Objective To investigate the changes of thyroid hormones in patients with peripartum car-diomyopathy. Methods Seventy-two patients with peripartum cardiomyopathy were consecutively enrolled and 72 healthy women who had normal delivery were regarded as control. Among all the subjects , free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in the serum and high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) in the plasma were measured. Results The levels of serum FT3 and FT4 in peripartum cardiomyopathy group were significantly higher than those in control group (P < 0.05). And the level of serum TSH in peripartum cardiomyopathy group was significantly low-er than that in control group (P < 0.05). There were 24 cases with hyperthyroidism in peripartum cardiomyopa-thy group while no patient in the control group had hyperthyroidism (P < 0.05). The levels of plasma hs-CRP and IFN-γ in peripartum cardiomyopathy group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P <0.05). And the level of IL-4 in peripartum cardiomyopathy group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusions Serum thyroid hormones elevated in patients with peripartum cardiomyopathy and its mechanism might be related to abnormal immune reaction.

Objective To investigate the effect of the revision of Chinese Versions of Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test(RME) on the diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and mild Alzheimer's dementia (AD).Methods We compared performance on the cognitive test battery between 96 patients with MCI and 55 patients with AD and 95 control individuals.Neuropsychological tests, encompassing RME-T, Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT), were conducted on 96 patients with MCI, 55 patients with AD and 95 healthy control individuals.Completion rate of RME-T in the normal group and the total scores and each item score of RME-T were analyzed, and the feature between RME-T and RME-S (RME-short) was compared.Results The total score of RME-T was (23.7±4.7) in normal group, (19.9 ± 4.9) in MCI group,and (19.9±7.5) in AD group.There were significant differences in the total score of RME-T among the three groups (t=13.9, P＜0.01).The differences in the total score of RME-T between normal group and AD group, between normal group and MCI group were also significant (both P＜0.01).RME-S was composed of 20 items after rejecting 16 items of RME T whose project completion rate was lower than 50％ in the normal group and in which there was no significant difference among normal, MCI and AD groups.The correlations between the total score of RME-T and 3 item scores of RME-T were not significant (P＞0.05).However, the total score of RME-S was highly correlated with each item score of RME-S (P＜0.01).The total score of RME-T and RME S were highly correlated with each total score of the cognitive test battery (P＜0.01).With the normal and MCI groups, normal and AD groups as the subjects, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis found that AUC(RME-S) was＞ AUC(RME-T) in normal and AD groups (P＜0.01), whereas, AUC(RME-S) was＜AUC(RME-T) in normal and MCI groups (P＞0.05).Conclusions RME has good reliability and validity, and RME-S is better than RME-T in internal consistency, which is more suitable for identifying mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease in Chinese population, and it is worthy of further popularization and application.

Objective To investigate the effects of lymph from ischemic/reperfused intestine on the inflammatory factors and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) ligand high mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) in TLR4 deficient (TLR4-/-) mice.Methods A total of 20 SD rats weighing (300 ±20) g were randomly assigned into two groups:lymph drainage group (group N,lymph drainage for 180 minutes without other treatment) and intestinal ischemia/reperfusion group (group I/R,draining the lymph for 180 minutes while clipping the superiormesenteric artery for 60 minutes followed by 120-minute reperfusion).Thirty-two TLR4-/-mice and thirty-two C57BL/6 wild type (WT) mice were each divided into 4 sub-groups (n =8),injected with different fluids through the caudal vein:group N with normal lymph;group I/R with I/R lymph;group Edt with endotoxin;group HMGB1 with HMGB1 protein.The mice were sacrificed 180 minutes after the injection for sample collection.Results The levels of endotoxin and HMGB1 in the lymph drainage of the group I/R rats were significantly higher than that of the group N rats [(0.034 ± 0.050) Eu/ml vs.(0.017 ± 0.023) Eu/ml,P =0.033;(4.293 ± 0.883) ng/ml vs.(0.509 ± 0.128) ng/ml,P =0.006].In the mice injected with HMGB1,the mucosa thickness and villus height in the ileum of the WT mice were significantly lower than that of the TLR4-/-mice [(335.8±43.2) μmvs.(602.1±37.5) μm,P=0.000;(273.0±31.7) μm vs.(404.5 ± 18.6) μm,P =0.000];in both WT and TLR4-/-mice injected with the I/R lymph drainage,the mucosa thickness and virus height were decreased,but the decrements were significantly lower in TLR4-/-mice;there were no statistically significant differences in the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6),tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α),endotoxin,and HMGB1 between the TLR4-/-and the WT mice injected with normal lymph or endotoxin.In the mice injected with I/R lymph drainage,the levels of inflammatory factors in the TLR4-/-mice were significantly lower than those in the WT mice [TNF-α:(28.637 ±5.166) pg/ml vs.(41.917 ±8.175) pg/ml,P=0.000;IL-6:(60.900 ±24.729) pg/ml vs.(110.265 ±28.545) pg/ml,P =0.000].In the mice injected with HMGB1,the levels of inflammatory factors in the TLR4-/-mice were significantly decreased compared with those in the WT mice [TNF-α:(20.865 ± 6.464) pg/ml vs.(31.059 ± 6.204) pg/ml,P=0.004;IL-6:(36.268 ±8.977) pg/ml vs.(76.677 ± 14.099) pg/ml,P=0.000].Conclusions The concentrations of endotoxin and HMGB1 are significantly increased during intestinal I/R in rats.After injection of I/R lymph drainage,endotoxin,and HMGB1,the levels of inflammatory factors and HMGB1 in the mice injected with I/R lymph drainage are significantly higher than those in the mice injected with normal lymph;the levels of inflammatory factors and local damage of intestinal mucosa are significantly reduced in the TLR4-/-mice than in the WT mice.The gut-lymph pathway may play a key role in the intestinal I/R injury.

A molecular template synthetic polymer highly selective for norfloxacinum was prepared by a molecular imprinting technique. The selective binding characteristics of the template polymer was evaluated by Scatchard analysis. The multiple-sites binding model was used to calculate the maximum numher of binding sites and the dissociation constant. The results showed that the template polymer using methacrylic acid (MAA) as functional monomer could form two kinds of binding sites. The dissociation constants were estimated to be Kd1 = 2.9 × 10-5mol/L and Kd2 = 3.2 × 10-3 mol/L. The selective binding experiment for substrates indicated that the polymer gave much higher affinity and selectivity for norfloxacin than for acid pipemidic and cefalexin. It is possible to be a good adsorption and binding material in the selective enrichment and determination of trace norfloxacin in complex biosamples.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of Danlou Tablet (DT) on arrhythmia model rats induced by transient myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R).

METHODSTotally 45 healthy Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, the sham-operation group, the model group, and the DT group, 15 in each group. Rats in the sham-operation group and the model group were administered with distilled water by gastrogavage at the daily dose of 0.1 mL/kg. Rats in the DT group was administered with 0.53 g/mL DT suspension by gastrogavage at the daily dose of 0.1 mL/kg. All medication was lasted for 10 successive days. The myocardial I/R experiment was performed at 1 h after the last gastrogavage. ECG was performed before ligation and at I/R. The jugular arterial blood pressure of all rats was measured during the whole course. ST segment changes were observed at each time point of I/R. The ventricular fibrillation, the premature ventricular, the number and the duration of ventricular tachycardia within 30 min reperfusion were also observed. Activities of Na(+)-K+ ATPase and Ca2+ ATPase in the myocardium homogenate were detected as well.

RESULTSThe jugular arterial blood pressure and the heart rate were slightly lower in the DT group than in the model group, but with no statistical difference (P > 0.05). Compared with the sham-operation group, the degree of ST segment was obviously elevated in the model group at 0, 5, and 7 min (P < 0.05). It was significantly lower in the DT group than in the model group (P < 0.01). ST seg ment was more elevated at 5 min than at 0 min in the model group, but the degree of ST segment elevation was still obviously lower in the DT group than in the model group (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in the degree of ST segment elevation at 7 min between the two groups (P > 0.05). At 0 min when the decrement of ST segment exceeded one half the ischemia, there was no statistical difference in the degree of myocardial ischemia between the model group and the DT group (P > 0.05). Compared with the model group, the incidence of fatal and nonfatal ventricular fibrillation, the frequency and duration of ventricular tachycardia and premature ventricular beats were obviously lessened, and activities of Na(+)-K+ ATPase and Ca(2+)-ATPase increased (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSDT could significantly protect arrhythmias induced by transient I/R. Its effect might be related to lowering the degree of myocardial ischemia, and increasing ion transport channel related enzyme activities.

Animals ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; complications ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Objective To investigate the difference of tumor cell proliferation between the center and the edge tissues of human colon cancer and its relationship with the expression and methylation of p16 and p14 gene.Methods The expression of Ki67,P14 and P16 protein was assessed by immunohistochemistry,methylation status and mRNA expression of p16 and p14 gene in different area of colon cancer tissue were analyzed by methylation-specific PCR.RT-PCR and microdissection technique. Results There was significant difference in expressions of Ki67 between the center(100.0%) and the edge (30.1%) tissue in 42 cases of colon cancer(P

Objective To develop a short Chinese version of the center for epidemiological studies depression scale(CES-D).Method A stratified random nationwide sample with 30801 normal people and a mentally ill sample with 415 patients were tested.Items in the short version were chosen according to both the result of independent t-test in current study and the result of reliance and validity.Cut-off scores were offered to check up depressions.Result The internal consistency reliability of the 9-item Chinese version CES-D ranged from 0.85 to 0.88.The test-retest reliability was 0.49(P＜0.001).All item-total correlations were higher than 0.5.The correlation between sumscores of the original scale and sunscores of the Chinese short version ranged from 0.94 to 0.96 (P＜ 0.001) in all the samples.The sum scores of initial diagnosis depression sample were significantly higher than that of treated depression sample and common sample.A two-dimension structure was testified.The cut-off scores of the short version were 10 and 17.Conclusion The 9-item Chinese version of CES-D can be used in various samples with reliable and valid effect.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the protective effect of Huaxia shallot preparation on human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) injury induced by oxidized low density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL) in vitro. METHODS: Ox-LDL was prepared and identified, and HUVECs were cultured. After 2-hour intervention of different drugs and 24-hour following intervention of Ox-LDL, the number of HUVECs was observed by phase contrast optical microscope and the activity of the HUVECs was observed by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) technique. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and nitric oxide (NO) content were assayed by respective kit. The protein expressions and mRNA levels of peroxisome proliferators activated receptor gamma(PPAR-gamma) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) were measured by western blot technique and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: Ox-LDL could increase the apoptosis rate of the HUVECs and decrease the NO release as compared with the blank control group (P<0.05). These effects induced by Ox-LDL were all significantly inhibited by Huaxia shallot preparation. It could up-regulate the protein expressions and mRNA levels of PPAR-gamma and eNOS significantly (P<0.05). Huaxia shallot preparation could decrease the apoptosis rate of the HUVECs. CONCLUSION: Ox-LDL may be involved in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis by injuring the endothelial cells directly and may cause the endothelial dysfunction. Huaxia shallot preparation can protect against Ox-LDL induced endothelial cell injury by up-regulating the protein expressions and mRNA levels of PPAR-gamma and eNOS. It suggests that Huaxia shallot preparation may play a role in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease.

To develop a core-shell structure pDNA-CaPi-PLGA nanoparticles (CS-pDNA-CaPi-PLGA-NPs), calcium phosphate-pDNA nano complexes (CaPi-pDNA) were encapsulated inside of PLGA shells. The characteristics of the nanoparticles, including morphology, average particle size, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, loading efficiency, stability in medium, pDNA protection ability from nuclease degradation, in vitro release, cytotoxicity and cell transfection were investigated and compared with the embedded structured CaPi modified PLGA nanoparticles (embedded-pDNA-CaPi-PLGA-NPs). The results showed that the obtained CS-pDNA-CaPi-PLGA-NPs were spherical in shape with an average particle size of (155 +/- 4.5) nm, zeta potentials of (-0.38 +/- 0.1) mV, entrapment efficiency of (80.56 +/- 2.5)% and loading efficiency of (1.16 +/- 0.04)%. The CS-pDNA-CaPi-PLGA-NPs were stable in the release media and could protect pDNA against nuclease degradation. And they also exhibited sustained release of pDNA in vitro. The highest gene transfection efficiency of the CS-pDNA-CaPi-PLGA-NPs in vitro reached (24.66 +/- 0.46)% (after 72 h transfection), which was significantly higher than that of free pDNA [(0.33 +/- 0.04)%, P < 0.01] and the pDNA-PLGA-NPs [(1.5 +/- 0.07)%, P < 0.01]. Besides, the transfection lasted for longer time than that of embedded-pDNA-CaPi-PLGA-NPs and the cytotoxicity of it was significantly lower than that of PEI (P < 0.01). These results indicate that CS-pDNA-CaPi-PLGA-NPs are a promising non-viral gene vector. Key words: gene delivery system; polylactic-co-glycolic acid; calcium phosphate; nanoparticle

Objective To investigate the mitral annular three dimensional configuration changes after application of two dimensional mitral annuloplasty.Methods Includes criteria:serious mitral prolapse without other cardiac disorders,with age ranged from 18 to 60 years old.Three dimensional echocardiography was performed before the surgery in the operation room.The mitral annular three dimensional configuration,the mitral prolapse and regurgitation grades were examined.And same procedure was done after the mitral repair.All the measure results were expressed as x ± s and the statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 19.0 software.Results Totally 42 cases were enrolled,including 28 posterior prolapse and 14 anterior prolapse cases.All the mitral repair got satisfied none or mild regurgitation.The mitral annulus moved consistently as saddle shape during the whole cardiac cycle,the lowest annulus part was at the commissure and the highest part was at the anterior and posterior annulus centers.During the systolic phase the non-planer angel between anterior and posterior annuls was bigger than in diastolic phase.The annulus circumference,transverse,longitudinal diameters decreased compared with before the surgery.Preoperative mitral transverse diameter and longitudinal diameter values are almost the equal size,indicating the mitral annulus was in nearly round shape.However the longitudinal/transverse ratio reached 0.88 after surgery which implied the annulus configuration recovery after annuloplasty.After the mitral annuloplasty the annular height decreased from (8.4 ± 0.6) mm to (3.2 ±0.1) mm while the annular height/transverse diameter ratio decreased from 0.24 to 0.15,which may be affected by the application of the two dimensional rigid artificial annulus.Non-planar angle between the anterior and posterior mitral annuls increased from(136 ± 13)degrees to(145 ± 14) degrees after mitral repair.Conclusion The mitral annulus configuration may have planarization changes due 1o the apply of two dimentional artificial annulus.