Objective To discuss the impact of repeated contrast media exposure on renal function in patients who received coronary angiography ( CAG) or percutaneous coronary intervention ( PCI) within 1 week after CTA of coronary ateries. Methods A total of 258 patients who received CAG or PCI after coronary CTA were divided into the study group ( n=132, patients had CAG/PCI within 1 week after CTA) and the control group ( n=126, patients had CAG/PCI 1-2 weeks after CTA). Serum creatinine, cystatin C and estimated GFR were tested before and on day 1, 2 and 3 after procedures. The occurance of contrast-induced nephropathy ( CIN ) was recorded. Resu1ts The baseline clinical characteristics of the patients between the two groups had no significant difference. Preoperative and postoperative serum creatinine, cystatin C and eGFR values on day 1, 2 and 3 had no significant difference between the two groups (all P﹥0. 05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of CIN between two groups (5. 3% in the study group vs. 4. 8% in the control group, P﹥0. 05 ) . Conc1usions It is safe and feasible for patients with eGFR≥60 ml/( min?1. 73 m2 ) to undergo CAG or PCI within 1 week after coronary CTA.

A kind of real-time remote monitoring embedded terminal which is combined with mobile communication technology and GPS localization technology, has been developed. The results of preliminary experiments show that the terminal can transmit ECG signals and localization information in real time and continuously, supply a real-time monitoring of out-of-hospital cardiac patients and trace the patients.
Electrocardiography, Ambulatory ; instrumentation ; Telemedicine ; instrumentation ; Telemetry ; instrumentation

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of the degree of muscle relaxation on motor-evoked potential elicited by transcranial electrical stimulation in patients undergoing spine surgery.

METHODSSixty ASA I or II patients undergoing spine surgery were randomly divided into 5 groups (n=12). After an initial intubation, continuous cisatracurium infusion was administered with continuous monitoring of T1. The infusion dose was adjusted according muscle relaxation monitoring, and different muscle relaxation degrees were maintained in the 5 groups. The band and latency of D1 in motor-evoked potential was observed with also subjective assessment of the muscle relaxation.

RESULTSSignificant differences in the band and latency were noted in groups I and II compared with the reference values, but not in groups III, IV and V. Subjective assessment revealed significant differences between groups IV and V and groups I and III in terms of the number of cases with poor muscle relaxation.

CONCLUSIONT1 value between 10% and 15% is sufficient for MEP monitoring and allows the maintenance of good muscle relaxation during spine surgery.

Atracurium ; therapeutic use ; Electric Stimulation ; Evoked Potentials, Motor ; Humans ; Monitoring, Intraoperative ; Muscle Relaxation ; Neuromuscular Nondepolarizing Agents ; therapeutic use ; Orthopedic Procedures ; methods ; Spine ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents of the root of Paeonia sinjiangensis.

METHODThe constituents were isolated by silica column chromatography, and their structures were identified on the basis of spectral analysis and their physical-chemical constants.

RESULTFive compounds, paeoniflorin( I ), albiflorin (II), lactiflorin(III), daucosterol(IV), sucrose (V), were obtained.

CONCLUSIONAll of the compounds were obtained from this plant for the first time.

Benzoates ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Bridged-Ring Compounds ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Glucosides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Glycosides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Conformation ; Molecular Structure ; Monoterpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Paeonia ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry

RT-PCR was conducted with one degenerate primer designed according to repetitive regions' amino acid sequence of major ampullate spidroin (MaSp) in spiders and adaptor primer in the SMART cDNA Library Construction Kit. By cloning and sequencing of amplified products, one cDNA clone (GenBank Accession No. AY365017) of Argiope amoena MaSp gene was obtained. The deduced amino acid sequence can be distinctly divided into two regions: (1) Repetitive region that consists of an alternating alanine-rich and glycine-rich domain in which many prolines are present; and (2) C-terminal non-repetitive region. The region coding for 272 amino acids of MaSp gene was subcloned into prokaryotic expression vector pET28b(+) and an about 26kD recombinant protein was expressed at high levels in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) after induction of IPTG. After being purified with metal-affinity chromatography on Ni(2+) -IDA-Sepharose columns as well as gel filtration chromatography, the recombinant protein was confirmed to be predicted MaSp by means of amino acid composition analysis and N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis. The solubility behavior of recombinant MaSp with C-terminal non-repetitive region in the present study is similar to that of recombinant dragline silk proteins without C-terminal non-repetitive region expressed by bacteria and yeast in the other studies. The result shows that absence or presence of C-terminal non-repetitive region is not a crucial factor affecting the solubility of the recombinant MaSp.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Base Sequence ; Chromatography, Affinity ; Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Complementary ; chemistry ; genetics ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; Fibroins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Molecular Weight ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Recombinant Proteins ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Sequence Analysis, Protein ; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid ; Spiders ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo research the bacteriostatic effects of Qingkailing Injection Extract (QKLIE) and combination therapy of Qingkailing Injection (QKLI) and antibiotics on bacteria carrying New Delhi metallo-3-lactamase 1 (NDM-1) blaNDM-1 resistance gene, and to determine their minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC).

METHODSThe antimicrobial experiments of QKLIE (Radix Isatidis, baicalin, gardenia, honeysuckle) and combination therapy of QKLI and antibiotics were performed by using the agar dilution method and K-B method. The MIC was determined from each extract.

RESULTSThere were different degrees of inhibitory effects on resistant bacteria carrying blaNDM-1 by extracts from main components of QKLI. Of them, the inhibitory effect of baicalin was the best and the MIC of the resistant bacteria was 0.015 g/mL to WD, 0.020 g/mL to WX, 0. 005 g/mL to WJ, and more than 0.020 g/mL to pGEX-4T-NDM-1/DH5alpha (GST-NDM-1), respectively. The MIC value of each extract was sequenced from high to low as baicalin, honeysuckle, gardenia, and Radix Isatidis. Furthermore, combination therapy of QKLI and antibiotics greatly enhanced the antimicrobial activity of each antibiotics when used alone, showing very obvious antibacterial effects on multidrug resistant bacteria carrying blaNDM-1 gene. Of them, the optimal effects were obtained when combined with penicillins (penicillin G, mezlocillin, piperacillin/ tazobactam, ampicillin/sulbactam), with the antibacterial effects improved by 10 folds. The antibacterial effects of other kinds of antibiotics were improved to some extent. Conclusions QKLIE and combination therapy of QKLI and antibiotics showed better bacteriostatic effects on resistant bacteria carrying blaNDM-1 gene. This study provided theoretical bases for drug development, medication and treatment for super-resistant bacteria carrying blaNDM-1.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Bacteria ; drug effects ; genetics ; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial ; drug effects ; genetics ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; beta-Lactamases ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study intra-operative radionuclide lymphatic mapping in sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy of breast cancer.

METHODSForty-two breast cancer (diameter 98%, size of colloid granule 100 approximately 200 nm) was injected into the mammary tissue around the tumor or biopsy site at four points. SLN in breast cancer was detected and dissected with the help of lymphoscintigraphy and intra-operative gamma probe. Routine lymph node dissection was performed for all patients.

RESULTSThe detection rate was 88.1% in lymphoscintigraphy and 97.6% in intra-operative gamma probe detection for SLN in breast cancer. The sensitivity, accuracy, false negative and specificity of SLN biopsy were 93.3% (14 in 15), 97.6% (40 in 41), 6.7% (1 in 15) and 100% (26 in 26).

CONCLUSIONSentinel lymph node in breast cancer, detected by preoperative lymphoscintigraphy combined with intra-operative gamma probe, is able to predict regional lymph node metastasis. The successful rate of SLN biopsy can be raised by improvement in the quality of nuclear imaging agent, technic of injection and method of measurement.

Adult ; Aged ; Breast Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; diagnostic imaging ; Middle Aged ; Radionuclide Imaging ; Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy ; Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid

Objective To observes the change of early effective biomarkers of endothelial injury with lowarsenic exposure in drinking water. MethodsNinety rurad residents, who had lived in Yanhe village, Xuyi county and Jiangsu province for at least 10 years, were recruited by simple random sampling in this study. The level of arsenic in their household shallow well were divided into three groups, which were ＜ 10 (32 people), 10 - 50(28 people) and ＞ 50 μg/L(30 people). Blood samples from individuals were collected. Malondialdehyde(MDA) in human plasma, which is considered as the most important marker for monitoring lipid peroxidation, was determined as conjugate with tetrabutylammonium hydrogen sulphate(TBA). The level of anti-superoxide anion radical(O-·2),C-reactive protein(CRP) and NO in human plasma was measured with colorimetry, turbidimetry and nitric acid reductase, respectively. The number of circulating endothelial progenitor cells(CEPCs) in peripheral blood was analyzed by CD133+/KDR+ antibodies and flow cytometry. Results Ninety cases underwent questionnaires. Between the groups, the difference of the levels of MDA (61.1, 65.5, 67.5 μmol/kg), O-·2 (4774.6, 5143.3, 4736.0 U/kg) ,CRP[(5.92 ± 2.44), (5.11 ± 2.40), (5.55 ± 2.96)mg/L], and NO[(659.8 ± 387.5), (667.4 ± 486.6), (762.1 ±763.2)μmol/kg], was not statistically significant (F =0.00, 0.46, 0.80, 0.47, all P ＞ 0.05). The difference of the number of CEPCs in different groups of arsenic in drinking water was statistically significant(0.96 x 10-5, 0.77 x 10-5,1.59 x 10-5, F=5.08, P＜ 0.05), where ＜ 10, 10 - 50 μg/L groups were significantly lower than ＞ 50 μg/L group (q =4.58, 6.65, all P ＜ 0.05). ConclusionsThe number of CEPCs in peripheral blood changes significantly with lower-arsenic exposure, whereas there are no obvious changes with the markers of oxidized damage and inflammation. This is the first human demonstration showing that lower-arsenic exposure may cause endothelial injury.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility of the classification of the spino-pelvic sagittal alignment in adluts according to lumbar lordosis (LL) and inflection point (IP).

METHODSWhole spine, standing radiographs of 223 adult volunteers were taken from July to August in 2011 .There were 111 cases(56 female and 55 male) enrolled in the study based on the inclusion criteria. The pelvic and spinal parameters, including thoracic kyphosis(TK), thoracolumbar kyphosis(TLK), LL, sacral slope(SS), pelvic tilt(PT), pelvic incidence(PI), intervertebral endplate angle, sagittal vertical axis (SVA), spino-sacral angle (SSA) and IP were measured. The spino-pelvic sagittal alignment were classified in to 3 types according to LL and IP. Type I: LL > -40°, IP located below L2 ∼ 3; Type II: -60° ≤ LL ≤ -40°, IP located in L1 ∼ 2 or T12 ∼ L1; Type III: LL < -60°, P located above T11 ∼ 12. Pearson correlation analysis was used to test the correlation between the variables. The parameters in each type were compared by oneway-ANOVA respectively,then additional multiple comparisons were performed.

RESULTSThe mean value of LL was -49° ± 10°, TK was 36° ± 7°, TLK was 6° ± 7°, PT was 11° ± 7°, SS was 34° ± 8°, PI was 45° ± 9°, SSA was 127° ± 9° and SVA was (-2.7 ± 22.8)mm, respectively. Only LL had significant statistical correlation with all the other parameters. Negative correlation presented between LL and TK, PI, SS, SSA (r = -0.387, -0.536, -0.858, -0.801,P < 0.05). Positive correlation presented between LL and TLK, SVA, PT (r = 0.319, 0.296, 0.262, P < 0.05). All the volunteers were classified into the 3 types: Type I1 9 cases, Type II 75 cases,Type III 17 cases. Oneway-ANOVA results showed statistical difference in LL, TK, TLK, PT, SS, PI, SSA, SVA among the 3 types, (F = 164.559, 7.431, 14.099, 4.217, 53.856, 6.252, 35.995, 8.626, P < 0.05 ). Multiple comparisons showed that LL, SS, SSA, PI had statistical difference between each two types comparison (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSLL is the central parameter of the spino-pelvic sagittal balance. The patterns of the spino-pelvic sagittal alignment in adults could be classified into three types, according to LL and IP. The classification could describe the morphological differences and balance of the spino-pelvic sagittal alignment.

Adult ; Analysis of Variance ; Anthropometry ; Female ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pelvis ; anatomy & histology ; Postural Balance ; Radiography ; Spine ; anatomy & histology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the mRNA expression and promoter methylation status of p73 gene in the peripheral blood of children with Wilms' tumor (WT), and their relationship.

METHODSForty-five children with WT were selected as the case group, and 15 sex- and age- matched children (without malignancies) who visited the hospital for physical examination or other reasons were selected as the control group. Peripheral blood was collected from both groups. Real-time quantitative PCR and methylation-specific PCR were used to determine the mRNA expression level and promoter methylation status of p73 gene. Their relationship with clinicopathological features and the effect of promoter methylation on mRNA expression of p73 gene were analyzed in the case group.

RESULTSThe relative quantity (RQ) of p73 mRNA in the case group was significantly higher than in the control group (3.2 ± 0.9 vs 1.6 ± 1.1; P<0.01). The positive rate of p73 gene promoter methylation in the case group was significantly lower than in the control group (20% vs 73%; P<0.01). In the case group, the RQ of p73 mRNA was significantly higher in children with methylated p73 gene promoter than in those with unmethylated p73 gene promoter (P<0.01). In children with methylated p73 gene promoter, the RQ of p73 mRNA was significantly higher in the case group than in the control group (P<0.01). In children with unmethylated p73 gene promoter, there was no significant difference in RQ of p73 mRNA between the case and control groups (P=0.810).

CONCLUSIONSAberrant promoter methylation of p73 gene in peripheral blood is one of the gene expression regulations in children with WT, and it is related to the onset and development of WT. The p73 gene may play a role as oncogene in WT patients with p73 gene promoter methylation and mRNA overexpression is associated with promoter methylation status of p73 gene.

Child, Preschool ; DNA Methylation ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Infant ; Kidney Neoplasms ; genetics ; Male ; Nuclear Proteins ; genetics ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; RNA, Messenger ; blood ; Tumor Protein p73 ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; genetics ; Wilms Tumor ; genetics