Objective]To evaluate the value of three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography(3D-TEE)in the applica?tion of percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusionin patients with atrial fibrillation.[Methods]7 patients with atrial fibrillation in Da?lian area(female 4,male 3,mean age 71.5 ± 3.3 years)were enrolled in the study.The maximum and minimum diameter and the max?imum depth ofleft atrial appendage were measured by 3D-TEE,and export morphology and leaf number were viewed.WATCHMAN occlude size was selectedby 3D-TEE. The process of operation was monitored by 3D-TEE. 3D-TEE was also performed in 3 months after the transcatheter closure.[Results]7 patients were performed the transcatheter closure therapy successfully. Preoperative 3D-TEE showed left atrial appendage export:5 cases were oval,and 2 cases were nearly circular. The leaf number was 1.6 ± 0.8. The maximum diameter of the left atrial appendage export was(23.1 ± 1.7)mm,(19.2 ± 2.1)mm minimum diameter,maximum depth of(27.6 ± 3.3)mm. The maximum diameter had good correlation with the size of occluder(r=0.944,P=0.001). 3D-TEE was used for guidance in the transcatheter therapy and succeeded. There were 1 case with little shunt after the transcatheter closure. 3 months af?ter the treatment ,position and shape of the occluderswere all in good.[Conclusion]3D-TEE has the great value in the percutaneous closure of left atrial appendage.

Objective To probe into the application of left atrial volume tracking technique(LAVT)on the evaluation of right atrial function in patients with pulmonary hypertension.Methods Forty-one patients with pulmonary hypertension (pulmonary hypertension group) and 37 control subjects (control group) were involved.Right atrial maximal volume (RAVmax),right atrial presystolic volume(RAVpre),right atrial minimal volume (RAVmax),systolic right atrial filling rate (dv/dtS),early diastolic right atrial emptying rate(dv/dtE) and late diastolic right atrial emptying rate(dv/dtA) was derived by LAVT.Right atrial passive emptying volume (RAVp),right atrial passive emptying fraction (RAVpEF),right atrial active emptying volume (RAVa),right atrial active emptying fraction (RAVaEF),right atrial total emptying volume (RAVt)and right atrial total emptying fraction (RAVtEF) was calculated.All the right atrial volume parameter was corrected by body surface area to obtain right atrial volume index (RAVI).Results RAVImax,RAVImin,RAVIpre,RAVIt,RAVIa,dv/dtS and dv/dtA in pulmonary hypertension group was higher than that in control group [(78.39 ± 49.35) ml/m2 vs.(24.80 ± 11.91) ml/m2,(62.59 ± 46.56) ml/m2vs.(17.46 ± 8.40)ml/m2,(70.12 ± 48.03) ml/m2 vs.(20.02 ± 9.46) ml/m2,(18.77 ± 11.47) ml/m2 vs.(9.35 ± 6.74) ml/m2,(8.53 ± 9.81) ml/m2 vs.(3.25 ± 3.00) ml/m2,(145.85 ± 80.56) ml/s vs.(86.44 ± 48.46) ml/s,(155.63 ±126.47) ml/s vs.(67.74 ± 33.27) ml/s],and RAVIp in pulmonary hypertension group was lower than that in control group [(6.09 ± 5.16) ml/m2 vs.(10.23 ± 11.12) ml/m2],and there were significant differences (P ＜0.05).But there were no significant differences in RAVItEF,RAVIpEF,RAVIaEF and dv/dtE between two groups (P＞0.05).Conclusions In patients with pulmonary hypertension,right atrial booster pump function and reservoir function increases,while right atrial conduit function decreases.LAVT has a potential ability to evaluate right atrial function.

Objective To study the effect of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor(GM-CSF)on angiogenesis of rat with acute myocardial injury induced by isoproterenol(Iso). Methods A total of 60 adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: normal control group, GM-CSF pretreatment group (GM-CSF group), and lso injury group, 20 rats in each group. GM-CSF group was administered recombinant human(rh)GM-CSF(5.0 μg/kg), through tail intravenous injection once a day for three days. Then the GM-CSF group and the Iso injury group were anesthetized by intraperitoneal injection of lso( 15.0 mg/kg) once a day for three days. The same dose of saline was administered in the same way to the control rats. Ten days after injection, pathological changes of myocardial damage and infarct area were examined by immunohistochemistry. The mRNA expression levels of polypeptide antigen (CD34), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor KDR/flk- 1 were measured by RT-PCR. Results The difference of myocardial necrosis area between groups was statistically significant(F=10.07, P < 0.01), in which GM-CSF group[(37.37 ± 12.98)%] was significantly less than Iso injury group[(45.51 ±14.96)%, P < 0.05]. The difference of myocardial neovascularization density index of rats between groups was statistically significant ( F = 25.54, P < 0.05 ), in which GM-CSF group [(3980.05 ± 477.22) No/mm2] was significantly higher than Iso injury group((2605.93±361.49)No/mm2,P<0.01).The differences of myocardial CD34,VEGF,KDR/flk-1 mRNA expression between groups were statistically significant(F=17.83,4.29,4.10,all P<0.01).Compared to Iso mjury group[CD34(23.85±6.06),VEGF(31.80±8.05),KDR/flk-1(30.16±8.01)]were higher in the GM-CSF group[CD34(44.04±10.13),VEGF(49A±11.59),and KDR/flk-1(46A9±7.90),all P<0.01].The expressions of myocardiM VEGF mRNA and its receptor KDR/flk-1 mRNA was positively correlated(r=0.725,R2=0.526,P<0.01).Conclusions GM-CSF prelreatmcnt increases the density ofnew blood vessels in myocardium,and reduces the Iso-induced myocardial injury in rats.

In this study, modification technology by surface coating was used to improve the flowability of powder of Chinese herbs extracts. Seven kinds of powder of Chinese herbs extracts were coated with 1% silica nanoparticles using an under-driven Comil. The powder characteristics tester was used to evaluate the flowability of uncoated and coated powders. Surface morphology and particle size distribution of powders were compared by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and optical microscope. The powder hygroscopicity was also investigated. The results showed that, after modification, angle of repose, angle of spatula, compressibility and adhesiveness extremely decreased, and flowability index substantially increased, the powder flowability was significantly improved, especially Gegen and Dahuang extracts powders. Scanning electron microscopy images showed the distribution of silica nanoparticles on the host drug particle surfaces. There were no remarkable changes in the particle size distribution and hygroscopicity of all powders after coating. Therefore, Comilling for surface coating modification technology was an effective method to improve the flowability of Chinese herbs extracts and suggested a possible way forward to enhance the quality of Chinese drugs pharmaceutics in their study and manufacture.
Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Nanoparticles ; chemistry ; Particle Size ; Powders ; chemistry ; Surface Properties

Objective To investigate the condition of exercise, medicine compliance and the rehabilitation of patients with arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO) in lower extremity after the surgery, and also to study the influence of self-efficiency and social support to their rehabilitation. Methods The questionnaire survey was performed in 102 patients who had surgical or interventional therapy of arteriosclerosis obliterans in the lower extremity in our hospital, investigated the general information of the patients, their knowledge of postoperative rehabilitation, medicine compliance, exercise condition, general self-efficiency and social support. Results The postoperative time for the patients with arteriosclerosis obliterans was 2 to 22months, the knowledge rate for postoperative rehabilitation was 7.8%-46.1%.The Morisky score for the patients of taking medicine for the treatment of vascular disease was 2.0,and there was only 6 patients(5.9%)with good medicine compliance. There were 22 patients(21.0%) had completed the ambulation training according to the guidelines, and there were 25 patients(24.5%) had completed the Buerger training. The self-efficiency score of the patients was 2.78 ± 0.76, and the gross score of social support was 32.38 ± 7.89. Spearman correlation analysis shows that the Morisky score for the patients of taking medicine for the treatment of vascular disease was in positive correlation with self-efficiency (r=0.289, P=0.003), but in negative correlation with social support (r=–0.286, P=0.006). Conclusions Most of the patients with arteriosclerosis obliterans have poor medicine compliance, and do not do exercise as required by the guidelines. Patients with high self-efficiency demonstrates medicine noncompliance, however the enhancement of social support will help patients improve their medicine compliance.

Adult ; Comet Assay ; DNA Damage ; drug effects ; Female ; Humans ; Lipid Peroxidation ; drug effects ; Male ; Peracetic Acid ; toxicity

italic>Artemisia argyi (A. argyi) is a Chinese herbal medicine in China. The main active components are volatile oils, flavonoids, and other compounds, which have various pharmacological activities. Methoxylated flavonoids are the main active ingredients in A. argyi. Flavonoid O-methyltransferase (FOMT) is a key enzyme in the O-methylation of flavonoids. In order to further understand the function and characteristics of FOMT proteins, this paper carried out the whole genome mining and identification of FOMT genes in A. argyi and performed phylogenetic, chromosomal localization, gene sequence characterization, subcellular localization prediction, protein structure, gene structure analysis, and expression pattern analysis. The results showed that a total of 83 FOMT genes were identified in the genome of A. argyi. The phylogenetic tree shows that FOMT genes are divided into two subgroups, CCoAOMT (caffeoyl CoA O-methyltransferase) subfamily (32 genes) and COMT (caffeic acid O-methyltransferase) subfamily (51 genes). Gene sequence analysis showed that the number of amino acids encoded by FOMT was 70-734 aa, the molecular weight was 25 296.55-34 241.3 Da, and the isoelectric point was 4.51-9.99. Compared with 32 members of the CCoAOMT subfamily, nearly 1/3 of the 51 members of the COMT subfamily were hydrophobic proteins and 2/3 were hydrophilic proteins. Subcellular localization prediction showed that more than 80% of CCoAOMT subfamily members were located in the cytoplasm, and 96% of COMT subfamily members were located in the chloroplast. COMT subfamily members have more motifs than CCoAOMT subfamily members. The N-terminal motifs of COMT subfamily proteins are relatively variable, while the C-terminal motifs are relatively conserved. Expression pattern analysis showed that CCoAOMT subfamily members were mainly expressed in roots, while COMT members were mainly expressed in leaves. Some FOMTs showed the tissue expression specificity by real-time quantitative PCR analysis, especially in leaves. In this study, we identified and analyzed the FOMT gene family in A. argyi, and provided a theoretical basis for further research on the function of FOMTs and the biosynthesis of methylated flavonoids in A. argyi.

Objective To study the effect of a Chinese medicine, Huanglian Jiedu Decoction ( HLJDD) , on ath-erosclerotic plaque, inflammatory factors and regulatory T cells in ApoE-/- mice. Methods High fat diet was given to ApoE-/- mice to establish an atherosclerosis model. 40 male ApoE-/- mice were randomly divided into five groups:model group, simvastatin group, low, moderate and high dose HLJDD groups (n =8). HLJDD was intragastrically administered in a dose of 3. 5, 7. 0, or 14. 0 g/( kg?bw) once dailg for 16 weeks. The dose of simvastatin was 5. 0 g/( kg?bw). An-other 8 male C57BL/6J mice were taken as control group. At the end of the 29-week experiment, all of the mice were sacri-ficed. The aortic plaques, level of blood lipids, inflammatory factors, Tregs number and the level of Foxp3 mRNA were de-tected and analyzed by ELISA, flow cytometry and RT-PCR, respectively. Results Compared with the control group, the aortic plaques were much larger in the model group, and the levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, IL-6, hs-CRP, and TNF-α were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0. 01 for all). Meanwhile, the levels of HDL-C, IL-10, TGF-βand Foxp3 mRNA were much lower than those in the control group ( P<0. 01 for all) , and the Tregs numbers were less than that in the control group (P<0. 01). HLJDD regulated the blood lipids in ApoE-/ - mice and decreased the levels of IL-6, hs-CRP, andTNF-α, however increased the levels of IL-10, TGF-β and Foxp3 mRNA. At the same time, it in-creased Tregs number in the ApoE-/ - mice. Compared with the model group, the difference was statistically significancet (P<0. 01). Conclusions HLJDD can significantly alleviate the aortic plaque damages in ApoE-/ - mice. It may be re-lated to the up-regulation of Tregs, which can lead to decrease the expression of serum pro-inflammatory factors such like IL-10, hs-CRP and TNF-α.

Objective To obtain imaging information of the cervical arteries and vertebral structure of rhesus ma -caques and provide useful reference data for medical research works using macaques as animal models .Methods Six a-dult macaques (3 males and 3 females) in age of 3-5 years, body weight from 3.5 to 5 kg, were used to examine the neck by 320 row spiral CT imaging under general anesthesia , and three-dimensional reconstruction was performed to observe the vertebral artery morphology , and to measure the diameter of vertebral artery and the size of transverse foramen of the ma -caques .Color Doppler ultrasound was combined with 320-CT imaging to assess the blood flow velocity in carotid arteries . After CT scan to make sure that the vertebral artery and cervical vertebra of macaques had no deformity , the size of trans-verse foramen and diameter of vertebral artery were measured in the cross-sectional images .Color Doppler ultrasound was used to analyze the peak systolic velocity ( PSV) , diastolic peak flow velocity ( EDV) and the diameter ( D) of common ca-rotid artery (CCA), internal carotid artery (ICA), external carotid artery (ECA), and vertebral artery (VA) of the ma-caques .Results The 320-CT scan showed that in the monkeys , the vertebral artery enters the cervical spine through the intervertebral foramina at C6, and leaves the cervical spine at C 2 level, and the cervical spine has Luschka joint , which is similar to the anatomic structure in humans .The diameter of left and right vertebral arteries was 1.89 ±0.44 mm and 1.72 ±0.39 mm, respectively , with no significant difference between them in the same segment ( P>0.05 ) , and the size of transverse foramen also had no significant difference in the same segment ( P>0.05 ) .Color Doppler ultrasound showed that the left and right side systolic peak velocity (PSV) and diastolic peak velocity (EDV) of CCA and ICA, the left and right side systolic peak velocity (PSV) of ECA and VA had statistically significant difference (P<0.05), and the left ar-teries were predominant in the macaques .Conclusions In this study we obtained some imaging information of vertebral artery morphology and artery blood flow of macaques and these information may provide some useful basic data for further studies using rhesus macaques as animal models .

Objective to investigate the feasibility and outcomes of different surgical treatments for adrenal metastasis after previous radical ne-phrectomy for patients with renal cell carcinoma. Methods A total of 18 adrenal solitary metastasis of renal cell carcinoma were identified from da-tabase of two institutions between 2003 and 2013. Clinical and pathologic data were collected and analyzed. Results Of 9 patients who had ipsilater-al metastasis of the renal tumor,the estimated blood loss were obviously fewer in the transperitoneal LA group. Of 9 cases who had contralateral me-tastasis of the renal tumor,the fasting time[(1.4±0.8)h vs(4.0±1.4)h,P = 0.036]and length of hospital stay[(4.5±1.2)d vs(7.0±4.5)d,P =0.041]were obviously fewer in the retroperitoneal LA group. the averages of the fasting time and length of hospital stay in the retroperitoneal LA group were obviously smaller than in the transperitoneal LA group. Conclusion LA for treatment of renal cell carcinoma metastasis is technically feasible in selected patients. transperitoneal and retroperitoneal LA can be respectively recommended as an appropriate approach for isolated adrenal metastases of ipsilateral and contralateral renal cell carcinoma after nephrectomy.