Objective: To explore the factors affecting carotid plaque formation among high-risk populations for stroke, so as to provide the reference for early intervention for carotid atherosclerosis among the populations. Methods: Permanent residents were selected from Minhang District, Shanghai Municipality using the multi-staged cluster random sampling method from April to September 2021. Basic information, family history of stroke and past medical history were collected by the Community and Township Population Screening Scale for Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Disease Risk Factors. High-risk populations for stroke were identified according to the Technical Specifications for Stroke Screening and Prevention. Carotid plaque status was assessed using carotid ultrasonography. Factors affecting carotid plaque formation were analyzed using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: Among the 25 666 permanent residents surveyed, 8 459 were identified as high-risk populations for stroke, including 3 362 males and 5 097 females, with a male-to-female ratio of 0.66︰1. The median age was 66.00 (quartile range, 11.00) years. Carotid plaque were detected in 4 305 cases among high-risk population for stroke, accounting for 50.89%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that advanced age (OR=1.052, 95%CI: 1.043-1.061), family history of stroke (OR=1.297, 95%CI: 1.103-1.526), hypertension (OR=1.245, 95%CI: 1.025-1.512) and diabetes (OR=1.439, 95%CI: 1.241-1.669) were associated with a higher risk of carotid plaque formation in male high-risk population for stroke, advanced age (OR=1.058, 95%CI: 1.051-1.066), lack of exercise (OR=1.138, 95%CI: 1.001-1.294), family history of stroke (OR=1.201, 95%CI: 1.062-1.357), significant overweight or obesity (OR=1.269, 95%CI: 1.127-1.430) and hypertension (OR=1.169, 95%CI: 1.003-1.362) were associated with a higher risk of carotid plaque formation in female high-risk population for stroke. Conclusion The main influencing factors for carotid plaque formation among high-risk populations for stroke include age, family history of stroke, exercise, significant overweight or obesity, hypertension and diabetes, with gender differences observed.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the functional changes of stunned myocardium before and after coronary artery bypass graft(CABG) treatment,and clear the meaning of revascularization which CABG has brought to patients with diffused vascular changes.MethodsA total of 36 patients with 99％ diffused coronary artery stenosis in left anterior descending branch underwent non-pump CABG treatment in the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery the First affiliated hospital of Harbin Medical University.Real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) was repeatedly performed 1 week before operation and 10 days,1 month,and 3 months after CABG.Regional diastolic volumes,systolic volumes,ejection fractions,regional stroke volume to global diastolic volume and the values of abnormal segments before and after CABG were studied.ResultsOne week before operation and 10 days,1 month and 3 months after CABG,the differences of volumes between groups in the last phases of diastole and systolic were statistically significant in anterior wall basement segment,anterior septal basement segment,anterior wall intercalary segment,anterior septal intercalary segment,anterior wall of apex cordis and septation of apex cordis(F =3.51,3.55,4.08,4.05,2.98,3.01,all P ＜ 0.05; F =4.51,4.55,4.08,3.00,2.96,2.99,all P ＜ 0.05).The values of the six segments mentioned above,3 months after operation[(6.74 ± 1.23),(6.64 ± 1.21),(6.02 ± 1.10),(5.95 ± 1.09),(5.82 ± 1.06),(5.10 ± 0.93)ml; (2.74 ± 0.50),(2.69 ± 0.49),(2.51 ± 0.46),(2.32 ± 0.42),(2.36 ± 0.43),(2.03 ± 0.37)ml] were compared with those of 1 week before operation[(8.33 ± 1.52),(8.20 ± 1.50),(7.43 ± 1.36),(7.36 ± 1.34),(7.19 ± 1.31),(6.29 ± 1.15)ml; (4.94 ± 0.90),(4.85 ± 0.88),(4.53 ± 0.83),(4.18 ± 0.76),(4.25 ± 0.78 ),(3.65 ± 0.67)ml],the differences were statistically significant (all P ＜ 0.05); the differences between groups in regional ejection fractions,regional-global ejection fractions were statistically significant(F =4.56,4.88,4.28,3.15,2.93,2.88,P ＜ 0.01 or ＜ 0.05; F =5.56,5.28,4.98,5.15,3.03,2.78,P ＜ 0.01 or ＜ 0.05).Compared with 1 week before the operation, 1 month after the operation in regional ejection fractions,10 days,1 month in regionalglobal ejection fractions after the operation,4 segments of them were significantly improved(all P ＜ 0.05) and 3 months after operation,all the 6 segments had been improved significantly(all P ＜ 0.05).The maximum volume of the sum of group difference of the 6 segments and the 4 segments in the last phase of diastole was statistically significant(F =2.58,5.81,P ＜ 0.05 or ＜ 0.01 ),and the summation began to decrease 10 days after the operation.The values of 3 months after operation[ (36.27 ± 1.10),(25.35 ± 1.16)ml] were compared with that of 1 week before operation[ (44.80 ± 1.36),(31.32 ± 1.43)ml ] the difference was statistically significant (all P＜ 0.05).The maximum volume summafion comparisons of 6 segments and 4 segments in the last phase of systolic had statistical significance(F =5.77,5.57,all P ＜ 0.01 ),and 10 days after the operation,the summation began to decrease.The values of 1 month[(16.4 0 ± 0.48),(11.58 ±0.51 )ml],and 3 months after operation[ (14.65 ± 0.45),(10.26 ± 0.46)ml],were compared with those of 1 week before operation[ (26.40 ± 0.80),(18.50 ± 0.84)ml],the differences were statistically significant (all P ＜ 0.05).ConclusionsStunned myocardium can be improved through CABG in myocardium systolic,diastole function and ejection fractions of the relevant segments and all of this have proved that patients undergoing CABG revascularization can improve the heart function of the ischemic area.

Objective: To study the role of glucocorticoid i n the integration of sympathetic nervous system and cardiovascular activity. Methods: Neurons in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) were extracelluarly recorded and identified as the presympathetic neurons of adult rats. The spontaneous discharge of the presympathetic neurons in the RVLM were observed by bolus intravenous injection of corticosterone (50, 100, 150 μg/kg） . Results: The firing rate of 12 presympathetic neurons was incr eased by intravenous application of corticosterone (P<0.05), and this effect showed a dose-dependent manner. The latency of excitatory effect was (104±2 5) s. Conclusion: Corticosterone can rapidly excite the presym pathetic neurons in the RVLM, this action might be involved in the integration o f sympathetic nervous system through the “rapid membrane effects”.

Apraxia of speech (AOS) is a speech disorder due to an impaired ability to program the positioning of the speech musculature and the sequencing of muscle movements. It differs from dysarthria because speech errors are inconsistent depending on the locus of the sound. We report a 66-year-old man who presented with AOS which evolved into frontotemporal dementia 5 years later. Initial neuropsychological test showed mainly buccofacial apraxia and frontal lobe dysfunction. Brain FDG-PET disclosed hypometabolism in frontotemporal region.
Aged ; Apraxias* ; Brain ; Dysarthria ; Frontal Lobe ; Frontotemporal Dementia* ; Humans ; Neuropsychological Tests

BACKGROUND: Increase of immunocompromised patients and frequent use of indwelling catheters cause staphylococcal bacteremia, especially due to coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS), in contrast with Staphylococcus aureus in the past. And, infections of methicillin-resistant staphylococci have been increasing in number from 1970s. In this study, species of staphylococcal isolates from blood were demonstrated, and their methicillin susceptibilities were evaluated for the empirical choice of antibiotics. METHODS: One hundred and seventy-five staphylococcal strains isolated from blood culture at Pusan National University Hospital during the year 1999 were included. Species identification, susceptibility tests by agar dilution and disk diffusion methods, and mecA gene detection by polymerase chain reaction were performed. RESULTS: S. aureus (41%), S. epidermidis (30%), S. auricuralis, S. intermedius, S. haemolyticus, S. capitis, S. simulans, S. sciuri, S. homis, and S. warneri were identified. Thirty-one stains (43.4%) of S. aureus, 43 stains (83%) of S. epidermidis, and 24 stains (46%) of other CNS are resistant to oxacllin. The results of disk diffusion test were consistant with agar dilution tests in all S. aureus strains and 95.5% of CNS strains. The results of mecA gene detection were consistant with agar dilution methods in 96.8% of S. aureus and 89.6% of CNS. CONCLUSIONS: Not only S. aureus and S. epidermidis but also other various species of staphylococci were recovered from blood, and methicillin-resistant strains reached 43.2% of S. aureus, and 64.4% of CNS. These results would help for physicians to choose primary empirical therapeutic agents of patients who are suggestive of staphylococcal bacteremia.
Agar ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bacteremia ; Busan ; Catheters, Indwelling ; Coloring Agents ; Diffusion ; Humans ; Immunocompromised Host ; Methicillin ; Methicillin Resistance ; Oxacillin* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Staphylococcus ; Staphylococcus aureus

OBJECTIVETo observe the changes in the activity of dendritic cells (DCs) after carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) gene transfection mediated by recombinant adeno-associated virus type2 (rAAV) and tumor cell lysate.

METHODSImmature DCs isolated from peripheral blood monocytes of HLA-A11-positive healthy volunteers were infected with the rAAV carrying CEA gene or loaded with tumor cell lysate. The surface markers of the DCs such as CD40, CD 1alpha, and CD86 were analyzed by flow cytometry. Interleukin-12 (IL-12) in the supernatants of DCs and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) released by the cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) were determined by ELISA detection kit. The specific killing activity of CTL against LoVo cells was assessed by MTT assay.

RESULTSThe DCs following antigen loading with the two methods both highly expressed CD40, CD86 and IL-12, and induced specific CTL that specifically recognized and killed LoVo cells, but the killing effect resulting from rAAV infection of the DCs was much better than that induced by tumor cell lysate loading.

CONCLUSIONBoth methods of antigen loading can induce mature DCs from peripheral blood monocyte cells, but rAAV infection of the DCs can be more effective than tumor cells lysate loading. DCs infected with rAAV may have the potential to serve as an adjuvant immunotherapy for patients with colorectal carcinoma.

B7-2 Antigen ; metabolism ; CD40 Antigens ; metabolism ; Cancer Vaccines ; biosynthesis ; immunology ; Carcinoembryonic Antigen ; genetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; therapy ; Dendritic Cells ; immunology ; metabolism ; Dependovirus ; genetics ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Interleukin-12 ; metabolism ; Transfection

Objective To express, purify and refold recombinant luteinizing hormone releasing hormone-angiogenin(LHRH-Ang) toxin using E. coli. expression system. Methods Recombinant LHRHAng expression vector was constructed by replacing of EGF fragment in plasmid pET28a/EGF-Ang with LHRH-P Ⅱ fragment amplified from plasmid pET28/MSH-PEA0. DNA sequencing would be used to verify the correction of fused LHRH-P Ⅱ -Ang gene. Then, E. coli strain BI21 (DE3) was transformed by pET28a/LHRH-Ang vector. Expression of recombinant LHRH-Ang toxin was induced by Isopropyl-β-D-Thiogalactoside( IPTG ). Refolding effects of gradient dialysis was evaluated by SDS-PAGE. Results Prokaryotic expression vector pET28a/LHRH-Ang, containing LHRH-P Ⅱ -Ang fusion gene, was constructed by PCR amplification, restriction enzyme digestion and ligation method. Sequence correction of fusion gene was confirmed by DNA sequencing After IPGT induction, recombinant LHRH-Ang protein was expressed in BL21 ( DE3 ) as inclusion body ,it took 18.43% of total protein. Inclusion body was resolved in 8 mol/L urea and purified by DEAE-Sepharose FF column, the purity was 85%. Recombinant LHRH-Ang toxin was refolded and concentrated by gradient dialysis and PEG 20000, respectively. Conclusions Recombinant LHRH-Ang protein was expressed in E. coli and refolded successfully.

Background Bone morphogenetic protein-6 (BMP-6) is closely correlated with tumor differentiation and skeletal metastasis. Estrogen is considered as a stimulant for the initiation and promotion of breast cancer. Previous studies demonstrated that 17β-estadiol (E2) can selectively increase the expression of BMP-6. This experiment is designed to detect the molecular mechanism of estrogen activating BMP-6 gene transcription in human estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer cell line MCF-7. Methods After the treatment of MCF-7 cells with E2 at different concentrations (10-11 mol/L, 10-9 mol/L, 10-7 mol/L), the BMP-6 expression level was examined through real-time polymerase chain reaction. Through restriction enzyme digestion, human BMP-6 1.2 kb long promoter, BMP-6 0.7 kb long promoter was cloned into pGL-3 basic vector; after the treatment with 10-7 mol/L E2, luciferase activities of the two promoters were detected. Site-directed mutagenesis was performed to obtain the mutant forms of estrogen response element half-site (1/2 ERE) element and Sp1 sites in the BMP-6 promoter, the activities of these mutant form promoters were detected following the methods mentioned above. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay was also used to confirm the binding of estrogen receptor α (Erα) on BMP-6 promoter in the presence of E2. Results E2 dose dependently increased BMP-6 mRNA expression in human ER+ breast cancer cell line MCF-7. At a dose of 10-7 mol/L E2, human BMP-6 1.2 kb promoter activity was increased by 90% compared with the control group treated with ethanol (P<0.05). Both the 1/2 ERE response element mutant form and the Sp1 site mutant form of the BMP-6 promoter abolished the activation of the BMP-6 promoter's response to E2. Through ChIP assay, the binding of Erα on 1/2 ERE response element in BMP-6 promoter was further validated. Conclusion Estrogen induces BMP-6 expression in human ER+ breast cancer cell line MCF-7 through its receptor Erα binding on 1/2 ERE element in the BMP-6 promoter.

Objective To report a new approach,endoscopic transoral approach for the resection of jugular foramen schwannoma.Methods Nine patients with jugular foramen schwannoma ( three males and six females,ranging in age from 15 to 61 years old ) were treated by direct surgery via a pure endoscopic transoral approach to the jugular foramen. Eight patients complained of hypoglossal nerve palsy with hemiatrophy of the tongue; six cases complained of vagus nerve palsy. Three cases complained of glossopharyngeal nerve palsy,one case complained of facial nerve palsy and hearing loss.Results The nerves in this area were preserved and radical intracapsular removal of the tumor was performed via endoscopic transoral approach in the nine cases.Tumor removal,as assessed by intraoperative endoscopic inspection,postoperative magnetic resonance imaging and clinical evaluation,revealed all tumors were completely removed.One patient suffered from temporary swallowing difficulties and temporary right vagus palsy Ⅰ day after surgery.There were no others intraoperative and postoperative complications.All patients were followed up for 4 -29 months,no recurrences were occured in all these patients and the muscle bulk,motor and the pre-postoperative swallowing fuction,the vagus palsy,the facial nerve palsy and hearing loss had improved in these patients.Conclusion The endoscopic transoral approach and intracapsular removal of the tumor provided for successful minimally invasive surgery in the jugular foramen schwannomas.