Purpose To evaluate the correlation between T2-FLAIR hyperintense vessel sign (HVS) and the stenotic degree of internal carotid artery (ICA) and assess the HVS changes after the carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Materials and Methods Fifty-one patients with CEA were retrospectively enrolled. The stenosis of the bilateral ICA were as:≥90%, and<90%. The distribution of HVS locations was classified as three regions:sylvian fissure, sulci of temporo-occipital lobe and other areas. The presence and the location of HVS were counted. The extrension of HVS on T2-FLAIR were graded as:I:the presence of HVS was<1/3 of the MCA territory, II:the presence of HVS was≥1/3 of the MCA territory.χ2-test was performed for correlation between HVS and ICA stenosis. The difference of HVS and stenosis of ICA and their effects on CEA was accessed. Results HVS was significantly higher in the ICA stenosis more than 90%group than in the less than 90% group (χ2=23.584, P<0.001). The frequencies of HVS were 12, 34 and 15 in sylvian fissure, sulci of temporo-occipital lobe and other area, respectively. The proportion of grade II HVS was higher in the ≥ 90% group than in the<90% group (χ2=8.395, P<0.05). After CEA, HVS on 29 affected hemispheres were showed to be disappeared (n=24) or remained (n=5) in the treated side. Conclusion The presence and the grade of HVS were correlated with the stenotic degree of ICA. In the patients with ICA stenosis, HVS was most frequently found in the sulci of temporal lobe and occipital lobe, and seldom found in sylvian fissure. HVS disappeared after CEA indicating that HVS can be considered as a marker for CEA treatment.

Objective This study aims to investigate the effect of rehabilitation skills training on suicide and relapse prevention of patients with depression.Methods Eighty patients were randomly divided into two groups.One group accepted depression rehabilitation skills training and the other group accepted general health education for 4 weeks.Both groups were followed up by 12 months,and the number of relapse and suicide and the score of Health-related quality of life made by Word Health Organization (WHOQOL-BREF) were recorded.Results The rate of relapse (10.0％ vs.42.5％) and hospitalization (5.0％ vs.20.0％) were lower in skills training group than in control group (P＜0.05).Rate of seeking help of suicide was higher in skills training group than in control group (25.5％ vs.7.5％) (P＜0.05).The suicide mortality was insignificantly different between two groups (0.0％ vs.2.5％) (P＞0.05).The scores of WHOQOL-BREF were significantly higher in skills training group than in control group in follow-up (P＜0.05).Conclusions Rehabilitation skills training program can not only reduce the rate of relapse and suicide but also improve the quality of life of patients with depression.

The monocot mannose-binding lectin can inhibit HIV from infecting the target cells. The total RNA of Zephyranthes grandiflora was extracted and reversely transcribed into cDNA. Degenerate primers were designed based on the conserved regions of other monocot mannose-binding agglutinins by homology alignment. The 694bp full-length cDNA of Zephyranthes grandiflora agglutinin (ZGA) was cloned by RT-PCR, 3' and 5' RACE (rapid amplification of cDNA ends). The start codon and stop codon of ZGA were at 37-39bp and 529-531bp respectively. The NCBI Blast analysis result showed that ZGA gene encoded a protein precursor with signal peptide, mature protein and C-terminal cleavage sequence. The mature ZGA protein contained 106 amino acids residues and its molecular weight was 11.6KD. The percentages of identity of the deduced mature ZGA protein with those of Galanthus nivalis agglutinin, Narcissus hybrid cultivar agglutinin, Lycoris radiate agglutinin and Clivia miniata agglutinin were 71.8%, 81%, 81.8% and 84.5%, respectively. Blocks analysis revealed that ZGA had three functional domains and three mannose-binding boxes (QDNY).
Agglutinins ; genetics ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Base Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; Liliaceae ; genetics ; Mannose-Binding Lectin ; genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

Objective: To investigate the influence of extremely low-frequency magnetic field on periodical expression of cryptochrome (Cry) gene in mouse embryonic fibroblast NIH3T3 cells. Methods: The NIH3T3 cells were divided into magnetic field group and sham-exposure group. The NIH3T3 cells in the magnetic field group were stimulated by horse serum and then exposed to an extremely low-frequency magnetic field (50 Hz and 0.3 mT) for 48 hours, and those in the sham-exposure group were also stimulated by horse serum and then exposed to a coil for 48 hours. The NIH3T3 cells were collected, total RNA was extracted, and cDNA was obtained via reverse transcription. Real-time fluorescent quantitative RT-PCR was used to measure the changes in transcription cycles of Cry and Period genes in both groups. Results: There was no significant difference in the proliferation rate at 0, 12, 24, and 48 hours of exposure between the two groups (P>0.05) . Both sham-exposure group and magnetic field group showed a rhythmic change in the expression of Cry gene, and compared with the sham-exposure group, the magnetic field group had a significantly shortened circadian rhythm of Cry gene in NIH3T3 cells (t=2.57, P<0.05) . Both groups had rhythmic and periodical expression of Period gene and there was no significant difference between the two groups (t=0.70, P>0.05) . Conclusion Extremely low-frequency magnetic field can significantly shorten the circadian rhythm of Cry gene in mouse embryonic fibroblasts, while there is no significant change in the circadian rhythm of Period gene.