Validation of a single specimen pneumatic tube system in the clinical laboratory.

The single-specimen pneumatic tube (PTS) is a commonly used rapid specimen delivery system in modern clinical laboratories. However, its impact on sample integrity and laboratory test results remains controversial. The installation and configuration of single-specimen PTS are unique to their institution.

Identification of Urinary Exosomal miRNAs for the Non-Invasive Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer.

Background: Novel and non-invasive biomarkers with higher sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa) is urgently needed. In this study, we used next-generation sequencing (NGS) to characterize the genome-wide exosomal miRNA expression profiling in urine specimens and explored the diagnostic potential of urinary exosomal miRNAs for PCa.

Methods: Urinary exosomal microRNA expression profiling was performed by next-generation sequencing (NGS) and then validated by quantitative real-time PCR.

Prevalences and characteristics of cultivable nasal bacteria isolated from preclinical medical students.

Objectives: Commensal bacteria in the nasal cavity may act as opportunistic pathogens that cause infections under certain conditions. Screening for commensal bacteria in the nasal cavity may aid in understanding their roles in microbiota balance and preventing potential infections.

Methods: Nasal samples were collected from healthy preclinical medical students and used to inoculate various bacterial culture media, by means of the WaspLab microbiology automated system.

[Comparison of Efficacy between Thrombelastography and Conventional Coagulation Tests and Analysis of Their Correlation for Patients with Abnormal Coagulation Function].

Objective: To assess the coagulation state of patients with abnormal coagulation function by thrombelastography (TEG) and conventional coagulation tests (CCT) and to estimate their correlations in determining the blood coagulation.

Methods: A total of 150 patients with abnormal coagulation function were enrolled, standard coagulation tests were assessed for the patients. At the same time, the thrombelastographic test was performed with TEG after sample recalcification with kaolin activator.

Exosomal miR-141-3p regulates osteoblast activity to promote the osteoblastic metastasis of prostate cancer.

Exosomes from cancer cells, which contain microRNA and reach metastasis loci prior to cancer cells, stimulate the formation of a metastatic microenvironment. Previous studies have shown that exosomal miR-141-3p is associated with metastatic prostate cancer (PCa). However, the role and regulatory mechanism of miR-141-3p in the microenvironment of bone metastases require further study.

The role of CD147 expression in prostate cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: There are a number of studies which show that expression of CD147 is increased significantly in prostate cancer (PCa). However, conflicting conclusions have also been reported by other researchers lately. In order to arrive at a clear conclusion, a meta-analysis of eligible studies was conducted.

ABCA7 Genotypes Confer Alzheimer's Disease Risk by Modulating Amyloid-β Pathology.

ABCA7 gene has been identified as a strong genetic locus for Alzheimer's disease (AD) susceptibility in genome wide association studies (GWAS). However, the possible roles of ABCA7 variants in AD pathology were not specifically assessed. Using tagger methods, we extracted 15 targeted ABCA7 loci to investigate their associations with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and neuroimaging markers in Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) dataset.

Bridging Integrator 1 (BIN1) Genotypes Mediate Alzheimer's Disease Risk by Altering Neuronal Degeneration.

Background: Bridging integrator 1 (BIN1) has been identified as one of the most associated loci for Alzheimer's disease (AD), and recently was reported to modulate tau pathology to mediate AD in vitro. However, the effects of BIN1 on the AD related biomarkers in AD continuum were not specifically assessed.

Objective: We explored the effects of BIN1 loci on AD specific biomarkers (CSF proteins, brain structures, glucose and amyloid-β (Aβ) metabolisms) to investigate the role BIN1 in AD pathogenesis.

Exosomal microRNA-141 is upregulated in the serum of prostate cancer patients.

Purpose: Novel biomarkers for the diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa) are urgently required. Increasing evidence suggests that exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) in serum may be potential noninvasive biomarkers for certain diseases. The objective of the present study was to investigate and assess whether exosomal miR-141 is an effective biomarker for human PCa.

Common Variants in PLD3 and Correlation to Amyloid-Related Phenotypes in Alzheimer's Disease.

The phospholipase D3 (PLD3) gene has shown association with Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the role of PLD3 common variants in amyloid-β (Aβ) pathology remains unclear. We examined the association of thirteen common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Aβ(1- 42) levels and florbetapir retention on florbetapir 18F amyloid positron emission tomography (AV45-PET) in a large population.

Multiple Effect of APOE Genotype on Clinical and Neuroimaging Biomarkers Across Alzheimer's Disease Spectrum.

The apolipoprotein E ε4 (APOE ε4) allele is the most important genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD); however, the underlying mechanisms responsible for it remain controversial. We used the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database to examine the influence of APOE ε4 dose on clinical and neuroimaging biomarkers across the AD spectrum (from cognitive normal to AD patients with severe cognitive impairment). A total of 1718 participants from the ADNI cohort were selected, and we evaluated the impact of ε4 dose on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels' Abeta1-42 (Aβ1-42), tau, and phosphorylated-tau (p-tau); cortical amyloid deposition (Florbetapir-PET-AV45); brain atrophy (MRI); brain metabolism (FDG-PET); hippocampal metabolism; and cognitive declines, through different cognitive subgroups.

The effect of thalassemia on erythrocyte reference intervals in a representative Han Chinese adult population.

Background: The data from apparently healthy individuals with thalassemia has been demonstrated to have an effect on the reference intervals for the erythrocyte indices in areas with a high incidence of thalassemia.

Methods: Six clinical centers screened apparently healthy individuals using a questionnaire and a physical examination. Then, the qualified reference individuals were selected by hematological indices and a genotypic thalassemia diagnosis.

Differential expression of microRNAs in postoperative radiotherapy sensitive and resistant patients with glioblastoma multiforme.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most malignant primary brain tumor and more resistant to radiotherapy. However, hetero-radiosensitivity occurs in different patients. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in the initiation and progression of a multitude of tumors.

Association between NME8 locus polymorphism and cognitive decline, cerebrospinal fluid and neuroimaging biomarkers in Alzheimer's disease.

Recently, a large meta-analysis of five genome wide association studies (GWAS) identified a novel locus (rs2718058) adjacent to NME8 that played a preventive role in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, this link between the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs2718058 and the pathology of AD have not been mentioned yet. Therefore, this study assessed the strength of association between the NME8 rs2718058 genotypes and AD-related measures including the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) amyloid beta, tau, P-tau concentrations, neuroimaging biomarkers and cognitive performance, in a large cohort from Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database.

Comparison of three luminescent immunoassays for hepatitis B virus surface antigen quantification during the natural history of chronic hepatitis B virus infection.

Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) quantification has garnered attention because of its high predictive value in determining treatment responses. The HBsAg quantification assays, such as Architect and Elecsys, are commercially available, and more assays are in development. We aimed to compare the results of the Architect and Elecsys assays with those of a new assay, WTultra.

Ghrelin alleviates early brain injury after subarachnoid hemorrhage via the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Early brain injury (EBI) plays a key role in the pathogenesis of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Although the neuroprotective effects of ghrelin have been demonstrated in several studies, whether ghrelin reduces EBI after SAH remains unknown. In this study, we hypothesized that treatment with ghrelin would attenuate EBI after SAH, and that this protection would be mediated, at least in part, by activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Effect of EPHA1 genetic variation on cerebrospinal fluid and neuroimaging biomarkers in healthy, mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease cohorts.

Ephrin type-A receptor 1 (EPHA1) (11771145) was documented to be one of the most strongly associated locus with Alzheimer's disease (AD) in a recent meta-analysis of five genome wide association studies. However, its contribution to the pathogenesis of AD remains unclear to date. Here, we addressed the role of EPHA1 in AD by investigating the influence of EPHA1 on cerebrospinal fluid and neuroimaging biomarkers in three clinical stages from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database.

Correlation between serum IGF-1 and blood lead level in short stature children and adolescent with growth hormone deficiency.

Unlabelled: This study aimed to investigate correlation between serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and blood lead level in short stature children with growth hormone deficiency (GHD), and IGF-1 signal molecules were investigated in lead exposed rats. Our findings may provide evidence for clarifying pathogenesis of lead induced short stature in children.

Methods: 880 short stature children were recruited from clinics and divided into GHD group and idiopathic short stature (ISS) group according to the GH peak in growth hormone stimulation test.

Clinical application and evaluation of Sysmex XE-5000 analyser for detecting nucleated red blood cells in peripheral blood.

Background: To evaluate the performance of Sysmex XE-5000 analyser for detecting nucleated red blood cells (NRBCs) in peripheral blood and investigate the clinical application of this analyser.

Methods: The absolute NRBC counts (NRBC#) and percentage (NRBC%) of 137 blood specimens (NRBC-positive according to the DIFF channel of the analyser) were determined in the NRBC channel of the analyser. The intra-assay imprecision, carryover rate, and linear range of the analyser were evaluated.

Diagnostic accuracy of intracellular mycobacterium tuberculosis detection for tuberculous meningitis.

Rationale: Early diagnosis and treatment of tuberculous meningitis saves lives, but current laboratory diagnostic tests lack sensitivity.

Objectives: We investigated whether the detection of intracellular bacteria by a modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain and early secretory antigen target (ESAT)-6 in cerebrospinal fluid leukocytes improves tuberculous meningitis diagnosis.

Methods: Cerebrospinal fluid specimens from patients with suspected tuberculous meningitis were stained by conventional Ziehl-Neelsen stain, a modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain involving cytospin slides with Triton processing, and an ESAT-6 immunocytochemical stain.

Investigation on reference intervals and regional differences of platelet indices in healthy Chinese Han adults.

Background: Reference intervals are important for interpretation of clinical laboratory tests. The platelet (PLT) indices such as the mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet distribution width (PDW) are newer hematological parameters, which have been recently reported as clinically valuable biomarkers. However, there are not many studies that have estimated the reference intervals for these parameters in healthy Chinese Han adults.

In vitro drug resistance of clinical isolated Brucella against antimicrobial agents.

Objective: To explore the antibiotic resistance of Brucella melitensis and instruct rational use of antimicrobial agents in clinical treatment of Brucella infection.

Methods: Bacteria were cultured and identified by BACTEC9120 and VITEK II automicrobic system. E-test was used to detect the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of antimicrobial agents in the drug susceptivity experiment.

[Transcriptional activities of tumor-specific survivin promoter and PSMA promoter and enhancer in human prostate cancer: evaluation and comparison].

Objective: To detect and compare the transcriptional activities of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) promoter and enhancer and survivin promoter in different human prostate cancer cell lines, and to search for some evidence for the targeting gene therapy of human prostate cancer.

Methods: The fragments of the PSMA promoter and enhancer and survivin promoter were amplified by PCR and inserted into pGL3-Basic. The recombinant plasmids were transiently transfected into human prostate cancer cell lines and normal Chang liver cells, and, their transcriptional activities in various cells were determined by measuring the expression of luciferase.

[Effects of TFDP3 on regulating the autophagy and apoptosis of LNCaP cells].

Aim: To investigate the effect of TFDP3 on prostate cancer cell line LNCaP by transgenic method, and to explore the effect of TFDP3 on regulating the autophay and apoptosis by co-regulation with E2F1.

Methods: LNCaP cells were transfected with pcDNA3.1-TFDP3, pCMV-E2F1-HA or pcDNA3.