Adult ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Turbinates ; surgery ; Young Adult

With thousands of sequenced 16 S rRNA genes available,and advancements in oligonucleotide microarray technology,the detection of microorganisms in microbial communities consisting of hundreds of species may be possible.The existing algorithms developed for sequence-specific probe design are not suitable for applications in large-scale bacteria detection due to the lack of coverage,flexibility and efficiency.Many other strategies developed for group-specific probe design focus on how to find a unique group-specific probe that can specifically detect all target sequences of a group.Unique group-specific probe for each group can not always be found.Hence,it is necessary to design non-unique probes.Each probe can specifically detect target sequences of a different subgroup.Combination of multiple probes can achieve higher coverage.However,it is a time-consuming task to evaluate all possible combinations.A feasible algorithm using relative entropy and genetic algorithm (GA) to design group-specific non-unique probes was presented.

Objective To explore the clinical results of total ankle replacements with the Scandinavian Total Ankle Replacement (STAR) prosthesis for end-stage ankle arthritis.Methods Data of 73 cases with end-stage ankle arthritis who received Scandinavian total ankle replacement from January 2005 to May 2013 were retrospectively analyzed.They were 34 males and 39 females,with an average age of 59.6 years old (range,37-76 years old),average body mass index (BMI) of 25.3 kg/m2 (range,21.8-28.0 kg/m2).All patients were classified into stage-3 arthritis according to Morrey-Wiedeman.Kofoed,American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle and hindfoot score and visual analog scale (VAS) were used to evaluate the function of foot and ankle.Patients with a hindfoot deformity below 10° were compared with those who above 10°;and patients above 55 years old were compared with those who below it.Results 5 replacement failed (2 liner ruptured and received replacement;2 metal components displaced,1 received TTC fusion and the other underwent revision with inferior tibiofibular joint fusion,the last patient suffered from deep infection and received the STAR removal and secondary fusion) in 73,and the rest were followed up for 12 to 110 months (average,55.2 months).59 patients were satisfied with or without reservations.The satisfaction rate was 80.8％ (59/73).The pre-op values of AOFAS,Kofoed,VAS and range of motion (ROM) were 46.6±3.5,43.0±4.7,8.7±0.7,34.4°±7.1° and the post-op values were 86.6±4.3,82.6±4.6,3.0±1.0,45.1°±8.2° respectively,and all were significantly improved compared with before.The AOFAS,AOFAS Function and ROM values of patients below 55 years old were 86.1±3.8,47.0±2.7,45.7°±7.0°,and the same values of patients above 55 were 86.7±4.6,46.8±3.1,44.9°±8.8°.The AOFAS,AOFAS Function and ROM values of patients with above 10° coronal deformity were 86.1±4.7,47.0±2.7,43.0°±7.7°,and the same values of patients below 10° were 86.8±4.2,46.8±3.1,46.1°±8.2°.There was no difference between the groups.Conclusion The STAR is the preferable surgical treatment option in patients with end-stage ankle arthritis,showing high reliability and effectivity in pain relieving and function improvement.

The Leucine-rich repeats and immunoglobulin-like domains-2 (LRIG2) gene expression in pituitary adenoma and its correlation with tumor invasiveness were studied. The expression of LRIG2 mRNA and protein in human pituitary adenoma obtained surgically was detected by RT-PCR (39 cases) and immunohistochemical staining (30 cases). It was found that LRIG2 was mostly localized at the nucleus of the pituitary adenoma cells. Its expression was significantly higher in the invasive cases than in the non-invasive cases. LRIG2 protein was positive in 14 cases out of 21 cases of invasive adenoma, but only 2 cases were positive in 9 cases of non-invasive adenoma. The positive expression rate of LRIG2 mRNA was 91.3% in invasive cases (total 23 cases) and 62.5% in non-invasive cases (total 16 cases), respectively. LRIG2 gene is overexpressed in invasive pituitary adenoma. It may play an important role in pituitary adenoma invasiveness and further studies are necessary to elucidate the mechanism under this phenomenon.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the roles of interleukin (IL)-17A in risk stratification and prognosis of patients with sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (SAKI). Methods: We enrolled 146 sepsis patients (84 non-SAKI and 62 SAKI patients) admitted to the emergency department from November 2020 to November 2021. Patients with SAKI were differentiated based on the severity of acute kidney injury. All clinical parameters were evaluated upon admission before administering antibiotic treatment. Inflammatory cytokines were assessed using flow cytometry and the Pylon 3D automated immunoassay system (ET Healthcare). In addition, a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was utilized to determine the prognostic values of IL-17A in SAKI. Results: The levels of creatinine, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-17A, tumor necrosis factor alpha, C-reactive protein, and procalcitonin (PCT) were significantly higher in the SAKI group than in the non-SAKI group (p < 0.05). The level of IL-17A revealed significant differences among stages 1, 2, and 3 in SAKI patients (p < 0.05). The mean levels of PCT, IL-4, and IL-17A were significantly higher in the non-survival group than in the survival group in SAKI patients (p < 0.05). In addition, the area under the ROC curve of IL-17A was 0.811. Moreover, the IL-17A cutoff for differentiating survivors from non-survivors was 4.7 pg/mL, of which the sensitivity and specificity were 77.4% and 71.0%, respectively. Conclusion: Elevated levels of IL-17A could predict that SAKI patients are significantly prone to worsening kidney injury with higher mortality. The usefulness of IL-17A in treating SAKI requires further research.

The aim of this study was to construct a mammary gland-specific expressional vector pBC1-hLF-Neo for Human Lactoferrin (hLF) gene and then investigate its expression in the mammary gland epithelium cells. The constructed vector contained the 6.2 kb long 5' flank regulation region including promoter, other elements and the 7.1 kb long 3' flank regulation region including transcriptional ending signal of a goat's beta-casein gene. A cassette of Neo gene was also inserted into the vector which gave a total length of 26.736 kb identified by restriction fragment analysis and partial DNA sequencing. The results revealed that the structure of the final constructed vector accords with the designed plasmid map. In order to analyze the bioactivity of the vector, we transfected the lined vector DNA into the dairy goat's mammary gland epithelium cells and C127 cells of a mouse's mammary epithelium by Lipofectamine. After selection with G418 for 8-10 days, G418-risistant clones were obtained. PCR analysis demonstrated that hLF gene cassette had been integrated into the genomic DNA of G418-risistant clones. After proliferation culture, the two kinds of transgenic cells were cultured in serum-free DMEM-F12 medium with prolactin, insulin and hydrocortisone- a medium capable of inducing recombinant hLF expression. RT-PCR, Western blotting and anti-bacteria bioactivity experiments demonstrated that the constructed mammary gland specific vector pBC1-hLF-Neo possessed the desirable bioactivity to efficiently express and could secrete hLF in both mammary gland cells and have the effect of E. coli proliferation inhibition. Paramount to everything, this study laid a firm foundation for preparing the hLF gene transgenic goat fetal-derived fibroblast cells.
Animals ; Base Sequence ; Breast Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Caseins ; genetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; DNA, Complementary ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Epithelial Cells ; metabolism ; Female ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Goats ; Humans ; Lactoferrin ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Mammary Glands, Animal ; cytology ; metabolism ; Mice ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutagenesis, Insertional ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics

Objective:To investigate therole of serum amylase elevation in the evaluation of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) patients and the related factors affecting serum amylase (AMS) levels in patients with diabetic ketoacidosis.Methods:A total of 249 patients with DKA who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from November 2011 to August 2018 were selected for this retrospective study. The patients were divided into the normal group ( n=176) and the elevated group ( n=73) according to the AMS level measured by fasting venous blood samples. The enumeration data such as sex, type of DM, diabetic vascular complications, number of deaths, number of ICU monitoring, and number of acute pancreatitis (AP) after discharge were analyzed by chi-square test or Fisher test, and the measurement data such as age, pH, HbA1c, CO 2CP, Ca 2+, BUN, and Scr were analyzed by independent sample t test to compare the difference between the two groups. Results:The intensive care unit (ICU) monitoring rate was 50.7%, the median length of stay in ICU was 4 days, the median length of hospital stay was 14 days, and the median treatment cost was 28 000 yuan, which were higher in the elevated group than those in the normal group ( P<0.05). There were no significant differences in mortality, AP during hospitalization, and the probability of AP after discharge between the elevated group and the normal group ( P>0.05). The duration of diabetes, the number of previous DKA, the incidence of diabetic vascular complications, HbA1c, pH, BUN, and Scr in the elevated group were all higher than those in the normal group ( P<0.01 or P<0.05). Conclusions:DKA patients with elevated AMS are more likely to be admitted to ICU, and the length of stay in ICU, total length of hospital stay and total cost of treatment are all increased. Where as the overall mortality rate during hospitalization and the likelihood of AP after discharge are not increased.

Objective To explore the expression of aquaporin-2 (AQP-2) in human fetus kidney and amniotic fluid at different stages of pregnancy.Methods Twenty-two cases of aborted fetuses' kidneys were collected.They were divided into 3 groups according to the pregnancy age:8 cases in 17-23 + 6 weeks,8 cases in 24-31 +6 weeks,and 6 cases in 32-38 +6 weeks.Western blot was used to examine the expression of AQP-2 in the kidney.Twenty-four cases of the amniotic fluid were collected,and they were divided into 3 groups according to the pregnancy age:10 cases in 17-23 +6 weeks,6 cases in 24-31 +6 weeks,and 8 cases in 32-38 +6 weeks.Eight cases of healthy adult morning urine were collected as positive controls.The AQP-2 protein in the amniotic fluid was detected with the method of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the osmotic pressure of amniotic fluid at different stages of the pregnancy was measured with the freezing point osmometer.Results The expression of AQP-2 was increased with the extending of pregnancy age,and the AQP-2 expressions in fetus kidney of 17-23 +6 weeks,24-31 + 6 weeks and 32-38 +6 weeks were 0.986 ± 0.335,1.566 ± 0.272,and 2.080 ± 0.246,respectively,and the difference was significant (P ＜ 0.05).The AQP-2 detected from amniotic fluid was positively correlated with the result of AQP-2 in the kidney(r =0.985,P ＜ 0.05),and the AQP-2 expression also increased with the extending of pregnancy age:17-23 +6 weeks,24-31 +6 weeks,32-38 +6 weeks and adult urine was (30.253 ±5.843) mg/L,(35.103 ±7.271) mg/L,and (42.580 ± 1.230) mg/L and (46.493 ± 0.450) mg/L,respectively.The osmolality of the amniotic fluid of 17-23 +6 weeks,24-31 +6 weeks,32-38 +6 weeks was (272.600 ± 4.827) mmol/L,(252.00 ± 15.360) mmol/L,and (261.750 ±5.560) mmol/L,respectively,and the difference was significant(P ＜0.05).Conclusions The AQP-2 expression in human fetus kidneys has good correlation with amniotic fluid,which indicates that the level of AQP-2 of the amniotic fluid may reflect the expression of AQP-2 in the fetus kidney.

The Leucine-rich repeats and immunoglobulin-like domains-2 (LRIG2) gene expression in pituitary adenoma and its correlation with tumor invasiveness were studied.The expression of LRIG2 mRNA and protein in human pituitary adenoma obtained surgically was detected by RT-PCR (39 cases)and immunohistochemical staining (30 cases).It was found that LRIG2 was mostly localized at the nucleus of the pituitary adenoma cells.Its expression was significantly higher in the invasive cases than in the non-invasive cases.LRIG2 protein was positive in 14 cases out of 21 cases of invasive adenoma,but only 2 cases were positive in 9 cases of non-invasive adenoma.The positive expression rate of LRIG2 mRNA was 91.3％ in invasive cases (total 23 cases) and 62.5％ in non-invasive cases (total 16 cases),respectively.LRIG2 gene is overexpressed in invasive pituitary adenoma.It may play an important role in pituitary adenoma invasiveness and further studies are necessary to elucidate the mechanism under this phenomenon.

Objective To investigate the effect of erythropoietin(EDO)on the expression and function of aqua_porin_1( AQD _1)in the kidney of young male SD rats after release of bilateral ureter obstruction( BUO _ R). Methods Porty_eight young SD rats were randomly divided into bilateral ureteral complete obstruction(BUO)group (n﹦6),BUO_R group(n﹦12),BUO_R﹢EDO group( n﹦12)and Sham group( n﹦18). The BUO model was built through bilateral ureteral ligation. BUO group were killed after 24 h,and BUO_R group and BUO_R﹢EDO group were relieved after obstruction of 24 h. EDO(500 U∕kg)was given to BUO_R﹢EDO rats at 1 h after release of BUO,and then repeated 1 d,3 d and 5 d thereafter and the same volume of 9 g∕L saline was simultaneously given to BUO_R rats. The Sham group was prepared in parallel by laparotomy and free dissection of bilateral ureters but not ligated,both side kidneys and blood samples were collected on 3 d and 7 d(24 h,3 d,7 d for Sham group)after release of BUO. The u_rine samples were collected by using metabolic cage before death. The plasma osmotic pressure,creatinine(Cr)and u_rea nitrogen(BUN)in the plasma of young rats were detected. The expression of AQD_1 protein in all groups of kidney tissues was detected by adopting immunohistochemistry and Western blot. Results On day 3 after release of BUO,24 h water intake and urine volume of BUO_R﹢EDO group were higher than those of Sham group,but lower than those of BUO group(P〈0. 05),the urine osmotic pressure of BUO_R﹢EDO group was higher than that of BUO group,but lower than that of Sham group(P〈0. 05),while plasma osmotic pressure,Cr and BUN of BUO_R﹢EDO group were higher than those of Sham group,but lower than those of BUO group(P〈0. 05),and they were all of lower than BUO group( P 〈0. 05). On day 7 after release of BUO,there was no obvious change in Sham group,and the indexes of BUO_R group and BUO_R﹢EDO group gradually recovered,but they still did not reach the normal level(P〈0. 05). The difference between BUO_R group and BUO_R﹢EDO group was statistically significant(P〈0. 05). The immuno_histochemical results showed that the expression of AQD_1 in collecting duct in BUO group was significantly down_regulated compared with that in Sham group,whereas it was slightly weaker in BUO_R group and BUO_R﹢EDO group than that of Sham group(P〈0. 05). Compared with 3 days after release of BUO,the staining intensity of BUO_R﹢EDO group and BUO_R group was enhanced,but still lower than that of the Sham group. These results were further confirmed by adopting Western blot,and BUO group was also the lowest of the four groups,and BUO_R﹢EDO group was higher than that of BUO group,but lower than that of Sham group( P〈0. 05). Conclusion EDO can promote not only the recovery of AQD_1 protein expression but also the recovery of renal function in young BUO_R rats.