The aim of the present study is to investigate the protective effect of chrysin (5,7-dihydroxyflavone) on right ventricular remodeling in a rat model of monocrotaline-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). PAH rats were induced by a single injection of monocrotaline (60 mg x kg(-1), sc) and were administered with chrysin (50 or 100 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) for 4 weeks. At the end of experiment, the right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) and mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) were monitored via the right jugular vein catheterization into the right ventricle. Right ventricle (RV) to left ventricle (LV) + septum (S) and RV to tibial length were calculated. Right ventricular morphological change was observed by HE staining. Masson's trichrome stain was used to demonstrate collagen deposition. The total antioxidative capacity (T-AOC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in right ventricle were determined according to the manufacturer's instructions. The expressions of collagen I, collagen III, NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) were analyzed by immunohistochemisty, qPCR and (or) Western blot. The results showed that chrysin treatment for 4 weeks attenuated RVSP, mPAP and right ventricular remodeling index (RV/LV+S and RV/Tibial length) of PAH rats induced by monocrotaline. Furthermore, monocrotaline-induced right ventricular collagen accumulation and collagen I and collagen III expression were both significantly suppressed by chrysin. The expressions of NOX4, NF-κB and MDA contents were obviously decreased, while the T-AOC was significantly increased in right ventricule from PAH rats with chrysin treatment. These results suggest that chrysin ameliorates right ventricular remodeling of PAH induced by monocrotaline in rats through its down-regulating of NOX4 expression and antioxidant activity, and inhibiting NF-κB expression and collagen accumulation.

OBJECTIVETo observe the inhibiting effect of acupuncture on blood lipid, myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis in mice with hyperlipemia, and explore its possible action mechanism.

METHODSTen inbred mice (C57) were applied. Forty ApoE(-/-) mice who removed gene of apolipoprotein E were randomly divided into a control group, a non-acupoint group, an acupoint group and a medication group. The points 0. 5 cm and 1 cm next to the end of mice tail were respectively punctured in the non-acupoint group; "Neiguan" (PC 6) and "Fenglong" (ST 40) were punctured in the acupoint group; intragastric administration of simvastatin was applied in the medication group. After 8 weeks of treatment, the changes of total cholesterol (TC) and ratio of heart to body mass in each group were measured; changes of cardiac muscle fiber and ventricular wall thickness were observed; enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to test the level of angiotensin II (Ang I ) in plasma, and western blotting method was used to test protein content of angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) and endothelin-1 type A receptor (ETAR) in the heart.

RESULTSAfter 8 weeks of intervention, compared with the control group, rising range of blood lipid was obviously decreased (P<0.01) in the acupoint group and medication group, ratio of P<0.01), myocardial heart to body mass was decreased (P<0.05), thickness of ventricular wall was reduced (P fibrosis was relieved, levels of Ang II and ET-1 in plasma were decreased (P<0. 05), content of NO was increased (P<0. 05), and protein content of AT1R and ETAR was decreased in the heart (P<0. 05).

CONCLUSION40) could inhibit the rising of blood lipid in ApoE(-/-) mice, lower the levels of Ang II and ET-1 in peripheral blood, increase the content of NO and inhibit the expression of AT1R and ETAR in heart tissue, which could relieve myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis to play a protective role on heart.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Angiotensin II ; metabolism ; Animals ; Blood Pressure ; Disease Models, Animal ; Heart ; physiopathology ; Heart Diseases ; etiology ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; complications ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Myocardium ; metabolism

The aim of the present study is to investigate the protective effect of chrysin (5,7-dihydroxyflavone) on right ventricular remodeling in a rat model of monocrotaline-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). PAH rats were induced by a single injection of monocrotaline (60 mg x kg(-1), sc) and were administered with chrysin (50 or 100 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) for 4 weeks. At the end of experiment, the right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) and mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) were monitored via the right jugular vein catheterization into the right ventricle. Right ventricle (RV) to left ventricle (LV) + septum (S) and RV to tibial length were calculated. Right ventricular morphological change was observed by HE staining. Masson's trichrome stain was used to demonstrate collagen deposition. The total antioxidative capacity (T-AOC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in right ventricle were determined according to the manufacturer's instructions. The expressions of collagen I, collagen III, NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) were analyzed by immunohistochemisty, qPCR and (or) Western blot. The results showed that chrysin treatment for 4 weeks attenuated RVSP, mPAP and right ventricular remodeling index (RV/LV+S and RV/Tibial length) of PAH rats induced by monocrotaline. Furthermore, monocrotaline-induced right ventricular collagen accumulation and collagen I and collagen III expression were both significantly suppressed by chrysin. The expressions of NOX4, NF-κB and MDA contents were obviously decreased, while the T-AOC was significantly increased in right ventricule from PAH rats with chrysin treatment. These results suggest that chrysin ameliorates right ventricular remodeling of PAH induced by monocrotaline in rats through its down-regulating of NOX4 expression and antioxidant activity, and inhibiting NF-κB expression and collagen accumulation.
Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Collagen ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Heart Ventricles ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; Monocrotaline ; toxicity ; NADPH Oxidase 4 ; NADPH Oxidases ; metabolism ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Rats ; Ventricular Remodeling ; drug effects

Objective To investigate the value of transvaginal ultrasound for the diagnosis of endometrial polyps .Methods The ultrasonographic characteristics in 56 cases of endometrial polyp diagnosed by transvaginal ultrasound were performed the retro-spective analysis and the situation of the hysteroscopic examination in consistent with the pathological examination was analyzed . Results Among 56 cases ,50 cases of endometrial polyps were verified by the pathological examination ,the coincidence rate of transvaginal ultrasound diagnosis was 89 .3% ,in which 6 cases were misdiagnosed with the misdiagnosis rate was 10 .7% . Conclusion The transvaginal ultrasound has the high accuracy rate for diagnosing endometrial polyps .

Objective To clarify the effectiveness of QS Nd ∶ YAG laser on melasma in Chinese patients.Methods A group (n=45) of patients previously diagnosed as facial melasma were treated with QS Nd ∶ YAG laser at approximately 1 week intervals.Eleven to twenty treatments were per formed for each patient.The treatment efficacy of QS Nd ∶ YAG laser was evaluated by patients and doctors,respectively,at various time point such as before treatment,5 weeks and 10 weeks after treatment and end of the treatment.The skin melanin index and the transepidermal water loss were e valuated by the skin multifunction tester at different time point,respectively.Results Compared with untreated,the melanin index of melasma areas decreased significantly after the laser treatment for 5 weeks,10 weeks and the end of treatment.But there was no significant difference in the melanin index of normal skin areas with or without laser treatment.Compared with untreated,the transpidermal water loss of melasma areas increased significantly after the laser treatment for 5 weeks,10 weeks and end of treatment.The patients' skin became smooth,delicate,pores shrink and more flexible.In 45 melasma patients treated by QS Nd ∶ YAG laser,8 cases basically cured (17.78 ％),25 cases were markedly effective (55.56 ％),12 cases improved (24.44 ％) and only 1 case was uneffective (2.22 ％).Theoverall effective rate was 73.33 ％.Conclnsions QSNd∶ YAG laser is a useful treatment modality for Chinese women who have melasma with precise efficacy,less side effects and high safety.

Objective To evaluate the short-term prediction of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) and other cardiovascular risk biomarkers in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (MHD).Methods We conducted a cohort survey in 296 consecutive MHD patients whose clinical data were retrospectively analyzed.Before MHD,hs-cTnT and other relative cardiovascular biomarkers were detected.The end point (all-cause death) and time of occurring were recorded in the next 13 months.The differences between survival and all-cause death were analyzed by t-test,Mann-Whitney test and x2 test.The best two percentile cutoff point was calculated by X-tile and the survival rate was calculated by Kaplan-Meier Logistic regression analysis was applied to analyze the odd ratio between high risk and non-high risk hs-cTnT group.Non-high risk group was divided into intermediate risk and low risk group based on the 99th percentile of hs-cTnT in healthy population,to further evaluate its short-term prediction value for MHD patients.The short-term significance of hs-cTnT was proved to be independently associated with all-cause death by Logistic regression analysis.Results The mean value of serum hs-cTnT in survival group was 0.05 (0.03～0.07) ng/mL,while in the death group it was 0.07 (0.04～0.14) ng/mL,which had statistical significance (P =0.027).The best two percentile cutoff of hs-cTnT in MHD patients was 0.1 ng/mL.The survival rate in high risk group (hs-cTnT＞0.1 ng/mL) is lower than it in non-high risk group (hs-cTnT≤0.1 ng/mL) (76.67％ vs.96.62％,P ＜0.05).The odd ratios for high risk group and non-high risk group was 7.288 (P＜ 0.001).Moreover,further grouping the non-high risk group by hs-cTnT =0.014 ng/mL,intermediate risk group (hs-cTnT＞0.014 ng/mL) group has lower survival rate than low risk group (hs-cTnT≤0.014ng/mL),while there wasn't any death case occurred in the low risk group.Conclusions Hs-cTnT is an independent risk factor to all-cause death.Thus hs-cTnT can be a strong indicator of short-term prediction and prognostic evaluation.

Objective To reproduce an SD rat model of prostatic calculus by using nanobacteria (NB), and explore the role of NB in contributing to prostatitis and prostatic calculus. Methods Twenty adult male SD rats were randomized to the control group and 20 to the model group. Rat prostate infection models were reproduced by infusing 0. 2 ml (Concentration, 1 Mai unit) NB suspension transurethrally. 0.2 ml physiological saline was infused transurethrally in the rat control group. The rats were sacrificed 4 and 8 weeks later and prostatic pathology were viewed by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Lithogenesis was observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) or Transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Re-isolation, culture and identification of nanobacteria were also done in rat prostatic tissues. Results Chronic inflammatory changes of prostates were shown in the model group at both 4 weeks and 8 weeks after infusing NB suspension. Prostatic calculi were detected by SEM and TEM at 8 weeks in the prostates of the rat model group (7/10). Neither chronic inflammatory changes nor prostatic calculus was found in the control group. NB was positive in the model group, but negative in the control group. Conclusions NB infection could cause chronic prostatitis and prostatic calculus in rats.

Objective:To explore the predictive value of renal resistive index (RRI) joint with semiquantitative power Doppler ultrasound (PDU) score to acute kidney injury (AKI) in non-septic critically ill patients.Methods:This prospective observational study enrolled non-septic critically ill patients admitted to the Emergency Intensive Care Unit of Cangzhou Central Hospital from January 2018 to August 2019. In addition to general data, RRI and PDU scores were measured with medical ultrasonic instrument within 6 h after admission. Renal function was assessed on the 5th day in accordance with kidney disease: Improving Global Outcomes criteria. The patients who progressed to AKI stage 3 within 5 days after admission were classified into the AKI 3 group, and the rest were classified into the AKI 0-2 group. The difference of each index was compared between the two groups in non-septic critically ill patients and patients with acute heart failure (AHF). Normal distributed continuous variables were compared using independent sample t-tests, whereas Mann-Whitney U tests were used to examine the differences in variables without a normal distribution. Categorical data were compared with the Chi-square test. Receiver operator characteristic curves were plotted to examine the values of RRI, PDU score, RRI-RDU/10 (subtraction of RRI and 1/10 of PDU score), RRI/PDU (the ratio of RRI to PDU score), and RRI+PDU (the prediction probability of the combination of RRI and PDU score for AKI stage 3 obtained by logistic regression analysis) in predicting AKI 3. Delong's test was used to compare the area under the curve (AUC) between predictors. Results:A total of 110 non-septic critically ill patients (51 patients with no AKI, 21 with AKI stage 1, 11 with AKI stage 2, and 27 with AKI stage 3) were recruited. Among them, there were 63 patients with AHF (21 patients with no AKI, 15 with AKI stage 1, 7 with AKI stage 2, and 20 with AKI stage 3). Among the non-septic critically ill patients as well as its subgroup of AHF, compared with the AKI 0-2 group, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation-Ⅱ score, sequential organ failure assessment score, arterial lactate concentration, mechanical ventilation rate, proportion of vasoactive drugs, 28-day mortality, serum creatinine, RRI, RRI-RDU/10, RRI/PDU, RRI+PDU, and rate of continuous renal replacement therapy were higher in the AKI 3 group, and urine output and PDU score were lower ( all P<0.05). As for non-septic critically ill patients, RRI/PDU [AUC=0.915, 95% confidence interval ( CI): 0.846-0.959, P<0.01] and RRI+PDU (AUC=0.914, 95% CI: 0.845-0.959, P<0.01) performed best in predicting AKI 3, and the AUCs were higher than RRI (AUC=0.804, 95% CI: 0.718-0.874, P<0.01) and PDU score (AUC=0.868, 95% CI: 0.791-0.925, P<0.01). The optimal cutoff for RRI/PDU was > 0.355 (sensitivity 92.6%, specificity 81.9%, Youden index 0.745). The predictive value of RRI-RDU/10 for AKI 3 (AUC=0.899, 95% CI: 0.827-0.948, P<0.01) was also better than RRI and PDU scores, but slightly worse than RRI/PDU and RRI+PDU, with statistically difference only between RRI and RRI-RDU/10 ( P<0.05). As for patients with AHF, RRI/PDU (AUC=0.962, 95% CI: 0.880-0.994, P<0.01) and RRI+PDU (AUC=0.962, 95% CI: 0.880-0.994, P<0.01) also performed best in predicting AKI 3, and the AUCs were higher than RRI (AUC=0.845, 95% CI: 0.731-0.924, P<0.01) and PDU score (AUC=0.913, 95% CI: 0.814-0.969, P<0.01) with statistically differences (all P<0.05). The optimal cutoff for RRI/PDU was > 0.360 (sensitivity 95.0%, specificity 90.7%, Youden index 0.857). The predictive value of RRI-RDU/10 for AKI 3 (AUC=0.950, 95% CI: 0.864-0.989, P<0.01) was also better than RRI and PDU score, but slightly worse than RRI/PDU and RRI+PDU, with statistically difference only between RRI and RRI-RDU/10 ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The combination of RRI and PDU score could effectively predict AKI 3 in non-septic critically ill patients, especially in patients with AHF. The ratio of RRI to PDU score is recommended for clinical application because of its excellent predictive value for AKI and its practicability.

Objective:To study the feasibility, safety and technique for laparoscopic anatomical liver resection of segment 8.Methods:The clinical data of 9 patients who underwent laparoscopic anatomical liver resection of segment 8 from January 2015 to December 2019 at Hunan Provincial People's Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. There were 6 males and 3 females, with age ranging from 29 to 67 years (average 53.6 years). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss , postoperative hospital stay, postoperative complications, and long-term survival and recurrence rates on follow-up were analysed.Results:Laparoscopic anatomical liver resection of segment 8 was successfully carried out in these patients. The mean operative time was 188.9 min(range 140-240 min). The mean estimated intraoperative blood loss was 117.8 ml (range 20-300 ml). The postoperative hospital stay was 6.9 days (range 3-12 days). One patient developed pleural effusion after operation and responded to conservative treatment. Another patients developed ascites with delayed extubation. The patient was successfully treated with conservative treatment. No patients developed complications above Clavien Dindo Ⅲa. There were no perioperative deaths. The postoperative pathological results showed hepatocellular adenoma ( n=2), hepatocellular carcinoma ( n=4), cholangiocarcinoma ( n=1), and metastatic liver cancer ( n=2). On follow-up for 12-58 months (median 22 months) one patient with hepatocellular carcinoma developed recurrence at 18 months after operation and was treated with microwave ablation. The other patients were well on follow-up. Conclusions:With adequate preoperative evaluation, reasonable case selection, rigorous surgical planning, and skilled laparoscopic techniques, laparoscopic anatomical liver resection of segment 8 was safe and feasible, and the short-term efficacy was good in this study.

Objective To observe the structural characteristic of Marshall ligament and coronary sinus of 40 dog hearts. Methods The Marshall ligament and coronary sinus of 40 dog hearts fixed with 10% formaldehyde were observed in gross anatomy. Results The Marshall ligament begins at the right external side edge of left atrium appendage, via the left inferior pulmonary vein to the inner surface of pericardium. The length and the width of Marshall ligament of dog hearts were (2.61?0.95) cm, (0.18?0.04) cm respectively. The angle between Marshall ligament and the coronary sinus was (116?11), and the shortest length between Marshall ligament and left atrium was (0.58?0.52) cm. The length and the width of coronary sinus was (2.84?0.85) cm, (0.28?0.07) cm respectively. There are lots of cardiac fibers of ring (47.5%), vertical (37.5%) and diagonal (15%) shape on the surface of coronary sinus. Conclusion A lot of muscle fibers attaching to the surface of Marshall ligament and coronary sinus in dog hearts are abnormal atrial channels. Dog is the favorable animal for research of focal atrial fibrillation.