Chronic hepatitis B(CHB)is one of the most commom cause of liver fibrosis. Accurate assessment of liver fibrosis is essential for the strategy of treatment and judgement of prognosis . Liver biopsy is the gold standard for staging fibrosis,but it is invasive with high cost,low reproducibility and poor acceptance by patients. Therefore,it is urgent to explore a noninvasive modality for the assessment of liver fibrosis. Recent evidence highlights that elastographic techniques, biochemical markers and the diagnostic model consisted of several serum markers have the potential for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis. This article reviewed the progress in noninvasive assessment of liver fibrosis in patients with CHB.

Endometrial Neoplasms ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Trophoblastic Neoplasms ; pathology ; Trophoblasts ; pathology

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of short-term sensor-augmented insulin-pump (SAP) therapy for poorly controlled patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).Methods Sixty T1DM patients with glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c)>9.0% were randomly assigned to 2 groups treated with SAP or multiple daily insulin injection ( MDI) for 6 days, then all patients converted to MDI therapy. Results Compared with MDI group and before therapy, the mean blood glucose concentration ( MBG) , SD of blood glucose, mean amplitude of glycemic excursion ( MAGE) and 24-h area under curve at 10.0 ( AUC10.0 ) levels in SAP group significantly decreased after 6-day therapy ( compared with MDI group:t=1.761,P=0.028, t=2.569,P=0.037, t=2.712,P=0.020, t=2.985,P=0.014, compared with before therapy:t=3.128,P=0.006, t=2.689,P=0.024, t=2.966,P=0.013, t=3.076,P=0.009);while there was no difference in 24-h area under curve at 3.9 (AUC3.9) between groups (P>0.05).After 1 month follow-up HbA1c levels decreased in SAP group (t=2.344,P=0.023) and were significantly lower than those in MDI group (t=1.844, P=0.035).There was no difference in daily insulin dosage, fasting C peptide (FCP) and postprandial 2h C peptide (2hCP) between two groups (P>0.05).Age (t=2.125, P=0.012) and SAP therapy (t=3.376, P=0.009) were independently correlated with the HbA1c after 1 month.Conclusion Short-term SAP therapy is effective and safe for poorly controlled T1DM patients with rapid glucose lowering and glycemic excursions reduction.

Objective To evaluate the clinical application value of reflectance confocal microscopy(RCM) in the diagnosis of several common diseases manifesting as papules in children, including lichen nitidus, verruca planae, lichen striatus, milium, molluscum contagiosum and lichen pilaris. Methods A total of 579 children clinically characterized by papules were recruited into this study. RCM was used to observe lesions and perilesional normal skin. The RCM features of 6 diseases manifesting as papules were analyzed and compared. Results Based on RCM images, 236 patients were diagnosed with lichen nitidus, 70 with verruca planae, 123 with lichen striatus, 40 with milium, 53 with molluscum contagiosum and 57 with lichen pilaris. All the 6 diseases had typical RCM features. Concretely speaking, RCM images of lichen nitidus lesions showed infiltration of dense inflammatory cells and melanophages in enlarged dermal papillae. In RCM images of verruca planae lesions, cells in the granular and spinous layers were arranged in concentric circles, giving a rose cluster?like appearance. RCM images of lichen striatus lesions revealed focal swelling of stratum spinosum, absent or local liquifaction degeneration of basal cells, and clustering of a moderate number of inflammatory cells in the superficial dermis. In RCM images of milium lesions, well?circumscribed round or oval structures containing highly but nonuniformly refractive materials could be seen in the dermis. RCM images of molluscum contagiosum lesions showed intact cystoid structures containing highly refractive molluscum bodies. Lowly to moderately refractive cutin ? like materials were observed along with the dilation of hair follicle infundibula in RCM images of lichen pilaris lesions. In RCM images, the 6 diseases were distinguished mainly based on structural features(patterns and refractivity)of skin lesions shown by continuous vertical scanning. Conclusion RCM is of great value to the diagnosis of diseases manifesting as papules in children.

The purpose of this research was to study the effect of Xingxiong sodium chloride injection on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. Rats were divided into five groups, namely sham group, model group, ginkgolide injection group(3 mg/kg), Xingxiong sodium chloride injection high-dose group(14 mg/kg)and low dose group(7 mg/kg). Except for the sham group, animals in other groups were subjected to ischemia for 2h and reperfusion for 72 h by middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)with thread technique, and then drugs were administered continuously by tail intravenous injection during reperfusion period for 3 days. The neurological deficit score and the histopathological score were evaluated; infarction ratio, brain water content and biochemical indexes of animals in each group were determined. Compared with model group, reduction of neurological deficit score, brain water content and infarction area were observed obviously at 7 mg/kg and 14 mg/kg of Xingxiong sodium chloride injection. Additionally, reduction of histopathological score, H2O2 and MDA content, increase of the level of GSH, GSH-Px, SOD and also the capacity of inhibition of superoxide anion radical(·O-2)and hydroxyl radial(·OH)were observed at 14 mg/kg. The results suggested that Xingxiong sodium chloride injection could effectively enhance the ability of anti-oxidation in the brain tissues, and protect brain from ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Objective: To explore the early diagnostic value of thrombus molecular markers in thrombosis ofpatients with malignant tumors and to evaluate their risk factors. Methods: Diagnostic research.A total of 1366 patients (including lung cancer, breast cancer and colorectal cancer,) were randomly selected in the Red Flag Hospital of Mudanjiang Medical College and Mudanjiang Cancer Hospitalfrom September 2009 to February 1919. Among them, 562 were males and 804 were females with average age (59.45±15.10) years old. The control group consisted of 70healthy donors (35 males and 35 females, with an average age of (49.60±19.12) years old), including 69 cases of venous thrombosis (thrombotic group, 32 males and37 females, with an average age of (61.20±15.71) years old).Chemoluminescent enzyme immunoassay was used to detect thromboregulatory proteins(TM), thrombin-antithrombin complexes(TAT), tissue plasminogen activators/inhibitors -1 complexes(t-PAIC), plasminase-anti-fibrinolysis complexes(PIC) in venous plasma. According to the sensitivity and specificity of each marker, the receiver′s work characteristic curve was drawn to evaluate its diagnostic performance. Cox regression analysis was used for single-factor and multi-factor risk analysis. Results: The incidence of venous thromboembolism(VTE) in patients with different types of malignant tumors was statistically significant, with lung cancer being the highest, followed by colorectal cancer and breast cancer(P<0.05). The levels of TM, TAT, t-PAIC and PIC were significantly higher in the lung, breast and colorectal thrombosis group than in the control group. The differences were statistically significant(all P<0.05). The optimal cut-off level for TM is 10.57 IU/ml(sensitivity 50.30%, specificity 75.50%, AUC=0.671), and the optimal cut-off level for TAT is 4.16 ng/ml(sensitivity is 80.30%, specificity is 62.80%, AUC=0.757).The optimal truncation level for t-PAIC is 11.44 ng/ml(sensitivity 52.50%, specificity 84.00%, AUC=0.682), and the optimal truncation level for PIC is 1.18μg/ml(sensitivity 67.20%, specificity is 79.50%, AUC=0.790). The combined detection of the four molecular markers has the best sensitivity and diagnostic performance(86.90%, AUC=0.807). Age, stage, metastasis, surgery, tumor diameter, and PIC levels are independent factors that affect the occurrence of VTE in malignant tumors (all P<0.05). Conclusions Different types of malignant tumors have different rates of thrombosis. The combined detection ofTM, TAT, t-PAIC and PIC have the best diagnostic performance, and can be used as a new early diagnosis method for VTE in malignant tumors. Age, stage, metastasis, surgery, and tumor diameter are risk factors for VTE in malignant tumors. PIC levels can be used as a reliable markerfor the risk of VTE in patients with malignant tumors within 6 months.

Objective To analyze the phenotype and genotype of inherited dysfibrinogenemia pedigree associated with a novel heterozygous and deletion mutation in the FGG gene,and to investigate its molecular mechanism.Methods The clinical data were collected from the proband found at our hospital and her family members in April 2016.The activity plasma fibrinogen(Fg:C), activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT),prothrombin time(PT), thrombin time(TT)were detected by coagulation method and the antigen plasma fibrinogen(Fg:Ag), D-Dimer(D-D), fibrinogen degradation products (FDPs)were analyzed by immunoturbidimetry method.All of the exons and exon-intron boundaries of the genes of FGA, FGB and FGG with the fibrinogen(Fg)were amplified by PCR and followed by direct sequencing.And further verification were performed by cloning sequence and non-denatured polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and silver staining.The conservatism of mutated gene locus were analyzed by ClustalX-2.1-win.The change of the protein spatial structure and the intermolecular forces with mutation were analyzed by Pymol.Results The Fg:C of the proband was significantly reduced(0.30 g/L)and the Fg:Ag of the proband was normal(2.00 g/L).Their Fg:C were both significantly reduced and the Fg:Ag were both normal(0.42 g/L,2.09 g/L & 0.47 g/L,2.42 g/L, respectively), these were found in her mother and grandma.Genetic analysis revealed a novel heterozygous and deletion mutation with c.944 _c.952 delCCTTTGATG in exon 8 of FGG gene in the proband,predicting a heterozygous 289_291delAla,Phe,Asp mutation.The same mutations were carried by her mother and grandma, but her father and grandpa were normal.Homology analysis indicated that the Ala 289,Phe290 and Asp291 were maintained highly conservative in homogenous species.Protein model analysis found that the original hydrogen bonds were disappeared when the deletion mutation happened with the Ala 289,Phe290 and Asp291.Conclusion The heterozygous and deletion mutation with 289_291delAla,Phe,Asp in the γchain of fibrinogen were identified that could cause the rearrangement of the Fg molecular space structure and the reduction of the structure stability,so the mutation probably underly the dysfibrinogenemia in this pedigree.(Chin J Lab Med,2018, 41:305-311)

Objective To explore the effect of sorafenib on HeLa cell proliferation by inducing cell apoptosis and autophagy and its impact on drug resistance.Methods The drug-resistant cell strains were constructed through in-termittent induction method,with concentrations of 0,2.5,5.0,7.5,10.0,15.0,20.0 μmol/L.HeLa cells were incubated with increasing concentrations of sorafenib with each concentration for 1 week.The drug-resistant cell strains with stable passages were collected.MTT assay was used to detect the effect of sorafenib on cell prolifer-ation.Cell cycle distribution was analyzed by flow cytometry.The change in the expression of drug-resistant and ap-optotic genes in the parents and drug-resistant cell strains under different drug concentrations was examined by semi-quantitative PCR.The changes of apoptotic related marker proteins LC3-Ⅰ and LC3-Ⅱ were detected by Westernblot.Results Stable drug-resistant strains were successfully obtained;Drug-treated cells were more blocked in the G1 phase.In drug-resistant cells,the expression of apoptosis suppressor gene Bcl-2 was significantly decreased and the apoptotic gene Bax as well as the drug-resistant genes were all significantly increased(P＜0.05).The LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ ratio of drug-resistant cells was significantly higher than that of parent cells(P＜0.05).Conclusions Sorafenib may block the cell cycle,suppress malignant cell proliferation and promote autophage.On one hand,autophagy participates in the development of cell drug resistance and promotes cell survival.On the other hand,drug-induced autophagy may activate some of apoptotic signaling pathway in drug-resistant cells and promote the reversal of cell drug resistance.

Sex reversal, representing extraordinary sexual plasticity during the life cycle, not only triggers reproduction in animals but also affects reproductive and endocrine system-related diseases and cancers in humans. Sex reversal has been broadly reported in animals; however, an integrated resource hub of sex reversal information is still lacking. Here, we constructed a comprehensive database named ASER (Animal Sex Reversal) by integrating sex reversal-related data of 18 species from teleostei to mammalia. We systematically collected 40,018 published papers and mined the sex reversal-associated genes (SRGs), including their regulatory networks, from 1611 core papers. We annotated homologous genes and computed conservation scores for whole genomes across the 18 species. Furthermore, we collected available RNA-seq datasets and investigated the expression dynamics of SRGs during sex reversal or sex determination processes. In addition, we manually annotated 550 in situ hybridization (ISH), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and im-munohistochemistry (IHC) images of SRGs from the literature and described their spatial expression in the gonads. Collectively, ASER provides a unique and integrated resource for researchers to query and reuse organized data to explore the mechanisms and applications of SRGs in animal breeding and human health. The ASER database is publicly available at http://aser.ihb.ac.cn/.

Objective To investigate the effects of Olaparib on cell proliferation and radiosensitization of human non-small cell lung cancer cells.Methods Non-small cell lung H460 and H1299 cell lines were cultured in vitro and the cells in logarithmic growth phase were selected for experiments.MTT and colony formation assays were used to determine cell proliferation and radiosensitization,respectively.Single cell gel electrophoresis assay (comet assay) was used to detect irradiation-induced DNA damage.Results The results of MTT assay showed that Olaparib inhibited the proliferation of H460 and H1299 cells in a dose-dependent pattern (all P＜0.05).H1299 cell line was more sensitive to Olaparib than H460 cells.The results of colony formation assay showed that Olaparib enhanced the radiosensitizition of H460 and H1299 cells (all P＜0.05).The results of comet assay showed that Olaparib increased γ ray-induced DNA damage.Conclusions Olapani can enhance the radiosensitization of human non-small cell lung cancer cells,and the radiosensitization effect of Olaparib may be associated with the inhibition of cell proliferation and induction of irradiation-induced DNA damage.