Objective To investigate the correlation value between the impression depth of umbilical cord around neck and the blood flow indexes of middle cerebral artery (MCA) and umbilical artery (UA) in fetus.Methods Totally 139 late pregnancy fetuses of umbilical cord around neck and 28 normal fetuses were enrolled in the study.The systolic maximum velocity/diastolic minimum velocity (S/D),resistence index (RI),pulsatility index (PI) of MCA and UA in fetuses were measured by Doppler ultrasound,and the correlation of the pressure trace depth with MCA and UA blood flow parameters were analyzed.Results The pressure trace depth of umbilical cord around neck and the S/D,RI,PI of MCA were positively correlated (one round of umbilical cord around neck,r=0.32,0.32,0.35,two or more rounds of umbilical cord around neck,r=0.71,0.69,0.53,all P＜0.05).The pressure trace depth of umbilical cord around neck and the S/D,RI,PI of UA had no correlation.Compared with normal fetuses,the parameters of UA had no significant differences in fetuses with umbilical cord around neck (all P＞0.05).The S/D,RI,PI of MCA in fetuses with pressure trace depth ≥0.80 cm and fetuses with two or more rounds of umbilical cord around neck were higher than those of normal fetuses (all P＜0.05).Fetuses with two or more rounds of umbilical cord around neck had obviously increased cesarean rate compared with normal fetuses.Compared with normal fetuses,the fetuses with pressure trace depth ≥0.80 cm had increased abnormal fetal heart rate,prolonged labor time during the second stage (all P＜0.05).Conclusion In late pregnancy fetuses with umbilical cord around neck,the blood flow parameters of MCA are more sensitive than those of UA.The pressure trace depth ≥ 0.80 cm may lead to intrauterine fetal anoxia.

Objective To investigate the effect of rhBNP in treating pulmonary hypertension after mitral value replacement (MVR) compared with PGE1.Methods 60 patients with pulmonary hypertension after MVR were randomly divided into 3 groups(control group, PGE1 group and rhBNP group).Hemodynamic factors(MAP, CVP, mPAP, etc.) were monitored before and after taking medicine at 1 h, 6 h, 24 h, respectively including drug withdrawal 2 h.TXA2 and cGMP were analyzed by ELISA.To observe the levels of TXA2 and cGMP in plasma before and after treatment with rhBNP and PGE1 for three times (24 h, 1 week and 3 months).Information about patients'mechanical ventilation time was also recorded.Results Patients' mechanical ventilation time in PGE1 group was the shortest.MAP, mPAP, PRVI, PAWP were reduced after treatment by medicine 1 h for in PGE1 group.However, these indexes were rebound after drug withdrawal.mPAP, PRVI, PAWP in rhBNP group decreased after treatment by medicine at 6 h.The decreased level of mPAP was less than that in PGEI group.In control group, TXA2 went down and cGMP went up after operation.After taking medicine at 24 h, TXA2 decreased and cGMP increased in both PGE1 and rhBNP group.The increased level in rhBNP group was higher than that of control group.With medicine, the decreased level of TXA2 in PGE1 was also higher than that in rhBNP group.The going-up of cGMP in rhBNP was higher than that in PGE1.Conclusion Both rhBNP and PGE1 can reduce pulmonary artery pressure, PGE1 is more effective than that of rhBNP.

Objective:To investigate the effect of chronic alcohol consumption on both left ventricular myocardial collagen and diastolic function in rats,and their relationship thereof.Methods:Twenty-four male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 2 groups:control group(n=12)and ethanol group(n=12).The changes in cardiac diastolic function were evaluated by echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging(TDI).The value of myocardial hydroxyproline content was determined by hydroxyproline reagent kit.The expressions of collagen Ⅰ and collagen Ⅲ mRNA were detected by RT-PCR analysis.Results:It was found that mitral E and mitral annulus Ea were decreased,mitral annulus Aa was increased,and isovolumic relaxation time(IVRT)was prolonged in the ethanol group compared with those in control group(P＜0.05).The value of Ea/Aa ratio was greater than 1 in control group and less than 1 in ethanol group(P＜0.01).It was found that myocardial hydroxyproline content,collagen Ⅰ,collagen Ⅲ mRNA expression and their ratio significantly increased in ethanol group compared with those in the control group(P＜0.01).There was positive correlation between hydroxyproline content,collagen Ⅰ,collagen Ⅲ mRNA expression,and collagen Ⅰ /collagen Ⅲ mRNA ratio with IVRT(P＜0.05),and negative correlation between hydroxyproline content,collagen Ⅰ,collagen Ⅲ mRNA expression,and collagen Ⅰ /collagen Ⅲ mRNA ratio with the Ea/Aa ratio(P＜0.01).Conclusion:Chronic ethanol consumption can induce increase in left ventricular myocardial collagen synthesis and impairment in diastolic function in rats.Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction correlates with increase in myocardial collagen synthesis positively.

Objective To investigate the association of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) promoter -2518A/G gene polymorphism with coronary lesions and in stent restenosis in Tianjin Chinese population. Methods Two hundred and seventy six patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary angiography during follow-up were enrolled in the study. The MCP-1 gene promoter polymorphism at position -2518 was determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Results The frequencies of three genotypes of MCP-1-2518A/G polymorphism were 21.0% AA, 34. 1% GG,44.9% AG, respectively. There were no statistical differences in the number and the mean degree of stenosis vessels before PCI among 3 genotype groups (all P＞0.05). 113 cases developed in-stent restenosis and 163 cases were free from restenosis. In restenosis group, the AA, AG and GG genotype frequencies were 23.9%, 40.7%, 35.4%, against 19.0%, 47.9% and 33.1% in nonrestenosis group (P = 0. 446) . The frequencies of -2518A and G allele were 44.2%, 55.8% in restenosis group versus 42.9%, 57. 1% in non-restenosis group(P=0. 761). Conclusions The polymorphism of MCP-1-2518 A/G gene may be associated with neither atherosclerosis nor the in-stent restenosis.

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of opiate abuse on the expression of Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of HIV-1-infected patients and to elucidate possible mechanisms involved in the enhancement of HIV-1 replication by opiate abuse. A total of 200 participants were enrolled in the study by random selection from methadone treatment centers and voluntary HIV counseling and testing centers in the cities of Nanning, Liuzhou, and Qinzhou. These participants included 50 HIV-positive opiate abusers (Opiates HIV(+) group), 50 HIV-negative opiate abusers (Opiates HIV(-) group), 50 HIV-positive subjects who were not opiate abusers (Non-opiates HIV (+) group), and 50 HIV-negative subjects who were not opiate abusers (Control group). PBMCs were isolated from the peripheral blood samples from the subjects and the expression levels of TLR9 mRNA and protein were determined by q-PCR and western blot respectively. There was no significant difference among the four groups in age, gender, nationality, domicile, marital status, educational background or duration of drug abuse (P > 0.05). The median viral loads of the Opiates HIV(+) were significantly higher than those of the Non-Opiates HIV(+) groups (4.450 x 10(3) and 3.977 x 10(3) copies/mL respectively, P < 0.05). The relative expression levels of TLR9 mRNA in the Opiates HIV(+), Non-Opiates HIV(+), Opiates HIV(-) and Control groups were (2.13 +/- 1.59) x 10(-3), (3.66 +/- 2.22) x 10(-3), (1.96 +/- 1.42) x 10(-3) and (7.66 +/- 4.87) x 10(-3), respectively. The expression of TLR9 mRNA was significantly lower in both HIV-1-infected and -uninfected groups of opiate abusers compared with groups of non-abusers (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in TLR9 mRNA expression levels between the Opiates HIV(+) group and the Opiates HIV(-) group (P > 0.05). However, in the non-opiate groups, the expression levels of TLR9 mRNA in the HIV(+) group were significantly lower than that of the control group (P< 0.05). Western blot results confirmed that the expression of TLR9 protein was lower in the Opiates HIV(+), Non-Opiates HIV(+), and Opiates HIV(-) groups compared to the control group. These results suggest that opiate abuse can decrease the expression of TLR9 in PBMCs, which may result in the enhancement of HIV-1 infection and replication due to a decline in immune response mediated by the TLR9 pathway.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; HIV Infections ; genetics ; metabolism ; virology ; HIV-1 ; physiology ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Opioid-Related Disorders ; genetics ; metabolism ; Toll-Like Receptor 9 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the relationships between the expression levels of tumor necrosis factor receptor associated factor 4 (TRAF4) and ribosomal S6 protein kinase 4 (RSK4) protein in gastric cancer tissues and the recurrence after laparoscopic radical gastrectomy. Methods In total, 176 patients were divided into the recurrence and non-recurrence group, and the expression levels of TRAF4 and RSK4 protein in cancer and adjacent tissues and in gastric cancer tissues in the recurrence and non-recurrence group were compared. The influencing factor of recurrence and the efficacy of TRAF4 and RSK4 protein expression in predicting recurrence were analyzed. Results The positive expression rate of TRAF4 protein in gastric cancer tissues was higher than that in adjacent tissues (P < 0.05) and that in the recurrence group was higher than that in the non-recurrence group (P < 0.05). The positive expression rate of RSK4 protein in gastric cancer tissues was lower than that in adjacent tissues (P < 0.05) and that in the recurrence group was lower than that in non-recurrence group (P < 0.05). The largest tumor diameter 5 cm, poor differentiation, TNM Ⅲ stage, depth of invasion T3-T4, lymph node metastasis, absence of adjuvant chemotherapy after operation, positive expression of TRAF4 and RSK4 protein, and regular diet w influenced the post-operative recurrence (all P < 0.05). The accuracy of TRAF4 and RSK4 protein in gastric cancer tissues in combined predicting the recurrence was 83.52%. Conclusion The expression of TRAF4 protein is high, and the RSK4 protein is low in gastric cancer tissue, which are related to recurrence.

According to 45 hemagglutinin (HA) gene sequences of H7 subtype of avian influenza virus (AIV), a pair of specific oligonucleotide primers was designed. We developed one step RT-PCR for detecting AIV subtype H7. Sensitivity to detection of allantoic fluid by one step RT-PCR reached 10(5.5) EID50/mL and detection of swab samples reached 10(3) EID50/mL. We simultaneity detected the tissue and swab samples infected with H7 subtypes AIV by one step RT-PCR and virus isolation method. The results showed that the sensitivity of the assay gave an excellent correlation with the conventional virus isolation method. H1-H15 subtypes of avian influenza and other avian diseases were detected by the one step RT-PCR. The results showed the assays were high specific, without cross-reaction with other subtypes or other avian diseases. Development of one step RT-PCR will provide effective technical support for the rapid diagnosis and surveillance of molecular epidemiology of AIV subtype H7.
Animals ; Birds ; Chick Embryo ; Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus ; genetics ; Influenza A Virus, H7N1 Subtype ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Influenza in Birds ; virology ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Sensitivity and Specificity

BACKGROUND: Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), indexes of systemic inflammation, have been associated with worse survival for many types of cancer. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of NLR and PLR on overall survival (OS) and to explore the value of changes in the NLR and PLR with treatment as a response indicator in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: A total of 68 NSCLC patients in Peking University Third Hospital were eligible for retrospective analysis between April 2008 and April 2015. The pretreatment and posttreatment NLR and PLR in all patients were calculated based on complete blood counts. Potential prognostic factors such as age, gender, performance status, histology, stage, response to chemotherapy, NLR and PLR were analyzed. NLR and PLR were assessed at baseline and during chemotherapy treatment. OS was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to determine the associations of the PLR, NLR and clinical features with OS. RESULTS: Among the 68 cases, the values of the posttreatment NLR after two cycles of chemotherapy (NLR2) and the pretreatment NLR (NLR0) were (2.69±2.06) and (3.94±2.12), respectively. NLR2 was significantly lower than NLR0 (P=0.000). There was no difference between the pretreatment PLR (PLR0) and the posttreatment PLR after two cycles of chemotherapy (PLR2) (P<0.05). NLR2 significantly correlated with the response of first line treatment with two or four cycles of chemotherapy. The proportion of high NLR2 in the patients with progression disease was 100.0%, significantly higher than the proportion of high NLR2 in the patients with partial response or stable disease. NLR0, PLR0 and NLR2 were significantly correlated with the OS (P<0.05), but not with age, performance status, histology, stage, status and regimens of treatment (P>0.05). According to univariate analysis, the OS was significantly associated with NLR0, PLR0, NLR2, the response of 2 and 4 cycles of first line chemotherapy, status and regimens of second line treatment (P<0.05), but not with stage, status of third line or beyond treatment and radiotherapy (P>0.05). The multivariate analysis showed that NLR0 (P=0.004), the response with 4 cycles of first line chemotherapy (P=0.022) and status of second line treatment (P=0.007) were independent prognostic indicators in the 68 patients. CONCLUSIONS The study showed that NLR0 was well connected with outcomes and NLR2 was well connected with the response to first line chemotherapy in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Therefore, NLR may be a biomarker for predicting the outcomes and response of first line chemotherapy and a potential target for management of non-small cell lung cancer.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; blood ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Humans ; Leukocyte Count ; Lung Neoplasms ; blood ; drug therapy ; pathology ; radiotherapy ; Lymphocytes ; cytology ; drug effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neutrophils ; cytology ; drug effects ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome