Characteristics and incidence of broiler chicken wooden breast meat under commercial conditions in China

Wooden breast (WB) has emerged as a dramatically increasing myopathy in the poultry industry over the past few years. The objective of this study was to investigate the incidence of WB in a Chinese commercial broiler processing plant, and the consequences on quality attributes, textural properties, and sensory traits. A total of 1,135 breast fillets were collected at the deboning line and assigned to normal, mild, moderate, and severe WB categories by tactile evaluation. The proportion affected by WB was approximately 61.9%. WB fillets appeared heavier and thicker than normal fillets. The degree of WB myopathy was highly correlated with fillet weight and thickness. The meat quality characteristics of cooking loss and purge loss increased along with increasing severity of WB myopathy. Compression tests of raw meat revealed higher cutting strength and shear values for WB. In cooked meat, only severe WB fillets exhibited elevated hardness and chewiness. Finally, moderate and severe WB fillets affected the sensory evaluation by consumers owing to their impaired general appearance, texture, and drip loss. The results suggested that a high proportion of WB broiler fillets would cause detrimental losses to the poultry meat retailing and processing industry.

Effects of preslaughter shackling on postmortem glycolysis, meat quality, changes of water distribution, and protein structures of broiler breast meat

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of preslaughter shackling on stress, postmortem glycolysis, meat quality, water distribution, and protein structures of pectoralis majors. Before slaughter, Arbor Acres broilers (n = 105, 42 days old, 2.0 to 2.5 kg) were randomly categorized into 3 treatment groups: (I) control group without shackling (NS); (II) 2.5 min shackling (SS); (III) 4.5 min shackling (LS). Each treatment group consisted of 5 replicates with 7 broilers each. Results indicated that preslaughter shackling increased (P < 0.05) plasma corticosterone and adrenocorticotropic hormone concentrations in comparison with the control group. Antemortem shackling increased (P < 0.05) activity of glycogen phosphorylase and phosphofructokinase-1 (PFK-1) accompanying with rapid glycolysis and pH decline at early postmortem. LS treatment led to myosin denaturation, decreased (P < 0.05) α-helix content, and increased (P < 0.05) β-sheet structures proportion in the myofibrillar proteins. Furthermore, meat from LS treatment had higher (P < 0.05) lightness, redness, and poorer water-holding capacity. These results indicated that the longer shackling duration (4.5 min) increased stress and the rate of glycolysis, causing myosin denaturation and changes of the secondary structure in the myofibrillar proteins, which aggravated the deterioration of meat quality.

Effects of N-carbamylglutamate and L-arginine on gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) gene expression and secretion in GT1-7 cells

Recent studies have shown that N-carbamylglutamate (NCG) and arginine (ARG) supplementation improves reproductive performance in livestock. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the effects of NCG and ARG on GT1-7 cell gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion, gene expression and cell proliferation. GT1-7 cells were treated in vitro with different concentrations of NCG (0-1.0mM) or ARG (0-4.0mM) in serum-free medium for 12 or 24h. For GnRH secretion and cell proliferation, GT1-7 cells were more sensitive to NCG than ARG. NCG treatment after 12h increased cell numbers and inhibited GnRH secretion in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05), although there was no significant effect of NCG on these parameters after 24h culture. ARG treatment decreased GnRH secretion after 24h (P<0.05), whereas it had no effect after 12h. GT1-7 cells express GnRH, Kiss-1 metastasis-suppressor (Kiss1), G-protein coupled receptor 54 (GPR54), neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and estrogen receptor α (ERα) genes. High concentrations of NCG (1.0mM) and ARG (4.0mM) inhibited (P<0.05) GnRH and nNOS mRNA abundance in GT1-7 cells. ARG treatment decreased Kiss1 and increased ERα mRNA abundance. Thus, high concentrations of NCG (1.0mM) and ARG (4.0mM) may act both directly and indirectly to regulate GnRH neuron function by downregulating genes related to GnRH synthesis and secretion to slow GnRH production while stimulating GT1-7 cell proliferation.

[Screening and antibiotic resistance analysis of nasal colonized bacteria in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis]

Objective:Since bacterial infection is one of the common pathogenic factors lead to chronic rhinosinusitis （CRS）, our study is designed to investigate the prevalence and antibiotic resistance of nasal colonized bacteria in patients with CRS, and to analyze the correlation between nasal colonized bacteria and pathogenesis of CRS. Method:Nasal vestibule samples collected from 200 patients with CRS were automatically inoculated on to various bacterial culture medium, cultured by WaspLab microbiology automated system, potential pathogenic bacterial colonies grew on agar plates were then examined, identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry, and analyzed their antibiotic-resistant phenotype by antibiotic susceptibility testing. Result:Two hundred and seventy-five bacterial strains of nasal colonization were isolated, including coagulase-negative Staphylococci, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumonia, Moraxella catarrhalis, Haemophilus influenza, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacteriaceae such as Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. All strains displayed various degrees of antimicrobial resistance among children and adult patients, or among patients with and without endoscopic sinus surgery. Conclusion:The constitution of nasal colonized commensal bacteria in patients with CRS was partially similar to that of pathogenic bacteria causing CRS. They may form a reservoir of antimicrobial resistant pathogens, which would transform into pathogenic bacteria causing CRS under certain conditions. Screening of nasal colonized bacteria may represent an alternative approach for diagnosis and treatment of CRS.

[Application of digital mandibular movement record and masticatory muscle electromyography in the evaluation of stomatognathic function in patients with mandibular tumor]

OBJECTIVE

To study the clinical characteristics of mandibular movement and masticatory muscle function in preoperative and postoperative patients with unilateral mandibular tumors in the region of mandibular body and ramus by combining digital mandibular movement records with electromyography, and to preliminarily explore the relationship and mechanism between movement and masticatory muscle function.

METHODS

Six preoperative patients with tumor in unilateral body and ramus of mandible were included, and three postoperative patients with unilateral segmental resection and reconstruction of mandibular bone were included. The mandibular movement recording system and surface electromyography system were used to collect the movement trajectory of the patients' mandibular marginal movement and chewing movement, and the surface electromyography of bilateral masseter and temporalis was recorded concurrently. The surface electromyography of bilateral masseter and temporalis was collected when the patients were at relaxation and at maximal voluntary clenching (MVC). The motion trajectory was observed on the digital virtual model, and the motion amplitude and direction of mandibular marginal movements were analyzed. The characteristics of masticatory electromyogram (EMG) activity in affected and unaffected sides at relaxation, MVC and bilateral mastication were analyzed, and the asymmetry indexes and activity indexes were calculated.

RESULTS

The preoperative mean maximum opening of the patients was (35.20±6.87) mm. Three patients had mild mouth opening limitation, and all the patients' mouth opening trajectory was skewed to the affected side. During lateral movements, the mean range of motion of the affected side [(10.34±1.27) mm] and that of the healthy side [(6.94±2.41) mm] were significantly different. The maximum opening of the postoperative patients was (30.65±17.32) mm, and the mandibular marginal movement characteristics were consistent with those of the patients before surgery. During MVC in the preoperative patients, the median EMG activities of the masseter muscle [44.20 (5.70, 197.90) μV] and the temporalis muscle [42.15 (22.90, 155.00) μV] on the affected side were slightly lower than those of the masseter [45.60 (7.50, 235.40) μV] and the temporalis muscle [63.30 (44.10, 126.70) μV] on the healthy side. In the postoperative patients, individualized changes occurred. Some patients suffered from weakened electromyographic activity on the affected side, while some other ones showed hyperelectromyographic activity on the affected side.

CONCLUSION

Both benign and malignant tumors as well as their surgery can cause abnormal mandibular movements and change of electromyographic activity of bilateral masseter and temporalis muscles.

[Analysis of high-risk histopathologic features of 482 primarily enucleated retinoblastomas]

Objective: To evaluate the high-risk histopathologic features of retinoblastoma eyes enucleated as primary treatment. Methods: Retrospective case series study. An analysis was carried out on the high-risk histopathologic features of 482 primarily enucleated retinoblastoma eyes in Beijing Tongren Eye Center during December 2011 and December 2016. The high-risk histopathologic features included post lamina cribrosa invasion, massive choroidal invasion, anterior segment invasion and extraocular invasion. According to the neovascularization of iris (NVI) in the tissue specimen, the patients were divided into the NVI positive group and negative group. The rates of high-risk histopathologic features in the NVI positive group and negative group were analyzed using the chi-square test. Results: Among 482 children with retinoblastoma, 280 (58.1%) were males and 202 (41.9%) were females. The median age at enucleation surgery was 24 months (range, 1-84 months). Of the 482 primarily enucleated eyes, 184 (38.2%) were classified as high-risk histopathologic features, including 148 (30.7%) with post lamina cribrosa invasion, 15 (3.1%) with optic nerve transection invasion, 66 (13.7%) with massive choroidal invasion, 35 (7.3%) with anterior segment invasion, and 5 (1.0%) with extraocular invasion. NVI was detected in 257 (53.3%) cases and there was a significant relation between high-risk histopathologic features and NVI. The rate of high-risk histopathologic features was significantly higher in the NVI positive group (123 cases, 47.9%) than the NVI negative group (61 cases, 27.1%) (χ(2)=21.883, P=0.001). The rate of post lamina cribrosa invasion was significantly higher in the NVI positive group (110 cases, 42.8%) than the NVI negative group (38 cases, 16.9%) (χ(2)=37.860, P=0.001). Conclusions: In this large sample of patients, about 1/3 of retinoblastoma eyes has high-risk histopathologic features. The NVI positive retinoblastoma is more likely to have high-risk histopathologic features or post lamina cribrosa invasion than the NVI negative retinoblastoma. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2018, 54: 782-786).

[A preliminary study on the three-dimensional trajectory of condyle]

Objective: To calculate the three-dimensional trajectory and motion morphology of condyle by combining the trajectory of the mandible movement and the three-dimensional model of the mandible. Methods: Cone beam CT (CBCT) scanning was performed on the volunteer. The mandible three-dimensional model was built with image data transferred to the graphical user interface of the computer workstation. The novel virtual articulator PN300 recorded the three-dimensional trajectory of mandible. All these data were transferred to software system of computer workstation calculating the three-dimensional trajectory of condyle. The motion morphology of condyle was simulated by merging function surface at each point. Results: When the mandible moved in an opening process, the recorded data was calculated and it was shown that: the condylar functional surface moved moved forward and downward inward in advance, and in the process of continuously increasing the opening degree, the function faced the front upper inner side. The straight-line distance between the position and the final position was 8.34 mm. During the forward movement of the mandible, the coracoid process slided forward downward and inward with a sliding distance of 8.64 mm. During lateral movement, the range of the working side condyle function surface motion was small, only slight rotation, the maximum range of motion was 1.97 mm; in the process of row side movement, the non-working condyle function surface had a larger movement range than the working side, the movement direction was the front lower inner side, and the movement distance was 7.65 mm. Conclusions: The novel virtual articulator PN300 and digital technology can achieve the accurate measurement of three-dimensional trajectory of the condyle, and furthermore simulate the motion morphology of the condyle.

[Mammary myofibroblastoma: a clinicopathologic analysis of nine cases]

Objective: To study the clinicopathologic characteristics and differential diagnosis of mammary myofibroblastoma. Methods: Nine cases of mammary myofibroblastoma diagnosed between 2006 and 2017 were collected from the Department of Pathology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center. Clinical and histopathologic features of these nine cases were examined, immunohistochemical staining was performed, FISH analysis for the detection of FOXO1 gene was performed in one case, and follow-up data were also collected. Results: There were seven female and two male patients, with a mean age of 54 years, median age of 50 years (ranging from 40 to 83 years). Four lesions each were located in the left and right breast, and one was in the left subaxillary accessory breast tissue. Clinically, 8 patients presented with a breast mass, 3 of which accompanied with pain. All of the tumors were well-demarcated grossly with a mean diameter of 2.5 cm. Microscopically, there were no entrapped ductal or lobular structures within the tumor. Seven tumors were classic type, which were composed of bland-looking spindle neoplastic cells without mitoses, arranging in intersecting fascicles, and interrupted by thick hyalinized collagen bundles. One case was of epithelioid variant, demonstrating epithelioid neoplastic cells diffusely arranged or in cluster. The other one case was mixed spindle and epithelioid-cell type. Atypical tumor cells were observed in 3 cases. Immunohistochemically, tumor cells were diffusely positive for desmin (9/9) and CD34 (6/9), as well as ER (7/7), PR (6/6) and bcl-2 (3/3). SMA (4/7) and Calponin (1/2) were focally or partially positive in some cases. H-caldesmon (1/2) was weakly positive and epithelial markers were negative. Ki-67 proliferation index was low (<10%). There was no monoallelic loss of FOXO1/13q14 loci in the detected case according to FISH analysis. Follow-up data were available for all patients, and follow-up period ranged from 12 to 78 months. All patients remained well without recurrence. Conclusions: Mammary myofibroblastoma is a rare benign mesenchymal tumor. In some circumstances, it may exhibit confusing morphologies, including some variants. The epithelioid variant of mammary myofibroblastoma might mimic invasive lobular carcinoma, leading to the diagnostic dilemmas and even misdiagnosis, especially in core needle biopsy specimen or frozen sections. Familiarity with the characteristics of this tumor is of great importance for accurate diagnosis and proper treatment.

Effect of pre-slaughter shackling and wing flapping on plasma parameters, postmortem metabolism, AMPK, and meat quality of broilers

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of shackling and wing flapping on stress, postmortem metabolism, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and quality of broiler pectoralis major. Before slaughter, a total of 80 Arbor Acres broilers was randomly categorized into 2 replicate pens (40 broilers per pen) and each pen randomly divided into 2 groups (shackling, T; control, C). Corticosterone, creatine kinase, and lactate dehydrogenase were determined on blood plasma parameters. Pectoralis major were removed after evisceration and used for determination of energy metabolism, meat quality, and AMPK phosphorylation. In this study, shackling and wing flapping increased (P < 0.05) plasma corticosterone level, creatine kinase activity, and lactate dehydrogenase activity. Shackling and wing flapping increased (P < 0.05) AMPKα(Thr172) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) phosphorylation, followed by rapid glycolysis and accumulation of lactic acid, and leading to a fast pH decline in the initial postmortem meat. Shackling and wing flapping have an adverse effect on final meat quality, which increased (P < 0.05) muscle lightness, drip loss, and cooking loss. The results indicate that antemortem shackling and wing flapping increased stress and AMPKα(Thr172) phosphorylation, which may accelerate glycolysis and lead to a low water-holding capacity of broiler meat.

[Angiofibroma of soft tissue: a clinicopathologic analysis of 24 cases]

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathologic and genetic features, pathologic diagnosis and differential diagnosis of angiofibroma of soft tissue(AFST). Methods: The clinicopathologic characteristics of 24 cases diagnosed at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center from 2011 to 2017 were analyzed; immunohistochemical staining and interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) were performed, and the literatures were also reviewed. Results: There were 15 male and 9 female (male∶female=1.7∶1.0) patients with age of onset ranging from 8 to 68 years (mean, 45 years). Fourteen cases occurred in extremities, including upper limbs (n=3) and lower limbs (n=11); seven cases were in the trunk, and 1 case each was in the temporal region, retroperitoneum and liver, respectively. Clinically, the tumors usually presented as a slowly growing painless mass. Tumor sizes ranged from 0.8 to 14 cm (mean 4.6 cm). Microscopically, most lesions were well-circumscribed, with fibrous capsules. Few cases infiltrated the surrounding fibrofatty tissue focally. The tumors were mainly composed of sparse short spindle cells and numerous small, branching, thin-walled blood vessels distributed in amyxoid, fibromyxoid or collagenous matrix, often accompanied by medium-sized, round or irregular and ecstatic vessels at the tumor periphery.By immunohistochemistry, all tested cases expressed vimentin (5/5), and showed variable positivity for EMA (2/4), ER (1/2), PR (2/3), α-SMA (1/18)and desmin (1/10). Ki-67 proliferation index were all less than 5%. CD34, CD31 and ERG staining clearly outlined the contours of blood vessels in the stroma. Four cases were tested for NCOA2 gene rearrangement by FISH, of which three were positive. Follow-up data was available in 17 patients (range, 3 to 69 months; mean, 30 months) were all free of disease. Conclusions: Soft tissue angiofibroma is a benign fibroblastic neoplasm characterized by a prominent and complex vasculature set in a myxoid-to-collagenous stroma, and cytogenetically a distinctive NCOA2 gene rearrangement. Caution should be exercised for the possibility of potentially misinterpretation of AFST as vascular tumors and other myxoid soft tissue tumors.

N-octanoylated ghrelin peptide inhibits bovine oocyte meiotic resumption

BACKGROUND

Studies have shown that ghrelin plays an important role in the mammalian reproductive system, including the central, gonadal levels, and also during in vitro maturation of oocytes; however, the functions of ghrelin in bovine oocyte meiosis require further investigation.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to evaluate the effects of an n-octanoylated ghrelin peptide on oocyte meiotic resumption and the developmental competence of mature oocytes in vitro.

EXPERIMENTAL

design: The expression of GHRL (encoding ghrelin) mRNA and its receptor (the growth hormone secretagogue receptor, GHSR) in the cumulus-oocyte complex (COCs), denuded oocytes (DOs), and cumulus cells (CCs) was assessed using quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR), and the effects of the n-octanoylated ghrelin peptide on meiotic resumption were studied at four different doses (0, 10, 50, and 100 ng/mL) in a 6 h culture system.

RESULTS

qRT-PCR analysis showed that GHRL and GHSR mRNAs were expressed in all tested samples; however, GHRL was predominantly expressed in DOs, and GHSR was predominantly expressed in CCs. Germinal vesicle breakdown was inhibited significantly by 50 ng/mL ghrelin compared with that in the negative control (P < 0.05). Further studies showed that n-octanoylated ghrelin increased the levels of cAMP and cGMP in the CCs and DOs, which inhibited the meiotic resumption of bovine oocytes. And the inhibitory role in the developmental competence of mature oocytes were also included, ghrelin could significantly improve the cleavage rate (P < 0.05) and blastocyst rate (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

N-octanoylated ghrelin maintained bovine oocytes meiotic arrest and further improved their developmental competence; therefore, n-octanoylated ghrelin could be considered as a potential pharmaceutical inhibitor of meiosis for the in vitro maturation of bovine oocytes.

Phase 2a, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre, parallel-group study of an H4 R-antagonist (JNJ-39758979) in adults with uncontrolled asthma

BACKGROUND

The effects of H₄ R antagonists in preclinical asthma models support the study of antagonists of the H₄ R in the treatment of asthma in humans. JNJ-39758979 is a potent and highly selective oral H₄ R antagonist.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the H₄ R-antagonist JNJ-39758979 in adult patients with uncontrolled asthma.

METHODS

One hundred and fifteen eligible patients were randomly assigned to JNJ-39758979 300 mg or placebo once daily for 12 weeks in this phase 2a, double-blind, multicenter, placebo-controlled study. Primary efficacy was assessed via week-12 change from baseline in pre-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁ ). Secondary efficacy assessments included patient-reported outcome (PRO) asthma assessments (Asthma Daily Diary data [AM and PM peak expiratory flow rate, number of puffs of albuterol/salbutamol, the presence of nocturnal awakenings and asthma symptom score]).

RESULTS

The study did not meet the primary end-point. However, nominally significant improvements in pre-bronchodilator FEV₁ were observed with JNJ-39758979 versus placebo at week 12 in pre-specified subgroups with elevated exhaled nitric oxide, sputum eosinophils or blood eosinophils at baseline. Nominally significant improvements across PRO assessments were consistently observed in the overall population, as well as in eosinophilic subgroups. Safety, such as adverse event rates, was comparable between JNJ-39758979 and placebo. No serious adverse events were reported. No clinically relevant changes in laboratory values were observed.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The findings suggest potential benefit of H₄ R antagonists on lung function and asthma control in eosinophilic asthma patients and warrant further evaluation of this mechanism in asthma with eosinophilic inflammation. NCT00946569.

[Effect of cricothyroid and thyroarytenoid muscle botulinum toxin injection on patients with dyspnea caused by bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve paresis]

Objective: To discuss the clinical effect of small dose of botulinum toxin injection in cricothyroid muscle and thyroarytenoid muscle on patients with incomplete bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve paresis. Methods: Six patients were selected with Ⅰor Ⅱ or Ⅲ degree of dyspnea diagnosed as bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve injury by laryngeal electromyography, and small dose of botulinum toxin injection was performed in cricothyroid muscle and thyroarytenoid muscle as a treatment. Degree of dyspnea was assessed one month before and after the treatment, and the stroboscopic laryngoscope results, acoustic parameters and CT image of the patients were collected in the 6 patients. The relevant parameters were also collected one month before and after treatment, including the degree of dyspnea, stroboscopic laryngoscope results, acoustic parameters and CT image of the patients. The angle between bilateral vocal cords in stroboscopy at full inspiratory was calculated, acoustic parameters (F0, jitter, shimmer) were analysed, and vocal length, width and the vocal region were measured. Then, the paired t test was performed for statistical analysis between before and after one month injection, the one way analysis of variance was performed among vocal parameters in CT image. Result: Botulinum toxin injection was successfully completed in the 6 patients, followed without any serious complications. The degree of dyspnea was alleviated to some extent after treatment in all 6 patients; the angle between bilateral vocal cords at the end of a deep inspiration was significantly increased (t=2.44, P<0.05) after the treatment. The changes of F0 and jitter between before and after treatment were not statistically significant (t=0.72, t=1.42, P>0.05). Shimmer was significantly decreased after treatment (t=2.61, P<0.05). Vocal fold length, width and vocal region increased with F0, there was a statistically significant difference between different F0 before injection, and there was no statistically significant difference between different F0 after injection. The follow-up time was respectively seven months, 1 year, 1 year, 18 months, 22 months and 2 years respectively. Conclusion: Small dose of botulinum toxin injection in bilateral cricothyroid muscles and thyroarytenoid muscles can relieve the dyspnea caused by bilateral vocal cords paresis to some extent, accompanied without serious complications, despite the sound quality was slightly worse.

The effects of electrical stunning voltage on meat quality, plasma parameters, and protein solubility of broiler breast meat

This study was designed to compare the effects of different stunning voltages of pulsed direct current on meat quality of broilers. For this purpose, plasma parameters, blood loss, carcass damage, and meat water holding capacity, color, shear force, pH, and protein solubility were analyzed. A total of 400 broilers were divided into 5 treatment groups and stunned with 5, 15, 25, 35, and 45 V at 750 Hz and 10 s, respectively. Blood samples were collected immediately after cutting the neck. Pectoralis major muscles were removed from the carcass after chilling and placed on ice. Breast muscle pH and meat color were determined at both 2 and 24 h postmortem. Dripping loss, cooking loss, pressing loss, and cooked breast meat shear values were determined after 24 h postmortem. The 5 V treatment significantly increased (P < 0.05) blood plasma corticosterone and lactate concentration compared with the other groups. The carcass damage of wings, Pectoralis major, and Pectoralis minor was significant in the 5, 35, and 45 V groups. The pH of 2 h postmortem in the 5 and 45 V groups was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than in the 15 and 25 V groups. In the 5 and 45 V groups, the protein solubility and shear force value were significantly lower (P < 0.05) and dripping loss was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the other groups.

Femtosecond Probing of Plasma Wakefields and Observation of the Plasma Wake Reversal Using a Relativistic Electron Bunch

We show that a high-energy electron bunch can be used to capture the instantaneous longitudinal and transverse field structures of the highly transient, microscopic, laser-excited relativistic wake with femtosecond resolution. The spatiotemporal evolution of wakefields in a plasma density up ramp is measured and the reversal of the plasma wake, where the wake wavelength at a particular point in space increases until the wake disappears completely only to reappear at a later time but propagating in the opposite direction, is observed for the first time by using this new technique.

[Correlation between androgen receptor expression and surrogate molecular subtypes in invasive breast carcinoma]

Objective: To investigate androgen receptor(AR)expression in invasive breast carcinoma and the correlation with surrogate molecular breast carcinoma subtypes. Methods: Immunohistochemical staining of AR and other biomarkers was performed in a cohort of 870 cases of primary invasive breast carcinomas collected from August to December, 2016. The association of AR expression with different histological and surrogate molecular subtypes was analyzed. Results: The positive expression rate of AR in the immunohistochemistry-based surrogate subtypes was 96.3%(207/215) for Luminal A, 89.8%(378/421) for Luminal B, 82.4%(75/91) for HER2 overexpression and 37.1%(53/143) for triple negative breast carcinoma, with significant differences among the four groups (P<0.01). AR correlated positively with the expression of ER(P<0.01), PR(P<0.01), HER2(P=0.007), GATA3(P<0.01), GCDFP15(P<0.01)and mammaglobin(P<0.01), while negatively with the expression of Ki-67(P<0.01), CK5/6(P<0.01)and CK14(P<0.01). Conclusions: AR exhibits a high expression in invasive breast carcinoma, which is mainly correlated with ER-positive breast carcinoma. Regardless of the relatively low expression rate, AR is a potential therapeutic target in triple negative breast carcinoma.

[Clinicopathologic features of dermal nerve sheath myxoma and neurothekeoma: a comparative study]

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathologic characteristics and differential diagnosis of dermal nerve sheath myxoma (DNSM) and neurothekeoma (NTK). Methods: Clinical, pathological features and immunohistochemical profiles in 9 cases of DNSM and 8 cases of NTK were comparatively studied. The literature was reviewed. Results: The involved site of 9 DNSMs included the hand/fingers (n=3), ear (n=2), face, back, abdominal wall and waist (1 case each). Two of 8 NTKs arose in the forearm (n=2), one each in the nose, lip, shoulder, supraclavicular region, leg and hand. The most common presentation was a painless cutaneous nodule or plaque which grew slowly. Grossly, DNSM was often gelatinous, whereas NTK appeared relatively solid. Microscopically, both tumors were located in the dermis and/or subcutis. DNSM was composed of well-defined multiple lobules separated by fibrous septa. NTK also exhibited lobular or multinodular architecture, but was relatively ill-defined. Besides, fascicular or whorl-like arrangement was present in 3 cases of NTK. The lobules in DNSM consisted of a paucicellular proliferation of spindled, stellate and epithelioid cells forming interconnecting cords within abundant myxoid matrix. Small syncytial-like aggregates were readily noted. The constituted neoplastic cells in NTK were composed of ovoid to round epithelioid or histiocytoid cells. Scattered multinucleated giant cells were present in 2 cases. Based on the amount of myxoid matrix, 8 NTKs were further classified into cellular (5 cases), mixed (2 cases) and myxoid (1 case). By immunohistochemistry, neoplastic cells in DNSM were diffusely positive for S-100 protein, CD68, glial fibrillary acidic protein and SOX10, whereas neoplastic cells in NTK consistently expressed CD10 and microphthalmia transcription factor, with negativity for S-100 protein and SOX10. One patient each with DNSM and NTK experienced local recurrence due to incomplete excision. Conclusions: Although DNSM and NTK share clinical and pathological features, they belong to different entities. Whereas the former is consistent with a peripheral nerve sheath tumor, the latter is more akin to fibrous histiocytic tumor. Familiarity with their cliniopathologic characteristics and distinctive immunophenotypes will help distinguishing these two entities, as well as in the differential diagnosis of cutaneous neoplasms with similar features.

[Analysis of prodromal phase and prodromal events in anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis]

Objective: To analyze prodromal phase and prodromal events of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis. Methods: Clinical data of 179 patients hospitalized and diagnosed during 2010-2016 including adults and children in Peking Union Medical College Hospital and Beijing Children's Hospital were collected.Patients with prodromal phase or prodromal events were selected.A retrospective analysis of clinical characteristics including prodromal phase or prodromal events, course of disease, brain imaging, laboratory results and therapeutic effect was performed. Results: Prodromal phase was presented in 31.8% (57/179) of patients.Most common symptoms included fever (73.7%) and headache (68.4%). Prodromal phase was prolonged in 6 patients, the longest being 64 days.Among those 6 patients (10.5%), headache and fever were the only symptoms throughout disease courses in 3 cases.Prodromal events were reported in 6.1% (11/179) of patients, including 5 patients after HSV1 encephalitis, 1 after Japanese encephalitis, and 2 after resection of melanocytic nevi. Conclusions: Anti-NMDAR encephalitis can be preceded with prolonged prodromal phase.In some patients prodromal symptoms are the only clinical presentation.Clinical features of those atypical cases suggest that infection may be the precipitating factor.Viral encephalitis including HSV1 encephalitis and Japanese encephalitis may be prodromal events in some cases.

[Effect of artesunate on the transplantation tumor of parotid gland in the nude mice with adenoid cystic carcinoma drug resistance cell]

Objective:To observe the effect of Artesunate on the transplantation tumor of parotid gland in the nude mice with adenoid cystic carcinoma drug resistance cell and to explore its clinical application prospect as an anticancer drug.Method:Twenty male BALB/C mice were chose to set up parotid gland transplantation tumor model, then used the method of random Numbers table 20 nude mice were randomly divided into normal saline control group, positive control group DDP 2 mg/kg group, the ART of 200 mg/kg group, ART 100 mg/kg+DDP 1 mg/kg group, a total of 4 groups. Abdominal cavity injection was performed twice a day, and we measured weight of each nude mice and transplantation tumor major axis and minor axis. Treatments were conducted for 4 weeks, then the mice were sacrificed, and tumor weight was measured to calculate the inhibitory rates. The tumors were examined by HE staining to observe each tumor tissue pathological changes and by immunohistochemical method to detect Survivin expression in transplanted tumor tissue. Result:Four weeks after treatments, the inhibitory rate of DDP 2 mg/kg group was 59.86%, but this group of nude mice lost weight obviously； the ART 200 mg/kg group was 43.54%，this group of nude mice had a good mental state, and weight had gaining continuously；the ART 100 mg/kg+DDP 1 mg/kg group was 41.16%, this group of nude mice had reducing weight slightly.HE staining showed:The tumor nuclei were hyperchromatic and shrinkage, nuclear chromatin condensed and cracked into flake in the ART 200 mg/kg group, DDP 2 mg/kg group and the ART 100 mg/kg+DDP 1 mg/kg group. Conclusion:Artesunate can inhibit adenoid cystic carcinoma resistant cells NACC/DDP proliferation in nude mice in vivo and promote its apoptosis, and the side effects of Artesunate on nude mice were lower than Cisplatin.

[The clinical and histopathological analysis of 2 053 cases of conjunctival neoplasms]

Objective: We aimed to identify and describe the clinical and histopathologic characteristics of conjunctival neoplasms. Methods: Retrospective case series study. We collected and analyzed the clinical and histopathologic data of the conjunctival neoplastic specimens including the age, gender, and histopathologic diagnosis of all patients obtained from Beijing Tongren Eye Center between October 2003 and October 2015. All the pathology diagnosis results were divided into two categories which were benign and malignant tumors, according to Shields histopathological classification methods and the pathology diagnosis results in our department. All cases were divided into four groups as 0-17 years old, 18-39 years old, 40-59 years old, aged 60 and above. The chi-square test was used for statistical analysis. Results: Of the 2 053 cases, 1 025 were males and 1 028 were females (male∶female=1∶1). 1660 cases (80.9%) were benign and 393 cases(19.1%) were premalignant or malignant. The average age at diagnosis was 30.5 years for benign lesions and 53.3 years for premalignant and malignant lesions, which was significant different (P<0.01). The most common benign lesions were nevus, cysts, dermoids and dermolipomas, inflammatory granulomas and squamous cell papillomas. The most common premalignant and malignant tumors were CIN, melanomas, lymphomas and squamous cell carcinoma. The constitution of males and females of cysts, squamous cell papillomas, primary acquired melanosis, CIN and lymphomas were significant different (P<0.01). Moreover, the most common benign and malignant neoplasm were dermoids and dermolipomas, melanomas respectively in group under 18 years old. And nevus and lymphomas were the most common benign and malignant tumors respectively in patients between 18 and 39 years old. While cysts and CIN were the most common benign and malignant tumors respectively in cases over 40 years old. Conclusions: The majority of tumors of the conjunctiva were benign, with the young people being most. The premalignant and malignant tumors were more frequent in the elderly. Nevus and CIN were the most common benign and malignant tumors, respectively.(Chin J Ophthalmol, 2016, 52: 738-744).

[Characteristics of retinal and scleral infiltration in uveal melanoma]

Objective: To analyze features of retinal and scleral infiltration of uveal melanoma. Methods: It was a retrospective case series study. The pathological and clinical data of 102 cases of uveal melanoma were analyzed retrospectively, which were collected between Jun. 2001 and Apr. 2013 in Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University. The tumor shape, size, cell types, retinal and scleral invasion were recorded and analyzed. The relationship between retinal invasion and scleral invasion was analyzed by trend Chi-square test. Results: There were 44 male patients and 58 female patients with an average age of 45.6±12.4 (range from 15 to 78 years old) in 102 cases. As for tumor size, there were 68 (66.7%) large size tumors, 27 (26.5%) medium size tumors and 7(6.8%) small size tumors; As for cell types, 76 (74.5%) were spindle cell, 6 (5.9%) were epithelioid cell, 16 (15.7%) were mixed cell, and 4 (4.0%) were others; As for tumor location, there were 3 (2.94%) ciliary body melanoma, 28 (27.5%) ciliary body and anterior choroid melanoma, and 71 (69.6%) choroid melanoma. Eighty-six cases (84.3%) showed retinal invasion, in which there were 20 cases of outer nuclear layer invasion (19.6%), 12 cases of inner nuclear layer invasion (11.8%), 30 cases of ganglion cell layer invasion (29.4%), and 24 cases of inner limiting membrane invasion (23.5%). Fifty-five cases (53.9%) showed scleral invasions, in which there were 11 cases (68.8%) of no retinal invasion, 13 cases of outer nuclear layer invasion (65.0%), 5 cases of inner nuclear layer invasion (41.7%), 15 cases of ganglion cell layer invasion (50.0%) and 11 cases of inner limiting membrane invasion (45.8%). In 76 spindle cell cases, the scleral invasion rate of different retinal invasion degree were 72.7% in 8 cases of none retinal invasion, 71.4% in 10 cases of outer nuclear layer invasion, 62.5% in 5 cases of inner nuclear layer invasion, 53.9% in 14 cases of ganglion cell layer invasion and 47.1% in 8 cases of inner limiting membrane invasion. No significant relationship was found between retinal and scleral invasion (γ=-0.21, P=0.127) . Conclusion: With the increase of scleral invasion, the retinal invasion decreased. However, the correlation show no statistical significance.(Chin J Ophthalmol, 2016, 52: 749-754).

[Effect of extent of glottal incompetence on phonation in excised canine larynx models]

Objective: To compare the acoustic signal, mucosal wave and aerodynamic parameter (phonation threshold pressure, PTP) under different sub-glottal pressure (SGP) on the excised canine models with different extent of glottal incompetence. Methods: Perturbation measures and nonlinear dynamic measures were applied to analyze the acoustic signal (jitter, shimmer), mucosal wave [frequency(F), amplitude(A), phase(P)] and PTP from our study including 11 excised canine larynges with different extent of glottal incompetence (0 mm, 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, n=11, respectively) under 1-4 kPa sub-glottal pressure. Results: There were significant differences between different groups in jitter, shimmer, amplitude, frequency and PTP under various SGPs and extent of glottal incompetence (all P<0.05), inversely, there was no significant difference in P between groups (P>0.05). Jitter and shimmer changed obviously when the SGP increased to 3 kPa in the control group and GI 1 mm group. Jitter and shimmer changed obviously when the SGP increased to 2 kPa in the GI 2 mm and 3 mm groups. The F and A of mucosal wave increased with increasing SGP, decreased with increasing GI, and the P changed irregularly. There was statistically significant difference of PTP between different GI groups. Conclusions: The SGP and the extent of GI had obvious affection on the the acoustic signal, mucosal wave and aerodynamic parameters.