The neurotoxin peptide, hainantoxin-Ⅵ (HNTX- Ⅵ), has been isolated from the venom of Chinese tarantula Ornithoconus hainana by a combination of ion exchange chromatography and reverse phase HPLC. The toxin was found to contain 34 amino acid residues with 6 conserved cysteine residues. The effects of HNTX-VI on voltage-gated sodium channels were studied via whole-cell patch clamp techniques. Although several inhibitors of mammalian neuronal sodium channel activation (hainantoxin Ⅰ-Ⅴ) had been characterized from the same venom, the present study indicated that HNTX-Ⅵ had the ability to slow the inactivation kinetics of the sodium channels in Cockroach Periplaneta Americana dorsal unpaired median (DUM) neurons in a similar manner to δ-atractoxins. After HNTX-Ⅵ treatment, steady-state sodium channel inactivation became incomplete, leading to a non-inactivating component at potentials more positive than - 55 mV. The novel function of the tarantula toxin HNTX-Ⅵ not only supplies a useful tool for exploring the gating mechanisms of sodium channels but also provides theoretical foundations for exploiting novel and safe insecticides.

Confirmation of basic technological parameters of tension levellers is the most important factor of leveling strip. Up to now, most factories have used experts' experience to decide these parameters, without any established rule to follow. For better quality of strip, a valid method is needed to decide technological parameters precisely and reasonably. In this paper, a method is used based on neural network and genetic algorithm. Neural network has a good ability to extract rules from work process of tension levellers. Then using neural network, which has learned from a lot of working samples, to be the evaluation of fitness, genetic algorithm could easily find the best or better technological parameters. At the end of this paper, examinations are given to show the effect of this method.

Objective To observe the biocompatibility of a biomimetic designing of a multi-grade compositions in repairing articular cartilage and subchondral bone in animal bodies and repair the fullthickness defects in articular cartilage with the compositions and to study the regenerated cartilage histomorphologically. Methods Biocompatibility study: Acute general toxicity test, Haemolysis test, subcutaneous implantation test and chronic toxicity test. Articular cartilage defects repaired experimental study :The models of defects in articular cartilage were made artificially in both condylus lateralis femoris of mature rabbits. Implanted with the biomimetic designing of a multi grade compositions randomly at one side as the experimental group and the other side were untreated as the control group. The rabbits were killed at 4, 6, 8and 12 weeks after operation, respectively, with 6 ones at each time, and the macroscopic, histological, ultrastroctural examinations and semi-quantity cartilage scoring employing Wakitanifa repaired cartilage value system were performed. Results Biocompatibility study: (1) The rabbits' weight in experimental group kept growing .(2) Haemolysis rate of rats to different concentrations of diffusion solution was＜5%.(3) In chronic toxic reaction, rabbits' liver and kidney function was not different compared with the control groups at 12weeks and the index before operation. Articular cartilage defects repaired experimental study: 4-8 weeks after operation, the defects in the experimental group were partly filled with hyaline cartilage. Twelve weeks after operation, the defects in the experimental group were completely filled with mature hyaline cartilage.However, fibrous tissues were seen in the control group all the time. At 4, 6, 8, and 12 weeks postoperatively, the Wakitanifa cartilage scores were (7.60±0.98), (5.69±0.58), (4.46±0.85) and (4.35±0.12), respectively,in the experimental group and (10.25±1.05), (9.04±0.96), (8.96±0.88) and (8.88±0.68), respectively, in the control group. Differences between the control group and the experimental group were significant. Conclu sion The biomimetic designing of a multi-grade compositions has good biocompatibility and may induce cartilage regeneration to repair the full-hickness defects of articular cartilage.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have confirmed that in the animal models of articular cartilage defects and osteoarthritis, the chondrocytes can overexpress the matrix metal oproteinases. Various abnormal stimuli are likely to break the balance between matrix metal oproteinase and tissue inhibitor of metal oproteinase, thus leading to degeneration of extracel ular matrix of articular cartilage, as wel as the decline and offset of cartilage chondrocytes. OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of cyclic tensile strain on the expression of matrix metal oproteinases during the repairing process of rabbit articular cartilage defects. METHODS: The animal models of articular cartilage defects were established, and chondrocytes were separated for culture at 10 weeks after operation. The chondrocytes on the non-surgical side were considered as the normal group, and the chondrocytes on the surgical side were randomly divided into high cyclic tensile strain group, low cyclic tensile strains group and control group, and the load amplitude was sin10%. Then 0.1, 1.0 and 0 Hz cyclic tensile strains were loaded respectively. The expressions of matrix metal oproteinases 2, 3, 9 and 13 in each group were detected with reverse transcription-PCR at 24, 48 hours, 1, 2 and 4 weeks after loading cyclic tensile strain. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: There were significant differences in the expressions of matrix metal oproteinases 2, 3, 9 and 13 at 24 hours after loading cyclic tensile strain between the normal group and the control group (P < 0.05); and there were significant differences in the expressions between the high cyclic tensile strain group and the low cyclic tensile strain group at 1, 2 and 4 weeks after loading cyclic tensile strain (P < 0.05).At the same time, the expressions of matrix metal oproteinases 2, 3, 9 and 13 in the low cyclic tensile strain group were continued to decline, and there were significant differences in the expressions after loading cyclic tensile strain for 24 hours and 4 weeks (P < 0.05). The results indicate that mechanical load can affect the expression of matrix metal oproteinases in the healing process of rabbit articular cartilage defects. In the cel ular and molecular level, the incidence and development of pathological articular cartilage defect and stress should affect each other.

Objective:To explore CT and MRI features of the endolymphatic sac tumor (ELST).Methods:The CT and MRI morphology confirmed by surgical pathology for 19 patients with ELST were retrospectively analyzed from June 2011 to May 2019 in Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University. The features of CT and MRI included location, size, adjacent structures invasion, CT values, bone destruction, features of T 1WI and T 2WI, enhancement distribution characteristics, dynamic enhancement curve morphology, DWI signal characteristics. The ADC values of the lesions and ipsilateral medial pterygoid muscles were compared using a paired t test. Results:Nineteen ELST patients (one with bilateral diseases) were included. Totally 20 ears (right 9 and left 11) of 13 females and 6 males were studied. The masses with slightly high-density and obscure boundary were located around the vestibular aqueduct at the posterior edge of the petrosal bone. Bone destruction involved mastoid process of the middle ear (16 ears), jugular foramen (11 ears), semicircular canal (10 ears), facial nerve canal (7 ears) and internal auditory canal (9 ears). A large amount of residual bone could be found in the interior of nineteen masses. The CT value was (78.6±21.9) HU. The lesion showed central iso-intensity and peripheral hyperintensity on T 1WI and T 2WI in 16 ears, while no obvious hyperintensity on T 1WI in the other 4 ears. The hyperintensity on T 1WI was around the margin of the lesion in 10 ears, situated at lateral side in 5 ears and all over the lesion in 1 ear. Flow voids signals could be seen in 9 ears as well. Liquid-liquid plane was seen on T 2WI in 2 ears. The solid mass portion which showed iso-intensity on both T 1WI and T 2WI presented marked enhancement on contrast-enhanced T 1WI, while other part of the mass no enhancement. DWI of 14 ears illustrates no evidence of restricted diffusion, and the ADC value [(1.25±0.08)×10 -3 mm 2/s] was slightly higher than that of the medial pterygoid muscles ( t=4.437, P=0.001). The style of time-signal intensity curves of the dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI was rapidly ascending followed by descending curves in 2 ears. Conclusion:Imaging findings of ELST have some characteristics, including located around the vestibular aqueduct at the posterior edge of the petrosal bone, bone destruction, peripheral hyperintensity on T 1WI and no restricted diffusion, which is helpful for its diagnosis.

Objective To investigate the biological mechanisms and feasibility of collagen/hydroxyapatite scaffolds for repairing articular cartilage and subchondral bone defects. Methods 45 New Zealand white rabbits were included. Full-thickness articular cartilage defect models were established in experiment and control groups and the biomaterial scaffolds were implanted in the experiment group. The animals were sacrificed in the 4th, 6th and 8th week after the operation respectively. Histological scores were performed by semi-quantity cartilage scoring system and the expressions of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)-2, 3, 9 and 13 mRNA in the synovialis were detected with RT-PCR. Results The repaired tissues were totally hyaline cartilages in the experiment group 2 weeks after operation and there were no repaired tissues in the control group. There were significant differences between these 2 groups in Wakitani scores (P<0.01). The activation and expression of MMP-2, 3, 9 decreased in the experiment group (P<0.05), but the activation of MMP-13 sustained and the expression of MMP-13 could be detected during the observed period (P>0.05). Conclusion The new biological scaffold can alleviate the inflammatory and protect the cartilages by inhibiting the expression of MMPS, which promote the reconstruction of articular cartilage in rabbits.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs599839 on chromosome 1p13.3 with premature coronary heart disease.

METHODSA case-control association study of 303 unrelated premature coronary heart disease patients and 312 normal controls from a Chinese Han population was performed. Genotype was determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism for SNP rs599839 on Chromosome 1p13.3.

RESULTSThe frequencies of the G allele were 5.0% and 9.1% in the premature coronary heart disease group and control group respectively (P= 0.004). The presence of the G allele was associated with significantly lower concentration of the low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) in both groups.

CONCLUSIONThe present findings suggest that the genetic polymorphism in rs599839 may be associated with the development of premature coronary heart disease in Chinese Han population, and the polymorphism may have some influence on serum LDL-C level in this population.

Adult ; Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 1 ; genetics ; Coronary Disease ; blood ; genetics ; pathology ; Ethnic Groups ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to determine the prevalence and predictors of OSA in Chinese bariatric surgery candidates. Materials and Methods: The clinical data were collected from 326 patients evaluated for bariatric surgery and referred for polysomnography. Multiple logistic regression was used for identifying independent predictors of presence of OSA and ROC curve analysis to determine the best cut-off value for continuous variable. Results: Baseline BMI and age were 33.3±3.7 kg/m2 and 24.3±3.1 years. 62.9% of the patients fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for OSA; Of these, 22.7% had mild OSA; 11.3% had moderate OSA, and 28.8% had severe OSA. The prevalence was significantly higher in males (84.2%) than in females (47.3%) (P＜0.001). The superobese patients and the obese patients aged older than 50 years that all of those were diagnosed with OSA. A multivariate logistic regression model displayed that increasing age, BMI and neck circumference together with presence of habitual snoring and male sex were identified as risk factors of OSA. The best cut-off values for the presence of OSA for age, BMI, neck circumference were 24.5 years, 39.45 kg/m2 , 40.40 cm. Conclusion The prevalence of OSA is very prevalent (62.9%) in Chinese bariatric surgery candidates, especially in male patients (84%). Age, BMI and neck circumference together with presence of habitual snoring and male sex are independent predictors of OSA in these patients. As clinical predictors are not enough to be a properly screening for OSA, routine PSG testing should be recommended to bariatric surgery candidates.

Objective:To evaluate the techniques and short-term outcomes of pericardial autologous angioplasty for the reconstruction of mediastinal large vessels in the treatment of locally advanced malignant thymoma.Methods:We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 6 patients with locally advanced malignant thymoma who received autologous pericardial transplantation for mediastinal great vascular reconstruction in the same treatment group of Department of Thoracic Surgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from April 2017 to October 2018.Results:The operative time of malignant thymoma patients receiving autologous pericardial vascular reconstruction was(192.3±32.5)min, intraoperative blood loss was(105.0±27.5)ml, thoracic drainage time was(4.5±1.5)days, and postoperative hospital stay was(5.3±2.5)days. The postoperative quality of life of the patients was satisfactory. Angiography showed that the reconstructed vessels of the left inus vein were occluded in 1 patient 10 months after the operation, and the reconstructed vessels were unobstructed in the other patients. The average follow-up time of the patients was 34.3 months after surgery. One patient developed chest wall metastasis 23 months after surgery, and his condition was stable after receiving local radiotherapy. The other 5 patients did not occur local recurrence or distant metastasis.Conclusion:The application of autologous pericardium for the reconstruction of mediastinal great vessels in the treatment of malignant thymoma is a safe and effective method, and its clinical application prospect is worth expecting.

Objective:To investigate the value of low-energy virtual monoenergetic image (VMI) at 45 keV in visualizing the primary tumor and T staging of hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.Methods:The clinical and imaging data of 58 patients with hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma from April 2018 to January 2020 at Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University were analyzed retrospectively. All the patients underwent a venous phase contrast-enhanced dual-source dual-energy CT scan before treatment. The VMI at 45 keV and standard linearly blended image (30% 80 kV+70% 140 kV) were acquired from dual-energy post-processing software. One senior radiologist and one junior radiologist independently assessed the visibility of the tumor on the 45 keV VMI and standard linearly blended image using a 5-point Likert rating scale. Furthermore, the senior radiologist assessed the visibility of the tumor at each subsite (piriform fossa, posterior pharyngeal wall, postcricoid region) and determined the invasion depth of the tumor (extension to esophagus, invasion to strip muscles and prevertebral muscles) and performed the T staging of the primary tumor using the two sets of images blindly. The accuracy of T staging was calculated, using pathological T staging (surgical cases) or clinical T staging (non-surgical cases) as the gold standard. The image scores of the two sets of images were compared using Wilcoxon rank sum test. McNemar-Bowker test was used to compare the accuracy of T staging using the two sets of images.Results:The overall image scores of the 45 keV VMI and standard linearly blended image from the senior radiologist were 3.5 (3, 4) and 3 (2, 3) respectively ( Z=-7.03, P<0.001), and the scores from the junior radiologist were 3 (3, 4) and 2 (2, 3) ( Z=-6.93, P<0.001). The scores of the 45 keV VMI were significantly higher than those of the standard linearly blended image in visualizing tumors in the piriform fossa, posterior pharyngeal wall, and postcricoid region, as well as in detecting invasion to the strip muscles ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the scores of the two sets of images in determining whether the tumor extended to esophagus or invaded prevertebral muscles ( P>0.05). Referring to pathological and clinical T stage, the accuracy of T staging determined by the 45 keV VMI and standard linearly blended image was 87.9% (51/58) and 81.0% (47/58) respectively, and the difference was not significant (χ 2=3.33, P=0.189). Conclusions:The 45 keV VMI is superior to the standard linearly blended image in visualizing tumors and detecting invasion to the strip muscles of hypopharynx squamous cell carcinoma. However, the accuracy of determining T staging using 45 keV VMI is slightly improved than that of standard linearly blended image, and the difference is not statistically significant. In determining whether the tumor extends to esophagus or invades prevertebral muscles, 45 keV VMI shows no significant advantage over standard linearly blended image.