Objective To study the relevance of peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) IL- 18 level in patients with chronic HBV infection and the activity of chronic hepatitis B as well as the ex- tent of hepatic tissue inflammation. Methods Flow cytometry was applied to measuring IL-18 level in PBMCs isolated from 147 patients with HBV infection; meanwhile, 22 cases with hepatitis B patients or HBV carriers underwent needling biopsy of liver for liver histopathologic examination. Results IL- 18 level was rising step by step in moderate chronic hepatitis, severe chronic hepatitis, chronic serious hepatitis and acute fatal hepatitis. Elevation of IL-18 level was correlative to the activity of hepatic tis- sue inflammation. Conclusion The expression level of IL-18 is different in various HBV infection states, which is correlative to the activity of chronic hepatitis B as well as the extent of hepatic tissue inflammation. Therefore, IL-18 may be used as an important index of evaluating therapeutic effect and prognosis.

Anthocyanin biosynthesis is one of the thoroughly studied enzymatic pathways in biology, but little is known about the molecular mechanisms of its final stage: the transport of the anthocyanins into the vacuole. A clear picture of the dynamic trafficking of flavonoids is only now beginning to emerge. So far four different models have been proposed to explain the transport of anthocyanins from biosynthetic sites to the central vacuole, and four types of transporters have been found associated with the transport of anthocyanins: glutathione S-transferase, multidrug resistance-associated protein, multidrug and toxic compound extrusion, bilitranslocase-homologue. The functions of these proteins and related genes have also been studied. Although different models have been proposed, cellular and subcellular information is still lacking for reconciliation of different lines of evidence in various anthocyanin sequestration studies. According to the information available, through sequence analysis, gene expression analysis, subcellular positioning and complementation experiments, the function and location of these transporters can be explored, and the anthocyanin transport mechanism can be better understood.
Anthocyanins ; metabolism ; Biological Transport ; Glutathione Transferase ; metabolism ; Membrane Transport Proteins ; metabolism ; Multidrug Resistance-Associated Proteins ; metabolism ; Plants ; metabolism ; Vacuoles ; metabolism

Objective To explore the clinical risk factors influencing the short-term prognosis of transient ischemic attack(TTA).Methods We collected the clinical data of 162 patients with TIA in this study.All the patients were followed up for 90 days.Multiple factor analysis was performed by Cox regression model(SPSS 13.0 software).Results Within 90 days after TIA,40 of 162 patients(24.7%)experienced cerebral infarction.The risk of cerebral infaition during the first 30 days after TIA was higher.The independent risk factors for the prognosis within 90 days after TIA were the duration of TIA(RR=17.172,P＜0.01),hyperfibrinogenemia(RR=3.071,P＜0.01),abnormal blood glucose level(RR=2.651,P＜0.01),and hypertension(RR=3.356,P＜0.01).Conclusion The duration of TIA,hyperfibrinogenemia,abnormal blood glucose level,and hypertension are independent risk factors for the short-term prognosis of TIA.

Objective: To investigate the mechanism of butyrate,which is the by-products of diet fiber fermented in colon and induce the apoptosis of human colon cancer cell. Methods: The subculture of human colon cancer cell line SW1116 was cultured in medium with different concentration of butyrate(0、2 、3 、4、7 and 10 mmol/L).The mRNA and proteins of bcl-2 or bax in cell lines were detected respectively by RT-PCR and Western Blotting while the concentration of p53 protein and the activity of caspase-3 was detected by flow cytometer and fluorescent quantitative assay respectively after 6、24、48 and 72h cultivation.Results: There was no expression of bcl-2 mRNA and its protein in SW1116 cell during the study periods but the expression of bax mRNA and its protein,the p53 protein concentration and the caspase-3 activity increased gradually when the butyrate concentration was increased and the cultivation time was prolonged. Conclusion: By up-regulating the expression of bax mRNA and its protein,butyrate induce the apoptosis of colon cancer cell on a p53 dependent way.

Objective: To investigate the awareness and identify the influencing factors of sexual knowledge among primary and middle school students in Butuo County, Sichuan Province, so as to provide insights into sex education. Methods: Six primary and middle schools were randomly sampled from 40 primary and middle schools in Butuo County using the cluster sampling method on March and April, 2021, and a class was randomly sampled from each of grades 4 to 6 of primary schools and grades 1 to 3 of junior high schools, with all students from the class as study subjects. Students' demographic features and awareness of sexual knowledge were investigated using self-designed questionnaires, and the factors affecting the awareness of sexual knowledge were identified among primary and middle school students using multivariable linear regression analysis. Results: A total of 980 questionnaires were allocated, and 957 valid questionnaires were recovered, with an effective recovery rate of 97.65%. The respondents included 458 boys ( 47.86% ) and 499 girls ( 52.14% ), and included 908 students with Yi Ethnicity. The respondents included 802 primary school students ( 83.80% ) and 155 junior high school students ( 16.20% ). The awareness of sexual knowledge was 21.94% among the primary and middle school students, and their sexual knowledge was predominantly derived from parents ( 338 students, 35.32% ) and teachers ( 335 students, 35.01% ). The awareness of sexual knowledge was significantly lower in boys than in girls ( 17.69% vs. 25.86%; χ2=8.344, P=0.004 ), and the awareness of sexual knowledge appeared a tendency towards a rise with age ( χ2trend = 63.908, P<0.001 ). Low awareness of sexual knowledge was seen in students with fathers going out for labor ( 19.54% ), mothers going out for labor (11.24%) and living in the countryside ( 14.32% ) ( χ2=7.790, 9.224 and 34.144, all P<0.01 ). Multivariable linear regression analysis showed that students living in the countryside, students’ mothers going out for labor, ages of 12 to 14 years and ages of over 14 years were factors affecting the score of sexual knowledge ( β'=-0.072, 0.341, 0.645 and 0.843, all P<0.05 ). Conclusions The awareness of sexual knowledge is low among primary and middle school students in Butuo County. Health education of sexual knowledge should be emphasized on male students, those living in the countryside and students with mothers going out for labor.

Objective To study the relationship of levels of circulating endothelial microparticles (EMP62E, EMP31) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) with severity of chronic left heart failure in elderly patients. Methods According to New York Heart Association (NYHA) class and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), the healthy subjects and the patients were divided into five groups: control group [LVEF: (63.97±4.65)%], classⅠ group [LVEF: (42.67±2.06)%], classⅡ group [LVEF: (34.26±3.17)%], class Ⅲ group [LVEF: (29.05±1.07)%] and class Ⅳ group[ LVEF:(25.17±1.42)%] . The levels of circulating EMP62E, EMP31 and hs-CRP of the patients and healthy subjects were measured by flow cytometry and nephelometry immunoassay, respectively. Results There were significantly differences in EMP62E, EMP31 and hs-CRP between class Ⅳ group and classⅠ group P＜0.01) EMP62E [(1092.7 ± 102.8) counts/μl vs. (291.0±21.9) counts/μl], EMP31 [(1596.1±46.3) counts/μl vs. (477.8±40.3) counts/μl] and hs-CRP [(14.74±0.07) mg/L vs. (4.86 ± 0.09) mg/L]. The levels of circulating EMP62E, EMP31 and hs-CRP were gradually elevated significantly along with the increased severity of chronic left heart failure in elderly. Conclusions The upregulation of circulating EMP31, EMP62E and hs-CRP may contribute to the development of chronic heart failure in elderly.

Objective To observe the effect of changes in CD34+ cell level on various degrees of chronic heart failure (CHF) in the elderly. Methods The enrolled patients were divided into four CHF groups according to the New York Heare Association(NYHA) functional class: NYHA class I (n=23), Ⅱ (n=27), Ⅲ (n = 20) and IV group (n= 16) , and there were 41 healthy controls over the same period. The levels of peripheral blood CD34+ cells were measured, and the tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). its soluble receptors (sTNFR-1 and sTNFR-2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were also measured. Results The levels of CD34+ cells were elevated in the early CHF and depressed in the advanced CHF in elderly patients. The levels of CD34+ cells were (0. 6± 0.2) 109/L in control group, (2.4±0. 4) 109/L in NYHA class I group, (1.9±0.2)×109/L in NYHA class Ⅱ group, (1.3±0.1)×109/L in NYHA class Ⅲ group and (0.5±0.2)×109/L in NYHA class Ⅳ group, respectively (all P<0.01).And TNF-α, sTNFR-1, sTNFR-2 and VEGF were increased in severe chronic left ventricular failure CNYHA class IV vs. I group:TNF-α: (61.4± 15.7) ng/L vs. (28.4±10.8)ng/L; sTNFR-1: (2820.9±1282.8)ng/L vs. (690.8±62.7) ng/L; sTNFR-2: (4113.1±1102.2) ng/L vs. (740.8± 112.3)ng/L; VEGF: (996.3±487.1)ng/L vs. (423. 3±147. 9)ng/L, all P<0. 013. Conclusions The changes of CD34+ cell level may predict various degrees of chronic heart failure in elderly patients.

Objective To investigate the current status of critical thinking ability and commu-nication ability of nursing students, therefore providing reference for teaching reform. Methods The Critical Thinking Scale translated and revised by Pro. Peng MeiZi of Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and Supportive Communication Scale (SCS) edited by Whetten and his colleague were used to investi-gate nursing students' levels of critical thinking and communication ability among 176 selected nursing students in our college, with method of Random Cluster Sampling. Descriptive analysis, single sample t-test, and two independent sample t-test were applied to the collected data with SPSS l7.0. Results①The average score of critical thinking for the investigated college nursing students was (264.54± 29.94). 72.73% of them got 210~280 points, in which three items: cognitive maturity (t=4.695, P=0.000), open mind (t=4.016, P=0.000), and intellectual curiosity (t=2.973, P=0.003) were greater than 40 points. And the differences were statistically significant; compared to different individual character-istics, being a student cadre (t=3.494, P=0.001) or not is of statistical significance. ②The total average score of communication ability (t=3.219, P=0.002) for college nursing students,as well as the score of providing effective negative feedback (t=6.790, P=0.000) and supportive communication (t=4.267, P=0.000) were significantly higher than median 3.00. And the differences were statistically significant. Conclusion In order to improve the critical thinking ability and interpersonal communication ability of nursing students, and educate the nursing students to adapt to society and complicated clinical nursing environment, it is necessary to reform the curriculum setting, curriculum design and teaching method.

Objective To investigate the clinical features and disease-causing mutations of familial hypomagnesaemia with hypercalciuria and nephrocalcinosis.Methods In February 2016,a 24 year old female patient with left kidney stone and nephrocalcinosis in bilateral kidneys was admitted to our hospital.One month prior to this admission,she had been treated by PCNL to remove the most part of left kidney stone in otherhospital.Mter admission,She was found hypomagnesaemia (serum magnesium 0.65 mmol/ L) and hypercalciuria (24h urine calcium 364.0 mg) but with normal renal function (serum creatinine 101.5μmol/L).And the remained part of left kidney stone was removed by flexible ureteroscope.As she was considered probably with an autosomal recessive FHHNC,an analysis of CLDN16 and CLDN19 gene mutations was performed using her and her parents'peripheral white blood cells.Results Mutation analysis revealed this patient had two heterozygous mutations in the CLDN16.One is an one-base deletion mutation in the 123th codon in exon 2:368delA.The other is a missense mutation in the 139th codon in exon 2:416C →T which resulted in an amino acid change Ala139Val.Her parents respectively had one of each heterozygous mutation.In the six months follow-up,an oral administration with hvdrochlorothiazide,potassium citrate,and calcium magesium supplements significantly reduced her hypomagnesaemia (serum magnesiun 1.0 mmol/L) and hypercalciuria (24-h urine calcium 156.0 mg),and no stone recurrence and aggravation of nephrocalcinosis and renal dysfunction occurred.Conclusions We diagnosed a patient with FHHNC who had a novel compound heterozygous mutation of CLDN16.This rare disease should be suspected if there are three constant clinical features of hypomagnesaemia,hypercalciuria and nephrocalcinosis,and verified with CLDN16 and CLDN19 gene test.Currently the option for treatment of FHHNC is symptomatic treatment until severe deterioration of renal function.The hydrochlorothiazide,potassium citrate,and calcium magesium supplements may have considerable effects on hypomagnesaemia and hypercalciuria.

Objective To investigate the feasibility of contrast-enhanced CT with low tube voltage using iterative model reconstruction (IMR) technique.Methods Sixty patients were randomly assigned into 2 groups (group A and group B, 30 each) according to random number table.All patients underwent contrast-enhanced hepatic CT.Group A was scanned with 100 kV at arterial phase(AP) and 120 kV at portal vein phase (PVP), while group B was scanned with 120 kV at AP and 100 kV at PVP.All protocols were performed at the same tube current of 250 mAs.Raw data were reconstructed with IMR for AP images in group A and PVP images in group B;and reconstructed with FBP for AP images in group B and PVP images in group A.Images of 4 different groups were obtained: A1(AP,100 kV,IMR) , B1(AP,120 kV, FBP), A2(PVP, 120 kV,FBP) and B2(PVP, 100 kV, IMR).Subjective evaluation indexes for image quality including low-contrast detectability, lesion edge sharpness, image distortion and diagnostic confidence.Objective evaluation indexes included CT attenuation of hepatic parenchyma, image noise, SNR and CNR, which were assessed and compared between groups A1 and B1, groups A2 and B2.Effective radiation doses were calculated.Results Effective dose in group A1 was reduced 35.1％ compared toB1 (t=ll.05, P＜0.01), while a reduction of 37.7％ in group B2 compared to A2 (t=11.64,P ＜ 0.01).Subjective image quality score of low-contrast detectability and lesion edge sharpness were significantly higher in group A1 compared to B1 (Z =6.391, 3.200, P ＜ 0.01), as well as in group B2 compared to A2 (Z =6.559, 3.409, P ＜ 0.01).No differences were found in image distortion and diagnostic confidence between groups A1 and B1, groups A2 and B2, respectively (P ＞ 0.05).Significantly lower image noise and higher SNR/CNR were found in group A1 compared to group B1 (t =12.889, 15.458, 1.325, P ＜ 0.01) , as well as in group B2 compared to group A2(t =15.163, 15.308, 3.136, P ＜0.01).Conclusions Significant radiation dose reduction and image quality improvement in contrast-enhanced hepatic CT can be reached by using low tube voltage protocol combining with IMR technique.