Objective To investigate the relationships between the levels of plasma soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L),fetuin-A and pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) and carotid plaque in patients with acute ischemic stroke.Methods The patients with acute ischemic stroke were enrolled in the study.Carotid arteries were assessed by using carotid artery ultrasound.The patients were divided into either a carotid artery plaque group or a non-carotid artery plaque group according to the assessment results.The former were further divided into a stable plaque sub-group and an unstable plaque sub-group according the nature of plaque.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the levels of plasma sCD40L,fetuin-A and PAPP-A.The demography,previous history,complications,laboratory tests and plasma inflammatory biomarkers between the carotid artery plaque group and the non-carotid artery plaque group and between the stable plaque subgroup and the unstable plaque subgroup were compared.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the relationship between plasma inflammatory biomarkers and carotid plaques.Results A total of 200 patients with acute ischemic stroke were included.Among them,78 were females and 122 were males (aged 33 to 87 years,mean 60.1 ± 10.3 years); 139 patients were in the carotid artery plaque group and 61 were in the non-plaque group; 43 were in the stable plaque subgroup and 96 were in the unstable plaque subgoup.The mean age of the carotid artery plaque subgroup was significantly greater than that in the non-plaque subgroup (63.2 ± 8.7 years vs.50.3 ± 9.5 years; t ＝ 10.179,P =0.000),the constituent ratios of men (68.3％ vs.44.3％;x2＝ 10.336,P＝ 0.001),hypertension (71.2 vs.54.1％;x2=5.540,P=0.019),diabetes (46.8％ vs.29.5％ ;x2 =5.199,P =0.023),and hyperlipidemia (78.4％ vs.37.7％ ;x2 =31.31,P =0.000)in patients of carotid plaque group were significantly higher than those of the non-carotid plaque group.The levels of total cholesterol (5.7 ± 1.1 mmol/L vs.5.3 ± 1.0 mmol/L; t =2.433,P =0.016),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (4.5 ± 1.0 mmol/L vs.4.1 ±0.9 mmol/L; t =2.683,P =0.008),fasting glucose (7.5 ±2.5 mmol/Lvs.6.4±2.1 mmol/L; t=3.002,P＝0.003),sCD40L (151.4 ± 55.8 pg/mlvs.102.8 ±65.9 pg/ml; t =5.360,P=0.000),fctuin-A (390.1 ± 80.6 μg/ml v.s.352.9 ± 98.6 μg/ml; t =2.591,P =0.011),and PAPP-A (11.49 ±4.67 mIU/L vs.8.46 ± 3.99 mIU/L; t =4.409,P =0.000) were significantly higher than those of the non-carotid plaque group.Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that hyperlipidemia (odds ratio [OR] 6.582,95％ confidence interval [CI] 2.321-18.662; P =0.000),sCD40L (OR6.372,95％ CI 2.174-18.670;P=0.010),and fetuin-A (OR 4.101,95％ CI 1.012-16.619; P=0.048) were the independent predictors for carotid artery plaques in patients with acute ischemic stroke.The mean age of the stable plaque subgroup was significantly lower than that of the unstable plaque subgroup (59.6 ± 9.3 years vs.64.1 ± 7.2 years; t =3.231,P =0.002).The constituent ratio in patients with hypertension was significantly lower than that of the unstable plaque subgroup (55.8％ vs.78.1％ ; x2 =7.213,P =0.007).The levels of total cholesterol (5.4 ±0.9 mmol/L vs.6.0 ± 1.1 mmol/L; t =3.136,P =0.002),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (4.0 ± 1.2 mmol/L vs.5.7 ± 1.0 mmol/L; t =8.696,P =0.000),fasting glucose (7.1 ± 2.3 mmol/L vs,7.9 ± 1.9 mmol/L; t =2.147,P =0.034),sCD40L (135.3 ±74.3 pg/ml vs.176.5 ±64.5 pg/ml; t =3.319,P ＝0.001),and PAPP-A (10.96 ± 5.02 mIU/L vs.13.98 ±4.63 mIU/L; t =3.463,P =0.001) were significantly lower than those of the unstable plaque subgroup,while the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was significantly higher than that of the unstable plaque subgroup (1.2 ± 0.2 mmol/L vs.1.1 ± 0.3 mmol/L; t =2.314,P=0.022).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that HDL-C (OR 0.234,95％ CI0.060-0.906; P =0.022) was an independent protective factor for unstable plaques,while sCD40L (OR 5.290,95％ CI 1.613-17.351; P =0.029) and PAPP-A (OR4.125,95％ CI 1.281-13.283; P =0.021) were the independent predictors for unstable plaques.Conclusions The levels of sCD40L,PAPP-A,and fetuin-A were associated with the existence and stability of carotid artery plaque.The increased plasma sCD40L and fetuin-A were the independent predictors for carotid artery plaques in patients with acute ischemic stroke,and the increased levels of plasma sCD40L and PAPP-A were the independent predictors for carotid artery plaque instability in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of the occupational hazard of organic solvent and noise in printing and Methods record medium production enterprises in Longgang District of Shenzhen City. A total of 56 printing and record medium production enterprises were selected as the study subjects by judgmental sampling method to analyze the worksite Results survey of occupational health and the key occupational hazard factors. There were 256 organic solvent samples ， detected in 56 enterprises which included a total of 148 terms and 1 358 categories of volatile constituents. The top three （ ）， - （ ） （ ） volatile constituents were toluene 35.5% n hexane 25.7% and methanol 23.8% . The top three detected samples of the （ ， ， ， ， - ， ，- ， eight key chemical occupational hazard factors benzene toluene xylene ethylbenzene n hexane 1 2 dichloroethane ） ， - ， trichloroethylene and chloroform were toluene n hexane and ethylbenzene. In the workplace air toluene was the most risk ， factor of occupational hazard factors in enterprise and in sample detection while no trichloromethane was detected. The toluene in workplace air was found to exceed the national standard with the rate of 2.6%. It showed that 27.9% of the work sites were found occupational noise hazard which was over national standard in the 10 key work sites. Only 64.3% and 57.1% enterprises - performed occupational hazard factors detection and occupational health examination. Both none or invalid toxicant proof - facilities accounted for 33.9% of the enterprises. Both none or invalid noise proof facilities accounted for 78.6% of the Conclusion ， - enterprises. The occupational hazards factor of toluene n hexane and noise were serious in printing and record ， medium production enterprises in Longgang District of Shenzhen City and the occupational health management was imperfect. The occupational regulation should be enhanced in this industry.

Objective To evaluate the clinical effect of the intertrochanteric fractures with or without lateral femoral wall fractures using proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA).Methods From May 2008 to June 2011,102 patients with intertrochanteric fractures were treated with PFNA.In accordance with the preoperative three dimensional CT reconstruction(3D CT) images,the group A included 41 cases with lateral femoral wall fractures,and the other 61 cases with an intact lateral wall were in group B.According to the AO/OTA classification,there were 5 cases in 31-A2,36 in 31-A3 in group A,and 61 in 31-A2 in group B.The operative time,operative blood loss,average length of stay,postoperative X-ray images,and 3D CT images were collected for each patient.Time of partial weight-bearing,full weight-bearing and fracture healing were also recorded.Clinical evaluation was made using the functional recovery scale (FRS) of hip fractures.Results The mean operation time was 56±8 min in group A vs 45±6 min in group B; the mean blood loss was 238±21 ml vs 175±11 ml; the average length of stay was 17±3 days vs 15±3 days.On the postoperative radiography,the blowout of lateral trochanteric wall only occurred in 8 (19.5％,8/41) cases in group A and 3 (4.9％,3/61) in group B.According to the postoperative 3D CT,the similar findings were seen in 36 (87.8％.36/41) cases in group A and 45 (73.8％,45/61) in group B.Eighty-two cases were followed up for 6 to 35 months (mean.19.5 months).The mean FRS score was 64.2±4.8 points in group A and 76.5±7.9 points in group B.Conclusion When treating unstable intertrochanteric fractures,iatrogenic fractures in lateral trochanteric wall could be easily caused with using PFNA.3D CT could effectively evaluate iatrogenic trauma in the intertrochanteric fractures.

OBJECTIVETo know the antibiotic resistance and molecular characteristics of Listeria monocytogenes in Shandong province and to study the relationship between antibiotic resistance phenotypes and genome types.

METHODSFrom 2009 to 2010, a total of 80 Listeria monocytogenes isolates were collected from raw meat, cooked meat, aquatic products and other foods in 6 cities of Shandong province. The antibiotic susceptibility was measured by broth microdilution method, PFGE was performed for molecular typing and the relationship between antimicrobial resistance and PFGE patterns was analyzed.

RESULTS16.25% (13/80) of the isolates were drug-resistant. Imipenem resistance was the most prevalent (12.50%, 10/80), followed by tetracycline and doxycycline (3.75%, 3/80 and 2.50%, 2/80). A total of the 80 isolates were subtyped into 9 antibiotic resistance patterns and 34 PFGE types which were largely dominated by the type 17 and 29. Antibiotic resistance pattern A corresponded to 79.41% (27/34) of PFGE types.

CONCLUSIONThe antibiotic resistance of Listeria monocytogenes in Shandong province is serious from 2009 to 2010 and there is no correlation between PFGE types and antibiotic resistance patterns.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Bacterial Typing Techniques ; China ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Food Microbiology ; Listeria monocytogenes ; classification ; drug effects ; isolation & purification ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests

OBJECTIVETo study the occupational exposure limit of dimethoxymethane (DMM) in workplace air.

METHODSLiterature research was conducted on DMM; information on its physicochemical properties, toxicology, and occupational epidemiology was collected. Upon analyzing these data, an occupational exposure limit of DMM in workplace air was proposed according to the guidelines and principles of developing occupational exposure limits for harmful factors in workplaces.

RESULTSA total of 165 air samples were collected from DMM manufacturers, 14 of which had a DMM concentration over 3000 mg/m(3), accounting for 8.48% of all samples. Compared with the control group, the exposed employees had a significantly increased incidence of discomfort symptoms when exposed to more than 6000 mg/m(3) DMN (P < 0.01).No significant differences in the constituent ratios of abnormal results in physical examinations were found between the exposure groups and control group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONWe recommend to set the permissible concentration-time weighed average to 3100 mg/m(3) as the occupational exposure limit of DMM in workplace air in China. This occupational exposure limit standard meets the relevant requirements of toxicology and occupational epidemiology, as well as fits well with our country's current economical and technological levels. This standard has high applicability in China's domestic settings.

Air Pollutants, Occupational ; analysis ; China ; Humans ; Inhalation Exposure ; Methyl Ethers ; analysis ; Occupational Exposure ; analysis ; Threshold Limit Values ; Workplace

BACKGROUNDAs precise positioning of ankle radiography is not possible, quantitative measurement of all syndesmotic parameters on repeated ankle X-ray films may be of little value. The purpose of this study was to provide a set of scientific and objective evaluation criteria for assessing the quality of ankle fracture reduction accurately and reliably by an intelligent combining three-dimensional (3-D) computed tomography (CT) measurement model.

METHODSFrom June 2008 to March 2011, all the thin-slice CT images of 100 cases (50 males and 50 females) with normal ankle joint scanned by 16-slice spiral CT were collected. Two-dimensional (2-D) and 3-D images of ankle joints were generated by using multiple planar reconstruction (MPR) and surface shaded display (SSD) respectively. The relevant parameters about bone structures and their relationship were measured and analyzed based on 3-D topological narrow division technique and 3-D measurement techniques combining essential elements of point, line and surface.

RESULTSIn this study, the mean distance from lateral malleolus tip to talocrural articular surface, the tip of medial malleolus anterior colliculus to talocrural articular surface and lateral malleolus tip to the tip of medial malleolus anterior colliculus were (22.83 ± 1.12) mm, (12.84 ± 1.09) mm, and (61.18 ± 2.03) mm respectively in male group, and (20.16 ± 1.00) mm, (10.30 ± 1.05) mm and (53.00 ± 1.40) mm respectively in female group. The above three parameters were correlated with gender, height and weight (P < 0.05). However, the mean perpendicular distance from lateral malleolus tip to the plane through the tip of medial malleolus anterior colliculus, the talocrural angle, later clear space, medial clear space, and the superior clear space were (9.93 ± 0.29) mm, (10.01 ± 0.38)°, (1.94 ± 0.16) mm, (2.78 ± 0.19) mm, and (3.14 ± 0.15) mm respectively in 100 cases, were not significance correlated with gender, height and weight (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThis study could provide a certain amount of relevant data for the standard of injured ankle anatomical reduction and the second surgery planning after malunion. The methods of measurement are reliable, reproducible, and easy to apply in practice.

Adult ; Aged ; Ankle Joint ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo clone human PD-1 gene, construct a prokaryotic expression plasmid and express in E. coli.

METHODSThe human PD-1 cDNA was cloned by RT-PCR from the total RNA, which was extracted from peripheral blood lymphocyte cell of the patient with chronic hepatitis B. Recombinant PD-1 protein was been expressed and purified after the prokaryotic expression plasmid had been constructed. It was identified by SDS-PAGE, DNA sequencing and amino acid sequencing.

RESULTSThe PD-1 gene was cloned and confirmed by DNA sequencing. The recombinant protein was expressed in E. coli. The purified protein was obtained, then been confirmed by amino acid sequencing.

CONCLUSIONThe human PD-1 gene was successfully cloned and expressed in E. coli, which lays the foundation for further study on the function and application of PD-1.

Amino Acid Sequence ; Antigens, CD ; biosynthesis ; chemistry ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; biosynthesis ; chemistry ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Cloning, Molecular ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor ; Prokaryotic Cells ; metabolism ; Sequence Alignment ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

The effects of human insulin 70/30 and insulin lispro 75/25 were compared in improving postprandial blood glucose excursions in 106 patients with type 1 or 2 diabetes in a one-month,open-labelled,self- controlled trial .The results showed that treatment of diabetic patients with insulin lispro 75/25 significantly improved 2 h postprandial blood glucose excursion compared to pre-study with human insulin 70/30 (baseline) without any significant adverse events or sustained hypoglycemic episodes.These physiological benefits were associated with a patient preference for insulin lispro 75/25.

To approach the effect of CCAAT/enhancer binding proteins (C/EBPs) on un-terminal differentiation of HL-60 cells after treatment with Arsenic Trioxide ( As_2O_3) . Methods The changes of cell morphology were observed by Wright staining, the alteration in the cell proliferation was determined by WST1 experiment and the NBT reduction assay was used to detect the differentiation condition of cells, determination and analysis cell cycle. The expressions of C/EBP? and C/EBP? mRNA in HL-60 cells exposed to ATRA and As_2O_3 were assayed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Results It was found that ATRA could up- regulate the mRNA expression of C/EBP? obviously, but down-regulate the mRNA expression of C/EBP?. As_2O_3 could up-regulate the mRNA expression of C/EBP? lightly, down-regulate the expression of C/EBP?. Conclusion Both of ATRA and As_2O_3 can down-regulate the mRNA expression of C/EBP?,but there is no significant difference between these two groups,ATRA and As2O3 can up- regulate the mRNA expression of C/EBP?, with significant differences (P

Objective To study the characteristics and epidemic trend of Shigella in Shandong province through the analysis of serotype, virulence genes, molecular typing and drug sensitivity. Methods The serotype was classified using the method of slide agglutination. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to amplify the related virulence genes. The molecular typing was carried out by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and the antibiotic sensitivity of the strains was determined by micro-broth dilution method. Results The main serogroups of 44 Shigella strains were Shigella flexneri (54.55%) and Shigella sonnei (43.18%). The carrying rates of ipaH, Set1, Sen and ial were 100%, 43.18%, 56.82% and 50.00%, respectively. By PFGE typing, the strains of Shigella flexneri were divided into 18 patterns with a low similarity. The strains of Shigella sonnei were divided into 14 patterns, and the similarity of 89.47% of the strains was more than 90%. 44 strains of Shigella had different levels of resistance to 14 of the 15 antibiotics. 93.18% of the strains were multidrug resistant. Conclusion The Shigella in Shandong province is dominated by serogroups of Shigella flexneri and Shigella sonnei, with high virulence gene carrying rate, clustering distribution and severe antibiotic resistance. It is necessary to strengthen the monitoring on serotype, traceability and antibiotic resistance of Shigella in Shandong province.