Objective:To discuss the promotive effect of nerve growth factor(NGF),which is highly expressed in the adipose-derived stem cell(ADSC)-induced Schwann-like cells(SCLCs),on the growth of dorsal root ganglion(DRG)cell processes in the rats,and to clarify its mechanism.Methods:The ADSCs were extracted from the epididymal adipose tissue of the SD rats,and their multidirectional differentiation potential was identified through osteogenic,adipogenic,and chondrogenic induction.The ADSCs were induced to differentiate into the SCLCs,and the expression levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP)and S100 calcium-binding protein β(S100β)protein in the ADSCs and SCLCs were detected by immunofluorescence staining and Western blotting methods.The DRG cells were isolated and cultured,and immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the βⅢ-tubulin expression in the DRG cells for identification.The SCLCs were co-cultured with the DRG cells(co-culture group),the single-culture DRG cells were regared as DRG group and toluidine blue staining was used to observe and measure the length of DRG cell processes under the optical microscope in co-culture group and DRG group.Small interfering RNA(siRNA)transfection was used to knock down NGF,and plasmid transfection was used to over-express NGF.Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)method was used to detect the NGF mRNA expression levels in the cells in various groups;enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)method was used to detect the NGF protein levels in the cell supernatants.The transfected SCLCs were co-cultured with DRG cells and divided into control group,siNC/vector group,NGF knockdown group(si-NGF group),and NGF over-expression group(oe-NGF group).The lengths of DRG cell processes in various groups were observed.Results:The primary ADSCs adhered within 24 h after seeding,with a small number of lipid droplets remaining.After 3 d of culture,the cells were mostly short spindle-shaped,fusiform,or polygonal,growing rapidly in a vortex pattern.After passaging,the cells exhibited a uniform morphology,appearing as long spindles arranged in a fish-school pattern.After 14 d of adipogenic induction,the cell morphology changed from spindle-shaped to flat-round,with translucent lipid droplets forming in the cytoplasm,which were stained red by Oil Red O.After 28 d of osteogenic induction,the cells appeared sand-like with blurred morphology,and calcified nodules were observed,which were stained red by Alizarin Red and deposited in the extracellular matrix.After 28 d of chondrogenic induction in a 3D culture system,millet-sized chondrogenic spheres formed.Frozen sections of the spheres were stained with Alcian Blue,and acidic mucopolysaccharides in the cartilage tissue were stained blue under the microscope.Under the fluorescence microscope,the third-passage purified ADSCs showed positive expression of CD29[fluorescein isothiocy anate(FITC)-labeled green fluorescence]and CD44(Cy3-labeled red fluorescence).The immunofluorescence staining results showed that GFAP was labeled with FITC(green fluorescence),and S100β was labeled with Cy3(red fluorescence).The Western blotting results showed that compared with ADSCs,the expression levels of S100β and GFAP proteins in the SCLCs were increased(P<0.05).The primary DRG cells began to adhere 6 h after conventional culture,and after 3 d,the cell bodies appeared round and bright,with two linear processes extending from them.Under fluorescence microscope,the cells positively expressed the neuron-specific marker βⅢ-tubulin,confirming that the isolated cells were DRG cells.Compared with the ADSCs,the NGF protein expression level in the SCLCs was increased(P<0.05).Compared with DRG group,the length of DRG cell processes in co-culture group was the highest when DRG cells and SCLCs were co-cultured at a 1∶2 ratio(P<0.05).The RT-qPCR results showed that compared with si-NC group,the expression levels of NGF mRNA in the cell supernatant in si-NGF-1,si-NGF-2,and si-NGF-3 groups were significantly decreased(P<0.05),with si-NGF-1 showing the highest knockdown efficiency,which was selected for subsequent experiments.The ELISA results showed that compared with si-NC group,the NGF levels in the cell supernatant of si-NGF-1,si-NGF-2,and si-NGF-3 groups were decreased(P<0.05).Compared with Vector group,the expression level of NGF mRNA and NGF protein level in the supernatant in oe-NGF group were increased(P<0.05).Compared with control group and siNC/vector group,the length of DRG cell processes in si-NGF group was decreased(P<0.05),while the length of DRG cell processes in oe-NGF group was increased(P<0.05).Conclusion:ADSCs can be directionally differentiated into SCLCs,and the differentiated cells highly express NGF.Knockdown or overexpression of NGF can affect the growth of DRG cell processes.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the ameliorative effects and mechanism of Sanwei ganlu on hepatic fibrosis in rats. METHODS The rats were randomly divided into normal group， model group， silibinin group （positive control， 50 mg/kg）， and Sanwei ganlu low-dose， medium-dose， and high-dose groups （80， 250， 800 mg/kg）. Except for normal group， hepatic fibrosis rat models were established by intraperitoneal injection of CCl4 in the other groups of rats. Starting from the 6th week of modeling administration， they were given normal saline or corresponding drugs intragastrically at the same time. At the end of the ninth-week experiment， liver and spleen indexes of rats were calculated； the pathological structure and fibrosis changes of liver tissue were observed by HE， Masson and Sirus Red staining. The contents of alanine transaminase （ALT）， aspartate transaminase （AST）， procollagen type Ⅲ （PC Ⅲ）， collagen type Ⅳ （COL-Ⅳ）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） and IL-1β in serum， and hyaluronic acid （HA） and laminin （LN） in liver tissue were all detected. RESULTS Compared with the model group， the liver injury and collagen fiber deposition of rats were improved to different extents in Sanwei ganlu groups and silibinin group； the contents of ALT， AST， PC Ⅲ， COL-Ⅳ， IL-6， TNF-α and IL-1β in serum as well as the contents of HA and LN in liver tissue significantly decreased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS Sanwei ganlu can alleviate the progression of hepatic fibrosis in rats， possibly by inhibiting the synthesis of collagen fiber， reducing transaminase content， down-regulating the levels of HA， LN， PC Ⅲ and COL-Ⅳ， and reducing the inflammatory response.

Objective To explore the effect of application of a modified disposable flushing consumables for sterilised water flushing in digestive endoscopy.Methods Self-comparison method was applied in this study.The traditional flushing device was used in digestive endoscopy prior to December 2019.From January 2020,a modified flushing was applied,of which sterilised flushing water was fed through a disposable flushing pipe and made it free from the reuse of the storage bottle that held the sterilised water in the traditional flushing device.The results of microbial culture,cost of consumables and time required for preparation of the flushing were compared between pre-and post-modification of the flushing device.Results The samples of flushing water before and after the device modification had both passed the microbial culture tests.With the traditional flushing,it took 2 days for collection,cleaning and re-use of a bottle after the proper sterilisation process,and the time required for assembly and disassembly of the modified flushing was about(8.15±1.42)minutes with the cost of consumables at(29.81±4.65)Yuan.While of the modified flushing with disposable consumables,the overall cost of the consumables was(8.15±1.42)Yuan,and it took about(2.00±0.22)minutes for assembly and disassembly the device.The modified flushing was simple to operate and the consumables were readily available.Conclusions The improved disposable consumables for flushing are easy and convenient to handle.They are cost effective and time saving and safe for the digestive endoscopy.

Objective:To establish a colloidal gold technique assay for the rapid detection of immunoglobulin(Ig)M and IgG antibodies against 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) and to evaluate its clinical performance.Methods:A total of 278 patients who were respectively treated at Wuhan Hankou Hospital and the People′s Hospital of Honghu from February 12, 2020 to February 20, 2020 were collected. According to the diagnostic criteria, 89 patients were confirmed with positive 2019-nCoV nucleic acid, and 189 were 2019-nCoV nucleic acid-negative suspected patients. A total of 273 medical examiners from Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University from 2015 to 2018 were selected as controls. The serum samples of patients were collected. 2019-nCoV nucleic proteins were obtained from prokaryotic expression vectors. Indirect IgM and IgG colloidal gold techniques were established by using recombinant nuclear protein. 2019-nCoV nucleic acid detection by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used as control. Serum specimens were tested for 2019-nCoV IgM and IgG. The specificity and sensitivity of colloidal gold assay were analyzed.Results:The positive rates of IgM and IgG with the colloidal gold detection in confirmed patients with positive 2019-nCoV nucleic acid were 78.7%(70/89) and 73.0%(65/89), respectively. The positive rates of IgM and IgG in medical examiners were 1.8%(5/273) and 0.7%(2/273), respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of IgM detection reagents were 78.7% and 98.2%, respectively, those of IgG detection reagents were 73.0% and 99.3%, respectively, and those of IgM combined with IgG detection were 87.6% and 98.2%, respectively. For suspected patients with negative 2019-nCoV nucleic acid, the positive rates of IgM and IgG were 59.8%(113/189) and 52.9%(100/189), respectively, and the positive rate of IgM combined with IgG detection was 66.1%(125/189).Conclusion:This reagent of 2019-nCoV antibodies detection (colloidal gold technique) fulfills the requirement for clinical application with high specificity and sensitivity, which can be served as a supplementary detection method for 2019-nCoV nucleic acid detection by RT-PCR.

Objective: To establish a colloidal gold technique assay for the rapid detection of immunoglobulin(Ig) M and IgG antibodies against 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) and to evaluate its clinical performance. Methods: A total of 278 patients who were treated at Wuhan Hankou Hospital and the People's Hospital of Honghu from February 12, 2020 to February 20, 2020 were collected. According to the diagnostic criteria, 89 patients were confirmed with 2019-nCoV nucleic acid positive diagnosis, and 189 were 2019-nCoV nucleic acid-negative suspected patients. A total of 273 medical examiners from Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University from 2015 to 2018 were selected as controls. The serum samples of patients were collected. 2019-nCoV nucleic proteins were obtained from prokaryotic expression vectors. Indirect IgM and IgG colloidal gold techniques were established by using recombinant N protein. 2019-nCoV nucleic acid detection by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used as control. Serum specimens were tested for 2019-nCoV IgM and IgG. The specificity and sensitivity of colloidal gold assay were analyzed. Results: The sensitivity and specificity of IgM detection reagents were 78.7% and 98.2%, respectively, those of IgG detection reagents were 73.0% and 99.3%, respectively, and those of IgM combined with IgG detection were 87.6% and 98.2%, respectively. For suspected patients with negative 2019-nCoV nucleic acid, the positive rates of IgM and IgG were 59.8% (113/189) and 52.9% (100/189), respectively, and the positive rate of IgM combined with IgG detection was 66.1% (125/189). Conclusion This reagent of 2019-nCoV antibodies detection (colloidal gold technique) fulfills the requirement for clinical application with high specificity and sensitivity, which can be served as a supplementary detection method for 2019-nCoV nucleic acid detection by RT-PCR.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the value for CBL and LBL teaching method in the training of refresher doctors in reproductive medicine. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted among 186 refresher doctors who had studied in the reproductive medicine center at Peking University Third Hospital from January 2016 and December 2017 one year after their graduation. We tested 33 refresher doctors in observe group and 33 refresher doctors in the CBL+LBL group who graduated at the same period. Results: Ninety-two refresher doctors responded to the investigation. The questionnaire survey showed that 84.78% of the refresher doctors thought that CBL and LBL teaching method could improve their learning abilities, clinical problem analysis and solving skills, and surgical techniques, which was conducive to promoting their assisted reproductive technology. Besides, 63.04% of refresher doctors believed this method improved their research abilities. In CBL+LBL group, examination scores of theoretical knowledge were significantly higher than the observe group (P<0.05). Conclusion The combination of CBL and LBL is effective and feasible in the training of refresher doctors in reproductive medicine.

Mitochondrial diseases are maternally inherited heterogeneous disorders that are primarily caused by mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations. Depending on the ratio of mutant to wild-type mtDNA, known as heteroplasmy, mitochondrial defects can result in a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. Mitochondria-targeted endonucleases provide an alternative avenue for treating mitochondrial disorders via targeted destruction of the mutant mtDNA and induction of heteroplasmic shifting. Here, we generated mitochondrial disease patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (MiPSCs) that harbored a high proportion of m.3243A>G mtDNA mutations and caused mitochondrial encephalomyopathy and stroke-like episodes (MELAS). We engineered mitochondrial-targeted transcription activator-like effector nucleases (mitoTALENs) and successfully eliminated the m.3243A>G mutation in MiPSCs. Off-target mutagenesis was not detected in the targeted MiPSC clones. Utilizing a dual fluorescence iPSC reporter cell line expressing a 3243G mutant mtDNA sequence in the nuclear genome, mitoTALENs displayed a significantly limited ability to target the nuclear genome compared with nuclear-localized TALENs. Moreover, genetically rescued MiPSCs displayed normal mitochondrial respiration and energy production. Moreover, neuronal progenitor cells differentiated from the rescued MiPSCs also demonstrated normal metabolic profiles. Furthermore, we successfully achieved reduction in the human m.3243A>G mtDNA mutation in porcine oocytes via injection of mitoTALEN mRNA. Our study shows the great potential for using mitoTALENs for specific targeting of mutant mtDNA both in iPSCs and mammalian oocytes, which not only provides a new avenue for studying mitochondrial biology and disease but also suggests a potential therapeutic approach for the treatment of mitochondrial disease, as well as the prevention of germline transmission of mutant mtDNA.
Animals ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; genetics ; Humans ; Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; MELAS Syndrome ; genetics ; Male ; Mice ; Microsatellite Repeats ; genetics ; Mitochondria ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mutation ; genetics

Objective: To verify the safety and efficacy of IONTRIS particle therapy system (IONTRIS) in clinical implementation. Methods: Between 6.2014 and 8.2014, a total of 35 patients were enrolled into this trial: 31 males and 4 females with a median age of 69 yrs (range 39-80). Ten patients had locally recurrent head and neck tumors after surgery, 4 cases with thoracic malignancies, 1 case with hepatocellular carcinoma, 1 case with retroperitoneal sarcoma, and 19 cases with non-metastatic prostate carcinomas. Phantom dose verification was mandatory for each field before the start of radiation. Results: Twenty-two patients received carbon ion and 13 had proton irradiation. With a median follow-up time of 1 year, all patients were alive. Among the 16 patients with head and neck, thoracic, and abdominal/pelvic tumors, 2, 1, 12, and 1 cases developed complete response, partial response, stable disease, or disease progression, respectively. Progression-free survival rate was 93.8% (15/16). Among the 19 patients with prostate cancer, biological-recurrence free survival was 100%. Particle therapy was well tolerated in all 35 patients. Twenty-five patients (71.4%) experienced 33 grade 1 acute adverse effects, which subsided at 1 year follow-up. Six (17.1%) patients developed grade 1 late adverse effects. No significant change in ECOG or body weight was observed. Conclusions IONTRIS is safe and effective for clinical use. However, long term follow-up is needed to observe the late toxicity and long term result.

Foodborne disease is one of the most important public health issues worldwide. China faces various and unprecedented challenges in all aspects of the food chain. Data from laboratory-based foodborne disease surveillance systems from 2013 to 2016, as well as different regions and ages, can be found along with differences in the patterns of pathogens detected with diverse characteristics. Vibrio parahaemolyticus has been the leading cause of infectious diarrhea in China, especially among adults in coastal regions. Salmonella has been a serious and widely distributed pathogen responsible for substantial socioeconomic burden. Shigella was mostly identified in Northwest China and the inland province (Henan) with less-developed regions among children under 5 years. Data from foodborne disease outbreak reporting system from 2011 to 2016 showed that poisonous animals and plant factors responsible for most deaths were poisonous mushrooms (54.7%) in remote districts in southwest regions. The biological hazard that caused most cases reported (42.3%) was attributed to V. parahaemolyticus, the leading cause of foodborne outbreaks. In this review, we summarize the recent monitoring approach to foodborne diseases in China and compare the results with those in developed countries.
Bacteria ; classification ; isolation & purification ; China ; epidemiology ; Disease Outbreaks ; Food Microbiology ; Foodborne Diseases ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; Forecasting ; Humans ; Laboratories ; Mushroom Poisoning ; epidemiology ; Population Surveillance ; Public Health

Objective To verify the safety and efficacy of IONTRIS particle therapy system ( IONTRIS) in clinical implementation. Methods Between 6.2014 and 8.2014, a total of 35 patients were enrolled into this trial:31 males and 4 females with a median age of 69 yrs ( range 39?80) . Ten patients had locally recurrent head and neck tumors after surgery, 4 cases with thoracic malignancies, 1 case with hepatocellular carcinoma, 1 case with retroperitoneal sarcoma, and 19 cases with non?metastatic prostate carcinomas. Phantom dose verification was mandatory for each field before the start of radiation. Results Twenty?two patients received carbon ion and 13 had proton irradiation. With a median follow?up time of 1 year, all patients were alive. Among the 16 patients with head and neck, thoracic, and abdominal/pelvic tumors, 2, 1, 12, and 1 cases developed complete response, partial response, stable disease, or disease progression, respectively. Progression?free survival rate was 93.8％ (15/16). Among the 19 patients with prostate cancer, biological?recurrence free survival was 100％. Particle therapy was well tolerated in all 35 patients. Twenty?five patients (71.4％) experienced 33 grade 1 acute adverse effects, which subsided at 1 year follow?up. Six ( 17.1％) patients developed grade 1 late adverse effects. No significant change in ECOG or body weight was observed. Conclusions IONTRIS is safe and effective for clinical use. However, long term follow?up is needed to observe the late toxicity and long term result.