AIM To investigate whether the relaxation characteristics of phytoestrogens resveratrol and phloretin on contractile response of aortic strips are similar to that of estrogen and the mechanisms underground. METHODS Aortic strips from rabbits were suspended in organ baths containing Krebs solution, and then isometric tension was measured. RESULTS Resveratrol and phloretin inhibited the contractile responses to norepinephrine (NE), KCl and CaCl2, shifted their concentration-response curves rightward with pD2′ values of 2.89, 3.34, 3.37 for resveratrol and 3.23, 3.52, 3.77 for phloretin respectively. Also both of them concentration-dependently relaxed KCl-precontracted aortic strip. The relaxing response of resveratrol but not of phloretin in aortic strip was significantly reduced by removal of endothelium or incubation with Nω-L-nitro-arginine and methylthioninium chloride, however both their relaxant effects were not affected by indometacin and propranolol. In Ca2+-free Krebs solution containing 0.01 mmol·L-1 EGTA, resveratrol and phloretin inhibited NE-induced contraction which was caused by Ca2+ release from intracellular store, but did not affect the contraction which was induced by Ca2+ influx. CONCLUSION Resveratrol and phloretin can induce vasorelaxations which may relate to inhibition of Ca2+ influx through potential-dependent calcium channels and Ca2+ release from intracellular stores, and the relaxing response of resveratrol is endothelium-dependent in part, but of phloretin is not endothelium-dependent.

Objective To examine serum lipid levels and to investigate the risk factors of dyslipidemia in children and to study the indices of screening test for dyslipidemia of children in Beijing.Methods Serum total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TG),high density lipoprotein-cholesterol(HDL-c) and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol(LDL-c) were detected by HITACHI 7060 automatic biochemical analyzer in Beijing students.Body height, weight,upper body height,waist circumference,upper arm circumference and blood pressure were measured.Body mass index(BMI) was calculated according to the measurement of body height and weight.Waist-to-height ratio(WHR) was also calculated.Then a Logistic regression analysis and ROC study were conducted to examine the relationship between the above indices and dyslipidemia.Results Of 962 students,107 were found dyslipidemia.The prevalence rate was 11.12%.The upper body height,upper arm circumference,BMI,WHR,systolic pressure and diastolic pressure in children with dyslipidemia were higher than those of normal subjects(P

Objective To observe the effect of sulfur dioxide (SO2) on vasoactive peptides in aorta of atherosclerotic(AS) rats.Methods Twenty-eight male SD rats were randomly divided into control group (8 cases),AS group (10 cases) ,AS + SO2 group (10 cases).The rats in AS group and AS + SO2 group were given 700 000 U/kg Vitamin D3 and fed a high-cholesterol diet for 8 weeks to induce AS.Meanwhile, the rats in AS + SO2 group were intraperitoneally injected SO2 donor Na2SO3/NaHSO3 (0.54 mmol/kg,0.18 mmol/kg) every day.And the rats in control group and AS group were given the same dose of saline.After 8 weeks, the changes in atherosclerosis plaque size in the aortic root were observed by way of oil red O staining.Angiotensin Ⅱ (Ang Ⅱ) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) in the aortic homogenate were detected by using radioactive immunoassay.Results Compared with the control group, the atherosclerosis plaque size was markedly increased in AS group, while SO2 treatment significantly decreased the atherosclerosis plaque size in AS rats.Meanwhile,the content of Ang Ⅱ and ET-1 in the aortic homogenate from AS group were increased compared to those in the control group [(11.52 ±4.15) ng/g vs (5.46 ± 1.21) ng/g, (11.91 ± 4.93) ng/g vs (3.81 ± 1.21) ng/g,all P ＜0.01] ,while SO2 donor treatment markedly decreased the content of Ang Ⅱ and ET-1 in AS rats [(6.25 ± 2.85) ng/g, (8.35 ± 2.45) ng/g] (all P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions SO2 can play an important role in the regulation of vasoactive peptide Ang Ⅱ and ET-1 in AS rat aorta.This effect may be one of the mechanisms by which SO2 antagonize AS.

Objective To evaluate the optimized efficacy of thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) combined with general anesthesia via the research on the postoperative cellular immune function in the patients undergoing radical resection for esophageal cancer.Methods Forty American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ patients of both sexes,aged 45-64 yr,with body mass index of 20-25 kg/m2,scheduled for elective radical resection for esophageal cancer,were divided into 2 groups (n =20 each) using a random number table:general anesthesia group (G group) and TPVB combined with general anesthesia group (TPVB+G group).In group TPVB+G,TPVB was performed at T4 and T6 on the operated side under ultrasound guidance with 0.5％ ropivacaine 15 ml before anesthesia induction.Anesthesia induction was started after the level of block was confirmed.Anesthesia was maintained with propofol given by target-controlled infusion at the target plasma concentration of 1-4 μg/ml,and bispectral index value was maintained at 40-50.Patient-controlled intravenous analgesia was performed after operation,and visual analog scale score was maintained ≤ 3.Before anesthesia induction,at the end of operation and at 24 and 48 h after operation,blood samples were collected from the central vein for determination of the levels of T lymphocyte subsets CD3+,CD4+ and CD8+ and CD4+/CD8+ ratio.Ricker Sedation-Agitation Scale scores were recorded at 10 min,20 min,30 min and 1 h after extubation and 6,24 and 48 h after operation.The consumption of intraoperative remifentanil,requirement for vasoactive agents during recovery from anesthesia,the number of unsuccessfully delivered doses and the total number of attempts were also recorded.Results Compared with group G,Ricker Sedation-Agitation Scale scores were significantly decreased at 10 min after extubation,the consumption of intraoperative remifentanil,requirement for vasoactive agents during recovery from anesthesia and the number of unsuccessfully delivered doses were decreased,and the postoperative CD4+ level and CD4 +/CD8 + ratio were increased in group TPVB+G (P＜0.05).Conclusion TPVB combined with general anesthesia can improve the postoperative cellular immune function and is an optimal anesthesia regimen in the patients undergoing radical resection for esophageal cancer.

Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of HPV16-E7 gene specific CRISPR/Cas (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat/CRISPR associated system) on the cell apoptosis and proliferation of human cervical cancer SiHa cell line.Methods HPV16 positive cervical cancer SiHa cells and HPV16 negative human embryonic kidney HEK293 cells were cultured and each of the cells were divided into 3 groups respectively in the experiment:the control group was untreated,the C9 group was transfected only with Cas9 plasmid,and the Cri group was cotransfected with guide RNA (gRNA) plasmid and Cas9 plasmid (1∶3).T-7endonuclease Ⅰ assay was used to detect double strand break (DSB) formation in SiHa cells.The apoptosis rates of SiHa and HEK293 cells were detected by flow cytometry (FCM).CCK-8 was used to evaluate the proliferation of SiHa and HEK293 cells.Western blotting was applied to detect E7 and pRb protein expression.Results The SiHa cells in Cri group showed DSB formation at 48 h after transfection.The apoptosis rate of Cri group at 48 h was 26.6％,higher than 2.6％ in control group (x2 =5.455,P =0.020) and 3.1％ in C9 group (x2 =6.279,P =0.012).The apoptosis rates of control,C9 and Cri group were 7.4％,7.6％,7.9％ for HEK293 cells respectively.Compared with the control and C9 group,the apoptosis rate of the Crigroup showed no statistical significance (x2 =0.032,P =0.858;x2 =0.034,P =0.853).After 72 h transfection,the inhibition rate of SiHa cells in Cri group was 29.4％,higher than 15.0％ in control group (x2 =22.481,P =0.000) and 18.0％ in C9 group (x2 =24.879,P =0.000).The inhibition rate of the HEK293 cells in Cri group was 3.2％,and it showed no significant difference compared with the inhibition rate of C9 group (2.2％,x2 =2.857,P =0.091) and control group (2.3％,x2 =3.438,P =0.064) respectively.Down-regulated expression of E7 protein and up-regulated expression of pRb protein were detected of the SiHa cells in Cri group compared with the control group,while the E7 protein and pRb protein level did not show difference in the C9 group.Conclusion CRISPR specifically targeting HPV16-E7 oncogene can promote apoptosis of SiHa cells,and inhibit the cell proliferation.It is speculated that CRISPR system may induce DSB event of E7 gene,and result into increased expression of tumor suppressor protein pRb.

Objective:To investigate the incidence trends and clinicopathologic characteristics of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducting using the following data:3,766 cases with thyroid disease in the People's Hospital of Wuhan University between January 2001 and July 2013;and 977 cases with thyroid cancer in the Hubei Cancer Hospital between Janu-ary 2006 and July 2013. Results:The incidence of thyroid cancer increased significantly since 2008, ranging from 14.94%to 18.10%(P<0.05). In particular, the PTC cases ranged from 85.33%to 90.89%(P<0.05). A total of 1,416 cases were diagnosed as PTC with a male to female ratio of 1:3.75. The positive rate of neck lymph node metastasis (NLNM) was significantly different in terms of gender and age (P<0.05). Significant differences were also found between the unifocal group and the multifocal group;the positive rate of NL-NM was 77.94%in the latter group. The rate of NLNM in PTC was 72.29%, which had higher significance compared with Hashimoto's thyroiditis or with nodular goiter. Conclusion: The incidence of thyroid cancer is increasing. Cases involving males aged below 45 years old and with>1 cm tumor diameter and multifocal PTC are more likely to be complicated with NLNM.

Objective To evaluate pulmonary protection of dexmedetomidine under general anesthesia in the patients with sepsis.Methods Fifty patients with sepsis,aged 50-64 yr,weighing 50-75 kg,of ASA physical status Ⅲ or Ⅳ,were randomly divided into 2 groups (n =25 each) using a random number table:control group (group C) and dexmedetomidine group (group D).Anesthesia was induced with midazolam,fentanyl,propofol and cisatracurium,and maintained with infusion of remifentanil and propofol and intermittent iv boluses of cisatracurium.The patients were endotracheally intubated and mechanically ventilated.In group D,dexmedetomidine 1.0 μg/kg was infused over 10 min,followed by infusion at 0.4 μg · kg-1 · h-1 for 2 h before induction of anesthesia.While the equal volume of normal saline was given in group C.BIS value was maintained at 40-60.Immediately before skin incision,at 2 h after beginning of skin incision,and at 24 h after operation,arterial and venous blood samples were taken for blood gas analysis and for determination of the concentrations of serum procalitonin,interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha.Oxygenation index was calculated.Results Compared with group C,oxygenation index was significantly increased,the concentrations of serum procalitonin,tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 were decreased,and the rate of improvement of pulmonary function was increased in group D.Conclusion Dexmedetomidine (infusion at 0.4 pg · kg-1 · h 1 for 2 h after infusion of 1.0 μg/kg) before induction of anesthesia provides pulmonary protection under general anesthesia in the patients with sepsis.

AIM: To explore the regulatory effect of adrenomedullin (ADM) on pulmonary oxidative stress in the rats with pulmonary hypertension induced by high blood flow.METHODS: Healthy male SD rats (n=22) were randomly divided into control group, shunt group and shunt with ADM group.Abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava shunting was produced in the rats in shunt group and shunt with ADM group.After 8 weeks, ADM (1.5 μg·kg-1·h-1) was administered into the rats in shunt with ADM group subcutaneously by mini-osmotic pump for 2 weeks.Mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) was evaluated by a right cardiac catheterization procedure.The ratio of right ventricular mass to left ventricular plus interventricular septal mass [RV/(LV+SP)] and relative medial thickness (RMT) in pulmonary muscularized arteries were calculated.The content of malonaldehyde (MDA), total antioxidative capacity (T-AOC), and activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in lung tissues were detected by colorimetry.The expression of NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) in the lung tissue was analyzed by Western blot.RESULTS: Compared with control group, the mPAP, RV/(LV+SP) and RMT in pulmonary muscularized arteries in shunt group were all significantly increased.The content of MDA and the expression of NOX4 in the lung tissues were significantly increased.The T-AOC, and activity of SOD and GSH-Px in the lung tissues were significantly decreased.However, mPAP, RV/(LV+SP) and RMT in pulmonary muscularized arteries in shunt with ADM group were significantly decreased as compared with shunt group.Meanwhile, ADM decreased the content of MDA and the expression of NOX4 in the lung tissues, but increased the T-AOC, and activity of SOD and GSH-Px in the lung tissue of shunt rats.CONCLUSION: ADM inhibits oxidative stress response in the development of pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary vascular structural remodeling induced by high pulmonary blood flow in the rats by down-regulating the NOX4 expression and strengthening the anti-oxidation response.

Objective To observe the expression of PAX-2 and PTEN in different types of endometrial lesions, and to study their relationship with endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia (EIN). Methods 60 cases of endometrial hyperplasic lesions and 70 cases of endometrial carcinoma were enrolled. All cases were reclassified by using the diagnostic criteria of EIN, and PAX-2 and PTEN were stained to compare the difference among them. Results The deletion rates of PAX-2 in benign hyperplasia, EIN and endometrial carcinoma were 39.5 % (15/38), 72.7 % (16/22) and 78.6 % (55/70), respectively, and there was a statistical difference (χ2= 21.664, P= 0.000). The deletion rates of PTEN in benign hyperplasia, EIN and endometrial carcinoma were 47.4%(18/38), 54.5%(12/22) and 75.7%(53/70), respectively, and there was no statistical difference (χ2=2.878, P=0.411). Conclusion The staining of PAX-2 could be considered as a reliable adjuvant diagnostic method in the diagnostic criteria of EIN, however, the loss of PTEN just should be regarded as a suggestion of EIN, not a confirmed diagnostic basis.

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).