Objective To evaluate the effects of geraniol(GOH) on neointima hyperplasia in rat carotid artery balloon injury model, and explore the potential molecular mechanisms associated with this effect. Methods Totally 20 male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into sham operation group (without balloon injury), control group (with balloon injury), low concentration group (with 50 mg/kg GOH intervention after balloon injury) and high concentration group (with 200 mg/kg GOH intervention after balloon injury). The intima to media (I/M) area ratio of neointima was measured by hematoxylin- eosin (HE) staining. The expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was measured by immunohistochemical staining at 14th day after operation. As the marker of oxidative stress, the levels of 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured by enzyme linked inmmnosorbent assay (ELISA). Results The I/M ratio, IOD, 8-OHdG and MDA values were increased in control group compared with those of sham group. The I/M ratio, IOD and 8-OHdG values were reduced in low concentration group compared with those of control group. But there was no significant difference in MDA level between low concentration group and control group. The I/M ratio, IOD, 8-OHdG and MDA values were significantly reduced in high concentration group compared with those of control group, which showed a more significant inhibitory effect than that of low concentration group (P<0.05). Conclusion GOH could attenuate balloon iniury induced neointima hyperplasia, which might be related to its effect on inhibiting expression of PCNA and decreasing oxidative stress.

Objective To study the impact of HIV and hepatitis C virus ( HCV ) infection on peripheral expression of antiviral protein A3G and plasma IFN-αlevels.Methods Untreated patients with chronic hepatitis C(HCV infection group, n=43), AIDS(HIV infection group, CD4 +T<200 cells/μL, n=45) and HIV/HCV co-infection (CD4 +T<200 cells/μL, n=45) were recruited in the study, and 23 healthy subjects were also enrolled as controls.A3G mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was measured by quantificational real-time PCR, and plasma IFN-αlevel was determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Rank-sum test and Spearman rank correlation analysis were performed. Results A3G mRNA levels in HIV infected group, HIV/HCV co-infected group, HCV infected group and healthy control group were 4.89 (0.59), 4.85 (0.71), 3.89 (1.08) and 3.69 (0.81) lg copies/mL, respectively.A3G mRNA levels in HIV infected group and HIV/HCV co-infected group were much higher than those in healthy control group (Z=-6.306 and -6.280, P<0.01) and HCV infected group (Z=-7.358 and -7.275, P<0.01).Plasma IFN-αlevels in HIV infected group, HIV/HCV co-infected group, HCV infected group and healthy control group were 2.79 (1.25), 2.05 (1.29), 2.32 (1.84) and 2.16 (2.19) pg/mL, respectively.Plasma level of IFN-αin HIV infected group was higher than that in the HIV/HCV co-infected group (Z=-2.332, P<0.05), but no significant difference was observed among other groups (all P>0.05).There was no significant correlation between plasma IFN-αlevel and A3G mRNA expression (rs =0.04, P>0.05), and the levels of A3G mRNA and IFN-αshowed no correlation with HIV RNA and HCV RNA (all P>0.05).Conclusions A3G is highly expressed in PBMCs from HIV infected patients, and it may not be affected by the infection of HCV.A3G mRNA is not closely correlated with IFN-α, and it has not significant influence on HIV RNA and HCV RNA replication.

Objective To explore influence and variation of smoking and occupational exposure to air pollution on lung function.Methods Ninety eight sanitation staffs from Panyu District were divided into smoking and non-smoking sanitation groups; and all subject accepted the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Assessment Test (CAT) scales,questionnaires,lung function test,and data statistical analysis.Healthy people accepted health examination from Guangzhou Panyu medical health center were used as the control group.Results (1) Forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1％),forced expiratory volume in the first second/ forced vital capacity(FEV1/FVC),maximal expiratory flow in 50％ vital capacity (FEF50％),maximal expiratory flow in 75％ vital capacity (FEF75％),maximal mid-expiratory flow (MMEF) of non-smoking sanitation group was significantly lower than non-smoking healthy group (P ＜ 0.01).(2) Abnormal rates of FEF50％,FEF75％,and MMEF of non-smoking sanitation group were significantly higher than non-smoking healthy group (P ＜ 0.01).(3) Abnormal rates of FEF50％,and FEF75％ of sanitation group were significantly higher than healthy group with or without smoking.(4) Abnormal rates of FEV1％ and FEV1/FVC did not have significant difference between non-smoking sanitation group and non-smoking healthy group,but had significant difference between non-smoking and smoking healthy groups.It means smoking and occupational exposure had different impacts on pulmonary function.(5)Moderate score of nonsmoking sanitation group and smoking healthy group were significantly higher than non-smoking healthy group by P =0.049 and P =0.001,respectively.Conclusions Occupational exposure to air pollution and smoking can lead to small airway damage,which was not as obvious as pulmonary function changes.It is necessary to regularly monitor lung function for sanitation staffs who risk occupational exposure to air pollution.Increasing physical exercise would benefit to improve sport lung endurance of the people in our country.

Objective:To analyze the clinical features of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients complicated with peripulmonary occupational lesions.Methods:Fifty-five AIDS patients with peripulmonary occupational lesions treated in Guangzhou Eighth People′s Hospital from January 2012 to January 2019 were included, and the clinical data of patients were retrospectively analyzed. According to the results of lung biopsy, the patients were divided into Mycobacterium infection group, fungal infection group and tumor group. The clinical characteristics, the proportion of different CD4 + T lymphocyte counts and chest computed tomography (CT) features of the three groups were compared. Chi square test was used for comparison among the three groups, and Bonferroni method was used to correct the test level for pairwise comparison. The significance level was 0.016 7 because of three pairwise comparisons. Results:Among 55 AIDS patients complicated with peripulmonary occupational lesions, pulmonary biopsy showed 14 cases with Mycobacterium infection, 12 cases with fungal infection and 15 cases with tumor lesions. Mixed diseases were found in 11 patients, including seven cases with Mycobacterium and fungus coinfection, four with tumor complicated with fungus and (or) Mycobacterium. Three with chronic interstitial pneumonia. The main clinical manifestations of 55 patients were fever, expectoration, fatigue, weight loss and superficial lymph node enlargement. There were no significant differences in symptoms/signs, white blood cell counts, hemoglobin levels, alanine transaminase and creatinine among Mycobacterium infection group, fungal infection group and tumor group (all P>0.05). There was significant difference in anti-retroviral therapy (ART) acceptance among the three groups ( χ2=15.165, P<0.01). However, the results of pairwise comparison between groups showed that there was significant difference between fungal infection group and tumor group ( χ2=7.514, P<0.016 7), while there was no significant difference between Mycobacterium infection group and tumor group, Mycobacterium infection group and fungal infection group ( χ2=0.255 and 5.306, respectively, both P>0.016 7). There were significant differences in clinical outcomes among the three groups ( χ2=15.119, P<0.01), and the pairwise comparison between the Mycobacterium infection group and the tumor group, and the fungal infection group and the tumor group showed significant differences ( χ2 =10.311 and 9.095, respectively, both P<0.016 7). The cases with CD4 + T lymphocyte count ≤50/μL, 51-<200/μL and ≥200/μL in Mycobacterium infection group were three cases, one case and 10 cases, respectively; those in fungal infection group were 10 cases, two cases and 0 case, respectively, and those in tumor group were one case, two cases and 12 cases, respectively. The difference was statistically significant ( χ2=21.284, P<0.01). Chest CT showed that there was significant difference in the types of space occupying lesions among the three groups ( χ2=13.308, P=0.003), and pairwise comparison between the two groups showed that there was significant difference between the Mycobacterium infection group and the tumor group ( χ2=11.312, P<0.016 7), while there were no significant differences between the Mycobacterium infection group and fungal infection group ( χ2=0.931, P>0.016 7), and the fungal infection group and the tumor group ( χ2=7.053, P>0.016 7). There was significant difference among the three groups in calcification focus ( χ2=8.524, P=0.004), while there was no difference between the Mycobacterium infection group and fungal infection+ tumor group ( χ2=10.982, P<0.016 7). Conclusions:Mycobacterium infection, fungal infection and tumor are the main types of peripulmonary occupational lesions in AIDS patients. The differential diagnosis could be made by combining with chest CT features, ART acceptance and CD4 + T lymphocyte level.

Objective To develop a predictive model for pulmonary embolism(PE)based on the related clinical symptoms,signs,and the labo-ratory index,so as to improve the positive rate of CTPA. Methods The model was developed from a database of 119 patients with suspected PE. The risk factors of suspected PE were analyzed by logistic regression analysis ,which included significant differences in the prevalence of PE be-tween non-diseased and non-diseased groups. Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves was draw to determine the cut-off value of the clini-cal probability. It was validated in an independent sample of 106 patients with suspected PE. Results According to the univariate analysis ,17 of 51 variables show a significant difference between PE and non-PE patients. The model comprised 4 variables:age,dyspnea,D-dimer and unilater-al leg swelling. The area under the ROC curve is 0.776,and the cut-off value is supposed to be 0.38. In the validation sample,27% patients had PE confirmed by CTPA. The prevalence of PE was 54%when the clinical probability was above 0.38. Conclusion The proposed predictive mod-el in this study can improve the positive rate of CTPA ,simplify the diagnosis process of suspected PE patients.

Objective:This study aims to analyze of the quality of diagnosis and treatment data of community medical institutions on the national health information platform in a district of Beijing from the perspective of scientific research informatization, to provide experience and reference for promoting the informatization construction of primary medical units and tapping the scientific research potential of the regional data platform.Methods:Based on the data backup database of the national health information platform in the region, the data quality was analyzed and evaluated mainly in three dimensions: integrity, integration, and consistency.Results:Through the construction of the national health information platform, the district successfully achieved the effective collection of diagnosis and treatment data from community medical institutions, covering the main data such as patients′ basic information, visit information, test information, prescription information, etc. However, the data collected so far were still insufficient in terms of data integration and consistency.Conclusions:A regional medical data center is suggested to construct to break down the barriers between data systems, conduct pre-structuring of diagnosis and treatment data, improve data integration and consistency, and at the same time, carry out effective scientific research prospective design to promote the effective transformation of clinical data to scientific research data.

Objective:To explore the effectiveness and complications of non-incision removal of tunneled cuffed catheter (TCC).Methods:The clinical characteristics, surgical plans and complications of patients with TCC removal in the Renal Division of Peking University First Hospital from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2020 were collected and analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into non-incision removal group and traditional incision removal group. The clinical characteristics, procedure success rate, procedural duration and complications were compared between the two groups.Results:A total of 349 patients were included in this study, for whom 368 catheter removal procedures were performed, including 286 procedures in the non-incision removal group, 75 procedures in the traditional incision removal group, and 7 procedures without records of surgical plans. There was no significant difference in age, sex, basic kidney diseases and catheter remaining time and location between the two groups (all P>0.05). Two procedures in the non-incision removal group and 1 procedure in the traditional incision removal group failed respectively, and there was no significant difference in the procedure success rate between the two groups (99.3% vs 98.7%, χ2=0.290, P=0.590). The procedural duration in the non-incision removal group was lower than that in the traditional incision removal group [(5.36±1.70) min vs (17.55±3.28) min, t=44.198, P<0.001]. Among the patients who needed TCC exchange, there was no significant difference in the selection of new catheter position between the two groups ( P=0.330). In terms of complications, there were 2 procedures of local hematoma in the non-incision removal group and 1 procedure of infection in the traditional incision removal group, and there was no severe complication in both groups. Conclusions:There was no significant difference in the procedural success rate and complications between non-incision removal group and traditional incision removal group, and non-incision procedure may be superior in reducing the procedure duration and harm less to the patients. Non-incision procedure is a safe and effective method to remove TCC.

Mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) complex 1 (mTORC1) integrates signals from growth factors, cellular energy levels, stress and amino acids to control cell growth and proliferation through regulating translation, autophagy and metabolism. Here we determined the cryo-electron microscopy structure of human mTORC1 at 4.4 Å resolution. The mTORC1 comprises a dimer of heterotrimer (mTOR-Raptor-mLST8) mediated by the mTOR protein. The complex adopts a hollow rhomboid shape with 2-fold symmetry. Notably, mTORC1 shows intrinsic conformational dynamics. Within the complex, the conserved N-terminal caspase-like domain of Raptor faces toward the catalytic cavity of the kinase domain of mTOR. Raptor shows no caspase activity and therefore may bind to TOS motif for substrate recognition. Structural analysis indicates that FKBP12-Rapamycin may generate steric hindrance for substrate entry to the catalytic cavity of mTORC1. The structure provides a basis to understand the assembly of mTORC1 and a framework to characterize the regulatory mechanism of mTORC1 pathway.
Cell Line ; Cryoelectron Microscopy ; methods ; Humans ; Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1 ; Multiprotein Complexes ; chemistry ; ultrastructure ; Protein Structure, Quaternary ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases ; chemistry ; ultrastructure

Transcription, Genetic