Objective:To investigate the relationship between the polymorphism of endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 1 (ERAP-1) gene and the occurrence of pre-eclampsia (PE).Methods:A case-control study was conducted in Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital from October 2018 to October 2021. A total of 51 PE pregnant women with onset gestational age<34 weeks were selected as the PE group, and 48 normal pregnant women during the same period were selected as the control group. Venous blood samples were collected from the pregnant women before delivery and umbilical cord within 5 minutes after delivery. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of ERAP-1 gene in the pregnant women and their fetus were detected by next-generation sequencing. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to analyze all the SNP loci and alleles detected in the two groups, and the significant SNP were screened.Results:(1) A total of 13 target SNP loci of maternal ERAP-1 gene were selected by univariate analysis. Among them, the frequency distribution of genotypes at 96096828, 96121524, 96121715, 96122260 and 96122281 showed statistically significant differences between PE group and control group (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of PE in pregnant women with TC genotype at locus 96121524 was 2.002 times higher than those with TT genotype (95% CI: 0.687-5.831, P=0.020). (2) A total of 4 target SNP loci of ERAP-1 gene in fetal were selected by univariate analysis, and there was no statistical significance in gene polymorphism of the 4 loci between PE group and control group (all P>0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of PE in fetus with genotype AA at locus 96121406 was 0.236 times that of fetus with genotype GG (95% CI: 0.055-1.025, P=0.016). Conclusion:ERAP-1 gene with TC genotype at 96121524 in the mother and GG genotype at 96121406 in the fetus might be related to the incidence of PE.

AIM: To investigate the injury of emodin (EMO) in reduce of glomerular mesangial cells (MCs) in lupus nephritis by targeting forkhead protein K2 (FOXK2) through miR-96-5p. METHODS: The contents of 24 h urine protein, serum urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (Scr) in MRL / faslpr mice (lupus nephritis group) and MRL / MPJ mice (control group) were detected. MCs were separated, purified and divided into: MCs group (MCs without any treatment), L-EMO group (MCs treated with 10 μmol/L Emodin), M-EMO group (MCs treated with 25 μmol / L Emodin), H-EMO group (MCs treated with 50 μmol / L Emodin), H-EMO + miR-96-5p-NC group (MCs treated with 50 μmol / L Emodin and transfected with miR-96-5p-NC), and H-EMO + miR-96-5p-minic group (MCs treated with 50 μmol/ L Emodin and transfected with miR-96-5p-minic). Double luciferase report experiment was used to verify the targeting relationship between miR-96-5p and FOXK2. The real-time quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of miR-96-5p. Western blot was used to detect the expression of FOXK2 and apoptosis related proteins. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the levels of inflammatory factors in MCs. cell count kit 8 (CCK-8) was used to determine the activity of MCs. Annexin-V FITC/PI double staining was used to detect apoptosis of MCs. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, 24 h urinary protein content, serum BUN and Scr levels in the lupus nephritis group were significantly increased (P< 0.05). Compared with the MCs group, the miR-96-5p expression, interleukin1β (IL-1β), interleukin6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), A450 value and B-lymphoblastoma-2 (Bcl-2) protein in the L-EMO group, M-EMO group and H-EMO group were significantly decreased (P<0.05), the FOXK2 level, cell apoptosis rate, Bcl-2 related X gene (Bax), aspartate specific cysteine proteinase-3 (cleaved Caspase-3) protein levels were significantly increased, respectively (P<0.05), the effect of Emodin was dose-dependent. Compared with the H-EMO group and H-EMO+miR-96-5p-NC group, H-EMO+miR-96-5p-minic group obviously increased the miR-96-5p expression, inflammatory factor levels, A450 value and Bcl-2 protein level (P<0.05), and obviously decreased FOXK2 level and cell apoptosis rate (P< 0.05). CONCLUSION: EMO can reduce the injury of lupus nephritis MCs by down-regulating miR-96-5p and then up-regulating FOXK2.

Objective:To construct a system for evaluating the professional capability of provincial radiological health institutions.Methods:Based on the Donabedian model and the main professional responsibilities of provincial radiological health institutions, the logical framework and indicator database of the capability evaluation system were initially constructed, the Delphi expert consultation method and analytic hierarchy process were further used to determine each indicator and its weight. The self-assessment test was carried out throughout the provincial radiological health institutions by using the system established in this study.Results:The evaluation system included 3 primary-class indicators, 11 second-class indicators, 30 third-class indicators and 76 fourth-class indicators. Taking 100 points as the full score, the self-assessment scores of the 29 provincial institutions ranged from 28.7 to 97.7 with an average of 78.7, and the scores conform to the normal distribution.Conclusions:The system established in this study are scientific, comprehensive and operable, which can be used as an effective tool to evaluate the professional capability of provincial radiological health institutions.

The progressive destruction of condylar cartilage is a hallmark of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) osteoarthritis (OA); however, its mechanism is incompletely understood. Here, we show that Kindlin-2, a key focal adhesion protein, is strongly detected in cells of mandibular condylar cartilage in mice. We find that genetic ablation of Kindlin-2 in aggrecan-expressing condylar chondrocytes induces multiple spontaneous osteoarthritic lesions, including progressive cartilage loss and deformation, surface fissures, and ectopic cartilage and bone formation in TMJ. Kindlin-2 loss significantly downregulates the expression of aggrecan, Col2a1 and Proteoglycan 4 (Prg4), all anabolic extracellular matrix proteins, and promotes catabolic metabolism in TMJ cartilage by inducing expression of Runx2 and Mmp13 in condylar chondrocytes. Kindlin-2 loss decreases TMJ chondrocyte proliferation in condylar cartilages. Furthermore, Kindlin-2 loss promotes the release of cytochrome c as well as caspase 3 activation, and accelerates chondrocyte apoptosis in vitro and TMJ. Collectively, these findings reveal a crucial role of Kindlin-2 in condylar chondrocytes to maintain TMJ homeostasis.
Aggrecans/metabolism* ; Animals ; Cartilage, Articular/metabolism* ; Chondrocytes/pathology* ; Cytoskeletal Proteins/metabolism* ; Mice ; Muscle Proteins/metabolism* ; Osteoarthritis/pathology* ; Temporomandibular Joint/pathology*

Objective:To study the clinical features and drug resistance profile of neonatal sepsis caused by different species of Klebsiella.Methods:From January 2009 to December 2018, cryopreserved Klebsiella strains from blood culture of neonatal sepsis cases in NICU of our hospital were reactivated. Molecular identification and antimicrobial susceptibility tests were performed. Clinical features, laboratory tests, drug resistance profile and prognosis of these patients were analyzed retrospectively.Results:A total of 29 strains of Klebsiella were reactivated. Molecular identification assigned 22 cases (75.9%) into Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kpn) group and 7 cases (24.1%) into Klebsiella quasipneumoniae (Kqu) group. Gestational age and birth weight of Kpn group were higher than Kqu group [(33.1±3.2) weeks vs. (30.6±0.9) weeks, (1 847±677) g vs. (1 416±121) g] ( P<0.05). Abdominal distension was more common in Kqu group than Kpn group [42.9% (3/7) vs. 4.5% (1/22), P<0.05]. No significant differences existed in the laboratory tests including white blood cell count, platelet count, hypersensitive C-reactive protein and procalcitonin between the two groups ( P>0.05). Kpn was 100.0% sensitive to Cefazolin-Tazobactam and Amikacinto and less sensitive to Imipenem and Cefperazone-Sulbactam, Meropenem and Ertapenem. Kqu was generally more sensitive than Kpn and the sensitivity of Kqu to Imipenem was 100.0%. No significant differences existed of the prognosis between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Kpn is the main pathogen of neonatal Klebsiella sepsis. Kqu sepsis is more common in neonates with smaller gestational age and lower birth weight. Abdominal distention is common presenting symptom in Kpn sepsis and sensitive antibiotics should be used early.

Objective To compare the precision and efficiency of computing the specific absorbed fraction (SAF) of a reference human with two grid methods in MCNP6.0. Methods Based on the adult female reference voxel phantom provided by the International Commission on Radiological Protection, assuming the liver as the source organ emitting single-energy photons (0.5 MeV), the SAF of each target organ/tissue was calculated by using the mesh method and repeated structure lattice method with the F4, F6, and *F8 tally cards in MCNP6.0. We compared the methods by assessing the relative deviation of SAF and computing time for 27 organs/tissues. Results Compared with reported data, the absolute values of relative deviations of SAF values for all the organs/tissues were less than 5%, except for the eye lens and skin. By using the repeated structure lattice-based *F8 tally, the relative deviations of SAF values of the organs/tissues were all smallest, but with the longest computing time. The computing time of the mesh-based F4 tally was slightly longer than that of the repeated structure lattice-based F6 tally, which was shortest. Conclusion The *F8 tally simultaneously simulating primary and secondary particle transport showed the highest precision. The mesh tally requireda longer computing time than the lattice tally when using the same tally card.

Objective:To explore the difference of high-risk factors between early-onset and late-onset pre-eclampsia, and to further understand high-risk factors of pre-eclampsia.Methods:Clinical data of pre-eclampsia pregnant women in 160 medical institutions in China in 2018 were retrospectively analyzed, including 8 031 cases of early-onset pre-eclampsia and 12 969 cases of late-onset pre-eclampsia. The proportion of high-risk factors, different body mass index (BMI) and age stratification between early-onset group and late-onset group were compared.Results:(1) Univariate analysis of high-risk factors: the proportions of high-risk factors in early-onset group and late-onset group were compared, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Among them, the proportions of primipara and multiple pregnancy in early-onset group were lower than those in late-onset group, while the proportions of pregnant women with advanced age, irregular antenatal examination, obesity, family history of hypertension, pre-eclampsia, diabetes, kidney diseases, immune system diseases and assisted reproductive technology were higher than those in late-onset group. (2) Hierarchical analysis of BMI: the proportion of pregnant women with BMI≥24 kg/m 2 in early-onset group [48.2% (2 828/5 872) vs 45.5% (4 177/9 181), respectively; P=0.001] and the proportion of pregnant women with BMI ≥28 kg/m 2 in early-onset group [19.5% (1 143/5 872) vs 18.0% (1 656/9 181), respectively; P=0.028] were significantly higher than those in late-onset group. (3) Age stratification analysis: the proportion of pregnant women aged 35-39 years in the early-onset group [21.8% (1 748/8 023) vs 17.5% (2 110/12 068), respectively; P<0.01], the proportion of pregnant women 40-44 years old [6.8% (544/8 023) vs 5.4% (648/12 068), respectively; P<0.01], and the proportion of pregnant women ≥45 years old [0.7% (58/8 023) vs 0.5% (57/12 068), respectively; P=0.021] were significantly higher than those in the late-onset group. (4) Multivariate analysis: advanced age (≥35 years old), multiple pregnancy, irregular antenatal examination or transfer from other hospitals, family history of hypertension (including paternal, maternal and parental lines), previous history of pre-eclampsia, kidney diseases, immune system diseases (systemic lupus erythematosus, antiphospholipid antibody syndrome) and assisted reproductive technology pregnancy were the risk factors affecting the severity of pre-eclampsia (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Pregnant women with high risk factors such as age ≥35 years old, BMI ≥24 kg/m 2 before pregnancy, family history of hypertension, history of pre-eclampsia, chronic kidney diseases, immune diseases (mainly including systemic lupus erythematosus and antiphospholipid syndrome) and assisted reproductive technology are more likely to have early-onset pre-eclampsia.

BACKGROUND: Chromosomal abnormalities are important causes of ventriculomegaly (VM). In mild and isolated cases of fetal VM, obstetricians rarely give clear indications for pregnancy termination. We aimed to calculate the incidence of chromosomal abnormalities and incremental yield of chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) in VM, providing more information on genetic counseling and prognostic evaluation for fetuses with VM. METHODS: The Chinese language databases Wanfang Data, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and China Biomedical Literature Database (from January 1, 1991 to April 29, 2020) and English language databases PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library (from January 1, 1945 to April 29, 2020) were systematically searched for articles on fetal VM. Diagnostic criteria were based on ultrasonographic or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessment of lateral ventricular atrium width: ≥10 to <15 mm for mild VM, and ≥15 mm for severe VM. Isolated VM was defined by the absence of structural abnormalities other than VM detected by ultrasonography or MRI. R software was used for the meta-analysis to determine the incidence of chromosomal abnormalities and incremental yield of CMA in VM, and the combined rate and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. RESULTS: Twenty-three articles involving 1635 patients were included. The incidence of chromosomal abnormalities in VM was 9% (95% CI: 5%-12%) and incremental yield of CMA in VM was 11% (95% CI: 7%-16%). The incidences of chromosomal abnormalities in mild, severe, isolated, and non-isolated VM were 9% (95% CI: 4%-16%), 5% (95% CI: 1%-11%), 3% (95% CI: 1%-6%), and 13% (95% CI: 4%-25%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS Applying CMA in VM improved the detection rate of abnormalities. When VM is confirmed by ultrasound or MRI, obstetricians should recommend fetal karyotype analysis to exclude chromosomal abnormalities. Moreover, CMA should be recommended preferentially in pregnant women with fetal VM who are undergoing invasive prenatal diagnosis. CMA cannot completely replace chromosome karyotype analysis.
Chromosome Aberrations ; Chromosomes ; Female ; Fetus ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Karyotyping ; Microarray Analysis ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal

Objective:To investigate the outcomes of the surgical treatment of fracture of the first metatarsal base with plantar plate via the first metatarsal medial approach.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted of the 12 patients who had been treated for fracture of the first metatarsal base from January 2016 to December 2018 at Department of Trauma Orthopaedics, Renji Hospital. They were 8 men and 4 women, with an average age of 39.6 years (from 27 to 54 years). The fracture affected the left foot in 5 cases and the right foot in 7. Their fracture of the first metatarsal base and tarsometatarsal joint instability were fixated by plantar plate via the first metatarsal medial approach, and reduction and fixation was also conducted via a dorsal incision when other metatarsotarsal joint injuries were combined. Postoperative X-ray follow-ups were performed regularly. The American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) midfoot scores, visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores and complications were recorded at the final follow-up.Results:All the patients were followed up for 12 to 19 months (mean, 15.1 months). Primary incision healing was observed in all the 12 patients. No complications like skin necrosis, infection or neurovascular lesion occurred. Fracture union was achieved in all the 12 patients after 12 to 14 weeks (average, 12.6 weeks). At the final follow-up, all the patients could walk with full weight-bearing, the plantar flexion and dorsiflexion of the ankle and the muscle strengths of varus and valgus were normal, and the X-ray film showed that reduction of the tarsometatarsal joint was not lost. At the final follow-up, the AOFAS midoot scores ranged from 82 to 96 (mean, 88.9) and the VAS scores from 0 to 3 (mean, 1.2).Conclusion:Plantar plate fixation via the first metatarsal medial approach can result in satisfactory outcomes for fractures of the first metatarsal base, especially for those with a major fracture fragment at the metatarsal planter side.

Objective:To analyze the composition differences of intestinal microbiota in patients with colon cancer and rectal cancer.Methods:The fecal samples of 72 patients in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University from July 2018 to January 2019 were collected, and they were divided into colon cancer group and rectal cancer group, 36 cases in each group. DNA from fecal samples was extracted, and then high-throughput sequencing was performed on DNA. Bioinformatics was used to analyze the diversity and composition differences of intestinal microbiota between the two groups, and the potential cancer-promoting mechanisms of the differential flora were also discussed.Results:From high-throughput sequencing, 2 356 560 original sequences and 32 730 high-quality sequences were obtained from 72 samples. The average length of the sample sequence was mainly in the interval of 401-460 bp. And 1 409 operational taxonomic units (OTU) were acquired after OTU species taxonomy annotation of all the sequences. Alpha diversity analysis showed that Shannon index of the rectal cancer group and the colon cancer group was 2.61±0.56 and 2.43±0.67, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( t = 1.229, P = 0.223); Simpson index of the rectal cancer group and the colon cancer group was 0.17±0.09 and 0.21±0.16, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( t = 1.449, P = 0.151). Differences analysis of both groups and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) showed at the phylum level, Firmicutes were more abundant in the intestine of patients with rectal cancer (LDA = 4.67, P = 0.014), while Proteobacteria were more abundant in the gut of colon cancer patients (LDA = 4.49, P = 0.042). From the perspective of class level, the abundance of Gammaproteobacteria was higher in the intestine of patients with colon cancer (LDA = 4.50, P = 0.033), while the abundance of Erysipelotrichia was higher in the intestine of patients with rectal cancer (LDA = 3.50, P = 0.035). At the order level, the abundance of Erysipelotrichales was higher in the intestine of patients with rectal cancer (LDA = 3.50, P = 0.035); at the family level, the abundance of Porphyromonadaceae was higher in the intestine of patients with rectal cancer (LDA = 3.97, P = 0.033). Conclusion:The compositions of intestinal microbiota in patients with colon cancer and rectal cancer are significantly different, indicating that the different floras may contribute to the progression of colon cancer and rectal cancer.