应用GeneXpert MTB/RIF对肺外结核的快速检测及评估

目的 评估GeneXpert MTB/RIF检测肺外结核分枝杆菌的准确性,并与传统方法进行比较。 方法 选取2016年6月至2017年6月在本院就诊的144例疑似肺外结核病患者,对所有标本分别进行金胺“O”荧光染色镜检、液体培养及药敏试验、固体培养及比例法体外药敏试验和Xpert法检测。 结果 收集的144例疑似肺外结核标本中,确诊108例,以胸水、淋巴结活检和脓液感染较多,另36例阴性患者中,10例为非结核分枝杆菌感染。Xpert试验的敏感性为28.73%,特异性为96.00%,其阳性预测值和阴性预测值均高于其他3种检测方法。在阳性检出率方面,Xpert试验高于涂片镜检(χ2=17.39,P2=8.64,P2=2.56,P>0.05)。固体培养、液体培养和Xpert试验3种方法对结核分枝杆菌利福平耐药率检测差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),耐药率分别为8.33%、9.68%和11.11%,且Xpert试验方法检测出2株耐多药结核分枝杆菌,平均耗时2.5 h。 结论 GeneXpert MTB/RIF可以作为一种筛选及快速检测工具应用于肺外结核的诊断,同时可作为检测MDR TB的一种指标。     

Three research priorities for just and sustainable urban systems: Now is the time to refocus

Now is the time to refocus efforts in urban research and design. A changing climate and extreme weather events are presenting unique challenges to urban systems around the world. These challenges illuminate the social barriers that accompany disruptive events such as resource inequities and injustices. In this perspective, we provide three research priorities for just and sustainable urban systems that help to address these matters. The three research priorities are: (1) social equity and justice, (2) circularity, and (3) digital twins. Conceptual context and future research directions are provided for each. For social equity and justice, the future directions are mandatory equity analysis and inclusionary practices, understanding and reconciling historical injustices, and intentional integration with diverse community stakeholders. For circularity applications, they are better metrics for integration, more robust evaluation frameworks, and dynamic modeling at multiple spatial and temporal scales. Future directions for digital twins include developing principles to reduce complexity, integrating model and system components, and reducing barriers to data access. These research priorities are core to meeting several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (i.e., 1—No Poverty, 8—Decent Work and Economic Growth, 10—Reduced Inequalities, and 11—Sustainable Cities and Communities). Useful social and technical matters are discussed throughout, where we highlight the importance of prioritizing localized research efforts, provide guidance for community-engaged research and co-development practices, and explain how these priorities interact to align with the evolving field of industrial ecology.     

Comparative embryogenesis of Mecoptera and Lepidoptera with special reference to the abdominal prolegs

The eruciform larvae of holometabolous insects are primarily characterized by bearing a varying number of abdominal prolegs in addition to three pairs of thoracic legs. However, whether the prolegs are evolutionarily homologous among different insect orders is still a disputable issue. We examined the embryonic features and histological structure of the prolegs of the scorpionfly Panorpa byersi Hua and Huang (Mecoptera: Panorpidae) and the Oriental armyworm Mythimna separata (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) to investigate whether the prolegs are homologous between these two holometabolous insect orders. In the scorpionfly, paired lateral process primordia arise on abdominal segments I–VIII (A1–A8) in line with the thoracic legs in early embryonic stages, but degenerate into triangular protuberances in later stages, and paired medial processes appear along the midventral line before dorsal closure and eventually develop into unjointed, cone‐shaped prolegs. Histological observation showed that the lumina of the prolegs are not continuous with the hemocoel, differing distinctly from that of the basic appendicular plan of thoracic legs. These results suggest that the prolegs are likely secondary outgrowths in Mecoptera. In the armyworm, lateral process primordia appear on A1–A10 in alignment with the thoracic legs in the early embryonic stages, although only the rudiments on A3–A6 and A10 develop into segmented prolegs with the lumina continuous with the hemocoel and others degenerate eventually, suggesting that the prolegs are true segmental appendages serially homologous with the thoracic legs in Lepidoptera. Therefore, we conclude that the larval prolegs are likely not evolutionarily homologous between Mecoptera and Lepidoptera. J. Morphol. 277:585–593, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

EP300 contributes to high-altitude adaptation in Tibetans by regulating nitric oxide production

The genetic adaptation of Tibetans to high altitude hypoxia likely involves a group of genes in the hypoxic pathway,as suggested by earlier studies.To test the adaptive role of the previously reported candidate gene EP300 (histone acetyltransferase p300),we conducted resequencing of a 108.9 kb gene region of EP300 in 80 unrelated Tibetans.The allele-frequency and haplotype-based neutrality tests detected signals of positive Darwinian selection on EP300 in Tibetans,with a group of variants showing allelic divergence between Tibetans and lowland reference populations,including Han Chinese,Europeans,and Africans.Functional prediction suggested the involvement of multiple EP300 variants in gene expression regulation.More importantly,genetic association tests in 226 Tibetans indicated significant correlation of the adaptive EP300 variants with blood nitric oxide (NO) concentration.Collectively,we propose that EP300 harbors adaptive variants in Tibetans,which might contribute to high-altitude adaptation through regulating NO production.     

An efficient protocol for stimulating cell development in protoplast culture of S<Emphasis Type=Italic>caevola</Emphasis>

Scaevola, characterised by unique fan-shaped flowers, is an Australian endemic ornamental having a great commercial potential. The breeding of Scaevola however is limited due to poor seed germination, therefore it is critical to understand the embryogenesis in Scaevola so as to facilitate its breeding improvement programs. Direct differentiation of embryo structures was first reported here in mesophyll protoplast cultures of Scaevola aemula. The isolated protoplasts initiated cell division when cultured in KM or MS medium. Higher plating efficiencies were observed in the medium containing a combination of NAA and BAP in contrast to 2,4-D and BAP. The formation of globular embryo structures was successfully achieved. This protoplast culture system can be utilized as an experimental platform for the study of embryogenic differentiation of cells. It may open new vistas to investigate the seed development at molecular and cellular levels in Scaevola and related Australian native plants that are well known for their low seed viability and germination.     

IGF-1 Reduces BACE-1 Expression in PC12 Cells via Activation of PI3-K/Akt and MAPK/ERK1/2 Signaling Pathways

Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) stimulates α-secretase processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP) and decreases Aβ production. Little is known about the relationship between IGF-1 and β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE-1), the protease essential for the production of β-amyloid peptides (Aβ). Here, we investigated the effect of IGF-1 on BACE-1 in PC12 cells. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis and western blot showed that treatment of cells with IGF-1 significantly decreased the levels of BACE-1 mRNA and protein. Furthermore, IGF-1 increased the phosphorylation of Akt and ERK1/2. The presence of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K) inhibitor LY294002 and the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinases (MEK) inhibitor PD98059 blocked the effect of IGF-1 on BACE-1. Our data indicated that IGF-1-induced reduction of BACE-1 might involve the PI3-K/Akt and MAPK/ERK1/2 signaling pathways.     

Quantitative assessment of the tetracycline resistance gene pool in cheese samples by real-time TaqMan PCR

A TaqMan real-time PCR assay was developed to quantify the tetS gene pool present in retail cheeses. This protocol offers a rapid, specific, sensitive, and culture-independent method for assessing antibiotic resistance genes in food samples rich in fats and proteins.     

术中静脉不向剂量右美托咪啶对全髋置换术患者术后患者芬太尼静脉自控镇痛效果的影响

目的：观察气管内全身麻醉下行全髋置换术患者,术中静脉应用不同剂量右美托咪定对术后芬太尼静脉自控镇痛效果的影响及相关不良反应发生的情况。方法：选择择期在气管内全麻下行全髋置换术的患者60 例,ASA Ⅰ ～Ⅱ级,年龄47～78 岁,体重42～79 kg。患者随机分组法分为3 组（n=20）：C 组（盐水对照组）、D1 组（右美托咪定0.5 μg/kg 组）和D2 组（右美托咪定1 μg/kg组）,在手术结束前约1 小时按分组分别给予生理盐水和右美托咪啶,术后镇痛使用芬太尼静脉自控镇痛24 h。记录患者术后2h、2～6 h、6～12 h、12～24 h芬太尼的用量;VAS 评分法评估患者术前、术后2 h、6 h、12 h、24 h 时的疼痛程度;记录镇痛期间恶心呕吐、皮肤瘙痒及过度镇静等不良反应发生的情况。结果：术后2h 和术后2～6 h芬太尼用量D1组和D2 组较C 组减少（P＜0.05）,但D1组和D2 组之间比较无差异（P＞0.05）;而术后6～12 和12～24 h三组患者芬太尼用量无差异（P＞0.05）。术后2 h、2～6 hVAS评分D1 组和D2 组较C组减少（P＜0.05）,而D1组和D2 组之间比较无差异（P＞0.05）;术后6～12、12～24 h三组患者VAS 评分无差异（P＞0.05）。与C 组比较,D1 组和D2 组镇痛期间恶心呕吐发生率降低（P＜0.05）,余不良反应各组之间比较无差异（P＞0.05）。结论：气管内全身麻醉下行全髋置换术的患者,术中静脉应用右美托咪啶可在术后6 h内增强芬太尼镇痛的效果减少芬太尼的用量,但增大剂量效果并不增加而作用时间也不延长。