Forensic Identification of Child Sexual Abuse

Abstract

This paper reviews relevant literatures at home and abroad. The cases of child sexual abuse are systematically discussed from the aspects of epidemiology and forensic examination, in order to develop and improve the inspection and appraisal thinking and ability of domestic forensic workers in such cases. The paper also briefly introduces the current situation and existing problems of dealing with child sexual abuse cases for case-handling units at base level in China, in order to provide help to the formulation, improvement and development of relevant standards and norms for child protection in China.

[Effects of heme oxygenase-1 knockdown on proliferation, invasion and metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells and its mechanism]

Objective: To investigate the effects of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) knockdown on proliferation, invasion and migration of lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells and explore the mechanism. Methods: The expression levels of HO-1 mRNA in human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs) and human lung cancer cell lines (A549, H1299, H358 and H1993) were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to detect the expression level of HO-1 in human lung adenocarcinoma specimens. The HO-1 short hairpin RNA (shRNA) was transfected into A549 cells by RNA interference technique. HO-1 stably deleted A549 cells were selected (HO-1 shRNA group) and verified by RT-qPCR and western blot. HO-1 shRNA A549 cells and control shRNA A549 cells were treated with the inducer of autophagy Torin1 or its inhibitor Bafilomycin A1 (Baf A1), respectively. The expressions of autophagic markers LC3B and p62 were determined by western blot. The proliferation, invasion and migration abilities of each group of A549 cells were assessed by cell counting, Transwell and wound healing assays, respectively. Results: The expressions of HO-1 mRNA in lung cancer cell lines (A549, H1299, H358 and H1993) were significantly higher than that of HBECs, and HO-1 upregulated in human lung adenocarcinoma. The expression of p62 protein and the ratio of LC3B-Ⅱ/ LC3B-Ⅰ in no treatment group, Torin1 treatment group and Baf A1 treatment group were significantly higher than those of the corresponding control group (P<0.05). After 11 days of culture, the number of cells in HO-1 shRNA group were 41.8%, 30.4% and 14.0% of the corresponding control group, respectively. The number of lower chamber cells in HO-1 shRNA group were (35.7±2.1), (27.0±1.0) and (38.0±1.0)/field, respectively, which were lower than (66.0±9.2), (39.3±1.2) and (43.0±2.6)/field of the corresponding control group, respectively (P<0.05). The migration distances of HO-1 shRNA group were (7.47±0.91) mm, (4.23±0.82) mm and (5.42±0.24) mm, which were lower than (10.07±1.26) mm, (7.14±0.07) mm and (12.04±0.80) mm of the corresponding control groups, respectively (P<0.05). Conclusion: Knockdown of HO-1 inhibits the proliferation, invasion and migration of A549 cells by impeding autophagy.

[Observation on the distribution of nerve fibers and neural cells morphology in Aspidogaster conchiola]

OBJECTIVE

To understand the distribution of nerve fibers and the types of neural cells in Aspidogaster conchiola.

METHODS

Whole worms were subjected to silver staining, histochemical staining and hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and the nervous systems of the worms were observed.

RESULTS

There were 3 types of neural cells in the worm head near the cerebral ganglion, including unipolar, bipolar and multipolar neurons, which were divided into 7 types according to the morphology. There was a nerve network on the surface of pharynx and intestinal tract, as well as the reproductive organ, including testis, ovary, lower uterus and penis sac. The nerve network was consisted of circular and longitudinal nerve fibers, and the structure of the nerve network around the mouth was similar to central nerve.

CONCLUSIONS

The structure of the A. conchiola central nervous system is very complicated, and the neural networks may be associated with the physiologic activity of the worm. Different neural cells may have diverse functions.

Oral vaccination with the porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV-2) capsid protein expressed by Lactococcus lactis induces a specific immune response against PCV-2 in mice

AIMS

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) can cause postweaning, multisystemic wasting syndrome in pigs, which leads to enormous losses in the swine industry worldwide. Here, a genetically engineered Lactococcus strain expressing the main protective antigen of PCV2, the Cap protein, was developed to act against PCV2 infection as an oral vaccine.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Expression of the Cap protein was confirmed via western blot, ELISA and fluorescence microscopy. Over 90% of the recombinant pAMJ399-Cap/MG1363 survived a simulated gastrointestinal transit. It also survived the murine intestinal tract for at least 11 days. Then, the safety and immunogenicity of pAMJ399-Cap/MG1363 in orally immunized mice was evaluated. The levels of the sIgA, IgG and cytokines (IL-4 and IFN-γ) obtained from the mice immunized with pAMJ399-Cap/MG1363 were significantly higher than those in the control groups.

CONCLUSIONS

pAMJ399-Cap/MG1363 can survive in the gastrointestinal transit and effectively induce mucosal, cellular and humoral immune response against PCV2 infection via oral administration.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This study demonstrates the potential of the genetically engineered Lactococcus lactis as a candidate for an oral vaccine against PCV2.

[Effectiveness of continuous positive airway pressure ventilation in improving genioglossus electromyography in patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea]

Objective: To compare the changes of genioglossus electromyography (GGEMG) with and without continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) ventilation in moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients. Methods: Each of subjects, including male snorers and non-snorers, underwent polysomnography (PSG) with synchronous GGEMG recording with intra-oral bipolar silver ball electrodes at the Sleep Center of Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital from August 2016 to Sepember 2017. Manual CPAP pressure titration and with GGEMG were performed in patients diagnosed moderate to severe OSA. T-test was used to compare the changes of GGEMG in OSA group (n=12, AHI (65.90+23.67) events/h) and control group (n=6, AHI(2.30+1.93) events/h) before and after CPAP treatment. Results: Variables of GGEMG (including tonic, peak and phasic GGEMG) were higher in OSA group than in control group during both wakefulness and non rapid eye movement(NREM) sleep. However, with CPAP treatment, the GGEMG variables were significantly decreased in OSA group during NREM sleep(tonic GGEMG: 1.23%±0.73% vs. 2.54%±1.12%, t=4.024, P=0.002; peak GGEMG: 12.37%±13.19% vs. 26.98%±15.52%, t=2.795, P=0.017; phasic GGEMG: 3.81%±2.47% vs. 8.82%±3.84%, t=5.113, P<0.001). Conclusions: CPAP treatment can eliminate respiratory events and maintain airway patency. It is helpful to normalize the excessive GGEMG response in OSA patients during sleep, which has therapeutic significance to alleviate and prevent genioglossal neuromuscular lesions.

P4360Personalised shape models of the left ventricle from 3D echocardiography: an initial comparison to cardiac magnetic resonance imaging

Background

The heart constantly adapts to maintain cardiac output. In the longer term, this process (remodeling) can manifest as changes in ventricular volume, sphericity, and/or wall thickness, amongst several other morphological indices. Previous studies have shown the significance of remodeling in evaluations of survival, and as a determinant of the clinical course of heart failure. Yet surprisingly, diagnostic measures, typically of left ventricular (LV) mass and ejection fraction, neglect much of the shape information that is available through imaging. A recent UK Biobank study revealed that morphometric atlases show more compelling associations with cardiovascular risk factors, than do LV mass and volumes. While it has been possible to construct shape models from cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), such a framework is still under development for echocardiography (echo).

Purpose

Despite MRI being long regarded as the gold standard, it is greatly limited by high costs, long scan times and incompatibility with ferromagnetic cardiac devices. In contrast, echo has presented as a convenient alternative, whilst also offering good temporal resolution. The advancements of 3D echo now provide adequate spatial resolution and thus elicit the possibility of conducting more complex analyses on this modality. With the ability to extract LV geometry directly from 3D echo acquisitions, we sought to create dynamic, 3D patient-specific models–and subsequently compare these results to those derived from MRI.

Methods

As part of an ongoing study, 8 volunteers with no known cardiovascular problems (nor family history thereof), were recruited for non-invasive imaging. Cine MRI and 3D echo of the LV were acquired within a 2 hour session. A Siemens Avanto Fit 1.5 T MRI scanner and Siemens ACUSON SC2000 Ultrasound System with a 4Z1c Transducer were used. 3D models of the LV were generated independently from echo (EchobuildR 2.7 prototype software, Siemens Ultrasound) and MRI acquisitions (Cardiac Image Modeller v8.1), and registered to fiducial landmarks (apex, base plane, right ventricular inserts) and myocardial contours.

Results

Euclidian distances between 1682 corresponding points sampled from the surface of echo/MRI models were calculated, and used as a discrepancy measure (Figure). Across the 8 cases, we found an average root mean square deviation (RMSD) of 5.71 mm at end-systole and 6.03 mm at end-diastole. The maximum RMSD for a single model was 9.47 mm (case 8, ES).

Conclusion

We demonstrate that it is possible to create shape models from 3D echo examinations for comparison with MRI. As more cases are collected, we will devise methods to objectively quantify the mismatch that may arise between models derived from the two modalities. The establishment of such a framework would not only provide previously unavailable measures of shape and function, but in turn leverage the significantly wider clinical reach of echocardiography.

[Efficacy analysis of fecal microbiota transplantation in the treatment of 2010 patients with intestinal disorders]

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) for intestinal disorders. Methods: A retrospectively descriptive cohort study was carried out. Clinical data of 2010 patients who underwent FMT and received follow-up for more than 3 months from May 2014 to November 2018 were collected, including 1,206 cases from Tongji University Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital and 804 cases from Nanjing Eastern Military General Hospital. Of the 2,010 patients, 797 were male and 1,213 were female, with a mean age of (49.4±16.5) years old. Inclusion criteria were those with indications for FMT and voluntary treatment of FMT. Pregnant or lactating women, patients with end-stage disease, cases who were participating or participated in other clinical trials within 3 months, and patients with previous bowel history of pathogen infection, oral antibiotics or proton pump inhibitors (PPI) for the recent2 weeks, and those at immunosuppressive state were excluded. Informed consent was obtained from the enrolled patients and their families. There were 1,356 cases of constipation, 175 cases of inflammatory bowel disease, 148 cases of chronic diarrhea, 127 cases of radiation enteritis, 119 cases of irritable bowel syndrome, and 85 cases of autism (complicating with intestinal disorders). FMT donor requirements: (1) 18 to 30 years old non-relatives, non-pregnant healthy adults with healthy lifestyle and good eating habits as volunteers to participate in fecal donation; (2) no administration of antibiotics within 3 months; (3) no chronic diseases such as constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, etc., no autoimmune disease, not in immunosuppressive state, no history of malignant disease; (4) negative pathogen examination of infectious diseases (hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, syphilis, HIV, etc.); (5) negative fecal examination (C.difficile, dysentery bacillus, Shigella, Campylobacter, parasites, etc.). The donor requirements after enrollment: (1) physical examination was reviewed once every two months, and the result still met the above requirements; (2) 16S rRNA sequencing was performed for every fecal donation in order to ensure that the composition and diversity of the fecal flora was stable and reliable. The preparation of the stool suspension referred to the Amsterdam criteria and the preparation process was less than 1 hour. The preparation of the FMT capsule was processed by pre-freezing the stool suspension after the preparation of the above suspension, and the frozen sample was transferred into a freeze dryer for freezing. The dried and lyophilized powder was encapsulated in capsules, and the capsule shell was made of acid-resistant hypromellose capsule (No.0) and pediatric-specific capsule (No.3), sealed and packaged in a-20℃ refrigerator. Three ways of accepting FMT treatment pathways included 6-day transplantation after the placement of the nasointestinal tube, 6-day oral FMT capsule transplantation and one-time transplantation through colonoscopy. Intestinal preparation (nasointestinal tube feeding of polyethylene glycol until watery stool) was carried out before transplantation. Other treatments were stopped during treatment and follow-up, and any medication was not recommended when necessary. Results: Of the 2010 patients, 1,497 cases received nasointestinal tube transplantation (nasointestinal tube group), 452 cases oral capsule transplantation (oral capsule group) and 61 cases colonoscopy (colonoscopy group). At 3 time points of 3, 12, and 36 months after FMT, the clinical cure rates and the clinical improvement rates were 41.3% (560/1 356), 35.2% (320/909), 31.4% (69/220), and 29.0% (393/1 356), 27.8% (253/909), 29.1% (64/220), respectively in constipation patients; 33.1% (58/175), 29.9% (35/117), 24.5% (12/49), and 31.4% (55/175), 27.4% (32/117), 57.1% (28/49), respectively in inflammatory bowel disease patients; 87.8% (130/148), 81.8% (81/99), 78.3% (36/46), and 8.1% (12/148), 7.1% (7/99), 4.3% (2/46), respectively in chronic diarrhea patients; 61.4% (78/127), 56.5% (48/85), 47.6% (20/42), and 21.2% (27/127), 15.3% (13/85), 14.3% (6/42), respectively in radiation enteritis patients; 53.8% (64/119), 45.0% (36/80), 6/15, and 21.0% (25/119), 26.2% (21/80), 4/15, respectively in irritable bowel syndrome patients; 23.5% (20/85), 22.8% (13/57), 20.0%(5/25), and 55.3% (47/85), 49.1% (28/57), 40.0% (10/25), respectively in autism patients. Meanwhile the clinical cure rates and the clinical improvement rates at 3, 12, and 36 months were 47.7% (714/1 497), 42.8% (425/994), 39.1% (128/327), and 29.1% (436/1 497), 27.0% (268/994), 28.1% (92/327), respectively in the nasointestinal tube group; 38.7% (175/452), 30.2% (91/301), 33.3% (16/48), and 24.3% (110/452), 26.2% (79/301), 25.0% (12/48), respectively in the oral capsule group; 34.4% (21/61), 32.7% (17/52), 18.2% (4/22), and 21.3% (13/61), 13.5% (7/52), 45.5% (10/22), respectively in colonoscopy group. No serious adverse events occurred during treatment and follow-up period. The adverse event of nasointestinal tube group presented higher ratio of discomfort in respiratorytract accounting for 13.1% (196/1497); the oral capsule group had a higher proportion of nausea and vomiting when swallowing capsules accounting for 7.1% (32/452); the colonoscopy group was mainly diarrhea, accounting for 37.7% (23/61). The above symptoms disappeared after the nasointestinal tube was removed, or after treatment ended, or within 1 to 3 days after hospitalization. Conclusion: FMT is a safe and effective method for the treatment of intestinal dysfunction.

[The effect of genioglossus activity to velopharyngeal surgery in patient with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome]

Objective: To investigate the effect of genioglossus (GG) activation at sleep onset on the outcome of velopharyngeal surgery in obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) patients. Methods: Thirty-five patients between April 2014 and February 2015 in Beijing Tongren Hospital with OSAHS underwent overnight polysomnography with synchronous genioglossus electromyography (GGEMG) using intraoral electrodes. The upper airway (UA) anatomy was evaluated by three-dimensional computer tomography (3D-CT) in OSAHS patients. Then, all of the patients received velopharyngeal surgery, including revised uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) with uvula preservation or UPPP combined transpalatal advancement pharyngoplasty. All patients were followed-up using polysomnography 3-6 months after surgery. T-test or Wilcoxon test were used to compare the variables between groups, and Spearman correlation analysis was used to test the correlation between parameters. Results: Thirty-five patients received velopharyngeal surgery. Twenty-two patients (62.86%) were responders, and 13 patients (37.14%) were non-responders. Responders had a higher mean GGEMG during sleep onset (15.31±3.74 vs. 9.92±2.93, t=4.504, P=0.001). The decreased AHI was significantly positively related to the sleep onset mean GGEMG (r=0.541, P=0.004) and the change in GGEMG (r=0.422, P=0.028). The decreased AHI was significantly negatively related to the minimal cross sectional airway area (mCSA,ρ=0.629,P=0.000) and the minimal lateral airway dimension (mLAT, ρ=0.484, P=0.009) at velopharynx. Conclusions: The outcome of velopharyngeal surgery was affected by the mean GGEMG during sleep onset. We speculated that the patient with higher GGEMG at sleep onset and narrower velopharynx were more suitable candidates for velopharyngeal surgery.

Grey matter changes in patients with vestibular migraine

AIM

To identify structural changes in the brain regions of patients with vestibular migraine (VM) so as to better understand its pathophysiology.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The differences in grey matter (GM) in patients with VM, patients with migraine without aura (MWoA), and healthy controls (HC) were investigated. Using a GE Signa 3 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, 3D structural images were acquired from 18 VM, 21 MWoA, and 21 age-, gender-, and education level-matched HC using a T1-weighted magnetization-prepared rapid acquisition gradient-echo (MPRAGE) sequence. The volumetric abnormalities of GM were estimated by voxel-based morphometry. Analysis of variance and Bonferroni multiple comparisons were applied.

RESULTS

Compared with HC, patients with VM had significantly increased GM volume of the right medial superior frontal gyrus (p=0.008) and the right angular gyrus (p=0.009). Compared to patients with MWoA, patients with VM also had significantly increased volume of the right medial superior frontal gyrus (p=0.001), the right angular gyrus (p=0.008), and the left middle frontal gyrus (p=0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The GM volume of some brain regions of patients with VM is significantly larger than the other two groups. The increased GM volume in these brain regions in patients with VM may be related to self-adaptation of the nervous system, leading to an abnormal brain sensitization. Some of the brain regions with increased GM volume identified in this study were involved in assessment, integration, and expectations of pain and were strongly related to mood and anxiety.

[Analysis of herpes zoster incidence and hospitalization in three areas of Beijing in 2015 based on health information system of medical institutions]

Objective: Using data of health information system (HIS) of medical institutions to study the incidence and hospitalization of herpes zoster in three districts of Beijing. Methods: According to the different level of economic development and geographical features in Beijing, 3 districts of Xicheng, Changping and Miyun were chosen and all 110 medical institutions of the first level and above in the 3 districts are included in the survey. All the outpatient and inpatient herpes zoster cases in 2015 were retrospectively reviewed by HIS system. After distinguishing the reduplicated cases, Using the first outpatient case as a molecule and the resident population as denominator to estimate the annual incidence rate, as well as the annual hospitalization rate was estimated based on primary diagnostic hospitalized cases as molecule and the resident population as denominator. Results: A total of 32 313 primary visit outpatient cases were investigated, of which 18 360 cases (56.8%) were women and 20 923 cases (64.8%) were ≥50 years old. The overall estimated incidence of the 3 districts was 8.8‰ with an increase trends with age and reached to the highest in ≥80 years old (30.5/1 000). The incidence of Xicheng, Changping and Miyun districts are respectively 16.2‰, 4.0‰ and 5.7‰. A total of 701 primary visit inpatient cases were identified, of which 366 cases (52.2%) were women and 651 cases (92.9%) were ≥50 years old. The estimated annual hospitalization rate was 19.4/100 000, with the primary and secondary diagnostic hospitalization rate are respectively 5.9/100 000 (212 cases) and 13.5/100 000 (489 cases). The disease types of secondary diagnostic inpatient herpes zoster cases were as follows: cardiovascular disease (19.0%, 93 cases), stroke (14.5%, 71 cases), pneumonia/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (14.1%, 69 cases), tumor (12.5%, 61 cases) and diabetes (5.7%, 28 cases). Conclusion: Most of the herpes zoster cases in Beijing are over 50 years old, and the incidence of female is slightly higher than male. This disease should become a public health issue of great concern.

Molecular cloning, expression, purification and osteoblasts proliferation activity of sika deer thymosin beta10

Thymosin beta 10 (Tβ10) is a member of the β-thymosin family. As an actin-binding peptide, thymosin β10 is involved in many important biological activities. Transcriptome sequencing results suggest that Tβ10 may play important roles in the growth of deer antler. In this study, Tβ10 cDNA was isolated from sika deer, and complete open reading frame consisting of 129 nucleotides was obtained by PCR amplification. The predicted peptide was 42 amino acids in length. The sdTβ10 cDNA was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli resulting in a 6 kDa recombinant-His tagged protein. The recombinant, non-glycosylated peptide was overexpressed in a soluble form and purified by immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography. Functional studies revealed that recombinant Tβ10 stimulated osteoblasts proliferation. This study provides the first evidence that recombinant sika deer Tβ10 promotes proliferation in an osteoblasts cell model.

Prognostic significance of preoperative radiotherapy in stage II and III rectal cancer patients: A Strobe-compliant study of SEER 18 registries database (1988-2011)

Preoperative radiation therapy has been regarded as the optional neoadjuvant treatment to decrease local recurrence of rectal cancer in addition to surgery. However, its benefit in survival remained obscure. This study was aimed to measure the efficacy of preoperative radiation therapy for survival in stage II and III rectal cancer patients. Retrospective cohort study used the database of Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results program of the National Cancer Institute in the United States from 1988 to 2011. A total of 49439 patients diagnosed with primary rectal cancer who underwent surgery were included. Clinicopathological characteristics and rectal cancer-specific survival between surgery alone group and surgery plus preoperative radiation therapy group were compared. Rectal cancer patients in surgery plus preoperative radiation therapy group had significantly better survival than those in surgery alone group (72.70% vs. 66.61%, P < 0.001), as well as stratified by stages (stage II: 77.4% vs. 74.3%, P < 0.001; stage III: 68.3% vs. 58.6%, P < 0.001). However, this beneficial impact was only observed after 2000s (P < 0.001). Multivariate survival analysis revealed that preoperative radiation therapy was an independent predictor for better survival in stage III (hazard ratio, 0.795; 95% CI, 0.753-0.840; P < 0.001), but not in stage II (P = 0.70). Preoperative radiation therapy might bring a better survival in stage II and III rectal cancer patients, but only as an independent predictor for stage III patients. As time progressed, preoperative radiation therapy might yield more profit for stage II and III rectal cancer patients.

Zoledronic acid combined with percutaneous kyphoplasty in the treatment of osteoporotic compression fracture in a single T12 or L1 vertebral body in postmenopausal women

We performed a 1-year prospective study to see whether zoledronic acid infusion combined with percutaneous kyphoplasty could provide more benefits in the treatment of T12 or L1 osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF).

INTRODUCTION

To investigate and analyze the clinical effects of zoledronic acid (ZOL) in combination with percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) in the treatment of OVCF in postmenopausal women.

METHODS

Included in this study were 101 postmenopausal women patients with T12 or L1 OVCF who received PKP in our hospital between August 2015 and July 2017. They were randomly assigned to a zoledronic acid (ZOL) group (n = 50) or a control group (n = 51). Patients in ZOL group were treated preoperatively with IV infusion of 5 mg ZOL in combination with 0.25μg/d calcitriol and D3 600 mg/d calcium carbonate for a year. Patients in the control group were treated with the same dose of calcitriol and calcium carbonate D3 without ZOL.

RESULTS

There was no statistically significant difference in age, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), menopause age, and the fractured vertebral body between the two groups. At 6 and 12 months after treatment, bone mineral density (BMD) in ZOL group was higher than that in the control group (p < 0.01); bone markers (NMID, P1NP, and β-CTX) and the VAS score in ZOL group were significantly lower than those in the control group. No new fracture occurred in ZOL group. The incidence of recompression vertebral fracture (RVF) in the control group was 11.7%, while no RVF was detected in any patient in ZOL group. Mild adverse reactions in ZOL group were significantly higher than those in the control group, but all of them were relieved after symptomatic treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

ZOL IV infusion in combination with PKP is beneficial for the treatment of T12 or L1 OVCF.

Correction to: Rehmanniae Radix Preparata suppresses bone loss and increases bone strength through interfering with canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in OVX rats

There was a mistake in the part of OVX rats model and RRP intervention in the original publication.

Effects of Lactococcus lactis MG1363 producing fusion proteins of bovine lactoferricin-lactoferrampin on growth, intestinal morphology and immune function in weaned piglet

AIMS

We developed a strategy for localized delivery of the LFCA (lactoferricinlactoferrampin), which is actively synthesized in situ by Lactococcus lactis (pAMJ399-LFCA/LLMG1363), and explored the possibility of using pAMJ399-LFCA/LLMG1363 as an alternative additive diet to antibiotics.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The antimicrobial activities of the LFCA derived from pAMJ399-LFCA/LLMG1363 were tested in vitro. The results showed that LFCA had an inhibitory effect on Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Salmonella enteritidis. Then, the pAMJ399-LFCA/LLMG1363 was used as an additive diet for piglets. Our data demonstrated that oral administration of pAMJ399-LFCA/LLMG1363 significantly improved the average daily gain, feed-to-gain ratio, intestinal mucosal integrity and decreased the serum endotoxin and d-lactic acid levels. The mRNA expression levels of intestinal tight junction proteins (including occludin, Claudin-1 and ZO-1) were significantly upregulated by pAMJ399-LFCA/LLMG1363 administration. The serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels, intestinal secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) levels, IL-2, IL-10 and TGF-β levels were significantly increased by pAMJ399-LFCA/LLMG1363. Furthermore, our data revealed that oral administration of pAMJ399-LFCA/LLMG1363 significantly increased the number of general Lactobacillus, and decreased the total viable E. coli counts in the ileum and cecum contents.

CONCLUSIONS

We developed a novel pAMJ399-LFCA/LLMG1363 secreting LFCA, which had probiotic effects on the growth performance, intestinal morphology, intestinal barrier function and immunological indices of weaned piglets.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

pAMJ399-LFCA/LLMG1363, with probiotic effects on the health of weaned piglets, may be a promising feed additive for weaned piglets.

[Prevalence of alcohol use and related factors in HIV positive and HIV negative males]

Objective: To understand the prevalence of alcohol use and related factors in HIV positive and HIV negative males. Methods: Baseline data were from the prospective cohort study of comparative HIV and aging research in Taizhou of Zhejiang province from January to December, 2017. The information about alcohol use in the last month was collected through a face-to-face questionnaire interview. Participants were categorized into non-current drinkers, light/moderate drinkers and heavy drinkers according to the US National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse (NIAAA) standard. Results: A total of 1 367 HIV positive males and 2 418 HIV negative males were included. Current alcohol use rate (35.2%, 481/1 367) and heavy alcohol use rate (5.0%, 24/481) were significantly lower in HIV positive males than in HIV negative males (48.0%, 1 161/2 418; 23.5%, 273/1 161), but the proportion of drinking wine and yellow rice wine were significantly higher (21.8%, 105/481; 9.1%, 44/481) in HIV positive males than in HIV negative males (13.5%, 157/1 161; 5.8%, 67/1 161). The multivariate multinomial logistic regression analysis results showed that larger waist circumference, current smoking and regular physical exercise were associated with heavy alcohol use behavior in HIV positive males, and age ≥30 years, current smoking, regular physical exercise, higher score of depressive symptoms, heterosexual transmission route and baseline CD(4)(+)T cells counts of 200-499 cells/μl were significantly associated with mild/moderate alcohol use behavior in HIV positive males. Conclusions: The alcohol use rate was significantly lower in HIV positive males than in HIV negative males in Taizhou. It is important to strengthen intervention on alcohol drinking behavior and chronic disease risk factors, such as larger waist circumference, smoking and so on.

Expressions of TGF-β1 and EⅢA-FN after Rat Skeletal Muscle Contusion and Wound Age Estimation

Abstract

Objective To study the expressions of transforming growth factor-β1 （TGF-β1） and EⅢA-fibronectin （EⅢA-FN） at different time points of antemortem injury, antemortem injury postmortem expression and postmortem injury and to explore their application value in wound age estimation. Methods A model of rat skeletal muscle contusion was established. The rats were randomly divided into normal control group （n=5）, antemortem contusion group （n=40）, antemortem contusion postmortem expression group （n=110） and postmortem injury group （n=25）. The expressions of TGF-β1 and EⅢA-FN after rat skeletal muscles antemortem contusion were detected with immunohistochemical staining. Expression changes of TGF-β1 and EⅢA-FN mRNA in each group were analyzed with real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. Results Immunohistochemical staining results showed that a large number of polymorphonuclear leukocyte, mononuclear cells and fibroblastic cells showed a strong expression of TGF-β1 in wounded zones 12 h-14 d after antemortem contusion. EⅢA-FN was mainly distributed in the extracellular matrix, 3 to 7 d post-traumatic. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR results showed that TGF-β1 and EⅢA-FN mRNA in antemortem injury group reached the peak at 3 and 5 d post-traumatic respectively. The expressions of TGF-β1 and EⅢA-FN mRNA in antemortem contusion postmortem expression group peaked at 6 h and 12 h postmortem. The expression of TGF-β1 and EⅢA-FN mRNA in postmortem injury group 0.5-12 h postmortem was significantly lower than those of the normal control group and the antemortem contusion group. Conclusion TGF-β1 and EⅢA-FN might become a reference index for skeletal muscle wound age estimation.

[Statin use and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in patients aged 75 years and older with acute coronary syndrome in China]

Objective: To assess the use of statins and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels at admission in hospitalized patients aged 75 years and older with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in China. Methods: Data used in this study derived from the Improving Care for Cardiovascular Disease in China (CCC)-ACS project, a nationwide registry with 150 tertiary hospitals reporting details of clinical information of ACS patients. This study enrolled patients 75 years and older with ACS in CCC-ACS project from November 2014 to June 2017. Patients were divided into two groups according to the history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Pre-hospital statin use, LDL-C levels at admission and prescription of statins at discharge were reported. Results: A total of 10 899 patients 75 years and older with ACS were enrolled. The median age was 79 years and 58.7% (6 397 cases) were male. Among patients with history of ASCVD, 33.9% (1 028 cases) of them received statins before hospitalization. Among patients without history of ASCVD, 12.7% (996/7 871) received statins before hospitalization. The mean level of LDL-C was (2.4±0.9) mmol/L and LDL-C was <1.8 mmol/L in 24.7% (747 cases) of patients with history of ASCVD. The mean level of LDL-C was (2.6±0.9) mmol/L and LDL-C was <2.6 mmol/L in 51.7% (4 072 cases) of patients without history of ASCVD. At discharge, 91.2% (9 524/10 488) of patients were prescribed with statins in patients without contraindications for statin. Conclusion: In elderly patients with recurrent ASCVD, there was an inadequate statin use before hospitalization and most patients did not reach the LDL-C target level when they had the recurrent events. In the elderly ACS patients without history of ASCVD, more than half of the patients had an ideal LDL-C level. It seems that ideal LDL-C level for primary prevention of ACS in elderly people needs to be reevaluated with further studies.

[Combined use of the Solitaire AB stent and Navien delivery catheter for mechanical thrombectory of acute vertebrobasilar artery occlusion]

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of mechanical thrombectory with a tri-axial system of the solitaire AB stent through a Navien delivery catheter to treatment acute vertebrobasilar artery occlusion. Methods: The clinical data of 16 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke of vertebrobasilar artery occlusion treated with the Solitaire AB device from March 2016 to March 2018 in Department of Neurosurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Medical College of Shihezi University, were extracted and then retrospectively analyzed.Recanalization rate as well as complications after treatment were analysized. Also, neurological functions of the patients before and after operation 1 weeks, measured by National Institute of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) score were compared via t test and the clinical outcomes were assessed by modified Rankin score (mRS) at 90 days after operation. Results: There were 10 male and 6 female patients with a median age of 59 years (ranging from 45 to 78 years).Fourteen patients resulted in successfully recanalization, and 2 cases failed both of whose onset to sheath mean time were 8.5 hours.The NIHSS score at 7 days was 13±7, which was significantly decreased compared to the admission NIHSS score 24±4 (P=0.000).No symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage case was found after operation.At 90 days, 8 patients achieved good outcome (mRS 0 to 2), one patient died (mRS 6),two patients moderately seriously disabled (mRS 4).Three patients resulted in moderate outcome (mRS 3).In 3 cases of death,2 patients died due to failure in recanalization,another patient died of severe pulmonary infection. Conclusion: The results suggest that this technique of a tri-axial system used of the Solitaire AB stent through a Navien delivery catheter can effectively retrieve clots from the occlusive artery and improves functional outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke of vertebrobasilar artery.