Background:The morbidity and mortality of gastric cancer remain high worldwide,and it is urgent to explore new targets for the diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer. Nuclear protein 1 (Nupr1)has a variety of biological functions, especially in the tumorigenesis and development of the malignancies. Aims:To investigate the expression and clinical significance of Nupr1 in gastric cancer. Methods:Quantitative RT-PCR was used to determine the mRNA expression of Nupr1 in 72 cases of gastric cancerous tissue and the paired paracancerous tissue. Western blotting and immunohisto-chemistry were employed to detect the protein expression and cellular localization of Nupr1. The correlation of Nupr1 with the clinicopathological characteristics of gastric cancer was analyzed. Results:Expressions of Nupr1 mRNA and protein in gastric cancer were both significantly higher than those in paracancerous tissue (P < 0. 05),and their expressions were coincident. Nupr1 protein was expressed mainly in cytoplasm,and the nuclear expression was reduced. Expression of Nupr1 mRNA in gastric cancer was significantly correlated with tumor size,differentiation,pathological type,Bormann's classification,depth of invasion,lymph node and distant metastases and TNM staging (P < 0. 05),and was not correlated with gender,age and site of tumor (P > 0. 05). Conclusions:Nupr1 is overexpressed and correlated with invasion, metastasis and progression of gastric cancer. It can be used as a novel biomarker for early diagnosis and prognosis evaluation,and as a potential target for treatment of gastric cancer.

OBJECTIVETo observe the anti-inflammatory effect of total saponins of Panax japonicus on LPS-induced RAW264. 7 macrophages.

METHODThe effect of total saponins of P. japonicus of different concentrations on RAW264. 7 cell viability was determined with the MTT method. The NO kit assay was adopted to detect the NO release of total saponins of P. japonicus to LPS-induced RAW264. 7 cells. The enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin 1-beta (IL-1beta). The reverse transeriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to determine the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) ,TNF-alpha,IL-1beta. The protein expression of nuclear transcription factor-kappaB p65 (NF-kappaB p65) was tested by Western blot.

RESULTThe safe medication range of total saponins of P. japonicus was less than 80 mg x L(-1). Compared with the LPS model group, total saponins of P. japonicus high, middle and low dose groups (0.1, 1, 10, 40 mg x L(-1)) could significantly reduce the secretion of NO, TNF-alpha, IL-1beta of LPS-induced RAW264. 7 cells, and inhibit the expressions of iNOS, TNF-alpha and IL-1beta mRNA and the protein expression of NF-kappaB p65.

CONCLUSIONThis study preliminarily proves the protective effect of total saponins of P. japonicus on LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophages. Its action mechanism may be related to NF-kappaB signal pathway.

Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Inflammation ; drug therapy ; genetics ; immunology ; Interleukin-1beta ; genetics ; immunology ; Lipopolysaccharides ; adverse effects ; Macrophages ; drug effects ; immunology ; Mice ; NF-kappa B ; genetics ; immunology ; Nitric Oxide ; immunology ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; genetics ; immunology ; Panax ; chemistry ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Saponins ; pharmacology

AIM: To study the current density of transient outward potassium current (I_(to)) in cells from the epicardial zone of the 1-week and 2-month infarcted rabbit heart. METHODS: Rabbits were infarcted by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery, 1 week as well as 2 months later, the single ventricular myocytes were isolated enzymatically from the infracted area of 1-week infracted rabbit heart (PMI-1 week) and 2-month infracted heart (PMI-2 months), region remote from the infracted zone of 2-month infracted heart (REM-2 months) and free wall of left ventricule from noninfarcted heart (CON). I_(to) was recorded using whole cell patch-clamp techniques. (RESULTS:) Membrane capacitance of myocytes in REM-2 months group was signifitantly larger than that in CON. I_(to)current density (at +60 mV) was significantly reduced in PMI-1 week [(7.5?2.4) pA/pF, n=12] and PMI-2 months [(10.6?4.1) pA/pF, n=18] compared with CON [(17.4?5.2) pA/pF, n=16], P

AIM: To study the effect of experimental acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP) on sodium and L-type calcium current in rat cardiomyocytes. METHODS: I Na and I Ca-L were recorded using whole cell patch-clamp techniques from left ventricular myocytes in ANP model established by retrograde injection of 3 5% sodium taurocholate 2 5 mL/kg into pancreatic duct. RESULTS: Peak I Na current density (at -30 mV) was significantly reduced in ANP [(12 45?2 26) pA/pF, n =16] compared with sham [(25 32?3 31) pA/pF, n= 14], P

Objective: To evaluate the effect of catheter ablation (CA) by endpoint of left atrium (AF)- pulmonary vein (PV) with bi-directional electrical isolation in treating the patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) with remote electro-cardio graphic monitoring.
Methods: A total of 82 AF patients received radio frequency catheter ablation (RFCA) in our hospital and 76 PAF patients were observed. Based on circumferential pulmonary vein isolation (CPVI) judgment, the PAF patients were divided into 2 groups: Bi-directional block (BDB) group,n=20 and Entrance block (EB) group,n=56. The post-operative rhythm was followed-up by remote electro-cardio graphic monitoring and the clinical efifcacy of CA was prospectively observed.
Results:①All 76 patients finished CA, 1 patient died in EB group at 4 days after operation for pulmonary embolism, the rest 75 patients were followed-up for (31±19) months. The overall success rates of single ablation procedure at 3 months and 6 months after operation were 85.33% and 77.33%; in BDB group were 95.00% and 85.00%, in EB group were 81.82% and 74.55% respectively, the result was similar between 2 groups,P>0.05.②The overall occurrence rates of arrhythmia at 1 week and 3 months after operation were 35.53% and 17.33%; in BDB group were 15.00% and 5.00%, in EB group were 42.86% and 21.82% respectively, the differences between 2 groups were at P=0.049 andP>0.05.③Remote electro-cardio graphic monitoring recorded the patients with asymptomatic atrial arrhythmia at 1 week and 3 months after operation were at 22.22% and 23.08% respectively.
Conclusion:①Compared with EB group, BDB group had obviously lower occurrence rate of arrhythmia at short term after CA.②The overall success rate of single ablation procedure was similar between 2 groups which might be because less patients were studied.③Remote electro-cardio graphic monitoring has certain advantage for evaluating the occurrence of atrial arrhythmia after operation.

AIM: To study the current density and function of Na + channel in cells from the epicardial border zone of the 1-week infarcted rabbit heart. METHODS: Rabbits were infarcted by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. 1 week later, I Na was recorded using whole cell patch-clamp techniques in ventricular myocytes from infarcted heart(IZs) and compared with the I Na from noninfarcted heart(NZs). RESULTS: Peak I Na current density(at -30 mV) was significantly reduced in IZs(22 48?4 62 PA/PF, n= 14) compared with NZs(45 50?5 33 PA/PF, n= 12), P

Objective To study the modulation effect of adrenomedullin (ADM) on hypoxia pulmonary hypertension in rats.Methods Twenty-four male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group ( n =8), hypoxic group ( n =8), hypoxic with ADM group ( n =8). ADM was subcutaneously administered into rats of hypoxic with ADM group by mini-osmotic pump (300 ng/h). After two weeks hypoxic challenge, systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (sPAP) and mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) were evaluated by a right cardiac catheterization procedure. Mean systemic artery pressure (mSAP) was measured. The ratio of right ventricular mass to left ventricular plus septal mass [RV/(LV+S)] was detected.Results sPAP, mPAP and RV/(LV+S) significantly increased in hypoxic rats compared with controls ( P

Objective To evaluate the clinical feasibility of localization CT enhanced image replacing plain CT scan image for target delineation and dose calculation.Methods Forty cases of NPC were collected and divided into two groups with different concentrations of contrast agents.The contours of planning target volume (PTV) and organs at risk (OARs) of each case were delineated in the plain scan image,and the contours of PTV and OARs were copied to the enhanced image.Two plans based on the plain scan image and the enhanced image were designed in the planning system of Eclipse.The dose distribution and OARs and MU were compared between the groups.Results No statistical differences were found in the dosimetry of PTV,OARs and MU (P＞0.05).Conclusion The image intensifier has little effect on the dose calculation of Eclipse for NPC.In the radiotherapy for NPC,the localization CT enhanced image can be used to replace the plain CT scan image for target delineation and dose calculation.

OBJECTIVETo study clinical effects of one-hole microplate internal fixation for the treatment of collateral ligament injuries of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb combined with fracture.

METHODSTwenty-two patients (16 males, 6 females) with collateral ligament injuries of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb combined fracture were treated with one-hole microplate internal fixation. The age of the patients ranged from 18 to 53 years old with a mean age of 28.5 years old. The duration from injury to surgery ranged from 2 hours to 2 months, and the mean time was 6 days. All the patients had collateral ligament injuries combined with fracture of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb. Thirteen patients had injuries in the right hand and 9 patients had injuries in the left hand. There were 18 cases of closed wound and 4 cases of open wound. Eighteen patients had fresh injuries (< 2 weeks) and 4 had old injuries (> 2 weeks). Sixteen patients had injuries in the ulnar collateral ligament of the thumb combined with fracture, 6 patients had radial collateral ligament injuries of the thumb combined with fracture, 4 cases of which were complicated with injuries of abductor pollicis brevis and the end of the flexor pollicis brevis tender. The size of the avulsed fragment was about 3.0 mm x 4.0 mm to 6.0 mm x 7.0 mm.

RESULTSThe incisions of 22 patients healed by first intention. The follow-up periods ranged from 6 months to 5 years old,with an average of 2.5 years old. The thumb function was evaluated by Saetta and other evaluation criteria, and 20 patients got an excellent result and 2 good.

CONCLUSIONThe application of one-hole microplate internal fixation in treating collateral ligament injuries with fracture of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb is an effective method.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Bone Plates ; Collateral Ligaments ; injuries ; surgery ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Fractures, Bone ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Metacarpophalangeal Joint ; injuries ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Thumb ; injuries ; surgery ; Young Adult

AIMPulmonary hypertension is a common complication of congenital heart disease with a left-to right shunt. The mechanism of pulmonary hypertension induced by high pulmonary blood flow is still not fully understood. Recent studies showed that hydrogen sulfide (H2S) could relax vascular smooth muscle cells. But the change of the system of H2S in pulmonary hypertension induced by high pulmonary blood flow was not reported. We studied the influence on expression of CSE mRNA and production of hydrogen sulfide in rat lung tissues by L-Arginine, in order to demonstrate a regulating role of nitric oxide (NO) in the regulation of cystathionine-gamma-lyase/hydrogen sulfide system (CSE/H2S).

METHODSThirty male SD rats were randomly divided into shunting group, shunting with L-Arginine group, and control group. Abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava shunting was produced in rats of the later group. Pulmonary artery mean pressure (mPAP) and the hypertrophy of right ventricle of each rat were analyzed. The expression of lung tissue CSE mRNA was measured using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization. The activity of CSE in lung tissue was measured according to chemical analysis.

RESULTSmPAP was significantly increased in shunted rats compared with normal control (P < 0.01), the expression of lung tissue CSE mRNA and the activity of CSE in lung tissue were decreased in shunt group (P < 0.01). However, L-arginine significantly attenuated pulmonary artery pressure, but augmented the expression of lung tissue CSE mRNA as well as the activity of CSE in lung tissue.

CONCLUSIONL-Arginine reverses the down-regulation of CSE/H2S system in high pulmonary blood flow-induced pulmonary hypertension.

Animals ; Arginine ; metabolism ; Cystathionine gamma-Lyase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Hydrogen Sulfide ; metabolism ; Lung ; blood supply ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley