Autoimmune encephalitis(AE)is a type of encephalitis caused by autoimmune disease.AE was included on a list of the first batch of 121 rare diseases published by the Chinese National Health Commission on 11^(th)May 201...Autoimmune encephalitis(AE)is a type of encephalitis caused by autoimmune disease.AE was included on a list of the first batch of 121 rare diseases published by the Chinese National Health Commission on 11^(th)May 2018.Currently,patients with AE account for 10%-20% of encephalitis cases,with 54%-80% of those cases classified as the anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor(NMDAR)type,which is the most common type.[1]In 2010,China reported the first case of a patient withanti-NMDARtype AE.展开更多
Ischemic stroke represents a heavy burden on public health.Currently,recanalization is the only effective therapy for ischemic stroke in a small population of eligible patients.However,there is no effective adjunct me...Ischemic stroke represents a heavy burden on public health.Currently,recanalization is the only effective therapy for ischemic stroke in a small population of eligible patients.However,there is no effective adjunct medication for preventing neuron loss after reperfusion to mitigate longlasting brain injury.Extrasynaptic N-methyl-Daspartate receptors (esNMDARs) are the major cause of ischemic neuronal death.However,there is no inhibitor selectively ta rgeting esNMDARs without compromising the function of other"beneficial"syna ptic NMDARs.展开更多
Global warming causes the exacerbation of rice growing environment, which seriously affects rice growth and reproduction, and finally results in the decrease of rice yield and quality. We investigated the activities o...Global warming causes the exacerbation of rice growing environment, which seriously affects rice growth and reproduction, and finally results in the decrease of rice yield and quality. We investigated the activities of aspartate metabolism enzymes in grains, and the contents of Aspartate-family amino acids and protein components to further understand the effects of high temperature (HT) on rice nutritional quality during rice grain filling. Under HT, the average activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AAT) and aspartokinase (AK) in grains significantly increased, the amino acid contents of aspartate (Asp), lysine (Lys), threonine (Thr), methionine (Met) and isoleucine (lie) and the protein contents of albumin, globulin, prolamin and glutelin also significantly increased. The results indicated that HT enhanced Asp metabolism during rice grain filling and the enhancement of Asp metabolism might play an important role in the increase of Asp-family amino acids and protein components in grains. In case of the partial appraisal of the change of Asp-family amino acids and protein components under HT, we introduced eight indicators (amino acid or protein content, ratio of amino acid or protein, amino acid or protein content per grain and amino acid or protein content per panicle) to estimate the effects of HT. It is suggested that HT during rice grain filling was benefit for the accumulation of Asp-family amino acids and protein components. Combined with the improvement of Asp-family amino acid ratio in grains under HT, it is suggested that HT during grain filling may improve the rice nutritional quality. However, the yields of parts of Asp-family amino acids and protein components were decreased under HT during rice grain filling.展开更多
BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)has a spectrum of clinical syndromes with serious involvement of the lung and frequent effection of the liver and hemostatic system.Blood biomarkers are affordable,rapid,ob...BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)has a spectrum of clinical syndromes with serious involvement of the lung and frequent effection of the liver and hemostatic system.Blood biomarkers are affordable,rapid,objective,and useful in the evaluation and prognostication of COVID-19 patients.AIM To investigate the association between aspartate transferase-to-platelet ratio index(APRI)and in-hospital mortality to develop a COVID-19 mortality prediction model.METHODS A multicenter cohort study with a retrospective design was conducted.Medical records of all consecutive adult patients admitted to Al-Azhar University Hospital(Assiut,Egypt)and Chest Hospital(Assiut,Egypt)with confirmed COVID-19 from July 1,2020 to October 1,2020,were retrieved and analyzed.The patient cohort was classified into the following two categories based on the APRI:(1)COVID-19 presenting with APRI≤0.5;and(2)COVID-19 presenting with APRI(>0.5 and≤1.5).The association between APRI and all-cause in-hospital mortality was analyzed,and the new model was developed through logistic regression analyses.RESULTS Of the 353 patients who satisfied the inclusion criteria,10%were admitted to the intensive care unit(n=36)and 7%died during the hospital stay(n=25).The median age was 40 years and 50.7%were male.On admission,49%had aspartate transferase-dominant liver injury.On admission,APRI(>0.5 and≤1.5)was independently associated with all-cause in-hospital mortality in unadjusted regression analysis and after adjustment for age and sex;after stepwise adjustment for several clinically relevant confounders,APRI was still significantly associated with all-cause inhospital mortality.On admission,APRI(>0.5 and≤1.5)increased the odds of mortality by fivetimes(P<0.006).From these results,we developed a new predictive model,the APRI-plus,which includes the four predictors of age,aspartate transferase,platelets,and serum ferritin.Performance for mortality was very good,with an area under the receiver operating curve of 0.90.CONCLUSION APRI-plus is an accurate and simplified prediction model for mortality among patients with COVID-19 and is associated with in-hospital mortality,independent of other relevant predictors.展开更多
BACKGROUND Macro-aspartate aminotransferase(AST), a macroenzyme, is a high-molecular mass complex formed by self-polymerization or association with other serum components that are difficult for the kidney to clear, le...BACKGROUND Macro-aspartate aminotransferase(AST), a macroenzyme, is a high-molecular mass complex formed by self-polymerization or association with other serum components that are difficult for the kidney to clear, leading to the isolated elevation of serum AST activity. Cases of macro-AST formation are rare, with only 3 published in the English language literature up to September 2019 in China. In this paper, we present a case in which an asymptomatic woman with persistent isolated elevated AST was confirmed as having macro-AST by the polyethylene glycol precipitation method.CASE SUMMARY A 34-year-old woman was referred to our clinic for elevated AST levels with normal levels of other liver-associated enzymes on November 12, 2018. Her AST level of liver function test had been abnormal for 7 mo before she came to the clinic. The patient was asymptomatic with a normal physical examination. There was no relevant family history and no alcohol consumption or smoking. She had a several-month history of traditional Chinese medical taking and had stopped it 1 year prior. The laboratory tests in our clinic showed only the elevation of AST(89.5 U/L) with no other significant abnormalities. We performed the precipitation technique with polyethylene glycol to confirm the presence of macro-AST. Then for almost a year, her AST level still fluctuated in the abnormal range.CONCLUSION This case highlights that clinical physicians should be familiar with this rare condition of persistent isolated AST elevation due to the presence of macro-AST to avoid unnecessary investigation and patient anxiety.展开更多
BACKGROUND Researchers have investigated the diagnostic value of protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist II (PIVKA-II) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma...BACKGROUND Researchers have investigated the diagnostic value of protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist II (PIVKA-II) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and obtained abundant clinical diagnostic data. However, PIVKA-II and AFP have unsatisfactory specificity and sensitivity in the diagnosis of early-stage HBV-related HCC. Gamma-glutamyltransferase (γ-GT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) are common biomarkers for evaluating liver function, and we hypothesized that the γ-GT/AST ratio in combination with PIVKA-II and AFP would improve the diagnosis of early-stage HBV-related HCC. AIM To evaluate the diagnostic value of γ-GT/AST ratio alone or in combination with PIVKA-II and AFP in HBV-related HCC. METHODS Serum levels of γ-GT, AST, PIVKA-II, and AFP were detected and analysed in 176 patients with HBV-related HCC and in 359 patients with chronic hepatitis B. According to tumour size and serum level of HBV DNA, HBV-related HCC patients were divided into the following categories: Early-stage HCC patients, HCC patients, HBV DNA positive (HBV DNA+) HCC patients, and HBV DNA negative (HBV DNA-) HCC patients. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to analyse and compare the diagnostic value of the single and combined detection of various biomarkers in different types of HBV-related HCC. RESULTS Tumour size was positively correlated with serum levels of PIVKA-II and AFP in HCC patients (r = 0.529, aP < 0.001 and r = 0.270, bP < 0.001, respectively), but there was no correlation between tumour size and the γ-GT/AST ratio (r = 0.073, P = 0.336). The areas under the receiver-operating characteristic curves (AUROCs) of the γ-GT/AST ratio in early-stage HCC patients, HBV DNA+ HCC patients and HBV DNA- HCC patients were not significantly different from that in the total HCC patients (0.754, 0.802, and 0.705 vs 0.779, respectively;P > 0.05). When PIVKA-II was combined with the γ-GT/AST ratio in the diagnosis of earlystage HCC, HCC, and HBV DNA+ HCC, the AUROCs of PIVKA-II increased, with values of 0.857 vs 0.835, 0.925 vs 0.913, and 0.958 vs 0.954, respectively. When AFP was combined with the γ-GT/AST ratio in the diagnosis of early-stage HCC, HCC, HBV DNA+ HCC, and HBV DNA- HCC, the AUROCs of AFP increased, with values of 0.757 vs 0.621, 0.837 vs 0.744, 0.868 vs 0.757, and 0.840 vs 0.828, respectively. CONCLUSION The γ-GT/AST ratio may be better than PIVKA-II and AFP in the diagnosis of early-stage HBV-related HCC, and its combination with PIVKA-II and AFP can improve the diagnostic value for HBV-related HCC.展开更多
AIM To assess the diagnostic value of FIB-4, aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index(APRI), and liver stiffness measurement(LSM) in patients with hepatitis B virus infection who have persistently normal ala...AIM To assess the diagnostic value of FIB-4, aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index(APRI), and liver stiffness measurement(LSM) in patients with hepatitis B virus infection who have persistently normal alanine transaminase(PNALT).METHODS We enrolled 245 patients with chronic hepatitis B: 95 in PNALT group, 86 in intermittently elevated alanine transaminase(PIALT1) group [alanine transaminase(ALT) within 1-2 × upper limit of normal value(ULN)], and 64 in PIALT2 group(ALT > 2 × ULN). All the patients received a percutaneous liver biopsy guided by ultrasonography. LSM, biochemical tests, and complete blood cell counts were performed.RESULTS The pathological examination revealed moderate inflammatory necrosis ratios of 16.81%(16/95), 32.56%(28/86), and 45.31%(28/64), and moderate liverfibrosis of 24.2%(23/95), 33.72%(29/86), and 43.75%(28/64) in the PNALT, PIALT1, and PIALT2 groups, respectively. The degrees of inflammation and liver fibrosis were significantly higher in the PIALT groups than in the PNALT group(P < 0.05). No significant difference was found in the areas under the curve(AUCs) between APRI and FIB-4 in the PNALT group; however, significant differences were found between APRI and LSM, and between FIB-4 and LSM in the PNALT group(P < 0.05 for both). In the PIALT1 and PIALT2 groups, no significant difference(P > 0.05) was found in AUCs for all comparisons(P > 0.05 for all). In the overall patients, a significant difference in the AUCs was found only between LSM and APRI(P < 0.05).CONCLUSION APRI and FIB-4 are not the ideal noninvasive hepatic fibrosis markers for PNALT patients. LSM is superior to APRI and FIB-4 in PNALT patients because of the influence of liver inflammation and necrosis.展开更多
Validation of aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratiofor diagnosis of liver fibrosis and prediction of postoperativeprognosis in infants with biliary atresia pathological Metavir fibrosis score of the liver wedge...Validation of aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratiofor diagnosis of liver fibrosis and prediction of postoperativeprognosis in infants with biliary atresia pathological Metavir fibrosis score of the liver wedgespecimens of 91 BA infants. The prognostic value ofpreoperative APRI for jaundice persistence, liver injury,and occurrence of cholangitis within 6 mo after KP wasstudied based on the follow-up data of 48 BA infants.RESULTS: APRI was significantly correlated withMetavir scores (rs = 0.433; P 〈 0.05). The mean APRIvalue was 0.76 in no/mild fibrosis group (Metavir scoreF0-F1), 1.29 in significant fibrosis group (F2-F3), and2.51 in cirrhosis group (F4) (P 〈 0.001). The areaunder the ROC curve (AUC) of APRI for diagnosingsignificant fibrosis and cirrhosis was 0.75 (P 〈 0.001)and 0.81 (P = 0.001), respectively. The APRI cut-offof 0.95 was 60.6% sensitive and 76.0% specific forsignificant fibrosis diagnosis, and a threshold of 1.66was 70.6% sensitive and 82.7% specific for cirrhosis.The preoperative APRI in infants who maintainedjaundice around 6 mo after KP was higher than thatin those who did not (1.86 ± 2.13 vs 0.87 ± 0.48, P 〈0.05). The AUC of APRI for prediction of postoperativejaundice occurrence was 0.67. A cut-off value of0.60 showed a sensitivity of 66.7% and a specificityof 83.3% for the prediction of jaundice persistence.Preoperative APRI had no significant association withlater liver injury or occurrence of cholangitis.CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that APRIcould diagnose significant liver fibrosis, especiallycirrhosis in BA infants, and the elevated preoperativeAPRI predicts jaundice persistence after KP.展开更多
AIM: To assess the diagnostic accuracy,of aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index(APRI) alone and with antischistosomal antibody(Ab) in patients with hepatitis C virus(HCV) and schistosomiasis coinfection. METHODS: T...AIM: To assess the diagnostic accuracy,of aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index(APRI) alone and with antischistosomal antibody(Ab) in patients with hepatitis C virus(HCV) and schistosomiasis coinfection. METHODS: This retrospective study included medical records of three hundred and eighty three Egyptianmen patients who had undergone percutaneous liver biopsy between January 2006 to April 2014 in tertiary care hospital in Qatar for diagnosis or monitoring purpose were selected. Data of patients > 18 years of age were included in the study. The values of HCV RNA titer and antischistosomal antibody titer were also taken into consideration. Patients were excluded from the study if they had any other concomitant chronic liver disease,including; history of previous antiviral or interferon therapy,immunosuppressive,therapy,chronic hepatitis B infection,human immunodeficiency virus co-infection,autoimmune hepatitis,decompensated liver disease,hepatocellular carcinoma,prior liver transplantation,and if no data about the liver biopsy present. RESULTS: Median age of patients was 46 years. About 7.1% had no fibrosis,whereas 30.4%,37.5%,20.4%,and 4.6% had fibrosis of stage Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ,and Ⅳ respectively. In bivariate analysis,APRI score,levels of AST,platelet count and age of patient showed statistically significant association with liver fibrosis(P < 0.0001); whereas antischistosomal antibody titer(P = 0.52) and HCV RNA titer(P = 0.79) failed to show a significant association. The respective AUC values for no fibrosis,significant fibrosis,severe fibrosis and cirrhosis of APRI score were 63%,73.2%,81.1% and 88.9% respectively. This showed good sensitivity and specificity of APRI alone for grading of liver fibrosis. But the inclusion of anti-Schistosoma antibody did not improve the prediction of fibrosis stage. CONCLUSION: The study results suggest that noninvasive biochemical markers like APRI are sensitive and specific in diagnosing the degree of fibrosis and cirrhosis in patients with coinfection of HCV and schistosomiasis as compared to biopsy. The addition of antischistosomal Ab to APRI did not improve sensitivity for predicting the degree of cirrhosis.展开更多
Electrical stimulation of the median nerve is a noninvasive technique that facilitates awakening from coma. In rats with traumatic brain injury-induced coma, median nerve stimulation markedly enhances prefrontal corte...Electrical stimulation of the median nerve is a noninvasive technique that facilitates awakening from coma. In rats with traumatic brain injury-induced coma, median nerve stimulation markedly enhances prefrontal cortex expression of orexin-A and its receptor, orexin receptor 1. To further understand the mechanism underlying wakefulness mediated by electrical stimulation of the median nerve, we evaluated its effects on the expression of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit NR1 in the prefrontal cortex in rat models of traumatic brain injury-induced coma, using immunohistochemistry and western blot assays. In rats with traumatic brain injury, NR1 expression increased with time after injury. Rats that underwent electrical stimulation of the median nerve(30 Hz, 0.5 ms, 1.0 m A for 15 minutes) showed elevated NR1 expression and greater recovery of consciousness than those without stimulation. These effects were reduced by intracerebroventricular injection of the orexin receptor 1 antagonist SB334867. Our results indicate that electrical stimulation of the median nerve promotes recovery from traumatic brain injury-induced coma by increasing prefrontal cortex NR1 expression via an orexin-A-mediated pathway.展开更多
The aim of this study was to determine if the potassium aspartate and magnesium (PAM) prevent reperfusion-induced ventricular arrhythmias (RIVA) in ischemia-reperfusion (IR) rabbit heart. Thirty rabbits were ran...The aim of this study was to determine if the potassium aspartate and magnesium (PAM) prevent reperfusion-induced ventricular arrhythmias (RIVA) in ischemia-reperfusion (IR) rabbit heart. Thirty rabbits were randomly divided into control, ischemia and PAM groups. Arterially-perfused rabbit left ventricular preparations were made, and transmural ECG as well as action potentials from both endocardium and epicardium were simultaneously recorded in the whole process of all experiments. In control group rabbit ventricular wedge preparations were continuously perfused with Tyrode's solution, and in ischemia group and PAM groups the perfusion of Tyrode's solution was stopped for 30 min. Then the ischemia group was reperfused with Tyrode's solution and the PAM group with Tyrode's solution containing 2.42 mg/L PAM, respectively. ECG, QT interval, transmural repolarization dispersion (TDR) and action potentials from epicardium and endocardium were simultaneously recorded, and the RIVA of the wedge preparation was observed. Compared with control group, TDR and incidence of RIVA were significantly increased in ischemia group (P〈0.05). The incidence of RIVA in control, ischemia and PAM group was 0/10, 9/10 and 1/10, respectively. Compared with ischemia group, TDR and incidence of RIVA were significantly reduced in PAM group (P〈0.05). Potassium aspartate and magnesium significantly reduce TDR and prevent ventricular arrhythmia in ischemic rabbit heart.展开更多
AIM To evaluate the performance of aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio(APRI) score against FibroS can in predicting the presence of fibrosis. METHODS Data of patients who concurrently had APRI score, Fibro Sc...AIM To evaluate the performance of aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio(APRI) score against FibroS can in predicting the presence of fibrosis. METHODS Data of patients who concurrently had APRI score, Fibro Scan and liver biopsy to assess their hepatitis C virus(HCV) and hepatitis B virus(HBV) over 6 years were retrospectively reviewed and details of their disease characteristics and demographics were recorded. Advanced fibrosis was defined as ≥ F3. RESULTS Of the 3619 patients(47.5 ± 11.3 years, 97M:36F) who had Fibro Scans and APRI for HCV and HBV, 133 had concurrent liver biopsy. Advanced liver fibrosis was found in 27/133(20%, F3 = 21 and F4 = 6) patients. Although APRI score(P < 0.001, AUC = 0.83) and FibroS can(P < 0.001, AUC = 0.84) predicted the presence of advanced fibrosis, the sensitivities and specificities were only modest(APRI score: 51.9% sensitivity, 84.9% specificity; FibroS can: 63% sensitivity, 84% specificity). Whilst 13/27(48%) patients with advanced fibrosis had APRI ≤ 1.0, no patients with APRI ≤ 0.5 had advanced fibrosis, with100% sensitivity. The use of APRI ≤ 0.5 would avoid the need for FibroS can in 43% of patients. CONCLUSION APRI score and Fibro Scan performed equally well in predicting advanced fibrosis. A proposed APRI cutoff score of 0.5 could be used as a screening tool for FibroS can, as cut-off score of 1.0 will miss up to 48% of patients with advanced fibrosis. Further prospective validation studies are required to confirm this finding.展开更多
Glutamate, the most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in the nervous system, can induce biophotonic activity and transmission in mouse brain slices. As a signaling molecule, aspartate is not considered to be an ind...Glutamate, the most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in the nervous system, can induce biophotonic activity and transmission in mouse brain slices. As a signaling molecule, aspartate is not considered to be an independent neurotransmitter during the long evolution process, which may be just a co-transmitter or neuromodulator. In the view of structure and physiological similarities of aspartate and glutamate, as well as some differences between them, we attempted to investigate whether aspartate could also induce biophotonic activity in mouse brain slices and its effect characteristics. The ultraweak biophoton imaging system (UBIS) was used to carry out a real-time observation of biophoton activity induced by aspartate in mouse brain slices. It was found that the biophotonic emissions induced by aspartate at different concentrations (12.5 mM, 25 mM and 50 mM) presented concentration-dependent effects and 50 mM aspartate could obviously induce biophoton activities with the characteristic changes of initiation, maintenance, washing and reapplication, which were also different from that induced by 50 mM glutamate as reported before. Considering the species differences in excitatory neurotransmitters, these findings indicate that aspartate-induced biophotonic activity may imply the evolutionary differences in the animal brains.展开更多
BACKGROUND: Learning and memory damage is one of the most permanent and the severest symptoms of traumatic brain injury; it can seriously influence the normal life and work of patients. Some research has demonstrated...BACKGROUND: Learning and memory damage is one of the most permanent and the severest symptoms of traumatic brain injury; it can seriously influence the normal life and work of patients. Some research has demonstrated that cognitive disorder is closely related to nicotine cholinergic receptors, N-methyl-D aspartate receptors, neural cell adhesion molecule, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor. OBJECTIVE: To summarize the cognitive disorder and changes in nicotine cholinergic receptors, N-methyl-D aspartate receptors, neural cell adhesion molecule, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor following brain injury. RETRIEVAL STRATEGY: A computer-based online search was conducted in PUBMED for English language publications containing the key words "brain injured, cognitive handicap, acetylcholine, N-methyl-D aspartate receptors, neural cell adhesion molecule, brain-derived neurotrophic factor" from January 2000 to December 2007. There were 44 papers in total. Inclusion criteria: ① articles about changes in nicotine cholinergic receptors, N-methyl-D aspartate receptors, neural cell adhesion molecule, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor following brain injury; ② articles in the same researching circle published in authoritative journals or recently published. Exclusion criteria: duplicated articles. LITERATURE EVALUATION: References were mainly derived from research on changes in these four factors following brain injury. The 20 included papers were clinical or basic experimental studies. DATA SYNTHESIS: After craniocerebral injury, changes in these four factors in brain were similar to those during recovery from cognitive disorder, to a certain degree. Some data have indicated that activation of nicotine cholinergic receptors, N-methyl-D aspartate receptors, neural cell adhesion molecule, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor could greatly improve cognitive disorder following brain injury. However, there are still a lot of questions remaining; for example, how do these factors change at different time points after brain injury, and what is the relationship between associated factors and cognitive disorder. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to comprehensively study some associated factors, to analyze their changes and their relationship with cognitive disorder following brain injury, and to investigate their effects at different time points after brain injury.展开更多
AIM:To determine the upper cut-off values of serumalanine aminotransferase(ALT)and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)in a Northern Chinese population.METHODS:A total of 3769 subjects in Jilin Province Northeast China wer...AIM:To determine the upper cut-off values of serumalanine aminotransferase(ALT)and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)in a Northern Chinese population.METHODS:A total of 3769 subjects in Jilin Province Northeast China were stratified to determine the potential factors affecting serum ALT and AST levels.The upper cut-off values of serum ALT and AST in these subjects were determined using receiver operating characteristic analysis and their sensitivity and specificity were evaluated.RESULTS:Stratification analysis revealed that serum ALT and AST levels were associated with gender,alcohol consumption,serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels,and body mass index.The upper cut-off values of serum ALT and AST were 22.15 U/L and 25.35 U/L for healthy men and 22.40 U/L and 24.25 U/L for healthy women,respectively.The new cut-off values had a higher sensitivity,but a slightly lower specificity than the current standards.CONCLUSION:Our results indicate that the new upper cut-off values of serum ALT and AST are markedly lower than current standards and may be valuable for the evaluation of liver function.展开更多
An enzyme biosensor for amperometric measurement of aspartate aminotransferase has been developed.The working electrode was modified with a thin-film of redox polymer,then glutamate oxidase,with the immobilized reagen...An enzyme biosensor for amperometric measurement of aspartate aminotransferase has been developed.The working electrode was modified with a thin-film of redox polymer,then glutamate oxidase,with the immobilized reagent cast and dried on the electrode.The biosensor responses to AST by detecting hydrogen peroxide were produced by enzymical reaction at-0.1 V with a response time of 120 seconds.The electrode gave a detection limit of 32.5 U/L with a linear concentration range of 32.5 U/L~2000 U/L in serum.Due to more sensitive and lower detection limit,the biosensor is expected mainly to be used for physiological identification and physical performance of athletes in the future.Extended application will also affect the practice of clinical medicine for the diagnosis of heart and liver disease.展开更多
Glutamate is the main exc i tatory neurotransmitter in the brain and binds to two major classes of receptors,theα-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid(AMPA)and the N-methyl-D-aspartate(NMDA)receptors.U...Glutamate is the main exc i tatory neurotransmitter in the brain and binds to two major classes of receptors,theα-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid(AMPA)and the N-methyl-D-aspartate(NMDA)receptors.Unlike AMPA receptors that are immediately activated by glutamate release,NMDA receptors are blocked by magnesium and can only be activated by glutamate after membrane depolarization.Thus,NMDA receptors are only activated after repeated AMPA receptor activation by glutamate.NMDA receptors are,for the most part,calcium-permeable channels.Calcium influx through NMDA receptors modulates synaptic transmission in neurons based on prior history of excitation,and provides a means of scaling the strength of synapses required for Hebbian plasticity.展开更多
Objective:To investigate the effect of Fuzheng Huayu Capsule combined with nucleoside antiviral drugs on liver and kidney function,serum inflammatory factors,Toll-like receptor 4(TLR-4),transforming growth factorβ1(T...Objective:To investigate the effect of Fuzheng Huayu Capsule combined with nucleoside antiviral drugs on liver and kidney function,serum inflammatory factors,Toll-like receptor 4(TLR-4),transforming growth factorβ1(TGF-β1)And aspartate aminotransferase-platelet ratio index(APRI).Methods:A total of 144 patients with HBV infection and decompensated cirrhosis were selected.All patients were divided into control group and case group by random number table method,with 72 cases in each group.The control group was given conventional liver protection and antiviral therapy;the case group was supplemented with Fuzheng Huayu Capsule on the basis of treatment in the control group.The changes of liver and kidney function,serum inflammatory factors,TLR-4,TGF-β1 and APRI in the two groups were observed.Results:The total effective rate of the case group was 93.06%,higher than 76.32%of the control group(P<0.05).Case group HBV DNA negative rate,negative rate of hepatitis B virus surface antigen(HBsAg),negative rate of hepatitis B virus e antigen(HBeAg)were significantly higher than the control group(76.39%vs 59.72%,55.56%vs 31.94%,51.39%vs 29.17%),the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),total bilirubin(TBIL),hyaluronic acid(HA),laminin(LN),typeⅢprocollagen after treatment(PCⅢ),typeⅣcollagen(CⅣ),inner diameter of portal vein,inner diameter of splenic vein,spleen thickness,resistance index,urea nitrogen(BUN),creatinine(Cr),interleukin-6(IL-6),interleukin-8(IL-8),high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),TLR-4,TGF-β1,APRI are lower than before treatment,albumin(ALB)and renal blood The flow rate was higher than before treatment;liver function indicators,liver fibrosis indicators,liver and spleen imaging indicators,renal hemodynamic indicators,serum inflammatory factors,TLR-4 in the case group The improvement of TGF-β1 and APRI.Conclusion:Fuzheng Huayu Capsules combined with nucleoside antiviral drugs have a clear clinical effect on patients with HBV infection and decompensated liver cirrhosis,significantly improve the clinical symptoms of patients,improve liver and kidney function,reduce inflammatory factor production,and can effectively inhibit HBV replication.Certain promotion value is worthy of further clinical research.展开更多
One new cobalt polymer [Co(L)·3H2O]n(1, H2L=N-[(3-pyridine)-sulfonyl]aspartate) has been synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and elemental analysis. Polymer 1 belongs to the mo...One new cobalt polymer [Co(L)·3H2O]n(1, H2L=N-[(3-pyridine)-sulfonyl]aspartate) has been synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and elemental analysis. Polymer 1 belongs to the monoclinic system, space group P21/n with a=11.479(2), b=7.3180(15), c=16.424(3) , β=109.56(3)°, V=1300.1(5) 3, Mr=385.22, Z=12, F(000)=790, S=1.054, R=0.0670, wR=0.1147,(Δρ)max=1.158 and(Δρ)min=–0.754 e/3. TGA showed that the polymer first lost one coordinated water molecule and then another two coordinated water molecules. The values of the Curie and Curie-Weiss constants of polymer 1 are Cm=2.67 cm3mol(–1) K and θ=–21.66 K.展开更多
基金supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(81970072 to LXT)the Leading Medical Talent Project of Shanghai Pudong Heath Bureau(PWRI2019-05 to LXT)+3 种基金the Action Plan for Scientific and Technological Innovation of Shanghai Scientific Committee of China(20Y11901200 to LXT)the Municipal Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai Scientific Committee of China(22ZR1451000 to LXT)the Key Clinical Discipline of Shanghai Pudong Heath Bureau(PWZxk2022-17 to LXT)the Clinical Peak Discipline of Shanghai Pudong Heath Bureau(PWYgf2021-03)。
文摘Autoimmune encephalitis(AE)is a type of encephalitis caused by autoimmune disease.AE was included on a list of the first batch of 121 rare diseases published by the Chinese National Health Commission on 11^(th)May 2018.Currently,patients with AE account for 10%-20% of encephalitis cases,with 54%-80% of those cases classified as the anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor(NMDAR)type,which is the most common type.[1]In 2010,China reported the first case of a patient withanti-NMDARtype AE.
基金National Institute of Health (R01-HL143750)American Heart Association (19TPA34890022) to LY。
文摘Ischemic stroke represents a heavy burden on public health.Currently,recanalization is the only effective therapy for ischemic stroke in a small population of eligible patients.However,there is no effective adjunct medication for preventing neuron loss after reperfusion to mitigate longlasting brain injury.Extrasynaptic N-methyl-Daspartate receptors (esNMDARs) are the major cause of ischemic neuronal death.However,there is no inhibitor selectively ta rgeting esNMDARs without compromising the function of other"beneficial"syna ptic NMDARs.
基金financed by the International Technological Cooperation Program of Science and Technology DepartmentSichuan Province+1 种基金China(Grant No.2010HH0015)greatly thank for the State Scholarship Fund financed by China Scholarship Council(Grant No.201206910010)
文摘Global warming causes the exacerbation of rice growing environment, which seriously affects rice growth and reproduction, and finally results in the decrease of rice yield and quality. We investigated the activities of aspartate metabolism enzymes in grains, and the contents of Aspartate-family amino acids and protein components to further understand the effects of high temperature (HT) on rice nutritional quality during rice grain filling. Under HT, the average activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AAT) and aspartokinase (AK) in grains significantly increased, the amino acid contents of aspartate (Asp), lysine (Lys), threonine (Thr), methionine (Met) and isoleucine (lie) and the protein contents of albumin, globulin, prolamin and glutelin also significantly increased. The results indicated that HT enhanced Asp metabolism during rice grain filling and the enhancement of Asp metabolism might play an important role in the increase of Asp-family amino acids and protein components in grains. In case of the partial appraisal of the change of Asp-family amino acids and protein components under HT, we introduced eight indicators (amino acid or protein content, ratio of amino acid or protein, amino acid or protein content per grain and amino acid or protein content per panicle) to estimate the effects of HT. It is suggested that HT during rice grain filling was benefit for the accumulation of Asp-family amino acids and protein components. Combined with the improvement of Asp-family amino acid ratio in grains under HT, it is suggested that HT during grain filling may improve the rice nutritional quality. However, the yields of parts of Asp-family amino acids and protein components were decreased under HT during rice grain filling.
文摘BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)has a spectrum of clinical syndromes with serious involvement of the lung and frequent effection of the liver and hemostatic system.Blood biomarkers are affordable,rapid,objective,and useful in the evaluation and prognostication of COVID-19 patients.AIM To investigate the association between aspartate transferase-to-platelet ratio index(APRI)and in-hospital mortality to develop a COVID-19 mortality prediction model.METHODS A multicenter cohort study with a retrospective design was conducted.Medical records of all consecutive adult patients admitted to Al-Azhar University Hospital(Assiut,Egypt)and Chest Hospital(Assiut,Egypt)with confirmed COVID-19 from July 1,2020 to October 1,2020,were retrieved and analyzed.The patient cohort was classified into the following two categories based on the APRI:(1)COVID-19 presenting with APRI≤0.5;and(2)COVID-19 presenting with APRI(>0.5 and≤1.5).The association between APRI and all-cause in-hospital mortality was analyzed,and the new model was developed through logistic regression analyses.RESULTS Of the 353 patients who satisfied the inclusion criteria,10%were admitted to the intensive care unit(n=36)and 7%died during the hospital stay(n=25).The median age was 40 years and 50.7%were male.On admission,49%had aspartate transferase-dominant liver injury.On admission,APRI(>0.5 and≤1.5)was independently associated with all-cause in-hospital mortality in unadjusted regression analysis and after adjustment for age and sex;after stepwise adjustment for several clinically relevant confounders,APRI was still significantly associated with all-cause inhospital mortality.On admission,APRI(>0.5 and≤1.5)increased the odds of mortality by fivetimes(P<0.006).From these results,we developed a new predictive model,the APRI-plus,which includes the four predictors of age,aspartate transferase,platelets,and serum ferritin.Performance for mortality was very good,with an area under the receiver operating curve of 0.90.CONCLUSION APRI-plus is an accurate and simplified prediction model for mortality among patients with COVID-19 and is associated with in-hospital mortality,independent of other relevant predictors.
文摘BACKGROUND Macro-aspartate aminotransferase(AST), a macroenzyme, is a high-molecular mass complex formed by self-polymerization or association with other serum components that are difficult for the kidney to clear, leading to the isolated elevation of serum AST activity. Cases of macro-AST formation are rare, with only 3 published in the English language literature up to September 2019 in China. In this paper, we present a case in which an asymptomatic woman with persistent isolated elevated AST was confirmed as having macro-AST by the polyethylene glycol precipitation method.CASE SUMMARY A 34-year-old woman was referred to our clinic for elevated AST levels with normal levels of other liver-associated enzymes on November 12, 2018. Her AST level of liver function test had been abnormal for 7 mo before she came to the clinic. The patient was asymptomatic with a normal physical examination. There was no relevant family history and no alcohol consumption or smoking. She had a several-month history of traditional Chinese medical taking and had stopped it 1 year prior. The laboratory tests in our clinic showed only the elevation of AST(89.5 U/L) with no other significant abnormalities. We performed the precipitation technique with polyethylene glycol to confirm the presence of macro-AST. Then for almost a year, her AST level still fluctuated in the abnormal range.CONCLUSION This case highlights that clinical physicians should be familiar with this rare condition of persistent isolated AST elevation due to the presence of macro-AST to avoid unnecessary investigation and patient anxiety.
文摘BACKGROUND Researchers have investigated the diagnostic value of protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist II (PIVKA-II) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and obtained abundant clinical diagnostic data. However, PIVKA-II and AFP have unsatisfactory specificity and sensitivity in the diagnosis of early-stage HBV-related HCC. Gamma-glutamyltransferase (γ-GT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) are common biomarkers for evaluating liver function, and we hypothesized that the γ-GT/AST ratio in combination with PIVKA-II and AFP would improve the diagnosis of early-stage HBV-related HCC. AIM To evaluate the diagnostic value of γ-GT/AST ratio alone or in combination with PIVKA-II and AFP in HBV-related HCC. METHODS Serum levels of γ-GT, AST, PIVKA-II, and AFP were detected and analysed in 176 patients with HBV-related HCC and in 359 patients with chronic hepatitis B. According to tumour size and serum level of HBV DNA, HBV-related HCC patients were divided into the following categories: Early-stage HCC patients, HCC patients, HBV DNA positive (HBV DNA+) HCC patients, and HBV DNA negative (HBV DNA-) HCC patients. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to analyse and compare the diagnostic value of the single and combined detection of various biomarkers in different types of HBV-related HCC. RESULTS Tumour size was positively correlated with serum levels of PIVKA-II and AFP in HCC patients (r = 0.529, aP < 0.001 and r = 0.270, bP < 0.001, respectively), but there was no correlation between tumour size and the γ-GT/AST ratio (r = 0.073, P = 0.336). The areas under the receiver-operating characteristic curves (AUROCs) of the γ-GT/AST ratio in early-stage HCC patients, HBV DNA+ HCC patients and HBV DNA- HCC patients were not significantly different from that in the total HCC patients (0.754, 0.802, and 0.705 vs 0.779, respectively;P > 0.05). When PIVKA-II was combined with the γ-GT/AST ratio in the diagnosis of earlystage HCC, HCC, and HBV DNA+ HCC, the AUROCs of PIVKA-II increased, with values of 0.857 vs 0.835, 0.925 vs 0.913, and 0.958 vs 0.954, respectively. When AFP was combined with the γ-GT/AST ratio in the diagnosis of early-stage HCC, HCC, HBV DNA+ HCC, and HBV DNA- HCC, the AUROCs of AFP increased, with values of 0.757 vs 0.621, 0.837 vs 0.744, 0.868 vs 0.757, and 0.840 vs 0.828, respectively. CONCLUSION The γ-GT/AST ratio may be better than PIVKA-II and AFP in the diagnosis of early-stage HBV-related HCC, and its combination with PIVKA-II and AFP can improve the diagnostic value for HBV-related HCC.
文摘AIM To assess the diagnostic value of FIB-4, aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index(APRI), and liver stiffness measurement(LSM) in patients with hepatitis B virus infection who have persistently normal alanine transaminase(PNALT).METHODS We enrolled 245 patients with chronic hepatitis B: 95 in PNALT group, 86 in intermittently elevated alanine transaminase(PIALT1) group [alanine transaminase(ALT) within 1-2 × upper limit of normal value(ULN)], and 64 in PIALT2 group(ALT > 2 × ULN). All the patients received a percutaneous liver biopsy guided by ultrasonography. LSM, biochemical tests, and complete blood cell counts were performed.RESULTS The pathological examination revealed moderate inflammatory necrosis ratios of 16.81%(16/95), 32.56%(28/86), and 45.31%(28/64), and moderate liverfibrosis of 24.2%(23/95), 33.72%(29/86), and 43.75%(28/64) in the PNALT, PIALT1, and PIALT2 groups, respectively. The degrees of inflammation and liver fibrosis were significantly higher in the PIALT groups than in the PNALT group(P < 0.05). No significant difference was found in the areas under the curve(AUCs) between APRI and FIB-4 in the PNALT group; however, significant differences were found between APRI and LSM, and between FIB-4 and LSM in the PNALT group(P < 0.05 for both). In the PIALT1 and PIALT2 groups, no significant difference(P > 0.05) was found in AUCs for all comparisons(P > 0.05 for all). In the overall patients, a significant difference in the AUCs was found only between LSM and APRI(P < 0.05).CONCLUSION APRI and FIB-4 are not the ideal noninvasive hepatic fibrosis markers for PNALT patients. LSM is superior to APRI and FIB-4 in PNALT patients because of the influence of liver inflammation and necrosis.
基金Supported by grants from General Medical Project of Guangzhou Municipal Health Bureau,No.20141A010025Western Medicine Key Project of Guangzhou Municipal Health Bureau,No.201102A212023
文摘Validation of aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratiofor diagnosis of liver fibrosis and prediction of postoperativeprognosis in infants with biliary atresia pathological Metavir fibrosis score of the liver wedgespecimens of 91 BA infants. The prognostic value ofpreoperative APRI for jaundice persistence, liver injury,and occurrence of cholangitis within 6 mo after KP wasstudied based on the follow-up data of 48 BA infants.RESULTS: APRI was significantly correlated withMetavir scores (rs = 0.433; P 〈 0.05). The mean APRIvalue was 0.76 in no/mild fibrosis group (Metavir scoreF0-F1), 1.29 in significant fibrosis group (F2-F3), and2.51 in cirrhosis group (F4) (P 〈 0.001). The areaunder the ROC curve (AUC) of APRI for diagnosingsignificant fibrosis and cirrhosis was 0.75 (P 〈 0.001)and 0.81 (P = 0.001), respectively. The APRI cut-offof 0.95 was 60.6% sensitive and 76.0% specific forsignificant fibrosis diagnosis, and a threshold of 1.66was 70.6% sensitive and 82.7% specific for cirrhosis.The preoperative APRI in infants who maintainedjaundice around 6 mo after KP was higher than thatin those who did not (1.86 ± 2.13 vs 0.87 ± 0.48, P 〈0.05). The AUC of APRI for prediction of postoperativejaundice occurrence was 0.67. A cut-off value of0.60 showed a sensitivity of 66.7% and a specificityof 83.3% for the prediction of jaundice persistence.Preoperative APRI had no significant association withlater liver injury or occurrence of cholangitis.CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that APRIcould diagnose significant liver fibrosis, especiallycirrhosis in BA infants, and the elevated preoperativeAPRI predicts jaundice persistence after KP.
文摘AIM: To assess the diagnostic accuracy,of aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index(APRI) alone and with antischistosomal antibody(Ab) in patients with hepatitis C virus(HCV) and schistosomiasis coinfection. METHODS: This retrospective study included medical records of three hundred and eighty three Egyptianmen patients who had undergone percutaneous liver biopsy between January 2006 to April 2014 in tertiary care hospital in Qatar for diagnosis or monitoring purpose were selected. Data of patients > 18 years of age were included in the study. The values of HCV RNA titer and antischistosomal antibody titer were also taken into consideration. Patients were excluded from the study if they had any other concomitant chronic liver disease,including; history of previous antiviral or interferon therapy,immunosuppressive,therapy,chronic hepatitis B infection,human immunodeficiency virus co-infection,autoimmune hepatitis,decompensated liver disease,hepatocellular carcinoma,prior liver transplantation,and if no data about the liver biopsy present. RESULTS: Median age of patients was 46 years. About 7.1% had no fibrosis,whereas 30.4%,37.5%,20.4%,and 4.6% had fibrosis of stage Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ,and Ⅳ respectively. In bivariate analysis,APRI score,levels of AST,platelet count and age of patient showed statistically significant association with liver fibrosis(P < 0.0001); whereas antischistosomal antibody titer(P = 0.52) and HCV RNA titer(P = 0.79) failed to show a significant association. The respective AUC values for no fibrosis,significant fibrosis,severe fibrosis and cirrhosis of APRI score were 63%,73.2%,81.1% and 88.9% respectively. This showed good sensitivity and specificity of APRI alone for grading of liver fibrosis. But the inclusion of anti-Schistosoma antibody did not improve the prediction of fibrosis stage. CONCLUSION: The study results suggest that noninvasive biochemical markers like APRI are sensitive and specific in diagnosing the degree of fibrosis and cirrhosis in patients with coinfection of HCV and schistosomiasis as compared to biopsy. The addition of antischistosomal Ab to APRI did not improve sensitivity for predicting the degree of cirrhosis.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81260295the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangxi Province of China,No.20132BAB205063
文摘Electrical stimulation of the median nerve is a noninvasive technique that facilitates awakening from coma. In rats with traumatic brain injury-induced coma, median nerve stimulation markedly enhances prefrontal cortex expression of orexin-A and its receptor, orexin receptor 1. To further understand the mechanism underlying wakefulness mediated by electrical stimulation of the median nerve, we evaluated its effects on the expression of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit NR1 in the prefrontal cortex in rat models of traumatic brain injury-induced coma, using immunohistochemistry and western blot assays. In rats with traumatic brain injury, NR1 expression increased with time after injury. Rats that underwent electrical stimulation of the median nerve(30 Hz, 0.5 ms, 1.0 m A for 15 minutes) showed elevated NR1 expression and greater recovery of consciousness than those without stimulation. These effects were reduced by intracerebroventricular injection of the orexin receptor 1 antagonist SB334867. Our results indicate that electrical stimulation of the median nerve promotes recovery from traumatic brain injury-induced coma by increasing prefrontal cortex NR1 expression via an orexin-A-mediated pathway.
基金grants from the National Natural Sciences Foundation of China (No. 30770879, 30370573, 30470714).
文摘The aim of this study was to determine if the potassium aspartate and magnesium (PAM) prevent reperfusion-induced ventricular arrhythmias (RIVA) in ischemia-reperfusion (IR) rabbit heart. Thirty rabbits were randomly divided into control, ischemia and PAM groups. Arterially-perfused rabbit left ventricular preparations were made, and transmural ECG as well as action potentials from both endocardium and epicardium were simultaneously recorded in the whole process of all experiments. In control group rabbit ventricular wedge preparations were continuously perfused with Tyrode's solution, and in ischemia group and PAM groups the perfusion of Tyrode's solution was stopped for 30 min. Then the ischemia group was reperfused with Tyrode's solution and the PAM group with Tyrode's solution containing 2.42 mg/L PAM, respectively. ECG, QT interval, transmural repolarization dispersion (TDR) and action potentials from epicardium and endocardium were simultaneously recorded, and the RIVA of the wedge preparation was observed. Compared with control group, TDR and incidence of RIVA were significantly increased in ischemia group (P〈0.05). The incidence of RIVA in control, ischemia and PAM group was 0/10, 9/10 and 1/10, respectively. Compared with ischemia group, TDR and incidence of RIVA were significantly reduced in PAM group (P〈0.05). Potassium aspartate and magnesium significantly reduce TDR and prevent ventricular arrhythmia in ischemic rabbit heart.
文摘AIM To evaluate the performance of aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio(APRI) score against FibroS can in predicting the presence of fibrosis. METHODS Data of patients who concurrently had APRI score, Fibro Scan and liver biopsy to assess their hepatitis C virus(HCV) and hepatitis B virus(HBV) over 6 years were retrospectively reviewed and details of their disease characteristics and demographics were recorded. Advanced fibrosis was defined as ≥ F3. RESULTS Of the 3619 patients(47.5 ± 11.3 years, 97M:36F) who had Fibro Scans and APRI for HCV and HBV, 133 had concurrent liver biopsy. Advanced liver fibrosis was found in 27/133(20%, F3 = 21 and F4 = 6) patients. Although APRI score(P < 0.001, AUC = 0.83) and FibroS can(P < 0.001, AUC = 0.84) predicted the presence of advanced fibrosis, the sensitivities and specificities were only modest(APRI score: 51.9% sensitivity, 84.9% specificity; FibroS can: 63% sensitivity, 84% specificity). Whilst 13/27(48%) patients with advanced fibrosis had APRI ≤ 1.0, no patients with APRI ≤ 0.5 had advanced fibrosis, with100% sensitivity. The use of APRI ≤ 0.5 would avoid the need for FibroS can in 43% of patients. CONCLUSION APRI score and Fibro Scan performed equally well in predicting advanced fibrosis. A proposed APRI cutoff score of 0.5 could be used as a screening tool for FibroS can, as cut-off score of 1.0 will miss up to 48% of patients with advanced fibrosis. Further prospective validation studies are required to confirm this finding.
文摘Glutamate, the most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter in the nervous system, can induce biophotonic activity and transmission in mouse brain slices. As a signaling molecule, aspartate is not considered to be an independent neurotransmitter during the long evolution process, which may be just a co-transmitter or neuromodulator. In the view of structure and physiological similarities of aspartate and glutamate, as well as some differences between them, we attempted to investigate whether aspartate could also induce biophotonic activity in mouse brain slices and its effect characteristics. The ultraweak biophoton imaging system (UBIS) was used to carry out a real-time observation of biophoton activity induced by aspartate in mouse brain slices. It was found that the biophotonic emissions induced by aspartate at different concentrations (12.5 mM, 25 mM and 50 mM) presented concentration-dependent effects and 50 mM aspartate could obviously induce biophoton activities with the characteristic changes of initiation, maintenance, washing and reapplication, which were also different from that induced by 50 mM glutamate as reported before. Considering the species differences in excitatory neurotransmitters, these findings indicate that aspartate-induced biophotonic activity may imply the evolutionary differences in the animal brains.
基金the grantsfrom Fujian Science and Technology Bureau, No.2006Y0012
文摘BACKGROUND: Learning and memory damage is one of the most permanent and the severest symptoms of traumatic brain injury; it can seriously influence the normal life and work of patients. Some research has demonstrated that cognitive disorder is closely related to nicotine cholinergic receptors, N-methyl-D aspartate receptors, neural cell adhesion molecule, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor. OBJECTIVE: To summarize the cognitive disorder and changes in nicotine cholinergic receptors, N-methyl-D aspartate receptors, neural cell adhesion molecule, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor following brain injury. RETRIEVAL STRATEGY: A computer-based online search was conducted in PUBMED for English language publications containing the key words "brain injured, cognitive handicap, acetylcholine, N-methyl-D aspartate receptors, neural cell adhesion molecule, brain-derived neurotrophic factor" from January 2000 to December 2007. There were 44 papers in total. Inclusion criteria: ① articles about changes in nicotine cholinergic receptors, N-methyl-D aspartate receptors, neural cell adhesion molecule, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor following brain injury; ② articles in the same researching circle published in authoritative journals or recently published. Exclusion criteria: duplicated articles. LITERATURE EVALUATION: References were mainly derived from research on changes in these four factors following brain injury. The 20 included papers were clinical or basic experimental studies. DATA SYNTHESIS: After craniocerebral injury, changes in these four factors in brain were similar to those during recovery from cognitive disorder, to a certain degree. Some data have indicated that activation of nicotine cholinergic receptors, N-methyl-D aspartate receptors, neural cell adhesion molecule, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor could greatly improve cognitive disorder following brain injury. However, there are still a lot of questions remaining; for example, how do these factors change at different time points after brain injury, and what is the relationship between associated factors and cognitive disorder. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to comprehensively study some associated factors, to analyze their changes and their relationship with cognitive disorder following brain injury, and to investigate their effects at different time points after brain injury.
文摘AIM:To determine the upper cut-off values of serumalanine aminotransferase(ALT)and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)in a Northern Chinese population.METHODS:A total of 3769 subjects in Jilin Province Northeast China were stratified to determine the potential factors affecting serum ALT and AST levels.The upper cut-off values of serum ALT and AST in these subjects were determined using receiver operating characteristic analysis and their sensitivity and specificity were evaluated.RESULTS:Stratification analysis revealed that serum ALT and AST levels were associated with gender,alcohol consumption,serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels,and body mass index.The upper cut-off values of serum ALT and AST were 22.15 U/L and 25.35 U/L for healthy men and 22.40 U/L and 24.25 U/L for healthy women,respectively.The new cut-off values had a higher sensitivity,but a slightly lower specificity than the current standards.CONCLUSION:Our results indicate that the new upper cut-off values of serum ALT and AST are markedly lower than current standards and may be valuable for the evaluation of liver function.
文摘An enzyme biosensor for amperometric measurement of aspartate aminotransferase has been developed.The working electrode was modified with a thin-film of redox polymer,then glutamate oxidase,with the immobilized reagent cast and dried on the electrode.The biosensor responses to AST by detecting hydrogen peroxide were produced by enzymical reaction at-0.1 V with a response time of 120 seconds.The electrode gave a detection limit of 32.5 U/L with a linear concentration range of 32.5 U/L~2000 U/L in serum.Due to more sensitive and lower detection limit,the biosensor is expected mainly to be used for physiological identification and physical performance of athletes in the future.Extended application will also affect the practice of clinical medicine for the diagnosis of heart and liver disease.
基金supported by grants from the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada(G-13-0002596&G-18-0022157,to HHCG-16-00014085,to AFRS)+4 种基金Ontario Mental Health Foundation(to HHC),the Canadian Institutes of Health Research(201610PJT#376403,to HHC201610PJT#376503,to AFRS)the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada(RGPIN/06212-2014,to HHCRGPIN/2016-04985,to AFRS)supported by a Mid-Career Investigator Award(grant#7506)from the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario.
文摘Glutamate is the main exc i tatory neurotransmitter in the brain and binds to two major classes of receptors,theα-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid(AMPA)and the N-methyl-D-aspartate(NMDA)receptors.Unlike AMPA receptors that are immediately activated by glutamate release,NMDA receptors are blocked by magnesium and can only be activated by glutamate after membrane depolarization.Thus,NMDA receptors are only activated after repeated AMPA receptor activation by glutamate.NMDA receptors are,for the most part,calcium-permeable channels.Calcium influx through NMDA receptors modulates synaptic transmission in neurons based on prior history of excitation,and provides a means of scaling the strength of synapses required for Hebbian plasticity.
基金China Hepatitis Prevention Fund Project(No.tqgb20170015)Hebei medical science research key project(No.20170933)+1 种基金Hebei medical science research key project(No.20150842)Hebei Science and Technology Department funded project(No.162777133).
文摘Objective:To investigate the effect of Fuzheng Huayu Capsule combined with nucleoside antiviral drugs on liver and kidney function,serum inflammatory factors,Toll-like receptor 4(TLR-4),transforming growth factorβ1(TGF-β1)And aspartate aminotransferase-platelet ratio index(APRI).Methods:A total of 144 patients with HBV infection and decompensated cirrhosis were selected.All patients were divided into control group and case group by random number table method,with 72 cases in each group.The control group was given conventional liver protection and antiviral therapy;the case group was supplemented with Fuzheng Huayu Capsule on the basis of treatment in the control group.The changes of liver and kidney function,serum inflammatory factors,TLR-4,TGF-β1 and APRI in the two groups were observed.Results:The total effective rate of the case group was 93.06%,higher than 76.32%of the control group(P<0.05).Case group HBV DNA negative rate,negative rate of hepatitis B virus surface antigen(HBsAg),negative rate of hepatitis B virus e antigen(HBeAg)were significantly higher than the control group(76.39%vs 59.72%,55.56%vs 31.94%,51.39%vs 29.17%),the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),total bilirubin(TBIL),hyaluronic acid(HA),laminin(LN),typeⅢprocollagen after treatment(PCⅢ),typeⅣcollagen(CⅣ),inner diameter of portal vein,inner diameter of splenic vein,spleen thickness,resistance index,urea nitrogen(BUN),creatinine(Cr),interleukin-6(IL-6),interleukin-8(IL-8),high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),TLR-4,TGF-β1,APRI are lower than before treatment,albumin(ALB)and renal blood The flow rate was higher than before treatment;liver function indicators,liver fibrosis indicators,liver and spleen imaging indicators,renal hemodynamic indicators,serum inflammatory factors,TLR-4 in the case group The improvement of TGF-β1 and APRI.Conclusion:Fuzheng Huayu Capsules combined with nucleoside antiviral drugs have a clear clinical effect on patients with HBV infection and decompensated liver cirrhosis,significantly improve the clinical symptoms of patients,improve liver and kidney function,reduce inflammatory factor production,and can effectively inhibit HBV replication.Certain promotion value is worthy of further clinical research.
基金Supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Guangxi Province(2014GXNSFAA118035)the Education Department of Guangxi Province(No.YB2014331)
文摘One new cobalt polymer [Co(L)·3H2O]n(1, H2L=N-[(3-pyridine)-sulfonyl]aspartate) has been synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and elemental analysis. Polymer 1 belongs to the monoclinic system, space group P21/n with a=11.479(2), b=7.3180(15), c=16.424(3) , β=109.56(3)°, V=1300.1(5) 3, Mr=385.22, Z=12, F(000)=790, S=1.054, R=0.0670, wR=0.1147,(Δρ)max=1.158 and(Δρ)min=–0.754 e/3. TGA showed that the polymer first lost one coordinated water molecule and then another two coordinated water molecules. The values of the Curie and Curie-Weiss constants of polymer 1 are Cm=2.67 cm3mol(–1) K and θ=–21.66 K.