0.05), in the sheets, quilt covers, bedsides, coats and underwear, the difference was significant (P

Objective To explore the relation between vitamin D deficiency and susceptibility to spinal tuberculosis. Methods A total of 163 hospitalized patients with untreated spinal tuberculosis in Tianjin Haihe hospital were enrolled in this study from June 2013 to May 2016. A total of 170 individuals participated in health examination program at the same period were enrolled as the control group. The serum level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The 25(OH)D grading included serious deficiency group (<25 nmol/L), deficiency group (≥25 nmol/L and <50 nmol/L), insufficiency group (≥50 nmol/L and <75 nmol/L) and sufficiency group (≥75 nmol/L). Histopathological classification was confirmed by intraoperative findings. Results The serum level of 25(OH)D was significantly lower in patient group [23.99(20.55,29.54)nmol/L] than that of control group [42.94(35.68,51.04) nmol/L] (P<0.01), and which was also significantly lower in four seasons than that of controls (P<0.05). The serum levels of 25(OH)D were significantly higher in summer group than those of winter group in both patient and control groups (P<0.008 3). The proportion of patients with serious deficiency of 25(OH)D was significantly higher in spring and winter groups in patient group, which was significantly lower in summer group (P<0.01). There was no significant difference in patients with serious deficiency of 25(OH)D between four seasons (P<0.01). For control group, there was a higher proportion of cases with deficiency of 25(OH)D in four seasons, and there was no significant difference in the distribution of seasons (P>0.05). In patient group, there were 107 cases of caseous necrosis type, 56 cases of hyperplasia type, and the proportion of caseous necrosis type was significantly higher in the severe deficiency group (79.17%, 76/96) than that of deficiency group (46.27%, 31/67, P<0.01). Conclusion Excluding the effect of season, vitamin D deficiency is associated with susceptibility to spinal tuberculosis and histopathologic classification.

OBJECTIVETo explore the synergic effect of heparan sulfate (HS) and cytokines on the growth of human umbilical cord blood (UCB) hematopoietic cells.

METHODSHematopoietic cells from human UCB were cultured with (1) cytokines (rhIL-3, rhIL-1beta, rhIL-6 and SCF) or (2) SN (supernatant from cultured human marrow stromal cells) and cytokines, or (3) SN, or (4) HS and cytokines. Cellular proliferation, CFU-GM yields and changes of cell immunophenotype were observed.

RESULTSHematopoietic cell proliferation reached peak at the 14th day. The number of total nucleated cells increased 134.5-, 171.3-, 81.5- and 167.2-fold in (1), (2), (3) and (4) groups, respectively, at the 21th day, the (3) group significantly decreased. CD(34)(+) cells increased at the 7th day and reached peak, at the 14th day with a percentage of 68.4%, 82.5%, 69.8% and 79.3%, and at the 21th day 56.2%, 71.7.%, 12.3% and 73.3%, respectively. CD(33)(+) cells reached peak at the 14th day and increased by 80.2%, 68.6%, 81.6% and 70.3%, respectively, and remained these levels at the 21th day. CD(38)(+) cells increased by 66.6%, 73.8%, 70.4% and 71.9% at the 7th day and remained this level at the 14th and the 21th day. From the first week of culture, the percentage of CFU-GM increased in all of the four groups, at the second week of culture, it increased by 250%, 279%, 217% and 273%, and at the third week still increased by 151%, 240%, 145% and 231%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe combination of SN and cytokines have a synergic effect in promoting proliferation of hematopoietic cell from human UCB. The synergic effect remained the same when SN was replaced by heparan sulfate.

ADP-ribosyl Cyclase ; analysis ; ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1 ; Antigens, CD ; analysis ; Antigens, CD34 ; analysis ; Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic ; analysis ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Cytokines ; pharmacology ; Drug Synergism ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; drug effects ; immunology ; Heparitin Sulfate ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Interleukin-1 ; pharmacology ; Interleukin-3 ; pharmacology ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; cytology ; drug effects ; immunology ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; Recombinant Proteins ; pharmacology ; Sialic Acid Binding Ig-like Lectin 3 ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo specifically deliver the therapeutic gene to cancer cells and construct target retroviral vectors by inserting the single-chain variable antibody fragment into the retroviral envelope.

METHODSSingle-chain antibody expression vector pET -20bScfv was constructed. Binding activity of the genetically engineered single-chain variable antibody fragment was verified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot. At the same time, by means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-directed mutagenesis, the appropriate cloning site EcoT22/Sal was generated at the N-terminus of receptor-binding SU domain in the MoMLV env polypeptide. Then the single- chain antibody gene, encoding a functional antibody, was inserted into the cloning site. The Scfv-env fusion gene fragment was subcloned into CMV expression vector. The Lac-Z retrovirus that co-displayed the Scfv-env chimeric protein and wild-type env protein was produced by transfection of Psi 2 cells with retroviral plasmid and the fusion gene expressing plasmid. To confirm the specificity of the recombinant retrovirus, infection assays and competitive inhibition assays were performed.

RESULTSThe results of ELISA and Western blot showed that the genetically engineered single-chain variable antibody fragment could bind to the SHG44 cells surface membrane antigen. Virus-binding assay, viral infection and competitive inhibition assays confirmed that the harvested virus efficiently bound to and infected SHG44 cancer cells expressing the relative membrane antigen specially via the recognition of the target antigen.

CONCLUSIONThese results imply that insertion of Scfv into the retroviral envelope can specifically deliver the interested gene into specific antigen-producing cancer cells.

Gene Transfer Techniques ; Genetic Therapy ; Genetic Vectors ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin Fragments ; genetics ; Neoplasms ; therapy ; Retroviridae ; genetics

Freshwater crabs (Sinopotamon denticulatum) were examined for metacercariae. Cats and dogs were also examined for Paragonimus infection. Questionnairing was carried out on health knowledge and behaviors among local residents in a village of Baokang County, Hubei Province. Results showed that the infection rate of Paragonimus skrjabini metacercariae in Sinopotamon denticulatum was 20.5% (46/214), with 15.6% (20/128) in a mining area and 30.2%(26/86) for the non-mining area respectively ( ?2=6.5, P0.05). Questionnairing showed that dogs and cats were with the habit of foraging and defecating at streams and children had the habits of eating raw or under-cooked crabs. The natural and ecological environments are in favor of the life cycle of P. skrjabini.

Objective:To evaluate the techniques and short-term outcomes of pericardial autologous angioplasty for the reconstruction of mediastinal large vessels in the treatment of locally advanced malignant thymoma.Methods:We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 6 patients with locally advanced malignant thymoma who received autologous pericardial transplantation for mediastinal great vascular reconstruction in the same treatment group of Department of Thoracic Surgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from April 2017 to October 2018.Results:The operative time of malignant thymoma patients receiving autologous pericardial vascular reconstruction was(192.3±32.5)min, intraoperative blood loss was(105.0±27.5)ml, thoracic drainage time was(4.5±1.5)days, and postoperative hospital stay was(5.3±2.5)days. The postoperative quality of life of the patients was satisfactory. Angiography showed that the reconstructed vessels of the left inus vein were occluded in 1 patient 10 months after the operation, and the reconstructed vessels were unobstructed in the other patients. The average follow-up time of the patients was 34.3 months after surgery. One patient developed chest wall metastasis 23 months after surgery, and his condition was stable after receiving local radiotherapy. The other 5 patients did not occur local recurrence or distant metastasis.Conclusion:The application of autologous pericardium for the reconstruction of mediastinal great vessels in the treatment of malignant thymoma is a safe and effective method, and its clinical application prospect is worth expecting.

Objective:To investigate the value of low-energy virtual monoenergetic image (VMI) at 45 keV in visualizing the primary tumor and T staging of hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.Methods:The clinical and imaging data of 58 patients with hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma from April 2018 to January 2020 at Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University were analyzed retrospectively. All the patients underwent a venous phase contrast-enhanced dual-source dual-energy CT scan before treatment. The VMI at 45 keV and standard linearly blended image (30% 80 kV+70% 140 kV) were acquired from dual-energy post-processing software. One senior radiologist and one junior radiologist independently assessed the visibility of the tumor on the 45 keV VMI and standard linearly blended image using a 5-point Likert rating scale. Furthermore, the senior radiologist assessed the visibility of the tumor at each subsite (piriform fossa, posterior pharyngeal wall, postcricoid region) and determined the invasion depth of the tumor (extension to esophagus, invasion to strip muscles and prevertebral muscles) and performed the T staging of the primary tumor using the two sets of images blindly. The accuracy of T staging was calculated, using pathological T staging (surgical cases) or clinical T staging (non-surgical cases) as the gold standard. The image scores of the two sets of images were compared using Wilcoxon rank sum test. McNemar-Bowker test was used to compare the accuracy of T staging using the two sets of images.Results:The overall image scores of the 45 keV VMI and standard linearly blended image from the senior radiologist were 3.5 (3, 4) and 3 (2, 3) respectively ( Z=-7.03, P<0.001), and the scores from the junior radiologist were 3 (3, 4) and 2 (2, 3) ( Z=-6.93, P<0.001). The scores of the 45 keV VMI were significantly higher than those of the standard linearly blended image in visualizing tumors in the piriform fossa, posterior pharyngeal wall, and postcricoid region, as well as in detecting invasion to the strip muscles ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the scores of the two sets of images in determining whether the tumor extended to esophagus or invaded prevertebral muscles ( P>0.05). Referring to pathological and clinical T stage, the accuracy of T staging determined by the 45 keV VMI and standard linearly blended image was 87.9% (51/58) and 81.0% (47/58) respectively, and the difference was not significant (χ 2=3.33, P=0.189). Conclusions:The 45 keV VMI is superior to the standard linearly blended image in visualizing tumors and detecting invasion to the strip muscles of hypopharynx squamous cell carcinoma. However, the accuracy of determining T staging using 45 keV VMI is slightly improved than that of standard linearly blended image, and the difference is not statistically significant. In determining whether the tumor extends to esophagus or invades prevertebral muscles, 45 keV VMI shows no significant advantage over standard linearly blended image.

Objective: This study used cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to compare the characteristics of left ventricular remodeling in patients with primary aldosteronism (PA) with those of patients with essential hypertension (EH) and healthy controls (HCs). Materials and Methods: This prospective study enrolled 35 patients with PA, in addition to 35 age- and sex-matched patients with EH, and 35 age- and sex-matched HCs, all of whom underwent comprehensive clinical and cardiac MRI examinations. The analysis of variance was used to detect the differences in the characteristics of left ventricular remodeling among the three groups. Univariable and multivariable linear regression analyses were used to determine the relationships between left ventricular remodeling and the physiological variables. Results: The left ventricular end-diastolic volume index (EDVi) (mean ± standard deviation [SD]: 85.1 ± 13.0 mL/m2 for PA, 75.9 ± 14.3 mL/m2 for EH, and 77.3 ± 12.8 mL/m2 for HC; p = 0.010), left ventricular end-systolic volume index (ESVi) (mean ± SD: 35.2 ± 9.8 mL/m2 for PA, 30.7 ± 8.1 mL/m2 for EH, and 29.5 ± 7.0 mL/m2 for HC; p = 0.013), left ventricular mass index (mean ± SD: 65.8 ± 16.5 g/m2 for PA, 56.9 ± 12.1 g/m2 for EH, and 44.1 ± 8.9 g/m2 for HC; p < 0.001), and native T1 (mean ± SD: 1224 ± 39 ms for PA, 1201 ± 47 ms for EH, and 1200 ± 44 ms for HC; p = 0.041) values were higher in the PA group compared to the EH and HC groups. Multivariable linear regression demonstrated that log (plasma aldosteroneto-renin ratio) was independently correlated with EDVi and ESVi. Plasma aldosterone was independently correlated with native T1. Conclusion Patients with PA showed a greater degree of ventricular hypertrophy and enlargement, as well as myocardial fibrosis, compared to those with EH. Cardiac MRI T1 mapping can detect left ventricular myocardial fibrosis in patients with PA.

Objective: This study used cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to compare the characteristics of left ventricular remodeling in patients with primary aldosteronism (PA) with those of patients with essential hypertension (EH) and healthy controls (HCs). Materials and Methods: This prospective study enrolled 35 patients with PA, in addition to 35 age- and sex-matched patients with EH, and 35 age- and sex-matched HCs, all of whom underwent comprehensive clinical and cardiac MRI examinations. The analysis of variance was used to detect the differences in the characteristics of left ventricular remodeling among the three groups. Univariable and multivariable linear regression analyses were used to determine the relationships between left ventricular remodeling and the physiological variables. Results: The left ventricular end-diastolic volume index (EDVi) (mean ± standard deviation [SD]: 85.1 ± 13.0 mL/m2 for PA, 75.9 ± 14.3 mL/m2 for EH, and 77.3 ± 12.8 mL/m2 for HC; p = 0.010), left ventricular end-systolic volume index (ESVi) (mean ± SD: 35.2 ± 9.8 mL/m2 for PA, 30.7 ± 8.1 mL/m2 for EH, and 29.5 ± 7.0 mL/m2 for HC; p = 0.013), left ventricular mass index (mean ± SD: 65.8 ± 16.5 g/m2 for PA, 56.9 ± 12.1 g/m2 for EH, and 44.1 ± 8.9 g/m2 for HC; p < 0.001), and native T1 (mean ± SD: 1224 ± 39 ms for PA, 1201 ± 47 ms for EH, and 1200 ± 44 ms for HC; p = 0.041) values were higher in the PA group compared to the EH and HC groups. Multivariable linear regression demonstrated that log (plasma aldosteroneto-renin ratio) was independently correlated with EDVi and ESVi. Plasma aldosterone was independently correlated with native T1. Conclusion Patients with PA showed a greater degree of ventricular hypertrophy and enlargement, as well as myocardial fibrosis, compared to those with EH. Cardiac MRI T1 mapping can detect left ventricular myocardial fibrosis in patients with PA.

Objective:To investigate the effects of deep learning-based AiContour ??versus atlas-based Raystation ?? automatic contouring methods on the contouring of organs-at-risk on CT images of patients with rectal cancer who undergo radiotherapy, providing evidence for clinical application. Methods:Fifty patients with rectal cancer who received treatment during January to June 2020 in Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College) were included in this study. The CT images from 20 patients with rectal cancer that had been contoured by experienced radiotherapist were selected as target images and automatically contoured using the data template library of AiContour ?? and Raystation ?? automatic contouring methods. Hausdorff distance, mean distance to agreement, dice similarity coefficient, Jaccard coefficient were used to quantitatively evaluate the accuracy of the volume of contour of organs-at-risk automatically sketched by the two methods. Results:There was no significant difference in Hausdorff distance in left femoral head [(6.81 ± 2.66) vs. (7.24 ± 2.10)], right femoral head [(7.38 ± 3.91) vs. (8.14 ± 3.71)], pelvis [(24.00 ± 9.01) vs. (24.66 ± 9.67)] between AiContour ?? and Raystation ?? automatic contouring methods ( tleft femoral head = -0.831, tright femoral head = -0.821, tpelvis = -0.357, all P > 0.05). Significant differences were observed in mean distance to agreement, dice similarity coefficient and Jaccard coefficient of organs-at-risk (all P < 0.05). The mean values of dice similarity coefficient automatically sketched by AiContour ?? method were > 0.7. The DSC of left kidney, right kidney, rectum and bladder automatically sketched by Raystation ?? method were < 0.7, and the dice similarity coefficient values of other organs-at-risk automatically sketched by Raystation ?? method were > 0.7. In addition, Hausdorff distance, mean distance to agreement and Jaccard coefficient values of organs-at-risk automatically sketched by AiContour ?? method were superior to those automatically sketched by Raystation ??. Conclusion:After slight modification, the organs-at-risk automatically sketched by AiContour ?? and Raystation ?? methods can meet clinical requirement. The contouring effects provided byAiContour ?? method were superior to those provided by Raystation ?? method.