AIM:Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number variation (CNV), which reflects the oxidant-induced cell damage, has been observed in a wide range of human diseases .However, whether it correlates with heart failure , which is closely related to oxidative stress, has never been elucidated before .We aimed to systematically investigate the association between leukocyte mtDNA CNV and heart failure risk and prognosis .METHODS: A total of 1 700 hospitalized patients with heart failure and 1 700 age-and gender-matched community population were consecutively enrolled in this observational study , as well as 1 638 ( 96.4%) patients were fol-lowed prospectively for a median of 17 months (12~24 months).The relative mtDNA copy number in leukocyte of peripheral blood or cardiac tissue was measured in triplicate by quantitative real-time PCR method .RESULTS:Patients with heart failure possessed much lower relative mtDNA copy number compared with control subjects (P<0.01), especially for the patients with ischemic etiology (P<0.01).Patients with lower mtDNA copy number exhibited 1.7 times higher risk of heart failure ( P<0.01).Long-term follow-up (median 17 months) showed that decreased mtDNA copy number was significant associated with both increased cardiovascular deaths (P<0.01) and cardiovascular rehospitalization (P<0.01).After adjusted for the conventional risk factors and medications , lower mtDNA copy number were still significantly associated with 50% higher cardiovascular mortality (P <0.05).CONCLUSION:
mtDNA copy number depletion is an independent risk factor for heart failure and predicted higher risk of cardiovascular deaths in patients with heart failure .

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; pathology ; Child ; Cysts ; pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Epithelium ; pathology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Keratin-19 ; metabolism ; Keratin-5 ; metabolism ; Keratin-6 ; metabolism ; Keratin-7 ; metabolism ; Keratins ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; surgery ; Reoperation ; Submandibular Gland ; surgery ; Submandibular Gland Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; metabolism ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; metabolism

AIM:Heart failure is characterized by immune activation leading to production and release of proinflammatory cytokines .Inter-leukin 17A (IL-17A) is a proinflammatory cytokine and multiple lines of evidence from animal and human studies suggest crucial roles of IL-17A in heart failure.Therefore, we investigated whether common polymorphisms of genes IL17A and IL17RA (coding interleukin 17 receptor A) gene contribute to genetic predisposition to heart failure and adverse clinical outcomes associated with it .METHODS AND RESULTS:A total of 1713 adults patients with congestive heart failure and 1713 age-and sex-matched controls were genotyped for promoter SNPs, rs2275913 and rs8193037 in IL17A and rs4819554 in IL17RA, to assess the relationship between individual SNPs and the risk of congestive heart failure .Results showed that rs8193037 in IL17A was associated with the risk of congestive heart failure (P<0.01) after adjustment for multiple cardiovascular risk factors including age , sex, smoking status, diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia.This association was evident in both ischemic and non-ischemic heart failure (P<0.05).Furthermore, prospective fol-low-up of 12.7 months for the occurrence of adverse clinical outcomes showed that rs 4819554 in IL17RA was significantly associated with cardiovascular mortality (P<0.05) after adjustments for multiple cardiovascular risk factors and New York Heart Association functional class.CONCLUSION:This study demonstrated associations of rs8193037 in the promoter of IL17A with the risk of conges-tive heart failure, and of rs4819554 in the promoter of IL17RA with the risk of cardiovascular mortality in patients with congestive heart failure.These data lend further support to the notion that immune activation and genetic polymorphisms contribute to heart failure path -ogenesis and progression .

Objective To explore the value of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) predicting cardiac events after noncardiac surgery in the aged patients. Methods The level of BNP， the score of Goldman analysis and the cardiac risk grade of ACC/AHA guideline were analyzed in 274 aged patients for cardiac outcome after noncardiac surgery. Results Preoperative BNP concentration>100 pg/ml，score of Goldman≥13，and the high or moderate risk grade by ACC/AHA guideline were related with cardiac events. There was no significant difference in the index such as sensitivity，specificity, accuracy，positive predictive value and negative predictive value for cardiac events between BNP level and cardiac risk grade. Compared with the score of Goldman, BNP was more sensitive （100% vs 55.6%）and negatively predictive （100% vs 96.3%） for cardiac events. Conclusion The risk of cardiac events after noncardiac surgery could be predicted with the level of BNP before operation in the aged patient.

Objective:To investigate association of the new polymorphism G352A in the dopaminetransporter gene(DAT1)exon 15 with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD)in Han Chinesechildren.Methods:The new mutant polymorphism G352A in the dopamine transporter gene(DAT1)ex-on 15 was found by the fluorescently-labeled dye-terminators assay.The study samples were comprised of337 ADHD children,207 unrelated controls and 201 integrated ADHD trios(included proband and bio-logical parents).Associations of polymorphisms with ADHD and its subtypes were examined by:(i)comparing cases and controls;and(ii)using family-based association study in transmission-disequilibri-um test(TDT).Results:The allele frequencies at the DAT1 G352A locus in the control samples were79.5% for 352G and 20.5% for 352A respectively.Association studies revealed no association betweenG352A in exon 15 of DAT1 and ADHD.But after a stratification by gender,there was possible associationbetween G352A and ADHD girls:the 352G allele had a tendency to be preferentially transmitted toADHD girls.Conclusion:There is no association between G352A,the new polymorphism,in exon 15 ofDAT1 and ADHD.The 352G allele has a tendency to be preferentially transmitted to ADHD girls,but thefindings require replication before drawing a definitive conclusion.

Objective To investigate and evaluate the clinical value of full endoscopic transnasal transphenoidal approach for the surgery of pituitary adenomas.Methods Seventy-two patients,who underwent full endoscopic transnasal transphenoidal approach for the surgery of pituitary adenomas,were selected from the Medical Center of Pituitary Adenomas of our hospital from January 2009 to March 2012.To retrospectively investigate pre- and post-operation symptoms,hormone levels,images information,operation information,complications,following-up information and so on.Results Among the 72 consecutive patients,there were 22 nonfunctioning adenomas,twenty-four prolactin secreting adenomas,seven somatotropin secreting adenomas,five adrenocorticotropic hormone secreting adenomas,one thyrotropin secreting adenomas,and 13 multi-secreting adenomas.The tumor removal was total in 56(77.8％),subtotal 13(18.0％),and partial 3(4.2％).Five cases had CSF leaks,and 6 diabetes insipidus.After 3-24 months of follow-up,the levels of increasing-hormone declined to normal levels in most patients.Conclusion Full endoscopic transnasal transphenoidal approach for the surgery of pituitary adenomas is a kind of technique which is safe,minimally invasive,having less complications and fast recovery.However,it is necessary for surgeons to accept systematic and specialized training,and own advanced equipments.

The experiment's aim was to optimize the processing technology of Xanthii Fructus which through comparing the difference of UPLC fingerprint and contents of toxicity ingredient in water extract of 16 batches of processed sample. The determination condition of UPLC chromatographic and contents of toxicity ingredient were as follows. UPLC chromatographic: ACQUITY BEH C18 column (2.1 mm x 100 mm, 1.7 microm) eluted with the mobile phases of acetonitrile and 0.1% phosphoric acidwater in gradient mode, the flow rate was 0.25 mL x min(-1) and the detection wavelength was set at 327 nm. Contents of toxicity ingredient: Agilent TC-C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm), mobile phase was methanol-0.01 mol x L(-1) sodium dihydrogen phosphate (35: 65), flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1), and detection wavelength was 203 nm. The chromatographic fingerprints 16 batches of samples were analyzed in using the similarity evaluation system of chromatographic, fingerprint of traditional Chinese medicine, SPSS16.0 and SIMCA13.0 software, respectively. The similarity degrees of the 16 batches samples were more than 0.97, all the samples were classified into four categories, and the PCA showed that the peak area of chlorogenic acid, 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid and caffeic acid were significantly effect index in fingerprint of processed Xanthii Fructus sample. The outcome of determination showed that the toxicity ingredient contents of all samples reduced significantly after processing. This method can be used in optimizing the processing technology of Xanthii Fructus.
Caffeic Acids ; analysis ; toxicity ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; toxicity ; Quinic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; analysis ; toxicity ; Xanthium ; chemistry ; classification

Objective To investigate the phenotypes and genotypes of a hereditary protein C(PC) deficiency pedigree.Methods Imrnunoassay(ELISA)was used for PC antigen and PS antigen; Immunoturbidimetry assay was used for measuring AT antigen;Chromogenic substrate assay was used for measuring the activity of PC,PS and AT in Sysmex 1500 automatic Blood Coagulation Analyzer.Polymerase chain reaction(PCR)for amplification of the fragment of each exon and side sequences of PC gene in 10 members of the 3 generations;Direct DNA sequencing was used to examine the mutation site.Results Among 10 members of the 3 generation pedigree,8 of them had a PC:Ag level of 1.06-1.92 mg/L(normal references 3.00-6.00 rag/L),the activity of PC was between 41% and 67%(normal references 70%- 140%),which was significantly lower than the normal references while the levels of PS:Ag,PS:A,AT:Ag and AT:A were all within normal range.DNA sequencing analysis showed that there was a G to T mutation in exon IX of the PC gene at 12 918 position in 8 members.This mutation resulted in the substitution of terminator TGA for TGG which encoding tryptophan at 372 amino acid.There was a polymorphism in 2 405C/ T,2 418A/G,2 583A/T in the promotor area.Conclusions This pedigree is a type I hereditary protein C deficiency.There is a G12 918T mutation in exon IX of PC gene.This mutation is reported for the first time and there is a polymorphism in 2 405C/T,2 418A/G,2 583A/T in the promotor area.

OBJECTIVETo establish a method suitable to determine the purgative biopotency of rhubarb and construct a new quality evaluation pattern of rhubarb.

METHODA series of factors such as observation index (mass of feces in 10 hours), animal strain (ICR mice), sex (male) and the dose of diphenoxylate complex (50 mg x kg(-1)) was investigated and fixed. The purgative biopotency as well as anthraquinone determination was used to evaluate the quality of different rhubarb samples.

RESULTThere wasn't a good linear relationship between the purgative biopotency and content of anthraquinone. The quality difference of rhubarb samples could be well characterized by combination of purgative biopotency determination and anthraquinone determination.

CONCLUSIONThe purgative biopotency determination can be used in quality control and evaluation of rhubarb.

Animals ; Anthraquinones ; analysis ; Biological Assay ; Cathartics ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Female ; Linear Models ; Male ; Mice ; Quality Control ; Reproducibility of Results ; Rheum ; chemistry ; Sex Factors ; Time Factors

BACKGROUNDVascular smooth muscle cell proliferation is an important process in the development of atherosclerosis and is associated with other cellular processes in atherogenesis. Telmisartan is reported to have partial peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ activating properties and has been referred to as selective PPAR modulators, but valsartan just blocks angiotensin II (AngII) type 1 (AT1) receptors. This study aimed to compare the different effects of telmisartan and valsartan on human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) proliferation.

METHODSAbility of telmisartan and valsartan to inhibit proliferation of HASMCs was evaluated by the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) in continuous cell culture. Whether the antiproliferative effects of telmisartan and valsartan depend on their effects on AngII receptors or activating the peroxisome PPAR-γ was also investigated in this study.

RESULTSTelmisartan inhibited proliferation of HASMCs by 52.4% (P < 0.01) at the concentration of 25 µmol/L and the effect depended on the dose of telmisartan, but valsartan had little effect on HASMCs proliferation (P > 0.05) and no dose response. When tested in cells stimulated with AngII, telmisartan had the same inhibition of HASMCs by 59.2% (P < 0.05) and valsartan also inhibited it by 41.6% (P < 0.05). Telmisartan and valsartan had the same effect on down-regulating AT1 receptor expression and telmisartan was superior to valsartan up-regulating AngII type 2 (AT2) receptor expression. Antiproliferative effects of telmisartan were observed when HASMCs were treated with the PPAR-γ antagonist GW9662 but antiproliferative effects of the PPAR-γ activator pioglitazone were not observed.

CONCLUSIONSTelmisartan, but not valsartan, inhibits HASMCs proliferation and has dose-dependent response without stimulation of AngII. AT2 receptor up-regulation of telmisartan contributes to its greater antiproliferative effects than valsartan. Its PPAR-γ activation does not play a critical role in inhibiting HASMCs proliferation.

Benzimidazoles ; pharmacology ; Benzoates ; pharmacology ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; cytology ; metabolism ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; cytology ; drug effects ; PPAR gamma ; metabolism ; Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1 ; metabolism ; Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 2 ; metabolism ; Tetrazoles ; pharmacology ; Valine ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Valsartan