Objectives To evaluate the influence of cardio-pulmonary bypass (CPB) to the endothelial function and lipid oxidative status of the Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) patients. Methods Thirty-five coronary patients (female 5 cases, male 30 cases, mean age 59.5±8. 6 years) who needed CABG operation therapy were included. The control group consisted of 20 health volunteers (female 5 cases, male 15 cases, mean age 49. 5 ± 7.3 years).Blood samples were taken at preoperative, 3 and 7 days postoperative. Serum von Willebrand factor (vWF) level, one of the endothelial dysfunction markers,and oxidized low density lipid (OxLDL) level, one of the lipid oxidization status markers were detected with ELISA kits. Results The levels of vWF and OxLDL in CABG patients' serum were elevated significantly compared with those of control group ( 139.60% ± 34. 39% vs 82. 79% ±13. 89% and 63. 7 ±18. 9U/ml vs 25.4± 15.2U/ml respectively). Three and 7 days after CABG significant increases in the vWF level (194. 30% ±37. 74%; 181.07% ±31.05%vs 139.60% ±34.39% at baseline, P＜0. 0001, respectively) and OxLDL level (79. 3±26. 7U/ml; 72.4±23.1U/ml vs 63.7±18. 9U/ml at baseline, P＜0. 01, respectively) were detected. Conclusion Compared with normal people, the endothelial system of CABG patients is impaired, and their lipids are in a more oxidative status. CABG procedure with CPB can further deteriorate the conditions, which may imply that the patients are predisposed to acute coronary accident shortly are the procedure.

Efforts on directed evolution of sortase A to optimize its catalytic properties have been undertaken and shown the promise. To facilitate screening of sortase A mutants with expected catalytic properties, a novel ligation efficiency monitoring system, including reporter substrates GFP-LPETG and GGGYK-Biotin, was developed. GFP-LPETG, wild type sortase A, and a recently reported high activity sortase A mutant were prepared recombinantly from Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). Taking advantage of the newly designed reporter system, the ligation efficiency catalyzed by wild type and mutant form of sortase A could be sensitively monitored via SDS-PAGE directly. Consistent with previous report, the mutant sortase A displayed much higher catalytic activity compared to wild type enzyme, indicating the new reporter system is easily and fast handled and sensitive. The application of this reporter system into systemic screening will facilitate future directed optimization of sortase A.
Aminoacyltransferases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Bacterial Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Biocatalysis ; Biotin ; Cysteine Endopeptidases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Escherichia coli ; Genes, Reporter ; Ligation ; Mutant Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the variance levels of plasma soluble leukocyte differentiation antigens CD40 (sCD40) and soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) in preeclamptic patients with renal damage and its relationship. Methods A total of 63 pregnant women attended the Department of Obstetrics, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University Medical College between August 2008 and June 2010. In the present study included 28 pregnant women with mild preeclampsia and 35 patients with severe preeclampsia. Thirty matched normotensive pregnant women were enrolled in the study as the control group. Expression of sCD40 and sCD40L were determined by ELISA. At the same time, the blood routine, C reaction protein ( CRP),urine routine, 24 hours urine protein excretion, and serum uric acid (UA), creatinine (Cr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were measured. The correlation analysis was performed between the sCD40/sCD40L and the blood biochemical indexes in 3 groups. Results ( 1 ) The median levels of CRP in severe preeclampsia (10. 8 mg/L)and mild preeclampsia group(7. I mg/L)are significantly higher than that of control group (3. 3 mg/L,P ＜ 0. 05 ); The level of CRP in severe preeclampsia group was also higher than that of mild preeclampsia group ( P ＜ 0. 05 ). The median gestational age at delivery in severe preeclampsia ( 32. 5 weeks)was significantly less than that of mild preeclampsia group ( 37. 2 weeks) and normal group ( 38. 6 weeks,P ＜ 0. 05). However no significant differences were observed between mild preeclampsia group and normal group ( P ＞0. 05 ). The platelet count in severe preeclampsia ( 132 × 109/L) was significantly less than those of mild preeclampsia group (212 × 109/L) and normal group ( 216 × 109/L, P ＜ 0. 01 ), but no significant differences were observed in blood platelet amount between mild preeclampsia group and normal group ( P ＞0. 05 ). There was no significant difference in hemoglobin level and white blood cell in three groups ( P ＞0. 05). (2) The sCD40 plasma concentration in severe, mild preeclampsia and normal group was 133.6,126. 5 and 90. 7 ng/L, respectively. The sCD40 L plasma concentrations were 12. 5, 10. 4 and 4. 4 ng/L respectively in the 3 groups. 24 hours urinary protein quantitative was 4. 5 g/d,0. 8 g/d and 0 in the 3 groups respectively. And the UA level was 486 μ mol/L,289 μmol/L and 162 μmol/L. In the above three groups,the monitoring indicators were significantly higher in women with severe preeclampsia group compared with mild preeclampsia and control groups (P ＜ 0. 01 ), and there were also higher in mild preeclampsia group than that in control groups ( P ＜ 0. 01 ). The level of plasma Cr ( 89 μmol/L) and BUN ( 5. 32 mmol/L) in severe preeclampsia group were higher than those of mild preeclampsia group (66 μmol/L and 4. 49mmol/L) and control group ( 57 μmol/L and 3.32 mmol/L, P ＜ 0. 05 ). There was no significant difference between mild preeclampsia group and normal group (P ＞ 0. 05 ). (3) The correlation analysis indicated that the level of sCD40 has a positive correlation with 24 hours urinary protein quantitative( r = 0. 434, P ＜ 0. 05 ),also significant positive correlation( r =0. 536,0. 528 ,P ＜ 0. 01 ) between the level of sCD40 and UA or CRP in women with preeclampsia. There was no significant correlation between the level of sCD40 and systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, delivery gestational age, Cr, BUN, and platelet count(r =0. 135,0. 183, -0. 133,0. 190,0. 167, -0. 221 ,all P ＞0. 05 ). There were positive correlation between the level of sCD40L and 24 hours urine protein excretion, either UA or CRP( r =0. 591,0. 445,0. 539 ,all P ＜0. 01 ). No significant correlation was found between sCD40 L and systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure,delivery gestational age, Cr, BUN, and platelet count( r =0. 178,0. 212, -0. 292,0. 144,0. 135, -0. 273,all P ＞0. 05). There was significant positive correlation between plasma sCD40 and sCD40L ( r =0. 707 ,P ＜0. 01 ). There was no relationship between the level of sCD40, sCD40L and the blood biochemical indexes in normotensive pregnant women ( P ＞ 0. 05 ). Conclusions The plasma concentrations of sCD40 and sCD40 L are significantly higher in pregnant women with preeclampsia compared with the control, which may be involved in the development of preeclampsia and contribute to the kidney damage. The variance levels of sCD40 and sCD40L may be also related to the severity of preeclampsia.

Objective To analyze the MRI characteristics of cavernous angioma of the epidural space in spine.Methods MR imaging features of cavernous angioma of epidural space in 3 cases confirmed by surgery-pathology were analysed with literature review . Results Among the three cases,the tumors located in the lumbar spine in one and in the thoracic spine in 2.The tumors were all at posterior to the spinal cord and shuttle-shaped,the major axis was consistent with the spinal ordinate axis,the corresponding plane spinal cords were compressed and resulting in distortion and shift.The tumors were high signal intensity on T_2WI,and obviously homogeneous enhanced after Gd-DTPA administration. Conclusion MRI examination is the best method to diagnose this kind of disease.

Objective To explore the effect of Notch1 signal pathway on the osteogenic differentiation in human periodontal ligament stem cells(PDLSCs) under dynamic strain.Methods PDLSCs were separated from freshly extracted teeth then identified and prolifed.Notch1 signal pathway was regulated by chemicals.Dynamic strains were applied to PDLSCs with the tension plus system.Then Notch1 signal pathway key factor Notch intracellular domain(NICD),osteoblastic related indexes alkaline phosphatase(ALP) and bone morphogenetic proteins 2 (BMP2) were detected by western blot expression.The deformation rate of stress parameters was 0 to 12%,and the frequency was 0.1 Hz.The loading time was 0 h,6 h,12 h and 24 h.Results As Notch1 signal pathway was activated,the expression of osteogenic markers ALP and BMP2 both reduced (P<0.05).On the contrary, the expression of osteogenic markers ALP and BMP2 both increased obviously (P<0.05) as Notch1 signal pathway was inhibited.Conclusion The activated Notch1 signal pathway will inhibit osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs under dynamic tensile.

Objective To observe the morphological changes of corneal nerve in experimental herpes simplex keratitis (HSK) in rabbit eyes. Methods Inoculation of the scarified cornea with herpes simplex virus-Ⅰ(HSV-Ⅰ)leads to herpetic infection of cornea. The HSK was detected by slit lamp and polymerase chain reaction(PCR), and the changes of corneal nerves in various periods with methylene blue vital staining and ultrastructure of corneal nerve were studied. Results Under light microscope, fewer corneal nerve bundles were observed, scattered with lower density of nerve fiber at center of cornea on the 4th day after the infection. At days 7 and 14, the seriously damaged nerve fiber was intermittent. The neuraxon became shorter with little polarity and the density of nerve fiber was extremely low. At day 30, the density was still low while the nerve fiber was approximately normal. Under electromicroscope, at day 4, the lamellar sheath of nerve fiber in the epitheliums appeared intermittent, and the neuroplasm of endings was partly lysed. During day 7 to day 14,neuroplasm was damaged and became vacuolar. The mitochondria swelled with vacuolar crest, and then were destroyed and lysed. The nerves in stroma were also injured. On day 30, neurilemma sheath was still intermittent with the decrease of microfilament and racuole. Conclusion HSK leads to the damage of nerve and the decrease of nerval density, and the damage of corneal nerve repairs very slowly.

Objective To explore the clinical effects of enema combined with massage therapy on jaundice in premature infants.Methods Seventy-five premature infants with jaundice were randomly divided into 3 groups,enema combined message therapy group(group A),abdominal massage therapy group(group B),and double-side phototherapy group(group C).All 3 groups were received the same formula fee-ding,intravenous nutrition and identical drug treatment.Group A was given enema with mixed kaiselu and normal saline together with 60 times clockwise abdominal massage once a day for 2 weeks.Group B only received abdominal massage twice per day for 2 weeks.Transcutaneous bilirubin(TB) indexes of all the premature infants in the 3 groups were detected and transformed into total TB concentrations every morning,through version of MINOLTA JM-102 transcutaneous bilirubin radiometer made in Japan.When TB index counted more than 196.58 ?mol/L,group A and B were given single-side phototherapy for 24 hours.Neither enema nor abdominal massage was given to group C,and double-side phototherapy was applied when TB indexes were above 196.58 ?mol/L.Daily TB indexes,duration of jaundice and phototherapy,time of meconium exhaustion,defecation times in each day,incidence of constipation and feeding intolerance were recorded.Results Duration of jaunhospitalized and phototherapy were significantly shortened in group A compared with those of the other groups.In 34 premature infants who were hospital for at least 2 weeks,TB indexes in group C were lower than those in group B on the 9th day.On the 12th day and the 14th day,TB indexes in group A and C were lower than those in group B(Pa

Objective To explore the effects of coincident infection on treatment response and coronary artery lesion (CAL) outcome in children with Kawasaki disease(KD).Methods A retrospective study of 141 children diagnosed on KD between Jul.2005 and Dec.2006 were performed.Standardized clinical assessments,laboratory examinations microbiology test results plus treatment regimens were reviewed.CAL were visualized by using echocardiography.Infectious agents positive (INF+) and negative (INF-) groups were identified,and clinical assessments,laboratory and treatment data were analyzed.Results 1.Concurrent infections:41%(58/141) of children had one of above confirmed infection at KD diagnosis.2.Treatment response:the presence of infection did not alter the response to treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG),with resolution of fever within 72 h in 85% (120/141) children after 1 dose of IVIG (2 g/kg) together with aspirin administration regardless of present or absent infection.3.CAL outcome:in total,56.0% (79/141) of children developed CAL at the time of diagnosis,involving dilatation (91.1%,72/79 cases) and aneurysm (8.9%,7/79 cases),and no giant aneurysm was found.Most CAL were recovered within 1 year after treatment.Incidence of aneurysm in INF+ group was significantly higher than that in INF-group (P=0.019).Conclusions Coincident infection would not affect on the clinical assessment,laboratory test results and treatment response to IVIG in children with KD,but would result in higher risk of serious CAL.Therefore,children with infection at diagnosis on KD will not only accept active treatment in acute phase,but also insist on convalescent care and follow-up visit.

Objective To compare the curative effects and safety of mirtazapine and fluoxetine in treatment of elderly depressive patients with insomnia.Methods 92 cases of elderly depressive patients with insomnia were randomly divided into two groups: the mirtazapine treatment group and the fluoxetine treatment group. The period of treatment was six weeks. The antidepressant effect was assessed with the drop rate of Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD),the effect of improving sleep was assessed with HAMD sleep disturbance factor and the Pittsburgh Sleep Index (PSQI), and the administration of security was assessed with vice Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS).Results After treatment, the effective rate of the mirtazapine group was 90.9% (40/44), that of the fluoxetine group was 84.1% (37/44). In the end of 1st, 2nd, and 4th weeks after treatment, the difference between the two groups were significant (P<0.001). At the end of 6th week, the difference was not significant (P>0.05) in HAMD; the difference was significant in HAMD sleep disturbance factor and PSQI score (P<0.05).Conclusion The clinical effects of mirtazapine in treatment of depression are similar to that of fluoxetine, but mirtazapine takes effects fast, can improve the symptoms of insomnia, has higher safety and better compliance, and is more appropriate for the depressive elderly patients with insomnia than fluoxetine.

Objective To explore the effects of intra-jugular vein dual lumen catheter lock heparin in different concentrations on the coagulation function,hemorrhagic tendency and catheter thrombosis risk in hemodialysis patients,and to investigate the reasonable lock heparin cuncentration. Method Ninety end stage renal disease (ESRD)patients receiving regular hemodialysis were enrolled and randomly assigned into 3 groups(n=30):Group A(pure heparin lock solution,6250 U/m1),GrouP B(medium heparin lock solution,1040 U/ml)and Group C(low hepafin lock solution,625 U/ml).The coagulation indexes were determined in short term.Complications such as bleeding,thrombosis,infection and thrombocytopenia were monitored.Results Prothrombin time(PT),actiwtted partial thromboplastin time(APTT)and thrombin time (TT)were significantly prolonged in Group A(P＜0.01);only APTT was signifieanlly prolonged in Group B:however,no significant changes were observed in Group C.Hemorrhage risk was much higher in Group A than that in Group B and C (26.7%vs 10%and 0.P＜0.05).Catheter thrombosis incidence was significantly higher in Group C than that in Group A and B(23.3%vs 0and 10%,P＜0.05).Only 1 suspected catheter related infection was found in Group C,and 2cases of moderated thrombocytopenia in Group A. Concltrsion Moderate concentration of lock heparin solution has the best balance of hemorrhagic and thrombotic risk,and should be recommended to most of regular hemodialysis patients.