Objective To assess the diagnostic value of combining aortic dissection detection risk score (ADDRS)with D-dimer in patients with suspected acute aortic dissection(AAD). Methods We retrospectively identified 525 patients with chest pain and with calculated ADDRS and available D-dimer on admission between January 2015 and December 2016. ADDRS ≤1 was defined as ′low probability′ and that >1 as ′high probability′. Results AAD were diagnosed in 106(20.2%)patients. In patients with ADDRS of 0,1 case of AAD was identi-fied and in those with ADDRS of 1,40 were identified while in 76 patients with ADDRS of 2 and 3,71 cases of AAD were identified. D-dimer with threshold of 0.5 mg/L had a negative predictive value of 100%and a specificity of 76.6% in patients with ADDRS of 0. In patients with ADDRS of 1,D-dimer had a negative predictive value of 98.6%. D-dimer showed a negative predictive value of 99.6% and a positive predictive value of 22.3% in patients with low probability. Conclusions High ADDRS benefits confirming AAD. Low ADDRS combined with negative D-dimer is safe and efficient for ruling out AAD ,while low ADDRS with positive D-dimer needs further aortic imaging.

Abdominal Cavity ; Adolescent ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Neoplasms, Muscle Tissue

In vivo fast cyclic voltammetry (FCV) was used to investigate dopamine (DA) release from amygdala (Amy) of female rats in different phases of estrus cycle, ovaricectomized (OVX) rats and male rats. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunohistochemistry was employed to measure the numbers of immunoreactive neurons in ventral tegmental area (VTA) of midbrain in the rats. We also observed the effect of intracerebroventricular injection of phytoestrogen-soy isoflavones on DA release from the Amy. The results are as follows: DA release from the Amy of proestrus female rats was apparently higher than that in estrus, metaestrus, diestrus female rats and OVX rats. Amy DA release and the numbers of the TH immunoreactive neurons in VTA showed a significant sex difference. DA release from Amy of female and OVX rats increased significantly within 5 min after i.c.v injection of soy isoflavones, which elicited no effects in male rats. The above-mentioned results suggest that endogenous estrogen may play an important role in regulating the activity of DA neurons in mid-limbic systems, and that soy isoflavones exert an estrogen-like effect on the dopaminergic systems in the Amy.
Amygdala ; metabolism ; physiology ; Animals ; Dopamine ; metabolism ; Estrogens ; physiology ; Female ; Isoflavones ; pharmacology ; Male ; Neurons ; physiology ; Ovariectomy ; Parkinson Disease ; metabolism ; Phytoestrogens ; Plant Preparations ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Soybeans ; chemistry ; Ventral Tegmental Area ; metabolism

To construct a plasmid expressing MDR1 short hairpin RNA (shRNA) mediated by pEGFP-C1/U6 vector, two coding sequences of 19 nucleotides were selected from MDR. Two pairs of oligonucleotides were designed for these two fragments. After annealing the formed double-stranded DNAs were ligated with plasmid pEGFP-C1/U6 (pEGFP-C1 vector with U6 promoter). The plasmids producing MDR1 shRNA were constructed from the inverted motif containing 9 spacers and four Ts. The results showed that the constructed plasmids were named pEGFP-C1/U6/A and pEGFP-C1/U6/B, and the constructs were identified by restriction and sequence analysis, no any base mutation was observed. It is concluded that plasmids of pEGFP-C1/U6/A and pEGFP-C1/U6/B expressing MDR1 shRNA were successfully constructed, providing a highly effective method for reversing the multidrug resistance in clinic.
ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; genetics ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; genetics ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; genetics ; Humans ; Plasmids ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Small Interfering ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Small Nuclear ; genetics

Objective To analyze the assets and liabilities of secondary public hospitals of Wuhan city in Hubei province ,in order to provide references to control the debt scale of such hospitals .Methods Twenty‐one public secondary public hospitals of Wuhan city were analyzed using official statistics on their asset and liabilities from 2012-2014 .Results Such a timeframe witnessed a year‐on‐year growth of both total assets and liabilities of these hospitals ,yet the growth rate of total assets(35.15% ) falls behind that of total liabilities (53.62% )significantly ;significantly slower growth rate of non‐current assets since 2013 ;higher current liabilities than long‐term liabilities on yearly basis ;year‐on‐year grow th of liquidity rate and quick ratio in general ;significant rise of debt‐to‐assets ratio .Conclusions The overall debt scale of such hospitals keeps growing ,a trend deserving actions and correction .

As an important part of the hierarchical medical system in China ,urban secondary hospitals play as a pivot between tertiary hospitals and community healthcare centers.By describing the overall development status of such hospitals in China ,the paper discussed the problems existing in the development of urban secondary hospitals and put forward strategies in the hope of providing reference for the transformation of these hospitals .

The safe-care practiced by the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University is designed to make continued improvements of the quality of care and enhance hospital management.The paper first explained the concept of the model as upholding Xiangya spirit,standardized management,good clinical service pattern,enhanced continuing education and training,enhanced doctor-patient communication,risk prevention beforehand,enhanced team spirit,and enhanced information system.It went on to describe the measures taken by the hospital in implementing the mode,significance and steps for each measure taken,and initial outcomes achieved by the mode for both the hospital and patients in the end.

Objective To predict the binding sites of transforming growth factor-βreceptor Ⅱ (TβRⅡ ) ectodomain and the aptamer S58 specifically targeted TβRⅡ ,and to confirm the structure stability of the aptamer S 58 in vitro .Methods We created three-dimensional structure by utilizing ssDNA aptamer sequences ,the crystal structure of the TβRⅡ was searched by protein data bank database .According to the results of the molecular docking experiments on aptamer S 58 and TβRⅡ ectodomain ,we sheared the aptamer sequences ,then verified its affinity respectively by biosensor technology and Western blot .Results Binding sites of aptamers S58 and TRβⅡ ectodomain included site Ⅰ(T4 ,T5 ,G6 ,C7) ,site Ⅱ(G13 ,A14 ,T15 ,C16 ,G17 ,C18 ) ,site Ⅲ (T31 ,G32 , T33 ,C34) and site Ⅳ(G40 ,A41 ,T42 ,T43 ,T44 ,G45 ,G46) .We validated the high affinity between aptamer S58 and TRβⅡ ectodo-main .The expression of α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA) protein in the human tenon′s capsule fibroblasts was descended obviously after the experiment of the aptamer S58 in comparing with the control of DMEM (P< 0 .05) .But the new ssDNA by shear the aptamer ssDNA S58 according to the results were poor than aptamers S58 .Conclusion The aptamer S58 targeted TβRⅡ was high-ly specific with a certain stability ,any changing of structure will reduce the affinity of TβRⅡ .Computer-aided molecular docking technology has become an important means of an exploratory intermolecular interaction ,and can provides a good theoretical basis on medical research .

Background Our previous study demonstrated that the aptamer S58 specifically targeted transforming growth factor-β receptor Ⅱ (TβRⅡ) and inhibited the transdifferentiation of human Tenon capsule fibroblasts (HTFs) mediated by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β).Chitosan-nanoparticles (CS-NP) are good drug carriers,but the efficacy and safety of CS-NP/aptamer complexes deserve attention.Objective The aim of this study was to synthesize a novel CS-NP/aptamer complex called CS (S58)-NP and investigate its properties and applicability.Methods Human Tenon capsule tissue was obtained from patients during strabismus surgery,and HTFs were cultured and passaged using the explant culture method.The fourth to tenth generations of cells were used in the experiment.Different concentrations of CS-NP were used to prepare the CS(S58)-NP by the ionic cross-linking method with a surface charge rate (N/P) for S58 of 10,20,30 or 40.The particle size and Zeta potential were measured by the Zeta analyzer.The shape and distribution of CS (S58)-NP particles were examined under the scanning electron microscope.The binding of CS-NP with S58 and resistance of CS (S58)-NP to DNase Ⅰ were examined by agarose gel eletrophoresis.The release rate of S58 from CS (S58)-NP in PBS was quantitatively analyzed by a ultraviolet spectrophotometer.The cytotoxicity of CS(S58)-NP to HTFs was evaluated by detecting the production of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH).Results The Zeta analyzer showed that the particle size of CS (S58)-NP was 130-270 nm and its electric potential ranged from + 16 to +28 mV.The CS (S58)-NP particles appeared spherical with an even distribution under the scanning electron microscope.The mean encapsulation efficiency of CS(S58)-NP was 88.9％,89.3％,91.7％ or 90.5％,respectively,when the N/P was 10,20,30 or 40.After being encapsuled by CS-NP,S58 could resist the degradation from DNase I.Its total releasing level in PBS increased with the lapse of time,with a maximum releasing speed at 24 to 36 hours.The total releasing level reached 100％ at 96 hours.With increaseing concentrations of CS(S58)-NP,the relative releasing level of LDH in HTFs suspension gradually elevated with a significant difference among the groups (F =588.018,P =0.000),with the highest released LDH level at 50 nmol/L of CS(S58)-NP (12.853％ ±0.375％).Conclusions CS-NP provides a protective and slow-releasing effect on the S58 aptamer.CS (S58)-NP shows a good biocompatibility with HTFs with a low cytotoxicity at a concentration of ＜50 nmol/L.CS(S58)-NP could be used to inhibit TGF-β induced transdifferentiation of HTFs in the future.