AIM:To investigate the protective effect of losartan(Los) on apoptosis of H9c2 cells induced by isoprenaline(ISO),and to discover its related mechanism.METHODS:H9c2 cells cultured on plastic plates were divided into control,ISO,ISO+Los,ISO+Los+LY294002 and DMSO groups.Cell apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometery and agarose gel electrophoresis.The mRNA levels of bax,bcl-2 and caspase-9 were detected by RT-PCR and the expressions of phosphorylated and total Akt(p-Akt and t-Akt) were assessed by Western blotting.The cAMP was measured by radioimmunoassay.RESULTS:ISO at concentration of 10 ?mol/L induced apoptosis of H9c2 with an increase in bax/bcl-2,caspase-9 and cAMP.Addition of 10 ?mol/L losartan inhibited apoptosis obviously with a decrease in bax/bcl-2,caspase-9 and cAMP.A significant increase in p-Akt was observed,and its protein level was elevated.LY294002 at concentration of 1 ?mol/L abolished the protective effects of losartan on ISO-induced apoptosis in H9c2 cells.CONCLUSION:ISO might induce H9c2 cell apoptosis through stimulation of ?-adrenergic receptor(?-AR).Los inhibits downstream signaling of ?-AR,and promotes the activation of Akt.Subsequently it might attenuate the apoptosis induced by ?-adrenergic stimulation of ISO.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of ~(99)Tc~m-methoxyisobutylisonitrile (MIBI) SPECT scintigraphy combined Iocalizable CT in the localization of ectopic parathyroid glands in hyperparathyroidism.Methods Retrospective data of surgery,pathology and imaging were collected from 28 patients with hyperfunctioning ectopic parathyroid glands.All cases underwent CT studies.Twenty-five patients had ~(99)Tc~m-MIBI planar imaging first:SPECT scintigraphy combined localizable CT was performed for the patients with abnormal radionuclide foci immediately.The fusion images obtained after reconstruction showed the exact location of the ectopic foci.Operative histopathologic results were regarded as "gold standards".Presuming 4 parathyroid glands as normal findings,findings confirmed by operation and pathology were regarded as positive,otherwise negative.The results of CT and radionuclide imaging were compared by X~2-test of four-foId table.Results Twenty-eight ectopic parathyroid glands were found in 28 patients,all pathologically confirmed as adenomss.CT found 22 foci,of which 17 were true positive,5 false positive,11 false negative,and 79 true negative.~(99)Tc~m-MIBI SPECT scintigraphy combined localizable CT found 23 foci,no false positive,2 false negative,and 75 true negative.The results showed that the sensitivities were 61% (17/28),92%(23/25),specificities 94%(79/84),100%(75/75),accuracies 86%(96/112),98% (98/100),positive predictive values 77%(17/22),100%(23/23),and negative predictive values 88% (79190),97%(75/77),respectively,for CT and radionuclide imaging.~(99)Tc~m-MIBI SPECT scintigraphy combined localizable CT was therefore significantly higher than CT in sensitivity(X~2=6.98,P＜0.01),specificity (X~2=4.61,P＜0.05),accuracy (X~2=10.30,P＜0.01),positive predictive value(X~2=5.88,P＜0.05) and negative predictive value (X~2=5.36,P＜0.05).Conclusion ~(99)Tc~m-MIBI SPECT scintigraphy combined localizable CT is superior to CT alone in the localization of ectopic parathyroid glands in hyperparathyroidism,but false negative can be found in some patients.

Objective: To establish a method for simultaneous determination of calceolarioside B and chlorogenic acid in Caulis Stauntoniae Chinensis tablets by HPLC.
Methods: The analysis was performed on a Thermo BDS HYPERSIL C₁₈ column (4.6 mm×250 mm,5 μm) maintained at 35 ℃. The mobile phase was consisted of methanol and 0.1% phosphoric acid solution, and gradient eluted with a flow rate of 1.0 mL·min^-1. The detection wavelength was 327 nm, and the injection volume was 10 μL.
Results: The linear ranges of calceolarioside B and chlorogenic acid were 0.51-20.60 μg·mL^-1 (r=1.000) and 0.52-20.63 μg·mL^-1 (r=1.000), respectively. The average recoveries were 100.3% with RSD as 1.1% and 105.9% with RSD as 1.4%, respectively. The content results of 5 batches of Caulis Stauntoniae Chinensis tablets were 0.083-1.115 mg·g^-1 for calceolarioside B and 0.161-1.204 mg·g^-1 for chlorogenic acid.
Conclusion: The method can be used for improving the quality evaluation standard of Caulis Stauntoniae Chinensis tablets.

Objective: To understand the molecular characteristics of hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) as well as the disease risk of influenza virus A H7N9 in Guizhou province. Methods: RNAs were extracted and sequenced from HA and NA genes of H7N9 virus strains obtained from 18 cases of human infection with H7N9 virus and 6 environmental swabs in Guizhou province during 2014-2017. Then the variation and the genetic evolution of the virus were analyzed by using a series of bioinformatics software package. Results: Homology analysis of HA and NA genes revealed that 2 strains detected during 2014-2015 shared 98.8%-99.2% and 99.2% similarities with vaccine strains A/Shanghai/2/2013 and A/Anhui/1/2013 recommended by WHO, respectively. Two strains detected in 2016 and 14 strains detected in 2017 shared 98.2%-99.3% and 97.6%-98.8% similarities with vaccine strain A/Hunan/02650/2016, respectively. Other 6 stains detected in 2017 shared 99.1%-99.4% and 98.9%-99.3% similarities with strain A/Guangdong/17SF003/2016, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all the strains were directly evolved in the Yangtze River Delta evolution branch, but they were derived from different small branch. PEVPKRKRTAR↓GLF was found in 6 of 24 strains cleavage site sequences of HA protein, indicating the characteristic of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus. Mutations A134V, G186V and Q226L at the receptor binding sites were found in the HA. All the strains had a stalk deletion of 5 amino acid residue "QISNT" in NA protein, and drug resistance mutation R294K occurred in strain A/Guizhou-Danzhai/18980/2017. In addition, potential glycosylation motifs mutations NCS42NCT were found in the NA of 9 of 24 strains. Conclusions: HA and NA genes of avian influenza A (H7N9) virus showed genetic divergence in Guizhou province during 2014-2017. The mutations of key sites might enhance the virulence of the virus, human beings are more susceptible to it. Hence, the risk of infection is increasing.
Animals ; Base Sequence ; Birds ; China/epidemiology* ; Genome, Viral ; Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus/immunology* ; Hemagglutinins/genetics* ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H7N9 Subtype/isolation & purification* ; Influenza in Birds ; Influenza, Human/virology* ; Neuraminidase/genetics* ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Viral/genetics* ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

Insect larvae and adult insects found on human corpses can provide important forensic evidence however it is useful to be able to prove evidence of association. Without this, it could be claimed that the insect evidence was a contaminant or had been planted on the body. This paper describes how mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and STR analysis of the crop contents of larvae of the blowfly Aldrichina grahami collected from separated body parts was used to provide evidence of association.

Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Severity of Illness Index ; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency ; complications ; diagnosis

PURPOSE: The role of systemic inflammation on asthma-COPD overlap syndrome is unknown. This study aimed to examine systemic inflammation in asthma-COPD overlap syndrome, and to identify associations between clinical characteristics and inflammatory mediators in asthma-COPD overlap syndrome. METHODS: In 108 adults older than 55 years comprising healthy controls (n=29), asthma (n=16), COPD (n=21) and asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (n=42), serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein and Interleukin 6 (IL-6) were assayed. Spirometry, induced sputum, quality of life, comorbidities and medications were assessed, and their associations with asthma-COPD overlap syndrome were analyzed using logistic regression. Associations between systemic inflammatory mediators and clinical characteristics were tested in multivariate linear regression models. RESULTS: Patients with asthma-COPD overlap syndrome had significantly elevated IL-6 levels compared with healthy controls and asthmatics. Age, comorbidity index and IL-6 level were independently associated with asthma-COPD overlap syndrome. FEV1% predicted was inversely associated with IL-6 level, and cardiovascular disease was associated with an increased IL-6 level. Systemic markers were not associated with airway inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: Systemic inflammation is commonly present in asthma-COPD overlap syndrome, and asthma-COPD overlap syndrome resembled COPD in terms of systemic inflammation. IL-6 is a pivotal inflammatory mediator that may be involved in airflow obstruction and cardiovascular disease and may be an independent treatment target.
Adult* ; Asthma ; C-Reactive Protein ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Comorbidity ; Humans ; Inflammation* ; Interleukin-6 ; Linear Models ; Logistic Models ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Quality of Life ; Spirometry ; Sputum

PURPOSE: The role of systemic inflammation on asthma-COPD overlap syndrome is unknown. This study aimed to examine systemic inflammation in asthma-COPD overlap syndrome, and to identify associations between clinical characteristics and inflammatory mediators in asthma-COPD overlap syndrome. METHODS: In 108 adults older than 55 years comprising healthy controls (n=29), asthma (n=16), COPD (n=21) and asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (n=42), serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein and Interleukin 6 (IL-6) were assayed. Spirometry, induced sputum, quality of life, comorbidities and medications were assessed, and their associations with asthma-COPD overlap syndrome were analyzed using logistic regression. Associations between systemic inflammatory mediators and clinical characteristics were tested in multivariate linear regression models. RESULTS: Patients with asthma-COPD overlap syndrome had significantly elevated IL-6 levels compared with healthy controls and asthmatics. Age, comorbidity index and IL-6 level were independently associated with asthma-COPD overlap syndrome. FEV1% predicted was inversely associated with IL-6 level, and cardiovascular disease was associated with an increased IL-6 level. Systemic markers were not associated with airway inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: Systemic inflammation is commonly present in asthma-COPD overlap syndrome, and asthma-COPD overlap syndrome resembled COPD in terms of systemic inflammation. IL-6 is a pivotal inflammatory mediator that may be involved in airflow obstruction and cardiovascular disease and may be an independent treatment target.
Adult* ; Asthma ; C-Reactive Protein ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Comorbidity ; Humans ; Inflammation* ; Interleukin-6 ; Linear Models ; Logistic Models ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Quality of Life ; Spirometry ; Sputum

OBJECTIVETo investigate evidence supporting whether ultrasonic irrigation as a supplement is more effective than syringe irrigation in root canal cleaning.

METHODSAn electronic search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, ProQuest Dissertation and Theses, Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database. Studies were retrieved from January 1, 1985 to March 1, 2014. The Chinese journals on stomatology and the bibliography of all relevant articles were manually searched. Relevant clinical randomized controlled trial (RCT) and clinical controlled trial (CCT) were selected. Two investigators evaluated the risk of bias of the included trials in accordance with Cochrane risk of bias assessment tools and collected data of included studies. Meta-analysis was then performed in RevMan 5.2.

RESULTSNine articles that satisfied the eligibility criteria were included in this Meta-analysis. Seven studies showed low bias risk, and the remaining studies exhibited moderate bias risk. Histological results showed that ultrasonic irrigation supplement could significantly improve canal and isthmus debridement at the apical area (P < 0.01). Antibacterial efficacy was evaluated by bacterial culture (P = 0.26) and polymerase chain reaction (P = 0.99) methods, no significant differences in antibacterial efficacy were observed.

CONCLUSIONUltrasonic irrigation supplement is more effective than syringe irrigation in root canal debridement at the apical area. However, antibacterial efficacy is not statistically significant.

Dental Pulp Cavity ; Humans ; Root Canal Preparation ; Syringes ; Therapeutic Irrigation ; Ultrasonics

OBJECTIVEIn order to explore the possible roles played by the autoimmune mechanism in the progression of myocarditis into dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) using an animal model, we investigated whether autoimmune myocarditis might develop into DCM.

METHODSExperimental Balb/C mice (n = 20) were immunized with cardiac myosin with Freund's complete adjuvant at days 0, 7 and 30. The control Balb/C mice (n = 10) were immunized with Freund's complete adjuvant in the same mannere. Serum and myocardium samples were collected after the first immunization at days 15, 21 and 120. The anti-myosin antibody was examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunoblotting.

RESULTSPathological findings demonstrated that there was myocardial necrosis or inflammatory infiltration during acute stages and fibrosis mainly in the late phase of experimental group, but the myocardial lesions were not found in the control group. Autoimmunity could induce myocarditis and DCM in the absence of viral infection. High titer anti-myosin IgG antibodies were found in the experimental group, but not in the control group. Furthermore, the anti-myosin heavy chain (200 KD) antibody was positive in 21 of 48 patients with DCM and viral myocarditis, but only 4 of 20 patients with coronary heart disease, including 1 case and 3 cases that reacted with heavy and light chains (27.5 KD), respectively. The antibodies were not detected in healthy donors.

CONCLUSIONCardiac myosin might be an autoantigen that provokes autoimmunity and leads to the transformation of myocarditis into DCM. Detection of anti-myosin heavy chain antibody might contribute to diagnosis for DCM and viral myocarditis.

Adult ; Aged ; Animals ; Autoantibodies ; blood ; Autoimmune Diseases ; complications ; Cardiac Myosins ; immunology ; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated ; etiology ; immunology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Middle Aged ; Myocarditis ; complications ; Myocardium ; pathology