Background Serum cystatin C levels can be used to predict morbidity and mortality in patients with cardiovascular disease. However, the clinical relevance of serum cystatin C levels in patients with hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) has rarely been investigated. We designed the present study to investigate whether serum cystatin C levels are associated with cardiac structural and functional alterations in hypertensive patients. Methods We enrolled 823 hypertensive patients and classified them into two groups:those with LVH (n=287) and those without LVH (n=536). All patients underwent echocardiography and serum cystatin C testing. We analyzed the relationship be-tween serum cystatin C levels and LVH. Results Serum cystatin C levels were higher in hypertensive patients with LVH than in those without LVH (P＜0.05). Using linear correlation analysis, we found a positive correlation between serum cystatin C levels and interven-tricular septal thickness (r=0.247, P＜0.01), posterior wall thickness (r=0.216, P＜0.01), and left ventricular weight index (r=0.347, P＜0.01). When analyzed by multiple linear regression, the positive correlations remained between serum cystatin C and interventricular septal thickness (β=0.167, P＜0.05), posterior wall thickness (β=0.187, P＜0.05), and left ventricular weight index (β=0.245, P＜0.01). Con-clusion Serum cystatin C concentration is an independent marker for hypertensive LVH.

Objective To investigate the occurrence of apoptosis and its relationship with endocrine hormones altemtions in rats with acute obstructive pancreatitis(AOP). Methods The model of AOP wag establisbed by ligation of pancreaticobiliary duct.8,12 hrs after operation,the serum insulin,glucagons and amvlase were determined;pancreatic tissues were harvested and apoptotic rate wag evaluated by TUNEL and flow cytometry(Annexin V-FITC/PI assay).Results 8 and 12 hrs after AOP induction,serum amylase levels wefe(1198±687)U/L and(1698±1103)U/L respectively;serum insulin levels were(8.1±5.8)ng/ml and (12.7 ±6.9)ng/ml respectively;sertlm glucagon levels were(6.8±4.6)ng/ml and(7.3±2.9)ng/ml respectively;all these parameters were significantly high than(404±222)U/L,(5.6±2.7)ng/ml and(2.6±2.1)ng/ml in the sham operation group(P<0.05).AnnemnV FITC/PI assay confirmed apoptosis occurred both in exocrine acinus cells and endocrine panclreas islet;and the apoptotic rate wag(20.5±11.2)%and (15.5±8.9)%at 8 and 12 hrs after AOP induction,which wag significantly high than(4.2±1.6)%in the sham operation group(P<0.05).Conclusions Cell apoptosis occurred in both acinar and islet in the model of AOP,and this may be the pathophysiological basis of endocnne hormones alterations in the model of AOP.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Lycium bararum polysaccharides (LBPs) stimulation on the maturation of murine bone marrow derived dendritic cells (BMDCs).

METHODSMurine bone marrow cells were cultured in GM-CSF and IL-4 for 5 days, then were purified with a MACS column. Respectively, BMDCs were stimulated with LBPs, LPS and RPMI1640 for 2 days. Cell phenotypes and antigens uptake by BMDCs were analyzed by flow cytometry. Cytokines released by BMDCs were detected. The antigen presenting by BMDCs was evaluated by mixed lymphocyte responses.

RESULTCompared with to the BMDCs that only subjected to RPMI 1640, the expression of I-A/I-E, CD11c and secretion of IL-12 by BMDCs stimulated with LBPs were increased, the phagocytosis of FITC-dextran by BMDCs stimulated with LBPs was impaired but the activation of proliferation of allogenic lymphocytes by BMDCs was strengthened.

CONCLUSIONLBPs promote not only the maturation of cultured murine BMDCs in vitro, but also the immune response initiation induced by BMDCs.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; immunology ; CD11c Antigen ; immunology ; Cells, Cultured ; Dendritic Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; immunology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Lipopolysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed ; Lymphocytes ; cytology ; drug effects ; immunology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Phagocytosis ; drug effects ; immunology

BACKGROUNDPathophysiological processes, such as malignancy, can lead to the formation of stiffer tissue in lung cancers. Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) elastography is a novel technique for measuring tissue stiffness during EBUS-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA). The current study was conducted to investigate the diagnostic value of EBUS elastography for mediastinal and hilar lymph node metastasis in lung cancers.

METHODSFrom January 2014 to January 2015, 40 patients suspected of lung cancer were enrolled, and a total of 68 lymph nodes were evaluated by EBUS-TBNA. EBUS-guided elastography of lymph nodes was performed prior to EBUS-TBNA. Standard EBUS characteristics were also described. Pathological determination of malignant or benign lymph nodes was used as the gold standard for this study. If EBUS-TBNA did not result in a formal pathological diagnosis of malignancy, patients were referred for a surgical procedure. Comparisons of elastography and standard EBUS characteristics were made between benign and malignant lymph nodes.

RESULTSElastography grading scores and strain ratios showed significant differences between benign and malignant lymph nodes (P = 0.000). The elastography strain ratio was more sensitive and specific for determining malignant lymph nodes than elastography grading score or standard EBUS criteria. The receiver operating characteristic curve for the elastography strain ratio showed an area under the curve of 0.933. The best cut-off point of the strain ratio for differentiating malignant from benign lymph nodes was 32.07. The elastography strain ratio had a sensitivity of 88.1%, the specificity of 80.8%, positive predictive value of 88.1%, and negative predictive value of 80.8% for distinguishing malignant from benign nodes. The overall accuracy of elastography strain ratio was 85.3%. The strain ratio of malignant and benign lymph nodes positively correlated with the elastography grading score (r = 0.561, P = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONSEBUS elastography can be effectively used to predict mediastinal and hilar lymph node metastases in lung cancer. This noninvasive technique may thus complement standard EBUS and help guide EBUS-TBNA procedures.

Aged ; Elasticity Imaging Techniques ; methods ; Endosonography ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Male ; Mediastinum ; pathology ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo study the spatial distribution of free Ca2+ in osteoclast-like cells cultured on glass.

METHODSTo detect the free Ca2+ in osteoclast-like cells, the images were analyzed with image software, using the laser scanning confocal microscope and fluorescent probe.

RESULTSAt 37 degrees C the free Ca2+ in osteoclast-like cells could be labelled effectively with 10 micromol/L Fluo-3/AM, the intensity of Ca2+ fluorescent signal in the central part was greater than that in the peripheral part and in the same section the signal was not distributed evenly.

CONCLUSIONThe intensity of Ca2+ fluorescent signal is different among various organellae in osteoclast-like cell, which suggests the osteoclast-like cell modulate its own function through the spatial difference of free Ca2+ concentration.

Aniline Compounds ; Calcium ; Cell Line ; Cells, Cultured ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Osteoclasts ; Xanthenes

Objective:To analyze the effect and clinical significance of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) on severe acute pancreatitis complicated with different grades of intra-abdominal hypertension, and to determine whether the level of intra-abdominal pressure can be used as one of the indicators of CRRT in these patients.Methods:From September 2020 to September 2022, the clinical data of 66 patients with severe acute pancreatitis complicated by intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) ≥12 mmHg who were treated with CRRT and admitted to the EICU of Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University were retrospectively analyzed. According to the level of IAP, they were divided into group A: 12 mmHg≤IAP < 15 mmHg, 22 cases; group B: 15 mmHg≤IAP≤20 mmHg, 23 cases and group C: IA P>20 mmHg, 21 cases. The general clinical data and IAP values before and after CRRT treatment, as well as the ΔIAP (difference of IAP before and after treatment) were recorded. The difference of IAP before and after treatment and the ΔIAP between group B and group C were compared by independent sample t test. The relationship between IAP before treatment and ?IAP was analyzed by spearman test. Results:There were no significant differences in gender, age, modified Marshall score, APACHE Ⅱ score, number of mechanical ventilation, and etiology among the three groups before treatment( P>0.05). After CRRT treatment, IAP of group A was no significantly changed before and after treatment ( P>0.05). IAP in groups B and C was significantly lower after treatment than before treatment ( P<0.05), and the ΔIAP of group C was significantly higher than that of group B ( P<0.05). There was a positive correlation between IAP before treatment and ?IAP in group B and Group C ( P<0.05). Conclusions:1．For patients with severe pancreatitis complicated with intra-abdominal hypertension, CRRT treatment can effectively reduce IAP when IAP≥15 mmHg, and the higher the IAP, the more obvious effect of CRRT treatment in controlling intra-abdominal pressure. 2. IAP≥15 mmHg can be used as one of the indicators for CRRT in SAP patients.

Background Bone morphogenetic protein-6 (BMP-6) is closely correlated with tumor differentiation and skeletal metastasis. Estrogen is considered as a stimulant for the initiation and promotion of breast cancer. Previous studies demonstrated that 17β-estadiol (E2) can selectively increase the expression of BMP-6. This experiment is designed to detect the molecular mechanism of estrogen activating BMP-6 gene transcription in human estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer cell line MCF-7. Methods After the treatment of MCF-7 cells with E2 at different concentrations (10-11 mol/L, 10-9 mol/L, 10-7 mol/L), the BMP-6 expression level was examined through real-time polymerase chain reaction. Through restriction enzyme digestion, human BMP-6 1.2 kb long promoter, BMP-6 0.7 kb long promoter was cloned into pGL-3 basic vector; after the treatment with 10-7 mol/L E2, luciferase activities of the two promoters were detected. Site-directed mutagenesis was performed to obtain the mutant forms of estrogen response element half-site (1/2 ERE) element and Sp1 sites in the BMP-6 promoter, the activities of these mutant form promoters were detected following the methods mentioned above. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay was also used to confirm the binding of estrogen receptor α (Erα) on BMP-6 promoter in the presence of E2. Results E2 dose dependently increased BMP-6 mRNA expression in human ER+ breast cancer cell line MCF-7. At a dose of 10-7 mol/L E2, human BMP-6 1.2 kb promoter activity was increased by 90% compared with the control group treated with ethanol (P<0.05). Both the 1/2 ERE response element mutant form and the Sp1 site mutant form of the BMP-6 promoter abolished the activation of the BMP-6 promoter's response to E2. Through ChIP assay, the binding of Erα on 1/2 ERE response element in BMP-6 promoter was further validated. Conclusion Estrogen induces BMP-6 expression in human ER+ breast cancer cell line MCF-7 through its receptor Erα binding on 1/2 ERE element in the BMP-6 promoter.

Objective To explore the association between urinary microalbumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) in hypertensive patients.Methods A total of 877 primary hypertension patients were enrolled in this trial from September 2009 to December 2012,and were randomly recruited and patients were divided into normal ACR group (ACR ＜ 30 mg/g,n =723),microalbuminuria group (30 mg/g ≤ ACR ＜ 300 mg/g,n =136) and macro-albuminuria group (ACR ≥300 mg/g,n =18).baPWV was measure by automatic pulse wave velocity measuring system.Results The baPWV values in patients of micro-albuminuria group and macro-albuminuria group were significantly higher than in the normal ACR group (all P ＜ 0.05).The baPWV value of macro-albuminuria group was significantly higher than in the micro-albuminuria group (P ＜ 0.05).Linear correlation analysis revealed that ACR was positively correlated with baPWV (r =0.413,P ＜ 0.01).Multiple linear regression analysis showed that ACR independently correlated with baPWV in patients with primary hypertension (β =0.29,R2 =0.112,P ＜ 0.01) after adjusting for age,sex,body mass index,systolic blood pressure,diastolic blood pressure,blood glucose,total cholesterol,low density lipoprotein,high density lipoprotein and triglyceride.Using ACR ＜ 30 mg/g and ACR ≥ 30 mg/g as dichotomous variable,binary logistic regression analysis showed that ACR≥30 mg/g was also a risk factor of the ascending baPWV in primary hypertension patients (OR:1.73,95％ CI:1.62-2.98) after adjusting the traditional cardiovascular risk factors.Conclusion ACR is positively correlated to baPWV in primary hypertension patients,and the ascending baPWV is a risk factor of early renal dysfunction in primary hypertension patients.

Projection micro stereolithography three-dimensional(3D)printing method was proposed in this study to fabricate complex microchannels of combined cross-sections.By using 3D printing and polydimethylsiloxane(PDMS)replication methods,two inertial microfluidic chips of three-step and five-step cross-sections were fabricated,and the dimension precisions of the microchannels were controlled within 20 μm.Using the microfluidic chips,the movements of two fluorescent polystyrene particles with diameters of 10 and 6 μm in the stepped channels were investigated.In addition,numerical simulations were applied to demonstrate the inertial focusing mechanisms of particles in the channels.It was found that 10-μm particles had three equilibrium positions in the three-step channel,which located at the inner walls of the three steps,respectively,and most particles focused at the inner step.The 6-μm particles also had three equilibrium positions in the three-step channel.However,the particles migrated to the middle and the outer steps under high flow rates.In the five-step channel,when the flow rate was increased gradually,10-μm particles had a single and two equilibrium positions,respectively,and the particles migrated towards the inner channel wall under high flow rates.In comparison to 10-μm particles,6-μm particles had two stable equilibrium positions in the five-step channel at all flow rate range.It could be concluded that the quantity,shape and strength of the secondary flow vortex could be altered by changing structure of the combined cross-section,thus the equilibrium positions and quantities of the focusing particles could be also regulated.The research outcome might provide new insights for precise cell inertial manipulation and promote the application and development of inertial microfluidic technology in biomedical and other fields.