Studies on survivin over the past several years have shown it has significant association with cancer, its encoding protein play a important role in control of mitosis and/or apoptosis and the activity of cellullar immunologic response in cancer patients. Survivin is the finding of its splice variants make it more valuble. The multi-subcellular localization of survivin is consistent with its multiple functions in cellular metabolisms and responses. The mechanisms and the subcellular localization by which these splice variants differentially affect cancer development are unclear. This review article will update the role of survivin, and its splice variants in the mitosis/cell cycle, apoptosis, tumorigenesis, chemoprevention, drug/radiation resistance, and cancer therapeutics.

Objective To study the influence of walking exercise training on heart function, left heart ventricle structure and plasma brain natriuretie peptide (BNP) concentration in patients with chronic heart failure ( CHF), to explore the sense of exercise training.Methods A total of 223 CHF patients were randomly assigned to a guided rehabilitation group, a non-guided rehabilitation group and a control group.All patients were given basic medicine treatment, and the guided rehabilitation group was administered guided walking exercise training program, while the non-guided rehabilitation group was encouraged to do exercise freely but with no guidance.Blood pressure, 6 min walking distance test, plasma concentration of BNP and echocardiography were measured in all patients before and after exercise training.Results At entry to the study, there was no significant difference among the 3 groups with regard to blood pressure, 6 rain walking distance and BNP level as well as echocardiographic parameters including left ventrieular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDd).A follow-up at the 6th month after intervention, the amount of readmission patients in guided rehabilitation group were significantly less than those in non-guided rehabilitation and control groups ( P < 0.05 ).It was also revealed that the plasma concentration of BNP decreased significantly ( P < 0.01 ) ; LVEF and 6 min walking distance improved significantly ( P < 0.01 ) in the guided rehabilitation group when compared with baseline and 6-month follow-up of the non-guided rehabilitation and control groups.However, there observed no significant change with regard to LVEDd.Conclusion Walking exercise training can improve exercise endurance in CHF patients and is safety; but has no influence on left heart ventricular structure in short time.

Abstract: Objective　To investigate the distribution characteristics of HCV genotypes and subtypes in patients with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus, HIV)/HCV co-infection in Kunming based on the nucleocapsid protein gene sequence of HCV (hepatitis C virus). Methods　Serum was collected from HIV/HCV co-infected patients with household registration in 14 county-level cities, districts and counties under the jurisdiction of Kunming, who admitted to Yunnan Provincial Infectious Disease Hospital from March to August 2019. The viral RNA was extracted from the serum, reverse transcribed to synthesize cDNA, and the HCV nucleocapsid protein gene-specific primers were used for nested PCR amplification. The positive amplification products were sequenced, bioinformatics software such as DNAstar and MEGAX were used for sequence analysis. Results　A total of 64 samples from co-infected patients with clinical diagnosis of suspected HIV/HCV were collected and amplified by HCV nucleocapsid protein gene-specific primers, of which 17 samples were amplified positively. The results of sequence analysis showed that the sequences of 9 cases were located in the same evolutionary branch as the HCV 3b subtype sequence, and the nucleotide homology was 93.3%-95.2%; the sequences of 5 cases were located in the same evolutionary branch as the HCV 1b subtype sequence, and the nucleotide homology was 96.8%-97.6%; the sequence of one case and the subtype sequence of HCV 3a gene were located in the same evolutionary branch, and the nucleotide homology was 95.2%; the sequence of one case and HCV 6n gene subtype sequence were located in the same evolutionary branch, and the nucleotide homology was 97.9%; One case was located in the same evolutionary branch as the HCV 6u gene subtype sequence, and the nucleotide homology was 98.4%. Conclusions　HCV 1b, HCV 3a, HCV 3b, HCV 6n and HCV 6u genotypes or subtypes of HCV are prevalent in Kunming, and HCV 3b is the most prevalent genotype.

Although oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) have been proposed as important mediators of the atherosclerosis, the long-term contribution to the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in hemodialysis patients has not been evaluated. This study investigated the relation between oxidized LDL and LPC levels with long term risk of CVD. Plasma oxidized LDL and LPC levels were determined in 69 Korean hemodialysis patients as a prospective observational study for 5 yr. During the observation period, 18 cardiovascular events (26.1%) occurred including 6 deaths among the hemodialysis patients. The low LPC level group (< or = 254 microM/L, median value) had much more increased risk of CVD compared to the high LPC level group (> 254 microM/L) (P = 0.01). However, serum levels of oxidized LDL were not significantly different between groups with and without CVD. In adjusted Cox analysis, previous CVD, (hazard ratio [HR], 5.68; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.94-16.63, P = 0.002) and low LPC level (HR, 3.45; 95% CI, 1.04-11.42, P = 0.04) were significant independent risk factors for development of CVD. It is suggested that low LPC, but not oxidized LDL, is associated with increased risk of CVD among a group of Korean hemodialysis patients.
Adult ; Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Cardiovascular Diseases/*diagnosis/etiology/mortality ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic/blood/complications/diagnosis ; Lipoproteins, LDL/*blood ; Lysophosphatidylcholines/*blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Prospective Studies ; Renal Dialysis ; Republic of Korea ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUND: Most reported genome-wide association studies (GWAS) seeking to identify the loci of osteoporosis-related traits have involved Caucasian populations. We aimed to identify the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of osteoporosis-related traits among East Asian populations from the bone mineral density (BMD)-related loci of an earlier GWAS meta-analysis. METHODS: A total of 95 SNPs, identified at the discovery stage of the largest GWAS meta-analysis of BMD, were tested to determine associations with osteoporosis-related traits (BMD, osteoporosis, or fracture) in Korean subjects (n=1,269). The identified SNPs of osteoporosis-related traits in Korean subjects were included in the replication analysis using Chinese (n=2,327) and Japanese (n=768) cohorts. RESULTS: A total of 17 SNPs were associated with low BMD in Korean subjects. Specifically, 9, 6, 9, and 5 SNPs were associated with the presence of osteoporosis, non-vertebral fractures, vertebral fractures, and any fracture, respectively. Collectively, 35 of the 95 SNPs (36.8%) were associated with one or more osteoporosis-related trait in Korean subjects. Of the 35 SNPs, 19 SNPs (54.3%) were also associated with one or more osteoporosis-related traits in East Asian populations. Twelve SNPs were associated with low BMD in the Chinese and Japanese cohorts. Specifically, 3, 4, and 2 SNPs were associated with the presence of hip fractures, vertebral fractures, and any fracture, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results identified the common SNPs of osteoporosis-related traits in both Caucasian and East Asian populations. These SNPs should be further investigated to assess whether they are true genetic markers of osteoporosis.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group* ; Bone Density ; Cohort Studies ; Genetic Markers ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; Hip Fractures ; Humans ; Osteoporosis ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

PURPOSE: To compare the astigmatic power of toric intraocular lenses (IOLs) obtained from the AcrySof, TECNIS, and iTrace toric calculator in patients with preoperative with-the-rule (WTR) or against-the-rule (ATR) corneal astigmatism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty eyes with cataract and corneal astigmatism greater than 0.75 diopters were enrolled in each group (WTR and ATR). Keratometric values were measured using autokeratometry, an IOLMaster, and an iTrace, which incorporated corneal topography and ray-tracing aberrometry. Based on measured keratometric values, the astigmatic power of each toric IOL was calculated using three toric calculators. RESULTS: Bland-Altman plots showed good agreement between six pairwise corneal astigmatism values in both groups. The TECNIS calculator tended to suggest a higher astigmatic power of the toric IOL than the AcrySof calculator. With the higher astigmatism and keratometric values from the IOLMaster, in both groups, calculations from the AcrySof and TECNIS calculators resulted in higher calculated astigmatic powers than those from same calculators with autokeratometry-measured values, demonstrating good agreement. With the higher calculated astigmatic power values, the values from the iTrace toric calculator using keratometric values obtained from iTrace ray tracing wavefront aberrometry or iTrace simulated keratometry showed fair to moderate agreement with those from the other calculator-keratometry pairs in both groups. CONCLUSION: To achieve the best refractive outcome after toric IOL implantation, understanding the differences in keratometric values between instruments and in calculated astigmatic power among toric calculator programs is necessary. Moreover, systemic analysis of each toric calculator in conjunction with postoperative data is required.
Aberrometry ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Astigmatism/physiopathology/surgery ; *Cataract ; Cornea/surgery ; Corneal Topography ; Eye ; Female ; Humans ; *Lens Implantation, Intraocular ; *Lenses, Intraocular ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phacoemulsification/*methods ; Postoperative Period ; Refraction, Ocular/*physiology ; Visual Acuity/physiology

Laparoscopic radical surgery for rectal can-cer involves total mesorectal excision (TME), D 3 lymphadenectomy, and pelvic autonomic nerve preservation, the goal of which is trying to achieve completely radical cure for cancer and urogenital function preservation. In the actual operation procedure, the understanding of fascial anatomy in abdominal and pelvic cavity will help us to improve the quality of TME surgery for rectal cancer and to preserve the pelvic autonomic nerves. When entering the pelvic cavity, the identification of fascia propria of mesorectum, visceral fascia, pre-hypogastric nerve fascia, presacral fascia, ligament structures around the rectum and the Denonvilliers′ fascia in front of the rectum will help us to protect the pelvic autonomic nerves and avoid surgical injury. So the authors focus on how to identify the pelvic fascia structure clearly in laparoscopic radical resection for rectal cancer, furthermore, to master the concepts of fascia anatomy to realize TME for rectal cancer and to achieve pelvic autonomic nerve preservation.

Background: This study aimed to investigate whether respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza virus (IFV) infections would occur in 2021–2022 as domestic nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) are easing. Methods: Data were collected from the Korean Influenza and Respiratory Virus Monitoring System database. The weekly positivity rates of respiratory viruses and number of hospitalizations for acute respiratory infections were evaluated (January 2016–2022).The period from February 2020 to January 2022 was considered the NPI period. The autoregressive integrated moving average model and Poisson analysis were used for data analysis. Data from 14 countries/regions that reported positivity rates of RSV and IFV were also investigated. Results: Compared with the pre-NPI period, the positivity and hospitalization rates for IFV infection during 2021–2022 significantly decreased to 0.0% and 1.0%, respectively, at 0.0% and 1.2% of the predicted values, respectively. The RSV infection positivity rate in 2021–2022 was 1.8-fold higher than that in the pre-NPI period at 1.5-fold the predicted value. The hospitalization rate for RSV was 20.0% of that in the pre-NPI period at 17.6% of the predicted value. The re-emergence of RSV and IFV infections during 2020–2021 was observed in 13 and 4 countries, respectively. Conclusion During 2021–2022, endemic transmission of the RSV, but not IFV, was observed in Korea.

BACKGROUND: Cells are the basic units of all life activities. In order to grasp the law of life process, it is essential to explore intercellular interactions and cell behaviors. Most current biological assays in large cell populations ignore the effects of cell heterogeneity and lose important temporal data in the process of averaging cellular responses. High-throughput single-cell capture and arrangement are of great significance to the research on cell biology. However, to date, there has no systematic study and description of the methods for cell capturing and alignment in vitro . OBJECTIVE: To summarize the methods of microfluidics technology, surface topographical technology and various traps based on mechanics, magnetics, and electrophoretic sorting to spatially collect single cells so as to discuss the feasibility and the latest progress of cell shape control and cell alignment. METHODS: The authors performed a data retrieval of PubMed and Bailianyun databases to search the articles (1995-2017) addressing the single cell capture and alignment in vitro and reviewed the literatures systematically. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: A total 241 articles were retrieved, and 35 articles were finally involved in the analysis according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. After summarizing and analyzing, the results indicated that microfluidics, micro-contact printing, micro-well arrays, micro-pore membrane, electrical stimulation and magnetic deflection are commonly used in cell capture and functional assay. With the development of micro-scale technologies and in-depth research of cell behavior, microfluidic technology and micro-contact printing technology have become a hot topic of research with certain improvement in the capture efficiency. In addition, some new materials are gradually developed and applied. Microfluidic technology has a leading advantage in cell capture rate, while the improved micro-contact printing technology mostly concerns subsequent cell spreading and alignment. Under the proper culture environment, precise cell capture and alignment are essential to guide cell spreading, fusion, and differentiation.

There have been numerous reports on the relationship between eosinophilia and toxocariasis. The present study investigated seropositive rates of toxocariasis among healthy people with or without eosinophilia in urban and rural areas, and assessed risk factors for positive antibody test. A total of 610 healthy people, who visited health check-up (Medicheck(R), Korea Association of Health Promotion), 310 from Seoul and 300 from Gyeongsangnam-do, were subjected for this study. Their serum samples were tested by ELISA with the crude antigen of Toxocara canis larvae. Cross-reactions with other tissue invading helminth antigens were also investigated. Total antibody positive rate of toxocariasis was 8.7% of the 610 subjects. When the subjects were grouped into 3 by their eosinophil counts, the antibody positive rates significantly differed by the groups; 5.9% (18/306) in the group<350/microL, 10.0% (11/110) in the group 350-500/microL, and 12.4% (24/194) in the group>500/microL (P=0.028). A total of 22 serum samples cross-reacted with other tissue-invading helminth antigens. A questionnaire analysis recognized drinking alcohol and smoking as significant risk factors of toxocariasis. In conclusion, toxocariasis antibody positive rate is correlated with eosinophil counts. It is recommended that healthy subjects with eosinophilia by routine health examination and risk factors undergo Toxocara serology by multiantigen ELISA to investigate etiology.
Age Distribution ; Comorbidity ; Eosinophilia/*diagnosis/*epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reference Values ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Risk Factors ; Rural Population/*statistics & numerical data ; Serologic Tests/statistics & numerical data ; Sex Distribution ; Toxocariasis/*diagnosis/*epidemiology ; Urban Population/*statistics & numerical data