MicroRNA(miRNA) is involved in virtually all biologic processes, including cellular proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation. Thus, miRNA deregulation often results in impaired cellular function and disease development, so miRNAs have potential therapeutic relevance. The elucidation of these processes regulated by miRNAs and the identification of novel miRNA targets in the pathogenesis of hypertension is a highly valuable and exciting strategy that may eventually led to the development of novel treatment approaches for hypertension. Several mechanisms have been implicated in the pathogenesis of hypertension: overactivation of therenin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), dysfunction of the vascular endothelium, damnification of vascular smooth muscle. To maintain and restore target organ expression of miRNA stable may be a new strategy for treatment of hypertension. The article reviews pathogenesis of miRNA and hypertension, researches of miRNAs as biomarker and therapeutic target, discusses advances in miRNA-based approaches that may be important in treating hypertension.
Animals ; Biomarkers ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hypertension ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; metabolism ; Molecular Targeted Therapy

Objective To investigate the clinical outcome of patients who underwent whole embryo vitrification freezing and thawed frozen embryo transplantation, and to compare it with the patients at the same period in the fresh cycle to explore the value of vitrification technology in the whole embryo freezing combined with recovery transplantation. Methods The whole embryo freezing group included 40 untransplanted cases of in-vitro fertilization (IVF), while another 300 patients in the fresh cycle with in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) at the same period served as the fresh cycle group. The average number of transferred embryos, high-quality embryos, endometrial thickness, estradiol (E2) level, and clinical pregnancy rate were compared.Results The average number of transferred embryos, high-quality embryos, difference in endometrial thickness were not significant between the 2 groups (P>0.05); the E2 level of the fresh cylcle group was significantly higher than that of the whole embryo freezing group (P<0.05), and the clinical pregnancy rate in the fresh cylcle group was significantly lower than that of the whole embryo freezing group (P<0.05). Conclusion Vitrification technology is a simple, reliable, and efficient embryo freezing technology. For patients who meet the requirements, whole embryo vitrfication freezing and thawed frozen embryo transplantation is feasible. It is worth for further clinical research.

MicroRNAs (miRNA) plays an important role in biological development and disease occurrence and development, and acts as a "main switch" in biology. Among patients of essential hypertension, around 1/3 would suffer left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). Hence, essential hypertension becomes an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. And miRNAs plays an important role in the occurrence and development of LVH. This paper reviewed the role of miRNA in regulating the stress signaling pathway, defined its impact on the occurrence of LVH, and further emphasized the opportunities and challenges of miRNA as a biomarker and therapeutic target.
Essential Hypertension ; Humans ; Hypertension ; complications ; genetics ; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular ; complications ; genetics ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; Risk Factors ; Signal Transduction ; genetics

Silicon quantum dot has become an attractive nanomaterial due to their excellent biocompatibility and optical performance. However, poor water-solubility of the traditional silicon quantum dot limits its wide application. In this study, we reported the synthesis of water-soluble silicon quantum dots with imidazole groups by using hydrothermal method, in which N-trimethysilylimidazole was used as a precursor of silicon. Compared with sodium borohydride, ascorbic acid, bovine serum protein, cysteine and citric acid, the as-prepared silicon quantum dots offered the strongest fluorescence intensity when sodium citrate was used as the reducing agent and stabilizer for the synthesis. The reaction could complete within 2 h at 220℃. The obtained silicon quantum dots showed good water-solubility with an average particle size of 2. 6 nm, and the result of infrared spectroscopic analysis verified the existence of free imidazole groups on the surface. By means of the investigation of the fluorescence quenching behavior of copper ions towards the silicon quantum dots at different temperatures, we found that the degree of fluorescence quenching increased with the increase of temperature. There results proved that the fluorescence decrease belongs to static quenching. Namely, the interaction of Cu2+ with imidazole groups on the surface of silicon quantum dots formed stable complex. In addition, the resonance light scattering analysis also showed that the fluorescence quenching process was accompanied by the agglomeration of particles. Based on the fluorescence quenching behavior of silicon quantum dots, we established a method for the fluorescent detection of Cu2+. When the concentration of Cu2+was in the range of 0. 04-2400 μmol/L, the fluorescence intensity would linearly decrease with the increase of Cu2+ concentration, and the detection limit (S/N=3) reached 1. 29×10-8 mol/L. The method provided high sensitivity, selectivity and reproducibility, and was successfully applied to the determination of trace copper in fruits and vegetables.

AIMTo prepare salcatonin dry powder inhalations (sCT-DPIs) A (mixture of mannitol and L-leucine) and B (mixture of manntiol and lactose) by spray-drying and then to study their main pharmaceutical properties.

METHODSDumping rate of sCT-DPIs capsules and deposited fraction of sCT at effective part were determined according to Chinese Pharmacopiea 2000. Particle morphology under different relative humidity (RH) was observed by scanning electronics microphotograph, particle size and its distribution were determined by Malvern Mastersizer and the transition of morphorous state for carriers before and after spray-drying was investigated by differential thermal analysis (DTA) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD).

RESULTSDumping rates of sCT-DPIs A and B capsules were both above 10% and deposited fraction of sCT at effective part was above 90% for both A and B, which were all in agreement with the standard of Chinese Pharmacopiea 2000. Powder particle of sCT-DPIs A was round and existed one by one after keeping one month under RH 0, 23% and 52%, but aggregation can be observed under RH 75%; many particles which were also round agglomerated in sCT-DPIs B even under zero RH; mean particle size of sCT-DPIs A was 1.67 microns, which was much smaller than that of sCT-DPIs B; In sCT-DPIs A particle with empty core which was lighter than the same size particle with concreted core was observed. It was shown by DTA that melted heat of L-leucine in sCT-DPIs composed of mannitol and L-leucine lowered much more than that of L-leucine exisited alone after spray-drying. It was confirmed by XRPD that diffraction intensity of carriers in sCT-DPIs decreased more than that of carriers before spray-drying.

CONCLUSIONRound particle can be made when mannitol was added to carriers and ultra low density carriers can be formed when L-leucine was added. It was suggested by SEM that DPIs should be kept under certain RH. Particle size and distribution of sCT-DPIs all accorded with demand of DPIs. Complex spray-drying carriers formed amorphous state easier than single carrier.

Administration, Inhalation ; Anti-Asthmatic Agents ; administration & dosage ; Calcitonin ; administration & dosage ; Differential Thermal Analysis ; Leucine ; Mannitol ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Particle Size ; Powders ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

OBJECTIVERecent studies have found that the variation of G894T on the region of T786C and 7th exon promoted by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene is associated with cardiovascular disease. This research explored possible correlations between eNOS gene polymorphisms and orthostatic intolerance (OI) in children through linkage disequilibrium analysis between eNOS genes T786C and G894T and OI.

METHODSPCR, Macrorestriction Map and other molecular biotechnology were used to determine the genotypes of eNOS/T786C and G894T in 60 OI probands and their parents. Correlation analysis and transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) between T786C, G894T and OI were performed.

RESULTSThere was linkage disequilibrium of eNOS/T786C and G894T gene polymorphisms in the occurrence of childhood OI (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSeNOS genes T786C and G894T may be associated with the pathogenesis of OI.

Adult ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Linkage Disequilibrium ; Male ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; genetics ; Orthostatic Intolerance ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of celecoxib combined with radiotherapy on apoptosis of CNE-2Z cell lines and the potential mechanisms.

METHODSFour groups were used, a control, celecoxib (25 micromol/L celecoxib), irradiation (8 Gy X ray) and celecoxib plus irradiation. The radiosensitising effect was detected by clone formation experiment. Flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptosis rate of cells. The expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax were assessed by immunocytochemistry. Western blot was used to examine the expression of Caspase-3.

RESULTSCelecoxib enhanced the radiosensitivity of CNE-2Z cells. In experimental group, the mean surviving fraction and the mean lethal dose of CNE-2Z cells were 0.50 and 2.36 respectively. Compared with the irradiated group, there was significant differences between the two groups (P < 0.01). Celecoxib combined with radiotherapy up-regulation the expression of Bax. The score of the expression of Bax in the control group and the experimental group were 1.221 +/- 0.116 and 2.758 +/- 0.256 respectively. Celecoxib combined with radiotherapy could inhibit the expression of the protein of Bcl-2. The score of the expression of Bcl-2 in the control group and the experimental group were 2.559 +/- 0.144 and 1.253 +/- 0.114 respectively, with significant differences (P < 0.01). Celecoxib combined with radiotherapy could increase the apoptosis rate of tumor cells with significant differences (F = 7.63, P < 0.01). Western blot showed that the expression of Caspase-3 was strengthened.

CONCLUSIONCelecoxib combined with radiotherapy could induce apoptosis and enhance the radiosensitivity of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma CNE-2Z cell lines.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; Carcinoma ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Celecoxib ; Cell Line, Tumor ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; Humans ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; pathology ; therapy ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Pyrazoles ; pharmacology ; Radiotherapy ; Sulfonamides ; pharmacology ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of the second renal transplantation on sexual function.

METHODSThirty kidney graft recipients, including 29 cases of the second renal transplantation and 1 case of simultaneous dual kidney transplantation, responded to the questionnaire. The penis cavernosal artery flow of these patients were examined by color doppler ultrasonography. Of the 30 recipients, 9 underwent bilateral kidney transplantation with their bilateral external iliac arteries anastomosed to the donors' renal arteries (Group A), 10 recipients with their unilateral external iliac arteries and the other internal iliac arteries anastomosed to the donors' renal arteries (Group B), the other 10 with their internal iliac arteries anastomosed to the donors' renal arteries (Group C).

RESULTSEight recipients of Group A, 7 of Group B, and 5 of Group C were restored to normal sexual function 6 months after kidney transplantation. The peak systole velocity (PSV) in Group C was slower than in Groups A and B.

CONCLUSIONKidney transplantation with the second internal iliac arteries anastomosed to donors' renal arteries may affect the sexual function of the recipients, but some might enjoy satisfactory sexual life some time after the establishment of lateral branch circulation.

Adult ; Anastomosis, Surgical ; Humans ; Iliac Artery ; surgery ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Kidney Transplantation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Penile Erection ; physiology ; Penis ; diagnostic imaging ; Renal Artery ; surgery ; Reoperation ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Ultrasonography

Objective To construct reference ranges of cardiac size and morphologic parameters in low-risk fetuses at 28-39 gestational weeks using two-dimensional speckle tracking technique.Methods A prospective collection of 453 low-risk singleton pregnancies with echocardiography at Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital,Fudan University was used to assess the size(length,width,and area)and morphology(sphericity index,i.e.,the ratio of length to width)of the fetal four-chamber view and two ventricles using two-dimensional speckle tracking technique.Repeated inter-and intra-observer agreement of measurements was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficients(ICCs).Statistical analysis of cardiac measurement parameters was performed to establish reference ranges of values for cardiac size and morphology in low-risk fetuses.Results The inter-and intra-group ICCs for reproducibility tests of fetal cardiac parameters measurements were 0.691 to 0.980.Fetal four-chamber view and ventricular size increased with gestational week(all P<0.001),the end-diastolic length of the left ventricle was larger than that of the right ventricle,and the end-diastolic diameter was smaller than that of the right ventricle(both P<0.001),while there was no significant difference in the end-diastolic area of the two ventricles(P= 0.050).The spherical index of four-chamber view did not correlate with gestational week(P=0.811).The sphericity index of the basal and intermediate segments of the left ventricle was greater than that of the right ventricle,and the sphericity index of the apical segment was less than that of the right ventricle,the differences were statistically significant(all P<0.01).Conclusion The two-dimensional speckle tracking technique for measuring fetal cardiac parameters has good reproducibility.The reference ranges for cardiac size and morphology in low-risk fetuses developed in this study will be useful for prenatal evaluation of cardiac remodeling.