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Background Previous mass screening studies have shown that IgA antibodies against Epstein–Barr Virus (EBV) can facilitate early detection of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), but the impact of EBV-antibody screening for NPC-specific mortality remains unknown. Patients and methods A prospective, cluster randomized, controlled trial for NPC screening (PRO-NPC-001) was conducted in 3 selected towns of Zhongshan City and 13 selected towns of Sihui City in southern China beginning in 2008. Serum samples of the screening group were tested for two previously selected anti-EBV antibodies. Subjects with serological medium risk were subsequently retested annually for 3 years, and those with serological high risk were referred to otorhinolaryngologists for diagnostic check-up. An interim analysis was carried out to evaluate the primary end points of the NPC-specific mortality and the early diagnostic rate, and the secondary end point of the NPC incidence, through linkage with the database of Zhongshan City. Results Among 70 296 total subjects, 29 413 screened participants (41.8% of the total subjects) in the screening group and 50 636 in the control group, 153 (43.3 per 100 000 person-year), 62 (55.3 per 100 000 person-year) and 99 (33.1 per 100 000 person-year) NPC cases were identified. The early diagnostic rates of NPC were significantly higher in the participants (79.0%, P  < 0.0001) and the screening group (45.9%, P  < 0.0001) compared with the control group (20.6%). Although no differences were found between NPC-specific mortality of the screening group and the control group [relative risk (RR)= 0.82, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.37–1.79], lower NPC-specific mortality was noticed among participants from the screening group versus the control group (RR = 0.22, 95% CI 0.09–0.49). Conclusion IgA antibodies against EBV can identify high-risk population and was effective in screening for early asymptomatic NPC. Although the mortality reduction was not significant in the primary end point, we noted encouraging evidence of a mortality reduction in screening participants in this interim analysis. Clinical trial number NCT00941538. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore the diagnostic value of chromosome karyotype analysis, chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) and whole exome sequencing (WES) in microcephaly. Methods: A total of 9 cases of microcephaly fetuses diagnosed by prenatal ultrasound or children with microcephaly diagnosed after birth were selected from the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University from January 2014 to August 2022.Karyotype analysis and/or CMA were used to detect. The cases with negative karyotype analysis and CMA results were further sequenced by trio-based WES (Trio-WES). Then the coding genes contained in the pathogenic copy number variation (CNV) fragments were analyzed by gene ontology (GO) enrichment. The genes related to the development of the central nervous system contained in the pathogenic CNV and the pathogenic genes found by Trio-WES were combined for gene interaction network analysis. Results: In this study, 9 cases of microcephaly were recruited, with the time of diagnosis ranged from 23 weeks of gestation to 7 years after birth, and the head circumference of fetus or children ranged from 18.3 to 42.5 cm (-7SD to -2SD). Karyotype analysis was detected in all 9 cases and no abnormality result was found. Eight cases were detected by CMA, and one abnormal was found. Five cases were detected by Trio-WES, and two cases were detected with likely pathogenic genes. The GO enrichment analysis of the coding gene in the 4p16.3 microdeletion (pathogenic CNV) region showed that: in biological process, it was mainly concentrated in phototransduction, visible light; in terms of molecular function, it was mainly concentrated in fibroblast growth factor binding; in terms of cell components, it was mainly concentrated in rough endoplasmic reticulum. Gene interaction network analysis suggested that CDC42 gene could interact with CTBP1, HTT and ASPM gene. Conclusions: CMA could be used as a first-line detection technique for microcephaly. When the results of chromosome karyotype analysis and/or CMA are negative, Trio-WES could improve the detection rate of pathogenicity of microcephaly.

Objective: To explore the application value of chromosome karyotype analysis, chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) and whole exome sequencing (WES) in prenatal diagnosis of isolated corpus callosum abnormality (CCA) fetus. Methods: Fetuses diagnosed with isolated CCA by ultrasound and MRI and receiving invasive prenatal diagnosis in Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center and Qingyuan People's Hospital from January 2010 to April 2021 were selected. Karyotype analysis and/or CMA [or copy number variation sequencing (CNV-seq)] were performed on all fetal samples, and WES was performed on fetal samples and their parents whose karyotype analysis and/or CMA (or CNV-seq) results were not abnormal. Results: Among 65 fetuses with isolated CCA, 38 cases underwent karyotype analysis, and 3 cases were detected with abnormal karyotypes, with a detection rate of 8% (3/38). A total of 49 fetuses with isolated CCA underwent CMA (or CNV-seq) detection, and 6 cases of pathogenic CNV were detected, the detection rate was 12% (6/49). Among them, the karyotype analysis results were abnormal, and the detection rate of further CMA detection was 1/1. The karyotype results were normal, and the detection rate of further CMA (or CNV-seq) detection was 14% (3/21). The detection rate of CMA as the first-line detection technique was 7% (2/27). A total of 25 fetuses with isolated CCA with negative results of karyotyping and/or CMA were tested by WES, and 9 cases (36%, 9/25) were detected with pathogenic genes. The gradient genetic diagnosis of chromosomal karyotyping, CMA and WES resulted in a definite genetic diagnosis of 26% (17/65) of isolated CCA fetuses. Conclusions: Prenatal genetic diagnosis of isolated CCA fetuses is of great clinical significance. The detection rate of CMA is higher than that of traditional karyotyping. CMA detection could be used as a first-line detection technique for fetuses with isolated CCA. WES could increase the pathogenicity detection rate of fetuses with isolated CCA when karyotype analysis and/or CMA test results are negative.

We report herein a case of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) with cavoportal hemitransposition. The patient underwent OLT for hepatitis B virus-related cirrhosis with diffused portomesenteric vein thrombosis (PVT). The unique feature of this case was that 1 month after the operation, because of extensive thrombosis of the portal vein and vena cava in the allografted liver, the hepatic artery was the only vessel to supply the liver. Percutaneous pulse spray thrombolysis through a femoral vein access was incompletely successful with the result that the cavoportal anastomosis stoma occluded and the allografted liver was supplied only by the hepatic artery; the portal vein served no function. Yet the patient survived and was eventually discharged in good condition with normal liver and kidney functions. The patient is alive and well with persistent normalization of hepatic function during 1.5 years follow-up.

Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) induced human neutrophils (Neu) aggregation with thromboxane B2/prostaglandin E2 formation and lysozyme release, enhanced platelet aggregation and/or serotonin release caused by threshold concentrations of calcimycin or ADP, and increased Neu adherence to human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Some of its actions were inhibited by quercetin and cobra venom. These results indicate that LTB4 possesses pharmacological effects on blood cells as well as on endothelial cells, and would be useful for searching new type of anti-inflammatory drugs.

A monoclonal antibody specific for alpha-granule membrane protein (GMP-140) of platelets was used to evaluate the platelet activation degree in 16 cases with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and 14 cases with unstable angina (UA). The number of GMP-140 molecules on platelet surface reached the highest 48 hours after AMI attack and returned to baseline at the seventh day. The concentration of GMP-140 in plasma began to increase at the first day and decreased to normal at the tenth day. The degree of platelet activation in patients with UA is less than that of AMI.

Circulatory crisis, attributed to cigarette smoking, in three microvascular cases (two toe transfers, one musculocutaneous flap) is reported. After anticoagulation and antispasm treatment only one transfer survived. Coordinated experimental studies in the rat demonstrated that cigarette smoking delayed anastomotic healing. Five days after anastomoses were performed, endothelial cells completely covered the sutures in the experimental smoking group in only 16-19% of sutures, while the control group had a 75% coverage rate. Mechanisms and characteristics of circulatory crisis caused by cigarette smoking are discussed.

Safflower yellow (SY) is a mixture of chalconoid compounds extracted from Carthamus tinctorius L. Ig SY 1-2 g.kg-1.d-1 lowered the blood pressure of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), for about 1.86-3.86 kPa. Five weeks after administration of SY, the plasma renin activity and angiotensin II level diminished in the SHR experimental groups. These suggest that the decrease of blood pressure is mediated by the renin-angiotensin system.

Safflower yellow (SY) extracted from Carthamus tinctorius L contained chalconoid compounds, 75% of which was safflomin A. SY ip 50-450 mg.kg-1.d-1 x 6-8 d in mice decreased serum lysozyme concentration and phagocytosing functions of both peritoneal macrophages and peripheral leukocytes; diminished the production of plaque forming cells, specific rosette forming cells, and antibody; inhibited delayed type hypersensitivity reaction and the activation of T suppressor cells elicited by supraoptimal immunization. Experiments in vitro showed inhibitory effects on [3H]TdR incorporation during human peripheral T- and B-lymphocyte proliferation by SY 0.03-3.0, 0.1-2.0 mg.ml-1 respectively, murine mixed lymphocyte culture response and the production of interleukin-2 by SY 0.1-2.5 mg.ml-1. In conclusion, SY produced declines in both nonspecific and specific immune functions.