OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to detect the presence of microsatellite (MSI) and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of the Deleted in Colorectal Cancer (DCC) gene in normal and tumor tissues of Filipino colorectal cancer patients and examine its correlation with age, gender, tumor grade, tumor stage and site of lesion.
METHODS: Paired frozen normal and tumor tissues from thirtynine (39) patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma were used by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Single strand conformation polymorphism - polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SSCP - PAGE) was used to determine MSI and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) was used to study LOH.
RESULTS: Based on our data, out of the 39 patients, 10 showed LOH of the DCC gene using the LOH markers VNTR, M2 and M3, while no MSI was detected in the samples using the MSI markers BAT25 and BAT26. Correlation with clinicopathological characteristics showed that there is significance for the site of lesion. The LOH has correclation with tumor samples from the colon but not with those from the rectum.
CONCLUSION: Preliminary screening for MSI and LOH of the DCC gene shows that occurrences of colorectal cancer among Filipino patients can be correlated with LOH of the DCC gene with colorectal cancer in a Filipino sample population.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Aged 80 And Over ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Genes, Dcc ; Polymorphism, Single-stranded Conformational ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Adenocarcinoma ; Loss Of Heterozygosity

Worldwide sales of biologic drugs exceeded 100 billion USD in 2011. About 32% is from therapeutic monoclonal antibody (mAb). With many blockbuster biopharmaceutical patents expiring over the next decade, there is a great opportunity for biosimilar to enter the worldwide especially emerging market. Both European Medicines Agency (EMA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have introduced regulatory frameworks for the potential approval of biosimilar mAb therapeutics. Rather than providing a highly abbreviated path, as in the case for small molecule chemical drug, approval for biosimilar mAb will require clinical trial and the details will be very much on a case-by-case basis. Since mAb is the dominant category of biologic drugs, mAb will be the focus of this review. First, the United States (US) and European Union (EU) approved mAb and those in phase 3 trials will be reviewed, then strategies on how to win biosimilar competition will be reviewed.
Animals ; Antibodies, Bispecific ; therapeutic use ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; therapeutic use ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; therapeutic use ; Biosimilar Pharmaceuticals ; standards ; Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic ; Drug Approval ; European Union ; Humans ; United States ; United States Food and Drug Administration

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted ; methods

Terpenoid indole (TIAs) and β-carboline alkaloids (BCAs), such as suppressant reserpine, vasodilatory yohimbine, and antimalarial quinine, are natural compounds derived from strictosidine. These compounds can exert powerful pharmacological effects but be obtained from limited source in nature. the whole biosynthetic pathway of TIAs and BCAs, The Pictet-Spengler reaction catalyzed by strictosidine synthase (STR; EC: 4.3.3.2) is the rate-limiting step. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate their biosynthesis pathways, especially the role of STR, and related findings will support the biosynthetic generation of natural and unnatural compounds. This review summarizes the latest studies concerning the function of STR in TIA and BCA biosynthesis, and illustrates the compounds derived from strictosidine. The substrate specificity of STR based on its structure is also summarized. Proteins that contain six-bladed four-stranded β-propeller folds in many organisms, other than plants, are listed. The presence of these folds may lead to similar functions among organisms. The expression of STR gene can greatly influence the production of many compounds. STR is mainly applied to product various valuable drugs in plant cell suspension culture and biosynthesis in other carriers.
Alkaloids/biosynthesis* ; Carbolines/metabolism* ; Carbon-Nitrogen Lyases ; Indoles/metabolism* ; Terpenes/metabolism*

Chewing lice (Phthiraptera) that parasitize the globally threatened swan goose Anser cygnoides have been long recognized since the early 19th century, but those records were probably biased towards sampling of captive or domestic geese due to the small population size and limited distribution of its wild hosts. To better understand the lice species parasitizing swan geese that are endemic to East Asia, we collected chewing lice from 14 wild geese caught at 3 lakes in northeastern Mongolia. The lice were morphologically identified as 16 Trinoton anserinum (Fabricius, 1805), 11 Ornithobius domesticus Arnold, 2005, and 1 Anaticola anseris (Linnaeus, 1758). These species are known from other geese and swans, but all of them were new to the swan goose. This result also indicates no overlap in lice species between older records and our findings from wild birds. Thus, ectoparasites collected from domestic or captive animals may provide biased information on the occurrence, prevalence, host selection, and host-ectoparasite interactions from those on wild hosts.
Animals ; Bias (Epidemiology) ; Birds ; Far East ; Geese* ; Lakes ; Mastication* ; Mongolia ; Phthiraptera* ; Population Density ; Prevalence

Chewing lice (Phthiraptera) that parasitize the globally threatened swan goose Anser cygnoides have been long recognized since the early 19th century, but those records were probably biased towards sampling of captive or domestic geese due to the small population size and limited distribution of its wild hosts. To better understand the lice species parasitizing swan geese that are endemic to East Asia, we collected chewing lice from 14 wild geese caught at 3 lakes in northeastern Mongolia. The lice were morphologically identified as 16 Trinoton anserinum (Fabricius, 1805), 11 Ornithobius domesticus Arnold, 2005, and 1 Anaticola anseris (Linnaeus, 1758). These species are known from other geese and swans, but all of them were new to the swan goose. This result also indicates no overlap in lice species between older records and our findings from wild birds. Thus, ectoparasites collected from domestic or captive animals may provide biased information on the occurrence, prevalence, host selection, and host-ectoparasite interactions from those on wild hosts.
Animals ; Bias (Epidemiology) ; Birds ; Far East ; Geese* ; Lakes ; Mastication* ; Mongolia ; Phthiraptera* ; Population Density ; Prevalence

OBJECTIVE: To detect potential mutations of the PKHD1 gene in two pedigrees affected with infantile polycystic kidney disease. METHODS: Clinical data and peripheral venous blood samples were collected from the probands and their parents as well as fetal amniotic fluid cells. Genome DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood samples and amniotic fluid cells. Exons 32 and 61 of the PKHD1 gene were amplified with PCR and subjected to direct sequencing. RESULTS: The proband of pedigree 1 was found to carry c.4274T>G (p.Leu1425Arg) mutation in exon 32 and c.10445G>C (p.Arg3482Pro) mutation in exon 61 of the PKHD1 gene, which were inherited from her father and mother, respectively. The fetus has carried the c.4274T>G (p.Leu1425Arg) mutation. In pedigree 2, the wife and her husband had respectively carried a heterozygous c.5979_5981delTGG mutation and a c.9455delA mutation of the PKHD1 gene. No chromosomal aberration was found in the umbilical blood sample, but the genetic testing of their fetus was failed. Based on software prediction, all of the 4 mutations were predicted to be pathogenic. CONCLUSION PKHD1 c.4274T>G (p.Leu1425Arg), c.10445G>C (p.Arg3482Pro), c.5979_5981delTGG and c.9455delA were likely to be pathogenic mutations. The results have facilitated genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis for the two pedigrees.
DNA Mutational Analysis ; Female ; Genetic Counseling ; Humans ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Polycystic Kidney Diseases ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; drug effects

Steroid associated-osteonecrosis (SAON) is non-trauma induced osteonecrosis, which is induced by long-term or high dose of corticosteroid indicated for inflammatory or immune diseases, etc. Subchondral collapse at late stage of SAON usually needs to be treated with joint replacement, while the costs and the prognosis of the surgery are challenge. It is important to perform the fundamental researches on the hip preservation treatments of SAON at early stage, and it is necessary to establish suitable animal models for studying the mechanisms of SAON and evaluating the potential treatments for the SAON. Rabbit SAON model is the most frequently used animal model. It is extensively used in studies on etiology and pathology of SAON. Furthermore, it is possible to evaluate potential drugs for preventing SAON and improving osteogenic repair of mid-stage SAON to prevent joint collapse. Because of bi-pedal, emu has the similar mechanical properties with human. Thus, it can be a suitable animal model for studying preventions and treatments of subchondral collapse of SAON, such as core-decompression with biodegradable materials for bone regeneration. In conclusion, this review updates the current animal SAON models with similar pathology to clinical SAON. These typical models could be used as clinical references for investigating drugs in prevention of early-stage of SAON and biomaterials in hip-preservation surgery for mid-stage of SAON.

Objective: To understand the situation related to health seeking and diagnosis of imported malaria and to provide practical measures for malaria elimination in Jiangsu province. Methods: Data on imported malaria cases in Jiangsu province was retrieved in CISDCP from 2014 to 2016. Relevant information on health seeking behavior, diagnosis and treatment of the disease was gathered. Results: A total of 1 068 imported cases were reported in Jiangsu province from 2014 to 2016. Except for one malaria case that was caused by blood transfusion, the rest patients were all recognized as 'imported'. Majority of the cases were migrant laborers working in African countries. The accurate rates on the diagnosis of ovale, vivax and quartan malaria and mixed infection were relatively low, as 79.3% (107/135), 29.5% (18/61), 52.9% (18/34) and 0.0% (0/2) at the primary health care settings, respectively. Rate of seeking health care on the same day of onset was more in 2015 than in 2014 and 2016 (χ(2)=18.6, P=0.001). While only 65.4% (699/1 068) of the patients were diagnosed correctly at the primary health care settings. There appeared no statistical difference in the 3-year-study period (χ(2)=5.4, P=0.246). Capacity on 'correct diagnosis' seemed stronger at the CDC than at the hospital levels (χ(2)=13.2, P=0.000; χ(2)=5.4, P=0.020). Totally, 72.7% (32/44) of the severe falciparum malaria cases did not immediately seek for health care when the symptoms started. Conclusions: Migrant workers returning from the high endemic malaria areas seemed to have poor awareness in seeking health care services. Capability on correct diagnosis for malaria at the primary health care settings remained unsatisfactory and staff from these settings needs to receive adequate training.
Adult ; China/epidemiology* ; Female ; Human Migration ; Humans ; Malaria/transmission* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Plasmodium/isolation & purification* ; Prevalence ; Seasons ; Transients and Migrants ; Travel

【Objective】 To analyze the effects of IgG subtypes(IgG 1 and IgG3) of antibodies contained in infant serum and erythrocyte eluates on hemolytic disease of the newborn(HDN), so as to provide reference for its early clinical diagnosis and treatment. 【Methods】 49 newborns with HDN in our hospital from June 2019 to March 2020 were detected for three hemolytic tests(direct antiglobulin test, elution test and indirect antiglobulin test), as well as the components of IgG1 and IgG3 in eluates. The correlation analysis was conducted by combining birth hours (physiological jaundice) and hemolytic degrees (total bilirubin, indirect bilirubin, and hemoglobin). 【Results】 In the 44 cases of IgG1 and IgG3 subtype detection of infant RBC eluates, regression equations could be established between total bilirubin, indirect bilirubin and birth hours, and between hemoglobin and elution test, and linear regression relationships were found (P<0.05). In the 28 cases of IgG1 and IgG3 subtype detection of infant serum, regression equations could be established between total bilirubin, indirect bilirubin, birth time and IgG3 subtype, and between hemoglobin and IgG1 subtype (P<0.05), and linear regression relationships were found (all P<0.05). Three infants, presenting IgG1 and IgG2 subtypes(+ ) and three hemolysis tests(-), were all second pregnancy, constituted by Rh-HDN of 2 case and other-system-HDN 1. 【Conclusion】 The degree of HDN is directly related to IgG1 and IgG3 antibodies in infant blood plasma. In addition to the total bilirubin and indirect bilirubin, the changes of IgG3 antibodies in infant plasma and IgG1 antibody in anemic infants should be monitored. If IgG1 and IgG3 antibodies are yielded even with all negative ABO-HDN hemolysis tests, non-ABO-HDN should be considered in time to achieve accurate diagnosis and treatment.