Numerical method based on transfer function for eliminating water vapor noise from terahertz spectra

Water vapor noise in the air affects the accuracy of optical parameters extracted from terahertz (THz) time-domain spectroscopy. In this paper, a numerical method was proposed to eliminate water vapor noise from the THz spectra. According to the Van Vleck-Weisskopf function and the linear absorption spectrum of water molecules in the HITRAN database, we simulated the water vapor absorption spectrum and real refractive index spectrum with a particular line width. The continuum effect of water vapor molecules was also considered. Theoretical transfer function of a different humidity was constructed through the theoretical calculation of the water vapor absorption coefficient and the real refractive index. The THz signal of the Lacidipine sample containing water vapor background noise in the continuous frequency domain of 0.5-1.8 THz was denoised by use of the method. The results show that the optical parameters extracted from the denoised signal are closer to the optical parameters in the dry nitrogen environment.

Atrophy of retinal inner layers is associated with poor vision after endophthalmitis: a spectral domain optical coherence tomography study

PurposeTo investigate the retinal structural changes in endophthalmitis and their association with visual outcome.Patients and methodsForty-five eyes of 45 patients diagnosed with endophthalmitis were included. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) was performed after inflammation was controlled. The relationship between SD-OCT features and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at the last follow-up was analyzed.ResultsThe structural changes included inner segment ellipsoid (ISe) disruption (49%), atrophy of retinal inner layers (24%), epimacular membrane (24%), and macular edema (24%). BCVA was worse in patients with ISe disruption (P=0.005) and retinal inner layers' atrophy (P=0.004) compared with those without. There was no significant difference of BCVA between the patients with and without epimacular membrane, or intraretinal cysts. Multivariate regression showed that atrophy of retinal inner layers (b=0.41±0.17, P=0.022) was the only independent factor associated with BCVA.ConclusionAtrophy of retinal inner layers is associated with visual impairment in endophthalmitis, despite successful management.

Correlation between circulating tumor cells EGFR expression and T cell subsets in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients after tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment

Research indicates that after EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), patient immune function significantly improved, and that circulating tumor cells (CTCs) measurements and peripheral blood epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation data can guide TKIs treatment. Sixty-six advanced NSCLC patients treated with TKIs were enrolled and CTCs, EGFR expression, T cell subsets and natural killer (NK) cells in peripheral blood were measured using flow cytometry before and after treatment and assessed with respect to patient prognosis. CTCs and EGFR expression were negatively correlated with cellular immune function and immune recovery after EGFR-TKI treatment. Thus, CD4+/ CD8+ ratios and NK cells may be useful prognostic indicators for advanced NSCLC patients who receive TKIs treatment.

MUC1-C integrates PD-L1 induction with repression of immune effectors in non-small-cell lung cancer

Immunotherapeutic approaches, particularly PD-1/PD-L1 blockade, have improved the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), supporting the premise that evasion of immune destruction is of importance for NSCLC progression. However, the signals responsible for upregulation of PD-L1 in NSCLC cells and whether they are integrated with the regulation of other immune-related genes are not known. Mucin 1 (MUC1) is aberrantly overexpressed in NSCLC, activates the NF-κB p65→ZEB1 pathway and confers a poor prognosis. The present studies demonstrate that MUC1-C activates PD-L1 expression in NSCLC cells. We show that MUC1-C increases NF-κB p65 occupancy on the CD274/PD-L1 promoter and thereby drives CD274 transcription. Moreover, we demonstrate that MUC1-C-induced activation of NF-κB→ZEB1 signaling represses the TLR9, IFNG, MCP-1 and GM-CSF genes, and that this signature is associated with decreases in overall survival. In concert with these results, targeting MUC1-C in NSCLC tumors suppresses PD-L1 and induces these effectors of innate and adaptive immunity. These findings support a previously unrecognized central role for MUC1-C in integrating PD-L1 activation with suppression of immune effectors and poor clinical outcome.

Joint Association of Obesity and Hypertension with Disability in the Elderly-- A Community-Based Study of Residents in Shanghai, China

BACKGROUND

Although both obesity and hypertension are known risk factors for disability, the joint association of obesity and hypertension with risk of disability is unknown. This paper is aim to examine the joint association of obesity and hypertension with risk of disability.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study with 8060 elderly community-dwelling individuals participating in the survey initiated by Shanghai Health and Family Planning Commission from March to September 2013. Obesity was measured using the body mass index (BMI) in World Health Organization (WHO) Asia criteria. Hypertension, based on the doctor's diagnosis, was obtained through face-to-face interview. Disability was measured using the self-reported physical self-maintenance scale (PSMS) and the instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) scale developed by Lawton and Brody.

RESULTS

A total of 8.97% of participants reported ADL disability, and 15.18% for IADL disability. After adjusting social demographics and chronic conditions, the risk of ADL disability was progressively greater in obese persons with hypertension (OR=1.40, 95% CI=1.05-1.89), underweight persons without hypertension (OR=2.05, 95% CI=1.29-3.25), and underweight persons with hypertension (OR=2.14, 95% CI=1.36-3.36). For IADL disability, only underweight persons with hypertension were significantly associated (OR=1.65, 95% CI=1.23-2.21).

CONCLUSIONS

Low or extremely high BMI, independent of its metabolic consequences, is a risk factor for disability among the elderly. Simple hypertension wasn't significantly associated with disability. In addition, having hypertension significantly increased the risk of ADL disability in obese individuals and IADL disability in underweight individuals.

MicroRNA-155 is a biomarker of T-cell activation and immune dysfunction in HIV-1-infected patients

OBJECTIVES

MicroRNA-155 (miR-155) regulates T-cell differentiation and activation. It has also been associated with HIV infection. However, it remains unclear whether miR-155 is related to the T-cell response in HIV-infected individuals (e.g. T-cell activation and exhaustion).

METHODS

We performed a cross-sectional study involving 121 HIV-1-infected patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and 43 HAART-naïve patients. MiR-155 levels in the peripheral blood were determined by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR). T-cell immune activation, exhaustion, and homeostasis were measured by determining the expression of CD38, programmed death 1 (PD-1) and CD127 via flow cytometry.

RESULTS

The levels of miR-155 in total peripheral blood mononuclear cells, CD4 T cells and CD8 T cells from HIV-1-infected patients were increased (P < 0.01). Nonresponders and HAART-naïve patients also exhibited a higher percentage of CD8⁺ CD38⁺ T cells and a lower percentage of CD4⁺ CD127⁺ and CD8⁺ CD127⁺ T cells (P < 0.05). We also found higher levels of PD-1 expression on the CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells of HIV-1-infected patients (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that miR-155 levels in the peripheral blood of HIV-1-infected patients are increased and associated with T-cell activation. Therefore, miR-155 is a potential biomarker of the immune response following HIV-1 infection.

Comparative analysis of shell color variety and genetic structure among five high-quality freshwater pearl mussel populations

Four Hyriopsis cumingii populations, a breeding population (BP), a cultured population (FP), two wild populations from Poyang Lake (PY) and Dongting Lake (DT), and an H. schlegelii population were collected (JX), and the first filial generations (F1) were bred synchronously. The shell nacre polymorphisms, population genetic diversity, and genetic structures of the F1 of each population were analyzed and compared using CIELAB colorimetric measurements and microsatellite markers. The color parameters of the shell nacre (L*, a*, dE*) in the BP were significantly different from those in the FP, PY, and JX populations (P < 0.05), whereas the shell nacre color did not differ significantly between the left and right sides of the shells within the same population (P > 0.05). The BP had relatively darker nacre at the posterior end of the shell, and the color parameters (L*, a*, b*, and dE*) differed significantly from those at the front end (P < 0.05). The five populations showed relatively high levels of genetic diversity (H_O = 0.733-0.829). The genetic distance between the H. cumingii populations and H. schlegelii was the greatest, whereas that within the H. cumingii populations and between the FP and the PY population was the smallest. All the individuals tested in this study were optimally grouped into four theoretical populations. In conclusion, the BP was significantly different from the base populations of PY and DT in terms of genetic background and phenotypic parameters of shell nacre color, with potential for further genetic improvement.

[Association between the office, visit-to-visit and 24-hour ambulatory systolic blood pressure and vascular damages in the elderly]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between different kinds of systolic blood pressure (SBP, including office, visit-to-visit, 24-hour ambulatory) and vascular damages (represented by carotid intima-media thickness, CIMT; brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity, baPWV) in the elderly.

METHODS

A total of 2 814 participants aged of ≥60 years old and retired employees were selected with random sampling method from the individuals who took part in 2006-2007, 2008-2009, 2010-2011 health examination in Tangshan Kailuan Hospital, Kailuan Linxi Hospital, Kailuan Zhaogezhuang Hospital and with 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring data, CIMT and baPWV.Finally, 2 146 participants (1 438 males, average age (67.3±6.0) years old) were included to the analysis.Multivariable regression analysis was used to analyze association between the office, visit-to-visit, 24-hour, day-time, night-time SBP and CIMT and baPWV, respectively.

RESULTS

(1) The average SBP, DBP, CIMT and baPWV were (137.0±20.4) mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), (83.5±11.0) mmHg, (0.92±0.18)mm and (1 781.7±353.2)cm/s.(2) The participants were divided into high and low level groups according to the median of different SBPs, respectively.The results indicated that CIMT and baPWV were significantly higher in high level groups than in low level groups (all P<0.01). (3) After adjusting for gender and age, the partial correlate analysis showed that the office, visit-to-visit, 24-hour, day-time, night-time SBP positively associated with CIMT and baPWV (all P<0.01). (4) After adjusting for confounding factors, multivariable regression analysis showed that the office, visit-to-visit, 24-hour, day-time, night-time SBP were positively and linearly associated with CIMT and baPWV in total cohort, and standard regression coefficients were 0.157, 0.208, 0.175, 0.169, 0.163, 0.479, 0.420, 0.401, 0.389 and 0.354, respectively.In addition, similar results were observed in male and female participants but there was no significance between night-time SBP and CIMT in female participants.

CONCLUSIONS

Office, visit-to-visit, 24-hour, day-time, night-time SBP are associated with vascular damages, and the best associations are observed between visit-to-visit SBP and vascular function damage.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY

Chinese CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY, ChiCTR-TNC-1100 1489.

[Survey of medical care resources of acute myocardial infarction in different regions and levels of hospitals in China]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the medical care resources of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in Chinese hospitals of different regions and levels.

METHODS

We selected 115 hospitals in China, including 61 northern hospitals, 54 southern hospitals, 52 eastern hospitals, 26 central hospitals, 37 western hospitals, 79 tertiary hospitals, 36 secondary hospitals, 34 pro vincial-level hospitals, 46 prefectural-level hospitals and 35 county hospitals. From November 2012 to August 2013, we sent questionnaire to the cardiologists in each hospital, to collect related information.

RESULTS

(1) The number of AMI admitted each year of northern hospital was more than the number of southern hospital (220 (120, 400) cases vs. 220 (80, 350) cases, P=0.033), while number of coronary care unit (CCU), thrombolytic therapy, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), primary PCI and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) were similar (all P> 0.05). (2) The number of AMI admitted each year of eastern, central and western hospital was 295(150, 501) cases, 175(75, 300) cases and 170(50, 250) cases respectively(P=0.007), with no significant difference among them for setting CCU, carrying out thrombolytic therapy, PCI, primary PCI and CABG (all P>0.05). (3) The total number of the in-patient beds and AMI admitted each year of tertiary hospitals were significantly higher than that in the secondary hospitals(104(70, 152)vs. 47(30, 52), P<0.001) and (300(200, 460)cases vs.80(47, 135)cases, P<0.001) respectively. There was a significant difference between tertiary and secondary hospitals for the number of CCU (97.5% (77/79)and 75.0%(27/36)), PCI (98.7%(78/79)and 27.8%(10/36)), primary PCI (96.2%(76/79)and 22.2%(8/36)), CABG (81.0%(64/79)and 11.1%(4/36)), intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) (91.1%(72/79) and 13.9%(5/36)) respectively (all P<0.001). (4) There were obvious differences among provincial-level, prefectural-level and country-level hospitals for the admitted AMI patient numbers annually which was 400(250, 600), 232(100, 380)and 80(50, 162)cases, CCU proportion which was 100 %(34/34), 95.7%(44/46) and 74.3%(26/35), thrombolytic therapy proportion which was 88.2%(30/34), 100%(46/46)and 91.4%(32/35), PCI proportion which was 100%(34/34), 89.1%(41/46)and 37.1%(13/35), primary PCI proportion which was 100%(34/34), 84.8%(39/46)and 31.4%(11/35), CABG proportion which was 97.1%(33/34), 67.4%(31/46) and 11.4%(4/35)respectively (P<0.01 or 0.05) .

CONCLUSIONS

Different regional hospitals have no significant difference in number of CCU and reperfusion therapies, while there is a big difference on medical care resources of AMI between different-level hospitals, which may affect the diagnosis and treatment effect of patients with AMI. Clinical Trail Registry: National Institutes of Health, NCT01874691.

[Hospital costs and related influencing factors in patients with acute poisoning]

Objective: To investigate the hospital costs and related influencing factors in patients with acute poisoning. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed for the general status and hospital costs of 373 patients with acute poisoning who were admitted to The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College from January 2009 to March 2015. The questionnaires were completed, the data were entered into Excel forms, and SPSS 18.0 was used to perform statistical analysis. Results: Among the 373 patients, 44.8% committed suicide and 31.1% were poisoned by accidental contact; 42.6% were poisoned by pesticides, and 32.7% were poisoned by drugs. After treatment, 64.1% achieved improvements, whereas 1.3% died. The highest hospital cost reached 62 710.26 RMB, and the lowest was 64.64 RMB (median 4 328 RMB) . The patients with an older age and a longer length of hospital stay tended to have higher hospital costs; the patients who underwent catharsis, mechanical ventilation, and blood purification and were admitted to the intensive care unit had relatively high hospital costs. Conclusion: The patients with acute poisoning have high hospital costs. Poisoning caused by pesticides and drugs should be prevented and treated with priority, so as to reduce the heavy economic burden caused by acute poisoning.

Design and safety analysis of the helium cooled solid breeder blanket for CFETR

This paper reports the design and safety analysis results of the helium cooled solid breeder blanket of the Chinese Fusion Engineering Test Reactor (CFETR). Materials selection and basic structure of the blanket have been presented. Performance analysis including neutronics analysis and thermo-mechanical analysis has shown good results. And the safety analysis of the blanket under Loss Of Coolant Accident (LOCA) conditions has been described. Results showed the current design can deal well with the selected accident scenarios.

[Age-related differences in the clinical symptoms and triggering factors among Chinese patients with acute myocardial infarction]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the age-related differences in the clinical symptoms and triggering factors among Chinese patients with acute myocardial infarction.

METHODS

Acute myocardial infarction Patients (n=14 854) registered in the China Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry from January 2013 to March 2014 were included in this study. Patients were divided into 4 groups: <55 years old group (3 950 patients), 55-64 years old group (4 361 patients), 65-74 years old group ( 3 759 patients), and ≥75 years old group (2 784 patients). Demographic features, medical history, clinical presentation and triggering factors were obtained via electronic data capture system.

RESULTS

(1)Persistent chest pain and sweat were the major typical symptoms 66.4%(9 863/14 854) and 63.8%(9 471/14 854)) in the whole cohort. Prevalence of persistent chest pain among four groups were 73.8%(2 915/3 950), 69.2%(3 016/4 361), 63.6%(2 394/3 759) and 55.2%(1 538/2 784), and radiating pain among four groups were 36.2%(1 428/3 950), 34.1%(1 487/4 361), 30.9%(1 160/3 759)and 25.9%(722/2 784), and sweat among four groups were 70.0%(2 765/3 950), 66.5%(2 898/4 361), 61.8%%(2 323/3 759)and 53.3%(1 485/2 784), and there were statistical significance for all above symptoms among groups (all P<0.001). (2)triggering factors before acute myocardial infarction could be found in 19.4%(2 879/14 854) of the patients. Prevalence of existed triggering factors among four groups were 23.8%(941/3 950), 21.0%(914/4 361), 16.6%(625/3 759) and 14.3%(399/2 784, P<0.001). Recent excessive unhealthy lifestyles among four groups were 20.8%(196/3 950), 11.9%(109/4 361), 10.1%(63/3 759) and 9.0%(36/2 784) among the 4 groups (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Persistent chest pain and sweat are absent in nearly half of Chinese patients in ≥75 years old group. Triggering factors prior to acute myocardial infarction could be evidenced in about twenty percent patients, and which are more often in young patients. Clinical Trail Registry: National Institutes of Health，NCT018746.

[Influencing factors of orthostatism brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity and ankle brachial index in the elderly]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the distribution and influencing factors of orthostatism brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity(baPWV) and ankle brachial index(ABI) in the elderly.

METHODS

Participants were selected with random sampling from ≥60 years old retired workers, who underwent 2010 to 2011 health check-up in the Tangshan Kailuan Hospital, Kailuan Linxi Hospital, Kailuan Zhaogezhuang Hospital. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors of orthostatism and supine baPWV and ABI in the elderly.

RESULTS

(1) A total of 2 464 participants were included, and 1 601 participants (1 065 males(66.5%) and (67.5±6.1) years old) with integral data were analyzed. Orthostatism baPWV was (3 885.4±1 503.5)cm/s and Supine baPWV was (1 761.2±371.4)cm/s.Orthostatism ABI was 1.54±0.21 and supine ABI was 1.10±0.12. Orthostatism baPWV increased with increasing age, while orthostatism ABI decreased with aging(trend test, both P<0.01)in <65, 65-69, 70-74, and ≥75 years old participants.(2) Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the age(β=0.19, P<0.01), lower limbs orthostatism systolic blood pressure(β=0.18, P<0.01), lower limbs supine systolic blood pressure (β=0.14, P<0.01), orthostatism heart rate (β=0.30, P<0.01), supine heart rate (β=0.23, P<0.01), body mass index (β=-0.18, P<0.01) were associated with orthostatism baPWV, and female(β=-0.055, P=0.01), upper limb orthostatism systolic blood pressure (β=-0.834, P<0.01), lower limbs orthostatism systolic blood pressure (β=0.708, P<0.01), lower limbs supine systolic blood pressure (β=0.099, P<0.01) and fasting blood glucose(β=-0.085, P<0.01) were associated with orthostatism ABI.

CONCLUSIONS

Orthostatism baPWV and ABI were significantly higher than those of supine's. Age, lower limbs orthostatism and supine systolic blood pressure, orthostatism and supine heart rate, body mass index were associated with orthostatism baPWV. Female, upper limb orthostatism systolic blood pressure, lower limbs orthostatism, supine systolic blood pressure and fasting blood glucose were associated with orthostatism ABI in the elderly.

Statistics of highly heterogeneous flow fields confined to three-dimensional random porous media

We present a strong relationship between the microstructural characteristics of, and the fluid velocity fields confined to, three-dimensional random porous materials. The relationship is revealed through simultaneously extracting correlation functions R_{uu}(r) of the spatial (Eulerian) velocity fields and microstructural two-point correlation functions S_{2}(r) of the random porous heterogeneous materials. This demonstrates that the effective physical transport properties depend on the characteristics of complex pore structure owing to the relationship between R_{uu}(r) and S_{2}(r) revealed in this study. Further, the mean excess plot was used to investigate the right tail of the streamwise velocity component that was found to obey light-tail distributions. Based on the mean excess plot, a generalized Pareto distribution can be used to approximate the positive streamwise velocity distribution.

Chinese military medical teams in the Ebola outbreak of Sierra Leone

The 2014-2015 Ebola virus disease (EVD) epidemic in West Africa was the largest in history. The three most affected countries, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, have faced enormous challenges in controlling transmission and providing clinical care for patients with EVD. The Chinese government, in response to the requests of the WHO and the governments of the affected countries, responded rapidly by deploying Chinese military medical teams (CMMTs) to the areas struck by the deadly epidemic. A total of three CMMTs, comprising 115 military medical professionals, were rotationally deployed to Freetown, Sierra Leone to assist with infection prevention and control, clinical care and health promotion and training. Between 1 October 2014 and 22 March 2015, the CMMTs in Sierra Leone admitted and treated a total of 773 suspected and 285 confirmed EVD cases. Among the 285 confirmed cases, 146 (51.2%) patients survived after treatment. In addition, the CMMTs maintained the record of zero infections among healthcare workers and zero cross-infections between quarantined patients. In this manuscript, we aim to give an overview of the mission, and share our best practices experience on predeployment preparedness, EVD holding and treatment centre building and EVD case management.

Characterisation of lubricin in synovial fluid from horses with osteoarthritis

REASON FOR PERFORMING STUDY

The glycoprotein lubricin contributes to the boundary lubrication of the articular cartilage surface. The early events of osteoarthritis involve the superficial layer where lubricin is synthesised.

OBJECTIVES

To characterise the glycosylation profile of lubricin in synovial fluid from horses with osteoarthritis and study secretion and degradation of lubricin in an in vitro inflammation cartilage model.

STUDY DESIGN

In vitro study.

METHODS

Synovial fluid samples collected from horses with joints with normal articular cartilage and structural osteoarthritic lesions; with and without osteochondral fragments, were analysed for the lubricin glycosylation profiles. Articular cartilage explants were stimulated with or without interleukin-1β for 25 days. Media samples collected at 3-day intervals were analysed by quantitative proteomics, western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

O-glycosylation profiles in synovial fluid revealed both Core 1 and 2 O-glycans, with Core 1 O-glycans predominating. Synovial fluid from normal joints (49.5 ± 1.9%) contained significantly lower amounts of monosialylated Core 1 O-glycans compared with joints with osteoarthritis (53.8 ± 7.8%, P = 0.03) or joints with osteochondral fragments (57.3 ± 8.8%, P = 0.001). Additionally, synovial fluid from normal joints (26.7 ± 6.7%) showed higher amounts of disialylated Core 1 O-glycan than from joints with osteochondral fragments (21.2 ± 4.9%, P = 0.03). A C-terminal proteolytic cleavage site in lubricin was found in synovial fluid from normal and osteochondral fragment joints and in media from interleukin-1β stimulated and unstimulated articular cartilage explants.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first demonstration of a change in the glycosylation profile of lubricin in synovial fluid from diseased equine joints compared with that from normal joints. We demonstrate an identical proteolytic cleavage site of lubricin both in vitro and in vivo. The reduced sialation of lubricin in synovial fluid from diseased joints may affect the boundary lubricating ability of the superficial layer of articular cartilage and could be one of the early events in the progression of osteoarthritis.

A meta-analysis of erlotinib versus docetaxel for advanced nonsmall-cell lung cancer with poor prognosis

BACKGROUND

The extent of the benefit of erlotinib in the treatment of advanced nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is still controversial when compared with docetaxel. This meta-analysis was performed to compare the efficacy of erlotinib with docetaxel for different patients with advanced NSCLC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We searched Cochrane Library, PubMed, CNKI, and identified 23 randomized controlled clinical trials from 2008 to 2015. According to our further full-text screening, 6 clinical trials were included in the final meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Six papers were included in this study. The progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), objective response rate (ORR), and toxicity were included in our outcomes. The pooled hazard ratio (HR) of PFS was 1.57 (95% confidential index [CI] = 1.47-1.69). The pooled HR of OS was 1.66 (95% CI = 1.43-1.92). The pooled risk ratio of ORR was 0.56 (95% CI = 0.35-0.91). The toxicity analysis showed odds ratio = 1.79 (95% CI = 1.20-2.69).

CONCLUSIONS

In terms of PFS, OS, and toxicity the effect of erlotinib in the treatment of advanced NSCLC patients is superior to docetaxel.

The Skewness of Alpha Beta T Cell Receptors in Peripheral Blood of the Patients with Type 1 Diabetes

AIM

To detect the skewness of TCR Vα and TCR Vβ of patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

METHODS

The heparinized venous blood was collected from ten patients with T1D. The peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) were isolated and used to extract mRNA. Reverse amplyfication was performed for cDNA synthesis. The skewness of TCR Vα and Vβ was detected with real-time florescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RQ-PCR) and analyzed by DNA melting-curve analysis technique, respectively.

RESULTS

Among the TCR Vα genes, the skewness frequency rate (SFR) of Vα22 was 30%; both of Vα5 and Vα24 were 20%; Vα28 was the only restricted-clone gene with the SFR of 10%. In all the Vβ genes, Vβ7 and Vβ17 were the the highest expression genes, and their SFRs were both 60%. Vβ11 was near them with the SFR of 40%; the restricted clonal genes were Vβ18 and Vβ20, their SFRs were 10% and 20%, respectivley.

CONCLUSION

There are skewd genes in TCR Vα and TCR Vβ, which are probably relative to the onset of T1D.

Detection of the long noncoding RNAs nuclear-enriched autosomal transcript 1 (NEAT1) and metastasis associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 in the peripheral blood of HIV-1-infected patients

OBJECTIVES

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in HIV-1 infection have not been extensively studied. Here we detected two lncRNAs, nuclear-enriched autosomal transcript 1 (NEAT1) and metastasis associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1), in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and plasma of HIV-1-infected patients.

METHODS

Fifty-nine HIV-1-infected patients and 21 healthy controls were recruited for the study, of whom 31 patients were highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART)-naïve and 28 patients had been receiving HAART for more than 1 year with undetectable viral loads. Total RNA was extracted from PBMCs and plasma, and levels of NEAT1 and MALAT1 were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

We found that the levels of NEAT1 and MALAT1 in PBMCs were up-regulated in HAART-naïve patients and were reduced in patients receiving HAART. NEAT1 was down-regulated in the plasma of infected patients and expression was correlated with CD4 T-cell count.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that NEAT1 and MALAT1 may interact with HIV-1 in vivo and that the presence of NEAT1 in plasma is a potential biomarker of HIV-1 infection.

A point mutation of zebrafish c-cbl gene in the ring finger domain produces a phenotype mimicking human myeloproliferative disease

Controlled self-renewal and differentiation of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) are critical for vertebrate development and survival. These processes are tightly regulated by the transcription factors, signaling molecules and epigenetic factors. Impaired regulations of their function could result in hematological malignancies. Using a large-scale zebrafish N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea mutagenesis screening, we identified a line named LDD731, which presented significantly increased HSPCs in hematopoietic organs. Further analysis revealed that the cells of erythroid/myeloid lineages in definitive hematopoiesis were increased while the primitive hematopoiesis was not affected. The homozygous mutation was lethal with a median survival time around 14-15 days post fertilization. The causal mutation was located by positional cloning in the c-cbl gene, the human ortholog of which, c-CBL, is found frequently mutated in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) or acute leukemia. Sequence analysis showed the mutation in LDD731 caused a histidine-to-tyrosine substitution of the amino acid codon 382 within the RING finger domain of c-Cbl. Moreover, the myeloproliferative phenotype in zebrafish seemed dependent on the Flt3 (fms-like tyrosine kinase 3) signaling, consistent with that observed in both mice and humans. Our study may shed new light on the pathogenesis of MPN and provide a useful in vivo vertebrate model of this syndrome for screening drugs.