Objective To explore the diagnostic value of telomerase activity (TA) and hTERT expression in pleural effusions. Methods According to the final diagnosis, 51 patients with pleural effusion were classified into two groups: malignant group (n=27) and benign group (n=24). Telomerase activity in pleural effusion was measured by TRAP-ELISA. Then the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of telomerase activity for diagnosing pleural effusion were calculated. hTERT in pleural effusion was detected by western blotting analysis. Results TA assay showed that 24 of 27 cases of malignant pleural effusion were found to possess telomerase activity, while 1 of 24 cases of benign one had telomerase activity. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of TA assay for diagnosing pleural effusion were 88.9%, 95.8%, 96%, 88.5%, and 92.2%, respectively. hTERT test showed that 8 of 27 cases of malignant pleural effusion had hTERT expression, while none of 12 cases of benign one had hTERT expression. There was significant difference in diagnosing pleural effusion between two methods (? 2=19.64,P=9.4?10 -5 ). Conclusion Tolomerase activity assay may act as a routine diagnostic method for malignant pleural effusions, while hTERT test may serve as complementary one.

Objective: To study the inhibitory effect of retrovirus-mediated antisense human telomerase RNA (hTR) gene on hepatocelluar carcinoma, so as to explore an effective way to inhibit telomrerase activity in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods: Sense and antisense hTR gene were transfected into the packaging cell line PT67 by electroporation, and the stablely transfected cells were selected with G418. The recombinant retroviral supernatant was collected and transfected into HepG2 cells. After G418 selection, PCR was used to verify the integration of the hTR gene. Cell growth curves were drawn using MTT assay and the expression of PCNA was determined by immunofluorescence. TRAP-PCR-ELISA was adopted to detect the telomerase activity; cell cycle and apoptosis were evaluated by flow cytometry (FCM).Results: The expression of hTR gene could be amplified in HepG2-hTR-EcoRⅠ and HepG2-hTR-BamHⅠ cells, but not in untransfected HepG2 cells. The antisense hTR complementary to the template region of telomerase inhibited growth and proliferation of HepG2 cells. The expression of neutrophil proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was decreased. Telomerase activity in the antisense hTR-treated group was (2.31?0.16),which was significantly lower than those of the other 2 groups(P

Objective To compare the dosimetric differences of volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) for preoperative radiotherapy of rectal cancer using 6MV X-ray flattening filter-free (FFF) and flattening filter (FF) modes.Methods FF-VMAT and FFF-VMAT plans were designed for 15 rectal cancer patients with preoperative radiotherapy by planning treatment system (Eclipse 10.0),respectively.Prescription dose of PTV was 50 Gy in 25 fractions.When the plans were normalized to 50 Gy to 95 ％ of PTV,the dose volume histogram (DVH),target and risk organ doses,conformity indexes (CI),homogeneity indexes (HI),low dose volume of normal tissue (B-P),monitor units (MU) and treatment time (TT) were compared between the two kinds of plans.Results FF-VMAT provided the lower Dmean,V105,HI (P ＜ 0.05),and higher CI (P ＜ 0.05) compared with FFF-VMAT.Small intestine (D5),Bladder (D5,Dmean V40,V50),L-femoral head (V40),R-femoral head (Dmean) were lower in FF-VMAT than those in FFF-VMAT (P ＜ 0.05).FF-VMAT had higher B-P (V5) compared with FFF-VMAT (P ＜ 0.05).FF-VMAT reduced the monitor units (MU) by 21％ (382±53 vs 483±26,P ＜ 0.05),as well as the treatment time (TT) in FF-VMAT was no significant difference compared with that in FFF-VMAT [(148±4) s vs (146±3) s,P ＞ 0.05)].Conclusions The qualities of FF-VMAT and FFF-VMAT plans were comparable and both clinically acceptable.When comparing two plans,FF-VMAT showed better target coverage and some of OARs sparing.The MUs of FFF-VMAT were higher than those of FF-VMAT,yet were not delivered within the same time.

Objective To shorten the turn around time of positive blood culture results by optimizing the blood culture positive specimen processing flow.Methods In January 26,2015,the microbiology department started the blood culture positive specimen processing flow optimization project,and applied the Lean Six Sigma method in the microbiological process management.The TAT data of 124 positive blood cultures containing Enterobacteriaceae were collected before and after the start of the project in about two months.We analyzed the turnaround time median,mean and standard deviation and reference Z value,process performance index,millions of error opportunities.We decompose the turnaround time into six time periods to find the key points of the process improvement and the influencing factors,and then put forward the reform measures to optimize the blood culture inspection process.MiniTab17.0 statistical software was used to process capability analysis and double sample t test.Results After the implementation of the project,the average turnaround time of the blood culture was shortened from 77.10 h to 64.03 h,improved by 13.06 h(16.94％).Process performance greatly improved in Ppk value increased from 0.49 to 0.88,the benchmark Z value increased from 1.48 to 2.63.After the improvement,except the positive alarm time of blood culture,the mean of the other decomposition time was significantly shorter than before.Conclusions The application of Six Sigma in process management can greatly improve the work efficiency and process performance.This project can save a lot of manpower,material and financial resources,reduce the waiting,shorten turnaround time,that achieve the desired results.

Objective To investigate the clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of heterotopic pancreas in gastrointestinal tract. Methods A total of 60 cases of heterotopic pancreas in gastrointestinal tract diagnosed through endoscopic ultrasonography and pathological examination were treated in our hospital in the recent 10 years. Their data were retrospectively analyzed. Results Among all the 60 patients, the lesions were located in duodenal bulb cavity in 3 cases, in duodenal descendent in 2 cases, in gastric angle in 3 cases,in the junction of gastric antrum and corpus ventriculi in 2 cases and in gastric antrum in 50 cases. All of the 60 patients were definitely diagnosed through endoscopy, endoscopic ultrasonography and pathological examination. 28 patients were treated by endoscopic high-frequency electronic resection, 2 patients were treated by endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), 30 patients were treated by surgical operation; no operative complication was found, and satisfactory clinical effects had been observed in these patients. Conclusions Endoscopic ultrasonography has great value in the diagnosis and endoscopic therapy of heterotopic pancreas in gastrointestinal tract. It can provide the guide for the choice of treatment. Minimally invasive endoscopic treatment is safe and effective for heterotopic pancreas and has great clinical value.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanism. METHOD: We isolate the mouse bone marrow cells and cultured with rGM-CSF and rIL-4 to stimulate bone marrow cells to transfer to immature dendritic cells. And then the immature dendritic cells were costimulated with ILPS and different concentrations of Bimingan Granule. RESULT: MHC II, CD80, CD86 were detected by flow cytometer and TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6 and IL-10 were quantified by ELISA. CONCLUSION Our results showed that Bimingan Granule may significantly inhibit the differentiation of immature dendritic cells to mature dendritic cells.
Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Dendritic Cells ; drug effects ; immunology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; drug therapy ; immunology

Objective:Based on the high-throughput detection technique of multiplex PCR combined with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, constructing the characteristic SNP profiles of different strains, and establishing a rapid, accurate and highly sensitive method for the diagnosis of bloodstream infection pathogens.Methods:Seven kinds of pathogens such as common Escherichia coli were selected as target. The multiple PCR reaction conditions was optimized, and the characteristic peaks of each target bacteria were detected by MALDI-TOF MS to establish the joint detect system. Common primer pairs and central homo-sequence primer pairs were designed to analyse the formation of primer dimer. Using simulated bacterial infection blood samples with detection system to determine specificity and sensitivity. One hundred and fifty blood samples from suspected bacteremia patients were collected from June to September 2020 in a hospital in Beijing, and the identification results were compared to traditional identification method of clinical application that are using χ 2 test. Results:The cycle threshold (Ct) value of the central homo-sequence primers that were designed were more than 38, with a delay of 6-10 cycles. The joint mass spectrometry detection system could detect seven kinds of bacteria divided into two groups at the same time. The target bacteria can be detected specific product of the peak, and the clinical strains other than the target strains only had primer peaks. All maps had non-specific miscellaneous peaks. The sensitivity of Escherichia coli could reach 50 CFU/ml, and the detection limit of other bacteria was 100 CFU/ml. The detection results of 150 patients showed that 46 cases were positive by traditional method. The positive rate was 30.67% (46/150), including two cases of mixed infection. Forty-eight cases were positive by mass spectrometry, and the positive rate was 32.0% (48/150), including three cases of mixed infections. The negative coincidence rate was 100% (101/101). The comparison of the two methods showed that the P=0.625>0.01, the Kappa=0.938, the sensitivity and specificity was 97.82%(45/46) and 97.11%(101/104), respectively. There was no significant difference between the two methods, and the results of nucleic acid mass spectrometry could also be used in clinic. Conclusions:The established detection system can not only quickly and accurately detect seven common pathogens causing bloodstream infection, and effectively shorten the time needed for traditional culture and identification, but also can detect multiple bacterial mixed infections at the same time to make up for the possibility of missed detection. Besides, the method can also be used to identify other bacteria.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of iodine supplementation on infant mortality and growth in Xinjiang.

METHODSUrine iodine, height and head circumference (HC) of children aged 5 years in two townships was measured before and yearly after iodine supplementation of irrigation water. Height and HC were expressed as Z scores (United States children used as the reference group). Neonatal and infant mortality rates were obtained from official records in three counties from 1988 to 1999, and analyzed by a logistic regression model.

RESULTSThe odds ratio of infant mortality decreased 56.49% and neonatal mortality 65.71% respectively after iodination; there was no significant difference in the odds ratio of infant or neonatal mortality between experimental and control areas without iodination. In Langru township, the mean height of 5 year-old children increased from 95 cm in 1992 to 106.9 cm in 1998 - 1999, and HC from 48.4 cm to 50.5 cm. Median urine iodine increased from <10 to 176 micro g/L. In Bakechi township, mean height increased from 91 cm in 1993 to 106.5 cm in 1998 - 1999, HC from 48.7 to 49.6 cm, and median urine iodine from 39 to 138 micro g/L.

CONCLUSIONIn Xinjiang, adequate iodine treatment markedly decreased infant and neonatal mortality, and largely preventing stunting of height and HC in children.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Animals ; Body Height ; drug effects ; Child ; Child Development ; drug effects ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant Mortality ; trends ; Iodine ; analysis ; pharmacology ; urine ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Odds Ratio ; Plants ; chemistry ; Soil ; analysis ; Thyroid Gland ; chemistry ; Time Factors ; Water ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the prevalence of esophageal and gastric cardia cancer and various precancerous lesions in high-risk rural areas.

METHODSRandom cluster sampling method was used to select people aged 40-69 years of some natural villages as screening objects in Feicheng, Shangdong province, from 2006 to 2012. The screening program was conducted by endoscopy with iodine staining and indicative biopsy followed by pathological examination.

RESULTSA total of 24 759 subjects were screened during 2006-2012 years. The positive detection rates of esophagus and gastric cardia cancers were 1.37% and 0.42%, respectively, the early diagnosis rates were 84.71% and 65.05%, and the treatment rates were 92.65% and 92.23%, respectively. The detection rates of all lesions in males were significantly higher than those in females (P < 0.05), and were gradually increased with age (P < 0.05). The time trend analysis showed that detection rates of all lesions in the two sites showed no significant changes during this period, and the detection rates of esophageal lesions were higher than those of gastric cardia.

CONCLUSIONSThere are considerable numbers of patients with precancerous lesions in the general population from the high risk areas. Men and the elderly are the key populations calling for cancer control programs. Endoscopy using iodine staining is an effective method to increase the detection rate of precancerous lesions and cancers. The root of mucosal fold in gastric cardia must be carefully observed so as to increase the detection rate of early gastric cardia lesions.

Adult ; Aged ; Biopsy ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cardia ; Coloring Agents ; Early Detection of Cancer ; statistics & numerical data ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Esophagoscopy ; Female ; Gastroscopy ; Humans ; Iodine ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Precancerous Conditions ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; Prevalence ; Rural Population ; statistics & numerical data ; Sex Distribution ; Stomach Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; epidemiology

Objective: To discuss the application of matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) in the identification of Aspergillus and evaluate its performance. Methods: the clinical isolates of Aspergillus collected from May 2017 to March 2018 in PLA General Hospital were identified by VITEK MS V3.0 and the results were analyzed. The ITS sequencing resultswere used as the gold standard. Results: It identified 9 Aspergillus species (including 12 Aspergillus species in total) through the V3.0 database, accounting for 86.24% of the total clinical isolates. The identification rate by VITEK MS was 91.49% with 16.51% was not identified. The coincidence rate of genus was 93.62%, of which only two Aspergillus versicolor were identified to the level of the genus. According to the confidence level analysis, 88.30% of the strains obtained more than 99% of the identification rate. 13.83% of the strains did not have the identification results for the first time, with the error rate of 3.19%. After secondary extractions, the percentage of unidentified strain was reduced to 6.38%, and the identification error rate was reduced to 2.13%. Combined with traditional identification and VITEK MS identification, the correct rate of strains identification was 98.94% on genus level, and was 93.62% on species level. The influence of other fungi on Aspergillus identification was 0%. Conclusion As a powerful supplement to the traditional identification method, MALDI-TOF MS showed a lot of convenience when applied in the identification of Aspergillus, which improves the identification accuracy and the identification ability for fungi in laboratory.(Chin J Lab Med, 2018, 41: 577-582)