Gene annotation of nuclear receptor superfamily genes in the kissing bug Rhodnius prolixus and the effects of 20-hydroxyecdysone on lipid metabolism

The hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone is fundamental for regulating moulting and metamorphosis in immature insects, and it plays a role in physiological regulation in adult insects. This hormone acts by binding and activating a receptor, the ecdysone receptor, which is part of the nuclear receptor gene superfamily. Here, we analyse the genome of the kissing bug Rhodnius prolixus to annotate the nuclear receptor superfamily genes. The R. prolixus genome displays a possible duplication of the HNF4 gene. All the analysed insect organs express most nuclear receptor genes as shown by RT-PCR. The quantitative PCR analysis showed that the RpEcR and RpUSP genes are highly expressed in the testis, while the RpHNF4-1 and RpHNF4-2 genes are more active in the fat body and ovaries and in the anterior midgut, respectively. Feeding does not induce detectable changes in the expression of these genes in the fat body. However, the expression of the RpHNF4-2 gene is always higher than that of RpHNF4-1. Treating adult females with 20-hydroxyecdysone increased the amount of triacylglycerol stored in the fat bodies by increasing their lipogenic capacity. These results indicate that 20-hydroxyecdysone acts on the lipid metabolism of adult insects, although the underlying mechanism is not clear.     

Identification of key genes and pathways in discoid lupus skin via bioinformatics analysis

Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is the most common skin manifestation of lupus; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying DLE remain unknown. Therefore, we aimed to identify key differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in discoid lupus skin and investigate their potential pathways.To identify candidate genes involved in the occurrence and development of the disease, we downloaded the microarray datasets {"type":"entrez-geo","attrs":{"text":"GSE52471","term_id":"52471"}}GSE52471 and {"type":"entrez-geo","attrs":{"text":"GSE72535","term_id":"72535"}}GSE72535 from the Gene Expression Database (GEO). DEGs between discoid lupus skin and normal controls were selected using the GEO2R tool and Venn diagram software (http://bioinformatics.psb.ugent.be/webtools/Venn/). The Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID), Enrichr, and Cytoscape ClueGo were used to analyze the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genome pathways and gene ontology. Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) of these DEGs were further assessed using the Search Tool for the Retrieval Interacting Genes version 10.0.Seventy three DEGs were co-expressed in both datasets. DEGs were predominantly upregulated in receptor signaling pathways of the immune response. In the PPI network, 69 upregulated genes were selected. Furthermore, 4 genes (CXCL10, ISG15, IFIH1, and IRF7) were found to be significantly upregulated in the RIG-I-like receptor signaling pathway, from analysis of Enrichr and Cytoscape ClueGo.The results of this study may provide new insights into the potential molecular mechanisms of DLE. However, further experimentation is required to confirm these findings.     

功能性心肌血流指数评价缺血性冠心病可行性分析

目的:运用功能性心肌血流指数(MBFI)评价缺血性冠心病(ICAD)可行性分析。方法:回顾性分析冠心病疑似患者行冠状动脉CT血管成像(CCTA)检查,同期接受有创冠状动脉造影(ICA)及导管法心肌血流储备分数(FFR)检查共81例患者,其中男性43例,女性38例,年龄(59.27±9.09)岁;计算MBFI;以FFR≤0.80为金标准,分别以四格表诊断试验确定MBFI与ICA的最佳切点值来判断ICAD;评价MBFI、ICA的ROC曲线特征及诊断准确度。结果:81例患者,CCTA扫描平均剂量为(3.06±1.22)mSv。MBFI、ICA最佳切点值分别为0.074、70%,25例患者FFR≤0.80。MBFI、ICA两者ROC曲线下面积分别为0.825、0.699(Z=2.024,P=0.0429),其敏感度、特异度、阳性预测值、阴性预测值分别为88.00%、80.35%、66.67%、93.75%和76.00%、51.79%、41.30%、82.86%,诊断准确度分别为82.72%、59.26%(χ2=10.753,P<0.01)。33例患者(40.74%,33/81)ICA狭窄程度为65%或70%,其中27例患者(81.82%,27/33)心肌不缺血,运用MBFI值大于0.074可明确23例患者心肌并不缺血(69.70%,23/33)。结论:MBFI属于功能性指标,可用于排查缺血性冠心病。     

HSG、Ki67组织表达与宫颈癌新辅助化疗治疗效果的相关分析

目的探讨细胞增殖抑制基因(HSG)、增殖细胞核抗原(Ki67)组织表达与宫颈癌新辅助化疗治疗效果的相关性。方法选取2017年1月至2019年7月广东省第二人民医院收治的180例经临床确诊的宫颈癌患者作为研究对象,采用随机数字表法分为观察组和对照组,每组90例。对照组采用传统手术治疗和放疗;观察组实施收治治疗、放疗及新辅助化疗。统计比较两组治疗前后HSG、Ki67水平变化、临床疗效及不良反应发生率情况。结果观察组术后3周及术后6周HSG阳性表达率高于对照组,而Ki67阳性表达率低于对照组(P<0.05)。观察组疾病控制率(DCR)高于对照组(P<0.05)。结论宫颈患部HSG表达率与宫颈癌患者的康复情况呈正相关,而Ki67表达水平与宫颈癌患者DCR呈负相关。评估HSG及Ki67指标变化对宫颈癌新辅助化疗结果的评价具有重要的指导价值。     

Aortic flow after valve sparing root replacement with or without neosinuses reconstruction

Objectives

This study applied advanced 4-dimensional flow magnetic resonance imaging processing to assess differences in aortic flow dynamics after valve sparing root replacement, with and without reconstruction of the Valsalva sinuses.