OBJECTIVE:To establish a method for the determination of related substances in Thioctic acid injection. METH-ODS:HPLC was performed on the column of Agilent Eclipse Plus C18 with mobile phase A of 0.005 mol/L potassium dehydroge-nate phosphate solution(adjusted with phosphoric acid to pH 3.0 to 3.1)and B of methanol:aoetonitrile(1∶1,V/V)(gradient elu-tion) at a flow rate of 1.2 ml/min;detection wavelength was 215 nm,column temperature was 35 ℃,and the injection volume was 20 μl. RESULTS:Under the established chromatographic conditions,thioctic acid with impurities and its degradation products were well separated;the linear range of thioctic acid was 0.828-52.992 μg/ml(r=0.999 9);RSDs of precision and stability tests were lower than 3%;recovery of impurity A was 98.45%-105.73%(RSD=2.41%,n=9);the largest single impurity content in mass fraction was 0.152%-0.189%,the total impurity content in mass fraction was 0.487%-0.516%. CONCLUSIONS:The meth-od is simple,accurate,specific and sensitivity,and can be used to determine the related substances of the Thioctic acid injection.

Objective To evaluate the effect of curcumin pretreatment on c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway during one-lung ventilation (OLV)-induced acute lung injury in mice.Methods Ninety SPF male C57BL/6J mice,aged 6-9 weeks,weighing 18-24 g,were randomly divided into 6 groups (n=15 each) using a random number table:two-lung ventilation (TLV) group;OLV group;curcumin 100,150,200 and 250 mg/kg groups (C100,C150,C200 and C250 groups).The corresponding doses of curcumin were administered intraperitoneally at 2 h before one-lung ventilation in C100,C150,C200 and C250 groups.The animals were tracheally intubated and mechanically ventilated in volume-controlled mode.The ventilator settings were adjusted to maintain the end-tidal pressure of carbon dioxide at 35-45 mmHg.In OLV,C100,C150,C200 and C250 groups,unilateral lung was ventilated for 1.5 h followed by 0.5 h of TLV.Bilateral lungs were ventilated for 2.0 h in group TLV.Peak airway pressure and airway pressure were recorded at 1.5 h of OLV and 0.5 h of TLV.At the end of mechanical ventilation,left lungs were removed for microscopic examination of the pathologic changes,and the index of quantitative assessment for alveolar damage (IQA) was recorded.Wet/dry lung weight ratio (W/D ratio) was determined,and the cell apoptosis in lung tissues was detected using TUNEL.The apoptosis index (AI) was calculated.The expression of JNK mRNA was determined using real-time polymerase chain reaction.The expression of JNK and phosphorylated JNK was determined by Western blot.The phosphorylation of JNK was calculated.Results Compared with group TLV,the IQA,W/D ratio,AI,expression of JNK mRNA and phosphorylation of JNK were significantly increased in group OLV (P＜0.05).Compared with group OLV,the IQA,W/D ratio,AI,expression ofJNK mRNA and phosphorylation of JNK were significantly decreased in C150,C200 and C250 groups,the parameters mentioned above were significantly decreased in sequence in C100,C150,C200 and C250 groups (P＜0.05),and no significant change was found in the parameters mentioned above in group C100 (P＞ 0.05).Compared with group OLV,the pathological changes were significantly attenuated in sequence in C150,C200 and C250 groups.Conclusion The mechanism by which curcumin pretreatment reduces cell apoptosis during OLV-induced acute lung injury is related to inhibition of JNK signaling pathway activation in mice.

ObjectiveTo analyze the characteristic of the T peak-end interval (Tpe) in dilated cardiomyopathy(DCM) patients with heart failure and its significance in evaluation of global dispersion of ventricular repolarization.MethodsFifty-three inpatients were enrolled in this study,which included 28patients with DCM and heart failure (DCM group),and 25 patients with supraventricular tachycardia and without structural heart disease (control group).The Tpe and the dispersion of QT interval (QTd) from the 12-lead surface electrocardiogram(ECG) were acquired and measured,and consequently the corrected numerals of the average of Tpe (Tpe-AVEC),the maximal Tpe (Tpe-MAXC) were acquired.ResultsThe levels of Tpe-AVEC,Tpe-MAXC and QTd in DCM group were significantly higher than those in control group [ ( 106.31 ±26.34) ms vs.(82.72 ± 10.01 ) ms,(234.05 ± 69.75) ms vs.( 119.15 ± 11.55 ) ms,( 119.17 ± 67.62) ms vs.( 39.74 ± 17.04 ) ms ] ( P ＜ 0.05 or ＜ 0.01 ).ConclusionsThe global dispersion of ventricular repolarization is significantly increased in patients with DCM and heart failure.The Tpe-AVEC and Tpe-MAxc are recommended to be used for evaluating the dispersion of ventricular repolarization as the prognostic index in patients with DCM and heart failure.

Objective Mechanisms of pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for atrial fibrillation remain controversy.This study aimed to investigate the impact of PVI on vagal modulation to atria.Methods Eighteen adult mongrel dogs under general anesthesia were randomly divided into two groups.Bilateral cervical sympathovagal trunks were decentralized and sympathetic effects was blocked by metoprolol administration.Atrial electrical remodeling (AER) was established by rapid right atrial pacing at the rate of 600 bpm for 30 minutes.PVI was performed in group A.Atrial effective refractory period (ERP),vulnerability window (VW) of atrial fibrillation,and sinus rhythm cycle length (SCL) were measured at baseline and during vagal stimulation before and after atrial rapid pacing with and without PVI at fight atrial appendage (RAA),left atrial appendage (LAA),distal coronary sinus (CSd) and proximal coronary sinus (CSp).Results (1) Effects of PVI on vagal modulation:Shortening of SCL during vagal stimulation decreased significantly after PVI compared with that before PVI in group A (P＜0.001).Shortening of ERP during vagal stimulation decreaseed significantly after PVI compared with that before PVI (P＜0.05).VW of atrial fibrillation during vagal stimulation decreased significantly after PVI compared with that before PVI (P＜0.05).(2) Effects of PVI on AER:shortening of ERP before and after atrial rapid pacing increased significantly at baseline and vagal stimulation in group B compared with that in group A (P＜0.05).VW during vagal stimulation increased significantly after atrial rapid pacing in group B (P＜0.05).Conclusion PVI attenuates the vagal modulation to the atria,thereby decreases the susceptibility to atrial fibrillation mediated by vagal activity.PVI releases AER,which maybe contributes to the vagal denervation.Our study indicates that PVI not only can eradicate triggered foci but also modify substrates for AF.(J Geriatr Cardiol 2008;5:28-32)

Objective To evaluate the effect of CT temporal subtraction(TS) for detection of lung nodules.Methods 80 cases of CT images (current and previous CT images) and corresponding CT TS images were presented, which included 30 cases with nodules(75 nodules) and 50 controls.4 observers, including 2 radiologists and 2 residents, indicated their confidence level regarding the presence of a new emerging or larger or solid component than before,which first used standard CT images, then with the addition of CT TS images.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve analysis was used to evaluate the observers'' performance.Results The mean value of the area under the ROC curve (AUC) were 0.860 and 0.925 for four observers without and with TS images,respectively(P<0.01).Average sensitivity for detection of lung nodules was improved from 77.3%(58/75) to 89.3%(67/75) by using CT TS images.Conclusion The use of CT TS images can significantly improve radiologists'' performance for detection of lung nodules,especially when a small size solid or subsolid nodule presents near the pulmonary hilum.CT TS is more helpful for residents.

Objective To evaluate the performance of bone suppression images on the detection of lung nodules in comparison with the radiologists'reading results.Methods There were 141 standard posteroanterior digital chest radiographs,which included 95 patients with a solitary nodule and 46 controls.In this observational study,4 observers,including 2 radiologists and 2 residents,in-dicated their confidence level regarding the presence of a nodule for each lung,first by use of standard images,then with the addition of bone suppression images.Receiver operating characteristic (ROC)curve analysis was used to evaluate the observers'performance. Results Average nodule size was (1.9±1)cm (range from 0.9 cm to 2.9 cm).The mean value of the area under the ROC curve (AUC)was significantly improved from 0.844 with use of standard images alone to 0.873 with use of bone suppression images (P<0.01).Conclusion The use of bone suppression images can improve radiologists'performance on detection of lung nodules on chest radiographs.

0.05]. Conclusion:Besides the enlargement of LA,the volume of LAA and the area of LAA ostium were significantly increased in AF patients.Preprocedural assessment of LAA ostium should be helpful for the selection of occlusion devices.Because LAA is be very close to LCX,the selection of AF ablation strategies should be carefully taken to avoid possible damage of LCX.

The Long-term Thromboembolic Event Analysis in Atrial Fibrillation Patients With Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation
Objective: To observe the thromboembolic event in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with long-term successful radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA), and to study the relationship between thromboembolic event and CHA2DS2-VASC score in order to guide the anticoagulation strategy for AF patients.
Methods: A total of 321 AF patients who received RFCA in our hospital from 2000-01 to 2009-05 were studied. There were 261 patients with paroxysmal AF and 60 with persistent AF, they were followed-up for (66.7±26.9) months. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to AF recurrence condition as Non-recurrence group, n=204 and Recurrence group, n=117. The relationship between thromboembolic event and CHA2DS2-VASC score was studied.
Results: The Non-recurrence group had significantly lower rate of thromboembolism than that in Recurrence group (1.96% vs 7.69%), P=0.017. In both groups, the patients with CHA2DS2-VASC score < 2 had much lower rate of thromboembolism than those with CHA2DS2-VASC score ≥ 2, (0% vs 5%), P=0.023 and (4.45% vs 17.24%), P=0.041. The patients with CHA2DS2-VASC score<2 in Non-recurrence group had lower rate of thromboembolism than those in Recurrence group (0%vs 4.45%), P=0.029. The rate of thromboembolism had no statistic meaning between 2 groups in patients with CHA2DS2-VASC score≥2 (5%vs 17.24%), P=0.054.
Conclusion: The AF patients who received RFCA without AF recurrence in long-term follow-up had the lower rate of thromboembolic event, CHA2DS2-VASC score was important for evaluating such event. The patients with CHA2DS2-VASC score < 2 could consider stopping warfarin anticoagulation, while the patients with CHA2DS2-VASC score ≥ 2 might be beneifted for warfarin anticoagulation.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the action of miRNA-326 on its target gene BCL-XL and the molecular mechanism of platelet apoptosis regulated by miRNAs. METHODS: Dual-luciferase vectors containing respectively the wild-type and mutant 3'-untranslated region (3'UTR) fragments of the BCL-XL gene were constructed with firefly and renilla luciferases and transfected into 293T cells. Relative fluorescence intensities of the transfected cells were measured. RESULTS: Dual-luciferase reporter gene vectors for PsiCHECK- BCL-XL -3'UTR-WT (wild-type) and PsiCHECK- BCL-XL -3' UTR-MT (variant) were respectively constructed. Relative fluorescence intensities of the 293T cells co-transfected by miRNA-326 and PsiCHECK- BCL-XL -3'UTR-WT plasmid were significantly lower compared with the control group (co-transfected by a miRNA-326 negative sequence and PsiCHECK- BCL-XL -3' UTR-WT plasmid) ( P = 0.034). The relative fluorescence intensity was also significantly reduced in cells co-transfected by miRNA-326 and PsiCHECK- BCL-XL -3' UTR-WT plasmid compared with the mutant control group co-transfected by miRNA-326 and PsiCHECK- BCL-XL -3'UTR-MT plasmid (P = 0.022). CONCLUSION miRNA-326 may participate in the regulation of platelet apoptosis by acting on the 3'-UTR of the BCL-XL gene.

The dynamic polar polymers actin filaments and microtubules are usually employed to provide the structural basis for establishing cell polarity in most eukaryotic cells. Radially round and immotile spermatids from nematodes contain almost no actin or tubulin, but still have the ability to break symmetry to extend a pseudopod and initiate the acquisition of motility powered by the dynamics of cytoskeleton composed of major sperm protein (MSP) during spermiogenesis (sperm activation). However, the signal transduction mechanism of nematode sperm activation and motility acquisition remains poorly understood. Here we show that Ca(2+) oscillations induced by the Ca(2+) release from intracellular Ca(2+) store through inositol (1,4,5)-trisphosphate receptor are required for Ascaris suum sperm activation. The chelation of cytosolic Ca(2+) suppresses the generation of a functional pseudopod, and this suppression can be relieved by introducing exogenous Ca(2+) into sperm cells. Ca(2+) promotes MSP-based sperm motility by increasing mitochondrial membrane potential and thus the energy supply required for MSP cytoskeleton assembly. On the other hand, Ca(2+) promotes MSP disassembly by activating Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent serine/threonine protein phosphatase calcineurin. In addition, Ca(2+)/camodulin activity is required for the fusion of sperm-specifi c membranous organelle with the plasma membrane, a regulated exocytosis required for sperm motility. Thus, Ca(2+) plays multifunctional roles during sperm activation in Ascaris suum.
Animals ; Ascaris suum ; metabolism ; Calcineurin ; metabolism ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Calmodulin ; metabolism ; Cytoskeleton ; metabolism ; Cytosol ; metabolism ; Egtazic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Helminth Proteins ; metabolism ; Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptors ; metabolism ; Male ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial ; physiology ; Mitochondria ; metabolism ; Pseudopodia ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatids ; drug effects ; physiology ; Spermatogenesis ; Type C Phospholipases ; metabolism