Objective To investigate changes and the clinical significance of serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D level in patients of Xinjiang Uygur and Han nationalities with mild cognitive impairment.Methods On the base of early stage of epidemiological survey of Xinjiang Uygur and Han population over 60 years old,adopting multi-stage stratified random cluster sampling method and referencing DSM-Ⅳ,206 cases of MCI patients (study group)were selected and 412 healthy elderly subjects (control) matching for age,nationality and gender were recruited for case-control study.The serum level of 25(OH) D was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results The serum level of 25(OH)D was significantly lower in MCI group of two nationalities (7.89±0.29 μg/L) than in normal control group [(8.65± 0.21) μg/ml,P＜0.05].The serum level of 25(OH)D was (8.41±0.34) μg/L in Han group,and (8.37±0.32)μg/L in Uygur group,with no significant difference (P＞0.05).The 25 (OH)D level was significantly lower in female[(8.23± 0.32) μg/L] than in male [(8.70±0.42) μg/L,P＜0.05].The serum level of 25(OH)D was lower in female MCI group [(7.56±0.34) μg/L] than in female control group [(8.41 ±0.31)μg/L],with significant difference (P＜0.05).While there was no significant difference between male MCI and male control group (P＞0.05).Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the risk factors of MCI might include low serum 25 (OH) D levels (OR =1.163,95 ％ CI:0.978-1.447),a decreased physical labor (OR=1.420,95％ CI:1.10-1.860),low education degree (OR =1.504,95％ CI:1.129-2.130),celibacy (OR=1.293,95％CI:0.845-1.440),hypertension (OR=1.954,95％CI:1.342-2.670),diabetes (OR =1.320,95％ CI:1.145-1.710),smoking history (OR =1.350,95％ CI:1.101-2.293),high BMI (OR=1.329,95％CI:1.068-1.781).Conclusions The serum 25(OH)D level is lower in MCI patients in Xinjiang Uygur and Han populations than in normal people,but there is no significant difference.The 25 (OH)D deficiency is associated with increased odds for cognitive impairment in the elderly Xinjiang population,which is more obvious in the female.The occurrence and development of MCI is affected by multiple risk factors.

To propose an equipment and technology package for oxygen preparation and supply under hypoxia conditions in order to meet the requirements of populations on the plateau .Different populations were analyzed in terms of their oxygen supply requirements, and the modes, schemes and equipment for oxygen supply were explored accordingly and then applied.Efforts in the past 20 years have resulted in the advances in the equipment for centralized, mobile and portable oxygen preparation and supply, though the equipment for individual use hads to be improved and the diffused oxygen supply scheme also needs to be further evaluated .

The grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) collectin gene was cloned from mixed liver and kidney cDNA library. The full length sequence of grass carp collectin was 1128 bp, contained a 5' untranslated region of 229 bp and a 3' untranslated region of 104 bp. The open reading frame of grass carp collectin was 795 bp which could code a 264 amino acids polypeptide, including a terminal codon. Phylogenetic analyses showed that grass carp collectin shared the highest homology with that of zebrafish (Danio rerio). To understand the function of grass carp collectin, we expressed and purified the recombinant protein (P(CRD)) that comprised carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD). Agglutination of Aeromonas hydrophila and Staphylococcus aureus etc. and sugars inhibition experiments showed that: galactose, glucose, mannose and maltose could inhibit the agglutination of Aeromonas hydrophila. Maltose could lower the agglutination of Staphylococcus aureus, whereas peptidoglycan and glucose inhibited it well. In addition, the activity of grass carp collectin could not dependent on Ca(2+).
Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Base Sequence ; Carps ; genetics ; Cloning, Molecular ; Collectins ; genetics ; physiology ; Fish Proteins ; genetics ; physiology ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Zebrafish ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo breed and spread a new cultivar of Artemisia annua.

METHODThe excellent germplasm resources of A. annua in the main production area of Artemisia were collected, and the improved germplasm were screened, the content of artemisinin was determined, and yield per plant was measured. The systematically maternal line and seed production techniques of mass selection were applied combined with the variety test, variety regional test trials and production trials for breeding and spreading the new cultivars of artemisia.

RESULTThe popularization and experiment illustrated the production of the new species reached 3 000 kg x hm(-2), compared with wild A. annua it increased 10% -14%. The content of artemisinin reached more than 1%, increased more than 0.2%.

CONCLUSIONIt is proved that the systematically maternal line and seed production techniques of mass selection can significantly improve the quality of A. annua and it is an acceptable way to cultivate new variety. By production verification, it is practicable and high technical and economic benefits to popularize the new cultivar "Yu-Qing No. 1" of A. annua.

Antimalarials ; analysis ; pharmacology ; Artemisia annua ; chemistry ; genetics ; growth & development ; Artemisinins ; analysis ; pharmacology ; Breeding ; methods

OBJECTIVETo assess the association of vitamin D receptor gene (VDR) Apa I, Bsm I genotypes and allele frequencies and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) among elderly ethnic Uygurs from Xinjiang, China.

METHODSThe polymorphisms of the VDR genotypes (Apa I and Bsm I) were analyzed by the SNaPshot method in 124 MCI patients and 124 controls.

RESULTSFactors which can increase the risk for MCI have included the A allele of the Apa I polymorphism [OR=1.62, 95%CI(1.13-2.31)] and the AA genotype [OR=3.49, 95% CI(1.57-7.74)], the T allele of the Bsm I polymorphism [OR=1.94, 95%CI(1.24-3.05)], higher triglyceride and systolic blood pressure levels.

CONCLUSIONPolymorphisms of the VDR gene including the A allele and AA genotype of Apa I, and the T allele of Bsm I are probably associated with MCI among elderly ethnic Uygurs, and so are higher levels of triglyceride and systolic blood pressure.

Aged ; Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Binding Sites ; genetics ; Blood Pressure ; China ; Cognitive Dysfunction ; ethnology ; genetics ; psychology ; Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific ; metabolism ; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ; Ethnic Groups ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; ethnology ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Receptors, Calcitriol ; genetics ; Triglycerides ; blood

The biomechanical properties of eight human corneas from four normal Chinese fresh corpses were investigated by use of one dimension tensile test, tensile stress relaxation and creep test. The destructive load, stretchy ratio, spreading stress, spreading strain and elastic modulus were determined. Also obtained were the stress relaxation and creep data and curves. After reduction of data, the reduced stress relaxation and creep data and curves were worked out. The regression method was used to get the regression coefficient. The least square method was employed to fit the data of stress and strain; then the stress-strain formula was expressed and the curves of human cornea were plotted. The constitutive equation is K (lambda,t) = G(t) T(e) (lambda) and some conclusions are drawn.
Biomechanical Phenomena ; Cornea ; physiology ; Elastic Modulus ; Humans ; Stress, Mechanical

OBJECTIVETo explore if CHA2DS2 VASc score can predict substrate for persistent atrial fibrillation ( AF) and outcome post catheter ablation of AF.

METHODSFrom January 2011 to December 2012,116 patients underwent catheter ablation of persistent AF in our department and were enrolled in this study. CHA2DS2VASc score was calculated as follows: two points were assigned for a history of stroke or transient ischemic attack and age ≥ 75 and 1 point each was assigned for age ≥ 65, a history of hypertension, diabetes,recent cardiac failure, vessel disease, female. Left atrial geometry ( LA) was reconstructed with a 3.5 mm tip ablation catheter with fill-in threshold 10 in CARTO system. The mapping catheter was stabled at each endocardial location for at least 3 seconds for recording. The electrogram recordings at each endocardial location were analyzed with a custom software embedded in the CARTO mapping system. Interval confidence level (ICL) was used to characterize complex fractionated atrial electrograms (CFAEs) . As the default setting of the software, ICL more than or equal to 7 was considered sites with a highly repetitive CFAEs complex. CFAEs index was defined as the fraction of area of ICL more than or equal to 7 to the left atrial surface. The CFAEs index and outcome of catheter ablation among different CHA2DS2VASc groups were compared.

RESULTSOf the 116 patients, CHA2DS2VASc was 0 in 33 patients, 1 in 31 patients and ≥ 2 in 52 patients. Left atrial surface ((121.2 ± 18.9) cm2, (133.6 ± 23.8) cm2, (133.9 ± 16.1) cm2, P = 0.008), left atrial volume ((103.6 ± 24.8) ml, (118.3 ± 27.8) ml, (120.9 ± 20.9) ml, P = 0.005) and CFAEs index (44.6% ± 22.4%, 54.2% ± 22.2%, 58.7% ± 23.1%, P = 0.023) increased in proportion with increasing CHA2DS2VASc. ICLmax, ICLmin and CFAEs spatial distribution were similar among the three groups. During the mean follow-up of (13 ± 8) months, the recurrence rate were 36.4%, 35.5%, 55.8% among the three groups (P = 0.025).

CONCLUSIONA high CHA2DS2VASc score is associated with extensive AF substrate and higher recurrence rate post catheter ablation of persistent AF.

Aged ; Atrial Fibrillation ; Catheter Ablation ; Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac ; Female ; Heart Atria ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Recurrence ; Stroke ; Treatment Outcome