Objective To observe the effects of prazosin on matrix metalloproteinase‐1(MMP‐1) and tissue inhibitor of met‐alloproteinase 1 (TIMP‐1) expression in atherosclerosis plaque of ApoE knock‐out(ApoE-/- ) mice model and to explore its anti‐atherosclerotic effect and mechanism .Methods Twenty‐four 8‐week‐old ApoE-/- mice were randomly divided into the normal diet group ,high‐fat diet group and prazosin group ,8 cases in each group .The normal diet group was fed by common fodder ,while the high fat group and prazosin group were fed by high fat diet ;on the basis of the high fat diet ,the prazosin group was started to con‐duct gavage of prazosin hydrochloride 1 mg/kg every day ,while the normal diet group and the high fat diet group were daily ga‐vaged by the same volume of normal saline .The abdominal aortic venous blood after 12 weeks in each group was collected for detec‐ting the blood lipid levels .The aorta arterial blood sample was collected for detecting MMP‐1 and TIMP‐1 expression levels by im‐munohistochemistry .Results Compared with the high fat diet group ,the levels of serum TG ,TC and LDL‐C in the prazosin group were significantly decreased ,and the HDL‐C level was increased ,the differences were statistically significant (P< 0 .01 or P<0 .05);the area of aorta arterial atherosclerotic plaque and intima thickness were significantly increased ,while prazosin could signif‐icantly inhibit the plaque formation and intima hyperplasia ;compared with the normal diet group ,the expression level of MMP‐1 protein in the high fat diet group and prazosin group was significantly increased ,while the TIMP‐1 protein expression level was de‐creased ,moreover the MMP‐1 protein expression level in the prazosin group was lower than that in the high fat diet group ,while the TIMP‐1 protein expression level was higher than that in the high fat diet group ,the differences were statistically significant (P<0 .05) .Conclusion Prazosin can decrease the level of TC and LDL‐C ,increase the HDL‐C level and has certain anti‐atherosclerotic effect ,its mechanism may be related with the decrease of the MMP‐1 level and the increase of the TIMP‐1 level in plaque .

Objective To investigate the role of Akt signal pathway on the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 ( MCP-1 ) and nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB) in renal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2) stimulated by albumin and to explore the mechanisms of action. Method The HK-2 cells were incubated in the presence of albumin (5,15,30 mg/mL) with or without Ly294002 (an inhibitor of Akt). Expression of mRNA was analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).Expression of Akt and protein MCP-1 were assessed by Western blot. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) was used to detect the activation of NF-κB. q-test was used to evaluate the differences in means between groups. Results Compared with control group, the expression of MCP-1 mRNA remarkly increased. [Control group: 0.233 ±0.01; BSA(5 mg/mL) group: 0.285 ±0.04; BSA( 15 mg/mL) group:0.387 ± 0.02; BSA ( 30 mg/mL) group: 0.473 ± 0.05; BSA ( 30 mg/mL) + Ly294002 group: 0. 325 ±0.05, P ＜ 0.05 ]. The expression of MCP-1 protein in renal interstitum of operation group were remarkly increased too. [ Control group: 100 ± 15.1; BSA ( 5 mg/mL) group: 148 ± 19.3; BSA ( 15 mg/mL) group: 176±20.7; BSA(30 mg/mL) group: 263 ± 18.1; BSA(30 mg/mL) + Ly294002 group: 175 ± 18.0, P ＜0.05 ]. Albumin stimulated the expression of MCP-1mRNA and protein in a dose-dependent manner. Albumin remarkably increased the activity of NF-κB. Albumin enhanced the expression of Akt. Ly294002 inhibited albumin-induced the expression of NF-κB and partially decreased the level of MCP-1. Apositive correlation was noted between NF-κB activation and MCP-1 expression( r = 0.68 ,P ＜ 0.01 ). Conclusions Albumin-induces MCP-1 and NF-κB production via Akt signal pathway in renal tubular epithelial cells.

Objective To assess the value of T?SPOT.TB test in the diagnosis of active tuberculosis. Methods The clinical data of 975 hospitalized patients receiving T?SPOT.TB test were collected in our hospital. The clinical information and testing results were analyzed. The receiver operating curve (ROC) was used to determine the optimal threshold of T?SPOT.TB test for differentiating active tuberculosis. Results T?SPOT.TB test results showed that the positive rate was 29.26%for the non?active tuberculosis group(n=793),but was 91.21%for active tuberculosis patients group (n = 182),which indicated that the test had a significant value in active tuberculosis detection(P<0.001). The sensitivity of T?SPOT.TB test was 0.912 and the specificity was 0.707. The detection threshold of T?SPOT.TB was optimized. As the spot?forming count(sfc)of ESAT?6 antigen threshold was 11.5 and that of the CEP?10 threshold was 9.5,the efficiency of T?SPOT.TB test for detection of active pulmonary tuberculosis was the highest. Conclusions T?SPOT.TB test has a good diagnostic performance for active tuberculosis, and it can be further optimized to better serve the clinical practice.

Objective To investigate the resistance mechanism of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA902 by high -throughput sequencing.Method PA902 was sequenced by the Illumina Miseq platform,and sequencing data were analyzed by bioinformatic techniques.Results PA902 was resistant to all common clinical antibiotics except amikacin.Analysis of data reveal resistance genes to β-1actams (blaOXA-10,blaPER-1 和 blaVIM-2),aminoglycosides (aph (3 ‘)-Ⅱd,aac (6')-Ⅰb-cr,aacA4 和 aadA2),sulfonamides (sul1),tetracyclines (tetG),chloramphenicol (floR).Several putative chromosome-located resistance genes were also identified.The results were fully in accordancc with thc susceptibility results.Sequence analysis of the contigs containing resistance genes revealed that they were always clustered on the same contig and correlated mobilization sequences.MLST identified PA902 as ST389,which was first reported in China.Conclusion High throughput sequencing demonstrated the molecular resistance mechanism of PA902,and the findings were in accordance with the susceptibility results.The technique will provide solid support for the traditional clinical microbiology methods.

Objective To understand tigecycline and commonly used anti-bacterial agents resistance in Gram-positive cocci and Acinetobacter baumannii .Methods 445 strains of Gram-positive cocci and 83 strains of Acinetobacter baumannii were collected . VITEK 2 Compact automated bacterial identification and susceptibility analysis system was employed to identify Gram-positive coc-ci and Acinetobacter baumannii and their bacterial sensitivities toward tigecycline and commonly used anti-bacterial agents were de-tected by broth microdilution method for antimicrobial susceptibility testing (MIC assay) and Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion susceptibil-ity test(K-B) ,respectively .Results 155(34 .8% ) strains of Staphylococcus aureus ,78(17 .5% ) Enterococcus feces ,56(12 .6% ) Staphylococcus haemolyticus ,45(10 .1% ) Staphylococcus epidermidis ,43(9 .7% ) Enterococcus faecalis ,18(4 .1% ) human Staphy-lococcus ,16(3 .6% ) Wolfowitz Staphylococcus ,8(1 .8% ) birds Enterococci and 26(5 .8% )other strains were found in 445 cases of Gram-positive cocci .The rate of penicillin-resistant Staphylococci was 92 .4% and the rates of Staphylococci′s resistance to eryth-romycin ,clindamycin ,oxacillin and ciprofloxacin were all over 50% .Enterococci ,which was sensitive to linezolid and tigecycline ,was resistant naturally to many drugs .The tigecycline sensitive rate ,intermediate rate and resistance rate acquired by MIC assay for multi-drug resistant and pan-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii were 57 .1% (47/83) ,42 .9% (36/83) and 0 .0% (0/83) ,respec-tively ,while those by K-B methods were 2 .4% (2/83) ,40 .5% (34/83) and 57 .1% (47/83) ,respectively .Conclusion Tigecycline showes good antibacterial activity toward Gram -positive cocci and Acinetobacter baumannii .

The effect of the trace elements on retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) were studied. Thirty preterm infants who had potential high risk factors of ROP were selected as observation group and 18 normal infants as control groups. By using atom spectrophotometer, the contents of serum trace elements (Mg, Cu, Zn, Mn, Se) were measured and analyzed statistically. The contents of serum Zn, Cu and Se in observation group were 0.75+/-0.22, 0.41+/-0.20 and (134.07+/-71.57)x10(-3) mg/L respectively, and 0.55+/-0.12, 0.65+/-0.194 and (202.92+/-44.71)x10(-3) mg/L in control group respectively (P<0.01). The contents of Cu and Se were obviously lower and that of Zn higher in observation group than those in control group. The same results were obtained between the infants with ROP and controls (P<0.01). However, there was no significant difference in the contents of serum Mg and Mn between two groups (P>0.05). It was concluded that the contents of serum Cu and Se in preterm infants who had high risk factors of ROP were obviously lower than in the controls. The contents of serum Cu and Se in the ROP infants were also much lower while contents of Zn much higher. Attention should be paid to the detection of the trace elements in preterm infants in order to prevent the deficiencies of Cu and Se. Only in this way can we prevent the deficiencies of Cu and Se, so as to decrease the ROP risk factors and prevent the disease.
Copper/blood ; Infant, Premature/*blood ; Retinopathy of Prematurity/*blood ; Retinopathy of Prematurity/*prevention & control ; Risk Factors ; Selenium/blood ; Spectrophotometry, Atomic ; Trace Elements/*blood ; Zinc/blood

Objective To investigate the learning curve of minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass ( MIDCAB) via left anterior small thoracotomy. Methods We retrospectively reviewed results of a consecutive series of 80 patients underwent MIDCAB via left anterior small thoracotomy performed by a single surgeon.The patients were divided into 4 groups ( group A, B, C, D, n=20 in each group) according to the sequence of the operation.The left internal mammary artery ( LIMA) harvesting time, anastomosis time, total operative time, the drainage volume of the first day postoperation, mechanical ventilation time, hospital stays postoperation, in-hospital morbidity and mortality were compared.The learning curve was assessed by means of regression analysis with logarithmic curve fitting. Results The basic clinical characters were similar in all groups before the operation.The operations were accomplished successfully in all the 80 cases.No intraoperative conversion to sternotomy, death, or perioperative myocardial infarction happened.The LIMA-harvesting time in the group B, C, and D was significantly shorter than that in the group A [(53.7 ±19.2) min, (50.2 ±17.7) min, and (43.2 ±10.3) min vs.(77.0 ±30.0) min, P =0.001, 0.000, and 0.000].There was no difference between group B and C, B and D, C and D in the LIMA-harvesting time (P>0.05).The total operative time in the group B, C, and D was significantly shorter than in the group A [ (128.7 ±21.7) min, (129.0 ±33.3) min, and (112.2 ±14.5) min vs. (165.2 ±41.8) min, all P=0.000], without difference between the group B and C, B and D, C and D (P>0.05).The learning curve models were obtained: LIMA-harvesting time ( min) =113.77 -16.869 × ln ( operation number); total operative time (min)=220.281 -25.276 ×ln (operation number). Conclusion MIDCAB via left anterior small thoracotomy is safe and effective, with a learning curve of approximately 20 cases.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of the toxic effect of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) on photoreceptor cell apoptosis of rat′s retina. Methods Thirty 50-day-old female Sprague-Dawley ( SD ) rats were intraperitoneally injected with MNU (60 mg/kg) and were put to death by dislocation of cervical vertebra 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours and 7 days after the injection, respectively. The photoreceptor cell apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) and transmission electron microscope. The expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), vimentin and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) was detected at different time after injection by immunohistochemical methods. Results The apoptotic index of the retina in the posterior pole was (33.6?2.3)%, (46.5?5.7)%, (20.1?5.3)%, (8.2?3.6)% and (2.5?1.3% at the 12th, 24 th, 48 th, and 72nd hour and on the 7th day, respectively, after injection. Karyopyknosis was found in most photoreceptor cells 24 hours after injection. The expression of PCNA was found in internal granular layer and between internal granular layer and choroid 24 hours after injection, reached the peak after 72 hours, and reduced obviously after 7 days. The positive expression of GFAP and vimentin was found in internal and external granular layer 24 hours after injection, reached the peak after 72 hours, and reduced obviously after 7 days. Conclusion MNU may selectively lead the photoreceptor cell apoptosis and proliferation of M?ller cells.

The inhibitory effects of diallyl sulfide (DAS) derived from allicin on in vitro and in vivo proliferation of human osteosarcoma MG-63 cells and the action mechanism, and the influence of DAS on invasive capability of MG-63 cells were investigated in order to search for the novel medicines for osteosarcoma. In the in vitro experiment, MG-63 cells were treated with different concentrations of DSA, and the morphological changes of MG-63 cells were observed under an inverted phase microscope. MTT method was used to assay the proliferation of MG-63 cells. Semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the VEGF mRNA expression level in MG-63 cells. By using Transwell invasion assay, the influence of DAS on invasive ability of MG-63 cells was tested. In the in vivo experiment, the nude mice MG-63 cells tumor-bearing model was established, and different concentrations of DAS were injected beside the tumor. Twenty-one days after treatment, the mice were killed, the tumor size and tumor inhibition rate were calculated. The microvessel density (MVD) was determined by using immunohistochemistry. In the in vitro experiment, different concentrations of DAS could obviously inhibit proliferation of MG-63 cells in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. RT-PCR revealed that the expression levels of VEGF mRNA in DSA groups (different concentrations) were significant reduced as compared with those in control group (all P<0.05). Transwell invasion assay indicated that in 20 and 40 μg/mL DAS groups, the number of migratory cells was 91.4±8.3 and 81.8±7.4 respectively, which was significantly declined as compared with that in control group (150.4±14.7, both P<0.05). In the in vivo experiment, DAS could significantly suppress the growth of MG-63 tumor-bearing tissue. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that different concentrations (20 and 40 μg/mL) of DAS could significantly decrease MVD of MG-63 tumor-bearing tissue (all P<0.05). It was suggested that DAS could inhibit the growth of MG-63 cells probably by suppressing the expression of VEGF mRNA.

Objective To detect serum Vaspin level in subjects with normal glucose regulation(NGR)and newly-diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) ,and to investigate the association between serum Vaspin and body mass index (BMI), age, gender, glycometabolism and lipemetabolism and insulin sensitivity index. Methods The fasting serum levels of Vaspin were measured in 48 normal controls and 66 T2DM patients using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA ). BMI, waist-hip ratio (WHR) and % body fat were measured,as well as fasting blood glucose (FBG), HBA1C, lipids and insulin levels. Results The fast serum Vaspin concentrations in the obese T2DM patients was ( 1.13 ±0. 25 ) μg/L,which were significantly higher than that in the non-obese T2DM patients (0. 65 ± 0. 13 ) μg/L (P ＜ 0. 01 ). In the NGR group, the fast serum Vaspin concentrations in the obese was (0. 95 ± 0. 11 ) μg/L, which were significantly higher than that in the non-obese (0. 38 ± 0. 18) μg/L( P ＜ 0. 01 ). In the T2DM group, serum Vaspin concentration in females ( [0. 92 ± 0. 35]μg/L) was higher than in males ([0.76 ± 0. 22] μg/L) (P ＜ 0.01 ). In the NGR group, serum Vaspin concentration in females was also higher than that in males ( [1.05 ± 0. 21] μg/L vs [0. 48 ± 0. 14] μg/L) )(P＜0. 01 ). Serum Vaspin level was positively correlated with BMI,WHR,% Body Fat,fasting insulin(FINS)and insulin sensitivity index (ISI) (r = 0. 365,0. 214,0. 238,0. 183 and 0. 147, respectively, Ps ＜ 0. 05 ). The multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that gender( R2 = 0. 161, P ＜ 0. 01 ), ISI ( R2 = 0. 183, P ＜ 0. 01 )and WHR( R2 = 0. 216, P ＜ 0. 01 ) were independent variables associated with Vaspin. Conclusion Serum vaspin level significantly increases in subjects with obesity, and independently associated with gender, ISI,WHR. These findings suggest that serum Vaspin may be involved in the pathophysiology of insulin resistance syndrome.