Objective To investigate the impact of degree of hearing loss on auditory brainstem response predictions of behavioral thresholds. Methods A total of 179 patients with different hearing loss degree ( a total of 311 ears) patients from January 2012 to January 2016 in the affiliated hospital of Yan’an university were treated with auditory brainstem response (ABR), performed threshold behavior test, analyed the auditory brainstem electric response and behavioral threshold correlation, the factors that affect the ABR thresholds and behavioral threshold value and threshold of ABR and correction factor as well as linear regression equation for different frequency stimulation. Results ABR threshold was positively related to threshold behavior for the different frequencies stimulation, ABR threshold may predicte threshold behavior( P＜0.05) ; ABR threshold value can predicte behavioral threshold differ-ence error and the degree of hearing loss( P＜0.05) , through the relevant correction factors can reduce the predic-tion error. Conclusions Auditory brainstem responses may effectively predicte the hearing loss in children with be-havioural thresholds, differences in degree of hearing loss influence auditory brainstem response and behavioral threshold value, constant correction coefficient is conducive to auditory brainstem electric response and facilitates accuracy of the behavior threshold.

Objective: To investigate the multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) features of fumarate hydratase-deficient renal cell carcinoma (FH-deficient RCC) with germline or somatic mutations, and compare them with those of papillary type II RCC (pRCC type II). Materials and Methods: A total of 24 patients (mean ± standard deviation, 40.4 ± 14.7 years) with pathologically confirmed FH-deficient RCC (15 with germline and 9 with somatic mutations) and 54 patients (58.6 ± 12.6 years) with pRCC type II were enrolled. The MDCT features were retrospectively reviewed and compared between the two entities and mutation subgroups, and were correlated with the clinicopathological findings. Results: All the lesions were unilateral and single. Compared with pRCC type II, FH-deficient RCC was more prevalent among younger patients (40.4 ± 14.7 vs. 58.6 ± 12.6, p < 0.001) and tended to be larger (8.1 ± 4.1 vs. 5.4 ± 3.2, p = 0.002). Cystic solid patterns were more common in FH-deficient RCC (20/24 vs. 16/54, p < 0.001), with 16 of the 20 (80.0%) cystic solid tumors having showed typical polycystic and thin smooth walls and/or septa, with an eccentric solid component. Lymph node (16/24 vs. 16/54, p = 0.003) and distant (11/24 vs. 3/54, p < 0.001) metastases were more frequent in FH-deficient RCC. FHdeficient RCC and pRCC type II showed similar attenuation in the unenhanced phase. The attenuation in the corticomedullary phase (CMP) (76.3% ± 25.0% vs. 60.2 ± 23.6, p = 0.008) and nephrographic phase (NP) (87.7 ± 20.5, vs. 71.2 ± 23.9, p = 0.004), absolute enhancement in CMP (39.0 ± 24.8 vs. 27.1 ± 22.7, p = 0.001) and NP (50.5 ± 20.5 vs. 38.2 ± 21.9, p = 0.001), and relative enhancement ratio to the renal cortex in CMP (0.35 ± 0.26 vs. 0.24 ± 0.19, p = 0.001) and NP (0.43 ± 0.24 vs. 0.29 ± 0.19, p < 0.001) were significantly higher in FH-deficient RCC. No significant difference was found between the FH germline and somatic mutation subgroups in any of the parameters. Conclusion The MDCT features of FH-deficient RCC were different from those of pRCC type II, whereas there was no statistical difference between the germline and somatic mutation subgroups. A kidney mass with a cystic solid pattern and metastatic tendency, especially in young patients, should be considered for FH-deficient RCC.

OBJECTIVEEstablishing a new method on the basis of multiplex PCR-high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for screening a large deletion in mismatch repair genes.

METHODSThirty-five pairs of primers were used to amplify all 16 exons of MSH2 and all 19 exons of MLH1 gene in 8 multiplex PCR. The products of multiplex PCR were analysed for the large deletion with Double Strand DNA Analysis System of HPLC. Firstly, validation of the method was tested on positive and negative controls in blind analysis. Secondly, 14 blood cell DNA samples from hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) patients and 13 colorectal cancer (CRC) tissues DNA samples from sporadic CRC patients were checked with the new developed method.

RESULTS(1) the genomic deletions in all 4 of positive controls were identically uncovered with the new method; (2) a novel germline and a novel somatic large deletions were unveiled in 1/14 HNPCC patients and in 1/13 CRC tissues.

CONCLUSIONThe method developed on multiplex PCR-HPLC is reliable for uncovering large genomic deletion in mismatch repair genes, and can be taken as a valuable addition to mutation screening system.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing ; Base Pair Mismatch ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Carrier Proteins ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; DNA Repair ; genetics ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Gene Deletion ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; MutL Protein Homolog 1 ; MutS Homolog 2 Protein ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; Nuclear Proteins ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; genetics

Objective To investigate the efficacy of telbivudine blocking the spread of hepatitis B virus in intrauterine. Methods Collecting 64 cases of pregnant women who receive treatment in Hangzhou Sixth People's hospital between November 2007-June 2009,which are divided into control group (36 cases)and treatment group (28 eases). Two groups of pregnant women intramuscular HBIG 200IU each one times during pregnancy 28, 32 and 36 weeks. Pregnant women of treatment simultaneously oral telbivudine tabels,600 mg/d. To observe the HBV DNA load and HBsAg levels in newborns of two groups. Results HBsAgpositive rate is 30.56% (11/36) in newborns of the treatment group, which is 7. 14% (2/28) in control group. The difference is statistically significant between two groups ( χ2 = 3. 985, P = 0. 046 ). HBV DNA positive rate is 1 16.67% (6/36) in newborns of control group, which is 0 in treatment group. The difference is statistically significant between two groups ( P ＜ 0.05 ). All pregnant women and newborns do not appear adverse reactions during the treatment. Conclusion HBV blocking rate of treatment group is significantly higher than control group. The results suggest that telbivudine can reduce the risk of HBV vertical transmission to a certain extent.

BACKGROUNDThe genome of the severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) includes sequences encoding the putative protein X4 (ORF8, ORF7a), consisting of 122 amino acids. The deduced sequence contains a probable cleaved signal peptide sequence and a C-terminal transmembrane helix, indicating that protein X4 is likely to be a type I membrane protein. This study was conducted to demonstrate whether the protein X4 was expressed and its essential function in the process of SARS-CoV infection.

METHODSThe prokaryotic and eukaryotic protein X4-expressing plasmids were constructed. Recombinant soluble protein X4 was purified from E. coli using ion exchange chromatography, and the preparation was injected into chicken for rising specific polyclonal antibodies. The expression of protein X4 in SARS-CoV-infected Vero E6 cells and lung tissues from patients with SARS was performed using immunofluorescence assay and immunohistochemistry technique. The preliminary function of protein X4 was evaluated by treatment with and over-expression of protein X4 in cell lines. Western blot was employed to evaluate the expression of protein X4 in SARS-CoV particles.

RESULTSWe expressed and purified soluble recombinant protein X4 from E.coli, and generated specific antibodies against protein X4. Western blot proved that the protein X4 was not assembled in the SARS-CoV particles. Indirect immunofluorescence assays revealed that the expression of protein X4 was detected at 8 hours after infection in SARS-CoV-infected Vero E6 cells. It was also detected in the lung tissues from patients with SARS. Treatment with and overexpression of protein X4 inhibited the growth of Balb/c 3T3 cells as determined by cell counting and MTT assays.

CONCLUSIONThe results provide the evidence of protein X4 expression following SARS-CoV infection, and may facilitate further investigation of the immunopathological mechanism of SARS.

Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; BALB 3T3 Cells ; Cercopithecus aethiops ; Growth Inhibitors ; analysis ; physiology ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lung ; chemistry ; Mice ; Molecular Sequence Data ; SARS Virus ; chemistry ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; metabolism ; Vero Cells ; Viral Structural Proteins ; analysis ; physiology

Objective:To explore the hepatoprotective effect and its mechanism of the geraniin on mice with acute liver injury induced by D-galactosamine (D-GalN). Method:A total of 60 Kunming mice were randomly divided into normal group, model group, Silymarin group (positive group 180 mg·kg^-1), and low, medium and high-dose geraniin groups (50, 100, 200 mg·kg^-1). All the mice were given with saline or corresponding dose of drugs (10 mL·kg^-1) by gavage once a day for 10 d. After 2 h of the last administration, except the normal group, the mice of other groups were injected intraperitoneally with D-GalN (500 mg·kg^-1) to induce the acute liver injury. After 16 h, the eye balls of mice were removed to take blood, and all mice were put to death to collect samples of liver. Activity or content of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (TBIL), malondialdehyde (MDA), total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in liver were determined by biochemical method. The serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), γ-interferon (IFN-γ) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and expressions of Toll-like receptor-4(TLR-4) and nuclear factor(NF)-κB proteins were detected by Western blot. Liver histopathological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Result:Compared with the normal group, the serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP, TBIL and liver MDA in the model group were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, geraniin can reduce activities or contents of ALT, AST, ALP, TBIL in serum and MDA in liver of mice (P<0.05, P<0.01), but increase activities of T-SOD and GSH-Px in liver (P<0.05,P<0.01), while inhibiting the contents of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IFN-γ and the expressions of TLR-4 and NF-κB proteins in serum (P<0.05,P<0.01). HE staining showed that acute liver injury of mice was alleviated obviously by geraniin. Conclusion:Geraniin has an obvious protective effective on acute liver injuries induced by D-GalN in mice. Its mechanism may be correlated with oxidative stress, inflammation and TLR-4/NF-κB signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To identify and characterize read-through RNAs and read-through circular RNAs (rt-circ-HS) derived from transcriptional read-through hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF1α) and small nuclear RNA activating complex polypeptide 1 (SNAPC1) the two adjacent genes located on chromosome 14q23, in renal carcinoma cells and renal carcinoma tissues, and to study the effects of rt-circ-HS on biological behavior of renal carcinoma cells and on regulation of HIF1α. METHODS: Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Sanger sequencing were used to examine expression of read-through RNAs HIF1α-SNAPC1 and rt-circ-HS in different tumor cells. Tissue microarrays of 437 different types of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) were constructed, and chromogenic in situ hybridization (ISH) was used to investigate expression of rt-circ-HS in different RCC types. Small interference RNA (siRNA) and artificial overexpression plasmids were designed to examine the effects of rt-circ-HS on 786-O and A498 renal carcinoma cell proliferation, migration and invasiveness by cell counting kit 8 (CCK8), EdU incorporation and Transwell cell migration and invasion assays. RT-PCR and Western blot were used to exa-mine expression of HIF1α and SNAPC1 RNA and proteins after interference of rt-circ-HS with siRNA, respectively. The binding of rt-circ-HS with microRNA 539 (miR-539), and miR-539 with HIF1α 3' untranslated region (3' UTR), and the effects of these interactions were investigated by dual luciferase reporter gene assays. RESULTS: We discovered a novel 1 144 nt rt-circ-HS, which was derived from read-through RNA HIF1α-SNAPC1 and consisted of HIF1α exon 2-6 and SNAPC1 exon 2-4. Expression of rt-circ-HS was significantly upregulated in 786-O renal carcinoma cells. ISH showed that the overall positive expression rate of rt-circ-HS in RCC tissue samples was 67.5% (295/437), and the expression was different in different types of RCCs. Mechanistically, rt-circ-HS promoted renal carcinoma cell proliferation, migration and invasiveness by functioning as a competitive endogenous inhibitor of miR-539, which we found to be a potent post-transcriptional suppressor of HIF1α, thus promoting expression of HIF1α. CONCLUSION The novel rt-circ-HS is highly expressed in different types of RCCs and acts as a competitive endogenous inhibitor of miR-539 to promote expression of its parental gene HIF1α and thus the proliferation, migration and invasion of renal cancer cells.
Humans ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell/pathology* ; Cell Proliferation ; Hypoxia ; Kidney Neoplasms ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; Neoplasm Invasiveness/genetics* ; RNA, Circular/metabolism* ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/genetics*

BACKGROUNDA multi-center large scale study is needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of domestic peritoneal dialysis (PD) solutions. Some researchers believe that 6 L/d is enough for adequate dialysis, but there is no multi-center prospective study on Chinese population to confirm this. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of domestic PD solution (Changfu) and its difference between 6 L and 8 L dosage.

METHODSAdult PD patients who had taken PD therapy for at least one month were selected and divided into four groups according to two dialysis solution brands and two dialysis dosages, i.e., 6 L dose with Changfu dialysis solution, 6 L dose with Baxter dialysis solution, 8 L dose with Changfu dialysis solution, and 8 L dose with Baxter dialysis solution. After 48 weeks, the changes of primary and secondary efficacy indices were compared between different types and different dosages. We also analyzed the changes of safety indices.

RESULTSChanges of Kt/V from baseline to 48 weeks between Changfu and Baxter showed no statistical differences; so did those of creatinine clearance rate (Ccr). Normalized protein catabolic rate (nPCR) from baseline to 48 weeks between Changfu and Baxter showed no statistical differences; so did those of net ultrafiltration volume (nUF) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Changes of nPCR from baseline to 48 weeks between 6 L and 8 L showed no statistical differences; so did those of nUF and eGFR. The decline of Kt/V from baseline to 48 weeks in 6 L group was more than that in 8 L group. Change of Ccr was similar. During the 48-week period, the mean Kt/V was above 1.7/w, and mean Ccr was above 50 L×1.73 m(-2)×w(-1). More adverse events were found in Changfu group before Changfu Corporation commenced technology optimization, and the statistical differences disappeared after that.

CONCLUSIONSThe domestic PD solution (Changfu) was proven to be as effective as Baxter dialysis solution. During 48-week period, a dosage of 6 L/d was enough for these patients to reach adequate PD. Clinical study promotes technological optimization, further helps to improve the safety indices of the medical products.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Dialysis Solutions ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peritoneal Dialysis ; methods ; Young Adult

To investigate the effects of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma(PPAR-γ)on the liver injury of Polygonum multiflorum, we established a model of immunological idiosyncrasy liver injury induced by lipopolysaccharide. The 70 Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were randomly divided into control group, LPS group(2.8 mg·kg^-1), PM group(crude drug, 2.16 g·kg^-1), PPAR-γ agonist group(pioglitazone, 0.5 mg·kg^-1), PM+LPS group(crude drug 2.16 g·kg^-1, 2.8 mg·kg^-1), PPAR-γ agonist+LPS group(0.5 mg·kg^-1, 2.8 mg·kg^-1)and PM+LPS+PPAR-γ agonist group(crude drug, 2.16 g·kg^-1, 2.8 mg·kg^-1, 0.5 mg·kg^-1). The rats were orally given PM, once a day for consecutive 2 days. The control rats were given the same amount of distilled water. Liver injury was induced by intravenous injection of LPS. Sodium pentobarbital was injected intraperitoneally for anesthesia, and liver samples were collected together with blood. The plasma levels of alanine transaminase(ALT), aspartate aminotransferase(AST), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-6(IL-6)and interferon-γ(IFN-γ)were measured. Pathological changes and hepatocellular apoptosis were examined by liver biopsy, and immunohistochemical observation of liver tissue expression of PPAR-γ and NF-κB p65. A negative correlation was observed between the expression of PPAR-γ in hepatic tissue and liver injury of Polygonum multiflorum. PPAR-γ agonist significantly reduced the PM-induced idiosyncratic liver injury in rats according to serum ALT and AST(P < 0.05), reduced liver pathological injury and hepatocyte apoptosis, decreased serum TNF-α and other inflammatory cytokines(P < 0.05), liver tissue PPAR-γ expression, and inhibited expression of NF-κB p65(P < 0.05). The results suggest that the occurrence of immunological idiosyncrasy liver injury of PM is related to inhibition of the PPAR-γ pathway and elevation of inflammatory factors. PPAR-γ agonist can reverse the idiosyncratic liver injury induced by PM, and provide a reference for elucidating mechanism of idiosyncratic liver injury induced by Polygonum multiflorum.

This study aimed to qualitatively analyze the chemical components in Xiaoer Chiqiao Qingre Granules(XRCQ) by UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS/MS and identify its material basis. The absorbed components in plasma were combined for exploring the potential action mechanism by integrated network pharmacology. ACQUITY UPLC HSS T3(2.1 mm×100 mm, 1.8 μm) column and mobile phase system of 0.1% formic acid solution(A)-acetonitrile(B) were used for gradient elution, followed by high resolution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry in both positive and negative ion scanning modes. According to the precise relative molecular mass and MS/MS fragment ions, a total of 124 chemical components were identified in XRCQ by the comparison with references and literature reports, among which 29 compounds were completely confirmed by comparison with reference substances. Then, the main absorbed components of XRCQ in plasma were also analyzed and clarified by UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS/MS. BATMAN-TCM and SwissTargetPrediction were used for target prediction of absorbed components in plasma. Following the plotting of association network with Cytoscape 3.8.2, the core targets were subjected to GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis and a component-target-pathway network was constructed. A total of eight main targets of XRCQ against fever in children were obtained together with eight absorbed components in plasma, including glycyrhydinic acid, hesperidin, emodin, reticuline, daidzein, magnolignan C, magnolignan A, and magnolaldehyde D. It was inferred that XRCQ might improve alimentary system abnormality, inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and endocrine disorder through tumor necrosis factor, PI3 K-AKT, and other signaling pathways. The present study comprehensively expounded the chemical profiles of XRCQ and the main absorbed components in plasma and predicted the potential mechanism of XRCQ based on integrated network pharmacology, which has provided certain theoretical reference for the clinical application of XRCQ.
Child ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Humans ; Network Pharmacology ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry