Objective To evaluate the effects of geraniol(GOH) on neointima hyperplasia in rat carotid artery balloon injury model, and explore the potential molecular mechanisms associated with this effect. Methods Totally 20 male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into sham operation group (without balloon injury), control group (with balloon injury), low concentration group (with 50 mg/kg GOH intervention after balloon injury) and high concentration group (with 200 mg/kg GOH intervention after balloon injury). The intima to media (I/M) area ratio of neointima was measured by hematoxylin- eosin (HE) staining. The expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was measured by immunohistochemical staining at 14th day after operation. As the marker of oxidative stress, the levels of 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured by enzyme linked inmmnosorbent assay (ELISA). Results The I/M ratio, IOD, 8-OHdG and MDA values were increased in control group compared with those of sham group. The I/M ratio, IOD and 8-OHdG values were reduced in low concentration group compared with those of control group. But there was no significant difference in MDA level between low concentration group and control group. The I/M ratio, IOD, 8-OHdG and MDA values were significantly reduced in high concentration group compared with those of control group, which showed a more significant inhibitory effect than that of low concentration group (P<0.05). Conclusion GOH could attenuate balloon iniury induced neointima hyperplasia, which might be related to its effect on inhibiting expression of PCNA and decreasing oxidative stress.

Objective To investigate the effect of atorvastatin on the expressions of solubility P-selectin(sP-selectin) and high sensitive C reactive protein(hs-CRP) in patients with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI),and to explore the protective effect of atorvastatin on myocardium.Methods A total of 100 acute coronary syndrome patients having underwent successful PCI were enrolled in this study.All patients were divided into 3 groups by random digits table method:standard treatment group (group A,30 patients,atorvastatin 20 mg),low-dose atorvastatin pretreatment group (group B,35 patients,preoperative 12 h and 2 h atorvastatin 40 mg and 20 mg,respectively) and high-dose atorvastatin pretreatment group (group C,35 patients,preoperative 12 h and 2 h atorvastatin 80 mg and 40 mg,respectively).The level of sP-selectin was measured with ELISA.The level of hs-CRP was measured with latex enhanced immunoturbidimetry.Results Before operation,the levels of sP-selectin in group A,B,C were (2.32 ±0.40),(2.51 ± 0.33),(2.47 ± 0.28) μ g/L.After 6 and 12 h of operation,the levels of sP-selectin in group A,B,C were (4.12 ± 0.75),(3.34 ± 0.42),(3.31 ± 0.46) μ g/L and (5.64 ± 1.07),(4.08 ± 0.74),(3.84 ±0.48) μg/L.The levels of sP-selectin in group A,B,C after operation were significantly higher than that before operation (P ＜ 0.05).At the same time point,the levels of sP-selectin in group B,C after operation were significantly lower than that in group A (P＜ 0.05).Before operation,the levels of hs-CRP in group A,B,C were (4.32 ±0.51),(4.46 ±0.57),(4.29 ±0.43) mg/L,after 6 and 12 h of operation,the levels of hs-CRP in group A,B,C were (8.91 ± 1.34),(7.44 ± 1.06),(7.28 ±0.95) mg/L and (13.66 ± 1.49),(8.08 ± 1.14),(7.92 ± 1.04) mg/L.The levels of hs-CRP in group A,B,C after operation were significantly higher than that before operation (P＜ 0.05).At the same time point,the levels of hs-CRP in group B,C after operation were significantly lower than that in group A (P ＜ 0.05).The analysis of Pearson correlation showed,the level of sP-selectin was positively related with hs-CRP (r =0.753,P ＜0.01).The incidence of perioperative myocardial infarction was 23.3％ (7/30),5.7％ (2/35) and 2.9％ (1/35) in group A,B and C,respectively.The incidence in group A was significantly higher than that in group B and C (P ＜ 0.05).But there was no significant difference between group B and group C (P＞ 0.05).Conclusion The atorvastatin pretreatment can decrease the levels of sP-selectin and hs-CRP in patients after PCI,which play an important role in myocardium protection.

Objective:To investigate the effect of silica gel column separation component of Artemisia asiatica (AEM-SC) on the maturation and immune function of mouse dendritic cells (DCs). Methods:Artemisia asiatica components were prepared by macroporous resin eluted with 70% ethanol, and then isolated by silica gel column to obtain AEM-SC. The contents of polysaccharides, flavonoids and triterpenes were quantified. Flow cytometry was used to detect the expression level of DCs surface molecules and antigen phagocytosis ability and to stimulate the proliferation of allogeneic T cells. ELISA method was used to detect the effect of DCs on cytokine secretion. Results:The contents of polysaccharides, flavonoids and triterpenes in AEM-SC were 10.12%, 5.7% and 3.62%, respectively. Functional tests showed that AEM-SC significantly reduced the expression levels of LPS-induced DCs surface molecules CD40, CD86 and MHC-II, reduced the expression levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-12p40, TNF-α and IL-6 (all P<0.05), improve the ability of phygocytosis ( P<0.01), and reduce the ability of DCs to stimulate the proliferation of CD4 +T and CD8 +T lymphocytes in the spleen of mice (all P<0.001). In the inflammatory mouse model experiment, AEM-SC significantly reduced the expression levels of DCs surface molecules CD40, CD86, CD80 (all P<0.001), and the expression levels of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-12p40 in serum (all P<0.01). Conclusions:AEM-SC can inhibit the maturation of DCs-induced LPS both in vitro and in vivo, indicating that AEM-SC has the immunosuppressive effect.

Objective To conduct a screening survey of glycophorin (GP) variants and observe the content changes of sialic acid (SA) and total sulfhydryl (SH) groups on the erythrocyte membranes among residents in a tertian malaria hyperendemic area of Guizhou Province.Methods GP variants were detected in the erythrocyte hemolysates of 173 local residents at two villages of Libo County by SDS-PAGE on 10% to 15% gradients gel and Western immunoblotting. Their SA and total SH group contents were estimated in erythrocyte membranes by spectrophotometric methods. 114 healthy subjects in Changsha and 49 individuals at a neighbouring village of the above area showing low morbidity of malaria served as normal and endemic controls respectively.Results Three distinct types of GP variants were found among 19 propositi in this hyperendemic area. The incidence of GP variants was 7.9% (8/101) at Yaolu Village whose population was mainly composed of Yao ethnic group;while that of Buyi ethnic group at Maolan Village was higher (15.3%; 11/72).The erythrocyte membrane contents of SA in residents at both villages exhibited a very significant tendency of decline (P<0.01), whereas those of total SH groups increased prominently in residents of Yaolu Village only (P<0.05).Conclusions The frequency of GP variants in this hyperendemic area does not depend upon the severity of malarial prevalence. The evident reduction of SA contents in the residents may be related to the breaking down of the SA residues on membrane GPs by the invasion of Plasmodium vivax.

PURPOSE: The importance of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in tumorigenesis has recently been demonstrated. However, the role of lncRNAs in development of thyroid cancer remains largely unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, expression of three lncRNAs, including BRAF-activated long noncoding RNA (BANCR), papillary thyroid cancer susceptibility candidate 3 (PTCSC3), and noncoding RNA associated with mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway and growth arrest (NAMA), was investigated in the current study. RESULTS: Of the three lncRNAs (BANCR, PTCSC3, and NAMA), expression of BANCR was significantly up-regulated while PTCSC3 and NAMA were significantly down-regulated in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) compared to that in normal tissue. BANCR-knockdown in a PTC-derived cell line (IHH-4) resulted in significant suppression of thyroid stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR). BANCR-knockdown also led to inhibition of cell growth and cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase through down-regulation of cyclin D1. In addition, BANCR was enriched by polycomb enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), and silencing BANCR led to decreased chromatin recruitment of EZH2, which resulted significantly reduced expression of TSHR. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that BANCR may contribute to the tumorigenesis of PTC through regulation of cyclin D1 and TSHR.
Carcinogenesis ; Cell Cycle Checkpoints ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation* ; Chromatin ; Cyclin D1 ; Down-Regulation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Protein Kinases ; Receptors, Thyrotropin* ; Reverse Transcription ; RNA, Long Noncoding* ; RNA, Untranslated ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms* ; Thyrotropin*

Objective To discuss the clinical application of coronary CT angiography(CCTA)-derived fractional flow reserve(CT-FFR)in evaluating the risk stratification of the coronary artery stenosis and atherosclerotic plaque quantitative parameters.Methods A total of 122 patients,who received CCTA examination at the Xuzhou Municipal Central Hospital of China,were enrolled in this study.The patients were divided into non-ischemia group(CT-FFR＞0.8,n=66)and ischemia group(CT-FFR0.8,n=56).The characteristics of atherosclerotic plaque were compared between the two groups.Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the correlation between plaque characteristics and ischemic lesions.Results There were 218 vessels having a CT-FFR＞0.8 and 174 vessels having a CT-FFR ≤0.8.Statistically significant differences in the total plaque volume,calcified plaque volume,plaque length,and stenosis ratio＞50％existed between the two groups(all P＜0.05).Logistic regression analysis indicated that the total plaque volume,calcified plaque volume,plaque length,and stenosis ratio＞50％were the risk factors for myocardial ischemia.Conclusion CT-FFR can be used for the risk stratification of coronary stenosis and atherosclerotic plaque characteristics,which can evaluate the local myocardial blood supply condition from the anatomical stenosis and functional level so as to optimize the diagnosis and treatment measures.