Objective To evaluate the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in preoperative classification for hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Methods Forty-six patients with 46 hilar cholangiocarcinoma were diagnosed by surgical pathology in Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University from January 2007 to April 2013. The echogenicity difference on conventinal ultrasound and CEUS were compared with chi-square test. The accuracy of conventinal ultrasound and CEUS for evaluating invaded bile duct, detective rates for portal vein invasion and displaying rate of metastatic hilar lymph nodes were compared with chi-square test or Fisher’s Exact test according to the golden standard of operative exploration. Results On CEUS, 82.6%(38/46) and 91.3%(42/46) hilar cholangiocarcinoma were hypoechoic in portal vein phase and delayed phase respectively, while 63.0%(29/46) hilar cholangiocarcinoma were isoechoic on conventinal ultrasound with vague margin. The clearly displaying rates were 37.0%(17/46), 84.8%(39/46) and 91.3%(42/46) in conventinal ultrasound, portal vein and delayed phase of CEUS and the echogenicity was signiifcantly different. The evaluation accuracy of hilar cholangiocarcinoma invading bile duct was improved from 80.4%(37/46, conventinal ultrasound) to 100%(46/46, CEUS) significantly (χ2=7.882,P=0.005). Portal vein invasion were found in 9 cases during operative exploration and the detective rates on conventinal ultrasound and CEUS were 78%(7/9) and 89%(8/9) without signiifcant difference (P=1.000). Metastatic hilar lymph nodes were found in 8 cases and the displaying rates on conventinal ultrasound and CEUS were the same (75%, 6/8) without signiifcant difference (P=1.000). Conclusions CEUS could signiifcantly improve the clearly displaying rate of hilar cholangiocarcinoma and improve the evaluation accuracy for invaded bile duct comparing with conventinal ultrasound.

To knock out β-lactoglobulin (BLG) gene and insert human lactoferrin (hLF) coding sequence at BLG locus of goat, the transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALEN) mediated recombination was used to edit the BLG gene of goat fetal fibroblast, then as donor cells for somatic cell nuclear transfer. We designed a pair of specific plasmid TALEN-3-L/R for goat BLG exon III recognition sites, and BLC14-TK vector containing a negative selection gene HSV-TK, was used for the knock in of hLF gene. TALENs plasmids were transfected into the goat fetal fibroblast cells, and the cells were screened three days by 2 μg/mL puromycin. DNA cleavage activities of cells were verified by PCR amplification and DNA production sequencing. Then, targeting vector BLC14-TK and plasmids TALEN-3-L/R were co-transfected into goat fetal fibroblasts, both 700 μg/mL G418 and 2 μg/mL GCV were simultaneously used to screen G418-resistant cells. Detections of integration and recombination were implemented to obtain cells with hLF gene site-specific integration. We chose targeting cells as donor cells for somatic cell nuclear transfer. The mutagenicity of TALEN-3-L/R was between 25% and 30%. A total of 335 reconstructed embryos with 6 BLG-/hLF+ targeting cell lines were transferred into 16 recipient goats. There were 9 pregnancies confirmed by ultrasound on day 30 to 35 (pregnancy rate of 39.1%), and one of 50-day-old fetus with BLG-/hLF+ was achieved. These results provide the basis for hLF gene knock-in at BLG locus of goat and cultivating transgenic goat of low allergens and rich hLF in the milk.
Animals ; Animals, Genetically Modified ; genetics ; Female ; Fibroblasts ; Gene Knock-In Techniques ; Gene Knockout Techniques ; Goats ; genetics ; Humans ; Lactoferrin ; genetics ; Lactoglobulins ; genetics ; Milk ; chemistry ; Nuclear Transfer Techniques ; Plasmids ; Pregnancy ; Transfection

Bacteria are regarded as the main hazard in food industry, and b acteria can be affected by a static magnetic field (SMF) with high intensity. S o the SMF would be useful for controlling the bacteria’s hazard to food. The e ffect of magnetic induction, treatment time on bacteria, and the survival probab ility of bacteria under SMF were studied for investigating their action regulari ty, and the DNA fingerprint of strains after magnetic treatment was compared wit h that of control. The research results would lay the basis of SMF application in food industry on theory and practice.

We analyzed the genetic characteristics of coxsackievirus A4 (CV-A4) based on the entire VP1 coding region. Samples were isolated from patients with acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) in Shaanxi, China from 2006 to 2010. We wished to ascertain the predominant genotype and the relationship between CV-A4 infection and AFP. Sixty-eight non-polio enteroviruses were inoculated onto RD cells (to increase the virus titer) and molecular typing was undertaken. The entire VP1 coding region was amplified. Percentage of CV-A4 was 10.3% (7/68). Analyses of genetic identify and creation of phylogenetic trees revealed that CV-A4 could be classified into A, B and C genotypes. Seven CV-A4 strains from Shaanxi and other CV-A4 strains from China formed an independent evolution lineage located in group 4 and belonged to the C2 sub-genotype. These data suggested that CV-A4 strains of sub-genotype C2 were the predominant genotypes in China. These strains co-evolved and co-circulated with those from other provinces in China, so continued monitoring of CV-A4 (by clinical and genetic surveillance) should be enhanced.
China ; Enterovirus A, Human ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Enterovirus Infections ; virology ; Genotype ; Humans ; Paralysis ; virology ; Phylogeny ; Viral Proteins ; genetics

Apoptosis is necessary for the development and maturation of Leydig cells. However, increased apoptosis results the decline of testosterone production, which may increase germ cell apoptosis and the possibility of infertility. There are several aspects contributing to Leydig cell apoptosis such as ethane dimethanesulphonate (EDS), glucocorticoid, developmental stage and some hormones including FSH, LH/hCG and testosterone. A number of genes are involved in the regulation of Leydig cells apoptosis. It was reported that SCF/c-kit, Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl inhibited the apoptosis while caspase-3, Fas, Bax and clusterine stimulated it.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Caspase 3 ; Caspases ; physiology ; Humans ; Leydig Cells ; cytology ; Male ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; physiology ; Stem Cell Factor ; physiology ; bcl-X Protein

Aim To explore the protective effects of lithium chloride ( LiCl ) on neurous injuries and phos-phorylation of tau protein at serine262 induced by okada-ic acid( OA) . Methods The neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells were differentiated by all-trans-retinoic acid ( AT-RA) . The differentiated SK-N-SH cells were treated with OA to establish the Alzheimer′s disease cellular model. SK-N-SH cells′ viability and proliferation were measured by SRB test. Giemsa staining was used to observe cell morphology. The neurite length of SK-N-SH cells was measured by Image-Proplus software. Syn-aptophysin and phosphorylated tau protein at serine262 expression levels were tested by Western blot. Results The SK-N-SH cells which were treated with 10 μmol ·L-1 ATRA for 7 days displayed mature neuronal fea-tures. The synaptic length of SK-N-SH cells became longer. And the levels of serine262 phospho-tau was sig-nificantly elevated. 20~100 nmol·L-1 OA effectively inhibited the viability of differentiated SK-N-SH cells in a concentration-dependent manner and in a time-de-pendent manner. The OA treatment induced obvious synaptic atrophy in differentiated SK-N-SH cells. And the phosphorylation level of tau protein serine262 also greatly increased. The pretreatment with 10 mmol · L-1 LiCl significantly ameliorated the synaptic atrophy, the decrease of synaptophysin expression and the in-crease of tau phosphorylation at serine262 induced by OA in differentiated SK-N-SH cells. Conclusion LiCl could effectively inhibit OA-induced synaptic atro-phy in differentiated SK-N-SH cells, and it could also result in the increase of synaptophysin expression and the decrease of the phosphorylation of tau protein at serine262 .

Objective:To examine the expression ofphospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) in renal tissues and the level of anti-PLA2R antibody in serum in patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN) and secondary membranous nephropathy (SMN),and to evaluate their diagnostic value in IMN.Methods:A total of 73 patients,who were diagnosed between May,2014 and February,2015 in the Department of Nephrology of the Second Xiangya Hospital,Central South University,were divided into three groups:an IMN group (n=48),an SMN group (n=17) and a minimal change disease group (n=8) according to the renal biopsy.PLA2R expression in renal tissues and the level of antiPLA2R antibody in serum were detected by indirect immunofluorescence technique.Results:The positive rate and fluorescence intensity for PLA2R in the renal tissues in the IMN group were higher than those in the SMN group (91.7％ in the IMN group vs 29.4％ in the SMN group,P＜0.05),while the positive rate and serum level for anti-PLA2R antibody in the IMN group were higher than those in the SMN group (85.4％ in the IMN group vs 29.4％ in the SMN group,P＜0.05);the expression of PLA2R in renal tissues and the serum level for anti-PLA2R antibody were not detected in the minimal change disease group,The serum level of anti-PLA2R antibody was positively correlated with 24 h urine protein (r=0.432,P＜0.01) and negatively correlated with serum albumin (r=-0.307,P＜0.05).Conclusion:The expression of PLA2R in renal tissues and the serum level of anti-PLA2R antibody might be potential markers for diagnosis oflMN.

AIM:To evaluate the visual outcome of Oculentis Mplus intraocular lens(IOL).METHODS:Totally 20 eyes in 20 patients received phacoemulsification and Oculentis Mplus intraocular lens implantation were as test group,and 20 eyes (Aspira-aA IOL) were as control group.The following postoperative examinations were performed after operation for 3mo:uncorrected visual acuity of distance and near,refractive results,UBM examination,the rate of wearing spectacles and the complications.RESULTS:At 3mo after surgery,distance visual acuity of test group with Oculentis Mplus IOL were 0.10± 0.03,the difference with control group was not significant (t=1.74,P＞0.05).Eyes in test group had an uncorrected near acuity 0.11 ±0.04,the difference with control group was significant(t=15.53,P＜0.05).The rate of wearing spectacles was 5％ in test group and 100％ in control group.The rate of uncomfortableness was 5％ in test group.CONCLUSION:The implantation of Oculentis Mplus IOL not only has a good distance uncorrected visual acuity,but also with better near visual acuity.The surgery is safe,reliable and no special complication induced.

Depression is a common psychiatric disorder characterized by low mood with complex pathophysiological mechanisms and poor effect of pharmacological treatment.The animals were placed in greater sensory, physical and/or social stimuli than those of the standard feeding environment, so that they can obtain positive plasticity and adaptability.Environmental enrichment(EE) is a common intervention to improve brain function in laboratory.A large number of studies have shown that EE had significant ameliorative effects on various animal models of depression, but the mechanisms have not been yet fully understood with outcome heterogeneity in ethology.There was no universally accepted and unified paradigm and standard for EE due to its multi-dimensionality and complexity.Therefore, it is necessary to improve the structural components and implementation steps of EE by integrating the existing data.Combined with recent studies on animal models of depression, this paper reviewed the anti-depression mechanism of EE from promoting hippocampal neurogenesis, reducing neuroinflammation, regulating neuroendocrine and affecting epigenetic modifications, in order to provide new ideas for mechanisms research and treatment of depression.As the rise of precision medicine and individualized medicine brings human growing interest in exploring the sources and mechanisms of inter-individual differences and intra-group effects of depression, it will be a challenge to translate EE to the human society in a rational way.

Objective:To explore the effects of intrahippocampal injection of ferroptosis inducer Erastin on depressive- and anxiety-like behavior and the expression of ferroptosis-related proteins in rats.Methods:Forty 6-week-old healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups ( n=8/group): Control group, Erastin low-dose(200 ng/μL) group, Erastin medium-dose(400 ng/μL) group, Erastin high-dose group(600 ng/μL) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 10 μg/L) group.After the intrahippocampal injection of Erastin(2.5 μL per side), body weight, and behavioral tests, including sucrose preference test (SPT), forced swimming test (FST), open field test (OFT), and elevated plus maze (EPM), were performed to evaluate depressive- and anxiety-like phenotypes from the fourth day after injection.The levels of ferroptosis-related proteins and mRNA, including glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), cyclo-oxygenase 2 (COX2), ferritin heavy polypeptide 1 (FTH1), long-chain fatty acyl-CoA synthetase 4 (ACSL4), solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) were measured using real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot analysis.SPSS 22.0 software was used for statistical analysis.One-Way ANOVA was used for multi-group comparison, and LSD was used for further pound-wise comparison. Results:(1)Body weight and behavioral tests: there were no statistically significant differences in baseline body weight and behavioral tests in these groups ( F=0.02-1.15, all P>0.05). After intrahippocampal injection, compared with the control group, medium-dose Erastin induced depression-like behaviors in rats more significantly, as indicated by reduced bodyweight ((245.20±5.24)g, (267.45±13.16)), sucrose preference in SPT ((32.14±8.51)%, (68.17±13.67)%), central time in OFT ((6.01±2.57)s, (16.49±7.21)s), percentage of time in open arm in EPM ((5.00±3.83)%, (19.63±5.91)%) and increased immobility time in FST ((37.00±7.58)s, (12.50±5.51)s) and percentage of time in closed arm in EPM ((89.43±4.77)%, (59.96±9.91)%), and there were statistically significant differences in these groups (all P<0.05). (2)The expression of ferroptosis-related indicators: after intrahippocampal injection, the expression of mRNA ( F=2.23, 8.37, 2.91, 7.60, 3.16, all P<0.05) and protein ( F=3.31, 40.13, 8.52, 3.70, 70.79, all P<0.05) of FTH1, GPX4, SLC7A11, COX2 and ACSL4 in hippocampus were statistically significant differences in the 5 groups.The mRNA and protein levels of FTH1, GPX4 and SLC7A11 in Erastin medium-dose group were lower than those in the control group (all P<0.05), while the mRNA and protein levels of COX2 and ACSL4 were higher than those in the control group (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Intrahippocampal microinjection of Erastin(400 ng/μL) can induce ferroptosis in hippocampus of rats and can also induce depressive-like behaviors in rats.