The synchronous fluorescence spectra of myoglobin were studies for the first time. The fluorescence peaks observed in the spectra were assigned. When the wavelength interval (Δλ) is 80 nm, the main peak at 335 nm is originated from the tryptophan residues in the myoglobin molecule. When Δλis 20 mn, the peak at 308 nm is mainly due to the tyrosine residues in the myoglobin molecule and in a small part due to the tryptophan residues.Two peaks at 322 and 596 nm were observed in the spectrum of myoglobin for Δλ = 40 nm. The peak at 322 nm is due to both tyrosine and tryptophan residues. The peak at 596 nm is attributed to the heme group in the myoglobin molecule .

BACKGROUND: During recent years, mononucleotide polymorphism of some genes is possibly related to affectability of osteoarthritis (OA). However, previous researches mainly compare the gene expression of synoviocytes between OA and rheumatoid arthritis (RhA); therefore, the correlation of gene expression between synovioblast and fibroblast in other tissues should be further studied as compared with OA.OBJ ECTIVE: To observe the differences of gene expression between OA synovioblast and skin fibroblast.DESIGN: Observational contrast analysis.SETTING: People's Hospital of Shenzhen City.PARTICIPANTS: Synovium tissue was derived from OA patients who received replacement of knee joint in the Department of Orthopaedics, People's Hospital of Shenzhen City. All OA patients met the diagnostic criteria of osteoarthritis established by American College of Rheumatology in 1995. Three patients including 1 male and 2 females aged more than 65 years old and they did not have cardiac and pulmonary disease and diabetes mellitus. Three male normal volunteers who aged 25 to 35 years did not have rheumatic disease, osteoarthritis and dermatosis. All subjects provided a confirmed consent. The main reagents were detailed as follows: RPMI1640 culture medium, fetal bovine serum and TRIZOL agent (Invitrogen Life Technologies Company, USA); pGEM-T pUC (Progema Company, USA);Display PROFILE-BASIC and Display PROFILE Probe kits (Qbiogen Company, USA).METHODS: The experiment was carried out in People's Hospital of Shenzhen City from January to June 2005. Synovium of OA patients were treated with primary culture to obtain synovioblast; meanwhile, skin fibroblast treated with primary culture from normal subjects was regarded as the control group. Restricted enzyme section differential display was used to separate the different-expressed genes of synovioblast and skin fibroblast in OA patients. In addition, blast technique was used to compare the resulted ranks with Genbank ranks.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Differences of gene expression between synovioblast and skin fibroblast in OA patients.RESULTS: Gene expressions of superoxide dismutase (SOD), TFPI2, CXCL2, CXCL6 and transforming growth factor (TGF) were high in synovioblast of OA patients as compared with those in skin fibroblast of normal subjects.CONCLUSION: Gene expressions of SOD, TFPI2, CXCL2, CXCL6 and TGF are high in synovioblast of OA patients as compared with those in skin fibroblast of normal subjects. This suggests that gene may play a certain role in onset of OA.

Background Neovascular glaucoma (NVG) is a serious ocular disease which may cause blindness.The primary pathogenesis of NVG is ischemic retinopathy derived by central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) and diabetic retinopathy (DR).Clinical characteristics of NVG are variable based on the difference of primary diseases,such as CRVO and DR.However,there is a few studies regarding the diffcrcnces of NVG initiated by CRVO and DR.Objective This study was to compare the clinical characteristics in NVG patients secondary to CRVO and DR.Methods A series case observational study was carried out in Hiserve Hospital of Qingdao University from January 2009 to June 2012.Twenty-nine eyes of 27 patients with NVG caused by CRVO (10 eyes of 10 patients) and DR (19 eyes of 17 patients) were included.The history of underlying diseases,course of NVG,intraocular pressure(IOP),fundus findings and complications after treatment were analyzed and compared between the CRVO-derived NVG and DR-derived NVG.All patients underwent panretinal photocoagulation,improving microcirculation therapy,anti-glaucoma (drug or surgery) and causative disease treatment,and some of them received vitrectomy or/and cataract surgery.Two eyes from each group received intravitreal injection of ranibizumab.The follow-up time in both groups was (14.00±10.13) months and (17.89±12.52) months,respectively.Results The median time of underlying disease was 3.3 months (2 weeks to 6 months) in the CRVO patients and 11.1 months (4 to 36 mouths) in the DR patients,with a significant difference between them (Z =-2.40,P＜0.05).CRVO-derived NVG progress was much faster than that of DR-derived NVG.The number of the eyes with visual acuity improvement after treatment was 2 in the CRVO-derived NVG and 15 in the DR-derived NVG;while the number of the eyes with unchanged or worse visual acuity was 8 and 4 in the CRVO-derived NVG eyes and the DR-derived NVG eyes (x2 =9.38,P＜0.01).The difference of IOP in pre-and post-treatment was (37.00±9.91)mmHg in the CRVOderived NVG eyes and (8.92±12.05)mmHg in the DR-derived NVG eyes,showing a significant difference between them (t =6.30,P＜0.01).In the CRVO-derived NVG eyes,optic disc edema,retinal hemorrhage,and vein dilatation were seen in 6 eyes,and mild optic disc edema and retinal hemorrhage were observed in 4 eyes.After treatment,fundus could not be seen in 4 eyes,in other 2 eyes optic disc and retinal laser spots were unclearly observed.In addition,pale optic disc and retinal vessel occlusion appeared in 2 eyes,and silver wire-like arteries exhibited in 2 eyes.In pre-treated DR-derived NVG eyes,fundus could not be seen in 8 eyes and Ⅲ-Ⅳv stages of DR findings appeared in 11 eyes.After treatment,retinopathy was stabilized in 16 eyes of 15 cases.Advanced retinopathy(V-Ⅵ stages of DR findings) was revealed in 3 eyes of 3 cases.The incidence of the complication after treatment was 100.0％ in the CRVO-derived NVG eyes and 21.1％ in the DR-derived NVG eyes (x2=5.18,P＜0.05).Conclusions The clinical characteristics of NVG secondary to CRVO and DR are variable,an appropriate treatment option should be selected according to different features of NVG.

BACKGROUNDEarly detection with screening mammography can potentially reduce breast cancer mortality rates. To achieve an efficient screening, a peer review system provides a compensatory double-check reviewing, will hopefully to prevent the omission of detectable lesions and reduce unnecessary recall.

METHODSIn 2009, 4643 initial mammographic screenings reported by 74 screening radiologists had negative results with a recall rate of less than 5%. In the same year, 2538 initial positives screened by 18 screening radiologists had a recall rate higher than 15%. Those 7181 randomized screenings were evenly distributed for reassessment by 39 reviewing radiologists. The disagreement of assessments between the reviewers and screening radiologists was recorded. The differential rate was defined as the number of the disagreements divided by the number of audited films reviewed by a screening radiologist. The equality of the differential rates for each screening radiologists with negative and positive assessments was compared by a Chi-square test. The performance of the 39 auditors was measured by the Kendall's tau statistic. P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

RESULTSThe mean differential rate for screening radiologists of negative assessments was 6.7% (P = 0.588), while 35.0% for positive assessments were significant (P < 0.001). The result indicated that most of the initial negative assessments reported by the screening radiologists were generally accepted by the reviewers but not the positive assessments. With respect to the 39 reviewers, there was no significant evidence for the association of the difference rates between negative and positive assessments. Nine reviewers were found to have their differential rate for negative and positive assessments larger than the average of the population. Eleven reviewers were found to have their differential rates smaller than the average for both. Thirteen reviewers had their differential rates smaller than the average for negative assessments but larger than the average for positive assessments. The opposite condition was found for six reviewers. The Kendall's tau statistic was 0.038 (P = 0.735).

CONCLUSIONSReviewers usually agreed with the opinion of the initial screening doctors who reported negative findings. Therefore, a 5% recall rate as the lower range of reviewing negatives may be still too high. The recall rate of more than 15% was significantly related to improper interpretation, especially when the differential rate is 25% or higher, a warning to the underperforming screening radiologist is recommended. An ideal reviewer should interpret films independently. Reviewers with tendencies to be followers or contrarians should not be enrolled in the reviewing system.

Purpose: Preoperative localization plays an important role in secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) surgery. The advantages of neck ultrasound (US) include high availability and low cost. However, the reported sensitivity of US is 54%– 76%, and the reason for missed parathyroid glands (PGs) on US has been rarely addressed. Methods: Fifty-four patients who were diagnosed with renal SHPT from September 2020 to March 2022 were included in this retrospective study. Preoperative localization included surgeon-oriented US and technetium 99m-sestamibi singlephoton emission CT (SPECT)/CT. Results: A total of 212 PGs were pathologically confirmed, resulting in a success rate of 96.2% (52 of 54). Using echo, 193 PGs (91.0%) were accurately localized, while 19 glands (9.0%) were not identified, including those in ectopic positions (n = 12, at thymus or intrathyroid or others), of small size (<1 cm, n = 6), or overlapping with an ipsilateral PG (n = 1). US accurately detected 4 PGs in 36 (66.7%) patients, while SPECT/CT localized 4 glands in 19 patients (35.2%). Although the number of US-detectable PGs was not associated with success rate, it showed a significant negative correlation with surgical time (rs = –0.459, P = 0.002). Conclusion US detected 4 glands in 66% of SHPT patients with a sensitivity of 90% for localization. Ectopic position and small size were the most common reasons for the failure to detect PG on US. Complete preoperative echo localization might shorten operating time.

Objective:To explore the learning experience of medical students in digital storytelling teaching,providing a theoretical basis for the practice and research of digital storytelling teaching.Methods:Qualitative research and mixed-method research containing qualitative studies on medical students'experiences in digital storytelling teaching were retrieved from domestic and foreign databases,with a retrieval time limit from database establishment to January 2024.The quality evaluation criteria for qualitative research from JBI Evidence-Based Healthcare Center were used to evaluate the quality of the included literature,and the meta-integration method was used to systematically integrate and analyze the results.Results:A total of 12 articles were included,44 research results were extracted,and 11 new categories were summarized and integrated into 3 integration results,including medical students benefit greatly from digital storytelling teaching;the unique advantages of digital storytelling as an emerging teaching tool;and the obstacles of digital storytelling in education.Conclusion:Medical students hold a positive attitude towards the teaching mode of digital storytelling and have gained a good learning experience from it.However,there are shortcomings such as the uneven quality of digital storytelling resources,and some medical students'unsuitability for the learning mode of digital storytelling.Further research is needed on ethical issues arising from the teaching mode of digital storytelling.

OBJECTIVE: We wanted to report our experience of metallic stent placement after insufficient balloon dilation in graft hemodialysis patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-three patients (13 loop grafts in the forearm and 10 straight grafts in the upper arm) underwent metallic stent placement due to insufficient flow after urokinase thrombolysis and balloon dilation. The indications for metallic stent deployment included 1) recoil and/or kinked venous stenosis in 21 patients (venous anastomosis: 17 patients, peripheral outflow vein: four patients); and 2) major vascular rupture in two patients. Metallic stents 8-10mm in diameter and 40-80 mm in length were used. Of them, eight stents were deployed across the elbow crease. Access patency was determined by clinical follow-up and the overall rates were calculated by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. RESULTS: No procedure-related complications (stent fracture or central migration) were encountered except for a delayed Wallstent shortening/migration at the venous anastomosis, which resulted in early access failure. The overall primary and secondary patency rates (+/- standard error) of all the vascular accesses in our 23 patients at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months were 69% +/- 9 and 88% +/- 6, 41% +/- 10 and 88% +/- 6, 30% +/- 10 and 77% +/- 10, and 12% +/- 8 and 61% +/- 13, respectively. For the forearm and upper-arm grafts, the primary and secondary patency rates were 51% +/- 16 and 86% +/- 13 vs 45% +/- 15 and 73%+/-13 at 6 months, and 25% +/- 15 and 71% +/- 17 vs 23% +/- 17 and 73% +/- 13 at 12 months (p = .346 and .224), respectively. CONCLUSION: Metallic stent placement is a safe and effective means for treating peripheral venous lesions in dialysis graft patients after insufficient balloon dilation. No statistically difference in the patency rates between the forearm and upper-arm patient groups was seen.
Vascular Patency ; Treatment Failure ; Stents ; Renal Dialysis ; Polytetrafluoroethylene ; Middle Aged ; Metals ; Male ; Humans ; Graft Occlusion, Vascular/*therapy ; Forearm ; Female ; *Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical ; *Angioplasty, Balloon ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aged

This study was purposed to investigate the molecular mechanism of 4-1BBL reverse signals in the human acute monocytic leukemia cell line of U937. The U937 cell line was used as target cells, and stimulated by the mouse anti-human 4-1BBL monoclonal antibody 1F1. The nuclear translocation of NF-κB and the co-location of 4-1BBL and CD28i molecules in U937 cells were observed with confocal laser scanning microscopy. The protein and m-RNA expression levels of 4-1BBL and CD28i were detected by flow cytometry and RT-PCR respectively. The results showed that the significant nuclear translocation of NF-κB and co-localization of 4-1BBL and CD28i on membrane of U937 cells appeared after being stimulated by mAb1F1. It is concluded that the 4-1BBL reverse signals transduction mediating the growth of U937 cells relates with the nuclear translocation of NF-κB. CD28i may be involved in intracellular 4-1BBL reverse signaling pathways.
4-1BB Ligand ; immunology ; metabolism ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; pharmacology ; CD28 Antigens ; metabolism ; Coculture Techniques ; Humans ; NF-kappa B ; genetics ; Signal Transduction ; U937 Cells

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a thermal ablation technique widely used for the management of benign thyroid nodules. To date, five academic societies in various countries have reported clinical practice guidelines, opinion statements, or recommendations regarding the use of thyroid RFA. However, despite some similarities, there are also differences among the guidelines, and a consensus is required regarding safe and effective treatment in Asian countries. Therefore, a task force was organized by the guideline committee of the Asian Conference on Tumor Ablation with the goal of devising recommendations for the clinical use of thyroid RFA. The recommendations in this article are based on a comprehensive analysis of the current literature and the consensus opinion of the task force members.

Background/Aims:  Rituximab is known to be associated with high hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation rate in patients with resolved HBV infection and hematologic malignancy. However, data regarding HBV reactivation (HBVr) in rheumatic patients receiving rituximab is limited. To assess the HBVr rate in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-negative patients receiving rituximab for autoimmune diseases in a large real-world cohort. Methods:  From March 2006 to December 2019, 900 patients with negative HBsAg receiving at least one cycle of rituximab for autoimmune diseases in a tertiary medical center in Taiwan were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical outcome and factors associated with HBVr were analyzed. Results: After a median follow-up period of 3.3 years, 21 patients developed HBVr, among whom 17 patients were positive for hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) and four were negative. Thirteen patients had clinical hepatitis flare, while eight patients had HBsAg seroreversion without hepatitis. Old age, anti-HBc positivity, undetectable serum hepatitis B surface antibody level at rituximab initiation and a higher average rituximab dose were associated with a higher HBVr rate. There was no significant difference in the HBVr risk between rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases. Among anti-HBc-negative patients, subjects without HBV vaccination at birth had an increased risk of HBVr (4/368, 1.1%) compared with those who received vaccination (0/126, 0%). Conclusions In HBV endemic areas where occult HBV is prevalent, anti-HBc-negative patients, may still be at risk for HBVr after rituximab exposure. HBVr may still be considered in HBsAgnegative patients developing abnormal liver function after rituximab exposure, even in patients with negative anti-HBc.