Objective To study the molecular characters of porA and porB genes which encode outer membrane proteins (OMP), and predominated clonal complex of Neisseria meningitidis isolates from Guangdong province. Methods Eighteen Neisseria meningitidis isolates from Guangdong province during year 1967 to 2007 were recovered and reconfirmed by API NH biochemical system, and serogrouped by antiserum. The characters of porA and porB gene were analyzed by DNA sequencing. The allele profiles and the sequence types (ST) were determined by multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Based on their allelic profiles, the evolution relationship was analyzed by PHYLIP software. The predominant clonal complex was determined through comparing with the information of reference strains from the PubMLST database. Results For porA gene, type 20 was more frequently in the variable region (VR) 1 and type 9 in VR2 before year 2004. However, for porB gene, type 4 was more frequently in VR Ⅰ, type7 in VR Ⅳ, type 11 in VR Ⅴ,and type 10 in VR Ⅵ, respectively. The multi-types character was presented in VR Ⅴ and VR Ⅵ after2004. VR Ⅶ and VR Ⅷ can not be found among all the isolates except for one W135 isolate in 2007. Among the seven housekeeping genes, the polymorphism of abcZ was the lowest one with 4 allele numbers, while pgm was the highest one with 13 allele numbers. The predominant clonal complex was ST-5 before 2004. The ST-4821 clone complex appeared in 2004 and caused cases every year since then. More important, highly invasive ST-11 clonal complex firstly appeared in Guangdong in 2007. Conclusion The molecular characteristic of OMP genes presents polymorphism for the Neisseria meningitidis isolates from patients in Guangdong province during 1967 to 2007. ST-5 is the predominant clonal complex before 2004 and the highly invasive clonal complex is circulating in recent 3 years. It suggests that the surveillance based on laboratory should be further enhanced.

Objective:To investigate the prognosis of cT3 and the subgroups of low rectal cancer patients who underwent neoadju-vant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and evaluate whether all patients with cT3 low rectal cancer should undergo CRT. Methods:A total of 223 patients with cT3 low rectal cancer treated in the Department of Colorectal Surgery of Fujian Medical University Union Hospital from January 2008 to December 2012 were divided into neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy group (CRT group) (115 cases) and no neoad-juvant chemoradiotherapy group (nCRT group) (108 cases) according to whether the patients underwent CRT. Afterward, the patients were retrospectively divided into three subgroups (mrT3a, mrT3b, and mrT3c) according to the proposed criteria of the Radiologic Soci-ety of North America (RSNA) by measuring the depth of mesorectal invasion (DMI) (DMI<5, DMI=5-10, and DMI>10 mm). The prog-noses of the two groups and their subgroups were compared. Results:The CRT and nCRT groups revealed no significant differences in the 3-year disease-free survival rate and the local recurrence rate for all the mrT3 patients (78.2%vs. 71.9%, P=0.608;4.4%vs. 8.5%, P=0.120) and mrT3a patients (82.4%vs. 81.8%, P=0.837;5.8%vs. 5.9%, P=0.658). On the contrary, for the mrT3b patients, the CRT and nCRT groups revealed significant differences in the 3-year disease-free survival rate (84.4%vs. 42.4%, P=0.032) and local recurrence rate (0.0%vs. 18.2%, P=0.014). For the mrT3b,c patients, the CRT and nCRT groups revealed no significant difference in the 3-year dis-ease-free survival rate (72.8%vs. 42.4%, P=0.060) but revealed a significant difference in the local recurrence rate (2.4%vs. 18.2%, P=0.021). COX regression analysis was utilized for 3-year disease-free survival, DMI and circumferential resection margin (CRM) were significant in the univariate analysis. Additionally, the multivariate analysis indicated that CRM is an independent impact factor (OR=2.249, CI 1.067-4.742, P=0.033). Conclusion:CRT can improve the prognosis of patients with mrT3b,c low rectal cancer but may not significantly influence the prognosis of patients with mrT3a and CRM-negative low rectal cancer;surgical treatment can be performed in these patients without CRT.

Objective: To construct the eurokaryotic expression vector of KCNE1 gene and express recombinant KCNE1 in HEK293 cells.Methods:Human KCNE1 gene fragment was amplified from human placenta total RNA by RT-PCR and cloned into the vector of pCR2.1 TOPO by means of T-A cloning.KCNE1 cDNA was obtained from pCR2.1-KCNE1 by restriction enzyme digestion and inserted into the same restriction site of pEGFP-N1.Thus pEGFP-N1-KCNE1 was constructed and transfected into HEK293 cells with Effectene transfection reagent.Results:The eukaryotic expression vector pEGFP-N1-KCNE1 was successfully constructed by gene cloning and recombinant method and expressed in HEK293 cells.Conclusion:The cloning of KCNE1 gene and the construction and expression of its eukaryotic expression vector may shed some light on further functional study of KCNE1 gene.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of transurethral resection of ureteral orifice invaded by advanced prostate cancer caused hydronephrosis. Methods A retrospective study was done in 15 patients who were diagnosed by advanced prostate cancer with invasion of ureteral orifice and treated by transurethral resection of ureteral orifice and maximal androgen blockade. 24 kidneys were diagnosed as hydronephrosis by ultrasound. Before the procedure, the average serum BUN was 13.2 mmol/L (8.9~28.5), the average serum Cr was 243.3 μmol/L (126.7~369.2), the average GFR evaluated by renal radionuclide imaging was 48.6 mL/min (31.1~66.2), and the upper urinary tract was obstructed in kidneys with hydronephrosis. Results All 15 patients underwent successfully transurethral resection of ureteral orifice and discharged after 4 days stay. The average procedure time was 65 min (50~100 min) and mean blood loss was 45 mL (30~65 mL) . The patients were followed up for 2~4 weeks. Hydronephrosis examined by ultrasound was ameliorated in 18 kidneys (75%) and not obviously changed in 6 kidneys (25%) in one week after procedure. Hydronephrosis examined by ultrasound was ameliorated in 20 kidneys (83.3%) and not obviously changed in 4 kidneys (16.7%) in two weeks after procedure. Within two weeks after procedure,the average serum BUN was 10.75 mmol/L (6.6~21.30 mmol/L), the average serum Cr was 187.3μmol/L (97.5~286.6 μmol/L), the average GFR evaluated by renal radionuclide imaging was 58.1 mL/min (37.8~79.2 mL/min),and upper urinary tract was unobstructed. Conclusion Upper urinary tract obstruction and renal function were ameliorated and improved in a short time by transurethral resection of ureteral orifice invaded by advanced prostate cancer which caused hydronephrosis.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of application of anterograde flexible ureteroscope in the treatment of ureterointestinal anastomotic strictures in patients after Bricker urinary diversion. Methods From March 2009 to July 2012, 6 patients with ureterointestinal anastomotic strictures after Bricker procedure were enrolled in this study. The average age of the patients was (61 ±7) years old. The first clinical presentation was averagely (6.3 ±2.5) months after the Bricker procedure. There were 4 cases with left side strictures and 2 cases with right side ones. The urinary tract ultrasound, CT, KUB+IVP and antegrade urography were carried out to identify the obstructive portion. The mean length of stricture was 0.9cm (0.4~2.5) . First, all patients underwent percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN), then inside incision by Holmium:YAG laser under anterograde flexible ureteroscopy and lithotripsy (with calculi) . The F6 double J ureteral stent was indwelled for 12 weeks. KUB+IVP was performed after removal of double J ureteral stents. Results The mean operative time was (53±8) min. The mean hospital stay was (5.5±2) days. The blood loss was 3~6 mL. The average follow-up was 18 months (6~30) . No recurrence was found in 5 patients. One case had recurrent stricture after the first procedure, which was successfully managed by the flexible ureteroscopy again and replacing double J ureteral stent every 12 months. Conclusion The inside incision by anterograde flexible ureteroscopic Holmium:YAG laser is safe and effective for ureterointestinal anastomotic strictures in patients after Bricker urinary diversion, with less complications.

Objective To observe the clinical outcomes of the surgical management of periprosthetic femoral fractures following hip arthroplasty.Methods Twelve consecutive patients (6 male and 6 female) with the average age of 66.4± 15.0 years old (35 to 86 years old) undergoing surgical operation for periprosthetic femoral fractures between September 2009 and May 2016 were followed up at our center.Nine cases were fractured secondary to the primary hip arthroplasty while the others were patients with earlier revision surgery.The previous fixations of femoral components of 10 cases were cementless while the other two were cemented fixation.The enrolled patients were determined as Vancouver type B 1 (n=2),type B2 (n=7),type B3 (n=1) and type C (n=2) respectively.The occurrences of the fractures were observed at 3 weeks to 17 years post-operation (average 9.0±7.0 years).The patients were treated individually according to different Vancouver types.Type B 1 patients received simple cerclage fixation,as well as revisions with long-stem femoral implants and cerclage band were chosen for type B2 patients.In addition to the treatment for type B2 patients,allogenic cortical bone graft was also required for type B3 patients.Open reduction with locking plate internal fixations were options for patients with Vancouver type C fractures.The following-up included the X-ray images of the hips,Harris hip score and the visual analogue scale (VAS) for the pain of fracture site.The unions of the fractures were determined by both X-ray images and pain intensity of the fracture sites.Results The mean follow-up period was 41.6±26.0 months (range,12-92 months),without patient lost to follow up.VAS scores were 0,implying the clinical union of the fractures.One patients received multiple debridement post-operatively due to the periprosthetic infection.The VAS score of this patient was 6 at the follow up and the X-ray image indicated the nonunion of the fracture.The fracture union rate was 91.7％ (11/12).The Harris hip score was 23-92 (mean score,74.8±18.8),excellent for 2 cases,good for 6 cases,fair for 3 cases and poor for 1 case.The excellent and good rate was 66.7％ (8/12).Post-operative complications were observed in 4 patients (33.3％,4/12).One drainage tube was misplaced and sutured subcutaneously required a further exploration surgery.One periprosthetic infection occurring post-operatively induced the nonunion of the fracture.Aseptic loosing of femoral stem was observed in 2 cases and subsequent revision surgeries were conducted.Conclusion High incidence of complications is observed after the surgical treatment of periprosthetic femoral fractures following hip arthroplasty.Individually customized management regarding to the Vancouver type of periprosthetic femoral fractures leads to the clinical fracture union in 91.7％ of the patients in this case series.The excellent and good rate of the hip function in the early and mid-term stage after operation is 66.7％.

Given the Ebola outbreak in West Africa and the risks of spread to other regions, a rapid, sensitive and simple method for the detection of the Ebola virus (EBOV) is of great significance for the prevention and control of Ebola. We developed a simple colorimetric isothermal multiple self-matching initiated amplification (IMSA) for rapid detection of the Zaire subtype of the Ebola virus (EBOV-Z). This method employed six primers that recognized seven sites of the EBOV-Z nucleoprotein gene for amplification of nucleic acids under isothermal conditions at 63 degrees C for 1 h. Amplification products were detected through visual inspection of color change by pre-addition of hydroxyl naphthol blue dye. Relative sensitivity was validated by detection of serial tenfold dilutions of virus-like particles containing the partial EBOV-Z nucleoprotein gene and mock clinical sample. Specificity of IMSA was validated by detection of the plasma of 30 healthy volunteers, the dengue virus, and Japanese encephalitis virus. IMSA had comparable sensitivity to Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and cross-reaction with human plasma or other viruses was not observed. Reverse transcription-isothermal multiple self-matching initiated amplification (RT-IMSA) was also evaluated and compared in parallel with the commercial RT-qPCR kit for detection of EBOV-suspected samples of human blood in Sierra Leone. Sensitivity and specificity of the RT-IMSA was 91.4% and 100%, respectively. These data suggest that RT-IMSA is a valuable tool for the detection of the EBOV with the distinct advantages of simplicity and low cost compared with RT-qPCR.
Colorimetry ; methods ; DNA Primers ; genetics ; Ebolavirus ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola ; diagnosis ; virology ; Humans ; Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques ; methods

The combination of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata can increase efficacy and decrease toxicity. This study started from the phenomena of protein self-assembly in the mixed decoction of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma with Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata. The attenuated mechanism was explored between the combination of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata by using the protein of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and aconitine which was the major toxic component of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata. Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma protein with aconitine could form stable particles which particle mean diameter was (206.2 ± 2.02) nm and (238.20 ± 1.23) nm at pH 5.0 in normal temperature. Through the mouse acute toxicity experiment found that injection of aconitine monomer all mice were killed, and injection of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma protein-aconitine particles with the same content of aconitine all mice survived. Survey the stability of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma protein-aconitine shows that the colloid particles is stable at room temperature, and it has the possibility to candidate drug carrier. Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma protein can reduce the toxicity of aconitine through self-assembly.
Aconitum ; chemistry ; toxicity ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; toxicity ; Female ; Glycyrrhiza ; chemistry ; toxicity ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Plant Proteins ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; toxicity ; Rhizome ; chemistry ; toxicity

Coinfection ; complications ; virology ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; virology ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; complications ; virology ; Hepatitis C ; complications ; virology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a multifactorial disease in which inflammation plays a central role.This study aimed to investigate the association of inflammatory markers such as the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR),the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) score with in-hospital mortality of elderly patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in an attempt to explore the prognostic value of these indices for elderly AMI patients.One thousand consecutive CAD patients were divided into two groups based on age 60.The laboratory and clinical characteristics were assessed retrospectively by reviewing the medical records.The NLR and GRACE score were calculated.In the elderly (≥60 years),patients with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) had significantly higher NLR than did those with unstable angina (UA) and stable angina pectoris (SAP) (P＜0.01).The NLR was considerably elevated in older AMI patients compared with their younger counterparts (＜60 years) (P＜0.05).In elderly AMI patients,the NLR was considerably higher in the high-risk group than in both the low-risk and medium-risk groups based on the GRACE score (P＜0.05 and P＜0.01,respectively),and the NLR was positively correlated with the GRACE score (r=0.322,P＜0.001).Either the NLR level or the GRACE score was significantly higher in the death group than in the surviving group (P＜0.05).By curve receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC) analysis,the optimal cut-off levels of 9.41 for NLR and 174 for GRACE score predicted in-hospital death [ROC area under the curve (AUC) 0.771 and 0.787,respectively,P＜0.001].It was concluded that an elevated NLR is a potential predictor of in-hospital mortality in elderly patients with AMI.