Objective To discuss the function and advantages of ultrasound technology in various factors in the diagnosis of vertebral artery stenosis lesions.Methods The objective data of ultrasonography were selected in 60 patients (120 vertebral arteries) with paroxysmal,reversible vertigo and headache as the chief complaint,the internal relations were summarized and analyzed.Results In the subjects of study,the vertebral artery stenosis for 38.2％,vertebral artery course tortuosity changer accounted for 33.3％,congenital abnormal development accounted for 9.8％,mixed cause 18.6％,dominant etiology was vertebral artery sclerosis and vertebral artery tortuosity change.Conclusion Ultrasound technology has important value of clinical application in the reasons diagnosis of vertebral artery stenosis disease,it can help extend clinical diagnosis.

OBJECTIVETo determine whether quercetin inhibits oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL)-induced osteogenic differentiation and calcification of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and understand the underlying mechanism.

METHODSThe calcification of human VSMCs following Ox-LDL treatment was assessed using alizarin red staining and by detecting ALP activity. The mRNA expressions of the bone-related genes including Msx2, BMP2 and Osterix, and the contractile proteins including SMA and SM22a were analyzed using qPCR. The effects of quercetin were investigated on OxLDL-induced VSMC calcification and changes in ALP activity, expressions of Msx2, BMP2, Osterix, SMA and SM22a, ROS levels and SOD activity. The effect of Toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) silencing mediated by siRNA transfection on cell calcification, ALP activity, gene expressions and ROS levels were investigated.

RESULTSOx-LDL treatment promoted VSMC calcification and up-regulated TLR4 expression. Quercetin treatment significantly attenuated Ox-LDL-induced VSMC calcification, reduced ALP activity, down-regulated the expression levels of Msx2, BMP2 and Osterix, and up-regulated the expressions of vascular smooth muscle contractile proteins SMA and SM22a. In addition, Quercetin treatment markedly increased SOD activity, reduced ROS levels and TLR4 expression in VSMCs. Silencing TLR4 expression using TLR4 siRNA also significantly decreased calcification of the VSMCs.

CONCLUSIONSQuercetin inhibits Ox-LDL-induced VSMC calcification in VSMCs possibly by targeting the ROS/TLR4 signaling pathway.