Constructing prokaryotic expression vector pKY-RMBAY by gene recombination and research its optimizing productive conditions.By PCR technology synthesizing the gene of the RMBAY with preference codon of E.coli and the RMBAY gene was inserted into high efficiency expression vector pKYB-MCS.Expressed fusion proteins in E.coli ER2566 were purified with Chitin-Beads column.Fusion proteins binding on Chitin-Beads was cut on N-terminus of intein due to the induction of ?-mercaptoethanol and the target peptide RMBAY was released.The RMBAY was identified by mass spectrum.Experiment results showed RMBAY can be high efficiently expressed in E.coli ER2566,with optimizing productive conditions the yield of the RMBAY may be 6.7mg/L fermentation product and its purity is greater than 98%.The molecular weight of RMBAY is 3.887 kDa by mass spectrum and that accords with its theory value.

Objective To prospectively evaluate the correlation between a single breath-hold three-dimensional (3 D) and several breath-hold two-dimensional (2D) delayed enhancement MR imaging sequences in the assessment of myocardial infarction size and the differences on image quality. Methods Fifteen patients with myocardial infarction underwent MR scan by using a single breath-hold 3D inversion-recovery fast low-angle shot (FLASH) sequence and several breath-hold 2D turbo-FLASH as the reference standard. Paired-samples t test was used to compare the ratio of the infarction areas in two sequences. Two-way ANOVA was used to assess the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) on 3D,2D magnitude-reconstructed and 2D phase-sensitive (PS) images. P value less than 0.05 was considered to indicate a significant difference. Meanwhile subjective visual evaluation was also performed to compare the image quality. Results The infarction ratio determined by 3D MR imaging 31.28% was no significant difference with that of 2D MR imaging 30.91% and had a good correlation (t = -0.505,P =0.621,r =0.990). The CNR was significantly higher in 3D and 2D magnitude-reconstructed groups than in 2D-PS group (3D and 2D magnitude-reconstructed images, 2D P5 image, 43.43±20.67 and 34.10±14.29, 7.59±2.59, respectively) (F = 24.376, P < 0.01). However, the contrast between normal and infracted myocardium was the highest in 2D-PS group with subjective visual evaluation (scores of 3D, 2D magnitude-reconstructed and 2D-PS images, 2.33, 2.13 and 2.73, respectively). On the other hand, the background noise on 2D-PS images was the highest in 3 groups (scores of 3 D, 2 D magnitude-reconstructed and 2 D-PS images, 2.67, 2.53 and 1.20, respectively). Conclusion The myocardial infarction ratio obtained with 3D MR imaging sequence is accurate, and the image quality is good.

Objective: To explore the correlation between the expression of C-terminal tensin-like protein (CTEN) and the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: Using immunohistochemistry, we detected CTEN protein level in samples of primary lesion and adjacent non-tumor lesion collected from 240 patients with HCC. The relationship between CTEN expression and clinicopathology, 5 year recurrent-free survival, or overall survival was evaluated by Chi-square test, Kaplan-Meier, or Cox regression analysis. Results: High CTEN expression was detected in 55% of hepatocellular carcinoma tissues and 20%of adjacent carcinoma tissues (P<0.001). CTEN expression was positively correlated with tumor diameter (P=0.022), venous invasion (P=0.007) or TNM stages (P=0.022). Five-year recurrence-free survival time (P<0.001) and overall survival time (P<0.001) in patients with high CTEN expression were signiifcantly less than those in patients with low CTEN expression. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that the CTEN expression was an independent prognostic marker for HCC (all P<0.05). Conclusion: CTEN protein may play a role in the genesis and development of HCC, and it can function as a prognostic marker.

Objective To assess the MR characterization of coronary microembolization (CME)in an animal model as well as the evolution using MR cardiac cine,first-pass perfusion,and delay enhancement imaging.Methods Coronary microembolization models were established through intracoronary infusion of 120 000 microspheres (42 μm)into the left anterior descending artery in 1 1 pigs. Coronary angiography was performed at baseline and immediately after the injection of microspheres.MR imaging was carried out at baseline,6 hours,and 1 week after microembolization.Then,postmortem evaluation was performed using NBT and HE staining.Re-sults Coronary angiography after the injection of microspheres showed normal-appearing epicardial arteries in all animals.Coronary microembolization caused a significant decline in systolic wall thickening of the microembolized myocardial segments on cine MR ima-ges [from (42.6±2.0)% at baseline to (20.3±2.3)% at 6 hours and (31.5±2.1)% at 1 week after CME;P < 0.001 for both]. First-pass perfusion deficit was visualized at 6 hours after microembolization,and was less pronounced at 1 week.Hyperenhanced myocardium was found on delay enhancement MRI at 6 hours after microembolization in microembolized segments,but was not shown at 1 week. The microinfarcts were detectable microscopically through HE staining but invisible for the naked eye on gross NBT specimen.Con-clusion Coronary microembolization may cause a persistent decline in myocardial contraction and its MR characterization may vary with different stages.A combined use of different cardiac MRI techniques and follow-up examinations may be helpful for evaluating myocardial impairment due to coronary microembolization.

Mismatch repair (MMR) system is one form of DNA repair mechanisms, which plays an important role in rectifying the mismatch of base pairs, reducing gene mutations and keeping genome stability. Abnormal expression of MMR regulated by miRNA is closely related to the development of colon cancer. Functional defects of MMR (dMMR) with particular clinical characteristics can be used as a potential prognostic and predictive biomarker. This article reviews the relation between MMR system, miRNA and colon cancer.
Colonic Neoplasms ; genetics ; DNA Mismatch Repair ; Humans ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; Mutation ; Prognosis

The safety and efficacy of combined low dose aspirin and warfarin therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation after mechanical heart valve replacement were evaluated. A total of 1016 patients (620 females, mean age of 36.8±7.7 years) admitted for cardiac valve replacement and complicated with atrial fibrillation after surgery were randomly divided into study (warfarin plus 75-100 mg aspirin) or control (warfarin only) groups. International normalized ratio (INR) and prothrombin time were maintained at 1.8-2.5 and 1.5-2.0 times the normal values, respectively. Thromboembolic events and major bleedings were registered during the follow-up period. Patients were followed up for 24±9 months. The average dose of warfarin in the study and control groups was 2.91±0.83 mg and 2.88±0.76 mg, respectively (P>0.05). The incidence of overall thromboembolic events in study group was lower than that in control group (2.16% vs. 4.35%, P=0.049). No statistically significant differences were found in hemorrhage events (3.53% vs. 3.95%, P=0.722) or mortality (0.20% vs. 0.40%, P=0.559) between the two groups. Combined low dose aspirin and warfarin therapy in the patients with atrial fibrillation following mechanical heart valve replacement significantly decreased thromboembolic events as compared with warfarin therapy alone. This combined treatment was not associated with an increase in the risk of major bleeding or mortality.
Adult ; Anticoagulants ; administration & dosage ; Aspirin ; administration & dosage ; Atrial Fibrillation ; blood ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Female ; Fibrinolytic Agents ; administration & dosage ; Heart Valve Prosthesis ; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation ; adverse effects ; Humans ; International Normalized Ratio ; Male ; Postoperative Complications ; blood ; drug therapy ; Prothrombin Time ; Warfarin ; administration & dosage

BACKGROUNDThe abnormalities of coronary arteries, though rare and sometimes benign, may first present clinically as myocardial infarction or sudden death. Multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) is a non-invasive test that is highly suitable for detecting these anomalies. The study aimed to review the 64-MDCT appearance of the coronary artery anomalies in 66 patients and to discuss the clinical importance of these anomalies.

METHODSIn 6014 consecutive patients examined over 12 months by 64-MDCT for the study of coronary artery disease, 66 were diagnosed for coronary artery anomalies. All patients were symptomatic for one or more of the following diseases: chest pain, dyspnoea, palpitations, arrhythmia and myocardial infarction. Nine patients had undergone a coronary angiography. All the CT images were evaluated by two radiologists and one cardiologist. The right coronary artery (RCA) and the conus branch arising separately, myocardial bridging and duplication of arteries were not analysed in our study.

RESULTSThe incidence of coronary artery anomalies found in our study group was 1.097%. In the selected patients, seven different types of coronary anomalies were found by 64-MDCT examination. The high takeoff, origin of the coronary artery from the opposite or noncoronary sinus with an anomalous course, and coronary artery fistula were the three common forms of anomalies (n = 16, 18 and 16, respectively). Compared with the results of the coronary angiography, the number of the drainage sites of two coronary artery fistula was less in MDCT images (3 small sites in total). In all cases, coronary artery computed tomography angiography (CTA) technique was able to recognize the origin of the coronary artery, its three-dimensional course and its spatial relationship with the adjacent structures. Conventional coronary angiography in two cases, however, was unable to provide sufficient information for correct and complete diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONSIn conclusion, the study showed that 64-MDCT, especially the volume rendering technique (VRT), may be useful for the assessment of complex variations, even if the conventional angiography may not be sufficient. It may be considered as the first-choice imaging modality when an anomalous coronary artery is suspected.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Coronary Vessel Anomalies ; diagnostic imaging ; Female ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To detect the expression of RA SAL2 in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and to investigate the association of RASAL2 expression with pathological characteristics and prognosis. METHODS: Immunohistochemical SP method was used to detect the expression of RA SAL2 in 164 samples of HCC tissue and the adjacent tissue. Th e association of RA SAL2 expression with clinical features and prognosis was analyzed. RESULTS: The expression of RASAL2 in adjacent tissue was significantly increased compared to that in HCC tissue (P<0.001). The expression level of RASAL2 was associated with the degree of differentiation, tumor TNM stage and vascular invasion (P<0.001), but not associated with the level of AFP, tumor size, or the number of nodules (P>0.05). The 5 years recurrence-free survival (RFS) in patients with low expression of RASLA2 was significantly reduced compared with that in patients with high expression of RASLA2 (P<0.001). Cox analysis showed that low expression of RASLA2 was the independent factor for recurrence and death in HCC patients after surgery (P<0.001). CONCLUSION Low expression of RRASAL2 is significantly associated with the poor prognosis of HCC, which is an independent factor for HCC prognosis.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; genetics ; metabolism ; Carrier Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Prognosis

Objective To investigate whether timing of image acquisition influenced infarct size estimation using delayed CeMRI,and the association of left ventricular ejection fraction between magnetic resol3anee imaging and left ventrieulography Was also studied.Method From Junary 2005 to April 2006,27 first,onset AMI patients [23 male,mean age(54.3±10.5)years]were enrolledinthistudr.Allpatients receivedleft ventrictdographyas well as coronary angiography.The average checking time was(13.2±5.2)clays after the onset of AMI.MR imaging was performed with a 1.5-T magnet(SIMENS).After breath-hold eine images were acquired,patients re.ceived afI intravenous bolus of 0.05 mmol/kg Gd-DTPA at a rate of 5 ml/8.A first-pass perfusion scan was ac.qllired.Then a second bolus of 0.15 mmoVkg Gd-DTPA was give.at a rate of 2 mE/Is.After the hyperenhancement localized,the typical short axis slice with hyperenhancement WaS chosen to repeat imaging for IlleasuriIin.farct size every5minutesfrom5minutes after secondinjection ofcontrast until 20minutes.Results Twexty-seren patients showed hyperenhancement at the delayed CeMRI and hypoenhancement at the first pass enhancement(FPE).The average infarct size estimated by CeMRI WaS(17.9士9.8)%of LV nlass.Myocardial enhancement at a repesentative short-axis slice WIllS(7.2±6.2)%of LV Imss at 5 minutes,(8.5±7.4)%at 10 minutes,(7.3±6.3)%at 15 minutes and(6.9-t-6.4)%at 20 minutes respectively.There WltlS significant difference be-tween lmfninmes and 20-minutes enhancement size(P<0.05).Correlations of EF obtained by cineventriculo-grapIIy and MR irr,lg were significant(r=0.867,P<0.01).There were also correlations between infarction size and pe.k CK(r:O.819,P

Objective To analyzed the computed tomography angiography (CTA) features of the coronary artery fistulas. Methods Sixty-six coronary artery fistulas were diagnosed out of 12 717 patients underwent the coronary artery multiple detector CTA examination. The origin and drainage site of the coronary artery fistulas and the plaque and stenosis of the coronary artery were observed by post-processing analysis on various images. Coronary artery angiography was performed in 14 out of 66 coronary artery fistulas patients. Results Coronary artery fistulas arose from bilateral coronary artery system in 21 cases, from left coronary artery in 26 cases and from right coronary artery in 19 cases. The majority of coronary artery fistulas entered into pulmonary artery (41 cases). The rest drainage sites included left atrium (10 cases), right atrium (8 cases),left ventricle (4 cases), coronary sinus (2 cases) and right ventricle (1 case). The findings of CTA and coronary artery angiography were consistent in 14 patients with DSA examination. Coronary artery plagues were evidenced in 31 cases and stenosis was greater than 50% in 7 coronary artery fistulas patients. Conclusions Multiple coronary artery fistulas are not rare, and pulmonary artery is the most frequent drainage site. When suspecting the coronary artery fistulas, coronary artery CTA can be the first choice of diagnose. CTA can supply adequate information for therapy.