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ObjectiveAlthough expression of the TEAD1 protein in preadipocytes has been established, its function remains unclear. In this study, we sought to detect transcripts of TEAD1 in chicken and to examine the effects of this protein on the proliferation, migration, apoptosis, and differentiation of immortalized chicken preadipocyte cell lines (ICP1). MethodsThe full-length sequence of the TEAD1 gene was cloned and the two transcripts were subjected to bioinformatics analysis. The subcellsular localization of TEAD1 transcripts was determined based on indirect immunofluorescence. The effects of TEAD1 transcripts overexpression on the proliferation of ICP1 cells were examined by RT-qPCR, CCK-8, and EdU assays; the effects of TEAD1 transcripts on ICP1 cells migration were examined based on the scratch test; and the effects of TEAD1 transcripts overexpression on ICP1 cells apoptosis were analyzed using apoptosis-Hoechst staining and RT-qPCR. The expression of TEAD1 transcripts in different tissues, cells lines, and ICP1 at different periods of differentiation was analyzed by RT-qPCR. The effects of TEAD1 transcripts overexpression on lipid droplet accumulation and adipogenic-related gene expression in ICP1 cells were analyzed based on Oil Red O and BODIPY staining, RT-qPCR, Western blot, and dual-luciferase reporter gene assays. Finally, the content of triglyceride (TG) was measured in TEAD1 overexpressed ICP1 cells. ResultsThe full-length TEAD1 was cloned and two TEAD1 transcripts were identified. The TEAD1-V1 protein was found to be localized primarily in the cell nucleus, whereas the TEAD1-V2 protein is localized in the cell cytoplasm and nucleus. The overexpression of both TEAD1-V1 and TEAD1-V2 significantly inhibited the proliferation of ICP1 cells. Whereas the overexpression of TEAD1-V1 promoted ICP1 cell migration, the overexpression of TEAD1-V2 had no significant effects on ICP1 migration; the overexpression of both TEAD1-V1 and TEAD1-V2 significantly promoted the apoptosis of ICP1 cells. We found that the different transcripts of TEAD1 have similar expression pattern in different tissues and cells lines. During induced preadipocyte differentiation, the expression of these genes initially declined, although subsequently increased. Overexpression of TEAD1-V1 promoted a significant reduction in lipid droplet formation and inhibited C/EBPα expression during the differentiation of ICP1 cells (P<0.05). However, the overexpression of TEAD1-V2 had no significant effect on lipid droplet accumulation or the expression of adipogenic-related proteins (P>0.05). Overexpression of TEAD1-V1 significantly decreased triglyceride content in ICP1 cells (P<0.05), while overexpression of TEAD1-V2 had no effect on triglyceride content in ICP1 cells (P>0.05). ConclusionIn this study, for the first time, identified two TEAD1 transcripts. Overexpressed transcripts TEAD1-V1 and TEAD1-V2 both inhibited the proliferation of chicken preadipocytes and promoted apoptosis of chicken preadipocytes. TEAD1-V1 inhibited the differentiation of preadipocytes and promoted the migration of preadipocytes, while TEAD1-V2 had no effect on the differentiation and migration of preadipocytes.
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ABSTRACT Objective: Intrathyroidal injection using an insulin pen filled with a mixture of lidocaine and triamcinolone acetonide is a therapy for subacute thyroiditis (SAT) reported by us previously. We aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of ultrasound-guided intrathyroidal injection in the treatment of SAT. Subjects and methods: A total of 93 patients with SAT completed the study. All patients were evaluated via a history and clinical examination followed by thyroid function tests and ultrasonography of the thyroid. After ultrasound-guided intrathyroidal injection, the patients were followed up with respect to the injection frequency, treatment duration, and patient satisfaction. The visual numerical rating scale was used as a pain questionnaire for a given interval. Results: Thyroid pain instantly decreased to scores below 3.0 following the first injection. Sixty-three patients (67.74%) avoided relapse of thyroid pain within 3 injections, which occurred within only 3 days after the first injection. The pain in 27 patients (29.03%) disappeared completely after 4-6 injections. Only 3 patients (3.23%) were found to need more than 6 injections, with 10 cited as the maximum number of injections, the injection took only 17 days altogether. The mean treatment cycle of the intrathyroidal injection was 3.98 days. There were no other associated complications with the novel therapy except infrequent small subcutaneous hematomas, which could be prevented with skilled practice. The average patient satisfaction score was as high as 9.0. Conclusion: Intrathyroidal injection of lidocaine and triamcinolone acetonide using an insulin pen was found to be an advantageous and satisfactory treatment for SAT.
Subject(s)
Animals , Humans , Mice , Angiotensin II , Hypertension/chemically induced , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Muscle, Smooth, Vascular , Myocytes, Smooth MuscleABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To observe the curative effect of one-stage reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament(ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL) in patients with KD-Ⅲ-M knee injury, and to compare the operation time, hospitalization cost and curative effect after arthroscopic reconstruction of PCL with LARS artificial ligament and autogenous hamstring tendon, ACL reconstruction with autogenous hamstring tendon and MCL repair combined with limited incision.@*METHODS@#From March 2016 to January 2019, a total of 36 patients met the criteria of this study. Twenty patients in group A were treated with autogenous hamstring tendon reconstruction of ACL and PCL and repair of MCL, including 17 males and 3 females, with an average age of (34.7±9.2) years old. Sixteen patients in group B with LARS artificial ligament reconstruction of PCL, with an autogenous hamstring tendon reconstruction of PCL and MCL repair as before as group B, including 15 males and 1 female, with an average age of (36.8±8.6) years old. The operation time, hospitalization time and total hospitalization cost were compared between the two groups. The preoperative and postoperative functions of the two groups were evaluated by Hospital for Sepcial Surgery (HSS) score and Lysholm score respectively, and the curative effects were compared within and between groups.@*RESULTS@#All the patients in the two groups were followed up for at least 1 year. There were no complications such as infection and poor wound healing in both groups. There was significant difference in operation time between (120.25±9.55) min in group A and (106.63±8.85) min in group B (@*CONCLUSION@#There was no significant difference in the average hospitalization days between the two groups, but the operation time in group A was longerthan that in group B, and the hospitalization cost in group B was higher than that in group A. There was no difference in HSS score and Lysholm score before and follow-up for a certain period of time after operation.
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Anterior Cruciate Ligament/surgery , Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries/surgery , Arthroscopy , Hamstring Tendons/surgery , Knee Dislocation , Knee Joint/surgery , Posterior Cruciate Ligament/surgery , Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
ABSTRACT Sarcopenia, a concept reflecting the loss of skeletal muscle mass, was reported to be associated with the prognosis of several tumors. However, the prognostic value of sarcopenia in patients with renal cancer remains unclear. We carried out this metaanalysis and systematic review to evaluate the prognostic value of sarcopenia in patients with renal cell carcinomas. We comprehensively searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library from inception to December 2018. Hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were pooled together. A total of 5 studies consisting of 771 patients were enrolled in this quantitative analysis, 347 (45.0%) of which had sarcopenia. Patients with sarcopenia had a worse OS compared with those without sarcopenia (HR=1.76; 95%CI, 1.35-2.31; P <0.001). In the subgroup of patients with localized and advanced/metastatic diseases, sarcopenia was also associated with poor OS (HR=1.48, P=0.039; HR=2.14, P <0.001; respectively). With a limited sample size, we did not observe difference of PFS between two groups (HR=1.56, 95% CI, 0.69-3.50, P=0.282). In the present meta-analysis, we observed that patients with sarcopenia had a worse OS compared with those without sarcopenia in RCC. Larger, preferably prospective studies, are needed to confirm and update our findings.
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Humans , Carcinoma, Renal Cell/complications , Sarcopenia/complications , Kidney Neoplasms/complications , Prognosis , Prospective StudiesABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To study the correlation and clinical value of the arc height of upper and lower endplates, the height of intervertebral space and osteophyte of posterior edge of intervertebral space in patients with cervical spondylosis.@*METHODS@#A total of 108 patients with cervical spondylosis who underwent cervical spondylosis surgery from September 2017 to September 2018 were included in the study. Including 48 males with an average age of 52 years (30 to 72) and 60 females with an average age of 54 years (37 to 79). Among them, C of 6 cases, C of 15 cases, C of 32 cases, C of 42 cases, C of 13 cases. X-ray films of cervical spine were taken before and after operation. The images were accessed by PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication Systems) system. The lower and upper endplate arc heights (L, L), intervertebral space height (L), and posterior osteophyte width (L) were measured. Spearman was used to analyze the correlation between them.@*RESULTS@#L was negatively correlated with L (r=-0.34, 0.05), L and L (>0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The arc height of the lower endplate is negatively correlated with the width of osteophyte in the posterior margin of the intervertebral space. The cervical degeneration degree can be determined by measuring the arc height of the lower endplate, which has guiding significance for the early prevention and treatment of cervical spondylosis.
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OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the correlation between the severity of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and red cell distribution width (RDW) in elderly patients.@*METHODS@#A cross-sectional study was conducted among 311 elderly patients diagnosed with OSAS in the snoring clinic between January, 2015 and October, 2016 and 120 healthy controls without OSAS from physical examination populations in the General Hospital of PLA. The subjects were divided into control group with apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) <5 (=120), mild OSAS group (AHI of 5.0-14.9; =90), moderate OSAS group (AHI of 15.0-29.9; =113) and severe OSAS group (AHI ≥ 30; =108). The clinical characteristics and the results of polysomnography, routine blood tests and biochemical tests of the subjects were collected. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to examine the correlation between OSAS severity and RDW.@*RESULTS@#The levels of RDW and triglyceride were significantly higher in severe OSAS group than in the other groups ( < 0.01). The levels of fasting blood glucose and body mass index were significantly higher in severe and moderate OSAS groups than in mild OSAS group and control group ( < 0.05 or < 0.01). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that AHI was positively correlated with body mass index (β=0.111, =0.032) and RDW (β=0.106, =0.029). The area under ROC curve of RDW for predicting the severity of OSAS was 0.687 (=0.0001).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The RDW increases as OSAS worsens and may serve as a potential marker for evaluating the severity of OSAS.
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Aged , Humans , Cross-Sectional Studies , Erythrocyte Indices , Polysomnography , Severity of Illness Index , Sleep Apnea, ObstructiveABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the changes of cardiac structure and function and their risk factors in elderly patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSA) without cardiovascular complications.@*METHODS@#Eighty-two elderly OSA patients without cardiovascular disease admitted between January, 2015 and October, 2016 were enrolled in this study. According to their apnea-hypopnea index (AHI, calculated as the average number of episodes of apnoea and hypopnoea per hour of sleep), the patients were divided into mild OSA group (AHI < 15) and moderate to severe OSA group (AHI ≥ 15). The demographic data and the general clinical data were recorded and fasting blood samples were collected from the patients on the next morning following polysomnographic monitoring for blood cell analysis and biochemical examination. Echocardiography was performed within one week after overnight polysomnography, and the cardiac structure, cardiac function and biochemical indexes were compared between the two groups.@*RESULTS@#Compared with those with mild OSA group, the patients with moderate to severe OSA had significantly higher hematocrit (0.22±0.08 @*CONCLUSIONS@#Cardiac diastolic function impairment may occur in elderly patients with moderate or severe OSA who do not have hypertension or other cardiovascular diseases, and the severity of the impairment is positively correlated with AHI.
Subject(s)
Aged , Humans , Cardiovascular Diseases/etiology , Risk Factors , Severity of Illness Index , Sleep Apnea, Obstructive/complications , Stroke Volume , Ventricular Dysfunction, Left , Ventricular Function, LeftABSTRACT
Aim: To explore the role of mitochondrial apoptosis pathway in palmitic acid (PA) -induced cell apoptosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Methods: HUVECs were exposed to different concentrations of PA (0. 1, 0. 2, 0. 4, 0. 8 mmol · L-1) for 24 h and different time points of 0.4 mmol · L-1 PA (0, 12, 24, 48 h). Cell viability was measured by MTT. The expression of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in HUVECs was detected by immunofluorescence. The level of intracellular apoptosis was detected by TUNEL assay. The protein expressions of mitochondrial apoptosis pathway proteins such as AIF, Cyt-C, cleaved caspase-3, Bcl-2, Bax were determined by Western blot. Results: HUVECs exposed to PA at 0. 4 mmol · L-1 for 24 h showed a decrease in their viability and an increase in the level of AIF, Cyt- C, cleaved caspase-3, Bax/Bcl-2 (P < 0. 05). Cell apoptosis level was significantly up-regulated (P < 0. 05). The intracellular apoptosis levels in the vascular endothelial cells treatment with mitochondrial apoptosis pathway inhibitor ciclosporine A (CsA) were significantly lower than those of PA group (P < 0. 05). Conclusion: Activated mitochondrial apoptosis pathway might play an important role in PA-induced cell apoptosis in vascular endothelial cells.
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Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is a cyclooxygenase metabolite of arachidonic acid. It acts as a bioactive lipid and plays an important role in regulating many biological processes. PGE2 binds to 4 different G protein-coupled receptors including prostaglandin E2 receptor subtypes EP1, EP2, EP3 and EP4. The EP4 receptor is widely expressed in most of human organs and tissues. Increasing evidence demonstrates that EP4 is essential for cardiovascular homeostasis and participates in the pathogenesis of many cardiovascular diseases. Here we summarize the role of EP4 in the regulation of cardiovascular function and discuss potential mechanisms by which EP4 is involved in the development of cardiovascular disorders with a focus on its effect on inflammation.
Subject(s)
Humans , Cardiovascular Diseases , Cyclooxygenase 2 , Dinoprostone , Physiology , Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP4 Subtype , PhysiologyABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the effect of TPF-DM on blood glucose levels and immune function in severe traumatic brain injury (STBI) patients.Methods:We consecutively included 60 STBI patients who were randomly divided into control and experimental groups.The two groups of patients were treated with TPF and TPF-DM as the main energy supply,respectively.Total protein,albumin,prealbumin,procalcitonin (PCT),immunoglobulinM (IgM),immunoglobulinG (IgG),immunoglobulinA (IgA) and blood glucose of all patients were detected on day 1,7 and 14.Immune function related indicators,serum protein and blood glucose were statistically analyzed.Results In the first week,the mean blood glucose level and incidence of hypoglycemia were not significantly different between the two groups (P > 0.05).However,the blood glucose variability (BGV) was significantly different (P < 0.05).In the second week,both the blood glucose level and BGV were in normal range with no significant difference between two groups (P > 0.05).At dayl,the total protein,albumin,prealbumin,IgM,IgG and IgA of all the patients were below the normal level,while the PCT was exact opposite,but with no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05).At day7,PCT decreased compared to dayl in both the control and experimental groups,while the total protein,albumin,prealbumin,IgM,IgG and IgA increased,but the experimental group increased much more compare to the control group (P < 0.05).At dayl4,all these indexes returned to normal levels with no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05).Conclusion:TPF-DM is significantly better than TPF to control the blood glucose level.TPF-DM may have a positive effect on the control of early excessive inflammation and infection,and then improve the immune function.Yet the potential physiopathologic mechanism needs further study.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effect of SMU.2055 gene on acid resistance of Streptococcus mutans.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A SMU.2055-dificient mutant strain of S. mutans was constructed using homologous recombination technique. The growth of the wild-type and mutant strains was monitored in both normal and acidic conditions. The lethal pH level, glycolysis, proton permeability, cell permeability and biofilm formation of the two strains were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>PCR and sequence analyses verified the successful construction of the SMU.2055-dificient mutant strain. The growth and biofilm formation capacity of the mutant strain were obviously lowered in both normal and acidic conditions. The mutant strain also showed increased lethal pH level, proton permeability, and cell permeability with impaired H-ATPase activity in acidic conditions, but its minimum glycolytic pH remained unaffected.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The SMU.2055-deficient S. mutans mutant exhibits a lowered acid resistance, which affects the growth, lethal pH, proton permeability, H-ATPase activity, cell permeability and biofilm formation but not the minimum glycolytic pH of the mutant strain.</p>
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@#Objective To investigate the status quo and influencing factors of depression and anxiety in postoperative patients with thoracic neoplasms. Methods The general information questionnaire and Huaxi emotional-distress index scale (HEI) were adopted to survey 70 patients after surgery of thoracic neoplasms at the thoracic nursing outpatients from September to November 2016. There were 43 males and 27 females with age of 18-78 (56.20±11.34) years. Results The prevalence rate of depression and anxiety among postoperative patients with thoracic neoplasms was 50.0%, and moderate to severe negative emotions predominated. There was significant difference in educational levels, postoperative hospitalization and postoperative complications (P<0.05), while no significant difference in age, gender, disease types, complicated diseases, surgical procedures, pathological stages and hospitalization expenditures between patients with unhealthy emotions and normal emotions (P>0.05). Conclusion There is a high prevalence rate of negative emotion among postoperative patients with thoracic neoplasms. Educational levels, postoperative hospitalization and postoperative complications are important factors for negative emotion.
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Objective To explore the regularity of time-dependent changes in morphology and biomechanical properties of brain tissues in pigs, and value the feasibility of deducing the postmortem interval (PMI). Methods Brain tissues were taken from 42 pigs and kept in an artificial climate chamber with the temperature of 25 ℃ and humidity of 75%. The samples were collected from telencephalon at sequential time intervals (0, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60 h;n=6) according to the principle of predefined time, position, direction, ratio, quantity and shape. The samples fixed with formaldehyde were then immediately tested by mechanical testing machine to obtain their biomechanical parameters and the histological sections were prepared. Results With the extension of PMI (0-60 h), brain tissues gradually became discolored, weak, mudding and liquefied under the influence of autolysis and putrefaction. Both clearance area of the white matter and its integrated optical density (IOD) significantly increased during 0-48 h. Biomechanical properties of brain tissues including the limit load, average force, elastic modulus and fracture energy all presented a declining tendency at the interval of 12-60 h. The limit load was considered highly statistically significant, and statistical differences were found in average force, elastic modulus and fracture energy. Conclusions There exists a significantly negative structure-activity relationship between the morphology of brain tissues and biomechanical properties. The limit load of postmortem brain tissues in 60 h is the optimum in the window period, which can be used as a new method for estimating PMI.
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Objective To compare the clinical effects of uniportal and triportal video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy in treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. Methods From January 2013 to November 2016, 141 non-small cell lung cancer patients underwent uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy (52 cases, uniportal group), and 89 lung cancer patients underwent triportal video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy (triportal group). All the cases were performed by the same surgeon. The operative time, intraoperative blood loss, lymph node dissection number, chest drainage duration, postoperative total drainage volume, hospital stay and postoperative complications were recorded and compared between the two groups. Results There were no statistical differences in lymph node dissection number, chest drainage duration, postoperative total drainage volume and postoperative complications after surgery between the uniportal group and the triportal group (P > 0.05). The mean operative time for the uniportal group and the triportal group was (196.1 ± 19.6) minutes and (162.7 ± 18.9) minutes, respectively, P = 0.000. The mean intraoperative blood loss for the uniportal group and the triportal group was (100.3 ± 13.6) ml and (176.5 ± 15.9) ml, respectively, P = 0.000. The hospital stay for the uniportal group and the triportal group was (7.5 ± 1.7) days and (9.2 ± 1.3) days, P = 0.000. Conclusion Uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy can achieve the same effect as triportal video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy, though it increased the operation time, however, it has the advantage of less surgical damage to chest wall muscles, intercostal nerves or blood vessels, shorten the postoperative hospital stay, and can be used as a safe and reliable radical surgery for non-small cell lung cancer.
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Objective To compare the clinical effects of uniportal and triportal video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy in treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. Methods From January 2013 to November 2016, 141 non-small cell lung cancer patients underwent uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy (52 cases, uniportal group), and 89 lung cancer patients underwent triportal video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy (triportal group). All the cases were performed by the same surgeon. The operative time, intraoperative blood loss, lymph node dissection number, chest drainage duration, postoperative total drainage volume, hospital stay and postoperative complications were recorded and compared between the two groups. Results There were no statistical differences in lymph node dissection number, chest drainage duration, postoperative total drainage volume and postoperative complications after surgery between the uniportal group and the triportal group (P > 0.05). The mean operative time for the uniportal group and the triportal group was (196.1 ± 19.6) minutes and (162.7 ± 18.9) minutes, respectively, P = 0.000. The mean intraoperative blood loss for the uniportal group and the triportal group was (100.3 ± 13.6) ml and (176.5 ± 15.9) ml, respectively, P = 0.000. The hospital stay for the uniportal group and the triportal group was (7.5 ± 1.7) days and (9.2 ± 1.3) days, P = 0.000. Conclusion Uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy can achieve the same effect as triportal video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy, though it increased the operation time, however, it has the advantage of less surgical damage to chest wall muscles, intercostal nerves or blood vessels, shorten the postoperative hospital stay, and can be used as a safe and reliable radical surgery for non-small cell lung cancer.
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OBJECTIVE:To establish the method for simultaneous determination of 21 inorganic elements in Hypericum japoni-cum. METHODS:ICP-MS method was adopted. The power was 1300 W;flow rate of cooling gas was 1.5 L/min;flow rate of carrier gas was 0.8 L/min;flow rate of auxiliary gas was 0.2 L/min;integration time was 10 s;delay time of 1 s;repetition times was one time;measurement mode was standard curve method. SPSS 16.0 statistical software was used for relationship analysis and main component analysis. RESULTS:The linear range of iron,magnesium,calcium,aluminum,potassium,sodium,zinc,co-balt,nickel,barium,manganese,phosphorus,selenium,titanium,strontium,copper,arsenic,cadmium,chromium,lead,mer-cury were 50-250 μg/mL(r=0.9972),25-100 μg/mL(r=0.9989),25-100 μg/mL(r=0.9977),2.5-15 μg/mL(r=0.9996), 25-150 μg/mL(r=0.9991),2.5-15 μg/mL(r=0.9999),2.5-10 μg/mL(r=0.9999),2.5-10 μg/mL(r=0.9999),2.5-10 μg/mL(r=0.9999),2.5-10 μg/mL(r=0. 0.9999),2.5-10 μg/mL(r=0.9998),2.5-10 μg/mL(r=0.9996),0.5-2 μg/mL(r=0.9995),2.5-10μg/mL(r=0.9999),0.5-2 μg/mL(r=0.9983),2.5-10 μg/mL(r=0.9997),2.5-10 μg/mL(r=0.9999),2.5-10 μg/mL(r=0.9999), 2.5-10 μg/mL(r=0.9999),0.05-0.2 μg/mL(r=0.9992),0.05-0.2 μg/mL(r=0.9997),respectively. RSDs of precision,stability and reproducibility tests were all lower than 5.0%. The recoveries were 93.9%-106.9%(RSD were 0.22%-2.94%,n=6).CONCLU-SIONS:The method is simple,precise,stable and reproducible,and can be used for simultaneous determination of 21 inorganic el-ements in H. japonicum.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To construct a SMU.2055-dificient mutant strain of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) and evaluate its cariogenic capacity in comparison with wild-type S. mutans.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The SMU.2055-dificient mutant strain of S. mutans was constructed using homologous recombination technique and observed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The absorbance at 600 nm and pH values of the wild-type and mutant strains were monitored to evaluate their growth and acid production. After acid adaption, the two strains were challenged with acid shock and their survival rates were determined.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>PCR and sequence analyses verified the successful construction of the SMU.2055-dificient mutant strain. Observation with SEM revealed obvious changes in the morphology of the mutant strain, which showed reduced irregular substances between the individual bacteria as compared with the wild-type strain. TEM revealed major alterations in the cellular architecture of the mutant strain with blurry cell membrane and disruption of the membrane integrity. The growth capacity of the mutant strain decreased in both normal and acidic conditions but its acid production capacity remained unaffected.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>SMU.2055 gene is associated with morphology maintenance, growth capacity and acid resistance of S. mutans but is not related to the acid production capacity of the bacterium.</p>
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Objective To explore the factors imfluencing the prognosis of patients with renal cell carcinoma after laparoscopic partial nephrectomy.Methods Clinical data from 593 renal cell carcinoma patients underwent laparoscopic partial nephrectomy in our institution from December 2010 to December 2015 were retrospectively collected..Tbere were 396 males and 197 females,aged 35 to 72 years old(mean 55.4 years).There were 181 cases of smoking history,206 cases of hypertension and 105 cases of diabetes.Before operation,98 cases of liver function were damaged and 122 cases were anemia.There were 521 cases with PLT < 450 × 109/L,72 cases PLT≥ 450 × 109/L.Thc tumor of 292 cases on the left and 301 cases on the right.The Kaplan-Meier method log-rank test was used for survival analysis.Univariate analysis and factors which were significantly associated with survival in the univariate analysis were conducted into the multivariate analysis with Cox proportional hazards model.Results The operative time was 88.0-120.6 min,mean 104.3 min,the blood loss during operation was 47.2-157.8 ml,mean 102.5 ml. Pathological tumor stage revealed that 398 cases were T1 and 195 cases were T2 . Fuhrman classification revealed that 29 cases were grade Ⅰ,411 cases were grade Ⅱ,150 cases grade Ⅲ,3 cases grade Ⅳ . The median follow-up time was 36 months(ranged 6 to 99 months) . Five cases (1.3%) in the T1 patients relapsed,recurrencefree survival (RFS) rate was 98.7%;In the T2 patients,7 cases (3.6%) relapsed,1 of them had local recurrence and died of lung metastasis,and the RFS rate was 96.4%.Univariate analysis revealed that T stage,Fuhrman grade,tunor necrosis,tumor pseudocapsule,lymphovascular invasion,collection system violation,anemia,and high platelet were significantly associated with RFS of patients.Multivariate analysis found that T stage (HR =1.524,95 % CI 1.326-1.926,P =0.001),Fuhrman grade (HR =1.600,95 % CI 1.035-2.364,P =0.022),tumor necrosis (HR =2.315,95% CI 1.523-3.624,P =0.001) were independent risk factors for the RFS of patients with renal cell carcinoma after retroperitoneal laparoscopic partial nephrectomy.Conclusion High T stage,high Fuhrman grade and tumor necrosis were independent risk factors for the RFS of patients with renal cell carcinoma after retroperitoneal laparoscopic partial nephrectomy.
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Objective To explore the regularity of time-dependent changes in morphology and biomechanical properties of brain tissues in pigs,and value the feasibility of deducing the postmortem interval (PMI).Methods Brain tissues were taken from 42 pigs and kept in an artificial climate chamber with the temperature of 25 ℃ and humidity of 75%.The samples were collected from telencephalon at sequential time intervals (0,12,24,36,48,60 h;n =6) according to the principle of predefined time,position,direction,ratio,quantity and shape.The samples fixed with formaldehyde were then immediately tested by mechanical testing machine to obtain their biomechanical parameters and the histological sections were prepared.Results With the extension of PMI (0-60 h),brain tissues gradually became discolored,weak,mudding and liquefied under the influence of autolysis and putrefaction.Both clearance area of the white matter and its integrated optical density (IOD) significantly increased during 0-48 h.Biomechanical properties of brain tissues including the limit load,average force,elastic modulus and fracture energy all presented a declining tendency at the interval of 12-60 h.The limit load was considered highly statistically significant,and statistical differences were found in average force,elastic modulus and fracture energy.Conclusions There exists a significantly negative structure-activity relationship between the morphology of brain tissues and biomechanical properties.The limit load of postmortem brain tissues in 60 h is the optimum in the window period,which can be used as a new method for estimating PMI.