[Objective] To observe the effects of autophagy induced by different doses of ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation on the apeptosis in human skin fibroblasts.[Methods] Skin fibroblasts were isolated from the circumcision specimen of a 23-year-old healthy male,and subjected to a primary culture.After 3 to 10 passages,the cells were collected and applied in the following experiment.Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay was performed to evaluate the proliferation of some fibroblasts treated with different concentrations (0,0.5,2.0,5.0and 10.0 mmol/L) of 3-methyladenine (3-MA).To qualitatively and quantitatively detect the autophagy in fibroblasts treated with different concentrations of 3-MA and in fibroblasts treated with 3-MA of 0.5 mmol/Lfollowing UVB irradiation,monodansylcadaverine (MDC) staining was carried out,and immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain (LC3).Some fibroblasts were classified into 8 groups to remain untreated,be irradiated with UVB of 30,50 and 100 mJ/cm2 alone,treated with 3-MA of 0.5 mmol/L alone,or treated with 0.5 mmol/L 3-MA following irradiation with UVB of 30,50 and 100 mJ/cm2,respectively,then,cell apoptosis was qualitatively detected by Hoechst and propidium iodide (PI)staining,and quantitatively detected by flow cytometry with annexin V and PI.[Results] The percentage of autophagic cells was (63.037 ± 5.876) ％ in fibroblasts treated with starvation condition,significantly decreased to (34.425 ± 5.183) ％ in fibroblasts treated with 3-MA of 0.5 mmol/L.The expression of LC3 showed a gradually increasing trend from untreated fibroblasts,to fibroblasts irradiated with UVB of 30,50 and 100 mJ/cm2,while the increase was attenuated by the 4-hour treatment with 3-MA immediately after the irradiation.Compared with the other concentrations,the 3-MA of 0.5 mmol/L showed the least influence on the viability of fibroblasts.The addition of 3-MA of 0.5 mmol/L increased the percentage of cells both positive for Hoechst and PI staining in fibroblasts irradiated with UVB of 50 mJ/cm2,but decreased that in fibroblasts irradiated with UVB of 100 mJ/cm2.Similarly,the percentage of middle and late apoptotic cells was significantly higher in fibroblasts irradiated with UVB of 50 mJ/cm2 followed by treatment with 3-MA of 0.5 mmol/L than in those irradiated with UVB of 50 mJ/cm2alone ((10.933 ± 0.839) ％ vs.(7.267 ± 0.473) ％,t =5.20,P＜ 0.05),but lower in fibroblasts irradiated with UVB of 100 mJ/cm2 followed by treatment with 3-MA of 0.5 mmol/L than in those irradiated with UVB of 100 mJ/cm2alone ( (7.100 ± 0.781 ) ％ vs.( 1 0.133 ± 0.681 ) ％,t =6.29,P ＜ 0.05 ).[Conclusion]s The irradiation with UVB of 50 mJ/cm2 may protect fibroblasts by inducing autophagy and suppressing apoptosis,while the high level of autophagy induced by UVB of 100 mJ/cm2 may lead to autophagic cell death in fibroblasts.

Objective: To observe the effect of L-carniti ne (L-CN) in the treatment of congestive heart failure (CHF). Meth ods: Fifty-six cases of chronic CHF randomly received routine treatment (Digitalis, diuretics, vasodilator, ACEI or βblocker) or L-CN (3.0 g/d ,V D×10 d) with routine therapy. Results: The treatment efficiency of L-CN group and control group were 89.3% and 60.7% (P<0.01), respect ively. No adverse reactions related to the drug were observed. Conclusio n: L-CN with routine therapy might be a safe way to the treat CHF.

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical characteristics, diagnosis and surgical effects of thyroid-stimulating hormone pituitary adenomas (TSH-omas).

METHODSThe clinical data of 19 patients (14 female and 5 male) with TSH-omas were analyzed retrospectively in this study from January 2001 to December 2008. The patients ranged from 20 to 70 years old (average 40.5 years old) and had disease histories from 1 to 228 months (average 55 months). Among these patients, 15 of them complained of thyrotoxicosis symptoms, while the other 4 patients' symptoms were associated with headache and/or visual disturbance caused by the tumor mass effect. Initially, 12 of the 15 patients with thyrotoxicosis symptoms were misdiagnosed with Grave's disease. As a result 2 of them received (131) Iodine, and one received subtotal thyroidectomy. All of these patients underwent transsphenoidal microsurgery.

RESULTSAverage follow-up period was 3.6 years (6 months-7 years). Pathological analysis of the surgical specimen showed pituitary adenoma in all patients, immunohistochemistry were positive for TSH in 17 cases, negative for TSH in 2, positive for growth hormone in 2, positive for prolactin in 1, and positive for adrenocorticotrophic hormone in 1. Postoperative MRI revealed that the tumors in 15 patients were removed totally, though 4 patients still had residual tumors. The thyroid hormone level tests suggested that 13 patients could be considered normal 3 months after their tumors were removed, though 2 of patients with normal postoperative MRI and thyroid hormones showed increased levels of TSH. For these 2 patients, tumors did not recur and their thyroid hormone levels returned to normal after pituitary radiotherapy. The cure rate was 11/19 after surgery and 13/19 after surgery plus pituitary radiotherapy.

CONCLUSIONSThe screening test for hyperthyroidism patients with high TSH levels is a key point to improve the accuracy rate in early diagnoses of TSH-omas. The transsphenoidal microsurgery is first choice to treat TSH-omas, while pituitary radiotherapy and somatostatin analogs are beneficially adjunctive therapies.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperthyroidism ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Thyrotropin ; metabolism ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-gamma) on the sperm acrosin activity and the rate of acrosome reaction and to probe into their mechanisms.

METHODSThirty-six nearly normal semen samples were treated with IFN-gamma and/or TNF-alpha after isolated by 75% Percoll. The sperm acrosin activity was tested by the method of BAEE/ADH Unity, the rate of acrosome reaction observed by Triple-stain technique, the NO concentration measured by HPLC and the activities of Na+ -K+ -ATPase, Ca2+ -ATPase and SOD assayed by kit method.

RESULTSBoth IFN-gamma and TNF-gamma could decrease sperm acrosin activity and acrosome reaction (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). TNF-alpha showed stronger inhibiting effect, IFN-gamma markedly reduced the activities of Na+ -K+ -ATPase, Ca2+ -ATPase and SOD in sperm (P < 0.01), and their synergistic action was weaker. However TNF-alpha produced hardly any effect on Na+ -K+ -ATPase and Ca2+ -ATPase. The NO concentration in sperm was significantly increased by IFN-gamma and/or TNF-alpha (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONIFN-gamma and TNF-alpha have some inhibiting effect on sperm acrosin activity and the rate of acrosome reaction, which could be attributed to their influence on the activities of Na+ -K+ -ATPase, Ca2+ -ATPase and SOD, the NO concentration and so on.

Acrosome Reaction ; drug effects ; Adult ; Calcium-Transporting ATPases ; metabolism ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; pharmacology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase ; metabolism ; Spermatozoa ; drug effects ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of pro-angiogenic factors and their receptors on angiogenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma.

METHODSExpression of VEGF/KDR and Angiopoietins/Tie2 was detected by RT-PCR and Western blot in 15 cases with hepatocellular carcinoma, 15 tumor adjacent tissues (<1 cm, >5 cm), 8 cirrhotic liver, and 4 normal liver. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to detect CD34 expression, and the relationship between neovascular density and angiogenesis was analyzed.

RESULTSThe expression levels of VEGF and Ang2 were significantly higher in hepacellular carcinoma group than those in the other groups (P < 0.01), and so did the expression of CD34. The expressions of KDR and Ang1/Tie2 showed no significant difference in all groups, but they indeed increased to various levels in tumor and tumor adjacent tissues as compared with those in cirrhosis and normal liver.

CONCLUSIONVEGF/KDR and Angiopoietins/Tie2 may be the crucial signal pathways in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Adult ; Aged ; Angiopoietin-2 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Liver ; metabolism ; pathology ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Middle Aged ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Receptor, TIE-2 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Signal Transduction ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo evaluate and analyze mechanism of Pizhen for the treatment of pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

METHODSEighty-five patients (85 knees) were divided into two groups according to random number table method. Among 35 patients in the experimental group, 6 patients were male and 29 patients were female, 1 patient lost follow-up, the average age was (56.65 +/- 4.89) years, and the patients were treated with Pizhen. Among 50 patients in the control group,there were 6 males and 44 females, the average age was (57.54 +/- 4.91) years, and the patients were treated with intra-articular injection with sodium hyaluronate. The VAS score and the data of algometer from the most obvious tenderness around the knee were used to evaluate the clinical effects.

RESULTSThere were significant differences of scores in the experimental group before and after treatment (P<0.01). There were significant differences of scores in the control group before and after treatment (P<0.01). After treatment, there were no statistical differences of VAS score and the data of algometer between experimental and control groups ( P>0.01). There was negative correlation between VAS score and the data of algometer.

CONCLUSIONThe Pizhen is an effective method to treat pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis by relaxing tendon of soft tissue around pain point of knee joint, and relaxing compress and stimulation of nerves.

Acupuncture Analgesia ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Pain Measurement

Objective: To study clinical and pathologic characteristics of leiomyomas of the gastrointestinal tract, and to investigate the distribution characteristics of interstitial cells of Cajal ( ICCs ) in gastrointestinal leiomyomas. Methods: One hundred and forty-seven cases of leiomyomas of gastrointestinal tract were collected at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from June 2012 to June 2017. Clinical and pathologic findings were analyzed, combined with immunohistochemistry, Alcian blue-osafranin staining and molecular study. Results: The age of patients ranged from 13-82 years with mean age of 52 years. Male to female ratio was about 1∶2. Histologically, all tumors were composed of ovoid to spindle cells arranged in short intersecting fascicles. All tumors were diffusely and strongly positive for smooth muscle antibodies, desmin and h-caldesmon by immunohistochemical staining. A prominent interspersed subpopulation of elongated/dendritic-like cells with CD117 and DOG1 positivity (accounting for 1% to 30% of all tumor cells) and negative for Alcian blue-osafranin staining was identified in all esophageal leiomyomas, 16 of 20 (80%) gastric leiomyomas and 3 of 12 small bowel leiomyomas, but none in colonic/rectal leiomyomas. Mutational analysis in 16 cases showed absence of mutation in exons 9, 11, 13 or 17 of C-KIT and exons 12 or 18 of PDGFRA. Conclusions ICCs are identified in esophageal and gastric leiomyomas, as well as in small percentage of intestinal leiomyomas. Such findings may bring significant diagnostic pitfalls for misdiagnosis as gastrointestinal stromal tumor. Careful attention to the distribution of CD117 and DOG1 positive cells and molecular mutation analysis of C-KIT and PDGFRA may be necessary to establish the correct diagnosis.

Sialidosis is a rare lysosomal storage disease caused by NEU1 gene mutation at 6p21.33. It is characterized by myoclonic, ataxia, epilepsy, and decreased vision. A pair of twins with sialidosis type 1 are reported to enrich clinicians ′ understanding of the disease, so as to improve the diagnosis and treatment. The proband was a 16-year-old male. The main symptom was intermittent limb involuntary trembling for 2 years, with paroxysmal loss of consciousness. Fundus examination showed cherry-red spots. His twin brother had similar symptoms, but the overall performance was mild. Whole exome sequencing results showed that both patients carried compound heterozygous mutations of c.239C>T (p.P80L) and c.803A>G (p.Y268C) in NEU1 gene, which were from their normal phenotype mother and father.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the frequencies of GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 polymorphisms in Dong, Yi and Yao ethnic groups from Guizhou.

METHODSIn 321 volunteers who were population-based, GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms were analyzed by a multiplex-PCR procedure, whereas GSTP1 polymorphism was analyzed by PCR-RFLP method.

RESULTSNull genotype for GSTM1 and GSTT1 was 59.6%-71.2% and 39.4%-72.5%, respectively. The genotypic distribution of GSTP1 was 63.3%-75% for AA, 23.2%-35.8% for AG, 0-1.9% for GG, whereas the allelic frequencies were 81.2%-86.6% for the A allele, and 13.4%-18.8% for the G allele.

CONCLUSIONThere is a significant relationship between GSTT1 frequencies and ethnic populations.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; China ; ethnology ; Ethnic Groups ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; genetics ; Genotype ; Glutathione S-Transferase pi ; genetics ; Glutathione Transferase ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Polymorphism, Genetic

BACKGROUNDThere are limited data on longer-term outcomes (>5 years) for patients with unprotected left main coronary artery (ULMCA) disease who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the drug-eluting stents (DES) era. This study aimed at comparing the long-term (>5 years) outcomes of patients with ULMCA disease underwent PCI with DES and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and the predictors of adverse events.

METHODSAll consecutive patients with ULMCA disease treated with DES implantation versus CABG in our center, between January 2003 and July 2009, were screened for analyzing. A propensity score analysis was carried out to adjust for potential confounding between the two groups.

RESULTSNine hundred and twenty-two patients with ULMCA disease were enrolled for the analyses (DES = 465 vs. CABG = 457). During the median follow-up of 7.1 years (interquartile range 5.3-8.2 years), no difference was found between PCI and CABG in the occurrence of death (P = 0.282) and the composite endpoint of cardiac death, myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke (P = 0.294). Rates of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events were significantly higher in the PCI group (P = 0.014) in large part because of the significantly higher rate of repeat revascularization (P < 0.001). PCI was correlated with the lower occurrence of stroke (P = 0.004). Multivariate analysis showed ejection fraction (EF) (P = 0.012), creatinine (P = 0.016), and prior stroke (P = 0.031) were independent predictors of the composite endpoint of cardiac death, MI, and stroke in the DES group, while age (P = 0.026) and EF (P = 0.002) were independent predictors in the CABG group.

CONCLUSIONSDuring a median follow-up of 7.1 years, there was no difference in the rate of death between PCI with DES implantation and CABG in ULMCA lesions in the patient cohort. CABG group was observed to have significantly lower rates of repeat revascularization but higher stroke rates compared with PCI. EF, creatinine, and prior stroke were independent predictors of the composite endpoint of cardiac death, MI, and stroke in the DES group, while age and EF were independent predictors in the CABG group.

Aged ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; Coronary Artery Disease ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Drug-Eluting Stents ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Stroke Volume