血清Tg、TgAb对甲状腺癌根治术联合131I治疗后随访期间复发/转移的评估价值

目的 研究血清甲状腺球蛋白（Tg）、甲状腺球蛋白抗体（TgAb）对甲状腺癌根治术联合¹³¹I治疗后随访期间复发/转移的评估价值。方法 回顾性分析2018年6月—2020年6月中国贵航集团三〇二医院收治的106例分化型甲状腺癌患者的临床资料,患者均接受甲状腺癌根治术治疗,术后均采用¹³¹I进行清除残留的甲状腺组织（清甲）治疗。随访24个月,将患者分为复发转移组（21例）和未复发转移组（85例）。比较两组临床资料、¹³¹I治疗情况及血清促甲状腺激素（TSH）、Tg、TgAb。绘制受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线分析血清Tg、TgAb检测对甲状腺癌根治术联合¹³¹I治疗后复发/转移的预测价值。采取非条件一般Logistic回归模型进行多因素分析。结果 与未复发转移组比较,复发转移组原位肿瘤T₄分期、手术方式为腺叶切除或近全切、残余甲状腺质量≥1 g、手术至¹³¹I治疗时间> 3个月、24 h摄¹³¹I率≤ 20%患者的占比均较高（P <0.05）;复发转移组血清Tg和TgAb水平均较高（P <0.05）;ROC曲线分析结果显示：血清Tg预测甲状腺癌根治术联合¹³¹I治疗后复发或转移的最佳截断值为1.674 μg/L,AUC为0.803（95% CI：0.721,0.884）,敏感性为81.1%（95% CI：0.724,0.898）,特异性为63.8%（95% CI：0.585,0.691）;血清TgAb预测的最佳截断值为44.19 3 IU/mL,AUC为0.911（95% CI：0.859,0.963）,敏感性为89.2%（95% CI：0.813,0.971）,特异性为72.5%（95% CI：0.674,0.774）。非条件Logistic一般回归分析结果显示：原位肿瘤T₄分期［O^R=2.916（95% CI：1.325,6.417）］、腺叶切除或近全切［O^R=3.243（95% CI：2.174,4.838）］、残余甲状腺质量≥ 10 g［O^R=1.835（95% CI：1.514,2.224）］、手术至¹³¹I治疗时间> 3个月［O^R=1.962（95% CI：1.371,2.808）］、24 h摄¹³¹I率≤ 20%［O^R=2.638（95% CI：1.219,5.709）］、血清Tg ≥ 1.674 μg/L［O^R=2.503（95% CI：1.430,4.360）］、血清TgAb≥ 44.193 IU/mL［O^R=2.944（95% CI：2.016,4.299）］可能是甲状腺癌根治术联合¹³¹I治疗后复发或转移的危险因素（P <0.05）;风险因素预测模型预测甲状腺癌根治术联合¹³¹I治疗后复发/转移的ROC曲线下面积为0.961（95% CI：0.935,0.987）,标准误为0.010,临界值为73.162,敏感性为91.9%（95% CI：0.863,0.957）,特异性为88.2%（95% CI：0.845,0.922）。结论 甲状腺癌根治术联合¹³¹I治疗后出现复发/转移的患者血清Tg、TgAb水平明显升高,Tg、TgAb对预测复发/转移具有较好的价值,联合其他危险因素建立风险因素预测模型可进一步提高预测价值。     

Three-dimensional reconstruction of adult female mouse submandibular gland secretory structures

Computer-assisted reconstructions of adult female mouse submandibular gland have been used to positionally characterize within the three-dimensional structure likely intermediates in secretory cell replacement. The locations of striated granular duct cells and granular intercalated duct cells are consistent with a role as intermediates between intercalated duct cells and granular duct cells or acinar cells, respectively. Average volumes of the two putative intermediate cell types are also consistent with this role. The reconstructions suggest that, in addition to a "streaming" mechanism for secretory cell replacement, formation of new secretory structures composed of multiple acini and second-order intercalated ducts may also contribute to the cell replacement process.     

Diagnosis of Kala-Azar by Nested PCR Based on Amplification of the Leishmania Mini-Exon Gene

To diagnose visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar), we have developed a nested PCR method based on amplification of the mini-exon gene, which is unique and tandomly repeated in the Leishmania genome. Nested PCR was sufficiently sensitive for the detection of DNA in an amount equivalent to a single Leishmania parasite or less. We examined the usefulness of this PCR method using bone marrow aspirates and buffy coat cells collected from kala-azar patients who had or had not received chemotherapy in northwest China. We obtained PCR positivity for all of the parasitologically positive bone marrow samples from the patients. Some ambiguities with the primary PCR results were eliminated by the subsequent nested PCR. The buffy coat samples from 7 of 12 patients with splenomegaly were positive by the nested PCR, although only 2 of them were positive for parasites by culture. However, buffy coat samples from nine children, whose splenomegaly has been reduced and clinically cured by antimony treatment, were all negative. Thus, this nested PCR method represents a new tool for the diagnosis of kala-azar with patient blood samples instead of bone marrow or spleen aspirates obtained by more invasive procedures.     

A homozygous MITF mutation leads to familial Waardenburg syndrome type 4

Waardenburg syndrome (WS) is a genetic disorder characterized by hearing loss and pigmentary abnormalities with variable penetrance. Though heterozygous mutations in MITF are a major cause for Waardenburg syndrome type 2 (WS2), homozygous mutations in this gene and the associated phenotype have been rarely characterized. In this study, we identified a novel p.R223H mutation in MITF in a Chinese Han family with variable WS features. Both parents carried a heterozygous p.R223H mutation. They had normal hearing, and premature greying of the hair is their only pigmentary abnormality. In contrast, their two children both carried a homozygous p.R223H mutation and had classic WS features including profound hearing loss, heterochromia irides and marked pigmentary abnormalities in hair and skin. Interestingly, the two affected children also have persistent chronic constipation since the neonatal period, symptoms suggestive of Waardenburg syndrome type 4 (WS4). Our study revealed a likely association between homozygous mutations in MITF and WS4, which implies a dosage effect for the underlying pathogenesis mechanism.     

Peripheral blood and synovial fluid T cells differ in their response to alloantigens and recall antigens presented by dendritic cells.

Properties of T cells from inflammatory lesions were analysed by comparing the response of peripheral blood (PB) and synovial fluid (SF) T cells from 19 patients with a range of arthropathies to enriched allogeneic dendritic cells (DC) in a primary mixed leucocyte reaction (MLR). In 17 patients the proliferative response of SF T cells was significantly (P less than 0.05) less than that of PB lymphocytes. The reduced response of SF T cells was observed in all disease categories studied and could not be attributed to differences in cell number requirements or response kinetics. Addition of recombinant interleukin-2 enhanced the response of SF T cells in a dose-dependent manner. Cell mixing experiments suggested that active suppression was not the underlying mechanism of the poor MLR response of SF T cells. In contrast to the MLR response. SF T cells were able to mount vigorous proliferative responses to recall antigen presented by autologous antigen-presenting cells. The possibility is discussed that T cells compartmentalized at inflammatory lesions are a unique population with a diminished ability to interact with DC and respond to primary stimuli but an ability to respond to secondary antigenic challenge.     

Involvement of microtubules in Kunjin virus replication

Summary Induction of microtubulin paracrystals (Pc) by Kunjin (KUN) virus occurred after 15 hours post-infection and were often associated with convoluted membranes (cm) and virus particles. Vinblastine sulphate which disrupts microtubulin, had an inhibitory effect on the virus production when added during the viral latent period. When infected samples were extracted with Triton X-100 and analysed by SDS-PAGE, four viral proteins were observed.     

A study on facial features of children with Williams syndrome in China based on three‐dimensional anthropometric measurement technology

To describe special facial features of children with Williams syndrome in China by using method of three‐dimensional craniofacial anthropometry. Using three‐dimensional stereo photogrammetric device, 14 craniofacial anthropometric measurements were performed and five indices were calculated in 52 children with Williams syndrome and 208 age and sex matched controls of Han Chinese ethnicity. Except intercanthal width, mouth breadth, morphological face height, nasal height‐breadth index, nasal breadth‐depth index, morphological ear index, the Williams syndrome group under 3 years old were smaller than the control group in the other 12 variables. Compared with the control group, the Williams syndrome group aged 3–5 years old had smaller biocular breadth, nasal length, nasorostral angle, bitragal breadth, ear width, morphological ear index and face depth. The Williams syndrome group aged above 6 years old had smaller biocular breadth, nasal breadth, bitragal breadth, ear width, ear length and face depth than the control group. The craniofacial variability index of the Williams syndrome group was greater than the control group. Greater variation was found among children with Williams syndrome than normal in China, specifically at eye, nose, ear and face shape, which demonstrate the usefulness of three‐dimensional stereo photogrammetric analysis in supporting accurate diagnose of the patient with Williams syndrome.     

Molecular cloning and immunolocalization of the 17 kDa myoglobin of Clonorchis sinensis

We purified the 17 kDa protein abundant in Clonorchis sinensis crude extracts. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of this protein was determined and an oligonucleotide probe synthesized. Using this probe, the cDNA encoding the protein was cloned and sequenced from the C. sinensis cDNA library. It was found to consist of a total of 150 amino acids and to have 41% conserved homology with the myoglobin of the trematodes Paramphistomum epiclitum and Isoparorchis hypselobagri. The gene product over-expressed in the bacterial system was purified and identified as the same molecule in the adult worms. BALB/c mouse sera raised against the adult 17 kDa protein revealed that this myoglobin was distributed throughout the parenchymal tissues except for the eggs and reproductive organs and that the protein may be involved in the survival of C. sinensis in the oxygen-depleted environment of the host.     

Influence of IgG antibody and glycopeptide allergens on the correlation between the radioallergosorbent test (RAST) and skin testing or bronchial challenge with alternaria.

The radioallergosorbent test (RAST) for alternaria was compared to skin tests and bronchial challenges in children suffering from chronic intractable asthma. In contrast to when such children were tested with a timothy grass pollen extract, the bronchial challenge and skin test results against alternaria did not correlate significantly. When alternaria allergens were coupled to cyanogen bromide-activated microcrystalline cellulose, the RAST correlated with the results of skin testing but not bronchial challenge. It was demonstrated by column immunabsorption that some allergic sera contained sufficient IgG antibody against alternaria to competitively inhibit the RAST. When Sepharose 2B was substituted for cellulose as the insoluble support, the inhibition by IgG antibody was largely overcome and then the RAST correlated with both skin test and bronchial challenge results. Glycopeptides contribute significantly to the allergenicity of alternaria, and when these materials were coupled to a Sepharose 2B conjugate by mild oxidation, the RAST correlated with bronchial challenge, but not skin test, results. It was concluded that in this group of steroid-dependent asthmatic children, the correlation of the RAST with the in vivo challenges was strongly influenced by the presence of IgG antibody in the allergic sera and the chemical nature of the mould allergens investigated.     

Staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome toxin 1-induced tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-1 beta secretion by human peripheral blood monocytes and T lymphocytes is differentially suppressed by protein kinase inhibitors.

The signal transduction pathways by which staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 (TSST-1) induces tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) secretion were examined with various protein kinase inhibitors. TNF-alpha secretion by normal human monocytes and T cells in response to TSST-1 was suppressed by inhibitors of protein kinase C (H7) and tyrosine kinases (genistein). In contrast, the secretion of IL-1 beta was blocked by a cyclic AMP- and cyclic GMP-dependent kinase inhibitor (HA1004) as well as by H7 and genistein. These results suggest that the secretion of TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta may be differentially regulated by TSST-1 and that protein kinases play an important role in mediating cytokine responses to the toxin.