibration and discrimination of the predictive nomogram. Results:Higher Rad-score was an independent risk predictor of worse DFS in two cohorts (both P<0.05). The radiomics model, comprising axillary lymph node status, Ki-67 index and radiomics signature, showed better prognostic performance ( P<0.01) than those of the clinical-pathologic model or tumor node metastasis (TNM) staging system with the concordance index (C-index) of 0.75 (95% CI=0.72-0.78) and 0.73(95% CI=0.71-0.75) in the training and validation cohorts respectively. Furthermore, the calibration curves achieved satisfactory agreement and the decision curves further confirmed the clinical utility of the radiomics nomogram. Conclusions:The US-based radiomics signature is a powerful predictor for the assessment of DFS in patients with TNBC. Moreover, the proposed radiomics model integrating the optimal radiomics signature and clinical-pathologic data could improve personalized DFS estimation.