AIM: To set the model of rat bone marrow me se nchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) that differentiate into cardiomyocytes and observe t he connection structure between cells. METHODS: BMMSCs were isolated by adhering to culture plates and cultured in vitro to expand. Induction of BMMSCs to differentiate into cardi omyo cytes was conducted by treating the cells with 5-aza. Immunocytochemical stainin g was used to identify sarcomeric actin and intercalated disc-like structure wh en the cells were cultured for additional 1 week, 2 or 3 weeks, respectively. RESULTS: Sarcomeric actin positive cells were observed in 1 week , 2 or 3 weeks after 5-aza treatment. Some cells stained positive for connexin4 3 at 1 week and 2 weeks after 5-aza treatment, with brown pellet located disper sively around nucleus. 3 weeks after 5-aza treatment, connexin43 positive cells s howed brown pellet arranging in thready structure around nucleus, such structure could be seen between very few cells which was similar to intercalated disc-lik e structure in normal heart tissue. CONCLUSION: During the process of BMMSCs differentiating into ca rdiomyocytes, intercalated disc-like structure is gradually formed with increas e in culture time and cell density.

Objective To explore the changes and clinical significance of plasma redox status in patients with acute myocardial infarction,angina pectoris and people with normal coronary artery.Methods According to the clinical manifestation,electrocardiograms and the myocardium markers,68 acute myocardial infarction patients (group A) were involved.68 angina pectoris patients (group B) and 68 normal coronary artery people (group C) were also chosen according to the coronary artery radiographs.Peripheral venous blood of 3 groups were collected.Plasma glutathione (reduced form GSH and oxidized form GSSG) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (reduced form NADPH and oxidized form NADP+) were detected.The GSH/GSSG and NADPH/NADP+ redox potentials were calculated according to Nernst equation.Results Along with the pathological aggravation of coronary artery (from group C to group A),the levels of GSH [(8.39±1.03)μmol/L,(6.54±0.94) μmol/L,(4.49±0.86) μmol/L,respectively] and GSH/GSSG (14.22±2.14,9.76±1.67,5.76±1.18,respectively) were gradually reduced; the levels of GSSG [(0.59±0.03) μmol/L,(0.67±0.04) μmol/L,(0.78 ± 0.05) μmol/L,respectively] and GSH/GSSG redox potential [(-150.43±3.43) mV,(-141.22±3.12) mV,(-135.21±2.31) mV,respectively] were gradually increased (all P＜ 0.05); the changes of NADPH/NADP+ redox status were similar to GSH/GSSG but milder.Conclusions The imbalance of plasma redox status deviating to oxidation has a relationship with atheromatous plaque formation,plaque rupture and plaque thrombosis in the coronary artery.

Objective To investigate the role of Janus kinese 2-signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK2-STAT3) pathway in reduction of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury by sufentanil postconditioning in dogs.Methods Twenty-four healthy dogs of either sex,weighing 10-15 kg,were randomly divided into 4 groups (n =6 each):sham operation group (group S); I/R group; sufentanil postconditioning group (group PO) and sufentanil postconditioning + specific JAK2 inhibitor AG490 group (group AG).In groups I/R,PO and AG,myocardial I/R was produced by occlusion of left anterior descending coronary artery for 30 min followed by 120 min reperfusion.In groups PO and AG,sufentanil 0.6 μg/kg was infused intravenously over 5 min before reperfusion and in addition in group AG,AG490 1 mg/kg was injected intravenously before sufentanil infusion.Myocardial specimens were taken at the end of 120 min reperfusion for microscopic examination and determination of the expression of caspase-3 and p-STAT3 by immuno-histochemistry and myocardial cell apoptosis index (AI) by TUNEL.Results AI and the expression of caspase-3 and p-STAT3 were significantly higher in groups I/R,PO and AG than in group S ( P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group I/R,AI and the expression of caspase-3 were significantly decreased in groups PO and AG,the expression of p-STAT3 was significantly increased in group PO,and the expression of p-STAT3 was significantly decreased in group AG ( P ＜ 0.05).AI and the expression of caspase-3 were significantly higher and the expression of p-STAT3 was significantly lower in group AG than in group PO (P ＜ 0.05).The pathologic changes were significantly attenuated in group PO compared with groups I/R and AG.Conclusion JAK2-STAT3 pathway is involved in reduction of myocardial I/R injury by sufentanil postconditioning in dogs.

Objective To investigate the value of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) detection in the diagnosis and treatment of heart failure patients with normal ejection fraction.Methods Totally 78 elderly patient were selected in our hospital,with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥45 ％,among which 52 cases of patients were consistent of heart failure criteria (heart failure group),27 cases with normal left ventricular diastolic function as control group.The echocardiographic indices of diastolic function and the change of the concentration of BNP were compared.Results As compared with heart failure group,BNP concentration (108.7 ± 32.2) ng/L vs.(190.3 ± 41.5) ng/L,left ventricular posterior wall thickness (11.3 ± 1.7) mm vs.(13.6 ± 1.4) mm,left ventricular mass index (119.3±10.2)g/m2 vs.(130.7±8.9)g/m2 were elevated in heart failure group (all P＜0.01).Conclusions BNP detection can be used for a diagnosis of heart failure as a simple and easy method.The BNP and ultrasound heart beat graph combination can improve heart failure diagnostic accuracywith normal ejection fraction in elderly patients.

Objective: To observe the effects of Tangnaikang (TNK), a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, on glucose metabolism and insulin resistance in obese Zucker rats. Methods: Twelve male obese Zucker rats, 6 weeks old, were randomly divided into control group and TNK group (3.24 g/kg) after being fed for 2 weeks. All rats received high-fat diet and 4-week treatment. Body weight and blood glucose were tested every week. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed and fasting insulin level was tested on days 0, 14 and 28. Triglyceride, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and free fatty acids (FFA) were tested on day 28. Glucose infusion rate (GIR) was tested by hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp from day 29. The protein expressions of protein kinase B (Akt), phospho-Akt (p-Akt) (Thr308) and glucose transporter protein 4 (GLUT4) in skeletal muscle and GLUT4 in adipose tissue were measured after hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp test. Results: Compared with the control group, the fed blood glucose level and glucose level of OGTT at 120 min had a significant decline in TNK group on day 28, and TNK caused no alteration of the fasting serum insulin, and the GIR increased significantly in hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp study. Furthermore, TNK increased Akt and p-Akt (Thr308) protein expressions in skeletal muscle and decreased the protein expression of GLUT4 in white adipose tissue. Body weight, and triglyceride, cholesterol, LDL-C and FFA contents were slightly decreased in the TNK group, but there were no statistically significant effects. Conclusion: TNK increases the protein expressions of Akt and p-Akt (Thr308) of the signal transduction pathway to influence the translocation of GLUT4 in skeletal muscle and improves glucose metabolism by reducing insulin resistance.

Objective To study the relation between the level of serum carbohydrate antigen-125 (CA125) and heart function as well as the myocardial remodeling in patients with congestive heart failure(CHF). Methods 79 patients with CHF were divided into three groups based on the standard of New York Heart Association Classification. 25 healthy persons were served as control group. Level of CA125 was measured by MEIA. NT-proBNP was detected by Roche Cardiac Reading instrument. TNF-? was measured by radioimmunoassay. Left ventricular mass index (LVMI),left atrial volume index (LAVI) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were detected by echocardiography. The levels of CA125,NT-proBNP,TNF-?,LVMI,LAVI and LVEF in different groups were compared.The relationship between CA125 and NT- proBNP,TNF-?,LVMI,LAVI and LVEF was evaluate.Results Levels of CA125,NT-proBNP,TNF-?,LVMI and LAVI in patients with CHF were much higher than those without CHF. The LVEF was much lower in NYHA Ⅲ and NYHA Ⅳ group than that in without CHF and NYHAⅠgroup. Conclusion CA125 was positively associated with the NT-proBNP,TNF-? and LVMI.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of spironolactone in treatment NYHA (New York Heart Association) class Ⅰ - Ⅱ heart failure patients. MethodsEighty eight patients with NYHA classⅠ- Ⅱheart failure were randomized to sprionolactone or placebo groups.Patients were assessed by echocardiography and 6-minute walking test (6MWT) ,plasma aldosterone and NT-proBNP were measured before and 6 months after treatment; serum potassium and creatinine were monitored through the study. ResultsThe E/A and E/E' in spironolactone group were significantly lower than those of control group (1.2±0.7 vs. 1.7±0.6, P=0.007;15.2±2.3vs. 17.7±3.0, P=0.000). No differences were observed in left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)between two groups after treatment. Left ventricular mass index (LVMI) in spironolactone group decreased after theatment [(117 ±27) g/m2 vs.(112 ± 19) g/m2,P = 0.044]. Plasma aldosterone level in spironolactone group after treatment was significantly lower than that of control group [ ( 157 ± 16) ng/L vs.( 165 ± 16) ng/L, P =0. 021 ]. Although there were no differences in plasma NT-proBNP level between two groups after treatment, it decreased significantly comparing with that of before treatment ( P = 0. 000). No differences were observed in serum potassium and creatinine between two groups after treatment. However serum potassium and creatinine in spironolactone group increased significantly after treatment [ ( 83 ± 18 )pmol/Lvs. (87 ± 22) μmol/L, P =0.047; (4.4 ±0.4) mmoL/L vs. (4.5 ±0.6) mmol/L, P =0. 012]. ConclusionSpironolactone can alleviate cardiac remolding and diastolic function in NYHA classⅠ - Ⅱ heart failure patients.

Objective To explore the relationship between interleukin(IL)-13 RS20541 gene polymorphism and susceptibility of enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection in children's hand-foot-mouth disease.Methods Blood samples were collected from 123 children with EV71 infection from the Central Hospital of Xiangtan (experimental group),and they were divided into mild EV71 infection group (n =62) and severe EV71 infection group (n =61) according to their severity.And 52 healthy children without EV71 infection were selected as the controls,with age and sex matched.Two mL blood samples stored in the-80 ℃ freezer,were collected from all subjects,and DNA was extracted by Beijing ubiolab genetic technology company limited.The SNaPshot was used to determine genotype for G/A polymorphism at RS20541 position of IL-13 gene.SPSS 18.0 software was used to analyze the data.Results IL-13 RS20541 loci had 3 genotypes:AA,GA,GG;the frequency of AA,GA,GG in the experimental group was 4.07％,44.71％,51.22％,which was significantly lower than that in the healthy control group (the frequency of AA,GA,GG were 11.54％,32.69％,55.77％),there was no statistically significant difference in genotypes (x2 =4.676,P ＞ 0.05);there was no statistically significant difference in allele frequency (the frequency of A,G in experimental group was 26.42 ％,73.58 ％,and that of the healthy control group was 27.88 ％,72.12 ％;x2 =0.080,P ＞ 0.05).EV71 infection caused by mild group,severe group and healthy controls genotype frequencies between the 3 groups [(AA + GA) were 53.22％,44.26％,44.23％;GG were 46.78％,55.74％,55.77％;x2 =1.294,P ＞ 0.05] and allele frequency (A were 30.65％,22.13％,27.88％;G were 69.35％,77.87％,72.12％;x2 =2.349,P ＞ 0.05) among the mild group,severe group and healthy control group had no statistical significance.Conclusion There is no correlation between the IL-13RS20541 gene polymorphism and EV 71 infection in children with the hand-foot-mouth disease.

Objective:To analyse the role of Bcl-6/Blimp-1/IL-21 in pathogenesis of primary Sj?gren′s syndrome(PSS),the relationship between Bcl-6/Blimp-1/IL-21 expression and labial gland biopsy grading.Methods:Immunohistochemical(IHC) method was used to detect the expression of Bcl-6/Blimp-1 in salivary gland between 30 cases pations with PSS in disease group and 11 cases patients with mucous cyst,lower lip trauma in control group,and the serum IL-21 levels between disease group of 40 cases patients with PSS and 30 cases healthy volunteers were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay( ELISA) ,relations among 15 patients with IL-21 expression levels with labial gland biopsy grading.Results:The expression levels of Bcl-6/Blimp-1/IL-21 in disease group were higher than control group;in disease group,with pathological grades increased,the expression levels of Bcl-6/Blimp-1/IL-21 were also raised.Conclusion:①Bcl-6/Blimp-1/IL-21 may participate in the pathogenesis of PSS;Bcl-6/Blimp-1/IL-21 is associated with infiltration lymphocytes of salivary gland.

Purpose To explore the 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging features of adrenal lymphoma and to improve the diagnosis of this disease.Materials and Methods A total of 13 cases with pathology-proven adrenal lymphoma and PET/CT examinationfrom December 2012 to March 2016 were retrospectively reviewed,The contents including the extent,shape,size and density of the adrenal lymphoma as well as the SUVmax value and affected lymph gland were recorded.The region of interesting (ROI) was delineated with the SUVmax value being calculated,which was compared with pathological diagnosis.Results All 13 cases were non-Hodgkins lymphoma,12 of which were secondary lymphoma,with the other case being primary lymphoma.Nine cases were diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL);2 cases were mantle cell lymphoma;2 cases were NK/T-cell lymphoma.In 10 cases there were bilateral adrenal involvement,and unilateral involvement in 3 casesincluding on 2 the left and 1 on the right.A total of 23 adrenal glands were involved,with soft masses in 13,soft nodules in 8 and adrenal thickening in 2.The lesions were well-defined in 10 cases.In 3 cases there were cystic changes or necrosis.No hemorrhage,calcification or fat was identified.Extra-adrenal involvement was discovered in 9 cases.Lymphadenopathy was seen in 10 cases involving the neck,mediastinum and retroperitoneum.Adrenal lesions showed intense FDG uptake on PET/CT with SUVmax ranging from 5.7 to 30.8 and mean SUVmax of 15.8±8.9.Conclusion Most of the adrenal lymphoma cases were diffuse large B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.The features of PET/CT include bilateral involvement,well-defined soft tissue mass with intense FDG uptake.PET/CT can differentiate primary and secondary adrenal lymphoma and help with treatment planning.