Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) has recently received much attention as a possible key determinant of progressive fibrosis. It promotes tissue fibrosis through different pathways, such as cell proliferation, extracellular matrix accumulation and cell transdifferentiation. A number of regulators of CTGF expression have been identified, including transforming growth factor ?, vascular endothelial growth factor, tumor necrosis factor ?, etc. The mechanism of profibrotic effect by CTGF was reviewed. [

AIM: To understand the expression of low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) in tubulointerstitial fibrosis of unilateral ureter obstruction (UUO) rats. METHODS: The localization of LRP within kidneys were assessed by immunohistochemical staining, the protein level of LRP and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in kidney were analysised by Western blot. RESULTS: The location of LRP positive-staining and the protein level of LRP were in the same tendency with CTGF, the level of LRP had strong correlationship with the level of CTGF (r=0.786, P

BACKGROUND:Constant magnetic field of proper intensity can inhibit the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells,and it can be used to inhibit the restenosis following percutaneous coronary intervention.OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of constant magnetic field of different intensities on the expression of osteopontin gene in rat aorta smooth muscle cells, so as to investigate whether magnetic field can be used to prevent and treat restenosis following percutaneous coronary intervention.DESIGN: A randomly grouping and controlled observation.SETTING: Department of Cardiology, Xijing Hospital of the Fourth Military Medical University of Chinese PLA.MATERIALS: The experiments were carried out in the laboratory of Department of Cardiology (Military Institute of Cardiovascular Disease), Xijing Hospital of the Fourth Military Medical University of Chinese PLA from February to December in 2006. Male pure SD rats of 200-250 g were used.METHODS : Rat aorta smooth muscle cells were cultured in vitro in DMEM medium containing fetal bovine serum (0.1 in volume serum), and then the cells were randomly divided into control group, constant magnetic field of 1, 5, 10 and 50 Gs groups, those in the control group were not treated with magnetic field, and those in the other groups were treated with magnetic field and cultured for another 48 hours. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were combined with absorbance (A) scanning analysis to observe the effect of constant magnetic field on the expressions of osteopontin and its mRNA in smooth muscle cells.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Expressions of osteopontin and its mRNA in smooth muscle cells.RESULTS: The expressions of osteopontin and osteopontin genes in the constant magnetic field groups were significantly decreased as compared with that in the control group (P ＜ 0.05), there were also significant differences among the constant magnetic field groups of different intensities (P ＜ 0.05). It was indicated that the stimulation of constant magnetic field was in an intensity-dependent manner, and the expressions of osteopontin and osteopontin mRNA were enhanced as the intensity of magnetic field was increased.CONCLUSION: Constant magnetic field of proper intensity can inhibit the osteopontin expression in vascular smooth muscle cells on the gene level, and magnetic field may play a role in preventing and treating the restenosis following percutaneous coronary intervention.

Objective To investigate the auxiliary effect of artificial tiger bone powder on the fragile fracture healing and functional recovery.Methods From June 2014 to June 2015,64 patients with fragile fracture in the second Hospital of Tangshan were randomly divided into treatment and control groups,32 cases in each group.All the selected patients were given routine treatment of fracture.The treatment group was given artificial tiger bone powder,while the control group was given vitamin D and calcium carbonate.The clinical fracture healing time of the selected patients were recorded.At the beginning and 3,6 months after treatment,the Barthel Index ( BI) and functional independent measure ( FIM) were recorded.Results There was no significant difference in general condition, BI score and FIM score between the two groups before treatment.At the 3rd and 6th month after treatment,the BI scores were(( 65.74 ± 7.94 ),( 76.05 ±8.07 ) value),and FIM scores were(( 76.61± 9.08),(( 87.91 ± 6.76) valu)],those in the treatment group were higher than those in the control group( BI:( 61.12 ± 8.67), ( 71.25 ± 8.32) value and FIM:(71.03±9.34),(79.01±7.32) value),( P＜0.05).The the fracture healing time in the treatment group was shorter((12.78±2.09) weeks) than that in the control group((13.94± 2.32) weeks),( t＝2.101,P＜0.05).Conclusion Artificial tiger bone powder can shorten the healing time of fracture, which has auxiliary effect on the healing of fragile fracture.It can promote the functional recovery of fragile fracture patients,and improve their life and activity.

BACKGROUNDFirst generation drug-eluting stents (DES) were associated with a high incidence of late stent thrombosis (ST), mainly due to delayed healing and re-endothelization by the durable polymer coating. This study sought to assess the safety and efficacy of the Nano polymer-free sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) in the treatment of patients with de novo coronary artery lesions.

METHODSThe Nano trial is the first randomized trial designed to compare the safety and efficacy of the Nano polymer-free SES and Partner durable-polymer SES (Lepu Medical Technology, Beijing, China) in the treatment of patients with de novo native coronary lesions. The primary endpoint was in-stent late lumen loss (LLL) at 9-month follow-up. The secondary endpoint was major adverse cardiac events (MACE), a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction or target lesion revascularization.

RESULTSA total of 291 patients (Nano group: n = 143, Partner group: n = 148) were enrolled in this trial from 19 Chinese centers. The Nano polymer-free SES was non-inferior to the Partner durable-polymer DES at the primary endpoint of 9 months (P < 0.001). The 9-month in-segment LLL of the polymer-free Nano SES was comparable to the Partner SES (0.34 ± 0.42) mm vs. (0.30 ± 0.48) mm, P = 0.21). The incidence of MACE in the Nano group were 7.6% compared to the Partner group of 5.9% (P = 0.75) at 2 years follow-up. The frequency of cardiac death and stent thrombosis was low for both Nano and Partner SES (0.8% vs. 0.7%, 0.8% vs. 1.5%, both P = 1.00).

CONCLUSIONSIn this multicenter randomized Nano trial, the Nano polymer-free SES showed similar safety and efficacy compared with the Partner SES in the treatment of patients with de novo coronary artery lesions. Trials in patients with complex lesions and longer term follow-up are necessary to confirm the clinical performance of this novel Nano polymer-free SES.

Aged ; Coronary Artery Disease ; drug therapy ; surgery ; Drug-Eluting Stents ; Female ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Sirolimus ; therapeutic use