Microbes play important roles in human health and disease. The interaction between microbes and hosts is a reciprocal relationship, which remains largely under-explored. Current com-putational resources lack manually and consistently curated data to connect metagenomic data to pathogenic microbes, microbial core genes, and disease phenotypes. We developed the MicroPhenoDB database by manually curating and consistently integrating microbe-disease associ-ation data. MicroPhenoDB provides 5677 non-redundant associations between 1781 microbes and 542 human disease phenotypes across more than 22 human body sites. MicroPhenoDB also pro-vides 696,934 relationships between 27,277 unique clade-specific core genes and 685 microbes. Dis-ease phenotypes are classified and described using the Experimental Factor Ontology (EFO). A refined score model was developed to prioritize the associations based on evidential metrics. The sequence search option in MicroPhenoDB enables rapid identification of existing pathogenic microbes in samples without running the usual metagenomic data processing and assembly. Micro-PhenoDB offers data browsing, searching, and visualization through user-friendly web interfaces and web service application programming interfaces. MicroPhenoDB is the first database platform to detail the relationships between pathogenic microbes, core genes, and disease phenotypes. It will accelerate metagenomic data analysis and assist studies in decoding microbes related to human dis-eases. MicroPhenoDB is available through http://www.liwzlab.cn/microphenodb and http://lilab2. sysu.edu.cn/microphenodb.

Objective To investigate the correlation of quantitative parameters (volume transfer constant [Ktrans],rate constant [Kep]) derived from dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) and biomarkers of estrogen receptor (ER),progesterone receptor (PR),human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2),Ki-67 in breast carcinoma patients.Methods Data of immunohistochemistry and pharmacokinetic parameters of 100 patients with breast carcinoma were retrospectively analyzed.The values of Ktrans,Kep among the different intensity of ER,PR,HER-2 and Ki-67 expression were compared,and the relationships were analyzed.Results No significant difference of Ktrans,Kep was found among differentintensity of ER in breast carcinoma patients (P＞0.05),whereas no obvious correlation of Ktrans,Kep with ER expression was noticed (P＞0.05).Ktrans,Kep had statistical differences among different intensity of PR,HER-2,Ki-67 expression in breast carcinoma patients (P＜0.05),and the values of Ktrans,Kep were positively correlated with PR,Ki-67 expression (P＜0.05).Conclusion The values of Ktrans,Kep were positively correlated with the intensity of PR,Ki-67 expression in breast carcinoma patients,which might provide helpful tissue characterization information.

Objective: : To investigate the relationship between the expression of RUNX1 isoforms and the clinical curative effect and the prognosis of acute leukemia (AL), in order to provide valuable experimental data for the individualized treatment, MRD (minimal residual disease) monitoring and prognosis prediction of AL. Methods: AL patients with primary treatment (PT, n=88) and recrudescence (RC, n=10) that treated at the Department of Hematology of Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University from April, 2012 to April, 2013 were included in this study. Real-time PCR was used to examine the mRNA expression of RUNX1 isoforms (RUNX1a and RUNX1b/c) in PT patients, RC patients and controls (non-malignant hematological disease patients).The changes in mRNA expression of RUNX1a and RUNX1b/c in patients before and after the chemotherapy were also observed. Results： ： (1)The expression levels of RUNX1a mRNAinAML andALL PT group andAML RC group was significantly higher than those of control group (P<0.05); The expression level of RUNX1a mRNAinAMLPT group was increased compared withALLPT group (P<0.05). (2) The expression levels of RUNX1a and RUNX1b/c mRNAinAML andALL patients at initial treatment were significantly higher than those after complete remission (CR) (P<0.05). (3) By comparing the expression levels of RUNX1a and RUNX1b/c mRNA at initial diagnosis, there was no significant difference between 6-month death group and survival group, CR group and NCR (non-complete remission) group after first cycle of chemotherapy, or the high leukocyte group and non-high leukocyte group (all P>0.05).The expression level of RUNX1a mRNA in AML-ETO positive group was higher than that of negative group (P<0.05). (4) The expression levels of RUNX1a and RUNX1b/c mRNA in patients with acute leukemia decreased with the increasing chemotherapy cycle, and significantly increased when had a relapse, which may even succeed the initial level.Conclusion: RUNX1a isoforms participate in the pathogenesis of acute leukemia, and isrelated to the relapse ofAML. The expression levels of RUNX1a and RUNX1b/c mRNAare related to the clinical efficacy that can be used as an indicator of curative effect, but have no significant correlation with the prognosis of the disease.Dynamic monitor of theexpression levels of RUNX1a and RUNX1b/c isomers can be used as an effective indicator of MRD monitoring after chemotherapy, which can be used to evaluate the efficacy and identify the risk of recurrence at early stage.

Protozoan viruses may influence the function and pathogenicity of the protozoa. Trichomonas vaginalis is a parasitic protozoan that could contain a double stranded RNA (dsRNA) virus, T. vaginalis virus (TVV). However, there are few reports on the properties of the virus. To further determine variations in protein expression of T. vaginalis, we detected 2 strains of T. vaginalis; the virus-infected (V⁺) and uninfected (V⁻) isolates to examine differentially expressed proteins upon TVV infection. Using a stable isotope N-terminal labeling strategy (iTRAQ) on soluble fractions to analyze proteomes, we identified 293 proteins, of which 50 were altered in V⁺ compared with V⁻ isolates. The results showed that the expression of 29 proteins was increased, and 21 proteins decreased in V⁺ isolates. These differentially expressed proteins can be classified into 4 categories: ribosomal proteins, metabolic enzymes, heat shock proteins, and putative uncharacterized proteins. Quantitative PCR was used to detect 4 metabolic processes proteins: glycogen phosphorylase, malate dehydrogenase, triosephosphate isomerase, and glucose-6-phosphate isomerase, which were differentially expressed in V⁺ and V⁻ isolates. Our findings suggest that mRNA levels of these genes were consistent with protein expression levels. This study was the first which analyzed protein expression variations upon TVV infection. These observations will provide a basis for future studies concerning the possible roles of these proteins in host-parasite interactions.
Glucose-6-Phosphate Isomerase ; Glycogen Phosphorylase ; Heat-Shock Proteins ; Host-Parasite Interactions ; Malate Dehydrogenase ; Metabolism ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Proteome ; Reticuloendotheliosis virus ; Ribosomal Proteins ; RNA, Double-Stranded ; RNA, Messenger ; Trichomonas vaginalis* ; Trichomonas* ; Triose-Phosphate Isomerase ; Virulence

Objective:To study the antitumor mechanism of W40,a monomer purified from Wedelia prostrate (Hook.et Arn.) Hemsl.Methods:The effects of W40 on the cell proliferative of GLC-82 cells were detected by MTT assay and colony formation assay.The migratory abilities of GLC-82 cells were observed by wound healing assay.Cell apoptosis was evaluated by Annexin V-FITC/PI staining analysis.The levels of apoptosis-relative proteins and cell proliferation-related proteins,such as Caspase-3,PARP,Stat3 and ERK,were detected by Western blotting.Results:MTF assay showed that W40 had a significant cytotoxic effect on non-small cell lung cancer GLC-82 cells.Colony formation assays showed that W40 significantly inhibited GLC-82 cells proliferation.The migration of GLC-82 cells was inhibited by W40 in a dose-dependent manner.Flow cytometry showed that the apoptotic rate increased gradually in a concentration-dependent manner.W40 down-regulated Stat3 as decreasing p-Stat3 and downstream proteins of Bcl-2 and Mcl-1.At the same time,W40 up-regulated the expression of pro-apoptotic protein Bax,and increased the cleavaged Caspase-9,Caspase-3 and PARP.W40 also down-regulated BRAF / MAPK / ERK signal pathway as decreasing p-BRAF,p-MEK and p-ERK.Conclusions:W40 induced apoptosis by inhibiting BRAF / MAPK / ERK and Stat3 signaling pathways.

Objective To investigate the expressions of CDX2 and β-catenin in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and their correlation. Methods Real-time PCR was used to determine the expressions of CDX2 and β-catenin mRNA in 43 de novo ALL and 30 non-malignant patients (used as control). Results The positivity rate of CDX2 mRNA expression in ALL group was 93%, but CDX2 mRNA expression couldn′t be detected in the control group (P<0.01). The mRNA expression of β-catenin could be detected in patients in both two groups, butβ-catenin mRNA expression in the ALL group was significantly higher than in the control group (P < 0.01). And mRNA expressions of CDX2 andβ-catenin were significantly correlated with WBC counts and LDH level (P<0.01). When the ALL patients acquired complete remission (CR), the mRNA expressions of CDX2 and β-catenin were significantly decreased compared with their newly diagnosed status , while disease-relapsed the mRNA expressions of CDX2 andβ-catenin were increased again. There was significantly positive correlation between CDX2 and β-catenin mRNA expressions (r = 0.835, P = 0.000). Conclusion Up-regulation of CDX2 and activation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway coexist in the ALL patients and the mRNA expressions of CDX2 and β-catenin are positively correlated.

Objective To investigate the clinical practice pressure and mental health of medical students with type D personality.Methods Type D Scale-14 (DS14) and Beck-Srivastava Stress Inventory (BSSI) test were applied to 371 medical students to assess the personality types and pressure.The symptom checklist 90 (SCL-90) was used to evaluate the psychological health.Results ①The detection rate of type D personality of medical students was 36.39％.②The average score in BSSI of medical students of type D personality was (99.27± 10.51),which was higher than medical students of non-type D personality (87.60± 11.37),and the difference was statistically significant (t=9.9711,P=0.0000).The medical students' score of type D personality in SCL-90 of 9 factors were all higher than medical students of non-type D personality,but the statistically significant difference were only in the score of depression,anxiety and psychosis-like symptoms (t=2.4409,P=0.0151;t=2.8662,P=0.0044;t=2.7783,P=0.0057).Conclusion In face of the same pressure of medical clinical practice,the medical students of type D personality are more likely to have a heavier psychological burden,and the college should pay special attention to the problem and try to intervene the problem,so as to reduce the pressure caused by a variety of psychological problems.

Objective To evaluate the effect of surgical trauma on the cognitive function and expression of hepcidin and ferroportin 1 (FP1) in hippocampus in aged rats.Methods One hundred male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 18 months,weighing 400-500 g,were randomly divided into 2 groups with 50 rats in each group:control group (group C) and surgical trauma group (group ST).The rats were anesthetized with chloral hydrate,but underwent no operation in group C.The rats Were anesthetized with chloral hydrate and underwent 30 min of modified exploratory laparotomy in group ST.Ten rats were chosen from each group at 24 h after operation and the cognitive function was assessed using Morris water-maze test for 6 consecutive days.Ten rats were sacrificed on 1st,3rd,5th and 7th days after beginning of Morris water-maze test and brains were removed for determination of hepcidin and FP1 expression in hippocampus by PCR and Western blot.Results Compared with group C,the escape latency was significantly prolonged,the time of staying at the original platform quadrant and frequency of crossing the original platform were decreased on 3rd,4th and 5th days after beginning of Morris water-maze test,and the expression of hepcidin was up-regulated and the expression of FP1 was down-regulated at each time point in group ST (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Surgical trauma can decrease the cognitive function in aged rats and the mechanism may be related to up-regulation of hepcidin expression and down-regulation of FP1 expression in hippocampus.

Objective To investigate the effect of surgical trauma on the cognitive function and activation of microglias in hippocampus in rats of different ages.Methods Seventy-two male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 3-4months,were randomly allocated into 2 groups:adult control group (n =30) and adult surgery group (n =42).Seventy-two male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 18-20 months,were randomly allocated into 2 groups:aged control group (n =30) and aged surgery group (n =42).The rats were anesthetized with 5% chloral hydrate 4-6 ml/kg and underwent exploratory laparotomy in surgery groups,while normal saline 1 ml/kg was injected intraperitoneally in control groups.Morris water maze test was performed at 1-7 days after surgery.Fear conditioning test was performed 1 day after surgery to evaluate the space and fear memory abilities.The animals were sacrificed on 1st,3rd and 7th days after surgery and hippocampi were removed for measurement of OX42 expression in microglias by immunohistochemistry.Results Compared with adult control group,the percentage of freezing time in total time was significantly decreased,and OX42 expression in microglias was up-regulated on 1st day after surgery (P ＜ 0.05),and no significant change was found in the escape latency and the number of crossing the original platform in adult surgery group (P ＞ 0.05).Compared with aged control group,the escape latency was significantly prolonged,the number of crossing the original platform was decreased,the percentage of freezing time in total time was decreased,and OX42 expression in microglias was up-regulated on 1st and 3rd days after surgery in aged surgery group (P ＜0.05).Conclusion Surgical trauma decreases fear memory ability,but exerts no effect on the space memory ability in adult rats.Surgical trauma decreases the space and fear memory abilities in aged rats,which maybe related to activation of microglias in hippocampus.

Objective To compare the efficacy of add-on adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) therapy and switch-to entecavir (ETV) monotherapy in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with suboptimal response to lamivudine (LAM).Methods A prospective study was performed in 120 CHB patients from Zhuji People' s Hospital and the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine during June 2010 and June 2011.All patients previously received more than 24 weeks LAM treatment,but HBV DNA was still positive.Patients were randomized assigned to two groups:60 patients received add-on ADV therapy and another 60 switched to ETV monotherapy.Both groups were treated for 48 weeks.Liver and kidney function,alpha-fetal protein (AFP),HBV serum markers,HBV DNA and prothrombin time (PT) were examined,and ultrasonography or CT scan of liver was performed every 1-3 months.x2 test was used to compare the HBV DNA negative rates,HBeAg seroconversion rates,resistance rates and adverse reaction at week 48 between two groups.Results Thirty-three out of 38 patients (86.8％) with baseline HBV DNA 103-105 copies/mL became HBV DNA negative after add-on ADV treatment for 48 weeks,twenty-seven out of 39 patients (69.2％) with baseline HBV DNA 103-105 copies/ml became HBV DNA negative after switch-to ETV treatment.There was a statistical difference between two groups (x2 =4.578,P ＜ 0.05).Sixteen out of 22 patients (72.7％) with baseline HBV DNA ＞ 105 copies/mL became HBV DNA negative after add-on ADV treatment for 48 weeks,while only 52.4％ (11/21) patients achieved HBV DNA negative in the switch-to ETV group.There was also a statistical difference between two groups (x2 =4.865,P ＜0.05).None of patients in add-on group developed virological breakthrough and resistance,while 5 patients in switch-to ETV group developed virogical breakthrough and 3 patients developed genetic mutation.Among them,rtM204V + rtL180M + rtS202G mutation was detected in 2 patients,and rtM204V + rtL180M +rtT184A mutation was detected in 1 patient; all mutations happened in the baseline HBV DNA ＞ 105 copies/mL group.Conclusion The add-on ADV therapy is better in viral inhibition than switch-to ETV therapy for CHB patients with suboptimal response to LAM,and it can reduce the occurrence of drug resistance.