Objective To discuss the impact of repeated contrast media exposure on renal function in patients who received coronary angiography ( CAG) or percutaneous coronary intervention ( PCI) within 1 week after CTA of coronary ateries. Methods A total of 258 patients who received CAG or PCI after coronary CTA were divided into the study group ( n=132, patients had CAG/PCI within 1 week after CTA) and the control group ( n=126, patients had CAG/PCI 1-2 weeks after CTA). Serum creatinine, cystatin C and estimated GFR were tested before and on day 1, 2 and 3 after procedures. The occurance of contrast-induced nephropathy ( CIN ) was recorded. Resu1ts The baseline clinical characteristics of the patients between the two groups had no significant difference. Preoperative and postoperative serum creatinine, cystatin C and eGFR values on day 1, 2 and 3 had no significant difference between the two groups (all P﹥0. 05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of CIN between two groups (5. 3% in the study group vs. 4. 8% in the control group, P﹥0. 05 ) . Conc1usions It is safe and feasible for patients with eGFR≥60 ml/( min?1. 73 m2 ) to undergo CAG or PCI within 1 week after coronary CTA.

OBJECTIVETo observe the protective effects of Tongxinluo (TXL) on apoptosis of rat cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (RCMECs) resulting from homocysteine (Hcy) induced endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), and to determine the signaling pathway behind its protection.

METHODSPrimary cultured RCMECs were isolated from neonatal rats using tissue explant method. The morphology of RCMECs was observed using inverted microscope, identified and differentiated by CD31 immunofluorescence method. Selected were well growing 2nd-4th generations of RCMECs. The optimal action time was determined by detecting the expression of glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP78) using immunofluorescence method. In the next experiment RCMECs were divided into 5 groups, i.e., the blank control group, the Hcy induced group (Hcy 10 mmol/L, 10 h), the Hcy + TXL group (Hcy 10 mmol/L + TXL 400 µg/mL), the Hcy +LY294002 group (Hcy 10 mmol/L + LY294002 5 µmol/L, LY294002 as the inhibitor of PI3K), the Hcy + LY294002 + TXL group (Hcy 10 mmol/L + LY294002 5 µmol/L + TXL 400 µg/mL). The apoptosis rate of RCMECs was detected by flow cytometry. mRNA and protein expressions of GRP78, C/ EBP homologous protein (CHOP), and cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-12 (caspase12) were detected by real-time reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) and Western blot respectively. Expression levels of phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (P-PI3K), total phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (T- P13K) , phosphorylation of kinase B (P-Akt) , and total kinase B (T-Akt) were detected by Western blot.

RESULTSTen hours Hcy action time was determined. Compared with the blank control group, the apoptosis rate was increased (22.77%), mRNA and protein expressions of GRP78, CHOP, and Caspase-12 were increased, protein expressions of P-PI3K and P-Akt,ratios of P-PI3K/T-PI3K and P-Akt/T-Akt were decreased in the Hcy induced group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the Hcy induced group, the apoptosis rate was decreased (10.17%), mRNA and protein expressions of GRP78, CHOP, and Caspase-12 were decreased, and expression levels of P-PI3K, P-Akt, P-PI3K/T-PI3K, and P-Akt/T-Akt were increased in the Hcy + TXL group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared with the Hcy + TXL group, the apoptosis rate was increased (17.9%), mRNA and protein expressions of GRP78, CHOP, and Caspase-12 were increased, expression levels of P-PI3K and P-Akt, ratios of P-PI3K/T-PI3K and P-Akt/T-Akt were decreased in the Hcy + TXL + LY294002 group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONTXL could inhibit the apoptosis of RCMECs resulting from Hcy-induced ERS and its mechanism might be associated with activating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 12 ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Chromones ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress ; Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; Morpholines ; pharmacology ; Myocardium ; cytology ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; Rats ; Signal Transduction ; Transcription Factor CHOP ; metabolism

Objective To measure the level of microglia TRPC6 in mouse MPTP (1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine)-induced neuroinflammation model and investigate its role in cytokine production and dopaminergic neuron damages. Methods Microglia were sorted by magnetic beads labeled with CD11b antibody and the level of TRPC6 in MPTP-induced neuroinflammation models was measured by western blotting. The proliferation of microglia and damages of dopaminergic neurons induced by MPTP were analyzed by immunofluorescence in CD11b-TRPC6 -/ - mice. Meanwhile, the expression of cryαB and cytokines in microglia was measured by western blotting and real-time quantitative PCR, respectively. Results The level of microglia TRPC6 in MPTP-induced neuroinflammation model was up-regulated. The expression of cryαB was increased and the cytokine level was down-regulated in the microglia in MPTP-injected CD11b-TRPC6 -/ - mice. Moreover, the dopaminergic neuron survival was improved in the MPTP-induced neuroinflammation model after TRPC6 knock-out in the microglia. Conclusions The expression of TRPC6 in microglia is up-regulated after MPTP injection, while in CD11b-TRPC6 -/ - mice the MPTP-induced cytokine expression is reduced, contributing to the improvement of dopaminergic neuron survival.

OBJECTIVETo assess a multi-center study effectiveness of clinical pathways based on integrative medicine (IM) for chronic heart failure (CHF) patients.

METHODSA combined method of historical control study and clinical study on concurrent control was used. After the standard management for clinical pathways was carried out in four hospitals at home, the effects on hospitalization days, medical expenses, clinical efficacy, patient satisfaction, and quality of life were assessed.

RESULTSResults of non-concurrent historical control study showed that: the hospital stay was significantly shorter in the pathways group than in the retrospective group (12.59 days vs 18.44 days), and the total cost of hospitalization was significantly reduced in the pathways group (yen 9 051.90 vs yen 11 978.40), showing statistical difference (P < 0.01). Moreover, the effect on the heart function was better in the pathways group than in the retrospective group (the markedly effective rate: 45.60% vs 21.90%; the total effective rate: 96.80% vs 86.10%), showing statistical difference (P < 0.01). Results of clinical study on concurrent control showed that the hospital stay was significantly shorter in the pathways group than in the control group (11.19 days vs 13.21 days), showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). The average total cost of hospitalization was significantly lower in the pathways group than in the control group (yen 8 656.80 vs yen 11 609.70), showing statistical difference (P < 0.01). As for clinical efficacy of Chinese medical syndrome, the total effective rate was higher in the pathways group than in the control group (97.10% vs 93.62%), showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). The markedly effective rate of heart function was better in the pathways group than in the control group, showing statistical difference (49.30% vs 38.30%, P < 0.05). The overall satisfaction was higher in the pathways group than in the conventional group (P < 0.01). There was no statistical difference in the mortality within 3 months after discharge from hospital, and the readmission rate due to heart failure between the two groups (P > 0.05). But there was statistical difference in the quality of life (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe pathway could shorten the hospitalization time, decrease the cost of hospitalization, improve the clinical efficacy, improve patients' quality of life and satisfaction, therefore, it could be spread nationwide.

Chronic Disease ; Critical Pathways ; Heart Failure ; nursing ; therapy ; Hospitalization ; economics ; Humans ; Integrative Medicine ; Length of Stay ; Patient Satisfaction ; Quality of Life ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

Neoplasms of perivascular epithelioid cells (PEComas) are characterized by epithelioid to spindle cells with eosinophilic to clear cytoplasm, an intimate relationship with blood vessels, and coexpression of myoid and melanocytic immunohistochemical markers. While most reported hepatic PEComas, such as angiomyolipoma (AML), behave in a benign fashion, emerging PEComas cases without typical characteristics require further clarification. We report a case of primary hepatic perivascular epithelioid cell tumors-not otherwise specified (HPEComas-NOS) with untypical pathological and immunohistochemical features compared to those of the benign hepatic AML cases. HPEComas-NOS may represent a special type of PEComas classified as having "malignant potential" or at "high risk of aggressive behavior", suggesting the need for further clarification of hepatic PEComas and long-term follow-up of patients with HPEComas-NOS.
Female ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; Middle Aged ; Perivascular Epithelioid Cell Neoplasms

BACKGROUND: Chinese medicine is effective for preventing and treating glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis, however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. DKK1, an inhibitor of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, can be up-regulated by glucocorticoid. Thereafter, DKK1 is an important target in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. OBJECTIVE: To explore the regulatory effect of Zuogui pill on DKK1 in the prevention and treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis. METHODS: Eighteen three-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: control group, model group and Zuogui pill group. Rats in the model and Zuogui pill groups received the subcutaneous injection of dexamethasone to establish the model of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis. The Zuogui pill group rats were administrated Zuogui pill extracts, and the control rats were given the same volume of normal saline. At 1 month after modeling, the lumbar vertebrae were removed to test the bone mass and microstructures by micro-CT scanning. The biomechanical properties were detected by compression test. The mRNA expression levels of DKK1, Runx2 and CTSK were determined by Qpcr. The serum alkaline phosphatase activity was tested. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Compared with the control group, in the model group, the volumetric bone mineral density, trabecular bone volume fraction, trabecular number, and trabecular thickness were significantly decreased (P ＜ 0.05), the trabecular separation and structure model index were significantly increased (P ＜ 0.05). The serum alkaline phosphatase activity was on a decline. The mRNA expression level of DKK1 showed a significant up-regulation (P ＜ 0.05). The mRNA expression level of Runx2 showed a down-regulated trend while mRNA expression level of CTSK showed an up-regulated trend. Compared with the model group, the Zuogui pill group showed significantly enhanced volumetric bone mineral density, trabecular bone volume fraction, and trabecular number (P ＜ 0.05); the structure model index was significantly decreased (P ＜ 0.05); the trabecular separation was reduced; the serum alkaline phosphatase activity was enhanced; the mRNA expression level of DKK1 showed a significant down-regulation (P ＜ 0.05); the mRNA expression level of Runx2 showed an up-regulated trend while mRNA expression level of CTSK showed a down-regulated trend. The vertebral compressive strength in the Zuogui pill group was significantly higher than that in the model group (P＜0.05). In summary, Zuogui pill prevents and treats glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis possibly through the down-regulation of mRNA expression of DKK1.

Neoplasms of perivascular epithelioid cells (PEComas) are characterized by epithelioid to spindle cells with eosinophilic to clear cytoplasm, an intimate relationship with blood vessels, and coexpression of myoid and melanocytic immunohistochemical markers. While most reported hepatic PEComas, such as angiomyolipoma (AML), behave in a benign fashion, emerging PEComas cases without typical characteristics require further clarification. We report a case of primary hepatic perivascular epithelioid cell tumors-not otherwise specified (HPEComas-NOS) with untypical pathological and immunohistochemical features compared to those of the benign hepatic AML cases. HPEComas-NOS may represent a special type of PEComas classified as having "malignant potential" or at "high risk of aggressive behavior", suggesting the need for further clarification of hepatic PEComas and long-term follow-up of patients with HPEComas-NOS.

Neoplasms of perivascular epithelioid cells (PEComas) are characterized by epithelioid to spindle cells with eosinophilic to clear cytoplasm, an intimate relationship with blood vessels, and coexpression of myoid and melanocytic immunohistochemical markers. While most reported hepatic PEComas, such as angiomyolipoma (AML), behave in a benign fashion, emerging PEComas cases without typical characteristics require further clarification. We report a case of primary hepatic perivascular epithelioid cell tumors-not otherwise specified (HPEComas-NOS) with untypical pathological and immunohistochemical features compared to those of the benign hepatic AML cases. HPEComas-NOS may represent a special type of PEComas classified as having "malignant potential" or at "high risk of aggressive behavior", suggesting the need for further clarification of hepatic PEComas and long-term follow-up of patients with HPEComas-NOS.

To analyze the medication features and the regularity of prescriptions of traditional Chinese medicine in treating patients with Qi-deficiency and blood-stasis syndrome of chronic heart failure based on modern literature. In this article, CNKI Chinese academic journal database, Wanfang Chinese academic journal database and VIP Chinese periodical database were all searched from January 2000 to December 2015 for the relevant literature on traditional Chinese medicine treatment for Qi-deficiency and blood-stasis syndrome of chronic heart failure. Then a normalized database was established for further data mining and analysis. Subsequently, the medication features and the regularity of prescriptions were mined by using traditional Chinese medicine inheritance support system(V2.5), association rules, improved mutual information algorithm, complex system entropy clustering and other mining methods. Finally, a total of 171 articles were included, involving 171 prescriptions, 140 kinds of herbs, with a total frequency of 1 772 for the herbs. As a result, 19 core prescriptions and 7 new prescriptions were mined. The most frequently used herbs included Huangqi(Astragali Radix), Danshen(Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Fuling(Poria), Renshen(Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma), Tinglizi(Semen Lepidii), Baizhu(Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma), and Guizhi(Cinnamomum Ramulus). The core prescriptions were composed of Huangqi(Astragali Radix), Danshen(Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) and Fuling(Poria), etc. The high frequent herbs and core prescriptions not only highlight the medication features of Qi-invigorating and blood-circulating therapy, but also reflect the regularity of prescriptions of blood-circulating, Yang-warming, and urination-promoting therapy based on syndrome differentiation. Moreover, the mining of the new prescriptions provide new reference and inspiration for clinical treatment of various accompanying symptoms of chronic heart failure. In conclusion, this article provides new reference for traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of chronic heart failure.

Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury(MIRI) is an urgent problem in clinical treatment. As cardiomyocytes are terminal cells, MIRI-induced cardiomyocyte death will irreversibly damage the structure and function of the heart. In previous studies, apoptosis was considered to be the only way to regulate cell death, while necrosis could not be regulated. However, current studies have shown that cell necrosis could also be regulated, which was collectively called programmed cell death(PCD). Regulated cell death is actively mediated through molecular pathways, so there is the possibility of inhibiting this signaling to reduce MIRI. At present, PCD mainly includes apoptosis, autophagy, necrosis, pyroptosis and ferroptosis. As a unique treature in China, traditional Chinese medicine has the advantages of multiple pathways, multiple targets, low toxicity, less side effects and low economic costs. With the in-depth study of the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine against MIRI, it has been confirmed that traditional Chinese medicine could regulate PCD to reduce MIRI. Therefore, this paper focuses on the relationship between PCD and MIRI, and new studies on intervention with relevant traditional Chinese medicine, with the aim to provide new MIRI prevention and treatment methods from the perspective of "intervention of PCD".
Apoptosis ; China ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury/genetics* ; Myocytes, Cardiac