Objective To evaluate the prevalence rate of pulmonary malignant disease in people at high risk of lung cancer through low-dose multi-slice spiral CT. Methods 1 200 symptom-free volunteers were under low-dose spiral CT scans in an on-going screening study. The people tested aged 40 or older regardless of their gender or smoking history. Low-dose CT scans were performed with Iightspeed Plus multi-slice scanner using spiral mode, 120 kV,30 mAs. Results Calcified nodules were detected in 32 participants and non-calcified nodules were detected in 18 participants by low-dose CT,in which 3 were vicious ones,including 1 non-solid lesion and 2 solid lesions. The detection rate of lung cancer was 0. 25%. Conclusion Low-dose multi-slice spiral CT was effective in detecting, classifying and defining lung nodules,and furthermore would make it possible to find lung cancer at earlier stage.

Objective To investigate the regulations of Bax , Bcl-2 in the protection of lipoic acid-niacin diad in acrolein-induced apoptosis in ARPE-19 cells. Methods The ARPE-19 cells were cultured in medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum , at 37 ℃ with 5% CO2. The ARPE-19 was transferred to 6-well plate after reaching to 70% confluence. After starvation for 24 h , the cells in 6-well plates were divided into three groups , including the blank control group , the acrolein treatment group with 50 μmol/L acrolein for 24 h , and the protection group with 100 μmol/L lipoic acid-niacin diad for 24 h and with the acrolein for another 24 h. The apoptotic cells were detected by flow cytometry assay , and expressions of Bcl-2 , Bax protein were detected by Western Blot assay. Results The percentages of normal healthy cells were 94.8%, 60.98%, and 91.34% in the blank control group , 50 μmol/L acrolein group and 100 μmol/L diad contained of lipoic acid and niacin group , respectively. The ratios of Bax/Bcl-2 protein expression were 0.293 9, 1.389 2, and 0.555 8 in the blank control group, 50 μmol/L acrolein group and 100 μmol/L diad contained of lipoic acid and niacin group, respectively. Conclusion The protective effect of lipoic acid-niacin diad on acrolein-induced apoptosis in ARPE-19 cell through promoting Bcl-2 expression and inhibiting Bax expression.

Objective:To explore the predictors of recovery of normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in patients with chronic Keshan disease (CKD) after standard anti-heart failure treatment.Methods:From June 2013 to October 2017, CKD patients were selected as the research subjects in 8 Keshan disease counties (cities) in Shandong Province. Demographic data and clinical indicators related to the recovery of normal LVEF were collected at the initial diagnosis, and the patients were given standard anti-heart failure treatment. Follow-up was carried out until October 2019 or until all-cause death. Patients were divided into recovery group and non-recovery group according to whether LVEF returned to normal (LVEF≥50% was normal) by group design, and multi-factor logistic regression was used to analyze the predictors of recovery of normal LVEF.Results:A total of 98 CKD patients were included in this study, their average age was (47.51 ± 12.84) years old; body mass index (BMI) was (23.18 ± 4.92) kg/m 2; LVEF was (39.54 ± 8.26)%; male accounted for 65.31% (64/98); the New York Heart Association (NYHA) heart function grade Ⅱ and grade Ⅲ accounted for 46.94% (46/98) and 53.06% (52/98), respectively. The median follow-up time was 26 months, the LVEF of 28 patients (28.57%) returned to normal, and the LVEF increased from (43.27 ± 7.85)% of the baseline to (58.74 ± 6.07)%, the difference was statistically significant ( t=8.25, P < 0.01); LVEF did not return to normal in 70 patients (71.43%), and the LVEF increased from (37.84 ± 6.93)% of the baseline to (42.94 ± 7.31)%, the difference was statistically significant ( t=4.24, P < 0.01). The median recovery time of 28 patients with normal LVEF recovery was 14 months, of which 4 patients (14.29%), 6 patients (21.43%) and 15 patients (53.57%) recovered at follow-up of 6, 12 and 18 months, respectively, and 27 patients (96.43%) recovered within 3 years. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that disease course [odds ratio ( OR)=0.81, 95% confidence interval ( CI): 0.70-0.95, P < 0.05], electrocardiogram QRS wave duration ( OR=0.88, 95% CI: 0.79-0.98, P < 0.05), LVEF ( OR=1.26, 95% CI: 1.13-1.42, P < 0.01), and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD, OR=0.79, 95% CI: 0.66-0.90, P < 0.01) were independent predictors of recovery of normal LVEF. Conclusions:LVEF can return to normal after anti-heart failure treatment in some CKD patients. Patients with shorter disease course, shorter electrocardiogram QRS wave duration, higher baseline LVEF and lower LVEDD are more likely to recover from LVEF.

Background Light-induced retinal damage results in the damage of retinl pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and therefore affects the pathogenesis and development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).Studies showed that tissue factor (TF) is overexpressed in oxidative damaged RPE cells and the choroidal neovascularization (CNV) of AMD,speculating that the suppression of TF can prevent the damage of RPE cells and inhibit CNV.Objective This study was conducted to observe the protective effects of TF targeting peptide (TFTP),a new drug of autologous synthesis,on human RPE-cells induced by blue light.Methods Human RPE cells were isolated from donor eye and cultured.Cultured cells were divided into blank control group,model group and TFTP treated group.Light-induced RPE cell damage model was established by exposuring the cells in the blue light of (4.0±-0.5) mW/cm2 for 12 hours in the model group,and different concentrations (10,100,150,200,300 μmol/L) of TF-TP were added into the medium to pretreat the cells for 24 hours and then exposed the cells to the blue light for 12 hours in the TF-TP groups.The cell viability was determined by CCK-8 assay.The morphology and ultrastructure in the cells were observed under the inverted microscope and transmission electron microscope.The apoptosis of the cells was assayed by Hoechst staining.The expressions of TF and apoptosis-related protein bax,bcl-2 in the cells were determined by Western blot.Results CCK-8 assay showed that there was no significant difference in the cell viability among blank control group and different concentrations TF-TP groups (F=2.15,P =0.11).The cell survival rate of blank control group,model group and 150 μmol/L TF-TP group was (100.0±0.00) ％,(43.79±6.55) ％ and (63.45±3.57) ％,and the survial rate was increased in the 150 μmol/L TF-TP group compared with the model group (P =0.00),and 150 μmol/L was detemined as a optimal concentration of TF-TP.A lot of shrinkage,deformation,suspension cells were exhibited under the optical microscope,and decrease of microvilli structure,rupture of mitochondrial cristae and vacuolar degeneration of the cells were found in the model group,and the damage of the cells were evidently lightened in the 150 μ mol/L TF-TP group.The apoptosis rate of the cells were (0.98 ±0.19)％,(9.98 ±0.82) ％ and (5.73 ±0.88) ％ in the blank group,model group and 150 μmol/L TF-TP group,respectively,with a significant difference among the groups (F =206.18,P =0.00),and the apoptosis rate of the cells in the 150 μmol/L TF-TP group was significantly lower than that in the model group (P＜0.05).Compared with the blank control group,the relative expression of bax and TF was obviously increased and that of bcl-2 was decreased in the model group;while the expression of bax and TF was lower,and that of bcl-2 was higher in the 150 μmol/L TF-TP group compared with the model group (all at P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Pretreation of TF-TP can lessen cell apoptosis and increase cell survival rate and therefore plays a protective role to blue light-induced human RPE cells possibly by inhibiting bax/bcl-2 apoptotic pathways mediated by TF.

Objective To analyze the difference of echocardiography in patients with chronic Keshan disease (CKD) at different altitudes areas,explore the effects of altitude on the structure and functional of right heart in CKD patients,and provide a reference for imaging diagnosis of CKD.Methods According to the three step distribution of the terrain in China,30 cases of CKD patients in the first step (altitude ＞ 4 000 m) of Tibet autonomous region were randomly selected as the Tibetan plateau group.In the second step (altitude:1 000-2 000 m),31 cases were randomly selected in Gansu Province as the Loess plateau group.In the third step (altitude ＜ 500 m),42 cases were randomly selected in Shandong Province as the plain group.Echocardiography was used to analyze the morphology,hemodynamics and function of right heart.Results Right atrial transverse diameter (RATD),right ventricular transverse diameter (RVTD),right ventricular lateral wall thickness (RVWT) and main pulmonary artery diameter (MPAD) of the Tibetan plateau group,the Loess plateau group and the plain group (mm:49.75 ± 8.40,45.64 ± 7.63,43.56 ± 7.34;50.89 ± 7.13,46.56 ± 5.62,43.27 ± 6.01;4.75 ± 1.02,3.53 ± 0.61,3.37 ± 0.51;32.87 ± 3.62,28.93 ± 2.12,28.44 ± 2.71) were significant differences among the three groups (F =5.36,12.91,37.08,23.33,P ＜ 0.01).The above indexes of the Tibetan plateau group were higher than those of the Loess plateau group and the plain group (P ＜ 0.05).RVTD of Loess plateau group was higher than that of plain group (P ＜ 0.05).The fractional area change [FAC,(24.85 ± 2.75)％,(26.26 ± 3.42)％,(26.73 ± 3.14)％],tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion [TAPSE,(12.87 ± 1.12),(14.59 ± 1.63),(14.13 ± 1.31) mm] of the Tibetan plateau group,the Loess plateau group and the plain group were significant differences among the three groups (F =3.36,13.47,P ＜ 0.05 or ＜ 0.01);the above indexes of the Tibetan plateau group were lower than those of the Loess plateau group and the plain group (P ＜ 0.05).Tei index (0.87 ± 0.18,0.78 ± 0.16,0.71 ± 0.14),tricuspid flap diastolic maximum filling speed/tricuspid annulus early diastolic peak velocity (E/E',9.48 ± 1.22,8.64 ± 0.91,8.12 ± 1.13),systolic pulmonary artery pressure [SPAP,(49.58 ± 11.76),(44.35 ± 11.41),(42.67 ± 12.13) mmHg,1 mmHg =0.133 kPa] of the Tibetan plateau group,the Loess plateau group and the plain group were significant differences among the three groups (F =12.89,13.99,3.12,P ＜ 0.01 or ＜ 0.05);the Tei index and E/E'of the Tibetan plateau group were higher than those of the Loess plateau group and the plain group (P ＜ 0.05).Tei index,E/E'of the Loess plateau group were higher than those of the plain group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The right heart structure and function of CKD patients are affected by the altitude of their residence.With the increase of altitude,the right heart is enlarged,the right ventricular systolic and diastolic functions are decreased,and SPAP is increased in CKD patients.

Objective The echocardiography of patients with chronic Keshan disease (CKD) in the plateau and plain areas was compared,to analyze the specific manifestations of echocardiography in patients with high altitude CKD,to provide a reference for imaging diagnosis.Methods From October 2014 to December 2016,34 patients with CKD were selected in the Tibet Autonomous Region [18 males,16 females,aged (44.5 ± 5.6) years old] as plateau group;45 patients with CKD were selected in Shandong Province [21 males,24 females,age (47.3 ± 6.9) years old] as a plain group.Echocardiography was performed on the observed subjects,and cardiac morphology,hemodynamics and cardiac function were analyzed.Results The left atrial diameter (LAD),left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVEDD),and left ventricular mass (LVM) of the plateau group were (39.2 ± 4.8),(56.5 ± 6.3) mm and (232.4 ± 40.2) g,respectively,which were lower than those of the plain group [(48.3 ± 5.7),(65.2 ± 7.8) mm,(283.7 ± 38.3) g,t =-7.52,-5.30,-5.74,P ＜ 0.01].The right atrial transverse diameter (RATD),right ventricular transverse diameter (RVTD) and right ventricular lateral wall thickness (RVWT) of the plateau group were (47.6 ± 8.5),(50.4 ± 7.3) and (4.8 ± 1.1) mm,respectively,which were higher than those of the plain group [(42.3 ± 7.2),(42.7 ± 6.8),(3.3 ± 0.7) mm,t =2.99,4.81,7.36,P ＜ 0.01].The early diastolic filling velocity (E),the early diastolic peak velocity of the mitral annular (Em) of the plateau group were lower than those of the plain group,E/Em of the plateau group was higher than that of the plain group (t =-2.64,-2.35,2.07,P ＜ 0.05).The fractional area change (FAC) of right ventricular,tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and tricuspid annular systolic velocity (S') of the plateau group [(24.9 ± 2.8)％,(13.2 ± 1.2) mm,(6.8 ± 1.0) cm/s] were lower than those of the plain group [(26.3 ± 3.2)％,(14.5 ± 1.3) rmm,(7.5 ± 1.2) cm/s,t =-2.02,-4.53,-2.74,P ＜ 0.05 or ＜ 0.01].The tricuspid annular diastolic velocity (e') of the plateau group was lower than that of the plain group,and tricuspid annular blood flow early diastolic filling velocity maximum (e)/e'was higher than that of the plain group (t =-2.07,2.09,P ＜ 0.05).The systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) of the plateau group [(48.5 ± 12.3) mmHg,1 mmHg =0.133 kPa] was higher than that of the plain group [(41.6 ± 13.3) mmHg,t =2.34,P ＜ 0.05].Conclusion Compared with CKD patients in plain area,CKD patients in plateau area have showed more obvious right heart enlargement and right ventricular failure,and combined with higher SPAP.

Objective:To identify two pathogenic gene mutations in two families with Alstr?m syndrome (ALMS).Methods:A retrospective clinical study. Two patients and five family members from two Han families of ALMS diagnosed at Henan Eye Hospital from August 2020 to December 2021 were enrolled in this study. All participants underwent comprehensive ophthalmic examinations including best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), color test, slit-lamp, fundus biomicroscopy with slit lamp, fundus color photography, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and full-field electroretinography (ff-ERG) after the detailed history of the patient was taken. Five millilitres peripheral venous blood of each subject was collected, and the whole genome DNA was extracted. The pathogenic genes and mutation sites were identified using whole exome sequencing and the identified mutations were verified by Sanger sequencing. Mutation sites were analyzed via bioinformatics softwares.Results:Family one included one victim and two members and family two included one victim and three members. Proband in the first family was a four-year old boy whose chief complaint was poor vision along with photophobia since born, while proband in the second family was a 12-year old girl whose chief complaint was the same. The boy proband could not distinguish color, and both the anterior segment and fundus were normal. Ellipsoid zone of the boy was unclear in both eyes in OCT, and though rod system function decreased mildly-moderately in both eyes, the cone system function decreased severely in ff-ERG. The girl could not distinguish color as well, and the anterior segment was normal, though obvious pigmentary change could be seen in both retinas. The integrity of outer retinal bands was unclear in both eyes in OCT, and both cone and rod systems function decreased severely in both eyes in ff-ERG. Gene tests and bioinformatics analyze showed c.468dupT and c.10819C>T of ALMS1 gene in family one were novel mutations and c.10819C>T in family one and c.10831_10832del in family two were pathogenic mutations. Conclusions:M1, M2 and M3, M4 may be pathogenic gene variants in family 1 and family 2, respectively. The compound heterozygous mutation, c.468dupT and c.10819C>T of ALMS1 gene was a novel mutation.

Objective:To investigate the spatial distribution characteristics of Keshan disease in Shandong Province, and to provide evidence for prevention and control of Keshan disease.Methods:The incidence data of Keshan disease in Shandong Province from 1960 to 2018 were collected from Shandong Provincial Institute for Endemic Disease Control and Prevention, and a spatial database was built. Global and local spatial autocorrelation (Moran's I) were analyzed by ArcGIS 10.2 and GeoDa 1.14 softwares, respectively. Local indicators on spatial association (LISA) aggregation graph was drawn. This allowed us to investigate the spatial autocorrelation and cluster range of the distribution of Keshan disease in Shandong Province. Results:A total of 4 172 cases of Keshan disease were reported in Shandong Province with an annual incidence rate of 0 to 51.4/10 000 of the population at the township-level from 1960 to 2018. Global spatial autocorrelation analysis on the incidence of Keshan disease at the township-level showed that global Moran's I values ranged from 0.020 to 0.429 in 1962 - 1964, 1969 - 1985, 1989, 1995, 1998 - 2001 and 2004 - 2016 ( P < 0.05), thus indicating significant spatial autocorrelation overall. LISA analysis further revealed that high-high clusters of Keshan disease existed in 1960, 1962 - 1964, 1969 - 1985, 1989, 1998 - 2000 and 2002 - 2016. These clusters were predominantly distributed in three areas: Zoucheng City, Pingyi County and Sishui County in the southwest of Shandong Province; Wulian County and Ju County in the southeast of Shandong Province; and Qingzhou City, Linqu County and Yishui County in the central and middle-south of Shandong Province. Conclusions:Keshan disease exhibits significant spatial autocorrelation in Shandong Province. High-high clusters are mainly located in certain townships in the southwest, southeast, central and middle-south of Shandong Province.

Objective:To determine the pathogenic gene mutation in a family with incomplete congenital quiescent night blindness (CSNB) of Schubert-Bornschein type.Methods:A retrospective clinical study. In February 2021, one patient and his parents and elder brother from a Han Chinese incomplete CSNB of Schubert-Bornschein type family diagnosed by clinical and genetic examination at Henan Provincial People's Hospital were included in the study. The patient’s medical history, family history were inquired; best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), color vision, fundus color photography, full-field electroretinogram (ERG), and frequency domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) were examined in detail. Five ml of the subject’s peripheral venous blood was collected and the whole genome DNA was extracted. The genomic DNA of the subject was library constructed, and all-exon probes were polymerized for capture. The suspected pathogenic mutation site was verified by Sanger, and the pathogenicity of the gene mutation site was determined by parallel bioinformatics analysis.Results:The BCVA of both eyes of the proband (Ⅱ2) was 0.4; the color vision test could not recognize the red color. Fundus examination showed no obvious abnormalities. The retina thickness in the macular area of both eyes was slightly thinned. ERG examination of the whole field showed that the amplitude of ERG b wave was significantly reduced under the stimulation of binocular dark adaptation 3.0 and showed a negative waveform. The mother of the proband (Ⅰ2) had normal BCVA, color vision, fundus color photography, and frequency domain OCT examination. The full-field ERG examination showed that the amplitude of each eye reaction was slightly reduced, and the amplitude of the dark adaptation shock potential was significantly reduced. Genetic testing showed that the proband (Ⅱ2) had a c.1761dupC hemizygous mutation in exon 14 of the voltage-dependent calcium channel α1F subunit gene ( CACNA1F gene). The results of protein sequence homology analysis showed that the site was highly conserved in multiple species; the results of bioinformatics analysis showed that the CACNA1F gene c.1761dupC (pY588fs) subsequently had a frameshift mutation and became a stop at position 10. Codons appear translational termination in the conserved regions of the protein. According to the standards and guidelines of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, the mutation was judged to be a possible pathogenic variant. The mother of the proband (Ⅰ2) was a carrier of this site mutation. The clinical and genetic test results of the father and elder brother of the proband were not abnormal. Conclusion:CACNA1F gene c.1761dupC is the pathogenic mutation site of the Schubert-Bornschein type incomplete CSNB family.

Objective:To establish a colloidal gold technique assay for the rapid detection of immunoglobulin(Ig)M and IgG antibodies against 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) and to evaluate its clinical performance.Methods:A total of 278 patients who were respectively treated at Wuhan Hankou Hospital and the People′s Hospital of Honghu from February 12, 2020 to February 20, 2020 were collected. According to the diagnostic criteria, 89 patients were confirmed with positive 2019-nCoV nucleic acid, and 189 were 2019-nCoV nucleic acid-negative suspected patients. A total of 273 medical examiners from Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University from 2015 to 2018 were selected as controls. The serum samples of patients were collected. 2019-nCoV nucleic proteins were obtained from prokaryotic expression vectors. Indirect IgM and IgG colloidal gold techniques were established by using recombinant nuclear protein. 2019-nCoV nucleic acid detection by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used as control. Serum specimens were tested for 2019-nCoV IgM and IgG. The specificity and sensitivity of colloidal gold assay were analyzed.Results:The positive rates of IgM and IgG with the colloidal gold detection in confirmed patients with positive 2019-nCoV nucleic acid were 78.7%(70/89) and 73.0%(65/89), respectively. The positive rates of IgM and IgG in medical examiners were 1.8%(5/273) and 0.7%(2/273), respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of IgM detection reagents were 78.7% and 98.2%, respectively, those of IgG detection reagents were 73.0% and 99.3%, respectively, and those of IgM combined with IgG detection were 87.6% and 98.2%, respectively. For suspected patients with negative 2019-nCoV nucleic acid, the positive rates of IgM and IgG were 59.8%(113/189) and 52.9%(100/189), respectively, and the positive rate of IgM combined with IgG detection was 66.1%(125/189).Conclusion:This reagent of 2019-nCoV antibodies detection (colloidal gold technique) fulfills the requirement for clinical application with high specificity and sensitivity, which can be served as a supplementary detection method for 2019-nCoV nucleic acid detection by RT-PCR.