Objective:To explore the predictive value of a regression model based on diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) parameters for prediction of the recurrence risk in patients with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2)-negative early invasive breast cancer.Methods:A retrospective cross-sectional study was designed. The clinicopathological (age, histological grade, Ki-67 level, etc.) and imaging data of 50 patients (50 lesions) with ER-positive, HER-2 negative early invasive breast cancer who underwent treatment at Wuxi People′s Hospital from January 2016 to December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were female, aged 29 to 81 years, and underwent pre-operation conventional MRI and DKI examinations. The volume of breast fibroglandular tissue (FGT), background parenchymal enhancement (BPE), and internal enhancement features were recorded; the peak enhancement (PH), peak enhancement rate, time to peak, mean kurtosis (MK), and mean diffusivity (MD) were calculated. Based on the 21-gene recurrence risk scores, patients were divided into low recurrence risk group and medium-high recurrence risk group. Independent sample t test, Mann-Whitney U test, χ2 test were used to compare the differences of various indicators between the two groups. Two logistic models were constructed with age, PH, MD, and MK as independent variables (Pre1), and with Ki-67, age, PH, MD, and MK as independent variables (Pre2), respectively. The efficacy of the models in predicting low recurrence risk in patients was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curve and area under the curve (AUC). Results:There were 25 cases in the low recurrence risk group and 25 cases in the medium-high recurrence risk group. The differences in age, FGT, PH, MD, MK, and Ki-67 between the low recurrence risk group and the medium-high recurrence risk group were statistically significant (all P<0.05), while other indexes showed no statistically significant differences (all P>0.05). The AUC of Pre1 in predicting low recurrence risk of ER-positive, HER-2 negative early invasive breast cancer was 0.87, with a sensitivity of 0.76 and specificity of 0.88. The AUC of Pre2 for predicting the low recurrence risk of ER-positive, HER-2 negative early invasive breast cancer was 0.92, with a sensitivity of 0.84, and specificity of 0.92. Conclusions:A multi-parameter model based on DKI can effectively predict the recurrence risk of ER-positive and HER-2 negative breast cancer. The model with combination of Ki-67 can further improve the predictive efficacy, and help effectively identify patients at low recurrence risk.

ObjectiveT o explore the influence of patch shape for intraventricular tunnel (IVT) construction on biomechanical performance of the double outlet right ventricle after correction. Methods Based on the idealized IVT model, a two-dimensional IVT patch was designed. Six groups of patch models with the rhombic long-to-short axis ratio of 1∶0.625, 1∶0.3, 1∶0.2, 1∶0.15, 1∶0.125, 1∶0.1 were established according to the difference between the long and short axis of the rhombus patch in the turning part, and finite element analysis method was used to numerically simulate the process of stitching, holding and propping up the patch into a three-dimensional (3D) IVT model. Results The maximum stresses on suture line of 6 patch models were mainly concentrated at acute-angle corners of the rhombus. As rhombic long-to-short axis ratio of the patch increased, the maximum stress of the IVT suture line first decreased and then increased, and the volume showed an increasing trend. The pressure difference between two ends of the tunnel first decreased and then increased. The patch with the long-to-short axis ratio of 1∶0.15 had a uniform surface stress distribution, and the maximum stress on the suture line was the smallest. Meanwhile the right ventricular volume was less encroached on, and the pressure difference at both ends of the tunnel was small. Conclusions The IVT shape can influence stresses of suture line, the right ventricle volume and the pressure difference of IVT with non-monotonic variations. The suture effect of the patch with the long-to-short axis ratio of 1∶0.15 is relatively better among the constructed models.

Objective:To identify the key genes affecting the outcome of sepsis using weighted gene co-expression network analysis.Methods:The peripheral blood gene chip data GSE54514 from septic patients and healthy volunteers were obtained from the gene expression database of the American Center for Biotechnology Information.An R package for weighted gene co-expression network analysis was used to construct a co-expression network of differentially expressed genes between sepsis patients and healthy volunteers to identify key modules associated with the outcome of sepsis.Then gene functional enrichment analysis was performed to figure out the possible behavior of genes in the most significant modulerelated tooutcomes of sepsis.Hub genes were selected from the most significant module according to module membership and degree of protein-protein interaction network.Results:A total of 622 differentially expressed genes identified from the microarray data of GSE36895 in septic patients and healthy volunteers were used to construct a co-expression network, and the module with the most significant correlation with the outcome of sepsis was identified.GO enrichment analysis showed that the genes in this module were related to activation of myeloid cells and neutrophils, however, the KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that these genes played an important role in virus infection processes.Fifteen hub genes were finally selected from the module with the most significant correlation with the outcome of sepsis by constructing a protein-protein interaction network.Conclusion:Fifteen key genes related to the outcome of sepsis are identified via bioinformatics methods, and the mechanism is related to regulating the immune response to infection.

Objective To explore the value of CD+4T lymphocyte count in laboratory diagnosis of AIDS complicated with pulmonary tuberculosis.Methods Forty-three patients with acute tuberculosis were selected as the subjects.Among them,14 patients had typical tuberculosis(X-ray or chest CT),29 cases were atypical tuberculosis(X-ray or chest CT).43 patients were examined by CD+4T lymphocyte count,sputum smear tuberculosis acid-fast bacilli test and T-SPOT.TB(interferon-γ release test),and the results of various methods were compared.Results The The number of CD+4T lymphocytes in patients with typical pulmonary tuberculosis was (151.26±59.47)/μL,and that in atypical pulmonary tuberculosis was (69.11±19.65)/μL,the difference was statistically significant(t=5.124,P<0.05);and with the reduction of CD+4T lymphocytes,AIDS patients showed more atypical pulmonary tuberculosis.The positive detection rates of CD+4T lymphocyte count,T-SPOT.TB and sputum smear were 86.05%,16.28% and 51.16% respectively.The positive rate of combined detection of three methods(90.70%) was significantly higher,the differences were statistically significant(x2=5.123,6.023,7.125,all P<0.05).Conclusion CD+4T lymphocyte count is of great value in the laboratory diagnosis of AIDS complicated with tuberculosis,and it is worthy to be widely carried out in clinical practice.

Chewing lice (Phthiraptera) that parasitize the globally threatened swan goose Anser cygnoides have been long recognized since the early 19th century, but those records were probably biased towards sampling of captive or domestic geese due to the small population size and limited distribution of its wild hosts. To better understand the lice species parasitizing swan geese that are endemic to East Asia, we collected chewing lice from 14 wild geese caught at 3 lakes in northeastern Mongolia. The lice were morphologically identified as 16 Trinoton anserinum (Fabricius, 1805), 11 Ornithobius domesticus Arnold, 2005, and 1 Anaticola anseris (Linnaeus, 1758). These species are known from other geese and swans, but all of them were new to the swan goose. This result also indicates no overlap in lice species between older records and our findings from wild birds. Thus, ectoparasites collected from domestic or captive animals may provide biased information on the occurrence, prevalence, host selection, and host-ectoparasite interactions from those on wild hosts.
Animals ; Bias (Epidemiology) ; Birds ; Far East ; Geese* ; Lakes ; Mastication* ; Mongolia ; Phthiraptera* ; Population Density ; Prevalence

Chewing lice (Phthiraptera) that parasitize the globally threatened swan goose Anser cygnoides have been long recognized since the early 19th century, but those records were probably biased towards sampling of captive or domestic geese due to the small population size and limited distribution of its wild hosts. To better understand the lice species parasitizing swan geese that are endemic to East Asia, we collected chewing lice from 14 wild geese caught at 3 lakes in northeastern Mongolia. The lice were morphologically identified as 16 Trinoton anserinum (Fabricius, 1805), 11 Ornithobius domesticus Arnold, 2005, and 1 Anaticola anseris (Linnaeus, 1758). These species are known from other geese and swans, but all of them were new to the swan goose. This result also indicates no overlap in lice species between older records and our findings from wild birds. Thus, ectoparasites collected from domestic or captive animals may provide biased information on the occurrence, prevalence, host selection, and host-ectoparasite interactions from those on wild hosts.
Animals ; Bias (Epidemiology) ; Birds ; Far East ; Geese* ; Lakes ; Mastication* ; Mongolia ; Phthiraptera* ; Population Density ; Prevalence

Objective To investigate the effect ofhypoxia on endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in vascular intimal smooth muscle cells (VSMC) and function of VSMC of swine models of brain arteriovenous malformations (BAVM).Methods The stable swine models of BAVM were established;separation of cerebral microvascular network (RM) was performed and VSMC was selected and primarily cultured.VSMC from the above models and normal swines were divided into four groups: group A, VSMC from normal swines cultured at 21％ O2;group B, VSMC from models cultured at 21％ O2;group C, VSMC from normal swines cultured at 1％ O2;group D, VSMC from models cultured at 1％ O2.Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting were used to validate the mRNA and protein VEGF expressions in VSMC;TUNNEL was used to detect the apoptosis of VSMC, and Transwell assay was used to determine the VSMC invasion.Results (1) VSMC density in the four groups was 71.65±4.22, 158.24±9.87, 95.33±7.21 and 299.80±13.23 cells/field in group A-D, with significant differences (F=119.351, P=0.000).(2) VEGF mRNA expression quantity in the four groups was 1.93±0.77, 4.51±1.25, 2.87±1.94 and 8.03±1.74 in group A-D, with significant differences (F=119.351, P=0.000);that in group B-D was significantly higher than that in group A (P＜0.05), and that in group D was significantly higher than that in group B and C (P＜0.05).(3) The VEGF protein expression quantity of the four groups was 3.83±0.63, 6.99±1.77, 5.02±1.23 and 8.27± 1.50, with significant differences (F=117.420, P=0.000);that in group B, C and D was obviously higher than that in group A, and that in group D was obviously higher than that in group B and C (P＜ 0.05).(4) At the 24 and 48 h of culture, VSMC apoptosis and invasion number showed no statistical difference among the four groups (P＞0.05);at the 72 h, the number of apoptosis and invasion cells in group A was significantly decreased as compared with those in group B, C and D (P＜0.05).Conclusion Hypoxia can increase the VEGF expression, aggravate the apoptosis and invasion of VSMC, and accelerate the formation of vascular malformation in BAVM models.

Carbon Dioxide ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; Echocardiography, Transesophageal ; Embolism, Air ; etiology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; adverse effects ; Middle Aged ; Nephrectomy ; adverse effects

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of thoracic electrical bioimpedance(TEB)in monitoring the cardiac function of peritoneal dialysis patients.Methods One hundred and one patients with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and 30 healthy persons (control group)were included in the study.Thoracic electrical bioimpedance (TEB) noninvasive hcmodynamic monitoring and echocardiography were taken to analyze the correlation between indexes.Results Echocardiography showed that left atrial diameter (LAD),left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVDd),left ventricular end systolic diameter (LVDs),interventricular septal thickness （IVST),interventricular septal thickness (PAP),left ventricle weight index (LVMI) of CAPD group were higher than that of the control group (all P ＜ 0.05),early and late wave of mitral valve flow (E/A) of CAPD group was lower than that of control group (P ＜ 0.05).TEB monitoring showed that cardiac output (CO),stroke volume (SV),acceleration index (ACI),ejection fraction (EF),velocity index (Ⅵ) of CAPD group were significantly lower than that of control group (all P ＜ 0.01),systolic time ratio (STR),SVR,TFC of CAPD group were significantly higher than that of control group (P ＜ 0.01).Correlation analysis show that left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was negatively correlated with BNP (r =-0.467,P ＜ 0.01),LVMI was positively correlated with BNP (r=0.416,P ＜ 0.01),PEP,STR and TFC were positively correlated with BNP (r =0.404,P ＜ 0.01; r =0.572,P ＜ 0.01; r=0.471,P ＜ 0.01),EF was negatively correlated with BNP (r =-0.664,P ＜ 0.01).Correlation analysis between echocardiogaphy and TEB monitoring index showed there was significant correlation between EF and LVEF (r =0.451,P ＜ 0.01),SVR and TFC were positively correlated with LVMI (r =0.232,P ＜ 0.05; r =0.284,P ＜ 0.05),SV was positively correlated with E/A (r =0.285,P ＜ 0.05),pre-ejection period (PEP) and STR were negatively correlated with LVEF (r =-0.389,P ＜ 0.01; r =-0.446,P ＜ 0.01),TFC was positively correlated with LAD (r=0.279,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion TEB monitoring can accurately evaluate the cardiac function with the advantage of dynamic monitoring and simple operation.It can partly replace the echocardiography test.

We developed the recombinant green fluorescent protein gene yeast cell to screen estrogenic compounds based on two episomal vectors. In the expression vector the expression of human estrogen receptor alpha(hERalpha) was driven by 3-glyceraldehydephosphate dehydrogenase (GPD) promoter; in the reporter vector the expression of the yeast enhanced green fluorescent protein (yEGFP) gene was under the control of the estrogen response element (ERE). The vectors were transformed into yeast cell (W303-1A) to construct GFP recombinant yeast cell. Incubation of the yeast cell with various concentrations of the estrogenic compounds led to expression of the reporter gene product GFP in a dose dependent manner. Compared to other yeast bioassays, the yeast cell for environmental estrogen bioassay based on yEGFP reporter gene did not need cell wall disruption or the addition of a substrate or reagent. This yEGFP assay was performed completely in 96 well plates. So this test system can be used as a rapid and high throughput system for screening estrogenic chemical products, which has the characteristics of the sensitivity, reproducibility and cheapness.
Biological Assay ; methods ; Estrogen Receptor alpha ; genetics ; metabolism ; Estrogens ; analysis ; Genes, Reporter ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Recombinant Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Saccharomyces cerevisiae ; drug effects ; genetics ; metabolism