OBJECTIVETo identify a rare subtype of the ABO blood group system and explore its molecular basis.

METHODSBased on a standard serological assay, ABO subtype and haplotype were analyzed through PCR amplification of the 7 exons and adjacent introns of the ABO gene and TA clone sequencing.

RESULTSForward typing showed a B type, while reverse typing demonstrated an extremely weak anti-B on routine gel analysis, which indicated a forward and reverse typing discrepancy. Absorption-elution testing confirmed that there was no A antigen on the surface of patient's red blood cells. Sequencing of the ABO gene showed a G>A exchange at position 523 in exon 7, which resulted in a Val to Met substitution at codon 175. Clone sequencing of the amplificons of the ABO gene showed an ABO* Bw14/O01 heterozygote genotype.

CONCLUSIONMolecular method is useful for the identification of ambiguous blood groups. A 523G>A substitution of the ABO gene resulting in a Bw14 subtype probably underlies the weak B phenotype noted in the patient.

ABO Blood-Group System ; genetics ; Exons ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phenotype ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

This study was aimed to use the method of modulation transfer function (MTF) to compare image quality among three different Olympus medical rigid cystoscopes in an in vitro model. During the experimental processes, we firstly used three different types of cystoscopes (i. e. OLYMPUS cystourethroscopy with FOV of 12 degrees, OLYMPUS Germany A22003A and OLYMPUS A2013A) to collect raster images at different brightness with industrial camera and computer from the resolution target which is with different spatial frequency, and then we processed the collected images using MALAB software with the optical transfer function MTF to obtain the values of MTF at different brightness and different spatial frequency. We then did data mathematical statistics and compared imaging quality. The statistical data showed that all three MTF values were smaller than 1. MTF values with the spatial frequency gradually increasing would decrease approaching 0 at the same brightness. When the brightness enhanced in the same process at the same spatial frequency, MTF values showed a slowly increasing trend. The three endoscopes' MTF values were completely different. In some cases the MTF values had a large difference, and the maximum difference could reach 0.7. Conclusion can be derived from analysis of experimental data that three Olympus medical rigid cystoscopes have completely different imaging quality abilities. The No. 3 endoscope OLYMPUS A2013A has low resolution but high contrast. The No. 1 endoscope OLYMPUS cystourethroscopy with FOV of 12 degrees, on the contrary, had high resolution and lower contrast. The No. 2 endoscope OLYMPUS Germany A22003A had high contrast and high resolution, and its image quality was the best.
Diagnostic Imaging ; instrumentation ; Endoscopes ; Endoscopy ; instrumentation ; Software

OBJECTIVETo investigate in situ visualization using near-infrared quantum dots (QDs) conjugated with arginine- glycine-aspartic acid (ROD) peptide fluorescent probes in oral squamous cell carcinoma (08CC).

METHODSQDs with emission wavelength of 800 nm (QD800) were conjugated with RGD peptides to produce QD800-RGD fluorescent probes. Human OSCC cell line BcaCD885 was inoculated in nude mice cheeks to establish OSCC mouse models. Frozen BcaCD885 tumor slices were immunofluorescence double stained by using QD800-RGD and CD105 monoclonal antibody and were observed using a laser scanning confocal microscope. QD800-RGD was injected into the OSCC models through the tail veins, and the in situ visualization was analyzed at different time points. The mice were sacrificed 12 h after injection to isolate tumors for the ex vivo analysis of probe localization in the tumors.

RESULTSQD800-RGD specifically targeted the integrin avβ3 expressed in the endothelial cells of tumor angiogenic vessels in vitro and in vivo, producing clear tumor fluorescence images after intravenous injection. The most complete tumor images with maximal signal-to-noise ratios were observed 0.5 h to 6 h after injection of the probe and significantly reduced 9 h after the injection. However, the tumor image was still clearly visible at 12 h.

CONCLUSIONUsing intravenously injected QD800-RGD generates high quality OSCC images when integrin avβ3, which is expressed in the endothelial cells of tumor angiogenic vessels, is used as the target. The technique offers great potential in the diagnosis and individual treatment of OSCC.

Animals ; Arginine ; Aspartic Acid ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Fluorescent Dyes ; Glycine ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Mouth Neoplasms ; Oligopeptides ; Peptides ; Quantum Dots

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) after failure of nucleoside-analogues (NAs).

METHODSA total of 30 CHB patients who had been previously treated with NAs and had subsequently completed a 48-week course of TDF were retrospectively investigated. Patients' data of HBV DNA level (log10 copies/ml) and rate of undetectable HBV DNA at treatment weeks 0 (baseline), 4, 12, 24, 36 and 48 were collected for evaluation. The lower limit of HBV DNA detection was 100 IU/ml. The serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normalization rate, hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion rate, viral breakthrough (VBT) rate, viral response (VR) rate, and adverse events were determined upon treatment completion. Statistical analyses were carried out using the Student's t-test, the x² test or the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTSOver the 48-week treatment period, HBV DNA levels declined significantly from baseline (week 4:(2.11 ± 0.38) log10 IU/ml, t =5.582; week 12:(0.93 ± 0.31) log10 IU/ ml, t =9.303; week 24:(0.75 ± 0.20) log10 IU/ml, t =3.123; week 36:(0.16 ± 0.19) log10 IU/ml, t =10.759; week 48:(0.14 ± 0.25) log10 IU/ml, t =12.202) (all P less than 0.01). However, the rates of HBV DNA reduction and of cumulative reduction were comparable at weeks 24, 36 and 48 (all P more than 0.05). The most robust decline in HBV DNA levels was observed at week 4 ((2.11 ± 0.38) log10 IU/ml) and the highest cumulative HBV DNA reduction was observed at week 24 ((3.79 ± 0.37) log10 IU/ml). The rate of undetectable HBV DNA at week 4 (26.7%) was significantly lower than that at weeks 24 (87.5%, P less than 0.01), 36 (80.0%, P=0.007), and 48 (88.9%, P=0.001). The median time to achieving undetectable HBV DNA was 10.4 weeks (range:3.43-34.0 weeks). At week 48, the rates of VR, HBeAg seroconversion, and VBT were 88.9% ,6.7%, and 0% respectively. During treatment, the levels of creatine kinase were more than two times the upper limit normal in 9.2% of the patients, and were comparable at each time point examined (all P more than 0.05). All patients showed a normal level of serum creatinine throughout the treatment period.

CONCLUSIONFor CHB patients with non-response to NAs, TDF can suppress HBV DNA replication very quickly and achieve a high rate of ALT normalization with a low rate of adverse events.

Adenine ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; Female ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Organophosphonates ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Retrospective Studies ; Tenofovir ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficacy and safety of precise laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass(LRYGB) in the treatment of obesity and metabolic diseases.

METHODSClinical and follow-up data of obese patients underwent precise LRYGB in our department between June 2011 and April 2013 were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSA total of 140 obese patients were included in this study. All the precise LRYGB procedures were successfully performed with no conversion to open surgery or perioperative death. Average operation time was (138.0±21.3) min, postoperative hospital stay was (5.2±1.2) d. No severe complications was observed. The percentages of excess weight loss in 1, 3, 6, and 12 month after operation were (26.4±8.6)%, (53.3±6.7)%, (75.3±7.9)%, (78.5±8.5)%, respectively. The improvement rates of fatty liver, hyperlipidemia, hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus were 84.6%(33/39), 92.3%(12/13), 77.3%(17/22) and 82.4%(14/17).

CONCLUSIONSPrecise LRYGB is a modified and optimized traditional surgical technique which does not significantly increase the operative time. It is safe and feasible. The postoperative weight loss effect is significant and it can effectively improve the related co-morbidities.

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Gastric Bypass ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Laparoscopy ; Length of Stay ; Metabolic Syndrome ; complications ; Obesity ; etiology ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Weight Loss

OBJECTIVETo investigate the in situ visualization imaging and the in vivo distribution of the near-infrared fluorescent quantum dots (QDs) epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibody (mAb) probe in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

METHODSQDs with an emission wavelength of 800 nm (QD800) was conjugated with EGFR mAb to produce QD800-EGFR mAb. QD800-EGFR mAb was co-cultured with BcaCD885 squamous cancer cell line for 30 min and observed with laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM). QD800-EGFR mAb was injected into HNSCC animal model through the tail vein, and the in situ visualization imaging and the in vivo distribution of QD800-EGFR mAb was analyzed at different time points.

RESULTSBcaCD885 squamous cell carcinoma in the head and neck can be imaged clearly and visually after intravenous injection of QD800-EGFR mAb probe, these fluorescence signals lasted for 24 h. The most complete tumor images with maximal signal-to-noise ratio were observed from 30 min to 6 h after injection of the probe. In vivo tissue distribution studies demonstrated that QD800 aggregated mostly in liver. QD800 aggregation decreased with time in tumors, and QD800 didn't aggregate in heart, brain, intestine, lung and stomach.

CONCLUSIONThe QD800-EGFR mAb probe can clearly produce visual images in head and neck cancer. It has promising prospects in visualization in vivo imaging and individual treatment of head and neck cancer.

Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Disease Models, Animal ; Fluorescent Dyes ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Quantum Dots ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor

The avirulent QU strain of fowl adenovirus, a member of duck adenovirus type 1, could be a potential vector in recombinant vaccine development. To identify a non-essential region for replication of QU virus, a 3.4 kb fragment near the E4 region of QU virus genome was amplified by PCR to construct a plasmid pADGFP, in which ORF1, ORF8 and ORF9 was replaced with a system expressing enhanced green fluorescence protein. Further, a recombinant virus rQUGFP was constructed by homologous recombination after pADGFP and QU virus were co-transfected into chick embryo fibroblast. The one step growth curve of the rQUGFP was found to be identical with that of parent QU virus and the TCID50 titers of different generation recombinants maintained stable. These findings suggest that the region including ORF1, ORF8 and ORF9 of QU virus genome is dispensable for virus replication, and the foreign gene inserted into virus genome can be efficiently and stably expressed. The work lays the foundation for further studies of developing this virus as a vector of recombinant vaccine.
Adenovirus E4 Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; Animals ; Fowl adenovirus A ; classification ; genetics ; Genes, Viral ; genetics ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Open Reading Frames ; genetics ; Recombination, Genetic ; Transfection ; Vaccines, Synthetic ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; Viral Vaccines ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; immunology ; Virus Replication