Objective To discuss the serum value of human epididymis protein 4(HE4) in the diagnosis of lung can-cer and to analyse the serum levels of HE4 in different pathological types and TNM staging of lung cancer patients. Meth-ods Forty-seven patients with lung cancer and thirty-one healthy controls were selected to join this study. According to various pathological types and TNM staging, the selected lung cancer patients were divided into different subgroups under the two categories. The serum HE4 levels were compared between subgroups. ROC curves of serum HE4 level and serum CEA level were drawn for the diagnosis of lung cancer with the pathological diagnosis as the golden standard. Results There was significantly higher level of serum HE4 in lung cancer group[(253.47±170.03) pmol/L] than that of healthy group [(84.09±51.03) pmol/L](t=5.365). There were no significant differences in serum levels of HE4 between different pathological subgroups of lung cancer patients [non-small cell carcinoma group (241.34±161.81) pmol/L vs small cell carcinoma group (293.5±198.76) pmol/L, t=0.847;squamous cell carcinoma group (304.29±287.61) pmol/L, adenocarcinoma group (224.39± 122.15) pmol/L and small cell carcinoma group F=0.969;and different TNM staging subgroups [ (stageⅠ~Ⅲgroup (255.27± 183.04) pmol/L vs stageⅣgroup (288.16±216.49) pmol/L, t=0.528]. Compared with ROC curves of serum HE4 and serum CEA,the area under the curve (AUC) of serum HE4 (0.902) was larger than that of serum CEA(0.765),( P>0.001). When the serum level of HE4 was 149.145 pmol/L, the sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of lung cancer were 72.3% and 90.3%. When the serum level of CEA was 4.685μg/L, the sensitivity and specificity in the diagnosis of lung cancer were 57.4%and 83.9%. Conclusion The serum level of HE4 is a sensitive and specific tumor marker in lung cancer. There are no significant differences in the serum levels of HE4 between different pathological types and different TNM staging in lung cancer patients. The detection of serum levels of HE4 are useful for the diagnosis of lung cancer.

Objective Objective To verify the accuracy of dose calculation and the precision of beam modeling in a Pinnacle three-dimension treatment planning system(TPS).Methods Based on the photon beam model data of a Varian 600C Linac,output factor verification and 12 tests were carried out ac- cording to the recommendation of Netherlands Commission on Radiation Dosimetry(NCS).The results of ion chamber measurement and TPS calculation at selected points were compared.Deviation and confidence limit were used to evaluate dose calculation accuracy.Results The Pinnacle TPS had a high precision of dose calculation when compared with the measurement data.Deviation of calculated output factors was＜1% on all opening patrols,and was＜3% on wedged portal except one with the size of 15 cm?40 cm and angled 60?.The results of 12 tests were in accordance with the criteria of NCS recommendation,with maximum av- erage deviation＜1%.The overall accuracy is better than those of other TPS reported in the literature. Conclusions Dose verification is a prerequisite before a three-dimension treatment planning system is used in the clinical practice.Pinnacle treatment planning system installed in our institute is reasonably acceptable and satisfactory.

In order to reveal genetic diversity of domestic Andrographis paniculata and its impact on quality, genetic backgrounds of 103 samples from 7 provinces in China were analyzed using SRAP marker and SNP marker. Genetic structures of the A. paniculata populations were estimated with Powermarker V 3.25 and Mega 6.0 software, and polymorphic SNPs were identified with CodonCode Aligner software. The results showed that the genetic distances of domestic A. paniculata germplasm ranged from 0. 01 to 0.09, and no polymorphic SNPs were discovered in coding sequence fragments of ent-copalyl diphosphate synthase. A. paniculata germplasm from various regions in China had poor genetic diversity. This phenomenon was closely related to strict self-fertilization and earlier introduction from the same origin. Therefore, genetic background had little impact on variable qualities of A. paniculata in domestic market. Mutation breeding, polyploid breeding and molecular breeding were proposed as promising strategies in germplasm innovation.
Andrographis ; classification ; genetics ; China ; Genetic Variation ; Phylogeny ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; Blood Donors ; China ; HIV Infections ; Humans ; Prejudice ; Rural Population

Action Potentials ; Animals ; Electromyography ; Environmental Exposure ; Hypothermia ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Seawater ; Thigh ; physiology ; physiopathology

Objective To study the status of norovirus in environment of the patient's residence and water samples after a norovirus gastroenteritis outbreak, to provide evidences for the development of strategies for prevention and control of the disease. Methods After a norovirus gastroenteritis outbreak, anus swabs from the patient, swabs from the household environment and the water samples were collected to detect the norovirus by RT-PCR methods. Sequencing analysis was conducted on those positive specimens. Results Three specimens of the anus swabs from 9 patients and 2 samples of the 46 house environment swabs were positive to the virus. The latter were from the surface of water-closets of two families that the illness were asymptomatic. Among 5 water samples, only one was positive, which was the rivulet water that the feces of the villagers evacuated directly. Results showed that the sequences of the virus detected from the anus swabs of the patients, the swabs from the household environment and the samples of the rivulet water belonged to the same species. Conclusion It is necessary to strengthen activities as supervision and disinfection to the feces of the patients, especially on monitoring the feces that might have contaminated the water during the noroviru gastroenteritis outbreak.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of thorough rectal disinfection with povidone-iodine in prevention of postoperative infection of transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy. Methods A retrospective analysis was carried out on 520 patients who received transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy in our department from April 2014 to January 2017.To ensure the faeces were watery,all patients took polyethylene glycol electrolyte powder orally for bowel preparation the day before surgery.And all patients were asked to fast from 10 pm the day before biopsy. From April 2014 to June 2015,a total of 206 patients(Group A)were admitted to our department for transrectal ultrasound -guided prostate biopsy,who received routine rectal disinfection before biopsy,and the rectum was disinfected with povidone-iodine for 3 times. While from July 2015 to January 2017,a total of 314 patients(Group B)were admitted to our department for transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy,who received thorough rectal disinfection before biopsy,and the rectum was disinfected with the mixture of povidone-iodine solution and 5 milliliters of 2 % lidocaine solution for 20 times. There was no significant difference in patients′mean age,PSA or prostate volume between the two groups. All patients received 13 cores transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy using 18 gauge biopsy needles,and they all received infusion of 300 mg etimicin sulfate once daily for 2 days post operation to prevent infections.We analyzed the differences of infection rate between the two groups.Results Infectious complications were observed in 7(3.4%)patients in group A,while none(0%)in group B(P=0.004),indicating a significantly lower infection rate in group B than that in group A. Conclusions Thorough rectal disinfection with povidone-iodine is a safe,effective and low-cost way in preventing infectious com-plications after transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy,which is worthy of promotion in clinic.

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of needle-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (nCLE) for imaging of intra-abdominal tissues and organs in rabbit models in vivo. Methods The nCLE miniprobe was inserted through the 19-gauge needle into various intra-abdominal tissues and organs[omentum majus, liver, pancreas and psoas major (skeletal muscle)]. The nCLE images were acquired and real-time sequences of respective locations were recorded. Finally, nCLE image characteristics were compared with histopathologic findings. Results nCLE was successfully performed in intra-abdominal tissues and organs of five rabbit models. The microscopic structures of cells, glands and microvessels in the omentum majus, liver, pancreas and psoas major ( skeletal muscle) were visualized clearly, respectively. Characteristics of various intra-abdominal tissues and organs were displayed on nCLE images, which were correlated well with histological findings. Conclusion Imaging of intra-abdominal tissues and organs with nCLE in vivo is feasible in future clinical practice.

OBJECTIVETo investigate serum procalcitonin (PCT) concentrations in premature infants with different gestational ages at different times after birth.

METHODSA total of 217 neonates without infection, including 102 premature infants and 115 full-term infants, were enrolled in this study. The premature infants were further divided by gestational age into three subgroups: 30-32 weeks (n=30), 33-34 weeks (n=35) and 35-36 weeks (n=37). All the infants were studied to evaluate serum PCT concentrations at 0-12, 13-24, 25-36, 37-48, 49-72, 73-96, 97-120 and 121-144 hours after birth.

RESULTSIn the newborns, serum PCT concentrations increased gradually after birth, reached peak values at about 24 hours after birth, and then gradually declined and dropped to normal values for children at about 96 hours after birth. In the premature infants, serum PCT concentrations reached peak values at about 36 hours after birth, later than in the full-term infants, then declined slowly and dropped to levels similar to the full-term infants at 96 hours after birth. Serum PCT concentrations in the 30-32 week subgroup remained at low levels after birth, and increased gradually, later than in other premature infants, at 37-48 hours after birth.

CONCLUSIONSEarly after birth, neonates have a changing serum PCT concentration, increasing first and then decreasing. Peak serum PCT levels appear later in premature infants than in full-term infants. Serum PCT concentrations of premature infants with a gestational age of under 32 weeks remain at relatively low levels within 36 hours after birth.

Calcitonin ; blood ; Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; blood ; Protein Precursors ; blood ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo detect cadmium in environmental and food samples by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy (GFAAS) and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICPAES).

METHODSAn indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (IC-ELISA) was developed based on a cadmium-specific monoclonal antibody. IC-ELISA for cadmium in environmental and food samples was evaluated.

RESULTSIC-ELISA showed an IC50 of 45.6 microg/L with a detection limit of 1.95 microg/L for cadmium, and showed a mean recovery ranging 97.67%-107.08%. The coefficient of variations for intra- and interassay was 3.41%-6.61% and 4.70%-9.21%, respectively. The correlation coefficient between IC-ELISA and GFAAS was 0.998.

CONCLUSIONIC-ELISA can detect and quantify cadmium residue in environmental or food samples.

Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Cadmium ; chemistry ; Environmental Pollutants ; chemistry ; Food Contamination ; analysis ; Immunoassay ; methods ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sensitivity and Specificity