Coordinated age-dependent and pancreatic-specific expression of mouse Reg2Reg3α, and Reg3β genes

Reg family proteins such as Reg1 and islet neogenesis-associated protein (INGAP) have long been implicated in the growth and/or neogenesis of pancreatic islet cells. Recent reports further suggest similar roles to be played by new members such as Reg2, Reg3α, and Reg3β. We have studied their age-, isoform-, and tissue-specific expressions. RNA and protein were isolated from C57BL/6 mice aged 7, 30, and 90 days. Using real-time polymerase chain reaction, the levels of Reg gene expression in the pancreas were 20–600-fold higher than that in other tissues (?duodenum>stomach>liver); gene expression of Reg2, Reg3α, and Reg3β was age dependent as it was hardly detectable at day 7, increased drastically at day 30, and significantly decreased at day 90; the levels of pancreatic proteins displayed similar age-dependent variations. Using dual-labeled immunofluorescence, Reg2, Reg3α, and Reg3β were abundantly expressed in most acinar cells of the pancreas, in contrast to INGAP which exhibited stepwise increases from day 7 to day 90 and colocalized with the α-cells. These new Reg genes were mainly expressed in the pancreas, with clear age-dependent and isoform-specific patterns.     

Non-invasive Evaluation of Right Ventricular Function with Real-Time 3-D Echocardiography

The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and feasibility of real-time 3-D echocardiography (3-DE) in assessing right ventricular (RV) systolic function. A latex balloon was inserted into the right ventricle of 20 freshly harvested pig hearts which were then passively driven by a pulsatile pump apparatus. The RV global longitudinal strain (GLS), global circumferential strain (GCS), global area strain (GAS) and RV ejection fraction (RVEF), derived from 3-DE, as well as the RVEF obtained from 2-D echocardiography (2-DE) were quantified at different stroke volumes (30–70 mL) and compared with sonomicrometry data. In all comparisons, 3-D GLS, GCS, GAS, 2-D RVEF and 3-D RVEF exhibited strong correlations with sonomicrometry data (r = 0.89, 0.79, 0.74, 0.80, and 0.93, respectively; all p values < 0.001). Bland–Altman analyses revealed slight overestimations of echo-derived GLS, GCS, 2-DE RVEF and 3-DE RVEF compared with sonomicrometry values (bias = 1.55, 2.72, 3.59 and 2.21, respectively). Furthermore, there is better agreement among GLS, 3-D RVEF and the sonomicrometry values than between GCS and 2-D RVEF. Real-time 3-DE is more feasible and accurate for assessing RV function than 2-DE. GLS is a potential alternative parameter for quantifying RV systolic function.     

Quantified self and human movement: A review on the clinical impact of wearable sensing and feedback for gait analysis and intervention

The proliferation of miniaturized electronics has fueled a shift toward wearable sensors and feedback devices for the mass population. Quantified self and other similar movements involving wearable systems have gained recent interest. However, it is unclear what the clinical impact of these enabling technologies is on human gait. The purpose of this review is to assess clinical applications of wearable sensing and feedback for human gait and to identify areas of future research. Four electronic databases were searched to find articles employing wearable sensing or feedback for movements of the foot, ankle, shank, thigh, hip, pelvis, and trunk during gait. We retrieved 76 articles that met the inclusion criteria and identified four common clinical applications: (1) identifying movement disorders, (2) assessing surgical outcomes, (3) improving walking stability, and (4) reducing joint loading. Characteristics of knee and trunk motion were the most frequent gait parameters for both wearable sensing and wearable feedback. Most articles performed testing on healthy subjects, and the most prevalent patient populations were osteoarthritis, vestibular loss, Parkinson's disease, and post-stroke hemiplegia. The most widely used wearable sensors were inertial measurement units (accelerometer and gyroscope packaged together) and goniometers. Haptic (touch) and auditory were the most common feedback sensations. This review highlights the current state of the literature and demonstrates substantial potential clinical benefits of wearable sensing and feedback. Future research should focus on wearable sensing and feedback in patient populations, in natural human environments outside the laboratory such as at home or work, and on continuous, long-term monitoring and intervention.     

Evaluation of the RIDAGENE real-time PCR assay for the detection of GI and GII norovirus

The current study examined the efficacy of the RIDAGENE norovirus (NoV) real-time polymerase chain reaction assay (R-Biopharm, Darmstadt, Germany) for use in a routine diagnostic laboratory. The RIDAGENE assay had an overall sensitivity of 98% but was more sensitive for GII than GI NoV. The assay had a specificity of 98%. The RIDAGENE assay could detect a variety of GI and GII open reading frame 2 genotypes including GI.1, GI.3, GI.8, GI.13, GII.2, GII.3, GII.4 (including the following variants: 2006b, 2009, 2012, and 3 others that have not been assigned), GII.6, GII.12, and GII.13. The assay did not cross react with a number of gastroenteritis viruses including adenovirus, astrovirus, rotavirus, and sapovirus. The assay was straightforward to perform, and for a run of 50 specimens, a result was obtainable in roughly 4 hours. The RIDAGENE assay can be recommended as a valuable detection method for NoV.     

基于嵌入式的多路肌电信号采集系统的设计

采用直接内存存取(direct memory access,DMA)和双口随机存取存储器(dual-port random access memory,dual-port RAM)相结合的方式设计了基于嵌入式的多路肌电信号采集系统。该系统由现场可编程门阵列(field-programmable gate array,FPGA)控制模数转换器(ADC)器件的采样时序;ARM作为主控器件采用DMA方式的数据采集机制,实现了上下位机的高速通信。本研究给出了数据采集接口设计方案,以及Linux操作系统下的DMA驱动程序和控制指令。实验表明该系统在采集肌电信息的同时对肌电信息进行算法处理并实时传输,明显提升了多路肌电信号采集系统的性能。     

实时超声弹性成像技术对子宫内膜癌浸润子宫肌层的诊断价值研究

目的:探讨实时超声弹性成像技术在诊断子宫内膜癌浸润子宫肌层中的应用价值,以供参考。方法:随机选取2012年2月-2014年10月本院收治的子宫内膜癌浸润子宫肌层患者80例作为研究对象,所有患者均先接受实时超声弹性成像技术进行诊断,并按其诊断子宫肌层浸润程度结果分为两组,一组为浅肌层浸润,另一组为深肌层浸润。诊断后,对两组患者进行手术治疗,将患者的诊断结果与术后病理结果进行比较、分析,以此观察实时超声弹性成像技术在诊断子宫内膜癌浸润子宫肌层中的敏感度和准确度。结果:实时超声弹性成像技术的诊断结果与术后病理结果比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。其中,实时超声弹性成像技术对浅肌层浸润组的灵敏度为61.25%,准确度为93.33%;对深肌层浸润组的灵敏度为38.75%,准确度为91.18%。结论:实时超声弹性成像技术在诊断子宫内膜癌浸润子宫肌层中,有肯定的应用价值,并且其诊断准确率较高,值得在临床中推广。     

Evaluation of VIASURE Sexually Transmitted Diseases Real Time PCR Detection kit (CerTest Biotec) for the diagnostic of sexually transmitted infections

IntroductionSexually transmitted infections (STIs) are common in our environment, and trends have been increasing in the last few years. Different methods for STIs diagnosis have been applied by microbiology laboratories over years, but real-time PCR has improved this process. Our objective was to evaluate VIASURE Sexually Transmitted Diseases Real-Time PCR Detection kit (CerTestBiotec, S.L.) comparing with the real-time PCR technique used in our laboratory (Allplex? STI7 Essential Assay, Seegene) which was considered as reference assay.MethodsA total of 948 samples from different sites (vaginal, endocervical, urethral, rectal, pharyngeal swabs and urine samples) were analyzed from July to September 2018.ResultsA discordant result was obtained in 4.5% (43 samples). These discrepancies were mainly observed in threshold cycle (Ct) value next to the limit of detection. The k coefficient obtained shows a very high agreement between both methods with k values from 0.92 to 0.99.ConclusionsVIASURE Sexually Transmitted Diseases Real-Time PCR Detection kit provides a very good correlation with Allplex STI7 and therefore, it's a good tool for the diagnostic of STIs. Positive results with Ct value obtained from 35 and low amplification signal should be applied with caution and should be interpreted based on the patient's clinical data.     

实时超声弹性成像技术结合TI-RADS标准在甲状腺结节性质鉴别诊断中的应用价值

目的 探讨实时超声弹性成像技术(UE)结合TI-RADS标准在甲状腺结节性质鉴别诊断中的应用价值。方法 选取2015年1月至2016年12月于我院超声科检出的125例甲状腺结节患者作为研究对象。所有患者均经手术及病理证实为甲状腺结节并明确结节性质,共发现190处结节,根据结节直径将所有结节分为<1cm组与≥1cm组,患者均接受常规超声以及UE检查,参考甲状腺影像学报告及数据系统(TI-RADS)以及弹性评分评估结节的性质,构建UE、TI-RADS的工作特征曲线,评估单纯TI-RADS、单纯UE、二者联合对甲状腺结节性质的鉴别诊断价值。 结果 UE诊断甲状腺结节的灵敏度与准确度明显高于TI-RADS,二者联合诊断的灵敏度、特异度、准确度均明显高于单纯应用UE、TI-RADS;<1cm组中UE诊断准确率高于TI-RADS,但在≥1cm组中TI-RADS诊断准确率高于UE;UE构建的ROC曲线下面积明显大于TI-RADS,联合后构建的ROC曲线SAUC明显高于单纯UE、TI-RADS组(P<0.05)。 结论 UE结合TI-RADS标准对甲状腺良恶性结节的鉴别诊断具有较高的准确性,诊断效能高,通过UE结合TI-RADS可相互弥补单一技术在鉴别诊断应用中的缺陷与不足,具有较好的临床应用及推广价值。