ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of losartan on ventricular arrhythmia in elderly patients with hypertension.Methods The 78 hypertension subjects with ventricular arrhythmia aged 65 to 89 years were randomly assigned to treatment with losartan or placebo (enalapril) for 12 months. The blood pressure, left ventricular mass index and ventricular arrhythmia were observed and analyzed.ResultsAfter 12 months treatment, the pressure lowering effect was similar in losartan versus enalapril groups, there were no differences in systolic pressure decrement and diastolic pressure decrement between the two groups (P＞0. 05). Left ventricular mass index was lower in enalapril groupthaninlosartangroup [(109.2±15. 4) g · m-2 vs. (128.5±16. 7) g · m-2, t=2.015, P＜0. 05].However, the prevalence of ventricular arrhythmia was lower in losartan group than in enalapril group [(628. 5±176.8)/24 h vs. (852.9±215.7)/24 h, t=2.417,P＜0.05]. No Pearson's correlations of reduction of ventricular arrhythmia with reduction of blood pressure (systolic: r=0. 094, P＞0. 05; diastolic: r= 0.08, P＞0. 05) and reduction of left ventricular mass index were found. in losartan group.Conclusions Initiation of antihypertensive treatment with losartan in elderly subjects appears to cause more reduction of ventricular arrhythmia than with enalapril, despite similar reduction of blood pressure.

Objective To investigate the molecular basis for anti-ventricular arrhythmic effects by losartan through measuring alteration in mRNA and protein levels of key K+ α channel-and-β subunits (Kv4.2,Kv4.3 and KChIP2) in ventricular myocytes in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs).Methods SHRs were randomly assigned to losartan[10mg·kg-1·d-1,n=12] or placebo (n= 12) with age-and weight-matched WKY rats (n = 12) as control.After 8 weeks of treatment,cardiomyocytes were isolated by enzymolysis.Action potential of cardiomyocytes Ito was recorded,mRNA and protein levels of Kv4.2,Kv4.3 and KChIP2 were assessed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and Western blot.Results The action potential duration (APD) measured at 50% and 90% repolarization was shorter in losartan group [(16.82 ± 3.79) ms and (68.49±13.25) ms] than in SHR control group [(24.56±4.59) ms and (73.26±15.47) ms,all P<0.01].Losartan increased Ito current density associated with significant increases in the mean levels of mRNA and protein of Kv4.2 and Ky4.3,and with significant decreases in the mean levels of mRNA and protein of KChIP2 compared with those in placebo SHR (all P<0.01).Conclusions Chronic blockade of AT1 receptors with losartan reverses cardiomyocytes electrical remodeling in SHR,resulting in the shortening of APD,which is associated with increasing Ito density by increasing mRNA and protein expression of Kv4.2,Kv4.3 and by decreasing mRNA and protein expression of KChIP2.

Objective To investigate the effect of dl-3n-Butylphthalide (NBP) on cardiac function and sympathetic remodeling in rats with myocardial infarction (MI).Methods Totally 50 male SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups:Sham-operated (sham) group (n 10),myocardial infraction (MI) group (n=20) and MI with NBP group (n=20).A rat myocardial infarction model was established by ligating anterior descending branch of coronary artery.Rats in MI with NBP group were received the gavage treatment with NBP.Cardiac function was evaluated by hemodynamic detection at 7 day post-MI.Cardiac tissues were stained with hematoxylin and eosin as well as Masson trichrome.The distribution and density of growth associated protein-43-(GAP-43) and tyrosine hydroxytase-(TH) positive nerve at infarction border zone were detected by immunohistochemistry.The activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway was detected by western blot analysis.Results 8 rats died in MI group,in which 2 rats died within 24h.7 rats died in MI with NBP group,and in which 3 rats died within 24 h.The left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) and left ventricular end-systolic pressure (LVESP) were (7.81 ± 2.46) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) and (103.32±10.59) mmHg,(18.93±3.17) mmHg and (136.44±13.62) mmHg,(16.56±4.82) mmHg and (112.83±16.97) mmHg in sham group,MI group and MI with NBP group respectively.There were no significant differences in + dP/dt and-dP/dt between MI group and MI with NBP group (both P＞0.05).Compared with sham group,the collagen volume fraction at infarct border zone was increased in MI group (P＜0.05),but was reduced in MI with NBP group as compared to the MI group (P＜0.05).The densities of GAP-43-and TH-positive nerves at infarct border zone were increased in MI group as compared with sham group,and reduced in MI with NBP group as compared with MI group (both P＜0.05).NBP could reduced p IKBα protein expression and increase IKBα protein expression in rats with MI.Conclusions NBP may improve the sympathetic remodeling after MI via the inhibition of NF-κB signaling pathway.

Humanistic care in the delivery of medical services has become an indispensable factor in the competition of the medical market. In accordance with the differences in service items and processes, the Department of Laboratories tried to offer humanistic care to various customers so as to meet the different needs of physicians, nurses and patients from various clinical departments. The authors describe the specific steps taken by their department and points out the necessity and significance of humanistic care in modem hospital administration.

As a drug, arsenic trioxide is effectively used for acute promyelocytic leukemia clinically. Inducing tumor cell apoptosis is one of its major mechanism via bcl 2 gone. Therefore, arsenic trioxide is tried in experimental studies on some tumors, such as chronic myelocytic leukemia, lymphoma and gastric carcinoma, even on prevention of restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.

Objective To investigate the effects of exercises on expressions of retinol binding protein-4 (RBP4)in serum and phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase(PI3K)in skeletal muscles of insulin-resistant(IR)rats induced by diets.Methods A total of 30 Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups:normal control group fed with normal diet,IR and exercises groups with high sugar and high fat diet.After 8 weeks,the Wistar rats in exercises group took swimming training for 6 weeks and all groups kept their assigned diets.At the end of 14-week experiment,the body weight(BW)of rats were measured,the general behaviors of rats were observed and then sacrificed.Rats' blood were sampled for measuring the levels of glucose(FPC)and serum RBP4,insulin(FINS),HDL-C,LDL-C,TG,TC.The indexes of IR(HOMA-IR)were calculated.The levels of RBP4 in serum were measured with ELISA technique.The ratios of visceral fat content to BW were calculated too.Immunohistochemistry method was applied to detect the expression levels of PI3K in skeletal muscle.Results(1)The levels of RBP4,TC,TG,FPG in serum in exercises group were lower than those in IR group significantly;the visceral fat content,ratio of visceral fat content to BW,FINS,RBP4,LDL and HOMA-IR in serum increased significantly in IR group after 6 weeks feeding compared with normal control group and exercises group(P＜0.01);the levels of HDL in serum in IR group were lower than those in the other two groups.(2)The expression levels of PI3K in skeletal muscles in exercises group were significantly higher than that in IR group(P＜0.01).(3)In a multiple stepwise regression analysis,FINS,ratio of visceral fat content to BW,LDL and HOMA-IR were correlated with RBP4 positively;HDL and PI3K were correlated with RBP4 negatively.Conclusion Exercises could downregulate the level of RBP4 in serum and upregulate the level of PI3K in skeletal muscles of IR rats.This effect was important for improving the organism sensibility to insulin.

Objective To investigate the effect of Fas ligand gene on vascular remodeling in rat carotid artery after balloon injury. Methods The rat carotid artery model after balloon injury was performed .Twelve SD rats were randomizely assigned to ① control group Ad ?gal ② FasL group . Fourteen days after balloon injury in situ perfusion fixation was performed with 10% formalin and the carotid artery specimens were obtained . Morphometric analysis were performed. Results FasL significantly reduced intimal area(IA) , increased lumen area (LA) and external elastic lamina area (EEL) Conclusions FasL has the role of promoting favorable vascular remodeling of injuied vessel.

Objective To investigate the pathological contribution of serological markers of collagen metabolism including matrix-metalloproteinases(MMPs)and its tissue inhibitors(TIMPs),the markers for type I collagen degradation(ICTP)and synthesis(PICP)to cardiac remodeling of ischemic cardiomyopathy(ICM)as well as the pharmacological regulation effect.Methods Plasma levels of MMP-9,TIMP-1,ICTP and PICP were determined by ELISA and RIA in 86 consecutive ICM patients and 25 age-matched control subjects.Patients were divided into two subgroups according to ACEI-taking or not.Echocardiography were performed in all cases.Results The plasma concentration of MMP-9、TIMP-1 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 was significantly increased in ICM group(all P

ObjectiveTo observe the rabbit cardiac siz e and cardiac function change before and after bone-marrow stem transplanting(BMST) by echocardiography.MethodsThirty-four rabbits were divided into 3 groups randomly: group control, group myocardial infarction(MI) and group BMST. The left anterior coronary artery in group MI and group BMST were ligated to produce the myocardial infarction model and injected bone-marrow stem cell to the infracted area in the later group. The size and the systolic function of the heart were measured before and after infarction and transplantation. The left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP) and the end-diastolic pressure(LVEDP) were also measured in the 3 groups at the end of experiment. ResultsThe left ventricle diameter of group BMST was smaller than that of the group MI, and the ventricular function increased, and almost reached the normal level. And more, LVSP increased and LVEDP decreased statistically in the group BMST. ConclusionsBone-marrow stem transplantation can release the enlargement of left ventricle and improve cardiac function after myocardial infarction.

Objective To examine the relationship between hematocrit and risk of long term mortality among patients with acute myocardial infarction. Methods A total of 274 patients with acute myocardial infarction were recruited and divided into two groups by death after long term follow-up, the relationship between hematocrit and mortality was evaluated through the methods of independent t-test,chi-square test and multivariate regression analysis. Results The mean age was 69. 79 ± 7.45 years, with 73. 0% of male. The average of followup was 44. 4± 10. 7 months, with mortality of 38.7% . Comparison of baseline data showed that NYHA classification, smoking history, hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean red cell volume, glomerular filtration rate, ejection fraction,left ventricular diastolic diameter and right ventricular diameter was significantly different between the two groups( Ps ＜ 0. 05), Multivariable logistic analysis showed that hematocrit ,glomerular filtration rate, ejection fraction and smoking history were independently predicted factors, with OR of 0. 904 (95% CI: 0. 832 - 0. 982,P =0. 016) ,0. 983 (95% CI: 0. 969 -0. 996,P =0. 014) ,0. 932 (95% CI: 0. 887 -0. 979,P =0. 005) and 3. 230 (95% CI: 1.468 - 7. 106, P = 0. 004), respectively. The power of hematocrit to predict mortality was examined by ROC curves, the area under the curve was 0. 669(P ＜ 0. 001,95% CI: 0. 603 - 0. 736) Conclusion Hematocrit is a significant independent predictor for long term death among patients with acute myocardial infarction.