Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), multipotent stem cells, can replicate as undifferentiated cells and have the potential to differentiate into different lineages of mesenchymal tissues, including bone, cartilage,endothelial, neural, smooth muscle, skeletal myoblasts, and cardiac myocyte cells. The ischemia-induced death of cardiomyocytes results in scar formation and reduced contractility of the ventricle. Several preclinical and clinical studies have supported the notion that MSCs therapy may be used for cardiac regeneration.When transplanted into the infracted heart, MSCs prevent deleterious remodeling and improve recovery, but the mechanism is not clear. In this work,we review evidence and new prospects that support the use of MSCs in cardiomyoplasty.

BACKGROUNDChronic liver disease causes aberrant formation of fibrous tissue that impedes normal liver function, ultimately resulting in liver cirrhosis. Iron uptake can occur within the hepatic parenchyma or within the various nodules that form in a cirrhotic liver, termed siderotic nodules (SN). We aimed to investigate the diagnostic performance of susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) for detection of SN in patients with liver cirrhosis, and to evaluate the potential of SN numbers for assessing the degree of hepatic iron deposition, liver function, and liver fibrosis stage.

METHODSNinety-one patients with chronic liver cirrhosis, who underwent megnetic resonance imagine (MRI) scanning in our department between November 2010 and April 2011, were included in the study. A 3.0T MRI scanner was used to acquire T1WI, T2WI, T2WI, and SWI images. The number of nodules, signal intensity ratio (SIR), and contrast noise ratio (CNR) were recorded and analyzed by chi-square and ANOVA statistical tests. Correlation analysis was performed to evaluate the correlations between the number of SN and Child-Pugh classification, ferritin and hyaluronic acid levels.

RESULTSThe sensitivity of SWI, T1WI, T2WI, and T2 WI for detecting SN was 62.5%, 12.1%, 24.2% and 41.8%, respectively. SWI detected significantly more nodules than routine T1WI, T2WI, and T2 WI procedures (P < 0.05). The SIR was the lowest in SWI (0.361 ± 0.209), as compared to T1WI (0.852 ± 0.163), T2WI (0.584 ± 0.172), and T2 WI (0.497 ± 0.196). The CNR was the highest in SWI (13.932 ± 5.637), as compared to T1WI (9.147 ± 5.785), T2WI (9.771 ± 5.490), and T2 WI (11.491 ± 4.573). The correlation coefficients of the number of SN with ferritin, Child-Pugh classification, and hyaluronic acid levels were 0.672, -0.055, and 0.163, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSThe sensitivity and contrast of SWI for detecting SN in patients with liver cirrhosis are higher than conventional MRI. The number of SN can help to assess the degree of iron deposition in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Adult ; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Female ; Ferritins ; blood ; Humans ; Hyaluronic Acid ; blood ; Liver ; pathology ; Liver Cirrhosis ; blood ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of aminoguanidine on methylglyoxal-mediated oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) injury in the cultured human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMEC).

METHODSCultured HBMEC cells were pretreated with methylglyoxal before oxygen-glucose deprivation injury. Cell vitality was determined by MTT method, cell mortality was assessed by LDH release method, cell apoptosis was examined by Annexin V/PI formation method, and the advanced glycation end products (AGEs) were detected by Western-blot.

RESULTSMethylglyoxal induced HBMEC injury in a dose-dependent manner. At 2 mmol/L of methylglyoxal, the cell viability was 56.1% when methylglyoxal-pretreated cells exposed to oxygen-glucose deprivation, the cell inhibition rate was 90.0%. Aminoguanidine (1 mmol/L) inhibited methylglyoxal and OGD induced LDH release and Annexin V/PI formation. Furthermore, aminoguanidine (1 mmol/L) also decreased advanced glycation end products (AGEs) formation induced by methylglyoxal and oxygen-glucose deprivation.

CONCLUSIONAminoguanidine protected methylglyoxal mediated-oxygen-glucose deprivation injury in the cultured HBMEC, which may be associated with anti-glycation activity.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Hypoxia ; drug effects ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Drug Antagonism ; Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Endothelium, Vascular ; cytology ; Glycation End Products, Advanced ; metabolism ; Guanidines ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Pyruvaldehyde ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of acupuncture on the expression of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) in the subcutaneous fascia of SD rats.

METHODSEighteen SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (n=3) including 5 acupuncture groups and a control group. The rats in the 5 acupuncture groups received electro-acupuncture therapy in the regions of the inguinal groove, and at 0, 1, 6, 12, and 36 h after the last therapy, the superfacial fascia surrounding the acupuncture point (about 1.5 cm in diameter) were collected. The fascia tissues at the corresponding sites and at the acupoint Zusanli (ST36) were obtained from the control rats. The expression of ERK1/2 and phosphorylated ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2) in the tissues were detected by Western blotting.

RESULTSERK1/2 and p-ERK1/2 expressions were detected in the tissues harvested from both the acupoint and the non-acupoint in the control rats with similar expression intensities. In the rats of each acupuncture group, ERK1/2 expression was significantly increased on the acupuncture side in comparison with the control side.

CONCLUSIONThe normal loose connective tissue may participate in tissue proliferation and differentiation possibly via phosphorylation of ERK. Acupuncture can promote the signal transduction pathway of ERK, which can be a possible mechanism for the effect of acupuncture in modulating the physiopathological conditions.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Fascia ; enzymology ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 ; metabolism ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Skin ; Time Factors

BACKGROUNDAngiotensin II (Ang II), a principal effector of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and increased in aging tissues, can stimulate JAK/STAT pathway via the G-protein-coupled Ang II receptor type I (AT1) and induce nuclear translocation of signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT). To further explore the role of Ang II in aging, we examined the effect of Ang II on human replicative senescent diploid fibroblast WI-38 cells.

METHODSHuman senescent WI-38 cells were incubated with Ang II, receptor antagonist PD123319, valsartan, STAT3 sense plasmid, and/or STAT3 antisense plasmids. Methods were applied including electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), Western blot, transfection, and laser scanning confocal microscopy.

RESULTSIt was found that cultured human senescent WI-38 cells constitutively expressed tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), and Ang II induced TIMP-1 protein expression in both time- and dose-dependent manners. Ang II induced STAT-DNA binding activity also in both time- and dose-dependent manners. And supershift assay showed that the sis-inducing factor (SIF) band contained STAT3 proteins. STAT3 antisense oligonucleotides could inhibit both Ang II-induced STAT3-DNA binding activity as well as TIMP-1 expression.

CONCLUSIONAng II could up-regulate TIMP-1 expression through activating STAT3 signal pathway in human senescent cells, indicating that Ang II-STAT3-TIMP-1 pathway may be involved in the mechanism of sclerosis in aging tissues.

Angiotensin II ; pharmacology ; Cells, Cultured ; Cellular Senescence ; DNA ; metabolism ; Fibroblasts ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Humans ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; STAT3 Transcription Factor ; physiology ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; genetics ; Up-Regulation

It is well known that cytoskeleton system is the sensor of gravity in cells. Under microgravity condition, cytoskeleton is associated with the changes of cell shape, function, signaling and so on; but the relationship between cytoskeleton and gene expression is not fully understood. In present study, we discussed the effects of cell microfilament on the activity of collagen type I alpha 1 chain gene (COL1A1) promoter under microgravity simulated by clinostat and/or cytochalasin B as microfilament depolymerizer in the established EGFP-ROS cell line using the method of fluorescence semi-quantitative analysis and the fluorescent stain of microfilament. Compared with the normal control, the microfilament of ROS17/2.8 cell tended to disassemble, marginal distribution of fiber stress, and showed reducing stress fibers after spaceflight in Photon-M1 or clinorotation simulated microgravity, which suggested that microgravity destroyed the well-order cell cytoskeleton and induced a rearrangement. Treatment with suitable concentration of cytochalasin B in normal gravity induced disruption of microfilament, increased the activity of COL1A1 promoter and resulted in a dose-dependent increase of EGFP fluorescence. Therefore, a certain extent disruption of the microfilament system was associated with increased activity of the COL1A1 promoter. All above demonstrate that microfilament cytoskeleton system takes part in the regulation of COL1A1 promoter activity and plays an important role in the signaling of microgravity.
Actin Cytoskeleton ; pathology ; physiology ; Animals ; Bone Neoplasms ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Collagen Type I ; genetics ; Cytoskeleton ; pathology ; physiology ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; genetics ; Osteosarcoma ; pathology ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Rats ; Transfection ; Weightlessness Simulation

BACKGROUNDSurgical treatment of intracranial aneurysms is often compromised by incomplete exclusion of the aneurysm or stenosis of parent vessels. Intraoperative microvascular Doppler (IMD) is an attractive, noninvasive, and inexpensive tool. The present study aimed to evaluate the usefulness and reliability of IMD for guiding clip placement in aneurysm surgery.

METHODSA total of 92 patients with 101 intracranial aneurysms were included in the study. IMD with a 1.5-mm diameter, 20-MHz microprobe was used before and after clip application to confirm aneurysm obliteration and patency of parent vessels and branching arteries. IMD findings were verified postoperatively with digital subtraction angiography (DSA) or dual energy computed tomography angiography (DE-CTA). Ninety consecutive patients, harboring 108 aneurysms, who underwent surgery without IMD was considered as the control group.

RESULTSThe microprobe detected all vessels of the Circle of Willis and their major branches. Clips were repositioned in 24 (23.8%) aneurysms on the basis of the IMD findings consistent with incomplete exclusion and/or stenosis. IMD identified persistent weak blood flow through the aneurismal sac of 11 of the 101 (10.9%) aneurysms requiring clip adjustment. Stenosis or occlusion of the parent or branching arteries as indicated by IMD necessitated immediate clip adjustment in 19 aneurysms (18.8%). The mean duration of the IMD procedure was 4.8 minutes. The frequency of clip adjustment (mean: 1.8 times per case) was associated with the size and location of the aneurysm. There were no complications related to the use of IMD, and postoperative angiograms confirmed complete aneurysm exclusion and parent vessel patency. About 8.3% (9/108) aneurysms were unexpectedly incompletely occluded, and 10.2% (11/108) aneurysms and parent vessel stenosis without IMD were detected by postoperative DSA or DE-CTA. IMD could reduce the rate of residual aneurysm and unanticipated vessel stenosis which demonstrated statistically significant advantages compared with aneurysm surgery without IMD.

CONCLUSIONIMD is a safe, easily performed, reliable, and valuable tool that is suitable for routine use in intracranial surgery, especially in complicated, large, and giant aneurysms with wide neck or without neck.

Adult ; Aged ; Angiography, Digital Subtraction ; Cerebrovascular Circulation ; Female ; Humans ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Laser-Doppler Flowmetry ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Monitoring, Intraoperative ; methods

OBJECTIVETo examine the effect of a Chinese medicinal herbal formula (Feitai Capsule, ) on the quality of life (QOL) and progression-free survival (PFS) of patients with unresectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODSSixty-two patients were randomly divided into the treatment group (31 cases) and the control group (31 cases). For the treatment group, 4 capsules (1.2 g/capsule) of Feitai Capsule were administered 3 times a day after meals for 3 weeks; then no drug was administered for 1 week. This schedule was continued for at least 3 more cycles (12 weeks totally). If there were no obvious toxic reactions, the treatment was extended. The patients were evaluated at least once every 8 weeks until progressive disease (PD). For the control group, the regular follow-up and evaluation were performed at least once every 8 weeks until PD. Clinical symptoms, objective response, physical constitution and energy, QOL, and PFS were evaluated regularly. Analysis of variance (ANOVA), a non-parametric test, and analysis of covariance were used to compare clinical features, amelioration of clinical symptoms, physical constitution and energy, and QOL. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to compare the two-group PFS.

RESULTSSixty patients finished the final evaluation, with 30 patients in each group. Baseline characters between groups were not significantly different (P>0.05). The control group had a 36.7% improvement in clinical symptoms, while the treatment group had a 73.3% improvement. This difference was statistically significant (Z= -2.632, P=0.008). The control group had a 26.7% improvement in the Karnofsky performance status (KPS), while the treatment group had a 53.4% improvement. This was also significantly different (Z=-2.182, P=0.029). A comparative analysis indicated a positive correlation (r=0.917, P<0.001). Compared with the control group, QOL in the treatment group was significantly improved, except in the social/family condition and doctor-patient relationship indicators. The PFS of the treatment group and control group were 6.23 months and 4.67 months, respectively (P=0.048).

CONCLUSIONFeitai Capsule, a Chinese medicinal herbal treatment could improve the QOL and extend the PFS of the unresectable NSCLC patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Capsules ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; drug therapy ; surgery ; Case-Control Studies ; Disease-Free Survival ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Quality of Life

The constituents in 95% ethanol extract of the root of Rosa cymosa Tratt were purified by column chromatography techniques, leading to isolation of eleven triterpenes. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic data as pomolic acid (1), fupenzic acid (2), ursolic acid (3), euscaphic acid (4), arjunic acid (5), tomentic acid (6), 3β-E-feruloyl corosolic acid (7), 1β-hydroxyeuscaphic acid (8), myrianthic acid (9), cecropiacic acid (10), and ilexoside B (11). Among them, compounds 3, 6-8, 10 and 11 were obtained from this plant for the first time, and compounds 7 and 10 were obtained from this genus for the first time.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Rosa ; chemistry ; Triterpenes ; chemistry

BACKGROUNDHypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) carries an increased risk for sudden cardiac death. No data regarding the percutaneous transseptal myocardial ablation (PTSMA) and epicardial left ventricular pacing (LVP) were reported.

METHODSSeven patients with recurrent symptoms and increased resting left ventricular outflow tract pressure gradient (LVOTG) after PTSMA and another 14 patients with HOCM without history of PTSMA were studied. Both resting and dobutamine stress echocardiography, PTSMA and LVP were routinely performed.

RESULTSIn patients without previous PTSMA procedure, mild reduction of resting LVOTG was detected at 5 minutes after left ventricular pacing, and this reduction became significant at 10 minutes. All patients were divided into successful and unsuccessful groups according to their response to LVP. In contrary to patients in unsuccessful group, resting and R-S2 stimuli-induced LVOTG during PTSMA procedure were decreased dramatically ((9 +/- 5) mmHg vs (58 +/- 12) mmHg, (12 +/- 2) mmHg vs (113 +/- 27) mmHg, P < 0.001). Analysis of Logistic regression demonstrated that only LVOTG level during left ventricular pacing was an independent factor predicting the reduction of LVOTG immediately after PTSMA (odds ratio (OR), 0.59; 95% CI 2.67 to 5.82; P = 0.0002).

CONCLUSIONLeft ventricular endocardial temporary pacing plays a critical role in predicting acute effect on the reduction of LVOTG immediately after PTSMA procedure.

Adult ; Cardiac Pacing, Artificial ; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Catheter Ablation ; Echocardiography ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pressure ; Ventricular Function, Left