Objective To investigate the gestation-specific reference intervals (GRIs) and dynamic changes of thyroid function at different gestational ages in Chongqing .Methods Combining self-sequential longtitudinal with cross-sectional study, the serum samples from 640 pregnant women with different gestational age were collected from June 2014 to September 2015 in the Third Military Medical University. The free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), thyroglobulin (TG), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb), and antithyroglobulin antibody (TGAb) were detected by the direct chemiluminescence method.According to China Guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid disease in pregnancy and postpartum in 2012, the reference interval of the thyroid function was calculated.The data were analyzed by Chi square test .Results Established GRIs of thyroid function during pregnancy in Chongqing:The GRIs was 3.68-5.59 pmol/L for FT3, 9.34-17.02 pmol /L for FT4, 0.18-5.26 mIU/L for TSH in 6-9+6 weeks of pregnancy; the GRIs was 3.69-6.03 pmol /L for FT3, 8.42-15.75 pmol/L for FT4、0.09-4.85 mIU/L for TSH in 10-13+6 weeks of pregnancy; the GRIs was 3.24-5.46 pmol /L for FT3, 6.50-14.24 pmol/L for FT4, 0.11-5.13 mIU/L for TSH in 14-27+6 weeks of pregnancy;the GRIs was 3.06-5.05 pmol /L for FT3, 6.12-11.69 pmol/L for FT4, 0.75-3.67 mIU/L for TSH in 30-34 weeks of pregnancy; the GRIs was 2.96-5.00 pmol/L for FT3, 6.26-11.36 pmol /L for FT4, 0.84-5.54 mIU/L for TSH in 36-40 weeks of pregnancy.Screening by GRIs, the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction was 8.75% (46), however, the prevalence was 37.07% (195) in according with the guidelines,χ2 =120.5,P =0.000.The overdiagnosis rate was 28.32%(149 /526).Using the guidelines of thyroid disease and our GRIs, the thyroid disease was found 116 (22.05%) and 30 (5.70%) in the first screening. Moreover, the thyroid disease was found 79(19.27%) and 10(3.23%) during the repeat screening in the normal population.Conclusions Using the GRIs for thyroid function tests in normal singleton pregnant women could reduce the risk of over diagnosis .The detection rate of repeat screening of TPOAb negative patients was close to the first screening detection rate , and repeated screening could reduce the risk of missed diagnosis for thyroid dysfunction in pregnancy women .(Chin J Lab Med, 2016, 39:511-515 )

Objective To establish a molecular inversion probe ( MIP) method for detection of single base drug-resistance mutation in Hepatitis B virus ( HBV) gene.Methods The HBV wild type and YVDD mutant strain were isolated by Daping Hospital of the Third Military Medical University.The MIP was designed and applied to detect the HBV drug-resistance YVDD mutation in one case of wild type and one case of YVDD mutant HBV strain isolated previously.The results of MIP method were compared with that of sequencing to evaluate the detection accuracy.Results Thermal cycling single-base extension and connection reaction performed by Taq DNA Ligase and Ampligase DNA Ligase could ensure the specificity of the detection.The optimum probe concentration of MIP was 1 nmol/L.Through detection of the target gene with different DNA concentrations , the detection sensitivity of MIP was determined as 1 nmol/L.The results of MIP were consistent with that of sequencing method in detection of the clinical samples.Conclusion MIP is successfully used to detect single-base drug-resistance mutation in HBV gene.

Objective To establish a homothermal and fast detecting method on pathogenic bacteria by combining recombinase-aid amplification (RAA) with molecular beacon.Methods The establishment of the methodology.Staphylococcus aureus specific primers were designed from the relative region of the staphylococcal protein A (SPA).Asymmetry amplification was optimized by adjusting the primer concentration ratios.The results of amplification and hybridization were visualized and analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis and fluorescence detection.The sensitivity was identified by detecting dilute positive plasmids.And the specificity was determined using RAA method by detecting 72 pathogenic bacteria,including Staphylococcus aureus and other Staphylococcus spp.from the Department of Clinical Laboratory of Daping Hospital in December 2016.Besides,the Kappa analysis and the clinical diagnosis efficiency were investigated by analyzing 39 extra strains in the laboratory in December 2016.Results When the concentration ratio of restrictive and non-restrictive primer was 1:20,the yield efficiency of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) reached the peak.And as for the hybridization efficiency,the asymmetry amplification was higher than symmetry amplification.Twenty copies/μl was proposed as the limits of detection by testing dilute plasmids.And the RAA hybridization method could distinguish Staphylococcus aureus with other Staphylococcus spp.Comparing with traditional detection methods with a Kappa index of 0.860,this method shows a good consistency.By analyzing the 111 bacteria,the sensitivity of the method is 92.5％ (37/40),the specificity is 97.2％ (69/71),the positive predictive value is 94.9％ (37/39),the negative predictive value is 95.8％ (69/72),the positive likelihood radio is 33.04,the negative likelihood radio is 0.077,the Youden index is 0.897 and the Kappa index is 0.902.Conclusion Through the combination of asymmetry recombinase-aid amplification optimization and molecular beacon probe,a new method of detecting bacteria DNA with RAA hybridization technique is established,providing the foundation for its clinical application.

Objective To establish a new method for rapid detection of β-thalassemia by investigating six clinical common mutation types.Methods Fifty cases of clinical wild-type samples and 42 cases ofβ-thalassemia samples were collected, and β-globin gene was amplified by PCR.Uniform ligation probe ( ULP) specific probes were designed for hybridization reaction to increase the reaction specificity and real-time PCR was performed to increase the sensitivity.After that, PCR products were verified by agarose electrophoresis.After examining the specificity and sensitivity, Kappa test between LDR-ULP method and reverse dot blot( RDB) method was conducted.Results Hybridization efficiency was improved 2.53 times by LDR-ULP hybridization.Each mutant type showed a significant amplification curve, whereas the wild-type had no significant curve within 40 cycles.The limit of determination of this method was 5 pg.The results of 92 cases of peripheral blood samples detected by the method of LDR-ULP and RDB were completely consistent.Conclusion In this study, a simple, inexpensive, rapid new method to detect β-thalassemia were established.

To separate and identify chemical signals which induce Thesium chinense haustorium formation, the components of T. chinense roots secretion collected with XAD-4 resin were detected by GC-MS. The effect of DMBQ as exogenous signals to induce haustorium formation in T. chinense was studied. Fifty-three compounds of 9 types had been detected, including hydrocarbons, esters, organic acids, ketones, alcohols, nitrogen containing compounds, phenolic acids, aldehyde and quinine. It is worth noting that the 2, 5-di-tert-butyl-1,4-benzoquinone has the core structure of 1,4-benzoquinone, which may play an important role in the parasitic relationship of Prunella vulgaris and T. chinense: DMBQ worked effectively on inducing haustoria, but induction effects vary widely in different concentrations. DMBQ with the concentration of 1 μmol x L(-1) showed the best effect of the inducing ability with a ratio of 110.52 when treated to induce haustoria.
Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Host-Parasite Interactions ; Magnoliopsida ; chemistry ; physiology ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; physiology ; Prunella ; chemistry ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo compare the therapeutic effect of posterior lumbar interbody fusion by single and double B-Twin expandable spinal spacer with micro endoscopic discectomy (MED) for lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion accompanying degenerative instability.

METHODSFrom March 2006 to May 2008, 45 patients with lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion accompanying degenerative instability were admitted and managed with posterior lumbar interbody fusion by B-Twin expandable spinal spacer with MED. The patients were randomly assigned to treatment with single B-Twin (Single group, n = 24) or double B-Twin (Double group, n = 21). There were 16 males and 8 females, with an average age of 45.5 years (43 - 60 years) in Single group; 13 males and 8 females, with an average age of 43.7 years (44-61 years) in Double group. All the cases suffered from only one level disc protrusion, L(3-4) 2 cases, L(4-5) 29 cases and L₅-S₁ 14 cases. Clinical outcomes were evaluated with surgical time, blood loss, visual analogue scale (VAS) scores preoperatively, 1, 3, 6 month postoperatively. Oswestry disability questionnaire (ODI) of the preoperative, 1 month postoperative, and latest follow-up and the disk space heights.

RESULTSForty three patients were followed-up for 1 to 3 years after surgery. The mean surgical time of Double group was longer than Single group [(152 ± 32) min vs. (91 ± 15) min, P < 0.01]. The average blood loss in Double group was more than that in Single group [(146 ± 73) ml vs. (95 ± 58) ml, P < 0.01]. The mean time of hospital stay in Single group was similar to that in Double group [(11.0 ± 3.2) d vs. (10.9 ± 3.3) d, P > 0.05]. Both groups could keep the disk space heights till the last follow-up [(7.7 ± 1.8) mm vs. (8.5 ± 1.7) mm]. In the 6 months follow-up post operation, the VAS score decreased from (8.1 ± 1.8) to (2.0 ± 1.0) in Single group, and (8.1 ± 1.9) to (2.1 ± 1.0) in Double group. At the last follow-up, the ODI decreased from (36 ± 7)% to (10 ± 4)% in Single group and (37 ± 6)% to (9 ± 4)% in Double group, but there was no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). All the cases achieved fusion at the last follow-up, 3 patients in Single group and 2 patients in Double group suffered from intractable low back pain. One of the fins broke in one patient without any uncomfortable feeling.

CONCLUSIONSCompared with the management of lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion accompanying degenerative instability by double B-Twin expandable spinal spacer with micro endoscopic discectomy, the single B-twin can get similar clinical outcomes, but shorter surgical time, less blood loss and less medical costs.

Adult ; Endoscopy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; surgery ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Spinal Fusion ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

Introduction:The 2010 targets of the China Hepatitis B Prevention Programme were a prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) less than 1.0% for children less than five years old and less than 6.0% for the total population. This survey assessed the prevalence of Hepatitis B infection in Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, China in 2009–2010.Methods:Multistage sampling was used with 2372 subjects among 17 selected villages. Blood specimen collection and testing by enzyme-linked immunosorbnet assay (ELISA) were completed using the following markers for hepatitis infection: HBsAg and antibody to HBsAg (anti-HBs); hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and antibody to HBeAg (anti-HBe); and hepatitis B core antibody (total anti-HBc). The data were analysed with Epi Info, version 3.3.2.Results:The prevalence of HBsAg was 2.4% (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.8–3.0; Adjusted Prevalence [AP] 2.9%); anti-HBs prevalence was 51.1% (95% CI: 49.1–53.1; AP 49.2%) and total anti-HBc prevalence was 41.7% (95% CI: 39.8–43.7; AP 45.5%). The prevalence of HBsAg and total anti-HBc positivity increased from young to older age groups, yet the prevalence of anti-HBs positivity decreased from young to older age groups (P< 0.001 for all). There was no difference in the prevalences of HBsAg and anti-HBs among females and males (P= 0.108 and 0.089), but females had a higher prevalence than males for total anti-HBc positivity (P< 0.001). Discussion: This survey showed that in 2010 the prevalence of HBsAg among children aged less than five years was lower than the national target of 1.0% and that the prevalence of HBsAg for the total population was lower than the national target of 6.0%.

BACKGROUNDCancer of the esophagus and gastroesophageal junction remains a virulent malignancy with poor prognosis. Rapid progresses were made in chemotherapeutic agents and the development of molecular markers allowed better identification of candidates for targeted therapy. This study aimed to identify the candidate peptides used for anti-angiogenic therapy of esophageal cancer by in vivo screening C7C peptide library for peptides binding specifically to blood vessels of human esophageal cancer.

METHODSThe phage displayed C7C peptide library was injected intravenously into mice bearing human esophageal tumor xenografts under renal capsule. After 5 rounds of screening, 13 clones were picked up individually and sequenced. During each round of screening, titers of phage recovery were calculated from tumor xenograft and control tissues. Homing of these 9 peptides to tumor vessel was detected by calculating phage titers in the tumor xenograft and control tissues (lung and spleen) after each phage was injected into mice model, and compared with the distribution of phage M13 and VIII-related antigen in tumor xenograft by immunohistochemical staining. Comparisons among groups of data were made using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by the Bonferroni multiple comparisons test.

RESULTSThe number of phage recovered from tumor tissue of each round increased gradually in tumor group while decreased in control groups (P < 0.01 in tumor and spleen, P < 0.05 in lung). Immunohistochemical staining showed similar staining pattern with M13 antibody or VIII-related antigen antibody, suggesting that phages displaying the selected peptides could home to blood vessel of human esophageal cancer. According to their DNA, 9 corresponding peptide sequences were deduced. And the homing ability to blood vessel of phages displaying the selected peptides was confirmed by comparing with their recovery in tumor and control tissues. Two motifs, YSXNXW and PXNXXN, were also obtained by analyzing the homology of these peptide sequences. The staining distribution of phage with the sequence of PNPNNST was similar to that of the blood vessel marker factor VIII-related antigen staining. After sequencing, each phage with the selected peptide of PNPNNST with 1.0 × 10(11) pfu/ml was injected intravenously into mice. The homing ability to tumor vessel of these 9 kinds of peptides in the xenograft was higher than control tissues (lung and spleen).

CONCLUSIONNine peptides obtained from in vivo screening homed to the blood vessel of human esophageal cancer, and the two motifs of YSXNXW and PXNXXN are the possible biochemical recognition units binding to vascular endothelial cells of esophageal cancer.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; blood supply ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Peptide Library ; Peptides ; therapeutic use

AIMTo investigate protective effects of ginkgolide B (GB) in different administration modes on glutamate-induced neuronal damage.

METHODSEssential GB were obtained by supercritical CO2 fluid extraction. Glutamate excitotoxicity were examined in primary cultures from neonatal Wistar rat, by using of Trypan blue dye staining, testing the lactate dehydrogenase leakage from cultured neurons and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL) method. The protective effects of GB in different administration modes (pre-treatment and post-treatment) were adopted and compared with the NMDA receptor uncompetitive antagonist-MK-801 in acute-treatment.

RESULTSTreatment with GB in two administration modes both could increase ratio of surviving neuron, decrease LDH efflux and reduce ratio of neuron apoptosis in different degree, depended on dose in certain range. The protective effect of pre-treatment was superior to post-treatment, but inferior to MK-801.

CONCLUSIONGB can protect neurons against glutamate damage, and preventive using has more efficiency. The potential mechanism of its neural protection may be not only related to PAF receptor. If the predominant protection effect of GB in pretreatment is considered, precautionary intervention to high-risk population could have more value.

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Dizocilpine Maleate ; pharmacology ; Ginkgolides ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Glutamic Acid ; adverse effects ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Lactones ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Neurons ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Objective To study the feasibility and clinical values of diffusion tensor tractography (DTT)in the spinal cord at 3.0 T MR.Methods Forty patients with spinal cord compression including cervical cord herniation and cervical spondylosis(30 cases),tumors in spinal canal(9 cases)and old injury in cervical vertebrae(1 cases)and 20 healthy volunteers participated in this study.Single-shot spin- echo echo-planar diffusion tensor sequence for tractography of the spinal cord was performed.The fibers of spinal cord were visualized by using fiber tracking software.Results On the DTT maps,the normal spinal cord was depicted as a fiber tract showing color-encoded cephaloeaudally,which indicated anisotropy in the cephalocaudal direction.By setting two ROI,the main spinal cord fiber tracts,such as corticospinal or spinothalamic tract,were visualized.The tracts from two sides of the brain did not completely cross.It was asymmetric in the number of tracts on the two sides in most normal subjects(8/10).The tracts of all patients with cord compression were seen oppressed or damaged in different degrees.The DrrT in patients with cervical spondylosis and extramedullary-intradural neurolemmoma demonstrated that tracts were oppressed but not damaged.The DTT in one ependymoma showed that tract was markedly compressed and slightly damaged.Conclusion DTT is a promising tool for demonstrating the spinal cord tracts and abnormalities,can provide useful information for the localization of compression and evaluation of the impairment extent on the white matter tracts of the spinal cord.