Objective To investigate the expression and correlation of serum n-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide(NT-pro BNP) and procalcitonin in patients with sepsis.Methods A total of 120 patients with sepsis and 40 healthy volunteers(control group) were enrolled.Sepsis patients were divided into general sepsis group,severe sepsis group and septic shock group according to the severity of the disease,each group of 40 cases.According to the prognosis of patients admitted to hospital after 28 d,all patients were divided into survival group and death group.Serum NT-pro BNP,PCT levels and acute physiology and chronic health status scores (APACHE-Ⅱ) were recorded.Results Compared with the control group,the serum levels of NT-pro BNP,PCT were significantly higher in sepsis group,and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05);As sepsis progressed,serum NT-pro BNP,PCT level and APACHE Ⅱ score were significantly increased among 3 groups(P<0.05).The serum levels of PCT,serum NT-pro BNP and APACHE Ⅱ score in the death group were significantly higher than those in the survival group,and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).The sensitivity and specificity of serum NT-pro BNP were 81.34% and 86.27% and PCT was 83.08% and 88.61%,respectively.The level of serum NT-pro BNP and serum PCT levels were positively correlated (r=0.826,P<0.05),the serum NT-pro BNP level correlated with the APACHE Ⅱ score positively (r=0.756,P<0.05),serum PCT level and APACHE Ⅱ score were positively correlated (r=0.702,P<0.05).Conclusion Prediction and assessment of disease severity in patients with sepsis and survival have important clinical application value of serum NT-pro BNP and PCT levels in BNP.

Usage of reverse genetic techniques in the research area of the fundamental etiology of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), has resolved the issue about the function of viral gene of FMDV on genomic integer level. At present, a further recognition and apprehension for the molecular etiology of FMDV based on the development in reverse genetics was made. Combined with the research work in our labs, we reviewed international advances about the molecular pathogenic mechanism, the relationship be-tween virulence and variation in the genomes, influencing factors for the viral replication, and the develop-ment of new-type gene vaccine of FMD in this article, and propose the potential research aspects in reverse genetics of FMDV in the future.

Objective To analyze the diagnosis and prognosis value of abdominal CT scans in patients with acute pancreatitis complications.Methods 151 cases with acute pancreatitis were selected.The relationship between abdominal CT performances and the common complications and death in patients was analyzed.The prognosis of patients with different Balthazar CT severity index (CTSI) grade was compared.Results The complication rate of patients with CT signs of fatty liver, pleural effusion, liver gap effusion, adrenal gland involvement (AGI), penirenal space involvement (PSI) and gastric bare area involvement (GBAI) was significantly higher than that of patients with negative CT findings above (P<0.05).With CTSI grading increasing, the patient''s fasting time, heating time, hospital stay, recovery time of blood amylase were extended, and the incidence of pseudo cyst, transit surgery, organ failure and death was gradually increasing (P<0.05).Conclusion Severe fatty liver, AGI, GBAI, PSI and liver gap effusion are risk factors for acute complications and death in patients with pancreatitis.

Objective To screen mutations in genes including ASXL1, TET2, IDH1, IDH2, SETBP1, MPL515, JAK2 exon 12 and JAK2V617 in 135 polycythemia vera (PV) patients. To assess progreasson and genomics characteristics post polycythemic myelofibrosis. Methods DNA sequencing of ASXL1(Exon12),TET2 (Exons 3-11),IDH1(Exon4),IDH2(Ex-on4),SEPBP1(Exon4),JAK2 exon 12 and MPL515 (Exon 10) genes were carried out using Sanger method. JAK2V617 muta-tion was detected by allele-specific PCR in patients with PV. In the mean time, the mutation load of JAK2V617F allele (V617F%) was evaluated by real-time PCR using Tagman MGB probe. Then, the significant of gene mutations and clinical outcomes of post-PV Myelofibrosis(PPMF)was analyzed. To study risk factors of PPMF, logistic regression were employed. Results ASXL1, TET2, IDH1, IDH2 were mutated in 7.69%(8/104), 5.26%(1/19) , 0.08%(1/120) and 0.08%(1/121) of all PV patient respectively. JAK2 was mutated in 82.22%(111/135) of PV patients with mutation rate of exon12 of 2.96%(4/135) and there were no mutation of MPL515 and SETBP1 in PV patients. ASXL1 mutation was found in 31.82%(7/22) PPMF patients. Spearman analysis showed that ASXL1 is correlated with JAK2V617F (V617F%) (rs=0.298,P=0.002). The hemo-globin was lower in patients with ASXL1 mutation than patient without mutation (wild type). Leukocyte count, V617F%>50%rate, thrombosis and PPMF were higher in patients with ASXL1 mutation than that of ASXL1 wild type(P＜0.05). ASXL1 mu-tation, V617F%>50% rate and splenomegaly were all risk factors of PPMF. Conclusion ASXL1 mutation is the risk-fac-tor of PPMF and may promote V617F%by some mechanism.

Perimenopausal symptom especially hot flash has a serious effect on women ’ s mental health and life quality.Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors ( SSRI ) are medicines which inhibit reuptake of sero-tonin thus increasing the concentration of serotonin on synaptic cleft.These medicines are used for treating dipression.Recent studies found that they could also alleviate perimenopausal hot flash.In this paper we will review the effect of SSRIs on treating hot flash.

OBJECTIVETo study the change of Ca2+ density in cultured osteoclast-like cells in response to fluid shear stress.

METHODSLaser scanning confocal microscope and fluorescent probe were used to detect the free Ca2+ in osteoclast-like cells before and after undergoing fluid shear stress. The images were analyzed and compared with image software.

RESULTSAt 37 degrees C the free Ca2+ in osteoclast-like cells could be labelled effectively with 10 micromol/L Fluo-3/AM. Compared with contol group, the average intensity of Ca2+ fluorescent signal in osteoclast-like cells undergoing fluid shear stress increased significantly.

CONCLUSIONThe Cal2+ concentration in bone-marrow derived osteoclast-like cells is sensitive to fluid shear stress, which suggests osteoclast-like cells modulate their function in response to fluid shear stress through the change of free Ca2+ concentration.

Aniline Compounds ; Bone Marrow ; Bone Marrow Cells ; Calcium ; Cells, Cultured ; Osteoclasts ; Stress, Mechanical ; Xanthenes

The Notch signaling pathway has been implicated in the regulation of cell-fate decisions such as differentiation of embryo stem cells and neural stem cells into neurons. We cultured human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) in vitro and induced hMSCs to differentiate into neural cells by beta-mercaptoethanol (beta-ME), DMSO and 3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole (BHA). Immunocytochemistry was utilized to detect neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and Nissl body, and flow cytometry was used to determine cell growth phases. The expressions of signal molecules involved in the Notch pathway such as Notch1, Jagged 1 (JAG1), presenilin 1 (PS1) and hairy and enhancer of split 1(HES1) were observed by RT-PCR and immunofluorescent techniques. The results were as follows: (1) Before induction, the percentage of hMSCs at G(0)/G(1) was 58.5%, and the percentage at S+G(2)/M was 41.5%. After induction, the percentage of hMSCs at G(0)/G(1) increased to 73.1%, 76.2% and 78.1%, respectively on days 2, 4 and 6, and the percentage at S+G(2)/M decreased to 26.8%, 24.8% and 21.9%, respectively; The percentage of NSE-positive cells reached (77+/-0.35) %; Nisslos staining was positive in cytoplasm. (2) Notch1 and JAG1 were both expressed in hMSCs before and after induction, but the mRNA expressions of both Notch1 and JAG1, detected by RT-PCR, decreased obviously after induction(P<0.05). Notch1 mRNA/beta-actin was 1.157, 0.815, 0.756 and 0.570, and JAG1 mRNA/beta-actin was 0.437, 0.350, 0.314 and 0.362, respectively, on days 0, 2, 4 and 6 after induction. The Notch pathway activation participant PS1 mRNA and Notch pathway target gene HES1 mRNA also decreased apparently after induction (P<0.05), and their mRNA/beta-actin was 0.990, 0.449, 0.441, 0.454 and 0.370, 0.256, 0.266, 0.240 on days 0, 2, 4 and 6, respectively. These observations indicate that the expressions of Notch signal molecules were suppressed when hMSCs were induced to differentiate into neural cells. Based on these findings, we propose that low level of Notch signaling activation may contribute to neural cell differentiation.
Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors ; genetics ; Calcium-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Differentiation ; Flow Cytometry ; Homeodomain Proteins ; genetics ; Humans ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; genetics ; Jagged-1 Protein ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Neurons ; cytology ; Receptor, Notch1 ; genetics ; Receptors, Notch ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Serrate-Jagged Proteins ; Signal Transduction ; Transcription Factor HES-1

OBJECTIVETo investigate the difference between digital periapical film and conventional film in the evaluation of tooth length and root resorption.

METHODSA standard for root resorption in vitro was developed based on 20 extracted upper central incisors. Digital periapical films and conventional periapical films were taken before and after the process of simulating root resorption at six different projection angles respectively. The tooth length and root resorption were measured on these films. The results were analyzed by paired-samples rank sum test.

RESULTSSignificant difference on tooth length measurement was found between two types of films on the same projection angle. No significant difference on the length of root resorption calculated on digital and conventional films was found.

CONCLUSIONSThe accuracy of the digital periapical film was greater than that of conventional periapical films. The conventional periapical film can still be used in the evaluation of root resorption.

Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Radiography, Dental, Digital ; Root Resorption ; diagnostic imaging ; Tooth Apex ; diagnostic imaging

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the application of side-to-side anastomosis of the lesser curvature of stomach and jejunum in laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB).

METHODSClinical data of 29 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) undergoing side to side anastomosis of the lesser curvature of stomach and jejunum in LRYGB from May 2012 to November 2012 in Department of General Surgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSAll the procedures were successfully completed without conversion to laparotomy. The side-to-side anastomosis of the lesser curvature of stomach and jejunum avoided the laparoscopic suture. No gastrojejunostomy anastomotic bleeding, fistula, obstruction and other complications occurred after operation and no complications of gastrojejunostomy anastomosis were found during a follow up of 1 to 7 months.

CONCLUSIONSSide-to-side anastomosis of the lesser curvature of stomach and jejunum in LRYGB can manipulate the size of anastomosis accurately and avoid the laparoscopic suturing. It is simple and easy to learn.

Adult ; Aged ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastric Bypass ; methods ; Humans ; Jejunum ; surgery ; Laparoscopy ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To investigate the clinical significance of a new method,axis-line-distance technique(ALDT),in scoliosis measurement.Methods Thirty cases with idiopathic scoliosis were measured on two separate occasions by six observers with the Cobb technique and the ALDT on PACS workstation.The interval time between two measurement occasions were three weeks.The data were analyzed statistically with the paired-sample t-test.Results(1)Concerning intraobserver variance in two measurement occasions,the minimum variance,the maximum variance and the average variance were 0, 24.00?,5.71??1.54?for Cobb technique and 0,12.00 mm,(1.95?0.58)mm for ALDT.There were significant measurement differences for four observers with Cobb method 39.00??10.69?versus 36.50?? 10.63?,31.73??10.96?versus 37.30??9.65?,32.03??7.49?versus 27.86??9.00?,29.77??8.87? versus 34.20??7.26?,all P0.05].(2)Concerning interobserver variances in six observers,the average measurement variance was 5.07??0.35?for Cobb method,and(2.32?0.26)mm for ALDT. There were significant measurement differences for every observer using with Cobb method(36.63??10.30? versus 33.27??10.10?,39.00?10.69?versus 31.73??10.96?,32.03??7.49~ versus 29.78?? 8.87?,36.63??10.30?versus 39.00??10.69?versus 32.03??7.48?,39.00??10.69?versus 32.03?? 7.49?,all P