Objective To assess the volume and function of right atrium(RA) in patients with chronic pulmonary hypertension(PH) by echocardiography and explore the influencing factors of these changes.Methods The study include 20 healthy participants as the control group and 57 patients with chronic PH as the case group.The patients were divided into three groups: low-grade PH, midrange PH and severe PH.Maximal RA volume index(VmaxI), minimal RA volume index(VminI), pre-atrial contraction RA volume index( VpreI), reservoir volume index(RVI), conduit volume index(CVI), contraction-chamber volume index (CCVI) were measured and calculated.The diameter of tricuspid valve and the late-diastole peak velocity of the bloodstream(Va) were measured,and then RA ejection force(RAEF) could be calculated.Systolic strain rate(RASRs), early diastolic strain rate (RASRe), and late diastolic strain rate (RASRa) of RA free wall were measured respectively.The correlation between pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PASP), right ventricular ejection fraction(RVEF),the tissue Doppler of RV free wall(Ea/Aa) and the parameters of RA were analysed,and the main factors influencing the volume and function of RA were exploxed.Results With the rising of PASP, the RA volume changed obviously.And CCVI, RAEF, RVI, RASRs and the absolute value of RASRa increased gradually, but CVI decreased gradually.PASP, RVEF and Ea/Aa correlated with the parameters of RA.The main factors influencing the Vprel were EDVI, Ea/Aa and the course of disease,and VpreI and PASP mainly influenced the RAEF.Conclusions In patients with chronic PH the volume and function of RA changed,and some index of which was infuenced by PASP, RVEF, Ea/Aa and so on.

Objective To investigate right ventricular(RV) dyssynchrony in patients with pulmonary hypertension(PH)by strain imaging.Methods Sixty PH patients were divided into three groups according to the pulmonary artery systolic pressure(PASP),20 healthy volunteers served as control group.RV structures parameters included RV end-diastolic area(RVEDA),end-systolic area(RVESA),the ratio of RV diameter and LV diameter(RVTD/LVTD).RV function parameters included RV fractional area change (RVFAC)and Tei index.RV strain parameters included the maxmal differences of the peak systolic strain(Max-ΔPST)and the maxmal differences of the time to peak systolic strain(Max-ΔT_(Q-S))of each segment.Results Compared with control group, Max-ΔT_(Q-S) and Max-ΔPST of PH groups were significantly larger (P<0.01).Max-ΔT_(Q-S) had strong correlations with PASP and RV structure and function parameters(P<0.01).Max-ΔPST had good correlations with PASP and Tei-index(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusions PH patients exhibit right ventricular dyssynchrony which correlates with right ventricular function and structure parameters.Right ventricular dyssynchrony parameters could evaluate right ventricular function in PH patients early by strain imaging.

Objective Allograft vasculopathy (AV), feature of chronic rejection, is a major serious long-term post-operation complication in organ transplantation. The accurate mechanisms for AV have not been definitively established, but extensive basic and clinical studies demonstrate AV is triggered by immune reaction and nonimmunologic factors, and also possibly attributed to the metabolism of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA). Methods The transplanted hearts from Lewis to Sprague-Dawely rats served as allografts and those from Lewis to Lewis rats as isografts based on Ono 's model. The differential proteins in transplanted hearts were separated by comparative proteomic technique, and some enzymes which regulated the metabolism of BCAA were identified and validated.Results All transplanted hearts at second week postoperation were characterized by lumen loss (total area-luminal area/total area) in coronary artery, but more predominant at 8th week. All samples from the left ventricles were analyzed by proteomic techniques and the subunits E1 a, E1β and E3 of branched-chain α-ketoacid dehydrogenase (BCKDH) complex were decreased in the heart allografts.Immunohistological detection also showed the expression of BCKDH was reduced not only in the cardiac muscle but also more significantly in blool vessels with cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV).BCAA concentrations were increased in the cardiac allografts, but there was no difference in the serum. Conclusion These findings suggest that the catabolic pathways of the BCAA may be inhibited owing to the reduced expression of BCKDH complex, and elevated intracellular concentrations of leucine. The vascular smooth muscle cell and cardiac muscle cell proliferation is stimulated via mTOR-dependent and mTOR-independent pathways, which is associated with the formation of myocardial hypertrophy and AV in the heart allografts.

BACKGROUND:Porous poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate)/calcium metaphosphate composite membranes prepared previously is too thick and uneven in holes.
OBJECTIVE:To prepare the thin even porous poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate)/calcium metaphosphate composite membrane, and to evaluate the cytocompatibility and differentiation capacity.
METHODS:Porous and nonporous, thin and even poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate)/calcium metaphosphate composite membranes were prepared by phase separation method. Its thickness and weight loss rate were determined. Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s were cocultured with porous and nonporous poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate)/calcium metaphosphate composite membranes for 7 days. Ultrastructure of composite membranes was observed under the scanning electron microscopy. Surface markers of the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s on the composite membranes were analyzed using flow cytometry.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The thickness of the porous and nonporous composite membranes was (0.041 ± 0.005) mm and (0.058±0.004) mm. Weight loss rates of porous and nonporous composite membranes were respectively 19.93%and 7.64%at 24 hours. Calcium metaphosphate particles were evenly distributed in porous and nonporous composite membrane. Cel s spread entirely, showing spindle shape. Calcium metaphosphate particles were evenly distributed in porous composite membrane. Pore in porous composite membranes was also uniformly distributed, and pore size was about 2-8μm. Cel s spread entirely, showing polygonal shape with multiple tentacles. The tentacles of some cel s entered into the scaffold. CD105, CD90, CD44, CD29 and CD73 expression was detected in porous and nonporous composite membranes. There was no significant difference in cel-positive rate. Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate)/calcium metaphosphate composite membranes prepared in this study has good biocompatibility and could not promote cel differentiation.

Objective To investigate the effect of Xing-Zhi-Yi-Nao (XZYN) particles on the expressions of Nogo and OMgp proteins in brain of rats after acute carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.Methods A total of 120 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal group,CO poisoning group and XZYN particles treatment group (40 rats in each group).The rats in CO poisoning group and treatment group of acute CO poisoning were established by using an animal chamber,and then received hyperbaric oxygen therapy.Meanwhile,rats in treatment group were further given additional XZYN particles twice a day by gavage.At 1 day,1 week,1 month and 2 months after CO poisoning,the neurobehavioral score of rats was evaluated by a Morris water maze test and a shuttle box test,and the expressions of neurite outgrowth inhibitor (Nogo) and oligodendrocyte-myelin glycoprotein (OMgp) were investigated in rat brain tissue by immunohistochemistry staining and western blotting assay,respectively.Results Compared with those in normal control group((11.6±8.4)s,(41.8±4.4)%,(16.1±2.3)s,and (1.2±0.2)s),the escape latency in CO group was significantly prolonged ((14.1±6.1)s),and the T1/ T total was obviously decreased (23.6±2.4) %,the escape time ((26.3±3.8)s),the active escape latency ((2.3±0.3)s) were notably extended at 1 d (P<0.05).The cognitive dysfunction caused by CO poisoning was more obvious in the later stage of poisoning (from 1 week to 2 months,P<0.05).Compared with those in CO group,the escape latency was significantly shortened (from (3.5±0.6)s to (3.1±0.5)s),the T1/ T total was gradually increased (from (29.7±3.2)% to (36.7±3.2)%),the escape time (from (39.7±5.4)s to (18.1±2.0)s) and the active escape latency were obviously decreased (from (4.3±0.4)s to (2.1±0.2)s) in the later stage (>1 week) in Xing-Zhi-Yi-Nao treatment group (P<0.05).The expressions of Nogo and Omgp proteins in brain tissue in CO poisoning group were gradually increased as time went by.The increased expressions of Nogo and Omgp proteins were still observed at 1 month after CO poisoning.By contrast,XZYN particles could significantly improve cognitive function,reduce the expression of Nogo protein,and there was statistical difference compared with the poisoning group (P<0.05).However,the level of Omgp protein in XZYN treatment group was slightly lower than that in CO poisoning group,but there was no difference between the two groups (P>0.05).Conclusion The expression of Nogo and Omgp proteins may be associated with brain injury and demyelination in rats induced by CO poisoning.XZYN particles can down-regulate the expression of Nogo,and pave a way for the treatment of acute brain damage and delayed encephalopathy after CO poisoning.

BACKGROUND:Calcium metaphosphate has excel ent biocompatibility, degradability, and cel affinity. Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s can grow and proliferate in the pores of the porous calcium metaphosphate, but less is known about calcium metaphosphate nanoparticles.
OBJECTIVE:To prepare calcium metaphosphate nanoparticles, and to analyze the effect of calcium metaphosphate nanoparticles at different concentrations on apoptosis of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s by flow cytometry.
METHODS:The calcium metaphosphate nanoparticles were prepared by wet bal mil ing. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were used to observe the morphology of the calcium metaphosphate nanoparticles, and the crystal structure of nanoparticles was analyzed by X-ray diffraction. Calcium metaphosphate nanoparticles were mixed in the CYAGON Oricel TM basal medium, and the concentrations of calcium metaphosphate nanoparticles in the medium were 10, 1, 0.1 mg/L. Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s were cultured for 7 days in the above-mentioned media, and apoptosis of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s was analyzed by flow cytometry.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Calcium metaphosphate nanoparticles were successful y prepared by wet bal mil ing, irregular in shape, and the mean diameter was 10-30 nm. X-ray diffraction results showed the crystal structure of nonaparticles was mainlyβ-Ca(PO3)2. The cel ratio of G0/G1 phase and G2/M phase in 10 mg/L group was obviously higher than that in 1, 0.1 mg/L groups (P<0.01). The cel apoptosis rates during the early, middle, late stages in 10 mg/L group were obviously higher than those in 1, 0.1 mg/L groups (P<0.01), and the total cel apoptosis was also significantly increased in 10 mg/L group (P<0.01). These findings indicate that human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s proliferation can be inhibited by calcium metaphosphate nanoparticles, and apoptosis rate is increased significantly when the concentration of calcium metaphosphate nanoparticles increases from 1 mg/L to 10 mg/L.

Human acute premyeloid leukemia cell cDNA expression library was constructed to screen acute premyeloid leukemia tumor antigen. Total RNA and purified mRNA were extracted from human premyeloid cell line NB4. First and second strands of cDNA were synthesized by reverse transcription. After blunting, the cDNA fragments were ligated with EcoR I adapters. Then the cDNAs were digested with Xho I, and less than 400 bp cDNA fragment was removed by Sephacryl-S400 spin column, the remaining were ligated with lambdaZAP vector. The recombinants were packaged in vitro, and a small portion of packaged phage was used to infect E. coli XL1-Blue-MRF' for titration. The recombinants were examined by color selection. In order to evaluate the size of cDNA inserts and the diversity of library, the pBK-CMV phagemid was excised from the ZAP express vector by using ExAssist helper phage with XLOLR strain, and then the pBK-CMV phagemid was digested by Xho I and EcoR I. The results showed that the NB4 cell line cDNA library consisting of 1.65 x 10(6) recombinant bacteriophages was constructed with the recombinant ratio of 99.6%. The average length of the recombinant exogenous inserts was about 1.7 kb. It was concluded that the constructed cDNA library are deserved to screen target clones.
Bacteriophages/genetics ; DNA, Complementary/*biosynthesis ; *DNA, Neoplasm/biosynthesis ; DNA, Recombinant/biosynthesis ; *Gene Library ; Genetic Vectors ; Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute/*genetics ; Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute/metabolism ; Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute/pathology ; RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase/metabolism ; Transcription, Genetic/genetics

Objective:To evaluate the effect of acupuncture of Zhukeyuanluo principle and Buzhong Yiqi Decoction on obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).Methods:Randomized controlled trial. A total of 104 patients with OSAHS in our hospital from January 2017 to January 2022 who met the inclusion criteria were divided into 2 groups according to random number table method, with 52 patients in each group. The Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) group was treated with Buzhong Yiqi Decoction on the basis of conventional western medicine treatment, and the acupuncture and medicine group was treated with the combination of primary and primary collaterals and acupoints. Both groups were treated continuously for 2 months. Epworth Lethargy Scale and Stanford Self-Rated Lethargy Scale (SSS) were used to assess the degree of lethargy. The serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 were detected by ELISA. The hemoglobin, RBC and mean RBC volume levels were detected by automatic blood cell analyzer. apnea hypopnea index (AHI), apnea index (AI), hypopnea index (HI) and arterial oxygen saturation (SaO 2) were monitored by polysomnographic sleep monitor to evaluate the clinical effect. Results:The total effective rate was 94.2% (49/52) in the acupuncture group and 82.7% (43/52) in the TCM group, and there was significant difference between the two groups ( χ2=6.73, P=0.035). After treatment, the Epworth Lethargy Scale and SSS scores in the acupuncture and medicine group were significantly lower than those in the TCM group ( t=-8.19 and -5.48, respectively, P<0.01); AHI [(15.64±2.81) times/h vs. (19.82±3.05) times/h, t=-7.27], HI [(5.53±1.28) times/h vs. (7.37±1.34) times/h, t=-7.16], AI [(8.13±1.95) times/h vs. (10.98±2.26) times/h, t=-6.89] in the acupuncture and medicine group were significantly lower than those in the TCM group ( P<0.01), SaO 2 [(92.77±2.91) % vs. (89.53±2.44) %, t=6.15] in the acupuncture and medicine group was significantly higher than that of the TCM group ( P<0.01). The levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 in serum in the acupuncture and medicine group were significantly lower than those in the TCM group ( t=-2.62, -3.14 and -6.58, P<0.01). The levels of hemoglobin, RBC and mean red blood cell volume were in the acupuncture and medicine group were significantly lower than those in the TCM group ( t=-2.11, -2.92, -2.48, P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusion:The acupuncture of Zhukeyuanluo principle combined with Buzhong Yiqi Decoction can reduce the serum inflammatory cytokines level in OSAHS patients, increase SaO 2, reduce AHI, HI, AI and lethargy degree, and improve clinical effects.

Human acute premyeloid leukemia cell cDNA expression library was constructed to screen acute premyeloid leukemia tumor antigen. Total RNA and purified mRNA were extracted from human premyeloid cell line NB4. First and second strands of cDNA were synthesized by reverse transcription. After blunting, the cDNA fragments were ligated with EcoR I adapters. Then the cDNAs were digested with Xho I, and less than 400 bp cDNA fragment was removed by Sephacryl-S400 spin column, the remaining were ligated with lambdaZAP vector. The recombinants were packaged in vitro, and a small portion of packaged phage was used to infect E. coli XL1-Blue-MRF' for titration. The recombinants were examined by color selection. In order to evaluate the size of cDNA inserts and the diversity of library, the pBK-CMV phagemid was excised from the ZAP express vector by using ExAssist helper phage with XLOLR strain, and then the pBK-CMV phagemid was digested by Xho I and EcoR I. The results showed that the NB4 cell line cDNA library consisting of 1.65 x 10(6) recombinant bacteriophages was constructed with the recombinant ratio of 99.6%. The average length of the recombinant exogenous inserts was about 1.7 kb. It was concluded that the constructed cDNA library are deserved to screen target clones.
Bacteriophages ; genetics ; DNA, Complementary ; biosynthesis ; DNA, Neoplasm ; biosynthesis ; DNA, Recombinant ; biosynthesis ; Gene Library ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase ; metabolism ; Transcription, Genetic ; genetics

Objective:To explore the clinical value of point-of-care ultrasonography(PoCUS) in the diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism(PE).Methods:Consecutive 196 patients suspected of acute PE were enrolled in East Branch, the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2017 to November 2017. All the patients were categorized into no PE group( n=143) and PE group( n=53) based on CTPA results. PoCUS was performed and considered diagnostic for PE if one or more right ventricular dysfunction (right ventricular dilation, right ventricular free wall hypokinesia, increased tricuspid regurgitation velocity or decreased tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion), deep venous thrombosis(DVT) or subpleural infarcts were detected. Results:With CTPA as the gold standard for diagnosis, the sensitivity (94.34%), Youden index (0.531) and the area under the ROC curve(AUC) (0.765) of the combined diagnosis of PE by transthoracic echocardiography(TTE), lower limb vein compression ultrasonography(CUS) and lung ultrasonography (LUS) were the highest. The specificity (94.41%) and accuracy (81.63%) of LUS in the diagnosis of PE were the highest, and the misdiagnosis rate (5.59%) of LUS the lowest. The sensitivity of the combined triple PoCUS (TTE, CUS, and LUS) diagnosis of PE was higher than TTE and CUS combined diagnosis ( P=0.016), and the sensitivity and specificity were higher than TTE and CUS combined diagnosis as a whole ( P<0.005). Conclusions:The combined triple PoCUS (TTE, CUS, and LUS) has the highest accuracy in the diagnosis of PE, while LUS has a high specificity and a low misdiagnosis rate in the diagnosis of PE. Therefore, it is recommended to apply the combined triple PoCUS in clinical practice.