Objective To investigate the effect of HBV on the expression of fibrosis-related factors in hepatic stellate cells(HSC)and its relation with liver fibrosis.Methods HSCs were co-cultured with HepG2 or HepG2.2.15 in vitro and HSCs cultured alone served as the control.The mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinase(MMP)-2 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase(TIMP)-1 was detected by realtime PCR.The protein expression of MMP-2 and TIMp-1 was detected by Western-blot.Results Compared with the control and the HSCs co-cultured with HepG2,the expression of MMP-2 and TIMP-1 mRNA in HSCs co-cultured with HepG2.2.15 was increased remarkably and the most significant difference was found at 72 h(F=11.91,23.13;P=0.008,0.001);the expression of MMP-2 and TIMP-1 protein in HSCs co-cuhured with HepG2.2.15 was also increased remarkably and the most significant difference was found at 72 h(F=20.70,6.54;P=0.002,0.003)too.Conclusion The expression of fibrosis-related factors in HSCs increased significantly after co-cultured with HepG2.2.15,which suggests that HBV could promote liver fibrosis.

Objective:Imatinib is extensively used as a first-line therapeutic agent for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) at the chronic phase (CP). Although CML patients undergoing imatinib treatment are enrolled mainly in the Glivec International Patient Assistance Program (GIPAP) in China since 2003, limited data have been reported on the long-term outcome of these patients. This study aims to compare the treatment response and prognosis of CML-CP patients who received different treatments from January 2003 to December 2013 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University. Methods:A total of 295 patients were enrolled, includ-ing 185, 30, 50, and 30 patients for imatinib, interferon-alpha (IFN-α) plus Ara-C, hydroxycarbamide (HU), or allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (Allo-HSCT) treatments, respectively. Results:Patients in imatinib and Allo-HSCT groups achieved excellent complete hematologic remission (CHR) (i.e., 96.7%vs. 96.7%), complete cytogenetic response (CCyR) (i.e., 89.7%vs. 93.3%), and com-plete molecular remission (CMoR) (i.e., 49.7%vs. 83.3%, P=0.001). However, significantly low rates of CHR, CCyR, McyR, and CMoR were observed in IFN-αand HU groups. Moreover, patients from imatinib group showed longer overall survival (OS) time than patients from other groups (P<0.001), even patients in Allo-HSCT group (10-year OS, 89.0%vs. 67.0%, P<0.001) because of high risk of Allo-HSCT-related complication. Multivariate analysis showed that receiving imatinib treatment (HR=5.267, 95%CI:1.054-1.940, P=0.022) and achieving CCyR (HR=9.541, 95%CI:1.692-10.513, P=0.002) were independent predictors for OS. Conclusion:Imatinib treatment may be an optimal first-line choice for Chinese patients with CML-CP who have not received any previous treatments.

Background:The Chinese appropriate use criteria (AUC) for coronary revascularization was released in 2016 to improve the use of coronary revascularization.This study aimed to evaluate the association between the appropriateness of coronary revascularization based on the Chinese AUC and 1-year outcomes in stable coronary artery disease (CAD) patients.Methods:We conducted a prospective,multi-center cohort study of stable CAD patients with coronary lesion stenosis ≥50％.After the classification of appropriateness based on Chinese AUC,patients were categorized into the coronary revascularization group or the medical therapy group based on treatment received.The primary outcome was a composite of death,myocardial infarction,stroke,repeated revascularization,and ischemic symptoms with hospital admission.Results:From August 2016 to August 2017,6085 patients were consecutively enrolled.Coronary revascularization was associated with a lower adjusted hazard of 1-year major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs;hazard ratio [HR]:0.62;95％ confidence interval [CI]:0.45-0.86;P =0.004) than medical therapy in patients with appropriate indications (n =1617).No significant benefit in 1-year MACCEs was found after revascularization compared to after medical therapy in patients with uncertain indications (n =2658,HR:0.81;95％ CI:0.52-1.25;P =0.338) and inappropriate indications (n =1810,HR:0.80;95％ CI:0.51-1.23;P=0.308).Contusions:In patients with appropriate indications according to Chinese AUC,coronary revascularization was associated with significantly lower risk of MACCEs at 1 year.No benefit was found in coronary revascularization in patients with inappropriate indications.Our findings provide evidence for using Chinese AUC to guide clinical decision-making.

AIM:To investigate the changes of cardiac structure and function in rats with type 2 diabetic melli-tus(T2DM),and to explore the mechanisms underlying diabetic cardiomyopathy.METHODS:The cardiac structure and function were measured by echocardiography in Zucker diabetic fatty(ZDF)rats and their control Zucker lean(ZL)rats. The size of the cardiomyocytes was determined by wheat germ agglutinin staining.The protein expression of atrial natriuretic peptide(ANP),β-myosin heavy chain(β-MHC), receptor for advanced glycation end products(RAGE), L-type cal-cium channel α1C subunit(CaV1.2)and Orai1 was assessed by Western blot.RESULTS:Compared with the ZL control rats,the thickness of left ventricular wall,ejection fraction(EF),fractional shortening(FS)and the sizes of cardiomyo-cytes were significantly increased,and diastolic function was decreased in the ZDF rats(P<0.05).The protein expression of β-MHC, ANP, RAGE and Orai1 was increased, while the expression of Ca V1.2 was decreased in ZDF rats(P <0.05).CONCLUSION:T2DM rats show the prominent features including cardiomyocyte hypertrophy,ventricular hyper-trophy and compensatory enhancement of cardiac function, and the Ca2+handling and increase in RAGE expression may play important roles in the processes.

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between fasting C-peptide (F-CP) and serum uric acid (SUA) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

METHODSA total of 347 hospitalized patients with T2DM were stratified according to F-CP level to analyze the impact of increased F-CP levels on SUA level and the incidence of hyperuricemia (HUA). The patients with an elevated SUA level (>420 µmol/L) and a normal SUA level (≤420 µmol/L) were compared for general data, fasting C-peptide and other clinical indexes. Pearson or Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation of SUA level with F-CP levels and other parameters. The risk factors of elevated SUA were analyzed by binary logistic regression, multiple regression analysis and hierarchical interaction analysis. The ROC curve was used to analyze the independent risk factors of elevated SUA and determine the corresponding cut-off values.

RESULTSCompared with those with a normal SUA level, patients with elevated SUA had higher body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio, F-CP, postprandial 2hC peptide (2hP-CP), triglyceride (TG), homocysteine (HCY), serum creatinine (SCr) level (P<0.05), and a greater percentage of drinking (44.8% vs 32.6%, P=0.006), but had significantly lowered levels of HbA1c, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (P<0.05). SUA was found to be positively correlated with F-CP, 2hP-CP, BMI, waist-to-hip ratio, diastolic blood pressure, TG, HCY, SCr, smoking and drinking (P<0.05), and was negatively correlated with gender, age, age of disease onset, HbA1c, HDL and eGFR (P<0.05). SUA level and the incidence of hyperuricemia increasea significantly with F-CP level (P<0.05). F-CP was identified as an independent risk factor for elevated SUA, and gender did not affect the relationship between F-CP and SUA. ROC curve analysis showed that a F-CP level >1.260 ng/mL was associated with a significantly increased risk of hyperuricemia in T2DM patients.

CONCLUSIONF-CP is closely related with SUA and may be an independent risk factor of elevated SUA in patients with T2DM.

Objective: To introduce the construction idea and function for establishing China Cardiovascular Surgery Registry (CCSR)database and to provide a reference for domestic congener databases. Methods: Using peer database as reference, taking current status of cardiovascular surgery registry and hardware in our country with the necessity of international communication, we worked on a variables selection, metadata instruction, logic rules, case report form develpment and finally established a web-based, multi-functional database that enabled cross-database and international merging of data, forming a national intelligent data-exchanging platform for cardiovascular surgery. Results:CCSR database has over 300 variables of multiple topics including basic information, risk factors, medical procedures and endpoint events. Taking clinical and association data exchange standards as reference, it may conduct cross-discipline data connection, record important peri-operative information in relevant patients and meanwhile, it has the functions of automatic logic check, data report, statistical study, data export and importing the electronic medical records. Conclusion:CCSR database is a national platform accord with current status of Chinese cardiovascular surgery and characteristics, meanwhile it gives consideration to international communication and data exchange; which may play a important role in improving medical care and clinical investigation.

Objective To evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of metabolic syndrome among hepatitis C patients in Chinese Han population .Methods This was a multicenter ,cross-sectional study . A total of 997 Chinese Han patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection were enrolled .Demographic data ,anthropometric data and clinical parameters related to metabolic syndrome were collected .Statistical analysis was performed by t-test (normal distribution) or Mann-Whitney U two-sample test (non-normal distribution) and χ test .Binary logistic regression analyses were used to determine the parameters significantly related to metabolic syndrome .Results Among the 997 patients ,170 (17 .1%) patients were diagnosed with metabolic syndrome .Binary logistic regression showed that genotype 2 (OR＝1 .594 ;95% CI :1 .045－2 .431 , P＝ 0 .030) ,older age (OR＝ 1 .040 ;95% CI :1 .022 －1 .058 , P＜ 0 .01) , overweight (OR＝3 .876 ;95% CI :2 .593－5 .792 ,P＜0 .01) ,fatty liver history (OR＝2 .106 ;95% CI : 1 .384－3 .204 ,P＝0 .001) ,homeostasis model assessment insulin (HOMA-IR) (OR＝1 .263 ;95% CI :1 .118－1 .427 , P＜0 .01) ,fasting insulin (OR＝0 .949 ;95% CI :0 .915 －0 .985 , P＝0 .006) ,lower serum albumin level (OR＝0 .957 ;95% CI :0 .915 －1 .000 , P＝0 .049) and higher γ-GT level (OR＝1 .004 ;95% CI :1 .000 －1 .008 , P＝ 0 .0041 ) were all significantly associated with the presence of metabolic syndrome .Conclusions Hepatitis C patients with genotype 2 ,older age ,overweight ,fatty liver history ,higher HOMA-IR ,lower fasting insulin level ,lower serum albumin level or higher γ-GT level should be screened for metabolic syndrome .

The vagina contains at least a billion microbial cells,dominated by lactobacilli.Here we perform metagenomic shotgun sequencing on cervical and fecal samples from a cohort of 516 Chinese women of reproductive age,as well as cervical,fecal,and salivary samples from a second cohort of 632 women.Factors such as pregnancy history,delivery history,cesarean section,and breastfeeding were all more important than menstrual cycle in shaping the microbiome,and such information would be necessary before trying to interpret differences between vagino-cervical micro-biome data.Greater proportion of Bifidobacterium breve was seen with older age at sexual debut.The relative abundance of lactobacilli especially Lactobacillus crispatus was negatively associated with pregnancy history.Potential markers for lack of menstrual regularity,heavy flow,dysmenor-rhea,and contraceptives were also identified.Lactobacilli were rare during breastfeeding or post-menopause.Other features such as mood fluctuations and facial speckles could potentially be predicted from the vagino-cervical microbiome.Gut and salivary microbiomes,plasma vitamins,metals,amino acids,and hormones showed associations with the vagino-cervical microbiome.Our results offer an unprecedented glimpse into the microbiota of the female reproductive tract and call for international collaborations to better understand its long-term health impact other than in the settings of infection or pre-term birth.

OBJECTIVETo explore the inhibitory effect of curcumin on proliferation of CD34(+) acute myeloid leukemia cells and its mechamism.

METHODSKG1a and Kasumi-1cell lines were treated with curcumin of different concentrations (0, 40, 60, 80 µmol/L). The effect of curcumin on cell viability and proliferation was detected by trypan blue staining and cell count. The effect of curcumin on distribution of NF-κB P65 subunit was analyzed by immunofluorescence and Western blot.

RESULTSThe curcumin inhibited proliferation of KG1a and Kasumi-1 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Western blotting showed that curcumin led to significant down-regulation of NF-κB P65 nuclear protein expression. Immunofluorescence assay showed that treatment with 40 µmol/L of curcumin for 48h suppressed the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 in KG1a and Kasumi-1 cells.

CONCLUSIONThe curcumin suppresses cell growth of KG1a and Kasumi-1 cells, its mechanism may be related to inhibitory effect of curcumin on NF-κB p65 nucleus protein.

Antigens, CD34 ; Apoptosis ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Cell Survival ; Curcumin ; Down-Regulation ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; NF-kappa B ; Transcription Factor RelA

BACKGROUND: Surgical left atrial appendage occlusion (SLAAO) may be associated with a lower risk of thromboembolism in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing cardiac surgery. However, evidence regarding the effectiveness of SLAAO in patients undergoing mechanical heart valve replacement (MHVR) is lacking. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the association between SLAAO and the cardiovascular outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing MHVR. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data for 497 patients with atrial fibrillation; 27.6% of the patients underwent SLAAO, and the remainder of the patients did not (No-SLAAO group). The primary outcome was a composite of ischemic stroke, systemic embolism, and all-cause mortality. Cumulative event-free survival rates were estimated using Kaplan-Meier curves, and we performed multivariate Cox analyses to evaluate the association between SLAAO and outcomes. We used one-to-one propensity score matching to balance patients' baseline characteristics, and analyzed 120 matching pairs. RESULTS: Five patients died within 30 days postoperatively, and there were no significant differences between the two groups regarding in-hospital complications (all P > 0.05). After a median follow-up of 14 months, 14 primary events occurred. Kaplan-Meier curves showed no difference in the cumulative incidence of freedom from the primary outcome (log-rank P = 0.830), hemorrhagic events (log-rank P = 0.870), and the secondary outcome (log-rank P = 0.730), between the two groups. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analysis showed no association between SLAAO and any outcome (all P > 0.05). After propensity score matching, cardiopulmonary bypass time and aortic cross-clamp time, and the postoperative length of stay were significantly longer in the SLAAO group (all P < 0.05); results were similar to the unadjusted analyses. CONCLUSIONS Concomitant SLAAO and MHVR was associated with longer length of stay, and cardiopulmonary bypass time and aortic cross-clamp time, but was not associated with additional protective effects against thromboembolic events and mortality during the 14-month follow-up.