Abstract This study aims to investigate the predictive value of SYNTAX score,SYNTAX score II and coronary artery calcium score on the prognosis of patients after PCI. The SYNTAX score, SYNTAX score II and coronary artery calcium score were calculated. The primary end point was major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE). 195 patients were included, 182 patients were followed up and the median follow-up time was 34.5 months. The MACCE occurred in 30 patients. The incidence of MACCE of lower risk, medium risk and high risk were: SYNTAX score: 6.7%, 18.3%, 24.2%; coronary artery calcium score: 9.7%, 18.3%, 21.7%; SYNTAX score II: 6.6%, 16.4%, 26.7%; new combined risk score: 7.7%, 8.1%, and 35.8%. ROC analysis showed that SYNTAX score (AUC: 0.641, 95%CI: 0.540-0.743), coronary artery calcium score (AUC: 0.597, 95%CI: 0.490 -0.704), SYNTAX score II (AUC: 0.662, 95%CI: 0.561 - 0.763), new combined risk score (0.711, 95%CI: 0.606 - 0.816). The new combined risk score tended to be superior compared to other risk score (p<0.01). The results suggested that SYNTAX score, SYNTAX score II and new combined risk score can predict the occurrence of MACCE after PCI, new combined risk score provides superior prediction.

Solid acid-catalyzed dehydration of fructose to produce 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) has been a hotspot in biomass conversion research in recent years. In this study, a novel SAPO-34-based catalyst was prepared by consecutive steps of titanium doping, sulfuric acid impregnation, and sulfonic acid functionalization. Characterization of the catalyst with X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), BrunauerEmmett-Teller (BET), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES), and acid-base titration revealed different pore structures and more acid content compared to SAPO-34. The catalyst was applied to the preparation of 5-HMF by dehydration of fructose, and the maximum yield (74.0%) of 5-HMF was obtained by reacting in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) at 170 °C for 50 min. In addition, the applicability of the catalytic system to other substrates and the stability of the catalyst after five cycles were investigated, which are valuable for further probing on the concerned aspects.

RESUMEN Con el fin de proporcionar una base de referencia para la predicción de la precipitación, este estudio utilizó la tecnología de teledetección para analizar los cambios periódicos de la precipitación en las zonas semiáridas del norte de China. Se usaron los datos de observación GPS y los parámetros meteorológicos terrestres correspondientes para obtener el valor integral del contenido de vapor de agua del área de estudio, y se usó la precipitación y el tiempo para establecer una ecuación de regresión lineal basada en el valor del contenido para expresar el cambio de tendencia de la precipitación en el área. A través del análisis de ondículas se obtuvo la estructura periódica y los cambios anormales de las series periódicas de precipitación en diferentes escalas de tiempo, combinadas con cálculos de anomalías para analizar las características de aumento y disminución de la precipitación. El mapa de transformación de ondas continuas de Morlet se utilizó para reflejar las oscilaciones periódicas de la precipitación en diferentes escalas de tiempo. Mientras que el mapa de varianza de ondículas se utilizó para reflejar la distribución de la precipitación regional a escala de años. Se analizaron las características del cambio de ciclo de la serie integral de precipitación en Harbin, Changchun, Shenyang y Dalian, y se concluyó que la precipitación anual en las cuatro regiones mostró una tendencia decreciente en 50 años. Y a través de la ley de cambio de la relación del dominio de la frecuencia del ciclo de las ondas, se obtuvieron las características de cambio de la precipitación en el área semiárida del norte en todo el período analizado.

ABSTRACT The remote sensing technology is used to analyze the periodic changes of precipitation in the semi-arid areas of northern China and provide a reference basis for precipitation prediction. Authors were based on GPS observation data and corresponding ground meteorological parameters to obtain the study area's comprehensive water vapor content value and use precipitation and time to establish a linear regression equation based on the content value to express the precipitation trend change. The periodic structure and abnormal changes of the periodic precipitation series on different time scales were obtained through wavelet analysis, combined with anomaly calculations to analyze the increase and decrease precipitation characteristics. The Morlet continuous wavelet transform map was also used to reflect the periodic oscillations of precipitation on different time scales. The wavelet variance map was used to reflect the distribution of regional precipitation with scale years. The authors analyzed the cycle change characteristics of the comprehensive precipitation series in Harbin, Changchun, Shenyang, and Dalian. They concluded that the annual precipitation in the four regions showed a decreasing trend in 50 years. And through the wavelet cycle frequency-domain relationship change law, the change characteristics of precipitation in the northern semi-arid area in the entire time domain were obtained.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is a critical molecular mechanism involved in the pathogenesis of sepsis. Hence, strategies for alleviating this stress may be essential for preventing cardiovascular injuries under sepsis. Adiponectin is secreted by adipocytes and its levels are decreased in sepsis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effects of adiponectin treatment on endothelial cells and its mechanism. Male Wistar rats underwent cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) before being treated with adiponectin (72 and 120 μg/kg). The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) in plasma, histological structure, and apoptosis of endothelial cells were evaluated. In vitro, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were treated with adiponectin at 10 and 20 μg/mL for 24 h after stimulation by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), ultrastructure, rate of apoptosis, the expression of inositol-requiring enzyme 1α (IRE1α) protein, and its downstream molecules (78 kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78), C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), and caspase-12) were detected. The results showed that the levels of MDA and ROS induced by CLP or LPS stimulation were increased. Furthermore, endothelial cell apoptosis was increased under sepsis. The IRE1α pathway was initiated, as evidenced by activated IRE1α, increased GRP78, and up-regulated CHOP and caspase-12 in HUVECs. Following treatment with adiponectin, the number of apoptotic endothelial cells was markedly decreased. These findings demonstrated that treatment with adiponectin decreased apoptosis of endothelial cells caused by sepsis by attenuating the ER stress IRE1α pathway activated by oxidative stress.

ABSTRACT Aims: To evaluate the HBeAg seroconversion rate in real clinical setting and explore its predictors in long-term nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) treatment for chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Methods: 251 patients were recruited from January 2001 to September 2009 in four hospitals in Hebei province, China, for this retrospective study. Clinical and laboratory data before and after treatment with lamivudine (LAM, 100 mg daily), adefovir (ADV, 10 mg daily), telbivudine (LDT, 600 mg daily), entecavir (ETV, 0.5 mg daily), and LAM/ADV combination were compared among three groups according to treatment outcomes: synchronous HBeAg loss and HBeAg seroconversion, anti-HBe development after treatment, and no anti-HBe. Adherence was also evaluated. Results: In real clinical setting, cumulative HBeAg seroconversion rates were 14.3%, 32.7%, 43.0%, 46.9%, and 50.5% after 1, 2, 3, 5, and 8 years, respectively. 45 patients (17.9%) were non-adherent. Adherence (p < 0.001, Hazard Ratio (HR) = 2.203), elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels (p < 0.001, HR = 2.049), and non-vertical transmission (p = 0.006, HR = 1.656) were predictors of HBeAg seroconversion. Conclusion: Adherence, elevated ALT, and non-vertical transmission are predictors of HBeAg seroconversion in CHB patients treated with NAs.

ABSTRACT Objective Pendred syndrome (PS) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterised by sensorineural hearing loss and thyroid dyshormonogenesis. It is caused by biallelic mutations in the SLC26A4 gene encoding for pendrin. Hypothyroidism in PS can be present from birth and therefore diagnosed by neonatal screening. The aim of this study was to examine the SLC26A4 mutation spectrum and prevalence among congenital hypothyroidism (CH) patients in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China and to establish how frequently PS causes hearing impairment in our patients with CH. Subjects and methods Blood samples were collected from 192 CH patients in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, and genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes. All exons of the SLC26A4 gene together with their exon-intron boundaries were screened by next-generation sequencing. Patients with SLC26A4 mutations underwent a complete audiological evaluation including otoscopic examination, audiometry and morphological evaluation of the inner ear. Results Next generation sequencing analysis of SLC26A4 in 192 CH patients revealed five different heterozygous variations in eight individuals (8/192, 4%). The prevalence of SLC26A4 mutations was 4% among studied Chinese CH. Three of the eight were diagnosed as enlargement of the vestibular aqueduct (EVA), no PS were found in our 192 CH patients. The mutations included one novel missense variant p.P469S, as well as four known missense variants, namely p.V233L, p.M147I, p.V609G and p.D661E. Of the eight patients identified with SLC26A4 variations in our study, seven patients showed normal size/location of thyroid gland, and one patients showed a decreased size one. Conclusions The prevalence of SLC26A4 pathogenic variants was 4% among studied Chinese patients with CH. Our study expanded the SLC26A4 mutation spectrum, provided the best estimation of SLC26A4 mutation rate for Chinese CH patients and indicated the rarity of PS as a cause of CH.

ABSTRACT Understanding the distribution characteristics of arable land in Yunnan Province is of significant importance to make scientific decisionsto use and improve the quality of arable land. In this study, the distribution characteristics of the arable land grade including 129 counties were analyzed based on the accomplishment of cultivated land classification in Yunnan Province. The results showed that the average economic quality composite grade was 2.9, in a range of 1 to 13, which means that the economic quality of arable landof Yunnan Province is relatively lower. In excellent zone, the grade ranges from 1 to 10, and the average grade is 2.4. In good zone, it ranges from 1~13, and the average grade is 3.1. In medium zone, it ranges from 1~12, and the average value is 3.2. In poor zone, it ranges from 1~11, and the average is 3. In worse zone, it ranges from 1~10, and the average is 2.2. The middle and poor arable land has the largest area, which concentrated in the middle and poor zones and dominantly influenced the average grade in the whole province. This research will serve as a reference forarable landpolicy making in the future, especiallyon apace arrangement optimization, quality improvement and ecology environment protection in Yunnan Province.

Background: Bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum is the most devastating disease in peanut. Planting resistant peanut cultivars is deemed as the sole economically viable means for effective control of the disease. To understand the molecular mechanism underlying resistance and facilitate breeding process, differences in gene expression between seeds of Rihua 1 (a Virginia type peanut variety resistant to bacterial wilt) inoculated with the bacterial pathogen suspension (10(9) cfu ml-1) and seeds of the same cultivar treated with water (control), were studied using the GenefishingTM technology. Results: A total of 25 differentially expressed genes were isolated. Expression of genes encoding cyclophilin and ADP-ribosylation factor, respectively, were further studied by real time RT-PCR, and full length cDNAs of both genes were obtained by rapid amplification of cDNA ends. Conclusions: The study provided candidate genes potentially useful for breeding peanut cultivars with both high yield and bacterial wilt resistance, although confirmation of their functions through transgenic studies is still needed.

Screening of peanut seeds resulting from 0.39% sodium azide treatment with NIRS calibration equation for bulk seed samples identified a plant with more than 60% oleate. Oleate content in individual seeds of the plant, as predicted by NIRS calibration equation for intact single peanut seeds, ranged from 50.05% ~ 68.69%. Three seeds with >60% oleate thus identified were further confirmed by gas chromatography. Multiple sequence alignments of the FAD2B gene from Huayu 22 (wild type) and peanut seeds with elevated oleate (mutant type) revealed a C281T transition in the coding region causing an I94T substitution in the oleoyl-PC desaturase, which may be responsible for reduction in the enzyme activity.

Microsatellites, or simple sequence repeats (SSRs), in expressed sequence tags (ESTs) provide an opportunity for low cost SSR development. We looked for EST-SSRs in 403,511 ESTs (generated by 454 sequencing and representing 70,654 contigs and 52,082 singletons) from soybean globular stage embryos. Among 122,736 unique ESTs, 3,729 contained one or more SSRs. In total, 3,989 SSRs were identified including 304 mono, 1,374 di, 2,208 tri, 70 tetra, 13 penta and 20 hexanucleotide SSRs. Thirty three EST-SSRs were selected for primer design and polymorphism analysis using twenty soybean cultivars and one wild-type soybean. Successful amplification was obtained using 21 of these primer pairs, 11 of which detected polymorphisms in these soybean cultivars. These results demonstrated that 454 high throughput sequencing is a powerful tool for molecular marker development. From the 3,989 identified SSRs we expect to obtain a large number of makers with polymorphism among different soybean cultivars, which would be useful for analysis of genetic diversity and maker assisted selection in the soybean breeding programs.

An efficient DNA extraction method was developed for peanut seed, where only 3-5 mg cotyledonary tissue was enough for more than 50 PCR reactions with a reaction volume of 15 μl. Both low copy number and high copy number DNA sequences were successfully amplified. Processing one seed sample only took about half an hour. Sampling had no significant effects on germination and development. The DNA extraction method makes it possible to identify transformants and conduct molecular marker studies prior to sowing, and thus may greatly hasten research progress.

This paper describes a simple, low cost and reliable DNA template preparation protocol for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using immature leaves from peanut seeds or leaves from field-grown plants. The technique may find wide utility in studies involving PCR-based molecular markers, rapid screening for transformants and gene cloning.

The aim of this work was to study the genetic diversity among flue-cured tobacco cultivars. RAPD and AFLP analyses were used to assess the genetic similarity among selected accessions of flue-cured tobacco. Seventy eight RAPD and 154 AFLP polymorphic bands were obtained and used to assess the genetic diversity among 28 tobacco accessions. The cultivar relationships were estimated through the cluster analysis (UPGMA) based on RAPD data and AFLP data. The accessions were grouped into three major clusters and these shared common ancestry clustered together.

AIM: This study examined the correlation between P53 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression together with tumour vascularity and investigated their clinical significance in the prognosis of gastric carcinoma. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Ninety-five patients with gastric carcinoma who underwent curative surgical resection were studied using immunohistochemical staining. Correlation between the expression of p53, VEGF, microvessel count (MVC) and various clinicopathologic factors were studied. RESULTS: No significant correlation was found between p53 expression and clinicopathologic factors. The rate of VEGF positivity was significantly higher in patients with haematogenous metastasis than in those without haematogenous metastasis. Both p53 and VEGF expression were associated with MVC. The MVC in p53 positive tumours was significantly higher than that in p53 negative tumours. Similarly, the same trend was seen between VEGF expression and MVC. The p53 and VEGF were co-expressed in 61 of 95 tumours (64.2%), and a significant (p < 0.01) association between p53 and VEGF expressions was demonstrated. The rate of VEGF positivity was significantly (p < 0.01) higher in the patients with disease recurrence than in those without recurrence, whereas no significant correlation was found between disease recurrence and the expression of p53. CONCLUSIONS: The p53 expression may play an important role in controlling angiogenesis by regulating VEGF expression and VEGF expression is associated closely with disease recurrence. In addition, both p53 and VEGF expression might be useful in indicating the prognosis in patients with gastric carcinoma.

OBJETIVO: Este estudio examinó la correlación entre el P53 y la expresión del factor de crecimiento del endotelio vascular (VEGF) junto con las vascularidad del tumor, e investigó su importancia clínica en la prognosis del carcinoma gástrico. SUJETOS Y MÉTODOS: Noventa y nueve pacientes con carcinoma gástrico que fueron sometidos a resección quirúrgica curativa, fueron estudiados usando teñido inmunohistoquímico. Se estudió la correlación entre la expresión de p53, VEGF, el conteo de microvasos (MVC) y varios factores clínico-patológicos. RESULTADOS: No se halló una correlación significativa entre la expresión de p53 y los factores clínico-patológicos. La tasa de positividad de VEGF, fue significativamente más alta en pacientes con metástasis hematogénica que en pacientes sin metástasis hematogénica. Tanto la expresión de p53 como la de VEGF estuvieron asociadas con el conteo MVC. El MVC en tumores p53 positivos fue significativamente más alto que en tumores p53 negativos. De manera similar, la misma tendencia se observó entre la expresión de VEGF y MVC. El p53 y el VEGA fueron co-expresados en 61 de 95 tumores (64.2%), y se demostró una asociación significativa (p < 0.01) entre las expresiones de p53 y VEGA. La tasa de positividad VEGA fue significativamente más alta (p < 0.01) en los pacientes con recurrencia de la enfermedad que en aquellos sin recurrencia, en tanto que no se halló una correlación significativa entre la recurrencia de la enfermedad y la expresión de p53. CONCLUSIONES: La expresión p53 puede desempeñar un importante papel en el control de la angiogénesis mediante la regulación de la expresión de VEGF y la expresión de VEGF está estrechamente asociada con la recurrencia de la enfermedad. Además, tanto la expresión de p53 como la de VEGF podrían ser útiles para indicar la prognosis de pacientes con carcinoma gástrico.