Cardiomyopathy, Dilated ; genetics ; Humans ; NAV1.5 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel ; Sodium Channels ; genetics

Actins ; metabolism ; Adult ; Desmin ; metabolism ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Histiocytoma, Malignant Fibrous ; pathology ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Leiomyoma ; pathology ; Leiomyosarcoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Male ; Mediastinal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Vimentin ; metabolism

Objective To screen for the miR-155 expression in synovial fibroblasts of rheumatoid arthritis (RASFs) and osteoarthritis (OASFs) and to evaluate the function of miR-155 on RASFs and its possible target mRNAs. Methods The expression levels of miR-155 in RASFs and OASFs were detected by real-time PCR. MiR-155 mimic and miR-155 inhibitor, as well as scrambled control were transfected into cultured RASFs by Lipofectamine 2000. Forty-eight hours later, MMP-3 levels in the cell culture supernatant were detected by ELISA and fibroblast proliferation was assayed by 3H -TdR incorporation test. Fibroblast invasive ability was tested by transwell system. IKBKE which previously identified as actual target of miR-155 was examined by real-time PCR. Comparisons between groups were performed with t test or one-way ANOVA analysis. Results It was shown that miR-155 was up-regulated in RASFs (1.79 ±1.94) and it was higher than that in OASFst (0.11±0.17), P<0.05]. Up-regulation of miR-155 could decrease MMP-3 levels (P<0.05). The proliferation and invasion of RASFs transfected with miR-155 were both evidently suppressed (P<0.05), while reducing the endogenous miR-155 could significantly enhance RASF proliferation (P<0.05). The expression of IKBKE of RASFs transfected with miR-155 was obviously down-regulated compared to those transfected with the scrambled control (P<0.05). Conclusion miR-155 is up-regulated in RASFs which may be a protective factor against the inflammatory effect, at least partially by attenuating the expression of IKBKK.

Objective To explore cardioprotective effect of matrine on myocardial ischemia in hypercholesterolemia rats. Methods Myocardial infarction was induced by subcutaneous injection of isopreterenol (ISO, 85 mg/kg) once daily for two consecutive days in rats feeding cholesterol-rich diet for 4 weeks. Content of serum lipid, myocardial injury marker enzymes, lipid peroxidatase and activities of antioxidative enzymes in serum and/or heart tissues were measured, and cardiac function was evaluated. Results Administration of matrine (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, respectively) decreased serum level of TC and TG, improved left ventricle (LV) contractile function (increased LVSP and +dp/dtmax) and LV diastolic function (decreased LVEDP and increased -dp/dtmax), depressed the levels of myocardial injury marker enzymes of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK), promoted the activities of antioxidative enzymes of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalyst (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GHS-PX), as well as decreased the content of lipid peroxidation product of malondialdehyde (MDA) in plasma and/or myocardial tissues in hypercholesterolemia rats with myocardial infarction. Histopathology examination demonstrated that matrine could attenuate ISO-induced myocardial infarction morphologically in hypercholesterolemia rats. Conclusion Our results suggest that cardioprotective effect of matrine on myocardial infarction in hypercholesterolemia rats is attributed to its ability to decrease the TC and TG content of serum, enhance the activities of antioxidative enzymes, and maintain the stability of myocardial cellular membranes.

Animals ; China ; Elapidae ; Humans ; Male ; Snake Bites ; Snake Venoms ; poisoning ; Young Adult

Carcinoma, Medullary ; complications ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; complications ; pathology

U.rhynchophylla is an important herb in Chinese medical treasure with the functions of calming endogenous wind and arresting convulsion,clearing away heat and calming the liver,for the treatments of hypertension,epilepsy and convulsion,crying with fear in children.This paper retrieved and collated 3,304 items of application information in the invention patents over uncaria before July,2016.Data of the basic sciences were collected from Chinese Science Citation Database (CSCD) and those of situation analysis of patents from Patent Online Analysis System of Chinese Academy of Sciences.Year,region,patented technology,patentee and key technology were involved and analyzed in the system for profound investigation of the current situation and developing trend of invention patent application over uncaria.It was found that trace elements and chemical composition beneficial to human health were receiving favors from the market with rapt attention focusing on patent applications.However,there were still major limitations in the application and the patent quality needed improving.In conclusion,further development and the utilization of uncaria presented promising prospects.

Objective To evaluate the application value of X-ray,echocardiogram,pulmonary perfusion scintigraphy,EBCT,Magnetic resonance Pulmonary angiography in diagnosis of PTE.Methods Twenty-five consecutive patients clinically diagnosed of having PTE were examined from july 2003 through March 2004. Patients underwent X-ray chest plain film, echoeardiogram, electronic beam computed tomographie (EBCT)angiography,ventilation-perfusion (V-P)seintigraphy,Magnetic resonance Pulmonary angiography (MRPA)and puhnonary angiography according to a strict diagnostic protocol.Two of the independent readers reviewed the pulmonary angiography and record all of the lobe and segmental involved in PTE and compared with other image method.Results Pulmonary angiography:all of the patients success underwent the technique,the pulmonary artery branch with PTE was in 556 of 775 branches (71.7%). Chest radiography had hints of diagnosis in 12 of 25 patients.Nine patients diagnosed with echocardiogram. Right heart enlargement was in 21,and pulmonary hypertension in 18.V-P scintigraphy revealed 247 segmental involved with PTE of 500 (52.0% ),and the sensitivity was 64.66% compare with the pulmonary angiography.There were 523 pulmonary branches involved PTE with EBCT pulmonary angiograpy of 775 branches,and the sensitivity was 94.06%.MRPA: 8 of 10 patients succeed in the technique, 155 branches of 248 were detected with PTE(62.5% ),the sensitivity was 81.29%.Conclusions EBCT is a high sensitivity method in diagnosis of PTE.Chest radiography and echocardiogram are the first-line modality of PTE.V-P scintigrapby is the valid compensation in diagnosis subsegmental pulmonary artery with PTE when EBCT miss diagnosis.Gd-CE-MRPA may be the second-line modality in diagnosis of PTE.

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of double balloon endoscopy (DBE) in the elderly. Methods Clinical manifestations and endoscopic findings of 42 elderly patients (aged 60-80 years) and 73 young and middle-aged patients (aged 12-59 years) with small bowel lesions were obtained and compared. Factors influencing the diagnostic outcome of DBE in patients with small bowel bleeding were identified,and the optimal check time after the latest bleeding was determined.Results The procedures of 85.7％ (36/42) in the elderly and 79.5％(58/73) in young and middle aged were completed (P＞0.05).There was no significant difference in the procedure time between the two age groups.No severe complications were observed in the elderly group.The overall positive rate by double balloon enteroscopy examination were 71.4 ％ (30/42) and 63.0 ％ (46/73),respectively in the two groups (P＞ 0.05). Ulcer and tumor lesions were the most common findings,and diverticula and angiodysplasia were the second common findings. Longer duration of bleeding and higher number of bleeding episodes were found in the elderly with positive DBE findings than those with negative findings. Positive diagnostic rate was significantly higher when DBE was performed within 7 days than that after 7 days (90％ vs. 40％). Conclusions DBE is a safe,reliable diagnostic modality,especially in the elderly patients with small bowel bleeding in which ulcer and tumor lesions are the most common identifications.DBE is of greater benefit in patients with more bleeding episodes over a long period,and should be performed within 7 days after the last bleeding.

ObjectiveTo explore the association between angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene insertion/deletion(I/D) polymorphism and cerebral infarction among Chinese people. MethodsThe ACE gene polymorphism was determined by PCR-RFLP in 242 patients with cerebral infarction and 283 controls. Multiple logistic regression was performed to explore the risk factors for cerebral infarction. ResultsAfter adjusting age, gender, alcohol drinking, smoking, education,history of diabetes mellitus and the primary hypertension, there was no significant association between ACE I/D polymorphism and cerebral infarction, either was hypertension and diabetes mellitus. The primary hypertension significanlly increased risk of cerebral infarction (OR=7.28,P =0.000). Both ACE ID/DD genotype and the primary hypertension showed a significant gene-environment interaction(r=1.62,OR=7.29), something as super multiplicative type 2 interaction. ConclusionAlthough ACE gene polymorphism is not risk factors of cerebral infarction, but ID/DD genotype had shown significant gene-environment interaction with primary hypertension in occurrence of cerebral infarcion.