In order to confirm the hypothesis that during acute hypoxia, the antiarrhythmic peptide (AAP10) could improve conductance by changing the phosphorylation state of connexin43 (Cx43), isolated perfused rat hearts were randomly divided into three groups: control, hypoxia and AAP10 (n=9 in each group). The change in Cx43 phosphorylation was tested by Western-blot; the distribution of Cx43 was observed by confocal immunofluorescence microscopy. Western-blot analysis revealed that the expression of total Cx43 protein was significantly decreased during acute hypoxia, while nonphosphorylated Cx43 (NP-Cx43) was unchanged. AAP10 could increase the expression of total Cx43 protein, but had no effects on the NP-Cx43 protein. Immunofluorescence study showed that during acute hypoxia, both total Cx43 and NP-Cx43 proteins were greatly decreased, while AAP10 only increased the expression of total Cx43 protein, but had no effect of the NP-Cx43 protein expression. These findings suggested that the decrease of intercellular communication may be associated with the reduction of phosphorylated Cx43 (p-Cx43) and translocation of NP-Cx43 from the surface of gap junction into intracellular pools during acute hypoxia. AAP10 can improve intercellular communication by enhancing phosphorylation of Cx43.

Objective To assess the therapeutic effect of music- regulated laser therapy on mild and moderate primary hypertension (PH) so as to provide clinical evidence for the development of an effective non-drug therapy for hypertension. Methods One hundred mild and moderate PH patients were divided into obser-vation ( n = 50 ) and control groups ( n = 50 ) according to their stage of hypertension. There were two phases of treatment with 6 weeks in each phase for a total of 12 weeks. In the first phase, patients in the observation group received music-regulated laser therapy while the control group received drug therapy. In the second phase, the treatments were reversed, with the observation group receiving the drugs. The blood pressure and quality of life (QOL) of all the patients was evaluated after each phase. Results Before therapy there were no significant differences in average blood pressure or QOL between the groups. After the first phase, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) had been reduced significantly in both groups, but the decrease was significantly greater in the control group. The score on each item of the QOL evaluation was not significantly different between the two groups. After the second phase, blood pressure had decreased further in the observation group, but no significant change was observed in the control group, and there was no significant difference in blood pressure between two groups. The scores on each item of the QOL evaluation were not significantly different between the two groups, but average somatic symptoms, healthy and pleasant feelings, task perform-ance and life satisfaction were significantly ameliorated in both groups. Conclusions Music-regulated laser therapy can lower the blood pressure of mild and moderate PH patients effectively. Compared with antihyperten-sion drugs, music-regulated laser therapy provides a weaker effect in lowering blood pressure, but plays an e-quivalent role in improving the QOL of patients.

Objectives To explore the calcium signaling mechanism of STIM1 in breast cancer cells. Meth-ods After SiRNA interruption, Western blot and Transwell were used to measure protein expression of STIM1 and cell migration in MDA-MB-231 cells respectively. The relationship between STIM1 and SOCE calcium signaling were analysed by Laser confocal microscopy. Western blots were used to measure protein expression of FAK after si-lence STIM1. Results The numbers of cells without STIM1 were significantly lower than those cells with STIM1 by Transwell assay. STIM1 mediated SOCE in MDA-MB-231. Blocking SOCE might inhibite cells migration. Si-lence STIM1 did not affect the expression or activation of FAK in MDA-MB-231 cells. Conclusion STIM1 influ-ences cell migration through SOCE pathway in breast cancer cells, which is independent on the expression or activa-tion of FAK.

The current difference between male and female rabbit ventricular myocytes was investigated for elucidating the mechanism of longer QT interval and higher incidence of drug-associated torsade de pointes in female rabbits than in male rabbits. Whole cell patch clamp technique was used to record APD, Ito, IK,tail, IK1 and ICa,L of myocytes from left ventricular apex. There was no difference in the membrane capacitance between male and female rabbit myocytes. APD90 was longer in female rabbits (560.4+/-26.5 ms, n=15) than in male ones (489.0+/-20.7 ms, n = 14), P<0. 05. In female rabbit myocytes, IKtail, Ito, IK1 and ICa,L were 0.71+/-0.05 pA/pF (n=17), 8.28+/-1.03 pA/pF (n=18), 24.5+/-3.6 pA/pF (n=12) and 9.0+/-2.3 pA/pF (n=15) respectively. In male rabbit myocytes, they were 0.84+/-0.07 pA/pF (n=18), 8.60+/-1.20 pA/pF (n=18), 25.9+/-4.5 pA/pF (n=14) and 9.3+2.6 pA/pF (n=16) respectively. IK,tail in female rabbits was significantly lower than that of male rabbits (P<0.05), but there was no difference in Ito,IK1 and ICa.L between male rabbits and female rabbits (P>0.05). The lower IK.tail of female rabbit myocytes may contribute to the longer repolarization and the higher incidence of drug-associated torsade de pointes.
Action Potentials/physiology ; Heart Ventricles/*physiology ; Myocytes, Cardiac/*physiology ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Potassium Channels/physiology ; Sex Characteristics ; Torsades de Pointes/chemically induced

Objective To analyze the growth and development condition of the children with cerebral palsy,and to investigate the influence of puberty on their adult height.Methods 56 children with cerebral palsy were selected as research subjects.34 healthy children were selected as control group.Their height and weight were measured,the development condition of their sexual character was checked,and then standard deviation of height and weight,height age and bone age were calculated,adult height and target height were predicted and analyzed.Results The standard deviation of height and weight in cerebral palsy group was (-1.29 ± 1.39) and (-0.77 ±1.20) respectively,which was lower than that of the normal control group[(0.40 ±0.95),(0.38 ± 1.01)] (t =-6.270,-4.6 7 6,all P ＜ 0.0 5).In preadolescent cerebral palsy group,the chronobiological age was bigger than their height age and bone age,the difference was significant (t =6.381,7.939,all P ＜ 0.05),but there was no significant difference between height age and bone age (P ＞ 0.05),there existed no significant difference between predicted adult height and target height(P ＞ 0.05).In adolescem cerebral palsy group,the chronobiological age and bone age were larger than their height age,which indicated significant difference (t =3.438,-3.759,all P ＜ 0.05),but there was no significant difference between the chronobiological age and bone age (P ＞ 0.05),the predicted adult height was lower than target height,the difference was significant (t =-5.204,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The growth and development of children with cerebral palsy would usually fall behind the normal children,but showed similarity in terms of starting age and process of puberty.After puberty,their bone age would increase dramatically,their predicted adult height would fall behind target height distinctly.

Objective To evaluate the effect of intrathecal dexmedetomidine on the expression of G-protein-coupled inwardly rectifying K+ channel 1 (GIRK1) in dorsal root ganglia of rats with diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP).Methods A total of 144 healthy adult male SPF Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 8-10 weeks,weighing 200-220 g,were randomly divided into 4 groups (n =36 each) using a random number table:control group (group C),dexmedetomidine group (group D),group DNP,and DNP + dexmedetomidine group (group DD).DNP model was established by single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) 60 mg/kg.In D and DD groups,dexmedetomidine 1.5 μg/kg was injected intrathecally at 14 days after citrate buffer or STZ injection,while the equal volume of normal saline was given in group C.The mechanical pain threshold was measured before STZ injection (T0),at 14 days after STZ injection (T1),and at 2,4 and 6 h after intrathecal injection (T:2-4).After measurement of the mechanical pain threshold at T2-4,the rats were sacrificed,and the dorsal root ganglia of the lumbar segment (L4-6) were removed for determination of the number of GIRK1 positive cells and expression of GIRK1 protein by immunofluorescence and Western blot,respectively.Results Compared with group DNP,the mechanical pain threshold was significantly increased,the number of GIRK1 positive cells in dorsal root ganglia was significantly increased,and the expression of GIRK1 was significantly up-regulated at T2-4 in group DD (P＜0.05).Compared with group D,the number of GIRK1 positive cells in dorsal root ganglia was significantly increased,and the expression of GIRK1 was significantly up-regulated at T2-4 in group DD (P＜0.05).Compared with group C,the mechanical pain threshold was significantly decreased at T1-4 in group DNP (P＜0.05).Conclusion Intrathecal dexmedetomidine attenuates DNP through up-regulating the expression of GIRK1 in dorsal root ganglia of rats.

Objective To investigate the protection effect of dexmedetomidine against H2O2 injury in Human renal tubular epithelial cells(HK-2 cells). Methods HK-2 cells cultured in vitro were randomly divided into four groups(n = 24): control group, dexmedetomidine pretreatment group, H2O2 injury group, H2O2 injury +dexmedetomidine pretreatment group. Cell viabilities were measured by MTS assay, cell apoptosis were detected using flow cytometry, and expression of HIF-1α protein was quantified by western blot. HK-2 cells were divided into 8 groups by combining with three treatment factors such as PI3K inhibitor LY294002, dexmedetomidine and H2O2 injury. MTS assay was used to detect cell viability and western blot was used to quantify protein expression of HIF-1α,Bcl-2 and Bax after treatment in each group. Results Dexmedetomidine significantly increased the level of HIF-1α、 Bcl-2 in HK-2 cells after H2O2 injury, thus improved viabilities and reduced apotosis of cells. Moreover, effect on H2O2 injury cells of Dexmedetomidine was reversed by PI3K inhibitor LY294002. Conclusion Dexmedetomidine could protect against H2O2 injury by up-regulating HIF-1α expression through activating PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway in HK-2 cells.

Objective To investigate the patterns of frequency domain indexes of surface electronic signals of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients' paraspinal muscles by using surface electromyographic (sEMG) techniques .Methods 25 AIS patients enrolled, 7 males, 18 females, ages range from 11 to 21 years old. All of the enrolled patients undertook the Biering Sorensen test(BST) and the object-lifting test, a Finland made type ME3000P sEMG instrument was applied to record the electronic activities of paraspinal muscles(convex /concave) of all subjects, and the frequency domain indexes: median frequency(MF）,mean power frequency(MPF）, zero crossing rate(ZCR）were analyzed.Results The wave amplitudes and scales of paraspinal muscles electronic frequency domain indexes(MF, MPF, ZCR) were lower than the other tested positions when recorded at the zone of apex vertebrae, and MFslope, MPFslope and ZCRslope all showed a linear degressive tendency as the exercise time was extended.Conclusion Paraspinal muscles at the zone of apex vertebrae have low fatigue durabilities and more likely to be exhausted. sEMG ought to be one of the objective examinations used to evaluate the differences of electronic activities of paraspinal muscles(convex /concave) of AIS patients, and may have a promising value in clinical practice.

Objective To evaluate the relationship between NT-probrain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels and the degree of coronary artery stenosis in elderly patients with non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes (NST-ACS).Methods The levels of NT-proBNP were determined in 258 elderly patients with NST-ACS divided into 3 quartile groups based on the degree of coronary artery stenosis,and 62 normal controls.And NT-pro BNP were compared among 4 groups.Results The serum levels of NT proBNP were increased in the NST-ACS patients with single,two or three-artery lesion compared with normal controls [(197.3±80.2)ng/L,(381.7±73.5)ng/L,(496.5± 99.8) ng/L vs.(68.2 ± 36.1) ng/L].The level of NT proBNP was enhanced along with increasing severity coronary artery disease (all P＜0.01).And with aging,the NT-proBNP levels were rising [aged＞60-69 years:(182.34±69.13) ng/L; aged≥70-79 years:(302.68±87.51)ng/L; aged≥80 years:(482.09±82.2)ng/L] (all P＜0.01).Conclusions The NT-proBNP level is enhanced along with aging and increasing severity of coronary artery stenosis in elderly NST-ACS patients.

BACKGROUND:N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor is an ionic glutamate receptor which is closely related with the neural synaptic plasticity, and also can regulate neural synaptic plasticity. OBJECTIVE:To explore the mechanism by which N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunits NR2A and NR2B regulate neural synaptic plasticity after cerebral ischemia. METHODS: 60 Wister rats were randomly and evenly divided into a sham-operated group and a cerebral ischemia group. Rat models of chronic cerebral ischemia were established using the modified bilateral common carotid artery occlusion method in the cerebral ischemia group, while rats in the sham-operated group did not undergo occlusion of the common carotid artery and vagus nerve. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:At 0-12 hours after chronic cerebral ischemia, NR2A expression in the rat hippocampus was gradualy decreased, while the expression of NR2B reached its peak level at 4 hours after cerebral ischemia. Under the circumstance of cerebral ischemia, neither low frequency nor high frequency induced long-term potentiation. These findings suggest that NR2B exhibit inhibitory effect, while NR2A exhibit promoting effect on long-term potentiation induced by stimulation.