Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of modified femoral neck osteotomy(mFNO)in the surgical treatment of patients with ankylosing spondylitis(AS)and severe spinal kyphosis combined with hip flexion contracture.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 61 AS patients(103 hips)with spinal kyphosis and hip flexion contracture who underwent pedicle subtraction osteotomy(PSO)and total hip arthroplasty(THA)from January 1,2019 to November 15,2023.Data on mFNO operation time,blood loss,preoperative and postoperative values of the angle of the trunk and lower limb(ATL),hip passive range of motion(ROM),visual analogue scale(VAS),and incidence of in-hospital compli-cations were recorded.Statistical analysis was performed using paired-samples t test.P＜0.05 was con-sidered statistically significant.Results:The study ultimately included 10 cases,9 males and 1 female,with an average age of(41.30±9.03)years.These patients underwent surgery for a total of 52 times,including 19 hips both receiving mFNO and THA,and 14 times PSO.The average operation time for nine bilateral mFNO was(133.11±34.81)min,with blood loss of(433.33±187.10)mL.A unilateral mFNO took 60 min with 200 mL of blood loss.The preoperative ATL of 19 hips was 40.37°±13.66°,and the postoperative ATL value was 88.47°±12.46°(P＜0.05).The preoperative VAS score was 0,while the postoperative VAS score was 5.95±1.51(P＜0.05).The preoperative hip extension ROM was 37.37°±18.13°,while the postoperative hip extension ROM was-4.95°±21.24°(P＜0.05).Hip flexion ROM improved from 37.37°±18.13° to 50.79°±20.36° after FNO(P＜0.05).There were three cases of in-hospital complications(3/52,5.67％):One case of postoperative atelectasis fol-lowing PSO(1/52,1.92％),one greater trochanter fracture identified during THA(1/52,1.92％),and one early dislocation post-THA(1/52,1.92％).Conclusion:mFNO significantly improves the ATL in AS patients with severe spinal kyphosis combined with hip flexion contracture,facilitating PSO and THA surgeries.

Objective:To analyze the cardiac dosimetry of lymph node irradiation in the internal breast region after left-sided breast cancer surgery and to assess its impact on patients' quality of life.Methods:The clinical data of 108 patients who underwent inverse intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) after left-sided breast cancer surgery in Cancer Hospital of Nantong University from May 2019 to May 2021 were collected and retrospectively analyzed, and divided into a study group (with internal breast, 55 cases) and a control group (without internal breast, 53 cases) according to whether the postoperative radiotherapy included lymph node irradiation in the internal breast region. The dosimetric indexes of planned target area (PTV) , cardiac tolerance, serum myocardial injury markers and quality of life before and after radiotherapy were compared between the two groups.Results:In terms of PTV dosimetry, the conformality index (CI) of the study group and the control group were 0.73±0.07 and 0.75±0.08, the homogeneity index (HI) were 0.17±0.03 and 0.17±0.02, the D max were (55.69±1.02) Gy and (55.46±1.13) Gy, the D mean were (50.54±0.23) Gy and (50.48±0.21) Gy respectively, there were no statistically significant differences ( t=1.38, P=0.169; t<0.01, P>0.999; t=1.11, P=0.269; t=1.41, P=0.160) . In terms of cardiac receptivity, the D mean of the two groups were (5.93 ± 0.32) Gy, (5.64 ± 0.30) Gy, V 40 were (0.47 ± 0.10) %, (0.41 ± 0.11) %, and V 30 were (2.48 ± 0.51) %, (2.06 ± 0.49) % respectively, and there were statistically significant differences ( t=4.86, P<0.001; t=2.97, P=0.004; t=4.36, P<0.001) . The levels of serum troponin Ⅰ (cTnⅠ) before radiotherapy in the study group and the control group were (0.09±0.02) ng/ml and (0.09±0.01) ng/ml, creatine kinase isoenzyme MB (CK-MB) were (0.27±0.08) U/L and (0.25±0.08) U/L, myoglobin (MYo) were (3.84±1.02) μg/L and (3.69±0.97) μg/L, and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) were (172.35±16.24) pg/ml and (169.81±15.93) pg/ml respectively, there were no statistically significant differences ( t<0.01, P>0.999; t=1.30, P=0.197; t=0.78, P=0.436; t=0.82, P=0.414) . One month after radiotherapy, the levels of serum cTnⅠ in the two groups were (0.09±0.03) ng/ml and (0.09±0.02) ng/ml, CK-MB were (0.29±0.09) U/L and (0.28±0.08) U/L, MYo were (4.06±1.08) μg/L and (4.01±1.03) μg/L, and BNP were (175.13±17.09) pg/ml, (172.47±16.28) pg/ml respectively, there were no statistically significant differences ( t<0.01, P>0.999; t=0.61, P=0.544; t=0.25, P=0.806; t=0.83, P=0.410) . The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) scores before radiotherapy in the study and the control groups were (60.24±5.13) points and (61.19±5.46) points, (74.12±7.20) points and (75.35±7.88) points at 1 month after radiotherapy, (77.53±7.14) points and (78.95±7.08) points at 6 months after radiotherapy, and (75.02±6.93) points and (76.68±6.74) points at 1 year after radiotherapy respectively, there were no statistically significant differences ( t=0.93, P=0.353; t=0.85, P=0.399; t=1.04, P=0.302; t=1.26, P=0.210) . The EORTC QLQ-C30 scores at 1 month, 6 months, and 1 year after radiotherapy were higher than those before radiotherapy in the two groups, and there were statistically significant differences (all P<0.001) . Conclusion:IMRT containing lymph node irradiation in the internal breast region after left breast cancer surgery brings a certain degree of increased cardiac dose, but it is feasible to control it within a certain range and does not affect the patients' cardiac function or quality of life in the short term.

Objective:To compare the early therapeutic effects of internal fixation with percutaneous minimally invasive hollow nail assisted by electromagnetic navigation robot and guided by C-arm in the treatment of Tile type C pelvic fracture.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 32 patients with Tile type C pelvic fracture admitted to Weihai Central Hospital from January 2020 to March 2022, including 18 males and 14 females; aged 36-60 years [(44.1±3.9)years]. Among them, 17 patients were treated with internal fixation with percutaneous minimally invasive hollow nail assisted by electromagnetic navigation robot (electromagnetic navigation group), and 15 with internal fixation with percutaneous minimally invasive hollow nail guided by C-arm (C-arm guidance group). Operative time, intraoperative blood loss, sacroiliac screw placement time, pubic branch screw placement time, ambulation time and fracture healing time were compared between the two groups. Visual analog scale (VAS), Majeed function score and complication rate at 1 day, 6 months, 12 months after surgery and at the last follow-up were compared between the two groups.Results:All the patients were followed up for 12-24 months [(15.4±0.5)months]. The operative time and intraoperative blood loss in the electromagnetic navigation group were (42.0±2.5)minutes and (10.9±2.6)ml, shorter or less than (50.0±3.5)minutes and (14.9±3.1)ml in the C-arm guidance group (all P<0.01). The placement time of sacroiliac screw and pubic branch screw in the electromagnetic navigation group was (12.4±0.2)minutes and (10.1±0.3)minutes, shorter than (15.3±0.3)minutes and (13.2±0.3)minutes in the C-arm guidance group (all P<0.01). The ambulation time was (3.2±0.4)weeks in the electromagnetic navigation group, earlier than (3.5±0.4)weeks in the C-arm guidance group ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in fracture healing time between the two groups ( P>0.05). VAS scores of the electromagnetic navigation group were (4.4±0.3)points and (1.1±0.1)points at 1 day and 6 months after surgery respectively, lower than those of the C-arm guidance group [(4.8±0.4)points and (1.2±0.3)points] ( P<0.05 or 0.01). Majeed function scores of the electromagnetic navigation group were (37.3±1.1)points and (88.5±1.4)points at 1 day and 6 months after surgery respectively, higher than those of the C-arm guidance group [(30.7±4.2)points and (82.6±1.8)points] (all P<0.01). There were no significant differences in VAS and Majeed scores at 12 months after surgery and at the last follow-up between the two groups (all P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Compared with C-arm guidance, electromagnetic navigation robot-assisted internal fixation with percutaneous minimally invasive hollow nail for Tile type C pelvic fracture can reduce operative time and intraoperative blood loss, shorten screw placement time and ambulation time, relieve pain and improve functional recovery at early stage.

Objective:To investigate the surgical indications of gallbladder polyps.Methods:The retrospective case-control study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 2 272 patients with gallbladder polyps who underwent cholecystectomy in 11 medical centers from January 2015 to December 2019 were collected, including 585 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi′an Jiaotong University, 352 in No. 215 Hospital of Shaanxi Nuclear Industry, 332 in the First People′s Hospital of Xianyang, 233 in Shaanxi Provincial People′s Hospital, 152 in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi′an Jiaotong University, 138 in Xianyang Hospital of Yan′an University, 137 in People′s Hospital of Baoji, 125 in Hanzhong Central Hospital, 95 in Baoji Central Hospital, 72 in Ankang Central Hospital, 51 in Yulin No.2 Hospital. There were 887 males and 1 385 females, aged (48±12)years, with a range from 12 to 86 years. Observation indicators: (1) surgical treatment, pathological examination and hospitalization; (2) follow-up and complications; (3) comparison of clinicopathological data between patients with non-neoplastic polyps and neoplastic polyps; (4) comparison of clinicopathological data among patients who had gallbladder polyp diameter of 7 to 9 mm, 10 to 12 mm, or ≥13 mm without cholecystolithiasis; (5) analysis of influence factors for the incidence of neoplastic polyps in patients who had gallbladder polyp diameter of 10 to 12 mm without cholecystolithiasis; (6) construction and evaluation of nomogram prediction model for neoplastic polyps of patients who had gallbladder polyp diameter of 10 to 12 mm without cholecystolithiasis. Follow-up using outpatient examination or telephone interview was conducted to detect complications and survival of patients up to April 2020. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and comparison between groups was analyzed using the t test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M (range), and comparison between groups was analyzed using the rank-sum test. Ordinal data was analyzed using the rank-sum test of multi-samples. Analysis of influence factors for the incidence of neoplastic polyps was conducted after excluding missing data of CEA and CA19-9. Univariate analysis was conducted using the chi-square test or rank-sum test of multi-samples, and multivariate analysis was conducted using Logistic regression model. Based on Logistic regression model multivariate analysis, the nomogram prediction model was constructed using the R 3.6.0 version software. Results:(1) Surgical treatment, pathological examination and hospitalization: of the 2 272 patients, 2 199 cases underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy, 43 cases underwent open cholecystectomy, 28 cases underwent radical resection for gallbladder carcinoma, and 2 cases underwent laparoscopic gallbladder preservation and polypectomy. There were 1 050 of the 2 272 patients undergoing intraoperative frozen section examination. Results of pathological examination showed that 1 953 of the 2 272 patients had non-neoplastic polyps including 1 681 cases with cholesterol polyps and 272 cases with inflammatory polyps; 319 cases had neoplastic polyps including 274 with benign polyps (93 cases with adenoma, 66 cases with adenomyoma, 81 cases with adenoma-like hyperplasia, 34 cases with adenoma combined with intraepithelial neoplasia); and 45 cases had malignant polyps including 43 cases with adenocarcinoma, 1 case with adenosquamous carcinoma and 1 case with sarcomatoid carcinoma. The duration of postoperative hospital stay of 2 272 patients was 3 days(range, 1 to 27 days). (2) Follow-up and complications: of the 2 272 patients, 1 932 were followed up for 3.5 to 63.5 months, with a median follow-up time of 31.0 months. During the follow-up, 180 patients had short-term complications and 170 patients had long-term complications. (3) Comparison of clinicopathological data between patients with non-neoplastic polyps and neoplastic polyps: cases with age ≤50 years or >50 years, cases with time from first discovery of polyp to operation <1 year, 1-3 years, >3 years and ≤5 years or >5 years, CEA, CA19-9, CA125, cases with single or multiple polyps in preoperative ultrasonography examination, cases with diameter of polyps in preoperative ultrasonography examination as 1-6 mm, 7-9 mm, 10-12 mm or ≥13 mm, cases with pedicled or broad based polyp wall in preoperative ultrasonography examination, cases with polyp morphology in preoperative ultrasono-graphy examination as nodular, papillary, globular or mulberry-like, cases undergoing or not undergoing intraoperative frozen section examination, cases with diameter of polyps in postoperative pathological examination as 1-6 mm, 7-9 mm, 10-12 mm or ≥13 mm, cases with gallbladder wall thickness in postoperative pathological examination as ≤4 mm or >4 mm of the 1 953 patients with non-neoplastic polyps were 1 118, 835, 1 027, 422, 230, 274, 2.0 mg/L(range, 0.2-8.6 mg/L), 14.5 U/mL(range, 2.6-116.4 U/mL), 10.5 U/mL(range, 1.2-58.7 U/mL), 658, 1 295, 674, 741, 413, 125, 1 389, 564, 407, 1 119, 292, 135, 832, 1 121, 698, 774, 385, 96, 1 719, 234, respectively. The above indicators of the 319 patients with neoplastic polyps were 160, 159, 204, 55, 26, 34, 2.9 mg/L(range, 0.2-28.8 mg/L), 19.7 U/mL(range, 3.5-437.1 U/mL), 15.0 U/mL(range, 1.0-945.0 U/mL), 203, 116, 49, 59, 100, 111, 154, 165, 92, 153, 49, 25, 218, 101, 53, 85, 90, 91, 263, 56, respectively. There were significant differences in the above indicators between the non-neoplastic polyps and neoplastic polyps patients ( χ2=5.599, Z=-3.668, -2.407, -3.023, -3.403, χ2=104.474, Z=-13.367, χ2=65.676, 12.622, 73.075, Z=-11.874, χ2=7.649, P<0.05). (4) Comparison of clinicopathological data among patients who had gallbladder polyp diameter of 7 to 9 mm, 10 to 12 mm, or ≥13 mm without cholecystolithiasis: after excluding 311 of the 2 272 patients with cholecystolithiasis, there were 706 cases with gallbladder polyp diameter of 7 to 9 mm, 459 cases with gallbladder polyp diameter of 10 to 12 mm, and 205 cases with gallbladder polyp diameter ≥13 mm, respectively. Cases with time from first discovery of polyp to operation <1 year, 1-3 years, >3 years and ≤5 years or >5 years, CEA, CA19-9, cases with single or multiple polyps in preoperative ultrasonography examination, cases with pedicled or broad based polyp wall in preoperative ultrasonography examination, cases with polyp morphology in preoperative ultrasonography examination as nodular, papillary, globular or mulberry-like, cases with echo intensity of preoperative ultrasonography examination as slightly strong, medium or weak, cases undergoing or not undergoing intraoperative frozen section examination, and cases with pathological types of polyps as non-neoplastic polyps, benign polyps or malignant polyps of the 706 patients with gallbladder polyp diameter of 7 to 9 mm were 291, 170, 107, 138, 2.2 mg/L(range, 0.5-8.6 mg/L), 21.0 U/mL(range, 2.8-116.4 U/mL), 207, 499, 620, 86, 118, 463, 75, 50, 252, 410, 44, 379, 327, 657, 49, 0, respectively. The above indicators of the 459 patients with gallbladder polyp diameter of 10 to 12 mm were 267, 85, 43, 64, 1.6 mg/L(range, 0.4-9.3 mg/L), 10.4 U/mL(range, 3.3-354.0 U/mL), 205, 254, 237, 222, 158, 223, 51, 27, 222, 213, 24, 263, 196, 373, 79, 7, respectively. The above indicators of the 205 patients with gallbladder polyp diameter ≥13 mm were 128, 38, 20, 19, 2.1 mg/L(range, 0.6-28.8 mg/L), 10.2 U/mL(range, 3.6-307.0 U/mL), 120, 85, 75, 130, 68, 97, 22, 18, 98, 95, 12, 148, 57, 113, 71, 21, respectively. There were significant differences in the above indicators among patients who had gallbladder polyp diameter of 7 to 9 mm, 10 to 12 mm, or ≥ 13 mm ( χ2=46.482, 8.093, 39.504, 66.971, 277.043, 60.945, 19.672, 22.340, 197.854, P<0.05). (5) Analysis of influence factors for the incidence of neoplastic polyps in patients who had gallbladder polyp diameter of 10 to 12 mm without cholecystolithiasis: of the 459 patients who had gallbladder polyp diameter of 10 to 12 mm without cholecystolithiasis, there were 373 cases with non-neoplastic polyps, and 86 cases with neoplastic polyps, respectively. Results of univariate analysis showed that CEA, CA19-9, the number of polyps in preoperative ultrasonography examination, diameter of polyps in preoperative ultrasonography examination, polyp wall in preoperative ultrasonography examination were influence factors for the incidence of neoplastic polyps in patients who had gallbladder polyp diameter of 10 to 12 mm without cholecystolithiasis ( χ2=10.342, 5.616, 20.009, Z=-4.352, χ2=6.203, P<0.05). Results of multivariate analysis showed that CEA>5.0 mg/L, CA19-9>39.0 U/mL, single polyp in preoperative ultrasonography examination, polyp diameter of 11 mm in preoperative ultrasonography examination, polyps of broad base in preoperative ultrasonography examination were independent risk factors for the incidence of neoplastic polyps in patients who had gallbladder polyp diameter of 10 to 12 mm without cholecystolithiasis ( odds ratio=8.423, 0.082, 0.337, 3.694, 2.318, 95% confidence interval: 1.547-45.843, 0.015-0.443, 0.198-0.575, 1.987-6.866, 1.372-3.916, P<0.05). (6) Construction and evaluation of nomogram prediction model for neoplastic polyps of patients who had gallbladder polyp diameter of 10 to 12 mm without cholecystolithiasis: CEA, CA19-9, the number of polyps in preoperative ultrasonography examination, diameter of polyps in preoperative ultrasonography examination, polyp wall in preoperative ultrasonography examination were imported into R 3.6.0 version software to establish the nomogram prediction model for neoplastic polyps. The results showed the score for CEA>5.0 mg/L, CA19-9>39.0 U/mL, cases with single polyp in preoperative ultrasonography examination, cases with polyp diameter of 10 mm in preoperative ultrasonography examination, cases with polyp diameter of 11 mm in preoperative ultrasonography examination, cases with polyp diameter of 12 mm in preoperative ultrasonography examination, polyps of broad base in preoperative ultrasonography examination were 25, 27, 100, 0, 26, 72, 98 in the nomogram prediction model, respectively. The C-index of nomogram prediction model was 0.768. Result of nomogram prediction model showed that the incidence of tumor polyps was 0, 6% and 10% in patients with multiple and pedicled gallbladder polyps with diameter of 10, 11, 12 mm and with CEA ≤5.0 mg/L and CA19-9 ≤39.0 U/mL, the incidence of tumor polyps was 43%, 53% and 70% in patients with single and broad base gallbladder polyps with diameter of 10, 11, 12 mm. The calibration curve showed that the probability of the nomogram prediction model predicting neoplastic polyps was nearly consistent with the actual probability. Conclusions:CEA>5.0 mg/L, CA19-9>39.0 U/mL, single polyp in preoperative ultrasonography examination, polyp diameter of 11 mm in preoperative ultrasonography examination, polyps of broad base in preoperative ultrasonography examination are independent risk factors for the incidence of neoplastic polyps in patients who had gallbladder polyp diameter of 10 to 12 mm without cholecystolithiasis. Cholecystectomy should be performed in time for patients with single and broad based gallbladder polyps with diameter of 10, 11, 12 mm.

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors(MPNST) of the bladder is a very rare malignant tumor, usually secondary to neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1), with a few sporadic cases. This paper reports a case of 70-year-old man with bladder MPNST who underwent transurethral resection. Adjuvant intravesical instillation with gemcitabine was given after surgery, and there was no local recurrence and distant metastasis after 12-month follow-up. This paper also made a corresponding literature review.

Objective To investigate the the operative time of two stage soft ureteroscope lithotripsy for hemorrhagic embolism after percutaneous nephrolithotomy(PCNL).Methods The clinical data of 1 patient with massive hemorrhage after PCNL who treated with superselective renal artery embolization and ureteral soft lens were analyzed.Results The patient with postoperative bleeding after PCNL was treated with superselective renal artery branch embolization,after 30d embolization,the holmium laser lithotripsy under the soft ureteroscope for ureteral calculi was performed,and the renal pelvis mucosa smooth,no bleeding and scar formation were intraoperative visible.After operation,the stone was removed basically,and the double J tube was removed 2 weeks after operation.The patient had no special discomfort and the renal function was normal.Conclusion Postoperative 14-30d is a relatively safe time to perform flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy for super selective renal artery embolization in the treatment of patient with massive hemorrhage after PCNL.

Objective To clone and identify the heat shock factors(HSFs)of Schistosoma japonicum and analyze its molec?ular structure and alternative splicing pattern. Methods The New Zealand rabbits were infected with the cercariae of Schistoso?ma japonicum and were killed and dissected 42 days post?infection,and the adult worms of S. japonicum and the livers of the rabbits were harvested. Then,the total RNA was extracted by using Trizol reagent. The Sj?hsf open reading frame(ORF)and the alternative splicing fragments were amplified by RT?PCR from the female,male and egg samples,then cloned and verified by enzyme digestion and sequencing. DNAMAN 8.0,InterPro,Mega 6 combined with the Internet databases were utilized to clarify the gene structure,functional domains,alternative splicing pattern,and the homology and phylogenetic tree of HSFs. Re?sults Sj?hsf ORF and the alternative splicing fragments were amplified from the female,male and egg samples of S. japonicum by RT?PCR. After cloning,the positive recombinant plasmids pBSjHSFf?F,pBSjHSFf?M,pBSjHSFf?E containing Sj?hsf ORF, pBSjHSFs?F,pBSjHSFs?M,pBSjHSFs?E with Sj?hsf alternative splicing fragments were identified by enzyme digestion and se?quencing. Three alternative splicing Sj?hsf isoforms were observed through sequence analysis:Sj?hsf?isoform1(2 050 bp),Sj?hsf ?isoform2(2 086 bp)and Sj?hsf?isoform3(2 111 bp);the GenBank accession numbers were KU954546,KX119143 and KX119144,respectively. All the three isoforms located in the same Contig SJC_S000780 of S. japonicum genome and all ex?pressed at female,male and egg stages,but Sj?hsf?isoform1 with a high?level expression. Sj?HSF?isoform1(671 aa)and Sj?HSF?isoform2(683 aa)had DBD(DNA binding domain),HR?A/B and HR?C domains,while Sj?HSF?isoform3(282 aa)stopped in advance without HR?C domain. Phylogenetic tree analysis of HSFs illustrated that Sj?HSFs belonged to HSF1 family,with a close phylogenetic relationship to Sm?HSFs. Conclusions There are three alternative splicing isoforms of Sj?HSF existing in the female,male and egg stages of S. japonicum,but Sj?HSF?isoform1 expresses in a high?level. This study lays the foundation for further study on molecular mechanisms of Sj?HSFs in regulating the heat shock response system.

OBJECTIVETo examine the expression profile and immunofluorescence localization of the major egg antigen p40 of Schistosoma japonicum (Sjp40) during granuloma formation in the liver of infected New Zealand white rabbits.

METHODSNew Zealand white rabbits were infected with S. japonicum cercariae, and the livers were harvested at 29 and 45 days post-infection (dpi). The total RNA of the liver tissues was extracted for expression profiling of Sjp40 by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) with GAPDH of S. japonicum as the endogenous reference gene. The expression of Sjp40 in the liver were detected by Western blotting using anti-Sjp40 monoclonal antibody (mAb) 9G7 or anti-Toxoplasma gondii tSAG1 mAb Y3A8 (control) as the primary antibody. Paraffin sections of the liver were prepared for observing egg granuloma formation using HE staining and for indirect immunofluorescence assay of Sjp40 location in the trapped eggs and egg granulomas.

RESULTSThe level of Sjp40 mRNA in the eggs trapped in rabbit livers was significantly higher at 45 dpi than that at 29 dpi (P<0.05), and Western blotting confirmed the presence of Sjp40 protein in the rabbit livers at both 29 and 45 dpi. Immunofluorescence assay demonstrated localized expression of Sjp40 in the immature eggs in the rabbit liver at 29 dpi, but at 45 dpi fluorescence was detected in clusters of mature eggs containing miracidium and in the surrounding egg granulomas.

CONCLUSIONSThe transcriptional levels of Sjp40 significantly increased with the maturation of eggs trapped in the rabbit livers. Sjp40 protein spread from the eggs to the surrounding egg granuloma at 45 dpi when acute liver granulomatous lesions occur, suggesting that Sjp40 plays a key role in egg granulomas formation in the livers of infected New Zealand white rabbits.

Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Antigens, Helminth ; metabolism ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Granuloma ; parasitology ; Helminth Proteins ; metabolism ; Liver ; parasitology ; RNA, Messenger ; Rabbits ; Schistosoma japonicum ; Schistosomiasis japonica

OBJECTIVETo assess the association of C677T and A1298C polymorphisms of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene with the susceptibility to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

METHODSBlood samples of 115 PCOS patients and 58 fertile women (for whom PCOS has been excluded) were collected for DNA extraction. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used for determining the C677T and A1298C polymorphisms. A database has been set up with Epidata and a significance test was performed with a statistical analysis system.

RESULTSA significant difference has been found in the allele frequencies of MTHFR gene 677 C and T polymorphisms between the two groups (P<0.01), for which T allele has increased the risk for PCOS by 2.06 times. Heterozygous and homozygous genotypes at position 677 (CT and TT) were more common among PCOS cases than controls, with an OR of 3.91 (95%CI: 1.70-8.97) and 4.39 (95%CI: 1.77-10.89), respectively. There was no statistical difference in genotypic distribution of MTHFR gene A1298C polymorphism (P>0.05). In the PCOS group, there was a significant difference with an OR of 6.40 (95%CI: 1.71-23.95) for an increased risk of insulin resistance in homozygous C677T mutations (TT) compared with the wild genotype (CC, P<0.01). The PCOS group and the control group also differed significantly in their red blood cell folate levels (P<0.01), but not in serum vitamin B12 and homocysteine levels (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONMTHFR gene C677T polymorphism is associated with PCOS, for which CT and TT genotypes can increase the risk of PCOS. The TT genotype can also increase the risk of insulin resistance in PCOS patients. The A1298C polymorphism of the MTHFR gene is not associated with the occurrence of PCOS. The folate level in red blood cells of PCOS patients is lower, for whom folate should be supplemented.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Alleles ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2) ; genetics ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; enzymology ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Young Adult

Objective To examine the expression profile and immunofluorescence localization of the major egg antigen p40 of Schistosoma japonicum (Sjp40) during granuloma formation in the liver of infected New Zealand white rabbits. Methods New Zealand white rabbits were infected with S. japonicum cercariae, and the livers were harvested at 29 and 45 days post-infection (dpi). The total RNA of the liver tissues was extracted for expression profiling of Sjp40 by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) with GAPDH of S. japonicum as the endogenous reference gene. The expression of Sjp40 in the liver were detected by Western blotting using anti-Sjp40 monoclonal antibody (mAb) 9G7 or anti-Toxoplasma gondii tSAG1 mAb Y3A8 (control) as the primary antibody. Paraffin sections of the liver were prepared for observing egg granuloma formation using HE staining and for indirect immunofluorescence assay of Sjp40 location in the trapped eggs and egg granulomas. Results The level of Sjp40 mRNA in the eggs trapped in rabbit livers was significantly higher at 45 dpi than that at 29 dpi (P<0.05), and Western blotting confirmed the presence of Sjp40 protein in the rabbit livers at both 29 and 45 dpi. Immunofluorescence assay demonstrated localized expression of Sjp40 in the immature eggs in the rabbit liver at 29 dpi, but at 45 dpi fluorescence was detected in clusters of mature eggs containing miracidium and in the surrounding egg granulomas. Conclusion The transcriptional levels of Sjp40 significantly increased with the maturation of eggs trapped in the rabbit livers. Sjp40 protein spread from the eggs to the surrounding egg granuloma at 45 dpi when acute liver granulomatous lesions occur, suggesting that Sjp40 plays a key role in egg granulomas formation in the livers of infected New Zealand white rabbits.