OBJECTIVETo compare the biomechanical performances of different wires and cable fixation devices in posterior instrumentation for atlantoaxial instability, and test the effect of different fixation strengths and fixation approaches on the surgical outcomes.

METHODSSix specimens of the atlantoaxial complex (C0-C3) were used to establish models of the normal complex, unstable complex (type II odontoid fracture) and fixed complex. On the wd-5 mechanical testing machine, the parameters including the strength and rigidity of anti-rotation, change and strength of stress, and stability were measured for the normal complex, atlantoaxial instability complex, the new type titanium cable fixation system, Atlas titanium cable, Songer titanium cable, and stainless wire.

RESULTSThe strength and rigidity of anti-rotation, change and strength of stress, stability of flexion, extension and lateral bending of the unstable atlantoaxial complex fixed by the new double locking titanium cable fixation system were superior to those of the Songer or Atlas titanium cable (P<0.05) and medical stainless wire (P<0.05). Simultaneous cable fastening on both sides resulted in better fixation effect than successive cable fastening (P<0.05). Better fixation effect was achieved by fastening the specimen following a rest (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe fixation effects can be enhanced by increased fastening strengths. The new type double locking titanium cable fixation system has better biomechanical performance than the conventional Songer and Atlas titanium cables. Fastening the unstable specimens after a rest following simultaneous fastening of the specimen on both sides produces better fixation effect.

Atlanto-Axial Joint ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Bone Wires ; Cadaver ; Humans ; Internal Fixators ; Joint Instability ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Orthopedic Fixation Devices

Objective:To study the secondary metabolites of fungus Gliocladium sp. that helps accelerate the growth of A. roxburghii.Method:Compoud isolation by chromatography and structure elucidation by chemical and spectral analyses.Result:Five compounds were obtained and elucidated as:8(E)-N-(2′-hydroxypalmityl)-1-O-β-gly-copyranosyl-3-hydroxyl-9-methyl-2-octodecanine-4,8-diene(Ⅰ),N-(2′-hydroxytetracosanoyl)-1,3,4-trihydroxy-2-octodecanine(Ⅱ),7,22-diene-3-hydroxy-6,9-epidioxyergosta(Ⅲ),ergostol(Ⅳ) and α-palmitin(Ⅴ).Conclusion:Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ were obtained from Gliocladium sp. for the first time.

Objective: To investigate the relation between nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit (nAChR) genes and schizophrenia, and the relation between tag single nucleotide polymorphism (rs1317286, rs1044396, rs6494212, rs16969968, and rs684513) and schizophrenia in Han Chinese people. Methods: The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network among nAChR protein and 350 proteins encoded by schizophrenia-related susceptibility genes was constructed through the String database to explore whether nAChR genes were associated with schizophrenia in these known databases. Then, five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of CHRNA3 (rs1317286), CHRNA4 (rs1044396), CHRNA7 (rs6494212), and CHRNA5 (rs16969968, rs684513) were analyzed in a sample of 1,035 schizophrenic patients and 816 healthy controls. The interaction between the markers was analyzed using multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) software. Power analysis was performed using the Quanto program. Results: There are no significant differences in genotype or allele distribution were identified between the patients and controls (p>0.05). The haplotypes constructed by four markers rs1317286, rs6494212, rs16969968, and rs684513 were not associated with schizophrenia either. However, a significant association between models made of rs1317286, rs1044396, rs6494212, and rs684513 and schizophrenia was revealed in interaction analysis (p<0.05). Conclusion The nAChR protein may have effects on the development of schizophrenia through the interaction with proteins encoded by schizophrenia-related susceptibility genes, but no relation was found between selected polymorphisms and schizophrenia in the collected Han Chinese people. However, interaction analysis suggested four-SNP model has an important effect on schizophrenia.

BACKGROUNDSeveral genetic polymorphisms in the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene are associated with the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The objective of the present study was to investigate whether the two SNPs (T-786C and G894T) of the eNOS gene are associated with rheumatoid arthritis risk in a northern Chinese population.

METHODSIn this study, the eNOS genes T-786C and G894T were studied in 196 cases with rheumatoid arthritis and 201 healthy controls with gender, age and ethnicity matched. The two SNPs were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). The analyses of association were statistically compared using the chi-square test with SPSS software for Windows.

RESULTSThe frequency of the -786C allele was significantly higher in the rheumatoid arthritis patients than in the healthy controls (19.64% vs. 14.18%, P < 0.05). However, the 894T allele of the eNOS gene was not increased in the rheumatoid arthritis patients compared to the healthy controls.

CONCLUSIONSIndividuals with the -786CC genotype have an increased risk of rheumatoid arthritis. Further study with an increased sample size is necessary for the study of the role of this SNP in rheumatoid arthritis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; genetics ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Risk

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTRT) and malignant transformation of esophageal dysplasia.

METHODSTelomerase activity and hTRT expression in esophageal dysplasia (n = 47), squamous cell carcinoma (n = 29) and normal esophagus (n = 11) were detected by telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) and in situ hybridization, respectively.

RESULTSTelomerase activity was detected in none of the 11 cases of normal esophageal tissues (0%) but in 21 of 47 cases (44.7%) of dysplasia, and in 25 of 29 cases (86.2%) of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. There were statistically significant differences among the telomerase activity in normal esophagus, esophageal dysplasia, and in squamous cell carcinoma (chi(2) = 5.89, P < 0.05; chi(2) = 11.35, P < 0.01). hTRT mRNA was expressed in none of the 11 cases of normal esophageal tissues (0%) but in 23 of 47 cases (48.9%) of dysplasia, and in 24 of 29 cases (82.8%) of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. There were statistically significant differences among the expression of hTRT mRNA in normal esophagus, esophageal dysplasia, and in squamous cell carcinoma (chi(2) = 6.99, P < 0.01; chi(2) = 7.32, P < 0.01). Significant correlation was found between the telomerase activity and the expression of hTRT mRNA (chi(2) = 57.91, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONThe mRNA expression of hTRT which paralleled to telomerase activity implied that there was a crucial role to play in regulating the activation of telomerase, and was closely related to the malignant transformation of esophageal dysplasia. hTRT might serve as a new, valuable biomarker to detect esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Adult ; Aged ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; analysis ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; enzymology ; pathology ; Esophagus ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Precancerous Conditions ; enzymology ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Telomerase ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (cox-2) protein in normal squamous epithelium, squamous dysplasia and squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus, and to elucidate the role of cox-2 in esophageal carcinogenesis.

METHODSBiopsy specimens of atypical esophageal dysplasia (n = 47) and surgical resection of squamous cell carcinoma (n = 86) were compared with normal esophageal specimens (n = 42) and the expression of cox-2 in those specimens was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and western blotting.

RESULTSA significant elevated cox-2 expression was shown in atypical esophageal squamous dysplasia and squamous cell carcinoma, as compared to that in normal esophageal squamous epithelium, with immunohistochemical stain scores of 2.67 +/- 1.77, 2.19 +/- 1.79 and 0.71 +/- 0.46, respectively. Results of western blotting analysis confirmed those obtained by immunohistochemistry. Cox-2 expression significantly correlated with proliferation activity assessed by proliferating cell nuclear antigen index in dysplastic and carcinomous lesions, respectively, and no such correlation could be found in normal esophageal mucosa. Elevated cox-2 expression was not associated with clinical-pathological features of esophageal squamous carcinoma, including age, gender, tumor size, histological grade, lymph node metastasis and clinical stage.

CONCLUSIONElevated expression of cox-2 in atypical squamous dysplasia and squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus, which correlated with cell proliferation activity, indicated that cox-2 may be involved in the early stage of squamous carcinogenesis of the esophagus, and may be a target of prevention and treatment for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Adult ; Aged ; Blotting, Western ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; enzymology ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Isoenzymes ; biosynthesis ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasms, Squamous Cell ; enzymology ; pathology ; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases ; biosynthesis

OBJECTIVESTo compare the influence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection on the replication of hepatitis B virus (HBV) by observing clinical features, the relationship between the number of HBV DNA copies in serum, the degree of hepatic function impairments and prognosis of chronic hepatitis B patients with hepatitis E superinfection.

METHODSOne hundred and fifteen chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients and 115 CHB patients with hepatitis E (HE) superinfection were studied and compared. 74 liver tissue biopsy samples of the CHB and 51 of the CHB-HE sufferers were obtained. HBsAg, anti-HBs, HBeAg, anti-HBe, anti-HBc, anti-HBc-IgG, anti-HBc-IgM, HBV DNA and anti-HEVIgM were detected respectively by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTSThe number of HBV DNA copies in sera in the CHB-HE group and the severity of the clinical features were significantly higher than those in the CHB group. The former group had a poorer prognosis with a 49.6% occurrence rate of severe hepatitis and a 25.2% death rate while in the latter group the corresponding rates were just 4.4% and 1.7%.

CONCLUSIONRe-infection with HEV, in those CHB patients, severely damaged their hepatic functions and increased their mortality; the older the patient and the higher the level of HBV DNA, the poorer the prognosis.

Female ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; virology ; Hepatitis E ; virology ; Hepatitis E virus ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Superinfection

OBJECTIVETo screen the proteins interacting with FXR1P for functional investigation of FXR1P.

METHODSThe yeast strain AH109 transformed with the recombinant expression vector pGBKT7/FXR1 was mated with the yeast strain Y187 pretransformed with human fetal brain cDNA library. The positive clones were screened and identified by sequence analysis.

RESULTSThe recombinant expression vector pGBKT7/FXR1 was constructed successfully. Five proteins binding to FXR1P were screened from human fetal brain cDNA library using the yeast two-hybrid system, including CMAS, FTH1, GOLGA4, HSD17B1 and CSH1.

CONCLUSIONSThese results provide new clues for investigating the biological functions of FXR1P and the pathogenesis of Fragile X syndrome.

Autoantigens ; genetics ; metabolism ; Estradiol Dehydrogenases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Ferritins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Library ; Humans ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Protein Binding ; Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs ; genetics ; RNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Two-Hybrid System Techniques

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents from the cultured mycelia of a fungus Cephalosporium which accelerate the growth of plant.

METHODThe constituents were isolated by column chromatography and identified by advanced physical and spectral analysis.

RESULTEleven compounds including 3-isopropyl-6-(1-methylpropyl) piperazine-2,5-dione(I), choline sulfate(II), 2-[(2-hydroxy tetracosanoyl) amino]-1,3,4-octadecatriol(III) were isolated and identified.

CONCLUSIONCompound I, II were isolated from Cephalosporium genus for the first time.

Acremonium ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Choline ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Dendrobium ; microbiology ; Mycorrhizae ; chemistry ; Piperazines ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plants, Medicinal ; microbiology

Objective To investigate the relationship between mismatch repair (MMR) protein expression and microsatellite instability (MSI) and tumor TNM staging in colorectal cancer. Methods The clinical data of 1351 patients who underwent radical resection of colorectal cancer at the Xijing Digestive Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University from January 2008 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. The MMR and MSI status in patients with different gender, age and TNM staging were analyzed. Results Of the 1351 specimens, 291 (22％) didn't express MMR protein. Univariate analysis showed that there were significant differences in the deletion rates of MSH2, MSH6 and PMS2 between patients ≥60 years old and<60 years old (all P<0.05);there were significant differences in the deletion rates of MSH2 between stage T3 and the other stages (P<0.05); the deletion rates of MLH1, PMS2 among different N stages, and the deletion rates of MSH2 and MSH6 between stage N0 or N1 and the other N stages were significantly different (all P< 0.05); the deletion rates of PMS2 among different M stages were significantly different (P< 0.05). There were significant differences in PMS2 deletion rates among different TNM stages and MLH1, MSH2 and MSH6 deletion rates between stage Ⅱ or Ⅲ and the other stages (all P< 0.05). There was significant difference in MSI positive rates between patients ≥60 years old and<60 years old (P<0.05); there were significant differences in MSI positive rates between stage T3 or T4 and the other T stages, among different N or M stages, and between TNM stage Ⅱ, ⅢorⅣand the other TNM stages (all P<0.05). Conclusions The MMR protein expression and MSI in colorectal cancer patients are closely related to tumor TNM staging. Detection of MMR protein expression and MSI in colorectal cancer patients has certain reference value for judging TNM staging of colorectal cancer. To a certain extent, it can guide the diagnosis and treatment of patients with colorectal cancer and judge the prognosis.