Objective: To observe effects of different sulfonylurea compounds on expression of sulfonylurea receptor 2 (SUR2) in myocardium of the Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats. Methods: Spontaneous diabetic GK rat models were divided into 6 groups: the diabetes model group, the Glibenclamide group, the Glipizide group, the Gliclazide group, the Glimepiride group and the positive control group(treated with insulin), with 12 rats in each group. A normal control group was also set up for comparison. The expression of SUR2 in myocardium of the GK rats was investigated by radioligand binding assay. SUR2 mRNA expression in the myocardial cells of rats was detected through reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: Twelve weeks later, no significant difference was found in the SUR2 receptor density(Bmax)and affinity(Kd) between the sulfonylurea treated groups and the other 3 groups (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in SUR2 mRNA expression between the diabetic, insulin-treated diabetic and control groups(P>0.05). Cardiac SUR2 mRNA levels were not significantly different between sulfonylureas-treated diabetic and non-treated diabetic rats (P>0.05). Conclusion: The diabetes itself does not affect the sulfonylurea receptor(SUR2) expression in myocardial tissues. Sulfonylureas at treatment dosage have no effect on receptor expression of SUR2.

Objectives To investigate the clinical significance of CYP2C19 genotype detection for antiplatelet therapy of elder cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases(CCVD).Methods We enrolled all elderly patients with either cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disorders who received clopidogrel as mono drug or in combination with another antiplatelet drug aspirin as secondary prevention for more than 12 months in our hospital from January to August 2015.Somatotypes of CYP2C19 genotypes of all participants were assessed to analyze the relapse of cardiac-cerebral vascular diseases in these patients.Results A total of 250 patients were enrolled,including 179 male and 71 female,with average age of (85.2 ± 7.9) years.Among these patients,there were 97 (38.8％) cases with EM CYP2C19 genotypes,110 cases(44.0 ％) with IM CYP2C19 genotypes,43 cases(17.2 ％) with PM CYP2C19 genotypes.When treated with clopidogrel for antiplatelet in secondary prevention process,the rate of the relapse in cardiovascular event was 34.9％ and higher in PM CYP2C19 genotype than in EM and IM CYP2C19 genotype (19.6 ％ and 15.5 ％,respectively) (x2 =7.251,P =0.027).This phenomenon was similar to patients who received stent implantation(x2=6.393,P =0.041).However,no statistically significant difference was observed in the recurrence rate of cerebral vascular disease between three different genotypes(EM 29.9 ％,IM 20.0 ％,PM 27.9％,x2 =2.880,P =0.237).Conclusions Our results highlight that CYP2C19 genotype might be a potential guidance for secondary prevention of cardiovascular and cercbrovascular disorders among elderly patients.Clopidogrel may be less effective in patients with SM CYP2C19 genotype than those with EM or PM CYP2C19 genotype for secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease.

Objective:To observe the effect of conversion from immediate-release tacrolimus (Tac) to extended-release Tac on kidney function in stable kidney transplant recipients.Methods:83 stable kidney transplant recipients who were converted from immediate-release Tac to extended-release Tac in the second people's hospital of Shanxi province from December 2011 to June 2019 were followed up for 12-36 months, and 83 stable kidney transplant recipients who continued to take immediate-release Tac were selected as control group.The changes of kidney function indexes, Tac trough concentration intra-patient variability (IPV) and compliance, the incidence of rejection and the survival rate of grafts and recipients were observed after the conversion from immediate-release Tac to extended-release Tac in stable kidney transplant recipients.Results:The conversion time from immediate-release Tac to extended-release Tac was (42.76±30.50)months after transplantation. At 24 months after conversion, the serum creatinine (SCr) was significantly lower than that before conversion ( P=0.013), and the estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR)was significantly higher than that before conversion( P=0.005). In the experimental group , the SCr was significantly lower than that of the control group at 36 months after conversion ( P= 0.017), eGFR was significantly higher than that of the control group ( P=0.038). In the experimental group, the score of Immunosuppressant Therapy Barrier Scale (ITBS) was (20.23±2.89) before conversion and (17.63 ±3.08) after conversion ( P= 0.000). The daily dose of Tac was (2.09 ±0.84) mg before conversion and (2.10 ±0.83) mg after conversion. The trough concentration of Tac before conversion was (7.22 ±2.84) ng/mL, which reduced significantly after conversion. No rejection occurred after conversion, and the recipients/grafts survived healthily during the follow-up period. Conclusions:After conversion from immediate-release Tac to extended-release Tac in stable kidney transplant recipients, the kidney function is stable and better than that of before conversion, the compliance is significantly improved, the IPV of Tac trough concentration is significantly reduced, and long-term use of extended-release Tac has good clinical efficacy and safety.

The noninvasive measurement of liver stiffness (LS) was evaluated by transient elastography (FibroScan) and the possible influencing factors from the patients' clinical situations including age, gender, liver inflammation represented by alanine transaminase (ALT) and total billirubin (TBIL) level, HBV replication (HBV DNA loads), portal vein pressure (portal vessel diameter, PVD), splenic thickness (SPT) and body mass index (BMI) were analyzed in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). A total of 466 patients including 31 patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF), and 435 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) among which 82 patients were diagnosed with liver cirrhosis (LC) by clinical manifestations and liver B-type ultrasonic inspection were enrolled at Tongji Hospital from April to December 2009. LS was measured by a FibroScan device (EchoSens, France). Simultaneously, ALT and TBIL levels, HBV DNA loads, PVD, SPT and BMI in all patients were also tested. Forty-one healthy volunteers served as controls. The values of LS were correlated positively with ages of CHB patients and significantly higher in males than in females. In patients with BMI>28 kg/m(2) (obesity) and abnormal levels of ALT and TBIL, LS values were significantly increased as compared with those having normal levels of ALT and TBIL. The patients with ACLF had the highest LS value. Furthermore, LS values in the patients with LC were significantly higher than those in patients without LC. It is concluded that noninvasive measurement of liver fibrosis by FibroScan provides an alternative method to evaluate liver fibrosis of patients with CHB. In order to properly illustrate the stiffness value taken by transient elastography, patients' gender should be taken into consideration and it is also suggested to avoid possible influencing factors including liver inflammation (high levels of ALT and TBIL) and obesity (high BMI).

Animals ; Chromatography, Supercritical Fluid ; methods ; Drug Monitoring ; methods ; Environmental Pollutants ; analysis ; Forensic Medicine ; methods ; Humans ; Substance-Related Disorders ; diagnosis

Objective To investigate the CT diagnostic value of small bowel wall thickness and density in differentiating simple small bowel obstruction (SI) from strangulative small bowel obstruction (ST).Methods Fifty-three cases with thickened small bowel wall (thickness ＞ 3 mm) confirmed on CT scan were reviewed,including 27 cases of SI and 26 cases of ST,in conjunction with their proven intraoperational,pathological and clinical findings.Of the 53 cases,35 cases also underwent postcontrast CT scan.CT manifestations of relationships between thickened small bowel wall and its density were classified as normal,higher or lower density in tunica mucosa of small bowel wall,higher or lower density in full thickness of small bowel wall for exploring the differential diagnostic features between SI and ST on CT scan.Chi-square or Fisher exact test were used to test the proportion difference of CT scan between SI and ST.Results In cases with normal density in tunica mucosa (NDTM) on precontrast CT,there were 21 cases of SI and 6 cases of ST(x2 =15.859,P ＜0.01).However,in cases with NDTM on postcontrast CT,there were 13 cases of SI and 5 cases of ST,and there was no significant difference (x2 =1.377,P ＞ 0.05).Thus,NDTM showed no convincing value in differentiating SI from ST.In cases with lower density in tunica mucosa (LDTM) on precontrast CT,there were 4 cases of SI and 5 cases of ST (P ＞ 0.05).In cases with LDTM on postcontrast CT,there were 4 cases of SI and 4 cases of ST (P ＞ 0.05).Thus,LDTM also showed no value in differentiating SI from ST.The lower density in full thickness of small bowel wall (LDFTS) was revealed in 0 of SI and 10 cases of ST on precontrast CT (P ＜ 0.01),and 0 of SI and 5 cases of ST on postcontrast CT (P ＜ 0.01),indicating that LDFTS showed significant value in differentiating SI from ST.Conclusion Combining the small bowel wall thickness and density,CT manifestations of early bowel wall pathological changes in small bowel obstruction can be acquired,adding some value in the differential diagnosis between SI and ST.

ObjectiveTo recognize the normal CT appearances of adult pterygoid hamulus and increase the ability to recognize pterygoid hamulus abnormalities.Methods The pterygoid hamulus of 108 normal adults ( male:53 cases,female,55 cases) were studied with MIP and VR reconstructive images by 64-slice spiral CT in order to observe its normal shape,to measure its length,diameter,vertical height,horizontal width,abduct angle in coronal position and post-abducent angle in anteroposterior position.The differences between genders,two sides and age groups were compared,respectively.ResultsThe normal pterygoid hamulus had a wide basal body and a pillar caudomedial part with round or intumescentia extreme.In coronal position,the distal end towards outer direction in 214 sides and 2 sides in inner direction. In anteroposterior position,the distal end towards posterior direction in 190 sides and anterior direction in 26 sides.The pterygoid hamulus length,vertical height,and horizontal width of adult males were (8.18 ± 0.94) mm,(7.23 ±0.92) mm,(4.27 ±0.81 ) mm,respectively.They were larger than the adult females (7.31 ± 1.01) mm,(6.26 ±0.90) mm,(3.97 ±0.82) mm,and the difference was statistically significant (t values were 6.56,7.86,2.72 respectively,P ＜ 0.05).The pterygoid hamulus vertical height of age group over 60 years old (7.13 ± 1.35) mm exceeded the age groups of 18-39 (6.55 ±0.86) mm.The difference was statistically significant ( F =4.95,P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusions64-slice spiral CT could display the shape,length and angle of pterygoid hamulus in full. It could help to recognize correlated pterygoid hamulus diseases.

The potential biodegradation of crude oil was assessed based on the development of a fermentative process with a strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa which produced 15.4 g/L rhamnolipids when cultured in a basal mineral medium using glycerol as a sole carbon source. However, neither cell growth nor rhamnolipid production was observed in the comparative culture system using crude oil as the sole carbon source instead. As rhamnolipid, an effective biosurfactant, has been reported to stimulate the biodegradation of hydrocarbons, 1 g/L glycerol or 0.22 g/L rhamnolipid was initially added into the medium to facilitate the biodegradation of crude oil. In both situations, more than 58% of crude oil was degraded and further converted into accumulated cell biomass and rhamnolipids. These results suggest that Pseudomonas aeruginosa could degrade most of crude oil with direct or indirect addition of rhamnolipid. And this conclusion was further supported by another adsorption experiment, where the adsorption capacity of crude oil by killed cell biomass was negligible in comparison with the biologic activities of live cell biomass.
Biodegradation, Environmental ; Cell Culture Techniques ; methods ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Glycolipids ; pharmacology ; Petroleum ; metabolism ; microbiology ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; drug effects ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Water Pollutants, Chemical ; metabolism ; Water Purification ; methods

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical effects of Dynesys system for the treatment of multiple segment lumbar degenerative disease.

METHODSA total of 28 patients with lumbar degenerative disc disease treated with Dynesys system from December 2008 to May 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. There were 16 males and 12 females, aged from 27 to 75 years old with an average of 49.1 years. Thirteen patients with multiple segmental lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion, including L3-L5 in 7 cases, L2-L4 in 1 case and L4-S1 in 5 cases. Fifteen patients with multiple segmental lumbar spinal stenosis, including L3-L5 in 10 cases, L4-L5 in 4 cases and L2-S1 in 1 case. The symptoms of lumbago and (or) intermittent claudication in all patients were treated with conservative treatments for more than 6 months and these methods did not work. Visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to analyze the lumbar and leg pain, imaging data were used to measure the intervertebral space height and intervertebral motion of fixed segment and upper adjacent segment, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) was used to evaluate the clinical effect.

RESULTSAll operations were successful and the patients were followed up from 38 to 65 months with an average 50.6 months. At final follow-up, ODI and VAS of the low back pain and leg pain were (25.10±6.52)%, (1.25±0.70) points and (1.29±0.89) points, respectively and were decreased compared with preoperative (P<0.05). Postoperative intervertebral space heights were increased and intervertebral motions were decreased in fixed segment compared with preoperative (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in intervertebral space heights and intervertebral motions of upper adjacent segment between preoperative and postoperative (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONDynesys system may obtain long-term clinical curative effect in treating multiple lumbar degenerative disease. It can partially preserve the intervertebral motions of the fixed segments, have little effect on adjacent segments. The long-term clinical effect of Dynesys still need longer time follow-up observation.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ; pathology ; surgery ; Joint Instability ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Visual Analog Scale

Objective CD44, a cell surface glycoprotein, plays an important role in tumor growth and glycolysis.The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of neutralizing CD44 antibodies on the growth and glycolytic metabolism of B16 cells in melanoma in vitro.Methods B16 cells were treated with control antibodies (50 μg/mL) or different concentrations of CD44 antibodies (2, 10, and 50 μg/mL) for 24 hours, followed by examination of the activation of the AKT pathway in the B16 cells by Western blot.Then the tumor cells were also treated with control antibodies (50 μg/mL) or CD44 antibodies (50μg/mL) after pretreated with API-2 (4 μmol/L) in a parallel test.After 48 hours of treatment, the expression of lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) in the B16 cells and the level of lactate in the culture supernatant were detected by immunofluorescence and colorimetry, respectively.Lastly, the B16 cells were treated with control antibodies (50μg/mL), API-2 (4 μmol/L), CD44 antibodies (50μg/mL), or API-2 + CD44 antibodies for 96 hours, followed by measurement of the proliferation of the cells by MTT and their apoptosis by AO/EB and AnnexinV staining.Results In comparison with the control antibody group, the level of AKT phosphorylation (p-AKT) in the B16 cells showed a concentration-dependent increase in the 2, 10, and 50 μg/mL CD44 antibody groups (1.00±0.25 vs 2.51±0.32, 3.89±0.46, and 4.07±0.42, P<0.01), and the expression of LDHA was increased by (2.13±0.24) times, with the lactate level in the culture supernatant significantly elevated from (35.32±3.24) to (56.34±8.19) mmol/L (P<0.01) after 96 hours of treatment with 50 μg/mL CD44 antibodies.Treatment with API-2+CD44 antibodies, however, suppressed the increase in the LDHA expression and reduced the level of lactate.Compared with the control antibody group, the proliferation rate of the B16 cells was markedly decreased in the API-2, CD44 antibody, and API-2+CD44 antibody groups ([103±12.91] vs [84.87±19.35], [71.35±16.23], and [41.16±9.15]%, P<0.05), while the apoptosis rate remarkably increased ([5.23±0.96] vs [13.65±4.27], [19.21±3.53], and [43.21±7.87]%, P<0.01).Conclusion Neutralizing the function of CD44 in the B16 cells in vitro can inhibit the growth of the cells and promote AKT-mediated glycolytic metabolism, while suppressing the AKT pathway may enhance the antitumor activity of the CD44 antibody.