[Research progress of long-chain non-coding RNA in lipid metabolism reprogramming in primary hepatocellular carcinoma]

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common liver malignant tumor with complex pathogenesis and a poor prognosis. Metabolic reprogramming has been recognized as one of the important cancer markers, and the liver, as an important organ for lipid metabolism in the human body, plays an important role in the process of the occurrence and development of HCC. More and more evidence shows that long-chain non-coding RNA (lncRNA) can influence the lipid metabolism process by regulating key enzymes and transcription factors, as well as being involved in the occurrence and development of HCC. Therefore, explicating the mechanism of lncRNA in lipid metabolism reprogramming is conducive to providing new targets and strategies for the diagnosis and treatment and improving the prognosis of HCC patients. This article summarizes the latest research progress on the involvement of lncRNA in the reprogramming process of HCC lipid metabolism.

First Report of Root-knot Nematode, Meloidogyne enterolobii on Passiflora edulis in Yulin, China

Passion fruit (Passiflora edulis), a medicinal plant, was introduced into China in the early 19th century, is mainly cultivated in southern provinces (Liang et al. 2019). During March 2023, a survey was carried out and 167 samples were taken from passion fruit cultivated area in Yulin (22.6570263°E; 110.1765019°N) apart from the planting base appeared yellow leaves, stunted growth, and distinctive galls on the roots. Within the galls, Meloidogyne sp. females and egg masses were observed. From the rhizosphere soil, second-stage juveniles (J2) were extracted, and population density was 105/500 g soil. The species was determined to be Meloidogyne enterolobii based on morphological characteristics, including female perineal pattern, and genetic analyses. Female (n = 10) perineal patterns showed oval shape, with coarse and smooth striae, dorsal arch rounded to square, and lateral lines not distinct. The male head cap was high and rounded, with the head region only slightly set off from the body, knobs large, ovoid to rounded. The measurements of males (n = 10) included body length, 1,230.7 ± 244.94 (997 to 1,569) µm; a, 38.58 ± 7.8 (33.45 to 47.05) µm; c, 113.03 ± 26.22 (80.82 to 144.23) µm; stylet, 15.68 ± 1.1 (14.5 to 17.4) µm; spicules, 31.83 ± 2.84 (28.69 to 36.1) µm; tail, 11.09 ± 1.72 (8.02 to 13.38) µm; and gubernaculum length, 8.34 ± 0.28 (8.11 to 8.98) µm. Measurements of J2 (n = 20) included body length, 455.75 ± 44.94 (381 to 512) µm; a, 26.32 ± 3.89 (18.18 to 32.70) µm; c, 8.56 ± 1.2 (6.36 to 10.80) µm; stylet, 12.44 ± 0.76 (11.2 to 13.8) µm; DGO, 3.65 ± 0.54 (2.84 to 4.68) µm; tail, 53.89 ± 6.36 (39.8 to 62.2) µm; and hyaline tail terminus, 11.77 ± 2.83 (7.14 to 16.2) µm. These morphological characteristics are similar to those reported in the original description of M. enterolobii (Yang and Eisenback 1983). The sequences of the partial ITS region was amplified with V5367 (5'-TTGATTACGTCCCTGCCCTTT-3') and 26S (5'-TTTCACTCGCCGTTACTAAGG-3') primers (Vrain et al. 1992). The region between cytochrome oxidase subunit II (COII) and the 16S rRNA mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA COII) was also amplified with the primers C2F3 (5'-GGTCAATGTTCAGAAATTTGTGG-3') (Powers and Harris 1993) and MRH106 (5'-AATTTCTAAAGACTTTTCTTAGT-3') (Stanton et al. 1997). The ITS region yielded a fragment of 757 bp (OR072957) and mtDNA COII of 706 bp (OR078415). A BLAST search indicated the sequences were 100% identical to several sequences of M. enterolobii (MT406250, MH756127 and AY831967, MN269940, respectively). To confirm pathogenicity, 20 passion fruit (P. edulis Sim. f. flavicarpa) 30-day-old seedlings were transplanted into pots with an autoclaved mixture of sand and field soil (3:1) and maintained in the glasshouse at 25 ± 2°C with 65 ± 5% relative humidity. After eight weeks, fifteen plants were inoculated with 500 J2/pot (nematode culture collected from the original field), and another five uninoculated plants served as a control. Two months later, aboveground symptoms were similar to those observed in the field. Nematode reproduction occurred and root galls were observed. The reproduction factor (nematode final population density/initial population density) was 4.8. The disease caused by M. enterolobii was severe in Yulin city of Guangxi. Guangxi is an important area for passion fruit culture, with about 2000 ha, which is responsible for two-thirds of China production (Xing et al. 2020). This is the first record of P. edulis natural infection with M. enterolobii in the Yulin City of Guangxi, China.

[Research progress of non-coding RNA-encoding polypeptides in primary hepatocellular carcinoma]

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors, with rapid progression and a poor prognosis. More and more studies have shown that there are small open reading frames (sORFs) on the molecular sequences of a large number of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), which can encode conserved peptides that play an important role in controlling the occurrence and development of HCC. This article introduces the discovery, prediction, and validation methods of ncRNA-encoding polypeptides and reviews its research progress, with the aim of providing new targets and ideas for early-stage diagnosis, targeted therapy, and prognosis assessment of HCC.

[Vaginal microbiota abnormalities in women with unexplained infertility and its treatment]

The vaginal microbiota is a complex and dynamic environment that plays an important role in the healthy reproduction of women. The mechanism of unexplained infertility is not yet clear, and the imbalance and low stability of vaginal microbiota may be related to unexplained infertility. Taking probiotic composite preparations to restore normal vaginal microbiota may be a safe and natural method for treating unexplained infertility. This article reviews the probiotic composite preparations used in the treatment of unexplained infertility both domestically and internationally, including the isolation site of the bacterial species, the use method of the composite preparation, the course of treatment, and the final therapeutic effect, aiming to provide a basis for the clinical application of probiotic composite preparations in the treatment of unexplained infertility.

First Report of Root-Knot Nematode Meloidogyne enterolobii on Antirrhinum majus in China

Antirrhinum majus L. is a medicinal and ornamental herb commonly grown in China. In October 2022, A. majus plants were observed stunted in growth with yellowish leaves and containing a large number of galls on roots in a field in Nanning, Guangxi, China (N22°47'23.35″, E108°23'4.26). Ten samples were collected randomly from rhizosphere soil and roots of A. majus. Second-stage juveniles (J2) were isolated from fresh soil with a Baermann funnel, and a mean of 36 ± 2.9 per 500 cm3 of soil was recorded. Gall roots were dissected using a microscope, where 2+ 0.42 males per sample were recovered. The species was determined to be Meloidogyne enterolobii based on morphological characteristics, including the female perineal pattern, and DNA studies. Female perineal patterns and morphometric data were similar to the original description of M. enterolobii Yang and Eisenback 1983 from Enterolobium contortisilquum (Vell.) Morong in China (Yang and Eisenback 1983). The measurements of males (n = 10) included body length, 1600.7 ± 55.32 (1421.3 to 1924.3) µm; body diameter = 41.3 ± 0.80 (37.8 to 45.4) µm, stylt length = 20.5 ± 0.40 (19.1 to 22.2) µm, spicules length = 30.0 ± 0.47 (28.2 to 32.0) µm and DGO = 4.5 ± 0.3 (3.8 to 5.2) µm. Measurements of J2 (n = 20) included body length, 441.9 ± 5.42 (403.2 to 493.3) µm; body diameter = 16.6 ± 0.30 (14.4 to 8.7) µm, a = 26.8 ± 0.54 (21.9 to 31.2), c = 8.7 ± 0.27 (6.4 to 10.8), stylet length = 12.6 ± 0.17 (11.2 to 14.3) µm, DGO = 3.8 ± 0.10 (2.9 to 4.8) µm, tail length = 51.6 ± 1.27 (42.3 to 63.1) µm and hyaline tail terminus length = 11.7 ± 0.15 (10.2 to 13.1) µm. These morphological characteristics are similar to the original description of M. enterolobii (Yang and Eisenback 1983). Pathogenicity tests were conducted on A. majus 'Taxiti' plants directly germinated from seeds in a 10.5-cm-diameter pot filled with 600 ml of sterilized peat moss/sand (1:1, v/v) soil in the glasshouse. After 1 week, fifteen plants were inoculated with 500 J2/pot (nematode culture collected from the original field) and five uninoculated plants served as a control. After 45 days, aboveground parts of all inoculated plants showed symptoms similar to those observed in the field. No symptoms were observed on control plants. The RF value of the inoculated plants was determined by the method of Belair and Benoit (1996) 60 days after inoculation, and the average was 14.65. J2 were used in this test and sequenced on 28S rRNA-D2/D3, ITS, COII -16SrRNA 3 region and confirmed to be M. enterolobii. Species identification was confirmed by using polymerase chain reaction primers D2A/D3B (De Ley et al. 1999), F194/5368r (Ferris et al. 1993), C2F3/1108 (Powers and Harris, 1993). The sequences obtained GenBank accession numbers OP897743 (COII), OP876758 (rRNA) and OP876759 (ITS) were 100% similar to other M. enterolobii populations from China (MN269947), (MN648519) and (MT406251). M. enterolobii is a highly pathogenic species and has been reported in vegetables, ornamental plants, guava (Psidium guajava L.), and weeds in China, Africa and America (Brito et al. 2004; Xu et al. 2004; Yang and Eisenback 1983). The medicinal plant Gardenia jasminoides J. Ellis was also infected by M. enterolobii in China (Lu et al. 2019). Of concern is its ability to develop on crop genotypes carrying RKN resistance genes in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.), potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.), sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.), and cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Consequently, this species was added to the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization A2 Alert List in 2010. This is the first natural infection report of M. enterolobii in Guangxi, China on the medicinal and ornamental herb A. majus. Acknowledgments This research was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31860492), Natural Science Foundation of Guangxi (2020GXNSFAA297076), and Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences Fund, China (2021YT062, 2021JM14, 2021ZX24). References: Azevedo de Oliveira, S., et al. 2018. PLoS One 13:e0192397. Belair, G., and Benoit, D. L. 1996. J. Nematol. 28:643. Brito, J. A., et al. 2004. J. Nematol. 36:324. De Ley, P., et al. 1999. Nematol. 1:591-612. Ferris, V. R., et al. 1993. Fundam. Appl. Nematol. 16:177-184. Lu, X. H., et al. 2019. Plant Dis. 103:1434. Powers, T. O. and Harris, T. S. 1993. J. Nematol. 25:1-6 Vrain, T. C., et al. 1992. Fundam. Appl. Nematol. 15:563. Yang, B. and Eisenback, J. D. 1983. J. Nematol. 15:381.

[Consistency evaluation between patient-completed and physician-completed Caprini scores]

Objective: To evaluate the consistency of patient-completed and physician-completed Caprini scores. Methods: This study was a diagnostic study. We prospectively recruited 200 inpatients (including respiratory and critical care medicine, rheumatology and immunology, obstetrics and gynecology, and orthopedics). Clinical data of the recruited patients were collected. The Wechat applet was developed based on the Chinese version of the patient-completed Caprini score. Patient could enter the Wechat applet by scanning the QR code, and enter the height, weight and other contents to the Wechat applet. The applet could automatically calculate the score and make the risk stratification according to total score. At the same time, physicians would calculate the traditional Caprini score for the same patient and make risk stratification to evaluate the consistency of scores derived from the two methods. Results: The average age of these 200 patients was (59.6±13.9) years, 112(56.0%) of them were female and 184(92.0%) with high school education or above. There was no significant difference between the patient-completed and physician-completed scores (4.8±2.5 vs. 4.7±2.5,P=0.336). The time of physician-completed score was shorter than that of patient-completed score ((2.0±1.0) minutes vs.(2.4±1.2) minutes, P<0.000 1). There was no significant difference on the number of high-highest venous thromboembolism risk patients assessed by the patient-completed and the physician-completed scores: 84.5% (169/200) vs. 83.0%(166/200)(χ²=0.165, P=0.684).There was strong positive correlations between patient-completed and physician-completed scores (r=0.98, P<0.000 1). Cohen's ĸ evaluation showed that the patient-completed Caprini score was in excellent consistency with physician-completed Caprini score(κ=0.97,P<0.000 1). The result of Bland Altman method showed that only 3.0% (6/200) of the scores biased greatly, which was not within the 95% confidence interval, the result proved that the bias belonged to a small probability event. It was inferred that the scores of patient-completed were consistent with those of the physician-completed. Conclusions: The patient-completed Caprini score is in good agreement with the physician-completed Caprini score in this patient cohort.

[Autophagy in lung infections with three common atypical pathogens]

Autophagy is a lysosomal mediated catabolic process that helps maintain cell balance and survival under extracellular or intracellular stress by degrading different cytoplasmic components. Autophagy is also a significant way for the body to defend pathogen invasion, which is swallowed by the phagosomes of host cells. When the phagosomes mature, they form autophagosomes, which are fused with lysosomes to form autophagolysosomes. Autophagolysosomes degrade due to the action of various hydrolases and remove pathogens at the same time. By interfering with the autophagy level of host cells, pulmonary atypical pathogens can escape from the host cells and be cleared by autophagy, and reproduce in host cells, finally reaching the goal of infecting the host. This article presented a brief review of recent studies on the relationship between infection and autophagy of three common atypical pathogens in the lung.

Benefit of digital breast tomosynthesis in symptomatic young women (≤30 years) diagnosed with BI-RADS category 4 or 5 on ultrasound

AIM

To evaluate the addition of digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) in the diagnosis of breast lesions in symptomatic young Chinese women (≤30 years) diagnosed with Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) category 4 or 5 on ultrasound, and demonstrate the potential use of combining DBT with ultrasound.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective analysis included 5 years of digital mammography (DM) and DBT data (January 2015 to July 2020). In total, 768 DBT and DM examinations were performed in 713 young women. The results were determined by pathological assessment. Diagnostic performance was measured based on the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and receiver operating characteristic area under the curve (AUC).

RESULTS

Compared with DM alone, DBT + DM increased the sensitivity from 82.5% to 93.2%, specificity from 70.8% to 84%, accuracy from 74% to 86.5%, NPV from 93.6% to 97.4% (all p<0.01). The AUC of DBT + DM (0.946, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.927-0.960) was greater than that of DM (0.884, 95% CI: 0.859-0.905; p<0.001). The differences in the BI-RADS category distributions of malignant and benign lesions were both statistically significant (p<0.001). DM alone led to 36 false-negative diagnoses, whereas the inclusion of DBT identified breast cancer in 22 of those cases. There were 4.9% (10/206) false-negative diagnoses in ultrasound. After adding DBT, four breast cancers were detected. An additional six breast cancers were diagnosed by biopsy based on an assessment of BI-RADS 4A by DBT/DM.

CONCLUSION

DBT + DM significantly improves the diagnostic performance in this young population, especially in young people with higher breast density. Moreover, DBT is an effective supplementary examination to ultrasound.

[Chlamydia psittaci pneumonia complicated with rhabdomyolysis: a case report and literature review]

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics and the diagnosis and treatment of Chlamydia psittaci pneumonia complicated with rhabdomyolysis. Methods: We reported a case of Chlamydia psittaci pneumonia complicated with rhabdomyolysis. We did a literature review on the published reports between January 1978 and May 2020 by searching with the key words of "psittacosis" or "Chlamydia psittaci" and "rhabdomyolysis" in the PubMed database (time frame: January 1, 1967 to May 30, 2020). Results: Our patient was a 64-year-old male presenting with high-grade fever, fatigue, myalgia and dyspnea. A computed tomographic scan of the chest revealed bilateral pneumonia, which was further complicated with rhabdomyolysis during disease progression. This prompted the metagenomic next-generation sequencing, revealing the sequences of Chlamydia psittaci in both the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and blood. Of the 11 cases in the 3 literature reports that we retrieved, 5 had concomitant rhabdomyolysis (two of which did not have complete clinical information), and the other 6 cases had myositis complicated with an elevated level of creatine phosphokinase. This yielded 3 cases with complete clinical information for our analysis. We had further incorporated their information with the single case managed within our study site. Two were males and the other 2 were females. The patients were aged 66, 46, 44 and 64 years, respectively. All cases had fever and 3 had a contact history with live poultry. Two cases had myalgia and progressed rapidly into having respiratory failure, and the other 2 cases did not develop myalgia and improved significantly after a timely treatment. All 4 cases were cured and discharged after treatment with appropriate antibiotics. No adverse outcomes were observed. Conclusions: The prognosis of Chlamydia psittaci pneumonia complicated with rhabdomyolysis was poor in case of a delayed treatment. Early diagnosis would help reduce the mortality.

Breast ductal carcinoma in situ with micro-invasion versus ductal carcinoma in situ: a comparative analysis of clinicopathological and mammographic findings

AIM

To determine the differences in clinicopathological and mammographic findings between ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and ductal carcinoma in situ with micro-invasion (DCIS-MI) and explore clinicopathological and mammographic factors associated with DCIS-MI.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All DCIS patients with or without micro-invasion who underwent preoperative mammography at The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from January 2016 through June 2020 were identified retrospectively. The correlations of clinicopathological findings with DCIS-MI were evaluated using univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression analyses. Imaging findings were compared between the groups by using the Pearson chi-square test.

RESULTS

A total of 445 DCIS lesions and 151 DCIS-MI lesions were included in the final analysis. Large extent (≥2.7 cm), high nuclear grade, comedo-type, negative progesterone receptor (PR), negative oestrogen receptor (ER), high Ki-67 and axillary lymph node metastasis were more frequently found in DCIS-MI than in DCIS (all p<0.05), and the first four of these were found to be independent predictors of DCIS-MI in the multivariate analysis (all p<0.05). Regarding imaging findings, compared to DCIS, DCIS-MI showed fewer occult lesions and more lesions with calcifications in mass, asymmetry, and architectural distortion (p=0.004). Grouped calcifications were usually associated with DCIS, while regional calcifications were commonly found in DCIS-MI (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Large extent, high nuclear grade, comedo-type and negative PR were found to be independent predictors of DCIS-MI. Lesions with calcifications and regional calcifications were more likely associated with DCIS-MI on mammography.

[Status and control of common food-borne parasitic diseases in China: a review]

Food-borne parasitic diseases include meat-borne, fish-borne, plant-borne, water-borne, mollusk-borne and freshwater crustacean-borne parasitic diseases. The review summarizes the current status and control of 6 major food-borne parasitic diseases in China, including clonorchiasus, paragonimiasis, Taenia solium taeniasis, toxoplasmosis, trichinellosis and angiostrongyliasis, aiming to increase the understanding of food-borne parasitic diseases and provide insights into the development of the control strategy for food-borne parasitic diseases. The transmission of food-borne parasitic diseases are predominantly associated with diet, and neither eating raw nor semi-cooked food is the most effective measure to prevent the development of food-borne parasitic diseases.

[Prevalence of soil - borne nematode infections among residents living in urban/town areas of China in 2015]

OBJECTIVE

To understand the prevalence of soil-borne nematode infections among residents living in urban/town areas of China, so as to provide insights into the control and elimination of soil-borne nematodiasis.

METHODS

A total of 5 epidemic areas were classified in China according to the prevalence of human Clonorchis sinensis infections captured from the 2014-2015 national survey on major human parasitic diseases in China, and the total sample size was estimated according to the binomial distribution and Poisson's distribution. Then, the total sample size was allocated proportionally to each province (autonomous region, municipality) of China based on the percentage of residents living in urban and town areas, and the number of survey sites in each province (autonomous region, municipality) was proportionally assigned according to the percentages of residents living in urban and town areas. Then, stratified sampling was performed at county, township and community levels according to the number of sampling sites in each province (autonomous region, municipality), and the survey site (community) was defined as the smallest sampling unit. All permanent residents in the survey sites were selected as the study subjects, and their stool samples were collected for identification and counting of parasite egg using a Kato-Katz technique. The prevalence and intensity of each parasite species were calculated.

RESULTS

From 2014 to 2015, among the 133 231 residents detected in 31 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities) of China, the overall prevalence of soil-borne nematode infections was 1.23% (1 636/133 231), and the prevalence rates of hookworm, Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura infections were 0.77% (1 032/133 231), 0.32% (426/133 231) and 0.17% (224/133 231), respectively. The highest prevalence of soil-borne nematode infections was seen in Jiangxi (4.03%, 82/2 034) and Chongqing (4.03%, 524/13 012), followed by in Hainan (3.47%, 72/2 075). The prevalence of soilborne nematode infections was 1.07% (662/62 139) in men and 1.37% (974/71 092) in women, and the greatest prevalence was found in residents at ages of 65 to 70 years (2.56%, 219/8 569). With regard to occupations and education levels, herdsmen (2.47%, 2/81) and illiterate residents (3.33%, 226/6 795) were found to have the highest prevalence of soil-borne nematode infections, respectively. In addition, mild infections were predominantly identified in hookworm-, A. lumbricoides- and T. trichiura-infected individuals (all > 90%).

CONCLUSIONS

The overall prevalence of soil-borne nematodiasis remains low in urban and town areas of China; however, human infections are widespread. According to the epidemiological features, health education combined with deworming are recommended to reduce the prevalence of soil-borne nematode infections among residents living in urban and town areas of China.

[Epidemiological characteristics of amoebic dysentery in China, 2015-2018]

Objective: To understand the characteristics and changes of the incidence of amoebic dysentery in China during 2015-2018, explore the causes of high incidence in some areas and provide a data base for the development of national prevention and control strategies and measures. Methods: Data were collected from the infectious disease reporting management information system from Chinese Disease Control and Prevention. To understand the seasonal, population and area distributions of amoebic dysentery, descriptive epidemiological method and software SPSS 16.0 were used to analyze the amoebic dysentery data. Results: A total of 4 366 amoebic dysentery cases were reported without death in China during 2015-2018. The reported average annual incidence was 0.08/100 000, and the overall proportion of laboratory confirmed cases was 68.23%(2 979/4 366). Amoeba dysentery mainly occurred during May to October. One seasonal peak was observed in 2015 and 2017 (July and June, respectively), and two seasonal peaks were observed in 2016 and 2018 (June and October). The patients were mainly children aged under 5 years (42.28%, 1 846/4 366), and the incidence rate decreased with age in children aged under 10 years. Of these, children under 1 years of age had the highest incidence rate (1.28/100 000). The number of cumulative reported cases in Guangxi, Henan, Guangdong, Heilongjiang and Jiangxi provinces ranked top five from 2015-2018, accounting for 64.50% (2 816/4 366) of the total. The cumulative cases in Dongxing county, Guangxi, in Suixian county, Henan and in Ranghulu district, Heilongjiang, respectively accounted for more than 50.00% of the total number of cases in their provinces. Conclusions: The incidence rate of amoebic dysentery reported in China during 2015-2018 showed a decreasing trend, with a higher incidence in children under 5 years old and a higher number of cases in some areas. It is suggested to further investigate and analyze the diagnosis and reporting of amoeba dysentery in key areas and promote the update of the diagnostic standards for amoeba dysentery.

[National surveillance on Enterobius vermicularis infections among children at ages of 3 to 9 years in China from 2016 to 2018]

OBJECTIVE

To understand the epidemic status of Enterobius vermicularis infections among children aged 3 to 9 years in China, so as to provide scientific basis for the formulation of the prevention and control strategies for enterobiasis.

METHODS

The national surveillance of enterobiasis was performed in 736 national surveillance sites (counties) from 30 provinces (municipalities/autonomous regions) in China from 2016 to 2018. All surveillance sites were classified into parts according to the geographical directions, including the eastern, western, southern, northern and middle parts, and a township was randomly selected from each part. Then, an administrative village was randomly selected from the township, and 200 permanent residents at ages of over 3 years living in the administrative village were randomly selected using the cluster sampling method. A total of 1 000 residents were examined in each surveillance site. E. vermicularis infections were detected among children at ages of 3 to 9 years using the modified Kato-Katz technique and the adhesive cellophane-tape perianal swab method, and the prevalence of infections was calculated and compared.

RESULTS

The prevalence of E. vermicularis infections was 2.50%, 2.84% and 2.46% among children at ages of 3 to 9 years in the 736 surveillance sites from 30 provinces (municipalities/autonomous regions) in China from 2016 to 2018, and there was no gender-specific prevalence of E. vermicularis infections (P > 0.05). Enterobiasis was main prevalent in the southern and southwestern part of China (Jiangxi, Guangxi, Guangdong, Sichuan, Fujian, Chongqing and Hainan), with 5.00% prevalence and greater, and the highest prevalence was seen in Jiangxi and Guangxi for successive 3 years. In addition, the prevalence of E. vermicularis infections was higher in children with the Han ethnicity than in those with the minority ethnicity, and a high prevalence was found in children at ages of 4 to 7 years, and a low prevalence seen in children at ages of 3, 8 and 9 years.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalences of E. vermicularis infections have not changed much among children at ages of 3 to 9 years in China from 2016 to 2018, and high prevalence is seen in southern and southwestern China, which should be given a high priority.

[Establishment of an evaluation system for the field assessment of the Kato-Katz technique in detection of soil-transmitted nematodiasis]

OBJECTIVE

To establish an evaluation system for the field assessment of the Kato-Katz technique in detecting soiltransmitted nematodes, so as to provide insights into the field application of the Kato-Katz technique.

METHODS

The initial evaluation indicators were determined through literature search, brainstorming and expert consultation. The evaluation indicatorswere improved and the weight of each indicator was decided through three rounds of expert consultation by using the Delphimethod. In addition, the expert authority coefficient and the coordination coefficient of each indicator were calculated at eachround of expert consultations.

RESULTS

The recovery rates of the questionnaire were 100.00%, 100.00% and 89.29% at the firstto the third round of the expert consultations, respectively, and the expert authority coefficients were all more than 0.85 at eachround. The final evaluation system included 4 first-level indicators and 15 second-level indicators. In the first-level indicators, "detecting effect" and "funds investment" had the mean weighted value of 4.53 and 4.49, which were relatively higher than that of"person-time investment" and "operability" (both 4.34). Among the second-level indicators under each first-level indicator, thefour most significant indicators included "ability of personnel in egg discrimination", "cooperation of village cadres and doctors","Person-time on testing" and "organizational start-up cost", with the mean weighted values of 4.74, 4.43, 4.39 and 4.17, respectively. The coordination coefficients were 0.39 to 0.65, 0.28 to 0.58 and 0.45 to 0.65 at the first to the third round of the expertconsultations, respectively, and there were significant differences in the coordination coefficients at all three rounds of the consultations (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

An evaluation system for the field assessment of the Kato-Katz technique in detecting soiltransmitted nematodes is successfully established, among which "ability of personnel in egg discrimination" and "cooperation ofvillage cadres and doctors" have the greatest mean weighted values of the significance.

P5644Hypoglycemic episodes increase the risk of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac arrest in patients with type 2 diabetes - a nationwide cohort study

Background

Hypoglycemic episode (HE) increases the risk of cardiovascular mortality. The impact of HE on the risk of sudden death remains unclear. We hypothesized that HE increases the risks of ventricular arrhythmia (VA) and sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), and that anti-diabetic agents (ADAs) causing hypoglycemia also increase the risks of VA and SCA.

Methods

Patients aged ≥20 years with newly diagnosed diabetes were identified from the Taiwan National Insurance Database. HE was defined as the presentation of hypoglycemic coma or specified/unspecified hypoglycemia. For control group, we included diabetic patients without HE, and they were frequency-matched to the HE group at a 4:1 ratio. The primary outcome was the occurrence of any event of VA (including ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation) and SCA during the defined follow-up periods. Multivariate Cox hazards regression model was used to evaluate the hazard ratio (HR) for VA or SCA.

Results

A total of 54,303 diabetic patients were screened with 1,037 of them in the HE group, and 4,148 in the control group. During a mean follow-up period of 3.3±2.5 years, 29 VA/SCA events had occurred. Compared to the control group, the HE group had a higher incidence of VA/SCA (adjusted HR: 2.42, p=0.04). Diabetic patients medicated with insulin for glycemic control increased the risk of VA/SCA compared to those without insulin (adjusted HR: 3.05, p=0.01).

Kaplan-Meier survival curves

Conclusions

HEs in patients with diabetes increased the risks of VA and SCA compared to those without. Their use of insulin also independently increased the risk of VA/SCA.

P2564Levosimendan shortens action potential duration, decreases alternans threshold and prevents ventricular arrhythmia during therapeutic hypothermia in isolated rabbit hearts

Background

Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) increases the susceptibility to ventricular arrhythmias (VA) by prolonging action potential duration (APD) and facilitating arrhythmogenic spatially discordant alternans (SDA). The calcium sensitizer levosimendan has been reported to shorten APD by enhancing ATP-sensitive K current. We hypothesize that levosimendan might shorten the already prolonged APD during TH, decreasing SDA threshold, and prevent the occurrence of VA.

Methods

Langendorff-perfused isolated rabbit hearts were subjected to 15-min TH (30°C) followed by 30-min treatment with levosimendan (0.5 μM, n=9) or vehicle (n=8). Using an optical mapping system, epicardial APD was evaluated by S1 pacing. SDA threshold was defined as the longest pacing cycle length (PCL) that induced SDA phenomenon. Ventricular fibrillation (VF) inducibility was evaluated by burst pacing for 30 s using the shortest PCL that achieved 1:1 ventricular capture.

Results

Levosimendan shortened the ventricular APD (at PCL 300 ms, from 229±9 ms to 211±18 ms, p=0.02) and decrease the SDA threshold (from 327±88 ms to 311±68 ms, p=0.001) during TH. The VF inducibility was decreased by levosimendan from 39±30% at 30°C to 14±12% after levosimendan infusion. In control hearts, the APD (p=0.75), SDA threshold (p=ns) and VF inducibility (p=0.12) were not changed by vehicle during TH.

Conclusions

Levosimendan protects the hearts against VA during TH by shortening APD and decreasing SDA threshold. Enhancing ATP-sensitive K current with levosimendan might be a novel approach to prevent VA during TH.

[Evaluation of tumor vascular normalization in colorectal cancer mouse mode induced by recombinant human endostatin by intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging]

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (IVIM-DWI MRI) in the evaluation of tumor vascular normalization in a mouse model of colorectal cancer induced by recombinant human endostatin (rhES). Methods: The CT26 colorectal cancer xenograft model of BALB/c mice were established and divided into rhES group and control group, with 20 mice in each group. The mice of rhES group were intravenously injected with rhES 5 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1) once daily for 12 days, while the mice of the control group were intravenously injected with the same volume of 0.9% saline. 5 mice of rhES group and control group were randomly selected to perform IVIM-DWI MRI as following times: before treatment and four, eight, twelve days after treatment. The parameters of IVIM-DWI were recorded, including true diffusion coefficient(D), pseudo-diffusion coefficient (D(*)) and perfusion fraction (f). Meanwhile, microvessel density (MVD), pericyte coverage and tumor perfusion in tumor tissues were detected by immunofluorescence, respectively. Results: The tumor volumes of control group and rhES group before treatment were (154.42±24.65) mm(3) and (174.24±28.27)mm(3,) respectively, without statistically significant difference (P=0.440). From day 2 to day 12 after treatment, the tumor volume of rhES group was significantly smaller than that of control group (all P<0.05). There were no statistical significances of D value between the rhES group and control group before and after treatment (all P>0.05). The D(*) values of the rhES group were (10.940±2.834)×10(-3)mm(2)/s and (12.940±2.801)×10(-3)mm(2)/s in day 4 and 8 after treatment respectively, significantly higher than (6.980±1.554)×10(-3)mm(2)/s and (7.898±1.603)×10(-3)mm(2)/s of control group (P<0.05). Moreover, compared with control group, the D(*) value of rhES group was significantly lower in day 12 (6.848±1.460)×10(-3)mm(2)/s vs (9.950±2.596)×10(-3)mm(2)/s, (P<0.05). The f value of rhES group in day 8 was (0.226±0.021)%, significantly higher than (0.178±0.016)% of control group (P<0.01). The MVD of rhES group was significantly lower than that of control group (P<0.05), while the pericyte coverage and tumor perfusion of rhES group were significantly higher than those of control group in day 4 and 8 after treatment (all P<0.05). In addition, we found D(*) value of IVIM-DWI in rhES group was significantly related with MVD, pericyte coverage and tumor perfusion (r=-0.354, r=0.555, r=0.559, all P<0.05). Meanwhile, the f value in rhES group was also significantly related with MVD, pericyte coverage and tumor perfusion (r=-0.391, r=0.538, r=0.315, all P<0.05). Conclusions: IVIM-DWI MRI can effectively evaluate the vascular normalization in rhES-induced CT26 colorectal tumor.The parameters D(*) and f are closely related to intratumorally microvessel density, pericyte coverage and perfusion, which can effectively monitor the occurrence of tumor vascular normalization time.

[The relationship between dietary pattern and serum C-reactive protein concentration]

In order to explore the relationship between dietary pattern and C-reactive protein (CRP) in Xiamen residents, 2 904 subjects from 3 districts of Xiamen City were selected by a multi-stage stratified random sampling method. The food frequency questionnaire was used for dietary survey and serum CRP concentration was determined simultaneously. The dietary model was established by factor analysis and the relationship between different dietary patterns and serum CRP concentration was analyzed. Five dietary patterns were obtained by the factor analysis. After the adjustment of gender, age, occupation, education, marriage status, income, smoking, drinking and body mass index, the healthy dietary pattern was negative associated with the serum CRP concentration [OR(95%CI):0.62(0.42-0.90)]. The Serum CRP concentration of residents with a healthy dietary pattern is lower.

Transmissible gastroenteritis virus nsp7 protein localized in the cytoplasm down-regulates interleukin 8 expression in porcine intestinal epithelial cell

Transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) is an important pathogen in swine that is responsible for substantial economic losses. Previous studies suggest that the TGEV non-structural protein 7 (nsp7) plays an important role in the viral assembly process. However, the subcellular localization and other functions of the TGEV nsp7 protein are still unclear. In this study we have examined the subcellular localization and other functions of TGEV nsp7 protein through analysis of its effects on cell growth, cell cycle progression, interleukin 8 (IL-8) expression, and NF-κB activation. Our results showed that the nsp7 protein is localized in the cytoplasm and has no effect on intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) growth, cell cycle, and cyclin A expression. Further studies showed that TGEV nsp7 protein had no effect on GRP78 expression, could not induce endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and activate NF-κB activity. Interestingly, the IECs expressing nsp7 protein secreted lower levels of IL-8 than control cells. This is the first report to demonstrate the subcellular localization and novel functions of TGEV nsp7 protein. These findings provide novel information about the function of the poorly characterized TGEV non-structural protein 7.

[The clinical impact of artery-first approach combined with vascular resection and reconstruction in the treatment of pancreatic head carcinoma]

Objective: To evaluate the application of artery first, combined vascular resection and reconstruction in the treatment of pancreatic head carcinoma. Methods: The clinical data of 13 patients with pancreatic head cancer were retrospectively analyzed from February 2014 to March 2016 in the Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University. Preoperative computed tomography of high resolution layer or magnetic resonance imaging examination demonstrated pancreatic head carcinoma, as well as close adhesion, stenosis, compression or displacement of superior mesenteric vein or portal vein wall. In the operation, the artery first approach was used and the whole arterial blood supply in the head of the pancreas was fully exposed and interdicted. Finally, en block resection and vascular resection and reconstruction was adopted. Results: 12 of 13 patients had pancreatoduodenectomy synchronously with vascular resection and reconstruction; the other patient had these two surgery sequentially. Four patients received blood vessel wedge resection, five had segmental resection combined with end to end suture, and four had segmental resection combined with artificial vascular graft reconstruction. Operation time was (327.2±65.5) minutes, and the amount of blood loss was (472.6±226.4) millilitres. One patient suffered from delayed gastric emptying, and two patients had pancreatic fistula. All patients recovered from postoperative complications by conservative treatment. No patients developed biliary fistula, gastrointestinal fistula, abdominal infection, pulmonary infection, diarrhea, hypoglycemia or other complications, and none died in perioperative period. Postoperative pathological findings confirmed the diagnosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Mean tumor diameter was (4.2±1.5)cm, and (3.8±1.5) metastasis were found in (13.6±2.5) resected lymph nodes. In 11 cases, the tumor cells were found in the outer membrane of blood vessels, 2 cases were found to have tumor invasion in the inner membrane, and all the resection margins were negative. All patients were followed up, and 2 patients died of liver metastasis 11 months and 18 months after operation, respectively. One patient survived with local recurrence of tumor 13 months after surgery. Other patients had no tumor recurrence and metastasis. Conclusions: The artery first approch combined vascular resection and reconstruction is safe effective and feasible in the treatment of pancreatic head carcinoma. It can improve the ablation rate of pancreatoduodenectomy.

Association between RNF41 gene c.-206 T > A genetic polymorphism and risk of congenital heart diseases in the Chinese Mongolian population

This study aimed to explore the association between ring finger protein 41 (RNF41) c.-206 T > A variant and susceptibility to congenital heart disease (CHD) in the Chinese Mongolian population. The association between RNF41 gene c.-206 T > A polymorphism and CHD was examined in two independent case-control studies consisting of 219 CHD patients and 208 healthy controls. Genotype was determined by direct sequencing of PCR products. We found that the genotype frequencies of RNF41 c.-206 T > A differ significantly between the two groups (P < 0.05). The TT and TA genotypes in the CHD group were 80.67 and 19.33%, respectively. On the other hand, the frequencies of TT and TA in the control group were 94.44 and 5.56%, respectively. Furthermore, the allelic frequencies of CHD patients (T, 90.34%; A, 9.66%) were significantly different as compared with those of non-CHD controls (T, 97.22%; A, 2.78%; χ2 = 4.031, P = 0.041). Our study demonstrates that the RNF41 c.-206 T > A polymorphism may be a risk factor for congenital heart disease in the Chinese Mongolian population.

Hydroxycamptothecin shows antitumor efficacy on HeLa cells via autophagy activation mediated apoptosis in cervical cancer

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the effect and the mechanism of anti-tumor agent hydroxycamptothecin (HCPT) on HeLa cells in cervical cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Autophagy and apoptosis were detected by western blotting and the transfection of GFP-LC3 shRNA as well as Hoechst staining.

RESULTS

The authors found that the expression of the regulators of Beclin-1, p62, and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) upregulated and then triggered the occurrence of cell autophagy. On the other hand, HCPT could induce to the formation of autophagy and resulted in cell apoptosis after autophagy.

CONCLUSION

HCPT can alter cell autophagy and then trigger cell apoptosis to achieve antitumor effects.

Preparation and identification of an antiserum against recombinant UL31 protein of pseudorabies virus

Pseudorabies virus (PRV) early protein UL31 is a homologue of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) UL31, which is a multifunctional protein important for HSV-1 infection. However, the precise roles of PRV UL31 in virus life cycle are still poorly understood. A relatively crucial tool for uncovering the function of UL31 is an antiserum that specifically detects UL31 in the PRV-infected cells. For this purpose, a recombinant UL31 protein consisting of N-terminal 27 aa of UL31 fused to EYFP and His-tag was expressed, purified and used for the preparation of antiserum in BALB/c mice. Our results show that Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence assay showed that this antiserum could specifically detect the purified recombinant UL31 as well as full-length UL31 in the PRV infected cells. These results demonstrate that the prepared antiserum could serve as a valuable tool for further studies of UL31 functions in PRV infection.