Objective To analyze the plaque distribution of abdominal aorta and its branches by multislice spiral CT angiography (MSCTA).Methods 145 patients recommended to abdominal enhanced CT were randomly selected in this investigation,and divided into three groups according to their age,i.e.,young,middle and old-aged group.CTA was performed with the use of multiple planar reconstruction(MPR),volume rendering (VR)and vessel probe(VP)technology.Results 124 patients with atherosclerotic plaques of abdominal aorta and all its branch-vessels,the incidences of the three groups were 9.7%(14 cases),30.3%(44 cases)and 45.5%(66 cases)respectively(P <0.005).It showed that calcified plaques were detected in a total of 1 50 in 302 plaques of all the branch-vessels.230 plaques(76.2%)were detected in abdominal branch-vessels of grade 1,of which,the incidences of superior mesenteric artery plaques was the highest(32.4%).Of the 54 plaques(1 7.9%)detected in abdominal branch-vessels of grade 2,the incidence of splenic artery plaques was the highest(13.8%).In abdominal branch-vessels of grade 3,the plaques were mainly distributed in splen-ic lobial artery.The splenic artery plaques mainly spreaded in the middle segment,while other plaques were mostly in peristome and proximal segment of vessels.The incidences of plaques in the three branches were 47.6%(69 cases),1 5.2%(22 cases),and 9.0%(13 cases)respectively(P <0.005).Conclusion The incidences of atherosclerotic plaques are higher in the middle and aged people. The plaques of the three abdominal branch-vessels mainly distribute in the peristome and proximal segment,and are much likely to be detected in abdominal branch-vessels of grade 1.

Objective To investigate the relationship between carotid arteriostenosis and atheromatous plaques with cerebral in-farction.Methods Cervical spiral CT angiography of 56 cases with cerebral infarction and 49 cases without cerebral infarction were retrospectively analysed .The difference between the two groups was compared with regard to the distribution ,nature of plaques and the degree of carotid artery stenosis.Results Of 56 patients with cerebral infarction,126 atheromatous plaques were detected in 42 patients,of which 39 were soft,34 were calcified,53 exhibited a combined nature of both calcified and soft plaque and 7 cases were plaque ulcerations (soft plaque and mixed plaque accounted for about 73%).Plaque location for carotid artery was in the bifurcation. 102 carotid arteries stenosis were found in 38 patients,which included mild stenosis in 29,moderate in 40,severe in 27 and occlusion in 6(moderate and severe stenosis accounted for about 65.7%).In the control group,28 plaques were detected in 1 1 cases,of which 6 were soft,13 were calcified and 9 exhibited a combined nature of both calcified and soft plaque.1 1 carotid arteries stenosis were found in 7 patients,included mild stenosis in 10,moderate in 1.A significant difference (P <0.05)in carotid arteriostenosis and ath-eromatous plaques between the two groups was found.Conclusion Carotid plaques and stenosis are important risk factors of cerebral infarction.Multi-slice spiral CT angiography(MSCTA)has important value in analysis of carotid artery stenosis and atheroderotic plaques.

Sef (similar expression to fgf genes) was identified as a feedback antagonist of FGF signaling in zerbrafish, mouse and human. To construct recombinant adenoviral vectors expressing hSef-L and hSef-S, the coding sequences of the two isoforms were amplified and ligated into pAdTrack-CMV, forming shuttle vectors pAdTrack-CMV/hSef-L-Myc and pAdTrack-CMV/hSef-S-Myc. After sequence confirmation, these two shuttle vector plasmids were linearized by Pme I and then co-transformed respectively with the adenoviral genome vector pAdEasy-1 into E. coli BJ5183. The successful recombinants were selected by Kanamycin and confirmed by Pac I digestion. The recombinant vectors Ad-hSef-L-Myc and Ad-hSef-S-Myc were finally digested with Pac I and transfected into HEK293 cells to pack into viral particles. The virus were amplified in 293 cells and used to infect MEF cells. Western blotting analysis was used to demonstrate the expression of hSef-L-Myc and hSef-S-Myc proteins. The inhibitory effects of the adenovirus mediated Sef expression on FGF signaling was further evaluated by Elk luciferase reporter assay. Our results indicated the constructed virus could produce effectively the proteins and then inhibit FGF signaling in MEF cells.
Adenoviridae ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Line ; Cloning, Molecular ; Defective Viruses ; genetics ; metabolism ; Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Humans ; Protein Isoforms ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Receptors, Interleukin ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transfection ; Virus Cultivation ; methods

OBJECTIVETo study genotype-phenotype correlation of a family with late infantile metachromatic leukodystrophy(MLD).

METHODSClinical data were collected and ARSA gene was tested by PCR and sequencing in a pedigree.

RESULTSThe male proband onset with walking dysfunction at 19 months, arylsulfatase A activity of leucocyte from his peripheral blood was 20.2 nmol/mg.17h, and his cranial MRI showed wildly symmetrical demyelination. Homozygosis for novel c.622delC (p.His208Metfs46X) in exon 3 of ARSA gene was identified in proband, and heterozygous for the same mutation in parents and grandma of the proband.

CONCLUSIONLate infantile metachromatic leukodystrophy is characterized by rapid and progressive regression of neuropsychiatric and motor development. There is a significant correlation between the mutation of c.622delC(p.His208Metfs*46) in the ARSA gene and the phenotype presenting as O/O patients.

Base Sequence ; Cerebroside-Sulfatase ; deficiency ; genetics ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Family Health ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Infant ; Leukodystrophy, Metachromatic ; diagnostic imaging ; enzymology ; genetics ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Phenotype ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Radiography ; Sequence Deletion

ObjectiveTo analyze the research status and trends in low-level occupational benzene exposure. Methods Articles on low-level occupational benzene exposure from Chinese and English journals from January 1st, 2000, to December 31th, 2022 were retrieved using the Web of Science and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and a bibliometric analysis was conducted. Results A total of 327 articles were included in the analysis, comprising 216 English articles and 111 Chinese articles. i) The number of articles published in English fluctuates greatly over the years, without a trend of continuous growth or decline. Authors from 359 research institutions in 45 countries and regions have published relevant English articles in 97 kinds of journals, involving 281 grants from 226 foundations. The top three countries in terms of articles amount were the United States, Italy, and China, with 81, 46, and 43 papers, respectively. The English articles mainly focused on mechanistic research at the genetic level, such as hematotoxicity, oxidative stress, and DNA damage. ii) The number of Chinese articles increased gradually after 2012, with the growth peak in 2017. Authors from 127 research institutions in 26 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities published Chinese articles in 51 kinds of journals, involving 154 grants from 78 foundations. Chinese articles tended to focus on benzene-induced hematotoxicity and occupational health damage. Conclusion Most studies on low-level occupational benzene exposure were conducted in China, the United States and Italy, focused on hematotoxicity. Monitoring international research topics and hotspots of the field has certain reference value for related research in China.

BackgroundMajor depressive disorder is one of the most disabling mental diseases. Currently， medication in combination with physiotherapy and psychotherapy remains the most commonly used treatment modality for the disease， whereas only a few randomized controlled studies have been conducted on physiotherapy， and even fewer studies have focused on medication combined with physiotherapy. ObjectiveTo explore the efficacy and safety profile of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation （rTMS） versus modified electroconvulsive therapy （MECT） in combination with antidepressants in the treatment of major depressive disorder， so as to provide an optimized treatment plan for patients with major depressive disorder. MethodsPatients with major depressive disorder （n=335） hospitalized in Shandong Daizhuang Hospital from January 1， 2019 to April 30， 2023 were included， all of whom met the diagnostic criteria of the International Classification of Diseases， tenth edition （ICD-10）. Depending on their disease condition， patients were subjected to either MECT in combination with drugs （n=141） or rTMS in combination with drugs （n=194） after admission. Depressive symptoms were assessed using Hamilton Depression Scale-24 item （HAMD-24） at the baseline and the end of the 1^st， 2^nd， 3^rd and 4^th week of treatment， and the adverse reactions were documented in patient's medical records. ResultsAnalysis of variance on HAMD-24 revealed a significant effect of time （F=3.081， P=0.042）， but no effect of group （F=1.023， P=0.313）， and the interaction effect between the time and the groups was not statistically significant （F=1.642， P=0.191）. No statistical difference was reported between two groups in response rate and full remission rate （P>0.05）. Throughout the course of treatment， 58 cases （41.13%） of recent memory impairment and 74 cases （52.48%） of headache or neck muscle pain occurred in MECT combined with drugs group， and 27 cases （13.92%） in rTMS combined with drugs group experienced headache or head skin discomfort. ConclusionAntidepressants in combination with rTMS or MECT show equivalent efficacy in the treatment of major depressive disorder， while rTMS combined with antidepressants demonstrates a superior safety profile compared to MECT.