Background Evaluation of acute myocardial infarction after reperfusion by dual phase contrast-enhancement multislice computed tomography (MSCT) was implicated in porcine model. There have been few attempts to use this diagnostic modality for the early assessment of coronary reperfusion in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), especially after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). In elderly patients with STEMI, the safety issues remain unknown. Methods Dual phase contrast-enhancement MSCT examinations were performed in 11 elderly patients (≥60 years old) with STEMI within one week after primary PCI. The presence, location and enhancement pattern on MSCT were evaluated. MSCT findings were compared with the catheter angiographic results and area under the curve of creatine kinase (CK) release. Serum creatinine level was recorded before and after MSCT scan. Results MSCT scans were successfully performed in all the patients. Early myocardial perfusion defect (early defect, ED) was detected in all of the 11 patients (100%) in the early phase of the contrast bolus (subendocardial ED in 10 patients and transmural in 1 patient). Mean CT attenuation value of ED was significantly different from CT attenuation value of remote myocardium (46±17 HU vs 104 ± 17 HU; P < 0.01). Location of ED area correlated well with infarction related artery territory on catheter angiography in all of the 11 patients (100%). On delayed phase of MSCT scan, different enhancement patterns were observed: isolated subendocardial late enhancement (LE) in 6 patients, subendocardial residual perfusion defect (RD) and subepicardial LE in 1 patient, subendocardial RD in 4 patients. Infarct volume assessed by MSCT correlated well with area under the curve CK release (R=0.72, P < 0.01). Serum creatinine level after MSCT scan showed no difference with that before MSCT scan. Conclusion Dual phase MSCT could be safely implicated in elderly patients with STEMI. Variable abnormal myocardial enhancement patterns were seen on dual phase MSCT in these patients with STEMI after primary PCI. Assessment of myocardial attenuation on MSCT gives additional information of the location and extent of infarction after reperfusion.

Objective To investigate the physiological and psychological symptoms of drug abusers under rehabilitation period through labor.Methods A self-designed clinical symptoms questionnaire and Eysenck Personality Questionaire (EPQ) were used to evaluate 1 004 drug abusers under rehabilitation period through labor, and the related symptoms were analyzed.Results The mainly physiological symptoms were fatigue, forgetfulness, aching pain of joints, arrhythmia and discomfort of limbs, and the mainly psychological symptoms are drug craving, insomnia and anxiety. The mean scores of P and E were higher in those who had the drug craving symptoms ( P<0.01), and the mean scores of N were higher in those who had the insomnia or anxiety symptoms ( P<0.01).Conclusion The mainly physiological symptoms of drug abusers under rehabilitation period through labor are fatigue, forgetfulness, aching pain of joints, arrhythmia and discomfort of limbs, which are probably caused by the unbalance of the nervous and internal secretive systems, and the plastisity of the nervous system. The psychological symptoms may due to the effect of morphine and the personality of the drug abusers.

The LEAFY (LFY) homologous gene of Dendrobium moniliforme (L.) Sw. was cloned by new primers which were designed based on the conservative region of known sequences of orchid LEAFY gene. Partial LFY homologous gene was cloned by common PCR, then we got the complete LFY homologous gene Den LFY by Tail-PCR. The complete sequence of DenLFY gene was 3 575 bp which contained three exons and two introns. Using BLAST method, comparison analysis among the exon of LFY homologous gene indicted that the DenLFY gene had high identity with orchids LFY homologous, including the related fragment of PhalLFY (84%) in Phalaenopsis hybrid cultivar, LFY homologous gene in Oncidium (90%) and in other orchid (over 80%). Using MP analysis, Dendrobium is found to be the sister to Oncidium and Phalaenopsis. Homologous analysis demonstrated that the C-terminal amino acids were highly conserved. When the exons and introns were separately considered, exons and the sequence of amino acid were good markers for the function research of DenLFY gene. The second intron can be used in authentication research of Dendrobium based on the length polymorphism between Dendrobium moniliforme and Dendrobium officinale.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Base Sequence ; DNA, Plant ; genetics ; Dendrobium ; genetics ; Exons ; Introns ; Orchidaceae ; genetics ; Phylogeny ; Plant Leaves ; genetics ; Plant Proteins ; genetics ; Plants, Medicinal ; genetics ; Sequence Alignment ; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid

The membrane of sodium cellulose sulphate ( NaCS)-poly dimethyldiallylammonium chloride (PDMDAAC) microcapsule is compact and has low molecular weight cut-off, which would delay the mass transfer and affect the cell growth immobilized in the capsule. Macroporous NaCS-PDMDAAC microcapsules were prepared using the degradation of the starch by amylase in the membrane of the capsules. The pore size and the permeability in the membrane were improved obviously. As model cells, the Candida krusei CK1 and E. coli EC1 immobilized in the capsules were cultured in the shake flask and bubble column respectively. It was shown that the cell density immobilized in the microcapsules cultured in the bubble column was higher than that cultured in the shaking flask. It implied that the limiting factor of the cell growth in the capsule lied in the diffusion of the oxygen. Since the rate of the oxygen transporting across the membrane was greatly enhanced due to the enlarged pore size, the maximum cell density in the macroporous capsules was 20%-110% over than that in the standard capsules in the bubble column. However, the extent of E. coli cell density increasing was higher than that of the yeast, which may be due to the difference of the oxygen requirement between the two microbes.
Amylases ; metabolism ; Bioreactors ; Candida ; growth & development ; Capsules ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; Cell Culture Techniques ; methods ; Cells, Immobilized ; Cellulose ; analogs & derivatives ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; Escherichia coli ; growth & development ; Membranes, Artificial ; Polyethylenes ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; Porosity ; Quaternary Ammonium Compounds ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; Sodium ; Surface Properties ; Temperature ; Time Factors

Although the basic principles for the function of peripheral auditory system have been known for many years, the molecular mechanisms which affect deafness are not clear. In recent years, the study of hereditary deafness associated mouse models has revealed the molecular basis which is related with the formation and function of the hair bundle and the mechanosensory organelle of hair cell. This review focused on the role of protein network, which is formed by the proteins encoded by the Usher syndrome type 1 genes, in hair-bundle development and mechanotransducer channel gating. And the review also showed how the stereocilia rootlets contribute to the hair bundle's mechanical properties and how the hair bundle produces suppressive masking. Finally, the review revealed multiple roles of the tectorial membrane and extracellular matrix in the hair bundles stimulating in the cochlea.
Animals ; Cochlea ; physiopathology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Extracellular Matrix ; physiology ; Hair Cells, Auditory ; pathology ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural ; genetics ; Humans ; Mechanotransduction, Cellular ; Mice ; Usher Syndromes ; genetics

Objective To explore the value of dual-phase contrast-enhancement multislice computed tomography (MSCT) in the assessment of acute myocardial infarction volume and perfusion in porcine models. Methods The distal left anterior descending coronary arteries of 5 pigs were balloon-occluded for 90 min and followed by reperfusion. MSCT was performed 1 min (early phase) and 5 min (delayed phase) after administration bolus of 100 mL of iodinated contrast material 30 min after reperfusion. On the same day, hearts were excised, sectioned in 8 mm short-axis slices, and stained with TTC. Infarction volume was defined as the sum of the hyper-enhanced area and surrounding hypo-enhanced area in all slices on delay enhanced phase of MSCT and the TTC-negative area on TTC staining slices. Infarction volume was expressed as percentage of total slice volume. Results Acute infarction detected by MSCT was characterized by early myocardial perfasion defects in the early phase of the contrast bolus (early defects) with surrounding residual defects and late enhancement observed in the late phase. Mean CT attenuation value of early defects was significantly different from CT attenuation value of remote myocardium [(213±55)HU vs (304±30)HU](P < 0.05), CT attenuation values of residual defects and late enhancement were also significantly different from those of remote myocardium [(360±75) HU vs (90±37) HU and (152±23) HU vs (190±37) HU, repectively](P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The mean infarction volume was (8.9± 1.0)% on MSCT and (9.2±1.4)% on TTC pathology images. The infarction volume assessed by MSCT compared well with TTC staining slices. Conclusion Acute reperfused myocardial infarction zone has specific enhancement pattens different to remote normal zone on dual phase MDCT, which is in good agreement with in vivo Trc pathology in the assessment of acute reperfused myocardial infarction shortly offer reperfusion.

OBJECTIVETuberculosis is still a public health problem. Host genetic factors, such as polymorphisms in NRAMP1 gene, may play a role in the development of tuberculosis. To clarify the effect of NRAMP1 gene polymorphisms on the development of childhood tuberculosis, the association of NRAMP1 gene polymorphisms with susceptibility to tuberculosis in the ethnic Han Chinese children was investigated.

METHODSFrom January 2005 to March 2008, 130 ethnic Han children with tuberculosis (TB group) were enrolled. Three hundred and ninety hospitalized ethnic Han children for physical examination in the surgery department were used as the control group. The controls were matched with tuberculosis children by age, sex and area. PCR-RFLP analysis was performed on DNA samples to identify allele genotypes of INT4 and D543N in NRAMP1 gene. Genotype frequency differences between tuberculosis patients and controls were analyzed using x2 test.

RESULTSNo statistical difference was found in the genotype frequency of variants G/C and C/C at the INT4 locus between the TB and the control groups. At the D543N locus, the frequency of genotype variants (G/A and A/A) was significantly higher in the TB group (34/130) than that in the control group (66/390) (x2=5.349, P<0.05; OR=1.74, 95%CI=1.08-2.79). When stratified by sex, differences in the genotype distribution were observed only in females at the D543N locus, which the variant genotypes were higher in the TB group (16/52) than in the control group (21/155) (x2=7.866, P<0.05; OR=2.84, 95%CI=1.34-5.99). For males, there was no difference between the TB and the control groups. At the INT4 locus, no difference was observed between the two groups in boys and girls.

CONCLUSIONSGenotypic variation at the D543N locus in NRAMP1 gene may be associated with susceptibility to tuberculosis in ethnic Han Chinese children. Variant genotypes in NRAMP1 gene (G/A and A/A) may be susceptible genotypes to tuberculosis in ethnic Han Chinese children. Girls with variant genotypes were more susceptible to tuberculosis.

Cation Transport Proteins ; genetics ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; ethnology ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Sex Factors ; Tuberculosis ; ethnology ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA) secondary mutations, haplotypes, GJB2 gene mutations on phenotype of 1494C>T mutation, and to study the molecular pathogenic mechanism of maternally transmitted aminoglycoside-induced and nonsyndromic hearing loss.

METHODSTwo Chinese Han pedigrees of maternally transmitted aminoglycoside induced and nonsyndromic hearing loss were collected. The two probands and their family members underwent clinical, genetic and molecular evaluations including audiological examinations and mutational analysis of mitochondrial genome and GJB2 gene.

RESULTSClinical evaluation revealed wide range of severity, age-at-onset and audiometric configuration of hearing impairment in matrilineal relatives in both families, for which the penetrance of hearing loss was respectively 42.9% and 28.6% when aminoglycoside-induced deafness was included. When the effect of aminoglycosides was excluded, the penetrances of hearing loss were 14.3% and 14.3%. Sequence analysis of mitochondrial genomes identified a known 12S rRNA 1494C>T mutation, in addition with distinct sets of mtDNA polymorphisms belonging to Eastern Asian haplogroups C4a1a and B4b1c, respectively.

CONCLUSIONMitochondrial 12S rRNA 1494C>T mutation probably underlie the deafness in both families. Lack of significant mutation in the GJB2 gene ruled out involvement of GJB2 in the phenotypic expression. However, aminoglycosides and other nuclear modifier genes may still modify the phenotype of the 1494C>T mutation in these families. The B4b1c is a newly identified haplogroup in aminoglycoside-induced and nonsyndromic hearing loss family carrying the 1494C>T mutation. The 1494C>T mutation seems to have occurred sporadically through evolution.

Adult ; Aminoglycosides ; adverse effects ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Connexin 26 ; Connexins ; genetics ; DNA, Mitochondrial ; genetics ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Haplotypes ; Hearing Loss ; chemically induced ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Phenotype ; RNA, Ribosomal ; genetics ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo analyze the phenotype and genotype in three Chinese pedigrees with inherited dysfibrinogenemia.

METHODSLaboratory tests including activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), thrombin time (TT), reptilase time (RT), and the activities of antithrombin (AT:C), protein C (PC:C) and protein S(PS:C) were detected in three pedigrees. The activity and antigen of plasma fibrinogen (Fg) were analyzed by Clauss and immunoturbidimetry methods, respectively. The Fg of three probands was assessed by Western blot and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The sequences of all the exons and exon-intron boundaries of the three Fg genes FGA, GFB and FGG were amplified by PCR and analyzed by direct sequencing.

RESULTSThree probands had normal APTT, PT, PC:C, PS:C and AT:C, but prolonged TT and RT. The activity levels of the 3 probands's plasma Fg were reduced, but antigen levels were normal. Western blot and SDS-PAGE showed no abnormal molecular weight of Fg. The 3 heterozygous mutations of γ Arg275His, Aα Pro18Leu and Aα Arg16Cys were identified in the 3 probands, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe three probands with dysfibrinogenemia were caused by the mutations of γ Arg275His, Aα Pro18Leu and Aα Arg16Cys, respectively. Both Aα Pro18Leu and Aα Arg16Cys were first reported in Chinese population.

Adult ; Afibrinogenemia ; genetics ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Female ; Fibrinogen ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Mutation, Missense ; Pedigree ; Phenotype

BACKGROUNDThe prevalence of sudden sensorineural hearing loss in children (CSSNHL) is consistently increasing. However, the pathology and prognosis of CSSNHL are still poorly understood. This retrospective study evaluated clinical characteristics and possible associated factors of CSSNHL.

METHODSOne hundred and thirty-six CSSNHL patients treated in Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and Institute of Otolaryngology at Chinese PLA General Hospital between July 2008 and August 2015 were included in this study. These patients were analyzed for clinical characteristics, audiological characteristics, laboratory examinations, and prognostic factors.

RESULTSAmong the 136 patients (151 ears), 121 patients (121 ears, 80.1%) were diagnosed with unilaterally CSSNHL, and 15 patients (30 ears, 19.9%) with bilateral CSSNHL. The complete recovery rate of CSSNHL was 9.3%, and the overall recovery rate was 37.7%. We found that initial degree of hearing loss, onset of treatment, tinnitus, the ascending type audiogram, gender, side of hearing loss, the recorded auditory brainstem response (ABR), and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) had prognostic significance. Age, ear fullness, and vertigo had no significant correlation with recovery. Furthermore, the relevant blood tests showed 30.8% of the children had abnormal white blood cell (WBC) counts, 22.1% had elevated homocysteine levels, 65.8% had high alkaline phosphatase (ALP), 33.8% had high IgE antibody levels, and 86.1% had positive cytomegalovirus (CMV) IgG antibodies.

CONCLUSIONSCSSNHL commonly occurs unilaterally and results in severe hearing loss. Initial severe hearing loss and bilateral hearing loss are negative prognostic factors for hearing recovery, while positive prognostic factors include tinnitus, gender, the ascending type audiogram, early treatment, identifiable ABR waves, and DPOAEs. Age, vertigo, and ear fullness are not correlated with the recovery. Some serologic indicators, including the level of WBC, platelet, homocysteine, ALP, positive CMV IgG antibody, fibrinogen, and some immunologic indicators, are closely related to CSSNHL.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem ; Female ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural ; blood ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Otoacoustic Emissions, Spontaneous ; Retrospective Studies