The plant F-box protein more axillary growth 2 (MAX2) is a key factor in the signal transduction of strigolactones (SLs) and karrinkins (KARs). As the main component of the SKP1-CUL1-FBX (SCF) complex ubiquitin ligase E3, MAX2 is responsible for specifically recognizing the target proteins, suppressor of MAX2 1/SMAX1-like proteins (SMAX1/SMXLs), which would be degraded after ubiquitination. It can thereby regulate plant morphogenesis and stress responses. There exist homologous genes of MAX2 in the important grain and oil crop soybean (Glycine max). However, its role in plant defense responses has not been investigated yet. Here, GmMAX2b, a homologous gene of MAX2, was successfully cloned from stressed soybean. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that there were two MAX2 homologous genes, GmMAX2a and GmMAX2b, with a similarity of 96.2% in soybean. Their F-box regions were highly conserved. The sequence alignment and cluster analysis of plant MAX2 homologous proteins basically reflected the evolutionary relationship of plants and also suggested that soybean MAX2 might be a multifunctional protein. Expression analysis showed that plant pathogen infection and salicylic acid treatment induced the expression of GmMAX2b in soybean, which is consistent with that of MAX2 in Arabidopsis. Ectopic expression of GmMAX2b compensated for the susceptibility of Arabidopsis max2-2 mutant to pathogen, indicating that GmMAX2b positively regulated plant disease resistance. In addition, yeast two hybrid technology was used to explore the potential target proteins of GmMAX2b. The results showed that GmMAX2b interacted with SMXL6 and weakly interacted with SMXL2. In summary, GmMAX2b is a positive regulator in plant defense responses, and its expression is induced by pathogen infection and salicylic acid treatment. GmMAX2b might exert its effect through interaction with SMXL6 and SMXL2. This study expands the theoretical exploration of soybean disease resistant F-box and provides a scientific basis for future soybean disease resistant breeding.
Glycine max/metabolism* ; Disease Resistance/genetics* ; Plant Diseases/immunology* ; Plant Proteins/genetics* ; Cloning, Molecular ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; F-Box Proteins/genetics* ; Arabidopsis/genetics* ; Phylogeny

Objective:To analyze the Chinese thyroid imaging reporting and data system (C-TIRADS) classification combined with ultrasonic shear wave elastography (SWE) and super microvascular imaging technology (SMI) in the diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid nodules.Methods:Clinical data of 125 patients undergoing thyroid nodule surgery in the Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Shantou Central Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. There were 35 males and 90 females. The disease duration was (3.45±1.32) years, ranging from 3 months to 7 years; the age was (55.45±3.31) years old, ranging from 25 to 70 years old; the maximum diameter of the nodule is (12.13±5.76) mm, ranging from 5.0 to 42.9 mm. C-TIRADS classification, SWE, SMI and pathological diagnosis results of ultrasonic nodules in patients were analyzed. The diagnostic performance of C-TIRADS classification, SWE, SMI and combined diagnosis of malignant nodules were analyzed. SPSS 21.0 software was used to analyze the data, and the measurement data were consistent with the normal Statistical distribution, independent t test was performed for comparison between two groups; count data were expressed as rate (%), and χ2 test was used. Results:A total of 180 lesions were detected this time. According to pathological diagnosis, there were 114 benign nodules and 66 malignant nodules; the malignant percentage of C-TIRADS 4B nodules was the highest, reaching 72.00% (36/50) ; Emix of malignant nodules, Emax and Emean were (15.98±6.56) kPa, (84.22±24.23) kPa and (63.29±15.89) kPa respectively, which were significantly higher than those of benign nodules (13.56±4.68) kPa, (48.33±14.46) kPa and (37.32±12.63kPa) ( t=2.49, 8.76, 9.07, P<0.05) ; Type IV malignancy accounted for the highest proportion in SMI classification of thyroid nodules, which was 78.95%; the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the joint diagnosis were 94.64%, 92.85%, 94.64%, 42.85%, 90.16%, higher than the single C-TIRADS classification (89.65%, 75.00%, 89.65%, 37.50%, 80.55%), SMI (82.35%, 55.56%, 89.36%, 32.60%, 78.33%), and SWE diagnosis (81.08%, 56.00%, 90.22%, 28.57%, 77.22%). The difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:Compared with the diagnostic efficiency of SWE, SMI and C-TIRADS classification alone, the combined use of the three has higher diagnostic efficiency for benign and malignant thyroid nodules. The abuse of invasive procedures can be reduced or avoided.

Objective To investigate the main pharmacological basis and mechanism of action of Guhuaisi Kangfu Pill(GHSKF)in the treatment of steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head(SONFH).Methods The active constituents and targets of GHSKF were screened by using Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform(TCMSP)and other databases.The speculative targets of SONFH were screened out based on GeneCards and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man(OMIM)databases.The gene modules and hub genes of SONFH were identified using a weighted gene co-expression network analysis(WGCNA).The intersection of the two targets and the result of WGCNA was taken to obtain the potential targets of GHSKF for the treatment of SONFH.The key active constituents were screened with the"active constituent-target"network,which was constructed by the Cytoscape software.Then,the STRING database was used to construct the protein interaction network to screen the key targets.The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)enrichment analysis of key targets was performed,and the relationship between key active constituent,key targets and key signaling pathways was explored.Finally,the molecular docking between key active constituents and key targets was verified.In addition,the SONFH rat model was used for experimental verification.Results A total of 146 compounds and the corresponding 346 targets were identified based on the TCMSP database.A total of 4 187 targets of SONFH were obtained based on GeneCards and OMIM databases.In addition,twelve gene modules and 2 556 hub genes of SONFH were screened out based on WGCNA.Quercetin,luteolin and kaempferol were key active ingredients for the treatment of SONFH.Various signaling pathways such as PI3K/AKT were involved.Molecular docking showed the key active ingredients had good binding activity with the key targets.The results of animal experiments demonstrated that GHSKF could improve bone biological alterations by up-regulating AKT1,PI3K,RUNX2,and down-regulating the expression of Caspase-3 and IL-6(P＜0.01),which verified some results of the network pharmacology prediction.Conclusion We analyzed the potential mechanism of action of GHSKF for the treatment of SONFH using network pharmacology and animal experiments,which may provide a reference for further research on its pharmacological basis and targets.

Antibodies, Antiphospholipid ; Antiphospholipid Syndrome ; Female ; Humans ; Killer Cells, Natural ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications

Objective:To investigate the common bacteria in the oropharynx of children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) and its clinical significance.Methods:A total of 134 children with MPP who were hospitalized in the Department of Pediatric Respiratory, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University from December 2016 to June 2017 were selected as the research subjects, and 42 healthy children in the same hospital were selected retrospectively as the healthy control group during the same period.Fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction Taqman probe was used to detect common oropharyngeal bacteria[ Streptococcus pneumoniae(SP), Moraxella catarrhalis(CTA), Haemophilus influenza(HI)] for the enrolled children.Firstly, the bacterial detection rate of MPP children and healthy children was compared.Then, according to age(<1 years old, 1-<3 years old, 3-<6 years old and 6-14 years old), bacterial detection[Mycoplasma pneumoniae(MP), MP+ bacteria]and bacterial species(MP+ SP, MP+ CTA, MP+ HI), 134 children with MPP were divided into groups to compare.Moreover, the relevant clinical datas were retrospectively analyzed by rank sum test and chi- square test. Results:Among 134 children with MPP, 79 (58.96%) children were detected bacteria, and 17 (40.48%) children were detected bacteria among 42 healthy children, with statistically significant differences( χ2=4.404, P<0.05). Compared with the MP group, the level of white blood cell (WBC)[8.5(6.7, 12.0)×10 9/L vs.7.8(5.8, 9.3)×10 9/L, Z=-2.232], C reactive protein(CRP)[19.2(7.2, 35.0) mg/L vs.8.4(3.4, 24.6) mg/L, Z=-2.810], lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)[286(244, 365) U/L vs.250(210, 302) U/L, Z=-2.474] and the incidence of lobar pneumonia[40.51%(32/79 cases) vs.18.18%(10/55 cases), χ2=7.510], pleural effusion[13.92%(11/79 cases) vs.3.64%(2/55 cases), χ2=3.917], refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (RMPP)[34.18%(27/79 cases) vs.18.18%(10/55 cases), χ2=4.151] in MP+ bacteria group were higher; the course of fever[10(7, 12) d vs.8(6, 10) d, Z=-2.706] and duration of antibiotic use[16(13, 19) d vs.12(9, 16) d, Z=-3.747] in MP+ bacteria group were longer (all P<0.05). The level of WBC in MP+ SP group[12.20(7.80, 17.30)×10 9/L] was higher than that in MP+ HI group [6.75(5.37, 9.44)×10 9/L], and the differences were statistically significant( Z=11.574, P<0.05), and the incidence of lobar pneumonia in MP+ SP group [56.67%(17/30 cases)]was higher than that in MP+ CTA group [0(0/3 cases)]and MP+ HI group[18.75%(3/16 cases)], and the differences were statistically significant( χ2=9.770, P<0.05). Conclusions:Bacterial colonization or infection is more likely to occur in the oropharynx of children with MPP.When WBC, CRP, and LDH are significantly increased and the image shows a large consolidation or pleural effusion, it may indicate mixed bacterial infection, longer course of fever and higher incidence of RMPP, and the common mixed bacteria is SP.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical manifestations of heart, liver and kidney damages in the early stage of COVID-19 to identify the indicators for these damages. METHODS: We analyzed the clinical features, underlying diseases, and indicators of infection in 12 patients with COVID-19 on the second day after their admission to our hospital between January 20 and February 20, 2020.The data including CK-MB, aTnI, BNP, heart rate, changes in ECG, LVEF (%), left ventricular general longitudinal strain (GLS, measured by color Doppler ultrasound) were collected.The changes of liver function biochemical indicators were dynamically reviewed.BUN, UCR, eGFR, Ccr, and UACR and the levels of MA, A1M, IGU, and TRU were recorded. RESULTS: The 12 patients included 2 severe cases, 8 common type cases, and 2 mild cases.Four of the patients presented with sinus tachycardia, ECG changes and abnormal GLS in spite of normal aTNI and LVEF; 1 patient had abnormal CKMB and BNP.On the first and third days following admission, the patients had normal ALT, AST and GGT levels.On day 7, hepatic function damage occurred in the severe cases, manifested by elevated ALT and AST levels.Abnormalities of eGFR, Ccr and UACR occurred in 8, 5 and 5 of the patients, respectively.Abnormal elevations of MA, A1M, IGU and TRU in urine protein were observed in 4, 4, 5, and 2 of the patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS In patients with COVID-19, heart damage can be identified early by observing the GLS and new abnormalities on ECG in spite of normal aTNI and LVEF.Early liver injury is not obvious in these patients, but dynamic monitoring of the indicators of should be emplemented, especially in severe cases. In cases with normal CR and BUN, kidney damage can be detected early by calculating eGFR, Ccr and UACR and urine protein tests.
Betacoronavirus ; COVID-19 ; Coronavirus Infections ; Humans ; Pandemics ; Pneumonia, Viral ; SARS-CoV-2

Objective To evaluate the analytical performance of four lipoprotein associated phospholipase A2(Lp-PLA2)activity reagents on Beckman AU5800 automatic biochemical analyzer. Methods The remaining serum samples of 214 patients and 140 apparently healthy individuals were collected from March to July 2017 in Peking Union Medical College Hospital.These samples were used for method comparison and reference interval evaluation.According to the guidelines of EP15-A,EP6-A,EP-17 and EP7-P from Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute(CLSI)standards,the precision, linearity, sensitivity and common interferences(e.g free bilirubin, conjunct bilirubin, hemoglobin and chyle)were assessed.According to EP9-A2,method comparisons of differents regents(Evermed,DiaSys,Hengxiao and Zhongyuan were labeled as A,B,C and D,respectively)were conducted and the differences were estimated at medical decision levels(328U/L,391U/L and 485U/L).Results The precision of four reagents were acceptable.The repeatability(CV%)of A to D were 0.5%-1.7%, 0.7%-3.0%, 0.9%-2.0% and 0.5%-3.3%,respectively.The reproducibility(CV%)were 0.7%-2.9%, 1.4%-3.2%, 1.3%-1.9%and 0.8%-4.1%,respectively.Both of those achievedlaboratory defined quality objective(<5%).The linearity of A to D were 44 -1 992 U/L,39 -1 798 U/L,13 -540 U/L and 75-1 717U/L,respectively.The regression coefficient R2 was between 0.997 and 1.000, and the correlation coefficient(r)was between 0.998 and 1.000.The interference of chyle were acceptable among these four reagents andmet the manufacturer′s requirementsor clinical needs.In a low level of Lp-PLA2,bilirubin had an obvious interferenceonreagent C;B and C were negatively affected when the hemoglobin was 4.5 g/L; and D was positively affected when the hemoglobin was 2.45 g/L.The regression coefficients R2 of A,C,D compared with B were between 0.978 and 0.995,and the correlation coefficients(r)were between 0.989 and 0.998. The expected differences at medical decision levels ranged from -240 U/L to 113 U/L.For A to D,the Lp-PLA2 activity results of 131(93.6%), 140(100%), 82(58.6%), and 128(91.4%)cases were analysed within the manufacturer′s claimed reference intervals.Conclusion The precision and linearity of the four Lp-PLA2 activity detection reagents used in automatic biochemical analyzer are good, but the anti-interference ability needs to be improved.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of double locking mini-plates for fixation of the comminuted fracture of the first metacarpal base.Methods Twenty-four patients with the comminuted fracture of the first metacarpal base were treated by double locking mini-plates in our hospital from January 2013 to January 2016.They were 17 males and 7 females,from 27 to 65 years of age (average,33.5 years).By the Green classification,6 cases were type Ⅰ,13 cases type Ⅱ and 5 cases type Ⅲ.All the fractures were closed.The average time from injury to surgery was 2.3 days (from 8 hours to 7 days).After open reduction via the palmar-radial incision,the fracture was fixated with 2 mini-plates,one locking T-plate on the radial side and one straight locking plate on the dorsal side.Fracture healing time,pain and finger function were followed up postoperatively.Visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the pain at 12 months and scoring for digital total range of motion to assess the function of the affected finger at the final follow-up.Results The 24 patients obtained follow-up for 8 to 28 months (average,18 months).All the Fractures healed after 9 to 12 weeks (average,10.5 weeks).The VAS scores at 12 months ranged from 0 to 3 (average,1.5).The function of the affected finger at the final follow-up was excellent in 20 cases and good in 4,giving an excellent to good rate of 100％.Two patients complained of pain after frequent motion of the finger.No complications like skin problems,dislocation of the first metacarpal base,implant failure,necrosis or irritation of the soft tissue were observed during follow-up.No angulation or rotational deformity occurred after fracture union.Conclusion Fixation with double locking mini-plates can effectively treat comminuted fractures of the first metacarpal base,because it can provide rigid stabilization which promotes early functional exercise of the finger,and prevents joint stiffness as well.

Objective To investigate the antibacterial effect of Fusidic acid on Mycoplasma pneumoniae and antibiotic resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae in vitro.Methods Twenty-eight clinical strains of Mycoplasma pneumoniae isolated from patients with respiratory tract infection at Beijing Friendship Hospital Affiliated to the Capital University of Medical Sciences from January to December 2016 and 2 Mycoplasma pneumoniae reference strains were enrolled.The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Fusidic acid and Azithromycin were determined by using micro-dilution ration method.The chessboard method was used to check the antibacterial effect of combination between Fusidic acid and Azithromycin.The antibacterial activity of the Fusidic acid was evaluated by measuring the antibacterial rate of different concentrations.Results One isolate showed no mutation in 23SrRNA,26 isolates had one point mutation in loci 2063 and 1 isolate had one point mutation in loci 2064 among the 28 clinical isolates.The findings by micro-dilution method results showed that the MIC values of all the clinical isolates with mutations associated with macrolide resistance to Azithromycin were ＞ 1.000 0 mg/L,and the MIC values of all the clinical isolates with no mutations to azithromycin were ＜ 0.500 0 mg/L.The findings by micro-dilution method results showed that the MIC value of Fusidic acid for Mycoplasma pneumonia and drug resistance Mycoplasma pneumoniae was 1.000 0 mg/L.The Fractional Inhibitory Concentration index of Fusidic acid and Azithromycin combination was ≤0.500 0 mg/L.When the concentration of the Fusidic acid was lower than or equal to 32 MIC,the antibacterial effect of Fusidic acid against Mycoplasma pneumoniae increased with its higher concentration.When the concentration of the Fusidic acid was lower than or equal to 8 MIC,the longer the strain was exposed to the drug,the stronger antibacterial effect was against Mycoplasma pneumoniae.Conclusion If the treatment of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection is not effective or the infection of patient is combined with bacteria,the application or combination of Fusidic acid may inhibit pathogenic bacteria effectively.Of course,how to use Fusidic acid in clinical treatment needs further study and discussion.

Objective To investigate the changes of prevalence of hyperuricemia ( HUA) and its correlations with blood glucose and lipid in healthy adults receiving physical examination at Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) from 2012 to 2017. Meth-ods An observational approach was adopted for the data analysis.The test results of uric acid (UA),fasting blood glucose (FBG),to-tal cholesterol (TC),triacylglycerol (TG),low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C),high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), creatinine (Cr) and Urea of 399 089 cases (206 881 males and 192 208 females) at PUMCH from January 2012 to December 2017 were collected and statistically analyzed.Results The total prevalence of HUA was 17.4% in which the prevalence of males was signif-icantly higher than that of females (25.6% vs 8.5%,χ2＝20 234.850,P＜0.01).During the years of 2012 to 2017,the prevalence of HUA was 26.5%,24.7%,28.6%,23.9%,24.8% and 24.5% in males,and 13.8%,6.3%,7.9%,6.1%,6.2% and 6.8% in females for each year respectively.The prevalence of HUA in males aged 18 to 64 years old was significantly higher than that in the age-matched fe-males (all P＜0.05).However, the prevalence of HUA in males aged≥65 years old was similar to the age-matched females.There was no statistically significant difference of HUA prevalence between males and females aged ≥65 in 2013,2015,2016 and 2017 ( χ2＝1.792,0.017,1.440 and 0.205 respectively;all P＞0.05).The percentages of hyperlipidemia in both males and females of HUA group were higher than those of non-HUA group respectively (all P＜0.01).The percentage of hyperglycemia in males of non-HUA group was higher than that of HUA group,but the percentage of hyperglycemia in females of non-HUA group was lower than that of HUA group ( all P＜0.01).High levels of TC,TG and FBG were risk factors of HUA with increased OR values in increased concentrations of TC,TG and FBG,respectively.Conclusion During the recent 6 years, in healthy adults receiving physiced examination at PVMCH, the preva-lence of male HUA diagnosed was at overall high level,but the prevalence of female HUA was in decreasing and relatively stable trend. Hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia should be the risk factors of HUA.