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In order to explore the relationship between dehydrin (DHN) and core browning in late-harvested Yali pears, this study identified and characterized the PbDHN3 gene based on bioinformatics methods, and analyzed the expression pattern of this gene during the core browning process under rapid cooling and slow cooling conditions. The results showed that the open reading frame (ORF) of PbDHN3 was 564 bp in length, encoding 187 amino acids, and having a conserved domain of dehydrin superfamily comprising two Y segments, one S segment and three K segments (Y2SK3). Bioinformatics analysis showed that PbDHN3 was a hydrophilic stable protein with a molecular mass of 19.77 kDa and an isoelectric point of 7.98. The secondary structure consists of α-helix, irregular coil, extended chain and β-turn. PbDHN3 was located in the nucleus and contained no signal peptide or transmembrane structure. It was a non-secretory protein. The results of homology analysis showed that PbDHN3 was more than 89.74% similar to the DHN of five other plants such as apples. Phylogenetic analysis showed that PbDHN3 had the closest relationship with the DHN of Pyrus ussuriensis × Pyrus communis. The results of promoter analysis showed that PbDHN3 contained basic promoter elements and other cis-acting elements, which were consistent with the predicted results of the upland cotton GhDHN1 and the wheat TaDHN2 promoter regions, and all of them included hormone response elements and light response elements. The results of real-time fluorescence polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis showed that the expression of the DHN3 gene was significantly up-regulated during the core browning process of Yali pears under rapid cooling conditions, which was closely related to the browning of the core. This study provides a theoretical basis for further exploring the function of the PbDHN3 gene and clarifying the mechanism of core browning of Yali pears.

This study investigated the quality and microbial flora changes of Lentinu edodes during postharvest cold storage. L. edodes was picked with sterile gloves, treated with ozone and stored for up to 40 days at 2–4 ℃. The changes in the moisture content, color, texture, and volatile flavor substance, free amino acid and flavor nucleotide contents of the mushroom were determine during the storage period, and the changes in the microbial flora on the surface of L. edodes were detected by high-throughput sequencing. Besides, fungi were isolated and identified from the mushroom surface, and the dominant spoilage organisms were determined. The results showed that the moisture content, brightness (L* value) and hardness decreased with storage time, while the elasticity, chewiness, cohesiveness and gumminess increased first and then decreased. The relative contents of alcohols contributing to the clean aroma of L. edodes such as 1-octene-3-ol and 3-octanol increased first and then decreased during storage, and so did the contents of umami, sweet and bitter amino acids. The contents of 5’-cytidine monophosphate (5’-CMP), 5’-uridine monophosphate (5’-UMP) and 5’-guanosine monophosphate (5’-GMP) decreased continuously, while the contents of inosine 5’-monophosphate (5’-IMP) and adenosine 5’-monophosphate (5’-AMP) increased first and then decreased. The richness of the microbial community decreased first and then increased, whereas the diversity increased first and then decreased. Pseudomonas was found to be the dominant spoilage bacteria. The major spoilage fungi were Trichoderma harzianum, Alternaria and Aspergillus flavus. In conclusion, the quality and microbial flora of L. edodes changed obviously during postharvest cold storage, which will provide a theoretical basis for further controlling the spoilage and prolonging the storage period of L. edodes.

Phosphate rock is an important non-renewable resource, among which gangue mineral are mainly dolomite and silicate minerals. Previous studies have shown that poly (sodium 4-styrene sulfonate) (PSS) as a new dolomite inhibitor plays an important role in direct flotation short-process of magnesium removal. However, quartz is easily activated by metal ions, which is a common problem in flotation, and the effect of PSS on quartz has been ignored in the present study. Therefore, the effect of PSS on the flotation behavior of activated quartz is to be further explored. The effects of activator concentration, collector concentration, inhibitor concentration, pulp pH and other factors on quartz flotation were investigated by single mineral flotation test. The inhibition effect and mechanism of PSS in flotation were investigated by Zeta potential, contact angle analysis, SEM-EDS, FTIR analysis, XPS analysis and other characterization methods. The flotation test results show that PSS can effectively inhibited the flotation of activated quartz in the range of pH = 8-12. When Ca ion concentration is 80 mg/L, PSS concentration is only 50 mg/L or Mg ion concentration is 20 mg/L, PSS concentration is 120 mg/L, the floating rate of quartz drops to below 20%. The contact angle measurement results show that PSS can effectively inhibit the activation of calcium and magnesium ions on quartz. The results of Zeta potential, SEM-EDS, FTIR and XPS analysis show that PSS can be adsorbed on the activated quartz surface in the form of chemisorption, and hinder the adsorption of NaOL on the activated quartz surface, so as to achieve the inhibition of activated quartz. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detection and parameter estimation of frequency modulation (FM) signal is always one of the research focuses in the field of signal processing. In order to find out the advantage of short-time fractional Fourier transform (STFRFT) in processing the FM signals, this paper analyzes the relationship between the time-frequency resolving ability and the parameter of the measured signals through STFRFT's definition, and compares with short-time Fourier transform (STFT). As a conclusion, the time-frequency resolving ability of STFT is related to the signal's frequency fluctuation rate, however, the time-frequency resolving ability of STFRFT has nearly no relationship with the signal's frequency fluctuation rate. The simulation verifies that for the signals with low frequency fluctuation rate, STFT and STFRFT almost have the same time-frequency resolution, but for the signals with high frequency fluctuation rate, STFRFT has the better time-frequency resolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Six new azo compounds were designed and synthesized and the molecular structures of the azo compounds were confirmed by infrared spectrum, H NMR and etc. The target compounds reacted with some metal ions, then UV spectrum of them was determined, and the results showed that the object compounds can form complexes with some gold ions. The target compounds were expected as metal chromogenic agent and complexing extractant for the determination, enrichment and separation of metal ions. The target compounds showed excellent prospects for the development and application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The time delay estimation for linear frequency-modulated (LFM) pulse based on the fractional Fourier transform was analyzed in the fractional Fourier domain, taken the time domain performance of linear frequency-modulated pulse compression as reference. Also, the difference between these two methods was discussed in digital signal processing. It is found that they have almost the same output signal to noise ratio, pulse-width compression ratio and peak amplitude ratio. Furthermore, the latter has higher precision in the time delay estimation in digital implementation, needs less data rate, and has more potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To explore the efficacy and prognostic factors of cetuximab therapy for KRAS or all RAS wild-type(WT)metastatic colorectal cancer(mCRC).Methods We screened mCRC patients receiving at least two cycles of cetuximb and chemotherapy from those with KRAS WT(before November 2013)or all-RAS-WT(after November 2013)in the Department of Medical Oncology,Peking Union Medical College Hospital from November 2007 to December 2016. The relationship between the clinicopathological characteristics and the efficacy was retrospectively analyzed.Results A total of 60 patients were included. For the 34 patients receiving cetuximab as first-line treatment,the objective response rate(ORR)was 55.9%,and the progression-free survival and overall survival(OS)was 10 and 24 months,respectively. All-RAS-WT mCRC had significantly lower risk of progression than those with KRAS-only-WT(P=0.012),and left-sided colorectal cancer had higher ORR than right-sided colon cancer(62.1% vs. 0,P=0.033)during the first-line treatment. The median OS of the eight patients continuing cetuximab beyond first-line progression was 35.0(95%CI:23.6-46.4)months.Conclusions The efficacy of cetuximab for left-sided colorectal cancer was better than for right-sided colon cancer,and patients with all-RAS-WT have lower risk of progression than those with KRAS-only-WT. Patients benefiting from first-line cetuximab and continuing cetuximab beyond progression survive longer.

Objective: To establish an animal model for loaded swimming, so as to investigate the energy metabolism effects of soybean isoflavones (SI) on swimming mice., Methods: Thirty male Kunming mice were randomly divided into three groups:normal control, swimming group, and swimming+SI group. The normal control group mice were fed a basic AIN-93M diet, the SI groups were supplied with soybean isoflavones(4 g/kg).Two weeks later, the mice were forced to swim for an hour,and then all the mice were killed, the samples of blood, liver and muscles of hind were collected.The serum contents of lactic acid(Lac), the activities of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), creatine kinase (CK) and ATPase were measured., Results: Compared with normal control,the serum content of Lac was significantly improved in the group of the swimming control and SI( P <0.05),the activity of LDH in the serum was obviously improved in the group of the swimming control and SI, and the activity of CK and SDH were both significantly improved in the group of the swimming control and SI except the activity of SDH in the liver of the group SI; compared with the swimming control,the serum contents of Lac,the activities of LDH, ATPase, SDH, CK were obviously improved( P <0.05)., Conclusions: Soybean isoflavones can improve the energy metabolism,antioxidant capacity of the swimming mice.

Backwater regions have been formed in the downstream of tributaries since the Three Gorge Reservoir (TGR) was impounded, as the most influential area to the aquatic environment within the reservoir. In order to study the effects and significance of the backwater regions on the nutrient cycling and substance fluxes, dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP), dissolved silicon (DSi) were monitored in situ in Caotang tributary backwater region, the adjacent mainstream and Caotang tributaries' upstream every month from August 2012 to July 2013. The results showed that the concentrations of DIN, DIP and DSi in Caotang tributary backwater region were similar to those in the mainstream, and the monthly variation tendency was very consistent with the mainstream Changjiang. DIN, DIP and DSi in the Caotang tributary were mainly originated from the mainstream. The influence of the mainstream water could extend to the upmost of the backwater region due to the good connection and rapid, sufficient water exchange between mainstream and tributary. Nutrients from the mainstream were retained and consumed by primary producers in the tributary during the growing seasons in spring and summer, while released back to the water during late autumn and winter. Nutrient cycling in the tributary could change the seasonal pattern of nutrient transportation. The mainstream nutrient fluxes could receive significant seasonal modification from the large numbers (more than 40) of tributaries within the TGR domain.

Vegetation water content is an important indicator of vegetal state, and a vital parameter of studying agriculture, ecological and hydrological. The diagnosis of vegetation water content has great significance for forest fire forecast and natural vegetation drought condition monitoring. The correlation analysis of the vegetation spectral reflectance and vegetation water content shows that the relativity between the spectral reflectance of different wavelengths and the vegetation water content varies considerably. The spectral reflectance of red band of visible light (620～700 nm) and the near-infrared band(800～1 350, 1 600～1 950, 2 200～2 400 nm) had a higher correlation with the vegetation water content. The slope angle indexes were used as parameters for estimating the vegetation water content based on analyzing the relation between the slope angle indexes and vegetation water content. An evaluation model of vegetation water content was set up by utilizing statistical linear regression model method. The band of 660, 850, 1 630, 2 200 nm were selected as RED, NIR, SWIR1 and SWIR2 band value of the slope angle index based on the analysis of the correlation between spectral reflectance and vegetation water content. A large amount of vegetation spectral information and vegetation water content were collected in the study area(the upstream of Minjiang River), and the linear regression model of the slope angle index (SANI, SASI, ANIR) and vegetation water content (FMC) was build. The linear regression model of ANIR and FMC has the highest of linear fitting and the linearity is up to 0.791. The near infrared angle index(ANIR)was improved on the basis of the analysis the linear regression results of angle slope vegetation index and water content. Near infrared angle normalized index (NANI) and near infrared angle slope index (NASI) were defined, and the linear regression model was established. Compared with the slope angle index (SANI, SASI, ANIR) which were proposed by Palacios-Orueta, NANI had more advantages in the vegetation water content inversion in the study area. The determination coefficient (R2) of the inversion model increased from 0.791 to 0.853, and root-mean-square error (RMSE) reduced from 0.047 to 0.039. Angle slope index had higher linear fitting and estimation accuracy by improving the angle of slope index. NANI and FMC linear regression model was established to estimate the vegetation water content in the study area. In this paper, the main innovation point is that the slope angle index NANI and NASI has been proposed on the basis of predecessors’ research results, and the improved angle slope index has higher linear fitting and estimation accuracy compared with SANI, SASI, ANIR.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of Yiqi Huoxue Tongyang Xiezhuo Recipe (YHTXR, capable of supplementing qi, activating blood, warming yang, and discharge turbidity) in treating coronary atherosclerotic heart disease (CAHD). and chronic heart failure (CHF) with carotid plaque patients, and to explore new ways of Chinese medicine (CM)., Methods: Totally 69 CAHD-CHF patients of qi deficiency phlegm stasis syndrome (QDPSS) with carotid plaque were recruited in this study using parallel cohort method. They were assigned to the treatment group (35 cases) and the control group (34 cases). Patients in the control group received routine treatment of Western medicine, while those in the treatment group were additionally treated with YHTXR (twice daily). The therapeutic course for all was three months. Cardiac function levels, echocardiography, carotid plaque, blood lipids and safety indicators were observed before and after treatment., Results: After treatment the improvement of cardiac function levels was better in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.05). Decreased LDL-C levels were higher in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.01). There was statistical difference in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), LDL-C, TC, TG in the treatment group between before and after treatment (P < 0.05). LDL-C and TG also decreased in the control group after treatment (P <0.05). There was no significant difference in the left ventricular ejection fraction, carotid IMT, or TC in the control group between before and after treatment (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in stroke volume, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, the area of carotid artery plaque, or HDL-C in the two groups between before and after treatment (P > 0.05)., Conclusions: YHTXR could effectively improve cardiac functions of CAHD-CHF patients of QDPSS with carotid plaque, reduce blood lipids and IMT. It had no significant adverse reactions for elderly patients in short term.

Frequent algal blooms have been observed in the Meixi bay of the Three Gorges Reservoirs (TGR) since its initial filling. In order to understand the effects of intrusions from Changjiang mainstream on the nutrient supply of the Meixi Bay, a detailed field monitoring was conducted from August 2012 to July 2013. The results showed that there were significant intrusions from the mainstream to the Meixi Bay during the different water level scheduling periods of the TGR. As a result, the invading flow from the mainstream of the Changjiang caused a significant effect on the nutrient distribution in the Meixi River. Annually, the mainstream transportednet fluxes of 5 478.02 t DIN, 234.04 t DIP and 5 935.22 t DSi to the Meixi Bay, which were 2.37 times, 4.32 times and 1.33 times of the corresponding fluxes from the upstream, respectively. The influence on the nutrient distributions was not only limited in the estuary area but also in the upper reaches, the supply of DIP changed the nutrient structure and relieved the P restrictions on phytoplankton growth.

This study investigated the partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2) in the mainstream of the Three Gorges Reservoir and its tributary (Meixi River) in May 2013. Results showed that pCO2 in the surface water of the Meixi River and mainstream of the Three Gorges Reservoir was 6.8-7.5 Pa and 201.4-210.2 Pa, respectively. At the mixing area between the Meixi River and the mainstream of Changjiang, the lowest value of pCO2 in surface water was 53.5 Pa, and pCO2 gradually increased downwardly. Below 3 m in depth, pCO2 kept the stable value of around 210 Pa. Based on the calculation results, the emission flux of CO2 in the Meixi River and the mainstream of the central Three Gorges Reservoir was about -7.48 mmol x (m2 x d)(-1) and 39.58 mmol x (m2 x d)(-1), respectively. These results showed that the Meixi River is a sink for atmospheric CO2, and the mainstream of the Three Gorges Reservoir is a source for atmospheric CO2.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of insulin resistance (IR) on prognosis in non-diabetic acute coronary syndrome patients., Methods: In this prospective study, we enrolled 332 non-diabetic patients suffering from acute coronary syndrome. The patients were divided into three groups by HOMA-IR which calculated by formula: low HOMA-IR group (HOMA-IR < 2), 44 cases; moderate HOMA-IR group (2 ≤ HOMA2-IR < 6), 99 cases; high HOMA-IR group (HOMA ≥ 6) with HOMA index, 179 cases. The in-hospital medical records of patients were compared, and all patients were followed up for one year after discharge., Results: Incidence of hypertension (P = 0.013), dyslipidemia (P < 0.001), faster resting heart rate (P < 0.001) and number of triple vessel coronary artery disease (P = 0.017) in high HOMA-IR group were significantly higher than in low and moderate HOMA-IR group. During follow-up, the major end-point events increased in proportion to IR grade: 64.3% (26/44) in the high HOMA-IR group, 54.7% (52/99) in moderate HOMA-IR group and 41.3% (74/199) in low HOMA-IR group (P = 0.034). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that high sensitivity C reactive protein (OR = 1.012, 95%CI:1.002-1.022, P = 0.022), HOMA-IR (OR = 1.250, 95%CI:1.043-1.497, P = 0.015) , triple vessel coronary artery disease (OR = 5.914, 95%CI:2.947-11.868, P < 0.001) , ischemic changes on ECG (OR = 5.495, 95%CI:2.925-10.324, P < 0.001) and low left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF ≤ 40%) (OR = 13.205, 95%CI:5.000-34.661, P < 0.001) were independent risk factor for major end-point events during follow-up., Conclusions: Increased insulin resistance is linked with poor prognosis of non-diabetic patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of arthroscopically assisted treatment of acute tibial insertion avulsion fracture of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) via posteromedial incision., Methods: Between January 2010 and January 2012, 22 patients with acute tibial insertion avulsion of the PCL underwent arthroscopic reduction and fixation via posteromedial incision. There were 14 males and 8 females with an average age of 32 years (range, 18-48 years). The injury causes included traffic accident injury in 14 cases, sport injury in 4 cases, and falling injury in 4 cases. The disease duration ranged from 7 to 16 days (mean, 10 days). Of 22 patient, 14 had simple PCL injury, 6 had PCL injury with meniscus injury, and 2 with cartilage injury. The results of posterior drawer test were positive in all patients. The preoperative Lysholm score was 51.1 +/-3.4., Results: All incisions healed by first intention without infection, deep venous thrombosis of lower limbs, or vessel and nerve injuries. All patients were followed up 12-24 months (mean, 18.4 months). X-ray films showed that all fractures healed with the healing time of 2-4 months (mean, 3 months). The Lysholm score was improved to 96.0 +/-2.2 at 6 months after operation, showing significant difference when compared with preoperative score (t=43.020, P=0.000)., Conclusion: Arthroscopically assisted treatment of acute tibial insertion avulsion fracture of the PCL via posteromedial incision is a safe, easy, and effective method.

Objective: To study the epidemiologic characteristics of hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) in Guiyang between 2008 and 2010., Methods: The epidemiologic characteristics of HFMD were analyzed by descriptive statistical methods based on the data from the China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention., Results: A total of 27383 cases of HFMD were recorded in Guiyang between 2008 and 2010. The incidence of HFMD increased from 66.4439/100000 in 2008 to 163.9276/100000 in 2009 and 471.5515/100000 in 2010 (P<0.01). The mortality rate was 0.1026/100000 in 2010, which was significantly lower than in 2009 (0.2821/100000) (P<0.05). HFMD occurrence showed seasonality and reached a peak between April and June. HFMD cases were commonly noted in children under 5 years old, and especially in children under 3 years old. The main detected pathogen was human enterovirus 71 (EV17) in 2009. Whereas in 2010 the disease was mainly caused by CoxA16 and other intestinal viruses., Conclusions: The incidence of HFMD in Guiyang increased year by year from 2008 to 2010, but the mortality rate decreased year by year. HFMD occurrence showed an obvious seasonality. HFMD was common in children under the age of five. The main pathogens of this disease included EV17, CoxA16 and other intestinal viruses.

Objective: To explore the effects of aerobic exercise on exercise tolerance in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF)., Methods: A total of 50 CHF patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 49% by echocardiography were enrolled. And they were randomly divided into exercise group (n = 25) and non-exercise group (n = 25). Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) was performed. The patients of exercise group underwent an aerobic exercise program in which exercise intensity was decided by anaerobic threshold (AT) before 10 J/s while those of non-exercise group performed daily activities. After 6 sessions of supervised aerobic exercise, the home-based aerobic exercise training began. CPET was re-examined 3 months later., Results: The VO(2) AT, VO(2) peak, Load AT, Load peak, peak VO(2)/HR and VE/VCO(2) slope at baseline were similar between exercise group and non-exercise group (P > 0.05). The VO(2) AT, VO(2) peak, Load AT, Load peak and peak VO(2)/HR in patients of exercise group were increased compared with baseline, The differences between baseline and 3 months later expressed as ΔVO(2) AT, ΔVO(2) peak, ΔLoad AT, ΔLoad peak, Δpeak VO(2)/HR and ΔVE/VCO(2) slope, The differences of ΔVO(2) AT, ΔVO(2) peak, ΔLoad AT, ΔLoad peak and Δpeak VO(2)/HR between two groups were statistically significant [ΔVO(2) AT: 2.8 (1.2 - 3.5) ml×kg(-1)×min(-1) vs -0.3 (-2.8 - 0.1) ml×kg(-1)×min(-1), P < 0.01; ΔVO(2) peak: 3.4 (1.8 - 4.6) ml×kg(-1)×min(-1) vs -0.5 (-1.4 - 0.3) ml×kg(-1)×min(-1), P < 0.01; ΔLoad AT:15.0 (2.5 - 22.5) J/s vs 0.5(-4.2 - 3.8) J/s, P < 0.01; ΔLoad peak: 15.0 (1.3 - 25.0) J/s vs 0.0 (-8.8 - 15.0) J/s, P < 0.05; Δpeak VO(2)/HR: 2.3 (0.0 - 4.0) ml×kg(-1)×beat(-1) vs -0.1 (-0.7 - 1.2) ml×kg(-1)×beat(-1), P < 0.01]. The difference of ΔVE/VCO(2) slope was not statistically significant [-2.3 (-12.2 - 1.8) vs 1.0 (-0.4 - 2.6), P > 0.05]., Conclusion: After 3 months of aerobic exercise, exercise capacity may improve in the CHF patients.

Objective: To explore the surgical method and effectiveness of multi-spot suture fixation under arthroscope in treating tibial intercondylar anterior eminence fracture., Methods: Between February 2006 and January 2010, 15 patients with tibial intercondylar anterior eminence fracture were treated with multi-spot suture fixation under arthroscope after fracture reduction. There were 14 males and 1 female with a median age of 33 years (range, 7-55 years). The injury causes were traffic accident in 9 cases, sport in 2 cases, and falling in 4 cases. The anterior drawer test, Lachman test, and pivot shift test in all the cases turned out to be positive. The Lysholm score was 64.7 +/- 1.3. According to Meyers-McKeever classification, 5 cases were classified as type II, 7 cases as type III, and 3 cases as type IV. Of them, 13 cases had fresh fracture and 2 cases had old fracture. Assisted with anterior cruciate ligament-aimer, bone tunnels (2 mm in diameter) were built through the fracture fragments after fracture reduction, through which Ethibond 2 polyester sutures were guided into the joint by No.18 spine needles; after knot of 2 sutures or knot of only 1 suture was made, the other ends of sutures were fastened together outside the joint., Results: The incisions of all the cases healed by first intention with no complication of infection or deep venous thrombosis. Fifteen patients were followed up 14-48 months with an average of 24.2 months. The X-ray examination indicated fractures healed in all the cases at 2-4 months (mean, 3 months). At 6 months after operation, 14 cases showed negative results of Lachman test and anterior drawer test but 1 case positive, while all the cases showed negative results in pivot shift test. The extension and flexion spheres of knee activity were normal in 13 cases and were limited in 2 cases. The Lysholm score was 95.1 +/- 2.1, showing significant difference when compared with the preoperative score (t = 43.020, P = 0.000)., Conclusion: Multi-spot suture fixation under arthroscope is an effective method with small invasion, reliable fixation, and simple operation for treating tibial intercondylar anterior eminence fracture.

Objective: To observe the effects of aerobic exercise on cardiac output during exercise in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF)., Methods: A total of 50 CHF patients (echocardiography measured left ventricular ejection fraction < 0.49) were enrolled in the study and randomly divided into aerobic exercise group (n = 25) and control group (n = 25). Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) was performed. Patients of aerobic exercise group underwent aerobic exercise according to aerobic exercise prescription and exercise intensity is decided by anaerobic threshold before 10 J/s (1 minute before) of the oxygen consumption. After 6 supervised aerobic exercise training sessions in the hospital, patients were asked to perform the home-based aerobic exercise training. Patients in control group were required to maintain daily physical activities. CPET were reviewed 3 months later., Results: Cardiac output (CO), peak CO, peak cardiac power output (peak CPO), resting heart rate (HR), heart rate at AT (HRAT), HR peak, resting mean arterial pressure (MAP), peak MAP at baseline were similar between aerobic exercise group and control [(4.2 ± 2.0) L/min vs. (3.3 ± 1.0) L/min, (6.2 ± 2.7) L/min vs. (5.2 ± 1.8) L/min, (1.8 ± 2.9) L/min vs. (2.0 ± 1.8) L/min, (1.3 ± 0.5) J/s vs. (1.2 ± 0.5) J/s, (76.8 ± 13.5) beats/min vs. (73.4 ± 11.9) beats/min, (91.5 ± 11.3) beats/min vs. (92.6 ± 12.4) beats/min, (106.0 ± 12.9) beats/min vs. (108.3 ± 17.4) beats/min, (80.8 ± 9.9) mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa) vs. (87.6 ± 13.3) mm Hg, (98.8 ± 12.4) mm Hg vs. (102.7 ± 13.9) mm Hg, all P > 0.05]. Compared to baseline, CO, peak CO, peak CPO, HR, HRAT, HR peak, MAP, peak MAP after 3 months were similar between aerobic exercise group and control (all P > 0.05). The differences between baseline and 3 months later expressed as ΔCO, Δpeak CO, Δpeak CPO, ΔHR, ΔHRAT, ΔHR peak, ΔMAP, Δpeak MAP were also similar between aerobic exercise group and control group [(-0.7 ± 2.4) L/min vs. (0.7 ± 2.0) L/min, (1.1 ± 2.6) L/min vs. (1.4 ± 2.1) L/min, (0.1 ± 3.7) L/min vs. (-0.2 ± 2.5) L/min, (0.2 ± 1.0) J/s vs. (0.2 ± 0.5) J/s, (-0.4 ± 7.6) beats/min vs. (1.9 ± 9.9) beats/min, (3.4 ± 11.3) beats/min vs. (-2.8 ± 7.6) beats/min, (8.9 ± 14.5) beats/min vs. (3.7 ± 14.4) beats/min, (1.5 ± 12.8) mm Hg vs. (-1.3 ± 11.1) mm Hg, (6.4 ± 18.9) mm Hg vs. (1.3 ± 12.3) mm Hg, all P > 0.05]., Conclusion: Three months aerobic exercise training did not improve cardiac output and related parameters during exercise in this cohort patients with CHF.

Objective: To investigate the effects of exercise therapy at the intensity of anaerobic threshold (AT) for exercise tolerance in patients with chronic stable coronary artery disease., Methods: Forty-three patients with chronic stable coronary artery disease (3 patients after coronary arterial bypass graft (CABG) surgery, 22 patients with old myocardial infarction and 18 unstable angina pectoris undergoing successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) finished twice cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) and followed their rehabilitation program for 3 months. Thirty-two patients finished their aerobic exercise therapy based on their individual anaerobic thresholds while 11 patients had no exercise therapy., Results: The heart rate at AT intensity (97 ± 9/min) was lower than their traditional minimal target heart rate (112 ± 7/min) and lower than heart rate (115 ± 11/min) at ischemic threshold post-CPET. The O(2) consumption (10.7 ± 2.4 to 12.6 ± 2.9 ml×min(-1)×kg(-1)) (P = 0.04) and workload (37 ± 18 to 47 ± 13 J/s) (P = 0.04) at AT level and the O(2) consumption (15.3 ± 3.1 to 20.6 ± 4.2 ml×min(-1)×kg(-1), P = 0.02) and workload(68 ± 12 and 87 ± 14 J/s, P = 0.01) at peak level markedly increased after 3 months in the exercise group. And the O(2) consumption (15.3 ± 2.9 to 16.2 ± 3.1 ml×min(-1)×kg(-1)) and workload (65 ± 13 to 73 ± 16 J/s) at peak level mild increased after 3 months in the non-exercise group, but their O(2) consumption (11.0 ± 2.7 to 11.3 ± 2.8 ml×min(-1)×kg(-1)) and workload (38 ± 11 to 37 ± 9 J/s) at AT level had no obvious change., Conclusion: AT exercise intensity was lower than ischemic threshold post-CPET. Exercise therapy at the intensity of anaerobic threshold can improve oxygen capacity and exercise tolerance.

Objective: To evaluate sex determining region of the Y (Sry) as a engrafting track of the transplanted BMSCs survival and new bone formation in the osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) of rabbit., Methods: Forty-nine 4-5-month-old New Zealand White rabbits were included, weighing 2.0-2.5 kg, 48 females and 1 male. BMSCs of the rabbits were isolated by density gradient separation method, the third passage cells were marked by 1, 1'-dioctadecyl-3, 3, 3', 3'-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate (DiI) and the concentration of cell suspension was 2.5 x 10(8)/mL. The animal model of ONFH were established with 48 female rabbits by injecting liquid nitrogen, and femoral head was not dislocated. The animal model were divided into 3 groups, 16 rabbits in each group. Group A only established animal model as control. Autologous BMSCs (4 microL) marked by DiI was transplanted in the ONFH models of the group B. Allogenic BMSCs (4 microL) marked by DiI was transplanted in ONFH models of the group C. The femoral head were observed by X-ray, HE staining and Masson staining, and the regenerating trabecular volume percentages was determined at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks after operation respectively. The examples of the heart, lung, liver, spleen and kidney were obtained. The transplanted BMSCs were traced by fluorescence microscope, the Sry gene expression was detected by PCR for cells survival., Results: All rabbits survived till the end of experiment. The X-ray showed gradual necrosis in the femoral head of group A. HE and Masson staining results indicated that compared with the group A, the recovery condition of the necrotic femoral head in the groups B and C was better. At each time of groups B and C, the regenerating trabecular volume percentages were higher than that of the group A significantly (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference between groups B and C (P > 0.05). The cells marked by DiI were not founded in the tissues of the heart, lung, liver, spleen and kidney in groups B and C at each time. PCR showed that the expression of Sry gene were not observed at the heart, lung, liver, spleen and kidney of three groups at each time. The expression of Sry gene was clearly identified in the femoral head of all 16 rabbits in the group C at each time point., Conclusion: Allografting of BMSCs transplanted into the femoral head can survive and induce new bone formation without redistribution.

Objective: To explore the existence of natural foci on Marmota himalayana plague in Sichuan province and to provide basis for prevention and control of the disease., Methods: Both epidemiological investigation and laboratory tests were used to provide the host animal and fleas of the vectors with Yersinia pestis carriers., Results: 30 species of animals were found to belong to 10 orders. Ochotona curzoniae and M. himalayana were the most common ones while 7 species of the fleas belonged to 7 genera and 3 families. M. himalayana was the main reservoirs while Callopsylla dolabris and Oropsylla silantiewi served as vectors. The 13 Y. pestis were identified from 43 Marmota samples. 8 samples were identified under IHA, with the highest titer of herding-dogs serum as 1:10,240. 19 samples were F1 antigen positive using RIHA and the highest titer of M. himalayana serum was 1:409,600. The major foci was 4545 km2, distributed at Dege county in Sichuan province., Conclusion: We have confirmed the existence of natural foci on M. himalayana plague in Sichuan province.

Objective: To investigate the characteristics of patients with crush injury in Wenchuan earthquake and the corresponding operational methods., Methods: From May 12th 2008 to June 18th 2008, 202 patients with crush injury of soft tissue were treated, including 110 males and 92 females. Twenty-five patients aged 19 months to 16 years, 129 patients aged 17-60 years and 48 patients aged above 61 years. The crushed time was 30 minutes to 154 hours. Sixty cases of open injuries were treated by debridement and dressing or suture; 16 cases of damaged extremities (18 limbs) and 6 cases of acute renal failure due to crush syndrome (8 limbs) received amputation; 32 cases of interfascial space syndrome crisis (42 limbs) were treated by fascia cavity decompression; 15 cases received the resection of necrotic muscle for 31 times; and 9 cases received continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT)., Results: All the wounds healed except 2 cases which died from intestinal bleeding and intracranial hemorrhage during the treatment of CRRT. Two cases were discharged 8 months after treatment, while the other 198 cases recovered and were discharged 15-120 days after treatment. The average hospitalization time was 53 days. Twenty-two cases (26 limbs) were fixed with artificial limbs 3-6 months after amputation and achieved good functional outcome., Conclusion: The treatment principle of crush injury is "be active to decompress and be prudent to amputate", the hardening muscle and the increasing level of creatine kinase and blood potassium are the golden indicators of fascia cavity decompression. Decompression at an earlier period is preferred when there is a dilemma to choose, and open amputation should be performed when the necrotic muscle is hard to clear or the necrosis boundary is not distinct.

Objective: To investigate the expressions of the insulin receptor (IR), insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), insulin receptor substrate-2 (IRS-2), phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) of the livers of the male adult rats born with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR),and to find out the relationship between IUGR and insulin resistance in their adult life., Methods: The foods were available ad libitum throughout the pregnancy to the control group and the rats in the experimental group were fed 50% of the control group to build the IUGR animal model. Liver samples were collected when the male offspring grew up to 12 weeks old. The mRNA expressions of hepatic IR, IRS-1, IRS-2, PI3K, and IGF-1 were detected by RT-PCR. The protein expressions of hepatic IR, IRS-1, and IRS-2 were analyzed by immunohistochemistry., Results: The mRNA expressions of hepatic IR in the adult male rats with IUGR were significantly lower than control group [(0.41+/-0.06) vs (0.62+/-0.11), P<0.05]. But the expressions of hepatic IR protein were similar [(6.21+/-0.57) vs (6.69+/-0.47), P>0.05] in both groups. The mRNA and protein expressions of the hepatic IRS-1 [mRNA: (0.77+/-0.20) vs (1.32+/-0.42), P<0.05; protein: (2.15+/-0.23) vs (5.96+/-0.38), P<0.05] and IRS-2 [mRNA: (1.05+/-0.28) vs (1.48+/-0.40), P<0.05; protein: (4.33+/-0.29) vs (7.08+/-0.35), P<0.05] of the IUGR rats were reduced; there were no differences between the hepatic PI3K mRNA expressions in the 2 groups [(1.12+/-0.19) vs (1.18+/-0.24), P>0.05]. The expressions of hepatic IGF-1 mRNA of the rats with IUGR were significantly lower than those in control group [(0.55+/-0.12) vs (1.22+/-0.34), P<0.05]. There was close relation between the reduction of the expression of hepatic IGF-1 mRNA and the expression of IRS-1 mRNA (r=0.821, P<0.05) and IRS-2 mRNA(r=0.643, P<0.05) in the adult male rats with IUGR., Conclusion: The reduced expressions of IRS-1 and IRS-2 caused the lower expression of hepatic IGF-1 in the adult male rats with IUGR, which was related to the stunted growth and the insulin resistance. There were no relation of the expressions of hepatic IR and PI3K and the insulin resistance in adult male rats with IUGR.

Objective: To investigate the effects of maternal malnutrition on the expression of the insulin signal transduction proteins in the liver of perinatal rats., Methods: (1) The dams were semi-starvation from the first day during pregnancy to build the animal model of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). On days 15, 17, 19, 21(E15, E17, E19, E21) of gestation, the fetuses were delivered by cesarean section. The fetal rats, placenta, fetal liver and the fetal brain were weighed respectively. And the placenta weight to the body weight ratio (PWR), the liver weight to the body weight ratio (LWR), the brain weight to the body weight ratio (BWR) were calculated; The expressions of the hepatic insulin receptor (IR), insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), insulin receptor subtrate-2 (IRS-2), phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinse (PI3K) mRNA in the rats during perinatal period were detected by RT-PCR., Results: (1) The PWR of the IUGR fetus on E15 was lower than that in the control (P < 0.05) and beyond E17 it was gradually higher than that in the control (P < 0.05). There were no differences of the mean values of LWR between the IUGR fetus and the control. On E17 the LWR of the IUGR fetus were slowly increased (P < 0.05). The average level of BWR of the IUGR fetus during the perinatal period was significant higher (P < 0.05). (2) The expressions of hepatic IRS-1 mRNA of the IUGR fetus were similar on E15 and E17, and lower than that in the control on E19 until P1 (P < 0.05); The contents of hepatic IRS-2 mRNA of the IUGR fetus were significantly lower on E15 until P1 than that of the control(P < 0.05); There were no differences of the expressions of fetal hepatic IR mRNA and fetal hepatic PI3K mRNA between the IUGR fetus and the control(P > 0.05)., Conclusion: (1) In order to protect the development of brain, the fetus that suffered maternal malnutrition throughout the pregnancy had liver weight and body weight reduced much more than brain weight, which was known as "brain spare effects". (2) The expressions of hepatic IR mRNA and PI3K mRNA of the fetus were in normal ranges; But the expressions of the hepatic IRS-1 mRNA and IRS-2 mRNA of the IUGR fetus were decreased during the perinatal period. These may be related to the growth retardation and insulin resistance of the adult IUGR rats.

Objective: The immunogenicity and protective efficacy of an experimental Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) chitosan-DNA vaccines were evaluated in mice., Methods: The chitosan-DNA vaccines were prepared by embedding pcDNA3.1(+)-cadF and pcDNA3.1(+)-peblA with chitosan respectively. BALB/c mice were intranasally immunized in a four-dose primary series (7 d intervals) at doses of 60 microg chitosan-DNA vaccines each time. The comparative immunogenicities of nine formulations were assessed on the basis of the generation of antigen-specific antibodies in serum and intestinal secretions. Mice were attacked repeatedly through intragastric administration of C. jejuni HS:19 at the 8th week after the immunization and protective efficacy was determined by detecting the degrees of protection afforded against C. jejuni invaded., Results: The mice immunized with chitosan-DNA vaccines have generated high levels of IgA and IgG from the sera and IgA from the intestinal secretions and the P/N value went up to 20.58, 30.13 and 6.87 respectively. Meanwhile, the expression of intestinal SIgA increased correspondingly. Moreover the chitosan-DNA vaccines induced strongest level of protection in BALB/c mice against challenge with C. jejuni HS:19 strain and the protective efficacies was 93.70., Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that the chitosan-DNA vaccines could induce significant protective immunity against C. jejuni challenge in the mice model.

Objectives: Ventricular remodeling is an important pathologic progress in almost all end stage heart failure (HF), and it is characterized by ventricular thickening and cardiac fibrosis with poor prognosis. The connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), a new growth factor with multi-function, has an important role in fibrosis of tissue and organs. It has been demonstrated that angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) can prevent the development of cardiomyocyte from remodeling and improve cardiac function. Researchers try to test the hypothesis that cardiac function improvement attributable to ACEI is associated with inhibiting expression of CTGF in patients with HF. The aim of this study was to observe changes in CTGF expression in cardiomyocyte of young rats with HF and effect of benazepril on CTGF., Methods: The animal model of HF was established by constriction of abdominal aorta. Five weeks old rats were randomly divided into 3 groups after 6 weeks of operation: (1) HF group without treatment (n = 15); (2) HF group where rats were treated with benazepril (n = 15); (3) sham-operated group (n = 15) where rats were administered benazepril through direct gastric gavage. After 4 weeks of treatment, the high frequency ultrasound was performed. The expression of CTGF was detected by immunohistochemistry and semi-quantative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction., Results: Compared with the sham-operated group, left ventricular diastolic dimension (LVEDD), left ventricular systolic dimension (LVESD), interventricular septal thickness at end-diastole (IVSTd), interventricular septal thickness at end-systole (IVSTs), left ventricular posterior wall thickness at end-diastole (LVPWTd), left ventricular posterior wall thickness at end-systole (LVPWTs), left ventricular relative weight (LVRW), and right ventricular relative weight (RVRW) were all increased (P < 0.01), but ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening (FS) were decreased (P < 0.01). CTGF positive cells and expression of CTGF mRNA (0.609 +/- 0.065 vs 0.117 +/- 0.011, P < 0.01) were increased in HF group without treatment. LVESD, IVSTd, IVSTs, LVPWTd, LVPWTs, LVRW and RVRW were all decreased (P < 0.01), but FS and EF were increased (P < 0.01) in cases of HF treated with benazepril when compared with HF group without treatment. LVESD, IVSTd, IVSTs, LVPWTd, LVPWTs, LVRW and RVRW were higher (P < 0.01), EF and FS were lower (P < 0.01), CTGF positive cells and expression of CTGF mRNA were higher (P < 0.01) in HF group treated with benazepril than those of sham-operated group., Conclusion: The expression of CTGF was increased in the cardiomyocyte of young rats with HF and benazepril could prevent left ventricular from remodeling partly and improve cardiac function by inhibiting the expression of CTGF in cardiomyocyte in cases of HF.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation between the Arg389Gly polymorphism of the beta(1)-AR gene and chronic heart failure (CHF) and to evaluate the effect of this polymorphism on clinical response to beta-adrenoceptor blockade (bisoprolol) in patients with CHF., Methods: One hundred and ten patients with stable CHF receiving basic therapy for heart failure were included. Before initiation and 3 months after the maximal tolerated dose of bisoprolol was reached, all indices (including BP, HR, LAD, LVEDD, LVESD, LVEF, BNP level, 6 min walk distance) were measured and compared with the Arg389Gly genotypes, which identified by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. We also determined the Arg389Gly genotypes in 100 healthy control subjects, and compared the distribution of Arg389Gly genotypes with that in CHF., Results: No difference was observed between the two groups in any of the three genotypes (CC, CG and GG). The prevalences of the three genotypes in normal subjects and patients with CHF were Arg389Arg 0.53 vs. 0.51, Arg389Gly 0.40 vs. 0.40, Gly38Gly 0.07 vs. 0.09, respectively. After 3 months of bisoprolol usage, a significant improvement in LVEF was observed in CC group, which increased from (36.7 +/- 8.63)% to (44.1 +/- 9.53)%, CG group, from (35.76 +/- 8.39)% to (42.90 +/- 9.41)%, but not GG group, from (36.00 +/- 5.66)% to (37.33 +/- 5.64)%. The improvement in BNP was also observed in CC [from (502.93 +/- 160.80) ng/L to (325.26 +/- 135.63) ng/L], CG [from (525.76 +/- 157.66) ng/L to (331.79 +/- 133.97) ng/L], but not GG [from (505.33 +/- 125.07) ng/L to (429.67 +/- 182.39) ng/L]. Arg389-homozygous patients showed a substantially greater improvement in LVEF and BNP, compared with Gly389-homozygous patients (all P < 0.01)., Conclusions: There was no difference in the prevalence of the three genotypes between healthy and CHF subjects. The Gly389 polymorphism of the beta(1)-AR gene was not associated with an increased risk of CHF. The Arg389 variant of the beta(1)-AR gene was associated with a greater response to bisoprolol than that of the Gly389 variant in patients with CHF.

Objective: To explore the impact of Foxp3 expression and CD(4)(+)CD(25)(+) regulatory T cells on pathogenesis of childhood asthma., Methods: Totally 15 patients with acute asthma exacerbation, 15 children with asthma remission and 10 children who were hospitalized for skeleton deformity without atopic disorders or history of allergic diseases or respiratory infections within a month as controls were recruited in this study from Sep. 2004 to Mar. 2005. The percentage of CD(4)(+)CD(25)(+) T cells were detected by 2-color flow cytometry. The levels of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, interferon (IFN)-gamma, transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta in plasma and supernatant were assayed by ELISA. Both the asthmatic children and the control children were selected to induce sputum by hypertonic saline. Sputum was processed for detecting the expression of Foxp3-mRNA. The expression of Foxp3-mRNA in both sputum and PBMC was detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR with beta-actin as internal control., Results: The percentage of CD(4)(+)CD(25)(+) regulatory T cells in exacerbation and remission asthmatic children was significantly lower than that of the control children both prestimulation [(10.1 +/- 2.1)% vs. (15.5 +/- 2.7)%, (11.7 +/- 2.5)% vs. (15.5 +/- 2.7)%, P < 0.05] and poststimulation with PHA [(12.4 +/- 2.3)% vs. (26.9 +/- 3.8)%, (17.3 +/- 3.2)% vs. (26.9 +/- 3.8)%, P < 0.05]. The percentage of CD(4)(+)CD(25)(+) regulatory T cells was significantly higher after PHA stimulation in normal children [(15.5 +/- 2.7)% vs. (26.9 +/- 3.8)%, P < 0.01]. The expression of Foxp3-mRNA (Foxp3/beta-actin) in asthmatic children was significantly lower than that in the control children in both PBMC and induced sputum. The expression of Foxp3-mRNA in PBMC was significantly higher after PHA stimulation in the control children (0.77 +/- 0.22 vs. 1.07 +/- 0.21, P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in Foxp3-mRNA expression in asthmatic children pre and post PHA stimulation. A significant positive correlation between the Foxp3-mRNA expression and the percentage of CD(4)(+)CD(25)(+) regulatory T cells was detected. The levels of IFN-gamma and TGF-beta were significantly lower in asthmatic children than those in the control children, and the levels of IFN-gamma and TGF-beta correlated positively with Foxp3-mRNA expression and the percentage of CD(4)(+)CD(25)(+) regulatory T cells. The level of IL-4 both in plasma and supernatant was higher in asthmatic children. The levels of IL-10 was higher only in exacerbation than in control children, the levels of IL-4 and IL-10 had no correlation with Foxp3-mRNA expression and the percentage of CD(4)(+)CD(25)(+) regulatory T cells., Conclusion: Insufficient secretion of TGF-beta, decreased Foxp3 expression, insufficient number of CD(4)(+)CD(25)(+) regulatory T cells and the defective ability of converting CD(4)(+)CD(25)(-) T cells to CD(4)(+)CD(25)(+) regulatory T cells might play an important role in pathogenesis of asthma.

Objective: To explore the important role of the terminal residues containing sialic acid (SA) in Campylobacter jejuni (CJ) lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as the critical antigen to induce nerve damage, and also to identify immunopathological evidence for the hypothesis of molecular mimicry and cross-immunity between CJ LPS and gangliosides., Methods: A mutant of Pen O:19 CJ with neuB1 gene inactivated and LPS outer core terminal residues losing SA was to be constructed. PCR and RT-PCR were used to confirm the mutant. Capability of CJ LPS binding to cholera toxin B subunit (CTB) was tested. Guinea pigs were systematically immunized with LPS of the wild and the mutant strains, respectively. Titers of anti-LPS and anti-ganglioside GM(1) IgG antibodies in sera of immunized guinea pigs were detected by ELISA. Pathological study for sciatic nerves of both Guinea pigs either immunized systematically or perineural injection with their immunized serum was finished., Results: (1) The mutant of CJ O:19 strain with inactivated neuB1 gene was successfully constructed and lost transcriptional activity of neuB1 gene in the mutant strain was confirmed by PCR and RT-PCR. SA was well demonstrated by both acidic ninhydrin reaction and periodate-resorcinol reaction in the LPS of wild strain but not in the mutant LPS; (2) Compared with the titers before immunization, the titers of anti-GM(1) IgG antibody increased in sera of guinea pigs immunized with LPS of the wild strain. However there were no detectable anti-GM(1) IgG antibody in sera of the animals immunized with mutant LPS and PBS. (3) The incidence of pathological fibers of sciatic nerves in wild CJ LPS group (17.3%) was significantly higher than the mutant CJ LPS group (chi(2) = 125, P < 0.01); the difference between the mutant CJ LPS group and control group was not statistically significant (chi(2) = 1.633, P > 0.05). (4) After perineural injection with immunized serum, the incidence of pathological fibers of sciatic nerves in wild strain group (67.8%) was also significantly higher than the incidence of mutant group (P < 0.01)., Conclusion: A mutant of CJ O:19 strain neuB1 gene inactivated and SA component of terminal structure of LPS lost was successfully constructed. And it no longer expressed SA component which is the normal terminal structure of LPS in wild strain. The capability of the wild strain to induce increased titers of anti-GM(1) antibody and immune-mediated nerve damage was simultaneously lost for the mutant strain. It could be a strong immunopathologic evidence to identify the molecular mimicry hypothesis between CJ LPS and ganglioside epitope in nerve on the pathogenesis of CJ related GBS. The terminal residues containing SA should be as the basic GM1-like structure in CJ LPS.

Objective: A new rat model of cerebral infarction was developed to elucidate the contribution of vascular endothelial cell during focal cerebral infarction formation., Methods: Forty-eight Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into the model group, sham operation group, and control group for indexes observation of triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) dyeing, neurological deficit, plasma tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) activity, plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) activity, thromboxane B(2) (TXB(2)) content, and 6-keto-prostaglandin (6-keto-PGF(1alpha)) content., Results: (1) The highest neurological score appeared at 6 h after operation, descending significantly at sequential time. (2) Using TTC dyeing and optical microscope technique, pathological changes in brains were observed. (3) Compared with control group and sham operation groups, there was a decrease in tPA activity of model rats at the initial 12 h after injection of sodium laurate (P < 0.05), PAI activity decreased markedly in the model group at 24 h after injection of sodium laurate. (4) In plasma TXB(2) concentration reached the highest level compared at 6 h after injection of sodium laurate, but there were not obvious differences in plasma 6-keto-PGF(1alpha) concentration among all groups (P > 0.05)., Conclusion: Focal cerebral infarction in rats could be induced by some sodium laurate, showing ischemic cerebrum necrosis, function disorder of vascular endothelium-platelet, fibrinolysis abnormality. This model could play an important role in researching the contribution of vascular endothelial cell during cerebral infarction development, preventing and curing by traditional Chinese medicine.

Objective: To investigate the effects of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) with different doses on the plasma brain natriuretic peptide and norepinephrine (NE) of patients with chronic heart failure and the feasibility and safety of high dose ACEI treatment., Methods: Sixty-six patients with chronic heart failure were randomly divided into 2 groups: low-dose group, treated by perindopril with the dosage of 2 mg/d initially and gradually increased up to 2-4 mg/d, and high-dose group, treated by perindopril with the dosage of 2 mg/d initially and gradually increased up to 8 approximately 10 mg/d. Treatment lasted for 12 weeks. Before and after the treatment peripheral blood was collected to test the plasma NE and brain natriuretic peptide levels, and the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end diameter (LVED), blood pressure, and heart rate were examined. The differences of these indexes between the two groups and within the same group before and after the 12-week treatment were analyzed. Thirty healthy subjects were used as control group., Results: The levels of plasma brain natriuretic peptide and NE of the chronic heart failure patients were significantly higher than those of the normal controls, and the higher the NYHA class of heart failure the higher the plasma levels of NE and brain natriuretic peptide. The plasma brain natriuretic peptide level was negatively correlated with LVEF (r = -0.327, P = 0.012) and positively correlated with plasma NE level (r = 0.402, P = 0.002) and LVED (r = 0.42, P = 0.015). The plasma brain natriuretic peptide and NE levels in the high-dose group were 6 microg/L +/- 4 microg/L and 250 ng/L +/- 63 ng/L respectively, both significantly lower than those of the low-dose group (8 microg/L +/- 4 microg/L and 387 ng/L +/- 211 ng/L respectively, both P < 0.05). Most of the patients in these 2 groups tolerated well., Conclusion: Plasma brain natriuretic peptide level is negatively correlated with the severity of heart failure and positively correlated with plasma NE. Treatment of CHF by perindopril with gradually increasing dose obviously decreases the plasma brain natriuretic peptide and NE levels and is tolerable for the patients.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between cytosolic phospholipase A(2)-gamma(cPLA(2)-gamma) activation and alteration of myocardial ultrastructure during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in the operation of ventricular septal defect., Methods: Myocardial tissues from the right atria of 12 patients undergone ventricular septal defect were collected before and after CPB, cPLA(2)-gamma gene expression was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and analysis was carried out using gel image analysis software. Meanwhile, alteration of myocardial ultrastructure was observed under electron microscopy., Results: cPLA(2)-gamma gene expressions were statistically significant between two groups (P<0.05), and they were higher in patients after CPB than those prior to CPB. The alteration of myocardial ultrastructure after CPB included hypertrophy of nucleus, swelling under plasma membrane, chromatin margination and dilatation of smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) in myocardial cell, structures degeneration, hyperplasia of mitochondria as well as swelling, and myocardial fibre dissolve, etc., Conclusion: Increased cPLA(2)-gamma gene expression in myocardial tissue after CPB might play an important role in damage of membrane integrity, energy decompensation and myocardial contraction dysfunction.

Objective: To establish a methed of cleavage fragment length polymorphism (CFLP) analysis with a primer labeled at the 5'-end with digoxigenin for genotyping of Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct). The methods for detection of Ct by major outer membrane protein (MOMP) gene (ompl) with nested polymerase chain reaction (ompl-nPCR) were studied. The incidence of Ct infection in pregnant women, the common genotypes and vertical transmission rate of Ct in Chongqing area during the past one year was also investigated., Methods: The samples were taken from cervical scrapes of parturient women and nasopharygeal swabs of their neonates from April 2003 to Feb. 2004 in Chongqing Women and Children's Health Care Institute. Totally 300 pairs (605 specimens) were detected by using ompl-nPCR, ompl-PCR (inside pair of primers was used directly) and plasmid-PCR. The results were judged by the modified gold standard (MGS). The ompl-nPCR amplified DNA was purified by recovery of DNA from agarose gel electroelution into dialysis bags. The DNA amplified from ompl-nPCR was sequenced by ABI PRISM 377 DNA sequencer. CFLP assay with a primer labeled at the 5'-end with digoxigenin was created for genotyping of Ct, and was primarily applied., Results: The minimum detectable levels of ompl-nPCR and ompl-PCR corresponded to 2.5 elementary body (EB) and 25 EB, respectively. The sensitivity of ompl-nPCR was 10 times that of ompl-PCR. The positive rate of Ct in the samples from the pregnant women was 11% (33/300). The vertical transmission rate of Ct from mothers to their infants was 24.2% (8/33). The rate of Ct isolated from nasopharyngeal swabs 5 - 10 days after birth was 38.9% (7/18), which was significantly greater than that [3.0% (1/33)] detected within 24 hours after birth (chi(c)(2) = 8.79, P < 0.01). Of the 33 Ct-positive samples from pregnant women, 9 had vaginal delivery and 24 had caesarean section. The vertical transmission rates in vaginal delivery group and caesarean section group were 66.7% (6/9) and 8.3% (2/24), respectively (chi(c)(2) = 9.16, P < 0.01). Incidence of premature rupture of membrane in Ct-positive group was 30.3% (10/33), which was greater than that of Ct-negative groups (13.5%, 36/267, chi(2) = 6.40, P < 0.05). Four different patterns were observed in the 16 Ct-positive samples from 8 pregnant women and 8 matched maternal-infants by using CFLP, which were confirmed by DNA sequencing later. They were type E (3 pairs), type F (2 pairs), type H (2 pairs) and type D (1 pair). Each pair of matched maternal-infantile samples presented identical CFLP pattern., Conclusions: This study revealed the infection rate of Ct in pregnant women, vertical transmission rate of Ct and the common genotypes of Ct in Chongqing Women and Children's Health Care Institute. The CFLP assay by using a primer labeled at the 5'-end with digoxigenin was first used for genotyping of Ct. The assay showed a good sensitivity and reproducibility, no radioactive contamination, and is simple. Therefore the assay is a potential new method for Ct genotyping.

Objective: To investigate the effects of maternally administered dexamethasone and ambroxol on the mRNA levels of surfactant proteins (SP-A, SP-B and SP-C) expression in fetal rat lungs at gestational age day 19., Methods: A 19-day fetal rat lung model was employed. In situ hybridization was used to detect the expression of SP-B mRNA in alveolar type II cell, and the levels of SP-A, SP-B and SP-C mRNAs were detected by semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)., Results: (1) SP-B mRNA was detected in situ in alveolar type II cells in fetal rat lung of day 19 gestational age; (2) In the late developmental period of fetal rat lungs, alveolar type II cells were also found around bronchus; (3) Comparing to beta-actin mRNA, the relative values of SP-A, SP-B and SP-C mRNAs were 0.81 +/- 0.26, 0.97 +/- 0.20 and 0.88 +/- 0.11 in fetal lung in the control group. The relative values of mRNAs of SP-A, SP-B and SP-C to beta-actin were 1.04 +/- 0.16, 1.28 +/- 0.29, 1.09 +/- 0.25 in fetal lungs of the ambroxol injected rats, and were 1.08 +/- 0.25, 1.23 +/- 0.35, 1.21 +/- 0.25 in fetal lungs of the dexamethasone injected rats, respectively. Both ambroxol and dexamethasone-treated rats had significantly higher mRNA expression of surfactant proteins compared to the control saline injected animals (P < 0.05). (4) There were no significant differences between ambroxol and dexamethasone in the effects of increasing expressions of surfactant protein mRNAs (P > 0.05)., Conclusion: Antepartum administration of both ambroxol and dexamethasone can significantly increase fetal lung SP-A, SP-B and SP-C mRNAs expression.

Objective: To determine the mechanism of dibutyl phthalate (DBP) to purge leukemic cells by inducing apoptosis., Methods: The effects of DBP on the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) of leukemic cells were measured by Fura-2AM method. The effects of DBP on the protein expression of c-myc and bcl-2 genes of leukemic cells were measured by immunohistochemical assay., Results: DBP elicited an intracellular Ca2+ redistribution and a potent extracellular calcium influx in leukemic cells. It also down-regulated the protein expression of c-myc and bcl-2 genes., Conclusion: DBP can purge leukemic cells in vitro by increasing [Ca2+]i in cells to initiate apoptosis and down-regulate bcl-2 and c-myc proto-gene expression to promote the cell apoptosis.

Objective: To understand physical and mental health status of middle-aged intellectuals and related risk factors on mental health under the present social conditions., Methods: Stratified-cluster sampling and questionnaire survey were used. One thousand five hundred and three middle-aged intellectuals were investigated by SCL-90 test and influential reasons, using general relative risk model. Effects and interaction modes of risk factors were analyzed., Results: The prevalence rate of middle-aged intellectuals was 241.5 per thousand per two weeks, while the prevalence rate of chronic disease was 306.7 per thousand. 6.9% of the middle-aged intellectuals (male 6.1%, female 7.8%) had mental health problems. Results suggested that the major risk factors were, as listed in a order of their effects on mental health disorders: divorced or losing spouse, exposure to poison and noisiness, lack of hobbies, long working hours, having chronic diseases., Conclusion: Physical and mental health status of middle-aged intellectuals were under by many kinds of pressures. Multiple measures should be taken to improve the health status of the middle-aged intellectuals.

Human parathyroid hormone (hPTH) was highly expressed in Escherichia coli by inserted the synthesized whole hPTH cDNA into the vectors pBV220 and pET22b. After expression and disruption, the purified product was acquired through cation exchange chromatography and reverse phase chromatography. From the results of N-terminal sequencing and MALDI-TOF-MS analysis the recombiant prtein was indentified as intact hPTH. In in vitro Bioassays the recombinant hPTH stimulated adenylate cyclase as the standard did. In ovariectomized rats the recombinant hPTH markedly increased the femoral bone mass and bone mineral density.