Transcriptome analysis revealed that aflatoxin M1 could cause cell cycle arrest in differentiated Caco-2 cells

Being a hydroxylated metabolite of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and the most threatening aspect of AFB1 contamination, aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) can lead to hepatotoxicity and hepato-carcinogenicity, and possess intestinal cytotoxicity. However, little is known about the potential mechanisms of the extrahepatic effect. The aim of this study was to investigate intestinal dysfunction induced by AFM1 via transcriptome analysis. Gene expression profiling was analyzed to comparatively characterize the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) after differentiated Caco-2 cells were exposed to different concentrations of AFM1 for 48 h. A total of 165 DEGs were significantly clustered into two down-regulated patterns. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis based on Search Tool for Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING)suggested that 23 key enzymes mainly participated in the regulation of the cell cycle. Q-PCR analysis was performed to validate that key 12 genes (BUB1, BUB1B, MAD2L1, CCNA2, RB1, CDK1, ANAPC4, ATM, KITLG, PRKAA2, SIRT1, and SOS1) were involved. This study firstly revealed that the toxicity of AFM1 to intestinal functions may be partly due to the occurrence of cell cycle arrest, which is linked to changes in CDK1, SOS1/Akt, and AMPK signaling molecules.

[Risk factors of postoperative complications after laparoscopic surgery for pheochromocytoma]

Objective: To investigate the effects of intraoperative hemodynamic instability on postoperative complications of laparoscopic surgery for pheochromocytoma. Methods: It was a retrospective cohort study. According to inclusion/exclusion criteria, adult patients underwent laparoscopic surgery for pheochromocytoma from January 2005 to December 2017 in Peking University First Hospital were enrolled in this study. Eligible patients were divided into two groups by evidence of postoperative complications to find out the effects of intraoperative hemodynamic instability and its' effects on other prognostic indices. The normally distributed continuous variables were compared between two groups by Student's t test, Mann-Whitney U test were used for the comparison for non-normally distributed continuous variables and χ(2) test for categorical variables. Results: A total of 198 patients were finally enrolled in this study, including 87 males and 111 females with an average age of (47±15) years. Postoperative complications occurred in 17 patients with an incidence of 8.6%, and intraoperative hemodynamic instability occurred in 45 patients (22.7%). It was found that history of stroke[odds ratio (OR)=13.387, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.284-78.460, P=0.004], intraoperative hemodynamic instability (OR=3.351, 95%CI: 1.119-10.039, P=0.031) and intraoperative positive fluid balance (for each additional 100 ml) (OR=1.087, 95%CI: 1.031-1.146, P=0.002)were the independent risk factors of postoperative complications of laparoscopic surgery for pheochromocytoma. Furthermore, more postoperative complications, higher rate of admitting to ICU and longer hospital stay was found in patients with hemodynamic instability. Conclusion: Intraoperative hemodynamic instability is an independent risk factor for postoperative complications of laparoscopic surgery in patients with pheochromocytoma, and it associates with more postoperative complications and higher rate of admitting to ICU.

[Clinical study of real-time shear wave elastography for diagnosis of severity of acute cholecystitis]

Objective: To assess the clinical value of real-time shear wave elastography (SWE) in distinguishing between mild and severe cholecystitis. Methods: A total of 176 patients with cholecystitis who meet the criteria of Tokyo Guideline in Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2017 to March 2018 were recruited, 95 male, 81 female, age range of 23-88 years, average age (48±16)years, and divided into severe (91 cases) and mild (85 cases) groups according to disease severity. All patients underwent routine ultrasound and SWE examination to assess gallbladder morphology, hepatic flow signals and liver cirrhosis adjacent to the gallbladder. Two sonographers with different diagnostic experience independently reviewed ultrasound images alone and in combination with SWE, respectively, and compared the diagnostic consistency of two sonographers in assessing severe cholecystitis. Results: The SWE value of liver in the severe group of cholecystitis was significantly higher than that of mild group (t=10.34, P=0.01). The area under the ROC curve of SWE value for diagnosing severe cholecystitis was 0.809 with the optimal cut-off value of 7.2 kPa. The sensitivity, specificity was 78.0% and 83.5%, respectively. In distinguishing between mild and severe cholecystitis, the diagnostic sensitivity (84.6%, 95.6%) was high and the specificity (49.4%, 35.3%) was low in diagnosing gallbladder edema and sludge.The diagnostic sensitivity (14.3%, 26.4%) was low and the specificity (100%, 95.3%) was high in diagnosing pericholecystic fluid and blood flow signal of the gallbladder wall.Two sonographers reviewed ultrasound images independently for diagnosing severe cholecystitis in good agreement (κ =0.75). Combining SWE to conventional ultrasound, the diagnostic consistency of the two sonographers in diagnosing server cholecystitis was excellent (κ=0.86), and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.02), the diagnostic efficacy of which was higher than that of conventional ultrasound alone. Conclusions: Compared with conventional ultrasound alone, combining with SWE can improve the diagnostic efficacy of distinguishing between mild and severe cholecystitis, and the clinical experience of sonographers has less influence on the diagnostic accuracy.

Therapeutic Effect of Strontium Ranelate on Bone in Chemotherapy-Induced Osteopenic Rats via Increased Bone Volume and Reduced Bone Loss

The purpose of this study was to determine whether treatment with strontium ranelate (SrR) can restore bone mass and strength at a skeletal site with established osteopenia in chemotherapy-induced rats. Forty-five Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly assigned to three study groups (n = 15 rats per group): normal rats (control group), osteopenic rats (chemo group), and osteopenic rats with SrR (chemo-SrR group). We chose a male rat model that mimicked a clinical setting by weekly intravenous injection of cyclophosphamide at 20 mg/kg. The control and chemo groups were maintained without treatment, and the chemo-SrR group was intragastrically administered strontium ranelate at a dosage of 900 mg/kg/day. All animals were fed a standard laboratory diet, and blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis. After 12 weeks of treatment, micro-CT, biomechanical testing, and histomorphometry were examined. In addition, bone samples were obtained to evaluate the content of mineral substances in bones. SrR treatment of chemo rats significantly increased tibial trabecular bone volume, trabecular thickness, and BV/TV. Serum levels of the bone formation marker alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in the SrR group were significantly higher than those in the chemo animals, which was accompanied by an increase in the bone mineral content, bone calcium and phosphate, as well as reduced serum Ca and P concentrations. The serum level of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) in the SrR treatment group showed no obvious changes. Histomorphological analyses revealed that chemotherapy resulted in decreased osteoclast number, which may be due to the inhibition of bone turnover. However, SrR treatment enhanced the number of osteoblasts while restoring bone mass and improving bone strength in chemo rats. Therefore, the results of this study indicate that SrR treatment has a positive effect on bone in chemotherapy-induced osteoporosis.

Effects of antibiotic residues in milk on growth, ruminal fermentation, and microbial community of preweaning dairy calves

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of antibiotic residues in milk on growth, ruminal fermentation, and microbial community of dairy calves in their first 35 d of age. Twenty newborn Holstein bull calves were assigned to 1 of 2 treatments equally: milk replacer without antibiotics (control) and milk replacer plus 4 antibiotics: 0.024 mg/L of penicillin, 0.025 mg/L of streptomycin, 0.1 mg/L of tetracycline, and 0.33 mg/L of ceftiofur (ANT). Starter intake and fecal consistency scores of each calf were recorded on a daily basis. Body weight, withers height, body length, and heart girth were measured on d 1, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 before feeding in the morning. Rumen fluid was collected on d 15, 25, and 35 to determine ruminal pH, volatile fatty acids (VFA), and NH₃-N concentrations. A total of 10 (5 per treatment) samples of rumen fluid taken on d 35 were analyzed for microbial community. Rumen tissues from the cranial ventral sac and cranial dorsal sac were collected from 8 calves of each group for morphology analysis on d 35 after being harvested. The results showed that calves in 2 treatments had similar starter intake, body weight, withers height, body length, heart girth, and average daily gain. The ANT group showed a lower diarrhea frequency in wk 4, and no differences were found for other weeks. Calves in the ANT group exhibited a greater concentration of acetic acid in the rumen and no differences for other VFA, total VFA, rumen pH, or NH₃-N. As for rumen morphology, the length of papillae from cranial ventral sac of the ANT group was longer than that of the control group. The results of ruminal microbial community showed that antibiotic residues had minor effects on bacteria phyla and bacteria diversity. At the genus level, calves in the ANT group showed lower richness of Prevotella and higher richness of Acetitomaculum. In conclusion, antibiotic residues stimulated the development of ruminal papillae and increased the production of acetic acid in rumen, which might be caused by the influence of antibiotics on the ruminal microbial community.

[Imaging diagnosis of brucella spondylitis and tuberculous spondylitis]

Objective: To compare the characteristics of X-ray, CT and MRI of Brucella spondylitis and tuberculous spondylitis and its significance for differential diagnosis. Methods: A total of 10 cases of Brucella spondylitis and 20 cases of tuberculous spondylitis confirmed from the clinical, laboratory or pathological department were enrolled between January 2014 and August 2017 in the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University and the Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University. The CT, MRI findings were retrospectively analyzed to improve the differential diagnosis of these two diseases. Results: Of the 10 cases of Brucella spondylitis, 8 were located only in the lumbosacral vertebrae, 1 in the thoracic vertebrae only, 1 in the cervical and thoracic vertebrae, 8 with invasive bone destruction, and 8 with narrowed intervertebral space. In 9 cases of intervertebral disc destruction, 7 cases developed paravertebral abscesses, 3 cases had sclerotic edges, all cases had no vertebral body flattening, 5 cases invaded the accessory, 4 cases formed sequestrum, and 6 cases invaded the spinal canal. There were 3 cases showing invasion of surrounding muscles. In 20 cases of tuberculous spondylitis, 12 cases were located in the lumbosacral vertebrae, 6 cases in the thoracic vertebrae only, 1 involved the thoracic vertebrae and lumbosacral vertebrae, 1 involved the neck, chest, and lumbosacral vertebrae. Bone destruction of bone, 19 cases of intervertebral space narrowing, 20 cases of intervertebral disc destruction, 18 cases of paraspinal abscess formation, 10 cases of sclerotic edge formation, 6 cases of vertebral body flattened, 16 cases of invading attachment. There were 17 cases of sequestrum formation, 13 cases of invasion of the spinal canal, and 12 cases of violation of surrounding muscles. There were statistical differences between the two types of imaging signs such as the type of vertebral destruction and the presence or absence of sequestrum. Conclusion: The type of vertebral destruction and the presence or absence of imaging features such as sequestrumwill facilitate the differential diagnosis of Brucella spondylitis and tuberculous spondylitis.

[Effects of nasal steroids on pulmonary function in patients with allergic rhinitis]

Objective:The aim of this study was to observe the changes of pulmonary function in patients with allergic rhinitis and the effect of nasal glucocorticoid on pulmonary function.Method:Ninety patients with Moderate and severe AR and 50 healthy control subjects were recruited.All participates accepted a pulmonary function test and make a statistical analysis.90 patients of AR were divided into two groups:A group(50) and B group(40).A group treated with nasal budesonide and loratadine,while B group treated with nasal normal saline and loratadine.After 3 months,all patients reviewed the lung function.Result:Comparing with control,FEV1.0/FVC,MMEF,FEF50% and FEF75% reduced significantly in AR group(P<0.01),after 3 months,the treatment of A group compared before:FEV1.0/FVC(P<0.05),MMEF,FEF50% and FEF75%(P<0.01) had statistical significance.Compared B group after the treatment:FEF75% (P<0.05) was significant.After the treatment of group A compared with normal group:there was no significance.Conclusion:The reduced pulmonary function of allergic rhinitis paitents is mainly due to the small airway dysfunction.Budesonide is superior to loratadine to improve the pulmonary function.

[Comparison of the secretory related molecules expression in stem cells from the pulp of human exfoliated deciduous teeth and dental pulp stem cells]

Objective: To compare the general biological characteristics and the expressions of proteins involved in secretion in stem cells from the pulp of human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) and dental pulp stem cells (DPSC). Methods: SHED and DPSC were cultured and collected at passage 4 (P4) and P7. The submandibular gland epithelial and interstitial cells were cultured with tissue culture method. The cell morphology was observed using a phase contrast microscope. Flow cytometry was used to detect stem cell surface markers. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and IncuCyte ZOOM were used to evaluate cell proliferation. Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) was performed to examine the mRNA expressions of proteins involved in fluid and protein secretion. Results: P4 and P7 SHED and DPSC were spindle-shaped. There was no difference in cell morphology among the 4 group cells. P4 and P7 SHED and DPSC expressed CD29, CD44, CD73, and CD90, the mesenchymal stem cell markers, while, CD49f and CD117, the epithelium markers were undetected. There was no difference in cell proliferation among the 4 group cells. Compared with P4 SHED, the expressions of muscarinic cholinergic receptor 1 (MR1), MR3, aquaporin 5 (AQP5), β1-adrenoceptor (β1-AR), α-amylase, and mucin 5B in SHED were not different, while β2-AR expression was decreased (P<0.05). Compared with P4 DPSC, the expressions of MR3, β2-AR, and α-amylase in P7 DPSC were not different, while, the expressions of MR1, AQP5, β1-AR, and mucin 5B were decreased (P<0.05). Compared with primary cultured submandibular gland epithelial cells and gland tissues from a child, the expressions of proteins involved in secretion were all decreased. Compared with submandibular epithelial cells from adults, the expression of AQP5 in P4 DPSC was decreased (P<0.05), while other proteins were not different. The expressions of AQP5, β1-AR, α-amylase and mucin 5B in P7 DPSC were increased (P<0.05), while other proteins were not different. In P4 and P7 DPSC, all the protein expression levels were decreased, compared with those in submandibular gland tissues (P<0.01). Conclusions: Compared with DPSC, SHED have stable growth and the expressions of protein involved fluid and protein secretion are low. Based on its extensive sources and easy separation, SHED can be used as the ideal seed cell for salivary gland tissue engineering and the treatment of salivary gland hypofunction, and the P4 to P7 SHED can be used for experimental study.

[Deltoid ligament augmentation and repairing in ankle fracture associated with deltoid ligament injury and syndesmosis diastasis]

Objective: To evaluate the outcome of the deep component augmentation and superficial component repairing and syndesmosis screw fixation in treating ankle fracture associated with deltoid ligament injury and syndesmosis diastasis. Methods: From January 2014 to December 2017, 16 patients with ankle fracture combined with deltoid ligament injury and syndesmosis diastasis were treated with the deep component augmentation and superficial component repairing in Beijing Jishuitan Hospital.Of the patients, 13 were males and 3 were females, with an average age of (38±10) years (21-57 years). Nine cases were athletic injuries, 4 cases were daily-life injuries and 3 cases were traffic injuries.According to the Weber classification, 6 cases were type B, 10 cases were type C. According to the Lauge-Hansen classification, 6 cases were supination external rotation Ⅳ injury, 9 cases were pronation external rotation Ⅳ injury, 1 case was pronation abduction Ⅲ injury.The surgical treatment method was rigid fixation of the lateral malleolus and deep deltoid ligament augamentation instead of syndesmosis screw fixation.The effect of the surgical method was observed. Results: The average follow up was (24±12) months (6-40 months). The mean degree of dorsiflexion was 17.8°±6.8° (5°-30°), with 3.8°±6.0° (0°-15°) less than that in normal side, the mean degree of plantar flexion was 46.9°±7.9°, with 1.9°±3.9° (0°-10°) less than that in normal side.The mean Philips and Schwartz score was 96.8±5.1 (82-100), the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Score was 97.4±4.6 (84-100). Conclusion: In the treatment of ankle fracture associated with deltoid ligament injury and syndesmosis diastasis, the deep component augmentation and superficial component repairing and proper rehabilitation can benefit the functional recovery.

[The technique of retaining part of the external auditory canal posterior wall with epitympanoplasty in soft wall reconstruction treating middle ear cholesteatoma]

Objective:To investigate the surgical treatment of cholesteatoma of the middle ear. Method:A retrospective analysis of patients from June 2013 to July 2016 diagnosed as cholesteatoma. 137 ears were divided into A group (retaining part of the external auditory canal posterior wall with epitympanoplasty in soft wall reconstruction for 75 ears) and B group (canal wall down mastoidotympanoplasty for 62 ears). the extent and damage of cholesteatoma were observed, comparing the time of dry ear and epithelial postoperative, the incidence of complications such as dizziness and hearing changes. Result:compared with B group, the postoperative dry ear time, epithelial time and hearing improvement in the A group were obviously improved, and the incidence of vertigo after operation was decreased, and the anatomical and physiological functions of the external auditory canal were protected. Conclusiont:The technique of retaining part of the external auditory canal posterior wall with epitympanoplasty in soft wall reconstruction is conductive to the removal of lesions and normal anatomical and physiological protection to external auditory canal, can prevent the forming of the abstraction pocket effectively and the recurrence of cholesteatoma, has clinical and practical value.

[Efficacy of lobaplatin plus S-1 and the predictive value of circulating tumor cell in patients with advanced gastric cancer]

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of lobaplatin (LBP) plus S-1 for advanced gastric cancer (AGC) and determine the potential role of circulating tumor cells (CTC) for predicting the therapeutic response and prognosis. Methods: From January 2014 to February 2015, 64 consecutive patients with AGC received lobaplatin plus S-1 chemotherapy in Liaocheng People's Hospital. The clinical features, clinical response, adverse effects, prognosis and CTC pre- and post-treatment were retrospectively analyzed. The correlation between CTC and patients' disease control rate (DCR), objective response rate (ORR), progression free survival (PFS) as well as overall survival (OS) were investigated. Results: All 64 patients completed 2 cycles of chemotherapy.The number of patients who achieved complete regression, partial regression, stable and progression were 0, 24 (37.5%), 18 (28.1%) and 22 (34.4%), respectively. ORR was 37.5% and DCR was 65.6%. The median PFS was 10.8 months(95%CI 7.1-12.0) and the median OS was 16.1 months(95%CI 12.4-18.8). The ORR and PFS were not significantly different between patients with baseline CTC≥2 and CTC<2 (25.0% vs 53.6%, P=0.150; 6.2 months vs 7.5 months, P=0.780), while the DCR and OS were significantly different (45.9% vs 90.0%, P=0.008; 10.5 months vs 17.2 months, P<0.001). After 2 cycles of chemotherapy, the ORR and DCR in patients with CTC≥2 were 16.7% and 45.9%, respectively, which were significantly lower than those observed in patients with CTC<2 (50.0% and 90.0%, respectively). The former also had shorter median PFS and OS (6.6 months vs 8.9 months, 8.4 months vs 15.0 months, respectively). Patients with persistently CTC<2 or those exhibiting an conversion to CTC<2 following chemotherapy had an improved PFS and OS, while patients with persistently CTC≥2 or those exhibiting an conversion to CTC≥2 following therapy had shorter PFS and OS.The most frequent adverse effects were grade 1 or 2 gastrointestinal discomfort and myelosuppression. No patients discontinued chemotherapy because of adverse events. Conclusions: Lobaplatin plus S-1 had manageable safety profile and promising antitumor activity in patients with AGC. CTC could be used as a biomarker in evaluating therapeutic response and predicting their prognosis.

[Helicobacter pylori and hepatic encephalopathy]

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is caused by severe liver disease or portal shunt. Metabolic disorders and central nervous system dysfunctions are the main symptoms of this syndrome. Ammonia is considered to play a central role in the pathogenesis of HE. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) have been suggested as a possible source of ammonia production because of its high urease content. However, the relationship between H.pylori and blood ammonia and HE, as well as the therapeutic effect of H.pylori eradication on HE, is inconclusive, and the results are full of contradictions. The aim of this review is to summarize current knowledge on the association of H. pylori with HE and to address the question of whether H. pylori eradication may be beneficial in the management of HE.

[TGF-β3 improves bone mesenchymal stem cells toward chondrogenic differentiation under hypoxia environment]

Objective: To investigate the impact of TGF-β3 on the chondrogenesis of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) under hypoxia environment. Methods: BM-MSCs were obtained from SD rat tibias and femora and cultured with whole bone marrow adherent method. Cell surface antigens were analyzed by flow cytometry and the multiple-directional differentiation capabilities were detected with special differentiation agents to affirm the reality of BM-MSCs. Under normoxia or hypoxia condition, BM-MSCs were induced with TGF-β3 or not. Then, alcian blue and immunofluorescence staining were performed to evaluate the expression level of aggrecan, collagen Ⅱ. qRT-PCR analysis were performed to analyze the expression of aggrecan, collagen Ⅱ and collagen Ⅹ. qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis was performed to detect the mRNA and protein level of HIF-1α, collagenⅡ and β-catenin. Results: BM-MSCs were fibroblast-like shape and had ablities of osteogeic, adipogenic and chondrogenic differentiation, with the expression of CD(29, )CD(44) and CD(90) but not CD(45). Alcian blue and immunofluorescence staining showed that BM-MSCs strongly expressed the aggrecan and collagen Ⅱ with the presence of TGF-β3 under hypoxia condition. qRT-PCR analysis showed the mRNA expression levels of collagen Ⅱ, aggrecan and collagen Ⅹ were up-regulated at 2.46, 2.20 and 1.80 folds, comparing with control group (all P<0.05). Western blot analysis showed that the protein levels of HIF-1α, collagenⅡ in BM-MSCs were up-regulated with the presence of TGF-β3 under hypoxia condition, but β-catenin level was down-regulated. Conclusion: TGF-β3 promotes the chondrogenic differentiation ability of BM-MSCs under hypoxia condition, which may be relative with the inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

[High resolution diffusion-weighted imaging for characterising nasopharyngeal carcinoma]

Objective: To evaluate the characteristics of high resolution diffusion-weighted imaging(DWI) using readout segmentation of long variable echo trains (RESOLVE ) for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods: A total of 131 with newly diagnosed NPC patients from the 5th Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University were included in this study from October 2013 to April 2016.DWI using RESOLVE technique was performed. The signal intensity (SI(lesion)), and mean(ADC(mean)), maximum(ADC(max)), minimum (ADC(min))ADCs of NPC were calculated. The signal intensity (SI(normal))and ADC (ADC(normal))of normal nasopharyngeal tissue were calculated. These quantitative parameters of NPC and normal nasopharyngeal tissue were compared.Statistical difference of ADC(mean), ADC(max) and ADC(min) between the clinical tumor stages were assessed. Results: On the DWI, all NPCs were clearly shown as high signal intensity relative to the surrounding normal nasopharyngeal structure(F=70.019, P=0.000). The ADC(mean)(F=20.442, P=0.000), ADC(max)(F=35.374, P=0.000), ADC(min)(F=61.534, P=0.000) in the carcinoma were significantly lower compared with that of normal nasopharyngeal structure. There was no statistically significant difference of ADC(mean), ADC(max) and ADC(min) (P>0.05)in different clinical stages of NPC. Conclusion: NPC can be clearly detected by RESOLVE-DWI, but the ADC(mean), ADC(max) and ADC(min) can not be used for differentiating the clinical stage of NPC.

[Expression of BRD4 in squamous cell carcinoma and its effects on cell proliferation and invasion ability]

Objective: To investigate the expression of BRD4 in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) tissues and cells, and the effects of its expression on cell proliferation and invasion ability. Methods: Immunohistochemistry was used to detect BRD4 protein expression in SCC tissues and paired normal esophageal squamous epithelial tissues. The expression of BRD4 protein was detected in different SCC cell lines and normal esophageal squamous epithelial cells by Western blot. BRD4 siRNA and control siRNA were used to transfect SCC Eca109 cells, and experiments were divided into three groups: untreated group, control siRNA group and BRD4 siRNA group. Western blot was employed to investigate the expression of BRD4 protein in the three groups of SCC Eca109 cells. CCK-8 kit was utilized to detect cell proliferation ability, and Transwell chamber was used to examine cell invasion ability. Finally, Western blot was used to detect the expression of MMP2 and MMP9 proteins. Results: The positive rate of BRD4 protein expression in SCC tissues was significantly higher than that of normal squamous epithelial tissues. The expression of BRD4 protein in 4 SCC cell lines was higher than that in normal esophageal cell Het-1A. BRD4 siRNA obviously downregulated the expression of BRD4 protein in Eca109 cells, and its downregulation contributed to the suppression of cell proliferation and invasion ability in Eca109 cells (all P<0.05), coupled with the decreases of MMP2 and MMP9 proteins. Conclusion: BRD4 may be closely associated with the proliferation and invasion of SCC, and it thus may be a potential therapeutic target for SCC.

[Three-dimensional computed tomography analysis and clinical application of sacroiliac screw placement]

Objective: To evaluate the possibility of transverse sacroiliac screw placement in different segments of the sacrum. Methods: Data of 80 pelvic CT scans (slice thickness ≤1.0 mm) archived in CT department of the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University from September 2016 to October 2017 were retrospectively collected. Mimics software was used to rebuild the pelvis three-dimensional model. According to whether the sacral 1(S(1)) segment could place the transverse sacroiliac screws or not, all the sacrums were divided into normal group (n=55) and dysmorphic group (n=25). Simulation the S(1), sacral 2(S(2)) transverse sacroiliac screw placement in 3-Matic software. Analysis whether there was any difference in maximum diameter and length of S(2) transverse sacroiliac screw between the normal group and the dysmorphic group. The pelvic CT data of the dysmorphic group were measured, and the optimal tilt angle and length of the oblique S(1) screw were obtained. The feasibility of transverse sacroiliac screw insertion in sacral 3(S(3)) segment was evaluated.t-test, rank sum test, and χ(2) test was used to analyze data, respectively. Results: In the dysmorphic group, the largest diameter of the S(1) transverse screw was (4.9±1.6)mm, and the normal group was (13.6±3.6)mm (t=-15.07, P=0.00). In the dysmorphic group, the largest diameter of S(2) transverse screw was (13.8±3.0)mm, and was (12.4±2.2)mm in the normal group(t=2.11, P=0.04). There was no significant difference in the length of S(2) transverse sacroiliac screw between the two groups (t=0.47, P=0.64). In the dysmorphic group, the anterior vertebral height of S(1) was (23.1±4.0)mm, which was significantly higher than that of the normal group ((14.1±4.2)mm)(t=9.01, P=0.00). The angle of S(1)S(2) in the dysmorphic group was 10.9°(3.8°, 17.6°), which was significantly larger than that of the normal group (2.0°(1.0°, 2.0°) (Z=-4.03, P=0.00). In the dysmorphic group, the incline angle of the oblique S(1) sacroiliac screw was (35.6±6.2)°, the anteversion angle was (37.2±4.4)°, and the mean screw length was (90.2±4.7)mm. In the dysmorphic group, the placement rate of S(3) transverse sacroiliac screw was 48.0%, and that of the normal sacral group was 9.1%. Conclusions: There is often dysmorphic in the sacrum in patients with large S(1) anterior vertebral height and S(1)S(2) angle. Sacral dysmorphic patients with posterior pelvic ring injury may be treated with S(1) pedicle oblique sacroiliac screws. S(3) transverse sacroiliac screws should be carefully placed, especially for the absence of sacral dysmorphic in patients.

[Genetic Polymorphisms of 17 Y-STR Loci in Nantong Han Population]

OBJECTIVES

To analyze the genetic phenotypes of Nantong Han population and evaluate the application value of 17 Y-STR loci in Nantong population.

METHODS

The peripheral blood samples were collected from 343 unrelated Nantong Han males and the genomic DNA were extracted by Chelex-100 method. Genotyping was performed using the AmpFℓSTR Yfiler™ Kit. The results were compared with other 12 Han populations, including Anhui, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Shandong, Shanghai, Zhejiang （1）, Lanzhou, Nanyang, Luzhou, Mudanjiang, Shanxi and Zhejiang （2）, and 9 minority populations （Mongol, Xibe, Tibetan in Lhasa, Tibetan in Qinghai, Kazak, Uighur, Manchu, Paiwan in Taiwan and Tujia）.

RESULTS

A total of 327 different haplotypes were found in 17 Y-STR loci in Nantong Han population. The haplotype diversity （HD） was 0.999 7. The R_st value between Nantong Han and other Chinese populations ranged from -0.000 6 to 0.263 5. The multidimensional scaling results showed that Nantong Han population had no significant differences between most of the Han populations, but had significant differences between most of Chinese minority populations.

CONCLUSIONS

Seventeen Y-STR loci can be a powerful tool for forensic application because of its high polymorphism in Nantong Han population.

[Diagnostic value of CT scan for AO B3 fracture of distal radius]

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether 3-dimentional CT scans is able to effectively improve the detection rate of AO B3 distal radius fractures in clinics.

METHODS

From Jan 2013 to Jan 2014, 30 patients with distal radius fractures were retrospectively enrolled in this study, all the patients directly visited the skeletal trauma emergency department in Beijing Jishuitan Hospital post injury and all of them accepted open reduction and internal fixation of distal radius fractures at last. All the radiographic data including X ray films and 3-dimentional CT scans of these patients were collected. Two independent observers were required to make primary AO classifications for each fracture by X rays at first, then to make final AO classifications by 3-dimentional CT scans. Finally, the detection rates of CT scans and plain films for AO B3 distal radius fractures and B3.3 distal radius fractures were compared, the agreements of the two methods for diagnosing AO B3 and B3.3 fractures were calculated by Cohen's Kappa calculations.

RESULTS

All the 30 fractures were confirmed to be AO B3 distal radius fractures intraoperatively, and 10 of them were B3.3 fractures. The results were completely consistent with the results of 3-dimensional CT scans. However, only 80%(24/30) AO B3 distal radius fractures and 60%(6/10) B3.3 distal radius fractures could be diagnosed only by X rays. The detection rate of CT scans was proved to be significantly higher than X rays for diagnosing B3 distal radius fractures(100% vs. 80%,P<0.05), the detection rate of CT scans was also proved to be significantly higher than that of plain films for detecting B3.3 distal radius fractures (100% vs. 60%,P<0.05). The agreement of 3-dimentional CT scans and X ray was poor for detecting both the AO B3 distal radius fracture and B3.3 distal radius fracture (kappa=0). Most importantly, in the study process, two special kinds of B3 distal radius fracture were initially found and described by us. One was named as radial B3 fracture, and the other was named as ulna B3 fracture.

CONCLUSION

3-dimentional CT scans can effectively improve the detection rate of B3 and B 3.3 distal radius fractures, and also help find two special kinds of B3 fractures.

[Application of p16/Ki-67 immunocytochemistry in triage of patients with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance]

Objective: To investigate the clinical value of p16/Ki-67 immunocytochemistry in patients with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance(ASC-US). Methods: One hundred and seventy-one cases of thin-prep cytology test (TCT) diagnosed as ASC-US underwent p16/Ki-67 immunocytochemistry. All patients had colposcopy and biopsy from March 2015 to January 2016. Ninety of the 171 cases underwent high-risk HPV test at the same time. Results: p16/Ki-67 immunocytochemistry was positive in 43.9% (75/171) of the 171 cytology samples; the sensitivity and specificity of p16/Ki-67 immunocytochemistry were 77.6%(52/67) and 77.9%(81/104) in detecting CIN2+ , and the positive and negative predictive value were 69.3%(52/75) and 84.4%(81/96), respectively. The sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing CIN2+ were 100.0%(34/34) and 10.7%(6/56) for HPV test, and the positive and negative predictive value were 40.5%(34/84) and 6/6. p16/Ki-67 immunocytochemistry showed lower sensitivity but obviously higher specificity than high-risk HPV detection. Conclusion: p16/Ki-67 immunocytochemistry is a good triage test for identifying CIN2+ in ASC-US specimens.