Objective To observe the risk factors for portal vein thrombosis (PVT) in cirrhotic patients prior to receiving endoscopic treatment to prevent gastroesophageal varices rebleeding.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on cirrhotic patients admitted to Zhongshan Hospital,Fudan University from 2008 to 2013 for secondary prevention of gastroesophageal varices bleeding via endoscopic treatment.Relevant information and data were collected,followed by an univariate analysis and multiple Logistic regression analysis in attempt to identify potential factors affecting the formation of PVT.Results Totally 591 patients were enrolled in the present study and were classified as present-PVT group (n =122,20.64 ％) and absent-PVT group (n =469,79.36 ％).Univariate analysis showed that MELD score,hemoglobin,platelet count,total bilirubin,alanine aminotransferase,blood urea nitrogen,splenectomy ratio all achieved statistical significance between the two groups (P＜0.05).The multiple Logistic regression showed that MELD score,lowered blood urea nitrogen,elevated D-dimer and history of splenectomy were independent factors associated with the formation of PVT (P values were separately 0.016,0.026,0.014 and ＜0.001).Conclusions Cirrhotic patients should receive regular surveillance for MELD score,liver function,D-dimer and portal vein ultrasonography,especially in patients received with a previous history of splenectomy.

Objective: To investigate the association between frailty and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) using a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis, so as to provide the evidence for the prevention and control of frailty and T2DM. Methods: Frailty status was assessed using the Fried Frailty Score (FFS), with aggregated data sourced from 386 565 European samples in the UK Biobank. The T2DM data were obtained from the summary results of genome-wide analysis published by the Diabetes Genetics Replication and Meta-analysis Consortium, excluding the UK Biobank data, including 455 313 European samples. Eligible single nucleotide polymorphism site were selected from the FFS and T2DM summary data as instrumental variables. The bidirectional MR analysis was performed using the inverse-variance weighted method. The heterogeneity was assessed using the modified Cochran Q test. The horizontal pleiotropy of instrumental variables was examined using MR-Egger regression. The robustness of the results was evaluated using the leave-one-out method. The bias was tested using funnel plot. Results: The forward MR analysis revealed a statistically significant association between increased FFS and an increased risk of T2DM (OR=2.280, 95%CI: 1.169-4.447). The reverse MR analysis showed a statistically significant association between T2DM and increased FFS (β=0.026, 95%CI: 0.012-0.041). Both bidirectional MR results were robust, with no horizontal pleiotropy of the instrumental variables was found (all P>0.5); and the funnel plots did not show significant basis. Conclusion The study found a bidirectional causal association between frailty and T2DM.

Objective To study the effects of nitric oxide synthase(NOS) and nitric oxide(NO) in post-asphyxial renal injury in neonatal rats.Methods Forty-eight Wistar neonatal rats were randomly divided into 4 groups:controls,2 h,24 h and 48 h post-asphyxia groups (12 in each group).The rats were decapitated in different times(2 h,24 h and 48 h) after asphyxia for 30 minutes.The renals were dissected to determined the concentrations of NO and NOS.And the scores of renal tubules were measured under light microscope.Results Compared with control group,the levels of NO and NOS significantly increased at 2 h and 24 h after asphyxia.The scores of renal tubules were significant difference at 24 h and 48 h after asphyxia compared to controls.Conclusion These findings suggest NOS and NO may play an important role in the development of post-asphyxia renal injury.

Objective To develop a Chinese version of Frommelt Attitude Toward Care of the Dying scale (FATCOD) and evaluate its validity and reliability to provide a tool for the field of hospice care and death education used among nurses.Methods FATCOD scale was adopted according to Brislin's translation model for cross-cultural research and its reliability and validity of the new Chinese version was tested in 126 nurses.Factor analysis and correlation analysis were applied to establish the validity and reliability.Results The Chinese version of FATCOD scale consisted of 30 items.The Cronbach's α coefficient of the scale was 0.828; split-half coefficient of the whole scale was 0.807; the varimax rotation factor analysis of the scale identified twelve principal factors and explained for 69.5％ variances.Conclusions The Chinese version of FATCOD scale is valid and reliable in the sample of nurses,and can be used in the field of hospice care and death education.

An actinomycetes which produced soluble blue pigment was isolated from the soil sample in Nanjing,China.Based on its cell chemical characteristics and 16S rDNA sequence we found that its cell wall contained L-diaminopimelic acid and glycine,the whole cell hydrolysates contained glucose and ribose,whole cell contained fatty acid from C14 to C17 with 12-methyltetradecanoic(anteiso-15) and 14-methylpentadentadecanoic acid(iso-16) as the major components.The results shown that,it belongs to the genus Streptomyces.Phylogenetic tree of 16S rDNA sequences indicated that all strains were clustered into 9 branches.All strains that could produce blue pigment were clustered into 2 branches,they were S.coelicolor、S.cyaneus.The isolate closely related to Streptomyces indigocolor with a similarity of 99.4% fell into S.cyaneus branch.

Objective In order to identy the risk factors of mechanical entilation patients in ICU out of inspection and ensure the patients' safe.Methods A total of 50 patients with mechanical ventilation in ICU was employed,and the risk factors were analyzed.Results The risk factors related to inspection out of ward among those subjects were following: the state of illness change, the accident injury, the treatment interrupted or even delayed,the pipeline failed off, which due to the f complexity of the disease itself and the inappropriate treatment and care .Conclusions The measures should be carried out before and during the process of inspection out of ward; comprehensive disease assessment and preparation, continuous using of breathing machines, close observation patient's condition, ensure the normal breathing machines running, timely deal with abnormaabilities.After the examination, close monitoring vital signs and specific nursing can ensure the check smoothly.

NAS preparation, a kind of Chinese herbal medicine found by the Yunnan Eco-agricultural Research Institute, has potential antiviral activity. In this paper, the inhibiting effect of NAS preparation on H9N2 subtype Avian influenza virus (AIV) was investigated in vivo. Chickens infected with H9N2 virus were treated with NAS preparation for 4 days. The virus was then detected by hemoagglutination (HA) test and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The results showed that no H9N2 virus could be detected at the 7th day when the chickens were treated with 0.2g/kg/d or 0.1g/kg/d of NAS preparation. However the virus could be detected in other chickens without NAS preparation treatment. This result suggested that NAS preparation may be a potential drug candidate to control infection of H9N2 subtype AIV in chickens.

AIM AND METHODSNew method to analyse nitrate and nitrite concentrations in saliva, serum and urine was developed using high performance liquid chromatography.

RESULTSThe whole isolation process was completed in less than 7 minutes, the determination linearity of nitrate and nitrite were 0.7 ng-100 ng and 5 ng-100 ng, respectively. MINIMUM: Detectable limits of nitrate and nitrite were 0.3 ng and 2 ng, respectively. Nitrate recovery ratio was 99%-102% and nitrite recovery ratio was 99%-104%. The RSD of nitrate and nitrite was 0.8% and 1.7%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONIn comparison with other methods available, the present method seems to be simpler, more sensitive and specific.

Body Fluids ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Nitrates ; analysis ; Nitrites ; analysis

Objective To investigate AXIN2 mRNA expression level in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) , and to analyze the effect of AXIN2 gene methylation status on its mRNA expression and HCC genesis and development. Methods Fifty-three surgical excised HCC specimens and paired adjacent non-cancerous specimens, seven normal liver specimens and five HCC cell lines were collected. The expression of AXIN2 at mRNA level and the methylation status of AXIN2 gene promoter were determined by quantitative PCR. Results The expression of AXIN2 mRNA was lower in HCC tissues (0.1629 + 0.0679) than that in adjacent non-cancerous tissues (0. 4155 + 0. 2330), and there was significant difference (Z= -2. 567, P = 0. 010). The methylation level of AXIN2 gene in HCC and adjacent non-cancerous tissues (39. 77% ±3. 89%, and 36. 92% ±2. 81%) was significantly higher than that in normal liver tissues (7. 38% ±2. 40% , t=-3. 663 ,P = 0. 009;t= -4. 591 ,P = 0. 007).AXIN2 gene was hypermethylated in all five HCC cell lines. There was a negative correlation between AXIN2 mRNA expression level and the degree of methylation ( r = -0. 458, P = 0. 032). The methylation level was higher in TNM Ⅲ patients of HCC than that in TNM Ⅰ and Ⅱ patients (P =0.008). Conclusion The down-regulation of AXIN2 gene mRNA expression is correlated with its hypermethylation status. The low expression of AXIN2 mRNA and the abnormal methylation of promoter may be one of the important mechanism of HCC genesis and development.

BACKGROUNDEndothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) transplantation is a promising therapeutic strategy for ischemic retinopathy. The current study aimed to establish a simple, reliable and fluorescent labeling method for tracking EPCs with 5-(and-6)-carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFSE) in laser-injured mouse retina.

METHODSEPCs were isolated from human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells, cultivated, and labeled with various concentrations of CFSE. Based on fluorescence intensity and cell morphology, a 15 minutes incubation with 5 µmol/L CFSE at 37°C was selected as the optimal labeling condition. The survival capability and the apoptosis rate of CFSE-labeled EPCs were measured by Trypan blue staining and Annexin V/PI staining assay respectively. Fluorescence microscopy was used to observe the label stability during the extended culture period. Labeled EPCs were transplanted into the vitreous cavity of pigmented mice injured by retinal laser photocoagulation. Evans Blue angiography and flat mounted retinas were examined to track the labeled cells.

RESULTSEPCs labeled with 5 µmol/L CFSE presented an intense green fluorescence and maintained normal morphology, with no significant changes in the survival capability or apoptosis rate after being labeled for 2 days, 1 and 4 weeks. The fluorescence intensity gradually decreased in the cells at the end of 4 weeks. Evans Blue angiography of the retina displayed the retinal capillarity network clearly and fluorescence leakage was observed around photocoagulated spots in the laser-injured mouse model. One week after transplantation of labeled EPCs, the fluorescent cells were identified around the photocoagulated lesions. Four weeks after transplantation, fluorescent tube-like structures were observed in the retinal vascular networks.

CONCLUSIONEPCs could be labeled by CFSE in vitro and monitored in vivo for at least 4 weeks, and participate in the repair of injured retinal vessels.

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelial Cells ; chemistry ; cytology ; Fluoresceins ; chemistry ; Fluorescent Dyes ; chemistry ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Microscopy, Fluorescence ; Retina ; cytology ; Stem Cells ; chemistry ; cytology ; Succinimides ; chemistry