Objective To investigate the production of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in rats with monocrotaline (MCT)-induced pulmonary hypertension(PAH).Methods Fourteen male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 2 groups (7 cases for each group):control group and MCT group.Rats in the MCT group were intraperitoneally injected with MCT (60 mg/kg) on day 1 while rats in the control group received only the same volume of 9 g/L saline.And then the conventional breeding was given for 21 days.Mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) was evaluated via right cardiac catheterization procedure.The ratio of right ventricular mass (RV) and left ventricular plus septal mass (LV + SP) [RV/(LV + SP)] was calculated.The morphological change of pulmonary artery was observed by applying hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining on the lung tissue paraffin section by measuring relative media thickness (RMT) and relative media area (RMA) of pulmonary aetery.H2S contents in serum and lung tissue rat were detected by using free radicals detector.The expression of cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE),a key enzyme catalyzing endogenous H2S generaion,in lung tissue was detected by using Western blot method.CSE mRNA level in lung was detected by adopting the real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method.Results Compared with control group,mPAP of rats in MCT group was increased significantly [(49.31 ±3.67) mmHg vs (14.31 ±2.07) mmHg(1 mm Hg =0.133 kPa),P ＜ 0.01] and the ratio of RV/(LV + SP) was increased (0.43 ± 0.03 vs 0.21 ± 0.03,P ＜ 0.01),while RMT and RMA of pulmonary artery were enlarged [(43.46 ± 1.94) μm vs (13.16 ± 1.48) μm,P ＜ 0.01;(3 321.10 ± 318.20) μm2 vs (963.40 ± 127.26) μm2,P ＜0.01].The evaluation of microstructure of pulmonary artery showed that the vessel wall of pulmonary artery in control rats was thin and no inflammatory cell was observed around artery.However,the vessel wall of pulmonary artery in rats of MCT group was thickened and there was evident infiltration of inflammatory cells in perivascular area.Compared with control group,H2S contents in serum and lung tissue of rats in MCT group were markedly decreased [(9.28 ± 0.94) μmol/L vs (14.20 ± 1.21) μmol/L,P ＜ 0.01;(0.43 ± 0.08) μmol/g protein vs (0.87 ±0.17) μmol/g protein,P ＜0.01],while CSE protein and mRNA expression in lung tissue of rats in MCT group were downregulated (0.14 ± 0.02 vs 0.28 ± 0.09,P ＜ 0.01;0.84 ± 0.06 vs 1.12 ± 0.04,P ＜ 0.01).Condusion Endogenous H2S pathway is significantly downregulated in rats with monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension.

Objective To investigate the regulatory effects of endogenous sulfur dioxide (SO2) on collagen accumulation in pulmonary arterial fibroblasts of rats and its mechanisms.Methods Primary rat pulmonary artery fibroblasts were used in the experiment and were divided into 3 groups:the control group,the L-aspartate-beta-hydroxamate(HDX) group and the HDX ± SO2 group.SO2 content of pulmonary artery fibroblasts supernatant was detected by adopting high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).Collagen type Ⅰ and collagen type Ⅲ in pulmonary artery fibroblasts were determined by using immunofluorescence.Phosphorylation of Smad2/3,protein expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-13 and tissue inhibitors of MMP (TIMP)-1 were detected by using Western blot.One-way ANOVA was used for multiple group comparisons followed by Bonferroni test for each group.P ＜ 0.05 was considered as significant difference.Results Compared with control group,endogenous SO2 content in HDX group was significantly decreased [(14.30-± 0.48) μmol/L vs.(20.14 ± 0.49) μμmol/L,P ＜ 0.01],the level of Smad2/3 increased (1.03 ±0.31 vs.0.48 ± 0.20,P ＜ 0.01),protein expressions of MMP-13 and TIMP-1 in pulmonary artery fibroblasts were decreased (MMP-13:0.28 ± 0.06 vs.0.75 ± 0.11,P ＜ 0.01;TIMP-1:0.40 ± 0.05 vs.0.66 ± 0.20,P ＜ 0.01),and the ratio of MMP-13/TIMP-1 was decreased (0.71 ± 0.12 vs.1.23 ± 0.45,P ＜0.01).However,contents of collagen Ⅰ and collagen Ⅲ were significantly increased.Compared with HDX group,the level of Smad2/3 phosphorylation in HDX ± SO2 group decreased (0.57 ± 0.16 vs.1.03 ± 0.31,P ＜ 0.01),protein expression of MMP-13 and TIMP-1 upregulated (MMP-13:0.63 ± 0.06 vs.0.28 ± 0.06,P ＜ 0.01;0.59 ± 0.11 vs.0.40 ± 0.05,P =0.015),the ratio of M MP-13/TIMP-1 (1.10 ± 0.22 vs.0.71 ± 0.12,P =0.033) increased,but contents of collagen type Ⅰ and type Ⅲ were reduced obviously.Conclusions SO2 promotes the degradation of collagen and collagen accumulation in pulmonary artery fibroblasts of rats probably by inhibiting Smad2/3 signal pathway,increasing protein expression of MMP-13 and TIMP-1,and upregulating the ratio of MMP-13/TIMP-1.

Objective To measure the normal sagittal and coronal diameters of thumb and great toe distal phalanx bottom by ultrasonography. Methods One hundred and twenty volunteers' sagittal and coronal diameters of thumb and great toe distal phalanx bottom were measured by ultrasonography. The measurements was analysed by the statistical method. Results The thumb and great toe distal phalanx bottom showed hyperechoic zone,clear boundary with the adjacent fascia and tendon tissue showed low echo area at cross section by high frequency ultrasound. The sagittal diameters of thumb distal phalanx bottom was (8. 07 ± 0. 67)mm in men, while that of great toe distal phalanx bottom was (8. 34 ± 1. 02) mm( t = 1.73, P =0.86).The coronal diameters of thumb distal phalanx bottom was (11.61 ±0.89)mm in men, while that of great toe distal phalanx bottom was (14. 25 ± 0. 84)mm( t = 16. 77, P = 0. 00). The sagittal diameters of thumb distal phalanx bottom was (7. 52 ± 0. 62) mm in women, while that of great toe distal phalanx bottom was (7. 72 ± 0. 67) mm( t = 1. 72, P =0. 14). The coronal diameters of thumb distal phalanx bottom was (10.94 ± 0.97) mm in women, while that of great toe distal phalanx bottom was (13. 51 ±0. 75) mm( t =16.21, P = 0.00). Conclusions The normal sagittal and coronal diameters of thumb and great toe distal phalanx bottom measured by the ultrasonography can guide the operation of wrap-around flap of a great toe with phalanx ungual for thumb II degree defect reconstruction.

Objective To investigate the effects of endogenous sulfur dioxide (SO2) on the oxidative stress induced by cobalt chloride (CoCl2) in the rat pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs).Methods Rat PASMCs were treated with 200 μ mol/L CoCl2 to mimic the hypoxia insult.Endogenous SO2 generating enzyme aspartate aminotransferase 1 (AAT1) expression was upregulated or downregulated (AAT1 sh) by transfection with lentivirus.Rat PASMCs were randomly divided into 8 groups:vehicle group,vehicle + CoCl2 group,AAT1 group,AAT1 + CoCl2 group,scramble group,scramble + SO2 group,AAT1 sh group and AAT1 sh + SO2 group.SO2 donor Na2 SO3/NaHSO3 at concentration of 100 μ mol/L were added in scramble + SO2 group and AAT1sh + SO2 group.The expressions of AAT1,superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) and SOD2 in PASMCs were detected by Western blot method.In situ SO2 content in PASMCs was detected by fluorescent probe.The superoxide anions in PASMCs were labeled by dihydroethidium (DHE) probe under fluorescent microscope.Results Compared with the vehicle group,the levels of SO2 and the expressions of AAT1 (0.221 ± 0.002 vs.0.446 ± 0.004),SOD1 (0.076 ± 0.028 vs.0.171 ± 0.019) and SOD2 (0.080 ± 0.031 vs.0.196 ± 0.018) significantly decreased (all P ＜ 0.01),and superoxide anion increased in rat PASMCs of vehicle + CoCl2 group.Meanwhile,compared with vehicle + CoCl2 group,the levels of SO2 and the expressions of AAT1 (0.839 ± 0.056 vs.0.221 ± 0.002),SOD1 (0.177 ± 0.020 vs.0.076 ± 0.028) and SOD2 (0.195 ±0.018 vs.0.080-± 0.031) markedly increased (all P ＜ 0.01),and superoxide anion decreased in rat PASMCs of AAT1 + CoCl2 group.On the contrary,compared with the scramble group,the levels of SO2 and the expressions of AAT1 (0.062 ±0.017 vs.0.354 ±0.034),SOD1 (0.054 ±0.029 vs.0.157 ±0.023) and SOD2(0.180 ±0.100 vs.0.586 ± 0.176)significantly decreased (all P ＜ 0.01),and superoxide anion increased in rat PASMCs of AAT1sh group.Furthermore,compared with the AAT1 sh group,the levels of SO2 and the expressions of SOD1 (0.155 ± 0.022vs.0.054 ± 0.029) and SOD2 (0.578 ± 0.200 vs.0.180 ± 0.100) significantly increased (all P ＜ 0.01),and superoxide anion decreased in rats PASMCs of AAT1sh + SO2 group.Conclusion Endogenous SO2/AAT1 inhibits CoCl2-induced oxidative stress in rat PASMCs.

Background and purpose:The incidence of liver cancer is high in China. Primary liver cancers usually occur in patients with liver cirrhosis, which is a challenge for the early diagnosis of liver cancer. Our purpose is to investigate the efifcacy of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in the early identiifcation and diagnosis of small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by regularly tracking and supervising the high risk population. Methods:A total of 320 high risk patients of HCC admitted in our hospital from February 2011 to November 2013 were enrolled in this prospective study. All patients underwent conventional ultrasound and hepatic CEUS. The differential diagnosis of malignant HCCs from benign ones was based on the enhancement patterns of hepatic lesions in different phases on CEUS. Results:Twenty patients were diagnosed as small HCC among 320 HCC high risk patients who were under regular surveillance using CEUS and all were pathologically conifrmed. Seven of the 20 HCC cases were smaller than 1.0 cm and 13 measured 1.1-2.0 cm. There were 6 (30.0%) HCCs presented as“early wash-in and slow wash-out”atypical pattern of HCC. The small size of the lesion and iso-echogenicity were the main factors of atypical pattern of HCC on CEUS.Conclusion:Ultrasonography and CEUS surveillance is a useful strategy for the early detection of small HCCs in high risk patients, which can help them to receive proper therapeutic management in time.

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) refers to the use of stereotactic isocentric rotation technology, which concent rates high-energy radiation in the target area for a large dose of irradiation, causing irreversible biological damage, while the normal tissue is not or less exposed. Currently, SBRT is the standard treatment for inoperable patients with early non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The efficacy of SBRT in the treatment of peripheral and central lung cancer has been validated, whereas there is no consensus on the dose and fractionation, which remains to be further explored. The clinical efficacy of SBRT combined with immunotherapy needs to be further studied. Therefore, the optimal dose and fractionation of SBRT for early peripheral and central NSCLC were discussed, the difference in the clinical efficacy among SBRT, lobectomy and thoracoscopic surgery was analyzed and the clinical efficacy of SBRT combined with immunotherapy was assessed, aiming to provide theoretical basis for the application of SBRT in clinical practice.

Objective To explore the effect of endogenous sulfur dioxide (SO2)on the apoptosis induced by cobalt chloride (CoCl2)in the human pulmonary arterial endothelial cells (HPAECs).Methods CoCl2was used in the primary HPAECs to mimize hypoxia-induced cell apoptosis.The aspartate aminotransferase 1(AAT1),and the key enzyme generating endogenous SO2 were over -expressed by transfecting HPAECs with lentivirus containing AAT1 cDNA.HPAECs were divided into 4 groups:vehicle group,vehicle + CoCl2 group,AAT1 group and AAT1 + CoCl2 group.The expressions of AAT1,B-cell lymphoma-2 (bcl-2),bcl-associated X protein (bax),Caspase-3 and activated Caspase-3 (cleaved Caspase-3)in the HPAECs were measured by Western blot.The AAT activity was assessed with colorimetry method.The SO2 content in the HPAECs was in situ observed by SO2-specific fluorescent probe.The HPAECs apoptosis was investigated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL)assay.Results There were significant differences in the endogenous SO2 content,the expre-ssions of AAT1 and bcl-2,and the ratio of cleaved Caspase-3/Caspase-3 among 4 groups of HPAECs were (F＝147.364,23.738,6.521,64.884,all P＜0.05).However,there was no difference in the expression of bax among 4 groups of HPAECs (F＝1.620,P＞0.05).Compared with vehicle group,AAT activity [(0.96 ± 0.24)Carmen's unit/μg vs.(2.21 ± 0. 60)Carmen's unit/μg],endogenous SO2 content (40.71 ± 7.72 vs.105.60 ± 16.20)and bcl-2 expression (0.59 ± 0.19 vs.1.02 ± 0.20)in the HPAECs of vehicle +CoCl2 group were significantly de-creased,while the cell apoptosis assessed by TUNEL and the ratio of cleaved Caspase-3/Caspase-3 (1.56 ± 0.25 vs.0.95 ± 0.13)were significantly increased (all P＜0.05).However,there were no differences in the expression of AAT1 (0. 50 ± 0.12 vs.0.53 ± 0.11)in the HPAECs between vehicle group and vehicle+CoCl2 group (P＞0.05). The SO2 content (351.50 ± 42.43 vs.105.60 ± 16.20)and AAT1 expression (1.22 ± 0.33 vs.0.53 ± 0.11)in the HPAECs of AAT1 group were higher than those of vehicle group (all P ＜0. 05 ). Compared with AAT1 group, endogenous SO2content (333.50 ± 46.22 vs.351.50 ± 42.43)and the expression of AAT1 (1.26 ± 0.36 vs.1.22 ± 0.33)and bcl-2 (1.14 ± 0.38 vs.1.03 ± 0.27)in the HPAECs of AAT1 +CoCl2group did not change (all P＞0. 05).Moreover,no difference was observed in the HPAECs apoptosis assessed by TUNEL and the ratio of cleaved Caspase-3/Caspase-3 (0.51 ± 0.17 vs.0.50 ± 0.11)between the two AAT1 -overexpressed groups (all P ＞0. 05).Conclusion Endo-genous SO2inhibited the hypoxic HPAECs apoptosis stimulated by the treatment of CoCl2.

OBJECTIVE: To filtrate and prove the different microRNAs (miRs) profiles in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. METHOD: Screening the different expressions of miRs between nasopharyngeal carcinoma and the inflammatory tissues by the application of expression profiling of chip high-throughput and large-scale microarray analysis. Then we used RT-QPCR technology to prove the accuracy of screening results. RESULT: There were significant expression differences of miRs between nasopharyngeal carcinoma and the control tissues, 144 human miRs had 2 or more fold the difference ratio. Compared with the inflammatory tissues, we have found that miRs-34b, miRs-449b and miRs-7-1 significantly low expressed in nasopharyngeal carcinoma, yet miRs-125b, miRs-184, miRs-196b, miRs-205 and miRs-24-1 expressed high. The results were consistent with the microarray analysis. CONCLUSION The difference expressed miRs might be closely related to the process of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and the research on miRs profiles maybe provide a powerful target basis for early diagnosis and therapy of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
Carcinoma ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Humans ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; genetics ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis

Objective To investigate the risk factors for identifying local tumor progression(LTP)in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)after radiofrequency ablation(RFA)and to establish a predictive model.Methods The clinical data of 122 HCC patients treated by RFA were analyzed retrospectively,and then the patients were divided into positive and negative LTP groups according to that whether LTP occurred within 12 months after RFA.The risk factors of LTP were determined using univariate and multivari-ate analysis,and the predictive model was constructed based on these factors and the internal validation was conducted.Results The results of this study showed that multiple number,diameter＞2 cm,rough margin,and adjacent to large blood vessels of the tumor could be independent predictors of LTP,which were further incorporated into constructing the predictive model.Internal validation results showed that the area under the curve(AUC)of receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was 0.815[95％confidence interval(CI)0.735-0.895],indicating the model with high differentiation ability.The calibration curve was drawn and the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-fit test showed that the model had good stability(P＞0.05).The decision curve suggested that the model had good clinical application value.Conclusion The independent risk factors of LTP of HCC after RFA are multiple number,diameter＞2 cm,rough margin,and adjacent to large blood vessels of the tumor.When the predictive model is integrated with the above factors,it can poten-tially predict the risk of local tumor and may offer useful guidance for individual treatment and follow-up.

Objective:Previous studies have found that Qidi Tangshen granules (QDTS),a combination therapy of supplementing essence (Tianjing,TJ) and unblocking the collaterals (Tongluo,TL),can reduce kidney damage in db/db mice.This study aimed to explore the effect of QDTS and their separate prescriptions on podocytes in mice with diabetic nephropathy.Methods:The db/db mice were used in this experiment as an animal model,while wild-type C57BL/6J mice were used as normal controls.At the age of 12 weeks,the db/db mice were randomly divided into 5 groups (db/db,db/db + valsartan,db/db + QDTS,db/db + TJ and db/db + TL).The urine albumin excretion ratio (UAE) was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay before and after the intervention.The ultrastructure of the kidney podocytes was observed by transmission electron mi-croscopy.The protein expression levels of nephrin and desmin were detected by immunohistochemistry.Results:QDTS and their separate prescriptions significantly decreased the UAE and attenuated the renal pathological injury.QDTS and their separate prescriptions also reduced the fusion rate of the foot pro-cesses and increased the expression of nephrin protein.In contrast,QDTS and their separate pre-scriptions (TJ and TL) reduced the expression level of desmin protein.Conclusion:QDTS and their separate prescriptions might reduce diabetes-induced renal injury by reducing podocyte damage.The therapeutic effect of QDTS was more pronounced than TJ and TL.