Effect of siRNA interference with C-C chemokine ligand 5 on biological characteristics of laryngeal carcinoma cells / 中国生物制品学杂志

@#Objective To investigate the expression of C-C chemokine ligand 5(CCL5) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma(HNSCC),and explore the effect of CCL5 on the biological characteristics of laryngeal carcinoma cells.Methods Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis(GEPIA) database was used to investigate the expression of CCL5 in HNSCC.The laryngeal carcinoma cells TU177 were transfected with siRNA(siRNA group),and the control(NC) group was set up.The cell proliferation,migration,cycle and apoptosis of each group were detected by CCK8 assay,cell scratch test and flow cytometry respectively.RT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the knock-down efficiency of CCL5 and the mRNA transcription and protein expression of multidrug resistance protein 2(MRP2) and bcl-2-associated x protein(Bax).Results The expression of CCL5 in HNSCC was higher than that in normal tissues(P <0.05).Compared with NC group,siRNA showed higher knock-down efficiency(t=12.898 and 22.656 respectively,each P <0.01);siRNA interference with CCL5 inhibited the proliferation and migration of laryngeal carcinoma cells,and promoted the late apoptosis of laryngeal carcinoma cells and the expression of apoptosis protein Bax(t=2.600～11.667,each P <0.05).Conclusion CCL5 was highly expressed in HNSCC,while siRNA interference with CCL5 inhibited the proliferation,migration and promoted apoptosis of laryngeal carcinoma cells TU177 by up-regulating the expression of Bax,which laid a foundation of the possibility of CCL5 as a new target for the treatment of laryngeal carcinoma.

Diagnosis status and genetic characteristics analysis of Fanconi anemia in China / 中华儿科杂志

Objective: To analyze the clinical and molecular diagnostic status of Fanconi anemia (FA) in China. Methods: The General situation, clinical manifestations and chromosome breakage test and genetic test results of 107 pediatric FA cases registered in the Chinese Blood and Marrow Transplantation Registry Group (CBMTRG) and the Chinese Children Blood and Marrow Transplantation Registry Group (CCBMTRG) from August 2009 to January 2022 were analyzed retrospectively. Children with FANCA gene variants were divided into mild and severe groups based on the type of variant, and Wilcoxon-test was used to compare the phenotypic differences between groups. Results: Of the 176 registered FA patients, 69 (39.2%) cases were excluded due to lack of definitive genetic diagnosis results, and the remaining 107 children from 15 hospitals were included in the study, including 70 males and 37 females. The age at transplantation treatment were 6 (4, 9) years. The enrolled children were involved in 10 pathogenic genes, including 89 cases of FANCA gene, 7 cases of FANCG gene, 3 cases of FANCB gene, 2 cases of FANCE gene and 1 case each of FANCC, FANCD1, FANCD2, FANCF, FANCJ, and FANCN gene. Compound heterozygous or homozygous of loss-of-function variants account for 69.2% (72/104). Loss-of-function variants account for 79.2% (141/178) in FANCA gene variants, and 20.8% (37/178) were large exon deletions. Fifty-five children (51.4%) had chromosome breakage test records, with a positive rate of 81.8% (45/55). There were 172 congenital malformations in 80 children.Café-au-Lait spots (16.3%, 28/172), thumb deformities (16.3%,28/172), polydactyly (13.9%, 24/172), and short stature (12.2%, 21/172) were the most common congenital malformations in Chinese children with FA. No significant difference was found in the number of congenital malformations between children with severe (50 cases) and mild FANCA variants (26 cases) (Z=-1.33, P=0.185). Conclusions: FANCA gene is the main pathogenic gene in children with FA, where the detection of its exon deletion should be strengthened clinically. There were no phenotypic differences among children with different types of FANCA variants. Chromosome break test is helpful to determine the pathogenicity of variants, but its accuracy needs to be improved.

Autosomal dominant neurodevelopmental disorders associated with KIF1A gene variants in 6 pediatric patients / 浙江大学学报·医学版

OBJECTIVES@#To analyze the clinical and genetic characteristics of children with autosomal dominant neurodevelopmental disorders caused by kinesin family member 1A (KIF1A) gene variation.@*METHODS@#Clinical and genetic testing data of 6 children with KIF1A gene de novo heterozygous variation diagnosed in Shanghai Children's Medical Center Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from the year 2018 to 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Pathogenic variants were identified based on whole exome sequencing, and verified by Sanger sequencing. Moreover, the effect of variants on three-dimensional structure and stability of protein was analyzed by bioinformatics.@*RESULTS@#Among 6 patients there were 4 males and 2 females, and the age of consultation varied from 7 months to 18 years. All cases had varying degrees of motor developmental delay since childhood, and 4 of them had gait abnormalities or fell easily. In addition, 2 children were accompanied by delayed mental development, epilepsy and abnormal eye development. Genetic tests showed that all 6 cases had heterozygous de novo variations of KIF1A gene, including 4 missense mutations c.296C>T (p.T99M), c.761G>A (p.R254Q), c.326G>T (p.G109V), c.745C>G (p.L249V) and one splicing mutation c.798+1G>A, among which the last three variants have not been previously reported. Bioinformatics analysis showed that G109V and L249V may impair their interaction with the neighboring amino acid residues, thereby impacting protein function and reducing protein stability, and were assessed as "likely pathogenic". Meanwhile, c.798+1G>A may damage an alpha helix in the motor domain of the KIF1A protein, and was assessed as "likely pathogenic".@*CONCLUSIONS@#KIF1A-associated neurological diseases are clinically heterogeneous, with motor developmental delay and abnormal gait often being the most common clinical features. The clinical symptoms in T99M carriers are more severe, while those in R254Q carriers are relatively mild.

Clinical Evaluation and Mechanism of Xuesusheng Granule for Patients with Cancer Related Fatigue / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To discuss the clinical efficacy of Xuesusheng granule for cancer related fatigue （CRF） deficiency of both Qi and blood in clinical practice， and to investigate its effect on immune function and quality of life. Method:According to random number table method， 118 patients were divided into observation group （59 cases） and control group （59 cases）. Patients in control group got Ejiao Huangqi oral liquid， 10-20 mL/time， 2 times/day. Patients in observation group got Xuesusheng granule， 10 g/time， 3 times/day. The treatment was continued for 8 weeks in both groups. Before and after treatment， scores of cancer fatigue scale （CFS）， functional assessment of cancer therapy （FACT） and Qi and blood deficiency syndrome were graded， and degree of fatigue was discussed with brief fatigue inventory scale-Chinese （BFI-C）. Levels of white blood cell count （WBC）， neutrophil count （NEU）， platelet count （PLT）， red blood cell count （RBC）， and hemoglobin （Hb） were compared before and after treatment.T lymphocyte subsets of （CD3⁺， CD4⁺， CD8⁺） levels， natural killer （NK） cells， interleukin-1（IL-1）， IL-6， IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor -<italic>α</italic> （TNF -<italic>α</italic>） were also detected， and the safety was evaluated. Result:After treatment the scores of each factor in CFS scale and the total score of CFS in the observation group were lower than those in the control group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， and the degree of fatigue was lower than that in control group （<italic>Z</italic>=2.101， <italic>P</italic><0.05）. The total score of FACT and the scores of four dimensions of physiology， society/family， emotion and function in the observation group were lower than those in the control group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Levels of WBC， NEU， RBC and Hb in the observation group were higher than those in the control group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Scores of BFI-C， deficiency of Qi and blood<italic> </italic>were lower than those in control group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Levels of NK， CD3⁺， CD4⁺ and CD4⁺/CD8⁺ in the observation group were all higher than those in the control group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， while the IL-1， CD8⁺， IL-6， IL-8 and TNF-<italic>α</italic> levels in observation group were lower than those in the control group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Not observed， there was no adverse reaction related to Xususheng granule. Conclusion:Xuesusheng granule can improve the symptoms of fatigue， reduce the degree of fatigue， improve the quality of life， reduce the degree of bone marrow suppression， improve immune function， and regulate immune inflammatory factors with high clinical efficacy in the use for patients with CRF and deficiency of Qi and blood.

Analysis of ALMS1 gene variants in seven patients with Alström syndrome / 中华医学遗传学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the genetic basis for 7 patients with Alström syndrome.@*METHODS@#DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples of the patients and their parents. Whole exome sequencing was carried out for the patients. Suspected variant was verified by Sanger sequencing and bioinformatic analysis.@*RESULTS@#Genetic testing revealed 12 variants of the ALMS1 gene among the 7 patients, including 7 nonsense and 5 frameshift variants, which included c.5418delC (p.Tyr1807Thrfs*23), c.10549C>T (p.Gln3517*), c.9145dupC (p.Thr3049Asnfs*12), c.10819C>T (p.Arg3607*), c.5701_5704delGAGA (p.Glu1901Argfs*18), c.9154_9155delCT (p.Cys3053Serfs*9), c.9460delG (p.Val3154*), c.9379C>T (p.Gln3127*), c.12115C>T (p.Gln4039*), c.1468dupA (p.Thr490Asnfs*15), c.10825C>T (p.Arg3609*) and c.3902C>A (p.Ser1301*). Among these, c.9154_ 9155delCT, c.9460delG, c.9379C>T, and c.1468dupA were unreported previously. Based on the standards and guidelines of American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, the c.9379C>T and c.12115C>T variants of the ALMS1 gene were predicted to be likely pathogenic (PVS1+PM2), whilst the other 10 variants were predicted to be pathogenic (PVS1+ PM2+ PP3+PP4).@*CONCLUSION@#ALMS1 variants probably underlay the Alström syndrome in the 7 patients, and genetic testing can provide a basis for the clinical diagnosis of this syndrome. The discovery of four novel variants has expanded the mutational spectrum of Alström syndrome.

Anesthesia upstream of the alcoholic lesion point alleviates the pain of alcohol neurolysis for intercostal neuralgia: a prospective randomized clinical trial

OBJECTIVES: Alcohol for intercostal neuralgia may induce severe injection pain. Although nerve block provided partial pain relief, alcohol might be diluted, and the curative effect decreased when the local anesthetic and alcohol were given at the same point. Therefore, we observed the modified method for intercostal neuralgia, a Two-point method, in which the local anesthetic and alcohol were given at different sites. METHOD: Thirty patients diagnosed with intercostal neuralgia were divided into 2 groups: Single-point group and Two-point group. In the Single-point group, alcohol and local anesthetic were injected at the same point, named the "lesion point", which was the lower edge of ribs and 5 cm away from the midline of the spinous process. In the Two-point group, alcohol was injected at the lesion point, whereas the local anesthetic was administered at the "anesthesia point", which was 3 cm away from the midline of spinous process. RESULTS: After alcohol injection, visual analog scale (VAS) in the Two-point group was lower than the Single-point group, and the satisfaction ratio of patients in the Two-point group was higher (p<0.05). The degree of numbness in the Two-point group was greater than the Single-point group at 1 month and 3 months after operation (p<0.05). However, the long-term effects did not differ. CONCLUSIONS: Local anesthetic was given upstream of the point where alcohol was administered, was a feasible and safe method to relieve pain during the operation, and improved the satisfaction of the patients and curative effect.

The role of vitamin D and its analogues in the treatment of oral mucosal diseases and periodontal diseases / 口腔疾病防治

@#Vitamin D is an essential nutrient in the body. In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to its role in regulating immunity and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the application of vitamin D in vivo may produce some side effects, such as hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria. Some analogs of vitamin D obtained through molecular modification can reduce the side effects while retaining a similar regulatory action as that of vitamin D. The supplementation of vitamin D or the use of vitamin D analogs may contribute to the prevention and treatment of immune inflammatory diseases. This article reviews the role of vitamin D and its analogues in the prevention and treatment of oral mucosal diseases and periodontal diseases. The literature review results show that vitamin D and its analogues can protect the integrity of the oral mucosal barrier, prevent or delay the occurrence of oral lichen planus, and provide a reference value for the prevention and treatment of periodontitis.

Familial short stature caused by ACAN gene mutation:a familial case report / 临床儿科杂志

Objective To explore the clinical phenotype and genetic variation of familial short stature. Method The clinical data of a familial short stature pedigree in Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region were retrospectively analyzed. The disease-causing gene was identified using targeted high-throughput sequencing combined with Sanger sequencing in May 2017. The related literature were searched and the relationship between the clinical phenotype and genotype of the ACAN gene mutation were summarized. Results The two patients were brothers, one was 9-year and 10-month old boy and the other was 7-year-old boy. Both of them had short stature. Their parents were non-consanguineous marriage and both were 150 cm in height, with. Their uncle and grandpa are also short stature. Gene sequencing revealed a novel heterozygous variation c.6193delC (p.Gln2065Serfs*27) in exon 12 of ACAN gene in both brothers, which were inherited from their father. No report of this mutation was found by searching literature and databases. A total of 11 related articles in English were retrieved. Totally (including our study) 32 patients in 41 families were reported to have the pathogenic variants of ACAN gene, including 4 variants from Chinese children, but no such reports were found in Chinese literatures. The most common clinical manifestation is idiopathic short stature, which is mostly familial but could also be sporadic. Some children also suffered from osteoarthritis, disc herniation or degeneration. Most of the children had advanced bone age, but some of them were normal or even lagged. Treatment of postponing puberty by growth hormone combined with gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues can effectively improve final height. Conclusion Heterozygous mutation of ACAN gene can cause short stature in children and has significant familial genetic characteristics, and the clinical characteristics have no relationship with genotypes.

Genetic analysis of two children patients affected with CHARGE syndrome / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze two Chinese pediatric patients with multiple malformations and growth and development delay.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Both patients were subjected to targeted gene sequencing, and the results were analyzed with Ingenuity Variant Analysis software. Suspected pathogenic variations were verified by Sanger sequencing.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>High-throughput sequencing showed that both patients have carried heterozygous variants of the CHD7 gene. Patient 1 carried a nonsense mutation in exon 36 (c.7957C>T, p.Arg2653*), while patient 2 carried a nonsense mutation of exon 2 (c.718C>T, p.Gln240*). Sanger sequencing confirmed the above mutations in both patients, while their parents were of wild-type for the corresponding sites, indicating that the two mutations have happened de novo.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Two patients were diagnosed with CHARGE syndrome by high-throughput sequencing.</p>

Pathogenesis of particulate matters and IL-4 DNA methylation in CD4+T cells in children with AR / 中国耳鼻咽喉头颈外科

OBJECTIVE To investigate the possible effects of meteorological and environmental factors on IL-4 gene specific DNA methylation levels in CD4+T cells of children with AR.METHODS Thirty five pediatric AR patients(6-12 years) followed up for one year from the Department of Otolaryngology, Shanghai Children Medical Center from Jan, 1, 2012 to Dec. 31, 2012 were included in this study. Data on daily particulate matter of diameter smaller than 10 micrometer(PM10) and particulate matter of diameter smaller than 2.5 micrometer(PM2.5) was available as average values derived from the data of 6 state-controlled monitoring stations distributed across Pudong District, Shanghai. We quantified IL-4(interleukin-4) gene specific DNA methylation levels in CD4+T cells from 35 patients with AR and 30 healthy controls. mRNA levels of IL-4 gene were measured by real-time reverse transcriptase-PCR. Methods of personal exposure assessment of PM2.5 and PM10 were measured.RESULTS Compared with controls, IL-4 promoter region was hypomethylated in AR CD4+T cells(P=0.038). Of all observed CpG sites in IL-4 promoter region, there was significant differences in CpG-48, CpG+54(P=0.041, 0.032). IL-4 mRNA expression was significantly increased in CD4+T cells(P=0.039). The level of IL-4 mRNA expression was negatively correlated to the mean level of methylation in IL-4 promoter region. After adjusting, level of PM10 exposure was negatively correlated with level of methylation in IL-4 promoter region(r2=0.419,β=-0.470,SD=0.781,P=0.045). CONCLUSION Level of methylation in IL-4 promoter region may be affected by PM10 exposure.

Gene diagnostic method for primary immunodeficiency disease based on targeted panel sequencing / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

Objective · To design and build a high-throughput sequencing approach based on targeted panel sequencing (TPS) using for the primary immunodeficiency disease (PID) diagnosis. Methods · By reviewing the literature and querying the relevant databases to determine the known diseasecausing genes of PID, capture probes using for the TPS were designed and customized for all exons and flanking sequences of these genes. A child suspected with PID was diagnosed by the customized TPS. Results · The PID sequencing panel contains a total of 100 known pathogenic genes. The sequencing data of the patient has 16414298 reads. The average coverage depth is 157 X, 98.35% of the target region sequencing depth is greater than 20 X, and 99.97% of the target region sequencing depth is greater than 1 X. Finally, a heterozygous nonsense mutation was found in the exon 2 of the CXCR4 gene (c.1000C>T, p.Arg334*) in the child. The results of Sanger sequencing confirmed the variation in the child and showed that his parents were wildtype at the corresponding sites, indicating the mutation is de novo. Conclusion · This study established a high-throughput sequencing diagnostic approach for PID, with which a case of WHIM syndrome was successfully diagnosed.

Multiple congenital anomalies-hypotonia-seizures syndrome 1: case report and review of literature / 中华儿科杂志

Objective@#To analyze and summarize the clinical and molecular characteristics of the patients with multiple congenital anomalies- hypotonia-seizures syndrome 1 (MCAHS 1).@*Method@#Clinical data and test results were collected from a patient who was diagnosed with confirmed genetic basis of MCAHS 1 in Shanghai Children′s Medical Center since December 2015. The patient and his parents were examined by the next generation sequencing (NGS) technology using peripheral blood genomic DNA, and the relevant mutations identified by NGS were verified with Sanger sequencing. Related literature was searched from PubMed and Embase databases (from their establishment to January 2017) by using "PIGN gene" as a keyword, the retrieved articles were further reviewed for the clinical manifestations, results and prognosis of PIGN related variants.@*Result@#A nearly 4-month-old Chinese boy was presented with epilepsy, hypotonia, developmental delay, accompanied by nearly normal laboratory test results. The NGS analysis revealed a compound heterozygous variations in the PIGN gene, included a known splice site mutation (c.963G>A) which was inherited from his father, and a novel nonsense mutation (c.2773A>T, p.Lys925*) which was inherited from his mother. Nine associated articles were retrieved. Including our patient, a total of 22 cases were identified as the PIGN variants. The most common clinical manifestations were developmental delay, hypotonia, and epilepsy.Missense varients were most frequently found. Prognosis was poor. Eight cases died, while survived cased suffered from refractory epilepsy, profound mental retardation, muscle weakness, etc.@*Conclusion@#MCAHS1 is characterized by epilepsy, severe developmental delay, hypotonia, and may be accompanied by multiple malformations of other systems. Homozygous or compound heterozygous variants in PIGN gene are the cause of the disease.

The analysis of clinical manifestations and genetic mutations in a child with hereditary fructose intolerance / 临床儿科杂志

Objective To analysis the clinical and gene mutation characteristics of hereditary fructose intolerance (HFI). Methods The clinical features and the results of gene testing in the child with HFI and her parents were analyzed retrospectively. Gene sequencing was carried out by high-throughput sequencing and validated by Sanger sequencing. Results The 4-year-3-month old girl had recurrent hypoglycemia episodes and growth retardation. When the condition was stable, the levels of lactic acid and urine micro protein were slightly higher, and the levels of thyroid hormone, cortisol, glycosylated hemoglobin, insulin and C peptide were normal.EEG showed epileptiform activity.Gene sequencing revealed the presence of aldolase B gene(ALDOB) compound heterozygous mutations, a novel splicing mutations (c.325-1G>A) in intron 3 and a frameshift mutation (c. 865delC;p.L289fs*10) in exon 8. Her father carries a frameshift mutation, and her mother carries a splicing mutation. Conclusion The diagnosis of HFI caused by ALDOB mutation can be confirmed by high-throughput sequencing technology.

Clinical-grade gene curation strategy in the development of short stature related gene panel by next generation sequencing / 中华检验医学杂志

Objective Design short stature panel with gene curration strategy.Methods The gene curation process was introduced in detail.The strength of a gene-disease relationship was evaluated based on publicly available genetic and experimental evidence.This process in short stature panel design and its effect on gene selection was further demonstrated.Results After gene curation, the number of gene in list was effectively decreased from 1 276 to 705.The panel sequencing reached a diagnosis rate of 19.7% among a cohort of 371 nation-wide ascertained short stature patients.The gene curation process reduced the risk of false positive findings and decreased diagnostic cost and working hours without affecting the diagnosis rate.Conclusion Gene curation is an important step for NGS-based test and should be widely exercised.

Social Ethics Analysis on Improving Higher Vocational Students' On-the-Spot Rescue Ability / 中国医学伦理学

To popularization and improvement of on-the-spot rescueability is a vital means to reduce the accidental disability rate and the mortality rate,which is also a prospective concept of health.To popularize on-the -spot rescue knowledge and to improve self and mutual medical aid is a strongly public welfare and is the manifestation of social responsibility as well as respect for life.Based onthe investigation of on-the-spot rescue ability among three higher vocational college students in Shaanxi,this paper pointed out that the popularity rate of on-the -spot rescue knowledge was low among higher vocational college students,which no longer kept pace with the demand of social development and occupational requirement.It also analyzed the importance and urgency of improving higher vocational students'on-the-spot rescue ability from the perspective of social ethics.Strengthening the propaganda and training self-rescue skills might be a possible way to enhance students' on-the-spot rescue ability.

The study of atmospheric particulate matters and IFN-γDNA methylation in CD4⁺ T cells from patients with AR children / 临床耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the possible effects of meteorological and environmental factors on AR of children and IFN-γgene specific DNA methylation levels in CD4⁺ T cells of patients with AR. Method:Undergoing follow-up on 35 pediatric AR patients (6-12 years). Data on daily sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), particulate matter of diameter smaller than 10 micrometer (PM-10) and particulate matter of diameter smaller than 2.5 micrometer (PM2.5), the average of ozone (O₃) per 8 hours was available as average values derived from the data of 6 state controlled monitoring stations distributed across Pudong district, Shanghai. We quantified IFN-γ (interferon-γ) gene specific DNA methylation levels in CD4⁺ T cells from 35 patients with AR and 30 healthy controls. mRNA levels of IFN-γ gene were measured by real-time reverse transcriptase-PCR. Methods of personal exposure assessment of PM2.5 and PM10 were measured. Result:Compared with control, IFN-γ promoter region was hypermethylated in AR CD4⁺ T cells (P<0.05). Of all observed CpG sites in IFN-γ promoter region, there were significant differences in CpG⁻²⁹⁹, CpG⁺¹¹⁹, CpG⁺¹⁶⁸ (P=0.004, P=0.029, P=0.035). IFN-γ mRNA expression was significantly increase in CD4⁺ T cells (P<0.05). The level of IFN-γ mRNA expression was negatively correlated to mean level of methylation in IFN-γ promoter region. After adjusting, level of long exposure PM2.5 was positively correlated with level of methylation in IFN-γ promoter region. Conclusion:Level of methylation in IFN-γ promoter region may be affected by long exposure PM2.5.

Efficient Expression and Purification of Recombinant Human Enteropeptidase Light Chain in Esherichia coli

Human enterokinase (synonym: enteropeptidase, EC 3.4.21.9) light chain (hEKL) gene was designed and artificially synthesized with built-in codon blas towards Escherichia coli codon preference. The synthetic hEKL gene was cloned into prokaryotic expression vector pMAL-s and transferred into the expression strain E. coli BL21 (DE3). Recombinant hEKL protein with a maltose binding protein (MBP) tag was expressed at high levels in soluble form, which yielded about 42% of the total cellular protein. The target protein was then purified to the homogeneity (> 95%) by affinity chromatography. The peptide substrate GST-Melittin with enterokinase recognition site was completely cleaved by the purified MBP-hEKL at the molar ratio of 1:5000 (enzyme:substrate). Tricine SDS-PAGE analysis showed that the activity of MBP-hEKL was approximately seven times that of bovine enterokinase catalytic subunit (EKMaxTM, Invitrogen). From 1 L flask culture, 206 mg pure active MBP-hEKL was with specific activity of 1.4×104 U/mg.

Influence of PIMT on apoptosis of fibroblast-like synoviocytes in rheumatoid ar-thritis / 中国免疫学杂志

To prove the influence of protein isoaspartyl-methyltransferase ( PIMT ) on the cell apoptosis of fibroblast-like synoviocytes of RA.Methods: The expression vector of PIMT was constructed and transfected in to the RA-FLS, the impact of PIMT on the cell apoptosis of RA-FLS was observed by overexpressing the vector of PIMT.Results:The mRNA and protein level of PIMT in RA-FLS was increased after transfected the vector of PIMT into RA-FLS;compared with the normal cultured RA-FLS and the RA-FLS transfected with the empty vectors ,the cell apoptosis level was also increased.Conclusion:The decreased expression level of PIMT in RA-FLS is an important reason for reduce apoptosis of RA-FLS,and PIMT can affect the imbalance of proliferation/ap-optosis in the RA-FLS.

Comparison between Doppler echocardiography and hot-film anemometry in measuring the turbulent shear stress downstream of artificial mitral valves: a methodological study / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Turbulent shear stress (TSS) plays an important role in the research of fluid dynamics of heart valves. This study aimed to perform a quantitative study of TSS downstream of porcine artificial mitral valves in order to verify the correlation of hot-film anemometry (HFA) and Doppler echocardiography combined with computer-aided image analysis for the detection of TSS.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A porcine model of mitral valve replacement was established. HFA and Doppler ultrasound techniques were used to directly and indirectly measure TSS-relevant parameters of the artificial mitral valve following different mitral valve replacements: different approaches were used to reserve the subvalvular apparatus of the mitral valve. A correlation analysis was then carried out.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was a significant correlation between the HFA and Doppler ultrasound combined with computer-aided image analysis of the TSS at the same time and at the same site. No significant difference was found in the TSS measured by the two methods.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Compared with HFA, Doppler echocardiography combined with computer-aided image analysis is a safe, non-invasive, and real-time method that enables accurate and quantitative detection of TSS downstream in vivo, objectively reflecting the flow field downstream of the artificial mitral valve. Doppler ultrasound combined with computer-aided image analysis can be employed for quantitatively evaluating the downstream hemodynamic performance of the mitral valve.</p>

Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) expression and nitric oxide (NO) content in the skeletal muscles in transverse process syndrome of the 3rd lumbar vertebra of model rats treated with acupotomology therapy / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the relation between the nitric-oxide synthase (NOS) expression and nitric oxide (NO) content in the skeletal muscles and the injury condition of soft tissue in the 3rd lumbar vertebrae syndrome model rats, and to observe the effect of acupotomology therapy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and twenty-eight adult SD rats were allocated to 4 groups randomly: normal group, model group, aminoguanidin group and acupotomology treatment group, 32 rats in each group. NOS expression, NO content and injury of the soft tissue in the 3rd lumbar vertebra were observed on the 1st, 3rd, 7th and 14th day after the acupotomology treatment and aminoguanidine intervention.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>1) Inducible NOS (iNos) activity and NO content in model group was significantly higher (F = 522.860, P < 0.01), in acupotomology group and aminoguanidine group was significantly lower than the model group (FiNOS = 28.894, P < 0.01), and iNOS activity and NO content in all groups was in competence with the condition of soft tissue injuries. 2) Endothelium NOS (eNOS) expression raised in model group and acupotomology group, and achieve peak on the 7th day. There was significant difference between the eNOS expression in acupotomology group and the model group (FeNOS = 3.454, P < 0.05). 3) The expression of neuron NOS (nNOS) in the model group, aminoguanidine group and acupotomology group had no significant (FnNOS = 0.962, P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupotomology treatment can restrain the development of high content NO, release the inflammatory reaction and injury condition, improve microcirculation, prevent the development of scar tissue of the injured soft tissue, and has significant recovering effectiveness in the soft tissue injured model rats.</p>