Protein Kinase Activity of in vitro Cultured Plant Cells in Relation to Growth and Starch Metabolism

Taking tetcyclacis, a norbornenodiazentine derivative, as an example, the influence of a growth retardant on the shoot growth of sunflower, soybean, and maize seedlings grown and treated in hydroculture was investigated. In detail, the reduction in the length of various shoot sections {epicotyl, 1st internode, leaf blade) caused by the retardant was studied. At low concentrations of the retardant (\lt10^-6 M) the shortening effects are substantially attributable to an influence on cell elongation, whereas cell division is inhibited as the concentration increases (τ10^-6 M). A comparison of the effects of tetcyclacis in cell suspension cultures of appropriate plant species showed that also in this system concentrations τ 10^-6 M inhibited cell division growth, i. e. there is comparability of plant/ cell culture regarding the retardant effect on cell division. In contrast to the intact plants, however, cell elongation appears to be of only subordinate importance for the growth of cell cultures, as it has been shown using parsley cell suspension cultures.It is discussed to what extent influencing the gibberellin or sterol biosynthesis by means of tetcyclacis provides an explanation for the concentration-dependent effect on the cell division and cell elongation processes.     

Simultaneous achievement of accurate CT number and image quality improvement for myocardial perfusion CT at 320-MDCT volume scanning

PurposeTo investigate differences in image-to-image variations between full- and half-scan reconstruction on myocardial CT perfusion (CTP) study.MethodsUsing a cardiac phantom we performed ECG-gated myocardial CTP on a second-generation 320-multidetector CT volume scanner. The heart rate was set at 60 bpm; once per second for a total of 24 s were performed. CT images were acquired at 80- and 120 kVp and subjected to full- and half-scan reconstruction. On images acquired at the same slice level we then measured image-to-image variations, coefficients of variance (CV), and image noise.ResultsThe image-to-image variations with full- and half-scan reconstruction were 1.3 HU vs. 27.2 HU at 80 kVp (p < 0.001) and 0.70 HU vs. 9.3 HU at 120 kVp (p < 0.001) even though the mean HU value was almost the same for both reconstruction methods. The CV of 80- and 120-kVp images of the left ventricular cavity decreased by 0.16% and 0.17%, respectively, with full-scan reconstruction; with half-scan reconstruction it decreased by 3.34% and 2.30%, respectively. Compared with half-scan reconstruction, the image noise was reduced by 27.2% at 80 kVp and by 28.0% at 120 kVp with full-scan reconstruction.ConclusionMyocardial CTP with full-scan reconstruction substantially decreased image-to-image variations and provided accurate CT attenuation.     

Correlation between the compact regions predicted by the Average Distance Map (ADM) and the biologically active sites in atrial natriuretic peptide

The prediction of the short-range compact regions of human atrial natriuretic peptide (a-hANP), one of the biologically active peptides, has been made by means of the Average Distance Map(ADM). We found out that the location of the predicted short-range compact regions is consistent with the structural units determined by the NMR analysis (Kobayashiet al., 1988). Furthermore, the short-range compact regions correspond well to the biologically active areas of atriopeptin (103–125)-amide (which is homologous peptide toa-hANP), detected by the glycine substitution technique (Konishiet al., 1987). The results suggest that a predicted short-range compact region can be regarded as a possible active site in a biologically active peptide.     

Ca2+-dependent cross-linking processes in human platelets

When platelet cytoplasmic Ca²⁺ is increased by the ionophore A23187 in the presence of the protease inhibitor leupeptin, there is the coincident appearance of a cross-linked polymer and the partial disappearance of monomeric protein and glycoprotein units. In the absence of leupeptin only 30% of the polymer was formed. The disappearance of monomeric protein bands, as detected by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, is prevented by histamine, which as a pseudodonor amine is a known inhibitor of transglutaminase-catalyzed cross-linking. [¹⁴C]Histamine, at a tracer concentration, is incorporated into the polymer as well as into myosin, glycoproteins IIB and III, actin and tropomyosin. The lose of monomeric protein bands is mostly due to their conversion into polymers. Control measurements show that leupeptin effectively inhibited platelet Ca²⁺-dependent proteases. The cross-linking processes bringing about the observed increase in polymer formation are thus the result of a Ca²⁺-dependent platelet transglutaminase activity. The latter is located in the platelet cytosol and has been identified as platelet factor XIII on the basis of its specific cross-linking of fibrin. Platelet factor XIII, upon activation, may function physiologically to couple membrane proteins to cytoplasmic structural proteins. Thus, a new concept is proposed for the stabilization of platelet membranes and platelets as they form the hemostatic plug.     

The molecular size of glycans liberated by hydrazinolysis from semliki forest virus proteins

The glycans of well characterized, [6-³H]galactose-labelled glycopeptides, GC-4 from bovine IgG₁ as well as GP-V-2 and GP-V-5 from α₁-acid glycoprotein, were liberated by hydrazinolysis. Molecular weights close to the expected values were observed by gel filtration. Desialated glycans of Semliki Forest virus proteins were likewise liberated by hydrazinolysis and subjected to gel filtration. Metabolically labelled [1-³H]galactose-oligosaccharides of the mixed viral proteins revealed an apparent molecular weight of 1800. The bi-antennary glycan liberated from the reference glycopeptide GC-4 was of 1750 daltons. A mixture of [2-³H]mannose-labelled E₁-and E₂-proteins of the virus contained L-type glycans of 1800 daltons (formerly called A-type), and M-type glycans of 1200 daltons (formerly called B-type). A fraction of the E₃-glycans isolated by affinity chromatography on Concanavalin A-Sepharose showed an average molecular weight of 2150, a value intermediate between the three- and four-antennary glycans liberated from the reference glycopeptides GP-V-5 and GP-V-2. The rest of the E₃-glycans were of 1850 daltons, a value close to the bi-antennary GC-4 glycan. We suggest that the comparatively large size of the E₃-glycans and the exposed position of E₃-proteins on the viral surface may be interrelated.     

Development and validation of immune inflammation–based index for predicting the clinical outcome in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Inflammation indicators, such as systemic inflammation response index (SIRI), systemic immune‐inflammation index (SII), neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet‐lymphocyte ratio (PLR), are associated with poor prognosis in various solid cancers. In this study, we investigated the predictive value of these inflammation indicators in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). This retrospective study involved 559 patients with NPC and 500 patients with chronic rhinitis, and 255 NPC patients were followed up successfully. Continuous variables and qualitative variables were measured by t test and chi‐square test, respectively. The optimal cut‐off values of various inflammation indicators were determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Moreover, the diagnostic value for NPC was decided by the area under the curves (AUCs). The Kaplan‐Meier methods and the log‐rank test were used to analyse overall survival (OS) and disease‐free survival (DFS). The independent prognostic risk factors for survival and influencing factors of side effects after treatment were analysed by Cox and logistic regression analysis, respectively. Most haematological indexes of NPC and rhinitis were significantly different between the two groups, and PLR was optimal predictive indicators of diagnosis. In the multivariable Cox regression analysis, PLR, WBC, RDW, M stage and age were independent prognostic risk factors. Many inflammation indicators that affected various side effects were evaluated by logistic regression analysis. In conclusion, the combined inflammation indicators were superior to single haematological indicator in the diagnosis and prognosis of NPC. These inflammation indicators can be used to supply the current evaluation system of the TNM staging system to help predict the prognosis in NPC patients.     

基于CT血管成像的血流储备分数对肺癌的诊断价值

目的:探讨基于CT血管成像的血流储备分数对肺癌淋巴结转移的诊断价值。方法:2018年1月到11月选择在本院进行诊治的肺癌患者60例,所有患者都给予常规CT检查与CT血管成像,记录成像特征与相关血流储备分数-血流量(blood flow,BF)、血容量(blood volume,BV)、平均通过时间(mean transit time,MTT),判断诊断价值。结果:在60例患者中,病理确诊为淋巴结转移20例,非淋巴结转移40例。转移组的毛刺征、分叶征、棘突征、空泡征等CT征象发生率显著高于非转移组(P0.05)。转移组的肺动脉BF、BV值显著低于非转移组(P0.05),MTT值显著高于非转移组(P0.05)。在60例患者中,Spearman相关分析显示淋巴结转移与MTT成显著正相关性(P0.05),与BF、BV值成显著负相关性(P0.05)。结论:CT血管成像在肺癌中的应用能反映患者的血流储备分数状况,有利于判断患者的淋巴结转移情况,有很好的应用价值。     

三维适形放疗治疗食管鳞癌的近期疗效、生存率及预后的影响因素分析

目的:观察三维适形放疗治疗食管鳞癌的近期疗效、生存率并分析其预后的影响因素。方法:纳入我院从2010年11月～2016年10月收治的食管鳞癌患者150例进行研究,按治疗方式的不同分成研究组(n=84,三维适形放疗治疗)和常规组(n=66,常规放疗治疗)。随访3年,比较两组近期疗效、毒副反应发生情况以及3年生存情况。单因素分析研究组患者3年生存情况与性别、年龄、病变长度、病变部位、大体肿瘤体积(GTV)的关系,多因素Logistic回归分析三维适形放疗食管鳞癌患者预后的影响因素。结果:研究组治疗总有效率显著优于常规组(P0.05)。研究组放射性食管损伤、血液毒性反应发生率均显著低于常规组(均P0.05)。研究组1、2、3年存活率均显著高于常规组(均P0.05)。单因素Logistic分析结果显示:不同年龄、病变长度、病变部位以及GTV的食管鳞癌患者三年生存率比较差异有统计学意义(均P0.05)。多因素Logistic回归分析发现年龄≥70岁、病变长度≥50 mm、病变部位为胸下段、GTV≥40 cm3均是三维适形放疗食管鳞癌患者3年内死亡的危险因素。结论:三维适形放疗治疗食管鳞癌患者的近期疗效优于常规放疗,可降低毒副反应发生率,提高生存率。年龄≥70岁、病变长度≥50 mm、病变部位为胸下段、GTV≥40 cm~3均是三维适形放疗食管鳞癌患者3年内死亡的危险因素,值得临床重点关注。     

低剂量与常规剂量扫描在CT引导下经皮穿刺肺活检术中的临床应用价值对比研究

摘要 目的：比较低剂量与常规剂量扫描在CT引导下经皮穿刺肺活检术中的临床应用价值。方法：选择2018年1月至2019年12月我院行CT引导下经皮穿刺肺活检术的患者96例,采用随机数字表法分为低剂量组和常规剂量组,每组48例,两组分别在低剂量扫描、常规剂扫描下行CT引导下经皮穿刺肺活检术,比较两组扫描范围、X射线剂量、图像质量、穿刺成功率及并发症发生情况。结果：低剂量组CT吸收剂量加权指数（CTDIw）、平均剂量长度乘积（DLP）显著低于常规剂量组（P<0.05）,两组扫描范围比较无统计学差异（P>0.05）。低剂量组图像质量1级1例、2级1例、3级46例;常规剂量组1级0例、2级1例、3级47例,两组图像质量比较无统计学差异（P>0.05）。低剂量组穿刺成功率87.50%,常规剂量组穿刺成功率89.58%,两组穿刺成功率比较无统计学差异（P>0.05）。低剂量组并发症发生率为12.50%,常规剂量组并发症发生率为10.42%,两组并发症发生率比较差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。结论：与常规剂量扫描相比,在CT引导下经皮穿刺肺活检术中应用低剂量扫描可以有效降低辐射剂量,但不影响图像质量和穿刺成功率,患者并发症发生率也未增加,具有较好的临床价值。     

Alterations of lymphocyte count and platelet volume precede cerebrovascular lesions in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats

Abstract

Background: Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is associated with future stroke. Although pathological alteration in small vessels of patients with CSVD can be detected by neuroimaging, diagnosis of CSVD is delayed because it is an asymptomatic disease. The stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHRSP) show similar pathological features to human CSVD and develop stroke-related symptoms with advancing age.

Objective: We investigated the time course of haematological parameters in Wistar rats and SHRSP.

Material and Methods: Blood cells were analysed using an automated haematological analyser.

Results: SHRSP develop stroke-related symptoms including onset of neurological symptoms, decreased body weight and blood brain barrier leakage between 12 and 14?weeks of age. Lymphocyte counts were gradually decreased at 3?weeks before development of stoke-related symptoms and then were further decreased after the development of stroke-related symptoms. The both mean platelet volume and large platelet ratio gradually increased at 3?weeks before the development of stoke-related symptoms. However, although SHRSP showed more microcytic red cells than Wistar rats, the trajectories of change in erythrocyte-related parameters were similar between Wistar rats and SHRSP.

Conclusion: Our pilot study suggests that alterations of lymphocyte count and platelet volume predictive indicators for asymptomatic CSVD and symptomatic stroke in SHRSP.