0.05).Conclusions There is a high incidence of the plaque in ECCA in patients with ICVD. The higher-grade stenosis of carotid artery may be related to soft plaque and mixed plaque, the plaque rupture is concerned with in the incidence of ischemic stroke. The diagnostic information about atherosclerotic plaque in one carotid artery can be used to infer information about atherosclerosis severity degree in contralateral artery.Color-Doppler ultrasound examination for ECCA had important reference value for estimating atherosclerosis severity degree in ECCA in patients with ICVD of carotid artery system and the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke.

Objective To investigate the species composition and quantitative dynamic state of rodent and parasitic flea in Huairou District of Beijing City,and to carry out serologic monitoring of animal plague.Methods Rodent density was investigated at different habitats in eight villages and towns between 2009 and 2011.Serum samples from captured rodents were detected by indirect hemagglutination test,and genotypes of collected parasitic fleas were identified.Results A total of 709 rodents which belong to eight different kinds were captured with a rodent density of 2.52％ (83/3 300),and Rattus niviventer and Apodemus peninsulae were dominant species,acounted for 46.4％ (329/709) and 18.1％(128/709),respctively.Five hundred and sixty-three serum samples of rodents were tested by plague indirect hemagglutination,and all of them were plague antibody negative.Two hundred fleas were checked with a flea infected rate of 29.63％ (48/162),and a flea index of 1.23; Paraceras crispus and Leptopsylla pavlovskii were dominant flea species,a total of 30 and 27,respectively.Conclusion Some environment conditions are suitable for rodents survival,even though there is no sign of animal plague epidemic.

Objective To report a familial steroid responsive idiopathic nephrotic syndrome,describe the clinic and pathologic features of the family and screen the potential mutations of NPHS2 in the kindred. Methods Clinopathological data of the family members were collected(including patients) . The reports on familial steroid responsive idiopathic nephrotic syndrome were reviewed. The characteristics were compared between them. NPHS2 mutation was screened through DHPLC for the patients. Resutts There were two brothers with steroid responsive nephrotic syndrome in this family,and the renal pathology was minimal change disease. One of them had massive proteinuria and hypertension,whose renal biopsy showed mild mesangial proliferative nephritis. In this family,any mutation in NPHS2 gene was not found as it was reported in other populations. Conclusions The present study is the first report of familial steroid responsive idiopathic nephrotic syndrome in Chinese population. No relationship between the disease and NPHS2 gene mutation in this family is found.

Objective To observe the effect of low frequency electrical stimulation on dysphagia after stroke. Methods 60 patients with dysphagia after stroke were divided into treatment group and control group with 30 cases in each group. The control group was treated with swallowing exercise, while the treatment group was treated with low frequency electrical stimulation in addition. They were assessed with Fujishima's swallowing evaluation before and after treatment. Results The score increased after treatment in both groups (P<0.05), and increased more in the treatment group than in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Low frequency electrical stimulation can improve the effects of swallowing exercise on dysphagia after stroke.

Objective: To investigate the effect of accessory gene regulator C (agr C) specific binding peptides (named N1) on the biofilm formation of Staphylococcus epidermidis on the surface of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) materials in vitro. Methods: Firstly, the two strains (ATCC35984, ATCC12228) were cultured with N1 at concentrations of 100, 200, 400, 800, and 1 600 μg/mL, respectively. The control group was cultured with agrC specific binding unrelated peptides (named N0) at the same concentrations and the absorbance ( A) value was measured after 24 hours to determine the optimal bacteriostatic concentration of N1. The two strains were cultured with N1 and N0 of the optimal concentration, respectively. The A values were measured at 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, and 48 hours to observe the effect of N1 on the biofilm formation ability of Staphylococcus epidermidis. On this basis, the surface structure of the biofilm on the surface of PVC material was observed by scanning electron microscopy after 6, 12, 18, 24, and 30 hours of incubation with PVC material sheet. The thickness of the biofilm was observed by laser confocal microscopy after 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours of incubation with ATCC35984 strain. Results: The optimal bacteriostatic concentration of N1 was 800 μg/mL. ATCC 12228 strain did not form obvious biofilm after being cultured with N1 and N0. When ATCC35984 strain was cultured with N1 and N0 for 12 hours, the difference in biofilm formation ability between groups N1 and N0 was statistically significant ( P<0.05), but there was no significant difference at 6, 18, 24, 30, and 48 hours ( P>0.05). Scanning electron microscopy examination showed that mature biofilm structure was observed in ATCC35984 strain and was not observed in ATCC12228 strain. Laser confocal microscopy observation showed that the number of bacteria in the group N1 was significantly lower than that in the group N0 at 12 hours, and the most of bacteria were dead bacteria. There was no significant difference in the number of bacteria at 6, 18, and 24 hours, and the most of them were live bacteria. The biofilm thickness of group N1 was significantly lower than that of group N0 at 12 and 18 hours ( P<0.05). Conclusion: The intensity of N1 inhibiting the formation of Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilm is dose-dependent. During the aggregation period, N1 can inhibit the biofilm formation by hindering the bacterial growth and aggregation. The inhibition effect on mature biofilm is not obvious.

Objective To explore the anti-tumor effect of 17XL strains of Plasmodium yoelii(P.y)infection on melanoma in mice. Methods B16F10 tumor cells were axillarilly injected into the right flank of 20 C57BL/6 mice to establish tumor-bearing mouse models. The next day,the mice were randomly divided into a P.y infection group and control group,10 mice each group. Each mouse of the P.y infection group was intraperitoneally injected with 1×106 red blood cells including 20% P.y infection red blood cells,and each one of the control group were intraperitoneally injected with 1×106 normal red blood cells of C57BL/6 mice. The time of tumor formation of the mice in the two groups was observed and the tumor volumes were measured. Results The time of tumor formation in the P.y infection group[(11.30 ± 0.21)d]was significantly later than that in the control group [(10.40 ± 0.22)d](P < 0.05). From the tumors could be accurately measured to the study end point,both the tumors of mice in the two groups were growing,and the tumor volumes of mice in the P.y infection group were significantly less than those in the control group at each time point(all P < 0.05). The growth rate of tumors in the P.y infection group[(71.10 ± 6.29)mm3/d]was significantly slower than that in the control group[(302.80 ± 49.94)mm3/d](P < 0.05),and the growth rates of tumors every day in the P.y infection group were significantly slower than those in the control group(all P < 0.05). Conclusion The P.y in-fection can delay the occurrence of tumor and inhibit the growth of melanoma.

Objective To investigate the application value of high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HR-MRI) as an auxiliary means to evaluate the atherosclerotic stenosis of middle cerebral artery (MCA) before endovascular intervention.Methods Patients with the new infarction or transient ischemic attack in the MCA territories were examined with HR-MRI and digital subtraction angiography (DSA).HR-MRI was used to study the characteristics of atherosclerotic plaques of MCA,qualitatively analyze vascular stenosis rate and plaque load,and qualitatively analyze the plaque location,enhancement degree,and remodeling pattern.The results of HR-MRI examination were used to guide the selection of treatment methods,and the perioperative complications and 3-month outcome of patients treated with intravascular interventional therapy were statistically analyzed.Correlation analysis and consistent evaluation of MCA stenosis rate and stenosis degree measured by DSA and HR-MRI were conducted.Results Atherosclerotic plaques and luminal stenosis in the MCA were found in 25 patients.Among them,13 (52.0％) had positive remodeling,10 (40.0％) had negative remodeling,and 8 (32.0％) had plaques on the sides of perforator arteries.Of the 17 patients who underwent enhanced scan,11 (64.7％) had mild enhancement and 6 (36.3％) had obvious enhancement.Six patients (24％) were treated with endovascular treatment without perioperative complications.Five patients had good outcome and 1 had poor outcome.The stenosis rates of MCA measured by DSA and HR-MRI were 68.05％ ± 21.65％ and 70.9％ ± 20.7％,respectively (t =1.673,P=0.107).The two methods had good correlation (r=0.917,P＜ 0.001).In addition,in the diagnosis of mild (P =0.500),moderate (P =0.063) and severe (P =0.250) stenoses,DSA and HR-MRI also had good consistency.Conclusion HR-MRI can clearly show the characteristics of the middle cerebral artery lumen and plaque.As a preoperative evaluation means for assisted endovascular treatment of atherosclerotic stenosis,it has an important application value.

Objective To analyze characteristics and clinical significance of affected and unaffected side plaques in patients with symptomatic middle cerebral artery (MCA) atherosclerosis by three dimensional-sampling perfection with application optimized contrasts using different flip angle evolutions (3D-SPACE) of 3.0 T high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Methods During the period from September 2016 to June 2017,31 patients admitted to the Peking University Aerospace School of Clinical Medicine were enrolled in this study.Routine MRI and high-resolution MRI were performed respectively.Patient's affected and unaffected sides were distinguished based on the conventional MRI on the presence or absence of signs of ischemia.The characteristics of bilateral MCA plaques were studied by high-resolution MRI 3D-SPACE sequences.The stenosis rate,plaque load,eccentricity index were quantitatively analyzed,and the degree of plaque enhancement and remodeling were qualitatively analyzed.Results Thirty-one MCAs in affected and unaffected sides were respectively collected,and 124 MCA plaques and reference plane images were obtained.Among all the patients,tihe MCA in unaffected side was larger in lumen area and had atherosclerotic plaques,and some MCAs had varying degrees of thickening of the wall.The stenosis rate,plaque burden and significantly enhanced plaque proportion of MCA in affected side were significantly higher than those in unaffected side (stenosis rate:76.2％ ± 11.5％ vs 51.7％ ± 13.1％,t =7.801,P＜0.01;plaque burden:81.6％ ±8.0％ vs 56.7％ ±13.9％,t =8.614,P＜0.01;significantly enhanced plaque proportion:50.0％ (13/26) vs 0 (0/26),x2 =17.333,P＜ 0.01).There was no statistically significant difference in plaque distribution between the two sides.Positive remodeling blood vessels had more vessel area than negative remodeling blood vessels ((13.8 ± 2.9) mm2 vs (11.3 ± 2.8)mm2,t =2.389,P =0.024).Conclusion The high resolution MRI 3D-SPACE sequence clearly shows the MCA wall and plague,and can analyze the enhancement degree and morphological features of affected and unaffected side atherosclerotic plaques simultaneously,thus it is beneficial for risk stratification assessment and individualized treatment for stroke Patients in clinical practice.

The present study reported the case of a patient with degenerative lumbar scoliosis who suffered from postoperative hemorrhage due to lumbar artery injury in corrective osteotomy. The patient presented with decline of blood pressure, extremely low hemoglobin, even after blood transfusion and fluid infusion. Digital subtraction angiography showed lumbar artery injury. Successful control of bleeding and gradually stable vital signs were observed after vascular embolisation. Severe and complex spinal deformity, severe osteophytes in the anterior edge of vertebral body, hypertension, and angiosclerosis were the risk factors of large vascular injuries in spinal osteotomy. Lumbar artery injury should be highly suspected when unknown and progressively aggravating abdominal or back pain, abdominal distention, neurological symptoms of lower limbs, decline of blood pressure, increase of heart rate, decrease of hemoglobin level, continuously bloody drainage or incision bleeding occurred. Vascular embolisation was effective and safe in the management of iatrogenic lumbar artery injury.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic basis for a Chinese pedigree affected with inherited afibrinogenemia. METHODS: For the proband and his family members, prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), thrombin time (TT), Fibrin(ogen) degradation products (FDPs), D-dimer (D-D), plasminogen activity (PLG:A) and the TT mixed experiment with protamine sulfate were determined with a STAGO-R automatic coagulation analyzer. The activity and antigen of fibrinogen (Fg) in plasma were measured with the Clauss method and immunonephelometry method, respectively. All exons and flanking regions of the fibrinogen genes (FGA, FGB and FGG) were amplified by PCR and directly sequenced. Human Splicing Finder software was used to predict and score the change of splicing site caused by the mutation. RESULTS: The proband showed normal FDPs and D-D but significantly prolonged TT, PT and APTT. The activity and antigen of fibrinogen in plasma were significantly decreased (<0.1 g/L). His young sister and parents showed slightly prolonged TT (18.20-18.50 s) and decreased fibrinogen activity (1.27-1.54 g/L) and fibrinogen antigenic content (1.34-1.56 g/L). Genetic testing revealed that the proband has carried homozygous IVS7-12A>G (g.4147A>G) mutations of the FGG gene, for which his parents and young sister were heterozygous. As predicted by Human Splicing Finder and Mutation Taster software, the variant may generate a new splicing site which can extend the sequence of exon 7 by 11 bp, with alteration of the coding sequence. PROVEAN suggested the variant to be deleterious. CONCLUSION The afibrinogenemia of the proband may be attributed to the FGG IVS7-12A>G variant, which was unreported previously.
Adult ; Afibrinogenemia/genetics* ; Female ; Fibrinogen/genetics* ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Male ; Mutation ; Pedigree