Objective To investigate whether radial augmentation index (AI) associates with cardiovascular risk as well as arterial stiffness.MethodsA total of 4985 subjects, 2417 men and 2568 women, aged 18-96 (50.9 ± 14.7)years,were recruited.AI was measured in the left radial artery using tonometry Colin HEM-9000AI.Carotid-femoral PWV (CFPWV) and carotid-radial PWV (CRPWV) were examined by automatic pulse wave velocity (PWV) measuring system.Framingham risk score and Chinese ischemic cardiovascular disease risk score were applied upon subjects without cardiovascular disease to calculate individual cardiovascular risk respectively.ResultsRadial AI (rAI) was significantly higher in women than in men[(83.18 ± 12.36)％ vs (71.93 ± 15.22)％, P ＜0.01].Simple correlation analysis showed rAI was significantly correlated to two cardiovascular risk scores or CFPWV and CRPWV.After adjusted for multi-factors, rAI was still significantly correlated to Framing, ham risk score or Chinese ischemic cardiovascular disease risk score (r = 0.17 and 0.12) in men respectively (P ＜ 0.05), while r were 0.09 and 0.08 in women respectively (P ＜ 0.05).In multivariate analysis, there was a significant association between CFPWV and rAI (r = 0.14 in men, r = 0.10 in women, P ＜ 0.01), whereas the relation ship between CRPWV and rAI was not found.The relationship between rAI and cardiovascular risk or PWV became weaker for those aged above 50 years.ConclusionAugmentation index might be a useful marker of cardiovascular risk and arterial stiffness, which could be more feasible for younger subjects as a tool for risk differentiation.

In industrial application of NAD(P)H-dependent dehydrogenases, NAD(H) has the advantages over NADP(H) in higher stability, lower price and wider recycling system. Recently, a meso-2,6-diaminopimelate dehydrogenase from Symbiobacterium thermophilum (StDAPDH) has been found to be a useful biocatalyst for the production of D-amino acids, but it requires NADP(H) as co-enzyme. To switch the co-enzyme specificity from NADP(H) to NAD(H), we studied the effect of Y76 on the co-enzyme specificity of StDAPDH, because the crystal structural analysis indicated that residue Y76 is near the adenine ring. The mutation of Y76 exerted significant effect on the co-enzyme specificity. Furthermore, the double mutant R35S/R36V significantly lowered the specific activity toward NADP+, and the combination of R35S/R36V with some of the Y76 mutants resulted in mutant enzymes favorable NAD+ over NADP+. This study should provide useful guidance for the further development of highly active NAD(+)-dependent StDAPDH by enzyme engineering.
Amino Acid Oxidoreductases ; chemistry ; Amino Acids ; Clostridiales ; enzymology ; Mutation ; NAD ; NADP ; Substrate Specificity

Objective To determine the expression of TM4SF1 mRNA in 5 human pancreatic cancer cell lines,and investigate its effect on the proliferation,migration and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells.Methods The expression of TM4SF1 mRNA in MPanc96,MiaPaCa-2,PANC1,AsPC-1,HPAC cells was determined by qRT-PCR,and the results were compared with that of human pancreatic ductal epithelial (HPDE) cells.RNA interference method was used to transiently transfect siRNA targeting at TM4SF1 and negative control siRNA into MPanc96,MiaPaCa-2 cells.The proliferation of cells were measured by MTS method,and migration and invasion of cells were determined by Transwell.Results The expression levels of TM4SF1 mRNA in pancreatic cancer cell lines MPanc96,MiaPaCa-2,PANC1,AsPC-1 and HPAC were 1.205 ± 0.073,1.096 ± 0.260,1.382 ± 0.075,1.374 ± 0.363 and 0.744 ± 0.096,which were significantly highly than that in HPDE (0.020 ± 0.003,P ＜ 0.01).Compared with cells transfected with negative control siRNA,the proliferation of MPanc96 and MiaPaCa-2 cells transfected with siRNA targeting at TM4SF1 was not significantly changed,but the migration abilitiy was decreased by (62.5 ± 7.6) ％ and (72.8 ± 4.0) ％,and invasion abilitiy was decreased by (69.5 ± 5.7) ％ and (78.6 ± 6.3) ％.Conclusions TM4SF1 is highly expressed in pancreatic cancer cells and appears to promote the migration and invasion abilities of the cancer cells.

Objective To evaluate the sampling efficiency of rotary biopsy forceps in gastric precancerous lesions. Methods A total of 60 gastric lesions with suspected pre-cancerous characters under narrow band imaging were enrolled,and consecutive samples were taken from same lesion by one endoscopist with routine and rotary forceps,respectively. The most severe pathological diagnosis was regarded as the final diagnosis. Results There was a significant difference between rotary biopsy forceps and routine ones in regarding of sample quality and capability of minimize tissue damage (P＜0. 05). The concordance rate with final pathological diagnosis from sample taken by rotary biopsy forceps was higher than that from routine ones,but without significance (P＞0. 05). Conclusion The rotary biopsy forceps is superior to routine ones in sampling of gastric pre-cancerous lesions.

Objective:To study urine albumin excretion (UAE) and its related factors in patients with essential hyper‐tension (EH) .Methods :A total of 113 EH patients without significant target organ damage were enrolled as EH group ,while another 92 healthy subjects were regarded as healthy control group .Ratio of morning urinary albumin to creatinine was measured and regarded as UAE index .Plasma homocysteine (Hcy) ,serum uric acid ,creatinine , blood urea nitrogen ,blood glucose ,blood lipids etc .levels were measured ,and compared between two groups Re‐sults:Compared with healthy control group ,there were significant rise in UAE ,body mass index (BMI) ,waist hip ratio ,blood pressure ,pulse pressure ,heart rate ,plasma levels of triglyceride (TG) ,low density lipoprotein choles‐terol (LDL‐C) ,serum uric acid and Hcy (P<0.05 or <0.01) ,and significant reduction in level of high density lip‐oprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) in EH group ( P=0.001) .Pearson correlation analysis indicated that lgUAE was pos‐itively correlated with lgTG (r=0.257 ,P=0.015) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR ,r=0.284 ,P=0.007) ,and inversely correlated with lg creatinine (r= -0.277 ,P=0.008) in healthy control group ,while in EH group ,lgUAE was positively correlated BMI (r=0.231 ,P=0.014) ,lgTG (r=0.200 ,P=0.034) and lgHcy (r=0.244 , P=0.009) .Muti-factor gradual regression analysis indicated that lg TG (β=0.265 ,P=0.001) and lg Hcy (β=0.170 , P=0.012) were independently positively correlated with lg UAE , R2 =0.112.Conclusion:UAE level significantly rises in EH patients ,and it′s significantly positively correlated with plasma levels of TG and Hcy .

Objective To explore the functional mechanism of a Chinese medicine compound “Qiangzhizufang”on rat model of Tourette syndrome ( TS) combined with fear.Methods The rat model of TS combined with fear was established by intraperitoneal injection of 3,3’-iminodipropionitrile (IDPN) combined with acoustic stimulation.After giving different drug lavage treatment, the changes of behavior of the rat models were assessed by field test and behavior test.The content of DA, TH and TH mRNA in the brain tissue was detected by HPLC, immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR, separately.Results Compared with the normal control group, stereotyped behavior and exercise behavior were increased, freezing time prolonged, but the content of DA, TH and TH mRNA in the brain tissue were not obviously changed in the model control group.Compared with the model control group, the stereotyped behavior and exercise behavior were decreased, content of DA, TH and TH mRNA in the brain tissue was decreased in the “Qiangzhizufang” group. Conclusions The Chinese medicine compound“Qiangzhizufang” can improve the behavior in rat models of TS combined with fear.This effect may be realized through down-regurating TH mRNA expression, reducing the content of TH, and reducing the dopamine synthesis.

Objective To understand the effectiveness of peroral endoscopic myotomy(POEM)for achalasia and secondary severe malnutrition in children and the effectiveness of nutrition support before and after POEM.Method Treatment of POEM,nutrition support(tube feeding by percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy three months before operation)in one case were recorded and analyzed.Results POEM was successful without any complication such as perforation,bleeding,and pneumoderm.The child suffered from fever after surgery,which was dissolved after symptomatic treatment three days later.Chest pain was relieved after changing position.The diet was changed from liquid to semifluid,and then to normal diet.The child did not have dysphagia.During the 6-month follow-up,the patient had normal diets by oral route.The weight was 32 kg before achalasia and decreased to 18 kg after 9 months(at admission);it then increased to 29 kg after short-time(12 days)parenteral nutrition and long-time(3 months)enteral nutrition by percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy,and then the patient received POEM.His weight was 30,31,31,29,and 31 kg 1,4,6,9,and 13 months,respectively,after POEM.Conclusion POEM can effectively cure achalasia in pediatric patients and improve the quality of life.Rational enteral nutrition can improve nutrition status and facilitate a successful POEM.

Ⅺ deficiency in Chinese Han population. Conclusion The 13 mutations of the F Ⅺ gene which were found in this study may unravel the molecular pathogenesis of the F Ⅺ deficiency in Chinese Han population.

AIM:To investigate the molecular mechanism of Xijiao Dihuang decoction combined with Yinqiao powder (XDY) in treating viral pneumonia, and the effects of XDY on TNF-α-induced permeability in pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMVEC) and the role of PKC-SSeCKS pathway involved.METHODS:The electric conductivity method was used to detect transendothelial electrical resistance (TER) of primarily cultured PMVEC on Transwell chamber at different time points to determine the permeability of PMVEC.After pretreatment for 24 h, the activity of PKC, TER, and the expression of SSeCKS at mRNA and protein levels were detected.Laser scanning confocal microscopy was used to observe the location of SSeCKS and construction of F-actin in PMVEC.RESULTS:The permeability of PMVECs induced by TNF-α reached the peak at 24 h.Compared with control group, the TER in TNF-α group was decreased, and the activity of PKC was increased.Compared with TNF-α group, the activity of PKC in TNF-α with PKC inhibitor group and TNF-α with XDY group was decreased, while the TER was increased, without difference from control group.Compared with control group, the mRNA expression of SSeCKS and phospho-SSeCKS was increased in PMVEC of TNF-α group, but decreased in TNF-α with XDY group compared with TNF-α group.In control group, F-actin was mainly located around the nucleus and at cytoplasmic borders of PMVEC, forming the dense peripheral bundle, and SSeCKS was evenly scattered in the cell.In TNF-α group, the dense peripheral bundle of F-actin surrounding the cells almost disappeared, and SSeCKS was concentrated around the nucleus.Compared with TNF-α group, the distribution and the structure of F-actin and SSeCKS nearly returned to normal in TNF-α with XDY group.CONCLUSION:XDY inhibits the activation of PKC signaling pathway in PMVEC caused by TNF-α to reduce the mRNA expression of SSeCKS and the phosphorylation of SSeCKS, thus preventing the deformation of endothelial cells and reducing the permeability of PMVEC.

Objective Both decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and arterial stiffness were considered as risk factors for atherosclerosis. Previous studies have suggested the association between central arterial stiffness and the degree of GFR loss. Whether decreased GFR contributes to peripheral artery stiffness remains controversial. Moreover, data analyzed from a cohort of Chinese women are rare. Our aim was to explore the relationship between GFR and regional arterial stiffness in Chinese women. Methods In this cross-sectional study, we randomly recruited 1131 adult women residents with GFR ≥ 60 mL/min per 1.73 m2 estimated by the Chinese Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation from three large communities. Central and peripheral arterial stiffness were estimated simultaneously by measuring carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWVcf) and carotid-radial PWV (PWVcr) using a validated automatic device. Augmentation Index at heart rate 75 beats/minutes (AIx-75) was measured by pulse wave analysis as a composite parameter reflecting both large and distal arterial properties. Results The mean estimated GFR (eGFR) of the study group was 100.05 ± 23.26 mL/minute per 1.73 m2. Subjects were grouped by tertiles of eGFR level. PWVcf and AIx-75 increased ongoing from the top to the bottom eGFR tertile, while the values of PWVcr were comparable. Both univariate Pearson correlations and multiple stepwise regression analyses showed that eGFR significantly correlated to PWVcf, but not to PWVcr and AIx-75. Conclusions In Chinese women with normal to mildly impaired renal function, decreased eGFR affected carotid-to-femoral rather than carotid-to-radial stiffening. This provides rational to conduct future prospective studies to investigate predictors of atherosclerosis in this population.