AIM: To investigate the effect oferythropoietin (EPO) on the rats with heart failure (HF) in hypothermia and to explore its underlying mechanism.METHODS: The Sprague-Dawley rats (n=80) were randomly divided into five groups: control group (CON group), HF in low-temperature group (HFLT group), HF in normal temperature group (HFNT group), HF with EPO in low temperature group (HFLT+EPO group), and HF with EPO and LY2940002 in low temperature group (HFLT+EPO+LY group).All rats were housed in artifitial climate chamber.The animals in CON, HFLT, HFLT+EPO and HFLT+EPO+LY groups were under the low-temperature environment, while those in HFNT group were under normal temperature.The heart function was evaluated by echocardiography.The rats were then executed and the hearts were harvested.The apoptosis of myocytes was assessed by TUNEL method.The mRNA expression of Fas and PI3K was detected by fluorescence quantitative PCR (qPCR) and the protein levels of HSP70, Akt and p-Akt in the myocardial tissues were determined by Western blot.RESULTS: The rat cardiac functions in HFLT group were significantly deteriorated compared with HFNT group.The cardiac functions in HFLT+EPO group were improved compared with HFLT group.The cardiac functions in HFLT+EPO+LY group were significantly pejorated compared with HFLT+EPO group.The apoptotic index of the myocardium in HFLT group and HFNT group was significantly higher than that in CON group (P<0.01).The apoptotic index of the myocardium in HFLT group was significantly higher than that in HFNT group (P<0.05).The apoptotic index of the myocardium in HFLT+EPO group was significantly lower than that in HFLT group (P<0.01).The mRNA expression of Fas in HFLT group was significantly higher than that in HFNT group, and no obvious difference of the mRNA expression level of PI3K between HFLT group and HFNT group was observed.The mRNA expression of PI3K in HFLT+EPO group was significantly lower than that in HFLT group and HFLT+EPO+LY group (P<0.05), and that in HFLT+EPO group was significantly higher than that in HFLT group and HFLT+EPO+LY group (P<0.05).The protein levels of p-Akt and HSP70 in HFLT+EPO group was also higher than those in HFLT group and HFLT+EPO+LY group (P<0.05), and no obvious difference of the protein levels of p-Akt and HSP70 in CON, HFLT and HFNT groups was found.The protein level of Akt had no significant difference in each group.CONCLUSION: The pathway of PI3K/Akt may be one of the cardioprotective ways of EPO.EPO activates the PI3K/Akt pathway, upregulates the experssion of HSP70 (an endogenous protective factor) and inhibits the apoptosis, thus protecting the cardiac functions in the rats with HF in hypothermia.

Purpose:To explore the clinical and pathological characters and immunophenotype of 2 cases nasal type extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma primarily derived from adrenal gland.Methods:The clinical and pathological features of the 2 cases were analyzed and the immunostaining for UCHL-1,CD43,CD3,CD56,TIA-1 and LMP1 was performed using EnVision TM . IgH and TCR? gene rearrangement was analyzed by using PCR techniques.Results:Both patients were male and aged 50 and 51. Occupying masses in their right adrenal glands was detected. The two tumors showed similar morphological features, composing of small to middle sized and multi formed cells and growing invasive. Inflammatory background,necrosis and vessel involvement were seen. Positive surface staining of UCHL-1,CD43,CD56 and cytoplasma staining of CD3 was demonstrated. TIA-1 and LMP1 expression was also detected. No clonal rearrangement in both IgH and TCR? genes was detected.Conclusions:Nasal type extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma can occur primarily in adrenal gland. It should be distinguished from other small cell malignant tumor of this site.

Pulse waves contain abundant physiological and pathological information of human body. Research of the relationship between pulse wave and human cardiovascular physiological parameters can not only help clinical diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, but also contribute to develop many new medical instruments. Based on the traditional double elastic cavity model, the human cardiovascular system was established by using the electric network model in this paper. The change of wall pressure and blood flow in artery was simulated. And the influence of the peripheral resistance and vessel compliance to the distribution of blood flow in artery was analyzed. The simulation results were compared with the clinical monitoring results to predict the physiological and pathological state of human body. The result showed that the simulation waveform of arterial wall pressure and blood flow was stabile after the second cardiac cycle. With the increasing of peripheral resistance, the systolic blood pressure of artery increased, the diastolic blood pressure had no significant change, and the pulse pressure of artery increased gradually. With the decreasing of vessel compliance, the vasoactivity became worse and the pulse pressure increased correspondingly. The simulation results were consistent with the clinical monitoring results. The increasing of peripheral resistance and decreasing of vascular compliance indicated that the incidence of hypertension and atherosclerosis was increased.
Aorta ; Arteries ; physiology ; Atherosclerosis ; Blood Pressure ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Electricity ; Heart ; physiology ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Models, Cardiovascular ; Vascular Resistance

Objective To investigate the effect of the Senlm of patients with congestive heart failure(CHF) on the apoptosis of endothelial progentior eelts(EPCs)and protective role of carvedil01.Method Totally 20 patientswithCHF、^mre enrolledfromDepartment ofCardiology ofthe FirstHospital Affdiated ofNanchangUniversity between June and August 2007.Serum WflflL isolatedfrom blood ofthe patients.1lononuelear cells were isolated from blood of20 healthy volunteers by density gradient centrifugation.Attaching cells wel-e harvested after culture for 7 relays and the EPCs were anyzea by flow cytometry and immunofluorescenee method.EPCs were divided into 4 groups:group A,cultured in sE-of volunteers;group B,cultured in serum of CHF;group C,cultured in leNlm of CFIF and Carvedilol;group D,cultured in,erum of CI-IF and metoproM,After euhure for 24 hours,annex.inV/PI wss used to investigate the apoptosis rate ofEPCs and the activity ofcllspafle 3 were exanlilled.ELISA Wills used to detect the level of flerum TNF-a of patients with CHF.Multiple group compalrion Wills conducted with variance analvsis and q test.Results The apoptosis rate and easpase 3 activity of EPCs in group B[(7.5 4-0.9)%v8.(3.0 4-0.25)]were significantly ineased compared with group A[(3.4±0.7)%VS.(1.37±0.2),P

BACKGROUND:The benefit of cell therapy may be partly due to the secretion of angiogenic and antiapoptotic growth factors.Whether amniotic fluid stem cells (AFS) could secrete some growth factors requires further studies.OBJECTIVE:To isolate and culture AFS cells,and explore the angiogenic or antiapoptotic effect of cytokines secreted by AFS on endothelial cells.DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING:A in vitro cytological experiment was performed at the Institute of Hypertensive Disease,First Affiliated Hospital,Nanchang University from December 2008 to June 2009.MATERIALS:Term amniotic fluid of ten samples,50 mL/case,was obtained following caesarean delivery.The umbilical vein was used to isolate endothelial cells.Written informed content was obtained from all women.METHODS:AFS isolated from human amniotic fluid was cultured and digested by trypsin at confluence of 80%.The third passage of cells at a density of 5×10~8/L were divided into two groups:hypoxia group:the cells were cultured in 2% O_2 + 5% CO_2 +93% N_2;normal group:the cells were cultured in 5% CO_2 + 95% air.Two groups were cultured at 37 ℃ for 24 hours.The supematant of two groups was collected.The second passage of human umbilical vein endothelial cells cultured in vitro was collected and seeded onto 12-well culture plate at a density of 2×10~4 cells/well,and divided into 3 groups:control group was cultured in 2 mL EBM-2 containing 5% fetal bovine serum (FBS);normal group was cultured in 1 mL EBM-2 containing 5% FBS and 1 mL AFS cell culture solution;hypoxia group was cultured in 1 mL EBM-2 containing 5% FBS and 1 mL hypoxia AFS cell culture solution for 3 days,followed by incubation with 10 μg/L tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:AFS surface phenotype was examined by flow cytometry;the secretion level and mRNA expression of vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) were examined by ELISA or RT-PCR.The proliferation and apoptotic rates of endothelial cells were examined.RESULTS:AFS cells were long fusiform-shaped and arranged radially after 7 days of culture.The third passage of AFS cells expressed CD29 and CD105 while did not express CD34.AFS cells of normal culture secreted VEGF and HGF;AFS cells of hypoxia condition significantly increased secrete of VEGF (P＜0.01),and VEGF mRNA expression was significantly upregulated (P＜0.05),while HGF and mRNA expression remained unchanged (P＞0.05).Compared with control group,the number of endothelial cells was significantly increased in normal and hypoxia AFS cell groups after 3 days of culture (P＜0.05).After cocultured with TNF-α for 24 hours,the apoptosis rates of endothelial cells in AFS-conditioned medium was significantly decreased (P ＜ 0.05),and the change degree of hypoxia AFS cell group was greater than normal AFS cell group (P ＜ 0.05).CONCLUSION:AFS can secrete cytokines such as VEGF and HGF.Moreover,it significantly promotes endothelial cells proliferation and inhibits apoptosis.Under hypoxia condition,the secretion of VEGF from AFS cells is increased,and the effects on endothelial cells proliferation and apeptosis are enhanced.

BACKGROUND: Knee arthroplasty can correct the joint deformity, alleviate the pain and improve the joint function,thereby improving the patients' quality of life. Early rehabilitative training is the key to the functional recovery of the joint.OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effectiveness of early gait training on the rehabilitation of patients after knee arthroplasty.METHODS: Eighty-six cases undergoing unilateral knee arthroplasty in the Department of Sports Medicine were selected and randomly divided into experimental and control groups (n=43 per group). The experimental group wasgiven rehabilitation instruction before operation, and the gait training was carried out just after the operation. The patients in the control group only received the basic rehabilitation training. The Visual Analogue Scale and the Hospital for Special Surgery scores were evaluated at baseline and 2, 4, and 8 weeks, and 6 months postoperatively, and the clinical effectiveness was compared between two groups.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The range of motion of the knee in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group at 4 and 8 weeks, and 6 months postoperatively (P < 0.05). (2) At 8 weeks and 6 months postoperatively, the Visual Analogue Scale scores in the two groups both were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). (3) At 2 weeks postoperatively, the Hospital for Special Surgery scores in both groups were significantly increased (P < 0.05);the scores at 8 weeks postoperatively in the experimental group were higher than those in the control group (P > 0.05);the scores at 6 months postoperatively in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). (4) These findings suggest that compared with conventional training, early gaiting training can significantly improve the range of motion and pain of the knee, as well as enhance the functional recovery of the knee joint, which exhibits remarkable curative efficacy in the rehabilitation following knee arthroplasty.

Objective:To investigate the effects of ursolic acid (UA) on the proliferation and differentiation of osteoclasts (OC), and to explore its role in orthodontic force-induced root resorption and its relationship with OC.Methods:The mononuclear / macrophage cells RAW264.7 were induced to the OC.Tacrolimus acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining and bone resorption lacunae observation were used to identify the induction.CCK-8 method was used to select the appropriate concentration of UA for RAW264.7 cell-free biotoxicity and to observe its effect on the proliferation and differentiation of RAW264.7.In experimental groups, UA with gradient concentrations (1.0,2.5,5.0,10.0,20.0and 40.0 μmol·L-1)were added.UA was not added in control group.Results:The TRAP staining and bone resorption lacunae observation showed that after the RAW264.7 cells were induced for 5 d, the TRAP staining positive cells were found;the resorption lacunae were rounded,and oval, etc,the bottom wall was coarser,and the boundary was clear,which indicated that the RAW264.7 cells were successfully differentiated into the osteoclasts.The CCK-8 detection results showed that high concentration of UA (> 10.0 μmol·L-1) significantly inhibited the proliferation of OC;the appropriate concentration of UA (5.0 μmol·L-1) was in the biological safety concentration range and could inhibit the OC proliferation;low concentration of UA (<2.5 μmol·L-1) had no effect.Conclusion:RANKL can induce the differentiation and maturation of RAW264.7 cells.UA is correlated with the proliferation and differentiation of OC;UA has inhibitory effect on OC at the appropriate concentration (5.0 μmol·L-1) in a time-dependent manner.

AIM: To investigate the effect and the mechanism of apolipoprotein (a) [apo (a) ] on proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells ( VSMCs). METHODS: All VSMCs used in experiments were serial subcultured from primary cells and were identified by immunohistochemistry staining of a - actin. Cell growth assay was observed as cell counting and MTT assay. Western blotting was also employed to detect the related mechanism. RESULTS: All cells used in experiments were confirmed as VSMCs. Although apo (a) enhanced VSMCs proliferation, this effect was attenuated by anti -integrin α_vβ_3, LM609.Use these reagents alone had no effect on VSMCs growth. The results of Western blotting demonstrated that focal adhesion kinase (FAK) was activated by apo (a) and the expression of total or phosphorylated transforming growth factor β_1 (TGF -β_1) was also decreased. However, these effects described above were all blocked by LM609.CONCLUSION: Apolipoprotein (a) enhances VSMCs proliferation and this effect is mediated by integrin α_vβ_3, which activates FAK and attenuates TGF - β_1 and phospho -TGF - β_1 expression.

OBJECTIVETo examine the oral health status among the orphan children and adolescents of Chongqing and assist in planning of the oral health programs.

METHODSAccording to the third national oral health investigation of epidemiology, the dental caries, gingival bleeding and calculus was examined among 317 orphan living in Chongqing, by cluster sampling. The statistical software SPSS 17.0 was used for the data analysis.

RESULTSIn primary and permanent teeth, the prevalence of dental caries and mean DMFT (dmft) were found to be 50.00%, 1.94 +/- 2.81 and 39.53%, 0.90 +/- 1.38. There were no significant difference between female and male (P>0.05). But there was significant difference of the prevalence of permanent tooth caries between the age group under 12 (include 12) and above 12 (P < 0.05). It was also found that 35.25% of the orphan children and adolescents had caries in the first permanent molar, and there was significant difference between female and male (P < 0.05). Neither of the caries teeth above was treated nor the healthy teeth were sealed. The prevalence rate of gingival bleeding was 78.22%, and the calculus rate was 67.66%.

CONCLUSIONThe oral status of the orphan is poor, and this community has experienced a low utilization of preventive or therapeutic oral health services. In the future work, orphans should be considered as a priority group when make plans for oral health care.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; DMF Index ; Dental Caries ; Dentition, Permanent ; Female ; Health Status ; Humans ; Male ; Molar ; Oral Health ; Prevalence

Objective To compare the therapeutic effect between Kirschner wire- loop plating and clavicular hook plate in the treatment of distal clavicle fractures. Methods Forty- two patients with type Neer Ⅱ distal clavicle fracture were selected, among whom 23 patients were treated with Kirschner wire- loop plating (group A), and 19 patients were treated with clavicular hook plate (group B). The operative time, fluoroscopy time, length of incision, intra- operative bleeding volume and hospitalization time etc were recorded. The patients were followed up at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after operation. The American shoulder and elbow society (ASES) score was evaluated, and the therapeutic effect was evaluated by Karlsson standard. Results The operative time and fluoroscopy time in group B were significantly lower than those in group A: (63.5 ± 12.4) min vs. (71.5 ± 11.1) min and (3.6 ± 1.9) s vs. (4.8 ± 1.5) s, but the intra- operative bleeding volume, length of incision and cases of postoperative shoulder pain in group A were significantly lower than those in group B:(91.5 ± 18.5) ml vs. (108.7 ± 32.5) ml, (6.6 ± 0.7) cm vs. (11.3 ± 0.9) cm and 2 cases vs. 14 cases, and there were statistical differences (P<0.05 or <0.01). There was no statistical difference in hospitalization time between 2 groups (P>0.05). There was no statistical difference in ASES score at 6 weeks and 3 months after operation between 2 groups (P>0.05); but the ASES score at 6 and 12 months in group A was significantly higher than that in group B: (89.9 ± 12.6) scores vs. (79.7 ± 12.6) scores and (96.1 ± 4.8) scores vs. (86.1 ± 12.4) scores, and there was statistical difference (P<0.05 or <0.01). There was no statistical difference in the cases of good and excellent at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months after operation (P>0.05);but the cases of good and excellent at 12 months in group A was significantly more than that in group B:23 cases vs. 13 cases, and there was statistical difference (P<0.05). Conclusions Kirschner wire- loop plating provides a new treatment option for type Neer Ⅱ distal clavicle fractures. It is conducive to decrease the incidence of shoulder pain and improve the range of motion of should joint. Besides, this technology has advantage of small incision, relatively simple operation steps and small damage to the surrounding soft tissues of the acromioclavicular joint. It may be superior to the clavicular hook plate.