Objective To determine which parameters of reverse remodeling of left ventricular could become the effective indexes in evaluating the short-term therapeutic effect of cardiac resynchronization therapy(CRT)in heart failure(HF)patients.Methods CRT was performed in 26 HF patients with dysfunctions of wall motion.Serial echocardiography was practiced at baseline,one and three months after CRT.The parameters including left atrial end-diastolic diameter(LADD),left ventrieular end-diastolic diameter(LVDD),end-diastolic volume (LVEDV),end-systolic volume(LVESV),ejection fraction(LVEF)were measured and compared before and after CRT therapy.Results At one and three months after CRT,respectively,CRT was associated with reduced LADD,LVDD,LVEDV,LVESV and improved LVEF and filling time compared with those at baseline.Moreover,all these parameters had better correlations with the activities of these patients.Conclusions LADD,LVDD,LVEDV,LVESV and LVEF could become the effective indexes in evaluating the short-term effect of CRT in HF patients.The reduced diameters and volumes of left atria and left ventricle are more sensitive parameters than the improved LVEF.

BACKGROUND:Cytoskeleton plays an important role in the transduction of mechanical signal, and intermittent tensile stress can promote osteogenic differentiation. However, there is no relevant study about the change of cytoskeleton in osteoporosis rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells under intermittent tensile stress. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of intermittent tensile stress on the cytoskeleton of osteoporosis rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells during osteogenic differentiation. METHODS:Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were obtained from osteoporosis rats and cultured in vitro. The 5%, 10%and 15%tensile stress were strained on the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells through FX-4000T Flexcell. No stress was in the control group. Osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells was observed through alkaline phosphatase staining, while the change of cytoskeleton was observed by confocal laser scanning microscopy with figures col ected for analysis by Image-ProPlus 6.0 software. The area of cells, ratio of length to width and integrated fluorescence intensity of cytoskeleton protein F-actin were measured. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Under tensile stress, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells from osteoporosis rats arranged in the direction vertical to mechanical stimulation. cells under different tensile stress differentiated towards osteoblasts. The result of alkaline phosphatase staining showed the most significant difference in 10%group, and quite an amount of cells lining lost succession in the 15%group. Under stress, the F-actin filaments were rearranged in paral el accordingly, which showed a reconstruction of cytoskeleton. Imaging analysis indicated that the area of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells was decreased in 10%and 15%groups (P<0.05) with the increased ratio of length to width (P<0.05), and expression of F-actin increased in5%, 10%, 15%groups (P<0.05) after tensile stress. Under mechanical stimulation, the cytoskeleton of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells from osteoporosis rats is shown to have corresponding alterations during osteogenic differentiation.

Objective To establish a capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detection of plague IgM antibody in herding dogs.Methods ELISA plates were coated with serum IgM antibody against dogs and F1 antibody to plague in the serum of herding dogs was detected by a sandwich ELISA.Results A total of 216 serum samples of herding dogs were tested,26 were positive for plague F1 antibody and the positive rate was 12.03％ (26/216); 14 were positive for plague IgM antibody and the positive rate was 6.48％ (14/216); IgM positive accounted for 53.8％(14/26) of all positive samples.Conclusions Serum plague IgM antibody of herding dogs can be used to predict the prevalent time and distribution of recent animal plague in plague foci indirectly,and to provide reference information for timely implementation of control measures.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relation between atrial fibrillation (AF) and coronary heart disease according to the pathological data.

METHODTotal 540 out of 1012 anatomic older cases were admitted to our study, according to the clinical and pathological data in our hospital.

RESULTS(1) The incidence of AF increased significantly with aging (Cochran-Armitage trend test, P<0.01). (2) The AF patients were more likely to accompany coronary heart disease (P=0.0028) based on the anatomical documentation; the incidence of myocardial infarction in the AF group was statistically significant higher than that in the sinus rhythm group (P=0.0144). The level of coronary artery lesion in AF group was statistically significant severe than that in the sinus rhythm group. (3) Age (OR=1.34, 95% CI 1.11 - 1.60), male (OR=5.71, 95% CI 1.87 - 17.39) and chronic heart failure (OR=1.87, 95% CI 1.27 - 2.76) were independent risk factors of AF based on multivariant logistic analysis, while coronary heart disease (OR=1.47, 95% CI 0.91 - 2.39) was not an independent risk factor.

CONCLUSIONSThe incidence of AF increases significantly with aging in the elderly. The AF patients seem more likely to accompany coronary heart disease but coronary heart disease may be not the independent risk factor of AF in the elderly.

Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Atrial Fibrillation ; epidemiology ; Coronary Disease ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Middle Aged ; Pathology, Clinical ; statistics & numerical data ; Risk Factors

Objective: To observe the improving effect of muscle regions of meridians needling method on the upper limb function in children with cerebral palsy of spastic hemiplegic type. Methods: A total of 100 children with cerebral palsy of spastic hemiplegia type were divided into a treatment group and a control group according to the visiting sequence, with 50 cases in each group. The control group was treated with conventional rehabilitation plus conventional acupuncture treatment. The treatment group was treated with conventional rehabilitation plus muscle regions of meridians needling method. The electromyography (EMG) signal values of triceps brachii and pronator teres were detected before treatment, and 3 months and 6 months after treatment. The clinical efficacy was evaluated by Peabody developmental motor scale-fine motor (PDMS-FM) and fine motor function measure (FMFM). Results: Three and six months after treatment, the EMG signal values of triceps brachii and pronator teres, grasping scores and visual-motor integrated scores of PDMS-FM and the FMFM scores in both groups increased to varying degrees compared with the same group before treatment, and the intra-group differences were all statistically significant (all P<0.05). Six months after treatment, the results of the above three items in the treatment group were all better than those in the control group, and the differences between the groups were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Conclusion: Muscle regions of meridians needling method added on the basis of conventional rehabilitation can effectively reduce the muscle tone of upper limb and enhance the muscle strength, and improve the upper limb function in children with cerebral palsy of spastic hemiplegia type. The efficacy is superior to that of the conventional rehabilitation plus conventional acupuncture treatment.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the activity of DNA polbeta promoter on p53 gene in salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma (SACC) cells.

METHODSThe luciferase activity was examined and used to evaluate the activity of DNA polbeta promoter on SACC-83 cells. Eukaryotic expression plasmids of p53 gene were constructed and stably transfected into SACC-83 cells. RT-PCR was used to assess the expression of p53 gene. The SACC-83 cells were subjected to the treatments of H2O2, ultraviolet radiation, Bleocin, and affected p53 mRNA and protein level in SACC-83 cells were characterized with RT-PCR and Western blotting.

RESULTSThe result of luciferase activity proved that the activity of DNA polbeta promoter in SACC-83 cells was much higher than that of CMV promoter. The results of RT-PCR suggested that p53 gene with different promoters were all expressed effectively, but the expression efficiency was different. It was greater in DNA polbeta group than in CMV group. After DNA damage, p53 gene expression increased and DNA polbeta promoter could enhance the expression of p53 gene more than CMV promoter. The results of Western blotting indicated that the expression of P53 protein between the two groups did not show any difference.

CONCLUSIONIn SACC cells, the activity of DNA polbeta promoter was increased and DNA polbeta promoter could enhance the expression of p53.

Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic ; Cell Line, Tumor ; DNA ; Genes, p53 ; Humans ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; RNA, Messenger ; Salivary Gland Neoplasms ; Transfection ; Ultraviolet Rays

This study was aimed at exploring the immunophenotypic features of blasts in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Four-color flow cytometry using conventional and secondary gating strategies was used to immunophenotype blasts and the CD34 positive cells in bone marrow nucleated cells of 29 patients with MDS. The results showed: (1) with progression of MDS from RA/RAS, RAEB to RAEB-T, the proportion of CD34(+) cells were gradually increased from 8.0%, 46.4% to 76.8% (P < 0.05); (2) using CD45 vs SSC gating strategy, with the transformation of RA/RAS, RAEB to RAEB-T, the expression of HLA-DR, CD13, CD33, CD117 were also gradually increased (P < 0.05), and the expression of CD15 was gradually decreased (P < 0.05); (3) using CD45 vs CD34 gating strategy, the expression of HLA-DR, CD13, CD33, CD117 on blasts were higher by secondary gating method than those by conventional gating (P < 0.05). However, there were no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the expression of above-mentioned antigens on CD34(+) cells among different MDS subtypes. It is concluded that conventional gating method can reflect MDS progression from RA/RAS, RAEB to RAEB-T, and secondary gating strategy may accurately reflect the biological features of blasts in MDS. Abnormal expression of CD34 is related to the immaturity level and heterogeneity of blast cells, which is beneficial to the diagnosis of clinically suspected MDS incapable of diagnosing with morphology and cytogenetics.
Adult ; Aged ; Antigens, CD34 ; analysis ; Bone Marrow Cells ; immunology ; pathology ; Flow Cytometry ; methods ; Humans ; Immunophenotyping ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; immunology ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility of using adipose tissue derived stem cells (ASCs) to promote neovascularization and survival rate of free fat transplantation.

METHODSASCs were isolated from aspirates from human liposuction and cultured in vitro. The cells were incubated in adipogenic, osteogenic, and chondrogenic medium for 2-4 weeks to induce adipogenesis, osteogenesis and chondrogenesis, respectively. ASCs were labelled by DiI. ASCs (A group), Insulin (B group), Medium (C group) were respectively mixed with free fat graft from aspirates. The mixtures were injected subcutaneously at the three random points on the back of eighteen 4- 6-week-old nude mice. Transplanted fat tissue was harvested after 6 months. The grafts were assessed by morphological observation, HE staining and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSASCs can be easily harvested from liposuction aspirates and differentiate into adipogenic, osteogenic, chondrogenic lineages. The wet weight of transplanted fat tissue in ASCs group was (165.97 +/- 5.51) mg, significantly higher than that in the insulin group (93.42 +/- 5.12) mg and control group (67.64 +/- 5.09) mg (P = 0.000). The rate of fibrosis and steatonecrosis in ASCs group was( 152.2 +/- 9.8)/10HF, significantly lower than that in the Insulin group (743.9 +/- 20.4)/10HF and control group (892.2 +/- 16.5)/10HF (P = 0.000). DiI labelled ASCs were found between adipocytes and in the connective tissue in free transplanted fat tissue, and some of these cells were immunopositive for antihuman CD31 and FITC, suggesting differentiation into vascular endothelial cells.

CONCLUSIONSASCs can differentiate into vascular endothelial cells and contribute to angiogenesis in free transplanted fat tissue. ASCs can increase the survival rate and decrease the rate of fibrosis and steatonecrosis of free transplanted fat tissue. These findings suggest that ASCs-assisted transplantation may be an ideal cell therapy.

Adipocytes ; cytology ; Adipose Tissue ; cytology ; transplantation ; Adult ; Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; Feasibility Studies ; Female ; Graft Survival ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; Tissue Scaffolds

AIMTo establish an HPLC-fluorescence method for determination of loratadine in human plasma and evaluate its relative bioavailability.

METHODSAn Alltech-C18 column and a mobile phase of acetonitrile-water-glacial acetic acid-triethylamine (90:100:6:0.15) were used. The fluorescence detector was set at Ex 274 nm, Em 450 nm. The flow rate was 1 mL.min-1.

RESULTSThe calibration curve was linear over a concentration range of 0.2-30 micrograms.L-1. The limit of quantification was 0.2 microgram.L-1. The average method recoveries varied from 96% to 98%. The results showed AUC, Tmax, Cmax and T1/2 beta between the testing tablets, testing capsules and reference tablets had no significant difference (P > 0.05). Relative bioavailabilities were 107% +/- 17% and 100% +/- 14% respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe three formulations were bioequivalent.

Area Under Curve ; Biological Availability ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Fluorescence ; Histamine H1 Antagonists, Non-Sedating ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Humans ; Loratadine ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Male

BACKGROUNDAtrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia and a major risk factor for ischaemic stroke. We investigated the prevalence of atrial fibrillation and its relation to age, gender and underlying heart disease in patients aged 60 years and over who died during hospitalization.

METHODSBetween 1955 and 2005, 1519 autopsies of in-hospital deaths in Beijing Hospital were performed. Among them, 540 cases met criteria of age > or = 60 years and full clinical history including electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, myocardial perfusion images and detailed cardiac pathology records from autopsy.

RESULTSAtrial fibrillation occurred in 193 of 540 patients and prevalence increased with age (10.5% in patients younger than 60 years, 39.6% (80-89 years) and 54.8% (> or = 90 years)) being higher in patients with underlying heart disease than without heart disease (P < 0.0001). Coronary artery disease (CAD), congestive heart failure, cardiac valve dysfunction and chronic renal failure were associated with a higher prevalence of atrial fibrillation (P < 0.001). CAD with anterior myocardial infarction or left anterior descending artery disease was also associated with an increased prevalence of atrial fibrillation (P < 0.05). Following autopsy, clinical misdiagnosis of CAD increased with age and missed clinical diagnosis of CAD decreased with age. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed independent predictors of atrial fibrillation: age (OR = 1.335, 95% CI: 1.114 - 1.600, P < 0.0001), underlying heart disease (OR = 2.019, 95% CI: 1.244-3.278, P < 0.005), chronic heart failure (OR = 1.873, 95% CI: 1.272-2.757, P < 0.005), mitral regurgitation (OR = 2.163, 95% CI: 1.093-4.278, P < 0.05) and mitral stenosis (OR = 33.575, 95% CI: 2.852-395.357, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSA high prevalence of atrial fibrillation was found in Chinese patients > or = 60 years who died in hospital, especially when associated with underlying heart disease. The independent risk factors of atrial fibrillation were age, underlying heart disease, congestive heart failure and mitral valve dysfunction. High clinical misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis of CAD were associated with age.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Atrial Fibrillation ; epidemiology ; etiology ; China ; epidemiology ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors