AIM: To investigate the expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in the myocardium of spontaneously hypertensive rats and the relationship of the hypertensive ventricular remodeling, myocardial fibrosis and whether irbesartan alter this expression. METHEDS: 20 twenty-week-old male spontaneously hypertensive rats were randomly assigned to SHR group and irbesartan group (n=10 in each), and 10 twenty-week-old male Wistar Kyoto rats were considered as WKY group. Rats in irbesartan group were given a daily dose of 50 mg?kg~-1 irbesartan for 12 weeks by gavage and the other two groups were fed with a normal diet. TGF-?1 and CTGF were evaluated by qualitative and semiquantitative immunohistochemical staining and semiquantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. MASSON staining were used in the study of total collagen in left ventricular interstitial tissue. RESULTS: Compared with the WKY group, the left ventricular wight index(LVI), collagen volume fraction (CVF), perivascular collagen area (PVCA) and the expression of TGF-?1, CTGF and its mRNA in left ventricular increased in SHR group (P

Objective To investigate the regulation effect of irbesartan on the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) mRNA in the kidney of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Methods Twenty 14-week-old male SHR were randomly divided to SHR group (n=10) and irbesartan group (n=10); ten 14-week-old male WKY group were served as control. Irbesartan group was given a daily dose of 50 mg/kg irbesartan for 12 weeks by gavage and the other two groups were fed with a normal diet. ACE2 in kidney was examined by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. Plasma angiotensin II in each group were estimated by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Results The ACE2 mRNA expression was significantly down-regulated in the kidney of SHR group compared with WKY group (0. 72?0. 11 vs 1. 11?0. 15). After 12 weeks treatment with irbesartan, the attenuated ACE2 expression in irbesartan group was markedly enhanced compared with SHR group (1. 03?0. 13 vs 0. 72?. 0. 11). ACE2 mRNA expression in SHR kidney was correlated significantly with plasm angiotensin II level. (r = 0. 83, P

AIM: To investigate the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE_2) in the renal of spontaneously hypertensive rats and the effects of angiotensin type-1 receptor blockade. METHODS: Twenty of 14-week-old male SHR were randomly divided into two groups (n=10 in each): SHR group and irbesartan group. Ten of 14-week-old male WKY group were served as control. Irbesartan group were given a daily dose of 50 mg?kg -1 irbesartan for 12 weeks by gavage and the other two groups were fed with a normal diet. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 was examined by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. RESULTS: ACE_2 in the renal was significantly down-regulated in the SHR group compared with the WKY group ( 0.72? 0.11 vs 1.11? 0.15). After 12 weeks treatment with irbesartan, the attenuated ACE_2 expression in irbesartan group was markedly enhanced compared with the SHR group ( 1.03? 0.13 vs 0.72? 0.11). CONCLUSION: Hypertension induces the reduction of ACE_2 in the renal in rats and irbesartan markedly increases ACE_2 expression. It suggests that up-regulation ACE_2 which is one of counter-regulatory particular components in the renin-angiotensin system may be a new mechanism of curing hypertension beyond blockade angiotensin type-1 receptor.

Objective:To evaluate the application high-resolution 3.0-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in diagnosis of ligament and tendon injuries of the forefeet.Methods:From September 2014 to August 2020, 40 patients with forefeet injury (40 forefoot) and 20 healthy subjects (40 forefoot) meeting the including and excluding criteria were enrolled into this retrospective study. All subjects underwent MRI T1-weighted image (T1WI) and fat suppression proton density-weighted imaging (PD-FS) scan on coronal planes, sagittal planes and axial planes, respectively. Then the MRI characteristics of tendons in forefoot of healthy subjects and patients with forefoot injuries were compared. In patients the MR features of ligament and tendons injury were compared with the surgical findings or follow-up results.Results:In 20 normal subjects the tendons and ligament of the forefoot showed homogeneous low-signal-intensity on T1WI and PD-FS images. In the 40 patients with forefoot injuries, 22 cases were confirmed by surgical findings and 18 cases were confirmed by follow-up results. There were 8 cases of collateral ligament injuries, including 2 cases with complete tear, 3 cases with partial tear and 3 cases with sprain; 2 cases of extensor tendon with partial tear; 8 cases of flexor tendon injuries, including 3 cases with complete tear, 3 cases with partial tear and 2 cases with sprain; 3 cases of abductor tendon with partial tear; 13 cases of plantar plate injuries; and 6 cases of Lisfranc ligament injuries including 5 cases with complete tear and 1 case with partial tear. The injured ligament and tendons presented thicker and discontinuity in T1WI; and demonstrated heterogeneously increased signal intensity with edema in the surrounding soft tissues in PD-FS. The partially torn ligament and tendons showed discontinuity and thickening; and the completely torn ligament and tendons showed that they were interrupted and retracted, fiber structure disappeared and was filled with liquid, and edema in the surrounding soft tissue.Conclusion:High resolution magnetic resonance imaging of the forefoot can demonstrate the anatomy and features of ligament and tendon injuries in forefoot accurately, which has clinical application value for the early diagnosis and accurate treatment of the injury.

A simple plasma spraying method was employed in coating hydroxyapaptite (HA) on to carbon/carbon composites (C/C composites). The morphology of the coating was examined under scanning electron microscope (SEM). The phase constitutions of the HA coating were determined by X-ray diffractometer (XRD). The shear strength of the HA coating-C/C composite substrates was detected. A hydroxyapatite coating with rough surface was observed. A considerable amount of amorphous phase appeared as a result from the coating process, which could be transformed into the morphous phase crystalline HA after subsequent heat treatment. The shear strength between the HA coating and C/C composite substrates was 7.15 MPa.
Bone Substitutes ; chemistry ; Carbon ; chemistry ; Carbon Compounds, Inorganic ; chemistry ; Coated Materials, Biocompatible ; chemistry ; Durapatite ; pharmacology ; Humans

Objective:To explore the clinical characteristics, plasma levels of hydrogen sulfide(H 2S) and the relationship between the genotype and phenotype of cardiovascular involvement in children with methylmalonic acidemia and homocystinemia. Methods:The clinical and laboratory data of 66 outpatients diagnosed with methylmalonic acidemia combined with homocystinemia in Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital from January 2014 to July 2014 were collected and analyzed respectively, and the patients were divided into 2 groups: cardiovascular involvement group (10 cases) and non-cardiovascular involvement group(56 cases). The differences in the clinical characteristics, plasma levels of H 2S and genotypes were compared between 2 groups. Results:(1) There were 45 cases of early-onset children under 1 year old, including 4 cases of cardiovascular system involvement and 41 cases of non-cardiovascular system involvement.Twenty-one cases had onset above 1 year old, including 6 cases of cardiovascular system involvement and 15 cases of non-cardiovascular system involvement. There were 44 male children, including 8 cases with cardiovascular system involvement and 36 cases without cardiovascular system involvement; 22 cases female children, including 2 cases with cardiovascular system involvement and 20 cases without cardiovascular system involvement. There was no significant difference in onset age and gender distribution between the 2 groups ( χ2=2.910, 0.368, all P>0.05). (2)In the 10 cases with cardiovascular involvement, there were 3 cases with hypertension, 2 cases with hypertension combined with pulmonary hypertension, 2 cases with mild myocardial hypertrophy, 1 case with atrial septal defect combined with pulmonary hypertension, 1 case with pulmonary hypertension, 1 case with myocardial noncompaction.Compared with the non-cardiovascular involvement group, the proportion of kidney involvement was increased and that of nervous system was decreased in cardiovascular system involvement group( χ2=20.34, 5.79, all P<0.05), the proportion of hematological system involvement between the 2 groups had no significant differences ( χ2=1.28, P>0.05). The plasma levels of hydrogen sulfide of children with cardiovascular involvement was significantly lower than that of non-cardiovascular involvement[(33.8±3.6) μmol/L vs.(39.3±5.2) μmol/L, t=-3.22, P<0.01]. (3) MMACHC gene mutation (cblC type) was identified in all 46 patients.It was found that the most common type of gene mutation was c. 80A>G in cardiovascular involvement group, while c. 609G>A was the most common type of gene mutation in non-cardiovascular involvement group. Conclusions:The clinical manifestations of children with methylmalonic acidemia and homocystinemia involving cardiovascular system are multiple and prone to multiple system involvement, especially renal involvement.A decrease in plasma hydrogen sulfide levels may be involved in the involvement of its cardiovascular system.The MMACHC gene c. 80A>G mutation is the most common genetic mutation site in children with cardiovascular involvement with methylmalonic acidemia and homocystinemia.

Objective:To explore the feasibility of MRI to assist the early diagnosis of midfoot tendon and ligament injuries.Methods:Fifty-two patients with midfoot ligament and tendon injuries who visited Beijing Jishuitan Hospital from September 2016 to December 2021 were enrolled in the study, and 20 healthy volunteers were recruited as controls. All participants underwent mid foot coronal (short axis), sagittal, and axial (long axis) MRI T1 weighted imaging and proton fat suppression sequence examination. The MRI images were evaluated by 2 senior radiologists independently.Results:The consistency of the two radiologists in diagnosis of tendons, ligaments, bones, and soft tissues were good ( κ=0.916, 0.896, and 0.893, respectively). The tendons and ligaments of the midfoot in 20 healthy volunteers (40 feet) showed uniform bands of varying thickness with slightly low signal intensity; the anterior tibial tendon showed a thin line shape, the posterior tibial tendon showed a slightly thick band with uniform low signal intensity, and the calcaneonavicular ligament showed a thin line-like low signal intensity running in different directions. In 52 patients with midfoot tendon and ligament injuries, 18 had anterior tibial tendon injuries, 20 had posterior tibial tendon injuries, and 14 had calcaneonavicular ligament injuries. The injured tendon or ligament was characterized by uneven thickness, blurred edges, and continuous interruption on T1WI sequence, uneven enhancement of signal in the tendon or ligament running area on PD-FS sequence, accumulation of fluid in the tendon sheath, and partial tearing. The partial tear showed discontinuity and thickening of tendons, while the complete tear showed that the tendons were interrupted and retracted, the fiber structure disappeared and was filled with liquid, and the surrounding soft tissue edema was present. Conclusion:MRI can clearly display the course and anatomical structure of the attachment end of the midfoot tendon and ligament, which may assist in early diagnosis of midfoot tendon and ligament injuries.

Cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide. Drugs play a pivotal role in cancer treatment, but the complex biological processes of cancer cells seriously limit the efficacy of various anticancer drugs. Autophagy, a self-degradative system that maintains cellular homeostasis, universally operates under normal and stress conditions in cancer cells. The roles of autophagy in cancer treatment are still controversial because both stimulation and inhibition of autophagy have been reported to enhance the effects of anticancer drugs. Thus, the important question arises as to whether we should try to strengthen or suppress autophagy during cancer therapy. Currently, autophagy can be divided into four main forms according to its different functions during cancer treatment: cytoprotective (cell survival), cytotoxic (cell death), cytostatic (growth arrest), and nonprotective (no contribution to cell death or survival). In addition, various cell death modes, such as apoptosis, necrosis, ferroptosis, senescence, and mitotic catastrophe, all contribute to the anticancer effects of drugs. The interaction between autophagy and these cell death modes is complex and can lead to anticancer drugs having different or even completely opposite effects on treatment. Therefore, it is important to understand the underlying contexts in which autophagy inhibition or activation will be beneficial or detrimental. That is, appropriate therapeutic strategies should be adopted in light of the different functions of autophagy. This review provides an overview of recent insights into the evolving relationship between autophagy and cancer treatment.
Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use* ; Apoptosis ; Autophagy/physiology* ; Humans ; Necrosis/drug therapy* ; Neoplasms/therapy*