Objective To investigate the clinical value of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) in diagnosing biliary tract variability. Methods The accuracy of MRCP was verified by comparing the biliary tract variability found by preoperative MRCP examination with the biliary variability found during surgery. Results The accuracy of biliary tract variability by preoperative MRCP and intraoperative confirmation was 96. 7％. It turned out that the presence of biliary variability could be detected. Conclusion As a noninvasive imaging examination method, MRCP has high accuracy in the diagnosis of biliary tract variability.

Objective:To observe the changes of skeletal muscle indexes in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes complicated with sarcopenia treated with sitagliptin and acarbose.Methods:A total of 60 patients over 60 years old with type 2 diabetes complicated with sarcopenia in Dalian Municipal Central Hospital from January 2019 to January 2020 were selected and divided into two groups by random number table method.One group received sitagliptin and metformin,and the other group received acarbose and metformin. The changes of skeletal muscle indexes, glucagon-like peptides-1 (GLP-1), insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) and inflammatory indexes were compared between the two groups at baseline and 36 weeks after treatment.Results:After treatment, the skeletal muscle index (SMI) of sitagliptin group was increased (5.94 ± 1.52 vs. 5.99 ± 1.52), and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). Muscle strength and SMI decreased in acarbosse group (18.75 ± 4.64 vs. 17.72 ± 4.44, 6.09 ± 1.74 vs. 6.00 ± 1.71), with statistical significance ( P<0.05). GLP-1 increased in sitagliptin group, 0 min: (10.65 ± 1.68) pmol/L vs. (12.41 ± 1.88) pmol/L; 60 min: (22.79 ± 2.85) pmol/L vs. (25.51 ± 2.79) pmol/L; 120 min: (24.26 ± 2.94) pmol/L vs. (29.49 ± 2.91) pmol/L; 180 min: (11.68 ± 1.84) pmol/L vs. (12.88 ± 1.83) pmol/L. There were significant differences ( P<0.05). HOMA-IR and CRP decreased: 4.73 ± 3.04 vs. 3.16 ± 2.41, (2.39 ± 0.50) mg/L vs. (2.33 ± 0.43) mg/L, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). HOMA-IR in acarbose group decreased after treatment (5.80 ± 3.94 vs. 4.00 ± 1.63), and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). Comparison between the two groups after treatment, the decreased value of muscle strength in sitagliptin group was less than that in acarbose group, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). GLP-1 and overall GLP-1 area under the curve in sitagliptin group were higher than those in acarbose group (67.64 ± 6.81 vs. 58.98 ± 6.72), with statistical significance ( P<0.05). HOMA-IR and CRP in sitagliptin group were lower than those in acarborose group: 3.16 ± 2.42 vs. 4.00 ± 1.63, (2.33 ± 0.43) mg/L vs. (2.41 ± 0.70) mg/L, with statistical significances ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Sitagliptin therapy improves muscle mass and protects muscle strength in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and sarcopenia.

Objective To construct a CaME141G fusion protein-expressing plasmid,and to express,purify,and identify the activity of the recombinant protein. Methods The 141st site of the wild type CaM,E (GAG),was mutated to G (GGG),using site-specific mutagenesis technology. Escherichia coli BL-21 was transformed with the mutant plasmid. The GST-CaME141G fusion protein was mass-cultured and induced for expression. Subsequently,the GST-CaME141G fusion protein was purified using GS-4B beads. PreScission protease was applied to remove the GST,the Bradford method used to determine the concentration of purified protein,and SDS-PAGE used to detect its relative molecular weight and purity. The GST pull-down assay was used to study the protein's biological activity. Results The CaME141G protein was successfully purified at a high concentration and purity. The protein could interact with PreIQ protein fragments from the myocardial CaV1. 2 calcium channel C terminal,in a CaME141G concentration-dependent manner. Therefore,CaME141G has the ability to bind with the CaV1. 2 calcium channel. Conclusion This study successfully constructed a CaME141G fusion protein-expressing plasmid and purified the CaME141G protein. This lays a foundation for regulating the function of CaM mutations in the myocardial CaV1. 2 calcium channel,and for the study of its relationship with diseases of the cardiovascular system.

Background/Aims: Low educational attainment is a well-established risk factor for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in developed areas. However, the association between educational attainment and the risk of NAFLD is less clear in China. Methods: A cross-sectional study including over 200,000 Chinese adults across mainland China was conducted. Information on education level and lifestyle factors were obtained through standard questionnaires, while NAFLD and advanced fibrosis were diagnosed using validated formulas. Outcomes included the risk of NAFLD in the general population and high probability of fibrosis among patients with NAFLD. Logistic regression analysis was employed to estimate the risk of NAFLD and fibrosis across education levels. A causal mediation model was used to explore the potential mediators. Results: Comparing with those receiving primary school education, the multi-adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for NAFLD were 1.28 (1.16 to 1.41) for men and 0.94 (0.89 to 0.99) for women with college education after accounting for body mass index. When considering waist circumference, the odds ratios (95% CIs) were 0.94 (0.86 to 1.04) for men and 0.88 (0.80 to 0.97) for women, respectively. The proportions mediated by general and central obesity were 51.00% and 68.04% for men, while for women the proportions were 48.58% and 32.58%, respectively. Furthermore, NAFLD patients with lower educational attainment showed an incremental increased risk of advanced fibrosis in both genders. Conclusions In China, a low education level was associated with a higher risk of prevalent NAFLD in women, as well as high probability of fibrosis in both genders.

Objective: To investigate the distribution of fimA and kgp genotypes as well as the common genotype combination of Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) in infected root canals of primary apical periodontitis for virulent isolates screening in future. Methods: Thirty-four samples harboring Pg were selected from infected root canals of primary apical periodontitis from patients of the Department of Endodontics, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from June 2013 to September 2015. FimA type-specific primers were used to amplify the samples, revealing the distribution of various fimA genotypes. The genotypes of kgp were obtained by using Mse Ⅰ restriction endonuclease. The prevalence of each genotype and common genotype combinations were then calculated. Pearson's chi-squared test was performed to analyze the correlation between genotype combinations and clinical symptoms and major signs of apical periodontitis. In addition, the bioflim architectures between Pg isolates with different fimA and kgp genotype combinations were observed compared using confocal laser scanning microscope. Results: Among the 34 Pg-positive samples, fimA Ⅱ was the most prevalent genotype [47% (16/34)] followed by fimA Ⅰ [26% (9/34)], while fimA Ⅴ was detected in only one sample. The prevalence of kgp Ⅰ [56% (19/34)] was slightly higher than that of kgp Ⅱ [44% (15/34)]. Both fimA Ⅱ+kgp Ⅰ and fimAⅡ+kgp Ⅱ were the most prevalent genotype combinations [24% (8/34) each]. No significant correlation was found between specific genotype combination and such major clinical manifestations as gingival swelling and sinus tract of dental origin (P>0.05). Three Pg isolates with different genotype combinations were acquired. Isolate A (fimAⅠ+kgpⅠ) formed densest biofilm, while the biofilm of isolate C (fimAⅤ+kgp Ⅰ) was much looser. The biofilm feature of isolate B (fimAⅢ+kgp Ⅱ) fell in between A and C. Conclusions Pg with fimA Ⅱ was most frequently detected in infected root canals of primary apical periodontitis. The prevalence of Pg with kgp Ⅰ was slightly higher than that with kgp Ⅱ, and fimAⅡ+kgp Ⅰ as well as fimA Ⅱ+kgp Ⅱ were the commonest genotype combinations. According to the comparison of Pg biofilms formed by clinical isolates, it might be possible that different genotype combinations may lead to distinct biofilm architectures.