Objective To investigate the roles of hemopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Methods HSCs were isolated from the bone marrow of a patient with psoriasis vulgaris and a normal human control. Forward- and reverse-subtracted cDNA libraries were constructed by using suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) technique between HSCs from the patient and control. Bacterial PCR and dot hybridization were performed to screen for positive clones followed by gene sequencing, identification and functional analysis. Real time quantitative PCR was carried out to measure the mRNA expression of interferon-γ and thymosin 10 (TMSB10). Results Nine genes were screened from the forward-subtracted cDNA library which encoded interferon-γ, tyrosine phosphatase, SUMO1 activase, etc, and 8 genes including the TMSB10-encoding gene were screened from the reverse-subtracted cDNA library. The relative expression level of interferon-γ in HSCs from the patient was 47.5 times that in HSCs from the control, while the level of TMSB10 from the control was 22.6 times that from the patient. Conclusion The abnormal expression of 17 genes which encode interferon-γ, thyrosin, and so on, may be involved in the development of psoriasis.

Objective To investigate the risk factors for bacterial pneumonia and the predictive value of early serum procalcitonin (PCT) level for bacterial pneumonia and sepsis classification in patients with acute stroke. Methods The patients with acute stroke in neurological intensive care unit were enroled retrospectively and divided into either a bacterial pneumonia group or a non-infection group according to whether they had bacterial pneumonia or not. The former was redivided into a non-severe sepsis subgroup and a severe sepsis subgroup according to the sepsis classification. The demographics, baseline clinical data, and PCT level (the bacterial pneumonia group was the PCT level when infection occurred, the non-infection group was the PCT level within 24 h of admission) were compared. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent risk factors for bacterial pneumonia. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the predictive value of serum PCT level for bacterial pneumonia and sepsis
classification. Results A total of 164 patients with acute stroke were enroled in the study, including 114 in the bacterial pneumonia group (66 in the non-severe sepsis subgroup and 48 in the severe sepsis subgroup) and 50 in the non-infection group. There were significant differences in age, fasting blood glucose level, Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score, and PCT level between the bacterial pneumonia group and the non-infection group (P < 0. 05 ). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that fasting blood glucose level ≥7 mmol/L (odds ratio [ OR] 8. 488, 95% confidence interval [ CI] 2. 739 - 26. 300; P < 0. 01), GCS score ≤8 (OR 11. 361, 95% CI 2. 175 - 59. 352; P < 0. 01), and PCT level ≥0. 050 ng/ml (OR 16. 715, CI 5. 075 - 55. 049; P < 0. 01) were the independent risk factors for bacterial pneumonia. In the bacterial pneumonia group, the PCT level (median; interquartile range) in the severe sepsis subgroup was significantly higher than that in the non-severe sepsis subgroup (0. 835 [ 0. 164 - 1. 715 ] ng/ml vs. 0. 114 [0. 073 - 0. 275 ] ng/ml; Z = 4. 818, P < 0. 01 ). ROC curve analysis showed that PCT ≥0. 070 ng/ml could better predict the occurrence of bacterial pneumonia in patients with acute stroke, with sensitivity of 84. 2% , specificity of 74. 0% and the area under the ROC curve of 0. 865 (CI 0. 806 - 0. 924, P < 0. 01); PCT 0. 669 ng/mlcould better predict the occurrence of severe sepsis in acute stroke patients with bacterial pneumonia, with sensitivity of 56. 3% , specificity of 92. 4% and the area under the ROC curve of 0. 765 (CI 0. 672 - 0. 858; P < 0. 01). Conclusions The early PCT level ≥0. 050 ng/ml was an independent risk factor for occurring bacterial pneumonia in patients with acute stroke, its level had certaln predictive value for bacterial pneumonia and the severity of infection.

M. mulatta, M. thibetana and M. assamensis have a part of sympatry in distribution areas and closed relationships in phylogeny, but there also exist certain differences among them in the morphology and function of skeleton. In recent years, on their locomotion and adaptive behaviors, the different viewpoints were suggested by many authors. The comparison of distal articular surface of humerus in these species were carried out in this paper. The major results based on 24 humerus including 48 sides are as follows:1. The results of the discriminant analysis suggest that the features and structures of humeral distal articulation of M. thibetana is similar to that of M. assamensis than that of M. mulatta.2. The relative width of articulation (AFT), olecranon fossa (OFW) and internal epicondyle (MEW), and the relative length of trochlea (THL) play more important rule to distinguish the three species of macaques. The. first discriminate function is: F1=13.64MEW-15.57ATF+23.500FW+14.09THL-9.63.3. The characters on distal articulation of humerus of the three species of monkeys differ evidently from the apes.4. The results of principal component analysis show that the locomotion of M. mulatta is similar to Presbytes obscurus, Hylobates and M. nemestrina, and it seems that they are more adaptive to arboreal movement than that in M. thibetana and M. assamensis based on the osteological features and functional morphology of the distal articular surface of humerus.

Objective To determine whether real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography(RT-3D TEE) is an accurate non-invasive technique for defining the morphology of atrial septal defects(ASD). Methods In 20 patients with secundum ASD, mean age 42.2 years (7 male, 13 female) ,live three dimensional surgical views of ASD were acquired,qualitative morphology of ASD such as the shape, presence of fenestrations and the defect margins were noted during the cardiac cycle. The measurements obtained from 2-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography(2D-TEE) and RT-3D TEE were compared to those obtained from stretched balloon diameter(SBD) or surgery. Measurements of the size and area change of ASD were validated during the cardiac cycle by RT-3D TEE,stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was performed to test the correlation between the maximum change ratios of area and diameter of ASD and age, atrial septal length, ASD shunting velocity, the maximum diameter of ASD and right ventricular systolic pressure. Results ① The morphology of ASD was circle-like or elliptical in systole,irregular or elliptical in diastole. ②The area and diameter of ASD measured by RT-3D TEE was minimal in isovolumetric contraction phase, maximal in isovolumetric diastole phase. The correlation coefficient of maximum diameter measured by 3D with SBD was 0.962 , greater than that by 2D and SBD (0.820). ③The change ratio of area and maximum diameter of ASD acquired by RT-3D-TEE was 11.48%-71.12% and 2.80%-43.87% respectively,and the correlation coefficient of them was 0.921. Conclusions RT-3D TEE using live 3D-Zoom mode accurately displayed the varying morphology,dimensions and spatial relations of ASD. RT-3D TEE can offer visualization morphological changing of ASD in different periods of cardiac cycle,providing more information for percutanous catheter intervention and open heart surgery.

Objective To evaluate the feasibility and accuracy of full volume three-dimensional echocardiography(FV3DE) for quantifying the left ventricular volume in healthy fetuses. Methods Two hundred and twenty-two normal fetuses with gestational ages between 20 and 40 weeks were investigated. Full volume three-dimensional, two-dimensional (2D) and M-mode images were acquired by Philips iE33 system and data was processed offline using QLAB analysis software. Left ventricular end-systolic volume(ESV) and end-diastolic volume ( EDV) were measured using semiautomated border detection echocardiographic techniques, and compared with 2D biplane Simpson's method and M-mode Teichholz formula. Results Thirty-six fetuses with poor three-dimensional images and 5 twin pregnancies were excluded,the study subjects consisted of 181 singleton fetuses. The highest concordance correlation ( r =0.987 for EDV, r =0.988 for ESV) P <0. 001) was noted between 2D biplane Simpson's and FV3DE-derived values with a small bias (0. 332 ml for EDV,0. 135 ml for ESV). The Bland-Altman analysis showed that FV3DE had the best reproducibility than M-mode Teichholz formula and 2D biplane Simpson's method. Intra- and interobserver error of EDV were 2.85% and 4.22% for FV3DE,8.37% and 8.98% for 2D biplane Simpson's rule,30. 63% and 54. 70% for M-mode Teichholz formula. Intra- and interobserver error of ESV were 2.34% and 6. 14% for FV3DE,6. 26% and 11.7% for 2D biplane Simpson's rule,43.06% and 66.03% for M-mode Teichholz formula. Conclusions FV3DE is a novel technique that can be more accurate than conventional methods in quantification of fetal left ventricular volumes, it may provide new insight into evolving fetal cardiac structure and function.

Objective To explore the influence of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on the learning and memory ability using a rat model of vascular dementia (VD).Methods Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were selected and divided into a normal group,a sham operation group,a VD group and an HBOT group,each of 15 rats using a random number table.The improved four-vessel method was used to establish a VD model in all except the rats in the normal group,but for the sham operation group,the vertebral artery was not subjected to firing and the arteria carotis communis was not clipped.The HBOT group was then given HBOT for 7 days.The Morris water maze test was used to evaluate their learning and memory ability of all 4 groups.Results Compared to the normal group,the mean escape latency of the sham operation group,the VD group and the HBOT group was significantly longer in each case (P＜0.05).Their platform quadrant crossing times were also significantly less,and their quadrant swimming distance as a proportion of their total swimming distance was significantly smaller (P＜0.05).Compared with the sham operation group,the mean escape latency of the VD and HBOT groups was significantly longer (P＜0.05),the times of crossing platform quadrant were less and their quadrant swimming distance was a smaller proportion of their total swimming distance.As compared with the VD group,the mean escape latency of the HBOT group was significantly shorter [(25.73±6.20) s],the average platform quadrant crossing times were significantly more [(9.51±2.25) times] and the platform quadrant swimming distance of the HBOT group was significantly longer [(494.72±208.26)],representing a significantly larger proportion of the total swimming distance [(28.71 ± 5.32) ％] (P＜0.05).Conclusion HBOT can effectively improve learning and memory in vascular dementia,at least in rats.

Objective To investigate the role of oxidative stress in the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transdifferentiation (EMT) of peritoneal mesothelial cells in rat model of peritoneal fibrosis and the effect of probucol on peritoneal fibrosis. Methods The rat model of peritoneal fibrosis was induced by 4.25% high glucose peritoneal dialysis fluid (PDF). The rats were randomly divided into 4 groups:the control group, the saline group, the peritoneal fibrosis group, and the probucol group. A 4 hour peritoneal equilibration test (PET) was performed 4 weeks later. The peritoneal function and net ultrafiltration (UF) volume were determined. The level of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in peritoneal tissue were examined. The histology of peritoneal membrane was evaluated by light microscopy. E-cadherin and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) protein expression was evaluated by immunohistochemical method and Western blot.Results The mesothelial cells were detached from peritoneal membrane in peritoneal firbosis rats. Comparing with the control rats, the thickness of visceral peritoneum, the level of MDA, and the-SMA protein expression were increased while the net ultrafiltration volume, the level of GSH-Px and E-cadherin protein expression were decreased in peritoneal firbosis rats. All these changes were reversed in the rats treated with probucol.Conclusion Oxidative stress plays an important role in transdifferentiation of peritoneal mesothelial cell in the peritoneal fibrosis rats. Probucol can improve structure and function of peritoneum, and partially reverse the EMT by reducing the oxidative stress.

Objective To explore the predictive value of soluble growth STimulation expressed gene 2(sST2) on major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE) of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).Methods The study included 148 patients with first episode of AMI admitted from January 2015 to May 2016 in the heart center of the First Hospital of Lanzhou University.Serum sST2 level before PCI was tested and all patients were followed up clinically for 6 months after PCI.Results 1.MACEs were found in 23 patients during follow up.The sST2 leveles were significantly higher in patients with MACEs than the non-MACE group [(44.50 ±5.32) ng/ml vs.(23.59±1.15) ng/ml, P=0.001].Pearson correlation analysis showed that serum sST2 were positively correlated with MACE and type Ⅲ procollagen amine terminal peptide (PⅢNP) but was not correlated with NT-proBNP.2.Serum sST2 found to be correlated with the body mass index, blood pressure, triglycerides, aspartate aminotransferase, left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).3.The area under the ROC curve of sST2 to predict the occurrence of MACE after PCI was 0.787 which was higher than that of NT-proBNP.The area under curve of sST2 combined with NT-proBNP was 0.820.4.The survival rate of patients with serum sST2 level ≤29 ng/ml was higher than patients with sST2>29 ng/ml in 6 months after PCI.Conclusions sST2 is affected by a variety of factors.sST2 combined with NT-proBNP can improve the predictive value of MACE after PCI, and higher the level of sST2, higher the mortality rate in 6 months after PCI.

Objective To apply the optical coherence tomography(OCT) to detect the characteristics of coronary artery plaque and to investigate its correlation with levels of serum matrix metalloproteinase 7(MMP 7),MMP9 and MMP12.Methods The patients undergoing coronary arterial angiography for diagnosing coronary arterial lesions in the cardiology department of our hospital from October 2014 to March 2016 were collected and included into the research subjects.The subjects were divided into the stable plaque group and unstable plaque group based on the results of OCT scanning.The neovascularization characteristics such as the fibrous cap thickness of plaque,angle of lipid pool,macrophage infiltration and plaque cracks were detected by using OCT.ELISA was used to measure serum MMP7,MMP9 and MMP12 levels.Results (1) The fibrous cap thickness in the stable plaque group was more than that in the unstable plaque group(P＜0.01);the lipid pool angle,microphage infiltration,intima erosion and plaque cracks in the unstable plaque group were more than those in the stable plaque group(P＜0.05).(2) The MMP7 and MMP9 levels in the unstable plaque group were higher than those in the stable plaque group and control group(P＜0.05).(3) The fibrous cap thickness had significantly negative correlation with serum MMP9 level(r=-0.336,P=0.034);the MMP7 and MMP9 levels in the microphage infiltration group were higher than those in the non-microphage infiltration group(P＜0.05);the MMP9 level in the intima erosion group was higher than that in the non-intima erosion group(P＜0.01).Conclusion OCT can detect and find unstable plaque and the serum levels of MMP7 and MMP9 are significantly elevated in the patients with unstable plaque,which can be used as an important basis for predicting unstable plaque and guiding the treatment decisions.

Objective To investigate the effects of heart displacement on hemodynamics during off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OP-CABG) while the sites for anastomosis were being exposed. Methods Forty-seven patients of both sexes (36 male, 11 female) aged 50-82 years undergoing OP-CABG were enrolled in the study. Preoperative cardiac function was assessed : class Ⅱ in 22 patients; Ⅲ in 23 and Ⅳ in 2 according to NYHA classification.The mean ejection fraction was 0.55?0.14 before surgery.They received on average 3.2 grafts. Premedication consisted of intramuscular morphine 10 mg, midazolam 3-5 mg and scopolamine 0.3 mg.Before induction of anesthesia ECG and SpO2 were monitored and radial artery was cannulated for continuous direct BP monitoring. Anesthesia was induced with midazolam 0.1 nig?kg-1 , fentanyl 4?g?kg-1 and pancuronium 0.1 mg?g-1 iv.The patients were mechanically ventilated after tracheal intubation and PETCO2 was maintained at about 40 mm Hg. Anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane and 50%-60% N2O in O2 and intermittent intravenous boluses of fentanyl and pancuronium. Swan-Ganz catheter which can continuously monitor mixed venous blood O2 saturation (SvO2) was placed in pulmonary artery via right internal jugular vein. SvO2, cardiac output (CO), BP, pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) and HR were continuously monitored. Right atrial pressure (RAP) and PAWP were measured intermittently. Cardiac index (CI),stroke index (SI),systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI),PVRI, left and right ventricular work index (LVWI,RVWI) and left and right ventricular stroke work index (LVSWI,RVSWI) were calculated. The hemodynamic parameters were recorded after induction of anesthesia before surgery (T1,baseline),before heart displacement (T2), while anastomosis to anterior descending branch was being made (T3), while anastonosis to right coronary artery or posterior descending branch (T4) and to left circumflex artery or diagonal branch (T5) was being made, after normal heart position was resumed (T6) and at the end of operation (T7). Results While anastomosis to the anterior descending branch was being made (T3) SI and LVSWI significantly decreased as compared with the baseline (P