Aim To study the role of calcineurin signal transduction pathway in the anti-hypertrophic effect of L-arginine in vivo and in vitro.Methods The hypertrophic effects was assayed by calculating the right ventricular hypertrophy index(RVHI=right ventricle weight/left ventricle and septum weight),and atrial natriuretic peptide(ANP)mRNA expression in rat right ventricle hypertrophy model induced by monocrotaline(MCT) or by measuring the cell diameter,protein content,and ANP mRNA expression in hypertrophic cardiomyocyte induced by prostaglandin F2?(PGF2?).For mechanism studies,the intracellular free calcium concentration([Ca2+]i) in cultured cardiomyocytes was measured by using Fura 2/AM as a fluorescent indicator.ANP and CaN mRNA expressions,and expressions of CaN and its downstream effectors,NFAT3 and GATA4 proteins were assayed by RT-PCR and Western blot,respectively,in vivo and in vitro.Results In MCT-hypertrophic model,prevention-and treatment-administration of L-arginine,a nitric oxide(NO) precursor,200 mg?kg-1?d-1,could obviously inhibit the elevated RVHI and ANP mRNA expression;similar to that found in vivo.Addition of L-arginine 1 mmol?L-1 could markedly inhibit the increased cell diameter,protein content and the expression of ANP mRNA in the hypertrophic cardiomyocyte induced by PGF2? 100 nmol?L-1,and it could also decrease the elevated [Ca2+]i in vitro;notably,the above dose or concentration of L-arginine could blunt the elevated expressions of calcineurin mRNA and the calcineurin-,NFAT3-,GATA4-proteins induced by MCT or by PGF2?.These effects of L-arginine were blocked by NG-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester,a NO synthase inhibitor,in vivo and in vitro.Conclusion These results suggest that calcineurin signal transduction pathway may play an important role in the NO-induced inhibition of cardiac hypertrophy.The anti-hypertrophic effects of L-arginine may involve the decrease of [Ca2+]i,and then inhibit the activated calcineurin pathway,through the release of NO.

Objective To assess the diagnostic value of chronotropic index in identifying coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods One hundred and sixty two patients with suspected CAD were referred for a routine treadmill exercise electrocardiogram and subsequently underwent selective coronary angiography within 3 weeks. The magnitude of ST segment depression and chronotropic index were measured by a computerized ECG system. CAD was defined by coronary angiography. Results In detecting CAD, the sensitivity was 70. 1% versus 60.9% (P< 0.05) ,the specificity was 84.0% versus 73.3% (P<0.05), and the accuracy was 76.5% versus 66.7% (P< 0.05) by chronotropic index and standard electrocardiographic test criteria. The value of Kappa statistic for chrono-tropic index consistency in our experiment was 0.534(>0.4). The number of diseased vessels was correlated with the mean value of chronotropic index. The chronotropic index decreased from 0.88±0.09 in patients without coro-nary disease to 0.68±0.06 in those with 3 vessels involved (P<0.01). A more closed relationship was found be-tween chronotropic index and lesion in the fight coronary artery. Conclusions Chronotropic index is possibly a valu-able positive index for the diagnosis of CAD. The sensitivity,specificity and accuracy of chronotropic index are signif-icandy higher than those of standard electrocardiographic test criteria in identifying CAD.

Aim To study the absorption kinetics of se-ries molecular weight 5-ASA-mPEG in rats intestine. Methods The in situ intestinal absorption property of 5-ASA-mPEG in rats was investigated by means of sin-gle-pass perfusion, and HPLC method was established to determine the drug concentration in the perfusate. Results The drug concentration and the site of intes-tine segments had little effect on the drug absorption constant ( Ka ) and apparent absorption coefficient (Papp). The perfusion flow rate and the variable mo-lecular weight of 5-ASA-mPEG could significantly af-fect the Ka and Papp. Conclusion 5-ASA-mPEG can be absorbed at all segments of the intestine of rats and has no specific absorption site. It is preliminarily in-ferred that the absorption mechanism of 5-ASA-mPEG is passive transportation. The intestinal absorption of 5-ASA-mPEG shows a downward trend with the increase in molecular weight. The results shows that the modifi-cation of 5-ASA by PEG can effectively inhibit the in-testinal absorption of mesalazine.

Objective To evaluate the effects of Taoist cognitive psychotherapy on depression of aged patients with cerebral stroke hemiplegia convalescence. Methods Seventy-seven hemiplegia convalescence patients with depression were divided into general treatment group (38 patients, received general back-up psychology therapy) and combined treatment group (39 patients, received general back-up psychology therapy and Taoist cognitive psychotherapy) by random digits table. All patients were treated for 8 weeks and followed up for 6 months. Two groups were evaluated with HAMD and SS-QOL before treatment and at the end of the 2 weeks,4 weeks, 8 weeks and 6 months after treatment. The results were analyzed with statistics. Results In general treatment group, the HAMD scores were gradually decreased, and the HAMD scores of patients after 8 weeks' treatment were significantly lower than those before treatment[(22.35 ± 4.69)scores vs. (29.62 ± 5.95 ) scores,t = 6.425 ,P ＜ 0.01]. At the end of 6 months after treatment, the scores increased [(24.48 ± 4.12 ) scores vs. (22.35 ± 4.69 ) scores, t = 2.014, P ＜ 0.05], but they were lower than those before treatment(t = 4.836, P ＜ 0.01 ). At the end of 6 months after treatment, the SS-QOL scores were lower than those after 8 weeks' treatment (t =2.543,P ＜0.05),but they were higher than those before treatment (t = 2.790,P ＜ 0.05 ). In combined treatment group, the HAMD scores decreased continuously,and the scores after 8 weeks' treatment [(20.08 ± 4.60) scores] and 6 months' treatment [( 15.21 ± 3.42)scores] were significantly lower than those before treatment [( 30.14 ± 4.92 ) scores] (t = 8.341,15.443, P ＜0.01). Meanwhile,the HAMD scores after 6 months'treatment were significantly Iower than those after 8 weeks' treatment (t =4.724,P ＜ 0.01 ). The SS-QOL scores after 8 weeks' treatment [( 117.56 ± 26.22)scores] and 6 months' treatment [(126.57 ±21.82) scores] were significantly higher than those before treatment[(86.54 ± 23.90) scores] (t = 6.716,8.916,P ＜ 0.01 ) ,and there was significantly difference(t=2.378,P ＜ 0.05). The HAMD scores of combined treatment group after 8 weeks' and 6 months' treatment were significantly lower than those of general treatment group at the same time(t = 2.118, P ＜ 0.05 ;t = 8.405,P＜ 0.01 ) ,and SS-QOL scores were significantly higher than those of general treatment group at the same time (t = 3.123,P ＜ 0.05 ;t = 6.580,P ＜ 0.01 ). Conclusions General back-up psychology therapy combined with Taoist cognitive psychotherapy can improve depression and life quality of cerebral stroke hemiplegia convalescence in aged patients. The effects of Taoist cognitive psychotherapy is slower, but it is more beneficial in the long time.

AIM:To detect the existence of signal joint T-cell receptor excision DNA circles(sjTRECs)of 23 TCR V? subfamilies in mononuclear cells of patients with multiple myeloma(MM),and to evaluate the recent thymic emigrants of corresponding V? subfamily nave T cells in MM patients.METHODS:23 TCR V? subfamily sjTRECs were amplified in genomic DNA from 5?104 PBMCs of 12 cases in MM patients by using semi-nest PCR.10 normal individuals served as controls.RESULTS:The number of detectable V? subfamily sjTRECs was 5.00?2.45 from MM patients,as compared with 9.60?5.48 from normal individuals,the difference was significant(P

(0.05)).There had significant difference((25.47)?(8.27) vs(32.40)?(5.86)) between them at the seventh day(P

Objective To evaluate the dosimetric differences of one RapidPlan Model on different Radiotherapy devices.Methods A RapidPlan Model was built based on 30 reoptimization IMRT plans of cervical cancer patients on typeA LA.Dosimetric differences of automatic optimized IMRT plans using this model on 4 different type LAs,named respectivelyA,B,C andD,were compared with 12 test cervical cancer cases.These four LAs were well commissioned in the treatment planning system (TPS).Student t test was applied for statistical analysis on dosimetric differences.Results Dosimetric differences between A vs.B,C and D were observed on Dmean,HI,CI of PTV50 and PTV45,as well as on V50,V40,V30 of rectum and bladder.Significant dosimetric differences were observed between A and D (P<0.05).Conclusions Automatic planning with RapidPlan model may result in dosimetric differences on different Radiotherapy devices.These differences should be aware of with caution in its clinical application.

BACKGROUND:Epithelial cel s are commonly used as the seed cel in tissue engineering;however, there is stil a lack of an effective in vivo noninvasive trace technology. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the feasibility of labeling canine oral epithelial cel s with ultrasmal superparamagnetie iron oxide (USPIO) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in vitro. METHODS:Oral epithelial cel s from beagles were primary cultured, and then labeled by 0.75 mg/L poly-L-lysine combined with USPIO (0, 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 mg/L), respectively. To determine the optimal dosage, the intracel ular iron expression was identified by Prussian blue staining, and the cel viability in different groups was detected by cel counting kit-8. Final y, 2×105 labeled cel s were suspended with 1 mL PBS buffer, and were screened using 3.0 T MR on T2*WI sequences in vitro. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:USPIO prepared with 0.75 mg/L poly-L-lysine could successful y label dog oral epithelial cel s. Prussian blue staining showed intracel ular blue spots, and the intracel ular blue spots became more with the concentration increasing and saturated at the concentration of 25 mg/L. Cel counting kit-8 indicated that the cel viability did not change when the concentration<25 mg/L. Among the T2*WI sequences, the MRI signal intensity decreased with the concentration increasing. In conclusion, canine oral epithelial cel s can be effectively labeled with USPIO making no impact on cel viability when the concentration<25 mg/L, and MRI can be used to track these labeled cel s in vitro.

Objective To observe the effect of monosialoteterahexosyl ganglioside (GM1) combined with Shuxuening injection on nerve function in patients with acute cerebral infarction (ACI) and its mechanism.Methods A total of 94 patients with ACI admitted to the Department of Neurology in Xiangyang First Peoples' Hospital Affiliated to Hubei Medical College from January 2013 to June 2016 were enrolled,and they were divided into two groups by random number table,each group 47 cases.The patients in two groups were all given conventional western medicine treatment;The patients in one group (single group) were treated by intravenous (Ⅳ) drip of GM1,100 mg once a day;and the patients in another group (combined group),by above GM1 Ⅳ drip combined with Shuxuening intramuscular injection,once 2 mL,twice a day;the therapeutic course in two groups was 14 days.Before and after treatment,the changes of China stroke clinical neurological impairment score (CSS score),glasgow coma score (GCS),nerve factor,oxidative stress index and hemodynamics index of two groups were observed.Results Compared with those before treatment,after treatment the CSS score,the levels of neuron specific enolase (NSE),and malondialdehyde (MDA) were significantly lower,while the GCS score,the levels of nerve growth factor (NGF),neurotrophic factor (NTF),maximum blood flow velocity (Vmax),minimum blood flow velocity (Vmin),mean blood flow velocity (Vmean),mean blood flow quantity (Qmean),glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px),catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were all significantly higher in the combined group (all P ＜ 0.05).After treatment,the CSS score,levels of NSE and MDA in the combined group were significantly lower than those of the single group [CSS:11.20 ± 1.78 vs.16.24 ± 1.95,NSE (μg/L):13.17± 1.00 vs.17.68 ± 1.84,MDA (μmol/L):4.14±0.49 vs.5.61 ±0.50,all P ＜ 0.05],GCS score,NGF,NTF,GSH-Px,CAT,SOD,Vmax,Vmin,Vmean and Qmean of the combined group were all significantly higher than those of the single group [GCS:13.68± 1.85 vs.12.01±1.76,NGF (ng/L):88.10±8.83 vs.68.13±7.16,NTF (pg/L):5.13±0.38 vs.3.71±0.30,GSH-Px (U/L):128.13±8.07 vs.103.90±6.58,CAT (U/L):25.74±2.15 vs.19.43± 1.84,SOD (μU/L):94.36±8.00 vs.77.29±7.34,Vmax (cm/min):48.23±3.36 vs.43.17±2.88,Vmin (cm/'min):8.11±0.76 vs.6.85 ± 0.64,Vmean (cm/min):18.69 ± 1.37 vs.15.60 ± 1.24,Qmean (mL/min):9.10 ± 0.74 vs.7.79 ± 0.66,all P ＜ 0.05].Conclusions GM1 combined with Shuxuening injection can improve nerve function in patients with ACI by improving brain blood flow,secreting neurotrophic related factors and inhibiting oxidative stress reaction,thus it has important clinical significance for repairing the damaged nerve function.

Objective To investigate the correlation between cognitive function and cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) in patients with small artery occlusive stroke (SAO).Methods The patients with SAO in Nanjing Stroke Registration Program were recruited from January 2011 to May 2011.The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) was used to conduct the cognitive evaluation.At the same time,conventional MRI sequences and susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) were used to detect CMBs.Results A total of 70 patients with SAO were included in the study,48 of them had abnormal MoCA scores ( ＜26 points) and 22 of them had normal MoCA scores (≥26).The age of patients (t =-2.237,P =0.023),years of education (t =2.297,P =0.029),history of hypertension (x2 =2.297,P =0.025 ),severity of white matter hyperintensities (Z =-3.263,P =0.001) and presence of CMBs (P =0.001) were associated with the abnormal MoCA scores in patients with SAO.Logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for age,sex,white matter lesions,hypertension,diabetes and coronary heart disease,the presence of CMBs (odds ratio 5.648,95％ confidence interval 1.105-28.869; P =0.038) was still an independent risk factor for abnormal MoCA scores.The more serious of CMBs,the lower the MoCA scores (r =- 0.532,P ＜ 0.001 ).In patients with CMBs,the cognitive domain,such as the total MoCA score (t =5.180,P ＜ 0.001 ),visuospatial/executive function (t =3.924,P ＜ 0.001 ) and attention (t =4.309,P ＜ 0.001 ) were impaired significantly.The CMBs at different parts resulted in cognitive impairment in the related fields.Conclusions The numbers of CMBs and their locations were closely associated with cognitive impairment in patients with SAO.