Objective To establish a recurrence risk prediction model for meningioma based on HOXA9 DNA methylation.Methods Meningioma-related datasets were downloaded from GEO database for screening homeobox genes(HOXs)with prognostic values using differential methylation and ROC curve analysis and Cox regression analysis.The differentially methylated CpG sites with high predictive efficacy were selected to establish the risk prediction model using Lasso-Cox regression analysis,based on which the patients were divided into high-and low-risk groups by the cutoff value.The methylation levels of CpG sites were verified at the cell and tissue levels using methylation-specific PCR(MS-PCR).Clinical meningioma tissue samples were used to validate the predictive efficacy of the model.Results HOXA9 methylation level was significantly up-regulated in meningiomas(P<0.001)and showed a high diagnostic efficiency(AUC=0.884)as an independent risk factor for overall survival(P<0.01)positively correlated with the degree of malignancy and poor prognosis of meningioma(P<0.05).Risk stratification by HOXA9 methylation was more accurate than WHO grading for predicting recurrence and patient survival time.The AUCs of the sites cg03217995 and cg21001184 were both above 0.8 for meningioma diagnosis and above 0.6 for predicting recurrence.The patients'clinical characteristics differed significantly between the high-and low-risk groups(P<0.001),and the prediction score of the model was an independent prognostic factor for meningioma(P<0.05).MS-PCR results showed that the methylation levels of the two sites increased significantly in meningioma cells.In clinical samples,the combined model showed a high prediction efficiency(AUC=0.857),and the predicted risk of progression was highly consistent with the patients'actual condition.Conclusion High HOXA9 methylation level is a predictor for poor prognosis of meningiomas,and the combined prediction model based on its CpG sites provides a new approach to early screening of meningioma patients at risk of progression.

Purpose To explore the value of predicting risk classification of gastrointestinal stromal tumors(GIST)based on the model established by dural-phase enhanced CT based radiomics.Materials and Methods Totally 200 patients with pathologically confirmed GIST from October 2017 to July 2023 in the Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University were enrolled,including 69 cases with low-risk group(very low-risk,low-risk)and 131 with high-risk group(medium-risk,high-risk).All patients were randomly divided into training set(n=139)and validation set(n=61)at the ratio of 7∶3.Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis were used on clinical data and CT sings in the training set to obtain clinical-CT features for predicting the risk grade of GIST,and clinical-CT models were constructed.The radiomics features were extracted and screened from the three data sets of enhanced CT arterial phase,venous phase and arterial+venous phase,and the radiomics model was constructed to obtain the optimal radiomics features,respectively.The optimal radiomics features were obtained and combined with the clinical-CT features,a combination model was constructed and the normogram was drawn.The predictive efficiency of these models was evaluated by area under the curve(AUC).Results Tumor diameter was an independent predictor of GIST risk classification(OR=1.070,P＜0.001).The AUC of the combination model,model arterial+venous phase radiomics and model clinical-CT in the training set were 0.948,0.896 and 0.873,respectively;those in the validation set were 0.886,0.825 and 0.870,respectively.The AUC of the above three models showed statistical difference(Z=-3.167,-2.316,P＜0.05).Conclusion The radiomics features based on enhanced CT have good value in predicting risk classification of GIST.Compared with model clinical-CT and model radiomics,the combination model is the most effective in predicting the risk classification of GIST.

Objective To establish a recurrence risk prediction model for meningioma based on HOXA9 DNA methylation.Methods Meningioma-related datasets were downloaded from GEO database for screening homeobox genes(HOXs)with prognostic values using differential methylation and ROC curve analysis and Cox regression analysis.The differentially methylated CpG sites with high predictive efficacy were selected to establish the risk prediction model using Lasso-Cox regression analysis,based on which the patients were divided into high-and low-risk groups by the cutoff value.The methylation levels of CpG sites were verified at the cell and tissue levels using methylation-specific PCR(MS-PCR).Clinical meningioma tissue samples were used to validate the predictive efficacy of the model.Results HOXA9 methylation level was significantly up-regulated in meningiomas(P<0.001)and showed a high diagnostic efficiency(AUC=0.884)as an independent risk factor for overall survival(P<0.01)positively correlated with the degree of malignancy and poor prognosis of meningioma(P<0.05).Risk stratification by HOXA9 methylation was more accurate than WHO grading for predicting recurrence and patient survival time.The AUCs of the sites cg03217995 and cg21001184 were both above 0.8 for meningioma diagnosis and above 0.6 for predicting recurrence.The patients'clinical characteristics differed significantly between the high-and low-risk groups(P<0.001),and the prediction score of the model was an independent prognostic factor for meningioma(P<0.05).MS-PCR results showed that the methylation levels of the two sites increased significantly in meningioma cells.In clinical samples,the combined model showed a high prediction efficiency(AUC=0.857),and the predicted risk of progression was highly consistent with the patients'actual condition.Conclusion High HOXA9 methylation level is a predictor for poor prognosis of meningiomas,and the combined prediction model based on its CpG sites provides a new approach to early screening of meningioma patients at risk of progression.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the anatomical features and relative position of the brachiocephalic trunk and the trachea to provide an anatomical basis for diagnosis and treatment of mechanical airway obstruction and for facilitating the performance of tracheotomy. METHODS: A total of 91 formalin- fixed adult cadavers (70 male and 21 female) were used in this study. The whole length of the larynx and the trachea were separated and exposed from the neck to the chest, followed by separation of the aortic arch and its 3 branches to observe the anatomical position of the brachiocephalic trunk and the trachea. RESULTS: The brachiocephalic trunk and the trachea did not intersect in 3.30%, partially intersected in 71.43%, and completely intersected in 25.27% of the 91 cadaveric specimens. The male specimens all showed greater outer diameter of the aortic arch, the brachiocephalic trunk and the trachea with a greater length of the trachea than the female specimens (P < 0.05), while the distances from the aortic arch to the brachiocephalic trunk or the cricoid cartilage did not differ significantly between them (P > 0.05). The number of the tracheal cartilage rings above the brachiocephalic trunk ranged from 3 to 10, and the mean number did not differ significantly between the male and female specimens (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION The brachiocephalic trunk has complex anatomical relationship with the trachea, and caution should be taken to avoid injuries of the brachiocephalic trunk and the aortic arch in the diagnosis and treatment of mechanical respiratory obstruction and during tracheotomy.
Adult ; Female ; Male ; Humans ; Trachea ; Brachiocephalic Trunk ; Larynx ; Cadaver ; Formaldehyde

Background/Aims: Older adults are vulnerable to central obesity, while the association of changes in central fatness with risk of diabetes and metabolic control has not been investigated among this particular population. This study was aimed to address these issues. Methods: A total of 1,815 adults aged ≥ 60 years without diabetes at baseline were followed for 4 years. Incident diabetes was ascertained based on plasma glucose, hemoglobin A1c, medical history, and/or the use of anti-diabetic drugs. Central fatness was assessed by waist circumference (WC), waist-height ratio (WHtR), and body roundness index (BRI). Logistic regression analyses were used to assess the association of changes in central fatness with risk of diabetes, along with dose-response and mediation analyses. Results: During the 4-year follow-up, 177 participants developed diabetes. The risk of diabetes was increased by 42%, 41%, and 40% per 1 standard deviation increases in WC, WHtR, and BRI, respectively, in multivariable-adjusted models (all p < 0.01). Moreover, these relationships were all linearly-shaped (all pnonlinearity ≥ 0.11). Increases in WC, WHtR, and BRI correlated with increases in hemoglobin A1c, triglycerides-and-glucose index, triglycerides, white blood cell, and C-reactive protein (all p ≤ 0.04). Yet only changes in hemoglobin A1c and triglycerides-and-glucose index were identified as the possible mediators for risk of diabetes, with their mediating effect being about 35% and 21%, respectively. Conclusions Increases in central fatness were related to elevated risk of diabetes, and this association might be partly explained by the worsening of glycemic control and insulin resistance in older adults.

Objective: To analyze the genotypes, amino acid vatiations and molecular epidemiological characteristics of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection in pediatric patients in Gansu province for the future research. Methods: A total of 4 556 respiratory tract specimens were colleted from pediatric patients under 10 years of age in five cities in Gansu from 2012 to 2017. These specimens were tested for RSV and its subtypes.The coding region of the RSV G gene was amplified using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and sequenced for RSV positive specimens. Sequences were edited using DNA Star software. Sequence alignment and phylogenetic trees were built by MEGA 6.0 software. Results: Out of 4 556 specimens, 1 135 (24.91%) were positive for RSV, totally 216 G protein sequences were obtained. RSV A isolates were clustered into three genotypes: NA1、NA3 and ON1. The nucleotides and amino-acid homology was 84.9%-100% and 77.3%-100%, respectively. The nucleotides and amino-acid homology between this study and prototype long strain was 81.2%-83.3% and 74.1%-88.0%. RSV B isolates were clustered into only BA9 one genotypes. The nucleotides and amino-acid homology was 97.7%-100% and 95.8%-100%, respectively. The nucleotides and amino-acid homology between this study and prototype CH18537 strain was 84.9%-85.7% and 77.9%-80.1%. Conclusions The genetic characteristics and the amino-acid changes were analyzed systematically using data of RSV G gene collected from 2012 to 2017 in Gansu province in this study. These data were used for analyses of the etiology, control and prevention of RSV infection.

OBJECTIVE:To establish a method for the content determination of peoniflorin in Danggui shaoyao powder,and provide a reference for controlling the quality of the preparation. METHODS:HPLC was performed on the column of Symmetry C18 with mobile phase of acetonitrile-water(containing 0.1% phosphoric acid)(14∶86,V/V)at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min,detection wavelength was 230 nm,column temperature was 20℃,and injection volume was 20μl. RESULTS:The linear range of peoniflo-rin was 10-80 μg/ml(r=0.999 3);RSDs of precision,stability and reproducibility tests were lower than 2%;recovery was 98.3%-104.9%(RSD=2.0%,n=9). CONCLUSIONS:The method is simple,accurate and specific,and can be used for the con-tent determination of peoniflorin in Danggui shaoyao powder.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Lead ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; T-Lymphocyte Subsets ; immunology ; Young Adult

Objective To observe the effect of mifepristone (MIF) on the level of corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH),adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH),corticosterone (CORT),insulin (INS) and aldosterone (ALD) in plasma and expression of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) mRNA in hippocampus in type 2 diabetic rats and to discuss the effect and mechanism by which mifepristone improves hyperglycemia. Methods Type 2 diabetes mellitus model was induced by high-fat diet plus intragastric administration of low dose streptozotocin (30 mg·kg-1 ). Rats were randomly divided into normal control group,model control group,positive control (MET) (metformin hydrochloride 200 mg·kg-1 ·d-1 ) group,mifepristone low dose (MIF-L) (10 mg·kg-1 ·d-1 ),medium dose (MIF-M) (25 mg·kg-1 ·d-1 ) and high dose (MIF-H) (50 mg·kg-1 ·d-1 ) groups. The normal control group and model control group were given distilled water. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) was measured once a week. The rats were decapitated after five weeks. Organ index, corticotropin release hormone ( CRH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH),corticosterone(CORT),insulin(INS) and aldosterone(ALD) levels were measured. The expression of GR mRNA in hippocampus was measured by using real-time PCR. Results Compared with the normal control group, body weight was decreased significantly (P<0. 01),FBG was increased significantly (P<0. 01),organ index was increased significantly (P<0. 05), CRH,ACTH,CORT,INS and ALD were increased and the expression of GR mRNA in hippocampus was decreased (P<0. 01) in the model control group. Compared with model control group,body weight increased in MIF-M and MIF-H groups after administration for 14 days (P<0. 01). FBG was decreased in MIF-M group 1 to 4 weeks after administration,with significant difference (P<0. 05) at 4th week. The kidney index was decreased in MIF-M and MIF-H groups (P<0. 01,P<0. 05). CRH,ACTH and CORT were increased,ALD level was decreased in MIF-L group,CRH,ACTH,CORT and ALD were decreased,INS level was increased in MIF-M and MIF-H groups,without statistically significant differences (P>0. 05). Relative expression of GR mRNA was significantly increased in MIF-L,MIF-M and MIF-H groups (all P <0. 01). Conclusion Hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetic rats can be improved by MIF. The possible mechanism may be related to regulating the HPA axis through inhibiting GR.

Aim To investigate HPA axis change relation with glucose and lipid metabolism.Methods Wistar rats were injected intraperitoneally with STZ (30 mg·kg~(-1)) after fed with high lipid food for two months, then rats with blood glucose of over 15 mmol·L~(-1) were used in the experiment. Animals were divided into four groups: normal group, diabetic model group, treatment group (ROS 200 mg·kg~(-1) ·d~(-1) ig), and metformin group (200 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1) ig).Rats were decapitated after they had been administered ig for four weeks and were 24 hour urine collected.Plasma CRH, ACTH, corticosterone, hypothalamic CRH, ACTH of pituitary gland, 24 hour urinary corticosterone and plasma insulin were determined by ELISA and radio immunity kit respectively.Results In diabetic rat model induced by high lipid food and STZ, plasma and urinary glucose level and plasma TC, TG levels were increased, plasma HDL-C and hepatic glycogen content were reduced, which was synchronized with changes of higher pituitary ACTH, plasma and total 24 hour urine corticosterone excretion.Conclusion The disorder of glucose and lipid metabolism of model induced by high lipid food and low dose STZ may be linked to the change of HPA axis.The improvement of ROS on glucose and lipid metabolism in diabetic rats may be linked to the decrease of HPA axis activity.