Objective To observe the incidence of vascular calcification in patients with chronic renal failure(CRF)undergoing maintenance hemodialysis and analyze the related influencing factors.Methods A total of 110 CRF patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis at Xingtai Central Hos-pital in Hebei Province were selected.Vascular calcification was determined through hip,abdominal,and bilateral hand X-ray examinations,and patients were divided into calcification group(n=59,with mild,moderate,and severe calcification)and non-calcification group(n=51,without calcifica-tion)based on the calcification results.General information and laboratory indicators[white blood cell(WBC)count,hemoglobin(Hb),total cholesterol(TC),triglycerides(TG),high-density lip-oprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),albumin(LB),serum potassium(K),serum calcium(Ca),serum phosphorus(P),serum creatinine(SCr),urea nitro-gen(BUN),uric acid(UA),intact parathyroid hormone(iPTH),high-sensitivity C-reactive pro-tein(hs-CRP),interleukin-13(IL-13),fibroblast growth factor 23(FGF23),sclerostin(SOST)]were compared between the two groups,and Logistic regression analysis was performed to screen in-fluencing factors of vascular calcification.Results There were no statistically significant differences in gender,body mass index,smoking history,and primary renal diseases between the calcification and non-calcification groups(P＞0.05).The mean age and dialysis duration were higher in the calcification group compared to the non-calcification group(P＜0.05).There were no statistically significant differences in WBC,Hb,TC,TG,HDL-C,LDL-C,K,Ca,and BUN levels between the two groups(P＞0.05).Compared with the non-calcification group,the calcification group had lower ALB and UA levels and higher P,SCr,iPTH,hs-CRP,IL-13,FGF23,and SOST levels(P＜0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age,dialysis duration,and levels of P,iPTH,IL-13,FGF23,and SOST were influencing factors for vascular calcification in patients(P＜0.05).The receiver operating characteristic curve indicated that IL-13,FGF23,and SOST had cer-tain diagnostic value for vascular calcification in patients[area under the curve(AUC)＞0.7],and the diagnostic efficacy of combined IL-13,FGF23,and SOST was higher than that of each indi-cator alone(AUC=0.911,P＜0.05).Conclusion Vascular calcification is common in CRF pa-tients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis,and age,dialysis duration,P,IL-13,FGF23,and SOST are influencing factors for vascular calcification.

Objective To investigate the expression and clinical significance of circular RNA(circRNA)051778 in lung adenocarcinoma-malignant pleural effusion(LA-MPE)and tuberculous pleural effusion(TPE).Methods This is a cross-sectional study.A total of 212 patients were recruited from the Jiangxi Chest Hospital between October 2018 and September 2019,and their pleural effusion samples and/or plasma samples were collected.The exosomal circRNA profile was sketched by circRNA microarray.Differentially expressed circRNAs(DECs)were verified by droplet digital PCR.In addition,a putative circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network was constructed,and Gene Ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway analyses were performed to predict the functions of the DECs.The diagnostic value of circRNA_051778 was evaluated by binary logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic curve.Results The expression level of circRNA_051778 in the LA-MPE samples was(3.92±0.48)copies/100 ng cDNA,while that in the TPE samples was(21.53±2.22)copies/100 ng cDNA.Compared to that in the TPE samples,circRNA_051778 was significantly downregulated in the LA-MPE samples(P＜0.001).The potential targets of circRNA_051778 were enriched in positive regulation of GTPase activity,cytoplasm,protein binding,and cancer-related pathways.The area under the curve(AUC)for the combined assessment of circRNA_051778 with liquid-based thin-layer cytology(TCT),erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),and tuberculosis antibody(TBA)was 0.98(95％confidence interval:0.97-1.00),with the sensitivity being 88.0％and the specificity being 100.0％.Conclusion Exosomal circRNA_051778 is downregulated in LA-MPE.According to the findings from the GO and KEGG analyses,exosomal circRNA_051778 may play a role in cancer development and has the potential to serve as a marker for differential diagnostic of LA-MPE and TPE when it is used in combination with TCT,ESR,and TBA.

Objective To discusse the diagnosis and treatment of kidney stones with emphysema pyelonephritis.Methods The clinical data of 8 patients with kidney stones complicated with emphysema pyelonephritis diagnosed in our hospital from January 2015 to October 2018 were retrospectively analyzed.There were 5 males and 3 females.The average age was 50 years old.The clinical manifestations including chills fever in 6 cases,low back pain in 5 cases,nausea and vomiting in 3 cases.Six patients had diabetes,one had thalassemia,and two had contralateral kidney stones.The maximum cross-sectional area of stones was 737.6 mm2.Among the 8 cases,there were 7 cases which number of white blood cells and procalcitonin were higher than normal reference value.4 cases of hemoglobin ＜ 110 g/L,2 cases of platelet count ＜ 125 × 109/L.The patient was cultured with urine and/or blood and drainage fluid.5 cases were Escherichia coli,2 cases were infected with Proteus mirabilis,and 1 case was infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa.According to the CT findings of emphysematous pyelonephritis reported in the literature,it was divided into type Ⅰ-Ⅳ:There were 2 cases of type Ⅰ,2 cases of type Ⅱ,3 cases of type Ⅲ,and 1 case of type Ⅳ.Results 4 cases of type [and type Ⅱ patients,2 cases without SIRS were given positive medical treatment to control infection then performed PCNL.2 cases with SIRS,first treated with percutaneous nephrolithotomy and active medical,after control infection the PCNL was performed.None of the 4 patients were treated with ICU and recovered well after surgery.Three patients with type Ⅲ and one patient with type Ⅳ were complicated with SIRS.Two of them underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy in the emergency department.They were transferred to the ICU after surgery.After the infection and general condition improved,PCNL was performed.The postoperative recovery was satisfied.One patient percutaneous nephrolithotomy,due to poor drainage,secondary percutaneous nephrolithotomy,large intrachannel,low pressure perfusion in the operation of partial obstruction of renal pelvis stones,dredge obstruction,after ICU control infection PCNL was performed,postoperative recovery was good.One patient with type Ⅲ also had poor peritoneal drainage for the first time.Secondary percutaneous nephrolithotomy was performed.After the infection was controlled by ICU,PCNL was performed to remove the stones.However,because the patient had contralateral kidney stones and thalassemia,an epileptic-like reaction occurred during the anti-infection with imipenem,and a serious infection occurred again after the operation,and eventually the patient died.Conclusions Patients with type Ⅰ and Ⅱ emphysematous pyelonephritis with renal calculi treated with conservative medical treatment alone or combined with percutaneous renal puncture drainage with SIRS can achieve better therapeutic effects after PCNL surgery.Type Ⅲ,Ⅳ emphysema pyelonephritis with renal calculus patients need to be actively anti-infective accompany with percutaneous renal puncture drainage.When the stone leads to multiple renal pelvic obstruction,large channels,low-pressure perfusion can be used to crush stones,dredge obstruction.PCNL was performed after infection control.

Sexual orientation is influenced by both environmental factors and biological factors. Family and twin studies have shown that genetic factors play an important role in the formation of male homosexuality. Genome-wide scan also revealed candidate chromosomal regions which may be associated with male homosexuality, but so far no clearly related genes have been found. This article reviews the progress of relevant studies and candidate genes which are related to male homosexuality.
Animals ; Aromatase ; genetics ; Catechol O-Methyltransferase ; genetics ; Homosexuality, Male ; genetics ; Humans ; LIM-Homeodomain Proteins ; genetics ; Male ; Receptors, Dopamine D1 ; genetics ; Transcription Factors ; genetics

Objective To explore the levels of neuron-speciifc enolase (NSE) of the cerebrospinal lfuid (CSF) in children with convulsion. Methods Ninety children with convulsion were enrolled. According to the frequency of convulsion attack, the children were divided into brief convulsion group 51 cases and prolonged convulsion group 39 cases, further, based on the etiology, the children were divided into viral encephalitis (VE) group, idiopathic epilepsy (EP) group, and febrile convulsion (FS) group. CSF was collected within 24-48 h convulsion attack. Twenty-three children with elective surgery were selected as a control group. CSF was collected before surgery. The NSE level of CSF were measured by ELISA method and compared among groups. Results The NSE levels of CSF in prolonged convulsion group and brief convulsion group were signiifcantly higher than that in control group, while the NES levels of CSF in prolonged convulsion group were signiifcantly higher than that in brief convulsion group (all P<0.05). Among the prolong convulsion group or the brief convulsion group, the VE group had the highest NSE level of CSF, which was signiifcantly higher than EP group and FS group (all P<0.01), and the difference between EP group and FS group was not statistically signiifcant (P>0.05). Conclusions Convulsion contributed to higher NSE levers of CSF, especially in children with prolonged convulsion attack or with VE. The NSE level of CSF can be regarded as an early objective indicator of brain damage after convulsions.

Objective To observe the protein expressions of PI3Kp110, pAkt, pGSK3β of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway in the whole blood of patients with Kashin-Beck disease and analyze the status of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Methods Patients with Kashin-Beck disease ( KBD group ) were from six counties ( Xunyi , Linyou , Yongshou , Qianyang , Changwu and Long County) of Shannxi Province in Kashin-Beck disease areas , and the healthy controls (control group) were matched by age and sex. Venous blood was collected from patients and healthy controls. Trizol method was applied to extract the whole blood protein; protein expression levels of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in whole blood were detected by Western blotting; the gray values were observed and recorded by the sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis(SDS-PAGE) and GDS-8000 gel imaging analysis system. Differences between the two groups were assessed by Student’s t-test. Results Compared age and sex between KBD group and control group, differences were not statistically significant(t=0.701, P>0.05;χ2=0.400, P>0.05). The protein expression levels of PI3Kp110, pAkt and p-GSK3β in KBD group were higher than that in control group(156.1 ± 92.1 vs. 79.5 ± 21.5, 113.7 ± 15.2 vs. 43.3 ± 10.7 and 105.9 ± 17.5 vs. 37.3 ± 12.0, respectively) and the differences were statistically significant (t=2.563, 6.567, 7.916; all P < 0.05 or < 0.01). Conclusion The PI3Kp110, pAkt and p-GSK3β expressions of signaling pathway proteins in the whole blood of patiens with Kashin-Beck disease are up-regulated significantly and the status of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway is activated.

Objective To observe the clinical features of late-onset cone dystrophy (LOCD).Methods Eleven patients (15 eyes) of LOCD were enrolled in this study.The patients included 7 males and 4 females.The age was ranged from 50 to 79 years,with a mean age of 60.2 years.There was no obvious photophobia and hemeralopia.The visual acuity was less than or equal to 0.05 in 4 eyes,0.06-0.2 in 5 eyes,0.3-1.0 in 6 eyes.Visual acuity,slit lamp microscope,indirect ophthalmoscopy,flash electroretinogram (FERG) and multifocal electroretinograms (mfERG) were examined for all patients,fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) for 11 eyes,optical coherence tomography (OCT) and chromoptometry for 6 eyes.Results There were 6 eyes with red/green color blindness,2 eyes with color weakness.Normal fundus was found in 11 eyes,while derangement of macular pigment epithelial in 4 eyes.FFA results showed that there were 5 eyes with normal fundus,4 eyes with blocked fluorescent spots,2 eyes with oval macular atrophy.FERG results showed that in cone response,the amplitude was lower in 6 eyes (including mild decrease in 4 eyes,moderate decrease in 1 eye and severe decrease in 1 eye) ; both in cone and rod response,the amplitude were lower in 9 eyes.mfERG results showed that central part of the cone (less than 7 degree from the center) was damaged in 5 eyes,both central and peripheral part (outside of 7 degree) of the cone were damaged in 10 eyes.OCT results showed that pigment derangement in 3 eyes,fovea was normal in 8 eyes,thinned in 5 eyes (foveal thickness was 83-111 μm).Conclusions The fundus manifestations of LOCD patients are variable,from normal fundus to oval macular atrophy.FERG is abnormal,which mainly in cone response at early stage and both in cone and rod response at late stage.Central part and (or) peripheral part of the cone are abnormal by mfERG.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Choroid Neoplasms ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Indocyanine Green ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Photochemotherapy ; standards ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Objective To establish a magnetic nanoparticles separation-based quantitative real-time PCR(RT-PCR)assay for fast and accurate detection of Plasmodium falciparum and providing a technical support for improving the control and preven-tion of imported malaria. Methods According to the conserved sequences of the P. falciparum genome 18SrRNA,the species-specific primers and probe were designed and synthetized. The RT-PCR was established by constructing the plasmid standard , fitting the standard curve and using magnetic nanoparticles separation. The sensitivity and specificity of the assay were evaluat-ed. Results The relationship between the threshold cycle(Ct)and logarithm of initial templates copies was linear over a range of 2.5×101 to 2.5×108 copies/μl(R2=0.999). Among 13 subjects of entry frontier,a P. falciparum carrier with low load was de-tected by using the assay and none was detected with the conventional examinations(microscopic examinations and rapid tests). Conclusion This assay shows a high sensitivity in detection of P. falciparum,with rapid and accurate characteristics,and is especially useful in diagnosis of P. falciparum infectors with low parasitaemia at entry-exit frontier ports.

Plant type III polyketide synthase (PKS) generates backbones of a variety of plant secondary metabolites with diverse functions, and has long been models to elucidate the relationship between the three-dimensional structure and function. More than 80 type IIII PKS crystal structures with different functions have been reported in Protein Data Bank, including the crystal structures of the well-studied Chalcone Synthase of plant type III PKS, as well as the 6 other kinds of PKSs in the family, which are critical for understanding the structural basis for diverse starter molecule selectivity, polyketide chain length and the cyclization reaction. Structure-based analysis and site-directed mutagenesis are foundation for the investigation of enzyme engineering, genetic and metabolic engineering. This review summarized 7 plant-specific type III PKS in the aspects of their crystal structures and functions.
Acyltransferases ; chemistry ; genetics ; physiology ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Catalysis ; Chalcones ; Crystallization ; Flavanones ; Genetic Engineering ; Metabolic Engineering ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Plant Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; physiology ; Plants ; enzymology ; genetics ; Protein Structure, Secondary ; Substrate Specificity