ObjectiveTo investigate the pathological characteristics of the expressions of associated proteins in vascular smooth muscle cells and infiltration of macrophages in elderly abdominal aortic aneurysms. MethodsHE stained slices, Van Gieson' s stained slices and immunohistochemical staining were applied to detect protein expression in the tissue sections of 15 cases of elderly abdominal aortic aneurysms and 6 cases of normal abdominal aorta. The protein expressions of α-smooth muscle actin, cathepsin B and CD68 were detected by immunohistochemical staining. ResultsCompared with normal abdominal aorta, the collagen content was higher in elderly abdominal aortic aneurysms [(9.3 ± 1.9) % vs. (5.3±1.8) %, P ＜ 0.05]. The levels ofexpression of cathepsin B and CD68 were higher in elderly abdominal aortic aneurysms than those in normal abdominal aorta , but the level of expression of α-SMA was lower in elderly abdominal aorticaneurysms than that in normal abdominal aorta[(0.38±0.07) vs. (0.135=0.06), (0.51±0.12) vs.(0.01±0.01), (0.23±0.05) vs. (0.335±0.05) ,respectively, all P＜0.05]. ConclusionsChanges in the expression of associated proteins in vascular smooth muscle cells and infiltration of macrophages may participate in the vascular walls destruction in elderly abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical effects of ball attachment and Locator attachment for implant-supported overdenture.Methods:67 cases with edentulous jaw were treated with 150 Straumann and Bego implants and implant-supported overdentures using ball attachments Locator attachments,respectively.All cases were followed up regularly,biological and mechanical complications were observed,the patient satisfaction after restoration was compared between groups.Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 17.0 software.Results:Follow-up was completed in 58 cases,25 with ball attachment,26 with Locator attachment and 7 with ball changed by Locator.Biological complications comparison showed that the incidence of gingival hyperplasia in the ball group was higher than that in the Locator group(P ＜ 0.05).There was no statistical difference of mechanical complications between the 2 groups (P ＞ 0.05),but the incidence of all kinds of mechanical complications in the Locator group was less than those in the ball group,the average repair frequency of the ball and Locator group was 1.9 times and 0.9 times respectively.Patients'satisfaction on chewing and retention was higher in the Locator attachment group than that in the ball attachment group(P ＜ 0.05).No statistical difference was found in patients' satisfaction between genders (P＞0.05),and no correlation of satisfaction was found with patients' age and follow-up time.Conclusion:The clinical effects of implant-supported overdenture using the Locator attachment is superior to that using the ball attachment.

Objective To analyze the distribution of HLA-C alleles in Shandong Han population of China.Methods One hundred and fifty unrelated potential donors,self-claimed as Han population from Shandong province,were selected from China Marrow Donor Program.Genotypes of HLA-C with the donors were identified by PCR-SBT.The frequencies of allele were calculated with direct counting method and the differences with other populations were analyzed with SPSS16.0 x2 software.Results A total of 25 alleles of HLA-C were observed and the most common alleles were C * 06:02 and C * 07:02 with the frequency of more than 10.00％.Moreover,there were 16 kinds of alleles with the frequency of more than 1.00％ accounting for 95.33％ of the total alleles.The distribution of HLA-C alleles in Shandong Han population was similar to that in northern Han population,but had some differences with that in southern Han population.In addition,the distribution of HLA-C alleles in Shandong Han population significantly differed from that of German/African American.Conclusion This study on the distribution of HLA-C alleles in Shandong Han population provides valuable references for further studies on the genetics of HLA,cross-match for organ transplantation and other genetic-associated diseases in this population.

Objective To compare and evaluate two type-specific primers PCR genotyping methods of hepatitis B virus ( HBV) which were established by Naito et al ( Naito method) and our lab (new method). Methods The two genotyping methods were applied for detecting the plasmids containing the HBV genomes of genotype A or D or subgenotype B1 or C2 and the plasmids mixed with different proportion of subgenotypes B1 and C2. In addition, the genotypes of 113 serum samples of patients with chronic HBV infection from Shenzhen, Handan and Urumqi cities of China were identified by the two methods, respectively. The results were verified by PCR product based sequencing. Results The sensitivity of the two methods showed no difference when they were applied to detect the plasmids containing the HBV genomes of genotype A or D or subgenotype B1 or C2. While detecting the plasmids mixed with different proportion of subgenotypes B1 and C2, the sensitivity of the new method was superior than that of Naito method. Meanwhile, the specificity of the new method was obviously superior than that of Naito method. Both of the two methods were highly sensitive in identification of HBV genotypes of serum samples with a single genotype. However, the new method showed more sensitive in identification of the B/C mix strains than that of Naito method. The total coincidence rate between the two methods was 83. 2% (94/113), with the discrepancy of 16. 8% (19/113). Fifteen of the 19 inconsistent genotypes by the two methods were selected and their PCR products were sequenced directly. The sequencing results were identical with that of the new methods, but not with that of the Naito method. Conclusion The new method is more sensitive, and its specificity is superior to the Naito method. It could be used for clinical and epidemiological studies on HBV genotype and subgenotype in China.

Objective To study the value of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE)in combination with portal vein chemotherapy (PVC) after resection of hepatocellular carcinoma to prolong survival. Methods From January 2000 to July 2007, 168 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) underwent tumor resection in our hospital. After operation, TACE in combination with PVC was performed in 48 patients (combined group), TACE alone in 26 (TACE group), PVC alone in 50 (PVC group) and none of the above in 44 (control group). All the patients were followed up for 17-96 months. The 1-, 3-and 5-year survival rates were compared among the 4 groups. Results Accumulative 1-, 3-and 5-year survival rates were higher in the combined and TACE groups than in PVC and control groups. Conclusion After resection of HCC, combined use of TACE and PVC is the same as TACE in prolonging patient survival. However, it is better than PVC alone and non-surgical procedure.

Objective To investigate the killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) genes, KIR2DS4 and its variant KIR1D for an association with syphilis in the comparison between syphilis patients and unrelated healthy subjects. Methods One hundred and ninety syphilis patients and 192 unrelated healthy subjects were performed to determine the KIR genotypes by PCR-SSP method. The gene frequencies of KIR2DS4 and KIR1D were analyzed for an association with syphilis in the patients and healthy people who belonged to KIR gene haplotype A. Results Of 192 healthy individuals, 187 were identified with a KIR2DS4 gene. And 91 individuals were classified as homozygous haplotype A with the percent of 48.7% (91/187) in 187 KIR2DS4 positive individuals. Of 190 syphilis patients, 181 were identified with a KIR2DS4 gene. And 89 individuals were classified as homozygous haplotype A with the percent of 49.2% (89/181) in 181 KIR2DS4 positive individuals. The frequency of KIR1D/KIR1D in syphilis patients classified as haplotype A was 16.9%, and was significantly higher than that in the control group (6.6%, P=0.032). However, there was no significant difference for the frequencies of KIR2DS4/KIR2DS4 and KIR2DS4/KIR1D between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion KIR1D/KIR1D might be associated with syphilis in the comparison between syphilis patients and unrelated healthy controls who were classified as homozygous haplotype A.

Objective To investigate the correlation of microembolic signals (MES) and outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke.Methods The patients with acute ischemic stroke were enrolled in the study.The MES of middle cerebral artery was monitored dynamically using transcranial color Doppler ultrasound.The early lesions of ischemic stroke were evaluated by MRI.The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was used to evaluate neurological deficits.The modified Rankin scale was used to evaluate the outcome,and the stroke recurrence was recorded.Results A total of 135 patients with acute ischemic stroke were enrolled,in which,33 were cardiogenic cerebral embolism,49 were large artery atherosclerotic stroke,24 were small arterial occlusive stroke,and 29 were other clear causes or cryptogenic stroke.Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that coronary heart disease (odds ratio [OR],5.862,95％ confidence interval [CI] 2.008-17.114; P =0.000) was the independent risk factor for positive MES within 48 hours after stroke onset,while the history of antithrombotic treatment (OR 0.376,95％ CI 0.141-0.998; P =0.045) was its independent protective factor.In addition,coronary heart disease (OR 4.879,95％ CI 1.257-18.939; P =0.033),hypertension (OR 4.958,95％ CI 1.029-23.882; P =0.030),and diabetes (OR 3.659,95％ CI 1.027-13.034; P =0.050) were the independent risk factors for positive MES within 1 week after stroke onset.The NIHSS scores of the patients of the positive MES at baseline and 1 week and the clinical outcome at 3 months had no significant differences with the patients of negative MES,however,stroke recurrence and deaths increased significantly (P =0.019).Conclusions MES within 48 hours of onset was not associated with the outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke at 3 months,however,the incidence of endpoint events such as recurrence and death was significantly higher in patients of positive MES within 3 months.

Biomarkers ; blood ; Elasticity Imaging Techniques ; methods ; Fatty Liver ; complications ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; complications ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; complications ; Hepatitis, Viral, Human ; complications ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Severity of Illness Index

Objective To establish a hepatitis B virus (HBV) nested PCR (nPCR) for detection of genotypes A-D and subgenotypes B1,B2, C1 and C2. Methods The entire HBV nucleotide sequences of genotypes A-H retrieved from GenBank were compared and analyzed by DNAStar software. The PCR primers were designed by Primer Premier 5.0 software,and the nPCR for genotyping HBV/A-D as well as subgenotyping B1, B2,C1 and C2 were established. There were 3 steps in the process:step 1 for genotypes B, D and subgenotypes C1, C2 with the amplification of Mix A; step 2 for genotype A with the amplification of Mix B; step 3 for subgenotypes B1 and B2 with the amplification of Mix C in the second-ound PCR, based on the first-round amplification procedure. A total of 68 serum samples from patients with chronic HBV infection were detected by nPCR. 15 of 68 sera were selected randomly and their PCR products were directly sequenced to confirm the accuracy of the method. Results Among 68 serum samples of patients with chronic HBV infection detected by the nPCR, 23.53% (16/68) were infected with B2, 11.76% (8/68) with C1,48.53% (33/68) with C2,1.47% (1/68) with D,11.76% (8/68) with B2C2 mix strains,1.47% (1/68) with C2D mix strains and 1.47% (1/68) with B2/C1/D mix strains. The sequencing analysis of the 15 serum samples had the same results as detected by nPCR. Conclusion nPCR is a simple,rapid method and able to detect genotypes A-D and subgenotypes B1 ,B2 ,C1 and C2 subtypes of HBV with both high sensitivity and specificity.

Objective To investigate the predictors of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Methods The patients with acute ischemic stroke admitted to hospital from January 2010 to April 2014 were enroled. The demographics, vascular risk factors, baseline clinical data, and laboratory tests in both groups were colected. Flow cytometry was used to analyze the peripheral blood T helper cel (Th) subgroup. Double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the levels of peripheral blood interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin-4 (IL-4). Results A total of 143 patients with acute ischemic stroke were enroled, including 56 in a SIRS group and 87 in a non-SIRS group. Univariate analysis showed that there were significant differences in the history of hypertension, history of stroke, baseline systolic blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, percentage of Th1 cels, and IFN-γ concentration in patients of both groups (al P < 0. 05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the NIHSS score ≥6 (odds ratio [ OR] 2. 40, 95% confidence interval [ CI] 1. 24 - 5. 15, P = 0. 008), decreased percentage of Th1 cels (OR 2. 81, 95% CI 1. 51 - 6. 83, P = 0. 013), and decreased IFN-γ concentration (OR 4. 63, 95% CI 1. 01 - 9. 72, P = 0. 004) were the independent predictive factors for occurring SIRS in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Conclusions Severe neurological deficit, decreased percentage of Th1 cels or decreased IFN-γ level may increase the risk of acute ischemic stroke patients with SIRS.