Objective To evaluate the value of endothelial function of brachial artery in predicting coronary artery disease in elderly patients. Methods Flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD)and nitroglycerin mediated dilation (NMD) were measured by high-frequency ultrasound in 98 patients with coronary artery disease and 37 controls. All the subjects were diagnosed by coronary arteriography. They were divided into coronary artery blockages ＜ 50% subgroup, 50%-75%subgroup, ＞75% subgroup or coronary blockages in 0, 1, 2, 3 branch (es) subgroups. The correlations between FMD or NMD and the pathological extent or branches of coronary artery were studied and the predictive value of FMD and NMD were analyzed with ROC curve. Results In coronary artery disease group, FMD and NMD were significantly decreased as compared with the control group. They were closely related with coronary artery disease (r= -0. 54, -0. 52, P＜0.01), and were weakly correlated with severity and range of coronary arterial lesion (P＜0. 01).With ROC curve analysis, FMD and NMD could be used to predict coronary artery disease.Conclusions Endothelial function can be used as an index to predict coronary artery disease.

Objective: To screen out DNA binding proteins specifically recognizing CpG immunostimulatory sequence (ISS) for further investigating the molecular mechanisms of ISS. Methods: Yeast one hybrid system was adapted in screening a human bone marrow cDNA library using 4 copies of ISS as bait. The ISS binding activity of the positive clone was confirmed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). Results: Four dual positive colonies were obtained, two of them encoded proteins with unknown functions. The other 2 encoded light chains of immunoglobulin with amino sequences homology to anti DNA Ab and HBsAb respectively. EMSA showed HBsAb specifically bound to CpG ODN at pH6.4 and pH 5.8. Conclusion: HBsAb may have ISS specific DNA binding activity.

Objective To compare the therapeutic effect of Pilates and conventional training after total hip arthroplasty (THA).Methods Fifty-eight patients who had undergone minimally invasive total hip replacement surgery were divided into an observation group (n =29) and a control group (n =29) using a random number table.The observation group was given Pilates rehabilitation training,including a series of exercises especially designed for this condition,for 6 months after the operation.The control group was provided with conventional postoperative rehabilitation training including passive range of motion exercise,balance training,etc.,lasting for 1 to 2 months in hospital,followed by self-training after discharge.At 1 month,3 months and 6 months after the operation hip joint function was evaluated in both groups using the Harris hip score and the modified Barthel index (MBI).The time for first out-of-bed activity after the operation,length of hospital stay and postoperative complications of the two groups were also recorded.Results At 1 month after the operation,the average Harris hip score and MBI score of the observation group were significantly better than those of the control group [(59.78 ± 6.22) vs (51.26 ± 3.42) and (52.56 ± 16.67) vs (45.63 ± 15.24),respectively].Two and 4 months later,in the observation group the average Harris hip score had improved significantly to (82.12 ± 3.32) and further to (91.42 ± 5.91),while the MBI score increased significantly to (58.39 ± 13.32) and (81.17 ± 13.87).The same tendency was observed in the control group and at those two time points no significant difference was observed between the observation group and the control group.The patients in the observation group had their first out-of-bed ambulation significantly earlier,a significantly shorter average hospital stay and significantly fewer postoperative complications.Conclusion Pilates training after minimally invasive THA can promote earlier and quicker functional recovery than conventional rehabilitation training.

Objective To evaluate the application of cough reflex testing with various concentrations of citric acid for dysphagia post stroke. Methods 20 normal controls (NC), 20 stroke patients with dysphagia (SD) and 20 stroke patients without dysphagia (SND) were tested with cough reflex inhalated 4 kinds of dosage of citric acid: 0.2 mol/L, 0.4 mol/L, 0.6 mol/L and 0.8 mol/L. Results The incidence of pass (coughed twice or more) decreased in the SD compared with those in the NC as inhalated citric acid of 0.2 mol/L and 0.4 mol/L (P< 0.05), and decreased under 0.4 mol/L compared with the SND (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the SND and the NC (P>0.05). 90% of the NC passed as inhalated citric acid of 0.4 mol/L; however, it was 45% in the SD, and increased when they inhalated more dosage of citric acid (P<0.05). The incidence of pass decreased under 0.2 mol/L citric acid in the SND compared with other concentration (P<0.05). The result of the test was reliable interrater (κ=0.97). The incidence of cough was consistent of 96.8% with the same concentration. No asthma and asphyxia was observed. Conclusion Cough reflex testing with citric acid inhalation can be used to assess the defensive function of airway in lower concentration for dysphagia after stroke.

Firstly, We used error-prone PCR to induce mutations on Armillariella tabescens MAN47 beta-mannanase gene, Secondly, we cloned the mutated fragments into secreted expression vector pYCalpha, Then the recombinant plasmids were transformed into Saccharomyces cerevisiae BJ5465 after amplified and extracted in DH5alpha cells. Through three cycles of error-prone PCR we built a mutant database, Then we screened one optimum (named M262) from about 104 mutants. The evoluted MAN47 beta-mannanase displayed both higher thermal stability and activity than wide type. The evoluted enzyme M262 retained high activity after treatment at 80 degrees C for 30 min, whereas, the wild type nearly lost activity under this condition. Meanwhile, the activity of M262 can reach to 25 U/mL, which is 4.3 times as wide type under optimum temperature. In addition, pH stability and pH range of evoluted enzyme M262 were both improved compared with wild-type enzyme. The optimum pH was estimated to be similar to that of wild-type enzyme. The sequence comparison illustrated that there were three nucleotide substitutions (T343A/C827T/T1139C) which carried corresponding amino acid changes (Ser115Thr/Thr276Met/Val380Ala). According to homologous modeling by SWISS-MODEL Repository, three mutated amino acids located at the sixth amino acid of the fourth beta-sheet, the first amino acid of the sixth alpha-helix, the turn between the tenth and eleventh beta-sheet, respectively.
Armillaria ; classification ; enzymology ; genetics ; Directed Molecular Evolution ; Enzyme Stability ; Escherichia coli ; enzymology ; genetics ; Hot Temperature ; Mutant Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Point Mutation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Protein Engineering ; Recombinant Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Saccharomyces cerevisiae ; enzymology ; genetics ; beta-Mannosidase ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective:This study aimed to evaluate the performance of breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abbreviated protocol (AP) in diagnosing breast neoplasms.Methods:We retrospectively analyzed the data of 86 patients who had undergone breast MRI examinations and compared the images using an AP and full diagnostic protocol (FDP). The AP consisted of axial T2-weighted imaging (T2WI), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and four-phase dynamic enhancement sequences. The FDP consisted of sagittal T2WI, axial T2WI, T1-weighted imaging, DWI, and seven-phase dynamic enhancement sequences. All the images were analyzed using the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS). The consistencies between the different protocols were then calculated. With the pathological diagnosis as the gold standard, the diagnostic capabilities of the two protocols were compared.Result:Two radiologists analyzed the AP and FDP images. The consistencies in the BI-RADS between the different protocols were 0.856 and 0.900, and those in time-signal intensity curves (TICs) were 0.822 and 0.922. Within the same protocol, the consistencies in the BI-RADS between different radiologists were 0.744 and 0.822, and those in TICs were 0.889 and 0.878. No significant differences were found ( P>0.05). In terms of diagnosing malignant neoplasms using the BI-RADS, the sensitivities of the AP and FDP were 89.8% (95 %CI: 0.785-0.958) and 91.5% (95 %CI: 0.806-0.968), respectively; their specificities were 71.0% (95 %CI: 0.518-0.851) and 77.4% (95 %CI: 0.585-0.897), respectively; and the areas under the curves (AUCs) were 0.804 (95 %CI: 0.698-0.910) and 0.845 (95 %CI: 0.748-0.941), respectively. Diagnosing malignant neoplasms using TICs, the sensitivities of the AP and FDP were 86.4% (95 %CI: 0.745-0.936) and 89.8% (95 %CI: 0.785-0.958), respectively; their specificities were 61.3% (95 %CI: 0.423-0.776) and 67.7% (95 %CI: 0.485-0.827), respectively, and the AUCs were 0.739 (95 %CI: 0.623-0.855) and 0.788 (95 %CI: 0.679-0.897), respectively. There was no significant difference between the AP and FDP ( P>0.05). The MRI acquisition times of the AP and FDP were 11.97±0.94 min and 21.25±1.12 min, respectively, with a significant difference ( P<0.001). The average reading time was reduced by 13.5% using the AP compared with that using the FDP. Conclusion:Compared with the FDP, the AP reduced the acquisition time and maintained the diagnostic accuracy, which can be used as an improved pattern for MRI screening in high-risk populations of breast neoplasms.

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of hereditary blinding fundus diseases caused by abnormalities in photoreceptors of the retina.RP is highly heterogeneous in hereditary and cdinical phenotypes.It can be divided into simple type RP and syndrome type RP.The main inheritance patterns are autosomal dominant,autosomal recessive inheritance and X-linked inheritance.With the popularization and clinical application of gene sequencing technology,more and more disease-causing genes have been discovered,and these genes are mainly expressed in photoreceptor cells and retinal pigment epithelial cell.ln-depth understanding of RP pathogenic genes not only provides a theoretical basis for RP diagnosis and genetic counseling,but also provides guidance for RP gene therapy.