OBJECTIVE:To investigate the efficacy and safety of carvedilol in patients with chronic heart failure(CHF). METHODS:46patients with CHF were randomly divided into carvedilol group(n=26)and control group(n=20),thareinto,standard therapeutic scheme is used in control group,standard therapeutic scheme+carvedilol is used in carve diol greup.The treatment courses were6months in both groups.RESULTS:Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVEDD)reduced and left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)increased in carvedilol group with significant difference comparing with control group(P

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of extracts from Panax notoginseng (EPN) and Panax ginseng fruit (EPGF) on the proliferation and migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro.

METHODSCell proliferation was determined using an MTT method with a cultured HUVECs model cell cycle analyzed by cytometry. The effect on endothelial cell migration was investigated using an agarose scraping method. The content of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the supernate was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The VEGF mRNA expression of vascular endothelial cells (VECs) with different concentrations of EPN and EPGF was examined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSEPN and EPGF can promote the proliferation of VECs and the secretion of VEGF from HUVECs. It can increase the cell population significantly in the S phase to (15.22+/-1.33) % in the 50 mg/L dose group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). They can promote the VEC migration in the 200 mg/L dose group and the migration rate was 93.75% (P<0.01). They could also increase VEGF mRNA expression in VEC and the effects in the 100 mg/L and 50 mg/L dose groups were significant with the proportion of VEGF mRNA expression of 0.1812+/-0.0413 and 0.2037+/-0.0399 respectively (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSEPN and EPGF can promote VEC proliferation, migration, DNA synthesis and VEGF mRNA expression. The results suggest that they have a certain effect on the genesis and development of new vessels in the ischemic myocardium.

Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; physiology ; Fruit ; Humans ; Panax ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; genetics ; secretion

OBJECTIVETo study the pattern of polymorphism expression of heat-shock protein 70 (HSP70) family in A549 cell line treated with different concentrations of benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) and its probable biological effect.

METHODTwo-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE) was used for the HSP70 expression analysis.

RESULTS2D-PAGE showed that when A549 cells were exposed to different concentrations of BaP (0.1, 1.0, 5.0, 10.0 micromol/L) for 24, 48 h respectively, the HSP72 in A549 gradually declined as BaP concentrations increased [the integral OD (IOD)] for 24 h were: 150.36 +/- 26.03, 98.57 +/- 13.34, 64.92 +/- 15.03, 34.65 +/- 19.10, 32.92 +/- 18.71 respectively, for 48 h: 126.85 +/- 17.41, 106.19 +/- 15.32, 73.64 +/- 21.02, 35.18 +/- 11.95, 16.27 +/- 9.35 respectively), while the IOD of HSP73 did not show any remarkable change (24 h: 102.29 +/- 21.24, 87.71 +/- 18.70, 71.19 +/- 14.08, 71.87 +/- 15.16, 72.78 +/- 17.31 respectively; 48 h: 86.66 +/- 16.86, 75.67 +/- 10.61, 66.83 +/- 12.63, 67.29 +/- 10.26, 91.37 +/- 13.68 respectively).

CONCLUSIONBaP can inhibit HSP72 expression and with certain dose-effect relationship, but cannot affect HSP73 expression.

Benzo(a)pyrene ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Polymorphism, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo analyze the difference between basal and heat-inducible levels of lymphocyte heat shock protein 71 (HSP71) expression in soldiers from Beijing, Zhengzhou and Guangzhou.

METHODSFlow cytometry and Comet assay were used to detect the level of HSP71 and DNA damage respectively.

RESULTSComet assay showed that there was no significant DNA damage before and after heat stress at 41 degrees C for 1 h, and also no difference found among the 3 climatic zones(P > 0.05). HSP71 of all soldiers in the 3 zones elevated after stress (P < 0.05). The basal and heat-inducible levels of HSP71 in Beijing soldiers(845.87 +/- 135.60 and 1254. 47 +/- 239.05 mean fluorescence intensity respectively) were higher than those in Guangzhou soldiers(702.73 +/- 184.70 and 861.72 +/- 225.12 mean fluorescence intensity respectively) (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe differences of lymphocyte HSP71 expression before and after heat stress among the soldiers from Beijing, Zhengzhou and Guangzhou suggest that basal and heat-inducible levels of lymphocyte HSP71 expression may be considered as a valuable index to evaluate heat tolerance of soldiers in different climatic zones.

Climate ; Comet Assay ; DNA Damage ; Flow Cytometry ; Heat Stress Disorders ; metabolism ; Heat-Shock Proteins ; biosynthesis ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; Military Personnel ; Police

OBJECTIVETo estimate the feasibility of 16-multidetector spiral computed tomography (16-MDCT) on detecting coronary plaques in comparison with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS).

METHODSSixty-eight patients suspected of coronary heart diseases were examined by 16-MDCT, quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) and IVUS. Coronary stenosis was defined as lumen diameter reduction (DS) >or= 50%. Hounsfield units (HU) were used to determine different types of plaques: soft plaque (or= 120 HU).

RESULTSCompared to QCA, the sensitivity and the specificity for patients with DS >or= 50% were 91.8% (112/122) and 97.8% (556/568) respectively, the positive and negative predictive value were 90.3% (112/124) and 98.2% (556/566) respectively. In 96 plaques evaluated both by 16-MDCT and IVUS, 20 and 21 soft plaques, 37 and 36 fibrous plaques, 39 and 38 calcified plaques were identified by 16-MDCT and IVUS respectively. HU value of soft (11 +/- 36), fibrous (83 +/- 20), and calcified (292 +/- 80) plaques were significantly different (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSNoninvasive 16-MDCT could correctly estimate coronary stenosis and coronary plaques compositions.

Aged ; Atherosclerosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Coronary Angiography ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; methods ; Ultrasonography, Interventional

Objective To investigate the correlation between 24-h ambulatory blood pressure variability and the overall burden of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Methods From March 2016 to December 2017, consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke admitted to the Department of Neurology, the Affiliated Changshu Hospital of Soochow University were enrolled. The 3. 0 T-MRI was used to assess asymptomatic lacunar infarction, white matter hyperintensities, cerebral microbleeds, and enlarged perivascular spaces within 24 h after admission, and the total CSVD score (0-4) was calculated. 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was performed 24 to 72 h after admission. Ordinal logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent correlation between the 24-h ambulatory blood pressure-related index and the total CSVD score. Results A total of 220 patients with acute ischemic stroke were enrolled. The patients were divided into five groups according to the total CSVD score. Univariate analysis showed that there were significant differences in age, homocysteine, the proportion of hypertension, as well as 24 h, daytime and nighttime mean systolic blood pressure (SBP), and coefficient of variation of daytime SBP among the 5 groups (all P < 0. 05). Ordinal logistic regression analysis showed that age (odds ratio [OR] 1. 078, 95％ confidence interval [CI] 1. 051-1. 106; P < 0. 001), 24-h mean SBP (OR 1. 043, 95％ CI 1. 026-1. 060; P < 0. 001), daytime mean SBP (OR 1. 042, 95％ CI 1. 025-1. 059; P < 0. 001), nighttime mean SBP (OR 1. 034, 95％ CI 1. 019-1. 049; P < 0. 001), and coefficient of variation of daytime SBP (OR 1. 129, 95％ CI 1. 052-1. 210; P = 0. 003) were independently correlated with the total CSVD score. Conclusions The elevated 24 h, daytime and nighttime mean SBP levels and coefficient of variation of daytime SBP are independently correlated with the severity of overall CSVD burden in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Objective To study the intrinsic relationship between hemiplegic gait features and abnormal muscle strength of lower limbs,so as to elucidate the muscle strength causes of hemiplegic gait and provide recommendations for its clinical treatment.Methods Models of hemiplegic gait and normal gait were established for simulation,and the validity of the models was verified by comparing the simulation model with measured data of the normal gait.The differences in kinetic data,ground reaction force (GRF) and muscle force between the two models were analyzed to explore the different dynamic characteristic of hemiplegic gait and normal gait.Results The complex correlation coefficient between LifeMOD simulation results and measured data was 0.922,indicating that the established dynamic model was reasonable and effective.Hemiplegic patient with low tibialis anterior muscle strength led to ankle dorsiflexion inadequacy during initial ground period,and low gastrocnemius muscle could not achieve the promoting effect from ground during preswing period.Conclusions The strength weakness of tibialis anterior muscle and gastrocnemius are the main reasons for foot drooping and other hemiplegic gait characteristics.LifeMOD modeling and simulation can assist the diagnosis of abnormal muscle strength in hemiplegia patients.

To develop a gene therapy strategy for treating bovine mastitis, a new mammary-specific vector containing human lysozyme (hLYZ) cDNA and kanamycin resistance gene was constructed for intramammary expression and clinical studies. After one time acupuncture or intracisternal infusion of healthy cows with 400 microg of the p215C3LYZ vector, over 2.0 microg/ml of rhLYZ could be detected by enzymatic assay for about 3 weeks in the milk samples. Western blotting showed that rhLYZ secreted into milk samples from the vector-injected cows had molecular weight similar to that of the natural hLYZ in human colostrums. Twenty days after the primary injection, the quarters were re-injected with the same vector by quarter acupuncture and even higher concentrations of rhLYZ could be detected. Indirect competitive ELISA of milk samples showed that the vector injection did not induce detectable humoral immune response against hLYZ. Clinical studies showed that twice acupuncture of quarters with the p215C3LYZ vector had overt therapeutic effect on clinical and subclinical mastitis previously treated with antibiotics, including disappearance of clinical symptoms and relatively high microbiological cure rates. These data provide a solid rationale for using the vector to develop gene therapy for treating bovine mastitis.
Acupuncture ; Animals ; Cattle ; Female ; Genetic Therapy ; methods ; veterinary ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Mastitis, Bovine ; genetics ; therapy ; Milk ; chemistry ; Muramidase ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDInvasive intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) is current diagnostic standard for myocardial bridging (MB). Non-invasive multislice computerized tomography coronary angiography (MSCT) technique has provided a good anatomical view of the tunnel artery now.

METHODSA total of 51 consecutive patients with atypical or typical angina scheduled for IVUS were enrolled in this study and MSCT was performed 7 days before IVUS. Coronary imaging was quantified using IVUS and MSCT. Four main vessels (left main artery (LMA), left anterior descending (LAD), left circumflex (LCX), right coronary artery (RCA)) were examined.

RESULTSForty-one out of 51 (80%) patients received metaprolol (25 mg) before the MSCT scan and 25 of them were current beta-blocker users. The mean heart rate was (64 +/- 3) beats per minute. A total of 51 patients underwent IVUS examination (30 with MB and 21 without MB) were chosen for this study. Twenty-eight out of 30 MB cases were correctly diagnosed by MSCT and 2 patients with MB were not detected. Comparison with IVUS, the sensitivity of detection by MSCT was 93%, specificity was 100%. The lumen diameter of the tunnel artery derived from MSCT and IVUS significantly decreased from (2.9 +/- 0.3) mm to (2.4 +/- 0.4) mm (P < 0.001) and from (3.3 +/- 0.3) mm to (2.6 +/- 0.5) mm (P < 0.001), respectively. Minimal and maximal diameters of MB derived from MSCT were significantly smaller than those from IVUS ((2.4 +/- 0.4) mm vs (2.6 +/- 0.5) mm, P < 0.05 and (2.9 +/- 0.3) mm vs (3.3 +/- 0.3) mm, P < 0.05), respectively.

CONCLUSIONSMSCT offers a reliable non-invasive method for MB in LAD and atherosclerosis diagnosis with diagnostic accuracy comparable with invasive IVUS.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Bridging ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; methods ; Ultrasonography, Interventional ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal transduction pathways on heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) gene expression in endothelial cells exposed to benzo(a)pryene (BaP).

METHODSPorcine aortic endothelial cells were pre-treated or by PD98059 (10 micro mol/L) or SB203580 (20 micro mol/L) for 1 hour, then treated with different concentrations of BaP (0, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 5.0 and 10.0 micro mol/L) for 24 hours respectively;Expression levels of three phosphorylated MAPKs [extracellular signal regulated protein kinase (ERK), c-Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38] and HSP70 were determined by Western-blot.

RESULTSThe three phosphorylated MAPKs expressional levels especially p-ERK1 had different extents of changes with dose-response relationship under BaP exposure. BaP inhibited the expression of HSP70, which significantly decreased in medium and high dose group (>or= 1.0 micro mol/L) but did not decrease in control group (P < 0.05). Although the inhibitor of ERK (PD98059) could partly weaken the inhibited effects of BaP on HSP70 expression, HSP70 expression levels of endothelial cells pre-treated with PD98059 were still significantly lower than that of control cells (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONERK1 pathway might play some roles in HSP70 gene expression in endothelial cells exposed to BaP, and other unknown signal pathways might also have some effects on this process.

Animals ; Benzo(a)pyrene ; toxicity ; Blotting, Western ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins ; analysis ; Imidazoles ; pharmacology ; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; MAP Kinase Kinase 4 ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases ; analysis ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; analysis ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Pyridines ; pharmacology ; Signal Transduction ; physiology ; Swine ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases