Objective To investigate the relation of inflammation markers to acute coronary syndrome and the clinical significance by observing the changes of P selectin、CRP 、IL 6、TNF ?、ICAM 1 during unstable agina pectoris and acute myocardial infarction(AMI). Methods 45 patients were selected as acute coronery syndrome(ACS)group, including 25 patients with unstable agina pectoris (UAP) and 20 patients with AMI; 25 patients as stable agina pectoris (SAP)and 20 persons as control group. The blood sample of the control group are drawn from venous in the morning, the agina pectoris group are drown from venous in the morning of the second day after hospitalized, however, the AMIgroup are drown from venous at the point of 6 hour、 12 hour、24 hour、48 hour、72 hour after episode. The concentration of CRP is determined by Scatter Turbidimetry , and the concentration of P selectin、IL 6 、TNF ?、ICAM 1 by ELISA. Results (1) SAP vs control ,the levels of P selectin、CRP 、IL 6、TNF ?、ICAM 1 all raise significantly ( P 0.05) ; (4) AMI vs SAP , the levels of P selectin、CRP 、IL 6、TNF ?、ICAM 1 all raise significantly ( P

Objective To explore the changes of cardiac structure and function in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM)rats so as to detect the level of angiotensinⅡ (AngⅡ)in blood and the myocardium and illuminate the role of AngⅡ in DCM.Methods We randomly divided 30 SD rats into control group and DCM group (which received a single injection of streptozotocin,65 mg/kg).The changes of cardiac structure and function were observed by ultrasonic cardiogram at the end of 16 weeks after injection.Then the changes in the myocardium were also analyzed by using hemotoxylin and eosin staining and Sirius red staining.The level of AngⅡ in blood was tested by radioimmunoassay.The expression of AngⅡ in the myocardium was detected by immunofluorescence. Results Compared with those of the controls,the hearts were dilated in DCM rats accompanied with cardiac dysfunction.There were significant increases in LVEDd,LVESd,LVEDv,and LVESv but decrease in LVEF (P <0.05).There were arrangement disorder and hypertrophic cardiomyocytes in DCM.Then the fibrosis area of DCM was significantly increased compared with that of the controls.The level of AngⅡ in blood and myocardium was significantly higher in DCM than in controls.At the same time,Pearson analysis revealed that the level of AngⅡ in blood was positively related to the collagen content of myocardium (r =0.907,P <0.05).Conclusion Our study provides experimental evidence that AngⅡ plays an important role in myocardial fibrosis of DCM.

[ ABSTRACT] AIM:To observe the effect of high glucose on the protein expression of calreticulin ( CRT) and its association with cell apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction in the cardiomyocytes.METHODS: AC-16 cardiomyocytes were randomly divided into normal glucose group, high glucose group, high glucose+CRT siRNA group and isotonic con-trol group.The cell apoptotic rate, reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential level, respiratory enzyme activity, and protein expression of CRT were observed.RESULTS: Compared with the cardiomyocytes in normal glucose group, the apoptotic rate and ROS production of cardiomyocytes increased in high glucose group, accompanying with the decreases in the mitochondrial membrane potential level and enzyme activitiy of the respiratory chain.The protein expression of CRT was significantly increased in high glucose group.However, compared with high glucose group, high glucose+CRT siRNA decreased the expression of CRT and attenuated the damage of mitochondria, but CRT siRNA did not reduce the ROS level in cardiomyocytes.CONCLUSION:High glucose brings about CRT over-expression to induce mito-chondrial injury, thus increasing myocardial apoptosis.

BACKGROUND:The high level of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) is thought to slow down the healing of diabetic foot ulcers. Whether it can influence the biological behaviors of skin fibroblasts and affect wound healing is stillunclear. The present study aimed to observe changes in the biological behaviors of rat dermal fibroblasts induced by high expression of MMP9 and to clarify the possible mechanisms of wound healing for diabetic foot. METHODS:A cellmodel of skin fibroblast with high expression of MMP9 was established by co-culture of high glucose (22.0 mmol/L) and homocysteine (100 μmol/L). A control group was incubated with normal glucose (5.5 mmol/L). Realtime PCR, ELISA and gelatin zymography were used to detect the MMP9 mRNA, protein expression and activity of MMP9. Flow cytometry, CCK-8, ELISA assay, scratch test and transwellwere used to detect cellproliferation, viability, collagen (hydroxyproline) secretion, horizontal migration and vertical migration of cells. The data were expressed as mean±SD. P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS:The expression of MMP9 mRNA, protein levels and the activity of MMP9 were much higher in the high MMP9 group than in the control group (7.05±1.02 vs. 1.00±0.00, 206.9±33.6 pg/mL vs. 40.4±5.9 pg/mL, and 1.47±0.13 vs. 0.57±0.12, respectively,P<0.01). The proportion of S-phase cells, proliferation index, cellviability, collagen (hydroxyproline) secretion, horizontal migration rate and the number of vertical migration cells were lower in the high MMP9 group than in the control group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION:Fibroblasts with a high expression of MMP9 decreased proliferation, activity, secretion and migration of collagens, suggesting that MMP9 may inhibit the biological behaviors of fibroblasts.

Objective To examine the effects and mechanisms of siRNA targeting aquaporin 4 (AQP 4) in combination with hyperbaric oxygen therapy(HBO) on cerebral edema and apoptosis in the brain tissue of rats after hemorrhage.Methods Rats were randomly divided into four groups,the control group,the hyperbaric oxygen group,the AQP-4 siRNA group and the combination therapy group (24 rats).Thrombin Ⅶ was injected into the caudate nucleus to establish the hemorrhage model.Construction of siRNA targeting aquaporin 4 was conducted.The mRNA expression of AQP-4 was detected by RT-PCR at day 3.Changes in brain moisture and blood-brain barrier perme ability were measured by a wet/dry weight method and Evans blue fluorometry.The nerve cell apoptosis rate was analyzed by Annexin V andTdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL).The expression of proteins including AQP-4,MMP-2,MMP-9,Bcl-2 and caspase-3 was detected by Western Blotting.All the animals were given a score for their nerve function at day 3.Results AQP-4 siRNA treatment obtained better effects than HBO in decreasing the brain edema leveland silencing AQP-4 mRNA(P＜0.05)while,the combination therapy group achieved the best results(P＜ 0.05).Compared with the control group,the percentage of apoptotic cells decreased in all the three treatment groups,with the most marked decrease observed in the combination treatment group(4.24± 0.04)％(F=13.76,P=0.001).The expression of AQP-4,MMP-2,MMP-9 and caspase-3 was lower (P＜0.05) and the expression of Bcl-2 was higher(P＜0.01)in the combination treatment group than in the other three groups.Compared with the control group,all the other three groups received better scores on nerve function defect evaluation at day 3 after hemorrhage(P＜0.05),with the combination treatment group again achieving the most favorable score (4.7 ± 1.1) (F=7.21,P =0.013).Conclusions Targeted siRNA interference combined with hyperbaric oxygen can effectively reduce cerebral edema after cerebral hemorrhage,inhibit neuronal apoptosis and promote neuron function recovery.The underlying mechanisms may be related to down-regulation of AQP-4,MMP 2,MMP-9 and caspase-3 expression and up-regulation of Bcl-2 expression.

OBJECTIVETo test whether nuclear factor kappa B plays an important role in the apoptosis-inhibitory effect of hepatitis B virus (HBV) P22(e) protein.

METHODSHepG2 cells were transfected with recombination plasmid pEGFP-HBVP22(e). The Act-D and TNF alpha were used to induce apoptosis. NF-kappa B inhibitor ALLN were used to inhibit the signaling pathway. The activation of NF-kappa B was EMSA, and the nulear translocation of NF-kappa B was determined by immuno-staining.

RESULTSLaser scanning confocal microscopy and EMSA indicated that HBV P22(e) protein enhanced the nuclear translocation of NF-kappa B after apoptosis induction. ALLN treatment inhibited the nuclear translocation of NF-kappa B, and blocked the apoptosis-inhibiting effect of HBV P22(e) protein.

CONCLUSIONThis study indicates that HBV P22(e) protein inhibits apoptosis of hepatocyte via the NF-kappa B signaling pathway.

Apoptosis ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; Hep G2 Cells ; Hepatitis B Core Antigens ; metabolism ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Humans ; Leupeptins ; pharmacology ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; NF-kappa B ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Plasmids ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Transfection ; Viral Core Proteins ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association between the level of serum testosterone and atherosclerosis in middle-aged and elderly men.

METHODSWe conducted a population-based study of 413 males aged 40-75 years in a community in Guangzhou. We obtained the sociodemographic characteristics, clinical data, physical measurements, and laboratory results of sex hormones, blood glucose, and blood lipid of the subjects. We also measured the carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) by color Doppler ultrasonography.

RESULTSThe subjects were divided into a carotid atherosclerosis (CAS) group (CIMT ≥ 0.9 mm) and a non-CAS group (CIMT < 0.9 mm). The medians of free testosterone (FT) were 57.41 and 59.72 pmol/L in the CAS and non-CAS groups, respectively (P = 0.005), and no significant difference was found between the two groups in total testosterone (TT). The levels of serum FT and TT were negatively correlated to CIMT, with Spearman's rank correlation coefficients of -0.126 (P = 0.011) and -0.188 (P < 0.001), respectively. The incidence rates of CAS were 23.30, 13.46, 17.48, and 7.77% in the Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4 groups, respectively according to the quartile of FT (P for trend = 0.008) and 17.48, 18.27, 16.50, and 9.71% respectively according to the quartile of TT (P for trend = 0.116). Based on the quartile of FT and after adjustment for age, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, and HbAlc, the risk of CAS was significantly increased in the Q1 group as compared with Q4 (OR = 2.491, 95% CI 1.01-6.149), but no statistically significant differences were observed according to the quartile of TT.

CONCLUSIONA low serum FT level may be a risk factor of atherosclerosis in Chinese men aged 40 years or older.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Blood Glucose ; analysis ; Blood Pressure ; Carotid Artery Diseases ; blood ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Carotid Intima-Media Thickness ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones ; blood ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Statistics, Nonparametric ; Testosterone ; blood

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) P22e protein on the apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells.

METHODSHepG2 cells were transfected with recombinant plasmid pEGFP-HBVP22e and exposed to Act-D and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) treatment to induce cell apoptosis. Flow cytometry was performed to determine the proportion of cells containing sub-G1 DNA to represent the number of apoptotic cells. Laser scanning confocal microscopy was used to observe the nuclear alterations in the apoptotic cells.

RESULTSHepG2EGFP-C2HBVP22e cell strain showed a much delayed apoptosis as well as obviously lowered apoptotic rate in comparison with the HepG2 strain (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe introduction and expression of extraneous gene HBVP22e significantly inhibits the apoptosis of HepG2 cells.

Apoptosis ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; Hep G2 Cells ; Hepatitis B Core Antigens ; metabolism ; Humans ; Transfection ; Viral Core Proteins ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the in vivo effect of modified platelet factor 4 (PF4)-p17-70 cDNA on tumor angiogenesis in nude mice.

METHODSThe p17-70 cDNA was cloned into the AdEasy system to transfect packing cell line 293 and produce viral particles encoding p17-70cDNA (Ad p17-70). The integration of p17-70 cDNA was confirmed by RT-PCR and the P17-40 peptide Western blot. The biological activity of purified recombinant adenovirus was determined by umbilical veinal endothelial cell proliferation assay in vitro and in vivo tumor angiogenesis suppression of nude mice bearing human head and neck carcinoma.

RESULTSp17-70 significantly inhibited in vitro proliferation of endothelial cells being 58% lower than that of empty vector and reduced tumor volume in vivo. The tumor mass was (0.086 +/- 0.054) g, (0.171 +/- 0.076) g and (0.195 +/- 0.067) g, the tumor volume was (16.7 +/- 5.2) mm(3), (36.5 +/- 23.7) mm(3) and (41.5 +/- 12.2) mm(3) in p17-70 cDNA transfected group, empty vector group and PBS group, respectively. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated a decreased number of blood vessels in the tumors.

CONCLUSIONP17-70 peptide mediated by adenoviral vector could inhibit the endothelial proliferation in vitro and the tumor growth in vivo.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; Female ; Genetic Therapy ; methods ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasms, Experimental ; pathology ; therapy ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; therapy ; Platelet Factor 4 ; genetics ; Transfection ; Umbilical Veins ; cytology

Objective:To construct and validate a predictive model of fecal/urinary incontinence among older adults in China.Methods:Data was obtained from the Seventh Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey in 2018.In the questionnaire, "Are you able to control your bowel and urine" , was regarded as the main effect indicator.Receiver operating curves(ROC)were used to find the best cut-off values of calf circumference for predicting fecal/urinary incontinence, and univariate Logistic model method was used to explore the potential factors associated with fecal/urinary incontinence among community-living older adults in China.A random sampling method was used to extract 70% of the survey data as the training set, and the remaining 30% of the survey data as the test set.A multivariate Logistic regression analysis was conducted in the training set to build a prediction model that encompassed all predictors, and a nomogram was plotted.Results:Logistic regression analysis showed that age, small calf circumference(male <28.5 cm, female <26.5 cm), inability to walk 1 km continuously, inability to lift 5 kg items, inability to do three consecutive squats, limited daily activities, and a history of urinary system disorders, nervous system disorders, and cerebrovascular disorders were all risk factors for fecal/urinary incontinence for older adults in China.Female, better socioeconomic status, and normal body mass index were protective factors for fecal/urinary incontinence.The Logistic regression model for predicting fecal/urinary incontinence among Chinese older adults was constructed using the above twelve factors.The consistency index(C-index)value of the model was 0.907, indicating that the model had good predictive ability.The area under the ROC curve(AUC)of the overall sample, training set and test set were 0.906(95% CI: 0.896-0.917), 0.907(95 % CI: 0.894-0.921)and 0.910(95% CI: 0.892-0.928), respectively, indicating that the model had high prediction ability and good discrimination. Conclusions:Age, sex, calf circumference, ability to walk 1 km continuously, ability to lift 5 kg items, ability to do three consecutive squats, daily activities, history of urinary system disorders, nervous system disorders and cerebrovascular disorders, socioeconomic status, and body mass index were independent predictors for fecal/urinary incontinence among older adults in China.The nomogram based on the above indicators has a good predictive effect on fecal/urinary incontinence for older adults.