Aim To construct 3 D structure model of cardiac Cav1.2 channel and check its accuracy and re-liability.Methods Homology model of Cav1.2 chan-nel α1 subunit was constructed using SWISS-MODEL server.The model was submitted to an online testing server built by University of California and scored by it.The binding of Cav1.2 channel with blocker or drug was simulated by MOE software molecular docking pro-gram to check the model′s accuracy and reliability.Re-sults Both the target sequence Cav1.2 α1 C and the template sequence Cav1.1 α1 S searched by SWISS-MODEL server belonged to L-type Ca2+channel.Since the homology was 7 1.5% revealed by sequence align-ment,homology modeling was performed using automa-ted mode.L-type Ca2+ channel blockers Verapamil, Nifedipine and Diltiazem could bind to the 3 D structure model of Cav1.2 channel,while sodium channel bloc-ker TTX could not.Furthermore,active ingredient of traditional Chinese drug Praeruptorin A and Berberine could also bind to the 3D structure model of Cav1.2 channel.Conclusion The 3 D structure model of Cav1.2 channel was constructed successfully,which provides reliable materials for further studies and estab-lishes the foundation for the application of homology modeling in the study of 3 D structure prediction of ion channels.

Objective The present study was to differentiate the hyperdensities on CT immediately after intra-arterial thrombolysis in patients with acute isehemic stroke.Methods Twenty two patients with acute ischemic stroke were treated with intra-arterial combining with intravenous thrombolysis within 6 hours after onset.All patients underwent nonenhaneed CT scans before,immediately and 24 hours after thrombolytic therapy.The hyperdensities on CT after intra-arterial thrombolysis were analyzed retrospectively.Results Five hyperdense areas were seen in 22 patients immediately after thrombolytie therapy.According to their locations, CT values and follow-up CT scans,the hyperdensities on CT imaging were classified into two groups:contrast enhancement and hemorrhagic transformation.The former was characterized by rapid clearance of the hyperdensity lesion with maximum Hounsifild Unit＜90,on the contrary,the latter was noted by persistence of hyperdensity lesion after 24 hours CT scan with maximum Hounsifild Unit＞90.Two of the five hyperdense lesion patients were confirmed to be contrast enhancement with location in cerebral cortex,the other were hemorrhagic transformation,mostly located in basal ganglia.Hyperdensity in patients with contrast enhancement showed neurological improvement although no further medical cares were offered.Conclusions Different kind of hyperdensity on CT immediately after intra-arterial thrombolysis in patients with acute ischemic stroke can be differentiated according to its location,CT value and follow-up CT scan.When contrast enhancement occurred,no further medical care is needed.

OBJECTIVETo measure and evaluate the personal noise exposure of cold rolling mill workers by using noise dosimeter.

METHODSAccording to job category and work type, all workers were divided into 11 groups. 3 to 5 day shift (8:00 to 16:00) workers from each group were selected as subjects for personal noise exposure measurement. SH-126 dosimeters were worn by each subject and collect noise data by a phone fix at collar. All subjects were asked to take notes about their working activities when they were wearing SH-126 dosimeters. Each worker's L(A)(eq) of 8 hours, geometric mean and range of each group were computed.

RESULTSThere were many noise sources in the workshop. Recorded data showed that noise exposure of cold rolling mill was unstable. The varieties of personal noise levels were quite large. Among 53 workers, the highest noise exposure level was 100.0 dB (A), the lowest was 81.2 dB (A); the highest work type was of the foreside welders [94.20 dB (A)], and the lowest was of the straight-cutters [89.02 dB (A)]; quality checkers had the biggest rang [16.3 dB (A)], and primary rolling workers had the lest [2.3 dB (A)].

CONCLUSIONNoise exposure of all the 11 groups were more than 85 dB (A). Noise protection of these workers should be improved. It suggested that measuring personal noise exposure individually with dosimeters might obtain the noise exposure level more integrally in the complicated environment.

Environmental Monitoring ; methods ; statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Noise, Occupational ; prevention & control ; statistics & numerical data ; Occupational Exposure ; prevention & control ; statistics & numerical data

BACKGROUNDNoise is widespread occupational hazard in iron and steel industry. Overhead-traveling cranes are widely used in this industry, but few studies characterized the overhead-traveling crane drivers' noise exposure level so far. In this study, we assessed and characterized personal noise exposure levels of overhead-traveling crane drivers in two steel-rolling mills.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty-four overhead-traveling crane drivers, 76 in the cold steel-rolling mill and 48 in the hot steel-rolling mill, were enrolled in the study. Personal noise dosimeters (AIHUA Instruments Model AWA5610e, Hangzhou, China) were used to collect full-shift noise exposure data from all the participants. Crane drivers carried dosimeters with microphones placed near their collars during the work shifts. Work logs had been taken by the drivers simultaneously. Personal noise exposure data were divided into segments based on lines in which they worked. All statistical analyses were done using SPSS 13.0.

RESULTSThe average personal noise exposure (L(Aeq.8h)) of overhead-traveling crane drivers in the hot steel-rolling mills ((85.03 +/- 2.25) dB (A)) was higher than that in the cold one ((83.05 +/- 2.93) dB (A), P < 0.001). There were 17 overhead traveling cranes in the hot steel-rolling mill and 24 cranes in the cold one, of which carrying capacities varied from 15 tons to 100 tons. The average noise exposure level based on different lines in the hot and cold steel-rolling mills were (85.2 +/- 2.61) dB (A) and (83.3 +/- 3.10) dB (A) respectively (P = 0.001), which were similar to the average personal noise exposure in both mills. The noise exposure levels were different among different lines (P = 0.021).

CONCLUSIONNoise exposure levels, depending upon background noise levels and the noise levels on the ground, are inconstant. As the noise exposure levels are above the 85 dB (A) criteria, these drivers should be involved in the Hearing Conservation Program to protect their hearing.

Environmental Monitoring ; instrumentation ; methods ; statistics & numerical data ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Noise, Occupational ; Noise, Transportation ; Occupational Exposure ; analysis ; statistics & numerical data ; Occupational Health ; statistics & numerical data ; Steel

Objective To investigate the safety and feasibility of operation to treat left renal carcinoma with Mayo Ⅱ tumor thrombus in double inferior vena cava.Methods The clinical data from a 52-year-old male suffered painless gross hematuria for 6 days and left back pain for 3 days was analyzed retrospectively.Enhanced CT examination of kidneys showed double inferior vena cava malformation.The confluence level of the left and the right inferior vena cava was at L1/2 disc level by a 80 degree angle.The left inferior pole of kidney showed an irregular soft tissue density,the size was 6.1 cm × 4.5 cm × 5.6 cm,considering the possibility of renal cancer.The tumor thrombus invaded into the inferior vena cava below the hepatic vein with a maximum diameter of about 3.2 cm.The top of the tumor thrombus was about 6.0 cm above the left renal vein.It showed a Mayo Ⅱ] tumor thrombus.Preoperative diagnosis was left renal carcinoma with Mayo Ⅱ tumor thrombus in double inferior vena cava.The patient underwent radical nephrectomy under general anesthesia.We separated hepatic inferior vena cava,right renal vein,right inferior vena cava,left inferior vena cava and left renal vein.Sequential occlusion was completed of left inferior vena cava,right inferior vena cava,right renal vein,hepatic inferior vena cava.Vascular wall of inferior vena cava was cut open and the tumor thrombus was removed at the level of inferior vena cava bifurcation.During the operation,the wall of left inferior vena cava was invaded by tumor thrombus.So all the left kidney,the left renal vein,the left inferior vena cava invaded by tumor thrombus were resected.We sutured the vena cava incision continuously.Sequential occlusions were removed of right renal vein,right inferior vena cava,hepatic inferior vena cava.We clamped the vessel wall of right inferior vena cava by auricle clamp and made an incision longitudinally.Then we made an end to side anastomosis of the left and right inferior vena cava.Results The surgical procedure was successful and the postoperative recovery was favorable.The operation time was 442 min.And blood loss was 3 000 ml.The postoperative pathology result showed that the tumor was clear cell renal cell carcinoma,2016 WHO/ISUP grade was Ⅱ] to Ⅲ.There was no metastasis of left renal hilum lymph node,abdominal aorta and vena cava lymph node.There was no metastasis of adrenal gland.The abdominal cavity drainage tube and the urinary catheter was removed 7 days postoperatively.He was discharged from hospital 8 days postoperatively.There were no obvious postoperative complications.The patient was followed up for 3 months and there was no tumor recurrence or metastasis.Conclusions Our initial clinical result show that radical nephrectomy,Mayo]Ⅱ venous thrombectomy,left and right inferior vena cava end to side anastomosis is safe and effective.But the operation is difficult and complex.

Background:Mutations in the isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) and IDH2 genes are important for both the integrated diagnosis and the prognosis of diffuse gliomas.The p.R132H mutation of IDH1 is the most frequently observed IDH mutation,while IDH2 mutations were relatively rarely studied.The aim of the study was to determine the pathological and genetic characteristics of lowergrade gliomas that carry IDH2 mutations.Methods:Data from 238 adult patients with lower-grade gliomas were retrospectively analyzed.The status of IDH1/2 gene mutations,telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter mutations,O6-methylguanine-DNA-methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation,1p/19q co-deletion and the expressions of IDH1 R132H,alpha-thalassemia X-linked mental retardation,and p53 were evaluated.Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated via Kaplan-Meier estimation using the log-rank test.Results:Totally,71％ (169/238) of patients were positive for IDH mutations,including 12 patients harboring mutations in IDH2.Among the 12 patients with IDH2 mutations,ten patients harbored the R172K mutation,one patient harbored the R172S mutation and one harbored the R172W mutation.Of these,11 tumors occurred in the frontal lobe and showed morphology typical of oligodendroglioma.The proportion of grade Ⅱ tumors was higher than that of grade Ⅲ tumors in IDH2 mutant-gliomas.IDH2 mutations were frequently associated with TERT promoter mutations,1p/19q co-deletion and MGMT promoter methylation.IDH2 mutations were associated with better outcomes compared with IDH wild-type gliomas (P ＜ 0.05).However,the PFS and OS did not differ from that of IDH1 mutant patients (P =0.95 and P =0.60,respectively).Conclusions:IDH2 mutations are more frequent in oligodendrogliomas and associated with a better prognosis.IDH2 mutations may segregate in distinct clinico-pathological and genetic subtypes of gliomas,and therefore may merit routine investigation.

OBJECTIVEMultidrug resistance (MDR) is one of the primary causes of suboptimal outcomes in chemotherapy of children with acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML). The mechanisms of drug transport resistance may chiefly contribute to MDR. Expression and/or activity of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), multiple resistance-associated protein-1 (MRP1), lung-resistance related protein (LRP) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) have been considered to be associated with unfavourable outcomes in pediatric AML patients. In previous studies, we found WASP-family verprolin-homologous protein-1 (WAVE1) was involved in the MDR mechanisms in K562/A02 leukemia cells. To investigate the expression of WAVE1, P-gp, MRP1, LRP/MVP and BCRP; and if WAVE1 is involved in MDR of human leukemia cell.

METHODSWAVE1, P-gp, MRP1, LRP, BCRP mRNA and protein expression in bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMCs) were measured by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RQ-PCR) and Western blot in a cohort of 52 children with acute myeloblastic leukemia. During follow-up, of the 52 patients, 21 were documented as being relapsing or refractory, and 31 were induced into complete continuous remission. Furthermore, HL60 cells and HL60/ADR cells were transiently transfected with PCDNA3.1-WAVE1 reconstructed plasmid and specifically siRNA to WAVE1 respectively, and the expression of WAVE1, MRP1 and BCRP before and after transfection was assessed by real-time PCR and Western blot analysis.

RESULTS(1) The expression levels of WAVE1, P-gp, MRP, LRP and BCRP in refractory/relapsing group were much higher than that in complete continuous remission (CCR) group. (2) WAVE1 mRNA and protein expression in BMMCs of children were at higher levels when they were newly diagnosed or relapsed, compared with complete continuous remission. (3) The WAVE1 expression at mRNA and protein level in HL60/ADR cells was increased by about 353% and 95% respectively as compared with that in HL60 cells. (4) Overexpression of WAVE1 in HL60 cell lines upregulated the expression levels of MRP and BCRP (MRP mRNA and protein level were increased by about 16.54 times and 129% respectively, BCRP was increased by 4.93 times and 96%); whereas suppression of WAVE1 expression by RNA interference downregulated the expression levels of MRP1 and BCRP (MRP mRNA and protein level was only 11% and 43% of pre-disturbance respectively, BCRP was 14% and 71%).

CONCLUSIONSHigher levels of WAVE1 in the BM indicate an unfavorable prognosis in children with AML. WAVE1 is related to the development of AML and involved in the MDR mechanisms, and regulates the level of MRP1 and BCRP.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; genetics ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; genetics ; Male ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein Family ; genetics

AIMTo improve specificity and accuracy of endogenous ouabain measurement assay.

METHODSAnti-ouabain polyclonal antibody egg yolk (IgY) and anti-ouabain rabbit antibody (IgG) were prepared respectively. In the presence of two kinds of antibody, then the specificity and accuracy of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were compared.

RESULTSThe ELISA, in the presence of IgY, provided a sensitivity of the average intraassay coefficient of variation(CV) was 2.03%, and the inter-assay CV was 2.34% respectively. In contrast, IgG were 2.83% and 3.29%. No significant interferences were observed with hydrocortisone and dexamethasone. There was 3.45% vs. 5.95%, 3.20% vs. 5.20% of crossreaction with cedilanid and digoxin.

CONCLUSIONThe specificity and accuracy of ELISA, in which IgY was used, were more better than IgG.

Animals ; Antibody Specificity ; Chickens ; immunology ; Cross Reactions ; Egg Yolk ; immunology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; methods ; Immunoglobulin G ; immunology ; Immunoglobulins ; immunology ; Male ; Ouabain ; analysis ; Rabbits

OBJECTIVE: To observe the biological characteristics of the human olfactory mucosa mesenchymal stem cells (hOM-MSCs). METHODS: The hOM-MSCs were isolated, cultured and identified in vitro. Scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope were used to observe the ultrastructure of hOMMSCs. Th e cells were induced towards adipocyte, osteocyte, neural stem cells, neural-like-cells in vitro. RESULTS: The hOM-MSCs were mainly in spindle shape, arranged with radial colony. The hOMMSCs expressed CD73 and CD90 but no CD34 and CD45. Th e short and thick microvilli processes were seen at the surface of hOM-MSCs by scanning electron microscope, and 2 different cellular morphology of hOM-MSCs were seen under transmission electron microscope. Moreover, the hOMMSCs could be differentiated into adipocyte, osteocyte, neural stem cells and neural cells. CONCLUSION The hOM-MSCs possess general biological characteristics of MSCs and display multiple differentiation functions. They can be served as ideal seed cells in tissue-engineering for injury repair.
Cell Differentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells ; cytology ; ultrastructure ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Olfactory Mucosa ; cytology

Objective To observe the maximal heart rate changes, atrioventricular (A-V) conduction block and atrial fibrillation (AF) inducibility in dogs with vagosympathetic trunk exposed to electromagnetic fields (EMFs). Methods The vagosympathetic trunk of adult dogs was separatedand exposed to EMFs 0.043 kHz(2.87 μG, n=5) and to EMFs 2 kHz(0.34 μG, n=6) for two to three hours. Simultaneously, the vagosympathetic trunk was stimulated with 20 Hz frequency and 1-8 V intensity for 0.1 ms. Heart rate, presence of A-V conduction block and AF inducibility were determined. Results After 5-minutes exposure to EMFs 0.043 kHz (2.87 μG), the maximal heart rate decreased 29%, the voltage applied to vagosympathetic trunk required to induce A-V conduction block decreased by 60% in experimental group versus 5% increase in control group. This effect lasted 2 to 3 hours.While vagosympathetic trunk exposure to EMFs 2 kHz (0.34 μG) was associated with significant increase in the incidence of atrial premature beats, atrial tachycardia and AF, these effects could be blocked by propranolol and atropine. Conclusions Our results showed that 0.043 kHz (2.87 μG) EMFs exposure might reduce while 2 kHz(0.34 μG) EMFs exposure might increase AF inducibility. Our study thus suggested autonomic nervous system of dogs could be affected by EMFs exposure and 0.043 kHz (2.87 μG) EMFs exposure might be a novel option for AF prevention.