Objective To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of plain radiography in the diagnosis of vascular calcification in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. Methods Multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) was used as the reference standard in the assessment of vascular calcification in MHD patients. A total of 54 MHD patients, 26 male and 28 female, mean age (60.4±13.3) years, underwent both MSCT and plain radiography of lateral abdomen and pelvis to evaluate abdominal aortic calcification, bilateral iliac and femoral artery calcification. Abdominal aorta was divided into upper and lower segment by L2-L3 intervertebral space. The severity of vascular calcification by MSCT was graded from score 0 to 5. Two independent radiologists analyzed the results of plain radiography and MSCT, and inter-observer agreements were calculated by using K statistics. Results According to the results of MSCT, the calcification rate of abdominal aorta was 86.1%, and the calcification rate of iliac and femoral artery was 74.5%. There was significant difference of the calcification rate between large artery and muscular arteries. Inter-observer agreement of calcification was excellent (K =0.864-0.893). Compared with MSCT, the specificity of plain radiography with regard to detection of abdominal aortic, iliac and femoral calcification were 100%. The sensitivity of plain radiography was different according to the different MSCT score, which was as follows: MSCT score ≥ grade 1: 60.2% and 24.8% for lateral abdomen radiography to detect abdominal aortic calcification and pelvic radiography to detect iliac, femoral calcification respectively; MSCT score ≥ grade 2: 76.9% and 43.5% respectively; MSCT score grade 3: 100% and 74.4% respectively. Conclusions The sensitivity of plain radiography in the assessment of vascular calcification increases with the severity of calcification. The sensitivity in the assessment of abdominal aortic calcification is higher than that of iliac and femoral artery calcification. Plain radiography can be used to detect moderate to severe vascular calcification in MHD patients.

Objective To study the possibility of the plasma level of heat shock protein 70(HSP70) being used as a bi-ological marker of military stress .Methods Soldiers who returned from a 6-month-navigation were chosen as subjects , the HSP70 level of plasma was measured with the ELISA assay and stress questionnaires and Self -rated Health Measurement Scale (SRHMS) were used to measure the stress level .Results The soldiers′plasma level of HSP70 was 31.40%higher than that of the control .The stress questionnaire indicatesd that the level of thinking and anxiety , negative mood and somat-ic symptoms were higher than normal .The SRHMS indicated that the level of physiological health ,mental health and social health was lower than normal .The plasma level of HSP70 was associated with the level of military stress .Conclusion The plasma level of HSP70 may be used as an important predictor of military stress .It can predict the level of military stress injury.

AIM: To construct a recombinant adenovirus vector carrying AFP promoter to specifically express a targeting gene in hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells. METHODS: Based on the Adeno-X~TM Expression system, the CMV promoter was replaced by a 300 bp a-fetoprotein promoter. The EGFP(enhanced green fluorescent protein) gene as a report gene was inserted to the multiple-cloning site(MCS). The normal liver LO2 cells, hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells and HeLa cells were infected by the recombinant adenovirus, respectively. Northern blotting and fluorescence microscope were used to detect the transcription level of EGFP gene and its protein expression, respectively. RESULTS: Northern blotting showed that the target gene was markedly transcribed in HepG2 cells, but slightly in LO2 and HeLa cells. Under the fluorescence microscope, strong EGFP expression was seen in HepG2 cells but very weakly in HeLa and LO2 cells. CONCLUSION: Under the control of the 300 bp human AFP promoter, the target gene carried by the recombinant adenovirus was expressed in the AFP-producing HepG2 cells at a very high level, but not or very weakly in AFP negative cells. This adenovirus system can be used as a new, potent and specific approach for the gene-targeting therapy for the AFP producing primary hepatoma. [

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effects of Huperzine A, a potent acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, against the hypoxic ischemic brain damage (HIBD) of the cognitive and morphology in the neonatal rats.

METHODSPostnatal 7 days old rats were given vehicle or Huperzine A (0.05 mg/kg or 0.1 mg/kg, i.p.) following HIBD (unilateral carotid artery ligation followed by hypoxia) or sham operation, and then tested the learning ability and memory in the Morris water maze (MWM) from 36 to 40 postnatal days. The performance in MWM (escape latency, probe time) were recorded to evaluate the learning and memory dysfunction. At the end of MWM trials, the rats were decapitated and their brains were histologically analyzed. The tissue loss in different brain regions including striatum, cortex, and hippocampus were analyzed by image analysis system. The CA(1) subfield neurons numbers were counted to evaluate the brain damage. The acetylcholinesterase histochemistry staining was used to determine the activity of acetylcholinesterase in different brain regions.

RESULTSCompared with sham-operated group, HIBD rats with the vehicle treatment displayed significant tissue losses in the hippocampus (including CA(1) neurons), cortex, and striatum, as well as severe spatial memory deficits (escape latency: 44 s vs 30 s, P < 0.05, probe time: 14 s vs 40 s, P < 0.01). Huperzine A treatment (0.1 mg/kg) resulted in significant protection against both HI-induced brain tissue losses and spatial memory impairments (mean escape latency: 34 s vs 44 s, P < 0.05, probe time: 35 s vs 14 s,P < 0.01). However, Huperzine A treatment (0.05 mg/kg) did not show any significant improvement of spatial memory impairments (mean escape latency: 45 s vs 44 s, P > 0.05, probe time: 17 s vs 14 s, P > 0.05), but moderate to severe brain tissue losses. There was a pronounced reduction of CA(1) neuron density in ipsilateral hemisphere of vehicle-treated group and 0.05 mg/kg Huperzine A group compared with contralateral hemisphere or ipsilateral hemisphere of sham-operated group and 0.1 mg/kg Huperzine A group (72 vs 232, P < 0.01, 72 vs 229, P < 0.01, respectively). There was a close linear correlation between the CA(1) neurons cell number and the mean escape latency for 5 d acquisition trials (r = 0.777, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe unilateral HI brain injury in a neonatal rat model was associated with cognitive deficits, and that Huperzine A treatment may be protective against both brain injury and spatial memory impairment. Huperzine A showed a therapeutic potential for the treatment of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) caused by the perinatal asphyxia.

Acetylcholinesterase ; metabolism ; Alkaloids ; Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Cerebral Cortex ; drug effects ; enzymology ; pathology ; Cognition Disorders ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Corpus Striatum ; drug effects ; enzymology ; pathology ; Female ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; enzymology ; pathology ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain ; drug therapy ; Male ; Maze Learning ; drug effects ; Neuroprotective Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sesquiterpenes ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome

To compare two different methods for extracting genomic DNA from cord blood and to evaluate their applications for HLA genotyping, the genomic DNA from 72 samples was extracted by guanidine hydrochloride (Gu * HCl) and modified guanidine hydrochloride, the DNA yield and purity were evaluated by spectrophotometry and detected by PCR with sequence-specific primers. The result showed that the genomic DNA was successfully isolated from whole blood by both methods. The modified Gu * HCl method used was better than Gu * HCl method as the modified method produces better quality of DNA and less ambiguous bands in PCR. It is concluded that modified Gu * HCl method has the advantages of low-cost, simple operation, high quality output and clear positive bands in HLA-genotyping, the modified method is optimal for extracting DNA from multiple samples of cord blood bank.
DNA ; blood ; isolation & purification ; Fetal Blood ; chemistry ; Genotype ; Guanidine ; HLA Antigens ; genetics ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this study was to observe the bacterial infections of respiratory tract in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD).

METHODS130 patients with AECOPD in outpatient department, emergency room or in wards were studied prospectively. Patients were divided into different groups according to both Anthonisen's classification and their lung function status. Sputum were cultured together with bacteria positive rate and types of AECOPD as well as the damage degree of lung function were analyzed.

RESULTSOf 130 sputum samples, 50 showed positive through culture (38.5%) and 60 strains of pathogens were isolated. Predominant pathogens isolated would include Haemophilus parainfluenzae (20/60), Streptococcus pneumoniae (5/60) and Haemophilus influenzae (10/60). Positive rate of bacterial culture in type 1 AECOPD was 55.0%, higher than those of type 2 (38.3%) and type 3 (18.5%)(P = 0.01) and was increasing with the decrease of lung function of patients with AECOPD (P < 0.02).

CONCLUSIONPositive rate of bacterial culture in patients of type 1 AECOPD was the highest one. Haemophilus parainfluenzae was one of the most important pathogens in AECOPD. There seemed a correlation between positive result of bacterial culture and the severity of COPD.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bacterial Infections ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; Female ; Haemophilus influenzae ; isolation & purification ; pathogenicity ; Haemophilus parainfluenzae ; isolation & purification ; pathogenicity ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; Streptococcus pneumoniae ; isolation & purification ; pathogenicity

To investigate the transgenic expressing efficacy of helper-dependent adenoviral vector (HDAd) in vitro, we constructed a HDAd encoding enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP), denominated as HDAd/EGFP, performed large scale preparation and purification, and then identified the purified HDAd/EGFP under fluorescent microscope and electron microscope. After the concentration of HDAd/EGFP was determined by spectrophotometer, the transgenic expression efficiency of HDAd/EGFP was compared with first generation adenoviral vector encoding EGFP (FGAd/EGFP) in vitro. Therefore, we infected A549 cells with 2000 virus particles (vp) per cell by HDAd/EGFP and FGAd/EGFP respectively and analyzed EGFP expressing level by flow cytometry. Consequently, the fluorescent expression rate and fluorescent intensity of EGFP were higher in early infected A549 cells by HDAd/EGFP than by FGAd/EGFP. HDAd, capable of expressing transgene instantly and efficiently in vitro, is a potential vaccine vector.
Adenoviridae ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; genetics ; Helper Viruses ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Transgenes ; Viral Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism

To understand genetic patterns of the morphological and physiological traits in flag leaf of barley, a double haploid (DH) population derived from the parents Yerong and Franklin was used to determine quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling length, width, length/width, and chlorophyll content of flag leaves. A total of 9 QTLs showing significantly additive effect were detected in 8 intervals on 5 chromosomes. The variation of individual QTL ranged from 1.9% to 20.2%. For chlorophyll content expressed as SPAD value, 4 QTLs were identified on chromosomes 2H, 3H and 6H; for leaf length and width, 2 QTLs located on chromosomes 5H and 7H, and 2 QTLs located on chromosome 5H were detected; and for length/width, 1 QTL was detected on chromosome 7H. The identification of these QTLs associated with the properties of flag leaf is useful for barley improvement in breeding programs.
Chlorophyll ; analysis ; Chromosome Mapping ; Hordeum ; genetics ; Phenotype ; Plant Leaves ; genetics ; Quantitative Trait Loci

OBJECTIVETo study the application of intraoperative irrigation of the colon in primary resection and anastomosis of left colorectal cancer with intestinal obstruction.

METHODSThe clinical data were analyzed in 58 patients with left colon rectal cancer and intestinal obstruction undergoing intraoperative irrigation of the colon for primary anastomosis, and the results were compared with 58 patients receiving conventional primary tumor resection.

RESULTSThe mean intraoperative blood loss or postoperative hospital stay was comparable between the two groups, but the patients undergoing colon irrigation had significantly delays in the recovery of bowel movement.

CONCLUSIONWith strict control of the surgery indication, intraoperative colon irrigation can be safe and feasible in primary resection and anastomosis of left colorectal cancer with intestinal obstruction.

Adult ; Anastomosis, Surgical ; methods ; Colon ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; complications ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Intestinal Obstruction ; etiology ; surgery ; Intraoperative Period ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Therapeutic Irrigation ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of five kinds of cyclins in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and their association with degree of tumor differentiation, metastasis and infection of hepatitis B virus (HBV).

METHODSThe HCC tissue microarrays were composed of those from 273 cases of HCC tissues, 144 surrounding-tumor liver tissues and 10 normal liver tissues obtained from autopsy. The diameter of each specimens on tissue microarrays was 2.0 mm. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of cyclin A, cyclin B, cyclin D1, cyclin D3 and cyclin E on HCC tissue microarrays. The association of the expression of these cyclins with the infection rate of HBV was also analyzed.

RESULTSThree paraffin-embedded HCC tissue microarrays were successfully constructed, including 136, 143 and 148 tissue spots, respectively. The positive rates of cyclins in 273 cases of HCC were cyclin A 52.7%, cyclin B 45.4%, cyclin D1 35.9%, cyclin D3 44.3% and cyclin E 23.1%; while the figures in 144 surrounding-tumor tissues were 8.3%, 5.6%, 4.9%, 6.3% and 1.4%, respectively. In 10 normal liver tissues these cyclins exhibited negative staining, with the exception that cyclin D1 was positive in one case of normal liver tissue. The positive rate of cyclins in HCC were significant higher than those in surrounding-tumor liver tissues (P < 0.01), in HCC tissues with histological grade II and III, the cyclins expression were stronger than that in grade I (P < 0.05). The positive rates of cyclins, except cyclin A in HCC with portal vein invasion were higher than those without portal vein invasion (P < 0.01). Infection of HBV did not have significant relationship with the expression of cyclins (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCyclins in different cell cycles overexpressed at varied levels in hepatocellular carcinoma, and the increased expression of cyclins may shorten the tumor cell cycle phase, accelerate cell proliferation, and have a close relationship with HCC aggressiveness.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; chemistry ; Cyclin A ; analysis ; Cyclin B ; analysis ; Cyclin D1 ; analysis ; Cyclin D3 ; Cyclin E ; analysis ; Cyclins ; analysis ; Hepatitis B ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Liver Neoplasms ; chemistry