Objective: To investigate whether plasma lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) activity correlates with severity and stability of coronary atherosclerosis and other established cardiovascular risk factors. Methods: Coronary angiography (CAG) was performed in 180 hospitalized patients who were suspected as having coronary heart disease (CHD). The severity of pathological changes of the coronary artery was assessed by the number of diseased coronary branches and Gensini's score. According to the results of CAG, the 180 patients were divided into 2 groups: CHD group (n=112) and non-CHD group (n=68). The CHD patients were further divided into subgroups according to the clinical types, the number of diseased coronary branches and Gensini's score. Lp-PLA2 activity, white blood cell (WBC) count, high sensitive C reactive protein (hsCRP), lipids, blood pressure and body mass index were measured. The age, sex and prior medical histories including hypertension, diabetes mellitus and smoking status were obtained before CAG in all patients. Lp-PLA2, WBC count and hsCRP were compared statistically between the subgroups, and correlation coefficients of Lp-PLA2 activity with WBC count, hsCRP and other conventional risk factors for CHD were calculated. Results: Plasma Lp-PLA2 activity in CHD patients was significantly higher than that in controls (P<0.01). No significant difference was found in Lp-PLA2 activity between patients with acute coronary syndrome and stable angina pectoris. Lp-PLA2 activity increased with the increasing number of diseased coronary branches and Gensini's score. Plasma Lp-PLA2 activity was positively correlated with TC and LDL-C, negatively correlated with HDL-C, weakly correlated with WBC count, and not correlated with hsCRP. Conclusion: Plasma Lp-PLA2 activity can be used as a parameter to predict pathological severity of coronary atherosclerosis, though it is not associated with stability of pathological changes of the coronary artery.

Objecflve To evaluate the performance of two rapid and low-cost metheds(MTT test,and rosazurin mierotitre assay)for the detection of resistance to first-line drugs in Mycobacterium tuberculosis.Methods sixty-four Myeobaeterium tuberculosis clinical isohtes were tested by the MTT test and the rosazuxin microtitre assay(REMA)respectively,and the results were compared with those obtained with the absolute concentration method on L(o)wenstein Jensen medium.Results The MTT test and the resazurin microtitre assay showed a good agreement compared with the absolute concentration method for all first-line drugs tested.The sensitibity,specificity and accuracy of the MTT test were 94.8%,96.0%,95.3%,for RFP;93.8%,93.8%,93.8% for INH;92.9%,96.O%,95.3% for EMB,90.6%,87.5%,89.1% for SM,respectively.The sensitivity,specificity and accuracy of the resazurin microtitre assay were 92.3%,96.0%,93.8%,for RFP;90.6%,90.6%,90.6% for INH;92.9%,94.0%,93.8% for EMB,87.5%,87.5%,87.5% for SM,respectively.The Kappa value of the MTT test and the absolute concentration method for the detection of resistance to RFP,INH,EMB,SM were 0.857,0.831,0.714,0.792.respeedvely;The Kappa value of the regazurin mierotitre assay and the absolute concentration method for the detection of resistance to RFP,INH,EMB,SM were 0.871,0.826,0.826,0.750,respectively.The Kappa value of the MTT test and the resazurin microtitre assay for the detection of resistance to RFP,INH,EMB,SM wefe 0.889,0.875.0.787,0.844,respectively.Conclusions Both MTT test and the resazurin microtitre assays are simple,rapid,low-cost and sensitive for rapid detection of resistance to first-line drugs.They could be promising methods for susceptibility assay of the first-line antituberculosis drugs in low-resource countries.

Kallistatin (Kal) is a negative acute phase endogenous protein which can inhibit tumor angiogenesis, growth and metastasis effectively. To express and purify recombinant human kallistatin (rHKal), and characterize its biological activity, P. pastoris was transformed with pPIC9-Kal/GS115 (His4) to express rHKal. The fermentation was carried out in a 7.5 L bioreactor with high density cell culture. 1%-2% methanol was added to the medium to induce the expression of rHKal. The secretion was purified with phenyl sepharose, G-25 sepharose, heparin sepharose and Sephacryl S-100 chromatography. The biological activity of purified bulk rHKal on HUVEC was evaluated with MTT and tube formation assays. The final expression of rHKal in the supernatant reached 50 mg x L(-1), the purity of bulk rHKal after purification was above 98%. A dose-dependent inhibition of rHKal on HUVEC proliferation was observed, however, a U-shaped dose-response curve of rHKal on capillary formation of HUVEC was revealed. The described protocol provides an effective means for preparing rHKal that could be used for anti-angiogenesis therapy in the future.

Objective To evaluate efficacy and safety of Iodine-125 seeds used in brachytherapy for cholangiocarcinoma.Methods A total of 65 cases of cholangiocarcinoma patients were diagnosed and treated with ERCP.The Iodine-125 seeds were implanted into bile duct cavity by self-made carrier (applicator) in various ways, and Iodine-125 seeds were replaced to improve the local irradiation dose.Follow-up was regularly made through endoscopy and ultrasonography to evaluate feasibility, efficacy and complications.Results Self-expanding metal stents, single or double plastic stents were successfully placed in 65 patients.At first , single row of Iodine-125 seeds were inserted to 59 patients, double row Iodine-125 were inserted to 6 patients , and the average activity of the first irradiation was 5.775 mCi.Iodine-125 were replaced in 4 patients after three months, in 41 patients after six months, in 5 patients after one year.The total dose was up to 14 mCi.In the follow-up of 6-35 months, the longest survival time was 35 months in two patients, where the Iodine-125 seeds were replaced 3 times as a whole and there was no serious complications.Conclusion Iodine-125 brachytherapy on cholangiocarcinoma by ERCP, where biliary stents and Iodine-125 seeds can be replaced at any time , is convenient, less invasive and can obviously prolong survival time.

Objective To investigate of the radiological manifestations in congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM) of lung in adult and to improve the diagnostic accuracy of CCAM of lung in adult.Methods Five cases with pathologically proved CCAM of lung in adult were retrospectively analyzed.Chest X-ray was available in 5 cases and chest CT was performed in 2 cases.Results On plain chest radiography,thin wall air cystic lesions with air-fluid level were detected in 3 cases.Honeycomb like small cystic lesion was detected in 1 case.Multiple round cystic lesions were found in 1 case.CT scan of the chest demonstrated a round thin wall air cystic lesion in the lateral segment of right lung's middle lobe,and a thin wall air cystic lesion with the wall merged into the shadow of chest wall in the left apicoposterior segment in one case.Small cystic lesions just like honeycomb were found in bilateral basal segments of the inferior lobes,with a 0.8—1.0 cm sized round mass revealed in the right lung′s inferior lobe basal segment, and the mass was spiculated in another case.Conclusion The imaging signs of CCAM of lung in adult is cyst or cyst-solid and at the risk of developing carcinoma.

Objective To determine the morphology, bacteria and endotoxin content of bio-films on the inner surface of PVC tubes in hemodialysis water treatment system. Methods We dissolved biofilms of segments before and after reverse osmosis machine for bacterial count and identification. We studied biofilm structure of segments before and after reverse osmosis machine with eyes and scanning electron microscope. Biofilms of all 7 segments were dissolved for qualitative and quantitative assay of endotoxin. Results The inner surface of segment before reverse osmosis machine was homogeneously distributed with activated carbon powder deposition. The segment after reverse osmosis machine was normal. With scanning electron microscope, biofilm with successive surface and sandwich was found on the inner surface of segment before reverse osmosis machine, formed by clustering bacillus, activated carbon powder and some coccus. Bacteria of the same shape and length were found on segment after reverse osmosis machine, but fewer and looser. Bacterial culture and identification showed the former was mostly gram-negative bacillus, the latter was only a few micrococcus. Endotox-in of biofilm was between 2. 0 EU/mL and 4. 0 EU/mL. Quantitative assay showed: segment after softener (2.821 ±0. 807) EU/mL; segment after active charcoal canister(3. 635 ±0. 427) EU/ mL; segment before reverse osmosis machine (3.687 ±0.271) EU/mL; segment after reverse osmosis machine (2. 041 ±0. 295) EU/mL; exit of power pump (1. 983 ±0. 390) EU/mL; the 1st dead space (2. 373 ± 0. 535) EU/mL; and the 2nd dead space (2. 858 ± 0. 690) EU/mL. Conclusion Biofilms are found on the inner surface of segment before and after reverse osmosis machine . Endotoxin level from high to low is as follows: segment before reverse osmosis machine, segment after active charcoal canister, the 2 nd dead space, segment after softener, the 1 st dead space, segment after reverse osmosis machine, exit of power pump. The character of the bacteria and endotoxin of the biofilm can help us find better ways to control them.

Objective This study was designed to compare the mRNA expression of Toll-like receptors 2 (TLR2) and Toll-like receptors 4 (TLR4) in monocytes between brucellosis cases and healthy controls,to explore the role and value of TLR2 and TLR4 in the pathogenesis of brucellosis.Methods From March to June in 2015,a total of 155 brucellosis cases at different clinical stages were diagnosed in Ulanqab Center for Endemic Disease Prevention and Control and 50 healthy controls were selected as research subjects.Subjective clinical symptoms of all patients were observed.Serological detection of all cases was done using serum tube agglutination test (SAT).The mRNA expression of TLR2 and TLR4 in peripheral blood cell was detected by real-time PCR technique.Results Fever,hyperhidrosis,weak,bone ache and hepatosplenomegaly were found in patients of acute (69 people),subacute (34 people) and chronic (52 people) periods.The incidences of fever and hyperhidrosis in acute and subacute periods were higher than that in chronic period,and the differences were statistically significant (x2 =58.427,26.190,all P ＜ 0.01).The incidence of bone ache in chronic period was higher than that in acute period,and the difference was statistically significant (x2 =9.264,P ＜ 0.01).In the agglutination titer of 1:800 and higher,the positive rate of chronic period was lower than those in acute and subacute periods,and the differences were statistically significant (x2 =14.302,8.682,all P ＜ 0.01).The mRNA expression levels of TLR2 and TLR4 were different among different clinical periods of brucellosis patients,and the differences were statistically significant (F =17.502,24.931,all P ＜ 0.01).The expression levels of TLR2 mRNA (8.67 ± 2.39) and TLR4 mRNA (12.38 ± 3.87) in acute period of brucellosis patients were higher than those of subacute period (5.21 ± 1.76,7.62 ± 2.21),chronic period (1.25 ± 0.47,1.72 ± 0.55) and healthy control (1.17 ± 0.23,1.43 ± 0.62),and the differences were statistically significant (all P ＜ 0.01).The expression levels of TLR2 and TLR4 mRNA in subacute period of brucellosis patients were higher than those of chronic period and healthy controls,and the differences were statistically significant (all P ＜ 0.01).The expression levels of TLR2 and TLR4 mRNA were not significantly different (all P ＞ 0.05) between chronic period and healthy controls.Conclusion TLR2 and TLR4 may be the specific recognizing receptors participated in the immune response in brucellosis and associated with the occurrence and development of brucellosis.

Objective To explore the effect and mechanism of fluvastatin on the expression of fibronectin(FN) in human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMCs) induced by high-glucose peritoneal dialysate (HGPDS).Methods Cultured HPMCs were randomly divided into control,HGPDS,HGPDS plus GSK650394 10-5 mol/L (the competitive inhibitor of SGK1),different concentrations of fluvastatin,fluvastatin 10-6 mol/L and GSK650394 10-5 mol/L alone.The morphology change of HPMC was observed by light microscopy.The cellular viability was detected by MTT colorimetry.The mRNA and protein expressions of serum and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase 1 (SGK1) and FN were detected by RT-PCR,Western blotting or ELISA.Results After incubation with HGPDS,the cell morphology changed from typical cobblestone-like appearance to fibroblast-like appearance,and the cell viability was inhibited significantly (P＜0.05).Fluvastatin 10-6mol/L and GSK650394 could improved the cell morphology and the cell viability injured by HGPDS (P＜0.05).Compared with the normal control group,the mRNA and protein expressions of SGK1 and FN increased significantly in HPMC treated with HGPDS(P＜0.05).GSK650394 significantly decreased the high expression of SGK1 and FN (P＜0.05),also the fluvastatin had same effects as GSK650394 in dose-dependent manner (P＜0.05).Conclusions High-glucose peritoneal dialysate can increase FN expression in human peritoneal mesothelial cells,which can be attenuated by fluvastatin.The protective role of fluvastatin in HPMC may be partially achieved through the signal pathway of SGK1.

Objective:To investigate the electrocardiographic characteristics of left and right ventricles origin of premature ventricular contractions(PVCs) during V3 transition of precordial leads, right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) anterior septum and right coronary sinus (RCC), and RVOT middle-posterior septum and left coronary sinus (LCC).Methods:From January 2017 to September 2019, 91 patients with ventricular extrasystole of outflow tract who had V3 transition in precordial lead and had successful radiofrequency ablation in RVOT anterior septum, middle posterior septum, LCC and RCC were selected for retrospective case control study.The electrocardiography measurements of PVCs were compared between the anteroseptal RVOT group and RCC group, as well as the middle-posterior septal RVOT group and the LCC group, respectively.The measurements included the R-wave amplitude in lead Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ and aVF, R amplitude ratio in leads Ⅲ to Ⅱ, Q-wave amplitude in lead aVL and aVR, Q amplitude ratio in leads aVL to aVR, R-wave and S-wave amplitude from leads V1 to V3, the V2S/V3R index, the transition zone index, and the V2 transition ratio.Results:Thirty-six cases originated from the anteroseptal RVOT, and 11 from the LCC.Lead I R-wave amplitude in anterior septal RVOT was higher than LCC group((0.22±0.25) mV vs.(-0.17±0.33) mV; P=0.003). R-wave amplitude in lead Ⅱ was lower than that in the LCC group((1.59±0.35) mV vs.(1.76±0.27) mV; P=0.035). R-wave amplitude in lead aVF was lower compared with the LCC group((1.53±0.35) mV vs.(1.78±0.39) mV; P=0.050). The V2S/V3R index showed a significant difference between these two groups(1.99±0.66 vs.0.76±0.38; P<0.001). The V2 transition ratio also appeared a significant difference between the two groups(0.69±0.43 vs.1.05±0.35; P=0.005). PVCs arose from the middle-posterior septal RVOT in 32 cases, and from the RCC in 12 cases.Compared with RCC group, lead Ⅰ R-wave amplitude showed lower ((0.25±0.31) mV vs.(0.57±0.12) mV; P<0.001); R amplitude ratio in leads Ⅲ to Ⅱ higher (0.89±0.14 vs.0.72±0.18; P=0.002); Q amplitude in lead aVL((0.72±0.24) mV vs.(0.51±0.16) mV; P=0.002)higher, and Q amplitude ratio in leads aVL to aVR higher in the middle-posterior septal RVOT(0.76±0.23 vs.0.50±0.21; P=0.002). Conclusion:Among the cases with lead V3 transition, PVCs originated from the anteroseptal RVOT show significantly different R wave in lead Ⅰ, Ⅱ, aVF, V2S/V3R index, and the V2 transition ratio compared with those from the LCC.The PVCs from the middle-posterior septal RVOT and the RCC have different R wave in lead Ⅰ, R amplitude ratio in leads Ⅱ and Ⅲ, Q amplitude ratio in leads aVL and aVR.Combined with its different characteristics, it can help to identify the origin of left and right ventricles.

Objective To explore the biological basis of TCM syndromes from a biomolecules network perspective with qi deficiency syndrome as the breakthrough point. Methods A data dictionary of neuro-endocrine-immune (NEI) related genes and qi deficiency syndrome characterization terminology thesaurus were established. Literature about qi deficiency syndrome characterization was retrieved by using Genclip, to excavate the characteristic NEI gene, thereby to explore different bioactive substances of syndromes. Results The analysis of the genetic data, showed qi deficiency related cluster with the relevance of endocrine, signal transduction, hematopoietic cell and immune deficiencies etc. It is confirmed that the intrinsic biological features of TCM syndrome can effectively identify in the NEI level. Conclusion Literature mining method as a new way to discover syndromes biological indicators has certain feasibility, and it is recommended to be further expanded into other studies on syndromes to validate the universality and reliability of this method.