Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) is an essential cofactor for all three nitric oxide synthase (NOS isoforms), which plays an important role in vascular diseases. GTP cyclohydrolase 1 (GCH 1) is the first-step and rate-limiting enzyme for BH4 biosynthesis in its de novo pathway. Common GCH1 gene variant C+243T in the 3'-untranslated region predicts NO excretion. The present study examined the predictive role of GCH 1 gene 3'-UTR C+243T variant in the long-term outcome of ischemic stroke. A total of 142 patients with first-onset ischemic stroke were recruited and detected for genotype of GCH1 3'-UTR C+243T by a TaqMan SNP Genotyping assay. Subsequent vascular events and death were determined over a 5-year follow-up period. The frequency of GCH1 3'-UTR +243 C/T or T/T genotype was significantly increased in patients with endpoint events as compared with those without events (74% vs 57.8%, P=0.06). Cox regression survival analysis indicated that an increased probability of death or new vascular events was found in patients with GCH1 3'-UTR +243 C/T or T/T genotype compared with those with GCH1 3'-UTR C/C genotype (40.6% vs 25.5%), GCH1 3'-UTR +243 C/T or T/T genotype relative to GCH1 3'-UTR C/C genotype was associated with the increased risk of death or vascular events even after adjustment for other risk factors (OR=2.171, 95% CI: 1.066-4.424, P=0.033). It was concluded that GCH1 3'-UTR C+243T variant was an independent predictor of worsening long-term outcomes in patients with first-onset ischemic stroke.

Objective: To evaluate the short-term effect of thrombus aspiration catheters combining tiroifban medication for myocardial tissue reperfusion recovery in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).
Methods: A total of 105 STEMI patients with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in our hospital from 2011-05 to 2013-05 were studied, there were 73 male and 32 female with the mean age of (58.39 ± 10.37) years. The patients were randomly divided into 2 groups, Group A, the patients received thrombus aspiration catheters with intravenous tiroifban, n=53 and Group B, the patients received tiroifban and PCI, n=52. The basic clinical features, myocardial tissue perfusion level, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) at post operative and in-hospital period were recorded, the cardiac function was examined by echocardiography at 6 months after PCI in both groups.
Results: The basic clinical features were similar between 2 groups. The thrombolysis in myocardial infarction trial (TIMI) 3 lfow rate was higher in Group A than that in Group B (92.45% vs 55.77%), P=0.000. TIMI 2 and TIMI 0~1 lfow rates were lower in Group A than that in Group B (7.55%vs 26.92%), P=0.008 and (0%vs 17.31%), P=0.002. The adjusted TIMI frame was lower in Group A (27.26±5.50) vs (38.98±5.42), P<0.001. The echocardiography at 6 months after PCI indicated that Group A had higher LVEF than that in Group B (0.55±0.06) vs (0.47±0.06), P<0.001;lower left ventricular end diastolic diameter (50.77±5.45) vs (54.76±5.34), P<0.001;less angina and target vessel revascularization (16.98%vs 40.38%), P=0.008 and (9.43%vs 17.31%), P=0.008. The incidence of MI, acute heart failure, cardiac death and non-target vessel revascularization were similar between 2 groups, P>0.05.
Conclusion:Thrombus aspiration catheters combining tiroifban medication may obviously improve the myocardial tissue reperfusion and the short-term cardiac function in STEMI patients after PCI, it could reduce the incidence of no-relfow without increasing MACE.

Objective To investigate the effects of artemin and its receptor GFRα - 3 on the invasion and metastasis of pancreatic cancer cells. Methods Human pancreatic cancer cell line MIA PaCa -2 was used in this study. Transwell cell culture chamber assay in vitro was used to detect the ability of invasion and metastasis of MIA PaCa -2 cells. The influence of artemin and GFRα -3 on the protein expression of MMP-2 and E-cadherin was investigated by Western blot and quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction-analyses (Q-RT-PCR). Results As the increase of artemin and GFRα -3, the invasion and metastasis of MIA PaCa- 2 was markedly increased [ 150 ng / ml concentration: Artemin group: 107.4 ± 11.4;GFRα3 group:94. 4 ± 9. 3 ;control group:34. 6 ± 7. 3, P < 0. 01 ]. With 150 ng / ml artemin and GFR-3,the synthesis of MMP-2 in MIA PaCa 2 cells was significantly increased than that in control group[ Artemin grou: (2. 17 ± 0. 05 ) × 108; GFRα3 group: (2. 02 ± 0. 03 ) × 108; control group: ( 1.02 ± 0. 02 ) × 108, t =6. 35,7. 32 ], while E-cadherin significantly decreased [ Artemin group: ( 0. 65 ± 0. 04 ) × 108; GFRα3 group: (0. 74 ± 0. 01 ) × 108; control group: ( 1. 36 ± 0. 03 ) × 108, t = 4. 27,5.61 ], the difference was statistically significant ( P <0. 01 ). Conclusions Artemin and its receptor GFRα3 could promote pancreatic cancer cell invasion and metastasis. This effect may be related to the up-regulated expression of MMP-2 and down regulated expression of E-cadherin.

BACKGROUND:Isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) mass spectrometry technology studys the information of relevant protein according to the ion signal shows different mass-to-charge ratio in the tandem mass spectrometry analysis. OBJECTIVE:To establish the protein spectrum of differential proteins in cerebrospinal fluid of acute spinal cord injury rat model, study the secondary injury mechanism and find an effective method of treating acute spinal cord injury from molecular level. METHODS:Acute spinal cord injury was produced in Sprague-Dawley rats and iTRAQ technology was applied to analyze the differential proteins in cerebrospinal fluid of acute spinal cord injury rat model. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Total 722 proteins have been identified in this study, including 107 differentialy expressed proteins, 63 downregulated proteins and 44 upregulated proteins. There were 19 proteins related to neurogenesis, including 14 up-regulation proteins and 5 down-regulation proteins. Seven proteins contributed to the regulation of neurogenesis. The differential proteins and growth factor identified in this study can be taken as the biomarkers of acute spinal cord injury or indicators of clinical monitoring of the progression, target treatment and efficacy assessment after acute spinal cord injury.

AIM:Toinvestigatetheeffectofrhynchophylline(Rhy)onbloodpressure,cardiachypertrophy and myocardial fibrosis in spontaneously hypertensive rats ( SHR) .METHODS:Spontaneously hypertensive rats were ran-domly divided into model group , high dose (10 mg? kg-1? d-1 ) and low dose (2.5 mg? kg-1? d-1 ) group of rhyncho-phylline, captopril group (17.5 mg? kg -1? d-1).Wistar-Kyoto rats were used as normal control.Respectively, systolic blood pressure was measured by tail cuff every 2 weeks.After 10 weeks, heart weight index and left ventricular weight in-dex were calculated .The myocardial hydroxyproline and plasma angiotensin Ⅱwere detected .Moreover , basic myocardial histopathological changes and myocardial collagen fibres were observed by HE staining and Masson staining , respectively . The protein expression of TGF-β1 and Smad3 in the myocardium was measured by the methods of immunohistochemistry and Western blot .RESULTS:Compared with SHR model group , Rhy significantly reduced blood pressure ( P<0.05 ) , the levels of HYP in the myocardium (P<0.05) and the levels of AngⅡin the plasma (P<0.01).The pathological dama-ges of the myocardial tissues and collagen deposition were attenuated .The protein expression of TGF-β1 and Smad3 was sig-nificantly reduced by the treatment with Rhy (P<0.01).CONCLUSION:Rhynchophylline reduces blood pressure and adjusts to improve ventricular remodeling of SHR .The mechanism may be involved in the TGF-β1/Smad pathway and re-ducing AngⅡcontent.

Objective To investigate the feasibility and therapeutic effect of stenting therapy by using modified Y-shaped self-expandable metal stent for the stenosis of gastroenteric stoma. Methods According to the particular anatomic structures and the pathological features of the narrowed gastroenteric stoma,the authors designed a modified Y-shaped self-expandable metal stent. Under the fluoroscopic guidance,implantation of modified Y-shaped self-expandable metal stent was performed in 5 patients with narrowed gastroenteric stoma. The technical safety and the clinical results were evaluated. Results The modified Y-shaped self-expandable metal stent was successfully implanted with one procedure in all five patients. After the implantation the symptoms such as nausea,vomiting,abdominal distension were promptly relieved,and the patients' living quality was markedly improved. Conclusion The stenting therapy with modified Y-shaped self-expandable metal stent can rapidly relieve the stenosis of gastroenteric stoma once for all. The technique is feasible and the short-term effect is reliable,therefore,it is worth popularizing this therapy in clinical practice.

BACKGROUND:Foreign studies have found that the magnesium alloy stent is safe and effective, but there are few studies on the degradation performance of magnesium alloy stents in China.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the degradation of degradable AZ31 magnesium alloy stent in the rabbit abdominal aorta and the effect of degradation process on vascularization.METHODS:Twenty-eight rabbits were enrolled, and the degradable AZ31 magnesium alloy stent was implanted into the rabbit abdominal aorta. Postoperative abdominal aortic X-ray examination and histological observation were done at 30, 60, 90, 120 days after implantation.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) X-ray examination: 30 days after implantation, the stent expanded completely with structural integrity; 60 days after implantation, the stent deformation, partial stent fracture, and lose of support were found; 90 days after implantation, only a small amount of support rod residues were found, and the majority of the stent was degraded; and 120 days after implantation, there was no support rod residual, and the stent was degraded completely. (2) Histological observation: 60 days after implantation, the number of residual support rods was less than that 30 days after implantation (P< 0.05), the number value at 90 days after implantation was lower than that at 30 and 60 days after implantation (P< 0.05), and the number value at 120 days after implantation was lower than that at 30, 60, 90 days after implantation (P < 0.05), indicating that the number of residual support rods was negatively correlated with post-implantation days. The time for complete stent degradation was 124.8 days. The intimal area at 90 days after implantation was higher than that at 30, 60, 120 days after implantation (P < 0.05), while the lumen area was smaler than that at 30, 60, 120 days after implantation (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the intimal area and lumen area at latter three time points after implantation. To conclude, the degradation of the degradable AZ31 magnesium alloy stent in the rabbit abdominal aorta can be completed within 124.8 days, and at 90 days after the stent is implanted, vascular intimal hyperplasia and lumen stenosis are most serious, and then gradualy reduced.

BACKGROUND:In mass spectrometry analysis, the same protein in different samples labeled with isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation presents the same mass-to-charge ratio, while in the tandem mass spectrometry analysis, the ion signal shows different mass-to-charge ratio (114-121). Thus the quantitative information of the related proteins can be obtained. OBJECTIVE:To establish the protein spectrum of spinal cord tissue differences proteins after acute spinal cord injury, and to explore the spinal differential protein expression on the molecular level using isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation combined with LC-MS/MS mass spectrometry technique. METHODS:Eight Sprague Dawley rats were selected to establish the acute spinal cord injury models using Al en’s method. The rats were randomly divided into 0 hour spinal cord injury group and 8 hours spinal cord injury group, four rats in each group. The spinal cord tissues were col ected after injury, and the spinal cord tissue differences proteins were analyzed with isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation technique after acute spinal cord injury. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Total y 220 differential y expressed proteins were identified in this research, the number of up-regulation proteins was 116 and the number of down-regulation proteins was 104. There were 12 differential proteins related to neural regeneration, and among the 12 proteins, there were seven up-regulation proteins and five down-regulation proteins. The various identified differential proteins and significantly expressed nerve growth factors in this experiment can be used as the biomarkers of acute spinal cord injury or used as the strong evidence for the clinical management and monitoring of the injury process and target therapy of acute spinal cord injury, as wel as the effect evaluation.

Objective: To explore the clinical response on cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in patients of chronic heart failure (CHF) with different QRS wave morphology. Methods: A total of 52 CHF patients received CRT in our hospital and the Seventh People's Hospital of Zhengzhou City from 2010-03 to 2013-07 were retrospectively studied. The patients were divided into 3 groups: True-complete left bundle branch block (t-CLBBB) group,n=20, Classic LBBB (CLBBB) group,n=15 and IVCD group,n=17. The general clinical condition, the indexes of echocardiography at 6 months of follow-up study including left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), NYHA classiifcation and 6-MWT were examined and compared among different groups. Results: In general clinical condition, the ratio of non-ischemic heart disease patients in t-CLBBB group was higher than those in CLBBB group and IVCD group, allP<0.05. By 6 months follow-up study, LVEDD in t-CLBBB group (62.6 ± 8.9) mm was lower than those in CLBBB group (70.0 ± 8.9) mm and IVCD group (72.8 ± 8.0) mm, LVEF was higher in t-CLBBB group (38.5 ± 6.2) % than those in CLBBB group (31.7 ± 6.7) % and IVCD group (30.1 ± 6.7) %. NYHA classiifcation in t-CLBBB group (2.00 ± 0.45) grade was lower than those in CLBBB group (2.73 ± 0.80) grade and IVCD group (3.12 ± 0.78) grade . 6-MWT in t-CLBBB group (302.0 ± 57.9) m was longer than those in CLBBB group (257.3 ± 59.0) m and IVCD group (220.2 ± 57.9) m, allP<0.05. Conclusion: CRT is an effective method for treating CHD patients, different QRS morphology may have different response, the patients with t-CLBBB would make better response.

Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) is an essential cofactor for all three nitric oxide synthase (NOS isoforms), which plays an important role in vascular diseases. GTP cyclohydrolase 1 (GCH 1) is the first-step and rate-limiting enzyme for BH4 biosynthesis in its de novo pathway. Common GCH1 gene variant C+243T in the 3'-untranslated region predicts NO excretion. The present study examined the predictive role of GCH 1 gene 3'-UTR C+243T variant in the long-term outcome of ischemic stroke. A total of 142 patients with first-onset ischemic stroke were recruited and detected for genotype of GCH1 3'-UTR C+243T by a TaqMan SNP Genotyping assay. Subsequent vascular events and death were determined over a 5-year follow-up period. The frequency of GCH1 3'-UTR +243 C/T or T/T genotype was significantly increased in patients with endpoint events as compared with those without events (74% vs 57.8%, P=0.06). Cox regression survival analysis indicated that an increased probability of death or new vascular events was found in patients with GCH1 3'-UTR +243 C/T or T/T genotype compared with those with GCH1 3'-UTR C/C genotype (40.6% vs 25.5%), GCH1 3'-UTR +243 C/T or T/T genotype relative to GCH1 3'-UTR C/C genotype was associated with the increased risk of death or vascular events even after adjustment for other risk factors (OR=2.171, 95% CI: 1.066-4.424, P=0.033). It was concluded that GCH1 3'-UTR C+243T variant was an independent predictor of worsening long-term outcomes in patients with first-onset ischemic stroke.
3' Untranslated Regions ; genetics ; Aged ; Brain Ischemia ; genetics ; Female ; GTP Cyclohydrolase ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Prognosis ; Risk Factors ; Stroke ; diagnosis ; genetics