Head-to-head comparison of the diagnostic accuracies of BD Veritor™ System RSV and Quidel® Sofia® RSV FIA systems for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) diagnosis

BackgroundRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the most common causes of severe lower respiratory tract disease among infants and young children. BD Veritor™ System RSV (BD) and Quidel^® Sofia^® RSV FIA (QD) are the new generation lateral flow digital immunoassay (DIA) tests with an instrumented read for the qualitative detection of RSV viral antigens.ObjectiveTo compare the diagnostic accuracies of BD and QD for RSV detection using fresh nasopharyngeal aspirates and nasopharyngeal swab specimens collected in universal transport media during 2013–2014 respiratory season.Study designThe two DIA tests were performed simultaneously on randomly selected specimens on a weekly basis during the RSV season until 200 fresh remnant specimens were enrolled. Real-time RT-PCR assay results were used to compare and evaluate the performance of both RSV DIA assays.ResultsAmong 200 specimens tested, RSV real-time RT-PCR assay detected RSV in 104 samples, while QD detected 84 samples and BD detected 74 samples as positive. The overall sensitivity for detection of RSV in comparison to PCR was 71.15% (61.3–79.4) for BD and 80.77% (71.6–87.6) for QD system (P = 0.36). The specificity was 100% (95.2–100) for both systems. The work flow analysis revealed that the overall specimen processing time was significantly lower for BD as compared with the QD assay.ConclusionsIn comparison with the real-time PCR, the QD system showed a higher sensitivity than that of the BD system, but the difference did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.36). Both BD and QD systems were found comparable in terms of specificity.     

儿童急性白血病细胞遗传学特征分析

目的分析儿童急性白血病的遗传学特征。方法收集2013年10月至2014年10月于郑州大学第一附属医院就诊的100例患儿的骨髓或外周血细胞的遗传学检查资料进行回顾性分析。结果 80例ALL中仅76例有染色体核型检查结果,4例未见分裂相,45例异常,核型异常率为59.21%(45/76),其中染色体数目异常22例(48.89%),结构异常17例(37.78%),同时有数目和结构异常6例,20例AML中15例有克隆性核型异常,核型异常率为75.00%,融合基因检出率为42%(42/100),其中TEL/AML1 15例,PML/RARa 7例,E2A/PBX1 6例,AML1/ETO 4例,MLL基因重排3例,BCR/ABL 2例,二者结合使白血病患儿的遗传学异常检出率提升至69.00%。结论儿童急性白血病具有其独特的细胞遗传学特征,染色体核型分析联合应用多重PCR方法可显著提高白血病患儿遗传学异常检出率,从而指导临床诊断、分型及预后判断。     

The effect of cyclic mechanical strain on the expression of adhesion-related genes by periodontal ligament cells in two-dimensional culture

Saminathan A, Vinoth KJ, Wescott DC, Pinkerton MN, Milne TJ, Cao T, Meikle MC. The effect of cyclic mechanical strain on the expression of adhesion‐related genes by periodontal ligament cells in two‐dimensional culture. J Periodont Res 2012; 47: 212–221. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S Background and Objective: Cell adhesion plays important roles in maintaining the structural integrity of connective tissues and sensing changes in the biomechanical environment of cells. The objective of the present investigation was to extend our understanding of the effect of cyclic mechanical strain on the expression of adhesion‐related genes by human periodontal ligament cells. Material and Methods: Cultured periodontal ligament cells were subjected to a cyclic in‐plane tensile deformation of 12% for 5 s (0.2 Hz) every 90 s for 6–24 h in a Flexercell FX‐4000 Strain Unit. The following parameters were measured: (i) cell viability by the MTT assay; (ii) caspase‐3 and ‐7 activity; and (iii) the expression of 84 genes encoding adhesion‐related molecules using real‐time RT‐PCR microarrays. Results: Mechanical stress reduced the metabolic activity of deformed cells at 6 h, and caspase‐3 and ‐7 activity at 6 and 12 h. Seventy‐three genes were detected at critical threshold values < 35. Fifteen showed a significant change in relative expression: five cell adhesion molecules (ICAM1, ITGA3, ITGA6, ITGA8 and NCAM1), three collagen α‐chains (COL6A1, COL8A1 and COL11A1), four MMPs (ADAMTS1, MMP8, MMP11 and MMP15), plus CTGF, SPP1 and VTN. Four genes were upregulated (ADAMTS1, CTGF, ICAM1 and SPP1) and 11 downregulated, with the range extending from a 1.76‐fold induction of SPP1 at 12 h to a 2.49‐fold downregulation of COL11A1 at 24 h. Conclusion: The study has identified several mechanoresponsive adhesion‐related genes, and shown that onset of mechanical stress was followed by a transient reduction in overall cellular activity, including the expression of two apoptosis ‘executioner’ caspases.     

Quality of life in elderly patients with localized breast cancer treated with radiotherapy. A prospective study

PurposeThere is a debate on the role of adjuvant Radiotherapy (RT) in elderly breast cancer patients.The aim is to study Quality of Life (QL) throughout the treatment and follow-up periods in early stages breast cancer patients who have started radiotherapy, and to compare the QL of axillary surgery groups.Methods173 patients, ≥65 years completed the EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-BR23, and the Interview for Deterioration in Daily Living Activities in Dementia(IDDD) questionnaires three times throughout treatment and follow-up periods. Linear mixed effect models were used to evaluate longitudinal changes in QL, and whether these changes differed among axillary surgery groups.ResultsQL scores were high (>70/100 points) in most QL areas, with moderate limitations (>30) in sexual functioning and enjoyment, future perspective and global QL.In six areas there was a decline at the RT sessions end, that after 6 weeks was recovered. For three areas, there was an improvement in the follow-up measurement compared to the previous assessments. Changes in seven areas were <5 points.Axillary node dissection patients had a body image decrease (6 points) in the follow up period. The lymphadenectomy group had more fatigue (10 points, p = 0.078) than the other two axillary surgery groups.ConclusionsResults orientate towards good patients' adaptation to their disease and treatments, and to administering RT in early stages breast cancer patients. QL differences between the axillary surgery groups and in their evolutions were few but have appeared in key QL areas.     

Investigating the human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected monocyte-derived macrophage secretome

Mononuclear phagocytes (bone marrow monocyte-derived macrophages, alveolar macrophages, perivascular macrophages, and microglia) are reservoirs and vehicles of dissemination for the human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1). How virus alters mononuclear phagocyte immunoregulatory activities to complete its life cycle and influence disease is incompletely understood. In attempts to better understanding the influence of virus on macrophage functions, we used one-dimensional electrophoresis, and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry to analyze the secretome of HIV-1-infected human monocyte-derived macrophages. We identified 110 proteins in culture supernatants of control (uninfected) and virus-infected cells. Differentially expressed cytoskeletal, enzymes, redox, and immunoregulatory protein classes were discovered and validated by Western blot tests. These included, but were not limited to, cystatin C, cystatin B, chitinase 3-like 1 protein, cofilin-1, l-plastin, superoxide dismutase, leukotriene A(4) hydrolase, and alpha-enolase. This study, using a unique proteomics platform, provides novel insights into virus-host cell interactions that likely affect the functional role of macrophages in HIV disease.