Aptazymes are a new artificial synzyme, selected from the random oligonucleotide sequence libraries against various of effector molecules. They own the advantages of an aptamer(the receptor site) and the ribozyme (the catalytic active site). Moreover, aptazymes as catalytic molecular beacon provide a new orientation for the quantitative analysis of effector molecules. Aptazymes not only have the application in genomics and proteomics, but also have potential applications in biosensor and DNA AND gate.

Colonic Diseases ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; Humans ; Interferons ; Ischemia

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic response of transcatheter hepatic arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for primary HCC using 18 F-FDG PET/CT.Methods Twenty-four HCC patients (21males,3 females; age range:40 to 75 years,mean age:58.1 years) with high uptake of 18F-FDG on pretreatment PET/CT and with follow-up 18F-FDG PET/CT 1-2 months post TACE were retrospectively analyzed.A lesion was regarded as positive for HCC if it had higher FDG uptake than the surrounding liver parenchyma.All patients were followed for 3 months by clinical symptoms,AFP and 18F-FDG PET/CT.x2 test was used to analyze the difference between the diagnostic value of 18F-FDG PET/CT and AFP.Results On follow-up 18F-FDG PET/CT,9 patients had lower 18F-FDG uptake than the surrounding liver parenchyma,indicating no residual tumor; while 11 patients with residual tumor showed higher uptake of FDG than the liver background though the uptake was lower than that of baseline PET/CT.Two patients with isometabolic FDG uptake were confirmed of having residual tumor during follow-up.One case showed increased 18F-FDG uptake more than that of baseline,indicating disease progression.One case was false positive for residual tumor due to over attenuation correction in the presence of lipiodol.The sensitivity and accuracy for the detection of residual tumor by 18F-FDG PET/CT and AFP were 100％ (14/14) vs 71.4％ (10/14),and 95.8％(23/24) vs 70.8％(17/24) (x2 =6.56 and 4.18,both P＜0.05),respectively.Conclusion 18F-FDG PET/CT is useful to evaluate the efficacy of TACE for 18F-FDG-avid HCC and it may provide important information for further treatment planning.

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of methimazole combined with acupoint application on hormone levels and bone metabolism indexes of patients with hyperthyroidism. METHODS:150 hyperthyroidism patients were randomly divided into group A(50 cases),group B(50 cases)and group C(50 cases). Based on routine treatment,group A was given Methimazole tab-lets orally,with initial dose of 20-40 mg,1-2 times a day;2-6 weeks later,reducing and maintaining at 2.5-10 mg if the disease condition was improved;maintaining 20-40 mg if no improvement. Group B was acupoint application,one piece,pasting on Zu-sanli,Sanyinjiao,Shenmen,Taichong,Neiguan points 1 h after breakfast. Group C received Methimazole tablets(same usage and dosage as group A)+acupoint application(same usage and dosage as group B). Treatment courses of 3 groups lasted for 2 months. The levels of TSH,FT3,FT4,T3,T4,T,E2,LH,FSH,CT,BGP and PTH were observed in 3 groups before and after treat-ment,and the occurrence of ADR was also observed. RESULTS:Before treatment,there was no statistical significance in the lev-els of above indexes among 3 groups(P>0.05). After treatment,the levels of TSH and PTH in 3 groups were significantly higher than before,and the group C was significantly higher than the group A and B. The levels of FT3,FT4,T3,T4,T,E2,LH, FSH,CT and BGP in 2 groups were significantly lower than before,and the group C was significantly lower than the group A and B;there was statistical significance (P<0.05). There was no statistical significance in each index between group A and B (P>0.05). There was no statistical significance in the incidence of ADR among 3 groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS:Based on rou-tine treatment,methimazole combined with acupoint application can significantly improve the thyroid function,correct the disorder of sex hormones and abnormal bone metabolism in hyperthyroidism patient,without increasing the incidence of ADR.

Objective To evaluate the value and characteristics of 18F-FDG PET/CT and contrastenhanced CT in pulmonary sclerosing hemangioma (PSH).Methods A retrospective study involving 5 patients confirmed as PSH by pathology from June 2007 to June 2011 was performed.The cases consisted of four women and one man with age ranged from 39 to 66 (mean 51.6) years.All patients received dualphase 18 F-FDG PET/CT,high resolution (HR) CT and multi-phase contrast-enhanced CT (Siemens Biograph 16 PET/CT).Lesion SUVmaon early and delayed PET/CT images,retention index,increased HU value,washout time from peak on contrast-enhanced CT and peritumor vessel sign were studied.Results PSH lesions showed patchy increased 18F-FDG uptake with mean SUVmax on early and delayed PET/CT of 3.3 ± 1.1 and 3.4 ± 1.4,respectively.The mean retention index was (2.1 ± 20.8) ％.The morphological features of PSH on HRCT included findings such as a round/oval nodule or mass with well-defined margins and air meniscus sign.On muhi-phase contrast-enhanced CT,PSH showed moderate to high enhancement (the increased value:35 to 59 HU) with washout times from peak of 140 to 260 s,and 1 to 4 peritumor vessel signs.Conclusions A patchy pattern of high 18F-FDG uptake on PET/CT is suggestive of benign entity.Contrast-enhanced CT findings are very useful to increase the confidence for the diagnosis of PSH.

Objective To investigate the role of serum and glucocorticoid regulated protein kinase (SGK) 1 in the inflammatory responses mediated by toll like receptors.Methods Mice were injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS,1 mg/kg) 2 h after the pretreatment of EMD638683 (10 mg/kg) or phosphate buffered saline (PBS) as control.At the time points of 3 and 24 h,pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-6,IL-12 and tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α) in serum were measured using enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Livers and lung were harvested at 6 h and 24 h after the injection of LPS,embedded by optimum cutting temperature (OCT) and then stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE).Peripheral blood mononuelear cell (PBMC) were isolated and stimulated by LPS with or without the pretreatment of EMD or LY294002.Cytokines (IL-6,IL-12 and TNF-α) were measured using ELISA.IKKα/β,IKBα and nuclear factor (NF)-κB p65 were detected by Western bolt.Data were analyzed by one way analysis of variance.Results In the model of LPS-induced endotoxin sepsis,inhibition of SGK1 induced secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-6 [t=3.007,P＜0.05],IL-12[t=4.413,P＜0.05] and TNF-α[t=5.403,P＜0.05]),increased inflammatory cells infikration into the liver and lung within 6 h,and induced serious multiple organ damage with collapse of alveoli and fatty degeneration of liver.After 24 h,pharmacological inhibition of SGK1 with EMD638683 increased proinflammatory cytokine (IL-6 [t=18.540,P＜0.01],IL-12[t=16.520,P＜0.01] and TNF-α[t=34.880,P＜0.01]) production in human PBMC upon LPS stimulation and inhibited the phosphorylation of IKKα/ β/IKBα and nuclear factor (NF)-κB p65.Conclusions SGK1 suppresses the toll like receptor 4 mediated inflammatory responses via NF-κB.

Objective To assess on the effect of the different catheterization on patients with oral poisoning gastric lavage systematically and objectively. Methods A computerized search of PubMed, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Springer Link, Science Direct,China Biology Medicine (CBM),China National Knowledge Internet(CNKI), Wanfang Data and VIP database was performed for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which investigated the effects of the oral intubation gastric lavage on patients with oral poisoning relative to nasogastric lavage, retrieval to January 2016, and back into the study of references. According to include and exclude standard to screening literature, literature which met inclusion criteria was selected for quality evaluation and data extraction. Meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis were performed by using Rev-Man 5.3 and TSA soft-ware to estimate the required information size (RIS). Results 13 studies incorporated into Meta-analysis including a total o 1 296 patients. Meta-analysis results showed that the oral intubation gastric lavage group was better than nasogastric lavage in shortening the time of intubation [MD=-9.05, 95% CI(-12.86--5.23), P=0.00], improving the rate of intubation for the first time [MD=1.36, 95% CI (1.14-1.62), P =0.00], mucosal bleeding complication [MD=0.11, 95% CI (0.04-0.64), P=0.010], nausea and vomiting [MD=0.60, 95%CI (0.37-0.98), P=0.04], kinking [MD=0.14, 95% CI (0.02-0.80), P=0.03], reflex cardiac arrest [MD=0.24, 95% CI (0.08-0.71), P=0.01] and asphyxia [MD=0.45, 95% CI (0.26-0.80), P=0.007], the difference were statistically significant. But no significant difference existed in gastric tube fall off. Conclusions The oral intubation gastric lavage could shorten intubation time of patients, improve the first time intubation rate and reduce certain complications. It suggests that the oral intubation be extensively applied to care patients with oral poisoning.

OBJECTIVETo determine the role of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 b genetic variation in the open reading frame for treatment outcomes of the pegylated-interferon/ribavirin (peg-IFN/RBV) combination therapy by examining patients from Henan Province with chronic hepatitis C (CHC).

METHODSThirty-seven treatment naive patients infected with HCV genotype 1b were included in the study. Prior to initiation of a 48-week course of peg-IFN/RBV therapy, peripheral blood was drawn for sequencing of the viral ORF 5'-half. Patients were assessed at the end of the 48 weeks of treatment and at a 6-month follow-up appointment. The patient data was stratified according to the status of sustained viral response (SVR) group and non-response (NR) and statistical analysis was performed to determine the correlation between detected genetic variations and treatment response status.

RESULTSGenetic variability in the ORF 5'-half was significantly higher among the individuals in the SVR group than among those of the NR group. Significant differences were found in the gene regions encoding p7, NS2 and NS3. For p7, the NR group had actual and expected frequencies of special mutation of 9.0 and 17.4 and total mutation of 77.0 and 68.6, while the SVR group had actual and expected frequencies of special mutation of 42.0 and 33.6 and total mutation of 124.0 and 132.4 (x2 =7.725, P =0.05). For NS2, the NR group had actual and expected frequencies of special mutation of 36.0 and 54.3 and total mutation of 270.0 and 251.7, while the SVR group had actual and expected frequencies of special mutation of 106.0 and 87.7 and total mutation of 388.0 and 406.3 (x2 = 12.16, P less than 0.01). For NS3, the NR group had actual and expected frequencies of special mutation of 49.0 and 53.4 and total mutation of 241.0 and 236.6, while the SVR group had actual and expected frequencies of special mutation of 81.0 and 76.6 and total mutation of 335.0 and 339.4 (x2 =6.745, P =0.043). The inter-patient genetic variations in the NS3 gene were concentrated in the protease domain. Furthermore, there was a strong correlation between HCV diversity in p7 and treatment outcome.

CONCLUSIONThe genetic data reported here provides strong support for the role of NS2, NS3 and p7 in antagonizing the peg-IFN/RBV response during the treatment of HCV infections. We conclude that higher inter-patient viral genetic diversity correlates with successful treatment and may modulate the efficacy of antiviral therapy in CHC patients of Henan.

Adult ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Genotype ; Hepacivirus ; genetics ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; drug therapy ; virology ; Humans ; Interferons ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Open Reading Frames ; Ribavirin ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To assess the clinical value of serum uric acid levels in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI).Methods A total of 502 consecutive patients with STEMI were enrolled from January 2005 to December 2010 for retrospective study.The level of serum lipid,echocardiographic data and in-hospital major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE)in patients with hyperuricemia(n =119)were compared with those in patients without hyperuricemia(n =383).The relationship between the level of serum uric acid and the degree of diseased coronary artery was analyzed.All data were analyzed with SPSS version 17.0 software to make t test and x2 test and Pearson correlation analysis.Results Serum uric acid level was positively correlated with serum triglyceride level.Compared with non-hyperuricemia patients,hyperlipidemia was more commonly found among hyperuricemia patients (43.7％ vs.33.7％,P =0.047),and serum triglyceride level was significantly higher in hyperuricemia patients[(2.11 ± 1.24)mmol/L vs.(1.78 ± 1.38)mmol/L,P =0.014].But a significant association between serum uric acid level and one or more diseased vessels was not observed(P ≥ 0.05).Leftventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVEDd)was found to be larger in hyperuricemia patients than non-hyperuricemia patients[(53.52 ±6.19)mm vs.(52.18 ±4.89)mm,P =0.041].Higher incidence in left systolic dysfunction and diastolic dysfunction was discovered in hyperuricemia patients(36.4％ vs.15.1％,P ＜0.01; 68.2％ vs.55.8％,P =0.023).Also,hyp-eruricemia patients had more in-hospital MACE(P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Serum uric acid level is positively correlated with serum triglyceride level,but not with the severity of coronary artery disease.Hyperuricemia patients after STEMI tended to have higher incidence in left systolic dysfunction and diastolic dysfunction,and have more in-hospital MACE.

Objective To evaluate the value of increased threshold of SUVmax and delayed imaging on diluted and filled bladder for improving the detection of bladder cancer with 18F-FDG PET/CT.Methods From July 2007 to October 2012,18 F-FDG PET/CT was performed on 63 suspected or treated (with bladder preserved) bladder cancer patients (55 males,8 females,average age 69.1 years).After routine imaging,all patients were given 1 500-2 000 ml of water orally three times and voided three times.Then they underwent delayed pelvic imaging at a full bladder status.The routine images were reanalyzed with increased SUVmax threshold (from 6-8 to 8-20).The final diagnosis was confirmed by pathology or follow-up (＞6 months).The differences of SUVmax in urine,18 F-FDG metabolism in lesions between routine and delayed imaging were compared.Paired t test was used to compare their differences.Results The SUVmax of urine on routine and delayed imaging was 15.11±11.11 and 4.73±2.00 respectively (t=4.15,P＜0.01).Among the 63 patients,there were 15 malignant and 3 benign cases confirmed by pathology,and 45 patients without obvious abnormality during follow-up.All 18 cases were detected by 18F-FDG PET/CT including the 3 benign false positive cases (2 were positive by CT though negative by PET,and 1 FDG-avid cystitis).All 15 true positive cases were confirmed as primary or recurrent bladder carcinoma and 1 false positive case as inflammation.The detection rates of early imaging with routine and increased display threshold of SUVmax were 18.8％(3/16) and 43.8％(7/16),respectively.Conclusion Increased SUVmax threshold for display and delayed imaging with diluted urine under full bladder status could effectively improve the detection rate of primary or recurrent bladder cancer with 18F-FDG PET/CT.