Pdx-1, an important transcription factor highlighting in the early pancreatic development, islet functions and pancreatic disorders, needs to be more investigated in zebrafish, and siRNA is still seldom applied in zebrafish embryo-related research. Our aim was to explore the role of pdx-1 in pancreatic development of zebrafish embryos by using siRNA approach. Microinjection, reverse transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR), in situ hybridization and immunofluorescent staining were used in this research, and the morphology of the islet in normal zebrafish embryos, and in those treated with the siRNA specific to pdx-1 (siPDX-1) or siGFP was observed and compared. The expression of pdx-1 was detected in the stages of 1-cell, 2-cell, 4-cell, 8-cell, 16-cell, 16-hour by RT-PCT. The in situ hybridization and immunofluorescent staining results showed that siPDX-1 disturbed the formation of the islet in zebrafish embryos. Pdx-1 played multiple roles in maintaining the phenotype of the islet during embryogenesis in zebrafish.
Embryo, Nonmammalian ; Homeodomain Proteins/genetics ; Homeodomain Proteins/*metabolism ; Islets of Langerhans/cytology ; Islets of Langerhans/*embryology ; Islets of Langerhans/metabolism ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering/*genetics ; Trans-Activators/genetics ; Trans-Activators/*metabolism ; Zebrafish

Objective:To predict and analyze the secondary structure and B cell epitopes of Izumo protein.Methods: The secondary structure and flexible regions of Izumo protein were predicted by the methods of Chou-Fasman,Gamier-Robson and Karplus-Schulz.Moreover,hydrophilicity plot,surface probability plot and antigenic index of Izumo protein were predicted by the methods of Kyte-Doolitde,Emini and Jameson-Wolf,respectively.Results: Izumo protein contained moreαhelix regions.There were several centers ofαhelix in the regions of 6-17,30-40,88-99,103-120,153-160,173-188,249-260,283-297,334-338 and 339-346 of Izumo protein,and several centers of βsheet in the regions of 21-25,198-200,245-248 and 320-323.Moreover,many distinct B cell epitopes in Izumo protein possibly localized in the regions of 3642,62-66,94-99,118-122,129-132,151-154,161-164,173-177,205-208,212-216,256-265,271-276,283-288,314-318 and 336-350.Conclusion:These results are helpful for identification of the dominant B cell epitopes and the functional domains of Izumo protein.

Pdx-1, an important transcription factor highlighting in the early pancreatic development,islet functions and pancreatic disorders, needs to be more investigated in zebrafish, and siRNA is still seldom applied in zebrafish embryo-related research.Our aim was to explore the role of pdx-1 in pan-creatic development of zebrafish embryos by using siRNA approach. Microinjection, reverse tran-scriptase-PCR (RT-PCR), in situ hybridization and immunofluorescent staining were used in this re-search, and the morphology of the islet in normal zebrafish embryos, and in those treated with the siRNA specific to pdx-1 (siPDX-1) or siGFP was observed and compared. The expression of pdx-1 was detected in the stages of 1-cell, 2-cell, 4-cell, 8-cell, 16-cell, 16-hour by RT-PCT. The in situ hy-bridization and immunofluorescent staining results showed that siPDX-I disturbed the formation of the islet in zebrafish embryos. Pdx-1 played multiple roles in maintaining the phenotype of the islet during embryogenesis in zebrafish.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ligation-assisted endoscopic dissection (ED-L) technique for the removal of gastric tumors originating from muscularis propria.Methods A total of 33 patients with gastric tumors originating from muscularis propria less than 10 mm were treated with ED-L procedures.The tumor was ligated by elastic bands.Endoscopic dissection was performed until the tumor was partially or completely dissected from muscularis propria by using Hook knife and/or IT-knife.The wound was closed with metallic clips and medical adhesive.The patients were followed up 1 week,1 month,3 months,6 months and 12 months thereafter with endoscopy,respectively.Results Of the 33 gastric tumors,there were 25 partial dissections and 8 complete dissections.All of the tumors sloughed completely.Pathological diagnoses of all the patients were acquired.No complications like perforation occurred except for one self-limiting and non-life-threatening hemorrhage.There was no recurrent case during the 3-18 months of follow-up period.Conclusion ED-L is a safe,effective and relatively simple technique for excision of small gastrointestinal tumors originating from muscularis propria,providing a histopathological diagnosis as well.

To shorten the cultivation time and reduce the consumption of raw materials for microbial lipid production, oleaginous yeast Rhodosporidium toruloides AS 2.1389 was cultivated using a two-stage culture mode, in which the cell propagation and lipid accumulation were separated. The yeast cells recovered from the propagation culture were re-suspended in glucose solution for lipid accumulation, through which lipid content over 55% of the dry cell weight was achieved, the longer the propagation stage was, the higher the lipid content. Analysis of the lipid indicated that the long-chain fatty acids with 16 and 18 carbon atoms were major components, suggesting that the lipid can be an alternative feedstock for biodiesel production.
Basidiomycota ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Biofuels ; Cell Culture Techniques ; methods ; Fermentation ; Industrial Microbiology ; methods ; Lipids ; biosynthesis

Objective To investigate the effect of thymosin ?1 (T?1) on cellular immune function in gastric cancer patients through observing its treatment on the differentiation of T-lymphocyte subsets from screened peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Methods PBMCs were obtained by centrifugation of blood samples from 18 healthy subjects and 32 patients with gastric cancer,and then cultured in the presence of culture medium with addition of T?1 at 50,10 and 1 ?g/ml for 2 d. T lymphocyte subsets (such as CD4+,CD8+ and CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ T cells) and Th1/Th2 multiplex cytokines were detected by flow cytometry (FCM). Results After PBMCs isolated from healthy people and patients were incubated with or without T?1,there was no significant change in percentage of CD4+,CD8+ peripheral lymphocyte subsets and ratio of CD4+/CD8+. There was no obvious change in the percentage of CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ T lymphocyte subsets in the normal control,but a significant increase was observed in the cells from patients with gastric cancer after treatment (P

Objective:To analyze the predictive value of enhanced MRI in the outcome of prolapsed and sequestrated lumbar disc herniation through a retrospective analysis.Methods:A retrospective analysis of the data of 64 patients with prolapsed and sequestrated lumbar disc herniation from January 2015 to December 2018, including 38 males and 26 females; age 35.72±12.44 years (range, 22-64 years) ; 43 cases of prolapsed type, 21 cases of sequestrated type. Conservative treatment was the first choice for all patients, in case of surgical indications during the treatment, percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy or fenestration discectomy will be performed. Enhanced MRI was performed at the first and last inspections, the volume of the protrusion, the thickness of rim enhancement (Tr), and the extent of rim enhancement (Er) were measured and calculated at the same time. According to the ring around the protrusion, the size of the rim-enhancement area was divided into type I-III; then compared the relationship between the rim-enhancement signal differentiation and the resorption rate of protrusions, and the correlation between Tr, Er values and the resorption rate of protrusions during the initial inspection.Results:Among the 64 patients, 42 patients completed conservative treatment, and 22 received surgical treatment. According to the rim-enhancement signal differentiation, 23 cases were treated conservatively for type I, 3 cases were treated by surgery; 16 cases were treated for type II conservatively, 7 cases were treated by surgery; 3 cases were treated for type III conservatively, and 12 cases were treated by surgery. All patients were followed up for 12 to 34 months. Among 42 conservatively treated patients, The volume of the protrusion before treatment was 2 645.67±690.86 mm 3, and the volume of the protrusion after treatment was 842.76±573.35 mm 3. The volume of protrusions before and after treatment was statistical significance ( t=11.897, P<0.001), Tr was 1.38±0.83 mm, and Er was 73.08%±34.39%, the resorption rate of protrusions was 65.10%±24.50%, and 39 cases (92.86%, 39/42) reached the standard for protrusion resorption (resorption rate ≥30%); 23 cases of type I , the resorption rate was 76.54%±18.62%; 16 cases of type II had an resorption rate of 56.81%±21.44%; 3 cases of type III had an resorption rate of 21.58%±12.19%. The resorption rate of type III were compared by single factor analysis of variance, and the difference was statistically significant ( F=12.885, P<0.001); 32 cases of both type I and II (82.05%, 32/39) had significant resorption (resorption rate ≥50%), and no case of type Ⅲ had significant resorption, comparing with type I and II, the difference was statistically significant ( P=0.010); Tr was positively correlated with resorption rate ( r=0.569, P<0.001), Er was positively correlated with resorption rate ( r=0.677, P<0.001). Conclusion:Under close clinical observation, parts of the prolapsed or sequestrated lumbar disc herniations can be conservatively treated, and the herniated disc can be resorption in many people and the clinical symptoms were alleviated. Rim-enhancement signal differentiation by enhanced MR has a better predictive value for the outcome of the herniation, type I is more prone to resorption, preferred conservative treatment, type Ⅲ is not easy to resorption, preferred surgery treatment, and the higher thickness of rim enhancement, the greater extend the rim-enhancement, the more prone to resorption phenomenon.

Objective:To evaluate the feasibility, safety and efficacy of the magnetic resonance imaging guided focused ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS) in the treatment of localized prostate cancer (PCa).Methods:The data of 5 patients treated by MRgFUS from August 2020 to June 2021 in our institution were retrospectively analyzed. The median age was 73 (58-80) years, with the median PSA of 7.34 (5.19-8.40) ng/ml, and a median prostate volume of 27.96 (21.50-37.91) ml. The median pretreatment international prostate symptom score (IPSS) was 13(0-18). Of the 3 patients with intention of erectile function preservation, the pretreatment international index of erectile function-15 (IIEF-15) score was 12, 23 and 3, respectively. All patients had histopathology-proven PCa of grade group ≤ International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) 3, pre-operative PSA level <20 ng/ml, and a clinical stage ≤T 2b. A total of 6 lesions was confirmed by biopsy, with 3 of ISUP grade group 3 and 3 of ISUP grade group 1. All 5 patients underwent MRgFUS which was guided by a real-time magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). PSA, MRI and repeated biopsy were conducted to monitor recurrence. Questionnaires consisted of IPSS, IIEF-15, and the International Consultation on Incontinence-questionnaire-Short Form (ICI-Q-SF) were recorded before and after MRgFUS to evaluate the impact on functional preservation. Results:A total of 5 patients received MRgFUS. In total, 5 of the 6 lesions were treated. 1 lesion unvisible on MRI was not clinically significant and was left untreated. The median time in MRI scanner was 190 (140-355) min, and the median sonication time was 64 (35-148) min with the median sonications of 8 (5-13). The median catheter indwelling time was 1 (1-8) days. No other adverse effects were reported. The PSA level of all 5 patients decreased, with the nadir PSA of 1.196 ng/ml, 4.398 ng/ml, 4.135 ng/ml, 1.562ng/ml and 1.350ng/ml, respectively. 4 of the patients had a PSA decrease over 50%. No PCa lesion was seen on MRI at 3-month follow-up visit. As for functional preservation, the post-MRgFUS IPSS declined compared with the baseline score, and the IPSS of last follow-up was 5(0-14). Of the 3 patients with intention to preserve the erectile function, the erectile function score of IIEF-15 were 12, 30 and 9 three months after the treatment, respectively. No incontinence occurred postoperatively.Conclusions:MRgFUS is a feasible and safe way for the treatment of low- to intermediate-risk localized PCa, with satisfactory performance on functional preservation and low incidence of complications. The oncological outcomes still need to be establised with longer follow-up time and larger sample studies.

BACKGROUND:Combined radiation and wound injury appeared mainly in patients with tumor radiotherapy and nuclear radiation accidents.The radiation destroys the repair mechanism,resulting in delayed or prolonged wound healing.It still lacks an effective therapeutic strategy currently. OBJECTIVE:To prepare multifunctional wound dressings based on the multiple clinical symptoms of combined radiation and wound injury,which are designed to be antibacteria,promoted healing and analgesics. METHODS:Using levofloxacin,fibroin and lidocaine hydrochloride as raw materials,3D bioprinting technology was applied to prepare the multifunctional wound dressing.(1)The multifunctional dressing was placed on a fixed culture plate coated with Staphylococcus aureus,Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa,and incubated at 37 ℃ overnight to detect the diameter of the antibacterial zone.(2)40 Kunming mice were randomly divided into trauma group,radiation and trauma model group,treatment group and positive drug group,with 10 mice in each group.Mice in the radiation and trauma model group,treatment group and positive drug group were irradiated by 60Co gamma rays.After 1 hour of radiation,a full-layer skin defect wound with a diameter of 1 cm was made on the back of each mouse in the four groups.Normal saline was applied to the wounds of the trauma group and the radiation and trauma model group.Trethanolamine cream was applied to the wounds of the positive drug group.Multifunctional dressing was applied to the wounds of the treatment group.The dressing was changed every 2 days,and the treatment was continued for 14 days.Wound healing rate and serum interleukin-6 level were measured at 3,7 and 14 days after wound modeling.14 days after the wound modeling,the skin tissue of the wound was obtained and received hematoxylin-eosin staining,Masson staining and cytokeratin-14 immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)3D-printed multifunctional wound dressing had good antibacterial activity.The antibacterial zone diameters against Staphylococcus aureus,Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were(4.15±0.09),(4.18±0.23)and(4.35±0.13)cm,respectively.(2)With the extension of modeling time,the wound healed gradually.The wound healing rate of the treatment group and the positive drug group was higher than that of the radiation and trauma model group at 3,7 and 14 days after modeling(P<0.01,P<0.001).The wound healing rate of the treatment group was higher than that of the positive drug group.With the extension of modeling time,the serum interleukin level of mice increased first and then decreased.The serum interleukin level in the treatment group at 3,7 and 14 days after modeling was lower than that in the radiation and trauma model group.Hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson staining exhibited that inflammatory cells infiltrated the granuloma tissue in the trauma group,and the dermal collagen fibers were densely arranged.The normal structure of epidermis and dermis was destroyed and inflammatory cells were infiltrated in the radiation and trauma model group.In the treatment group,normal skin mucosal tissue was observed,the epidermis was arranged closely,and the sweat glands,hair follicles and dermal collagen fibers were arranged regularly.In the positive drug group,the arrangement of epidermal layer was tight,and the arrangement of sweat glands,hair follicles and dermal collagen fibers was regular.Cytokeratin-14 immunohistochemical staining displayed that the epidermal tissue thickness in the treatment group was lower than that in the other three groups(P<0.01,P<0.001).(3)The results confirm that the 3D-printed multifunctional dressing has multiple functions of local anesthesia,anti-infection and promoting healing.

Objective:To investigate the safety and efficacy of MR-guided focused ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS) in treating localized prostate cancer.Methods:Six patients with localized prostate cancer who underwent MRgFUS treatment from August 2020 to September 2021 in Beijing Hospital were prospectively enrolled in this study. The patients were all over 18 years old, with an average age of (68±10) years, and had not received any prior treatment for prostate cancer. Pretreatment pelvic MR and CT scans were performed to determine the region of treatment (ROT). Different urinary catheterization measures were given based on the location of the lesion. Under general anesthesia, the lesions were treated by MRgFUS using a specialized rectal ultrasound transducer on the treatment bed. The patients were followed up at 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment and annually thereafter. During follow-up, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, pelvic MR scans, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), International Index of Erectile Function-15 (IIEF-15) scores, and adverse events were assessed.Results:(1) All six patients underwent MRgFUS treatment for six lesions, with an average duration of (126±56) minutes, an average number of (7.3±3.2) focal ultrasound pulses per lesion, and an average non-perfusion volume of (3.8±1.1) cm 3, which covered the entire treatment target area. No treatment-related adverse events were reported. (2) The PSA levels at baseline, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment were (6.6±0.8), (3.6±1.3), (3.4±3.0), (2.5±1.7), and (2.3±1.8) ng/ml, respectively. PSA levels increased in 2 out of 6 patients during follow-up, and pelvic MR scan revealed recurrent lesions, while PSA levels continued to decrease in the remaining 4 patients, and pelvic MR scan were normal. (3) The IPSS scores at baseline, 1, and 3 months after treatment were 13.0 (4.0, 16.0), 10.0 (4.0, 12.0), and 5.0 (3.0, 6.0) points, respectively. For the three sexually active patients, the IIEF-15 scores at baseline were 40, 51, and 14 points, respectively, and IIEF-15 at 1 month after treatment were 9, 8, and 14 points, respectively, and at 3 months after treatment were 9, 66 and 26 points, respectively. (4) One patient was diagnosed with recurrence 10 months after treatment, and another patient was found to have a new lesion 6 months after treatment. Conclusions:MRgFUS might be a safe, non-invasive, and effective treatment for localized prostate cancer, but regular follow-up is vital for detecting tumor recurrence.