Clinical data of 595 patients of stroke admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning were analyzed retrospectively, 310 (52. 1% ) of them with strokeassociated pneumonia (SAP). Early-onset pneumonia occurred in 225 patients (72.6%), and late-onset pneumonia in 85 (27.4%). Patients with length of hospital-stay equal to or more than two weeks accounted for (113 cases) 50. 3% of those with early-onset pneumonia, whereas patients with length of hospital-stay less than one week (60 cases) accounted for 70. 6% of those with late-onset pneumonia. Age above 65 years ( OR = 1. 037 ), diabetes ( OR = 1. 724), Glasgow coma scores equal to or less than eight ( OR = 0. 098 ),nasal feeding ( OR = 6. 640 ), administration of gastric mucosal protective drugs ( OR = 3. 581 ) and antibiotic prophylaxis ( OR = 2. 433) all were risk factors for SAP.

Objective To investigate the effects of silymarin on expressions of nuclear factor kappa B(NF-?B) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1) in the kidneys of rats with unilateral ureteral obstruction(UUO)-induced renal fibrosis.Methods Seventy-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: sham-operated group(n=24),operated group(n=24) and silymarin treated group(n=24).Renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis model was established via UUO.Silymarin was given by gavage with 30 mg/(kg?d) in silymarin treated group,and the same volume normal saline was given by gavage in operated group and sham-operated group.In each group,8 rats were killed at 7,14 and 21 d after operation.Histological changes were observed in tubulointerstitial injury under microscope.The expressions of NF-?B and ICAM-1 in renal tissue were determined with immunohistochemical method.Results Tubuloin-terstitial injury scores in operated group at 7,14 and 21 d were 1.168?0.108,1.776?0.064 and 2.301?0.157,respectively,and Tubulointerstitial injury scores in the treated group at 7,14 and 21 d were 1.043?0.114,1.677?0.083 and 2.084?0.201,respectively.Tubulointerstitial injury scores in silymarin treated group were significantly lower than those in operated group(Pa

Objective To study the function of the toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4) signaling pathway in the synthesis and secretion of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells of rats with COPD. Methods The primary pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) of rats with COPD were digested, separated and purified. Then they were randomly divided into control group, LPS group, TLR4 inhibitor group (TAK242) and LPS + TLR4 inhibitor group. RT-PCR, Western blot were used to detect the expression level of TLR-4 and NF-κB among groups. The levels of IFN-γ and PDGF-AB in supernatant with PASMCs in each group were detected by ELISA. Results LPS increased the expression of TLR-4、 NF-κB and the levels of IFN-γ and PDGF-AB. The expression of TLR4, NF-κB and the levels of IFN-γ and PDGF-AB were significantly reduced after inhibiting the expression of TLR4(P < 0.05). Conclusion TLR-4 signaling pathway involved in the inflammatory response and pulmonary vascular remodeling which increased the synthesis and secretion of IFN-γ and PDGF-AB in PASMCs. It provides a theoretical approach for the early intervention of clinical with COPD.

Objective To compare the assessment results of Loewenstein occupational therapy cognitive assessment (LOTCA) and mini-mental state examination(MMSE) in stroke patients,and to analyze the correlation between the two assessments and to explore the applicable values of LOTCA in assessing vascular cognitive function impairment (VCI).Methods According to the diagnostic standard of cognitive impairment with MMSE,thirty stroke patients with cognitive impairment were selected as cognitive impairment group,thirty stroke patients without markedly cognitive impairment as stroke control group,and thirty normal subjects served as normal control group.All the subjects' age,gender and level of education were matched in the three groups. All the subjects were assessed with LOTCA and MMSE.ResultsThe total scores of LOTCA had high positive correlation with the total scores of MMSE in cognitive impairment group ( r =0.934,P ＜ 0.01 ),the correlations were also found between every sub-items of LOTCA and those of MMSE (P ＜ 0.01 ).The total scores and the scores of sub-items of LOTCA in cognitive impairment group were significantly lower than those in stroke control group and were those in normal control group(P ＜ 0.01 ),particularly lower scores in LOTCA sub-items of thinking operations,orientation,visuomotor organization.The scores of sub-items of LOTCA,including thinking operations,visuo-motor organization,attention,orientation,spatial perception were all significantly lower in stroke control group than those in normal control group(P ＜0.01 ),especially in thinking operations and visuo-motor organization sub-items.Conclusions Correlations were found between LOTCA and MMSE.Compared to MMSE,LOTCA could detect vascular cognitive function impairment earlier and is much more comprehensive,so it is suitable to assess vascular cognitive impairment patients with no dementia.

Background Congenital aniridia is a rare congenital autosomal dominant disease,which is shown as aniridia of double eyes,and the paired box gene 6 (Pax6) gene mutation is now known to be associated with congenital aniridia.Objective This study was to screen the Pax6 gene mutation in patients with congenital aniridia.Methods Eleven patients with congenital aniridia were enrolled in Tianjin Eye Hospital from August 2012 to October 2015,including 6 patients from 3 congenital aniridia family and 5 sporadic patients.All patients received routine ophthalmic examination.Peripheral venous blood of 3 ml was collected from the patients for DNA extraction according to the standard process of DNA isolation instructions,and all the exons of Pax6 gene,Elp4 gene,exon 5 ' and 3',intron splice sequence and SIMO sequence were amplified by PCR.Pax6 genes of the patients were sequenced using Sanger direct sequencing and multiplex ligation dependent probe amplification (MLPA) and compared with those of 500 ocular trauma patients.This study complied with Helsinki declaration,and written informed consent was obtained from each patient prior to any medical examination.Results Iris absence was found in all the patients,and the visions acuity was hand motion to 0.2.Lens dislocation was seen in 1 patient.Direct sequencing results found that three patients in AN-O1 family were c.688g＞t (p.E230X) mutation of Pax6 gene,and 3 of 5 sporadic patients carried c.468g＞a (p.W156X),c.613c＞t (p.Q205X) and c.141 +2t＞c mutant of Pax6 gene,and the c.688g＞t (pE230X) mutation was a novel-discovered mutation.No any mutation in Pax6,Elp4 gene and SIMO fragment was detected in 1 patient from AN-02 family,2 patients from AN-03 family and 2 sporadic patients by both direct sequencing and MLPA validation.No above-mentioned mutation was found in 500 normal individuals.Conclusions The mutation of Pax6 gene is a pathogenic mutation in congenital aniridia patients,and c.688g＞t (p.E230X) is a novel Pax6 mutant,which expanded the mutation spectrum of Pax6 gene.

Background Oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) is a hereditary disease of pigment absence in eyes,skin and hair due to the lack of congenital melanocyte.OCA is classified into 7 types based on different genetic mutations,and the mutation of tyrosinase (TYR) gene causes OCA type 1 (OCA1).OCA has obvious genetic heterogeneity and phenotypic heterogeneity.The molecular diagnosis of the mutant gene is helpful for the classification and molecular pathogenesis study of OCA.Objective This study was to screen the TYR mutation in OCA patients,and to analyze the association between the gene mutation type and clinical phenotype.Methods Ten patients with OCA were enrolled in Tianjin Ophthalmological Hospital from January 2011 to December 2014.The clinical and ocular manifestations of the patients were examined.Peripheral venous blood 3 ml was collected in the patients and their lineal relatives for the extraction of genomic DNA.Extracted DNA was amplified by PCR and the TYR gene sequence was analyzed,including all 5 exon coding sequence and exon 5 ' and 3' end and the non-coding region sequence of intron splicing in TYR gene.This study complied with Helsinki Declaration and the protocol was approved by Ethic Committee of Tianjin Eye Hospital.Informed consent was obtained from each subject.Results All the patients showed white or reddish hair and snow-white skin,and different degrees of pigment lack was seen in iris.The best corrected visual acuity of the patients was 0.05-0.2,and 3 patients complicated with nystagmus.Fundus findings showed a sunset-like change and dysplasia of macula.The TYR gene sequencing revealed that patient 1 was OCA1A subtype,with the compound heterozygous mutant of c.832C＞T (p.R278X) and c.1217C＞T (p.P406L),and his/her parents occurred the heterozygous mutation of exons P406L and R278X.The phenotype of the patient 1 was white hair and white iris.The patient 3 was OCA1B subtype,with the compound heterozygous mutations of c.1265G＞A (p.R422Q) and c.1217C＞T (p.P406L),showing an appearance of reddish brown hair and sallow iris.TYR gene mutant was not detected in other 8 patients.Conclusions The mutation of TYR gene is the main cause of OCA1 type.The phenotype of OCA1A subtype is no pigment in eyes and hair,and one of OCA1B subtype was obviously lessening of pigment.The difference of mutant genes of OCA is the cause of genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity.

AIM: To study the dissolution of ginsenoside Rb1,cinnamic acid and borneol in traditional Chinese medicine Shexiang Baoxin Pill(Moschus,extract of Radix et Rhizoma ginseng,Calculus Bovis artifactus,Cortex Cinnamomi,Styrax,Venenum Bufonis and Borneolum syntheticum). METHODS: The in vitro dissolution of active components in Shexiang Baoxin Pill was performed with paddle method. HPLC was used for determination of ginsenoside Rb1 and cinnamic acid,and GC for borneol. RESULTS: The analytic method above was easy to carry out,the requirement of the specificity,accuracy,precision and stability could meet the needs of experiment well; the dissolution time T50 and Td of ginsenoside Rb1,cinnamic acid and borneol were 30. 90,33. 79 min,29. 73, 37. 11 min and 42. 38,48. 51 min respectively. CONCLUSION: The dissolution rate of three active components from Shexiang Baoxin Pills was fast and the analytic methods established in this study could be used to evaluate the quality of the preparation.

OBJECTIVE To establish a SNP detection method by DNA piezoelectric biosensor and detect a SNP relative to HBV infection. METHODS To establish a model experiment with synthesis DNA sequences as target and find the lowest sensitivity. After extraction of genome DNA from inpatient blood sample, the SNP sites located in ESR1 gene region in samples were detected by SNP detecting method established. RESULTS The frequency shift of target-A was 416.0?21.5Hz, the frequency shift of target-G was 9.4?5.0Hz. And it could be detected that the lowest sensitivity of target-A was 2?10-11 mol/L. The three genotypes of blood samples, TT, TC and CC, had different frequency shifts, 109.4?13.4Hz, 52.0?11.4Hz and 7.2?4.5Hz, respectively. CONCLUSIONS SNP in blood sample could be detected specifically and sensitively by DNA piezoelectric biosensor.

OBJECTIVE To discuss a highly effective method to immobilize probe on the surfaces of piezoelectric DNA sensors.METHODS Pseudomonas aeruginosa probe was immobilized on the gold surface of gene sensor(array) with routine self-assembly method(SAM)(non-reduction method) and SAM with deoxidized probe((reduction) method),respectively.The changes in frequency and time-cost were compared in reactions with(different) concentrations of probe.RESULTS Reduction method had the advantage of more probe immobilization;less time consumed in testing and higher changes in frequency during the reaction than non-reduction method.CONCLUSIONS Reduction method has a better ability to immobilize probe on the surfaces of piezoelectric DNA sensors.

Objective To study the process of foam fractionation of polyphyllin in semi-batch mode. Methods Taking enrichment ratio, recovery rate of polyphyllin, and purity ratio as the performance criteria and using single examining method to examine the operational parameters, i.e. operation mode, air flow rate, initial feed concentration, solution pH value, initial feed height and temperature on separation performance. The optimal conditions of the process were obtained finally. Results The separation performance is good when gas flow rate is 400 mL/min, initial feed concentration (polyphyllins content) is 0.3 mg/mL, pH value is 7, feed height is 30 cm, and feed temperature is 40 ℃. The enrichment ratio is 25.7, recovery ratio is 42.1%, and the foam liquids purity of total polyphyllin is 41.4%, which is 4.5 times higher than that in feed purity. Conclusion Foam fractionation technique could be applied to separate polyphyllin.