Heme oxygenases (HO) are rate-limiting enzymes which degrade heme into carbon monoxide,biliverdin and free iron. HO-1 is the inducible form of HO. Induction and over-expression of HO-1 or inhibition of HO-1 degradation have been shown to interfere with replication of hepatitis B and C viruses,acute and chronic liver inflammation,and progression to fibrosis. HO-1 as well as its reaction products of heme degradation has been linked to cytoprotection by its anti-inflammatory,antioxidative and anti-apoptotic effects,displayed a broad range of protective effects against hepatic damage,and showed beneficial effects on ischemia-reperfusion injury,acute/chronic graft rejection and graft survival rate in liver transplantation. However,HO-1 has been found to be over-expressed in tumor cells. Inhibition of HO-1 expression can promote tumor cell apoptosis,decrease growth of HCC and reduce angiogenesis, suggesting that HO-1 is a potential target in the treatment of hepatic cancer. To validate the target property of HO-1,this review analyzed the effects and mechanism of action of HO-1 and its products in viral hepatitis,liver injury,hepatic fibrosis,liver transplantation and hepatocellular carcinoma. Given HO-1′s marked anti-viral,anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective properties,the inhibitory effect of its down-modulation on hepatic cancer and the strategy to target HO-1 may promise new areas in both drug development and clinical therapy of liver diseases.

Objective:To investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of XRCC3 on esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma (ESCC) radiotherapy response. Methods:Expression levels of XRCC3 were detected by reverse transcription PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry. We knocked down XRCC3 with lentiviral infection in ESCC cells. Cell apoptosis was examined by flow cytom-etry. DNA damage and telomere dysfunction-induced foci were determined by immunofluorescence. Results:The expression levels of XRCC3 in ESCC cells and tissues were higher than those in normal esophageal epithelial cells and corresponding adjacent noncancer-ous esophageal tissues. Knockdown of XRCC3 in ESCC cells substantially increased the therapeutic efficacy of radiation. We demon-strated that the radiation resistance of XRCC3 was attributed to the XRCC3-maintaining telomere stability, which reduced ESCC cell death through radiation-induced apoptosis. Conclusion: Our data suggested that XRCC3 protects ESCC cells from ionizing radia-tion-induced DNA damage and death by enhancing telomere stability. Thus, XRCC3 can be used as a promising therapeutic target for ESCCs.

ObjectiveTo study the CT values of certain phantoms scanned by various CT scanners with dissimilar parameters.Methods The CT values of tissue equivalent inserts was measured in the TM164 and CIRS-062 phantom scanned by TOSHIBA AQUILIONTM,SIEMENS SOMATOMTMSENSATIONTM 64 and SIEMENS SOMATOMTM SENSATIONTM OPEN with different voltages,currents and slice thicknesses and then the corresponding CT-to-density curves was compared. Results There are no significant differences of CT values with various currents and slice thicknesses and also for low atom number materials scanned by different scanners with various tube voltages.The CT values of high atom number materials have obvious differences scanned with tube voltage,the maximum is about 400 HU.There are also significant differences between CT-density curves of two phantoms in the range from soft tissues to dense bone,the maximum is up to 500 HU.ConclusionsCT-density curves were highly affected by materials of phantoms,scanners and tube voltages.It is necessary to measure the curve with a comfortable phantom and certain scanner to assure the accuracy for dose calculation for treatment planning system.

Background and Objectives: Patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) tend to be accompanied by biventricular impairment. We hypothesized that the combination of the aortic pulsatility index (API) and pulmonary artery pulsatility index (PAPI) could refine risk stratification in DCM. Methods: We studied 120 consecutive patients with advanced DCM who underwent right heart catheterization (RHC). The primary outcome was all-cause mortality within 1 year after RHC. We used the receiver operating characteristic curve to determine the optimal cut-off of API and PAPI to predict outcomes. Results: The optimal cut-offs of API (1.02) and PAPI (2.16) were used to classify patients into four groups. There were significant differences in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) among the four groups (both p<0.05).When delineating API by LVEF above or below the median (28%), the cumulative rate of survival in patients with API <1.02 was lower than that of those with API ≥1.02 in both higher and lower LVEF groups (both p<0.05). Similar trends were observed when delineating PAPI using TAPSE higher or lower than the cut-off (17 mm) (both p<0.05). The cumulative rate of survival in the API <1.02 and PAPI <2.16 group was lower than that in the API ≥1.02 and/or PAPI ≥2.16 (all p<0.05). Conclusions API and PAPI could add additional prognostic value to LVEF and TAPSE, respectively. The combination of API and PAPI could provide a comprehensive assessment of biventricular function and refine risk stratification.

Background and Objectives: Patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) tend to be accompanied by biventricular impairment. We hypothesized that the combination of the aortic pulsatility index (API) and pulmonary artery pulsatility index (PAPI) could refine risk stratification in DCM. Methods: We studied 120 consecutive patients with advanced DCM who underwent right heart catheterization (RHC). The primary outcome was all-cause mortality within 1 year after RHC. We used the receiver operating characteristic curve to determine the optimal cut-off of API and PAPI to predict outcomes. Results: The optimal cut-offs of API (1.02) and PAPI (2.16) were used to classify patients into four groups. There were significant differences in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) among the four groups (both p<0.05).When delineating API by LVEF above or below the median (28%), the cumulative rate of survival in patients with API <1.02 was lower than that of those with API ≥1.02 in both higher and lower LVEF groups (both p<0.05). Similar trends were observed when delineating PAPI using TAPSE higher or lower than the cut-off (17 mm) (both p<0.05). The cumulative rate of survival in the API <1.02 and PAPI <2.16 group was lower than that in the API ≥1.02 and/or PAPI ≥2.16 (all p<0.05). Conclusions API and PAPI could add additional prognostic value to LVEF and TAPSE, respectively. The combination of API and PAPI could provide a comprehensive assessment of biventricular function and refine risk stratification.

Background and Objectives: Patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) tend to be accompanied by biventricular impairment. We hypothesized that the combination of the aortic pulsatility index (API) and pulmonary artery pulsatility index (PAPI) could refine risk stratification in DCM. Methods: We studied 120 consecutive patients with advanced DCM who underwent right heart catheterization (RHC). The primary outcome was all-cause mortality within 1 year after RHC. We used the receiver operating characteristic curve to determine the optimal cut-off of API and PAPI to predict outcomes. Results: The optimal cut-offs of API (1.02) and PAPI (2.16) were used to classify patients into four groups. There were significant differences in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) among the four groups (both p<0.05).When delineating API by LVEF above or below the median (28%), the cumulative rate of survival in patients with API <1.02 was lower than that of those with API ≥1.02 in both higher and lower LVEF groups (both p<0.05). Similar trends were observed when delineating PAPI using TAPSE higher or lower than the cut-off (17 mm) (both p<0.05). The cumulative rate of survival in the API <1.02 and PAPI <2.16 group was lower than that in the API ≥1.02 and/or PAPI ≥2.16 (all p<0.05). Conclusions API and PAPI could add additional prognostic value to LVEF and TAPSE, respectively. The combination of API and PAPI could provide a comprehensive assessment of biventricular function and refine risk stratification.

Background and Objectives: Patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) tend to be accompanied by biventricular impairment. We hypothesized that the combination of the aortic pulsatility index (API) and pulmonary artery pulsatility index (PAPI) could refine risk stratification in DCM. Methods: We studied 120 consecutive patients with advanced DCM who underwent right heart catheterization (RHC). The primary outcome was all-cause mortality within 1 year after RHC. We used the receiver operating characteristic curve to determine the optimal cut-off of API and PAPI to predict outcomes. Results: The optimal cut-offs of API (1.02) and PAPI (2.16) were used to classify patients into four groups. There were significant differences in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) among the four groups (both p<0.05).When delineating API by LVEF above or below the median (28%), the cumulative rate of survival in patients with API <1.02 was lower than that of those with API ≥1.02 in both higher and lower LVEF groups (both p<0.05). Similar trends were observed when delineating PAPI using TAPSE higher or lower than the cut-off (17 mm) (both p<0.05). The cumulative rate of survival in the API <1.02 and PAPI <2.16 group was lower than that in the API ≥1.02 and/or PAPI ≥2.16 (all p<0.05). Conclusions API and PAPI could add additional prognostic value to LVEF and TAPSE, respectively. The combination of API and PAPI could provide a comprehensive assessment of biventricular function and refine risk stratification.

The hope level of stroke patients affects their functional recovery and quality of life. This paper reviews the concept of hope, the measurement tools of hope level, the influencing factors of stroke patients' hope level, the impact of hope on stroke patients, and the intervention measures of hope level, aiming at improving the hope level of stroke patients and providing reference for formulating personalized psychological intervention for patients.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the antioxidant and cytotoxic properties of five diarylheptanoids (1-5) isolated from the rhizomes of Zingiber officinale.

METHODVarious models such as scavenging superoxide anions and 1,1-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals, inhibiting lipid peroxidation, as well as protecting of rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) were employed to assay the antioxidative effects of the diarylheptanoids. The cytotoxicities of compounds 1-5 were measured with MTT assays.

RESULTThe test compounds (1-5) showed promising DPPH inhibitory activities, and compound 5 exhibited the strongest DPPH scavenging activity with an IC50 value of (22.6+/-2.4) micromol x L(-1). Compounds 1, 3 and 4 showed potential anti-peroxidative effects with inhibitory rates of (66.3+/-15.4)%, (68.7+/-15.8)% and (72.2+/-10.6)%, respectively, at 100 microg x mL(-1). It could be observed that compounds 1, 3 and 4 demonstrated significant neuroprotective activities in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, compound 3 exhibited certain cytotoxicities against human chronic myelogenous leukemia cells (K562) and its adriamycin-resistant cells (K562/ADR) with IC50 values of (34.9+/-0.6), (50.6+/-23.5) micromol x L(-1), respectively.

CONCLUSIONIn vitro results demonstrated that five diarylheptanoids (1-5) isolated from the roots of Z. officinale were capable of scavenging radicals, inhibiting lipid peroxidation and protecting PC12 cells against the insult by H2O2. Additionally, compound 3 could inhibit the growth of K562 and K562/ADR cells.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; toxicity ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cytotoxins ; toxicity ; Diarylheptanoids ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; toxicity ; Free Radicals ; metabolism ; Ginger ; chemistry ; Humans ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; metabolism ; K562 Cells ; Oils, Volatile ; pharmacology ; PC12 Cells ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective:To investigate the expression of microRNA (miR) -26a in human skin fibroblasts during photoaging induced by ultraviolet A (UVA) , and to evaluate the effect of up-or down-regulation of miR-26a expression on the methylation level of the whole genome, the target gene enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) and cell aging.Methods:Some human skin fibroblasts were irradiated with 10 J/cm 2 UVA once a day for 7 consecutive days, RNA was extracted on days 0, 3 and 7, and real-time quantitative reverse PCR (RT-PCR) was performed to determine the expression of miR-26a; miR-26a mimics and inhibitors were transfected into fibroblasts to up-or down-regulate the expression of miR-26a respectively, and fluorescence microscopy and RT-PCR were performed to determine the expression of miR-26a and evaluate the transfection efficiency. Some human skin fibroblasts were divided into 6 groups: blank control group receiving no treatment, UVA group treated with UVA irradiation according to the above method, miR-26a mimic group transfected with miR-26a-mimics, UVA+miR-26a mimic group transfected with miR-26a-mimics followed by UVA irradiation, miR-26a inhibitor group transfected with miR-26a inhibitors, UVA+miR-26a inhibitor group transfected with miR-26a inhibitors followed by UVA irradiation. On day 7, cells in each group were collected after the end of UVA irradiation. Then, flow cytometry was performed to detect cell cycle, DNA methylation quantitative detection kit was used to detect the methylation level of whole genome, RT-PCR was conducted to determine the mRNA expression of EZH2 (a histone-lysine N-methyltransferase enzyme) , DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) and miR-26a, and Western blot analysis was performed to determine the protein expression of EZH2 and DNMT1. Statistical analysis was carried out by using one-way analysis of variance and least significant difference- t test. Results:Compared with the unirradiated control group, the expression of miR-26a gradually increased in the UVA irradiation group over time during the culture, and there was a significant difference in the expression of miR-26a between the two groups after 7 days of UVA irradiation ( t=5.295, P < 0.05) . Strong fluorescence signals were observed in the miR-26a mimic-or miR-26a inhibitor-transfected fibroblasts, suggesting a high transfection efficiency. Flow cytometry showed that the proportion of cells at G1 phase significantly differed among the blank control group, UVA group, miR-26a mimic group, UVA+miR-26a mimic group, miR-26a inhibitor group, and UVA+miR-26a inhibitor group (52.82% ± 2.56%, 78.56% ± 4.34%, 53.63% ± 3.13%, 89.52% ± 4.17%, 54.39% ± 3.86%, 65.34% ± 4.78%, respectively; F=46.728, P < 0.01) , and significantly higher in the UVA group than in the blank control group ( t=8.848, P < 0.01) , higher in the UVA+miR-26a mimic group than in the miR-26a mimic group and UVA group ( t=11.922, 3.154, P < 0.01, < 0.05, respectively) , and higher in the UVA+miR-26a inhibitor group than in the miR-26a-inhibitor group ( t=3.087, P < 0.05) , but significantly lower in the UVA+miR-26a inhibitor group than in the UVA group ( t=3.547, P < 0.05) . Detection of the genome-wide methylation level showed that the methylation level ( A450 value) significantly differed among the above groups (0.676 ± 0.024, 0.323 ± 0.043, 0.506 ± 0.035, 0.169 ± 0.024, 0.602 ± 0.036, 0.422 ± 0.029, respectively, F=97.402, P < 0.01) , and significantly lower in the UVA group than in the blank control group ( P < 0.01) , lower in the UVA+miR-26a mimic group than in the miR-26a mimic group and UVA group (both P < 0.01) , and lower in the UVA+miR-26a inhibitor group than in the miR-26a inhibitor group ( P < 0.01) , but significantly higher in the UVA+miR-26a inhibitor group than in the UVA group ( P < 0.05) . RT-PCR and Western blot analysis showed significant differences in the mRNA and protein expression of EZH2 and DNMT1 respectively among the 6 groups (both P < 0.05) , which were significantly lower in the UVA group than in the blank control group ( P < 0.05) , lower in the UVA+miR-26a mimic group than in the miR-26a mimic group and UVA group (both P < 0.05) , and lower in the UVA+miR-26a inhibitor group than in the miR-26a inhibitor group ( P < 0.05) , but significantly higher in the UVA+miR-26a inhibitor group than in the UVA group ( P < 0.05) . Conclusion:In the UVA irradiation-induced photoaging of skin fibroblasts, miR-26a expression was up-regulated, cellular proliferative activity and genome-wide methylation level decreased; up-regulation of miR-26a expression could down-regulate the expression of its target gene EZH2 and methylation-related gene DNM1, and promote cell photoaging, while down-regulation of miR-26a expression could up-regulate the expression of EZH2 and DNMT1, and inhibit cell photoaging.