RESEARCH OF GENETIC POLYMORPHISM OF 5-HTT IN CHILDHOOD AUTISM

Objective To reveal the relationship between the 5-HTTLPR and the Chinese Han nationality children with CA, compared the distribution of the 5-HTTLPR between the Han Chinese children with CA and healthy Han Chinese children , and analyzed the association between the 5-HTTLPR and clinical symptoms of the Han Chinese children with CA. Methods Genomic DNAs of fifty subjects including 25 autistic children and 25 controls were extracted from blood samples. PCR amplification using Oligonucleotide primers flanking 5-HTTLPR was performed. Results① Three kinds of alleles including the S （short） allele, the L （long） allele and the VL allele were found , and the 5-HTTLPR genotypes shown were S/S, L/L, S/L and L/VL. ②Allele frequencies did not differ significantly in patient groups in comparison with the control sample. No significant difference was identified between the observed 5-HTTLPR genotype distribution of the patient groups and control group. ③The distribution of homozygons and heterozygous subjects between the two groups differed significantly. ④ The genotypes of the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism correlated significantly with the Body Movement Factor. ⑤ The allele frequency of healthy Han Chinese population and that of healthy Japanese population were similar. The frequency of S allele in not only autistic subjects but also healthy children in this study was considerably more than that in Caucasians and the frequency of L allele in our subjects decreased correspondingly. Conclusion ① A significant difference in the allele frequency between the Han Chinese and Caucasian populations was found. ② The genotypes of the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism correlated significantly with the Body Movement Factor of the patients. ③ The homozygote and the L allele were positively relevant to CA and they might be the risk factors of CA. The heterozygote and the S allele were negatively relevant to CA and they might be the protective factors of CA.     

THE COLONIC TRANSIT TEST IN THE ASSESSMENT OF CHRONIC CONSTIPATION

In order to assess colonic motility of chronic constipation, colonic transit test was carried out in 34 patients with chronic constipation and in 20 healthy subjects. 20 radiopaque markers are ingested at 8 am before the day test, and plain abdominal films were obtained at 24 h, 48 h and 72 h. The normal value of colonic transit test was 16(80%), or more markers passed after 72 h. By means of transit time study, 34 constipated patients were classified into 2 groups: 12 normal transit patients and 22 slow transit patients. There was no difference in colonic transit time between normal transit patients and controls (P＞0.05). Patients with slow transit had more markers left in right colon, left colon and rectosigmoid colon at 48 h (P＜0.01, respectively) and 72 h (P＜0.01, respectively). According to the transit index, 22 slow transit patients were divided into 3 types: 10 cases colonic stasis, 8 cases outlet obstruction and 4 cases colorectal stasis. The study suggests that chronic constipated patients have abnormalbilities of colonic transit.     

Serum renalase inversely related to heart rate variability in dialysis patients

Heart rate variability （HRV） is a noninvasive technique for autonomic nerve activity assessment and an indirect index of adrenergic cardiovascular drive. Renalase is the only known enzyme degrading circulatory catecholamines, participating in regulations of the cardiovascular and sympathetic nervous systems. This study aims at the relation between serum renalase and HRV indexes in dialysis patients. There were 14 hemodialysis （HD） cases, 16 continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis （PD） cases, and 16 healthy volunteers enrolled in this study. All the subjects underwent 24 h Holter testing by using a dynamic electocardiogram monitor system to determine HRV parameters, and serum renalase levels were measured. The standard deviation of normal to normal R-R intervals （SDNN, a measure of beat-to-beat variability）, root mean square successive difference （RMSSD）, and the proportion derived by dividing NN50 （the number of interval differences of successive normal to normal intervals greater than 50 ms） by the total number of NN intervals （pNN50） were determined to assess HRV. Both HD and PD patients presented increased maximum heart rate （Max-HR）, minimum heart rate （Min-HR） and average heart rate （Ave-HR）, and presented decreased SDNN, RMSSD and pNN50 relative to healthy controls. Serum levels of renalase were highly negatively correlated with Ave-HR （correlation coefficient r = -0.68, probability P 〈 0.01）, while positively correlated with SDNN （r = 0.64, P 〈 0.01） in both the HD and PD groups. Serum level of renalase was positively correlated with 24 h urine volume （r = 0.73, P 〈 0.01） in PD patients. Renalase might be reciprocally related to HRV and inversely related to Ave-HR in dialysis patients, which will help to probe into renalase＇s physiology and may pave the way to explore renalase replacement therapy in patients with end stage renal disease （ESRD）.     

Correlation between endothelia cells activation and imbalance of cytokines in pulmonary hypertension of congenital heart disease

Objective To explore the correlation between endothelia cells activation and cytokines （ET-1, NO） levels in patients with pulmonary hypertension （PH）, and to discuss their roles in the development of PH. Methods Twenty patients with simple ventricular septal defect （VSD） were chosen as controls, and 30 patients with PH were studied. Plasma levels of ET-1 and NO were measured by radioimmunoassay or colorimetric method. Before cardiopulmonary bypass was established, the specimens from right lung were fixed with formaldehyde solution, embedded with paraffin and stained by SP immunohlstochemistry. Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 （ICAM-1） expression was measured through the determination of the light density with computer imaging technology. Results Compared with that of the patients with simple VSD, the light density of ICAM-1 and plasma level of ET-1 increased in patients with PH; but plasma level of NO decreased （P〈0.05）. Positive correlation was observed between ICAM-1 and ET-1/NO （P〈0.05）. Conclusion Endothelia cells activation and imbalance of ET-1/NO might play an important role in the development of PH.     

The expressions and significance of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in human pancreatic carcinoma

Objective To study the expressions of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in pancreatic carcinoma and their relationship with tumor invasion, local metastasis and prognosis of the carcinoma. Methods The expressions of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 were examined in 32 patients with pancreatic carcinomas by S-P immunohistochemical technique and the correlation with pathological tumor parameters were analyzed. Survival analysis was made by using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results The positive rates of MMP-2, TIMP-2 in 32 patients with pancreatic carcinoma were 56.25% and 75.00%, which were significantly higher than those of the controls（P〈0.05）. Expressions of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 were independent of sex, age, histological grading and type, but well correlated with the lymph node metastasis and TNM clinical staging （Ⅰ and Ⅲ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ ）. There was a significant association between MMP-2, TIMP-2 and prognosis in pancreatic carcinoma. Conclusion MMP-2 and TIMP-2 might be useful markers for biological aggressiveness of this malignancy and might contribute to the invasive properties of pancreatic carcinoma, which can be used to evaluate the prognosis of patients.     

Serum concentrations of laminin and fibronectin in patients with acute coronary syndromes

Objective To study the serum iaminin (LN) and fibronectin (FN) changes in acute coronary syndromes (ACS), and explore the role of them in assessing the severity of ACS. Methods This study included 46 ACS patients [25 with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and 21 with unstable angina (UA)], 51 stable angina (SA) patients and 47 people without CHD as controls. Serum levels of LN, FN, fibrinogen and blood fat were assessed. Coronary angiography were performed on 49 of them. Results The serum concentration of LN was lower in ACS patients [(85.20±27. 57)ng/mL], higher in SA patients [(116. 80 ± 28. 80)ng/mL] as compared to that in the control group [(100.06±29.96)ng/mL], with significant difference among the groups (P<0.05). No difference was found in FN among the three groups. However, the subgroup analysis in the group with ACS showed that the serum concentration of FN was significantly higher in UA patients [(229.60±121.39)μg/mL ], and lower in AMI patients [(108.31±47.12) μg/mL ]. The serum LN and FN concentration could respectively enter the logistic regression equations of ACS patients and US patients. Neither LN nor FN concentration was correlated with narrowing of coronary artery of angiography. Conclusion Serum LN and FN level may be a useful indicator for stability of atherosclerosis plaque in coronary arterial disease patients, but could not predict the extent of narrowing in coronary angiography.     

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT FOR DEGENERATIVE RETINOSCHISIS OF MEDIUM TO HIGH MYOPIA IN YOUNG ADULTS PRIOR TO LASER-ASSISTED IN SITU KERATOMILEUSIS SURGERY

Objective To discuss the characteristics of degenerative retinoschisis in young adults with medium to high myopia prior to laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis(LASIX) surgery and the significance of preventive photocoagulation.Methods A total of 32 eyes in 19 patients suffering from myopia combined with degenerative retinoschisis were included.The mean best-corrected visual acuity was 0.82±0.13 and the mean spherical equivalent of the subjective refraction was -(6.50±3.98) Diopter. The patients underwent preventive photocoagulation 1 month before the laser surgery for myopia.Results All the eyes that received preventive photocoagulation for retinoschisis had no further progression or retinal detachment during 4-year period of follow-up.Conclusion The degenerative retinoschisis in young adults should be recognized and treated with preventive photocoagulation.This may prevent further damage of visual field and other complications of slowly progressive retinoschisis after LASIK surgery.     

The study of correlative factors to resistin and its regression equation in type 2 diabetes

Objective To study the changes of resistin and the relationship between resistin and other indexes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods Seventy patients with type 2 diabetics were chosen and divided into three groups according to weight index and 15 healthy persons were chosen as controls. ELISA was adopted to determine resistin concentration. Oxydase method was adopted to measure blood sugar. Radio immunoassay was used to measure insulin level. Results Resistin concentration of patient groups r(23.06±9.34)μg/L ] was significantly higher than that of control group [( 9. 89±4. 47) μg/L, P<0. 01 ]. Resistin was positively related to body mass index (r = 0.4 467) and fat distribution (r= 0. 3 314, P<0.01). Resistin was also positively correlated to the area under the curve of sugar tolerance (r=0. 7 063, P<0. 01), negatively related to the insulin resistance index (r=-0. 4 154, P<0.01), but not related to area under the curve of synchronous insulin release (P>0. 05). And a formula was obtainted : Resistin=- 15. 869 0. 339×GAUC 0.790×BMI. Conclusion The level of reslstin in type 2 diabetics is higher. And reslstin is related to other factors. This formula is of great significance for clinical study of diabetic's disor- ders.     

An experimental study of pioglitazone in treating vascular dementia

Objective To compare the therapeutic effects of different doses of pioglitazone, a kind of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) agonist, on vascular dementia and explore how pioglitazone affects cerebral ischemia. Methods Modified Pulsinelli's vessel ligation was used to establish a vascular dementia model in rats. Recognition, learning and memory were evaluated by Morris's water maze test. Immunoenzyme staining was used to determine the number of nerve cells. Immunofluorescence double-staining was used to examine the expression of PPARγ/nerve cells and PPARγ/astrocytes in different groups. Results Both in pioglitazone groups and sham-operation group, the latency was reduced significantly compared to that in control group (P<0.01). Sham-operation group had the largest number of neurons in the cortex, followed by low-dose pioglitazone group and high-dose pioglitazone group, and control group came last. Compared with control group, pioglitazone groups had more PPARγ expression in nerve cells, and the fluorescence intensity of PPARγ was stronger. Conclusion Pioglitazone can induce the expression of PPARγ in neuron endochylema and astrocyte endochylema to protect nerve cells, and then to improve spatial learning and memory function in VD rats.     

MEDIAL EPICONDYLE FRACTURE OF THE HUMERUS WITH ULNAR NERVE PALSY OF AN 11-MONTH-OLD INFANT:CASE REPORT

To our knowledge,there is no report concerning medial epicondyle fracture of the humerus for infants,the clinical course and treatment outcome of an 11 -month-old boy with such fracture with ulnar nerve palsy was described in this article.Ulnar nerve detection and scar tissue release were performed.The bony fragment was anatomically reduced and fixed with an anchor.The above-elbow wellpadded anterior plastic splint was used postoperatively for 4 weeks.After removing the splint,the motion of hand had no obvious improvement accompanied with claw hand deformity,and nerve transplantation was suggested to the patient’s parent.We would like to remind clinicians of encountering the clinical manifestations to be vigilant for any possibilities.     

Serum levels of RBP4 might not be determined by diabetes mellitus but by kidney function and renal replacement therapy

It has been reported that retinol-binding protein 4(RBP4) is associated to adiposity,insulin resistance,and type 2 diabetes.Meanwhile,circulating RBP4 levels are also affected by renal function.The aim of the present study is to investigate whether serum levels of RBP4 are primarily associated with different stages of chronic kidney disease(CKD) or type 2 diabetes,if there is more potential relevance between RBP4 and renal replacement therapy.The serum levels of RBP4 were assessed by commercial competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)kit in 212 patients with the CKD stages 1—5 and in 24 healthy controls,while its correlation with clinical and metabolic parameters was analyzed.The serum level of RBP4 had a strong correlation with estimated glomerular filtration rate(e GFR)(P 0.001).Stratified by e GFR and treatment,no more differences in RBP4 serum concentration were detected between type 2 diabetic and non-diabetic subjects [CKD stages 1—5,non-dialysis(ND),hemodialysis(HD) and peritoneal dialysis(PD);P 0.05 for all].The elevation of RBP4 become higher in HD than in PD and ND in CKD5 patients(P = 0.008 and P = 0.04,respectively),while there was no significant difference between PD and ND groups.Multivariate linear regression analysis demonstrated three independent predictors of e GFR(β =-0.676,P 0.001),C-reactive protein(CRP)(β =-0.573,P 0.001) and creatine(β = 0.509,P = 0.024) in the study population.The study results demonstrated that the serum level of RBP4 was negatively related to the e GFR,whether diabetes mellitus(DM) affected the blood concentration of RBP4 or not.And the serum level of RBP4 exhibited significant difference in different renal replacement therapies.     

TSH RECEPTOR GENETIC ALTERATIONS IN THE AUTONOMOUSLYFUNCTIONING THYROID ADENOMAS

Objective To determine the relationship between TSH receptor gene mutations and autonomously functioning thyroid adenomas (AY‘]rAs). Methods The thyroid samples from 14 cases of diagnosed AFTAs were analyzed, with normal thyroid specimens adjacent to the tumors as controls. The 155 base pairs DNA fragments which encompassed the third cytoplasmic loop and the sixth transmembrane segments in the TSH receptor gene exon 10 were amplified by Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and analyzed by the single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP). Direct sequencing of the PCR products was performed with Prism Dye Terminator Cycle Sequencing Core Kit.Results 6 of 14 AFTA specimens displayed abnormal migration in SSCP analysis. In sequence analysis of 3 abnormally migrated samples, one base substitution at nucleotide 1957 (A to C) and two same insertion mutations of one adenosine nucleotide between nucleotide 1972 and 1973 were identified. No mutations were found in controls. Conclusion This study confirmed the presence of TSH receptor gene mutations in AFTAs; both one-point substitution mutation and onebase insertion mutation were found to be responsible for the pathogenesis of AFTAs.     

An Adaptive Joint Source/Channel Coding Using Error Correcting Arithmetic Codes

An approximately optimal adaptive arithmetic coding (AC) system using a forbidden symbol (FS) over noisy channels was proposed which allows one to jointly and adaptively design the source decoding and channel correcting in a single process, with superior performance compared with traditional separated techniques. The concept of adaptiveness is applied not only to the source model but also to the amount of coding redundancy. In addition, an improved branch metric computing algorithm and a faster sequential searching algorithm compared with the system proposed by Grangetto were proposed. The proposed system is tested in the case of image transmission over the AWGN channel, and compared with traditional separated system in terms of packet error rate and complexity. Both hard and soft decoding were taken into account.     

Correlative factors of cognitive impairment in patients with lacunar infarcts I.

Objective To study the relationships between cognitive impairment in patients with lacunar infarcts and quantitative CT measures and to determine the independent correlative factors of cognitive impairment. Methods Neuropsychological examination was conducted for 128 patients with acute lacunar infarct. Number, location, and volume of infarcts, cerebral atrophy index and severity of white matter lesions （WMLs） were measured and recorded. Results The number of lacunar infarcts in cognitive impairment （CI） group was significantly larger than that in cognitive normal （CN） group. Mean width of sulcns and sylvian fissure, index of frontal horn and ventricular-brain ratio （VBR） were significantly different in both groups. There were more patients with 3 grades or 4 grades WMLs in CI group （62%） than those in CN group （22%）. The total volume of lacunar infarcts showed no statistically significant difference. Logistic regression analysis indicated that the number of lacunar infarcts in frontal subcortex and thalamus, the volume of infarcts in anterior periventricular white matter, width of cerebral sulcns and sylvian fissure were correlated with cognitive impairment respectively. Additionally, age and education were correlative factors of cognitive impairment in patients with lacunar infarct. Conclusion Correlative factors of cognitive impairment in patients with lacunar infarct are not merely one feature, but a combination of infarct features （number, location, and volume）, cortical atrophy and host factors （age and education）.     

Gain Characteristics of Fiber Optical Parametric Amplifier

The theory model of fiber optical parametric amplifier (FOPA) was introduced, which is based on optical nonlinear effect. And then numerical simulation was done to analyze and discuss the gain spectral characteristics of one-pump and two-pump FOPA. The results show that for one-pump FOPA, when pump wavelength is near to fiber zero-dispersion wavelength (ZDW), the gain flatness is better, and with the increase of the pump power,fiber length and its nonlinear coefficient, the gain value will increase while the gain bandwidth will become narrow.For two pump FOPA, when the pump central wavelength is near to fiber ZDW, the gain flatness is better. Moreover, by decreasing the space of two pumps wavelength, the gain flatness can be improved. Finally, some problems existing in FOPA were addressed.     

PROPERTIES OF PROLIFERATION AND DIFFERENTIATION OF NEONATAL RAT RETINAL PROGENITOR CELLS IN VITRO

Objective To investigate the properties of proliferation and differentiation of neonatal rat retinal progenitor cells （RPCs） in vitro. Methods RPCs were isolated from neonatal SD rats neural retina and cultured in DMEM/F12 ＋ N2 with EGF and bFGF （suspension medium ） or 10 % FBS without EGF and bFGF （ differentiation medium）. The cells grew as suspended spheres or adherent monolayers, depending on different culture conditions. The neural stem cells or retinal progenitors, neurons, astrocytes, retinal ganglion cells, rod photoreceptors and the proliferating cells were evaluated with immunofluorescence analysis by Nestin or Pax6, Map2, GFAP, Thy-1, Rhodopsin and BrdU antibodies respectively. Results RPCs could propagate and differentiate in suspension or differentiation medium and express the markers of Nestin （92.86%） or Pax6 （86.75%）, Map2 （38.54%）, GFAP （20.93%）, Thy-1 （27. 66%） and Rhodopsin（13. 33%）in suspension medium; however, Nestin （60.27%）, Pax6 （52%）, Map2 （34.94%）, GFAP （38.17%）, Thy-1 （30.84%） and Rhodopsin （34.67%） in differentiation medium. 96.4 % of the population in the neurospheres was BrdU-positive cells. The cells could spontaneously adherent forming some subspheres and retinal specific cell types. Conclusion Neonatal rat RPCs possess the high degree of proliferation and can differentiate into neurons, astrocytes, retinal ganglion cells and rod photoreceptors in vitro. There are different proportions for RPCs to differentiate into specific cell types.     

DETERMINATION OF URINE TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR, IL-6, IL-8 AND SERUM IL-6 IN PATIENTS WITH HEMORRHAGIC FEVERS WITH RENAL SYNDROME

Objective To explore the roles of cytokines in the pathogenesis of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome（HFRS）. Methods Double-antibody sandwich ELISA was used to determine serum interleukin （IL）-6, urine tumor necrosis factor （TNF）, IL-6 and IL-8 levels in 56 patients with HFRS. Results Serum IL-6, urine TNF, IL-6 and IL-8 concentrations in HFRS patients were significantly higher than those in control group, respectively （P〈0. 001）. The concentrations increased at fever stage, then continued to increase during hypotension stage and peaked at oliguria stage. The concentrations of serum IL-6, urine TNF, IL-6 and IL-8 increased in accord with the severity of the disease and differed greatly among different types of the disease. Serum IL-6 had remarkable relationships with serum specific antibodies. It was positively related to serum β2 -microglobulin （β2 -MG）, blood ureanitrogen （BUN） and creatinine （Cr）. Significant positive relationships were also found both between urine IL-6 and TNF, and between IL-6 and IL-8 （r=0.5768, P〈0.05; r=0. 3760, P〈0.01）. Conclusion TNF, IL-6 and IL-8 activated during the course of the disease. IL-6 is associated with the immunopathological lesions caused by the hyperfunction of humoral immune response. IL-6, IL-8 and TNF are involved in the renal immune impairment. Determining them might, in certain extent, be used in predicting the prognosis and outcome of patients with HFRS.     

Eukaryotic expression and biological activity analysis of neuroprotective peptide [Gly14]-Humanin

Objective To investigate the expression of neuroprotective peptide [Gly14]-Humanin (HNG) in eukaryotic cells by gene engineering technique and analyze its biological activity. Methods By means of asymmetrical primer/template, double stranded cDNA of HNG with FLAG in its C-terminal was obtained, which was cloned into the plasmid pcDNA3.1(-), and the resultant recombinant vector pcDNA3.1(-)/HNG-FLAG was transfected into PC12 cells. At the same time, the recombinant vector pcDNA3.1(-)/EGFP was transfected to control the efficiency of transfection. The expression of HNG in the cells was determined by immunocytochemistry. In order to analyze the biological activity of the expressed HNG, 25μM Aβ25-35 peptide was added to the culture medium of the transfected cells for 24h, then cell morphology, MTT assay and Hoechst 33258 staining were observed. Results The eukaryotic expression vector of pcDNA3.1(-)/HNG-FLAG was identified by enzyme digestion and sequencing. HNG was highly expressed in PC12 cells. After exposure of PC12 cells to 25μM Aβ25-35 for 24h, cell viability decreased to (65.8±5.3)%, and the dystrophic changes of neuritis and nuclei condensation were obvious. When cells were pre-transfected with pcDNA3.1(-)/HNG-FLAG, Aβ25-35-induced cell death and morphological changes of cells and nuclei were suppressed. In contrast, pre-transfected with empty vector did not protect cells from Aβ25-35-induced toxicity. Conclusion The eukaryotic expression vector for FLAG-tagged HNG was successfully constructed and expressed in PC12 cells. Expressed HNG has biological activity.     

FEM Analysis of Tube Preforming and Hydroforming Process for an Automotive Part

The tube hydroforming technology is used today in the mass production of lightweight components for the automotive industries due to its advantages over conventional stamping methods. A typical tube hydroforming process is usually a multiple forming operation process. The tube preforming and hydroforming process of an automobile subframe were analyzed by finite element method (FEM), and a parametric study was also carried out to obtain the effect of the forming parameters such as the die closing, the internal pressure and the axial feeding. The simulation results were also compared with industrial products in respect to the thickness distribution of some typical and key cross-sections. The study indicates that the internal pressure and the axial feeding should be set correctly and the multiple forming operations of tube hydroforming process can be simulated well by using the explicit code Ls-Dyna.