Objective To compare the coding sequences (CDS) of Yersinia pestis D106004 strain from Yulong County in Yunnan Province and Z176003 strain from Qing-Tibet Plateau in order to find the differences between their genomes and the genetic characteristics. Methods The CDS of Yersinia pestis D106004 strain and Z176003 strain were searched and compared by BLAST. Twenty-two differential CDS were selected to design 22 pairs of primers. PCR amplification was carried out in 119 representative plague strains from different isolation sources (natural foci of Himalayan marmot plague in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, natural foci of Apodemus chevrieri and Eothenomys miletus plague in Yunnan), time span of about 50 years, and distribution in six ecological types including Tibet, Qinghai, Sichuan, Gansu and Yunnan, and PCR products were sequenced and verified. The strains were all from the State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Infectious Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Results In 119 representative plague strains of 6 ecological types, the cumulative sequence length of 22 differential CDS PCR amplification products was 2.13 × 106 bp. Among the 119 representative plague strains in the foci of Yulong D106004 strain and Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Z176003 strain, 22 differential CDS had high homology, there was no difference in 78.2％ (2047/2618) sequences of differential CDS, and 21.8％ (571/2618) sequences had three types of gene mutations ( deletion , missense and frameshift mutations). The characteristics of the differences were stable in the 6 ecological plague strains of the foci, and they were divided into 6 geographical distributions. Conclusion Yulong D106004 strain and Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Z176003 strain have high homology, close genetic relationship, and little difference in genome, but the genetic characteristics of different ecotype strains are stable.

Objective: To investigate the association between the whole blood riboflavin level and the occurrence, development and prognosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in China. Methods: From March 2014 to September 2018, ESCC patients from three hospitals (the Affiliated Hospital of Medical College of Shantou University, Shantou Central Hospital in Southern Chaoshan area and First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University in Northern Taihang Mountain) were selected as a case group; non-esophageal patients who had a physical examination were selected as a control group. The case and control group were paired by age (±5 years) and a 1:1 ration. A total of 1 528 subjects were enrolled including 764 patients in the case group and 764 patients in the control group. About 3-5 ml venous blood samples were collected, and the erythrocyte glutathione reductase activity coefficient (GRAC) was measured to assess the whole blood riboflavin level. A multivariate conditional logistic regression model was used to analyze the association between the GRAC and the risk of ESCC. The association between the GRAC and the prognosis of ESCC was analyzed by using Cox proportional risk regression model based on 288 patients with complete survival data. They were divided into two groups, the high GRAC group (GRAC≥7.87) group and the low GRAC group (GRAC<7.87) according to the strongest correlation between the total survival time, survival outcome and GRAC (GRAC=7.87). Results: Among the 1 528 patients, 958 patients were from Southern Chaoshan area, including 479 patients in the case group with an average age about (59.90±9.34) years and 479 patients in the control group with an average age about (59.55±8.77) years. Other 570 patients were from Northern Taihang Mountain area, including 285 patients in the case group with an average age (58.39±5.19) years and 285 patients in the control group with an average age about (58.74±4.57) years. The multivariate conditional logistic regression showed that the OR (95%CI) of the GRAC and the risk of ESCC was 1.009 (0.998-1.019). The Cox proportional hazard regression model analysis showed that the HR (95%CI) of the high GRAC group was 1.712 (1.034-2.824) compared with the low GRAC group in the 50-70 years group. Conclusion The whole blood riboflavin level might not be associated with the occurrence of ESCC. The high whole blood riboflavin level would be more beneficial to the prognosis of ESCC patients aged 50-70 years.

A simple and rapid immunochromatographic test strip incorporating a colloidal gold-labeled recombinant Nsp7 antigen probe was successfully developed for the detection of anti-porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) antibodies in swine. Recombinant Nsp7 protein of PRRSV labeled with colloidal gold was dispensed on a conjugate pad for use as the detector. Staphylococcal protein A and purified porcine anti-Nsp7 antibodies were blotted on a nitrocellulose membrane to form test and control lines, respectively. A comparison of the strip with standard diagnostic tests, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and immunoperoxidase monolayer assay, was also performed. The immunochromatographic test strip was shown to be of high specificity and sensitivity. Furthermore, the strip assay is rapid and easy to perform with no requirement for professional-level skills or equipment. It is suggested that the immunochromatographic test strip can be used to quickly and accurately detect PRRSV antibody and to be suitable for diagnostic purposes in the field.
Antibodies* ; Collodion ; Colloids ; Diagnostic Tests, Routine ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Gold Colloid ; Immunochromatography ; Membranes ; Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome* ; Porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus* ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Staphylococcal Protein A ; Swine

In order to study the biological function of pig BST-2 gene,the BST-2 gene was amplified with specific primers from porcine kidney tissue,and molecular characterization of BST-2 nuclectide and amino acid sequence were analyzed with bioinformatics tools and online server.Then the prokaryotic expression and tissue expression profile analysis was carried out.The results showed that the full length of pig BST-2 gene was 851 bp and contained 23 bp of 5'-UTR,294 bp of 3'-UTR and 534 bp of CDS and the gene encoded 177 aa.Amino acid sequence analysis of pig BST-2 protein showed 46.1％ identity with gorilla gorilla,41.7％ with cricetulus griseus,39.5％ with mus musculus,35.4％ with equus asinus,42.0％ with felis catus,40.5％ with bos mutus,44.4％ with macaca mulatta,38.7％ with ovis aries and 46.8％ with homo sapiens.BST-2 protein contained 2 transmembrane structure (27-49 aa and 154-176 aa),2 glycosylation sites and 14 potential phosphorylation sites including ATM,CK Ⅱ,PKA,PKC binding sites.The pig BST-2 protein was expressed in Vero cells after translated the recombinant plasmid FLAG-BST-2.Semiquantitative PCR results showed that BST-2 gene was expressed in all the tissues,especially in lymph nodes,thymus,tonsils,spleen,large intestine and small intestine.This study provide a foundation for further understanding the antiviral mechanism of pig BST-2 protein.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the medium- and long-term outcomes of multisession cyberknife radiosurgery intreating cavernous sinus hemangiomas (CSH).

METHODSBetween January 2008 and February 2012, 45 patients with CSH, including 35 female and 10 male patients with a mean age of 53 years (range: 26-80 years), underwent multisession cyberknife radiosurgery. The mean diameter of the CSH was 47.0 mm (range: 23.0-75.0 mm). The tumor volume ranged from 2.9 to 140.1 cm³, with a mean of 40.1 cm³. Eleven giant CSH with tumor volume ≥ 40.0 cm³ were irradiated by cyberknife in 4 fractions, 28 large tumors with tumor volume 10.0-40.0 cm³ in 3 fractions, 4 tumors with tumor volume 5.0-10.0 cm³ in 2 fractions, 2 small tumors with tumor volume ≤ 5.0 cm³ in 1 fraction. After the treatment, all patients had regular clinical and radiological follow-up at 6-month intervals. A combination of the neurologic examination and MRI information was used to evaluate the overall response.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up for 22-70 months with a mean of 37.7 months. One patient died of stroke 3 years post cyberknife, but the follow-up MRI showed that the CSH shrank in volume. Eight patients with giant CSH had slight headache after finishing cyberknife radiosurgery, and relieved with mannitol and dexamethasone treatment. Neurological deficits in patients had improved or disappeared at 6 to 12 months post cyberknife. None of these patients showed any deterioration in symptoms or new cranial nerve deficits during the follow-up. Latest follow-up imaging demonstrated that tumors decrease > 80% in 15 patients, > 60% to 80% in 18 patients (including the death patient), 40%-60% in 12 patients post cyberknife. Two patients reported occurrence of seizures and maintaining seizure control after antiepileptic drugs administration.

CONCLUSIONSMultisession cyberknife radiosurgery is confirmed to provide medium and long-term local tumor control and symptom improvement. It is a safe and effective treatment modality for CSH, and may serve as a promising treatment option in the future.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cavernous Sinus ; pathology ; surgery ; Cranial Nerves ; physiopathology ; Female ; Hemangioma ; surgery ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiosurgery ; methods ; Treatment Outcome ; Tumor Burden

OBJECTIVE: To determine the most appropriate form of selective neck dissection(SND) in the hypopharyngeal cancer with cervical lymph node metastasis. METHOD: We have retrospectively analyzed the distribution and prevalence of cervical metastasis in 26 patients with hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma from January 1998 to December 2008. All the patients underwent SND as part of the primary treatment. There were 34 elective SNDs and 17 therapeutic SNDs from 11 node-negative hypopharyngeal cancers and others node-positive. RESULT: Occult metastasis was found in 6 patients (55%) with cervical metastasis confined to level II and III. Clinical node-positive necks were all pathologically identified with 6.7%, 66.7%, 86.7%, 46.7%, and 20.0% of the prevalence of metastasis to level I, II, III, IV and V respectively. The regional recurrences were found in 4 patients during the follow-up, which were all from cN+ patients. No patient experienced level I recurrence. CONCLUSION The results of this study suggest that SND (I-III) may be feasible for the treatment of cN0 hypopharyngeal cancer, which needs a larger sample to verify. Meanwhile, from our data, it has a satisfactory result to perform SND (II-V) with adjuvant radiotherapy for the cN+ patients.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; pathology ; surgery ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neck Dissection ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck

Previous studies suggest that NGAL (neutro phil gelatinase-associated lipocalin) is involved in the transformation and development of esophageal carcinoma. Alteration of NGAL expression can trigger the change of cellular morphology in esophageal carcinoma cells. However, the mechanisms remain unclear. To get a better understanding of NGAL function in esophageal carcinoma, NGAL protein was expressed in methylotrophic yeast, Pichia pastoris, and purified by chromatography. EC1.71 cells expressed high levels of NGALR (NGAL receptor) and EC109 cells expressed low levels of NGALR were used as cells model. The trafficking and the possible function of NGAL protein were then analyzed in the esophageal carcinoma cells. The results showed that 5-FAM-labeled recombinant NGAL protein could internalize into the EC1.71 and EC109 cells. Furthermore, the internalized NGAL protein could induce the alteration of cellular morphology, resulting in generation of autophagosome, transcriptional up-regulation of genes associated with autophagy and increase of phospho-ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2). Interestingly, the treatment with the NGAL protein did not affect the intracellular iron level. These data indicate that induced autophagy by exogenous NGAL protein is a mechanism that internalized NGAL plays important roles in esophageal carcinoma cells, independent with NGAL-mediated iron transport process, while ERK1/2 signal pathway is involved in activation of autophagy by exogenous NGAL protein.

OBJECTIVETo explore the therapeutic alternatives and evaluate the related clinical results of patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) treated with gamma knife radiosurgery (GKS).

METHODSFrom January 1995 to December 2001, 44 patients suffering from PCNSL, who had undergone stereotactic biopsy or craniotomy, and who had received a confirmed diagnosis through pathological examination, were treated with GKS. All cases were followed up for 1 - 46 months with an average postoperative period of 27 months. The clinical materials, image features, treatment methods and results of follow-up, were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTSThe symptoms and signs of the patients were markedly improved within 1 - 3 weeks after GKS. The Kanofsky performance status was also improved from a preoperative average of 40% to a postoperative one of 90%. Thirty-eight patients (86.36%) were in complete remission (CR), the other six (13.63%) were in partial remission (PR). The local control rate reached 100%, and the median survival time was 26.5 months. The main side effect was brain edema, which can be treated with dexamethasone and mannitol.

CONCLUSIONGKS is a safe and effective method in multimodality treatment of PCNSL. A stereotactic biopsy coupled with GKS is the first choice for diagnosis and treatment. Adjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy should then be given according to the patient's condition.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Brain Neoplasms ; surgery ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphoma ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiosurgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

Objective:To identify the role of transcription factors Sp1 and Sp3 in the expressional regulation of ezrin in human esophageal carcinoma cells.Methods:Esophageal carcinoma EC109 cells were transfected with expressing vectors CMV-Sp1 or CMV-Sp3,and the effect of Sp1 and Sp3 over-expression on ezrin mRNA and protein expression was determined by real time RT-PCR and Western blot analysis.Furthermore,EC109 cells were cotransfected with the ezrin promoter-directed luciferase reporter vector and control vector pRL-TK along with transcription factor expression vector.The roles of Sp1 and Sp3 in ezrin promoter activation and whether this activation occurred through the Sp1 binding site,-75/-69,were analyzed by dual-luciferase reporter assay system.Results:Over-expression of transcription factors Sp1 and Sp3 significantly increased the expression of ezrin mRNA and protein and the ezrin promoter activity in EC109 cells.Sp1 and Sp3 enhanced the promoter activity through different binding sites and only Sp1 did that through the-75/-69 site.Conclusion:Sp1 and Sp3 can regulate ezrin expression in EC109 cells.