ObjectiveTo observe the changes of serum homocysteine acid ( Hcy),interleukin-6 (IL-6) and high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP)and elucidate the clinical significance in patients with acute stroke. MethodsA total of 126 acute stroke patients were enrolled in the investigation. Based on the MESS,patients were divided into different groups according the severity and prognosis, and 108 physically healthy subjects were selected as controls. The concentration of serum Hcy, IL-6, and hs-CRP were determined in all cases after being attacked at day 3,day 14 and day 28 respectively. Results①The levels of Hcy, IL-6, hs-CRP in patients with acute stroke were significantly higher than controls ( (58.24 ±9.86) μmol/L vs. ( 17.12 ±4.23) μ mol/L, (59.64 ±13.82) ng/L vs. (18.46 ±4.62) ng/L,(19.78 ±6.12) mg/L vs. (2.28 ±0.82) mg/L,all P＜0. 01 ). ②The levels of Hcy,IL-6, hs-CRP in patients with mild, moderate and severe acute stroke were significantly higher than controls (P ＜ 0.01 ) at 3 day after the onset; and the Hcy, IL-6, hs-CRP were also significantly lower in mild cases with acute stroke compared with moderate and severe cases (P ＜ 0. 01 ). At day 14 ,the moderate and severe patients had significantly higher levels of Hcy, IL-6, hs-CRP than mild cases and controls (P ＜ 0.01 ). At day 28 the severe patients had significantly higher levels of Hcy, IL-6, hs-CRP than mild and moderate cases and controls (P ＜ 0.01 ) ③At day 28, the levels of Hcy, IL-6, hs-CRP in basically recovered and remarkably improved cases were significantly lower than unrecovered cases [ ( 16.12 ± 4.74) μmol/L, ( 1 8.42 ± 5.02) μ mol/L vs. ( 48.69 ± 7.89)μmol/L; ( 19.52 ± 5.67 ) ng/L, ( 20. 74 ± 6. 13 ) ng/L vs. ( 51.26 ± 11.66 ) ng/L, ( 3.21 ± 1.36) mg/L,(3.24 ± 2.51 ) mg/L vs. ( 8.86 ± 1.32 ) mg/L respectively, all P ＜ 0. 01 ]. ConclusionsThe levels of serum Hcy, IL-6, hs-CRP are significant biomarkers to evaluate the severity and prognosis of acute stroke.

This study is to elucidate the immunoregulation mechanisms of artesunate (AST) on allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). Pharmacodynamics analyses, HE staining, semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to explore the effects of AST on the related cytokines, transcription factor and signaling molecule of ACD respectively. The results indicated that topical administration of AST not only reduced the increase of ear swelling, spleen index and inflammatory cells infiltration in ACD mice, but also inhibited remarkably the expression of IFN-gamma, T-bet and NF-kappaB p65. It's suggested that AST could exhibit suppressive effects on inflammatory response and immune function of ACD, which indicates the possibility of developing AST as a novel immunoregulatory agent in the treatment of ACD and other immune-related diseases.

Objective: To assess the trend of early beta receptor blocker (β-blocker) application (with 24h of admission) for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients in western rural China from 2001 to 2011. Methods: A 2-stage random sampling design was performed. The 1st stage: a simple random sampling was used to identify participating hospitals and the 2nd stage: a systematic random sampling approach was conducted in 3 specific years of 2001, 2006 and 2011 to take case study for central medical information abstraction. The changing trends and impact factors of early β-blocker application for AMI patients in western rural area were assessed by multivariate model analysis. Results: 35 hospitals were sampled and 33 of them were finally participated. With necessary exclusion, a total of 486 AMI patients without β-blocker contraindication were enrolled for 2 groups: Suitable group, the patients were suitable for early β-blocker application, n=247 and High risk group, the patients with the high risk for shock occurrence, n=239. The application rates for β-blocker within 24h of admission at 2001, 2006 and 2011 in Suitable group were 19.06%, 54.30% and 56.20%, Ptrend=0.0020; in High risk group were 31.53%, 59.49% and 69.62%, Ptrend=0.0001. In Suitable group, the patients with history of hypertension (OR=1.87, 95% CI 1.06-3.29), smoking (OR=1.97, 95% CI 1.11-3.48) or admitted in 2006 (OR=2.93, 95% CI 1.22-7.03) and 2011(OR=4.67, 95% CI 2.06-10.59) had the higher chance to use β-blocker within 24h of admission. Conclusion: Application of β-blocker within 24h of admission in AMI patients presented the increasing trend in western rural China from 2001 to 2011, while there was still difference from the guideline recommendation. Improved normative application of β-blocker is helpful to enhance the quality of care and prognosis in AMI patients.

Objective To investigate the relationship between cardiovascular risk factors and arterial elasticity in elderly hypertensive patients.Methods 253 subjects were divided into two groups:hypertension group (n=141) and non-hypertension group (n =112).Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (C-FPWV),carotid-radial PWV (C-RPWV),height and weight were determined.Fasting plasma levels of blood glucose (BG),blood lipids,insulin,endothelins (ET),nitric oxide (NO) and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were assessed.Results C-FPWV and CRPWV were higher in hypertension group than in non-hypertension group [(11.7±1.9) m/s vs.(9.7±1.1)m/s,(11.7±1.7) m/s vs.(9.4±1.1)m/s,t=8.43 and-6.30,both P＜0.01].Body mass index (BMI),systolic blood pressure (SBP),diastolic blood pressure (DBP),levels of triglyceride (TG),BG,ET,NO and hsCRP,HOMA-IR had significant differences between the two groups (t=-5.27,-4.18,-6.00,6.29,-4.18,-4.86,-3.41,respectively,all P＜0.05).Pearson correlation analysis showed that CFPWV was correlated with SBP,age,DBP,fasting BG,NO,ET,TG,HOMA IR,cholesterol (CHO),hsCRP (r=0.534,0.374,0.340,0.338,-0.306,0.242,0.228,0.225,-0.218,0.178,respectively,all P＜0.05); C-RPWV was correlated with age,DBP,SBP,NO,TG (r=0.312,0.319,0.241,-0.197,0.151,respectively,all P＜0.05).Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that C-FPWV=4.640 + 0.081× HOMA IR+ 0.047× age+0.035×SBP+0.29×TG-0.017×NO+0.014×ET+0.132×hsCRP,r2=0.514; CRPWV=3.161+0.034×age+0.033×DBP+0.313×fastingBG+0.013×ET-0.013×NO,r2=0.390.Conclusions The decreases of arterial elasticity are closely related with endothelial function,insulin resistance,levels of blood lipids and hsCRP in elderly patients with hypertension.

Objective To investigate the possibility and mechanism of ~ 125 I in treatment of glioma. Methods SHG-44 glioma cells were cultivated in vitro, the inhibitory effect of ~ 125 I on SHG-44 cell proliferation was determined by MTT method. The stereotactic method was used to establish the rat intracranial glioma model. The MRI was performed at 1st week after implantation and ~ 125 I was implanted in the glioma area, the MRI was performed to measure the diameter of tumor 2 weeks after implantation. The rats were killed after 2 weeks ,PCNA gene experession was determined with immunohistological method both in control and experiment group.Results one week after implantation the glioma grew,the results of MTT method showed the growth of the SHG-44 was inhibited, ~ 125 I inhibited the expression of PCNA gene and enlonged the rat survival period. Conclusion ~ 125 I can inhibit the growth of glioma ,the mechanism may be concerned with its inhibitory effect on PCNA gene expression.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect ofγ-secretase inhibitor N-[N-(3,5-difluorophen?acetyl)-L-alanyl]-S-phenylglycine t-butyl ester(DAPT)on phenotypic transformation and matrix accu?mulation induced by aristolochic acid(AA) in renal tubular epithelial cells(NRK-52E)and explore the mechanism. METHODS NRK-52E cells were divided stochastically into normal cell control group,AA 10 mg·L-1 group and AA 10 mg·L-1+DAPT 1 and 10μmol·L-1 group. After 24 h,the mRNA expressions of Notch1,Jagged1,Numb,E-cadherin,transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1),α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),bone morphogenic protein 7 (Bmp7),typeⅠ a1 (Col1a1) and Ⅲ collagens a1 (Col3a1)were quantified by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. The protein expressions of Notch1,Jagged1,α-SMA,and Col3a1 in NRK-52E cel s were detected by immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS In NRK-52E cells,AA enhanced the expression of TGF-β1,α-SMA and Col3a1 mRNA(P<0.05),reduced the expression of E-cadherin mRNA(P<0.05),up-regulated the mRNA expression of Notch1 mRNA(P<0.01)and Jagged1(P<0.05),and down-regulated the mRNA expression of Numb mRNA(P<0.05) compared with normal cell control group,indicating that phenotypic transformation and matrix accumu?lation occurred in AA-treated NRK-52E cells,accompanied by activated Notch signaling. Treatment with DAPT inhibited Notch signaling by decreasing the expression of Notch1 and Jagged1 (P<0.05),and increasing the expression of Numb mRNA(P<0.05). Furthermore, DAPT also down-regulated the expression levels of TGF-β1,α-SMA,Col1a1 and Col3a1 mRNA(P<0.05), and up-regulated the expression level of Bmp7 and E-cadherin mRNA(P<0.05) compared with AA group,suggesting that DAPT inhibited phenotypic transformation and matrix accumulation in AA-treated NRK-52E cells. CONCLUSION AA induces phenotypic transformation and matrix accumulation in renal tubular epithelial cells,which is inhibited by DAPT treatment. The possible mechanism is that DAPT suppresses the activation of Notch signaling,resulting in the reduction of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and matrix deposition.

AIM:To investigate the effect of cyclopamine on Hedgehog (HH) signaling, phenotypic transfor-mation and matrix accumulation induced by aristolochic acid (AA) in renal tubular epithelial cell NRK-52E.METHODS:NRK-52E cells were randomly divided into control group (treated with solvent only), AA group (treated with AA at con-centrations of 1, 5, 10 mg/L) and cyclopamine group (treated with AA at concentration of 10 mg/L plus cyclopamine at concentrations of 1, 5, 10μmol/L).After cultured for 24 h, the mRNA expression of Ptch1, Smo,α-SMA, E-cadherin, ZO-1, BMP-7, type I collagen and type III collagen was quantified by real-time PCR.The protein levels of Shh and TGF-β1 were detected by ELISA .Immunofluorescence staining was used to evaluate the expression of Ptch 1, Smo,α-SMA, E-cadherin and type III collagen in the NRK-52E cells.RESULTS: AA increased the expression of TGF-β1, α-SMA and type III collagen, decreased the expression of E-cadherin and ZO-1 protein, and down-regulated the expression of Ptch1, Shh and Smo mRNA in the NRK-52E cells, indicating that AA activated HH signaling , and phenotypic transformation and matrix accumulation occurred in AA-treated NRK-52E cells.Treatment with cyclopamine inhibited HH signaling by decrea-sing Smo expression and increasing Ptch 1 expression.Moreover, cyclopamine also down-regulated the expression of TGF-β1,α-SMA, type I collagen and III collagen , and up-regulated the expression of BMP-7, ZO-1 and E-cadherin.CON-CLUSION:AA induces phenotypic transformation and matrix accumulation in renal tubular epithelial cells , which can be inhibited by cyclopamine treatment .The possible mechanism is that cyclopamine suppresses the activation of HH signaling , resulting in the reduction of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and matrix deposition .

Objective To investigate the expression of monocyte-macrophage-related factors and interstitial fibrosis in kidney tissues of rats with ureter obstruction and recanalization .Methods Forty-eight male Spragur-Dawley rats were divided randomly into the obstructive group:sham (n=6), unilateral ureteral obstruction(UUO)3 days (n=6), UUO 7 days (n=6), and UUO 14 days (n=6) and recanalization group:bilateral ureteral obstruction(RBUO)0 day (n=6), 3 days after RBUO (n=6), 7 days after RBUO (n=6), and 14 days after RBUO (n=6).The kidneys were excised on day 3, 7, and 14, and the deposition of collagen fibers in kidney was detected with HE and Masson staining . Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to evaluate the protein expressions of monocyte chemoattractant protein -1 (MCP-1), macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) and activated-macrophage marker CD68.Real-time PCR was used to detect the mRNA expressions of MCP-1 and M-CSF.TGF-β1 levels were determined by ELISA .Results Fibrosis observed with HE and Masson staining was obviously increased in kidney tissue of UUO rats , and aggravated as time prolonged, but alleviated in rats with recanalization .TGF-β1 levels were increased obviously in the UUO group , but decreased in rats with recanalization compared with those in BUO rats .In UUO rats, mRNA and protein expression levels of MCP-1 and M-CSF were increased .MCP-1 and M-CSF expression was gradually decreased in rats with recanalization compared with those in BUO rats .The dynamic change in expression of MCP-1 and M-CSF in both UUO rats and recanalization rats was consistent with the change in expression of CD 68. Conclusion Dynamic change in expression of MCP-1 and M-CSF in kidney tissues reflects change of activated and accumulated monocyte -macrophages , which may be one of the major mechanisms contributing to fibrosis induced by ureter obstruction .Renal fibrosis is alleviated by down-regulated expression of monocyte-macrophages factors with recanalization operation .

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the expression of CD4+, CD8+ T cells and cell apoptosis in oral lichen planus (OLP) and investigate the role and the relationship of immunological reaction and cell apoptosis in the pathogenesis of OLP2.

METHODSImmunohistochemical technique was used to study the expression of CD4+, CD8+ T cells in 27 OLP cases. TUNEL was used for detecting the cell apoptotic index (AI) in 17 OLP2 cases.

RESULTSThe expression of CD4+, CD8+ T cells were obviously elevated in lamina propria of OLP group compared with control group (P<0.05). There was a strong significance when compared the ration of CD4/CD8 in both group. AI was remarkably increased in epithelia cells and significantly decreased in lymphocytes in lamina propria in OLP cases compared with its expression in the control group respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe increased amount of CD4+, CD8+ T cells in lamina propria of OLP and the change ration of CD4/CD8 suggest that immune response is involved in the pathogenesis of OLP. The abnormal cell apoptosis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of OLP.

ObjectiveTo investigate the morphologic features of coronary sinus (CS)-left atrium muscle connections,and evaluate the function and anatomical features of coronary sinus on dual-source CT coronary angiography (DSCTCA).MethodsImages of DSCTCA of 144 patients [ control group consisted of 96 patients,and atrial fibrillation (AF) group consisted of 48 patients] were reviewed.The existence of coronary sinus-right atrium muscle connections was indirectly evaluated by measuring the cross-sectional area changes of the CS during atrial systole and atrial diastolic.The number,location,length of the CS-left atrium muscle connections andthe relationship between CS-left atrium muscle connections and CS morphological characteristics were studied.The t test for continuous variables and Chi-square test for categorical variables were used in statistical analysis.Results( 1 )The anatomic course of the CS in relation to the mitral ring was straight,mild curvature and high riding of 62,16 and 18 cases in control group and 10,8 and 30 cases in AF group,respectively.There was not statistical significance between the 2 group (x2 =0.093,P=0.954). (2)The CS length was (34.1 ±9.1),(33.8 ±8.9)mm in Control group and AF group,respectively.There was no statistical significance between the 2 group ( t =- 0.486,P =0.628 ).(3) Coronary sinus-left atrium muscle connections were seen in 131 of the 144 patients (91.0％).A single connection was seen in 103 of the 144 patients,with a mean length of (22.6 ± 12.7)mm within (6.3 ± 5.8 ) mm of the coronary sinus ostium.28 patients had two connections; distal connections measured ( 13.2 ± 6.2)mm in length within (16.7 ± 6.8 ) mm of the coronary sinus ostium,and proximal connections measured ( 11.1 ± 3.6 ) mm in length within (2.1 ± 1.9) mm of the coronary sinus ostium.And there was no statistical difference the number and length of CS-left atrium connections in between Control group and AF group (P ＞ 0.05 ).(4)The CS narrowed 22.4％ (44.5/198.8 )in cross-sectional area from atrial diastolic to atrial systole in control group( t =- 21.076,P ＜ 0.01 ),while the CS had no obvious contraction in AF group(t =0.374,P ＞ 0.05).The cross-sectional area of the coronary sinus during diastole was obviously larger in the AF group than in the control group[( 230.4 ±77.0) mm2 vs (198.8 ±65.4) mm2,respectively,t =- 2.579,P =0.01 ].In control group ( n =9 ),the coronary sinus-left atrium connection was not seen,however,all showed a CS constriction during atrial systole,indicating that coronary sinus-left atrium muscle continuity is not likely the primary cause for coronary sinus contractions. Conclusions DSCTCA can clearly show the anatomical characteristics of CS,it can help to understand the length,number and location of the CS-left atrium muscle connection.