Objective To investigate the levels and clinical significance of the ratio of apolipoprotein B(apoB)and apolipoprotein A1(apoA1)in the patients with cerebral infarction,and to determine the critical value of apoB/apoA1 inthe patients with ischemic cerebral infarction.Methods 126 inpatients with cerebal infraction diagnosed by MRI enhancement scanning of the head in our hos-pital.From November 1,2012 to May 15,2013 were selected.Among them,51 cases were common carotid artery intima-media thickening(carotid artery intima-media >0.9 mm)and 75 cases were carotid artery intima-media non-thickening by the color ultra-sonic examination;81 cases had atherosclerosis plaque and 45 cases had no atherosclerosis plaque.57 individuals with healthy physi-cal examination were selected as the control group.The fasting serum samples were collected from all the research subjects.The in-dexes of TG,CHOL,HDL-C,LDL-C,apoB,apoA,etc.were detected.Then the independent t-test was adopted to analyze and com-pare the ratio of apoB/apoA1 and others related indictors(including TG,AIP,apoB,apoA1,etc.)in the various groups.The ROC curves were made,the area under the curve was read and the specificity and sensitivity of apoB/apoA1 for diagnosing ischemic cere-bral infarction were calculated.Results (1)AIP and the ratio of apoB/apoA1 in the ischemic cerebral infarction patients were high-er than those in the control group,the rise rate of apoB/apoA1 ratio in the ischemic cerebral infarction patients was 5.43 times of that in the control group,especially the patients with carotid atherosclerosis or carotid artery intima-media thickenning were more significant,while TG and apoB had no obvious changes.(2)the ratio of apoB/apoA1 had no obvious difference between the carotid artery intima-media thickening group and the carotid artery intima-media non-thickening group,while which in the atherosclerotic plaques group was significantly increased compared with no carotid atherosclerosis group and 1.6 times of that in the normal control group.So it could be considered that the apoB/apoA1 ratio was a specific indicator for atherosclerosis.(3)In the diagnosis of ische-mic cerebral infarction,the area under the apoB/apoA1ROC curve was 0.86.its specificity and sensitivity were higher than other in-dexes.Conclusion The apoB/apoA1 ratio is the most specific and sensitive index in the patients with ischemic cerebral infarction and has good correlation with ischemic cerebral infarction,especially in the presence of carotid atherosclerosis plaque it is more sen-sitive,and is a good index of laboratory diagnosis of ischemic cerebral infarction.

Objective To analyze the fractional proteins and immunoreactivity of the soluble antigens from Babesia microti (B.microti),and find the candidate antigens for diagnosis with high sensitivity and specificity.Methods BALB/c mice were inoculated with B.microti-infected red blood cells by intraperitoneal injection.The B.microti were collected from the infected red blood cells when the infection rate reached its peak (infection rate ＞70％),then the soluble antigens were extracted by repeated freezing-thawing and ultrasonic method.The mice sera before and after the infection with B.microti for 7,14,21,28,35,42,49 and 56 days were also collected.The polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) was used to analyze protein components of the soluble antigens of B.microti and the Western blot was used to analyze the immunoreactivity of the soluble antigens with the pooled mice sera before and after the infection.The specific positive protein bands were identified by Liquid chromatography electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS),and the amino acid sequences of the proteins were analyzed by bioinformatics tools.Results The results from SDS-PAGE analysis indicated that the soluble antigens of B.microti showed distinct protein bands with the range between 12 and 185 × 103 (kDa,relative molecular mass,Mr),among which 9 main bands and 12 minor bands were obtained.In the Western blot analysis,the protein bands with Mr at 40 and 45 kDa could be recognized by pooled mice sera 7 days after infection;the protein bands with Mr at 40,45,54 and 95 kDa could be recognized by pooled mice sera 14 days after infection;the protein bands with Mr at 27,40,45,54,95 and 110 kDa could be recognized by pooled mice sera 21 days after infection.While,the protein bands with Mr at 27,40,45,54,95,1 10 kDa and other weak-reactive bands were recognized by pooled mice sera 28-56 days after infection,and the reaction became stronger with the infection continued.There were 336 proteins,including surface antigen,heat shock protein 70,seroreactive antigen,Eta subunit of chaperonin containing t-complex polypeptide 1 and unnamed protein products,were identified as the components of soluble antigens after mass spectrometry and sequence analysis.Conclusion The 40,45 and 54 kDa protein components from the soluble antigens of B.microti may be ideal candidate antigens for diagnosis,andtheir potential applications in diagnosing of human babesiosis deserve further study.

Objective To establish A1E3 and B1C4 monoclonal antibody-based ELISA for detecting circulating antigen of Schistosoma japonicum and explore its application value in the field. Methods The characteristics of A1E3 and B1C4 monoclonal antibodies were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting. The SEA-based ELISA was used to evaluate the titers of A1E3 and B1C4. The orthogonal test was used to determine the best concentration of coating antibody B1C4 and optimal working concentra-tion of A1E3-HRP. Under the optimal conditions,the serum samples of 20 acute schistosomiasis cases,46 chronic schistosomiasis cases,and 20 control sera were tested to evaluate its detection sensitivity and specificity. Seventy-two antibody positive serum sam-ples from Jiangling County of Hubei Province were detected and compared to a commercially available ELISA kit,to evaluate the detection effects of this method. Results The results of SDS-PAGE demonstrated that the purified A1E3 and B1C4 contained a clear heavy chain with molecular weight of 88 000 and 52 000 respectively and had the same light chain with molecular weight of 20 000;while Western blotting demonstrated that A1E3 and B1C4 could be recognized by SEA and serum samples of acute schis-tosomiasis cases. The SEA-based ELISA demonstrated the titers of B1C4 and A1E3 were 1∶105 and 1∶30 000,respectively. The serum samples from all the acute cases and 86.9% of the chronic cases showed a positive reaction. All of the control sera from healthy persons gave a negative response. The positive rates of the double monoclonal antibody ELISA and commercial ELISA for detecting the circulating antigen were 45.8%and 43.1%respectively,and there was no significant difference between the results of the two methods. Conclusion A1E3 and B1C4 monoclonal antibody-based ELISA is established successfully. It exhibits a high sensitivity and specificity in detecting circulating antigen of Schistosoma japonicum.

Objective To compare the biological characteristics of eyeballs between Zmu-1:DHP and DHP guinea pigs,and to explore the retinal mechanism of myopia in Zmu-1:DHP guinea pigs. Methods To measure the refraction, corneal curvature and axial length of the two guinea pig strains at age of 4-12 weeks. Those spontaneous myopic Zmu-1:DHP guinea pigs were chosen to take the retina for pathological examination. The pathological changes in the retina were determined and compared with the DHP guinea pigs. The expression of RALDH, ALDHTH, TH, TK, iNOS, nNOS, bFGF and TGFβ mRNA in the retina were detected by real time-PCR. Results The myopic rate of 3-week old Zmu-1:DHP guinea pigs was 90.21%,while of the DHP guinea pig was only 18.00%. From 4 to 12 weeks, compared with the DHP guinea pigs,myopia and axial length of the Zmu-1:DHP guinea pigs were significantly increased(P<0.01),and the corneal curvature of Zmu-1:DHP guinea pigs was significantly less than the DHP guinea pigs(P<0.01). The retina outer nuclear layer of Zmu-1:DHP guinea pigs was reduced in thickness,the cell volume was smaller,and the cell number was less compared with the DHP guinea pigs. The choroid of Zmu-1:DHP guinea pigs showed atrophy and became thinner. There were few pigment granules in the pigment epithelium of Zmu-1:DHP guinea pigs,while there were plenty of pigment granules in the DHP guinea pigs. Compared with the DHP guinea pigs,the expression of TH mRNA was significantly down-regulated in the retina of Zmu-1:DHP guinea pigs(P<0.01),and the expression of TK,iNOS,nNOS,bFGF and TGFβ was significantly down-regulated(P<0.01, P <0.05, P <0.05, P <0.05, P <0.05). Conclusions Zmu-1:DHP strain guinea pig has a high rate of spontaneous axial myopia. The retinal mechanism of myopia has a relationship with the regulation of several myopia factors.

Objective:To explore the relationship between low serum albumin levels and its duration on first episode of peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients.Methods:PD patients who were regularly followed up in the Pearl River Delta region from September 1, 2000 to July 6, 2021 in Shunde Hospital of Southern Medical University, Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University, and Foshan First People′s Hospital were retrospectively selected. The patients were divided into low serum albumin group (LSA group, mean albumin<35 g/L), moderate serum albumin group (MSA group, 35 g/L≤mean albumin<40 g/L) and high serum albumin group (HSA group, mean albumin≥40 g/L) according to the mean albumin of the patients, and the differences among the three groups were compared. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis method was used to compare the risk of peritonitis events in different mean albumin groups and different durations of hypoalbuminemia. The multivariate Cox regression model was used to analyze the relationship between serum albumin levels and duration of hypoalbuminemia and new-onset peritonitis.Results:A total of 1 853 PD patients were included in this study, aged (49.72±15.34) years, and 1 036(55.9%) males. There were 551 patients (29.7%) in the LSA group, 920 patients (49.7%) in the MSA group, and 382 patients (20.6%) in the HSA group. The median follow-up was 37 (15, 66) months and there were 508 patients (27.4%) with new-onset peritonitis during the follow-up. Compared with the LSA group, the incidence of new peritonitis in the MSA group and HSA group was lower ( χ2=14.053, P<0.001; χ2=21.857, P<0.001), but there was no significant difference in the incidence of new peritonitis between the HSA group and MSA group. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the cumulative incidence of peritonitis in the LSA group was significantly higher than that in the MSA group and HSA group (Log-rank χ2=22.128, P<0.001). Compared with PD patients with normal serum albumin, the patients with longer duration of hypoalbuminemia tended to have a higher incidence of new peritonitis. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the mean albumin<35 g/L (LSA group/MSA group, HR=1.495, 95% CI 1.198-1.866, P<0.001; LSA group/HSA group, HR=1.459, 95% CI 1.104-1.928, P=0.008) was an independent risk factor of new-onset peritonitis in PD patients and the prolongation of duration of hypoalbuminemia had a significantly higher risk of new-onset peritonitis ( HR=1.013, 95% CI 1.003-1.024, P=0.014). Conclusion:The mean albumin<35 g/L and prolong duration of hypoalbuminemia are independent risk factors of PD-related peritonitis in PD patients.

Post-stroke depression (PSD) is a common emotional disorder after stroke, which can affect cognitive function of patients and have adverse effect on post-stroke recovery. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) can reveal the microstructure of white matter. At present, it has been applied in the study of the pathogenesis of various diseases. This article reviews the application of DTI technology in depression, stroke, and PSD, aiming to make early predictions of PSD from multiple perspectives to improve its outcomes.

Clinical research is usually aimed at and guided by therapeutic efficacy. Clarifying the placebo effect and the nocebo effect from treatment outcomes is an important issue in clinical research. This paper reviews the meaning of the placebo effect， suggesting that factors that may produce the placebo effect in clinical practice include past experience associations， patient expectations， suggestion， and doctor-patient relationships. It also summarizes the characteristics of the nocebo effect， its influencing factors， and its impact on clinical prognosis. Combining the characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine， this paper explores the design of acupuncture clinical trials that can reflect the measurement of the placebo effect， attempting to provide a clearer interpretation of the placebo effect in the evaluation of acupuncture efficacy in traditional Chinese medicine. Taking primary insomnia as an example， a prospective randomized placebo-controlled trial is designed to observe and evaluate the relationship between the treatment effects of acupuncture and the placebo effect in different patients under the treatment of the same doctor. Group comparisons will help better distinguish clinical effects in different situations. The authors also attempt to explore the responsive population to the placebo effect and the effects of placebos in different populations.

Apomixis has been widely concerned because of its great potential in heterosis fixation. Artificial apomixis is an important direction of current apomixis research. Mitosis instead of Meiosis (MIME) produces diploid gametes that is identical with the maternal genetic composition and is a key step in the artificial creation of apomixes. This paper reviews the occurrence of MIME and its application in crop apomixis and the problems encountered, in an aim to provide reference for expanding the application of MIME in crop apomixis.
Apomixis ; Crops, Agricultural ; genetics ; Diploidy ; Germ Cells ; Meiosis ; Mitosis

Background: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) strategies in COVID-19 patients differ from those in patients suffering from cardiogenic cardiac arrest. During CPR, both healthcare and non-healthcare workers who provide resuscitation are at risk of infection. The Working Group for Expert Consensus on Prevention and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation for Cardiac Arrest in COVID-19 has developed this Chinese Expert Consensus to guide clinical practice of CPR in COVID-19 patients. Main recommendations: 1) A medical team should be assigned to evaluate severe and critical COVID-19 for early monitoring of cardiac-arrest warning signs. 2) Psychological counseling and treatment are highly recommended, since sympathetic and vagal abnormalities induced by psychological stress from the COVID-19 pandemic can induce cardiac arrest. 3) Healthcare workers should wear personal protective equipment (PPE). 4) Mouth-to-mouth ventilation should be avoided on patients suspected of having or diagnosed with COVID-19. 5) Hands-only chest compression and mechanical chest compression are recommended. 6) Tracheal-intubation procedures should be optimized and tracheal-intubation strategies should be implemented early. 7) CPR should be provided for 20-30 min. 8) Various factors should be taken into consideration such as the interests of patients and family members, ethics, transmission risks, and laws and regulations governing infectious disease control. Changes in management: The following changes or modifications to CPR strategy in COVID-19 patients are proposed: 1) Healthcare workers should wear PPE. 2) Hands-only chest compression and mechanical chest compression can be implemented to reduce or avoid the spread of viruses by aerosols. 3) Both the benefits to patients and the risk of infection should be considered. 4) Hhealthcare workers should be fully aware of and trained in CPR strategies and procedures specifically for patients with COVID-19.