Biobank is a biorepository which organized for collecting and storing human biospecimen as well as associated information for research uses.Biobank is the fundamental platform which translates the basic research result into clinical practice.It also plays an important role in disease diagnosis,new drug development,disease-related genetic research and epidemiological studies.The rise of translational medicine promotes the construction and development of the biobank.This review highlights the necessity to establish biobank,and focuses on the recent advances of the modem type of biobank,quality control of biospecimens,construction of biobank,best practices and guideline applied for biobank.This review also provides information for improvement of biobank.

OBJECTIVETo sum up the experience in diagnosis and treatment of Fournier's gangrene and find an optimal evaluation tool for its prognosis by comparing currently used prognostic scoring systems.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed 16 cases of Fournier's gangrene diagnosed and surgically treated in our hospital between 2004 and 2012. Using Fournier's Gangrene Severity Index (FGSI), Uludag Fournier's Gangrene Severity Index (UFGSI), Age-Adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index (ACCI), and Surgical Apgar Score (sAPGAR) , we obtained the prognostic scores of the patients and made comparisons among different scoring systems.

RESULTSFGSI, UFGSI, ACCI, and sAPGAR were all clinically used scoring systems. Statistically significant differences were found in the scores of ACCI and UFGSI but not in those of FGSI and sAPGAR between the death and survival groups, with the maximum area under the ROC curve and minimum standard error for the ACCI score.

CONCLUSIONBoth ACCI and UFGSI are useful for evaluating the prognosis of Fournier's gangrene. However, ACCI is even better for its higher sensitivity and specificity and easier clinical collection.

Age Factors ; Aged ; Fournier Gangrene ; diagnosis ; mortality ; surgery ; Humans ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Severity of Illness Index

This study was conducted to investigate the anti-tumor efficacy of nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEFs) on the mouse with A375-GFP melanoma xenograft in vivo. In vivo fluorescence image analysis system was used in this study to evaluate the effects of nsPEFs on human melanoma A375 cell xenograft. On the Day 90 af ter pulse delivery, the skin that had contained A375 cell xenograft was surgically excised and pathologically evalua ted. The changes of scar were recorded by digital camera. The experiment revealed that significant changes in fluorescence value trend and amplitude were found in the treated group from those in the control group. The fluorescence of tumor in the treated group decreased mostly 48 h after the treatment and completely disappeared 10 d after the treatment, while that in control group was increased gradually. Surgical excision of the area confirmed a complete pathologic response. Within a few days after the nsPEFs treatment, a hard scab formed at the treatment region. The scab fell off by the end of the second week. As time went on, the scar gradually became faded and all xenograft tumors were disappeared without recurrence. From the experiment, we learn that nsPEFs can bring good therapeutic effect. It may provide a new approach for the clinical treatment of superficial tumors.
Animals ; Electric Stimulation Therapy ; methods ; Heterografts ; Humans ; Melanoma ; therapy ; Mice ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Skin ; pathology

BACKGROUND:Human embryonic stem cels are able to self-renew indefinitely and have the capacity to differentiate into al three germ layers (ectoderm, endoderm and mesoderm). These properties imply great potential in the basic research and clinical application, including regenerative medicine, drug screening and toxins, early human embryo, cel transplantation, gene therapy,etc. However, it is a substantial chalenge to develop efficient techniques for their large-scale culture under defined conditions, and for controling and directing their differentiation. For therapeutic purposes, many scholars are trying to establish methods for maintaining pluripotency in defined xeno-free conditions and scalable culture systems. OBJECTIVE:To discuss the progress of serum-free culture systems in human embryonic stem cel research reported in recent years and to highlight the chalenges and advances being made towards the development of serum-free and xeno-free culture systems suitable for therapeutic applications. METHODS:A computer-based search of CNKI and PubMed academic database was performed for articles addressing serum-free culture systems of human embryonic stem cels published from 2008 to 2015. Repetitive and old articles were excluded. Finaly, 58 articles were summarized. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Several groups have attempted to exclude individual animal components by using feeder-free matrices, feeder cels of human origin, or defined xeno-free media, aiming to select a suitable matrix and medium that can minimize or not use heterologous components, in order to obtain cel lines at clinical level. However, the current cel products are far from clinical application. There are stil many problems to be solved, such as standardization, normalization and individualization of cel products. With the normative development of stem cel research and industry, human embryonic stem cel products are expected to be widely used in clinic.

Objective To study the association between human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes and viral load and clinical features of verruca vulgaris.Methods Tissue samples were collected from 48 outpatients with verruca vulgaris,and DNA was extracted from these tissue samples.To determine the genotype of HPV,PCR was performed to amplify the L1 fragment of HPV with universal primers followed by bidirectional sequencing and BLAST.The genotyping results were validated by PCR with type-specific primers.Real-time fluorescence-based quantitative PCR was conducted to measure the viral load of HPV,and hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining to observe histological changes in these tissue specimens.Results The L1 fragment of HPV was amplified from 35 out of the 48 tissue specimens.Of the 35 L1-positive specimens,32 harbored HPV 7,1 harbored HPV 57,and 2 harbored both HPV 2 and HPV 7.Multiple lesions were observed on extremities in the patient infected with HPV 57,but on the head,face and trunk in the patients coinfected with HPV 2 and HPV 7.There were no significant differences in HPV viral load or vacuolated cell number between patients with single lesions and those with multiple lesions,or between patients with a clinical course of ＜ 6 months and those with a clinical course of 6-12 months.However,HPV viral load tended to decrease one year after the onset,and there was pronounced hyperkeratosis and less vacuolated cells in lesions of long duration (more than 2 years) compared with those of short duration (less than 2 years).Conclusions HPV 7 appears to be the most common HPV genotype associated with verruca vulgaris,and HPV 7 infection usually occurs on the head and face.For verruca vulgaris of less than 1 year,neither HPV viral load nor vacuolated cell number is associated with the count or clinical course of warts.

Objective: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) with three frequencies (100 Hz, 2 Hz, and 2 Hz/100 Hz) on the apoptosis of neurons and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway in the hippocampus of rats with vascular dementia (VD), and explore the mechanism of EA intervention for VD. Methods: Fifty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a model group, a sham operation group, a 100 Hz EA group, a 2 Hz EA group, and a 2 Hz/100 Hz EA group, with ten rats in each group. The VD model rats were established by repeated ischemia-reperfusion of bilateral common carotid arteries. The rats in the EA groups received EA intervention at Baihui (GV20), Dazhui (GV14), Geshu (BL17) and Zusanli (ST36), once a day for 14 d. Afterward, Morris water maze was used to examine the learning and memory performances of the rats in each group, hematoxylin-eosin staining to observe the histomorphological changes in the hippocampal CA1 region, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling to test the apoptosis of neurons in the hippocampal CA1 region, and Western blot to detect the protein expression levels of JNK, phosphorylated JNK (p-JNK), Caspase-8, and Caspase-3 in the hippocampus tissue. Results: Compared with the sham operation group, the escape latency of the model group in water maze test was prolonged; the number of crossing the original platform was decreased (P<0.01); the hippocampal neurons were severely damaged and the number of surviving neurons was decreased (P<0.01), whereas the number of apoptotic neurons was increased (P<0.01); the protein expression levels of JNK, p-JNK, Caspase-8, and Caspase-3 in the hippocampus were significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the escape latency of each EA group was significantly shortened; the number of crossing the original platform was significantly increased (P<0.01); the damage of hippocampal neurons was alleviated, the number of surviving neurons was increased (P<0.01), and the number of apoptotic neurons was decreased (P<0.01); the protein expression levels of JNK, p-JNK, Caspase-8, and Caspase-3 in the hippocampus were decreased (P<0.01). The results in the 2 Hz EA group and the 2 Hz/100 Hz EA group were superior to those in the 100 Hz EA group. Conclusion: EA with the three frequencies (100 Hz, 2 Hz, and 2 Hz/100 Hz) can improve the learning and memory performances in VD rats subjected to ischemia-reperfusion, its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of neuronal apoptosis and the regulation of the related protein expression of JNK signaling pathway, and the intervention effects of EA with 2 Hz and 2 Hz/100 Hz are more significant.

A hydroponic experiment carried out to study the effect of five Cd levels on growth and photosynthesis of two tomato cultivars showed that the addition of 0.1 micromol/L Cd induced a slight increase in plant height of Hezuo 903 and the SPAD (the Soil-Plant Analyses Development) value of the 2 cultivars. However, at higher Cd levels, i.e., 1 and 10 micromol/L, root length and volume, plant height, and SPAD value were all significantly reduced. On an average of the 2 cultivars, exposure to 1 and 10 micromol/L Cd for 33 d reduced plant height by 18.9% and 46.4% and SPAD value by 11.2% and 31.6%, compared with control, respectively. Similarly, root length was reduced by 41.1% and 25.8% and root volume by 45.2% and 63.7%, respectively. The addition of Cd in the growth medium also had significant deleterious effect on net photosynthetic rate (Pn) and intracellular CO(2) concentration (Ci), with Pn being reduced by 27.2% and 62.1% at 1 micromol/L and 10 micromol/L Cd treatments compared to the control, respectively, while Ci increased correspondingly by 28.4% and 39.3%.
Cadmium ; toxicity ; Lycopersicon esculentum ; drug effects ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Photosynthesis ; drug effects ; Plant Leaves ; drug effects ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Plant Roots ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Seedlings ; drug effects ; growth & development ; metabolism

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Carbon Monoxide ; metabolism ; Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing) ; metabolism ; Lung ; metabolism ; Oxygen ; physiology ; Rats

Heart transplantation is considered the best treatment modality for advanced heart disease.While old age has conventionally been considered a contraindication for heart transplantation due to the reported adverse effect of advanced age,however donor hearts' shortage continues to stimulate the discussion about the recipient's upper age limit.Our study was based on a retrospective analysis for the results of 52 (18％) patients aged 60 years and older undergoing heart transplantation between May 2008 and December 2015,and these patients were compared with 236 (82％) adult recipients who were younger than 60 years at the time of transplantation and during the same period.In older group,71％ were males with the mean age of 63.38+3.55 years,and in younger group,83.4％ were males with a mean age of43.72±11.41 years (P=0.27).Dilated cardiomyopathy was the most common indication for transplantation among patients in both groups (P=0.147).In older group,the 3-month survival rate was higher than that in younger group (P=0.587),however the 6-month survival rate showed no significant difference (P=0.225).Although the 1-year survival rate was higher in older group (P=0.56),yet the 3-year survival rate between the two groups showed no statistically significant difference (P=0.48).According to our experience among older heart transplant candidates who were 60 years and older,we believe that advanced age should not be an excluding criterion to cardiac transplantation.

Objective To explore the dynamic changes of the cellular immune function in severe infection after liver transplantation, and to guide the individualized immunology adjustment. Methods 378 cases of livertransplantation were analyzed retrospectively. Seventy-four cases (infection group) suffered serious infection, including 54 cases cured (cure group), 20 cases died (death group). Fifty cases without infection and rejection were randomly selected as control group (stable group). According to the individualized adjusting proposal of immunosuppressants, 74 patients with severe infection were divided into two groups: traditional (T) group and individualized (Ⅰ) group. The general condition, recovery rate and change of cellular immune function pre- and post-treatment were analyzed. Results The preoperative MELD score and the intraoperative blood loss in infection group were significantly higher than stable group, and those in death group were higher than in cure group. CD4+ T lymphocyte counts and lymphocyte counts in stable group were increased significantly from first week post-operation to discharge. The two indicators in infection group at first week postoperation and the onset of infection were lower than in stable group (P<0. 01). In cure group after infection was controlled the two indicators were higher than at first week post-operation and the onset of infection (P<0. 01), while in death group they were reduced up to death (P<0. 05). There was no significant difference in age, preoperative MELD score and the immune function indicators both at first week post-operation and the onset of infection between T group and Ⅰ group, except the intraoperative blood loss in Ⅰ group was greater than in T group. The recovery rate in Ⅰ group (90. 5 %)was higher than in T group (66.0 %). Conclusion Individualized adjustments of immunosuppressants guided according to the dynamic changes of cellular immune function helped to improve the prognosis of severe infection after liver transplantation.