OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of E 4031, a sodium calcium exchanger (NCX) agonist, on the isolated cardiac function and resting Ca2+ level in myocardial cells from rats with chronic heart failure.

METHODSRats chronic heart failure model was established by abdominal aorta coarctation with; Isolated heart perfusion by Langendorff apparatus was used to detect heart function and the effects of E 4031 on haemodynamic indexes; Myocardial cells of rats in the model group were extracted quickly and co-incubated with calcium fluorescent indicator fluo3/AM and the impact of E 4031 on the fluorescence intensity in myocardial cells were evaluated by confocal microscopy.

RESULTSHeart function of rats in the model group detected by Langendorff perfusion was significantly reduced after 12 weeks, E 4031 at 10 micromol/L could improve their left ventricular developed pressure(LVDP) and systolic / diastolic maximum rate (+/- dp/dtmax). Compared with the control and sham operation groups, the resting Ca2+ fluorescence intensity of the myocardial cells of rats in model group was at a higher level and went through a process of transient rise and drop, then stably remaining at a low level after co-incubated with 10 micromol/L E 4031.

CONCLUSIONE 4031 can improve the isolated heart function of rats with chronic heart failure, which may be associated with its enhancing the activity of NCX in the myocardial cell membrane and stabilizing intracellular Ca2+ level.

Animals ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Heart ; physiopathology ; Heart Failure ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; In Vitro Techniques ; Male ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; metabolism ; Piperidines ; pharmacology ; Pyridines ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Objective To compare the usefulness of contrast-enhanced T1 high resolution isotropic volume excitation (THRIVE) sequence and fat-saturated TSE sequence in detection of spinal metastases.Methods Thirty-one consecutive patients with spinal metastases were recruited.All patients received post-contrast TSE T1WI followed by a fat-suppressed THRIVE sequence.The number of lesions,SNR and CNR for both sequences,and the scoring of image quality concerning motion-artifact and tumor conspicuity were compared.Results Acquisition time of the post-contrast TSE T1W sequence and the THRIVE sequence was 2 min 55 s and 33 s,respectively.No significant difference was found in the number of lesions detected between the two sequences (Z=-0.816,P=0.414).The SNR (432.54±271.60) and CNR (233.27± 197.65) of the THRIVE sequence were significantly lower than the SNR (674.32±375.79) and CNR (312.38±207.49) of the TSE T1W sequence respectively (t=-4.366,-2.660,P＜0.001,0.012).Tumor conspicuity of the post-contrast TSE sequence was better than that of THRIVE sequence (Z=-4.082,P＜0.001),while the motion-artifact in TSE sequence was more severe (Z=2.291,P=0.022).Conclusion The post-contrast THRIVE sequence is capable of decreasing acquisition time and motion-artifact.Besides,its detected efficacy is equal to that of TSE sequence.There is practical possibility to replace the conventional post-contrast TSE T1WI sequence with the THRIVE sequence in the imaging of spinal metastases.

Objective To assess the changes of left ventricule and analyze the influential factors in pulmonary hypertension (PH) by comparing the changes of left ventricular volume and function using single cardiac cycle real-time three dimensional echocardiography ( sRT-3DE ) and two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE).Methods In case group,there were 30 inpatients diagnosed as PH,systolic pulmonary artery pressure(PASP)≥40 mmHg estimated by echocardiography,excluding left heart disease or congenital systemic-pulmonary circulation shunt.There were 30 healthy people as control group.Conventional 2DE and sRT-3DE were performed in both groups and obtained 2D and 3D parameters.Results ①In case group,the 2D-LVEF were significantly larger than 3D-LVEF (P ＜ 0.01 ).There was less agreement of 2DE and 3DE in case group than in control.②Comparing with the control group,left ventricular EDV,ESV and SV in ease group decreased ( P ＜0.01 ),so as to 3D-LVEF ( P ＜0.05).The left ventricular spherical index(SIs,SId)and eccentric index (EId,EIs ) in case group were significantly larger than those in control group ( P ＜0.01 ).③LVEDV in case group was negatively correlated with PASP (r =- 0.47),and positively correlated with RVSV and RVEF ( r =0.84,0.66) ;3D-LVEF in case group was negatively correlated with PASP ( r =- 0.54),and positively correlated with RVSV and RVEF ( r =0.58,0.53); there was no significant correlation between LVEDV and RVEDV.LVEDV was negatively correlated with SIs and SId ( r =-0.65,-0.61),so as to EId and EIs ( r =-0.67,0.67).LVEF was negatively correlated with SIs and SId ( r =-0.64,-0.61),so as to EId and EIs ( r =-0.66,-0.68),and the corresponding P all above were less than 0.01.Conclusions PH can result in reductions of left ventricular volume and systolic function,and the variations of which have the correlations with the severity of PH and the increase in SI and EI.sRT-3DE can provide a method to get more accurate information of left ventricle.

Objective To investigate the clinicopathological features,diagnosis,treatment,prognosis and causative agent of a case of eumycetoma on the submaxilla.Methods A case of eumycetoma diagnosed in our department was assessed for its clinical and pathological features as well as mycologic and molecular identification.Related literature was reviewed.Results The patient was primarily characterized by swelling of the submaxilla,with multiple sinuses draining many black granules.Pathologic examination revealed a pyogenic granulomatous inflammation,and a number of lotus rhizome node-like hypha were observed in tissue samples through PAS staining.Sequence analysis of multiple loci of the isolates,including ITS 1,ITS2 and D1/D2,showed that it was mostly similar to Madurella mycetomatis with a homology of 97%.Conclusion This is a case ofeumycetoma on the submaxilla induced by a novel species of Madurella.

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) play a crucial role in T cell dysfunction, which is related to poor outcome in patients with severe trauma. Cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) contributes to immune disorder in trauma and infection via production of prostaglandin E2. However, the role of Cox-2 in the accumulation and function of MDSCs after traumatic stress has not been fully elucidated. In the present study, we treated murine trauma model with NS398, a selective Cox-2 inhibitor. Then the percentages of CD11b+/Gr-1+ cells, proliferation and apoptosis of CD4+ T cells were determined. Arginase activity and arginase-1 (Arg-1) protein expression of splenic CD11b+/Gr-1+ cells, and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response were analyzed. The results showed that Cox-2 blockade significantly decreased the percentages of CD11b+/Gr-1+ cells in the spleen and bone marrow 48 and 72 h after traumatic stress. NS398 inhibited arginase activity and down-regulated the Arg-1 expression of splenic CD11b+/Gr-1+ cells. Moreover, NS398 could promote proliferation and inhibit apoptosis of CD4+ T cells. It also restored DTH response of traumatic mice. Taken together, our data revealed that Cox-2 might play a pivotal role in the accumulation and function of MDSC after traumatic stress.

OBJECTIVETo study the overexpression of Sox9 gene on rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells for repairing articular cartilage injury in vivo.

METHODSRabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were transduced with lentivirus vector containing Sox9 gene and then cartilage specific molecule was detected by RT-PCR in vitro. Total 48 knee joints of 24 mature New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups according to different defect treatment. After animals anesthesia,a full-thickness cylindrical cartilage defect of 4 mm diameter and 3 mm deep was created in the patellar groove using a stainlesssteel punch. Meanwhile, the transfected cells were implanted to repair the rabbit model with full-thickness cartilage defects. Cartilage defects tissue was observed with light microscope, electron microscope, HE and immunohistochemistry staining to assess the repair of defects by the complex at 6 weeks or 12 weeks after the implantation.

RESULTSAt 3 days after the transfection, Sox9 gene expression was highest and Sox9 gene expression decreased with the increase of time. At 3 days after the transfection, the expression of collagen type II began and reached the peak at 14 days. It showed that the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells went into chondrogenic differentiation after transfected by Sox9 gene. Histological observation showed that at 6 weeks after the operation, the defects in the experimental group was filled with hyaline like cartilage tissue, 12 weeks after operation,the defects of cartilage and subchondral bone had satisfactory healing. Both at 6 and 12 weeks postoperatively, the defects were filled with fibrous tissues in control groups. Meanwhile, immunohistochemical staining of sections with type II collagen antibodies showed the proteins in the regenerated tissue stained positive for type II collagen and stronger than the control groups. The histological scoring system indicated that the cartilage repair of experiment groups were better than the two control groups with statistical significances.

CONCLUSIONOverexpression of Sox9 gene on rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) promote the repair of cartilage defect.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; metabolism ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; Cartilage, Articular ; injuries ; metabolism ; Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy ; Female ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lentivirus ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; metabolism ; Osteoarthritis ; genetics ; metabolism ; therapy ; Rabbits ; SOX9 Transcription Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Tissue Engineering

OBJECTIVEIn order to explore the relationship between the active components and the functional links of Chinese herbs, the effect of Xuesaitong capsule, a preparation made of multi-component Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) on platelet activating molecule expression and aggregation in patients with blood hyperviscosity syndrome (BHS) was observed, with aspirin (ASP) as a control.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty patients with BHS were divided, adopting randomized, double-blinded and double simulated principle into 2 groups, the PNS group and the ASP group, 60 in each group. Changes of the TCM clinical syndrome, platelet adhesion and aggregation, endothelin (ET), prostacyclin, thromboxane, CD62P and CD41 before treatment and after 28 days treatment were observed.

RESULTSComparison between the therapeutic effects of the two groups on TCM clinical syndrome showed that the total effective rate in the PNS group was 86.67% and that in the ASP group 56.67%, showing significant difference (P < 0.05). Compared with before treatment, after treatment, levels of platelet adhesion and aggregation, endothelin, prostacyclin and thromboxane were significantly different in both groups (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01); levels of CD62P and CD41 in the PNS group were also significantly different, but the difference was insignificant in the ASP group; no significant difference was shown in both groups in levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol and very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol.

CONCLUSIONPNS may inhibit activation of platelet through multiple components and multiple pathways, which is different from that of ASP, only through inhibition on arachidonic acid metabolism to suppress platelet aggregation. PNS has effects of decreasing platelet superficial activation, inhibiting platelet adhesion and aggregation, preventing thrombosis and improving microcirculation, and its therapeutic effect on clinical syndrome is better than that of ASP.

Aged ; Blood Viscosity ; Female ; Hematologic Diseases ; blood ; drug therapy ; Hemorheology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Panax ; chemistry ; Platelet Activating Factor ; metabolism ; Platelet Activation ; drug effects ; Platelet Aggregation ; drug effects ; Saponins ; therapeutic use ; Syndrome

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) , a species of small noncoding RNA, could regulate gene expression bv binding to the 3'-untranslated region of target mR NA at post-transcription level.MicroRNAs play important roles in various human biological processes such as differentiation, cell proliferation, and apoptoMs.Abnormal expression of miRNAs is implicated in carcinogenesis and progression of various cancers, indicating that miRNAs could be served as molecular biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment of cancer.In this resiew, the author summarize the most common altered miRNAs expression profiles and their possible roles in promoting cell proliferation, tumor metastasis,and chemotherapeutic resistance in gastric cancer.

Background Porcine fibrin sealant kit has been widely used in surgery for clotting and woundssealing.It is thought to be a substitution for inert gas and silicone oil in vitrectomy.But whether it produce toxic effect on retina or not after intravitreal injection is still studying.Objective This study aimed to investigate the retinal toxicity of porcine fibrin sealant kit following intraocular application.Methods Vitrectomy was performed on bilateral eyes of 15 pigmented rabbits.Porcine fibrin sealant kit of 0.5 ml was intravitreally injected in the lateral eyes of the rabbits as the experimental group,and equal volume of BSS was used at the same way in contralateral eye as control group.The inflammatory response of eye was observed under the slit lamp and ophthalmoscopy in 1 day,3,7,15,30 days after injection.Schi(o)tz tonometer was used to measure intraocular pressure(IOP) in 1 day,3,7 days,and retinal function was evaluated by electroretinogram (ERG) before operation and 30 days after operation.B-ultrasonic examination was carried out 30 days after surgery.Animals were sacrificed and eyeballs were obtained for retinal histopathological and ultrastructural examination in 30 days after operation.Results Complications appeared in 7 eyes of the experimental group,including cataract in 3 eyes,proliferation vitreoretinopathy and retinal detachment in 5 eyes,endophthalmitis in 1 eye,however,the cataract in 2 eyes and retina injury in 2 eyes were found in 15 control eyes.On the 30 days after injection,no inflammation was found in the 8 eyes without complication in the experimental group and 11 eyes in the control group.The IOP change was insignificant in different groups and various time points (Fgroup =0.008,P =0.929 ;Ftime =3.600 P =0.075).No significant difference was found in a-wave amplitude between groups and various time points(Fgroup =0.728,P =0.405 ; Ftime =0.516,P =0.482),and so was the b-wave amplitude (Fgroup =0.222,P =0.644 ; Ftime =0.057,P =0.814).On the 30th day after operation,arrangement of the retina was regular and no tissue edema and inflammatory cell infiltration were seen in both groups under the light microscope.Transmission electron microscope revealed that the ultrastructures of retinal cells,photoreceptor and retinal pigment cell were normal with the clear subcellular organelle,intact cellular membrane structure and mitochondria in both groups.Conclusions Domestic porcine fibrin sealant kit does not produce toxic effect on retina after intravitreal injection in rabbit.

OBJECTIVEThe determination of antigenicity and immunogenicity of Leptospira interrogans genus-specific outer envelope proteins (OEPs) will offer evidence for developing universal leptospiral genetic engineering vaccine and detection kit.

METHODSIn this study, Ni-NTA affinity chromatography is used to purify the recombinant products rLipL21, rOmpL1/1, rOmpL1/2, rLipL32/1, rLipL32/2, rLipL41/1 and rLipL41/2 expressed by the major genotypes of four leptospiral OEPs of 15 serogroups. SDS-PAGE is applied to examine the expression and purity of the recombinant proteins. Rabbits are intracutaneously immunized with the recombinant proteins to obtain antisera. Microscope agglutination test (MAT) is used to measure the cross inmmunoagglutination titers of antisera. The OMPs of the reference standard strains belonging to 15 serogroups of L. interrogans in China and L. biflexa strain Patoc I are prepared using salt-denature method. By each of the antisera as the first antibody, Western blot assay is established to detect the natural expressions and immunoreactivity of the four OEPs.

RESULTSThe outputs of rLipL21, rLipL32/1, rLipL32/2, rLipL41/1l, rLipL41/2, rOmpL1/1 and rOmpL1/2 are 10%, 40%, 35%, 15%, 10%, 30% and 15%, respectively. Each the purified recombinant proteins shows a single fragment after SDS-PAGE. Each the rabbit antisera displays extensive cross immunoreactivity between the products expressed by different genotypes of the same gene and the MAT titers ranging from 1:2-1:128. All the four OEPs can be detectable in the OEPs preparations. However, LipL21 is found to exist only in L. interrrogans.

CONCLUSIONThe results of this study indicate that all the four OEPs are superficial genus-specific antigens of Leptospira which can be used as the candidate antigens of leptospiral universal vaccine and detection kit.

Animals ; Antibody Formation ; Antigens, Bacterial ; immunology ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Genetic Engineering ; Immunization ; Leptospira interrogans ; classification ; immunology ; Membrane Proteins ; Rabbits ; Recombinant Proteins ; immunology ; Serotyping