Objective To analyze the influence of atrial fibrillation(AF) on N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide(NT‐proB‐NP) for the assist diagnosis of acute heart failure(AHF) .Methods Totally 457 inpatients with suspected AHF due to acute dysp‐nea and conducting blood NT‐proBNP detection and electrocardiogram(ECG) within 24 h of admission were collected and devided into groups according to whether AHF was diagnosed and complicated with AF identified by ECG on admission ,that was AHF +AF group ,AHF + non AF group ,non AHF + AF group ,non AHF + non AF group .The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was adopted to evaluate the value of NT‐proBNP for diagnosing AHF .Results Among 457 cases ,194 cases (42 .5% ) were diagnosed as AHF and 140 cases (42 .5% ) as AF .The NT‐proBNP level in the AF group was significantly higher than that in the non AF group (4 482 .0 pg/mL vs .1 302 .0 pg/mL ,P < 0 .01) .The NT‐proBNP level had no statistical difference between the AHF + AF group and the AHF + non AF group AF(6 580 .0 pg/mL vs .6 769 .0 pg/mL ,P> 0 .05) .The NT‐proBNP level in the non AHF + AF group was significantly increased compared with the non AHF + non AF group (403 .3 pg/mL vs .2 892 .0 pg/mL ,P< 0 .01) .The area under the curve(AUC) of NT‐proBNP for diagnosing AHF in the AF group and the non AF group was 0 .759(95% CI :0 .677 - 0 .841 ,P < 0 .01) and 0 .931(95% CI :0 .903 - 0 .985 ,P < 0 .01) .Conclusion The NT‐proBNP level in AF patients without AHF is significantly increased ,which might affect the value of NT‐proBNP in the diagnosis of AHF .In the clinical applica‐tion ,whether the patient has AF cardiac rhythm should be paid attention to for better interpretating the detection result of NT‐proBNP .

Mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs), which can be introduced in brain tissue by the strategies of brain parenchyma, blood and neurolymph transplantation, to repair tissue injury and promote functional recovery of neural system, have been considered as the ideal seed cells for the treatment of central nervous system diseases. However, as the special structure exists in the blood-brain barrier, study on correlation between MSCs and blood-brain barrier permeability will make it possible for more MSCs to pass the barrier to perform the treatment. This paper gives a review on the latest research development in the field.

Chemical investigation was carried out to study the alkaloids from stems of Nelumbo nucifera and their cytotoxic activities. The constituents were separated by column chromatography, and their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic data analyses. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities by MTr method. Fifteen compounds were isolated from the total alkaloids extract and identified as asimilobine (1), isococlaurine (2), N-acetylnorarmepavine (3), crykonisine (4), velucryptine (5), pycnarrhine (6), liriodenine (7), nuciferine (8), nornuciferine (9), armepavine (10), N-methylasimilobine (11), coclaurine (12), N-norarmepavine (13), N-methylcoclaurine (14) and lysicamine (15). Compounds 1-7 and 12-15 were isolated from stems of this plant for the first time, and compounds 2-6 were firstly isolated from the family Nelumbonaceae. Compounds 7-10, 13 and 14 showed significant cytotoxic activities against HL-60 carcinoma cell line with inhibitory ratios of 51.36%, 59.09%, 52.51%, 53.93%, 51.43%, and 64.31% at concentration of 1 x 10(-5) mol x L(-1), respectively.
Alkaloids ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Nelumbo ; chemistry ; Plant Stems ; chemistry

The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of nardosinone (Nar) on neuronal injury induced by oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) in primary cortical cultures isolated from embryos at gestational day 14. MTT method was used to determine the dosage regimen of Nar in primary neuronal cultures and observe the influence of Nar on the neurons suffering OGD; Western blotting analysis was used to detect expressions of protein kinase A (PKA), Ras related protein 1 (Rap1), mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1 (MEK1) and phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (p-ERK1/2) of OGD-injured or uninjured primary cultured neurons after Nar treatment. Results showed that Nar (50 and 100 micromol x L(-1)) improved the cell viability during OGD damage (P < 0.01) and increased the expression of PKA, Rap1, MEK1 and p-ERK1/2 in injured neurons. Additionally, elevations of PKA, Rapl, MEK1 and p-ERK1/2 in uninjured neurons were caused by Nar (50, 100 and 200 micromol x L(-1)) with a dose-dependent tenclency as well (P < 0.01). In conclusion, Nar could protect against the neuronal injury exposed to OGD, which may be relevant to the promotion of PKA and ERK signaling pathway.

Objective To compare magnetization transfer and diffusion characteristics of multiple sclerosis(MS)lesions,normal-appearing white matter(NAWM)from patients,and normal white matter from control subjects,and to investigate the correlation between the magnetization transfer ratio(MTR)and mean diffusivity(MD)in MS patients.Methods Conventional MRI,magnetization transfer imaging(MTI)and diffusion tensor imaging(DTI)were performed in 24 relapsing remitting MS patients and 24 healthy volunteers.Based on these images,the MTR,MD and fractional anisotropy(FA)maps were obtained.Then the MTR,MD and FA values were measured in lesions and NAWM from patients,and in the relevant white matter regions from volunteers.Results Average MTR in lesions(23.49%?5.16%)from MS patients was lower than those both in NAWM(29.49%?3.38%)and in the counterparts of the controls(32.78%?3.42%,F=101.44,P

Objective We evaluated the molecular epidemiology ofStenotrophomonas maltophilia strains in adult patients in Renji Hospital to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine for better control ofS.maltophilia infections.Methods Nonduplicate clinical isolates of S.maltophilia were collected from Renji Hospital from January 2014 to September 2014.We examined the clonality among the S.maltophilia isolates by multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE).Antimicrobial resistance pattern was investigated by Kirby-Bauer method and prevalence of toxin genes (Stmpr1,Stmpr2,stmr-1,Smlt3773locus) by PCR.We also studied the biofilm formation of S.maltophilia by semiquantitative biofilm formation test.Results A total of 78 nonduplicate S.maltophilia isolates were analyzed,of which 26 were isolated from surgical intensive care unit,and 53 strains were from male patients.All patients infected by S.maltophilia had received antibiotic therapy before the strains were isolated.At least three kinds of antibiotics were used in 62.8％ of the patients.MLST analysis indicated that 49 isolates were assigned novel STs(STnewl-STnew38),with new combinations of allelic profiles.The largest cluster of isolates was ST23 (6 strains).PFGE showed that there was weak genetic linkage between S.maltophilia strains.The 78 isolates were divided into 58 groups.About 2.6％ (2/78) and 10.3％ (8/78) of these strains were resistant to levofloxacin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole,respectively.All the strains were susceptible to minocycline.The prevalence of virulence genes Stmprl,Stmpr2,snf-1 and Smlt3773 locus was 79.5％ (62/78),93.6％ (73/78),94.9％ (74/78) and 48.7％ (38/78),respectively.Biofilm formation test indicated that the mean ability of biofilm formation was 0.51±0.44 in terms of D492.There was no significant difference between males and females.Conclusions All patients with Stenotrophomonas maltophilia infection had a history of antibiotic use and male patients were susceptible population.Stenotrophomonas maltophilia isolates showed high prevalence of virulence genes.No clonal dissemination was found in the same department of hospital.

Objective To investigate the difference and the correlation of the vowel's phonation threshold pressure and nasalance in normal subjects .Methods The Aeroview (GLOTTAL Enterprises)with the materials /pa/,/pi/,/pu/ was used to obtain phonation threshold pressure values and The NasalviewTM (Tiger Electronics Inc .,Seattle ,Shanghai) with the materials /a/,/i/,/u/was used to obtain nasalance values .A total of 30 subjects (15 males ,15 females ,and aged 19~30) years old received the tests .The results of the vowel's phonation threshold pressure and nasalance gender score difference were compared .Results The PTP gender scores of /a/,/i/,/u/in maleswere4.53±0.70cm,5.21±0.80cm,5.87±1.45cm,andinfemaleswere4.09±0.30cm,4.47±0.30cm, and 4 .77 ± 0 .32 cm ,respectively .There were significant differences between males and females in PTP values (P<0 .05) .The PTP gender score differences showed that males were greater than that of females .There were signifi‐cant differences in different vowels (P<0 .05) .The nasalance gender scores of /a/,/i/,/u/in males were 30 .2 ± 5 . 75% ,38 .8 ± 8 .54% ,26 .5 ± 6 .03% ,and in females w ere32 .4 ± 7 .14% ,40 .5 ± 11 .8% ,and 30 .1 ± 4 .83% ,respec‐tively .There were no significant differences between males and females in nasalance values (P> 0 .05) .The na‐salance gender score differences showed that females were greater than males .There were significant differences in different vowels(P<0 .05) .This study found a weak correlation between PTP and nasalance .Conclusion The relationship between oral pressure and nasal flow cannot be accurately measured by measuring PTP ,and /pa/is a relatively suit‐able material for testing oral pressure .

Objective To evaluate the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at the Baihui (DU 20) and Dazhui (Bill) points on brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) around the area of cerebral infarction and evaluate the relation between learning and memory ability and BDNF. Methods Forty-eight male adult Wistar rats were divided randomly and equally into EA and control groups. The EA group was sub-divided into 1 week, 2 weeks and 3weeks sub-groups. EA was started 24 h after establishing a model of ischemic brain injury and continued for one, two or three weeks. The control group was reared conventionally and was not given any treatment. Morris' water maze test was used to evaluate the rats' learning and memory ability. The expression of BDNF in the CA3 region of the hippo campus was detected using immunohistochemical techniques. Results Learning and memory in the EA groups were better than in the control group, and spatial probe ability was also significantly better. Positive expression of BDNF was detected in the hippocampal CA3 region of the EA group rats, and it was significantly greater than that in the control group. Conclusion Learning and memory after cerebral infarction can be affected by EA at the Baihui and Dazhui points. The effect might be related with increased BDNF expression in the hippocampal CA3 region.

Objective To evaluate the effects of different concentrations of hydroxyethyl starch (HES) 130/0.4 applied for different time periods on injury to human renal tubular epithelial cells.Methods Human renal kidney epithelial cells HK-2 at the logarithmic growth phase were seeded in 96-well plates at a density of 1 × 105 cells/ml (0.1 ml/well),in culture flasks (5 ml/flask) or in cluture dishes (5 ml/dish).HK-2 cells were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=49 each) using a random number table:control group (group C) and 0.3％,1.5％ and 3.0％ HES 130/0.4 groups (H1,H2 and H3 groups).In H1,H2 and H3 groups,HK-2 cells were incubated with 0.3％,1.5％ and 3.0％ HES 130/0.4,respectively.The equal volume of PBS was added to the culture medium in group C.At day 1,3,5 and 7 of incubation,the cell viability was measured.At day 3,5 and 7 of incubation,cell apoptosis was detected,and apoptosis rate was calculated.On day 7 of incubation,the cells were stained with toluidine blue for examination of intracellular HES deposition (under light microscope) and pathological changes (with transmission electron microscope).Results Compared with group C,the cell viability was significantly decreased on day 5 and 7 of incubation,and apoptosis rate was increased on day 3,5 and 7 of incubation in group H3,and no significant difference was detected in the parameters mentioned above in H1 and H2 groups.Microscopic examination showed that intracellular HES deposition was observed in H2 and H3 groups,and pathological changes were obvious,and apoptotic cells were also found in H3 group.Conclusion Application of high-concentration HES 130/0.4 for a long period can lead to injury to human renal tubular epithelial cells,however,application of high-or low-concentration HES 130/0.4 for a short period produces no influence on the cells.