Cloning and characterization of a novel gene which encodes a protein interacting with the mitosis-associated kinase-like protein NTKL

NTKL is an evolutionarily conserved kinase-like protein. The cell-cycle-dependent centrosomal localization of NTKL suggested that it was involved in centrosome-related cellular function. The mouse NTKL protein is highly homologous with human NTKL. A novel mouse protein was identified as an NTKL-binding protein (NTKL-BP1) by yeast two-hybrid screening, and the full-length cDNA was amplified based on the result of a sequence data analysis cloning strategy. The full-length cDNA sequence of the NTKL-BP1 gene consists of 2,537 bp, which encode 368 amino acids. A database search revealed that homologues of NTKL-BP1 exist in different organisms, including Arabidopsis thaliana, Drosophila melanogaster, Plasmodium falciparum, Geobacter metallireducens, Anopheles gambiae and human. It suggests that NTKL-BP1 is an evolutionarily conserved protein. The expression of NTKL-BP1 was observed in multiple normal mouse tissues. The interaction of the two proteins was confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation. Moreover, immunofluorescent staining indicated that NTKL and NTKL-BP1 were all localized in the cytoplasm.     

Pulmonary artery angiosarcoma: a clinicopathologic and radiological correlation

A 69-year-old man presented with cough, shortness of breath, and fatigue. He was initially treated for allergies and then for pulmonary embolism. Radiologically, a tumor mass was found to occlude the right pulmonary artery and involve the pulmonary trunk. A right pneumonectomy was performed. Histologically, a cellular malignant spindle and epithelioid tumor with areas of necrosis and brisk mitotic activity was seen. In some areas, the tumor appeared to form vascular channels. Focal osteosarcomatous differentiation was present. Immunohistochemical studies were performed including vimentin, smooth muscle actin, desmin, CD31, CD34, S100, and pan-cytokeratin. The tumor cells were positive for CD31 and vimentin and negative for pan-cytokeratin, CD34, and S100. Two months after surgery, the patient was alive and well.     

Changing seroepidemiology of hepatitis B, C, and D virus infections in high-risk populations

Needle-sharing and sexual contact are important transmission routes of hepatitis B, C, and D virus (HBV, HCV, HDV) infection. This study aimed to investigate the current status of these viral infections among high-risk populations including prostitutes and intravenous (i.v.) drug users, compared with the prevalence rate reported previously to examine the changing seroepidemiology. Of the 916 female prostitutes, 79 (9%) were positive for antibody to HCV (anti-HCV), 111 (12%) were positive for HBV surface antigen (HBsAg), and 5 (5%) had antibody to HDV (anti-HDV). The prevalence rate was significantly lower compared to that in 1989-1991 (12%, P = 0.037) for HCV infection, and to that in 1988 (59%) and 1996 (40%) (P < 0.0001) for HDV infection. Of the 494 i.v. drug users, 87 (18%) patients were HBsAg carriers and 12 (14%) were anti-HDV-positive. The prevalence rate of HDV infection was significantly lower than that reported in 1985 (79%, P < 0.0001). Among the 443 tested i.v. drug users, 182 (41%) were anti-HCV-positive, significantly lower than that in 1985 (53%, P = 0.026). Of the 263 male prostitutes, 11 (4%) were anti-HCV-positive, 45 (17%) were HBsAg-positive, and 7 (16%) were anti-HDV-positive. Of the 129 illegal immigrant prostitutes, 7 (5%) were anti-HCV-positive, 15 (12%) were HBsAg-positive and none were positive for anti-HDV. In conclusion, the findings indicate a declining prevalence of HCV and HDV infections among drug users and prostitutes over the past 16 years. Male prostitutes and immigrant prostitutes are new "high-risk" populations and may become a reservoir for disease transmission.     

Psychological Resilience,Experimentally Manipulated Social Status,and Dietary Intake among Adolescents

Relative to other racial/ethnic groups in the United States, Hispanic American (HA) youth have higher rates of overweight and obesity. Previous work suggests that low perceived social status (SS) promotes excess caloric intake and, thereby, development of obesity. Psychological resilience may play a role in reducing adverse eating behaviors and risk for obesity. The objective of this study was to investigate whether resilience (as measured by the Connor Davidson Resilience Scale) interacts with experimentally manipulated SS to affect dietary intake among HA adolescents (n = 132). Using a rigged game of Monopoly (Hasbro, Inc.), participants were randomized to a high or low SS condition. Following the Monopoly game, participants consumed an ad libitum lunch and their dietary intake was assessed. There was a significant interaction between resilience and experimentally manipulated SS for total energy intake (p = 0.006), percent energy needs consumed (p = 0.005), and sugar intake (p = 0.004). For the high SS condition, for each increase in resilience score, total energy intake decreased by 7.165 ± 2.866 kcal (p = 0.014) and percent energy needs consumed decreased by 0.394 ± 0.153 (p = 0.011). In the low SS condition, sugar intake increased by 0.621 ± 0.240 g for each increase in resilience score (p = 0.011). After correction for multiple comparisons, the aforementioned interactions, but not simple slopes, were statistically significant.     

肝癌细胞纤维肌动蛋白的共聚焦激光扫描显微镜光学切片观察

目的：建立培养细胞共聚焦激光扫描显微镜光学切片的方法。探讨肝癌细胞纤维肌动蛋白（F-actin)的空间结构。方法：采用共聚焦激光扫描显微镜光学切片技术结合异硫酸氢荧光素-鬼笔环肽（FTTC-phalloidin)标记纤维肌动蛋白和碘化丙啶（PI）标记细胞核的荧光探针双重标记技术对肝癌细胞纤维肌动蛋白进行形态学观察和图像分析。结果：肝癌细胞内纤维肌动蛋白微丝形成束状纤维。粗壮而密集,平行排列或纵横交错成网状贯穿整个细胞和细胞突起。结论：（1）共聚焦激光扫描显微镜的光学切片技术结合FTTC-phalloidin和PI荧光探针双重标记技术是观察和分析细胞骨架系统三维立体结构的良好方法;（2）肝癌细胞内纤维肌动蛋白微丝粗壮、形成束状或网状结构。     

94例缺铁性贫血患者的病因分析

目的 :通过对确诊为缺铁性贫血的病例进行病因学分析 ,探讨多病变和恶性肿瘤在缺铁性贫血发病中的重要性。方法 :确诊为缺铁性贫血 (IDA)的患者 94例 ,行大便虫卵检查 ,胃镜、结肠镜或钡餐、钡灌肠 ,腹腔B超 ,女性加做妇科检查及盆腔B超检查 ,找出IDA病因。将 94例患者按病因分类分为单一病因组和多病变组 ,用t检验对两组的Hb、SF值进行比较 ;再分为良性病变组和恶性肿瘤组 ,两组间的Hb、SF值也以t检验进行比较。结果 :94例IDA患者的病因中 ,由单一病因致病者 75 .5 % ,以消化性溃疡 (2 7.7% )和慢性胃炎 (17.0 % )为主 ,月经失血过多(2 0 .2 % )仍是女性患者的主要病因 ;多病变致病者 2 4.5 %。良性病变占 86 .2 % ,消化道恶性肿瘤占 13.8%。各组间Hb值均无显著差别 (P >0 .0 5 ) ,但恶性肿瘤组SF值明显高于良性病变组 (P <0 .0 1)。结论 :良性消化道出血性病变仍是导致IDA的主要原因 ,其次为女性月经过多。但多病变导致缺铁 ,尤其是上下消化道多个失血灶同时存在者 (14.9% )也不少见。恶性肿瘤在IDA病因中有增多趋势。恶性肿瘤致IDA的患者SF较高。     

东菱克栓酶治疗急性脑梗塞近期疗效评价

应用东菱克栓酶治疗发病在24小时内的30例急性脑梗塞(AEC)患者,并设对照组28例,对其用药前神经功能缺损积分统计学处理,两组无显著差异,P>0.05,治疗后30天神经功能缺损积分值减少程度两组比较差异显著,P<0.01,结果表明东菱克栓酶治疗急性脑梗塞的早期治愈率较高。     

Effect of different treatments on recurrent aphthous stomatitis: laser versus medication

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a common disease with ulcers in oral cavity which may trigger chewing, speaking, and swallowing difficulties to patients. Treatment of RAS is primarily aimed at pain relief and the promotion of wound healing. However, few agents have been found to have definite effect in the management of RAS and most of the medicinal products may cause adverse reactions or other disadvantages, which makes their clinical usage questionable. The purpose of this randomized controlled clinical trial (RCT) was to assess the clinical effect of diode laser and traditional medication treatment on RAS. In this study, 56 patients were randomly assigned to two groups (n = 28). Laser group was treated using diode laser (810 nm, 1.0 W, CW, irradiation time 20 s for 3 applications) once daily for continuous 3 days. Medication group was treated with triamcinolone acetonide 0.1% three times a day until the lesion was healed. Spontaneous and functional pain level on the third day of treatment was significantly less in the laser group. Significant difference was observed with respect to healing time; however, the order of difference is small albeit of statistical significance. Diode laser with the chosen parameters had better effects on pain relief and no distinct advantage on wound healing comparing with medication. Trial registration number: ChiCTR2000030298; date of registration: 26 February 2020 (retrospectively registered)

     

Mesenteric neovascularization during spring-mediated intestinal lengthening

BackgroundShort gut syndrome, a condition characterized by inadequate absorption of nutrients owing to decreased bowel length, has minimal avenues for treatment. We have proposed spring-mediated distraction enterogenesis to lengthen bowel in porcine jejunum as a treatment for short gut. We aim to evaluate the extent of mesenteric neovascularization in segments of lengthened bowel via spring-mediated enterogenesis.MethodsFemale juvenile Yucatan pigs underwent laparotomy and insertion of gelatin-encapsulated compressed nitinol springs, held in place with plication sutures, into the jejunum. At surgery and sacrifice, macroscopic mesenteric blood vessels were counted between the plication sites. Histologic samples of the mesentery were obtained to evaluate microscopic vasculature.ResultsA statistically significant increase in macroscopic mesenteric blood vessels was seen after intestinal lengthening (before: 1.9 ± 0.7 vessels, after: 4.7 ± 1.2 vessels, p = 0.001). A statistical significance is also seen in the density of arterioles (control: 3.0 ± 3.0 vessels/mm, spring: 7.0 ± 9.0 vessels/mm, p = 0.01) and venules (control: 4.0 ± 3.0 vessels/mm, spring: 8.0 ± 8.0 vessels/mm, p = 0.003).ConclusionIntestinal segments lengthened by intraluminal springs demonstrated total greater number of macroscopic vessels and microscopic blood vessels per length of mesentery as compared to control. This suggests local changes within the mesentery to recruit blood supply to growing intestine.Level of evidenceN/AType of studyTreatment study.     

Mechanical lengthening of porcine small intestine with decreased forces

Introductionshort bowel syndrome is marked by inadequate intestinal surface area to absorb nutrients. Current treatments are focused on medical management and surgical reconfiguration of the dilated intestine. We propose the use of spring-mediated distraction enterogenesis as a novel intervention to increase intestinal length. Given our previous success lengthening intestinal segments using springs with spring constant ~7 N/m that exerts 0.46 N or higher, we sought to determine the minimal force needed to lengthen porcine small intestinal segments, and to explore effects on intestine over time.MethodsJuvenile Yucatan pigs underwent laparotomy with enterotomy to introduce nitinol springs intraluminally (n = 21 springs). Bowel segments (control, spring-distracted) were retrieved on post-operative day (POD) 7 and 14, and lengths measured. Thickness of cross-sectional intestinal layers were measured using H&E, and submucosal collagen fiber orientation measured using trichrome stained sections.Resultsall pigs survived to POD7 and 14. Spring constants of at least 2 N/m exerting a minimum force of 0.10 N significantly lengthened intestinal segments (p <0.0001). The stronger the spring force, the greater the induced thickness of various intestinal layers at POD7 and 14. Collagen fiber orientation was also more disordered because of stronger springs.Conclusiona spring constant of approximately 2 N/m exerting 0.10 N and greater significantly lengthens intestinal segments and stimulates intestinal structural changes at POD7 and 14. This suggests a decreased force is capable of inducing spring-mediated distraction enterogenesis.