OBJECTIVETo exacted analysis each time interval in isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) of normal subjects through observin the changes of cardiac structure and hemodynamics during the IVRT. Then to provide the evidence of cardiac resynchronization therapy.

METHODSQuantitative analysis was performed for 60 subjects. The dual-channel echocardiography(DCE), pulse wave doppler (PW) and tissue wave dapper (TDI) examination of all the subjects were recorded, and IVRT was divided into two intervals, isovolumic relaxation time of early intervals (IVRTe) and isovolumic relaxation time of late interval (IVRT1). Then measured the time of each interval. Indicators were used including: (1) IVRT; (2) IVRTe; (3) IVRTI; (4) IVRTI/IVRT; calculating the data after heart rate corrected; (5) cIVRT; (6) clVRTe; (7) clVRTI; (8) clVRTI/clVRT; (9) measuring the time difference in mitral blood and tissue (TE-é) of DCE group.

RESULTSThe i-wave within IVRT in PW images was found in 45 subjects, and the i-wave was about 1/2 of IVRT (49.17 +/- 5.37) ms. IVRT was divided into IVRTe and IVRTI by a turning point at descending branch of i-wave as t-point. The j-wave was observed in 84% TDI images, and the j-wave was about 1/2 of IVRT (43.13 +/- 4.83) ms. IVRT was divided into IVRTe and IVRTI by a turning point of the onset of j-wave as t-point. A significant difference was found between PW and TDI with measurement of IVRT, IVRTe, IVRTI (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the common group and DCE group (P > 0.05). After heart rate corrected, the data showed no significant difference using pairwise comparisons among the three groups (P > 0.05). The mean and standard deviation of IVRTI/IVRT, cIVRTI/clVRT were (0.50 +/- 0.12) ms. There were little difference of time intervals and good consistenc using DCE measured IVRT with multiple tests confinmed.

CONCLUSIONThe study found that IVRT might be divided into IVRTe and IVRT1 phases. There were i-wave in IVRTe and j-wave in IVRT1. The t-point was nearly midpoint inisovolumic relaxation time.

Adult ; Diastole ; physiology ; Echocardiography ; Female ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ventricular Function, Left ; physiology

Angiotensins ; analysis ; Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Biomarkers ; analysis ; Endothelin-1 ; analysis ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Lung ; chemistry ; pathology ; Magnesium Sulfate ; pharmacology ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; analysis ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; Swine ; Vasomotor System ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of miRNA silencing HIF-1α gene on the proliferation of HepG2 cells.

METHODSThe eukaryotic expression plasmids of HIF-1α miRNA and report gene containing hypoxia-reponse element were constructed and transfected into HepG2 cells. The expressions of HIF-1α gene and protein were determined by real time-PCR and Western blotting. The expressions of HIF-1α, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) were quantitatively detected by ELISA. The alterations of cell cycles and apoptosis rate were quantitatively measured by flow cytometry and Annexin V-FITC/PI double dyeing assay.

RESULTS72 h after transfection the down regulations of HIF-1α mRNA and protein were 87% and 56% respectively, and the decrease of target gene was 46% in the report gene, 54% in VEGF and 36% in Ang-2, respectively. The apoptotic ratio of HepG2 cells was 22.46+/-0.61% (P < 0.01). The cell cycle changed greatly at the ratio of G1 (61.49+/-1.12%) and S (22.40+/-0.58%, P < 0.01). After being combined with doxorubicin, the apoptotic ratio increased to 36.99+/-0.88% and the ratios of G1 and S phases were upregulated to 65.68+/-0.91% and 19.47+/-1.34% respectively.

CONCLUSIONSHIF-1α miRNA or / and doxorubicin can regulate the growth cycles of HepG2 cells, promote the cell apoptosis and inhibit the cell proliferation.

Apoptosis ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Proliferation ; Gene Silencing ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; genetics ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Transfection

Humans ; Perineum ; Rhabdomyosarcoma/diagnosis*

To investigate whether epigenetic alterations in the insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) gene that cause differential transcription or expression are correlated with onset and severity of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Patient-matched specimens of HCC, paracancerous, and non-cancerous tissues were collected from 40 primary liver cancer patients. Epigenetic alterations in the promoter (P3) sequence of the IGF-II gene were analyzed by methylation-specific PCR (MSP) and IGF-II transcription was measured by RT-PCR. IGF-II protein expression and clinicopathological features were assessed by immunohistochemistry and microscopic observation. The rate of IGF-II P3 methylation was significantly lower in HCC tissues (0%) than in paracancerous tissues (vs. 47.5%; x2 = 24.918, P less than 0.001) and non-cancerous tissues (vs. 100%; x2 = 80.000, P less than 0.001). IGF-II mRNA expression was significantly higher in HCC tissues (100%) than in paracancerous tissues (vs. 52.5%; x2 = 24.918, P less than 0.001) and non-cancerous tissues (vs. 0%; x2 = 80.000, P less than 0.001). IGF-II protein expression was significantly higher in HCC tissues (82.5%) than in paracancerous tissues (vs. 45.0%; x2 = 12.170, P less than 0.001) and non-cancerous tissues (vs. 0%; x2 = 56.170, P less than 0.001). IGF-II overexpression in HCC was significantly associated with degree of differentiation, extent of infiltrated serosa, size of tumor, and HBV-positive infection status. Epigenetic alterations in the IGF-II gene regulate its transcription and expression and are closely associated with HCC development and progression.
Adult ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; CpG Islands ; genetics ; DNA Methylation ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor II ; genetics ; metabolism ; Liver ; metabolism ; pathology ; Liver Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transcription, Genetic

Intestinal barrier dysfunction always accompanies cirrhosis in patients with advanced liver disease and is an important contributor facilitating bacterial translocation (BT), which has been involved in the pathogenesis of cirrhosis and its complications. Several studies have demonstrated the protective effect of Vitamin D on intestinal barrier function. However, severe cholestasis leads to vitamin D depletion. This study was designed to test whether vitamin D therapy improves intestinal dysfunction in cirrhosis. Rats were subcutaneously injected with 50% sterile CCl₄ (a mixture of pure CCl₄ and olive oil, 0.3 mL/100 g) twice a week for 6 weeks. Next, 1,25(OH)₂D₃(0.5 µg/100 g) and the vehicle were administered simultaneously with CCl₄ to compare the extent of intestinal histologic damage, tight junction protein expression, intestinal barrier function, BT, intestinal proliferation, apoptosis, and enterocyte turnover. Intestinal heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression and oxidative stress were also assessed. We found that vitamin D could maintain intestinal epithelial proliferation and turnover, inhibit intestinal epithelial apoptosis, alleviate structural damage, and prevent BT and intestinal barrier dysfunction. These were achieved partly through restoration of HO-1 and inhibition of oxidative stress. Taken together, our results suggest that vitamin D ameliorated intestinal epithelial turnover and improved the integrity and function of intestinal barrier in CCl₄-induced liver cirrhotic rats. HO-1 signaling activation was involved in these above beneficial effects.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Bacterial Translocation ; Cholestasis ; Enterocytes ; Fibrosis ; Heme Oxygenase-1 ; Heme ; Humans ; Liver ; Liver Diseases ; Olive Oil ; Oxidative Stress ; Rats ; Tight Junctions ; Vitamin D ; Vitamins

OBJECTIVETo evaluate that the effect of formula of removing both phlegm and blood stasis in improving cardiac function of Chinese mini-swine with coronary heart disease of phlegm-stasis cementation syndrome.

METHODTotally 36 Chinese mini-swine were randomly divided to six groups: the normal control group, the model group, the Danlou tablet group, and Tanyu Tonzhi Fang(TYTZ) groups with doses of 2. 0, 1. 0 and 0. 5 g kg-1, with six in each group. Except for the normal control group, all of other groups were fed with high-fat diet for 2 weeks. Interventional balloons are adopted to injure their left anterior descending artery endothelium. After the operation, they were fed with high-fat diet for 8 weeks to prepare the coronary heart disease model of phlegm-stasis cementation syndrome. After the operation, they were administered with drugs for 8 weeks. The changes in the myocardial ischemia were observed. The changes in the cardiac function and structure were detected by cardiac ultrasound and noninvasive hemodynamic method.

RESULTCompared with the normal control group, the model group showed significant increase in myocardial ischemia and SVR and obvious decrease in CO, SV and LCW in noninvasive hemodynamic parameters (P <0.05 or P <0.01). The ultrasonic cardiogram indicated notable decrease in IVSd, LVPWs, EF and FS, and remarkable increase in LVIDs (P<0. 05 orP<0.01). Compared with the model group, TYTZ could reduce the myocardial ischemia, strengthen cardiac function, and improve the abnormal cardiac structure and function induced by ischemia (P <0. 05 or P <0. 01).

CONCLUSIONTYTZ shows a significant effect in improving cardiac function of Chinese mini-swine with coronary heart disease of phlegm-stasis cementation syndrome. The clinical cardiac function detection method could be adopted to correctly evaluate the changes in the post-myocardial ischemia cardiac function, and narrow the gap between clinical application and basic experimental studies.

Animals ; Coronary Circulation ; Coronary Disease ; diagnostic imaging ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Heart ; physiopathology ; Hemodynamics ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Mucus ; metabolism ; Swine ; Swine, Miniature ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVETo investigate the outcome of pregnancy in women after surgical treatment of tubal pregnancy and measures to improve the rate of successful postoperative pregnancy.

METHODSA retrospective study was conducted among 424 women who underwent surgical treatment for tubal pregnancy between Jan 1999 and Jan 2004. All patients desiring a second pregnancy were followed up for 18-72 months for the outcome. Cumulative fertility and recurrence curve were compared and calculated by life-table.

RESULTSOf the 424 women with tubal pregnancy, 177 (41.7%) had intrauterine pregnancy after the operation, while 102 (24.1%) had recurrent ectopic pregnancy. Among the 177 women with intrauterine pregnancy, 85 (48.02%) became pregnant within 6 months after the operation, 133 (75.14%) within one year, and the cumulative intrauterine pregnancy rate approached 94.92% within 2 years. But among the 102 women with recurrent ectopic pregnancy, only 10 (9.8%) were pregnant within 6 months after the operation, and 49 (48.04%) within 18 months, with a cumulative ectopic pregnancy rate of 67.65%.

CONCLUSIONFor women receiving surgery for ectopic pregnancy, the chance for intrauterine pregnancy can be the greatest within 6 months after operation and reduced markedly after 2 years, when recurrent ectopic pregnancy can be likely. Early plans for pregnancy and hydrotubation following the surgery may prove beneficial for raising the chances for postoperative intrauterine pregnancy.

Adult ; Female ; Fertility ; physiology ; Humans ; Postoperative Period ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Pregnancy, Tubal ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the rules of lymphatic metastasis of rectal carcinoma, and to help clinical diagnosis and treatment. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed in the 979 patients with rectal carcinoma who underwent surgical resection from 1995 to 2004. The associations between lymphatic metastasis and clinicopathologic variables were evaluated by Chi-squared test and logistic regression. RESULTS: The rate of lymph node metstasis was 71.4% for patients younger than 30 years old, 40.7% in the patients with tumor diameters over 6 centimeters, 82.5% in the patients with extraneous tumor invasion, 71.6% for patients of poor-differentiated adenocarcinoma, 70.4% for patients with mucoid adenocarcinoma, 100% for patients with signet-ring cell carcinoma and 46.4% for patients with more than half intestinal circumference invasion. Logistic regression analysis showed that the degree of lymphatic metastasis was related to the differentiating degrees, depths of tumor invasion and intestinal circumference invasion, and the differentiating degree was the major factor. CONCLUSION The lymphatic metastasis of rectal carcinoma is related to age, tumor size, intestinal circumference invasion, depth of tumor invasion and the differentiating degree of the tumor; the differentiating degree is the major factor.
Adenocarcinoma ; pathology ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Carcinoma, Signet Ring Cell ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Rectal Neoplasms ; pathology ; Retrospective Studies

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are immature endothelial cells that participate in vascular repair and postnatal neovascularization and provide a novel and promising therapy for the treatment of vascular disease. Studies in different animal models have shown that EPC mobilization through pharmacological agents and autologous EPC transplantation contribute to restoring blood supply and tissue regeneration after ischemic injury. However, these effects of the progenitor cells in clinical studies exhibit mixed results. The therapeutic efficacy of EPCs is closely associated with the number of the progenitor cells recruited into ischemic regions and their functional abilities and survival in injury tissues. In this review, we discussed the regulating role of stromal cell-derived factor-1 (also known CXCL12, SDF-1) in EPC mobilization, recruitment, homing, vascular repair and neovascularization, and analyzed the underlying machemisms of these functions. Application of SDF-1 to improve the regenerative function of EPCs following vascular injury was also discussed. SDF-1 plays a crucial role in mobilizing EPC from bone marrow into peripheral circulation, recruiting the progenitor cells to target tissue and protecting against cell death under pathological conditions; thus improve EPC regenerative capacity. SDF-1 are crucial for regulating EPC regenerative function, and provide a potential target for improve therapeutic efficacy of the progenitor cells in treatment of vascular disease.