[Diagnostic Significance of BIOMED-2 Standardized Gene Rearran-gement System in Patients with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma]

OBJECTIVE

To detect the immunoglobulin(Ig) and T cell receptor(TCR) gene rearrangement in bone marrow of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma(NHL) patients by using BIOMED-2 standardized system, and to explore the potential clinical significance of Ig/TCR gene rearrangement.

METHODS

DNA was extracted in bone marrow and Formalin-fixed and Paraffin-embedded(FFPE) samples of NHL patients, the Ig/TCR gene rearrangements were analyzed by using BIOMED-2 multiple primers system and multiplex PCR assay.

RESULTS

Among 235 T-NHL cases, 71.9% showed TCR gene rearrangement. The positive rate of TCRγ and the TCRβ were 57.9% and 50.2%. Out of 583 B-NHL cases, 81.6% showed Ig gene rearrangement. The positive rate of IgH and the IgK were 70.7% and 69.3%. MCL patients showed 84.8% IgH rearrangement and 75.8% IgK rearrangement, as compared with FL(34.0%, 50.9%) and DLBCL(9.2%, 16.1%) patients, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Out of Ig rearrangement positive B-NHL cases, 65 showed TCR gene rearrangement. None TCR rearrangement positive T-NHL cases showed Ig gene rearrangement, 25 cases(83.3%) showed Ig gene rearrangement in FFPE samples of 30 DLBCL patients, as compared to Ig rearrangement positive rate of bone marrow, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

BIOMED-2 standardized Ig/TCR gene rearrangement system shows assistance for lymphoma diagnosis. The PCR sequencing analysis is much more sensitive and specific and has significance for clinical diagnosis.

[Screening results and influencing factors of upper gastrointestinal carcinoma and precancerous lesions in Feicheng City]

Objective: To clarify the situation of the detection of upper gastrointestinal cancer and precancerous lesions in the Feicheng city and discuss the possible influencing factors. Methods: A cluster sampling method was used to determine the participants. A unified questionnaire was used to investigate the basic information including history of alcohol intake, smoking and chinese tea, as well as other eating habits, medical history of digestive tract and cancer. Endoscopy was used to to screen the patients with upper gastrointestinal cancer and precancerous lesions. Influential factors were explored by non-conditional logistic regression model. Results: 911 of 7 291participants were positive, and the total detection rate was 12.49%. The total positive detection rate of male and female was 17.94% and 8.71%, respectively (P<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the sex (OR=0.527, 95%CI: 0.440-0.631), age (OR=2.037, 95%CI: 1.849-2.245), smoking (OR=1.240, 95%CI: 1.014-1.516) and alcohol consumption (OR=1.232, 95%CI: 1.012-1.500) , meat and protein intake (OR=0.794, 95%CI: 0.638-0.987) and drink tea (OR=1.233, 95%CI: 1.056-1.440) may be influencing factors of the total detection rate of upper gastrointestinal cancer and precancerosis. Conclusions: In Feicheng city, intake of meat and protein is the protective factor of the upper gastrointestinal cancer and precancerous lesions. Men, aged, smoking, drinking and tea will increase the risk of upper gastrointestinal cancer and precancerous lesions.

The association between subclass-specific IgG Fc N-glycosylation profiles and hypertension in the Uygur, Kazak, Kirgiz, and Tajik populations

Hypertension results from the interaction of genetic and acquired factors. IgG occurs in the form of different subclasses, of which the effector functions show significant variation. The detailed differences between the glycosylation profiles of the individual IgG subclasses may be lost in a profiling method for total IgG N-glycosylation. In this study, subclass-specific IgG Fc glycosylation profile was investigated in the four northwestern Chinese minority populations, namely, Uygur (UIG), Kazak (KZK), Kirgiz (KGZ), and Tajik (TJK), composed of 274 hypertensive patients and 356 healthy controls. The results showed that ten directly measured IgG N-glycan traits (i.e., IgG1G0F, IgG2G0F, IgG2G1FN, IgG2G1FS, IgG2G2S, IgG4G0F, IgG4G1FS, IgG4G1S, IgG4G2FS, and IgG4G2N) representing galactosylation and sialylation are significantly associated with hypertension, with IgG4 consistently showing weaker associations of its sialylation, across the four ethnic groups. We observed a modest improvement on the AUC of ROC curve when the IgG Fc N-glycan traits are added into the glycan-based model (difference between AUCs, 0.044, 95% CI: 0.016-0.072, P = 0.002). The AUC of the diagnostic model indicated that the subclass-specific IgG Fc N-glycan profiles provide more information reinforcing current models utilizing age, gender, BMI, and ethnicity, and demonstrate the potential of subclass-specific IgG Fc N-glycosylation profiles to serve as a biomarker for hypertension. Further research is however required to determine the additive value of subclass-specific IgG Fc N-glycosylation on top of biomarkers, which are currently used.

[Clinical characteristics and renal uric acid excretion in early-onset gout patients]

Objective: To investigate clinical characteristics and renal uric acid excretion in early-onset gout patients. Methods: Consecutive inpatients with primary gout were recruited between 2013 and 2017. The patients with gout onset younger than 30 were defined as early-onset group while the others were enrolled as control group. Clinical characteristics and uric acid (UA) indicators were compared between two groups. Results: Among 202 recruited patients, the early-onset group included 36 patients (17.8%). Compared with control group, the early-onset group presented more patients with obesity [13 patients (36.1%) vs. 22 patients (13.3%), P<0.05], significantly higher serum UA level [(634±124)μmol/L vs.(527±169)μmol/L] and glomerular load of UA[(7.2±2.8)mg·min(-1)·1.73m(-2) vs. (4.4±2.2)mg·min(-1)·1.73m(-2)] and estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) [(83±21)ml·min(-1)·1.73m(-2) vs. (67±21)ml·min(-1)·1.73m(-2)] (all P<0.05), lower fractional excretion of UA [4.4% (3.4%,6.1%) vs. 7.2% (5.2%,9.6%),P<0.05], whereas 24h urinary UA excretion was comparable [(2 788±882)μmol/1.73m(2) vs. (2 645±1 140)μmol/1.73m(2), P=0.274]. Subgroup analysis of patients without chronic kidney disease showed significantly lower fractional excretion of UA in the early-onset group [4.5%(3.3%,6.1%) vs. 6.7% (5.1%,8.7%),P<0.05]. Logistic regression analysis showed that obesity (OR=3.25) and fractional excretion of UA less than 7% (OR=9.01, all P<0.05) were risk factors of gout early onset. Conclusion: The gout patients with early-onset younger than 30 present high serum and glomerular load of uric acid which might be due to obesity and relative under-excretion of renal uric acid.

Correlation between childhood eczema and specific IgG antibody level

Eczema, a common pediatric dermatosis with unclear pathogenesis, can seriously affect the life quality of children due to its recurrence and long course. Recent study has found that food specific IgG (sIgG) might be involved in the course of eczema. To analyze the correlation between childhood eczema and sIgG and evaluate the role of avoiding taking intolerance food in the treatment of childhood eczema, this study enrolled 216 children with eczema who were admitted to the Taian Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Shandong, China, between August 2014 and October 2015. They were divided into an eczema group (N = 140) and an allergy group (N = 76). Eighty healthy children who were admitted to the Department of Children Healthcare in the same period were selected as a control group. Enzymelinked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the serum sIgG level. The result showed that the sIgG positive rates of children in the eczema group and allergy group were 91.4% and 93.4%, respectively, and the difference had no statistical significance (P > 0.05). However, the sIgG positive rates of children in the eczema group and allergy group were significantly higher than that in the control group (P less than 0.05). Milk and eggs were the major allergy-causing food for children with sIgG positive rates higher than 70%. The sIgG test results revealed that eggs had the highest allergenicity, followed by milk, tomatoes and soybeans, and pork was not highly sensitive. Therefore, it can be concluded that sIgG positive rate of children with eczema is high, and examination of food sIgG antibody in serum is valuable in the diagnosis and treatment of childhood eczema.

[Spectrum of somatic mutations and their prognostic significance in adult patients with B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia]

Objective: To investigate the spectrum of gene mutations in adult patients with B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), and to analyze the influences of different gene mutations on prognosis. Methods: DNA samples from 113 adult B-ALL patients who administered from June 2009 to September 2015 were collected. Target-specific next generation sequencing (NGS) approach was used to analyze the mutations of 112 genes (focused on the specific mutational hotspots) and all putative mutations were compared against multiple databases to calculate the frequency spectrum. The impact of gene mutation on the patients' overall survival (OS) and recurrence free survival (RFS) was analyzed by the putative mutations through Kaplan-Meier, and Cox regression methods. Results: Of the 113 patients, 103 (92.0%) harbored at least one mutation and 29 (25.6%) harbored more than 3 genes mutation. The five most frequently mutated genes in B-ALL are SF1, FAT1, MPL, PTPN11 and NRAS. Gene mutations are different between Ph+ B-ALL and Ph- B-ALL patients. Ph- B-ALL patients with JAK-STAT signal pathway related gene mutation, such as JAK1/JAK2 mutation showed a poor prognosis compared to the patients without mutation (OS: P=0.011, 0.001; RFS: P=0.014,<0.001). Patients with PTPN11 mutation showed better survival than those without mutation, but the difference was not statistically significant (P value > 0.05). Besides, in Ph+ B-ALL patients whose epigenetic modifications related signaling pathway genes were affected, they had a worse prognosis (OS: P=0.038; RFS: P=0.047). Conclusion: Gene mutations are common in adult ALL patients, a variety of signaling pathways are involved. The frequency and spectrum are varied in different types of B-ALL. JAK family gene mutation usually indicates poor prognosis. The co-occurrence of somatic mutations in adult B-ALL patients indicate the genetic complex and instability of adult B-ALL patients.

[Characteristics and prognosis in adult acute myeloid leukemia patients with MLL gene rearrangements]

Objective: To analyze the clinical and laboratory characteristics, and prognosis of adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients with MLL gene rearrangements. Methods: The medical records of 92 adult AML patients with MLL gene rearrangements from January 2010 to December 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Results: 92 cases (6.5%) with MLL gene rearrangements were identified in 1 417 adult AML (Non-M(3)) patients, the median age of the patients was 35.5 years (15 to 64 years old) with an equal sex ratio, the median WBC were 21.00(0.42-404.76)×10(9)/L, and 78 patients (84.8%) were acute monoblastic leukemia according to FAB classification. Eleven common partner genes were detected in 32 patients, 9 cases (28.1%) were MLL/AF9(+), 5 cases (15.6%) were MLL/AF6(+), 5 cases (15.6%) were MLL/ELL(+), 2 cases (6.3%) were MLL/AF10(+), 1 case (3.1%) was MLL/SETP6(+), and the remaining 10 patients' partner genes weren't identified. Of 92 patients, 83 cases with a median follow-up of 10.3 (0.3-74.0) months were included for the prognosis analysis, the complete remission (CR) rate was 85.5% (71/83), the median overall survival (OS) and relapse free survival (RFS) were 15.4 and 13.1 months, respectively. Two-year OS and RFS were 36.6% and 29.5%, respectively. Of 31 patients underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), two-year OS and RFS for patients received and non-received allo-HSCT were 57.9% and 21.4%, 52.7% and 14.9%, respectively (P<0.001). Among patients with partner genes tested, 9 of 32 cases (28.1%) were MLL/AF9(+), the median follow-up was 6.0(4.1-20.7) months. 3 patients with MLL/AF9 underwent allo-HSCT. 23 cases (71.9%) were non- MLL/AF9(+), the median follow-up was 7.8 (0.3-26.6) months. 14 patients (60.1%) with non-MLL/AF9 underwent allo-HSCT. One-year OS for patients with MLL/AF9 and non-MLL/AF9 were 38.1% and 55.5%, respectively (P=0.688). Multivariate analysis revealed that high WBC (RR=1.825, 95% CI 1.022-3.259, P=0.042), one cycle to achieve CR (RR=0.130, 95% CI 0.063-0.267, P<0.001), post-remission treatment with allo-HSCT (RR=0.169, 95% CI 0.079-0.362, P<0.001) were independent prognostic factors affecting OS. Conclusions: AML with MLL gene rearrangements was closely associated with monocytic differentiation, and MLL/AF9 was the most frequent partner gene. Conventional chemotherapy produced a high response rate, but likely to relapse, allo-HSCT may have the potential to further improve the prognosis of this group of patients.

[Analysis of survival and treatment outcome of young patients with high-risk diffuse large B cell lymphoma]

Objective: To analyze clinical feature and treatment outcome of young patients with high-risk diffuse large B cell lymphoma. Methods: A total of 122 young patients with high-risk diffuse large B cell lymphoma who were treated in Third Hospital of Peking University during the period from January 2000 to April 2015 were retrospectively analyzed, and the clinical features, laboratory data were included in Kaplan-Meier and prognostic analysis. Results: In our center, the incidence of young high-risk DLBCL was 27.1% in all DLBCL patients, median age was 44.0 years, 99.2% patients belong to Ⅲ and Ⅳstage, 50% patients had more than two extranodal organs involvement, and the higher proliferation index(Ki-67≥80%) was present in 63.1% of patients, Immunohistochemistry showed that 36.7% patients in 30 cases were double-expressed DLBCL. The overall response rate(ORR) for the whole group was 79.4%, the complete response rate was 39.7% , the 3, 5-year progression free survival rate was 59.8% and 57.0%, the 3, 5-year overall survival rate was 63.5% and 57.8%, respectively. 44.3% patients were refractory-relapsed DLBCL. Rituximab can improve the survival of patients and 3-year overall survival rate was 75.2% vs 46.1%(P=0.001). High-dose chemotherapy was superior to CHOP regimen which 3-year overall survival rate was 84.6% vs 54.1%(P=0.006). Compared with chemotherapy group , auto-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation can improve prognosis of patients and 3-year overall survival rate was 93.4% vs 48.3%(P<0.001). The level of Ki-67, B symptom, ECOG score, the level of LDH, WBC and albumin, ESR level, anemia, rituximab therapy, initial regimens, ASCT, initial treatment outcome and refractory-relapsed were predictive of overall survival. Multivariate analysis indicated that albumin level(RR=5.462, P=0.019), initial treatment outcome(RR=34.863, P<0.001) and refractory-relapsed (RR=24.374, P<0.001)were independent prognostic risk factors. Conclusions: Young patients with high-risk DLBCL were highly aggressive in clinical and pathological features . Rituximab and high-dose regimens can improve the survival of patients.

[Andersson lesion in ankylosing spondylitis: a clinical study of 14 cases]

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) combined Andersson lesion (AL). Methods: The clinical data of patients who were diagnosed as AS combined AL at Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital between January 2012 and December 2015 were reviewed retrospectively.SPSS 20.0 software was used for statistical analysis.Data of normal distribution was expressed by x±s (standard deviation) and that of abnormal distribution by median and range. Results: Fourteen patients were enrolled. Ten were male, median age (IQR, similarly hereinafter) was 46 (29-53) years, disease duration was 120 (54-150) months, 7 has symptom increased in the beginning, 6 has nerve compression symptom, 7 has kyphosis, and 4 has spinous tenderness or percussion pain in physical examination.Eleven of AL occurred in the thoracolumbar junction.Erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 24 (15-44) mm/1 h, C-reactive protein was 10 (5-18) mg/L, and Serum amyloid A was 19 (5-31) mg/L.All the 14 patients were divided into 2 groups, aggravated group (n=7) and none aggravated group (n=7) according to the symptom.It was no statistic difference between them about all the above indicators. Conclusion: Imageological diagnosis should be performed to identify Andersson lesion, while ankylosing spondylitis patients combined mechanical pain based on inflammatory back pain, or mainly with nerve compression symptom, tenderness or percussion pain, or spinous, even when inflammatory markers were normal.

PCK1 expression is correlated with the plasma glucose level in the duck

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 (soluble) (PCK1) is a key gene in gluconeogenesis and glyceroneogenesis. Although its functions have been extensively studied in mice, bats and humans, little is known in ducks. Here, PCK1 functions were studied using a duck domestication model and a 48-h fasting experiment. We found PCK1 expression significantly decreased in two breeds of domestic ducks (Jinyun Pockmark ducks and Cherry Valley ducks) as compared with wild ducks (Anas platyrhynchos). Simultaneously, plasma levels of glucose, triglycerides and free fatty acid in domestic ducks were lower than in wild ducks. When compared with fed ducks, the plasma triglyceride level was observed to be significantly decreased, while the glucose and free fatty acid levels remained constant in 48-h fasting ducks. The expression analysis of gluconeogenic genes revealed that fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase genes (FBP1 and FBP2) and the glucose-6-phosphatase gene (G6PC2) were not changed, whereas PCK1 was significantly upregulated. In addition, the reported regulators of PCK1, including forkhead box A2 (FOXA2) gene and orphan nuclear receptor NR4A family genes (NR4A1, NR4A2 and NR4A3), exhibited similar expression levels between 48-h fasting ducks and fed ducks, suggesting that PCK1 is not regulated by these genes in the duck under fasting conditions. In conclusion, PCK1 expression may affect plasma levels of glucose, triglycerides and free fatty acid during the duck domestication process. This work demonstrates for the first time in duck that PCK1 is a key gene in maintaining plasma glucose homeostasis during fasting and that the upregulated expression of PCK1 may be responsible for constant plasma free fatty acid level by the glyceroneogenesis process.

Comparison and analysis of Wuding and avian chicken skeletal muscle satellite cells

Chicken skeletal muscle satellite cells are located between the basement membrane and the sarcolemma of mature muscle fibers. Avian broilers have been genetically selected based on their high growth velocity and large muscle mass. The Wuding chicken is a famous local chicken in Yunnan Province that undergoes non-selection breeding and is slow growing. In this study, we aimed to explore differences in the proliferation and differentiation properties of satellite cells isolated from the two chicken breeds. Using immunofluorescence, hematoxylin-eosin staining and real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis, we analyzed the in vitro characteristics of proliferating and differentiating satellite cells isolated from the two chicken breeds. The growth curve of satellite cells was S-shaped, and cells from Wuding chickens entered the logarithmic phase and plateau phase 1 day later than those from Avian chicken. The results also showed that the two skeletal muscle satellite cell lines were positive for Pax7, MyoD and IGF-1. The expression of Pax7 followed a downward trend, whereas that of MyoD and IGF-1 first increased and subsequently decreased in cells isolated from the two chickens. These data indicated that the skeletal muscle satellite cells of Avian chicken grow and differentiate faster than did those of Wuding chickens. We suggest that the methods of breeding selection applied to these breeds regulate the characteristics of skeletal muscle satellite cells to influence muscle growth.

[Application of Combined Detection of Fusion Gene and BIOMED-2 Standardized Ig Gene Rearrangement System in Childhood B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the application of combined detection of fusion gene and BIOMED-2 standardized immunoglobulin (Ig) gene rearrangement system in diagnosis and treatment of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

METHODS

Multiplex-PCR amplifications and RQ-PCR of RNA/DNA were performed using ALL fusion gene detection kit and BIOMED-2 primer. The Ig gene rearrangements were analyzed by using PCR fragment analysis system.

RESULTS

Out of 251 children with B-ALL, 77 cases were TEL-AML1(+) , 28 cases were E2A-PBX1(+) , 10 cases were MLL-AF4(+) , 11 cases were BCR-ABL(+) , the total positive rate was 50.2%, 82.5% showed IgH VH-JH rearrangement, 53.4% showed IgK rearrangement. The positive rate of combined detection of fusion gene and gene rearrangement was 99%. E2A-PBX1(+) and MLL-AF4(+) with IgK(+) gene rearrangement group was compared with negative control group, the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001 or P = 0.005); 105 ALL fusion gene positive cases had been detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) simultaneously, the accordance rate of fusion gene and FISH was more than 94%.

CONCLUSION

The combined detection of ALL fusion gene and BIOMED-2 standardized clonality analysis system can improve the positive detected rate of B-ALL dramatically, and make the grouping of disease prognosis more accurately; this combined detection is a more faster and sensitive method than FISH.

[HSP70 gene polymorphism on genetic susceptibility to the coal worker's penumoconiosis of han nationality in Xinjiang, China.]

Objective: To explore the influence of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) gene genetic susceptibility of coal worker's pneumoconiosis among the han nationality in xinjiang. Methods: 156 coal worker's pneumoconiosis patients and 96 mine workers were randomly selected from the han coal worker's pneumoconiosis patients and attend the health check retirement mine workers from March to December, 2014 in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of Occupational Disease Hospital. Using TaqMan genotyping methods to detect HSP70 genotype distribution in the two groups. Results: The HSP70-1+190 loci GC genotype occurrence frequencies of coal worker's pneumoconiosis was significantly higher than the control group (χ²=6.75, P<0.05) , the risk of coal worker's pneumoconiosis armed with HSP70-1+190 GC genotype individual was 2.21 times of CC genotype individual (95%CI: 1.03~4.75) , and HSP70-2+1267 and HSP70-hom+2437 loci polymorphism were no significant difference between the two groups (HSP70-2+1267: χ²=3.30, P=0.19; HSP70-hom+2437: χ²=0.12, P=0.94) . Conclusion: HSP70-1+190 GC genotypes may be a susceptible genotype, the genotype individual may be more likely to suffer from coal worker's pneumoconiosis.

[Chronic neutrophilic leukemia complicated with multiple myeloma: two cases report and literature review]

OBJECTIVE

To explored the diagnosis and treatment of chronic neutrophilic leukemia (CNL) complicated with multiple myeloma (MM).

METHODS

The clinical features and molecular biological characteristics of 2 patients with CNL complicated with MM were summarized, and the diagnosis and treatment of the patients were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

The diagnosis of CNL complicated with MM was established in 2 cases. Case 1 had CSF3R mutation (P733T), but CSF3R-exon 14 mutation and SETBP1 mutation were all negative. The neutrophil count returned to normal when MM was successfully treated in case 1. When the patient relapsed, neutrophil count increased again.

CONCLUSION

Coexistence of CNL and MM is rare. CSF3R is a very important molecular marker for CNL. To the best of our knowledge, it's the first time to report the coexistence of CNL and MM carried CSF3R mutation (P733T). Chemotherapy regimens for MM may be effective in the treatment of CNL complicated with MM.

Transcriptional analysis of atrial and ventricular muscles from rats

Previous studies have used microarray technology to explore gene expression differences between the atrium and the ventricle. However, selection criteria for the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) based only on either the fold change or the P value in these studies. Here, we aim to further identify the DEGs by setting a P value threshold of <0.05 and a fold change of >2, which may yield more specific gene expression differences between the atrium and the ventricle. Gene expression profiling of the atrial appendages and the ventricular free walls in 13 normal male Sprague Dawley rats were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus data base (accession No.: GSE5266). DEGs between the atrial and the ventricular samples were screened using the microarray significance analysis. The underlying functions of DEGs were predicted by gene ontology and pathway enrichment analyses. In addition, we also constructed protein interactions networks, and analyzed the function modules of the interacting proteins by MCODE. A total of 757DEGs between the atria and the ventricles were found. The genes highly expressed in the ventricular myocytes were associated with muscle contraction (e.g., Myl1, Myl2, Myl3, and Myh7) and energy production (e.g., Acadm and Acsl6), while the genes preferentially expressed in the atrial myocytes were involved in the integration of neurohumoral signals (e.g., Cldn1). These conclusions were confirmed by pathway enrichment and function module analyses. Our present study provides an overview of the transcript level differences between the atrium and the ventricle, which may be useful for determination of potential biomarkers.

Ultrasound diagnosis in gynecological acute abdomen

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

Brain Natriuretic Peptide Stimulates Lipid Metabolism through Its Receptor NPR1 and the Glycerolipid Metabolism Pathway in Chicken Adipocytes

Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is related to lipid metabolism in mammals, but its effect and the molecular mechanisms underlying it in chickens are incompletely understood. We found that the level of natriuretic peptide precursor B (NPPB, which encodes BNP) mRNA expression in high-abdominal-fat chicken groups was significantly higher than that of low-abdominal-fat groups. Partial correlations indicated that changes in the weight of abdominal fat were positively correlated with NPPB mRNA expression level. In vitro, compared with the control group, preadipocytes with NPPB interference showed reduced levels of proliferation, differentiation, and glycerin in media. Treatments of cells with BNP led to enhanced proliferation and differentiation of cells and glycerin concentration, and mRNA expression of its receptor natriuretic peptide receptor 1 (NPR1) was upregulated significantly. In cells exposed to BNP, 482 differentially expressed genes were identified compared with controls without BNP. Four genes known to be related to lipid metabolism (diacylglycerol kinase; lipase, endothelial; 1-acylglycerol-3-phosphate O-acyltransferase 1; and 1-acylglycerol-3-phosphate O-acyltransferase 2) were enriched in the glycerolipid metabolism pathway and expressed differentially. In conclusion, BNP stimulates the proliferation, differentiation, and lipolysis of preadipocytes through upregulation of the levels of expression of its receptor NPR1 and key genes enriched in the glycerolipid metabolic pathway.

Analysis of skin color change and related gene expression after crossing of Dongxiang black chicken and ISA layer

This study evaluated the effects of the autosomal domi-nant Fm gene in conjunction with the sex-linked Id gene on skin color and related gene expression. Ten Dongxiang black cocks were selected to build ten families by mating 60 individuals of ISA B-line layers. The skin color of the F1 generation was observed at different time points. At 126 days, 36 chickens were slaughtered, and gene expression of TYRP1, TYRP2, MC1R, and EDNRB in breast skin was assessed by quantitative RT-PCR. The ratio of Dongxiang black chickens with white skin chicks in the F1 generation to that of non-white was 3:7 (HoFF: HeFf). At 126 days, all F1 generation cocks showed white skin (115/115), while the percentages of hens with black skin were 100% (HoFF, 27/27) and 53.75% (HeFf, 43/80). The change in skin color peaked between 42 and 84 days. The offspring of HoFF displayed significantly higher expres-sion of MC1R, compared with those of HeFf (P < 0.05). The "L" value of hen's skin was significantly lower, and TYRP1 and TYRP2 expres-sion was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than in cocks with the same Fm/fm genotype. These findings indicate the presence of homozygous and heterozygous Fm in Dongxiang black chickens, with the offspring of homozygous birds showing a higher percentage of black skin percentage. The expression of the four genes studied was correlated with skin color, with TYRP1 and TYRP2 representing the most suitable molecular markers.

Expression of Treg subsets on intestinal T cell immunity and endotoxin translocation in porcine sepsis after severe burns

In the present study, the changes of the regulatory T cells (Treg) expression, endotoxin translocation, and the relationships in intestinal lymph nodes were investigated in porcine sepsis induced by severe burns. Flow cytometry, western blot, and Tachypleus amebocyte lysate were applied to study after the burn injury model was built. We found that the upregulated Treg expression was negatively related to the CD3(+)CD4(+)/CD3(+)CD8(+) ratio (r = -0.832, P < 0.05) after burn injury-induced sepsis. While Treg expression and portal venous plasma endotoxin translocation levels were positively correlated (r = 0.876, P < 0.05) when compared with the control group. Moreover, we detected a transforming of T cell subsets from T helper 1 cells to T helper 2 cells. Therefore, intestinal Treg cells expression exerts immunosuppressive effects on other intestinal T lymphocytes and was closely related to endotoxin translocation in porcine sepsis after severe burns injuries. Above all, the intestinal Treg cells may play an important role in the intestinal immune barrier system after severe burns injuries.

The Prevalence of JAK2, MPL, and CALR Mutations in Chinese Patients With BCR-ABL1-Negative Myeloproliferative Neoplasms

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the mutation frequency of JAK2 V617F, JAK2 exon 12, MPL exon 10, and CALR exon 9 and the value of the combined tests in the diagnosis of BCR-ABL1-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs).

METHODS

In the current study, mutations of JAK2 V617F, JAK2 exon 12, MPL exon 10, and CALR exon 9 were analyzed in 929 Chinese patients with BCR-ABL1-negative MPN, including 234 cases of polycythemia vera (PV), 428 ETs, 187 PMFs, and 80 unclassifiable MPNs (MPN-Us).

RESULTS

Our result showed that the positive rate of any of four mutations in patients with PV, ET, PMF, and MPN-U was 89.3%, 83.4%, 87.2%, and 77.5%, respectively, which significantly improved the diagnostic rate, especially in ET and PMF. Meanwhile, we also found that the patients without any of four mutations were younger than those with one or more mutations. Unexpectedly, the coexistence of JAK2 V617F and CALR exon 9 was identified in six (0.6%) patients, and JAK2 V617F and MPL exon 10 were present simultaneously in two (0.2%) patients. In addition, we also identified several novel mutation types in CALR exon 9.

CONCLUSIONS

The combined genetic tests of JAK2 V617F, JAK2 exon 12, MPL exon 10, and CALR exon 9 help improve the diagnostic rate for BCR-ABL1-negative MPN.

Screening the first set of polymorphic microsatellite loci in Lunella coronata granulata (Turbinidae)

Lunella coronata granulata, from the family Turbini-dae, is an economically important species. The first set of 10 poly-morphic microsatellite loci was screened from L. coronata granulata, and 30 individuals were used to analyze the degree of polymorphism in these loci. The level of observed and expected heterozygosity was 0.0667-0.7333 and 0.0644-0.6628, respectively. The polymorphism information content varied from 0.305 to 0.559. Eight loci were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) (P > 0.05), while two loci devi-ated significantly from the HWE after Bonferroni's correction (P < 0.005). The isolated microsatellite loci can be utilized in studies of population genetic analysis and they provide important genetic mark-ers for construction of genetic linkage maps and genetic breeding of L. coronata granulata resources.