Objective To access the relationship between the polymorphism of G protein-coupled receptor kinases 4(GRK4,including R65L,A486V and A142V) and essential hypertension.Methods All the literature on the subjects was searched by keywords such as essential hypertension,hypertension,G protein-coupled receptor kinases 4 gene,and polymorphism in the electronic databases,Medline of Year 1997 to 2006.RevMan 4.2 software was used for Meta analysis.Results A total of 857 cases and 913 controls from 4 studies were included.The ORs of genotypes of R65L,A142V and A486V were 0.97(0.75 to 1.25,P=0.81),0.81(0.30 to 2.08,P=0.65) and 1.48(1.16 to 1.8,P=0.001) respectively.Conclusion GRK4 gene polymorphism A486V is significantly associated with susceptibility of essential hypertension.People who carries A486V have a higher risk to be subject to essential hypertension.

ObjectiveTo explore the prevalence of thyroid nodules and metabolic syndrome,and to analyze the correlation between thyroid nodules and the components of metabolic syndrome.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 8 217 people in our hospital health check-up center.Height,body weight,blood pressure,blood glucose,lipid profile,and liver function were measured and ultrasonic scanning of thyroid was performed.Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed according to criteria of CDS/2004.Results ( 1 ) The prevalence of thyroid nodules was 42.1％.The prevalence in women (49.6％) was significantly higher than that in men( 38.4％,P＜0.01.),and it was progressively increased with aging in both sexes.(2) The overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 21.7％.The prevalence in men( 28.5％ ) was significantly higher than that in women( 12.8％,P＜0.01 ),and was increased with age until 70 years old.( 3 ) Body mass index,systolic pressure,diastolic pressure,blood glucose,triglyceride in subject with thyroid nodules (TN) were higher than those in subjects without ( non-TN,P＜0.05 ).No difference in the levels of HDL-C was found between cases with TN and non-TN ( P＞0.05 ).(4) Logistic regression analysis revealed that the existence of thyroid nodules was significantly associated with overweight/obesity ( OR =1.263,95 ％ CI 1.134-1.407 ) after adjusting age and sex.Conclusion( 1 ) The prevalences of thyroid nodules and metabolic syndrome are high,and both prevalence increase with advancing age.(2) Obesity or overweight might be a risk factor for the development of thyroid nodules.

Cardiovascular Diseases ; Humans ; RNA, Long Noncoding

Atherosclerosis ; genetics ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 9 ; Humans ; RNA, Long Noncoding

AIM: To investigate the changes of intracellular calcium ion (Ca2+) concentration in mouse H9c2 (2-1) cells transfected with or without FK506 binding protein 12.6(FKBP12.6) gene by ultrasound mediated destruction of microbubbles. METHODS: The pcDNA3.1-FKBP12.6 plasmid, mingled with albumin-coated microbubbles agents, was transfected into H9c2 (2-1) cells by ultrasound-mediated destruction of microbubbles. The H9c2 (2-1) cell growth state was investigated by inverted microscope. The changes of intracellular Ca2+ concentration was determined by laser scanning confocal microscope. The FKBP12.6 protein expression was checked by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: As compared with control cells, the H9c2 (2-1) cells, transfected with FKBP12.6 gene, grew better, had higher gross intracellular Ca2+ concentration. CONCLUSION: FKBP12.6 gene augments Ca2+ concentration in mouse H9c2 (2-1) cells, enhances the contractibility of the myocardial cell, which may be helpful to improve the myocardial dysfunction.

Objective To quantitate coronary tortuosity and provide favorable conditions for understanding the hemodynamic effects caused by coronary tortuosity.Methods We obtained all images from 72 patients who received coronary computed tomo-graphy scanning.After image post-processing,we extracted the medial axis of three main coronary vessel and analysed its coordi-nates on three dimensions.Then we calculated the tortuosity coefficient of coronary artery.Results Tortuosity coefficient was 6.66±7.54 in anterior descending,13.43±12.85 in left circumflex,and 1 7.61 ±7.67 in right coronary artery.We had proved its validity by the changes in morphology with simulated shapes.Conclusion We proposed a new method for quantitating coronary tor-tuosity,by computed tomography coronary imaging.The measurement results would not be affected by projection plane,vessel length or other artificial factors.

Objective:To evaluate the quantity and function changes of dendritic cells ( DC) in peripheral blood of patients with repeated implantation failure ( RIF).Methods:30 patients with RIF and 15 normal controls were enrolled in this study,and the peripheral blood was collected during the mid-luteal phase.The percentage of DC subsets and the expression levels of functional molecules were assessed by flow cytometric analysis.Results:Compared with normal controls,the percentage of lin-HLA-DR+DC cells accounting for leukocytes in patients with RIF was not significantly different ( P>0.05).There were also no significant differences in the expression levels of co-stimulatory molecules ( CD80 and CD86) and immune tolerant molecules CD200 on DC cells surfaces between patients with RIF and normal controls ( all P>0.05).In addition,the percentage of CD11c+CD123-mDC accounting for DC cells was significantly increased in patients with RIF (P<0.05),however,the percentage of CD11c-CD123+pDC was similar (P>0.05). Conclusion:The percentage of mDC accounting for DC cells was significantly increased in patients with RIF, which may be one of factors affecting pregnancy outcomes.

Objective To study the effect of human G-coupled protein kinase 4(GRK4) A142V overexpression on angiotensin Ⅱ1 type(AT1 ) receptor and its-mediated proliferation of rat vascular smooth muscle cells .Methods We constructed a lentiviral vec-tor carrying human GRK4-EGFP gene and observed its expression in A10 cells .Expression of AT1 receptor were determined by im-munoblotting ,GRK4 activity were checked by spectrophotometry ;the linkage between GRK4 and AT1 receptor were determined by co-immunoprecipitation .[3 H] thymidine incorporation was used to detect changes of cell proliferation .Results As compared with the control cells ,A142V-transfected cells had higher GRK4 activity and higher AT1 receptor expression ;there was linkage between GRK4 and AT1 receptor ,the co-immunoprecipitation levels were lower in A142V cells .The basal levels of VSMC proliferation was higher in A142V cells ,Ang Ⅱ increased VSMC proliferation to a greater extent in A 142V cells .Conclusion GRK4 A142V ,via in-creasing GRK4 activity ,increases AT1 receptor expression and function in vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation .

ObjectiveTo investigate safety and efficacy of one-stage pedicle screw fixation plus 360° spinal canal decompression and reconstruction in treatment of severe thoracolumbar burst fractures.MethodsThe study reviewed 11 patients (8 males and 3 females, at age range of 19-59 years, mean 34.4 years) with severe thoracolumbar burst fracture, who underwent one-stage posterior pedicle screw fixation, 360° spinal canal decompression and reconstruction. The injury location was at T12 in one patient, at L1 in three, at L2 in two, at L3 in three and at L4 in two. According to AO classification, all patients were with type A 3.3 fractures. McCormack load score was 7-9 points ( average 8.2 points). Based on the Frankel' s scale, the spinal cord function was classified as grade A in one patient, grade B in one,grade C in five and grade D in four. ResultsAll the operations accomplished successfully, with operation duration for 3.5-4.5 hours ( mean 4.1 hours) , blood loss for 900-2 800 ml ( mean 1 750 ml) and allogeneic blood transfusion for 400-1 200 ml ( average 760 ml). There was no complication either during or after operation. The loss rate of the anterior vertebrae column height was 48％ -85％ ( average 64.2％ )before operation and recovered to 95％ -100％ (average 98.6％ ) of the normal. The kyphotic Cobb angle was at -12°-35 ° ( average 12.1 ° ) before operation and recovered to - 30°-7 ° ( average - 8.1 ° ) after operation. The spinal canal stenosis rate was improved remarkably. The patients were followed up for 10-18 months (average 14. 5 months), which showed solid bone fusion, with no implant failure. The spinal cord function was improved Ⅰ to Ⅲ degrees in all patients except for one patient at grade A. One patient had mild lower back pain.ConclusionsOne-stage pedicle screw fixation plus 360° spinal canal decompression and reconstruction is a good alternative for severe thoracolumbar burst fracture, but it is essential for choosing strictly the surgical indications.

AIM: To explore the effect of endoplasmic reticulum stress on cardiac myocyte apoptosis in mouse congestive heart failure induced by myocardial infraction.METHODS: The mouse model of heart failure was established by ligating the left anterior descending coronary to produce acute myocardial infarction.Thirty-two mice were divided into 4 groups: sham group and groups of post-operation at time points of 2,4 or 6 weeks,respectively.The ventricular dilatation and left ventricular functions were assessed by echocardiography.The expression of GRP78,CHOP,caspase-12,cleaved caspase-12,JNK and phosphorylated-JNK was detected by Western blotting.The cardiac myocyte apoptosis was determined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling(TUNEL).RESULTS: The cardiac expression of endoplasmic reticulum chaperones GRP78 was significantly increased in the hearts with functional failure.The upregulated expression of CHOP,phosphorylated-JNK and cleaved caspase-12 illuminated that the CHOP-JNK-caspase-12 dependent pathways for endoplasmic reticulum-initiated apoptosis were activated in the heart with functional failure by myocardial infraction.CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the congestive heart failure induced by myocardial infraction is associated with endoplasmic reticulum stress and activation of CHOP,JNK,caspase-12 dependent pathways for endoplasmic reticulum-initiated apoptosis.