Objective To explore the main factors affecting the MV imager projection offset in the machine performance check(MPC)for Varian Vital Beam linear accelerator.Methods The MV imager projection offsets in the MPC after repairing the MV imaging arm encoder of shoulder motor,locking the treatment couch,and isocenter calibration were analyzed.Results MPC results revealed that the MV imager projection offset after repairing the MV imaging arm encoder of shoulder motor was(0.310±0.001)mm,significantly less than(0.450±0.010)mm in the blank group.The difference in MV imager projection offset between the isocenter calibration group and the blank group was trivial.The MV imager projection offset after locking the treatment couch was(0.240±0.030)mm,significantly less than(0.450±0.010)mm in the blank group.When MPC was carried out after repairing the imaging arm encoder and performing isocenter calibration,there was no significant statistical difference in MV imager center offset between the locked and unlocked treatment couch.Conclusion The damage of MV imaging arm encoder of shoulder motor is the main factor causing abnormal MV imager projection offsets.Locking the treatment couch before the MV imaging center check can reduce the results,but it cannot eliminate the MV imager projection offset.

Objective To investigate the dynamic expression of cluster of differentiation 47 (CD47) and its ligands signaling regulatory protein α (SIRPα) and thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) in mice infected with Toxoplasma gondii in the second and third trimesters.. Methods C57BL/6J mice (6 to 8 weeks old) were used for modeling T. gondii infection in the first trimester, and the pregnant mice were randomly divided into the normal control and infection groups, of 10 mice in each group. Pregnant mice in the infection group were intraperitoneally injected with 150 T. gondii tachyzoites on gestational day (Gd) 6.5, while pregnant mice in the normal control group were intraperitoneally injected with the same volume of physiological saline at the same time. The uterine and placental specimens were collected from all pregnant mice on Gd12.5 and Gd18.5, and the pregnant outcomes were recorded. The pathological damages of mouse uterine and placental specimens were observed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining on Gd12.5 and Gd18.5. The relative expression of CD47, SIRPα, TSP-1, surface antigen 1 (SAG1), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4 and IL-13 mRNA was quantified in mouse uterine and placental specimens using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay, and the CD47, SIRPα, TSP-1 expression was determined in mouse uterine and placental specimens using immunohistochemical staining. Results As compared with those in the normal control group, the pregnant mice in the infection group showed back arching, bristling, trembling and listlessness during pregnancy, and several mice presented virginal bleeding and abortion. Pathological examinations showed inflammatory cell infiltration, congestion and necrosis in uterine and placental specimens of pregnant mice in the infection group, a higher abortion rate of pregnant mice was seen in the infection group than in the normal control group on Gd12.5 (χ² = 20.405, P < 0.001) and Gd18.5 (χ² = 28.644, P < 0.001). qPCR assay showed significant differences in the expression of CD47, SIRPα, TSP-1, SAG1, INF-γ, IL-2, IL-4 and IL-13 genes in mouse placental specimens between the normal control and infection groups on Gd12.5 and Gd18.5 [F′ (F) = 37.511, 29.337, 97.343, 53.755, 67.188, 21.145, 8.658 and 13.930, all P values < 0.001]. Higher CD47, SIRPα and TSP-1 gene expression was quantified in mouse placental specimens in the infection group than in the normal control group on Gd12.5 (all P values < 0.01), and lower CD47, SIRPα and TSP-1 gene expression was quantified in the infection group than in the normal control group on Gd18.5 (all P values < 0.001), while higher SAG1 gene expression was detected in placental specimens of pregnant mice in the infection group than in the normal control group on Gd12.5 and Gd18.5 (both P values < 0.01). In addition, higher INF-γ and IL-2 expression and lower IL-4 and IL-13 expression was detected in mouse placental specimens in the infection group than in the normal control group on Gd12.5 and Gd18.5 (all P values < 0.001), and there were significant differences in the CD47, SIRPα, TSP-1, SAG1, INF-γ, IL-2, IL-4 and IL-13 gene expression in uterine specimens of pregnant mice between the normal control and infection groups on Gd12.5 and Gd18.5 [H(F′ and F) = 14.951, 25.977, 18.711, 48.595, 39.318, 14.248 and 15.468, all P values < 0.01], and higher CD47 and TSP-1 expression was detected in mouse uterine specimens in the infection group than in the control group on Gd12.5 and Gd18.5 (all P values < 0.01); however, no significant difference was found in the SIRPα expression (P > 0.05). Higher SAG1 expression was detected in uterine specimens of pregnant mice in the infection group than in the normal control group on Gd12.5 and Gd18.5 (both P values < 0.01), and higher INF-γ and IL-2 gene expression and lower IL-4 and IL-13 gene expression was found in the placental specimens of pregnant mice in the infection group than in the normal control group on Gd12.5 and Gd18.5 (all P values < 0.001). Spearman correlation analysis showed that the CD47 gene expression correlated positively with IFN-γ (r_s = 0.735, P < 0.05) and IL-2 (r_s = 0.655, P < 0.05) and negatively with IL-4 (r_s = −0.689, P < 0.05) and IL-13 expression (r_s = −0.795, P < 0.05) in the placental specimens of pregnant mice in the infection group on Gd12.5, and the CD47 gene expression correlated negatively with IFN-γ (r_s = −0.745, P < 0.05) and IL-2 expression (r_s = −0.816, P < 0.05) and positively with IL-4 (r_s = 0.704, P < 0.05) and IL-13 (r_s = 0.802, P < 0.05) in the placental specimens of pregnant mice in the infection group on Gd18.5. Immunohistochemical staining showed mild CD47, SIRPα and TSP-1 expression in uterine and placental specimens of pregnant mice in the normal control group on Gd12.5 and Gd18.5, strong CD47, SIRPα and TSP-1 expression in the placental specimens of pregnant mice in the infection group on Gd12.5 and strong CD47 and TSP-1 expression in the uterine specimens of pregnant mice in the infection group on Gd12.5. Conclusions T. gondii infection in the first trimester may cause abnormal expression of CD47 and its ligands SIRPα and TSP-1 in the maternal-fetal interface of pregnant mice in the second and third trimesters, which may be associated with the immune escape of T. gondii at the maternal-fetal interface.

Objective To predict the structure and antigenic epitope of the Strongyloides stercoralis serine protease inhibitor 1 (Ss-SRPN-1) protein using bioinformatics tools, and to construct prokaryotic expression plasmids for expression of recombinant Ss-SRPN-1 protein, so as to provide the basis for unraveling the function of the Ss-SRPN-1 protein. Methods The amino acid sequence of the Ss-SRPN-1 protein was downloaded from the NCBI database, and the physicochemical properties, structure and antigenic epitopes of the Ss-SRPN-1 protein were predicted using bioinformatics tools, including ExPASy, SWISS-MODEL and Protean. Primers were designed according to the nucleotide sequences of Ss-SRPN-1, and the Ss-SRPN-1 gene was amplified, cloned and sequenced with genomic DNA extracted from the infective third-stage larvae of S. stercoralis as a template. The Ss-SRPN-1 protein sequence was cloned into the pET28a (+) expression vector and transformed into Escherichia coli BL21 (DE) cells for induction of the recombinant Ss-SRPN-1 protein expression. The recombinant Ss-SRPN-1 protein was then purified and identified using Western blotting and mass spectrometry. Results Bioinformatics analysis showed that the Ss-SRPN-1 protein, which was composed of 372 amino acids and had a molecular formula of C₁₉₄₈H₃₀₄₆N₄₈₈O₅₇₅S₁₆, was a stable hydrophilic protein, and the subcellular localization of the protein was predicted to be extracellular. The Ss-SRPN-1 protein was predicted to contain 11 dominant B-cell antigenic epitopes and 20 T-cell antigenic epitopes. The Ss-SRPN-1 gene with a length of 1 119 bp was successfully amplified, and the recombinant plasmid pET28a (+)/Ss-SRPN-1 was constructed and transformed into E. coli BL21(DE) cells. The expressed recombinant Ss-SRPN-1 protein had a molecular weight of approximately 43 kDa, and was characterized as a Ss-SRPN-1 protein. Conclusions The recombinant Ss-SRPN-1 protein has been expressed successfully, and this recombinant protein may be a potential vaccine candidate against strongyloidiasis.

Objective:To explore the application effect of the caregiver self-management support project in main caregivers of adolescents with epilepsy.Methods:Using the convenient sampling method, the main caregivers of adolescents with epilepsy who were enrolled before implementation of the caregiver self-management support project of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January to August 2019 were included in the control group ( n=101) , and they were given routine follow-up. The main caregivers of adolescents with epilepsy who were enrolled after the implementation of the project from September 2019 to June 2020 were included in the study group ( n=101) . Before and after the intervention, the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) , Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire (SCSQ) , Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) , Life Satisfaction Index A (LSIA) and Medical Outcome Study Social Support Survey (MOS-SSS) were used to compare the psychological resilience, coping style, quality of life and social support of caregivers between the two groups. Finally, a total of 98 caregivers in the study group and 97 caregivers in the control group completed the study. Results:After the intervention, the scores of dimensions of CD-RISC, positive coping score of SCSQ, LSIA score and dimensions scores of MOS-SSS of main caregivers in the study group were higher than those in the control group, while the scores of negative coping of SCSQ and ZBI were lower than those in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:The caregiver self-management support project helps to strengthen the psychological resilience of the main caregivers of adolescents with epilepsy, enhance their active coping style and social support and improve their quality of life.

Objective:To summarize the clinical characteristics and laboratory diagnostic methods of infant botulism caused by Clostridium botulinum type B. Methods:Clinical data of 3 infants with type B botulism who were admitted to Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Capital Institute of Pediatrics from May to November 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Botulinum toxin was detected in fecal samples or fecal enrichment solution of the patients, and Clostridium botulinum was cultured and isolated from fecal samples. Results:The age of onset of the patients (two boys and one girl) was 3, 3 and 8 months old, respectively. Two cases had the onset in May and one case had the onset in November. There were two cases with mixed feeding and one case with breast feeding. One case′s family members engaged in meat processing. All of them were previously healthy. All the children presented with acute flaccid paralysis, cranial nerve involvement and difficult defecation. Two cases had secondary urinary tract infection. Electromyograms of two cases showed that action potential amplitude of the motor nerve were lower than those of their peers. After treatments including intravenous human immunoglobulin, respiratory tract management, urethral catheterization, nasal feeding, etc., three cases recovered completely 2 to 4 months later. Type B botulinum toxin was detected in the fecal diluent of one patient, and the TPGYT enrichment solution and cooked meet medium of the feces of 3 patients, respectively. Clostridium botulinum B was identified from the feces of 3 infants after culture, isolation and purification. Conclusions:Combined with typical clinical manifestations including acute flaccid paralysis, cranial nerve involvement symptoms and difficult defecation examination, infant botulism can be clinically diagnosed. The detection of fecal botulinum toxin and the culture and isolation of Clostridium botulinum are helpful for the diagnosis.

Objective: To summarize the clinical manifestations and determine the molecular etiology for two collagen type Ⅵ-related myopathy pedigrees. Methods: Two spontaneous collagen type Ⅵ-related myopathy patients were admitted to Department of Neurology, Children′s Hospital, Capital Institute of Pediatrics in October 2017. Clinical data of probands and their family members were collected and their genomic DNA was obtained for genetic testing. Next generation sequencing was performed and the variants were verified by the Sanger sequencing in the family members. Results: Target region sequencing indicated that the proband of family 1 has carried a heterozygous variant of COL6A3 gene, c.6229G>C(p.Gly2077Arg), and it was de novo variant confirmed by Sanger-sequencing in the family.The patient 1, a 2-year-three-month old boy, was admitted due to motor retardation at birth. He was defined as early severe Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy. He never achieved independent ambulation, he had onset of symptoms was found at birth, including diffuse muscle weakness, striking distal joint hyperlaxity, proximal contractures, calcaneal protrusion, kyphosis, and hip dislocation. Serum CK level was elevated slightly and EMG showed neurogenic changes. The patient 2, a 7-year-old girl with a limp for 4 years, carried one de novo variant of COL6A3 gene,c.5169_5177del (p.Glu1724_Leu1726del). This variant results in the deletion of amino acids (1724 to 1726) in α3 chain of collagen Ⅵ, which may disturb the function of this protein.She was diagnosed as Bethlem myopathy with a mild phenotype. She had delayed motor milestones and presented with walking on tiptoe, hypotonia, and ithylordosis. The contracture of proximal joints was not very obvious. Serum CK level was normal and EMG showed myogenic changes.Muscle biopsy revealed muscular dystrophy and muscle magnetic resonance imaging of patient 2 showed vastus lateral is a "sandwich" sign. Immunofluorescence staining for COL6A3 chain in the cultured skin fibroblasts from patients 2 showed decreased deposition compared with control. Conclusions These two patients were diagnosed as spontaneous collagen type Ⅵ-related myopathy and carried different variants of COL6A3 gene. Different in pathogenetic variants could cause different genetic features and different phenotypes. Collagen type Ⅵ- related myopathy patients have various clinical manifestations. Typical phenotypes include muscular dystrophies, proximal contractures, and distal hyperlaxity. Muscle MRI shows diffuse fatty infiltration of gluteus maximus and thigh muscle. The histological staining showed the low level expression of COL6A3 chain. The seventy of phenotype was related to the genotype.

Objective To investigate the clinical outcome of pancreatic pseudocyst(PPC)treated with non-surgical methods,and to compare the efficacy and safety between percutaneous drainage and endoscopic drainage in the management of PPC.Methods From February 2010 to July 2017,clinical data of patients with PPC,who received percutaneous drainage or endoscopic drainage,were retrospectively analyzed.The symptom relief rate,short-term and long-term radiologic remission rate,complication rate, recurrence rate and length of hospital stay were compared between patients treated by ultrasound guided percutaneous drainage(percutaneous group),by endoscopic ultrasonography-guided drainage(EUS group)and by endoscopic retrograde pancreatography guided transpapillary drainage(ERP group).Two independent samples t test,one-way analysis of variance,non-parametric test and Fisher′s exact test were performed for statistical analysis.Results A total of 153 patients were treated and the operation was successfully conducted in 148 patients(96.7%),of whom 39 were in percutaneous group,73 in EUS group and 36 in ERP group.The median follow-up time was 26 weeks(two weeks to 358 weeks).The symptom relief rate,long-term radiographic remission rate,complication rate,recurrence rate and retreatment rate of percutaneous group,EUS group and ERP group were 87.2%(34/39),79.5%(58/73),80.6%(29/36);81.5%(22/27),88.6%(39/44),66.7%(16/24);17.9%(7/39),28.8%(21/73),16.7%(6/36);15.0%(3/20),13.8%(8/58),10.0%(2/20);and 10.3%(4/39),8.2%(6/73),2.8%(1/36),respectively.There was no statistically significant difference among three groups (all P> 0.05).The short-term radiographic remission rate of ERP group was significantly lower than those of percutaneous group and EUS group(46.7%,14/30 vs 77.1%,27/35 and 87.7%,64/73),and the differences were statistically significant(χ2 =6.442 and 19.450,both P<0.01).The median hospital stay of percutaneous group was longer than those of EUS group and ERP group(14.0 days vs 9.0 days and 8.0 days),and the differences were statistically significant(Z= -3.687 and -2.630,both P<0.01).Conclusions The efficacies of percutaneous drainage and EUS-guided drainage are both better than ERP,and they are effective and safe methods especially for the patients with complication of pseudocysts and necrosis debris in pseudocysts.However,the hospitalization time of percutaneous drainage is longer. In addition,percutaneous drainage can be an alternative method after failed endoscopic drainage.

Objective To investigate the knowledge and willingness of genetic counseling and testing in blood relatives of breast cancer patients.Methods A total of 922 blood relatives of breast cancer patients finished our questionnaire.Data were devided into different groups according to age,family history of tumor for statistical analysis.Results Most of the respondents were unaware of genetic counseling and genetic testing.However,after a brief introduction,major of them were willing to accept genetic counseling,breast cancer risk evaluation and screening.Specifically,79.8％ of them were willing to accept genetic counseling,and 62.3％ were willing to accept genetic testing.Most of the respondents would accept inexpensive early genetic screening.For the genetic testing with higher prices,only 37.9％ of them would accept it.Supposing a positive genetic testing result,most of them were willing to perform prevention through close follow-upscreening,31.3％ of them would choose prophylactic surgery or drugs.Despite being told the confidentiality of the test results,32.9％ of them worried about the adverse effects of genetic test.Conclusions Most of the blood relatives of breast cancer patients were unaware of counseling and genetic testing,but had apparent willingness to accept them.Misunderstanding of genetic characteristics,costs and concerning about discrimination are obstacles for the respondents to accept genetic counseling,genetic testing and related screening prevention.

Objective To investigate the effect of different promoters on the expression level of transgene containing MAR expression vector in recombinant CHO cells.Methods The CMV promoter and 3-globin MAR were amplified by PCR,then CMV promoter was replaced the SV40 promoter in pCAT1 for constructing the expression vector droved by CMV promoter.The control vectors of pCAT1 and pCAT2 without containing MAR were simultaneously transfected into the CHO cells.Then the stably transfected cell line was screened by G418.The CAT gene expression level was analyzed by ELISA.Results The expression level of CAT enzyme in the cells transfected with MAR-containing vectors was increased compared with the cells transfected by pCATG and pCAT3 vectors without containing MAR,which were increased by 1.75 and 1.25 times respectively(P＜0.05);but CAT enzyme expression level in the pCAT1 transfected cells droved by SV40 promotor with the MAR-containing expression vectors was 1.4 times higher than that in the pCAT2 vector droved by the CMV promoter(P＜0.05).Conclusion MAR can enhance the transgene expression level in stably recombinant CHO cells,and the promoting efficiency of SV40 promoter and MAR combination is superior to that of CMV promoter and MAR combination.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the knowledge and willingness of breast cancers patients from Shanghai for genetic counseling and gene testing.

METHODSA total of 428 patients filled out the questionnaire and the data was statistically analyzed.

RESULTSMost of the patients were unaware of genetic counseling and gene testing. But after a brief introduction, a majority of them were willing to accept genetic counseling and recommend their family members to participate. The willingness was education- and age-related. When told that gene testing may benefit themselves, 92.1% of the patients were willing to be tested. However, when told that gene testing may only benefit their family, only 33.9% of the patients were willing to join the testing. The acceptance was also age-, education- and family income-related. The difference was statistically significant. Moreover, the willingness ratio to participate the gene testing was lower than expected. Overall, 74.1% of the patients were willing to accept cheaper preliminary gene screening, whilst only 19.2% were willing to accept genetic testing of higher price. Despite of being told that testing results will be maintained as confidential, still 43.2% worried about adverse effects. Such patients tended to younger, from low-income families, with a family history of associated cancers, or personal history of other cancers. The difference was statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONThe majorities of patients do not know but are willing to accept genetic counseling and gene testing and recommend their family to participate. Lack of genetic knowledge, cost for the testing and concerns about discrimination are the obstacles for patients to participate in genetic counseling and gene testing. To spread the knowledge about breast cancer and establish a follow-up screening system for high-risk population may improve the tertiary prevention for breast cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; statistics & numerical data ; BRCA1 Protein ; genetics ; BRCA2 Protein ; genetics ; Breast Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; ethnology ; genetics ; Chi-Square Distribution ; China ; Educational Status ; Female ; Genetic Counseling ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Genetic Testing ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Social Class