OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility of detecting of Y-STR of fetal DNA in maternal plasma using Ion Torrent PGM™ System. METHODS: A total of 16 fetal DNA samples from maternal plasmas (8 cases from 38 weeks gestational age and 8 ones from 12 weeks) were prepared and a multiplex assay with 7 STR loci (DYS390, DYS391, DYS393, DYS438, DYS437, DYS456, DYS635) was designed for multiplex-PCR amplification. Using Ion Torrent PGM™ System, the results of Y-STR sequences and capillary electrophoresis were obtained and compared. RESULTS: Y-STR specific alleles were detected in the maternal plasma of all the pregnant women having male babies of second and third trimester, which were higher than that detected by capillary electrophoresis. Consistent Y-STR genotypes were observed between fetal DNA from maternal plasma and genomic DNA from the newborn babies. CONCLUSION Based on Ion Torrent PGM™ System, the prenatal Y-STR detection method may provide a high-sensitive and high-throughput choice for prenatal STR detection in forensic testing.
Alleles ; Chromosomes, Human, Y/genetics* ; DNA/blood* ; Family ; Female ; Fetal Blood/chemistry* ; Genotype ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Pregnancy ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Sex Determination Analysis ; Tandem Repeat Sequences/genetics*

Objective To investigate the clinical effects of biofeedback therapy on constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome(IBS-C).Methods 30 patients with IBS-C were given to biofeedback therapy,5 times every treatment course.and then their clinical symptoms,mental state and quality of life before the treatment and at the end of treatment with biofeedback therapy were respectively evaluated by symptom scores,self-rating anxiety scale (SAS),self-rating depression scale (SDS),and short form 36 health survey questionnaire (SF-36).Results Post-treatment with biofeedback therapy,there were very significant decrease in total and subscales scores of bowel symptom including abdominal pain/discomfort,abdominal distension,abnormal appearance of defecation,abnormal process of defecation((12.31±2.01) vs (19.16±2.17),(2.95±0.57) vs (5.04±1.04),(2.64±0.92) vs (4.25±1.09),(3.66±1.09) vs (5.10±0.57),(3.06±1.08) vs (4.77±0.95) respectively,P＜0.01).The integration of SAS and SDS were obviously decreased after treatment((39.53±6.39) vs (44.43±7.89),P＜0.05;(40.70±8.38) vs (46.46±8.74),P＜0.05),the SF-36 scores were also improved in five dimensions including rolephysical,social-functioning,vitality,role-emotional and mental health((74.16±21.25) vs (57.0±39.40),(86.21±13.54) vs (75.54±20.96),(75.16±13.42) vs (64.66±20.54),(78.87±28.36) vs (57.76±46.26),(81.60±16.08) vs (71.20±22.04) respectively,P＜0.05).Conclusion Biofeedback therapy can improve the clinical symptoms,alleviate the moods of anxiety and depression,and improve the quality of life in patients with IBS-C.

To discuss the effect of environmental factors and photosynthesis on the growing of plant and the content of active components in Scutellaria baicalensis, the photosynthetic physiology index and diurnal changes of flavonoid constituent of S. Baicalensis were observed and tested in flowering and fruiting stages, and in the meantime environmental parameters were recorded. The obtained data were analyzed data by using path analysis and gray correlation analysis. The results showed that PAR and SWC were important environmental factors impacting on photosynthesis of S. baicalensis. SWC, RH and Ca were important environmental factors impacting on baicalin content. PAR, Po and Ta were important environmental factors impacting on baicalein content.
Environment ; Flavonoids ; analysis ; metabolism ; Photosynthesis ; Plant Extracts ; analysis ; metabolism ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Scutellaria baicalensis ; chemistry ; growth & development ; metabolism

Nanocarriers generally made of natural or artificial polymers ranging in size from about 10-1 000 nm, possess versatile properties suitable for drug delivery, including good biocompatibility and biodegradability, potential capability of targeted delivery and controlled release of incorporated drugs, and have been extensively used in the development of new drug delivery systems (DDS). These types of nano-DDS have considerable potential to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and recently have attracted increasing efforts on the TCM research and development. In this review, the recently published literature worldwide is covered to describe the latest advances in the applications as TCM delivery carriers, and to highlight the characteristics and preparation methods of some selected examples of promising nanocarriers such as nanoparticles, lipid nanoparticles, nanoemulsions, nanomicelles and nanoliposomes.
Drug Carriers ; chemistry ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Nanostructures ; chemistry ; Nanotechnology ; methods

Background and purpose:At present, color Doppler ultrasound scoring and radionuclide imaging are two important imaging methods for diagnosing thyroid nodules, but their checking principle is different. Which method is better? Or combining them will be the best method for diagnosing thyroid nodules? This study aimed to compare the value of99mTcO4- combined with99mTc-methoxyisobutylisonitrile (MIBI) imaging, ultrasound scoring method and ultrasound scoring method+99mTcO4-+99mTc-MIBI imaging in diagnosis of thyroid nodules.Methods:The results of ultrasound scoring method and99mTcO4- combined with99mTc-MIBI imaging were compared in 50 patients with 54 thyroid nodules, and then compared with pathological findings. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of the methods were calculated.Results:A total of 54 thyroid nodules were found pathologically including 20 malignant and 34 benign nodules. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, PPV and NPV of99mTcO4- combined with99mTc-MIBI imaging were 80.00% (16/20), 70.59% (24/34), 74.07% (40/54), 61.54% (16/26), 85.71% (24/28), re-spectively. Those of ultrasound scoring method were 80.00% (16/20), 88.24% (30/34), 85.16% (46/54), 80.00% (16/20), 88.24% (30/34), respectively. And those of ultrasound scoring method+99mTcO4-+99mTc-MIBI imaging were 100.00% (20/20), 64.71% (22/34), 77.78% (42/54), 62.50% (20/32), 100.00% (22/22), respectively. The sensitivity of ultrasound scoring method+99mTcO4-+99mTc-MIBI imaging was higher than ultrasound scoring method or99mTcO4-+99mTc-MIBI imaging along (100.00%vs 80.00%, 100.00%vs 80.00%,χ2 value was 4.444 4 and 4.444 4,P value was 0.035 0 and 0.035 0, respectively). The specificity of ultrasound scoring method was higher than those of two methods combined together (88.24%vs 64.71%,χ2 value was 5.230 8,P value was 0.022 2). However, no factorial negative thyroid nodule was found by ul-trasound scoring method+99mTcO4-+99mTc-MIBI imaging.Conclusion:Ultrasound scoring method+99mTcO4-+99mTc-MIBI imaging can offer comprehensive diagnosis of thyroid nodules from their structure and function to avoid missed diagnosis.

Objective To investigate the effect of hypoxic preconditioning on the biological function of bone mar-row-derived endothelial progenitor cells (BM-EPCs). Methods Mononuclear cells were collected by density gradient cen-trifugation from the bone marrow of rats. The isolated cells were cultivated in dishes coated with the vitronectin from rat plas-ma,filled with the endothelial cell basal medium-2. Cells were then cultured under the conventional culture conditions (37℃and 5%CO2). The cultured cells were divided into control group and hypoxia training group after four-day culture. Cells of the control group were cultured in previous conditions for another three days. However, cells of the hypoxia training groups were cultured in previous conditions for 0, 1 and 2 days,and then under the hypoxic condition (1%O2+5%CO2+94%N2) for another 72 hours, 48 hours and 24 hours, respectively. After seven days,cells in all of groups were collected for the following study. The immunofluorescence labeling and cell analyzer were used to indentify BM-EPCs. The tube formation of BM-EPCs was tested by Matrigel assay. Annexin V/PI antiapoptotic assay was used to detect the apoptotic rate of BM-EPCs. Results The early apoptotic rate of BM-EPCs was increased obviously with extended hypoxia. There was no significant dif-ference in the early apoptotic rate of BM-EPCs between control group (0.89±0.20)%and hypoxic 24-h group (1.33±0.07)%(P>0.05). There was significant increase in the early apoptotic rate of BM-EPCs in hypoxic 48-h group (3.25±0.12)%and hypoxic 72-h group (7.48 ± 1.53)%(P<0.05). Compare with control group, the tube formation ability was significantly in-creased in hypoxic 24-h group (P<0.01), but the tube formation ability was significantly decreased in hypoxic 48-h group and hypoxic 72-h group (P<0.01). Conclusion After hypoxic preconditioning for 24 hours, the apoptotic rate was not obvi-ous in BM-EPCs, but the tube formation ability was markedly increased.

Objective:To explore the monitoring value of left ventricular functional parameters obtained by bedside ultrasound combined with clinically relevant indicators in patients with veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO).Methods:A retrospective study was conducted. A total of 24 patients receiving VA-ECMO adjuvant support in Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from June 2018 to January 2020 were selected. The bedside ultrasound was performed on the first day of ECMO support, the day before weaning, the clinical indicators before weaning were obtained. The differences in clinical indicators and the left ventricular functional parameters between the two groups of whether weaning successfully were compared; univariate Logistic regression analysis was used to screen out the related factors affecting weaning.Results:Sixteen patients were successful weaned and 8 patients failed. Compared with the weaning failure group, patients in the weaning success group required less continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT, cases: 4 vs. 6, P < 0.05), mean arterial pressure (MAP) before weaning was higher [mmHg (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa): 84.64±9.55 vs. 62.30±8.79, P < 0.05], and the pulse oxygen saturation (SpO 2) was also higher (0.966±0.670 vs. 0.866±0.061, P < 0.05), while vasoactive-inotropic score (VIS), serum creatinine (SCr) and serum lactic acid (Lac) were lower [VIS score: 7.27±1.42 vs. 16.93±8.52, SCr (μmol/L): 123.60±83.64 vs. 213.10±117.39, Lac (mmol/L): 1.94±0.91 vs. 5.62±5.48, all P < 0.05]. Univariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the MAP, VIS, SCr, Lac, SpO 2 before weaning were the related factors affecting weaning [odds ratio ( OR) were 0.306, -0.740, -0.011, -0.632, -4.069; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were 1.065-1.732, 0.235-0.899, 0.979-0.999, 0.285-0.992 and 0.001-0.208; P values were 0.014, 0.022, 0.038, 0.047, 0.002]. In the weaning success group, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), velocity of mitralannulus in systolic (LatSa), maximum flow velocity of aortic valve (AV-Vmax), velocity-time integral (VTI), left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS), left ventricular global longitudinal strain rate (LVGLSr) were all increased on the day before ECMO weaning compared with the first day of ECMO support [LVEF: 0.40±0.05 vs. 0.28±0.07, LatSa (cm/s): 6.81±0.91 vs. 4.62±1.02, AV-Vmax (cm/s): 104.81±33.98 vs. 64.44±16.85, VTI (cm): 14.56±3.11 vs. 7.96±1.98, LVGLS: (-8.95±2.59)% vs. (-5.26±1.28)%, LVGLSr (1/s): -0.48±0.11 vs. -0.29±0.09], whereas the ECMO flow was significantly reduced (L/min: 1.46±0.47 vs. 2.64±0.31), the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in left ventricular functional parameters between the first day of ECMO support and the day before ECMO weaning in the weaning failure group. Compared with the weaning failure group, the weaning success group had higher LVEF, LatSa, AV-Vmax, VTI, LVGLS, LVGLSr on the day before ECMO weaning [LVEF: 0.40±0.05 vs. 0.26±0.07, LatSa (cm/s): 6.81±0.91 vs. 4.31±1.03, AV-Vmax (cm/s): 104.81±33.98 vs. 67.67±18.46, VTI (cm): 14.56±3.11 vs. 7.75±2.77, LVGLS: (-8.95±2.59)% vs. (-4.81±1.81)%, LVGLSr (1/s): -0.48±0.11 vs. -0.30±0.10, all P < 0.05] and lower ECMO flow (L/min: 1.46±0.47 vs. 2.20±0.62, P < 0.05). Conclusion:Bedside echocardiographic left ventricular function parameters (LVEF, LatSa, AV-Vmax, VTI, LVGLS, LVGLSr) combined with clinical indicators (MAP, VIS, SCr, Lac, SpO 2) were helpful to evaluate the therapeutic effect of patients receiving VA-ECMO support and can provide important guiding value in the selection of VA-ECMO weaning timing and the judgment of prognosis.

AIM: To investigate therapeutic efficiency of amniotic extraction on dry eye in rabbit model induced by topical benzalkonium chloride (BAC).
METHODS: Totally 26 rabbits (26 right eyes) with dry eye model were studied and divided into two groups:group A (control group with PBS eye drops, n = 13) and group B ( amniotic extraction group, n = 13). Another two rabbits were chosen as normal control. The SchirmerⅠ tests ( S Ⅰ t) and corneal fluorescein staining ( FL) were made, and the tear total protein content, amylase activity, lactoferrin, lysozyme contents, goblet cell density were performed in two groups before treatment and 1, 2, 4 and 8 wk after treatment.
RESULTS: There were significant differences in SIT, FL scores, lysozyme activity and goblet cell density among different groups at different time points (P<0. 05). But, there was no significant differences in SⅠt, FL scores, lysozyme activity and goblet cell density between two groups before treatment (P>0. 05). After 8wks' treatment with PBS, the mean differences of the group A showed great changes in SⅠt, lysozyme and goblet cell density compared with those before treatment ( P < 0. 05); but there was no significant differences in FL scores compared with those before treatment (P>0. 05). As for group B, 8wks after treatment, there were statistical changes in SⅠt, FL, lysozyme (P<0. 05); but there was no significant differences in goblet cell density compared with those before treatment ( P > 0. 05). It was evident that statistical differences were observed in S Ⅰ t, FL scores, lysozyme activity and goblet cell density between two groups at each time point (P<0. 05). However, there were no significant differences in total protein, lactoferrin, amylase activity at different time points (P>0. 05). Meanwhile there was no significant differences in total protein, lactoferrin, amylase activity between two groups before treatment ( P > 0. 05 ). But there were significant differences in total protein, lactoferrin, amylase activity between two groups after 4 and 8 wks'treatment (P<0. 05).
CONCLUSION: Amniotic extraction has significant therapeutic effect on the dry eye in rabbit model.

Objective To explore the relationship of intelligence among memory, sustained attention and executive function of schizophrenic patients. Methods 120 schizophrenic inpatients and 60 healthy subjects matched in age, gender and years of education with the patients were assessed with Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-fourth edition (WAIS-IV) and Wechsler Memory Scale-fourth edition (WMS-IV), Continuous Performance Test (CPT), Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST). Results The intelligence quotient (IQ), memory quotient (MQ), scores of CPT and WCST were poor in the patients (P<0.05). IQ was correlated with MQ (r=0.837, P<0.01), the scores of CPT (r=0.613, P<0.01) and WCST (r=0.466, P<0.01). The scores of CPT and MQ were the independent factors related with IQ (P<0.001).Conclusion There is intelligence impairment in schizophrenics, which may related with the impairment of memory and sustained attention.

OBJECTIVETo study the correlation of vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF- C) expression and lymphatic microvessel density (LMVD) with clinicopathological features and prognosis in colon cancer.

METHODSThe expression of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 was detected by immunohistochemical staining with monoclonal antibodies against VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 in 44 cases with primary colon cancer. LMVD was calculated.

RESULTSVEGF-C positive rate was 43.2% (19/44). VEGF-C expression was associated with tumor (P=0.003), lymph node metastasis (P=0.002), Dukes stage (P=0.001). The mean LMVD was 10.14+/- 4.19. LMVD was associated with lymph node metastasis (P=0.002), Dukes stage (P=0.001). LMVD in VEGF-C(+) group was (11.34+/- 4.83) higher than (9.24+/- 3.48) in VEGF-C(-) group, but there was no statistically significance between the two groups (P=0.105). The survival rate of the patients with positive VEGF-C was lower than that with negative VEGF-C (P=0.0225). The median survival time of the patients with LMVD(+) group was shorter than that with LMVD(-) (P=0.0036). Distant metastasis (P=0.0004), lymphatic metastasis (P=0.021) and LMVD (P=0.0469) were independent prognostic factors.

CONCLUSIONSVEGF-C and LMVD appear to be new prognostic factors for colon cancer. Furthermore, LMVD may be a new independent prognostic factor.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Colonic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphangiogenesis ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Lymphatic Vessels ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3 ; metabolism