Detection of anti-aquaporin-4 autoantibodies in the sera of Chinese neuromyelitis optica patients

In this study, we recruited 10 neuromyelitis optica patients, two multiple sclerosis patients and two myelitis patients. Chinese hamster lung fibroblast (V79) cells transfected with a human aquaporin-4-mCherry fusion protein gene were used to detect anti-aquaporin-4 antibody in neuromyelitis optica patient sera by immunofluorescence. Anti-aquaporin-4 autoantibody was stably detected by immunofluorescence in neuromyelitis optica patient sera exclusively. The sensitivity of the assay for neuromyelitis optica was 90% and the specificity for neuromyelitis optica was 100%. The anti-aquaporin-4 antibody titers in sera were tested with serial dilutions until the signal disappeared. A positive correlation was detected between Expanded Disability Status Scale scores and serum anti-aquaporin-4 antibody titers. The anti-aquaporin-4 antibody assay is highly sensitive and specific in the sera of Chinese neuromyelitis optica patients. Detection of aquaporin-4 autoantibody is important for the diagnosis and treatment of neuromyelitis optica.     

Bilateral complicated crown fractures secondary to chin injury: a case report

Abstract – Traumatic injuries to the chin are not uncommon in children. Nevertheless, crown fractures, which are common sequelae to this type of injury, might be overlooked, especially if dental care is not sought immediately after a visit to a non‐dental facility. The present case report reviews the delayed diagnosis and treatment outcome of a bilateral posterior complicated crown fracture affecting mandibular second primary molars in a young child. Pharmacologic and orthodontic considerations are also discussed in the paper.     

挥发油成分的研究——Ⅲ.腋花杜鹃挥发油的化学成分研究和牡荆、荆条挥发油成分的比较

用GC和GC-MS研究了腋花杜鹃叶中挥发油的化学成分,鉴定了α-蒎烯,β-蒎烯,对-繖花烃,1,8-桉叶素,醋酸冰片酯,反-丁香烯及环氧丁香烯等几种主要成分,并测定了其含量。比较了腋花杜鹃和牡荆、荆条挥发油的组成,结果表明成分大致相似,唯一明显差别为前者含有较大量的醋酸冰片酯和反式丁香烯而不是β-丁香烯,同时后二者含有香桧烯而不含β-蒎烯。腋花杜鹃和牡荆、荆条虽为不同科属植物,但具有同样治疗气管炎之效用,究其原因,就在于它们有类似的化学成分。     

Expression of Brca1 and splice variant Brca1delta11 RNA levels in mouse mammary gland during normal development and tumorigenesis

Expression of Brca1 in mouse mammary cancer has yet to be analysed. We use a progressive model of neoplasia based on several mouse epithelial cell lines that represent distinct steps toward the fully tumorigenic state. Using RNase protection analysis because acceptable anti-Brca1 antibodies are not available we investigated the expression of Brca1 and a splice variant, Brca1Delta11, in several mammary hyperplasias and tumors that arose from them, and in normal mammary gland through pregnancy and involution. Expression of Brca1 was highest in rapidly proliferating cells. Expression of the full-length Brca1 was detectable in the virgin gland, was slightly elevated in the midpregnant gland, and decreased to levels similar to the age-matched virgin gland in the completely involuted gland. Expression of both forms of Brca1 was detectable in 9/9 paired hyperplasias and tumors, with levels of total Brca1, but not the splice variant Brca1Delta11, in tumors higher than those in the hyperplasias. While in disagreement with the observation that Brca1 levels decrease in human breast cancer progression, these patterns support the notion that Brca1 expression is associated with proliferating cells, and suggests that the link with differentiation seen in normal cells can be removed when cells become tumorigenic.     

Identification of RET fusions in a Chinese multicancer retrospective analysis by next‐generation sequencing

Fusion of RET with different partner genes has been detected in papillary thyroid, lung, colorectal, pancreatic, and breast cancer. Approval of selpercatinib for treatment of lung and thyroid cancer with RET gene mutations or fusions calls for studies to explore RET fusion partners and their eligibility for RET‐based targeted therapy. In this study, RET fusion patterns in a large group of Chinese cancer patients covering several cancer types were identified using next‑generation sequencing. A total of 44 fusion patterns were identified in the study cohort with KIF5B, CCDC6, and ERC1 being the most common RET fusion partners. Notably, 17 novel fusions were first reported in this study. Prevalence of functional RET fusions was 1.05% in lung cancer, 6.03% in thyroid cancer, 0.39% in colorectal cancer, and less than 0.1% in gastric cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma. Analysis showed a preference for fusion partners in different tumor types, with KIF5B being the common type in lung cancer, CCDC6 in thyroid cancer, and NCOA4 in colorectal cancer. Co‐occurrence of EGFR mutations and RET fusions with rare partner genes (rather than KIF5B) in lung cancer patients was correlated with epidermal growth factor receptor‐tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance and could predict response to targeted therapies. Findings from this study provide a guide to clinicians in determining tumors with specific fusion patterns as candidates for RET targeted therapies.     

Exploring the Causal Roles of Circulating Remnant Lipid Profile on Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases: Mendelian Randomization Study

BackgroundCausal evidence of circulating lipids especially the remnant cholesterol with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease (CVD) is lacking. This research aimed to explore the causal roles of extensive lipid traits especially the remnant lipids in CVD.MethodsTwo-sample Mendelian randomization (TSMR) analysis was performed based on large-scale meta-analysis datasets in European ancestry. The causal effect of 15 circulating lipid profiles including 6 conventional lipids and 9 remnant lipids on coronary heart disease (CHD) and ischemic stroke (IS), as well as the subtypes, was assessed.ResultsApolipoprotein B (Apo B), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglyceride (TG) were still important risk factors for CHD and myocardial infarction (MI) but not for IS. Apo B is the strongest which increased the CHD and MI risk by 44% and 41%, respectively. The odds ratios (ORs) of total TG on CHD and MI were 1.25 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13–1.38) and 1.24 (95% CI, 1.11–1.38), respectively. A one standard deviation difference increased TG in medium very-low-density lipoproteins (M.VLDL.TG), TG in small VLDL (S.VLDL.TG), TG in very small VLDL (XS.VLDL.TG), TG in intermediate-density lipoproteins (IDL.TG), TG in very large HDL (XL.HDL.TG), and TG in small HDL (S.HDL.TG) particles also robustly increased the risk of CHD and MI by 9–28% and 9–27%, respectively. TG in very/extremely large VLDL (XXL.VLDL.TG and XL.VLDL.TG) were insignificant or even negatively associated with CHD (in multivariable TSMR), and negatively associated with IS as well.ConclusionThe remnant lipids presented heterogeneity and two-sided effects for the risk of CHD and IS that may partially rely on the particle size. The findings suggested that the remnant lipids were required to be intervened according to specific components. This research confirms the importance of remnant lipids and provides causal evidence for potential targets for intervention.Key words: remnant lipids, coronary heart disease, ischemic stroke, Mendelian randomization     

苯丙胺类药物的气相色谱及气质联用检测

本文报道苯丙胺等１１种类似药物，用气相色谱及气质联用方法进行同时分离、检测和鉴定。志愿者尿样中母体药物及其代谢物的研究，可准确判断未知尿样中此类药物的存在。