Objective:To explore the correlation between CCAAT enhancer binding protein beta (CEBPB) expression and clinical characteristics in ccRCC, and to investigate the effect of CEBPB on proliferation and invasion of ccRCC cells.Methods:Between March 2020 to December 2020, the transcriptome and clinical data of 537 ccRCC cases were downloaded from TCGA database, and the correlation of CEBPB expression with clinical characteristics of ccRCC were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis were used to determine the effect of CEBPB expression on the prognosis of ccRCC patients. The correlation between CEBPB expression and immunocyte infiltration in ccRCC was investigated via TIMER database. The expression levels of CEBPB mRNA and protein in human renal tubular epithelial cell line HK2 and ccRCC cell lines (Caki-1, ACHN, 786O, 769P and A498) were determined by real-time PCR and western blot, respectively. After transfected with NC siRNA or CEBPB siRNA for 48 h, the proliferation and invasion of ACHN cells and 786O cells were determined by using MTT assay and invasion assay, respectively.Results:TCGA databases analysis revealed that, compared with normal kidney tissue, the expression of CEBPB mRNA in ccRCC was up-regulated by 2.55-fold ( P<0.05). CEBPB expression was positively correlated with age, tumor grade, tumor stage, lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis ( P<0.05). The tumor grade ( HR=1.703, P=0.040), tumor stage( HR=1.773, P=0.026), distant metastasis ( HR=3.080, P<0.001) and the high expression of CEBPB ( HR=1.874, P=0.003) were independent poor prognostic factors for ccRCC patients. The analysis results by using TIMER database showed that CEBPB expression was positively correlated with infiltrating levels of B cells (Rho=0.168), M2 macrophages (Rho=0.373), Tregs (Rho=0.348), neutrophils (Rho=0.194), and natural killer T cell (Rho=0.421) in ccRCC. The expression level of CEBPB mRNA in Caki-1, ACHN, 786O, 769P and A498 cells was (9.43±1.25)-fold, (5.44±0.82)-fold, (4.50±0.52)-fold, (4.88±0.73)-fold and (7.50 ± 1.04)-fold of HK2 cells, respectively. The expression level of CEBPB protein was (6.22±0.45)-fold, (5.84±0.85)-fold, (6.51±0.55)-fold, (6.23±0.62)-fold and (3.84±0.45)-fold of HK2 cells, respectively ( P<0.05). MTT assay showed that the proliferation rates of ACHN cells and 786O cells at 24, 48, 72, 96 h were (98.4±1.7)% and (99.0±1.4)%, (97.8±2.1)% and (98.5±1.5)%, (101.3±1.2)% and (97.6±1.7)%, (97.5±2.0)% and (99.1±1.3)% in NC siRNA group, and (68.8±5.8)% and (79.5±6.2)%, (57.9 ± 6.1)% and (70.8±5.1)%, (50.9±4.6)% and (66.8±4.9)%, (43.2±5.0)% and (60.5±5.3)% in CEBPB siRNA group. Compared with NC siRNA group, the proliferation activity of ACHN cells and 786O cells was significantly inhibited in the CEBPB siRNA group ( P<0.05). Cell invasion assay showed that the invasion activity of ACHN cells and 786O cells were (95.0±5.2)% and (97.3±4.4)% in NC siRNA group, (35.2±5.4)% and (26.7±3.3)% in CEBPB siRNA group, respectively ( P<0.05). Compared with NC siRNA group, the invasion activity of ACHN cells and 786O cells were significantly inhibited in the CEBPB siRNA group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:CEBPB was highly expressed in ccRCC, which was closely related to the prognosis and immunocyte infiltration of ccRCC patients. Silencing the expression of CEBPB significantly inhibited the proliferation and invasion of ccRCC cells

Lumbar spondylolysis refers to the bone injury between the upper and lower articular processes and the transition zone of the transverse process of the unilateral or bilateral pedicle of the lumbar spine, being a common cause of low back pain in patients that seriously affects their quality of life. The mechanism of the occurrence and development of lumbar spondylolysis is complex, and long-term stress wear and sudden damage with an external force are the main causes. At the same time, risk factors related to spinal anatomy are important causes of lumbar spondylolysis. A full understanding of the pathogenesis of lumbar spondylolysis, early identification of high-risk groups, and active preventive measures can reduce its incidence. For this purpose, the authors reviewed the research progress in risk factors related to the spinal anatomy of lumbar spondylolysis from three aspects including genetical susceptibility, local anatomy and overall spine-pelvic sequence, so as to provide references for the prevention and treatment of spondylolysis.

OBJECTIVETo estimate the value of blastocyst culture for preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD).

METHODSDay 3 embryos were biopsied and analyzed with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique. Embryos with normal FISH results were cultured into blastocysts, and the ones with better morphology scores were transferred. Fourteen embryos with abnormal FISH results were cultured into blastocysts. Part of the cells taken from the blastocysts were amplified by whole genomic amplification (WGA) and assessed by array-based comparative genomic hybridization (array-CGH) analysis.

RESULTSSix blastocysts with normal FISH results were transferred in 5 cycles. Four healthy babies of 3 cycles were delivered. Another one was a singleton pregnancy but with embryo growth arrest, whose villus karyotype was normal. Fourteen embryos with abnormal FISH results were cultured into blastocysts and analyzed by array-CGH. Six blastocysts were normal by array-CGH.

CONCLUSIONFISH combined with blastocyst culture may further ensure the accuracy of PGD result. Detection at the blastocyst stage can avoid false positive results and mosaic interferences on Day 3 stage and are therefore more authentic.

Adult ; Blastocyst ; cytology ; Comparative Genomic Hybridization ; methods ; Embryo Transfer ; Female ; Genetic Diseases, Inborn ; diagnosis ; embryology ; genetics ; prevention & control ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; methods ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Preimplantation Diagnosis ; methods

Objective: To study the correlation of lifestyle characteristics with thyroid nodules in a population-based sample of centenarians in Hainan. Methods: The study was based on China Hainan Centenarian Cohort Study (CHCCS) conducted in 18 cities and counties in Hainan province from 2014 to 2016. A group of multidisciplinary team interviewed and examined local centenarians with structured questionnaires and ultrasonography procedures. A total of 918 centenarians were analyzed after excluding those who refused ultrasonographic examinations or had relevant missing data. Thyroids of centenarians were examined by 3-year experienced sonographer, details on lifestyle characteristics and dietary habits were collected by standard procedure. Results: Of the 918 centenarians, 683 (74.4%) had thyroid nodules under the ultrasonography procedures. The prevalence of thyroid nodules in different group of areca nut consumption varied significantly (P<0.05). In multivariate logistic regression model, the results showed female and areca nut intake were independently associated with thyroid nodules in centenarians (P<0.05). Conclusions The modifiable variables including areca nut intake as well as non-modifiable such as gender are independent determinants of thyroid nodules in centenarians. Further studies are warranted to explore and verify these associations in populations with different ranges of age.

Objective:To analyse the clinical significance of selective single embryo transfer by time-lapse mo-nitoring(TLM)or conventional morphology assessment(CMA)in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm in-jection and embryo transfer(IVF/ICSI-ET),and to initially explore the predictive value of Raman spectral analy-sis of embryo culture medium for clinical pregnancy rate.Methods:The study is a prospective randomized con-trolled clinical trial.We assigned 139 patients treated with IVF/ICSI-ET in Reproductive and Genetics Center of Suzhou Municipal Hospital from April 2019 to July 2020,which were randomly assigned to either the CMA or the TLM group.We performed selective single-embryo transfer(fresh cycle and FET)after selecting the optimal em-bryos with TLM or CMA respectively.If the patient's first embryo transfer was unsuccessful,a second one would be performed to compare the differences in the cumulative live birth rate of embryo transfer and other pregnancy outcomes between the two groups.Meanwhile,we collected 15 μl of embryo culture medium at day 3 after IVF/ISCI fertilization for Raman spectroscopy analysis.Results:There were no differences in cumulative live birth,cu-mulative clinical pregnancy,cumulative premature birth,cumulative early spontaneous abortion,cumulative ectopic pregnancy and LGA or SGA between TLM and CMA groups(P＞0.05).The Neonatal sex ratio in the TLM group was lower than that in the CMA group,but the difference was not significant(P＞0.05).Raman spectros-copy analysis of embryo culture medium predicted the clinical pregnancy rate with 67.21％accuracy.Conclu-sions:In young women with a good ovarian reserve,the advantage of using TLM to evaluate embryos is not obvi-ous,so we should remain vigilant that embryo selection based on morphokinetic parameters may affect the sex ratio.Raman spectroscopic analysis of embryo culture medium is not yet able to effectively predict the planting ability of embryos.