Objective To investigate the effects of 17-methoxyl-7-hydroxy-benzene-furabcgakcone( MHBFC ) on isoproterenol-induced ventricular remodeling in mice. Methods Isoproterenol(ISO)was given subcutaneously(1 mg·kg-1, twice per day for 7 d)to induce ventricular remodeling in mice. Mice were divided into normal control group,model group, captopril group,MHBFC low and high-dose groups. 65 mg·kg-1 captopril was given by intragastric administration in captopril group,2. 5,5. 0 mg·kg-1 MHBFC were given by intravenous injection in MHBFC low and high-dose groups. At the end of the 7th day,the hearts of the mice were weighted,and myocardial hypertrophy index was expressed as heart weight/body weight, double kidneys weight/body weight and lung weight/body weight( HW/BW,KW/BW and LW/BW). Colorimetric method was used to determine the content of hydroxyproline( Hyp)in heart,the activity of superoxide dismutase( SOD)and the content of malondialdehyde( MDA)in serum. The histological changes were observed by HE and Masson’s staining,the changes of cross section area( CSA),collagen volume fraction,( CVF)and perivascular circumferential collagen area( PVCA)were determined. Results Compared with the model group,MHBFC potently inhibited cardiomyocyte hypertrophy,decreased the HW/BW, KW/BW and LW/BW,improved cardiac pathology changed,increased the of activity SOD,decreased the content of MDA in serum and the content of Hyp in heart tissue(P﹤0. 01 or P﹤0. 05),decreased the CVF and PVCA(P﹤0. 01). Conclusion MHBFC possesses protective effects against ISO-induced ventricular remodeling in mice,which may be related to its actions in reducing the oxidative stress and improving the antioxidant activity of the body.

Objective: Lung metastases are common in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). Post-therapeutic 131I-whole-body scan (WBS) was conventionally administered after the radioactive iodine treatment (RAI) of DTC lung metastases. This study aimed to investigate the influencing factors of WBS imaging on the RAI of DTC lung metastases. Methods:DTC patients (n=60) with lung metastases treated with 131I were retrospectively included. Before treatment, the thyroid function was assessed. Neck and chest computed tomography (CT) was performed, and WBS was inspected. Patients with lung metastases were classified into negative and positive subgroups according to the imaging of 131I WBS, and the relative influencing factors were analyzed. Results:Univariate analy-sis showed that age and chest CT imaging, which revealed pulmonary fibrosis, calcification, and patchy shadows, were related to WBS imaging. Binary variable logistic regression analysis revealed that pulmonary fibrosis (OR=0.175, P<0.001) and calcification (OR=0.088, P<0.05) went against the development of WBS. Conclusion:WBS imaging on RAI of lung metastases was not obvious in the el-derly. The fibrosis, calcification, and patchy shadows of the lung were not conducive for WBS imaging. The fibrosis and calcification of the lung were the main factors that affect WBS imaging.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the value of transesophageal echocardiography to guide the implantation of 2 pieces of MitraClip during transcatheter mitral valve repair operation.

METHODSFrom October 2013 to June 2014, 6 transcatheter mitral valve repair operations were performed in our hospital for symptomatic patients with severe functional mitral regurgitation (MR), transesophageal echocardiography was applied to guide the implantation of 2 pieces of MitraClip. Clinical data are retrospectively analyzed to evaluate implantation timing and approach of the 2nd piece of MitraClip, as well as the immediate effect of the interventional therapy.

RESULTSAfter implantation of 1st piece of MitraClip, transesophageal echocardiography evidenced MR ≥ grade 2 with central regurgitation and immediate mitral average transvalvular pressure gradient < 3 mmHg (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa) in these 6 patients and 2nd piece of MitraClip was implanted in these patients. After implantation of 2nd piece of MitraClip, it is observed via transesophageal echocardiography that mitral regurgitations were reduced by ≥ 2 grades for all 6 patients. For 3 patients, MR was reduced to grade 1. For the other 3 patients, MR is reduced to grade 2. Among the 3 patients whose MR was reduced to grade 2, 2 operations were stopped because immediate mitral average transvalvular pressure gradient equaled to 3 mmHg, and the rest 1 operation was stopped because MR was too diverse and not able to select proper position to implant the next MitraClip. All 6 operations are completed successfully.There were no myocardial infarction, death or complications requiring mitral valve surgery after the MitraClip procedure. There were also no MitraClip detachment, thrombus embolism, mitral valve apparatus injuries, mitral stenosis, pericardial tamponade post procedure.

CONCLUSIONSTransesophageal echocardiography plays an important role to guide the implantation of 2 pieces of MitraClip in transcatheter mitral valve repair operation. Mitral average transvalvular pressure gradient and initial position of regurgitation after implantation of the previous MitraClip are critical determinants for decision making if the next piece of MitraClip can be implanted or not.

Echocardiography, Transesophageal ; Humans ; Mitral Valve ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency ; surgery ; Mitral Valve Stenosis ; surgery ; Prostheses and Implants ; Prosthesis Implantation ; methods ; Retrospective Studies

Purpose: Drug resistance is one of the main causes of chemotherapy failure in patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC), and extensive biological studies into chemotherapy drug resistance are required. Materials and Methods: In this study, we performed lncRNA microarray, in vitro functional assays, in vivo models and cDNA microarray to evaluate the impact of lncRNA in SCLC chemoresistance. Results: The results showed that KCNQ1OT1 expression was upregulated in SCLC tissues and was a poor prognostic factor for patients with SCLC. Knockdown of KCNQ1OT1 inhibited cell proliferation, migration, chemoresistance and promoted apoptosis of SCLC cells. Mechanistic investigation showed that KCNQ1OT1 can activate transforming growth factor-β1 mediated epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in SCLC cells. Conclusion Taken together, our study revealed the role of KCNQ1OT1 in the progression and chemoresistance of SCLC, and suggested KCNQ1OT1 as a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in SCLC clinical management.