Objective To investigate the role of APRIL in SW480 cell line.Methods The CRC model was established in the nude mice,all the mice were divided into 3 groups,the mice were separately treated with APRIL siRNA,pGC-vector and PBS solution.The APRIL mRNA was detected by RT-PCR and the APRIL protein was surveyed by the way of immunohis-tochemistry (IHC).The proteins of TIMP-3,Syndecan-1and MMP-9 also were assessed by IHC.Results ①Tumor mass in the group of nude mice injected with PBS (2.15±0.30 g)was significantly higher than the injection APRIL siRNA group (0.95±0.15 g,P<0.05),and was not statistically significant (P>0.05)compared with the injection of empty vector group (2.20±0.25 g).②APRIL mRNA/18S rRNA ratio (2.48±0.25)in the group of mice injected with PBS was signifi-cantly higher than the injection APRIL siRNA group (0.39±0.15,P<0.05),and was not statistically significant (P>0.05)compared with the injection of empty vector group (2.51±0.30).③SW480 cells injected with APRIL siRNA signifi-cantly inhibited invasion and metastasis.TIMP-3 Allred scores in three groups were 7.70±0.35,1.10±0.16 and 1.15± 0.12,Syndecan-1 protein was 7.80±0.30,1.05±0.20 and 1.10±0.22 MMP-9 protein was 1.20 ±0.10,8.00±0.25 and 8.20±0.20,respectively.Conlusion APRIL was closely connected with the growth and metabasis of CRC.

The complete chloroplast genome of medicinal plant Asarum caudigerum Hance and its close relative A. cardiophyllum Franchet were sequenced using Illumina Hiseq technology, and assembled, annotated, and characterized by bioinformatic methods in this study. Then phylogenetic analysis of the complete chloroplast genomes of A. caudigerum, A. cardiophyllum, and twelve published species was conducted. The results indicated that the chloroplast genomes ranged from 186 215-186 985 bp in length, with a large single copy (LSC, 89 445-90 169 bp) and two inverted repeats (IRa/IRb, 48 387-48 408 bp). The overall GC content was 37.4%-37.5%. A total of 144 chloroplast genes were annotated, including 98 protein coding genes, 38 tRNA genes and 8 rRNA genes. In addition, complex genomic rearrangements were detected in the chloroplast genome of Asarum. Meanwhile, visual evaluation of the discrete type of the sequence indicated that the variation level of non-coding region was higher than that of coding region. Phylogenetic analyses suggested that A. caudigerum and A. cardiophyllum were clustered into a single clade and A. cardiophyllum, A. sieboldii var. seoulense, A. misandrum and A. maculatum were clustered into another single branch. These two clade were sister species. This study provides a scientific basis for the identification, phylogenetic relationship, molecular breeding of Asarum species.

A RF coil (or probe) is one of the key components in NMR spectrometers and MRI systems, and designing a quality RF coil is a cheaper way to improves the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of systems and image quality. According to different applications there are a variety of RF coils. This article describes high-sensitive micro RF coils used in NMR spectrometers specially for test-tube samples. Their performance has been verified on the desktop MRI systems.
Equipment Design ; Image Enhancement ; instrumentation ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; instrumentation ; Radio Waves

Objective To explore the relationship between serum levels of osteoprotein (OPG), soluble nuclear factor-κB receptor activator ligand (sRANKL), inflammatory factors and coronary heart disease (CHD) and its severity. Methods The patients who underwent coronary angiography (CAG) due to chest pain admitted to department of cardiology of Tianjin Chest Hospital from April 2017 to December 2018 were enrolled, and they were divided into CHD group and non-CHD group according to the CAG results. The gender, age, history of hypertension, smoking history, diabetes, the levels of cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), apolipoprotein AI (apoAI), apolipoprotein B (apoB), lipoprotein (a) [Lp (a)], MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase (CK-MB) and other clinical data of patients were collected. The serum levels of OPG, sRANKL, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). According to the results of CAG, the patients with CHD were divided into single-, double-, triple-branch coronary artery lesion groups, and the relationship between the levels of serum OPG, sRANKL, inflammatory factors and the degree of coronary artery lesions was observed. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of CHD, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to analyze the predictive value of main risk factors for CHD. Results A total of 472 patients were enrolled in the final analysis during the study period, including 264 patients in the CHD group, 208 patients in the non-CHD group, 79 patients in the CHD group with single-branch disease, 75 patients with double-branch disease, and 110 patients with three-branch disease. ① Compared with the non-CHD group, the CHD group had more older male patients, as well as higher proportion of hypertension and diabetes, the levels of serum Lp (a) and CK-MB were significantly increased, and the levels of serum HDL-C and apoAI were significantly lowered. There was no statistically significant difference in serum TC, LDL-C, or apoB between the two groups. The levels of serum OPG, MMP-9, MCP-1, IGF-1 and IL-6 in the CHD group were significantly higher than those in the non-CHD group [OPG (μg/L): 1.79±0.50 vs. 1.50±0.30, MMP-9 (μg/L): 57.91 (33.50, 130.46) vs. 38.33 (29.43, 109.78), MCP-1 (μg/L):298.30 (207.96, 537.16) vs. 252.73 (165.22, 476.01), IGF-1 (μg/L): 734.03±486.11 vs. 217.75±126.45, IL-6 (ng/L):64.76±40.25 vs. 48.60±15.80, all P < 0.05], and the levels of serum sRANKL was significantly lower than that in the non-CHD group (ng/L: 344.31±122.14 vs. 378.74±109.27, P < 0.05). ② The serum OPG level showed a slight upward tendency with the increase in the number of coronary artery lesions, and the sRANKL level showed a slight downward tendency [OPG (μg/L) in the single-, double-, triple-branch coronary artery lesion groups was 1.74±0.49, 1.76±0.50, 1.85±0.52, and sRANKL (ng/L) was 354.96±116.64, 340.05±124.24, 339.57±125.03, respectively) without statistically significant differences (all P > 0.05). The levels of IGF-1 and IL-6 were increased with the number of coronary artery lesions [IGF-1 (μg/L) in the single-, double- and triple-branch coronary artery lesions groups was 372.13±258.42, 676.06±350.29, 1 033.47±468.06, and IL-6 (ng/L) was 48.87±16.72, 65.36±18.84, 75.76±22.72, respectively], and the differences among different lesion groups were statistically significant (all P < 0.01). Correlation analysis showed that IGF-1 level was significantly positively correlated with the number of coronary artery lesions (r = 0.612, P < 0.01), while IL-6 was not correlated with the number of coronary artery lesions (r = 0.185, P > 0.05).③ Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that elevated serum OPG and IGF-1 levels were risk factors for CHD [OPG: odds ratio (OR) = 1.995, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 1.936-2.067, P = 0.012; IGF-1: OR = 1.009, 95%CI = 1.004-1.015, P = 0.001]. ④ ROC curve analysis showed that the area under ROC curve (AUC) of OPG and IGF-1 was 0.716 and 0.867, respectively. When the cut-off value of OPG was 1.13 μg/L, the sensitivity was 81.7%, the specificity was 58.1%; when the cut-off value of sRANKL was 401.20 μg/L, the sensitivity was 69.7%, the specificity was 95.7%. Conclusions CHD was associated with increased in OPG, related inflammatory cytokines including MMP-9, MCP-1, IGF-1 and IL-6, and decreased in sRANKL. The level of IGF-1 was positively correlated with the severity of CHD. The serum levels of OPG and IGF-1 were risk factors for CHD, which had good predictive value for CHD.

OBJECTIVETo identify risk factors associated with patients suffered multiple level osteoporosis vertebral compression fractures(OVCFs).

METHODSFrom March 2011 to March 2015, 199 patients suffered osteoporotic were classified into multiple level OVCFs group and single level OVCF group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to identify risks factors associated with multiple level OVCFs.

RESULTSAll the patients underwent OVCF, including 71 multiple level OVCFs and 128 single level OVCF. There were no differences in the age, gender, BMI, hypertension and diabetes between two groups. While multiple level OVCFs were associated with spinal deformity index SDI[(2<=SDI<4, OR=2.587, 95% CI(1.148, 5.828);SDI>=-4, OR=7.775, 95% CI(3.272, 18.478)], BMD[(T<-4.5SD, OR=2.608, 95% CI(1.038, 6.551)].

CONCLUSIONSSDI and BMD might be the risk factors for multiple level OVCFs.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation between signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) expression and pituitary adenoma subtypes.

METHODThe STAT3 expression profiles in different pituitary adenomas from 74 patients were determined using quantificational real-time polymerase chain reaction,Western blot,and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSExpression of STAT3 was observed in all pituitary adenoma subtypes. The STAT3 expression level was highest in growth hormone adenoma when compared with other tumors including prolactin,follicle-stimulating hormone/luteinizing hormone-secreting adenoma,and adrenocorticotrophic hormone-secreting adenoma. The follicle-stimulating hormone/luteinizing hormone adenomas exhibited the lowest STAT3 expression levels.

CONCLUSIONSTAT3 is differentially expressed in pituitary adenoma subtypes, suggesting the cell-specific features of STAT3 regulation,although further investigations are still warranted to clarify the underlying mechanisms.

Objective To study the clinical significance of the method of three perpendicular planes plus special planes in diagnosing fetal cleft lip /palate by prenatal ultrasound .Methods The approach of three perpendicular planes and special planes were used in diagnosing 110 cases of cleft lip/palate.The sonogram features in each section were analyzed and the outcomes were recorded during follow-up.Results On prenatal ultrsound ,110 cases were examined with three perpendicular planes method .The coronary section could be displayed at 100%cases (110 cases), sagittal section 76.4%cases (84 cases),transverse section 96.4%cases (106 cases) and parasagittal section 25.5%cases (28 cases).With special planes method,74 cases were examined .The section through pyriform aperture could be displayed in 47 cases,in 45 cases on the section through the lower lip/lower jaw/submandibular triangle ,and in 16 cases on the section through the cheek.Combining the three perpendicular planes and special planes methods ,94.5%(104/110) cases could be diagnosed definitely.Six cases (5.5%,6/110) were missed because of fetal position or oligoamnios . Conclusions The method of three perpendicular planes plus special planes is effective in prenatal ultrasound diagnosing cleft lip/palate,which is of great help in improving prenatal diagnostic accuracy of fetal cleft lip/palate.

Objective: Schizophrenia is a complex and devastating psychiatric disorder with a strong genetic background. However, much uncertainty still exists about the role of genetic susceptibility in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. TEA domain transcription factor 1 (TEAD1) is a transcription factor associated with neurodevelopment and has modulating effects on various nervous system diseases. In the current study, we performed a case–control association study in a Northeast Chinese Han population to explore the characteristics of pathogenic TEAD1 polymorphisms and potential association with schizophrenia. Methods: We recruited a total of 721 schizophrenia patients and 1,195 healthy controls in this study. The 9 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the gene region of TEAD1 were selected and genotyped. Results: The genetic association analyses showed that five SNPs (rs12289262, rs6485989, rs4415740, rs7113256, and rs1866709) were significantly different between schizophrenia patients and healthy controls in allele or/and genotype frequencies. After Bonferroni correction, the association of three SNPs (rs4415740, rs7113256, and rs1866709) with schizophrenia were still evident. Haplotype analysis revealed that two strong linkage disequilibrium blocks (rs6485989-rs4415740-rs7113256 and rs16911710-rs12364619-rs1866709) were globally associated with schizophrenia. Four haplotypes (C-C-C and T-T-T, rs6485989-rs4415740-rs7113256; G-T-A and G-T-G, rs16911710-rs12364619-rs1866709) were significantly different between schizophrenia patients and healthy controls. Conclusion The current findings indicated that the human TEAD1 gene has a genetic association with schizophrenia in the Chinese Han population and may act as a susceptibility gene for schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the polymorphisms of T149C and T950C gene in osteoprotectin (OPG) promoter sites and the levels of serum OPG and soluble nuclear factor-ΚB receptor activator ligand (sRANKL) and the incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD). METHODS: 528 patients in Tianjin suspected of CHD and underwent coronary angiography (CAG) who admitted to the department of cardiology of Tianjin Chest Hospital from April 2017 to December 2018 were enrolled. According to the CAG results, they were divided into two groups: CHD group (n = 302) and non-CHD group (n = 226). The gender, age, history of hypertension, family history of CHD, diabetes, levels of blood lipid parameters in serum and other clinical data of patients were recorded. The levels of serum OPG and sRANKL were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). T149C and T950C gene polymorphisms were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction endonuclease fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) methods. Hardy-Weinberg genetic balance test was performed for alleles. Binomial classification multivariate non-conditional Logistic regression method was used to analyze the relationship between T149C and T950C gene polymorphisms, serum levels of OPG and sRANKL and CHD. RESULTS: All patients were enrolled in the final analysis. The serum level of OPG in CHD group was significantly higher than that in non-CHD group (μg/L: 1.76±0.49 vs. 1.47±0.29, P < 0.01), the serum level of sRANKL was significantly lower than that in non-CHD group (ng/L: 342.14±121.38 vs. 376.63±108.66, P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for age, gender, blood lipid parameters, diabetes and other factors, the increase in serum OPG level was an independent risk factor for CHD [odds ratio (OR) = 1.995, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 1.935-2.066, P = 0.012]. PCR-RFLP results showed that TT, TC and CC genotypes were found in T149C and T950C of OPG promoter. According to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium test, the polymorphisms of OPG T149C and T950C accorded with Hardy-Weinberg law, achieving genetic balance with representative of the population. The frequencies of TT, TC, CC and alleles T and C in T149C genotypes of non-CHD group were 53.5%, 42.9%, 3.6%, 75.0% and 25.0%, respectively, and they were 43.1%, 50.3%, 6.6%, 68.2% and 31.8%, respectively in CHD group. There were statistically significant differences in genotype and allele frequencies between the two groups (all P < 0.05). It was shown by Logistic regression analysis that the risk of CHD in TC+CC genotype of T149C was 1.86 of TT genotype (OR = 1.86, 95%CI = 1.24-2.78, P = 0.003). It was suggested that C allele might be a susceptible gene for CHD. In non-CHD group, the frequencies of TT, TC, CC, and alleles T and C in T950C genotypes were 39.8%, 46.5%, 13.7%, 63.1% and 36.9%, respectively. They were 39.4%, 43.4%, 17.2%, 61.1% and 38.9%, respectively in CHD group. There were no significant differences in genotype and allele frequencies between the two groups (all P > 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that TC+CC genotype of T950C was not related with CHD. CONCLUSIONS The increased level of serum OPG was closely related with CHD and could be used as a risk factor for CHD. The cases carried OPG T149C TC+CC genotype might have the risk suffering CHD. C allele is might be a susceptible gene.
China/epidemiology* ; Coronary Disease/epidemiology* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Osteoprotegerin/genetics* ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Promoter Regions, Genetic/genetics* ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of targeted sealing with high viscosity bone cement and secondary injection of low viscosity bone cement in the treatment of OVCFs patients with the fracture lines involved vertebral body margin. METHODS: The elderly patients who underwent vertebroplasty for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures from January 2019 to September 2021 were selected as the screening objects. Through relevant standards and further CT examination, 56 patients with fracture lines involving the anterior wall or upper and lower endplates of the vertebral body were selected for the study. There were 21 males and 35 females, aged from 67 to 89 years old with an average of (76.58±9.68) years. All 56 patients underwent secondary injection of bone cement during operation. Only a small amount of high viscosity cement was targeted to seal the edge of the vertebral body for the first time, and low viscosity cement was injected to the vertebral bodies during second bolus with well-distributed. The operation time, bone cement volume and bone cement leakage were recorded, and the pain relief was evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS). RESULTS: All patients were followed up for more than 3 months and the surgeries were successfully complete. The operation time was (50.41±10.30) min and the bone cement volume was (3.64±1.29) ml. The preoperative VAS was (7.21±2.41) points, which decreased significantly to (2.81±0.97) points 3 days after operation(P<0.05). Among the 56 patients, 2 cases(3.57%) had bone cement leakage, 1 case leaked to the paravertebral vein, and 1 case slightly bulged to the paravertebral through the crack when plugging the vertebral crack. Both patients had no obvious clinical symptoms. CONCLUSION In vertebroplasty surgery, targeted sealing of high viscosity bone cement and secondary injection of low viscosity bone cement can reduce intraoperative bone cement leakage and improve the safety of operation.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Cements/therapeutic use* ; Fractures, Compression/etiology* ; Spinal Fractures/surgery* ; Viscosity ; Osteoporotic Fractures/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Vertebroplasty/adverse effects* ; Treatment Outcome