Objective To evaluate the left atrial function and to explore its determinants in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy by three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE).Methods 46 patients with HCM (obstructive HCM:25 cases,nonobstructive HCM:21 cases) and 46 healthy cases (controls) were enrolled in this study.Time-volume curve of left atrium was acquired by 3DE in all subjects.Left atrial maximal volume (LAVmax),left atrial minimal volume (LAVmin) and left atrial presystolic volume (LAVp) were acquaired.Left atrial volume index (LAVI),left atrial expansion index (LAEI),left atrium emptying fraction (LAEF),left atrium passive emptying fraction (LAPEF) and 1eft atrium active emptying fraction (LAAEF) were calculated.Comparative analysis between two groups was taken .The Spearman correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis between left atrial volume index (LAVI) with interventricular septal thickness (IVSd),left ventricular outflow tract peak gradient (LVOT-PG),mitral regurgitation (MI), left ventricular diastolic function (LVDF) were analyzed respectively .Results Compared to the controls LAVmax (45.67 ±11.96)ml,LAVmin (20.48 ±6.80)ml,LAVp (24.48 ±9.31)ml,LAVI 25.63 ±6.52, LAEI (1.32 ±0.49)%,LAEF (55.25 ±8.06)%,LAPEF (35.90 ±7.00)%and LAAEF (30.20 ±10.13)%, the patient with HCM had a significantly larger LAVmax (81.45 ±24.24)ml,LAVmin (44.60 ±18.96)ml, LAVp (61.00 ±21.64) ml and LAVI 45.39 ±14.17,there were significant differences among the groups (t=8.978,8.123,9.227,8.436,all P<0.01),lower LAEI(0.95 ±0.43)%,LAEF (46.15 ±11.12)%, LAPEF (25.64 ±9.09)%,there were significant differences among the groups (t=-3.865,-4.493,-6.504,all P<0.01),and slightly lower LAAEF (28.20 ±9.26)%,there were no significant differences among the groups (t=-0.656,P>0.01).There were significant positive correlation between LAVI and IVSd,LVOT-PG,MI,LVDF respectively (r=0.704,0.517,0.640,0.701,all P<0.01).Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that IVSd , LVOT-PG, MI and LVDF were correlated factors of LAVI (absolute standardized coeffients =0.264,0.515,0.614,0.341,all P<0.05).Conclusions 3DE could evaluate the left atrial volume and function in patients with HCM , with increased left atrial volume and decreased reservioer,conduit and booster pump function .Mitral regurgitation,obstruction of left ventricular outflow tract,left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and the thickness of left ventricular wall contributed to left atrial dysfunction at different levels ,among which mitrial regurgitation contributed the most .

Objective To compare the therapeutical effect of puerarin, ligustrazine, ginsenoside Rb1, Hydroxysafflor yellow A on cerebral ischemia reperfusion mice. Methods The mice were randomly assigned for sham group, model group, puerarin group, ligustrazine group, ginsenoside Rb1 group, and Hydroxysafflor yellow A group, 24 mice for each group. All the groups were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) by 1 h ischemia and 24 h of reperfusion except the sham group. The puerarin, ligustrazine, ginsenoside Rb1, Hydroxysafflor yellow A were administrated by tail vein injection with 3μmol/kg at the onset of 1 h of ischemia. The neurologic deficit score, infarct area calculated by TTC staining, cerebral cortex blood flow monitored by laser doppler flowmetry, NO content measured by chemical colorimetry and western blot were applied to determine the expression for cleaved-caspase-3 and nuclear transcription factor NF-κB for each group. Results Compared with the model group, the infarct area (15.83%± 1.83%, 22.00%± 2.53%, 22.83%± 1.83%, 17.83%± 1.72%vs. 34.67%± 2.66%) in the puerarin group, ligustrazine group, ginsenoside Rb1 group, Hydroxysafflor yellow A group was significantly decreased (P<0.01 or P<0.05);the cerebral cortex blood flow (598.81 ± 9.90 μl/kg?min-1, 614.78 ± 9.20 μl/kg?min-1, 577.83 ± 5.55 μl/kg?min-1, 583.54 ± 7.98 μl/kg?min-1 vs. 548.43 ± 1.97 μl/kg?min-1) significantly increased (P<0.01 or P<0.05);the NO content (17.09 ± 1.18μmol/L, 18.54 ± 0.54μmol/L, 18.17 ± 0.49μmol/L, 15.10 ± 0.73μmol/L vs. 20.63 ± 0.73μmol/L) ignificantly decreased (P<0.01 or P<0.05);the expression of cleaved-caspase-3 (1.02 ± 0.08, 1.12 ± 0.04, 0.87 ± 0.08, 1.07 ± 0.08 vs. 1.30 ± 0.06) and NF-κB p-p65/NF-κB p65 (1.03 ± 0.19, 1.15 ± 0.05, 1.12 ± 0.08, 0.72 ± 0.08 vs. 1.45 ± 0.08) ignificantly decreased (P<0.01 or P<0.05) Conclusions Four Chinese herbal monomers could improve nerve and cerebral dysfunctions and ameliorate ischemia symptoms with varying degrees. The mechanisms were involved with the enhancement of cerebral cortex blood flow and inhibition of cell apoptosis and the activation of inflammatory signaling pathways.

Objective To investigate the change of eNOS,the spermatogenic cell proliferation,apoptosis in mouse testis exerted by alcohol. Methods The immunohistochemical staining method for detecting of eNOS,PCNA,TUNEL method for detecting of apoptotic cells and the satistics analysis were used in the present study. Results With the increase of alcohol concentration,the structure of seminiferous tubule changed,the diameter of seminiferous tubule decreased,the surface density of postive eNOS cells increased gradually,and the number of positve PCNA cells and apoptosis cells also increased.There were significant difference in 15% alcohol concentration group compared with the other groups(P

Objective　To explore the relationship between hemolymph phenol oxidase and the melanization of Plasmodium yoelii oocysts in Anopheles dirus. Methods　An Anopheles dirus-Plasmodium yoelii system was used Anopheles dirus were divided into 3 groups, that is, non-blood-fedding (N), normal-blood-fedding (B) and infected-blood-fedding (I). The activities of MPO and o-DPO in hemolymph from 3 groups were determined with native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and density scanning at 5, 7, 11 and 15 d after blood feeding. Results　Both MPO and o-DPO activity were significantly higher in group I than group N and B (P<0.05). But with the melanization of Plasmodium yoelii oocysts, both MPO and o-DPO activity in group I were decreased in comparison with group N, especially on the 15 th day after infected-blood feeding. MPO and o-DPO activity in group B were significantly stronger than those of group N. Conclusion　Blood feeding and infection of Plasmodium yoelii both can activate the cascade. The heamolymph phenol oxidase may play an important role in the melanization of Plasmodium yoelii oocysts in Anopheles dirus.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of tributyrin (TB), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, on the growth, differentiation and apoptosis of SHI-1 leukemia cells and explore its possible mechanism.

METHODCell proliferation and viability were determined by cell counting, trypan blue dye exclusion. Cell morphological analysis, Annexin binding, DNA electrophoresis, expression of CD11b and CD14, NBT reduction were performed to evaluate differentiation and apoptosis of SHI-1 cells. The level of acetylated histone H3 was detected by Western blot and p21(WAF1/CIP1) expression by semi-quantitative RT-PCR.

RESULTSTB inhibited the proliferation and viability of SHI-1 cells in a time-dose dependent manner. The morphology of SHI-1 cells cultured in the presence of 0.1 mmol/L TB for 72 hs was more mature with higher NBT positivity and up-regulated expressions of CD11b and CD14 than that of control group. Exposed to 0.5 - 1.0 mmol/L TB for 48 hs, SHI-1 cells exhibited the morphological hallmarks of apoptosis, the increasing of Annexin binding and the DNA ladder on gel electrophoresis. The level of acetylated histone H3 and p21(WAF1) mRNA extracted from SHI-1 cells were increased by the treatment of TB.

CONCLUSIONTB can inhibit proliferation, induce differentiation and apoptosis of SHI-1 cells. The mechanism may associate with its up-regulation of acetylated histone and the expression of p21(WAF1).

Acetylation ; drug effects ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 ; genetics ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors ; Histone Deacetylases ; metabolism ; Histones ; metabolism ; Humans ; Leukemia, Monocytic, Acute ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Triglycerides ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo study the preparative method of controlled release microspheres incorporating basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and the bioactivities of bFGF, which were released from bFGF microspheres, on the cultured Schwann cells.

METHODSbFGF was microcapsulated with the multiple emulsion encapsulative method using polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) as coating material. Its morphology, particle size distribution, drug loading, enveloping rate and in vitro release property were studied. The cultured Schwann cells were grouped according to the different ingredients being added to the culture medium of bFGF group or bFGF-PLGA group. Then the cytometry, cytoactivity detection and mitotic cycle analysis of Schwann cells were performed.

RESULTSThe morphology and the particle size distribution of the bFGF-PLGA microspheres were even and good. The drug loading and enveloping rate of microspheres were (27.18 x 10(-3))%+/-(0.51 x 10(-3))% and 66.43%+/-1.24%. The release property of microspheres in vitro was good and the overall release rate was 72.47% in 11 days. The in vitro cellular study showed that: at the first 2 days of plate culture, the cell number and viability of the bFGF group were statistically higher than the bFGF-PLGA group; at the 3rd and 4th days of plate culture, the cell number and viability of bFGF and bFGF-PLGA groups showed no difference; at the 6th and 8th days of the plate culture, the cell number and viability of the bFGF-PLGA group were statistically higher than the bFGF group. By flow cytometry examination, at the 2nd day of plate culture, the G2/M+S percentage of bFGF group was statistically higher than the bFGF-PLGA group, at the 4th and 8th days of plate culture, the G2/M+S percentage of the bFGF-PLGA group was statistically higher than the bFGF group.

CONCLUSIONSIt is practical to prepare the bFGF-PLGA microspheres with the multiple emulsion encapsulative method. bFGF-PLGA microspheres can preserve the bioactivities of bFGF effectively and promote the proliferation of Schwann cells in a long period because of the controlled release of bFGF from the microspheres.

Animals ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; In Vitro Techniques ; Microspheres ; Rabbits ; Schwann Cells

A sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS/MS) method was applied for the quantification of each component: tetrahydropalmatine (THP), dehydrocorydaline (DHC), salvianolic acid B (SAB), ginsenoside Rg1, Re, Rb1 and Rd in the Chinese herbal component SSTG (Shuangshentongguan) with different combinations. The pharmacokinetic data were analyzed with WinNonlin 5.2 software. The results showed that combination can increase the THP AUC value while the AUC values of SAB, ginsenoside Rg1, Re, Rb1 and Rd were reduced. These results showed significant differences. The AUC value of ginsenoside Rb1 was increased when combined with Danshen or Yanhusuo, but reduced when combined with Danshen and Yanhusuo. The DHC concentration in serum was too low to be determined.
Benzofurans ; pharmacokinetics ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacokinetics ; Ginsenosides ; pharmacokinetics ; Phenanthrolines ; pharmacokinetics

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between clinical and imaging features in neonates with hypoglycemic brain injury.

METHODSSixteen neonates with hypoglycemic brain injury received a MRI scan with the sequences of T1WI, T2WI and DWI within 48 hrs after admission. Of the 16 patients, 11 received second MRI scan at two weeks of their lives, and 3 received a third scan at ages of 1-5 months.

RESULTSRepeated seizures, lethargy and hypotonia were common clinical manifestations. Five severe hypoglycemia cases presented coma, respiratory failure and even cardiorespiratory arrest. The minimum mean value of whole blood glucose (WBG) in the 16 patients was 0.98+/-0.43 mmol/L, and that of the 5 severe cases was 0.72+/-0.42 mmol/L. EEG showed intermittent low voltage in the mild hypoglycemia cases. Flatten pattern and even electrocerebral silence was noted in the severe cases. Occipital and parietal cortexes (OPC) injuries were found in all of the 16 patients and 2 patients had concurrent periventricular white matter injury. A widespread involvement of cortex was found in the 5 severe hypoglycemia cases in which 1 showed widespread involvement of white matter, and 2 showed involvement of basal ganglia and thalamus. The 5 patients with widespread cortex injury and the 2 patients with OPC and periventricular white matter injury showed lower minimum WBG levels compared with those with OPC alone (0.71+/-0.35 mmol/L vs 1.19+/-0.42 mmol/L; t= 2.4124, P<0.05). The appearance of high-intensity signals on DWI was shown as early changes of signals in all of the 16 patients. The second MRI scan for 7 patients with OPC showed abnormal signals on T1WI and T2WI in 5 patients and abnormal signals on DWI in 3 cases. Cerebral atrophy and multicystic encephalomalacia were found in four patients with widespread involvement of cortex on DWI. In the follow-up one patient with OPC presented delayed myelination and one with concurrent white matter injury showed spastic diplegia. One patient with widespread involvement of cortex showed diffused encephalomalacia.

CONCLUSIONSThe severity of hypoglycemic brain injury demonstrated by serial MRIs relates to the severity of hypoglycemia. The occipital and parietal areas are the most vulnerable following hypoglycemia in neonates. Severe hypoglycemic brain injury manifests as a widespread involvement of cortex, or combined with white matter, or basal ganglia and thalamus. DWI can show early hypoglycemic brain injury.

Blood Glucose ; analysis ; Brain ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Hypoglycemia ; complications ; pathology ; Infant, Newborn ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the myocardial perfusion and function in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) before and after percutaneous transluminal septal myocardial ablation (PTSMA).

METHODSSixty-eight patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy were included and (99)Tc(m)-MIBI SPECT MPI was applied before and at 1 week after PTSMA, six-month follow-up was finished in 11 patients. Semi quantity and QGS quantity perfusion and function assessment was performed in 17 LV segments.

RESULTSMyocardial perfusion post-PTSMA was significantly reduced in 98% patients, especially in basal anterosepta, basal interseptal, mid-anteroseptal, mid-interseptal and apical septal segments compared with pre-PTSMA (all P < 0.05). Perfusion was significantly increased at 6 months follow-up than at 1 week post-PTSMA but still lower than pre-PTSMA (all P < 0.05). LVEF (evaluated by gated SPECT) was similar before and after the procedure (P > 0.05). Regional wall motion after PTSMA was lower than pre-PTSMA in basal anterior, basal anteroseptal, basal interseptal and basal inferior (P < 0.05). Regional wall thinkening was lower than pre-PTSMA in basal interseptal, mid-anteroseptal, mid-interseptal (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS(99)Tc(m) MIBI SPECT can be used to monitor myocardial perfusion post PTSMA in patients with HOCM.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Angioplasty, Balloon ; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Catheter Ablation ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon ; Young Adult

The effects of over-expression of testis-specific expressed gene 1 (TSEG-1) on the viability and apoptosis of cultured spermatogonial GC-1spg cells were investigated, and the immortal spermatogonial cell line GC-1spg (CRL-2053™) was obtained as the cell model in order to explore the function of TSEG-1. We transfected the eukaryotic vector of TSEG-1, named as pEGFP-TSEG-1 into cultured spermatogonial GC-1spg cells. Over-expression of TSEG-1 inhibited the proliferation of GC-1spg cells, and arrested cell cycle slightly at G0/G1 phase. Transfection of TSEG-1 attenuated the transcript levels of Ki-67, PCNA and cyclin D1. In addition, over-expression of TSEG-1 induced early and late apoptosis, and reduced the mitochondrial membrane potential of GC-1spg cells. Moreover, transfection of TSEG-1 significantly enhanced the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 and transcript levels of caspase 9, and decreased the expression of Fas and caspase 8 in GC-1spg cells. These results indicated over-expression of TSEG-1 suppresses the proliferation and induces the apoptosis of GC-1spg cells, which establishes a basis for further study on the function of TSEG-1.