[Application and research progress of patient-derived organoids in the multimodality treatment of pancreatic cancer]

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most malignant tumors with a 5-year survival rate of 13%. Difficulty in early diagnosis,high tumor heterogeneity,high rate of drug resistance,and lack of effective new drugs are the main reasons for the poor therapeutic effect. Traditional cell line models cannot simulate the tumor environment in vitro and cannot reflect the heterogeneity of pancreatic cancer,while animal models have a long culture process and cannot be used for high-throughput screening. Pancreatic cancer organoids can be continuously expanded and cultured in vitro,which can realistically reflect the heterogeneity of pancreatic cancer and allow high-throughput drug screening,making it an ideal tool for individualized precision diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer. According to recent studies on the evaluation of clinical drug efficacy using pancreatic cancer organoids,the drug sensitivity of pancreatic cancer organoids is highly consistent with the clinical efficacy,demonstrating the feasibility of drug sensitivity of pancreatic cancer organoids in guiding clinical therapy,comfirming the ability to discover potential therapeutic drugs through high-throughput drug screening of pancreatic cancer organoids. At the same time,this review reveals the importance of pancreatic cancer organoids as a model of the pancreatic cancer microenvironment for the development of new drugs and tumor microenvironment research. and the role of pancreatic cancer organoids as a model that can reflect the specific microenvironment of pancreatic cancer for new drug discovery and microenvironmental evaluation. Pancreatic cancer organoids and organ-on-chips are powerful tools for precision companion therapy and new drug discovery.

Single-cell analysis reveals a unique microenvironment in peri-implantitis

AIM

This study aimed to reveal the unique microenvironment of peri-implantitis through single-cell analysis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Herein, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) of biopsies from patients with peri-implantitis (PI) and compared the results with healthy individuals (H) and patients with periodontitis (PD).

RESULTS

Decreased numbers of stromal cells and increased immune cells were found in the PI group, which implies a severe inflammatory infiltration. The fibroblasts were found to be heterogeneous and the specific pro-inflammatory CXCL13+ sub-cluster was more represented in the PI group, in contrast to the PD and H groups. Furthermore, more neutrophil infiltration was detected in the PI group than in the PD group, and cell-cell communication and ligand-receptor pairs revealed most neutrophils were recruited by CXCL13+ fibroblasts through CXCL8/CXCL6-CXCR2/CXCR1. Notably, our study demonstrated that the unique microenvironment of the PI group promoted the differentiation of monocyte/macrophage lineage cells into osteoclasts, which might explain the faster and more severe bone resorption in the progression of PI than PD.

CONCLUSIONS

Collectively, this study suggests a unique immune microenvironment of PI, which may explain the differences between PI and PD in the clinic. These outcomes will aid in finding new specific and effective treatments for PI.

Ultra-high resistive switching current ratio and improved ferroelectricity and dielectric tunability performance in a BaTiO3/La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 heterostructure by inserting a SrCoO2.5 layer

A BaTiO3/SrCoO2.5 (BTO/SCO) bilayer and a BTO single film were prepared by radio frequency magnetron sputtering on La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (LSMO) buffered SrTiO3 (001) substrates. Interestingly, compared with reported BTO-based films, the BTO/SCO/LSMO heterostructure has a maximum ON/OFF current ratio of ∼945. More interestingly, compared with the BTO single layer, a larger Pr (∼18.4 μC cm-2) and larger dielectric tunability (∼71.9%) were achieved in the BTO/SCO bilayer. The improved performance may be attributed to the large tetragonality and improved oxygen vacancy concentrations in the BTO/SCO/LSMO heterostructure. Furthermore, our BTO/SCO/LSMO stacks exhibit potential for flexible electronic informational devices.

[Establishment and digital simulation of upper airway in patients with adenoid hypertrophy]

Objective: To analyze the flow field characteristics of the upper airway in patients with different adenoid hypertrophy using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Methods: From November 2020 to November 2021, the cone-beam CT (CBCT) data of 4 patients [2 males and 2 females,age range 5-7 years, mean (6.0±1.2) years] with adenoid hypertrophy who were hospitalized in the Department of Orthodontics and the Department of Otolaryngology at Hebei Eye Hospital were selected. The degree of adenoid hypertrophy in the 4 patients was divided into normal S1 (A/N<0.6), mild hypertrophy S2 (0.6≤A/N<0.7), moderate hypertrophy S3 (0.7≤A/N<0.9) and severe hypertrophy S4 (A/N≥0.9) according to the ratio of adenoid thickness to the width of nasopharyngeal cavity (A/N). The CFD model of the upper airway was established using ANSYS 2019 R1 software, and the internal flow field of the CFD model was numerically simulated. Eight sections were selected as observation and measurement planes for flow field information. Relevant flow field information includes airflow distribution, velocity variation, and pressure variation. Results: In the S1 model, the maximum pressure difference occurred in the 4th and 5th observation planes (ΔP=27.98). The lowest pressures and the maximum flow rates of S2 and S3 were located in the 6th observation plane. The airflow in S1 and S2 models completely passed through the nasal cavity. In the S3 model, the mouth-to-nasal airflow ratio was close to 2∶1. In S4 model, the airflow completely passed through the mouth; in the S1 and S2 models, hard palates were subjected to a downward positive pressure with a pressure difference of 38.34 and 23.31 Pa, respectively. The hard palates in S3 and S4 models were subjected to a downward negative pressure with a pressure difference of -2.95 and -21.81 Pa, respectively. Conclusions: The CFD model can objectively and quantitatively describe the upper airway airflow field information in patients with adenoid hypertrophy. With the increasing degree of adenoid hypertrophy, the nasal ventilation volume gradually decreased, whereas the oral space ventilation volume gradually increased, and the pressure difference between the upper and lower surfaces of the palate gradually decreased until the pressure became negative.

[Association between cord blood BPDE-DNA and neurodevelopment of children aged 0 and 2 years: A birth cohort study]

Objective: To explore the effects of mothers' exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons during pregnancy on their children's neurobehavioral development. Methods: In November 2009 to April 2010, a total of 221 pairs of mother-newborn pairs were recruited from two cooperative hospitals in Taiyuan, and their children were followed up at age two. High performance liquid chromatography was used to determine the level of BPDE-DNA in cord blood leukocytes. The Neonatal behavioral neurological assessment (NBNA) was used to assess the neurodevelopment of newborns, and the Gesell Development Scale was used to measure neurodevelopmental indexes of 2-year-old children. NBNA includes behavior, active and passive tone, primitive reflexes and general assessment, with a total score of 40 points. The Gesell Developmental Schedules consisted of four sub-scales: motor development, adaptive behavior development, language development and personal-social behavior development. We used mean and standard deviation to describe continuous variables with normal distribution, median (interquartile range) to describe continuous variables with skewed distribution, and frequency and proportion to describe categorical variables. Restricted cubic spline models were applied to assess the dose-response relationships between maternal prenatal polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposure and children's neurobehavioral development at two years old. Generalized linear models were applied to evaluate the effect of exposure to maternal prenatal polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposure on children's neurobehavioral development at 0 and two years old. Results: The NBNA score was 38.0±0.8, and the scores of 2-year-old children's motor, adaptive, language and personal-social were 111.6±15.0, 110.5±14.6, 108.8±17.2 and 111.7±14.5, respectively. After adjusting for confounding factors, there is no dose-response association between the cord blood BPDE of pregnant women and neonatal NBNA scores, but there were dose-response associations between BPDE and scores of 2-year-old children's motor, adaptive, language and personal-social. A unit increase in cord blood ln (BPDE-DNA), the score of motor, adaptive, language and personal-social of 2-year-old children decreased on average by 4.54、6.29、8.41 and 7.02 points. Conclusion: Maternal exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons during pregnancy is associated with decreased children's neurobehavioral development at two years old.

MitoQ supplementation augments acute exercise-induced increases in muscle PGC1α mRNA and improves training-induced increases in peak power independent of mitochondrial content and function in untrained middle-aged men

The role of mitochondrial ROS in signalling muscle adaptations to exercise training has not been explored in detail. We investigated the effect of supplementation with the mitochondria-targeted antioxidant MitoQ on a) the skeletal muscle mitochondrial and antioxidant gene transcriptional response to acute high-intensity exercise and b) skeletal muscle mitochondrial content and function following exercise training. In a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel design study, 23 untrained men (age: 44 ± 7 years, VO_2peak: 39.6 ± 7.9 ml/kg/min) were randomised to receive either MitoQ (20 mg/d) or a placebo for 10 days before completing a bout of high-intensity interval exercise (cycle ergometer, 10 × 60 s at VO_2peak workload with 75 s rest). Blood samples and vastus lateralis muscle biopsies were collected before exercise and immediately and 3 h after exercise. Participants then completed high-intensity interval training (HIIT; 3 sessions per week for 3 weeks) and another blood sample and muscle biopsy were collected. There was no effect of acute exercise or MitoQ on systemic (plasma protein carbonyls and reduced glutathione) or skeletal muscle (mtDNA damage and 4-HNE) oxidative stress biomarkers. Acute exercise-induced increases in skeletal muscle peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC1-α) mRNA expression were augmented in the MitoQ group. Despite this, training-induced increases in skeletal muscle mitochondrial content were similar between groups. HIIT-induced increases in VO_2peak and 20 km time trial performance were also similar between groups while training-induced increases in peak power achieved during the VO_2peak test were augmented in the MitoQ group. These data suggest that training-induced increases in peak power are enhanced following MitoQ supplementation, which may be related to the augmentation of skeletal muscle PGC1α expression following acute exercise. However, these effects do not appear to be related to an effect of MitoQ supplementation on exercise-induced oxidative stress or training-induced mitochondrial biogenesis in skeletal muscle.

[Comparative study on prognosis of neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by hepatic surgery versus upfront surgery in patients with synchronous colorectal liver metastasis]

Objective: To compare the survival outcome in patients with synchronous colorectal cancer liver metastasis receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by hepatic surgery versus upfront surgery strategies. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was carried out. Data of patients undergoing surgery at the Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery Unit I of Peking University Cancer Hospital from January 2008 to December 2018 for initially resectable synchronous colorectal liver metastasis were retrospectively collected. A total of 282 cases were enrolled, including 244 in the neoadjuvant chemotherapy group, 38 in the upfront surgery first group. The overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) of the two groups were compared. A propensity score risk adjustment was used to eliminate potential bias between groups, and the covariates including sex, age, location of primary tumor, T stage, clinical risk score (CRS), RAS gene status, adjuvant chemotherapy, and resection margin status were included for adjustment. Results: In the neoadjuvant chemotherapy group, 244 cases received 4 (1-15) cycles of chemotherapy before hepatic resection, among whom 207 cases received oxaliplatin-based regimens, 37 cases received irinotecan-based regimens, and 90 cases received combined targeted agents in the first line treatment. The median follow-up time was 30 (5-134) months, and loss of follow-up was 1%. Before adjustment, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the 1-year and 3-year OS rates in the neoadjuvant chemotherapy group (95.1% and 66.4%) were better than those in the upfront surgery first group (94.7% and 51.5%, P=0.026); 1-year and 3-year PFS rates in neoadjuvant chemotherapy group (51.0% and 23.4%) were also better than those in surgery first group (39.5% and 11.5%, P=0.039). After propensity score risk adjustment, Cox multivariate analysis indicated that neoadjuvant chemotherapy was an independent protective factor of PFS (HR=0.664, 95% CI: 0.449-0.982, P=0.040), however, neoadjuvant chemotherapy was not an independent protective factor of OS (HR=0.651, 95% CI: 0.393-1.079, P=0.096). Subgroup analysis showed that the 1-year and 3-year OS rates in the patients with response to the first line treatment (194, including complete remission, partial remission and reduction but not partial remission) (96.9% and 67.1%) were better than those in the upfront surgery group (94.7% and 51.5%, P=0.026) after adjustment. However, the 1-year and 3-year OS rates in the patients without response to the first line treatment (50, including tumor progression or enlargement) were 90.0% and 63.3%, respectively, which were not significantly different with 94.7% and 51.5% in the upfront surgery group (P=0.310) after adjustment. Conclusions: For patients with resectable synchronous colorectal cancer liver metastasis, liver resection after neoadjuvant chemotherapy can provide longer PFS than upfront surgery. Although the whole OS benefit is not significant, patients with effective neoadjuvant first-line chemotherapy have better OS than those undergoing upfront surgery.

[Long-term outcomes of patients undergoing hepatectomy for bilateral multiple colorectal liver metastases-a propensity score matching analysis]

Objective: Liver is the most common site of distant metastasis in colorectal cancer patients. Currently, surgical resection of colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) still remains the most curative therapeutic option which is associated with long-term survival. However, the outcome of CRLM patients with bilobar multiple lesions has been reported to be extremely poor due to the complex techniques of the surgery and the difficulties to achieve a negative resection margin. In this study, postoperative long-term outcome in patients with bilobar versus unilobar multiple CRLM undergoing surgical resection were compared and the prognostic factors of CRLM were analyzed. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed. The clinicopathological data were collected retrospectively from patients with multiple CRLM who received liver resection between January 2002 and November 2018 at our department. Inclusion criteria: (1) All CRLM lesions were confirmed by preoperative enhanced CT or MRI and enhanced ultrasonography. (2) All CRLM lesions were resectable either initially or converted by systemic treatments. The CRLM patients were considered as resectable, if their extrahepatic diseases were able to be completely removed. (3) Sufficient remnant liver volume was required to maintain normal liver function, which was defined by the ratio of remnant liver volume to total liver volume (RLV-TLV), of greater than 30% in general or 40% for the patients undergoing chemotherapy. (4) Medical records and follow-up information were intact. Those undergoing multiple operations after recurrence, with R2 resection, or with a single CRLM lesion were excluded. Patients were divided into bilobar and unilobar group according to tumor distribution. One-to-one propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to balance the covariates between the bilobar group and unilobar group. After PSM, the differences in long-term outcomes between the two groups were compared. Results: A total of 491 patients met the inclusion criteria, 344 (69.6%) with bilobar and 147 (30.4%) with unilobar CRLM. In the propensity-score-matched population (bilobar, 143; unilobar, 143), baseline characteristics were similar between the two groups. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates in the bilobar group were 91.6%, 52.1%, and 35.3% respectively, compared with 93.7%, 56.8%, and 43.8% in the unilobar group, and the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.204). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year recurrence-free survival rates in the bilobar group were 45.7%, 33.7%, and 33.7% respectively, compared with 62.5%, 44.1%, and 42.1% in the unilobar group, and the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.075). No significant difference was found in liver-only recurrence (45.6% in bilobar vs. 53.3% in unilobar, P=0.543). Univariate analysis showed that N stage of primary tumor, diameter of the largest liver metastases, carcinoembyonic antigen level, RAS gene status and clinical risk score (CRS) were significantly associated with the prognosis of CRLM (all P<0.05). Multivariate analysis indicated that diameter of largest liver metastases > 5 cm (HR=1.888, 95% CI: 1.251-2.848, P=0.002), CRS≥3 (HR=1.552,95% CI:1.050-2.294, P=0.027) and RAS gene mutation (HR=1.561, 95% CI: 1.102-2.212, P=0.012) were independent risk factors of poor overall survival after hepatectomy. Conclusions: Tumor distribution may not affect the prognosis of multiple CRLM after resection. Surgical removal in patients with bilobar multiple CRLM provides comparable long-term survival to unilobar multiple CRLM.

Large Isospin Asymmetry in ^{22}Si/^{22}O Mirror Gamow-Teller Transitions Reveals the Halo Structure of ^{22}Al

β-delayed one-proton emissions of ^{22}Si, the lightest nucleus with an isospin projection T_{z}=-3, are studied with a silicon array surrounded by high-purity germanium detectors. Properties of β-decay branches and the reduced transition probabilities for the transitions to the low-lying states of ^{22}Al are determined. Compared to the mirror β decay of ^{22}O, the largest value of mirror asymmetry in low-lying states by far, with δ=209(96), is found in the transition to the first 1^{+} excited state. Shell-model calculation with isospin-nonconserving forces, including the T=1, J=2, 3 interaction related to the s_{1/2} orbit that introduces explicitly the isospin-symmetry breaking force and describes the loosely bound nature of the wave functions of the s_{1/2} orbit, can reproduce the observed data well and consistently explain the observation that a large δ value occurs for the first but not for the second 1^{+} excited state of ^{22}Al. Our results, while supporting the proton-halo structure in ^{22}Al, might provide another means to identify halo nuclei.

[Study on insecticide resistance of Culex pipiens pallens in southwest region of Shandong Province]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the sensitivity of Culex pipiens pallens to common chemical insecticides in the southwestern region of Shandong Province, so as to provide a theoretical basis for the development of reasonable and effective mosquito control measures.

METHODS

The resistance of Cx. pipiens pallens larvae to 5 chemical insecticides, such as cypermethrin, deltamethrin, DDVP, propoxur, and acetofenate were tested by using the WHO biological test method in 2018, and the co-toxicity coefficients after compounding the above-mentioned insecticides were tested by using a drug compounding method.

RESULTS

The resistance indexes of Cx. pipiens pallens to cypermethrin, deltamethrin, DDVP, propoxur, and acetofenate in 3 cities were 144.43-557.54, 118.17-445.33, 6.44-19.00, 2.37-8.10, and 0.88-2.98, respectively, and expect the difference between the DDVP resistances of Cx. pipiens pallens in Jining City and Heze City was not statistically significant (P > 0.05), all the other differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). The synergistic coefficients of cypermethrin + DDVP, cypermethrin + propoxur, DDVP + acetofenate, and propoxur + acetofenate were 199.58 - 456.95, 190.56 - 292.37, 123.32 - 319.24, and 192.31 - 367.32, respectively. The lower synergism was observed by using the mixture of DDVP + propoxur (synergistic coefficient: 99.87-108.36) .

CONCLUSIONS

After decades of chemical control, Cx. pipiens pallens in the southwestern region of Shandong Province has produced different degrees of resistance to common chemical insecticides. Therefore, comprehensive control measures should be taken to control mosquito breeding and prevent the development of insecticide resistance.

[Comparison of etiology and incidence of pulmonary infection in patients with esophageal carcinoma accompanied by esophagotracheal fistula before and after the airway stent implantation]

Objective: To compare the etiology and incidence of pulmonary infection in patients with esophageal carcinoma accompanied by esophagotracheal fistula before and after the airway stent implantation. Methods: The clinical records of patients with esophageal carcinoma accompanied by esophagotracheal fistula in Respiratory Department and Oncology Department of Meitan General Hospital were retrospectively analyzed from March 2008 to January 2018. The demographic data, comorbidities, pathological results and etiology were collected before and after tracheal stents were implanted in all patients. The incidence of pulmonary infection was analyzed, and the classification of etiology was compared before and after tracheal stents implantation. Results: A total of 100 patients were included in the study. The incidence rate of pulmonary infection before stents implantation was 83.0%. A total of 105 bacterial strains were cultured, including 73 strains of gram-negative bacteria (69.5%) and mainly pseudomonas aeruginosa, 5 strains of gram-positive bacteria [all methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)] (4.8%), and 27 strains of fungi (25.7%) and mainly candida albicans. The incidence rate of pulmonary infection was lowered to 53.0% after tracheal stents implantation (χ(2)=29.102, P<0.001). A total of 79 bacterial strains were cultured, and the main bacteria were still gram-negative bacteria and fungi, in which pseudomonas aeruginosa and candida albicans accounted for the majority. However, 13 strains of MRSA were cultured (16.5%), significantly higher than those before stents implantation (χ(2)=7.451, P=0.005). Conclusions: The incidence rate of pulmonary infection in patients with esophageal carcinoma accompanied by esophagotracheal fistula is very high. Gram-negative bacteria and fungi are the main etiologies. Tracheal stents implantation can effectively reduce the incidence of pulmonary infection. However, the incidence rate of MRSA is significantly increased after stents implantation.

[Effects of patient-controlled intravenous analgesia using hydromorphone supplement with dexmedetomidine on patients undergoing transcatheter arterial chemoembolization]

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficiency of patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) using hydromorphone supplement with dexmedetomidine on patients undergoing transcatheter arterial chemoembolization. Methods: One hundred and eighty patients, age ranged from 40 to 65 years, body mass index from 18 to 25 kg/m(2,) ASA physical status Ⅱ-Ⅲ, who were scheduled for transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) under monitor anesthesia care (MAC) were randomly divided into 3 groups: hydromorphone group (H group), hydromorphone supplement with dexmedetomidine 1 μg/kg group (D1 group), hydromorphone supplement with dexmedetomidine 2 μg/kg group (D2 group), 60 patients in every group. All the groups of patients received PCIA pump, in the H group, the PCIA reagent was composed of 120 μg/kg hydromorphone and 5 mg tropisetron in 100 ml of normal saline. In comparison, PCIA regiment was composed of 120 μg/kg hydromorphone, 1 μg/kg dexmedetomidine and 5 mg tropisetron in 100 ml of normal saline in the D1 group, while 120 μg/kg hydromorphone, 2 μg/kg dexmedetomidine and 5 mg tropisetron in 100 ml of normal saline in the D2 group. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score, the observer's assessment of alertness/sedation scale (OAA/S) score, patients' satisfaction index, consumption of hydromorphone, the additional dose of morphine, the effective pressing times of PCIA and adverse reactions were recorded in detail at 0, 0.5, 1, 4, 12 and 24 hours after the patients underwent TACE. Results: The total consumptions of hydromorphone were (4.3±0.1), (4.1±0.1), and (3.8±0.1) mg in group H, D1, and D2, respectively, and the effective pressing times were 13±3, 6±2 and 2±1, the additional doses of morphine were (30±5), (15±3), and (3±1) mg, and adverse reaction rates were 45.0%, 28.3%, and 10.0%, respectively. The manifestations mentioned above in D2 group were significantly lower than those in group H and group D1 (P<0.05). Immediately and 5 min after embolization, at the end of surgery and 0.5, 1, 4, 12 and 24 h after surgery, the VAS scores in the D2 group were 1.9±0.2, 2.1±0.3, 1.8±0.4, 1.8±0.3, 1.7±0.3, 1.6±0.3, 1.3±0.2, 1.3±0.3, respectively, lower than those in group H and group D1 (P<0.05); The satisfaction index in D2 group at these times were 8.7±1.1, 8.9±0.8, 9.2±0.9, 9.0±0.7, 9.1±0.8, 9.0±0.6, 9.1±0.7, 9.2±0.9, respectively, higher than those in group H and group D1 (P<0.05). No breath depression happened in these three groups. Conclusion: The formula of hydromorphone combined with dexmedetomidine to patients undergoing TACE is greatly safe and efficient, with advantages in alleviating pain, reducing hydromorphone consumption and the incidence of adverse reaction of hydromorphone, and without breath depression.

First Results from CUORE: A Search for Lepton Number Violation via 0νββ Decay of ^{130}Te

The CUORE experiment, a ton-scale cryogenic bolometer array, recently began operation at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso in Italy. The array represents a significant advancement in this technology, and in this work we apply it for the first time to a high-sensitivity search for a lepton-number-violating process: ^{130}Te neutrinoless double-beta decay. Examining a total TeO_{2} exposure of 86.3 kg yr, characterized by an effective energy resolution of (7.7±0.5)  keV FWHM and a background in the region of interest of (0.014±0.002)  counts/(keV kg yr), we find no evidence for neutrinoless double-beta decay. Including systematic uncertainties, we place a lower limit on the decay half-life of T_{1/2}^{0ν}(^{130}Te)>1.3×10^{25}  yr (90% C.L.); the median statistical sensitivity of this search is 7.0×10^{24}  yr. Combining this result with those of two earlier experiments, Cuoricino and CUORE-0, we find T_{1/2}^{0ν}(^{130}Te)>1.5×10^{25}  yr (90% C.L.), which is the most stringent limit to date on this decay. Interpreting this result as a limit on the effective Majorana neutrino mass, we find m_{ββ}<(110-520)  meV, where the range reflects the nuclear matrix element estimates employed.

Enterovirus Type 71-Related Brainstem Encephalitis: A Case Report and Literature Review

Enterovirus type 71 ( EV71) infections are mainly found in infants. The severe cases are characterised by nervous system damage, acute circulatory and respiratory failures. So far, there has been no report of EV71 infection involving central nervous system in teenagers or young adults. We first reported a case of 15-year-old Han Chinese male who was infected by EV71, developed neurogenic pulmonary oedema rapidly, and had the risk factors including hyperglycaemia, significant leukocytosis and acute flaccid paralysis. The nucleic acids for EV71 were positive by Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The patient didn't belong to high risk population. Maculopapular rashes and blisters were also not found in hand, foot and mouth. These might be responsible for the failure to make an early diagnosis. (Hong Kong j.emerg.med. 2014;21:176-180)

Effect of photoperiod on serum hormone concentrations during the annual reproductive cycle in geese

The poor egg-laying rate of geese hinders the development of the goose industry; therefore, the reproductive performance of geese is an important area of investigation. To evaluate the relationship between photoperiod, reproductive hormones, and reproductive activity during the egg-laying cycle in geese under natural conditions, we collected blood samples from Sichuan white geese and Xupu geese to quantify changes in prolactin (PRL), estradiol (E2), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH), and luteinizing hormone (LH). We also calculated the rate of egg laying for the two populations during the egg-laying cycle. We show that the egg-laying rate and the serum concentration of some hormones (PRL, E2, VIP, FSH, GnIH, and LH) differed significantly between the two populations during the pre-laying, laying, and ceased-laying periods. Serum LH concentrations may be associated with maturation of the ovary and oviducts, whereas FSH, PRL, and GnIH play important roles in egg laying. These results provide a useful resource for future studies examining the laying rate in geese.

Effects of feeding conditions on gene expression in chicken breast muscle

Chicken meat quality is becoming increasingly important among breeders and consumers. To understand the effect of feeding conditions on chicken meat quality, we investigated the profiles of genes expressed in chicken breast muscle. Using RNA sequencing, we identified 336, 321, and 387 differentially expressed genes among Chengkou, Daninghe, and Qingjiaoma chickens under scatter- and captivity-feeding conditions. Twenty-two genes differentially expressed between different feeding conditions were shown to be common among the three breeds. Seven of these genes were assessed by real-time quantitative PCR, which confirmed the findings of RNA sequencing and suggested that the results were viable. The differentially expressed genes showed enrichment for a series of significant pathways, including energy metabolism, xenobiotics biodegradation and metabolism, and the immune system. These results provide a solid foundation for elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying chicken meat quality.

Sequencing of Gag/Env association with HIV genotyping resolution and HIV-related epidemiologic studies of HIV in China

HIV genotyping has led to conflicting results between laboratories. Therefore, identifying the most accurate gene combinations to sequence remains a priority. Datasets of Chinese HIV subtypes based on several markers and deposited in PubMed, Metstr, CNKI, and VIP databases between 2000 and 2015 were studied. In total, 9177 cases of amplification-positive samples from 26 provinces of China were collected and used to classify HIV subtypes based on eight individual genes or a combination thereof. CRF01_AE, CRF07_BC, CRF08_BC and B were the prevalent HIV subtypes in China, accounting for 84.07% of all genotypes. Gag/Env sequencing classified a greater number of HIV subtypes compared to other genes or combination of gene fragments. The geographical distribution of Gag and Gag/Env genotypes was similar to that observed with all genetic markers. Further principal component analysis showed a significantly different geographical distribution pattern of HIV in China for HIV genotypes detected with Gag/Env, which was in line with the distribution of all HIV genotypes in China. Gag/Env sequences had the highest diversity of the eight markers studied, followed by Gag and Gag/Pol/Env; Pol/Env polymorphisms were the least divergent. Gag/Env can serve as a high-resolution marker for HIV genotyping.

Improved protocol for extracting genomic DNA from frozen formalin-fixed tissue resulting in high-quality whole mtDNA

Formalin fixation and paraffin embedding is widely used for convenient and long-term storage of tumor tissue and precious sources to perform genetic studies. However, DNA fragmentation is one of the major flaws of genomic DNA isolation from formalin fixation tissues, which limits its further usage. Here, we present an improved method for isolating high-quality genomic DNA from formalin fixation tissue. We obtained high-quality genomic DNA of more than 20 kb from samples frozen for more than 2 years. Furthermore, to verify DNA quality, the whole mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genomes from the normal and tumor tissue of the same patient were successfully amplified with two overlapping PCR fragments comprising more than 8379 bp in length for each fragment. In addition, the whole genomes were sequenced with a 48-well based primer panel in order to avoid potential sequencing errors from artificial recombination, which was further confirmed with an mtDNA phylogenetic strategy. Our improved DNA extraction method from formalin fixation tissue and sequencing strategy for entire mtDNA genomes will generate unambiguous sequence analysis results for clinical samples.

[Frequency and clinical features of ASXL2 gene mutation in acute myeloid leukemia patients with AML1- ETO fusion gene positive]

目的

探讨伴AML1-ETO融合基因的急性髓系白血病（AML）患者ASXL2基因突变情况、突变阳性患者临床特征及ASXL2基因突变与c-kit基因突变的关系。

方法

采用PCR扩增产物片段直接测序分析法，检测59例伴AML1-ETO融合基因初发AML患者ASXL2基因第11、12外显子编码区突变情况，比较ASXL2基因突变阳性和阴性组患者的临床特征、生存及c-kit基因突变情况。

结果

59例患者中7例存在ASXL2突变，突变率为11.9%。ASXL2基因突变阳性组患者初诊时外周血红蛋白浓度中位数为56.2（38.0~72.0）g/L，显著低于ASXL2突变阴性组患者的69.0（37.2~154.0）g/L，差异有统计学意义（P=0.038）；外周血WBC、PLT、嗜酸粒细胞比例、骨髓原始细胞比例与ASXL2突变阴性组相比，差异均无统计学意义（P值均>0.05）。两组均未见肝、脾、中枢神经系统浸润；淋巴结不同程度肿大，但ASXL2基因突变阳性、阴性两组间差异无统计学意义（P=0.859）。免疫表型分析显示：ASXL2基因突变阳性组CD33表达显著低于阴性组（P=0.033）；两组患者均未表达cCD3，CD117、cMPO、HLA-DR、CD34、CD38、CD13、CD44、CD15、CD64、CD11b、CD56、CD19、cCD79a、CD7两组表达差异均无统计学意义（P值均>0.05）。ASXL2基因突变阳性与阴性组患者总缓解率、总生存时间差异均无统计学意义（P值分别为0.577、0.631）。两组c-kit基因突变检出率分别为14.3％和29.4%，差异无统计学意义（P=0.697）。

结论

该组伴AML1-ETO融合基因AML患者ASXL2基因突变率为11.9%。ASXL2突变阳性患者外周血红蛋白浓度、CD33表达方面呈现一定的临床特征。ASXL2基因突变与c-kit基因变突可能没有特定的关联性。

[Discovery of a novel spliceosome of ABL gene (ABL(Δexon7+35INS)) and its association with TKIs resistance in chronic myeloid leukemia]

OBJECTIVE

To explore whether the ABL(Δexon7) and ABL(35INS) spliceosome contributed to TKIs resistance.

METHODS

Screening ABL(Δexon7) and ABL(35INS) in 74 normal people and 76 CML patients (53 patients in remission and 23 patients with TKIs resistance) by using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis combined with cloning sequencing.

RESULTS

A novel spliceosome ABL(Δexon7+ 35INS) (ABL(Δexon7) and ABL(3)5INS existed at the same time) was identified and the mutation was detected in 8 (10.8%) of 74 normal people, 4 (7.5%) of 53 remission patients and 2 (8.7%) of 23 resistant patients. While 47 (63.5%) cases expressed ABL(Δexon7) and 8 (10.8% ) cases expressed ABL(35INS) in 74 healthy people, 30 (56.6%) cases expressed ABL(Δexon7) and 5 (9.4% ) cases expressed ABL(35INS) in 53 remission patients, 12 (52.2%) cases expressed ABL(Δexon7) and 3(13.0%) cases expressed ABL(35INS) in 23 resistant patients. Three kinds of spliceosome in all groups had no statistical difference.

CONCLUSION

ABL(Δexon7+ 35INS), ABL(Δexon7) and ABL(35INS) may be not uncommon in ABL gene and were unrelated to resistance in CML with TKIs treatment. ABL(35INS) were often accompanying with exon 7 deletion.