The finding and research on yeast prion are of great values for biology and medical sciences.Research advances in molecular chaperones, especially in Hsp104p, Hsp70p and Hsp40p, regulating yeast prion [PSI+] propaga-tion,are reviewed.

Humans are exposed to the ubiquitous radiofrequency (RF, 100 kHz-300 GHz) electromagnetic fields because of the mushroom development of wireless communications,raising concerns over the possible hazards of RF radiations.Epidemiological investigation has showed that chronic use of cellphones increases the risk of brain tumors.Since genetic damage is closely related to tumors, researchers have been trying to find out whether cellphones and other RF devices are genotoxic.However, the investigations have yielded both negative and positive results.This review summarized the recent in vitro and in vivo researches about genotoxicity of RF radiations and proposed a possible mechanism by which of RF radiations cause genetic damage.

Objective To investigate the perioperative risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients with hepatic cirrhosis that underwent total hip arthroplasty (THA), and to evaluate the safety and feasibility of individualized anti-coagulation treatment.Methods There were 25 patients complicating hepatic cirrhosis that underwent THA (from Jan.to Dec.2014), including 17 males and 8 females, aged 57.9t9.2 years.The primary causes of THA were avascular necrosis of the femoral head (eighteen cases) and osteoarthritis of the hip (seven cases).Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) was applied for anti-coagulation treatment.Parameters of hepatic function and coagulation function of THA cases (randomized thirty cases, from Jan.2008 to Dec.2008) without hepatic cirrhosis were used as reference for monitoring.For the cases of massive blood loss or upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage, a LMWH administration pause and an administration of fresh frozen plasma and clotting factors were performed in order to maintain a hemorrage/coagulation balance.The clinical outcome of the hip joint was evaluated and complications were treated.A subsequent follow-up was also carried out after perioperative period.Results All cases received successful surgeries and followed up.The follow-up duration was 34± 15.7 months.The preoperative Harris hip score was 32.4± 10.2 points, while the most recent follow-up score was 82.9±6.1 points, which was statistically significant.Dislocation, periprosthetic fracture and periprosthetic infection were absent.All cases received individualized anti-coagulation treatments during peripoerative period.A hemorrage/coagulation balance was achieved.The dynamic parameter curves did not present excessive deviation from reference.One case encountered intermuscular hematoma of the lower limbs 48 hours postoperatively, which was solved by a LMWH pause and administration of fresh frozen plasma and clotting factors.One case suffered upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage five days postoperatively, which was controlled by a LMWH pause and the administration of somatostatin and proton pump inhibitor.Jaundic got worse in one case three days postoperatively but got relieved after treatment.Overt blood loss was 686t141.8 ml.Perioperative death, hepatic failure, hepatic encephalopath, hepatorenal syndrome were absent.No DVT was observed.Conclusion There are risks of DVT in patients of hepatic cirrhosis.Individualized anti-coagulation treatment is needed during perioperative period of THA.

Objective To analyze the perioperative risk factors of postoperative complications after posterior lumbar fusion operation.Methods The clinical data of 654 patients with posterior lumbar fusion during 2010 and 2014 were retrospectively analyzed.Using x2 test and one-way ANOVA,the predicted risk factors were screened for further Logistic regression.Results The total complication rate was 11.6％ among all 654 patients.The major complications included cardiac infarction,deep infection,sepsis,neurological impairment,and secondary operation.And the minor complications included wound dehiscence,urinary tract infection,pulmonary infection,gastrointestinal bleeding,CSF leakage and others.According to x2 test and one-way ANOVA,renal function insufficiency,preoperative neurological injury,ASA higher than Ⅲ level,intraoperative blood loss,long operation length,and usage of autogenous bone were screened as risk factors of complications.Renal function insufficiency,preoperative neurological injury,intraoperative blood loss,and long operation length were screened as risk factors of minor complications.And male,renal function insufficiency,preoperative neurological injury,intervertebral fusion,and posteriolateral fusion were screened as risk factors of major complications.However,according to Logistic regression,the independent risk factor of complications were preoperative neurological injury and long operation length;independent risk factors of minor complications were renal function insufficiency,preoperative neurological injury and long operation length;and independent risk factor of major complications was preoperative neurological injury.Conclusion Preoperative neurological injury,renal function insufficiency and long operation length are proved to be the risk factors of postoperative complication in lumbar fusion surgery.

Objective To investigate and characterize the serum metabolite profile of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA),a common autoimmune disease,which will be of help for early diagnosis in clinic.Methods Serum specimens from 26 patients with RA and 19 age-matched healthy volunteers were collected from the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine from January through April 2015.Samples were detected on the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS),and serum metabolites were identified by the chemometric methods.Discriminative model of RA and healthy volunteers was established using partial least squares-linear discriminant analysis (PLS-LDA),and furthermore the established model was evaluated with double cross validation (DCV) for predicting ability.Finally,differential metabolites with clinical diagnostic potential were screened out by using subwindow permutation analysis (SPA).Results The established PLS-LDA discriminative model identified 48 metabolites.The total accuracy of the model approached 97.73％,in which the accuracy of the model for predicting RA and healthy volunteers was 96.15％ and 100％,respectively.Our studies screened out 3-hydroxy butyric acid,phosphoric acid,isoleucine,mannose and hexadecanoic acid with clinical diagnostic potential based on the SPA.Conclusions Metabolomics with the application of GC-MS combined with the PLS-LDA method can distinguish patients with RA and healthy volunteers,and can aid in potential early diagnosis of RA.

Objective To investigate the potential risk factors for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in the elderly population in the community, and to provide a basis for the primary prevention of MCI. Methods A cross-sectional study of elderly population in communities of Shanghai, China was conducted. A total of 368 subjects including both males and females, aged 65-80 years old, were selected to complete the mini-mental state examination (MMSE), basic information questionnaires, and physical examinations. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the potential risk factors of MCI. Results Of the 368 subjects participating in the study, 53 were found to have MCI and the prevalence rate was 14.4%. Univariate analysis found that older age, low education, no folic acid supplementation, stroke, osteoporosis and hyperlipidemia were risk factors of MCI. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that advanced age [OR=1.146 (95%CI: 1.052-1.249)] and osteoporosis [OR=2.371 (95%CI: 1.042-5.396)] were the independent risk factors for MCI, while higher education [OR=0.073 (95%CI: 0.011-0.478)] was a protective factor. Age influenced all the aspects of MMSE scores (all P values <0.05). In addition, the analysis of the results suggested that subjects with regular folic acid supplementation got higher MMSE scores, especially in the aspect of language and praxis (P=0.002). On the contrary, patients with osteoporosis had lower attention and computing power scores (P=0.022). Conclusion The prevalence of MCI increased with age. Low education and osteoporosis may be the independent risk factors for MCI in the elderly population. Although no association was observed between folic acid supplementation and MCI, folic acid supplementation could improve the performance of language and praxis.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical outcomes of total en-bloc spondylectomy (TES) in recurrence spinal tumor.

METHODSThe study was a retrospective study of recurrence spinal tumor from January 2010 to October 2013. A total of 6 patients with recurrent spinal tumor underwent TES procedures, with 5 cases located in thoracic spine and 1 case located in L1. There were 3 male and 3 female patients, with a mean age of 33.2 years. Pathological diagnosis included giant cell tumor of bone in 3 cases, breast cancer, lung cancer and nasopharyngeal carcinoma with 1 case in each. The operation time, bleeding loss, resected segments, cutting edge, spinal cord function and complications was evaluated.

RESULTSSingle segment resected in 1 case, 2 segments resected in 2 cases and 3 segments resected in 3 cases. The average operation time was 8.9 hours (7.5 to 12.0 hours). The average blood loss was 3 116 ml (2 500 to 4 500 ml). The average follow-up period was 23.2 months (12 to 47 months) without recurrence. There was no spinal cord injury during operation. The neurologic function was significantly improved in 2 cases (American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grade C to grade D), unchanged in 1 cases (ASIA grade B) and no deteriorated case in 3 cases (ASIA grade E). There was no perioperative deaths case. Complications included 2 cases pleural rupture, 1 case dural tear and 1 case massive haemothorax. No peri-operation death case.

CONCLUSIONSome of the recurrent spinal tumors are still suitable for en-bloc resection and TES procedure with the extent of its applicability under strict control.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; Male ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Cord Neoplasms ; Spinal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Spine