Objective To estimate relationship between the brain atrophy rate and percent corpus callosum area change in patients with cerebral vascular disease.Methods Forty-six patients with cerebral vascular disease underwent MR scanning twice,at the baseline and at the end of the follow-up period.T1W images at both time points were processed automatically with structural image evaluation using normalization of atrophy(SIENA) software to determine the percent brain volume change(PBVC).In addition,the corpus callosum and the inner table of the skull on the mid-sagittal images of two scans were outlined manually to measure their areas.The percent of corpus callosum area change(PCCAC) was calculated.Then,the relationship between PBVC,PCCAC and age was statistically analyzed.Results Significant correlation was found among the three variables: spearman rank correlation coefficient was-0.295 for PBVC and age(P=0.047),while it was-0.4 for PCCAC and age(P=0.006),and 0.538 for PBVC and PCCAC(P=0.000).Conclusion SIENA software identifies brain atrophy quantitatively in patients with cerebral vascular disease,which correlated with area reduction of the corpus callosum.

Objective To identify the differences of 3D geometry of internal carotid artery (ICA)siphon between the controls and patients with ICA siphon stenosis. Methods The clinical and imaging data of the inpatients underwent carotid artery MRA in the past three years were collected. All patients were divided into the control group ( 17 males and 14 females with mean age of 67. 5 years) and ICA siphon stenosis group (20 males and 9 females with mean age of 58.6 years). There were 5 smokers and 9 smokers in two groups, respectively. The atherosclerotic predisposing factors were compared between the two groups using chi-square test and paired t-test. In order to extract the 3D geometry of ICA siphon, the MRA data were transferred to PC and processed with the software of Mimics. The average curvature radius (ACR) was calculated and paired t-test was applied to determine the bilateral differences in the controls. According to the stenotic site of ICA siphon, ICA siphon stenosis group was divided into C2 segment stenosis group and C4 segment stenosis group. The differences of ACR among the control group, C2 segment stenosis group and C4 segment stenosis group were compared. In addition, the values of ACR in the stenotic and normal sides were compared with paired t-test in patients with unilateral C2 segment stenosis. Results No significant differences were found in gender and smoker between the control group and the ICA siphon stenosis group ( χ2 = 1.63, P ＞ 0. 05; χ2 = 1.86, P ＞ 0. 05 ). The systolic blood pressure was ( 146. 6 ± 21.3 ) mm Hg ( 1 mm Hg =0. 133 kPa) and ( 140. 3 ± 17. 3) mm Hg respectively in the ICA siphon stenosis group and the control group. The serum glucose level was ( 5.94 ± 1.89 ) mmol/L and ( 6. 79 ± 3.57 ) mmol/L respectively in two groups. The serum cholesterol level and triglyceride level were (4. 57 ± 0. 87 ) mmol/L,( 1.34 ± 0. 63 ) mmol/L and (4. 75 ± 1.70) mmol/L, ( 1.54 ± 0. 72) mmol/L respectively in two groups.There were no differences in the atherosclerotic predisposing factors between two groups (t = 1.24, 1.16,0. 71 and 1.16 respectively,P＞ 0. 05). In the control group, the ACRs on the left and right were (3. 82 ±0. 69) mm and (4. 08 ± 1.04) mm respectively and no difference was found ( t = - 1.44, P ＞ 0. 05 ).Kruskal-Wallis test revealed that there were significant differences among the controls, C2 segment stenosis group and C4 segment stenosis group ( χ2 = 6. 67, P ＜ 0. 05 ). The ACR was significantly different only between the controls and C2 segment stenosis group ( t = 2. 63, P ＜ 0. 05 ). The stenotic side had a tendency to have less ACR than the normal side (t =2. 09, P =0. 05) in patients with unilateral C2 segment stenosis. Conclusion Patients with smaller ACR are more susceptible to have the stenosis of C2 segment in ICA siphon, and 3D geometry may be a possible reason for the development of the ICA stenosis.

Objective To investigate the association between acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and the (GT)n repeat sequence polymorphism in promoter region of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) , and to study the influence of serum bilirubin on AMI as well for HO-1 as a rate-limiting enzyme of bilirubin production in patients from Uighur national minority. Method Totally 287 patients with AMI evidenced by coronary arteriography admitted from January 2006 to June 2008 were eligible for being studied, and another 190 healthy subjects without anomaly in coronary arteriography, and with normal findings in physical examination and in variety of biochemical assays were enrolled as controls. Serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), serum bilirubin were detected. Polymerase chain reaction-nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used to detect HO-1 promoter (GT)n repeat polymorphism, and at the same time the serum bilirubin was determined. The group representation of samples was tested with HardyWeinberg balance test. Differences in distributions of genotypes and alleles between AMI patients and control subjects were analyzed using Chi-square test. Comprehensive evaluation of the factors associated with myocardial infarction using multi-factor Logistic regression analysis. P < 0.05 was considered as significantly different. Results Body mass index, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and the proportion with hypertension in myocardial infarction group was significantly higher than those in control group ( P < 0.01) . The X~2 values of HO-1genotype distribution in the myocardial infarction group and the control group were 2.09 and 0.05, respectively (P > 0.05), consist with the results of Hardy-Weinberg balance test. The HO-1 genotype was classified into three groups, L/L, L/S and S/S. The L/L genotype frequency (35.5%) and L-allele frequency (57.8%) in AMI group and in control group showed statistically significant differences, respectively (X~2 = 11.65, P = 0.001; X~2= 11.32, P = 0.003). The bilirubin level of L/L genotype significantly decreased compared with that of S/S, L/S genotype ( P all < 0. 001) . Logistic regression analysis showed that body mass index, high blood pressure,triglycerides, blood bilirubin and HO-1 gene polymorphism are risk factors of myocardial infarction. Conclusions To the Xinjiang Uighur ethics, HO-1 promoter ( GT) n repeat polymorphism and the occurrence of myocardial infarction are relevant. People with L allele genotype have lower serum bilirubin and higher risk of myocardial infarction.

Objective To investigate prevalence and risk factors of peripheral artery disease (PAD), metabolic syndrome (MS) and peripheral artery disease complicated with metabolic syndrome among Kazakh adults lived in Xinjiang Yili prefecture. Methods Four-stage cluster sampling method was used to select adults aged 35 years and over for the study from six cities and prefectures of Xinjiang. All the participants were interviewed with questionnaire to collect their demographic characteristics. Physical checksup and blood biochemical measurements were performed for all of them, as well as blood pressure was measured in their lower legs and arms to calculate ankle brachial pressure index ( ABPI), a ratio of the blood pressure in the lower legs to that in the arms. Only data of Kazakh adults in Yili prefecture were analyzed in this paper, including prevalence and risk factors for PAD and MS, as well as their relationship.The patients with PAD were divided into two groups, one complicated with MS and the other without it Logistic regression analysis was used to identify potential risk factors for PAD and MS and their combination.Results A total of 1365 adult Kazakh people were surveyed. Prevalence of MS was 23.7 percent, 30.4 percent for men and 19.0 percent for women, respectively, and that of PAD was 9. 4 percent, 7.0 percent for men and 11.0 percent for women, respectively. Mean age in patients of PAD complicated with MS was older than that in those without MS (t=-5.348, P＜0.01). Risk of PAD complicated with MS in Kazakh people associated with gender ( men), age, systolic pressure, diastolic pressure and blood glucose level.(P＜0.05). Conclusions Both prevalence of PAD and MS are significantly higher among Kazakh people in Yili prefecture of Xinjiang, and increase with age. Prevalence of PAD is significantly higher in those with MS than that in those without MS. Risk factors of PAD complicated with MS include gender(men), age,systolic pressure, diastolic pressure and blood glucose level.

Objective To investigate the association between matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) gene polymorphism (-1562C ＞ T/R279Q) and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in Uygur nationality of Xinjiang Autonomous Region of China. Methods A total of 352 patients with ACS including 213 patients with unstable angina pectoris and 139 patients with acute myocardial infarction evidenced by using coronary arteriography and 421 control subjects were recruited in this study. The MMP-9-1562C ＞ T and R279Q genotypes were detemined by using PCR-RFLP method. The relationship between the polymorphism in the MMP-9 gene and the severity of coronary arterial stenosis was analyzed. All polymorphisms were determined for confimation with Hardy-Weinberg expectations in both groups separately. Differences in distributions of genotypes and alleles between two groups were analyzed with x2 test. The association between the MMP-9 polymorphisms and the risk of ACS was estimated by odds ratio(Ors) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and the comprehensive evaluation of the factors associated with ACS was determined by using multifactor logistic regression. P ＜ 0. 05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results The genotype frequencies for CT + TT genotypes and T allele were 25.9 and14.5 percent in ACS subjects and 15.7 and 8.4 percent in control subjects, respectively. The genotype frequencies were different significantly between the two groups (x2 = 12.26,P ＜ 0.01;x2 = 14.15,P ＜ 0.01, respectively). No relationship between R279Q polymorphism and ACS was found in this study ( P ＞ 0.05). The multifactor logistic regression analysis showed that the T allele carrier (CT + TT) significantly increased the risk of ACS compared with the CC genotype ( OR = 1.791,95 % CI: 1. 088 - 2.951, P = 0.022) after adjustment for tradition risk factors. The frequencies for CT + TT and CC genotypes of the -1562C ＞ T polymorphism were not statistically different among ACS patients with one, two and three or more significantly diseased vessels ( x2 = 1.15, P = 0.56). Conclusions The findings suggest that the polymorphism in MMP-9 gene promoter (-1562C ＞ T) is associated with the susceptibility to the ACS. The T allele might be an independent risk factor for the ACS. But the -1562C ＞ T polymorphism may not be useful as a predictor of the severity of coronary arterial stenosis. The R279Q polymorphism of MMP-9 gene was not significantly associated with ACS in this studied population.

Objective To investigate the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SPN) of Tbx20 gene and congenital atrial septal defects (ASD) in the Xinjiang Han population.Methods A total of 214 ASD patients and 382 controls were included in the present study.Two SNPs (rs17675131,rs4720169) in Tbx20 gene were genotyped by TaqMan SNP genotyping method.Results The distribution of the rs17675131 of Tbx20 were significantly different between normal controls and ASD patients (P =0.014),in which both the A/G allele distribution (P =0.004) and the dominant model (GG vs AG + AA) were significantly different between the 2 groups (P =0.007,OR =0.626).Same is true for the rs4720169 SNP.Its genotype showed significantly different distributions between the 2 groups (P =0.016) specifically for the A/G allele distribution frequencies (P =0.016) and the recessive model (AA vs AG + GG) (P =0.008,OR =1.96).The A-A haplotype was found to be associated with ASD.Conclusion Both rs17675131 and rs4720169 of Tbx20 gene are associated with congenital ASD in the Xinjiang Han population in China.

Objective : To study plasma N terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP ) level difference be-tween Han nationality and Uighur nationality patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in Xinjiang .Methods : A total of 482 Uygur and Han nationalities ACS patients (uighur : 212 cases , han : 270 cases) hospitalized from May 2012 to Aug 2013 were selected . According to ACS types , they were divided into unstable angina pectoris (UAP) group (n = 234) ,acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) group (n = 166) and acute non- ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) group (n = 82) .All patients received coronary angiography (CAG) and their NT-proBNP levels were compared .Results : ① CAG results indicated that Uygur nationality ACS patients were mainly multi-vessel coronary disease and the percentage was significantly higher than that of Han na - tionality ACS patients (61.32% vs .40.00% ) ; ② Compared with Han nationality ACS patients ,there were significant rise in NT-proBNP levels [UAP : 168.5 (70.6 ~ 272.5) pg/ml vs .383.2 (210.3 ~ 739.5 ) pg/ml ,STEMI : 618.5 (231.7 ~ 1387) pg/ml vs .1209.5 (908 ~ 3214) pg/ml ,NSTEMI : 446.7 (252.21 ~ 831.92) pg/ml vs .1066 (928 ~ 3448.25) pg/ml] in Uygur nationality ACS patients ; ③ Compared with Han nationality ACS patients ,there were significant rise in NT-proBNP levels [Single vessel : 221.7 (20 ~ 2851) pg/ml vs .557.1 (125 ~ 1956.2) pg/ ml ,double-vessel : 421.2 (75.2 ~ 3401.5) pg/ml vs .610.5 (174.4 ~ 5679.1) pg/ml ,multi-vessel : 648.2 (142.4 ~ 3850) pg/ml vs .812.3 (154.8 ~ 6832.5) pg/ml] in Uygur nationality patients with different number of diseased coronary vessels , P < 0.05 ~ < 0.01 .Conclusion : NT-proBNP level in Uygur nationality ACS patients is significant - ly higher than that of Han nationality patients ,it may be related with hereditas ,living habit ,risk factor control , early diagnosis and treatment of disease ,post-discharge compliance of treatment ,which possesses important value for assessing patient′s condition .

BACKGROUND:Recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 9 has a high affinity in myocardial tissue, and the expression of recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 9-enhanced green fluorescent protein (rAAV9-eGFP) in the aorta of atherosclerosis mice is not clear. OBJECTIVE:To explore the optimal time point of rAAV9-eGFP expression in the aorta of atherosclerosis mice. METHODS:Atherosclerosis model was established with high-fat diet in 30 ApoE-/-mice for 16 weeks. Among them, 25 mice were injected with 5.0×1011 vg (virus genomes) rAAV9-eGFP through the tail vein, while the remaining 5 mice were injected with saline, serving as the control group. The virus-transfected mice were kil ed at 14, 21, 28, 35 and 60 days after transfection, and aortic tissue was harvested. The expression of enhanced green fluorescent protein was detected with laser scanning confocal microscope. Western blot assays were used to detect the expression of enhanced green fluorescent protein in aorta. The expression of enhanced green fluorescent protein in vivo was observed and the optimal expression time point was determined. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:rAAV9-eGFP effectively transfected the aorta of atherosclerosis mice, enhanced green fluorescent protein was expressed in aortic tissue, and the expression intensity increased gradual y with the increasing transfection time. The highest expression level was found at 35 days after transfection and then maintained stable at 60 days. There were significant differences at different time points after transfection (P<0.001). These data indicate that rAAV9-eGFP can be effectively expressed in the aorta of atherosclerosis ApoE-/-mice and rAAV9-eGFP can be regarded as the optimal vector in the treatment of atherosclerosis.

Objective To analyze the dynamic evolution of brain MRI in patients with mitochondrial myopathy,encephalopathy,lactic acidosis,and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) syndrome.Methods A retrospective study was performed on 58 MELAS cases with pathologically and (or) molecularly confirmed diagnosis.MRI were repeated within 60 days after the onset of stroke-like episodes (SLE) and the evolution changes of cerebral lesions were accessed.Brain atrophy index (BAI) was calculated in the remission stage from 31 patients with MELAS,and the correlation between BAI,age and disease duration was analyzed.Results The proportion of lesions expansion,migration and shrink within 30 days after the onset of SLE was 64.1％ (25/39),10.2％ (4/39),17.9％ (7/39),respectively,and 13％ (3/23),21.7％ (5/23),56.5％ (13/23),between 30-60 days after the onset of SLE respectively.In the recovery stage of SLE,the BAI in 31 patients with MELAS was 15.2％ ±2.8％.The correlation coefficient between BAI and the age,total disease course and duration of encephalopathy was 0.329 (P =0.043),0.405 (P =0.012) and 0.649 (P =0.000).Conclusions Brain atrophy in the studied MELAS patients gradually develops and strokelike lesions shrink with progression of the disease.However,the migration of lesions is persistent.

Objective To assess retinal arteriole stenosis in cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) and to evaluate the relationship between retinal arteriole stenosis with cranial MRI changes and clinical features. Methods Sixteen CADASIL patients (mean age was (43.4±8.1)years, mean duration was(4.7±3.4)years)and sixteen age matched healthy individuals were enrolled. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and modified Rankin scale scoring were performed in 16 patients. Cranial MRl with Coulthard scores was assessed on CADASIL patients as well. Retinal examinations for arteriole stenosis were done for each subject. Bivariate correlations (Kendall's tau-b) were used to assess the relationship among the grade of retinal stenosis, MMSE, modified Rankin seale, cranial MRI with Coulthard scores and age. Results Retinal arteriole stenosis presented in 15 cases. in whom 4 cases showed mild arterio-venous nicking. while it only presented in 2 controls. Grade 0.Ⅰ, and Ⅲ of retinal arteriole stenosis are noted in 1/16,4/16,7/16 and 4/16cases respectively. Coulthard scores of cerebral MRl were 6.0.19.0.25.1 and 29.8 respectively from Grade 0 toⅢ of retinal arteriole stenosis. The correlation coefficient of retinal arteriole stenosis and cranial MRI scores was 0.743(P＜0.001＝,MMSE-0.429(P＜0.05＝,modified Rankin scale 0.437(P＞0.05).and age 0.299(P＞0.05).Conclusion Retinal arteriole stenosis is significantly correlated with lesion in cranial MRI and dementia.