[Value of shear wave elastrography image classification in the diagnosis of breast masses]

Objective: To analyze the image features of shear wave elastrography (SWE) in breast masses, and to evaluate their values in the differentiation of benign and malignant breast lesions. Methods: A total of 361 patients with 403 breast lesions who simultaneously underwent conventional ultrasound and SWE examination from February 2015 to January 2018 were selected. Diagnosis in all patients was confirmed by aspiration biopsy or operative pathology. The SWE images were collected and the elastic images were divided into 5 types. The SWE image features of different breast pathological types were summarized, and their values in benign and malignant breast lesion diagnoses were evaluated. Results: The main features of benign breast lesion were type Ⅰ and Ⅱ, the main features of the malignant lesion were type Ⅳ and Ⅴ, and the proportion of which were 43.6% (71/163), 37.4% (61/163), 22.1% (53/240) and 57.9% (139/240), respectively. Type Ⅲ accounted for a certain proportion in both benign and malignant lesions. The SWE image features of benign and malignant lesions were compared and a significant difference was observed (P<0.001). The type Ⅴ features were mainly observed in invasive ductal carcinoma, invasive lobular carcinoma and other types of invasive carcinoma, while the type Ⅳ features were mostly presented in ductal carcinoma in situ and mucinous carcinoma. Fibroadenoma, fibroadenosis accompanied with fibroadenoma, and fibroadenosis were featured with type Ⅰ. Both intraductal papilloma and benign phyllodes tumor were mostly type Ⅱ, while type Ⅲ and Ⅴ were more common in chronic granulomatous mastitis. When type Ⅰ and typeⅡof breast lesions were classified as benign features while type Ⅳ and Ⅴ were malignant features, the sensitivity and specificity of breast malignant lesion diagnosis were 91.2% and 84.7% by application of SWE combined with breast imaging reporting and data system (BI-RADS). The sensitivity of combined diagnosis was slightly lower than that of conventional ultrasound (P>0.05), but the specificity was significantly higher than conventional ultrasound (P<0.01). Conclusion: The SWE is a simple and effective method. Combination of SWE with conventional ultrasound may improve the diagnostic differentiation of benign and malignant breast lesions.

[A case report of primary ectopic meningioma on occipital subcutaneous soft tissue]

A 65 years old male patient found one lump (A) located in left occipital subcutaneous soft tissue, which was gradually enlarging since thirty years ago. And the patient found another lump (B) located in left shoulder since five years ago. The pathological results showed typical features and immunophenotype of (A) lump resembling intracranial meningothelial meningioma, and (B) lump was a lipoma. No local recurrence or metastasis could been found for 2 months after excision.

The importance of expressing PDCD4 and PDCD5 anti-oncogenes in glioma

Glioma is the most common malignant tumor of the brain, which is difficult to be completely resected. The recurrence and mortality rates are high and the prognosis is poor. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of anti-oncogene programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4) and programmed cell death 5 (PDCD5) in glioma and their influence on the progression of the disease in order to provide new therapeutic approaches. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis was used to investigate PDCD4 mRNA and PDCD5 mRNA expression in 66 glioma patients who served as the study group and 22 patients who suffered from craniocerebral injuries or hematencephalon who were used as controls. The experimental group was divided into a low malignant group (tumors grade I - II) and a high malignant group (tumor grades III-IV). The PDCD4 mRNA and PDCD5 mRNA expression in the experimental group was 0.545±0.202 and 0.687±0.174 and in the control group was 0.942±0.131 and 0.868 ± 0.190, respectively (P less than 0.05). The PDCD4 mRNA and PDCD5 mRNA expressions in the low malignant group were 0.628±0.240 and 0.750±0.198, respectively, and in the high malignant group were 0.464±0.185 and 0.553±0.170, respectively (P less than 0.05). The results showed a downregulation of PDCD4 mRNA and PDCD5 mRNA expression in the experimental group compared with the control group. This downregulation was correlated with the pathological grade of glioma. In the high malignant group the PDCD4 mRNA and PDCD5 mRNA expressions were significantly decreased compared with the low malignant group and the control group. PDCD4 mRNA and PDCD5 mRNA expressions are promising targets for the diagnosis and treatment of glioma.

[Application of Activities of Daily Living Scale in Mild Psychiatric Impairment Assessment]

OBJECTIVES

To explore the application of activities of daily living （ADL） scale in mild psychiatric impairment assessment under the guideline of Classification of Human Body Disability Caused by Injury.

METHODS

A total of 124 subjects with organic mental disorders and mild psychiatric impairments （levels 7 to 10）, and 106 healthy controls were included in. All participants were assessed by the ADL scale, physical self-maintenance scale （PSMS） and instrumental activities of daily living （IADL） scale. The difference between the scores of control group and study group, and the relationship of impairment level and the scores were compared, and the threshold value was determined according to the ROC curve.

RESULTS

The total scores of ADL, IADL and PSMS were significantly different between the control group and the study group （P<0.05）. The scores of ADL, IADL, PSMS were significantly different among the impairment levels （P<0.05）, which showed a relativity with impairment level. The scores of ADL corresponding to levels 10, 9, 8 and 7 were 14-17, 18-23, 24-29 and 30-34, respectively, which showed a good correlation between the conclusion according to the scale and the expert's opinion （κ= 0.914, P<0.05）.

CONCLUSIONS

The score of ADL was significantly related to mild psychiatric impairment, and the higher ADL score represents the more severe disability, which can be used as a reference index for preliminarily judging the level of mild psychiatric impairment.

The role of osteopontin and its receptor in meningioma development and progression

Meningiomas are common in intracranial tumors, the majority of which are benign with slow growth and low recurrence rate. The aim of the present study was to assess the role of osteopontin and its receptor CD44 (Cluster of differentiation -44) in meningioma development and progression. A total of 2 groups were included, namely an experimental group with 54 meningioma patients and a control group with 30 patients with internal and external decompression. The disease group included subjects, from whom meningioma tissue specimens were collected during surgery for tumor excision, whereas the control group included subjects who were subjected to scalp laceration and provided normal meninx tissues. The expression of osteopontin and CD44 was determined by immunohistochemistry. Osteopontin expression was negative in normal meninx, and its expression was increased in meningioma tissues (P less than 0.05). The positive expression of osteopontin increased according to the histological grade of meningioma (r=0.417, P less than 0.001). A highly significant difference was noted between non-invasive and invasive meningiomas (P less than 0.001). The positive expression of CD44 correlated with the grade of meningioma and its invasiveness (P less than 0.05), although it exhibited no correlation with the degree of peritumoral edema (r=0.033, P>0.05). The increased expressions of osteopontin and CD44 were observed in all grades of meningioma, and correlated with its development (r=0.961, P less than 0.001). Osteopontin and CD44 play important roles in the development and progression of meningioma and can be used as prognostic markers for tumor recurrence and progression as well as therapeutic targets for the development of new drugs.

[Current situation and prospect of diagnosis and treatment of tuberous sclerosis related renal angiomyolipoma]

Tuberous sclerosis complex is an autosomal dominant disease involving multiple organs and multiple systems. The main manifestation is renal angiomyolipoma in the kidney. It is the most common cause of death in adults, because of its high incidence, rapid growth and bleeding. The incidence of this disease is low and the cognition is not enough, so the diagnosis and treatment are lack of standardization. Recently, the expert consensus of the diagnosis and treatment of tuberous sclerosis related renal angiomyolipoma has been established in China. This content fills the gap in this field in China. With the development of precision medicine, the diagnosis and treatment of such diseases are also progressing.

Coagulation in hindbrain membrane meningioma patients treated with different injections using acute hypervolemic hemodilution

The aim of this study was to analyze the changes in coagulation in meningioma patients treated with different injections using the method of acute hypervolemic hemodilution (AHH). One hundred fifty hindbrain membrane meningioma patients were randomly divided into 5 groups, 30 per group. The first group were injected 40ml/time with Danhong after anesthesia induction; the second group were injected with 40ml~60ml/time Kangai and combined with interventional chemotherapy and embolization procedure; the third group of AHH were injected with polygeline 15ml/kg; the fourth group were injected with hydroxyethyl starch (130/0.4) sodium chloride in doses of 15ml/kg; the control group underwent basic treatment for lowering blood pressure and lowering blood fat. The changes of coagulation index were recorded before and after surgery and before and after the injection of different medications. Compared to the control group, for the first group of AHH, after being treated for 10 days and 30 days, the concentrations of bone specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP), bone Gla protein (BGP) and pro-collagen carboxy-terminal propeptide (PICP) were higher than that of the control group, the levels of endotoxin (ET) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were decreased compared to the control group (p less than 0.05); for the second group of AHH, after being treated for 10 days, the index of prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), thrombin time (TT), fibrinogen (Fg) were not significantly changed, but the related level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) significantly decreased (p less than 0.05). Comparing the coagulation function index after surgery in the third and fourth groups, there were no significant changes in mean arterial pressure (MAP) level, heart rate (HR) value presented a low decrease, central venous pressure (CVP) level increased and the level of interleukin IL-6 showed a steady state after increasing. Analyzing the levels of interleukin IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) after surgery, it was seen that in the third group they increased and in the fourth group they decreased (p less than 0.05). Danhong injection improved the coagulation function and microcirculation of patients, Kangai injection and interventional chemotherapy and embolization restrained the appearance of tumor angiogenesis, AHH operation with polygeline injection and hydroxyethyl starch (130/0.4) sodium chloride kept blood flow in normal parameters.

[Applied Value of Electroencephalogram in Assessment of Mild Psychiatry Impairment]

OBJECTIVES

To explore the applied value of electroencephalogram （EEG） in assessment of psychiatric impairment among patients with mental disorders due to traumatic brain injury.

METHODS

According to the ICD-10, a total of 271 subjects were enrolled and assessed with the criterion of mental disorders due to traumatic brain injury. Activity of Daily Living Scale （ADL）, Functional Activities Questionnaire （FAQ） and Social Disability Screening Schedule （SDSS） were used to evaluate the severity of patients. All the participants were tested by Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale （WAIS） and examined by EEG.

RESULTS

Totally 215 patients accomplished the study. The results of Glasgow Coma Scale （GCS）, the severity of craniocerebral injury and the scores of FAQ, SDSS and ADL showed significant difference among the patients with different severity of EEG （P<0.05）. The grades of psychiatric impairment showed significant difference among the patients with different abnormal EEG （P<0.05）.

CONCLUSIONS

EEG can reflect the severity of craniocerebral injury, assist evaluate the social function and activity of daily living of patients with mental disorders due to traumatic brain injury, and distinguish the mild psychiatric impairment grades, which suggest that EEG has a certain reference value in the assessment of psychiatric impairment.

[The application of captopril challenge test in the diagnosis of primary aldosteronism]

Objective: To evaluate the value of captopril challenge test (CCT) in the diagnosis of primary aldosteronism (PA). Methods: A total of 674 patients [(45.0±13.7) years, men 341, women 333] admitted to Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 2000 to 2015 were analyzed. Among them, 222 subjects were with essential hypertension (EH), 28 were with pheochromocytoma (PHEO), 246 were with idiopathic hyperaldosteronism (IHA) and 178 were with aldosterone producing adenoma (APA). All patients received CCT. 24 h urine sodium was measured in partial patients. Plasma renin activity (PRA), aldosterone (ALD) were detected. Results: Compared with EH [PRA: before 0.5(0.2, 0.9) μg·L(-1)·h(-1,) after 0.8(0.4, 1.5) μg·L(-1)·h(-1;) ALD: before (393±122) pmol/L, after (360±97) pmol/L] and PHEO [PRA: before 0.3(0.1, 0.9) μg·L(-1)·h(-1,) after 0.4(0.1, 1.6) μg·L(-1)·h(-1;) ALD: before (396±108) pmol/L, after (374±114) pmol/L], lower levels of PRA and higher levels of ALD before and after CCT were observed in PA patients [PRA: before 0.1 (0.1, 0.2) μg·L(-1)·h(-1,) after 0.1 (0.1, 0.2) μg·L(-1)·h(-1;) ALD: before (468±216) pmol/L; after (457±199) pmol/L]. After CCT, the suppression rate of ALD [2.8% (-8.8%, 15.4%) vs 6.6% (-4.3%, 17.6%)] and increasing rate of PRA [0(0, 50%) vs 50%(0, 200%)] in PA patients were lower than those in EH patients. The ALD/PRA ratio (ARR) were higher in PA than that in EH or PHEO patients. In the EH subjects, ALD levels of seated posture were higher than those of recumbent posture both before and after receiving captopril, but with no changes in ARR after CCT. No significant differences in ALD and ARR (before and after receiving captopril) were observed between seated and recumbent position in the PA group. The ARR after CCT tended to decrease in EH subjects with elevated urine-sodium compared with those with normal urine-sodium. No changes could be viewed in ALD and PRA levels between normal urine-sodium and elevated urine-sodium groups among APA, IHA and EH patients either before or after CCT. Among patients with APA, the ALD levels before CCT and the ARR after CCT were lower in the patients with AngiotensionⅡ(AngⅡ) reactive than those without. A ROC curve analysis suggested that the optimal cutoff value was 46.2 (ALD unit: ng/dl; PRA unit: μg·L(-1)·h(-1)) for ARR after challenge in diagnosing PA, with the sensitivity of 88.7% and specificity of 84.8%. Conclusions: ARR after 25 mg captopril had high sensitivity and specificity in diagnosis of PA with the cutoff of 46.2. Seated CCT could replace recumbent CCT as a more confirmatory test. The PRA increasing rate should be taken into consideration when diagnosis of PA.

[Surgery treatment of ectopic adrenocorticotrophic hormone syndrome]

OBJECTIVE

To investigation the diagnosis and treatment of ectopic adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) syndrome.

METHODS

The clinical characters of 57 cases of ecotopic ACTH syndrome from Jan. 1996 to Dec. 2016 were collected and analyzed. The 57 cases included 32 males and 25 females. The age ranged from 11 to 68 years (average 32 years). ACTH levels significantly increased from 16.5 to 365.6 pmol/L, with average 77.6 pmol/L (normal range <10.1 pmol/L). The pituitary MRI did not found lesions. The CT showed that their bilateral adrenal glands diffused small nodular changes or nodular hyperplasia. The 57 cases were divided into 3 groups according to different treatment options. In the study, 25 ectopic ACTH syndrome cases (44%) were group A, without identified source of ectopic hormone, were treated with bilateral or unilateral adrenalectomy due to the severity of the disease and difficulty of operation. Group B was composed of 16 cases (28%) diagnosed as ectopic ACTH syndrome by finding ectopic ACTH tumors and surgical resection. Group C included 16 cases (28%) with nonsurgical therapy. Different treatment results and prognosis were analyzed.

RESULTS

In the study, 40 cases of the 57 had been followed up for 6 months to 10 years. In group A, of the 25 cases with bilateral or unilateral adrenalectomy, 4 died of diabetes and severe pulmonary infection, 18 survived, and 3 were lost to the follow-up, and the survival rate was 81% (18/22). In group B, of the 16 cases with radical tumor resection, 5 died of tumor recurrence 0.5-6.0 years after operation, 3 survived, and 8 were lost to the follow-up, and the survival rate was 37.5% (3/8). In group C, of the 16 non-operation patients, 4 with radiotherapy and chemotherapy died of metastases, diabetes or pulmonary infection, 6 with chemotherapy died of pulmonary infection within 1 year and the others were lost to the follow-up, and the survival rate was 0.

CONCLUSION

Ectopic ACTH syndrome is difficult to treat. Adrenalectomy is effective for the management of ectopic ACTH syndrome, especially for those patients with severe Cushing's syndrome, but the primary tumor can not be located.

[MicroRNA differential expression profile in tuberous sclerosis complex cell line TSC2-/- MEFs and normal cell line TSC2+/+ MEFs]

OBJECTIVE

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a multisystem genetic disorder caused by mutations in the TSC1 and TSC2 genes, but the molecular events contributing to TSC are not well understood. However, little is known about the role of microRNAs in TSC. To explore the microRNA differential expression profile between tuberous sclerosis complex cell line TSC2^-/- MEFs and normal type cell line TSC2^+/+ MEFs, and to provide new clues to study the mechanism of microRNA function in tuberous sclerosis complex.

METHODS

TSC2^-/- MEFs and TSC2^+/+ MEFs cell lines were cultured in vitro, each with three samples chosen as the experimental group and the control group respectively. Total RNA was isolated using TRizol and purified with RNeasy mini kit according to manufacturer's instructions. RNA quality and quantity were measured by using nanodrop spectrophotometer and RNA integrity was determined by gel electrophoresis. Total RNAs were extracted by TRizol, followed by RNA quantification and quality control. MicroRNA profiles were analyzed by microarray and the threshold value used to screen up-regulated more than 2-fold change or down-regulated less than 0.5-fold change compared with controls. Real-time PCR was used to validate the reliability of microarray. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was performed to evaluate the proliferation.

RESULTS

Fourteen microRNAs, including miR-18a-5p, miR-376c-3p, miR-136-5p, miR-467c-5p, miR-467b-5p, miR-5104, miR-3098-3p, miR-30a-3p, miR-302b-3p, miR-18a-3p, miR-19b-1-5p, miR-19a-5p, miR-20a-5p, miR-155-5p, were up-regulated, while twenty-six microRNAs, including miR-200b-3p, miR-450a-1-3p, miR-542-5p, miR-199b-5p, miR-10a-5p, miR-466c-5p, miR-450a-5p, miR-450b-5p, miR-542-3p, miR-351-5p, miR-322-3p, miR-199a-3p, miR-335-5p, miR-10b-5p, miR-351-3p, miR-155-3p, miR-497a-5p, miR-503-5p, miR-148a-3p, miR-1843a-5p, miR-199a-5p, miR-490-5p, miR-450a-2-3p, miR-322-5p, miR-214-3p, miR-450b-3p, were down-regulated in tuberous sclerosis complex cell line TSC2^-/- MEFs compared with normal type cell line TSC2^+/+ MEFs (P<0.05). Real-time PCR confirmed the expressions of miR-136-5p, miR-30a-3p, miR-302b-3p, miR-10b-5p, miR-148a-3p, miR-199a-5p consistent with the microarray data (P<0.05). Furthermore, the overexpression of miR-199a-5p significantly inhibited cell proliferation (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

There are differences in the expression of miRNA between the tuberous sclerosis complex cell line TSC2^-/- MEFs and normal cell line TSC2^+/+ MEFs. MiRNA-199a-5p plays an important role in tuberous sclerosis complex, which may be developed as an important molecular target for the treatment of tuberous sclerosis complex.

[Serum uric acid is associated with disease severity and an important predictor for clinical outcome in patients with pulmonary hypertension]

Objective: The growing body of literature showed a link between uric acid and pulmonary hypertension (PH), but the impact of hyperuremia on outcome of patients with PH has not been well defined. Therefore, the present study was performed to analyze the impact of uric acid on outcome of PH patients. Methods: One hundred seventy-three PH patients (112 females, mean age 38 years old), who were hospitalized in our department between January 2010 and December 2015, were included in our study, the PH diagnosis was made based on right heart catheterization examination result (mean pulmonary artery pressure≥25 mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa)). PH patients were divided into mild to moderate PH group (Rp/Rs≤0.6, n=97) and severe PH group (Rp/Rs>0.6, n=76). Fifty-one patients (33 females, mean age 45 years old) without PH based on right heart catheterization were included as control subjects. All participants were followed up for a median of 24 months(6-71 months). Clinical endpoints were defined as cardiogenic death or heart-and-lung transplantation. Results: Uric acid was positively correlated with pulmonary vascular resistance(r=0.398, P<0.01), systemic vascular resistance(r=0.244, P<0.01) and mean right atrial pressure (r=0.26, P<0.01), and was negatively correlated with cardiac index(r=-0.278, P<0.01)and mixed venous oxygen saturation (r=-0.322, P<0.01)in PH patients. Serum uric acid level was significantly higher in patients with severe PH than in patients with mild-to-moderate PH and the control subjects (both P<0.05). According to the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), 425.5 μmol/L was found to be the best cut-off value of serum uric acid level to predict the outcome of PH patients (sensitivity 50%, specificity 72%). During follow-up, patients with higher level of uric acid (>425.5 μmol/L) were linked with poorer clinical outcome compared to patients with uric acid <425.5 μmol/L(P=0.027). Conclusion: Our findings suggests that uric acid is associated with the severity of PH and higher uric acid level serves as an important predictor for poor clinical outcome of PH patients.

[Eye Movement Characteristics of Cooperation Degree during Image Completion Test in Psychiatric Impairment Assessment]

OBJECTIVES

To explore the difference of eye movement characteristics between uncooperative and cooperative subjects with mental disorder after cerebral trauma.

METHODS

Thirty-nine subjects which needed psychiatric impairment assessment were selected. According to the binomial forced-choice digit memory test （BFDMT）, all subjects were divided into cooperative and uncooperative groups. The subjects were asked to take the image completion test from Wechsler adult intelligence scale. Meanwhile, the data of eye movement track, fixation, saccade, pupil and blink were recorded by the track system of eye movement.

RESULTS

There were significantly differences （P<0.05） in the data of saccade between cooperative （10 cases） and uncooperative groups （29 cases）. The frequency, time, amplitude, acceleration of saccadic in uncooperative group were significantly higher than cooperation group. The saccade latencies of cooperation group increased more than uncooperative group. There was a significant difference （P<0.05） in total discrete distance, average distance and total time of fixation between two groups, while the average duration time, number and frequency of fixation had no significantly difference （P>0.05） between two groups. And the blink frequency of cooperation group was higher than uncooperative group.

CONCLUSIONS

Eye movement can be an objective index for the primary judgment of cooperation level.

[Survival analysis of surgically treated renal cell carcinoma: an analysis of 10-year data from single center]

OBJECTIVE

To explore how clinical features of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) relate to cancer patients' prognosis and survival.

METHODS

A total of 1 497 renal cell carcinoma patients received surgical treatments in Department of Urology, Peking Union Medical College were admitted between January 2002 and December 2012. Telephone interviews and complimentary medical records review were carried out to acquire follow-up data, including post-surgery adjuvant therapy, disease progression and survival.

RESULTS

There were 1 326 of all 1 497 RCC cases successfully followed up, including 899 male and 427 female cases. The median age was 54(18) years (M(QR)). There were 1 049 T1 cases (79.11%), 139 T2 cases (10.48%), 125 T3 cases (9.43%), and 13 T4 cases (0.98%). As for types of surgery, there were 584 (44.04%) nephron-sparing surgery cases, and 742 (55.96%) radical nephrectomy cases. As for pathological subtypes, it included 1 153 (86.95%) clear cell renal cell carcinoma cases, and 173 (13.05%) non-clear cell renal cell carcinoma cases. Median length of follow-up was 43.6 months. During follow-up, 147 patients developed RCC related progression, with a median progression free survival of 18.2 months.Sixty-four patients died from RCC related progression, with a median cancer specific survival (CSS) of 27.7 months. RESULTS of data analysis showed that CSS rates of 1-, 5-, 10-year of T1 stage post-surgical RCC were 99.61%, 97.24%, 92.08%, respectively; CSS rates of 1-, 5-, 10-year of T2 stage were 98.51%, 92.01%, 85.08%, respectively; and CSS rates of 1-, 5-, 10-year of T3-4 stage were 92.40%, 77.99%, 42.56%, respectively. Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that signs of lung metastasis, signs of bone metastasis, tumor N stage, pathological subtype, microscopic sarcomatoid changing, and types of progression were major risk factors for RCC cancer specific survival (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Surgery is the primary choice of treatment in RCC. The survival is not same with different T stage. T stage affects the progression of renal cell carcinoma. N stage, lung and bone symptoms, pathological type, sarcomatoid changes and postoperative metastasis of renal cell carcinoma will affect the mortality of patients.

[Effects of chrysin on sphere formation and CK2α expression of ovarian cancer stem-like cells derived from SKOV3 cell line]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether inhibitory effect of chrysin on sphere formation of ovarian cancer stem-like cells(spheroids derived from human ovarian cancer SKOV3 cell line ) is involved in the down-regulating of the protein expression of casein kinase CK2α.

METHODS

SKOV3-derived ovarian cancer stem-like cells obtained by suspension culture in stem cell-condition medium using ultra-low adhesion plate were treated with various concentrations (5.0, 10.0 and 20.0 μmol/L) of chrysin. Sphere formation assay was used to determine the sphere forming rate of SKOV3-derived ovarian cancer stem-like cells. Western blot was used to analyze the protein expressions of CK2α and cancer stem cell markers CD133 and CD44. Silence of CK2α by siRNA and ectopic expression of CK2α by transfection with pcDNA3.1-CK2α plasmid were used to explore the mechanism underlying the effect of chrysin on sphere formation of SKOV3-derived ovarian cancer stem-like cells.

RESULTS

Chrysin (5.0, 10.0 and 20.0 μmol/L) significantly reduced the sphere forming rate of SKOV3-derived ovarian cancer stem-like cells, in a concentration-dependent manner (22.3%±2.5% vs 14.7%±2.1%, 8.6%± 1.7% and 3.8% ± 1.1% respectively; P<0.05). In addition, chrysin (5.0, 10.0 and 20.0 μmol/L) obviously down-regulated the protein expressions of CK2α, CD133 and CD44 in SKOV3-derived ovarian cancer stem-like cells. In combination with CK2α siRNA transfection and chrysin synergistically decreased sphere formation (P<0.05) and the protein expressions of CK2α, CD133 and CD44 in SKOV3-derived ovarian cancer stem-like cells. However, transfection with pcDNA3.1-CK2α plasmid attenuated inhibitory effects of chrysin on sphere formation capability and the expressions of CK2α, CD133 and CD44 of SKOV3-derived ovarian cancer stem-like cells.

CONCLUSION

Down-regulation of CK2α protein expression is involved in the inhibition effect of chrysin on the sphere formation capability of SKOV3-derived ovarian cancer stem-like cells.

[Study on the contribution rate of follow-up formula to the nutrient intake of infants and young children aged 7-24 months in China]

Objective: To determine the contribution of follow-up formula (FUF) to the nutrient intake of 7-24-month-old infants and young children. Methods: The cluster random sampling method and the convenience sampling method were used in combination, and geographic and economic factors were taken into consideration. Four areas of China (Beijing, Hebei, Guangxi, Guangdong) were selected, with 120 infants chosen from each of these areas (half of which were 7-12 months old, and half were 13-24 months old). A dietary survey was completed by a continuous 24-hour weighing method over two days. Questionnaires were completed by their caregivers which included weighing the FUF and supplementary food given to the infant, and recording the frequency of breast feeding and any supplementary nutrients. A total of 518 questionnaires were distributed, and 472 questionnaires qualified for inclusion. Nutrient intake was calculated using the China food composition, infant formula food nutrient content and infant nutrition supplement brand-label information databases, and then the nutrient intake proportion (the percentage of estimated energy requirement (EER%), recommended nutrient intake (RNI%) or adequate intake (AI%)), and the contribution rate of FUF were analyzed. Results: A total of 472 infants were investigated (227 infants aged 7-12 months old, 245 infants aged 13-24 months old). The findings revealed that the median energy intake of 7- 12-month-old and 13- 24-month-old infants were 2 530.08 kJ and 3 445.48 kJ, respectively, which accounted for 85.18% and 94.14% of EER, respectively; and the median intake of protein reached 91.50% and 105.88% of their RNI/AI, respectively. For micronutrients, the median intake of vitamin B₁, vitamin B₂, niacin, vitamin E, potassium, zinc and manganese in 7- 12-month-old infants and vitamin B₂, vitamin E, potassium, magnesium, iron and manganese in 13-24-month-old children accounted for 82.00% and 114.29% of RNI/AI (RNI%/AI%), respectively. The intake of vitamin B₆, iron and selenium in 7-12-month-old infants and vitamin B₁, vitamin B₆, vitamin C, calcium and selenium in 13-24-month-old children was less than 80% RNI/AI. Furthermore, some nutrients showed higher intake levels, such as vitamin A, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium in 7-12-month-old infants and vitamin A and phosphorus in 13-24-month-old children, which were higher than 130% RNI/AI. In total, 40.53% (92) of infants aged 7-12 months and 52.65% (129) of children aged 13- 24 months were fed FUF as part of their diet, and its contribution rate to macronutrients was 29.69% for carbohydrates and 51.77% for fats, and to micronutrients was 2.04% for manganese and 74.24% for vitamin C. Conclusion: FUF contributes to the nutrient intake of infants and young children aged from 7-24 months old at different rates depending on the macronutrient or micronutrient analyzed.

[Review of hot topics in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer in 2016]

With the aging of the population, changes in diet and medical examination popular, the incidence and mortality of prostate cancer in China are increasing year by year. Over the past year, a large number of clinical and basic researchers focus on various perspectives of prostate cancer, which may provide new direction for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. In this paper, the near year important progress in the forefront of prostate cancer has been reviewed and summed up in two major aspects: diagnosis and treatment.

Purification and detoxification of petroleum refinery wastewater by electrocoagulation process

The treatment of synthetic oily wastewater having the characteristics of a typical petroleum refinery wastewater (PRW) by electrocoagulation (EC) using iron and aluminum electrodes was conducted in an electrolytic reactor equipped with fluid recirculation. During the treatment, the emulsion stability was followed by the measurement of Zeta potential and particle sizes. Effects of some operating conditions such as electrodes material, current density and electrolysis time on removal efficiencies of turbidity, and chemical oxygen demand (COD) were investigated in detail. The PRW purification by the EC process was found to be the most effective using aluminum as the anode and cathode, current density of 60 A/m(2) and 30 min of electrolysis time. Under these conditions, the process efficiencies were 83.52% and 99.94%, respectively, for COD and turbidity removals which correspond to final values of 96 mg O2/L and 0.5 NTU. A moderate energy consumption (0.341 kWh) was needed to treat 1 m(3) of PRW. Besides, the ecotoxicity test proved that toxic substances presented in the PRW, and those inhibiting the germination growth of whet, were eliminated by the EC technique.

Ultrasound diagnosis in gynecological acute abdomen

As ultrasound diagnosis is applied more frequently in gynecological acute abdomen, we carried out this study to discuss the diagnosis of endometriosis with ultrasound imaging and analyze the efficacy of microRNA used for diagnosing endometriosis and evaluating prognosis by comparing differentially expressed microRNA in subjects with or without endometriosis. Ultrasound examination results and clinical pathological examination results of 60 cases of gynecological acute abdomen were compared. Blood samples were collected from patients with endometriosis. Of 60 cases, 38 cases recurred in 20 months after surgery and the remaining 22 cases had no recurrence in the 30-month follow-up. Additionally, blood was collected from 40 patients without endometriosis as control. Then total RNA was extracted from these blood samples to determine the difference of expression of microRNA (miR-17-5p, miR-20a, miR-199a and miR-141). Compared to healthy subjects, the endometriosis patients showed significantly increased expression of miR-199a, but the expression of miR-17-5p, miR-20a and miR-141 had an obvious decrease; the differences were statistically significant (p less than 0.01). For recurred cases, miR-199 showed a remarkably high expression and miR-17-5p and miR-20a expressed significantly low.

Investigation of single nucleotide polymorphisms in phosphodiesterase 4D gene in Mongol and Han patients with ischemic stroke in Inner Mongolia

We investigated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) at 87 sites of the phosphodiesterase 4D (PDE4D) gene in Mongol and Han patients with ischemic stroke in Inner Mongolia. SNPs in 226 patients with ischemic stroke (case group, 110 Mongol patients, 116 Han patients) and 220 patients without neurological disease (control group, 102 Mongol patients, 118 Han patients) were detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and gene sequencing. The genotype and allele frequencies of all groups were compared. There were no statistically significant differences in genotypes in the PDE4D gene at 87 sites between the case and control groups (P > 0.05). The C allele frequency in the case group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The CC genotype and C allele frequencies in the Mongol case subgroup were higher than those in the Mongol control subgroup (P < 0.05). The CC genotype and C allele frequencies in the Han case subgroup were higher than those in the Han control subgroup (P < 0.05). In the case group, there were no significant differences at 87 sites for genotypes and allele frequencies between the Mongol and Han subgroups. In the control group, there were no significant differences at 87 site genotypes and allele frequencies between the Mongol and Han subgroups. The increase in the C allele frequency at 87 SNP sites in PDE4D may increase ischemic stroke risk. We found no differences in the risk between Mongol and Han populations in Inner Mongolia.

Application of the electro-Fenton process for cutting fluid mineralization

Organic compound is the main pollutant in industrial effluent. Conventional wastewater treatment processes are inefficient for the removal of toxic or non-biodegradable organic pollutants. Advanced electrochemical depollution is a very efficient and economic method, suitable when the wastewater contains toxic and recalcitrant organic pollutants. The aim of the present study was to investigate the application of the electro-Fenton (EF) process for the degradation and mineralization of a stable oil-in-water emulsion (0.01% in v/v). The effects of operating parameters such as cathode material (graphite, Ti/Pt and steel), nature (Na2SO4, NaNO3 and NaCl) and dose of electrolyte (25-75 mM), initial ferrous ions concentration (1-75 mM), current intensity (0.1-0.2 A) and operating time, on chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency, were studied. Results showed that the EF method can be used efficiently for the degradation of stable cutting oil emulsion. For considered initial conditions (bubbling compressed air at 1 L/min, 0.15 A, pH 3, [Na2SO4]=0.05 M, [FeSO4]=0.015 M, COD0=400 mg O2/L), the best removal efficiencies were obtained under the following conditions: graphite as cathode material, 180 min for treatment duration and 0.05 M [Na2SO4]. For these conditions, treatment of 250 mL of emulsion led to 93.6% of cutting fluid mineralization, which correspond to 25 mg O2/L of final COD, 19 kWh/m3 of treated wastewater and 24.039 kWh/kg of COD removal.

Enhanced anaerobic digestion of waste activated sludge of low organic content in a novel digester

A novel digester, termed an internal circulation anaerobic digester (ICAD), was developed to intensify sludge digestion. It consists of reaction zone, settling zone, thickening zone, riser and downcomer. Internal circulation in the digester is intensified by backflow biogas. The mesophilic ICAD treating thermal pretreated waste activated sludge with volatile suspended solids (VSS)/suspended solids (SS) of 0.45-0.49 was conducted in this study to reduce and stabilize the low organic content sludge. The results showed that the VSS removal rate and biogas rate reached 46.0% and 0.72 m(3)/kg VSS(fed) at hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 15 days. VSS/SS and soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD) of the effluent sludge ranged from 0.39 to 0.41 and 274 mg/L to 473 mg/L, respectively, under various HRTs from 10 to 27 days. The degradation ability of ICAD derived from the improved mass transfer by internal circulation and long solid retention time at short HRT is compared with continuous stirred tank reactor.

Correlation analysis between starch properties and single nucleotide polymorphisms of waxy genes in common rye (Secale cereale L.)

To understand the relationships between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the waxy gene and starch parameters in common rye, we performed sequence characterization, enzyme activity testing, amylopectin/amylose ratio evaluation, starch property testing, and correlation analysis. Specific primers were used to clone waxy from 20 rye cultivars. Sequence analysis showed that waxy was 2852 bp, including 11 exons, and sequence similarity across the 20 cultivars was over 98%. The Waxy protein showed >95% similarity with those from wheat, rice, and barley, the closest genetic relationship being with wheat Wx-A type. Waxy had multiple SNPs, most of which were located in the exons. Amino acid variants were found to be mainly distributed in the catalytic domain in an imbalanced state. Multi-factor correlation analysis revealed significant correlation among starch pasting parameters in rye flour. The Waxy protein activity was significantly negatively correlated with the amylose content and amylopectin/amylose ratio. However, pasting parameters, Waxy enzyme activity, and amylopectin/amylose content ratio were not correlated. The correlation of SNPs, the key catalytic site of Waxy, with starch parameters and enzyme activity suggested that both starch pasting parameters and Waxy protein activity were influenced by No. 260 amino acid (aa). Further, the 141 and 152 aa loci were found in the enzyme-catalyzing domain of Waxy. Interestingly, Waxy enzyme activity was also influenced by the 363 aa locus in the pliable region. These results provide important theoretical regarding the high-throughput quality identification of noodle starch, functional studies, directional selection, and molecular markers of wheat Wx subunits.

Simple sequence repeat-based association analysis of fruit traits in eggplant (Solanum melongena)

Association mapping based on linkage disequilibrium (LD) provides a promising tool to identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) in plant resources. A total of 141 eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) accessions were selected to detect simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers associated with nine fruit traits. Population structure analysis was performed with 105 SSR markers, which revealed that two subgroups were present in this population. LD analysis exhibited an extensive long-range LD of approximately 11 cM. A total of 49 marker associations related to eight phenotypic traits were identified to involve 24 different markers, although no association was found with the trait of fruit glossiness. To our knowledge, this is the 1st approach to use a genome-wide association study in eggplant with SSR markers. These results suggest that the association analysis approach could be a useful alternative to traditional linkage mapping to detect putative QTLs in eggplant.

Analysis on LID for highly urbanized areas' waterlogging control: demonstrated on the example of Caohejing in Shanghai

Although a commonly applied measure across the United States and Europe for alleviating the negative impacts of urbanization on the hydrological cycle, low impact development (LID) has not been widely used in highly urbanized areas, especially in rapidly urbanizing cities in developing countries like China. In this paper, given five LID practices including Bio-Retention, Infiltration Trench, Porous Pavement, Rain Barrels, and Green Swale, an analysis on LID for highly urbanized areas' waterlogging control is demonstrated using the example of Caohejing in Shanghai, China. Design storm events and storm water management models are employed to simulate the total waterlogging volume reduction, peak flow rate reduction and runoff coefficient reduction of different scenarios. Cost-effectiveness is calculated for the five practices. The aftermath shows that LID practices can have significant effects on storm water management in a highly urbanized area, and the comparative results reveal that Rain Barrels and Infiltration Trench are the two most suitable cost-effective measures for the study area.