Pancreatic polypeptide(PP),a pancreatic hormone containing 36 amino acids,plays impor-tant roles in the diagnosis and evaluation of pancreatic function,injury and diseases.In this study,a phage nanobody library against PP was constructed to screen specific PP nanobodies,which would be used to evaluate whether they have binding activity with PP antigen.After PP antigen with high purity was prepared by prokaryotic expression system,it was used to immunize alpaca to construct the nanobody li-brary against PP with high storage capacity and high abundance,from which 8 strains of PP nanobodies were obtained by phage display.One of nanobody strain(PP-VHH)was selected to be expressed in a prokaryotic expression system,which was induced overnight by IPTG.After purification and identifica-tion,the antigen-antibody binding activity and PP level in serum were detected by indirect ELISA and Sandwich ELISA methods,respectively.The results showed that PP-VHH had binding activity with PP,which could be used to detect PP in chicken and human serum.The Sandwich ELISA methods with R2 of the fitting curve 0.9868 could be used to detect PP concentrations of 48-55 pg/mL in the serum of chick-ens,while the concentrations of PP in human serum varied significantly.In summary,PP-VHH screened from nanobody library against PP could detect PP in serum,which would supply the basis for evaluation of abnormal pancreatic function and diagnosis of relative disease.

Acupuncture is an ancient therapeutic method based on the theory of Chinese medicine (CM). Traditional acupuncture has many limitations; it is subjective and relies more on the experience of an acupuncturist, and the efficacy is sometimes irreproducible. In contrast, electroacupuncture (EA) has special characteristics in terms of objectivity and stability, thereby gaining considerable attention. Parameter setting plays a crucial role in EA practice. The current paper summarizes the current situation and limitations of parameter setting in EA practice. Objectification is the tendency and future of CM as well as EA. With the development of computerized technologies, such as wearable sensors, vast data, and artificial intelligence, CM syndromes can be successfully objectified. We propose the development of a novel self-feedback-adjust EA system, which may improve the parameter setting in EA and be beneficial to both the patients and clinicians.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Artificial Intelligence ; Electroacupuncture ; Humans

Objective:To evaluate the value of whole exome sequencing (WES) in prenatal clinical application.Methods:A total of 1 152 cases of congenital abnormal [including structural malformation, nuchal translucency (NT) thickening and intrauterine growth restriction] with traditional prenatal diagnosis [including G-band karyotype analysis and chromosome microarray analysis (CMA)] negative were analyzed. The congenital abnormal fetuses were divided into retrospective group and prospective group according to the time of WES detection, that is whether the pregnancy termination or not. According to the specific location of fetal malformation and their family history, the cohort was divided into subgroups. The clinical prognosis of all fetuses were followed up, and the effect of WES test results on pregnancy decision-making and clinical intervention were analyzed. According to the follow-up results, the data of fetuses with new phenotypes in the third trimester or after birth were re-analyzed.Results:Among 1 152 families who received WES, 5 families were excluded because of nonbiological parents. Among the remaining 1 147 families, 152 fetuses obtained positive diagnosis (13.3%,152/1 147), including 74 fetuses in the retrospective group (16.1%,74/460) and 78 fetuses in the prospective group (11.4%,78/687). In fetuses with negative CMA and G-band karyotype analysis results but new phenotypes in the third trimester or after birth, the positive rate by WES data re-analysis was 4.9% (8/163). A total of 34 (21.3%, 34/160) fetuses were directly affected by the corresponding positive molecular diagnosis. Among 68 cases of live births with diagnostic variation grade 4, 29 cases (42.7%, 29/68) received appropriate medical intervention through rapid review of WES results.Conclusions:WES could increase the detection rate of abnormal fetuses with negative G-banding karyotype analysis and CMA by 13.3%. Prenatal WES could guide pregnancy decision-making and early clinical intervention. It might be an effective strategy to pay attention to the special follow-up of the third trimester and postnatal fetus and to re-analyze the WES data.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the application value of whole exome sequencing technology in fetuses with congenital structural abnormalities. METHODS: The chromosomal abnormalities of 1147 families were analyzed. According to the follow-up results, the data of fetuses with new phenotypes in late pregnancy or after birth were reanalyzed. Subgroups were divided according to the organs involved and whether single malformation or not. The gene regulatory network map was drawn by using string database and Cytoscape software. Fisher exact probability method was used to compare the difference of the diagnostic rate of pathogenic genes among the groups. RESULTS: A total of 160 fetal cases received positive molecular diagnosed, involving 178 variant sites of 125 pathogenic genes, including 8 cases (4.9%, 8/163) by data reanalysis, and the overall positive diagnosis rate was 13.9%. Diagnostic rate was highest in the group of skeletal malformation (31.5%, 39/124) and lowest in that with thoracic malformation (0, 0/32). The gene clusters of fetal edema and intrauterine growth restriction were independent, and were not associated with the major structural malformations. The probability of each parent carrying the same recessive gene variant was 0.03 (39/1146) and 0.08 (4/53) with positive family history. CONCLUSION For fetuses with congenital structural abnormalities that are negative for conventional genetic tests, 13.9% of phenotypic associated pathogenic/likely pathogenic genetic variants can be detected by whole exome sequencing technology. Its application value for prenatal diagnosis varies in fetus with different organs involved. Reanalysis of sequencing data for cases with new phenotypes in late pregnancy or after birth can further improve the molecular diagnosis rate. Further investigations are needed to explore the related genetic mechanisms.
Female ; Fetal Diseases ; Fetus/diagnostic imaging* ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Technology ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal ; Whole Exome Sequencing

Objective:To explore the effects of B-cell lymphoma-2/adenovirus E1B 19 000 interacting protein 3 (BNIP3) on the migration and motility of human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMECs) under hypoxia and the mechanism.Methods:The experimental research method was applied. (1) HDMECs were divided into normoxia group received routine culture and hypoxia 6, 12, 24 h groups treated under hypoxia with oxygen volume fraction of 2% for corresponding time according to the random number table (the same grouping method below). Western blotting was used to detect the protein expressions of BNIP3 and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3Ⅱ (LC3Ⅱ) in HDMECs. (2) HDMECs were divided into normoxia+ unloaded group, normoxia+ BNIP3 knockdown group, hypoxia+ unloaded group, and hypoxia+ BNIP3 knockdown group which were transfected with unloaded virus or BNIP3 knockdown virus and were subjected to normoxic or hypoxic treatment. The BNIP3 protein expression was detected by Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. The scratch area at 24 h post scratching was detected by scratch test, and the healing rate of scratch was calculated. The curve distance of cell movement was measured with the living cell workstation, and the speed of movement was calculated within 3 hours. (3) HDMECs were grouped and treated as experiment (2). Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining were performed to detect the protein expression of LC3Ⅱ. The number of sample was 3 in the above-mentioned experiments. Data were statistically analyzed with one-way analysis of variance and least significant difference test.Results:(1) Compared with those of normoxia group, the protein expressions of BNIP3 and LC3Ⅱ of cells in hypoxia 6, 12, 24 h groups were significantly increased ( P<0.01). (2) After 6 hours of culture, compared with that of hypoxia+ unloaded group, the BNIP3 protein expressions of cells in normoxia+ unloaded group and hypoxia+ BNIP3 knockdown group were significantly decreased ( P<0.05 or P<0.01). The red fluorescence denoting BNIP3 protein expression of cells in normoxia+ unloaded group and normoxia+ BNIP3 knockdown group was weak, the red fluorescence of cells in hypoxia+ unloaded group was strong, and the red fluorescence of cells in hypoxia+ BNIP3 knockdown group was significantly decreased compared with that in hypoxia+ unloaded group. After scratching for 24 hours, the scratch of cells in hypoxia+ unloaded group basically healed, while the remaining scratch area in the other three groups were large. The healing rates of scratch of cells in normoxia+ unloaded group, normoxia+ BNIP3 knockdown group, hypoxia+ unloaded group, and hypoxia+ BNIP3 knockdown group were (61±4)%, (58±4)%, (88±4)%, and (57±4)%, respectively. The healing rate of scratch of cells in hypoxia+ unloaded group was significantly higher than that in normoxia+ unloaded group ( P<0.01) and hypoxia+ BNIP3 knockdown group ( P<0.05). Within 3 hours of observation, the range of cell movement in hypoxia+ unloaded group was significantly larger than that in normoxia+ unloaded group, the range of cell movement in hypoxia+ BNIP3 knockdown group was significantly smaller than that in hypoxia+ unloaded group, and the curve movement velocity of cells in hypoxia+ unloaded group was significantly higher than that in normoxia+ unloaded group and hypoxia+ BNIP3 knockdown group ( P<0.01). (3) After 6 hours of culture, compared with hypoxia+ unloaded group, the LC3Ⅱ protein expressions of cells in hypoxia+ unloaded group and hypoxia+ BNIP3 knockdown group were decreased significantly ( P<0.05 or P<0.01). After 6 hours of culture, the red fluorescence denoting LC3 protein expressions of cells was weak in normoxia+ unloaded group and normoxia+ BNIP3 knockdown group, the red fluorescence of cells was significantly enhanced in hypoxia+ unloaded group, and the red fluorescence of cells was significantly inhibited in hypoxia+ BNIP3 knockdown group. Conclusions:BNIP3 can promote the migration and motility of HDMECs under hypoxia, and autophagy may be involved in the regulation migration of HDMECs by BNIP3.

Objective:To explore the effects and mechanism of B-cell lymphoma-2/E1B 19 000 interacting protein 3 (BNIP3) on the migration of human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMECs) under hypoxia.Methods:The experimental research method was applied. (1) HDMECs were divided into normoxic group received routine culture and hypoxic 6, 12, 24 h groups treated with hypoxia under oxygen volume fraction of 2% for corresponding time. Western blotting was used to detect the protein expressions of BNIP3 and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3Ⅱ (LC3Ⅱ) in HDMECs. (2) HDMECs were divided into normoxia+unloaded group, normoxia+BNIP3 knockdown group, hypoxia+unloaded group, and hypoxia+BNIP3 knockdown group which were transfected with unloaded virus or BNIP3 knockdown virus and were subjected normoxic or hypoxic treatment. The BNIP3 protein expression was detected by Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. The scratch area at 24 h post scratching was detected by scratch test, and the wound healing rate was calculated. The curve distance of cell movement was measured with the living cell workstation, and the speed of movement was calculated within 3 hours. (3) HDMECs were grouped and treated as experiment (2). Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining were performed to detect the protein expression of LC3Ⅱ. The samples were 3 in the above-mentioned experiments. Data were statistically analyzed with one-way analysis of variance and LSD test.Results:(1) Compared with normoxic group, the protein expressions of BNIP3 and LC3Ⅱ of cells in hypoxic 6, 12, 24 h groups were significantly increased (P<0.01). (2) After 6 hours of culture, compared with hypoxia+unloaded group, the BNIP3 expression of cells in hypoxia+BNIP3 knockdown group was significantly decreased (P<0.05). The red fluorescence of BNIP3 expression of cells in normoxia+unloaded group and normoxia+BNIP3 knockdown group was weak, the red fluorescence of cells in hypoxia+unloaded group was strong, and the red fluorescence of cells in hypoxia+BNIP3 knockdown was significantly decreased compared with that in hypoxia+unloaded group. After scratching for 24 hours, the scratch of cells in hypoxia+unloaded group basically healed, while the remaining scratch area in the other three groups were large. The wound healing rates in normoxia+unloaded group, normoxia+BNIP3 knockdown group, hypoxia+unloaded group, and hypoxia+BNIP3 knockdown group were (61±4)%, (58±4)%, (88±4)% and (57±4)%, respectively. There was significant difference in general comparison among these groups (F=14.57, P<0.01). The wound healing rate in hypoxia+unloaded group was significantly higher than that in normoxia+unloaded group (P<0.01) and hypoxia+BNIP3 knockdown group (P<0.05). Within 3 hours of observation, the range of cell movement in hypoxia+unloaded group was significantly larger than that in normoxia+unloaded group, and the range of cell movement in hypoxia+BNIP3 knockdown group was significantly smaller than that in hypoxia+unloaded group. Within 3 hours of observation, the curve movement velocity of cells in hypoxia+unloaded group was significantly higher than that in normoxia+unloaded group and hypoxia+BNIP3 knocdown group (P<0.01). (3) After 6 hours of culture, compared with hypoxia+unloaded group, the BNIP3 protein expression of cells in hypoxia+BNIP3 knockdown group decreased significantly (P<0.05). After 6 hours of culture, the red fluorescence of LC3 expression of cells was weak in normoxia+unloaded group and normoxia+BNIP3 knockdown group, the red fluorescence of LC3 expression of cells was significantly enhanced in hypoxia+unloaded group, and the red fluorescence of LC3 expression of cells was significantly inhibited in hypoxia+BNIP3 knockdown group.Conclusions:BNIP3 can promote the migration and motility of HDMECs under hypoxia, and autophagy may be involved in the regulation migration and motility of HDMECs by BNIP3.

Objective To investigate the long-term efficacy of PEG-IFN alpha-2a (PEG-IFNα-2a)plus ribavirin (RBV)in treatment of chronic hepatitis C (CHC)patients with IL28B single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)rs12979860 C/C type in different HCV genotypes.Methods A prospective study was conducted on 38 CHC patients from our hospital's Infection Department from March 2011 to September 2015.The patients were treated with PEG-IFNα-2a/RBV for 48 weeks.A 42-month follow-up of patients was performed after withdrawal of treatment.The main paramenters to value the efficacy were liver function,blood lipids,and sustained virological response (SVR).Results In the CHC patients with IL28B SNP rs12979860 C/C type,the rate of SVR in patients with antiviral therapy had no significant difference between groups 1b and 2a (73.33% and 95.65%,respectively, P＞0.05).After anti-HCV therapy,liver function indices such as ALT,AST,TBIL,TC,TG and HDL all significantly improved in the two groups (all P＜0.05).However,there was no difference in biochemical indices (ALT,GGT,bilirubin,blood lipids)between the two groups (all P＞0.05).Conclusion In CHC patients with IL28B SNP rs12979860 C/C type,the long-term efficacy of PEG-IFNα-2a/RBV is good.IFN-based antiviral therapy has a higher SVR rate,and liver function and lipid metabolism can be significantly improved.

OBJECTIVETo explore the genetic etiology of fetuses with ventricular septal defects (VSD) using chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA).

METHODSA total of 248 fetuses were divided into isolated VSD group, VSD with other cardiac and/or great vessels malformation group, VSD with extra-cardiac anomalies group (including malformation and sonographic soft markers), and VSD with both cardiac and extra-cardiac anomalies group. Standard karyotyping was carried out for all fetuses, and CMA was performed for 6 fetuses with an abnormal karyotype and a proportion of fetuses with a normal karyotype. All cases were followed up, and neonates were followed up until 1 year of age.

RESULTSChromosomal abnormalities were identified in 60 (24.2%) of the 248 fetuses. For 6 of the fetuses subjected to further CMA analysis, the origin of abnormal chromosomes were clarified, among which 2 have overlapped with the critical region of Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome. Candidate genes for VSD included WHSC1, LBX1, LDB3 and BBS10. For 143 fetuses with a normal karyotype, CMA has identified pathogenic copy number variations (CNVs) in 11 cases (7.7%). These included 9 well-known microdeletion or microduplication syndromes, including 22q11.2 microdeletion, 17p11.2 microdeletion (Smith-Magenis syndrome), 17p13.3 microdeletion (Miller-Dieker syndrome), 1p36 microdeletion, 1q21.1 microduplication and 4q deletion. Candidate genes for VSD included TBX1, LZTR1, FAT1, AKAP10, SKI, PRDM26, GJA5, ERCC4 and YWHAE. For 48.7% of the fetuses with benign CNVs, spontaneously closure has occurred within the first year of life.

CONCLUSIONCMA may increase the detection rate of submicroscopic imbalances by 7.7%. No significant correlation between different groups of VSD and the pathogenic CNVs was observed. Whole-genome CMA should be recommended to the fetuses with VSD but a normal karyotype. Nearly half of VSDs with benign CNVs may close spontaneously within the first year of life.

Chromosome Aberrations ; Chromosome Deletion ; DNA Copy Number Variations ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; genetics ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Karyotyping ; Microarray Analysis ; methods ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; methods

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of intensive lifestyle intervention on rural residents with metabolic syndrome (MS) . Methods A total of 253 patients with MS selected from cross-sectional survey were divided into intensive lifestyle intervention and conventional management group incomplete randomly. Aimed to control weight, patients in the intervention group were treated with dietary control and exercise guidance. Besides, their compliances were assessed. In conventional management group, patients were disposed according to chronic disease management specification. Anthropometric measurements and biochemical markers detection were carried out in both groups at baseline and at the end of 6 months. Results These main anthropometric measurements and biochemical markers have no significant difference between the intervention group and conventional management group at the baseline (P>0.05) . After 6 months intensive lifestyle modification, the prevalence of MS did not significantly differ between the two groups: it was 67.14% in the intervention group and 60.95% in the conventional management group (P>0.05) .In the intervention group, the body weight, BMI and the waist circumference were decreased by 3.11 kg, 1.50 kg/m2, 4.29 cm, respectively, and 1.23 kg, 0.47 kg/m2, 1.22 cm in the conventional management group. The changes were significantly larger in the intervention group than in the conventional management group (P<0.01) .Uric acid, triglyceride were decreased by 14.30 μmol/L, 0.01 mmol/L, respectively, in the intervention group and in the conventional management group they were increased by 18.17 μmol/L and 0.41 mmol/L conversely. While the high density lipoprotein cholesterol was increased by 0.02 mmol/L, it was decreased by 0.10 mmol/L in the conventional management group (P<0.01) . Body weight and BMI decreased by 3.93kg and 1.40 kg/m2 in the high compliance group, compared to low compliance group, there was statistically difference with regard to this change between the two groups (P<0.05) . While the body fat% was decreased by 2.27%, and it was increased by 1.01% in the conventional management group (P<0.05) . Conclusion For rural residents, the beneficial effects of intensive lifestyle intervention are improving metabolic risk factors. The compliance is the main factor of the effects of intervention.

OBJECTIVETo study the feasibility of using Narcotrend (NCT) in monitoring the anesthetic depth during endotracheal intubation in sevoflurane anesthesia.

METHODSThirty ASA I-II patients (aged 20-49 years) undergoing gynecologic surgery under general anesthesia with tracheal intubation were randomized into sevoflurane group (n=15) and sevoflurane plus rocuronium group (n=15). In the former group, anesthesia was induced with sevoflurane at the primary concentration of 8% till the final end expiratory concentration reaching 2 MAC(minimum alveolar concentration) for 3 min, followed then by tracheal intubation and further observation of the indicators for another 3 min. The patients in sevoflurane plus rocuronium group received identical anesthesia procedures except for the administration of intravenous injection of rocuronium (0.6 mg/kg) after the loss of eyelash reflex. The NCT, BIS and hemodynamics were recorded during the process.

RESULTSNo significant differences were noted in NCT, bispectral index (BIS), MAP and heart rate before tracheal intubation between the two groups (P>0.05). The NCT and BIS increased significantly after tracheal intubation in sevoflurane group (P<0.05), but remained below 60. No significant changes in NCT and BIS occurred during intubation in sevoflurane plus rocuronium group (P>0.05). The mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate were significantly increased in both groups after tracheal intubation in comparison with those before tracheal intubation (P<0.05), but the increment in sevoflurane group was significantly greater (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONNCT may reflect the changes of the anesthetic depth resulting from the nociceptive stimulus of tracheal intubation in sevoflurane- induced anesthesia. NCT and BIS can not serve such a purpose in combined anesthesia with sevoflurane and rocuronium.

Adult ; Androstanols ; administration & dosage ; Anesthesia ; Anesthetics, Intravenous ; administration & dosage ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; methods ; Methyl Ethers ; administration & dosage ; Middle Aged ; Monitoring, Intraoperative ; methods ; Young Adult