PurposeTo evaluate the effect of right ventricular septum (RVS) and right ventricular apex (RVA) pacing on the left atrial systolic function in patients with atrioventricular block by using real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT-3DE).Materials and Methods Fifty-one patients with atrioventricular block who were candidates for implanted atrioventricular sequential pacemaker were randomly divided into RVS group (n=31) and RVA group (n=20). The minimum left atrium volume (LAVmin), maximum left atrium volume (LAVmax), and left atrium volume before contraction (LAVprep) were measured by RT-3DE at pre-operation, the 1st month, 3rd month, 6th month, and 12th month after pacemaker implantation. Accordingly, the left atrial total ejection fraction (LATEF) and the left atrial active ejection fraction (LAAEF) were calculated.Results The LAVmin at the 3rd month, 6th month, 12th month after implantation were significantly lower than that at the 1st month and pre-operation in both groups (RVA group:t=2.97 and 2.74,P<0.05; RVS group:t=3.24 and 2.86,P<0.05). LAVprep at the 6th month, 12th month in RVA group, and LAVprep at the 3rd month, 6th month, 12th month in RVS group reduced when compared with that of pre-operation (RVA group:t=3.20,P<0.05; RVS group:t=2.71,P<0.05). LATEF and LAAEF in both groups at the 3rd month, 6th month, 12th month increased when compared with that of pre-operation (RVA group:t=2.87 and 9.68,P<0.05; RVS group:t=3.56 and 8.22,P<0.05). The LATEF and LAAEF in RVS group at the 6th month and 12th month after implantation were significantly larger than that in RVA group at the same time (t=2.90, 5.22, 3.03 and 3.55, P<0.05).Conclusion Atrioventricular sequential pacing is helpful to recovering the left atrial systolic function in patients with atrioventricular block. Compared with RVA pacing, RVS pacing is able to increase LATEF and LAAEF more greatly.

AIM: To investigate the mechanism of gend er difference in sotalol-induced torsade de pointes (TdP) in rabbits in vitro. METHODS: 40 rabbits of both sexes were divided into two groups: low concentration (1?10 -5 mol/L d-sotalol) group and high concentration (1?10 -4 mol/L d-sotalol) group. With the monophasic action potential (MAP ) recording technique, MAP of epicardium, midmyocardium and endocardium were sim ultaneously recorded by specially designed plunge-needle electrodes across the l eft ventricular free wall of rabbit hearts purfused by Langendorff method. TdP w as induced by bradycardia, d-sotalol and low-K+, Mg 2+ tyrode solution. RESULTS: d-sotalol prolonged the duration of 90% repolarizat ion (MAPD 90) of epicardium, midmyocardium and endocardium in a concentration-d ependent manner and the effect on midmyocardium was the most obvious. In low con centration group, MAPD 90 of midmyocardium of male rabbit heart increased f rom (222?11) ms to (230?10) ms and that of female rabbit heart increased from (263?12) ms to (281?12) ms. In high concentration group, MAPD 90 of midmy ocardium of male rabbit heart increased from (217?10) ms to (296?18) ms and th at of female rabbit heart increased from (258?10) ms to (368?19) ms. There was no difference in TDR between male and female rabbit hearts before perfusion wit h d-sotalol. D-sotalol prolonged TDR in a concentration-dependent manner. In low concentration group, TDR of male and female rabbit hearts was (20.0?5.1) ms and (28.0?5.6) ms. In high concentration group, TDR of male and female rabbit hearts was (38.0?4.8) ms and (55.0?7.7) ms, respectively. There was EAD i n 6 female hearts while no EAD develop ed in male heart and no TdP developed in low concentration group. In high concen tration group, 10 female, 9 male hearts developed EAD, 9 female and 3 male he arts developed TdP. CONCLUSION: The greater TDR induced by d-sotalol in female may b e responsible for the higher incidence of TdP of female rabbit heart.

Objective To investigate the effect of all trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) combining with Interferon α-2a on bladder tumor and the possible mechanisms. Methods Fifty female Wistar rats with bladder tumor were established and separated into 4 groups randomly that are DMSO group (A), IFN-α-2a group(B), ATRA group(C) and ATRA+IFN-α-2a group(D). Then each group was treated by drugs indicated. Finally, the weight of bladder, the stage and grade of tumor, the apoptosis and proliferation index of tumor were determined to estimate the effect of ATRA+IFN-α-2a. Results The body weights in group D are the highest and the bladder weights in group D are the lowest. The stages and grades of tumor in group D were statistically decreased compared with those in the other 3 groups. Accordingly, the apoptosis of cancer cells in group D was enhanced, whereas the proliferation index in group D was decreased significandy. Conclusion The effect of ATRA combined with Interferonα-2a on the bladder tumor is better than that of monotherapy.

Objective To investigate the effect of platelet-derived growth factor-D (PDGF-D) on the prostate cancer cells migration and its possible mechanism. Methods The expressions of PDGF-D in LNCaP and PC-3 cells were detected with western blot.PDGF-D siRNA was synthesized according to mRNA sequence of PDGF-D gene and was transfected into PC-3 cell.The cells were treated with PDGF-D and PDGF-D siRNA,the cell migration was examined by Boyden chamber migration assay.The expression changes of VEGF and MMP-9 mRNA were detected by RT-PCR. Results The results of western blot indicated that the PDGF-D protein expression level was lower in LNCaP cells (29.47 ± 1.68) than that in PC-3 cells (63.43 ±2.10),(P ＜ 0.05).PDGF-D siRNA could down-regulate the PDGF-D protein expression in the transfected group (35.19 ± 1.51).The exogenous PDGF-D could promote migration of LNCaP and PC-3cells,and up-regulate the expression of VEGF,MMP-9 mRNA in PC-3 cells (P ＜ 0.05,compared with control group).PDGF-D siRNA inhibited PC-3 cells' migration and decreased the level of VEGF,MMP-9mRNA expression (0.72 ± 0.09 vs 0.43 ± 0.18,0.65 ±0.07 vs 0.22 ± 0.08) (P ＜ 0.05). Conclusion PDGF-D is involved in the promotion of prostate cancer invasion and angiogenesis.

Abdominal Wall ; pathology ; Chondrosarcoma ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Soft Tissue Neoplasms ; pathology

Objective: To investigate the predictive value of protein C(PC) for long-term mortality of patients with community-acquired pneumonia(CAP). Methods: A total of 657 patients with CAP were enrolled in Taian Central Hospital from January 2011 to December 2011.The patients were divided into short-term group(≤30 days), medium-term group(>30~90 days) and long-term group(>90 days). PC, high sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP), procalcitonin(PCT), pneumonia severity index(PSI) score and CURB-65 score were measured at the time of admission.The ROC curve was used to evaluate the independent risk factors.The Kaplan-Meier survival function curve was used to analyze the difference of mortality between the short-term group and long-term group.Independent risk factors for CAP risk were analyzed by COX regression. Results: A total of 597 cases were followed up, there were 49 cases(8.09%) in the short-term group, 11 cases(1.84%) in the medium-term group, and 537 cases(89.93%) in the long-term group.The PC levels in the short-term group, medium-term group and long-term group were (32.2±10.6)%, (43.1±9.9)%, (69.6±23.0)%, respectively.The level of PC was significantly increased in the short-term group compared with the medium-term group and long-term group (short-term group vs.medium-term group, q=6.18, P<0.05, short-term group vs.long-term group, q=9.87, P<0.05). The hs-CRP levels in the short-term group, medium-term group and long-term group were (108.1±22.4)mg/L, (68.2±12.9)mg/L, (25.1±17.1)mg/L, respectively.The level of hs-CRP was significantly increased in the short-term group compared with the medium-term group and long-term group (short-term group vs.medium-term group, q=5.23, P<0.05, short-term group vs.long-term group, q=12.95, P<0.05). Meanwhile, PC showed higher accuracy(AUC, 0.889) than CURB-65(AUC, 0.828) and hs-CRP(AUC, 0.711) in the long-term group.The Kaplan-Meier survival function curve showed that the mortality rate was significantly higher in the high-value group compared with the low-value group(F=17.10, P<0.01). PC was an independent factor for long-term mortality and was associated with poorer survival by the COX regression analysis. Conclusion PC has a high predictive value for long-term mortality in CAP patients.

Objective To know the quality of iodized salt and the current situation of the salt coverage in Tibet,and to provide scientific basis for proposing proper prevention and control measures to Iodine dificiency disorders(IDD). Methods In 2008, according to the "Sampling Methods of the Main Products in the Salt Industry",one batch fifteen salt samples were collected in iodized salt processing factory in Tibet. Five townships were chosen in each county based on 5 different directions of east, south, west, north and center. If the monitoring county has less than five townships, then all of the townships were sampled. In each township, four villages were selected withrandom sampling and importance sampling. In each township, 15 households were selected for salt collection. Results A batch of 15 salt samples in a salt processing plant were tested, and all of them were qualified with salt iodine(34.6±1.58) mg/kg. A total of 21 107 edible salt samples were tested, and 11 203 of them were qualified iodized salt. These results meant that the provincial iodized salt coverage rate was 53.08%. Shannan iodized salt coverage rate was 94.31% (3395/3600) which was the highest in Tibet. Those of Nagqu, Changdu, Ngari were lower, they were 29.84% (897/3006), 24.94% (823/3300) and 17.08% (205/1200), respectively. Conclusions The quality of iodized salt in Tibet is up to the national standard, but the coverage rate of iodized salt is very low.We suggest that the strategy should be carried out according to the national overall program strategy and supplement iodized oil capsule for special groups.

This study was undertaken to investigate the anti-lymphocytic malignacy immunologic effects induced by TCR idiotypic DNA vaccine on BALB/c mice. CEM lymphoma cell line and BALB/c mice were used as models. The rearrangement gene fragment coding TCR Vbeta region of CEM cell line was obtained by RT-PCR technique. The PCR product was cloned into the eukaryocytic expression vector pcDNA3 to be used as DNA vaccine. The experimental animals were immunized by intramuscular injection with DNA vaccine. The specific anti-idiotypic antibody was detected by indirect immunofluorescence assay. The specific anti-idiotypic cellular immunity was detected by CTL activity assay using MTT method. The results showed that specific anti-idiotypic antibody in the immunized mice sera could be found since four weeks after immunization and came to the peak of titer on the sixth week. Using IL-6 as immunological adjuvant could significantly increase the antibody titers. It was concluded that the TCR idiotypic DNA vaccine could induce effectively the specific anti-lymphoma idiotypic antibody in BALB/c mice. Using IL-6 as immunological adjuvant could significantly increase the antibody titers induced by idiotipic DNA vaccine.

OBJECTIVETo detect the expression of RhoC and Rho kinase 1 (ROCK-1) in prostate carcinoma, and explore the possible mechanism of RhoC/ROCK-1 in the pathogenesis of prostate carcinoma.

METHODSTissue specimens from 73 patients with prostate carcinoma and corresponding paracancerous tissues were obtained by prostate cancer biopsy or radical prostatectomy. The expression of RhoC/ROCK-1 mRNA was detected by RT-PCR. Western blot and immunohistochemistry were performed to dertect the expression of RhoC/ROCK-1 protein. Eukaryotic expression plasmids of RhoC were constructed and transfected into PC-3M-2B4 cells. p-MAPK and p-Akt were detected by Western bolt.

RESULTSThe expression levels of RhoC and ROCK-1 mRNA in the prostate carcinomas were significantly higher than those in corresponding paracancerous tissues [72.6% (53/73) vs. 34.2% (25/73); 68.5% (50/73) vs. 38.4% (28/73), P < 0.01], respectively. The results indicated that RhoC/ROCK-1 mRNA expression had no significant correlation with Gleason grade. However, the expression of RhoC/ROCK-1 mRNA showed a significant positive correlation with distant metastasis. The RhoC/ROCK-1 protein expression in prostate cancer was also higher than corresponding paracancerous tissues, and showed a significant positive correlation with p-MAPK and p-Akt expression levels. In addition, p-MAPK and p-Akt expression levels were up-regulated in the transcripts.

CONCLUSIONExpression levels of RhoC and ROCK-1 in prostate carcinoma are higher than those in corresponding paracancerous tissues, showing a significant positive correlation with distant metastasis. RhoC/ROCK-1 may be involved in the development, invasion and metastasis of prostate carcinoma.

Bone Neoplasms ; metabolism ; secondary ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; Male ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Grading ; Neoplasm Staging ; Phosphorylation ; Prostatectomy ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Transfection ; Up-Regulation ; rho GTP-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; rho-Associated Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism ; rhoC GTP-Binding Protein

To investigate the correlation between methylation and expression of multidrug resistance (mdr1) gene, restriction endonuclease HpaII combined with competitive PCR technique was used to quantitatively detect the methylation status of two CCGG sites located at -110 and -50 bp (region I and II) up to the transcription start site in mdr1 promoter in 54 AL and 9 MM patients. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR was used to detect the expression level of mdr1 gene. The results showed that inverse correlation between methylation rate of either region or total methylation rate and expression of mdr1 gene was observed. The correlation in the region I (r = -0.64) was closer than that in the region II (r = -0.4). High expression rate of mdr1 ascended significantly in low methylation group (n = 36) (P < 0.001). In comparison with chemotherapy sensitive group (n = 8), the methylation rate in refractory AL patients (n = 16) was lower (P = 0.05) in the region I, P < 0.05 in the region II and total regions. Comparing with the untreated patients (n = 36), the methylation rate in the region I and total methylation rate were lower in the patients with chemotherapy (n = 14) (P < 0.05). The methylation rate in the region II was also decreased after chemotherapy, however, no statistical significance was shown (P > 0.05). Increased mdr1 expression level accompanying with decreased methylation rate after chemotherapy was found, although no significant difference was shown (P = 0.06). It is concluded that the expression level of mdr1 gene was associated with the methylation status of CCGG in -110 and -50 bp upstream to the transcription start site, especially the -110 site. In both the patients treated with chemotherapy and the refractory patients, the methylation level of mdr1 gene decreased relatively. The rising expression of mdr1 gene after chemotherapy was associated with the decrease of methylation level.
DNA Methylation ; Genes, MDR ; Hematologic Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Humans ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction