Analysis of the autoimmune response to BP180 in Chinese stroke patients

Abstract Background Significant association between bullous pemphigoid (BP) and stroke has been reported. This study aimed to evaluate the level of anti-BP180 antibody in stroke patients to explore the relationship between BP and stroke in their pathogenesis. Methods We collected serum samples from stroke patients and matched controls between February 2019 and June 2020. The anti-BP180 antibody levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results A total of 1183 stroke patients including 970 with cerebral infarction (CI), 192 with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), 21 with CI and ICH, and 855 controls were enrolled in this study. Anti-BP180 autoantibody values were significantly higher in stroke patients than in controls (p < 0.001). Anti-BP180 autoantibody-positive rates were 12.51% (148) in stroke patients and 4.68% (40) in controls (p < 0.001, OR = 2.65). In anti-BP180 autoantibody-positive subjects, the values were significantly higher in stroke patients than in controls (p < 0.001). However, only 10 (6.76%) stroke patients and 3 (7.5%) controls had high values (> 100 RU/mL) (p = 0.87). Stratified analysis showed that anti-BP180 antibody positive rates were independent of age, sex, and stroke subtypes in the stroke group. Positive rates in patients with both CI and ICH were nearly two times higher than those in patients with either CI or ICH alone (p = 0.11, OR = 1.94). Study limitations This study had a limited sample size and lacked quantitative criteria for stroke severity. Conclusions Anti-BP180 antibody values and positive rates were higher in stroke patients than in controls, suggesting that stroke patients may have higher of developing BP.

Alpha-kinase1 promotes tubular injury and interstitial inflammation in diabetic nephropathy by canonical pyroptosis pathway

BACKGROUND: Alpha-kinase 1 (ALPK1) is a master regulator in inflammation and has been proved to promote renal fibrosis by promoting the production of IL-1ß in diabetic nephropathy (DN) mice. Pyroptosis is involved in high glucose (HG)-induced tubular cells injury, characterized by activation of Gasdermin D (GSDMD) and the release of IL-1ß and IL-18, resulting in inflammatory injury in DN. It is reasonable to assume that ALPK1 is involved in pyroptosis-related tubular injury in DN. However, the mechanism remains poorly defined. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining was performed to detect the expression of pyroptosis- and fibrosis-related proteins in renal sections of DN patients and DN mice. DN models were induced through injection of streptozotocin combined with a high-fat diet. Protein levels of ALPK1, NF-κB, Caspase-1, GSDMD, IL-1ß, IL-18 and α-SMA were detected by Western blot. HK-2 cells treated with high-glucose (HG) served as an in vitro model. ALPK1 small interfering RNA (siRNA) was transfected into HK-2 cells to down-regulate ALPK1. The pyroptosis rates were determined by flow cytometry. The concentrations of IL-1ß and IL-18 were evaluated by ELISA kits. Immunofluorescence staining was used to observe translocation of NF-κB and GSDMD. RESULTS: The heat map of differentially expressed genes showed that ALPK1, Caspase-1 and GSDMD were upregulated in the DN group. The expression levels of ALPK1, Caspase-1, GSDMD and CD68 were increased in renal biopsy tissues of DN patients by IHC. ALPK1expression and CD68+ macrophages were positively correlated with tubular injury in DN patients. Western blot analysis showed increased expressions of ALPK1, phospho-NF-κB P65, GSDMD-NT, and IL-1ß in renal tissues of DN mice and HK-2 cells, accompanied with increased renal fibrosis-related proteins (FN, α-SMA) and macrophages infiltration in interstitial areas. Inhibition of ALPK1 attenuated HG-induced upregulation expressions of NF-κB, pyroptosis-related proteins Caspase-1, GSDMD-NT, IL-1ß, IL-18, α-SMA, and pyroptosis level in HK-2 cells. Also, the intensity and nuclear translocation of NF-κB and membranous translocation of GSDMD were ameliorated in HG-treated HK-2 cells after treatment with ALPK1 siRNA. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that ALPK1/NF-κB pathway initiated canonical caspase-1-GSDMD pyroptosis pathway, resulting in tubular injury and interstitial inflammation of DN.

Research progress on the structure of crystal protein of Bacillus thuringiensis and its mechanism / 中国热带医学

@#Abstract: Mosquitoes are involved in the transmission of serious diseases such as malaria, dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, Zika virus disease, and filariasis, and their prevention and control have always been a research hotspot. Currently, mosquito control methods mainly include physical control, chemical control and biological control. Physical control methods are environmentally friendly, but they are slow to take effect and have unsatisfactory control effects; although chemical control can quickly eliminate mosquitoes, it has been eliminated due to its high pollution, high residual, and easy drug resistance; biological control uses natural enemies or pathogens to kill mosquitoes and reduce their ability to transmit disease. Therefore, environmentally friendly biological control has become the main measure for controlling and preventing mosquitoes. In recent years, significant progress has been made in bacterial mosquito control agents, among which Bacillus thuringiensis has been the most extensively studied. Bacillus thuringiensis is a Gram-positive soil microorganism, which is the pathogenic bacterium of a variety of agricultural pests such as Lepidoptera, Coleoptera and Diptera. During the sporulation process, its strains produce a variety of insecticidal crystal proteins (ICPs) or δ-endotoxins with insecticidal activity against mosquito larvae. This review firstly introduces the crystal proteins of Bacillus thuringiensis, describes in detail the types and structures of crystal proteins in detail, and also reveals the mechanism of action of crystal proteins related to receptors.

A paired comparison study of genetic transmission network base on HIV-1 pol gene DNA or RNA sequence / 中国热带医学

@#Abstract: Objective To understand the difference of DNA sequence and RNA sequence of paired pol region in HIV patients in constructing HIV genetic transmission network, and to provide scientific data for constructing molecular transmission networks using DNA sequences. Methods　The whole blood and plasma samples of HIV patients living in 2014 and newly reported in 2015-2018 in Liuzhou, Guangxi, were collected, DNA and RNA sequences were extracted, amplified, sequenced, spliced and aligned, and then genetic transmission networks were constructed, and the connectivity consistency of genetic transmission networks constructed by DNA and RNA sequences was compared. Results In this study, a total 2 983 participants were investigated, which were 2014 baseline and 2015-2018 newly reported HIV patients, of which 2 590 participants were only DNA sequences in 2014 baseline, 196 HIV patients were both DNA and RNA sequences of paired pol region in 2014 baseline, and 197 newly reported HIV patients were both DNA and RNA sequences of paired pol region in 2015-2018. In 393 DNA and RNA sequences of paired pol region, the genotype of DNA sequence and RNA sequence were consistent, and there was no statistically significant difference in genetic distance between paired DNA sequences and RNA sequences (Z=-2.72, P=1.00). The connection consistency rate of genetic transmission networks constructed by DNA and RNA sequences of paired pol region of 2015-2018 newly reported with the baseline DNA sequences was 91.4% (108/197). And the connection consistency rate of genetic transmission networks constructed by DNA and RNA sequences of paired pol region of 2015-2018 newly reported with the baseline RNA sequences was 97.0% (191/197). There was no statistical difference in antiretroviral therapy to reduce the risk of HIV secondary transmission between genetic transmission networks constructed by DNA and RNA sequences of paired of pol gene newly reported from 2015 to 2018 with baseline DNA sequence. Conclusion　DNA sequence and RNA sequence of paired pol region of HIV patients have good consistency in genotype, genetic distance, and genetic transmission network construction, and both DNA and RNA sequences can be used for genetic transmission network analysis.

Status of epidemic and immunization of diphtheria / 中国生物制品学杂志

@#Abstract：The infection rate and incidence of diphtheria have been controlled effectively under the large⁃scale immunization projects. However，in recent years，cases of diphtheria have occurred frequently at home and abroad. Except for common infection in children，the number of middle⁃aged and elderly patients also increased，indicating that the prevention and control of diphtheria still should not be ignored. This paper reviewed the etiological characteristics，pathogenic mechanism as well as the epidemic and immunization status at home and abroad of diphtheria and looked forward to the above problems.

Comparison between carotid ultrasound and digital subtraction angiography in the diagnosis of carotid artery stenosis in patients with cerebral infarction / Comparación entre la ecografía carotídea y la angiografía por sustracción digital en el diagnostic de estenosis de la arteria carótida en pacientes con infarto cerebral

SUMMARY: This study aimed to compare the clinical value of carotid ultrasound and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) for carotid artery stenosis in patients with cerebral infarction. Sixty patients with cerebral infarction underwent carotid ultrasound and DSA. Carotid artery stenosis, degree of stenosis (mild, moderate, severe, and occlusion), and carotid artery plaques were recorded and compared. Carotid stenosis rate was 96.67 % (58/60) and 91.67 % (55/60) on DSA and carotid ultrasound, respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant. Mild, moderate, and severe carotid artery stenosis and occlusion were diagnosed in 35, 28, 20, and 17 arteries, respectively, with DSA, and in 39, 25, 10, and 9 arteries, respectively, with carotid ultrasound. There was a statistically significant difference in the degree of carotid stenosis between the two methods (p<0.05). The kappa value of carotid plaques detected by carotid ultrasound and DSA was 0.776, indicating good consistency. Both carotid ultrasound and DSA are effective for screening carotid artery stenosis and carotid atherosclerotic plaques. While carotid ultrasound is faster and more convenient, DSA can more accurately detect the degree of stenosis and presence of occlusion. Thus, our recommendation is a combination of carotid ultrasound and DSA in clinical settings to improve the convenience and accuracy of diagnosis.

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo comparar el valor clínico de la ecografía carotídea y la angiografía por sustracción digital (DSA) para la estenosis de la arteria carótida en pacientes con infarto cerebral. Sesenta pacientes con infarto cerebral fueron sometidos a ecografía carotídea y DSA. Se registraron y compararon la estenosis de la arteria carótida, el grado de estenosis (leve, moderada, grave y oclusión) y las placas de la arteria carótida. La tasa de estenosis carotídea fue del 96,67 % (58/60) y del 91,67 % (55/60) en DSA y ecografía carotídea, respectivamente, y la diferencia no fue estadísticamente significativa. Se diagnosticaron estenosis y oclusión de la arteria carótida leve, moderada y grave en 35, 28, 20 y 17 arterias, respectivamente, con DSA, y en 39, 25, 10 y 9 arterias, respectivamente, con ecografía carotídea. Hubo una diferencia estadísticamente significativa en el grado de estenosis carotídea entre los dos métodos (p<0,05). El valor kappa de las placas carotídeas detectadas por ecografía carotídea y DSA fue de 0,776, lo que indica una buena consistencia. Tanto la ecografía carotídea como la DSA son eficaces para detectar la estenosis de la arteria carótida y las placas ateroscleróticas carotídeas. Si bien la ecografía carotídea es más rápida y conveniente, la DSA puede detectar con mayor precisión el grado de estenosis y la presencia de oclusión. Por lo tanto, nuestra recomendación es una combinación de ecografía carotídea y DSA en entornos clínicos para mejorar la conveniencia y precisión del diagnóstico.

Analysis of the growth and development of HIV-infected children on initiated ART in Guangxi, 2004-2019 / 中国热带医学

@#Abstract: Objective　To investigate the growth and development of HIV-infected children initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART) and its influencing factors. Methods　This retrospective cohort study was conducted in Guangxi. HIV-infected children initiating free antiretroviral therapy (ART) from 2004 to 2019 were included. Z-score was calculated according to the Chinese Child Growth and Development Standard, the Cox-Stuart test was used for trend analysis, and the generalized estimating equation was used to analyze HAZ (Height-for-age Z-score)≥-2 and WAZ (Weight-for-age Z-score)≥-2 influencing factors. Results　A total of 943 children with HIV infection were enrolled in the cohort. The median HAZ at baseline and 1, 2, 5, and 10 years after treatment was -2.47, -2.14, -1.94, -1.55, -1.23, respectively, and the median WAZ was -1.85, -1.40, -1.30, -1.21, -1.09, respectively. By Cox-Stuart trend test, HAZ and WAZ showed an upward trend with the treatment time (P<0.05). The proportions of HAZ≥-2 at baseline and at 1, 2, 5, and 10 years after treatment were 38.1%, 46.5%, 51.6%, 66.8%, and 74.6%, respectively, and the proportions of WAZ≥-2 were 57.1%, 76.9%, 81.1%, 85.8% and 89.2%, respectively. According to Cox-Stuart trend test, the proportions of HAZ≥-2 and WAZ≥-2 increased with the treatment time (P<0.05). The results of multivariate generalized estimating equation analysis showed that the associated factors with HAZ≥-2 were that age at ART initiation was 3-7 years old (aOR=0.71, 95%CI: 0.53-0.94), age at ART initiation was >7 years old (aOR=0.66, 95%CI: 0.47-0.93), CD4 cell counts before ART was <200/μL (aOR=0.64, 95%CI: 0.47-0.87), WHO clinical stage before ART was Stage Ⅲ/Ⅳ (aOR=0.74, 95%CI: 0.56-0.97) and time on ART (aOR=1.01, 95%CI: 1.01-1.01); the associated factors with WAZ≥-2 were male (aOR=0.72, 95%CI: 0.53-0.97), WHO clinical stage before ART was Stage Ⅲ/Ⅳ (aOR=0.63, 95%CI: 0.45-0.86) and time on ART (aOR=1.01, 95%CI: 1.01-1.01). Conclusion　Antiretroviral therapy can effectively improve the growth and development status of children with HIV infection, but a large proportion of children still have stunted growth and development in the 10th year after treatment. It is necessary to strengthen the training of antiretroviral treatment staff and the publicity and education of parents of children infected with HIV. Improve the effect of antiviral treatment and guide children's nutrition reasonably.

Effect of surgical methods on the prognosis of patients of acute superior mesenteric artery embolization with intestinal necrosis / 中华普通外科杂志

Objective:To summarize the clinical experience in treating acute superior mesenteric artery embolization with intestinal necrosis.Methods:Clinical data, surgical methods, complications and 30-day follow-up of patients with acute superior mesenteric artery embolization and intestinal necrosis admitted at Xijing Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University from Jan 2008 to Dec 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.Results:A total of 46 patients were included. The 30-day overall mortality rate was 19.6%, and that of those treated by enterostomy after enterectomy was 12.1%, and that was 38.5% in those undergoing primary entero-anastomosis after enterectomy. Univariate analysis showed that rebound pain was positive ( P=0.025), MAP was higher than 105mmHg ( P=0.04), heart rate was less than 120 beats/min ( P=0.04), and Fullen intestinal ischemia grade ( P=0.03) was significantly related to survival rates. Conclusions:Rebound pain, MAP, heart rate, Fullen grade, and surgical methods significantly affect the prognosis of patients. More patients survive with intestinal resection and enterostomy than those with intestinal resection and immediate anastomosis.

Prenatal and postnatal echocardiography evaluation of left atrial appendage aneurysm / 中国医师杂志

Objective:To summarize the ultrasonophic features of left atrial appendage aneurysm, and to provide an important reference for the early and accurate diagnosis of left atrial appendage aneurysm.Methods:Patients with atrial appendage aneurysm have no obvious symptoms in the early stage, and there are many difficulties and challenges in diagnosis. This paper analyzed and summarized the diagnostic characteristics of a child with left atrial appendage aneurysm by combining the prenatal and postnatal ultrasonic imaging characteristics.Results:Echocardiography is the first choice for the diagnosis of left atrial appendage aneurysm. Some cases can make precise diagnosis prenatally.Conclusions:Echocardiography is the preferred imaging examination method for evaluating left atrial appendage aneurysm. Multimodal imaging technology can identify and diagnose left atrial appendage aneurysm early and accurately, and provide important basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment plan.

Evaluation of three-dimensional high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis / Evaluación de resonancia magnética tridimensional de alta resolución en el diagnóstico de la estenosis aterosclerótica intracraneal

SUMMARY: Intracranial artery stenosis (ICAS) was one of the main causes of ischemic stroke onset and recurrence. About 30 % of strokes were caused by intracranial artery stenosis. Intracranial artery stenosis had a high incidence in China and faced a high risk of recurrence for a long time. It affected patient safety and quality of life seriously. At the same time, it caused a heavy financial burden for the patient´s family. Therefore, early detection and accuracy of intracranial artery stenosis evaluation were extremely important. High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HR-MRI) had been widely used in clinical examinations, making up for the shortcomings of traditional vascular imaging methods that could only show the degree of luminal stenosis, making it possible to perform lumens, tube wall and plaque features of atherosclerotic intracranial arteries at the same time. There were still some controversies about the credibility of this technique in assessing the intracranial artery lumen stenosis. This article reviewed the application efficacy of HR-MRI technology in evaluating the degree of intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis.

RESUMEN: La estenosis de arterias intracraneales (ICAS) es una de las principales causas del ictus isquémico, como así también de su recurrencia. Alrededor del 30 % de los ataques cerebrovasculares son causados por estenosis de la arteria intracraneal. La estenosis de arterias intracraneales tiene una alta incidencia en China y enfrenta un alto riesgo de recurrencia, afectando gravemente la seguridad y la calidad de vida de los pacientes. Al mismo tiempo, supone una importante carga financiera para la familia de los pacientes. Por lo tanto, la detección temprana y la precisión de la evaluación de la estenosis de arterias intracraneales es extremadamente importante. La resonancia magnética de alta resolución (HR-MRI, por sus siglas en inglés) es utilizada ampliamente en los exámenes clínicos, compensando las deficiencias de los métodos tradicionales de imágenes vasculares que solo pueden mostrar el grado de estenosis luminal, haciendo posible el estudio de las características del lumen, pared vascular y la placa ateroesclerótica, de las arterias intracraneales afectadas, al mismo tiempo. Aún existen algunas controversias sobre la credibilidad de esta técnica en la evaluación de la estenosis del lumen de arterias intracraneales. En este artículo se revisó la eficacia de la aplicación de la tecnología HR-MRI para evaluar el grado de estenosis aterosclerótica intracraneal.

Dietary exposure risk of bisphenol S in vegetables and fruits inHenan Province / 预防医学

Objective@#To monitor the content of bisphenol S ( BPS ) in vegetables and fruits in Henan Province and evaluate the dietary exposure risk of the population, so as to provide the basis for formulating relevant food safety standards.@*Methods@#From 2018 to 2019, 276 samples of vegetables and fruits produced and sold in Henan Province were collected. BPS was determined by isotope dilution ultra performance liquid chromatography triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry ( UPLC-MS/MS ) , and the dietary exposure was calculated according to the dietary structure and average body weight of local residents. The risk index of BPS was calculated according to the daily tolerable intake ( TDI ) of bisphenol A ( BPA ). @*Results@#The BPS contents in vegetables and fruits were 0.006-12.600 µg/kg and 0.006-9.380 µg/kg, the medians were 0.053 µg/kg and 0.023 µg/kg, the detection rates were 78.43% and 62.60%, respectively.The detection rate and content of BPS in vegetables were higher than those in fruits ( P<0.05 ). The maximum exposure of BPS from vegetables and fruits was 5.37×10-2 µg/ ( kgbw·d ), and the exposure risk index was 1.07 × 10-3, which was acceptable. @*Conclusions@#BPS was detected from vegetables and fruits in Henan Province. The detection rate and content of BPS in vegetables were higher than those in fruits. The health risk of BPS exposed by vegetables and fruits is small.

Small bowel autotransplantation after resection of lesions involving the roots of mesenteric vessels / 中华普通外科杂志

Objective:To summarize our experience in 13 cases of intestinal autotransplantation (IATx) after resection of lesions involving the roots of mesenteric vessels.Methods:The clinical data of 13 patients undergoing IATx in Xijing hospital were retrospectively analyzed. The etiology, surgical procedure and complications were analyzed. The patients were followed up by telephone and regular evaluations.Results:All 13 cases of IATx were successfully completed. For 12 patients who were diagnosed with tumors involving the mesenteric roots, the tumors were removed for cure intent avoiding massive intestinal resection. Pancreaticoduodenectomy was carried out simultaneously in 11 cases. The postoperative complication rate was 85% (11/13). The autograft was resected in 1 patient on the 1st postoperative day due to necrosis from mesenteric thrombosis, leading to short bowel syndrome. One-year survival was 69% (9/13). Among 4 deaths, 1 patient died of liver metastasis, and another died of liver and lung metastases. Five patients were alive 2 years postoperatively.Conclusion:IATx while-technically challenging, avoiding short small bowel syndrome in properly selected patients after resection of lesions especially benign ones involving the roots of mesenteric vessels that were traditionally considered to be "unresectable".

Effects of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-positive Mothers Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy to Prevent Mother-to-child Transmission on the Growth and Development of 18-month-old Children in Lingshan County of Guangxi / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To evaluate the effects of antiretroviral therapy(ART)for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission(PMTCT)of acquired immune deficiency syndrome(AIDS)on the growth and development of 18-month-old children born by human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)-positive pregnant women in Lingshan County,Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region,and provide scientific evidence for improving the ART medication plan for PMTCT.Methods Lingshan County,ranking the first in the HIV-epidemic counties of Guangxi,was selected as the research site.According to the design of retrospective case-control study,we assigned all the subjects into the case group and the control group:(1)The case group included the HIV-positive pregnant women who had received ART for PMTCT and their HIV-negative infants in Lingshan County from 2010 to 2017.The historical cards and PMTCT data of them were collected from the national PMTCT database.(2)The control group included the healthy pregnant women and their healthy babies born in the Lingshan Maternity and Infant Hospital in 2017,and the children's growth and development data were collected.The stunted growth in children was defined as at least one of the three main indicators of body height,body weight,and head circumference below the normal range.Results The number of HIV-positive mothers and their infants in the case group was 391 and 368,respectively,and 87.21%(341/391)and 95.38%(351/368)of mothers and infants respectively received ART medication.The HIV positive rate,mortality rate,and mother-to-child transmission rate of 18-month-old children were 1.36%(5/368),4.35%(16/368),and 2.01%(5/249),respectively.The incidence of stunted growth of 18-month-old children in the case group and the control group was 42.12%(155/368)and 23.06%(101/438),respectively,with significant difference(

Prevention and Control Measures and Effects of COVID-19 in Shenmu City Hospital, China

Purpose: To explore the prevention and control strategies and effects of COVID-19 in Shenmu City Hospital, so as to provide basis for the prevention and control of COVID-19 in Shenmu City.Methods: Retrospective analysis and review of our hospital after the outbreak of COVID-19 prevention and control program, response measures and management procedures and other aspects of the deployment.Results:In the 86 days up to April 15, 2020, there were 7,843 pre-diagnosis and triage patients, among which 707 were high-risk group, 3,140 were general population and 3,996 were key population. 992 patients were treated in COVID-19 clinics, 2 suspected cases were reported and 89 were kept under observation. 5, 351 visits in general fever clinics; 89 cases were hospitalized in isolation ward, including 2 suspected cases. COVID-19 was discharged after improvement.Conclusion:Initial progress has been made in epidemic prevention and control. COVID-19 has not been reported in the whole city. It shows that effective prevention and control strategies are of great significance for achieving the goal of "three zeros" (zero infection, zero spread and zero death), and are worth learning and promoting

Predictive value of inflammation-based Glasgow prognostic score for the prognosis in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Objective    To analyze prognostic ability of inflammation-based Glasgow prognostic score (GPS) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Methods    We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 289 patients with STEMI admitted to the Department of Emergency in West China Hospital from April 2015 to January 2016. All study subjects were divided into three groups: a group of GPS 0 (190 patients including 150 males and 40 females aged 62.63±12.98 years), a group of GPS 1 (78 patients including 58 males and 20 females aged 66.57±15.25 years), and a group of GPS 2 (21 patients including 16 males and 5 females aged 70.95±9.58 years). Cox regression analysis was conducted to analyze the independent risk factors of predicting long-term mortality of patients with STEMI. Results    There was a statistical difference in long-term mortality (9.5% vs. 23.1% vs. 61.9%, P<0.001) and in-hospital mortality (3.7% vs. 7.7% vs. 23.8%, P<0.001) among the three groups. The Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) scores and Gensini scores increased in patients with higher GPS scores, and the differences were statistically different (P<0.001). Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that the GPS was independently associated with STEMI long-term all-cause mortality (1 vs. 0, HR: 2.212, P=0.037; 2 vs. 0, HR: 8.286, P<0.001). Conclusion    GPS score is helpful in predicting the long-term and in-hospital prognosis of STEMI patients, and thus may guide clinical precise intervention by early risk stratification.

Identification of genomewide single-nucleotide polymorphisms associated with presummer, summer and autumn bolls in upland cotton

Presummer, summer, and autumn bolls (PSB, SB and AB, respectively) in cotton are related to both maturity and yield. Therefore, studying their genetic basis is important for breeding purposes. In this study, we developed an association analysis panel consisting of 169 upland cotton accessions. The panel was phenotyped for PSB, SB and AB across four environments and genotyped using a Cotton SNP80K array. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with these three traits were identified by a genomewide association study. A total of 53,848 high-quality SNPs were screened, and 91 significant trait-associated SNPs were detected. Of the 91 SNPs 33 were associated with PSB, 21 with SB and 37 with AB. Three SNPs for PSB (TM10410, TM13158 and TM21762) and five for AB (TM13730, TM13733, TM13834, TM29666 and TM43214) were repeatedly detected in two environments or by two methods. These eight SNPs exhibited high phenotypic variation of more than 10%, thus allowing their use formarker-assisted selection. The candidate genes for target traits were also identified. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the improvement of early maturity and yield in cotton breeding programmes.

Molecular simulation and spectroscopic studies on the interaction between perfluorohexadecanoic acid and human serum albumin

In the present study, the interaction between Perfluorohexadecanoic acid (PFHxDA) and human serum albumin (HAS) was studied by fluorescence spectroscopy, molecular docking, dynamic simulation and circular dichroism (CD). The interaction character and the effect on human serum albumin conformation were measured by simulating the physiological condition (pH= 7.4). Experiments and simulation results revealed that PFHxDA molecules and HSA have regular fluorescence quenching, and the quenching mechanism is static quenching and non-radiative energy transfer. Thermodynamic analysis revealed the binding behavior was mainly governed by hydrophobic forces. Specific binding site experiments showed that the binding site of PFHxDA was a site I of HSA. The results from the CD spectrum demonstrated that PFHxDA changed the molecular conformation of HSA, which is consistent with the results obtained by molecular docking and dynamic simulation.

Ultrasound for diagnosing new difficult laryngoscopy indicator: a prospective, self-controlled, assessor blinded, observational study / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Unpredictable difficult laryngoscopy (DL) remains a challenge for anesthesiologists, especially when difficult ventilation occurs during standard laryngoscopy. Accurate airway assessment should always be performed, but the common airway assessment methods only perform superficial screening. Thus, the deep laryngopharyngeal anatomy may not be evaluated. Ultrasound-based airway assessment has been recently proposed as a useful, simple, and non-invasive bedside tool as an adjunct to clinical methods, which may facilitate identification of DL. The present study aimed to determine the correlation between ultrasound-measured indicators and DL.@*METHODS@#Patients undergoing elective surgery under general anesthesia with tracheal intubation were enrolled. Ultrasonic airway assessments were performed before anesthesia induction. Ultrasound diagnostic indicators included the thickness and width of the base of the tongue, the angle between the epiglottis and glottis, the length of the thyrohyoid membrane, and the thickness of the lateral pharyngeal wall. A score of ≥3 in the Modified Cormack-Lehane Scoring System was used as a standard of DL and was also applied to divide patients into DL and non-DL groups. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic ability of various diagnostic indicators.@*RESULTS@#A total of 499 patients were enrolled into non-DL and DL groups comprising 452 (452/499, 90.6%) and 47 (47/499, 9.4%) patients, respectively. One ultrasonic diagnoses indicator correlated with DL, namely, the angle between the epiglottis and glottis. When the angle between the epiglottis and glottis was 50°, the area under the ROC curve was maximum (0.902), and the best sensitivity (81%) and specificity (89%) were achieved.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Airway ultrasounds should be considered to identify DL. The ultrasonic angle measured between the epiglottis and glottis is highly associated with DL, which may occur when the angle is less than 50°.@*CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION@#ChiCTR-DDT-13004102, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=5465.