Objective To investigate the relationship of miRNA gene polymorphisms with blood pressure(BP)responses to the sodium and potassium diet intervention.Methods In 2004,we recruited 514 participants from 124 families in seven villages of Baoji,Shaanxi Province,China.All subjects were given a three-day normal diet,followed by a seven-day low-salt diet,a seven-day high-salt diet,and finally a seven-day high-salt and potassium supplementation.A total of 19 miRNA single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)were selected for analysis.Results Throughout the sodium-potassium dietary intervention,the BP of the subjects fluctuated across all phases,showing a decrease during the low-salt period and an increase during the high-salt period,followed by a reduction in BP subsequent to potassium supplementation during the high-salt diet.MiR-210-3p SNP rs 12364149 was significantly associated with systolic BP(SBP),diastolic BP(DBP)and mean arterial pressure(MAP)responses to low-salt diet.MiR-4638-3p SNP rs6601178 was significantly associated with SBP while miR-26b-3p SNP rs115254818 was significantly associated with MAP responses to low-salt intervention.In addition,miR-26b-3p SNP rs115254818 was significantly correlated with SBP,DBP and MAP responses to high-salt intervention.MiR-1307-5p SNPs rs1 1191676 and rs2292807 were associated with SBP and MAP responses to high-salt diet.MiR-4638-3p SNP rs6601178,miR-210-3p SNP rs12364149,miR-382-5p SNP rs4906032 and rs4143957 were significantly associated with SBP response to high-salt diet.In addition,miR-26b-3p SNP rs115254818 was significantly associated with SBP,DBP and MAP responses to potassium supplementation.MiR-1307-5p SNPs rs11191676,rs2292807,and miR-19a-3p SNP rs4284505 were significantly associated with SBP responses to high-salt and potassium supplementation.Conclusion miRNA gene polymorphisms are associated with BP response to sodium and potassium,suggesting that miRNA genes may be involved in the pathophysiological process of salt sensitivity and potassium sensitivity.

【Objective】 Corin, a transmembrane serine protease that can cleave atrial natriuretic peptide precursor (pro-ANP) into atrial natriuretic peptide with smaller bioactive molecules, participates in the pathophysiological process of hypertension and cardiac hypertrophy. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship of Corin gene variation with blood pressure responses to sodium and potassium dietary interventions. 【Methods】 In 2004, we recruited 514 participants from 124 families in 7 villages of Baoji, Shaanxi Province, China. All the subjects received a 3-day normal diet, a 7-day low-salt diet, a 7-day high-salt diet, and finally a 7-day high-salt and potassium supplementation. Fifteen single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of Corin gene were selected for final analysis. 【Results】 SNPs rs12509275 were significantly associated with diastolic blood pressure (DBP) response to low-salt diet, while rs3749584 was associated with pulse pressure (PP) response to low-salt diet.SNP rs3749584 and rs10517195 were significantly associated with PP response to high-salt diet. In addition,rs17654278 were significantly associated with systolic blood pressure (SBP) response to high-salt and potassium supplementation, rs2271037 was significantly correlated with DBP responses to high-salt and potassium supplementation, and rs4695253, rs12509275, rs2351783, rs36090894 were significantly associated with PP response to high-salt and potassium supplementation. 【Conclusion】 Corin gene polymorphisms were associated with blood pressure response to sodium and potassium, suggesting that Corin gene may be involved in pathophysiological process of salt sensitivity and potassium sensitivity.

Objective To indentify the cognitive status of Chinese patients to acne and the influencing factors to theirs' cognitive status,so as to provide solid evidences for the prevention and treatment of acne.Methods A self-designed questionnaire was made to conduct this survey of 16,156 acne patients,who seeked to the treatment in the dermatological departments from 112 hospitals in China.The survey consisted of several parts,including the general status of patients,the patients' cognition of occurrence,development and risk factors of acne,whether the first choice was seeking treatment at the hospital when the patients had acne and the condition of selection of skin care products.The factors were analyzed,which could impact the cognition of the patients' behavior of treatment,how did the patients' cognition to influence their medical behavior and skin care as well as the consistency of assessment of the severity of acne by doctors and patients themselves.Results The acne patients studied had the best knowledge of "acne is a skin disease","it not only occurs in the period of adolescence" and "the disease can be prevented and cured",which accordingly accounted for 80.65％,69.16％ and 65.49％ of the total patients respectively.However,the awareness of acne patients to heredity,high sugar and dairy products as risk factors for acne was insufficient,which accounted for 48.72％,42.40％ and 18.25％ of the total patients,respectively.Gender,age,educational level,occupation and health knowledge were the main factors affecting the cognitive level of patients;the survey also found that men,patient with educational level of junior high or even lower educational condition,occupation of labor workers or farmers and patients were lack of health education with poor knowledge of the genetics and dietary were risk factors for acne;patients with age over 36 years or with mild illness had poor knowledge of dietary risk factors for acne;the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.05).The analysis of the influence of cognitive status on medical treatment behavior and skin care showed that the better the cognition,the higher the probability of patients would choose medical treatment as the first choice as well as choosing functional skin care products;the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.05).The consistency of assessment of the severity of acne by doctors and patients was poor (Kappa value ＜0.4),and the assessment of severity of acne by patients was more serious than doctors' assessment.Conclusions Patient's cognitive status will affect their medical behavior and skin care,and there is also a phenomenon that patients have a more serious assessment of their acne condition.It is suggested that health education for acne patients should be strengthened in clinical medicine so as to improve their knowledge of acne as well as preventing from acne effectively.

Objective To study the findings of 256‐slice CT angiography in atherosclerosis of the intracranial carotid arteary . Methods 402 cases of atherosclerotic lesions in the neck and brain were collected from 2013 to 2014 in our hospital ,in which there were 274 cases of male and 128 cases female .All patients underwent 256‐slice CT angiography of the head and neck .The incidence of atherosclerosis involvement in the intracranial carotid artery was analysed .The characteristics of carotid plaque on different sexes , age(≤60 years and >60 years) and location (right and left ) were observed .The length and property of plaque ,and stenostic rate of the artery were measured respectively .Results There were 164 cases (40 .80% ) of intracranial carotid artery athrosclerosis in 402 cases of atherosclerotic lesions of the neck and brain ,in which the incident rate of male was 38 .32% and female 46 .09% (χ2 =2 .182 ,P=0 .140) .The incident rate of >60 years group was more than that of ≤60 years group (χ2 <31 .105 ,P<0 .001)for both sexes . There were no differences on lesion location (right or left)for different sexes or age groups (χ2 <0 .035 ,P>0 .088) .And there were also no differences on lesion length (≤10 mm ,11-20 mm ,>20 mm) for different sexes or age groups (χ2 <0 .027 ,P>0 .091) . Calcified plaques were seen the most (79 .81% ) ,mixed plaques were seen more (15 .46% ) ,and lipid plaques (1 .58% ) and fibrous plaques (3 .15% ) were seen less .The mixed plaques were more seen on >60 years group than that on ≤60 years group for male pa‐tients (χ2 =12 .204 ,P=0 .001) ,but no other difference was found for plaque property in other different sexes or age groups .Mild stenosis of the corated artery was found in 54 .57% lesions ,moderate stenosis in 39 .75% and severe stenosis in 5 .68% ,and there were no any difference in different sexes or age groups (χ2 <2 .062 ,P>0 .151) .Conclusion CT angiography of the head and neck is of important significance for diagnosis of atherosclerosis in the intracranial carotid artery .

OBJECTIVETo explore the impact of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) on Wnt and NF-κB pathways in a rat model of diabetic nephropathy (DN).

METHODSSD rats were randomly divided into normal control group (NC), DN model group (DM) and GSK-3β inhibitor group (DI). Blood glucose and 24-hour urine protein were monitored in three groups. Renal tissue samples were stained by HE. The expression of GSK-3β and NF-κB proteins was studied by immunohistochemistry. GSK-3β and NF-κB mRNAs were detected by RT-qPCR.

RESULTSTen weeks after STZ injection, the level of blood glucose increased significantly in DM group [(23.2±5.4) mmol/L] and DI group [(25.0±4.0) mmol/L], compared with NC group, and the level of 24-hour urinary protein increased significantly in DM group [(185.2±35.6) g/24 h] and DI group [(179.6±44.7) g/24 h], compared with NC group. Two weeks after LiCl injection, the level of blood glucose and 24-hour urinary protein decreased in DI group (17.6±2.1) mmol/L, (106.9±30.0) g/24 h], compared with DM Group. Compared with NC group, pathological changes of the kidney of DM group aggravated along with increased mRNA and protein expression of GSK-3β and NF-κB. But the pathological changes of the kidney in DI group alleviated along with declined mRNA and protein expression of GSK-3β and NF-κB as compared with DM group (all P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSNF-κB protein expression positively correlates with the GSK3β expression. Wnt and NF-κB signal pathways play an important role in the development of diabetic nephropathy.

Animals ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta ; Kidney ; pathology ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; Wnt Signaling Pathway

OBJECTIVETo explore the efficacy of optical coherence tomography (OCT) in imaging and quantitatively evaluating early enamel caries and provide experimental evidence for the clinical diagnosis of early caries.

METHODSThe smooth surface of bovine teeth showing early artificial caries and demineralization changes was scanned by an all fiber-based OCT for images and optical profiles, which were compared with images from a polarized light microscope (PLM) and mineral loss from an atomic absorption spectrometer. Data were analyzed by paired-sample t-test and Pearson correlation analysis using SPSS software.

RESULTSThe images of enamel with early caries and demineralization from OCT coincided with those from PLM. The integrated reflectivity loss in the early caries group was significantly lower than that in the demineralized group (P < 0.05), whereas no significant difference in demineralized depth was found between the two groups (P > 0.05). A linear correlation was observed between integrated reflectivity loss and mineral loss (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONOCT can be used to nondestructively and accurately image early caries and quantify lesion extent and degree, suggesting the extensive use of this approach in the clinical diagnosis of early caries.

Animals ; Cattle ; Dental Caries ; Dental Enamel ; Tomography, Optical Coherence ; Tooth Demineralization

Objective??To?explore?the?efficacy?of?optical?coherence?tomography?(OCT)?in?imaging?and?quantitatively?eva-luating?early?enamel?caries?and?provide?experimental?evidence?for?the?clinical?diagnosis?of?early?caries. Methods??The?smooth?surface?of?bovine?teeth?showing?early?artificial?caries?and?demineralization?changes?was?scanned?by?an?all?fiber-based?OCT?for?images?and?optical?profiles,?which?were?compared?with?images?from?a?polarized?light?microscope?(PLM)?and?mineral?loss?from?an?atomic?absorption?spectrometer.?Data?were?analyzed?by?paired-sample?t-test?and?Pearson?correlation?analysis?using?SPSS?software.?Results??The?images?of?enamel?with?early?caries?and?demineralization?from?OCT?coincided?with?those?from?PLM.?The?integrated?reflectivity?loss?in?the?early?caries?group?was?significantly?lower?than?that?in?the?demineralized?group?(P<0.05),?whereas?no?significant?difference?in?demineralized?depth?was?found?between?the?two?groups?(P>0.05).?A?linear?correlation?was?observed?between?integrated?reflectivity?loss?and?mineral?loss?(P<0.05).?Conclusion??OCT?can?be?used?to?nondestructively?and?accurately?image?early?caries?and?quantify?lesion?extent?and?degree,?suggesting?the?extensive?use?of?this?approach?in?the?clinical?diagnosis?of?early?caries.

Splice variants are transcripts that exhibit various functions or activities and are obtained from alternative splicing of precursor mRNA. An increasing number of tumor-specific splice variants are being discovered and their roles in cancer development and progression are being investigated. In this study, the expression patterns and activities of tumor-specific splice variants were charac-terized. The results suggest that a variant-specific gene therapy that targets cancer cells would be more specific and would have minimal effect on healthy tissues. Using antisense oligonucleotides, mRNA that contributed to cancer cell survival and altered splicing patterns was downregulated in a clinical trial. The results provide a new appreciation for the gene therapy of cancer. Identification of novel tu-mor-specific splice variants and constant improvement of therapeutic strategies by modifying splicing patterns can lead to the develop-ment of more effective and safer cancer therapies.

Objective To discuss the influence of the doctor-nurse whole course medical mode on the satisfaction of ICU patients ’ family members.Methods Totals of 200 patients ’ family members were investigated before and after the implementation of the doctor-nurse whole course medical mode.The satisfaction was evaluated before and after the usage of the doctor-nurse whole course medical mode.Results The satisfaction of patients’ family members on nurses before and after the doctor-nurse whole course medical mode was 89.5%and 97.0%, respectively.There was a significant difference (χ2 =8.937,P=0.003).The mean scores of nurses work initiative, nursing technology, service attitude, health education, ward management were (8.43 ±1.30), (8.39 ±1.29), (5.51 ±0.99), (8.26 ±1.64), (5.54 ±1.04) before and (8.94 ± 0.37), (8.85 ±0.70), (5.97 ±0.26), (8.95 ±0.31), (5.95 ±0.31) after the doctor-nurse whole course medical mode.There were significant differences (t=5.336, 4.423, 6.356, 5.847, 5.343, respectively;P<0.01 ) .Conclusions Implementation of the doctor-nurse whole course medical mode can improve the professional quality of nurses and increase the patients’ families satisfaction to nurses job.

Objective Quantitative analysis of optical coherence tomography (OCT) images of naturally occurred early enamel caries was performed to find quantitative parameter indicator for detecting early caries by OCT.Methods Three human premolars with enamel natural caries in D0,D1,and D2 stages were selected respectively and scanned by OCT.The ratios of the average gray value of the caries region (object region) and sound region (background region),namely,the object-background contrast (OBC) were calculated in OCT images and selected as the quantitative parameters to analyze the OBC trend of different degree of enamel caries.Results Within the fixed depth,the OBC value showed a trend of first increase and then decrease with the severity of dental caries,indicating that OBC value increased with the severity of dental caries from normal to D1 stage,and then decreased from D1 to D2 stage.Conclusion The OBC value can be used as a new quantitative indicator for OCT to estimate the severity of naturally occurred early caries.