BACKGROUND: Type Ⅰ and type Ⅲ collagen, the main components of cardiac stroma,have supporting,protective and restrictive effects on myocardial cells. They are essential for the heart to maintain its normal shape and function. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effects of types Ⅰ and Ⅲ collagen on cardiac function by observing their changes in atrium myocardium of children with ventricular septal defect (VSD). DESIGN: A case analysis. SETTTING: Department of Cytobiology, Xinxiang Medical College. PARTICIPANTS: Six children who had died from accidents were selected from the Pediatric Department of the First Affiliated Hospital,Xinxiang Medical College, between January and August 2003. Informed consent was obtained form their relatives. They were 4 males and 2 females,ranging from 1 to 15 years in age. Congenital heart diseases were excluded by naked-eye anatomical examination,and right atrium tissues were collected for the study. Meanwhile, 21 children with VSD, 12 males and 9 females aged 1-17 years,were recruited from the Department of Cardiac-thoracic Surgery of the same hospital. METHODS:A small amount of fresh myocardium was cut from the right atrium at the edge of incision. Peroxidase-labeled strepto-avidin immunohistochemical method was adopted to detect the expression of types Ⅰ and Ⅲ collagen protein in atrium myocardium, which was analyzed using image analysis to calculate the area composition ratio of type Ⅰ and type Ⅲ collagen in atrium myocardium(representing the relative area percentage of collagen protein) and area percentage (representingthe expression percentage of collagen protein). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Expression of typeⅠand type Ⅲ collagen protein in atrium myocardium. RESULTS: Six normal controls and 21 patients with VSD entered the final statistical analysis. ① Type Ⅰcollagen of normal atrium was strip-like fibers with different diameters connected with each other,whereas type Ⅲ collagen was scattered in spots and pieces. ② The distribution of type Ⅰ and Ⅲ collagen of atrium in VSD patients was mostly similar to that of the normal controls; only part of them displayed extreme rearrangement, that is,type Ⅰcollagen presenting large-speckle increment,breakage or disappearance, while type Ⅲ collagen increased in stripes and bundles. ③ The area percentage and area composition ratio of type Ⅰ and type Ⅲ collagen:type Ⅰ collagen expressed more than type Ⅲ collagen in normal myocardium [area percentage: (48.82±12.35)％ vs (40.02±13.53)％, t=2.173, P ＜ 0.05;area composition: (15.87±6.03) μm2 vs (13.62 6.94) μm2, t=2.221, P ＜ 0.05].Likewise, type Ⅰ collagen expressed more highly than type Ⅲ collagen in VSD myocardium [area percentage: (55.37±10.42)％ vs (50.27±14.36) ％,t=2.173, P ＜ 0.05; area composition: (24.93±9.62) μm2 vs (19.22 12.03) μm2,t=2.221, P＜ 0.05]. The content of both type Ⅰ and type Ⅲ collagen in VSD children was obviously higher than that in normal children(t=2.153-2.234,P ＜ 0.05). CONCLUSION: In children with VSD, part of type Ⅰ and type Ⅲ collagen is found rearranged and increased in atrium, which may result from the interstitial compensation due to cardiac dysfunction.

Objective To study the expression of PTEN and Caspase-3 proteins in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC) and to analyze the relationships between the expressions of the proteins and clinicopathologic factors as well as prognosis.Methods 64 cases of ESCCs,16 cases of pericarcinoma tissues and 16 cases of dysplasia epithelium were immunohistochemically stained.All 64 patients who underwent surgical treatment up to January 2005 were regularly followed up through letters and check-ups.Results The positive expression rate in pericarcinoma tissues,dysplasia and ESCC were significantly down-regulated((P

Objective To study the clinical value of heart‐type fatty acid binding protein(H‐FABP) ,high‐sensitive cTnI(hs‐cT‐nI),homocysteine(Hcy)andcystatinc(Cys‐C)intheearlydiagnosisofacutemyocardialinfarction(AMI).Methods 150casesof AMI patients with coronary arteriography (AMI group) were selected from the cardiovascular department admitted within the first 6hours of chest pain attack .An additional 30 case for control group .The level of four novel cardiac marker were measured in each group of serum .Results The level of serum H‐FABP ,hs‐cTnI ,Hcy and Cys‐C in AMI group were markedly higher than control group(P<0 .05) ,and rose with the increase of coronary artery lesions with statistical difference (P<0 .05) .Each cardiac markers showed high specificity in the diagnosis of AMI ,amongst which H‐FABP and hs‐cTnI ,stood out with sensitivity of 97 .34% and 89 .98% respectively .With Youden index ,positive likelihood ration ,negative likelihood ration ,positive predictive value and negative predictive value ,H‐FABP and hs‐cTnI appeared to have higher diagnostic value than Hcy and Cys‐C in AMI .Conclusion H‐FABP and hs‐cTnI displayed significant clinical value as a most sensitive indicator in the early diagnosis of AMI (within 6 hours of attack) . The level of H‐FABP ,hs‐cTnI ,Hcy and Cys‐C elevated as coronary artery lesions increase .

Objective To observe the molluscicidal effect of 25% suspension concentrate of niclosamide (SCN) against snail eggs and young snails. Methods The experiments with SCN and 50% wettable powder of niclosamide ethanolamide salt (WPN) against the snail eggs and young snails were carried out by the immersion method in laboratory. Results The death rates of snail eggs were both 100% in 0.25 mg/L active content of SCN and in 0.50 mg/L of WPN for 24 hours. The LC_~50(s) of SCN against Oncomelania snail eggs were 0.0506, 0.0496 mg/L and 0.0473 mg/L by immersion for 24, 48 hours and 72 hours respectively, while the LC_~50(s) of WPN were 0.1030, ~0.0962 mg/L and 0.0869 mg/L. The death rates of young snails were both 100% in 0.25 mg/L active content of SCN and WPN for 24 hours. The LC_~50(s) of SCN were 0.0625, 0.0474 mg/L and ~0.0442 mg/L for 24, 48 hours and 72 hours respectively, while the LC_~50(s) of WPN were 0.1088, 0.0825 ~mg/L and 0.0825 mg/L. Conclusion The SCN has high molluscicidal effect against Oncomelania snail in its different developmental stages: egg and young snail.[

To evaluate the value of serum human epididymis protein 4(HE4),cancer embryonic antigen(CEA), carbohydrate antigen(CA125,CA19-9,CA153),alpha fetoprotein(AFP) and β-human chorionic gonadotrophin (β-HCG) in ovarian cancer early diagnosis.Methods:Abbott Architect i2000SR was used to detect the levels of preoperative serum tumor markers (n=7) in ovarian cancer group,benign ovarian tumor group and the normal control (each n=60).Results:The levels of serum HE4,CA125, CA199,CEA,CA153,AFP and β-HCG in ovarian cancer group were markedly higher than the benign ovarian tumor group and the control group.There was statistically significant difference ( P<0.05 ).The diagnosis of ovarian cancer tumor markers were high specificity,but sensitivity was not high except HE4 (76.67%) and CA125 (68.33%).With Youden Index,the area under curve of ROC,the HE4 was demonstrated higher specificity ,sensitivity and accuracy.There was also medium diagnostic value of CA 125 ,CA199 and CEA for ovarian cancer.The sensitivity of ovarian cancer diagnosis is raised by combined assay with serum tumor marker ,but the specificity would be reduced accordingly.HE4, CA125, CA199 and CEA combined detection is considered the best.Conclusion:CA153,AFP and β-HCG have lowered diagnosis for ovarian cancer.HE4, CA125, CA199 and CEA combined detection could significantly improve specificity ,sensitivity and accuracy in the early diagnosis of ovarian cancer.

Objective To study the clinical efficacy of nedaplatin and paclitaxel in patients with cervical carcinom by concurrent radiochemotherapy.Methods A total of 64 patients were ran-domly divided into control group given radiotherapy and observation group added with nedaplatin and paclitaxel with 32 patients in each group.The clinical efficacy and adverse reactions in both groups were evaluated after treatment.Results The clinical efficacy of control group was 65.6%which was lower than that of observation group (75.0%),the difference was not significant.How-ever,the rate of adverse reactions,the overall survival (OS)and the distant metastasis-free survival (DMF)were higher in observation group than that in the control group.Conclusion Concurrent radiochemotherapy with treatment of nedaplatin and paclitaxel is remarkably efficient with low toxi-city in treating cervical carcinoma,so it is worthy of being further studied and promoted in clinic.

Objective To explore the clinical significance of platelet changes in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP)patients by treatment of anisodamine combined with plasma ex-change.Methods 78 patients with TTP were randomly divided into two groups,39 cases in each group.The research group was treated with anisodamine combined with plasma exchange,while the control group was treated only with plasma exchange.Changes of platelet counts before treatment and on days 2,5,12 and 21 after treatment as well as incidence of adverse reactions were observed in two groups.Clinical efficacy was compared.Results In the research group,healing rate was significantly higher and overall response rate was slightly higher than control group.On days 2,5, 12 and 21 after treatment,the platelet counts in both groups increased obviously.On days 2,5 and after treatment,the platelet count in research group was significantly greater than in control group. During treatment,no severe adverse reactions were observed in both groups.Conclusion Aniso-damine combined with plasma exchange can effectively accelerate the recovery of platelets in patients with TTP,reduce platelet consumption and microthrombosis and shows a significant efficacy and better safety.

Objective To study the clinical efficacy of nedaplatin and paclitaxel in patients with cervical carcinom by concurrent radiochemotherapy.Methods A total of 64 patients were ran-domly divided into control group given radiotherapy and observation group added with nedaplatin and paclitaxel with 32 patients in each group.The clinical efficacy and adverse reactions in both groups were evaluated after treatment.Results The clinical efficacy of control group was 65.6%which was lower than that of observation group (75.0%),the difference was not significant.How-ever,the rate of adverse reactions,the overall survival (OS)and the distant metastasis-free survival (DMF)were higher in observation group than that in the control group.Conclusion Concurrent radiochemotherapy with treatment of nedaplatin and paclitaxel is remarkably efficient with low toxi-city in treating cervical carcinoma,so it is worthy of being further studied and promoted in clinic.

Objective To explore the clinical significance of platelet changes in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP)patients by treatment of anisodamine combined with plasma ex-change.Methods 78 patients with TTP were randomly divided into two groups,39 cases in each group.The research group was treated with anisodamine combined with plasma exchange,while the control group was treated only with plasma exchange.Changes of platelet counts before treatment and on days 2,5,12 and 21 after treatment as well as incidence of adverse reactions were observed in two groups.Clinical efficacy was compared.Results In the research group,healing rate was significantly higher and overall response rate was slightly higher than control group.On days 2,5, 12 and 21 after treatment,the platelet counts in both groups increased obviously.On days 2,5 and after treatment,the platelet count in research group was significantly greater than in control group. During treatment,no severe adverse reactions were observed in both groups.Conclusion Aniso-damine combined with plasma exchange can effectively accelerate the recovery of platelets in patients with TTP,reduce platelet consumption and microthrombosis and shows a significant efficacy and better safety.

OBJECTIVETo identify a nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) responsive element within the Smad ubiquitination regulatory factor 1 (SMURF1) gene promoter, and to demonstrate its role in the regulation of SMURF1 expression.

METHODSA series of truncated luciferase reporter plasmids of the SMURF1 promoter were constructed and transfected into hepatic cancer Hep G2 cells. Luciferase assays were carried out to assess the activities of such promoters. DNA binding and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays were used to identify an NF-κB responsive element within the SMURF1 promoter. Lucifease plasmid with mutated NF-κB site was constructed and its activity was assessed. The expression of SMURF1 in Hep G2 cells was detected after transfection of NF-κB specific small interfering RNA (siRNA).

RESULTSThe SMURF1 promoter showed a high transcription activity, and the region of -519 to -378 was demonstrated to be a positive regulatory region. -411 to -420 of the SMURF1 promoter was an NF-κB responsive element, and NF-κB may specifically bind to this site. Mutation of this element may prominently decrease the activity of the promoter. Transfection of NF-κB siRNA evidently down-regulated SMURF1 expression.

CONCLUSIONNF-κB can specifically bind to the -411 to -420 region of the SMURF1 promoter and plays an essential role in the expression of SMURF1.

Gene Expression Regulation ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; NF-kappa B ; genetics ; metabolism ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Protein Binding ; Transcription, Genetic ; Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases ; genetics ; metabolism