Objective To investigate the relationship of Maternal-fetal interface local cytokine GM-CSF and its receptor with the occurrence of early spontaneous abortion. Methods From August 2009 to December 2011,we collected 30 villi tissue samples with artificial abortion and 30 villi tissue samples with spontaneous abortion. At the same time, we collected 30 villi tissue samples with artificial abortion and 30 decidua tissue samples with spontaneous abortion,and 30 decidua tissue samples with spontaneous abortion. The human chorionic gonadotropin ( HCG) was detected by radioimmunoassay in every group. The expressions of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor (GM-CSFR ) were detected by Immunohistochemical staining and Western Blot in the villi tissue and decidua tissue in every group. Results The concentration of HCG in the spontaneous abortion group was lower than that in the artificial abortion group ( <0.05) . The protein expressions of GM-CSF and GM-CSFR were found in villus and deciduas tissues in both groups. The protein expression levels of GM-CSFR in the villus tissues were higher in spontaneous abortion group than those in artificial abortion group ( <0.05), the protein expression of GM-CSF was upregulated, but there was no statistically significant difference between two groups. In deciduas tissues, the protein expressions of GM-CSF and GM-CSFR were upregualted in spontaneous abortion group ( <0.05) . Conclusions The suitable concentrations of GM-CSF and GM-CSFR in decidua tissue maintain the pregnancy continued. However,the higher concentrations of GM-CSF and GM-CSFR in the decidua tissue may be one of reasons of spontaneous abortion.

Objective:To investigate the clinical value of early gastroscopy for patients with hypopharyngeal cancer.Methods:A total of 231 cases of hypopharyngeal cancer diagnosed and treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University from January 2010 to December 2014 were included in the retrospective analysis. The 5-year survival rate of hypopharyngeal cancer and patients accompanied with synchronous esophageal cancer (including early and advanced esophageal cancer), as well as the detection rate of synchronous esophageal cancer by gastroscopy and systemic PET-CT examination were statistically analyzed.Results:The 5-year survival rate of hypopharyngeal cancer was 38.96% (90/231). The 5-year survival rates of 62 patients accompanied with synchronous esophageal cancer and 169 patients without were 27.42% (17/62) and 43.20% (73/169), respectively, with statistic difference ( χ2=4.747, P=0.029). The 5-year survival rate of 49 patients accompanied with synchronous early esophageal cancer was 30.69% (17/49). Among the 13 patients with synchronous progressive esophageal cancer, none had a survival period of 5 years, which was significantly different compared with the patients with synchronous early esophageal cancer ( P=0.013). The detection rates of synchronous esophageal carcinoma by gastroscopy and by systemic PET-CT were 26.84% (62/231) and 14.29% (33/231), respectively, with statistic difference ( χ2=11.14, P<0.01). The detection rates of synchronous early esophageal carcinoma by gastroscopy and by systemic PET-CT were 21.21% (49/231) and 8.66% (20/231), respectively, and the difference was also statistically significant ( χ2=14.328, P<0.01). Conclusion:Hypopharyngeal cancer accompanied with synchronous esophageal cancer is of high risk, which affects the survival rate of patients. Early gastroscopy in hypopharyngeal cancer patients can significantly improve the detection rate of synchronous esophageal cancer, which helps to design individualized regimen to improve the survival rate of patients.

Objective To investigate the feasibility and efifcacy of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for gastrointestinal neuroendocrine neoplasms (GI-NENs).Methods 52 patients with conifrmed histological diagnosis of GI-NENs performed ESD from January 2011 to December 2015 were included. The endoscopic morphology of tumor was summarized. Complete resection rate, complications, clinicopathological characteristics, and follow-up results were evaluated.Results There were 16 cases of stomach, 9 cases of colon and rectum 27 cases. Most of the lesions were submucosal uplift. A few of lesions looked like polyps. All the lesions were one-time whole diseased. 44 lesions were NET-G1, 8 lesions were NET-G2. Complete resection rate was 94.23%. 2 cases of rectal lesions infringemented intrinsic muscle layer, and got additional surgery. 1 case of rectal perforation, which was managed by endoscopic treatment and conservative treatment. All cases did not appear haemorrhage. During a mean follow-up period of 22.6 months, local recurrences occurred in 1 case of stomach, and treated with second line ESD. No cases lymph node and distant metastasis were found.Conclusion ESD appears to be a feasible, safe and effective treatment for GI-NENs with strict endoscopic treatment indications.

Objective:To investigate whether KtrA was a binding protein of c-di-AMP, the second messenger in Leptospira, and to explore the function and regulatory mechanism of the c-di-AMP-KtrA/B system. Methods:KtrA gene was amplified by PCR and cloned into pET42a plasmid to construct the pET42a ktrA prokaryotic expression vector. Then the vector was transferred into E. coli BL21DE3 to construct an engineering bacterium E. coli BL21DE3 pET42a-ktrA for the expression of recombinant KtrA (rKtrA). The expressed rKtrA was purified by affinity chromatography. BIAcore technology was used to detect the binding ability of rKtrA to c-di-AMP. Bacterial two-hybrid analysis was used to analyze the interaction between KtrA and KtrB in the leptospiral Ktr system with or without exogenetic c-di-AMP. The above genes were then complemented into the potassium transport-deficient E. coli mutants to analyze the function of the c-di-AMP-KtrA/B pathway. Results:An prokaryotic engineering bacterium for the expression of ktrA gene of Leptospira was constructed successfully. The purified rKtrA could specifically bind to c-di-AMP. There was interaction between KtrA and KtrB, but the interaction could be dissociated by c-di-AMP. The KtrA/B system was involved in potassium ion uptake and it was negatively regulated by c-di-AMP. Conclusions:Leptospiral KtrA was a c-di-AMP-binding protein and the c-di-AMP-KtrA/B system was involved in potassium ion transport.

Objective:To study the efficacy of dental floss traction-assisted endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for gastric angle mucosal lesions.Methods:Data of 127 patients with gastric angle mucosal lesions admitted to the endoscopic center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University from January 2015 to December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the surgical methods, patients were divided into the dental floss traction-assisted ESD group (the traction group, n=51) and the traditional ESD group (the traditional group, n=76). The 41 fibrosis cases were further divided into the traction group (n=23) and the traditional group (n=18). The operation time, en block resection rate, curative resection rate and the incidence of adverse events such as bleeding, muscle layer injury and perforation were compared between the two groups.Results:There was no significant difference in age, sex, lesion size or morphology between the traction group and the traditional group ( P > 0.05). The operation time of the traction group was significantly shorter than that of the traditional group (65.4±36.5 min VS 103.5±43.2 min, P=0.012). The en block resection rate was higher in the traction group [100.00% (51/51) VS 90.79% (69/76), P=0.026], and the curative resection rate was higher too [94.12% (48/51) VS 81.58% (62/76), P=0.042]. The incidences of muscular layer damage [5.88% (3/51) VS 25.00% (19/76), P=0.010] and intraoperative bleeding [47.06% (24/51)VS 82.89% (63/76), P=0.010] were lower in the traction group. Perforation occurred in two patients (2.63%) of fibrosis in the traditional group; no perforation occurred in the traction group. There was no significant difference in the perforation incidence ( P=0.243). In the cases of fibrosis, the operation time of the traction group was significantly shorter compared with that of the traditional group (81.4±29.3 min VS 119.3±37.6 min, P=0.010). The en block resection rate and curative resection rate were also higher in the traction group [100.00% (23/23) VS 72.22% (13/18), P=0.007; 95.65% (22/23) VS 72.22% (13/18), P=0.035]. The incidences of muscular layer damage [8.70% (2/23) VS 72.22% (13/18), P=0.001] and intraoperative bleeding [78.26% (18/23) VS 100.00% (18/18), P=0.035] were lower in the traction group. Conclusion:The dental floss traction-assisted ESD is safe and effective for gastric angle mucosal lesions and fibrotic lesions, with shorter operation time, higher curative resection rate and lower incidence of adverse events.

Objective:To investigate the genotypic and hematological characteristics of β-thalassemia patients and carriers from Henan Province of China.Methods:Clinical data of the patients and carriers were collected. Results of routine blood test, hemoglobin electrophoresis and genetic testing were retrospectively analyzed.Results:Of the 83 β-thalassemia patients and carriers, there were 46 females and 37 males, and their mean age was 27.37 ± 14.71, ranging from 5 months to 83 years. A total of 13 types of β-thalassemia alleles (86 alleles in total) were detected, with the most common three including IVS-Ⅱ-654(C>T) (33.72%), CD41-42(-TTCT) (26.74%) and CD17(A>T) (18.60%). Five rare alleles, including CD8-9(+ G), IVS-Ⅱ-1(G>A), CD42(T>G), and start codons ATG>AGG and ATG>ACG were identified. Among these, HBB: c. 128T>G(CD42T>G) was previously unreported in China. Fifteen β-thalassemia genotypes were detected, which included 12 simple heterozygote genotypes (80 cases, 96.40%), 2 double heterozygote genotypes (2 cases, 2.40%) and 1 homozygote genotype (1 case, 1.20%). The main manifestations were mild microcytic hypochromic anemia and raised HbA2. Compared with those with a β + /β N genotype, carriers with a β 0/β N genotype have lower mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpusular hemoglobin (MCH) but higher HbA2 ( P<0.05). Conclusion:β-thalassemia is not rare in Henan Province and its characteristics are different from those in high incidence areas, which deserves close attention. The newly discovered HBB: c. 128T>G (CD42T>G) has enriched the spectrum of β-thalassemia mutations in China. Above results will also facilitate genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis of β-thalassemia in Henan Province.

Objective:To identify the phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity of the gene product encoded by LA_RS06960 of Leptospira interrogans ( L. interrogans), and analyze whether dinucleotides that can be degraded by PDE can activate macrophages to express innate immune factors. Methods:The LA_RS06960 gene in L. interrogans strain 56601 was amplified by PCR, and the prokaryotic expression system was constructed for the protein expression. The expressed rPDE was purified by Ni-NTA affinity chromatography. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to measure the degration of c-di-AMP or 5′-pApA to AMP by rPDE. Real-time fluorescent quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the changes in the expression of target genes in Leptospira or THP-1 cells associated with innate immune factors during infection. qRT-PCR and ELISA were used to detect the changes in the expression and secretion level of the innate immune factors in macrophages treated with bacterial dinucleotide. Results:The prokaryotic expression system for LA_RS06960 gene of L. interrogans was constracted successfully, and the purified rPDE could degrate 5′-pApA and c-di-AMP into AMP in vitro. The mRNA level of leptospiral LA_RS06960 gene was significantly down-regulated, while IFN-β, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β encoding genes of macrophages were significantly up-regulated during infection. The mRNA level or the secretion level of IFN-β and IL-6 of macrophages were increased after treated with the bacterial dinucleotide substrate of PDE. Conclusions:PDE encoded by LA_RS06960 gene has phosphodiesterase activity, and the bacterial dinucleotide substrate of the PDE could activate the innate immune response of macrophages.

Objective To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at Quchi (LI11) and Zusanli (ST36) acupoints on rats with focal cerebral ischemia, and whether it was mediated by microRNA- 9 (miR- 9) regulating neural stem cells proliferation in subventricular zone. Methods Fifty-two Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into sham group (n=12), model group (n=12), EA group (n=12), EA+dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) group (n=8) and EA+miR-9 mimics group (n=8). The middle cerebral artery occlusion model was induced. DMSO and miR-9 mimics were performed by intracerebroventricular injection 30 minutes before modeling. The EA group, EA+ DMSO group and EA+miR-9 mimics group were electroacupunctured at Quchi and Zusanli acupoints the next day after modeling. All the groups were intraperitoneally injected with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU). The BrdU co-localized with Nestin was observed by immunofluorescence. The expression of miR-9 in subventricular zone was detected by real time qPCR. Results The neurological deficit score was lower (t=9.600, P=0.006), and the infarct volume was smaller (t=14.080, P=0.024) in the electroacupuncture group than in the model group. The expression of Nestin and BrdU co-localizated with Nestin increased; while the expression of miR-9 decreased in subventricular zone (P<0.05) in the electoacupuncture group. However, the expression of Nestin, BrdU and BrdU co-localizated with Nestin was lower in the EA+miR-9 mimics group than in the EA+ DMSO group. Conclusion Electroacupuncture at Quchi and Zusanli acupoints may promote the neural stem cells proliferation in subventricular zone by downregulating the miR-9 expression.

Objective To construct a new biomechanical testing system of in vitro spine based on LabVIEW and six-axis robot arm and conduct preliminary reliability studies, so as to make preparation for further studies on coupled motion testing. Methods By programming on LabVIEW platform, using Ethernet and Profibus to communicate the data of the robot arm with PC in real time, the displacement control and load control were realized, and the end position and rotation angle of the robot arm were read in real time. Through the force/torque sensor and data acquisition (DAQ), board DAQ, processing, storage and other functions were acquired. Using the digital micrometer and special stationary fixture, the 6-direction translation accuracy test was completed, and the data were analyzed. The flexion, extension, lateral flexion and rotation were applied on sheep spine specimen to draw the load-displacement curve, analyze and compare the experimental result, and verify the effectiveness of the biomechanical platform. Results A biomechanical test system with high precision for spine in vitro based on LabVIEW and 6-axis robot arm was developed and established, of which the average translational precision was 8.1 μm and the average translational accuracy was 56.7 μm. The program of control, data acquisition, data processing and storage were written, and the biomechanical test of the sheep spine was completed effectively. Conclusions This biomechanical test system based on Labview and 6-axis robot arm could complete the conventional three-dimensional spinal motion test with high precision and be used to conduct coupled motion test research in the next step.