Objective: To explore the effect of valsartan on inflammatory cytokines in patients with hypertension combining paroxysmal atrial ifbrillation (PAF).
Methods:A total of 60 patients with hypertension combining PAF converted to sinus rhythm were studied and the patients were divided into 2 groups. Control group, the patients received felodipine and Valsartan group. n=30 in each group, all patients were treated for 6 months. In addition, there was a Normal group including 30 healthy subjects. The levels of high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and left atrial diastolic diameter (LADd), the sinus rhythm maintenance rate were examined and compared before and after treatment among different groups.
Results: Compared with Normal group, the levels of hs-CRP, IL-6 and LADd were obviously higher in patients at both Control group and Valsartan group, all P<0.01. With 6 months of treatment, the levels of hs-CRP, IL-6 and LADd were decreased in both groups of patients than they were before, all P<0.01;compared with Control group, such effects were more obvious in Valsartan group, all P<0.01. The sinus rhythm maintenance rate in Valsartan group was signiifcantly higher than that in Control group, P<0.05.
Conclusion: Valsartan may inhibit inflammatory response and improve atrial structure remodeling, therefore better maintain the converted sinus rhythm in patients with hypertension combining PAF. The anti-inlfammatory effect of valsartan might be independent from its anti-hypertension effect.

Objective To analyze the expression of telomerase and apoptosis related protein,and ex- plore the possible mechanism of breast cancer development.Methods Immunohistochemistry method(SP)was used to detect the expression of hTERT,p53 and bcl-2 in the tissues of 48 cases of human breast cancer and 42 cases of benign lesion in breast.Results The positive rates of expression of hTERT,p53 and bcl-2 in breast cancer were 87.50%,56.25%,54.17%,respectively;Compared with the groups of adjacent non- cancerous and benign lesions,there was a significant difference in three types of tissue(P

Objective:To investigate the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in renal tissues of patients with hepatitis B virus- associated glomerulonephritis(HBV-GN).Methods:Twenty HBV-GN specimens with complete nephrology data and 10 normal renal specimens were randomly chosen for the present study.Cell apoptosis was detected by means of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated d-UTP nick end labeling(TUNEL)and the apoptotic index was calculated;immunohistochemistry was used to detect the protein expression of Bax and Bcl-2.ResuLts:The apoptotic index in HBV-GN group was obviously higher than that of the control group;the apoptotic cells were mainly distributed in the proximal and distal renal tubules and the collecting duct epithelial cells,seldom seen in the glomerular cells.The expression of Bcl-2 in HBV-GN patients was predominately present in the renal tubular epithelia cells(positive in the plasma,membrane and nuclear);the expression of Bax was found in both glomerular cells and renal tubular cells,mainly in tubular epithelial cells,seldom seen in Bowman's capsule or glomerular mesangial region.Conclusion:Apoptosis in the kidney of HBV-GN patients mainly occurs in the renal tubular epithelial cells;expression of Bax and Bcl-2 is mainly in the renal tubular epithelial cells,suggesting that the injury of tubular interstitial damage may be one of the important factors for the development of HBV-GN.

Background Research demonstrated that alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid GluR2 (AMPA-GluR2) is associated with amblyopia.It has been shown that levodopa and cytidine diphosphate choline can improve visual function of amblyopic children,but the mechanism is unclear.Objective This study was to explore the possible effects of levodopa and cytidine diphosphate choline on amblyopia.Methods Monocular deprivation (MD) animal models were created in 60 2-week-old SD rats by monolateral eyelid suturing and observed for 31 days and reared in natural light together with 15 other matched normal healthy SD rats.The models were randomly divided into the MD group,levodopa group,cytidine diphosphate choline group and normal saline control group,with 15 rats for each group.40 mg/kg of levodopa,80 mg/kg of cytidine diphosphate choline,I ml normal saline were given to the rats,respectively,for 28 consecutive days.Expressions of the AMPA-CluR2 protein and AMPA-CluR2 mRNA in the rat visual cortex were detected by immunohistochemistry,Western blot and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR.Use of the animals followed the Regulations for the Administration of Affairs Concerning Experimental Animals by State Science and Technology Commission.Results The expression values of the AMPA-GluR2 protein (AMPA-GluR2/β-actin) and AMPA-GluR2 mRNA (2-△△Ct) were significantly lower in the MD group than those of the normal control group (protein:0.32 ± 0.02 vs.0.64 ± 0.05,t =13.287,P＜0.05 ;mRNA:0.30±0.01 vs.0.84±0.03,t=38.184,P＜0.05).Those in the levodopa group were significantly increased in comparison with the normal saline solution group (protein:0.59 ±0.04 vs.0.33 ±0.03,t =11.628,P＜0.05 ; mRNA:0.71±0.06 vs.0.33 ±0.02,t =13.435,P＜0.05).The expression values of the AMPA-GluR2 protein and AMPA-GluR2 mRNA were significantly increased in the cytidine diphosphate choline group compared with the normal saline solution group (protein:0.52 ± 0.04 vs.0.33 ± 0.03,t =8.497,P ＜ 0.05 ; mRNA:0.48± 0.04 vs.0.33 ± 0.02,t =7.500,P＜0.05).Conclusions AMPA-GluR2 is associated with the plasticity of visual development.Levodopa and cytidine diphosphate choline may improve visual function by down-regulating the expression of AMPA-GluR2 in the visual cortex.

AIM: To explore the relationship of central retinal vein occlusion ( CRVO) and atherosclerosis ( AS) .
METHODS:Fifty cases of CRVO patients were chosen as the observation group in our hospital from October 2012 to October 2014, other 50 patients with AS ( non-CRVO) as control group. In the control group, 22 cases of AS mild stenosis, moderate stenosis in 24 cases, 4 cases of severe stenosis ( 3 cases implanted stent ) . According to the severity, two grade prevention primary prevention therapy, and cerebral vascular disease treating stroke, corresponding drug treatment was undergone. Two groups of patients were performed cervical carotid artery color Doppler ultrasound examination, including assessing plaque, carotid artery intima-media thickness ( IMT) , the degree of stenosis of internal carotid artery blood flow velocity and the systolic peak ( PSV ) , end diastolic blood flow velocity ( EDV) , resistance index ( RI) values for kinetic parameters etc. All the indexes of the two groups were compared with color Doppler ultrasound examination results, to evaluate the correlation between CRVO and AS.
RESULTS: In the observation group, 15 cases were detected of carotid artery with mild stenosis, 28 cases of arterial diameter reduced <50%, carotid artery moderate stenosis, arterial diameter was reduced from 50% ~69%, 6 cases of carotid artery stenosis, arterial diameter was reduced from 70% ~99%, 1 patient with ipsilateral carotid artery near occlusion. In the control group, 22 cases were of AS mild stenosis, moderate stenosis in 24 cases, 4 cases of severe stenosis ( 3 cases implanted stent ) . The eyes with CRVO increased IMT, PSV and EDV decreased, RI value increased (P<0. 05). Compared with the control group, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes mellitus in observation group were statistically significant difference (P<0. 05). The control group of 2a of follow-up showed no recurrence during CRVO.
CONCLUSION: CRVO and AS are highly correlated, the neck of Doppler ultrasound examination can clearly reflect the central retinal vein blood supply, the standard treatment for AS disease, can reduce the risk of CRVO, with certain clinical significance.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Cholinesterase Reactivators ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Hemoperfusion ; Humans ; Insecticides ; poisoning ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Organophosphate Poisoning ; Poisoning ; therapy

OBJECTIVELandmark trials have demonstrated that statins can reduce the risk of coronary events. Despite the widespread use of statins in the settings of primary and secondary prevention of CHD, withdrawal of statins is a frequent problem in clinical practice. Several recent clinical studies have suggested that withdrawal of statin therapy might be associated with an increase in thrombotic vascular events and the onset of acute coronary syndromes. However, the effects of discontinuing of statins treatment on endothelial function and underlying mechanism are unknown. Objectives We investigated the effects after withdrawal of simvastatin on brachial artery endothelial function in patients unreached cholesterol target with coronary heart disease (CHD) or CHD risk factors.

METHODSWe included 33 patients with established CHD or CHD risk factors, whose serum cholesterol did not achieve NCEP target level. They were administered simvastatin (20 mg) for 4 weeks. Endothelial dependent flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) was assessed in the brachial artery using high-resolution ultrasound at baseline, after 4 weeks of simvastatin and after termination of therapy 1 week. We evaluated fasting serum lipid profiles and vasoactive substances simultaneously, included nitric oxide (NO), endothelin (ET), 6-keto-PGF1(alpha) and thromboxane B(2) (TXB(2)), which were measured as plasma prostacyclin and TXA(2) respectively.

RESULTSSimvastatin treatment reduced low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and total cholesterol (TC) levels and improved endothelial-dependent vasodilation in patients after 4 weeks. Withdrawal of simvastatin, however, FMD showed a significant reduction [(4.82 +/- 0.71)% vs (11.51 +/- 0.87)%, P < 0.01], that remained in low level after 1 week, and the FMD were even lower than the baseline values [(4.82 +/- 0.71)% vs (5.89 +/- 0.65)%, P < 0.01]. After terminating simvastatin treatment, serum NO and plasma 6-keto-PGF1(alpha) levels decreased, as well as plasma ET and serum LDL-C levels increased. But there was no significant difference between plasma TXB(2) levels before and after withdrawal of simvastatin (P > 0.05). Overall, there were significant positive correlations between withdrawal-induced changes in FMD and serum NO level (r = 0.674, P = 0.004), whereas no correlations were shown between the changes in FMD and serum LDL-C level (r = -0.414, P = 0.083).

CONCLUSIONSAbrupt withdrawal of simvastatin therapy resulted in the significant adverse impact on brachial artery endothelial function in patients unreached cholesterol target with CHD or CHD risk factors. Termination of therapy may suppress endothelial NO production and impair endothelial function that is independent of lipid-lowering effect.

Aged ; Brachial Artery ; drug effects ; Cholesterol, LDL ; blood ; Coronary Disease ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Endothelium, Vascular ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Hypolipidemic Agents ; administration & dosage ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Risk Factors ; Simvastatin ; administration & dosage ; Vasodilation

Objective To explore the value of dual-phase contrast-enhancement multislice computed tomography (MSCT) in the assessment of acute myocardial infarction volume and perfusion in porcine models. Methods The distal left anterior descending coronary arteries of 5 pigs were balloon-occluded for 90 min and followed by reperfusion. MSCT was performed 1 min (early phase) and 5 min (delayed phase) after administration bolus of 100 mL of iodinated contrast material 30 min after reperfusion. On the same day, hearts were excised, sectioned in 8 mm short-axis slices, and stained with TTC. Infarction volume was defined as the sum of the hyper-enhanced area and surrounding hypo-enhanced area in all slices on delay enhanced phase of MSCT and the TTC-negative area on TTC staining slices. Infarction volume was expressed as percentage of total slice volume. Results Acute infarction detected by MSCT was characterized by early myocardial perfasion defects in the early phase of the contrast bolus (early defects) with surrounding residual defects and late enhancement observed in the late phase. Mean CT attenuation value of early defects was significantly different from CT attenuation value of remote myocardium [(213±55)HU vs (304±30)HU](P < 0.05), CT attenuation values of residual defects and late enhancement were also significantly different from those of remote myocardium [(360±75) HU vs (90±37) HU and (152±23) HU vs (190±37) HU, repectively](P < 0.01, P < 0.05). The mean infarction volume was (8.9± 1.0)% on MSCT and (9.2±1.4)% on TTC pathology images. The infarction volume assessed by MSCT compared well with TTC staining slices. Conclusion Acute reperfused myocardial infarction zone has specific enhancement pattens different to remote normal zone on dual phase MDCT, which is in good agreement with in vivo Trc pathology in the assessment of acute reperfused myocardial infarction shortly offer reperfusion.

Objective To investigate the effects of Sacubitril/Valsartan on amino terminal probrain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP),high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP),soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2(sST2)levels and on left ventricular(LV)structure in NYHA Ⅳ heart failure with reduced ejection fraction(HFrEF) patients.Methods A total of 67 HFrEF patients with NYHA Ⅳ were randomly divided into the control group (n =30)receiving conventional medical treatment,and the observation group(n=32)receiving Sacubitril/Valsartan instead of ACEI(or ARB if ACEI induced cough) in conventional medical treatment.NT-proBNP levels were determined by fluorescer-enhanced chemiluminescence.hs CRP levels were detected by latecx enhanced immunoturbidimetric assay.sST2 levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).The modified Simpson method was used to detect left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD),LV posterior wall(LVPW)and LV ejection fraction(LVEF).Two groups of patients were treated and followed-up for 6 months.Results Clinical efficacy was better in the observation group than in the control group(effective rate,20 cases or 61.3％ vs.8 cases or 26.7％,P＜0.05).As compared with the control group,the observation group of patients had an increased LVEF[(46.7±9.2) ％ vs.(41.8±8.0)％,P＜0.05]and a decreased LVEDD[(52.6±6.7)mm vs.(58.8±7.5)mm,P＜0.05].After vs.before treatment,NT-proBNP,hs-CRP and sST2 levels were decreased in both control and observation groups [(1 427 ± 219) μg/L vs.(2 615 ± 273)μg/L,(1.14 ± 1.02) mg/L vs.(1.55±1.38)mg/L,(0.30±0.12)μg/L vs.(0.41±0.10)μg/L,all P＜0.05],and the decrements were much more in the observation group than in the control group (P＜0.05).The annual accumulated frequence and duration of hospitalization were less in the observation group than in the control group[(0.8±0.6)times vs.(1.8±1.0) times,(10.2±5.8)d vs.(16.5±7.2)d,P＜0.05].The maintenance dose of tolasemide was lower in the observation group than in the control group [(15.2±8.4)mg vs.(20.6±10.8)mg,P＜0.05].Conclusions Sacubitril/valsartan therapy is safe and effective and it can reduce hs-CRP and sST2 levels and improve the ventricular remodeling in HFrEF patients of HYHA Ⅳ.

This study aims to analyze the molecular epidemiological characteristics of HIV-1 strains prevailing among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Beijing, China. The pol gene fragments from 250 newly diagnosed HIV-1-infected MSM individuals during 2006-2010 in Beijing were amplified by RT-nested PCR, sequenced, and phylogenetically analyzed. HIV-1 pol gene from 189 individuals were amplified and analyzed; 81 (42. 9%), 3 (1. 6%), 2 (1.0%), 88 (46. 6%), and 15 (7.9%) individuals were infected with HIV-1 subtypes B, B', C, CRF01_AE, and CRF07_BC, respectively. The subtypes B and CRF01_AE could both be grouped into two clusters, and CRFO7_BC strains shared high homology and were presumed to originate from a common ancestor. The HIV-1 circulating in MSM in Beijing had a lower genetic diversity than in heterosexuals. The HIV-1 epidemic (2006-2010) in MSM in Beijing was actually a rapid spread of HIV-1 CRF01 AE and B, or rather native strains of the two viruses.
Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Epidemics ; Genetic Variation ; HIV Infections ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; virology ; HIV-1 ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Homosexuality, Male ; statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Epidemiology ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Young Adult